Pick your battles.

Ryan and I can both be pretty stubborn at times.  We won't say just how often. ;)  It would only figure that both of our girls are, too.  And it doesn't help that they're both redheads! lol  So Poor Rori, being the littlest and having the least amount of "voice" in the house, not to mention living with people who are not only stubborn but oftentimes bossy, many times must feel really frustrated.  She has an opinion, too, and a strong one at that!  And because of that, there are times that I just need to let her make her own decisions so she can feel like she is in control of something.   

And so today I took Rori to the grocery store wearing these:



I asked her if she wanted to take the mittens and glasses off once we were inside but she insisted on wearing them.  Eventually she did take them off.  Just in time to run into a friend with her adorable twin girls.  But earlier, when walking into the store, I caught several women trying to hide little smiles after looking at her.  It was quite sunny but it wasn't really very cold.  She was really cute though - and very happy. :)

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After church yesterday, Cadi put a blanket in a laundry basket so Rori could watch a movie while sitting in it.  Our new church schedule pretty much makes Rori getting a nap on Sunday impossible.  We're at church during her naptime and when we get home, it's too late to put her down or she won't go to bed at night.  While Cadi and Rori watched their movie, Rori fell asleep in her basket.  It really was so cute!  We had to just let her get a few Z's while she could.

Today totally rocked.

It just did. :)

I love how when you're trying to do the right things, it just makes you happy... and things just fall into place. Life is so good. And then, as if you weren't happy enough, you come home and find that your husband did all the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen for you.

It just doesn't get any better than that.

Okay... maybe it does... but still, today totally rocked. :)

Bernis, an after-school tradition.

Pam just reminded me of a fond memory I have with one of my best friends in Jr. High School.

Sometimes my mom would let me go home from school with my friend, Dena and stay the night or just hang out until after dinner. Everytime we did this, we had a tradition: we'd walk down to the local supermarket and buy ourselves a Bernie Big Hunk candy bar then head back to her house to watch TV or a movie while we ate them. We called them "Bernie"s because a really cute boy named Bernie worked at that store. And since he was such a "hunk"... well, I'm sure you've got it. ;)

Big Hunks are really tasty but I think the memories of spending afternoons with my best friend, giggling about boys, watching movies together made them even tastier. Oh, and I have learned since that I love them best frozen. :)

Pam posted this recipe on her blog and since it stirred up so many fond memories, I thought I'd post it here, too. I haven't tried it yet, but she has and I'm sure they are wonderful:

Homemade Big Hunks

1 larger bottle Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts (lightly salted)
3 smaller jars Kraft Marshmallow Cream
2 1/4 cups light corn syrup
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
6 Tbsp butter, melted
1/4 tsp salt

Butter a large cookie sheet. Scatter peanuts equally on cookie sheet. Place marshmallow cream in a LARGE bowl, set aside. In a large saucepan, combine corn syrup and sugar. Place over high heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until mixture comes to a boil. Clip on candy thermometer. Cook to 280 degrees F, or to soft crack stage. Remover from heat and let stand 2 minutes undisturbed. Without scraping, pour entire batch into marshmallow cream and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add butter, vanilla, and salt and stir with wooden spoon until butter is incorporated. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly across peanuts. Allow to stand at room temperature until firm, about 3 hours. Cut and wrap in wax paper.

Thanks Pam!

"I no know."

No matter what, if you ever ask Rori what she's doing, that is what she'll say.

"I no know."

Yep, just keep playing innocent kid, that might work. ;)

I love living here.

Yesterday afternoon as I was driving down to the temple, I was able to enjoy the most beautiful view of Mt. Hood.  That afternoon had been beautiful and sunny and as the sun was just beginning to set, it's light reflected off the snow face of Mt. Hood.  Though it had been sunny, there was also a haze left in the air and fog in the Gorge at the base of the mountain, which added so much to the view.  It was as beautiful as I've ever seen Mt. Hood before and so worthy of a picture - but I didn't have my camera with me.  (Not to mention, I was driving on the Interstate at the time. lol)

*Disclaimer: These are not my photos and they were not taken last night.  They were just the closest I could find to illustrate what I saw yesterday.



And I was reminded of how much I love living here.  I just love it!  I love Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, and the Columbia River Gorge, and all the GREEN!  Granted, there are many days when we can't see the mountains or the gorge because of the clouds, but even on cloudy or foggy or misty days, it is so beautiful here!  I love to look out my back windows and watch the clouds roll over the hill in the park as the mist hangs in the air over the grass, trees, and playground.  It just looks so beautiful and I know that all that moisture is just adding more to the beautiful green that I love so much.  I think I live in one of the richest parts of the world; so rich in beauty!

As I drove home last night over one of Portland's many bridges, I was able to also enjoy the beautiful city lights.  I think Portland must be one of the most beautiful cities to see at night.  With the buildings and hills and bridges reflecting in the dark waters, it's breathtaking!





And yet again, I was reminded of how much I love living here.  I just love it!  I love the view of Portland at night, I love all of the bridges, the lights on the hills, the beautiful buildings lit up at night, etc.  There's a point when you're crossing the Willamette River and driving along the Eastbank where you see a couple of bridges as well as a beautiful view of buildings and homes on the hills... I always look forward to seeing that view the most. 

Did I mention how much I love living here? ;)

No, I don't hold a grudge... ;)

Is it really bad that I'm so glad the Giants lost yesterday? I'll even admit, they have had a great season and yes, they are one of the teams most deserving to make it to the SuperBowl this year.... yada, yada, yada. But I'm still glad they didn't make it. lol

Sharing is Caring

Today Cadi and I both feel fine. But guess who just came home from work after only a couple of hours... Yep, looks like a sick day for Ryan. :S