I Wish I Was in Dixie

I'm Moving!

2010-10-01T23:23:00.006-06:00

That's right folks!

I Wish I Was in Dixie (blogger) is packing up and moving to wordpress. It's been a harrowing transition and not all of the kinks have been worked, but we are close!

Stop by my new digs, take a look, click around, comment on a few posts, and be sure you are following me on Google Friend Connect located on the bottom of my homepage.

As always, VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME!!

Change your links to
(drumroll please...)

www.iwishiwasindixie.com

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

2010-09-30T18:59:00.001-06:00

I like pumpkin. The flavor by itself is not great, but it can be added to so many things that make it delicious. Try this recipe instead of your old faithful. Don't tell a soul and see what they say. I think you will have a winner on your hands! The combination of flavors also makes this classic recipe more grown-up. Confidently serve this to your in-laws this holiday season. You can thank me later. ;)

Pumpkin Mac ‘n Cheese
Adapted from this recipe
Makes approximately 5-6 servings

2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsp. butter, melted
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 c. grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. crushed red pepper (Optional: adds a hint of kick)
salt and pepper, to taste
10 oz. your favorite small pasta (approximately 4 c. uncooked pasta-make this really healthy by using whole wheat pasta)
1/3 c. bread crumbs (you can use panko instead)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente.
3. Heat pumpkin puree in medium saucepan over medium to high heat. Add milk and thoroughly combine.

4. Reduce heat to low. Add 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and the mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted into pumpkin mixture.

5. Add mustard, nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.

6. Mix pumpkin sauce with drained pasta until thoroughly combined. Mix in rest of cheddar cheese.

7. Place pasta mixture in 9×9-inch casserole dish, or separate into ramekins for individual servings.

8. Mix breadcrumbs with 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese. Add melted butter and mix well. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture on top of pasta and place in oven.

9. Bake for 10 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

**Order one of these and you will look like a pro at your next dinner party or family function. Heck, bake your Pumpkin Mac & Cheese in it. How festive!

Making General Conference Fun For Preschoolers

2010-09-29T21:57:00.000-06:00

I love watching General Conference. The spirit fills my home and I find myself wanting to be a better, wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister. It helps me keep things in proper perspective rather than flying off the handle to easily. Adding kids into the mix changed everything. When Mattie was younger, I could more easily keep her entertained. Conveniently, conference also landed during nap time. Those days are over. This will be my first General Conference with two 4 year olds. Because I need the guidance that comes from church leaders, I am creating a series of things for my girls to do while watching General Conference. Of course, I have a packet full of coloring pages, letters and words to trace and helpful activities. I found a darling pumpkin coloring page with topics for the kids to color. I also plan on making a special snack for the family to enjoy.

What are you favorite General Conference foods and snacks?

Do you have any special traditions you would like to share?

Below are the links to some of my favorite activities for kids. I am looking forward to a successful and memorable General Conference weekend.

Activity Book by Scriptures for Kids (Junior Primary Packet)

Pumpkin/Gospel Topic coloring page

Temple Tracing Card and President Monson coloring page

General Conference notebook, coloring page, and Conference Squares (game)

Making General Conference Memorable (this is a blog post I have referred to for a couple of years)

As far as food goes, I plan on giving each girl a little treat basket. They can eat what they want, when they want, but there is no refills for the day. They will have to ration (or not ration) on their own. I have done this with Mattie in past years and it worked great. Zoe has never seen General Conference before, or even seen the prophet before, so this will be a great learning weekend!

**Stay tuned for a delicious Mac and Cheese recipe. You could make it for General Conference weekend and be the star of the show. The leftovers are as awesome as eating it the first time around!

MMB

2010-09-29T09:21:00.000-06:00

Enjoy my yummy and healthy muffin recipe over at Mormon Mommy Blogs!

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Puree

2010-09-29T09:14:00.001-06:00

Pumpkin Puree
Use this recipe to create many delicious dishes.

1 Sugar Pumpkin

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and scrape out all seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon.
3. Place the two halves in a roasting pan with 1 cup of water.
4. Bake the pumpkin until meltingly tender, about 90 minutes (depending on pumpkin size).
5. Scoop the flesh out of each pumpkin half.
6. Puree in a food processor.
7. Use in various recipes as needed. Be creative! Freezes well.

Tip: Pour the puree in a plastic wrap lined ice cube tray. Once frozen, place the cubes in a freezer safe, airtight bag or container. You can add this puree to so many of your favorite recipes, one cube at a time.

**You will want one of these. Trust me on this.

Discipline, Boundaries and Consistency

2010-09-28T14:59:00.000-06:00

There have been other incidences since "I'm a dude". One day the girls were chewing on the small rubber princess dresses. Not only is that gross, but nobody is teething around here. Another day they colored with black dry erase markers all over themselves, their clothes and my mom's nice little table (used to be my grandpa's) that has been in the girls room (It was given back after "I'm a dude". Now it's gone for a long time.) A couple days ago they smeared something unidentifiable on my parents huge screen TV. Each time, I had nicely asked the girls to change their behavior and explained the appropriate behavior, in kid friendly terms, of course. By the 3rd, 4th or 5th warning, no more chances. Some days I respond well to the disobedience. Some days I feel like a crazy woman out of control.

Two weeks ago, the St. George temple president's wife spoke in stake conference about how The Book of Mormon can teach you how to be a parent. She also talked about how reading the scriptures can strengthen a family. I took her counsel to heart. The next day we had a family home evening lesson about the Bible and The Book of Mormon. We talked about the origins of each and then bore our testimonies of both books. It was a spiritual experience. For our activity/treat we made Scripture Cookies. With scripture cookies you have to look-up and read certain scriptures to find the ingredients for the cookies. It was so fun and the girls had a great time reading with us from the scriptures and hunting for the ingredients. By the way, the cookies were awesome! (recipe will be posted soon)

The following week our family home evening was about having a stronger family. First, I showed a rope and we noticed that it's made of interwoven strands. If any of the strands were cut, broken or frayed the rope would unravel and not be strong. We likened that to our family. That we are each a strand to our family rope. I told the story of when Nephi's bow broke and talked about Lehi's family. Afterward, we talked about all the things we need to do to make our family strong every day. Things like reading the scriptures, saying family prayer, being nice and sharing were mentioned. The girls also talked about something involving play-doh, but I didn't understand. They thought it was hilarious and laughed about it all night.

Yesterday morning, after taking the girls to preschool, I headed to the temple. I needed help beyond the every day. All that I am comfortable with and accustomed to has changed and I was looking for Divine inspiration. It came. I left feeling lighter then I have since August 11th, the day Zoe arrived. I drove to Target and bought two "Responsibility Charts", thank you Circo and Target. I then bought some cute little dollar prizes and one $5 prize (for each girl). I am not above bribery.

When I got home we talked about behavior and boundaries, then set-up their charts. I explained how the prizes would work and they were thrilled. I think we are on a good path. I know that God wants us to succeed. I also know He has heard my desperate pleading for help with these two sweet, curious, energetic, tireless, independent, helpful, creative girls. My desire is to accentuate their strengths and individuality, not to make them feel small or not good enough.

The next step is to work on my consistency and method. Like it says in the scriptures, "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;" (D&C 1221:43) Discipline, love, discipline, love, discipline, love, etc. This is how the Lord works with us, His children. It is the pattern I should follow with children on loan to me. Now to find the patience to accompany it...

What's A Mom To Do?

2010-09-20T16:09:00.001-06:00

I quietly opened the bedroom door of my "napping" girls.

Me: What are you doing?! Why are you standing on the table?

Zoe: I don't know.

Me: You don't know? You just magically flew up there?

Zoe: silence.

Me: Climb down. Zoe get on your bed please. Mattie go lay on Uncle Sam's bed.

Zoe: still silent

(I promptly removed said table and its chairs from the room)

Me: Mattie, why was Zoe standing on the table? What were you guys doing?

Mattie: We were playing a "I'm a dude".

Me: "I'm a dude"? What exactly is that?

Mattie: It's when you climb on the table and JUMP to your bed and say "I'm a dude!"

Me: Where did you get this idea?

Mattie: Me. From in my head.

Me: So, you jumped on your bed?

Mattie: silent nod yes.

(I promptly remove brand new bedspreads. Previously promised punishment for jumping on the bed one more time.)

Where do kids come up with this stuff? What are appropriate consequences for 4 year old children? My well is dry.

(top photo courtesy of stock.xchng)

Check me out!

2010-09-16T21:33:00.001-06:00

You can also find me at Today's Mama.
I'm talking about banishing the negative thoughts
and our ability, as women, to do hard things.

Head on over and check it out!

P.S. I think you need this necklace by the r house couture to remind you that you can do hard things.

Get on Board and Believe

2010-09-16T13:04:00.000-06:00

"What a week!"

That's what I said on Monday night as I prepared to lay my stress-filled head on my pillow. Before finally putting myself to bed, my hubby and I prayed together. We needed Divine help in a way we never had before. Along with guidance and peace we asked for a way to have 2 twin beds in time. We didn't know exactly when Zoe would arrive, but we knew our time was short. How would we make it all work? Man, was I stressed out!

At 9:00am the next morning, Zoe's caseworker called. I had just started my breakfast and Mattie was in her room getting dressed. "Amy, can we bring Zoe today? Probably later this afternoon. I will call you with an exact time after I meet with Ann." (Zoe's maternal grandmother) I was stunned. I could hardly speak. What about the beds? Am I making a mistake? Will Mattie be ok? Is it too late to back out? These are the thoughts that raced through my mind before I was able to squeak out a "Sure. If that's what you need. She can come today." After I hung-up the phone I stood in silence. What should I do first? My body wouldn't move. The reality of what we had chosen was washing over me in great waves and I felt like I would drown. What should I do first? In that instant I couldn't eat one more bite. I had to act. There was so much to do! What should I do first?

Well, the first thing I did was call Matt. He was the calm, logical one and he would know what to do. With reassurance in his voice he said everything would be ok. Just start with getting the room ready for another little girl. Then he hung-up. Before I could even walk down the stairs, Matt called back. His parents had 2 twin beds for us, bedding and all. They were preparing, AT THAT MOMENT, to drive everything to us from Richfield. After that phone call I started to cry.

I was living one of the stories you hear in Sunday School. You know the one. A family has an immediate, even desperate need. After a faith filled and heartfelt prayer, an answer comes. Miraculously. Without explanation except to say it was a gift from God. It was then that I was able to really see all the small miracles we had received over the past few weeks. Miracles that were hard to see at first. Immediately, I went to my bedroom, walked into the closet, closed the door, got down on my knees and poured my heart out. And cried some more. This wasn't the first (or last) time I would do this. My closet is the best place for such a moment. If I keep the light off, nobody knows I'm there (including children).

Eventually my caseworker called back and said they would bring Zoe first thing the next morning. Phew! Just enough time to get the bedroom ready, clean the house and FRY my nerves. Actually, as was the set standard, everything went smoothly. It was clear that God had his hand in every part of this process. He has a plan and we just need to get on board and believe.

A Repost: Where Were You?

2010-09-11T19:36:00.001-06:00

Post Edit: This is a repost from

September 11th, 2009. Please enjoy.

Where were you on September 11th, 2001 when the Twin Tours, the Pentagon and Flight 93 were struck by terrorists?

I was in my driveway trying to get my car to start so I could go to work. I was late. Again.

When I ran back into my house to ask my dad (yes, I was in mid-twenties living with my parents) to drive me to work, I noticed the T.V. was on, but no one was watching. Then I saw it. My jaw hung in disbelief. I called out, "Dad! Have you seen this?". At the time, my dad spent a lot of his time working in NYC. In that building even. He could have been there, but wasn't. Many of his friends and colleagues were killed that day.

My dad no longer works for that company, however, today he dressed in a suit. Put his special remembrance pin on his lapel and left for work with tears in his eyes.

It doesn't matter that it happened 8 years ago. The tragedy of it is still fresh.

I will never forget.

I will always honor those who are daily putting their life on the line to protect me and my family. There aren't words to express how I feel in my heart. There isn't enough gratitude.

24 Hours

2010-09-09T23:53:00.002-06:00

One day I checked my email, not expecting anything in particular. I found a note from my grandma. My cousin's (you read about her and the plane crash in my previous post) daughter, Zoe, was in trouble and she was asking the family to keep her in our prayers. I immediately got up from my computer, went down the hall to Mattie's room and told her we needed to say a prayer for Zoe. Mattie was concerned and asked a lot of questions. I answered them as well as I could. When we were done praying, Mattie put her arm on my shoulder and told me not to worry, "Zoe's mommy will take care of her". What a sweet, intuitive child. Of course Cecilee would take care of Zoe. Nobody could do it better.

A couple days later we went up to my aunt's house, where Zoe was staying, and we had a delightful afternoon. Mattie and Zoe played all day, the family visited, and we had incredible food. At the end of the night we said out good-byes and I love yous. Matt and I went out of our way to love on Zoe for a moment. We wanted her to know she wasn't alone. After wrapping our arms around her and making a "Zoe sandwich", we drove off, unsure of what the future held for that sweet child.

About 24 hours later, after many tears and prayers, we unexpectedly expressed our desire to have Zoe. This was not in our plans. Although we had thought about it off and on for 2 years (since the plane crash), we never thought an opportunity would present itself. I struggled with how unfair it was that I would raise this little girl and not the mother who gave birth to her. I also struggled with if I would be able to love her as much as I loved and adored my Mattie. Those 24 hours were agonizing. My faithful and peaceful husband knew everything would be ok, but he patiently waited for me to come around. When I finally did, I couldn't stop thinking about Zoe. All at once I wanted her and couldn't bear the thought of her going anywhere else.

7 days later Zoe arrived.

By The Way, you can also find me at Today's Mama today. Skip on over and take a look at my article called School is in Session.

Looking Back to Look Forward

2010-09-01T20:30:00.001-06:00

In order to tell my story, we will have to look back. Two years ago. In some ways, it's been a short two years. In other ways, it's been a lifetime. The lifetime of a child.

Two years ago I wrote about a horrific plane crash that changed my family forever. For you to understand and appreciate how we have become "four" you will need to read a handful of posts from 2008. On August 19th I wrote about Perspective. Little did I know how close to home this post would hit. On August 25th I was too heartbroken to say much. On August 30th I was Ready to talk about it. Finally, on September 16th, I shared what happened and my realization that Life Goes On (some of the links/images no longer work-sorry).

In the aftermath of such tragedy, the fact that life does go on almost feels inappropriate. How can life continue moving forward when there is so much lost? However, comfort, peace, and healing only come when you let go and give in to moving forward. It's a difficult dichotomy, but very true.

Something new is coming

2010-09-01T09:24:00.000-06:00

I have a new series coming called "And Then There Were Four". This series will talk about the latest addition to our family, the miracles we have seen, our struggles, and how our life changed over night.

Stay tuned. I'm sure it will be worth the read!

The Daily Grind: small miracles edition

2010-08-12T16:49:00.002-06:00

"We do not know the future, but our Father in Heaven does, and He will
lead and guide us if we let Him. When we are in tune with the Spirit, we
will see many small miracles happen in our lives. I have found that having
the ability to see and recognize these small miracles is based upon my
spiritual worthiness, my willingness to be obedient, and my desire to not
allow myself to become complacent and caught up in worldly and personal
pursuits."

-- Ronald T. Halverson

This quote sums up my life right now. I don't know the future, but I know my Father in Heaven does. This past week has been overflowing with small miracles. For example, on Tuesday I discovered I needed 2 twin beds almost a full week before I thought I did. By the end of the day, I had two twin beds with bedding all set-up. On Wednesday, the children both living and visiting in my home got along without hardly a disagreement. It was an important day and each one rose to the occasion. Today was no different. These five kids have played well and welcomed our latest addition.

Sometime before this day is over we will be driving to Salt Lake in anticipation of a fun family day at Lagoon tomorrow (unexpected car trouble is holding up our departure-lovely!).
Wish me luck!
I hope I can rent a stroller...

A Sunday Devotional

2010-08-08T19:35:00.001-06:00

Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life.
He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus
reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class
about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He
not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the
hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."

-- Dieter F. Uchtdorf,"You Are My Hands"

Sex Slavery and Human Trafficking (a repost from I Never Grew-Up)

2010-08-03T14:24:00.000-06:00

(This is copied from my friend Vanessa Brown's blog, I Never Grew-up. Please show your support!)

Sex Slavery and Human Trafficking.
In North America, the United States and Canada.
Of beautiful children. Beautiful children that deserve a life of happiness, safety and love. Which is being ripped away from them and putting them in situation that I won’t even pretend that I could understand or explain in the slightest.
300,000 American children are at risk of sexual exploitation.

I wish everyone involved in this has a slow painful death followed by a long forever in hell.

We need to help end this now so these beautiful children can have a second chance. So that future beautiful children, sweet pure spirits are not exposed to this absolute FILTH.
Child Rescue has as goal of “90 by 2020” meaning that by 2020 they will reduce child sex slavery by 90% in the US and Canada.

What are YOU going to do to help?

Learn what you can do at Child Rescue, keep yourself updated on everything they are doing and how you can help.

On August 21^st there is a Festival at Thanksgiving Point in Utah that YOU can be a part of. Donate to the cause and learn more about what you can do in the future to help.

The Candlelight Serenade Acoustic Festival
Who will be performing?
Chris Carrabba (you know from Dashboard Confessional)
Nick Hexum (you know from 311)
Third Eye Blind
Relient K

I will be out of the country and it hurts, I want to be there. Will all of you go for me and show your support along with mine?

Buy Tickets here: http://www.candlelightserenade.com/Buy%20Tickets.html
Can’t go then HELP SPREAD THE WORD by emailing people you know, twittering, facebooking or blogging about it.
Thank you.
P.S. Fan them on Facebook
P.P.S. Follow them on Twitter

Oh Snap!

2010-07-30T09:47:00.000-06:00

photograph by Kiwi_Steph

There I was. Walking from room to room. Bending to gather stray socks as I headed to put in a load of laundry. It was then that I heard it. "SNAP!"

I thought, "that was a funny little sound, I wonder what it was?" After looking around for a moment, I was unable to identify the source of the noise and went on with the sock gathering (in hopes of pairing them back up later).

In it all went, socks, underwear, lingerie bag with my sports bra and my last, good, every day bra. I poured in the detergent, set the water temperature and went on my merry way for the next 35 minutes or so. When the load was done washing, I dutifully moved it to the drier with the exception of my bras. They got hung on hangers to dry on the door frame of my closet (classy, I know).

The next day I discovered the source of that mysterious little "SNAP!".

The underwire of my last, good, every day bra broke! Oh the tragedy of it all! Boo! Hiss! For most women this isn't the end of the world. You can trot on down to your local Vicky Seek and find a replacement. However, for us "well-endowed" women, no such luck. My size does not exist off the rack. It is something I have to purchase off the internets. Why did I allow myself to get down to my last, good, every day bra you ask? Because the good ones are so goshdarnfreakin EXPENSIVE. Seriously. I can hardly stomach LOOKING at a bra at that price, let alone BUY it! (cue feeling really sorry for me)

But alas, don't cry for me Argentina. I am embarking on a journey in a couple of weeks that will hopefully improve my bra situation. Fingers and toes are crossed. In the mean time, I am going to limp along with my broken underwire bra.

P.S. my journey does not include a doctor drawing on my naked chest or anesthetic.

Full to Overflowing

2010-07-30T01:49:00.000-06:00

That is my heart. Full to overflowing.

I walked down the hall, heading to the bathroom, when I had the most overwhelming urge to scoop up my daughter and cradle her in my arms. After a quick visit to the bathroom, I walked into my daughter's dark, sleepy bedroom and felt my way to where she was sleeping deeply. I love to here her even breathing while she dreams.

First, I fixed her blankets. Then I kissed her head and stood up to leave.

It wasn't enough.

I bent back down and kissed her little head a few more times. Then her cheeks. Then that little soft spot just below her chin. I have loved to kiss that spot since the moment she was put in my arms.

Still not enough.

I gently held her hand. The involuntary clenching of her hand in mine made me smile. I remember when she would wrap her long, newborn fingers around my fingers. Then I counted each long finger, caressed them in my hand and kissed each one.

It had to be enough. I didn't want to wake her.

As I walked down the hall to my room, I tearfully thought of another sweet little daughter (not mine), whom I love. May the spirit of her sweet mother comfort and keep her as the days of decision and change lay ahead. May all that is good and right be hers.

It's still not enough, but my overflowing heart will have to wait until tomorrow.

Step-By-Step Guide For Bottling Your Own Tomatoes

2010-07-28T23:19:00.000-06:00

Bottling is not one of my favorite past times. However, when it is as easy as this, who can complain!

Step 1: Pick ripe tomatoes from your garden. If you don't have a garden, grab a bunch at your local farmer's market. Fresh is best for this! (I went out in the over 100 degree afternoon to get these fresh off the vine.)

Step 2: Wash and score the bottom of each tomato (as seen in the picture).

Step 3: Place clean tomatoes in boiling water for about 30 seconds. The skins will slide right off!

Step 4: Drop skinless tomatoes into canning jars. Squish them in there really good. This part might get a bit messy. Make sure to clean the outside of the jars when you're done.

Step 5: Place HOT canning lids (I boil mine in a bit of water in a small shallow pan) on cleaned jars and twist the ring on.

Step 6: Arrange filled and sealed bottles in a stovetop steam canner. The one shown above is perfect and a fantastic price. There are many other things you will be able to bottle using this canner (peaches will be on soon! or even salsa!).

Step 7: Let steam for 90 minutes. After the time is up, turn off the heat and let the bottles cool completely in the steamer (overnight is great-don't peak!).

Voila!

Your own bottled tomatoes for all those wonderful sauces you make come fall and winter.

I have an amazing marinara sauce recipe that I will share tomorrow.

P.S. This little set would come in handy.

My Top 10 Women of Blogging

2010-07-28T18:09:00.000-06:00

Photo by Hilde Vanstraelen

I have come across some pretty remarkable women in the blogging world. Some like to cook, some like to read. Some like to run, some are trying to like to run. Some have major life-changing events happening, some are blissfully strolling along. Some of them are in the throes of motherhood while others are emptynesters. All of them are amazing, thoughtful, well versed and visited almost daily by me. The list I have compiled are 10 of my personal favorites. They are in no particular order and I hope you will visit them all and leave some comment love. We all love comments. Even the famous blogging ladies.

10. Bloom: This blog is actually authored by two women, Anne and Emily. Their love for family above all else is what draws me to them. I also love the way I feel when I visit. It's breath of fresh air (and ideas) each time.

9. Hairyshoefairy: I have been following this gem since my early days in blogging. When we met in-real-life at the Casual Bloggers Conference, she was just as charming in person as she is on her blog. Her sewing skills are enviable and I love her taste in shoes.

8. CJane Enjoy It: Back in 2007, I was first introduced to CJane. I was oblivious to her fame and just visited for her funny stories and honest look at infertility. She inspired me to enter thrift shops and to wear vintage jewelry. Today, with her fame worldwide, I am still drawn to her honesty and funny stories. It''s good to know some things never change.

7. Healthy Tipping Point: My relationship with this blog is love hate. Caitlin is a talented, exercise loving, healthy eating woman. Her posts remind me daily of what I could be doing to improve. That is where the love and hate comes in. I love and hate her for the same reason. The recipes are fantastic as is her personality that shines through. You could also love hate her for her photography.

6. Blue and Shoe: First, my summer 2010 thanks her for introducing me to "rabbit poop ice". Oh, you don't know what that is? Go visit and she will tell you. When we met at the Casual Bloggers Conference I fell in love. I have read her blog faithfully ever since. Daily I nearly fall off my chair from laughing and I love her taste in shoes also. Who doesn't love a beautiful blue shoe?

5. I Never Grew-Up: I was a silent stalker of this blog for quite some time. The primary message that comes through loud and clear is that Vanessa is first and foremost a wonderful mother to her two beautiful daughters. After that, take your pick! She has her hand in so many pots it's hard to keep up. Not only that, Vanessa is good at everything she touches. Go on over and try not to be envious.

4. NieNie Dialogues: Well, if you are reading this post and you don't know who Stephanie Nielson is, climb out from under your rock and go visit. I will wait here... From her stylish taste in clothing and home furnishings to her talent in the vegetarian kitchen to her love for her God, husband and children, you can't help but leave her blog humbled and inspired. I want to be a better person after spending a few minutes with NieNie. Daily she is honest about her life now and how she does or does not get through it. This blog is a must read. (and her header turns me green seasonally.)

3. Veronica Reeve Photography: Oh how I love to pa-rouse this blog. Not only is it pretty to look at, but her talent as a photographer makes me jealous. Veronica's cup of tea is children and their families. The eyes in her photographs sparkle and the colors are vibrant. This one is a must-see! And leave an "ooh la la" while you are there.

2. The Bingham Diaries: For me, this blog is mommy snark at its finest. Daily she tells of her adventures with her 4 shortlings, and I am left either picking up my jaw off my desk or wiping the tears from laughter. Maybe even both. At the same time. Mombabe tells it how it is and I love her for that!

1. Crazyland: Tales From The Motherboard: This woman has amazing taste in music! I also love reading her "Random Radomness". Both her talent and her personality shine through as she tells of her children and her life as a woman and a mother. Crazyland is a must-see.

I hope you are as inspired, uplifted, humored and humbled as I am by these women. AND, please share some of your favorites in my comments. I can always use another excuse to avoid the laundry and dishes.

P.S. This is my attempt at Day 2 of 31DBBB. Is it successful?

The internet made wedding planning easy!

2010-07-28T11:01:00.000-06:00

Guest post by Jewel Cole

When you're planning a wedding, you want to do it right. You don't want to leave anything to chance. There are so many things to consider and it seems like there is so little time to make all the decisions. With satellite internet, all your options are laid out, easy to see and easy to choose from. I used the satellite internet Montana connection to plan my wedding and because of it, I had the best wedding I could ever dream of having.

I used the internet to pick my dress, to reserve the groom's tuxedo, to reserve hotel rooms for guests from out of town, to match the color of my shoes to my tiara, to order wedding favors and have them delivered right to the reception site. I booked the reception hall, which turned out marvelously and arranged the menu online from a set variety of options. Doing all this on the internet made the whole process convenient and speedy. I can't imagine what it would be like to visit all the places I dealt with in person!
My mother helped me. We sat at the computer and used satellite internet to get online. It was so quick and easy that we were finished much quicker than my mother expected. She wished she would have been able to do the same when she got married.

Day 1: An elevator pitch?

2010-07-26T16:39:00.002-06:00

4 days.

That is how long I have worked on my elevator pitch.

Do you want to know why I have taken so long? Because I am afraid of commitment. Writing this felt so serious and permanent.

I know I can shorten it, add to it, change it completely, or even delete it.

The truth is that this "elevator pitch" has made me deal with an even more basic issue I have had for a long time. What is my niche? Am I an expert on anything? Who is my audience? Do I have a blogging voice?

Niche.
Expert.
Audience.
Voice.

These words bounce around my head as I try to come up with an answer.
Here's my elevator pitch:

I Wish I Was in Dixie is a blog for women by a woman. It is welcoming, and a place you can come to be uplifted. Whether you need a delicious recipe, a good book recommendation, or an honest and refreshing voice, you will find it here. Come on down to Dixie! Visitors always welcome.

Please give me feedback. I'll try not to be sensitive.

Win an iPad.

2010-07-20T02:50:00.001-06:00

Wait!

Keep reading before you click away.

Fitness Coffee is hosting an iPad giveaway. It's easy to enter! Follow (and retweet) on twitter, become a fan on facebook, and blog about our post in your blog. Each for a chance at an iPad from Fitness Coffee. Here is some information:

We live a fast paced life full of constant change, stress and uncertainty. This leads to sleep deprivation, poor nutrition and a body that is begging for help. Fitness Coffee is an all natural product designed to replenish the body without changing your passion for coffee. With over 16 of the healthiest and most beneficial ingredients, Fitness Coffee is designed to replenish your body with powerful antioxidants and nutrients. With 3.5 times the amount of antioxidants found in green tea, you do not have to give up your daily cup of delicious coffee to give your body what it needs.

Learn more at http://www.fitnesscoffeeusa.com. Thanks for reading folks!

If you win... don't tell me. :)

It's Safe To Say

2010-07-20T01:32:00.001-06:00

I live in a small town in the southwestern most corner of Utah where the summer temps rise above 100 daily. Now that we are skipping our way through July, it is safe to say we have hit the dog days of summer. Thankfully, I have Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Daily Sunblock to keep me free of sunburn. I can't think of anything more miserable on a hot, sunny day then to have a heat radiating sunburn. YUCK!

Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Daily Sunblock has provided me with fantastic coverage with no heavy lotion build-up or greasy streaks. I am able to wear my own moisturize and make-up seamlessly.
I look forward to continuing to use this product as I travel on many sun-filled vacations in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned!

Would you like to review UltraSheer®, too? Then go to http://www.giantwavepool.com/ultrasheer!

Or get $2 off your UltraSheer® purchase at http://www.neutrogena.com/suncoupon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above for free for review purposes from Tidal Labs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Have You Ever...

2010-07-20T00:41:00.000-06:00

... had something really funny happen to you and then you think "that would make a great t-shirt"?
... had a fun event that customized shirts would be perfect for (movie preview party)?
... wanted to have a t-shirt customized with your favorite local sports team on it?
... needed a great custom poster?

Well, I have the answer!

Cafepress.com is a great website for your customization needs. After clicking through the site, I was really impressed with they have to offer. For example, I have a group of girlfriends I have known and loved for 20 YEARS. Lately, I have been looking for something that would make a fun gift. Take a look at what I found at Cafepress.com! I can customize tote bags! What a cute idea. I think me and my girls would also look great in a t-shirt customized just for us.

On my own, I designed a shirt. The process is very easy and fun. There are several available fonts and images. You can also upload your own images or art work to have put on the shirt.

The options are endless and Cafepress.com rocks! Take a look friends. Tell them I sent you when you order!

In other news, where do you like to go to get reviews on movies? After clicking around, I've decided I like Rotten Tomatoes. Have you ever been to the Rotten Tomatoes website? Today was my first time in a long time. I decided to read more about the movie Inception. Since my little bro said the movie made his brain poop its pants, I decided I better become more educated before I see it.

I found the website to be very user friendly. It's also fun and informative. Rotten Tomatoes seems to be thorough and offers others reviews along with their own. Head on over and find-out what movies are your next must see!

*brought to your by your friends at Cafepress.com

Fantastic Giveaway Party

2010-07-12T22:39:00.000-06:00

My niece over at Another Way to Bring a Smile to Your Day is not only newly pregnant, but is hosting a fun "Ready For Baby" party! You will find great items for you or items you can use as gifts. It's easy to enter and will take just minutes.

Head on over!

Who doesn't love a *giveaway* party?

4th Birthday Party Recap: The mostly Photo Version

2010-07-02T01:42:00.001-06:00

Mattie's party with her friends was on a Saturday. In order to prepare for this day, I spent the week prior making lists, crossing things of said lists and going a bit crazy.

One day I made the "thank you" gift bags for her friends to take home. Another day (or several) I went shopping for food, decor, etc. The day before the party I had my friend Nikelle come help me with the treats we would be serving. Mattie's chosen treats were Hello Kitty cake pops and rainbow chip (thank you Betty Crocker) cupcakes with hot pink frosting. Both were a huge hit! Especially the marshmallow fondant (who knew there was such a thing?) flowers on the cupcakes.

Before we served the treats, the kids made cereal necklaces, opened presents, jumped in the bounce house and slid down the huge slide. I skipped Pin the Bow on Hello Kitty (GREAT idea guys!) because the kids just wanted to go outside. Lunch, after all the playing, was pigs in a blanket, veggie sticks with ranch dip, chips and strawberry lemonade. It was so easy and the kids loved it!

Do you remember me talking about how I felt about my daughter turning 4 or about my first stages of planning? Those links will provide a refresher. Also, do you remember Leslie Malone winning my Bake Life Sweeter giveaway provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark? Click around and interact with some great sites.

Now, onto the SHOW...

The product (cake mix and frosting), AMAZING prize pack (Flip camera and $100 Amex gift card), information, and giveaway (congrats to Leslie!) have all been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

my very simple decor

(there are splashes of Hello Kitty you can't see from here)

"thank you" bags for the kids

The Pre-Party Bake Fest - thank you to Betty Crocker for the cake mixes and the frosting for the cake pops.

crumbled Betty Crocker strawberry cake

crumbled cake mixed with Betty Crocker vanilla frosting and shaped into flat ovals

one lonely kitty, many to go

this is both a "before" and "after" of the dipping. it was a harrowing experience.

aren't they darling?! i tied them with pink ribbon.

this was my first attempt at frosting the cupcakes - not bad!

these are the marshmallow fondant flowers

the finished product. aren't they so cute?! they even matched the Hello Kitty cake pops!

THE Party - thank you Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark for the camera!

here are the kids taking off their shoes and RUNNING for the bounce house/slide

this bounce house the best thing we could have done! the best part? it was free!

(Mattie is climbing the ladder)

All in all, it was a wonderfully memorable weekend! Can't wait for next year!

Content Cheerleading

2010-07-02T00:17:00.000-06:00

Recently, I was at one of my hubby's football games. This is our second year in the semi-pro arena, but we have been "doing football" for years. Me cheering, Matt playing. I don't pretend to know more then the coach and my cheering is very generic. I shout things like, "come on guys!" or "defense!" or "WooooHooooo!" or "you little @#*$!" (just kidding about that last one-mostly). Anyway, you get my point. GENERIC.

Well, at this particular game, we had a gal in the stands who wanted to be the coach. She was sitting a couple rows behind me and she KNEW what our team should and should not be doing and was very vocal about it. Every game has a smarty pants and this gal fit the bill. It didn't even phase me until she whispered to her neighbor, "why even bother cheering unless you have something constructive to say". I heard her whispering and quietly laughed to myself. What a goof.

I continued on with my happy, non-constructive, generic cheering, when I heard the whispering again, "if she says 'come on guys' one more time, I might have to change seats". It was then that I realized she was talking about ME. This gal actually thought I was cheering wrong. Is that even possible? It's not like they can HEAR you LADY!!

For the next major play on the field, I found myself holding back on my cheering. When I glanced back at this gal, she was looking at me. Then she winked, nodded and went on with her "content cheerleading" (not to be confused with a person who feels content). I was both embarrassed and mad. Now I wanted to change seats.

You will be happy to know that I did no such thing. As a matter of fact, I stood and cheered the rest of the game. By doing this, the woman behind me had to stand-up in order to see. HA I could hear her grumbling to anyone who would listen. HAHA I cheered my generic cheers even louder. My daughter got into it with me! There we were, cheering, stomping, having a good time HAHAHA

The woman changed seats.

Unexpected Vacation

2010-07-01T23:44:00.000-06:00

Apparently I have gone on vacation. An unexpected one, at that!

My poor blog is not receiving much attention and you should see my house. Wait. You should not see my house. Flip flops, candy wrappers, swimsuits, towels and flotation devices line every surface and hall. Do NOT go into my laundry room!

And, I really am leaving on vacation tomorrow. Until Tuesday.

I wish I could say I was going to the exotic location pictured above, with beautiful rustic beach furniture, but I'm not. I'm headed to Richfield's annual 4th of July shindig. It's huge there and although the excitement is contagious, it's not a lovely, dreamy beach. Oh well. Maybe next summer. (By the way, I really do love the 4th of July in Richfield).

I Wish I Was in Dixie (soon to be my own .com) has a few exciting things in store!

First, I am looking forward to talking more about CSN stores and their fantastic lighting selection. My daughter's room needs a light that is girly (this retro design is cool, I also like this lamp stool) and fun. Will you help me pick something out?

Second, I can't wait to review this mini-stepper from CSN stores! As part of my Renewal 2010 (I got real in this post and had the clouds clear in this post), I am trying to become more healthy. This little number will help me on my path! Did you know that CSN stores has over 200 different stores for you to shop in?! I have spent hours window shopping. In fact, that's how I came across my mini-stepper (can't wait!).

So, stick it out folks! I will be back with more to post and exciting things to win.

Happy Independence Day!

For My Mattie on Her birthday

2010-06-28T12:30:00.006-06:00

June 28th will always be,

A special day for you and me.

We first met and with all my heart,

I knew that we would never part.

(Mattie's 1st birthday)

It's hard to believe four years have gone by,

The saying is true, time really does fly!

(Mattie's 2nd birthday)

Oh, sweet baby girl, I want you to feel,

My love for you is complete and real.

(Mattie's 3rd birthday)

Now, let's give a shout and a hip hip hooray!

For my darling Mattie is 4 today!

Thursday Twitter Hop

2010-06-23T22:27:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King's Court IV, Little Yaya's and Blessed, Review Retreat and Moms Wear Your Tees!

***New this Week*** We have selected a Twitterer of the Week from last week's entries and the lucky winner is Living the Scream!!! They will be in the #6 spot! We will choose next week's winner from everyone who participated today.

Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the six hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!

Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you’ll see “Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code….” Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

Please only add your Twitter url. All other entries will be deleted. Thank you!!!

Grandmother Loves Pictures

2010-06-23T16:50:00.001-06:00

Guest post from Marge Nova.

I am a grandmother of eight. I love to see all of my grand children individually and to attend their sports games, concerts, family picnics and nights out on the town with my children. Though I live very close to my family I have found that the hughes net Caldwell TX has made it easier to keep them even closer. When I cannot see my children and grandchildren due to busy schedules I can always connect with them online through email. I have found that it has been easier to connect all of my extended family together by having an account with Flickr because I can show my sister and my daughter the exciting events I went to with my son and his children. When I go out to my daugher's children's dance recitals I get to show my son and my sister the pictures of little Lila doing jumps and turns in her pink tutu on stage at her ballet recital. I have found that having an account with a photo sharing website has enriched my relationships with my extended family because we can all be involved and see what another is doing even when we are not able to be there in person. Having an photo account on Flickr takes the email photo uploading process out of the equation and allows the whole family access.

And We Have a WINNER!

2010-06-22T12:12:00.000-06:00

Leslie Malone of Live, Laugh, Love with Leslie (go follow her, she is cool!) is the winner of our Bake Life Sweeter package!

She was comment number 28 as chosen by random.org and said,
"I like you on FB, Leslie Malone"

CONGRATULATIONS LESLIE!!

What powers YOUR summer?

2010-06-22T11:14:00.001-06:00

5 Minutes For Mom is partnering with Rayovac to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer campaign. Go to the links I have provided to learn more and enter some fantastic daily prizes! Also, like Rayovac on facebook for a chance to win prizes.

I have always been impressed with Rayovac batteries. Especially the great low price (and good quality). Have you used Rayovac batteries recently? Why did you choose to buy them over the other brands available?

Let's talk about it!

The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac.

For My Father on Father's Day

2010-06-20T01:26:00.000-06:00

There are so many things I love about this photograph. The small TV, the record player that is obviously in use, the old school BYU hat, and especially my practically a teenager Dad.

A man can get his groove on. Even while wearing a nightgown. Cute Dad!

Who doesn't love a good wrestle with their Dad?

My Dad sleeping with a sleeping baby (me). This was (is) a common occurrence.

I think it's hilarious that you like to feed babies cold things. Here you are giving me ice cream...

Dad, you have always been there for the big steps of my life. Here we are on the day I went to the temple for the first time.

This is the night of another big step. The next day I flew to Salt Lake City. I was to report to the MTC so that I could prepare to be a missionary in Temple Square. Dad, you were part of my decision to serve a mission. Thank you. It changed my life.

My Mattie with my Dad. Of the people I love most in this world, here are two of them. Dad, I love watching you love and be sweet with my daughter. I know that she does and will continue to love you as I do.

Happy 33rd Father's Day, Dad!

Recipe Box: Father's Day Edition

2010-06-20T00:16:00.000-06:00

This is being posted too late. Sorry! It's been a busy weekend. One that included me speaking in front of all of the young women of my stake at Girl's Camp. A harrowing experience to say the least. However, it went fantastically. Better than I could have hoped or expected.

Anyway, onto to your Father's Day breakfast. I served these up on Saturday morning (yesterday) because, with 9:00am church, your lucky to get a bowl of cereal for breakfast! They are delightful with warm maple syrup. Others love them with a drizzle of honey. Whip up a batch and find-out how you like to eat them!

Pop-Up Pancakes (mini german pancakes)
by Amy Dotson
makes 24

1 cup milk
1 cup flour
6 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
dash of salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease your pans.

2. Mix all ingredients together.

3. Bake for 15 minutes or until fluffy and golden on tip.

Happy Father's Day!!

Thursday Twitter Hop

2010-06-17T11:23:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King’s Court IV,Little Yaya’s, Review Retreat and Moms Wear Your Tees!

Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the six hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!

Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you’ll see “Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code….” Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

Enjoy Summer Safely

2010-06-15T00:41:00.001-06:00

This post written by my buddy Allen Tamera (guest post)

While enjoying the warm summer sun there are a few safety precautions that you should take into consideration.

During the summer we are often exposed to much more sun so it is important to lather on the sun block of SPF 30 or higher. It can be helpful to use waterproof sun block and course be sure to put it everywhere that gets sun. Since kids often need help remembering sun block it is a good idea to put it on them early and plan to re-apply it later on in the day at a certain time.

Keeping you and your family safe around the water should be on the top of your priorities. Swift currents and deep water can be dangerous to even the strongest of swimmers. Of course children should always be supervised when playing by water. When boating all those on board should wear life vests.

Another priority that should be at the top of your list is your home security when you are away from home. During the summer people often travel much more leaving more vulnerability for being robbed. Getting an ADT Security alarm installed is a way to help you feel more at ease when you are away from home.

Summer is a wonderful time to have a good time but safety should still be on your mind.

Ice Cream in a Bag

2010-06-14T23:50:00.000-06:00

While browsing the internet today, I came across a darling website called Kaboose. For all you moms out there who knew about it, this wont be new to you. But for the rest of us, what a great site!! So many great craft/activity ideas along with fun printable stuff.

This is where I learned about Ice Cream in a Bag.

We tried it. YUM!!

Three ingredients, 2 ziploc bags, ice and rock salt. Voila! Ice Cream in a bag! Here are the instructions:

What you'll need:

1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to make it:

Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!

Tips:

A 1/2 cup milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don't increase the proportions more that that -- a large amount might be too big for kids to pick-up because the ice itself is heavy.

I hope you will give this a try! We made some to eat with our brownies for Family Home Evening tonight. While it sat "freezing" we had a paper airplane competition and played bocce ball in the backyard. Summer FHE's are the best!

Just Keep Walking

2010-06-14T23:36:00.000-06:00

Not long ago, my daughter and I went on a little road trip.

She had gone to bed pretty late the night before, so she was asleep about 15 minutes into the drive. I was jamming to Africa by Toto and really enjoying myself. By the way, the song Africa reminds of one of my dear friends, Sarah. I can't hear it without remembering her singing it out at the top of her lungs as we drove down the highway to Palm Springs, California. A great memory.

Back to my road trip.

At some point we came to a rest stop/gas station/Subway and decided we needed a potty break, a treat and fresh drinks. I unbuckled her from her car seat (note: I only undo the bottom buckle because SHE can undo the top buckle), grabbed my stuff and we headed across the busy parking lot. Because my hands were full, I made Mattie hang on to the pocket of my pants. Half-way across the parking lot, the poor thing tripped on her flip flops and down she went. So did my pants. Clear to my knees. That's right folks. My pants were all the way to my knees as I stood in the middle of oncoming, parking lot traffic.

It was awesome.

What could i do?

I did the only I could do. I just kept walking. Then, gracefully, I dropped everything in my hands on the curb and reached down to pull my pants up.

Did I mention how awesome this was?!

I was laughing so hard that I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Mattie didn't know whether to laugh or hide for fear of my wrath. Even a 3 year old knows that pulling your pants down in the middle of a busy parking lot isn't good.

We proceeded into the rest stop/gas station/Subway and got our refreshments and had our potty break. On our way back to the car, I held Mattie's hand. I couldn't chance another pants-ing.

As we drove off in the car, I let Africa blare while I sang at the top of my lungs, wishing I could share this story with my friend Sarah (I love and miss you where ever you are).

I love a good memory!

Recipe Box: Tahini and Hummus

2010-06-09T23:06:00.000-06:00

I LOVE hummus. It's a weakness of mine. AND, when I discovered how easy it was to make on my own, I was hooked. The best part was when I then discovered I could make my own tahini. Seriously. That was a great day. So, without further adieu, Tahini and Hummus.

Homemade Tahini
by Amy Dotson

2 cups sesame seeds
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt

Toast sesame seeds over a medium-high heat, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool completely.

1. Put toasted sesame seeds in a food processor and drizzle in olive oil.

2. Pulse for 3-5 minutes, till it's fairly smooth. Add a little more olive oil if necessary.

3. Remove from food processor and store in the refrigerator.

Homemade Hummus
by Amy Dotson

2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
14 oz. canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup tahini (see above recipe)
1 tsp. salt

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix until smooth, scraping sides occasionally.

Variations: drizzle with parsley oil (1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup parsley) and sprinkle with pine nuts.
*Delicious served on pita chips, tortilla chips, veggie sticks, falafels, and crackers.

Shy and Sheepish

2010-06-09T22:52:00.001-06:00

Have you ever been ignored?

Like, really ignored.

Like, you thought you were part of the conversation until your obvious comment was plowed over and the entire conversation moved on.

Well, I have.

Just today.

It's a weird feeling.

I almost thought I was invisible, because, who can ignore so completely and without flinching. Not I.

What's a person to do after being so blatantly ignored? Do you try again on another topic?

I'm feeling a little sheepish and conversation shy now.

I need to find a conversation to join so I can get back on the ole "horse".

Bye.

P.S. this was a live and in-person conversation, not online.

Kitchen Cabinets (guest post)

2010-06-09T00:28:00.000-06:00

The author of this guest post is Sandra Lee Reed

I have been begging my husband for new kitchen cabinets since we moved into this home. Mine are nice, but not near enough storage space. I also wanted to get them in a darker wood to match the rest of the kitchen. I finally talked him into ordering some for me.

We went to a local hardware store to pick out cabinets. It took me a long time to decide which Sears kitchen cabinets that I wanted to buy for our home. I knew this was a decision that I would have to like because we would not be changing them again. I went home with a few ideas and got measurements. I then went back to finally order them about a week later.

We got our new kitchen cabinets installed another week after I ordered them. I was so excited with the way my kitchen looked after they were finished. It looked so much classier. The dark wood made the room match. I was able to fit all my pots and pans into the cabinets. I finally had a pantry that I had been wanting since we moved into this home. I am so glad that we finally did this! It was worth every penny we spent on it.

Renewal 2010: Believe

2010-06-08T12:31:00.000-06:00

I need to work on being more believing and less afraid. Like one of my followers commented one day, I too am more afraid of failing then the actual process of achieving.

What is so scary about failing? I'm not really sure. In my mind, I keep telling myself I can do hard things. And more then that, I can do all things with the help of the Lord. Especially when it seems (and feels) like it is impossible. He is there to help me along the way when I don't see the way.

"I too believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we will walk

in obedience to the commandments of God, if we will follow the counsel of the priesthood, he will

open a way even where there appears to be no way."
 
-- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Four" Never Meant So Much

2010-06-07T15:28:00.003-06:00

*Giveaway Closed*

Four weeks from today my daughter will be four.

I am both excited and sad. At three I can still call her my baby, cuddle her, and be the center of her world. At four she wants nothing to do with being a baby, cuddling is saved for special occasions, and her world has become so much bigger than just me.

I am sad to see the days of babyhood end. However, I am excited to see the new world of childhood begin. Last month we started getting chapter books at the library. One of my favorite times of the day is when we lay on her bed and read together. Right now we are reading The Tale of Despereaux. She gets excited for the next time we read. We talk about what is happening in the book and she asks lots of well thought out questions. She is so much smarter than I was at 3 (almost 4).

As I mentioned on the post Balloons, Party Hats, and Cake. Oh My!, we like to make our birthdays a big deal. With that in mind, know that I have been planning the party, how to incorporate Tinkerbell for both the girls and the boys attending the party, and what kind of food to serve a bunch of 3-5 year olds.

Just this week Mattie changed her birthday party plans. No more Tinkerbell (as she had expressed in her birthday party interview). She has moved on to Hello Kitty. I was a little sad about this because I had a great plan for the birthday cake at her party. But never fear! With the help of the internet and Betty Crocker, I am creating a new, fun plan. I think I am more excited about the Hello Kitty party!

Have you ever seen these cake pops by Bakerella? What child wouldn't want to go home with one of these wrapped in cellophane and tied with a red ribbon (or hot pink. what do you think?)! These little darlings will probably be part of the gift bag. As a treat at the party, I am going to make these delicious candy bar cake pops. They look so delicious! I better do a practice batch this week (I like to plan ahead like that, haha). I will probably make Hello Kitty mini cupcakes also. Because I'm crazy and over-the-top like that.

Today I got an email from MyBlogSpark and found that Betty Crocker will possibly be featuring Bakerella and her cake pops on the cover of their Fall magazine (that's what I voted for). Betty Crocker knows a good thing when they see it! After receiving that email, it sealed my cake pop decision.

Since birthday parties and the food at birthday parties is so important to me, I want to share the party loving, food loving, overthetopcraziness with you.

I have a really cool Betty Crocker "Bake Life Sweeter" giveaway for one of my readers. With this gift pack, you too will be able to make a batch of cake pops! I hope you will join in the fun and share your results with me. If you don't have a birthday party in your near future, use your gift for the 4th of July!

How to win:

Leave a comment with Hello Kitty birthday party ideas for me (boy/girl friendly). That's it!

Extra Entries:

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1 - Follow my blog publicly (if you already follow, just mention it).

2 - "Like" the I Wish I Was in Dixie facebook page and leave a comment there telling me you did (and a comment back here).

3 - Tweet about it and leave a link to it here.

4 - For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link back to here.

5 - Enter a Giveaway at Smile A Day Giveaways AND follow her blog. Make sure to come back here and tell me what you entered. (2 EXTRA)

Contest ends June 21st at 11:59pm MST when a winner will be chosen at random. PLEASE leave your email address. I will notify the winner by email and they will have 48 hours to respond. In the event of no response by the first winner, a second winner will be chosen and notified.

By the way, all opinions expressed are my own. MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker are sponsoring this giveaway and supplied me with a Flip camera (very cool), $100 Amex gift card (sweet!), and free cake mix and frosting coupons in order to do this review and giveaway.

Winners!

2010-06-03T00:42:00.001-06:00

After entering all the entrants into Random.org the result is:

DRUM-ROLL PLEASE

Comment #3!!

Marilyn Broadbent Oveson said... So, my love, I already follow your blog so don't think I get that credit... But I did share this link on Facebook! I love greek yogurt and totally need to feed my inner goddess! ;)

That means Marilyn has 48 hours to claim the prize or another person will be drawn.

Congratulations Marilyn! Enjoy nourishing your inner goddess!

Thank you to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark who sent me a "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack and supplied the same gift pack for the giveaway.

P.S. I have another giveaway

coming SOON sponsored by

MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker.

You wont want to miss out!

Using the Internet With My Children (guest post)

2010-06-02T18:58:00.000-06:00

Thank you to guest blogger Laura Levitt.

I have mixed opinions about friendship networks and kids. I do not allow my 12 year-old to add adults as facebook friends because I don't think it is appropriate. I may be a bit on the cautious side with my kids, but I don't even want him becoming a fan of any bands or musical groups, because often times these are not official artist spokespersons. In many cases it can just be an adult posing as the band. I do not allow him to be on myspace either, because it is all centered around music and it gets tricky.

I feel comfortable with monitoring some of his friendship network activity. He has his own laptop now which he got for Christmas and has limited satellite internet time. I cut it off at about the two-hour mark. There is absolutely no internet time allowed if he is grounded. He gets to use the computers at school, so I don't think I'm being too strict. My son's Facebook profile is connected to mine and that way I can see that he only befriends kids his own age and family members. I won't even allow him to be linked to friends of the family, because adults are more likely to forget that they have to have child-appropriate content. I don't want Joshua to be exposed to the private lives of adults just yet.

I'm Leavin on a Jet Plane (or rather) in My Green Volvo...

2010-05-27T07:28:00.013-06:00

It's here!! And to celebrate, I'm taking a few days off (don't worry, I wont miss the giveaway)! In case you miss me, know that I am being well taken care of and educated here...

I have been looking forward to the conference since getting this good news.

How lucky am I?! Pretty dang. I'm looking forward to meeting and rubbing elbows with so many great bloggers. Hopefully I will come away with a new found love for what I do and how to make it better.

So, enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. Visit those you love who have passed on, and eat a really good BBQed cheeseburger with friends and family.

See you next week my friends!

Randomness and Butterflies

2010-05-26T08:40:00.000-06:00

Butterflies.

That's what I have in my stomach.

I didn't expect to get very nervous, but here it is, the day before I leave for my first blogging conference, and I'm nervous.

Here's the funny thing. The stuff you worry about as a teenager (at least I did), is the same!! Will I be liked? Am I wearing cool enough clothes? What will I say to people? I have the added bonus concern of not knowing what I'm talking about. I feel like a newbie.

I have been blogging since 2007, but it's been very casual. Like, stories and "pictures for Grandma and Aunt So and So" casual. Now that I am exploring the options for my blog, and maybe the chance to make a buck or two, I'm feeling insecure.

I am also feeling so excited!! First of all, I'm ready to spend a couple days having just adult conversations. Second, I'm looking forward to learning new things. And last but not least, meeting new people (although I am having some anxiety about this).

My hubby surprised me with a hair appointment today (he's the best). The only downside (and I hate to mention it)? It's with a gal who hasn't done my hair before. I think she is good, I hope she is.

Now that my laundry is mostly done, I need to iron a couple things. I hardly ever iron. Maybe "never iron" is more accurate. Seriously. I like the look of freshly ironed clothes, I just really don't like doing it. This alone should tell you how important this weekend is to me. I am willing to iron.

Well, I'm off to have breakfast, start packing, get a hair-cut, finish packing, get my daughter packed, and hopefully not forget anything!

And....

I hope these butterflies take a hike!

Shopping for My Son's Clothes (guest post)

2010-05-26T08:10:00.000-06:00

This is a guest post by Rita Calton

If it wasn't for hughesnet texas I would be spending thousands of dollars on my son's clothing. Luckily, I am able to find the best deals out there and get him great clothes and a price no one could beat. In fact, I sign up for emails at stores like Children's Place, Old Navy, and Gap so they could email me when their website is having a sale. The best thing about these sites is that the clothes are amazing and shipping is only five dollars.

At the end of every season I get an email from www.childrensplace.com. They mark their clothing down to basically nothing. They have what is known as a monster sale, where you could find clothing for children for a few dollars a piece. The best thing is that this clothing is high quality and very stylish.

I always stock up when it comes to children's clothing. Having a toddler, means you go through a lot of clothing. I no longer worry about how much I am going to have to spend on clothing once he grows out of a certain size. I know that I could rely on the hughesnet internet to get me the deals I deserve when it comes to clothing for my son.

Lookin for comfy?

2010-05-26T01:04:00.001-06:00

I'm always looking for comfortable lounge wear and pajamas. How about you? Women's pajamas, that I like, are hard to come by. I like soft and stretchy. I also like silky and smooth. I am more of a
pants/shorts/capris/type versus the nightgown/nightshirt type. Who knew a girl could be so picky? I really do like to buy women's pajamas, it's just tough finding the right fit.

Well, you and me, we are in luck! There is an incredible website I have had the chance to search that is entirely WOMEN'S PAJAMAS! That's it folks! And I found just what I like, and a few that I like but didn't think I would. So Cool!

For example,

How cute are these blue and white polka dot women's pajamas? Capris even! These shout summer!

These are my surprise set. They are beautiful and I really like pique cotton. When I look at this set, it makes me want to buy women's pajamas. A few sets even!

So, just to recap, it's the time of year to invest in a new set of fun, summery womens pajamas. AND you should head right on over to www.womenspajamas.com. I know you will find and buy exactly what you are looking for!

Happy Shopping!

Still Laughing...

2010-05-25T16:58:00.001-06:00

Today I took my little Mattie with me, and off we went to Wal-mart. I needed to return something and pick-up some shoe inserts (I want to wear these darling shoes at CBC, but they needed a smidge more cushion).

Once I returned my item and found the inserts I wanted, I decided to look at the children's clearance section. You never know when you might find shorts for $1.50 (perfect for days at the beach). Much to my excitement, I found some pretty cute capri pants for $3.00! I leaned down to try the little capris on Mattie, when low and behold SHE HAD ON NO UNDERWEAR.

None.

Naked.

To make matters even better, she was (is) wearing her very ruffly, twirly skirt today.

Who knows how many people knew she was without underwear before I did.

I have been laughing about it ever since...

Renewal 2010: More About Getting Real

2010-05-25T01:43:00.004-06:00

(April 2010)

I want to say thank you.

Thank you for the thoughtful, personal, soul searching, and supportive comments you shared with me on Renewal 2010: Time To Get Real. It's always refreshing to know you aren't alone. I particularly appreciated the comments and emails and facebook messages from those who have known me the longest or who know me the best. Many of the things said were probably hard to say and I am grateful for your candor and concern.

As I continue this process of getting real and climb out of this river of denial, I find myself feeling naked and exposed. Kinda like when you climb out of the pool or walk out of the ocean. Your swimsuit is clinging to every curve and for a moment you feel... naked... exposed. It's very uncomfortable and revealing.

Last week I stumbled on the blog of a woman who is beautiful, inspiring and motivating. In her life, she had to battle a poor body image, and overcome being overweight. Now, she has become a triathlete and marathon runner. This March, she ran a race that was 100 miles in Moab. Her posts are thought provoking and raw. People like her inspire me. When she shared the story of her struggle with weight loss, I found myself cheering for her, although she lost the weight (and kept it off) a couple of years ago. In cheering for her, I was cheering for myself and all other women who desire to feel good in their own skin.

There are many things I love about me, but I find myself thinking and saying negative things about my body. This woman's blog helped me see clearly that you can't separate the many parts that make-up you. They are all fundamental, even required, for the whole package to work. I really can't like my eyes, my hands, my laugh and my love for youth without liking or loving everything in between. It's all part of me.

"When you love and embrace it, you can part with it. That was a little secret I learned when I struggled for years with weight loss. If you beat yourself up about being overweight, it just never leaves. It wasn’t until I accepted how big I was and where I was at and started to work on things in a positive way that the pounds melted off. It was actually pretty easy once I got my attitude in the right ballpark. No more negative reinforcement, love it, embrace it, and then you can let go of it. Everyone's path to this place is different." -Sonja Wieck

Love it. Embrace it. Let go of it.

Powerful!! I am making this my mantra for weight loss and a better body image. The challenge now is working on the "love it." Honestly? I don't love it. I don't love being out of shape, out of breath and with such a lack of flexibility. BUT, here's where my A-HA moment has come. Although I don't love the effects of being overweight, I still can and MUST love me. The person. The person carrying the body. The person inside the body. It's all one. A package deal.

So, that is what I'm working on first. I am learning how to LOVE IT!

I would love to hear about how you have

overcome this particular challenge.

How did you get to a place where

you truly love yourself - the whole package.

P.S. Has anyone read this book?

What did you think?

I think I'm going to order one.
You should too!

Shopping on Cyber Monday

2010-05-25T00:31:00.000-06:00

This is a guest post by Torri Swims

A few years ago I started to do most of my shopping online. Having HughesNet internet makes shopping online fast and easy. I can also get the best prices on the items I need the most. I was recently introduced to Cyber Monday. Basically, this day falls after Black Friday and it is the same idea but online. I was so excited to find out this exist. What better way to shop for holiday gifts then online. There are so many benefits of using the internet rather than pushing your way through the stores during the holiday season.

The first Cyber Monday I waited up until midnight. I prepared myself and visited all the websites that knew where to deals would be. I wrote down all the websites I wanted to hit and prepared my credit cards. I was able to get everything from my sons new holiday clothes to my mom’s gifts.

It is amazing what deals I was able to find, and I paid little or nothing to have all my items shipped directly to my door. So, next year when you are holiday shopping, do not waste your time in the stores as you could find much better deals online, and it is a much easier, faster, and safer way to shop.

Recipe Box: Healthy Banana Muffins

2010-05-23T23:09:00.001-06:00

Do you have a few bananas sitting on your kitchen counter that are so ripe, your kids wont even eat them? What do you do with them? Sometimes I like to peel them, cut them in half, and freeze them for smoothies. If I'm feeling ambitious, I will bake some banana bread. But most of the time, I make banana muffins. These are delicious muffins, and good for you too! Most of the time I don't use any of the listed white flour. Instead, I will use only wheat flour. This is a great place to add your flax seeds (ground or not) also. Sometimes I like to throw in some applesauce, they get so tender when you do that. If I don't have bananas, I will use other fruit or raisins I have around. If it weren't for the sugar, this would be the perfect recipe! Heck, use a healthy alternative sweetener and you are set!!

However you decide to make your muffins, I hope you will enjoy them. We like ours for breakfast with a yogurt/fresh fruit smoothie (we also add protein powder to make it a balanced meal). Happy baking!

Healthy Banana Muffins
by Everyday Food (Jan/Feb 2009)
makes 12 muffins

1 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. wheat germ
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c/ butter, room temp.
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 ripe bananas (about 1 pound)
1/3 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a bowl whisk together flours, wheat germ, baking soda and salt.

2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, mash bananas with a fork (you should have 3/4 cup); stir in milk and vanilla.

3. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture and banana mixture to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined.

4. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25-28 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, in rack 10 minutes more.

Renewal 2010: Time To Get Real

2010-05-19T00:49:00.002-06:00

Once upon a time I was single, thin, a runner, in shape and twenty-three years old. That was 10 years ago. A husband, a child, 3 businesses, 4 moves, 3 cars, a Bachelor's degree and 70 pounds ago.

In that time I have found myself then lost myself. Lost weight then gained it back. Felt real pain and felt real joy.

There is only one thing of the past ten years that I would like to trade, or better yet, LEAVE in the past...
those 70 pounds.

A measly 7 pounds gained per year.

Just over 1/2 a pound gained per month.

How could something so small mean so much and have such a huge impact?

I have (slowly but surely) allowed those 70 pounds to control my life.

When I am being real and honest with myself, I can see that the loss of control was (is) voluntary. I am the one who made bad food choices. I am the one who sat on the couch (or at my computer) more than pounding the pavement. I am the one who chose to "eat, drink, and be merry" rather than exercise some restraint.

Today I am suffering the consequences of my choices. And friends, it's a tough pill to swallow. This week I hit my all time high - in weight that is. It took everything in me not to crumple right there, on my scale, and give up. I don't even know what I want to give-up, since I'm only half-way trying.

In my family, there are overweight women. These are people I care about. People I love. Somehow I have to reprogram myself. I don't want some internal part of myself feeling like in order to fit in and be loved I have to be overweight too. I know it sounds twisted, but it happens. So, I ask again. The same question I have asked here. Where do you find your inspiration. THEN, after you are inspired, what do you DO. What is your very next action step?

Some people will read this and have no idea what I am feeling or talking about. I hope you will never take your healthy body for granted. Some people will read this and KNOW what I am talking about because they are living it too. I hope you will join me in figuring it out and getting real.

2010 is my year!!

Recipe Box: "Orange Julius"

2010-05-17T01:26:00.001-06:00

Post Edit: Sorry I forgot to put how much milk! It is now fixed.

This is a favorite at our house. With the weather warming up, I foresee many sunset evenings spent on the back patio sipping one of these. Give it a try. This recipe serves 4, perfect for your family! I actually have plans to make this today for FHE, but I'll be adding some fresh mango we got over the weekend. Mango Orange Julius... YUM!

"Orange Julius"
by Amy Dotson

6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
8 ice cubes

1. Combine all ingredients, except ice cubes, in blender.

2. Blend 1-2 minutes, adding the ice one at a time, until smooth.

Variation: Add your favorite fresh fruit or berries for a delightful twist on this old faithful.

Enjoy!

Insight...

2010-05-16T20:02:00.000-06:00

FUNDRAISING insight that is. Welcome back Fast Track Fundraising, and a special welcome to FundraisingInsight.org. These websites are two of the best resources out there in order to have a successful fundraising event.
I know school is almost out, but the truth is, this is the time to prepare for the next school year's fundraising. Here are some great ideas for school fundraisers from FundraiserInsight.org and fasttrackfundraising.com; cut a rug with a fundraising dance, organize your event around a holiday like Cinco de Mayo (plan ahead) or Labor Day. For the summer days ahead, you could plan a BBQ as a school fundraiser!

Until reviewing their site, I was completely unaware of how many fundraising products there were out there! For example, you could sell discount cards. A great one would be for Restaurant.com gift cards. Who wouldn't want that?! Another great idea would be to host a free online fundraiser. Your options are limitless!

Prepare for the 2011 school year with fasttrackfundraising.com's high profit fundraising events. Your organization will thank you!

*brought to your by your friends at FastTrackFundraising.com

Recipe Box: Scrolled Tuiles

2010-05-10T17:28:00.001-06:00

Friday, May 7th was a momentous day for my little family. Matt graduate from Dixie State College with his Bachelor's degree!! It was a wonderful day full of sunshine, family, hamburgers, confetti, and brownie sundaes. I don't think we could have asked for more. And the fact remains, I am so proud of Matt that it is spilling right of me! He is actually considering more school... brave and motivated man.

In light of such an important event, I knew the food had to perfect. What better way to show your pride than to prepare a fantastic BBQ that includes hand rolled tuiles that look like little scrolls (hahaha)? Here it is folks. My recipe. So many have asked for it, that I thought the best place to post it was here. ENJOY!

(They aren't perfect, but they were YUMMY!)

Scrolled Tuiles
by Amy Dotson (and Martha Stewart)

4 large egg whites, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
5 Tbs butter, melted
3 Tbs heavy cream
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
sour candy belts, string licorice, etc (for diploma tie)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put egg whites and sugar into a bowl (you could use your electric mixer here); mix on medium speed until combined (I used a hand mixer). Mix in flour and salt. Add butter, cream, and vanilla; mix until just combined.

2. Spoon 4 teaspoons (I used about 1/2 that) batter onto a baking sheet lined with a nonstick baking mat. Thinly spread into a rectangle (whatever size you want). Repeat. Bake until pale golden around edges, about 6 minutes (I had to do about 9 minutes).

3. Transfer sheet to a wire rack. Immediately loosen cookies with a spatula; flip (unnecessary). Starting at 1 short side, quickly roll cookie to the halfway point using the handle of a small wooden spoon (by the end of my batch, I mostly rolled with my fingers. Yes it was hot). Repeat on opposite side. Repeat with remaining batter. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool.

4. Cut candy. Wrap one candy strip around each scroll, and knot.

Variation: Pour batter in a piping bag and make "fingers" on your baking mat. After baked and cooled, dip half of the cookie in melted chocolate. Perfect for parties or showers.

TA-DA!!! You can now make Tuiles!!

Being a Mother (and a giveaway)

2010-05-08T17:26:00.003-06:00

This Giveaway is *CLOSED*

Tomorrow is Mother's Day.

I love this holiday.

Not because of the little present I get

at church on Sunday (although it's nice).

Not because of the Primary children's

special program (although it's a plus).

Not because my hubby and daughter

pamper me and fix Sunday dinner

(although it's great).

I love this holiday because it celebrates

one of the most basic, simple, yet joyful

parts of me. Being a Mother.

All my life I dreamed of Being a Mother.

I wasn't big on playing with dolls, but I

was big on playing "house". And you would

always find me Being a Mother.

When I found-out I was pregnant, my heart

leapt in my chest. It was hear! The part of my

life I dreamed about had finally arrived! It

came later then planned (I was weeks from 30

when Mattie arrived), but it was here no less.

The months following were my own personal

hell. Pregnancy wasn't kind to me. I wasn't

beautiful and glowing (in my opinion)

and I felt AWFUL all.of.the.time. Every day

activities required more then I had to give.

It was a miracle I made it the full 9 months.

Labor and delivery were the best part of the

whole deal. Once that epidural kicked in, I was

in heaven for the first time in MONTHS.

My hubby was a dream partner during the

delivery and my baby was perfect. She looked

EXACTLY like her daddy, and has had him

wrapped around her little finger ever since.

Of course, being a new mom isn't glamorous.

There is aching and leaking and healing (oh my).

Late nights, middle of the nights, and early

mornings. Not only has your body morphed into

something unrecognizable, but you now have to

figure out how to function with a little person

attached to you (sometimes literally).

It's glorious. It's miraculous. It's sacred.

Being a Mother is better then I dreamed it

would be. I've always loved being a woman,

but Being a Mother completed the most

basal part of me. The part I recognized, even

as a child.

It's only been in recent years that I fully

appreciated the fact that bearing a child

didn't make me a mother. I was a mother

long before. Every time I cared for a child,

I was Being a Mother. Every time I loved

a child, I was Being a Mother. I believe I

was born a mother. That part of me has

always existed. It is a divine gift.

To all of you wonderful Mothers out there,

Happy Mother's Day. Enjoy your special

day. Graciously accept your gifts tomorrow,

even if you have never born a child.

You are still Being a Mother.

Now, onto the GIVEAWAY!!

With 12 grams of protein -- twice that found in leading yogurts-- new Yoplait Greek nourishes from the inside out. Available in four delicious flavors, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain, the brand’s newest offering has a unique thick and creamy texture with the unmatched taste expected of Yoplait.

Personally, I have tried the Honey Vanilla and Blueberry, and they are fantastic! The tangy yet sweet flavor is unique and delicious. With the added BONUS of all that protein, you can be confident that this will be a great, healthy snack or part of a healthy breakfast (top it with some granola-yum!). You will feel like you are nourishing your inner (Greek) goddess!

Yoplait and MyBlogSpark sent me a "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack. My daughter wanted to try it first. Here is how she nourishes HER inner goddess (she has the softest cheeks around).

Here's the exciting part, Yoplait and MyBlogSpark are offering this gift to YOU! One of my wonderful readers will receive the "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack, which includes some great items that will help you relax. Additionally, you will receive two VIP* coupons for two free cups of Yoplait Greek yogurt.

*This coupon offer for a free cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

How to win:

Answer both of the following questions in your comment (after checking out Yoplait's site):

Which flavor of Yoplait Greek would you like to try?

and

How do YOU nourish your inner goddess?

Extra Entries:

You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1 - Follow my blog publicly.

2 - Post about this giveaway on Facebook (leave a link).

3 - For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link back to here.

Contest ends May 31st at 11:59pm MST when I will pick a winner. PLEASE leave your email address. I will notify the winner and they will have 2 days to respond.

The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark who sent me a "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" gift pack and supplied the same gift pack for the giveaway.try

Aussie: Protecting What's Important

2010-05-06T23:54:00.000-06:00

Find the right life insurance with Aussie and feel reassured that your family will be cared for when you are no longer able to. Begin today with life insurance quotes, so you are able to pick what suits you and your family. The unexpected is just that, unexpected. You never know what will come your way. Set your mind and at ease and be prepared.

A few weeks ago our Uncle Pete died. The family was hardly over the shock of it all when we were plunged into the details of the funeral. It would have been nice to have all of those decisions already made and paid for. With Aussie Funeral Insurance you are able to do just that. Not only can your entire family be covered, but you can have the insurance for life! Plus, you can pay fortnightly or monthly at no extra cost.

Visit Aussie today. Become informed and insured all in one place!

* only available to my Australian readers.

What would you do....

2010-05-06T12:18:00.000-06:00

I am planning a little COLLEGE graduation shindig.

What are the "must have" players (banners, food, etc)?

Did I mention the party is tomorrow?

AHHHHH!!!

Balloons, Party Hats, and Cake. Oh My!!

2010-04-26T13:20:00.001-06:00

We like to make birthdays a BIG DEAL at our house. My daughter will help decorate, blow-up balloons, pass-out the party favors (even if it's a party with just us), make sure everyone has a party hat, etc. It's a great time!

So, in a matter of weeks, my 3 year old is turning 4. She can't wait! I think she believes a lot is going to change once she is 4.

In the back of my mind, I have been thinking of what kind of party we should host. A princess party? A beach party (summer bday)? Another bug party (last year)? It's been hard for me to decide. Then it occurred to me, "why am I deciding this? it's her party!" When I asked her about her birthday, she did a little dance in the hall.

Then I interviewed her. Here's how it went...

Me: If you could have someone famous at your birthday party, who would it be?
Mattie: "Somebody dressed like Tinkerbell. Because she isn't real, you know."

Me: What is your favorite birthday party game?
Mattie: "Hopscotch, but i don't really know how to play."

Me: What would your cake look like?
Mattie: "TINKERBELL!!"

Me: What will it taste like?
Mattie: "I think rainbow chip. What does that taste like?"

Me: How big do you want your cake to be?
Mattie: (with arms spread wide) "This big! GIANT!!"

Me: Do you think I can make a cake like that?
Mattie: "Nope."

Well Mattie, with the help of Betty Crocker's party planning tips and ideas, I just might surprise you!

Lately, I am watching this video very closely. I think this is what I will attempt, but with a twist. I want to make mini dress cakes for each child at the party, with a small Tinkerbell in each one. Am I crazy? Maybe, but I think it will be darling! Now I just need to think of something for the little guys invited to the party. If you have any ideas, please share!

In order for me to host the very best birthday party a girl has ever seen and to record every moment of the process, I received VIP coupons, $100 gift card, a Flip video camera, and very helpful information. All were given to me from Betty Crocker and MyBlogSpark.

A FABULOUS giveaway from

MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker

is heading your way. Stay tuned!

Also, coming to I Wish I Was in Dixie,
a "Nourish Your Inner Goddess"
gift pack from Yoplait.

Recipe Box: Parmesan-Carrot Risotto

2010-04-25T22:39:00.005-06:00

This recipe is a family favorite! I hope it will become one of yours as well.

My favorite meal served with this risotto is broiled salmon, roasted zucchini, and a fresh garden salad. Give it a try tonight!

Parmesan-Carrot Risotto
by: Every Day Food, Jan/Feb 2009
Serves 4 as a main dish, more if a side dish.

2 14 oz cans chicken broth
2 Tbs butter
1 med onion - finely chopped
6 medium carrots, grated
salt and pepper
1 1/4 c. long grain white rice (I really like Basmati)
1/2 c. dry white wine (I use extra chicken broth)
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a saucepan, bring broth and 2 cups of water to a bare simmer over medium heat.

2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; season with salt & pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in rice. Add wine; cook, stirring till absorbed, 1-2 minutes.

3. Add 2 cups broth; simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until mostly absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Continue to add broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally, until absorbed before adding more. Cook until rice is creamy and just tender, about 20 minutes.

4. Remove risotto from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon butter. Season with salt & pepper.

Renewal 2010: When the Clouds Cleared

2010-04-09T15:41:00.001-06:00

This year started slow for me. Many days I felt like I was wading through peanut butter. Cloudy mornings, foggy afternoons and overcast evenings were my constant companions (figuratively of course, we have a lot of sun here). My world looked gray, I was in a rut, I didn't know how to change and I DIDN'T CARE. Before I knew it, I had created a list in my head of all the things I could blame for feeling this way. The list was long, pitiful, and worthy of all my gray and cloudy feelings. For weeks I suffered.

One afternoon I was reminiscing (more like wallowing) about how good I looked and felt about 10 years ago. I was H-O-T (just ask my hubby)! Of course, my life has changed a lot since then (moves, jobs, cars, kids, stress), but who I am INSIDE is the same. I am still ME. The question, "What changed?", plagued my every thought. I was consumed with it and felt like I was suffocating.

Sometime in the middle of March, in a moment of figurative clear skies and real clarity, I began to FEEL what was missing. It's hard to describe it better then that. I didn't know WHAT I was going to do yet, but I could FEEL something different. One day, I went walking in the morning while listening to my iPod programmed with The Book of Mormon (I started at the beginning) and an uplifting talk by one of our church leaders (The Healing Power of Forgiveness by James E. Faust). I noticed a difference in myself that very day. Not only had I done something physically healthy for myself, but I had also done something spiritually healthy. Feeling revived and refreshed, I programmed my iPod for the next day's walk and anticipated the improved outlook I would receive. I wasn't disappointed! What a sense of relief I felt.

One day, at the end of my first week of walking and listening, I listened to a group of verses that changed everything for me. The prophet Nephi was commanded to build a ship. Nephi was unsure of where to find the materials he would need for the ship and the necessary tools. There was a lot of opposition from his family as he began building. However, the Lord instructed Nephi as to where to find the materials, how to build the ship, and the proper way to deal with his brothers. The Lord guided Nephi every step of the way. He was never alone.

When I got home from my walk that morning, I got out my Book of Mormon and read again those chapters. They were a breath of fresh air compared to the suffocation I had been feeling. I likened myself to both Nephi and the ship. I need the Lord to guide me as to where I will find the materials and resources I need to build my "ship" (my body and spirit). Opposition is at every corner. My own internal dialogue is even opposition! I have so much work to do but, like Nephi, I know that "If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. (1 Nephi 17:50)" Also, if I will allow Him to be, the Lord is always with me. Only He can clear away the clouds and fog I have had in my heart and mind. Only He can bring the light I have been missing.

* More "Renewal 2010" to come.
** 1 Nephi 17-19 were the chapters I listened to.

Fundraiser Tips and Non-Profit Organizations

2010-04-09T12:21:00.000-06:00

Have you ever hosted a fundraiser? Have you ever been in charge of finding and creating a successful fundraiser? Better yet, have you ever been assigned to head up fundraising for a non-profit organization?

It's hard work! And a lot of stress. You want to do a great job, but it's hard to know where to turn for reliable ideas and successful events. Fret no more! The website, fasttrackfundraising.com, is a great source for all you fund-raisers out there! Want to hold a magazine fundraising event? No sweat! Want some fun, $1.00, quick sell items? Check-out these ideas!

You are only limited by your own creativity and organization.

Before my daughter was born, I was on the committee for a non-profit organization. I remember looking for help from other non-profit organizations. I wanted to know what had been successful for them and how they organized things. It was difficult to find what I was looking for. If only I had know about philanthropy.com! Man, this website is invaluable to anyone involved in this arena. There is so much information right at your fingertips! Many organizations have contributed helpful and important information.

Both of these sites are very helpful. Take a look! Tell your local PTA!

*brought to you by your friends at FastTrackFundraising.com

Recipe Box: Turkey Shepherd's Pie

2010-04-08T22:17:00.003-06:00

(A view of my backyard while making dinner one evening in February. Looks like we need to fill the bird feeder!)

This is a recipe I have played with a couple of times. It started as one of those where you look in your refrigerator and your pantry to figure out something to feed your family. When my eyes landed on the frozen ground turkey, stuffing, and potatoes, I knew I had something. This is easy and adaptable. I hope you try it!

Here is what's for dinner:

Turkey Shepherd's Pie
by Amy Dotson

1 - 1.25 lbs ground turkey
1/2 medium onion - chopped small
2 carrots - chopped small
1 celery stalk - chopped small
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs butter
1 pkg chicken stuffing - prepared according to the box instructions
4-5 potatoes - made into mashed potatoes
2 pkgs turkey or chicken gravy (optional) or make your own gravy.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish (or two 8x8 pans and freeze one!)

2. Put oil and butter in a pan on medium-high heat.

3. Add onions, carrots, celery. When soft, add ground turkey (sometimes I will also add about 1/4 cup water for more moisture). Cook until meat is browned and cooked through.

(While meat is cooking, make the mashed potatoes)

4. Add prepared stuffing to meat/veg mixture. Stir until combined then pour into baking dish(es).

5. Shmear the mashed potatoes over your meat/veg mixture. Pour the prepared gravy over the top OR serve on the side when done baking OR leave it out completely.

6. Bake in 350 degree oven for approx. 30 minutes. It should be lightly browned on top.
We like to serve it with a side of cranberry sauce and my "better then C*mbells" green beans (Seriously. No canned soup. No crunchy onions. I can give you the recipe if you want it).

Voila! Dinner is served. Your family will love it!

OH.MY.GOSH

2010-04-02T15:10:00.000-06:00

My chin is on my desk. Still.

Just today I was notified that I was the winner of a full Casual Bloggers Conference '10 pass.

I am dying here folks. SERIOUSLY!

If you checked, you would see that I have entered every giveaway possible (I think), have a button on my blog, and have been looking for a way to go since I learned of it.

THANK YOU!!!

I don't know what else to say...

thank you

thank you

thank you

Wondering what happened to me?

2010-04-01T10:34:00.000-06:00

Spring!!

The sunshine, blue skies, peach blossoms, and tulips have been far more enticing then my computer in the basement.

Also, on a personal note, I am having a renewal of sorts. Spiritually speaking. How did I get so far off track? Church on Sunday is something I look forward to. It's the everyday spiritual living I have terribly neglected.

My first solution has been to take up my morning walks again. During this time, I listen to one of my favorite books and an inspiring talk on my iPod while walking in a beautiful, church-owned orchard. It has been good for my soul.

Just this morning, I was "asked" a simple, thought provoking question, "how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him." In hearing this, I was brought to tears. How IS it that I have forgotten? I have witnessed so many miracles in my 30-something years, how could I have forgotten?

So, as I enjoy this weather and renew myself, I may be sporadic in my posts. However, I may also find myself needing to share this process with you. Only time will tell...

Picture me taking a bow...

2010-03-27T17:46:00.000-06:00

So, I won my first blog award this week and I have nothing fancy to wear for the "ceremony". The good news is that I can accept this award in my undies and nobody would know the difference. I LOVE BLOGGING!

Thank you Linda at See Mom Smile for making this Dixie girl's day. I needed the boost!

Linda is a new blogging buddy of mine and I loved her style and wit instantly. You have got to check-out her blog and flip through her archives. You will be thoroughly entertained.

Also, visit the others who received awards. They are really great too!

P.S. my amazing niece and nephew are proud new parents of a sweet baby boy. I LOVE ADOPTION. Thank you Korin. You will be in our hearts forever.

Do You Remember...

2010-03-25T13:12:00.000-06:00

When Chris Daughtry was sent home off American Idol? Weren't we all devastated? How could we have known what he would become? Getting voted off American Idol was the best thing that happened to him (in my opinion)!

He is so talented.

For example, check-out this video.

Pretty cool, huh?! Pick-up his latest CD. Grab Lady Gaga's while you're at it!

The Easter Story (using plastic colored eggs)

2010-03-23T22:35:00.000-06:00

I have wanted Easter to be different this year. Don't get me wrong, the Easter bunny will still visit, but I don't want that day to be all about a pretty little dress, chocolate eggs and a colored basket. Easter means so much more to me and I want to convey that in a memorable way to my 3 year old daughter.

After searching high and low, I have found the perfect resolution. We will tell the Easter story using plastic colored Easter eggs. We made ours on Monday (I had to add a couple more eggs. I just put the name and page number of a Primary song for Monday and Tuesday night.) and it turned out great. I had Mattie help me and it ended up being like a scavenger hunt funding the items needed for each egg.

Here's how yo do it:

Gather 12 plastic eggs (the kind that open)
Prepare 12 strips of paper
Write the 12 scripture references on a slip of paper
Gather each item for the eggs (see list below)
Assemble the eggs (slips and items) and place them in a basket
Open one egg each day (need to start on Wednesday). The last egg is empty and will be opened on Easter.

Matthew 26:26-27, 39 (sacrament cup or small cracker or chex cereal)
Matthew 26: 48-49 (chocolate kiss)
Matthew 26: 14-15 (3 dimes) [This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-14)
Matthew 27: 1-2 (knotted twine)
Matthew 27: 15, 17, 21, 24-26 (chunk of hand soap)
Matthew 27: 28-30 or Mark 15: 16-17 (square of red or purple fabric)
Matthew 27: 31-32 (small nail or toothpick cross)
Matthew 27: 50-51 (crushed rocks)
Matthew 27: 57-60 (strip of white cloth)
Matthew 27: 60, 62-66 (a small, flat stone)
Mark 16: 1, 2-6 (bay leaf or other herb)
Mathew 28: 5-6 (empty)

I hope you will do this with your family! This is my first year trying it, but I think it will become a new tradition. I love implementing new family traditions!

Something I have been thinking about this week is that Jesus Christ knew what was going to happen to Him. In the perfect love that only He possessed, He understood the importance of His life, mission and death. He had to die that we might each live again. What a sweet blessing! Regardless of our various beliefs, we are all recipients of that gift! His love, the love of the Son of God, crosses all boundaries and unites us.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
(“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193)

Barnes and Noble Nook Giveaway

2010-03-23T16:55:00.000-06:00

MomStart is hosting a Barnes and Noble Nook digital reader Giveaway! The contest ends March 24th at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Hurry over, follow the instructions, and enter to WIN!

Good Luck!

Am I the Only One?

2010-03-23T13:14:00.000-06:00

My life has become one big blog post. Every moment is a potential topic. Pictures, conversations, thoughts, all of them become my muse.

As I loaded the pictures from my camera today, I saw the "posts" I have thought about over the last few weeks, NONE of which were ever published. So, if in the next few days you find a lot of pictures and new content, you'll understand why.

For example, I found pictures of a simple yummy dinner I made a few weeks ago - you should try it. I also found birthday pictures, Mattie pictures and hike pictures. Are you interested in any of these stories? I hope so, because you will be reading them soon...

It Passed.

2010-03-21T23:04:00.000-06:00

I'm not a fan of being forced. The House voted to pass the Health Care Bill. Boo.

A Confession: Daylight Savings Edition

2010-03-15T13:41:00.001-06:00

I LOVE daylight savings.

There, I said it.

And, I'll say it again...

I love daylight savings!

My reasons are few.

1. I really enjoy having dinner at 6:00 pm with the sun pouring onto my kitchen table. I also enjoy going for a post dinner stroll.... with the sun still shining.

2. The more sun the merrier!!

3. Did I mention I love the sun?

I admit, there are a few reasons why it's a downer as well.

1. It's dark when we get up in the morning. Really dark.

2. 7:30 am today was yesterday's 6:30 am. That's a tough one to swallow. Especially for a girl who does not love getting up in the morning.

It would appear I have more valid reasons for not liking daylight savings. However, more sunshine outweighs by a long shot. At least in my book.

So, how about YOU weigh in?! Why do you like or dislike daylight savings?!

(Dear readers who check this blog daily and never comment,
Give it a try! A girl loves comments. Also, are you a follower? No? Well, click on the link and become one. It would mean the WORLD to me. And yes, you could consider this begging.)

I wouldn't want to miss this...

2010-03-11T16:12:00.002-07:00

It's laundry day. My daughter and I look scrubbie and have no intention of leaving the house. Dinner will be grilled cheese and apple sauce. A perfect day.

While I was changing the wet stuff to the dryer and loading the dirty clothes into the washer, my daughter was laying splayed out on the floor in the doorway of the laundry room. Her arms and legs were "fluttering" like when she swims, and the movie Jungle Book was balancing on her belly.

When I asked her what she was doing, she very matter-of-factly said, "I am floating on my back like Baloo and pretending Mowgli is on sitting on my tummy (the movie)".

OOOHHHHH!! Of course. HOW could I have missed that?

I love being home with Mattie (a huge blessing). Oh how I would hate missing a moment like that.

Spiritually Prepared

2010-03-11T15:16:00.001-07:00

There has been a lot of talk around the internet regarding blogging and spirituality. Do they go together? If so, how do you gracefully and respectfully express yourself? And finally, do you even bother being graceful and respectful? I mean, it is MY blog, right? Anyway, these are the thoughts trotting through my mind today.

Interesting that this has been on my mind, because I also received a very timely quote today.

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to
return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be
tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and
the surface of our souls may crack and crumble—that is, if our foundations
of faith, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us."
 
-- Thomas S. Monson,"Being Spiritually Prepared"

Honestly? If I had known the struggles I am facing today were coming up, if I had been given advance notice (if only), I would have done a few things differently. I would have saved my money better. I would have stayed closer to a dear friend who no longer talks to me. I would have followed my gut instinct more often. I would have not purchased my green car. I would have eaten less fast food and more apples and celery. I would have... I would have... I would have...

However, after reading President Monson's words, I can see that I'm not supposed to get advance notice. I'm supposed to navigate these difficult times by trusting the Lord and having faith that He, indeed, is in charge. DAILY, I remind myself that as long as I am doing my best, the Lord will make up the difference. He knows my heart and my desires. All will be as it should.

In the mean time...

"Come what may and love it!"

Where do you like to sing?

2010-03-09T23:59:00.005-07:00

Coming from the bathroom this evening...

"Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder.
It's the truth! It's actual!
Everything is...
Everything is..
Everything is fdgvnlkan-ual.
Zippity-do-dah, Zippity-ay,
Wonderful feeling,
Wonderful daaaaaayyyyyyy!"

I love my little music loving, loudly singing,
"I don't care who is listening" child.
She makes every day feel like we are in our
own Disney movie.

The one I wanted!!

2010-03-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

I WON!!

I WON!!

I won the one I wanted!

Last week, Vanessa from I Never Grew Up was having a fantastic birthday bash.
I entered all the giveaways but, secretly,
I really wanted the membership to Moms Make Money Blogging.

Well, I WON it!!

How cool is that?!

My weekend just got even better.

Thank you Vanessa!! Hope it was a great birthday.

In case you wanted to know...

2010-03-05T21:13:00.002-07:00

On Friday night we are having a family movie night. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is the choice.

On Saturday we are going to a funeral. I'll write more about this later...

On Sunday we are churching, napping, reading, relaxing, etc.

Hope your weekend is great! See you on Monday!

P.S. If you would like a chance to win some fun things tonight, head over to my nieces blog Another Way to Bring a Smile to your Day. You can thank me later...

Your kids will LOVE this! Trust me.

Kindness is... A very big thing.

2010-03-02T13:06:00.001-07:00

Over this past week, I have been exposed to a situation where kindness is not a big thing. In fact, anything but kindness is being used, said, expressed. It makes me sad. And it's not my place to say anything or be involved in any way. My place is on the sidelines, watching the unkindness. The worst part? It's someone I have called my friend for.... a very long time.

For Family Home Evening last night we watched the new video by Mark Mabry called Another Testament. I was so filled with the Love of Christ as I watched, that all I could do was wonder at the unkindness all around me. The unkindness that I display. I felt ashamed.

How do I treat my friends? And most important, how do I treat my beloved family? They are mine forever. No matter our differences, we are genetically bound. Nothing on this earth can change that. Shouldn't I be my best self toward them?

I am working on it...

"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic
of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that
opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships
that can last lifetimes...Kindness is the essence of a celestial life.
Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate
all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially
in our homes."
 
-- Joseph B. Wirthlin,"The Virtue of Kindness"

Nostalgia and a Road Trip.

2010-03-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Mattie and I hitched a ride with my parents to Provo/Salt lake City. It was a quick same-day trip. First, we went to my grandparent's house to gather a few more things for my mom as they attempt to finally empty the house. It was fun to run around the yard and house with my daughter, just like I did when I was her age.

I even made Mattie climb into the old, blue peanut stroller. What a laugh! She was so mad at me. She didn't fit well and it was V-E-R-Y uncomfortable. Hey! What are moms for?

These pictures of me with my Mattie at the house are some of my favorites. I especially love the one with her arms spread wide in the front yard.

It's always so nostalgic for me when I walk through that house. It smells the same (although a little stale from not being used), it looks the same (although most everything is out now), it feels the same (although the people that made it feel that way are gone)....

Ok, so, in my minds eye it's still the same. When I walk through, I don't see the emptiness.

I see me and my cousins playing skat (a game we created and ALL remember) in the front yard, I see grandma baking bread in the kitchen, I see grandpa out in the garden, I see my brothers and I throwing burned-out sparklers in the brick fireplace. I smell the fresh raspberries still warm from the sun, I smell grandpa's aftershave, I smell grandma's Jergen's lotion, I smell something delicious baking/cooking. I hear my grandma's laugh (she laughed a lot), I hear my grandpa talking to my mission companion from East Germany, I hear someone playing the piano, I hear a board game being played on the kitchen table.

How can I bottle these things so I will remember them forever? In 10 years, when I can't walk through the house anymore because someone else will own it, I want to twist the top off a big mason jar full of the sights, sounds and smells of my grandparents little green house in Cottonwood Heights.

After the afternoon at grandparent's house, we went to Provo (BYU) to enjoy my cousins graduate recital. She sang beautifully.

Bravo Michelle!!

ENCORE!!

When the recital was complete we all had Los Hermanos for dinner before heading back south. What a blast we had together! My cousin's family is darling and they love each other very much. Tell me if this picture doesn't make you smile from ear to ear!!

It's not possible to look at this picture and frown.

Try...

(wish Christopher was in it...)

Adoring. Lurking. Spreading the good word.

2010-02-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have a bloggie girl crush on MomBabe of the Bingham Diaries. The snarky, heartfelt, REAL posts are a breath of blogging fresh air. She doesn't sugarcoat. Neither does life. I adore her.

When she announced her Casual Blogger Conference, my lurking transformed to stalking. Who just decides to create and host her own blogging conference?! MomBabe. That's who!

So, as a way to help show my support of this refreshing ambitious woman, I am helping promote the Casual Bloggers Conference. Make sure to order your tickets through the affiliate button on my blog. It will take you directly to the "ticket booth".

Good luck MomBabe! I'm cheering for you!

RepairPal: Car Care Confidence, part II

2010-02-25T11:23:00.004-07:00

How many times has this happened to you?

There is something wrong with your car.
You have called repair shops and gotten estimates.
Now that it's time to make a decision regarding repair,
you are more confused, unsure and discouraged
then ever.

Repair Pal to the rescue!

I know I have talked about these guys before,
but I hope to highlight the great service
repairpal provides further.

To all of my readers from Houston, here is a gift!
A list of Houston auto repair shops and mechanics
in your area. The best part is being able to read
reviews of those shops before you even take your
car in for an estimate.

RepairPal.com is so exceptionally easy and user
friendly that it only takes a minute to find the
information you’re searching for.

For example, here is an Acura Integra.
When looking for a new car (new to you),
you might be concerned about it's safety.
On this website you can read reviews, see a list
of all recalls for this car, and a list of common problems.

RepairPal.com is the place to research all your car repair.
Let's say you are due for an engine oil and filter change.
Before heading to the shop, check-out RepairPal.com!
Maybe you will learn that you are capable of doing
it yourself. That would be great! Especially if your
vehicle is in need of a tune-up. What exactly IS a tune-up?
Well, if you check the link provided, you will know!
You will get factual, unbiased, reliable information for free!
Who doesn't like professional
advice for FREE?

I hope to highlight these guys again in the future.
Stay Tuned!

Miracles. Part III?

2010-02-23T12:52:00.002-07:00

Although the day-to-day feels mundane and unimportant, I have to remind myself that I am attempting to shape and teach a little human being. A little person who is such a joy, that I can hardly breath when I think of it.

In the every-day-ness of my life, I see miracles. In the past I have spoken of it. In this post, my realization came while washing dishes in my little brown brick 600 South apartment. In this post, my realization came when doing laundry in my darling little yellow sided, Concord Way house.

How everyday and mundane is washing the dishes and doing the laundry?! It's at the center! And yet, it's these very chores I take for granted. Dirty dishes mean I had food to eat and enjoy. Dirty clothes mean we have them to wear. AND, I have the physical ability to do these things. I am strong, healthy and happy.

I have no room to complain.

Back to my joy....

My daughter. She is my joy.
My husband. He is my joy.

I can't function properly without them. They are who I am. Not because I have somehow lost myself along the way of marriage and motherhood but because I have embraced them as mine and put them in my heart.

In April, a new little spirit will join our extended family. I can hardly wait to meet him. He is not coming to us in the usual fashion. A sweet and generous woman is allowing my niece and nephew to adopt him.

What a miracle. Adoption is a miracle. At it's core is someone thinking more of another, their child, then themselves. That's not only miraculous, it's selfless and Christlike.

I tear up and get goose bumps just thinking about it.

Procrastination

2010-02-18T15:00:00.001-07:00

I am a true blue, through and through, PROCRASTINATOR.

Sometimes I refer to it as Fiddle Farting.

Either way. I am one or I do it.

TO.A.FAULT.

I procrastinate exercise. I procrastinate preparing a talk (I speak at a New Beginnings this Sunday). I procrastinate waking up. I procrastinate getting ready for the day.

I procrastinate... pretty much everything.

Maybe that's why this quote hit so close to home.

I find it to be true. With every fiber of my being.

"Procrastination may seem the easy way, as it momentarily removes the
effort required to accomplish something of value. Ironically, in time,
procrastination produces a heavy burden laced with guilt and a hollow lack
of satisfaction. Temporal and, even more importantly, spiritual goals will
not be achieved by procrastination."
 
-- Elder Donald L. Hallstrom,"Do It Now"

There are goals I have set for myself that I am not achieving because of my procrastination. I often ask myself what I am afraid of. Why wont I just jump in and do it (whatever it is I am dealing with at the moment)?

Am I alone here?

What works for you?!

How have you battled and won against procrastination?

Mind Reading

2010-02-15T11:29:00.001-07:00

My hubby is so talented in so many ways. But, the most impressive is that he can read my mind (most of the time). It's true! How lucky am I?!

For Valentine's Day he got me...

I hadn't even heard of this album! As soon as I saw it I knew it was the album I never knew I wanted. The songs range from The Jackson Five days to his 2008 material. It is my new favorite CD. It's on repeat on my iTunes today. And maybe all week.

We celebrated Valentine's Day on Saturday with New Moon at our local "dollar" theater (they raised their prices to $2) and dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Paula's. If you ever frequent St. George, you have to try it! Matt was a sport for seeing New Moon with me. I wanted to see it and he accommodated. I think I owe him a high action, manly, suspenseful movie night.

A friend of ours is opposed to Valentine's Day even existing (he is married and his wife feels the same way). I disagree. It's a great opportunity to celebrate the love we have for those around us. It doesn't have to be romantic love, in my opinion, just LOVE.

What do you think? Should Valentine's Day stay on the calendar?

By the way, you WANT this. Trust me.

HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY!

Daily Shred - Days 4 and 5

2010-02-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't done my Shred for the last 2 days.

I know! I know! I already feel bad about it.

The list of excuses is so long that I wont bore you with the details.

I am so ticked! Seriously. So Lame.

Now I have 2 days to tack onto the "end" (I don't plan on stopping).

Shame on me!

The 2010 Olympics

2010-02-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

I
L-O-V-E
the Olympics.

No matter the season, I watch
everything I can get my eyes.

After the death of Nodar Kumaritaashvili this morning,
the games feel all the more nostalgic for me. That poor
young man. His poor family. He got up today feeling like
it was the first day of the rest of his life. Who knew it would
end so horrifically.

In spite of the sadness that has enveloped the Opening Ceremonies,
there is so much to be excited about and to look forward to.

I love the ice skating. All the skiing events are amazing. Hockey.
Luge. Skeleton. I really love all of it.

The Opening Ceremony always fills my heart with pride
for my country. For the freedom that has been protected
generation after generation.

I have a cousin preparing to go to Afghanistan. Tonight I
think if him. And all the other military men and women.
As a country, we have so much to be grateful for.

Enjoy the Olympics!
Immerse yourself in the pride, awe, and talent that
the Olympics are known for.

I can't wait!

Daily Shred - 3

2010-02-10T11:02:00.004-07:00

Folks, I almost didn't make it today.

All the excuses lined up to play.

"Oh. You woke-up late."

"I am so hungry! Breakfast first?"

"Missing one day wont be a big deal."

"Nobody will know I missed today."

And. my all time favorite.

"You have been working hard. You deserve a day off!"

OH BROTHER!!

It was mind over matter and I did my work-out.

Why do I sabotage myself? Set myself up to fail? The inner dialogue is one I would never allow in a friend or family member. Why do I allow it in myself?

It's a mystery. One that I need to work through somehow. One that I need to conquer. Losing this weight is so much more then looking good in a swimsuit. It's proving to MYSELF that I can begin and follow through with something for ME. Not for my wonderful hubby (although he is a huge motivator), not for my daughter (although she is a huge factor), not for somebody at church (that keeps me busy), but FOR ME.

FOR ME!!

Daily Shred

2010-02-09T15:46:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was my 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels (thank you mom!). I have used it off and on since Christmas, but nothing consistent.

As of yesterday (February 8th), I officially began my 30 days.

Matt took pictures for me and many varying measurements. I'm not brave enough to post them yet. It's not pretty. Do you ever look at a picture of yourself and in a moment see all of the choices you have made (good and bad) flash before your eyes? That's how I feel when I see those pictures and measurements.

Right now I am on Level 1. It's a good work-out. In 20 minutes you get 3 circuits of cardio, strength training and ab work. So far, the ab work is tough, but I can see needing more in the future. I guess that's why there are 3 levels possible on the DVD!

So, yesterday was a good day. I felt good. I got a lot done. The exercise made a diffrence!

Today has also been a good day. I exercised first thing and felt good getting it done. Mattie and I went to the library for Preschool Story Time and ran an errand or two. It also feels good using your time wisely in a day.

As much as I dislike getting up for it, exercising first thing is a good way to start the day. I am also very likely to not do it if I wait.

I am working on balancing my food intake. I am trying to have protein, "slow carbs" and "fast carbs" at each meal or snack. This also includes cutting out the white flour and most sugar. So far so good.

Counting Down...

2010-02-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

...to the OLYMPICS!

At preschool today Mattie and I talked about the letter

It was a fun letter to talk about. Especially with the Olympics coming! We talked about different countries and flags and what the Olympics is for. She made an Olympic flag, a USA flag and a 5 ring paper chain counting down to the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, made of the colors of the Olympic rings. She was so proud!

(disregard the dirty fridge door)

I really enjoy having "preschool" with Mattie. We have it 3 times a week for only a hour or so. It's great for us to bond and be together and I believe she is benefiting intellectually. Mattie seems better at identifying letters, shapes, colors, numbers and is even beginning to write her letters legibly.

I'm a proud Momma.

Lou Lou's Corner

2010-02-08T16:21:00.005-07:00

I would consider this darling shop around the corner a boutique but Lou Lou's Corner likes to think of themselves as "a toy box for the whole family". And you know, they are right! You really will find something for everyone at Lou Lou's Corner (particularly the difficult to shop for person).

What child wouldn't get a kick out of Norwegian inspired and whimsical clothing by Appaman? It's so hip and fresh! I know my daughter would a LOVE Jellycat Mou Mou duck (or any of their MANY other wacky products). I like it for it's original look, texture, and shape. For all you moms out there, snuggle-up in one of the sumptuous and luxurious products by Barefoot Dreams. Better yet, wrap everyone in your whole family in the cozy softness this brand is known for.

These are three great brands you wont want to live your life without!

What a find Lou Lou's Corner is! Take a look for yourself. You wont regret it!

They have their own blog that will keep you up-to-date on their latest and greatest in children's fashion, toys and books, and their latest shop window. What a charming shop full of such eye candy and appeal. I just might have to take a trip to North Carolina to see it person. The good news? Until that day, I can call the store for amazing personalized service or shop online at loulouscorner.com.

General Mills Cereal Spark!

2010-02-08T15:48:00.005-07:00

We LOVE cereal at our house and General Mills always comes through with our favorites!

My 3 year old loves the Lucky Charms (what 3 year old doesn't).

My hubby loves Coco Puffs (not my fave).

I found my new love just last week. Cinnamon Chex. OH.BABY.

Well, I am here to share some quick fun facts about cereal that will encourage your family breakfast . General Mills provided me with some free product information to share with you, and a gift pack through MyBlogSpark.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children’s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children’s diets.

Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child’s diet today.

More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

You know I couldn't provide you with all this great info without a perk. If you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals. YAHOO!

Enjoy! I'm off to have a bowl of cereal!

RepairPal: Car Care Confidence

2010-02-08T14:48:00.002-07:00

It's true. I have talked about these guys before (remember this?). Since reviewing the site further, I have decided to do a more comprehensive review.

One feature of RepairPal that I have found invaluable is the Get Car Info. You just enter the make/model/year of the car you are researching and you are flooded with information. For example, here is a Chevrolet Silverado. On this page, you can get your questions answered and review common problems and recalls. All this info on one page! I looked up my 1999 Volvo S80 and found that we aren't the only people who think it's a lemon and a waste of money!

Another feature that is very user friendly is the Encyclopedia. Whatever question you have can be answered here. If you wondered about a Brake Job (whether it was recommended to you by a mechanic or if you are already car savvy), you could go here and find some very helpful information. Even the How-to: Helpful Hints are great for quick information you may need.

Also, there is a directory of auto shops. Are you in Dallas? Voila! Dallas auto repair. You can look up how much an auto repair should cost by your specific location and vehicle! Now you'll know how much your being ripped off.

RepairPal has provided a way for the lay-person to feel empowered when it comes to their vehicle. So many times we are left to the mechanics/dealerships to dictate car value, what needs to be fixed, and how much the repair will cost. All that changed with this one website.

This website is invaluable and should be a bookmark or favorite on your browser!

Another First at the Dotsons

2010-02-04T14:38:00.001-07:00

Lately, we haven't seen many "firsts". Mattie is old enough to have done a lot of the every day things a kid does. We got to change that a few days ago.

Last Monday we took Mattie to her first circus!

At first she was really nervous and not excited (she had been talking about for a WEEK). It smelled weird (she's big on smells) and there were lots of people she didn't know. After we settled in and bought Mattie her first cotton candy, she got into it.

First we saw the tigers. Very cool. Mattie couldn't take her eyes off those animals.

Then the aerialists took their turn. This is an amazing talent. Such strength, balance and concentration! I'm too afraid of heights to even consider it...

Mattie got a real kick out of seeing the motorcycle riders in the cage. The 2nd rider had some rich fuel in his bike and it stunk up the already odd smelling "circus tent".

All in all, the Dotson family had a great time at the circus!

Wiki...

2010-02-03T23:01:00.001-07:00

I believe there is a "wiki" out there for just about anything you can think of. It's mostly a mystery to me how it works, but I benefit from them often. For example, I learned of a site called ShopWiki today. I can shop for anything that ever came to my mind on this site and price compare between several stores. It's awesome! What an amazing time saver.

My daughter has her eye on this Little Tikes Town Playhouse. The cool part? I can go to this page and see the prices for EIGHT different stores I could order it from. Also, there is a tab on the product page that lists a few related products. What a help for online shoppers like myself.

AND, you live in the UK? No sweat! From Australia? You're covered too. Actually, they have ShopWiki available in 4 other languages besides english. Pretty impressive.

I'm looking forward to utilizing this website in the future for my birthday, father's day, summer, and just-because-I-can shopping. The Buying Guide and Gift Guide will be invaluable when searching for that perfect gift.

So, go take a look and see what all the fuss is about!

When it Rains it Pours...

2010-02-03T11:51:00.001-07:00

(fantastic image found here)

Here at the Dotson house, we have experienced a practically proven (I think) phenomenon.

When it rains it pours.

I don't mean literally, although we have had a lot of rain lately. I mean figuratively. In the "are you kidding me? not again!" sort of way.

Last Thursday Matt got home from work, parked the car, and came in the house. Same as he has for years. On Friday morning he went to get in the car and saw that one of the tires was flat. Bummer! For the average person, this is no big deal. For us, this puts our 2nd car out of commission. The 1st car is sitting in the side driveway with... A FLAT TIRE.

Sunday night Matt put the spare on the 2nd car with a flat and took it to get fixed Monday morning. Guess what. The tire can't be fixed. Whatever the cause of the flat tire (we have no idea), the sidewall was pretty shredded. That means we need to replace 3 tires (we already planned on replacing 2). OUCH! Also, the tires (and possibly a part) have to be ordered. That means it will be out of commission until Thursday, but probably Friday. You know how it goes...

Monday night Matt put the spare on the 1st car with a flat and took it to work on Tuesday to get it fixed. No sweat - 2 new tires, an alignment, and an inspection. WRONG. It didn't pass inspection. The back brakes (this link is helpfully informative) are too low. Now that car is also at the shop so we can get an estimate and then get it fixed.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could research an estimate yourself? Have more control? Well, take a look at this site! (you'll want to see this. I'll wait here.)

Type in the make/model/year of your vehicle and follow the instructions from there. It's pretty impressive. This same site will also list the top dealers and mechanics in your area (with reviews of the location). Here's an example of some places in Dallas (too bad I don't live there!).

To top it off, this site will also give you reviews on specific vehicles. I will be using this feature of the site soon, I'm sure. For example, if you were looking at a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, here's what your page would look like. Isn't that fantastic?!

Go ahead, put this site to good use. I know I will!

Hopefully by Friday both of our cars will be fixed and we will be on our merry way...

(my fingers are crossed)

Our simple take on the Grammys...

2010-01-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

My 3 year old daughter is a big Bon Jovi fan. Particularly the song Livin on a Prayer. While watching the Grammys tonight, we voted and cheered for him to perform this favorite song.

Imagine her excitement when that was the song most voted by fans!!

There she was, singing right along (she knows all the words), loving every moment. I LOVE my girl!

A moment of surprise for ME was during the segment honoring Michael Jackson.

As Smokey Robinson walked on stage and began singing, Mattie turned to the TV, noticed who was singing, and said "oh, it's Smokey Robinson!"

How does she know WHO that is?! We don't listen to his music nor do we talk about him or look at pictures of him. Who knew our daughter kept up with celebrities?!

I want to know how Michael Jackson's children don't look anything like him. They are beautiful. So was Michael (in his earlier days). However, these children do not look like they have any of Michael's blood coursing through their veins. With that said, I must also say it doesn't matter. They were his and they clearly love their daddy. I appreciated seeing the support of their cousins (who all look alike).

AND....

Did you know these guys were nominated for a Grammy?! I had no idea. Unfortunately, they didn't have chance, seeing who they were up against, however, that didn't stop us from cheering them on! Way to go The Lonely Island!

(I wish I really WAS on a boat. A cruise would be nice.)

I Wish I Was in Dixie

I'm Moving!

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

Making General Conference Fun For Preschoolers

MMB

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Puree

Discipline, Boundaries and Consistency

What's A Mom To Do?

Check me out!

Get on Board and Believe

A Repost: Where Were You?

24 Hours

Looking Back to Look Forward

Something new is coming

The Daily Grind: small miracles edition

A Sunday Devotional

Sex Slavery and Human Trafficking (a repost from I Never Grew-Up)

Oh Snap!

Full to Overflowing

Step-By-Step Guide For Bottling Your Own Tomatoes

My Top 10 Women of Blogging

The internet made wedding planning easy!

Day 1: An elevator pitch?

Win an iPad.

It's Safe To Say

Have You Ever...

Fantastic *Giveaway* Party

4th Birthday Party Recap: The mostly Photo Version

Content Cheerleading

Unexpected Vacation

For My Mattie on Her birthday

Thursday Twitter Hop

Grandmother Loves Pictures

And We Have a WINNER!

What powers YOUR summer?

For My Father on Father's Day

Recipe Box: Father's Day Edition

Thursday Twitter Hop

Enjoy Summer Safely

Ice Cream in a Bag

What you'll need:

How to make it:

Tips:

Just Keep Walking

Recipe Box: Tahini and Hummus

Shy and Sheepish

Kitchen Cabinets (guest post)

Renewal 2010: Believe

"Four" Never Meant So Much

Winners!

Using the Internet With My Children (guest post)

I'm Leavin on a Jet Plane (or rather) in My Green Volvo...

Randomness and Butterflies

Shopping for My Son's Clothes (guest post)

Lookin for comfy?

Still Laughing...

Renewal 2010: More About Getting Real

Shopping on Cyber Monday

Recipe Box: Healthy Banana Muffins

Renewal 2010: Time To Get Real

Recipe Box: "Orange Julius"

Insight...

Recipe Box: Scrolled Tuiles

Being a Mother (and a giveaway)

Aussie: Protecting What's Important

What would you do....

Balloons, Party Hats, and Cake. Oh My!!

Recipe Box: Parmesan-Carrot Risotto

Renewal 2010: When the Clouds Cleared

Fundraiser Tips and Non-Profit Organizations

Recipe Box: Turkey Shepherd's Pie

OH.MY.GOSH

Wondering what happened to me?

Picture me taking a bow...

Do You Remember...

The Easter Story (using plastic colored eggs)

Barnes and Noble Nook Giveaway

Am I the Only One?

It Passed.

A Confession: Daylight Savings Edition

Fantastic Giveaway Party