Aspergers- living under the umbrella~!

or in the umbrella, the whole crazy spectrum! I keep running into people with aspi children. I am amazed at how many are around, before my son was diagnosed I never noticed, now its everywhere! These awesome, loving children, who are thrust into a society that cant deal! Yes you saw that LOVING! I know most people think of autism or aspergers and think of children or people who do not want to be touched, and while that happens its not always the way it is. I have found my boys to be very loving, hug-able and caring! You have to give just the right pressure when hugging, not to soft not to hard. Also dont just grab either and hug them, ask first, or wait until they approach you! Thats the best, my 7 year old Sir N gives the greatest, tightest hugs! I love it!
I am always learning about my boys, the do's and dont's. They are always changing also. I am putting together a list of sites for aspergers and autism that are my favorites. For right now I am going to put them into a post all by themselves, until I decide how I want it done. I want them easily found. I think I am going to start blogging more about the adventures of being a mom to an aspie, and well all the other variety in my home! I do have a variety! We have aspergers, tourettes, a yet to be narrowed down tic disorder, ADHD, Bi-polar, depression, anxiety disorders,Agoraphobia, PTSD and then we get to the physical stuff! but for now I am focusing on the emotional stuff. With everything the kids have gone through in the past couple years they have a lot to eal with and process as kids. They are in therapy to help them learn how to process and deal. Its not always easy.
so for now here is a short list of sites I like to visit! Enjoy, get a glass of milk, bottle of water, or whatever you like to drink, kick back and read. Learn about these awesome people, who are thrown into a world that does not fit them, expected to change and fit in, and how you can help them accept who they are, and love them no matter what!
http://www.autismsocietyoftheheartland.org/

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

http://www.aspergers.com/

http://www.aspergerssociety.org/indexlef....CFQEeDQodplyaNA

my most favorite:http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

another awesome site: http://www.aspergerplanet.com/

this is a book, if you can find it and read it it is awesome and helps understand better than any book I have found http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/55/11/1324
also a list of other books, some are good. Geeks Freaks and aspergers is awesome

http://www.insidethebubble.co.uk/freaks.php

howdy all!

SHHHHHH got a secret! The kids don't know it yet! But May 7Th is kids day at the K!! The program they are in for school purchased tickets for them! I had to pay for 1 ticket, they even paid parking! So Now I am trying to make sure I have gas money for the 4 1/2 hour trip there, watch the game and drive 4 1/2 hours home! UGHHHHHH what a drive that will be. I am not telling the kids in case something comes up that we cant. I see the pain specialist the 5th, so depending on what they do it could mess up the trip. It will be a long day driving there and then back after the game. The kids will have a blast though! I am a little excited myself!(not bout the drive time) I hope the doc can help my back some so we can make it!
Lets see what else we have happening........ Mom made up side down pineapple cake last night! She was making the cake part and went to get the flour and it was gone! somehow we went through 40 pounds with out realizing it. That's OK, I pulled out the grinder, and made some flour with the steel cut oats I have! Oatmeal flour is awesome! Never used it in cake before but it turned out awesome!!! I use it in my bread and cookies but nothing else. It was good. Kids did not notice it at all! Yesterday was her turn for dinner also! She made homemade bread/biscuits and a stew! It was yummy. We each take a turn to cook here. That way the kids all learn to cook. When they cook if they need help me or sometimes mom help.
Whoever cooks dinner is also responsible for lunch that day. And the kids help plan the menu, I figure if they are cooking it they should have some say in what they want to cook- unless its mac n cheese for the 10Th time!
Sunday is me
Monday is Loo
Tuesday Gma
Wednesday is Boo
Thursday is chubby/me
Friday is Bubba- I mean peekachu!
Saturday is Sir N
They can make a dessert also if they want. I help Chubby, Sir N and usually Loo.
It makes it less work for me. I don't have to work and then try to cook every day.
We are having some yucky weather, rain, chilly, more rain. Its making everything green up outside. I will take the camera out today- if it stops raining long enough, and take some pics of the flowers and bushes popping up all over! The grass needs mowed badly. I bought a new mower a while back, Damein and Boo put it together, it started up fine then but wont start now! I have no clue whats up. I am thinking maybe I need a sledgehammer! ok ok I wont(maybe) I did find it sitting outside the garage one day, it had been raining, I am wondering if the gas cap was on good enough or something along those lines. All I am positive of is I am frustrated! Brand new mower and it wont work! UGH I so do not want to learn to fix it! Especially when I have no clue whats broke. I looked at the papers with it, the only thing we have not tried is new gas in it. So we may be emptying that and adding new, see if it helps.
If we don't mow soon I'll loose the kids when they go outside to play!
Found a great deal on an air conditioner. Now I have to stretch the money to pay for it! Its used, but works. All I care about is works! So hopefully I can swing that.
Yesterday was med checks for kids. Sir N has a few ticks, we are trying to decide if he has tourettes also. I am not to worried, if he does he does, no biggie. Already have 1 kid that does. We are not using any meds to control the ticks right now. I see no reason to, if they get bad enough to interfere with his daily life, or he starts to be embarrassed over them then we will talk meds. But until he wants it we will skip it. I am going to be researching tic disorders, see what other kids there are. He does not have any vocal, he does not meet requirements for tourettes right now, but definitely has something happening.
So thats all for now I believe, unless I come up with something catchy to say later when I am bored and working!
Love ya'll

~~ Its FRIDAY!!~~

SO what doe that mean? Nothing really. It means tomorrow is Saturday, I hope to go buy stuff to work on the porch tomorrow. Church is Sunday, and then its Monday again. I'll get in some school with kids over the weekend. I have been doing work with Sir N especially on Weekends.
So I sit here this morning, not feeling well, discouraged over a phone call from the doc yesterday, x ray results on back were not good. I go to the pain clinic and see someone who specializes and get more tests on back. I have to wait until the 5Th. Not making me happy. So I know a little of the x ray result, no details, and that they are recommending an epidural for pain. UM YA RIGHT! I skipped out on that joy while in labor, why would I do it when I am not getting a baby in return??? OK so I will talk to the doc more, and see how it works before I say no for sure. I always thought an epi made you numb and not be able to walk, so I am grasping at how that will work, I have to be able to walk, drive, chase kids, and all that fun mommy stuff, not willing to be confined to a chair! So for now I keep on going. Have my patch on(its not helping) my other meds, not helping, but oh well.
So anyway I was feeling kinda sorry for myself, the pain getting to me today. When the mail comes! Guess what I got??? Come on guess
did you guess??
not yet?
NOPE YOUR WRONG!
try again!
I got UNDERJAMS! Night wear! 1 whole pull up! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO time to party! Celebrate! I am psyched! Its just what I have been wanting!
ok serious, I did get the pull up, it did give me a chuckle, odd thing to get in the mail. But there was more....... drum roll please.........................
My Title to the van!!
Yup its all paid for, and all mine now! I have the paper work to prove it! I needed the boost! So the van is paid, another 5 years and the house will be paid for! I would love to find a small car, good on gas for errands that are just me or me and 1 or 2 people. But for now I am happy with my van!
I also had this in my email this morning. I think it fits, it reminds me on a day like today that all will be ok. I dont go into detail on my health here, I dont want to whine and complain, it does get brought up, its part of life and effects all I do. But today, and yesterday have been rough.
Miracles Do Come
"I delight in the Lord's mercies and miracles (see "Bless Our Fast, We Pray," Hymns, no. 138). I know that His tender mercies and His miracles, large and small, are real. They come in His way and on His timetable. Sometimes it is not until we have reached our extremity. Jesus's disciples on the Sea of Galilee had to toil in rowing against a contrary wind all through the night before Jesus finally came to their aid. He did not come until the "fourth watch," meaning near dawn. Yet He did come. (See Mark 6:45-51.) My testimony is that miracles do come, though sometimes not until the fourth watch.
Susan W. Tanner, "My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord," Ensign, May 2008
So with that in mind I'll go through the day, knowing that eventually my miracle will come. No matter what kind, what type, the form it will.It may not be no more pain, it may be- hey it may be knowing I can get through another day, a hug from one of my babies,a flower brought in by my baby E, a bloom on one of the many bushes,trees and flowers in the yard, or my garden getting done. It may be my having enough get up and go to finish the repairs I need to do, there are many ways. It may even be in the email, the message, giving me hope, knowing it will get better. Maybe it came today!
So I will go about my day, work, and do the things I can, that need done, and remember to be greatful for what I have, what I have been given, my many blessings.
Last night I went out, did some yard work, hung up 2 bird feeders, cleaned the porch up! Walked around, found more flowers! The pile of wood on the side of the house is moved now!! The firewood off the porch! Boo was going to mow, but the mower would not start! NOT good, its new! Maybe today.
So thats bout it folks! Hope your weekends is awesome! and spring brings you hope, happiness and all that good stuffs!
Looking forward to hearing from some of you family and friends!
oh and I will be posting again today, some thought(I know scary me and thoughts AH RUN) anyway thoughts I had going through my mind on family, and stuff. Its going to take me a few to sort it and put it on paper- oh wait that would be put it on blog!no wonder its taking so long to show up!
I need to sleep or something!
love
J

need a laugh?!

This is so funny! I watched while working, I had to take a break so I did not get a call, I could not stop laughing! I needed this laugh today. If your having one of those days, really need a laugh, this will do it!

so did you notice?

blog looks different? Ya I am sure you did. I got up today and went to look at something on it, and the whole thing was outta whack! Things in strange places they did not belong, at the bottom, all over, it was a mess!
I kinda have it fixed, and for now its on this lay out. I may have time to fix it while I work today, I don't know, Depends on the call volume. I am looking at other lay outs, see if I find something I like more.
We were supposed to go to the Park yesterday, did not happen. Battery on the van ws dead when we got in to go! I managed to get a jump start last night. I think one of the kids had left the door open or something along those lines.
Nothing much has been happening. Same old every day thing. Work, school, house, Tai Chi, work out, kids, meals, clean, laundry, and sometime during all that we hope I wake up!
So keep checking in, you may find its changed again!

bread pudding and starts!!!

The other day Gma, chubby and Baby E made bread pudding, I took pics of the chefs and their master piece! And this morning when I went to water my seeds I found LIFE!!!!! and you all know I am a picture freak, so of course I had to take pics of the starts!

The 12!

I saw this and thought it was cute,and catchy. I am thinking about having the kids learn it.

Shovels and dirt and flowers, and hey its SPRING!

mumblings and mutterings of a VERY bored mom at work! So if I make no sense, sorry, feel free to skip over, but make sure to watch the video!So Today is Tuesday! I work part day, then I have a doctor app. going in to see if he can do something different for my spine. Doubt there’s anything new but gotta try. Tomorrow I only work a couple hours in the morning. After that we are heading to a park Earth Day with some home schoolers. I think we will take a lunch maybe. I really need to get my garden done, but until I get a little more pain control it’s not happening. The hardest part will be either digging or tilling. But I can’t do either right now.Kids are doing good.They are keeping up with school for the most part. I am going to try to start doing the letter of the week with Baby E and Chubby. I used it with the others and they loved it! I had forgotten about it until yesterday when I read something about it. I know chubby will love it. The kids had started to slack a bit on school, so I have had to tell them that come Friday if the whole week is not done they don’t get late night. They do not like that idea, but oh well. School comes first. I have taken Sir N’s and put it into folders, labeled them Mon- Fri , so it’s easier for him to know what to do as far as his paper work.I know we are all ready for summer break. We normally don’t take the whole summer off. But I am thinking we may at least take a full month off this year. Not sure yet. I do know I am ready for a break, so are the kids.Nanna is doing ok. She is job hunting still. She is doing ok. Boo is good. He works hard at his schooling. Bubba- oh peekachu is doing good also. Baby E walks around singing “I’m a gummy bear, I m a gummy bear, gummy bear gummy bear” It is so cute and funny. Cracks me up. If you have never hear the song check it out. She sounds a lot like it when she sings it!She walks around singing it and calling for her peekachu(bubba) you can’t stay mad or down around her, she is too funny! She is sweet and loveable big time also.Chubby is quit funny. He has an imagination that’s unreal. I don’t know where he comes up with the stuff he does, but he keeps us laughing also. In the morning when I do my T’ai Chi he comes in and does it with me sometimes. He will put his arms in a circle and say “hug the tree I am one with the tree” He is way too serious when he does it! It’s hard to keep going when he does that. Then when I do my 2-4 mile work out I always have either him or baby e with me, and she thinks we have to hold hands while doing it. That makes it so much harder! But she is convinced it’s the way to go.

I Am A Gummy Bear - Long English Version @ Yahoo! Video

my Sunday ramblings, not saying much,mainly playing

Hello everyone. Hope you had a great weekend.            

Chubby and Baby E helped Gma make bread pudding tonight! They had lots of  fun doing it I took pics of them with their master piece when done! I made bean and cheese burritos for dinner. Very simple meal. Cook 2 pounds black beans with onion and garlic in crock pot all day. Dran well and mash, fill tortillas with bean and cheese, roll and bake for a few so cheese melts. They are better when I make the tortillas but I did not do that tonight. They are good. I usually make them when I have cooked a roast, and shred some and make beef n cheese also.    I messed around playing on the computer and blog. I did not make it to Church, my back was hurting to bad.  I think my new rule is I am not allowed to do anything on Saturday, then I don’t hurt so bad Sunday and may make it to Church again!     I have missed more than I like to miss, more than I usually miss in a year I think. Or at least it feels like it. I am really needing my Sunday fix. We have not made it to anything since our move, its hard for the kids. It is frustration. Maybe next week. 

oh ya I forgot, Baby E has started calling Bubba her peekachu, so from here on out (aside from when I forget) bubba will be referred to as The peekachu! Its so cute when she says it, "come here peekachu, I love you" "I need my peekachu. I'll put pics of the bread pudding cooks and masterpiece tomorrow. Bt for now I am thinking I am heading to dream land! I hope to make it past 12:30 tonight! I work tomorrow so I really need sleep!  Loves to ya'll drop me a not, IM, Email, phone call, however but keep in touch!

Love muchly                                                                                             Lady Jae

How are you influencing people?

Something was said to me that made me stop and think about how we influence others in our lives. When you think about it it can be a little intimidating! OK for me a lot intimidating! I know I am responsible for my kids, teaching them to grow and be good people, productive people, caring, loving people. I want them to be determined, hard working, service giving people, honest, humble, non judgmental. How do I teach them? With my own actions. They learn by everything they see me do, everything I say, everything I don't do and should. They learn from the people I associate with, everything. I expect that, to influence them in all I do. So I try hard to do whats right, far from perfect at it, but I try. I admit when I am wrong, or have made a mistake, or done something I should not. I apologize, I talk about forgiving, forgiveness in general. I try to show them the right way to express emotions, it does not always work and we have door slamming perfected in my house!

But how many others do I influence? What about you? How do we influence others? I have been thinking about it. I have found I influence others in everything I do, scary hu? Yes it is, to me at least. The realization that there is always someone watching what I do, say, think, actions, what I am reading, listening to, watching, where I go, how I look, clothing, make up, hair, you name it, someone sees it and it may be a small insignificant effect, but its still there. I know of a couple things in life that I have done that were big influences in others lives. I wont go into detail, they are personal experiences, things that happened with out my intending to, but that I was told of by the people involved later. I have learned by blogging, the blogs I read influence a lot of what I do, from cooking, food storage, arts n crafts, religious views, friends, service. I had not thought about my blog influencing others, but I guess it has. Scary. With that in mind I hope in my blogging I have set good examples, not complained to much, and been positive. I hope that if I have influenced through it it has been a good influence, and not something others would think bad of. I know there are a few regular readers, and from time to time I get an email from some one I know, and at times a stranger with some kind of comment on what I have written. Luckily so far its been nice comments, I hope to keep it that way.

But now as I think about it, how do I want to influence the readers of my blog? Influencing was not my intention when I started. I started to keep in touch with other home schooler, to record school activities, to keep in touch with family and friends. It has evolved, I have put Units for school on it, I have even sold some. I have a variety of things going into the blogs now. Our life, the good and bad, gardening, cooking, religion, schooling, holidays, its my journal of my life, of my kids, and a letter to those I love to let you all know how we are. Its a way to record my children as they grow and change. It is so many things. I don't set out to convert anyone, not in Church, politics, schooling, life style, or anything else. I just write what comes to mind. I hope That as people read they have good thoughts, I hope I have never influenced anyone in a negative way. I realize many read and its just something to read, no influencing, but some are influenced. I have had people ask more details on projects we have done at home so they can do them also. I think its fun when that happens. Although most of our fun projects I cant take all the credit for, I usually learn of them from another person, another blog, or something.

So now I think as I write in the back of my mind I'll be thinking of the influence what I say may or may not have. Scary thought for me. I hope when I do influence others its always positive. I don't know how often it happens, but even if 1 time its important to me that it be a good influence, not a negative one. I have had so many things happen in life that I have written about, I may go back and read some just to see what kind of influence I may have been, good or bad. 

So for those of you blogging, here or my space, face book, any other blog what do your words say? Are they putting out a good positive message? or is it negative? Is it neutral? Think about it as you write it. Once its out there in cyber land many people see it, you cant take it back, its there. People form opinions about you based off what they see, pictures and words. People may base a decision, or take action based on what you say and do. 

I know for me I try to think if its something I would say or do if Jesus were next to me. I know I can look at some things I do and say and I would do them different. 

Also I thought Do you let someone know when they influence you? Would you want to know if you had done something that influenced another person? What would be your reaction? I know my reaction.

From now on I will try to think of how I may influence another person in what I say and do. In real life and online. When I blog, write a letter or post on a board. I don't know about others but in my life the ones to influence me are the real people, not the famous people, actors, singers, but everyday people. Those that help when I need help, make suggestions when I have a dilemma, the ones I attend Church with, activities, home school organizations, and of course bloggers that I love to read!

So now I am gonna shut up cause I am just rambling on! hit that make no sense and say nothing important area! oh and just cause I have to here are pics of the flowers, well seeds planted yesterday. Along with a plant that's growing, pretty but I have no clue what it is. So if anyone knows PLEASE let me know! Its driving me crazy trying to figure it out!

    

flowers planted!

Today I planted the following in containers outside
straw flowers: milk jug
wildflower mix: smiley crock
lavander: in round metal basket thing
mint planted!

My week!

This week has been pretty uneventful. I have been working, kids doing school work. We went to the park yesterday, in the morning for a while. The kids played and I walked the walking trail around it, I walked 2 miles before heading home. I have been trying to either walk outside on days its nice enough(not many its been weird weather) or walk with my walking video inside. Its a walking work out, I like it. I can do 3-4 miles a day with it. I have also been trying to do Tai Chi every day. Usually in the morning. So between the Tai Chi and walking 3-4 miles a day I am loosing weight! and finally starting toget back in shape. Its not done much for pain level right now, but I hope it will eventually. I have come across TTapp and tried it. The first time I made it about 10 minutes, and had to stop. The bending over is horrid on my back. The 2nd try I lasted about 5 minutes. Maybe if I alternate and try a couple times a week eventually I'll manage. Until I can I'll keep with the walking and Tai Chi. I love to walk anyway, I would love to get back to being able to run. The Tai Chi is cool. It stretches my muscles and is relaxing. I like to do it. I am meditating at night, trying to sleep. My Adrenals have been outta wack again. The supplements the doc had me on have not been working to well, and so I went into the herbal store in town and talked to them. I picked up a new herb to try. Hope it works. Right now I'll be sitting there and suddenly have extrem fatigue, to the point of not even thinking clear or anything. I have to lay down when that happens. Its a pain.

I went to the doc today. Had the 3rd hip injection. The last one worked great for a couple weks, hopefully this one lasts longer! If I need to they can do another series. I would prefer not to though. So I am not doing anything tonight. My hip is throbbing from the shot. It should feel better tomorrow. I also went to the store and picked up a few things I needed to make a few more repairs on the house! I'll go into detail on that on  fixin as we go. I had to buy a new screw gun to take care of the porch awning and door upstairs. And a few other things, plus they are just easier to scre things in! My old one died. I just picked up a small Black n Decker, it plugs in instead of a battery that gets charged. I figured most of what I use it for is in the house where its easy to plug in, and if I do need to use it outside I have several LONG orange extension cords. 

I showed Boo where I want the garden this week. So now we just need to find a tiller to borrow, rent one or use a shovel! If we shovel its going to be a lot of work. I want a big garden. I have all my flower seeds I think. I still need a few more vegie and herb seeds to buy. I will be taking care of the door upstairs this week I think, and when I do that I'll be rearranging some shelfs and starting my seeds inside. I will be planting seeds in my smiley crock pot, maybe tomorrow, and I have an old milk jug that if I can get the lid off I am going to plant something in. I think straw flowers. I still dont know about the smiley crock pot. I have a bunch of pots to plant in. Some I am going to do container gardening and I think most of the herbs will go in them.I am going to do some potatoes in one, and possibly build a box to plant more in. I saw a thing about planting potatoes and stacking them to grow. It was cool. I love to play and find new ways so I am gonna try it I think. I want to grow some red potatoes and white. I need to go over my list of seeds again. We will be doing this sunflower project  So we will be watching for bees! I dont know if we will plant them in a container for the project or not. Probably will. We also bought other sunflower seeds to plant in another spot.  

We have a couple fun things coming up! We will be meeting some home schoolers! We are planning on meeting some at a park next week for Earth day! The kids are excited about that. We also have an activity to take them to on the 1st, and we plan on walking on May 2nd for Cystic Fibrosis. Or at least I hope to be up to the walk. Its in the plans. Hopefully I can manage it. I figure if I can do 3-4 miles a day for exercise I should be able to. I am trying to come up with another stroller to use though. I know my youngest 2 wont be able to walk it all.

So we have a few things planned to get out and meet new people. And I hope to be up to taking the kids to activities at Church. I have not felt up to it since the move. But I think I am getting back into the swing of things, at least I hope so.

Its been a little crazier here with me working again. Keeping up with everything is hard. I am glad the kids are in the program they are for school. If they were not I dont think I could keep up with it all. We are registered for the program next year. I added a few things to it for next year, music and art and they will continue another language. 

I do need to get more organized I think, and stick to it. I am terrible these days about the routine. It shows.

So thats about all I think. Dont forget to check in on fixin as we go soon to see whats new around the house. I'll be writing about new repairs, snapping more pics, and just posting about boring stuff that only I truly find interesting and worth while! But thats me!

Love and miss ya'll

drop me a note or something when you have time!

BI-POLAR quizzz!

found this and  love it  it can be found here

 http://bi-polar.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

This site is informative and funny at the same time! I think I'll be purchasing a few shirts, mugs and who know what else Are You Bi-Polar?

Take our humorous quiz to find out. Note: this quiz has no medicinal or psychological value whatsoever. We're Bi-Polar, not doctors. 1. Have you ever taken any medication with alcohol? 2. Do you like blue cars? 3. When considering heights, does the thought of jumping / flying come into play? 4. Do you have bad credit? 5. When contemplating seeing a psychiatrist, do you consider yourself an experiment? 6. Do you shuffle your feet? 7. Do you like blue cars? 8. Do you think "they're" crazy? 9. When you think about being 'normal', do you get depressed? 10. Do you drink in the morning? Scoring: How'd you do? Total the number of questions you answered yes to: 0-2 Check your pulse! 3-4 Close, but no cigar 5-8 yep, you're bi-polar 9-10 This isn't funny, get professional help immediately.

~~~~HAPPY EASTER~~~~

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Today was a pretty good day! We woke up pretty early, younger kids first and drug the older kids out of bed.

I took lots of pictures of the kids and the baskets, and coloring eggs last night. As usual we took all the left

over dye and dumped it out on a towel this year(usually its a table clothe or sheet) We left it to sit in it

and dry. Unfortunaltley it rained and never dried, and the rain washed all the color out of the towel. 

So we wont have a pretty towel to keep as a reminder this year. But we tried. We did have fun coloring eggs.

I bought 2 kinds, 1 regular and the other had glitter. So we dyed the eggs and then glittered them up, 

well some of them. It was fun. Baby E had more dye on her hands than the eggs did! And you can tell pink is 

her favorite color. Most of the eggs she colored were pink. It was cute.

Easter morning brought lots of candy! The kids each got a picture of either Jesus, a Temple or something along

those lines. They also got some coloring sheets, and word searches and stuff. All Easter/Christ centered.

Then there was the candy, chocolate, jelly beans and all that good stuff. We had planned on a BBQ. It rained

almost all day. We still had the BBQ, but we were inside for the day. We had Turkey mignon, hamburgers,

hot dogs, potatoe salad and maccaroni salad. It was good stuff! Everyone is worn out and lounging now.

The kids are all either watching TV, playig on computer or writing/coloring a letter for L for his b day tomorrow.

He will get them late but its better than not at all. I ran out of stamps and kept forgetting to get more.

We had a good day, relaxing and just enjoyed spending it together. I wish more days were that easy going.

This next week is a busy one. I'll be getting another injection in my right hip. Its the last of 3. The last

one helped so much for a while. It was amazing. I hope this next one helps more and longer. I liked

being pain fee- at least in the hip for a while.

OH and my van is paid off!!!! Last payment paid! I am so relieved! No more stressing over getting the month payment in.

I think thats about it at the moment. We have been busy. I am working, kids are doing good in school.

We are ready for summer to be here, but not done yet. As soon as the kids get this school years work done

they get at least a month off! I am looking forward to getting the garden planted. And flowers planted.

We have most of the seeds we need and want already, have a few left to buy but not many.

We bought some wild flower mix, marigold and sunflower seeds last week. I cant wait for our wacky weather to

straighten up and be spring! I want to plant flowers and food!

I am adding pics on this update. LOTS from Easter. I dyed my hair, its now black. Scared myself

this morning when I got up. I walked past the mirror in my room, it was sticking up all over, scared me!

It cracked me up when I realized it was me! My hair has never been black before. Its interesting.

I am not sure I like it.

Would love to hear from family. Fact is please email me your birthdays, and emails that I dont have. I am

trying to make sure I have all birthdays, nieces, nephews, all of them. I dont have most. I would also like

emails for them if possible so I can write once in a while. So if you cant send me the email please pass mine

on to them and tell them to write me so I can write them!

Hope Easter was awesome for every one!

and stay tuned this week we have a new treat we will be trying to make, I plan on pictures. It sounds

messy and fun! Gooey and tasty. Probably put the inches I have taken off right back on me!

~~~EASTER~~~

Yes its Easter weekend! I love Easter! It seems to me to signal the start of spring, new growth, birth, life, so many good things! We try very hard to focus on the Spiritual part of Easter. But the bunny comes also! We will be decorating Easter Eggs tomorrow!! In the past the Bunny has come on Friday night, leaving Sunday to remember why we Celebrate Easter, making it easier to get to Church with out all the candy. But this year Easter has snuck up on me, until last week end I did not realize this weekend is Easter. So the bunny will come Saturday night. We will decorate eggs tomorrow night, read from the scriptures about the resurection and talk about it. Sunday we have Stake Conference! Hopefully the low fever Chubby has been running goes away by then so we can go. We will probably BBQ Sunday night for dinner, after Church. We will hide eggs and just spend time as a family! We will miss family thats not here with us and think of them! 

I love to look outside and see the grass turning green, the flowers starting to grow and bloom. I have little purple flowers all over my yard! The rose bush is greening up, and other bushes and trees are turning green and getting blossoms on them! I have flowers popping up all over! Its kinda cool, I did not plant these they are from the lady who lived here before. I dont know what will pop up, or where the flowers will pop up, but they are popping up all over! We picked up some seeds the other day for flowers, wild flowers, sun flowers and marigolds. We will sprinkle them around hopefully this next week. Depends on our wacky weather. Everytime I have thought spring is here, time to plant it gets cold! So I keep waiting. Hope it stays warm now. 

The kids are all doing good in school. I think they are ready for a break. But they have more to go to be done. I think we will try to wrap up early enough in the summer to take at least a month off. Sir N has been working his butt off trying to get his done! He is doing awesome! They all are.

I cant believe its already April. Last month was my anniversary, 16 years. It does not seem like it, especially since he has not been here for the last few years, living and being mainly single it does not feel like the last couple anniversaries are real. This month on the 22nd will be 9 years since our sealing! It means absolutly nothing as ffar as L goes, but for the kids and I, we are still sealed, and I plan on keeping it that way! So I think we will celebrate on the 22nd. I dont know how, nothing fancy, something simple. I'll probably surprise the kids with something. April makes me think of many things. For some reason it feels like the start of a new year to me, its not, but maybe because its the beginning of so much new growth it strikes me that way. I cant wait to get the garden planted, and watch it grow. 

I was thinking today about Something I was told after L's arrest. I think because of the sealing date coming up its on my mind a lot. But when everything first happened I remember the uncertainty I felt, not knowing where it left me and the kids, and when President C came over and brought it up. He let us know the kids and I were still sealed, it did nothing to that, what a relief it was. I dont think I will ever forget that day, to know that as long as I live the way I should, and my children we are still an eternal family. What a relief!

Oh and guess what else happened this month??? can ya guess? Bet you did not!

MY VAN IS PAID FOR!!!! Yes I sent the last payment in this month!!!!!!!!!  It was so hard to get it paid for, many months I was unsure it would happen, I had help with some payments, and some I managed on my own. The final one I did myself! It is such a big relief! I am so grateful to President C for helping me get it, with out him I would either be driving the junker I had and breaking down everytime I turned around or vehicless. I think with out is more than likely the case cause that van was dieing fast!

I have been working more on the cellar, still no new pics yet. I'll get to that soon. But for now I am heading to bed. I have a long day tomorrow, have to get the Easter stuff, decorate the eggs and all that stuff!

Happy Easter to you all! Remember why we celebrate, and enjoy your families!

                  love 

      the Huffins!

menu ideas

• spagetti red sauce
• lasagna
• enchiladas
• chili verde
• chilli
• bean n cheese burritos
• beef n cheese burritos
• roast beef sandwich in pita bread
• chicken n rice soup
• fried n burgers
• spagettie n alfredo sauce
• potatoe/chicken/vegie/fruit
• sausage n honey sauce/potatoes/vegi
• sweet n sour chicken
• 
  

blogs with recipes I use- freezer/crockpot/and just good

links:

http://www.menuplanningcentral.com/samples.html

http://tipnut.com/slowcooker-recipes/

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/recipeindex.htm

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/Artisan-Bread-In-Five-Minutes-A-Day.aspx

http://ayearinbread.earthandhearth.com/2007/12/kevin-seasonal-breads-cinnamon-rolls.html

http://www.freezehappy.com/

http://www.lodgemfg.com/recipe_indoor_desserts.asp

http://makeaheadmeals.blogspot.com/2008/03/45-freeze-ahead-fried-rice.html

make ahead freezer meals

This will be an ongoing list. I'll add to it as I come up with more, as I remember things I have cooked and froze before. If you have any ideas or good links let me know so I can add them!

Links for ideas for make ahead meals

http://makeaheadmeals.blogspot.com/2008/03/45-freeze-ahead-fried-rice.html

http://www.freezehappy.com/

• spagettie sauce
• sloppy joe mix
• lasagna
• hamburger-ground
• turkey-ground
• enchiladas
• stew
• chili
• chicken n rice soup
• chicken strips

howdy all

So I am sure by now you have figured out we have something going on again. Your right! Hopefully its nothing that turns into a big deal, but just to keep snooping people more at a distance I had to make the blog private. 

We are doing good. The kids are still doing good at school. Nannaa is doing better on hers! She is home again. Will be for a while. I am working again, more hours. Thats good and bad. Good- we need the money, bad more pain and doc says no. But I cant make ends meet if I am not working. So I am working at West again. Better calls this time, and they now pay hourly instead of per call! YAHOO! We are having to change things around a bit because of it but I think we have a scheule that will work out. I hope.

Boo is wanting to get a job so bad its making him crazy. He wants to buy a 4 wheeler.  Progress on the house is good! Maranda and I have the cellar cleaned up! Still organizing. I'll be posting pics on http://fixinaswego.blogspot.com/?zx=8be0f5e1af9547ce soon. I'll snap some of the way it looks now, and then as we add shelves and food. It should look nice when done. 

Not much happening. We just doing school, work, house stuff. Did have a snow storm that was one heck of a storm! It bent my carport in the middle, so I get to climb up with a ladder and bend it back. Luckily its not to bad. I think the worst damage would be the snow plow that came through and dug up my yard and dumped a pile of dirt in my yard! In several spots! Not happy, but I think I am going to move the dirt to the garden area and use it, or fill the pots with it. Probably pots! 

Now we are looking at some rain coming. YUCK! My rose bush I cut all the dea off is looking much better. I'll snap some pics of it also. We have lots of pretty little purple flowere popping up all over. I cant remember what they are called. Going to get Loo on that one, she loves to look up flowers. We also have onion growing in the yard. I have decided that I am not going to dig up anywhere around the house to plant flowers this year. I want to see what pops up on its own. The lady who lived here loved flowers, they are all over. SO I want to see whats there before I plant more and accidentaly kill something pretty. 

The kids are making friends across the street with the kids. The lady runs a day care. She is a nice person. Her husband seems nice also. 

So thats about all for now. I'll be updating with pics, and on progress of house soon.

Love to hear back from ya'll, either email or a comment

Love

J