Another week, another dollar... or few... or hundred.  Yep, we fell off the budget bandwagon, but no worries, we'll just throw ourselves back up.  Not a big deal really because all the bills were paid and extra thrown to the money swallowing credit cards.
We found out Trae fell off the good grades wagon (also known as the VIP board) and I'm none too happy about it, but what can really be done if he doesn't remember to bring it home... I'm sure the little talk we had of starting him on his ADHD medication again will help "encourage" him to get his little fanny in gear and turn in that homework.  I feel bad even putting him back on the medication, but if he is failing out of school, and not putting forth the effort of fixing the bad grades, what choice will we have?  We'll wait it out a bit longer and see how things go.
Okay, enough of airing out my dirty laundry.... never mind don't even get me started on my dirty laundry pile, which happens to consist of clean clothes that my boys didn't "have the time" to put away, so instead just threw all the half folded clothes back into the laundry room.  I think I'll get even by making them be in charge of dog poop duty.  Watch out shoes because here they come...

Jamison pinning the Mama Bobcat pin on me












Giving Jamison his special round of applause for earning
his Bobcat.  Next month he's going for his Wolf.

Mason wanted friends to come play with him so badly 

the other day, but settled for the stuffed kind to play in 

one of the many blanket tents he makes.

February brought Trae's jr high registration.  I've been having a bit of denial that he'll be going to jr high next year.  I'm just not ready for him to grow old, but he continues to do it anyway.  He's so excited to have more choices in classes and meet new friends.  I'm just so nervous for him to fit in and do well in a new environment.  He's so ready for this and I'm so not!
Trae is also going to be trying out lacrosse.  Seems like a really fun sport.  We are really hoping he'll excell at it... especially after spending a small fortune on the equipment so he can play.  Ouch!

I think my feelings over him going to jr high are being amplified because my baby got his kindergarten registration in the mail in February as well.  Too much change for this poor mommy, who is not ready for her kids to grow older.  I was hoping for a new cuddly bundle, but with my infertility issues (and Jamie being in denial that he wants another baby) and the adoption rollercoaster coming to a complete stop (luckily with all arms and legs intact, hearts beginning the healing process) I'll just have to adjust to this new and strange time of my kids all preparing to go to school and not need me quite as much as they have in the past.

So, looks like I need to plan ahead... who's up to being my new lunch/ coffee break buddy??  Haha!

No-Bake Granola Bars

These bars are so versatile, easy-peasy, and so darn yummy!  We used cocoa crispies for the cereal (what I had on hand) and sunbutter in place of peanut butter (peanut allergy for us here).  You could replace some or all of the corn syrup with honey.  I've also thought you could add in/ replace some of the dry ingredients with flax seed, wheat germ, almonds, pecans, crushed corn flakes, craisins, coconut, sunflower seeds... the variations are endless, but they are amazing just as is.

2 1/2 C crispy rice cereal
2 C oats
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C corn syrup
1/2 C peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

In large bowl, combine cereal, oats, raisins and set aside.
In small saucepan, combine brown sugar and corn syrup.  Bring to boil while stirring constantly.
Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
Pour over cereal mixture and mix well.
Press into 13x9
Allow to cool and cut into bars.

Mason's version of licking the bowl












Mason trying on Trae's glasses... Trae claims he never sat on them and they are in perfect condition.  hmm...












Little Muscle Men












Not sure if this boy remembers how to smile.












I think Home Depot must be keeping tabs on us because we spent so much there last year and we have kept ourselves from going there for the last 2 months.  Our self imposed ban came to a quick end the other night when our garage door opener mysteriously crashed and burned.  Off to Home Depot we went and handed over our Vegas vacation money.  Dang that Home Depot store.

Valentine's Day Boxes

Trae's Valentine's Day Card Box
I recommend to never do this project unless you have a child
who is willing to sit and help you and not keep wandering away.
Eek!  It was a big time consumer.

















I bought Mason a little mailbox for his cards, but
he was feeling left out in the box making and so
made his own out of the empty kleenex box. 
Notice the catepillar at the bottom of the box.  He
is so into drawing bugs right now.  

















Daddy helped Jamison out on making his Valentine's box.
So glad he was here to help and he did a great job.

 

Mason decided to cut his own hair this week.  He
thought it was funny for a few moments until he
realized that now all of his hair was going to come
off.  I think he was a little traumitized.  Hopefully,
it was enough to encourage him to never do it again.

The newly shaved head...

Our goal for 2010 is to pay off our credit cards and start paying down our truck and trailer loans.  So far, so good.  It's amazing how far we can stretch a few dollars, when you know that's all that was budgeted out for you.  I got sucked into the show Til Debt Do Us Part and she gives you some really great manageable ways to budget.  She completely inspired us to get our behinds in gear and pay, pay, pay... in cash.  We set up jars with cash and that is our money for each of our expenses.  We have cut our grocery bill in half and we honestly are not lacking for anything.
Trae and Jamison had very successful parent teacher conferences this week.  We are so proud of their hard work.  Trae's teacher stated how proud she was of Trae and the effort he is putting into getting everything turned in.  His behavior is also on the very good side.  Jamison's teacher sang his praises.  They always do.  They get to see my sweet, quiet, funny Jamison at school... boy, do I miss that child at home.  I guess I should be proud that they know how to behave in public and save up all that attitude for when they get home.  They really do love me.  Haha!
I need to finish my laundry and exercise today because I slacked off yesterday, but it was a well deserved slack off.  Kara drove up, took me to coffee and scones, and painted my nails.  She said she is going to remind me to take girlsy time for myself, even if she gets me to do one item at a time.  Love that girl!   

Mason has decided that he wants a baby girl and I'm just the Mom to provide this baby.  He even climbed into my lap and hugged my belly.  He has this idea that the babies stay in the Mommy's tummy for years and years until it is time to come out.  I told him if we had another baby that he would either have to give up his room or share it with a new baby.  He tells me that the baby will sleep in the living room.  I told him the baby couldn't sleep in the living room, and he says that's where she has to sleep because that's where the rocking chair is.  I then explain to him that we might not have any more babies and he insists that we are going to and when am I going to get her out of my tummy.  I tried to remind him that he didn't want any more babies just a month ago, and that he was my baby, but he just rolled his eyes at me and told me that he is big now and we need a new baby.  Kids and their logic.
I told Jamie this story when he got home from work last night and he just gave me the evil eye.  I think that he thinks that I planted this story about us trying to get pregnant and having a new baby in our 4-year-old.  I have to say a big resounding NO to that.  You just have to take it for the innocent story that it really is and to realize that sometimes our babies don't grow only in our bellies but in our hearts.

Melt in Your Mouth Pumpkin Bread

I'm just about to throw in two pans of this bread and realized I haven't added this recipe here yet.  This bread is delicious and it doesn't get much easier than this!  The recipe doesn't call for the brown sugar, but because I love brown sugar and butterscotch I add it.  If you don't want to use brown sugar just add an extra 1/4C of white sugar.  Mason is currently licking his reward for helping me mix it all up.

2/3 C oil
2 eggs
1 C pumpkin
1C flour
3/4 C sugar
1/4 C brown sugar
1 (3.5 oz) box of pudding (I suggest coconut, butterscotch, vanilla, or cheese cake)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix oil, eggs, and pumpkin together and then add the rest of the ingredients.
Bake in 9x5x3 greased loaf pan in 325* oven for 1 hour.

Mason and Jamison building bridges with pillows












Trae playing his DS












Vampire Mas and Mojo.  This was right before he was
caught biting Mojo, trying to turn him vampire too. 












I have realized that I really suck at getting up that little bit early and working out, so new plan this week to work out during the day.  One day down, a million and one to go.  In shape here we come! Of course, with all the wii the kids and I have been playing my arms might fall off before I get a chance to work out.  We have had so much fun though and I'll almost miss them when they go back to school tomorrow.  Mason is starting to become real competition to all of us now.
Found out last week that one of my cousins is pregnant.  I'm so excited for her and really hope she gets a girl.  What is it with all of us getting boys?  Our family is building their own army or something.  I decided that I'm going to go move in with her or my brother, or maybe I'll jump back and forth between their houses so I can get my baby fix in.  Brett and Cynthia find out what they are having 1 week from today.  I'm so very excited for them all.
I was just sitting here thinking of Mason the other night.  He came in my room around 2AM and whispered in my face "Mom, did I wake you up?"   I asked him "When?" and he said "When I was going potty. Okay, I love you and your my bestest friend." and he goes back to bed.  I got up and tucked him in again, but wanted to remind you all that he is just adorable!
My quote for the week is "Were it not for hope the heart would break."

Lazy Sunday night watching t.v. with our boys












Mason doing a handstand

Brother is now involved and it's time to play: Hands up! Stands up!

So, I could probably bore you all day with pictures of my boys.  I have a few of them with huge orange slices in their mouths.  They were so lazy this weekend.  They hung around the house bouncing from one activity to the next.  They blew up the fire truck tent and played nerf war for most of the day Sunday... after Mas and Jamison were done with their handstands that is.  Those two are my little gymnasts.  Poor Trae got the short end of the stick in that area.  He was able to ride a two wheel bike when he was 3 (Jamison was 5 and Mas still refuses to ride without training wheels), but couldn't contort his body to do a cartwheel to save his life.  I remember him tearing down the driveway in Midvale on his tricycle at age 2 and taking the sharp turn onto the sidewalk on two wheels.  Scare the living daylights out of all of us watching him, but he always excelled at that kind of thing.
I started my exercising routine yesterday.  I'm to get up when Jamie leaves to work and start moving on the treadmill.  The only problem is that I already killed the routing by not getting up this morning.  I really, really dislike migraines.  Luckily, I caught it before it was too bad, but I always end up with a lingering vibrating pain in my head.  Maybe later I'll be able to walk a bit. 
I'm also thinking maybe I need a new project.  I saw some really cute coffee themed material at the fabric store a few weeks ago and maybe I'll treat myself with it.  I could also sew some curtains for my room, but I'm not sure the basic curtain will do in here.  Trae and Jamison's curtains turned out so stinking cute though.  Or I could wait until Brett and Cynthia find out if they are having a boy or a girl (two whole weeks away!  UGH)  Will have to think about this....
I'm starting to feel like no news is not good news.  Maybe they just don't realize how much our hearts are already invested, but I guess we'll just have to hold onto those heart strings and hope beyond hope that things will start happening.

New Year's Eve

Kara and I on New Year's Eve

















I forgot to take pictures, but here is one off of my phone of Mason.  I got the kids confetti poppers and Mason absolutely loved them.  Even after they were all popped, he would pick up the confetti pieces and throw them into the air again. 

I can't believe that 2009 is over.  It seems time goes so fast, except right now, right now it is going so dang slow.  I'm so ready for this month to be over already.  I just need a little glimpse into the year to come to get me through this next month and I'll be good.  Still thinking positive and hoping against hope that things will go as I have dreamed.
We had such a great time on New Year's Eve.  All the kids were on their best behavior and had such a great time.  Jamie and I laughed when Trae described to us how cute, innocent Kelsey would tug on his hair when he didn't buy or do what she wanted on the computer game they were all playing.  It was either that or Jaeda and Kelsey would chant until his ears would ring and he would give in to them.  They are teaching him early!  Haha!
The kids popped confetti poppers at midnight and us adults kissed ;)  It was truly one of the best New Year's Eves we have ever had.  I hope all of you feel the same way about yours.  I hope that this is a sign of how the new year is going to play out.

Peanut Butter Cookies

I have been on the search for the peanut butter cookie recipe that I used for the Judy Family Party last month and I'm not sure that I found it, but maybe someone could make them for me and let me know?  ;)  My Aunt Susan begged me to get her the recipe and she is one person that I would do anything for.  So if she wants a recipe, she gets a recipe.  Now, hopefully, this is the right one.  I'm 99.9% sure that it is.  Enjoy! 

2 C butter
1 C peanut butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Cream together the butter, sugars, and peanut butter.
Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Mix dry ingredients and add slowly (or if you are like me... stop the mixer, add dry ingredients and mix slowly so the flour doesn't coat your kitchen.) 
Roll into balls and then roll into sugar.
Place on cookie sheet (do not mash with fork) and bake in 350* oven for 11-13 minutes.

*Now to get the full effect of the cookies I made for the party, you should place an unwrapped Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie immediately after taking out of the oven.  YUM!