Mother's Day

Yesterday I was redeeming a wonderful coupon at JC Penny's and overheard a conversation between two friends regarding fun things that their families do for Mother's Day. The one tradition that stood out to me was a journal entry of things the children said in response to questions about Mommy. Like, What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?

Since DH doesn't always take a hint, I decided to ask my son what he thought of Mommy.

What is Mommy's Favorite Thing?
-Yellow Bike

What is Mommy's Favorite Thing to Do?
-Ride her yellow bike

I have a very observant 4 year old.

Monday Family Home Evening

We took the easy way out tonight. The weather was just so beautiful, and with the school right across the street, we had playtime as a family. Brent took the kite and TJ really enjoyed seeing it fly. M put her baby in the stroller and pushed her across to the park. They swung in the swings and chased daddy up and down the slides. It was a fun family realtionship building experience. And they came home tired to boot.

Big Thompson Canyon

A wonderful friend was willing to watch my kids for me yesterday and DH and I went for a bike ride. I have been dreaming about this ride for years. I used to think that the people we passed on the way from Loveland to Estes Park were absolutely out of their mind. Then I started riding, and I became jealous because they could do it. I didn't think I could. I have only been riding for 2 years now, and have been thrilled with what I have done, but climbing?? No Way!

Well, we decided to do it. It was such a fun ride, I was amazed. It took a little while to get into it, but it was fun, and challenging, but not so much so that I couldn't continue. I didn't feel drained until we got through Glen Haven and started up the steep incline, just before Estes Park. Two riders came down while we were climbing up. I think that would be the better way to go, but the view and the feeling at the top are both written on the little sign up there, "A Piece of Heaven."

Next Up: Buena Vista Bike Festival - Tennessee Pass, Here We Come!

Monday Family Home Evening

Yea Candee!! Thanks for sending this week's lesson. I am thankful for Birds and Insects. She sent us a picture of a bumble bee, and black and white copies of the Seagulls eating the crickets from the gospel art kit. She also sent some paper crickets that were folded so they could be picked up by toddlers easier. TJ and M had such fun squishing their crickets as I tried to tell the story of the seagulls eating the crickets. What a wonderful example of Heavenly Father answering prayers.

Yummy Bread Recipe

I love to cook. I am not classically trained, but I am very willing to try new things. We have a running joke around here that many things I make are "refrigerator Velcro." A way of cleaning out the fridge and using up what food I have floating around. (Thanks Alton Brown!) I found this recipe while trying to meet a challenge from a few friends of mine regarding using whole wheat and other grains while baking. I used a 9 grain cracked cereal, which had flax seed in it, and left the flax seeds off the top. What a hit! I made it by hand, cuz I gave the bread machine away long ago.

Whole Grain Dinner Rolls with 3 Seeds

Enjoy!

Almond Brownies

While poking around in Mom’s basement, I found a fun little book called “Make a Treat with Wheat” by Hazel Richards. It is a little spiral bound, well used, book that I have enjoyed. I am trying as many of the recipes as I can, since I don’t know when Mom will find it missing and I will have to return it. However, given my son’s condition and the fact that whole grains are just good for all of us, I thought I would post a recipe that we enjoy, courtesy of Mrs. Hazel Richards.

Almond Brownies
1 cup sugar
¼ cup margarine or butter
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
2/3 cup less 2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
2 squares melted unsweetened chocolate
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs and milk. Sift together flour, cornstarch and salt. Add to sugar mixture. Mix in chocolate, vanilla, almond extract and nuts. Bake in a greased 9 X 9 inch pan at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Monday Family Home Evening

Tonight, we had a lesson on Easter. I told the story of Jesus Christ's suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, His crucifixion, burial, and Resurrection. I came across a wonderful activity that suggested gathering an empty egg, an empty envelope, and empty box with a lid and other "empty" things. I asked my kids what was in the objects, and they responded that they were empty. Not bad for nearly 4 and 2 years old. I then explained that Easter was to celebrate the empty tomb. Jesus no longer was in the tomb, he was resurrected and that if we followed His teachings, we would be resurrected too.

Monday Family Home Evening

Our lesson this week was "I am Thankful for Water." My wonderful MIL sent a letter with pictures to the kids, discussing water and showing pictures of the desert. They are moving to Tuscon soon, so she included pictures of saguaro cacti. She also sent a video she made for her Sunbeam class. Her letters are meant to be instant family home evenings. Afterwards, TJ wanted to go "swimming in the river." It was 8 pm, somewhat cold, and dark. Brent and I had to run errands after the kids went to bed, so I told them if they got their jammies on they could go to the river. There is a pond by Brent's office with lights and a bridge, a few geese and a fountain. We spent almost an hour walking around the pond, watching the geese and throwing pine cones off the bridge. What fun.

Monday Family Home Evening

Tonight we told the story of Samuel the Lamanite. I got the gospel art pack out and used the picture to tell the story to my kids. They liked the picture, kind of sat through the story, but they loved the activity. I "dressed" TJ up with a towel and he stood on the couch and preached to us. We wadded up newspapers and threw our "stones and arrows" at him, purposefully missing. He had great fun. M ran to get another towel and joined her older brother up on the couch. It eventually turned into a big newspaper fight, but I think they understood the point somewhat.

Tulips and Toilets

Uggh..... I get so sick of washing out poopy underwear. TJ does just fine peeing in the potty, but has no desire to poop in it. It is only compounded by the fact that he is tired right now and won't take a nap. It would be so much easier to deal with if we weren't running the risk of kidney damage each time he doesn't pee, and he is chronically constipated. Diet doesn't help, he lacks the muscles to bear down.

Emily Pearl Kingsley wrote a poem called "Welcome to Holland." It really struck a chord with me when I heard it. I got it from a friend with an autistic son, but it applies to any disability. I have had to learn a new language with TJ. The Doctors speak "Italian." I have learned about problems and syndromes that are so rare, they are barely studied. I don't know anyone who knows another person like my son. I have my family and they are my support. But each new stage in TJ's life is like feeling my way around a dark room where the furniture has been rearranged. Everything is uncharted. At best, the doctors that we see often comment that they have seen children like my son, but they didn't live for more than a few days. One specialist has much experience, but has moved across the country to a different hospital.

So I look for the tulips and Rembrandts. I see my son trying to use the potty, and I do my absolute best to encourage him. I have a miracle. He is here. His symptoms are not as bad as they could be. I have a son who puts his arms around me when I am feeling hopeless, and says, "It's ok Mommy. I love you. Try again." And I do.

Sourdough Started

Finally got around to starting a purchased starter. I used to have a starter, but I just haven't had the time or the mind to keep it up for a while. I found some Goldrush San Francisco Sourdough Starter at a local store. This is the first purchased starter I have ever used. I stuck it next to the light in the oven overnight, and it bubbled and smelled wonderful. Since I fed it today, I set aside some for pancakes in the morning. Yummy.

Eulogy for my Danskos

A bit on the frivolous side of things, but my husband finally convinced me to give up my favorite, wonderful, best pair of shoes ever. I have had this pair of Danskos for 6 years now, and they are not the best fashion statement any more. (Then again, I am beginning to wonder if anything I wear anymore it in style.)

Two winters ago, I went for a walk at night, to blow off some bad vibes, and slipped on ice while crossing the street. I ended up in the ER watching the Olympic figure skating competition while being fitted for a cast. Broken Tibia. It gets worse.... I was 8 months pregnant and in need of screws to set the bone. Fortunately I had healed enough to not need a boot or crutches by the time the baby came.

One would think I would have given up the shoes then and there. They have always been a bit on the precarious side. But I loved they way they fit, and they were easy to slip on and off, a must when chasing little kids around.

I went to the store last night. I have been watching a pair of Merrils for a few weeks, and decided that they would be the best winter option for my beloved Danskos. I did bring them home, but kept looking at my feet, thinking I need a fleece vest and some turtle necks and I will look just like Mom.