OCD control.
Ok so I do have a little obsessive compulsive disorder! This is what I woke up to sunday moring. I was laying in bed, (I only slept in a little) and I could smell pancakes. I jumped up since I knew brian was still in bed, to see who was cooking, and this is what I found--(I had to take a few deep breaths, and try not to look at the mess, and just appreciate the thought) Zach, Jason,and Abby were mixing up the pancake batter, Zach also peeled some potatoes for hashbrowns. Joey was making over easy eggs, very impressive, and Alli got me a glass of diet pepsi!! I am so loved. And its ok that it took me 45 min. to clean up all the.....love.... that was spilled on the floor. That was the best breakfast EVER!!! l love my babies.

Soccer moms! Here is a rare pic of me on my blog, usually I am taking all the pics. This is my bff from high school her family came up for the weekend, and helped us cheer on alli at her soccer game. If you would have seen us in high school, you would laugh at us sitting at a soccer game with our babies on our laps, but here we are!!! Thanks for everything Jami!!

soccer!!!! Here it is again! soccer season has made its way to our house again. So far Alli is doing really good. They have won every game. And (knock on wood) the weather has been wonderful so far. Can't beat that. Here is my beautiful daughter in some great soccer poses. you go girl!

Medical update

Kind of. Ok so all of Joeys blood tests came back ok. And now I am thinking that Joeys Dr. is starting to maybe listen to me. I have thought for a very long time now that Joey has cushings syndrome. But it is one of the most dificult things to diagnose. Well the Dr. has ordered Joey to go in, (tomorrow morning) for a MRI, and ultrasound. It is so hard as a mom, you don't want anything to be wrong with your babies, but to get answers would be so nice. I do have to wait for 2 weeks to get the results I may put a pic of me in 2 weeks with gray hair on the blog. we will see. Anyway, just wanted to update everyone!!

Ok I don't know why I have been thinking about this lately, my kids have been just fine this year, as far as I know, but last year we had some problems. So I found some info on bullying that I think every parent should talk over with their kids!

1. Talk to your child about BEING A LEADER and not a follower.
2. Teach them to NOT ACCEPT bullying in their group of friends.
3. Teach them that it is RIGHT to stand up for somebody being picked on.
4. Teach them that it is kind and good to SEEK OUT those that aren't being included, and include them in activities, the lunch room, parties, etc.
5. Tell them it is RIGHT to report bullying to the teachers.
6. Teach them it's MORE IMPORTANT to do what's right than to be popular.
7. ASK THEM about their friends and how they treat others.
8. TELL THEM about how bullying and having no friends can affect children.
9. SHOW THEM by example how to be considerate and thoughtful of others feelings.
10. KNOW the signs of bullied children and be open-minded that YOUR child might be the bully.
* NEVER DO NOTHING! *

Ok enough of my parenting advice for one day.

This picture was taken the night before Jason's surgery. He was so adorable. He fell asleep on the living room floor, and it looked like he was praying. Well if he was, it helped, his surgery went just fine. We are now on our second set of tubes, and minus the adnoides. They also cauterized his nose, so hupefully he won't have as many nose bleeds as he has been having. He was such a trooper. And now today, you would have no clue that he had surgery. I have a superman baby!!!! Ok so he is not a baby, but since he is my baby, I can still call him that. Also those of you who have been following my medical challenges with Joey, he went back in yesterday, They have finally said he has a 'problem' not sure what to call it yet, but we are one step closer. He is growing abnormally fast. in the last 5 months, his bones have grown the equivilant (sp) of 18 months. So we are waiting on some blood work, then off to the endocrinologist. I have a sinking feeling that this is just the begining. Even though I have been trying to get this figured out for 2 years now, I still feel we are closer to the begining than the end. So stay tuned, and I will keep you all posted, and if you feel so inclined, we take as many prayers as you want to give.

Wow what a weekend!!

This is how we all felt after this last weekend. But of course, you do know that I am the one taking the picutre, not the one sleeping, but I couldn't resist this cute pair of sleeping babes. And to say that I was extremely jealous it wasn't me sleeping! Happy fall!!!

It finally feels like fall, I had to get my decor up, and these are Jason's little buddies. He has loved them since he was born!! And now he has his friends back.

Tribute to my wonderful aunt! Barbara, you will be missed more than you know. You are more than a family friend, you are part of our family. Reunions, family parties, staying up half the night playing games, will never be the same! Your absence will leave a huge hole in our hearts. We all love you so much, and know that you are with grandpa now, watching over all of us.

Recipe for

Easy Cinnamon roll muffins

(pictured below)

1 1/2 c. flour

1/3 c. sugar

1/4 tsp salt

4 tsp. active dry or rapid rise yeast

2/3 c. warm milk

3 TB vegetable oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 large egg

filling/topping

2 TB butter room temperature

2/3 c. brown sugar

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

icing

1 c. powdered sugar

1-2 TB milk

combine flour, sugar, and salt. dissolve the yeast in a cup filled with the warmed milk. then stir the milk mixture, oil, vanilla, and egg into the flour mixture. mix well till very smooth. let rest for 15 min.

while the dough rests, mix together butter brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl using a fork till all the butter has been mixed into sugar, and it is crumbly.

Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. sprinkle the topping on the muffins, and using your finger or a spoon press the filling/topping down into the muffin. place pan in a cold oven, then set temp to 350 Bake for about 20 min. cool for 15-20 min. wisk icing together, pour over top of cooled muffins.

ENJOY

What do I want to be when I grow up???

I have been reflecting the past few days, wondering if there is something missing from my life that I could be doing to help me feel more fullfilled? Well, not really, I feel pretty good about what I do in my life, but.........if the opportunity ever came along, I would LOVE to own a bakery!

Everybody knows I love to bake, almost anything! These are my latest 'I am alone for 2 1/2 hours a day' activities.

these are peanut butter filled cookies, covered in white, or pink or whatever, chocolate.

YUM!! The kids came home from school, and that was the end of these cookies.

And then these! I love cinnamon rolls, these are the easy version. They are cinnamon muffins. Just look at that fluffy center. Big hit at the carroll house. If you want the recipe, just let me know!!!
I gotta go work out now, all these sweets are not good for the hips.

First day of preschool.

I was so impressed with my babies. They were excited, they walked right in, and pretty much looked over their shoulder saying..."are you still here?" When did they get so big? And of course Jason goes straight for the puzzles!

Salt and Pepper with their backpacks on, ready for the first day of preschool!!!