Halloweenies

I refused to take off Sam's costume tonight because that means that another year has gone and Sam's first Halloween is over. Gosh. I have so much love for those kids, but I feel like it pours out of me like water out of a big fireman hose, and I try to pick up the droplets that of course fall through my fingers. I can't keep hold of them. I was putting up their new pictures today and looking though the old ones. Where has the time gone. How in the world is it possible that Sam will be ONE in a few short months. This is truly the worst part of motherhood (so far). The loss of the baby-ness. Sam is doing so much. He's been slower than the other kids but in the last 2 weeks it seems that he's caught up. He got his first tooth. He is crawling, and learned to sit back up from crawl position. He's thinned out from all the scooting. I got a nice compliment today, that Sam is "the happiest baby". He really is. What a joy he is.

Newborn Photography Rigby Idaho

Things are a little bit crazy over here. But I had to stop everything to edit a few of this little doll, one week old. I have never seen such thick hair on a newborn! Gorgeous, and I have a hunch it's gonna be red like her momma's :)

Rigby Idaho Family Photographer

What an awesome family.

For the Christmas cards

I took the kids out for an impromptu photo shoot on Tuesday. The colors were so amazing! It lasted all of 6 minutes, because of course I couldn't get any of them to look at me ha! So we will settle for this one for now.

Love these stinkers! If nothing else, we had a fun time playing in the leaves.

Here's to life..

Just one of those days where I needed to express my gratitude for all that I have.

Gosh I am a lucky lady. I live in an amazing country, in a great town, in a nice home with a beautiful healthy happy little family. I get to stay home and enjoy every minute with my kids. I feel so fulfilled through them and my work that I love. My husband has a good job. We are truly blessed with abundance. There are so many times when I ask myself "why me?" I don't know the answer. But I do know that there is a loving God watching over me. Yesterday, Chris and I had a pretty crumby day. Chris' computer at work crashed--during budget season and he lost about 7 months worth of work. His iphone stopped working too. We seem to have the WORST luck with electronics. What's up with that?? Anyways, that crumby day reminded me of the scripture in 2 Nephi speaking of Adam and Eve "having no joy, for they knew no misery;". I can know joy because of these pretty crumby days. That chapter also holds a scripture that has become one of my most favorite: "And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; TO ACT FOR THEMSELVES AND NOT TO BE ACTED UPON" I have been given such a wonderful gift, to have this life that I do. I MUST act! LIVE. LOVE. And never miss out or regret a moment of it.

So here's to life and to enjoying every minute of it!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

I tried a new recipe tonight. I had tons of ripe tomatoes from my garden so I decided homemade spaghetti sauce was in order and I had been wanting to try stuffed peppers with a quinoa patty recipe I had tried from here. It really had a good meat texture and it worked well. I made the patties smaller so they would fit in the peppers. I cooked them as directed, then stuck them in the peppers and let then cook until the peppers were the desired consistency. Such a nice meatless meal!! It had my two older kids in a deep 2 minute conversation about "Quinoa" and my 8 month old baby ate an entire patty! Quinoa is supposed to be the perfect baby food and he couldn't get enough! Enjoy.

Mini sessions!!

Brothers

A few of my fav from this weekends session. Enjoy :)

Fish Tacos

We went to Rumbi Island Grill on date night a few weeks ago and I haven't been able to get fish tacos out of my mind since! So I thought I'd try making them myself! It was pretty yummy and I am proud of myself for coming up with my OWN recipe for once. Here you go.

Fish Tacos with a Coconut Pear Slaw:

4 fish fillets

8 corn tortillas

Slaw:
1 c. shredded cabbage
1 lime squeezed
2 Tbl. Mayo
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 pear diced
1 small tomato diced
1/3 c. cilantro cut
3 Tbl. coconut milk
1/2 tsp. cayenne sauce
Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Mix and let sit.

Bake fillets to desired flakiness and shred. Warm tortillas on skillet or grill. Layer fish and slaw on tortillas and garnish with sour cream and lime wedges. Enjoy.

A new month!

I love the start of a new month! Gosh I just feel empowered to take on the world. September was pretty great:

School started
We went to Rigby lake
We got family pictures taken
I got my deep cleaning done
Finally got my family wall up!
Pedicure
Temple
Indexing
Food storage
Lots of Queens of Green
I planned out Christmas
Read "the Secret" and "the master key system"
And I'm so close to finishing decorating my bedroom!


And on to October!! It's the start of the holiday season. I love fall. I love this time of year.
This month:

Halloween crafts playgroup for the kids
Work on the quilt
Get a new plate set (this has been on the list for the last 3 months, I've been looking and going back and forth between a cheap cute plastic set, stoneware, or nice REAL china. Suggestions are welcome!!)
Queens of Green goals
Organize the basement -again!! I'm so close to moving every toy down there. Would that be mean?
Hang new family pictures
Pedicure
Temple
Indexing
Food storage
Finish 100 day Book of Mormon challenge!!
Plan Personal progress night
Make invites for the 100 day Book of Mormon challenge Spa night
Put of vinyl signs in my bedroom and finish decorating!
Read 1 book
Start writing down goals for next year
Make Christmas cards
Christmas shopping
Ladies Only Halloween party. Yes.
Back up files
Organize important documents
Order Blurb book
Start 90 day fit challenge
Dates with the kids

Okay I'd better go before I put more on this list!!

Happy October everyone!