Ruth's Meatloaf and Other Patterson Food Stuffs

Missy, this one is for you :) :

Ruth's Meatloaf

Mix all together:
2 lbs ground beef
1 pkg Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 egg
1 1/2 tubes saltine crackers, crushed
3/4 c ketchup
salt and pepper to taste

You could put it into 2 bread loaf pans. I make a lump into a 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
Serve with ketchup.

This is Rob's favorite meatloaf because the crackers soak up the meaty juices and leave the texture nice. Plus you can't go wrong with the flava of Lipton Onion Soup Mix.


Missy, were you wanting some ideas for less meat/vegetarian meals? Here are some:

1. Spaghetti with vegetable tomato sauce (I like to bulk it up with carrots, squash, and some cans of diced tomatoes). Or I'll do a huge batch with just a pound of ground beef so the beef flavor is in the sauce but the meat portion stays low. I'll freeze the leftovers for an easy meal or two another night.
2. Stir fry without the meat. Just throw together any frozen veggies you have in the freezer and stir fry them. If you don't have a stir fry sauce, make your own. You need a few essentials: oil, vinegar, lime juice, sweetness, a little heat to enhance flavors. Oil: Olive and a few drops of Sesame Oil (I love the nutty flavor of Sesame Oil). Rice Vinegar (or regular or white wine vinegar). Lime juice. Soy sauce (that's the base flavor, so use 2-4 Tbsp of that). Sweetness: 1 Tbsp Brown suger. Heat: a few dashes of cayenne pepper or add a chopped chili/jalapeno if you have one on hand. You can serve it with peanuts or cashews for the protein.
3. Fish Tacos...YUM! Tilapia is my favorite. Stir fry on olive oil with minced garlic or garlic powder. Serve on Corn Tortillas with a fruity salsa (peach, pineapple, or mango anyone?).
4. Vegetable curry. Make a Thai or Indian curry with lots of vegetables in it.
5. Squash soups. Butternut makes a yummy soup. Serve with salad and bread and you're full till morning.
6. Stuffed acorn squash. I find recipes online. My favorite website is Food Gawker. If I pick up an odd vegetable in my bountiful basket, I just go online and type in the name of that vegetable and find a recipe that looks good and that I have ingredients for.
7. Roasted root veggies for a side. Just tried this one...parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes. Diced, tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and in the oven at 450 for 45 min. Even the kids enjoyed that one!
8. Homemade baked french fries or sweet potato fries when we eat the unhealthy hot dogs...so at least the whole meal isn't a bust for health.
9. Go Asian! Lots of Asian dishes are very yummy without meat. Their main flavors come from plants: soy, garlic, chilis, curries...all are strong plant-based seasoning. Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian. I can share some favorite recipes if you would like. If you pick up a few Asian staples (like Fish Sauce and curry paste) at the store and keep them on hand, you can make an Asian dish even in a time crunch.
10. Falafel mix from the store with pita bread and cucumbers and tomatoes. It's surprisingly very filling!

Some foodie Cutness!!

A couple of weeks ago I also experimented on a vegetarian taco casserole--I exed the meat and added more black beans and corn. It turned out pretty good. It's a lot like making chicken enchiladas but you tear up the tortillas and layer them with the filling instead of putting the filling inside the tortilla.

I also try to keep a bag of home ground whole wheat flour in my freezer. When I make hot breakfasts, breads, or rolls, I use half white, half whole wheat to increase the health factor.

I also buy a basil plant every year and just keep it in my kitchen so I can pluck off leaves when I need fresh basil.

This and That Tuesday

Or is it This and That Thursday?

Whatever.

Earlier today I was in a grumbly sort of mood. The kids were complaining a lot and I was complaining to them about their complaining. Hmmm. I wonder where they picked up that bad habit from. So I decided that we really needed to take advantage of the nice weather outside and go to the neighborhood park.

That helped so much. So does Spencer's nap that he's taking right now.

This was taken today. Yes, it's January and in the mid-50s outside.
We might have to go back again tomorrow while the weather holds.

And so does some free time for myself while the kids actually play happily together. Yay for moments like this. I don't feel like I'm going to bite someone's head off anymore.

...............

I've started writing a regular blog post for the Patterson Orthodontics blog...about being a mom. It's actually something I've been wanting to do for a long time and I've just been to hesitant to do it.

I started the monthly Motherhood Moments posts. Many of the other ones, admittedly, come from a dental social media source. But I decided to do this monthly feature to keep a connection with the women in our community. One time a couple years ago, Rob asked me what I would like to do. And I replied that I would like to share more what I've learned with people, especially things I've learned that can help other moms and other parents.

...............

Fairytales have been on my mind lately, so I decided to read this fable to them after I stopped several quarrels before breakfast yesterday morning.

The North Wind and The Sun

Now when the kids start yelling at each other to try to get their way, I ask them if they want to be like the Wind or the Sun. It's been really helpful.

.................

As a family, were really trying to eat more raw foods and less meat. I have successfully not bought ground beef for several months. But yesterday I broke down and bought some because it was on sale. And I'm craving (and I know my family won't object) some of my MIL's meatloaf. But this recipe also is looking really good...I better go thaw some meat.

Our Autumn Activities

Pumpkin Pickin--They found the biggest one!

Is he really that big already? My baby taking a break during our explorer  adventure at Watson Lake.

Dylan's catch of the day...little guppies. He's amazingly good at catching little fish by hand.

Evelynn working on her explorer journal. I don't ever worry about her practicing her writing. She's my girl!

A house down our street turns into a Haunted Mansion on Halloween. It's wickedly cool.

Halloween was a really busy night...I didn't get a picture of us in costume. But we did get free tickets to a Sundog's game (local hockey team) so I got to go on a double date with my boys and my white witch hair.

Naked and Exposed

I have a confession. One that is connected to one of the most difficult trials of my life...a trial that I thought had only lasted about 8 years, but apparently I haven't completely overcome it. I am not a very great friend...or at least the kind of BFF that every girl needs. I haven't ever "gotten" how to be one. So because of that, although I've had good friends and great friends, I haven't had very many close friends. Most of the time it doesn't bother me, especially since my husband is my best friend and I'm close to my mom and one of my sisters, when we actually get around to calling each other. :) But sometimes it does. And I feel lonely. Or I might be having a hard day and I don't know who to turn to, so I go on my knees (which is a good thing...I have a ton of faith in my Savior). But that leaves me out of a great friendship...the kind where you're able to help each other out because of the friendship you have...or the kind where you can invite yourself over when you just need a break from your house or your life. The Savior is an amazing person, but I just can't really do that with Him. And Rob is great, but he's a guy.

If any of my early friends happens to read this, I just want you to know that I do have happy memories of our friendships. I also have not held grudges and I have forgiven you. I'm just telling this story because it's a part of my life and it helped define me. Most importantly, it brought me to the grace of the Atonement at a young age. And Jesus has been my rock and my foundation ever since.

It all started in that not-so-magical year of 8th grade. I mainly hung with a group of girls who I considered my friends, but I really was only close to the one who lived in my neighborhood. Towards the end of the year, I was dubbed the tag-along and so they would whisper something to each other and dash away to leave me. I also happened to intercept notes that weren't so positive about me. Needless to say, it hurt. A lot. I cried myself to sleep almost every night that last month of school and I told myself it would be better when I got to high school the next year.

In high school, I was friends with a different group every year. But because of my damaged friend-esteem, I became the follower kind of friend. And I built a type of wall around myself. I was always willing to do what the friend-of-the-year suggested because I didn't want to get hurt with rejection again. My sophomore year, I became great friends with a girl in my English class. We spent a lot of time with each other at school and out of school. Towards spring, though, she also started hanging out with other girls and when we all sat together at lunch time, they would talk about their upcoming plans or those funny things they did the day before in their secret language. I didn't stay around to be completely rejected. I conveniently started going out with a guy. It didn't last long, but it was an easy out from a fading friendship. And that started a not-so-good pattern of going out with boys and the whole NCMO thing once in a while.

So I floated from friendship to friendship. Several friendships just naturally faded when my friends went off to college in another town while I stayed home to finish high school. But I usually didn't do my part to keep those friendships alive. By then, I had learned to like me for who I am and if I didn't have a close friend, I would just spend my time working at McDonald's or on scholar projects for scholarships.

At BYU, I really enjoyed my freshman year. I made friends with a bunch of people and grew close to my cousin. In some ways it was pretty cool because I often had a friend wherever I turned up. I also actually kept a high school friendship alive and we ended up being roommates my sophomore year. She was probably the closest thing I had to a best friend. At least we were really close for awhile. I don't know what happened since then except she went through a ton of trials personally and with her family at the same time I grew in spirituality. So although I sort of tried to be there for her, I also wasn't because I got caught up in my own thing. And with my super awesome friendship skills, I let that friendship fade, too.

While attending BYU and with determination, I decided to do a study abroad in Jerusalem. Those 4 months healed my soul. Just before I left, I had been dating a boy seriously yet he broke it off before I left. With hope, I continued to write him. Only about a month into the study abroad, he wrote me to say  that he was engaged to another girl. I was devastated. Luckily, I had amazing roommates who also became some of my closest friends. And I was immersed in studying the Old and New Testaments, the history of the land, the people, the language, and the message "repent and come unto me."

Finally I decided it was time to come clean with my Bishop. As I confessed my past, he asked me why I had done those things. I replied that I didn't know why because I knew that they were wrong. Then he told me that it was because I was seeking for love and acceptance. I knew he was right. At one time while we were on the bus, I remember watching a couple of others in our group. One was a girl who was funny but also kind of dorky. The other was a boy who was just out of high school and had a minor disability. They were the center of attention on that bus and everyone enjoyed being entertained by them. And then it hit me (I know this is a bit self-centered--but that's how I had learned to get through all that rejection--to rely on myself). If everyone loves these other people for who they are, they probably and likely love me for who I am, too. That was an awesome realization for me. Before that, I often felt others were judging me or snubbing me. But this helped me realize that there are many people who just love us for being us.

Then towards the end of the Study Abroad, we had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in Galilee. When we went to a historical or Biblical site, our teachers always shared historical or biblical insights about the place. After we had the tour of the Mt. of Beatitudes, our teacher gave us some time to ponder on the hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee in the hills where the Son of God walked. The Spirit already was touching my heart. Then I started reading Matt 5-7, which is the sermon on the mount. As I read several of those verses, my heart touched Heaven. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow...and yet I say unto you, That Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these." And I felt that I was like a lily. A simple daughter of God, but more glorious within than Solomon was arrayed. And then as I read, "Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you," I knew this was the time to ask for forgiveness. And when I did, the Lord took my sins and burdens and filled me with His love. As I walked down the spring blossom hills, my feet didn't touch the ground. I knew that the Atonement had changed me that day. I knew that God loved me for me. Since then, I have felt His love for me frequently. And it is so sweet. So 8 years after the time I cried myself to sleep at night in want of a friend, I finally found the absolutely best one in Christ.

But tonight, as I spoke with Rob, I shared this experience with him from start to finish. And he said that I had never shared it with him before. I had shared parts, but never in whole. We both realized that I must still feel vulnerable in the area of true friendship. And he's right. I do. I thought I had healed completely from my 8th grade rejection while on the Mt. of Beatitudes. But I still unintentionally put up walls. Although I have many friends and I talk easily with people, I don't really have close friends. So he encouraged me to do better about being a true friend and seeking a close friend. Tonight I realized that although I have Christ in my life, I still need friends. Close ones. So I don't feel so lonely. So I have someone to go to when Rob won't be home for hours. Someone who can come to me for those same things. I'm missing out on a lot. And now this is out there...and I feel a little naked and exposed.

Colden's Baptism!

Colden turned 8 last month! He was so excited and ready to get baptized. About 6 months ago, he planned his whole baptism...who would give the talks, what the songs would be. Everything. On his baptism invitation, I wrote something that he said about it:

I am excited to get baptized so I can wash away all of my sins 

and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

So we sent out the invitations. Most of them. My parents were able to come to town for his baptism. However, Rob's parents were unable to come because Bob had double (or triple?) bypass open heart surgery in July and wasn't able to travel yet. But the baptism was still great. My mom gave a great talk about baptism being the gate into the kingdom of Heaven. She bore a sweet testimony of Jesus Christ. I gave a talk about the Holy Ghost. And Rob baptized Colden then confirmed a member of the Church and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost through the priesthood which he bears. After Colden's confirmation, I felt humbled and grateful to be the mother of such a spirit! It's going to be a journey, and hopefully a fun one, continuing to raise this boy!

Colden really has anticipated the day of his baptism. He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ. He even "read" the Book of Mormon all the way through earlier this year. He loves to teach lessons during our Family Home Evening and he often has wonderful insights. He can recognize the presence of the Holy Ghost in his life and in our home...and he can recognize when it's not in our home. He has an amazing faith when it comes to healing through the power of the priesthood and through prayer. Just today, he had a really bad tummy ache while we were driving between activities. He was moaning and telling the  "dumb" pain to "stop it." Then he said a silent prayer and he said that right after, the pain started going away. Within a few minutes, he didn't have pain anymore. He asked if sometimes prayers are answered a little later than when we offer the prayer and I said yes. Sometimes it's minutes, days, or even years. But our prayers are answered. His faith is really amazing. I hope it stays with him his whole life!

What I would change about myself is...

My brother-in-law has started emailing us little questions to answer for a family history project he is working on. I felt like I should share my answer to his recent query...

What I would change about myself is....

Nothing and everything. I am very happy with who I am. Yet I know I have many strengths and weaknesses and I know I am far from perfect. But I still like myself and who I am. It would be nice if I could get on a fast track to change my weaknesses into strengths, but then what would life be for. So when certain weaknesses manifest themselves as the true beams that they are (instead of the little motes I usually notice them as), I work on changing myself, through the power of the Atonement, to turn those weaknesses into strengths.

Yes, I cry. Yes, I have bad days. Yes, sometimes I fight depression. Yes, I beat myself up because of how I treated someone or how I always slip back into bad habits. But I still know that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father. I know that I'm not supposed to be perfect. I know that those bad days just help me build my character as long as I try to be better the next. I am surrounded by people I love and adore dearly and I know that they love me for who I am.

So...with all the good days and the bad, I wouldn't change anything I've lived through and I wouldn't change anything about myself because I am proud to be who I am.

With that, I do have to say that my anger management issue has been a very difficult change. The past couple of weeks, I have had a calm with me that has been such a blessing as storms rage around me (I swear that my 4 year olds are just so stubborn!!). I started meditating a few months ago as a way to calm the chaos in my mind and help me calm my behavior. Just a few minutes every morning before I read my scriptures. I think it's helping. I didn't do either this morning...and blew up at the kids right before lunch because the house was a mess and they didn't care.

When I go about my day with Jesus, He really does make a difference. I am so weak without Him. 

I recently read The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox that has really helped me remember the source of power behind change. The BYU Alumni Magazine also has an amazing article about it, "His Grace is Sufficient."

Controlling my Outbursts

Two weeks ago, I decided that it was time to stop...stop giving in to my anger and frustration and yelling and start controlling it and diffusing it. I thought I wasn't that bad...just blowing my top like Old Faithful every once in a while after the pressure would build. But during that first week, I realized that I was way worse than I thought. It was a big slap in the face. So I've been working on this. I've taken a lot of tips from a lesson called "Overcoming Anger" in this manual.

Something went very right today. At about 2:30, I realized that Dylan was purposely not taking care of his jobs and clean-up responsibilities for today. I started to express my frustration by piling on the consequences (more chores), but at least I kept my voice level normal (even if my tone was too stern). He started crying because he just didn't want to do any of it.  At about 3pm, I gave him a consequence that, although I wanted to follow through with, I knew I ought not follow through with it. I told him that he would have to stay home while the rest of us went on a 2 hour outing to the local zoo. I was grappling for something to motivate him. He just kept crying and didn't budge. But I also didn't want to budge, because it feels like he ignores my requests more often than not (which really means that I need to figure out a better way to approach him). So I wanted him to learn these two lessons--work before play, pick up the first activity before going on to the next one. We never really learn these lessons at my house (hmmm...I wonder why...as I write this with a pile of dishes in the sink).

Obviously, I was not handling this situation well. At all. I was stuck. I had given him a consequence I really, by law, shouldn't enforce. Yet I didn't want to budge because of the hope that this could help him learn the importance of fulfilling responsibilities we don't want to do but still need to do. As he took a potty break, my mind opened up to a possibility--and I believe it's because I didn't blow my top. I thought that he needed someone(s) to step in for mercy on his part and the justice needed on my part. I asked Colden and Evelynn if they wanted Dylan to join us at the zoo. They both said yes. Then I asked them if they would be willing to help him with his jobs so the jobs would get done. I also said that they would really be like Jesus if they did that. 

I stood back amazed. Colden immediately began to unload the dishwasher. I asked Evelynn if she wanted to do the dishes and she went right to work rinsing the dishes. Both of them did this with love and without a complaint. Seriously amazing. Then I knocked on the bathroom door and told Dylan what his siblings decided to do, to help him qualify to go to the zoo. I asked him that since his siblings were doing 2 of his chores, would he do the oh-so-hard job of vacuuming. He agreed to and he did it.

A feeling of love entered our home and stayed with us. On the way to the zoo, Colden had the wonderful idea of giving cut-out hearts to each other when we clean up someone else's mess. It was a clean-up strategy based on love! I can't wait to try it! We've tried rewards, attaching privileges to cleaning up, consequences, money...none of it has lasted very long. I'm hoping that the motivation of love and appreciation will outlast all the other clean-up strategies.

Summer Fun, So Far

 Rob, Brian, Joe (Henry must be taking the picture). Brothers weekend in Burney. They had an awesome time running, mountain biking, cliff jumping, fishing, playing cards. 

 Colden's first Cub Scout Day Camp!

 Spencer is "helping" us with our not-so-successful yard sale. Craig's List works so much better. (Too bad we can only sell one thing at a time on Craig's List.)

 You would think he hiked the whole 3 miles. That's just how dirty he got during our lunch break!

 Family day trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We hiked down about 1 1/2 miles, saw a California Condor soar in the air, and earned Jr. Ranger patches. We LOVE living where we live!

This is what Dads are for...

Destination: Hawaii

About 4 years ago, Rob told me that the American Association of Orthodontist was going to have their annual meeting in Hawaii in 2012. And 4 years ago, I told him that he's taking me.

He kept his word. 

 View of Diamondhead Volcano from the rooftop of our condo/hotel.

Sunset Beach on North Shore Oahu

Secret Beach on Kauai

Sunset Beach on North Shore Oahu

The best thing about Hawaii: the beaches and the temperature of the water. Both can't be beat. Our favorite activity: snorkeling. We snorkeled in Lanikai, Shark's Cove (aka no sharks but schools and schools of fish), a beach near Shark's Cove, and Tunnels. We loved snorkeling because it's peaceful and enjoyable to see the fish and sea turtles in their natural habitats.

Rob was the drummer king at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We learned a lot about several different polynesian cultures while we were there. At the Luau, the announcer invited those who were celebrating anniversaries to come up and dance in front of the crowd. We did! This trip, aside from being a business trip (we did attend classes at the seminar), we celebrated 10 years of marriage! I'm such a lucky woman! I sure love my man! After dinner, we watched an amazing fire show.

After 6 nights in Oahu, we went to Kauai. One side of Kauai doesn't have any roads going to it, so the only access is by hiking, boating, or helicopter rides. It's a beautiful jungle land. Here is one alcove that we could see from the top of one of the mountains. Near here is one of the consistently wettest places on earth. It did rain often and periodically on Kauai!

After we snorkeled at Tunnels in Kauai, we kayaked up and down a river. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Rob's brother, Joe, told us about this awesome hike that we had to try...a hike to the Secret Tunnels. We read about it online and looked up the trail info in a book and thought we were ready to go. Then we started the hike...and we tried to keep our shoes dry until we got to the tunnels. About 1/4 mile into the hike, we quickly realized that was impossible. We were hiking in a jungle. It kept raining sporadically. The sun never reached the dirt. It was muddy. It was hard for me to walk in the mud at first, so I would tell myself, "embrace the mud." It took us about 3 hours to go about 1 1/2 miles. Every step required deliberation and mental concentration so you wouldn't slip or slide down the side of the mountain. We were often hunched over because the plants were overgrown on the trail. From the sound of the website and trail book, we hadn't expected so much mud and slipperiness. After a while, I mentioned out loud that I couldn't remember seeing the trail markers for awhile. Doubt. It began to rain some more. We didn't know if we were on the right trail, the muddy trail was getting muddier and slipperier, and our mental game was slipping. We decided to turn back (after some thought and prayer). The jungle beat us. So we never did get to the Secret Tunnels. But we did hike for 5 hours in the jungle. And it really is tough.

10 days in Hawaii with the love of my life. It was an experience I'll cherish forever!

I'm Brilliant! & That's OK!

Some years back, I came across this quote. I thought it was cool, but I forgot it. Then I read it quoted in a book recently. A financial book. Oddly, this book, along with a couple others I'm reading, are giving me the spring-board I need to make some needed paradigm shifts. Personal paradigm shifts. About how I view myself and how I focus my life--especially helping me discover my Soul Purpose/personal mission. It's just an awesome personal journey.

Here is the quote, by Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are we not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.

Mr. Duncan and Mr. Noodle

Colden has created these two characters. One is Mr. Duncan and the other is Mr. Noodle. They are friends.

Mr. Duncan has a curly mustache and one spectacle. He wears his extra long tie with the knot at his chest and the tie goes down to the floor. He has the funkiest bike ever. And a tricycle, too. He only takes baths on Mondays because he loves to.

Mr. Duncan tries to make money by working at a restaurant. He's the boss. He tries to bake, and every time he flips the pancake, it goes high in the air then lands on his up-turned face. He gets a cherry and puts it on his fork. He pounds the fork so it catapults the cherry into the air. But it lands on his forehead and not in his mouth. Mr. Duncan has a lost tooth on the bottom. Also he has one earring on his ear.

Mr. Noodle is his friend. Mr. Noodle has a curly goatee. When he tries to pop a wheelie on his bike, he lands on his back. He tries to do a back flip on his new skateboard. He has the tiniest trike he rides with his best friend, Mr. Duncan, and he always falls down. Mr. Noodle loves running then swinging on a ring. When it rains, he gets his snow suit and snow pants on and pulls his sled in the rain. When it snows, he wears his raincoat and boots. When it's windy, he wears a swim suit and a tank top. When it is hot, he wears his sweater and pants. He's so funny. He also wears his tie upside down.

Easter Thoughts

Right now, I'm the president of our ward's (church congregation) Primary children. One of my main responsibilities is to keep the Primary staffed with Primary teachers, Cub Scout leaders, Activity Day leaders, music leaders, etc. As I prayerfully consider when to let someone go when they may not be serving as they should, I am amazed at the mercy and patience of the Lord. I feel His desire to give them 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances before I feel that He gives me permission to release the person and call someone else to the position.

That experience, as being an intermediary for other people, has opened my eyes to how often the Lord gives me 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and usually even more chances to follow through with what I say to Him what I'll do. His mercy and kindness surpasses all. I'm so grateful to celebrate Him on Easter.

http://mormon.org/jesus-christ?cid=77710#article

For Family

This is for my poor family who we only see every once in awhile...Thanks, girls, for your encouragement for me to post more. It really can help us stay connected even though we're so far away. I'll try to do better. Here are some great pics of us the last few months. Each picture tells a story worthy of its own post. We'll think of this as photographic poetry. One picture is worth the thousand words of a story. But instead of prose, we'll get poetry.

February fishing outing as a family at the local Watson Lake. We found a secluded pond with fish. We thought we would get some easy catches, but the fish were just not biting.

The kids had to get out and play after the major snow storm we had in February.

Spencer is now 11 months! He's into everything...our little mess maker. He's also jabbering all the time. It's so darling!

Colden and Dylan gelled Spencer's hair into a little mo-hawk. It's really cute!!

On the Monday of Spring Break, I took the kids hiking in Sedona while Rob and a buddy went mountain biking. We all had so much fun. And we're all glad Rob and his buddy came home alive...the trail they rode was dangerously close to the edge of a cliff. I guess boys will always be boys. Adrenaline. Testosterone. It's all in the package.

We met my brother, James, and his kids at the Science Center in Phoenix while his family was staying with his wife's family in Mesa. It was great to spend a day with them!

Spencer and Pops. My in-laws have been in town a couple of weeks. It's been great to spend time with them!

Spencer is crawling all over the place and getting into everything! He is such a joy to all of us! He's either off or on...happy or screeching to get his way. He eats and eats and eats and only stops when he's sleeping. It's a good thing he still takes 2 good naps a day! He jabbers a lot. Today he said "Mom" while we were at the park. It melted my heart. He melts my heart every day.

Evelynn is showing off her cute hair that I actually did and curled! She is so full of energy, love, teasing, independence, silliness. She is definitely 3. She's so aware of everything around her. She loves doing things all on her own, even if she's not being very smart or safe about it. We have a lot of talks about how important it is to be obedient, because she would often rather do things her way. But I love that quality about her. I hope she always believes in herself and values freedom.

Has it really been

5 months since my last post? I guess so. I sorta lost my purpose in having this blog. Sure, it helps me connect (a little one-sided) with friends and family from a distance. Sure, it gives me a sense of being by announcing my doings, thoughts, feelings, and life to anyone. Sure, it will make a decent family photo journal if I ever get around to Blurb it.

Although each of those has been a reason and a purpose in the past, I've lost a little of that purpose recently. So until I find it again, I will probably post randomly and sporadically. And those who really care the most to follow my insignificant life will keep reading...I love you and appreciate each of you who takes the time out of your busy lives to reconnect with me and my busy-ness.

There you have it...me being transparent about my blog.

Colden, Dylan, Timmy (cousin), and Evelynn sporting the capes Auntie Sarah made them.
December 31, 2011, in Burney, CA.

Super Spencer!!

And while I'm at it...being honest with myself and others...I'm going to share my goals for 2012. I haven't thought them through yet, so we'll see what I come up with.

1. Be better at following through with things I say I'll do. I'll admit it. Sometimes I'm a flake. It's awful, really, to be a flake. The thing is I'll be really committed and driven to do things that are really important to me. But I'll be a bit flakey about other things. It does bother me, and I'm sure my flakiness has bothered other people...especially those who I've flaked out on. So I'll try to be better about understanding something before I commit and sticking it out to the end once I do commit. And anyone is welcome to call me out on it. I'll appreciate the "reminder."

Colden & Dylan playing with the Bubble Wall at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
December 28, 2011

2. Be a better leader for the children in my congregation. I've been Primary President for 1 1/2 years...and I totally can provide better leadership, especially to the Cub Scout program (so far, I've been really good at delegating that!). I'm learning A LOT about good, effective leadership. Sometimes, trusting others (delegating) is the best way to go. But other times, it is best to be more involved so the people you lead realize that what they are doing is important to you.

3. Be a better wife and mother. I'm always working on those things. Those are most important to me...but I sure can improve a lot.

The handsomest big guy and little guy in the world. I'm so blessed!
December 25, 2011

4. Be a better person and friend. I'm reading Dale Carnegie's book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People." I hope it will be a life-changing book and help me have better relationships with people. Even though it's not a religious book, it's very Christ-like in that he essentially says that we need to focus on others more instead of ourselves. Dale studied successful people throughout the ages...which helped him come to his conclusions that he wrote about.

5. This is related to #1. Follow through better with the promptings the Spirit gives me. I think the number one person I flake out on is God. I've felt Him encouraging me to grow and stretch myself a lot over the last few years (or shall I say my life?). I'm starting to get complacent with the little bit of growth I've done in the last year...but I know He wants me to go further. The best thing about God is that although He knows our potential and expects so much out of us, He lets us grow at our own pace. I just know that He would like me to pick up the pace a little...but I also feel like He's not going to push me like He has done in the past. He wants me to want to do it. So I need to do the things He has asked me to do and not flake out on Him.

So Much Love

As the 4th kid, Spencer gets all kinds of attention from everyone. Oh, he is adored! So, he doesn't have very many pictures of him and only him. But it sure makes me happy to see all that lovin!

8 days old


4 days old with Nana
Nana also gave him his first bath, and he cried the whole time!

2 weeks old...everyone can't get enough of him!

3 weeks old with Grandma Ruth

First smile caught on camera! One month!

2 months old! So big already!

3 1/2 months old...now he loves his baths!

3 1/2 months old...my buddy and me!

My little royal bunch...July 11. Aren't they so precious?