You Know You Want Some

Lemon Blueberry Cheescake Bars

Crust

2 T sugar

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

9 graham crackers

1/2 stick butter, melted

Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened 

2 eggs

2 lemons (or 4 T lemon juice)

1/2 c sugar

3/4 - 1 c blueberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease the bottom of a 9x9 pan with butter.  Place wax paper over the greased pan and be sure to get the corners.  In blender combine sugar, cinnamon and crackers until texture of bread crumbs.  Add melted butter and pulse. Press into baking pan. Bake 12 minutes.

Add cream cheese, eggs, lemon juice and sugar together and mix until creamy.  Pour into crust and cover with blueberries.  Bake for 35 minutes.  Cool completely and then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

This was sooo yummy and soo easy!

Need a Preschool?

My wonderful and amazing friend Carrie is opening a preschool in her home.  Here is the link. If my kids were not in the developmental preschool this is where they would be going.

WATER

I just updated the "Deal It Up" blog, but I wanted to make sure that I shared with everyone in case you don't check that out.  Water is on a super sale at Fry's.  Here's the deal when you buy 10 items you receive $5 off of your order. So when you buy the Arrowhead Water (3 ltrs - which is the recommended amount for one person per day) in amounts of 10 it makes it only $.49 each.  You cannot beat this price for bottled water!  

Lonnie just went to get the first 20 bottles.  I will do another run tonight.  We've only got 26 days of water on hand for our family.  So, needless to say we will be stocking up!  Please don't blame me if the stores run out! :)  Simply get a rain check!!!

PS I just got back from Fry's bought 30 gallons of water spent $14.70 and saved $24.

Family Vacation 2009 Part 2

You asked for it you got it finally.  Here are the pictures from Disneyland and the beach!

Mr. Kobe Bryant....Krystal's favorite!

I like this one of Michelle.  I wish I could lock her up at home! :)

This is as close as anyone got to Pluto.  They were all scared.

Right as we were leaving the park there was a parade.  It was great timing and a great way to end the day for the kids.

Saige was so worn out.  I am just so thrilled that she got to see Daisy.  She loves Daisy.  Don't know why.

Enjoying some oreos at the hotel.

Love this next one of Saige and Daddy.

This is our next home....

We got to see how Krystal really gets Mason under control.

Not the best photo but it does show how freezing it was.  The thermometer on the van read 69 degrees.

Even Krystal was cold!

Our sand castle.

And beautiful Michelle.

Mr. Mason

I have been trying to increase my knowledge in Photoshop.  This course that I've been taking is awesome!  Anyhow...here is a picture of Mason on our recent vacation that I used as I was practicing this morning.  I LOVE how it turned out!

Guess What I'm Doing...

if you guessed editing you are correct!  It is amazing how long it can take.  But I love the artistic creativity that occurs.  It's one of the few times I truly feel that my brain is functioning properly!  Here is one of the fun pictures that I did.  I love the colors in the stained glass window.  Hopefully you like as well.  What about the "stamp" in the corner.  Too much? 

Just in case you are wondering here is the original.  Obviously no editing done.  Kind of scary!

Utah?!

I am so excited to be going up to Utah for a couple of days at the end of the month with my sister.  She is going to be meeting up with some companions from her mission and her President.  I will hopefully be able to see some good friends as well!

A Love Hate Relationship

I had a very interesting experience today at the doctor's office.  It was kind of interesting timing but nonetheless a moment that I am grateful for.  I took Saige and Gage in for check ups and couldn't help but think of how big they are getting and how fast they are growing up.  It is during moments of reflection such as these that I am so grateful for my children.  I am grateful for the relationships that they have already established and I can say that I know that they knew they would be together in this life.  I am just so grateful that our Heavenly Father allowed us to be a part of these special children's lives.  As crazy and unpredictable as it is around here I would not trade it for anything!  

As many of you know, we have been having some real issues with Mason and his struggles lately. I love this little man more than words can say.  When having to deal with his struggles and trying to find out what the real problems are I cannot help but have some hate for his biological mother. I know that hate is a very strong and powerful word so please don't get me wrong.  I do not hate his mother.  Rather I hate her actions and the choices she made.  But yet on the other hand, had she not made these choices we would not have these little blessings in our lives.  

It is such an emotional roller coaster to have children that have been adopted and I think more so knowing their history.  It is so hard as a parent having to sit and watch your child and/or children suffer and struggle with simple things in life because of situations and circumstances that were beyond their control.  At times you feel completely helpless and all alone.  I am so grateful for Mason's Primary teacher.  She truly has been such an inspiration to me.  She is such a strong and beautiful woman who deals with what she has been handed so well.  I know that she must struggle daily and how emotional as well as physical it can be.  I am thankful for her help and her strength.  

Which one do you like better...

Yes these are the EXACT same pictures.  Which one do you like better??  You may want to click to enlarge to get a better idea!  Thanks for your help!

Thank You!

I love this special holiday we call the 4th of July!  Not really for the food and fireworks, but more for the meaning behind the holiday.  I have always had a great appreciation and love for my country.  I think as time goes on and this world becomes even more corrupted the great blessing that I have of being an American becomes even more profound.  

I am so grateful for all of the men and women and their families who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their time and their lives to the great cause of Freedom.  May we all enjoy this great holiday in safety and spend it with those that we love.  I will leave you with the lyrics to one of my all time favorite songs...

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life.  And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.  I'd thank my lucky start to be living here today 'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.  And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me and I proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today 'cause their ain't no doubt I love this land.  God bless the USA.  From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee.  Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.  From New York down to Houston and to LA well there's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say.  That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me and I proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today.  'Cause their ain't no doubt I love this land.  GOD BLESS THE USA!

Tagged!

Thanks to Christine...here we go!

8 Favorite Shows:

1- Friends
2- The Glenn Beck Show
3- Reba
4- Ace of Cakes
5- What Not to Wear
6- Divine Design
7- ??  Sorry I'm not a big fan of TV
8- So You Think You Can Dance

8 Things I did yesterday:

1- Went swimming with the kids
2- Edited some pictures
3- Made dinner
4- Changed a few diapers
5- Got some projects done for the business
6- Balanced the checkbook
7- Washed the bathing suits
8- Stuck to my POINTS

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1- Finishing Christine's photos
2- Putting more shelves in the food storage room
3- Getting the credit card paid off (2 more months!!)
4- Wedding in November
5- Utah this Fall (hopefully)
6- Learning new things in my Photoshop class
7- Getting to my weight loss goal
8- School starting again

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1- The Olive Garden
2- Carambas 
3- Chipotle
4- Mi Mi's Cafe
5- Peter Piper Pizza
6- The Cheesecake Factory
7- Texas Roadhouse
8- PF Changs

8 Things on my wish list:

1- To have a 6 months food and water storage
2-To go to the Temple with all of my kids again
3-A wonderful man for my sister (in Arizona)
4- Build walk-in pantry and another bedroom on our current home
5- To go back to school (I really miss learning)
6- An awesome vacation for just Lonnie and I
7- To gain more confidence in my work
8- To raise happy children who know who they are and have a FIRM foundation in the Gospel

8 People I Tag:

1- Jenni
2- Sherri
3- Michelle
4- Courtney
5-Mary Lou
6- Kristen (on facebook)
7- Nicole
8- YOU

Cheesy Black Bean Enchiladas

Since my husband served his mission in Brasil he loves black beans.  My problem is trying to find easy good recipes that have them.  Here's one for you.

1  can refried beans

1 8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 cups sour cream

cayenne pepper

1/2 cup salsa

1 can black beans

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can green chilies

Mix bean mixture in a bowl and microwave for a few minutes until you can stir smooth.  Wrap up in tortilla.  Cover with enchilada sauce and cheese.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

I add two cans of black beans.  This will make a lot.  Actually two meals. Just freeze what you don't use and you have another meal all ready to go!  Yum!!!

New Blog for Deals

So I have created a blog where I will list the deals that I find at the grocery store and around town.  If you happen to know of any please leave a comment!  Here's the site: www.dealitup.blogspot.com.  Enjoy!