We made a quick trip to St. George this weekend to see my mom get sealed to her wonderful husband, Clarence. On Saturday we were going to drive up to her house in Glendale then go home the next day, but the three of us (Chris, Riley, and I) decided to just brave the Reservation and drive home that night. It's pretty dangerous driving home on a weekend and at night on the Reservation. First of all, if anything did happen, emergency vehicles are very far away. Second, drunk driving is extremely rampant. And, third, it's an open range so farm animals are everywhere.
Well, apparently we forgot all this when we made the decision to come home. The ride was fine up until about an hour after we passed Page, AZ. Then the almost non existent traffic became heavy and slow. It finally came to a complete stop. We thought it might be a police checkpoint, but after sitting there for a few minutes we noticed there weren't any cars coming in the other direction. We got out of the car and started talking to other motorists. Apparently there was a really bad car accident. Someone died. Life Flight had already come, now they were waiting to clean up the accident. Well, since it is truly in the middle of nowhere, it took forever for the tow truck to get there. In total we waited for 2 hours. I stayed with the car, but Chris walked up toward the accident and had a blast talking to all the tourists.
Finally we were on our way. The traffic was very slow though. After we passed Kayenta we almost hit 3 horses, 3 donkeys, yes DONKEYS, in the middle of the stinkin highway!, and one motor home filled with tourists doing a U turn in the middle of the road.
We were so glad to get home and climb in bed. I don't think we'll be making that drive at night for a long time!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
It's Autumn Time.....Well, Almost
I love Fall. I was in denial about it until last year. I used to think I didn't like Autumn because it meant it was going to get cold soon....and everyone knows I don't like to be cold. Well, last year I finally realized how much I love the changing leaves and the cool nights. The kids are in school, you don't have to water your yard as much, and did I mention the yummy garden harvest? And the weather outside is wonderful for hiking and biking.
We have a beautiful young maple tree in our front yard courtesy of the previous owners of our house. It is so incredible to watch it change. The younger leaves turn a deep yellow while the bigger leaves change to a rich red. If I could freeze time, I would.
I am so thankful to my Heavely Father for creating such a beautiful earth. We have so many wonderful things to look at!
We have a beautiful young maple tree in our front yard courtesy of the previous owners of our house. It is so incredible to watch it change. The younger leaves turn a deep yellow while the bigger leaves change to a rich red. If I could freeze time, I would.
I am so thankful to my Heavely Father for creating such a beautiful earth. We have so many wonderful things to look at!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Yumminess
So a good friend of mine brought me a case of peaches from an orchard up in Utah county. She brings them to me every year and they are so yummy. One of my favorite things to do with them is make cobbler. I have a really easy recipe that I have adapted to make it have less calories than normal cobbler. You HAVE to try it. Here it is:
Peach Cobbler
3-4 cups sliced fresh peaches
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together peaches and 2/3 cup sugar; set aside. Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk. Melt butter in 9X13 baking dish in preheating oven. Pour batter over melted butter, then add peaches on top. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
We have a convection oven, so with a regular oven it may take longer. Just keep a close eye on it and take it out when the top is golden. This recipe ususally takes 2 cubes of butter, but I have reduced it significantly with awesome results. Serve it with ice cream or whip topping. It's so easy and so incredible!
I'm going to try to post a recipe once a week on my blog of something I have made that week. Most of the times the recipes with be healthy since I am a health freak. I'm not saying this peach cobbler is healthy....it's just healthIER.
Oh, and if anyone wants to come visit me, I'll make you all the cobbler you want!
Peach Cobbler
3-4 cups sliced fresh peaches
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together peaches and 2/3 cup sugar; set aside. Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and milk. Melt butter in 9X13 baking dish in preheating oven. Pour batter over melted butter, then add peaches on top. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
We have a convection oven, so with a regular oven it may take longer. Just keep a close eye on it and take it out when the top is golden. This recipe ususally takes 2 cubes of butter, but I have reduced it significantly with awesome results. Serve it with ice cream or whip topping. It's so easy and so incredible!
I'm going to try to post a recipe once a week on my blog of something I have made that week. Most of the times the recipes with be healthy since I am a health freak. I'm not saying this peach cobbler is healthy....it's just healthIER.
Oh, and if anyone wants to come visit me, I'll make you all the cobbler you want!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sunday Surprises
On Sunday I substitute taught the 11-12 year old primary girls. The first song was "I love to see the temple". As the whole primary started singing, there was one child in particular who was belting the song out. He sounded pretty young and I thought, "holy cow, that kid sings LOUD...and he knows all the words too!" After a few minutes I thought, "that sure sounds an awful lot like my little Andy (4 years), but he doesn't know the words to that song." This kid knew every single word! I craned my neck around several girls to check it out, and yup, it was Andy, belting out the song as loud as he could. I was so touched, I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest!
It is so amazing what these little spirits learn. They are little sponges that just soak up information. I am so glad he knows Heavenly Father loves him. I feel like I don't measure up often, but when I see little moments like this it makes me realize I am trying my hardest to give my sweet boys the best shot at life.
Several weeks ago our family gave talks in Sacrament Meeting. Andy wanted to sing instead of talk, so he sang "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" acapela. You could feel the spirit so strong when this innocent little boy bore his simple testimony by singing.
He is just like his grandma Nancy. He is not afraid of anyone, and loves to talk and talk and talk. Sometimes it really gives me a headache!
One more cute thing. The other day the boys had left one of their skateboards by the garbage can outside. The garbage man came and apparently thought this little beat up skateboard was garbage. He picked it up and threw it in with the rest of the garbage. Oh, Anden wasn't having any of that! He opened the window and let the garbage man know exactly what he thought of him. I was laughing so hard!
It is so amazing what these little spirits learn. They are little sponges that just soak up information. I am so glad he knows Heavenly Father loves him. I feel like I don't measure up often, but when I see little moments like this it makes me realize I am trying my hardest to give my sweet boys the best shot at life.
Several weeks ago our family gave talks in Sacrament Meeting. Andy wanted to sing instead of talk, so he sang "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" acapela. You could feel the spirit so strong when this innocent little boy bore his simple testimony by singing.
He is just like his grandma Nancy. He is not afraid of anyone, and loves to talk and talk and talk. Sometimes it really gives me a headache!
One more cute thing. The other day the boys had left one of their skateboards by the garbage can outside. The garbage man came and apparently thought this little beat up skateboard was garbage. He picked it up and threw it in with the rest of the garbage. Oh, Anden wasn't having any of that! He opened the window and let the garbage man know exactly what he thought of him. I was laughing so hard!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Politics
I know, I know, you are probably sick of hearing about politics, but too bad. This is my blog and I can write about whatever I want!
Did you know there is more than just the Republican and Democrat parties? You probably do, but think the people who support the other parites were just wierdos. Ok, so maybe I am, but I think you all should take a serious look at the Libertarian Party. It's the 3rd largest political party in the United States. Their views and philosophies make complete sense to me. I honestly believe our country has gotten so far off track from what everyone really wants it to be, but noone knows how to fix it.
Seriously, go to www.lp.org then click on"our party" then choose "issues". From there, choose whatever issue you are interested in. Let me know what you think. I really believe it is time for a revolution in America, and as likeable as Obama is, I don't think he is the man to do it. I believe it will take several years for this "revolution" to take place, and as most other things, the change will be gradual.
Utah is as red a state as they come. I'm going to vote Libertarian this year because I know Utah is going to end up choosing the Republican candidate anyway (for President).
Plus, I'm all about choices. I HATE that only 2 parties (Republican and Democrat) get all the publicity and support. The Libertarian party (and no doubt other parties as well) work hard to try and get publicity, but the media is pretty closed off to the idea of including them.
Did you know there is more than just the Republican and Democrat parties? You probably do, but think the people who support the other parites were just wierdos. Ok, so maybe I am, but I think you all should take a serious look at the Libertarian Party. It's the 3rd largest political party in the United States. Their views and philosophies make complete sense to me. I honestly believe our country has gotten so far off track from what everyone really wants it to be, but noone knows how to fix it.
Seriously, go to www.lp.org then click on"our party" then choose "issues". From there, choose whatever issue you are interested in. Let me know what you think. I really believe it is time for a revolution in America, and as likeable as Obama is, I don't think he is the man to do it. I believe it will take several years for this "revolution" to take place, and as most other things, the change will be gradual.
Utah is as red a state as they come. I'm going to vote Libertarian this year because I know Utah is going to end up choosing the Republican candidate anyway (for President).
Plus, I'm all about choices. I HATE that only 2 parties (Republican and Democrat) get all the publicity and support. The Libertarian party (and no doubt other parties as well) work hard to try and get publicity, but the media is pretty closed off to the idea of including them.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Lazy Parents
Wow, I feel like a lazy parent. I can always tell when I've been slacking on my parenting. It's sort of like a vicious cycle. The kids act great for awhile, so I start letting them get away with stuff because, hey, they're great kids. Then they start taking total advantage of me and working the system. Then I get frustrated because they turn into little hooligans, teasing, hitting, destroying, and yelling at each other and me.
This is the sign of lazy parenting. By the time this happens, I am just too tired to discipline them. Once it gets to this point, it seems they are in their room constantly.
Last night Anden went to his room for something (I don't even remember what). The next thing I know Anden has pushed the screen out of his window and has climbed outside! What EVER made him think he could get away with something like that?! Lazy parenting I tell you, lazy parenting.
The good thing is that the kids are generally good for other people. At school and for babysitters they really are well behaved kids, which I am VERY thankful for.
But seriously, aside from all that, I feel very blessed to have these wonderful 4 little boys in my life. They teach me so many things every day. I just hope I can live worthy to be their mother!
This is the sign of lazy parenting. By the time this happens, I am just too tired to discipline them. Once it gets to this point, it seems they are in their room constantly.
Last night Anden went to his room for something (I don't even remember what). The next thing I know Anden has pushed the screen out of his window and has climbed outside! What EVER made him think he could get away with something like that?! Lazy parenting I tell you, lazy parenting.
The good thing is that the kids are generally good for other people. At school and for babysitters they really are well behaved kids, which I am VERY thankful for.
But seriously, aside from all that, I feel very blessed to have these wonderful 4 little boys in my life. They teach me so many things every day. I just hope I can live worthy to be their mother!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Urgh!
So we have the digital camera, and now I can't get my computer to upload the pictures. So, no pictures for now. They will come soon. I think it's this dial-up connection that's slowing us down. Now I need to talk Chris into high speed. ; )
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