Christmas Photos

Here they are....finally, right!

They've just been uploaded and waiting for me to actually type stuff and post. 

(click on any picture to make them bigger)

Miss K loves the tree and looking at herself on the ornaments.

she is in love with her baby cousin Kyler! 

All she want's to do is hug him and hold him...and kiss him. 

we went to a christmas light show, where you drive through and listen to the music on the radio.

it was nice to not have to get out of the car...it was way too cold out!

Kyler had lots of people who wanted to hold him.

and most of the time he was asleep. 

K loves her uncles.

A late night christmas eve snack. she was being SO goofy.

as Kyler just slept....I love sleeping babies.

We got to open 1 gift that eve. ....matching PJs!

they are so warm and comfy! Love that tradition!!

A pic of the tree, after K went to bed, and before Santa made his last stop.

The next morning, K was looking for Santa....she wanted to meet him.

Lots and Lots of goodies!

{there was 11 of us there}

K was a bit shy in the begining....she was still tired. Uncle Karson wanted us up at like 430 or something ridiculous! Way too early for this preggo {who didn't get a nap later either}

then the presents began!

K had fun on her new easel.

As we took some family pics. 

Then she just played and played.

We had church at like 11...??

So, the boys took naps while we got ready and took more pictures.

This is my favorite. lol. they are so silly!

of course...we had to bribe the little monster with licorice. She was pretty tired by now.

She got lots of play time with uncle CJ in her new tent!

That evening we went to Salt Lake to see the lights!

it was SO cold. 

but I got some good pictures of miss k and the temple!

Then, she started her meltdown....fun!

At least I got a good picture of my hubby!!

Fake Pho Recipe

So, I've been a bit obsessed with pho {pronounced fu, weird. i never get it right} it's a vietnamese noodle soup that is YUMMY!

there was a place I saw in Boise when we were there....we didn't get a chance to go :(

there was a place in Orem that I saw over Christmas.....didn't get a chance to go :(

I've been searching for recipes and found one on pinterest.....not as awesome as I thought it would be, still  yummy, but my spice proportions were probably wrong {it smelled SO bad in our house....like cinnamon and something bad!}

we ate it after church on sunday and it was good, but i couldn't get over the cinnamon smell! lol. 

it doesn't help that I can't find an asian food market around here ANYwhere. no vietnamese meatballs, or fresh rice noodles, or other stuff....

So we had some leftover cilantro and hot chili sauce and I wanted to make my own pho

out of ramen and whatever else we had....

Fake Pho

Ingredients:

Ramen noodle package {oriental flavor}

1/4-1/2 cup frozen edamame

cilantro

lime

bean sprouts {if you want}

Sriracha sauce {pictured--very essential!}

Meat {if you want more protein}

I used some leftover philly cheesesteak sloppy joe meat from the night before {very good, i suggest you try it!}

Boil your ramen water

Add edamame

bring back to a boil

Add noodles

Heat up the leftover meat

Once noodles are done, add spice packet

Add meat

Pour into a bowl

Put in some cilantro {up to you how much, I used about a tablespoon, or more}

squeeze in a lime wedge

add in some Sriracha Sauce {the more you add the spicier it will be}

Enjoy!!!

{Unfortunately.....there is a lot of sodium in the ramen spice packets, you can always use half the packet per whole ramen recipe---what I usually do--it still gives it flavor without ALL the sodium. this ever swelling preggo has to watch those things! :)}

Truth be Told Thursday #3

Hello again....

Time for the truth to come out on this Thursday!

There is STILL no snow on the ground even with the impending "big storm" coming.....but it sure is windy!!!!!

I've been so busy with a bunch of projects, so I apologize for my lack of posting. Seems like my love afair with this blog has taken a back seat....but not really. Just working on stuff. 

{like a quilt top, the child, dr. appts., french onion and cabbage soup, pound cake, trifles, fake pho, and cooking up this baby in my belly...}

So....grab a button, play along and have fun!

Truth be Told......

Something I once threw out and later regretted was: craft stuff....when I was downsizing to move out here I had to get rid of stuff...{sigh}....one of the things I wish I had to use now a big blank canvas thingy. I just saw this on a blog post and now want to make it....there is a pic of the original too {just as gorgeous!} it would be fun in a girls' room....oh and I regret getting rid of all of K's stuff. but I had too.

                                                  Source: beautyandbeard.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

The worst place I've ever slept was: In my old house in MD. I was staying at the Lawrence's for a while and loved that. When I had to go back to my house {you know, to take care of stuff there and because I felt bad that I was always at the Lawrence's} I hated it....I was so scared. It was terrifying. I was scared all the time there after that. Luckily, Drew & I were getting married soon so he would come back with me! Then, I could actually sleep!

I look best in: black. lol. covers up the flaws, right? lol. most of my wardrobe has black in it. I also love a good t-shirt and jeans. but nothing fits me anymore....Drew loves me in a t-shirt and sweats. seriously.  He is funny like that. but we love to be comfy in this house!

The thing I search for most on the internet is: recipes. I will find at least 3 of the same recipes that I like sometimes and combine the ingredients or techniques and make up my own way of cooking something {usually because I don't have a specific ingredient or utensil.} It works out!  

<a href="http://lalalawrence.blogspot.com/" title="TruthButtonSmall by lisanneve, on Flickr"><img alt="TruthButtonSmall" height="150" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6654507443_4ebe6e1cbf_m.jpg" width="154" /></a>

now it's your turn!

I want to know your answers! just link back :)

{i swear i will get a linky one day! lol}

<3

Truth be Told Thursday #2

<a href="http://lalalawrence.blogspot.com/" title="TruthButtonSmall by lisanneve, on Flickr"><img alt="TruthButtonSmall" height="150" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6654507443_4ebe6e1cbf_m.jpg" width="154" /></a>

Grab a button!!Put it on your post and play along!!
Truth be Told:
I wish I were better at: running long distances. I reallly, really want do a tri-athalon or marathon in my lifetime....but I just don't like running. It hurts my chest. and when it's cold....it hurts my ears and nose and chest even more. I'm a big baby...Plus, I have asthma, so that's usually my excuse. I will...one day! I used to take an hour spin class then go run on the treadmill for at least a mile right after! I can do it...I will get my non-preggo butt back into shape before you know it! lol.
I will never finish: laundry.....seriously, between the man the the child it's never ending. I try to keep up but sometimes, there is a day where alllll day long is just doing laundry. and it hurts my back right now. 
My favorite take-out food is: probably taco bell. weird, right? If we are talking fast food then that. Then, a good pizza is also nice too. depends on the mood....and actually those don't sound to great right now...i need more choices. 
The last movie I watched was: The Zookeeper {which we got from redbox and is STILL in my house, not returned, racking up the $1.50 a day...you know, cause it's blu-ray} 

PB Stuffed French Toast

Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients:

{makes 3}

2 eggs

brown sugar {about 2 teaspoons}

vanilla {about a teaspoon}

peanut butter {about 1/2 cup}

honey {about 1 Tablespoon}

6 slices texas toast

cream cheese {softened--makes it easier to spread}

1 banana

syrup

powdered sugar {optional}

most of my measurements are approximate, I usually don't measure, I just add

first, mix the egg, brown sugar, and vanilla.

set aside

mix the peanut butter and honey

spread on 1 slice of the bread 

{this will be on the inside}

spread cream cheese on the other 

{this is why softened cream cheese is better-it spreads. lol}

add 1/3 of the banana - sliced 

{you can get 9 slices per toast, i just didn't get a pic of it}

sandwich the two sides together

I added some cooking spray to my pan

dip the sandwiches into the egg mix, saturating the bread on both sides

cook in heated pan {about medium/medium-high}

until a golden brown

& flip to cook the other side

OR....you can throw it in your panini maker!!

no need for spray

{I just don't press down all the way}

this is what it should look like after the flip

done in the panini maker!

plate it up and add syrup and powdered sugar

it's so good!!

the child loves it!

SO does the hubby!

It's very filling.

and....{in my mind} very healthy for you!

*you can also add granola to the pb mix & top with that

*or you can use marshmallow fluff in place of the cream cheese for an extra sweet treat.

New Blog Button!!

I made a large version, just for the blog posts that will go with it every thursday....

Then we also have the button!!

<a href="http://lalalawrence.blogspot.com/" title="TruthButtonSmall by lisanneve, on Flickr"><img alt="TruthButtonSmall" height="150" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6654507443_4ebe6e1cbf_m.jpg" width="154" /></a>

SO you can play along too!! Isn't that super exciting???
I should have made it blue.....now that I'm thinking about it, since it's my fav color and there is more of it on the blog....but oh well!
next button will be blue....that's the new site's button :)

un-fantastic friday

Why today?

This early on

It's a sad day when you can't fit into your pants. 

When the only ones that fit are the "fat" jeans {that usually sag in the butt} and the too large maternity jeans {that i'm sure will be snug next month. but still}

it really puts a damper on a good attitude....

I can't help but think....how much weight have I gained? 

how much more am I going to gain?

why can't I do anything about it?

It shouldn't be all about the numbers

but it is

It's inevitable....this I know

it's just hard to accept. 

hard to face the reality of it all.

hard not to get all mad at the baby for doing this {i don't, it's not her fault}

really hard to not get mad or be bitter at those who still wear their normal pants throughout pregnancy and have to buy smaller ones after they give birth.

I hate that it makes me feel inadequate. 

{you should just be happy you are pregnant, you shouldn't feel fat-you're pregnant, you shouldn't compare yourself to others....this isn't a competition....etc. etc.}

maybe you wouldn't understand unless you were in my position

{just like there are things I don't exactly understand about you, since I haven't been there}

The rest of today will be great

I will forget about all this and put a smile on my face

{suffer in silence....right?}

LOL!

oh well, at least I can laugh about it now. 

Truth be Told Thursday!

I want to start a new series......

I don't know why.

sounded like fun at the time. lol.

but also....I just wanted an excuse to create a button!!

why not right?

Plus, I seriously need to use and learn photoshop.

BADDDDD!

I could {should} just take a class at the college.

But...I'm 29 weeks preggo.....yeahhhh...might not finish that class before baby.

just sayin.

So....the button is in the works :/ of course.....

what do you expect, I started it about 4 hours ago.

you'd think it would be done by now...

I should just take the easy way out and take a picture of fabric......hmmmmm....maybe next time.

maybe I will start a linky party too....ahhh such big dreams....

anyways....

Have you ever played the game Truth be told?

it's pretty fun.

But....this new series, will be every thursday...we will call it......

Truth be Told Thursday!!

You can get to know me more....and hopefully....if you want to play along....I can get to know you more as well!!

sound like fun???

ok....

Truth be told.....

I would never want to be a stripper, prostitute, or drug dealer. there's no chance that would ever happen....but just so you know ;)

I still wish I could sleep on my belly...or sleep without my hip being in so much pain when I wake. lol.

I'm tired of hearing about celebrity divorces. there is a new one every week! it's sad. The newest one....Zooey Daschanel and her hubby Ben Gibbard. They annouced a split in November, but have now offically gone the divorce route. Ok....mainly, I'm tired of hearing about Kim & Kris.

I can't wait to start working out hardcore again. This baby makes me feel SO rundown and I have trouble just walking. But once she comes and I get the all clear, I can't wait to start losing this baby weight!

Preschool......

So i did it....

I bought a preschool pack from Confessions of a Homeschooler

it was $10 and is a 26 week program for ages 3-4

{k won't be 3 until april, but we can start now and redo them over and over again!}

it includes

                                                              

A- Z Weekly Lesson PlansPhonics practice

Capital/lowercase letter recognition

1-10 Numbers recognition

Counting practice

Colors

Shapes

Fine Motor skills: Lacing cards, cutting, coloring & pre-writing

Logic skills: Puzzles, size sorting, matching games

Large Muscle Movement: Large Floor Numbers/Letters Hopscotch

Singing: Leapfrog A-Z letter sound songs, Bible Verse Songs

Arts & Crafts for each letter

Daily Calendar and Weather Activities

the website also has a bunch of free printables available on the blog and I have found two websites on pinterest that provide free printables and activities as well!

                                                                  Source: confessionsofaslackermom.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                                          Source: oopseydaisyblog.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                                                            Source: chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

SO we can mix and match, work on what she is good at then build upon them from there!

I'm pretty excited to get things started 

{next week...since my printer is out of ink and we are still waiting for it to get here!!}

It's kind of weird thinking I will be home schooling my child.....only until circumstances change

{like we have the money to pay for someone else to do it}

but we are college students...

What resources do you use for teaching your little ones preschool at home?

Are you a bad mom??

No, of course you aren't!

Don't even try to think you are.

Not for a second

{for the most part....unless there is abuse, neglect, etc. involved...but we won't get into that.}

I saw a comment that really had me thinking....

"We moms are way too focused on what we DIDN’T do than what we were ABLE to do."
Confessions of a Slacker Mom {in the comments}

do you do this?

does this make you FEEL like you are being a "bad" mom?

think about it......

Today.... {as of 1:00 pm}

I didn't:

- teach my child the alphabet, all her colors, how to read, draw, write, or all her shapes. {we are working on them all....she knows some but not all.}

-make a big {or nutritious} breakfast for my family. {the child had a gogurt and a few bites of an apple...i pick my battles}

-do the dishes {yet, there is still time}

-go for a walk or some other adventure with the child

-do an fun amazing art project with her

-clean anything {like i said...theres still time...it's not bad at all}

-make my bed

-get started on a project for the new year

But....I DID....

-wake at a decent time {8 am...to the alarm of the child}

-make sure the child had some food and snacks at all the appropriate times {they were healthy too!}

-shower and get ready for the day {although i am in sweats :)}

-get the child dressed and ready for the day

-{do} have plans to make dinner {i have every night for over a week!}

-give the child hugs and kisses

-help the child with her games that she plays

-played along with the child as she was the mail lady, delivering packages

-get on facebook to update a status and check others' statuses

-check all the bogs that I follow

-investigate and download preschool printables {can't print until amazon delivers ink!}

-start...then finish this blog post....all in ONE day

-watch at least one movie with the child

-read to the child

-told her I love her---at least three times

-put the child down for a nap

-watch the baby bounce around in my belly

-think about the things I would like to get done {crafts, projects, quilts, meals}

-pin a bunch of stuff on pinterest

-watch as the child drew on her easel

SO....

If you look at the things I did do today...and only those ;)

does that make me a bad mom?

Am I not fullfilling my duties?

sure, today has been a lazy day {maybe I should have written this post tomorrow when we have plans to go to the library.....lol}

but laundry is basically all caught up, bathrooms are clean, we are all fed and clothed

sure, we watch tv, we horse around, we play games.

most importantly, there is love in our home.

the child watches all I do and mimics everything I do too....so I take that as a sign that she kinda wants to be like me.

{i'm pretty awesome in her eyes, just saying}

She doesn't care if we don't always have some activity or elaborate adventure planned.

she is happy "hanging out" with mommy or daddy

We moms need to find confidence in the things that we DO.

We need to find joy in those things

We need to know that we don't have to do everything in order to be a "good" mom

we shouldn't be discouraged if we aren't what we or the world will think of as a "super mom"

we are amazing in our own ways.

we are great moms who live in the real world of modern day parenting.

we aren't perfect

we have chorses that need to be done, unfinished projects, children with bed heads, or to-do lists that are pages long.

but we are constantly working on ourselves, our families, our jobs, our crafts, or our houses.

if we could do it all in one day....then what else would there be to do?

Hopefully, this year we can find that confidence in ourselves as mom's an not be discouraged if things aren't perfect. That's how we learn, we grow and become better.

a mini K conversation...

So, as K was sitting on her potty the other day we had a little conversation...

K: mommy going to push the baby out now.

Me: No, not yet, she needs to get bigger first.

K: it's gonna hurt you.

Me: {resistitng the urge to bust out laughing} yeah, it might hurt a bit {laugh...lots}

thanks child.

{linkies can be found on the linky page}

Mini Caramel Apple Pie Crumbles

Look Yummy??

Why do my recipes always seem to have the longest titles? geez. 

Ingredients:

Pie Crust {i used 2-9 in. pre-made refrigerated ones}

Apple pie filling {1 can}

1 box yellow cake mix

1 stick butter

salt

cinnamon

Caramel syrup 

Roll out your pie crust and use a cookie cutter to cut out a shape to fit your muffin tin

press into cups

{notice the 3 BIG ones? they were too big...but still work just fine!}

I did not grease the tin first

add a sprinkle of cinnamon {or cinnamon & sugar} to the bottom

add pie filling

{i cut up the apple slices into thirds to let them fit better)

add some caramel topping to the pies. 

not too much...you don't want it to overflow

make your crumble topping by 

mixing your cake mix and melted butter....plus add a good sprinkle of salt and cinnamon

Use a fork to break it up to make it crumbly

top your pies with crumbles

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 min-or until tops are a nice golden brown

{I didn't need to cover with foil...but you always can to prevent over browning and then remove 5 min prior}

allow to cool a bit and they should remove easily from the cups

{as long as the filling didn't leak too much and then they might get a tad stuck}

top with more caramel sauce

serve with whipped topping or ice cream {optional}

ENJOY!!!

super easy, fun and SO yummy!!

the hubby now claims that this is now his favorite dessert!!

niice!

he wants me to make it with peach filling next!

Farran Phillips

Unfortunately, today we found out about a passing of a young girl named Farran

She was only 25 years old

I met her at a Young Single Adult ice skating trip almost exactly 3 years ago

{the same activity that I met my hubby's parents}

there is a picture of us all below.

a lot has chaned since then.

She had already been diagnosed with breast cancer

yes. at such a young age she had to go through so much.

I hate cancer.

I have seen so many people diagnosed and pass because of it.

I pray that we can find some kind of cure for every kind.

not just treatments, outcomes, possiblities, chances and options.

but definate results. 

I am thankful for those who have won the battle.

I am thankful for the time I have gotten to share with those who have lost their lives while fighting.

We love you Farran.

We will miss your laugh, your humor and your optimism.

We continue to pray for your family at this time.

<3