Happy Halloween

 Beautiful Princess

 Dead Cheerleader

Fireman Brennon (sans helmet), Ghoulish Caden (sans scary mask), Ty, Happy Dead Cheerleader, Beautiful Princess.

Caden said that Ty dressed up as a teenager.  "They never want to dress up either."  More on that later!

Hottest Runway Ever

The newest fashion of the season!   On the cutest model of the century!!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

So, I have another recipe that is a "Wow"er!  I got it from Ashlee and made them for the Cake Walk at the party.  They are heaven.  I mean, if they come with a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup inside, how can they be otherwise?  They're easy.  Sinful.  And unforgettable!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes***
1 Package Chocolate Cake Mix
1 1/4 C. Water
1/2 C. Peanut Butter
1/3 C. Oil
3 Eggs
24 Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Beat first 5 ingredients on Slow setting for 30 seconds and high setting for 2 minutes.  Fill paper-lined muffin tin half full.  Place Peanut Butter Cup into center.  Cover with 1 Tablespoon cake mix.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes.  Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes and then completely on wire rack.  Yields 24 Cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Frosting***
8 oz. Cream Cheese
4 T. Butter
1/2 C. Peanut Butter
3 1/4 C. Powdered Sugar

Mix ingredients until smooth and then add 1 C. Whipped Topping.  Make sure to frost cupcakes when completely cool.  They are SO good!  Enjoy!!!

Winner Winner Chili Dinner

We had our Ward Halloween Party/Chili Cookoff last night.  There were four categories to the cookoff; Regular, Hot, White Chili, and Soup.  Randy and I entered Darwin's Pasta e Fagioli.  And guess what?!  We won in our category!!!  Some might think it's the person that makes the meal.  I believe it's the recipe that makes the cook!  I've won a few contests within the last 2 years in this ward.  It's not that I'm some unbelievably awesome cook, it's just the recipes:)  I thought I'd share.  Remember, this is made up by Randy's Dad!  Isn't that just the coolest?!

Pasta e Fagioli***
1 Pound Ground Beef, browned and drained
1 C. Matchstick Carrots
1 C. Diced Celery (about 3 stalks)
2 cans Italian Style Diced Tomatoes
1 can Great Northern Beans, including liquid
1 can Red Kidney Beans, including liquid
12 oz V-8
1 can Tomato Soup plus one can water
1 1/2 t. Salt
2 T. Dehydrated Onion
1 T. Vinegar
1 t. Garlic Powder
1 t. Oregano
1 t. Basil
1/2 t. Pepper
1 C. Salad Noodles

Combine all ingredients except noodles in crock pot.  Simmer on low for about 8 hours or high for about 4 hours.  Last hour add noodles.  Enjoy!!!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes a couple of weeks ago for the missionaries.  Because of a stupid diet we were on, I didn't even get to try one.  So, with the extras that I couldn't eat, I took them over to my friends house.  She loved them.  She asked for the recipe.  Yesterday I got a call from this friend (we'll keep her anonymous by simply saying she's my best friend!).  She wanted to know how many the recipe made.  3 1/2 dozen.  *Gasp*  She thought they only made 12.  So she tripled the batch!  That's how good they are:)  I thought I'd share the wealth with everyone.  They're that good!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting***
3/4 C Butter, Softened
2 1/2 C Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Can solid pack pumpkin
2 1/3 C Flour
1 T. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 t. Baking Powder
1 t. Cinnamon
3/4 t. Salt
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1/2 t. Ginger
1 C Buttermilk

Frosting***
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 C Butter, Softened
4 C Powdered Sugar
1 t. Vanilla Extract
2 t. cinnamon

Combine first four ingredients.  Then alternate dry ingredients with buttermilk.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Frost when cooled.

Allowance

The kids were hitting us up on the whole allowance issue again.  We keep telling them that we'll think about it.  Apparently they don't like that it's taken us years to think about it.  Randy decided that we'd pay them $8 a month when they turn 8 & 9, $10 a month when they turn 10 & 11, $20 when they turned 12 and so on.  It was easy enough to take when we decided that we owe Keilie $16.  Can you believe she's been 8 for two whole months?!  However, when Randy posted the question, "How much do we owe Caden in back allowance?" we almost reneged the deal.  We owe Caden $242!  Um... Caden can we take out a loan?  So, now that the guidelines are set (tentatively) for allowance, we'll have to think about when we'll pay them:)  We got away with this kind of talk for years, let's see if we can put off paying them for that long!!  How much do you pay your kids in allowance?  If any!

College

Randy was talking to Caden today about how fulfilling it would be for him to save enough money to pay for his own mission.  Caden has saved almost $200 and is due another $250 in back-allowance.  That's a whole other post:)  Anyway, we were counting Keilie's money and Randy was trying to give her the same kind of pep talk.  He said, "How awesome would it be for you to pay for your own college?!"  Being the literal Keilie that she is, she said, "But I wouldn't have any friends if it was my own college."

It's Brennon!

Ty has been quite the tattler recently.  Yesterday I was talking on the phone to Ash just watching Ty be so cute.  He was trying to juggle his water and car so that he could drink without dropping the car.  As he was bending over to pick up the car, the water spilled all over the floor.  He looked at the water, gasped, shot his head up to look at me and said, "Mom, Brennon spilled the water."  Brennon was at school! 

Everything is Brennon's fault these days.  Ty doesn't eat his food, it's Brennon's fault.  The toys need cleaned, Brennon made the mess.  It's kind of funny.  For now.  It won't be so funny when I really can't tell if he's lying!

Mine

I'm not going to share.  No matter how much you're willing to pay.  They're Mine, Mine, Mine!

Generous

 Ty loves cars.  He loves watching them, playing with them, soaking them in the tub, putting them in his mouth, anything you can think of.  He loves cars!  So, naturally, we got him some for his birthday.

 He could barely contain himself as Randy was pulling out not one, but ten cars.  He started to line them up on the carpet...

And then decided that all of the boys in the room needed a car to have.  It's so much more fun to share!  For the record...This hasn't happened again:)

Compliment

I was looking through the halls for Caden and Keilie at school today.  I looked in the library and asked the teacher if she'd seen them.  She pointed me to Keilie's teacher's room.  Sure enough, they were there.  Later, when Caden was taking something back to the library, the teacher asked if I was his older sister.  When he said, "No, that's my mom," she said, "Oh, she looks young enough to be your sister."  I prodded Caden for her tone just to make sure that she wasn't joking.  He said, "She said it just like this..."  No joking in the tone that he said she used.  I look like my son's older sister!  In case you were wondering, too, I'm 20 years older than him!:)

Time Out 2011

Natasha, Me, & Kimberly

October 7, 2011- October 8, 2011

Time Out For Women

 Denver, CO

 I got to go with two of my good friends, if not best, to Time Out For Women in Denver.  We drove down on Friday at 1:00PM.  We got down to Denver in good time, but about 15 miles from our destination we hit some TERRIBLE traffic.  I mean 15 minutes to make 5 miles kind of traffic.

 Friday night we got to hear Heidi Swinton talk about writing President Monson's biography, To the Rescue.  How amazing.  He has kept every single talk and letter that he's ever given/received since his apostleship.  1963-now!  It took her four months- 9:00-6:00 every day- to read all of his talk alone!  We missed most of Mary Ellen Edmund's talk due to traffic.  However, it was forgotten as soon as Dallyn Vail Bayles sang.  Ashlee says he's the Mormon Josh Groban.  I got my CD signed!  Awesome!

(Hilary Weeks)

Saturday we got to hear Mariama Kallon talk about her trials living in Sierra Leon, watching her sister get her legs chopped off, having her virtue stolen from her and how she's found a way to forgive so she can be happy.  Her talk was "Why should my heart weep."  It was amazing!  Emily Watts talked about ways for us to be "Habitually Happy to be the Mom."  She is always SO funny.  I love her books.  Emily Freeman talked about being Disciples of Christ.  She lets her kids pick out their favorite picture of Christ and then write "I am a Disciple of Christ" on the matte and frame them.  We're going to do this with our kids when they turn 8.  Caden likes the one where Jesus is walking on water.  Keile likes the one where Jesus is coming out of the tomb.  We'll have them complete by Christmas, I hope.  Hilary Weeks sang for us and uplifted us with talk about our thoughts.  I'm going to use her examples in my lesson in Relief Society in November.  I am so blessed to have been able to go.  I went three years ago alone and loved it.  I loved it even more with friends.  May 4 & 5 it will be in Billings, Montana.  I'm recruiting now for seats.  Come!  You won't regret it.  You'll be spiritually charged and ready to take on anything you have going in your life.  It's Wonderful!

Happy Fall!

I LOVE decorating for the seasons.  However, this year I didn't have the energy to do my front room as well as the front door.  So, I took all of my decorations and went all out for the front door.  And... since I LOVE this time of year with it's yellows, oranges, burnt reds, and browns, I didn't want to only have it up for a month and a half.  So this has been up since September.  1st:)  That makes 3 months for Fall decoration and another 3 months for Winter.  I love decorating.  Happy Fall Y'all!

Blankies

I miss the days when I could fall asleep wherever, whenever, and however I wanted.  I'll miss the days when he doesn't have this blanket even more.  I was a blankie girl myself, so I can relate to this:)

Decor/Storage

Ashlee found this cute Fall Decoration on Pintrest.  I loved it so much, I knew it had to be mine.  Green Split Peas, Red Kidney Beans, Yellow Split Peas, topped off with Pumpkin Spice candle and you're done.  Quick and Easy.  When I asked Randy if he like it, his response was, "Nice.  Great Food Storage!"  Sorry ladies.  That whit is already taken:)

Eight

Tonight we were lucky to have the Sister Missionaries join us for dinner.  Afterward, they gave us a spiritual thought about the plan of Salvation.  While we were talking about the Celestial Kingdom, Sister Wasden asked what we have to do to enter that Kingdom.  They were saying things like, You need to be very good, you need to read your scriptures, and other things like that.  To help them along, I asked, "What do we do at 8?"  Keilie said, "We go to bed!"  Yep.  We sure do!  Caden looked at her with complete confusion and said, "No, we get baptized.  Like what you did a couple months ago!"  Love!

I AM WEAK!

It's no secret that I have a weak stomach for many things.  I don't like the kids loosing teeth.  I don't like blood.  I don't like needles.  I don't like slobber.  There are many more, but for the sake of time, I'll keep the list short.  So, this weekend has been a trial for me.  Randy processed the elk on my kitchen counter.  He used a saw on the bones.  He used the garbage disposal often.  There was blood in the sink and on the counter.  I was dis*gus*ted to say the least.  I thought we were done with all things elk until I went to sacrament today.  Sacrament for heaven sake!  Noah, Randy's hunting partner, brings me Randy's hat and sunglasses and.... the front two teeth of his elk.  Still bloody!  In a baggie.  I simply opened my purse and had him drop them in.  YUCK!  Just the thought makes me want to gag!  NOW can we be done with elk?  Please?!  I'm BEGGING!

Two Two Two Twooo!

I tried to find a different picture, but our home computer died and I don't know where to look!

Today is my baby's 2nd birthday!  I still can't believe how fast it's gone.  I remember the quiet of his room after Randy left for Denver to pick up my sister, Ashlee.  We got to be with our new baby together for about 20 minutes before he left.  I was then alone with my sweet baby in the wee-morning hours.  There was so much peace and quiet.  I was moved to my room where I tried to get some rest after being up with labor all night.  I couldn't.  I just looked at this new precious angel I'd been given and Thanked my Heavenly Father for my new sweet baby boy.  I took some pictures of his feet and smiley face and sent them to Randy's phone.  I remember thinking he'd been born with skis, his feet were just so long.  I loved being able to go home the exact day I had him.  No trying to get sleep with the nurses coming in every hour to check your vitals!!  Lurve! 

Ty, how grateful we all are to have you in our family.  You have been such a great "baby."  I love watching you grow, saddened that we'll never see these milestones with our own children again, but happy that we won't be here again at the same time.  Your sweet voice is such a joy.  Your snuggles (when not whining) make my heart melt.  Your giggle makes me laugh as well.  Watching you chase after your siblings makes me excited for a time when we all keep up together.  I'm glad to have you miss the deadline for Kindergarten so I get to keep you with me a year longer than all of the others.  I love it when your hair gets shaggy:)  I love it when you learn new words and use them in unexpected times, such as No Thank You!  I love your grumpy face when others talk to you and you don't want them to.  I love your independence!  You are my sunshine!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Tyson Darwin!!

Fire Station Field Trip

This morning for preschool we went on a field trip to Fire Station #1.  It was fun to hear the kids' answers.  None more than Shelby's.  While waiting for the rest of the kids to come, FF Danny asked if anyone knew any jokes.  Shelby did!

Shelby:  Knock Knock
FF Danny:  Who's there?
Shelby:  Shelby
FF Danny:  Shelby Who?
Shelby:  Shelby Jacquelyn Dirks

FF Danny:  What do you call a fly with no wings?
Shelby:  A Frog.
FF Danny:  A walk.

They then talked all about putting wet on red.  He asked the kids if they knew what FF's do.  Shelby said, "When you go camping you take a tent and you make a fire and you eat outside and you wait for the moon to come up and then go down and then you make the fire go out by putting water on it and then you get into your tent and use your flashlight and then you go to bed in your cold sleeping bag."

Once when FF Danny called on her for an answer he said, "Yes.  Purple Coat."  Shelby was about to give her answer when she stopped, looked at him in all seriousness and said, "My name is Shelby."

My favorite part about the whole thing is how Shelby's hand shot up with each question with the slightest of *Gasp* each time.  One FF actually said, "Let's ask someone else who doesn't have all of the answers." 

Brennon was typical Brennon.  He didn't volunteer to go see if he could find any skin that was showing on FF Dykes.  He didn't jump into line first to see the inside of the fire truck.  He didn't squeal with delight when he got to shoot water from the big hose onto the grass.  He didn't almost faint with sheer enjoyment when he got a hat and badge.  He graciously thanked them in his quiet voice for letting him come.  However, he was non-stop talk as soon as we got in the car.  Typical!

There was another little girl there that was just as enthusiastic as Shelby.  Lilly was raising her hand almost as much!  When asked what we know about our noses, Lilly replied, "They smell things.  Sometimes I get chunks in mine."  We all agreed that that's no fun at all!

I LOVE field trips.  I love being able to go without having to ask for a day off.  I LOVE my kids!!!

Manners

There is nothing more fulfilling about being a mother than when she sees her children using manners.  A heartfelt "thank you, " or "please" can lift any sorrow.  However, this is not the case with Ty.  On Sunday as we're making the last minute preparations to make it to church on time, I'm struggling with Ty to get his shoes on.  He's kicking and screaming, "No Thank You Mommy."   He went to church without either.  Same thing this morning.  I simply took his coat off of the hook!  "No Thank You Mommy" as he's folding his arms in protest.  I'm loving the fact that he's using his manners, but ready for this new found independence to be done.  After all, he needs socks, shoes, and especially a coat in this weather.  So it's been, "Nice manners, Ty.  Get over here now!"

Eight

We got to have Jackie and Darwin visit us this weekend.  It was perfect.  We were able to learn how to make Temari Balls and celebrate Ty's birthday.  As much as you can with a child that doesn't want to open his presents,  let alone look at you!  With the birthday talk and celebrations, Shelby and Brennon were eager to talk about their own birthdays and getting older.  Brennon was telling Grandpa that he's going to turn 4.  Grandpa said, "I'm older than 4."  Brennon asked, "Like 8?"  Darwin's birthday is tomorrow.  I hope his 9th birthday is everything he's ever wanted it to be.  Birthday's are always a HUGE ordeal for the Dirks' children.  Just as they were for one little Burrell girl.  Me!

Days of the Week

I volunteer at Shelby and Brennon's Preschool every Thursday.  I LOVE it.  I love hearing the kids' cute answers.  Yesterday it was Shelby's!  Mrs. G:  "If yesterday was Wednesday, what is today?  Shelby?"  "Rain day."  It was raining and cold, so it must be Rain day.  I mean, if we have Sunday and Windsday, why can't we have Rainday?

So, the boys have been waking up at 5:16 for five mornings in a row.  I've wanted to shoot myself every morning.  By naptime, they are practically begging me to put them down.  Yesterday I didn't put them down for nap so that they would be tired enough to sleep in.  Brennon fell asleep on the couch at 5:30, Ty downstairs at around 6:00.  Thankfully they both went to bed without a problem at 8:00.  This morning I woke up at 5:00.  I think I was waiting for them to get up.  My body must be used to waking up, just like theirs are!  Only... this time they didn't wake up!  They ended up sleeping in until 6:20.  It took me a while to fall back asleep.  Figures!  Funny thing is, I'm usually wishing they'd sleep in longer than their usual 6:20.  This morning as I was waiting for them to wake, I was praying that they'd make it to 6:20.  Everything is relative.  6:20 is my new heaven:) 

Reba

So, now that my friend Kimberly has the tickets, I can now let you in on a secret that I've known for more than a week.  We're going to the Reba concert on October 21!!!  Danen, her husband, wanted to buy them for her.  He knew we'd have a great time together, so he bought me one, too!  "Thanks, Danen.  Your Friendship Dues are now paid in full.  For this year, anyway:)"  I can't wait.  Kimberly, be prepared for a Sensational night!  So, this means that we get to go to Time Out For Women together this weekend and Reba weekend two weeks after that.  October is looking like the perfect month 2011.  Behind January with Ashlee.  And Wicked in May.  And 30 in May.  And missionary in August.  2011 is Awesome!!!

Genius

Randy is one of the smartest people I know.  I'm not biased!  When he got the job for GlaxoSmithKline, he was give the equivalent of 5 college courses and given 3 weeks to learn them all and pass 5 tests with 80% of more, or... he would be fired.  You would think he would take every possible moment and study like mad.  Nope, he used those weeks to move us to Casper.  He made study cards and had Ashlee quiz him on the drive up.  (Don't worry, she had her Dramamine- the non-drowsy kind this time.)  How did he do?  Out of the 5 tests he only missed ONE question.  He's amazing.  However, no matter how smart you are, or think you are, we all have moments of stupidity.  Randy even has them.  Who knew?!  One day he was looking for Sears in the phone book.  He was getting pretty ticked that he couldn't find it.  After looking three times for the number he exclaimed in an angry voice, "They're not even in the phone book."  Astonished I said, "Are you sure?"  "Yes, Honey,  I've looked three time.  The book goes from Sa to Sc.  There not in here."  Even geniuses have small lapses of judgement! 

Unrecognizable

(Brennon's Blessing March 2008)

At our last book club I was telling women that I'm unrecognizable during and after pregnancy.  Some didn't believe.  Let me put those doubts to rest.  Yesterday I found this picture in an album.  Tyson said, "There's Caden.  There's Keilie.  There's Daddy.  There's baby."  I said, "Where's mommy?"  He just kept repeating people he recognized.  Over and Over.  He didn't know where I was.  After pointing to myself I asked, "Who's this?"  Ty just sat there.  He didn't know it was me.  The Sister Missionaries came to our house for lunch.  We were telling them the story and showed them the picture.  Sister Monson said, "Man, when I looked at that picture I thought, 'I didn't know he was married before.'"  Proof.  I'm unrecognizable!  :)

Dreams

I'm not sure what it is with our room being in the basement, but my dreams have been even more vivid since we've been down there.  They've always been vivid, but these have been enough for me to wake up SCREAMING!  It's always the same type of dream.  Someone is trying to get into our room.  There once was a time that Randy hadn't fallen asleep yet.  Can you imagine laying there trying to fall asleep and the person next to you in bed starts kicking you and screaming bloody murder.  It was the scariest dream I've ever had.  And I've had many throughout my lifetime.  One where Caden was drowning under our bed.  One where a bloody man was walking down our hallway into our bathroom.  And now, I've had months and months where I have vivid dreams 2-3 a week.  Last night was no different.  I'm not sure what I was dreaming this time, but I ended up crying out in my sleep.  Randy now just wakes me up and holds me until I'm done.  It's starting to really get on my nerves.  I wish I could change this about myself.

So, when I tell you that Caden still has night frights at 10, it won't come as quite a shock.  We all know where he probably gets the tendency:)  Usually it's terror where he's screaming, "NO, NO DAD, NO.  COME BACK.  IT'S NOT SAFE.  NOOOOOO!"  And other such dialogue.  We've heard Mom, Dad, Shelby, Keilie, and Brennon.  He hasn't yet screamed to save Ty.  This last one however, was out of character for him.  It was FUNNY!  In a weird kind of way.  (Frantic) "I FARTED.  I, I FARTED AND THEN I LAUGHED!"

NOOOO!

I'm heartbroken. I'm frustrated. I'm disgusted. I'm mad. I'm embarrassed. I'm scared. I'm sick to my stomach. I'm helpless. Why? We just found 3 warts on the bottom of Caden's foot! Remember more than a year ago when I found some on the bottom of my foot? Remember when they froze the heck out of my foot and then made me wrap my foot in duct tape after putting acid on the entire ball of my foot? For 6 months?! Remember when I had to cut off layer after layer of my foot to get to the source of the more than 100 planter warts? Remember how I got those warts from walking bare foot at the pool? Well, now my 10 year old son has to endure that PAIN. I will definitely be using the banana peel sooner with him. I know that helped me heal faster, but still, it seriously hurt so much. Burning pain to the point of tears most nights. Hours spent cutting away skin. Pain each step. I wish I could take away the pain this is going to cause. And believe me, I know how much pain it is, and I still wish I could take it from him! Dang it!!!

Lucky Ducks

As a child, I remember going on a road trip as a family.  I'm not sure where we were going, but I sure do remember Ashlee's luck.  EVERY stop we made, whether it was to a store, a restaurant, or a rest stop, any time Ashlee pushed a button for either a soda or a snack, she got what she wanted.  NO MONEY!  I was SO jealous.  She'd get something e.ver.y time!

Caden knows how I feel!  Keilie is the same way.  She can twist the handle and have gum come out.  She's done it twice this month alone.  Once at Tacos Mexico and once yesterday at Walmart.  The thing about Keilie is she's always looking for stuff.  She'll kneel on the ground to look under the machines for a lost quarter.  She'll kneel on the ground and look under the isles for fallen food.  It has it's disadvantages (such as finding a hard, stale marshmallow in Smith's), but for the most part, she is pretty lucky.  Who's up for a trip to Vegas?  Me.  One, because I've never been.  Two, because maybe no one will notice if she's the one actually winning for me:)  We do hear all the time how we look exactly alike!  Right?!