Library Trip

We made our way to the library as a family + grandma & grandpa. We scattered as each had an idea of what he'd like to find. I checked out The Glass Castle. I've seen it recommended on more than one blog while surfing. I never would have picked it up otherwise. It's a memoir relating a girl's childhood with her non-traditional, eccentric, and basically homeless parents. Makes me very grateful for the parents I had. Makes me want to be a better parent.




After our visit, Jessica tucked her book under her arm and marched out toward the car.

I called out to her and asked her to turn and show me which book she choose. She pretended not to hear me. "Jessica, show Mommy which book you got at the library." And she gave me this pose.

"Jessica, turn so I can see you." I'm not kidding when I say it's nearly impossible to photograph her looking toward the camera.

(Yes, she is facing backwards with her book on her bottom. She turned her head to the side).

Blessed

This was the first Sunday in six weeks that I made it to 9:00 a.m. Sacrament Meeting. I insisted that we get a family snapshot all together before we went to church. Jon's parents were able to travel and meet their new grandson on his blessing weekend.

We do miss sharing these special milestones with our extended family. I know they'd love to be here if we didn't live so far away. We feel their love and support. I'm also thankful for a ward family who steps up and makes days like this one meaningful.

Midnight Sun - Attention Twilight fans

First off let me just acknowledge that I've been tagged by Joanna and I'm NOT ignoring that. That post is on my to do list.

But, I have to post this for all Twilight fans. Jon's parents are in town this weekend for our baby blessing (a future post coming about that too) and his mom recently read Twilight with her bookclub. She shared this link with me. Stephenie Meyer has written the first chapter of Twilight from Edward's perspective. Eventually she would like to publish an entire novel called Midnight Sun. It's an entertaining read.

My heart took a picture

Sometimes we just don't have our cameras with us to capture the moments we want to remember. Other times it would be completely inappropriate to start clicking away. Such it was today in sacrament meeting. Baby Jayson was so handsome in his blessing outfit. He had his arms relaxed up over his head while he dozed in James' lap. Jacob leaned in from the right trying to encourage Jayson to grasp his finger. Jessica stood between the pews and bent to kiss Jayson's forehead again and again. I looked down the row at my four beauties all huddled together and my heart took a picture.

Back at home I snapped this picture which gives you a feel for the little moment I had at church.

We Are Family

We had a very fun church activity tonight. Our family arrived precisely 19 minutes late and the ward family feud was already underway. We found our way to the last available table to set up our family display. We put out: our SLC Olympic 2002 blanket (representing our Utah roots and regular visits), Disneyland scrapbook, baby pictures of the kids, princess crown & accessories, Luigi, & Lego Star Wars fighter. I also wrote a mini summary for each family member.

We passed the first round of fun questions about ward members and went on to play the orange pass game. Jacob, Jessica, Jon, & I lined up. It's the silly game you play where you can't use hands and have to pass the orange from neck to neck down the row. This is a GREAT game to play with families because you aren't afraid to hug real close.

The sweetest part of the deal was that each family shared a family treat. Talk about delicious choices. I was partial to the chewy chocolate chip cookies & the candied popcorn - YUMMY. We decided to share our family favorite that we call Poppy Cake. It's become tradition for us to bake it up every Christmas and share with our friends.

I've decided to share the recipe just in case you can't wait until the holidays. We actually bake 6 loaves at a time during December, but I usually mix it in batches of 4 loaves because that's what fits in my mixer.

POPPY SEED BREAD (4 loaves)
4 c. sugar
6 eggs
3 c. milk
1 1/2 c. oil
1 T. butter buds
1 T. almond extract
1 T. vanilla extract
1 T. baking powder
1 T. salt
3 T. poppy seeds
6 c. flour

I add it all to my generic Bosch mixer and give it a whirl. Truth is that I actually use my powdered milk & powdered eggs with no problem. Spray 4 loaf pans (I don't even flour them). Bake about 50-60 minutes (depending on how deep your pans are). Cool for about 10 minutes in pans. Remove from pans & cool completely.

ORANGE GLAZE (I like it thick. You can adjust the oj to your liking. Covers 4 loaves)
3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. orange juice
3/4 t. vanilla extract
3/4 t. almond extract
3/4 t. butter buds

Game Over

Every Friday I receive an e-mail from BabyCenter entitles "Your Baby This Week." Today the e-mail talked about typical milestones of a 6 week old baby. It also mentioned how many mothers begin to feel isolated because they are at home busy with baby and not socializing as much. They also include advice like, "Don't forget to Laugh!" and this little cartoon.

Oops! Too late. We must have kept playing the game after it was over. Is it funnier if the score is 2 to 4?

Can't do it all

I am out of dish soap, but we keep the baby wash by the sink. So my dishes smell of fresh lavender. My poor baby smells like spit up since all the dishes have filled the sink where his little tub fits and he hasn't been bathed. Maybe tomorrow.

Shout Out to Lisa

A special thanks to my friend Lisa who sent this adorable outfit to Jayson. He was the most handsome guy at church today.

Worth Waiting For

After 9 long months of nausea, dizziness, extreme fatigue, heaviness, and pain PLUS 5 weeks of around the clock feedings, I got my payback. On Friday evening (or Saturday morning) around 2 a.m. Jayson looked me in the eyes and smiled - more than once. I'm TOTALLY smitten and can't wait until he does it again. This picture was a lucky grab of one of Jayson's slumbering grins. A-DOR-able!!!

School Daze

Lyrics:

I’m in a daze
I’m movin fast
Being in school is such a blast
Reading books and writing
Are things I find exciting
I’m in a daze oh yeah I’m in a daze

James had his 3rd Grade program on Thursday evening - entitled School Daze. It was a clever little presentation that James talked about for weeks. His big contribution was running around on stage during the "Walk Don't Run" song. The hall monitors caught him and confined him to the back of the stage.

James takes learning the program very seriously because he is a good student, but he is not an animated performer. It really is horrifyingly embarrassing for him to be on stage with everyone watching. I thought he did a great job. Kudos to you James!