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I am very bad at doing "tags" (so if you've ever tagged me and felt ignored, please accept my apologies).  They often seem like e-mail chains…avoidable on all levels!  But this is one I haven't seen before, and it came from Dana, so I thought I would waste some time and participate!  For those of you non-bloggers, a "tag" is when someone blogs about things about themself (usually specific questions) and then "tags" people so the questions will continue from blog to blog – very chain mail-ish, like I said. 🙂

But here are the rules for this one: Answer each of the following questions with a picture from google images.  You may only choose a picture from the first page of your google image search.

1. My age: 32 (but only for 5 more days!)

 

2. Place I've been: Lucerne, Switzerland

 

3. Place(s) I want to visit: Banff, Canada and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (next year maybe?!)

 

4. Favorite place: HOME (or anywhere if my 4 guys are there)

5. Favorite object: If I were in a fire I'd want to grab my scriptures, my scrapbooks and the diamond necklace Derek gave me when he graduated from MBA school (oh, yeah and my kids :).  

 

6. Favorite Food: This one is easy…Mexican!

 

7. Favorite color: I love brown + anything, but I especially love this combo…

 

8. Birthplace: Big D…Texan, thru and thru.

 

9. Current hobby: Blogging

 

10. Favorite Memory: Birth of Children (no, that's not my child!)

 

11. Bad Habit: Root Beer

 

12. What I'm Doing Now: blogging would be the obvious answer, but I already have that picture, so I'm going to say "counting Box Tops" (t's that time of year again)!

We did it.  Our Hawaiian Luau went off without a hitch.  And in grand fashion, I must say! 

Here's the menu:

Lava Flow Pina Coladas (they had strawberry puree at the bottom)

Coconut Shrimp with Chili-Lime Sauce

Aloha Pineapples (pineapple wrapped in bacon)

Purple Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Mango Salsa (I made this dish up myself!)

Kaui Fisherman's Soup (one of my favorites)

Maui Corn Salad (ok, this was a favorite too)

Guava-Mango Sorbet (served in coconut shells)

Grilled Pork Loin with Pineapple Relish and Snap Peas

Passion Fruit-Mango Herb Tea

Molten Chocolate Souffle (to die for!)

Island Macaroons (the take-home gift)

   

 

Everything was outside and beautifully decorated (thanks to Donna – she is the prima table setter – I stick to the paper goods (menus, place cards, recipe books).  We had tiki torches, hurricanes, and votive candles. We had ordered fresh orchids to scatter on the table and put in our guests' hair.  Everyone received a shell lei on arrival.  And we had Hawaiian music (Iz, Don Ho, etc.) playing in the background. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

 

One of the best treats of the night was having both of our moms there.  I think they really enjoyed themselves and were impressed with the amount of work that went in to it.  But it was just fun to treat them to such a nice meal.  I honestly think my mom thought that I would NEVER cook when I was a teenager…I resisted all things domestic! 🙂

(Nancy, Christi and Myrna)

Another treat was working alongside our very supportive husbands…Derek had been out of town and flew in to help.  Donna's husband Scott worked all afternoon helping us set up.  And then the two guys were in the kitchen all night helping us plate food and wash dishes.  You can't imagine the kind of mess that something like this creates – it's immense and overwhelming!  But these guys did a lot of the clean-up and we were so grateful.  Good guys…

Thanks for my friends Christi and Emily for helping with my kids that day – what a relief.  I didn't even see little Samuel all day – but I think he had more fun that way! 

On Saturday I could barely move, I was so sore from standing and running and bending over a counter.  And then on Sunday I fought with a stomach bug – I think my body was exhausted.  The amount of work that goes in to these evenings is amazing.

To end, I want to say a little about my GC partner Donna.  She's my neighbor, but mostly my friend.  I have been so blessed by this across-the-street friendship.  During the intense final weeks of Gourmet Club we have our "moments" definitely – we don't always see eye-to-eye on things (although I think we do it respectfully and sometimes even without saying anything!), but I am so blessed to have her in my life.  I love to shoot the breeze with her about landscape, recipes, raising kids, etc.  We call each other anytime we need ingredients (case in point – Derek made french toast on Sunday only to realize that we were out of syrup – so we called Donna).  She loves my children, and they adore her.  Samuel has even fallen asleep in her lap at church before.  My kids fight over who gets to run to Donna's for something.  And she's always looking out for them for me.  She's the one we call in emergencies.  She was always our go-to girl when I was pregnant with Samuel.  She always took the big kids to church, and she took the kids the day I went in to labor.  She knows where things are in my house, and vice versa.  She's smart and classy and sophisticated.  She is detail oriented, which makes for an amazing presentation at our Gourmet Club dinners.  And she's a wonderful cook (much better than I).  She also has a charitable heart and we have been so blessed to be planted in eye-shot of her good family.  In a world where many people don't know their neighbors that well…I feel so lucky to have this one-of-a-kind relationship.

 

After everyone left, I couldn't move, so I decided to lay down right where I was…who cares if I'm twice a big as the step!

 

I just needed to take a minute tonight to record the fact that I had a GREAT day with my kids.  I feel like I probably complain too much sometimes.  But today my kids and I had a wonderful time together and it reminded me of how grateful I am for them.  First, I attended a meeting to discuss Girls Camp for next year that went two hours and Samuel was a dream – he just hung out.  And then this evening I had a lot of work to do for Gourmet Club.  Frankly, I wasn't looking forward to the errands I had to run tonight – especially since I would have all three boys in tow.  But we made a Target run, ate dinner at Wendy's, and then spent an hour and a half at the grocery store (and we went past bedtime).  And can I just tell you – they were angels!  The big boys made sculptures out of the twisty ties to entertain themselves, and Samuel was content as long as I kept handing him things to hold.  I praised them up and down for the good behavior, and they took pleasure in it and rewarded me back with continued patience and long-suffering.  Such a little thing, but I am humbled and grateful to be there mom.  I am not always a barrel of patience, let me tell you.  But tonight I feel content and satisfied in my role as Jacob, Caleb, and Samuel's mom.

Tomorrow Samuel will have his 4th session of speech therapy with Ms. Kristin, a sweet, loving, bright woman who comes to our home every Wednesday.  He loves when she comes (despite the lack of a smile in the picture – it was at the end and he was tired and hungry).  She has taught us some great tools to help him "find his voice".  When we started he was ONLY saying "uh-oh", signing "eat", and barking like a dog (which he does VERY well).  He is now able to do the sign language for "more", "please", "help", and is learning "airplane" and "open" (which he's done twice this week) and "drink".  He now calls me "ma-ma" (emphasis on second -ma), but only when he wants something urgently.  He uses it constantly when he's trying to get my attention in the car.  He can also "moo" like a cow and occasionally make a monkey sound. 

These are very small steps, but it indicates progress, which is more than what we had a month ago.  I'm super pleased with progress, and so is Samuel!  I can tell that he is happier now that he can communicate more of his needs.  Now if we could just get a "da-da" – that would be great!

Sidenote: Our friend/neighbor, Donna, was in nursery at church with him this past Sunday.  She had a sheet of stickers and was giving each child one.  When she came to Samuel he took the sticker and then made the sign for "more".  She, having been in our home all the time, knew that he had been working on it and gave him another.  "More", he signed again.  She just kept giving him stickers… The kids looked like he had measles when he came out – stickers all over his face and shirt!  And he fell asleep that way on the way home.  I thought it was so sweet that she felt so strongly about reinforcing his hard-earned communication skill! 

Besides learning that both the boys are doing great academically, making friends, being respectful to their teachers, and showing great leadership abilities (Jacob's teacher swears that he will someday run for President), we also learned the following:

Caleb's teacher: "The only thing that I have to talk to Caleb about is not getting distracted with all of the girls.  They all love him!  They offer him their sweaters and beg to sit by him, and I have to remind him to focus on his work."  Same story – different year. 🙂

Jacob's teacher: "One of the small things I'd like him to work on is just being willing to work with the girls in the class.  He's not mean to the girls…but I'd like to see him communicate and team-build with them a little more.  Some of them are very shy and quiet and he can sometimes dominate in a group setting."

Could these two boys be any different?!

The good news is that we LOVE each of their teachers.  They are having great years at school, and we feel so grateful (especially now that we know the alternative).  Jacob's anxiety level is way down, and seems to enjoy the learning again.  Caleb is happy and cheerful about school.  And when they're happy – I'm happy.

I wrote this post on Friday – but decided to hold on to it…it didn't feel right to publish it just yet.  This morning we received word that the friend I mention in this post, Nita Shanafelt, died.  She was a wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  She will be sorely missed and was loved for her gentle, quiet and humble ways.  My experience with her this week was one I will treasure.  I bought her an Arby's turkey sandwich because she was so hungry.  She had been on a strict diet of broth and berries but was so weak and hungry.  We giggled about hiding her "contraband" and I swore I would take the fall if anyone saw it. :)  Samuel was with me that day and he would giggle in the back seat or point and grunt at birds and cows, and she would lay her head on the headrest and smile.  Her tears flowed easily as she talked about her kids and her sisters, who had just been visiting.  Thank you, Nita, for reminding me to savor every day and to not take them for granted.  You are loved.

One of my favorite singer/songwriters is Hilary Weeks, an LDS artist.  Dana first introduced me to her music years ago and 5 CD's later, I'm still hooked.  Her latest CD is called "If I Only Had Today".  And that title track is my favorite on the album.  It's a beautiful song, and the chorus talks about what she would do if she only had today…

I'd hold you and listen

And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

And for once I'd just let the phone ring

Then I'd remind you of forever

And how our love would never change

If I only had today

This week I got to spend the better part of the day – 6 hours to be exact – with a woman from church who has lymphoma.  This is her second battle with the disease.  The first she won, but only temporarily.  Now she battles again, but to no avail.  I am only one of many friends and "sisters" who have helped her.  This week, I simply answered a call for help in taking her to an alternative treatment about an hour from her home.  But I had no idea what a blessing it would be to share that time with her.  Her journey is ending…heaven is close.  Being able to visit with her and listen and feel her heart was an experience I will never forget. 

It has left me pondering this week – how would I want to spend my last days?  What choices would I make?  And I reflect on this song, and I'm sure that I know exactly how I would want to spend it.  With my family.  With my friends.  Holding their hands.  Sharing love.  Offering hope.  Kissing cheeks.  Telling stories.  Remembering.  Reminding. 

I'd hold you and listen

I'd memorize every detail of your face

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

I wouldn't let excuses get in the way

Then I'd remind you of forever

And how our love would never change

If I only had today.

I've learned a lot about this little Kindergartener while he's been sick!

He wants three cars when he grows up:

A Chrysler minivan ("for his wife to drive") – he likes it because he's seen the commercials that show it has seats that swivel and a table that you can put in the middle and eat from/play cards, etc.

A red corvette or Mustang…convertible, of course

A yellow Jeep because "they're cool" and he'll need something in the mountains where he's going to live.

He wants to be a policeman and an Olympic gymnast.  "How are you going to do both?" I ask.

"I'll be a policemen and then when I retire, I'll train for the Olympics."

Love that kid!

Sidenote: He got in trouble last week at school for TWICE getting caught holding hands with Ava, our very cute down the street neighbor (the only other time he's been in trouble was for TALKING to Ava).  I was concerned, until learning that my conservative, very obedient, and highly successful girlfriend, Dana, also held hands with a boy in Kindergarten.  I had nightmares of teenage years!  We have made it clear that the hand-holding needs to stop, especially since it's distracting him from what he should be doing (learning!).  But it didn't help one bit when we drove by her house the other day and she was playing in the sprinklers in her animal-print bikini!  Derek turned to me and whispered "distract him!", but it was too late and we heard "oh look, there's Ava".  We're in trouble… :) 🙂

Just got back from the doctor's office and Caleb has strep throat.  He's miserable – and when I looked down his throat this morning at 5:45 am and saw both of his tonsils touching in the middle, I knew it was bad. :(  The worst part is the dr. said no school tomorrow, and it's the Kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch.  His little pale face dropped and he cried big tears.  Poor guy.

And Samuel has ant (or spider?) bites in his diaper folds.  I couldn't find any hydrocortisone (despite KNOWING that we have some somewhere around here) so I used diaper ointment on the bites.  Does diaper creme help with itchy bites?  Hmmmm…  It better!  At least until I find the real stuff!

I was just giddy with excitement over getting to spend almost 4 days with Dana and Shelley.  We could have gone anywhere, and it would be fun.  But we headed to Colorado!  We spent the first evening in downtown Denver – restaurants, shopping and a huge suite in our hotel.  No schedule, no hurry – but never lacking for conversation or laughs…I was thoroughly relaxed.  And we came to find out that John McCain was speaking in our same hotel just hours after we left…so sad to miss that, but we had somewhere to be!

On Thursday we headed to our true destination…Fort Morgan, Colorado…home to the Sweetwater House, a scrapbook retreat, bed-and-breakfast-style home.  It was PERFECT!  I was smitten from the moment we drove up.  A large old house – completely remodeled and decorated with classic style.  The wood working was to die for, the linens and bathrooms were pristine, the ambiance was quaint, and the wrap-around porch was just icing on the cake.  This mom and two daughters who own the place also design scrapbook supplies, and we worked on 6 different scrapbooks that were so fun.  I took many of my favorite pictures and enjoyed creating something that my family can enjoy.  And then there was the FOOD – all homemade, all delicious, served in a beautiful way.  It really was like heaven!  And then to think that I got to do all of that with two of my favorite people – well, it almost seemed like too much!  It was so indulgent! 

Dana and Shelley are like manna for me.  I feel nourished after being with them.  We have honest and warm discussions about things that are important and timely.  We talk about motherhood and marriage.  We talk about the joys of living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We talk about Church assignments and school activities.  We talk about books.  We talk about politics and the economy.  We talk about silly things (that's mostly me).  We talk in our sleep (Dana can stay in a conversation even when she's fallen asleep!).  We laugh (a lot), but we also build each other up.  And I'm so grateful for these special friendships.  I'm so thankful that with us – three is never a crowd.  I'm so thankful to know that I am safe with them, and loved for who I am.  Several of the other ladies that came for the scrapbook retreat (strangers who became friends!) commented on how special the relationship between the three of us was.  It made me stop and reflect – how lucky am I to be considered a friend by these two.  Friendships like these are rare.  And another rare and unique element to our friendship is that our husbands and children enjoy each other too (or at least pretend to for our sakes)! 

   

    

   

   

 

When we scheduled our girl’s trip to Colorado, I knew I needed to see if I could get a family visit in too.  And gratefully, my family was so gracious and drove and planned in order to get us all together.  My generous Aunt Carol left work to come get me from the airport and my Grandpa and Grandma Joan drove up from Colorado Springs to Denver (not an everyday thing for them).  And two of my cousins that I haven’t seen in YEARS took the time to come to lunch.  It was so wonderful to visit with them and get to know them better.  One of them is my Aunt Carol’s daughter, Kristin.  The other is Emily, the daughter of my Uncle John.  Thank you all for coming to lunch!  I loved it, and I know it was especially neat for my Grandpa to have 3 of his 4 granddaughters all together (he said so himself).

Emily, Kristin, Meredith, Grandpap, and Grandma Joan

Cousins – Emily, Kristin and Mer.