Challenged Again

Okay, so Greta's getting me back. Well, here you go:)

5 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. planning a spring trip to Chicago.
2. taking care of my four kids under 8 yrs. old.
3. struggling with a certain kindergarten teacher.
4. celebrating my best friend's new baby, Katie.
5. planning a summer trip to Utah, Palmyra, and camping in western Michigan!

5 things I'll do tonight:
1. Go to a leadership welfare training meeting at the Stake Center.
2. Have a Sunday Pot Roast for dinner.
3. Of course, we will do our family tradition of "yummy sudaes" as our celebration of fast sunday coming to an end.
4. Make lunches for school kids tomorrow.
5. Enjoy time with my hubby and best, best friend since he has been gone since Thursday morning!

5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Pay tithing.
2. Pay off a house.
3. Plan a few trips with and without the kids.
4. Help out a family member or two if they needed it.
5. Save, save, and save!

5 places I have lived:
1. Sanger, TX
2. Provo, UT
3. Mexico City, MX
4. Rochester Hills, MI
5. Murphy, TX

5 jobs I have had:
1. Chick-Fil-A
2. Swim instructor
3. Resident Assistant
4. Head Resident in Heritage Halls at BYU
5. MOM - the hardest and the most rewarding

5 things I want to be doing in 5 years:
1. Getting ready to send my oldest child to college.
2. Still home with the kids.
3. Celebrating my son's Eagle Project completion.
4. Planning a few more trips to new places.
5. Still blogging.

5 people I tag:
1. Jacqueline
2. Jayne
3. Kristi
4. Lexi
5. Suzanne

Challenge!

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer
2. Go to the 6th folder of photos.
3. Go to the sixth picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.
5. Invite six friends to join the challenge.

This picture was taken in 2006 at the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. Kevin and Brandon got to go see the game with a couple of our Michigan friends! Brings back some great memories. Winters were hard there, but we managed to play a lot and make the most of it.

Now I challenge Jayne, Greta, Lexi, Jenn C., Laura, and Kelli!

That magic oil

Audrey recently developed molluscum on her neck. I was hoping it would just go away if we washed really well a few times a day. To no avail, it was not getting better. I think we even had a few new bumps. I was so worried about her perfect skin having problems, that I got her into the dermatologist. They put beetlejuice on the bumps, and said that we should come back in three weeks. When I asked how many treatments she may need, the dr. said that three visits should do. This visit was considered a regular office visit, so we paid our $50 copay. The next two visits, however, would have to be coded as surgery. REALLY? I ask myself. I can paint as well as the next guy. REALLY? I only say that because the next two visits would each cost $110. Well, I did a little web browsing and asked my "natural" friends for advice. I kept coming back to this magic little oil called tea tree oil. I bought a small bottle of it at our local Sprouts for $6. We put it on once in the morning and once at night. We have been doing this for a week and a half now. Audrey's neck is already looking better. I'll let you know if the magic continues. In my research, though, I found that tea tree oil is good for so many things. If you are ever curious, you should google "tea tree oil." It always amazes me how nature provides such remedies!

Tummy Yummies

When I was in my youth, I often visited our family friends, the Shimek's, out in Utah. This was such a fun time for me. I got to make friends with all their cousins, and got to do lots of Utah things. Highlights for me were the mountains, shopping, and the July 24th parade in Salt Lake City. The 4th of July was always fun as we would go down to little Gunnison and enjoy their fireworks. We would have tons of all-american food, and tons of cousin time! Grandma Quilter (even I called her that because she was as much a grandma to me as my own) would always make "depression pudding." I think it was called that because she made it when she was a girl growing up in that time. Most all of the ingredients are things you have on hand or even in your food storage. I had the weirdest craving for that lately, and came across this recipe. I tried it, and it so so similar to depression pudding that I found myself so utterly not depressed! Ms. Betty changed the name or something. She calls it "Hot Fudge Sundae Cake." My nostalgic self still calls it by Grandma's name. Why change anything about this treat? Anyway, if you are in a "depression" funk or just have a sweet tooth try this out! It will turn your frown upside down - if you love chocolate anyway!

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=35387&Source=SearchResultPage&terms=hot%20fudge%20sundae%20cake

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Spring Break was so much fun! Jayne and her 2 kiddos met us at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a few days of country fun!

Tanks

Brandon and I made this cool army tank cake for his Blue & Gold Banquet. We had fun. Brandon earned a ton of awards that night, which made it even better! What a good kid. I am so lucky that he is mine - even though he can make me crazy at times!

Missionary Project

I am currently serving as the Enrichment Counsellor in my ward. This past week we had 2 guest speakers come to speak of the "Legacy of Faith of the Early North Texas Saints." Brother Hubbard was excellent. We also had Newel Kay Brown come. He wrote the song, "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission."

Brother Brown made a wish on Tuesday Night. He wished he could get a compilation of stories of how his song, "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" has impacted members of the church around the world. I thought that as a token of thanks to him not only for coming to speak to us, but as a thank you for his faithfulness and for that song; we could start a compilation of stories. If you could just write what comes to you and send back to me I will start gathering these stories. I would really love it if you extended this invitation to friends, family, mission companions, etc from all walks of life to do the same. As you receive these, you can just get them to me. I will then have these bound in some way to give to him. I am hoping to have this 'project' completed by the beginning of June. I know that's a quick turnaround, but I think it is doable. Thanks for all your support.

I look forward to hearing from you!

If you would rather, you can email your story to me at murphymamacita@gmail.com.

A gift from me to you!

This is how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to leave a comment on my blog, you have to post this on your blog first. (That means that sometime during this year you will send a gift to 3 people as well.) Get it? So, the first 3 people to comment on this post will be the lucky ones!

Our friend found this article. It was published in 1999. This is the beginning of the problems we see today. We shouldn't ask why these problems are occurring, but rather why not!

Scout's Honor

Lately, our Saturdays have been full with many activities (especially scout stuff). Brandon is usually so good to just go out and do his part and not complain. Last Saturday, he was disappointed that his plans of hanging out in his pj's all morning were disrupted by the scouting for food activity. When this weekend looked pretty clear, I thought it would be funny to tease Brandon about his Saturday plans. I told him that he had to work the breakfast shift at the soup kitchen, and that he would need to be ready to go at 5:30am. He was sort of disappointed, but was willing. I forgot to tell him that it was a joke. Early Saturday morning, he was laying on our bedroom floor playing around. I asked him what he was doing (because I had forgotten all about my joke). He said he was worried that he and daddy would be late to the soup kitchen, but didn't want to bother us. He is so good to serve, and set an example to those around him. I felt so bad that I had forgotten to do the punch line of my stupid little joke. I told him that he would receive blessings for his willingness. Later that day, he got to go shooting with his dad. And in the evening, a group of friends invited him to go skating! It ended up being a better day than he had planned. I learn from my kids everyday. I just needed to write down this experience. Brandon has taught me so much, and I only hope I can have such a willing heart to help others!