Conference

Don't you love general conference? It's my favorite semi-annual time of year. This year was exceptional both in content and in my ability to hear most of the talks. My kids were excellent on Saturday. They even sat on our laps for the first hour of the first session. Then they quietly colored through the rest. Claire is learning who is who, and Kyle makes sure we all fold our arms for the prayers.

I loved all that was said about motherhood and mothering. It was just what I needed to hear. I've already re-listened to each of the mother talks, and can't wait to get my Ensign to mark up. I had a little moment of epiphany early on in the conference. Someone mentioned the prodigal son. That parable has always bugged me because it seems that the "good" son, the one who was always there doing the right thing all along is kind of ignored, and that the reward is the same for both in the end. I realized this weekend that the greatest blessing for the faithful son was his constant nearness to his father. While the prodigal strayed, the faithful son was never far from the father nor far from the blessings of being near the father; thus the faithful son not only received half of the father's estate, he received the blessings of constantly being in the father's presence throughout his life.

If I were to put us in one category, I'd like to say we've always been faithful--and maybe that's why the parable may have bugged me. This realization during conference helped me realize that though we have often felt quite tested by our trials, we have always be supported by and loved by our Heavenly Father. As long as we have remained faithful we have been blessed. And right now our cup overflows. We were saying the other day that we are now "living the dream" we've always dreamed. We cannot believe how we have been blessed lately, especially for how we have struggled in the past. We are so grateful and hope that we continue to live faithful.

Oh! And we got a tiny kitty for Easter! He/She (it's debatable) is a tiny ball of fur. It's so funny to him run around the house at about 60% fur. It's wonderful to see Claire so in love and happy with the kitty, and Kyle is learning to be gentle (hopefully learning soon!). Pictures to come :)

Our friend Horse (His wife calls him Justin) has been hard at work in our backyard two days this weeks. He's doing the kind of labor that is paid with free food and the satisfaction of a hard day's work. Taylor worked too. He got a back rub. And he paid for the food.

Here is the backyard after Horse pushed all the dirt back with his fancy machine. Our backyard is about 1.5 feet down from our neighbors (way to plan it, builders) so we had a slight hill to deal with. We decided on a rock retaining wall. We got the rocks from a place where someone forgot to put up a no trespassing sign in North Ogden.

Here it is as it is now. I'm going to put a garden and other growing things in the area behind the wall. I've got about 8 feet to work with. I'm excited.
And when I uploaded the pictures I found this beauty. Apparently Claire took her own picture. Apparently she had eaten cinnamon or some other strange thing she's allergic to. And yes I just ended that sentence with a preposition. Is that something you have a problem with? Here's the picture I wrote about:

I WANT ORANGE!

Claire is obsessed with the color orange as of late. She only wants to eat with orange cups and plates. She loves orange clothes and crayons. We do our best to go along with her orange needs. If an orange plate or cup is available, I always give one to her. She usually doesn't say anything in the direction of gratitude for my remembering that she prefers orange; I guess she just expects it.

On occasion there is nothing orange available, and she is presented with another color. This often results in her letting us know "But I wanted ORANGE!" Sometimes the orange plate is even obviously headed her direction and she starts to holler "I want orange!" a little panicked that it may somehow go to Kyle.

It's made me think. How often does God present us with the things we want/need and we offer little gratitude, just expect it. And as soon as we don't get what we feel we're entitled to we start into the whole disappointed, "But I wanted..." How often does he plan wonderful things for us, only for us to constantly remind Him that we somehow innately deserve that gift and more? I try to be grateful, but I think I need to be a little more grateful and a little less demanding.

This also comes into play when Claire asks for things. Sometimes it's inconvenient (get up and get stuff for her knowing that my dinner will not be warm upon return or my cereal will be soggy), sometimes it doesn't make sense (Not THAT cup! and I have to dump her milk into another cup, adding to my dishwasher workload). When these requests come and my first response is to say "No" or "Later" I remind myself of all the ridiculous things I ask Heavenly Father for, and then I get up and fulfill the request, hoping to add Karma to my Heavenly requests.

Weird how parenting is such a great way to learn about God.

cooking

I love to cook. LOVE it. I don't like to cook with my kids around though. Maybe it stems from the fact that when I was a toddler I leaned over a bowl in which my mother was mixing cheesecake---my hair got stuck in the beaters and literally pulled out at the roots. A lot of my hair. 1/4 of my head was bald to the skin. I spent the summer with a comb-over. I still remember the sound of the mixer and my mother screaming. I don't remember the pain though.

Anyway, for whatever reason it bugs me to cook with the kids. Every once in a while when I'm feeling overly generous and willing to test my patience I allow them to cook with me by my choice. I am getting better. The other day they helped me make homemade pizza. It was good, and I didn't freak out.

Last night I made a copy-cat recipe for Sizzler's Malibu Chicken. It's been on TV commercials a lot, and for some reason I just love it. I looked up the recipe and was thrilled that I could cook it from my pantry staples without any special trip to the store. I burned a couple pieces, but even they were delicious. It cooked so quickly and easily. And it was kind of fun. And my kids stayed out of the kitchen.

Here's the recipe if you're at a loss for what to make and don't want to go to the store (For the ham I used the Canadian bacon I keep frozen in my freezer).

Malibu Chicken:

• 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pound 'em thin)
• 6 slices cooked ham
• 6 slices swiss cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup fine dry breadcrumb
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Directions

1. Stir egg and 1 tablespoons water together with a fork.

2. Combine flour, salt and pepper and coat each chicken piece, dip into egg mixture and then coat with breadcrumbs making sure to press crumbs in firmly.

3. Heat oil and butter in large skillet over medium heat.

4. Brown chicken 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

5. Place browned chicken on cookie sheet or oven proof platter, top each piece with a slice of ham and slice of cheese.

6. Bake at 350 degrees, until cheese melts.

7. For the dipping sauce combine mustard and mayonnaise.

Did you catch me on YouTube?
Do you like the house the picked for me?


I did the interview while I had swine flu (the interviewer had been vaccinated and took the chance). I don't remember it at all, so it was fun to see what I said. We are inside Whitney's house during the interview.

Pre-School

Claire has started pre-school. Finally. A friend from the ward, Keli, recommended the school her son attends, so we just went with it. So far so good. She's been three times, and loves it more each day.

We have encouraged her to do at least one kind thing a day while she's at school. Then when I pick her up I ask her about it. She has twice reported helping the teacher and once helping a child pick something up. Today someone helped her glue butterflies to her paper. She appreciated that. In face they must have been a great team because she came home with a butterfly glued to her butt. BUTTerfly. Get it? I thought it was funny. Kyle and Claire just stared at me.

The best part of school is when we get to hear the stories and see the day's creations. Kyle loves to see what she comes home with. He offers ample praise: "Good job, Claire!" "So cute, Claire!" over and over. I can just see his inward battle on controlling his strong desire to want to be with her at school. He cried the first time Keli came to pick her up. He had his shoes on and was ready to go too! Today being day three he's starting to realize that it means one-on-one time for Kyle and Mom, and since I'm his absolute-number-one-favorite-person-of-all-time it bodes well (though not so well when he got up SIX times last night and would only be comforted by his "Mommy! I need MOMMY!").

On another Claire note she sang at Kerry Lynn (MIL)'s Women's Conference. I was a little concerned about the words----which all came out, but in an incorrect order. And she woke up that morning with a sore throat. Gram sewed the perfect dress, and we even curled her hair (with a lot of effort from both mom and Claire). There was a large cheering section which included: Me, Kyle, my mom, my sister Suzy, Taylor's sister Whitney, Taylor's Dad, Taylor's Grandparents, our special friend Sharon Dunn, and Kerry Lynn's Fab Five Friends. Taylor was totally bummed that he couldn't make it because of work. Apparently he hadn't been informed of the upcoming performance even though he had been to rehearsal.

With a little luck and a lot of prayer she was fabulous. She sang the first verse to Be Still My Soul. My mother-heart swelled within my chest like never before. Almost to tears. Almost. She even hummed one verse while Kerry Lynn played the harp. It was lovely. She was perfect.

When she finished Kyle clapped and shouted, "Yeah, Claire!" very loudly. Everyone giggled. He loves his sister so much.

Here is a picture after the dessert bar and after much running around. The kids and Gram:

And isn't Kyle the cutest little boy ever? He knows Be Still My Soul too now:)

Oh, and news of the week is that we are going to have our first nephew in July. Whitney, Taylor's sister, is expecting the little guy. We couldn't be happier for them.

I'm losing it, are you?

So Saturday was Miss America. A bunch of us from the ward gathered together to watch it. I promised to bring my annual Miss America dessert (so good, and certainly so bad for you that we try to do it only once a year). One of the ingredients is vanilla instant pudding. Thursday night i bought all of the ingredients. Saturday morning I got up early to make it before I had to be in Lehi by 10 for my mom's women's conference. I got the the pudding part and realized that I bought cook and serve pudding. With no time to spare I quite right there, put it in the fridge and planned to finish it before the party (fortunately there is no baking involved). So on my way back to Ogden I stopped and got more pudding. Double-checked to make sure it was instant. Got home, went to dump it, and again, Cook and Serve. What the heck? So I apologize for not bringing my much-spoken-of dessert. I did whip up the cook and serve and let it cool for hours and we had it last night. Taylor is happy to have access to as much as he wants.

It continues though. I left my scriptures at church yesterday. Then I was making a meat pie for dinner. I was making the crust and made only one layer instead of two. I'm beginning to worry.

Anyway, wasn't it fun to have someone win Miss A and actually have picked her as the winner? Wow! We were happy. My dad put together a "Party Bag" for everyone complete with programs and Miss Utah buttons and my crown. Everyone wore a button and got a picture wearing the crown. We stayed until 1am chatting, which wasn't so great for 9:00 church. Not to mention that the same group of us were out until 10ish on Thursday and spent the night together Friday (not me, I left at midnight). Our husbands may not be up for "girl's night" again any time soon :) And maybe the lack of sleep and excitement of adult conversation is why my brain isn't working...

Two things: Still didn't love the open-leg stance for swimsuit. SOO SOO SOOOOO glad that I didn't have to be in a reality show or called up for talent with two second before I had to begin.

And one more thing: Did you watch the Miss A preview show with Clinton Kelly? Wasn't he class-less? Boobies bouncing? He said that was his favorite part. Then they aired some negative comments about some of the girls while they were competing. If that were me I would cry when I saw it, and it would ruin the whole Miss A experience for the poor thing. Hated that part!

Wedding Album

So without constant internet access I've found other ways to fill my electronic needs. I figured it was about time to make my wedding scrapbook album. I FINALLY found the scrapbook kit I've been looking for, so things are going nicely. Here's a little (big) peak at what I've been up to. In no particular order:

Is it stealing?

I've found a neighbor with unprotected internet. Is that stealing? I honestly don't know if this is wrong to do, but I'm using their signal. We are still working on getting the internet. We're having a hard time choosing which service we want. We've settled on quest, but we're still looking for some part or other. I'm not sure.

Anywho, things are going well. We're mostly unpacked. Our office area is still in boxes, but I think it will be that way for a while. I'm not ready to post pictures yet though. Maybe I'll do it as soon as I re-upholster the couch. I'm getting the itch to do that soon. I need to find a staple gun first though.

We really like our house. It fits us perfectly. Our life seems to fit it well. The kids love the toy room. I love the room in general. Our house is 1900 square feet but feel like 22 or 23oo. The best news is that our master shower is finally sealed and settled and ready for the first shower, which will be in about 4 minutes. It could have been ready sooner, but we've let it take time for everything to settle and be really, really waterproof. That and we don't have blinds in that bathroom. I finally just put some brown paper in the window. Real classy, I know. I just haven't found the fabric I want. And fabric won't happen until I find THE paint.

Kyle's had a rough week with napping and not napping and climbing out of his crib. After 8 days of fighting him I threw a mattress on the floor. He tried it one night. Then he decided his crib is really fine and hasn't climbed out since. Weird boy.

Claire had her first upset stomach this week. She's asked me to keep the details private, but it was a sad day. She reports however that she is amazed that I continue to love her after how "disgusting" the day was. And that makes me love her more.

I'm good. I have room to sew, and that keeps me sane more than I remembered. I also have scrapbooked a lot since we are without our own internet connection. I've done 40+ pages of our wedding album (7 years and no scrapbook album!). I'll post those with our own connection soon.

Well, the shower is calling me. I have an appointment to get work on my prosthetic tomorrow. Prayers are appreciated.

Still no internet...

Well, we're loving having our own home. We're basically moved in but still in clutter from the random things that don't have a home. I'm currently making roman shades for a couple windows. I finished one yesterday (took 10+ hours to make.) I've never pinned so much in my life. I have so many pokes and scratches that I look like i got in a fight with a cat!

Two significant things to share (as I sit using internet in the library parking lot!). Things are looking good. I've very excited about our ward. It is packed to overflowing every week with so many different people. I went to ward temple night where the relief society president (who is my age---so's the bishop give or take a few years) stopped me in the dressing room to tell me how she's going to remember my name.
Her: "I'm embarrassingly obsessed with pageants, and a few years ago there was this girl on Miss America named Jaclyn, and she looks JUST LIKE YOU."
Me: (silent and staring for a while) "That was me."
Her: No Way!
This was followed by a very long hug from her. Then she introduced me to everyone as Miss Utah. The secret is out folks. Now I have to do my hair and makeup daily just to keep up with the perception of beauty queen.

The best part about it was that I went to lunch the next day with a group of ladies from the ward (including the RS president who seems awfully normal even though she knew my name and Miss America stats) :). We had a collective 15 or so kids who were running around us, but it was wonderful. I've been praying to find close friends wherever we moved, and there seems to be a good chance of some great friendships here. Every time we're at church I feel strongly that this is where we are meant to be.

The other happening happened when we finally unpacked our wedding video and watched it with Claire the other night. When it was over she was absolutely sobbing. She managed to let us know that she was just so happy that mom and dad got married and that she just loved us. It was so cute. She cried for 5-10 minutes alternating between the two of us. Then when she said her prayers that night she tried to say that she was thankful that mom and dad got married and she sobbed again. What a tender heart. What a wonderful, sweet spirit we have.

And that's it for now. I guess Kyle is sick of sitting in the back of the car going no where. Maybe we'll have internet soon? And pictures of the house too!

Oh, and thanks for all of the christmas cards. They were sitting in our mailbox when we finally go the key. What a great surprise!