On Pushers and Pullers

On Sunday I was sitting in church. There was a row of older people sitting in front of me. They were sitting toward the outside of the bench with open space in the middle. Sacrament meeting was about to start and this younger woman approached them and asked if she could sit by them. The woman on the outside said, "No, my husband is coming to sit here." And I was disgusted. She really could have said, "My husband is coming but we can surely make room. We'll scoot down." But, in that second, she dismissed this girl and her needs without a second thought. Then, later this week Sierra had an orchestra concert. As I walked in and began eying the folding chairs in the back of the auditorium I realized (in my 5 second scan) that there weren't very many open seats. I saw a neighbor and so gravitated towards her to assess the situation. As I approached her, a relative she was sitting with, said to me (as I was saying "Hello! How are you guys?) "I'm sorry we have people coming. You can't sit here." Oh. Okay. Not that I was going to sit down anyway. But obviously your family is much more important than mine. No, I didn't say it. I just walked away. And when another neighbor (who is notoriously much more aware of others people's needs) waved me over to squish in with her family, I smiled, told her I was just fine, and then walked up to the side of the gym and made my own seats. Why does it matter? It doesn't except that both of these seat-saving people quite simply dismissed reaching out and helping someone. They deemed their needs more important.

So I must be super-sensitive lately. Either that or some people just really are insensitive. And, you know, it may just be a weakness of mine altogether. I don't like to depend on people. I don't like to ask favors from people. I don't like to interact with people in situations where there is a chance that I have a valid need and they don't care. And this is why I build walls. If I have a wall then you can't get in and I don't need to come out and there isn't a chance that you can tear me down or show your lack of interest in my life. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not claiming that I am "Mrs. Sensitivity" and am all that wonderful at meeting other's needs. Truth be told, I am not. In fact I am really bad at it. And maybe this is part of the reason I hate asking others for help--because I know that I am so bad at giving it. So safety lies in me handling my own issues by myself. You see, I have issues. I'll admit it. And when it comes down to it and I have to ask someone for help (and trust me when I say "have to" because in reality I have gone over the situation five-hundred times in my head and tried to figure out a way around asking anyone for help and weighed out what is most important and ultimately decided that having a qualified babysitter is more important than my inability to ask people for help) and so then ask for said help and someone, anyone, doesn't act like my need is important then I assume that that person doesn't really care about me or agree with what I deem important. That person that I had decided to trust enough to ask for help shot me down. And then all those dirty looks and those shunning words from junior high come back to haunt me. I am no longer the secure, self-confident mother of five. I am once again an awkward weird-o who walks quickly down the halls of school trying desperately to look like I have something much more important to do than hanging out with all the cool kids. Chances are I would hang up the phone from said person, shake my head in disgust or even try to hold back a few tears, and then build that wall back up again. Then, after a few hours of self-pity I would start working on the logics of the situation. I would tell myself that the said person was simply busy and meant no harm. I would tell myself that I have done the same thing. I would tell myself that it didn't matter. But I would still cry because let's face it, once you're in the pity-pot it's a lot harder climbing out than it was jumping in.

And you want to know the funny thing? You can try and offend me. You can say any number of flippant, rude, remarks about me or about how my house is always a mess or about how my kids hair is never done and I really wouldn't care. You can say you don't like me. You can say whatever you want and I honestly feel like I can look at the situation for what it is--either learn from it or let it go. BUT if it's me approaching you and if it's me actually having to ask you to help me then I feel like I am putting something out there that I wouldn't otherwise choose to do (even though all you hear me says is "Is there a chance that you could help me..." and not "I have thought this through a million times and it's simply one of those situations where I need outside help, even though I don't want to ask for it, I can't see a way around it."). And the minute you shoot me down you may as well have ripped my heart out and stomped on it and then shoved it back in all crumpled and dirty. And then up goes the wall. No big deal. I don't need you. I will never need you again either.

Okay, so I'm being over-sensitive. I realize it. But I guess the whole point of this post is this: You don't really know anybody. You know what they want you to see. You don't know that I am about to break into heart-wrenching sobs of uncontrollable crying because I am already teetering on the edge of insanity anyway and just that one little jab from you will push me over the edge. And yet saving that seat is much more important. Overdramatization? Probably. And yet it's true. You never know when someone is teetering on the edge and the one little kind act of moving over or even giving up your seat may pull them back a little bit the other direction.

So, thank you to all of you who are pullers instead of pushers. And to the rest of you jabbers; it's no biggie. I don't need you. And I will never need you again either.

And, lest you think all logic has gone out the window whilst I am soaking in this post of pity, I think I will start working on being less of a pusher and more of a puller. After all, what goes around comes around, right?

Funerals

So, my mom had an old neighbor show up at her door this past week to request her to play the piano at her funeral. Maybe, it didn't happen quite like that, but close. And it got me to thinkin. What if you had 3 weeks to live? Jason and I have been trying to figure out who we would choose to speak at our funerals. What about you? Who would you choose to speak at your funeral? It's harder than I thought it would be... Jason and I also decided that at the next McKellar get-together we are going to play "What would you say at my funeral" instead of "I want, I need, I am..." Who's game?

Auto Correct Fails... Taken from a post on facebook (and edited a bit for language)

#1 Text

How's ur day going?

Awful, I have a bad case of the manboobs.

Oh no! The MONDAYS! Not the manboobs!

Hahaha. That's HILARIOUS!

#2 text from "Mom"

Everything OK? I haven't heard from you in a few days?

Yup. Sorry Ma, I just came out of the closet.

Oh Matthew! That is great.

I always had a hunch.

I love you no matter what. So does your father.

Holy Crap. I'm not gay Ma.

I meant coming out of the clinic now. Autocorrect.

Oh, I see.

The real issue is, you think I'm gay???

#3 Text from "Jason"

Hey bro, I hate to ask this but could you spot me some cash?

Hi! What for and how much?

I'm like $300 short on my MOTTSAPPLESAUCE payment due on the 15th.

Uh how much applesauce did you buy from them? What the heck Jason?

I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe.

I wrote mortgage payment and I have no idea why my phone did that. I wrote motts applesauce once to Jen while she was shopping.

#4 Text from "Bryan"

So how was the date last night bro?

Did you score?

not quite. first date we went to dinner and then walked her home

then I killed her in the woulds outside her house and left

killing her seems a bit harsh. did she order the lobster and filet mignon at dinner or something?

******KISSED**** what the heck?

#5 Text from "Big Sis"

Whatcha up to?

Nothing just cleaning mom's vagina for thanksgiving dinner

Hahahah What?

Agh. I tried to type CHINA. Auto correct fail.

Bad visual.

Yeah, I think she can handle the other thing on her own.

#6 Text from "Chris"

Thanks again for the amazing first date

Any time! ;) Whens the 2nd date? I can't wait to see those big beautiful nipples of yours.

NO

I'm so sorry. I meant dimples. My phone changed it.

I did not mean to write nipples.

I am going to jump off a bridge now.

#7 Text from "Charlie"

Awwww. I miss you too.

Don't think I'm wierd but I'm sleeping with that Sh## you left in the bathroom...

WHAT?!?!?

Yeah, it smells like you and if makes me feel better when you're not here.

If you're trying to be cute for funny it's not working.

OOOOHHHH MYYYYY!

I meant SHIRT.

I'm going to kill myself right now.

#8 Text from "Jake"

Are you done painting jason's living room yet?

Yeah, just finished.

What color is it again?

It's called period red.

Dude. No. You're sick.

It's called PERSION RED!! I got autocorrect. Epic Fail.

We are dying here right now.

Disneyland!

Life Revisited

As LDS, we attend church every Sunday. We have a Sacrament Meeting, wherein we partake of the sacrament (as Christ taught at the Last Supper) and remember our Savior and the sacrifices He made, and renew covenants (promises) we have made with Him. Then we have a couple hours of classes. Our children go to Nursery, once they are 18 months and until they are 3 years, and then to Primary until they are 12 years old. We divide these classes according to the year the child is born. And I am not one to buck the system...except that I have with Nikell and I still want to. The problem is that we have a new primary presidency and they are trying to buck me bucking the system. Let me explain (was there any doubt?)...

Nikell went to nursery until she was 2 1/2-ish. The only other child in Nursery that was even close to her age is actually almost a full year younger (she has an early March birthday and he has a December birthday, I believe). So, she got tired of it. She decided she was ready for bigger and better things and started refusing to go to nursery. I have a calling that requires me to teach and really didn't want to coddle my 2 1/2 year old. So I stuck her in with her friends in the sunbeam class. Two kids in this class will attend kindergarten with Nikell and the other two are already in kindergarten. The teacher was jiggy with it and it turned out to be a good solution.

The problem came when it was time to advance classes. Where does Nikell go? Going back to Sunbeams with this poor little boy (who wanted nothing to do with Primary) didn't seem like a good fit. I pleaded my case and they allowed her to stay with her friends.

And now that we are nearing time to advance classes again...This cute little boy diligently goes to primary every week. But he is moving in a month or two. However, there is another cute little girl that is Nikell's age and has moved into our Ward. She wants to be in Nikell's class. And rightly so. The problem, for me, is that she is here short term (a year and a half-ish). So, the most correct thing to do would be to put Nikell and the other two children in a class of their own, right? But as her mother I am not liking it. My baby who has gone through a lot this year, is going to be yanked from her comfort zone and put into a new class where the kids will be all gone in a year or so. Then we'll be back to square one...again. Honestly, I just want her to stay where she is. My solution is to simply combine the classes. But it's not the most correct solution. And I realize that. I just don't like it.

I guess we'll see how it goes, and deal with it as it comes. Oh, and I'll pray a lot too!

Reminiscing...

My Grandma is dying. She is merely a shell of who she used to be and so it comes with hope that life will be easier on the other side. And I am thankful for the memories I have, memories that I will always hold close to me...

Gramm always had food for us, prepared and ready to warm-up, after the 4 hour drive to her house. "Are you hungry? I made spaghetti," she would say as she hugged us. Food was special at Grandma's house. Breakfasts with things like sausage and eggs and sugar cereals. Kool-aid at almost every meal. And then there are those foods that will forever be connected to my Grandma. Foods like Cathedral Windows and Pretzel Salad, Pecan Pie, and Orange Dream Bars. Those luscious cathedral windows were always made and in the freezer waiting to be sliced and enjoyed before we ever arrived. The pretzel salad was another story, though. She always saved it to be made together. And without fail, we made it together...wrong. We always ended up making that salad twice. And every time we made it wrong, Gram would laugh and then we would start over again. Grandma laughed at just about everything. And when we visited, Mom would join in on the fun. I can still hear them sitting in the back office laughing about some box of clothes. I can still feel the pure joy of both of them laughing at how our game of Junior Bridge turned out. Those late night games and Lawrence Welck went hand in hand. And while Mom and Grandma were busy singing with Lawrence I would often sneak into the kitchen and snack on dry marshmallows or chocolate chips. I knew I wouldn't get in trouble cuz Grandma said I could eat anything I could find...but I sure used to wish that drawer wasn't so squeaky just in case Mom disagreed. We were always busy at Grandmas. I remember one project she had me work on. She had a catalogue that was probably a million pages thick and I was supposed to fold the corner of every page so it would make a doorstop. I worked and worked and worked to get all those pages folded before I had to go home. It wasn't until later I realized that I never did see that supposed doorstop put to use. But I was always game for whatever Gram had in mind. My favorite chore was to reorganize her jewelry box. She always got it so messy while I was gone and then she would praise my organization skills and beg me to fix it again. Grandma taught me how to play Solitaire and always had a new hairstyle to try out on my hair. She was the queen of yard sales and going with her meant that you got to pick out treasures of your own...

My sweet Grandma worked very hard to entertain, love, and enjoy life. Laughing was her thing. She hasn't laughed in a long while and even as I wish I could hear that laugh or maybe play another game of Junior Bridge or sit on the back patio with a dream bar...I know that one day we will be reunited. I look forward to that day Gram.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everyone! Everybody ready for some trick-or-treatin? I have been having an onslaught of Halloween memories this year. I have a couple of friends who are Ga-ga over Halloween and it seems that as a teenager I was always being roped into dressing up for some party. And since I really don't like Halloween, my way of rebelling was to go as something like a garbage sack.

This year our eating habits went a little topsy turvy with the news of Nikell's Celiac and the further news of her lack of digestive enzymes making it so she couldn't have sugar of any kind. So what to do about Halloween? We sat down and talked it out and decided that a stay at the Marriott would be just the party for us. Swimming, movies, popcorn, and maybe even a little candy (and even on a school night!).

Little did my children know that the "Boo Humbug" in me was dancing with delight over skipping Halloween. No costumes to worry about. No candy to either hide from the kids or force them to eat it all in one night. I still get giddy just thinking about it.

Before my Halloween Freak Friends break down and cry over my total lack of enthusiasm over this holiday...let it be known that we DID carve pumpkins. See? I can compromise.

MOAB

Okay, so we stopped in SLC first. We bought some year passes to the Zoo! We went late and had a fabulous time because there was no one there! So, anyone want to go LATE to the zoo this year?

Then we checked into a very pet freindly Hotel Monaco. Aiddie's favorite part was our goldfish, named Dorafee, on loan from the hotel. Dorafee was the only pet we saw.

Nikell and Mialee enjoyed the luggage rack

Then it was off to MOAB!

Tree climbing? Why not? We climbed everything else...

Delicate Arch is our favorite, but it is sooo busy. We'll have to do some photoshopping and edit a few people out of our Moab memories!

Rock climbing? Definitely!

Aiddie, in typical two-year-old fashion, jumped everywhere that it was humanly possible to jump. Actually, she scrabbled up like a pro. Then she jumped down. Whether we had her or not..thankfully we usually had a good hold.

I swear, no one's afraid of climbing in this family...except me.

Awwwhh. Yeah, it was fun.

I am still not an idiot

It's a good thing that I am not currently blessed with superhuman strength because were I blessed with such strength I would have ripped the hood off my van this morning. You see, my sweet husband, knowing that my children often play with the lights in the van, has insured that I have a way to jump-start my vehicle. A cute little battery-powered jumper. It's light. It's easy. It's perfect. Who knew that the biggest obstacle for me to overcome would be popping the [insert angry word of your choice here] hood. I pried. I dug. I pulled. I, for the life of me, could not find that elusive little latch that releases the darn thing. Seriously. I mean it...SERIOUSLY! I closed it and pulled the latch and then felt and dug and pulled some more. I was getting foot-stomping angry and had to keep reassuring myself that "I am not an idiot." Then I did the inevitable...called the neighbor. He first asked me if I knew that there was a latch (for lack of a better word) to pull inside the vehicle wherein you "pop the hood." I, very calmly, assured him that I was not an idiot and had indeed "popped the hood" several times :). Thankfully, this man is not only a man, he is a husband and he had enough husband experience to back-pedal a bit. He felt around under the hood and pretended to be baffled too. Then he peeked under, found the latch, and kindly professed that it was in a weird location as he successfully opened the hood to my cursed vehicle. I profusely thanked him, ignoring the fact that he found it necessary to continue his lesson on how to properly "pop a hood" by pointing out where the hood holder upper thing fit into the hood holder upper hole, and told him that he might as well complete his mission of manliness and just jump the vehicle. Day saved. Mission accomplished. And, no worries, I will continue to reassure myself that "I am not an idiot."

Menu Plan Monday

In our latest adventure of Celiac Disease, my sails have been somewhat deflated. Dinner, which was already a weekly mountain to be conquered, became more of an Everest. I come up with one or two meals that might seem acceptable...but am utterly and deeply lost the rest of the week. My kids really won't eat fish or very many forms of sauteed vegetables. Some people like to call them picky--I like to call them kids. I offer and encourage tasting and even force some foods, but I remember being a kid and hating tomatoes or anything related and potatoes and vegetables in general. I grew up a bit. I've branched out a bit...But I digress.

In my darkness and confusion there was this little light. Her name is Cindy. We go back a ways. How is she my light? Her Menu Plan Monday. There were times when I would check her menu and roll my eyes in disgust because we could no longer eat such simple food. I would go in search of foods we could have (all of us, as a family) and end up walking away frustrated. But Cindy always posts. Even if there is a week where no one comments on her hard work and dedication or offers their menus in return...she would still keep posting. Why? I don't know (I have personally dappled with theories of craziness about Cindy for years), but she did. And week after week her posting encouraged me. Her ideas of returning to homemade foods intrigued me because of my new-found need to do so. She is a constant and it was somehow encouraging to me. Last week I was able to come up with a menu for the WHOLE WEEK. It was a big step. And this week again, I have a few ideas. Who knows if those ideas will come to fruition but having them makes all the difference in my sanity (and my budget).

So in case you need a few new ideas too...and BONUS they're Gluten Free (or will be by the time I get done with them)!

Monday: Rice and Meatballs

Tuesday: Thai Chicken with Peanut Butter Sauce (maybe sandwiches)

Wednesday: German Pancakes (GF experimental version or these Pancakes for Nikell and Mialee-they're super yummy and often turn out like crepes)

Thursday: Cheese Sandwiches (gotta love Udi's) and see if I can talk Jason into making GF pizza while I'm at work so Nikell and Mialee will have some pizza for the primary party on Friday!

Friday: Crock Pot Roast Beef Sandwiches

Saturday: Philly Cheesesteak Soup w/ the left-over roast

Sunday: Dinner at Fancy Nancy's for Grandpa's Birthday

And, if I am really motivated, I might just try making my own Graham Crackers to add to my arsenal of snack items to send with Nikell to preschool!

How's Your Demeanor?

I consider myself a fairly even-tempered person (except for those moments when I completely lose it). However, it has been a long-time goal of mine to be happier. Not so irritated. Not so quick to snap. And having 5 kids seems to have become a BIG reason for this. But not like you might think. Not because they irritate me (although I must admit that sometimes they do) or because they require loads and loads of patience (although, again, I must admit that sometimes they do). Nope. It's because having 5 kids is not the norm. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal until I had 5 and started getting "the look" or "the comments." And I know people are looking at me and watching my 5 little duckies following behind and they are making judgements. And for this reason I need to be happy. I made this choice and I wanted these kids. It wasn't an accident and I am in no way stuck in a situation that I did not create nor want to be in. So I need to paste a smile on my face and let the world know that I find joy in motherhood. Cuz I do. It just doesn't always show and I need to be better at it. So this week I have been workin' on my attitude and my demeanor. After all, I can tell my kids to clean their room nicely or like a raving lunatic. Either way it's gonna get done. This week I choose nice. Today I choose happiness. For this moment I choose a smile. What about you?

Call Me Lemual

I'm sure that if you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you are familiar with the story of Nephi...and Laman and Lemual. As I child I was always quite disgusted with how much Laman and Lemual whined and complained and EVERYTHING. Now, as an adult, I have come to realize that for a very long time Laman and Lemual actually eventually did what was right. They seemed to always come around after they got their feet stomping and whining out of the way. Whereas Nephi simply obeyed. So, who am I? Lemual. Or Laman. Take your pick. I always come around, but I do like to whine on the way.

As we have discovered the source of Nikell's sickness I have done my fair share of whining. And yet every time I do whine I get flashes of friends whose kids will probably never walk or who have even lost their precious little ones. So, really, I have absolutely no right to whine. And so I will now press forward with a brightness of hope and with a thankful heart that God saw fit to answer our prayers and provide the way for our child to become well again. Because, really, we are so thankful...

In Other News...

Jason's sister had a cute little baby girl. We set these cousins down by each other and Kiella was okay with it until....

Violet wanted to snuggle and Mackson wanted to explore. Poor kid was being attacked on all sides!

And...Jason has been letting his hair grow out (meaning he hasn't cut it). He has porcupine hair. It literally stands up straight until it is longer than 3 inches and heavy enough to be weighed down. We were getting ready for church the other day when he came in with this cool hair-do. I alternately laughed and pleaded for him to not go out in public. Mostly, though, I laughed and laughed until I cried.

This is him humoring me while I am taking pictures and laughing hysterically.

Who Am I if I Can't Even Make Dinner?

In the never-ending quest of meal-making, Mialee (who, by the way, asked me what it was like to grow up in a barn today--what?!?) suggested homemade chicken noodle soup...one of our favorites. Those big, thick, chewy noodles are a staple that I grew up loving... And in our new quest of Gluten Freedom I foolishly thought I could just substitute a bit of this and a bit of that and come out with nearly the exact same thing. Boy was I wrong. My first attempt quickly found it's way into the garbage. Jason was out walking and we soon joined him while he commenced questioning me about the noodles, "How long do they need to sit?" My answer was short and a little gruff, "They're in the garbage." His look of astonishment was, I'm sure, based on the fact that I actually threw food away. But, really, I no longer cared. I feel like I have lost a part of myself in this quest. After all, what kind of mother am I when I can no longer make decent food for my family? Do not fear, though, I did not succumb to the failure that threatens my every meal and snack...I tried again. Second try noodles were deemed "passable." Passable. Is that what I am reduced to? Passable? It was meant as a compliment...and they really were "passable" but I want "yummy" and "I couldn't even tell the difference" and "let's eat those again!"

I am finding something out about myself. I do not enjoy cooking enough to enjoy this trial. I want to make food and have it be good. Period. I hate making food and having people call it "passable" and know that "passable" will probably have to do for now. I cannot tell you how many times a week I have the desire to make something yummy for dinner or a treat for a snack. I giddily begin to open tabs on Jason's trusty laptop...cookies, pasta, cakes, casseroles...the possibilities are endless! I excitedly peruse each recipe, waiting to find just the right one. Then reality hits me and ingredients that I never before considered start to jump out at me...gaur gum, gee, agave syrup. I consider the sugar content, which little-Celiac doesn't have the enzymes to deal with right now. Sigh. I don't even bother to close the tabs. I just walk away. Rice it is. Again. And broccoli. Broccoli is good. Maybe we'll be adventurous and mix them up tonight....

Look Who's Riding Without Training Wheels!

And in our family we believe in teaching by example...

And Aiddie cruises pretty durn fast on this little wiggle car...

And Sierra rips it nicely on her rip stick...

Where is Mialee, you ask? She found a friend and took off to his house to play!

Hazard of Having a Baby in the House

Nikell Anna

Today I am busily making brownies for a friends wedding. I am supposed to supply three jelly-roll pans full. So far, two pans have failed and the third I tried a completely different recipe--which I am dissatisfied with. So, at this point in time, I'll be lucky if I don't end up making 10 pans...That'll teach me to be confident in offering my support in the cooking arena. I'll look on the bright side someday and say something like, "Failure keeps me humble." Right now, though, I am ready to spit nails...

While I am taking a break from my brownie failing, I thought I would update on Nikelly-Belly.

Nikell is little, all around, except her belly. Many, many, months ago I noticed that her little belly began to protrude. She also started complaining of tummy aches. She stopped eating well too. At her 4 year check up, the Dr. reported her gaining 1 pound in the last year... Then she started throwing up about once a week or every two weeks. She's tired and lethargic (they're different, right?). She has dark circles under her eyes.

I could bore you with all the details of the last LONG while, but let's just say it's been a rollercoaster. I tried several things on my own and she would seem to get better and then she would throw up...again. Her little belly blows up like a balloon. She tells me how she doesn't feel well. I tried taking her to the doctor several times too. Then we tried several other things. She would seem to get better and then she would throw up. Her belly is till big. Her tummy still hurts. I tried a foot zoner. We have given her a blessing. I am running out of ideas.

My heart is breaking for this little girl. She is trying so hard to enjoy life. She is so patient as we drag her from place to place and try food after food and medicine after medicine. She tries not to be too needy in a family of 5 kids and is very accepting when I can't just sit down and hold her. But I want my baby back. The little girl who is vibrant and funny and charming. I want to see her enjoy running and riding her bike instead of gritting her teeth and working at it because it's supposed to be fun. I want to hear her ask me to go outside and play. I want to see her jump and roll and not just sit and contemplate.

We are up to the "specialists" now in the field of doctors. We tested her for a few things and found that she has an IGA deficiency--which just makes it harder to test her for other things and adds a whole new possibility to her problems. Friday we get to go in for an endoscopy. So what does this mean? It means that every night when I lay my tired head down for the night, I pray. I pray really hard that this will be the doctor that will be inspired to finally figure out the problem so that we can begin to find the solution. I pray that she will gain a little weight. I pray that her poor little belly won't pop out soo much tomorrow. I pray that she will smile because she feels good and that she will run because she wants too and that we won't have to go lay down when we're done. I pray that she won't throw up or tell me that her belly hurts....

Another day...another test...and we'll take it as it comes. We are happy and we feel blessed and know that the Lord will guide us and give us the answers in His own time. But I'm sure your petitions wouldn't hurt...

Grocery List

I am busy putting my grocery list together for the week and thought I would share a few recipes that I am excited about...

My dear childhood friend, Cindy, introduced me to Baked Oatmeal and I am seriously hooked! I have been picking fresh raspberries and adding blueberries and eating it for breakfast daily! I have to beat Jason to it though because it goes fast!

Find the recipe HERE

Another friend, from highschool, Tara, has been doing freezer meals and she found a few fun ones to try. Like Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos! Holy cow I am excited to try these!

Find the recipe HERE

Tara also found a recipe for some spinach smoothies. I know, gag me. BUT while visiting my sweet sister in Oregon, she made some of these for us and they were quite tasty. I figure you can't lose drinking spinach!

Find the recipe HERE

Enjoy!

A while ago I was reiterating a conversation to Jason. In this specific conversation the speaker said a naughty word. So as I was repeating the dialogue instead of repeating the swear word I said, "Blankety blank blank."

Now you have to understand that I did this very deliberately. I saw no need to repeat the word or to have anyone think the word. But Jason, being the over-zealous analyticalist that he is, immediately questioned what kind of word could be substituted for "blankety blank blank." I tried reasoning with him, telling him that it didn't matter, that the point was that there was a swear word, that I didn't see a reason for him to repeat the swear word in his mind...But, alas, he was stuck on the fact that I used a three-worded substitute for a one-worded swear word. It was irrational. I told him that my reasoning was completely rational--you still get the idea that it's a swear word and yet you don't think the specific word and muddy your mind.

So, of course, we have to hash over our argument at the next McKellar family function. And from this hashing Travis and Crystal claim that when someone says "The S word" instead of a swear word, they do not actually think the swear word. I told them they are both full of it. If you reiterated to me any common, well-known, substitute for a swear word, knowing that the substitute was really the swear word, I would automatically think the swear word. And I will argue that everyone else will too. Travis and Crystal say that they only think what was actually said and make no substitute in their mind.

So, let me get this straight. If I said to you, "Someone called me the "B" word today." You would just think, in your mind, "the "B" word." You wouldn't actually think the real word? They said yes, they don't think the swear word.

I still say they are full of crap. It's almost impossible to NOT think the given word. But, I have been wrong...this one time. So I thought I would ask my adoring readers. What do you think?

Cabin Hopping

Island Park

Nelson Family Reunion. Jason's Mom was in charge and it was soo much fun!

The four younger older girls all lined up in bed

Jason took the two older girls to Yellowstone. They saw lots of buffalo, Old Faithful, and more!

Mialee even made a new friend! Her and Dillan (sp?) were inseparable! Unfortunately, I was little grumpy on this trip. We have been dealing with the some health issues with Nikell and I was a little overwhelmed. But it was still a blast!

Bear Lake
We love visiting Bear Lake over the 24th of July, traditionally, with Zack and Heidi.

Jason always manages to build a little pool for the kids. There wasn't much beach this year and the sand was burning hot! It was a good thing we had shade!

Aren't Travis and Crystal cute with little Mackson?

Lava Hot Springs
Last stop was Lava for the Beddes Not-Really-A-Reunion.

My Sister in Law's grandparents have the most awesome cabin in Lava. This is the second time we have been. They are so incredibly nice and let us use the 4-wheelers, boats, swing, etc. Nikell fell in love with the 4-wheelers. She was on one every chance she got!

Jason and Kiella hanging at the pond.

Nikell going for the ride on the paddle boats.

The swing is one of the best parts of this cabin. I wish you could see the height that you start from...it's a long drop. And the kids love it! Adult supervision is required and Tim spent is fair share of time out there!

Three weeks and three cabins. That's a lot of laundry! Ha ha. We have thoroughly enjoyed our travels and spending time with friends and families. Now it's time to focus on a baby blessing and going back to school!

Fourth of July Weekend

We traveled through the middle of nowhere to get to...the middle of nowhere! Really, we went to Neola to visit Jason's cousin, Carol. They have a beautiful house in the middle of a bunch of wild country non-inhabited land. Carol planned a BBQ for our first night, including a Flag scavenger hunt and treasure hunt with prizes! I'm not sure why Hurley and Aiddie thought they had to pose with their hands on their heads.
We also brought Carol some Pampered Chef items...including the AMAZING Rice Cooker. The coolest thing about it is that you can make a cake in the microwave in 9 minutes! So, of course, Jason had to demonstrate.

There was also some Annie-I-Over going on.
The next day was the big race and the parade. Jason built some shade for the kids.
This was my favorite part of the whole parade. Synchronized Uni-Cyclers! They were amazing!
And Nikell was sooo happy that her favorite Jensyn was there!
When my girls saw the horses, they wondered if they could ride one. And Dusty was so kind as to walk a horse in circles for a couple of hours out in the hot sun. They were in heaven!
Oh, and look, another cake! I think we actually made 4 by the time the weekend was over.
Another highlight was the skunk family that decided to visit the kids while they were out playing! Really, Neola was SOOO fun! My kids were sad to leave, as were we. Carol and Dusty were very gracious and fed us Non-Stop! We can't wait to go back!
Our next stop was Grandma Beddes's. One of my favorite memories of my Grandma's house is playing games! So when my mom broke out Chinese Checkers we were so happy!
We also hit the West Point Parade!


We ended the night with a BBQ. The kids picked cherries off Grandpa's trees and sold them at the fireworks in Clearfield that night. All-in-all we had a WONDERFUL Fourth. Thanks to everyone who shared it with us!