Projects

Since Ty is gone so much studying, I have been trying to get some projects done with the kids are sleeping.   I stumbled on the cutest blog "I Am Momma, Hear Me Roar".  The author has so many fun ideas.  She has step by step instructions for most of them. It has been fun to put my own spin on them. Here's a peek at what I have been up too.

Our walls are so bare, I thought this inspirational Gordon B. Hinkley quote would look cute.  It was tough to paint the words, but lots of fun.

I am in LOVE with freezer paper stenciling! I have so many fun ideas I want to try.

 It is super easy and pretty fast with GREAT results. That's how I made this casual neck tie shirt and cupcake shirt. I embellished Zoey's with some beads.

The tricky thing was to get Bubba to hold still while I took some photos of his cute new shirt.

In this months Woman's Day magazine there are lots of fun decorating ideas with candy corn. 

 I LOVE candy corn, and they were so inexpensive to make.  

I sprayed the little tree branches with Rustolium Spray, and then hot glued candy corn on.  For the candle holders I bought glass containers at the dollar store, and filled with candy corn and a small candle. Sorry, not the best photographs of them.

I made this scripture tote out of a place mat.  I found the instructions at Nap Time Crafts I still need to embellish it with some fabric flowers or more ribbon.  Perfect for a set of scriptures or just a small tote for errands. Super fast and easy.

 HAPPY CRAFTING!

Confessions of a Homemaker

I don't know why, but I feel the need to confess a few things. Wait, don't panic! Nothing too horribly sinful. I just want to send them out into the blogging universe. :)

First Confession- I vowed, as a child, I would never deep clean my little girls room while she was at school. I remember getting so upset when my mom did this. Secretly, giving away those toys that I never played with or organizing my beloved "JUNK drawer".

Well, as a mother of a five year old who loves everything she has ever gotten, I now do this. I find myself doing it at least once a month. I used to wait until daddy took her out of the house. Since she has started school, it gives me a good two hours to get all those dust bunnies from under her bed. Granted Z-Z messes up as I clean up. He throughly enjoys discovering Zoey's normally off limit toys. What she doesn't know won't hurt her right? It cracks me up to see the cute treasures she keeps in her "JUNK drawer". I smiled as I found a handful of smooth rocks. All of which were shaped like perfect little hearts. Baseball cards, tinker bell wallet, princess wallet, tiny ziplocks full of change, wax animals from the zoo, slinkys, yo-yos, bouncy balls, birthday cards, seashells....well you get the idea.

I guess it is time I thanked my mom, for secretly cleaning my room all those years. Thanks mom! Maybe someday Zoebug will thank me too! Until, I hope she does notice the sack in the basement for Good Will.

Second Confession- At about 3:00 pm some days, I find myself needing a pick me up. I don't really like to drink soda, but have boughten me a 12 pack of... wait for it.... Diet Coke, but wait it is caffeine free! Sounds totally gross, at first it tasted totally gross, but if you need a quick lift I have found it works. I think it is a total placebo effect, but I figure I could do worse.

Third Confession- As a child whenever I would go into the basement, I would run down and back up as fast as I could. I was always nervous "something" would get me. I laughed the other day as I took a load of laundry down to run through. I found myself doing the same thing. I guess I still am afraid "something"from the deep depths of the basement is going to grab my ankles. Am I the only one who suffers from this. :)

Fourth Confession- I am plagued with guilt. Not just regular guilt. Toxic guilt. I have diagnosed myself and have really tried to let go of it. I guess, I just want to comic universe to know I am doing my best! I am a homebody, and really hate over scheduling. I don't know want the deal is, but lately I always feel like I am loosing control of "time". There are so many things I would like to do, and maybe should do.

For now, I am trying to remind myself the Good, Better, Best rule. President Oaks gave a talk in Nov 2007 I really liked it. Here's the link if you want to read the whole talk.

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Good, Better, Best

(We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.)

The First Presidency has called on parents “to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles. … The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place … in … this God-given responsibility.” The First Presidency has declared that “however worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform. Another great article from the Oct 2009 Ensign

By Jennifer Nuckols   states "While guilt or “godly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10) can be a gift from God that inspires us to change and improve, Satan can also use guilt to demoralize us. Some people may not easily give in to large temptations, but if Satan can depress and immobilize those Saints through a false perception of their own unworthiness or inadequacies, then they become neutralized in the fight against evil. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve (1926–2004) offered this comfort to those plagued by feelings of failure and excessive guilt:

“May I speak, not to the slackers in the Kingdom, but to those who carry their own load and more; not to those lulled into false security, but to those buffeted by false insecurity, who, though laboring devotedly in the Kingdom, have recurring feelings of falling forever short. … There is a difference … between being ‘anxiously engaged’ and being over-anxious and thus underengaged. … We can distinguish more clearly between divine discontent and the devil’s dissonance, between dissatisfaction with self and disdain for self. We need the first and must shun the second, remembering that when conscience calls to us from the next ridge, it is not solely to scold but also to beckon.”6

As we honestly discern where we stand with God, we can eliminate the though 

Fifth Confession- I cook three pretty good squares a day. I try to use good healthy ingredients that everyone likes.  No matter what I fix my little CAVEMAN, will not eat his veggies and most forms of meat.  It drives me CRAZY! I really try not to be a short order chef, but when he won't eat I always give in to what he will eat. Can a kid live on PB& J sandwiches, apple sauce, cottage cheese, pancakes, mac and cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt,and baby mush? Yes, he will still eat yucky baby oatmeal and not a delicious home cooked meal. I hope it is just a phase.  He seems happy and healthy.  I better just not worry about it too much for now. 

Sixth Confession- Since we have lived in Indiana I crave the following foods from back home in Utah:  Dunford Chocolate Cake Donuts from 7 eleven, Tony's meatball sub, Topper Bakery Spritz cookies, Cream of Weber Milk Chocolate chugs, fruit from Pettingils Fruit stand to make peach tarts, and canned pears, a good old fashion roast dinner at moms house, and finally a sweet pork salad from Costa Vida.  None of these would be considered "healthy" but they remind me of good old O-town.  I have found out that the Deans chocolate milk they sell here in Indiana is very similar. :)

So... there you have it my silly confessions that have been weighing on my mind. I feel sooooo much better somehow. :) -Zara

Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM

Yesterday, I was asking Zealand what all the different farm animals say.  Cow? Moo. Duck? Quack. Dog? Woof.    Chicken?  "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"  He made me laugh sooo hard.  Needless to say, I think we have been reading the "Chicka Chick Boom Boom" book a few too many times.

We just love watching ZZ learn new things everyday! He is finally growing into his BIG personality!  When I was pregnant with him, I often wondered if I would give birth to baby Shrek.  The doctors kept saying he was a big baby, and BOY, could he kick.  He made his entrance into this world a bit reluctantly I think. He was such a colicky, grumpy little baby. I worried endlessly about what was wrong or what I could do to help him.  At six weeks: Allergy tests, barium x-rays to test for acid reflux, different pacifiers, I gave up dairy, chocolate, etc.  Now I know his personality, I wouldn't have done any of those things.  He just has a mind of his own.  Mostly, he is very sweet and just like to be with momma or daddy. Yet, other times, he knows exactly what he wants, and that usually isn't what mommy or daddy can't give him at that moment.  

We just try to remember that the famous Dr. Harvey Karp said "you have to view two year olds like little cave men." It is so true! We love our little cave man!

Notice the look on my face a few hours after he was born.  I knew this little guy was going to be much harder than is angel sister had been.  I am very happy to say we have made it through his first two years and am so excited to see what each new year brings. A told B and Zea.... I will RACE you to the top of the coconut tree.

Zealand slept in our bed the first 3 months. 

That was the only way he would sleep longer than a few hours.

During the day, I got very creative trying to find places he would feel cozy enough to get a decent nap.

Looking back those first few months he was born are sort of a blur. I am amazed we actually had a productive garden that year. I was sort of shocked to see that I don't have that many photos of us during those first few months after Zealand was born. I guess we were just in survival mode. :) 

Now, he is content to have his dirty old blanket, Mickey, and a good BINK! 

Two of his favorite pastimes. Mowing with Gramps and as Zea says "Swinging, "HIGH IN THE SKY!" 

I finally did it! Introducing Zoebugs at Etsy.com

Please click link to view my shop.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/Zoebugs

After months of debating and creating I finally listed some of my projects on Etsy.com.  Wish me luck!

First Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe how fast five years have flown by. Our little sweetheart is officially a kindergartner! We are into a good schedule now after 10 days of school.  It has been a bit difficult to adjust to afternoon kindergarten. It is only two and 1/2 hours. Fourty-five of those minutes are spent dropping off and picking up. I have decided to keep some sewing and books in the car.  Zealand enjoys his primary songs and books while we drive to and fro.  Almost every day, he cries when sister has to leave.  He loves when it is time to pick her up. If we are lucky, after we drop her off he goes down for a nap. I get a little quite time.

I have been spending a lot of my free time sewing some projects I have been selling back in Utah, and for my upcoming Etsy shop.

This first photo of Zoey shows how humid those first few days of school were.  Heat index was 110-115 for days.  Our Xterra started to overheat one day waiting to pick her up.  Her school wear uniforms, and I have to say I love it. It makes getting dressed so much easier.  All the kids look so cute and professional.

She loves her teacher and is making new friends.  Her favorite part of the day is doing her homework page right after school.  Hopefully, she will be this energetic about homework when she is a junior in high school. Until then, I am happy to say as hard as it was to send her to school I am thrilled she loves learning. - Zara

One Man's Junk...

Usually, one man's junk is just that, another man's junk.  BUT this weekend we found some fun TREASURES at the Butler Tarkington Annual neighborhood yard sales.  We figure we got all the items for about 8% of their original prices.

 Radio Flyer Twist and Turn Trike. I didn't even realize that it was really a trike and a big wheel! The best part Zoey and Zealand can ride it. Paid $7  Retail  $ 79.00

Classic Radio Flyer Trike in Mint Condition  Paid $7 Retail $59  Little Tykes Easel  Paid $3 Retail $39

Handmade Wooden Airplane made by a company in Ohio.  It rolls great on the wood floors and Z-Z loves to spin the propeller.

I loved these bowls. They are my favorite color.  Plus I love Crate and Barrel.  Paid $5 Retail ? 

I left all my favorite cake plates in Utah so they wouldn't get broken. 

I have really missed having one. Paid $2  Retail $59 

We also left Ty's bike trainer in Utah.  I always wish we would have brought it because the winter is so chilly and it is easy to get cooped up.  This is a really nice one.   Paid $20  Retail $ 150

We thought one of these half bikes would be fun because it is so flat in Indy.  It hooks to daddy's so they can go on further rides together.

 It is like brand new. Paid $50  Retail $179

Christmas in August! 

( Please don't mind the ugly blinds and drapes. We are renting. :)

As I wrote this I thought to myself "Am I bragging or complaining?" Well... neither I just wanted to show what a little early morning picking can get you. 

Just like Jim Bob Duggar says "Why buy new, if you can buy used and save the difference." :)

-Zara

Giddy Up

This summer Aunt Anali and Uncle Zane rented a pony for their boys birthday.  

Zoey was in love with Annie, the pony.

 Zoey keeps reminding us, that daddy said he would buy her a horse someday.

 She promises she will take "REAL GOOD" care of it. :)

GIDDY UP!

Bitter-Sweet

Tuesday evening we flew back to Indy.  In a lot of ways it was sad to leave Utah.  We will miss our families  our sweet dog Annie, ragging rivers, and beautiful mountains.  Since we will only be in Indy nine more months, we probably won't be flying home for Christmas.  We had such a nice summer and are very glad we choose to spend the majority in Utah. We have been so worried about tearing the kids away from the grandparents and things they love, but they have done amazing.  Only a few meltdowns and yelling for things like "the temple, Annie, Grandpa, Grandpa's van,  Nana, Grandma, the Booms(big lights in front of the Junction) We have tried to explain to Z-Z that we flew high in the sky far away from those things. It must be hard for him not really understaning where everyone in Utah disappeared too.
Yet, he and Zoe didn't skip a beat when we got home. They both started re-exploing their rooms and toys. It has been a bit stressful not knowing how our house would be after leaving it for over two months. The owner of the home was supposed to start fixing our bath tub and shower five months ago.  We discovered he hadn't until four days before we came home. Luckily, it was finished at 10am the day we came home!  The new white tile, window, and shower look so much better.  The strange light green paint not so much, but who cares we are only here nine more months Right? Our sweet friend came and turned on our airconditioning and picked us up from the airport! Needless to say, our arrival to Indy this year was light years ahead of the disasters we faced last August.  We feel very blessed and it is nice to be back at home.
Zoey got to meet her kindergarten teacher and she really liked her.  It was a huge relief to meet her.  Ty and I are both bitter-sweet sending her to school. We are thrilled for her and yet it feels like she is growing up
It has been wonderful having Ty around. The kids love it and we are being so productive double teaming. It will be again bitter-sweet to see Ty start school at the end of the month.  He won't have time off like this again until he retires someday. He is anxious to start the clinical hands on portion of his schooling.
Anyhow,  in so many ways it feels like we have been living a double life all summer.  Now we are back to Indy, it feels like forever ago we were in Utah. The humidity was again a bit of a shock, but we are adjusting.  Last night we walked around the IMA gardens and the sky was beautiful. The hardwood trees here are amazing! So giant!  Moving so far from where we were born and raised has been probably the hardest thing Ty and I have ever had to do. BUT we have learned and grown so much.  We have done and seen so many neat things.  Looking back the last year flew by, so we are going to make the most of the next nine months here. Even if so many things right seem bitter-sweet. -Zara

Island Park-Yellowstone Vacation

Every year we go up to our cabin in Island Park.
Island Park-Yellowstone country is one of our favorite places to visit.  Ty would like to retire there someday. In the meantime... we plan on visiting every summer.

The cabin.  We sure miss Grandpa and Grandma Pink.  They left us all a wonderful place to enjoy!

The boat dock!

Zoey made a tent and served lunch to her cousins.

Ty and Uncle Zac did face painting for the kids.

Nana always has lots of fun crafts to do.

Our favorite parade in West Yellowstone on the 4th of July!

The kids love to catch candy.

Shopping around West Yellowstone.

After the parade, Zoey was so tired. She sleep on me and in the stroller all over West and through dinner.

We love to take a day and go to: Ennis,Virgina City, and Nevada City, Montana.  It is fun to find neat things to photograph. It is sometimes hard to compete with two professional photographers in the family, but  I love using my camera and recording our travels/

The kids love to play the old pianos for 10 cents.

Boot Hill

This is my favorite old church.  About 11 years ago I took a slide of it and entered it into the Weber County Fair.  I took a first place.  I have always wanted a digital photograph of it. I don't think the light was quite as nice as the last time I photographed it. I titled it" True Religion"

Nana was very kind and BRAVE and took all seven grandkids on a 25 min stage coach ride. 

All of the kids had a blast!

Zoey had fun taking lots of pictures of her own. Thank goodness for digital. She can shoot and shoot!

Naughty kids :)

We were a bit star struck to see Eddie Jemison who plays Livingston Dell, in all the Ocean 11, 12, 13 movies. Ty spoke to him for a bit about his little boy, because he was playing with Zealand. Ty didn't mention he knew  he was famous.  It was funny to see him in such a tiny town in Montana. I was very sneaky and took this photo. Maybe, I should try being a paparazzi???   Ummm no! 

Anyway... we had a wonderful trip! We were so happy even though we are living in Indy, we didn't have to miss out on one of our favorite vacations. - Zara