[scary preparations]

yes, the witch is in!
so, the ironing has not yet been completed.
. surprise . surprise .
i believe my goal will be washed down the drain like our stringy pumpkin remains.

i have concluded preparing for our quickly approaching halloween festivities is way more luminous than steam & wrinkles!
now if only we can keep everyone healthy for trick-or-treating...

don't freeze your tail off & let the thrills begin! happy halloween friends!

[pressed for time]

i've decided ironing is a lot more fun with a new cover!
it's amazing what a five dollar investment can do!

i don't iron my clothing near as often as i should...
it requires time - and i would rather use my hours differently.
i used to actually enjoy it.
thankfully sam's shirts are cleaned and pressed by the happy red hanger employees, a marriage saver i believe!
it's all those little dresses fluttering around here that has made it daunting.
my goal for this week is to tackle my pile!


happy pressing!
have you seen this?

[inhaled]

.it ended up being a can of soup kind of night.

there was just not enough time in the day to cook.
i figured a little progresso never hurt anyone!
our little bird eater wouldn't have it, but the rest of us inhaled it!

so for family home evening, i thought it would be appropriate to expound on red ribbon week and have our own little lesson about drugs & alcohol. sam and i sent the kids to the basement while we planned our short lesson. i constructed this fine cigarette with paper and tape while sam used apple juice and made his own little whiskey on the rocks!

sam suggested i light the end of this copy cat cancer causer and let it burn for great effect...
.and so i did.
once i blew it out, i didn't think it would keep smoking, so i held it up to my mouth to practice the part.
"COUGH COUGH COUGH!!!"
i inhaled! sam and i were laughing so hard! the kids quickly pranced upstairs to see what all the commotion was about and by then i was out on the back patio holding this, thing.

skewed faces and worried chuckles, lulu yells "that's bad!"

we had a great role-playing lesson and the best was watching sam masquerade around the family room playing drunk!

later after the kids were fast asleep sam pipes up buzzing,
"i wonder if any of the neighbors noticed you out holding that cigarette tonight?"
oh boy!

what are some of your favorite family home evenings? i'd love your ideas!

speaking of families, here is a gorgeous one!

[i pledge to always be]

drug free!

.for me, for my family, for our future.

.this week is red ribbon week at our elementary school.
just after we finished up green ribbon week, i geared up to put on the red! seriously, what did i sign up for?

this weekend was spent copying pledges, cutting red ribbons, and counting out bracelets for all the students. man are we pooped!
sam stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish stapling for me! he knew i was dying, so he stepped in to save the day! what can i say? he's the BEST!
as much work as it has been, i'm happy to do it.. at least one kid better be saved in the war against drugs! it better be mine :)

in all seriousness though, i am just so thankful for all the amazing examples and "shelter" i've lived within, making it easy to never start using or drinking. it surely does take a village, or in my case a ward.

have you talked to your kids about this yet? it really is SO important! i truly believe communication is the key, and to talk about it frequently.
i like this resource here for help!

[baby love]

this sweetest little thing ever is my newest nephew .brett whitman christensen. all snuggled close and cozy the day after he was born.
i couldn't wait to see him and capture his new littleness! his special little newborn scent was so magical... there's nothing better! there has just got to be a way to bottle that up!

my mom and i think he looks like a mini harrison ford in this picture...
which is so fitting when his three older brothers can't get enough of indiana jones!
we actually really wanted them to name him indy, but it didn't fly. the other boys would be too jealous!

i've been waiting to post his picture because i've been meaning to take more, but i couldn't wait any longer [huge grin] i'll just post more!
my dear sister kate and her family are in pure bliss bringing this new precious spirit into their home!
congratulations!

[pins & wildflowers]

after discovering my littlest had taken off her jammies and messy diaper while still in her crib the other morning [yuck], i knew it was time to start safety pinning her sleepers!
we devised this simple little trick with our oldest who was always thoroughly entertained by taking everything off during the night.

you've probably already heard or used this tip, but if not, it works like a charm!

in effort to contain the kiddies & help them listen, we headed here for the day

[parents magazine]

i saw these cute apple crafts and recipe in parents magazine & thought you might like them too!

pb&j apple sandwiches & apple pops

.jam packed fruit dip.
blend 12 oz. reduced-fat whipped cream cheese with 3 Tbs. seedless raspberry preserves until smooth.
serve with apple wedges.

organize your nursery closet with these darling dividers at o.r.e.

.paint & paste noodles.
cute!

pictures courtesy of parents.com

[pay day]

.today.

my daughter deposited an exuberant amount of coinage into
my piggy bank - aka "love tank"
and apparently i returned the sentiment

when she said to me, "this is the best day ever mom! i love you!"

her bright sparkly eyes stared up at me as i saw my reflection peering back at her.
i am not sure if it was her adorable dainty wee voice, storybook charm, or those long fluttering lashes she has,
but she melted my heart like the chocolate amid the oatmeal cookies we had just baked together.

after a whirlwind of a morning, i decided to spend a little one-on-one time with this little 4 year old brightside of mine [smile]
.an afternoon of art projects and cooking.
this went miles with her and just confirmed to me that her primary love language is definitely "quality time".

of course all kids love quality time, but this child is especially blissful when we just play with her; down on the floor, face to face.
she is always requesting my company at the barbie house and eats up a good game or story time!

she is placed in the middle, fairly happy and content and has learned to entertain herself.
i need to give her more of my time. i am about to cry!!! what else is new? just like i almost started bawling during the middle of a break down i had when i couldn't find her ballet slippers earlier this morning and was so mad at her for misplacing them right after i had just pulled them out for her [grin]
seriously though, it sure is amazing how a little "special mommy time" can go a long way!
.may i stop and play while leaving the laundry & dishes for another day.

this post made possible by crayola, elmer's and nestlé tollhouse. thank you.

[pork chops & applesauce]

wondering what to make for dinner tonight?

this is what we're having at our house.

i saw giada make these on her show and they looked so great, i had to try.
two years later, and they are still our favorite chops!
fool proof with few ingredients,
while moist, flavorful & delicious, they're the best!

Parmesan-Crusted Pork Chops

2 large eggs
1 C dried Italian-style bread crumbs (regular work fine too)
3/4 C parmesan cheese
4 (1/2 to 3/4-inch thick) center-cut pork loin chops (each about 10-12 oz)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 T olive oil
Lemon wedges, for serving

Whisk the eggs in a pie plate to blend. Place the bread crumbs in another pie plate. Place the cheese in a third pie plate. Sprinkle the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Coat the chops completely with the cheese, patting to adhere. dip the chops into the eggs, then coat completely with the bread crumbs, patting to adhere.

Heat 3 T of oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops, in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and the center reaches 150º, about 6 minutes each side. Transfer the chops to plates and serve with lemon wedges. squirt!

i will be serving these with a salad and sweet potato.

Enjoy

[sarah jane studios]

okay, if you have not had the opportunity to see sarah jane's artwork, you gotta!
i happened upon her work only about a month or so ago and i am smitten.
this girl is my newest favorite etsy, local, and children's artist.
her style, grace, tones, everything are so my cup of tea!

.i am so infatuated.

probably because this chick is living my dream.
i have always wanted to someday illustrate a children's book; she is doing just that - such an inspiration for me!
sarah jane studios is having an amazing giveaway & buy two get one free sale right now!
i can't wait to go purchase a few surprises myself!
go say hey & check it out to enter here

look! one of these paper dolls (above) is named amelia!
yay!

[general conference]

.this weekend.

vacation plans canceled...
flu recovery, jammie church & book forts instead

[happy anniversary]

.an engagement photo.

thank you for giving me you!
i couldn't ask for anything more!

i love you!