(almost) Eight Weeks and Counting Down!

I know it seems rediculous to start counting down already, but man, is this the longest pregnancy ever! Aside from that, I have finished painting the baby's room and have all the stuff that I have, out and orgainized. I love the look of girly pink clothes hanging on white hangers in the closet that is painted PINK! So different from what I am used to seeing. My poor husband is just about finished with me. I am so grumpy and tired and don't do much but complain. He has been a real trooper-even making a delicious dinner tonight! Thanks honey! My boys are really taking the brunt of it. My frustration with not being able to easily bend down to pick stuff up has sent me over the edge. I feel like all I do is snap at who ever is closer, and demand things to be done right then! We will all be relieved the day this is over and we can finally enjoy our little girl. And for all of you who may be wondering about the name.....nothing yet. But I'll be sure to let you know as soon as we know. Please, pray for me and my family that we can all make it through this alive and still together as a happy family!

Missing Husband

I got an "email forward" from a friend. I loved it so much I thought I would share it with you all.

Rick was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry. She told him Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 10 seconds, AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!'

The next morning Rick got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, and brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Rick has been missing since Friday. Please pray for him.

The Chi Machine

Here are Marshall and Simon getting their "chi" back in line.

The boys were busy!

While we were gone, the boys had so much fun! They carved and decoraged lots of pumpkins, helped grandpa with the chores outside, and did lots of raking and jumping in the leaves.

Finally a Vacation

Jeff finally took some time off from work, being that it was the last week in his billing year, and he had more than enough hours.  We stopped in paragonah for a night and did some fishing.

We took off for Salt Lake with an empty van.  How sweet it was.

We stayed with our friends Ben and Noelle's house in Alpine, and thoroughly enjoyed a few nights without the wild boys.   Tuesday night Jeff and Ben went to a Ray LaMontagne concert, and Wednesday night we all went out to dinner at Flemmings and then to a Joshua Radin concert.  It was in this tiny dive of a night club with only a couple hundred people there, if that.  To most people, these two artists are totally unknown.  Jeff dug them up almost 2 years ago and we are both big fans.  Click on their links and check out some of their music.

Happy Halloween!

We tagged along to Kate and Zach/ Greg and Whitney's Halloween Trunk or Treat. Here are the pictures of the final costumes. Simon was done being a boxer and took off his costume before I could get a picture. Here is a good shot of his black eye. The funny thing is, only 1/2 of this was makeup. He really did get a black eye about a week before while playing at his cousins house.

Fun with Friends

My highschool friend Heather, who lives in Chandler, AZ, made a last minute trip to Vegas.  It was so great to see her and her cute kids.  I think it had been 4 years since I saw her last! Crazy! She looks fabulous, her kids are hilarious, and their bar is doing well.  You would think that living only 5-6 hours away we would see eachother more.  WRONG!  It was great while it lasted and can't wait to see her again.

Happy Birthday Grandma Pam

(If you can't open it click on this link.)

Max Update

7 weeks post WinRho and Max's platelet count is 86. So crazy that we can never predict what it will be. In the first 4 weeks it dropped from 500's to 150, then 3 weeks later went from 150 to 86. At least it is slowing down for now. We will see what happens. All we can do is wait.

Simon's Amazing Alphabet Adventure

I was talking to some friends about this book I got Simon last year for Christmas. Here is the link.  It is absolutely hilarious!  A bit more pricey than I remember, but worth every penny!

Bread Part II

I had some requests for the recipe so here it is. It is not my mom's recipe, but my friend's mother-in-law's. She has been using it for years and it never fails to get rave reviews. I altered it a tad, so I will post my version (only difference being 1 cup of white vs. wheat flour)I had some requests for the recipe so here it is. It is not my mom's recipe, but my friend's mother-in-law's. She has been using it for years and it never fails to get rave reviews. I altered it a tad, so I will post my version (only difference being 1 cup of white vs. wheat flour)

2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
2 Tbs salt
5 cups HOT water
~mix~
4 cups whole wheat flour
~mix~
2 Tbs yeast
~mix~
4 cups whole wheat flour
~mix~
*****upto 4 cups white flour*****
*****This is where you are on your own.  Depending on where you live and what the weather is like, this part will change.   The first time I made it I only used 1 1/2 cups, the second time was 2 1/2 cups.  It will vary every time you make it.  You want to add it a little bit at a time until the dough pulls away cleanly from the sides of your mixing bowl (I am using a Bosch, NOT hand kneading).

Mix on medium speed for 10 minutes(yes it seems like a long time but is necessary)

Keep covered and let rise for 1 hour.

Using non-stick spray on counter and hand, form into loaves.

(using flour will make your bread drier.  This takes away all the stickiness and makes the bread incredibly easy to handle)

This will make 5 - 1lb. loaves

(I use kitchen scale to be sure my loaves are all uniform.  I don't have 5 -1lb. pans so I make 2-1lb. loaves and 2 -1 1/2lb. loaves.)

Cover with damp towl and let rise 1 hour, or until 1 1/2 inches above pan.

Cook 1lb loaves for about 30 minutes.**

Cook 1 1/2 lb loaves for about 35 minutes.**

Let cool on cooling rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Cool completely before putting them in storage bags.

**The time you bake them will differ depending on where you live.  My Grandma Edie taught me a way to check if your bread is done.  Lick your finger and quickly tap it against the bottom, center  of the pan.  It should give you a good sizzle sound.  To be sure, I carefully tip the bread out briefly to be sure the sides are nice and golden brown.  If not, back in it goes.

You can't rush goodness.  Let it rise and bake and be patient.  If you rush it you won't be happy with the results.  I allow myself 3 hours start to finish.  Not too long for a little taste of sweet heaven, hot and fresh from the oven.

Bread, Bread, and more Bread

I am on a little kick right now and decided to stop buying crappy bread for my kids, (I still have to buy it for Jeff, however.) My first attempt...didn't let it rise enough and it was really dense and heavy. My second attempt...didn't let the larger loaves bake long enough so we had 2 good loaves and 2 loaves for toast. My third attempt was successful, as was this one, my fourth attempt. One full loaf was gone within 30 minutes - there is nothing as good as hot, fresh bread right from the oven. My kids love it! I have a great recipe I use that is super easy and super yummy! Who knows how long this goodness will last but we will enjoy it while it does!

Sleep, Simon, Sleep

After I put Marshall and Max in bed, I stepped into Simon's room to check on him. I couldn't find him anywhere. I almost started to panic when I heard a faint noise coming from under the bed. I thought for sure he was being silly and hiding from me. When I got down and looked, he was asleep. Since Simon was a baby, he has been notorious for falling asleep in strange positions. Funny how things don't change.

Will and Tabitha's Wedding

Platelet Hell

Not too bad, I guess. Went in to the doctor today and 4 weeks later Max's platelet count was down to 202. Kind of a bummer when you think that the normal range is 150-400. So to me it seems to be at the bottom of the range. Oh well. We go back in 3 weeks. We'll see then.