Thank you and maybe a little too negative?

I just want to say thank you for all who replied on my previous post about challenges. That is not what I expected at all. Everyone was so kind and caring and I haven't been worthy enough to deserve it.

I feel that I should have been more positive and not so focused on what is going wrong in my life, but I am thankful that I can share that with my family and close friends, each of you have been a blessing in my life and I love you all very much and know you are special. Thank you for helping to bear my burdens even though you are carrying your own.

And they all came tumbling down...

This is what happens when you are on the computer talking to your friends and also on some really good pain medications... your other two are in the other room playing the wii and all of a sudden you realize that your 3 year old is very quiet. You here a "Oh no.. dadgumit.." come from your 3 year old and you know that that means something that cannot be good!
So, you turn and see your little guy almost to the top shelf of the book case and it is falling down with him on it. All the books go flying every direction they possibly can and you go rescue your little daredevil from his high climbing, dare diving adventure!


So naturally he is the first one to jump in and try to clean up his mess. So what do you do as a mother in this situation?
A. run and spank him for climbing up there
B. just ignore what happened
C. hurry and get the camera because it is just too funny not to
D. try not to laugh while helping him clean it up and tell him we don't do that and scold him in a Christ-like way.

I opted for C and D.. as you can plainly see. What would you have done in my place?


As soon as I get the results from the above poll, I will post them and see if I was on the right track...LOL

Our challenges strengthen us...

For a person who likes to consider herself as pretty healthy, nothing could be further from the truth...at least lately.

I know that our challenges are supposed to make us stronger..if that were in physical terms I will end up being pretty buffed! I guess we can't have perfect health all the time but that sure would be nice!

It all started with a check-up at the dentist office to get an exam. I had a big cavity under a big filling. I had the cavity drilled out and he said that it was right on top of my nerve. We were in hopes that I wouldn't need a root canal, however, after a week and a half of intense pain we went ahead and started the process. We uncovered an infection which had spread down to my jaw line. He couldn't finish it because it was too painful. He put me on antibiotics to help clear up the infection. OF course I get the all time favorite yeast infection, then sinus infection, the next week was in a lot of pain due to a kidney infection and then a bacterial infection in my lungs which I was hacking up bloody mucus. I was unable to go visiting teaching last month because I was quite sick and now this month am quite sick again... I am sure my sisters wonder if I want to come! Now I am enduring a very, very painful gall bladder infection that sent me to a place that I don't like to go.. but they needed to make sure it wasn't filled with stones. They think it might not be emptying correctly. Pain meds have been my best friend the past two days and I detest being on them! I have only slept 4 -5 hours in 2 days so I am very tired. Haven't been able to eat or drink anything without it causing severe pain and making me sick.. have already lost 10 pounds in a month from not knowing how or changing anything...

I will get through this..always do! I will come out the better person from this. I very rarely talk about how I am feeling...most people are consumed with their own challenges, they don't need mine to add to theirs!

So maybe the next time you see me I might be emotionally, spiritually and physically toned.. ok maybe not the physical part..LOL!

I want to say a special thank you to my sweet friends who have been there with me through all of this. And to those family members I have shared this with... You just don't know what you have done for me... I love you all dearly! You know I don't like to talk about the negative in my life, but like a family member once told me.. if Idon't share some of my struggles and write them down, my descendants won't be able to relate with me.. so I said it and now on to positive things in my life!

Read me a story Daddy...

I couldn't help but smile when I watched Ross read to Brayden. Things like this definately does a Mother's heart good!


I thought that this was cute they way they were both reading a book.


I am so grateful to have a husband that loves to be involved with his children and takes the time to build relationships and create memories with them. I love them dearly.

An organized freezer makes life easier

I had read this in a magazine a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a try. I absolutely love it! Although I had to make some minor alterations and take out the containers on the top shelf to fit the roasts, it is still neat and you know right where everything is. No more digging thru your meat to find that long wanted pork roast!

I hope this helps some and those that are already organized in their freezer...well you are ahead of me! At least I can now feel like I have something in my life that is in its place...

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! Today you are 3!! Just 3 short years ago you came into this world such a little guy, 5 lbs 10 oz. You spent 8 days in the NICU in Boise, but you took yourself off of everything! You have always been a fighter! We are so blessed to have you in our home!

This was a kiss from your Grandma Stevens... I just love this one!

And now here you are, our big boy who brings so much joy to our family. We love you so much and are blessed to be your parents!! Everyone loves you and you bring a smile to all who are blessed to know you!!

New Family Pictures

2 weeks ago a young gal that we know took us to Catherine Albertson's park in downtown Boise to take our family pictures. This was the first time that we have ever had anyone take our pictures outside! We had a blast, the weather was perfect and she did a great job. Most of all, Brayden cooperated!

We look forward to getting them taken in October when the leaves turn beautiful colors. I think that I happen to have a very beautiful family!

Training in Progress...

For the past couple of days Brayden has come to me and said that he needs to go potty! YEA!! I hope that this continues to to the point where we are officially out of diapers. I am a little sad because he is my last one, but let's face it... diapers and wipes are EXPENSIVE and a hassle! I took him to Bi-Mart today here in Emmett to pick out his first pack of candy for going potty.

I have nothing against bribery when it is the first time.. afterall, we all do better with postive motivation!! His candy he picked out was Salt Water Taffy.. pretty good choice! Anyway, I am just excited about our progress!

Move over Van Gogh...

And you thought he painted the above picture...

I really didn't want a picture of me this morning... Raelene got one anyway...

Miss Rae is hard at work...

The soon to be famous Artist.. Brayden von Stevens... will take orders if you would like yours for Christmas gifts..LOL!


And the finished Masterpiece is...

Brayden had a fun time, although he wanted Raelene and I to paint more than he did. He handed us the foam after he dipped it in paint. It was fun to participate with him and feel like a kid again!

Our first BSU game!

A special thanks to Ross' brother for getting us tickets to Saturday Night's BSU game, Ross and I were able to attend our first game ever! It was such a fun experience for us both. We sat above the 25 yard line and 17 rows up on the second story. WE had a wonderful view. The only thing I didn't like about the experience was listening to the people behind us talk with a very foul mouth and then others complaining about the way the players were playing. I thought to myself"then if you are so good why aren't you out there instead of them?" But I figured that wouldn't go over too well.

The sun was on us through part of the game and then finally went behind the stadium. All of it was quite the eye opener for me. To see that many people all gathered together. To see all the tail gate parties. I am not good in large crowds but did well considering.

It was a fun date for Ross and I and am very grateful for the experience thanks to his brother and wife.

Oh yeah, the score was 48-0 Boise over Miami of Ohio. They played great, especially the defense!

Who needs bread and jam? /butterfingers!

My little boy just loves peanut butter, but loves to eat it right out of the jar!! Forget the bread and jam, just use my hand is what he is saying! I finally decided to take a picture before washing him up... It is sad when you look for reasons to take a picture so you have something cute to post or save for future bribes!?



I am still getting fuzzy pictures, who hired that photographer anyway!? But just loved the expression on his face.. what a ham!

Santa in September

Santa has made his appearance at our home just the other day! Or should I say Santa's helper... I thought this was too cute to not take a picture. He loves whip cream just like his daddy! Just right out of the container is his favorite way to eat it. Who needs anything with it when it is yummy all by itself?!

Back to School and lots of New!

It is so hard for me to believe that my once "little boy" has now started Jr. High this year. This year things are very different for him at the new school. He now has a locker, classes upstairs, outside and downstairs. He gets up an hour earlier( my favorite part!) and also gets home almost an hour earlier. I so remember my years in jr high and I wouldn't go back in a million years. Am grateful for the experience but was a learning curve and hard years. As I look back over the years , I still remember holding him in my arms and saying to myself"I hope time passes slowly." Now he is 12 years old, the last of being a child and will soon be on to his teen years. I feel like he should just be starting Kindergarten, not Jr High! He is a great kid and we are so blessed to have him in our home!
Raelene has started the 6th grade this year. Wasn't I just walking her down to the bus stop and seeing her off to her very first day of school, yesterday??? Now she is among the oldest of her school mates and is not sure if she likes it yet... give her time and I think she will change her mind. I can't believe she will be starting Jr High next year! She was just crawling yesterday, walking today and now running tomorrow! She starts a new chapter in her life, one that is both exciting and a little nerve racking for both of us! It is a joy to watch them grow up into mature young adults, yet sad for how time flies by so fast. I like to enjoy every minute I can with my children. I love all 3 of them dearly!

These are bitter sweet moments for me... it is nice to have some one on one time with Brayden and I enjoyed it when I had it with my other 2, but is sometimes hard to send them off for 8 hours a day..

Yummy Mandarin Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe

8c. tomatoes, peeled & diced
7c. sugar
1/2 c. soy sauce
3c. vinegar
3 to 4 c. onion chopped
4c. peppers chopped
4c. pineapple tidbits (save juice to use with water below)
3/4 to 1 c. non-instant clear jel
1 c. sugar
1 c. cold water (& pineapple juice to make 1 cup)
(you could probably try just 6 c sugar and reserve the 1 c of it for the clear jel)

Place the first 7 ingredients in large kettle and bring to boil. Then mix together the clear jel, & sugar, then add water..stir well and add to the kettle. Continue to cook until thickened. Bottle in pints. Process in boiling water bath for 35 minutes. Makes about 14 pints. Serve warm or cold over cooked chicken and rice or whatever you like.