I'm so excited to have a new dinner idea for the family that we all love. My friend Tiffany shared her home made egg rolls while I was at her house and they were so delicious that I wanted to try it out.
Then, later, my friend Arianne was hanging out with me and she asked me what was for dinner and she said she'd help me take on these egg rolls for my first time!
They were a hit and both husbands said this recipe was a keeper.
Here's the thing. They weren't that hard. If you've made chicken enchilada's you can definitely tackle this one!
Egg Rolls
16 egg roll skins
1 recipe pork filling
Cooking oil for deep fat frying
Bottled sweet-and-sour sauce or
chinese style hot mustard
Pork Filling:
Saute
1 pound ground pork
2 tsp. grated gingerroot
2 clove garlic, minced.
Drain fat when no longer pink
Add:
1 cup finely chopped bok choy or cabbage
1 cup chopped water chestnuts
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
Stir Fry 2 minutes more.
Combine in bowl:
2 T. soy sauce
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp sugar
1/2 salt
Add to skillet. Cook and stir for 1 minute; cool slightly.
Instructions for wrapping should be on the wrap package. If not, use 1/4 cup of filling across and just below center of egg roll skin. Fold bottom corner over filling, tucking it under on th the other side. Fold side corners over filling, forming an envelope shape. Roll egg roll toward remaining corner. Moisten top corner with water; press firmly to seal.
In a heavy saucepan or deep-fat fryer heat 2 inches of oil to 365' Fry egg rolls a few at a time, 2 to 3 minutes or til golden brown.
Drain on paper towels.
Keep warm in a 300' oven while frying remainder. Serve warm with sauce.
I think the pork and wraps were the cheapest at Walmart by almost a dollar. But I buy gingerroot at HEB/Winco.
I'd love to hear if you try this. Later we made just veggie ones with lottsa extra cabbage, bean sprouts, chestnuts and carrots. We used dried ginger and Tony Chachery's Cajun seasoning, too.
So delicious!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"Funny-isms"
Looking at the world through the eyes of a child can be frustrating at times, but also really fun! When they're beginning to capture words to use to express how they understand their world it can be really amazing how you realize they are using their little brains...a lot.
I don't typically write down the things they say, which is probably really sad. They say so many very funny things. So before I forget them heres just a little bit of the conversations at our place.
Last night while laying in bed with Dad, Jamesen says,
"Daddy, I'm still hungry...I want another piece of bacon." Jake says "Bud theres a piece of bacon with your name on it and you may have it in the morning." "Nuh, uh, Daddy. Pens don't work on bacon only paper. You can't write on bacon."
Tonight Josh got food on his chin. As he cleaned it he touched it and asked "Mom is this my bottom cheek?"
I asked "what do you mean, Josh" He repeated himself, then touched his upper lip and asked "Is this a upper cheek?" "No Josh, that is your chip, and this is your upper lip."
(I never did clarify where his "bottom cheek" was. Ever mentioning that part of the body was just a taboo when you were around my mom!" :-)
One More: Jamesen was standing in front of Josh when he sneezed all over him. Josh said "Hey, don't bless-you on me!"
When I think of others I'll add them.
I don't typically write down the things they say, which is probably really sad. They say so many very funny things. So before I forget them heres just a little bit of the conversations at our place.
Last night while laying in bed with Dad, Jamesen says,
"Daddy, I'm still hungry...I want another piece of bacon." Jake says "Bud theres a piece of bacon with your name on it and you may have it in the morning." "Nuh, uh, Daddy. Pens don't work on bacon only paper. You can't write on bacon."
Tonight Josh got food on his chin. As he cleaned it he touched it and asked "Mom is this my bottom cheek?"
I asked "what do you mean, Josh" He repeated himself, then touched his upper lip and asked "Is this a upper cheek?" "No Josh, that is your chip, and this is your upper lip."
(I never did clarify where his "bottom cheek" was. Ever mentioning that part of the body was just a taboo when you were around my mom!" :-)
One More: Jamesen was standing in front of Josh when he sneezed all over him. Josh said "Hey, don't bless-you on me!"
When I think of others I'll add them.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Just Normal for us...Houston Living
So, we've lived here 7 months now and everyday life is different than we're used to but its becoming our normal.
So whats our normal...well let me explain a few occurrances of just this last week.
#1:
Wednesday night, the 21st - Ran over a 3 foot snake, probably a Western Cotton Mouth. It was thick and big looking. I turned the car around to get a good look at it. Next morning, I took the boys to go see it after dropping Jabren off, then had to take him to see it after school. By then it was just smashed...maybe I'm morbid for checking it out so much but it was huge. For all the near hits with animals I've had since moving here I knew it was inevitable.
For info on it check out: http://www.wf.net/~snake/moccasin.htm
#2:
Friday night, the 23rd- Went to the Houston Miller outdoor theatre - that offers free productions. Our Relief Society went to watch The Golden Dragon Acrobats of China. They were amazing and awesome, just wished the boys could have seen it. Absolutely incredible Here's a preview link if you want to see something amazing-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl8f2B9sVFY&feature=player_embedded.
Thankfully we were under the amphitheatre , because it down-poured. And its was completely free to the public...Houston is a huge supporter of the Arts-love it!
Okay but thats not the only reason for this #2, theres also what we watched happen in traffic on our way there. So, the drive into Houston has tollways, and regular freeways. I went with someone who had ez-tag for the tollways. Some of my friends, who I was going to go with, got stuck in traffic on the beltway.
As we drove above their road we saw tons of cop cars and a lot going on. Next to no traffic was moving and it was seriously backed up. We knew they weren't going to make it anytime soon.
So what was going on? We later found out. An unmarked semi truck was escorted off to the side of the road by the police. By the time our friends came to the scene (1 1/2 hrs after we passed it) the cops were escorting the truck off the main freeway and my friends took the same exit. The police drove to a bunch of coached buses with drivers waiting to drive away with the contents of the truck.
This semi truck was loaded with ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. The buses were there to load them up and send them back to MEXICO!!!
#3 Tuesday morning 28th - No warning except my dad had said something to me on Monday about there being heavy rainstorms coming right over us here. (He flies his airplane around, thus he keeps up on weather status'.)
I told him no rain, just a beautiful day. Well, 3 am Tuesday I awoke to extreme thunder, lightening, and rain. I lay there thinking "Well, now that its here, it'll be over soon". WRONG!!! I layed in my bed awake for almost two hours! (I usually sleep through most anything) An hour of it was intense Boom, rumble, crash, non stop lit up sky. So the other hour: down pour rain, thunder and lightening but at least it didn't feel like a war in heaven was happening over our house! I closed my eyes a lot hoping sleep would take me and it did for about 10 minutes before the little boys woke up just before 5 A.M. and thus our day began....Still rain and lightening, but it wasn't loud anymore.
Okay-here's the thing. Jake sat in traffic for 2 1/2 getting to work, cars were off in ditches. Some intersections in Houston were under 10+ feet of water. Schools closed for the day because teachers were flooded in. This was no simple desert thunderstorm. As water drained from roadways, they found fully submerged vehicles! Everywhere! There were so many lightening strikes they couldn't find where tornado's had hit on the radar even though they have strong evidence they did in area's east of Houston. Is this not crazy? This is insane! Our area was completely fine, and Jabren had school, but the news was full of vehicle recovery, passenger rescue, and homes that had had to rip out all the carpet in their homes because they had so much water. People interviewed on the news claimed the damage was far worse than anything Ike did to their area. Conclusion...at least hurricanes you get a warning time to get outta here!
Click here for a slideshow of the area flooding. http://www.click2houston.com/slideshow/news/19310359/detail.html
Thankfully, I didn't feel panicked. But it didn't even cross our minds to check the news to see if Jake should wait to go to work. It poured 10" during the night. To get perspective, thats about 4 inches away from my Idaho's yearly average-crazy.
So, I'm re-assessing what weather related activity precautions need to be made.
And finally:
#3: Swine Flu Fears:
So its in the news...usually whats in national news hasn't really come close to home for us. Well, our church leaders have been prepping us through church website info and local meetings that we should prepare for pandemics...so I'm thinking I should take more precautions. At the same time I'm thinking to myself "my kids rarely get sick with stuffy noses, colds, coughs or fevers." We'll probably be fine on this one since we haven't been to Mexico anytime recently. Then yesterday Jamesen had a good strong fever. (We haven't had one in so long I couldn't even find my thermometer) He was lethargic, and no appetite. So I'm thinking its just a fever, but "what if its not". So as I awoke in the night last night I start thinking what if its something worse, like swine flu...whats the worst case scenario...but its unlikely to be that so I told myself to chill out.
We've taken good care of him and all day today he's been fine, but as he sleeps right now I know he's not feeling good...maybe we pushed it too much today.
Then, today in Houston, the first US death to Swine flu was confirmed. A two year old boy who visited relatives in Mexico was sent back to Houston for health care.
(Not to mention, if I pulled Jabren out of school for a few days til the health scare calms down I could get fined $300-500 from the district for too many absences, already had a warning since he's missed 8 (2 for Idaho trip, 2 for family visits, and 4 for health related-my goodness, I mean really. This could carry on its own post but I'm not ready to go there....) Maybe they'd make exceptions considering our county has confirmed its first case today.
So there you have it...whats been on my mind, in my life and new world.
Please take this as just a place to unload. I'm not freakin' out or anything, so don't stress out on my behalf, please. It's just a different world, and we're adjusting and thats taking time and wanted to clue in anyone who made it to the end of this long rant on just what our life here is a bit like.
So whats our normal...well let me explain a few occurrances of just this last week.
#1:
Wednesday night, the 21st - Ran over a 3 foot snake, probably a Western Cotton Mouth. It was thick and big looking. I turned the car around to get a good look at it. Next morning, I took the boys to go see it after dropping Jabren off, then had to take him to see it after school. By then it was just smashed...maybe I'm morbid for checking it out so much but it was huge. For all the near hits with animals I've had since moving here I knew it was inevitable.
For info on it check out: http://www.wf.net/~snake/moccasin.htm
#2:
Friday night, the 23rd- Went to the Houston Miller outdoor theatre - that offers free productions. Our Relief Society went to watch The Golden Dragon Acrobats of China. They were amazing and awesome, just wished the boys could have seen it. Absolutely incredible Here's a preview link if you want to see something amazing-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl8f2B9sVFY&feature=player_embedded.
Thankfully we were under the amphitheatre , because it down-poured. And its was completely free to the public...Houston is a huge supporter of the Arts-love it!
Okay but thats not the only reason for this #2, theres also what we watched happen in traffic on our way there. So, the drive into Houston has tollways, and regular freeways. I went with someone who had ez-tag for the tollways. Some of my friends, who I was going to go with, got stuck in traffic on the beltway.
As we drove above their road we saw tons of cop cars and a lot going on. Next to no traffic was moving and it was seriously backed up. We knew they weren't going to make it anytime soon.
So what was going on? We later found out. An unmarked semi truck was escorted off to the side of the road by the police. By the time our friends came to the scene (1 1/2 hrs after we passed it) the cops were escorting the truck off the main freeway and my friends took the same exit. The police drove to a bunch of coached buses with drivers waiting to drive away with the contents of the truck.
This semi truck was loaded with ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. The buses were there to load them up and send them back to MEXICO!!!
#3 Tuesday morning 28th - No warning except my dad had said something to me on Monday about there being heavy rainstorms coming right over us here. (He flies his airplane around, thus he keeps up on weather status'.)
I told him no rain, just a beautiful day. Well, 3 am Tuesday I awoke to extreme thunder, lightening, and rain. I lay there thinking "Well, now that its here, it'll be over soon". WRONG!!! I layed in my bed awake for almost two hours! (I usually sleep through most anything) An hour of it was intense Boom, rumble, crash, non stop lit up sky. So the other hour: down pour rain, thunder and lightening but at least it didn't feel like a war in heaven was happening over our house! I closed my eyes a lot hoping sleep would take me and it did for about 10 minutes before the little boys woke up just before 5 A.M. and thus our day began....Still rain and lightening, but it wasn't loud anymore.
Okay-here's the thing. Jake sat in traffic for 2 1/2 getting to work, cars were off in ditches. Some intersections in Houston were under 10+ feet of water. Schools closed for the day because teachers were flooded in. This was no simple desert thunderstorm. As water drained from roadways, they found fully submerged vehicles! Everywhere! There were so many lightening strikes they couldn't find where tornado's had hit on the radar even though they have strong evidence they did in area's east of Houston. Is this not crazy? This is insane! Our area was completely fine, and Jabren had school, but the news was full of vehicle recovery, passenger rescue, and homes that had had to rip out all the carpet in their homes because they had so much water. People interviewed on the news claimed the damage was far worse than anything Ike did to their area. Conclusion...at least hurricanes you get a warning time to get outta here!
Click here for a slideshow of the area flooding. http://www.click2houston.com/slideshow/news/19310359/detail.html
Thankfully, I didn't feel panicked. But it didn't even cross our minds to check the news to see if Jake should wait to go to work. It poured 10" during the night. To get perspective, thats about 4 inches away from my Idaho's yearly average-crazy.
So, I'm re-assessing what weather related activity precautions need to be made.
And finally:
#3: Swine Flu Fears:
So its in the news...usually whats in national news hasn't really come close to home for us. Well, our church leaders have been prepping us through church website info and local meetings that we should prepare for pandemics...so I'm thinking I should take more precautions. At the same time I'm thinking to myself "my kids rarely get sick with stuffy noses, colds, coughs or fevers." We'll probably be fine on this one since we haven't been to Mexico anytime recently. Then yesterday Jamesen had a good strong fever. (We haven't had one in so long I couldn't even find my thermometer) He was lethargic, and no appetite. So I'm thinking its just a fever, but "what if its not". So as I awoke in the night last night I start thinking what if its something worse, like swine flu...whats the worst case scenario...but its unlikely to be that so I told myself to chill out.
We've taken good care of him and all day today he's been fine, but as he sleeps right now I know he's not feeling good...maybe we pushed it too much today.
Then, today in Houston, the first US death to Swine flu was confirmed. A two year old boy who visited relatives in Mexico was sent back to Houston for health care.
(Not to mention, if I pulled Jabren out of school for a few days til the health scare calms down I could get fined $300-500 from the district for too many absences, already had a warning since he's missed 8 (2 for Idaho trip, 2 for family visits, and 4 for health related-my goodness, I mean really. This could carry on its own post but I'm not ready to go there....) Maybe they'd make exceptions considering our county has confirmed its first case today.
So there you have it...whats been on my mind, in my life and new world.
Please take this as just a place to unload. I'm not freakin' out or anything, so don't stress out on my behalf, please. It's just a different world, and we're adjusting and thats taking time and wanted to clue in anyone who made it to the end of this long rant on just what our life here is a bit like.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Spring Break with Grandpa and Grandma
Though we've lived in Texas only 6 months we've enjoyed many family visits here. Jakes Mom and Dad came and stayed with us for a week and we had a lot of fun with them and did a lot of different things. Though we've loved the weather here, it wasn't great for the first half of their visit, which meant some cabin fever for us all.
I'll try to do a slide show of pictures, since there's so many fun ones. This video is from our last day with them when we went to the Houston Childrens Museum.
It was so much fun for the boys and us adults. The museum is hands on fun for everyone.
This conveyor belt kept the boys busy for about 30 minutes and would have for longer if we would have let it. I need one of these at my house!
We thoroughly wore the boys out, and possibly us too. We went to San Antonio for the day and saw the The Alamo, took a boat ride on the Riverwalk and enjoyed good food. Another day we drove to the beach in Galveston. Too cold for even me to get in. The boys played in the sand and collected stuff on the sand.
The last day with Grandma and Grandpa here we went to The Childrens Museum and it was perfect for entertaining three busy and creative boys. Highly recommend it!
Besides the comings and goings we spent time at home and Grandpa did lots of fix it jobs around the house-which was such a blessing! It was such a pleasure to have Grandma around helping with entertaining kids with playdough and baking, to making food and helping with dishes. We were spoiled by them and enjoyed their company and having family with us...its so rare that we enjoyed it more than usual.
(Small world moment: On the way to S.A. I saw someone in another vehicle and I casually said "That guy looks like Uncle Wendall-Grandpa T's brother in law. Two weeks later we learned he was there on military business. The vehicle I saw was pulling an army ATV. It was very probably him!)
I'll try to do a slide show of pictures, since there's so many fun ones. This video is from our last day with them when we went to the Houston Childrens Museum.
It was so much fun for the boys and us adults. The museum is hands on fun for everyone.
This conveyor belt kept the boys busy for about 30 minutes and would have for longer if we would have let it. I need one of these at my house!
We thoroughly wore the boys out, and possibly us too. We went to San Antonio for the day and saw the The Alamo, took a boat ride on the Riverwalk and enjoyed good food. Another day we drove to the beach in Galveston. Too cold for even me to get in. The boys played in the sand and collected stuff on the sand.
The last day with Grandma and Grandpa here we went to The Childrens Museum and it was perfect for entertaining three busy and creative boys. Highly recommend it!
Besides the comings and goings we spent time at home and Grandpa did lots of fix it jobs around the house-which was such a blessing! It was such a pleasure to have Grandma around helping with entertaining kids with playdough and baking, to making food and helping with dishes. We were spoiled by them and enjoyed their company and having family with us...its so rare that we enjoyed it more than usual.
(Small world moment: On the way to S.A. I saw someone in another vehicle and I casually said "That guy looks like Uncle Wendall-Grandpa T's brother in law. Two weeks later we learned he was there on military business. The vehicle I saw was pulling an army ATV. It was very probably him!)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
BUYERS REMORSE
You Get What You Get, and You Don't throw A Fit.
I just read this title on a friends blog and wished I had this little saying in my head 5 hours ago.
Here's the deal: I'm dealing with buyers Remorse.
I have 3 boys, and summer is here. They all need new sandals and shoes. I don't want to spend much money to accomplish it. I never do. Well, Jabren saw the shoes he wanted and there was nothing else for him. I tried to convince him to try on others shoes.
Nope not an option. I've never been in this situation with him before. Or at least its been a really long time. He wanted these BADDDDD. I've always found a way to persuade him and get him out of this situation
Urggghhhh! I want him to have shoes just like all his friends at school and the neighbor kid-they all wear sketchers. But I also don't think I should spend $40 dollars on a pair of shoes for a five year old. Maybe I'm sounding cheap...anyways, he just wanted them so bad and we even went to Payless and their shoes looked so cheap.
If I had time and the patience of a child I would have searched for longer, but two stores had him spent and my time for looking was gone and I didn't want to spend forever to find something he didn't want anyways...But my child needs to learn the value of what he's wanting and that his wants need to be tempered. And a whole lot of other important $$$ lessons.
Urgghhh...but in the future I know have the words I needed tonight
YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DON'T THROW A FIT!
How do you handle these situations with older kids...I've had it mastered with my younger kids...but somethings changed. And I'd love to hear your input.
I just read this title on a friends blog and wished I had this little saying in my head 5 hours ago.
Here's the deal: I'm dealing with buyers Remorse.
I have 3 boys, and summer is here. They all need new sandals and shoes. I don't want to spend much money to accomplish it. I never do. Well, Jabren saw the shoes he wanted and there was nothing else for him. I tried to convince him to try on others shoes.
Nope not an option. I've never been in this situation with him before. Or at least its been a really long time. He wanted these BADDDDD. I've always found a way to persuade him and get him out of this situation
Urggghhhh! I want him to have shoes just like all his friends at school and the neighbor kid-they all wear sketchers. But I also don't think I should spend $40 dollars on a pair of shoes for a five year old. Maybe I'm sounding cheap...anyways, he just wanted them so bad and we even went to Payless and their shoes looked so cheap.
If I had time and the patience of a child I would have searched for longer, but two stores had him spent and my time for looking was gone and I didn't want to spend forever to find something he didn't want anyways...But my child needs to learn the value of what he's wanting and that his wants need to be tempered. And a whole lot of other important $$$ lessons.
Urgghhh...but in the future I know have the words I needed tonight
YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DON'T THROW A FIT!
How do you handle these situations with older kids...I've had it mastered with my younger kids...but somethings changed. And I'd love to hear your input.
Monday, March 30, 2009
What we want from our Lives
No pictures today but just a few thoughts. With all the negative news that fills the financial and political air waves it seems easy to get down.
When Jake and I were talking the other day he made a comment and it calmed me and gave me focus and some sense of peace and control.
He stated that "We should start thinking about what we want to accomplish in our lives and not what we don't have, yet."
I love it when he has simple insights that make me shift my thinking enough to change my day, and even my week. There is plenty for me to do, without worrying about what I can't.
When Jake and I were talking the other day he made a comment and it calmed me and gave me focus and some sense of peace and control.
He stated that "We should start thinking about what we want to accomplish in our lives and not what we don't have, yet."
I love it when he has simple insights that make me shift my thinking enough to change my day, and even my week. There is plenty for me to do, without worrying about what I can't.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
"I Want to Be a Daddy"
Thursday afternoon I was driving through the elementary school Pick up line. When you pull up in front of Jabrens school there are 6 large cones on the curb each with a 5th grader to open the door and let your child in, then they shut the door behind them. Its a beautiful day so my windows are down.
So as I'm driving past the first four cones, heading for Jabren a couple of 5th grader boys yell into my van. . . "Hey, your son says he wants to be a daddy when he grows up!" Their voices sound as if they think this is really unusual, and even kind of cool, or awesome. I'm not for sure. Then I stop at Jabrens cone and there are not just one but like 3 big kids guiding my little kindergartener to the car.
One kid leans in to tell me the same thing. "You're boy said he wants to be a daddy when he grows up."
These three kids are all grinning like "Thats cool, never thought of that." Quickly I state "Well, that must be because he has a pretty awesome Daddy and he wants to be just like him!" It seemed he had captured the attention of all the kids that day with his ambitions.
Well, when did wanting to become a daddy become such a novel ideal? I loved that the kids actually seemed to think this was a cool thing. They really seemed surprised and enjoyed the remark instead of teasing him. I hope it made them think about putting that into their future goals along with saving the earth, becoming the next president, or being independantly wealthy!
Jabren didn't have much to say about it. Couldn't get him to tell me what they were talking about. Figures.
So as I'm driving past the first four cones, heading for Jabren a couple of 5th grader boys yell into my van. . . "Hey, your son says he wants to be a daddy when he grows up!" Their voices sound as if they think this is really unusual, and even kind of cool, or awesome. I'm not for sure. Then I stop at Jabrens cone and there are not just one but like 3 big kids guiding my little kindergartener to the car.
One kid leans in to tell me the same thing. "You're boy said he wants to be a daddy when he grows up."
These three kids are all grinning like "Thats cool, never thought of that." Quickly I state "Well, that must be because he has a pretty awesome Daddy and he wants to be just like him!" It seemed he had captured the attention of all the kids that day with his ambitions.
Well, when did wanting to become a daddy become such a novel ideal? I loved that the kids actually seemed to think this was a cool thing. They really seemed surprised and enjoyed the remark instead of teasing him. I hope it made them think about putting that into their future goals along with saving the earth, becoming the next president, or being independantly wealthy!
Jabren didn't have much to say about it. Couldn't get him to tell me what they were talking about. Figures.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Mom and Dad Come to Visit for Christmas!
The most exciting company we've had yet in our home here in Texas-GRANDMA and GRANDPA! Need I say more. They're always a big hit with my boys. They stayed for two weeks and I don't know where the time went. We were able to do quite a few fun things like: Christmas preparations, start some projects in the house,
Grandma made some cool home made play dough and played for literally hours with it and the boys.
Put puzzles together- a favorite memory as a kid with my dad and his family
Grandpa played the piano! I loved having payback for all the years we played in our home growing up for his "enjoyment". I enjoyed working in my house while he played away. Its awesome to hear music-real music, in my home. He is becoming quite the pianist. I think its very cool my dad (not to mention Jakes dad, too) take piano lessons! My boys naturally think thats what grandpa's do.
We went to San Antonio to the Alamo and The Riverwalk for a boat tour.
We also had dinner with Brother Beck, a member of our ward bishopric. (My mom babysat for his Mom and Dad 50+ years ago! Is that not crazy? This mans family is a large part of why my mom wanted to have a big family. (Thus I'm here) Brother Beck and I were both amazed when the bishopric came for a family visit, that we had connections in the smallest town ever- McKinnon, Wyoming.-Ever heard of it?
Also, my mom nannied a summer for her aunts two boys and one of them lives about 20 minutes from me. So we visited my cousin, Tom, and his kids Christmas night. His kids are my age and it was so fun to be with family, though I've only met them once before in my life.
The first night they were here was our Relief Society Christmas ornament exchange and dinner. It was awesome to have my mom see all my new friends and favorite new people. It was the perfect way to introduce my mom to my life. Everyone was so genuine and kind and down to earth. Most of the girls I've met my age really wanted to meet her, it seemed and even waited their turn to introduce themselves. It occurred to me that a lot of us women are living away from our moms and so having a mom around is like having "our" mom around. We all crave closeness to home.
Also, Jabren had Grandma and Grandpa eat lunch with him at the school cafeteria. I think my mom was blown away. She enjoyed looking at all these beautiful children chatting away at the table-some of who were speaking so fluently in their second language and being so young. Jabren is a total minority. There's maybe 1 in 7 who are white. We have all cultural backgrounds in our school and neighborhood and I enjoy that this is his normal now.
This is the first time in all my life that I've had both my parents come for a visit. Throughout the years we've hosted one or the other. Being from a large family one on one is pretty rare for any length of time and I just relished having them all to myself. All in all, it wasn't like having company at all. I felt so at home in our new home for the first time. My boys slept the best they've slept since moving here. I forgot that really they're mine. They're my mom and dad. I've waited 28 years to have them all to myself and I loved every minute of it. Jake was a trooper, too, he was content and happy being displaced and not having his wife all to himself. He was awesome! The kids loved having undivided attention and I loved having someone to chat with and do everyday dishes and laundry with at all times. Actually, I really should not take credit for any dishes-my mom, with Jake's help from time to time, did nearly all the dishes the whole time. Dad and I did very few-and enjoyed every bit of it!
Funny side note story that just comes to mind that relates to this (at least for me) When Jabren was just little I got soooo sick with strep. After a few days of doing nothing but blending in with the sofa, and barely meeting Jabrens needs, I called my Mom 4 1/2 hours away. I really was always very independent as a teenager, and up to this point had never felt desperate for my mom. Now I wanted her more than ever. Well, I was exhausted but getting better when my mom arrived with my little sister in tow. When my mom walked in I gave her a hug and just cried. Relief had arrived. I needed her. After we settled in Juleen remarked that even though she knows we're all siblings and that mom is all our mom-it had never sunk in on such a real level that mom is mom for me, just as mom is mom for her. Not until she saw me hug my mom and cry. That was the first time she realized she was my mom, too. If you get that. I do. (Sorry thats just a whole other funny post. Anyways. . .does anyone relate?)
This is by far the best picture I got on Christmas morning-Cameral issues -grrrrrhhhhhh!
Nonetheless, I love how happy Jabren looks when he opened a flashlight from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. They spoiled the boys and somehow it just seems right that there are some classic gifts that are just that-Classic. They never go off the favorites list!
So alas, some pictures from the visit-my camerea was having issues so they didn't turn out great but still. . .
Grandma made some cool home made play dough and played for literally hours with it and the boys.
Put puzzles together- a favorite memory as a kid with my dad and his family
Grandpa played the piano! I loved having payback for all the years we played in our home growing up for his "enjoyment". I enjoyed working in my house while he played away. Its awesome to hear music-real music, in my home. He is becoming quite the pianist. I think its very cool my dad (not to mention Jakes dad, too) take piano lessons! My boys naturally think thats what grandpa's do.
We went to San Antonio to the Alamo and The Riverwalk for a boat tour.
We also had dinner with Brother Beck, a member of our ward bishopric. (My mom babysat for his Mom and Dad 50+ years ago! Is that not crazy? This mans family is a large part of why my mom wanted to have a big family. (Thus I'm here) Brother Beck and I were both amazed when the bishopric came for a family visit, that we had connections in the smallest town ever- McKinnon, Wyoming.-Ever heard of it?
Also, my mom nannied a summer for her aunts two boys and one of them lives about 20 minutes from me. So we visited my cousin, Tom, and his kids Christmas night. His kids are my age and it was so fun to be with family, though I've only met them once before in my life.
The first night they were here was our Relief Society Christmas ornament exchange and dinner. It was awesome to have my mom see all my new friends and favorite new people. It was the perfect way to introduce my mom to my life. Everyone was so genuine and kind and down to earth. Most of the girls I've met my age really wanted to meet her, it seemed and even waited their turn to introduce themselves. It occurred to me that a lot of us women are living away from our moms and so having a mom around is like having "our" mom around. We all crave closeness to home.
Also, Jabren had Grandma and Grandpa eat lunch with him at the school cafeteria. I think my mom was blown away. She enjoyed looking at all these beautiful children chatting away at the table-some of who were speaking so fluently in their second language and being so young. Jabren is a total minority. There's maybe 1 in 7 who are white. We have all cultural backgrounds in our school and neighborhood and I enjoy that this is his normal now.
This is the first time in all my life that I've had both my parents come for a visit. Throughout the years we've hosted one or the other. Being from a large family one on one is pretty rare for any length of time and I just relished having them all to myself. All in all, it wasn't like having company at all. I felt so at home in our new home for the first time. My boys slept the best they've slept since moving here. I forgot that really they're mine. They're my mom and dad. I've waited 28 years to have them all to myself and I loved every minute of it. Jake was a trooper, too, he was content and happy being displaced and not having his wife all to himself. He was awesome! The kids loved having undivided attention and I loved having someone to chat with and do everyday dishes and laundry with at all times. Actually, I really should not take credit for any dishes-my mom, with Jake's help from time to time, did nearly all the dishes the whole time. Dad and I did very few-and enjoyed every bit of it!
Funny side note story that just comes to mind that relates to this (at least for me) When Jabren was just little I got soooo sick with strep. After a few days of doing nothing but blending in with the sofa, and barely meeting Jabrens needs, I called my Mom 4 1/2 hours away. I really was always very independent as a teenager, and up to this point had never felt desperate for my mom. Now I wanted her more than ever. Well, I was exhausted but getting better when my mom arrived with my little sister in tow. When my mom walked in I gave her a hug and just cried. Relief had arrived. I needed her. After we settled in Juleen remarked that even though she knows we're all siblings and that mom is all our mom-it had never sunk in on such a real level that mom is mom for me, just as mom is mom for her. Not until she saw me hug my mom and cry. That was the first time she realized she was my mom, too. If you get that. I do. (Sorry thats just a whole other funny post. Anyways. . .does anyone relate?)
This is by far the best picture I got on Christmas morning-Cameral issues -grrrrrhhhhhh!
Nonetheless, I love how happy Jabren looks when he opened a flashlight from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. They spoiled the boys and somehow it just seems right that there are some classic gifts that are just that-Classic. They never go off the favorites list!
So alas, some pictures from the visit-my camerea was having issues so they didn't turn out great but still. . .
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Anna Came to Visit!
Well, I've been in Texas for 4 months and I finally got to see a friend from home. Anna was the first girl I met in my ward when we moved to Nampa. We have literally so much in common its crazy! I've never met anyone with so many similarities in our families. So when she sent me a note that she was in Houston I jumped at the opportunity to go see her! It was sooo rejuvinating to see a familiar face from my past. Thanks Anna for getting in touch with me so I could see you! My only regret is that we didn't hang out more often. She is so much fun and genuine. Anna made my last night in Nampa one to remember. We had had enrichment, then she frieked out when I told her it was my last night and gathered up a few of our friends and said we were going to do whatever I wanted-no limits. We did just that. We went to my house and just chatted-my favorite thing to do with my friends.
Some of the things we have in common:
1. We are the 7th of 9 children in our family,
2. Our moms were the same age when we were born (32) and
3. Our mothers both have their moms living with them, who are also born within a few months of each other.
4. Both our oldest siblings got married on the same day (June 12, 1992)
5. Birth order is the same except in reverse. Mine is Boy-girl-girl-boy-boy-boy-girl-boy-girl. Anna's is the same if you started at the end with a girl and ended with a boy. (Too confusing, I know)
6. We both have 3 boys and love having boys.
7. We both love people
8. can't remember anymore. . .
Enough coincidences. . .its crazy!
Some of the things we have in common:
1. We are the 7th of 9 children in our family,
2. Our moms were the same age when we were born (32) and
3. Our mothers both have their moms living with them, who are also born within a few months of each other.
4. Both our oldest siblings got married on the same day (June 12, 1992)
5. Birth order is the same except in reverse. Mine is Boy-girl-girl-boy-boy-boy-girl-boy-girl. Anna's is the same if you started at the end with a girl and ended with a boy. (Too confusing, I know)
6. We both have 3 boys and love having boys.
7. We both love people
8. can't remember anymore. . .
Enough coincidences. . .its crazy!
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