Sick

 (Photo credit goes to Hyrum. . . he managed to capture a few pictures of my belly from the side while I was sitting at the table. . . those pictures will never be found again!) 

Well, I haven't gotten everything done this last week that I had planned, because the Partridge home has been sick. . . or at least it's residence.  I was the first to get it last Monday and I'm beginning to feel a little better now and I can only hope that it will be completely gone before this week's gone.  I haven't had much energy to really do anything this last week, but I've tried to do at least one fun activity with the boys each day so we all don't go crazy.  Brett pulled out Lego Rockband one night and the boys had SO much fun (video to come in the next day or two).  The only problem is that now Noah insists on playing every second of every day, hopefully that will wear off soon.  He pulls out the drums and microphone from our cold-storage room and sets them up on the floor making up songs and drumming away.  Sometimes when he cries about something else he even will conclude the cry with a big lower lip and, "I be a drummer!"  This boy will be an adventure with his obsession with skateboards and drums. 

(Here singing along to the Beatles album)
While I was in the Shower Adventures part Infinity: 

 Today it was dumping the remainder of Apple Dapples into a bowl - big improvement. 

A few days ago- (Background: Last week we had Taco Salad, which means Doritoes were in the house.  We don't typically have chips in the house, so this was  a big treat and often fought over.)   Story:  I had dropped Hyrum off at Joyschool and came back home so I could take a shower.  Noah and I were both sick at this point and patience on both sides was running thin.  I wanted to take a shower and all he wanted was Doritos.  I finally decided to just take the risk of a possible mess, and I put a handful of chips on a plate for him at the counter, then put the bag back in the pantry.  Noah is pretty good about wiping his fingers off on a wet wipe when we ask him, so I put a wipe next to the counter with strict guidelines: "When you finish your chips, wipe your hands off super clean, and then you can watch a show until I get out of the shower."  He's a slow eater, so I was really hoping I could take a quick shower and be out before he finished.  However, when I got out of the shower I found Noah sitting on our bed with the bag of chips eating away.  "NOAH!  No food on the carpet, especially on Mom and Dad's bed!"  He looked at me as if I were in the wrong and just said, "I all done with chips downstairs. I wipe my hands off."  I cleaned everything up, changed the bedding, and went downstairs.  On the counter was an empty plate and a very dirty wipe that had obviously been used to clean his hands just like I asked him too.  How can I be mad at my two year old for following my directions exactly?  Once he had done everything I asked, he simply climbed into the pantry, got the chips and watched a show.  Lesson to myself: Be more specific in my instructions and use more common sense, even when sick.  

Here's to the the Class of 2001

I can't believe it's been ten years.  I also can't believe it hasn't been longer.  So much happens from the age eighteen to twenty-eight that thinking back at myself is almost like remembering an old friend.  There was the me in High School: never feeling like I belonged, loud, crazy, attention-seeking, lonely, ambitious, unsure of so much yet very sure of so many unimportant things.  I never seemed to find my niche (or at least I felt that way).  I was Student Body Secretary, Drama Club Co-President, Natural Helper, and a member of many clubs including Superfriends, SADD, Honor Society, Key Club, . . . hmmm, I can't remember the rest.  I saw school as a social event more than an educational experience.  I always wanted to be involved in everything and I spent many afternoons and evenings working on stuff for Leadership or my other clubs.  I was a workaholic on anything I could get my hands into and even now I'm not quite sure how I managed to get good grades when school work always seemed to be my last priority.  It's kind of funny looking back and remembering different events that seemed like they would change the world, and now seem so small and insignificant.  I volunteered to chair the Homecoming Assembly my senior year.  I remember spending hours and hours writing out the scripts, finding costumes, performers, coordinating with staff and the student court how things would be run.  It was such a big event that I thought my mind would explode and that my stress level would never reach a higher point for a more important event.  Hahaha.  I don't even remember what the assembly was about or who was involved in it.  I remember locking my parents keys in the car, while the car was still running, twice the week of the assembly, because I was so stressed I couldn't think strait.  I remember realizing the week before the assembly that I hadn't been asked by anyone to go to the actual dance.  I cried.  Oh, the angst of being 18:).  One of my friends got her brother to ask me, so it ended up being just fine.  The world would not end, for at least that week.  Overall, I loved High School.  I saw it as a starting point of life.  Never again will one be surrounded by so many people with such diverse backgrounds/circumstances/expectations and get along as well as we did then.  People think cliques are bad in High School.  I would say that they are much more distinct and cultivated once your out, it's just that once your out there's more space between them.  There's a world for special interests and certain 'types' to come together as opposed to a building where everyone is forced to co-exist eight+ hours a day.  We ought to give High School students more credit.  If we, as adults, had to spend that much time 5 days a week with so many other random people I would guarantee total hysteria and revolt.

Back to the point- It's been ten years which means a reunion is in the works.  I will not be attending mine because I have much more important concerns at that time(Welcome to your new family, Baby Boy!).  Ten years ago I remember thinking about the ten year reunion and what a milestone it would be.  Where will people be?  What will they look like?  Who will be rich? Who will be psycho?  Who will wonder about me?  Now that ten years have passed the reunion doesn't seem as important to me and to be honest if it weren't for the reunion notifications I really wouldn't have thought much about the past at all.  Then, of course, my curiosity peaked.  It's amazing to live in a time where we so easily can find out a lot about a person just by being their 'friend' on Facebook.  I've found that some friends are still friends and have traveled a similar road as me.  Some have gone down paths that have introduced them into a world that I don't want anything to do with.  I am sad for those people.  Some friends have aged quickly and some apparently have a fear of aging at all.  There were some 'beautiful people' in HS that are still just as attractive and seem to  always be partying.  For some reason, ten years ago, I always thought they would turn out to be ugly.  Will they still be happy when they realize that their faces won't stay the same forever?  I've discovered that two boys I had big crushes on are actually gay. . . maybe that's why I never seemed to date in HS:).  Some people have traveled the world and some have not left at all.  People have found their cliques and they have hopefully found happiness in them.  I belong to the 'Mormon family' clique and I am happy.  I never imagined being this content with life when I was eighteen.  It's taken years to figure it out, but I'm learning that I am happy with myself just the way that I am.  I belong to my family and that is more important to belonging anywhere else.  As I approach thirty, I'm realizing that happiness really is only made by oneself (as cliche as that is).  I look the way I look and that's okay.  I dress the way I dress and that's okay too.  I may not be a millionaire but I have everything I want and more.  Only I can choose to be hurt, offended, upset, or embarrassed; no one else can force those feelings on me.  I know I have faults, but they are for me to deal with and overcome and no one can change that.   Aren't all of these things exactly what I wanted for myself ten years ago, even though I didn't realize it? In another ten years perhaps I will gain wisdom and experience that I, even now cannot comprehend. . .I hope so, anyway.  So, for all of those that graduated one world and entered another ten years ago I have just a few things to say:  find joy and keep it, never blame anyone but yourself for things that bring you down, looking back is great as long as it's just a quick glance,  move forward and always have hope.  So, for anyone out in the world who may be wondering what ever happened with that crazy girl, Stephanie Rushton? I'm good. I'm healthy. I'm happy.  I'm loved.  The end.  Here's to another lifetime of becoming who we really are meant to be.

My new baby

 There may be an overload of posts over the next week or so (well, at least by my standards), as I try to catch up on everything that's been keeping us busy.  Today is a tribute to my new sewing machine.  I love 'my baby' that Brett gave me for Mother's Day.  It runs SOO smoothly, it's quiet, it has a ton of stitches that I've been experimenting with, and the best part is that it does great on heavy fabrics!  I have a confession to make:  I am slightly addicted to home decor fabric, and especially outdoor fabrics.  I just love their toughness and LOVE that outdoor fabric can be spilled on, beat up, and survive a storm(literally) of other abuse and still look great.  I can't help but be drawn to the outdoor fabric whenever I'm in any kind of fabric store.  I love it!  It takes all of my restraint to not just buy up yards of it whenever I go to Joannes. I picked up some outdoor fabric a little while ago and knew it was a match made in heaven.  As soon as I got my machine I began brainstorming patterns and designs for a new heavy-duty day bag/diaper bag. I bought a pattern for a basic diaper bag with the flap and a few pockets.  I liked the functionality of it, but it lacked style and cuteness.  So, when I saw my mother-in-laws bag I decided I would attempt a fair replica.  This is my first pattern re-creation, so it took me a while of just staring at my fabric and back and forth at pictures, also keeping in mind that I wanted to add in the functionality of the diaper bag pattern I already had.

Here's the inspiration piece: (and thank you Cheryl for taking the extra trip back so I could take pictures and draw up sizes)

and here's my final product:

The exterior has two side pockets with elastic just the right size for two large bottles, or two thermos-style water bottles for the boys.  I was too afraid to attempt the zipper, so I did a snap (much easier).

I made the bag reversible (although the snap and key ring on the yellow side really should stay on the inside, so I'll probably keep the in on the in:)  Anyway, the interior has two large pockets on one side (don't let the picture fool you - each pocket can hold 4 diapers and a small wipes container easily).  On the opposite side there is a single huge pocket that I can keep a three ring-binder in and a book or two just for me.   And like I said, the best part is that it's not going to stain, or easily wear. . . man I love outdoor fabric.  Anyway, I'm glad to have this project done because I need to get working on the next:)

Journaling

I've promised myself to post something every week on here, since this is our family journal.  Our lives aren't always exciting, but they are us and that's what I want to remember.

This week I spent a lot of time in the yard again with the boys.  I try to always make them feel like they are really good helpers, even when in reality their presence makes the work twice as hard:)  Their job is to find worms and then find a home for them in the soil.  It's a tough job, but they love doing it.  I'll post some pictures later of the final product.  On Wednesday we finally signed papers to have our kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts made.  I'm REALLY excited and can't wait to see the finished kitchen.  They will be done in about 5 weeks.  We actually bought them from a polygamist group, which was a bit strange.  It's a whole different world down there.

Today is Sunday.  I love lazy Sundays.  This morning the boys played together in the basement.  They were being so cute.  Out of nowhere Hyrum said, "Noah. Guess what?  I love you."  and then they went on playing.  I just love my boys SOOO much and it makes me so happy when they show their love for each other too. Church begins right when the boys nap usually starts, so it's kind of bad timing.  The boys do pretty well, most Sundays, but today Noah was really cranky.  About 10 minutes before Sacrament Meeting was over I looked over at Noah, surprised that he was finally quiet, to see that he had just plopped over asleep.  He was still sitting up and I guess he just couldn't keep his eyelids open another minute.  He slept for the next 2+ hours laying across the pew.  It was easy to give them a bribe when we got home for being good during church.

We're getting really excited.  We will be going to Hawaii with Brett's family next month and it's a topic of frequent conversation we have with the boys.  We talk about sea turtles, snorkeling, plumeria, and the ocean. We can't wait to see how much they love it.  Today we made a count-down chain and the boys got to color the chains.  Hyrum told me that he wrote 'Woohooo' on one of the chains after I had done the same thing.  I looked over to see what he actually wrote and it said: 'PooooooooooooP'.  It's the thought that counts, right?:)

As of Thursday I am 20 weeks.  The baby is the size of a banana and I'm feeling him move around.  I have been so happy to not experience all of the throwing up with this one. I feel very blessed.  I do however, get frequent dizzy spells and get exhausted when I'm on my feet too long. Gardening has been a pretty good match for me, since I'm sitting on the dirt most of the time.  This week I had an unfortunate pregnancy reminder.  I put some subtle highlights in my hair (using the same stuff I do on my hair every spring/summer).  My hair turned a lovely florescent orange.  I toned over it and was able to soften it a bit, yet I still wore a hat for a few days until my hair felt un-shocked enough for another process.  After three hair dyes in a matter of 4 days I was finally able to get the orange covered enough to only look like very subtle caramel highlights.  It occured to me that this has happened to me once before. . . when I was pregnant with Hyrum.  Hmmm. . . note to self:  Hair turns orange when highlighting it pregnant.  Note to everyone else:  Yes, pregnancy hormones can sometimes effect the chemical makeup of your hair- be cautious when coloring:)  

Hummdiddledee

 After weeks of research and bartering we think we have finally come up with a decision for our kitchen cabinet doors.  The boys have loved driving around to the 'door stores', especially one that is located right by a duck pond.  I will be so relieved to finally just get them ordered and be done with the whole project!  It's always an adventure, and in all honesty I love projects.  

 We kind of forgot about Cinco de Mayo until that afternoon, so Brett was picked up a pinata and some Taco Bell for us to have a little party that night.  

Ryan and Jennifer invited us over for a pre-Mother's Day BBQ.  The weather was perfect and the food was satisfying.  I love warm days! 

The big kid table.  

Yes, it's been only a week since we introduced the boys to ice cream sundaes. Yet, the moment Noah sees a white can come out of the fridge he stretches his tongue out as long as he can and walks around looking like a thirsty puppy.  Dad is a softy and caves every time.  It grosses me out, but I have to admit it does make me laugh:)

Mother's Day was great.  I had my favorite cereal in bed with watermelon for breakfast.  Hyrum sang 'Mother I Love You' during Sacrament Meeting with the Primary and I cried.  I can't believe how old he's getting.  He did waive to me from the stand and yelled to me once. :)  I think the best Mother's Day gift from Hyrum was given to me on Thursday during Joyschool.  The topic was 'When I grow up I want to be. . . '.  The other girls were talking about being princesses or fairies.  When it was Hyrum's turn to get up he said: "When I grow up I want to be a Mom. . . or a Dad."  It really made my day.  I asked him about it later and he told me that he wanted to be a Mom or Dad so that he could play games, go to the store, and do lots of fun things. I hope he always sees being a parent as so fun.  Brett made me an awesome dinner: shredded chicken soaked in salsa, enchilada sauce, spices, corn, and black beans in a crock pot.  It was served with rice and sour cream in a tortilla.  Mmmmmmm. . . I have the best family ever!

Tried and True-sday

This weeks addition is dedicated to my Momma, because Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday.  One of my favorite memories growing up was bread days.  I loved getting home from school and walking into the house filled with the smell of warm bread.  I strangely loved going into the kitchen and seeing the sink full and my Mom covered in flour.  I loved that the moment we would walk in the door she would yell, "Don't run! Bread is rising, walk softly."  The bread always tasted the best on the first day, when it came out of the oven and I could put butter on it and it would melt before I could spread it all the way.  Mmmmmm. . . and then the fresh jam.  Life is just so much better with hot bread and homemade jam.   Thanks Mom for all your hard work in the kitchen.  Thanks also go to my sisters who have kept the cooking/baking tradition alive.  I love that if I can't get a hold of Mom I can run through all my sisters to ask questions or get advice on recipes and cooking in general.  Happy Mothers Day!  

I have a few bread recipes that I could share, but this is the recipe that I made today and it turned out so perfectly that I just had to share.  I found the recipe on allrecipes(dot)com, listed as "Simple Whole Wheat Bread".  However, I have made a few changes by recommendation from my sisters and myself.  I also changed the name because with the alterations made the bread is so moist and non-flaky that it needs to be celebrated. This is what the finale has ended up to be:

Sweet and Squishy White/Wheat Bread 

3 cups warm water (about as hot as you would give your kids in hot cocoa)
2 packages active dry yeast (1Tbsp + 1/2 tsp)
1/3 cup honey
5 cups bread flour
5 Tbsp. vital gluten
approx. 3/4 Tbsp. dough enhancer

3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
1 Tbsp. salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3 Tbsp. vital gluten
butter or margarine
(opt. sunflower seeds or other added goodness)

In a large bowl (or Kitchenaid) mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey.  Add 5 cups flour, 5 Tbsp. gluten, and dough enhancer, and stir to combine.  Cover bowl with a towel and let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

Mix in remaining butter, honey, and salt.  Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour.  If in Kitchenaid then gradually add the remaining flour about a 1/2 cup at a time while continually stirring it with the kneading arm.  Let it continue stirring until the dough is completely off the sides and the consistency is slightly sticky to the touch.  If by hand then flour a surface and begin to knead the bread adding the remaining flour little by little until the dough no longer sticks to the counter but is slightly sticky to the touch.  Place in a greased bowl.  Cover with a terry cloth.  Let rise in a warm place until doubled.  (TIP:  Put your oven rack a little lower and then place the bowl in there to rise with the oven light on to keep it the perfect warmness.  DO NOT turn the oven on!  Putting it in the oven will prevent breezes or heavy traffic from ruining the rising process)

Once doubled in size (about an hour later) punch the dough down and divide into 3 loaves.  Place in greased 9x5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by about one inch (again let it rise in the turned off oven with the light on).  Rising time will be about 30-45 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes; do not over bake.  Lightly brush the tops of loaves with butter or margarine when done.  Let the loaves sit in the pans for a few minutes and then turn them upside down over a towel and they should just pop right out to continue cooling.

Pictures anyone?

The counter-tops have finally come!  Our kitchen is one step closer to being finished and I am loving how it looks so far!  I don't want to give much away yet so the before and after will have more of an impact:)  This is where we stayed while they installed them.  The boys and I made a fort under our table and they loved watching everything that was going on.  

Noah's secret adventure:  Noah is very independent.  He has always been perfectly fine playing by himself and finding ways to entertain himself.  It has been such a blessing to have such an easy going, low maintenance little man, but explorers tend to also induce teaching moments and a need for an increase in patience. I was downstairs and the boys were playing nicely in their room together.  After a little while Hyrum came downstairs and helped me with cleaning up for a while.  Noah was awfully quiet upstairs by himself.  I walked into their bathroom where I could hear him quietly talking to himself.  He turned to look at me and very seriously said, "Mom, I painting mirror." and then went back to work as if I had interrupted his masterpiece.  For all those who want to pursue the arts: toothpaste does not make good paint.

Noah's second secret adventure:  When I take a shower I typically turn cartoons on, put legos on the floor, and then lock the bathroom door so that I can have some privacy.  Well, Noah has decided that this is the perfect time to do whatever he wants.  I frequently get out of the shower to find him eating from a bag of cereal on my bed (no no), rearranging his bedroom, pulling things off the pantry shelves. . . Anyway,  a couple of days ago I came out of the shower and immediately asked Hyrum where Noah was and he replied, "He just being crazy, Mom."  I walked out my bedroom door to see Noah standing at the top of the stairs with a gallon of milk opened (thankfully not full!) and his face looking like the picture below.  He then told me he needed milk.  I went downstairs to see the damage.  He was nice enough to put the jam container back in the fridge after he had kindly drank all that was left of it!  Fingerprints and jam smudges were clear evidence.  Seriously, this boy loves jam!

 I haven't mentioned this yet, but one of our neighbors has chickens.  With all the gardening I've been doing, I've loved having chickens so close, because they eat all of our weeds!  So, when it's nice the boys will go over with a bag of weeds each and feed them.  Both the boys love carrying them around like stuffed animals. (pic taken from phone)

Tonight we had our first official Sundae party for Family Night and I would say it ended as a success. . . minus getting them to stop running around like maniacs to go to sleep. Woa, sugar rush!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Noah has the softest skin in the world after rubbing the remainder of my Aquaphor all over his entire body.