The Pursuit Of...

Knees & Success

2012-01-24T11:39:00.000-08:00

So, I am having my knee scoped on Friday.
It was feeling decent and then yesterday I made a move that made me knee POP. It hurt, a lot. I felt like throwing up.
The doctor thinks it is a meniscus tear so he is going to go in and fix it Friday.
I had this done with my other knee a few years ago. So by the end of Friday I will have had my ACLs done on both knees and a meniscus tear fixed on both knees! I am all evened out.

However, I have exciting news. I am always on the lookout for recipes using round steak because I have the most of that left over when we buy part of a cow. This week I found a slow cooker, shredded BBQ beef sandwich recipe using round steak. I am making it today!! I hope it turns out great...

How is your day going?

Monday & Gold Star

2012-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

So, last week I was in a dark place. I have hurt my knee and am unsure what's wrong with it. My greatest fear is that my ACL repair that I had in high school is failing. I am not sure that can happen, but my mind is at the worst spot possible.

At any rate, it hurts. I am going to the doctor today. But, back to last week I was pretty depressed about the pain. And the fact that I couldn't just go lay in bed all week. So, if you are keeping track my back was awful for a month or so this fall, then my eyes have had herpes, and now mu knee is horrible.

Let's just say that my 41st year of life is not the most tremendous.

Then I was visited by my "friend" this weekend and I felt so much better. I think my depression was kind of tied to that!

Max and I went to Joyful Noise this weekend and loved it. Great movie and a great message. VERY feel good!

Max gets my gold star. He and I hung out this weekend because Scott and Carter were in Helena at basketball. He is a wonderful companion! We had a great time. How was your weekend?

Kids & Homework

2012-01-13T04:47:00.000-08:00

I guess this is a blessing, but I never have to help my kids on big projects for school.

There are little things I help out with, but even that is rare. Carter gets his stuff done at school (mostly), and Max doesn't really have homework yet. However, this week Max is creating a poster on Leif Eriksson, the explorer.

The only thing he needed my help with was printing pictures from the internet. He had his vision and I couldn't help! I was kind of sad, (and kind of glad--I did have other things to do!) but he did a great job.

I just kind of thought I would be the kind of mom to help with those projects. I guess I am still that kind of mom, I just don't have those kind of kids!

(Although this week Carter's Montana history class started a big research project that I am helping with, but as the librarian. I am helping with research and I have to help everyone, not just my son.)

Have a great Friday!

New Menu Pages & 2013 Planner

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

So, I got a wild hair and was a bit bored last weekend and I made the pages for my 2013 planner. I also added a few new menu sheets. Again if you'd like to make a planner try this lin k. If you are making a planner and want the menu sheets, email me and I will send those to you.

Enjoy!

My Strange Addiciton

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it's not really that much of an addiction but it is a great tip for you to keep in mind.
Last summer I bought an iphone. I LOVE it. (It was an iphone 3 which was way cheaper). I also bought a case with it. I didn't love the case I got but knew I needed one and there wasn't that great of a selection at the store.

Fast forward to November when Max broke my case. I didn't have the time or money to run to the store to spend $20 for a new case, so I turned to ebay. Holy moely--they have a plethora of phone cases available. AND they are cool, AND they are cheap, AND mostly they have free shipping!!

So, now I obsess over cases. (I also found cheap cases for Carter & Max's ipod touches & Scott's phone--Orange!).

Recently I bought this one: LOVE it!

So keep it in mind the next time you need or want a new case for you phone!

Boys & Girls

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Do you think that mothers of only girls ever wish they had boys?

95% of the time I am so happy and satisfied with my boys, but every now & again, like when I see a darling little girl at church, I have a longing for a little girl.

So, I wonder, do mothers of girls ever long a bit for a boy? Do fathers? I think it's a valid question.

Productive Sunday & Gold Star

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

So, here's how I know that I was probably in a depression this fall and how I know I am probably out of it: I am getting stuff done finally!

I planned my meals for the week and yesterday I actually did a bunch of prep work to make sure I stick with my plan!
I thawed & browned 5 lbs. of ground beef (for spaghetti, tacos & slow cooker lasagna). I cooked the chicken I need for a chicken & rice dish and to make a pot pie for a friend who is having surgery this week. I also made cookies! Haven't done that in about a month. I remember when I used to make cookies once or twice a week!

I also prepped what I need for breakfast all week. I make breakfast for Scott & I every day--Carter eats cereal (he has a hard time functioning this early in the day so that's all he can manage) and Max eats at my moms so I don't have to worry about him. What I did today was cooked a bunch of bacon in the oven (super easy and convenient method for making bacon), then cooked biscuits. Tomorrow morning I will make eggs in a pan in the oven and put it all together for bacon, egg & cheese biscuits. YUM!

So it all makes me happy to get all this done!

My gold stars for last week go to my administrators at school. I have three of them and they are awesome. Friendly, supportive and caring. They do things for the good of the school, but honestly put community and students above grades and test scores. I LOVE teaching where I do!

My Favorite Things (January Edition)

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

I always am really proud of myself if I actually make dinner, but if I try a new recipe and it's a success, well then I feel like I could walk on water. On Wednesday I made pork chops. The most AMAZING pork chops ever! You can get print the recipe here OR you can watch a video of them being made here (which is a wonderful website, one of my new favorites). I had to run home at lunch and when I walked into the house and smelled them cooking my knees literally went weak. The smelled so good! And they were just as good as they smelled. I normally don't like pork chops because they are so dry, but no these! They were just wonderful. And everyone gave them the thumbs up!

I don't know if you've noticed but I really am into the way things smell. Not sure if my nose has gotten more sensitive or if good smells just make me feel good, but I have found two l=things recently that smell so good and make me feel so good when I smell them!

First of all, Refresh shampoo and conditioner from Trader Joes. I don't like getting up and I really don't like showering the first thing after I get up. Using this product helps me feels better about both things. I love the way it smells!

Mrs. Meyer's Cleaning Supplies are pretty cool, but I really don't like the smell of most of their products. Except the Honeysuckle stuff, specifically the Honeysuckle dish soap. It is so good! When I add some to the hot water in my sink and lean over and smell it I am just hit by suck a summertime smell. Ahhh!

And an update:

Target has the Inkjoy pens I wrote about a little bit ago.
They have an extra big pack.
The more I use them the more I love them!!

What are your favorite things right now?

Seriously?!

2012-01-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

First of all, if you are chatting with a mother of a 13 year old boy and she tells you her son was recently diagnosed with Crohns disease, YOU MAY NOT tell her how bad it's going to get and that he will eventually be terminal. SERIOUSLY. WTF?! That just happened to me! This woman was talking about her terminal husband (before I knew what his "disease" was) and I mentioned Carter had Crohns and her face just dropped. I mean, according to her Carter will be dead by the time he is 20. I stood up for him and told her how good he was doing and the people I knew that were older who were doing really great, etc... But obviously she wants to believe the worst because she just shook her head and gave me a sad look.

I am just a LITTLE pissed.

Even if you know someone who DIED from the disease you DO NOT tell that to a mother of a young child who has that disease! EVER!!

This is really the first negative encounter I have had since Carter got diagnosed and it just ticked me off!

Post Holiday Sales

2011-12-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

I love going out in the morning the day after Christmas here's why:

*Target & Wal-Mart always put their holiday gift sets on sale for 50% off. This includes the lipsmacker kit which are on sale 5 lipsmackers for $2.50. A STEAL!! It also includes (if I am lucky--sometimes these are sold out) the Intuition razor kits. These are my favorite razors but the replacement blades are so expensive, unless you can get them as part of a kit. And if you can get that kit on sale (which I did, 5 blades for $5, another steal).

*Candy! I have a candy drawer at school that gets visited a lit during the day. It's nice to when someone makes sure to walk through the library to get a piece of candy. But it can get expensive so I always buy the holiday candy when it is 50% off.

*Roaming. There is normally something that can be found on sale that is a good deal, but you have to roam to find it. I don't mind doing that, especially in the morning when it is not that busy. Good stuff!

Do You Tweet?

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

I do tweet. I mostly tweet about books and the people I follow are mostly book people. I follow some comedians and a few others but I basically use it to promote my book blog. I don't know that high schoolers around Kalispell use it much, but my niece and most of her friends use it a ton. My sister will sometimes text me to check out what so & so tweeted. And oh wow, teenagers just have no filters! And they can't spell, and they swear like sailors. But, it's kind of like a mini soap opera.

This fall when I was so stressed about Carter (I had originally posted that as Max, but it was supposed to be Carter) and my back was killing me and I was seriously sliding into a depression I used to love it when my sister would call and leave me message after message about my niece's high school life. It was my own soap opera. She is doing really well now, though so I don't get the soap opera as much. I am craving a little more drama! (Not really, I want her to be happy and it appears she is headed that way!)

Anyway, she & her friends would sometimes fight over twitter but because they would never use names they would always just claim they were talking about someone else. Every now & again I will look up one particularly crass person on twitter and just shake my head over her tweets. It's like reading a train wreck!

What about you? Any twitter experiences?

Yay Christmas!

2011-12-26T18:26:00.000-08:00

Leading up to Christmas I always feel a bit like a failure lately. I think this is because when I was younger I used to do A LOT. Tons! And the past few years I have not done quite as much.

But, when Christmas morning comes everything just works. And it is wonderful. We had a great Christmas and were lucky enough to spend it with lots of family--my aunt, uncle and cousin from Spokane came over and celebrated with us as did Scott's parents.

And the food! Jo brought lots of snacks and Jack made clam chowder. I made prime rib and we spent Christmas Eve at my mom's with lots of snacks, salad and cookies! It was all just perfect.

We bought Max an ipod touch for Christmas and he really had no idea that he was getting one. He wanted one and I wanted him to have one so he would stop playing with my cell phone, but we had him convinced he was just too young to have one. I put it into a lego kit that I had bought him this past summer when Borders was going out of business. He was being a really good trooper and not acting too disappointed about only getting one lego kit, but I knew he was. Then we told him to make sure all the legos were in the kit. He dumped it all out and saw the ipod touch and was so surprised! It was priceless.

I hope your Chistmas was as wonderful and that you are having a great break!

Favorite Things-December Edition

2011-12-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

If you know me much at all you know it doesn't take much to make me happy. And one of those things that make me happiest are new colored ballpoint pens. I am always on the search for really good colored ink ball point pens. And guess what, I found them!

These are Papermate Inkjoy pens and I found them at WalMart. I LOVE them. Today I went to buy another set so I could have one at home and one at school. When I was there I found another set of colored ballpoint pens that I bought to try:

These ones are pretty good as well, just not as good as the Inkjoy ones.

Another new things I found this week is this podcast. It is super funny. It is Tom Cavanaugh and Michale Ian Black (both from the TV show Ed) and each podcast they eat a snack and discuss it. But they are funny and I like driving around listening to them. There is quite a bit of swearing though.

Also, I love eBay. I have bought ipod/cell phone cases and screen protectors for all of us for stocking stuffers. And the were all super cheap and had free shipping! It is my new place to find that kind of stuff.

Bath & Body Works is still fun to shop at. I love their winter/Christmas candles, but not as much as their fall scented ones. However, they have a new scent of their classic bath line called Jingle Bellini. It is heavenly. Just lightly peach scented. It is so awesome!

There are only two days of school left till we have Christmas break. I can't wait for that!

Hope your week goes well too!

Gold Star Monday

2011-12-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

Something happened last week that made me sad. Carter and his first ever girlfriend broke up. I adored his girlfriend and her mom and I got to be very good friends. I know that this will all be fine, that Carter and Sophie will probably end up being good friends and that her mom and I will remain good friends, but I am sad that this chapter in Carter's life has ended.

It was time. They hardly ever spent time in each others' company and were both probably ready to move on. I told Carter he had to do it in person and we talked about what he might say (it was his decision). I haven't talked to him about what he actually said, but it all seems to be okay.

So, for my gold star this week I would like to give it to Sophie and Carter and her mom.

Sophie for being such a perfect first girlfriend for my son. And for being my book buddy!

Carter for talking to her about it in person and not by text. And for learning. And for not being ready for another girlfriend yet (phew).

And for Michelle, for being a good friend, a texting buddy and for all the wonderful coffee!!

A Word About Kid's Sports

2011-12-09T21:36:00.000-08:00

If it wasn't for kid's sports, we would never stay in hotels. And hotels are totally fun.

Someday we will look back on this at at the people we hung out with and remember how much fun it was. I guarantee we will not remember how many games we lost (neither will Carter), but we might remember if we win a tournament.

We get worked up and intense when the game is being played, then go and hang out and have fun with the other parents when it is not.

It is totally fun.

For us, it is not about if Carter will be playing in high school or college. It is because we enjoy the people and he enjoys his teammates. It truly is about the here and now.

Return of the Gold Star!

2011-12-05T06:30:00.000-08:00

I am giving out two gold star this week:

*to Gretchen. She is Carter's language arts teacher and it was through her that we were able to get tickets to last week's Gonzaga game. It made Carter's night and was so much fun! Thanks Gretchen.

*to my Auntie Patty & Uncle Jim. They are so good about opening their home to us when we go there for Carter's appointments. It has been a blessing to have them in Spokane!

Have you given any gold stars lately?

Another Weekly Update

2011-12-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

We went to Spokane this week for a check up and infusion for Carter. Things are looking really good, but he needs to start gaining weight. So, he needs to eat more and stop bring so active. I am sure that will happen! I told him for every pound he gains I will lose one. We both will have to work hard at this!

While we were in Spokane we got to go to a Gonzaga men's game. They played Notre Dame and it was so much fun. Intense!

He is almost done with 8th grade basketball, I cannot believe that he will be in high school next year (I am sure I will say that a lot over the next few months)!

Max started break dancing class. He loves it. He practices and does push ups and crunches at home. It takes a lot of upper body strength!

Carter shot an elk this fall! He had a blast going hunting and was so proud of shooting that elk. Scott was almost more proud, though. It was a special time for both of them.

How have you all been?

(next week my posts will be better, promise)

Happy Thanksgiving! (& Completely Random Thoughts)

2011-11-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

We had a very great day yesterday and Carter has been doing great. All this makes me relax a little more each day.

How was your Thanksgiving?

I went out to Target at midnight and did some shopping, then came home and did some more online. One thing I have decided, I like the addition of pink to some Christmas decorations. It makes the print more fun!

I really, really need to clean out my craft room. It's cluttered and sloppy!

Sometimes on Masterpiece Mysteries (on PBS) they show Miss Marple mysteries. I am completely addicted to them! They are so sweet, and old fashioned and I just love Miss Marple. Good stuff.

I am almost done with Christmas shopping, have a few things to go. What I really need to do is sit down and make a list of some of the smaller gifts I need to get--teachers, co-workers, etc... And then maybe plan some treats for them or something.

Have you been to my new/old favorite store lately? Bath & BodyWorks has some holiday scents of candles and three "party" scents of lotions and body wash. The Jingle Bellini smells so good it makes me knees a little weak!

How did you spend your Black Friday?

Weekly Supplemental

2011-11-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Since I know all of you wonder....Carter is doing really well.

Last Friday (11/4) he had a horrible day. It put me in a bad way. He had diarrhea all day long. Then I got sick on Saturday, then Carter got sick on Sunday. THEN, I had diarrhea all day long on Tuesday. By then Carter was doing really well so I realized that his bad day Friday was probably part of the bug we had! Since then he has been doing great, even gaining a little weight.

And this winter is the winter of supplements for the Warnells. I bought us a big pack of EmergenC and am making us drink it daily. I also had heard that magnesium is a great supplement for people and it helps people sleep. A friend of mine confirmed this so I bought us some of this and Scott and I are trying it out this week! Can't hurt, I hope. (It is also says "anti-stress" on the label. That works for me).

And this weekend I was healthy! I got things done--laundry, cleaned, undecorated from Halloween. It was awesome! I even caught up on a few TV shoes and finished a book. Very productive.

Here's a Story For You

2011-11-11T07:30:00.000-08:00

Last June Carter's soccer team played at state in Great Falls. As always, Max came along. Not his most favorite thing to do, go and watch his big brother, but he's a good sport about it.

As we drove into Great Falls Max noticed some billboards advertising a new waterpark. He started talking about his hopes in being able to go to that waterpark before we left Great Falls. He's pretty good about bringing up ideas and then not letting it go until I give in. I knew that this would be the case so I didn't say no, I said we'd see if there was time.

On Sunday we found ourselves with time. Carter's games were done, but Scott has a few games still to ref. Then we were staying late for a girl's game because the girls Carter's age were playing in the championship game. I told Max he could go to the waterpark but he had to go by himself. I figured that would be the end of it, but no.

Eleven year old, independent Max decided he'd go by himself. We went to the park, I went in and talked to the workers about needing to leave him there (I was the only car for picking up and dropping off a few different groups of kids and refs that day). They assured me he would be watched over and safe there with them. It was not a very nice day, weather wise, and there were very few patrons.

I kissed him and off he went. I ran my errands and came back and watched him. He was in heaven. There was a lazy river and a wave pool. He went around and around. His smile was HUGE. I was so impressed that he would be on his own in a strange place and totally uninhibited.

I watched and soon my smile matched him. He is an awesome kid!!

The end.

TV Updates

2011-11-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

A month or so into the new season and here's what I am loving the most:

Castle. For some reason this is my favorite show right now. I watch it quickest of all the shows I watch.

I also love all the ABC Wednesday night comedies and the NBC Thursday night comedies--mostly because these are the quickest for me to watch and my boys enjoy watching them with me.

There are a lot of other shows I watch and enjoy, but these are my "must watch" shows right now.

Updates

2011-11-07T19:44:00.000-08:00

So, this past weekend was my first one without soccer. How did I celebrate getting all the stuff done that I needed to? I got the FLU!! I spent all day on Saturday in bed, moaning because I was so sick.

Now through all the stuff that has been going on this fall: my back and getting sick--I have to wonder if someone is trying to tell me I need to relax more. That's fine and all, but I don't get mush relaxing done if I am laying in bed with either the worst pain EVER or a fever and throwing up. Hmmmmm.

Max started something tonight that he loves. LOVES. He started taking breakdancing classes. I am enthused by how excited he is. It's cool to see him head off in a new direction!

Basketball is going good for Carter. He played really good in a game tonight. It was good to see him working really hard and playing with more energy! We're still waiting to hear the results of the MRI, but should know more soon!

So, here I sit in a messy house (cleaning was on my list for the weekend) with Nyquil in my system because I slept crappy last night and don't want a repeat of that.

How was your weekend?

Breaks My Heart

2011-11-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Carter had an MRI. He had to not eat after 10 am, which was really more like 8 am because I don't think he had anything after breakfast.

We went to the MRI and he had to drink three big cups of this gross prep stuff. Then get an IV and another shot. After the MRI he threw up.

Then we rushed to the middle school so he could make his first basketball game.

After not eating all day, then just throwing up it is not surprising that he had a pretty crappy game. Then he threw up after the game.

I kind of wish that our doctor would tell us to take him out of sports for a bit for him to recover.

Carter doesn't want that though.

Hopefully the MRI will tell us what is going on in the small intestine.

On the good news front, he is not lactose intolerant nor does he have celiac.

Happy Halloween!! (Weekend Roundup)

2011-10-31T06:27:00.000-07:00

*I am dressed as Cat in the Hat today. BTW, I am NOT dressed as Dr. Seuss and anyone who makes that mistake will get a verbal beat down.

*Scott's team ended up fourth. It was a hard weekend. My dad and I went down on Friday for the semi-final game. We played amazingly, there was just one mistake that they capitalized on. I actually cried, I was so sad for Scott!! These were amazing girls and he had a wonderful season.

*Book fair is this week in the library! I am as excited as the kids but the BEST part is that I got to unpack the books which means I was the first person who got to see them. I love being in charge.

*Hopefully today we will get the results of Carter's biopsies from his scan. They were checking for lactose intolerance and celiac. Tomorrow he gets an MRI to check the small bowel. By the end of this week we should have a new course of action.

*I washed my sheets in lavender laundry detergent and dryer sheets then put them on my bed, got all cozy and comfy and then...COULD NOT FALL ASLEEP! I hate that.

*I haven't given out a gold star in the last two weeks, not because I don't think people aren't wonderful and neat things haven't happened, I just am lazy.

How was your weekend?

Beautiful Fall

2011-10-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

This has probably been the hardest fall I have ever endured--physically, mentally and emotionally. However, when I get up on mornings like this and down below my house is covered in fog and I get to watch the sun come up, burn off the fog and reveal all the amazing fall colors, I really feel like I can't complain about anything. What an amazing morning!

We are headed back to Spokane today. Carter needs another scope. He hasn't gotten much better while using the new medication so the doctor needs to go take another look. Best case scenario? Things inside will look fine so which will mean the medication is working and now we have to adjust his diet. I don't even know what worst case would be, nor do I want to think about that!

The worst thing is that I feel like every time we have gone to Spokane and I have had a thought in my head it has come true. The first time in June, I was really thinking it would be Crohns. It was. In August I was really expecting he would have to go one remicade, he did. I am trying not to think about anything for this one, but it is hard. I will keep you all up to date.

Scott's team won their play off game and are heading into state second in the West. So exciting. The most amazing part is that his team has only allowed 4 goals to be scored against them in 13 games. They have had 9 shut outs and the teams that have scored against them have each only scored one goal. They have some incredible defense working for them!

All summer I was pretty sure that if his team made it to state I would take the time off and go all three days. However, now that I have missed so much for Carter and my back I don't know if I should. So here's what I decided. If they win their first game on Thursday I will go down Friday morning for their second and third games. I think they are going to do it!!

Hope your weekend went great!!

Wednesday!

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

First of all, Happy Birthday Melissa! I hope it was great.

To catch you up on my life: Scott's soccer team finished their regular season in second place on the west. This means we have a play-in game against Glacier on Thursday at 3. It will be a good game and we will have a lot of stress in our house until it is over.

Last winter at a booster club auction I bought a basket of gift cards including a night in a suite at the Hampton Inn. Since it expired at the end of October we had to use it. And we did, last Saturday. It was nice to have a night with no responsibilities. Good times!

Tonight I have a team dinner for Scott's girls. I made cavatini, salad, garlic bread and I bought cookies. You heard that right. I bought them. I just decided it was good enough for me!!

How is your week going?

It's the Small Things

2011-10-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I made dinner!!

It was super exciting.

It's is also interesting to note that I, not the huge TV in the basement, seem to be the heart of our house. Since my back has been bad for the first few weeks of September, then again this last week, I have been paying around in the bed a lot in the evening. We have spent quite a few nights in my bedroom watching things together...the whole family. It's been pretty fun.

Scott's soccer team plays two games this weekend. If they win them both, they will be second in the West. If they tie them both, I believe the will be third. All in all a pretty good season! Play-offs are next week then state the week after that in Helena.

I am taking a group of kids out of school 15 minutes early to go and watch today's game, which starts at 3. Go Bravettes!

Planner Pages

2011-10-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

I have created a "page" on the right there that has all the links to each individual planner page. If those links don't work I might go crazy!

Also, I heard from people that the calendar pages were not viewable, but the menu pages were fine. Let me know if that is different!

Gold Star & Nice Weekend

2011-10-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am giving my gold star this week to Sara. The other day, out of the blue, she gave me a vase of flowers she had grown and a bunch of gourds and mini pumpkin she'd also grown, along with a super sweet note. It was just a very nice thing and a great pick me up.

Second gold star to Michelle for picking up some of my favorite mints for me when she was in Helena. Yum!

I had a super great weekend.

Max was getting a cold. However, he really held it off until Saturday because he had a friend spending the night on Friday. After his soccer game, though, we laid in bed and watched Transformers: Dark of the Moon and napped (Scott's team was in Missoula and Carter was in Helena). I made him sleep a lot (thanks to Sudafed and Nyquil) and he is much better today. Still has a cough, but not as stuffy at all.

On Sunday I took Max to GameStop. He'd saved up money for a new Wii game. I owed him some and he had $30. He was expecting the game to be $50, and was so happy when it turned out to only be $20.

I also got some cooking done this weekend. Still have cleaning to catch up on, but next week is MEA days and a four day weekend. One of those days will be a cleaning day for all of us!

Here's a quick Carter update:

Things are not going as hoped so he is having another scan done on October 25. There are so many "ifs" that I can't possibly name them all. Just pray that the medicine starts taking hold!!

Who got your gold stars this week?

Also on Sunday

Three Quotes

2011-10-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Isn't amazing how just the right thing pops up when you need it most?
I follow a inspiring quotes type thing on Twitter. Here are three quotes they have tweeted recently that resonated with me:

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start now to make a new ending. ~Maria Robinson

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. ~Lou Holtz

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.

What are some quotes that inspire you?

Planner Pages

2011-10-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

I think I fixed the link on the side for my planner pages. Would someone try it and see if it works? Then email me or comment?

Thanks!

Doing the Best I Can

2011-10-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

I always thought I handled stress really well. In fact, I actually think I do handle stress pretty well.

But, this has been a hard fall and I am not handling it well.

I am doing the best I can though. Maybe.

Then a curve ball comes my way. Today I had everything set up after school. Then my volleyball game went longer than planned and threw a wrench into everything. So I had to race across town, pick up Max's soccer stuff and the other kid I was giving a ride to, then race back across town to drop off for soccer.

So stressful!!

But tonight I got things a tad under control--I made dinner! So, I am doing the best I can and luckily my family is accepting my efforts.

I love them so.

Gold Star!

2011-10-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law Jo gets my gold star this week!

She came to visit and cooked and cleaned and made my life so much easier. She rocks!!

Are any of you still giving gold stars? Who got yours?

The Problem With a Back Injury

2011-09-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

I realize I am not alone here, that all of us have gone through periods of illness/injury/recovery. But, I need to whine a bit.

I just feel like half a person! Even when I am feeling good, I am pooped by the evening and have no energy left for cooking dinner or cleaning or hygiene. I know that coaching volleyball does not help this out. I probably shouldn't have decided to coach, but my back didn't hurt when I took the job!

I am not sleeping well due to the pain, so, I have pain and no energy and am fighting falling asleep everyday. It's super fun!

This is my favorite time of year and I feel like I can't truly enjoy it. That is what sucks the most.

I know, WAH-WAH.

Give me some good news to cheer me up. Anything interesting happening for anyone?

Family Time

2011-09-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Family vacations are awesome. Weekends together doing some sort of activity (rafting, camping, etc...) are totally great.

But, sometimes a day at home on Sunday, when everyone is just hanging out, helping each other, chatting, being together, are the best days of all.

This past Sunday was like that. Instead of all of us vegging out in front of the TV in separate rooms, we turned off the TVs and just got stuff done. Nothing major, Scott did some outside stuff, I did laundry and a few inside things and the boys went in between both of us, helping out. We ate dinner together then the boys & I decorated for Halloween (I didn't get that done last year and wanted to make sure I did it this year).

It was just a really, really nice day.

I cherish those ones most of all because they are so ordinary, but so special too.

Fall TV (My Favorite Thing!)

2011-09-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

Here's what I liked that started last week:

New Girl: I might have to make up my own theme song as I go about my day.

The Secret Circle: Years & years ago I read some books by an author named LJ Smith. One of her series was called The Vampire Diaries and one was named The Secret Circle. While I liked The Vampire Diaries, I loved The Secret Circle. I was so excited to see this series! I have really enjoyed the first two episodes so far!

Pan Am: I loved this one. A lot. I am already looking forward to the next episode on Sunday. The look of it is amazing and I think there is a lot they can do with it.

The Playboy Club: I also really enjoyed this show. It must be the feel and look of the 60's (which is also when Pan Am takes place) that I really enjoy!

White Chapel: This is an upcoming show on BBC America. It is super good. I have already watched it and just wanted to throw it out because it is worth a watch. So good!!

Returning series I still love: Supernatural (of course), The Good Wife, The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, all the NBC comedies, The Vampire Diaries, Glee and Law & Order SVU (to name a few...)

Gold Star

2011-09-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

It goes without saying that my gold star goes to my husband! He has been amazing at picking up the slack while I have been incapacitated. He even supervised my youth group for me on Wednesday night!

I also have to give sub stars to:

*Max--because he has had to rely on himself a lot and be flexible everyday with who was picking him up from school.
*Sarah--my physical therapist. She is doing so much to help me out!
*my mom--for picking up Max at the last minute, for doing my dishes and for helping me out!

These last two weeks have been really hard but it looks like things are getting better!

Have you given out any gold stars lately?

My Favorite Thing!

2011-09-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Bath & Bodyworks lately?

They have a new candle collection that is to die for. (sorry Renn)

They have a massive amounts of "fall scents" that are amazing. And relatively cheap. Right now their three wick candles are 2 for $20. But that's not what I am going to tell you about.

They have 1.6 oz candles that are 3 for $5. They say these burn for 20 hours and let me tell you, they really do. The reason I love them is that sometimes you are burning a big candle, day after day. And you get a little tired of the scent, but you have a lot of candle left.

With these little ones, you can burn a different scent every day if you want! They are truly my new favorite thing.

Here are my favorite scents so far (of the ones I have actually tried):

(sorry so small, cut & paste you know)(from left):

Autumn: so wonderful. Smells just like being in the woods on a cool fall day.
Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: I normally don't like "sweet" smelling candles. I have changed my mind. I love this one. Slightly cinnamony, but mostly just good.
Leaves: smells a bit more woodsy than Autumn, but a little spicy as well. Great scent!
Pumpkin/Caramel Latte: This is Carter's favorite. Again, smells really sweet, but it doesn't bother me. It is just good. I want to lick it.

The website also has a bunch of winter/Christmas scents that the store does not yet have that are probably wonderful as well. But the coolest thing--3 wonderful, cute candles for $5. You couldn't beat a cute little gift like that with a stick! Stock up and you'll always have a quick birthday or housewarming gift on hand.

Also, when you are laying on your bed (either on your right side or your stomach) and you are moaning and teary eyed cause of the pain, a wonderful smelling candle can give you some small degree of comfort. Just sayin'.

How's your back these days?

Jana and Her Back

2011-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the story:

When I was younger, thinner and more in shape I hurt my back. I bulged a disc. At the time it was the worst pain I had ever felt because the bulged disc affects a nerve that runs down your leg. PAINFUL! Of course, I hadn't given birth yet so I didn't really know what pain was.

Well, for the past two weeks that bugled disc has been flaring up (or maybe I hurt another one, not sure). And let me tell you, IT IS STILL THE WORST PAIN EVER!

I can't sit, I can barely drive, I have one position I can lay when I sleep and Loritab has become my new best friend.

Last weekend I spent all of Friday in bed (except for a physical therapy session), and most of Saturday and Sunday. I felt so much better on Monday. Then on Tuesday I got cocky. I sat too much and by Tuesday night the pain was horrible.

I spent all day yesterday in bed, moaning. I can't focus on anything but the pain so I can't really read or watch TV. I nap a bit, but mostly just moan.

I finally got on some oral steroids to attack the inflammation. I can't get a shot because I need to get another MRI for that and I can't lay still on my back for an MRI yet. It sucks.

Welcome to my world. How has your fall been going?

(I think I need a massage)

Let Me Introduce Myself

2011-09-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

This week I had two people tell me they missed my blog.

That made me feel really good. I have missed it too. I have had a focus issue, then a time issue and for the last six days an intense, burning, makes me want to scream or cry pain issue (a bulged disc in my back). I have been kind of down in the dumps.

This was one place that always forced me to be positive because I didn't want it to be a negative place. And lately I haven't felt overly positive. So, it was nice for people to say they missed it. And two other great things happened today.

1) we got our first order of books in at the library. THREE boxes of shiny new books. It was like Christmas.

2) This came out today:
Yes, it is a NEW collection of Shel Silverstein poems. I am so excited!!

And I have a list of topics to discuss and I am going to try and post a few times a week. Fingers crossed!

How have you been?

Gold Stars!

2011-08-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am giving gold stars from last week to my sister, my cousin Melissa and me. We are raising some cool kids and I am proud of all of us.

I realized I haven't ever given one to myself and sometimes I do think I deserve it. I know that's not quite the idea of the gold star. I started it to think each week of someone who did something special that I either observed or was a recipient of. But, I think I deserve one every now and again too!

Have you given one out recently?

Three Week Update

2011-08-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

So, Carter's medication kind of stopped working. Actually, as we tapered it stopped being as effective. Overall he is feeling good, but still having some issues. We had a doctor's appointment on Monday and decided to move onto the next level of treatment. This means he has to go back to Spokane for infusions (IV). We start on Monday. Please pray for him that this works!

He has one treatment on Monday, one two weeks after that, one four weeks after that and then one eight weeks after that.

We had family in town last week and had a blast. We bought a badminton net and played so much badminton including a family tournament. Carter and my sister were the team that won.

I have rafted a few more times and am getting more comfortable. Max is totally done with his issues and even jumped off the bridge a few times. Carter did a lot of rowing. Scott is training him so that eventually he can row the whole way and Scott can fish (and I can read).

School starts for me on Monday and although I am ready to be on a schedule I am wishing we had a few more weeks! There are still a few projects I want to get done!

Hopefully I will post more regularly after summer. I plan to!

Take care all.

Home Again

2011-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a few days in Portland. It was such a great trip!

We got to eat at Voodoo Doughnuts. I had the "Old Dirty Bastard." It was a doughnut frosted in chocolate, dipped in crushed oreos with a drizzle of a peanut butter glaze on top. It was super good!

We went to Portland's Saturday Market which is like Art in the Park on massive steroids. Wow.

We went to a Portland Timbers soccer game, which was insane! It was so much fun. We are full fledged Timber fans now. Rose City Till I Die!

We went on a Jetboat ride, which was totally awesome.

And Jo hosted a BBQ where we saw some old friends we hadn't seen in awhile, but it was like we'd never been apart. We laughed and laughed!

I got to go off and run some errands one day. That is always fun.

All in all, this was a great vacation!

Thanks Jo & Jack for a great visit! You've got my GOLD STAR this week!

Summer Entertainment

2011-07-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

TV:

I am loving Torchwood: Miracle Day (on Starz). Torchwood is a British spinoff from Dr. Who, but it has come to the United States. It is super good.

I am also liking all the summer basics: True Blood; The Closer; Weeds. Also some new shows: Franklin & Bash and Teen Wolf.

I have also watched one show that I had recorded from Masterpiece last winter: Downton Abbey. It was so good! Then I checked out Sense & Sensibility (a BBC miniseries from a few years ago). It was outstanding. Nothing like some good period shows to watch in the summer!

Movies:
I didn't love Harry Potter. I loved it but was very disappointed in the final duel and I can't seem to let it go.

I really liked Captain America, Horrible Bosses was funny as was Bridesmaids. Super 8 was also really good. I can't wait for Cowboys & Aliens though.

Music:
The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga is our song of the summer.

Books:
My goal is to read 36 books this summer and I am at 17. I have about five weeks left (I am going until Labor Day). I think I can do it!

How have you stayed entertained this summer?

Week Update & Gold Star

2011-07-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Last week was supposed to be really hot and Scott was going to be away on a fishing trip. So I arranged to use a cabin on McGregor Lake. (Gold star goes to the O'Brien's for letting us use the cabin).

The weather didn't quite cooperate, but Carter, Max & I had a great time. It was relaxing, there was no cell service or internet and only a rotary dial phone (the boys fought over making calls on it).

They swan everyday and we played games all evening. We also hung out with our Washington friends who were at the lake as well. They spent one night in a tent with them (I slept horrible that night, alone in the cabin in the woods.)

We did come home a day early, though, and yesterday went to Captain America. That was great. Then we played Monopoly last night. Carter killed us.

So overall, a nice summer week spent together.

How was your week?

Summer Freedom

2011-07-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

One thing Carter has discovered this year is FREEDOM!

He and a few friends have been riding their bikes all over town. They ride in for ice cream or to go to the pool or whatever.

It's been really cool for them to have this little taste of freedom. I have to remind Carter to take his cell phone each time because his friends don't have one and we (their mom and I) just feel better if they can call one of us.
(That's right, Carter has a cell phone, but all my worries were for naught--he never carries it around and I have to remind him to check for messages every now and again. I also told him he could get on facebook this summer because a lot of his friends are, but he doesn't want to. Sitting on the computer just doesn't interest him.)

Max has taken his bike into a friend's house in town once and he loved riding around there. It is just cool to see them discovering the bike riding possibilities because neither of them have ever really been into riding bikes. Now it's all they want to do! We are even planning a day trip to ride the Hiawatha trail in Idaho! (But I need to get a helmet first).

Remember those times of freedom in the summer?

Summer Rafting

2011-07-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a disappointing summer so far for rafting. The rivers have been so high and full of silt that we have barely gone.

Right now it is getting to the level where it normally is when we go rafting. BUT, I am still not sure I am ready.

We have gone once on just a float. There was a little white water, but it was still made me really nervous to be on the water.

I don't want what happened to me last summer to affect this activity that I enjoy so much, but the thought of going on white water does make me really nervous. I think I just have to go and trust Scott and relax!

I do look forward to later in the summer and early fall when we raft and Scott fishes. Those days are more floats than white water and are always good days.

I just have to get over this!

Gold Star Monday

2011-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Again, sorry for the radio silence. Last week was my super lazy week. I kid you not.

Max & Carter rode their bikes to some friends house (together) (here's what I wrote on facebook about it:
I just watched Max & Carter ride to some friends' house--down Foys Lake Road then down Whalebone. I was able to stand on my deck and watch them the whole way, but ugh. It was Max's first time and I could just see him freaking if a car came to close. Good thing Carter took the lead and was very patient with him. They made it though! Riding to a friend's house. This is what summer is made of!

I was glad they did it, but I was nervous the whole way. At any rate they were there for the entire day. I had the whole day at home alone (I did go to lunch with a friend) but a whole day at home and I got nothing done! At all. I feel pretty lazy. The other days were not quite that bad, but they were not outstanding either.

I have a few weeks of Gold Stars to hand out:

*first of all: USA WOMEN'S SOCCER. On the 10th we all skipped church and stayed home to watch the game vs. Brazil. All four of us hanging out in the basement. Into the second overtime Carter started whining that it was over, we never would get that last goal. But when Abby Wambach put that header in we all started jumping up and down screaming. It was so much fun! Of course, it all ended yesterday with heartbreak but I will always remember this amazing world cup!

*secondly, for all my friends. I have gotten to hang out with a few that I don't see very often, and did some catch up lunches with a few I don't get to chat with as often as I'd like. It's been fun seeing everyone!

Who have been getting your gold stars? Have you been watching the World Cup?

Cooking With Warnells

2011-07-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

Carter has really gotten into cooking and baking. Last week we (all three of us) made mini pizzas. We use canned biscuit dough, rolled/pulled them out flat and then topped them with pizza sauce, cheese and mini pepperonis. They were very fun!

Carter also made shrimp scampi, caramel-chocolate brownies, and frosted maple cookies. He has done a great job of following recipes and cleaning up! He is loving it.

I also told them they are responsible for their own breakfast. What was happening was they would get up earlier than me by about a half hour. Then, the minute I got up they would say, "What's for breakfast?" It was driving me nuts. Carter has permission to make pancakes or scrambled eggs, and they both can do cereal or toast. I told them they could wait until I got up but there was never any guarantee that I would actually make something for them. So, they've been doing it themselves!

I think it's about time.

Gold Star

2011-07-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

I am giving my gold star to Max this week because he has finally learned to ride a bike! We have been working on it for a few years but he has never seemed to get comfortable on a bike. This past week he kind of decided he wanted to get better on a bike and he worked and worked and got it done! I am so proud of him.

On a related note, Carter and his friends have found a little more freedom this summer. They've been allowed to ride their bikes into town a few times. It's pretty exciting for them!

Max goes to church camp this week and he is so excited about this--it's always a great week for him.

Who got your gold star this week?

Happy Fourth!

2011-07-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all having a wonderful Fourth. We started rafting this weekend but because the rivers are still so very high we didn't do any white water. I am hesitant about jumping on the river but I am ready for a good float today!

Also, I know that it is not everyone's cup of tea, but our USA women's soccer team is playing in the World Cup and the games have been amazing. So fast paced! Take time to watch one if you can.

Gold Star and Mike Birbiglia

2011-06-27T22:06:00.000-07:00

First things first: Carter is doing fine. He is responding well to meds and all looks on the mend.

Next up: My gold stars lately have just gone to the nurses at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. They were awesome. It's weird to think that a week ago we were in a hospital room! Home now and we don't have to go back for a check up until August.

Lastly: I have been kind of hooked on This American Life again. Every now and again I decide to catch up on podcasts I have downloaded and I am so glad I did! I discovered a new comedian for us to enjoy. He is pretty clean (some light sex jokes--nothing too risque--every now and again) and he is hysterical. I have bought all of his albums and that's what we listen to the most in the car on our trips to and from Spokane. His name is Mike Birbiglia and here is a taste of his humor (if you do get one start with Sleepwalk With Me--it's his most recent). Enjoy!

Scenes from a Children's Hospital

2011-06-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

When we first got here I realized that Carter really isn't that sick at all. Thankfully. In fact, I kind of wonder if we needed to be here at all. I was super surprised when the doctor admitted us right after the consultation. I honestly thought we'd schedule a scope for next week perhaps. But, I was also really relieved that doctor was taking things seriously and ready to get to the bottom of this!

Once we were settled in the hospital I went out and ran a couple errands and of course, missed the doctor coming into visit. He told my mother-in-law that Scott should probably come over. I think she almost had a heart attack when he told her that. But, it truly was because he wanted to be able to talk to us both instead of trying to repeat everything later.

Then he told her that we should plan 3-5 days in the hospital and that he'd is malnourished due to the weight loss he'd sustained. He said that a young teen losing 10 lbs that quickly is like us losing 40 lbs. quickly--not good.

Let me tell you that I felt outstanding when he said Carter was malnourished. Good parenting. I realize it was the disease but then I felt like we should have been here trying to get answers long before this.

At this point I actually felt like maybe we should be in the hospital and that he might not be as sick as some kids here, but he was going downhill and it had to be stopped.

Then he had his scope yesterday--upper and lower GI. (At the point of that he hadn't had food for over 24 hours so he was a bit crabby--can't say I blame him. I had been begging him to eat for a few weeks and now that he couldn't eat, he really wanted to).

It is definitely Crohns.

Once I saw all the pictures of his insides I realized that he is good and truly sick. And we need to get a handle on it so we can manage it. And, ohmigosh, how has been even managing oer the last few months--it looks so painful and awful!

I really don't think he realizes he has a life long disease that we have to manage and someday he will have to manage on his own. And that getting it so young increases his chances for more complications later (ie-surgery) And that we will have to be back and forth to Spokane a lot over the next few years because this doctor is one of the only pediatric GIs in the NW--he is our new best friend.

We have one friend that has it that we've been talking to and I am sure that more will come out of the woodwork, that's the way it seems to go anyway.

So, I am glad Carter is 13 and going through this so he understands and is able to have some humor. Hearing some of the really little kids here crying and parents trying to comfort them really tears your heart out a bit. I saw a dad carrying a little baby hooked to an IV yesterday--ugh.

We really don't have it so bad and Carter is in very good hands. The nurses here are wonderful and he will get to eat later today. All will be well!

Thanks so much for all the thoughts, prayers and well wishes. It means a lot and I let him know about every one. He is in good spirits. His cousin brought him his xbox and I rented some very inappropriate games so both he and Max are enjoying that. Hopefully we will be home by Wednesday!

Summer Movie Report

2011-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

I saw Thor and liked it, but not as much as I liked Ironman.

Bridesmaids was hysterical, and it also made me cry a bit.

Tonight all four of us went to X Men: First Class because James McAvoy is one of my favorite actors. I liked it a lot and it made me want to so home and watch the other movies!

I want to see Super 8 which comes out this weekend but I am not sure I know of anyone who will go with me. It might be a solo venture.

I also likes Teen Wolf on MTV.

What have you enjoyed so far this summer?

Weekend Updates

2011-06-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how when one big thing is happening it really sucks your energy and focus from other things.

My house is a mess, but I certainly don't care about that right now (some things have to go by the way side until Friday when I am out of school). I did get the dishwasher empty and reloaded this morning--I also got dinner in the crockpot so I feel super successful right now!

Max and I had a fantastic time on the fourth grade history trip last week. We went to a firelab (forest fires) in Missoula. We got to see smoke jumpers training. Then we went to Helena to the state capital building then on a boat ride on the Missouri called The Gates of the Mountains. Super cool. Friday we went to the Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center in Great Falls. Again, a really cool place.

Carter had a soccer tournament this weekend. He had a horrible Saturday. He got up and wasn't feeling well and threw up twice, once before the game started and once at halftime. He spent the rest of the afternoon in bed. He played much better Sunday morning, but it's frustrating to see him play with a lack of energy even when he is playing good.

Some of you want to know what is going on with him so here goes:

We don't know.

Probably we will be headed to a pediatric GI in Spokane to really figure out what is wrong. All the symptoms point towards celiac or crohn's disease. That's all I have for you know, but it sure is frustrating waiting for answers!

Which comes back to what is truly sapping my energy, waiting for answers for Carter. I don't feel like doing much of anything. But, I am forcing myself to because I don't get anything done sitting here and worrying about it!

Gold stars this week go to the fourth grade teachers at Max's school--what a fun trip they organized for us!

Hope you had a good weekend.

Just So You Know...

2011-06-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

I go around during the day and think of things to write all the time. then when it comes time to type my brain goes blank. Me being the queen of lists, you'd think I would have ideas written down!

I do know this: I only have to think of clothes for four more days of school.

Thursday and Friday I will be gone chaperoning Max's class on their Montana history trip. My friend Stephanie is also chaperoning so at least I will have her to hang out with a bit.

I plan to read a bit on the bus as well.

Carter is not better and we don't know much more, except that we have gather another stool sample and it just might have to get done while I am gone--oh shucks.

Have a good Thursday.

Secret Single Behavior

2011-05-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

I know that most of you who read this blog are moms with young children and husbands and houses to clean, etc... So, alone time is very rare. When you do have a moment to yourself is there something that you do that you wouldn't normally do when your family is around? For me it revolves around food--

*I LOVE the Pillsbury Orange Danish rolls but my family doesn't. So if I have a morning that I am alone I will make sure I have those in the fridge.

*I also love roasted garlic. Scott likes this as well, but when I know I am going to be home alone for dinner I will try and grab some Elephant Garlic and french bread for a small feast that is all my own.

*If I am really motivated and I am home alone for the night (or at least in my bed alone for the night) I might wash my sheets with lavender detergent and dry them with a lavender dryer sheets so they are nice and crisp and fresh. Ahhhh...

What about you?

Sunny Days

2011-05-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

*I have been trying to keep my "spring" rash under control. My hands look horrible, but since I have been keeping my arms covered they are doing pretty good. Unfortunately, this weekend my neck/upper chest area caught the rash, I look fantastic. Actually, I just look like I have a sunburn (but I know better because I itch so much).

*Max and I went to Thor yesterday, it was very good. You know how I love those summer blockbusters!

*My gold star of the week goes to my cousin Pat. He was working in Whitefish for the past two years and we have loved having him this close to us. But, he needed to get closer to his family so he is moving back east in June. We are sad and will miss him.

*I am going to Wicked in Spokane this weekend!

*My dad is having back surgery today, so send good thoughts his way please!

How was your sunny weekend?

Weekend Update and Gold Star

2011-05-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

A week of being 40, feels pretty much the same as 39!

We went to Coeur d'Alene this weekend for soccer. It was a lot of fun. The weather was great and I got to see Renn & Courtney. (Courtney, how sad is it that we live in the same town and yet see each other out of town?). soccer went pretty good, two loses and one win. Carter played well. It was a big day, three games. Kind of a test to how he is starting to bounce back. He was pooped, but not super dragging like I expected.

Max turns 11 this week. He is excited because he is a double--and he will probably get legos.

I want to see Thor, Bridesmaid and this weekend Pirates of the Carribbean. I don't like that the summer movie season starts so early because I don't have the time to get to movies! Maybe this weekend...

Gold star goes to Drs. Wilder and Schwaller. They both worked so hard for Carter's illness and have eased my mind, for now. He had a parasite (we treated that) and so far nothing else. That is probably not why he has anemia but it explains the stomach issues!

Who got your gold star?

Had anyone tried to go to the planner links on my sidebar? Are they working?

Here I Sit at 40...

2011-05-09T05:11:00.000-07:00

Today's the day, I am now 40. I remember when my mom turned 40 (I had just turned 10) and she got a sweatshirt from her friends that said, "I'd rather be 40 than pregnant." I can attest to that!

But, it's just a number. I cannot imagine there is anything else I would have hoped for at this point in my life (well, today I would have to say that I still want a Nook Color but more than that I want some answers for Carter's health issues). But overall, I love my kids, my husband, my job and my house. 40 is not bad at all!

I gave my gold star for last week to Venessa from Simon & Schuster. She sent me a copy of Dust & Decay which is the sequel to Rot & Ruin, one of my favorite books from 2010. In fact, besides The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, Dust & Decay was the other book I was most looking forward to in 2011.

Hope your Monday is great!!

Cooking with the Warnell BBQ

2011-05-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening I made a great hearty dinner. I made these ribs, with baked beans and cornbread. I am so proud of myself. The ribs were very good, but I know I can do better next time. Great easy recipe anyway. And I planned recipes for the whole week, I am really proud of myself. Let's see if I can follow through.

(This is another recipe I am going to try...)

Obviously...

2011-05-02T21:18:00.000-07:00

No one actually reads my posts because I am sure I would have gotten some condolence comments about my broken Nook!! Disappointed...

Taking Carter to the doctor today and I have decided that if this is from an intestinal issue I would almost rather it be celiac disease than crohn's. Gluten intolerance is way more mainstream now and there are a lot of products without gluten now. Maybe it would be good for us all...
Plus, if it is one or the other at least I would have an answer!!

What a Weekend

2011-05-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Birthday Party: We started the weekend by driving down to Renn's house to celebrate her birthday with her. Super quick, but wonderful!!

Health Update: Carter is doing ok. Not great, but I am keeping track of what he's going through. We still have to wait until after school is out to get his blood tested. He played in two soccer games on Saturday and it wiped him out.

Baseball: Max played in his first baseball game Saturday. He warmed up at first base and I was very concerned that he was playing that position because it is a pressure position! You have to catch fast balls and most importantly you have pay attention! But he did great! I was very impressed with him.

Dating: Carter also went on his first movie date on Sunday. He texted her to ask her out. I am not sure I will recommend that always but it works for these two. I dropped him off and he took her to Hoodwinked. They are so cute!

Broken Heart: I dropped my NOOK!!! I broke it and I broke my heart. I am over it now as I sit and type this and I decided that I would take the opportunity to save up for a Nook Color. So, if you wanted to get me a birthday present, you can just send me money (or a Barnes & Noble gift card).

Gold Star: I am going to give it to Max's baseball coach for having such faith in him! I guess my expectations need to be higher for him!!

2011-04-27T20:56:00.002-07:00

OMG!

2011-04-27T20:56:00.001-07:00

Harry Potter Preview. Breathe...

Cooking with the Warnell: Quick Dinner

2011-04-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is awesome, fancy and totally quick. My family loves it! Credit goes to my mother-in-law, she made this for Scott and he loved it so I had to re-create it.

*Marinate shrimp in pesto for a day. I always buy bags of frozen, uncooked tail on shrimp and I have a jar of pesto on hand because then when I don't have anything planned I can whip this up.

*BBQ (or bake) the shrimp. Jo puts hers on skewers. We didn't have skewers when we made these so we dumped the bag of shrimp and pesto in a disposable aluminum pan and BBQ them by putting the pan on the BBQ.

*Meanwhile, I made angel hair pasta which I tossed with a little butter and Parmesan cheese. Then I put the shrimp over the pasta. Carter just wanted the shrimp on the pasta with no pesto, but Scott added some of the pesto from the pan to his pasta.

Super quick, super easy and satisfying!

Happy Easter (& Gold Star)

2011-04-25T05:18:00.001-07:00

Well, a day late. My Easter was fantastic, how was yours? It certainly helped that the sun was shining and the sky was blue!

We went to the Lawrence Park this weekend even. I have missed taking my boys to the park, it's nice to know that neither of them think they are too old to go to the park with me.

My gold star goes to my cousin Patrick. He didn't do anything special, we just really enjoy his company and were so happy when he came to live in Whitefish. However, he is moving this summer--he got a new job a little closer to his family.

Second gold star to my friend Gina, who has been reading the books I recommend then coming in and gushing about them!

I also realized last week that some really good TV has started this spring. I love Game of Thrones (on HBO) and The Killing (on AMC). They are both on Sunday nights so I look forward to going into my room and closing the door and watching them by myself!

Who got your gold star?

Links for Friday

2011-04-22T05:41:00.000-07:00

*This such a cute rant written by a 10 year old girl. I know most of my readers have boys, but it's a fun read!

*Crushable (the site that gave us The Babysitter's Club if written by Bret Easton Ellis) listed the 10 YA books that scarred us for life. Super good fun (you have to read the reasons they picked those books). FYI-A Summer to Die: Every time I got a nosebleed after I read this book I was afraid I had cancer. And both Carter & Max are plagued with nosebleeds, so I always worry about them too!

*The above list led me to a link called "5 Surprising Facts About Sweet Valley High." More good stuff!

*If you are looking for a way to waste time today look no further than Sprocle.com. They have these timed quizzes that you can take, hundreds of them. I spent a whole afternoon taking the Harry Potter quizzes. The movie ones are fun too!

Hope you all have a Happy Easter!!

So Funny

2011-04-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

I can't get this video to embed so follow this link and see what is making me laugh this week. however, there is a lot of strong language so don't watch it around the children! (This will also explain why I will from now on call people with red hair Ragnas)

Sometimes I find it hard to think of something to post, so what I have decided to do is this. Remember those cool journal pages that can be found here? When I am truly truly at a loss I am going to pull something off one of those pages and answer it here. Not today though.

Here's My Favorite Thing Lately:

When I am preparing dinner or doing dishes and my family hangs out in the kitchen. Carter mostly does his homework at this time and Scott helps me out with whatever and Max will sit and chat or do homework or draw. Sometimes it is only for a few minutes and sometimes it is for an hour or more. But I have come to cherish these times as a family and I know they are as important to my family as they are to me!

I didn't do a gold star last week, which makes me sad. Part of the reason I put that in my planner is that I want to seek out someone who is doing something great (either for me or for the community). I know every week there should be numerous gold stars...let me dig deep, I can come up with one.

Thoughts

2011-04-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

*I am feeling EVERY bit of my 39 years today because I played volleyball on Tuesday. I am so sore that my body kind of just wants to shut down. For the last two days I have felt like I am walking through a dream!

*Carter has a track meet on Friday. We told him he has to try track because for gosh sakes there should be some track-ness about that kid! He is doing two events right at the beginning of the track meet and one right at the end. So that means I have to sit through the entire track meet to watch him. I feel like I should apologize to my parents for all those years they sat through track meets. At least my event took a long time.

*I love my new phone, but texting is a bit slower right now.

*Think of all the new words that have been created since the advent of the internet and cell phones. There are TONS of them! It's kind of cool this age we are living in!

*The things I really wanted (for my birthday or just sometime in the next year) are: a laptop, a new ipod and built in shelves. Well, the shelves are done (YAY!!). I got a cool new phone that kind of replaces my want for an ipod touch, but the reason I wanted a ipod was because mine kept dying pretty quickly. In my new van (yes, I got a new van right before spring break. they gave us a deal that we just kind of couldn't turn down) there is a USB post which I have my ipod plugged into that constantly charges it, so I don't need a new ipod. And, we bought two new laptops for the library. They are for the library however, they are also for us. But, Alli has a Mac laptop that she loves, and I told her I was pretty much keeping mine for me and she said ok. So, it all worked out!

Gold Star

2011-04-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Do I even have to say it?

Scott & Micah get my gold stars this week. Micah designed and built the shelves and Scott spent tons of time helping him install them.

I am so happy with my shelves!!!

Happy Birthday To Me!

2011-04-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Some of you may not realize but I have a monumental birthday coming up. At one point I mentioned that for my birthday I would like some bookshelves built into our basement (we have a friend who is a master at this). So after some measuring and discussing our friend built them over spring break. He and Scott just got done installing them this weekend, take a look:
And here they are with stuff on them:

Catching You Up

2011-04-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

So I am going to lay it all out there, where I have been this week. And I am going to discuss some gross stuff. Ready? Here we go:

Carter has been really tired and pale. For about a month. I just thought he hadn't truly gotten over when he was sick in late February. But he also was having diarrhea, for about the same length of time. I didn't think much about that either because he didn't really complain about it ever. But, last Sunday night he commented that his stool was white-ish. That got my attention.

So we went to the doctor to get some tests run. He had some blood drawn and I had to collect a stool sample (I warned you it would be gross).

Turns out Carter has really low iron levels in his blood. Very low. So he has iron deficiency
anemia. That in itself can be taken care of, but we aren't sure why he has this deficiency. So, next week, more tests and for now iron supplements.

I don't think it's anything serious, but it gives me something to worry about!

Spring Break Wrap Up & Gold Star

2011-04-04T04:52:00.000-07:00

That alarm was a horrible thing this morning. Horrible. But, it was a wonderful spring break and I am refreshed to start the last part of the school year!

Yesterday Scott spent most of the day in our basement with Micah Hill installing our new built in bookshelves and entertainment center. It is so cool. I took some before, during and after pictures but since they are not quite done I am not posting them until it is all complete.

We had a great time in Canby, it was relaxing and nice and cold and wet. But mostly relaxing. We went to the zoo one day and it was cold but fun, we went to the Nike Employee store, which was so much fun and overwhelming and we did some napping (seriously, Carter napped a few times!). The drives to and from were actually really good.

The gold star reciepient for last week was my mother-in-law Jo who cooked for us and let me nap and go off on my own a bit for some alone time shopping. She was completely awesome! Thanks Jo!!

How was your spring break and who gets your gold star for last week?

Ho-Hum (& Gold Star)

2011-03-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

I think that when you are so close to having a bunch of free time (spring break) you kind of shut down with every thing else.

*My house is a mess, but I don't want to clean.
*I haven't made dinner in about a week (nice!).
*Looking at my yard makes me want to throw up a little--the gross, wet brown grass covered in dog poop (we don't de-poop all winter so it is just gross right now, but I am waiting until it dries out a bit to get it done).
*I need to start getting out after school more--we used to go to a park or rails to trails or something. We haven't done that after school in quite some time. It bums me out and I need to start doing that again. Once a week will be my goal!
*I haven't posted on this blog for about a week and then it was kind of sporadic. I had been doing pretty good, now not so much--Sorry about that!!

I am just counting the minutes until spring break and we get out of the valley for a bit (we are going to Canby for a few days). It will be great to get a brain break!

Anyway, my gold star for last week goes to Norm. He is a substitute aide at the middle school and he hates to not be doing something so last week we had him start doing inventory and HE FINISHED IT!! Wow.

Who got your gold star?
How do you combat the Ho-Hums?

Random

2011-03-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

HAPPY St. PATRICK'S DAY!!

I bought a three pack of Coffeemate French Vanilla at Costco. I have been using this kind of creamer since I started drinking coffee. However, I normally get the fat free kind. After studying the nutrition labels I decided it was okay to get the full fat kind (and also that's the kind they had at Costco). However, it is not as flavorful as the fat free kind!! It just isn't. It's been a struggle to drink my coffee each day and now I have three bottles of it to get through. I need to buy another, more flavorful kind to add to my plain kind each morning.

There are quite a few movies I want to have seen--and I haven't. Time is a bitch isn't it? Never enough.

One week and two days till spring break, can't wait! We are heading to Canby for a few days. I like going west for spring break because it actually looks like spring over there!! Green grass, budding trees and flowers.

What are your spring break plans?

Brush With Fame

2011-03-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

It's me.

I am totally famous-ish.

Actually, not even close, but last summer I won a contest on the Recorded Books blog. After that, the woman who runs that blog read through my book blog and asked if I wanted to do some guest blogging for them. Then she asked if I would make some picks for their catalog. So I did just that. Now I have a two page spread in their 2011 catalog.

You can check it out by clicking the catalog on this page. Once it's open go to page 18 to see my spread. It's pretty cool, but I am totally blushing!

Deep Breath

2011-03-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, that time change kicked my butt--how about you?

I couldn't even fall asleep on Sunday night and I was so tired my eyes hurt. It was bizarre. I got up and watched some Battlestar Galactica, that's always good. I ended up with about 4 hours of sleep and somehow made it through the day on Monday!

But each day I wake up is a day closer to spring break and that makes me very happy.

We have all filled out our NCAA brackets. I did three-one for a school competition, one for a competition with a friend and her group and one against my family. I have Duke winning on one, Kansas winning on one and Ohio State winning on one. Nothing like picking a team and sticking with it!!

How is your week going?

(And you will notice that I didn't have a gold star award last week. Not because I didn't have one to give, but nothing really stuck out. I already have one for this week though.)

What's Up?

2011-03-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, these past two weeks have been low for my posting! It's not like I don't have things to say, I just haven't sat down to say them.

*Carter did get all A's!! I just have to report on that because I had already said he didn't. He is so excited! It was his goal after we told him that neither Scott nor I had ever gotten all A's. He is so happy about it!

*Scott is headed to Las Vegas today for a soccer coaches convention. It's nice to see that he is as excited about going to the convention as he is about going to Vegas. And the temperature is supposed to be in the high 70's while he is there. It is in the high 30's here.

*I finished the third Penderwicks book. It was every bit as wonderful and comforting as the first two.

*I have not been cooking a lot lately. We had Carter's birthday dinner on Monday--he is now a teenager, by the way--and we had chicken pot pie because that's what he requested. I was planning a small surprise lunch at school in the library with some of his friends, but he was out of school on Monday and Tuesday because he was still sick. Today is actually his first full day so I am having the lunch today.

*He and Max have decided to have a joint birthday party in April and do laser tag. It is relatively spendy, unless you divide it by two. We told them that would be their present also and they were both on board with that. They each get to invite 4 friends. They are SUPER excited! (And it's funny because we've been watching Outrageous Kid's Parties on TLC. Both boys comment on the brattiness of most of the kids they've had on their the insane-ness of the parties. We laugh because their bday party is just a tad cheaper and they don't get any presents from us).

*Another basketball tournament this weekend--in Whitefish. Hopefully Carter will be healthy and make it through all the games. We've kept him down all week.

How has your week been going?

Gold Star

2011-03-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

First of all, if any of you hope to get an organizer next year, you'd better start sharing your gold star stories!! I love to hear them...

This week I have three to give out--

one to MAX for being such a good, flexible kid. Sometimes he gets forgotten in the crush of things we do for Carter, but he is so amazing at handling it all very well. Love that kid!!

one to CARTER for working so hard to get a 4.0 this trimester and for almost succeeding! (darn sculpture class!)

one to SCOTT for working two days straight at the basketball tournament on the scoreboard. You totally deserve to go to Vegas this week and have a great time (oh, and learn a little bit about soccer too).

LOVE my family!!

Who did you give a gold star to?

Saturday, March 5

2011-03-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

We have been at a basketball tournament here in town all day today! Our team "hosts" the gym, helping run concessions, doing the scoreboard and official books, handling complaints, etc... It's a nice fundraiser for our team but it makes for a super tiring weekend.

Then tonight after our sceond game Carter threw up, guess he's not quite over being sick!

Anyway, sorry about the silence all week, it was just a busier week than I had thought!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JO!!

I hope your day was wonderful. I am so glad you are part of my life and thank you everyday for the son you raised so wonderfully. Have fun in Mexico!

Gold Star

2011-02-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

This week my gold star has to go to Scott for getting me a box of mints. He is awesome.

Carter was sick this weekend. I kept him out of school today because I really want him to get over this sickness and a lot of his friends have had it linger and been out of school for a week or more. He has a basketball tournament this weekend and needs to be well for that! However, I was watching him walk around in his boxers and realized he is kind of lanky. We measured him and he has grown an inch since November. His legs are long!!

Also, even if I have to pin him down each day he is going to start spiking up his hair, not like totally spikes, just mush up the front a bit. It looks so much better that way than when his bangs are straight down on his forehead.

Who got your gold star this week?

I Love The Internet!

2011-02-25T04:49:00.000-08:00

My cell phone battery is dying. I have to pretty much keep it plugged in all the time, at work, at home and in the car. However, I didn't want to go out and spend the money for a new battery since I was getting a new phone anytime. (Alltel in our area was bought out by AT&T, so we all got new AT&T phones). Last week our new phones came, but I learned that we wouldn't get to use them until mid-APRIL!! Well, yesterday was the last straw! My phone was dying every hour. I almost took the battery out of Scott's phone (which is the same as my phone). THEN I remembered ebay!!

I found a new battery for my phone for $5! I don't even care if it is not brand new, if it just holds a charge for at least a day I will be happy!!

Sometimes I Just Like To Laugh....

2011-02-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

There is a cure for this:

This one makes me laugh too:

What I Would Like to Change?

2011-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

If I could make one change in what I do it would be to cook dinner every night, whether we would be able to sit down together or not. That is what I wish I did.

Best. Husband. Ever.

2011-02-22T21:46:00.001-08:00

Scott was down in Helena this week to do some fishing. Brrrrr...

He stopped off at The Parrot Confectionery and BOUGHT ME A POUND OF MINTS!! My favorite candy of all.

I love him.

Breakfast Time with the Warnells

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe on The Pioneer Woman's website. It is so good, like egg salad on steroids. It makes a ton and since Scott and I are the only ones who eat it I cut it in half. I also toast the english muffins before I broil them.

Anyway, it's so good. Give it a try!

Make Ahead Muffin Melts.

Gold Star

2011-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

This week I have THREE gold stars to give out.

One to Doug for helping me pull my prank.

One to Brian Fox for being such a good sport about it!!

One to Lauren, who works for Random House, she sent me a review copy of The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, a new book coming out in May, part of my favorite series of all!

Who got your gold star this week?

The Prank

2011-02-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's what happened:

On Monday Carter came into the library with a bloody nose. He said, "Mr. Fox smacked me in the face." I was a tad skeptical because I know Mr. Fox, he is Carter's favorite teachers. So, I expressed my disbelief and then said, "He told you to tell me that didn't he." Carter, who can barely lie anyway, said, "Yeah." Knowing that Mr. Fox probably wanted a humorous reaction from me I didn't say anything, but my mind was already making plans.

I called Scott to see if there was someone on patrol that I knew pretty well (all these young guys--I don't know half of them!). There wasn't and he was out of town and Doug wasn't working, etc... So I decided to plan my revenge for the next day.

On Tuesday, I had Doug come up to the school. Now Doug used to be the school resource officer here so most everyone knows him...except the new teachers. Mr. Fox is a new teacher. I told Doug what happened and kind of what I wanted him to say to Mr. Fox.

He goes down to the classroom--although Doug is a detective he had a shirt on that had a embroidered badge and he had his belt with all his police goodies on it. He pulls Mr. Fox out of the classroom and tells him he is there investigating a claim that teachers are assaulting students. Mr. Fox, ever so helpful, says that if there is anything he can do to help the investigation to let him know. Then Doug brought it home and said, "Brian, the complaint was against you."

During this whole time I was hiding down the hall so I wasn't able to hear the conversation but I was able to see the body language. Doug was doing such an amazing job playing it straight and Brian was about peeing his pants.

Then Doug said something about a student with a bloody nose and how he told his parents that Mr. Fox had hit him in the face...then things started clicking for Brian so I finally showed my face and we all had a good laugh.

It was awesome, but I have to admit I am a little afraid of retribution! I think I am going to have to make him some cookies or something so he doesn't plan to get me back!

Good Day

2011-02-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a good day...

*I pulled the prank of the year (so far) at school. More on that later.
*I solved a computer problem at school--and no longer have to rely on other people to do so. (LOVE that!!)
*I got an review copy of a book I desperately want to read (The Penderwicks at Point Mouette--doesn't come out until May)
and
*my volleyball team won their last regular league season game making us undefeated for the season (tournament starts next week though and we do have to play better than we did last night if we want to win again).

*edited to add: And then today I went to a book blogging website I normally go to (The Story Siren--she is truly one of the premiere YA book bloggers) only to find that my blog is listed as one of the ones she reads! I am not sure if it is always like that or if her list changes a lot, either way, it's pretty cool for me.

It's nice to go to bed with a smile.

Gold Star & Scrapbooking

2011-02-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

This weekend we had our annual scrapbooking camp. It was a blast as always, tons of food, movies, chatting and scrapping. One thing I have decided is that I am going to make mini albums (I used some I got at Target) one (or so--2009 took me two and that was without our vacation pictures being in there)for each year, and one for big events. I think I have gotten to the point where I take really good pictures and I need to let those speak for themselves. I also hate that my pictures are never on display (some in frames, but not enough) and nobody really wants to sit and read someone else scrapbooks (unless that are about you or you are a scrapbooker). So, these mini albums will be sitting out and everyone can look at them. There is a little journaling in each one, but nothing that makes it overwhelming to look at.

Scott had a great weekend with the boys. He was productive and cooked and just generally had a good time. He was in a really good mood when I got home which just shows me how much he enjoyed his kids this weekend!

So, anyway, I am giving my gold star to old friends. I love making new friends and I cherish them, but to have the comfort of a friend that you don't get to see or talk to as often as you'd like, but can pick up at a moments notice like there was never a lull is so special!

I don't get to see Renn very often at all and we do email and text some, but when we see each other it's just like we'd saw each other only yesterday.

The group of friend I went scrapbooking with is a group I used to see once a month, but now it stretches out, and our lives are taking us in all directions, but we can just pick right up where we left off!

That is such a wonderful thing to have!

Who got your gold star this week--please share (that was the deal, remember?)?

Dinnertime with the Warnells

2011-02-10T04:23:00.000-08:00

Last night I made a new recipes. It had Alfredo sauce, tomato sauce, Italian sausage, a packet of spaghetti seasoning, mozzarella, and pasta. Doesn't all of that sound good together. You kind og layer it like a lasagna. And I am sure it would have been fantastic!

If, I had put spaghetti sauce seasoning mix in the recipe instead of TACO seasoning!

Gross. That's all I have to say.

However, I will make it again soon, the right way. And then I will post the recipe for you!

Gold Star

2011-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

This week I am giving out two Gold Stars:
one to Carter for stepping outside his comfort zone and for taking his "girlfriend" to yogurt after school on Friday. It was a big move for him, but he enjoyed himself a lot and was glad he did it. And he also has a 4.0 on his midterm.

one to my mom for watching Max when he was sick. I got home after lunch after he had already stopped throwing up so she got the brunt of the illness. I just got a no energy kid with a fever that I got to nap with!

Who got your gold star this week?

Heartbreak

2011-02-07T07:14:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Carter's traveling team was playing in Anaconda. Because there are not a lot of hotel options in Anaconda our team was staying at FairMont Hot Springs. Max and Carter were going down with Scott and if I was able to get a sub at the Summit I was going to go down too. I showed Max images of the hotel and the giant waterslide and he got super excited.

Then he got really sick on Thursday. It's rare for Max to even get sick (since he had his tonsils out before kindergarten) and he was throwing up, which is even more rare for Max. And he had a fever. And he still had a fever on Friday. I told him we'd be staying home, but for some reason in his brain he did not match up Fairmont with this weekend. So, when he discovered on Sunday that he missed out on going to the hot springs he was so upset.

He tried to be really brave and not cry too much when I was telling him that there was nothing I could do about it, but he went up to his room and sobbed. This is so me. I prefer to cry in the solitude of my room. His little heart was breaking!

We talked to him about maybe going sometime later and he did buck up good for the evening. It helped that he won quite a few times during our Super Bowl gambling. It made me so sad though. We should have just gone because he was totally fine on Saturday.

Video Thursday

2011-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

This video Carter's American History teacher showed his classes the other day. It is pure awesome:

They have a website and you can download the song for free.

That led me to finding this--a classic I tell you!

Some people are just amazingly clever!

Dinner Time with the Warnells

2011-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

I made Chicken Tortilla Soup on Monday. It was super quick and super good. Carter & Max didn't love it because of the tomato chunks--but they ate it. Scott and I really liked it and it made great leftovers for school lunch.

HAve you made anything really good lately?

Gross

2011-02-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

Have you ever taken a bath and been sitting there relaxing...and saw some fuzz float by? Doesn't it make you wonder where the fuzz was hiding all that time?

I firmly believe it came from my toes since I was wearing new socks all day.

Maybe this is TMI?

Gold Star & Life Lessons

2011-01-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

This week my gold star goes to all of my children's teachers. They are both having good years and really enjoying school. The credit goes to their teachers for taking the time to make sure that they understand the work. It makes less work for me!

I hope that Carter is learning some life lessons this year. He has had three sleepovers where he has had little to no sleep. He is completely useless the rest of the weekend. We had a lock-in at church on Friday night. I would say that everyone got about four to five hours of sleep. Carter was asleep by 8 pm both Saturday and Sunday night. I hope he learns that he needs his sleep!

Who got your gold star this week?

My Motto

2011-01-28T06:38:00.000-08:00

Love this!!

Dinner Time with the Warnells

2011-01-27T12:36:00.000-08:00

Last night I made Mexican Shepard's Pie. I got the recipe from a friend who got it from AllRecipes.com. I really liked it, and Scott really liked it and both boys ate it, but I don't think they loved it. Anymore it feels like you wouldn't ever need to purchase a cookbook with the abundancy of recipes online. I love checking out foodgawker everyday because it seems to narrow down all the choices and gives a good sampling of recipes available each day. A few times each week I find a recipe I want to try on there.

What about you? Have you made anything good lately? Where do you find the recipes you'd like to try?