Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning

I have been cleaning my basement for hours now and I am lost in the mess. Troy is supposed to put trim up in the bedroom today so that I can get that room ready for company. I have already filled the closet with holiday decorations and wrap, blankets, pillows and sheets. I cannot believe how much stuff I have. I have gotten rid of so much, yet there is still a TON left. I am sooo very addicted to FREECYCLE. If I don't want it or need it anymore, I post an ad and by the end of the day everything is gone! I don't have to haul it anywhere and it goes to someone who wants it or needs it. It is out of my house and makes it a lot easier to keep my house clean. I have been trying to evaluate my food storage. I am not sure why I buy some things...I never really use it. I guess I should have been more generous on the food drive days because today I am getting rid of a lot of EXPIRED things. I hate waste. It's good to go through it, but kinda discouraging. I used to be so organized and then I had kids and life got three times busier. Hmph. But they are so worth it to me. The best that ever happened to me...and Troy of course. If anyone has a good organizing system for food storage, I would love to know. I really, really, really want the rotating food storage shelves, but they are so expensive. I already have shelves downstairs so it seems like a waste. I am lost on how to do it...do I put soups together, vegetables and fruits...or do I put tomatoe stuff, meats, soups, rice, cous cous, ect. I just don't know what to do. I have all my canning stuff on a couple of shelves. I think all this organizing makes me anxious for summer and spring. Case lot sales should start in March...but then at the end of summer it's canning season!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!! I really do enjoy it...Kayla if you want to make jam I will help you this year. But for the second time in four summers, we are going to plant a garden. I am praying for a great garden so I can bottle all the YUMMY foods. My friend Barb helped me make salsa and carrots last year...SCRUMPTIOUS! It was so delicious that we only open a jar per month so we can have it through the year. Pears, peaches, strawberry jam, peach jam, tomatoes, salsa, carrots, green beans, beets, and fruit cocktail are just a few that I want to can. I know that is a tall order, but I think I really want to start doing more canning because it is better for my family. I get to regulate the sugar and salt content. I get to peel the fruits and veggies by hand so that I know only fresh ingredients go into my food. I need to look out for my family's health. There is so much junk out there. I have been inspired, I just hope it isn't a phase I'm going through. Well, I know the title of this is cleaning, but if you know me at all, you know that I am scatter brained and I get sidetracked A LOT! Have a great day today...off to make lunch and do some more CLEANING!!!!

Holy Cow...lots to do!!!

Okay, so I am so STINKING excited!!!! Daeson, Tevan and I have a TON of exciting things coming up. We are leaving in a few weeks to go to my mom and dad's in Grangeville for 3 weeks. It will be good to see them and have some warmer weather...not a lot warmer, but a little. Then, we will be home for a few days and then: OFF TO LAS VEGAS!!!!!!!! WOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Troy will get to go with us on this journey. We are going with my parents and staying in their condo. So, Daeson will FINALLY get to fly in an AIRPLANE. He was so cute today, he brought me his 8 pennies ans said, "Mom, I got monies to go to VasBedas. Is enough?" Oh, children are so honest, charitable, and excitable!!!! It will be fun to go to Circus Circus, M&M, Coke, Lego Land and Excaliber...of course there has to be horses involved!!! We are now trying to put our "monies" together so we can go. Flights are SUPER cheap right now, so we should be able to pull it off. I am so excited...good thing I started my training for the half-marathon. Now maybe I can be in better shape for my super-exciting trip and go swimming...or just fit into my clothes from two summers ago. WOOHOOO!! I am so sosoosososososososo excited!!!!

Grover Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Old photos - Geneology

Grover Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free family tree - Family photos

My Friend Barb

There are a couple of things that I dote on...FlyLady and my friend Barb. I have chosen to dedicate this BLOG to Barb...FlyLady will get her chance. I am sure all of you have a friend...you know the kind of friend I am talking about. This is my friend Barbara. She is that kind of friend who, when you are having the WORST day, will come over and ask if she can take one of your kids for a while. She is the kind of friend that if we make plans to do something, I don't feel bad or cheesy telling her what I want to do. She is the one I swap recipes with, the one I share meals with and the one who takes me for who I am despite all my weaknesses and mistakes. It is not very often in a lifetime that one finds this kind of friend. Oh, and Jon's not so bad either :) We have the best neighbors, the kind everyone wants to move next to. My only regret is that it took me six months to even meet her...for crying out loud, she lives 2 houses down!!! But now that I have met her, she is a huge part of our family's life. We are happy to have so much to be thankful for. We are truly children of our Father in Heaven, it is so evident by the gifts He gives us. Family, friends an laughter are all gifts I am thankful for. One of these blogs, I am going to do something my incredible sister-in-law, Kayla, did on her blog: list 100 things to be thankful for. So, watch out...it's coming!!!!!

YUMMY!!!

YUMMY!!! I know the craze is healthy, but there are days I just can't resist making something yummy for my sweethearts. This recipe is so EASY and YUMMY...caution: you can't eat just one. I am trying new recipes weekly to add variety to our lives and this one is definately a keeper. Daeson had so much fun eating it...I am just not sure how much actually got IN his mouth!!!

Chocolate Marshmallow Mile-High Squares

1 Package (12 oz.) semi-sweet morsels

1 Package (11 oz) butterscotch flavored morsels

1/2 C Peanut butter

1 Package (16 oz) mini marshmallows

1 C dry roasted peanuts

In a large microwave safe bowl, microwave semi sweet morsels, butterscothch morsels and peanut butter on medium-high power for 2 minutes. Stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool for 1 minute. Stir in marshmallows and peanuts. Spread into a foil lined 9x13x2 in pan. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares. Yeilds 4 doz.

Tana tagged me, here it goes!!

1. What is your husbands full name? Troy R Grover
2. How long have you guys been together? We dated 2 weeks, we were engaged 2 1/2 months, and we have been married 7 yrs 8 months and 1 day.
3. How old is he? He turns the big 30 this September!!!
4. Who eats more? I think it depends on WHAT we are eating...sweets definately me!!!
5. Who said I love you first? Well, I just asked Troy and neither one of us remembers, sad, huh? But, I think he told me...I think, or maybe I told him. ????
6. Who is taller? He is by three inches.
7. Who is smarter? I guess we both have our strong points.
8. Who does the laundry? You mean the 14 baskets of clothes every week???? I do all of it...ALLLLL!!!
9. Who does the dishes? I do...the reason? Troy doesn't believe in dishwashers. Pretty bad excuse!
10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I used to, but somehow that got switched, so he does now.
11. Who pays the bills? I do with Troy's money :)
12. Who mows the lawn? Mostly Troy, sometimes a neighbor for $20.00, and sometimes me...wher's my 20?
13. Who cooks dinner? 95% me...unless you count going out as Troy's turn.
14. Who drives when you're together? Mostly Troy, but I don't mind driving.
15. Who is more stubborn? We both are with certain things...especially when it comes down to morals.
16. Who asked who out first? Troy asked me out...only if he'd known.
17. Who proposed? He did, twice actually. Three times I guess. The first proposal we were just talking and it came out, the second one in Rexburg above the dry farms with an opal ring (he likes to have things paid for, so my real ring was paid off before I even saw it), and the third proposal was at my old house in Malad on Father's Day with my family and his. That is where I got my diamond ring. They were all very sweet.
18. Who has more sibling? He does. He has two brothers and two sisters. I have three brothers.
19. Who wears the pants? We both do...besides Troy would look funny in a dress. Compromise is very important in a marriage...it took me 5 years to figure that out. The past 2 1/2 have been much happier!!!
As far as tagging goes, I choose Nicole!!!

Man Colds

Okay, so I think I am going to vent a little in this Blog...BEWARE!! I don't know how many of you have husbands or boyfriends and have been around them when they are sick, but I just have one thing to say...BABIES!!!!! I have been sick now for three weeks, I have taken care of two very sick children, painted my basement with the help of my awesome friend Barb, and have managed to keep a pretty clean house. I have made breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day, I have done laundry, swept and mopped the floors... I am not proclaiming wonder woman, just WOMAN. I am a Mom, that is what I do. I push my sickness aside and I do what has to be done. Troy...he has been sick for two days now and it seems as if the world is going to END. He even asked me to open the stinking NyQuil bottle because he couldn't get it. He has been in bed, aside from "helping" with the kids while I was painting. I guess if you can count movies and screaming "helping". He has missed work since Monday, and has no desire to do anything. Now...my question is this: How can men, who are supposed tp be strong, be so weak? Why is it okay for them to give up on life when they are sick, yet we keep chugging along. We get our daily chores done and yet, those with small children, manage to be up all night with the wee ones. Only to do it all the next day, expectingly to have smiles on our faces. So, to those of you who will have a sick boyfriend or husband sick this year, I am sooo very sorry that you have to go through the MAN COLD. Hang in there, the sun usually comes out tomorrow.

Hurray, It's official!!!!!

SO, I am pleased to announce my two and a half year old, Daeson, has successfully potty trained himself!!!!! Hurray for Daeson!!!! He did it all by himself and now he wears his big boy pants during the day and at night. I know, lucky me to have a son that would train himself. Most of the time people say that the boys are the hard ones and the girls are the easy ones. I am just so thankful that he took the plunge and has stuck to it. We are so proud of him, he is such a good boy!!!

HaPPy vAleNTinEs DaY

It's February 14, St. Valentine's Day. The love is in the air...unless you are at my house, then it is still sickness. But today we celebrate LOVE. What is love?? 1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. 2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. If love is either of these things, then yes love is in our home today. Troy and I have been married 7.5 years, and there have been some tough times. But, I know there will always be great times because I am married to the one I love. For Valentine's Day this year, we bought each other rings...mainly because our wedding rings cannot be sized anymore...but I felt just as excited to buy him this ring as I did when I bought him the first one. I almost felt like I was renewing my love and commitment to him. I kbow Valentine's Day is just another day that we buy eachother gifts and a lot of people don't care for it, but I like it. I had fun this year buying my kids treats and presents. I like having an excuse to spoil the ones that I love!!!

RSV SEASON

I guess it is that time of year again...sickness is taking over. I took Tevan into the Dr. yesterday. He has RSV. Bummer. I feel so very bad for him. Today he is improving, but still miserable. I caught his cold, but so far Troy and Daeson are healthy. Thank goodness!! I have been giving Albuterol treatments to Tevan every four hours, and he is on Omnicef for his ears. I tried to get some Triaminic down him, but he just turns his head. I guess we do what we can. I slept on his floor last night so I could hear him breathe. He peeked over the bumper pad this morning and saw me laying there...he grinned from ear to ear. He is so fun to watch grow. He is trying so very hard to crawl, he almost has it down. Wow, time flies. I better get this posted and get something done. Laundry is calling me, dinner is calling me, and my child is calling me. Never a peaceful moment!!!

Two steps forward, one step back

Potty Training!!! Taxes!!! My New Washing Machine!!! There are so many things happening today, I figure if I get it all written down I will be able to sort through them and get it done. Or, maybe not. Lets start with potty training. Daeson has done very well considering I have not done anything to urge him along. But today I finally did it. I decided to put real big boy underwear on him. I told him that he would have wet pants if he peed in them. So far, so good. I just hope it stays that way. It is a hard thing to do and I am so grateful I get to do it instead of a babysitter. He has done soooo good and I am sooo proud of him. Good job, big boy!!

Next I would like to talk about taxes. We have had our accountant working on them for two years. Because Troy is self employed, we have quarterlies and projections to help us figure these things out. I guess he wasn't doing his job, because we got Troy's W2s and were very suprised. He should have had us put more aside. But, I guess that is the glory of being self-employed. So, for the next week I will be going through papers and reciepts and trying to come up with as many write-offs and deductions as I can. That is exactly what I want to do for the next week...especially in my "spare" time. Oh well. Don't complain, just get it done!

And to end on a HAPPY note: after months of my brand new washer not working...today is the day I finally washed laundry in it!!! HURRAY!! Troy suprised me and bought me a washer the last time I went to Grangeville to see my parents. He bought it on Scratch-n-Dent. We have done this before and not only does it save you a TON of money, but you usually have great results. NOT THIS ONE. He bought this November 11 and today, after 4 repair men and about 12 parts, it works! TA DA!!! I am so happy. The repair guy left just a couple hours ago and I have done 2 batches of wash! So exciting! Life is good. When mamma's happy, everyone's happy!:)

Now I am going to go take care of my boys. I have taken my 15 min to myself and can go on with my duties as a mommy...atleast today I typed on my blog, some days I lock myself in the bathroom just for peace and quiet. But then I look around and realize it needs cleaned or painted. Typing on the computer is much more uplifting! :)

FEBRUARY???

I cannot believe it is February already! The fourth to be exact. We ended up going to the cabin and having a fun. We went up Friday afternoon since Daeson was feeling 100 times better. We told him we couldn't go until he felt better and soon he was bouncing off the walls. We made it okay...we drove on closed roads and had to put our chains on, but we made it. The kids were good, Daeson got to watch The Wiggles, and Tevan slept most of the time. He woke up while Troy was putting the chains on the tires and was not happy...but was great once he ate and got to be on the floor. Daeson played a lot outside with Troy, and Tevan and I played a lot inside. I did take him out Saturday morning for 10 minutes, but came in as soon as he started turning pink. Daeson also had fun playing with his cousins. With Adalyn, 3, Daeson, 2, Mieley, 2 this month, Ryker, 1, and Tevan 7 mo. there was not a dull moment. We stayed plent busy! I was scared for bedtime, but all the kids did really great. This was our second trip, and I hope not the last. Adam took his 3 snowmobiles. Troy and Adam rode in some pretty thick powder. The snow was soooo deep! Crazy, but I am glad we actualy might be okay this summer with the water! I am thankful for family...I am blessed with my own family as well as some pretty wonderful in-laws who love me, don't judge me, and who supports me. I am thankful today for the blessings in my life. I have sooo many. The IMPORTANT things in life ARE NOT things. It is family, friends, and a love for life. I think we worry too much about what we want and often forget about the things we already have. When I die, I hope my life is remembered by the time I spent with my family...especially my children and my great husband. Life is too short to worry about what car to drive, what decorations to put in your house, and far too short to envy what others have. Be grateful. It is that simple.

What a nightmare!!!

What a night!!! Our family was supposed to go to the 2nd Annual Grover winter mini vacation yesterday, but due to the weather and Troy being gone all day, we decided it best to go today...Friday. But here we are, it is 5:35 a.m. and Troy is in the ER with Daeson. Let me back up a bit. I was chopping veggies and doing dishes at midnight, then Daeson woke up crying. So I went into his room to hold him. With the help of a movie, I finally got him settled down and remained in his room until Tevan woke up. I went to Tevan's room, nursed him, and finally got him put back to sleep. I wasn't in bed 20 minutes when Daeson woke up again... SCREAMING that he didn't want ear drops. This is the first ear ache he has had since we put the tubes in Nov. 2006. I made Troy get up with him, after all I was going on 20 minutes of "sleep." I call that mom sleep. We were given ear drops for times like these, but Daeson refused to let them near his ear. I also figured if it was an ear infection that he should probably get started on an antibiotic to clear things up. So, Troy decided to take him in. All he needed was the insurance card. INSURANCE CARD? WHERE IS MY WALLET????? Oh yeah, I left it in the cart at WinCo when I did the last minute shopping. CRAP! So, we searched for a phone number...UNLISTED! I called 411 and they gave me the same number I already tried...fax machine!!! I am really praying for help by now. Troy looked it up on the computer for a third time and got a number. Well, Heather answered the phone and told me the customer service desk was closed until 9. So what did I do? I did what I am best at in these situations...I cried. I told her my insurance card was in there and my little boy had to go to the ER and I didn't know what else to do. She must have been a mommy herself because she put me on hold and went to look for it. There it was. Hallelujah!!!! Troy was THRILLED to have to get it from WinCo...did I mention that it is SUPER cold outside? But he picked it up and headed for EIRMC ER. He called to ask me Daeson's birthdate, but other wise has done well.
But now I have a whole new worry. Recently a member of my family had their identity stolen. Money remains missing from their account, and what do I do? I leave my wallet in the WinCo cart with pictures, debit cards, credit card, account cards, insurance cards, and my driver's license with my address on it. How could I be sooo foolish? I would like to make an excuse, but it is not the first time I have done that. Mommy's brain has gone to mush, I am afraid.
Unfortunately, I think we have decided to not go to the cabin...atleast that is what Troy said as he was walking out the door! The crappy part is that I have most of the food...or atleast part of 2 breakfasts and a complete lunch. We were so looking forward to this trip. Everyday for the past week, Daeson has asked if that day was the day we were "doeing to dah tabin". Snowmobiles, food, crafts, and the pleasure of being with family. We may still decide to go...the sun will come out tomorrow...unless you live in IDAHO!! The wind is howling right now. And right now the thing I am most grateful for is that Tevan is sleeping. Soundly. I pray that Daeson will be okay and that things will get better. As for me, I am going to get some more laundry done...I can't sleep with my baby #1 and husband in the ER and out on the roads. As for blogging at 5 in the morning...AM I CRAZY???? Probably.

Two year olds

So this morning Troy made Daeson an English Muffin. Daeson requested "Tautage" on his muffin. Troy ignored him and told me to figure it out since Daeson's frustrations were soaring. Troy just kept telling him, "You can't have chocolate on your muffin." I had no idea what he was saying but he quickly said, "Watch my mouth, I said Tautage." I told him th show me in the fridge. We stood there for a while and finally I told him to shut the fridge, it wasn't in there. But then, IT CLICKED...SAUSAGE!!! "Oh you want sausage?" "Yeah, Tautage Mom, that is what I said." We have been working with him on his pronunciation and tell him to watch our mouths. I never thought, after repeating exactly what he said, that he would tell me to watch his mouth. Two year olds are so wonderful. I really enjoy mine!!!

Jumping onto the blog band wagon!

I guess I will figure all of this out!! I wanted to see what the blog was all about, so here I am! With new perspective on life for the upcoming year, I want to share the life with the Grovers. It is a brand new year, and a brand new me to go with it. There are so many things I want to do differently this year, and I will take you all on that journey with me.