TRUTH

Dear Family,

I have an incredible opportunity to go speak at an APS (American Physics Society) Conference this coming week in Oregon. I have been a part of a group studying how people learn Physics, different techniques used to help students learn and the importance of natural ability.

However, I really haven't done that much. I don't really understand what is going on! I was not a part of the group when the majority of the data was collected, and for some reason, the data I have collected doesn't match the rest of the years. I only vaguely know the idea behind the research.

I have not been worried though and I kept wondering why. I am going to be among some of the greatest Physicists in the country and I have nothing to say! Why am I not intimidated?

Then, it came to me all at once. They may be able to understand the Theory of Relativity and Quantum Physics better than me, but I have the knowledge of the gospel and with that, the companion of someone who knows more than any human that is walking the earth. Once in Sacrament Meeting approximately two years ago, a young man said in church, "The Holy Ghost knows Calculus."

This one sentence has helped me through a lot of different situations. How lucky I am! I also heard from Sister Dalton a story this week about some young women in Africa who, when asked what challenges they faced, replied, "Of course we have challenges here in Africa, but, we have the gospel of Jesus Christ." Let's not take this blessing we have for granted. :)

Ki

P.S. I will be more prepared before I leave :)

Recipe run-down

I've been meaning to gather these links up for a while now, but I'm just barely getting to it.  I've found some great recipes in the last few months and thought I would share!
(I'm just linking to them, sorry.)

First, a recipe for Cafe Rio's Pork Salad. We tried this several months ago and really liked it.  The post also has a link to the salad dressing recipe, which is practically the most important part.  The pork was a little time-consuming, but worth it?? You decide.

Second, Reese's Cheesecake Brownies.  Just made these last week and WOW.  That's what pretty much everyone said about them.  I modified the recipe a little bit - I halved the cheesecake part (probably wouldn't do that again), and I cut down on the Reese's pieces quite a bit (I think I would just take them out, although some people really like them).  Also, the chocolate chip/whipping cream mixture turned out a little weird, both times I tried it.  I don't know why.  Bottom line - awesome recipe, I'll be making it again.  Probably many times.

Third, some Key Lime Cheesecake bars.  I made a plain graham cracker crust, since I didn't have the ingredients for his crust, but I'd like to try his sometime.  I also used less lime juice & zest than the recipe called for, and my husband still thought it was a little too tangy.  I thought it was fine.

I had a couple more - as soon as I remember I will add them here.  Check back!

Bathtub paint

A young woman in our ward does an art class for the kids once a week.  This week they made bathtub paint and had a great time painting our bathtub!  Here's the recipe:

Bathtub paint

1/4 cup baby shampoo

food coloring

2 TBSP cornstarch

Take a small muffin tin (or other container of your choice) and add 2 TBSP of corn starch to each cup.  Then add 1/4 cup baby shampoo and 4-5 drops of food coloring to each cup.  Stir together until the color is fully incorporated.  Add a small amount of water to each tin (about 2-4 TBSP) and stir. 

David and I enjoyed watching

Summer Jobs

We are only four weeks into summer, but I am already feeling a little stir-crazy.  It may be because we live in AZ and instead of being able to play outside for the summertime, we have to play inside.  I love having Nathan home with us, but I have had to be creative to find things to do.  I always begin summer with these great ideas of things I am going to accomplish with the kids, too.  I want them to be concert pianists, readers, and caligraphers by the time summer is over (ha, ha).  Some things work, and some don't, and we learn as we go.

One thing that I have come across is a great, free, online job chart.  It is called http://www.myjobchart.com/.  I heard about it last summer, but I think the kids were too young to really use it.  However, this year, it is a huge hit! The kids just get on in the morning and they mark off their jobs. The thing I like about it is that I can put point values for different jobs so they know they have to EARN movies, TV time, video game time, computer time, etc., etc.  Then I don't have them begging to watch movies all the time.  They have been practicing piano, cleaning their rooms, doing laundry, and dishes without much fuss at all.  We'll see if they keep it up!  Try it and let me know what you think!

The desert "blossoms as a rose"

ANNOUNCING the very FIRST zucchini, and vegetable,

to come from the Dopp Arizona garden!  :)

Ok, so it may not be a big deal to many of you, but we are pretty excited to finally have a garden that is our very own.  We may not get very much out of this garden, but it has been a great experience for us.  We planted everything from seed and have loved to see things grow. Growing up, I never really appreciated the gardening that we did as a family.  There is something so very therapeutic about getting your hands dirty and working the soil.  Hopefully this is the first of many succesful gardening adventures!

Hope you are all enjoying your own gardens!

Bountiful Baskets

There's this really great thing that's come to town.  I send some ladies money on Monday, they scout around for the best deals for produce, then they buy it, put it in a truck and ship it to me.  I get to go to the park or pavilion or wherever, and pick up my "Bountiful Basket" on Saturday.  I get loads of produce for $15!  I have only done it a couple of times but it is way fun!  We have eaten stuff I never would buy because it was too expensive.  My challenge now is to not let any of it go bad.  So, Sunday for dinner we have wonderful sweet corn, green salad, artichokes with hollandaise sauce, etc.  I ended up with 2 big jicamas I didn't really know what to do with. 

So, I did some research.  I know you're all dying to know about jicama, so here goes.

They are high in fiber and vitamin C.  They are low calorie and low fat.  They are also called a mexican potato, but are related to turnips and legumes.  You can eat them raw, chopped up in a salad, or cooked. 

I tried the cooking tonight.  I peeled and "julienned" them then sauteed them with some olive oil and spices for awhile.  When they were looking quite transparent, I put them on a cookie sheet and broiled them until they were nicely browned.  Then I sprinkled them with my favorite seasoning of all time, Canadian Steak, and wa-la! they looked great and tasted super.  Kind of like fries but with a little more crunch and a lot more diabetic friendly than potatoes.

If you want to try out Bountiful Baskets, they have a great website that tells you all you need to know!  Just do a search.  It's fast, fun, and easy.

MOM

Payday!

Parenting is not always a party, whatever stage of it you're in.  One one hand, there's Angie with the new baby, trying to catch her breath when little Grace latches on,  a little crazy from lack of sleep.  Then there's Chelsea who just can't seem to fit a growing baby inside and deals with the pains of enlarging and all that entails. Megan is planning a move to who knows where as she is getting closer to the "balloon" stage.  Then there's Heather, blindsided by an ectopic pregnancy and a near death experience who is left wondering, where from here?  And Rachel, who is not only chasing around her almost walking Will, but now has a wild child of a puppy and she's left refereeing all day.  Matt and Kim are at that blessed stage where they are looking at everybody else and planning, "Let's not do it that way", or, "This might work??"

We have all had some hard times.  Dad and I have had a few things come along in our days that we pray you all will never have to deal with.  You know about all of those because you were there.  Everything from visits to the hospital to visits to jail, unexpected flights home from Nebraska and weddings in a day, legs twisted the wrong way, testimonies shaken up and all kinds of sweet surprises. Then there's the smaller stuff, which is no less stressful, like watching Em, Braden and Sam struggling to salvage their grades when we take them out of school for a week just before it ends. 

But then there are those days that you can stand up and shout out, "Woo-Hoo!"  I have the greatest kids in the world and I love them so much and I am so priveleged to be their mom!"  We had a few of those days last week. 

Thanks, Jordan and Brent and lovely wives and hilarious children.  The meals were wonderful, the accomodations divine (love the tarp - I only wish I could have watched you get it up in those trees!), the company the best and the entertainers (all of our children) were in rare form.  My favorite was overhearing little Ben tell his big sister, Leila in the tent after her carrying on, "That's enough, Leila!" 

I am so proud of you.  And I tell my friends not to worry about their kids collecting papers in their lockers, or not turning things in on time.  I tell them not to lose hope because....

My boys graduated!!!!  Jordan is now an official M.D. and Brent can add to his previous title of MBA, an MHA.  

Congratulations, my wonderful sons!  YOU DID IT!!!!

So you want to be an Eddington?

(Re-posted from here.)

There are a few things you should probably know beforehand.

First - musical talent is not required.  This is a widespread myth.  Sure, it wins you major brownie points and admiration (especially while singing around the piano), but just ask the manly in-laws.  If you are an otherwise excellent person, not having musical abilities will not be a deal-breaker.

You know what is a deal-breaker?  High-maintenance lifestyle.  If you are the type of girl who spends $100 every six weeks on a hair appointment 100 miles away, I can tell you right now, you and I will not understand each other.

Also not required: snow sport skills, water sport skills, nunchuck skills, or video game skills.  Phew!
Boggle skills are good, just as long as you don't beat me.

Definitely required: hard work.  I am not joking about this.
Your mother may not have birthed you for the sole purpose of watching you work. (Lucky you!)
Your family may not have spent every single Saturday working together - out in the yard, in the house, painting, growing a garden, feeding animals - in addition to daily chores.  You may not have lived in a house with SEVEN bathrooms, nine bedrooms and no maid.  But hey. You can always learn.

Not appreciated: inappropriate humor.  I know, I know, many of you think Meet the Fockers and Superstar and Dumb and Dumber are hilarious.  But you know what?  We turn it off.  We're funny enough without it.  I bet you are too.

Another thing you should know is that we are serious about our Toyotas.  Oh, how we love Toyotas!
The last four cars my Dad's bought for himself have been Avalons.  Three families now have Siennas.  I fantasized about Priuses before all the celebrities bought them.  And I am telling you, my next car will be a Scion xB.  Yes, I know they are ugly.  Yes, I still want one real bad.

Other things we are serious about:
Cutco
Dan in Real Life
BYU football
BYU everything (But don't worry, we're not all crazy anti-U.  There are plenty of U graduates among us.)
parties
parties with food
parties with ice cream
parties with homemade rootbeer
Muppets from Space
Saturday morning pancakes
homemade syrup
music

 ... and I think that about covers it.

Any questions?

"There are good people everywhere"

I have moved a lot in my life. Some of the moves I don't even remember. The ones I do remember, I didn't appreciate so much at the time.  We were always moving, it seemed, because Dad went to school, finished school, got a new job, or ouf family just out-grew our house.  I really have never lived anywhere for more than about 5 years- even now.  Every time I would be upset about leaving friends Mom would always say to me, "There are good people everywhere."

My sweetheart and I are now at a place that I never thought we'd be. School is done, residency will be done in a year, and we can literally go anywhere for a job. We actually get to pick!!  Or we could just stay here in AZ, too.  The last couple weeks have been looking all over in the "West" for jobs hoping to find the right fit for us and somehow be closer to family.  What we are finding, though, is there are so many options. It is kind of overwhelming thinking that we might actually settle somewhere.  What does that mean?  Settle?!? Does such a thing exist?  It is a little scary to have that responsibility.

But I hold fast to that wisdom from Mom. Once again she is absolutely right.  There are good people everywhere.  I have met good, great, wonderful, fantastic people all over the world.  I have faith in people.  And I have faith that we'll be sent to the people that we need to be with.  I know the Lord will guide our family to the place we are supposed to be.  I dont' know that we'll settle there, but I do know that I am thankful that I don't have to be the One in charge of that. 

There ARE good people EVERYWHERE.  Thanks to all those people who have blessed me and made my life what it is. I will be eternally thankful.

Mother's Day

In the past, I have grown to HATE Mother's day.  My mother has everything and then more, so I stress over what to buy her.  My mother-in-law, on the other hand never uses anything I buy her.  It just sits on a shelf until the day she will REALLY need it.  So that's a waste of energy.  Then I go to church where speakers tout the many wonderful things their mothers do, then they hand you a booklet you are supposed to read that further propagates the myth of the perfect angel mother.  And I go home really depressed.  Then my husband tells me to sit there and watch my children do dinner, etc., and they are anything but thrilled by the "slave" role that has been put upon them.  Not that they don't love their mother.  They do.  And I love mine.

Happily, I have more recently learned to enjoy Mother's Day.  It has taken me years.  I have learned to not expect a thing, nor buy into the "slave" thing, to smile when people talk about their angel mothers and know that they really are, deep down, just like me.  They are not superwomen any more than I am.  But our kids love us anyway.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful surprise.  For our monthly family meeting (via Skype), our kids shared one favorite memory with us (Keith just had a birthday last week).  It was short and sweet, and except for Kiana and Sam who did not really follow the no tears rule, just a delight for their dad and I.  As we were musing later, we thought about our wonderful children, and just what OUR favorite memory with them might be.  I need to think about them a little more, but they will be forthcoming! 

Happy Mother's Day to you all!  Love, MOM

Cinco de Mayo

It was so wonderful to be with you all last week for Matt's wedding!  What fun times!
In honor of Cinco de Mayo this week, I thought it would be fun if we each posted our favorite Mexican dishes/recipes.  I have a couple favorites. I decided to post the recipe for those chimichangas that I made at Mom's last week, as well as a crock pot fajita recipe that I have been asked about a lot. 

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Chimichangas
2-4 chicken breasts cooked and shredded/cut up
1 1/2 cups salsa
16 oz can black beans
1 envelope taco seasoning
Approx. 16 oz flour tortillas (10 inch)
16 oz. cheese cut into strips

Cook chicken, shred. In skillet combine black beans salsa and taco seasoning.  Smash black beans with potato masher. (refried beans can be substituted in place of black beans). Add chicken and mix well.  Warm tortillas.  For each chimichanga place small amount of chicken and bean mixture in center of tortilla, then add strip of cheese and wrap.  Place on greased cookie sheet and cook at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or 375 degrees for 35 minutes.   Can be frozen and will last 6 months in the freezer. 

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas
1 small bottle fat free Italian dressing
1/3 cup lemon juice
4-6 chicken breasts
1 large green pepper chopped
1 large red pepper chopped
1 medium onion

Place all ingredients in a crock pot and cook slowly for 2-3 hours or until chicken is done.  Shred chicken before serving.  Serve in tortillas with cheese and sour cream.  

This recipe is easy to stretch.  I like to add a lot more veggies (3-4 peppers) and a little less chicken.  Just make how you think you'll like it best.  It's super-easy and yummy.

6 Things I have Learned to Appreciate at College

1- A big family that has taught me how to get along with/live with all sorts of people.

2- Little kids. They're the best

3- The obvious. Feeling hunger and knowing that there is nothing in my half shelf of food that sounds even remotely appetizing definitely makes me appreciate a home cooked meal, left overs, and just food in the cupboard.

4- Technology. Skype rocks! Also, having a cell phone makes life pretty easy too.

5- Good grades. It isn't a lie. Good grades help when it comes to money.

6-Prayer. Sometimes when I read a chapter of my physics book, I realize that my brain is not big enough to understand it all. Thankfully, it can grow :)

Tangled/Rapunzel hair

Today we decided to do a project that was recommended by my neighbor Tricia. We made Rapunzel hair!  First we took an old headband that the princess crown had broken off of. (We have gone through many Dollar Store princess headbands)  Then we got some yellow yarn and cut it twice as long as we wanted the hair.  Then we folded it in half, placed it around the headband, and slipped the loose ends through the loop.  It was so easy and Hannah loved helping with it.   If you want better pictures :)  here's a link to Tricia's blog and her tutorial.  It didn't take hardly any yarn at all!

Dino Easter Eggs

I don't think I have dyed Easter eggs since before I left for college.  But I found this darling idea and am now dying (ha) to try it!

Easter Traditions?

The best part of having your own small family (and not living very close to extended family) is deciding what traditions you want to carry on, leave behind, or start.

For Easter, growing up, I loved making Easter Bread (which comes from my grandma), making cream puffs with my mother, watching Easter Parade (starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire), and watching Easter Dream. 

Since I have been married, some of these things haven't happened during the Easter season especially with small children. This year, I want to find some new traditions that are a little more kid friendly, and I want your ideas. I want to hear them all from egg hunts to talking about Christ's resurrection.

What are some of your favorite traditions for Easter?

They Lied to Me about Life- Life is What You Are

I got this article a long time ago in college, and I loved it, so I thought I would share.  It is by Jaroldeen Edwards and was printed in the LDS Church News, March 10, 1990.  Here's a link directly to the article.

"I'd like to share an experience I had that helped me understand the importance of my role as a mother. Right after my first novel was published I was interviewed by a large East Coast newspaper for a feature article. The reporters came to my home in Connecticut on a Saturday morning. They were two attractive and sophisticated New York women who had graduated from a prestigious Ivy League school. Both had achieved considerable success in journalism.The lead reporter was about 30, had been an editor of Seventeen magazine, had worked for several major publications, and was now a sought-after feature writer. She was dressed in the latest fashion and seemed the ultimately successful career woman.

I must confess that I was a little chagrined as the morning progressed. I was trying so hard to give the appearance of a professional writer, but every few minutes one of my children would pop into the living room with a problem or a question. My boys were playing a noisy game in the family room, the stereo was on in the basement play room, and the phone would not stop ringing. Neighborhood friends ran in and out the doors, and finally, my 5-year-old (who had had enough of having to "stay out of the living room") came bouncing in with a smile and plunked herself down on my lap.

We finished the interview, which had taken about two hours, and the reporters got up to leave. The younger one asked if she could use my phone. As she left, the cool and sophisticated senior reporter walked over and sat down on the couch next to me.

"There's something I want to tell you," she said intensely.

I looked at her in surprise. Very slowly, she said, "I just want you to know that we were sold a lie."

"What do you mean?" I asked, totally puzzled.

"I mean, when I went to college they lied to us," she replied. "They told us we were brilliant, and that we had the obligation to seek success. We were told not to throw our lives away on husbands and children, but to go out into the world and to succeed. We were told that only through a professional career could we `find ourselves' or live a worthwhile life.

"I just want you to know that this morning I have realized it was all a lie. I have come to know that a career is not a life - it is only something you do until you find a life. Life is what you are.

"I would like to tell you I would trade all my so-called worldly success for one day of living your life."

Although it may be necessary for mother to work out of the home, I have always been thankful that our mother was able to stay home.  It has made a huge difference in my life.  Love you MOM!

-Heather

Weddings...

I am a traditionalist. Through and through. It always comes out when there's a wedding coming up and I get rolled eyes when I request outdated things like; "Could you please dress UP for your announcement pictures? "Could we use Mrs. and Mrs. Keith Eddington instead of Keith and Diana?" or " I don't care if it takes days, I want to hand write every address on every envelope, whether I get help or not! (That's a lie, because I really couldn't do it myself) So, tonight we had an invitation party. Angie made brownies. Kiana, Angie, Lana and I hand wrote hundreds of addresses, Matt stuffed and Emily filed them in alphabetical order (to ensure no duplicates) We had a great time. Children running, phones ringing, people coming in and out. Wonderful bedlam!

So what IS the big deal? Why do I want things "just so" for my children's weddings? Why can I just not bring myself to use stickers? Well, you see, Matt's getting married. I have prayed and hoped and taught and loved him all his life. He was my miracle baby. The only one that didn't cause me the normal pains of childbirth. He has brought joy to my soul and laughter to our home. I will soon entrust sweet Kim to love and care for him. But I will miss him at my breakfast table. I miss you all at my table. I am so happy you are all coming home. So, what about the handwritten envelopes? I answer to that one lies deep in my heart.

MOM

How to keep a 10-month-old entertained in the Doctor's office

1.  Read a book.  Several times.

2.  Let him crawl on the waiting room floor until his name is called.

3.  Give him your cell phone to play with.

4.  Bounce him up and down, throw him around, look out the window and up at the fluorescent lights.

5.  Show him all the instruments in the examination room.  (Don't mess with them too much!  The doctor will notice.)

6.  Change his diaper.

7.  Grab a tongue depressor out of the jar; use it as a drumstick/sword/chew toy.

8.  Set him on the doctor's swivel stool and spin him around.  Back and forth, back and forth.

9.  Feed him little snacks.

10.  Put him BACK on the swivel stool, this time on his stomach.  Then he can watch the wheels as he spins.

11. Pull out the cell phone and start taking pictures.

(Hopefully the Doctor has come by now.)

Kids are Funny

Yesterday Mom and I were talking at her house when the phone rang. It was Kiana, who had been in the room talking with us just two minutes before. Mom immediately started laughing and told Kiana we would be there in a minute.

Well, my son Sam had apparently locked his sister Bella in the chicken coop when she was playing in there (don't worry  -there are no chickens in there currently...it's just being used for storage). Kiana and Lily had gone in to rescue Bella, and Sam locked them ALL in the chicken coop. Luckily, Kiana had her cell phone in her pocket and called us to let them out.

When we got out into the backyard, Sam was giggling like a little girl and couldn't stop. He thought he was so clever and got quite a kick out of the whole thing. I have to agree with him that it was pretty funny.

Right after that, I took him home to feed him lunch to get him ready for school, and he still giggled through the whole meal.

Thank heaven for children and laughter.

-Angie

Hypnobirthing

I have been studying about hypnobirthing. Angie has asked me to be her labor coach (doula) during her "birthing time." I am fascinated by the notion that you can actually anesthetize yourself using the power of your willl. It just takes the "mind over matter" principle to the max. I have studied the manuals and am learning the cues, words and other parts of the hypno birthing plan and have found them to be fascinating. I am excited to put it all together and help Angie have a wonderful birthing experience. If you know of anyone who has used this program, I would surely like to hear your thoughts, suggestions, helps, anyone???

My mom always told me that giving birth was like going to hell and back.

I have found just the opposite to be true. I have visited heaven and found those visits most sweet. Not all visits do you get to come home with a prize, but there is an element of sweetness in even with the pain, just being near heaven, the place of life.

And when Angie and I work to bring her new little one home, we will definitely be looking for angels.

-MOM

Dad really wouldn't have killed us.

For some reason, the parents keep bringing up the fact that all these years, Dad wouldn't have killed us - even if we got bad grades, or wrecked the car, or went to hair school, or pierced our ears. Does that surprise me?? Not really. I really never thought dad would kill me. No, instead I dreaded even worse: he would be disappointed in me. It is interesting to me how Mom and Dad's opinions and beliefs were very apparent whether or not they wanted them to be. :)

After hearing what a waste it was for someone to use scholarship money to go to hair school, and the importance of good grades so I could go to college one day, I guess I just assumed that it was looked down on to go to trade school and not get a degree. Turns out, Dad wouldn't have killed me if I chose that route, but I still felt like I would've let him down in some way. He thought I could do harder things, and if he thought so, then it must have been true.

Mom and Dad didn't really make a rule about piercing ears, wearing two piece swimming suits, going to college, failing classes, and I haven't ever heard a rule that we can't wreck the cars; but I always knew what they expected. We tend to follow rules or guidelines that were never "set" because we all felt/feel the need to make Mom and Dad proud. Why is that? How do we raise our own kids so they know what is expected of them? I, for one, am glad to have some idea of what Mom and Dad expect of me. It is through those expectations that I can also feel how much they believe in me. I feel like they see a potential in me that I often can't see myself. Love you mom and dad!

Bedtime Stories

There is nothing quite as fun as Daddy reading bedtime stories.  With our daddy gone so much the kids really love when he sits down to read them stories.  We've been on the hunt for good "chapter books" that a 6,5,3, and 1 year old would like.  Tricky.   However, our current reading is this:   

Who hasn't read this series and loved it?  I bet very few. It is a classic. Matt even named his childhood dog "Boone" after one of the characters. It has been around for a long time and it's perfect for bedtime because the chapters are short, but lots of fun. 

Any other suggestions you may have for bedtime stories for older children?

-Heather

April Fools

I don't recall April Fool's Day being much-observed in our house.  Aside from my annual short-sheeting and a few small pranks, we kept things pretty mellow, didn't we?

Which is not to say we didn't do our fair share of pranks throughout the rest of the year.  (Jordan!)
Between the garbage bagging, ding-dong lying, toilet papering, and prank-calling (I'm sure I'm the only one who did this...), we certainly spread the mischief around.

However, I was just remembering the April Fool's Day when somebody saran wrapped two of our cars together.  Not just any cars, either - the 15-passenger van and the Lebaron!  They did an amazing job, too; I've never seen such good saran wrapping, before or since.
The best part was that they must have done it after we did the paper route, but before we left for school.  That was so awesome.

It's really a shame we never figured out who did it.  I would still like to congratulate them on a job well-done.

(What pranks do you remember?  Was Angie the only one who got "caught?")

Piano Lesson Ideas

I have started keeping my laptop on my piano.  I teach about 22 students a week and have found it to be a great tool for teaching and adding variety to my lessons.  I have to be a bit choosy (especially with the naked lady paintings from the baroque era), but I have been able to use it to show students who are playing a theme from a symphony the utter majesty and power of the original work, and help them to put some of that into their simplified version.  I am doing a "unit" on baroque music and have been able to find almost every Bach, Handel, etc. piece played by a student up to tempo on Youtube (usually they are played by fabulous 5 year olds, which makes them think, if a 5-year old can play this, then certainly I can!).  They are able to experience the new and beautiful sounds made by the clavichord and harpsichord, as well as learn about the customs, culture and dress of the period.  They enjoy the change of pace and are inspired by the videos.  I saw that one teacher had even posted tutorials for her students with her playing the piece and the camera giving a birds-eye view.  If you have any other deas as to how to use the internet in teaching, please share!

I am excited for our Baroque recital.  I am going to buy some "powdered" wigs and other fancy garb for the students to wear when they perform.  I'll let you know how it all turns out.  Most of the students are pretty excited about it!

-Mom

Scripture Journal

Here's something that Matt and I have been doing kind of hit-and-miss (thanks to his work schedule) over the last six months.  Our kids have really grown to love it, actually, and ask about it almost every Sunday. 

Since our oldest two are getting to be familiar with books of scripture and reading, we decided to study a gospel topic each week.  We pick a topic and head to the "Topical Guide".  We give each child an assignment to find a scripture about our topic in one of the books of scripture. We make sure we get one from each book.  We have them read it, we write it in our "Scripture Journal" and then we discuss what we learn from that scripture.  It has created a great environment to discuss the gospel doctrines. We don't spend much time, since attention spans are short around here.  Some silly recommendations for study have been offered too. We studied the "MOON" awhile back.  (We are pretty crazy about space around here :) ).  

We highly recommend it. It has become a great teaching tool and we hope it is a resource our children can use in the future to prepare talks and lessons.
-Heather

Sugar Cookie Bars

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law. It is a super-yummy way to enjoy sugar cookies without waiting for refrigeration, or even cutting out.  I think I'm going to try to put a little almond extract in the batter too - maybe 1/4 to 1/2 tsp.

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

5 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, micxing after each egg.  Add vanilla and mix well.  In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda and stir with a whis to combine.  Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.  Spread on a greased baking sheet/jelly roll  pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean (they won't look clean)  Cool completely and frost.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter room temp

4 ounces cream cheese softened

1 tsp vanilla (can use 1/2 almond extract)

1/4 tsp salt

4 cups powdered sugar

5 TBSP milk, (or amount needed to get to desired consistency)

-Heather

Kids Crafts: Pinwheels

I am always looking for little crafts or things to do with my children. I have a 4 year old who LOVES to do anything crafty, and a 2 year old who loves to do anything the 4 year old does. 

As spring is coming upon us I found this super easy idea that my kids will love. 

I love that they are so versatile you can use them as cupcake toppers or decoration or for a fun toy for the kids to play with.
-Megan

Baby Quilts

I am going to try a new baby quilt this week.  I love the soft and silky, but am going to add a new twist.  Maybe I could call them "sweet expressions" or something.  I want to quilt a sweet phrase or poem or something inspirational or funny in the middle of the silky side.  I have found some great quotes and thoughts on the "fabulousness" of a new baby.  I will pick my favorite so far and quilt it into the blanket and see how it looks.  I have some really great fabric, too.  I have this one with really cute dinosaurs and I thought maybe I could even do something silly like:  Dinos are scary, dinos are big, you don't scare me, my daddy works a rig!  Actually, I had something more clever than that, but I can't remember what it was.  Living in "oil country", I may be able to sell something like that around here, as the oil rig workers really have the last laugh.  If you have any "expression" you think might work, PLEASE share.  I will post a picture when I get one done.  If I can remember how to do that.  Ah, technology!  I wish it came a little faster, and stuck a little longer!  

How Great Thou Art

Six weeks ago, we found out I was pregnant. We were thrilled, you see, because we had been planning on a baby for some time now.  As a matter of fact, last August, I had decided to make some changes in my life and really prepare myself for this baby.  I have had trouble with bad hips in past pregnancies and so I decided to make a real effort to exercise regularly to try and strengthen myself. I wanted to be ready to have another little one.  I exercised faithfully, six days a week from that time on, rarely missing.  This pregnancy was going to be different. I was feeling so good, and had made so much progress, that I decided to run a 5k- pregnant or not. I signed up for one that same week we found out we were expecting.  I was ready.

For some reason, though, during the next couple weeks, I began to doubt. I didn’t understand it, but I was unable to pray for our baby and its safe arrival in our family.  I began to bleed a little here and a little there, and resigned myself to the probability that we would miscarry and lose the baby.  And so in anticipation of the miscarriage, I decided to lie low for a couple weeks. I had one miserable day of cramping and headed to the doctor.  It was soon confirmed by an ultrasound- there was no baby in the uterus.  It was only a matter of time before I would lose the baby and bleed everything else out. 

I mourned.  I was upset to say the least, but understood that it was all part of the plan for us. I had experienced this before.  My prayers were now that my body would be able to take care of what it needed to take care of, so that we could try again.  And so I waited.

February 26^th I began to cramp again. Only this time the pain was so intense that I could not get rid of it.  I talked with Matt and we just didn’t know what to do. Finally, I called Mom.  She thought things sounded suspicious and recommended that if I had any question, just to go in to the ER.  And so within the hour Matt and I made the decision, and we were on our way.   We went through a series of tests and another ultrasound.  Within a short time I had another IV placed and monitors placed on my heart and lungs. By this time, I knew something was seriously wrong.  We were told that I was being prepared for surgery for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.  At that time I had no idea what that exactly meant. My greatest fear was that it meant I was never going to have another child.  I was terrified and could only ask Matt to call our families and ask them to pray for me.  I was too shocked, and it hurt too much to cry.  Matt gave me a quick blessing and I was whisked away.

Upon waking from surgery, I learned that I had lost 1 ½ liters of blood into my abdomen from a ruptured pregnancy in my left fallopian tube.   In order to save me, they had to remove my fallopian tube.  But my life was spared. 

It is hard to describe what has happened in my mind and heart the last three weeks.  The mourning process has been much more difficult than I thought it would be.  For weeks, I could not even really cry because of the pain.  In the moments when I was alone, or when just Matt was there, my thoughts would turn to everything I had lost, and my heart broke. But I just kept telling myself to be tough, just hang in there, and I’d be ok.  Mom and Sam, and the Rachel and Dorian were so helpful the first week of recovery.  I felt so much strength from the prayers of the family, even though some of you are so far away.  Recovery was slow, but it was coming.  When I was finally able to have a good cry, I felt so much an increase of the love of my Father in Heaven.   Little by little I began to see with new eyes. I am healing a little at a time, and the spirit is strengthening my heart.  I still feel like I lost so much that day.  I lost my health and strength that I had worked so very hard to gain over the last six months, I lost a baby, and I lost part of myself.  I still have moments when I think about it and weep. My heart still breaks.  But I was given LIFE that day.  I was spared.  I now cry in gratitude.

This week we decided on a change of scenery and took a trip to Southern California to stay with Matt’s brother.  I sang my babies to sleep one night, and as I was going through a whole bunch of our favorite primary songs and hymns my very favorite came to mind- “How Great Thou Art”.  I have sung this to my children and my sisters more times than I can count.  (My sisters lovingly call it the “fall off the mountain song”)  It always reminds me of my loving Great-grandma Evans.  But as I sung this to my little ones this week, I felt like everything came into focus.  As I looked at my precious children, I had an overwhelming love and understanding wash over me.  I was reminded once again that HE, our Heavenly Father is in charge.  He knows exactly what we need to pass through.  He loves us more than we can understand.  His greatest “Art” is us- who we are becoming.  He gave me a second chance at life.  Life, that is so full of so much joy.   Life that is full of sticky fingers, slobbery kisses, noisy dinner tables, and sweet bedtime prayers. Life that is full of families that love each other enough to pray, fast, and spend time together.  Life is his greatest art and so I hope that I can proclaim “How Great Thou Art” for the rest of my days and bring honor to HIM who has given me everything.

Thank you dear family for everything!

-Heather

Family Home Evening: Love One Another in the home

One of my most memorable Family Home Evenings as a child was the time my mother made a crown...

She started by reading about King Benjamin - how he treated people right and desired the best for everyone. King Benjamin spoke to parents about taking care of their children, not letting them quarrel or fight. We talked about why it's not good to quarrel and fight as a family, and what we can do in our lives to be peacemakers at home.  We then discussed how sometimes we treat our friends better than our family, but how important our family members are to us.  Mom asked us "how we would treat a king, like King Benjamin?"  She then asked, "how should we treat each other?"

We then took turns wearing the crown. When it was our turn to wear the crown, all the other family members would go around saying something they loved about that person. It could be something about their outward appearance or personality trait, a thank you for doing something for them, or whatever you could think of. I can still remember the feelings I had that night, the spirit was so strong. Most of us ended up in tears. It was a great learning and growing experience with our family. It really brought family unity and really helped some people open up and share their feelings that otherwise might not have been expressed. 

As I grew up those thoughts would come back to me many times when I would have a disagreement with one of my siblings, and I would remember that night. It is a really simple lesson, but had a lasting impression on me.

Now, I'm waiting for the right time now to use this idea with my own family. I want it to have a lasting impression, but feel my children are too young right now. What do you think is the best age so it will really sink in?

-Megan

St. Patrick's Day meals

Dad and I were talking this morning about the green stuff Mom used to make for us on St. Patrick's Day.  I vividly remember green pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast, and green milk that (naturally) I was not too excited to drink.

Now my husband LOVES corned beef and cabbage, so we have that for dinner every year.  I like it too, in small quantities.  One year I tried to make some Irish soda bread that ended up hardening and getting thrown away....

Does anyone have favorite St. Patty's Day meals?  That kids actually like to eat?
I'll tell you what, just thinking about that green milk still makes me feel a little funny.

-Rachel

It's a Small World

I cancelled Dish and went to Netflix because football season was over and we hardly ever watch TV anymore.  Besides, daily news is quite depressing.  I read the paper, but a photo or two doesn't tell much of a story. Last night I pulled up a few videos on youtube of the tsunami.  I watched with horror and awe the power of Mother Nature sweeping the earth, and it reminded me very keenly of my own nothingness.  I watched as a vehicle sped down a street, the wave behind, only to see it stop in the middle of the road, as the wave came crashing in front of them with nowhere to go. Haunting visions.  
And those that are left?  No homes, no food, no family, no job, possibly radiation damage, and the formidable task of putting it all back together. Where would you even begin?  How do you not lose hope and wish that you were taken as well?  I find myself wondering about my preparations.  I have some food stored, a safe place to go, a basement in case there's a tornado, stuff like that.  
But none of these will matter at all if I am the one "swept away".  Am I ready to meet my Maker?  What have I become?  Do I possess that charity I should?  Sadly, no.  My hope is that I will have many more years to work to soften my heart, put off my 'natural man" and be prepared to meet my Savior.  Today's a good day to start anew.  I have wanted to send a few notes and make a few phone calls. Maybe even before I finish the dishes, because once I start on that,  the rest of the day is TOAST!  Have a great day.  I love you all!  Thanks, little Kate for calling me yesterday.  I love you, too!
- Mom

DIY Hanging Bookshelf Tutorial

So my little H has become quite the avid reader. Every morning I find stacks of books on her bed and floor. We don't have a bookshelf in her room, but I came across this idea:

found here

Isn't it darling! I cannot wait to try it! It's cheap, so cute, and I can pick whatever fabric I want and can change it up whenever. Maybe it will help with the mess all over her room too. :)
-Heather

Dinner Exchange?

Have you ever heard of a dinner exchange?  With an exchange, you only have to cook dinner once or twice a week. My friend started this up with 3 of her other friends and they LOVE it! 

Their families are about the same size (about 3-4 kids each). They get together at the beginning of the month to make a meal plan. They each choose a day of the week, which day would work for them. (Stacy has every Tues of the month, Camille has every Monday, etc.) They usually plan a main dish and one side to go along with it. They also write down the pans/dishes that the other person will need each day and set up time to have dinner done. Each family will then go pick up dinner at the time assigned (unless it needs to be cooked at your own house, then you pick it up early). 

Example of dinner calendar:

Of course there is always something that comes up in your schedule where you may not need dinner that night, but that is why you have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on your own. You can make your own dinner or have leftovers.

Your group can be as extravagant as you want and make up your own rules (dessert, budget, etc.).

I thought it was a pretty fun idea, now if I can find 3 other people to join in with me! :)

-Megan

Chores...Jobs...Chores

Growing up, we always called our responsibilities “jobs” instead of chores. I’m not sure why, but it seemed that calling them “jobs” made them less horrible.  While our friends had to go home and do “chores”, we just had to do our jobs.
The first jobs I remember doing were ironing Dad’s handkerchiefs (with a very cool iron), folding washcloths and towels, and washing and drying dishes.  Scrubbing our little kitchen floor on hands and knees was a fun one too. I couldn’t have been than five years old when mom included me.  She must have known it would take so long to teach me responsibility!
To me, one of the most memorable attempts Mom used to get us to help around the house was a simple poster board. She had drawn a picture of a house on it, and each window was a little envelope with our pictures on them. When we came home from school, we were in charge of the jobs in our envelope. As I got older, the poster board ideas weren’t so cool, and Mom just simplified things. Every afternoon we came home to a jobs list. She wrote our names and our responsibilities down and we could check them off.
Mom was always creative. We’d turn the timer on the stove on and try to beat it. We’d have partners to work with. If we were really luck she’d put in a little surprise, like “eat a cookie” or “get a drink”. This way we never knew what we were going to get.
Now I have begun the task of teaching my own children to work. Our most successful attempt thus far, is the Saturday morning “JOB JAR”. I put little jobs on pieces of paper in a quart jar and they love drawing them out one at a time. We always work as a team because it makes things go quicker and I can keep tabs on what is happening.  Any little bit of encouragement can go a long way.
If there is anything I’ve learned from Mom, it is “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try (and try, try, try) again.”  Something will work. Not for very long, but it will sink in eventually.  Then you’ll try the same tricks with your own kids all over again.
-Heather

Dinner Ideas

Hi Everyone....

So rather than giving any information with this post, I am requesting ideas. We are having the annual (sometimes more often) Elders Quorum Progressive Dinner this weekend, and my sweet husband signed us up to host and serve a main meal, plus salad/sides.

Does anyone have any ideas that would serve about 8 people that wouldn't be too much work, but still good? I would appreciate any input/recipes.

Thanks in advance!

p.s. plans are in the works for 2 bridal showers to be held on March 26th in Salt Lake...keep the date open if you can attend!

Cleaning House - Problem Solved!

I arrived home from a week in AZ late Saturday afternoon to a house that was in, thankfully, pretty good shape - except for the "surfaces" - floors, countertops, etc.  Angie offered to sweep, I mopped, then started wiping down the kitchen cabinets.  Little Lily (age 4) saw me with a spray bottle and informed me that she "cleans house for Nana" (her other grandma) all the time.  I let her have a go at it, and before I knew it, all the cabinet fronts were clean (with only a few puddles at the bottom), fridge and stove front, doors and walls, and she was begging for more to do.  So, I showed her the baseboards and she was so excited to get to work!  Woo-hoo!  Cheap, willing, always-available labor if the job involves a spray bottle and a rag!  I haven't considered grandchildren as labor saving devices before - I'll have to re-consider! -and keep a stash of quarters handy.
-Mom

Magic Yarn Ball

I was cleaning out some old yarn awhile back and decided to make a little yarn ball for each of the kids.  They loved them! They played with them for hours and hours, very cheap entertainment.  Teach them to wind and unwind it. Challenge them to make letters or shapes with the yarn. Finally, don’t forget to see how far down the stairs, or across the room, the yarn can stretch.  If they’re anything like my kids, they’ll want to keep the little ball forever in their top drawer.

Should we have More?

This morning I had a great visit with a dear friend. She just gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl. This is her second beautiful girl, and her older one has just turned two. When I asked how she was doing, the first words out of her mouth were, “I hate nursing.” She explained that to her it is the worst time of the day because her older child takes advantage of Mommy’s down time and runs wild. Even deeper than the feelings of sheer irritation at her two-year-old, though, was the sadness she expressed. This sadness comes because she doesn’t feel like she can provide her older child with the same attention and guidance that she used to. Everything is out of control in their lives right now.  Boy could I relate!

This scenario has played out time and time again probably in every family with more than one child. Somehow, though, the struggle for the Mom never gets easier. Looking back to my own experience, I remember having an inner conversation with my oldest just weeks before his sister arrived.   He was only 18 months old, and I still remember the sadness that came over me as I watched him play. I said to myself, “This is it. No more one-on-one time with him. He and I are never going to be as good of friends. We will never have time that is just ours anymore. We will never be this close. You are just going to have to suffer, because Mom will never be able to give you the attention that you once had.” It was awful!

So I have thought all day about what advice I would give my friend. When I was there, I told her not to worry, that things will get better. Older baby will begin to settle down, and feeding will get easier for little baby. I told her she is doing a great job.

As I have thought more about it, though, I am afraid there little comfort to give when dealing with feelings of inadequacy. I think that is one of the greatest trials of motherhood- feeling like you give enough attention to your children. I have learned that there is no such thing as EQUAL attention. There never will be. It is a hard pill to swallow. So is the answer to have only one child? I believe NO.  Sure the adjustment is difficult. There is no “easy” stage.  But when I look back to each decision to spread myself a little thinner, I remember all the times my children have spent together. They love each other, and where I may lack in my attention to them- they have made it up to each other in very sweet ways.  It was the same growing up. I cherish the relationship I have with each of my siblings. Never, have I wanted for the love that I needed at home.
I have decided that the best thing to tell myself over and over is - just give it your best shot! That is all you can do. You will always wonder if it is enough, but if you have done your best, that is all God requires of us. And it will be good enough.   What advice would you give?
-Heather

March Fourth ... March Forth

March 4th.  That date has a certain ring to it.  It is our Grandma Eddington's birthday, but I didn't learn that until this year.  What I did learn a couple years ago is that this date is a sentence, a command.  March Forth.  I read once in a magazine article about a family that celebrates this as a goal-setting day, a day to progress or march forth.  I thought that that was a great idea and now use it as a day to analyze where I am in my life and where I want to march to next! 

What ways could we celebrate this?   I think the family wrote their goals on cutouts of their feet and then placed them on the wall.  Ideas??
-Kiana

25 Principles for the Family

By:  Elder Daniel Jones

1.     Assist sons and daughter is Eagle scout, Duty to God, and Young Womanhood Recognition

2.     Eat at least one meal together each day

3.     Kneel together in the morning and evening as a family, call down a shield of protection

4.      Teach them the importance of (graduating from) seminary and institute

5.      Help your children save for missions and post-high school education (minimum of 1/3)

6.      Study, teach, know and review often the Family, A Proclamation

7.      Teach thrift and how to avoid unnecessary debt

-   Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without

8.      Attend church together and sit toward the front

9.      Hold meaningful family home evenings every Monday night

10.  Teach the plan of salvation and especially emphasize the saving ordinances of the gospel

11.  One hour of companionship time and relationship enhancement daily

12.  Arrange schedules for at least one parent to spend dedicated time with one child each week  

13.  Don’t give allowances, give work opportunities and pay them for work well done, and teach them to budget

14.   Search the scriptures daily, individually and as a family

15.  Have a picture of the temple prominently and teach of the blessings

16.  Fill your home with worthy literature and music

17.  Strictly monitor TV and internet for the family and yourself

18.  Arrive ten minutes early to church for meditation

19.  Obtain, Study and reflect regularly your patriarchal blessing

20.  Teach your children their individual worth comes from who they are and not what they have

21.  Correction should be timely, firm, consistent and while you are in self control

22.  Make your home a place where there is peace, understanding, security, love, and quiet communication (Satan is extremely organized.  It is not a little here and there, it is everywhere and he and his angel’s know exactly how to get what they want)

23.  Follow strictly all the words of the prophet (He first wanted Joseph Smith, then it was the Book of Mormon, but now all of Satan’s work has been directed towards the family)

-      A father protects his family with his time

24.  Be prepared for temporal emergencies and get the “all is safely gathered in” pamphlet

25.  Teach your children to enjoy hard work