What a Girl Wants

Okay- this post was going around and around in my head last night and I thought I'd go ahead and put it out there. Maybe one of you can help!! I am looking for a really great book. I have read many great books but haven't found one that is "perfect" yet. Here's my list of what's been running through my head- maybe you can give me referrals that fit:

Twilight series-
Likes- The characters were so well developed that I just can't stop wondering about them for a while after I read the books. She easily draws you on from page to page.

Dislikes- She tied it up all too nice and tidy. There should have been a battle and at least one person could have died. Not the main characters, mind you. Perhaps a guard or one of the many extras- besides Irina. The whole "Renesmee" thing was too weird too.

How Green Was My Valley-
Likes-Oh I just LOVE the words in this book. So beautifully written and descriptive of the people, place, and time.

Dislikes- No good resolution at the end. I'm a sucker for a happy ending. That doesn't mean it has to be all kittens and rainbows but in the end, the boy should get the girl and they should live happily ever after.

Poisonwood Bible-
Likes-I really enjoyed the way this book made me think and think and think about the characters after I finished reading it. I think it's a really good Book Club Book but I don't think a lot of people would like it in my book club... ;)

Dislikes- It was just a bit too dark for my sensibilities. I don't mind reading a book like this once in a while but it's not a genre I can read a lot of. I like to escape reality and go to a happy place when I read. It took me longer to read than I thought which means it didn't call to me either. How good can a book be if you can put it down for a couple of days?

Dean Koontz-
Likes-I just love the way this author makes me giggle at some of his phrases. I wish wish wish I could come up with some of the phrases he uses. The books are SO different from what I am used to that I get a kick out of reading them and they really interest me. I bet he is an interesting person.

Dislikes-again, I can put these books down. A couple have had really twisted endings but instead of twising in the direction to shock and surprise you- it twists the other way and underwhelms you. I've never been really satisfied with an ending from him.

Life of Pi-
Likes-An odd book and quite different than anything I have read. I did enjoy it and the character he created. Worth reading.

Dislikes- I had to work a bit throughout to read it and I don't like to work for my books- it should be the other way around.

Gurnsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society-
Likes- the characters were GREAT. I loved the story.

Dislikes- the characters were TOO great. I wanted much more than she gave me about the side characters. I couldn't decide if I liked the book or not because it left me wanting almost too much instead of being satisfied.

Dan Brown-
Likes- I enjoy his storylines- he knows how to do a twist and he keeps me turning those pages.

Dislikes- I don't dislike a ton about his books but some of them just have more swearing than I am comfortable with. I'd like a bit more on a personal level as well.


Those are just some of the books I was thinking of last night that were close or had things that I really really enjoyed but missed the mark. Any suggestions? I need a book with great characters, a page turner, a happy ending that isn't a cop-out, has enough meat in the story to keep me going, witty remarks and descriptions that put me there. You know, the perfect book?

Trouble

I'm in for some...

Welcome Fall! (okay not yet, but soon!)

I just LOVE September! The high yesterday was in in the upper 80's or lower 90's. The kids can go out for longer periods of time without feeling like they are going to melt away. We loved living in the swimming pool during the summer but we are ready to go back to the park and go for walks and exploring and Fall is just perfect for that! I've always thought the name of the month "September" was just the prettiest month there is! Maybe it's because it's my birth month too. We did school loosely throughout the summer but we have started back up again full time. While we don't have to get new things every year at this time of year, it is usually the cheapest time to get them so we have stocked up on new pencils and notebooks and glue for the year. I love new school supplies. There's just something about a new notebook of paper that hasn't yet been written in. I am anxiously awaiting many boxes this week that have some fun stuff in them! I try to order books that are not consumable so that they can be re-used for subsequent children but every year Sarah needs new books because she is the oldest and the math workbooks have to be ordered for the other children as well because the ones I prefer are write-in and I don't want to make that many copies. This year we needed some science encyclopedias and some fun math CD's as well as some new Logic curriculum and a new spelling program. The old one wasn't doing the trick. I have never had much trouble when it comes to spelling. I always figured if you can read, you can spell. Turns out that's not true, lol. History is going to be so fun this year. Peter has taken it upon himself to be the History teacher twice a week when he gets home from work. We are studying 400-1600 AD this year and there are some great things in there!! Sarah will be mostly self- taught in history using the History Encyclopedia and working on maps, timelines, and reading other books and writing about big or interesting events and people. We've also started piano lessons again. It's tought to stick with teaching that to your own children but I am determined to make it work and they beg me for lessons so I don't think it will be too difficult to keep it up. It's going to be a fun year! We already have a field trip to CiCi's Pizza planned with 50 other kids from our homeschool group. We will take a tour and then everyone will get to make their own small pizza- doesn't that sound like fun?? September is like a prequel to Christmas for me. I need to think about a fall garden before it's too late. It's not yet is it??

I put some pictures up on Facebook already of the summer but I'll be posting them on here from now on! If you are on Facebook and I know you- add me as a friend and I'll see you around there too!

(click to enlarge)

Alive and Well!

We are alive and well and have had a great summer. I need to get back to my blog- just give me a little more time and I'll be rolling again! I'll have lots of great pictures and maybe things to discuss. See you all soon!

'Twas the Night Before CFA Take II

6 months ago in December, Peter gave the CFA level 1 his first shot. In the middle of the night, when he should be resting up for the test that takes a whole day to complete, we ended up having to call the fire department because some car was on fire behind our house. Interesting night. Fast forward to last night- again the night before his big test. We decided to enlist my parents to watch the kids so we could go out to eat and walk around the Highlands and relax a bit before his test. It was a really nice, easy evening. We were a bit concerned because both Eric and Robert had been needing breathing treatments that day but Eric was more worrisome by far than Robert. So the both had treatments before bed and neither seemed to be having much trouble. Around 2am I heard something on the monitor that is in the boys' room that scared me. Someone was having trouble. REAL trouble. I ran downstairs, sure it was Eric- he was sleeping soundly. Then I heard Robert on the top bunk struggling. I brought him out and hurried Peter to get a treatment going for him. I was about ready to call 911 right then because I'd never heard him so bad but I thought I'd see how he was after the first treatment. Meanwhile Peter got the shower going because it sounded just like croup and I knew if we could just loosen stuff up a bit, he'd be fine. After the first treatment, he immediately needed a second- no improvement really. Then I had him go in the bathroom but after about 10 seconds in there he looked panicked and I could tell he wasn't getting much air in but he was really sucking to get something in his lungs. It was downright scary. So I put him back on the nebulizer for a 3rd treatment. I knew then that I didn't want to drive him to the hospital myself because we didn't have an adapter for our car to take the machine with us and I didn't think he could make it there without it on. So for the second time before Peter's big test, he had to call 911. The paramedics came and moved our boy to the ambulance. I could tell that the 3rd treatment was doing it's job. They gave him a 4th on the way to the hospital and when we got there, they took him off the mask altogether and he was doing great. The Dr gave him a scrip for prednisone and an oral dosage while we were there and we were able to leave. I've never seen him so bad or recover so quickly. I'm so grateful he did though! Everyone seems much better this morning as long as they don't get too riled up. Now Peter is off taking his test and won't be home until after dinner. Good luck honey!! You've worked hard for this and I know you can do it!

Ouch

Poor JoJo. He hit his head on the windowsill a couple of minutes ago. This is what his head looked like 2 seconds later when I ran to pick him up. I ran right next door to my wonderful nurse-neighbor who told me what I should look for and when I need to take him in. So far he has stopped crying and is eating a cracker. He won't let me keep ice on it unfortunately. Poor little guy. I will probably just sit here rocking him all day.

Meal Planning

Peter and I often get asked how we feed a family of 8 on such a tight/low budget. I think half of it is being creative in meal planning. We have some health concerns with Grandma's gall stones so we eat a very low fat diet but I have found that this is easily done by buying low fat versions of cheeses and sour creams and eating less red meat in our meals. Cooking with plain yogurt instead of sour cream or using fat free sour cream and cream cheese tastes just the same (actually better with the yogurt!) as using the higher fat versions. We also find that even if I am not going to cook for an entire month, it is easier and less expensive to buy for the whole month's worth of meals in one day. My least favorite part is planning all of the meals but I'm getting better at it. We don't like to repeat too many things throughout the month and certainly not within the same week. I like the kids to try different things (or at least have the chance too) and I try to have their favorites every month. Thankfully their favorites are cheap and great for them too! This past Saturday I cooked all the meals that could be cooked ahead of time and planned for the ones that I would rather do on the day of. Peter went and bought all of the groceries we needed for the month and some that we just like to keep stocked up on as well as the fresh things we would need for that week and spent less than $250. We will still need to buy milk, fresh produce, and most likely a few other things that I didn't plan for or that comes up but those are also budgeted for. That cost also includes paper products we use- diapers for 2, paper towels and a package of paper plates for those nights when I feel dishes just aren't going to happen, lol! So would you like to know what we are eating? Here is my list of meals for the month. I only needed 27 as of that day.

Homemade pizza- twice
Stroganoff
Spaghetti- twice
Salsa meatloaf- 2 lber
Tostadas
Potato Soup with bacon and cream cheese
Chicken Dumplings
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Fajitas
Roast Sticky Chicken
Roast Herb Chicken
Chicken and Gravy on Biscuits- twice, a favorite!
Homemade Slider Burgers (the kids call them crabby patties)
Tacos
Penne Bolognese Casserole
Goulash or Poverty Meal
Tortilla Soup
Chicken Wraps
Chili
Taco Salad
Pancakes-twice
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Meatball subs
Hot dogs and Macaroni and Cheese (grandma iis gone this week, lol)

These main dishes are usually accompanied by bread and a fruit and vegetable or other side if it is not included in the main dish. Yes, I did lose 10 lbs while eating these types of foods. I am a strong believer in changing to a diet that you will be willing to keep forver and I refuse to live without carbs! ;)

By the way- this is also a huge time saver for me. I just need to look on the fridge to see what I can choose from and know I have everything I need for it and a few ready to be cooked or warmed up!

So, does this look like a menu plan that is suffering to you? Just because you are on a budget does not mean you have to eat beans and rice every night (although we do like red beans and rice with sausage!). You can eat healthy and tasty food and still stick within your budget.

Please- feel free to share your budgeting, money saving tips!

Question

Well, all of you who voted for Obama- are you still happy with your choice? Have you liked the decisions he has made so far? I was going to try and have hope that he would make some smart decisions (kind of) but so far I am well, pretty disgusted. I think I can probably come up with a better budget than that. So many things seriously worry me about it and where he is going to send this economy in one fell swoop. I'm sorry if I'm offending those of you who like the guy- that's fine if you want to like the man, but are you really happy with where this is going?

Crazy Talk

I was playing Zuma yesterday while holding Eric on my lap. He's liked to watch me play that since he was a baby. He also likes to watch the balls go in the hole- if you don't know Zuma- you DON'T want the balls to go in the hole but he likes it when I lose. So he said yesterday "I want you to lose- I want the balls to go down the hole." I said "That's crazy talk!" To which he smartly replied, "That's not crazy talk. This is crazy talk- blah blah blah..."

Valentine's Day!

I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day! Mine was really great and I can thank my sweet other half and children for that. The whole family has been sick with a stomach bug and I have been so worn out and tired and needed a break. Early Saturday morning I woke up at 6 because I could hear Eric yelling for Robert to wake up and wanted to get to him before he woke up anyone else. Peter told me to go back to bed and a few minutes later he left a card and a big soft red teddy bear on his pillow next to me. I wanted to go back to sleep but couldn't resist peeking at the card. In it were my instructions to stay in bed watching movies, reading, or sleeping until lunch if I wanted to and to call when I wanted breakfast brought up to me. I was thrilled and glad to oblige. I slept for about an hour more and then had a breakfast in bed that consisted of bacon, orange juice, and raspberry chocolate chip pancakes with raspberry syrup. Yum. I watched junk TV for a while- you know, America's Next Top Model, Housewives of Somewhere, house renovations, flipping around all the channels. I went down to say Happy Valentine's Day to the kids and be with them for a bit and then back up to my cave. I watched Juno (okay but I'm a prude and probably won't watch it again even though the message is fine), dozed off for a while, read a bit then went downstairs to start being a mom again. We had a fun afternoon even though people were sick. I guess fun isn't the right word, more relaxing for everyone than anything else. That's a good thing considering the next wave of sickness hit a couple of people that night. I just love being with my family and I'm so glad they seem to feel the same way!

Sport Savvy

There is a new restaurant going up in town called Fat Daddy's (sounds nice and healthy doesn't it?) Well, it isn't open yet but there is a big banner out front that says "Super Bowl Party 02/01"

It's a really big place and when I read that sign I thought I understood why it was so big. You see, I read the sign like this "Super BOWL party!" Cool, it has a bowling alley in it! It took me only about 30 seconds to realize my mistake. There will be no bowling there. Darn it! I laughed all the way home at my sport savvy.

Slacker's My Name

We have had a really good end of the year and I've just been too preoccupied to blog about it. Thanksgiving was nice and quiet- we were all by our lonesome and had a fabulous turkey dinner with only the trimmings we wanted and a lot of fun games and puzzles. It was so nice and relaxing. Christmas came upon us before we were quite ready. I pulled out the Christmas decoration boxes and the kids went to town putting things wherever they wanted too and I left it that way! We didn't get lights up this year and didn't get all the goodies made that we wanted to but we did enough. We went driving and looked at lights a couple of times, sang Christmas songs, exchanged gifts, made cookies, played with friends, and spent quite a bit of time at the Drs (but we won't dwell on that!) We visited my parents on Christmas Eve for a ham dinner- and I didn't cook a thing! The kids did a live nativity while their Dogone (that's what they call my dad) read from the Bible. The next morning was pretty perfect. Santa brought everyone something special in their stocking and everything else from him was for the whole family to enjoy together- a little something for each age group but none of "that's mine!" going on later in the year. The kids drew names and bought each other gifts and it was fun for them to do some giving and see the excitement that entails. Of course they were plenty excited to open their own gifts as well. The next day I got my Christmas gift from Peter. The kids- all of them- stayed at my parents house for the night while we stayed at a hotel in Arlington and I got to do a little shopping. We also went out to eat (thanks to some great giftcards we received from friends!) and saw Tale of Despareux. It was so rejuvenating and I think a whole weekend would have done even more good to my mind and body, lol. We did miss the kids though and were happy to see them, but more happy that they did just fine without us for one night. That was the very first time we have done that since we've had children. It was long overdue. New Year's Eve morning was spent at the Allergist getting Robert tested and he's pretty much allergic to the world as we suspected. If we can get that somewhat under control maybe his asthma won't be so bad anymore and he can get sick like a normal kid. We spent that evening at home and the older 3 kids stayed up to ring in the new year with us. We spent the next few days cleaning and de-Christmasing our house. We had beautiful weather up in the 80's at times so the kids were able to spend most of the time outside with friends in the neighborhood. So that's the holiday wrap-up!

In other news- Peter was finally promoted to Senior Analyst (or Fund Accountant or something- oops!) We feel very blessed that he is being promoted in this economy. Joseph is jumping off of the couches now and scaring me silly at every turn. Sometimes it's just easier not to watch because if I try to stop him it turns into a game of "scare Mommy" and just gets worse. Eric is in underwear now except for at naps and night and half the time he wakes up dry! Woo hoo! Kaela is really reading well and has really enjoyed being creative with tangrams. She and Robert like to create homes out of boxes for their Webkinz as well. She spends much of her time outside riding scooters with the boy next door. Robert has had a hard time recently because of his asthma and hasn't gotten to spend as much time outdoors as everyone else. Thankfully he has loved him Magnext set he received for Christmas as well as his K'nex and new Wii games. Sarah has enjoyed a little bit more freedom to go farther in the neighborhood to a friend's house. She also keeps reminding me that she is going to be 11 this year and can't wait to baby-sit for me. She insists on helping me so she can have practice and has even changed a couple of stinky diapers! Brave girl! She will be an excellent baby-sitter one day. I have been in somewhat of a funk lately but I think I'm starting to pull out of it. I've just felt very blah about everything and it isn't a fun feeling to have. I've been more aware of what I do and have tried to stay busy and productive and that has really helped- goodness knows there's enough to do! I'm in a place I have never been before. I don't have an infant and I am not expecting one either. Sometimes it is a great feeling and I didn't know I could have so much freedom, and time, and energy because I truly have never been in this place. Other times I miss it and I think I always will. It's a special time in my life and I know I am going to have many more great things ahead too. I've been busy being the Enrichment Leader in church and planning things for the women to do together and I still have a TON to learn there. I'm still watching a little baby a few days a week and she is really crawling around now so we're in for trouble! I'm thinking about starting to do digital scrapbooks but I'm not sure. I've never done the scrapbook thing and I'm not really sure where to start! Any tips are welcome.

Now for the pictures:

This was the night before Peter's big CFA test #1. There was a car fire right behind our house and close to one of our trees. I noticed it when I had to get up with Joseph so we called 911. It took them a good 20 minutes to get here. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures before they put the fire out so they aren't all that exciting.

We were given all of these cups and the kids have found a better use for them than sitting in our cupboard!

Jumping off the back of the slide is much more fun than sliding down the right way!

We gave this to Joseph for Christmas. It had been sitting in our garage but was new to him!

Bubba loves Mr Potato head and Star Wars. Smart toy company put them together!

Her very own Tea Set

Finally his very own Webkinz!

She wanted this so she could learn how to be a spy. The walkie talkies they got from Grandma go with it perfectly.

Still Here!

I'm still around- just busy! I've got the Christmas Enrichment Night swimming around in my brain along with Thanksgiving (we're alone this year) and Christmas shopping to plan! I know- everyone else is busy right now too so I'm not alone in this. Having healthy children would really help right now! They've all gotten colds that never end! I could deal with that much better if Robert, Sarah, and Eric didn't have asthma troubles with every little thing. Eric went in last Saturday and had ear infections and was put on a steroid. Robert was in the ER on Sunday all day as they tried to get his oxygen levels up to snuff. The nurse said I was very calm for a mother who just found out her son may be admitted because he can't breathe well. Don't worry- it all hits me later after I come home. Poor Peter had to be the one at home worrying. He's still having trouble but it's nothing we can't manage here at home. Now Sarah has started up but thankfully, she seems to have outgrown getting bad enough to go to the ER and we are managing it with breathing treatments. It's all so very tiring though! I am ready for a good nights' rest.

Can I just say that Joseph is SOOO cute!!! He just makes me smile. He just came up to me and tried to say Peek-a-boo. Too cute.

The big kids will be starting martial arts in December (that's the plan anyway.) Peter's work pays for a certain amount for physical finess expenses and this will count. The children are very excited about it. I wish I could join them! Robert has joined the scouting program and is having fun doing that every week as well. I have a picture from his birthday party I need to put up. Who says homeschoolers aren't social? He had 12 little boys at his birthday party that will say otherwise. It was so crazy and so fun! (I'm trying to remember if I already blogged about this...)

Peter's CFA test is in 2 weeks and then I will have my husband back until he starts studying again in January for test #2.

I don't know whether I will see the Twilight movie or not so let me know what you think if you go see it tonight or tomorrow!

New Article on the Alaska Daily News

Last night I spoke with a reporter from ADN about Beany and he already ran the story. I think he did a fair job and we are all still bewildered and frustrated. He spoke with and quoted myself and Sue. I was a little nervous about actually talking to a reporter on the phone because I didn't want to accidentally say something I wouldn't want quoted. Well, here it is if you'd like to read it. I still check her nlog out of habit just waiting for that next post.

Robert's Baptism and Sonic Cake Pics

We were all glad Grandpa Morgan could come for the special occasion! Joseph just didn't want his picture taken.

Ready and waiting!!

A little bit of a size problem- this was the closest we could get!!

Robert really likes Sonic so this was his request after looking at cakes online yesterday.

Halloween and Random Pictures

The kids were supposed to be working on school work and look what they were up to instead!




He actually managed to get a lot of corn off eating it this way- he loved it!

Pinewood Derby and Sarah's Party Pictures

So- here is the beginning of a backlog of photos. These are from Sarah's Activity Days pinewood derby and birthday party.