Happily Ever After

Our New Beginnings this year was based off of President Uchdorf's talk in Conference. You can find it HERE.

I was given the "challenge" to decorate the gym. Apparently I have the "touch". Hahahahaha! Most of the decor was borrowed by wonderful people in the ward. It was a beautiful night. My feet still hurt.

I wish for all the YW to know that they to may have a Happily Ever After. That they can BECOME anything.


Dina's Delicious Desert Table

My dress was used as a focal point of sorts. {and no, it does not fit.}

The symbols of the YW Organization

I made these cute "etched" jars. You modge podge a mason jar and while wet, roll them in Epsom Salt.

The look of the gym.

Amazing women. Stacy on the end was feeling rather short!

The reason we do it!!!!!

PS.....Thank you Dina and BAILEY for making me a Picnik whore. It's all I do now! LOVE IT!

www.picnik.com

Worthy News and some not so much-

I am not sure if you have been following the story of Ted Williams. It's a great one. He was pan-handling on the side of the freeway in Ohio when a video journalist read his sign and asked Williams to speak. To his astonishment the sign was right. "I have the God given gift of voice". When I was telling my mom about the story I said that if I were to ever hear the voice of God, I think this is what it would sound like. It's amazing, deep, rich and has a huge story behind it. I won't go all into it. You should google him and read for yourself.

The reason why I am posting this is because we all have had our down and out times. I don't think that most of us became addicted to crack and became homeless, but I know that I have struggled with depression for my entire life. I know that there are times when my lows are really low. That is why I am so thankful for a Father in Heaven who no matter how low we get, never leaves us alone. Ted was granted a second chance. The job offers are rolling in. He was reunited with his mother Julia after 10+ years of estrangement. She had some words for him. But the most touching part was that when they saw each other Ted called out "Mommy....Mommy". I think that no matter how old you are a child still needs their Mommy.

The Lord is forgiving.

In other not so news worthy news.....

This man gets scum bag of the year award. And we are still in January. 2011 is gonna be a long year for Mr. Edwards.

A new year, a new me....

Well, a new year, same me, but more honest this go round!

As you may have noticed I changed the name of my blog from Ramblings of a Blogaholic to the Evolution of Alli: A story of how a girl went from there to here!

I decided a while back that I was going to take a new approach to my blog this year. That I was going to be more HONEST. Now, I am honest, but I don't think people really know who I am. I only let you see what I want you to see. And I only let people get a certain distance to me before I decide they are too close and I push them away in one way or another.

So I thought I would capture a pretty regular day in my home.

Exhibit A: LAUNDRY. My arch nemesis. This is what my family room couch looks like almost all the time. I am thankful I have a front room where people can sit if they stop by. If the laundry ever makes it in there....I'm screwed.

This is me at 11am. Still in my jammies, hair in a pony nub, glasses on, teeth not brushed. And yes, I have gone out in public today. Natalie forgot her lunch and I had to run it into the school. My thought? I'm sure they have seen worse. I hope.

Exhibit B: MY FLOORS. This is a pile of who knows what that I swept up today. I know I just swept, so this cannot be more than a day or two of grossness. You can thank Burke for the giant Rhode's rolls that he chucked off the table last night during dinner.

PS. I have a very strict rule on sweeping up my children's precious treasures. If it's on the floor more than once and I have to rescue it from this pile? It goes bye bye!

Exhibit C: CRAFTING/SEWING. This is fabric for a birthday gift for my sister Megan. I bought it a few weeks ago in hopes of making another reversable apron. Her birthday is today. Sorry Meg.

And last but not least in my post of shame.

Exhibit.....I lost track. Anyways.

This is a basket of shoes I asked the kids to collect so they could be taken back upstairs to their rightful spots. I asked them on Sunday and it is Tuesday. That's right. I have walked past this basket for 3 days now. It is accompanied by other miscellaneous things that end up at the bottom of our stairs.

Now let's get one thing straight about this post. I am not airing my dirty laundry, it was clean. And two, I do not want you to feel sorry for my kids. :)

No really, in all seriousness I just wanted you to take a step back and realize that nobody can do it all. We all have piles of crumbs, or clean laundry calling our name to be put away while we watch the Bachelor.

Nobody is perfect. But everyday we can sweep a little, or tackle a basket or a project.

Happy Father's Day~

WHAT? You heard me! Happy Father's Day Jason and Scott! It's only been 6 months since Candace and I got your gifts! I ran into a really good deal for Fast Lanes indoor Go Cart racing in May. I was able to talk Candace into getting them too so we could go together! Nothing like an expiration date to motivate you! Dec 31st! Woo! We almost did not make it!

Jason was the only one that had raced before. Although Scott was a Pro. Candace and I were the only girls in the race. We did pretty good too! I actually had a TOTAL blast! Who knew I was a Speed Demon? I kept up with those boys pretty darn good! As well as the other 8 dudes we did not know.

Candace and I are going to start a street gang.

This is going to be on our posters:

Giving my stud a Victory kiss before the race. What victory you say? Marrying me!

We are blessed~

I know you really cannot tell how blessed I am in this picture of Jason putting me in a head lock. But I am. We had a wonderful Christmas. We had so many special Santa's that made it a miracle! We are blessed beyond words~ Literally, I cannot breathe in this picture.

I don't think Graden can either! He is getting the royal tickle treatment from cousin Austin!

The girls had a great time at the Crazy Cousin Extravaganza. We all did!


This is my favorite picture of the night~

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Miracles

We all know that the Tabernacle in Prove burned down. It's a sad story. But with every storm there is a silver lining. Look at this picture and deny the power of Christ. It's impossible.

A Bon Voyage of sorts~

When Jason was out of work a few years back, I went back to work for Key Bank as a Teller. I am thankful they let me come back. It was a good job for me. Pay was good, benefits, "bank hours". But the best part was my co-workers. These 2 people are the only reasons I survived for a year and a half of working full time.

Andie is in the middle. She is a beautiful firecracker that makes me laugh. Get the two of us together and we are a comedy duo that cannot be stopped. She works for Dillards now. Runs the boobie holder department as I like to call it. That is what she does all day. Lift women's boobies (pretty or not) into bra's for fittings. I think it takes a special person to do that! She is getting ready to graduate from Boise State this January, then move to Reno with her equally as funny boyfriend Bob. (That's really his name, not an alias ;) I wish them both the best of luck. And when there are weddin' bells, I will make the trek to Reno to shake a cow bell at them. And maybe shout things at them too. All good of course. :)

Brock is the handsome boy on the left. To be honest, words cannot really describe the friendship I have with this boy. We ended up having lunch around the same time each day. And our break room was rather small. So we would end up eating and talking for the hour or so. It turns out we were both LDS. And he was born and raised in Eagle, ID. My mom's brother Johnny Patten had raised his boys there as well. So Brock's dad was childhood friends with my cousin Jeffery. It's a small world in the Valley.

Brock was my supervisor and boy did I like to push his buttons. He was the best boss I ever had at Key Bank. Always stood up for his tellers, and knew the business inside and out. We have maintained our friendship even after I left the bank. About once a month he takes me out to lunch. He even came to see me with Andie after I had Burke and had made him the cutest fleece blanket. (It's still Burke's favorite cause it have fringed edges)

Brock's older brother Brain passed away the day before Thanksgiving this year. He sent me a text and told me that night. My heart broke for their family. I am so thankful I was able to attend Brian's service. It was beautiful~

So last night we met at The Cheesecake Factory and had a Bon Voyage dinner for Andie. I am so happy to have these amazing people in my life. Andie is like my fraternal twin sister and Brock is the bother I always wished that I had.

Graden's Program

Man I love this kid. I mean like squish his bum cheeks love him. He is funny, and smart, and creative, and loud, and snugly, and looks just like me, and is smelly, and is my #1 big boy!

He had his first Christmas Program at school yesterday. It was awesome. 10 minutes of parental bliss. What can you expect from 3 year olds? He said his parts and sang his songs like the trooper that he is!

When I was ready to do his hair I asked how he wanted it. He said down in the back and pikey (spikey) in the front. So that is what he got.

Oh, and by the way. This is his "real"smile just in case you were wondering. ;)

When there was 2....

Before we were chasing 4 kids, we had 2. I've never had "just one". Or our "first". It's always been a different ball game for us. It's a funny thought. Scary actually. I am no superstar by any means. I struggle with my own day to day tasks. And to be honest, I really just wanted to be pregnant. I had not even given much thought to the "outcome" of being pregnant. (Cough, cough) And yet, in my own selfishness, the Lord sent two of his sweetest spirits to our home. TWO? You're joking right? That's what I said to the ultra sound nurse. Her reply? "Oh honey, we don't joke about things like that."

Why so sentimental you ask? Our computer crashed. Not crashed, DIED. As in the Motherboard fried. That is what my kids could say about me at the end of the day! ;) he he he!
We happened to have a very old hard drive that we have not used in 4 years or so. Well, like looking for a $20 bill in an old coat pocket, I started looking through old files. But what I found was priceless.

Old pictures of my 2. Of Nattie and Scooter. We don't even call her that any more. We did because she "scooted" first. Hence, Scooter. I sat and cried as I scrolled through the pictures of my girls. Most of the both of them. Happy, dirty faces, silly smiles and sucking thumbs. I really started missing these little girls. Once I had Graden they became "The Sissies" as we call them. They lost some of that "first born" glory.

I just wanted to share with you my girls. When it was just the 2 of them. To this day they are still best friends. They still drive each other crazy. They still suck their thumbs. They still hang onto the same, now grungy babies. They are still His sweetest spirits.

You see why now?

Book Mobile-Me Please.

I have been book mobiling. It's the bomb times 9.5. I like it way better than the library. I either hit it at Walmart on Fridays from 1-3 or Khol's on Saturday from 2-4. Did you know that the books and movies on the Book Mobile are a zillion times better than the ones in the actual library? Run an tell dat. HomeBoy.

Here are two movies that Jason and I have watched that were really good.

Henry Poole Is Here. Such a great movie. Rated PG. It's about Faith. We both really liked it. I think the little girl, Milly, is adorable. I also like me a Wilson Brother. ;)

Whip It. Drew Barrymore's directorial debut~ A DOR ABLE. In a grungy, funky roller derby kinda way! I love Juno, (Ellen Page). This is a smart movie. PG-13. It's about being more than who you are. And that boys are stupid.

I will put a disclaimer in there though. I get psychotic when I cannot figure out who somebody is in a movie. It kills me the entire time. The roller derby coach sounded like a Wilson Brother. Luke or Owen. They both sound exactly alike. Well, there is another brother named Andrew. He is the coach. Knowing that will make the movie less nerve racking if you see it.

Blue Turkeys and other funness~

I (I would say "we" but let's get real), had the chance to host Jason's entire clan for Thanksgiving.

His Grandparents Clifford and Audrey Nielsen of Hillsboro, OR.

Parents Graden and Teri of Rainer, OR (or somewhere darn close).

His big brother Adam, wife Keri, daughters Kate and Haylee of Roseburg, OR.

Younger sister Darelyn, husband KC, kids, Keller, Emery, Amelia, and Unice(December)...and that is not her real name. But if you have a suggestion, they are open to them! Of Springville, UT.

And his other younger sister Valerie, husband Jayson, and kids, Ella, Clayton and Easton of Bend, OR.

Can you believe these crazies traveled into the depths of winter hell to have dinner with us? Well, we are pretty cool, so I guess I can! ;)

They arrived at various times on Wednesday. We chatted and the kids played and the majority of them headed for the hotel. On Thursday I put the Turkey in and Teri and I headed to the church. I was able to reserve it for our family dinner! Talk about a miracle! We slaved away while the husbands played with the kids in the gym. Tossed a football and shot hoops. I know the little girls played on the piano in the Primary room. I was in the kitchen most of the time, so I am not quite sure what else went on!

We are your traditional Thanksgiving meal. My mom made the stuffing for us. Cause for me it's not Thanksgiving unless I have her stuffing. She ate with my sister and her kids. (Missed you guys) :(

I had this great idea to have a Minute to Win It game after we ate. In theory it all sounded great in my head. But hind sight is 20/20. I never actually practiced any of the games. So the feather in the air one and the Johnny Applestack one were flops. But the stack the nut one was really fun. Haylee won! (And Adam) We also played This Blows. Where you blow red dixie cups off the table with a balloon. Pretty fun too! The best was the Oreo cookie face one! Everybody played. Even Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen!

The kids swam at the hotel after dinner and then headed back to our house for a wicked rad dance party with BLACK LIGHT AND A STROBE LIGHT!!! Yes please! (This is what we will be getting our family for Christmas!) I think that was the highlight of the adventure!

All the siblings had to return home Friday :( WOMP! But......not before Adam and Keri treated us to TUCANOS BRAZILLIAN GRILL! Um........heck yeah! I done died and gone to heaven! Yeahaaaaaww! I porked down so much food! I cannot wait to go again with our birthday club cards! Thanks dudes!

All in all, it was a wonderful get together! We are all so busy and these gatherings are becoming further and further apart. So goes life I guess.

Thanks everybody for coming! We just love you all so much!

And on that note? I'd just like to end on the Pineapple! (inside joke) :)

(Google Images)

Whooza....

Whooza is the kind of word that sums up the last 48 hours. I am really not sure where to start. Let me roll back about 3 weeks..........(pretend the screen gets fuzzy and you hear charms like in a dream....)

I was asked by my visiting teacher, Stacey Miner, to attend Mia Maids @ mutual that week. She was very vague about why I was coming. I agreed. I love mutual. And Stacey. While I was there she relayed a story about her cousin in Utah. That story can be found HERE. She then uncovered a box that had several copies of JESUS THE CHRIST by James E. Talmage. She then challenged the Mia Maids and myself to read this book. We need to finish by April 6th 2011. (Insert Whooza here) She told the girls that she was not sure why she felt prompted to invite me to mutual and participate in the challenge. I agreed to read the book along with the girls. I went straight to the Craft Warehouse and got super cute owl paper and made each of us a bookmark. I gave them to Stacey at church the following Sunday.

FAST FORWARD TO YESTERDAY~

Well actually, this last week. I'm sure so many of you sit and wonder why I never talk about my calling. (not) If you know me, you can insert another WHOOZA here. This last year has been the biggest challenge of my life as for callings go. I'm not going to go into it. I will however go into the best part of my calling. Candace was the 2nd counselor in Primary. We were called the same week. She had a baby a few days old, I was very pregnant. We both thought the Bishop was crazy. But we accepted our callings. It took a few months but we became VERY good friends. Like, take to the grave type of friends. Like, I'll watch your kids even if they are puking friends. Or, I want to tell her a story before Jason kinda friend. These are the friends that are few and far between. And I only have a few. I'm weird with friends. Always have been. We had gone on a GNO to get ice cream Saturday night. Kinda impromptu. We talked about everything. Including how we have come full circle this last year. And the fact that we were actually excited about this upcoming year in Primary. I told her that I try not to think about other callings. Especially Young Women's. :( That is where my heart is.

Now onto Sunday....Hang in there.....I swear this story has an ending.....

I woke up thinking about Sharing Time. Then the phone rang......DUN DUN DUN.......jk. It was Brother Botkin. He wanted to meet with me. (Stomach in throat here) I hung up the phone and ran to Jason. I started asking a thousand questions that Jason had no answers to. When he got here I just sat on my coffee table. Numb and Dumb. That's how I felt. And I think I wanted to barf a little too. :) He released me from the Primary Presidency. (Whooza) Then called me to be the Mia Maid advisor. (Triple Whooza) Remember the start of this story? About reading the book with the girls? And Stacey not knowing why I was supposed to be there? ("spiritual" WHOOZA)

There were a lot of tears at church that day. A lot. Mixed emotions. Gratitude for a Father who knows my heart. Guilt for leaving a friend. Bewilderment for thinking I knew what was a head of me. Excitement for the Mia Maids. I am sure people thought somebody died. Those kinds tears were shed. I just don't think people realize the year Candace and I had. The mountains we climbed and valleys we crossed.

So the moral of this post? I can't remember. But I know that I will go, and I will do the things the Lords commands. I know the Lord provides a way he wants me to obey. ~

"I got'cho back bro~"

There is no doubt in my mind that Graden and Burke will have each others backs in life. Just not like this I hope.

Sorry Dude.

O~N~E~

I have been putting off this post. Because once I post this, it's a fact. Burke is one. *tears*

In case you noticed I didn't post his 11 month milestone. I think I was in denial that my baby is getting older. I have never been like this with my other kids. But Burke being my last has been hard. Don't get me wrong. I want him to grow. I cannot wait to hear what his voice will be like. Or see his personality develop. I think it's more me. Never being pregnant again. Never nursing a baby. Ugh.....enough about me........

"Burkey~Burger"

"Burger Butt"

"Mr. Pants" (Jason's nick name for him)
We had a small little party for Burke. Family and the Brownes.

Here is what we got him.

(Mom and Dad: BSU hoodie)

(Kids: Scout. The cute Leap Frog puppy)

Funny story about Scout. He comes with a USB plug to personalize him via your computer. I had to go to Candace's to use hers. I plugged him in and got to work. I thought it would be so cute if Scout would say "Hi Burke". It uses the name often. Well, guess what? Out of the 5,000 names "Burke" is not one of them. WTH????? They had very odd names on there too. I was sooooo bummed! So you can use a nick name instead. They did not have "Burger Butt".....shocking I know. But they did have "Dude". So now when you turn him on he says "Hi Dude, let's play!"

We had deli sammies. Very easy. I hate getting stuck in the kitchen at my own party. So it was build your own, or don't eat!

Candace at the kid table!



He was actually happy to open gifts. Although he was sleepy. The party was at 6pm. And it was the same day as the time change. So really Burke thought it was 7. (Bedtime) He hung in there and did awesome!

His mini cake. That he would not eat. Only shove. Video HERE!

Happening~

Man we are busy. And we are not even that involved with outside activities. Between life, church callings, school and kids I feel like I am a Circus Master!

Graden and Jason have started the Patriot Reserves again this year. To my surprise, Graden is just as tall as some of the boys. Last year you could tell he was tiny. This year not so much. He kept up too. He only made it through warm ups last year. Last night he did almost everything. I just love to see Jason so happy when he is out there with Graden. Click HERE if you want to see a funny moment I caught on my camera.

We are gearing up for Halloween. Exciting. I also found out that we are hosting more than just Jason's parents and Grandparents for Thanksgiving. We are also having all three of his siblings and their kids! It is going to be soooooo much fun! Most of them are staying in hotels, but for the most part we will be playing here. I am thinking of fun things to do. I get Disney's Family Fun magazine and they had lots of great Turkey day ideas!

On a sad note~ Blogger killed my stalker list. So I have not been able to check your blogs unless I have your address memorized. Most of which I do not. So if you have not already left it on FB, will you leave your blog address in a comment? I miss judging you. JUST KIDDING! I miss your bloggity blogs~

WORD~

punkin' pickin'

Each year my A M A Z I N G sister Jennifer takes her classes to the Pumpkin Patch. In years past it has been to the Berry Ranch. Blah is all I have to say. It is gross compared to Linder Farms!

I had the chance to take Graden there on Wednesday. It was beautiful weather, great families, and just an overall wonderful time. And yes, I had my camera~

Me and my main squeeze~

I LOVE this picture because without words you can see the thoughts running through Graden's head about Quincey's very colorful hat!

Found one!

And I found one too!

One sunflower tall!

Miss Jen and her adorable caterpillar class :)

And there were ponies. One of which we had a front row seat to see him poop his brains out. It takes a lot to disgust a boy :)

We even played in a GIANT vat of corn kernels.






~Thank you Miss Jen~

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

For Laura~ (and baby)

4 cups luke warm water
4 TBSP yeast
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 cup oil
2 eggs
12 cups flour
2 TSP salt (add salt after everything is added/all the flour)

1. Combine all ingredients except last 6 cups of flour. Mix well using kneading arm.

2. Then add remaining flour one cup at a time. Knead for 10 minutes. Allow dough to be sticky.

3. Remove from bowl and divide into 8 pieces. Roll out on floured board (to a square), spread with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon & sugar, and brown sugar.

4. Fold top half over to bottom of dough. Cut into 3/4' wide strips.

5. Take each piece and twist each end, then roll dough around itself. Place in greased pan, touching each other.

6. Cover and let rise until they double in size. Bake at 350' for 25 minutes.

Frosting:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 TBSP water
1 TSP vanilla
(this makes a tiny amount: keep doubling til you have enough)

General Conference~

The words fill my heart.

And these fill my tummy~