WE'RE GETTING SISTER MISSIONARIES!

Today it was announced in church that our ward is getting sister missionaries and they are coming tomorrow!! I have waited 5 years to live in a ward where there are sister missionaries and I am so excited, I can't use enough exclamation points!!!!! I went and signed up for dinner for Tuesday night (the only other night that was taken for the week was Monday, so I figure we'll have to fix that). I also signed up for exchanges after dinner on Tuesday. I just really want them to know me and know that they can call me anytime they need a ride or anything--they share a car and I know what it's like have an area this big and bike everywhere. Plus the church is really strict on miles these days...worse than when I was a missionary. And this is really rural here, so not a lot of subdivisions or apartment buildings to tract. The upside (sort of) is that the elders we've had here in the recent past (not the most recent ones, they were really good) were major slackers so there's a lot of tracting and other work that definitely needs to be done. A lot of people they can recontact, you know? Anyway, I'm so excited, I'm just rambling. Okay, I have to go finish making dinner.

Just Strollin'!

I think I mentioned that we got Craig a little push-walker thing that converts to a sit-down ride-on thing when he's older. He took to it like Forrest Gump to a box of chocolates! He knew exactly what to do, and he even figured out how to steer it a little and get it moving again when he runs into a wall or the couch! I was so impressed. :) So, here's a little video of him doing his thing.



P.S. Ignore that trumpeting sound that happens part way through the video--that's just Robert in the bathroom, blowing his nose (or a foghorn, I'm not sure which).

Mmmmm...Cupcake Pops

Yesterday I got the urge to bake. I miss baking. A lot. But since I'm not eating sugar, it's hard to have baked goods around. So, I decided to satisfy my hunger for baking, I would make these Cupcake Pops and give them to the people I visit teach. Of course I had to try one, to make sure they were okay, you know. Don't worry, it was a mess up and was broken, so I think most of the sugar leaked out.

It was actually a lot of fun. I did a double batch, which I wouldn't recommend unless you have some help. These things are fun and easy, but time consuming. I found them here, at Pioneer Woman's blog, but she got them here, from Bakerella, who actually appeared on Martha Stewart to demonstrate them. Try it--it's a lot of little steps, but I think it's worth it. I will post the instructions and recipe below, or you can go to the other websites where I got them from.

You will need:
1 box cake mix (I used Devil's Food, like Pioneer Woman)
1 container icing (I used cream cheese, like Bakerella)
1 pack chocolate bark
1 pack white chocolate bark (I think they call it vanilla)
*Bakerella used pink melts, but I preferred the white.
Sprinkles, colored sugar, M&Ms, etc. for decorating (be creative...I wasn't really)
Lollipop sticks (I had bamboo skewers, so I used those)
Styrofoam block

To Make:
Bake cake in 9x13 pan according to directions and let cool. Crumble into a bowl and add the icing (maybe a little less than a full container). Form into balls (I did them about the size of a bouncy ball, but I think the others did them smaller) and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cool in the fridge or freezer (depending on quickly you want them to set) until firm, but not hard. For this next part (shaping), you can use a small, clover shaped cookie cutter as the others used, but I didn't have one small enough, so I just used my fingers to shape it into a cupcake shape--you know, narrow bottom and muffin-top. They actually kind of looked like mushrooms. (Which gives me an idea, but that's for another day.) Melt chocolates in double boilers or in the microwave at 30 second intervals. (If you use a pot of boiling water with a bowl on top, I would suggest not using a glass bowl but use metal instead. Also, be sure that the water isn't touching the bottom of the bowl when it boils.) Dip the bottom of the cupcakes into the milk chocolate, set upside down on foil baking sheet and put the stick through the middle, but be sure not to go more than half way through the cupcake. When dry, hold cupcakes by the stick and dip tops into white chocolate. While wet, decorate with sprinkles, M&Ms, colored sugar, whatever you want. Stick into styrofoam and let dry. And you're done!
Makes about 25, if you make them the size of bouncy balls (Martha says it makes like 50, but she must make them tiny.)

For play-by-play photos, go to the Pioneer Woman or Bakerella links above.

Warnings? Who needs 'em!

I happened to be looking at the back of the highchair the other day when I read this warning for the first time:

Have you ever read something like this then realized that you have done all of the things listed?

My contention is, though, that all baby toys say, "Never leave child unattended." Of course, I agree, but within reason. If you never left your child unattended, what would be the point of having the toy if not to distract the child while you get a few things done (i.e. shower, do dishes, feed yourself...)? But don't worry, I keep a good eye on Craig...I just also know the value of a sane Mommy.

Dinner and a Movie

Does anyone else remember the Dinner and a Movie night that TBS (I think) used to have? I loved that...I wonder why they don't do it anymore.

Anywho--Robert and I went out last night for our anniversary. We went to this restaurant called The Montana Club (it's a chain around here), and I really liked it. Robert is the ultimate critic, but I think he liked it enough to go back, but probably not for the steak. (If you don't want to be kept from going to places like Outback because "it smelled like throw up one time when I went in," don't marry a chef.)

Then we went and saw the new movie "Duplicity". It was really cute. It had funny moments and some unexpected twists. There was one twist that Robert and I guessed in the very beginning of the movie, which is always a little disappointing, but it was a good movie for the most part. Not a lot of inappropriate stuff, compared to other PG-13 movies out there these days. Well, unless you count the times you see unmarried people in bed together. But you don't see any action when they're in bed, just talk. So, that's my review. I recommend checking it out in my favorite review site, kidsinmind.com, if you want to know everything about it, from words they say (like "butt" and of course more) to every immodest piece of clothing worn (and more). In fact, I think I'll add it to My Favorite Sites list on the side bar.

All in all, it was really a fun night. I especially enjoyed coming home and finding that the babysitter had not only done all the things I'd asked her to correctly, but she had vacuumed and thoroughly cleaned the high chair! And she's only 14! Yeah, she's my favorite, I think.

Coughs, runny nose, and fever

No, that's not Craig

Poor little Craig. He's got a runny (really icky) runny nose, a fever (not too bad, though), and he coughs like a seal begging for me to throw him another fish. I wish I could do more to make him feel better. When Robert and I were out last night we stopped at Wal-Mart to buy a better thermometer (got this one--it's awesome) and we decided to pick him up a couple new toys. We're not quite as indulgent as it sounds--he has a lot of toys, but he's outgrowing them and we've been meaning to get him something with the block shapes that he can fit into the right holes--he seems to love putting things in other things. We also have been wanting to get a little push walker thing since he loves to walk around holding onto the walls and furniture, so we did it. This morning, when he woke up, it was like Christmas! I feel so sorry for my poor little guy. :( I hope that made him happier.

Mommy's Little Helper

Finally, I can assign some chores to Craig! He's developed an obsession with the vacuum cleaner. We keep it in the corner of his room, so now whenever I go in there to put him down for a nap, no matter how tired he is, he pushes, squirms, and whines until I give him some alone time with the vacuum. Ever since I took this video, I've been bringing the thing out once a day for him and the vacuum to have a little play date. :) He cracks me up.



I love how when he finally realizes I'm there, he starts to talk and point at the vacuum, like he's telling me, "Look Mom, I made a new friend! Isn't he cool! He let's me push him around!"

P.S. This is our beloved $5 thrift store vacuum...it's commercial grade, apparently, so we have buy the bags and belts online (and attachments), but it sucks like a tornado. We love it, and when we first brought it home, Robert was literally pulling it out to show anyone that came over. What is it with Leal men and a yellow vacuum cleaner?

Onions strings

By the way, I made these the other day, and you can find the recipe here. They were really good, but let me warn you, if you eat a whole batch by yourself, you might feel a little queasy the rest of the day. I think it was worth it. :)

(FYI: The recipe calls for buttermilk, but I was too impatient to wait until I went grocery shopping, so I substituted with a little cheat--you just add one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice per one cup of regular milk, stir, and use like buttermilk! I also only used about an inch to an inch and a half of oil in my pan since I didn't have as much as the recipe says and they came out just fine.)

So, for our anniversary, we went to Denny's

We did go to Denny's last night, but it was because we were in Missoula for some shopping and had to eat dinner, so that's where we went, but it wasn't for our anniverdary. Robert and I are going out tomorrow night for our official anniversary date and we're going to place called the Montana Club (more on that later). As we were leaving Denny's, Craig got all excited about the stuffed animals in the claw machine case. (You know--the ones that are rigged so you can never win no matter how many quarters you put in and you end up spending more than you would just to go out and buy the stuffed animal at Wal-Mart?) I had $.50 in change so we got two quarters and put them in the machine, but just so Craig could see the claw thing move. Well, Robert moves it over this one little chickie laying right next to the drop bin, lowers it down, it grabs it, lifts it up, carries over to the drop bin, and drops it in! I was shocked! I haven't seen one of those machines works in years, and I have never seen one at Denny's work! I kept thinking at any moment it was going to not close until it raised up above the chick, or it was going shake so much it would drop out of the claw, or it was going to drop right before it got to the bin, but it didn't! I was so happy for Craig. It's actually a pretty cool little toy, I think. So, that's our most exciting news for the week, so far. :)

Four years, and counting

Well, it's our anniversary today. I was trying to think of something clever to do, or funny, or touching, but I guess my creative bug is tired or something. Craig already gave us our anniversary gift--he slept last night from 7:00 until 7:30 this morning without requiring either of us to go in to him at 5:00am! Way to go bubs! FYI: for the last 5 months I've been nursing him at 5:00am and starting last Saturday night Robert went in so I could complete the weaning process (sigh) and last night was the first night Robert didn't have to go in. It was fabulous. So, here's a picture to commemorate our wedding day, and my words of Happy Anniversary, Sweetie. I love you.

Youtube Temple Video

I posted a YouTube video at the bottom of the page about temples. It's similar to ones we've seen before, but I really liked it--it has Pres. Monson titled as the president of the church so I think it was made recently. It's just always good to remember why we build temples and why it's important to share that information with other people. I wish I lived closer to a temple. That's my goal for the next move we make. Or maybe I'll go spread the gospel to enough people in my area so they'll build one in Missoula. :)

I love Reader's Digest

Here are some little nuggets from my most recent issue of The Reader's Digest.

"So many of Lassie's fans want to ask: Is he allowed on the furniture? Of course he is--but then, he's the one who paid for it." Julia Glass

"Before the shopper could pay for her groceries with a personal check, I needed her address. 'What's your street name?' I asked. 'I don't have a street name,' she said. 'I go by Juanita.'" Phillip Horton

This one is actually from Parents magazine:
When my 3 year old daughter, Adaline, threw a plastic toy at her twin brother, Ben, he ended up with a small cut and a black eye. The next night, I was reading Ben the story of the Good Samaritan from his kids' Bible. When I explained that one of the characters had been beaten up, Ben said, 'Maybe his sister did it.'" I thought of Andrew when I read this. :)

And this is my favorite:

Where am I going, and why am I in this hand basket?

Despite the title, (which I just used because I think that line is funny) I had another thought when I looked over and saw Craig in this position right before I took this picture. Some people say Moses was more of a toddler than a baby when his mother sent him down the river in a basket. Do you think he looked like this at all when Pharaoh's daughter found him? If so, I'd keep him, too. :)

New blog list

I updated my blog list, so be sure to check out some of the new ones I put on. I was accumulating so many great blogs from other moms (people I don't know but are either funny or have some great information) that I decided to make a separate list for all my "Mommy blogs". Don't worry, you're all still listed as "Family and Friends."

There's nothing like a baby's laugh

This video is only sound. I was blowing on Craig's neck the other day and he started laughing his little belly laugh. The camera happened to be right there, so I turned it on and started recording. If I had tried to get it set up to get a picture, too, it might have distracted him too much and ruined the moment. I hope this makes you feel a little brighter today. I know I will be going back to it when I need a pick-me-up. There's nothing like a baby's laugh.

This is what a typical morning looks like for me

My sister-in-law did this post a while ago and I set the idea aside, thinking I would use it one day when I had nothing else to post. That day has come. I hope this is somewhat interesting for you. I enjoyed seeing things around her house, so maybe you'll find the same enjoyment. Basically, you take the same pictures I have below of how your house looks right now--no cleaning or fixing up allowed. So, here it is.

First is the closet. I actually just spent a couple days a few weeks ago sorting our clothes that don't fit and reorganizing everything. It looks better. (The stuff on the floor isn't normally there--this morning it suffered from the tornado, Craig.)

Then there's the living room. I guess this one can be labeled my favorite room of the house. I sit here sometimes and read while Craig plays on the floor (his toys are in here). This is also where we watch T.V. sometimes at night. (We are American Idol junkies, I admit.)

Which leads me to the next item. The T.V. Don't look at me--it was Robert's idea. He's been wanting a T.V. like this for a loooooooooong time, so we got it about a year ago. I dread thinking what it's going to be like trying to move it and mount it where ever we go next. (By the way, when we moved in, this corner was just the raised platform bottom where the stove sits. It had really ugly, un-grouted tile. Robert tore out the tile, built the supports and the top, and re-tiled everything. The little T.V. we used to have sat on a table off to the side. It was really awkard looking--bad feng shui. I think this looks really good. I was really impressed he could do it all without a how-to book. :))

Next we have the bathroom. It's small and our only one. Not much else to say about it. (Cape Lookout themed, of course--see poster on far wall.)

Then there's the laundry. I just did a bunch yesterday, so I lucked out on not having to show you overflowing hampers, except the towels. I didn't do those. Oops.

In my sister-in-law's blog she titled this one "The Kids", but since there's still only one, here he is. He's sitting in the doorway of the bedroom, watching me blog stalk.

And there's me. Remember, I couldn't wait until after I showered, dressed, and got cleaned up for the day, so this is what you get.

You also get to see what I have on my feet right now. My cozy pink slippers. I love 'em. I'd wear them everywhere, if I could. They have hard rubber soles, after all.

And my favorite shoes, other than my pink slippers. Ahhhh, slip-ons...a pregnant girl's best friend.And last (and probably least favorite) is the kitchen. I haven't done the dishes yet today. I usually dread them and put them off until sometime in the late morning or early afternoon. I complain about the smell all morning, break down and do them, then spend twenty minutes plugging in air fresheners and spraying room freshener around the house. An over-sensitive nose--not a pregnant girl's best friend.

That's it--I now tag anyone who maybe enjoyed this and doesn't have anything else postworthy. I look forward to seeing you all in your finest moments. :)

Mission Reunion

Just really quickly, I wanted to post this for any NCRM return missionaries out there. The Mabey's are having a reunion next month. Information follows.

2003-2006 NCRM MISSION REUNION

TIME-SENSITIVE INFORMATION: PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS NOW!!
ANY QUESTIONS—CALL PRESIDENT AND SISTER MABEY AT
801-943-9218 OR 801-599-2734

Date: Friday, April 3, 2009

Time: Socializing—6:00 p.m. Dinner & Program—7:00 p.m.
***PLEASE NOTE*** Traffic will be very heavy on this Friday. Allow ½-1 hour extra travel time depending on how far you are traveling.

Place: Sandy Utah Granite South Stake—2126 East Gyrfalcon Drive (10000 South), Sandy UT 84092 (use MapQuest for directions)

Cost: $5.00 per person. The money is helping to cover the cost of dinner. However, we don’t want lack of funds preventing anyone from coming. If you need to make any financial arrangements, please contact us.

Dress: Missionary attire (suit coat optional)

RSVP: Only if you are attending (REALLY, YOU MUST, so we know how much food to plan on) by sending in the form and your money (make checks payable to Dan Mabey) by Friday, March 27th: 10375 South Altavilla Drive, Sandy UT 84092.

We are putting together a “slide show” as part of the program. We would love to have a picture of you (while serving). You may either include a print along with your RSVP (it will be returned to you at the reunion) or email your picture (by Friday, March 27th) to Elder Andrew Child at andrew.child@hotmail.com. If you have emailed a picture previously to Andrew, you don’t need to send another.

Time Change

Last night Robert and I were on our way to bed, then we remembered that we had to move the clocks forward one hour. Then I went to get ready (wash my face, brush my teeth, etc.) and Robert complained about how long it takes me to do it all. It claimed that it takes me under 10 minutes, if that, and that he should time me. When I left the room, the clock said 10:08. When I came back in it said 10:18.

"Alright," I said, "so it takes exactly 10 minutes, but is that so long?"
Robert mumbled something and we went moved on to saying our prayers. Robert said it, and this is part of how it went:

"Please forgive us our shortcomings...and please forgive me. Forgive me for moving the clock ahead 5 minutes while Sherry was in the bathroom."

The moral? It only takes me 5 minutes to go to the bathroom, wash my face, brush my teeth, and put my hair up at night! :) (And Robert's a cheater.)

The Adventures of Craigorio and The Amazing Snow Baby!

Unfortunately, despite the fact that it got above 60 degrees last week, and the fact that we planned a barbecue on Sunday to celebrate spring, it decided to snow two nights ago. The last time it really snowed, Craig was a little too young to appreciate it so I decided that he and I would make the most of this LAST SNOWFALL OF THE WINTER (hint, hint Mother Nature)and that we would make a snowman. I got him all suited up, got myself suited up as well, and out we went. He seemed to be a little interested in the funny white stuff, but also felt bound by his new, puffy marshmallow body and lack of hands. (He kept staring at the blue suit where his hands should have been and turning them over and over--he tried using them too, to push through the snow, as if to say, "I guess this could work...let me see what I can do with these.") I set out trying to make the snowman, but soon discovered the snow was ultra-dry and didn't stick together well. So, I piled it up as best I could, made a mouth and eyes, and put a hat and gloves on it. So, here it is. Craig and his temporary sibling. I was interested to see how he would respond to this other little being (kind of an experiment for the future, if you will). This was his initial reaction.


Well, we still have 5 months or so to work on it.

I love this little guy!

So, this is what I see most mornings when I'm doing my hair and makeup (sometimes I get it all in during his nap). First, I hear a pounding on the bathroom door, I look down and see the little Peeping Tom peering at me through the door crack. Then I poke my head around the door and say "Boo!" and he smiles. :) What a cutie. He loves to watch when I blow dry my hair.



(That's okay Craig, I'm used to people pointing and laughing at me.)

This little video (only 15 seconds) we took yesterday. (I didn't realize I couldn't rotate the videos after I download them--sorry). He's been taking a few stumbling steps now and then. This time he took an almost step, then fell and hit his mouth on my leg. I think his little pout at the end is so cute. :)

Updates

I forgot to update you all on my little chia head man. It took about a week, but he did start growing hair. I was later informed by the mother of one of the Achievement Day girls that if you put them near a fire or in warm place (since it's winter and there isn't much sun) then they grow more hair quicker. Live and learn. So the first picture is before I gave him his most recent hair cut and the second is after. I decided I kind of like the punk look he had going on in the first picture. Maybe I'll let it grow this time.





In other news, my Scentsy experience left much to be desired. In an attempt to not discourage those who may be interested in the future for themselves, I will simply state facts, and try to leave out opinion. Two people showed up to the party on Friday. They came at 11:30 even though it "started" at 10:30. They ordered a total of $28. One girl who couldn't make it (and called beforehand) works at a nursing home and said I could bring the stuff by there, leave it for the weekend, then pick up the orders later. Then she called and said that her boss only wanted me to leave catalogs and not the stuff (liability and all). On Tuesday, two people who couldn't make it on Friday were really interested so I said they could stop by Tuesday night to look it over, but then I realized I had to go with Robert into town anyway, where they live, so I planned to stop by one of their homes instead of them coming here. Then the nursing home girl called and said that they wanted to quickly look through the stuff before they made any purchases, so she asked if I could stop by that night also (Tuesday). I ended up being out with Craig (who had been sick and not sleeping well so was extremely fussy) until well after his bedtime and got $65 more in orders, for a total of $83 and like five hours of calls, parties, and stop by's. (Okay, so I didn't totally leave out opinion.) I'm sure this is a great business for a lot of people and I may be willing to try it again if we move to a bigger area with more opportunities and people willing to spend money.