Music is the SUGAR in life!!!

I love music!!

I am so grateful for music. I believe it is such a powerful thing. It's unbelievable how all sorts of different rhythms and instruments can make your emotions flow.

You might wonder why on earth I am writing about music. Dustin was asking me why I had I'm Too Sexy on my blog play list. I told him a lot of these songs have inspired me in some way or another, some have special memories to me, some just make me move! (not that I move all that great) They make me experience different emotions. I'm Too Sexy does two things for me. It makes me remember doing it for a lip sync in Young Womens. We were so sexy with all our vintage 70 clothes! It also reminds me that I am sexy! Call me vain I guess. Some days I don't feel that way, this song helps!

I believe music is a blessing. Have you ever been so down and heard a song that made you feel better? Or maybe it just comforted you in your feelings, knowing it's okay to feel the way you do. I believe you can receive answers to prayers, glean revelation and insight, whatever. As long as it is good music, it can always lift your spirit! So "here's to the music!" (to quote Michael McLean one of my favorites!) I guess you could say "Rock on!" I just don't know where that came from. (I'm a DORK, I know)

Answer this question for me...

Is there a recipe that your whole family will eat without complaining?

It has to be something you have made!!! I could count pizza if this was not the case, but if I make homemade all I hear is about the things I put on it they don't like.

I am so frustrated. I was wondering if you who can answer "Yes," would be willing to share them. I would like to try them out on my family. There is nothing worse than cooking a whole meal just to have everyone spout out complaints they have against it!

I also would like some feed back on this recipe. It is the one that instigated this post. Cook it and tell me if your family loves it, or hates it. I got it out of my ward cookbook. Dustin, Grace, and Kate can't stand it. Ryan, Aaron, and I love it. Becca? She doesn't count, because she'll eat anything. Never a complaint from her! Let me know! I'm serious.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

1 lb hamburger

3/4 c oatmeal

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 Tbsp dehydrated onion (or fresh, chopped 1/4 c)

1/2 c milk

1 tsp salt

pepper to taste

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients together with hands. Form into 16-20 meatballs. Place in casserole dish. Cover with sauce. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

Sauce:

1/2 c brown sugar

1/4 c vinegar

1 tsp mustard

1/4 c BBQ sauce (I like honey)

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Blend with whisk. Heat over medium-high. Pour over meat balls. (I like to double the sauce)

Serve over steamed rice.

There you have it! Try it, and be honest in your response.

Angels??

My Mommy blindfold was torn off today, and shredded into a million pieces!!

Aaron came upstairs and told me that Ryan had said some awful words to him. To quote (please know that I don't normally talk this way) "suck my crap" is what he said to his brother. I was in shock!! How on earth could one of my sweet little boys say such a nasty thing?

I had Ryan come up immediately. I told him that I did not appreciate that kind of talk. I didn't know what else to do, so I resorted to the old soap on a toothbrush to "wash his mouth out." (something I told my self I would never do) After much gagging and rinsing, I asked Ryan where he had ever heard such talk. He told me he heard some 6th graders say it at school (6th graders, uuugh). I asked that he would not talk that way, and sent him back to bed. End of story? Nnnooo!

Aaron came back up to tattle on himself about a half an hour later. "Mom, I said something mean to Ryan when we were fighting," he explained. I asked why he didn't mention that to begin with. "I don't know," was his reply (I hate that "I don't know").

"What did you say?" I asked.

"I wish that he was dead," he reported.My heart sank! I can't believe this is the way they choose to talk to one another when they are upset. I started wondering if we set a bad example, but I don't walk around telling people to eat my bodily discharge and that I wish they were no longer living. Dustin either. What do I do?

I explained to Aaron once words leave your mouth it is really hard to take them back. I made him put 2 strikes on his chart (to them way worse than getting soap I'm sure) and sent him back to bed.

I felt like I couldn't leave it at that. How am I supposed to transplant into their growing brains the proper way to speak to one another, or anyone? Did they do this out of ignorance? Not really understanding the affects words can have on people.

I had them both come up this time and asked them why they thought it was alright to talk that way. I made sure they understood "I don't know" was not an answer. Ryan informed me that they always say, "I wish you were dead" when they were mad at each other. I explained that maybe they think the other knows that they don't really mean it, but after a while if you keep saying it they will start to believe that you mean it (does that make sense?). I continued to lecture the normal stuff you would say about talking nice, but I hope they truly understand.

I grew up in a home where we fought and got angry, I get that, but I don't recall ever talking like that to someone in my family. If I did, it probably would have been said to Alissa (only because we fought the most), so Alissa let me know if I am suffering from amnesia. If I did, I did not mean it. (I guess that sounds familiar)

So, what's a mom to do? How do I cure this ugly talk, and teach them how to handle their anger without resorting to spouting out mean words they truly don't mean? I need some input!!!

They have always been so loving!!

Are those days over?

Happy Birthday Kristin!!

Kristin and I have been friends since the 8th grade (that's 18 years!). Our friendship started when we moved onto Hassett Ave. We ended up living right behind one another. We share Jr. high memories and high school ones too.

I am so grateful for her. She and I have always been able to have good talks. Even though we do not see each other much these days, she lives near Houston, we are able to keep in touch by blogging and phone calls. It is fun to hear from one another.

I love ya Kris! Happy Birthday!

"The Wild Prairie Hogs"

Manti Pageant 2008

We took an overnight trip to Manti, UT this past weekend. There are a few of us with motorcycles in our ward. We all went together. It was a fun, fast trip. We rented a cute home. It sure was filled with "antiques." Roger got a few pictures of the inside, I'll post them when we get copies. We are the Prairie 4th Ward, that is how got our "name." (really we don't call ourselves that, it's just a funny joke) It was either that, or Heaven's Angels, Dust says you don't ride a bike to have a "nice" name.

Happy Father's Day 2008

We had such a fun Father's Day. I'm sure Dustin felt the same. It was great for me because I actually pulled off a surprise (he always seems to figure things out). Ten years ago Dustin won a nice drill from a work Christmas party. We were so broke that year. We even counted that as his Christmas present. Well, a few months later our budget was really tight. In order to have some extra money, Dustin sold his drill. I know it was really hard for him because it was a NICE drill. The past years he has had to settle for his cheap Black & Decker. I decided I was going to replace that drill that he gave up so many years ago. He has been saying he needed a new battery for his old one, so no better time.

I did my usual poem. I added a new picture of the kids for his office. I also bought a new bit set for is drill. I put these in a gift bag. He thought that was all he was getting! (I had the boys run and get the other gift) He loved the poem and picture. He commented on the bit set, "How did you know what to get?" (I always fail at buying tools) He said, "Hon, these are real nice. I just don't have a drill to use them." Talk about perfect timing, just as he said this the boys returned with a big wrapped box. Dustin's eyes got huge and he started laughing!

I explained to him why I bought it and he was so happy. I was happy because I had totally surprised him. I also know he was excited!

Th kids made him some cards they were cute. Grace filled out a fill in the blank too. Dustin is 23 years old, weighs 80 lbs., and works in a building. He loves lasagna and watching funny shows.

Happy Father's Day, Dust! I love you! You're such a great dad!

Dustin with his gifts

The poem read:

Things we remember about children:

- “loud” is their permanent volume setting
- fighting and teasing become a personal agenda
- somehow they always ruin the grass
- more toothpaste winds up in the sink than on the brush
- socks are often abandoned and left
- the car is their dumping ground
- talking back is a natural talent
- they have an unending supply of energy
- tantrums can be caused by ANYTHING, nothing is off limits
- “not me” is always to blame
- “Teacher told me so”, I am no longer the smartest
- I am the reason their life’s not fair




Things we forget about children:

- the shout of an ‘ I love you “ is music to my ears
- they are my little shadows
- obeying is important to them
- thier minds are impressionable
- they have an endless supply of hugs and kisses
- they’ll do anything for a quarter
- they always look close enough, to find joy in anything
- forgiving comes easily
- unconditional love is a talent
- they are thier own little person
- the impossible is possible
- they can be anything, do anything
- they’re little for only a short while, I must enjoy this time, and take advantage of it, one day I will want it back

Just want to share some pictures of the greatest dad.

A New Set of Wheels

This post is about a month late. I was backing up my photos (yes, I do that now) and realized i had taken these photos of Grace when she learned to ride her bike. She was so dedicated! i told you all earlier how she likes to do things on her own.

She took this task and conquered.

I did it all by myself! May 6, 2008

Much to my dismay...

we have joined the bandwagon and have gotten cable. I have always resisted because of all the TV watching I know my family will dive into. The kids are extremely excited (me too, I must admit). They can't wait to watch Nick and Cartoon Network. I myself like the Discovery Channel. We are only getting Basic, so no Discovery Health, sad.

Anyways, to let you all know of Ryan's excitement, (and maybe you will understand why I limit TV) Ryan asked this morning, "Mom, do you think Larry the Cable Guy will install our cable? I think that would be cool." I laughed, then had to explain that Larry is just a character. There is no real-life Larry the Cable Guy. He seemed a little let down. I'm sure it would have been something neat to brag about. Oh, how sad reality can be sometimes!

Refelections...

I was in sacrament meeting, listening to the speakers, and it dawned on me how much I take the Gospel for granted. I think it is so hard to stay focused sometimes (especially when your 2 year-old is telling the old lady behind you who is sleeping, "Hey, wake up!").

The Gospel is such a blessing. I am grateful to be here at a time when I know the Truth has been restored. What the Spirit was telling me today is that I need to remember when I was baptized I took upon me Christ's name. That meaning, I am to live as He would and become like Him. My will needs to be "swallowed up" in His will.

The speakers today did such a good job. They spoke on Fellowship and Service. Truly,treating others the way our Savior would if he were here. In RS we talked how a lot of times we think we are doing okay, only to find later that we have let our priorities slip. I know I am so guilty of this. I won't able to hear the rest because Ryan had a talk in Primary(Grace had one in Jr. Primary, my life story is preparing talks for church). I think I took away what the Lord wanted me to, though.

I am adding to my list of things to become "pure," as Sister Dew would say. It's getting to be quite lengthy. That's a good thing.