Relief Society Enrichments

Have you ever been to a Relief Society Enrichment Activity?!

I think they're so much fun!

I have recently been called to the RS presidency and get to plan them now!

I feel both the weight of this calling, and the excitement as I contemplate the specific needs of our dear sisters in our tiny little branch!

How neat is it that sisters are encouraged to meet up 4 times a year to learn something together?

I'm excited.

Ideas that I have:

Very few

Could I get your ideas?! What's been an amazing activity, both spiritual and whatever else?

What would YOU love to learn/do at an RS activity?

My last day of 2009

How are children so innocent?

Most days, I believe that my children are sent from somewhere other than heaven, but that's just me being ridiculous.

The truth is, they are so innocent.

I yell at them and see the hurt in their eyes...and yet, most days, it's so hard to stop myself.

Then I thought, I don't think I've ever seen Kai or Jaiden have a "bad day"...they often put up with mine...

After a long while of whining and moping around about how bummed I was about whatever, I got up and played with Kai. I was the monster and he ran around while I chased him and hid to scare him. Boy, did that make me laugh.

Why are parents so imperfect while children are here to teach us?

I am so amazed that God would entrust us adults who are so imperfect (okay, ME) to take care of these pure and innocent creatures while we hurt them (in a sense) time after another.

Then, Kai says things like;

"Mama's a girl! She's a Princess"

and gives me a hug and a kiss.

I feel so ashamed!

So embarrassed that I am so weak and imperfect!

I hope to be a better mother in 2010. The HOW is what I'm going to figure out now...

VENTING

SO DOES ANYONE ELSE'S HOME GET CRAZY AS MINE DOES?!

I woke up feeling fine this morning, in fact, I was quite excited for the last day of the year.

Then, the BLUES hit me.

I get like this once in a while, and no matter how hard I try, the darkness doesn't seem to lift.

I hear the kids louder.

They seem to know just how to push my buttons-with innocent little eyes.

My kitchen AND house seems dirtier.

I pick something up and look behind me to see the same thing on the ground again!

I say NO about a million times a day.

Then, despite my best efforts to fix my bad moods,

I can't seem to find anything fun to do.

I want more money.

How come no one ever tells ME "good job!" or give me a RAISE?!

I want to be validated.

I feel so tired of doing the same things day in and day out.

Kai says "mama, mama, mama, this and that, MAMA!!"

HOW MANY TIMES DO THE KIDS SAY MY NAME IN FIVE MINUTES?

HOW MANY MOANS AND CRIES AND TUGS AT MY FEET DO I EXPERIENCE?

I feel tired of doing school work.

I feel tired of responsibilities.

I FEEL TIRED.

So, does anyone else feel like this, EVER, or is it just me?

Tomorrow, I'll be fine.

Heaven forbid someone tells me "Oh, you'll get over it soon," or "well, be grateful for what you have!" I WILL KARATE CHOP YOU.

(on a positive note, I think I am getting better at 9pm now--

I must be needing to go out and do some service-)

Bloggin'

Hmm, so I've decided that I'm enjoying this Blogging thing.

Thanks to all you who leave such nice and fun comments! They make my day! I already have a suggestion to put up information about Couponing, but if any of you have other suggestions, please send them my way!

Thanks for reading!

Reindeer Roootbeers

Isn't this fun?! It's one of the Christmas presents we made! Talk about cute and fun! :]

I decided that I really love to make (and receive) homemade gifts, so I'll be collecting fun gift ideas for all occasions--stay tuned! :]

{Reindeer Rootbeers}

Root beer bottles/Sprite or whatever drinks

some circles from your whole puncher

twigs from either your backyard, or the tree in the Target's parking lot! (lol-that's where I got mine!)

Glue-preferrably hot glue for the twigs as the antlers and regular glue for the paper eyes

Total cost? If you only have to buy the drinks, it's about $3.50.

It goes great with a package of popcorn and some hot tamales or any other "movie theater" themed candies!

Something Positive

Fill your mind with Truth

Fill your heart with Love

Fill your life with Service

(president S. Monson)

Time Outs really do work. Start young!

We put Jaiden in his first time out yesterday.

He hit Kai!

so Ronny decided it was time and put him into a time out--in the corner.

I thought that little Jay was a bit too young to understand what was going on, but it looked like it really worked! He's been fooling me all this time! ha-hah!

It was the darnest thing to see though!

Jaiden stuck his face into the corner, then would turn around to see daddy's stern face say

"No, Jaiden, turn back around."

Jaiden would then pull his hands into a fist and put them in front of his face in the corner (see picture) and pretend to be crying-or that he was remorseful (lol).

He kept checking back at daddy's face, but he realized it was serious (though it was hard for Ronny to keep a straight face!) and turn back into the corner.

Then, Daddy finally said "ok Jaiden, you can be done, but you go give Kai hugs and kisses." Jaiden RAN out of there and tackled Kai, wrapped his little arms around his neck and gave him slobbery kisses.

Time Outs DO work, so start young! lol

by SuperNanny!

Goals Part 2.

I've also been thinking...

MAKE SURE TO INVITE THE LORD and ASK HIM to help you when it comes to choosing which goals to set and keep in your lives.

1. Pray for help in setting worthy goals BEFORE you begin setting them.

then, 2. list as many goals that will come to your mind---anything. I laugh at myself at wanting to learn "dance" at my age, but WRITE IT DOWN. Nothing's impossible. So what if I decide I'm not cut out for it? Or to learn Oil painting?

I want to learn, and I can do anything and so can YOU. Write it down.

Lastly, 3. ponder your goals, study them out in your mind. Then, 4. Pray and ask for guidance and help to know which goals are worthy of your time and energy.

This is important.

The Lord will for sure guide you in those things which would be best for you at this time.

How many of us ask the Lord for help in accomplishing the "greater" things of life, but forget the Lord in our daily dealings?

Could we be doing a lot more with our time and energy IF we would just involve Him and ask Him for help?

YES. I believe so! I know I could conquer and accomplish a WHOLE LOT more, if I would rely on the Lord just a bit more! So, here's to trying it this way in 2010! :)

COUNTDOWN LANE

Ronny and I were reminiscing about our most memorable events in 2009:

here are our top 10!

10. Monika learned to Coupon Shop!

9. We paid off our Neon!

8. Ronny got himself a motorcycle!

7. Monika got a craft room!

6. Monika learned how to sew pants and other things!

5. Kai was potty trained and Jaiden learned to walk!

4. Ronny advanced to an E-5 in the Coast Guard

3. Family and friends came to visit! (Idaho and Chicago and Lundy)

2. Monika was able to go back to Japan to meet her family!

1. We became home owners!

What a blessed 2009 it was! How about you guys?

2010 Goals

Christmas is done, the trash is still laying around, but I am sitting here, already thinking about my new year's resolutions. Actually, I've BEEN thinking about new goals and reviewing the old ones...

Financially, I'd like to work hard again with Ronny to establish a good chunk of savings. We had set a goal to pay off our Neon ($10,000 in Jan. 2009) and we did it, so we're thinking we can have about the same amount in our savings by Dec. 2010.

(keep us in check please!)

I want to learn new things too...dance, maybe take more piano lessons to push myself? Finish my book...? I don't know...just thinking...

there's just so much I'd love to learn and do and not enough time! Gotta prioritize!

I'll definitely continue to coupon and build up our food storage. We now have shelveS FULL of food, toiletries, school supplies, gifts, etc. in storage...couponing has been absolutely amazing and I don't think I'll quit anytime soon. I want to do it better though...so I'll be thinking harder of how I can more efficiently shop-and save-and cook-and live...so any and all ideas would be awesome.

I just love goals.

I once heard one of our beloved prophets/apostles speak of goals:

"If you don't know where you're going, it won't matter where you end up"

I want to get somewhere. I still don't know where that 'somewhere' is, but I sure as heck don't want to end my life and not know what I have done. So, to plan!

What do you all do/how do you decide what your goals will be?

Here's a quick "goal setting" session I once learned in the mission:

1. decide where you want to ultimately end up. Then, back track by setting smaller "stepping goals" to help you get to your destination.

for example: I want to learn to dance Salsa-a Spanish dance. This would be my "ultimate" goal. So, what are some stepping goals I must set to get there?

-find a dance studio that teaches Salsa

-decide if I want to, and can afford to pay for a class-if not, what else could I do? (Youtube is great-or library videos!! do you have a friend who knows Salsa?) etc.

It's important also to set SPECIFIC goals too, but what about catagorizing goals??

{i.e.}

"Spiritual"

"Physical"

"Personal"

"Education"

"Family"

"Financial"

{etc.}

set up goals in catagories-this will help you stay focused and more organized, not to mention specific.

after you've made your goals for the YEAR, try breaking them down into MONTHS too. If you're really ambitious and like to be organized and even ensure that you will stick to your goals longer than January 3rd, break them down into WEEKS.

(It's not unusual for me to set goals on Weekly basis) This way, you won't just make your goals and them forget about them after January.

What are some of your ideas and methods when it comes to setting and sticking to goals? Any fun ones you'd share with me??

Super Easy Cake Balls you can't go wrong with!

I made these Cake Balls (Truffles) I found on "Bakerella"'s blog last night for my Relief Society class. Figured I'd stuff them so that they can't "Boo" me while up there giving the lesson. LOL

They turned out not so pretty--because I have no clue how to "dip" the balls of truffles into the chocolate batter...BUT, they were SUCH A HIT, I was blown away--EVERYONE LOVED THEM and couldn't get over them! Imagine if I really knew how to make good truffles! lol

Why I loved it: it only requieres THREE ingredients and it was pretty darn EASY.

Takes some time to do, but it's EASY and relatively cheap--esp. if you already have these 3 things in your food storage!

I made the red velvet cake with white chocolate (you can buy "candy chips" in stores--at Michael's, they were in the baking section...use their 40-50% coupon and get it for about $1.70)

Red Velvet Cake Balls

It’s based on a mix, but I imagine you can follow the same directions substituting from scratch cake and frosting (I’ll try that one day). You can also try it with other cake combinations.

Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I also only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It’s easier to work with when it’s hot.

Thanks, http://www.bakerella.com/

A typical day as a mom

It's 7am. I peek through my heavy lids to see little Kai standing there, unwrapping tiny morsels of "Hershey's Chocolate Treasures" which had been on my nightstand. My heavy eye lids close... Oh well, I shouldn't be eating those anyway...

8:30am. I drag my sleepy body into the shower after scrubbing out chocolate drool stains from beside my bed and say a little prayer in my heart.

Father, please grant me the patience that I need to get through this day...or at least that I won't MURDER the kids another day...

My head begins to fill up with things I must do today, forgetting that I was ever praying in the first place.

After getting dressed, I go into Jaiden's room. Yup, a strong nasty odor fills my nostrils and I quickly inhale the biggest breath, determined to keep it inhaled for the next few minutes.

It doesn't work. It's a nasty one.

I grab a diaper and a box of wipes. Several wipes.

I get down on the floor and undo Jay's ronchy diaper. His hand shoots down, touching the brown chunks. "NOOOOO!!!" I yell.

One down.

Getting up from the floor, Jaiden runs off to play. I get up too, not so ready for the next adventure to be had.

I walk into Kai's bathroom. (he has his own)

there's streams of white toilet paper laying all over the floor.

"KAAAAAI!!!!" I shout as loud as I can so that he can hear me anywhere from the house.

the little blond head pokes into the bathroom after what seems like an eternity.

"Yes, mamma??" an innocent look.

"Kai, what's this!?" I ask my three year old son. "You need to pick these up and throw them away into the toilet!" I demand.

A blank look on his face.

"Kai!" {snap to it, I have much to do today!} I think to myself.

"But mamma, there's POOP in there!!"

I get down to the ground and lift a streak of T.P.

OH.

my gag reflexes kick in, but I stop myself from losing it.

Once, twice, three times of disinfecting the whole darn place should be enough...either way, I've got no time to be cleaning, I haven't heard Jaiden in a while.

"Jaaaaideeeen!??!?!?" I yell from the bathroom.

pat pat pat, I hear, what an obedient child he is, little Jaiden almost always comes when I call.

I walk around the corner of the hall to make sure he's alright.

Something shines in his hand.

I take a closer look while stepping down the stairs

a KNIFE.

My heart skips a beat. or maybe it completely stopped for a second.

I fly down the rest of the steps and pretend to be talking to a suicidal person. "Oh, Jaaiden, hi...give me that knife pleasssee..." my voice is a nice one. I see my chance and grab the sharp blade out of his hand!

Danger averted. I saved the day, yet again.

It's lunch time and I'm wore out. Wiped out from the morning.

Making lunch for the boys, I realize again that I haven't heard Jaiden in a while-probably five minute, really.

"Kai, stay right here!" I shout at him as I run up the stairs in lightening speed, all the while, getting a bad vibe. What did I forget to do now?!

A blue faced Jaiden is munching on something. I run into the room and make him spit out the waxy residue from his mouth. Turning around, I SCREAM. The walls are covered in blue streaks of markings, love marks from Jaiman.

This earns him a time out.

After this, I waited for Ronny to come home to save me.

Really, this can go on and on, but I would bore you too much.

I don't think I ever thought that being a mom would be the cause of my death, but at this rate, I think I will be dead in no time! My heart has skipped a few beats and has even stopped completely a few time already, and my kid are only three and two. WHOA.

Do it right, the first time.

Sometimes, I forget that there are still good people on this earth.

I met a real nice gentleman today, standing in the humongous lines at Walmart.

Standing there with what I planned to make for Ronny and my "date night,"

an African American middle-aged man in front of me turned to me and said;

"dinner?"

"yah..." (great, a weirdo)

"looks good"

"Thanks..." (I'm really tired...)

after a brief chit chat with this man though, I decided he wasn't shady, so I commented on the bundle of roses he held in his arms.

"Is it your wife's birthday or anniversary or something?"

"this? Oh, no...I just try to do something nice once in a while...you know, 'cuz you're only married once...well, that's what I want, anyway!"

"Oh, that's great, real nice of you"

then, turning around again with a twinkle in his eyes, he said;

"a wise friend once told me, that he and his wife left each other notes every single day--they've been married now for 50 years!"

"WHOA! that's tough to do, every single day!! But 50 years?! Something must be working for them!"

"yuup, now I says to myself, writing each other love note every single day might be hard, but I will do it at least once a week. Don't know how long i'll be around, but while I've got her, I'm gonna do it right and treat her right"

In this world where infidelity rules and couples going wild, I needed to know that there were still people, couples who did believe in Love, who did work towards something special despite challenges, and who did come out stronger because they stuck it out, together.

Funny, I thought, to be able to feel the spirit, even in that dingy crowded Walmart.

This man left a big impression on me--then he was gone.

I must have needed it.

Thank you, Mr.

Mommy eats Baby Kai

I had a funny moment last night.

Sitting together with Kai, we sat and read "Kai's baby journal" when I spotted a picture of me preggers with him, so I said; "Look here Kai! This is mommy when Kai baby was in mommy's tummy!" Kai's curious little face looked up at mine and said; "Oohh mamma, You ATE baby Kai?!?"

LOL.

Christmas Letter 2009

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to you! 2009 We hope you have had a memorable year! We have truly been given much. As a family, we were able to experience so much joy and do so many new things! Here’s what we did! Ronny: was promoted to an E-5 and has officially been in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years! He’s about to re-enlist for another six years and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to have joined the Coast Guard four years ago! When he’s not at work or home being a wonderful husband and father, he is the president of the Young Men in our Sunny Side Branch here in Houston. Though there are but few in attendance, the call to help these young men is a phenomenal one, but know that with the Lord by his side, he will be able to make a difference! Monika: was able to travel to Japan to reunite with her biological family in Japan after more than 23 years of being separated, while Ronny and the boys stayed home together for 12 days! It was an experience no words could ever describe! She also learned how to “Shop smarter, save more”with coupons! We have cut our grocery budget in half and have been able to save abundantly! She continues to take courses online at University of Phoenix and is two classes away from receiving her associates degree in Business. She was recently called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society in our branch and is looking forward to learning from each of the sisters in attendance. Kai (3): is a chatter box! He understands and speaks both Japanese and English and is a sweetheart. He is always concerned with how everyone is and makes sure everyone around him is happy. He is very artistic and loves to paint and really has a keen sense for Music. He has found a new love for monsters, guns, bugs and bugs and more bugs. He loves little Jaiden and really enjoys having a brother. He was potty trained this year and is pretty proud of his super hero undies! Jaiden(2 in Dec): is a little stinker! We continue to follow up on his eyes and he continually wears contact lenses to help his vision, but you wouldn’t know he was one pound and see through when he was born, he’s a feisty little fire dart! There is nothing to stop this kid! He’s a strong, healthy, always hungry little hippo and we love him very much. He’s more into building things and really tries to figure out how things are made and how they function. He has been signing for the last year, also comprehends both Japanese and English and has recently begun to say a few words; baby, Mama, Dada, and ball. Family: We paid off our car loan! And...We moved! We were able to buy our first and brand new home! It took about three months to build, but here we are! We are loving being home owners have enjoyed our visitors so far! (come back!) Goals for 2010: We are hoping to furnish our home a bit more and have all of you come visit! Ronny wants to advance to E-6 and finally buy his dream aquarium! Monika aspires to finish writing her autobiography and continue going to school for her Bachelor’s. We also hope to be able to travel more and see more of our family this year. We love this season, for all of which it signifies for us, the Love of our Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that you are all watched over and can feel both His love for you and ours, as we think of each one of you this season and hope to receive updates of you too! With love, Ronny, Monika, Kai and Jaiden Sampert (sorry for the ‘email’this year, we have cut out stamp+ photo expenses!)

Chocolate Chips Pumpkin Cookies

I know, I know, I've been all about Pumpkins lately!

But they're soo good! :D

These are so soft and moist and YUMMY!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

1 c. sugar

1 c. pumpkin

1/2 c. oil

1 egg

Mix together above ingredients. Sift and add to above:

2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking powder

Dissolve and add to rest of ingredients:

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. chocolate chips

1/2 c. nuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drop on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

Bath Beads

How about some Eucalyptus Spearmint & Lavender Chamomile Bath Beads??

Soak in the bath for some girly time for yourself or give as a homemade gift!

Bath Beads:

Epsom salt

Food Coloring

Essential Oils

Merry Christmas!

Wallets

Can't think of what to give to that someone special or that someone who has everything!? Why not a handmade wallet that you're guaranteed won't be found anywhere else!

I have one, and I love it!

$15!! and the best part is that you'll get to request the colors/design!

Contact me: hermanamojo@yahoo.com

Oriental Lettus Wraps

Many of you already have this recipe, but for those who enjoy lettuce wraps and don't yet have the recipe, here it is:

While Browning up whatever meat you like (here, I used ground beef-let's say about a pound of it), add thinly sliced carrots, onions, and whatever other veggies you like. Tip is to slice them long wise. (zucchinis, water chestnuts, green/color peppers work great also--it's a great "left-over" meal--just use whatever is in your fridge!)

Add soy sauce (start with 1/3C)

Add salt and pepper

Add 2-3 TBSP. sugar (yes, sugar)

Mirin if you have it-(1-2tsp)

add chopped peanuts and chili pepper is optional

Everything is just eyeballed--so make it once and since it's very forgiving, you can always fix it by adding more sugar or soy sauce or even meat if it's bad! lol But really, it's sooo simple you'll wonder how you ever paid more than a few dollars for this at any restaurants! Asian cuisine is a lot of "soy sauce and sugar" combination-you'll know why after you make this! :)

Serve over hot rice and washed lettuce, eat like a Taco!

We got a table! Come dine with us!!

Many people think that "couponing" only applies to Groceries...WRONG!

This table goes for $1,100 at World Market! How much did I pay for it?! $400!! YES.

WE LOVE IT!

All wood, two arm chairs, two side chairs, a leaf and a bench. It's HUGE.

YAY!

Chocolate Chips Pumpkin Pancakes!

I tried the Pumpkin Pancakes!! MMM

I added some chocolate chips and it came out SO good!!

Light & Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pinch clove

1 1/4 cup low-fat milk

1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 egg

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, spices and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together milk, pumpkin, melted butter, and egg. Fold mixture into dry ingredients. Spray or grease a skillet and heat over medium heat: pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side. This recipe makes six 6-inch pancakes.

Side Note- This can easily be doubled and frozen or stored in the refrigerator for a great breakfast later in the week.

Recipe from http://www.momadvice.com/blog/2009/10/fluffy-light-pumpkin-pancakes.html