Mr & Mrs Smith

There is a talk by President Spencer W Kimball of the church back in 1976 on Family Preparedness .  He covers just about every aspect including the year supply of food. His emphasis leans toward developing a strong work ethic. Sometimes I feel like I'm ready to give up this part-time work to focus on my family more - so that I can do more fun things with Lexi and work on home projects. And while I think there is time to make quality time with the family, society today has distorted what quality time should be. I fell for it. When I do stay home full-time with the second child, I have to move past the elaborate craft projects and museum trips, when in reality those aren't the necessary norms in order for my children to grow and develop into hard working, intelligent adults. I think it is great that we put forth all this effort in accomplishing all these pre-school and home school goals. I think it's good to stay busy, but sometimes a nd now I dare think most days , we c...

She has started requesting waffles ever since our trip to NC where she had Eggo waffles for the first time. Homemade waffles where I'm not actually mixing aren't quite as good as those artificial ones, but perhaps one day we will have a baker in the family. I caught myself several times wanting to be like "just let mommy do it" it is SO hard to give up control and let them be kids for a second. I'm not about to let her get waffle all over the kitchen, but I did want her to enjoy helping and creating, which she did. Apron credit to my amazing mother.

So life is still going really great except that I want all my things back. You heard me; I'm a materialistic girl. When I want to wear shorts in March, I want the option - instead I'm thinking how they are pilled head deep in boxes, tubs, or wherever my husband packed them (in reality I think they are all still too big for me). I want to take out everything and make a space for it. I love unpacking, minus organizing all the clothes. I just want to move on. I'm not sure how other cultures do it. I know it's a first-world, American problem. I'll salute the flag and demand my own home as part of the American dream. This says nothing on how Grandma Smith governs her home; she allows us to need nothing, but alas I know she wants her home back too. And that's that folks. I told Mr husband that I want my own home for my birthday. I know he wasn't planning on getting me anything else. Can you believe I'll be 27!? d.y.i.n.g because that means Lexi will be T.W.O...

I was going to bed and then I thought what the heck, I'll gnaw on some homemade bread and throw some excess verbiage out into the unknown. All at once I feel like my back molar might fall out, an invisible ant is crawling on my arm and I didn't know how to spell gnaw. I was doing the dishes I ignored and then forgot about when it was a sane time to do them, so I'm trying to pick up each dish in a whisper. But we have ants now, so it has to be done. My best and most humorous thoughts come to mind late at night during my dish washing chores, but hardly anyone hears them because I am left alone and I forget by the time I come to the computer. But let me ask you a question. Do you ever have those times where dinner goes all wrong? I feel like that is my moment in the 24 hour day to prove myself. The babes are always irritable and demanding. The honey is running late at the office. Your temperature is rising, the mess piles up from the meals earlier that day, there...

So you 'd like to make your own fruit jam? It's the summer and you can have fresh berries. Mr Smith only likes strawberry jam so I thought this would be a fun project with my MIL in town. Because #1 Jam is expensive either way. #2 I love fresh made jam. I feel more at ease when I know what's in it* Here is my advice with making this little dream happen.  #1 Choose between freezing, canning or both Freezer jam is a much simpler process. And you don't have to have any canning equipment. But it requires more pectin per cup of strawberries (which is more expensive) and if you plan on making a lot of jam, you'll have to have the freezer space and not be worried about an electrical outage that would cause it all to spoil. Either method, they should be eaten within a years time. #2 Buy materials: Pectin, Jars, Strawberries, Lemon Juice… 2 gallons of strawberries made  6 pints of canned jam & 6 pints freezer jam = 12 pints (when you do...

I feel like this is what we want to do for us , right now . I'm sure things will change over time. Or maybe even tomorrow. But it's good to have specific, attainable goals in the beginning . . . We want to become more self sufficient and experience a whole foods, well balanced lifestyle. We can't grow a large garden and live on a farm, currently, but there are other things we can do. So, some of my current Food Goals: 1. Only buy whole wheat pasta, bread, brown rice and other whole grains with one exception, some recipes still need a mix of wheat & white flour so I will still by the unbleached from time to time. 2. Buy a wheat grinder and more hard wheat so we can have whole wheat flour whenever we want it: homemade tortillas, rolls, baked goods even. All that will be new for us. I'm not sure about tortilla chips, but there are whole wheat options there too. 3. Make sure fruits and vegetables make up 70% of my weekly shopping cart and my weekly groce...

I'm not even sure how to spell poinsettia, but Alexis ate my Christmas plant today. Well, I found a little leaf in her mouth & it was pushed over onto the floor. Needless to say, they are now moved. I was working really hard messing up her quiet book in the other room for all those who ask "well where were you." I could hear her. I just thought the plastic on the plant sounded a lot like her butterfly toy. And she was playing happily by herself. You do not disturb those moments! Any way, Mr Smith checked and it is not poisonous. Cheers to keeping Alexis alive for another day. I mean really . With regards to the book - I'll have to show you the 2 pages I have not completely finished, but mentally I am done with. I'm not sure why I wanted to start a quiet book. Maybe because I wanted all my hair to fall out. My goal is not to be embarrassed by it, realistic goal? (that's what Mr Smith asked). tbd. I need distractions. We have completed the following project...

A few from my pinterest board "my life in words" enjoy, feel inspired, or whatever . So because I'm a stay at home mom who can view pinterest at all times of the day, I feel obligated to become a CRAFT MONSTER. Named after what my crafts will most likely look like after I'm done. And no, it's not convenient that it's Halloween season. So I have a list of... motherly crafts I should start (pulling out my crinkled, wet post-it note that Lexi loved on): 1. cheese cloth wraps (for newborn shoots) 2. PJ pants (so they can be as long as I want) 3. curtains (so the neighbors can't see me naked in the kitchen) 4. Clemson skirt & bow for Lexi. Let's add BYU to this one too 5. A skirt for me (because why not) 6. 11X14 frame (already have the picture - mod podge on wood) 7. Boxspring upholstery (like burlap or something neutral) 8. A secret Christmas gift (that isn't Christmas-y) 9. Quietbook (church the...

So after Lori threw me a shower, I wanted to throw some love her way with one for the little man . {first time hosting; third time attending} A Bow-Tie Affair Mrs Lori is due a month after me.  But I'm the one who looks like I'm about to pop. Turns out we didn't get around to everything, but it turned out great.  Mrs Heidi is an amazing crafter & made the food toppers & advice book.  She baked. I cooked. And it was splendid. check.it.out This was my bad - instead of Blue Raspberry - I grabbed the Fruit Punch. So ya know, it was pink instead of blue. But who said boys can't love pink too =)    The hosts! We just happened to wear purple... I swear we didn't plan that. The Smiths! + the Smith babies

Finally!   28!!! 3rd Trimester!! Oh I don't really like this picture much, but it's a time of celebration nonetheless. almost there people!! (kinda not) Mr Smith & I decided it's time for a budgetary game plan.  This weekend we're going to sit down & plan out meals We'll begin cash only grocery shopping & stick to the allotted amount. It's going to be tough folks, but I've been wanting to do it for awhile. I've just been lazy. Not anymore! It's time to count those pennies each month and live smart. So grocery shopping is phase 1 of the live smart plan.  (especially now since we kinda have food storage...stored) However, I'm super glad Mr Smith insisted on a body pillow splurge at Walmart ($8 for pillow, $8 for cover) I am all over that pillow at night. It's just marvelous! And maybe it is helping with the back pain. Oh I ...

Because I would like someone to decide for me. I swear, we go to the store, spend enough, carry them up three flights, spend 10 minutes putting everything away and then I'm like "now what" - I have no more energy to even think about the possibilities.  I worry I'm starving my husband. I eat smaller portions and can be satisified off random leftovers and cereal. Mr Smith doesn't like cereal or grilled cheese so I throw my hands in the air. But he will ask you for another piece of chocolate cake. He has locked focus on the newest/lastest dragon book. He'll hate me for calling it that; I just know it's fantasy. And I feel like there is always a dragon in fantasy books. But let's not lose focus. I need your easy, good tasting recipes (that don't make you too fat) Here is what we currently have on our list: enchiladas (these are good & I don't need a recipe and therefore - no extra energy) quesadilas - see above. h...

This was supposed to be short. But turned long. I'm sorry. I could be getting my nails done, my hair done and purchasing new make up (that I've never really owned or knew how to use) I'm not saying all humble me for not having little luxuries in life (I can be jealous of Instagram from time to time) But for the most part, we just buy groceries and pay the bills. Maybe a few household items from time to time like a can opener that finally works Okay Okay, and even something big like a plane ticket or that bike trainer we've been talking about for months (and are still talking about) How do families live on smaller incomes? Cause most of America does. It baffles me how lucky we have it. But I really don't get how other people afford to live. That is assuming, they can how they are. We're fine, don't get me wrong. Especially without kids and with me getting a job,  but if I see how quickly money leaves wellsfargo.c...

I have two recipes that I really liked. They were easy for me. I'll post Pesto Pasta first because I have a picture: This may have involved two pots. I made this awhile back.  - almost a full box of bow tie pasta - I believe those were several tomatoes chopped up - I substituted pine nuts with honey roasted sunflower seeds (I'm sure the first was healthier but they cost 3xs as much for half the serving) - basil pesto from the jar (one day I'll make my own) - a full container of mushrooms - some chicken  I know there was something more than just basil pesto... I think I added like a quarter of cream cheese with a small amount of whatever red sauce I had in the fridge and knowing us, some mozzarella cheese was added It would be even better if you added spinach! --------------------------- NEXT was something I made up last night. And decided not to take a picture mostly due to laziness (and it wasn't that pretty) ...

I have to admit, I slacked A LOT on this goal. I didn't take my camera out of the house. I mainly just took pictures of the food I made. I promise, I'll get better. Lasagna, obviously. Mr Smith's lunch all week. He's amazing. Candy of the week I love my washer and dryer. And no, I don't think I'll ever take that plastic off. I tried lentils for the first time. I added lots of spices. I'm not in love with them, but we'll keep trying. The rolls turned into biscuits, so that sucked. I tried this 30 min roll recipe. I think they lied, but I thought it was worth the risk (wasn't) Breakfast casserole. For the first time I had everything a recipe called for. The chocolate made it. I don't think we're obsessed with it like the comments on the original recipe, but it was good, something different. Main Ingredients: oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, blueberries, walnuts, choc chips, banana (aka everything) I saw this on pint...

I freakin hounded some leftover cake with chocolate on top and pudding in the middle, remember that ? And now I feel gross. Just like when I couldn't stop eating pretzels while reading the other day. I finally got up and moved around and was feeling that mistake (never should move around again). Laundry is folded, the carpet is vacuumed, this dishes are done, and I'm in my bathrobe because I'm still apparently chilly in our 80 degree apartment. Oh yeah. Life is great, bring on the cigar! Oh wait, I forgot to clean the toilets! Now give me two children on my hip and it's just a dream come true. Twins! And Facebook is showcasing the political battle of social healthcare! Well aren't we all just interested in how this will play out? I don't know much to really get in a political battle (yes, I know that's my fault). I have the general picture, but I doubt if many people understand the full implications on either side. It's just getting sta...

So maybe I've done a scrapbook or two in my day. I designed some prints for my wedding in photoshop. There is that one time I sewed a quilt back in young women's, but then I hastily completed it leaving it as a fixer-up project for later on. Today is the later on, except I haven't even touched that blanket. It's in the bin with the wanna-be projects. Due to some friends in the ward, I had an excuse to work on something specific. I have wanted to make a wreath for the front door for quite some time. I see them all over pinterest and they look so darn cute. Mr Smith doesn't do well without offering a comment or two regarding crafts, but I know he'll suck this one up =) (He told me this morning that someone stole it off the front door. I just shot him a dirty look and said don't you dare touch it). It took a lot more time and stiff arms that I realized, but I finished it between the hours of 12 PM and 10 PM (on and off). I think I wanted to do more, ge...

Updates: I think I'll need another haircut to fix the layering in the back of my head. HUGE disappointment! But maybe then I can cut it a little shorter with some shorter layering in the front. Perhaps my hair doesn't handle layering in the back because it's so thick. Also, the pictures from snapshot.com shipped timely and printed great. No more cardboard on the walls! The sofa and recliners came as well and are currently being used by Mr Smith for nap time. They are consuming our now small-sized living room. I will take pictures soon, promise! I drove 7 hours to FL and 8 hours back to see my youngest brother graduate from high school. As National Honor Society President, he has done us proud. I didn't want him to think just because we've all left him alone that he's forgotten. Certainly not, and we're jealous he basically graduates with his AA under his belt. I am one of those who doesn't know how to take short-cuts in life.  However, I w...

Just last year I wanted to be one of those girls who was marrying one of those guys in one of those temples. I tripped over my own feet and landed in front of an attractive prince and got married in what some people call a castle.  ...disregard the oversimplication I got lucky. {luck, faith, whatever...} Now, I want to be one of those people who are settled. If you have a house, you are on a pedestal. I might as well start shining your shoes. Even if you just have a cute, charming apartment where you plan on living and growing, I want to be you. Cheers for unsurety and apartments.com I have nothing to stress about. Life is great and I'm luckier than 99% of the world's population {and why don't we just round up}. Happiness is your decision, I got it. I KNOW I AM LUCKY. And I am happy. I still fall in love every day, it's great. But I still let anxiety creep into my life. I hate being decisive. Hate it. {what I really mean is that I hate that I am ...