Chinese New Year

I know, I know... Chinese New Year is over, but...I have a Chinese New Year date with my hubby tonight! 

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I'm really excited. 

I'm excited to have a babysitter lined up (that's a big deal for me, even if its just my sister!)

I'm excited to enjoy a pot luck dinner with 5 other couples

I'm excited to hold my husbands hand

I'm excited to add some much needed spice to our marriage

I'm excited for no kid distractions, maybe I'll even sit on my husbands lap

I'm excited to read my fortune

Tonight I am excited

Another sneak peak.....

15 DAYS.......

THANK YOU

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO MY AMAZING SISTER!  THANK YOU FOR BRINGING SOUP OVER TO MY SICK LITTLE FAMILY.  I LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH

AGENCY

Taking the crib down just about sent me over the edge. I shed some good tears. I'm not ready to let that go, I'm not ready to be done with babies, I'm not ready for my kids to grow up. Most people are excited for their kids' milestones. Today, I'm not. I'm trying to understand the word AGENCY better. Its hard to fully understand the word, when I feel like my AGENCY is limited to some degree. The Lord knows my thoughts. AGENCY or not, its my motto this year to Trust in him.

Just because she's so darn cute!

Getting ready...

For my VALENTINE'S PARTY!!!!!!!

*Not your typical Valentine's Day colors, but I like them*

Meow

Matt took this picture over the weekend!  I'm still laughing.

Five Spice Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients 

Recipe from HERE

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup instant brown rice
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed and chopped
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, (see Note)
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, (see Note)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro, basil, mint and/or chives
• 1 large carrot, shredded

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice; reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey and ginger; cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice, bell pepper, water chestnuts, broth, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder and salt; cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
3. To serve, divide lettuce leaves among plates, spoon some of the turkey mixture into each leaf, top with herbs and carrot and roll into wraps. 

*I added a little low sodium soy sauce on top and I used Mint, Basil and Cilantro for my fresh herbs.  1 1/4 cup equals 285 calories* 

Eight

It's Great To Be Eight 
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 Our Ward Primary had its annual "It's great to be eight" night last night and I was so thrilled how my treats turned out.  Not so thrilled I was in the kitchen for 5 hours on Saturday making 4 dozen of these but.....I think I will use this idea when my girls turn Eight

Party details

 

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Lindsey always acts like she's chewing gum!  How appropriate to throw her a bubble gum party

Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas

Fresh Start

I love Fresh Starts.  It feels good to set new goals and even better when you achieve them. I've let the last couple years get to me.  Let's be honest...I'm a gloom and doomer, a news junkie, a fear monger, I've let fear motivate me.  I've cried too much about not being able to get pregnant, I've fought too much with my husband.  I need a break. I want hope. I want peace, and I want happiness.  That stuff has to start with me.

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2012

*Read more, LOTS more

*Lose weight (story of my life!)

*get my eyebrows tattooed

*Date my husband...the 7 year itch is quickly approaching us so I've started a date club...Hello!  Ricks College called, they want their dates back.  More on those fun details to come

*Start Acupuncture
*Take a small vacation.  Its been too long since our last one

*Trust in the Lord more.  A lot more.  My prayers are heard, I am loved, and I know he knows what is best for me.  I need to really TRUST in that.

*Enjoy walks, flowers, fresh air, exercise, eating more raw foods, eat less dairy, sugar and carbs, drink more water (Only water)

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Just writing those things down, makes me feel better.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to let my mad skills of adding to my food storage stop, Glen Beck is still my BFF and my AWESOME phone calls to my mom about "the end of the world" predictions are not going to stop!!  No Way!  I'm just going to put more energy into things that make me feel lighter and happier.

GREEN SMOOTHIE

*MY NEW DAILY BREAKFAST*

3 Large handfuls of spinach

1/2 banana 

frozen strawberries

2 T flax seed

1 scoop of vanilla bean protein powder

little water