Who We Really Are

Do you ever take a moment to shake off the many layers of goop that cover our eyes when we look at ourselves? I was lamenting the pictures of me in the last post. I was sad to see the oh not so elegant way I looked. From the aging face to the not so thin body to the messed up hair and makeup that was not looking so fresh. I was sad. Then I was blessed to see what was really there. A mother that is gone over 40 hours from her family during the week, who tries so hard to keep her house in good shape took time on the weekend to teach her daughter. My husband and I were able to put aside all of the to do things and focus on two very sweet little girls. It would have been easier to not run around a parking lot chasing a teetering little girl, but every smile was worth it. While I always want to be improving maybe taking time to really see what is there is far better.

Bikes

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More Missing Teeth

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Hacked and Hijacked on Birthday

Hello! This is Krista's ever-adoring husband, Chad. I just wanted to hijack her blog on this very special day in order to wish her a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I love Krista so much and I want her to know it (as well as the rest of the world)! I celebrate Krista (her birth, her life, the fact that she became a part of mine, and our life together).

Camping Trip

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Our Trip To Utah

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Orange Belts

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Happy 4th of July

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Boise July 2011

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Mesa Falls

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Weekend Fun

We are heading to Mesa Falls today so look for the pictures in the next couple of days. And I need help! I am trying to be good and eat healthy, but due to my size and slow turtle like metabosim it is hard. I do well until dinner times then I don't cook at all or what I do cook is too heavey of a meal for dinner time. What do you do? Do you say "As long as I get on the tred mill in the morning I'm eating whatever." Or do you make your dinner the smallest meal of the day and how do you do that?

First 2 Days of Summer

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No Comments

Okay, I am going to take a moment to whine. I realize that I didn't post for a really long time, but now I need gratification. I need to know people are reading the posts and thinking I am as funny as I think I am. Is this wrong of me? Maybe because as a mother I get no gratification and at work I only get it when I get paid or when I get off. I think we all need little cheerleaders that follow us around and tell us how awesome we are when we need to hear it.

Hot Olive and Artichoke Dip

So, I received 4 fresh artichokes in my Bountiful Basket on Saturday. I looked them over, patted them and put them on my counter while I pondered "Whaaaaat?" (Please say it in the way it is said on Despicable Me.) Anyway, I got on-line and looked up a couple of recipes. I didn't dislike them, but I didn't love them. In fact the dip was mostly thrown out because no one ate it at the Sunday dinner get together. However, my co-worked asked me to bring some to work and she liked it. So this recipe is for my awesome co-worker whom I esteem much and laugh with often.

Ingredients
1 can of artichoke hearts or 1 fresh artichoke that has been cooked a really long time.
10 whole black olives (or a whole can if you are like me)
8 ounces of cream cheese
1 cup of mayonnaise (stop thinking about the calories, it won't help)
1 whole egg
1/4 cup red onion diced (or whatever onion you have on hand)
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (again add more if you are like me)
3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 5 to 8 times until mixture is combined but not totally liquefied. Stir and check seasonings, (I asked Chad to do it in case it was really nasty) then pour into a small casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Enjoy!

Fishing

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Pain and Smiles

Some of you may know that I did Judo for awhile when I was in college. I really liked it. I wasn't great at it, but still I found the formal instruction fascinating. I remember flexing in the mirror and being proud of my strength. 8 years and 2 kids later I will admit I don't flex much anymore and looking at my body in the mirror is a no-no. However, thanks to my fabulous daughter I am again taking a martial arts class. It is not Judo because I couldn't find one in town, but I am taking Tae Kwon Do. That first class was so hard. I knew I was walking into an unfamiliar situation and I was worried. McKayla reassured me that it would be fun and that I would love it. Easy for a 6 year old to say! I woke up sore after my first class. Not as sore as I have been in the past, but still sore. However, with the sore muscles I feel a pride in myself that I did it. I can be strong again and be proud of myself. I don't think I will ever be as driven or crazy about this sport as I was about Judo, but I still like it. I am stuck with it for the next 7 weeks, so I will let you know how I feel.

Silly Family

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Pictures from the new camera

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A New Camera

My Camera has been slowly breaking for some time. I liked the camera, but I told myself that I would get a really good one once this camera no longer worked. Of course I was also going to take a photography class too. Anyway, we bought a camera that cost as much as a small child and I can't take the class. Why you ask? Because I am working forty hours and I just signed miss Mckayla and myself up for Ti Kw on Do twice a week, that's why. So as soon as I get through the large manual and 5 instruction cds, be ready for really fabulous pictures.

The Princess and the Cow Girl

Once upon a time there was a brave cowgirl named McKayla. She went to an elementary whose mascot was the cowboys. Therefore she had to dress like one numerous times throughout the school year. (And I thought being a pirate was odd.) Anyway, she was grateful that her Grandma Porter had the outfit. She was going along one day and noticed a princess named Ariana was in distress. An evil vampire was chasing the princess. But fear not! Our brave cowgirl pulled out her french fries, which vampires are allergic to, and saved the day. The princess was so grateful she almost posed for this picture. THE END

Yep, McKayla swears that vampires are allergic to potato products

And You Thought I Was MIA

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Time

I find that time is a funny thing. I notice that at times it flies by so fast and at other times it drags on. As a child time seemed longer. Summer vacation was long enough and winter ended as it always should. As an adult I have noticed that I feel like time is slipping away. It seems to travel faster than I can catch it. Therefore I am trying to embrace the moments as I can and let them gracefully glide by so that I am ready for the next memory to start. And yet here I am, sitting, waiting and thinking, "It's going by too fast!"

A Type Personality

Even though I have decided to add three days of employment to my life, I still have to stick to my cleaning routine. I am pleased to say my bedroom has been scrubbed from top to bottom. I could have done a little more, but there are always things to do. I now have started on Ariana's room and I might add that if that child does not grow up to be a great artist I will be very disappointed. She has used her white bead-board as a lovely canvas. It was a difficult day because I was behind, but as I have finished up my cleaning and as I am waiting for McKayla to clean her room, I find peace. I am at peace with myself and my home. Yes, at times I stress too much on my house, but I realized why. It is something that is important to me and brings me relief. Granted I am not too far for diagnosing myself with a compulsion disorder for now I will relish in my fresh smelling carpet and dust free ceiling fan.

Sledding

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