From the Mouths of Babes: the story of Easter.

Cannon is in a Lutheran Preschool 2 days a week and he loves it. He has learned so much and we are so proud of him. Well the other day he came home and was talking about Easter. He told me that "Easter is when Jesus died on the cross." I told him that was correct. He continued " Yep mommy Jesus died on the cross and there were people who threw rocks at him and that wasn't nice and then Jesus went to the big rock and it disappeared and Jesus went up to Kevin and then Kevin fixed him."
I tried to re-tell his story to him like this "Jesus died on the cross and then he was taken to a Tomb and the cave was covered by a large stone. When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb the stone had been moved and Jesus' body was gone. He had gone to HEAVEN (not Kevin) and lived eternally." Cannon told me that I was Wrong that Jesus went to KEVIN! silly kid.

I love that boy and the funny things he says.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!!!

PLEASE REMEMBER!!!!!

As I walked to one of my classes in Kelley Hall at Western State College I saw people in tears, not just tears but Sobbing. I wondered what was going on and as I approached the steps to go to my class I met the eyes of people who were both terrified and heartbroken for what had happened. 2 High School students had gone on a killing rampage at Columbine High School, a school only a few miles from where I had grown up. A school in the same district as the HS i went to. I had friends there and knew people who had siblings that were still attending. My heart sank. Who could do this? Why would they do this?

That was 12 years ago today... Now we know that these 2 individuals were bullied and picked on and they decided to take it out their way. The thing that had always bothered me about what they did was they didn't go after the kids who picked on them, they went after people who would have tried to help them had they known how they were feeling. I remember watching the events of that day unfold as we learned so much about those people that lost so much that day. Rachel Scott, Lauren Townsend, Dave Sanders... all leaders amongst their friends and family, all willing and eager to help out. Why them? I guess when God sends us Angels he has to take them home sooner than we want him to. It still bothers me so much that this happened so close to MY Home.

PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY 12 YEARS AGO... WE CAN'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Feel the burn

Ok so I have started my Slim in 6 work out program again... I am so out of shape. I know that it's ok for me to be this way since I had a baby only 7 months ago but WOW I am SOOOOO Out of shape. I am excited about doing the program and after my 6 weeks I am going to step it up and join my hubby doing the P90X program. I didn't start with that one cause I am pretty sure it would kill me. I am loving the "burn" you get from working out I just never take the time to do it but I have commited to it so that I can lose 30-50 pounds in 2011. Wish me Luck.

The Rolling of the eyes...

And it starts. Yep at just 3 1/2 years old Cannon has started to ROLL HIS EYE's at me. I was asking him to help me pick up his toys and he looked right at me and did the 14 year old eye roll. Needless to say he had a bit of sitting time and then we talked about how it's disrespectful to do that and he said "Yes mommy like when I have bad behavior, right" I agreed and then let him go on his way... all the time thinking is that how my mom felt? Was my eye roll like that? WHY was I so rotten? I guess it's true what they say, your kids are Karma. Golly I love him.

A Rainbow of fruit flavors.... or just a rainbow of Fruit.

For St.Patty's day I took the snack into my kiddo's preschool class. I decided that since there are allergies in the class I would just make a fruit plate... with a twist. The ROYGBIV consisted of Strawberries, Oranges, Pineapple, Green Apples, Blackberries (I tried to get Blueberries but couldn't find them) and Purple Grapes. The Cloud is made of mini-marshmallows and the Pot Of Gold is Bananas with gold colored sugar sprinkled over them. I must say the kids LOVED this idea and had so much fun eating the different "colors" of the Rainbow.



We also had them make Leprachaun hats out of paper bowls. Here are some pictures of that as well.

Hot Dogs and Marshmallows

Ok so I know in Colorado March is a bit early to be camping but that is what we did. And yes... It did snow on us, Twice. We had so much fun though so that made up for it. We bought our camper in Late October last year and were itchin' to get out and camp. We decided we would go this past weekend and it didn't matter that the weather called for snow and rain all weekend. So off we went into the cold mountains of Western Colorado for a fun filled weekend of Fishing and Camping. We did Fish and we did Camp but we didn't catch anything but cold fingers and toes. We had so much fun though and it was just great to be out and about and away from civilization for a few days.

One of my favorite things about the weekend was something that Cannon said. As we were pulling into the fishing area at Crawford Resovior he got super excited and said "Look at the trees they are so pretty and they are Upside down" To which our response was "What?" Well after looking in his direction I notice the reflection in the water of the mountains and trees were "upside down" It's just amazing to me the way kids view the world.

All in all we had a really fun weekend and the cold wasn't even that bad. Can't wait for warmer weather camping though.

Yes it is snowing on us while fishing.

This cracks me up... his face says "Seriously People... It's Snowing, why are we out here?"

Our Pretty Campfire

Bug roasting some marshmallows

Karter got in on the roasting of the hotdogs.

Irish you a happy St. Pattys day

HAPPY ST.PATRICKS DAY FROM OUR LITTLE LEPRECHAUNS TO YOURS!!!!


Karter 2011

Cannon 2008

DOG!!

So Montrose was again on Dog the Bounty Hunter tonight and it is just so strange to see our town on TV. It actually kind of creeps me out to know that we have that many criminals in this small community. Still haven't seen my MHS Cheer kids yet.

Fat tuesday at the Brown house.

So Yesterday was Fat Tuesday and no I am not french Cajun or from Louisiana, and yes 15 years ago I wouldn't have know the first thing about it... But in College I had a GREAT friend who was French Cajun and is from LA and she introduced this great day to me. Since then I have loved Mardi Gras and this year I Made a great Gumbo and King Cake dinner for our family. Here is the recipe for the Gumbo and some pictures to go with it.

This may be a simple gumbo, but its a hearty one and a classic combination. If you can't find andouille, use a local smoked sausage or kielbasa or whatever smoked sausage you like. This one's easy to knock off quickly for a great evening's meal.


• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup flour
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 4 ribs celery, chopped
• 4 - 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 quarts chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 large chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 1 pounds andouille or smoked sausage, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 1 bunch scallions (green onions), tops only, chopped
• 2/3 cup fresh chopped parsley

Season the chicken with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning and brown quickly. Brown the sausage, pour off fat and reserve meats.


In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil and cook the flour in the oil over medium to high heat (depending on your roux-making skill), stirring constantly, until the roux reaches a dark reddish-brown color, almost the color of coffee or milk chocolate for a Cajun-style roux. If you want to save time, or prefer a more New Orleans-style roux, cook it to a medium, peanut-butter color, over lower heat if you're nervous about burning it.




Add the vegetables and stir quickly. This cooks the vegetables and also stops the roux from cooking further. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes.


Add the stock, seasonings, chicken and sausage. Bring to a boil, then cook for about one hour, skimming fat off the top as needed.
Add the chopped scallion tops and parsley, and heat for 5 minutes. Serve over rice in large shallow bowls. Accompany with a good beer and lots of hot, crispy French bread.




YIELD: About 12 entrée sized servings.




And then there is the King cake.... the story of the king cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th Century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the 3 wise men bearing gifts 12 days after Christmas calling it the feast of the Epiphany, twelfth night or Kings' Day.

the main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the 3 kings. the cakes were made circular to portray the circular route used by the kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the baby Jesus. In these early King Cakes, a bean or pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden item was said to be "king" for the day and was said to have good luck in the coming year.

I Louisiana, Twelfth Night also Signifies the beginning of the Carnival Season which ends on Mardi Gras Day. The beans, peas, and coins have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the baby Jesus. The person who get the baby is expected to carry on the Carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party.

I always make my king cake this way.

1 can of Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
Food Coloring

Shape the Cinnamon rolls in a Circle on the baking sheet and bake as directed on the package. Take the icing and split it in Thirds. Color one with Green, One with Yello, and the other use Red and Blue to make Purple. Then Ice the cooked cake in 6 sections alternating colors. Tuck the baby in from the bottom DON'T COOK THE BABY IN THE CAKE!!!!!!

Then just sit back and enjoy watching people eat while they look for the baby... You can see who found it this year....

Thank you Krista for this

Here is why I am doing my FB hiatus in a nutshell... My Friend Krista always puts things so Eloquently.

"It's not so much about what you give up, but what God gave up for you, so lay down some distractions and follow Jesus on the journey for the next 40 days-Happy Lent, to all my fellow Jesus followers!"

Krista You are so amazing and I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you with all my heart.

Blessed

So After having 2 kiddos now have to make trips to the ER for Breathing issues and fevers in the middle of the night, I have decided that we are truly blessed. Both of my boys at 6 months have had ER visits and both were discharged after only a few hours with fairly good Diagnosis. Last night was the 2 of our infant trips to the ER because Bear woke up at 1am with a raging 104.5 fever. I tried getting a hold of the Dr. but couldn't so I bundled him up and off we went. Turns out he has Croup too which the Pedi told me kids under 6 months don't usually get it. Well guess what? he did get it. So here we sit in a house full of sickies where I am the only person without any sort of cough, cold, or fever... yep even the BIG boy has the sickies. I think about these families that have kiddos admitted to the hospital all the time and just believe more and more we are so blessed to have happy and healthy (for the most part) children. Thank you God.

What's For Dinner Mom???

Photo Courtesy of www.pillsbury.com


Why I think it's Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups Kids. these smell just yummy and I can't wait to eat them.


INGREDIENTS

3/4lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1/4cup chopped onion
2cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4cup ketchup
1teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8teaspoon pepper
1tablespoon brown sugar
1can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2cup shredded pepper Jack or Cheddar cheese (2 oz)


Heat oven to 375°F. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef, onion, garlic and bell pepper over medium-high heat until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and brown sugar.

Separate dough into 8 biscuits; place each biscuit in ungreased regular-size muffin cups (2 3/4x1 1/4 inches). Firmly press dough in bottom and up side of each cup, forming 1/4-inch rim. If desired, brush tops and sides of biscuits with an egg wash before baking. To make the egg wash, beat 1 egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon water until well blended.

Spoon about 1/3 cup beef mixture into dough-lined cups. Sprinkle each biscuit with 1 tablespoon shredded cheese.
Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and cheese is melted.

The elderly man on a Moped and the Ferrari.

Great Story from my good friend Jami.


An elderly man on a Moped, looking about 100 years old, pulls up next to a doctor at a street light. The old man looks over at the sleek shiny car and asks, 'What kind of car ya got there, sonny ?'

The doctor replies, 'A Ferrari GTO. It cost half a million dollars!'

'That's a lot of money,' says the old man. 'Why does it cost so much?'

'Because this car can do up to 320 miles an hour !' states the doctor proudly.

The Moped driver asks, 'Mind if I take a look inside ?'

'No problem,' replies the doctor. So the old man pokes his head in the window and looks around. Then, sitting back on his Moped, the old man says, 'That's a pretty nice car, all right... but I'll stick with my Moped!'

Just then the light changes, so the doctor decides to show the old man just what his car can do. He floors it, and within 30 seconds the speedometer reads 160 mph. Suddenly, he notices a dot in his rear view mirror. It seems to be getting closer!

He slows down to see what it could be and suddenly WHOOOOSSSHHH ! Something whips by him going much faster! 'What on earth could be going faster than my Ferrari ?' the doctor asks himself. He presses harder on the accelerator and takes the Ferrari up to 250 mph. Then, up ahead of him, he sees that it's the old man on the Moped!

Amazed that the Moped could pass his Ferrari, He gives it more gas and passes the Moped at 275 mph. He was feeling pretty good until he looked in his mirror and saw the old man gaining on him AGAIN !

Astounded by the speed of this old guy, he floors the gas pedal and takes the Ferrari all the way up to 320 mph. Not ten seconds later, he sees the Moped bearing down on him again! The Ferrari is flat out, and there's nothing he can do!

Suddenly, the Moped plows into the back of his Ferrari, demolishing the rear end.

The doctor stops and jumps out and unbelievably the old man is still alive.

He runs up to the banged-up old guy and says, 'I'm a doctor.... Is there anything I can do for you?'

The old man whispers,

"Unhook my suspenders from your side view mirror".

31 gifts

So I have started a new at home business and with some luck and a lot of work this will be a very good thing. It's a company called 31 gifts and they have the cutest stuff. I love the quality and the look of the products and they are all highly functional too. I have a link on the side of my blog for my FB page I made for it and i will link the website here as well. Please go by and check it out.

www.mythirtyone.com/31formykids

Project 365

So if you haven't heard of this great thing, it is a project in which you post a picture every day for 365 days. I am doing it and actually doing well at keeping up with it. I have even gotten out and taken pictures of things I normally wouldn't have seen as beautiful. I am finding lots of inspiration in the things around me (including my kiddo's) for fun and fab photos. Here is the link to my Project 365 if you want to check it out and/or follow it.

http://365project.org/bugandbearmama/365

Hobby's

So I have had quite a few hobby's in my years, but none really right now. So I decided to learn how to Knit. hahaha. So I went to Walmart the other day and bought a "Teach yourself to knit" book and DVD kit, bought a skein of Yarn and went to it. I decided to knit something easy to start out with and boy am I glad I did... I am making a Scarf for my 3 year old to wear. It is the most uneven and holy knitted scarf I have ever seen but as my mom and husband keep pointing out he will love it because it was made just for him by me. For the last 3 days since I started this project he has come out of his room in the morning and asked me how his scarf is coming along. Now for some knitting lingo... I started with 24 stitches and went down to about 20 then back up to 24. I am now about 1/2 way done and have 27 stitches. Not sure how it's going to look but at least I have found a new hobby.

Lucky!

I am the luckiest woman in the world. Why you ask? Well because when I am sick and feeling yucky like I was today, I get to love on these adorable faces...




and when the day is done I get to go to bed and kiss this beautiful face!


YEP! LUCKIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD!!!! THAT'S ME.

2010

You Brought me so much Joy and a little pain but it was really a great year. We were so blessed to welcome our 2nd baby boy this year and with that comes the sleeplessness of a new mom with a preschooler. I had no idea how much MORE work I was in for but I honestly wouldn't change it for the world. I am so in love with my boys. You took some loved ones from us this year and for that I am sad but I know that to have life we must also endure the pain of Death. You were a fairly good year my friend but I must say I am glad to welcome in 2011.