Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday Thoughts - Half Life by Farooki
I just finished a book called Half Life by Roopa Farooki. The first chapter kind of got to me because of the way the woman described herself, bits of it resonated with me and when I see the negative parts of myself through this kind of resonance it's good for me but it kind of shakes me up as well. I'm not sure if that makes sense... By the end of the book the themes are forgiveness and letting go, kind of a "truth will set you free" message. Basically the woman leaves her husband suddenly one morning because she is desperate to find some peace and a resolution to a tragic part of her past. She travels half way around the world and in trying to make peace with her past she sets life straight for another person also involved in the tragedy. (Spoiler follows!) Then, at the end she goes back to her husband with so many things resolved that she can finally admit to him things that she has been keeping back for their whole marriage. It's a sad book but it's got good insight and I couldn't put it down. It does have a few swear words and some adult content; for those who are sensitive to them probably not one for your reading list.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Word of Wednesday - Pangaea and News of Gnus
Pangaea, you say it like pan-gee-uh, it's what the continents were before they broke apart and became the globe as we know it. Also, the subject of my daughter's fifth grade science report. I knew what it meant for some random reason, my husband did not. I don't think many people do. It doesn't come up in a lot of conversations.
Something that did come up in a conversation this week, what is the plural of gnu and do you say the g? If you can find more than one you have gnus and it's pronounced like new so more than one gnu around would be news.
Something that did come up in a conversation this week, what is the plural of gnu and do you say the g? If you can find more than one you have gnus and it's pronounced like new so more than one gnu around would be news.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tasty Tuesday - Training Table
The Training Table location in Provo closed a few weeks ago. There are other locations up by Salt Lake but then it costs more for gas than it did for one of their tasty burgers. Had some fun at the Provo Training Table with roommates and my husband over the years. Great onion rings, yummy burgers, and a HUGE serving of cheesy fries for a couple of bucks.
Maybe when I'm up in Draper I'll stop by and see you again. Until then I will be just a little sad that I have to go find another cheap burger as delicious as yours.
Maybe when I'm up in Draper I'll stop by and see you again. Until then I will be just a little sad that I have to go find another cheap burger as delicious as yours.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Mommy Monday - Mom vs. Librarian
A few weeks ago my mother said something that really made me think. She said my sister and I seem to have reversed our paths in life; I was the bookworm and my sister was good with children, but now I have the five kids and my sister has a masters degree and is supporting her husband while he works towards a PhD. I didn't picture myself with kids when I was young. I was the oldest of six and had a lot of child care responsibilities. I wanted to be a librarian; so many books, so little time.
My husband wanted to have a big family and I wasn't against it although he's always said twelve and I'm thinking five is good. Motherhood makes me feel as accomplished as any job ever has. I loved the way the guy at the park in the movie The Backup Plan explains being a parent as wonderful, then horrible, horrible, horrible, then wonderful then horrible, horrible, horrible, etc. It really is. Kids change everything.
My husband wanted to have a big family and I wasn't against it although he's always said twelve and I'm thinking five is good. Motherhood makes me feel as accomplished as any job ever has. I loved the way the guy at the park in the movie The Backup Plan explains being a parent as wonderful, then horrible, horrible, horrible, then wonderful then horrible, horrible, horrible, etc. It really is. Kids change everything.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday Thoughts - Modesty
People today have lost touch with values, decency, and living right. Political correctness and laissez faire attitudes have created a people living at the lowest common denominator. Most of us have a basic idea of right and wrong but anyone caught using this knowledge is vilified or labeled as 'out of touch with reality'.
We desperately need a return to modesty in all its forms - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/modest
I was in a nice restaurant on New Year's Day and the woman ahead of me going into the dining room was wearing jeans with multiple holes in them. She was neither slender nor young and while the jeans were obviously part of her designer wardrobe it was immodest in many ways; I could see bits of her behind that I didn't want to be exposed to, she'd spent way too much on a fashion trend that will soon pass, and she was drawing a lot of attention to herself (I'm pretty sure my reaction wasn't the only negative one).
Another example, I have a niece in her early teens who posts profanity to her online social network pages. I have asked her not to post foul language because my young children like to read their cousin's posts. This young woman replied that I need a "reality check". I have blocked her posts but I have not removed her as a friend, she's a teenager after all, they aren't the best at reality.
Resist the temptation people! Modest dress, modest spending, modest speech, modest appearance! Use the brain you have been blessed with and realize these choices will benefit you in the long run.
There are not enough police in the world to control a population who no longer respect values and laws of society.
We desperately need a return to modesty in all its forms - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/modest
I was in a nice restaurant on New Year's Day and the woman ahead of me going into the dining room was wearing jeans with multiple holes in them. She was neither slender nor young and while the jeans were obviously part of her designer wardrobe it was immodest in many ways; I could see bits of her behind that I didn't want to be exposed to, she'd spent way too much on a fashion trend that will soon pass, and she was drawing a lot of attention to herself (I'm pretty sure my reaction wasn't the only negative one).
Another example, I have a niece in her early teens who posts profanity to her online social network pages. I have asked her not to post foul language because my young children like to read their cousin's posts. This young woman replied that I need a "reality check". I have blocked her posts but I have not removed her as a friend, she's a teenager after all, they aren't the best at reality.
Resist the temptation people! Modest dress, modest spending, modest speech, modest appearance! Use the brain you have been blessed with and realize these choices will benefit you in the long run.
There are not enough police in the world to control a population who no longer respect values and laws of society.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Word of Wednesday - Villagent, Denouement, Sneakret
I love words. I read them a lot.
I'm not as good with correct English as I am with knowing a lot of words and how to spell most of them.
I find word usage very funny sometimes, for example, when someone "uses that word a lot but I do not think they know what it means" to paraphrase the Princess Bride. A couple of weeks ago during a lesson in church the speaker used the word "villagent" a few times when they were going for diligent or vigilant but it actually works out into a cool combo-word. It might have even been on purpose to try and start a new word. My sister is promoting the combo-word "sneakret" for being sneaky in secret, I think it might be a bit redundant but it could catch on.
I laugh at myself when I hear words that I have read and know the meaning of but never learned to pronounce, the other day my theater major sister used the word denouement (said = day-new-mah) and I asked her what it meant, when she told me I had to laugh because I've always read it den-you-meant but I know what it is (dictionary = the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel).
I'm not as good with correct English as I am with knowing a lot of words and how to spell most of them.
I find word usage very funny sometimes, for example, when someone "uses that word a lot but I do not think they know what it means" to paraphrase the Princess Bride. A couple of weeks ago during a lesson in church the speaker used the word "villagent" a few times when they were going for diligent or vigilant but it actually works out into a cool combo-word. It might have even been on purpose to try and start a new word. My sister is promoting the combo-word "sneakret" for being sneaky in secret, I think it might be a bit redundant but it could catch on.
I laugh at myself when I hear words that I have read and know the meaning of but never learned to pronounce, the other day my theater major sister used the word denouement (said = day-new-mah) and I asked her what it meant, when she told me I had to laugh because I've always read it den-you-meant but I know what it is (dictionary = the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel).
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tasty Tuesday - Funeral Potatoes
As depressing as they sound they're actually a really tasty casserole and I made them last night using leftovers from holiday dinners. I call them funeral potatoes because they are one of the standard dishes served at funerals in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pure comfort food.
Last night I didn't use a recipe card because I just wanted to use up all the leftovers. This means I also didn't really measure anything. It's a super forgiving recipe for this type of cooking.
What I put in last night:
5 cups leftover mashed potatoes
2 cups diced leftover ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup leftover sour cream and onion chip dip
1/2 Tblsp onion flakes
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Put potatoes and ham in a 9x12 baking dish kinda fluffed in there so the sauce can get into the cracks. Combine soup, milk, pepper, salt, sour cream dip, and onion flakes; pour mixture over potatoes and spread it around a bit, top with shredded cheese, bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.
Ideas on substitutions-
You can use all kinds of potato based things in this, hash browns, baked potatoes, boiled potatoes, any kind of frozen potatoes like french fries or diced bits.
Ham works best but I am okay with spam instead. It's pretty good without meat too. I don't put in frozen veggies because my kids won't go for it but the peas and carrots are good in this recipe.
For the chip dip you can put in plain sour cream or something with some flavor added. This batch was a bit "oniony" but my kids liked it so I was happy.
Last night I didn't use a recipe card because I just wanted to use up all the leftovers. This means I also didn't really measure anything. It's a super forgiving recipe for this type of cooking.
What I put in last night:
5 cups leftover mashed potatoes
2 cups diced leftover ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup leftover sour cream and onion chip dip
1/2 Tblsp onion flakes
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Put potatoes and ham in a 9x12 baking dish kinda fluffed in there so the sauce can get into the cracks. Combine soup, milk, pepper, salt, sour cream dip, and onion flakes; pour mixture over potatoes and spread it around a bit, top with shredded cheese, bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.
Ideas on substitutions-
You can use all kinds of potato based things in this, hash browns, baked potatoes, boiled potatoes, any kind of frozen potatoes like french fries or diced bits.
Ham works best but I am okay with spam instead. It's pretty good without meat too. I don't put in frozen veggies because my kids won't go for it but the peas and carrots are good in this recipe.
For the chip dip you can put in plain sour cream or something with some flavor added. This batch was a bit "oniony" but my kids liked it so I was happy.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Mommy Monday - Advice To A New Mom
A friend of mine from high school had a baby last week. I was so excited for her. This is her first child and I had my fifth a few months ago so it's kind of fun to remember what it was like back when I was having my first. One of the things it clarified for me is that I really don't want to trade her places. I've put so much work into getting where I am and surviving the enormous responsibilities and work of motherhood; I don't want to start over by doing it all again. I do wish I knew all the things back then that I know now though.
My advice to a new mom-
Resist judging yourself by your former standards.
You just aren't the same after you have a baby, roll with it.
Your body won't be the same, it will need different kinds of sleep and attention, it will be shaped differently, you will need to take some time to get to know it again (we're talking months here) and you will have to be kind and a bit accepting.
Your home won't be the same, roll with it. You will see your surroundings differently as you bring a baby into them and all the dynamics shift just a little to accommodate. The way you work and think and eat and play all change when you have a baby, set yourself some goals but be gentle with yourself about reaching them. If your house isn't as clean and you aren't as organized and it's harder to get out and do things; be grateful that the reason all this has changed is a good one.
Drink plenty of water.
Talk to your baby. Interact, smile, chat, play, it builds a bond. You've chosen to sacrifice too much to be self-conscious at this point.
Listen to advice others give you and pick through it for what you think will work for you. None of us would be here without someone having gone through this, so there's a lot of accumulated knowledge floating around out there.
You can do this. Roll with it.
My advice to a new mom-
Resist judging yourself by your former standards.
You just aren't the same after you have a baby, roll with it.
Your body won't be the same, it will need different kinds of sleep and attention, it will be shaped differently, you will need to take some time to get to know it again (we're talking months here) and you will have to be kind and a bit accepting.
Your home won't be the same, roll with it. You will see your surroundings differently as you bring a baby into them and all the dynamics shift just a little to accommodate. The way you work and think and eat and play all change when you have a baby, set yourself some goals but be gentle with yourself about reaching them. If your house isn't as clean and you aren't as organized and it's harder to get out and do things; be grateful that the reason all this has changed is a good one.
Drink plenty of water.
Talk to your baby. Interact, smile, chat, play, it builds a bond. You've chosen to sacrifice too much to be self-conscious at this point.
Listen to advice others give you and pick through it for what you think will work for you. None of us would be here without someone having gone through this, so there's a lot of accumulated knowledge floating around out there.
You can do this. Roll with it.
Writers Block
I want to try to do a post every weekday this year. What to write about though...
I am reading The Happiness Project and it gives me all these brilliant ideas for things I could post in my blog but then I forget to write them down and by the time I am sitting in front of the computer I am drawing a blank.
I love the bit about finding your passion by seeing what your mind wanders to when you are sitting on the toilet. I need to put a notepad in the bathroom and see what I come up with.
Catch phrases for each day sound right to me... a friend of mine does fashion Friday and I think that's a great idea so now I just need to match my interests with days of the week.
I took a break and gave it some thought while feeding the baby, here's what I came up with:
Mommy Monday
Tasty Tuesday
Word of Wednesday
Thursday Thoughts
Photo Friday
All are things I'm interested in matched to a weekday so I'm guessing I could come up with something to write about. I'm hoping that by writing about things that interest me I will help myself become a better writer.
I am reading The Happiness Project and it gives me all these brilliant ideas for things I could post in my blog but then I forget to write them down and by the time I am sitting in front of the computer I am drawing a blank.
I love the bit about finding your passion by seeing what your mind wanders to when you are sitting on the toilet. I need to put a notepad in the bathroom and see what I come up with.
Catch phrases for each day sound right to me... a friend of mine does fashion Friday and I think that's a great idea so now I just need to match my interests with days of the week.
I took a break and gave it some thought while feeding the baby, here's what I came up with:
Mommy Monday
Tasty Tuesday
Word of Wednesday
Thursday Thoughts
Photo Friday
All are things I'm interested in matched to a weekday so I'm guessing I could come up with something to write about. I'm hoping that by writing about things that interest me I will help myself become a better writer.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Family Picture Outtakes
 |
| Looking Elsewhere |
 |
| April's busy |
 |
| Kylie's tonsils |
 |
| Nostril views |
 |
| April busy |
 |
| Timer set wrong |
 |
| Back of Andrew's head |
 |
| Amy talking to the kids |
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas Letter 2010
I just finished the first draft of my Christmas letter for this year.
Who am I kidding, I've pretty much only got time for a first draft.
Anyway, here's the final draft of my Christmas letter for this year (unless I change something).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
2010 has just flown by. Our family is doing well and we’ve grown by one more this year. Jessica Beth Stone was born on the 14th of August and is doing great.
Jared is still working with the Boy Scouts and is also in the Sunday School Presidency. He started working as the financial director for a new company at the beginning of the year. The company is called Ludaxx, (I know what it sounds like but it has nothing to do with that) they make health supplements. With his busy schedule and long hours we don’t get to see a lot of him but he tries to make time at home count and April and Andrew look forward to bedtime stories with him at night.
Amy is very happy to have made it through another pregnancy and baby with no serious complications. She is adjusting to life with five kids and trying to get a good schedule going to keep everyone organized and the house in good enough order that most of the shoes can be found most of the time. Amy is still working in the Nursery so Jessica gets to attend with April and Andrew every week. She is also on the Family History Committee, the Ward Website Administrator, and a Stake Extraction/Indexing worker. She enjoys being in a neighborhood book club and is always looking for good books to recommend. She is a bit addicted to Farmville and facebook and is trying to cut back on both.
Krista turned 10 in August. She likes fifth grade and helps to read to the first graders. She does very well in school and was thrilled to find out that Krispy Kreme gives out free donuts for every A because she can almost get a half dozen all to herself. She loves dance and is doing well in ballet and Irish. She has adjusted to life with braces although she has had to give up her favorite carmel treats. She is taking piano and does well at it especially when she remembers to practice. She likes jewelry and accessories and made her very own bead watch after one of our neighbors showed us how.
Kylie turned 7 in September. First grade keeps her busy and she has learned a lot. She is a math whiz and likes to work with numbers. She is above grade level in her reading and loves Junie B. Jones books (I can see why as she’s a little bit Junie herself). She loves that Krista reads out loud to her for a few minutes before they go to bed and has expanded her taste in books through this nightly ritual. Kylie is also taking ballet and Irish and asked to be moved up a level this year so she could have more of a challenge. Kylie likes cooking and helps make treats and easy recipes, she would like to be able to make things herself but isn’t allowed to use the oven yet.
April turned 3 in April and is very proud of the fact that she is now 3 AND A HALF. She started taking dance classes this fall and was so excited to be one of the big girls. April’s world is full of pretend people, places, and things. I love this age full of pretend treats and imaginary friends. She has a three year olds eclectic fashion sense but her real passion is shoes. She hates to wear simple sneakers and is always trying to get me to wear fancy shoes too. April likes to sing, enjoys Nursery, loves Craisins and goldfish crackers, and is a super big sister for Andrew and Jessica.
Andrew turned 2 with a vengeance in November. His answer to every question now is NO and its funny to watch him do a double take when the answer should have been yes; as in “do you want a cookie?”, “No! (pause) Yes!”. Andrew is addicted to Dora and Elmo. His mom restricts TV for kids under 2 and Andrew seems to be trying to make up for the depravation by watching the same movie over and over again and throwing tantrums if it gets turned off. Keeping him busy and away from TV is a full-time challenge. He loves the park and the playground at the mall. He follows April around all day and they come up with creative ways to drive their mom nuts like dumping out bags of flour and sugar and unplugging various appliances just to watch them quit suddenly.
Jessica is a very happy baby. She was born very pale and listless but after an IV and a bit of attention she perked right up and turned into a very cranky person for her first few weeks. We were all getting a bit worried and frustrated with her constant upset but Amy thought it might be reflux like Krista had as a newborn and asked the pediatrician for a prescription. Within 24 hours Jessica was a new person. She now smiles at us all the time and babbles and waves her fists cheerfully at her siblings. She sleeps and eats pretty well and is easy going about all the attention and love that her siblings can dole out.
We have had a good year and are grateful to have been blessed so abundantly. We pray that our friends, family, and country will be happy, in good health, and full of the blessings of God and liberty in the coming year.
Who am I kidding, I've pretty much only got time for a first draft.
Anyway, here's the final draft of my Christmas letter for this year (unless I change something).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
2010 has just flown by. Our family is doing well and we’ve grown by one more this year. Jessica Beth Stone was born on the 14th of August and is doing great.
Jared is still working with the Boy Scouts and is also in the Sunday School Presidency. He started working as the financial director for a new company at the beginning of the year. The company is called Ludaxx, (I know what it sounds like but it has nothing to do with that) they make health supplements. With his busy schedule and long hours we don’t get to see a lot of him but he tries to make time at home count and April and Andrew look forward to bedtime stories with him at night.
Amy is very happy to have made it through another pregnancy and baby with no serious complications. She is adjusting to life with five kids and trying to get a good schedule going to keep everyone organized and the house in good enough order that most of the shoes can be found most of the time. Amy is still working in the Nursery so Jessica gets to attend with April and Andrew every week. She is also on the Family History Committee, the Ward Website Administrator, and a Stake Extraction/Indexing worker. She enjoys being in a neighborhood book club and is always looking for good books to recommend. She is a bit addicted to Farmville and facebook and is trying to cut back on both.
Krista turned 10 in August. She likes fifth grade and helps to read to the first graders. She does very well in school and was thrilled to find out that Krispy Kreme gives out free donuts for every A because she can almost get a half dozen all to herself. She loves dance and is doing well in ballet and Irish. She has adjusted to life with braces although she has had to give up her favorite carmel treats. She is taking piano and does well at it especially when she remembers to practice. She likes jewelry and accessories and made her very own bead watch after one of our neighbors showed us how.
Kylie turned 7 in September. First grade keeps her busy and she has learned a lot. She is a math whiz and likes to work with numbers. She is above grade level in her reading and loves Junie B. Jones books (I can see why as she’s a little bit Junie herself). She loves that Krista reads out loud to her for a few minutes before they go to bed and has expanded her taste in books through this nightly ritual. Kylie is also taking ballet and Irish and asked to be moved up a level this year so she could have more of a challenge. Kylie likes cooking and helps make treats and easy recipes, she would like to be able to make things herself but isn’t allowed to use the oven yet.
April turned 3 in April and is very proud of the fact that she is now 3 AND A HALF. She started taking dance classes this fall and was so excited to be one of the big girls. April’s world is full of pretend people, places, and things. I love this age full of pretend treats and imaginary friends. She has a three year olds eclectic fashion sense but her real passion is shoes. She hates to wear simple sneakers and is always trying to get me to wear fancy shoes too. April likes to sing, enjoys Nursery, loves Craisins and goldfish crackers, and is a super big sister for Andrew and Jessica.
Andrew turned 2 with a vengeance in November. His answer to every question now is NO and its funny to watch him do a double take when the answer should have been yes; as in “do you want a cookie?”, “No! (pause) Yes!”. Andrew is addicted to Dora and Elmo. His mom restricts TV for kids under 2 and Andrew seems to be trying to make up for the depravation by watching the same movie over and over again and throwing tantrums if it gets turned off. Keeping him busy and away from TV is a full-time challenge. He loves the park and the playground at the mall. He follows April around all day and they come up with creative ways to drive their mom nuts like dumping out bags of flour and sugar and unplugging various appliances just to watch them quit suddenly.
Jessica is a very happy baby. She was born very pale and listless but after an IV and a bit of attention she perked right up and turned into a very cranky person for her first few weeks. We were all getting a bit worried and frustrated with her constant upset but Amy thought it might be reflux like Krista had as a newborn and asked the pediatrician for a prescription. Within 24 hours Jessica was a new person. She now smiles at us all the time and babbles and waves her fists cheerfully at her siblings. She sleeps and eats pretty well and is easy going about all the attention and love that her siblings can dole out.
We have had a good year and are grateful to have been blessed so abundantly. We pray that our friends, family, and country will be happy, in good health, and full of the blessings of God and liberty in the coming year.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Jessica
Took these the 19th of November.
Kylie wanted her to wear the hat.
I was amazed Jessica liked the hat.
Pretty Flowers
Jared brought me these.
No particular reason.
They're pretty.
Isn't that nice.
I don't know what kind they are.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A Fast Card Game
April- Mom, do you want to play a game with me?
Me - Sure.
April - (spreading out go fish cards on the table)
Okay, these are the cards, if you take a card you lose points, if you get points, you win.
(Picks up a handful of cards)
I win!
Me - (laughing)
Good job.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Invictus
Jared and I decided to get a movie last night. Invictus was in the redbox at the gas station and we both wanted to watch it. Jared brought it home. We fed and bathed the kids. We got the kids into bed and I went in to tuck the little ones in and read them a story. Jared went down to the family room to start the movie. I fell asleep while telling stories. Jared fell asleep while starting the movie. A few hours later I went down and turned off the lights and TV in the basement. Once again date night was a lost cause. Maybe we'll try again tonight.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Counting Crackers
I got out a package of crackers and gave April and Andrew each a few to keep them busy. I put the remaining crackers on the counter and went into the baby's room to take care of her. A few minutes later I hear the sound of many crackers spilling across the kitchen floor.
Me: Did you spill the crackers? Do you need me to come help clean them up?
April: No, they did not spill, we are just counting them!
Made me laugh.
Me: Did you spill the crackers? Do you need me to come help clean them up?
April: No, they did not spill, we are just counting them!
Made me laugh.
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