Delivered Saturday morning treats to the missionaries (Juice and Doughnuts) - We wrote a little note on the Doughnuts and said 'We hope you have a great saturday - From the Rocha Kids :)

Dallin was so excited to go get doughnuts for the missionaries and he was so good about it, I told him that he was not getting any and we were getting treats to make someone else happy. It was good for him to give and not always get!

Rolo had a good time camping with the scouts this weekend. He is such an active, good leader for the boys. He does his best with being involved in scouts. The boys love Brother Rocha and they really look up to him.

The kids have had a lot of friends over today :) 4 friends earlier this morning and tonight was our night to watch the kids for the date night co-op.

My Daffodils and Tulips are blooming! I have a lot of work to do in our backyard. It is still on the brown side. I want to have a perfectly green backyard but my husband reminded me today that we are raising children and not daffodils. The kids love playing in this back area (picture below) and they stomp on my flowers. O' well. Kids love it, they call it there secret garden, they have quite the imaginations. Today was sunny and warm and they also enjoyed playing in the sand box for the first time this season. O' the joys of being a kid :) I was busy raking while they entertained eachother. It was nice to get something done!

I couldn't resist buying some Pansy's today. Just looking at them, brings a smile to my face...

And there is something I love about getting dirt in my nails. It makes me happy to plant flowers.

Here is a picture for you Rosie ;) She stopped by today to pick up her kids while I was gardening and as she was leaving she said "Hey and by the way do you know you are wearing two different shoes" RATS I was hoping she wouldn't notice. I am not a fashionable person when I am working in the yard. These were the only two shoes on my back patio, so I put 'em on :) (My Husbands yard shoes, well at least the black shoe is for when he works outside, I don't know why the brown shoe was outside) Call me crazy!

All the extra kids are gone and now it is time to sit down and . . . . . .

Life

AFFORDS NO GREATER
responsibility. NO GREATER

privilege. THAN THE
RAISING OF THE

next generation.

I just finished reading a talk by Ezra T. Benson "To the Mothers in Zion"

He gives excellent advice!

Saturday Morning

My kiddos woke up at 5 am and I am contemplating on going to Krispy Kremes for Breakfast!

Oh' those look yummy to my tummy

I have a serious sweet tooth!!

The first time I ever had a Krispy Kreme doughnut is on my mission in St. Louis. When we would have zone conferences the counsler in the mission presidency would bring boxes and boxes of doughnuts for all of us missionaries. He was a very generous man! At the end of our Mtgs we would always sing 'As I have loved you' to all those who had been serving us for our zone conference. I need to be better about serving and saying thank you with acts of love. I just had the thought to provide a doughnut and juice breakfast for our local missionaries on a Saturday morning, they would appreciate that! I just might get ready and go do that!

I think I'm going to.... The kids would have fun!

Have a Great Saturday :)

A peak into my day and thoughts in my mind (readers - please feel free to skip over this entry)

‘Embrace your own weirdness’ A title of an article I just read.

Sitting down to BLOG and indulging in a big bowl of Cookies and Cream ice-cream

Kids are asleep after a busy day. They crashed after we ate chicken dinosaurs and ice cream and had a movie night. My Husband is with the scouts and I need to learn to be more supportive with his scouting duties. He enjoys it. I wish I could have as many get aways as he does (not really) My calling in life is a bit different and I prefer it that way! Even if I had the chance to get away I wouldn't!

I have a hundred ideas running through my mind! In my mind I envision a big plate of goodies piled high and just looking at it makes me full. Asking myself questions like - Do I just nibble here, nibble there? Devour it? Or just look at it? My personality says do it all now and then I go into shut down mode because I am overwhelmed. I am learning the lessons of taking things a inch at a time. Gardening last year taught me that and being a homeowner with endless projects. One of my 2008 New Years goal has been to finish all my unfinished projects. So far we have been doing it and it feels great to complete ‘em and then have a fresh organized start.

I have never had a computer with Internet my whole life until this January. Man O Man I am behind. I have a little phobia with computers. I am actually learning quickly how to use one though. I am only in my late twenties but I have felt like a Grandma who has totally skipped past the computer generation. It is possible, somehow I have done it. I took a class at Rick’s and all it took was for me to touch one button and I did something wrong I would get very frustrated and so would my teacher. Some how growing up I would just learn the bare necessities of computers to get me by. I have also never liked writing but I have always wanted to be a good writer. I struggle with grammar wording my thoughts correctly and blah blah blah. I am a perfectionist in my mind and with writing I have yet to learn to perfect it. A weakness that I am trying to overcome. I usually do not write letters because I can’t get my words to come out right and then I won’t do it but I have good intentions. So I need to stop worrying about what someone will think about it and JUST DO IT. I over analyze way to much and fear that people analyze me. I am learning. SO starting a blog has been good for me it is an open to all journal and I have always wanted to be better about writing down experiences. Something in the heart says you better do it or you will regret it when you’re older. Probably because I have such a bad memory, if I want to be able to reminisce when I am older I better have it written down. Plus my G-ma has always been a good example with writing letters, she is so good at writing weekly reviews of her life. It is amazing. And she learned that from her father, he was a good journalist. Hopefully with time, It will come more naturally for me. I have always felt a need to connect with the personalities of my ancestors. They have a lot to teach me!

A review of today-

5 am My running group did not show up, I was the only one. So I came home and got on the treadmill. WOW the treadmill is a battle for me to conquer. A treadmill is definitely tougher than running out side. It is a battle with the mind vs. your body. Running outside distracts me and having a group to chat / laugh with. That has made a huge difference. With a treadmill it is just me starring at my shadow, watching and counting every step instead of watching land marks outside. Plus you are watching the time ticking by slower than slow and the mileage is not going fast enough. A treadmill is torture. But, it is good for me, it makes me motivate myself with no peer pressure, just me and my two moving feet. It also helps keep me at a steady pace. I have a lot to learn about the power of the mind! It is very fascinating to me. ‘What we sow is what we weep’
6 am ABC’s about ME blog - Tagged
7 am got the kids ready and Rolo to work. We only have one car and I like it that way.
8 am got ready and read my scriptures Currently reading the B of M everyday and reading a little from Psalms (one of my favorite books in the O.T) to my kids.
9 am Fed the children there 2nd breakfast They could eat all day long – Sigh
10 am Library for story time
11 am Artic Circle with friends
noon – lunch
Afternoon errands – Got a movie and ice-cream for the kids something to entertain us while daddy is with the scouts. JoAnns- bought fabric to make some St Patrick’s Day slippers and send a pair to my G-ma. Penny is in her terrible two’s. Lately when we go shopping she wants to run free and throw lots of tantrums when I try to keep her with me. She is constantly trying to climb out of the carts (side note and will not stay in her car seat, she wiggles her way out of her seat belt - she is a little turkey) and she screams with a high pitch squeal, that is truly making me go deaf. When we were standing in a long line a lady in front of me felt so sorry for me and she was probably tired of listening to my little girl, she let me cut in line. That was so kind of her! Every time I go shopping I say never again will I go with my children and then I take them again and again. I will catch on one of these days. A funny thing, as we were leaving the Mall they have clear glass doors and windows as you exit and Penny was strutten her little happy walk not paying attention to what she was doing and then thump right into the class window, Dallin thought that was hilarious and all Penny does is bounce back and holds her little nose and says owee. She makes us laugh. Also, Dallin had some issues with Gravity today, some how he manages to trip and fall at the most awkward times, i will spare you the details. Silly kids!
4 p.m. Pick up Rolo
5 p.m. Dinner and get Rolo ready for scouts
6 p.m. Movie
7 p.m. Bedtime - read stories
8 p.m. obsessed with blogging and seeing so many creative, amazing people out there! I am mentally stuffed
9 p.m Time to Snooze

Good Night Family and Friends

TAGGED BY MINDI :)

A- Attached or Single? 100 % Attached

B- Best Friend? B/F/F Rolo

C- Cake or Pie? Ice-cream Cake

D- Day of Choice?. If I could choose I would like my Husband to stay home with me everyday and all day but thank goodness he is a hard working Engineer and providing for our family

E- Essential Item? Deodorant ;)

F- Favorite Color? Yellow

G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Gummy bears (I love Bears)

H- Hometown? Grew up in Wenatchee, currently in ID

I- Favorite Indulgence? Anything with Chocolate! Last night after my husband came home from mutual he brought me chocolate. I need a chocolate fix at least once a week, he brought me chocolate milk and a twix candy bar! He is so SWEET!

J- January or July? January – I love the first of the new year and setting new goals

K- Kids? 2 little monkeys

L- Life isn't complete without? Religion / Family

M- Marriage date? December 21,2002

N- Number of brothers and sisters? 1 Brother 3 Sisters

O- Oranges or Apples? Apples

P- Phobias and Fears? Phobias - germs /I especially do not like handling raw meat / Fears - not living until I am 99

R- Reason to smile? Simple Pleasures

S- Season of choice? Spring – When I fell in love with Rolo / In the Summer we courted / In the Fall he proposed and in the winter we were married - So, all seasons bring great memories!

T- Tag two people? My Mom and Dad ;)

U- Unknown fact about me? I do not like Static!!!!!!!!!!!!

V- Vegetable? Broccoli, Lots of Spinach lately

W- Worst Habit? Perfectionist, I need to learn to relax

X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound

Y- Your favorite food? Italian Food with chocolate for dessert

Z- Zodiac Sign? Cancer and I fear ever having Cancer is that a sign?

The ABC ' S about me :) Have a Great Day! Mom and Dad your it!

Welcome Friends and Family.....

With a seasonal wreath for your front door!

Weeds Already! It's way to soon!

My weeds are growing faster than my daffodils! I have had a six month break and now it's time to get busy gardening! I have mixed emotions!

A Package for Penny! Hooray!

A Dora Sit-N-Spin

Penny was thrilled to get a PACKAGE! She was dancing with joy! Thank you (i have a bad habit of turning my camera the wrong way for videos OOPS :)

This book made me smile

Synopsis :
Momma Chicken tries to tuck in little Lulu, but Lulu is worried: What if a bear comes into the room? Or a tiger? Or an alligator? Will her momma scare them away? Will she protect Lulu from everything, even the friendly pigs? Well, she's a pretty powerful momma, and she sure enough can scare away any bad creatures. The ultimate goodnight book for every bedtime, whether in the barnyard, your own yard, or somewhere in between.
Publishers Weekly:
After Momma Chicken tucks Lulu into bed and pecks her on the head ("gently of course"), the worried chick calls out, "What if a big, brown bear comes in while I am sleeping?" Momma reassures Lulu that she will "flap and cluck and scare it and chase it all the way back to the forest." Similar reassurances about tigers and alligators follow. Undercutting the sweetness and light is a hilarious visual subtext. Readers see two silent, wide-eyed pigs eavesdropping on Lulu's fearful musings and creeping ever closer to the security of the Momma-guarded bed. When the duo hides with comic ineptitude under Lulu's blanket-their pointy ears are a dead giveaway-the chick asks, "What if the pigs come in while I am sleeping?" Momma promises to "tickle them and squeeze them, and kiss them all over their faces"- and she does. Bogan (Spike) has a ball illustrating this barnyard crew. She wields ink and watercolors in lush reds, purples and blues, but her triumph is in the creatures' highly animated expressions. Momma's wings-on-hips annoyance and her single, angry eyebrow as she takes on a cowering tiger are not to be missed.


We checked this book out at the library. I want to add this book to our collection! The Momma Chicken is a perfect resemblence of how we are as Mothers with our chickadees! I took some photos so you can see the animated looks of the two little pigs in the story. (I had poor lighting for the pictures SORRY, they don't do justice)

Oh' the pigs are so cute! It reminded me of how my mom use to tuck me into bed and give us love (She called her goodnight kisses XOXO goodie kisses)

2012 Family Vacation

Hopefully in 4 years when we will have another extra day of the year to celebrate, we will be going on a family vacation to.......we can't decide! It is fun to plan and think of all the possibilities!

Dream Baby Dream!

So, we found a vacation beach in Jamaica! Family Oriented, they have a lot of activities for kids. Our kids would have a blast with all they provide.
'Beaches Resorts are the only Caribbean destinations where you'll find a colorful cast of characters from Sesame Street :) Through out the day, kids can enjoy the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street with a full schedule of events.' They dance with Zoe, bake cookies with the Cookie Monster (I would do like to do that ;) They go on a scavenger hunt with Grover . . .water slides. .etc. I would also love to be on a sandy white beach with the crystal blue water taking lots of pictures.

Someday I would love to go to France or Switzerland but that will have to wait ;) I know, I am a big dreamer! But, you have to dream to make your dreams come true.








We also thought it would be fun to take a road trip in a R.V some where? Has anyone seen the movie RV? It will be an adventure traveling with a young family :)



So many places to go and lots of things we want to do! It will take four years to plan a special trip and four years to save for it!

A Pleasant Morning!

Out of the ordinary picture - unzip-a new-day

This morning at 5 am while a group of us were jogging there was an enchanting yellow sliver of the moon in the deep blue sky. The gal I was jogging with mentioned it looked like a smile. It was a perfect heaven-sent smile :) What a great way to start a new day with a smile in the sky!

Spread good cheer - Make someone happy today :)

Mystery Package

Dallin is one lucky boy to have his Ma-Key and Poppa. The other day Dallin was telling me he wanted a Yellow Transformer and I told Him that we are not buying him any more toys. So, his response was "I will call my Ma-key and she will get one for me" What a Kid :) He was right, his Ma-Key and Poppa love to SPOIL there grand kids! Thank You! He has loved it!

Sweet February Twenty-Nine!--
This is our grace-year, as I live
Quick, now! this foolish heart of mine;
Seize thy prerogative!
-Walter DE LA Mare

I finished my Sole-ful Slippers

Penny liked wearing her slippers!

"CUTE, CUTE"

I love rick rack and you could have a lot of fun with different colorful patterns!

Happy 'soon to be' Leap Day from the Rocha's

Leap Day 2008 - It only happens every 4 years, so it's the perfect reason to celebrate!

My favorite part about the candy wrapper above is 'Total fat: Who cares? You've got 4 years to work it off'!

Leap Day Activities:

Scatter multi-colored squirt frogs around the room. You can also go to a local party store or toy store and get plush or inflatable frogs to hide around the house. Make this into a find the frog hunt for the kids. They can keep the frogs they find, or trade them in for other small prizes.

Another idea is to bring blank cards (maybe green?!) and ask guests to write where they would like to be in 4 years when Leap Day 2012 arrives. You can save these cards and mail them to your friends at the beginning of 2012 or have your guests seal them in envelopes and bring them home. Just make sure to write "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL LEAP DAY 2012" on the front of the cards!

Above ideas found at party411.com

Here is a Great / Easy soup recipe to make for a group of family or friends

Taco Soup: Brown 1 lb hamburger & diced onion together. Add taco seasoning packet. Then add 1 can of kidney beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can kernel corn (all these with their juices). Add one (15 oz.) can of tomato sauce. Simmer together. Serve with sour cream, grated cheese, tortilla chips, lettuce and tomato on top of soup. This recipe is from my sister J.J ;)

DOUBLE, TRIPLE, make a large pot it is M'm M'm GOOD!

Enjoy good food, play games and have a hoppin' good time!

We are going to plan a fun trip for 2012 and start saving $ tomorrow :)

I have never acknowledged Leap year before but hey why not make it a special day! So, in 2012 on February 29th we will have something to look forward to, we will be flying to . . .? I will keep you posted on what we plan :)

Make Leap Year's extra day something special you will REMEMBER four years from now!

I would like to brag about my MOM :)

My Mom is now an official Bus Driver! She has been working hard the past three months taking classes, tests, learning new skills . . . She has passed everything with soaring scores. I had no idea how rigorous it is to become a bus driver, it is not an easy task!!! My Mom has taken the challenge and has done a great job.

I am proud of you MOM :)

She has already had some fun stories to tell! One little kid came up to her and the first thing he asked was "Are you a Grandma?" "Can I sit next to you?" She will be the kind of bus driver every kid will remember. The kids will look forward to seeing her smile everyday in the morning! She will have a positive influence on the children's lives and we all know we need a lot more of that these days.

Way to Be MOM :)

Tonight for FHE we went up to Lake Lowell (we live only 3 miles east of the lake) and enjoyed a beautiful sunset!

Good Morning!

What is something you love to DO? In the book Simple Abundance she encourages you to discover your creative side 'An Artist Is Someone Who Creates'. She encourages you to find new insights to what you love, do and hope for.

"Every day we're given chances to embrace the new. It could be serving focaccia at dinner tonight instead of garlic bread. It could be choosing a pair of floral socks that make our feet want to dance, instead of the plain pair we automatically reach for. Psychologist Susan Jeffers suggests we "take a risk a day --- one small or bold stroke that makes you feel great once you have done it.." Start thinking of yourself as an artist and your life as a work-in-progress. Works-in-progress are never perfect. But changes can be made to the rough draft during rewrites. Another color can be added to the canvas. Art evolves. So does life. Art is never stagnant. Neither is life. The beautiful, authentic life you are creating for yourself and those you love is your art. It's the highest art. " Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time, you are incomparable." writer Brenda Ueland reminds you. Hold that thought.
Every choice, every day, you are creating a unique work of art. Something only you can do. Something beautiful and ephemeral. The reason you were born was to leave your own indelible mark on your personal world. Each time you experience the new, you become receptive to inspiration. '

I have found that when you experiment with new things you start to discover what makes you unique, you feel content with what you love and with what brings a smile to your face. :)

So, I had fun this past week going on some creative excursions! Browsing in a Craft Store, library, the Mall . . . It is fun finding new things that catch your eye. I enjoyed doing some things out of the ordinary.

I discovered new quotes that I like and wrote them down in a notebook. This month I found a new cologne for my husband, it was fun just taking time to find something new and irresistible ;) I made a pineapple smoothie for the first time. I have realized how much I enjoy receiving letters in the mail and I want to be better about sending letters and packages. I went to a book store ' B. inspired ' and bought cute 50 % off Valentine's books. For a few years I have wanted to buy things after the holidays and be prepared for the following year and I actually did it for the first time. I have already bought 75% off stuff for the kids next year. I rediscovered old childhood songs to teach my kids. Found some fun activities to do with the family. . . and I loved browsing in a craft store, I have a list of projects to do for the next ten years :) I need to pick my favorite ones! I have written all these ideas down and I hope to expound on these new things and be able to DO some creative projects. I want to create beautiful art for my family, some bold and simple stripes on our canvas of life.

I'm Back :)

This past week was eventful :)

• We put new flooring in our house Yahoo! We needed to unplug the computer and put our armoir out in the garage. We are slowly putting our house back in order.
• I stepped on a nail while helping my husband remove the old carpet :( My bad! I don't like shoes, some day I will learn that I need to wear shoes. I actually put some on after I had to pull the nail out of my heel.
• Got a tetanus shot (double frown :( :( )
• My children were teasing me about having a big bum, (yes, you read that correctly) HEE! HEE! I actually had my cell phone in my back pocket of my jeans and I forgot about it and Dallin came up to me and asked me why I have a big bum. Then penny pointed to it and said "bad mommy" "poopie in your pants" O' my dear children!
• Penny is digressing in being potty trained. She went potty in a cup in her bedroom, the cup looked liked the one in her potty chair. She learned how to climb out of her crib. She strips down naked to take a nap. There is never a dull moment with my little girl. She is a Ham! Don't let her sweet looks fool you!
• I had a good week. I love, love our new carpet. I will post more tomorrow :)
• Later alligator

YUMMY :)

Cream Cheese Stuffed Cinna-Bun Pull-Aparts
20 Rhodes Bake and Serve Rolls, thawed
1 lb. light brown sugar
2 sticks butter
Cinnamon & sugar mix (4 Tbsp. Sugar 2 Tsp Cinnamon)
8oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)

Instructions: In a bowl, combine cream cheese with 1/4 cup brown sugar and combine well with spatula. Cover and place in refrigerator. Lightly coat bottom of bundt pan with cooking spray. Melt butter, then add remaining brown sugar and stir well. Bring to a light boil to caramelize then pour 1/3 of the butter/brown sugar mix across bottom of bundt pan. Remove cream cheese mix from refrigerator. Take one roll at a time into your hands and pull outward on sides to increase size slightly. Place approximately 1 Tbsp. of the cream cheese mixture into middle of roll. Fold dough around the mixture, pinch closed, then roll into a tight ball. Evenly place 8 balls across bottom of bundt pan. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. of sugar/cinnamon. Pour second 1/3 of the brown sugar/butter mixture over 8 buns. Repeat process with remaining 12 dough balls for second layer. First the dough balls, 2 Tbsp. sugar/cinnamon and finally the remaining butter/brown sugar mix. Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour then bake for 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees F. You may need to lay a piece of foil over top of pan after 40-45 minutes if buns start looking well done. Remove from oven then immediately turn over onto large plate. Remove bundt pan. Serve warm or room temperature.

I made these for the Baby shower on Saturday, this recipe is delicious with the cream cheese in the middle! Enjoy :)

Here is a poem from a talk given in 2006 by President Monson 'Treasured Gifts'

A bell is no bell 'till you ring it,
A song is no song 'till you sing it
And love in your heart wasn't
put there to stay -
Love isn't love 'til you give it away

"All that we hold dear, our families, friends, our joy, knowledge, our testimonies, would vanish were it not for our Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The world has witnessed no greater gift, nor has it known more lasting love!"

Some Highlights Of My Week

 

Tomorrow I am hosting a baby shower for a friend. I made some candy bar invitations :)

I had fun decorating some brownie bears for a Birthday, Penny's friend :)

Dallin started swimming lessons :)

We had a sweet-heart breakfast for Valentine's Day, and ending the day with a 'whole lot of love' dinner. Heart shaped pizza's :)

My wonderful Husband gave me chocolate ;) and beautiful flowers :)

The kids had fun taking turns hiding there Valentine's candy. Except, while we were having a treasure hunt Dallin wanted to take a turn to hide the treats and well he got distracted and forgot where he hid the candy :) OOPS :) We found it two hours later!

I also enjoyed making those pillowcases :) I think the couple one would make a fun wedding gift.

Blogthing QUIZ -My Candy heart says -

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out.
Your heart is open to where ever love takes you!

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out

Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking

What turns you off: fighting and conflict

Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What does your candy heart say?
www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourcandyheartsayquiz/

I thought this quiz was very fitting for me! I actually have even planned out our Valentine evening tonight. I definitely do not like conflicts! I think my husband would agree that I was fearless about falling in love with him and the first time he gave me a HUG I knew that he was meant for me! ;) AND i am all about life taking me where ever the heart leads!

My Sweet Little Girl