Superhero

A friend of mine shared this story with me, I thought it was so cute!

My little four year old Jacob is a superhero fanatic. So when he got a Superman toy with his Happy Meal, he was over- the- moon excited! He spent the entire day playing with Superman, and every conversation was centered on some form of hero worship.

So when we sat down for dinner, it was no great surprise to me that Superman was joining us. When Jacob was asked to say the blessing on the food, he DID surprise me by declining, since that's one of his favorite things to do. He decided that he wanted Superman to say the prayer. I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that, until it came to me that even superheroes need to pray and that I had no business telling my little one otherwise.

So Jacob helped Superman fold his arms and repeated the prayer after me in his best Superman voice. It was a small moment, but one I'll treasure.

Beautiful Day

This is the story of a father separated from his family by thousands of miles for over 6 years. They were reunited this week in Phoenix.

Beautiful Day

I'm dreaming of a white lasagna....

Here in Tucson, we rent a little home on a five acre farm. We share this property with 3 other families. WE have quite the set-up here. The first four nights of the week one of the four families cooks for the rest of the families. (My mother-in-law calls us the compound. haha!!) Tuesday is my night to cook.

Here's what is on the menu tonight. This is a farm and family favorite.
So today I share:

WHITE LASAGNA:

2 chicken breasts

1 can chicken broth

2 tsp garlic

½ C. butter

½ pint whipping cream

2, 8 oz package Italian cheeses

½ cup water

½ cup cornstarch

Cover 2 chicken breasts with water

Cook on medium-high heat, and let water simmer half-way down,

Add chicken broth and let simmer half-way down

Add 2 tsp. Garlic

Remove chicken and shred

Mix ½ cup water+ ½ cup cornstarch

Add to broth

Add ½ pint whipping cream

Add ½ cup butter

Add 1, 8 oz package of cheese

Layer: Sauce, uncooked noodles, chicken (I always brush my noodles with olive oil before putting them in the pan)

Cover with 2^nd package of cheese (or mozzarella cheese)

Cover with foil

( I prepare the lasagna the night before so it sits in the fridge and softens a little for a day)

350 for 1 hour, last 15 minutes remove foil

Twice Baked Potatoes (6 potatoes=12 twice baked)

After washing potatoes, Roll potatoes in vegetable oil, cover with salt, and wrap in Saran Wrap.

Poke holes in the potatoes through the saran wrap and cook them in microwave. (For 6 potatoes I nuke them together for 20 minutes)

When the potatoes cool down, cut length wise, and gut the potatoes into a large bowl. 

Set the potato skins in a 9x13 pan

To the potatoes in a large bowl add :

1 cube of cream cheese

1 8 oz carton sour cream

Bacon bits (I don’t have a measurement but add until you can see them in the mixture)

Colby Jack cheese (about 2 cups for 6 potatoes)

(I don’t like to add green onions, but some people love them!)

You want to stir the mixture so there are not clumps of potatoes.

Refill the potato skins, and cover all the potatoes with more cheese. Cook for about 15-20 minutes at 350 until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are warmed through.

Dining in Style,

Tuesdays in Tucson,

Brandi

15 Places

If you are thinking about plans for a summer vacation, here are 15 Places your Kids Should See Before 15.

I have only been to 2 of the places on the list and only 1 of them before I was 15. If I had to make my own list of things every family should do for vacation, it would be these (and only because they are the greatest of my family vacation memories):

Yellowstone National Park (on the previous list)


Jackson Hole, Wyoming (here is a link to 50 free things to do in WY)


Disneyland California


Hot Air Balloons in Crested Butte, Co


Purgatory, Colorado


Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Ut


Branson, Mo (Silver Dollar City)


Grand Teton National Park


Moab, Utah and Arches National Park


White water rafting in New Mexico


Skiing (or attempting to) in Red River, NM


Driggs, Idaho


Visiting the grandparents in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Sparks, Nevada, Dallas, Texas, Murray, Utah, Monroe, Utah, St. George, Utah, Lehi, Utah

My Grandpa and I

And last, but certainly not least, a Caribbean cruise

I have been fortunate to have hundreds of memories from family vacations. They are definitely some of the best times in my life. Some of those memories took place in the hotel rooms, in the car, or while sightseeing. But all of those memories happened with my mom, dad, brother, and sister. I love family vacations and I look forward to creating more memories with them.

Another Country

I love watching House Hunters International. It really makes me want to explore living in another country. It seems so fun and adventurous. I wonder what it would be like to be a mother in another culture or another country. I watched an episode in Tokyo. The family chose an apartment in an enormous sky rise in the city. What a different life that would be to living in the suburbs! Another episode was in Spain. That country is absolutely beautiful! One couple who were shopping for a place to live in Holland chose a houseboat. Do people actually live on boats?

Ronda, Spain

Have you or anyone you know lived in another country? What were some of the differences/similarities to parenting in those places? Do the terrible 2's exist? If not, I'm moving tomorrow! ;)

She Loved Being a Mother

Stumbled upon this blog today. It was a good kind of stumble.

Help David & Kaci Cox Family

Towards the middle of the page are suggestions to get to know Kaci. My recommendations are "Her Story...", "Witness her fight...", and "The Life of a Mother". Definitely gives me a new perspective on important things.

In to the Future

Every now and then I see Sara doing something and wonder if it's some sort of insight in to her future. Like the fact that she loves to color and make crafts. Will she grow up to be an artist? Or that she has become a master negotiator. For example:

Sara: I have two candies, Mommy?
Me: No, just one please.
Sara: I have one candy now and one candy tomorrow?
Me: You mean later?
Sara: I have two candies now, Mommy?

For the sake of her spouse, I hope she doesn't choose law school. But maybe she could use her great negotiation skills as a business executive. Also, she loves the water. She is a little fish! Maybe she'll grow up to be an Olympic swimmer. A couple of weeks ago she found a pole at a restaurant and was swinging around it. Hopefully that doesn't translate in to a future career.

I love the age she is at, but it is kinda fun to think about what she'll be like when she grows up. An artist? A missionary? A teacher? A doctor? A Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? A mom? Whatever she chooses, I'm not in a hurry for her to grow up, but I am sure excited to see who she'll become.

Kicking and Screaming

I found this yesterday and forgot to post it. Good tips!

When consulting parents with children who frequently throw fits, I use this comparison, “If I could go to my boss, throw a big fit and get the day off with no consequences… I would do it all the time, too.” For this reason, I make it a point to never give into temper tantrums. Occasionally, my five-year-old son likes to test me, especially in public places. Why public places? Because he is brilliant and likes to get me when my defenses are down. So, yesterday when he started throwing a tantrum at church, I was prepared using Love and Logic parenting skills.

1. Stay calm. Deep breathes. Realize it is their attempt of gaining control and not a direct reflection on your parenting. If someone judges you, they obviously haven’t experienced the “terrible twos” or the even more terrible threes. Usually, the other moms will look at you with compassion or even offer to help.
2. Give the child two choices, either choice you are fine with. If they refuse to make a choice, make it for them.
3. Walk away or ignore the fit. If you are in a public situation, you can leave. This may include carrying the child or pushing them in a cart. When the child is not getting attention for the behavior, the fit usually stops quicker.
4. Don’t react, even when they make statements about hating us or being the meanest mommy ever. If they think they are getting to us, they are winning. We can be better than any toy robot, “If I push this button, what will mommy do?” Use the broken record responses from Love and Logic. Like, “Nice try, mommy loves to much to let you get your way when you throw a fit, probably so, etc.”
5. Use empathy while enforcing natural (reasonable) consequences. “It’s really sad that you don’t get to take your Lego to class however if you continue to throw a fit you will not be able to play Legos for two days.” You can also delay telling them what the consequences will be if you want time to think or consult about it.
6. Give the child time to chill out or regroup. They may need something to eat or a nap. (I know I’m ornery when I’m tired or hungry). Don’t lecture them about the behavior; let the consequences do the teaching. This maintains our relationship with them and doesn’t let them blame us. We are showing them that we love them unconditionally but there are consequences for our choices.

For more information visit Love and Logic. http://www.loveandlogic.com/

Happy 100th Anniversary

I don't plan to live long enough to celebrate a 100th Anniversary of anything, but today is the 100th Anniversary of National Women's Day. Who knew we even had a day? Shouldn't this day be more recognized? For those working women, I think it certainly deserves a day off. And who doesn't need an excuse for their husband or significant other to buy them a gift?

Okay, so really, in honor of this day, President Obama made a statement:

On this 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, we celebrate the extraordinary gains made by women over the past century—and the women pioneers who made them possible—and we reaffirm our unwavering support for the rights, security, dignity and opportunity of all women around the world. Today reminds us that across countries and cultures, people everywhere, women and men, share rights and aspirations that are universal, among them the freedom to chart their own destiny, to raise their children free from violence and to live in societies that value their voice and respect their will.

History shows that when women and girls have access to opportunity, societies are more just, economies are more likely to prosper and governments are more likely to serve the needs of all their people. That is why my administration has stood up for gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world and demanded an end to sexual and gender-based violence. It’s why we’re developing a plan to promote women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention and resolution in war torn societies. And it’s why we are working to advance these goals and our national interests by strengthening the role of women in every aspect of our foreign policy. In the United States and around the world, we will not rest until our mothers, sisters and daughters assume their rightful place as full and equal members of a secure, prosperous and just world.

Thank you, Mr. Obama.

Exemplary Parenting

I was so touched by this amazing Dad!
Before you stop reading because it requires watching a video, I promise that you will feel an amazing love as you watch this video; a love that can offer the lift you might need today.
Enjoy the next 4 minutes of your life.

Running a lifelong race
Tuesdays in Tucson,

Brandi

Spring is in the Air!

Of course, it's been in the 80's for a few days now here in AZ which is like summer in other states, but it's Spring here! I have to say, this is my favorite time of year. Being able to be outside 10 months out of the year really makes AZ a great place to live. It's just those 2 darn months called "Ridiculously Hot" and "You've Gotta Be Kidding Me Hot" that are annoying.


So Spring Break is just around the corner and I got to thinking... for those of you moms who have kids in school and then all the sudden - WHAMO, they're home for a whole week. What do you do to keep yourself sane and your kids busy? I'd imagine you get in to your own little routine during the day and get used to going to the grocery store with a few less kids in tow. So how do you manage?

I have decided that when I have another baby, I'm going to enlist the assistance of a part-time nanny. I'm just not willing to give up my 'me time' and all the incredibly great TV shows that I get to watch during Sara's nap time. You may think I sound a little bit selfish and that's okay. I am. But I have turned over a new leaf in light of the season of Spring. I am going to do my best to be a good mom while maintaining a sense of reality and that is, some of us are just not cut out for a life like the Duggars. And I am totally okay with that.

My Mom Must Have's of 2011

Here we are and it's already March, I can't believe it. These first 3 months have sort of been a whirlwind. I was just thinking about what I still want to accomplish or need for 2011 and compiled a list of my very own must have's. What are some of your must-have's for the year?

1) Comfy Shoes. Forget wearing flip flops all summer long. I wore them last summer and since it's hot here 6 months out of the year, by the time cold weather came, my feet were really feeling the effects of uncomfortable shoes all summer.
2) More American Idol, please! I am absolutely loving this season. Seriously, I am blown away at the talent. It's just incredible. There are about 6 guys and 3 girls that I think have the chance to win it all. BEST. SEASON. EVER. (so far) Not to mention JLo is beautiful!



3) My tooth fixed. A few weeks ago, I was playing outside with Sara and had a glass of water with me. I took a drink and knocked my front tooth in the process. I didn't think anything of it until I felt something hard in my mouth. When I pulled it out, I realized it was part of my tooth! I apparently chipped my front tooth when I hit it with the glass. I have a dentist appointment schedule to get it fixed. It's not super noticeable, but it is driving me crazy!


4) Speaking of mouths.... Red Lipstick! I am always so jealous of girls I see wearing red lipstick when it looks amazing on them. I usually wear really natural looking make-up, so red lipstick would be a big step for me. I tried some on at MAC last weekend and Cameron thought it looked ridiculous, but I'm willing to try to get used to it. I couldn't afford the $14.50 MAC kind, but bought some at Wal-Mart for $.99. Now I just need to get up the guts to actually wear it out in public somewhere.


5) A Blue tooth, so I can talk on the phone and people will drive by and think, "Who is that girl talking to?" Actually, Sara and I went to the zoo yesterday and I saw a mom with one. Just then she got a phone call and was able to give her toddler snacks, push the stroller, and point out the animals all while talking on the phone. I was totally inspired. I don't talk on the phone very much, but it would certainly be more convenient and better for my complexion if I didn't have to hold a phone up to my ear.


6) A pedicure. I finally have 2 big toenails!! I know it seems silly to you, but I have suffered through 2 small operations and more shots than I care to remember to get those little guys. They are there and I am ready for them to be pampered.


7) A vacation. Because once I've got my smile fixed, my red lipstick on, and all 10 toenails painted, I need a beach! We've got a little vacation planned later this summer. Woo hoo!!


8) A new dress. Cameron bought me a gift certificate to Shabby Apple for Valentine's Day, so now I just need to decide which one I want. There are so many cute ones, but this is one of my favorites:


9) To get knocked up. Hopefully in the course of the next 9 months I will be pregnant with baby #2. I'm not pregnant right now, nor are we trying. I don't like to say, "Yes, we are trying to get pregnant" because then if we don't, I feel like we failed somehow. So, yes, I would like to get pregnant this year. We'll see if it actually happens.

10) And last, but certainly not least... my Mom and Dad to come home. They are coming home from their mission this summer and I can't wait! I am so excited to see them and spend time with them, but more importantly - I am so excited for them to get to know Sara and the sweet, happy, fun little girl that she is. She already knows her "Nana and Papa in Chile" cause we look at pictures and talk about them. She loves the little notes they send her and I know she is just going to love all the hugs and kisses she'll get when they come home.

(This picture was taken when they were set apart, I was pregnant with Sara)

Underpayed but Eternally Rewarding

THE INVISIBLE MOTHER

One of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask
to be
taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the
phone?'

Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or
sweeping
the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can
see
me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair
of
hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open
this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a
clock
to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number
is
the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

Some days I'm a crystal ball; 'Where's my other sock?, Where's my
phone?,
What's for dinner?'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes
that studied history, music and literature -but now, they had
disappeared
into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's
going,
she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a
friend from England. She had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and
she
was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there,
looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not
to
compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when
she
turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought
you
this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly
sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: '

With admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would
discover
what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could
pattern my work: 1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we
have
no record of their names. 2) These builders gave their whole lives for a
work they would never see finished. 3) They made great sacrifices and
expected no credit. 4) The passion of their building was fueled by their
faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A story of legend in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny
bird
on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you
spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered
by
the roof, No one will ever see it And the workman replied, 'Because God
sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was
Almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you. I see the sacrifices you
make every day, even when no one around you does.

No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake
you've
baked, no Cub Scout meeting, no last minute errand is too small for me
to
notice and smile over. 

You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As
one of
the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to
work
on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book
went
so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime
because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend
he's
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the
morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3
hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd
built a
monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if
there
is anything more to say to his friend, he'd say, 'You're gonna love it
there...'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're
doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will
marvel,
not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to
the
world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.

April Lynn Konyu