It's all good . . .

With Daddy Away, We Played

Kevin has been away in Idaho this past week, and we are eagerly awaiting his return this evening.  With him being in the Army, we are used to his being gone at times, but that doesn't make the days less long without him coming home at the end of them.  Because of this, I always try to pack extra fun activities into our days, just to help the time go by faster.  This week we have been busy having adventures, and here they are . . .

Daily Chores

Just because we are having fun, doesn't mean that we don't have work to do.  The kids are really good at helping out, and their favorite is watering the lawn and flowers.  We usually do this soon after we get up, around 6:30 am, often still in our pj's (if you notice Lily is still in hers).  It is so nice out that time of the morning.  Lily is getting really good at rolling up the hose - fun times!

Playing Games

We have been trying to play more games, and one morning we sat down to play a few games of Candy-land and Chutes and Ladders.  It was the first time Derek actually followed all the rules, probably because Lily was playing with us.  We had a great time.

Art Projects

When we were at the craft store last week, I bought the kids some new washable tempura paints, and so we had to try them out.  I ripped off a sheet of freezer paper and taped it to the table, and then let them paint away.  We even hung their finished paintings on their bedroom doors.  So fun!

Playgroup

Our ward had a playgroup on Wednesday at the home of one of the moms.  The kids wore swimsuits and played in the sprinklers in the backyard, while us moms watched from inside.  It was so fun to get to know some more people!!  (I can't tell you how many good friends I have met over the years at a play group.) 

After I sent the kids into the yard, Derek came back almost immediately, begging to come in because "I'm going to get wet!"  It told him that that was the point and sent him back outside :).  He gave it another 20 minutes, and then I let him change and play in their playroom instead.  Silly boy!

Lily had so much fun, as there were 4 little girls there her exact age.  Besides, unlike her brother, she LOVES sprinklers.  She was also our information source, as she would come in every few minutes to tell on the older boys for one thing or another.  He he!  I wonder who she got that from?

Food

We tried to have fun things to eat too, like Little Caesar's Pizza or French toast.  We even made frozen juice pops, which is the kids' favorite thing.  Last night, to make things special, we invited Jeren and her daughter over for dinner (Her husband was also away.).  It was so much fun talking and laughing, and the kids love playing with her little girl.

Errands

Mainly to get us out of the house each day, we ran errands.  Whether it was to piano lessons, to Target, or to the craft store, the kids were great a though it all.  Granted, there were occasional setbacks, like in Barnes and Noble, when Derek decided to tell me that he had to go potty as he was wetting his pants.  I was so grateful for the extra pants and shirts I keep in the car for emergencies, and even more grateful that the outfit was still the right size.

Our favorite errand had to be to the Nursery to buy some hanging baskets of flowers.  The kids loved being there and helping me find the right ones.  And Lily even got to pull a giant wagon holding our flowers all around.  They are so pretty hanging on our porch.

Thunderstorms

We have had a huge thunderstorm almost every day since Kevin left, which although it is great since it means I don't have to water the lawn, it has other side effects . . . like power outages.  On Monday we had a power outage about 4:30 pm - just in time to ruin any dinner plans we might have had.  The storm was bad enough, we definitely didn't want to venture outside to go get anything either.  And so with many explanations as to why we "couldn't just use the stove or the microwave," Lily and Derek were finally content to have peanut butter sandwiches for dinner.

To make it a little more fun, we went out into our screened in porch to eat.  It was much cooler (since the AC wasn't working inside), and it was like being part of the storm without being in it.  The kids loved it, and even more so, when we broke out all their fun bubble blowing stuff and they got to play for a while.

That night I read them their nightly stories and scriptures by flashlight, and then, just after I had them tucked in, the power finally came back on.  This caused them to be so excited, that it took another 1/2 hour to get them settled again.  Oh well.  I was just glad to have the AC back on :).

 . . . so, as you can see, we have had our share of adventures with Kevin gone.  I am just grateful that he will be home today, so that our next adventures will be all together :).

Fascinate-U Museum

Last week, my friend Jeren and I decided to take our kids to the Children's Museum here in Fayetteville.  Neither of us had been, and we were pleasantly surprised with how much fun it was for them.  (And it was very inexpensive, which was a plus as well.)

It was like a dream come true for Lily, because the whole thing was made up of different pretend buildings with dress up clothes to fit.  A post office, construction site, court room, grocery store, doctor's office, dentist's office, a fire station and emergency response center.  It also had a classroom, stage, newsroom, city park, bank, puppet show, and Army camp. 

Derek and Emilia wandered around having fun, while Lily tried on every costume and acted out every part, sometimes pulling in other kids to be her patient, etc.  One time she asked a little boy if he would come be a news anchor for her, but then informed him he had to remove the fireman's costume first.  Fun times!  We will definitely go again.

Playing with the Boys

And no, I am not talking about Derek and Eli, but Kevin and his best friend Rob.  They are so funny together and are like long lost brothers, which is why when Angela called me earlier this week to see if they could visit this weekend, we jumped at the chance. 

Rob and his family only live 1 1/2 hours away, and after spending years with them all the way in Japan, we are definitely taking advantage of proximity.  We visited them last month, and so this month they came here.  (And they were the first to use our brand new sleeper couch, which Lily was so excited about it, that for our Family Home Evening activity last week, she had us put the sheets on it.  She was in heaven - he he!)

They arrived just in time for dinner, and after eating, we went out in the back yard to let the kids play and enjoy the gorgeous weather.  I had filled up the kiddie pool earlier that day, and Eli, their son, decided he had to try it out.  He was having so much fun, but his diaper got so full of water he couldn't walk.  Eventually he was set free and allowed to run naked - the benefits of being only 1 year old :).

Before long, the rest of the kids were in swimming suits and playing in the water as well.  They had so much fun, while us parents just laughed and laughed at the hilarious things they would do.  Soon they were racing and jumping in, but could only do it if the baby was out of the water, which meant they had to time it perfectly.  They would lure Eli out of the water, and then make a break for it, trying to dive in before he could.  The really funny side affect of the whole thing, was the show Eli was giving his parents of his little naked bum.  Fun times.

After that, we got the kids scrubbed up in the bathtub, had some delicious dessert that Angela made, and introduced Rob's family to I Survived a Japanese Game Show - so insane and yet so funny.  Then we got the kids in bed, and the real fun began.

The four of us adults stayed up until after 1 am talking, laughing, and wondering if our husbands would have survived their friendship if they hadn't found Angela and I.  They had some pretty crazy adventures in college. 

Tucked into all that fun, we played pinochle, boys against girls, like we always do.  I am sad to admit it, but the boys had all the luck and they completely destroyed us.  They shot the moon, had a few hands around 700 points, etc.  But it's all good - they enjoyed their victory so much, that it was almost fun to watch.  Rob even made up a cheer, "Yea Boys!" - original, I know.

The next day, Kevin and Rob squeezed in some Guitar Hero, we all went to lunch at On the Border, and were able to play one more game of pinochle (which the girls lost again) - all before Kevin had to leave for the airport and they headed home.  It was such a fun time and we are so glad that we live so close now.  I have a feeling that this may even become a monthly tradition :).  Good times.

PS. Thanks to all of you who responded to my last post.  If you couldn't tell, I have been feeling a little lonely lately, so thanks for making my day :).

Where have all my readers gone?

I know, that is a very silly question, especially since I know for a fact that some of you are reading this.  Mostly it is directed toward my family (not you, Kevin) who live very far away and never comment or leave me any sign that they actually read my blog.  

And I know that my insecurities are showing since I am feeling lonely and vulnerable lately, but it really does seem that with my move came a decrease in comments on my blog.  I also know that readership is not measured by comments, but I have always felt like when I receive comments on my blog, it is like completing the conversation.  And I am in desperate need of conversation lately.  So if you are out there, please let me know.  (And I understand that google reader, etc, make it hard to even remember to comment - I am so guilty of that some days - just know that I miss you)

And a huge heartfelt thank you to those of you who remind me that you are there all the time.  YOU ARE THE BEST!

All of my whining aside, I know that in all honesty, this blog is for me to keep a family history, and anything else I get is just a bonus.  I just didn't realize how connected it made me feel with all my friends.  So thanks for letting me have my rant.  Oh, and I promise to be better about posting and to not be sad and depressing - as this post is most definitely sounding.  Have a wonderful day!!

PS. And yes Kevin, I promise to post about more than just pie :).

Is there anything better than warm Apple Pie?

Sunday morning, before church, I decided to make a special treat for Kevin and the family . . . my favorite Apple Pie.  Yum!  I got this from my sister Wendy and I love it, and since I  realized I haven't shared a recipe in ages,  here it is for you.

Flaky Pie Crust                               

Makes 1 full pie crust (top and bottom)

 

2 c. flour

1 c. shortening

1 t. salt

1/4 c. water

 

Measure 1 2/3 c. of flour into a bowl, then add the salt and mix.  Add the shortening, and using a pastry cutter, cut it into the flour until mixture is in small crumbs.  In a small bowl, mix together remaining flour and water until well blended. Mix the paste into the shortening/flour mixture (by hand) until it sticks in a loose ball.

 

 Apple Pie                                        

 1/4 c. flour          6 c. (about 5 lg or 6 med) thinly sliced apples

1 c. sugar             2 T. marg. or butter

dash salt              1 t. cinnamon

 

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.  Stir in apples.  Pour into a pastry lined pie plate, dot with butter, and then cover with top crust.  Seal edges and cut a few slits in the top.  Cover edge with a 3 in. strip of foil.  Bake in hot oven 30 min. (Crust should begin turning brown.  Place a sheet of foil over the top.  Bake until you can poke through the top apple (about 30 more minutes.  Then remove the foil from around crust and top – bake 6-7 more minutes.

Serve warm with vanilla ice-cream - YUM!!

Download Apple Pie Recipe

Settling in . . .

This past month has been one long process of settling into a new home.  It has been easy, hard, fun, exhausting, and at times very lonely.  At times, I truly admit that I feel quite lost here in North Carolina, wishing I had Marilyn, or Dawn, or Victoria, Kristi, Valorie, or September, etc, etc, etc.  I was blessed to have such a wonderful network of friends in Savannah, but I have to remember that when I started there, I was just as alone as now - more so, in fact.

And so yes, even though the kids and I have felt a little lost, we have all been busy doing things to remedy the situation.  First off . . .

Making our house a home:  We finished unpacking after two weeks, and then it was time to hang pictures, arrange bedrooms just so, and start working on the yard.  Lily and Derek have their own rooms for the first time, and so we hung Kevin's old Star Wars posters on the wall in Derek's room, and he is in heaven.  (Now I need to think of some great quotes from the movies to get made out of vinyl lettering to put up along with them.)

We had to get some new furniture, including a computer armoire, many bookcases, a hutch for the kitchen (to help with the storage issues in the kitchen), and a new sleeper sofa for guests.  Oh, and Kevin finally got his flat screen TV, which he has patiently waited years for.  The sofa came yesterday, and now the house is complete.  (The kids think it is the coolest thing ever!  A bed in the couch, what could be better?)

Oh, and I finally made it to a nursery to get some flowers for the flower boxes around the house.  They were full of dead geraniums, and so we fixed that.  It is too late in the season to really plant like I would have loved to, but my little flowers are perfect.

Busy Work:  I have spent countless hours on the computer and telephone trying to find us a new dentist, a new eye doctor, chiropractor, piano teacher, etc.  I got Lily registered for school in the fall, we turned in medical records and got us set up at the clinic on post, etc.  I am so glad to have this part finished!

Making Friends:Although I was blessed to have Jeren and Sherrie here already, it has been lonely.  I had met a few people at church who seemed great, but I never remembered to get their numbers, and so last week I brought a notepad and wrote a few people down.  Then this week, I called and invited them over.  It was so fun to get to know some great ladies, and the kids were in heaven playing with new friends while we chatted.  I also got to attend the temple in Raleigh with some ladies from our ward, which was wonderful as well.  It is definitely a great start.

Enjoying having a Neighborhood: The best part about our move for the kids is the yard, and that we live on a cul-de-sac.  There are a few kids right here that they have taken too and love playing with already.  Jacob, who lives next door, is their favorite - maybe it is because he is older.

And then there are the kids across the street, who are not only the perfect ages for the kids, but have really fun toys that they let them play with them on, like Power Wheels.  Lily even took one for a spin - he he!

We also were able to finally get the kids bikes!  My six year old needs to learn to ride - it is just not right that Lily hasn't had the chance until now.  It will be a fun adventure, and here she is with her new ride:

Summer Reading:  One of the first things I did when we moved in was get a library card, and get the kids signed up for the summer reading program in town.  They have already earned three prizes (We read to them a lot), and are loving it.  I am also loving the beautiful little library, just down the road, and have stocked up on great books to read.

Lily has also progressed to the point where she can read Magic Tree-house books on her own, and so one afternoon, the two of us sat out on the porch and read while Derek played on the swing-set.  It was so fun, and made pretty funny by the fact that she created a shade tent to read under.  Ahh, Lily.

Misc. Family Fun:  And probably the best thing that is helping us get settled, are all the fun family things we have been doing.  Whether it is doing silly tricks with dad, a Family Home Evening, or Lily helping me out in the yard, it is what makes everything feel right.  Lily even helped me make 3 batches of strawberry freezer jam :). 

And so yes, even though we have some settling left to do, things are going really well and we are happy.  Kevin loves his job here, which is another big plus, and eventually I will learn to navigate this city.  The kids are content, and I got to go out this morning and water my flowers.  Life is good :).

PS. Now that we have the sleeper sofa, that means we are open and ready for visitors, so please come :).

Derek . . .

Derek continues to greatly amuse Kevin and me.  I feel like I am constantly laughing at something he has done, whether it is using my hand and wedding ring as a blaster, or seeing him curled up on the couch with the Star Wars Lego's video game Kevin brought home for him.  

Granted, half of the time I am laughing out of frustration, but some of it is pretty darn funny, especially the things he says.  For example . . .

"Embellion"- what he calls the Millennium Falcon.  We don't know where it comes from, and sometimes he really does call it the right name, but only with prompting.

"Interial Walker" - how he says Imperial Walker

"Robots" - what he calls the little walkers (ATST's) when they are in Episode V, but not in Episode VI.  He actually will argue with Kevin about this, and it is so funny.

"Anamiana Joneses Lego's" - What he calls the Indiana Jones Lego's game

"Kareokeep games"- a tag-line he adds to the name of most video games, probably because of all the Karaoke Revolution we used to play when he was little.

"WooWee" - what it sounds like when he says Lily's name.

"I meed it.  I meed it to me!" - What he says when he wants something

"That's too tricky."  "That's too hurty."  "That's too icky."  "Because I don't like it."  "But that's not my favorite thing." - His favorite sayings when he doesn't like something or doesn't want to do what I want him to do.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" -  to his dad, right before asking for a video game

"Daddy, let's play something that rhymes with video games.  I know, Star Wars Video games." - I guess it does technically rhyme, even if they are the same words.

"I can't take a babth!  The babthtub is too wet!"- what he says every time we go to give a bath.

"Oh no, Mom, I need a napkin"- after he accidentally soaked himself with the hose.

And he is still up to his sneaky tricks too.  The first week we were here, our next-door neighbor brought over some cupcakes.  I ate mine that night, but since the kids and Kevin were asleep, I put the rest on the counter for the next day.  That morning, Derek was up early, as usual, and had gone downstairs before me.  When I got downstairs, this is what I found . . .

Yes, all the frosting gone.  I put them up higher, and left the room for a few minutes.  I came back and found this, with a little boy telling me that he "found the muffins for breakfast."  Ahh, Derek.

PS.  The way Derek talks about video games, it makes it sound like he plays them all the time, but really he watches, and he only does that about twice a month when Kevin has time to play video games :).

Fun with Friends and the Fourth of July

Last weekend we took a break from our unpacking adventures and headed to Goldsboro, NC to visit Kevin's best friend Rob and his family.  We got there just in time for dinner, and the kids had a blast playing together all evening.

And then, because we had to head back early the next morning for church, us adults stayed up until 2am talking and playing games.  There is nothing quite like the craziness that ensues when Kevin and Rob get together, and it is always fun to be reminded that Rob became another little brother to me the moment Kevin and I got married :).  (Did I really need an extra one?  Wasn't Matthew enough, not to mention Kevin's real little brothers?  He he!)

When we finally decided to head to bed (mostly because Rob had to be up at 6am for an Air Force thing), the boys couldn't even stand up.  They did have enough energy for 2am popsicles though :).

It was such a fun night, and we are looking forward to more fun times with them, especially since they are only 1 1/2 hours away now.

Then for the Fourth of July, we got together with some other good friends.  One of the reasons we were excited to move here, was because Andrew and Jeren were here.  We have known them since Lily was a baby back in Monterrey when Kevin and Andrew were in the same class in Monterrey.  And they were even in Savannah with us, but had just moved to Ft. Bragg.

So, on Saturday we had them over, with their sweet little girl, Emelia.  We had a BBQ and I got to test out Kevin's new grill with a super yummy chicken recipe.  The kids played in a kiddie pool in the backyard, and we had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather.

Later that night, we joined up with one of our neighbors and combined our fireworks to put on a show for the kids.  Before it got dark, we started the kids out with poppers.  They loved throwing them, but even more than that, they liked stepping on the ones that didn't explode at first.  Then there were the cars that didn't move and the creepy snakes I bought not knowing what they were.

(Notice Lily in the "Fourth of July outfit" she put together on her own, along with her "Princess Leia hair" she begged me to do this morning.  So cute!)

Lily and Derek sat with our neighbors' kids at a safe distance and watched the fun, although Derek did end up on my lap after a little while.  It was a blast, and even turned out to be more of a show than we expected, because the house next door and the one behind us had the really good fireworks.  We were a little nervous that they would set a tree or one of our houses on fire, but luckily all ended well.  The kids loved every minute of it, and it was the perfect way to end our day.