Yummy Memorial Day BBQ Dinner Today!

Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers




1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

About 8 oz. lean bacon, NOT thick-sliced (thick bacon is too hard to work with in this recipe)

1 large can pineapple chunks (you won't use all of them)

Kikkoman Teriyaki Baste and Glaze

Kebab skewers



-Cut bacon slab into thirds.

-Drain the pineapple

-Cut chicken into bite sized pieces

-Wrap bacon around chicken pieces and alternate between bacon wrapped chicken and pineapple on a kebab.



When all chicken pieces have been sufficiently staked, pour Teriyaki sauce over everything, reserving about 1/4 c., and marinate in refrigerator for at least 4 hours, no longer than about 8.



Preheat grill**; when about 350-400 degrees, place skewers on grill and baste with reserved Teriyaki sauce. Cook about 7 minutes and flip skewers. Baste again and cook another 7 minutes. You really have to watch the grill because the grease from the bacon will cause the fire to grow larger. Then your bacon will burn. I found it best to leave my grill lid open the whole time.



Lime Cilantro Rice with Pineapple



Lime-Cilantro Rice with Pineapple



Like I said, you really can just make this to taste, but here’s the basics.



1 cup dry white rice, cooked in 2 C water.

2 T real butter

Juice from 1 large lime, or two smaller ones (taste as you go, I add a lot!)

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained. (You may want 2 small cans)

½ - ¾ C chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and pepper to taste



Cook rice. As soon as it’s done, toss in the butter and stir to melt. Add lime juice, pineapple, and cilantro. Stir to combine, and then add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

by the way.....

"Momma, I think I have paint on my willy"

 This is what happens at our humble abode when you leave Daddy in charge of kids while the Momma is busy painting the master bedroom.  I could have seriously killed him; just kidding {maybe not}

So what did I do after the shock wore off {slightly}, I pulled out the camera phone and snapped a few pictures before spending the next HOUR bathing them over and over again trying to "rake" the paint out of Miss M's hair.

Goodbye Miss Tanya

We are so proud of our little graduate!

On Monday evening we were able to attend Maddie's graduation ceremony from "Leap into Learning" preschool with Miss Tanya.  Miss M was so proud of herself and especially LOVED all the treats we ate afterwards :)

We (I) will miss the four hour break on Monday mornings when Maddie was gone to preschool and then playgroup

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We will miss all the fun songs that Maddie has learned at class

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Maddie will miss all her fun friends she has grown up with at school

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I will miss seeing and interacting with Tanya during the week while dropping off & picking up Maddie

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We will miss bike rides to and from school.....

but Maddie is super excited to start Miss Rosie's summer phonics program on Tuesday and to meet more friends!  We are also excited for all the swimming days this summer and for Summer Movie Fun at Harkins Theaters!  Hooray for summer time; bring it on! 

{and I am beyond ecstatic about no overtime shifts for June and July for me!!!!}

(Once again quite obvious that I had been awake for more than 24 hours)

YEAH FOR MADDIE!!

a {NEW} look on life

We just recently attended a baptism this past Saturday and it was such a spiritual experience. Even with our kids going semi-crazy during the program it was so neat to look at the young man and see his glowing countenance. He looked so at peace with his decision and couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. I am always amazed at the happiness that the Gospel brings someone. It is that literal "change of heart" that we read about in the Book of Mormon. Seeing this gave me a renewed urgency to also continue to do all I can to also experience a change of heart each and every day. Even though my time is sparse, I still have the power to take the time out in my day to reflect upon my own actions and keep that renewed sense of urgency alive to change and be a better person.



I want you all to know that I have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I know that Christ did live and continues to live today. I know that he died for my sins so that as imperfect as I am, I can continue to repent and wipe my slate clean. I know that the plan of salvation offeres a way for us to all return home to our Heavenly Father and be a family FOREVER! I know that the book of Mormon is a true book and that we can draw closer to our Heavenly Father by studying and following the teachings that are contained within it's pages. I know that Joseph Smith DID restore the true Gospel to this earth, I know that he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God, I know that he was a true prophet just like Prophet Thomas S Monson is also. And even though the last few years have been REALLY hard, I know that I have been pressed & molded {and continue to be}, even by a refiners fire, so that I will be fit to someday enter the Lord's presence. I have learned that the love that Jesse & I share, and the commitment we have to each other CANNOT be broken. I have learned that we can draw close to one another and be one even through the hardest circumstance we have had to face thus far in our existence. And I know that the Lord is with each and every one of us...even in our lowest and darkest moments. I have felt the crushing force of disappointment and discouragement many times over the last few years, and at these moments when I have felt like I can no longer press forward and when I'm ready to completely give up, I have felt a strong reassurance that my Heavenly Father loves me and is watching over me. I have felt a spirit of peace wrap me up like a blanket, and the words "peace be unto you" have entered my mind and my heart over & over. I know there is truth in the words spoken that "these things shall be but a small moment". And I know that I would have never known I could have grown this way, if I had not gone through these challenges.



So because of that, I feel peace in my trials. Often times another phrase runs through my head: "there is a time and season for all things". Obviously this is the time and season for me to work hard for my family, it is my turn to support my little family financially, and that it is time for me to be strong and STOP complaining about things that I have no control over. I have faith that if we work hard together, that the Lord WILL bless us. Maybe not in same time-frame that I think it should be, but I know that we will not be forsaken.



Just the other day my big sister forwarded me a Mother's Day e-mail with some fabulous quotes by one of the most inspirational woman that has lived in these modern days {in my opinion}.  Here are my favorite ones:


#1: Be Kind.  Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

#2: There are some years in our lives that we would not want to live again.  But even these years will pass away, and the lessons learned will be a future blessing.

#3: Try a little harder to be a little better.

#4: The trick is to enjoy life.  Don't wish away your days, waiting for better one's ahead.

{All of these come from one smart lady: Marjorie Pay Hinckley}

Old "Kid" Quotes

Just clearing out my side-bar and not wanting to lose these cute quotes/phrases that my kids have told me over the years {strictly for my journaling purpose)~

Maddie Phrases
#1:
Daddy: "Maddie, Orcs (Lord of the Rings) come and get little girls at night when it's dark outside. Come hide with me so the Orcs don't get you."


Mommy: "Don't listen to him; he's telling you stories. Daddy is just trying to scare you."

Maddie: "Daddy is telling books again." (10/08)


#2:
Mommy: "Are you a fish?"

Maddie: "No, I a Maddie"

Mommy: "Maddie you're silly"

Maddie: "No, I not silly. I a Maddie"

Mommy: "What does Mommy have in her belly?"

Maddie: "A Sister" {Summer 2008: before we found out that Eli was a BOY}

#3:
"I want a pooper lollerpop please!!" (purple otter pop)


#4:
You're so happy" repeated over and over whenever she does something that makes me upset. It is so funny that I cannot help but start laughing the more she says this


#5:
Mommy, let's go on the alligator" (elevator)


#6:
5-25-08 "I can't wear my white shoes. I have an owie on my foot. The white shoes hurt my owie. The brown shoes feel so soft and nice on my feet with no owies." --her explanation on Sunday for why she need to wear her brown shoes with her black dress rather than the white shoes that I was attempting to convince her to wear. It was too funny that she could communicate her thoughts that well that I figured she deserved to wear those brown shoes


#7:
"Ice cream is tasty, nummy, soo good."


#8:
"Candy, candy, candy!" --she says this every time she goes potty, regardless of the fact that we have quit rewarding her with candy EVERY time she goes on the potty.


#9:
"I no want to go night-night. I not tired." --We go through this conversation twice a day, at nap and bed time



#10:
"Mommy, I need a towel. I all icky, yucky, soo gross."-- this is said at every meal when her hands get dirty


#11:
Maddie stayed a few nights at my parents while Jesse and I went to Rocky Point. One night she woke up sobbing around 3am, when asked what the matter was...she said that Robby took something from her. FYI: he wasn't even staying at my parents house; he was staying with my in-laws. Apparently for a 3 year old, this is equal to any other scary nightmare :)



#12:
Maddie has begun to show an interest in marriage. The other day she was going through the list of people that were married/going to get married. She told me that Grandma was married to Grandpa, Nona to Papa, mommy is married to daddy because he's a "prince." She then told me she was going to marry Robby because "he's my best friend and a prince." After that she got a really concerned look on her face and wondered out loud who Eli would marry. Ding ding ding; the light bulb came on and she proudly announced "I know! He will marry Jo Jo" (their aunt that is 23 years older than him). I figured that now is not the time to dash her hopes that we REALLY DO NOT marry family members.


#13:
Maddie has lately been saying the word "idiot" to people when she is upset. I couldn't figure out where she would have learned it from until last night when we were watching 101 Dalmations and she showed me that Cruella Da Ville does indeed say that word over and over. And to think I thought Disney movies were so great. I then had to explain to Maddie that Cruella was being very mean when she said that word to people and that she shouldn't have said that




Robby Phrases
#1:
Robby copies everything that Maddie says these days, so now when I ask him to do anything he says "why," but then doesn't wait for the answer before he goes over and follows my instructions. I am pretty sure he doesn't understand what he is saying....please don't ever learn Mr R :)


#2:
Robby's favorite phrase I hear on a daily basis is "but Mom."



#3:
Whenever Robby gets in trouble he furrows his brow, crosses his arms across his chest and loudly protests "You're not my best friend".  Then he gets even more upset when we laugh at this reply. {April 2010}


#4:
Robby totally HEARTS camping.  He talks about it non-stop and has to be his favorite thing in the world.  Whenever I ask him if we should go camping as a family he rolls his eyes and says "Mom, girls are not allowed to camping...only boys."

sick and wrong

FYI.... I feel so cheated by my camera.  Every time I get a new pretty one I think that this will be the one that lasts.  And it works beautifully for the next 6months to a max of 1 year, but inevitably one day it just quits working.  Case in point:  I got a fun new GREEN canon camera for Christmas, great megapixels, slender, slick, easy to use.  I have loved the pictures it has given me.  Now this week it won't turn on. PERIOD.  I am still looking for that "darn" receipt and hoping {dare I say praying} that something can be done for me at Walmart.

So for now all I have is a pity party for one and a few random photos stored in my phone that I will have to figure out how to download.  Boo hoo for me :(