Happiness is a fish...

Happiness is a fish is one of my favorite songs from a band called Our Lady Peace and it has nothing to do with this post but I liked it so there it is...
I feel so extremely overwhelmed and at the same time like the Lord will not forsake us. He has delivered us from much worse; but in my mind there are another several thousand families who are faithful, hardworking, and educated who are losing their homes right now and I wonder if this isn't possibly the worst time to get out of the military. It was totally out of Jaxon and my hands and that's a little helpful-I guess. I am in a constant state of panic feeling in a sort that we are preparing to be homeless even though if we don't have a job yet we can stay at Jaxon's folks-that is a last case scenario. BUT, then I walk upstairs and find Jaxon on his cell phone while holding the house phone and typing on line all to different head hunters and various Nuclear Power Companies. I can hear him selling himself and sounding so proficient and eloquent but humble. We have had several opportunities already that I have shot down (get that 'I' shot down) because I am not going to live in a rinky dink down where I have to sew my own son up because they don't have a doctor and I want awesome schools etc...
Right now we have prospects in Baltimore, Oahma, and Corpus Christy. I am looking at everything from the school drop out rate to where a great grocery store chain is. Yet, I am finding that we can be happy anywhere. I know I can suck up a small town for a while or the big city. I know that we will make it and I know that I will have faith that where ever we go is where Heavenly Father wants us. I just hope he wants us there SOON!

Supermodel...

As I sit in my bathtub (which I do at some point daily) ravaging my Vanity Fair, Vogue and Allure magazines (which I cannot live without) I am reading an article on the 'unpretentious' Supermodel Giselle Bunchon. This time I am just praying that we go somewhere warm when we move like the beautiful backdrop for these lovely photos. I am seeing someone who by the worlds standards is the most breathtaking person. Who is a chameleon by trade and can turn a party upside down. Then swiftly entering my place of peace, comes in, the most beautiful creature. Someone who can change daily and throw a party upside down as well. My Alexzondra Renee. I might never understand why we were supposed to live here or if any lives were touched for the better because of us; but I do know that this is where we had our Miss. Allie who is the most amazing daughter. I might never see her in Vogue (I might not want too) but I could be wrong. I just hope she feels loved and magical and beautiful and wanted.
So, I put down Giselle and wrap her and I up in my fluffy bath towel and have a few sacred moments. She is breathtaking and she is mine. Perhaps I will have more love in my heart for this place after all?

The annoying neighbor...

There is this neighbor that lives across the street from the Potter Family who is always asking for stuff. Always pawning kids off on them. Always barging in needing something or asking for help. Always calling needing a 'favor'. That annoying family, my dear friends- IS MINE!
I don't know what I did before they lived here or if I have always been so needy but they save our lives on a daily basis. I think I will miss this family so much more than I realize when we move. Jackie has helped me on silly things-like deciding which shoes to wear; and serious things-like my darkest moments when I just needed her to listen. She is beautiful and so much more balanced than I think Ill ever be.
Kirk has been so wonderful to Jaxon and I think they have become a sort of 'man-buddies' (to the extent Jaxon has friends anyway). Their wonderful boys- Tyler and Derek are a ball to have over. They play so beautifully with Korbin. Usually Miss. Allie just terrorizes them and they put up with it time and time again.
There have been many prayers for this sweet family with the newest addition coming this summer. We are so very sad that we will not be here to meet her but we know that she is coming to the most worthy, giving, fun, involved and delighted parents.
Thank you for allowing our craziness into your lives and bailing us out by giving a cup of milk or by just being great friends. We will miss you dearly and thank you for everything!!
P.S. BTW-can I borrow a 1/2 cup of sugar?

I just love...

I just LOVE
Sleeping Beauty
I think it is done so well and no one can complain about that voice!
I just might sit down and watch it all the way through-that is a feat for me!

Cookies

Now that I am leaving several people have asked for this recipe so here goes, I must add; not to sound bratty but I think that the difference in my cookie recipe is my ingredients! I mostly use super fresh egg from Jaxons parents and I use very strong Mexican Vanilla, and I use Cane Juice Sugar which is exactly like regular sugar its just not refined white sugar. I buy it that at Costco. And everything else besides the Crisco is organic. My friend Jackie said she thought it made a difference but you can make them any which way you would like. And credit goes to my little brother Lee who tweaked this recipe for a few years till he got it right.
1 c. butter flavored Crisco
3/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs

cream all that together then add

1 tsp. each of vanilla/baking soda/salt

cream till texture is a bit lighter looking and puffier. add

2 1/2 c. flour

mix in and add a tiny bit if needed but you want it to sit up a bit on your fingers but be sticky.

Add lots of Semi-sweet chocolate chip about 4 hand fulls. Jaxon thinks that the dough should just be there to hold the chips together!

Bake in a 375 degree oven, on a baking stone for 12 minutes. NOW- when you take them out of the oven leave them on the cookie stone for a good few minutes. When you take them out of the oven they should look like they might need a minute more but that's why you leave them on the stone, they will bake slightly but remain the goey, creamy texture.
Put on a wire cookie rack and eat as soon as possible. They are best warm. I have no idea how many they make because we consume half the dough before we are done!
I hope someone one likes these!!! Have a great day. Dang it I am salivating and I am off to the gym!!! AAhhh!

A little crazy around here!

Moving so quickly with no job or house to move into makes us a little crazy around here. I feel like we are preparing to be homeless or something. I know that we will most likely have to stay with Jaxon's family for a few weeks till we know WHERE to move our stuff. So far, Jaxon has applied to 14 different companies as well as several headhunters, and that is promising that we are already starting to get calls back but its only been since Friday that we've known we were out. I know these things take time and that's the one thing we don't have. I am trying to be as positive as possible but in my control freak brain I want to totally flip out!! I know that freaking out is counter productive and inefficient I will do everything I can to make myself helpful. Again, I can only clean and organize and give away so much but I am trying to stay busy without spending money. (try it-it sucks) We put the Sport Bike up for sale today and we are trying to get everything in order I feel very distracted with my children so by all means invite them over for a play date- GEEZZ I was so busy trying to figure out with to do with our old textbooks Miss. Allie got in the tub with all her clothes on! Jaxon has turned into even more of a big brother than he already was by triple dog daring Korbin to get in Island Lake (it was like 10 degrees)all the way in his boxers. Korbin did it but negated a whole dollar from his dad. WE went on the swings and Jaxon put himself in the baby swing and Miss. Allie on him while Korbin got in the other one. They looked a little Special. I think by the time we move Ill have a twitch, Jaxon will be cross eyed and both our kids will look homeless. PRAY FOR US WE ARE GOING NUTZ!

Good Riddens Silverdale

We will be officially OUT of the U.S. Navy in thirty days from this Wednesday. We are semi prepared and totally freaking out. Please pray for us, we are VERY excited to move but not so excited about the short notice.

correction

Its amandakphotography.net (not .com) if you were interested in looking!!

I can rent a TIGER!

In the beginning of May my super fabulous friend that so happens to be a top notch photographer (amandakphotography.com) is allowing a few of us girls to abuse our friend privilege and have her take boudoir pictures for our honeys. WELL...
One of my friends is very respectful and conservative and the other one is very pregnant so that leaves the 'boudoir' part to me. Yes That's right, while my one friend (I shall be keeping their identity secret for the time being) is doing lovely maternity pictures I am hunting online for a TIGER to pose with! Come on-that would very very kick butt!
Another lifetime ago I had a modeling contract and so out come the old binder with all my notes and tips and stances. I am having anxiety about this photo shoot because I want it to be amazing. I know very well I wont be getting this opportunity again so I want it to be PERFECT. Not cute. Not pretty. Not sweet. AMAZING take his/mine breath away- Vogue high end couture- fantabolous! I have this vision of a futuristic Geisha with the white neck and face; with the soft lighting and the curves and the props. We have a semi-Japanese bedroom I am trying to get totally Japanese and this could look amazing framed. So far the Kimono rental/make-up/wig/prop is at $350.
Next is the white angelic, very natural and just awoken vision. The idea concept is the Faith Hill 'Breathe' music video. No false lashes even. STILL this baby has its own price- Spray tan/waxing/wig/mani-pedi is around $150.
And last but not least the 'boudoir' part- this is a family blog so we will say that its racy but not trashy and it involves a corset and very high heels!!! This is the scary one because there will be no pretty bedding or silk kimono to hide my flaws and thickness. Its just gonna be me hanging out there trying with all my soccer mom heart to pose like its 1999 (cause that's when I had the body for something like this) and attempting to look as sexy as possible. This little, and I mean little number is about $100. I'M FREAKING OUT!
I know its all me and I can do what ever I want but I want it to have a WOW factor. ~Notice there is a wig involved in every scene-no lesbian hair to go down in the books and the point is to try and look attractive.
No Tiger because they are $987.00 and have to be shipped in because of the no exotic animal law.
No looking like Pam Anderson because well...I like cookies.
No, I probably will not get waxed and just and give myself a mani/pedi and I will most likely not look like I belong in Vanity Fair but come hell or high water- THIS WILL BE THE BEST FATHERS DAY PRESENT EVER!!!!!

Tired!

Being a mom is exhausting. I was exhausted when I pushed them out (cant you tell?) and I am still! I love my family but I am just pooped!

Yeah Tyler-Boo Korbin

Last night we went to support our friends children play their first game of T-ball. Korbin was really excited even though he knew he couldn't play; he was really happy to watch his friend Tyler Potter. Well we got there and realized out of all Korbin's guy friends that he sees on a regular basis he was the only one not on THAT team and not only not on the same team but not PLAYING at ALL. Ethan West was there. Caden Bartlett was playing and of course Tyler Potter. As we left and we watched his friends from the sidelines we tried to help him remember why we didn't sign up this season. He is in Gymnastics already twice a week and is really close to getting his back hand spring and is in the much older class because is like a monkey. Anyway I was trying to explain to him that its okay to have a bunch of different things friends do and it will be so awesome when Korbin can do a back flip and then teach his friends how to do one too. He didn't care in the slightest. I could have told him he was ready for the Olympics and he just sadly hung his head and said 'Yeah, I know doing Gymnastics is wicked awesome but I'm all alone, Just me a Coach Austin and all my friends were there together and they had cool socks and snacks after and I didn't get to be with them in the fence thing where the kids sit.(dugout)"
I felt pretty sorry for my little man. Even though he was over it soon Ill never forget how he quietly (RARE-PEOPLE) said how alone he felt right then. I asked him if he wanted to quit gymnastics so he could do something else and he looked at me like I was on crack. So, I guess we will stay in gymnastics and will go to every single game we can to support his friends. aaah the days of summer

THE Functional Family

I am sick today with various aliments and while sitting in my whalor I started to read the February Ensign over and I realized that I must have skipped a beautiful article on being a Functional Family.
I grew up convinced that I was going to create the Huxtables in my little space on Earth. We would be tight-nit, witty, educated and on and so forth....
Well we got married-knocked up-on a beach-half naked-by the Grim Reaper (he had a judges cloak and it blew in the storm and looked like he was there to kill everyone) We were BROKE and I mean it in the worst way- we had a bed and that was it. It was a year and a half till we bought furniture because we didn't want any MORE debt. I was super sick preggers and Jax was in Nuke School usually pulling 14 hour days, 6 days a week.
WE WERE NOT OFF TO A GREAT HUXTABLE START!
One day after we had been married about a year Jaxon pulled me into him and we danced in our living room to a song on the radio. I knew then that we would probably never be the Huxtables and I was alright with that. Then day by day scraped together a beautiful life. We grew in every way. We tried to raise our Korbin the best we knew how and if I didn't know how to do something there was a book I'd read by someone who did or a long distance phone call to one of our moms.
Anyway, We tried to do the best we could and maybe someday in the back of my mind we could still be the Huxtables.
Our lives became more involved and we added our lovely Alexzondra. And because this is a blog and its supposed to be a sugarcoated version of our lives Ill just say that we were 'tried' as a family in ways I would never wish on my worst enemy. There were times I didn't want to live. (sound very dramatic doesn't it? But, its true and no I am not depressed) I REALLY had to decide what we were to do and I had to let go once and for all the Huxtable dream. I had to find what it meant to just be a NELSON. Not Jaxon's super amazing mother and not mine but what I wanted to be and create my family into. Nothing is harder than trying to rebuild a life that was everything you knew and loved that was lost. I wake up everyday with the prayer that Ill be a better mother/wife/friend than I was yesterday and I usually fall short but then I found this and I feel better about the direction my family is going. Because now we are all going in the direction of Heavenly Father.
These are the 6 Keys to a functional family:
1. In the functional family, parents focus their energy on teaching their children correct principles and allowing them to exercise their energy.
2. Parents INTENTIONALLY strengthen their families.
3. Relationships are of SUPREME importance.
4. Parents are active TEACHERS.
5. Parents LEAD by EXAMPLE.
6. Parents teach their children FAITH in our HEAVENLY FATHER and in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Just recently has my Jaxon been fully into getting back with the church and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to come out of the bathroom from brushing my teeth and see Jax all ready to read scriptures every night. For those of you (like my Jaime =>) that did everything right and got Sealed in the temple and has that every day- don't take it for granted because when its not there you have no idea how much you need it. I am glad for my daily examples of how to be a better person. I just hope my babies realize how loved they are and what a mommy is willing to do to make them happy!

Yumminess...

I've have been diligently trying to domesticate myself in recent years and just these last few weeks Ive been in a fever getting new recipes that are super healthy that my family will eat too. That's the tricky part. I want to go Vegan- Jaxon would rather get hit in the head with a golf shoe. Jaxon wants some sort of meat in every meal. Korbin wants anything that has some kind of 'treat' in it; Namely Sugar. And, Miss. Allie eats everything-all the time-always.
So, here we are. I get a new recipe and its weird and calls for odd things or its 4:30 and I'm starting dinner and I realize that it has to sit overnight. We checked out Southern Living kids cookbook from the Library and so far its been our best shot!
We got these non-gross kid friendly yummy recipes from it:
Chrunchy Munchy Lettuce Wraps-
1 lb. ground turkey
1 T. canola oil
1 can (8oz) bamboo shoots, drained and minced
1 can (8oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained and minced
1/2 (8oz) pkg. sliced mushrooms, minced
4 green onions, minced
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup Sesame Ginger 30-min marinade. (Lawry's is best)
12 iceberg lettuce leaves
Left over marinade for dipping

Cook turkey in skillet (use a big one so you can add ing. later) drain well then add oil to pan over med-high heat. Add bamboo shoots and next three ing. Stir fry for two minutes. Add turkey, peas and 1/2 cup of marinade. Cook till all is heated.
Spoon about 1/2 cup mixture in each lettuce leaf and eat like soft taco. *It says it makes 6 1/2 cup servings but it was about 9 1/2 cup servings. Enjoy

Another of our favorites that came from the book was the Granola Triangles but don't let that fool you. We ate it after the pool when the kids need some carbs in them but we've been eating it as a early dessert instead of a snack because it has Corn Syrup!

Granola Triangles-

2 1/2 cups Rice Crispies
2 cups uncooked quick cooking oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter (we used chunky and it was fantastic)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
cooking spray

Combine first 3 ing. in big bowl-set aside. Stir together brown sugar and syrup in small pan. Bring to boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter till smooth. Pour mixture over cereal mixture and stir till coated. Let sit for 10 minutes and then add Choc chips. Spoon mixture in greased 13x9 pan press down into even layer and cut into 12 squares. Makes 2 dozen triangles.
* OK this didn't actually turn out like that for me because I had to answer the door and let the mixture boil too long but even though it didn't hold together perfectly I just put it into baggies and ate it like chunky granola. It was still great!


So, even though am not a domestic diva I do love to find great things for my family!!! There are plenty of days where we throw life span and health out the window-like today. I made Cinnamon Rolls for General Conference Weekend. They are so Delicious!!! Martha Stewart can kiss it!!
* The picture of the three of my loves in bed is what happens when we eat things like the Cinnamon Rolls. See why we can't eat like that all the time!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy

Today was/is my mommy's Birthday, and it sucked. Between all the snow and canceled plans she was sick and had to go to work anyway. As crappy as that sounds this is not unusual for her, when the going gets tough she is the one to hold it all together. She is the toughest cookie Ive ever met. Hello-she raised me!!!
Growing older and having children of my own I often reflect (as do we all once we have kids and bills) how much she gave without me ever noticing. For years she made a bottle of perfume last because we needed new school clothes. She spent hours/days/weeks making homemade Halloween Belle Ball Gowns and Christmas dresses. I ate a great (from scratch) breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for almost eighteen years. She gave me love always even if I felt suffocated by it as a teen. I used to tell her 'We know! We know you love us! TOO much! A little less would be okay too.'
I used to make fun of her when ever she'd go away for a weekend with my dad and she would sit us down and tell us how much she loved us and her Heavenly Father; in case she died on the road she wanted us to KNOW that she KNEW.
I have a faithful devoted mother whom I'm am perhaps a bit late in acknowledging how exceptional she really is. You are the definition of faithful service, hard work, unconditional love and a never ending strive for what Heavenly Father wants from you. You are everything that I hope to live up too as a mother. Happy Birthday.

Spring Break 2

I am exhausted. This Spring Break fun family week at home is a ton of work and the kids have NO IDEA. I know that in twenty years they will tell me how amazing I am and I am counting on that. This morning we woke up and made biscuit/egg/cheese/bacon towers in the oven. I was going to take pictures but I was too busy frying up bacon while helping Korbin make biscuits. After we finished those in about three minutes; We had a bit of spring cleaning to do so I let the kids take all the couch cushions into the hall and make forts. I steam cleaned the house and furniture. Anyone on a beach right now-if you are I want to kill you right now.
Then Miss. Allie went down for a nap. I said went down-not sleep. She continued to screech at us from her crib. Again-screech not cry. She was just plain annoying. SO, we just got her up to go to the Aquatics center. Oh wait... Korbins trunks don't fit and we don't have any swim diapers. Oh what fun we are. Off to Walmart (where I see rich-very put together woman from our stake- I ignore her and continue walking being as I'm in a swimsuit and a skirt and no make-up whatsoever.) Find new trunks and flip flops and go. CRAP almost there and no swim diaper (they wont let her in without one) stop at RiteAid. Jax runs in pouring rain while we wait in the car. We wait and wait and wait. Apparently Jax couldn't find it and had to wait until the only available cashier stopped chatting about menopause with another customer to help Jax. FINALLY we are at the Pool! Yeah!! Its so fun. We did not bring the camera because I wanted to have fun too. I always get stuck with it and I take terrible pictures! Miss. Allie loved the water slide which is shocking because its pitch black in there! We swam our little hearts out. I was nervous as always about being in public in my suit but just as always there was a ton of other people that should acquire some honest friends to tell them that a string bikini over 60 is just not so hot. So, I did just fine. We left about 4:30 so Jax could help someone move a piano and we could have a quick dinner and shower before gymnastics. When did I learn time-management? I actually thought I could do that in that small amount of time. Nope. We rushed home (in a downpour in ferry traffic on a two lane road) to find the guys Jax is supposed to help move with in our driveway. Off he goes to do a good deed for the day. All me. My good deed is going to be not drugging my starving, freezing screaming children while I whip up dinner. We ate food. That's all I can say about dinner. Rush to gymnastics and listen to Alexzondra scream how upset she is that there are too many kids and she can't go out onto the gym floor and play. Korbin is somewhat paying attention to his coach and I suppose that it was a good idea we made it to class today. Then both kids have meltdowns on the way home as I retract my previous thought. I am still covered in chlorine and smell like grilled cheese sandwiches and gym mats. I am tired. This is not Spring BREAK. THIS IS SPRING NUTS. Tomorrow when I am rested and smell like my good old self (its amazing what Chanel par fume can do for your soul) we might try another fun thing, but tonight I am taking a bath and going to sleep. right now.

Spring Break I

This Spring Break Week has hardly looked anything like spring but its fine because we are troopers!!! So far I have not ran every day and have not blogged everyday but other that those we still have started our list.
On Monday for FHE we took our fliers for our blanket drive around the neighborhood and went to the park. Korbin used his allowance money to take our family to McDonalds for ICE CREAM!
Tues was errands and the Dentist- we can skip Tuesday!
Yesterday was great fun going to the Bainbrigde Island Children's Museum. I was not terribly impressed with it but it was okay. The kids had fun for a few hours so I supposed we got our 5 dollars worth. Alexzondra did not have her stroller but I was going to bear it anyway and I'm so glad I didn't bring it. She was on the move and played fabulous; Mostly running after other kids and trying to kiss them. She especially enjoyed being as loud as possible and not getting told to shush. Korbin mostly loved dressing in safari gear and tromping around the 'forest' looking for rare animals with Tommy. After that we went out to lunch with our neighbors (whom also went with us to said museum), the Duncan's to Chinese food. It was very yummy although almost impossible to get the three boys to use any manners they'd ever been taught. Korbin was slurping away! Then I came home and had a nap with Miss. Allie while Korbin played with the Duncans still! Last night was Korbins turn for dinner and we made Tuna pot pie things but shaped them like fish for each of us. They were pretty great but of course nothing we make ever looks like the picture. oh well. Jax and I finally finished Indiana Jones last night. All four of them! I'm glad I could finally get him up to speed with our generation!
Today is perhaps the Aquatic center or maybe we will just stay inside this rainy day and make a fort under our table to pretend we are on faraway continent where the sun shines with its warmth and we have no place to be....