Seriously, already?

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

I am posting this here to get a $10 off coupon to Shutterfly.. you can do it too!!

To Grandma Jeanne and Grandma Farm

Todd is refining Luke's dunking technique..

We are planning on retiring on income that our children will make.

Either as Chinese Business Consultants or NBA stars.

Our favorite album right now is Taylor Swift's "RED".

It is so awesome.

I don't care that I am almost 42, I love this girl's music.

The song in this video is Sadie Grace's favorite, "22"

and yes, I was driving when I shot the video.

I was UBER careful, Momma.

I promise.

Here is one more video to demonstrate what we go through

on a daily basis in order to turn our 1st grader into a Mini-Mandarin.

Do not kid yourself, this is hard stuff.

Especially for the momma!

How WE pass the time..

**Perfect our Halo 4 moves.

**Mandarin Chinese speaking, writing, reading.

**Reviewing the elements of a fabulous Snowman (or Sno-Blobs.)

We are Chinese Speaking, Halo 4 playing, Snow Man building machines.

Umm... Yeah.  They can read in Mandarin.

They can read a whole whole bunch of scribbly lines.

I think it is CRAZY!!

MY CHILD HAS THE GIFT OF TONGUES!

(For real, I am not even kidding..)

If I had a quarter for every time I heard, "Mantis" when they played Halo, I would be RICH!

If I had a dime for every time Todd threw a little tantrum when they played Halo, 

I would be even RICHER!

If I had a nickel for every time someone complained about being killed by a beloved family member

while playing Halo, I would be profiting from Evil and thus would be very POOR in spirit.

First Snow 2012

What a storm!
If only this could happen on December 24th!!
Love it!

We...

• Played in the snow
• Made cookies and homemade cocoa
• Watched Movies
• Sat by the Fire

The only thing missing was MADDIE!!

Sadie ate her snow like it was corn on the cob..

Love Luke's crazy face..

Dad tackling Tanner, just asking for trouble 

Tanner plotting his revenge. 

Sadie with her "corn cob"

Tanner's revenge...

This can only mean one thing..

a trip to the ER..

Just kidding.

 Cute old man..Love him

Pure Winter Joy! 

 Ready for the Draft!

Or a body cast... 

Of course the only way to end it was to make someone cry!!

Cure for all problems

Don't Mock Me!

I am an emotional eater.

I needed something yummy to eat this evening for dinner.

Not only did I have the aftermath of the election on what is left of my mind, but I had a full blown womanly attack.  Do you know what I mean?  If you have read my blog, you know this is a common theme-known by many names...

1) Grape Jelly Days
2) Monthly Visitor from Hell
3) Shark Week started
4) Red River flowing violently.
5) Uterus Explosion
6) Todd's Nightmare Begins
7) I-am-hemorrhaging-to-death-so-don't-mess-with-me!
8) Our Creator's Funny Funny Joke
9) Purple Popsicle & Maxi Days
10) Satan's Trifecta (from Modern Family..)

Do you know what I mean?

So,...I wake up to a pool of my own blood and Obama is my president. Awesome!

I NEED FRIES!  AND NOT JUST ANY FRIES! HOMEMADE FRIES!

So despite my anemia and anger problems, I stood on my feet (cold from lack of blood) for several hours to cut and fry me some fries.  And, I don't regret a moment of the effort.  Neither does anyone in my family (they probably wouldn't dare tell me if they did...)

Here is the recipe for when you have your own Shark Week attack.
Or if an idiot is leading your country.
Or both.  On the same day.
I hate everyone...

Basically like crack cocaine...

Except more fattening.

And legal.

HOMEMADE FRIES..

Potatoes (well, duh!)
Salt
Peanut Oil/Canola Oil

Optional-(be warned, this will make your fries extra extravagent!)
Fry Sauce
Cheese
Sour Cream
Bacon


Wash, but don't you dare peel, your potatoes.  Cut them into fry shapes.  I like to do my fairly thin so they will be crispy.  As you finish cutting the potatoes, place them in cold water to keep them from browning and remove some of the starch. I put mine in a strainer which was then put into a big bowl of water.  Then when I was ready to do a batch, I pulled the strainer out of the water, shook of the excess water and then placed it in the oil.  Prepare your dutch oven or soup kettle.  I did a combination of peanut and canola oil.  Do not heat the oil first.  Weird, but totally legit!! Place the potatoes in the oil and then heat to boiling on high heat.  Boil for around 15 minutes or until your fries are lightly brown and/or crispy.  Don't mess with them too much while they are boiling away, or they will fall apart.  I let them hang out for 8-10 minutes of boiling before I try to move them around at all.  Turn off the heat when the fries are ready.  I used tongs to remove them to a paper towel covered plates.  I used sea salt sprinkled lightly (ha ha ha!) on the fries.

The batch that we used for dinner was covered with cheese, crumbled bacon and broiled for just a couple of minutes in the oven.  Serve with fry sauce and sour cream.  If you like onions (we don't), you could add some of those.  I am just saying- freakin' awesome!

My uterus and mind have been lulled into a very comfortable coma induced by these delicious morsels.

I am off to workout for about 3 days straight to undo what I have done.
Stupid period and stupid election.

Completely depressed..

Perplexed.
Flummoxed.
Annoyed.
Scared.
Angry.
Sad.
Frustrated.

Trying not to let it ruin my day.  Trying really hard to move forward.  Trying not to be bitter.  Trying to get over the fact that more than 1/2 of my beloved country think someone like Mitt Romney is less qualified to be president than our current president (can't say his name.. he is he-who-shall-not-be-named to me.).  How are we so divided? How can they think Governor Romney is sexist, racist, homophobic, unqualified, evil? I don't get it.

So.. whatever.  I will trust in the higher power.   Doesn't matter who is president.. I know who is KING!!

I am soo over this election.  I can't imagine how the candidates feel.  And their families.  I wish the billions spent on this election could have been put to better use.

I keep telling myself that we, as a country are being humbled.  We have an opportunity to more fully turn towards our God.  I feel the shift this morning.  I recognize that no one can direct me or help my family or guide me in the way that I should go, except my Heavenly Father.  This event may bring us closer to him-I feel like it will bring me closer to what truly matters.  I realize I must educate my kids, prepare my family and home, live in a way that I can provide for those I care about in every way.  It is a big load to shoulder, but I know that Heavenly Father will strengthen me as I try to do his will.

One last thing....

I wish I could punch someone in a kidney.  Or a family jewel or two.  Maybe, hit someone between the eyes with their government-supplied cell phone.  I would love to drop kick an able-bodied man who is standing in a welfare line when he could be lined up for an interview.  I would love to do a falling elbow to the sternum of Nancy Pelosi and give Harry Reid the biggest wedgie known to man.  If I could nipple twist just a few of the liberally-biased media...  I think it may help me move forward a little bit quicker.

But, alas... I digress from my thoughtful, spiritual rambling.  You know that gentility could only last so long.  I was bound to revert to myself.  Now... to go find someone to kick.

I hate everyone. Again.

Tanner + Ashley = Bingham Ball 2012

Mom to the rescue!! 

On his knees to put on her corsage.. Such a gentleman!

The two examples of my son's sweet feminine side.

Or is it my son's perv side??

I think it's darling, whatever it is.

He does look good with a glittery purse.

Love you, Tanner!

Love you, Ashley!

Such an attractive couple...just saying!