The Haywards Missionary Adventures

This afternoon I went to the van to take Tasha to Piano and to my surprise the battery was dead luckily we have another van (that is really on its last sputter but for some reason keeps on sputtering) And headed over to piano. When her lesson was over we climbed back into the little van and nothing it wouldn't start after a few minutes of trying to get it to acknowledge that I was there we asked Jennica if she could give us a hand, she accepted and off to work we went. Neither one of us had really done anything like this before. But we grinned and pressed on. I did read the directions but come on I completely freak out when they tell you if you do it wrong you could blow something up. And I need to arrive home with all my fingers and toes. After leaving her home I felt empowered and knew I could jump the big van (I had Kyles help holding the cables). So with just a few butterflies in my stomach I proceeded (the hardest part was figuring out how to open the hood) And waa laa With...

I can't believe I am actually posting pictures of our new furnace. But yesterday when I was taking pictures of the kids making there pizza Sam commented why I hadn't taken pictures of the furnace. I was speechless. So here you go the love of my life has once again made life bearable. He has equipped our home with nice warm heat that embraces the whole house and not just the kitchen. He truly knows how to get to a woman's heart. (keep her feet warm)

What can you do with leftovers? I had made a big batch of sauce for lasagna the other day we have used this sauce for two meals now. I was trying to figure out what I could make that was different from spaghetti. Looking through my fridge I saw that we had refrigerator biscuits and thought immediately to making personal pizzas. In my mind they were supposed to look like jack-o-lanterns instead they look like happy faces. The kids had a great time making them and trust me they got created.! One turned out more like a worm. We than sat around the table enjoying one anothers company. And there is nothing better than finishing the evening with homemade Ice Cream. (Orange ice cream may I add.) Families who cook together+Families who Eat together= Full tummies and full hearts

Yesterday we kept pretty busy. Our day started with Christmas Carol rehearsal from 9a.m.- 12noon and then it was a quick rush home to freshen up and a stop at the grocery store. Equipped with lunch (chicken and Jojo's) and our snacks we head over to Sam's Boss's home for a little party. He as a great theater set up complete with a huge screen, projector and surround sound. They had activities for the kids and the Adults were going to watch all three Bourne movies. Which they attempted but between getting started late, Dinner and all the chatting that went on they only had time for 1 and half of the second one. The kids had a great time playing ping pong, twister, board games and watching movies. They made new friends with the other kids and were actually on there best behavior. I too had allot of fun! Now I just have to figure out how we can afford our own movie theater.lol. Sam was in Love

I was just about to curl up in my blanket w/cocoa in hand and start my movie when I had a craving for doughnuts. These are made from refrigerator biscuits. And then deep fried. I topped these with powder sugar. Yum! GOOD EATS! And now I'm equipped with everything I need. ... I should probably find the tissue before I sit down.

It has been getting quit chili in the evenings lately but until Monday we have no heat. (Our new furnace will be installed.) (I'm freezin) So it's time to bring the Cocoa maker out. I love this machine. Many years ago I found these at Mervyns. They make a perfect cup of cocoa, very smooth and hot! So tonight It's cocoa and cookies! Yum! The cocoa was a little hot! But it didn't take him long to focus in on the cookies. Now all I need is a warm blanket and a really good chick flick . What is your favorite chick flick? plus does anyone have a good recipe for cocoa?

Happy Nut Day! click here

It's Blabbing day today!! Are they kidding me? A day I can just go on and on about nothing? (I bet they created this day for the children)LOL! So I found a brand of shoes that I absolutely love to look at. I have not worn or own a pair but would love to in the future. I just think paying more than $20 for a pair of shoes is crazy! And most of there shoes are $50+ These are one of my favorite!! But I haven't been able to find them cheaper than $89 that's a little steep.(I think) I will find them cheaper you just watch. They might be out of style by the time I can purchase them but I will have them. I love these too! I think I have a new hobby.. collecting shoes, now if I could only afford them. I have a couple of kids who have a difficult time channeling their Anger. So we are thinking of putting them into AKIDO (martial arts). Akido focuses on using there energy to gain control, Not on striking their opponent. I might actually need to take a few classes myself. I find chann...

Today I thought I would celebrate... Evaluate your life day. So bare with me or checkout another site (it could get boring) I decided to start off with a check off list... When I was about 12 I knew exactly what I wanted in life so here it goes. to go on a LDS Mission to marry a Hunk √√√ ( I think he’s a hunk) Temple Marriage √ Family √ 12 Kids (I have 6 does that count) To own my own Castle √ (or broken shack) I won’t want for anything (yea right) (maybe when I’m older) To have Riches (do blessings count) Dates every week (with my Hunky Husband) √√ To keep my skinny figure (hahahaha) And the list goes on. It’s amazing to see what I have accomplished. I have a few changes in my list now that I’m Older like… 6 kids instead of the dozen, Blessings instead of riches (even though money is good), My wants… are for quiet, homework to be done, fighting to cease and kids to obey. And I guess I’ll have to work for my figure. (If I can ever slow down life enough to ge...

My sisters (and in-laws) were poking fun at my witches hat saying they weren't cookies and I shouldn't post them on my cookie of the day. They are only half right, if you use a sugar cookie dough and shape them into the hats waala you have witches hats. You could also use orange sprinkles for the brim of the hat if you wanted. Anyways ... I decided it was time to change my cookie of the day and while shopping I found Animal Crackers on sale and picked up a bag. I got home took my picture and proceeded to find a website that I could forward you to. To my dismay I found out that Archway & Mother's Cookie Company, Inc. Have closed down they filed for Bankruptcy. I am speechless and a little teary. (I'm a dork there only cookies for goodness sakes) There are news reports all over the web here is one. I have so many questions and the most important one is... Are they closing for good? And what about the COOKIES! I have always loved there cookies a few of my favorites ar...

Andrew and I decided to exercise our crafty side Yesterday. This is Andrew's finished project. Cute! Huh. He is very proud of it and carried it around with him. (he even fell asleep with it. To bad it's not Time to Decorate for Christmas yet) (Sorry about the reverse order in pictures) Painting with the free paints that came from my project. I bought this @ Micheal's for $1.00 Andrew was pretty funny I had to talk him into using the paints he was content to just use crayons or markers but when I told him he could paint them he was ecstatic. Now on to my project... I made canvas pictures. I purchased these canvas's at JoAnns for $1.49 they came with paints and paintbrushes (bonus for me because I am going to use these for a different purpose than what they are meant to be. I painted the whole thing black and then I took a piece of scrapbook paper and cut to size then mod podged the canvas and scrapbook paper together. WAALA.. My first attempt and honestly I am glad tha...

Kyle made these yesterday but we ate them so fast there was no time for pictures. He used the crescent rolls instead of the pie crust. He really made these all by himself, he was supposed to wait for me to get home from picking up Sam but when I got home they were already cooling. (So they are really easy and yummy) Wizards Hat: Ingredients 1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust (15-oz box), softened as directed on box 3 tablespoons mini semisweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1. Heat oven to 375°. Unroll pie crust on work surface. Cut into 16 wedges. Ror 1 hat, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon chocolate chips along narrow edge of 1 wedge. Starting from same edge, roll toward point, enclosing chocolate chips and leaving 4 inches crust unrolled between roll and point. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 1\2 inch apart. Bend and shape hat as desired. Repeat with remaining dough wedges and chocolate chips to make 16 hats. 2. In small ...

Will it Ever End... The constant fighting children yelling messy rooms tired grooms crayon walls broken dolls loads of laundry E.R. emergency headaches broken hearts broken spirits I asked my self this today and honestly I would like some of the list to mellow but if we got rid of everything we would get rid of the laughter and love which is what makes us a family. I love my Family very much and they fill me with great joy.

Yesterday we had the Opportunity to meet the Author of FableHaven and CandyShop Wars Brandon Mull. When he got there he answered questions and was very personable. Then he started signing books and individually answered questions. He also had a few questions for us. He also signed posters for all the kids. (I have no idea what were going to do with 6 posters) (Maybe with the underlining message my kids will enjoy reading) The line was longer than we expected but we were there pretty early and had a chance to be 4th or 5th in line. (if my kids would have just got in line while I was taking kids potty) (I'm glad we got there when we did) Overall a great family (education) moment. (Yes, Mom I got your copy signed as well)

Do you ever have that recurring nightmare that you are going through your day in just your UNDERWEAR? Well today I took the kids to school and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something (no, not my pants) I went down my checkoff list in my head. get dressed shoes and socks (somehow this is totally different than getting dressed) brush hair (run a comb through it as I'm running out the door) make sure I had all the kids (Brandon..Cody..Callie..Andrew) purse and keys (I couldn't be driving without keys and my purse is down by my side) door locked (I might have to swing back around just to make sure) I couldn't think of anything that I was missing. (o.k. breakfast it was a crazy morning) And as I am typing I still feel that I have forgot something. Oh, the recurring no pant's nightmare when will they ever end?

I totally forgot about this beautiful Day Yesterday! National Physicians assistant day is a must and I'm not just saying this because My Sister is a Physicians Assistant. They are a must have because we don't really expect the Doctors to do the dirty work. My Sister at any moment can stitch up a cut, Diagnose an illness, prescribe medication and that is just a few of their (her) talents. I am sure my Sister is sick of my phone calls asking about illnesses because every time I call she tells me the same thing... I can't diagnose over the phone. And for some reason she doesn't do house calls. (She lives in Idaho). So I'm asking everyone to help celebrate this day with me (a day late) Leave a comment about your funniest moments in the Hospital or Doctors Office visit. I'll start... Before I was married I started getting skin rashes and we couldn't figure it out. So my mom took me to a skin specialist and he of course had me drop my draws I was very nervous and...

Stirring chocolate! ...Yumm Painting with chocolate... Fun Picture taking...agonizing End result... an empty plate plus one happy Family Oopps! Forgot the Recipe... I took wiltons melting chips and melted down we painted it into the mold (you could use cupcake liners small or regular size depending what size you want.) then chill. Meanwhile combine 1 TBSP butter, 3/4 cup powder sugar and 3/4 cup peanut butter (I used chunky) Roll peanut mixture into small balls and place into prepared chocolate cups press down and top with chocolate. Let chill and then devour Yum! Yum!

So here is our fist attempt at Salsa. It has a nice taste but no heat. We didn't put allot of hot peppers into the salsa but we put habanero, Serrano's and jalapeno's. You would think that you would have heat? But pre-canned nothing just a great sauce. (I'm not complaining - I like mine mild) Just wait the longer we let the salsa sit the hotter it will become. Ingredients... Tomato's, onions, green peppers (orange and yellow as well), hot peppers, celery, garlic, cider vinegar, corn, cumin, corriander and lime juice. Now all that's missing is the Chips

O.K. don't get the wrong idea I am not domestic I just have allot of time on my hands.LOL. I have canned tomato's before with a group of Ladies but do you think I paid attention? I have the same illness as my children...WPATD?(why pays attention to details?) I was very nervous that they wouldn't turn out, a jar would explode or I would get frustrated and throw the tomato's at anyone who crossed my path. Well... all I can say is... I am on my 2 batch and addicted to canning. I might even try salsa. Don't they look Beautiful? (This is my first batch)

What do you do when you find a clearance isle at Target? You go SHOPPING of coarse. And then you get creative. I found towels and hand towels for under $4.00 2 hand towels+2 towels= hooded towels and allot of creative fun. less than $2 for a hooded towel... that's unheard of. The hand towel above was bought with the ribbon. I added the ribbon to the below picture. If you want a tutorial on how to make a hooded towel of your own go here . And I'll see you at Target!

I have a Gardner! Cody has produced both corn and tomatoes this year. Cody was able to plant corn in Scouts this year and a tomato plant from School for Mother's Day. This one corn stalk produced two corn. We had to pick them the other day before it got to cold. He was very pleased with the end result. And realized what can come out of hard work. Here is the Tomato plant that he has also been taking care of and I cannot wait to pick a tomato and enjoy with salt and pepper. There is nothing like homegrown tomatoes. Next year I am going to try to find a place where we can have a garden. Because I was a little jealous of not being able to sink my teeth into that lovely piece of corn.