Meal Planning Calendar

It's nothing fancy, but it's what I use. Of course I had to dress us up a little. You can get it HERE at photobucket. If you don't want it color, just set your printer to "greyscale".

And ladies, I know it can be tough, but the more we cook at home the more our hard earned "dinero" stays in our pockets. Sounds good to me, especially with the economy woes right now.

Also, as we know, the more we cook from scratch, the more money we are able to grow in our accounts. ING Direct, by the way, even earns interest through their checking accounts. You can have as many accounts as you would like and they are all FREE, without minimum required balances. I have a secret crush on ING Direct, can you tell? Here is another recipe that my family adores, Banana Pancakes, oh so yummy. With bananas being an inexpensive fruit here, I'm all in!!!

Thanks again to allrecipes.com for this delish breakfast. Go HERE to enjoy.

Now I always do this to my recipes {add something to make it better} it's just the "rebel" in me I guess. {Hee! Hee!} Here goes, I add 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. If my family wouldn't revolt I would add chopped pecans also. Then before I pour the batter on my pan, I place 5 thinly sliced bananas slices on my pan then spill the batter on to them. It adds to the flavor and looks super pretty. We know for us women, it's all about presentation.

Well, it's Saturday, my sweetheart is out of the country, and I'm taking my kids on a monkey tour. It's so much fun. Shhh! Dallin is a little nervous. He's been afraid of boats & water since he was about 3. We had an incident with a paddle boat and my honey almost capsizing us. He's never been the same since.

Five Minus Two equals...

Three!

I only had three kids home today thanks to my GREAT and WONDERFUL sister {in-law} Rusti. She decided to take the younger two while I tried my best to shove home school material into my older one's heads before it was time to cook dinner, no I meant, lovingly guided my older three with their studies.

On a side note, does anyone else realize I'm the only one in the entire "world wide web" that isn't thoroughly enjoying home school? Humm.

Either I need to repent, or there are quite a few women that are afraid to voice their opinion. Probably both. Hee, hee!

So Rusti shot over these pictures and I thought I'd post them.

She writes:
"Mom look what we did today:

We ate cake and ice cream...

had very sticky hands...

jumped on the bed...

then... "

Rusti said that Aiden walked into her closet, stood there for awhile and exclaimed, "WOW, you have a very beautiful closet." The funny thing is it isn't very big at all, I just think he forgot what a closet looks like. So funny.

It's Midnight..

but I had to post this "button" I just made for the sidebar of my boy's blogs. {It was either a "scouting" scrapbook or blog. Blog won hands down.}

How cool is this?? It goes on their sidebar and they can link it to www.mormon.org. Pretty cool aye?

Here is how you do it:

Just right click and save the image to your desktop.
Log on to your blogger account.
Go to layout
Click on add a gadget
Scroll down until you see "Picture"
Click on it
at the link address add www.mormon.org
"Browse" your computer for the image
Click on "shrink to fit"
Save
Your done. It's that easy.

Here is the "girlie" button I created last month. Please feel free to use this one also. Please!!! Let's get those {ugly} other LDS buttons off the internet.

If you have any problems with getting the buttons just email me and I would be happy to send it to you.

Happy Friday!

Homeschool Woes..

Troy and Dallin are doing quite well. Paige is doing well also, Mythology being her favorite subject. She just seems to enjoy stretching her class time to 7+ hours. Yep, that's what I said. Today we actually broke a record with the school bell ending at 6:15 pm for her {and I}. I would say I'm a very patient person, but "ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!?"

O.K., I'm better now.

So after a fun filled day, I received this sweet note from my dearest daughter:

Dear Mom-
I ran away. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with my family. So I have to move along. Good bye!
Paige
I love you! Bye. I'm at Rusti's. Bye mom. I love you! Bye.

Well, at least she still loves me. :)

She didn't really run away, she was playing under her bed {thank heavens}. That could have really added the element I was missing from this fun filled day.

Did I mention my sweetheart left for the states and will be gone for 8 days.

It has been weird to think that I'm here in a 3rd world country with our 5 little ones, without my "fluent" husband. Yeah, it's been weird. Miss you honey!

My Little Guy...

Isn't a little guy anymore! Troy turned 12 today. In six short years he will be an adult. WHAT?!?!?!

This is a warning to all you women out there "struggling" with toddlers. It's tough, I know it is. I've been there. {actually, I'm still there!} But really, before you know it, he's getting baptized at 8, then the priesthood at 12. The one thing I have done really well as a mother has been to "drink" of every little moment that I could treasure. And I'm here to tell you that it still speeds by too fast!!!
I am looking forward to these teenage years. I know it will have some rough times, but I am. I can't wait to guide him through becoming an adult. "Troy, be easy on your dad and I. o.k.?"

So in my birthday tradition, I will post my "12" favorite things about him.

12. Troy has a GREAT sense of humor. He really does!!!!

11. He's athletic.

10. My "man in training" is a good people person.

9. He enjoys surfing and will do it even with the fear of crocs in the water.

8. He is a true "business man"!

7. Troy is learning Spanish so quickly

6.  He "ISN"T" addicted to video games!

5. He has a great singing voice.

4. He has always been appreciative with all that he has.

3. He is a naturally good drummer. Really, he's good.

2. Troy has a strong spiritual sense.

1. He's not afraid to work and work hard. I love it!!!

Pictures from the States.

It was quite silly that I didn't bring a camera to document my travel to the states. But I knew I wanted to leave as much space as possible to bring things back. I do wish I had brought it though. You would have seen some great pictures of me and my Target "crush". (The store) Oh well, next time!!!Here I am with my sister Anna's oldest, Kay and my brother Robbie's oldest, Ethan. I love being an aunt!!!
This girl is so sweet. She reminds me of her mom, my little sister so much. Anna was aways smiling and happy.
Me and my little "sis" Anna. I'm so proud of her mothering skills.
My "little" brother Dave. We played a rousing game of Phase 10, remember Dave how competitive you were? Hee, hee.
Jenny, Anna and I after game night. I love these two! My youngest two and both of their oldest two are all about the same age. It's very (crazy) fun when we all get together.

Daddy's girls we will always be. Miss you all!!!

Borders Coupon...

again!

I'm sorry if you hate seeing these coupons, but they're awesome!!! I guess the saying is true, You can Lead a Horse to Water but You can't Make Him Drink!" If you need to buy a book, please "drink" this coupon.

I use them online and then pay the shipping. Augh!!! I hate paying shipping. Borders has 30% off 1 item, of at least $10.00.

The best part is the coupon doesn't expire until October 31st.

SWEET!!!

So enjoy a little LOVE from me!

It's a New Week..

and school starts again. I wanted to remind you of some of my favorite "learning" websites that my kids enjoy. And that's what it's all about right? That they enjoy them.

www.spellingcity.com

Here you can enter your child's spelling words from school and run through games with them. How awesome is that?

www.handipoints.com

This helps you create online charts that can be used for chores or homework. Your child earns points when he/she completes the tasks that you set up for them. I.E. do homework without complaint!!! That was my big one. Then they get to create their cat and enter a virtual cat world.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing

This is the best "FREE" typing site. All three of my kids use it, even though my oldest breezes through. It helps him keep up with his skill. Very good site.

www.starfall.com

This is a learning to read site that my 4 year old loves. (And is just starting to read) It's great!!!! Jenny, I've been meaning to email you this one for Ethan.

www.time4learing.com

This one isn't free like the above sites but well worth the $19 per month. It can even be used as a complete home school program. I just use it as refresher courses when my little one needs more help. I've used it for my three oldest. It's pretty funny too.

O.K. that's it for school stuff. I am happy to report that my guys are getting school work done in about 3 hours now. So much better than the first half of last week at a 8 hour school day. I pleaded with them, then screamed, then begged. "pleeeeasssse doooo youuurrrr wooooorrrkkk! Pleeeassse!" Waaaa, waaaa waaa!"

Yeah that's how the first half of last week went. Let's hope it's not a pattern. First half "heck" second half awesome!

Do you have any sites that you love???? Please share.

www.mommysavers.com
This is {was} one of my favorte coupon, penny pinching sites. Back when I could use coupons. I love getting a deal!!! Enjoy.

Did You See...

the primary choir sing "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet"? Wasn't it angelic?

Elder Bednar drove it home with his comments on prayer. So uplifting.

Can't wait to hear what is in store for us today.

Does anyones house look as thrashed as mine?

Hymns here in Costa Rica...

don't have the same, well, how do I say this? They sound horrible! There is no other way to say it. I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe the translation of the song has something to do with it. My sweetheart thinks it's because pianos are non existent in the homes here. Bless their hearts, these sweet people try so hard to sing. In fact our little branch of 35 can out sing the entire Woodcrest ward any Sunday. That is, if you are grading the (noise) volume of the hymn not the quality. It can be quite uncomfortable to sit through sacrament meeting depending upon who we sit in front of. (Bless their hearts, again)

However there are two songs that they sing impeccably well and with such vigor and truth.

The first, "I am A Child of God". When we sing this song, the previously screeching voices now stay with the intended notes. It is just beautiful.

Last Sunday we were practicing for the up coming primary program and the kids sang, "We Thank The Oh God for a Prophet" and I will admit, here and now but never again, I got a little emotional.

This little group of 11 kids (but with 8 actually singing) can compete with the Woodcrest and Orangecrest Wards combined. They really pay attention to the words and are thankful for the blessing of having a prophet here to guide us. These little ones sing that song like it's their high school's fight song, sung before a rival football game!

It gives me chills.

The gospel might be new here, but they get it. They are thankful for the blessing of having a prophet, and they know they are a child of God.

So tomorrow and Sunday, and anytime I hear either of these songs, I will sing a little louder and prouder because I Am a Child of God and Thankful for a Prophet.

Coming Home...

This is what my carry on looked like. I had to get all three kid's home school textbooks back here to CR. With over 190 pounds of books to bring home, this is how I did it. After I met my 50 pound allotment for my 2 check in "blue bins", I packed my carry-on like this. Even though you are only allowed 40 pound for your carry ons, I know they don't check the weight. I figured as long as I kept my facial expression from showing how much exertion it took to move this baby, I would be o.k. You should have seen my humongous purse. It alone weighed 50 lbs, and with the textbook suitcase I was wheeling 120 pounds through the airports. I almost made it too, until the last flight home, I met the steward in the isle as "he" asked, "Mam, can I help you with these?"

"Augh."

"Well."

" NO!"

I then dropped my bags and ran for safety!!!! I almost got away then...

Just kidding, I spilt the beans about my secret and said he could only help me if he didn't report me to the female stewardess who tend to be a little more strict when it comes to rules. You know, like female cops.

{Rosie, sorry about the stewardess comment. :) } He was pretty cool about it. I'm glad I didn't run.

I should have pictures of family soon, I didn't bring a camera so I need to get them emailed to me. I'm warning you I don't have very many!

Finally, an Upbeat Post...

I was just going through my last few posts and hope that I wasn't a downer to those of you looking for inspiration in your life. I hope you don't think I hate home schooling or Costa Rica. I only highly detest home schooling and if it wasn't so soakingly humid here in gorgeous Costa Rica, I would never leave.

Oh, but there are the crazy roads, almost non existent police force, trash, sewers dumped into the streams leading to oceans, expensive "lame" private schools (in our area), attending church in the vomit commit, expensive food, the language barrier and did I mention the humidity???

O.K. there I go again. Sorry. I actually do enjoy it here. It is crazy beautiful! Costa Rica had changed our family for the better. We depend on each other more. I never, ever need to apply lotion. I'm tan even with level 45 sun block constantly applied. I have grown closer to Rusti, my husband's sister. I appreciate when we have electricity and water. (One or both utilities tend to turn off at the most inopportune times down here.) I don't feel ready to hipper ventilate without a dishwasher anymore. Let's see what else can I contribute to our life here in CR? I am more pliable when it comes to the molding that tags along with trials.

We have learned the art of "moving a little slower” and are taking the time to reprioritize and restructure our lives. My "from scratch" repertoire of recipes has grown by leaps and bounds. We are immersing ourselves into a foreign culture. The beautiful Spanish language is seeping into my children's craniums, while my brain is still fighting the absorption.

We are loving the people here.

As I was blog hopping, I found a talk given by a post missionary's mission president. Did you catch all that? The title was, "What I hated I, Learned to Love through Obedience." He gave the example of mowing lawns for money when he was young. Hated it at first. Now he loves to mow his lawn.

This can apply to certain principles of the gospel or commandments. Through obedience, a love will develop. I remember learning to love to pay tithing as a young teen. (although it took me quite a few years)

You hear of missionaries having a difficult time with a new culture and people, but then through "obedience" they come home loving the people. I have never "hated" it here, but I can say my heart is softening. I love these sweet children I get to play with on Sunday at church.

I love the two women that I work with. The three of us run the entire primary; we are the teachers, presidency, secretary and nursery leaders. They are amazing and have yet to ridicule me for my Spanish shortcomings. (Yet!) For these things I am blessed beyond measure. Let me keep my eyes (and heart) focused on the true blessings of life (health and love) and not on the minor struggles that like to pop up in our view to ruin our vision.