Sadness...

We received a completely unexpected phone call last night. Hunter Dan's Mom passed away. My heart is breaking for my husband, and his 7 siblings. As we cry here for how much we will miss her I know the reunion on the other side was joyous and wonderful as she was reunited with her husband, son, parents, and all her loved ones who had gone before. We love you and will miss you. I am so glad families are forever.

Mom/Oma

May 9, 1931-October 25, 2009

Happy Birthday to..........ME!!!!

Holy Smokes 33 years old!! How did that happen? Just wanted to say a big THANK-YOU Mom(with a little help from Dad...haha) for bringing me into this world, and always taking such good care of me. I love you both more than you could ever even know! You two are the best, and I am very blessed to have you as my parents.

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Then 10 years later, my adorable niece Kylee was born. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the cutest birthday twin ever, LOVE YA!!!!(hope you get spoiled!!)

Hope every one has a great day...it's a special day for our family, especially Bug. Like I said before, what an amazing Birthday present for me. Can't wait to get around and say "HI" to everyone, it's been a long time!!!:-)

Stressed!?!

Maybe a little...

Just like last week...it's going to be a busy week. We've had many costume orders, and I think we are pretty much done. We also have a boutique coming up this weekend, and I am working non-stop to get tons of items made. Not to mention trying to get all the new items onto the Ribbon Blossoms website. Also this next weekend is very special since Bug will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood, I can think of nothing better as my birthday present. I can't wait to see my Mom and Dad since they will be coming down for it.

I have missed blogging and getting around to visit everyone, I am missing all my bloggy friends, I will have tons of catching up to do and I can't wait!!!

I miss you all, and hope every one is doing well!!

How can time fly by so quickly!!!?

Happy 12th Birthday BUG!!!!!

I seriously can't believe 12 years have gone by so quickly!! You were the first little munchkin that was put into my arms, and I was sooo thrilled to have a handsome little boy. I didn't know if you were a boy or girl, and the very second I saw you, the love and joy I felt for you(this sweet little guy) was overwhelming. You have brought me many, many moments of joy, pride, admiration, and awe that I was trusted to be your Mom. I love you so much Bug... there just aren't words to describe it. This birthday is a very special one, and I am very proud of the young man you are and are becoming.

I love you buddy!!! Happy Birthday, and I hope you have a great day!

Did I mention...I LOVE YOU!?!?!?! Thanks for being you, even if it includes lots of disgusting bodily function noises!:-)

Dear Someone, and Totally Thankful Thursday...

Head on over to Shortmama's to read more Dear Someone letters. Hers today was absolutely wonderful!!!

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Dear Man on the Bike,

I was simply waiting to turn onto the road from the parking lot. I was watching for an opening in the traffic, when all of a sudden for some reason I hear this big thud on the side of my car. I look to my right and notice the dumb look on your face as if to say "well get out of my way or obviously I will run my big tough bike into your car." You seriously ran into me, did ya think you could go right through? Just curious and a bit confused. Hope your tire didn't go flat, and you are really lucky you didn't dent or scratch my car.

What the Heck,

Lady who could have turned around and ran her car into your bike

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Dear Heartburn,

I know you have come with every pregnancy, but this is too much. Bug thinks I need to join D.A.R.E. because of my addiction to tums. I'm kind of sick of you, and am really sick of tums. Hope we can break-up soon.

Addict

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Dear Children,

I really do love you all to the moon. Sorry I am a little um...grumpy, irritable, crazy right now. Thanks for being patient, and willing to help out so much with anything I need. Sorry I am not much of a cook these days, and sorry you had to be in the car when I pulled over to throw-up in that neighborhood last night. I love you all more than I can even say.

Momma

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I haven't been thankful for a while so here I go...

1. I was able to get my blood drawn yesterday, for the glucose test. Yep I kept the orange drink down.

2. I have a vehicle that gets the kids and me to all the destinations we need to go. Yesterday was...busy!!

3. That Ribbon Blossoms has had so many orders!

4. That I have kids that make me laugh and want to pull my hair out all at the same time!

5. That I have a husband who works out of town, and misses us like crazy just to make sure he has a job and I can be home with the munchkins!! Thanks Hunter Dan!! I love you!

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Can I just tell you how much I love these silly girls!!!?

Have a wonderful Thursday, wow this week is flying by!!!

Time to Serve!!

SERVICE and WARM FUZZIES...

I decided that our family needs to focus more on serving others, and the happiness it brings into our lives when we do. From the little tiny things to big things that we would need to do as a family, it is time we focus on others. Bug and Lexlee understand a bit better about not being awarded for service, but Jibbity on the other hand...makes sure you know when she has served you.haha It was really sweet, last night Jibbity grabbed my hand and told me I needed to go look in my room. She had taken off all the pillows and pulled down the covers for me. She was so excited, and told me she had done service and that her heart felt good. Same thing today when she noticed Lexlee had not put her shoes away appropriately, she says to me,"look what I'm doing Mom...this is service".

So...I came up with a container that we can fill with "warm fuzzies", ya know the feeling you get when you serve someone or do something good?(an old red vines container, mod podge, and scrapbook paper) We will put a little craft pompom in the jar whenever we have done an act of service, little or big, it doesn't matter. The kids are soooo excited to start filling their "SERVICE" jar.

For Family Home Evening Monday night, we talked a lot about service. President Monson's talk on Sunday during General Conference really stuck with me. It was one the kids could actually remember, and they loved the "warm fuzzies" idea. Why not bring that spirit into our home?... now I gotta go buy some warm fuzzies.:-)

Everyone have a great Wednesday Morning!!!

Just Stuff...with a recipe...

I love the things kids say, especially during prayer. Last night Jibbity was saying it, and after blessing her friend at school to be good instead of naughty, and asking to let us please have good dreams instead of bad, she finished off with a..."and please bless me that I can look cute in my pictures tomorrow". Oh how this 5 year old makes me laugh!! The kids have picture day today, and she is very concerned with what she is going to wear. She says she has to look "adorable".

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Sunday afternoons I sometimes feel the desire to bake, nothing fancy mind you, but something Hunter Dan can enjoy during the week, as well as the kiddos. I thought it was time Bug tried his hand at a cake(from the box), and frosting(from scratch). He did awesome, and was soo proud of himself.

He says he can even make his own Birthday cake. It

was cute to see the sense of accomplishment on his face, especially when he tasted it after dinner. As if that weren't enough he then helped me make yummy marshmallow popcorn.

Here's the recipe...super easy and sooo yummy.

CANDY CANE POPCORN

4 quarts popcorn

3 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup margarine

1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Pop corn, add marshmallows, nuts, gumdrops, m&m's or whatever.(my Mom always makes this at Christmas time for neighbors, and adds cashews and gumdrops. She also shapes it into a candy cane or wreath.) Melt margarine in heavy sauce pan, add sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to boil...stir and simmer for 3 minutes. Add vanilla, mix well, pour over popcorn.

We only added the marshmallows, and it's almost gone now. YUMMY!!!

Have a FaNtAsTiC Tuesday!!!

Friend Makin' Mondays!!!

Amber is once again hosting Friend Makin' Monday be sure to go link up, and get to know some other bloggers out there!!! It is lots of fun!! Today she asks:

What are your hobbies? What do you wish that you knew how to do?
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WHAT I LOVE TO DO....

Fix hair...the second pic was for crazy hair/pajama day at school.

Make hair accessories...check out Ribbon Blossoms.:-)

Sew...I'm NOT good at it, but I really enjoy playing!

Crafting, and creating...from cutting wood and transforming it into something fun, to primitive stitcheries. I LOVE it all!!!
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WHAT I LOVE TO DO...BUT DON'T DO ENOUGH...

Relax, and take time to enjoy the little things more.

Play the piano, the kids enjoy when I play, but I rarely take the time to.

Dance...my favorite thing ever, especially ballet, and Irish Step. I can't wait to start doing this again, when the baby is here and a bit older.

Scrapbook...I am VERY far behind!!
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WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO LEARN HOW TO DO...

Paint.

Juggle...silly but true!

Sing...oh I can sing really well in the car, ask the kiddos.(they ask me to stop, especially when I am using my thumb for the microphone)

Ski...I grew up in Idaho, and live in the state with "The Greatest Snow on Earth", but have never been!

Find a way to make lots of money, and enjoy what I do, while still being home with the kids.(Is that too much to ask?)

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Thanks Amber, glad I could join in today!!! Be sure to go check out everyone else's hobbies too.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!

Good Morning!!!

We have been busy!!!

*First of all...I hit the 400 mark on the "BARF" calendar(gross I know, but this is also my journal)...the kids thought that was really awesome, and Bug is betting I will for sure pass 500.

I had an appointment with my Dr. on Thursday...the one where ya drink the nasty orange drink, and they draw your blood. You're suppose to drink it a half hour before your appointment. I got 5 minutes from the Dr. office and had to stop, and lost that nasty drink in a really nice residential neighborhood. Needless to say they gave me another drink, and I will try it again this week. Everything was good though, I was down 2 pounds, blood pressure was good, and no protein. I'm scheduled to be induced the 18th of December(if everything is o.k.) That is only 2 1/2 months!! WooHoo!!!

* I think I have started "nesting". I got a real bug the last few days to get everything in order. It started with the closets, I need organization!!! Then the drawers, on to washing walls and baseboards. The kids were out of school on Thursday and Friday, and have been a HUGE help!!! We even got the ceiling fans cleaned. We only have a four bedroom house, and right now the three girls share, luckily their bedroom is decent sized, the closet though is average. What do you do with three girls in one closet...organize!!! This is what it looks like...

Luckily they for the most part love to keep things tidy and organized too, hopefully it will stay this way for a while. We will definitely be needing to rearrange the bedrooms!!!

*Bug had another game yesterday, and they did sooo good!!! (Thanks Kandice for this pic!)

Super close to a win, but not quite. The girls love getting dressed up to support their favorite big brother!

*Yesterday and today is L.D.S. General Conference. I love to hear from the First Presidency, and all the other amazing speakers that have been chosen to deliver messages that we need to hear. I always look forward to sitting down with my family and listening to what is being said.

*Anyway here it is a beautiful Sunday morning(the sun isn't awake yet, but I am)

...and I am trying to finally take a minute and get caught up a little. I don't work on Sundays(Ribbon Blossoms), but I also try not to get on the computer either, so before everyone is awake, I'll try to get around and say "hi". OOOH, it just started raining! I love the rain!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!!!!

Monthly Craft Challenge

The adorable and super talented Heidi over at Blue Eyed Blessings hosts a monthly craft challenge. I haven't participated in a while , and thought it was time I got my stuff together! Be sure to head on over and check out all the other fun Halloween or Fall projects!!!

My project is super easy and last minute. I used a 12x12" tile I had laying around from another project, and with some mod podge and paper I came up with this...It looks perfect next to my big scary witch in the living room that cackles and her eyes light up when ya give her hand a squeeze. Now I think I will create a new tile for every holiday...too much fun.

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And this is what goes on while I create in my craft room.......

Jibbity being so good and coloring....
Eating a cookie(that we made together the day before)as a snack...

Ashie looking sweet and innocent....

While she eats her cookie and throws all of Jibbity's crayons on the floor. Gotta love the kiddos!!

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!!!