I.M. Bummed

Hey friends... I was doing so well this year. I got my taxes filed two weeks ago and I've been *not-so-patiently* waiting for our refund. Nothing HUGE, but definitely some extra money. Well, after almost 16 years of marriage and four children, somewhere along the way I'm afraid to say I've lost my mind. My capacity to remember things and be organized. It is GONE.
So I was really shocked and dismayed to find ANOTHER TAX DOCUMENT in my mailbox last week. You see, Zeke graduated from school in December 2010. He's had ONE W-2 since forever. (Well, like 10 years!) And I completely FORGOT that last Spring he taught a class at Utah State. It was SO normal for him to be there, I forgot he was being the TEACHER for 5 months and getting PAID for it. So yada, yada, yada... It has now become necessary for me to ammend our tax return.

No big deal. I did it online. It was quite easy. 20 minutes, maybe.

However, $885 of the refund I'm hoping will be deposited tomorrow will have to be returned to the IRS by April 15th.... :( I.M. Bummed. That is all.

In other news... we have to get our truck registered by tomorrow and Zeke just informed me tonight that the back tail-lights don't work. Lovely.

I am determined NOT to be discouraged! Just bummed....

Nothing fun or frivolous planned, just planning to pay off some bills....

bleh.

Addicted to INDEXING

Worldwide Indexing

Yes, this is my new obsession. Basically, I'm digitizing historical records...it is so addictive and very interesting (to me). It's also helpful and productive so I don't feel quite so guilty about wasting time playing a game or something (now I'm really in trouble).

30 Day Mom Challenge

This is one of the best "To Do" lists I have ever seen:
30 Day Mom Challenge
I printed one off and put it on my fridge. Of course, it is great for Dads too. I feel like each day has been very focused and sometimes quite an eye-opener. 

For each day of the month, find the corresponding number and follow the tip. So, if you begin the challenge on November 9; start with tip 9 and move on from there.You can repeat the list every month!


For the 24th, today's challenge is: Do not interrupt your child when they are talking. (I didn't realize how much I did this). I hope this will help me be a better mother. :)

Go hug your children. Right now! I'm serious. :)

Just for fun: Gabe likes to wear his hoodie backwards and use it as a baby sling for Wilson:

Midnight Gift

I had such an incredible weekend. No life-changing events. Just some really good "Food for Thought" and a lot of it. I feel like a new person with new resolve and new desires.


I go in spurts with everything I do: reading, cleaning, blogging, sewing. etc. I've been doing a LOT of blogging lately. I'm just not feeling it today and somewhere inside, I feel like I need a break of sorts. There is so much I want to share with you, but I want to make it MORE simple.


A wonderful quote I heard on Friday, 

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." -- John Wayne

I love Mondays. Seriously. They are so fresh and new and full of possibilities...

Shredded Pork Tacos

This is a family favorite. So easy and YUMMY! I got this recipe from my trusty "Better Homes and Gardens" Cook Book. It's a good one. If we're having people over for dinner, this is always one of my go-to recipes.

Shredded Pork Tacos

1 3lb boneless pork shoulder blade roast
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ground coriander
 2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp dried organo, crushed
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 cup beef broth

Put the meat in a crockpot. Mix up all of the herbs and spices into the beef broth and pour over the top. Cook on high for 6 to 8 hours until meat is tender and easy to shred. Shred it with two forks (I'll try to post a picture of this later -- I just started my crockpot.) Then, add 3/4 cup salsa and mix well. Here it is ready to cook: That's fresh minced garlic on top: YUMMY!

Taco stuff:

Corn tortillas (or flour, but we like corn)
2 cups shredded lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheese (your choice, we like colby jack, cheddar, or even mozzarella)
1/4 cup sliced olives (we usually don't do the olives)
Sour Cream (optional)
Avocado, sliced (optional)

I'll add some more pictures later.

How to dye silk with Kool-Aid and Kaia's "New Dress"

Hi friends... busy day. How's your week going? I can't believe it's already Thursday. Just a quick post about a fun craft I HAVE to try. Oh, this is right up my alley!

How to dye silk with Kool-Aid! Yep. I've never done this and I did not make it up, but it sounds awesome!!

Here's a link for some white silk scarves I've been looking at (but NOT buying, right?) Maybe I can talk Zeke into getting some for my birthday -- that wouldn't be the same as ME buying it. Anyway, let me know if any of you try/or have tried it. It looks fun.

I've also been working on a dress for Kaia. She bought this dress with her own money (at the thrift store) and she LOVES it. Only problem: it's a little too short. It's got a weird asymmetrical hem and well, I think we could add to the length or something so she can wear it for a few more months at least. For the picture, Kaia said she didn't want to smile because, "that's how you're supposed to show clothes". Okay.

My girls and I have been enjoying New Dress A Day and it has most definitely inspired us on this one! You should really check out this blog. Everyday after school Zoe and Kaia will ask me, "What did Marisa make today?" They are so impressed with her creations. Me too. Thanks, Marisa! :)

P.S. I have had several blog friends tell me that my comments on their blogs are showing up in their SPAM. Not sure why, but I just wanted all of you to know. Go check your SPAM, I hope you find a comment from me.:)

Obsessed with Chess

My family always has a current game or activity they are obsessed with. Right now, it is CHESS. Everyone is playing chess almost all the time. Kaia made an invitation to a "Chest Tortoment". We're supposed to circle the happy face if we're coming and the sad face if we're not.

 

 Gabe even carved a knight out of soap! NICE.

Words to Live By

This is something I found in our Elementary School's monthly newsletter "Parent Tip". My friend, Julie, does the newsletter, so I am sure it came from her. Thanks, Julie! I keep a copy inside my kitchen cupboard and try to read it at least once a day.  Great words to live by in so many different areas of our life. I'm going to focus on at least two or three each month. I have so many friends and family members who are struggling right now. I love you! I hope we can all have a HAPPY January and a wonderful year. :)

• Drink plenty of water. 
• Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 
• Eat MORE foods that grow on trees and plants and eat LESS food that is manufactured in plants. 
• Read more books than you did in 2011. 
• Sleep for 7 hours each night. 
• Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
• Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive, present moment.
• Don't take Yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
• Dream more while you are awake.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• FORGET ISSUES OF THE PAST.
• Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes from the past; that will ruin your present happiness.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 
• Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
• No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Realize that life is a SCHOOL and you are here to LEARN.
• SMILE and laugh MORE.
• Each day give something GOOD to others.
• Forgive everyone for everything.
• Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• Your job won't take care of you when you are are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
• Do the right thing!
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will CHANGE.
• No matter how you feel, GET UP, dress up, and SHOW UP.        The BEST is yet to come! :)

Your knuckle, huh?

Happy Monday! I love Mondays... especially when I can sleep in a little. The kids are out of school today for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

When I was putting Beck to bed on Saturday, he gave me a big hug and said, "Mommy, you're so pretty, will you tickle my KNUCKLE?" (He was holding his ELBOW up in the air.) "Okay, bud" (So I tickle his "KNUCKLE") and he says, "Thanks, Mom, that was PERFECT!" It's amazing to me how something can be SO hard and SO wonderful all at the same time. Little moments like this make all the CRAZY worth it.

The older kids slept in and Beck woke up a little after seven. He wanted to play CHESS. Can you tell who's winning? When he took one of my pieces (which was every turn) he would yell like Gru on Despicable Me, "KNOCKED OVER!!!"

Buttermilk Syrup and Belgian Waffles

Yesterday went well. I'm glad my checkup is over. Today is payday and I need to go grocery shopping so this will be quick.

My friend, Colleen, gave me a great recipe for Buttermilk Syrup. We especially LOVE it on waffles.

BUTTERMILK SYRUP

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup butter

2 tsp. corn syrup

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly and then add two teaspoons vanilla. Serve warm. Hint: you will need to make this in a large pan because it foams up when it starts to boil.

Last week, I saw a great recipe for Belgian Waffles over at "Twelve Makes a Dozen". Her blog is really fun! Twelve Kids! Wow. Thanks, Sandy, for letting me link to your blog and your great recipe. :) Happy FRIDAY, everyone!