Wordless Wednesday

Teach Me To Walk In The Light Of His Love

I love that as parents we have the divine calling and ability to teach our children to walk in the light. I know that as we teach our children, we learn ourselves and become better human beings in the process.
I find it difficult to believe that Isaac will turn 8 this week.
It's a big birthday that comes with great responsibility.
We've been talking a lot lately about his upcoming baptism and what that means. I feel such peace and excitement for him. He has such an special soul, it's sometimes impossible for me to fully wrap my mind around it. On Sunday night we were on our way out to Justin's brothers for Sunday night dinner when Isaac asked,"Mom and dad, do adults lie and do bad things?" I answered by telling him that yes indeed big people do make mistakes.
Then we spoke a bit about repentance to which he replied in a very serious manner,"My Sunday school teacher says that nothing unclean or sinful can dwell with Heavenly Father and I'm not sure if I will make it." Then we spoke about the gift of the atonement and the sacrifices that Jesus made for us. On a lighter note, later in the evening Uncle Derrin was "practice baptising" Isaac and he informed him that the more sins he had committed the longer he would have to stay under the water.Isaac said, "Then you're going to have to keep me under there for at least 2 hours." We all had a good laugh about that thought.
Oh man I love him.

Flashback Friday

Great Grandma Ann & A "Little" Mindy, 1980
Ann loved reading the newspaper to me. Her favorites were Ann Landers and Mrs. Manners.
Many of my most treasured memories of my childhood were spent on her lap doing just this.
We saw every Peter O'Toole movie ever made together.
She gave me enough love to last 5 lifetimes.
I love her so much.
I love that my mom cared about capturing moments like these for me.
It's hard to believe she's been gone 3 years. She was a true delight to anyone who she came into contact with. She spread so much sunshine in the world. I miss her so much.

Thursday's Thought

Wordless Wednesday

Recipe of the Week

Warm Raisin & Rice Pudding
The cold weather is here, and it's time to break out the comfort food.

Anytime I want to show my sweetie just how much I love him,
or if I want to get something out of him....
this is what I use.
It usually does the trick.....

• 4 3/4 cups milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
• 2/3 cup medium- or short-grain white rice
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large egg yolks

Combine 4 cups milk, rice, sugar, butter, cinnamon stick and salt in heavy large saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, stirring frequently, about 1 hour. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick. Stir in raisins and vanilla.

Pour 3/4 cup milk into heavy small saucepan. Bring to simmer. Whisk egg yolks in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot milk into beaten yolks. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir over medium heat until thermometer registers 160 °F, about 2 minutes (do not boil). Stir egg mixture into rice mixture.

Transfer rice pudding to large nonmetal bowl. Cover and chill until cold, about 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)

Thin rice pudding with more milk, if desired. Spoon into bowls and serve.

Louie, Louie

Isaac has been learning about Louie Armstrong in first grade this year.
It really tickles me that our children are learning about such things at school. His music happens to be a favorite of Justin and I. Isaac can tell you all about Louie's life and musical career. He even knows what it means to "SCAT" and cracks us up with his very own original creations. Louie was someone who put so much good into the world. Abby even picked up the book "When Louie Armstrong Taught Me Scat" at the library last week and was all excited. We're all in love for sure. Check out why HERE.

Trick or Treat Overload!!!

Have A Fun Filled Weekend!!!

From the whimsical blue fairies of Orem Way!

Pumpkin Patch

One of the things I love about having elementary school aged children is getting to be the room mom for their classes and throw all the parties and go on field trips. Abby and I went on a fun adventure to "Pumpkinland" today and it was a blast! What a great way to kick off the Halloween weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Recipe of The Week

Note to readers: This recipe tastes best if and only if real slober and severed hands are mixed in with all ingredients. I was lucky enough to have both on hand.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C Shortening
2 C Sugar
2 Eggs
2 t Vanilla
1 (15 oz.) Can Pumpkin
4 C Flour
1 1/2 t Baking Soda
1 1/2 t Baking Powder
1 t Salt
1 t Cinnamon
1 Pinch Nutmeg
2 C Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease Cookie Sheets. In a large bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla and pumpkin until well blended. Combing all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir the dry mixture slowly into the pumpkin mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges begin to brown. Allow to cool before serving.

It's Been One "Thrilling" Week

Yes, I'm back...finally.
It's been one heck of a week.
Filled with lots of baking, steroid injections (I'll explain later) , no sleep, costume parties, tons of work, a nightmare trip to the pediatrician and an anniversary celebration.
I may start resembling one of my zombie friends soon.
Go HERE to learn more about them and their AWESOME SHOW!

Flashback Friday

One Year Ago...
One AWESOME time in NYC
Celebrating Our 10 Year Anniversary.
This year we're shipping the kids off and spending a quiet weekend home ALONE.

Sweet Blessing

What a special day to celebrate the blessing of Jack Wells Richmond.
Jack's mom was the first friend I met when I moved to Utah.
We've taught each other how to be strong women and have shared life's ups and downs these past 11 years.
We were sort of shoe ins to be friends so to speak. Our hubbys are bffs.
It's been hard watching her want a baby and try so hard over many years to become a mom,
all the while I was having babies and raising my family.
I spent last night laying on the floor blowing raspberries and giving kisses and baby talk to my Jack.
I've never seen his mom or his dad happier. Their home just feels so complete.
He is truly a blessing to everyone around him.
I'm thankful for the bond I share with him and the bond he has given Shannon and I.
I love them all so much.

Who Knew?

That School Lunch Could Be This Fun