The other night I was making dinner and Mahayla rushed into the kitchen freaking out because "The twee fell ober". Considering that I didn't hear any sort of crashing noise I figured that our Christmas "twee" was, indeed, fine and told her that I would be there when I was done. She wasn't having it. I continued to ignore her pleas about the fallen "twee" until she urgently grabbed my hand and rushed me over to where our Christmas tree is standing. She laid down on the ground and showed me how the tree was "falling".
This is the conversation that followed:
Mahayla: (pointing at pine needles) See Mama, twee falling
Me: Oh, honey that is what happens to Christmas trees. When we take them out of the ground they stop growing and their needles fall out
Mahayla: (pointing to the back of the tree) OH NO LOOK, lots of twees falling!
Me: I'm sorry but I can't do anything about that right now.
Mahayla: (questioning look on her face) Um, maybe you could vacuume it?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Fall in the North West
Today was such a beautiful day and Greg didn’t have to work on his day off so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go to what I thought was a small trail that Mahayla and I had been to before. I’ve been having a hard time getting her to stay in her stroller so this trail is perfect because it’s not nearly as busy as the Burke Gillman trail. We took some bread to feed the ducks and started down the trail. The ducks weren’t at their usual spot so we ended up going on a “benture” as Mahayla calls it. As it ends up the trails is probably about 5 miles long and is absolutely beautiful so we ended up walking for an hour and a half. We got to feed the ducks which was a “benture” in itself because we were almost mobbed by about 100 ducks that followed us about ten yards after we were done feeding them. We continued to walk and explore and Mahayla spent most the time on Greg’s shoulders reaching for the leaves on the trees. We could have probably walked even further but had to run an errand and get back for nap time. This is definitely a walk that we will be doing again soon!
"Wook at all the LEAVES Daddy!!"
"I kicka leaves!"
Right before we were mobbed by angry ducks...
Mahayla's favorite spot!
The best face ever!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Halloween
This Halloween was such a blast. This was the first year that Mahayla really knew what was going on so she really got into it.
We went to a Halloween party on Tuesday and one of the gals there had a great camera so she got some great shots of Mahayla.
We went to a Halloween party on Tuesday and one of the gals there had a great camera so she got some great shots of Mahayla.
On Halloween night we went to our church Harvest Festival. The kids got to trick or treat around the offices for a bit then there was a carnival all set up like the Land of Narnia. It was VERY cool to say the least. Mahayla was a bit overwhelmed and kept running from candy bowl to candy bowl like she was obligated to get candy from everyone. It got a little overwhelming after awhile so we headed home after about an hour or so.
Friday, October 12, 2007
I never thought I would have this argument!
This morning Mahayla was watching Curious George while she at breakfast. In this particular episode the Man in the Yellow Hat and George go up to space in a rocket. Mahayla was watching intently and asked me where they were so I told her George was in space. Her response?? "I WANNA GO TO SPACE MAMA!" I obviously told her that she most certainly could not go to space but she wasn't having it.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Back in the saddle again...
Like I said in my previous post I am back at it in the mortgage industry. If you or anyone you know needs to purchase a home, do a refinance or take out a second mortgage to pay off credit card debt or make home improvements please email me at kattiejones@comcast.net.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Thai Fried Rice
This recipe was requested by one of my most favorite people in my life so I thought I would post it here. Be prepared...this recipe is REALLY, REALLY good so if you take it to a potluck make sure to take copies of the recipe with you. I actually adapted this from Emerils "Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe".
THAI FRIED RICE
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined OR Chicken
1 pound jumbo lump crab, picked of shells
1/3 cup peanut oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
2 teaspoons grated ginger
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup minced yellow onions
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
2 Cans Coconut Milk – the full fat kind
4 cups jasmine rice
1 Tbs Green or Red Curry PASTE (Don’t use the powder)
1 - 2 tsp fish sauce depending on how much you like it
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons black pepper
3 eggs, scrambled firm, cooled and chopped
To cook the rice put the rice and coconut milk in a sauce pan. You will need to stir this together so the coconut milk gets dispersed. You will also need to add some water so that it is ABOUT half an inch above the rice and coconut milk mixture.In a large wok or large, non-stick skillet, heat the peanut and sesame oils over high heat. Add the garlic, ginger, 1/4 cup of the green onions and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring continuously so they do not burn. Add the onions, carrots, and shrimp and continue to stir fry. When shrimp begin to turn pink, after about 30 seconds, add the rice and mix thoroughly. Add the soy sauce, curry paste, fish sauce, sugar and black pepper, and stir to mix well. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Gently fold in the crabmeat and the cooked eggs and just heat through.
~~~~I have made this recipe with all sorts of meats so if you don’t have the meat that is called for don’t worry. You can also add other veggies like broccoli or bell peppers. ~~~~~
THAI FRIED RICE
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined OR Chicken
1 pound jumbo lump crab, picked of shells
1/3 cup peanut oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
2 teaspoons grated ginger
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup minced yellow onions
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
2 Cans Coconut Milk – the full fat kind
4 cups jasmine rice
1 Tbs Green or Red Curry PASTE (Don’t use the powder)
1 - 2 tsp fish sauce depending on how much you like it
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons black pepper
3 eggs, scrambled firm, cooled and chopped
To cook the rice put the rice and coconut milk in a sauce pan. You will need to stir this together so the coconut milk gets dispersed. You will also need to add some water so that it is ABOUT half an inch above the rice and coconut milk mixture.In a large wok or large, non-stick skillet, heat the peanut and sesame oils over high heat. Add the garlic, ginger, 1/4 cup of the green onions and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring continuously so they do not burn. Add the onions, carrots, and shrimp and continue to stir fry. When shrimp begin to turn pink, after about 30 seconds, add the rice and mix thoroughly. Add the soy sauce, curry paste, fish sauce, sugar and black pepper, and stir to mix well. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Gently fold in the crabmeat and the cooked eggs and just heat through.
~~~~I have made this recipe with all sorts of meats so if you don’t have the meat that is called for don’t worry. You can also add other veggies like broccoli or bell peppers. ~~~~~
Update on The Jones Family
Well it's been awhile so I figure I should be updating everyone on the recent happenings of our life. I know that Ive seen many of you and didn't really tell you what was going on but I *really* didn't want to tell the story again...Don't worry its a good one.
Greg - At my last update about employment I told you all that he was working for a carpet cleaning company. It started off fine...but ended up being not so fine. The guy who hired him sold his franchise back to the corporation and it all went down hill from there. The guy they sent out to run the place was a COMPLETE douche bag and long story short...both Greg and the other employee, Shae, (it was a small place) left. Within a week Greg got a job working at a collections agency that Shae had previously worked with. He has now been working there for about three months and is actually doing quite well. It's really amazing how you *think* your life is going to be perfect if it will only work out the way you have planned and you think its a disaster when it doesn't. Funny how God works in your life when you let Him! When Greg first took the job I thought the hours were wacked and that I would NOT be liking them. Tues-Thurs he works from 12:30pm - 8:30pm and Fri and Sat he starts at 8 and works until 5 on Fridays and 6 on Saturdays. He then obviously has Sunday and Monday off. I'm definately glad that we can all go to church as a family and the schedule actually was a blessing in disguise (IMAGINE THAT!).
Me - For some time now I've been trying to go back to work in some capacity while trying to avoid taking Mahayla to daycare. Greg's schedule has completely allowed for that! Back in June I started working for a loan officer processing her loans. She is also a Mom and is TOTALLY flexible with my hours which is pretty much un-heard-of (sp?) in this industry. She is actually paying for my licensing and we decided to go ahead and just get my loan officer license since they can process AND sell loans. I started out working in the mornings from my home office early each morning until Greg goes to work. I'm pretty darn excited and we actually just funded our first loan together on Friday!!! My ideal situation would be to work just for her processing and selling loans but it hasn't been busy enough so two weeks ago I started my SECOND job two weeks ago. Back when I was in school I had a house cleaning business. It was great because it was flexible and I made pretty good money. Once I got out of school I wanted to be a bit more of a professional so I got into the mortgage industry....Soooo about a month ago I get an email from a friend of mine that was going to have to quit her job cleaning a mansion in Bellevue. Anyhow she remembered that I had previously cleaned houses and wanted to recomend me. At first I was going to say no because of my processing work but I decided to go for it and Im SOOO freaking glad I did. The house is 7000 square feet so I go for 6 hours on Mondays since Greg has that day off and Tues-Thurs I work from 7:30 - 11:30 so that I can be on time for Greg to get to work. Once I get home we do the switch off then I feed Mahayla, lay her down for her nap and get to work on my loans. I am one tired puppy but am SO glad to have the cash! The situation could be somewhat temporary as she is looking for someone with a 1 year + commitment and Im not sure that I want to do it that long but would like to have the money at least through the end of the year. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I will be talking with her about this in the next few weeks.
Mahayla - Well, she is a real goof these days. The stuff that comes out of her mouth has us cracking up on a daily basis. She is also getting to be such a smart cookie and can count to "eleben". She loves to dance and sing and "read" out loud. Its so sweet to listen too. She is still a little mama's girl and will NOT go to sleep very well so that is going to be worked on this week. Her newest trick when I am getting her dressed is to say "NO I don't WIKE IT!" about anything that isn't Dora or pink....or purple...depending on the day.
Well there you have it...Thats us in a nutshell. Im sorry that I've been so bad about updating you guys. To be honest I was REALLY getting tired of how things were working out for us and I just didn't want to talk about it and I also felt like people were most likely getting tired of it. I feel like we have finally found our place though and have really been blessed! God has totally been at work in our lives and we are seeing the fruit of it.
Greg - At my last update about employment I told you all that he was working for a carpet cleaning company. It started off fine...but ended up being not so fine. The guy who hired him sold his franchise back to the corporation and it all went down hill from there. The guy they sent out to run the place was a COMPLETE douche bag and long story short...both Greg and the other employee, Shae, (it was a small place) left. Within a week Greg got a job working at a collections agency that Shae had previously worked with. He has now been working there for about three months and is actually doing quite well. It's really amazing how you *think* your life is going to be perfect if it will only work out the way you have planned and you think its a disaster when it doesn't. Funny how God works in your life when you let Him! When Greg first took the job I thought the hours were wacked and that I would NOT be liking them. Tues-Thurs he works from 12:30pm - 8:30pm and Fri and Sat he starts at 8 and works until 5 on Fridays and 6 on Saturdays. He then obviously has Sunday and Monday off. I'm definately glad that we can all go to church as a family and the schedule actually was a blessing in disguise (IMAGINE THAT!).
Me - For some time now I've been trying to go back to work in some capacity while trying to avoid taking Mahayla to daycare. Greg's schedule has completely allowed for that! Back in June I started working for a loan officer processing her loans. She is also a Mom and is TOTALLY flexible with my hours which is pretty much un-heard-of (sp?) in this industry. She is actually paying for my licensing and we decided to go ahead and just get my loan officer license since they can process AND sell loans. I started out working in the mornings from my home office early each morning until Greg goes to work. I'm pretty darn excited and we actually just funded our first loan together on Friday!!! My ideal situation would be to work just for her processing and selling loans but it hasn't been busy enough so two weeks ago I started my SECOND job two weeks ago. Back when I was in school I had a house cleaning business. It was great because it was flexible and I made pretty good money. Once I got out of school I wanted to be a bit more of a professional so I got into the mortgage industry....Soooo about a month ago I get an email from a friend of mine that was going to have to quit her job cleaning a mansion in Bellevue. Anyhow she remembered that I had previously cleaned houses and wanted to recomend me. At first I was going to say no because of my processing work but I decided to go for it and Im SOOO freaking glad I did. The house is 7000 square feet so I go for 6 hours on Mondays since Greg has that day off and Tues-Thurs I work from 7:30 - 11:30 so that I can be on time for Greg to get to work. Once I get home we do the switch off then I feed Mahayla, lay her down for her nap and get to work on my loans. I am one tired puppy but am SO glad to have the cash! The situation could be somewhat temporary as she is looking for someone with a 1 year + commitment and Im not sure that I want to do it that long but would like to have the money at least through the end of the year. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I will be talking with her about this in the next few weeks.
Mahayla - Well, she is a real goof these days. The stuff that comes out of her mouth has us cracking up on a daily basis. She is also getting to be such a smart cookie and can count to "eleben". She loves to dance and sing and "read" out loud. Its so sweet to listen too. She is still a little mama's girl and will NOT go to sleep very well so that is going to be worked on this week. Her newest trick when I am getting her dressed is to say "NO I don't WIKE IT!" about anything that isn't Dora or pink....or purple...depending on the day.
Well there you have it...Thats us in a nutshell. Im sorry that I've been so bad about updating you guys. To be honest I was REALLY getting tired of how things were working out for us and I just didn't want to talk about it and I also felt like people were most likely getting tired of it. I feel like we have finally found our place though and have really been blessed! God has totally been at work in our lives and we are seeing the fruit of it.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Slideshow of The Stinker
Scroll down and take a look at the slideshow of Mahayla. My friend Jessica took these pictures and I know I'm a bit biased but I think that they are amazing. If you live locally and would like her to take some pictures just let me know and I'll get you her contact information!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Mahayla's First Movie
I took Mahayla to her first movie in a theater today. Regal Cinemas does free movies at 10 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesday which I thought was a grand idea since I wanted to see how she did at a theater but wasn't loving the idea of paying $12 to see the movie only to walk out 10 minutes later. This was my perfect solution...if she loved it great but if not I didn't have to waste the money. The movies are not first run by any stretch but who cares?
Today we saw "Over the Hedge" and even though she has watched this movie before with her Daddy she still was totally enthralled by the whole experience. When I told her this morning that we were going to go to a movie she started running around the house screaming "MOVIE! MOVIE! MOVIE!" and wanted to leave that instant. Unfortunately she was still in her pajamas and I was not ready...Note to self: Do not tell Mahayla that we will be going to a movie until we are actually sitting in the theater....So we arrived at the theater and bought the kids meal: A small pop, pop corn and mini bag of skittles for five bucks which is an absolute steal by movie theater standards. Once we got our food we headed to the theater. All the while Mahayla was demanding to see the "MOVIE!" We got great seats and she was positively beside herself with joy once it started. There was a little cartoon before the movie that she laughed at hysterically and the same went for the movie once it started. It was so cute to look at her sitting there on her own chair munching on pop corn and holding her sippy cup. She was so excited that she kept leaning back and kissing me which is not a bad way to spend a morning in my book. She got a little distracted towards the end and started playing with the baby in the baby carrier next to us but all in all it went great, I just wish I would have gotten a picture......
Today we saw "Over the Hedge" and even though she has watched this movie before with her Daddy she still was totally enthralled by the whole experience. When I told her this morning that we were going to go to a movie she started running around the house screaming "MOVIE! MOVIE! MOVIE!" and wanted to leave that instant. Unfortunately she was still in her pajamas and I was not ready...Note to self: Do not tell Mahayla that we will be going to a movie until we are actually sitting in the theater....So we arrived at the theater and bought the kids meal: A small pop, pop corn and mini bag of skittles for five bucks which is an absolute steal by movie theater standards. Once we got our food we headed to the theater. All the while Mahayla was demanding to see the "MOVIE!" We got great seats and she was positively beside herself with joy once it started. There was a little cartoon before the movie that she laughed at hysterically and the same went for the movie once it started. It was so cute to look at her sitting there on her own chair munching on pop corn and holding her sippy cup. She was so excited that she kept leaning back and kissing me which is not a bad way to spend a morning in my book. She got a little distracted towards the end and started playing with the baby in the baby carrier next to us but all in all it went great, I just wish I would have gotten a picture......
Friday, June 8, 2007
Goofy Girl
First off, Mahayla LOVES Goofy so I had to use that in the title. Whenever she sees Mikey Mouse Clubhouse and Goofy comes on the screen she comes running up to me with her face scrunched up yelling "GOOOPY!!!" Anyway, I digress, this is not what the blog is about...Today is our was our last day of MOPS. I love going but it's been sort of a struggle because Mahayla was NOT loving the nursery. She would pretty much cry herself into hysterics every time I left her and I would have to go get her because she was upsetting the other kids. Not fun for mom or baby. A couple of months ago I received my saving grace because the nursery attendant started bringing her 8 year old son and Mahayla pretty much attached herself to him. Mahayla would still cry when I left her but I didn't have to go get her and when I would go pick her up little Nhamdi would be reading to her or playing with her. It was pretty dang cute. This week she walked into the nursery on her own, which was a triumph on its own, and started playing with her buddy. She even didn't cry when I left! When I went and got her she had this little crown on her head that she had made. First off I can't believe my baby is big enough to do crafts on her own but secondly...How cute is she with this silly little crown on her head? Sorry for the poor quality. I took the picture with my phone.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Chatty Cathy
Mahayla is talking up a storm these days. Literally every day she surprises me with something new. Here are some of the latest and greatest:
- Our 80 year old neighbor was walking by and M looked him and said "Thats a grandpa!" This is especially funny because we don't call any of the "grandpa's" in our life that name. My dad goes by Papa and his dad goes by Poppy.
- We were about to get on the freeway the other day and she looked at the words on a street sign, scrunched up her face quizzically and said "Is that a number?"
- These days she is loves to talk on the phone to my family. She thinks it is pretty funny to spurt out a bunch of gibberish mixed with understandable words and then say "bye bye" It goes something like this..."Youomoour ouoou door ouroesre Mama ouolerelnm wereagel Car womgoeyn BYE BYE!" Followed by hysterical laughter. Pretty funny if you ask me.
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