My cute skeletons!!!

Fire station open house...

A couple of Saturdays ago, we headed down to our local fire station for their annual open house. They always have a lot of fun things for the kids to do. It was a bit wet  that day, but not too cold thankfully. The kids had so much fun. Oak still talks about the "folk room" when we drive by, (folk is how she says smoke) which was a room filled with smoke so the kids could learn how to crawl on their hands and knees when there is a fire.

With our neighbor Eric, whose Dad is a volunteer at the station. He is the nicest kid and is always so great with my kids.

Mac thought the heat detector gun thing was really cool. And our neighbor Eric was on the other headphone set and they were talking back and forth.

We also saw our other cute neighbor friend Parker. They go to Preschool together too.

Thankfully one of our close friends works at the fire station along with his daughters, so all we have to do is ask and we can come down and look at the trucks whenever we want. 

chicken and freezer meals...

So a few months ago I found THIS blog post (probably on Pinterest) about some freezer crockpot meals. And in my effort to make dinner more often, not spend so much money on food, and to make thinking about what's for dinner less stressful I decided I would try it. After buying the ingredients, it took me a good week (or  more) to get to the "putting together" part of it. I ended up doing it one night when Hubs was out of town  and was a good way to spend my evening alone after the kids were in bed. Surprisingly it was pretty fun to put together and not hard at all. And if I remember right it didn't even make very many dirty dishes. But the best part of it was that all five meals were fantastic!! My pickiest kid would even eat them. 

I don't know how many of my readers have heard of Zaycon. But I have heard a few friends and a couple of family members talk about Zaycon for the last couple of years. It is a company that provides good food and decent prices in bulk. They tour the country and you can only get certain foods at certain dates in certain towns. They sell honey, all kinds of fruit and all kinds of meat. I recently made my first purchase with them and bought 40 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken-breasts.  It cost me $67.60 and they are natural with no hormones or other yucky stuff straight from the farm and never frozen. They are HUGE breasts and had very little fat on them. 

It was interesting going to pick it up. They give you a location, date and a one hour time slot which is the same for everyone buying in the area. I didn't really know what to expect, but when I got there, there was a huge semi truck parked in a parking lot with a long line of cars driving buy it. I actually ended up parking and  walking over to the truck to get mine since I just ordered one 40 lb box. I handed them my receipt and they gave me a box straight from the truck. It was pretty cool actually. 

The pickup time was between 6 & 7pm so I didn't get to "processing" my chicken until the next day. Thankfully my  mom  was visiting and she was a HUGE help. I was a bit overwhelmed with what to do with 40 lbs of raw chicken, but after asking others I figured out what to do. I separated mine into meal size portions (after cutting of the fat) and made 4 bags with marinade, 2 bags of chopped, 6 bags of freezer crockpot meals (I chose three of the recipes from the link above and doubled them) and 8 bags of just chicken for other meals. And then my mom suggested I make chicken broth from the fat trimmings and got about 6 or 7 cups of chicken broth that I separated in baggies and froze. 

I was a little bit worried about how we would fit it all in our freezer (especially since we are buying 1/8th of a cow next month) but all of that fit on one of my shelves (see picture above) no problem. 

I am so excited and happy that I did this and I will for sure be doing it again. 

And now bring on the cow...

Go BEAVS!!!

There was going to be a big family birthday party at Hubs's sister's house before the OSU Beaver game this last Saturday. Because Oak was sick, her and I stayed home and Hubs and Mac went since he was so excited to play with his cousins. Everyone had tickets to the game and they had an extra adult and child ticket so Hubs and Mac got to go to the game to. They weren't planning on it, so they weren't dressed to stay dry and warm, but thankfully his cousin Gavin had some extra clothes for him. Hubs texted me this picture and they were sitting on the front row with Hubs's whole family. I guess Mac had so much fun with his cousins. He ended up falling asleep about the 3rd quarter and they didn't get home until nearly 1 am. 

I am so glad that they got to go!

Pumpkin Patch adventure...

So I wish our tradition would have gone a bit different this year, but there is always next year. And it wasn't a total loss. So we had plans to go to the patch this last Saturday, but then we decided not to go because Oak has been sick and because it was supposed to be raining. But when Saturday morning came the sun was shining a bit, and Oak was acting okay but still sick, so we decided to bite the bullet and go. So we are either really awesome parents or really awful parents for taking our family to the pumpkin patch in the rain with one  kid sick. 

As we were driving to the patch, Hubs asked Mac to say a prayer that it wouldn't rain while we were there, so that Oak wouldn't get wet and cold and make her sicker. He wanted to but only if he could say it in his head instead of out loud. He did and when we got out of the car, it was just sprinkling and by the time we got on the wagon it wasn't raining at all. It didn't start raining again until on our way home. So we were able to talk to Mac about how Heavenly Father can answer our prayers even if they are simple.

Waiting in line for our tractor pulled wagon to get back.

Mac showing our tickets.

Cute and excited boys!

Oak was pretty grumpy for obvious reasons. The only time she was happy when the wagon ride would get bumpy and make us bounce up and down.

The pumpkin selection was very hard. Our rule is that you have to be able to carry your own pumpkin out and the patch that they took us to was all huge pumpkins. Mac and Oak's pumpkins were the smallest we could find and it was just barely light enough for him to carry on his own, but he struggled with it. On top of that they only gave us about ten minutes before we had to head back. 

Oak didn't like the mud and tripping into the mud and just wanted to be held and then would get mad when her boots would slip off while we were holding her. 

In all we were glad we went, and now Mac can hardly stand to wait until next weekend to carve his pumpkin.

five months, feelings and happenings...

Today marks five months since we were approved to adopt. This day is significant because on our five month mark the first time we were approved was the day we found out about Mac. So tomorrow will officially be the longest we have waited for any of our babies. I am okay with it to a degree since I have had the feeling that this time it will take much longer. But it still makes me anxious, since we have had no contact at all from an expectant parent.

The first few month of being approved I had more anxiety about that fact that we weren't physically ready for a baby to join our family. Like we didn't have a big enough vehicle to fit another car seat, and the expense seemed overwhelming to think about buying more diapers and formula. So the wait was tolerable and I welcomed it. But we now have a minivan and Oak is potty trained and we just feel physically ready  now. We are also about to convert Oak to a big girl bed so the crib will even be ready soon.

I don't feel hopeless about the wait, but I just feel anxious. And this may sound a bit weird, but I would like to have some sort of contact from an expectant parent even if it doesn't work out. I just want to feel like we are being considered and that we are still working towards something. I know that the Heavenly Father's hand is creating our story, and I am trying to remember and have faith in that. He did it two other times for us and He will do it again.

On another note, lately our infertility has made me a bit sad, not depressed, just sad. I feel like I am revisiting old feelings and the loss of what I will never get to experience, and having to grieve again about it. And the hardest part is that I feel totally guilty about it. I feel like I don't have the right to be sad about it because I am incredibly blessed. And I really thought that I had healed way more than this. And the guilt has been the hardest thing to work through. My sadness isn't even as intense as it has been in years past. It has just brought a heaviness to my heart and then when I realize that my heart is heavy I feel guilty which feels suffocating. I feel like I am going in circles. These feelings haven't taken me over or my life so in whole I am doing good.

Thankfully I have a lot to distract me, that helps A LOT! And actually we are doing really good and we are happy as a family. To prove that, here are a few little happenings...

*Pretty consistently we have been reading the scriptures (not the scripture reader) as a family at night before the kids go to bed and then saying family prayer. And then we always do a family hug, which I think the kids like the most.

*My SIL found out she is having a baby boy! I am so excited! I was hoping for a girl so that Oak would have a girl cousin close in age, but I had a feeling it would be a boy. She posted ultrasound pics on her blog and oh my his little feet are so adorable. We are all excited for him to come in March. Mac especially keeps talking about his new baby boy cousin who he has named Junior. lol.

*Oak had a fever with no other symptoms except a little more irritable for five days straight. I thought that it might be Roseola or a UTI or maybe an ear infection. But like I said she had no other symptoms so I never took her in. She never ended up with Roseola so I don't know what it could have been.

*I have been making Mac take naps again, and it has been so nice to have that alone time during the day to relax. Although I should be doing housework instead, haha.

*I have been watching the series Once Upon A Time on Netflix and I have really liked it. I also just noticed that the added new episodes to Switched At Birth, which I had been watching during the summer.

*I deactivated my Facebook account. I have gone back and forth for months about doing it, but then I always talk myself out of it, because I worry that we may miss a contact from someone about an expectant mother looking to place their baby for adoption. But I at least feel okay to do it for now. We will see how long it lasts.

*We went to the Pumpkin Patch and I will have pics up of that soon.

*Mac is loving Preschool!! I love that he loves it so much. So far I have decided to give him chance at the local elementary school for Kindergarten next year just to see how he does. Although I won't be letting him ride the bus. He is very impressionable especially when it comes to things that are not good and I feel the need to protect him from unnecessary bad influences.

*I had a pretty big health concern recently and after going to the doctor and then to another doctor for some tests all is fine and I am so happy because it was a big weight on my shoulders for a couple of weeks.

*We received the sweetest letter from Hubs's Mission President thanking us for coming to his wife's funeral. It was a standard letter he sent to everyone, but it was so meaningful and beautiful.

*Voting time! I don't like politics and don't ever want to talk to anyone about politics except my husband. But I am excited to vote, especially in this election. My hubby has his done, he is just waiting for me to fill my ballot out so we can drop it off.

*Mac has been drawing picture,. cutting them out and hanging them all over the house. It is adorable! I love it!

*I finally got our garage cleaned up a bit. It was trashed from all the summer playing and gardening.

*Did I mention that Oak is potty trained?!?! Like everything, day and night. I don't even worry about taking her anywhere in underwear anymore. I haven't changed a diaper in two weeks. That is the first time in almost five years. That is crazy! I kinda hope that I get to start changing diapers again really soon, but hope it is on our next baby.

*Oak is obsessed with wearing her OSU Beaver shirts all the time. It is kinda cute!

That is all I can think of at the moment. Sorry

a joke or two...

Oak was telling some pretty good jokes the other night and it was too cute. Then even cuter was her trying to get her other finger up so she could show that she was two. I can't help but laugh everytime I watch this video!

Things I love...

...the smell of homemade bread cooking in the oven.

...simple prayers answered.

...talking to my husband about my troubles and thoughts.

...tight hugs and kisses from my kids.

...when my kids show  concern and love for each other.

...falling asleep to my  sweet husband holding me every night.

...making memories for my kids.

...when my husband does something around the house to help without me asking.

...watching the smiles on my kids' and husband's faces.

...homemade granola cereal for breakfast.

...eating  roasted  veggies.

...sunny  fall days.

...when my kids AREN'T sick.

...knowing how our kids' birth parents are doing.

...my babies.

...for my health.

...taking treats to friends.

...adoption.

and then this boy...

Red hair...blue eyes...freckles...that smile....again, I am one lucky Mama!

I am actually really loving the age/stage he is at right now.

I think age five will suit him quite well (hopefully, since age 3 & 4 have been difficult).

I could just stare at him in wonderment all day long, looking at his facial expressions, listening to him talking and wondering what is going on in that little brain of his.

He has never been a "go with the flow" kid, but he has made a lot of progress in the last couple months.

And we are really proud of him.

He has a lot of energy and his brain is always moving.

He is too smart for his own good, and he is just great at problem solving and figuring things out.

He is a great drawer and has a creative mind.

He is learning to sound out words, but hasn't taken a great interest in wanting to learn to read yet.

He prefers informational books over story books and still remains a walking encyclopedia.

He loves anything spooky or gross, such a boy!

He loves to make up jokes and make people laugh.

He loves action figures or any little toy figures and make "set ups" as he calls them.

He is great at pretend play and can imagine the most amazing and creative things without much thought.

He can also tell some amazing stories.

He loves to help cook or bake when he gets the chance.

He is getting better at have more responsibility with daily chores.

He is getting better about trying new foods, or eating what he is given for dinner without a tantrum. 

He loves doing Taekwondo, and is doing great in it. 

He is asking often about our next baby and would like to name him or her Junior or Junior Asparagus. 

He doesn't have much interest in trying to learn to ride his bike without training wheels, maybe next summer.

He loves preschool! 

Love this kid and all the fire and ice he brings to our lives with his personality.

As I always tell him..."He's my boy!"

This girl...

Look at her!! Could I be any luckier to be her mom?!

Let me tell you, cuteness and spunk radiate from this girl.

She is way smarter than any barely two year old should be.

She can sing every word to at least 10 Primary songs without any help.

(A typical face Oak makes when she is talking)

Her vocabulary is amazing and she speaks in full sentences without a problem.

She pretty much can talk non stop, especially in the car.

Her facial expressions while talking are to die for, seriously.

She mimics EVERYTHING her big brother does.

She loves her bear and there is no tricking her if you swap it out for a clean one.

She only sucks her thumb when she is holding her bear.

She is great at sitting still while I do her hair.

And the best of all she is now FULLY potty trained!!!(day AND night)

I love this girl with every fiber of my being...I don't ever want to live with out her. EVER!!

General Conference Weekend...

Wasn't General Conference amazing?!?! I always love General Conference. I so look forward to the spiritual nourishment and uplifting and it is always much needed. I didn't get to listen to as much as I would have liked because of my two adorable kids, but I love that I can go online and watch the talks I missed. And I plan on doing that!

One of the most meaningful moments was when Sis Dibb spoke of my amazing Mother-in-law and beautiful Sister-in-law Brooke. Read it HERE. Or watch it...

I really loved the over all message of Conference which seemed to be that there is true happiness in the Gospel even through our hardest trials. I loved that, because I know that has been so true for me and my family.

I also was so thrilled with the announcement for the age change for missionaries. I personally think it will be a great change. I am now even more determined to prepare my children for their missions, and feel a wonderful responsibility to even prepare my daughter(s?) who are more likely to serve than before the change. After hearing the change I was anxious to read what this amazing mother had to say about it. And she didn't disappoint! Her blog is one of my favorites to read.

The weather was amazing the whole weekend and tried to get outside during the break between conference and on Sunday evening we decide to take the chocolate cake my mom had made and head to the lake by their house to enjoy it. It was so much fun and will be a fun memory, or perhaps a new tradition. I have been trying to put extra effort in making fun, vivid memories with my kids lately. And I don't think I will regret that. 

Friday Fun Day...

So I have now instituted Friday Fun Day in our house. Monday through Thursday is pretty beaten down with preschool, naps and Taekwondo. I feel like such a gestapo the whole week teaching Mac how to be responsible and do chores and how to get ready for school. So having a day off to just have fun, with no major schedule and no daily chores (just the usual pick up after yourself) and just enjoying time with my kids and not expecting too much from them is much needed. I am trying to make them simple and cheap. 

This week, I knew what we were going to do so I talked it up all week. The kids have been so excited to go to the farm to feed the goats, play on the playground and eat lunch. Since it is at a pumpkin patch and it is October they had some extra fun stuff that we could look at and do. It was also fun to talk to the kids about getting to do some of the other bigger stuff when we come back to actually do the whole pumpkin patch thing. It was such a beautiful day and it was neither hot nor cold outside. Loving this unusual fall weather here in Oregon. I also let the kids pick out a treat and a small pumpkin so that we could paint it at home. (Side track a bit...I almost never buy my kids anything when we go to the store, no treat, no toys, nothing. I know I am mean. So I have also tried to add them being able to get a little something while we are out doing our fun day.) Mac got some Halloween cookies and Oak picked out a sucker stick. They also had fun painting their pumpkins after nap/quiet/rest time. They did a great job and now I have some cute little painted pumpkins to help decorate the house.