Happy Birthday Skyler #22

October Spoofing, Feels like my Blog Anniversary

I began my blog in August and some of my first posts were from Halloween, so when I realize I'm posting about Spoofing again I know another year has passed. Time sure flies when your "old".

Katie, Shawn and Rain

Rain...cute little vampire baby.

Michael Jackson - TorBear's favorite and Tina

Dinner in a Pumpkin, mmmm, mmmm good!

Conner, Rain and Braxton. I remember the first time we did this Grandbabies, Braxton was a newborn and a dinosaur, he's 3 here, wow.

Mikaela did a fantastic job of making these spider web cookies. They are made from pretzels and white chocholate, they turn out so cool. Beckii always has the best ideas.

Mike - master doorbell ditcher, Beckii and Eric - get away driver.



Happy Birthday Talon

Another special boy has entered this world, into our family! Congratualtions Beckii and Eric.

Talon being cuddled by Uncle Mike, lucky baby.

Mikaela's 13th Birthday

We had fun playing games, eating cake and cheesecake with chocolate chip mint icecream.

Slow Down Kathy!

I've been thinking a lot about my Dad lately. I think it is because I have a teenage son who is always in a hurry.

I vividly remember my Dad in his gruff but gentle and a little exasperated tone telling me to slow down after many events in my life like...

When I ran headfirst into the check out counter in the drugstore and split it open as I was ducking and running under the chain intended to block you from going through there anyway...

and again when he was pulling out a very wide one inch sliver of wood from my bare foot after I haphazardly ran up the back stairs...

and when he was teaching me to drive and I would take corners too fast...make abrupt stops...and of course abrupt starts

and when I blew up my baby toe with fireworks that I threw down so quick they landed on my toe...I'm sure there are many more, I think I am still learning to slow down.

Learning to slow down, live in the now and enjoy the gifts from God is an underappreciated value today. I was lucky enough to have that reminder when I got to hang out with Braxton and Conner last night and just enjoy the time we had together and then watched part of a movie together. We just had fun and enjoyed! I do not spend enough of my life just enjoying the moment and valuing these special gifts.

My Dad was also a gift I under appreciated. By the time I was born, my Dad was OLD, so old as a matter of fact many of my schoolmates, and teachers who didn't know him yet would say "is that your Grandpa?", I remember feeling a little awkward about it once, but that was all...only once. He retired when I was still in elementary school and tried to teach me to just sit down and enjoy the ride, I don't think I ever did.

Now as I hear my Dad's words pour from my mouth when Michael drives me around town I miss him and I try to remember to slow down and smell the roses.

Thanks Dad, I Love You!

Beckii turns 25 today!!!!

My beautiful daughter turns 25 today, I can hardly believe it. I can think of so many wonderful things about her:

She is kind....to everyone

A great Mother to her cuter than ever 2 little boys (and one on the way)

She is a good cook, ask to try her lasagne, mmmm mmmm good

Frugal

Fun

Crafty

Good at board games...when I actually want to win that one isn't so cool

Thrifty...brave...clean...reverent (he he he)

Beautiful

Patient

Mikaela says she is a radically good sister, I'll bet the brothers agree with that too

I say she is a good disciple of Christ

Demonstrates Charity, the Pure Love of Christ

Good at teaching

And so much more!!!!!

I love you Beckii, Happy Birthday!

Love Mom

Shawn and Crew

Just so CUTE I want to share

Katie -- Shawn -- Rain

Celebrating Family...

Life is busy at our house again, go figure...we are all back in school, college, high school and middle school. Mike is in football and Mikaela is soooo excited to be playing her trombone again. With this busyness in mind I have a desire to remind myself of the importance of families and family time. I have tons of reading and while taking a little mindless break I found these sites:

http://rovinroberts.blogspot.com/ and

http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/ and

http://beinglds.blogspot.com/

while reading one of my most favorite sites here:

http://www.theredheadedhostess.com/.

They all have a button about CELEBRATING FAMILIES that I would like to follow so I added the button for me to read! (I hope I have time, Sundays maybe?) If you would like your own just click on the button it will take you to the site for the button.

Does Life EVER Slow Down?

COLLEGE - Still typing away, writing on discussion boards, taking quizzes

WORK - Slowing down but there is soooo much to do still that when I leave every day I feel like it's not done. New job description?

HOME - Decided to gut the kitchen....if I saw one more mouse I would move out! Seal all the entries into the house, I HOPE!

It's been so fun though.

Michael taking out the dishwasher and stove...

Eric, Michael, Skyler, and Mikaela ripping out the floor, ICK that was the worst I think...

Pretty much everyone sanding cabinets, sanding cabinets, sanding cabinets....

Beckii and Eric texturing walls...decided I was pretty bad at that but I sand them OK...need practice...livingroom walls next?

Kathy and Michael painting the walls...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the oatmeal brown from Eddie Bauer

Dandelion Pesto

Mikaela thinks it has been too long since I've posted. I think it has been too long since I have had a decent camera, oh well, here goes...

This is Mikaela's siamese twin Dandelion, pretty cool.

Mikaela came inside to show me a "double dandy" and to take pictures of her gain so she could post on her own blog. Then she told me that people make dandelion jam. So, I decided to google it, and do you know what I found? Dandelion jam/jelly, doesn't look so good but this did....Dandelion Pesto! and Mikaela is picking more Danelions for it. Here are the pictures of them:

We'll let you know how it turns out. I'll have to substitute cashews for pine nuts but thats okay. I'm sure it will be fine....?

Where does time go?

I am so busy that time, days, weeks, months pass before I know they are passed.

Besides school and work I think kids sports take up the most time. It seems like just yesterday Michael began playing football and now the coachs are already trying to talk him into playing up...as in up to Varsity. He declined to play up to JV last season. Guess we'll see.
He is currently playing on the Freshman basketball team (and it is rubbing off on Mikaela). He has only 2 games left and has improved every game since he became interested in the sport. He usually a starter and he is very good on the court. Up next is Track, he and 3 of his buddies run the 4x4 in 4:03 thats a mile in 4 minutes, crazy fast. They plan to break that record this year. He discovered that he knows how to jump too, doing the high jump; and he plans to "beat everybody" in the 800m. Great goals, I can't wait to see it!

Mikaela has been watching so much that she is developing a passion for the game. I bought them basketballs today and they hugged them...no kidding. I'm glad they are loving it. Looks like she is an awesome guard, when she is "on her girl", her girl cannot put up a shot, even when that girl is a head taller, good job Mikaela. It's funny to see the others girls reactions to her because on the court she is focused, and takes herself very seriously. Off the court she is the first to compliment the other girls, even if she was playing against them. She is truly a good sport.

The good sport thing made me think about Michael having the same good attitude for the other man! He does the same thing as Mikaela. I'm very happy they have this kind of attitude.

I'm in my 2nd semester of college at USU and I dared to take 3 classes this semsester instead of two, the reading is so time consuming. I've had to cut my days to only 3 a week at work. Really that is because I get to spend my other day off with Braxton and Conner while Beckii goes to classes too. Those are the cutest two little boys ever. This past Thursday they spent at least an hour just playing with the box in my hallway. Boxes are always the best toys!


I love the classes I'm in except a couple are repeats because my credits from the past are more than 10 years old. It's been cool to see the changes since then though; Wow for technology. The more classes I take the more I think I may change to the RN program at ISU...we'll see?! (Having an RN is so much more flexible in the workplace.)

Sacrifice

I'm not sure I sacrifice near enough! My life is so blessed...and easy.

I'm teaching a lesson in church about sacrifice and it really brought to my mind the lack of sacrifice most of us have to do now days. We have everything!

I am reading an Ensign Article about Jesus Christ. I realized that I do not study or offer to my children the amount of study even Christ experienced as a child, because we are too busy with everything happening around us, to sacrifice our precious time for Him. The article reads:

As Elder James E. Talmage of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles pointed out: "Our knowledge of the Jewish life in that age justifies the inference that the Boy (Christ) was well taught in the law and the scriptures, for such was the rule. He garnered knowledge by study, and gained wisdom by prayer, thought and effort."

Have I given myself this much spiritual education? Christ was 12 when He was in the temple educating the teachers there, who were suppose to be teaching Him; He was answering their questions.

Have I made sure my children have had this much spiritual education? Have I helped them to grow their testimony and depend on what they have inside? Do they know how to pray, listen for the answer and then act?

What about pondering? Have I set the example and had the discussion about slowing down enough in this crazy world to truly ponder the words of the Gospel, the words and works of Christ? His Prophets and Apostles? and our current Prophet?

Do I believe enough that my children know I believe? Or like in this book (view the excerpt), have I taught my children to believe in Santa Claus and me in Christ?

Have I sacrificed enough for others? My family, strangers, my children, my co-workers and first and foremost...Christ himself? Have I shown him that I truly believe on His name by serving others?

And....what exactly is sacrifice today? In the world we now live in?

Organized Wannabe!

I have a very huge desire to be organized.

Life keeps happening regardless of my desire.

But I love this site I'm an Organizing Junkie and this particular post on her site I'd like to keep around for a long time so I'm placing it where I can find it.

One of these days that desire will be met with determination and I will conquer. In the meantime my college reading list is 6 texts long, the dishes are done and laundry is calling.

A New Recipe I Love!

I like "Greek like" flavors so....Be warned that it might be an aquired taste.

Beckii claims if I say it is delicious and healthy you need to beware!

Tabouli Salad with Quinoa

Quinoa is a delicious tasting grain, high in protein. It needs to be rinsed before cooking, through a fine strainer.

Cook 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups water and cool. Add quinoa to 2 cups boiling water and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes till liquid is absorbed. Makes about 3 cups? I haven't actually measured it. (if you are not ready to try a new grain you can use 3 cups cooked, cooled brown rice here)

After the quinoa is cooled add it to a large bowl, add:
1 t. salt
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
1 generous t. crushed garlic (I bought my garlic mincer at the grocery store for $3)
1/4 c. olive oil
1 t. fresh mint, well chopped
Ground black pepper

Mix thoroughly, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
I don't always do this because I do not have time, but today I knew I was making this for dinner when I got home so I cooked the quinoa before I left for work, cooled it, put it in the fridge for when I got home. Then I added the above ingredients before I prepared some other recipes and it sat in the fridge for at least 30 minutes while I prepared the other stuff...it was still delicious.

While it sits in the refrigerator waiting for the seasoning to combine with the quinoa mix together:
2 med. diced tomatoes
1 c. packed, freshly chopped parsley
1 diced cucumber
1/2 c. chopped scallions, include greens

Top with:
8 oz. feta cheese, crumbled. (I actually never use this much because I buy the 6 oz. container)
1 can sliced black olives

I think it tastes best if you give it about 5 minutes to allow the toppings and tomato cucumber mix flavors to blend into the dish.
(I do not like the flavor and texture the next day, so if you know you will have leftovers, do not put the toppings and cucumber mix on the whole dish, top indivually on plates or bowls and use the rest for lunch the next day.)