Rides

Our family loves to go on rides!  It's just something we do, and it started way back when we were first married.  It's so fun to just hop in your car, and drive somewhere you've never been before!  The frequency of our rides have definately been scaled back, since gas prices have risen over the years, but we still manage to squeeze them in every once in a while.

We've seen some strange sightings on the past two rides we've taken. 

We took these two pictures on one of our shorter rides.  These guys love to meander across a road close to our home. 

On Tuesday, we drove to a place I've been dying to check out-- Madera Canyon.

We saw a group of wild Turkeys, crazy!  That's a first for me.

The strangest thing we saw was this:

A river bed full of water!  I think we're going to go on a family hike in Sabino Canyon on Monday.  I hear it's full of water as well.  We've had so much rain lately!  Fun stuff.

Reading

My book list is getting really long!  I belong to a women's book club, and love it!  I get so busy, that I know I wouldn't make the effort to read as much without it.

For March we're reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  A good classic!  I'm only on the 6th Chapter, and I'm already hooked.  The language is very formal, so it is a challenge for me, but it's understandable as well.

For April, I'm hosting.  I had a hard time choosing since I don't have much time to read other than what we're reading for book club.  My friend Aimee suggested Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jaime Ford.  I've already read a few chapters in that, and it drew me in right away.  I can't wait to dive into it.

The kids and I are reading Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren.  They're in a book club as well.

As I have mention before, Morgan and I are singing in the Stake Choir.  What does that have to do with reading?  The Stake President specifically asked that we increase our scripture reading, and try to read everyday until the performance.  So I've taken on his challenge.  I've been trying to fit in as much time for scripture reading as possible.  If I can't read, I'll listen to the scriptures on my phone while driving.  I often wonder why I don't always read more.  I'm so much more able to enjoy the scriptures and get far more out of them, when I read more at a time!  I'm also hoping, with all this additional scripture reading, that I will feel closer to the spirit.  I'm searching for a few answers in prayer right now, and I need all the help I can get.

On a totally unrelated side note--  I have strained my neck.  Ouch!  I did it a few days ago, and unfortunately it is not improving.  I'm really not liking this!  It hurts when I don't move at all, when I sleep, when I sit.  Please tell me this too shall pass.

Kaitlyn's in the ER

Morgan woke me up around 1:40 am to tell me that Kaitlyn couldn't breath!  When I got to her, she was coughing and struggling for every breath.  She had fear written all over her face, and I knew it was serious.  When she gets bad like this, it's so scary!  We live about 40 minutes from the hospital, so there's always the chance we may have to call the ambulance.

Aaron and I gave her 2 nebulizer treatments, which helped-- but she was still wheezing a lot, so we decided she should go to the ER.  Morgan said that she had a green/yellow color to her face when he first helped her out of bed, and he seemed pretty worried. 

It's now 3:10 am, and I'm still wide awake.  It's hard to go back to sleep, and I'm waiting to hear from Aaron.  I'll write more, when I find out how she's doing.

It's Been a While

No, I did not die-- even though it may have seemed like it.  I did, however, attend a funeral this week and I found out yesterday morning, that my choir teacher (the one I had in middle school and all through high school) died.

When my mom called to tell me the sad news yesterday, it caught me off guard.  I didn't realize how sad loosing my choir teacher would make me feel.  I guess, out of all my teachers, she was the one I was closest to.  She definately influenced me.  She taught me a lot about singing and dancing.  We worked hard preparing show choir competitions.  I have many good memories of her.  It was hard to know that her life ended at such a young age.  She had so much energy! 

I cried on and off yesterday morning, and found myself wanting to listen to the Hymn Each Life That Touches Ours For Good. 

1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.


2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.


3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.


4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.
Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943.


Listening to this song helped me feel better, and allowed me to move on with my day.  I really like Dustin Gedhill's version of this hymn on his CD, Always.  Actually, I love all of that CD, and I especially like to play it when I feel emotionally drained.  It uplifts me when I listen to it. 

Anyways, my week wasn't all filled with sad news. 

Aaron and I went to the Temple on Saturday.  Some members of our ward drove up to the temple, and watched our kids for us.  It was a special day for Aaron and I.  We haven't gone since last May or so.  I just love going, it really blesses our marriage and helps us both feel closer to Heavenly Father.

We've been working on work samples again.  They're due every month, and it takes some time.  The kids all have to submit a writing sample and a math sample. Can you believe it-- I'm already thinking about Spring break?  :)  I might actually might have the time to finish organizing our garage.

I'm going to Stake Choir practice every Thursday evening.  There's going to be this amazing musical fireside, with the most beautiful music about the Savior.  I'm serious, this music is so beautiful, it often brings tears to my eyes.  You can just feel the spirit, and the words go straight to your heart.  You mine as well hang up singing when that happens.  :)  Morgan's singing with me as well, and we love it!

Yesterday was pretty much a big playday.  Even though the day started out sad, I got to go to lunch with an amazing group of women.  They're all so fun to hang out with, and we do it on a monthly basis.  So cool.  Later in the day, we had FHE with our good friends, the Kemp's.  They told us about this children's play that was held at the high school next to us.  It was so fun, all of us had a blast!  Even Abigail, was giggling through the entire play.  We are so blessed to have found such wonderful friends!

This week was a busy one, and I just didn't feel like adding blogging to my list.  Maybe I'll do better this week, maybe not.  I hope so.

I Cherish My Husband

About a week ago, I had a bad dream. A really bad one. It was so bad that I woke up crying uncontrollably. I think that might have been a first for me.

I dreamed Aaron died, and I was a witness. In my dream, we were on our way to a family reunion with Aaron's side of the family. We packed so much stuff, that we had to rent a U-haul truck, as well as a trailer.

Aaron was driving the U-haul truck with the trailer hitched on it's back, and I was  following him in our van with all of the kids.  We were driving up through CA, and the roads were crazy, busy!

While following him, I saw him trying to weave in and out of traffic, and then all of a sudden things got bad! I saw his trailer swerve while he was trying to miss cars, and then it completely turned over. That was the beginning of the pile-up, and I knew Aaron was in the middle of it.

When I got to the hospital, all of Aaron's family was there, and they were so very nice and supportive. They had some how made it to the hospital before me, so they already knew what Aaron's condition was. When I asked them how Aaron was doing, all they said was, "it was a bad accident."

I knew at that moment, what they meant, and I broke down.

Later in my dream, I was with a few of his family members at the scene of the crash. It all became very real to me then, and I felt in my heart, just how much I really loved Aaron, and how much I would miss him.

I was completely heartbroken!

I then realized that because I hadn't yet finished school,  I would have no way to provide for my seven children. I did think about our life insurance, and how I would have to use it to support us while I went back to school.  This gave me some peace, but I contemplated how our lives were going to change, and knew the road ahead wouldn't easy.

I started to panic because I didn't know how I was going to proceed forward. I had never planned a funeral, and I felt lost.

The only hope I had, was to call on my home teachers and visiting teachers for help. I knew they'd be there for me, and would know what to do, but I couldn't find their numbers and it was even harder to find them because I was so far from home.

It was at that point, that I woke up crying. More like sobbing! It took me a good 15 minutes to calm down.

I've thought a lot about that dream the past few weeks, and I believe I've learned some valuable lessons:

1. Always carry your home teacher's/visiting teacher's numbers on you.
2. Know who to contact when your spouse dies, and have those numbers saved on your computer.
3. Mosiah 18:9-9 has really made a huge impression on me after this dream.  I can now see, even more than in times past, why it's so important to be there for others, especially in their times of need. 
4. And lastly, that I should cherish each and everyday that I have with Aaron.  I have tried to really pamper, and freely show him my affection.  When he comes home from work, I make him my #1 priority!  I tell him that I love him, and how great he looks today.  I make time to fulfill his needs and have found that we've been so much closer!  It almost feels like the old days, but better! 

So I would encourage any of you that may feel worn out and tired, to try to give a little more to your spouse!  It's so worth it!  It really makes a difference.  :)

Sunday Pancakes

Today when we got home from church, I made Anderson a sandwich.  When I gave it to him, he said, "No, Pancakes."  I couldn't believe it.  Aaron has made pancakes after church for the last month-- Anderson has made the connection, that pancakes are what we eat after church! 

The boys were so cute, waiting for Dad to make pancakes:

Since I had pulled the camera out, Christian begged me to take a picture of Abby.  I finally gave in, and it actually came out ok, so I'll post that as well.

I also took some video footage of the kids and asked them a few questions. 

WARNING: 

THIS VIDEO HAS SOME UNSENSORED FOOTAGE, SOME OF THE MATERIAL IS QUITE GRAPHIC.

All I will say, is that it has to do with Anderson and his nose!

Bountiful Baskets

I love participating in the Bountiful Basket food co-op here in AZ!  Just look what I picked up today for only $85 and some change:

I ordered:

• two bushels of granny smith apples (You know what I'll be doing Mon., and possibly Tues.-- that's right, canning.)
• cameo apples
• bananas
• pummelos, I've never tried these before, but I hear they're very tasty and a lot like grapefruit.
• asian brown pears
• mandarin oranges
• lemons
• limes
• rio red grapefruit
• celery
• broccoli
• two small bags of baby carrots
• lettuce leaf
• yams
• butternut squash
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• five loaves of whole wheat bread
• and whole wheat and cranberry cereal bars

I think that's a pretty good deal, and we're eating healthy!  Every week the ingredients of our baskets change.  Last week we had zucchini, and I made this great zucchini soup recipe my friend, Aimee, gave me.   Here's the recipe, it was a hit at our house! 

Crema de Calabacitas

(Cream of Zucchini Soup)
http://www.recipezaar.com/, Oct. 2009

4 medium zucchini (~1 lb.)
2 cups of water
salt
2 tbsp cilantro
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp onions, finely chopped
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 (13 oz) can of evaporated milk
1 cup chicken broth
cilantro leaf (garnish)

Wash zucchini. Cut off stem ends, then cut into large pieces. Place in a saucepan. Add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Cool zucchini in cooking liquid. Place zucchini, 1 cup cooking liquid and 2 tbsp cilantro in a blender; process until pureed. Heat butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion. Cook until tender but not browned. Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute. Add pureed zucchini mixture, evaporated milk and chicken broth. Stir to blend. Season with salt if needed. Stir over medium heat until soup comes to a boil. Serve at once or chill and serve cold. Garnish each serving with a few whole cilantro leaves.

Anyways, I know they have sites in WA, UT, and AZ.  If you want to check it out visit:

Bountiful Baskets

http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/