I'M BACK (:

April 7th was the last time I posted? Wow, I really hadn't meant to neglect this blog for so long. However, life has been crazy! Just a quick run down...

school/school activities
Girl Scouts
Cub Scouts
birthdays
farewell dinners & parties
church obligations
physical therapy appts
packing out a house
...and flying with 5 kids (by myself!) from Guam to Hawaii, Hawaii to L.A. and L.A. to Portland, OR.

It has been a busy time. Right now we are at another time/place of transition. I am staying at my Mom's until the 10th of June. Then my whole family, will be traveling to California to set up our new home.

But I have so many things, ideas, recipes etc. that I want to share.

Lots and lots of things to come!

I hope you haven't forgotten about me! (:

Life

Here are the facts:

I am currently living on the island of Guam. My husband is Navy, and we have recieved our orders to CA. We are excited.

My kids counted today and we have 37 days until we move. Yikes.

My 5 year old son, when he was 3 years old, was diagnosed with mild autism. He has made huge strides. We still have many things that we deal with. Right now, with all the craziness going on, he is struggling. He is unable to focus on tasks. He has reverted back to doing things that he hasn't.

My baby, who will be 9 mo. old on Saturday, has been diagnosed with developmental delays. He is unable to sit up on his own. On Monday he will be starting physical therapy. He will be going 2 times a week until we move from the island.

I am also very active in our church. Right now, I am the first counselor in our Primary presidencey and the Achievement Days leader.

Saying that we are busy is the understatement of the year.

I love this blog. I have so many ideas and things that I want to do.

However, I am a homemaker.I have a divine calling. I have old fashioned values. I am at home because I want to put my husband and kids first. Right now, my family needs me.

So I will not be blogging until things start calming down. I may post here and there but I make no promises. I am putting my family first right now.

I look forward to the time when I am caught up again!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Trying to get updated on all of my posting! Here we go...

Weather in my neck of the woods: hot! Sunny and blue skies

One of my simple pleasures: sweet I love you's whispered from my kids

What is on my bedside table: "Praise for the Stay at Home Mom" by Dr. Laura, scriptures, kleenex

What is on my tv: LDS General Conference

What is on my menu for tonight: I have (big shocker) lots of ham and eggs! So we are having breakfast for dinner and eating scrambeled eggs w/ ham, hashbrowns, sliced oranges

On my to do list: that pesky never ending laundry, packing, decluttering

New recipe I tried this week: I tried a Taquito casserole from the Semi-Homemade magazine. I will be posting the recipe on this blog later!

In my craft basket: I am putting scrapbooking kits together for the group of girls I work with through church. We are teaching them about keeping their personal histories.

Looking forward to: SPRING BREAK!

Homemaking tip for this week:It is easier to pick up a little bit every day, instead of huge cleaning once a week! Clean as you go!

Favorite blog post from this week: I really haven't visited too many blogs this week!

Favorite photo from last week: at the top!

Lesson learned this week: This was actually a really hard lesson. I have had a rough past couple of weeks. I had really let things get out of hand. My home, laundry, meals etc. Well I have a son who is on the Autsim spectrum. His behavior has been very hard to deal with these past couple of weeks. And I realized that his "bad" behavior started once things got out of hand around here. I learned that as the Mother I set the tone and example in my home. My kids are going to follow my example whether good...or bad!

On my prayer list: family & friends, military overseas

Scripture, devotional or other spiritual thought: I have been reading and listening to so many that I have to many to share!

Sundays

Every Sunday, after finishing dinner, our family sits down for a family council. Although this may sound "very official" it really isn't. (:

The first thing we do is take the calender down, and look at what we are doing for the week. Who has what and when. So that we all know what we are doing.

We then ask each of our children if they want to talk about anything. From chores they didn't like, or a rule that they don't think is fair etc. So far the only complaint is over video games! (:

We then read scriptures and top it off with...

a dessert. We like to refer to it as "Sunday Sweets".

This week was Easter candy! (:

I would like to start a weekly blog carnival, where readers can link up and share a favorite dessert/recipe. Unfortunatley, I am not the most uhm...tech savvy, and have no idea how to make a blog button. I also am unsure of how to do a Mr. Linky.

If anyone could help me out, or just point me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it, thanks!

For now, feel free to leave a comment about what your favorite recipe/dessert to make for your family is!

My Apologies

Yikes. I feel bad that I haven't posted. I had a bad week, topped off with a week where I just couldn't get a handle on things.

This weekend I was able to get my home in order and get back to where I was.

I feel so much better now. (:

Whew

(He was supposed to be helping...he showed off his talents instead!)

(My daughter cutting cucumbers for a salad)

( Connor helping to make a Taquito casserole!)

It has been a crazy, crazy week. I have so many ideas for this blog, and I am working on getting it organized. I have so many topics...from saving $$ at the grocery store, to routines, to kids' chore charts...It just goes on and on!

As I work out the kinks in that system (lol) I wanted to share something that I started this week with my kids.

For those who don't know, I have 1 daughter and 4 boys. I know that at some point they will be off on missions for our church, at college, living on their own, and later becoming parents.

So they need to know how to cook right?

I made a plan (which is written on their weekly routine chart) what night they would be the kitchen helper. And they loooove it! They get to help make dinner while the others have to set/clear off the table.

My daughter was soo cute as she finished the dinner she made. She was just so proud of herself!

Even though it is easier (and way faster!) to make it ourselves...include your kids when you can. You are doing them a great service! So when they are off on their own you know they are eating more than mac and cheese and top ramen! (:

Aagh!

I didn't mean for a week to go by in my posting. It has been a very busy week around my house and I got caught up in all of it. I have lots of posts planned...just as soon as I get home from church! (: