Two Timer!

My Dear Blog, (The Jacobs 6)

You know how much you mean to me. You are so important and I don't know what I would do without you. We have shared so much together and you have really been there for me to express my needs and experiences and those of the ones that I love.

But lately I have been feeling that you are not meeting all of my needs. I need more. I need a blog that will let me express my creative individualism.

I have come across a blog called, the Joys of Home that inspired me and made me want to create and get crafty. I can't change you just for my needs, so I have created another blog, HERE that will let me post my creations and ideas. I will post things that I have decorated or old finds that I have breathed new life into. I will also post some of my finds from my recent trip to Seattle on there.

Call me what you will. I am all ready for your name calling. (like "Cheap Blogger," or "Blogging Polygamist") I can take it. But we live in a world where I don't have to choose. I can have two blogs. So I will. (Just be happy I am not starting a book or cooking blog too.) It will be hard to deliver the time and attention it will take to maintain 2 blogs. My new blog will never be as good or take the place in my heart of my first blog.

One day I know you will forgive me for blogging behind your back,

Yours Truly,

Terramisu

P.S.- Yeah I know... my sense of humor lacks some!

Carli -Days!

Carli with her Achievement Day Leaders

Carli has been watching Nolan go to scouts for a couple of years now. We told her that our Church has a program for girls too. It is called Achievement Days. Carli has been soooo exited to be able to be in a fun program like Nolan is. Today was her first day. They decorated shoe boxes with scrap book paper and modge podge. She was acting shy when I picked her up- but I know she ha a blast. I get to watch 3 boys go through the scouting program, but only get to watch one daughter grow up. This is a milestone for both of us!!!

It's Nice to be Home...Right?!?

It was a FABULOUS weekend! I had a great time playing around Seattle without the 5 other people that tend to tag along wherever I go.
Since this girl and I share the same passion for decorating, we just had a whole weekend of shopping. (no really, that was all!) We went where we wanted to go and ate where we wanted to and didn't have to clean up after anyone! It was a small weekend of fun and relaxation! (and a small piece of heaven!)

Some of our purchases were bought at places such as Ikea, Fremont Flea Market, Pikes Place, Trader Joes (which I had never been to) and the Tulalip Outlet Mall. (Some of my favorite purchases will be posted at later dates!)

We met up with my cousin and her precious family for lunch.

I just learned that the official title of the relation between this baby and me is called:

First cousin once removed (Thanks Mike!)

I wish they had more Flea Markets around us. We went to this one in Fremont, that wasn't NEARLY big enough, but we still managed to snag some great finds.

And we met the Grumpy old Troll who lives under the bridge. (Can you tell I have been watching too much Dora with the kids?)

What did Jon and the kiddos do?

They had a very low key weekend! (Jack had his Daddy all to himself all weekend and had a hard time letting Daddy go to work this morning!)

Fleeing!

I have never been away from Jon and the four kids for more than a few hours, but I'm heading outta town with my red-headed friend for a weekend of shopping, playing, and more shopping. I am uber excited to be able to walk around and have real adult conversations. Woohoo!

How frazzeled do you think Jon will be when I come home on Mon???

Say What???

We had our home teachers over tonight and the kids were all awful. (Jack was the best one which is crazy if you consider that Carli caught him standing in the toilet just an hour b4) Every time they asked Nolan a question, our poor home teacher's got an answer that had something to do with poop or pee. What is so interesting about poop and pee? Was I ever that entertained by giving of the wall answers about stuff you do on the pot? (as my grandpa would put it?)

I was so embarrassed.

Then I started thinking about how being a parent is so embarrassing. I have learned a long time ago that if your shirt gets pulled down to your belly button, or your skirt flung overhead by one of your cuddlebunnies- not to even bat an eyelash. (In the theory of "If they haven't seen it by now- it is about time"- Thanks Heidi for teaching me this phrase!)

But it seems like the things they say out loud make me more red in the face than their "accidental" actions.

I was brought back to a memory about 3 years ago. We were at church and the 2 older kids liked to choose either me or Jon and ride home with. (Back in the day when Jon had to take his truck because of his early meetings- but was still able to come home right after church). They liked to see which of us could get them home faster than the other parent. It was a race/game.

That particular day, both kids chose Jon to ride home with. After they told their dad that they would be riding home with him, they took off running toward their Mom, who was dragging their little brother down a crowded church hall. They felt it important to block me in the hall and shout, "Don't beat us, Mom." Mom, Don't beat us!"

I saw a lot of stares and some giggles from the crowd around us. I wished I had a microphone in hand at that moment to explain the bigger story of what our church friends had just heard.

I don't beat my kids. (Okay- just maybe on the ride home!-lol)

It's Great to be Eight!

I didn't blog last week. This is why. It seemed like every spare minute went into planning and preparing for my baby girl's eighth birthday party. She really has grown so fast. She is becoming a sweet and beautiful young lady. Carli wanted to celebrate her birthday at home. So we invited a gaggle of girls (it was a girls party only- we even got rid of her brothers for the afternoon) over for a fun-filled art party.

We traced each girl onto paper and then let her paint a self portrait (in actual size)They really got into it!


Then we came inside for a fun shirt painting project.
These were fun and easy!


We didn't get Carli's traditional rainbow cake from Costco this year. (as the kids only lick of the frosting of their one slice and then the whole cake is left for mom to devour- my hips screamed in protest!) But we made "creative" cupcakes. I got the idea Here!

They were pretty and 'fun' inside!

We also had an ice cream bar for the girl's to 'create' their own sundaes!




Each girl was sent home with her own "creative" bucket of craft supplies!

I still can't believe my baby girl is 8!

(Oh! Thank you Grandma Sharon- Carli got your package and loved everthing!-xoxo)

I'm a Mom!

Wow! I do understand how people feel when they look back at the years since their kids have been born and sigh and say, "It seems like yesterday."


To me it really DOES seem like yesterday that I held my first born in my arms, swaddled in blankets, and cried because he was so beautiful!


It seems like yesterday that Carli was born and I could hardly hear Jon tell me the color of hair she had cuz she was screaming so loud (something that lasted for waaaay tooo looong!)


Wasn't it yesterday that Bridger was born and was the calmest and cuddliest baby I have ever seen?


And Jack. It seems like yesterday that I held my last little baby in my arms and felt one more time what it was like to smell that baby smell and smile at his every whine and dirty diaper (c'mon like you didn't do it sometimes...)


My kids are amazing. They are growing up and teaching me so much. I am in awe every day of their changes and growth. I am proud to be their mother!



Do you know something that I like about being a mother amongst other mothers? I love when I meet someone for the first time and they look at Jack and say, "Oh... is he your first?" And then I say, "No, he's my fourth." You can see the surprise on their face slowly turn into respect. I am always amazed by this and quickly feel that I have made a connection with another mother.

Happy Mother's Day!

Our Moms (and Grammas!)

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and Mom-(in law- but not really) who are 2 of the finest women I know! Thanks for all your love and help. You are the best and help make are kids what they are! We Love You! P.S.- I had some probs with your Mom Day gifts- so I hope to get them in the mail on Sat. But we are thinking of you!

Book Recommendation!

Is it bad that I really, really, really liked this book???

Is is bad that I really, really, really liked the sequel a just as much if not more???

You really don't think so?

Well, you might once you read what it is about:

Emerson Watts, 16 and female, loves playing video games, hanging out with her best friend, Christopher, and has made peace with her less-than-supermodel-esque looks. But when she's involved in a mysterious accident, she wakes up to find she's now in the body of...a supermodel. Who was behind this switch? What was the motive? And how can she get Christopher to realize she's still the same person inside?

(Yeah- and to make it worse, I'm totally on the edge of my seat until book #3 comes out next May.)

Super Yum!

Spring only shows its beautiful head every once or twice a week. I guess because of that I am still baking like crazy (and eating like it too!) So because I don't want to be the only chunky-monkey trying to squeeze into last years bathing suit, I will share with you a blog that I just discovered and am loving! (It is where I got the cinnabon cake recipe) . Click Here to check out the blog.
(I used MINT oreo cookies- and even though these cookies have green soft spots, they are still yummy)

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies
1 stick softened butter

6 Tablespoons sugar

6 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 egg

½ teaspoon vanilla

1 ¼ Cup flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

8 broken pieces Oreo Cookies

1 Cup chocolate chips


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter, and sugars until well combined. Add egg and vanilla until mixed well.
2. Place flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl, stir to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients then stir in oreos and chocolate chips until just combined.
3. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until cooked, but still soft. Let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Chase and the Reach

Sat. night- Jon and I went to see this local band in concert! It was pretty dang awesome! Go HERE to listen to some of their songs. We got free cd's at the door and I have been enjoying their music at home. Ya' wanna know something neat-o??? Chase (the lead singer) and his wife are Carli's Sunday School teachers. She thought it was pretty cool when we handed her a t-shirt (also free at the door) with an awesome pic of her teacher's band on the front.
A Seattle band called, Grand Hallway opened for them and I LOVE their eclectic sound. They had drums, keyboard, guitar, violins, accordion and a banjo included in their music! It was awesome! Click Here to check out the music and make sure you check out their Blessed Be Honey Bee song! You will sure be glad you did!!!

Instant Gratification!

I'm afraid that this is probably the best "before" pic that I have of our side-yard. You get the idea. We have lived in this house for 3 years now and the side of the house was all dirt and goat-heads.
But this spring, my dear hubby has really fixed it up! First the cement came, and then one day there was no grass and the next day there was! They always say that the best things come to those who wait. But I don't think that is true. It has sure been the best! And we only had to wait 1 day. Okay 3 years and THEN 1 day!!!

Temptation!

It was calling my name when I found the recipe.

It was calling out to me when I bought all the ingredients and planned on making it 2 days later.

It was calling to me during dinner last night.

Now it is calling to me as left-overs in the kitchen.

I guess I am gaining some weight this week!!!

I have been trying to make bread and cinnamon rolls for years. Instead, I have been making little bricks for years. This was so easy and so moist with all of the goodness of cinnamon rolls!

Buttery Cinnabun Cake
3 Cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

1 Cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ Cups milk

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 Stick real butter, melted
2 sticks real butter, softened

1 Cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons flour

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

2/3 Cups nuts, optional
2 Cups powdered sugar

5 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In an electric or stand mixer mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in melted butter. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the 2 sticks of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nuts until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.
4. Place powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Book Recommendation!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Where is your soul? In your beating heart? In your brain?
This book made me think.

Loved it! Read it!

Pretty clean, (warning: some perverse slang)
Jenna is a depressed and angry for a lot of the book- but it is understandable and her mood gets better!

Loved the ending! (It could have gone in so many diferent directions- but I loved what the author did to finish the story in the epilogue!)

I Can't Say It Any Better!

It is getting warmer here.

Can you tell?