Life's Little Pleasures

The Idaho winter has started to take its toll on me recently, so I decided to take a positive look at life and reminisce over the little things that bring me joy! In no particular order.
1) The smell of freshly washed baby hair.
2) Hearty laughs from my children.
3) Spending time with my husband, doing.....whatever! As long as we're together I'm good, I'm good.
4) Sunshine! Today is SUNNY and I have our big door open and our glass screen door closed so it is letting the sunshine into our house. It feels SO good!
5) Thoughts of spring, brought on by the sunshine!
6) Listening/reading a good talk or the scriptures and as a result feeling motivated to be a better person.
7) Finding a good deal!!
8) A clean house. With tight quarters and 3 youngens this isn't always easy. Even when it does get clean it doesn't last long so I just relish those moments of cleanliness.
9) Doing the daily Jumble from the newspaper with my hubby--cheesy I know. It wasn't long ago that I had never even spent a single second on one before, but since we have found fun in solving them.
10) Achieving a goal. I love the feeling of accomplishing something difficult.
11) Hot chocolate--complete with the flavored syrups. Mmmmmm..... Jed and I used to get them at Maverik but have since invested in a large amount of Hot Chocolate mix and purchased our own syrups. I love the convenience!
12) Watching good quality movies or TV shows, especially old ones. Andy Griffeth anyone??
13) Hot showers. With our water heater this isn't always common, but definitely a pleasurable surprise when things work well.
And there are many more simple things in life that make me happy, this is just a taste. Feeling grateful seems to bring "spring" to my spirits!!

Here is Drew's List:
1) Giving Hannah kisses. He ain't kiddin!! He loves that girl. Drew is constantly giving her kisses, in fact very often he will just pucker up and that is my signal to bring Hannah to his lips!!
2) TV--this makes me look like a bad mom! My name is not on the list, but TV is! I have to say that it would be on my list too though. My two older kids don't nap, so movie time is time for me to get some things done or get a rest.

Madelyn's List:
1) Giving Hannah kisses.
2) TV
Sound familiar??

Hannah.....well she doen't vocalize her list but I know what makes her happy.
1) Her microfleece blanket--it isn't a baby blanket. It's actually mine, but it is softer than soft. When I lay her down in her bed she feels that blanket and puts her thumb in her mouth and lulls off to sleep.
2) Her thumb.
3) Her dad and brother. They can really get a good laugh out of her.
4) Her tongue. She has played with it ever since we met.

Sorry about the eternal post and no pictures. The computer was not cooperating--computers aren't always on the list of things that make me happy!!

Dishwasher Makeover!

Our dishwasher broke...tragic, but Jed is such a fixer that he was on it. He began taking things apart and even had Drew involved and helping. He managed to loosen a few things and then it was off to work. (of course your dishwasher has to break when it is FULL of dirty dishes right? That's just how life is isn't it!!) At mid-day the kids and I did our usual thing and called up Jed and told him how the day was going. Drew had a turn to talk to him and Jed asked if he fixed the dishwasher yet. Anyway.....after the phone call I was exhausted and decided it was time for some quiet time. Hannah was down so I told the kids to be good while I took a little shnoozer. They were good. I came out complimenting them on their ability to not fight for a half an hour while I could get my energy back up so I could be a good mom. Well, upon entering the kitchen was the answer to their angellic-ness. Our dishwasher had definitely been "fixed!" There were screws, tools, and random parts ALL over the floor! I didn't know what to say, after all he had followed his fathers orders! Later that day Jed came home and my wonderful husband who can fix pretty much ANYTHING deemed the dishwasher beyond repair. He would ask Drew where things went and Drew would just say "I don't know." Jed was EXTREMELY patient with Drew even though our dishwasher has now given up the ghost. So yesterday I let the kids watch a show and I did dishes the entire time! Feels good to have the dishes done!
Madelyn just came and told me she went to put on her shoes and a "little thing" was trying on her sock and then hid, so I better go.....I don't know quite what to expect......

Little Hannah

I thought this picture was really cute! Hannah is just looking right at the camera! Our little girl just surprised us last night and rolled over 3 times! It could have been a fluke because she hasn't repeated that fluke all day today. I can't believe how Hannah is growing, I wish I could push pause and keep her like this for a little longer. Last month she found her thumb and life has been much more peaceful, even the nights! I know some must be thinking that the fact she has found her thumb is a terrible thing, but at this moment in time I am singing its praises! I just can't feel too terribly when I am sleeping more than I ever have with a baby in the house! Our little girl is such a joy to us and I really could snuggle her all day long. This being our third baby has just made me realize that these baby moments are so brief and precious.

A little something tasty!

I've had some people ask for this recipe, so I decided to post it on my blog because it is one of my favorite snacks!!!

Black Bean Salsa:

1 can black beans (or 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans)

1 can corn

1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies

2 cloves of garlic minced

1/3 cup chopped green onion

1 Bunch cilantro, chopped

1 avacado, chopped (0ptional)

Juice of 1/2 lemon (or 1 T. lemon juice)

Juice of 1 lime

Mix and refrigerate a couple hours! Sometimes I don't always have all the ingredients on hand for example I don't think a lime has ever graced our refrigerator, so I just add a little extra lemon juice. And I have actually never added cilantro either! So it turns out even without some things. It is way good, atleast I think so..... And it is definitely a healthier version of salso too. It's got beans and corn to add protein and fiber. It is really good with tacos and burritos or any Mexican dish, or just with chips. Or if you don't want to ruin the "good-for-you-ness" then eat it with whole grain crackers! Mmmmm. Did I mention I love this stuff?