still kickin

Hey, ya'll. I just wanted to say that I'm currently in Utah, enjoying some fall and spending time with family. I'll be back to posting some time after next Monday. See you then-

groovin

I just wanted to say that I think the "grapevine" was invented by a very talented 3 year old at some point in history. Because my three year old was just dancing and started to do the grapevine and said, "Look at this one, Mommy!" And I'm pretty sure he didn't learn it from me.

chocolate cake bliss

Nothing like chocolate cake after a long and emotional day. Tonight we all go to bed more peaceful than we'd previously thought possible. Hope your day ends with chocolate cake bliss as ours did.

rest hymn

The children LOVE to get into the drawers in this house. This has resulted in the top drawer of the file cabinet being locked for a week until Ben finally took it all apart yesterday. It also results in "crazy mommy" when I'm trying to cook and I can't find anything I need. But yesterday it was cute and endearing and it made me glad I'm not completely anal about my things.

While I was putting away the laundry Banks started to pull things out of Ben's nightstand. He was mostly making a mess but I figured I've gotta get the laundry put away so at least he's not crying at me (see the vicious cycle here?). Well he finds a hymn book in there and starts to thumb through it (as he as the other books in there) but then looks at me and kind of hides it. Then he sneakily walks to the corner of the bed, pulls down my pillow and sits comfortably in the corner. And then, and THEN, he opened the hymn book and sang! It was so awesome! He's turning the pages and going, "aaaaaaahhhhhh," and I tried to get a picture but by the time he was back I was done. But trust me, it was so dang cute.

thoughts about kindness

Today I get a gold star and so do my children. We made it through 45 minutes of post office line horror with happy faces and few stares. Pure love for you, Amber, is what got us through.

But while in line, there was a woman in front of me, and one in front of her with twins. Twin two-year olds, people. This woman spoke spanish so I have no idea what she was saying to them, but she was continuously trying to get them to stay by her and behave. At one point, one of the children starts running and trips and starts crying rather loudly. The mother runs to pick up the child and console her and the woman in front of me (who looks to be 50ish) turns to me and says, "Well it serves that woman right. She isn't even watching those kids. What a terrible mother." And, through my horror and embarrassment for the mom of the twins I manage, "Well, it's pretty hard," and the woman says, "Well when I take my grandkids out they never misbehave because I just pinch them." And with a smug look she turns around, thankfully. Because I seriously wanted to pinch her.

Now I first of all want to say that I was SO EVERLOVING GRATEFUL that my kids were being good at that moment. Never, ever have I been so happy to have my kids behaving decently. Shortly after this exchange Benson got wild amounts of praise and promise of otter pops when we get home. Love that kid. Normally we can be found wrestling each other with threats of notreatsfortherestofyourlifesohelpme at Walmart but hey, at least when stinky people were watching I got the prize for having good kids.

Secondly, HOW RUDE! I was absolutely astounded by this woman's rudeness but I am grateful at the same time because it made me remember how incredibly important it is to be kind to one another. I'm not one for scriptures on my blog but I was preparing a fhe lesson a few days ago and came across this one that I think is just so important to not share. Ephesians 4: 32 (Bible, King James Version):

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

I especially love the part about being tenderhearted, because I really think it encapsulates all those Christ-like attributes I am striving to have on a daily basis.
Anyway, end of thoughts here but I really wish that everyone could be a little kinder to each other. What a better place our world would be. Oh and yes, I re-read my post and realized wanting to pinch the woman in front of me is the opposite of what I'm talking about here but I'm still a work in progress. :)

remembering, again

This overcast morning I sit here and read blogs, but seven years ago today, right around this time of morning, I was just entering 3rd period ap english when I heard about it. I thought it was a joke at first, then nicole screamed and ran out of the room and reality and panic set in. Dad's meeting there, hours of wondering because there was no cell service, then finally relief when my mom said he was still on the freeway, not in the bottom of the world trade center like he normally was on that tuesday of the month. We all felt so much worry and panic... high schoolers just left school, walked right out and no one even cared or noticed. Chels and I ended up at her house, where we cried, watched the news, and panicked until we fell asleep, to wake up to the smell of brownies in the oven (Chels said her mom bakes when she is worried or stressed--- a trait I hope to adopt as a mother) and feel instantly comforted. It was all so long ago, it's hard for me to believe that the feelings are still so fresh.


Today I'm sad for those who lost someone they love, and proud of my husband for serving his country. I wonder what we are {still} doing over there, but I'm proud that my husband is taking his turn, even though it is hard for him and requires him to sacrifice his time more than he'd like. I love you, darling, and thank you for not only this sacrifice on behalf of all of us, but for the daily sacrifices that are just for me.

a post about food

Firstly, homemade angel food cake is so very scrumptious. If your chickens are laying faster than you can eat them like ours are then you should try it (it requires a full dozen whites). Oh and mom, you were so right. It fell to an inch thick last time because it was undercooked.


Secondly, oatmeal is not good. I've tried so many times to like it, because I've always wanted to be the sort of person who liked oatmeal for breakfast. However today I think I've made a discovery that will change all that (not the wanting, but the lack of liking).

Steel-cut oatmeal.

You can probably find it at wherever you shop but I got mine at Whole Foods because I could buy just a little bit from their bulk bins. And man is it tasty, slightly chewy, and it's got a whole lot more omph than regular oats. And surprisingly it's not too expensive.

Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Spiced Apple Topping

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup steel-cut oats
1/8 tsp salt

Bring water and milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, then add the oats and toast, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant with a butterscotch-like aroma, 1 1/2 - 2 minutes. (I kinda think the toasting is optional so if you don't want to do it, just omit the butter and skip to the next step) stir the toasted oats into the simmering liquid, reduce heat to medium low, and gently simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir in the salt and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and oatmeal is creamy (or it looks like something you'd want to eat).

Spiced Apple Topping

1/2 tablespoon butter
1-2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped medium
1/2-3/4 cup packed brown sugar
dash ginger
dash cinnamon
dash salt

Melt butter in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, sugar, spices and salt. Cooked until apples have softened slightly 2-5 minutes, depending on how soft you like your apples. Spoon over individual bowls of oatmeal.