WE MADE IT.............

To TEXAS!!!

WHAT A TRIP! We had to go down to Provo first to pick up my sis and THEN take her to the airport. All the while we were trying to get out of town before the storm came in. I got to start out driving which ended up being through the mountains and Wyoming. AND... we did NOT beat the storm. It was terrible. We literally couldn't see the road in front of us at times. The snow became so thick that we got stuck at one point. Thanks SO much to Matt for putting those snow tires on before we left, we were able to get out fairly easy. We then followed a truck, that looked like he knew what he was doing, until....... someone cut him off right in front of us. He lost control, spinning out and ended up off the road knocking down a huge sign. We were so scared crazy that we stopped and helped him out. His car wasn't okay but he was just fine. We decided to stay the night with my Aunt in Denver. We left this morning around 4am and arrived in Texas around 6pm. The girls were good for the most part but they definitely had their moments. We are so thankful and blessed to have arrived safely. We hope everyone will have a wonderful Christmas and those home in Utah.... we will be seeing you next year!!!!

Vick Vapo Rub!

My grandma sent this email to my mom who sent it to me! I also found it very interesting but haven't had to try it yet.

Subject: VICKS VAPO RUB INTERESTING


During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot
soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within
20 minutes you can 'taste' it.

Some of us have used Vicks Vapo rub for years for everything
from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've
never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time,
although the scientists who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop night
time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put
Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then
cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in
about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works
100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong
prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and
comforting and they will sleep soundly.

Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy
talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good,
due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened. It was
a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed
medicines for children at bedtime, i n addition to have a soothing and
calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant
and persistent cough few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it
felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few
minutes and believe me, this was a deep, ( incredibly annoying!) every
few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for hours
every night that she used it.

If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try
it yourself and you will be absolutely amazed at how it works.


This might be helpful for the cold winter season when some of us get sick. Let me know what you think. Has any one heard of this actually being true?

Matthew and Melanie Sitting in a Tree........

TAG I'm IT!

You all get to hear about how Matt and I met! Yeah!!

1. Where did you meet? At church! I was playing the organ, and I can always see what everyone is doing while I'm up there. Well this ONE Sunday I saw Matt come in and I knew I recognized him from somewhere, oh YA marching band!!! I knew WHO he was in marching band but I didn't care to meet him. I also KNEW he was not a member of my church. So as soon as I was done with my postlude I went to say hi. We talked for a bit and he recognized me as well. I asked what he was doing here and he said he was investigating the church. He eventually joined!
   
2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met? I can't believe this guy I knew from high school is HERE! At my church! And I'm talking to HIM. I kinda like him!
3. Do you remember what he was wearing? Of course! White church shirt with a tie and black pants.
4. Where was the first time you kissed this person? Oh......well we weren't "official" yet, but he invited me over for lunch and we were doing our own homework and talking. AS I AM TALKING he leans in and sneaks a kiss. I was SO NOT ready for it. I forgot how to kiss!! It had been that long since the last BF.
5. Where did you go for your first date? I guess above would have been.
   
6. How long did you know this person before you became a couple? Well I knew who he was in high school for about 2 years and then I knew him for about a month before we started dating.
7. How did he ask you out? One night we went downtown and got some apple cider from Starbucks. I spilled half of it one me and as we were walking back to the car he asks, "so Melanie, What are we?" Then we decided that we were TOGETHER. Awwww.
8. Has this person ever proposed to you? YEP. But it wasn't anything crazy special. We both decided together that we wanted to get married. After we had decided, he would make little fake proposals randomly. Until he got the RING, and then he was too nervous to say anything and just showed me it.
9. Do you and this person have kids together? TWO little girls! Elizabeth 20 mo. and Isabelle 6 mo.
10. Have you ever broken the law with this person? Sad to say, Yes. But now we will always have that memory together. We look back and just laugh at it.
11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person? So my friend April and I were at institute and Matt was there talking to a group of friends. There was this one girl, that came out and said, "one day I'm going to marry Matt" To me she was a tom boy. Why would Matt ever want to marry her? But I was SUPER jealous! That's when I knew I was CRAZY about him.
12. Do you trust this person? 100%!!!!!
13. Do you see him as your partner in the future? This is a tough question for me! We have our ups and downs but probably worst than any regular couples ups and downs. So Yes and No. I guess I'M admitting my marriage isn't so great right now.
    
14. What is the best gift he gave you? Well I am so blessed he gave me my children, But I also love the VS Bath robe and slippers he gave me one year for Christmas. I will probably use it for LIFE!
15. What is the one thing he does that gets on your nerves? Mainly leaving all his junk on the floor! But there are a few more!
16. Where do you see each other 15 years from now? Um..... I guess with the girls in high school and Matt stationed somewhere for the military.
17. What causes the most arguments? RESPONSIBILITIES! Matt doesn't care for TOO many! Or any at all!
18. How long have you been together? 3 years married
    
19. Are you married? Yes
20. Who do you tag? Anyone!!!! I love hearing your stories too! Amber, Ardis, Elizabeth, Emily, Heather, Tearese, .........everyone!

Look What I found!!!

HAND ME DOWNS!!!!

A little while back Mom sent me a box of Megan's (my 4 year old sister) old clothes. So I was sorting through them and I came across some pajamas that Amber and I used to wear when we were that age! WOW MOM!!! I can't believe you kept those going for about 18 years!! All of my sisters got to wear them and now my daughter might be able to wear them. Maybe not though. I will probably save them in my memory box and send Amber hers. They are so soft and fuzzy after all those years!

Pictures!!!

We were able to get our pictures done by Alvord Photography this year and they turned out wonderful! The girls were so patient and well behaved. It was hard to get them together but they still looked adorable.

I love Lizzy's smile in this one!

This one and the next are my favorite of Isabelle
I know I uploaded a ton of pics but I just love them all and wanted to share them with you!

Melanie's Super Easy Somersizing Made up Recipes to LOSE weight!!!

So I make up my own recipe's for this Suzanne Somers' eating plan. But it works to lose weight! I lost 30 lbs last summer on just the way I ate. Now I'm trying to do it again with exercise this time. Amber wanted some of my recipes so I just decided to blog about it. Here you go SisDer!!!

This is a new one!!

Cheesy Italian Chicken Tomato
(The name says it all)

1. Grill some chicken and cut into strips OR purchase a bag at Wal-mart of frozen pre-cooked grilled chicken strips(Super Easy)

2. Place on a plate and throw on some Mozzarella cheese.

3. Cut up some Tomatoes and add to the side

4. Pour some Zesty Italian Dressing over ALL of it

5. Nook for about 45 seconds. Till cheese melts.

Add some green beans for more food! I know the Italian Dressing has some sugar in it. But I just think if I'm at least eating THIS healthy, then its gotta be doing some good to my body. Or don't add it at all.


CREAM CHEESE and VEGGIES!!!
Super fatty but Super yummy. I think of Cream Cheese as pretty much a dip. One day I just bought a ton of veggies, like; Celery, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Carrots, and broccoli and dipped them in cream cheese. Place an 8oz package of cream cheese in a bowl or get the spread, and DIP away. It would probably work best to not use a ton of cream cheese. Fill up on veggies. This could be a snack or a small lunch.

This Cream Cheese Recipe I owe to KRAFT PHILADELPHIA

PHILLY Tomato-Basil Dip
1 Pkg 8oz Cream Cheese
2 Plum Tomatoes
2 Tbsp. Zesty Italian Dressing
2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil

SPREAD cream cheese on bottom of 9in pie plate
MIX Tomatoes and dressing and spread over cream cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan and Basil
SERVE with Wheat things or fresh veggies

So this one is pretty much like the cream cheese and veggies. Just spruced up a bit.


SPLENDA NO CRUST CHEESECAKE

So this one isn't the best because we ALL know what REAL Cheesecake tastes like.
I use the PHILADELPHIA 2 step recipe and substitute sugar for Splenda and NO crust.

2 Pkgs. Cream Cheese, Softened
1/2 c. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 Can NO SUGAR ADDED pie filling. (They have cherry and apple)

Blend Well cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs till smooth. Pour into a spring form pan or any pie dish. You can try spraying Pam at the bottom so it doesn't stick. I haven't tried that yet. Bake at 350 for about 20 to 40 min. You kinda have to check and guess. My oven is small so foods cook a little faster and you don't have a crust this time. Cool. Chill and add pie filling. I am the only one here that will eat it, so I just dig in with my fork.

I was REALLY craving sweets one day and decided to just make it without the crust and with splenda. It wasn't super yummy but it satisfied me.


SHEPHERDS PIE

Brown 1lb of ground beef, drain and add 1 can of tomato soup and 1 can of green beans. Add desired salt and pepper. Dash of Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 min and eat as is. AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!!!! Maybe add 2 cans of green beans but no Potatoes or rice.


TACO SALAD

Brown 1lb of ground beef, drain. Add a package of taco seasoning mix and follow the instructions.
Load the plate with Lettuce and add beef, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. Dig in!


I LOVE GREEN BEANS!!!

Sometimes I just use a can of green beans as noodles.

Make meatballs add tomato sauce and pour over a plateful of green beans.

As a side you can nook a bowl of green beans completely drained and add cheese.

These are just a few things I make, because I'm sometimes too lazy to make anything amazing like Suzanne Sommers! The whole idea is to separate your carbs from fats. In the morning I just have 2 slices of whole wheat sugar free toast and sometimes that's all the carbs I have for the day. This way of eating is for loosing weight and you MUST follow it consistently with carbs and fats separate from each other. AND NO SUGAR. There are a few more rules that I dont always apply. You can get her books for more info. If you just want to maintain your shape eat whole wheat carbs with your fats. Eating tons of veggies can do you NO HARM and protein fills you up.

Dizzy with Lizzy

Little Lizzy is growing up and she is SO like Matt! Every time Matt says "Dance, Lizzy dance" She does this.............

Diaper Tote Bag

My wonderful Mom loves to make these Diaper tote bags and now has these 4 listed on ebay for a starting bid at $39.50. I have 4 of them already and I LOVE them. They have held up really well for the last 2-3 years and have lots of room to load all your stuff. If anyone knows my mom, they know that she IS a perfectionist when it comes to sewing anything. They are great quality bags. So if you're interested, you can check them out here.

Michael Miller LeBag Pink

Baby Girl Green

Miller Eiffel Tower Toile

Michael Miller Horse Play Cowboy

These are the 4 bags I have and this cute butterfly bag I have had for 5 years! It still looks great!

My mom made this bag for me before Elizabeth was born and I seriously used it everyday for 14 months, before she made me the next one.


Isabelle's bag!


I have had many questions and requests about these bags over the years and I suggested to Mom that she sell them on ebay and now she is! Hope you all like them as much as I do!