Menu Monday

I am loving that I have some time to cook, now that the kids are back in school!

  Here is what's on my dinner menu:

Teriyaki Chicken Bowls & Brown Rice

Slow Cooker Nacho Soup & Homemade Wheat Rolls

Fabulous Fettucine, Rosemary Foccacia Bread, Salad

Tacos & Crisp Cucumber Salsa (fresh from the garden)

Salmon, Baked Potato, salad

Lemon Chicken Romano, Brown Rice, Salad

Freezer Meals Can Be Simple

Tonight for dinner we had green verde pork tacos (I cooked the pork in my electric pressure cooker - much faster than a crockpot when I'm squeezed for time and forget to pre-plan).  I made the slaw that goes with fish tacos for one of the toppings.  I accidentally miscalculated the ingredients so I ended up having to make twice as much sauce for the slaw for it to work.

I decided to freeze half of that mixture and count it as a part of a freezer meal/kit.  So with this spice kit, I  wrote sticky note list of the other items needed and then saran wrapped it to the small container.  I have tilapia already in the freezer, along with pre-chopped frozen green onions and tortillas.  So I will just add fresh cilantro and broccoli slaw and wah-la  there is an easy meal!  It just realized that it doesn't have to be hard.

Here is the recipe for Fish Tacos - a staple in our family.

Swim Lessons

 The girls took swim lessons for the last couple weeks (Vivs at a level 4 and Olivia at a level 5 - this is a notation for me so I don't forget next year).  I was glad that we were able to make time for it this summer!  

The Garden is Coming Along

Tonight I found my first and only red tomato! I don't know why the tomato plants look like they need water with their leaves curling up.  I gave them more water, but they weren't dry.  I have zucchini that are steadily maturing and green beans that are close.  Plus, I have rows of onions and peppers for my canned salsa.  I am happier with my garden this year because we installed a timer with zones for automatic watering!

Swimming, Shakes, and more Shakes

Swimming for FHE at our local pool with friends and cousins.  The girls had fun jumping off the diving boards and the boys hung out with cousins!

Afterwards we enjoyed shakes at Sonic - half price after 8pm!

Shakes two days in a row!  My favorite shakes are at Arctic Circle (they are half price every day from 3-5 pm at one location here).

Instagram

I just got an instagram account and I am slowly learning how to use this cool app.  I thought it might come in handy when I go to Alaska.  I can instantly share some photos with my siblings, who I wish were coming with us.

Zion's Camp

“Brethren, some of you are angry with me, because you did not fight in Missouri; but let me tell you, God did not want you to fight. He could not organize His kingdom with twelve men to open the Gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless He took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham” (History of the Church, 2:182).

 Doctrine and Covenants lesson #27 was today's topic.  The Lord clearly tells the saints that the reason that they are being driven from Missouri and having problems is because of their own transgression (refer to D&C 101).  The prophet seeks the Lord's counsel on what to do for the saints in Missouri.  The answer comes that they need help reclaiming Zion.  However, this is an excellent example of things not turning out like you expect.  Those who relied on the Lord's wisdom and who were obedient were greatly blessed by this journey in many ways.    I thought this video of Zion's camp was a great summary of D&C 103 and 105.  

Today's Work

Our family is in the middle of another house make-over project.  This one has been slower because we have been  out of town a lot this summer.  It has been rough with these extremely HOT days.  We try to get there by 8 or 9 am and work until a late lunch, then we call it a day (however, Paul worked a 12 hours today!).  Corbin and Paul have been braving the roof as they have been painting it by hand with its crazy roof angles and dangerous ladder feats.  They have been trying to get everything above the roof painted so it will be ready for new shingles.

I am the master of covering windows with paper and getting the main floor of the house ready for a paint spray gun - that is Monday's job.  The whole house needs new paint, both the interior and exterior.  It wouldn't be so bad, except that most of the interior walls are vaulted with high ceilings.  It is going to be tricky.  We have started the interior paint - there is still plenty left.

Porter spent hours today stripping wallpaper the walls in a bedroom.  The room looked like a dungeon with the dark paint and dark paper.  I can't wait to give it a white ceiling and a new wall color.

What else is on the list?
lots of interior painting!!!!
more wallpaper to remove in a bathroom and the kitchen
paint and glaze kitchen cabinets
paint bathroom vanity
choose paint colors for bathrooms and the dungeon bedroom (and paint)
paint all the trim in the house (some of it needs primed too)
install new master bathroom vanity
find new bathroom mirrors
paint interior doors
wood floors?  what to do to shine them up
paint front door inside and out
clean up garage - it's full of tons of junk
install new kitchen counters
find new cooktop
...I am sure I am missing something!

Laundry Room Curtains Hung ---Finally!

These curtains have only been laying around for a year, waiting to be hung!  I made the curtains from a table cloth that caught my eye a couple years ago at Target.  I had them ready to hang, and then I lost part of the hardware.  I just recently found the lost hardware and decided to hang them.   I also (with the help of Paul) hung the floating shelf that has been in my storage for the last 10+ years.  Somethings take me a while to get done!

Independence Day & Citizen's Last Stand

We had a great Independence Day celebration in Utah.  It started off with meeting up with Mom/Keith and Tonya & Ryan's family.  Before we made the drive to Utah, we had a little ride on the Redders golf cart train - the kids loved it!

The day was full of good food, family, fireworks, and spikeball.  I love our country and feel so blessed to live here in America.

I read the first three and the last two chapters  of this book (I need to finish the middle).  It is quite an eye-opener and makes me feel that I have an obligation to be more informed and involved in my community.  I can't just sit back and enjoy my freedoms, I need to be actively defending them.

Read an interview with the author Jeff L. Wright

Quotes found in the book that stood out to me:

"Every time history repeats itself, the price of the lessons goes up."  Anonymous

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."  Leo Tolstoy

"Those only are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of mankind, even some act or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end.  Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way."  John Stewart Mill

Where has half the summer gone?

Wow, summer is in full swing and I feel like I am barely keeping up with everything.  It started off with a week long trip to Montana to visit Paul's parents.  That trip ended with a family reunion on his dad's side.  I will have to post more details of that trip!

Then 10 days later we jetted off to Utah to enjoy the fourth of July with lots of family at Tami's home!  That was a lot of fun being together with family and lots of cousins.  Then that weekend was full with Glenn Beck's Man on the Moon events.  I can't wait to show you my pics with Pat Gray, Richard Paul Evans, Tonia Beck, Brian Sack, Michelle Malkin, Larry Schweikart, and Michael Allen.  We had a great time.

Then the next weekend we had a big family reunion for my family that was a total blast, probably the best reunion we have had.

In between traveling (now I am getting ready for a trip to Alaska with my brother, Chad, my dad and Luanne) I garden, tend to the cow, goats, and alpacas, try to keep the yard up, help Paul with a house remodel (lots of work), and try to throw in some fun activities for the kids.

I need to remember that summer is very busy and that I can't hope to get any of "my" projects done, those have to wait until the kids are in school!

Menu Monday (just a day late)

I feel like I have been dodging the menu planning for a while now due to being here and there.  So far so good, but I need a plan for grocery shopping.

Pesto and Sausage Baked Ziti, bread, salad (new recipe to me)

Chopped Taco Salad with Homemade Catalina Dressing (new recipe to me)

Grilled Lime Coconut Chicken with Coconut Rice, veggie tray (new recipe to me)

Chicken Gyro, fruit smoothie (we love these)

Quinoa Veggie Burgers, Loaded Baked Potato Salad, fruit

Pork Chalupa, rice, salad (family favorite)

Desserts: They caught me eye!

Chocolate Turtle Cookie Sundaes

Sour Cream Lime Pie

Extra:
Pesto Chicken salad on croissant

More Chickens

We have lost quite a few chickens this summer, a couple due to the heat (now we have no more White Brahma chickens) and others for unknown reasons, they have just disappeared.  Paul had mentioned this to Pres. Myers (member of Stake Presidency) in conversation, who said that we could have some of his chickens.   He was insistent that we come over and choose some chickens.  So tonight for our FHE activity we all went over to his home.  The girls were in heaven as they got to choose some more chickens. We came home with five more hens to add to our bunch.  One of them was a sad looking chicken with most of the tail missing.  Olivia said that she chose that one because she didn't think anyone else would love it, so she will.

He said that we could borrow his incubator if we wanted to hatch chickens!  Oh, the girls would love that.  We might have to take him up on his offer next spring.

Oh, they just love their chickens!

Baby Alpaca Surprise!

Wednesday afternoon we were on the way to pick up some friends when I noticed in the pasture a brand new baby alpaca!  I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but after blinking a couple of times I realized I was really seeing Cocoa's new baby.  The crazy thing is that we never knew she was expecting a baby because Fudge (the male) has been gone for over 11 months.  However, alpacas have a very long gestation period running 11-12 months.

Things never get dull around here!  In the pictures above, the baby is one day old.  I am amazed how strong she is on her very first day.  For the first couple nights, I pinned the mom and baby in a fenced area for the night.  That gave me the opportunity to hold the baby, she is so sweet.  It's cute to her Cocoa and the baby hum to each other.  The baby has been well taken care of by Cocoa and her aunts (Twix and Angel).

On the afternoon of the baby's first day, Cocoa didn't like me removing her from the other two alpacas.  She was able to escape out of the fence because of it being slightly ajar from me moving the goats.  Then Cocoa ran down the driveway and in front of the house.  I thought she was gone for good.  Luckily I was able to draw upon my unknown alpaca powers and grab and hold her against the fence (I had never handled her before this).  Then with help of a guide rope, I was able to walk her around the fence and get her back inside the gate against her will.  In the meantime, I had Porter call Ben, a 14 yr old friend down the road.  I was thinking that I would need Ben's horse skills to get her corralled again.  He quickly road to our house on his bike with a backpack full of ropes.  I was so impressed with his quick response to my cry for help.  However, I was able to get Cocoa back in the fence just as he pulled up.

Powerful Monologue - Must Watch

This is a powerful, silent monologue.  I hope you take 10 minutes to watch it, even if you aren't a Glenn Beck fan.  This got me thinking what would my last words be?  What did my words tell of me today?  

At the Shooting Range

We went to the shooting range with Tina & Steve, something that I had been nervous about all day.  I told them that I didn't really want to be there.  Although I like the "idea" of having guns in our home  for protection, I didn't think I would like handling them myself.  I thought I would feel more comfortable with a baby gun, something that is harmless and weak.

With all that said and explained to Steve and Tina, I was truly amazed that I left the shooting range feeling confident and empowered.  I know that I owe my positive experience to the great lesson that Steve (a current police officer) gave me.  Step by step he taught me the parts of a gun and how they work, he taught me safety skills and showed me all the safety features on the gun, he taught me how to properly grip a gun and to site in a target.  First he trained me on a 22 semi-automatic hand gun that we rented from the range.  Then after feeling confident with that gun, he said I was ready for Paul's 9mm.  The first video below shows me shooting it for the first time!  I had a huge smile after that!

They (Steve, Paul, and Tina) were all amazed at my first time - I hit that target dead in the center.  Steve joked that if I ever wanted a job as an officer that he would give me a good reference!  I guess I have an amazing aim (check out my target below - that was all me!)

I look forward to going shooting again.  I feel more confident that I could protect myself after learning how to properly handle the gun.  I know I have more to learn and I look forward to some more lessons from Steve.  And I think I want to get my concealed weapons permit.

Here is my first time shooting Paul's 9mm (I have been telling everybody it was the 40 - but I was just corrected by Paul).

Here are a few shots in a row, I am getting the hang of it - now!

Menu Monday

I saw an article on LDS Living (online) titled "The Perfect Family Reunion Menu".  It caught my eye because we have a family reunion this summer and we need to plan an easy menu.  So this week I thought I would make it my family's menu!

Recipes from the Article:
Monday's Breakfast:  Chunky Monkey Pancakes!  The peanut butter syrup sounds delicious.

Super Simple Sloppy Joes and Coleslaw, veggie tray

Pork Chile Enchiladas, Spanish Rice

Creamy Noodles, Malibu Chicken, Caesar Salad

Chili, Corn bread, Greek Salad

Other Menu plans:
Chicken Tacos from the Food Nanny, Seven Layer Dip & Chips
Whole Wheat Banana Buttermilk Nutella Muffins
Canadian Bacon & Pineapple Quiche

Menu Monday

Monster BLT, crock pot BBQ beans, fruit smoothie

Hawaiian Haystacks

Amatriciana pasta, green salad & spinach/strawberry salad, bread, corn, Best Ever Chocolate Cake (missionaries coming for dinner)

Chicken Noodle Soup, rolls

Taco Night

Weekend:
leftovers
Egg McMuffins, fruit
Biscuits & gravy, cinnamon rolls, Spinach Quiche Cups
Costa Vida Salad Bar for Sunday Dinner

Motherhood is about Teaching Souls to Fly

On Pinterest I came across an interesting article titled, Motherhood is about Teaching Souls to Fly (printed in the Desert News).  A sister asks her older sister with three children, "why would anyone want to be a mother anyway?" The article is the answer to this question.  It is inspiring. I hope you all take the time to read it and give yourself a big hug for being a mother.  The article mentions Elder Ballard who said that we, mothers, are the first line of defense against the wiles of the world.

The story mentioned in the above article is one of the stories that is published in the book, Choosing Motherhood:  Stories of Successful Women Who Put Family First.  I would love to read this book.

Amazon book description:  Motherhood or a career? Which one truly matters? Both are important in their own way, but in Choosing Motherhood learn how these bright, young LDS women from the Yale community, while their peers were putting off motherhood or forgetting it entirely, decided to become mothers and make an eternal difference in the lives of their children and their communities.

Porter's Story is Shared

Porter is showing Grandma Ramsey how to use Family Search.

At the temple, President Belliston, the 1st counselor of the temple presidency met with our group and spoke with us.  After his message, I spoke with him one-on-one and told him we were at the temple because Porter found the names for us.  He then asked Porter how many people he had found (750 on that day...he found another 130 the following day), his age, his name, and which ward he attended.  He was so impressed with Porter that he asked if he could share Porter's story at a fireside that he was speaking at the next day.  Of course, Porter was honored to share.

The next morning before sacrament meeting, our bishop came over to us and said that President Belliston had called him the night before because he was so impressed with Porter.  He asked if the bishop would have Porter write down his story and then give it back to him.  Pres. Belliston said that he believed that Elder Bednar would also love to hear Porter's story.  

How exciting!  Porter came home and quickly wrote up a little sketch of where this passion for family history began.  He forwarded the message onto the Bishop and now we will see where it goes from there!

Here is Porter's letter to President Belliston.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

You asked me to write about my recent experiences with family history. Earlier this year, my bishop challenged me and the other youth in our ward to find just one ancestor that needed temple work. We were preparing for a youth temple baptism trip and my bishop said we were short on names. I felt a strong desire to find as many ancestors as I could.

As soon as I started doing family history work, I loved the way it made me feel. Sometimes, I wouldn’t even play any video games that day. As I was finding name after name of my ancestors who needed temple work, I could feel their joy.

So far, I have found 880 people who need temple work. My parents have not been able to keep up with all of the work that needs to be done, so we have called on other family, friends, and ward members to help. Last night, I brought 160 of these names to the temple. My parents, brother, aunt, uncles, cousins, Grandma, and friends met me there to be baptized and confirmed for my ancestors. I felt so grateful to them for helping me help others. It was the best kind of family reunion.

As I have done baptisms for them with my family members, I could feel their joy again as they got the chance that they have been waiting for, to be able to repent and be in spirit paradise.

By Porter W...
K. 11th Ward, K.East Stake (I edited this info....for this blog post)

At the Temple with Family & Friends

Those that came included:  Cousin Clay and triplets (Brigham, Cooper, Isabelle along with two girl friends), Craig along with Emily and Allie (and one friend), Tisha & David, Chad & Braden, my mom, Corbin, Porter, Paul, and me.

Last Saturday we were able to reserve a time at the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  Porter had found 160 family names that needed this work done.  I was thrilled to have so much support from family and friends.  It took all of us to get this done!  The girls (10 of us) each performed eight baptisms while the boys (5 of them) each did 16!  Holy Cow!  I learned that next time we will need a few more boys and a few more men to make it run more efficiently.

But who can complain about being in the temple.  It was a wonderful evening.  For the very first time, my brother, Chad baptized Mom, Tisha, and me.  I gave Chad the experience that he will never forget.  For some reason, I was creating huge splashes in the font and making quite a scene - it was probably the cause of my bloody nose (which started after I got out of the water).  My new nickname is "Splash".  Maybe next time I can perform it with more grace.

After performing this work, I revisited the talk from Elder Richard G. Scott's titled, The Joy of Redeeming the Dead from the Oct. 2012 General Conference. It is a powerful talk that I encourage you all to read again.  In there many phrases stood out to me.  

"In an epistle written over 150 years ago, Joseph Smith stated: “The Saints have the privilege of being baptized for … their relatives who are dead … who have received the Gospel in the spirit, through … those who have been commissioned to preach to them.” Later he added, “Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation".

He talks about temple and family history being one work with two parts.  And that blessings come from doing each part of the equation.  Then he emphasizes that "there are some members who engage in temple work but fail to do family history research on their own family lines. Although they perform a divine service in assisting others, they lose a blessing by not seeking their own kindred dead as divinely directed by latter-day prophets. …

“I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing.

Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. The First Presidency has declared, “Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors.”

Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life."

 What a powerful statement!  As a parent, I want to make the temple and family history work the top priority, especially knowing the protection that it provides.  That is more than enough motivation.  

If I can Disbud Goats, I can do Anthing!

Last week I was taught how to disbud goats using a hot disbudding iron.  After Vita showed me how to do it with one goat, it was my turn to disbud the remaining two goats there with her coaching me.  I came home a little traumatized and had nightmares all night about the process.  She also taught me how to give them shots!

Today was the day to disbud two more goats and give them shots!  This time I was on my own.  After watching several youtube videos, I felt like I was up for the terrible, awful smelling task.  This time I shaved their hair with hair trimmers around the horn bud so it would be more visible.  I am proud to say that it was easier than I thought it would be.  I am now feeling confident in my abilities.  Only three more goats to disbud, when they are a few days older.

They look so cute before they are disbudded.  Don't worry the hair will grow back and you won't even  see any scars.  We know from experience that you don't want a goat with horns.  The reasons being that they use the horns to hit each other which can be dangerous when they are butting or tossing another baby goat, they also can get stuck in the fence - which has happened several times with one of our goats.  Plus you always have to me mindful of the horns, especially when children are playing with the goats.

Menu Monday

Pizza, salad, smoothie

Black Bean Soup (my girls love this, especially with chips) & Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Stew (new recipe), homemade dinner rolls

Smothered Pork Chops, baked potatoes, salad, rolls

Fish Sticks, Vivian's favorite potato pearls topped with bacon and cheese, salad, fresh bread

Carne Asada Tacos, Slow Cooker Nacho Chicken Soup (so good- I made it last week), smoothie

Zesty Ravioli Skillet (I love this), veggie, Macaroni Grill Foccacia Bread

Cinco De Mayo - ?  homemade churros? Mexican Rice (potluck with Chad & Tisha?), Chicken Flautas or Chicken Taco Casserole

It's that time of Year Again

I have had a slow start to the gardening season.  I just barely got the two rows of peas planted yesterday along with some raspberries and blackberries that I planted last week.  I did get the black plastic out and covered the ground until I get my tomatoes planted.  Last year I was so upset that I had to weed the ground before placing the plastic on top because the weeds came up.  This time I am giving the weeds no chance to grow.  I love using plastic because it's 99% weed-free.  This year I am using twice as much plastic.

Now I am waiting for Paul to install some kind of watering system, because hand watering is the pits.

Garbage & Goats

I am still in my Minnie Mouse Tshirt and stretchy pants from taking Hal (the dog) on a walk.  We started out for a walk when I noticed lots of garbage on the sides on the road in front of our house.  So I came back home and grabbed a couple large garbage bags.  After a short walk, they were completely stuffed!  That was my exercise today...(plus Paul and I snuck in some volleyball last night - that is our love).

I had already spent an hour tending to the new goats before my walk.  But I knew I better check on them a second time.  So I let two moms and their babies out to the pasture for the first time to roam around and eat.  Then I focused my attention on the two new moms that had babies two days ago.  Shadow (the black goat) had only one baby.  So I am concerned with her getting mastitis because the baby only nurses on one side, thus the other side is FULL.  So after watching a couple youtube videos and talking to Vita (the lady who we bought all the goats from)  I was able to get get some milk to some out!  I felt like that was a huge accomplishment, it being my very first time in doing this. 

Milking Shadow! 

Paul surprised us with carrying in this new baby while we were all busy getting ready.  I am still making waffles.  She is so cute!

Baby's first steps!

Jenny, a brown goat, had two babies.  One of them came out with a kinked neck - very strange.  I think it is showing signs of improvement.  I have been concerned that it isn't eating enough because of the neck problem.  Yesterday I went out to buy goats milk and a nursing nipple.  After all that running around, the baby would have nothing to do with it.   The next day I decided to try and find a pupple bottle and nipple, but had no luck and had to settle with a regular baby bottle.  Still they won't have anything to do with it after much trying and forcing.  I found that it might work best just to give them sips (or their real mom's milk - now that I figured out out to milk them) out of a cup.  It still doesn't work that great but they get a little bit.

 This is Jenny and her new babies

 These are Cookie Dough's babies.  Aren't they sweet?  The alpacas are checking them out.  And that is Oliver, the Nubian goat pictured on the bottom right.

 Oh, I didn't know it would be this much work!  The first two momma goats were so easy and have been a breeze, but these last two have been more challenging.

P.S. I finally did get showered, just in time for my visiting teacher to come at 12:30.  She was on her way to the temple so she took a family file name card from me.  I am so grateful for the help.

Easter Sewing

I decided this year I would sew the girls each a skirt for Easter Sunday.  I use to love buying them matching dresses from Costco but I can't do that anymore because Olivia is growing up!  In addition to sewing them skirts, I made them each a coordinating hair piece and bought them each matching turquoise shirts.

The Pinterest link that helped me with the skirts is here and here is another source.

The hair accessory source is here.

Spring Break Excursion to Grandma's

During the second week of the girls' spring break, we took a trip to Grandma's house and met up with my sister, Tara and her three kiddos (the babies are twins).  We went for a walk along the river (Hal also came with us on this trip) and then we ended at the ice-cream shop!  I enjoyed a black licorice baby cone - my favorite flavor!

After our walk, we grabbed some pizza at Little Caeser's Pizza and took it up to grandma/pa Clark (great grandparents to my children).  We enjoyed a nice visit and lunch together.  The kids had a great weekend playing dress up, making playdough creations, hanging out with Gage, and watching the twins run around the house.  I especially thought it was funny with Jenna tried to swipe my multiple times, she is a little hitter.

Tara and I busied our selves with a little sewing.  I made the girls each a new skirt while Tara made a quilt block creation to be framed.  We also watched four out of five of the new Bible mini-series episodes that recently came out on the History Channel.  I thought they were fabulous.  I am anxious to buy the set, which as big a huge success with selling over 500,000 sets in the first week of being released.

Mickey, the Rooster

Mickey, the rooster lived alone in the greenhouse for the winter because he aggressive with the other chickens.  I wanted to get rid of him long ago, but the girls couldn't bare the thought of it unless he went to a very good home.   So finally we posted him on craigslist and found another chicken lover who was looking for this particular breed. The girls loved him up before he left.  Even the cat tried playing with the rooster with no luck of any love being returned.  He was a handsome young lad!

Duck with Bandaids

After letting the ducks swim in the concrete irrigation ditch, we noticed one had bleeding feet.  The feet had worn away some of the skin because of the abrasiveness of the ditch.  Poor little thing.  They were also very cold and this one seemed to be getting hypothermia due to the prolonged exposure to the cold water.  So after blow drying the little ducks and warming them up, this one needed special care.  So using my basic mothering skills, I found some extra large bandaids and Neosporin that worked perfect on it's feet.  Now I can add the title of "duck nurse" to my job title!

Strawberries Galore

I got word that strawberries were on sale for $0.90/lb a few weeks ago.  I was lucky enough to buy many flats of them (for friends and myself) before they were sold out.  Paul and I froze 9 flats (8 lbs per flat) of strawberries in gallon ziplock baggies  while watching the movie, Vantage Point on our little portable CD player.  The movie kept us entertained as we hulled and washed the berries.

Then with the remaining two flats we dipped some in chocolate, made an angel food cake with strawberry topping, and made fresh strawberry popsicles in our handy zuku popsicle maker (I love that it can freeze popsicles in 7-9 minutes - it's virtually instant!)

Menu Monday

Hamburgers, baked fries, pork and beans

Slow Cooker Nacho Chicken Soup (from my new Soup's On cookbook), bean and cheese quesadillas

Chicken Gyros on whole wheat wraps (this has become an easy, family favorite), smoothie 

Lemon Chicken Romano on pasta, salad, corn

Costa Vida Salad made-at-home (All I do is throw a pork roast in the crockpot with 2 cups salsa and 1-2 cups brown sugar; shred it when done.  Then I serve it with warmed tortillas, seasoned cilantro rice, seasoned beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, ranch, and chips on top.)

Homemade pizza, veggies, smoothie

Roast, carrots, potatoes, bread from the bread maker (I love coming home from church to the smell of   baked bread), salad, dessert

Why Exercise at Home

The Mayo Clinic suggests seven reasons why exercise is important.  The reasons include:

1. Exercise controls weight

2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

3. Exercise improves moods

4. Exercise boosts energy

5. Exercise promotes better sleep

6. Exercise enhances intimacy

7. Exercise can be fun

Almost a year ago next month, I let my gym membership expire.  I love exercising at gyms, but after the most recent move I was too far from the YMCA.  I tried exercising at a small, nearby gym but was frustrated that it didn't have more classes, more room, more equipment, better instructors, a pool, or anything for my children (although I loved my time visiting with Jennifer).  I really was spoiled at the YMCA.  I felt like it offered something for everyone in the family and that we could make exercising a fun, family affair.

So after a year of frustration, I decided to try exercising on my own - at home!  I wasn't sure how long this would last.  Last summer I exercised with a group of ladies from church every morning from 6-7 am at the church doing the Insanity videos - those really kicked my behind!  But then with school resuming in the fall, that workout schedule didn't work with our family morning schedule.  So I had to think of something else, really quick.

So I looked around and found a friend that wanted to exercise with me.  So we set a time to meet at the church three mornings a week.  This has been wonderful because it motivates both of us to be there and on the other two days it gives me the flexibility to do other things, whether it be lifting weights at home, playing volleyball with a group at the church, going for a run with the dog, or trying different exercise videos on Youtube & Pinterest.  Plus other benefits of this new routine include:  I am saving a lot of money because of no monthly gym fees, I get to explore the library for exercise videos, I save time and money on gas (church is closer and two days a week I don't leave my house), and I get to visit with friends (which I LOVE)....plus I am healthy!

The biggest key to my success in being consistent with exercise is to schedule the same time each day for exercise.  I will not schedule anything else during my exercise time (unless it is absolutely necessary- which is rare).  Everything else can wait!

Need some help?  Check out the Cooper Clinic website for health tips, recipes, exercises, etc.

Goats, Chicks, & Ducks

 Everyone is growing up around here.  We bought baby ducks and chicks over a month ago and now everyone is developing new feathers.  The ducks are the cutest but the messiest and stinkiest little things - they still live in the bathtub.  We are just waiting for the nights to warm up so we can let them loose outside! These are Khaki Campbell ducks.

The newest comers are the baby goats.  These goats were born a week ago, as a set of triplets to Luna, their mother.  They are so playful and energetic!  I wish you were all close to come see and play with them.  We just had another two goats on Saturday, I still need to take pictures of them.

Nephi's Answer to my Prayer

I love this printable, go here for the free download.

Yesterday I had a child come to me with deep concerns of feeling inadequate and lonely.  It broke my heart to hear that this child felt friendless and that this child didn't think he/she was prepared for future obligations and opportunities.  But these feelings are also very real to me.  I often get weighed down with feelings of despair as I sometimes feel alone in my quest to be the mother that I should be for my children.  With all the children in school, I have found that it takes a focused, diligent effort to achieve a sense of purpose in my roles as a mother, wife, friend, sister, teacher....and the list continues.  I find that I will do well for a while, and then the world seems to come crashing down beside me with extreme feelings of loneliness and inadequacies.  I totally relate to this child.  So my question is: How do I provide support and strength when this is one of my own challenges?  

Of course, I rattled off some quick answers and encouragement to the child, but they didn't seem to be the answer that we needed.  (I find that we all can get easily discouraged when we focus on the big picture or challenge without breaking it down into small-bite size  manageable chunks).

So with that, I prayed for direction in helping this child.  And the answer came this morning as we were reading the Book of Mormon in 2nd Nephi 4:15-35, also known as the Psalm of Nephi.

Nephi shared his feelings of discouragement and despair even though he had seen angels, heard the voice of the Lord, and delighted in the scriptures.   "O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.  I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me."

In the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class, one man commented that his imperfections become more clearer to him as he studies the scriptures and applies them to his life.  At first this sounded depressing to me.  But now I realize from Nephi that this is something that I can rejoice in because it shows that I am drawing closer to Christ and realizing more and more the need for Christ and His atonement in my life as I submit my will to His.

In the remaining versus in 2nd Nephi 4, Nephi shows a progression from being weighed down with these shortcomings to relying completely upon the "Rock of our salvation " who is Christ the Lord.

v 20 " My God hath been my support"
v 21 "He hath filled me with his love"
v 22 "He hath confounded mine enemies"
v 23 "He hath heard my cry by day and he hath given me knowledge"

After giving proof that the Lord has continually been with him, Nephi asks "why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow....why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh?  ...why would I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?  Why am I angry because of mine enemy?  (Or in other words, why am I so human?)

What does Nephi teach me next on how to solve these feelings of discouragement? (This is the answer!)

"Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.  Do not anger again because of mine enemies.  Do not slacken strength because of mine afflictions.  Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord and say:  O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.  O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul?  Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies?  Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?  May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because my heart is broken and  my spirit is contrite!  O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness!   O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!  Wilt thou make my path straight before me!  Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.  O Lord, I have trusted in thee and I will trust in thee forever.  I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.  Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.  Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh Yea, my God will give to me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness.  Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God."

There was a great message in the Ensign titled, "What Nephi Teaches About Overcoming Discouragement".  In this article the author lists things that we can learn from Nephi.
1- Keep a journal to write down feelings and thoughts.
2- Ponder about the things you read and learn from the scriptures.
3- Study the scriptures and delight in them.
4- Count the blessings the Lord has given you.
5- Discard negative feelings with positive ones.
6- Pray
7- Praise and trust in the Lord
8- Seek repentance from the Lord's atonement for you.

I am grateful for this answer to my prayer, one that will help me personally and one that will help a child.  I know that we can be shown answers to our questions and challenges as we study the scriptures and make them a part of our life.  I want to delight in them like Nephi, that is my goal.

Below is a video of a song performed by the BYU Men's Chorus during the April 2007 General Conference.  The song titled, Nephi's Psalm, takes its words from 2 Nephi Chapter 4 and it's melody from the song, Be Still My Soul.

I hope that your spirits are lifted and you know that you are not alone.  

I Need Help with Temple Work

This is an email I sent to my family on 4/17/13:

In Elder Bednar's Oct 2011 conference talk, he talked about the youth catching the spirit of Elijah.  And I can say that Porter has caught that spirit and is going full steam ahead in finding family names that don't have all their temple work finished.  We are in need of anyone and everyone's help in keeping up with all the people Porter is finding.

Last week before Paul and I did temple sealings, I dropped off a pile of papers at the temple office for them to print into file cards.  They were amazed at the amount of work a 14 year old boy had done.  They suggested that maybe I only have 1/3 of the names printed because it would be a lot of work.  They asked if I had ward members, friends, and family that would help me.  I assured them that I did, and that we would get this done together.  So they printed off the names and now the work begins.

I scheduled for our family to do baptisms for the dead on April 27th at X:XX pm (we need to be there and ready by X:XX).  If any of you in town would like to join us for that time, please let me know (also youth are invited to join us!)  There are approx. 160 names that need baptisms done before we can progress with any of the other temple work.  If we don't get all the names done, would anyone else like to start with baptisms?

Once those names are baptized and confirmed, then the work really begins!  I would love to send you some names.  Please tell me if you want any family file cards and I would be happy to send them to you.  Also,  I have a TON of names that need sealing work done (probably around 100 names)...any takers?

I told Porter that Tonya and Ryan wanted some cards.  He is excited to work on some more names - he truly loves this work.  It is a powerful testimony to me that the hearts of the children areturning to their fathers.  I am a very happy mother and so thankful that he is giving me a good reason to spend a lot of time in the temple.

If you go to the temple with friends, you can also share the cards with them.  The more help the better!

Thank you so much - we love you all,

Tiffani

Here are the emails I received in response.  I hope you don't mind me sharing these with everyone, I just thought they were so touching:

"We would love some names after baptisms are done.  I went to the cannery with my Temple buddies today.  I told them all about Porter and his genealogy work.  They were amazed!  I have a nonmember friend, Susan in her 70's, that loves genealogy work and cannery too - She is in love with LDS church because their love of genealogy.  

Way to go Porter - I would love for him to teach me a refresher course.  

I go with about 4/5 girls a week - please send lots of lady cards".  Thanks for sharing the names Porter - Aunt Tonya

"How awesome! I'll start with the sealing work if that is ok. Let me know how many leftover baptism names you have. Apparently around here High School starts late on Tuesday so kids go to the temple Tuesday morning and do baptisms for the dead. I may be able to go with some youth in the ward... or maybe we can make it a date night with Tami/Jeff or Chay/April".  Tara

"That is so awesome! Way to go Porter. I got goose bumps reading your email. Chay and I can do sealings for you. If you send them this way we will get them done in May- Now that I've been released from Sunday School I am starting to focus more on my Family History consultant calling. Love temple work"!  April 

I am just catching up on emails.  Keith and I would love to do sealings and endowments.  We can enlist friends in the ward, also.  I will check to see if the youth are going soon for baptisms also.  Send us some names!

 

Porter, Grandpa and I are so pleased about your family history work.  You are a valiant young man and a special grandson.  We need you to teach us how to do what you are doing.  This is all so exciting!  Wow!!!!  It will be a sweet time doing the temple work for these family members.  Thanks, Porter!!!