KDA-KREW Christmas Parade 2009

This week has been a busy week. I can't believe December is here! After a hectic week, the girls had competition practice Friday afternoon in preparation for dancing next week at The Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Then, the girls and I had to be up super early to attend the Bentonville Christmas Parade. It was in the teens! Brrrrhhhhhh. I was freezing as I was one of the teachers who rode with them! The girls had a great time and a wonderful turnout despite the cold weather. After the parade, KDA had a super fun Christmas Party for the girls complete with yummy food, craft stations, dancing, bake sale, and dance performance at the end!

Is This Normal?

I just have to laugh! Little Weston is growing up so very fast. It is really bitter sweet for me. Sweet, because I love watching all of the new things he does and the personality that is developing. Bitter, because I know that these new firsts, along with his "fluffy" baby hands and feet, will be that last that I get to experience and hold for a very long time. Not to mention the fact that this sweet little butterball turkey is a BOY and a whole new experience for me.


Speaking of first, Weston is such a nosy baby! He has been sitting in a walker since he was 3 months old! Just perched there....like he was a big boy or something. He also started holding his bottle this month. He has actually been doing it for some time, but only after the bottle was half gone. Don't even get me started on teething! Anything that he can get in his mouth is free game. I sa-wan-neey, if he could get a hold of a fur ball he would have it in his mouth! I can't tell you how many times he has gagged with the little blanket "hairs" that get caught on his tongue. Talk about faces!

I am also a firm believer that if it didn't kill our parents or ourselves, then it won't kill my baby! I never ever wait till the baby is X amount of age to feed him something etc. I am not stuffing chocolate down his throat, but he has been eating cereal since he was 3 months old and Lurrrvvves it! Sleeps the entire night since he was 6 weeks and started waking up again. The cereal fixed his red wagon. I am talking 10 hours. Jealous anyone? I have also given him mashed potatoes and yams for Thanksgiving. Let me tell you...the little man's heart is a lot like his daddy's. It is thru his stomach. Okay, having said that, I do respect your choice to starve your baby till he is a year old with only breast milk and a very irritiable disposition from watching his parents stuff their faces. Only teasing ladies!!!! What ever works for you and yours!!! Seriously :0P! Lighten up...just kidding. No nasty emails to Dr. Phil or Oprah.
So, having said this, Weston turned 5 months old November 22 of this year. Last night we went to our local "Beefs" for a very late dinner after some much needed shopping. Weston was going nuts over my drink. I thought....what the heck, so I stuck the straw in his mouth to see what would happen. That little "man" started sucking away. For real! It wasn't an accident either. I tested it repeatedly. So, my question is: is this normal for such a young age and what ages did your babies learn to suck from a straw? I remember most of mine were a year or so, but heck, not before they could sit up steady! I just have to laugh!

Okay, and before some of you start to think that I am saying he is a genius.....I am not. Come on PEOPLE, this is not my first rodeo. I have had kids walk at 8 months and 14 months. I have had kids talk at 4 months (seriously...dada) and 13 months and some only 50 words at two. Want to guess which talker was my slow start? She is now my Chatty Kathy!!!!! I have had kids read at 3 and some barely at 5/6. My point is....kids are all different. Some progress fast and slow down, while others are slow to the start, but finish with a bang. Aren't they fun to watch? Oh, and one more pieces of advice, since I feel the need. This one, I am dead on and sooo not kidding. NEVER...say NEVER., or mine will NOT! You will make liers and fools out of yourself if your kids don't beat you to the punch! Just give yourself a kid or two.

The October That Came and Went!

This Halloween has come and gone so fast. Probably because our family had the PIG Flu for 3 of the 4 weeks in October. I simply love Halloween parties, Halloween food, Halloween decorating, Halloween....well, you get the picture, right? Having said this, the week of Halloween I was still not feeling 100%, so the holiday was simplified just a wee bit. We did have Carson's 10th birthday at the beginning of the week, but not much more in the way of parties, food and decor.

Tradition in our family, is that you get to chose your favorite meal for your birthday. Carson chose roast, mashed potatoes, caramelized carrots and onions, and yeast rolls. A girl after my own heart. It was very simple, no friends or other family as I had planned. I think we were all kind of glad to just have a restful day with the crazy month we have had. Carson is at the age where she loves clothes and accessories. So for this birthday, she got several outfits from us, which is to be followed up by a day of shopping and lunch with me. My mother also sent her a gift card, cute swim suit for next year, and a great outfit. Her grandparents in Utah sent her a little birthday money that she is dying to spend at Claires! That's my Carson.

On Friday, Walmart Home Office opens up their doors for the employees children to come trick-or-treating. I forgot about this completely and Aaron called at 1 to see if I was coming at 3. Ahhh, NO! My hair was tore up! No makeup on. Spit up clothes on. Babies looking like rag-tag children and he wants me to get all the kids home from school and get their costumes on and be there by 3? Ha! Well, thankfully, Kelly came to the rescue. Her husband had better communication skills that day, so she was able to swing by and get the kids. That was a huge hit and they so enjoyed going to daddy's office. Thanks Kelly!

For Halloween, I really didn't feel like making my usual chili, corn bread and fun appetizers to munch on. So, we decided to take the kids to the free Sonic Night where they ate hot dogs and drinks. It wasn't the greatest, but there was no preparation, work, or cleanup involved, so it was all good to me. After that, we went with the Stephan's to the Burkhart's Halloween Party to eat and Trick-or-Treat in our old neighborhood. I sooo miss all of my friends there! Shannon's husband, Bill, had a flatbed trailer complete with hay so that all of the kids could pile on and ride through the "hood" trick-or-treating. My girls had a ball! I won't even tell you about the amount of candy that a large family can gather, especially when vendors hand out whole candy bars. It is insane.

The day after Halloween was Sunday this year. I have to admit, it was hard to get up and get ready for church. Maybe it was from the late night or too much sugar? Either way, we did arrive, but were 5 minutes late. Our ward is huge! You snooze, you loose! Being 5 minutes late and there was still no room in the gym, so we headed for the Relief Society Room. Nice cushioned chairs there, so it wasn't all bad. After church, it was too pretty to go inside after being cooped up indoors for weeks on end. Most of it was because of the flu, but the other reason was that it has rained most of October! Our family took a picnic and enjoyed a great drive. I was able to capture some cute fall pictures with my cell phone! Yes, my cell phone. My camera battery died. Go figure!

I really hope that the rest of the year goes by much slower so that I can enjoy all of the things I like to do. I am thinking about having an adult progessive dinner party. I simply love those! So it must slow down, so that the season doesn't "progress" right on by before I get the chance to get it together! I already have one host besides myself, but am in need of 2-3 more to open up their home for a bit...items left are 1: appetizers and 2: salad portion. If you decide to help, you will be able to have input on the guest list for sure! Any takers? It is sure to be a fun night! Happy Holidays!

What To Do With All Of That Halloween Candy!

My kids and I always make a cake or something with left over halloween candy, or even stained glass cookies for Christmas and freeze them. With 6 kids.....that trick-or treat, you can imagine the amount of candy. Here is a great site that has some of the things we do, plus new ideas too. Think we are going to do this tonight and freeze some treats for the holidays! Atleast this way, if I try to sneak into it...I will break a tooth!???
http://www.squidoo.com/leftovercandy

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween Ya'll. Can you tell, I am easily amused?

Monster Mash

Okay, I found this great video clip that you can add your own pictures to and send as a greeting for Halloween. I just can't figure out how to make it a post. I had to add it as a Widget. You will have to scroll to the bottom of my page and click on it to watch. Have fun! Make your own!

Paper Napkin Transfer!!

Okay, I found this today online at: http://www.starlightstamper.com/, and am soooooo excited for my girls to come home today from rock climbing to show them how it works. How many times have we all found great paper napkins at Target, T.J. Maxx, Walmart or Hobby Lobby on clearance? Or, how many times have we ended up after a party with just a few left. All of us, I am sure. Not enough to reuse, but too many to throw away right? So, what is a girl to do?

You make your own card stock with it, that is what! How cool is that? Think of the possibilities! You could make personalized stationary, coordinating scrapbook paper, invitations, greeting cards, or gifts. I think if they have fun, don't be surprised if you receive it as a gift for Christmas this year. After all, it is all about making something out of nothing.

Ohhhh, remember to click on the picture to enlarge it. Instructions are there! Have fun. I am sure we will. Be sure to send me a picture of what you make!

While The Cat's Away, The Mice Will Play

I am sure that you all know the catch phrase, "While, the cat's away, the mice will play?" For many, this probably stirs up different connotations, both positive and negative. For me, this phrase signifies my ability to have plain old fashion childhood comfort!

This month, three of our girls are out for fall break and if you are in Arkansas, then you know that it has rained or drizzled with much cooler temperatures. Unless you like the idea of mopping floors around the clock, which I don't, the kids haven't played outside much except for a little basketball or scooter riding in the driveway. Having said this, they have been totally bored, so I have spent the week making crafts, working puzzles with them, and cooking. They have done okay and enjoyed most of it except for the 500 piece jigsaw puzzle. When I bought it at the dollar store, it said 12 and up and Carson looks 12 to me, right? Note to self: she still has the attention span of a 9, going on 10-year-old. Simply put, she was bored to death with it.

So after that failed attempt, we started contemplating what we were going to have for lunch. I told them I was making Taco Soup for dinner, so we could have fold overs; short for peanut butter and jam on folded bread. Eyes roll and shoulders slump. Not that they don't like it, it is just that we have had it a few times already. Carson and Camryn chimed in that they wanted something else like the Pea and Potato Soup that Bappy makes for them. Well, I make it too, I was quick to snap back, or don't I?

Yes, you heard me correctly. I said Pea and Potato Soup. I bet you were lost as to what this had to do with a cat and rat until this point, right? You got-it! Aaron Hates, Loathes, and Despises Peas. In fact when we were dating, I told him about my Thanksgiving plans and that I couldn't wait for my Memi's field peas, snap peas and white peas, just to name a few of the dishes. Okay, this may be a deal breaker for me he said, because I don't "Do" peas. I told him that he just didn't know how to cook them properly.

Well, to make a long story short, Aaron loves southern peas and is quick to point out that those were not the peas he was referring to when that ignorant statement was made. Also, that the only peas he knew, growing up in Utah, was the green, round sweet peas. Childhood tramatization, I have no clue, but I still can't get him to eat a sweet pea to save my life and he can sniff it out a mile away! Which is a sore spot for me, because there are ton's of recipes that I grew up with that have sweet peas in them for example: soups, salads, casseroles, and well, you just name it! It might have it in there.

I have, for the most part, conceded and planned meals with substitutions or just not planned them at all. Well, pea and potato soup would fall into the "not ever, in this life" category. This is hard for me, because it was soup we had weekly growing up. It isn't elegant. You probably won't see it served in a fancy restaurant, but what you will see and hear is the memories of childhood comfort that I felt when my mom prepared it for us, and how happy it made me. For me, when I ate that soup, I knew that I was loved, that I was safe, and that my momma could make something out of nothing.

You see, this recipe was originally given to my mother-- a person, who could make something out of nothing, by her mother-- the "Queen" of somethings out of nothings. For many years, my grandmother had to work and support 5 children all on her own. Money was simply not around for ruffles and frills. She probably came up with this recipe, because she couldn't afford real cream, only had a few potatoes in her pantry, and had lots of leftover peas, because we all know that children don't always eat their vegetables. She knew that it was up to her to be inventive and make it work.

Well, out of humble beginnings, a soup tradition was born. Over the years, we have kept the recipe basically the same with only 4 original ingredients. However, I have told you before that the cooks in our family have the ability to know just what else a dish needs to make it just right. So, my mother, sisters, and I have added cheese and paprika to it. Sure we can all now afford to fancy it up by adding bacon, green onions or other ingredients to it as well, but then that would defeat the purpose. The soup would no longer hold its appeal, because it would be too changed or altered.

I can smell it in the house now as I am warming up leftovers on another cold and rainy day. It is so funny that each time I eat it, it becomes the best that I have ever had or made. Maybe that is because of all the new memories that are added to it with each making. So this week, while my cat was away and my mice were at home, this mouse kept a warm and soothing tradition alive through four generations.

I bet, when each of you who read this think about it long enough, you will realize that you too have something that you enjoy doing or making while your cat is away. All you have to do is think about it and when they leave, do it! I also just bet that there are things that you are doing in your own family right now, be it out of necessity, want to, or got to, that will become a tradition for your children and their children to come. I can almost guarantee that my Memie had no clue just how altered her family's lives would be by this humble soup!

A Wild, Fall Decorating Hair

Okay, you all know, that I LOVE to make something out of nothing. Partly, because it is fun, and partly, because 7 children eat up any decorating budget I have ever dreamed of having. I was in the crafty mood this week, and yes, it was raining wasn't it? Anyway, I found this tiny, winney, itsy, bitsy, pumpkin that had lost it's floral pick as I was going thru my Halloween decor. Well of course, I had to keep it! Yes, I know, I NEVER, throw away anything away that Might be useful.

Can you believe that I am holding on to my baby's empty formula cans? Not sure what I am going to do with them and that is beside the point, but rest assured that you will be the first to know, should I get a wild hair again to do something. Anyway, I had a small wooden plaque that I bought forever ago in my craft kit, if you call it that, and Cha-Ching! The Heavens parted and the Angels sang: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hal-le-lu-jah. Inspiration just hit! Or, as Oprah says "my aaha, moment."

I have seen out there in Blog Land different crafts made with various faux fruits and veggies. Some of the crafts use plates, picture frames or even windows to stick the fruit or vegetable objects on. I decided that I could paint my raw wood plaque black, cut the Styrofoam pumpkin in half, jab it on, and create a fall picture fo' Free! You are probably going, aaahhhh what? Just bare with me here and you will see how cute this can be!

Okay, so it wasn't as simple as that, of course, but it was still free. I don't really have cute scrapbooking papers and I needed something in the background to give it some Umph. What to do, what to do? I typed some fall words on plain computer paper using Edwardian Script, printed it off, cut it to size and edged the sides with black paint. I then, placed it on a piece of scrap orange paper. Seriously! I really mean scrap, because if you look really close, you can see that I didn't have enough orange, so I had to splice it together. The only other thing that I did was to print the word FALL in bold letters, ink the sides with paint and place it on green scrap paper. The finally touch was given to the pumpkin via my child's broken hair bow. Okay, yes, I used a "used" green ribbon and tied around the pumpkin. I really think it looks cute and it really is free. Just proof that you can have a cute, festive home without spending anything! Oh, did I mention that I still have 1/2 of the pumpkin left if anyone would like to use it for their home.

Faux Pottery Barn Pumpkins!

I have to, have to , have to, share a fun project with you that my girls and I recently did this week. We are still not finished, because I ran out of felt and need 2 more Pumpkins! This project is super cheap and super fast and it is a great way for the kids to decorate their Pumpkins before they carve them a day or two before Halloween. Hello, we still live in the South and if you give into your kids whinning and carve them NOW, your Pumpkin will look like a prune before OCT. 31st is here. What am I talking about, I bet you are wondering. I promise, I am getting there!
I simply Love the Pottery Barn Halloween Kits, but didn't want to spend the Pottery Barn price for them, so I thought that I could make them myself. Being the procrastinator that I often am, I never did it. Then a great blog that I read weekly, did if for me. How lucky am I? Did I mention that my kids had a BLAST?

FYI, for those of you in the Bentonville area, Aldi's has pumpkins for $ 2.5o. Half the "oh, great one's" price. You in Arkansas, know what I am talking about, people.

So, if you like this and would like to do one visit:

http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/2009/10/pottery-barn-style-on-budget-halloween.html.

There, you will find the original Pottery Barn Picture, templates for your faux ones, and a picture of what hers looks like finished. Super Cute. Be sure to send me pictures of yours. I would Love to see them.

Thank You Lindsey!

Apricot Chicken

I admit that I absolutely love to collect cookbooks, especially cookbooks that have a history or story along with the recipe. I think it is fascinating to look back throughout history to see what events were going on in the world that forced or inspired people to come up with the dishes that they have. Maybe it is because I am an English and History Major? Who knows, but what ever the reason, it drives my husband nuts. I will often find myself reading a magazine and telling him about a recipe. Instead of leaving it at that, I have to read it to him and try to get him just as caught up as I am. Yes, I recite all the ingredients, one by one. Sorry to say, he just doesn't get it. He honestly could care less as long as it taste good and prefers not to get caught up in the details, but rather the eating of it.

Coming from a long line of great Southern cooks, who had to improvise and make do with what they had, I too have learned a lot about cooking, improvising, and how ingredients come together to make a great dish. I can generally read a recipe and tell you if it will be good or what it will need to make it better. Having said that, I have to admit that my mother-in-law cooked a dish that I have turned my nose up to several times when I got a UTAH cookbook. Yes, I said Utah, because there are certain recipes that Utah wives get a hold of and then they are in every church cook book throughout the state. Forever and ever, Amen. The recipe that I am talking about has been referred to many different names, such as Apricot Chicken, Catalina Chicken, Russian Chicken and so forth. I am sure most of you have tried it before.

Why have I turned my nose up you might ask? Well, upon reading the ingredients, it not only sounded strange, but didn't sound the least bit appetizing. However, I realized that I could only go through life missing "my chance" so many times. I might as well get it over with. We decided to put it in the crock pot while we were at church for three hours. When our family arrived home, we made the rice and sat down to eat.

I must admit, it was pretty darn good. My kids lapped it up and have requested it again. I made it last night for the first time. It was as good as I remember, only better. You remember that I told you I love to add to? Well, I decided that it would be better with different sliced bell peppers, onions, and diced pineapple. You know what, I was right! There were no leftovers to be put away that night. Best of all, one pot to wash. Maybe there is something to those Utah women! Here's the recipe for those of you who have passed it up a time or two.

Apricot Chicken

5-6 large, frozen chicken breast (yes frozen)

1 small jar apricot preserves (I like mine with pineapple in it)

1 small bottle Catalina salad dressing

1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix

4-5 sweet bell peppers in different colors, sliced

1 sliced onion

1 can of pineapple tidbits, drained

Place all of the ingredients in a crockpot on high for 3 hours. When you get home, start your rice. While rice is cooking, take a metal spatual and shread the chicken into bite size pieces. When rice is done, serve Apricot Chicken over it. Yummy! No need to thaw the chicken. It has just enough water in it to make the chicken tender and not taste like rubber! LOL!

I Am By Know Means A Lean Cuisine, But I Am An Improvement!

Okay, I am so excited, I could pee in my pants! This weekend, I had a dinner party to go to. I really haven't bought anything to wear post-maternity. I have lost a little weight, so the jeans that I wore before getting pregnant are too big. Decisions, decisions. In an effort to find a quick solution, I dug deep in my closet and found a pair that I wore 5 years ago. Oops, did I just say that out loud? Admit how long I have been FAT! Guess I did. I only had 30 minutes before we had to be there and the jeans that I tried on looked, as my girls would say, like MOM jeans. Not to mention that they were a tad to short in the length for today's current style.

So, Hayden laughed and said "Mom, why don't you try on my skinny jeans." We both got a chuckle at that one. She was probably only half serious at the time when she suggested it. Sure she is proud of me and knows that I have lost weight, but to actually fit into her jeans. Ummm, NOT! Don't think her mind was ready to wrap around that one yet. I told here that there was NO way, but that I would try it on, just to prove to her that I couldn't. Here is the pee in my pants part! They fit! Not only did they fit, but they weren't too tight either.

The girls were excited for me. My ding dong man didn't even notice. That is okay, because I am going to kidnap his bonus one of these days for a mommy make-over as payback! That and a cooking boycott. Get you some diet-shakes, why don't you! Sure, he tried to clean the egg off of his face after the girls told him. Too late I say, the damage was done. Wink, Wink. I really am only teasing. He isn't a ding, dong, but rather a typical male. Besides, I am so excited that I can fit into her jeans, that I don't care who notices, as long as I know! Go me!

Okay, so since my last post about boot camp, I have lost another 4 pounds, for a total of 20. I am by no means, a Lean Cuisine, but I am a definite improvement. As for Hayden, I fear that her self-esteem has been knocked down just a wee bit. Honest, I didn't mean to. After all, it was her suggestion. I totally get it too! Come on, who wants to be a teenager and have your mom wear your skinny jeans. I would have died at that age. Especially, knowing that my mom has a few more to lose. I am confessing that poor Hayden is on a exercise and weight loss program herself. What do I say? I say good for her and maybe in a few weeks, I won't be able to share her jeans any longer! Go Hayden!

Oh, BTW....the picture of these jeans are SO not me!

Cool nights, warm breezy days, pumpkins, the smell of leaves burning, fall foliage, and the wonderful smell of goodies baking are just a few of the reason why I LOVE Fall! Carson, has a October 25th birthday, and is turning 10 this year. So to honor that, I am thinking of having a few of her friends over for a Halloween Birthday Bash. I have experimented with different recipes that I may use for this, and I wanted to share with you a new favorite from BakedPerfection.com Hope this will be a new favorite for you too!

"Trix"ster Treaters

from Baked Perfection

3 tablespoons butter

10 oz. package regular marshmallows

6 cups Trix cereal (colors separated)

Assorted Candies

Betty Crocker Cookie Icing

Multi-Color instructions:Coat a 9 x 13 x 2 pan with cooking spray. In a saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring occasionally until completely melted. Remove from the heat. Add Trix cereal and stir until completely coated. Using a greased spatula, evenly press mixture into the prepared pan. Cool completely and decorate with assorted candies and sprinkles. Use icing to attach candies. Color Variations:In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and 12 marshmallows over low heat, stirring occasionally until completely melted. Remove from the heat. Add 2 cups of desired color Trix cereal and stir until completely coated. Using a greased spatula, evenly press mixture into the prepared pan. Cool completely and decorate with assorted candies and sprinkles. Use icing to attach candies.

The Mother Load Layered Cookie Bars

The Mother Load Layered Cookie Bars…

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The Girl That I Used To Be!

Okay, so I have gained a few pounds over the years. What's the big deal? Well, for me, the big deal is being able to live the next 20 years better than I have lived the last, almost 40. Yes, I did say that didn't I? Forty!

As a young girl, I studied all forms of dance and baton until I graduated high school, competing all over the south and eastern United States. After I graduated, I became a Troy State University Dancer. Not only did I have many dance classes during the week, but I had the chance to perform at all games. I could eat pretty much eat what I wanted and lose it when I needed too. In fact, I remember we would have ballet company weight checks once a week. If I was ever close to being over my weight, I could drop 5 lbs in one week. No problem! Not only did I dance, but I competed in pageants throughout my high school and college years. I guess the constant exercise and contact with the mass public, kept my weight in check. I can remember being a size 2 at 5'7 and thinking that was fat! Those were the days.

After marriage, I really kept my weight reasonable until I had my fourth child. The demands of wife, mother, career and constant moving in general, gradually took a toll on my health. The concept of putting me first was easily forgotten as I dove into survival mode. Sure, there have been times when I have gotten a bee in my bonnet and tried to diet and exercise, and was for the most part, successful. That is, until life got in the way, once again.

It wasn't until six weeks after giving birth to my last child, Weston, that a friend suggested that I do North West Arkansas Fitness Boot Camp. I will admit, that I was scared to death. I knew I wanted to do something. Needed to do something, but wasn't sure that I could do it. For the past 7 years, I have sat on the couch tending babies, and the only exercise received was walking. Well, not literally, but you get the picture. I am sure that many of you have been there before. The thought of getting up at 4 a.m. to get ready was not exactly something that I was thrilled about doing, let alone the fact that this was going to be hard core. Begrudgingly, I signed up, and in doing so, discovered something about myself.

You see, the reason that I had let myself go and gained weight, was not from lack of effort or desire, but rather in the lack of consistency and long term commitment on my part. Notice that I didn't say lack of desire. Come on, who in their right might wants to be overweight or unhealthy? You see, for me, I discovered that the reason sticking to exercise and diet failed in the past, was that life simply got in the way. Someone would get sick, would need to be picked up, teacher conferences, church responsibilities and so forth would slowly creep into my daily routine. The consequences would be me missing my workouts in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Here and there at first, but after missing a few, I would slowly get out of the routine and give up all together.

For the past 4 weeks, I have been getting up at 4 a.m. in preparation for my early morning workout. Five weeks have past, and I now find myself signing up for another session. Why you might ask? Four in the morning is crazy some would say. I could not possibly function if I did that, others would remark.

Well the answer is simple. I am a wife, a mother and a daughter. I have responsibilities that I can not put off if I am to do those jobs well. By getting up at 4 a.m. and exercising, it reminds me, that not only am I all of those things, but also of the girl that I used to be. The girl that had no other obligations, but to put herself and interest first. By getting up, for me, I am able to carve out time for myself, long before the rest of the world wakes up.

Okay, so the first few weeks, I was probably the heaviest and the most out of shape person there. Each day, I would come home exhausted and drenched with sweat. Yet, something during the 3rd week finally clicked. I have gained a new found confidence in my ability to do this long term and to take care of myself better. In the last 6 weeks, not only have I lost all of the weight gained while pregnant, but lost an additional 16 pounds. During boot camp specifically, I lost 5 inches in the waist, 3 inches in the hips and legs, 2 in the arms, and 1/2 inch in the bust. If you went to one of my classes, you would see that the intense work out sessions will enable those results from just about anyone really trying. You see, during that third week, I found myself actually being able to do those exercises and not being the worst one there. I constantly have to remind myself that I am not competing with anyone there, but ME!

I know I have not met my goal and have a long way to go, but find myself each day, on the right path to do so I have more energy and my clothes are getting loser. I also love the fact that I am able to accomplish by 9 a.m. more than I was able to accomplish by noon! So to those of you who say, I just can't get up that early. Hello! I started this when my baby was 6 weeks old. We all know the sleep patterns of a 6 week old. I have 7 children that have me spread out all over creation with different activities. And if that isn't enough, I teach dance at KDA! Did I mention that I buy nothing "instant." Every meal at my house except pizza is from scratch; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, if I can do it, so can you! It is all about carving a time where life doesn't get in the way or a time when you are not worn down by the events of life to do it.

I guess my reasonons for posting this are selfish. I am not looking for a good job or pat on the back, but rather a forum where I can keep my goals, accomplishments and even setbacks recorded. For me, if the world knows about it or can see it, just like those pageant days, I am more apt to keep doing it. I need all the keep on, keeping on I can get! Go me! Oh, did I mention the fact that I love having the world wake up to me?

For those interested here is a sample advertisement about NWA BC and what typical results from the program can be:

• 3-5% reduction in body fat• 5-12 pounds weight loss• 25% improvement in strength• 100% Gain in self confidence• 1-3 inch decrease in the midsection• 25% improvement in endurance• Greatly improved posture• Better relaxation

We will be starting the next session at the end of October. It is Monday-Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. I usually get home by 6:40 to get the kids off to school. I will need a partner. Anyone interested? For those of you who live away, look up ladies bootcamps in your city. This bootcamp is all over!

FAME

KDA held a fundraiser for the KREW Dance Team today. A theater was rented out for a private viewing of FAME. For $ 2o.oo each, the girls got their movie ticket, popcorn, coke and an awesome T-Shirt. We had a huge turn out and the proceeds earned today, will fund the team's future competition and convention expenses, of which Carson, Camryn, and Payton are apart of. A few more fundraisers will be held throughout the year and I hope they will all be as successful as this. I certainly had a great time spending the day with the girls. In the picture you will see Bailey missing. She had prior commitments Walking for Cure!

Just a side comment about Fame for all of you parents out there. The dancing was wonderful to watch, but I am sad to say, that the move was not PG ,and it should have been PG-13. There was nothing explicit, but rather excessive teen language that was really not needed. It is sad to see that the rating system that was once designed to protect our children, is just a formality that is manifested by a letter and number. For true protection, parents are more and more, seeing a need to view movies before allowing their children to watch them. What was once considered R rated at the height of the original movie Fame, is now considered tame by today's standards. More evidence that the world in general is becoming de-sensitized to violence, language, and nudity with regards to all forms of media.

JOB OFFER-Orthodontist Needed

Wanted: One single, good looking, return missionary who will graduate within the next 6 years, to marry my oldest daughter, and set up a local practice near her father, Aaron Jones. Will provide room and board until household is established. Can not live outside of the area! In exchange for services, I will allow you to practice orthodontia, at no charge to me of course, on my 6 children, in exchange for public relations work the 6 children will perform during photo op's and commercials, in efforts to ensure a successful practice for you.

Okay, seriously, I am only joking, but aren't dreams what make the world go around, and wouldn't that be nice? LOL. As I took Bailey to get her braces off today, it got me thinking, HELLO! I have 6 more children to go, so don't break out the chocolates yet. It also made me slightly nauseous, thinking about the cost. Not adding inflation, nor special appliances or teeth extractions prior to braces, I will have spent approximately $40,000 on braces alone. Granted, some of my children will be in them for at least 3 years, so cost are a little higher than some other patients. Again, that does not reflect inflation as the last child will not need them for at least 12-14 years.

Do you know how much gas was or a diet-coke 14 years ago? Well, in 1995, the year my second oldest Hayden was born, gas was $1.16 and a Diet-Coke was .59 cents. I could by almost 2 Happy Hour drinks at that price! Happy, Happy, Happy!

I wonder why God didn't just send us down here with all of our teeth, and while he was at it, make them straight? Seriously, why must some be born with beautiful teeth, while only those who can afford high quality orthodontia care, get their mangled teeth straighten. And if some really can't afford it, go into debt to pay for it? Let alone, the fact that the rest of the population has to look at the disadvantaged lack of orthodontia and dental care, assuming they have all their teeth. After all, we are in Arkansas, right?

All joking aside, Bailey's teeth are beautiful and every bit worth the financial sacrifice and time spent to afford her a beautiful smile. My only request is that she brush, floss, wear her retainer, and smile all the time. It makes me sad to see beautiful young children, who lack financial means that would give them back their smile and boost their self-esteem. One of my relatives lacked the momentary means as an adolescent to correct her teeth. Although to me, she was always beautiful, but it bothered her, and that was what mattered. In all of her childhood pictures, I have never seen one with a grin that showed her teeth. It wasn't until her early adult years, that she was able to get braces. She now has a beautiful smile that, for her, should have been in those pictures long ago.

So here's to 1 down and 6 to go. I can almost see that family portrait now. Oh, did I mention I was getting braces again? Yes, I did say again, didn't I? Bailey, you better wear your retainer! Remember, the key word is inflation, and it will be so much more expensive when you have to may for it as an older adult.

Right Under My Nose

I can not say this enough! The Lord is watching over my children in spite of myself! I am sure that many of you feel the same. Ever since I can remember, I have been in tune with with His watchful eye over me, and now even more so as a mommy. There have been huge manifestations of this over the last 37 years, and I am so grateful for those. Yet, what I find most comforting, and that I am most grateful for, is the protection that my family receives in small ways on a daily basis.

Trust me, I always have a story to tell with 7 children. To me there are very few certain things in life, and in the Jones house, we can always count on a large grocery bill, lots of laundry, something always needing to be cleaned or fixed, mom never having her own drinking cup, private bath time, lots of crying and laughter, sick kids, and never enough eyes on Emerson. That girl came to me as my 6th, because I probably would have been too strung out to have another!

Don't get me wrong, I love her. She is so darn cute most of the time and is super sweet. She talks up a storm at home, but never makes a peep anywhere else. In our house, we often refer to her as "silent, but deadly." In fact, when she is talking at home, that is a good thing. It is when she goes silent, that we get very worried. I have complained to my husband about her antics and my rough days with her. His reply has always been the same, that I need to watch her better, and with little sympathy to boot! Sticking my tongue out and fingers in my ears. No, I find the best word to describe Emerson, is calculating. She waits for the precise moment that you are on the phone, in the bathroom, changing a diaper, cooking, or just plain busy with something to do her deeds. She is always watching for her moment.

To make my point, there was on time, Aaron had a huge Hershey Chocolate Bar he brought home from work. Not the large kind, that you get at the check out, but the one 4 x's that size. He placed in the cabinet and thought nothing about it. Emerson saw the bar, knew it was there, asked about the bar, and was told not to touch it. She patiently waited all day, never once trying to get into it. In fact, Aaron knowing her and my complaints, was pleasantly surprised at his great parenting! Ha! All the while, and little did he know, she was calculating getting her prize right under his very nose. Five hours of "great" and uneventful parenting had past as Aaron tended her. He really never left her side, which for a man, is unusual. Not exactly good at multi-tasking. He got her down for a late nap, thought she was asleep, and went to take a shower. Here comes his insert foot in mouth moment!!!! Drum roll please.

While Aaron was enjoying his hot shower, Emerson was faking being asleep. She finally had a moment to seize her prize. Now remember, she waited 5 hours for it. When Aaron got out of the shower, he saw that she was missing and went looking for her. He found her behind the bar with 1/2 of the chocolate bar gone. She tried to convince him that she didn't do it. It was literally written all over her face and everywhere else! Chalk that outfit up to a lost cause. Aaron has become a little more sympathetic to my complaints as of late, having had the pleasure of tending her more with the new baby in the house. My favorite part of the day was coming home and hearing about his day with her and saying, "sounds to me, like you need to watch her more," tongue in cheek.

Well, today was a another crazy morning. I am not feeling well, had to get kids ready for school, and the baby was fussy. I was making a bottle for him, while Emerson was puttering in the kitchen. Feeling confident and thinking she was behaving, I continued to wipe down counters and sweep the floor. I still had an hour or so before she got her gears going. After all, it was only 7 a.m. and she still had sleep in her eye.

Wrong! Remember the silent, but deadly description that I mentioned earlier? Well, Emerson was standing behind the center island, being all too quite for herself. I put down the broom and peeked over the counter and freaked!!!! Emerson had 3 bobby pins, without the rubber tips, shoved into the electrical outlet located on the island. I screamed, she screamed, and we all screamed; including baby. I was so shocked, scared and grateful at the same time. Once again, the Lord had his eye on one of my children.

I have raised 5 of the 7 children past the stage where I have to worry about such things. Sure there have been times were one or two have tried to stick keys, scissors , or other larger objects into the outlets. I always freaked, put the items out of reach, and bought outlet covers. I also thanked my lucky starts that they were not electrocuted. However, never, in my wildest dreams, would I think that Emerson would use 3 bobby pins to lift off the cover and jam them in, right before my watchful eye! I can barely get those stupid covers off myself. She is one of a kind, that girl. Did I mention she is only two?

I hope by sharing this, that one day, Emerson will read about her antics. In doing so, my goal is that she will know of the love that I have for my Father in Heaven and of the gratitude that feel for the protection and comfort that he has afforded me and my family. I hope that these examples of his love, big or small, will fortify her faith and her need to lean on him, while rearing her own family. My other greatest hope, is that she will have at least one child, who she will call her "silent, but deadly," one and apologizes to me weekly! I pray that she will have the testimony to lean on her Father in Heaven for projection and guidance, because if the child is anything like her, she is going to need it. Lots if it! That, and a large dose of Tylenol.

As for when she comes to me and complains about her wild child I will be ready. I sit here now, feeding my baby and writing this, feeling myself getting almost giddy with excitement thinking of my tongue in cheek reply, "well, Emerson, these things wouldn't happen if you were watching her better." I will laugh and chuckle knowing that at that moment, she will probably be sticking out her tongue and poking her fingers in her ears.

Grateful for "The Suite Life"

Okay, so I am a little slow posting this, because the celebrity event actually happened two weeks ago. Walmart brought the twins...Zack and Cody, from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, to Bentonville, Arkansas. Yes, I know, we are so spoiled here! Free concerts and lots of celebrities. If you are a star, and you sell it to Walmart, eventually they will bring you here. Like the New Twilight premier on the set that Aaron was invited to attend, but couldn't justify the cost to his boss....girls are huge fans and were so ticked. That is a sore spot right now.

We found out that they were coming into town several days before. Actually, it was Aaron who found out and didn't tell us, because he knew that it would mean hours of standing in line to meet them if we didn't get up early enough to attend the Saturday morning meeting. He still painfully remembers the day Harrison Ford and Paula Dean came, because he missed lots of football that day. That was before DVR found the Jones Family, but since then, his life with women has become less painful. It has this neat tool that allows him to record and watch any game his little heart desires. Not many hissy-fits thrown by me now.

Getting back to Zack and Cody, but wait, I want to talk about Paula. I am obsessed with her show. Even my kids, at the ripe age of 2, prefer it over cartoons. Aaron and I got up at the crack of dawn to attend the meeting....she is a complete NUT. As if that wasn't enough, I, along with my tortured husband, stood at Sam's forever for her cookbook signing, all the while, he was wearing a hole in the concrete walking back and forth to the big screen T.V. section. True love people.

Anyhow, the girls got wind of Zack and Cody coming into town Friday night. I know you have all heard about Boot Camp till you are sick of it, but if you haven't, just know that I have been getting up at 4 a.m. for the past 4 weeks, and Saturday morning was MY day to sleep in till 7 or 8 a.m. NO WAY was I, in this life, going to get up early and head to the home office. So around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, we headed to Walmart to see if we could get in line. We, as in the entire family, as in all 9 of us. Forget it, the line was huge. More than 2000 fans showed up that consisted mostly of screaming "tweens" and their "suite" parents who drove them. Just had to do that, corny, I know. Bailey would be so embarassed.

A friend of ours that we used to live by, works for Dannon yogurt, and Dannon was the sponsor for this event. BTW, gave out lots of free yogurts! My girls were in heaven. Free Food. While they were eating, he saw us and told us that there was a chance we would wait in line forever and not get up there. He suggested we head to Sam's where the boys were headed next. Before we left, he offered to take our camera into the tent and take a picture. He even came back with a "real" autograph and not pre-signed one, before we left. Our girls went nuts!

So, taking 2 weeks to write about this has left me thinking. Okay now, you can't tell me that our children are given to us by our Creator out of mere randomness. No way!!! I believe that the children we have are born to us for specific reasons and I think, not only do they chose us as earthly parents, but we chose them too. Our children are here to teach us to become God-like and in doing so, we learn sooooo much, whether we like it at the time or not. I think it is best said by my 5 year-old, Payton, "you get what you get, and you don't pitch a fit."

Some of the big lessons we have learned over the years thanks to our gifts, are how to be loving even when we want to spit nails from their back talking, destructiveness, and messy habits. Yes, unconditional love, that is the word I am looking for here. We also learned how to comfort and show compassion by tending to their daily physical, mental, and spiritual needs, and not just when it is convenient or easy, but rather when it is inconvenient and often difficult. Like when they were sick at night, or needed a science fair project due the next day. Don't pat yourself on the back yet and say, never, if they haven't pulled that fast one. Trust me, they will, just give it some time. I think the word here that I would use would be Christ-like service and patience. The list could go on and on here, but I am suppose to be talking about Zack and Cody!! Just a minute, I am getting to that.

The point that I am trying to make, upon my reflection, is that God knew just what he was doing by sending 6 girls to Aaron. Yes, that is right, 6 girls in a row. One right after the other. The crazy thing is, they asked to come to him and even crazier, Aaron accepted. LOL!!! For those of you who know Aaron, and to those of you who don't, he is the biggest "man's man" that you will ever come by. If it involves hunting and skinning a dear, camping, fishing, basketball or any other man thing, he is all over it. When it came to ballet, hormones, make-up, hair, fashion, "girl problems", decorating, shopping and other girl things, lets just say he would rather have his teeth pulled than to listen and learn. Oh, he appreciated a pretty face and a well-kept girl friend when we were dating. He also loved living in a nice, clean home, kept that way by his mom. He just didn't want to pay for it, know what effort it took, or how it was done. Boy has that changed as Heavenly Father knew just who to entrust his children to.

Some of you might ask, why am I picking on Aaron and not myself. This is my reflection here, and Aaron can make his own. So to answer that, if you know anything about me, I am a true G.R.I.T.S (girls raised in the south) and we all know, we don't sweat, we "glisten." The Lord had to balance us out and send Aaron a partner, who could teach the girls the difference between Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. And if you think you know the answer, trust me you don't. In the South, Fall, is for football, food, and shopping Winter, is for skiing, Santa, yummy food and more shopping. Spring is for bridal parties, drinks with fruit in them, dieting, exercise, and more shopping. Summer is for swimsuits, the beach, and suntans in full make-up and hair. Hard work, but someone has to do it. Only kidding. My point here, is that we are total opposites!

Over the years that we have been blessed with our girls, Aaron has learned more about girl things than he will care to E V E R admit. It is a fact, that he knows more about girl things than most girls and married women. He just will deny it till the day he dies if you ask him. For instance, he is so patient with them when they are upset or having a problem. Yes, the word for that would be hormonal. I want to ride my broom when they get out of line and he is calm, patient and is always there to listen when it matters. He knows that the only way to truly listen when we get that way is with tylenol (for them and him), diet-coke, some chocolate, lots of vertical head shaking and often follwed by the adjective, true.

He has learned to bath multiple children at once, or see that when they are older, get them to pass a sniff test to see if they are spic-n -span. He is now educated enought to know that if they tell him they washed their hair, brushed their teeth, or changed their bloomers, there is a good chance that they are fibing. He has learned to pick out clothes that mostly match and the good sense to delegate that to our fashion deva, Hayden, when he is over his head. And don't even get me started on what he has learned by ironing proper, frilly church attire! Oh, the layers little girls must wear. He has also learned that when they are older, bringing down dirty clothes means that it is probably the 10 outfits they tried on before church and thew down on wet towels because they were wrinkled. Wrinkled clothes, now imagine that?

He has even learned how to use a brush, not a comb, and to always stick a bow in their hair before sending them out the door. Okay, well, maybe we are still working on that last one, but a man has to have some faults, right? I am still trying to convince him that just because he adorns a bow on their head, doesn't make them cute. You have to style it and the bigger the bow, the better! As the girls have gotten older, he has learned how to delegate the styling of the hair to the older ones. He has also learned by rants and raves from me, when it "is" and "is not" just right. Smart man. His momma didn't raise "no dummy," however it took a few years for it to all click just right.

While we are subject of learning, just mention the word ballet to him. Go ahead, I dare you. For those of you who know me, I have studied and taught dance for more than 20 years. Ballet was and is my life! If I was not in a production, I was attending one. I once danced the lead as Clara in The Nutcracker. Go me! I had not missed performing or attending since I was 6 years old, until the first year I married my "manly man." Sure, I could have gone without him, but I wanted him to be with me and enjoy what I loved so much, and besides, we were living off of love; broke as could be. I had my reasons for being mad at his pre-marital false advertising when he refused my invitation to go. You see, I recall when we were dating, he once told me under the stars, that he loved ballet. My response under the stars to him was that I loved to hunt, too. We must be a match!!!! At least one of us tried to repent of lying by backing it up, if that is what you call it.

There aren't too many true southern belles, who have never been in the WILDS, who would throw on cameo, pack a gun over miles of dust, cactus, and thistle. Yuck! For all of you southerners who are thinking, what is she talking about....miles? It isn't Alabama people! You actually have to walk to earn your deer. You don't get the privilege of sitting in a tree stand. I had no clue what I was doing and was too dumb to realize it at the time that he sure as heck wasn't looking for my companionship on the hunt, but rather my deer tag. For those of you who hunt legally, you will know what I mean by that. I am sad to say that he didn't get to shoot nor skin a deer that season. Do you think it was the Tide Detergent that I used to wash his nasty, disgusting, cameo in? I do love a "man's man," but didn't dare want him to smell
like one. What would his mother think of his new wife, much less the deer?

Years later, he has earned forgiveness of his lie by picking up, sitting at, or watching more dances than he could ever imagine. In fact, it was this past Christmas, that he attended his very first ballet musical, The Nutcracker. A proud day for me. The Royal Moscow Russian Ballet was performing and the girls were in the children's dance cast. He feel asleep during most of it. He was however, there in spirit, unlike the Alaskan, Ice Road Truck Driver, who was
seating next to us on the edge of his seat. Seriously, he drove hours to see it. It was so funny. This huge lumber jack, remixed biker, ex-solider dude, clapping like a dainty school priss. In the end, the girls did great and Aaron survived the first of many performances. However, I don't think the Lord will hold him accountable for his prejudices against men in tights. That still haunts him and he still thinks it is plain WRONG.

So what has all this got to do with Zack and Cody, you might ask? Well, for me, it allowed me to reflect on what a wonderful husband and father that he has become. Not many men would put up with what he goes thru daily, handling 7 woman and all that we entail. Not many men I know of, even in my immediate family, would dress, fix hair, let alone cook, change diapers, make bottles and share in nightly feedings X 6. Let alone agree to it before he came to this earth.

I guess I am not talking about many men here, nor am I really talking about Zack and Cody. I am talking about this "girl" daddy sometimes called Aaron. A dad, who upon seeing the excitement that his girls had while waiting in line, and understanding their look of disappointment as they were told they might not get to see their idol, showed just how much of a "girl" daddy he had become by taking action. What is a "girl" daddy one ask? It is a daddy who knows how to be strong enough to learn new and uncomfortable things, sensitive enough to show emotion, and smart enough to know when to act upon it.

For Aaron, being a "girl" daddy, is a side that has not always come easy in contrast to his own personality and interest. It is often awkward, and has taken years to develop, but it is a side that has allowed him to be the best "girl" daddy anyone could wish for. Knowing that on this
Saturday, what was more important, was to create a memory with his girls instead of watching football. He stood in line with 5 girls from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m., while I was home with the baby. You see, by being unselfish and standing in line with them, Aaron gave the girls all the hopes, dreams, and silliness of childhood.

I can tell you, there weren't many dads standing in a line that wrapped, what seemed like forever, around the building without the mommies pulling them by their ears. Maybe it was
because most of them were watching football in their Lazyboy. Who knows and it really doesn't matter. However, what does matter, is that God knew just what he was doing when he sent his girls to Aaron. Long after my girls grow up to have babies of their own, they may or may not remember their childhood crush, but what they will always remember, was that they had a daddy, who often sacrificed his wants to make them happy, and that they had a very, "Suite Life."