Melanie

Cake Balls

2009-08-10T11:51:00.003-04:00

I get a lot of requests for this recipe, so I decided to post it. *I did not create this recipe*

Cake Balls

1 box cake mix (plus ingredients to make cake)
1 can frosting (any flavor that compliments cake)
1/2 bag chocolate chips (milk or white)

Make cake according to directions. Let cool for 10 minutes. Dump cake into a large bowl. Microwave frosting for about 20-25 seconds until smooth. Pour into large bowl. Stir until all combined. Will look like wet dough. Use a scoop to make 2 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Refridgerate until firm. Melt chocolate chips and drizzle on top or you may dip into chocolate. Store in fridge. Makes about 3 dozen.

Some great cake combinations

Chocolate cake/chocolate frosting/chocolate chips
red velvet cake/cream cheese frosting/white chocolate chips
spice cake/cream cheese frosting/white chocolate chips

Enjoy!

My Bed

2009-07-29T23:38:00.002-04:00

There's something magical about my bed. It's not the sheets or the cute comforter I love. It's definitely not the squeaky matress where you may feel a spring or two in your back if turning the wrong way. It has to be something else.

How else could it be a place for comfort, solace, and love for our family?

Whether sick with fever or other ailments, sliding between the sheets of our big bed instantly brings at the least, some small measure of relief.
Whether tormented with a dream that will not leave the mind, the smell of mommy and daddy brings comfort that a small twin bed cannot provide.
Whether frightened when storms pound away outside, laying on mommy or daddy's pillow sweeps the crashing thunder and loud claps away.
Whether laughing at that days memories and the fun moments that were shared.
Whether praying for forgiveness in lapses of judgement and disobedience
Whether confiding secrets and sharing sensitive words...
Whether comforting tears and heartaches or fears for the future....
Whether soothing wounds where words cut to the core....
Whether teaching life's lessons to sweet earnest ears....
Whether singing sweet lullaby's to end our day...
Whether seeking counsel on matters of importance or unimportance...
Whether laughing in the dark until it's hard to breathe...

My bed is magical.

A sprinkle of this, and dash of that.....

2009-07-15T14:28:00.002-04:00

An eventful and busy couple weeks have kept us hopping. Ashlyn has made it home from camp with lots of new friends and wonderful memories. She has enjoyed telling us all her sweet stories and reintroducing us to some great camp songs. And some of those songs, I can't believe they still sing!

Our town has some wonderful outdoor pools/waterparks and we have a summer pass to these pools. We've been spending a lot of time at them and the kids are enjoying working on swimming. Braden is working his confidence up to putting his face in the water.

Richard is on to a new shift and we are enjoying having him at home with us for the evenings. It's definitely made bedtime a lot easier on me!

This weekend Richard's sister and her husband will be coming to visit for a few days. We're looking forward to fun times with family.

Now although they are coming in this weekend, I may have to make a quick trip for a funeral. A sweet friends father died this morning and I'm still awaiting the services to be decided.

And last but not least, the Parade! The small town I grew up in hosts a parade each year! And we went. And it was memorable. In many, many ways. Nothing says small town like dressed up ladies missing some teeth. :)

I'm still here...

2009-07-06T21:11:00.004-04:00

I can honestly say since I started facebook, this blog has been a distant memory. But, there's just something different about a blog and I've decided to rejoin the land of blogging.

There is way too much to catch up on in the last six months so I'll just start with this week and as important memories/events surface since my last post, I may blog on it or not.

Yesterday we dropped Ashlyn off at camp for the very first time. She has been so excited and couldn't stop talking about it. She made us teach her camp songs and tell her all about what would happen while she's there. While we know she's having a great time, we are kind of mopey at home. We keep looking at the clock and wondering what she's doing. It's so strange to think she's old enough to go to camp by herself. Where did the time go? We pick her up on Thursday and I can't wait!

Just a couple pictures I'll include of our family!

Creamy Coffee Punch

2009-02-21T22:43:00.002-05:00

I have had no motivation to write a blog lately, so I decided to write down one of my most requested recipes.

Creamy Coffee Punch (this rivals Starbucks any day!)

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup instant coffee granules
1 cup boiling water
8 cups milk
1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened (go cheap, since quality won't matter here!)
1 quart chocolate ice cream, softened (same as above on cheap factor!)

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and coffee; stir in boiling water until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, pour coffee mixture into a 1 gal pitcher. Stir in milk. Add scoops of ice cream and stir until ice cream is melted and creamy. Serve immediately or freeze and then thaw out before serving. If freezing and thawing out, punch will be slightly more granular than if you were to serve immediately after making! Enjoy!

The year in a Quick review

2009-01-02T21:07:00.002-05:00

Well the beginning of 2008 started off with a quick family trip to Branson. What a wonderful time just to get away. Winter flew by and spring was quick to follow with baseball for Carter and Ashlyn and birthdays for them as well. Ashlyn has turned 7 and Carter had his big 5 birthday. By this time, Braden had made his 2nd trip to the ER and I had injured my neck. Summer was spent with more games and swimming lessons. I had neck surgery and Braden broke his leg all within a few weeks of each other. I still insist he takes after his dad and not his accident prone mommy. Braden celebrated his 3rd birthday at the end of July and August came with the excitement of school starting. Ashlyn started 2nd grade and Carter entered Kindergarten. Fall was quick to pass with soccer for Ashlyn and Carter and a trip to San Diego for my sister Michelle's wedding. Back to the daily grind filled us up in November and Christmas came in with a rush to finish off the year with lots of celebration and joy! We've had ups and downs but such a wonderfully blessed year! May 2009 be filled with even more joy and blessings for all you!

Sew Much Fun!

2008-11-19T09:33:00.002-05:00

While many of you know how much I love to cook, and do other "homey" things, sewing is not one of them. And I will freely admit that many times I gave away or threw away things based on a missing button, undone hem, etc. Well no more! My girlfriend has taken pity on me and is teaching me to sew. This is my first project that I completed!

And a big shout out to Jenny, my partner in crime about this: If I can do it, you can do it! Tell B, she'll be so proud!

And Danna, you can tell Mama Sue that she doesn't have to be shocked anymore by my lack of needle knowledge!

BOO!

2008-11-05T12:27:00.002-05:00

ER speedpass?

2008-10-22T10:25:00.002-04:00

Well for our 4th visit in ten months, I wonder if you can guess which child it was?

If you guessed Braden, you are correct!

I'm copying from hubby's blog since the story is to the point and oh so true!

I guess everyone has or has had some desire to be well known or famous at some point in their lives. But I never wanted to be well known for taking my children to the emergency room.

Once again the youngest made a visit. I had just laid the kids down for bed and was walking out the door for the ever exciting midnight shift when I heard a "thump" and a cry come from the boys' room. Braden. The last time I heard that noise Braden had put his teeth through his bottom lip. So I went in to investigate.

I have never in my life seen something like this. The boy had a hole in his forehead. Literally. The skin wasn't broken but it looked like he had a 1/4" hole about an inch above his nose. I believe he was playing around and was flopping his head down on his pillow...and missed. I think he hit it right on the corner of his wooden bed. Thank goodness I am in the profession that I am in or else I probably would have flipped out at the sight.

So I "calmly yelled" downstairs to Melanie and we were off to the ER (after dropping the kids off at a friend's house-Thanks Mike and Valerie!) We went because the injury never swelled and it appeared to be swelling to the inside.

After a few hours in the ER and an x-ray later Melanie and Braden got to go home. No hole in the skull; no concussion; nothing else wrong. Just a great looking bruise.

So, this is now the fourth time with Braden. Stitches in the lip, French fry up the nose, broken leg, and hole in the head. I love you buddy!!

My New Hobby

2008-10-14T12:36:00.002-04:00

While those of you who know me, know I love to cook, I've never ventured into the canning arena! Well now I have, and I think I may be addicted. I've been working on apples for the past week and have successfully canned a 1/2 bushel! While I'm definitely late in the season for other things, I'll be ready next summer!

California

2008-09-24T14:34:00.008-04:00

We are back from an AMAZING vacation! We had so much fun and loved every minute. The kids were incredible and could have spent the entire trip on the plane! Just some pics to recap our trip!

This is Ashlyn's first REAL view of the ocean. She loved it and didn't want to be out of it! She collected lots of shells and sand.

The baby seals that we got to see. They were so cute!

Just the cutest, sweetest little boys!

She was so happy to be a part of the wedding!

I and Braden

Richard and the kids catching a big wave!

We can't wait to go back!

First Day of School

2008-08-28T09:20:00.007-04:00

Excited and ready to go! They were waiting by the front door and I had to practically beg to get them to sit still for pictures!

Ashlyn 1st day of 2nd Grade

Carter's 1st day of Kindergarten

Someone else can't wait to go to school as well!
(He's finally better, but the first two weeks were hard for him as his "friends" went away. He didn't understand why he was being left along. Now I think he loves all the attention and wants to know when he can play with their toys)

Braden's Birthday!

2008-08-26T11:35:00.005-04:00

Yes this is a month late, but I didn't get to really do a lot for him since I was only a week out on surgery. But we made the day special for him anyway, and here's the rundown....

Braden is... well he's... Well. Braden is just Braden. There's no other way to describe him. An example....

Yesterday Braden told his Nana that when we get on the plane next week he's going to roll down the plane windows and throw candy out to all God's animals. He wants us to have a plane parade.

That boy makes me smile. He's so busy and doesn't stop talking at all. If he's awake, he's talking or singing. He's so full of energy it's not even funny. Well, I mean you guys remember the whole stitches, then french fry in the nose, blue cast on the leg right?

He loves Mater and Lightning. He takes his race car and tow truck with him everywhere he can get away with it.

God has really blessed us with this sweet three year old.

Braden blowing out his candle!

Braden opening his Cars backpack filled with fun stuff. (he had a hard time with Carter and Ashlyn getting their backpacks with school supplies!)

Braden with his scooter and his "arms and knees" as he calls his gear. He has been asking for a scooter since he played on one in March. Oh, and for Christmas he wants a skateboard.

Oh and for some reason the date labels are really off!

I don't know why

2008-08-20T09:31:00.002-04:00

but I just haven't felt like posting. Lots of happenings here. Braden got his cast off. He also turned three. Carter and Ashlyn have started school and I am back at work. We're getting ready for our vacation to San Diego in two weeks, and soccer has begun for Ashlyn and Carter. Richard and I also celebrated nine years of marriage last week. I'm going to try and break the posts down this week! And of course, pictures!

On the Up and Up

2008-07-29T12:15:00.002-04:00

I'm finally getting back on here! We are doing very well. I'm doing great except for some Minor stomach issues and some soreness. The arm pain and numbness is completely gone and is definitely a prayer answered. I see my surgeon in one week and we'll test to make sure there was no permanent nerve damage. The kids are doing great with me too. While Ashlyn and Carter weren't scared, they were very cautious. Braden on the other hand, wouldn't even look at me. Apparantly the neck brace is very frightening to him, but he has gotten tons better. My parents have moved back out and so now Braden chooses me (since Papa isn't here!) and will lay with me on the couch. Thanks for all of your prayers, emails, and kind thoughts.

Who needs a diamond necklace

2008-07-17T11:39:00.002-04:00

when you can wear a beauty like this for 6 weeks?

A Pain in the Neck

2008-07-16T10:45:00.004-04:00

Well it's official. I'm scheduled for surgery the 22nd. I have a severely herniated disc that needs to be removed and has been causing me pain since March. The official name is Anterior Discectomy Fusion. While I'm jittery about the procedure and extremely confident in the Doctor performing it, the kids are not at all okay with this. They have been on an emotional roller coaster. They are either upset with the fact I'll be in the hospital away from them or that I'm having "surgery". Please be thinking of my family this week and next as we get through this!

The smallest member of the blue man group!

2008-07-07T10:59:00.004-04:00

Just a little background:

www.mommywiggy.blogspot.com/2008/01/built-ford-tough.html"
www.mommywiggy.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html"

Last Saturday (the 28th) Braden started limping. I just thought he was outgrowing his tennis shoes and we immediately put him into sandals. Didn't work. So then I thought maybe he sprained his ankle. Nope. No swelling or bruising. By this time days have gone by. Wednesday I get a call from his daycare saying he's still limping and it hasn't gotten better. On Thursday morning we go to the Dr, who sends us to get xrays, who sends us back to the Dr, who sends us back to pick up the film on our way to another Dr. We end up seeing a Pediatric Orthopedist who takes a look at the xray and determines a "greenstick" fracture. Braden is now casted and will be for three weeks. We'll have it taken off, rexrayed and then go from there. So far, it hasn't slowed the little booger down! And he's pretty darn tough to have a broken leg for 5 days without us knowing. What's in store for us next?

Perception

2008-07-07T10:55:00.003-04:00

Carter is trying pretty hard to learn to swim. Except for one small problem that he has (which is a fear of getting water in his face) he does really well. He has amazing teachers and in his 3rd week of lessons is finally reaching for toys at the bottom of the pool. Every day the kids get the opportunity to jump off the diving board at the end of the lesson. Carter HATES this. He refuses to jump off. So his instructor picked him up by his armpits, and drops him off. (He's got a deathgrip on two noodles) His little head bobs up and he paddles to the side. He then quickly runs over and asks," Did you see me dive into the pool?". Oh to have the perception of a child!

Leprosy

2008-07-07T10:49:00.003-04:00

I've got a post for everyday this week *I think*, but don't hold your breath!

Ashlyn was riding in her aunts car last week and randomly asked where her (my sister's) leprosy was. My sister was stumped. Ashlyn is 7 and pretty sure of herself and was completely serious. She again and again tried to rephrase her question but was still wanting to know where in the car is the leprosy. Her aunt finally got what she was trying to say. :) She was listening to Carrie Underwood and her lyrics, "That I dug my key into the side of his Pretty little souped up four wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat"

Yep, Leather seat is now translated to Leprosy.

So many times have I heard songs that I didn't quite get the lyrics.
Like when I was little I thought "Secret Agent Man" was really "Secret Asian Man". Any mistaken lyrics for you?

Cowboy Carter and His Gang

2008-06-02T14:15:00.008-04:00

Carter's birthday was last weekend (and I'll do a seperate post on just him) so I'm posting his pictures!

This is Carter super excited about his party! Can you tell?

He's got to have a big breath to blow out all 5 of those candles.

Carter loving his ponies!

Ashlyn has her turn.

Can't forget Braden!

Carter's Texas Cowboy Cake

A costly trip to McD's!

2008-05-14T09:34:00.003-04:00

Leave it to a two year old...

I decided to treat the boys to the zoo one morning and due to rain and tempers we left early. So we ran through the golden arches for a quick lunch. Only it turned out to be a very long lunch. About 5 hours to be exact.

After giving the boys their food, Braden started complaining that his nose hurt. Yep, I bet you know where this is going! I asked him why to which he stated there was a french fry in his nose. I, being a skeptic of course, told him in sweet words to pretty much suck it up and eat his lunch. A few moments later he complained again about his nose,and yet again I thought he was stalling so he didn't have to take a nap. So I took him outside in the sunlight, tilted up his nose and sure enough....

Yep. He did. So off to the Dr we went (of course the nurse thought this was so funny!) and the kind man could not get it out. It was not a crispy fry and therefore was coming apart in tiny pieces. Next stop. The hospital. Which after a long wait time was able to vacuum the entire thing out. No more happy meals for this kid until he graduates. But then, I've seen what college kids can do.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2008-03-19T11:46:00.002-04:00

We are so tired of the snow and rain. Just yucky days here. The sun is supposed to shine on Friday and the rain to start up again this weekend!

On a brighter note, we are off in 6 days to the ISWW! We are so excited to be going this year. It's a wonderful time of learning, reuniting with friends near and far, and lots of good food! Can't wait!

While it's dreary outside, the spring busies have definitely picked up. We're getting ready to start spring baseball for the two oldest kiddos and of course the little man will cheer from the sidelines with mommy and daddy. A celebrates her birthday in just a few weeks and has spent alot of her time discussing how we should celebrate. She starts a mini soccer series tomorrow if the rain lets up. Carter is just a little away from two big milestones. His upcoming 5th birthday and his preschool graduation. He's grown so much! B is crazy as always. Plays hard, talks hard, eats hard, loves hard, and sleeps hard. Just the way life should be at 2.

Weekend Getaway

2008-01-29T11:08:00.000-05:00

This past weekend hubby and I took the kiddos, mom and dad, my sister, and my brother and his wife for a little R & R. Here's a couple pics from our trip!

Carter eating the breakfast of champions

Mr Blue Eyes on the Bob the Builder Train

Braden riding the train outside an outlet mall with Ashlyns help

Our traditional rocking chair picture

There are more pictures and a few videos that aren't safe for public viewing. I'm sad to say Richard got his hiney kicked by his wife in an incredible sweep in boxing.

Carter's Pics

2008-01-23T10:13:00.000-05:00

Carter got a digital camera for Christmas so here's a couple shots from him:
This is his picture of the TV.

This is a small peice to his matchbox garage set

This is the front of a Barbie Movie (the Island Princess)

This is Ashlyn with the DVD of the Christmas musical she was in.