You Have Been so Patient

My Camera charger died a few months ago.  I feel like my left arm is gone!  {and I'm LEFT handed!!!}

 

I have finally ordered a charger and will be picking it up when I head to the states for some added spiritual upliftment.  {and to have a week where the only teeth I brush are MINE}  Oh the JOY!

I'm headed to Women's Conference...alone.  None of my CLOSE amigas are going, sniff, sniff.  But I am pleased to have private time to really ponder what I'm learning.

I remember when this was taken.  It was the year all the stars aligned and we were able to go together.  I recall on this trip knowing that this would not happen again for a long time.  It was just PERFECT.  I will think of all of you while I'm there. :)

I love being a mommy...but I do know how to get away and not worry.

Want in on my SECRET???

 

Prayer.

Yep.  I say a little prayer to my Father in Heaven and ask for help to let me relax (and that my husband returns my children ALIVE).

Works every time.  {at least so far}  I can't wait to test my secret again.  

So thank you for hanging with me as I used old pictures and copied recipe pictures for my...recipes.

In a few weeks I shall return with probably more pictures than you'd like.  Ha!  Ha!  

So everyone...enjoy some MORE old pictures of my crazy family.  

AND can you believe that Wednesday marks our 1 YEAR anniversary in Costa Rica?

 

Yahooo!!!!  Another goal accomplished!!! Time for a little give away, don't you think???

Kids on a traditional Costa Rican cart.



The first day of {mommy's home schooling the oldest 3 so the little ones are headed off to} preschool.
Memories of Paige's baptism day.

During our CRAZY rainstorms the kids would enjoy being outside.  Look at that umbrella of ours.

My favorite path we found out driving one day.  I'm using this in a post about this Costa Rican life path we took.

Our home was the 3rd home on the left at the end of this road.  This is the road I walked everyday to the grocery store. 
Dallin and Paige...enjoying Costa Rica's puda vida!
My honey taking my sweetie to be baptized.  It was a perfect day.

Do I or Don't I??? { Galvanic Spa }

That is the question...

I've been wondering if I post about what we've been up too.

"Yes, of course you should post about it Shawna. It's awesome...why wouldn't you want to tell your friends?"

then that inner voice speaks again...

"No, don't bring it up on the blog...you don't want this to seem like an undesired sales call in the middle of dinner!"

but...."this is such an incredible product...why not SHARE it with all your friends? Let them enjoy it as much as you do!"

O.K. so I've decided to tell you.

I've always wanted to host a "My Favorite Things" party. Have you heard of them? It's a copy cat of "Oprah's" Favorite Things Show. Except without the thousands upon thousands of dollars in prizes.

Come on...I'm living in Costa Rica with 5 kids...let's not go there.

What you do is invite 10 friends and have each of them bring a basket with 9 items in it to give away. The item would be one of their favorite things. Before this product my item would have been my Pampered Chef large cookie scoop along with my PERFECT chocolate chip cookie recipe. Yumm.

But that all has changed. What I would bring in that adorably decorated basket now would be this:


(Of course if your interest is peaked...don't call the number at the end...email me. I can get you one in as little as 24 hours in the states, Canada and of course here in Costa Rica {I've got connections}).

Like what you see?

O.K. well here is the Science of it (I always want to know HOW things work):



Isn't that incredible?

I have one and use it once a week. If you know me you know I'm much more concerned about my spiritual health then my wrinkles. I love laugh lines because it means I've LAUGHED, often.

This ageLOC stuff is medically incredible. The one thing that bothers me on my face is the lines that go from my nose to the edges of my mouth. I'm so glad I'm not standing in front of you now because for the rest of this conversation I know that is where your eyes will be...on my mouth lines.

Can I say that they are leaving my face. SWEET!!! I'm pretty pleased. I've got a few friends that were devoted Botox'ers and now have left that poison for this. It just works better and has longer lasting effects. Did I mention it's cheaper?

So if you are interested in having one of these babies in your home...email me { photo mom 5 at gmail dot com } or leave a comment with your written out email. I'll get back to you.

Have a great one...I'm headed for my Galvonic Facial.

Jealous? :)

BBQ Sauce...

I always double or triple this recipe just to make sure I have it on hand. I pour it in the crockpot with chicken or ribs and let it simmer all day. Sometimes I use it to create BBQ baked beans.

"I need a napkin...my mouth is watering!"
I forgot...I'm the mother...that means I've got to get my own napkin. Excuse me a moment...

O.K. that's better.

Without further aduo... (no idea how to spell that)

Big Al's K.C. Bar-B-Q Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups ketchup
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
• 4 teaspoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, wine vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke and butter. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, celery seed, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper.
2. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for up to 20 minutes. For thicker sauce, simmer longer, and for thinner, less time is needed. Sauce can also be thinned using a bit of water if necessary. Brush sauce onto any kind of meat during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

I'm back...(want to make sure you know it's me speaking and not Big Al)

So here in Costa Rica I have yet to find Molasses so I don't add that to mine and it still turns out mouthwateringly delicious. So enjoy...

Love ~ME

It's Easter Morning...

May your family have a wonderful time together with family and friends.

Enjoy this lovely video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and join with us as our thoughts are brought to the needed sacrifice our Savior made on our behalf.



He is risen!