ice cream, you scream we all scream for family night

A couple of weeks ago- we had family night at the hospital. Hailey was there.

 We had a wonderful lesson with her- we got too loud & noisy with extreme laughing- after the lesson. I like that we can have fun as a family even in the hospital. She has been in & out of the hospital with an illness that I am not ready to blog about- oh the worry- still so glad you are home Hailey girl.

 You are a joy & a light in our home.

 (sad Trent because Hailey is not with us)

I wanted to document something-

Whenever we go to Baskin & Robbins (or any ice cream place- frankly, it's not that often, but still)

TRENT ALWAYS GETS THE DARKEST CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.

It is so funny to me!!!

You know the kind, the almost black, chocolate fudgy ice cream.

I never get this kind--- he let's me have a taste of his, then wish I did.

Oh Trent- He is so, so funny. 

I am so glad he is mine.

I forgot to get a picture of his chocolate mustache. 

I will leave it to your imagination.

a family night announcement

Last night we had dinner in the family room around the coffee table with candles.

I had made this soup (it is fantastic) and this bread (again fantastic.)

I wish I could say I thought of this FUN IDEA of eating around the coffee table, with candles, just because I'm creative... but in all reality- I had a sewing project & bills all over the kitchen table.

 Who cares- It was still fun to change it up a bit!

While we were eating we asked our nightly question:

How was your day?

Trent made a serious announcement:

I don't want to freak you guys out but--- (dramatic pause)

I hate education.

okay then

Trent doesn't want to go to school anymore- I mean what's the point?

 He says it's boring. Well darn- only 6 1/2 more years of boredom to go.

on target

For FAmily Night this week, we decided to take a $25 gift card we received for Christmas from a family member & see if we could put it to good use?

We called it the

 Target challenge!

This was supposed to be a lesson on compromise & working together.

The rules: Find something all three kids would enjoy. It could be one-100 things... just had to fit into the $25 budget.

How many .95 pudding snack packs can you get for $25?

This exercise was taking too long--- It's 25! Lets move on.

Um... funny but no!

This was actually a good idea... 4 pack movie. Only $10 and included some teen girl favorites. Trent could then find something?

Like a Justin Beiber singing toothbrush?

 Or a beyblade? Oh come on- you already have beyblades!?

Some ideas for the whole family?

Whack a Mole the home version.

Or --- 5 hula hoops.

This was a fun time- lucky the store was nearly empty.

Trent decided on this very high tech ATM bank. Brett was working late & Trent knew he would love it too. We could save the family $$ in it, for Heaven's sake!

After what seemed like an eternity & a bazillion different proposed options-

 I was getting a little tired of this activity...

and proposed a $8.33-- three- way- split.

Which was hugely successful!

We all agreed this was a SUPER fun family activity.

FAmily Night-- gotta love it

family night- sometimes it just plain hard

Tonight we had a special family night. We drove up to the temple (maybe 8 minutes away?) and talked about what the temple is & what we do there. We talked about the temple & how important it is. We talked about the temple & how much we love it -- why? Because someone just got his first temple recommend! It's exciting! We are setting a date & going all together.It's tough to have family night sometimes - we were all tired, had homework to do & someone was slightly (over the top) uncooperative. Somebody was told he could not have a cold chicken sausage out of the fridge (the big ones they sell at Costco with lots of garlic, spinach & cheese in them, fully cooked) until we were done with family night. Why he asked-- 1. that is gross & 2. family night is special & we had just barely finished dinner- it was getting late - Chloe had homework- this is important- get your rear in the car! Are we having fun yet?
We calmly & nicely talked about the temple etc. on our way up. When we got there it was closed & the gates were locked, of course- it's Monday. But--- someone could squeeze inside the fence. Someones sister told him he was being disrespectful squeezing inside the fence. That did not make that same someone stop. Instead someone went in & out of the fence drawing attention to that sister to hurry, "look I'm in the fence again?"


It was beautiful there.

I'm glad we went.



The view of the temple & the sun setting was amazing.

The smell of the chicken sausage someone had pulled out of his pocket because family night was over- was not.

Sometimes don't you wish you were here?

family night

(reinactment photo)

In an effort to be more positive & get that sad post off the top of the blog I am posting about yesterday...

warning-

this will be boring.

Yesterday I:

made breakfast & one lunch

ironed 16 shirts while my favorite show was interupted by breaking new... I hate that!

finished a long over due sewing project ~ it's a surprise so I can't show it

did the dishes-

laundry

changes sheets

made beds

and dinner.

played a game on my Iphone (man I love that phone)

watched some dancing with the sluts- some of those outfits are just wrong.

taught a family night message about the "traps" of temptation - eww that sounds scary?

it wasn't.

then lost at UNO- three times!

Hailey won twice & Brett once.

Not such a bad day?!

a whole suitcase!

A couple of weeks ago-

We got some very exciting news!

Someone we know (it's a secret so I'm not going to say who)

called to tell us they were going to

JACK'S MISSION!

YES THEY ARE GOING TO

MACEIO BRAZIL

This very lovely person offered to take Missionary Jack a package.

I was thinking - hmm?

What can I fit in a shoe box?

Maybe I could send a bigger box?

I called & asked-

just how big a box are ya talkin' bout?

A WHOLE SUITCASE!!!

HE HAD ROOM FOR A WHOLE SUITCASE

Last night for Family Night- we packed it all up.
I've been buying a little here & there- and ya- this suitcase really cut into my grocery budget- but hey- this is a once in a mission opportunity. We never had this opportunity with Brian.
4 pounds or less stuffed into a priority envelope cost $15 to send. I sent Brian one a month & I've sent Missionary Jack one a month also. (I skipped this month- duh) So a whole suitcase of stuff sent down for free- wow!

so...
he's a fairly new missionary
what do you send?
He doesn't need shoes or underwear (yet.)
I went all out & sent loads & loads of American junk food & necessities.

We had a GReat time putting notes on lots of the items.

Like the great advice on the kleenex package above.

We are sending:

cheese & crackers

twix

snickers

lots of PB & J

American Toilet paper - this is a big deal

American - tissues

chili

skittles

rootbeer flavored dum dums (i didn't think a can of root beer would be a good idea?)

ranch dressing

religious music on CD & some classical music

marshmellows

hershey's chocolate syrup

gushers

deodorant

his favorite hair gel

fry sauce

family photos

butterfinger

reeses peanut butter cups

mac & cheese

pancake mix & syrup

chocolate pudding mixes

instant flavored mashed potatoes

salsa

nacho cheese

frank's red hot sauce

tony cachera's cajun seasoning

good pens

sour patch kids

swedish fish

journals

hand sanitizer

double chocolate chip cookie mix

boxes of cereal....

that's all I can think of- but I know there is more in there---

It's going to be like Christmas! In Brazil they eat a lot of meat - but even more beans & rice. Then they wake up the next day & eat more beans & rice and more beans & rice...

oh & they eat a lot of fruit & drink loads of fruit juice- this is according to missionary jack.

NOW I JUST HOPE IT'S NOT TOO HEAVY!

the most important hour of the day

Dinner time. On Mondays I have been really putting extra effort into dinner.

I want dinner time to be a gateway into family night.

Today I made a couple of lasagnas. One for dinner, one to freeze for later.

I tried something sneaky & it worked!

I put a cup of water in the sauce...

then

didn't cook the noodles!

I know, I know they sell no cook noodles- but they're twice as expensive & come in small packages (I love how one box makes two batches.) I always figure if I am making one lasagna I may as well make two- especially if I don't have to cook the noodles! The process is 1000 times easier. I was going to bake it covered in foil to ensure they would cook all the way through- but I forgot & they cooked just fine anyway.

For family night we watched a DVR'd conference talk & discussed our day around the dinner table. Chloe went to an extra dance class, brian had some plans & hailey had homework to do. You know how it is?

Family dinner & fAmily night

you've gotta be sneaky to get them both in

tuesday 2x2

1. Last night for family night- we had a lesson on following Christ.

After a story, sample situations, and discussion we wrote on foot prints -different ways we can follow Christ. All six footprints are hanging around the house.

I like it.

It's a good reminder to me of how I want to be.

this pink footprint is mine. It says on the bottom, "give hugs not zerberts." Zerberts, are when you blow on someone's cheek. On Sunday I was really, really missing Charlie. I decided to give all my kids kisses & zerberts as if they were still babies... they told me during our family night discussion that it was creepy & wrong & that they don't want me kissing them all over their faces or blowing on their cheeks again.

I guess I will have to stick to regular hugs & kisses.

jerks.

Sometimes family nights are so frustrating.

Good family nights are so rewarding.

2. Yesterday a package came in the mail to me & the Webelos.

It was all I could do not to open it!

It was from a webelo scout who moved a little more than a month ago. We have been writing to him & sending packages. He sent us these treats from a local candy store near his new town in Pennsylvania. They are the best suckers ever! We really miss him in our den & neighborhood.

3. Today was a beautiful, yet chilly 51 degree day.

Chloe - the most girly girl ever- was up in a tree in the backyard.

She is very well rounded in her interests & I love that!

4. We have had some unfortunate experience with a couple of neighbor kids helping themselves to the popsicles in the freezer that is in our garage.

Last week I opened it up to get something out & found this

"thou shalt not steal"

sign posted.

haha- Chloe took matters into her own hands.

problem solved

it was a big show!

Last night the H.S. had their big Broadway concert.

It was a big show at a big place- Abavanel Hall, in the big city- Salt Lake City.

Hailey is in the sophomore choir. Megan sang here, Brian sang here, Jack sang here- it's a great opportunity for these kids.

Being family night- we decided to make it a family affair.

Chloe skipped ballet, Jack made a point to come with us.... and we decided to live on the edge & take Trent. He's not what you call- the concert going type. I thought it would be a good idea- free ticket, interesting building, family night, easy access out, fast pace music... you know a good "learning experience."

Here's a shot of hailey sitting with her friends,
pretending not to notice I am taking her picture.

I know you can't see hailey.
we opted to sit towards the back, near a door. It was a good thing.

Hailey was GREAT! The concert was fabulous!

Chloe loved it, Jack was entertained. Brett & I enjoyed it & being together.

But Trent?

Trent was switching seats, crying, laughing, bored, happy, mad, annoying the few people around us... oh boy.

Still- it was a good night and a great concert.

On the way to the car

jack gave us his "moroni pose."

I was glad to have chloe all afternoon to myself & then get to sit by her at the concert. She is a lot of fun, but such a busy girl. I love having her home.

Jack's IPod was in the car & we danced all the way home to Boogie Oogie Oogie.

Then around the corner from home, brett stopped the car & trent raced the car the rest of the way home!

This is something that happens all the time-

and he always wins!

and when he gets home - he's exhausted.

And that's really the point.

* how was your family night?

*did you get a Valentine?

here we go again....

last night was family night.

The first family night of the year is always on GoALs-

but not this year....

Stress- Anxiety and Healthy Coping Skills

was the topic

Goals are on hold until next week.Teens are stressed- adults are stressed- apparently even kids are stressed these days. Dang- that's a lot of stress. Our family is certainly not the exception. We briefly discussed ways all kinds of people cope with stress, then listed healthy ways to cope with stress.

The boys ate cookies...
Brian stuffed one in his mouth- so Jack of course, couldn't be outdone--- and stuffed two.
I love this picture of the girls just watching them. My title for the photo-
"so this is what boys do?"

It was good timing- this family night lesson.
A new year, college, high school, jr. high, work, looking for jobs, play practice, homework, mission... there is a lot going on here! We are certainly not immune from feelings of stress, anxiety & depression. How to cope:
Reading scriptures & prayer
Being around people & not "holing up alone"
Exercise
Self pep talks- positive thoughts
service to others
laughing at yourself & having a sense of humor
relaxation exercises
memorize for times of stress- hymns, primary songs, scriptures
having daily- weekly- monthly- yearly things to look forward to
and setting realistic goals

It's a lot of options not a list of things to do...

just before family night trent & the neighbor kid were playing legos in the family room
trent: mom, can friend stay for dinner?
mom: no we are having a special family night.
trent: darn!
trent to friend: do you have family night tonight?
friend: we almost never have family night.
trent: lucky!

Today Brian & I went shopping & packed up a final load of stuff.
Stuff to take to his new apartment.
-dang-
he took some stuff down yesterday
but school starts tomorrow... he had to go.
It was weird.

Like-
shoot, he's not leaving again is he?
cause, ya- I can't take that...

so...

he's all filled up

food

gas

new sheets

notebooks, pens, paper, cell phone....

more food

class schedule.

~sigh~

Ya it's a good thing we had that lesson last night.