I saw the cutest tricycle next to a dumpster in our complex.
So, after waiting a few hours to see if anyone put it there by mistake, I decided to bring it home.I knew the girls would love it and learn to take turns, as all loving sisters do. Or not. Unfortunately, it had to be confiscated. At least until another tricycle or attachable side car can be found. If they can't learn to share a tricycle, how are they suppose to learn to share a wedding?
Thank you for your vote, and now for the results....
22% of you guessed that we were celebrating the conceptionof Johnston baby #3
(or maybe #3 and #4?)
Most days (minus the ones where I'm about to pull out of all my hair, and run for the hills) it is my fondest dream to be pregnant again. Names are already brewing in my head, believe me. But alas, it is not my season, and my eggo is not prego.......yet.
16% of you guessed that Kevin was accepted to BYU.
Kevin has been looking into going back to school for the last few months. We looked into BYU because they have a really great animation and graphic design department, and we would already have a place to stay. Unfortunately, as much fun as it would be to live in Utah for a while, it is not the right step for us at this time.
A surprisingly 16% of you guessed that our cat Toby had learned to scoop his own litter. I am speechless....After watching this video I think I should expect even more from him. FYI don't watch while eating.
Unfortunately, Toby is none the wiser and can't scoop his own litter or use a toilet for that matter.
0% of you guessed that the girls were being potty trained.
It must be the hardest thing to do on the list because no one thought it was attainable. And you were right because, although it seems easy enough to potty train a cat, we haven't quite gotten to the point of potty training the girls. We are definitely looking forward to it though.
44% of you guessed that we were celebrating because Kevin got a new job.
Some of you didn't even have to guess because you saw it on his facebook a couple days ago....Woops. Well, you were RIGHT! Kevin has accepted a job offer at Go Daddy and will be working in their technical support department. He has worked at Papa John's for the last 5 years, so this is a big change for us. I'm very excited for him to start a new job and have new experiences, although I am saddened to lose my pizza benefits.
Luckily he will be able to enjoy some even better benefits for the first time like vacation pay, sick/personal days, holidays, health insurance, life insurance, 401k, bonuses, weekends etc. It's all very new to us. We're very excited for this new change in our life.
It does help when they are transformed into a delicious carbohydrate.
Now you're talkin!
I found this recipe at Cuisine Niea while back and have enjoyed making it several times.
Green veggies don't always make their way onto our plates so it's nice to be able to incorporate them in other ways. The girls and I love this bread, so I thought I would share the recipe.
Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread
1 large zucchini 1 cup packed light-brown sugar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2/3 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, and set aside. Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grater (to yield 1 3/4 cups); set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together sugars, oil, vanilla, and eggs. Into a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and stir to combine well. Stir in grated zucchini. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack, then reinvert, top side up. Cool completely before slicing.
You could also use this recipe for muffins instead of loaves of bread. She also included a recipe forcream cheese frostingto put on top, which sounds delicious and all, but I'm not trying to reward my thighs at the moment. I think the bread is delicious all by itself or with a little butter.
It's hard to find yourself a good neighbor now-a-days, but today you're in luck because the home next door to us, and the one across from it are now available.
And just in case you weren't planning on moving anytime soon, here are
15 reasons why we are the best neighbors ever.
1. I won't expect you to babysit my super cute kids, but you'll want to, so I'll let you....for free.
2. I promise not to constantly borrow your sugar or eggs. If you need something, I probably won't have it, so we're even.
3. I like to bake and could make you something every other month.
4. We don't blast music from our patio or do drugs so you'll never have to call the cops on us.
5. I put up some chicken wire so our girls can't get through our gate and bother you.
6. You can borrow our garden hose to wash your carfor only 50 cents a minute.
7. We have a wide selection of DVDs that you can borrow for free. with a valid driver's license and credit card number, exclusions may apply.
8. We have a motion activated light on our porch. It lights up every time you walk by our place at night.so we'll know when you are coming home and when you are leaving.
9. We have a good stash of food storage and a wicked wheat grinder that purrs like an airplane. So when the going gets tough, we got your back.
10. I won't tell the HOA on you, if you won't tell on me.
11. If we really hit it off, we can break a hole in the wall between our houses and then we won't even have to use the phone to call each other. Plus, we could live in a 4 bd, 4 ba, 2 kitchen house.
12. Can you say F.H.E????
13. Kevin brings home pizza from work sometimes and we are always willing to share the leftovers.
14. You can have our cat and his litter box as your housewarming gift.
15. We'll let you use our wireless Internet connectionif you sign a year contract to be our neighbor, and add us to your sprint family plan.
and in each tender heart that tolls, a yearning for the mother's role to lift, to comfort, and console.
True beauty's lost to shape and size, and paints that brush the lips and eyes, but lies beneath the crimson cheek, and dances on kind words we speak.
True beauty's found in dresses white and Temples when the time is right, in serving God with all your might, and seeking that of truth and light.
True beauty glows in darkened days, where many choose the sinner's ways, and give into surrounding waves
that blind them from the one who saves.
-Missy
After giving a Young Women's lesson on virtue, I've been thinking a lot about this quote from President Hinkley-
"Of all the creations of the Almighty there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth."
How different the world would be if each women understood this. It's sad to see how society no longer prizes a woman's virtue, when virtue is what makes a woman truly beautiful.
Along with finding things to improve on this year, I also think it's important to acknowledge the wonderful accomplishments of last year. So here is my list of just 10 (of the many) things that made 2008 so great.
1. I started this blog in February, aren't you glad?
2. I concluded 9 months of nursing twins in June. Can you say Dairy Queen?
Just a few terms to know when caring for toddlers...
(namely, my own)
"Quiet Time"
Quiet Time consists of putting babies in their cribs when mom and or babies need a little break. This isn't always necessary but usually replaces what used to be a nap time. It can result in the babies playing, giggling, taking off their diapers, and sometimes a nap.
"Bloomies"
Bloomies are essential for any little girl who is able to take off her diaper. Better known as bloomers or panties they go underneath dresses and can be worn any time when pants are not available. Bloomies are the protector against poop.
"Cork"
Cork is a verb meaning to stick a toddlers pacifier back into their mouth. This might happen late at night or during church.
"Peter Pan Socks"
Peter Pan Socks are socks that are being worn and have been pulled at the ends leaving a flop of sock. They are common in toddlers and husbands but can be easily remedied by pulling the sock back up.
"Code Brown Trout"
Code Brown Trout is when a toddler poops in the bathtub, and it requires an immediate evacuation. Bloomies are no help in this situation.
"Chicken Wing Dance"
A Chicken Wing Dance is a little jig where a toddlers arms are curled up into the shape of chicken wings and they dance wildly. It is common after the consumption of sweets.
"The Cindy-Lou Do"
The Cindy Lou Do is a hairstyle which consists of one large fountain of hair at the top of the head. It is quick and simple, and serves to keep hair out of the toddlers face. A bow or ribbon on top is completely optional.
It must be the hardest thing to do on the list because no one thought it was attainable. And you were right because, although it seems easy enough to potty train a cat, we haven't quite gotten to the point of potty training the girls. We are definitely looking forward to it though. 
Some of you didn't even have to guess because you saw it on his facebook a couple days ago....
