Canning Butter!?!?!

Did you know that you can can butter?

I had great fun with my girlfriend Rhonda canning butter and chocolate chips when they went on sale recently. It lasts for 3-5 years. I am excited to gain more food storage, it makes me feel safe! Its not so bad to feel like you've accomplished something great either.

I met a high school friend at the park the other day. It was so great to catch up and see her little girl. I was telling her about my butter story and about a 3 month supply. She is not a member of my church and was completely shocked at the idea, let alone the 1 year storage idea. I am grateful to have the guidance in my life that the LDS church offers.

Next project... canned chicken! (aka tiny embryos in a jar!)

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas...

My mom once said to me that I shouldn't BBQ cause that takes away my hubby's purpose in the kitchen, so... I guess this applies too! But I love to pull out the ol' box of lights each year and hang them up. I love searching to find the broken bulbs, testing the strand before climbing the ladder, but the biggest reason of all is its sentimental. I am lucky to own the strands that were on my house as a child. Well, only a few now! I figured if they were sparking I should probably retire them. So I have enjoyed robbing those strands of C9 bulbs that are so hard to find. I really love the orange ones. I love how classic they are. I love climbing on the roof and watching the neighborhood from a different view. I love how concerned my kids get while mom is in danger and I love Steve for letting me do this manly job!

Christmas is such a fun time of year, full of joy and traditions. Its so festive and cozy. This year is just as busy as ever, but I am trying to be prepared. A year or so back while I was letting life get a hold of me. Not feeling like I was doing things right or even at all. A beautiful friend of mine (mother of 8!) gave me some wonderful advice.

GET BACK TO THE BASICS. She asked me if I was praying every morning and reading my scriptures daily. No, of course I wasn't! I was living in total chaos, moving and a new baby & so on...

So this year, at Christmastime, Crazy busy time, I decided I would do just that. GET BACK TO THE BASICS! I want to feel the spirit more and get more out of life. I tend to muscle my way through life WAY too much. I need to have more faith. The funny thing is it totally works. My days are happier, I accomplish more & I am NICER! Now who doesn't want that?

So maybe, to my wonderful friends reading this, try to GET BACK TO THE BASICS & enjoy this season and the New Year to come. Heavens knows we could all use it!

Its a bit late, but I wanted to post about the best birthday weekend ever! Our friends Steve and Rhonda and my Steve planned a little getaway for my 32nd birthday. We stayed in Rocky Point in their condo and played games, ate, relaxed, slept in, took long walks on the beach... you know all the things you don't enjoy as much when you have 4 little ones with needs! Oooh. I sound like I don't love my kids. I DO! Really, but it's nice to get a shower and a blowdry in without interuptions!

My birthday was a blast. Rhonda made it especially nice. (Funny how women now what other women will enjoy!) I got a birthday card every couple of hours. How thoughful! I didn't have to do anything for myself if I didn't wan't to! Although, that isn't in me... so we went out to Shell Beach in the jeep and totally got stuck. Rhonda and I had to climb a big hill and heave huge rocks down to the guys. Man what would they have done with out our muscles. Gathered some amazing shells and made "crafts" out of them!

Lucky for Harrison, it was sand dollar season. It was his only request that I bring him home one! We had a great time walking & cartwheeling down the beach hunting them. ( glad to know I can still conquer the cartwheel!)

The Movie!

Yea! Today was a great day. First, a great bunch of girls...all I am proud to say are my friends met up for a SWEET breakfast. Le Grande Orange makes me HAPPY! I love the vibe, the unusual trinkets available for purchase and the great food/treats. I decided to let Liv stay home from school and have a fun day with me. Man was she happy and willing to help around the house today!!!

After a very satisfying breakfast, we headed off the the theater. I had been anticipating this for awhile and couldn't wait to see if the cast would be anything like who'd I'd created each character to be in my mind or what Bella's room looked like or the Cullen's house. I was skeptical and about half way into the movie I decided to stop thinking about what was in my little head and enjoy the movie! Which I did! Of course the books are always better. The author has much more ability to capture the details, but it was fun to see it come alive on the big screen.

As for the cast...

Edward- Loved the hair! although a bit awkward in the beginning, I warmed up to his unusual handsomeness.

Bella- I thought she was a good fit, although cuter than the "homely" girl in the book.

Jacob- Not so good for me. Can't wait to see how he evolves into the BIG, (not so bad) wolf!

Carlisle- The worst casting ever. I imagined him to be the most handsome one of all! Bummer!!!!!

Esme- I had her looking like Elle the plus sized model. Funny and random I know!

Rosealie- Fine, she bugged, so I guess she did her job.

Alice- I liked her, but maybe that's cause she played a likable character. A little Pixie-ish!

Emmett- I liked his massive size. Good job on this one.

Jasper- Ughh! Weird, Awkward, Ewww!

I liked and was pleasantly surprised about Leaurent and Victoria.

I was just reading on Stephanie Meyers blog and I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself! I can't hit the right keys on my computer. Does anyone know this????? For fun, Stephanie was thinking in her head about Edward's perspective of the Twilight series. She started writing "her next project" called Midnight Sun. She gave it to a few trusted friends and one of them leaked it on the Internet. Read the link cause she decided to include the it on her site for us to read rather than find it and participate in the illegal betrayal. http://http//www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html. I haven't read it yet.

Steve just gave me some fat to chew!!! He thinks the leak wasn't on accident at all. It is a publicity stunt. Hmmm! Who knows, but from what I read, she sounds pretty hurt. Welcome to the world, Stephanie, Its pretty wicked out there.

I'm going now for a few reasons, one I'm sure you can guess, the others... I spent way too much time on this already ( the dirty floors are calling) and my sweet, kind and loving (jealous of Edward) husband will not not stop teasing me about all this. He just walked in the door and I am blogging away about Twilight with the soundtrack playing with my caffeine drink of choice ( the unmentionable!) Boy am I in trouble. He would like me to clear one thing up. He is NOT jealous of Edward! I know babe, its just a joke. You are my one and only Edward!

Good Times! Halloween 2008

Our 60's Diva- Who was caught somewhere in between wanting to be a hippie and a go-go girl. I kept telling her the two had NOTHING in common. Sequins and peace signs don't mix. Man she was almost as tall as me. Now that is SCARY.

Ryan's got a gun! A very annoying one, that repeats...FIRE, FIRE! What was I thinking?


Boys will be boys! Anything dirty, scary, or gross! He was so cute and so excited I let him be a skeleton.

Oh, my Owen! This is soooo fitting for him. Not because to toots, fluffs, or wiftys (all my mom's terms that I grew up with. I HATE the word fart) but because he is such an out of the box thinker!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

There is something so funny to me about laughing at myself!!

What a Dork!!

Man I was pretty creative though. The story goes back a little further than this picture of me senior year....I was a "wrapped gift" in 8th grade too. My friends and I walked for miles(literally) to my friend nieghborhood. She lived by apartments and in my day that was HUGE! Now parents just bus their kids to nice neighborhoods. I get so sick of this. They are getting mini tootsie rolls from Mexico!!! Im so excited about that too!

Back to the story, we were so tired to walk back to my neighborhood, so my friend's mom drove us back. Nice Mommy. I didn't think about sitting in a box before. I had nothing but those darling red tights and a shirt on and I was not going to take off my box. There were BOYS with us! After a few tries, I "settled" in to the front seat on my knees wedged backwards for the what seemed to be a very long trip home.

P.S I have some mean "bow tying" skills if anyone wants to copy me! Ha Ha!

Enjoy the day and eat lots of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for me!

I was pleasently surprised

Ahhhh! Here is that little smile I always talk about. I gets me every time. Kindergarten has been the best thing that has happened for him. He loves it and he has a SUPER teacher. (she feels the same way about that smile too!) He is so happy he is a big kid now and boy am I happy years 3 & 4 are past with him.

H is so sweet and tender. He is building his confidence and that makes me happy. He started flag football this year with the neighborhood boys and really is loving it. The best part is he is listening and trying to do what is asked of him.

It is so fun to watch my kids grow and develop themselves. Thanks to advice from some wise friends. I am really trying to enjoy the stage of life that I am in. Sometimes that is not easy but, I try. I can't wait to see what life with three darling teenage boys will be like.
Wow, life with a preteen girl. So fun, so crazy, so emotional, but so awesome to see who O is becoming. She is so determined, focused and funny too.

Tagged

Man I just cought up on posts and low and behold I got tagged. Thanks though. I think these are fun.

7 WIERD OR UNUSUAL THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I love to pick scabs and zits...Start out with the gross one I know!
2. I have never gotten a speeding ticket
3. I had the chicken pox when i was 9. My fever was 106 and i was hallucinating. I was hospitalized and given a spinal tap(OUCH) The Dr. thought I may have had pox on my brain.
4. Althoug it took a while to admit....shhh! I actually like my minvan!
5. People think I am calm. Im not so much and I really don't like that about me.
6. I love having pictures taken, I even have some great ones. You wouldn't know it cause i have a HUGE problem with getting things framed.
7. I absolutly love eating brussel sprouts. I have some growing in the garden right now.

I TAG... Nicole, Janalyn, Leigh, Marnee(come on this time), Holly, Jeannette, Sarah

I look forward to hearing strange things about you too! Love you all, Noelle

13 years of Wedded Bliss!

Ok, I know another anniversary post... This is why I decided to post about it. Steve and I were at his sisters wedding a few weeks ago and I thought it was neat to be in Utah in the temple the same month we got married 13 years ago. It was kind of a"renewing our vows" sort of thing. I listened intently to the officiator and made those promises again. So sorry, for the gaggy post.

Same famous stairs 13 years earlier!

Ill spare everyong from the long list of why I love my husband. I know why he is wonderful and I try to tell him often. I do love him with all of my heart and truly feel we are a great pair. I am thankful to his sister Amy for introducing us and I am thankful for the honorable man that he is. He makes me want to be a better person.

AT LAST Aunt Becca gets married!

Yea! We have been waiting for the right guy for our special Aunt Becca. (Not as long as she has!!) We are so happy for her and know she made the RIGHT choice.

My mom and I got to make all of the dresses for the wedding attendants. Man was it hard work. It was a combined effort to make 8 dresses and fit them to each girl. So here are a few of the dresses I so affectionatly named "THE DAMN DRESSES" It was a huge mental stress, but in the end I was happy (somewhat) with them.

Steve bought us plane tickets to fly to Utah this time. SOOOOO HAPPY! With the economy like it is, it wasn't too much more to do it this way. To say the least, the kids were elated. It was the first time for O & R and H couldn't remeber the time he got to fly. Here we were on the shuttle from the long term parking lot. You would have thought we were at Disneyland, they thought it was so fun!

Thank technology for Dora and the iphone! Hes was really quiet except when he yelled out "Swiper NO Swiping!!!"

My Neice Holly and the bigger girls watched all of the kids while we were in the temple. She got some great pictures. I have to say, I love it when someone else takes pictures for me. Its like Christmas when I look through them.

The Osborn Family

Rebecca was the most beautiful, classy bride I have ever seen. Chris is not bad either!

Well so much for coordinating ties for the wedding. These landed in the window sill at the reception. I was able to bribe the little boys with $1 if they would wear it for pictures.

Beautiful O. Aunt Becca and O have a special relationship. This was so much fun for her to see Rebecca's dream come true. She is a great friend and example to her and I am thankful for that.

What Beauty!....THE LEAVES, not necessarily the kids!!!

My heart aches for the fall. You can't help but want to move to Utah this time of year. No worries we aren't entertaining the idea! I miss the crisp air and changing leaves though. I do have to say, I love that the kids are getting older and they will stop for a QUICK moment for a picture.

So fun to see a growing boy still wanting to have fun. "Hey mom, lets do Leaf Angels." Gotta cherish those sweet moments these boys let out once in awhile.

So adorable. I want to pinch his cute cheeks

Yes, Liv your hair looks nice!! Love the preteen stuff!

This boy makes my heart happy. That smile melts my heart too!

Sometimes I am in awe at the wonderful gift Heavenly father has given me. Really! Its nice to have those thoughts occasionally cause most of the time life is CHAOTIC and well you know!!!

HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A WOMAN

Take off clothing and place it in sectioned laundry hamper according to lights and darks.

Walk to bathroom wearing long dressing gown. If you see husband along the way, cover up any exposed areas.

Look at your womanly physique in the mirror - make mental note to do more sit-ups/leg-lifts, etc.

Get in the shower. Use face cloth, arm cloth, leg cloth, long loofah, wide loofah and pumice stone.

Wash your hair once with cucumber and sage shampoo with 43 added vitamins. Wash your hair again to make sure it's clean. Condition your hair with grapefruit mint conditioner enhanced

Wash your face with crushed apricot facial scrub for 10 minutes until red.

Wash entire rest of body with ginger nut and jaffa cake body wash.

Rinse conditioner off hair

Shave armpits and legs.

Turn off shower.

Squeegee off all wet surfaces in shower. Spray mold spots with Tilex.

Get out of shower.

Dry with towel the size of a small country.

Wrap hair in super absorbent towel.

Return to bedroom wearing long dressing gown and towel on head.

If you see husband along the way, cover up any exposed areas.

HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A MAN

Take off clothes while sitting on the edge of the bed and leave them in a pile.

Walk naked to the bathroom.

If you see wife along the way, shake wiener at her making the woo-woo sound.

Look at your manly physique in the mirror.

Admire the size of your wiener and scratch your rear.

Get in the shower.

Wash your face.

Wash your armpits.

Blow your nose in your hands and let the water rinse them off.

Fart and laugh at how loud it sounds in the shower.

Spend majority of time washing privates and surrounding area.

Wash your butt, leaving those coarse butt hairs stuck on the soap. (EEW!)

Wash your hair. Make a Shampoo Mohawk.

Pee.

Rinse off and get out of shower.

Partially dry off.

Fail to notice water on floor because curtain was hanging out of tub the whole time.

Admire wiener size in mirror again.

Leave shower curtain open, wet mat on floor, light and fan on.

Return to bedroom with towel around waist.

If you pass wife, pull off towel, shake wiener at her and make the woo-woo sound again.

Throw wet towel on bed.


Ok, If any of you can still see through the tears of laughter, email me and i will send a copy of this to you via email. I got this almost 1 1/2 yrs ago and came across it today. This is priceless.

osborn.noelle@gmail.com

ABC's "getting to know you" TAG. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then go to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.



A- Attached or single: Attached and I really like him!

B- Best Friend: Steve. No more, my dad told me as a kid to never have a BFF. I do have some very awesome amost BFFs though

C-Cake or Pie: cake (Dark, fudgy,chocolate)

D-Day: NOT sunday! Yoga and pilates days, lately

E- Essential Item: water, gum, Steve!

F- Favorite Color: I love alot of colors. Brown, green, red, blue.

G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi worms, Im not eating them these days.

H-Home town: Scottsdale, AZ

I- Indulgences: time alone with Steve. Yummy dinners with you know who. chocolate

J- January or July?: January, ski time!!!

K-Kids: 4 wonderful in their own way kids. 1 girl, 3 boys

L-Life is incomplete without: God, Steve, kids and a chocolate

M- Marriage Date: October 21,1995

N-Number of Siblings: 4

O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges

P- Phobias or Fears: Fear that Steve will die long before me. he thinks this is going to happen, so that worries me. or that someone will break in the house while Steve is out fo town.

Q- Quote: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

R- Reason To Smile: Im alive and happy and "seriously so blessed"

S- Season: I love all, wish we had four seasons in AZ. Love the crispness of fall, Chill of winter, planting in the spring, and freedom of summer

T- Tag Three: Jacque Arnette, Marnee Marriott, Sarah Williams

U- Unknown fact about me: I used to be really outspoken and sassy. Ive come along way!!

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: What?!? I love meat, I'm "O" blood type.

W- Worst Habit: quick to the end of my fuse.

X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds :) Ultrasounds

Y-Your favorite food: Eating at a great resturaunt. I LOVE yummy, prepared for me food.

Z: Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

O drew this for me. I asked him who it was. "It's you mom. In the house!" Crazy mom, I say. Is that really how he thinks I look? Frazzled, yet SUPER skinny.

He's Gonna Kill Me One Day

Oh, this is going to be one to hold over his head! Sweet sixteen, wedding roast? I chuckle everytime I look at this picture. Really, I love his sweet innoncence and even cuter face.

Little Miss Long Legs Turns 11!

We were so excited to have our little girl. Although you were the hardest pregnancy, overdue by 8 LONG days, most painful delivery & did the most damage to my body.

You were SO worth it!

I thought she would come out pretty! Only a face a mother could love! I was truly amazed ny her. So sweet, calm, new, helpless, MINE. I came across a saying when I was pregnant with her that honestly I didn't completely understand until I held her.

" A baby touches a part of your heart, a part you never knew was there."

So cute and chunky

Watch out world, I know where I came from & I know where I'm going!



Baptism Photo

11 years old

My how she's grown! Too little time and space to share all of my feelings.

• mature and wise beyond her years
• so helpful & responsible
• wants to be modest
• smart, adventursome, spunky & funny
• compassionate at an early age. Knows when to jump in & help
• mean cooking skills & very daring to try new recipes
• eats & ENJOYS veggies
• a leader
• Ginger, Lavonia, Little Miss Longe legs, Liv or whatever Steve wants that day
• intense & determined (which will serve her well someday)
• well mannered and kind to so many

We love you Liv! You are so awesome. We enjoy watching your life evolve. Stay true and keep on going where you are going. We are so proud of you and your choices.