Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Camping and Surprise

So much fun and good things going on.  Let's start with Rhubarb.  I like baking with rhubarb.  My husband loves eating it straight from the garden, not something I really care for but when it come to baking it I enjoy finding good recipes.  I thought I would pinterest and see if I could find a rhubarb muffin recipe.  I sure did, several.  The one I made had sour cream and cinnamon and was amazing.  While I was there, I saw a recipe for rhubarb coffee cake with nutmeg, why not, I gave it a try.  That was amazing!  We had some left, froze it,  and were able to take it on our camping trip with us.  Of course I had to make some strawberry/rhubarb jam and some strawberry rhubarb crisp.  We have been blessed with an abundance of rhubarb and I have really enjoyed making fun things with it.

Rhubarb is easy to transplant.  I had a very healthy plant but wanted more.  So, I took my shovel and dug into the middle of my rhubarb plant and split that in two and planted the two pieces.  They both made new plants and now I have an abundance of rhubarb.  Such fun, I just wanted to share.

As I mentioned above, we took a lovely camping trip, the first of the season for us.  Brent, Latisha and August decided to take a trip the same weekend.  They wanted to go on their first solo trip.   The weather outlook was not good, so we had a limited area we felt might be nice for the weekend.  We packed up, headed out, met my parents at the campground, signed in, and guess who happened to be there already set up, Brent, Latisha and August.  The first place they went to was already full so they headed down a little farther to where Brent's Bachelor party was held, and it just happened to be where we went.  It was so funny, they did try to have their own trip but it was fun to see them and we talked them into joining us for a sight seeing trip.  So surprise,  but that is not the surprise I am excited to share with you soon.  We have some very exciting news that I am looking forward to sharing, just a little teaser for now.  I will be posting more soon.  Have a great day and God bless.
Alicia

My parents getting a warm fire going

The kids enjoying the playground

ah, dinner

Aidric loved roasting hotdogs and marshmallows

How many kids can a swing hold

We went to a fish hatchery and saw pelicans

The kids enjoyed feeding the fish

Such f

Thousand springs park

lots of beautiful waterfalls, here, Cassandra and her cousin pose

At the park there was a neat old barn

from the top of the barn we had a great view of the some of the falls

Danika, Sierra and I went on the trail to even more falls

worth the short walk

The water literally comes right out of the mountain

the rhubarb muffins

rhubarb coffee cake

strawberry rhubarb jam

Party, Party, Party

With this being birthday season at our house and special birthday's at that, we have been having some fun themed parties.  Danika became a teenager and chose a nautical theme.  Sierra chose a sweet sixteen theme, complete with more sweets than poor little Cassie girl could handle.  Both parties turned out so cute and I enjoy blessing my girls with fun parties.

Parties can be so fun.  I enjoy seeing pictures of kids celebrating their birthday's.  Isabella does not really enjoy being the center of attention so we have never had a kids birthday party for her.  When we have family birthday parties for her she gets very restless.  We try to have her open presents but she will try to escape and prefers to go sit with someone else and watch.  She doesn't verbally communicate so she doesn't really have relationships with other kids except to give hugs.  It can be hard as her parent to see other children her age doing things I wish she could do, like having parties.  I saw some photos of a child Isabella's age having a fun party and playing with friends.  For some strange reason it hit a sore spot in me, not that Isabella wasn't invited, but that she isn't experiencing these life events.  I don't feel upset with the family at all, but I just experienced another moment of "why."  Isabella is totally happy and doesn't seem to have any idea she is missing anything, so why should I experience these feelings.  A friend of mine once explained it to as moments of morning what we wanted for our child... to live a normal life, free of health problems, full of friends and special times.  I think it is ok for me to have moments like these, they are real.  Isabella is not where I wish and pray she would be, but that is ok.  God is in control and I will continue to put her in his hands and trust that He will complete the good work He has begun in Isabella.  We have been having to take her to several doctors appointments lately and she has a lot of testing coming up. I pray God will direct us and the doctors in the areas we need to go.  Maybe some day Isabella will get invited to a party and will have the time of her life, but if not I know she is happy and that is important.

Latisha's friend is getting married soon and the most recent party we got to host was her shower.  Latisha has literally spent months planning this shower and did an amazing job.  The weather outlook was very scary and as the day approached I began to feel a little concern we might have to move the party indoors.  The party was to be at our home and we were expecting around 50 people.  That would be a little snug in our house.  The night before the shower we had a rather large rainfall complete with wind, thunder and lightning.  So we did what we could inside and hoped it would all be fine in the morning.  Well, it was and what a beautiful morning it was.  We had a brunch, so there wasn't a lot of time to get everything ready but we pulled it off beautifully.

So now for some fun pictures.  Have a blessed day.
Alicia

Danika's cute very yummy cake

Danika and Sierra made a boat, there were other cute decorations,
but unfortunately we didn't get them photographed

Isabella giving one of her famous hugs to Latisha

The girls family party, Sierra got tea items and girlie things and
Danika really wanted a bow and arrows and other girlie stuff

Butterfinger cake, one of our favorites

Sierra made her own cake, it turned out so cute

lot's of fun decorations

The sweet table

we tried to have some healthy food with fruit sticks, carrots,
Spaghetti a la Carbonara, and bread stick

The bride to be and her future husband have been on
missions trips so the theme for the bridal shower was
traveling.

such cute decorations and great food from different countries.
We had quiche (France), Danishes (Denmark?), Citrus muffins (tropical),
German Apple pancake, Fruit salad (based off a recipe from the bride to be
Africa mission), scones (England) and an absolutely amazing
 Chocolate/raspberry compote/ganache cake totally USA.  

Such great weather and a beautiful day

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to all you mom's out there.  I think it is great to have a day to show our gratefulness to our moms.  Motherhood is a rollercoaster ride of emotions.  One minute you are so proud of your children, the next concerned, the next angry, the next sad, and another minutes so happy, and the emotions go on and on.  It is a privilege and honor to be a mom and I am very grateful to God and my husband for allowing me to have seven amazing kids.  I am also grateful to my mom for raising me as she did.  My grandma's who raised my parents and loved me.  My mother in-law, who raised my hubby.  They have all experienced the Mom rollercoaster and are always there for their children.  Now it is just such a blessing to watch my daughter begin her ride as a first time mom.  She is doing an amazing job.  So for all you mom's to the first or 5th power, "Happy Mother's Day!"

My Mother's day actually began last night.  My sister and I took my mom out to a very nice  restaurant.  The food and atmosphere were great.  We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the water fall and comfortable temperature.  Then this morning I woke to breakfast in bed and lots of gifts.  The kids had all made hand print cards but Cassandra had taken an extra step and made a whole book.  It was wonderful.  I also got flowers, a lime tree, silverware server, and lotion and candle. After church service David took the family and Brent and Latisha joined us for Mexican food. There Brent, Latisha and August blessed me with a gift and another hand print card. I enjoy going to this restaurant on Mother's Day, the atmosphere is fun and they give out carnations to the moms.   I feel spoiled and blessed. Alex also gave me a call and I enjoyed chatting with him. I wish I could have got pictures of last night but here are some from today.  Happy Mothers Day and Have a blessed day!
Alicia

Latisha blessed me with this collage 

My cuties this morning

My amazing breakfast in bed: strawberries dipped in chocolate ganache, baked oatmeal
(see my recipes) with peaches, milk and raspberry cranberry juice.

The cards and book

gifts

Co-op Skit

Danika and Sierra just finished up the homeschool co-op they were in.  They enjoyed going and having time with other homeschoolers.  One of their favorite part of co-op was drama.  Both of the girls enjoy acting and being in skits.  The drama turned out great.

Their skit was about an apple that had been placed by the janitor on a stand.  The people coming in thought it was part of the art work and began to analyze and debate what it should be called.  Sierra played the part of the a expressive art critic, who marveled at the beauty of the apple and looked for a fitting name.  Danika on the other had was very black and white critic who declared it should be called an apple.  These parts were perfect for the two girls who are similar in character as the parts they were playing.  It was so fun to watch them on stage and they did a great job.  Unfortunately the mic was not working very well but their expressions made up for not being able to hear it all.  A huge thanks to my mother in law, who watched Isabella so we could enjoy the show.

Sierra also finished up her Chemistry, which turned out to be a very intense class.  She did wonderful.  She took apologetics too and enjoyed that.  Danika enjoyed art and science class.  Now it is time to finish up their homeschool work.  Being gone one day a week really put them a bit behind in class work, but we started early this year so they will be done before summer.  Cassandra stayed with me so she is done for the summer and is very excited with her accomplishment.  I have her doing things throughout the summer to keep her going.

Hope you are all getting ready for the summer ahead and are planning trips and family time.  God is good, have a great day!

Alicia

"Oh what a beautiful piece of art" "It's an apple"

Moving Day

Alexander and Ivy decided it was time to purchase a home.  I totally agree with home ownership.  The wonderful thing about a home is if you take care of it, it will appreciate.  They looked around for a while and God opened the door for this wonderful home.  It is on a good sized lot (great for youth gatherings) and the home is roomy with three bedrooms, two baths (perfect for grand babies :)).

They decided to paint the inside before they moved in.  I asked them to take before during and after pictures so I could feel a part.  Alex said, "Mom, why don't you just come here with Jim and Vicky (Ivy's parents)."  That just didn't feel very nice to intrude so I pushed the idea aside.  David came home from work and said "ya know, one of us should go with Jim and Vicky and help them move."  I said that was funny that was the same thing Alex said.  David said "you should go."  I still didn't feel right about intruding on Jim and Vicky's time with the kids but David called and ok it with them and well, I got to go.

It was so fun to help them paint their last room and move into their new home.  I was so excited for them.  I wish I could have stayed longer.  There is just so much to do with a new home and I get very inspired with projects like that.  We got them all moved in and the majority of the boxes unpacked in one day with help from some of the church members.

The yard had been neglected so Vicky and I took Ivy to a couple stores to see what she would like for her yard.  I could have gone crazy with buying plants and trees.  I enjoy all that, but  I stepped back and will let them do with their yard what they like.  So, we got them started with the essentials, like hoses, sprinklers, weed and feed, a shovel, etc.  The next morning I couldn't stop thinking about the yard.  I sat down, drew out an idea, and went to church with them.

Church was awesome.  I really enjoy hearing Alexander lead worship.  I feel so blessed as he leads everyone in worship to our Savior.  He is truly gifted.  Then it was back in the car and home again.  A short trip but worth it.  Oh, yes, I also got to meet our first grand puppy.  What a wonderful yellow lab.  They named him Jack Ruger.  He is so sweet and mild.  Perfect for them and their busy kitty, Nala.  It was a great trip.  Thank you Jim and Vicky for letting me come along with you.

Here are a couple pictures.  Have a blessed day.
Alicia

The front of their cute home

The living room

Alexander and Jack

First meal in their new home

Alexander leading worship