Random Life Rewind and Other Stuffs

I have missed blogging about a few very cool occurrences in our lives this past week or two that just need to be reported.

Going away parties, one thrown by our good friends the Keelers and another by the Meeses. Isn't it so sweet to take a moment to feel that you will be missed? Yes. And they will be missed even more. Here's a photo of me and my girls at the Keeler party.

The house is ready to sell and will be on the market early next week. Hooray! It looks fabulous and I hope some wonderful family who is just starting their lives together buy it and are as happy there as we were.

Drooling over these new apple green sparkle thickers by American Crafts. And had good news. After hearing that my obsession chipboard alpha, Heidi Swapp's Center of Attention, was be discontinued I discovered that Cricut now makes a very similar alphabet cartridge called Street Signs. It's like the old saying "when the Scrapping Goddess closes a door she opens a window". I ordered it last week and received it yesterday. Oh yes...there will be scrapping today.

Having an identity crisis over my ringtone. I used to have The Office theme song and it was perfection. Now that we changed carriers I cannot find it anymore. Yuck. I have been spending all morning trying to choose the ringtone for me to no avail. These are weighty decisions indeed. Any suggestions?

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This man wants me fat

Just as we began to recommit ourselves to the South Beach lifestyle....this man came to Utah. Yes, it's Guy Fieri from Food Network. He was here this past month shooting episodes for one of our fave shows, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Of course we had to spring into action and make a plan to eat at every single establishment he visited before we leave Utah.

Here is the list of Utah restaurants he visited and our take on each one. We are planning on finishing off the list before July 1st. Yes...we know the caloric intake this requires, but it's a sacrifice we are willing to make. The * means we have already dined there.



*Ruth's Diner - you must have the chocolate malt pudding for dessert.
*Burger Bar in Roy - amazing french fries
- Moochie's Meatballs
- Lone Star Taqueria (eating there tonight)
*Blue Plate Diner - Eggs Benedict to blow your socks off!
*Red Iguana - great authentic Mexican food. Get the seafood platter.
- Pat's Barbecue

We highly recommend Utah residents to go crazy this month with us and visit every one of these eateries. C'mon....you know you want to!

P.S. I don't think I'm digging on my new header. It's kind of tame....not like me at all.

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Recently

Living in...


Breaking my diet with



Listening to...



Watching...



Mildly creeped out by...



Scrapping with...


Mourning the hiatus of...


Loving this photo... (click to make larger)

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You Can Trust Me

They say "Never trust a skinny cook". Well, I can be trusted.

I spent my Memorial Day weekend working on the house, but more importantly...baking. My Great Grandfather was a baker in the British Isles. I have a photo of a beautiful wedding cake he made. I thought of him this weekend as I made this Black Forest cake for my Mother-In-Law's birthday.


I used two different kinds of cherries (dark and red), real whipping cream and toasted almonds.


And might I say....it was delicious. The proof? Exhibit A: Fifi mesmerized by the sweet goodness. Notice the blank stare as insulin shock sets in.

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Awww....for cuteness!

I took these pictures last week for an engagement. And these two people just happen to be two of my favorite people in the entire world. Ella calls this couple Owen and Carlos, which sounds like a very chic Gay couple living in Manhattan, but they are actually my Brother-In-Law, Aaron and his fiance Caro. The first time I met Caro, she sat Ella on her lap and Ella started to choke on some food. Caro held her hand under Ella's chin and let her spit out the chewed up food into her bare hand. And that's when I knew....I wanted to be sisters.

I was so honored to be asked to take their pictures. This is one I snapped of them together in between taking head shots.

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Ella Lately

- Trying to parent Evangeline

- When I say, "Mommy said No." she responds with, "Well Ella says YES!"

- Singing made-up songs about "boobies"

- Playing with a new imaginary friend Billibub (don't worry...Cassie is still around)

- Begging to go to bed and naps because she gets to sleep on my Mom's window seat.

- Praying every night to thank Heavenly Father for Emily Foley (who is my good friend)

- Answering my cell phone (without my knowledge)

- Watching the 70's Muppets version of the Frog Prince

- Doing the bum dance every moment she can

- Riding her very first Big Girl Bike with ease.

- Loving doing Crafts with me each afternoon while Fifi takes her nap.

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True Inspiration

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. -Anne Frank

There are a few things about this quote that strike me. The first is that Anne was wise beyond her years. She was so young and yet when I read her Diary it reads like the poetry of an old soul.

I also feel so inspired by her positivity in the face of the most horrific situation. She was focused on making the world better.

But just today, as I write this, I am touched the most by the thought that one does not have to achieve worldly status to make a difference in the world. As a stay at home mom, there are days filled with diaper changes and frustration and no conversations with people over the age of 3. And I wonder if I am making a difference in the world by raising these children to be the best people they can be. And Anne reminds me that the answer is yes. This teenager just wrote her feelings down. To her, her reach may have seemed small if not non-existent. But her words changed the world and made it better...even though she never knew it.

In my own way, I can improve the world. By raising good citizens, by being a good person, by trying to help someone in need and by sharing my story.

Anne Frank inspires me to improve the world in any way I can and to start today. She changed the world within the walls of a small hidden annex and so can I change the world within the walls of my small starter home. And so, blog readers, I challenge each of us to go out today and make a difference in the world, no matter how small.

What will you do today to improve the world?

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Why is sin so delicious?

While I was attending college at BYU I had a girlfriend and every I had guy drama (which was WAY too often) she would take me to Outback Steakhouse for their Aussie Cheese Fries. She said she did this because when guys treat you wrong, you need to just eat something that says, I don't care, I'll get as fat as I want to!

I soon came to love and revere these as the best cheese fries in the world. And they still are...despite this information Matt emailed me from a Men's Health article he read this past week. This article profiled the absolute worst food for you in the world. And the big winner is....drumroll.....

Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing

- 2,900 calories182 g fat240 g carbs
- It's the caloric equivalent of eating 14 Krispy Kreme doughnuts, before your dinner arrives.

- Even if you split this "starter" with 3 friends, you'll have downed a meal's worth of calories.

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Quote of the Day

Conversation with the 3 year old from this past week...

Ella: Where does Daddy's mom live?

Me: Daddy's mom is Grandma. She live in Layton.

Ella: Where does your mom live?

Me: My mom lives in Sweden.

Ella: Your bum lives in Sweden.


She came up with this zinger on her own and delivered it dead-pan a la Kip ("your Mom goes to College"). I tried very hard to keep a stern face and not laugh, but this was classic.

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Delayed

Stressful Delay - We heard from Matt's new job yesterday saying they needed to delay his start date for one month. That means we have to cancel our flights and rebook for July. Ohh...the stress. At least this gives us some more time to sell our house. It should be ready to go on the market next week.

Hilarious Developmental Delay - Oh my gosh....did you see The Office last night? I almost died laughing. Toby leaves and they get a new hire for the HR Department. They tell her that Kevin is special needs. He acts the same way as always, but suddenly it is hilarious. I was peeing myself. And what an action packed and funny episode. I can't wait for next season.



Don't Delay - Tomorrow is the last (Emilie sponsored) Clearfield Crop. It is Saturday, May 17th from Noon until 4-5 pm. It is at the Meadows Clubhouse. Here are directions in case you need them.

- Coming off of the I-15. Take exit 334. Head West.
- Go past Auto Zone (on right) and Maverick (on left). You will see lights at State Street.
- Go through those lights and right across from the Family Dollar you will see a small white ClubHouse. It will be on your left side. Turn in and park in the lot by the fenced swimming pool.

Don't forget to bring a checkbook or cash since I am selling tons of stuff REALLY CHEAP! And it's super nice stuff too!

Hope to see you all there!.

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Where's Wemilie

Ready for another edition of Where's Wemilie?

Check out my article on Craft Critique tomorrow. It's about my very favorite Scrapbooking Idea Book of all time. It's a must have. Read my review to find out which one it is!

The new challenge is up at ScrapFaith. It is to scrap a spiritual hero of a different faith than your own. I chose Albert Schweitzer. He is amazing. We have a fab Guest Artist for this challenge and tons of inspiring layouts. You better go and check it out...stat! Here's my layout for the challenge.


Who would YOU choose as your hero of another faith?
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RECIPE: Mini Cookie Cups

Wow! You blog readers really have an eye for a good dessert. I received many emails and comments about the dessert pictured on my 12 of 12 post this week. So here's the recipe. It is actually my sister's recipe, but we use it so often because these are so dang good and easy to make.

What you'll need...
- any flavor refrigerated cookie dough
- 1 package mini snickers (or other candy)
- 1 mini muffin pan
- cooking spray



1. Spray your mini muffin pan liberally with cooking spray. I recommend using a teflon cooking pan, but this is what my Mom had on hand and ours are packed.


2. Open your roll of dough. Slice it down the middle and then into 1/4-1/2" slices.


3. Roll into a ball and smush into each cup. Making sure to not fill them more than 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until top edged are just barely starting to brown.

5. Unwrap all mini candies. make sure this process is completely finished before the cups come out of the oven.

6. As soon as cups come out push your candies into the center, making sure the more narrow side of candy is pushed in head first. Just push them in enough so that the tops are flush with the tops of the cookies.

7. Let cool on counter for 10 minutes. then cool in fridge for 5 additional minutes.

8. To remove from pan, gently twist tops of cups and pull to release. This is the tough part and you will have much better luck if the cups are not overflowing with cookie. So be scant in step #3.


9. Eat while still gooey and warm. These are so delish...you'll die.

And don't forget...the possibilities are limitless. Try peanut butter cups in peanut butter dough. Rolo's and other caramel cups are perfect for this recipe. Sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, any number of combinations can be made. This recipe makes about 24 button cups with a little dough left over for you to eat raw.

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Vote for Food!

Did you know I am a Master of freezer meals? Well I am. I cook meals from scratch and then freeze them for future use. When my sister had her thyroid removed last year I made her and her family of 6, four weeks worth of meals in 2 days. Many of my friends (and also strangers) have had me teach them and share what I have learned from major trial and error. I have taught a few classes on this before to other busy Moms.

In fact, so many requests have come in that I have decided to just start a website with instructions, recipes and hints to make your life so much easier.

But what to call it? In the side bar is a list of available names for the site. Vote before this Saturday at noon for your favorite. I will get the new site up and running soon. I took step-by-step pictures of myself making 150 mini pancakes this morning. Stay tuned for that!

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12 of 12

Yesterday was the 12th of May and that means taking 12 pictures of my life right now. This will be so interesting later since last month on the 12th I was in Clearfield, this month we are in Logan and next month we will be in Delaware.


I booked tickets yesterday for me and the girls to fly to Delaware (well, Philly actually) on June 2nd instead of driving. Whew! That would have been a long 5 days in the car for those girls. I much prefer a 7 hour flight with Fifi on my lap...or do I?

Matt is working furiously on the house to get it ready for sale and it looks SO NICE! Why didn't we ever tile the kitchen when we lived there so we could enjoy it? Oh yeah...we were having a baby and finishing 2 Masters degrees. It is looking rather fabulous and I am sad to leave it.

I am currently in Top Chef withdrawls. My Mom only has basic cable. It's like being a Caveman here with only 14 channels. How spoiled are we? Very...but I love it. I must have Top Chef with me to be whole. At least during the Project Runway hiatus. {Sigh.} Project Runway. My one true love. Come back to me.

So, what TV show can you not live or breathe without?

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Have I grown a new soul?

Some of you know...when it comes to movies I have no soul. I am highly critical. There is hardly ever a movie I really enjoy and most of the movies I see are just ridiculously lame. Sorry if that makes me a cynic. Our friend, Bryan, perplexed that I never cry in movies, has declared that I have no soul. This was after we weatched the movie In America and I came out dry-eyed.

But recently an astonishing thing has happened. I have seen two movie in a row that I really enjoyed. Crazy, I know. So here they are.

P.S. I Love You - Ahern rated 3.5 / 5 stars

Man, I was not expecting this to be what it was...and that made it better. This movie managed to be romantic without being sappy and had some genuinely honest moments. And get this people...I actually cried towards the end when the main character (played VERY WELL by Hilary Swank) and her mother (played by Cathy Bates) have a gut-wrenching breakthrough moment.

There were a few flaws in this movie, mainly the hated "What an Amazing Coincidence" factor that plagues many movies. Seriously, there are only so many times when strangers can keep bumping into eachother and feeling the requisite sexual tension.

Overall, a good movie that kept me thinking about it for a day or two after seeing it.



27 Dresses - Ahern rated 4 / 5 stars

Not your typical romantic comedy like I was anticipating. There were some cliche story lines, but not so cliche that they didn't seem real.

And seriously, Matt and I laughed out loud probably 6-7 times...and that's hard to do. It was genuinely funny. And there was even more than one point in which I said, "I totally didn't see that coming". They tackled some mildly complex emotions like foundations of relationships and sibling dynamics in a very real way.

I'm just sayin'...rent it. And later we can quote the "Santa Claus line" together and laugh.

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Motherhood

This month I was asked the question...Do you think God had as specific plan for your life? A calling? Something you were destined to do or become? I really thought about this. And the first thing that popped into my mind was writing. I have felt, all of my life, that God gave me a gift of words. And that writing was my calling and my passion.

Then I asked myself why I didn't think of Motherhood? Why wasn't it first and foremost in those thoughts. And after considering this all week I had an epiphany.

Motherhood is so sacred and fulfilling to me, but I know so many women, so many amazing, righteous, fabulous women who are not currently mothers. Many of my close friends have struggled to get pregnant and then had multiple miscarriages. This is heartbreaking for them and for me as well since my own children are such a blessing in my life. And so I have thought a lot about Motherhood and I realized this. In my mind it is not a "calling", but a privilege. I am so very lucky.

Last month Fifi was sitting in her car seat, starving, tired and wailing uncontrollably. She still faces backward so I could not reassure her with my face. So I reached back and put my hand on the side of her little face. She clung to it and pushed into her wet cheeks as hard as she could and then ceased crying. Suddenly I was hit with a wave of uncertainty. To this child...I am everything. And I said to Matt, "I am not good enough to be their entire world". All of my faults, flaws and downright inadequacies flooded my mind and I realized I am not good enough to raise these kids. But nobody is. Nobody knows what they are doing, nobody keeps it all together all of the time, nobody always gets it right with their kids. And so I consider myself completely privileged that God would entrust these little souls to someone as hopelessly flawed as I am. I know with God's help, I can raise them right, but it is only by His grace and faith in me that I get to nurture these perfect little girls. And I am so lucky to have them.

And so, to me, Motherhood is not a calling or a foreordained right...it is a privilege and a blessing. And I hope to not take advantage of this amazing gift. Happy Mother's Day to each of you!

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Handbag Help

I need a new purse.

This seems like an easy task right?

Nope.

And it's all my fault because I have decided (in a very mid-life crisis sort of way) that I do not want to settle for a frumpy handbag that says nothing about me.

This has made my search excruciating.

Here's what I want....no NEED in a handbag.

- Funky color. This is a must. No black, brown or red. Orange would be a serious bonus.

- Structured (no flopsy-mopsy hobo bags)

- A large enough handle so I can sling it across my shoulder. (please acount for beefy yet flabby upper-arms)

- Inner pockets.

- A zipper closure for wallet safety for life in Delaware (aka "Crime Central").

- No brass, gold or bronze hardware.

- Absolutely no tassles.

- Under $50

You see my problem?

So I am asking for help. Please help me find my handbag!

One that is bright, kooky and a bit oversized...kinda like me.

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Any ideas?

on how to get this kid to stop crawling out of her seat and unto the table?



She has started climbing unto the table to snatch other people's food. Then she clutches the food in her hands and rams it into her mouth as if we are starving her.

I swear...we're not!

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It's here...

...our last day in this house.

We are packing the last of it up and heading to Logan this afternoon to stay at my Mom's until our house sells.

Every little thing about this house has a part of us in it. I was so happy here. It is going to be a very sad day for all of us, but we know great things are ahead of us in Delaware as Matt begins his career. We head out from Utah to Delaware on May 28th.

I am taking a million pictures today to document this occasion, but for now, here is a photo from this morning. I love that this day began like almost every other morning in this house. Eating chocolate chip pancakes and watching cartoons in the our king size bed.

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Fatty McButter-Pants

The death nell has tolled on my hiatus from South Beach Diet.

My Brother-In-Law is getting married to the most fabulous girl. We could not love her any more than we do. And apparently the feeling is mutual because she has asked me to be a Bridesmaid (or BridesMatron or whatever). I am so incredibly flattered, but I am also so incredibly FATTER! Ugh!

The last time I was a Bridesmaid the dresses were fire engine red. I felt like bursting through the walls of the chapel and screaming KOOL-AID!


So this means....South Beach started again today. {sigh}

Goodbye onion & cheese Empinandas from the Argentine Corner.
Goodbye Peanut Butter M&M's
Goodbye simple carbs. I'm going to miss you most of all.

Can I get a moment of silence?

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Graduation Pictures

Here are the pictures from Matt's Graduation. We had a fabulous (but very long) day! One of the most unexpected but fun surprises was that they had a pipe band there for the ceremonies. They explained that the man for whom the School of Business is named had Scottish heritage and that they made a Pipe band part of the ceremony every year. My Mom would have loved this part as much as we did. Ella kept waiting for someone to throw candy.



The actual graduation was not too long. Some of Matt's family members were there (his Parents and his sisters Alison and Michelle) and they totally saved me by helping me with our girls. There was not a long speech, which we were all grateful for. It was so exciting to hear Matt's name and see him march across the floor with that little piece of paper that we worked so hard for.











Afterwards, the entire extended Ahern family went for a celebration dinner at Outback Steakhouse. I'm still full from all of the good food. It was a truly memorable day. We are so very proud of Matt and all of his hard work. The studying, the hours and hours of classes and projects, being away from home so much in the past two years.

He has done us all proud and I am especially grateful for the amazing example he has set for our children. That the value of education goes beyond the career it qualifies you for.

GREAT JOB MATT!

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Happy Japan

Has anyone ever been to Japan? It seems so happy! I ordered some adorable little stamps from Etsy and I received a package yesterday and the tape...yes...the packing tape was so delightful it put a smile on my face. This is a country who makes the simple things a happy party.

See for yourself...



{sigh.} I want to go to Japan.
Where do you want to go?
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