B 19 N 22 O 3

BINGO!
Look what I found at a garage sale here in town today.
I love it. Back me up Pam Heggie.
I saw one last summer at station 8. It was in a sweet display that gave me a great idea for my basement family room. It was more antique than mine, but $40 vs $4, no question I got a better deal! I love the little wooden balls. It came with the little cards and plastic markers so you could actually play bingo instead of just having it look cool on a shelf. But until the basement is done it will sit in its wooden box complete with latches and handle.
I got some other good stuff too. Chalk today up as a sweet garage sale day.

true story

Me, finn, & Oscar were being lazy on my bed this morning after roman went to school. I thought Oscar had pooped. Turns out it was only Finn's tonsillectomy breath. Bet you are jealous your not at my messy smelly house right now!
Poor sad sick boy. But getting better. If you need me I'll be handing out Tylenol and codeine and serving up yogurt, ice cream, Popsicles, and freezies.

big things

Finn: mom look at my big things.
Me: what big things?
Finn: my big things like you have, like you feed Oscar with.

ten on tuesday

How about 5 hates and 5 likes.

1. Bacon. What is the world's fascination with it? I'm so not a fan. I can count on one had the recipes I use bacon in. I never eat it when Brad cooks it for breakfast. The smell of it cooking is nauseating. I only order junior bacon cheeseburgers so Brad can have the bacon.

2. Toms. Sorry, I just don't think they are that cute. And from what I have heard they fall apart pretty easily despite their high price tag. But there is one exception - they are kinda cute on little three year old girls like Evie. But she can make anything cute.
But they do have new Toms ballet flats, and they are cute. I'm still to cheap to buy them though.

3. I've said it before and I'll say it again, boys names for girls. It really is getting hard to pick a name for a boy that is actually boyish. And there are so many adorable girl names out there. Off the top of my head - Olivia, Ella, Hannah, Grace, Lilly, Jane, Audry, Sofie, Scarlet, Violet, Claire, Ruby, Hazel. I didn't even have to think hard.

4. Carrots. Blah. They taste like dirt flavored cardboard. But I do wish I liked them, does that count for something? They look fun to eat.

5. My maternity leave is officially over today. I start back to work tomorrow. My baby just isn't old enough yet. He still breastfeeds twice a day and once in the early morning. So I guess my beloved night shifts are off limits for a bit. We'll see how he does tomorrow. As I type this my heart is racing and my stomach hurts. I'm so stressed about leaving my kids! It's lame I know, they are being left with my parents and my husband. But I also then feel like a burden on them. I just can't win so I'll move on.

Have I completely offended everyone with my hates? I'll be happy now.

6. Olive garden zuppa toscana soup. Making if for dinner tonight. So yummy!

7. Craft group! We made pillows. So nice to get sewing and crafting again. I have a mountain of furniture in the garage waiting to be finished too. I have been out sanding when the kids are in bed. Here are the two pillows I made on the bench in my entry.

8. I won a blender at the Merc (our grocery store). It's pretty sweet. Going to use it in my trailer so we can have our smoothies at the lake!

9. Breastfeeding makes me loose weight. I'm not going to lie, that is half the reason I'm not making Oscar stop. I kinda just want to keep pumping indefinitely...

10. Dried cherries from Costco. I'm eating them right now. They are pretty sweet. I suggest you try them.

10 on Tuesday.

Rhonda had a good 10 today, I think I can say the same for almost every one of hers in some for or another. So being the lazy sister in law that I am, I will just "borrow" hers. Hey isn't imitation the highest form of flattery?

1. I love pancakes, so does Roman. But he only eats them about half of the time for breakfast now. Only because he hates getting up for school and he is too asleep to realize what he is doing when he starts on yogurt or cereal. Brad does not like pancakes. Whenever he is gone for dinner me and the kids chow down on pancakes. I like mine with coconut syrup. The kids like raspberry.

2. This is my pancake recipe. I like to make a batch or two. Then I put one cup mix into one of those colored take and toss containers at walmart, holds just barely a cup. Then the bell freezer plastic jars hold a cup of buttermilk. It freezes well you just have to plan ahead for thawing. Then in the morning I can grab an egg and each container and I'm set. The leftover mix keeps well in the fridge.

3. Oscar is not the greatest sleeper. Many of you have heard the story. It's totally my fault. Basically he was sleeping good at night when he was 4 months old. Then we camped all summer and I didn't want him to wake up the kids when he cried at night. So I slept with him and fed him whenever he woke up. Great for summer. Then he was teething and I just couldn't make him go in his own bed when he was so sad... blah blah blah. I'm lazy and the kid is still in my bed. But I am going back to work soon. So he is working on being in his own bed and not eating all night. He doesn't like it. He likes to cry. I'm tired.

4. A good thing about Brad working in Lethbridge is that he can pick up random things at the grocery store for me. And he doesn't mind doing it. Thanks Brad!

5. The weather is crazy, but I actually don't mind it. That week when is was so cold, I quite enjoyed the excuse to sit around in sweats and never leave my house. I like getting out with friends, but I also really like just staying home. My kids play quite well most days and don't really get cabin fever. I like feeling like it's okay to stay home and not feeling guilty because I'm not taking them to the park or the pool or where ever.

6. In the words of Rhonda - "I love having a garage to park in. It's the BEST." It really is the best, I probably wouldn't like winter so much if I didn't park in my garage!

7. Hmmm, well if I am sticking with Rhonda's top 10... kids in their beds... I can't go to sleep without checking on my kids. Or at least Brad checking on them. I'm sure I'm not the only mom like this. And it always cracks me up the positions they get themselves into and manage to stay fast asleep.

8. I want to do some sewing. And sanding and painting of furniture. But I honestly just can't find the time. I don't know why, it's not like I do anything super amazing with the time I have. I really don't know how I managed to sew so much before. It's partly that I am just tired. And when the kids are in bed all I can make myself do is sit in my bed and watch tv or read a book. Or play ticket to ride on my phone, Brad and I are majorly addicted to it! But I did manage to sew the kids some awesome presents for Christmas. No pictures on my phone, I'll take some another day.

9. I wish I was a menu planner. Guess I'll add that to the long list of things to do that never actually get done. But here is a meal that I tried awhile ago and we love it. For sure one of my new go to meals. It's on my Pinterest board, can't remember where it's originally from.

MONTEREY CHICKEN

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 c. bar-b-que sauce ( I use Bull's Eye)
1/4 c. real bacon bits
1 c. colby and jack cheese, shredded
1 14 oz. can Rotel tomatoes, drained (canned with green chilies added)
sliced green onions
pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pound out chicken breasts to flatten. Season with pepper. Grill chicken until no long pink (we used our George Foreman grill) and place on baking sheet covered with foil. Top each chicken breast with one tablespoon bar-b-que sauce, 1/4 c. cheese, 1/4 c. tomatoes, green onions and one tablespoon of bacon bits. Place in oven and bake until cheese is melted (about 5 minutes).

10. Pinned this poster on Pinterest. I don't necessarily love it, it actually makes me feel guilty because I do yell. But it will be a great reminder and that is why I want it.

better late than never

I can't not post about Halloween.  I know I know, super late.  Whatever.
I just love Halloween!  It's just so fun.  Dressing up as whatever you want and getting candy.  It can't get better than that. 
I may have had to buy candy twice.
I love decorating for it to.  Anything goes.  It doesn't have to be all cute or perfect or matching like Christmas. It's all about the dollar store decorations.  It's spiders and bats and totally for little boys - mine were in love with it all!  I didn't get a picture of my decorations dang it, next year.

We went to a pumpkin patch out by Barnwell, Rhonda and Regan came too.  A bit over priced for pumpkins, but lots of fun!  The kids were in heaven picking their pumpkins and going on the hayride. 

 And what's Halloween without a few costume changes right.  
The boys picked their costumes - Ben 10.  Our world revolves around Ben 10 right now.  But I have to admit as far as kids shows go it's not the worst.  It's no Phineas and Ferb, but it's okay.  The kids aren't allowed to watch a new episode unless dad is there to watch it with them! 
Roman is Four Arms and Finn is Rath the Tiger.  I may have pushed a little for Rath, less sewing for me.  Some friends in our ward had a family party and the kids were over the moon excited when we told them we could all be Ben 10 characters, even mom and dad.  Brad brought out the wig for Ben, Oscar is Cannonbolt, and I was lucky enough to be the evil Charm Caster.  What's that, none of have a clue what I'm talking about?  Didn't think so.  

For the annual Halloween party we came off the reservation.  What's the politically correct term these days?  Native Americans, First Nations People?  Anyway, what Indian costume is complete without a loincloth.  When Brad commits to a costume he really commits!  Don't worry, he did put on pants eventually.  We borrowed his costume and I made mine and Oscars - from two pillow shams I found at the thrift store!  So easy and so comfortable.  I may have to break this costume out again.
Some decent weather for trick or treating, both boys had tons of fun.  Shy little Finn marched right up to the door and took his candy from all the strangers no problem!  Me and grandma dressed up for tick or treating took, and Oscar fell asleep bundled in the ergo carrier, and Brad stayed home to hand out candy.
Can't wait until next year!   

my heart is full

My heart is full of gratitude tonight. 
For friends and family who know that I am trying to raise my kids right, to teach them right from wrong, teach them respect.  Even if my kids behavior doesn't always show it. 
For friends and family who care about my kids.  Who put forth an effort to reach out to Finn even though they get nothing in return.  For letting me vent my frustrations and worries to them.   
And for tiny answers to a mothers constant prayers. 
Masen came to get Roman to play today.  As the two crazy boys were heading out the door Finn said he wanted to go too.  I told him they were playing in the house not the backyard, and I wasn't coming, and Christal is there.  "I like Christal mom". 
So R and M waited for him to get ready, walked their bikes the half block to M's house while Finn walked in front of them.
He went into the house.  He talked to Christal.  He showed her his Buzz Lightyear costume.  He went downstairs.  He stayed for 10 minutes.  He calmly, not crying, said he wanted to go home.  So his brother walked him home then headed back to play.
I spent that 10 minutes close to tears as a wave of relief and gratitude spread over me.  It may seam like something trivial, but for anyone who knows Finn it's a huge step.  

I just wish you could all see the real Finn.  The funny, feisty, goofy, stubborn, sweet little boy of mine.
Love you Finn.