Apple Cider and Scones

I hope you aren't too disappointed by the title of this post. There are NO recipes here. Remember who's blog you are reading. I can decorate, throw a party, sew and paint like nobody's business... but I DON"T COOK!
So, sorry no recipe. That title is in reference to my Monday morning surprise visitor. Jessica had read my last post early that morning and decided to cheer me up with apple cider (she made from the apple harvest in her back yard and the homemade pumpkin scones she ground up the wheat to make)  just kidding it was Starbucks but I wouldn't put that other stuff past her! It's because she is having a baby any day now that I got store bought. And actually she did give me homemade choc chip cookies tonight after she watched my kids for me no less! Now you can see how I use and abuse my friends...be glad you don't live too close.
Back to subject...
Once I had enough courage to publish my last post, I couldn't believe the instant relief I felt. I realize now it's not only because I was able to release all of those feelings, but most importantly I knew that I had instant support just by putting it out there. I have been blessed with such amazing family and friends (cyber friends included) and just knowing that they know what I am going through is enough.
I am so grateful for the words of comfort and support. I can guarantee I will be reading that post again with all it's comments to help me get through a future bad day.
For now, I am out of my funk, thanks to all of my faithful readers for all of the love (I totally felt it) and here is some other good stuff that has lifted my spirit...
Eden is the VIP in her class this week so we had to make a poster.

This is what it looks like up close...

She very carefully,(almost annoyingly), picked out EVERY picture.

A few of her favorite things...cheddar cheese, cupcakes, cookies, soccer and dance.

Her three wishes...to go to art class again, to go back to Disneyland and to get her baby brother soon.

When she grows up she wants to be an artist.

Things she doesn't like...cats, broccoli and airborne.

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Remember how I mentioned the yelling problem I have? Well in Sunday School the teacher (who has 11 grown children) mentioned that she had a problem with yelling when her kids were young. One day a good friend told her that there were no screaming mothers in the celestial kingdom. So she decided she had to pray everyday for help. So that is what I'm trying to do. I made the commitment to stop yelling about a year ago and it worked for a while but sometime this summer I lost it. So the other night when the girls were in bed, I asked them NICELY and CALMLY for 15 minutes to stop talking. They wouldn't stop. So I lovingly marched into their room, turned on the light and in two giant, loving, swoops grabbed all of their dolls and animals off their beds, turned off the light, shut the door softly and dumped the loot in the hallway... WITHOUT saying a single word.

The wailing and gnashing of teeth that immediately happened afterward was CPS worthy. There was some "She is the meanest mom ever! Why would she do this to us?..." It was hysterical. Aric went in and tried to calm them down. He reassured them that I wasn't going to give them (the toys, not the kids) away to the local shelter but maybe the next day they could talk to me about earning them back.

So far it's worked like a charm. They have earned a few back by obeying the FIRST time, which is a major issue in our house, and doing extra jobs. AND...I haven't yelled for 2 days.

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More good stuff...

I got to hang out with my sister and Max A LOT the past few days because my brother in law took their four girls to New York for his sisters wedding. Max got so bored being with just his mom they had to get out of the house.

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I can't post a picture of it yet, but my bathroom is almost done!  It could have been done by now, because on Saturday Aric got all motivated and said he was going to work until midnight. After the soccer was done we got straight to work. But two hours later the power went out. Aric thought I did it because I was using power tools in the garage. But when all the neighbors started coming out we realized it wasn't just us. The power didn't go back on until almost 3am. So we hung out at Ev's until bedtime, then read by candle light and in bed by 10pm. Very Little House on the Prairie like. The girls thought it was awesome!

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Today I started getting our stuff ready for parent profiles. It's the #1 adoption website out there. It takes awhile but my goal is to have us up and running by next Monday.

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And last but not least. Aric and I were able to go to the temple tonight and it was everything I needed. Having temple blessings in my life... that's the best stuff of all.

By the way... if you are still hungry for apple cider and a pumpkin scone go visit your local Starbucks it will hit the spot!