This weekend

We went and played at the park with our friends. Why I didn't get a picture of Emma playing with her friend Niev I don't know, but I got a picture of my girls. Linnea landed a spot on the 5:00 news as well. She looked so cute but I couldn't get my stupid DVR to work so we don't have evidence of it. I'm going to contact the news station and see if they will give us a copy. Then Jacob and Emma went camping with some guys from our ward on the father's and sons camp out. Apparently when they showed up the Bishop's son who is a couple years older than Emma said "Look dad! There's a GIRL here!". I didn't realize that it was pretty common for father's to bring their daughters to it as well. Either way, they had a blast.
While they were gone I watched my friend's baby Ashlyn for her while she went and did some shopping. Ashlyn and Linnea are 5 months apart and I think they are about the same size. Ashlyn being younger. They played so well together! I'm sure they will be great friends. Then Linnea and I went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday and I bought some local honey, some yummy bread and some fantastic strawberry lemonade. I also learned that Linnea knows how to drink from a straw. I discovered this when she grabbed my drink out of my hands and proceeded to suck down the lemonade. We've never taught her how to do that. It was kind of weird. And today we get to go and enjoy a beautiful Sabbath Day at church. The weather here has been so beautiful! Hopefully it's here to stay for a few months.

Being "Real"

Last night I was hanging out with some of my best friends and we got into this discussion about being real. It's so easy to look at someone and think they have it all together. People can put on a very good front, myself included. We talked about how much better it would be if we could just all be open and honest about our personal struggles. Wouldn't that be amazing?? I know for me a HUGE weight would be lifted off of my chest. I have people come up and tell me that they are just amazed with Jacob and I and our little family. I keep thinking if only you knew what was really going on. You wouldn't be jealous of us or have us on this high pedestal. There are times when it takes all I have to put on a happy face. And it's not because I have this need to look all perfect and with it. It's because I don't want people feeling sorry for me or drawing more attention to the problem. I wish we lived in a world where people weren't so judgmental and didn't try to fix everything that was broken (or in some cases not broken). We ALL have struggles, some a bigger than others. Some weigh heavier on the soul and break you much quicker. I look forward to the day when there will be peace again, where there won't be anyone judging me.

Someday hopefully soon this burden that we bare will be lifted and we won't have to deal with it anymore. My point in this post is to just say you NEVER know the full story of a persons life so don't put yourself down because some one appears to have it more together than you do. I know we are not alone in our struggle and whatever your struggle may be you are not alone either.

Linnea and the microphone

My mom bought Emma this toy microphone a while ago and Linnea has discovered it over the last month. I frequently find her picking it up and babbling into it. It's pretty cute/funny to watch. I love my silly girl!

Hawaiian Haystacks

We are having Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner tonight. In case you have not been enlightened into the world of Hawaiian Haystacks I'll post the ingredients for you.

Cooked rice (about 1 cup cooked rice per adult)
2 cans cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup- heated
chopped celery
chow mien noodles
chopped olives
chopped green onions
chopped green pepper
shredded cheddar cheese
pineapple tidbits
shredded coconut
slivered almonds

What you do is mound some rice on your plate then pour some heated soup over the top then top with the other ingredients. My favorite things to put on top are chow mien noodles, cheese, olives, pineapple and coconut. I also add some sour cream to the soups.

"My name isn't Emma... My name is Belle"

Have you heard about swagbucks?

I've been using swagbucks now for a few months and I love it! It's a search engine that you use and earn "swagbucks" that you save up and redeem for gift cards and other things. I've earned $25 in amazon.com e-gift cards by using the swagbucks search engine. My refferal code is http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/jthroolin. You should sign up if you haven't already. And if you get other people to sign up when they win swagbucks then you win too.

Linnea's thoughts on wearing matching clothes...

I feel the same way. But when it's not me I think it's cute!

Our last week in pictures...

A new recipe!

I'm making this roasted chicken recipe for dinner tonight.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 2 tablespoons dried rosemary, crushed
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 whole roasting chicken (5 to 6 pounds)
• 6 small red potatoes, halved
• 6 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 medium onions, quartered

Directions

• In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in the seasonings. Place chicken breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan; tie drumsticks together with kitchen string. Spoon half of the butter mixture over chicken. Place the potatoes, carrots and onions around chicken. Drizzle remaining butter mixture over vegetables.
• Cover and bake at 350° for 1-1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 30-60 minutes longer or a meat thermometer reaches 180° and vegetables are tender, basting occasionally.
• Cover with foil and let stand for 10-15 minutes before carving. Serve with vegetables. Yield: 9 servings.

I'm also going to make up some rolls to go with it and some gravy from the drippings.

Shenanigans

These last couple days have been entertaining at our house. Emma thinks she's a little mommy to Linnea which is endearing and annoying at the same time. Jacob and I found them like this yesterday:
They played like this for a long time and then Emma got tired and left her sister hanging.
Linnea LOVES Mr. Elephant. Right now he is getting put into the washing machine because he stinks... like really bad. But she won't ever give him up. These past couple nights we have taken away her pacifier when she goes to bed and she has slept so much better/longer than she was. She's not waking up as often either. She is still allowed to have it during the day sine she seems to have this great NEED to suck on something. If she's crying that is what calms her down. Next on the list is showing her other ways to self soothe. We were so much better with Emma with these kinds of things, but for some reason two kids just is throwing us off. Some days I wish I had had twins so I wouldn't know any better. (That only lasts for a brief moment though).

And this morning I woke up sounding like a man. Kinda weird but Jacob came home early because it's too windy for him to work where he does and on the way home he stopped at this supplement store and got me some tea and throat things and they seem to be helping. I'm becoming a fan of natural herbs. The more I come in contact with them the more I'm liking them.

Beautiful Girl

I love you Emma!