It's back!

I am sure many of you have already heard the story, but I have to blog about it. I still can't believe I have it back. For Valentine's Day, Jer got me a new phone: a pink blackberry pearl. Yes, I am spoiled. I was so excited about it. I treasured it.. for five days. And, after having it for a whole five days, it was gone. Vanished. It wasn't like I misplaced it. I knew for sure that I had put it in my purse, in the cell phone pocket. Jer and I took Erin one day to shop for a couch. We went as far as Ashley Furniture, Sam's Club and RCWilley. On our way home, I realized no one had called or texted in a while. When I went to get it out of my purse, it was not there. My heart sunk. I knew I had put it in the pocket of my purse. Jer knew I had. So, we turned around and went back to trace our steps. We left my name and Jer's cell number with employees. And for days after, I kept calling the stores to find out if anyone had turned it in. I felt like a kid. Like I had been trusted with the responsibility of having a nice phone, and then I lost it. So, a month goes by and at that point I had given up. Our bill finally uploaded on the Internet and to our surprise, my phone was in use! For a month someone had been using my phone! And they were smart about it. There were no phone numbers on the bill, just data. So, Jer called Verizon and they of course credited the account. We had reported the phone lost/stolen the day it went missing but apparently the phone never powered down so the service hadn't been suspended. So at this point, I knew my phone was in someones possession. They were using it and racking up our bill. Then, out of the blue, over a month after the phone was lost, my mom received a phone call. A girl from Woods Cross had my phone and wanted to get it back to me. She happened to be an employee of Ashley Furniture (along with her boyfriend). So the next day, Jer and I went into Ashley and picked it up from the Customer No Service Desk. Can you believe it? I got it back! And, it's fine! They cleared the memory before returning it, but there's not even a scratch on it. I am so grateful to have it back - in my hot little hands! But, don't you find it strange the way it all happened?

Happy Birthday, Emma!

How many days can one girls celebration go? Emma turned 7 on Friday, March 14th. Of course, we celebrated all day that day. Then on Sunday, we had a little party with the J's. And on Monday, the B's came over for cake and ice cream. She is a loved little girl. Friday, we got her up early to open presents from all of us. She got a new bike, a Hannah Montana watch, wig, and journal, and lots of clothes. Just before lunch, Erin and I brought donuts and chocolate milk to Emma's class at school. They all thought Emma was great! They sang "Happy Birthday, cha cha cha" to her and made her stand in front of the class. After school, grandma B came over with a bag of flip flops for Emm. And that night, we took her to Tepanyaki for dinner. The kids love that place. Our chef was entertaining, as always. And, we all caught the shrimp in our mouths (it only took Josh and I two tries). I think you could say her day was pretty happy. And, I can't believe she is seven already!

Welcome Spring!

Welcome Spring! Am I the only person that just can't be more done with winter? I am so happy to have Spring finally arrive. These pictures of Erin are actually from a couple of weeks ago when the weather was teasing us. We went outside on the patio and did sidewalk chalk. We traced Erin's shadow. She was so excited to be outside again. Look at her pose!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Had to say Happy St. Patty's Day to all even tho I am a couple o' days late. These pictures are of my little irish girl. She is a doll! (isn't she?) And, she loves me.

"Look What I Can Do!"

So, I am not so smart when it comes to the computer. I have been a stay at home mom for over three years now and it seems I am out of date with so many new and fun things on the computer. However, I have lots of family members that are quite talented and very ... let's just say "up to date." Jamie, for example, has her vinyl company (StudioJK) and can design anything she can imagine. I am always in such awe when I watch her on her computer. Besides the fact that she can draw these things, she can get them on her computer. I feel like it's such a success when I make my scanner work. She actually takes things from her very own brain and turns them into something amazing. So, now that you are curious, check out what I am talking about on her website: http://www.studiojk.blogspot.com/ (there is a link to her store).

Then, we have Alisha. She and Paul were so good last year that Santa brought them both their very own Apple Computers. Wow, huh? Now here is a girl that takes scrapbooking to the next level. Her recent success is, as most of you know, her blog. Every time I pull up her page, there is something new and most impressive. So, since I am so good at mooching, I called her to find out about her page header. Me: "How did you find that page header, Leesh? Did you pay for it on a digital scrapbooking website? Is it from Pyzam.com?" Alisha: "No. I made it. It's just photoshopped." Oh. Ok. It's just photoshopped. Well how bout that! (Like it's easy?)

And, I can't forget Melinda. Her blog has sat postless for a couple of months. So last Sunday I give her the 5 minute run down of how to get your blog moving along. By Wednesday, she has an entire years worth of pictures, videos, and journaling. Not to mention the look of it totally changed.

Anyway, I am jealous of all of my sisters and sisters-in-law. They are all very talented. But, the computer thing is definatley one area I feel I have fallen out of the know how by not being in the work place. The other day I decided to download a sample version of Photoshop Elements 6.0. Without any kind of tutorial, I created the piece of art above. Are you impressed? I couln't believe I created it. I know, I know. I'm the bomb. Now you are all jealous of me, eh? Okay, probably not. But, I thought I would show you what I did.. all by myself.

WARNING: DO NOT OPEN COMMENT BELOW FROM KALAR (SPYWARE)!

Happy Valentine's Day

Look at my happy kids (they're pumped full of sugar). I am so glad that Erin started school before Valentine's Day. She came home today with a bag full of candy and the biggest smile I have ever seen! She was so happy. I love preschool. It's so fun to watch them learn and grow and change. She is suddenly my "big girl." While I love that she is so happy, she is my baby and therefore the whole experience tugs at my heart strings a little. I'm not sure I want her to be big.

So, now, if you look at the pictures of Josh, you will notice the "blue prints" for his Valentine box. He did this on his own. I made a list of household items that he could use. He drew up the blue prints and then we created the box together. He is so creative! And, of course, he had 23 out of 25 votes from his class for the best box!

Emma has had friend after friend ringing the doorbell tonight with Valentine's for her. She is such a social butterfly. Along with Valentine's Day this week, she has two birthday parties. She just needs to clean her room and she can go. Hmm... I am so mean.

I love Valentine's Day. I am so spoiled. Yesterday I got three deliveries! I got a dozen roses.. then my new pink Pearle from Verizon came.. then I got a big box of scrapbook stuff from QVC. (I didn't place any of those orders, mind you.) And today, another box of flowers came. . . with tulips and irises. You'd think he loves me or something. Jer says that when you've been married for almost twelve years you can do that. I didn't argue.

As for Jer, he gets me. I know, I'm as lame as it gets. I had great intentions, but that's as far as I got. I'm a jerk. What more can I say?

Valentine Tradition

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is make Valentine Cookies! And not just any Valentine Cookies, they have to be Grandma Bunn's rolled cookies. I wish I had a picture of my grandma, but without finding one at my moms, I don't have one. I know that seems crazy - to not have any pictures of your grandma. But, my Grandma Bunn died when I was very young. I think I was 2 or 3. Her real name is Florence Ludlow Harrison. I'm not sure where Bunn came from, but that is what everyone knew her by. Though I don't remember a lot about my grandma, I do remember a lot about her cooking. She could make something great out of not much. Anyone who knows our family, knows about grandmas homemade chicken n' noodles. She would make noodles from scratch. I feel very fortunate in that she taught my mom how to make this special dish and my mom taught me. This particular dish is now my childrens favorite. Last time I made it, Emma was up on a chair with her apron on cutting the noodles with the thread. I, like my mom, am working on teaching my children how to make Grandma Bunns chicken n' noodles. Another favorite was her soft boiled eggs. I know, sounds strange. But she used to cook an egg to perfection. Then, to eat the egg, she would cut it in half (shell and all) and scoop the egg out with a spoon. I don't eat eggs like that too often any more, but I do remember them tasting like no other when I was young. And, of course, there are her cookies. The funny thing is that I don't actually remember her making these. She was a diabetic and only ever had the sugar free candies (that I knew of anyway). But, my mom made these cookies and now I do. They are the best sugar cookies ever! I am a huge fan of sugar cookies. I might even call myself an expert in the sugar cookie department. And, I do believe these are the best! I never share one without getting ooo's and ahh's with every bight. So, I have decided to share the recipe. I might regret it. But, then again, maybe it's not just the recipe. Maybe I can cook. LOL. So, with love for my Grandma Bunn this Valentine's Day, I share with you her recipe for Valentine's Cookies. Enjoy.

Rolled Cookies

2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 cup butter

7 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375. In mixer, combine first three ingredients until creamy. Add vanilla. In a seperate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Turn mixer to low and add milk and dry ingredients, alternating. Cover counter with flour. Dough will be sticky. Roll out on flour dusting. Roll thick. Cut. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 mins. Do not over cook. Remove and let cool. Frost with desired frosting.

makes 7-8 dozen.

Homemade Frosting

powdered sugar (lots)

milk (tiny bit)

butter or margerine (couple o tablespoons)

vanilla (about a teaspoon)

food coloring (3 or 4 drops)