Did I miss something? Is today Monday?

F - Fighting
R - Rage
I - Irritable
D - Disobedient
A - Agitated
Y - Yelling
 And no, it isn't me feeling all these things! I think my Friday has been mixed up with my Monday's! Today has been out of the ordinary 'loud and coatic'.....this is not how things usually go around here especially on a Friday. Everyone is fighting, grumpy and tears have been flowing since 6:00 this morning and have not stopped. Sigh. But, I was informed by one of my little boys that everyone is allowed a grumpy day sometimes (which is what i usually say if someone is feeling a little 'off'). True.....but why are all 5 of the grumpy days combined into one day and a FRIDAY of all days? Trying to keep everyone calm and out of each others hair today by reading lots of books and setting up little craft stations...I feel like i am working out at Curves today ( do this craft for 3 minutes and move onto the the next one..Switch!) I am actually feeling rather calm today..which is great b/c i would probably be in a time out right now and bawling my eyes out b/c "no one is listening to me!" Wahhhhhhh! : P 
Happy Friday everyone!

Mr. Independant

I got my laugh of the day as i walked into check on Colton lastnight before I went to bed. He is becoming Mr. Independent (which is great) and it is proving to be quite entertaining at times. He decided that he would pick out his own pajama's lastnight and he wanted to put himself to bed too....so we let him and told him that we would be up in a minute to kiss him goodnight. We went up to find him in summer pajama's and a pair of socks pulled up to his knees and he was determined to go to bed like this. Anyone that knows my son, knows that he is a heater at night and putting socks on him is a bad idea because he over heats. Anyways, we put to bed a little boy that was pleased as punch with himself for picking out his sleeping attire. A little bit later I went up to check on him and this is what I found...guess he got over heated with his socks on! : )

I was laughing outloud and try to take a picture and he was out COLD, he didn't even rouse when the flash went off. Needless to say I had to get up around midnight to change him into winter pj's b/c he was cold...can't wait to see what he picks out tonight for pj's. hehe

Oh Colton, I am so in love with you it makes my heart hurt! 

Monday Monday

 A typical Monday around here..everyone tired and cranky and just wanting to spending the day laying around. I decided to put on Planet Earth to see if they would enjoy it...they LOVED it. I am asked at least twice a day if they can watch Planet Earth. Figured this was a little more educational than watching a movie...and something I can sit down to watch with them. So this is what our Mondays look like....

Encouragement

It has been a general census with most people I talk to that this year has not started off so good...me included. I have been telling myself over the last couple weeks that it is all in how you look at it and the attitude you take when dealing with different issues. I think all of us would agree that a little encouragement goes a long way or a good 'talking to' also goes a long way and usually makes you see the real side and snaps us back to reality. Problems don't go away without you dealing with them and the longer you wait to deal with something the harder it is to make it go away or resolve it.
I sat down the other night after a long day and got to thinkin'....Do I encourage my friends and family as much as they encourage me? Instead of feeling sorry for yourself and going out looking for someone to encourage you, why not look for someone that needs encouragement? And why not take your own encouragement to heart?
The last 6 months have brought some dissolved friendships and some rekindled and new friendships, and it's funny how people are brought into your life at the exact time you need a new perspective on life from someone new. Did I come along into someone's life at the right time that needed me? Did I give them the encouragement and support that they needed?
 I recently rekindled a friendship after 12 years with a high school friend( I feel really old having just said that!) and it was like we had been friends all along. Her encouragement and fresh perspective on things have helped me through some rough days and situations. True friends don't make it a one-sided relationship, rather they give AND take from each other to make the friendship work. Encouragement and honesty play a big part in a friendship working.
Just for the record -  I am 'officially' making this ENCOURAGEMENT DAY. Do you know someone who needs a little encouragement?

Parents of the Grand kind..

 I was going through some pictures the other day and I came across this one of my Grandpa and Grandma Taylor. This is one of my favorite pictures of them, taken at Darren and Tami's wedding. It got me thinking about how wonderful it is to grow up with loving and caring grandparents that will give you memories that last a life-time. My memories are of fresh bread, milk carton blocks, chocolate cake, macaroni and cheese, always wishing I could whistle like my grandma, grandpa always having a funny joke or story to tell us and he always has some change in his pocket to give you to put in your piggy bank. So thankful that I can still go home to Oxbow and stop in to see G&G to have a little visit...bread-making day is the best day to visit! : ) Love my grandpa and grandma!

Colton LOVES his grandpa and grandma and I know he already has fun memories of grandpa and grandma that he will never forget. Colton associates grandpa with trucks, combines, four-wheelers, going for icecream everyday and  for being a big tough guy. Grandma tends to bring out the goofy and funny side in Colton. Giggles are never-ending when grandma and Colton are together. There is always some sort of fun trinket in Grandma's purse or a sweet treat in the cupboard to snack on when mommy isn't around! I hope Colton grows up to appreciate his 'Drandpa and Dramma' and realize how much fun they are and the memories you will always have b/c of them.

Sunday Sunday

 We spent some time outside today enjoying the beautiful day. Colton wanted to build a snowman so this was the outcome....with a few additions made later by Colton.

Saturday's Kitchen

 Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups - These fruit roll-ups bring back alot of memories from Elementary School. The Jones Boys always had these in their lunches and I remember on a number of occassions trying to trade my lunch for a roll-up. They were such a tasty snack! I got my hands on a dehydrator and I have made a couple batches of fruit roll-ups. This one will take 11-12 hrs... my kitchen smells so good right now. Today i decided on a raspberry/blackberry roll-up.

 These are Gluten Free Potato/bacon and cheese perogies. Guess what I'll be having for supper tonight?!

 MY OWN BREAD! Made my first GF loaf of bread and it turned out better than I thought. I am actually eating a piece of toasted fresh bread lathered in peanut butter while I do my bloggin'...mmmm

Homemade Chicken Broth -  Store bought chicken broth is full of gluten so I have had to resort to making my own to have in the fridge.

This has been my Saturday so far. It is such a beautiful day out today so I cracked open all the windows and started cooking.  I don't get many days like this so i figured I would take advantage of the quiet day and get the fridge/freezer filled again.