Chef Bekah...yes its true!

Most people who know me know I don't like to cook. Correction: I HATE to cook! What a waste of time and energy and then I have to clean up the dishes I cooked out of PLUS the dishes my family and I used to eat on and with. What a waste of time and energy!!! Because of my dislike of cooking, some people in my family actually think its because I can't cook. Ummm, FALSE!! My hubby's mom and dad came down to Texas this summer to visit and my MIL said:

MIL: (as she's watching me fix dinner) I thought you couldn't cook.
Me: I never said I couldn't cook, I just said I didn't LIKE to cook. Plus, there are other people in the family that like to cook when we get together so I've never had to.
-you know who you are, Sarah Beth :)
MIL: (after tasting my food) Well, this is really good!
Me: (with glee and satisfaction) Thanks! (teehee, snicker, snicker)

My husband and I both just view food as a necessary evil. We have to eat to sustain energy but if we didn't have to, I really don't think we would-very much anyway. I mean I do love chocolate. (What girl doesn't?)

So because I am a little crazy when it comes to money, and with everything in the world going up in price-I have cracked down on my food budget. I created a menu for 2 weeks and only cooked what was on the menu. This way I save money and time. Time, Bekah? Yes, I no longer go to the pantry at 4:30 and blankly stare at the cupboards wondering what in the world I'm going to fix. On pay day, I went through one of my fav cook books and picked some recipes that I liked the sound of but had never tried. I bought the ingredients at the store and

VOILA! I am a chef!

How EASY is cooking?

I never knew how much! I've made some really fun and new dishes and I feel great! My hubby likes them (nevermind the grumbles from my boys) and I get satisfaction from knowing he enjoys what he's eating. Now, I'm not saying this has turned me onto Food Network or anything (BORING) but I can say that I no longer fear and HATE to cook.

---Brand new Pampered Chef pots to cook out of and new cooking utensils have a huge play in all this as well. Cooking is more fun when you have the right tools.

Ok, enough of that. I made quiche lorraine and took a pic I was so proud. It was really yummy! (Pic to follow soon.)

The Incredible HULK!!!!!

When you have boys you get your fill of Star Wars, guns, good guys, bad guys, and Yes! SUPER HEROES!!!

It all started when I went to the store to buy the boys some PJ's. The boys desperately needed some since it's getting colder and Zech is growing out of everything. I bought Batman for Zech and Hulk for Gabe. Holy COW!!! Gabriel wore his day and night for 3 days until I pried them off and threw them in the wash.
Never fear, little green man, Grandma came to the rescue! Today we got a Halloween package from my mom, Grandma, and what did she send??? a totally cool, fully muscled Hulk costume-"WAAAAAAY cooler than PJ"S Mom!" Yay, Grandma!!!

Here's a little but of what's been happening since.

Me: Gabriel, Zech, time to eat."
Gabe (aka Hulk) I'm not Gabe I'm HULK!
Me: Ok, Hulk, its time to eat.
Gabe: Hulk doesn't need to eat.
Me: How do you think he gets all those huge muscles?
Gabe: He smashes... "HULK SMASH!" (down his fist go into the floor)
Me: (sigh) OK, Hulk but Hulk's Mommy says he needs to eat so let's go!
Gabe: OK Hulk Mom.

Yes, I do indeed love living with all these little super heroes and Jedis in training. Life is good and I am blessed.

What a week!

This week seems to have flown by yet I have nothing to show for it. I got caught up reading "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer. I LOVED her Twilight Series but this one is weird. Not weird that I don't like it, just scifi-ish. I'm not usually interested in that kind of thing. Anyways, home school has taken a back seat this week as well as house cleaning. I'm just not my usual chipper-energetic self. Can you have morning sickness but never actually throw up?

Here's our week recap:

Monday: Daddy was home-YAY!!!

Tuesday-I was sick in bed in the morning, kids fended for themselves. I did manage to do 2 lessons from Zechariah's reading book. I also managed to get up and take the kids to the park for a October birthday celebration with some friends from church. I'm so glad I went!

Wednesday-PAY DAY!!! I have been waiting for you for so long! It rained again, Zech and Gabe decided to play in the rain, they even got their swimsuits on. This is serious business (can u see them up there?)

We went to Wal-Mart instead of Knit or KNot, which I cancelled since no one showed up. They finally had the solar system kit I have been looking for for a month or more. Zechariah has been studying astrology for he science this year and is fascinated with planets, asteroids, meteroids, etc. The other day we studied the sun and burned leaves with a magnifying glass. It was fun! He was excited to put together the solar system. Yay, craft time!

Pampered Chef orders came in later in the afternoon. I packaged them all up. After dinner, putting the kids to bed, and Scouts, I admired my new pots with Gary while wacthing Project Runway and UFC. Merry Christmas to me!

Thursday-I had 2 little boys added to my 3 for a grand number of 5! Are you trying to tell me something God? It was fun. The boys played VERY well together. I'm soooo glad that you and the baby are ok, Bethany. Last night, I went to the commisary and actually got groceries! I had help with the kids because Gary came along. Wow! I got in and out within an hour. A 1st to say the least! I love you dear. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Friday- OK, so I stayed up too late last night with my book-I just got to the really good part! Got up this morning with one thing on my mind-FINISH THE BOOK!!! I did take a break to go outside and ride bikes. Fun was had by all.
isn't he handsome?
ummm, yes that is a cozy coup. He was being silly. Zech does have a big bike but refuses to ride it-its not "fast" enough.

The day is not through. Eventually, I will clean my house (it is autrocious), and do Zech's lessons with him. Has it really been 2 days without school?!? I feel like a horrible mom/teacher. However, he is blowing through the K curriculum and will be onto 1st grade by January. I guess I shouldn't stress out too much...

So, that was my week give or take a few kisses, threats, time-outs, prayers, Gabriel asking to read scriptures, Ammon taking many more steps, Mixed martial arts classes-Zech is getting SO good! and snuggles with my sweetheart. Did I mention I love my life?

I LOVE MY LIFE! :)

Out of the mouths of babes

Sundays are my very favorite days. By the time they roll around, I am in great need of the spiritual uplifting that I get from attending church meetings, listening to talks, magnifying my calling, etc. However, my oldest son thinks church, especially Primary, is boring so I try to prep him before hand so that Sunday mornings will be pleasant and calm instead of threats, crying, and time-outs. Saturday night, we were gathered around Gabe and Zech's beds for family and personal prayers. Prayer is very important to me and I try to teach the boys to think about what they are saying and to not repeat themselves but to "talk" to God. "He misses you, and wants you to talk to him." So, my family prayer that night was a little longer than usual as I was trying to spiritually prepare for my little ones for Sunday as well as teach the correct order and style of prayer. Here's the conversation that followed my prayer:

Zechariah: That was a loooooong prayer.

Me: Well, Heavenly Father likes it when we spend time to speak to him.

Zechariah: OK, its my turn. watch this: mine's going to be longer!

Me: OK!

And then, he proceeds to pray and I almost busted up laughing when he said:

Zechariah: "Please bless our home and our family, and keep us safe from robbers, and bad guys, and meteorites, and lava, and rain, and thunderstorms, and fire, and flames, and anything that would burn us or hurt us or torture us...."

Meterorites???? Lava??? Where does he get this stuff? He went on and on for a good 5 minutes!

It was sooo funny! I just had to smile, and I could just feel God smiling too. He loves his children. Especially the little ones. They are so innocent and sweet!

Oh, I hope I can be a good enough Mommy to these little angels.

Enjoy these pics of the kids sporting their Sunday best. Oh! They are so handsome!

Rockin' Rebekah

OK, so my dear friend, Denae Syphus, loves to make up songs and is great on the guitar. She's a HUGE Beatles fan and you can check her out singing "Mother Nature's Son" on her blog. (See my list) Anyways, she must like me or something cause she made up a song just for me! I was so pleased and honored, I asked her to tape it so I could post it on my blog. She's an awesome person; always doing things for other people and never thinking of herself. When I grow up, I want to be just like her. She's leaving for UT tomorrow 'cause her mother is very sick and possibly will not be in this world for very much longer. Yet, today she was off doing visiting teaching and recording this for me. I told you she was amazing! Please pray for her and her family.

Musings of my mind

So usually I am a post what's happening picture, video, etc kind of girl but I have had a lot of thoughts running through my head lately and since I hate to write in my journal, I figured here is a good place to get it all out. Where to begin? I have been thinking lately about life, happiness, faith, and trials. Is life supposed to be "hard"? A "struggle"? What makes life hard? I usually think it is our own choices that lead us to happiness or 'struggles'. If we are truly living the gospel of Jesus Christ, life will not be 'hard' will it? Well, my dad seemed to think otherwise and told me I was a very judgemental person. Am I? So what if I am? Aren't we supposed to judge? (righteously, I know) I mean, I am a happy person. Sure, I get frustrated at times when I've said no to an extra snack and the culprit continues to persist thinking they can break Mom. My resolve has been firm though and I do not give in and then a lesson ensues about obedience and being like Nephi, etc. Of course I am tired! I have 3 little boys and pregnant with another! But is that their fault? Is it an excuse to be a whole list of unpleasant adjectives? No! So, I still say happiness is a choice! And I felt validated this weekend at General Conference. We were told to laugh instead of get angry. We were told of the happiness that comes through living the gospel of Christ. We were told of the great miracles that faith and works can bring to pass. Am I saying that our lives will be spared from any and every challenge if we are obedient and live the gosepl of Jesus Chirst? No, I am saying we will have so much strength to overcome it that it will not be "hard". Life is NOT "hard". It is not supposed to be! Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and want us to be happy! We make it hard, our faithlessness, our distrust, our pride, our weakness makes life hard. It doesn't have to be. Jesus payed that price. All we have to do is ask him and he helps us. What a wonderful plan! What a wonderful life!!!

I am so happy! Life is good!

OK, I think that's all for now. This has kinda turned into a testimony. But you know what? I am who am I because of my testimony. I am still trying. I am not perfect. But, I am going to try each and everyday to do the things to bring about happiness and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zech's UFC Debut!

Zech has been attending a Mixed Martial Arts class at the Fighters Forge in CC, TX. He is really enjoying it. Coach Pat is an excellent teacher and handles the kids very well. They practice Jui-Jitsu on Mondays, American Boxing on Wednesdays, and Thai Kickboxing on Fridays. The video is of a sparring session between Zech (age 5) and classmate (age 7). Zech is very aggressive in the beginning and shows very good form while on the ground. Zech did an excellent job passing the guard of the other boy, and then finishes strong when the other boy ran away.