Menu Plan Sunday

I am in need of some good summer recipes - by GOOD, I mean HEALTHY and CHILD FRIENDLY (my children aren't super picky but do turn their noses up at strong spices, etc.). By SUMMER, I mean main dishes which are good served cold. (I especially love cold soups as I just found that my kids will eat almost anything I serve in a bread bowl - last week we had creamy cucumber soup in bread bowls and they loved it!) So, any suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

Sunday - turkey meatballs, roasted potatoes, strawberry spinach salad
Monday - CALL NIGHT (Daddy doesn't come home) - kids choice
Tuesday - shrimp and sausage gumbo, grilled corn, watermelon
Wednesday - split pea soup in bread bowls, pacifica salad, canteloupe
Thursday - chicken cacciatore, steamed rice, cranberry salad,
Friday - grilled chicken, asparagus tortellini salad, baguette with dips, watermelon
Saturday - left overs

We're Back!

Well, I have officially survived a week as a single mother - although it doesn't really count because we were surrounded by family who were, in many ways, better at entertaining our kids than either of us has ever been! (Why, despite our best efforts, do our children always find us so dull?!

Oregon was wonderful - we spent a good portion of our week at Sunriver, a resort in Eastern Oregon, which was WONDERFULLY relaxing and enjoyable, from feeding the deer out our backyard




















to surfing (at the fitness center)



to just lounging around in our awesome rental house. (Of course, Angel and Grins loved the park and swimming more than anything else!)





Then I enjoyed catching up with a High School friend I haven't seen in AGES,

seeing my cousin and his wife with their newest addition, and living it up at my dad's 50th birthday bash. Through it all, despite the crazy schedule, late nights and often lack of naps, my kids were incredibly pleasant and well-behaved; a wonderfully pleasant surprise. Overall, it was a nearly picture perfect vacation - the only thing lacking was the Mr. who was slaving away at a hospital some 800 miles away. So, though we had loads of fun, it is great to be back to Daddy, our own home, and our regular schedule and routine! The kids, though, are already asking "When are we going to Oregon again?"

Ode to our "New Place"

So, since our stay here at University Apartments is such a brief moment in time, I thought I'd jot down some of the things I just LOVE about it, just to make sure I don't forget how much I am enjoying our lovely little abode.

Apartment 1540*, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Let's begin with the "kitchen" (or rather, kitchen area, as it is not it's own room per say). I love my kitchen cabinets - all 4 of them! I never realized how much I needed cabinets in my kitchen. So thank you, for holding enough dishes for at least one meal and enough food for at least a few days! And thank you, small fridge/freezer combination! Thank you for keeping my milk, eggs, cheese, fruit and veggies cold. I know I complained about your size earlier, but now I realize I don't need room for other things like condiments and leftovers. Oh, and to my portable dishwasher, thank you for *almost* allowing your cord to reach the outlet near the sink - you've helped me discover a newfound love for handwashing dishes. And I appreciate your placement so close to the kitchen cabinets and sink - I love how toned my calves are becoming as a result of having to stand on my tiptoes anytime I'm in the kitchen in order to fit my growing belly between you and the sink!
To the lovely cinderblock walls, thank you. I know you do nothing to block the many sounds of the lovely families all around us, but I do appreciate that we can't actually see the neighbors through you! To the popcorn ceilings, thank you for keeping your asbestos to yourself. It gives me so much peace of mind knowing you won't contaminate my young children.
To my bathroom, thank you for the toothbrush holder. Even though it looks older than my grandmother and is far to small to hold any of our toothbrushes, it really adds to the nostalgia of the joint. And I love that you have no cabinets whatsoever - no need for child-proof locks here! Besides, who needs a spot for razors, toothpaste, hairbrushes, medicine, cleaning supplies or fingernail clippers? You have certainly helped us declutter! And I seriously love that the toilet, sink and bathtub are so close to one another - I can easily multitask (ie brush my teeth or do my makeup while using the toilet, etc) all while within arms' reach of my bathing children - you have certainly kept our safety in mind!
And, last but not least, apartment, your size is just perfect! I used to long for more room but, as I've unpacked, your 650 square feet have helped me realize how many possessions I actually own. You've made me feel like a queen, owning so many things I can't even fit them all in my home. You have helped me simplify my life by getting down to the bare necessities. We hardly notice the loss of our bed, dresser, dishes, toys, games, cleaning supplies, etc! And our guests probably won't mind sitting on the floor. And you've brought our family so much closer since we are always right next to one another!!!

Thank you, house, for becoming our own little corner of the world - our own little nook (and I mean NOOK!). Memories will be made herein. We will cherish you these next 10 weeks. We will grow CLOSER as a family, of that I am sure.

Sidenote: OK, in all seriousness, I have been humbled about the size of our little space. This past weekend we visited This is the Place Heritage Park, during which we took a little tour of the farm. There we saw an entire home which was 10 ft by 12 ft in size, and which we were told housed a family of 9!!! OK, so maybe I don't have as much to complain about as I thought!!

(*Not our actual apartment number, for security purposes. :) )

My Own Mosaic

I saw this on another blog and thought it was clever. You answer the following questions, type your answers into flickr, and it creates a mosaic. Here are the questions and my corresponding answers.

1. What is your first name? Sarah
2. What is your favorite food? artichoke
3. What high school did you go to? WLHS
4. What is your favorite color? canary yellow
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Hugh Grant, hands down! (Don't worry, Jon knows!)
6. Favorite drink? virgin daquiri
7. Dream vacation? a cruise with multiple destinations
8. Favorite dessert? cheesecake
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Christlike
10. What do you love most in life? Kai and Kea
11. One Word to describe you. Pregnant
12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?) Sarah Smiles

Announcing (drum roll, please).....

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Angel and Grins are excited to announce that in a few short months they will have a new little SISTER! Angel went to the ultrasound with me and couldn't have been more excited - she was very concerned that she wouldn't be able to love another brother, since she "already has one", so the announcement of a girl made her very happy. :) Of course, we would have been happy either way, but we are thrilled.

"A girl is...
Innocence playing in the mud,
Beauty standing on its head,
and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot."

"A baby girl...
one of the most beautiful miracles in life,
one of the greatest joys we can ever know,
and one of the reasons why
there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness
in your world today."

Also, we have moved and are STILL unpacking. (hence the shortage of posts recently) When we are finally settled I will post more updates. :)

It's Official...

In a few short weeks, the day after The 3rd Year Med Student begins his clinical rotations, we will officially become "campus dwellers." We were able to score a cozy little six-hundred-something square foot 2 bedroom corner of cinderblock and industrial carpet square heaven, despite the 'year long' waiting list (can you believe there's a WAITING LIST??!!) At first I was excited, but as I pack and prepare to leave our current home, I am becoming increasingly sentimental. When we moved here 4 years ago it was just the two of us - married 3 years, both in graduate school, living the 'care-free' "life before parenthood". Now, here we are, 4 years later, and my, how things have changed. This home is where we watched in amazement as my belly grew and grew until I thought I would pop. This is where we set up the crib and painted the 'nursery' months before the due date. This is where, more than 3 years ago, we lay awake in bed, too excited to sleep, knowing our first child would be born the next day. This is the place to which we nervously brought home our firstborn child, sat down on the couch and said to one another, "Now what?" as the reality of the responsibility of a precious life fell upon us. This is where we proudly displayed "It's a Girl" and "It's a Boy" banners from our front door. This is the only home both of our children have ever known. Within these small walls they have learned (somewhat painfully) to sleep through the night, to talk, to use the bathroom, to eat on their own, to pray, to play. Our front patio has heard their laughter as they've learned to walk, run and ride bikes, and their cries as their little hands and knees have met with it's rough pavement. Our front yard has enjoyed their sweet little feet prancing through it's cool grass in the summer while running through the sprinkler, and tramping through inches of snow in the winter while building snowmen and snowforts. Our children know the quickest path to all the nearby parks, our favorite library (nothing beats SLC Main Library!!), our church, Smiths and Albertsons (both right down the road) and the train station (just a couple of blocks away). Over the past few years, this little 918 square foot dwelling has truly become our HOME. I just can't get over the fact that everything their little minds have grown accustomed to will be changing so drastically in just a few weeks and I can't help but wonder if we're really doing the right thing. In my mind I'd always imagined we'd be here until graduation when we bought our first home, so I feel as though I'm being torn from my warm, comfortable bed a few hours early. Will my children survive? I think so. Will I? I'm not sure. Wish me luck as I wade through sentiment and emotion to pick up and move on.

P.S. FYI When I was 12 I cried for a week when my parents sold their old car so clearly, I don't do well with letting go. :)

My Other Blogs

You may have noticed I have started a few other blogs. I have had a long-standing goal to make journals for each of my children, but have been less than perfect at it. I have, up to this point, done some writing on the computer, but love that you can add pictures, etc to blog posts. I also love that it will never be LOST, even if my computer crashes, thanks to the miracle of cyber-space.

So, I am attempting to more diligently post memories of my children on these. I have kept them private so that I may more freely use their names, locations, etc. without the fear of "stranger danger" - but any of you who read my blog and are interested may certainly be added. Be forewarned that my journaling may be infrequent and, at times, (possibly) somewhat offensive (simply because of things children say - they are, after all, VERY honest and, in our family, anatomically correct since we don't believe in "silly words" for sacred parts) - but these are comments I cherish and want to document lest I forget them!

That being said, if you have any inclination, let me know. I just don't want anyone feeling "left out" - consider this your formal invitation. :)

You know you're "expecting" when.....

...you BAWL UNCONTROLLABLY anytime you hear a remotely sentimental song (or even advertisement or commercial) on the radio.

I rarely listen to the radio, but happened to turn it on just in time to catch a tune I hadn't heard before. Here are the lyrics: (wish I could add it to my playlist, but I can't seem to find the file.)

"I came to see her daddy for a sit down man to man
It wasn't any secret I'd be asking for her hand
I guess that's why he left me waiting in the living room by myself
with at least a dozen pictures of her sitting on a shelf

[CHORUS]
She was playing Cinderella
She was riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
In her eyes I'm Prince Charming
But to him I'm just some fella riding in and stealing Cinderella.

I leaned in towards those pictures to get a better look at one
When I heard a voice behind me say "Now, ain't she something, son?"
I said "Yes, she quite a woman" and he just stared at me
Then I realized that in his eyes she would always be.

Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
In her eyes I'm Prince Charming
But to him I'm just some fella riding in and stealing Cinderella.

He slapped me on the shoulder
Then he called her in the room
When she threw her arms around him
That's when I could see it too.

She was Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
If he gives me a hard time
I can't blame the fella
I'm the one who's stealing Cinderella."


Wow! I can't even type it without getting choked up. You can't fully understand this until you have a daughter of your own. I truly don't know what I will do when my sweet little angel ventures off into the 'real world'! (I'm talking about when she starts school in just a couple of years! I'm already a nervous wreck just thinking about it!)

**Along the same lines, another song I LOVE is "I Loved Her First" - it's on my playlist. Click it! You won't regret it!

"I'm Not Spoiled, My Husband Just Loves Me"...

...read the license plate holder of a Lexus I was driving behind a couple of days ago. I scoffed as I read it (I mean, really, does the fact that I drive a Mazda with a dent in the bumper mean MY husband loves me any LESS than hers? Give me a break.)

But, this past weekend, I have to admit, the quote entered into my mind on more than one occasion. My sweet husband always treats me with the utmost tenderness and respect regardless of the day, but he does make it a point to make special days spectacular. He always has and this is one thing I truly appreciate about him; it's fun to feel pampered once in awhile.

Mother's Day for me began on Saturday - I had assumed he would spend the entire day studying since he had a test Monday and he doesn't study on Sundays - so I had planned on cleaning, shopping, doing the laundry, etc. What happened instead was that he awoke early to start the laundry and cleaning and make me a gourmet breakfast (yum!). He then led me to believe he needed us to leave for a few hours to allow him some study time - so I took the kids to the park where we rented a paddleboat, fed the ducks, and played on the playground. We had a great time and were pleased to arrive home to a clean house with all the laundry and shopping done! After we all napped (I LOVE that both of my kids finally nap at the same time - even if it's only about 30 min overlap!) we went to the fair, rode on some rides and then had a DELICIOUS Chinese dinner. It was one of the most fun-filled days we have had for awhile. We had to literally DRAG (well, at least PULL) the kids to the car and then into the house; they didn't want the day to end!

Then yesterday, I had the privilege of an uninterrupted, as-long-as-I-wanted shower (a rare indulgence with 2 toddlers!), we enjoyed church together as a family followed by a quick lunch and then family naptime (I love the weekends!). I opened some gifts (Sneaky Chef cookbook I've been wanting, the Pampered Chef food chopper I've been drooling over, and some Standin' Tall CDs I've been begging for). Then we biked up the canyon and had a picnic and relaxing evening on the shore of the stream in the mountains. It was beautiful and SUCH a fun family time! The best Mother's Day I could have hoped for - RELAXING time with my family. I hope yours was equally enjoyable!

Menu Plan Monday

Never got around to posting last week and I found it was difficult to come up with ideas mid-week; I'm so used to having them planned out ahead of time, and it really does make things easier! So I made it a point to plan this week.

Sunday: Mother's Day - picnic by the river in the canyon (So yummy and SO much fun!)
Monday: sweet and sour pork, steamed veggies, steamed rice, cinnamon bread for FHE treat
Tuesday: Steak (grilled on the bbq, nothing better!), baked potatoes, grilled veggie kabobs
Wednesday: cheesy broccoli soup, crescent rolls
Thursday: white bean tortellini soup, fruit salad
Friday: Eating Out in celebration of Daddy's LAST FINAL OF ALL TIME!!!!
Saturday: Left overs
Sunday: Extended family dinner

Just Around the Corner....

With Mother's Day rapidly approaching I am, of course, racing to get things ready. I usually have both of my own mothers' gifts ready well in advance but, without fail, I forget to help my children make things for their grandmothers. I've had kids for 4 Mother's Days now - you'd think I could get the hang of it one of these times! Oh well, tomorrow will be craft day, spent creating "treasures" especially for the special women in their lives. I found a couple of simple little ideas here, here and here. But my favorite by far was Family Fun (no surprises there - their website is amazing!). We are probably going to do the Alligator Purse for at least one of the Grandmas! And I love the little soaps - will probably save those for next year when the kids' artwork has advanced to where it can be enjoyed by others and not just me. :)

Any Mother's Day traditions or special Mother's Day gifts or memories you have enjoyed?

Decisions, Decisions

We have decided that, with #3 on the way and with the Daddy starting to get VERY, VERY BUSY with school (think 120 hour work weeks - yikes!) it is time for us to bid the Ronald McDonald House adieu. We have loved our time here and have many cherished memories and friendships which will last a lifetime, but it is time to move on.

We are faced with a dilemma, however, about where to go. Two different options await us, both of which seem like decent options: (The decision is always harder when it's between 2 'rights', no?)

1) Housesitting a big house on the hill near school for 10 months: we would just pay utilities (about $400/mo) and keep up the yard and house, but it would (hopefully) be less work than RMH and something I could handle on my own. Benefits: SPACE!!! (something we haven't had for a very long time...actually, ever!!!) The drawbacks: with how high up on the mountain it is, we will most likely need a car with 4WD, which we don't have, so we would need to upgrade (pricey!) just so Mr. could get to school - and I may be stuck home when it snows! Also, it is a VERY nice house, so I'd have just a wee bit of anxiety associated with keeping 3 children from destroying it. :) And, our move-in date would be when I am 9 months pregnant - no fun!!
2) University Student Housing - gotta love it! Cinderblock walls, threadbare carpet, no dishwasher (although we would probably get a portable!) - but it is 1120 sq feet which is SLIGHTLY larger than our current apt. And there are 5 parks within the complex, and TONS of kids so finding friends will not be a problem. The main drawback: $825/month=student loan money :(

So, you Student families out there, we'd love to hear your housing experiences, good or bad, or any input at all which may benefit our decision! :)

Is Your Tummy Heaven?

Lately our darling little Angel has become very cavalier, often rushed, and even noisy during prayers. This evening I decided to have a more 'in depth' talk with her about why we pray and why prayers are so important to me, and why I therefore hope she will treat them with more reverence. This evolved into her asking to hear the story of "Heaven" which she so often loves at bedtime - which is basically my version of "pre-earth life", etc. Basically, I told her that her Heavenly Father asked if she wanted to go down to earth, and that she decided she wanted to. So, on a very special day (left out here for security purposes because I'm a slightly paranoid mom) a few years ago, He sent her to earth to a mommy and daddy who would love and care for her. At this point in the story, she stopped me and asked "How did he send me down to earth?" Not wanting to get into all the logistics, I simply stated "He put you in my tummy, where you grew your body, and then when you came out of my tummy you were officially on earth." She pondered this a moment and then asked, "Mommy, is your tummy Heaven?" I laughed but quickly realized how reasonable her rationalization was, and how sincere she was in asking. I finally came up with a response, "My tummy is like the bridge between Heaven and Earth" which may sound hokey but which I actually believe. I mean, to actually think about a zygote/fetus being cramped inside a confined womb hour after hour, day after day, week after endless week without some sort of reprive? It just doesn't seem humane. So I believe that, somehow, a fetus floats between "here" and "there" - just my own little take on it anyway. But her simple question has truly changed my perspective on pregnancy (at least for the time being. :) ) I get so wrapped up in the discomfort of it all (the nausea, vomiting, weight gain, stretch marks, heartburn, swollen ankles, digestion woes, fatigue...) that I forget the fundamental fact that, at least in some way, 'my tummy is Heaven.'

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday: Lemon Chicken (SOOO yummy!), rissoto, steamed broccoli, peaches
Monday: Chicken enchiladas, black beans, rice, corn, peaches (again! per Makea's request), Texas Chocolate Cake (FHE treat)
Tuesday: Chicken cacciatore, noodles, steamed carrots
Wedesday: Texas black bean chili, corn bread, rice, tomato wedges
Thursday: Chicken pot pie, sweet peas, fruit salad
Friday: left overs
Saturday: Spanish rice casserole, green salad, pears

**You'll notice a theme this week...CHICKEN! This is because Smith's had an awesome sale and I stocked up, planning to freeze a bunch. I ended up forgetting to freeze it in time (I don't like to freeze too close to the 'use by' date) so I had to use it all this week. I'm hoping the varieties will be different enough that my family won't notice...we'll see.

Drum Roll, Please....

"I do not have a face to see,
Or put inside a frame.
I do not have soft cheeks to kiss,
I don't yet have a name.
You can't yet hold my tiny hands, 'nor whisper in my ear.
It's still too soon to sing a song, or cuddle me so near.
But all will change come autumn time,
That’s when they say I'm due.
I'll be your new (grandchild/niece/nephew/etc); I can't wait till I meet you.
All I ask between now and then is your patience while I grow.
I promise I'll be worth the wait, because of all the love we'll know.
So have a happy spring and summer
A wish to you from me.
I cannot wait to be a part
Of this loving family!"

~Author Unknown

I realized after the comments of my last post that I had inadvertently 'announced' this in my little scholarship essay....oops! So, there's the official announcement for you, folks. :)

Your Comments PLEASE!

Jon is trying to apply for scholarships to help ease the burden of medical school tuition, etc. Apparently the person in charge of scholarship applications is either illiterate or reads at a rate of 2 words/minute because the limit on each scholarship essay is 255 CHARACTERS (not words) - and that's INCLUDING SPACES, people!! Can you BELIEVE this? I mean, seriously, how can you even introduce yourself, let alone put in a plug for why YOU, out of the gazillion and one other applicants, should be selected to receive the cash. I could go on all day about how unbelievably ridiculous this seems to me, but obviously I have no say in the matter, other than to simply help Jon "write" (or rather, cross out every other word of) his essays. So here's my brilliant idea. Please give your very HONEST opinion: good? or no good? Or, do you have any other ideas??? Because really, all I want is a little bit of dough to help with the $150,000 (GULP!) tuition bill hanging over our heads, so your input is of immeasurable value. Don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings. It's all about the bottom line, remember? :)

Sample Question:

Priority given to students who have worked hard to pay for their education, whose grades may have been affected by having to work while going to school.

Sample "ESSAY" response: (255 characters or less)

Poor family of 9=no college $. Dream: doctor=8 years of college. Tuition/expenses= 4 jobs + 21 credits/semester=3.4 GPA=MCAT x 4=medical school applications x3=$10k. MBA=$35k. Medical school tuition=$120k. Wife + 3 children=$$. Scholarship=priceless

Book Tag...

...a sad (or possibly humorous) statement on my life.

I just got book tagged by my cousin - here are the rules:


1. Pick up the nearest book (with at least 123 pages)
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag 3 people.


Unfortunately, the closest books to me right now are Goodnight Moon and Pathologic Basis of Disease. Since Goodnight Moon is about 111 pages shy of long enough, here you go, folks. Enjoy! What can I say, being married to a Med Student is a full-time job!

"Hemorrhage may be external or may be enclosed within a tissue; accumulation of blood within tissue is referred to as a hematoma. Hematomas may be relatively insignificant (a bruise) or may be sufficiently large as to be fatal (e.g. a massive retroperitoneal hematoma resulting from rupture of a dissecting aortic aneurysm). Minute 1- to 2-mm hemorrhages into skin, mucous membranes, or serosal surfaces are denoted as petechiae and are typically associated with locally increased intravascular pressure, low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), defective platelet function (as in uremia), or clotting factor deficits."

Wow! Don't you feel enlightened? (It's actually a very simple couple of sentences, but the big words make it sound much more complicated than it actually is.


Anyway, I am going to tag Sarah, The Student, and since I have no idea who actually reads my blog, I am just going to cop out and say, if you want to be tagged, consider yourself so! (If you want an official invitation, email me and I'll hook you up! :) )

FREE BREAKFAST TOMORROW!

If you know me, you know I LOVE freebies! Just found out about FREE BREAKFAST DAY at "participating Jamba Juice stores" tomorrow morning, April 8th, from 6-10am. Click here to learn more. Sounds like a deal to me! :)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: pasta with olive oil, asparagus and tomatoes, green salad, strawberries and angel food cake (FHE treat)
Tuesday: clam chowder
Wednesday: white bean / bowtie pasta soup
Thursday: texas black bean chili (bumped from last week)
Friday: left overs

Incredible!

About a month ago, I read a book titled The Invention of Hugo Cabret and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a quick read (some 300 pages, but most of them are drawings!) and, I thought, quite touching. It speaks of an automaton, a robot-like invention which draws or writes a specific piece of work, input by it's maker. I assumed it was a fantasy created by the author of the book, but recently I came across the following video, showing a "real, live" (if you can call it "live") automaton. Amazing!

(click here to view video)
(scroll down...the videos are near the bottom of the page)

Have to jot this down....

before I forget it. I know I've been a blog-slacker lately, but life is just way too busy. Should be calming down here shortly (hopefully) so I will try to get back in the habit, but in the meantime, here's a little tidbit for you to enjoy:

There is a hill near our house upon which the kids LOVE to run up and down. We do this a couple of times a week at least (weather permitting) while I'm waiting for dinner to cook or something. Angel came up with the funniest thing. The first time she did it, I thought it was a fluke, but 2 weeks later, out of the blue, she did the same thing, and now it has turned into an actual game. She runs to the top of the hill and instructs me, "Mom, say TICO (tee-ko)!" I do as told, and she runs down the hill. I am then supposed to say "TICA (tee-kuh)" after which she runs back up the hill. This may lack hilarity and be completely uninteresting to you readers, but as her mother, I find this simply hilarious. Where did she come up with these terms? Is this some sort of secret language - or perhaps a legitimate language of which I am completely unaware, yet she somehow learned? I mean, honestly. Where does she get it? What's even funnier is that her shadow, Grins, has watched us do this and now participates shouting "TICO/A" and then running up and down the hill as if it makes all the sense in the world. Ah, children. What could be more entertaining?

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday: broiled salmon, risoto, steamed asparagus, red grapes
Monday: spaghetti (red pepper and tofu tomato sauce - SO yummy!), steamed spinach, canteloupe, cheesecake (FHE treat!)
Tuesday: Texas black bean chili, tomatoes, oranges
Wednesday: chicken caliente casserole, corn, pears
Thursday: white bean pasta soup, green salad, mango slices
Friday: left overs
Saturday: General Conference Homemade Pizza (cheesy, I know, but a family tradition)

Singin' in the Rain....

Well, we made it here to Oregon in one piece and in ONE DAY (we drove)! This is the first time we've driven straight through with the kids and we fully expected to have to stop but they did swimmingly! I probably won't have much time to post while here, since we have a packed schedule including a beach house, the Children's museum (Portland one is SOOOO much better than Utah's!!!), OMSI, Easter, and LOTS of family time. But I'll give an update when we return next week!

Sweet Grins

It is amazing how much joy something as small as a young child can bring to one's life. Truly incredible - their innocence and purity, their enthusiasm and zeal, their curiosity and sometimes mischeviousness. Every day I thank the Lord for my two beautiful little ones! They are more precious to me than anything else in this world. I hope I can be the mother they deserve!

I love both of my children equally, but in different ways. I find that I post more on Angel as she does more talking, etc - but my sweet Grins has a special place in my heart for his adorable dimply grin which almost ALWAYS lights up his face (I think the only times he is not smiling is while being attacked by his sister or sleeping - and even then he is often smiling!) and his enthusiasm! He is just too cute for words.

Our Little Doctor...

"Angel"'s new favorite game is playing "Doctor". She is quite good at it, if I do say so myself. The other night she was 'doctoring' Daddy. She looked in his eyes, ears, mouth and nose with her little otoscope and said "Everything looks good!" Then she pulled out her stethoscope and listened to his heart. She seemed to have a distant look on her face and suddenly jumped up, VERY excited, and said, "The baby is almost ready to come out!" with her mouth wide open. Daddy could not stop laughing. She sure is clever!

Stop and think....

An article by Shawni Eyre (daughter of Richard and Linda Eyre, mother of 5):

"The other day I finally got myself (and my two at-home-during-the-day kids) to the mall for some post-Christmas returns and exchanges. It wasn't fun. The girls were doing all kinds of acrobatics on the stroller and poor Claire had hurt her knee on the trampoline the day before and kept whining that she couldn't walk. So as I carried her through the mall in one arm while trying to contort my other arm enough to successfully maneuver my stroller laden with bags and a chunky baby, I noticed a mother with a new little baby...maybe a month old. He was fussy and she was trying to comfort him while maneuvering her stroller too. Oh I wanted to just ask her if I could hold him and snuggle him for a little bit. I wished I had my old Baby Bjorn to hand over to her. I could never go to the mall without it when I had babies that little. And then the thought of having my tiny snuggling babies right next to me while I did my daily tasks started eating at me. How they looked when they were sleeping, how they smelled, how they sighed in their sleep, and yes, even their sweet little newborn cries. Baby hunger crept in. "How could those days have passed so quickly??!" I asked myself in awe as I looked at my own crying "baby" and her whimpering sister side-kick.

And then a thought struck me. A few years from now I'll be roaming the mall and all my kids will be in school. I know, I know, it will be nice. It'll seem so free and strange in a good way. But, at that moment in the mall this week I realized that on that day in the future when I'm wandering the mall all fancy-free, there's no doubt I'll run into my double self from this week. She'll be wrestling with her toddlers with a frustrated look on her face, assuring them that they're almost done with the errands of the day. And oh will I ever wish I could go back, at least for a little while, and slow life down while I snuggle those kids up and kiss their chubby cheeks off. I'll try to envision them as their little selves climbing on me and whining and needy, and I'll probably tear up a little just like I am right now because I'll miss those little people. I know the bigger form of my little people will we wonderful. I can't wait to "meet" them and grow with them. But I just realized this week, once again, how much I need to cherish this time, right now, right here...snotty noses, whiny faces, dramatics and all that craziness in one great big package in a bow. Because when I blink they'll be all grown up."

My Life in a BOX

I saw this 'word cloud' idea on a friend's blog and decided to give it a go (you can try it here). So, there you have it. Kinda neat.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: soft tacos (by Jon - DELICIOUS!!!) and green salad
Tuesday: Black bean chili (bumped from last week) and cornbread
Wednesday: pork chops, red potatoes, steamed cabbage
Thursday: clam chowder
Friday: dinner out (celebrating Jon's spring break!!!)

I am trying to incorporate more beans into our diet, primarily for health reasons but also to help with the medical student budget plan...but I am in DESPERATE need for bean recipes! Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Creativity, SNEAKY creativity...

Our darling daughter was uninterested in the delicious chicken pot pie her daddy made for dinner this evening. We insisted that she eat at least a couple of bites before excusing her from the table, as she has a tendency to declare "starvation" when going to bed if she doesn't have dinner. She was taking her own sweet time so the rest of us had excused ourselves from the table and were working on the dishes, bedtime preparations, etc when she announced, "I'm Done!"
Her father looked over to see her sitting in front of an empty plate which, just a few short moments previous, had been untouched. He was pleasantly surprised and smug that we must be doing something right as parents when he suddenly saw her holding, somewhat coyly, something in her hand, seemingly trying to conceal it. He opened her hand to find the sock she had been wearing.... but instead of hanging flaccid and empty it was stuffed like a stocking on Christmas morning. We had a good laugh and proceeded to fill her plate with a fresh batch of pot pie (and, of course, emptied her stocking.) She eventually cleaned off her plate.

Now, I've heard of tucking food under one's plate, feeding it to the household pet, and even putting it up one's nose (ask my husband!!) to avoid having to eat it. But a sock? That's a new one. Does anyone have any similarly devious stories to share? :)

WELCOME SPRING!!!

Hooray! The weather here has finally made it higher than 30 degrees and I couldn't be happier. I don't know which feeling is stronger: my excitement to go running and take the kids to the park/zoo/long walks/etc and banish the "cabin fever" they've been having, or relief that I no longer have to wear out my back shoveling the parking lot and sidewalks in front and back of our building (ah, the joys of property management...). Needless to say, I couldn't be happier! I now realize why people institute "spring cleaning" - I just have so much energy and excitement about spring!!! woohoo!!

So, without further ado, I bid you, WINTER, adieu with these final snowy pictures...stay tuned for some pictures of SPRING to come soon!

Well Put!..with a correction

I just read this and thought it was worth repeating. Perhaps you've already read it, but if not, it's worth a few moments of your time....

MICROSOFT FOUNDER, NFL OWNER PAUL ALLEN SPEAKS OUT
Paul Allen is the owner of the Seattle Seahawks, the team who played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl. He is also the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team and is co-partner with Bill Gates in Microsoft. He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper, 2006.

The letter to the editor (quoted below) by one Paul Allen was indeed published on the opinion page of the Santa Clarita Valley (California) Signal on 24 November 2000. Within five months, someone had re-typed the letter (because the Signal didn't then publish letters to the editor on its web site) and started it circulating on the Internet via e-mail forwards (most of which erroneously stated that it had first been published on 25 April 2002). However, the Paul Allen who wrote this piece was not (as claimed in the example above) the Paul Allen who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates (and regularly ranks high on lists of the world's wealthiest people) — he was simply a local resident with the same name.

"I have heard and seen enough! I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them. They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law. I'm talking about the Mormons.

They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has.

They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in. The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known.

I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself. What a surprise! What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.

They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life. They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that in most cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their "Book of Mormon" I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find. Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded to me like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them.

At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder. I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America. According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon. What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country?

They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes. You never see them on TV begging for money.

What cult do you know that instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class?

They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month. They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service - those who protect the President. They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.

If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion, just like many of us.

The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths. (Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised. When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right."

To learn more about what us "Mormons" REALLY believe, click here.

This Week

Has it really been a whole week since I posted? Wow? Shameful. I guess such is evidence that things have been even busier than normal this past week. I started a new job 2 weeks ago and, while I am very much enjoying it, am still adjusting to the schedule. This means that, in addition to managing apartments, I am now working 3 part-time jobs for a combined total of 50 hours a week. Yikes! I feel like a college student again. :) For the most part, it is working out and I know things will be winding down within a few months, but it has been slightly crazy lately. Fortunately I have a very supportive husband - partially because he is just naturally wonderful and supportive in everything I do, and partially because he recognizes that my crazy hours are footing the bill for his ever-increasing medical tuition. :) The great thing, though, is that my newest job allows me to bring my little sweethearts with me and spend some quality time with them while I'm working. It is wonderful and I am loving it. A bit busy at times, but so worth it to be able to be with them and still provide for the family.

Another new 'development' is that I've been trying to be more structured in the time I spend with the kids. We had toyed with the idea of putting "Angel" in preschool but decided against it because I really just want more time with her. Instead, I got a big book of ideas for preschool topics, lessons, activities, etc. and have been trying to implement them. It has been AWESOME!! "Grins'" attention span is all of about 30 seconds but "Angel" is happy to sit and listen to me as long as I can talk/read/etc. She is absolutely loving it!!

This past week we discussed the Human Body, Winter and Snow. It was so much fun! We traced our bodies in chalk on the sidewalk, talked about differences in our bodies ("Mommy has a BIG bum, I have a SMALL bum" made me feel great, let me tell you!), and did activities with our bodies such as noises, movements and shapes. It is just amazing what kids will come up with sometimes! We also spent a day on snow and winter, since I am HOPING that winter is drawing to a close and we are entering SPRING! I've just been reading the Eyre's "Values Parenting" book and have decided to start incorporating Values in our 'lessons' as well. And because I am already writing down my menu plan for the week, I figure I'll just add my planned activities too and just turn this post into my own little weekly planner. So, if you're bored, check back later for exciting posts. Or, if you have any great ideas, feel free to share! :) Have a great week!

Menu Plan:

Sunday - Soup (Artichoke/Asiago soup and Butternut Squash soup), crusty bread, green salad
Monday - spring rolls, rice, steamed broccoli
Tuesday - soft tacos (black beans, refried beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado), pear/blue cheese salad
Wednesday - clam chowder, wheat rolls, corn
Thursday - margarita pizza (from Costco), green salad, fruit salad
Friday - left overs
Saturday - chicken pot pie, steamed baby carrots


Lesson Plan:

Value of the Month: Respect
Monday - Hands & Fingers (sign language, play-doh, fingerprints)
Tuesday - Letter U (Mom's group preschool)
Wednesday - Hands & Fingers (finger painting, handprints, guessing tactile objects while blindfolded)
Thursday - Legs & Feet (3-legged race, dancing, picking up objects with toes)
Friday - Legs & Feet (painting with our feet, jumping, skipping, animal footprint game)

Menu Plan Sunday

Trying to get a jump on the week, so here goes:

Monday - Spinach and crab quiche, cherry tomatoes (bumped from 2 wks ago, still haven't made it yet!)
Tuesday - Spaghetti Pie, green beans
Wednesday - Brown Rice Chicken Bake, cabbage
Thursday - Black bean soup, steamed baby carrots
Friday - Mom's at work - Left overs
Saturday - Homemade Veggie Pizza

I'm also trying to start planning lunches in advance in an effort to make shopping easier and so I won't have to wonder every day "what should we have for lunch today?"
I'm trying to get a little more creative, because I think my kids are probably tired of quesadillas, soups and sandwiches for lunch.

Here's what we have this week:

Monday - cold cut sandwiches, bananas & carrots
Tuesday - mini pizzas (english muffin, tomato sauce, cheese & veggies), grapes
Wednesday - mini quiches, pears, cherry tomatoes
Thursday - left over spaghetti pie, apples, carrots
Friday - chicken salad and crackers, grapes & celery
Saturday - sandwiches, veggies

As you can see, I am definitely hurting for finger food ideas. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great!!!:)

Happy Valentine's Day!

(This is our hands on our wedding day, 6 1/2 years ago! I remember that day as though it were yesterday!)

In my earlier (SINGLE) days, I thought Valentine's Day was for the birds! Since I met Jon, though, it has become my most favorite holiday. He takes it to the next level and showers me with love and thoughtful gifts for the two weeks leading up to V-day - he's come up with the "Fourteen Days of Valentines" or something like it. He is good to me all year long but it is always fun to see what he comes up with this time of year. This year has been spectacular and I'm sad to see it draw to a close, but it has been fun! I hope yours will be full of love and laughter with those you hold dear, whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." —Hamilton Wright Mabie

A Real-Life "Fairy Tale Romance"

I just read the most lovely description of a 'fairy tale' romance and decided I have to write it down, so I can reflect on it often and hopefully pattern my own marriage and family after it:

"Ruth Wright Faust, the widow of President James E. Faust of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday morning at her home surrounded by her family of causes incident to age. She was 86. Her death comes exactly six months after her husband died.

"Surely his almost storybook romance is among the sweetest in the annals of the church," Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said at President Faust's funeral. "Ruth Faust adored James E. Faust—everything he did and said, every act or deed or gesture melted her. He felt the same way about her, and they were 'melted.'"

Ruth Wright Faust was born April 11, 1921, in the Millcreek area of Salt Lake City, the sixth of eight children of Elmer Wright and Elizabeth Hamilton Wright.

She met her husband-to-be while they were students at Granite High, but the two did not date until President Faust returned from his mission in Brazil and after he was called into military service in 1942.

The former classmates finally reunited when Sister Faust was working for her husband-to-be's uncle at the time in the fingerprint bureau at the state Capitol.

"Uncle Jim, I am sure, influenced his nephew, Jim, to pay him a visit at the office in order for him to become better acquainted with me and to see if he wanted to ask me for a date," she said. "I must have passed the test because I was invited to the Faust home for Sunday dinner for some of Father Faust's famous dutch oven chicken."

The meal must have worked. The pair later married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 21, 1943, while President Faust was on a brief military leave before a long journey in the Pacific.

The Fausts shared a deep love admired by both church leaders and their five children.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve once said, "Theirs is an absolute model of a beautiful marriage."

"My dad has always made it very clear how much he loves my mother and respects womanhood," daughter Lisa said in a 1995 church magazine article. "He has always treated her with a sweet tenderness."

Granddaughter Nicole recalled his reaction at Christmastime 1994, when the family gathered to watch President Faust open a portrait of his wife they had urged her to have taken as a gift for his office. As he unwrapped it "he pumped his fist in the air as he let out a Portuguese expression meaning 'wonderful!' Then family members became absolutely silent as he continued to look at the picture, and then he began to shake as tears rolled down his cheeks. He was so touched he couldn't speak."

It was his love for his wife, Ruth, and their family that held sway in his heart.

"With all my heart I want to thank Ruth Wright Faust for letting me share her life and giving me the hope that we can share eternity together," President Faust said in 1973 when he was called as an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve. "She is more than a wife and a sweetheart because she has become part of my very being."

President Faust's most troubling concern during the last few weeks of his life was leaving his wife, Elder Holland said at his funeral. "As stillness finally settled over him the hardest thing for him was saying goodbye to Ruth."

"They were partners in life," President Thomas S. Monson said at President Faust's funeral. "They will be partners through all eternity."

Ode to the Colorectal Surgeon

Perhaps it is that fact that my 3-year-old has suddenly discovered "potty humor" - or the fact that working in the field of medicine has corrupted me - but whatever the reason, I found this HILARIOUS!!! Warning: if you are offended by 'potty humor' (literally) you may not want to click the following link. I personally laughed my head off and was not offended - take that for what it's worth.

My Wonderful Husband

Can I just take a moment to express my deep and sincere love and appreciation for this incredible man? It may sound odd, but whenever I think of how blessed I am to have Jon in my life, I think of the song from the Sound of Music, "I Must Have Done Something Good" - it may sound cliche, but I honestly feel that I just do not deserve such an incredible person to be my partner in life and my companion throughout eternity. I think back to our courtship when I had "cold feet" so to speak, and was hesistant to marry him because my heart and mind were full of fears and doubts. How funny it now seems that I was so nervous about marrying such a wonderful man! I think it's because I hadn't yet had a chance to experience just how wonderful he was (and is). Now, seven short years later, I have grown to love him more deeply than I ever dreamed was possible. I admire his integrity. I respect his very keen sense of honesty. I appreciate his strong sense of devotion to God, to me, and to our family. I am so grateful for his ability to remain firm and unwavering - he truly has been "my rock" in so many ways. I so appreciate his patience and compassion. I love what a loving, fun and involved 'papi' he is; I could not have dreamed of a better father for my children! I admire his intelligence, his talent for developing SO many skills, and how he is able to juggle SO many things at once! This man truly amazes me. I just feel so fortunate and so blessed to know that he is the one upon which I can always depend, the one who will remain by my side through 'thick and thin', the one with which I will laugh and cry, the one with loving arms to hold me and a shoulder on which to cry, the one I will be able to walk hand in hand with throughout my days, the father of my children and my partner in parenting, my best friend, my love - the one with whom I will spend eternity. I love you, Jon!!!!

Menu Plan Monday.....er, Tuesday

A blogger friend of mine (visit her blog here) introduced me to the concept of "Menu Plan Monday" - where women (and men, I'm sure) plan their menus for the week as part of the 'quest to become organized' (a quest which seems to me to be neverending...). Anyway, I thought I'd give it a try, so here goes:

Monday - COSTCO chicken bakes and pizza (healthy, I know, but it is a rare splurge!!)
Tuesday - Red Lentil Soup, Crusty Bread, Steamed Broccoli, Blueberries
Wednesday - Baked Potatoes with cheese and broccoli, Sausage, Strawberries
Thursday - Spinach Crab Quiche, Cherry tomatoes, Grapes
Friday - Soup bar (brocolli cheese, zuppa toscana, sweet corn chowder)
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday - extended Buchanan Family Birthday Potluck

Wish me luck!!! :)

Since I don't have enough blogging friends of my own to do a swap (nor do I really have the time/energy/motivation), but I do enjoy a swap every now and then, I thought I would post about one a fellow blogger, Erica Grover, is putting on (to see her blog, click here. If you have never heard of a swap, it's basically a bunch of people swapping names (the "hostess" if you will assigns the partners and coordinates it all) and then sending one another little packages. Just a fun way for us adults to get some of our own holiday cheer since we're usually the ones GIVING (I know, I know, "tis better to give than to receive...", but you have to admit, it IS still fun to receive!) I don't participate in swaps very often but what I love about this swap is that she says "focus more on the simple and creative than on monetary value." Being the wife of a med student, that, to me, is key! :) So, I thought I'd spread the word in case anyone out there is interested. Click here for more details and to sign up. Happy Swapping!

Tribute to a Wonderful Man

Today, Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, peacefully returned to the presence of our Father in Heaven. I am sure he was warmly greeted by his wife Marjorie and countless others whose lives he touched while on this earth.

I have never been at such a loss for words as when I try to describe what this man has meant to me over the past 12 years since he was named Prophet. He was a man of such incredible faith, integrity, compassion, energy, and strength. He shared his faith freely, his love unconditionally, and his every energy serving others. He was powerful yet humble, firm yet loving, strong yet gentle. And, though serving as prophet to the some 13 million LDS people, he was also revered and respected by many others not of our faith.

His words of wisdom and love offered me untold strength, encouragement and hope during my somewhat tumultuous adolescent years. I loved the way he made me want to be better, just by being himself. The first time I was in his actual presence was as a Sophomore at BYU-Hawaii, when he came to a conference in Oct 1999. Though I was more than a stone's-throw from him, the feeling I felt when he entered the room was undeniable, and one I will not forget. It amazed me that one man could fill an entire auditorium with his spirit, without even saying a word.

Not much more can be said by someone so weak in writing as I, but this I do know; that Gordon B. Hinckley was/is a man of immeasurable strength, virtue and integrity. A man whose single life was one of the greatest forces for good this world has ever known. A man who has touched more hearts and lives than sands upon the shore. A man who was and will remain a Prophet of God. Thank you, President Hinckley, for your years of service, your love, your optimism, your strength. You will be deeply missed.

Happy Birthday Makea Rose!

To my sweet and darling Makea,

A most heartfelt "Happy Birthday!" to you, my love! I can't believe that you are 3 years old. Can it really be 3 years since first we met, face to face? I simply cannot remember a time in my life when I did not know you and love you with all my heart and soul. It doesn't seem possible that 3 short years ago we had not yet met. Today you are three and your father and I are amazed at how you have transformed from a small baby into such a big girl! Your personality is in full force now. You are very confident and sure of yourself, but careful and cautious when in a large group or around strangers (something for which I am very grateful!). You are incredibly sensitive to how others are feeling and extremely compassionate when they are sad. You will try anything in an effort to cheer someone up or alleviate someone’s pain. You relate very well with others and make friends easily. You are highly curious about the world around you, and want to learn as much as you can, particularly about the human body, the geography, and how to speak Sign Language, German and Spanish. You are really enjoying preschool with your friends Nina, Emily, Kalli and Meg. You know all of your letters by sight and sound and have just surprised me by writing some: A, H, M and I, completely on your own! You are toilet-trained (hooray!) and sleeping through the night, for the most part (double hooray!!) I love everything about you, but probably my favorite characteristic of yours is how sweet and sensitive you are. If Kai, Papi or I ever get hurt, frustrated, or even look the least bit sad, you are the first one to jump up and give comfort, usually in the way of kisses and reassuring words.

I love you, my sweet girl!

My Two Little Miracles...

As you may know, our family has had the wonderful opportunity of being involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities for the past 6 years. Briefly, the Ronald McDonald House Charity is an organization offering a "home away from home" for the families of sick children. It is an AMAZING organization which helps SO many people...please check out their website and think of a way you can pitch in this year! (OK, done with my little plug...)

Over the years, we have grown close to many of the families that have come and gone and our hearts have truly been touched by their spirits. Makea has grown quite fond of a few of them, and still asks about them from time to time. Today, in fact, I asked who she would like to invite over for a birthday party, and she named two girls (unrelated) she met here, both of whom moved back home several months ago when, tragically, their baby brothers died. But they continue to hold special places in her young little heart. Because of our involvement in the house, we experience tragedy on a somewhat regular basis. If my memory is correct, we had 5 deaths last year alone. Keep in mind, these are all YOUNG CHILDREN. Simply devastating to watch what they and their families go through! Because we see it so often, I sometimes find myself 'dulled' to the challenges these families are facing. Sometimes my role here seems more of a 'job' and less of a service. I complain that people are too messy (one of my roles is housekeeping), too demanding, too time-consuming, etc. But then I am reminded of what these families are facing, and I stop in my tracks and realize how blessed I am to be on the GIVING end, rather than the receiving in this case!

This evening, I met a sweet young woman carrying a 2 week old baby. As we spoke, I learned that she has several other children, one of whom has leukemia which has recently relapsed. As a result she spends all day at the hospital, trying to care for both her newborn baby AND her sick child. Her remaining children are missing her at their home hundreds of miles away and will only see her periodically during her 7-12 month (or longer) stay here. As I spoke with this woman, my heart began breaking for her and her sweet family. It was all I could do to hold back the tears until she left. I immediately fell to my knees and thanked the Lord for the health of my children, my husband, and myself. Then I ran to my children and smothered them with loved. What a miracle the gift of HEALTH truly is!

And so I ask of you, dear reader; please pray for this family, and the many others in similar situations. May we each pause to take a moment to be grateful for the many things we may so easily take for granted, and live to make each day count!

Oh, what a Beautiful Morning, Oh, what a Beautiful Day!

Today marked our first day of MORNING church and what a MARVELOUS sabbath it was! In 2007, this is how my typical Sunday went:

6:00 am - kids wake up, Jon takes them on a morning walk for an hour or two (depending on the weather) while I catch a few extra zzzzzs.
8:30 am - eat breakfast as a family.
9:00 - shower, dress.
9:30 - lounge around, listening to MoTab and Music and the Spoken Word.
10:30 - Jon leaves for meetings (he is the 1st Counselor in our Ward's Bishopric), and thus begins my day as a "single parent".
11:00 - Try to coax the kids into eating something for lunch, though they are usually not yet hungry enough.
11:15 - begin dressing for church (and then try to keep myself and the children somewhat presentable ie - clothes are pressed (?) and food-free, Makea's hair is still done and not yet pulled out as somehow always seems to manage to happen as we are out the door)
12:10 - make sure the diaper bag is packed with plenty of things to eat and do (and a few thing for the kids too, haha).
12:15 - walk to church.
12:30 - arrive at church, secure the back row and set out the programs.
1:00 - sit in sacrament meeting ALONE with a 1 and 2 year old who have not eaten lunch and for whom it is undoubtedly naptime, and attempt to keep both kids in the pew, somewhat quiet and prevent tantrums/outbursts/fights, while Jon looks helplessly on from the stand. Oh, and amidst all that I am supposed to try to LISTEN to the talks. (and feel the Spirit? huh?)
4:00 - return home with 2 VERY tired children, try to get something on the table for dinner while trying NOT to let them nap as it would push back their bedtime.
5:00 - Dinner.
5:30 - baths.
6:00 - bedtime (one good thing about no naps is the EARLY bedtime!).
If we are lucky, Jon will get home in time to say goodnight, but usually he is stuck at the church until later.

So, 2008 is definitely looking up! This was our day today:
6:00 am - kids up, Jon and I try to coax them into snuggling with us since they were both up half the night screaming...but they insist on getting UP!
6:30 - breakfast.
7:00 - Jon leaves for meetings.
7:15 - I shower and dress 2 happy, energetic children.
We are out the door by 8:15 and at church in time to set out the programs and get a seat.
9-12 - Church with 2 HAPPY, RESTED children is SO much better than church during naptime! (Granted, sacrament meeting is now at the end of the block, much to my chagrin, so the kids are getting sleepy, but the right snacks can keep them going until noon!)
12:30 - Home, Lunch, Naps.
1:30 - Jon comes home and we try to sneak in a nap before the kids wake up.
2:00 - Kids wake up, and we have ALL KINDS OF FAMILY TIME - listen to music, snuggle, watch a church movie, build a snowman (not an every-Sunday occurrence, but this is the first time all season we had snowman-feasible snow, so we HAD to take advantage), hot cocoa, more snuggles, card games.

AH, I LOVE family time! Thank you, 9am church!!!!

LOVE MY KIDDOS!

Can I just express how MUCH I love my cute little babes?! They are just TOO sweet, TOO adorable, TOO lovable. I ask myself daily what I did to deserve such wonderful children. The past week has been a dream. Sometimes, being home with them full time can be draining, tedious and frustrating. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have occasionally found myself reminiscing on the 'good ole days' when I could sleep for 8 hours uninterrupted, actually KEEP the house clean, and I didn't spend half of my day cleaning up bodily excrement (too much detail?) or breaking up fights. The past week or so, though, has seriously been amazing. My children have been SHARING and PLAYING TOGETHER and GETTING ALONG, with almost no intervention from me. They have been eating what I put in front of them (even the healthy things!) They have been HAPPY and SNUGGLY without being overly clingy. I have been enjoying my time with them IMMENSELY, even more than usual (which is hard to beat!) Why the sudden change? I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that they have their own rooms and are sleeping better. Maybe it's all the new Christmas toys. Maybe it's just the New Year bringing me a fresh, new perspective. But whatever the reason, I am just so grateful for such a wonderful family. My heart has never been so full. I love being a mom!

A Very Happy Un-Birthday to You!

In anticipation of her upcoming birthday (just a couple of weeks away!), Makea was contemplating gifts she would like - it was difficult for her to come up with many ideas since she was so abundantly showered with them at Christmas - but she managed to name one or two. As we sat and discussed it, she decided to think of gifts she'd like to give OTHERS for THEIR birthdays (ever the sweetheart that she is!). This is what she came up with:

Let me first preface this by saying that Jon and I have recently given up our bedroom in order to get a better night's sleep. Sound confusing? Let me elaborate. What it comes down to is this: we have a 2 bedroom apt and 2 children who were consistently waking one another up at night. We tried many different 'solutions', none of which seemed to work. One day we realized it has been about 3 years since we have actually had a good night's sleep, uninterupted, so a lightbulb came on and we decided to separate them at night. Initially, we put a toddler bed in our room for Makea - but that didn't seem to help her sleep better, and it meant there was no room left to walk, so that didn't last long. We finally resigned ourselves to getting rid of our bed and getting a futon in the living room for us. Now, each child has their own room = both are sleeping through the night (knock on wood!) = our backs are slightly sore but = happy, well-rested parents (so to speak). Are we crazy? Maybe. But sleep deprivation can certainly do that to you!

Anyhow, bearing that in mind, we will now return to Makea's Birthday Gift List:

For Kainoa's birthday, he needs his OWN play kitchen because he really likes playing with mine. For Papi we will get a new gate for the office (we put a child gate up so the kids can't get into the computer room and wreak havoc on the electronics - but Jon hates stepping over it so she wants to get him one that opens and shuts). I finally asked, "What does Mommy need for her birthday?" to which she replied "A bedroom!" Wow! Is this kid perceptive or what?

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

No, I didn't sneeze. What I meant was HAPPY NEW YEAR (Hawaiian Style)! Or if you'd rather, ¡Prospero Aňo Felicidad! (Spanish), freues neu Jahr (German), Xin nian kuai le (Chinese) or שנה טובה (Hebrew).

Anyway you say it, I hope 2008 will be all you are hoping for.

2007 was a year our family - and in particular, our children - grew closer. Kai began walking and talking, and, as a result, became Makea's little protege/pet/plaything. It has been precious, amusing, and occasionally frightening but we have loved witnessing the evolution of their "siblinghood"/alliance. We don't pretend to know all of what 2008 will hold for our family, but we anticipate at least the following highlights:

~ Makea finally sleeping through the night (any time now!)
~ Makea turning 3! (Jan)
~ Jon passing his boards (June)
~ Jon beginning Clinical Rotations (July)
~ Kai turning 2! (Aug)
~ Our family continuing in love, health and happiness

We wouldn't mind if any of the following events were to occur:

~ Kai potty-training himself before the age of 2
~ A comfortably spacious home falling into our laps (so to speak)
~ Becoming independently wealthy (we would even settle for a lump sum to finance med school)
~ Jon miraculously completing medical school early (actually, I am, for the most part, 'enjoying the journey' of med school - but this is Jon's "wish")

May 2008 be more prosperous, more peaceful, and more joy-filled for you and your family than ever before is our sincere wish for you!

With love, The Buchanans