New Years

This year I'm saying good bye to too much sugar, carbonation and exercising just a bit more.  I've been overweight for far too long and am now ready to change that. 

This past year was better than the last and I'm looking forward to 2010 being even better than 2009.  I'm grateful for the path my life has led me to, trials and all.  I'm grateful for my awesome husband and amazing children.  I'm truly lucky to have such amazing people in my life.  I'm also grateful for my reuniting with my father and for the exciting path that will take me on. 

I wish the best for you this new year and hope you have an amazing journey.

Update

I had my surgery today and it was discoverd that only my right fallopian tube didn't stay sealed after having it done after Jaidyn was born.  My Dr. was also kind enough to take some pictures for me.  I now have shots of among other things, a kidney and my liver.  Pretty fun I think!  I was so sad to have to go in after the possibility of maybe being able to have another baby again but it would have ended up putting my life in extreme danger having to terminate which is something I personally would really struggle with.  All in all, I know what I did was right and I'm so grateful for loving and supportive family and friends.  I appreciate you all!

Temple Square lights!

Merry Christmas!!

Cookbook Giveaway!!!!

A site I follow and love called $5.00 dinners recently published her own cookbook based on her $5.00 dinner ideas is giving away 10 books a day away for the next two weeks!  Check out her blog and enter to win for yourself!

ksl.com - Man who inspired the character in ‘Rain Man' has died

ksl.com - Man who inspired the character in ‘Rain Man' has died

I think he was an amazing man. It's sad he has passed on but he left a great legacy.

Cookie Making!

Our friends came over last night and brought cookies, frosting and sprinkles for us and the kids and it was so much fun for all of us.  The kids especially had a great time making their own cookies.  At the end the kids were given squirts of frosting in their mouths which was of course a big hit!  Here's some pics of our adventures in cookie making.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I just want to share my celebration with you! This year has had its challenges for sure but by far this has been a wonderful year overall. I've gained new friends, more confidence in myself and have enjoyed being a mother and wife. My children made such wonderful cards for me this morning... I was able to sleep in thanks to Marc staying home for the day and they made cream of wheat for breakfast with a small amount of help from dad. They are so sweet and I'm proud to be their mother. Here's to year # 32 being another great one!

Park City FUN!

Marc took me to Park City this past weekend for an early birthday present and we had tons of fun. There was over 2 feet of snow by the time we left on Sunday and going down Parley's canyon was insane! It made me grateful we had 4 wheel drive. Here's some fun pictures!

You were made in God's image

This video touched me and I hope it can touch you too.

Surgery Scheduled/ Updates

Just wanted you all to know I've been scheduled for my surgery on December 30th. If you don't already know the story, after my son Jaidyn was born I elected to have a tubal ligation. I've already had 4 babies in my short life time and my body just has a hard time keeping the sweet little ones in until they're ready to be born. So, after much prayer and careful consideration I had my tubal ligation right after Jaidyn's birth. Well, apparently it failed somehow leaving an opening or regrowth occurred over the years. The only way it came to my attention is in the past year I've suffered 3 miscarriages due to potential tubal pregnancies. In order to prevent further suffering and potential health issues dealing with that, I decided to have the tubal ligation re-done.
It's been a long hard road for me full of bumps and deep canyons to overcome but my faith in my Heavenly Father has only grown. These trials although unexpected (are they ever expected?) have given me a very strong appreciation for those who have suffered loss in such a way. I'm very grateful for the children I have been able to bring to this earth... The first two with such a wonderful family and I'm so proud of them. I know I did the right thing at that time. I'm especially grateful I have been blessed with two sweet children of my own. I love motherhood and am so grateful for all that I have and at the same time look forward to learning more and growing with my children by my side.
I'm grateful for a wonderful supportive husband. He's an amazing father and husband and we've also grown closer through our trials.
I'm also grateful for you reading this as well as being my friend...

AMAZING Banana Bread

Last night I made the most amazing banana bread and I want to share the recipe I found with you. It's seriously the best one I've had ever! I got it from Betty Crocker.

Banana Bread

1 1/4 C Sugar
1/2 C butter softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 C mashed very ripe bananas (3-4 medium)
1/2 C buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 C chopped nuts, optional


Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in the center of oven. Heat oven to 350 deg. F. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans. Mine are 9x5x3

Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.

Bake loaves about 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min. in pans then remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temp. for up to 4 days or refrigerate up to 10 days.

If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute 1 1/2tsp. lemon juice or white vinegar and enough milk to make 1/2 cup or use 1/2 C plain yogurt.

Updates

So after much prayer and deep thinking I've decided to go ahead and have the tubal ligation repaired. It's been a rough and deeply emotional time for us and we feel this is the best route to take. I couldn't bear the thought of having to choose to abort a baby due to a tubal pregnancy or loosing my life. Loosing 3 babies with miscarriages was enough to bear but also having them end like that was a blessing as well considering the risks. I go on Monday the 14th to see when to schedule the surgery which may be that Wednesday. Happy Birthday to me eh for Friday... Oh well, it's for the best.

Thank you to those who prayed for me and sent good thoughts my way. I felt them for sure.

Additional Christmas

Here's some updated pictures of what more we did last night. I love having lights inside the house. So cozy!

Tis the Season!

Here's my awesome (at least I think) home made Christmas countdown chain! We start tomorrow!



Here's our fun tree, it's fiber optic so you can't really see the lights but it's fun!

Post Thanksgiving

I know this is a bit late, but I want to let you all know what I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for my faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior.

I'm thankful for my husband and for our eternal marriage. For my 2 beautiful children that I've been blessed with.

I'm thankful for my family and that now I have the opportunity to get to know my father who I haven't known since the age of 5. I am so grateful for my mom's hard work in raising me and for the unconditional love she showed me no matter what bad choices I made.

I'm thankful for my extended family. I've learned so much from them and miss many of them who live so far away, mostly my Uncle Tom and Aunt Christine and cousins who I haven't seen for a few years. I love them very much and hope to be able to see them soon.

I'm also thankful for my friends... Many of you have taught me so much and you don't even know it.

Pre Black Friday Avon Sale!

Starting today through Saturday my personal AVON website is having a "Black Friday" sale! Everything is 30% off! Then if your order is over $30.00 you get free shipping with the code listed on my website, great deals for you! Take a look at the catalog and find that perfect something for you but hurry before the sale is gone! Let me know if you have any questions!

Avon Specials!

I have some items at my house like the smaller lotions with Christmas themes on them, chap sticks pictured above... I also have bath and body items in sets that include lotion, body spray, shower gel. I can give you a great deal! These would make great stocking stuffers or good gifts for friends, family or neighbors. Prices range from .50 cents to $10.00. Let me know if you're interested! Shoot me an email sweetmama.heather@gmail.com. I'm even willing to ship them if you need.

I'm a Queen

I copied this from my good friend Michelle Iverson's blog and I just had to share it with you. Why you ask? Because you are all queens in my eyes too!


I live in a palace of paper and lace.
Walls smudged with finger prints,
things out of place.

Halls filled with music, and laughter and noise.
Dress-up parades,
and tripping on toys.

I chit-chat with princesses,
dance and we twirl!
While ruling my kingdom,
my days are a whirl.

Who am I, you ask,
and whose company keep?
My title so noble,
and guests so elite?

I am a tutor
to Heaven's supreme!
I am a Mother.
I am a Queen.

***

Michelle Iverson
November 2009

WonderMill Giveaway!

I was sent an email about winning a WonderMill as well as a $30.00 rebate if you purchase one. The contest ends Nov. 19th so go HERE to find out how to enter for yourself! I know I'd really LOVE to win one of these for myself.

Their website is http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/

Life's Decisions: I'm bearing all!

Why is it that decisions in life are sometimes hard? I'm having to make a decision that will affect the rest of my life.
My OB told me on Friday that he wanted to do surgery to repair the tubal ligation that I had done after Jaidyn was born which had apparently failed. I've had 3 miscarriages in the past year and a few months which my OB felt were tubal pregnancies that had taken care of themselves. If I don't have the surgery to repair them I risk my life as well as the baby's life. The baby obviously wouldn't be able to survive but why risk my life too? I have always felt there was one more child waiting for me and have had confirmation from my Heavenly Father that that was true, but this puts me at a crossroad. Did my child already come and go in those miscarriages? What do I do? As I write this I have tears coming down... Do I take pills, get an IUD? The initial decision to have the tubal ligation weighed heavily on us and we prayed and prayed and went to the temple and we both felt it was right to do. I don't handle pregnancy too well and it really takes a toll on me as well as the baby since they come so early. I really don't know what to do and my heart hurts at this decision. I'm typically not so open because I've always been afraid of judgment, but I'm putting this out there so that maybe I can get some insight as to what to do.
If you're reading this will you say a little prayer for me? Even if you don't know me I could use all the help I can get.

Veteran's Day

I can't help but stop and think about the major sacrifice made by so many men and women for our country. Life today wouldn't be possible without their many sacrifices. I always think about the soldiers in my life which are my Uncle Tom who served in Vietnam, and my Grandfather Thomas S. Bullock who served in WWII and was a Japanese prisoner of war for quite some time. They are both good men and I'm proud to be a part of their family, I love them both very much.

Here's a really cute giveaway for the baby in your life!

Click HERE to enter the giveaway!

These bibs called FIBS are so cute! They have several designs that dress up the usual bibs we're all used to. Save your baby's cute outfits by using these! It's sure to get your little one noticed! Click on the link above to enter!

Up coming Avon specials!

Just to let you know there are some great specials in AVON coming up! There's full size lotions for only $1.49! This includes Moisture Therapy, the Naturals line as well as the silicone glove and skin so soft lines. Lip balms in children's and regular themed styles are only .99 cents! These make great gifts for Christmas as well as for your neighbors who you may need a quick gift when they bring you one. I'm happy to help you get gifts together and give you a catalog if you live close by. If you don't live close by feel free to stop by my website www.youravon.com/hgrimes Here's a picture of the lotions for you to preview! Also there's free shipping on any order if you enter the code: FSWER If you want to join my emailing list for great deals for customers only shoot me your email and I'll add you to my list. There's emails that go out weekly or bi-weekly.

Win 1 of 3 Personalized Wood Toy Boxes

Win 1 of 3 Personalized Wood Toy Boxes

Enter to win one of three personalized, handcrafted, laser engraved toyboxes (retail value up to $350) from Wood Creations (http://woodtoybox.com), a family-owned business based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

To participate in the contest, simply blog about woodtoybox.com, and mention their personalized, laser engraved toyboxes. This contest will end on November 15, 2009, and winners will receive their prizes just in time for holiday gift-giving!

To share the holiday spirit with your readers, Bob and Julie Beck of Wood Creations are offering your readers a special promotional code “toybox4u” that will give your readers an extra 15% off any toybox at woodtoybox.com. This code will be valid until December 31, 2009!

Read more: http://www.sheblogs.org/2009/10/win-1-of-3-personalized-wood-toy-boxes/#ixzz0W7WyneQy

Family Photo Shoot... Tell me what you think!

These photos may not be copied or used by anyone but me without expressed written permission.

Pumpkin Chololate Chip Bread

I'm feeling festive already for Thanksgiving and I decided today was a good day for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread. It was so easy to make and it's currently in the oven smelling wonderful! I can't wait to eat it. So, here's the recipe for you to try!

INGREDIENTS:
3 C white sugar
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
1 C vegetable oil
2/3 C water
4 Eggs
3 1/2 C all purpose flour
1 TBS ground cinnamon
1 TBS ground nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 C chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 9x5 in. loaf pans.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.

Bake for 1 hour, or until inserted knife or toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before removing from pans.

These are so moist and delicious! The pumpkin flavor isn't too overwhelming and it's a wonderful blend of flavors.

I hope you enjoy it!

My Children!

Here's Hannah and Jaidyn in their school pictures! Hannah and Jaidyn will be starting Jr. Jazz this year too. They are getting so big and I'm so proud to be their mom.

Introducing my father

I haven't known my dad since he and my mom were divorced when I was 5. He moved out of state and I didn't get a chance to know him. Recently we found each other and I'm excited to get to know him as an adult. So here is a recent photo of him. I also discovered I have 2 half sisters who I'm excited to get to know as well. Here's to new memories and healing!

Snuggle time

Just have to say I love it when Hannah wants to sit next to me and snuggle. She doesn't like to sit on my lap anymore, she says she's too old, but likes to wrap her arm through mine and lean against me. I cherish moments like these...

Avon Specials and stocking stuffers!

Here's some of the awesome deals from the current catalog... Check it out on www.youravon.com/hgrimes

Some Fall fun!

Here's some of the fun we've been having at our house! Hope you're having fun too!

Disneyland Giveaway!

The picture won't work if you click on it, so click below to get to the site.

You need to go to THIS SITE to enter to win a trip to DISNEYLAND! There's always extras added to the prize package so it sweetens the pot. We went a couple years ago and would LOVE to go again, we had an amazing time with our children.

www.sweetlifeinthevalley.com

Broiled Teriyaki Steaks

Yesterday I decided I wanted steak so I marinated some steaks I had in teriyaki sauce overnight then cooked them under the broiler for about 5 minutes per side and they were delightful! My children ate it all up and couldn't stop commenting on how good it was. I also served rice pilaf and a salad. I will be doing this again since the steaks were juicy and nicely done. Maybe next time I'll add some crumbled bleu cheese after I turn the steaks to the other side... Mmmmm my mouth is already watering.

Big accomplishment!!

Hannah read her first book today all by herself! I'm so proud of her and what she's accomplishing now. She read Fun in the sun in the Bob Books series. She's an amazing little girl and I'm so lucky to be her mom. I love you Hannah!

Feeling

So I'm just going to put some of my feelings out there... This may be a downer but bear with me. I lately have been feeling overwhelmed in many areas of my life. While at the same time I've been able to accomplish a lot as well. My house is cleaner thanks to the children being in school, which in turn makes me feel great. I just can't seem to shake the previous feelings of I'm a terrible wife, mother, daughter and terrible in my church calling. I don't like the feelings of not being good enough and feeling very guilty because of them. I know where/who they come from but it's hard to shake after a life time of feeling this way. I burning out on many aspects in my life, calling, motherhood, wifehood (don't know that's a word, but it is now for me!) and I'm falling into a funk. It's not due to the time of year since it is my favorite, I love the coolness in the air, colors, HALLOWEEN! I just am having a hard time accepting me for who I am and moving on with that an gaining strength from it. I hope I'm not the only one who has felt this way and I'm pretty sure I'm not but it always is healing to put it out there instead of holding it in. Are there other ways of coping and dealing with this other than the basic Sunday answers? I sure am struggling to find my way out and know I will eventually find my way out. I just need to put my feelings out there and hope when you my reader reads this that you'll still love me in the end. I sure do love all my friends out there and miss several of them since I've moved here to Salt Lake. I do at the same time love the friends I have up here and cherish the time with them.

I hope you can gain something from my rant, and I hope I can gain strength as well.

Poached Salmon!

I made the best dinner tonight! I've been wanting salmon for quite some time since eating at Lamb's Cafe here in Salt Lake so I tried to replicate it and I got the same textured fish with a bit more flavor than theirs. I thought I'd share it with you since it was so easy and wonderful!

Since salmon fillets are on sale at Harmon's 5 for $20 I got quite a deal then came home and diced 1/2 yellow onion while melting 2 TBS butter in my pan. I sauteed the onions for a bit (1-2 min) then added a can of chicken stock. ( I would have used vegetable stock, but I didn't have any) I added some garlic powder to the stock and put the lid on the pan and let the onions cook a bit more in the stock. I cleaned the salmon and then placed it in the pot. After adding the fillets I put just a bit minced garlic in with it since I love garlic with salmon. I put the lid on and let it gently simmer for 12 minutes and viola it was done! So fast and so delicious. Then after removing the salmon I turned up the heat on the pan to a fast boil and let the sauce reduce and then spooned some over the fillets. WOW is all I can say, very tender and flaky as well as very flavorful! I highly recommend you try this as well. I would have taken a picture but I was too excited to eat.

It would be good served with some rice pilaf and asparagus. I hope you try it!

AVON

So I have officially joined the ranks of Avon. I have always loved their products and now look forward to selling it. They have great deals currently for the upcoming holidays as well as some great items on clearance as well. I have my own website you can order from and AVON will ship it to your home. Right now if you order $30.00 worth of product you can get standard shipping FREE! I think that's a great deal especially if you want stocking stuffers or something to pamper yourself. Check out my website!

Nothing new to report but I'm a little apprehensive about seeing snow already in the mountains!

I'm also hosting a Lia Sophia jewelry party at my house on Friday at 6:00pm so if you live in the Salt Lake area, let me know if you want to come and I'll email you my address. It's going to be lot's of fun with an ugliest jewelry contest. Simply show up wearing your ugliest piece and you could win jewelry from her VIP section which I hear is really good. At least come and be a body at my house and if you see something you like you can splurge on yourself. You deserve it!

Surgery...

Well it turns out I need to have surgery to fix two things. One is my cyst if it doesn't reduce or the pain doesn't stop then that will need to be operated on and I also discovered after talking to him that the main cause for my miscarriages is that they were most likely because they started out as ectopic pregnancies. Apparently when I had my tubal ligation it partly failed letting some eggs through. So, there you have it... a golf ball sized cyst that should reduce but will be operated on in two months as well as fixing my tubal ligation. What fun eh?

Well now what?

Well to my surprise I've had tons of visitors to my blog and I don't know where they came from but I do know when I hit 10,000 visitors I wanted to do a giveaway. Now seeing that's now passed I should do something else. I want to do a gift card giveaway and since I know you can get several people as a certain number on the counter on my blog I will think of something for the first 5 people that can email me a screen shot showing their visit number. It will take me a couple days to figure it out. Till then, do you have any suggestions for possible gift card prizes? It's not going to be for much but hey, anything is better than nothing right? Leave me a comment!

Monster Cookies

This is courtesy of a calendar I have and we loved the cookies... They were really easy to make as well. I also made my cookies a bit smaller than what the recipe calls for so I'd have more.

1 Pouch Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix
1 Pouch Betty Croker peanut butter cookie mix
1 1/2 C. quick oats
1 C butter or margarine, softened
3 eggs
1 C M&M's

Heat oven to 375 F. In large bowl, stir all ingredients except candies until soft dough forms. Stir in candies. On ungreased cookie sheets place about 1/4 cupfuls dough about 3 inches apart. Bake 12-13 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes, remove from cookie sheets and cool completely on cooling rack. Store at room temp. in covered container.

One hint I like to do with my cookies to keep them soft over time is to put a slice of bread inside the container with them. It also works with hard cookies also.

Fishing

So we got fishing licenses this year and have had lot's of fun trying various spots and not catching anything. We've been camping to fish as well as visiting local spots. Here's some pictures for you to enjoy! We love spending time together and this is one great way to do it.

What in the world?

I just noticed my counter was at 11,000! When did that happen????

Thank you for the visits and would love to know who's visiting. Please leave me comments! Now I suppose I need to post more eh?

When do you toss those left overs?

Hey, I just came across an awesome website that tells you how long left overs as well as pantry items, frozen and refrigerated items should last or be thrown out. It's pretty cool, check it out!

www.StillTasty.com

There's really nothing new to talk about other than boring things... Things like we moved our living room around again. I know, my life is currently boring! The kids are doing great and Hannah is loving school! She can't wait to go every day and is upset she can't go longer. She's so sweet and smart. Jaidyn starts full time preschool on Wednesday with an open house tomorrow for him to meet some of his classmates. He's so excited and is ready to be like his big sister. He's such a fast learner and loves to know how things work. I think I have some amazing kids and am very proud to be their mother.

For Labor day we went to the Transformers II movie and we loved it. Sure there were cheesy parts to the movie that really didn't need to be there, but overall we LOVED it! It only cost us $2.00 for all 4 of us since the dollar theater only charges. .50 cents per person on Mondays. We'll be visiting more often now!

It's nice to read other's blogs and see how you're doing. I'm sorry I don't post more, things have been a bit hard lately both emotionally and physically. I'm struggling with another miscarriage in August as well as my physical pain due to my cyst. I can't wait for my appointment on the 18th to see what all the problems are. I'm a bit scared as well. Wish me luck!

I hope there's more exciting things in the near future so you'll have something exciting to read instead of posts like this.

Hannah's first day of SCHOOL!

Hannah went to kindergarten today and was so excited. She could hardly wait to leave to go and was merely tolerating me by the end. It's hard to let little ones grow up like that and that they can't stay your "little ones" any more. I'm really proud of Hannah and got the word that she's not shy and had a great day. It pays to have friends work at the school!