Happy Birthday Xzavior!

Wow, you're really smart! How about get a clue mom...and don't ever make cakes at 2 am. Last year I made his cake at 5 am after working for 13 hours straight!! Crazy? Why yes I am! But it was entirely worth it when Xzavior got very excited and started dancing and clapping when he saw his cake! Then he tried to just snatch it up, but we started singing Happy Birthday and that took his happy dance to a whole new level! Whew...think I deserve a good nap someday in that thinking chair!
As crazy as this was I plan on making several more cakes from here on out so I can refine my skills again. I used to be pretty good at decorating. But if a skill goes unused...it suffers. Either way Xzavior loved it and that is all that counts!!!! I'll post future cakes as I rehone my skills. Wish me luck!

~Your Mary Kay Angel Returns~

Your Mary Kay Angel has returned!!! After a terribly long hiatus I am back...that means that I will be looking for new fresh faces to join me on my endeavors to empower woman and improve skin and lives along the way! Our new products look fabulous and I can't wait to try them all. I should be getting them very soon. So I will be sure to start sharing everything I love from here on out!

Mary Kay has always been a huge supporter in the fight for a cure. And since this has touched my life personally I too do what I can to help. So here is my deal: I will set apart a list of items and all of my proceeds from those items will go to the 3 day walk fund. Remember this could be helping you or those you love in the future!!

~~THINK PINK AND SUPPORT THE CAUSE TO FIND THE CURE~~

Remedy This...Teething Fun

This is my little sweety Quinton. When he was born he was a bit colicky. (that may be an understatment) Well, I was so happy because after 4 months we were on our way out of those fun all day and all night inconsolable screaming bouts. We all enjoyed a week of smiles and 3 to 4 hours of sleep in a row. Then came the crazy drool, like a mastiff went to the water bowl and came back to give you some lovin. And the extra spit up, fevers, and the crying was back. From happy to I don't know what to do in 2 seconds. How sad his little fuss face makes me and crazy that painful cry makes me feel.

A crazy thing about teething: when we had our first son, Xzavior, people told us that at 3 months there was no way that he was teething. Think again, his bottom teeth popped out at 4 and top teeth popped a few weeks later at almost 5 months. Way ahead of the "average". Now Quinton at 5 months is going crazy.

Back in the day my mom rubbed Brandy/Bourbon on my gums as did many parents back then. And I am sure that didn't actually relieve the pain but it was enough to relax us and get some rest. But if you don't want to start a lil alcoholic here is a safe and natural way to relieve your babies and toddlers, in turn getting relief for your entire house!

Hylands teething tablets. They come in bottles containing 125 tablets. These tablets are very soft and almost instantly dissolve. They are 100% natural and very best of all they really work. I can't say enough about these little miracle tablets and the folks at Hylands they are fabulous. In addition to the teething tablets we use other Hyland products including some for adults. We love the teething and colic tablets we give these as baby shower gifts...

If you would like information on relief for your little ones or yourself you can look them up at: http://www.hylands.com/ Please note that Fred Myers does not come up but they have a large selection for babies, children and adults in the natural foods area.

Fruits and Veggie's

Yay, we got our fruit and veggie starts today. And seeds for further planting so that we have a longer harvest and are able to can some beans, carrots, squash and salsa. Have you ever eaten colorful carrots? They look like fun for veggie trays. Can't waite to share ;~)

The Eagle Flys

Thanks to a very good friend we have our car running. We actually loaded up as a family and went out of the house. We left with the intention of going to Baskin Robbins for 31 cent scoop night to benefit the fire fighters but the line was extremely long. And with Xzavior(almost 2) and Quinton(5 months) it would have seemed longer. So we decided we can still donate straight to the firemen and ran to a friends house for a visit. Something we have not done since Quinton was born. Can't waite for more family outings. Even if it is just a picnic at the park or going to church. As long as we are flying together.....

Eagles And Rabbits And Deer, Oh My!!

We live on a little piece of land that we share with our land lord. It is somewhat of a little farm. They have goats, horses, ducks and chickens. We are going to add some chickens and ducks to the mix very soon. Zac has been working very hard getting our garden area ready and bringing home tires for some of the veggies. This is all very well and good except that last week we came home to deer staring us down in our own yard. And they keep coming back daily. This is always an aww inspiring site if you are not trying your hardest to become a little more self sufficient. Even the rabbits are not all that scared of us....so how to protect our garden on a budget and not make it look ghetto. That is the first question. Our next dilemma would be that we had 4 ducks and alot of eggs...and along came an eagle and swooped down into the duck pen and got the girls! While they were laying on thier eggs. That seems so very wrong to me. We have 1 male and 1 female left. Now we can change the duck pen, but they are free range so they can go to the pond where they are free game or sitting ducks. (I couldn't help myself)

Another scary thing is that the eagle and the hawk have also gone after cats, big ones. I am afraid to have Quinton outside on a blanket or in his playpen. He would be a beefy snack.

So any suggestions on how to keep the neighboring animals in the wild and away from our kids, animals and garden?

La Cucina di Avery...Ahh Lasagna

Again, how much do you pay for already made food that you may or may not enjoy? Too much for lasagna. Why can't you find a meat lasagna with vegetables? I have looked and looked and looked! So we finally created one. My husband and I boiled, sliced and diced everything together. I love heating up the kitchen with him! Our dish: Pasta, homemade garlic tomato, meat sauce, cottage cheese, spinach, zuchinni, red peppers, sharp cheese, garlic, alot of love. Repeat.

Now, we forgot to drain the cottage cheese which left a bit of liquid, but over all this was very good. Zac called this my "Enchilada Dumplings"!The best part was the cheese, it was perfectly browned. Picture perfect.

La Cucina di Avery..Pizza~Pizza

This my friends is what you would pay about $25.00 or more for at a place like Garlic Jims. (One of the best pizza places ever!!) Only it was created at "La Cucina di Avery". Ok so that happens to mean our kitchen in Italian. And making pizza at home is not always the easiest or the fastest, but with practice it is the best. Homemade crust, sauce and all. Plus you can have all the toppings you want to try with out the charge of a buck fifty each. Hmmmmmmm. This weeks creation: Homemade crust, homemade basil sauce, garlic hamburger, ham, pineapple, zuchinni(very thin slices), peppers, fresh tomatoes, garlics, pepperjack cheese, sharp cheddar, a little mozzerella.

Zac was busy working on the garden to keep us in the vegi's we so love, so this was my lil helper chef. He can't waite to eat food!!!

Bottoms UP!

Mary Kay's Extra Emmolient Night Cream! Absolutely FABULOUS for baby bottoms! It is meant for dry skin but has a ton of great uses.

Diaper rash, dry skin, sun burns, any burns, cuts and scrapes, insect bites, stinging nettles. Very good in the diaper bag, first aid kit and your bathroom!!!

Here's to a perfect bottom!

Weight a Minute

And in this corner: Quinton Jones Kelly Howard weighing in at 18.8 pounds and is almost 25 inches.



Xzavior Lee weighing in at 28 pounds.



I can hardly believe that Quinton weighs that much. We knew he was a chunk and teased that he weighed almost as much as Xzavior, but here is the clincher...he will be 5 months old tomorrow. Xzavior was probably 18 pounds at 6 months. But X never really looked or felt so chunky!



Both boys are very healthy and that is thanks to me, "The Milk Maker" Quinton is strictly nursing and Xzavior is a sleepy time nurser still. That would be why my children have not had to go to the doctors as often as most and are not as sick as most kiddos. Now wouldn't it be nice if they could reproduce mothers milk for adults so we could continue to benefit the same.

~Meet the Averys~

Amber Dawn~Wife to one amazing husband, Mommie of 2 fabulous boys, Daughter, Granddaughter, Sister, Friend, Teacher, Student, Home Maker, Beauty Consultant, Lover of Life and Laughter.

Zacaria Lee~Wonderful Husband, Daddy, Big Brother, Son, Grandson, Friend, Provider, Teacher, Student, Baker, BBQER, Chef.

Xzavior Lee~ Almost 2 years old(6-13) Miracle #1, Climber Extroardinare, My Sunshine, Forever searching, exploring, learning and teaching. Quinton Jones Kelly Howard~ 4 months and 15 days Miracle #2, almost crawling to join brother on the exploring path. Named after all of his Grandpas. Already a major communicator;~)