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!

"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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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