What makes a big sister do what she does?

I gave my youngest boy (age 2) a strip of thick masking tape to keep him busy for a few moments. He gave it to one of his big sisters (age 10). She then tapes his wee wee to his butt.

He walks up to me. I gasp!!

I then have to remove it. Gasp again as it pulls the skin. EECCKK!

It didn't hurt him.

So I want to know why something like this even crossed my daughter's mind. I am again clueless when it comes to her.

Lesson learned, don't give tape to MY children.

Sucessful

I was sucessful by NOT having a baby on Halloween.

Hey, with never ending laundry and house work, I have to look for little things like this to make be feel that I've accomplished something.

Birthdays

Every time one of my children has a birthday, turning a year older, I get all sad. "My babies aren't babies anymore." I cry.

My oldest girls which are twins turned 10 yesterday. 10!

10!

12 days ago, my oldest boy turned 4. Already!?

And my youngest (for only a very short time) turned 2... 25 days ago. Can that be true? Is he really 2?

I cry a lot every October.

I'm back...

Hopefully.

Since my last entry, I have realized that I miss this. I miss blogging. I can't count how many times I wanted to add something but I then would rebuke myself. I would hear myself says "Keep your word. You said you would go back after the baby."

Well baby isn't here yet. And I just can't seem to hold back any longer.

SO...

Hello. Let me introduce myself again.

I'm QueenB. A 38 1/2 week pregnant mom with 4 other kids, a great hubby, living in Colorado.

My due date in in 10 days.

I'm back. Finally.

Saying good for now

With pregnant brain I can't seem to juggle having a blog on top of life's demands so for now I'm signing off.

Nasty run ins with nasty neighbors

About 1 1/2 hrs ago Chris was being pushed around by a drunk neighbor who was trying to pick a fight. Both of these men are dads and both of these men can't stand the others family. Our 4 kids are prohibited to play with his 4 kids for the past 2 yrs.

Chris could of walloped him and he wanted too! I was impressed with my man's self control because I lack it when it comes to other adults lying in my face about my family. I was egging this father on. I dared him to hit me with my own temper. I was not going to show fear or back down. Chris had to step in front of me to keep this dad from hitting me.

I was not behaving at my best. I like everyone else have an ugly side. Picking a fight with my husband and lying - saying that we beat our kids makes me angrier than a mad hornet. WHAT Lies!!!

And yes this father would have kicked my butt but I was so mad I didn't care.

It started 2 yrs ago after about 6 months of trying to befriend them. The have triplets who are 6 months older than my twins. I was excited that they moved in and the twins would have friends their age. I soon realized that those kids are... let's just say my daughters can't and don't want to play with them.

Other neighbors called the police. They were on our side trying to get this guy to go home. The police came. We could have pressed charges because of the dad's pushing but what would that solved.

It's so sad that we have to endure all this. I hope and pray (I sound like a hypocrite I know) that my daughters will grow character, learn that people can be ugly. I hope they come out on top. That they will learn to be self controlled like their father, to turn the cheek, that actions cause reactions.

I hope I too can learn to keep me mouth shut. I hope I can grow from this too!

Why is it so hard?

We (Chris and I) go in rounds about baby names. He likes this and I like that. I don't like his and he doesn't like mine.

I want a strong meaning so I can pray that meaning over the child through out its life.

Abigail -(our first born)My father is joyful. I pray that she will bring joy to the Father through out her life.

Elizabeth - Pledged to God. I pray that she will live her life for Him.

Elijah - The Lord is my God. I pray that my son will proclaim this all his life.

Isaiah - The Lord helps me. I pray that he will always know that God is present and guiding him.

So the search is on. We need to find a name that we both like and has a good meaning.

Not one name but two. A boy name and a girl name, so that we are prepared for which one is needed.

Any suggestions?

Heartbeats

We heard the baby's heart beat for the first time yesterday. That little helicopter sound makes being pregnant so much more real for all of us.

Moab...again?

Am I so lucky to go back so soon?

Well, I am!

Memorial Day weekend we will be hitting the trails. Yahoo!

I invited my mom and there is a chance my step brother and his wife might come along. Our friends: Paco and son and Stan and Marlene will be joining us. It will be great!

#5

Neighbors know, the church knows, my mom and grandma knows, some of my friends know so I guess it's time to post it too.

baby #5 is on the way.

It's due date is Oct. 31.

I'm excited and a bit overwhelmed.

And WHY are ALL my little ones born in the fall? WHY is that?

I'll tell you why Chris is home way to much in the dead of winter.

I swear he needs a part time job in the winter.

I'm 14 weeks and feeling good. There for a while I was sick and tired but it has passed mostly. I'll keep posting.

Love, Love, Love MOAB

The Wedge, Golden Stairs, Golden Crack, Hummer Hill, Body Snatcher, Easter Egg, Tilt a Whirl, I love it ALL.

Sweet Friends

My two girlfriends Lisa and Kim are truly gems in my treasure chest. I love getting together with them and sharing what are going on with our lives over a coffee at Starbucks.

Every woman needs one or two friends to do this with.

I have enjoyed immensely their friendships for the past 5 years. We each have grown as mothers as our children grow. Each one of us has been pregnant at least once during the five years we have been friends.

We have grown as wives, learning more about our husbands and how to live with them.

It has been very neat to watch and to be apart of.

Lisa is the quiet one. But she has a inner strength and peace within her that wows me every time I am with her. And the patience and energy to be a mommy for 3 boys always encourages me. And I can't forget, she's a great hairdresser too.

Kim is the cornerstone of our trio. She has a way to communicate everything from spiritual deep things to everyday challenges with great ease and make someone like me understand. She is the wise one, the teacher. And she amazes me with her preservence that she has shown with all the challenges she has had to face in recent years.

With woman like this as friends how could I not cherish and love them as sisters.

I'm a lucky gal.

Spring flu

I normally get a cold when the warm summer weather shifts to cool autumn days then I get a cold usually in January from the cold and wind and then again the beginning of spring but this time I didn't get a cold I got the flu. Luckily it was a short one! The girls and i were bed/couch ridden for 4 days. meaning the boys had free reign over the house.

So you can imagine what a 3 yr old and a 18 month old can do, they did!

I still have a nasty cough but I am recovering and that is all that matters.

I hope to improve in the next few days because a MOAB trip is planned for this Wednesday.

Snowman

My Knight comes home after plowing snow all night and takes the kids out and they together make a snow dude.

It's a dude, a dudette wouldn't have dirty brown crooked teeth.
I hope.


I think he is winking ;)

I wonder...

I wonder if the girls will remember the hike we took while we were in Yellowstone, or Disney World, or spending a day rafting the lazy river near the house? Or will they only remember my anger, bad days in school, problems we have had with snotty bratty mean neighbor girls that live down the street from us?


I hope they remember more of the good times than the bad times.

Like hiking

Like going 4 wheeling

Camping

Hide and seek in the dark

My all to ample body hugging them.

Watching the boys be born

Time will tell.

Again and Again

I made these again but YELLOW not pink and purple. And I'll be making them again for a Easter Party. They are so yummy. They are like potato chips, you can't have just one.
Or Two.
You must try these.

Bakerella is my hero.

Alien Invader in my home

I don't remember the girls doing this but this is now Eli's new hobby. If he keeps this up, I'll need to buy stock in Q-tips.

Why do boys have to put things in up their noses?

China Wall

Finally I got the chance to get in my jeep, drive to a trail, put the jeep in 4 high (at times 4 low with the lockers kicked on)! Yea me!


My jeep is flexing a little climbing China Wall. It's easy if you have the right line.


Hannah, Marlene's oldest daugther climbs the Wall.



Chris attempts it with the wrong line.




He does make it!!

What a beauty!

I took this pic on my birthday.

Happy birthday to .....

ME.

Today is my 31st birthday.

Yummy

I've been on a baking kick these past few weeks. My family isn't complaining. Would you?
These are cake pops from Bakerella's recipe. Inside has red velvet cake. OHHH sooo yummy!!

These cupcakes below were my first try with a pastry bag and decorating tip.

And these are what I call brownie bites.

Having withdrawals

By January, I'm itching for some trails to open and the fun to begin, BUT only afew are open near here and a few of those are rated must higher with snow and ice. So it's now late Febuary and spring is upon us. Chris and I will lead a trail in March and then we have the MOAB trip in April, but the real every weekend kind of fun doesn't come until Mid-June. I don't want to wait any longer.

The lack of driving my Jeep is driving me crazy!!

An Addict to Blogs

The Pioneer Woman was the first blog I got attached to, but in a very short time (3 months) I now follow 25. Most are food blogs, 3 are Orthodox, 3 are herbal and 1 is about crafts. I'm an addict now.

I think as time goes by, I'll weed out some.

CookBook Crazy

I'm in this mode where I covet every cookbook I see. My Amazon wish list has over 20 cookbooks on it and I've deleted many and many more! I bought two today. The Martha Stewart Cupcake book and Cookie book. I have this big idea to cook and bake everyday. HA what a joke. I know better. I cook half the amount I wish to.

Maybe the more cooking paraphernalia I have the better the cook and baker I'll become.

Day 1 of Phase 3 of my diet

Today my diet changes from 500 calories to unlimied as long as I don't eat carbs and sugars. Which I've been doing anyway during Phase 2. I have to maintain my weight within 2 pounds for the next 3 weeks. I am sooo looking forward to adding eggs, milk, oils back into my everyday eating. Wish me luck, PLEASE.

30 lbs !!!

I've met my goal!!! I am very happy about that. I also have decided to end my HCG tomorrow a few days short. I feel very content at the lost. And am looking forward to the next phase. I think I'll do another round in March after my birthday. MY large goal is to be at 200 my summer.

Grieving Lost Friends

My husband and I have met and married in a little church over 12 years ago. We met in 1995 there on a Sunday. We married 1 1/2 yrs later and then served as youth group leaders for 5 years. During those 5 years we had our twins daughters. The men and women who attended this church became our extended family. We grew in many ways and served. But a few years after we ended youth group the church had a ugly split. We stayed. Our numbers fell to 25. Our little church struggled. I struggled. I wondered, I digged for answers like "Do I follow Calvin or Wesley?" and "How did the first church 2000 yrs ago worship?" I nagged Chris to study the things I was learning. It has taken Chris 4 years to make it his own and not something I was pushing. So we both after nearly 15 yrs at our little church has also left. Chris wrote a letter to the men in out church trying his best to gently touch on the main points of why we were leaving. We sent that 2 days ago and not one response. I really thought we would get a call from at least the pastor. I feel that we didn't get to say good bye. My heart aches. In a way I am grieving. This chapter in our lives is at a end and a new one is beginning but old friends have been lost. I wish we could take them with us.
So dear old friends I say goodbye. I hope we can one day reunite, hopefully before Heaven.

Isaiah is turning into the HULK

This is what happens when a 16 month old gets into a jar of green cookie sprinkles.

CarHenge

Chris got an inch to go see CarHenge. It's about 3 or so hours from here.

Digging under the Christmas Tree

Elizabeth might not like me posting this but I can't help it.

SlaughterHouse Gulch

Above Rubies

As a mom I am often looking for wiser and older moms that I can watch and learn from. I long for a mentor that can wrap me up in her wings and walk with me on this journey. Nancy Campbell could be one. I have enjoyed her work for a few years. She focuses on motherhood in her writings. She has many books published and her newsletter is free for all. Her and her husband truly are leaving a legacy with their 30+ grandchildren. Often her words speak directly to my heart and I cherish that. So check her out. www.aboverubies.org

Classic Spinach Artichoke Dip

Classic Spinach Artichoke Dip

Try this in an unexpected way by using a bread bowl.


1 14 oz can artichokes hearts, drained and chopped
½ 10 oz package frozen chopped spicach thawed
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup cream cheese
¼ cup Romano cheese
¼ tsp minced garlic
2 bags Chips



Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small baking dish, mix together artichoke, spinch, sour cream, mayo, cream cheese, Romano cheese and garlic. Cover, bake for 25 minutes. Serve hot, warm or cool with chips.


Servings: 10
Cooking time: 25 minutes

Cooking Tips
Make sure to have smaill serving plates and napkins next to this dish, so guests can serve themselves. I like the Stacy's pita chips with this.

Diet update

Ok, sorry for the long delay. My computer got a worm and I'm still recovering from that. I hope to get my camera software on this computer in a day or so then I'll be blogging more.

I am on day 19 (I think) and have lost 18 1/2 lbs. Today I'm doing the 6 apples because today I've hit 5 days with no lost. Which is really hard to go through the day and know the scale haven't changed. My tummy is growling at this very moment. GRRRRR!