Thursday, November 10, 2011

I'm a proud Mama!

TJ came home from school with a writing assignment that he got a A+ on. I sat to read it, and was pleasantly surprised! He has never written anything like this before. How fun to see the growth and talents of a child! Here is what he wrote:

5 Slow Minutes

It was the most miserable 5 minutes in my 13 years that I remember! That Friday had nothing wrong with it until the shredding sound of an electric guitar started playing, a prism started dancing in my pocket, and a bead of sweat racing across my cheek. I knew I was standing on a mousetrap coming to snap me to the ground.

She looked over to me, as Mrs. Tobar always finds out about who did what in class. She took her choice of steps carefully towards me as if she were a lion stalking its prey, I thought to myself, sweating like a beast, yet the skin was colder than the frostbitten winters!

Once she was done stalking over, she put out her claw to reach for the source of the music. I took out the prism, handed it to her, and watched it fade away into her desk. 2:50! I left school without a phone.




I love to write and it's very exciting to read the work of my own son as he learns the skill of using words. Very exciting indeed! I can't wait to read other pieces he comes up with.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Children

I was more than pleased, when, at this last General Conference, a talk was given on the topic of children. Having as many children as we do, can cause quite a stir when going out into public. You can watch as people start counting the crew we have in tow. Their eyes grow wide and usually a comment is made such as this, "WOW! You've got your hands full!" Do ya really think so, I think sarcastically to myself as I plaster a smile on my face and say, "Yes we do!" At times my response is genuine and at others I'm simply frustrated and disgusted with people. That's when I hear in my head a quote from a comedian, "Here's your sign!" Of course it's hard to have a large family, but the blessings far outweigh the negatives!

In a world where so many people either choose not to have children, have only 2 or 3, or can not have children of their own, we are scrutinized. I receive varying responses from so many. Ones who so desperately want to have children of their own,smile and tell me how lucky I am. And they are correct. I am so very blessed! Those who have asked..."What made you keep having more after 3?" make me want to smack them for being so judgmental. But I refrain and try to remember that they simply don't understand.

Since when did it become another's right to judge a person/family for their choices? That's where this conference talk comes in. It brought me peace and comfort and reminded me that what I am doing is good and right, no matter what anyone else says or does.

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng

Having children is a personal choice. If your choice is to not have children, that is your right. If you choose to have 10 children, that, again, is your right. Either way, shouldn't we all focus more on loving people for who they are rather than picking them apart and telling them what we think they are doing wrong with their lives?
Our Father in Heaven loves each of us. He wants us each to be happy. And he wants us to love one another.

Each day, I will try to do even better at keeping my thoughts/comments in check. If I don't want to be judged, then I should not judge unrighteously either.

May we all try to love one another more and become more like the Savior each day!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

General Conference!

I look forward to this time of year with excitement and with the hope that I will learn what the Lord wants me to learn from General Conference. I missed the first part of the first sessions today, but caught the second half. I am always amazed, though I shouldn't be, at how the messages speak directly to my soul, to the things that I need to hear and know. I love listening to Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He always seems to be blessed to say just the right things for me. I am so thankful for a modern day Prophet and Apostles who listen to the promptings of the spirit and teach us those things we need to know. What a marvelous blessing in our lives. Especially as we are surrounded, in this world, by so much that is not good and right.

So, after I ate and sorted my garage sale finds from this morning, I came back to the computer, in hopes that I would be able to listen to the first half of the morning session. Thanks to byutv.org, I got my wish!

Richard G. Scott spoke and oh what a wonderful message. He talked of the importance of scriptures and the divinity of the Book of Mormon. His message strengthened my testimony so much. My determination to make reading the scriptures a part of my daily life is strengthened. I read now, but sometimes it's very sporadic. I want to do better, be better and understand more.

Of course, listening to the Prophet of the Lord can't compare to anything else. It's wonderful. President Monson is such a great example of a good sense of humor. I love it when he speaks! The announcement of more temples that will be built reconfirms my knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel. It is rolling forward! And blessing the lives of so many.

I love conference! I invite you to watch it. Go to lds.org or byutv.org to watch the sessions.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Only 8 1/2 weeks left!

Only 8 1/2 weeks left to go until my due date! It feels as though the time is going by so quickly and yet so slowly...at the same time. So strange! The girls' bedroom is painted, the crib is set up, the dresser is full of clothing, the car seat is waiting for it's occupant, the bouncy seat is bright and clean. The name is picked out...Cassie Brooke Elizabeth Cantwell.

The only thing I need to find is a used infant swing. I keep telling myself that I have PLENTY of time...but time keeps slipping quickly through my fingers. Before I know it I'm going to be bringing home this sweet little girl and cuddling her in my arms. I had better get ready!!

It's amazing how much more tired I have gotten with this pregnancy. It's almost as if my body hit 35 and decided that it couldn't possibly have the same kind of energy it did with previous pregnancies. I nap a lot more that I used to. I am so thankful that I have been fairly comfortable so far. Up until the last week or two I have slept fairly well and moved around pretty easily. Besides the dreaded, awful, terrible, yucky morning sickness that loves to plaque me in the beginning...this pregnancy has really gone very well. For that I am truly grateful!

My mind is reeling with the idea of having 6 children. It seems so strange! And so incomprehensible! And at the same time I know that with the help of my loving Heavenly Father, we will be able to make this work. I have a lot of faith that with His help anything is possible. I just keep telling myself ... it'll all work out and I feel at peace that it will!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Chocolate Pudding

So along with pregnancy comes a whole lot of cravings. This pregnancy seems I am craving even more than I used to. I figure it's due to spending 2 1/2 years sticking to the Weight Watchers plan so that I could finally lose all the weight I have gained over the years. Now, because I can't "diet" I want EVERYTHING! Hehe! This could be a bad thing!

I am constantly looking up recipes online and baking for my family. They have asked that I don't stop baking once this baby is born. Something tells me they've missed the goodies I used to make all the time. :) I LOVE to bake...and that doesn't exactly go very well with a "life style change" like Weight Watchers.

Every couple of days the house is filled with delicious smells of chocolate chip cookies, snicker doodles, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, no bake cookies, muffins, more cookies, and what ever else I feel like eating at the time.

Recently I decided that I really wanted some chocolate pudding but I didn't want to deal with all the artificial ingredients in the instant pudding found at the local grocery store and the all-natural products are extremely high in price. *Sigh* Therefore, I decided to search for a tasty recipe. And Hooray, I found it!


• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch (slightly heaping)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa (heaping)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 2 cups milk
Directions:
-Combine all dry ingredients in a small sauce pan until all lumps are gone and blended well.
-Add milk, whisk, and place on burner turned to med/high -- stir constantly until mixture thickens and begins to boil. Set timer for 1 minute and continue to stir.
-Remove from heat and add vanilla, stir well. Let sit for 5 minutes, stirring twice. Pour into serving dishes and either serve warm or chill in the refrigerator.


I never knew how tasty warm chocolate pudding could be. Now there's no need to buy that "stuff" at the store, especially when I can have something that tastes so much better. I can have chocolate pudding any time I want to! Empowerment! Hoorah! :)

Monday, August 29, 2011

Monday Morning

Today is the start of the second full week of the school year. Last week was crazy and busy and the routine I had created last year has become discombobulated and unusable. Having two children in middle school has created much less sleep for me! Sleep...will I ever get any again...maybe some day.

TJ seems to enjoy middle school. His friends that he made last year didn't end up in most of his classes and he's a little bummed. But I found that he is beginning to create new friendships already. I'm so thankful for that!

Alex went to school the first day of 6th grade and was nervous. The second day he came home and told me that middle school is going to be a piece of cake! I laughed! That's fantastic! What a great attitude to adopt after only two days. He is already making friends and connecting with old friends and he seems to be enjoying his school work. I'm hoping and praying that will continue.

So, with two in middle school, I must wake up at 6am, roll out of bed, stretch and carefully make my way down stairs to pull Alex from his deep slumber. He is not the kind of kid who wakes up easily and is not the type who can be left to get ready on his own. I stand in his room and gently call to him and coax him out of his warm bed, watch him climb down from the top bunk, and groggily find clothing to take to the bathroom. I remind him that he only needs 5 minutes in the shower and that he needs to be quick because there are two more people who need showers after he's done.

I climb, legs aching and tired, back up the stairs, now breathing heavily thanks to the sweet little Cassie who is 27 weeks gestation. I make my way to the kitchen, trying not to drag my feet as I walk, my legs still haven't recovered from the morning climb.

The counters in the kitchen are almost never clean in the morning. Go figure. I wash them down and begin making 5 lunches, all in a row. Each child likes his lunch a certain way, with certain items in it. Todd is no different. He feels a sandwich is not complete if it doesn't have chips to munch on along with it.

I hear Alex turn on the shower and note the time. In a few minutes I'll be descending the stairs again to tell him his time is up and he needs to finish.

TJ is quietly eating his breakfast at the table while I continue making lunches....slices of cucumber in this lunch...crunchy carrots in this one...two cookies for each lunch...Oh! Don't cut Todd sandwich in half...he's not a child...an apple in this lunch...peanut butter and jelly for Max, ham and cheese for Todd...and TJ...and Colin...I hope they eat it all today. Hmmm...what have I forgotten? Oh yes...Max needs an enzyme in his lunch. I blink my eyes, take a drink of cool water and try to clear my still sleepy head. Deep breath. I can stay awake for this...I know I can. I better get out Alex's medicine and vitamins so he can take them quickly.

Alex comes upstairs...takes his meds and vitamins and gets his breakfast ready. Today Alex is focused and is able to make good choices and get ready quickly. Thank goodness. Some days I spend most of my morning reminding him to stop talking so he can eat and get ready on time. Today was much more calm. A blessing.

Alyssa wakes up and I pick her up, sit in the kitchen chair, and hold her while smoothing her blond curls away from her face. She is calm now. I can put her down and continue.

TJ is done with his shower and is ready to help with chores. He feeds the lizard...oh I hope someone will want to take her home with them soon.

I pack the lunches in the lunch boxes and stuff them into the back packs....I don't want them to forget their lunch today. I remind the kids to put on deodorant, brush their teeth, put on their socks and shoes...go tell Dad it's time for morning prayer...do you have everything?...Goodbyes and I love you's and they head out the door. Now it's time to get Max and Colin finished. Deep breath. I'm so tired. How do other moms do this? Give myself a pep talk...I can do this.

Get the kids sitting down to eat breakfast...get dressed...brush teeth...feed the dog...get shoes and socks. Todd says his goodbyes and I love yous...kisses and hugs and Alyssa gives him "berzerts" to send him on his way. Now it's time for me to get dressed and ready to take the kids to school. Alyssa's dressed...curly hair going in all different directions...flip flops are on her feet...dog is in the kennel...it's time to get into the car. We drive the short distance to the school, pull in front of the building, park and let the boys out. More goodbyes and I love yous. Colin races to the door. Max takes his time. I watch to make sure they both make it inside and I drive home. A sigh of relief...that part of the day is done. Now on with the rest of my day. Maybe I'll find some energy somewhere...Once Cassie is born!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Yum!

I'm not usually the one in our family who craves or even desires fast food. Once in a while, it's okay, but definitely not on a regular basis. Every morning as I drive my two youngest boys to school I pass by our local McDonald's. In this small town there's not a lot to pass...don't blink...ya might miss the town!

This morning the temperature was a nice comfy 75 degrees. I rolled down my windows and turned Taylor Swift up as loud as I dared...someone we pass by might not enjoy Taylor as much as I do! So, when we passed by McDonald's my nose was assaulted with the smells of breakfast. I forced my foot to stay on the gas pedal and drove on by. I don't NEED fast food. No one does, for that matter. Then a wondrous thought came to me...I could make my OWN yummy hash browns!

Once I got Lady Bug settled into my bed, with a cup of milk, to watch a show, I went to work. I peeled and grated 4 potatoes and set them aside. Then I went to work make my Mother-in-law's Buttermilk Biscuit recipe. I love love love simple and easy. And this recipe is just that! While I waited for the oven to heat up I began my search online to find the trick for making good hash browns. Here's what I found...the more moisture you can get out of the potatoes, the crispier they will be.

(Lady Bug came running in to the kitchen to see what the yummy smells were. She spotted the biscuits right away and said, "Oh! Biscuits!")

For the hash browns...first I tried pressing them between paper towels, but that didn't seem to work as well as I had hoped. Next I got out a small colander, placed it on top of a bowl and pressed the grated potatoes into it. This worked like a charm!


At first I had too much oil in my pan. I poured some out, heated it up and proceeded to experiment with the hash browns. Here are some things to remember: don't make them too thin on the edges, as they will burn there...make sure you only have a tablespoon or two of oil or butter in the pan for each one, and drain them on paper towels. There...I think I got it all. Pretty simple really.



Next I decided I needed some eggs. I prefer my eggs to be cooked over medium. Yes...for those who don't know me...I'm a wee bit anal. I like the yoke runny and the whites COMPLETELY cooked. I can't stand runny whites. Makes me feel icky. Anyway...I cooked my eggs and then thought ...this meal isn't complete.

I'm the type of person who likes vegetables any time of the day. No meal is complete, in my opinion, without either a fresh fruit or veggie. So, today, I finished this meal off with a cucumber, strait from my Dad's and Sister's garden all the way from Maine. (It's my last one...sniff...sniff) Now, some people would say, "You can't eat cucumber with that! It's just doesn't go together!" Well...I say there ARE no rules with cooking. You can eat what you like and what sounds good together...any time you want to! So there!! :) For those of you who believe veggies don't go with breakfast...break out the fruit. Again... I say there are no rules with cooking! Then again...I don't like to do what I'm told!

I'm no Rachel Ray...for that I am certain. But I like food...good tasting food! Who doesn't?? :)


Today I'm starting out my day with crunchy, crispy hash browns, tasty fried eggs, mouth watering biscuits and crunchy delicious cucumbers! Where did the energy come from? I have no idea. What I do know is that I can't eat like this very often or Todd will have to roll me into the delivery room in November!