Sometimes Mistakes Are Good

My really terrific Mother-in-law made copies of the pictures that she had taken over Christmas and sent them to us. It's really great because we neglected to bring our camera on some of our outings (I know, and me, supposedly a photographer). Anyways, if anyone in our little family made it into the shot, she made a copy for us. We got the package of pictures in the mail yesterday, and had a great time looking through them...Matthew snatched every single picture that he was in and ferreted it up to his bunk bed, a.k.a. his treasure chest of all things he deems cool.
Okay, getting to the point:
When we got to the last picture, we were a little surprised because it was of our brother-in-law. A really awesome shot from our sledding trip (and contrary to what Matthew thinks, I don't think he's crying. It was unbearably cold that day, but not cold enough to make a grown man cry).

Even though I think the picture made it into our packet by mistake, we LOVE it. As you can see, we even made a nice home for it with the rest of our pictures.



It has a nice "brooding artist" feel to it, don't you think?
See, sometimes mistakes are good!

The Order of the Day:

Mustaches, via chocca (chocolate milk...Matthew couldn't say it when he was little, and it stuck).






With his 'stache, we think Matthew looks a little like Mac from Magnum, P.I.

Before and After

Justin's helmet specialist emailed us some before and after pictures, so I thought I'd share (and have it recorded for posterity's sake). Just for some perspective, when we started this whole thing, on a scale of 1-10, the doctor rated him as a 6 for severity of the problem. Now he's at about a 2 - which is well within the normal range.James and I couldn't believe the difference...we honestly don't remember his head looking like that. I think it was one of those times, as parents, that we were kind of blind to the problem. Obviously, we knew his head wasn't perfectly round, but we couldn't see just how bad it was. It's like with his strawberry hemangioma (big red birthmark) on his arm, you just don't see it after awhile. So anyways, we're glad that our pediatrician made us go through all of this. The difference is pretty amazing, isn't it?
This is what shocked us the most: In the picture on the left, besides how bad his torticollis was (head tilt), look how much shorter the right side of his face was as compared to the left, especially his forehead. Now, we really don't remember it looking like that...but it's normal now!

And, in case you were wondering, this is how they cast his head to make his helmet. As you can see, he hated it (wouldn't you?), and he had to go through it twice because the first helmet wasn't a great fit...poor kid!
To get the cast off of his head, they wait for the plaster to mostly set (it's still a little wet) and then they pop off the front part (where the big plaster ridge is). Then, they take off the back section, and quickly re-assemble it, matching up the purple lines.

As big a pain as all of this was, we're glad that the technology exists so that we were able to fix it.

The Writing on the Wall

Some people think that they see Heavenly images on potato chips, in tree bark, or on the side of houses.

Not me.

I receieve tiny greetings on my (albeit dirty) shower wall...written in James' whiskers/hair (though he didn't write it).

And yes, it took courage to post a picture of the nasty rental-home shower...I'm just sayin'.

I Caught Him Rifling Through the Fridge

What can I say? The kid likes strawberries.

Recipe of the Week

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Once again, this recipe comes from the MBASA cookbook. I just have to say that I love collaborative cookbooks because everyone puts their best recipes in...you really can't go wrong!

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

8 oz. ham, cubed

8 slices Swiss cheese

1/2 c. cheddar cheese

2-3 sliced green onions

1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)...but not really :)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/4 c. milk

lemon juice

1 c. bread crumbs

garlic salt

Make it:

Sprinkle the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with half of the bread crumbs (it should cover the bottom). Place half of the chicken and ham over the bread crumbs and sprinkle lightly with garlic salt. Place half of the Swiss and cheddar cheese on top. Sprinkle with green onions and mushrooms. In a separate bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup with milk and 2-3 T of lemon juice to create sauce. Add more milk if necessary to create the desired thickness. Add 1/2 - 3/4 of sauce to the casserole. Repeat the layers and top with remaining bread crumbs. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until heated through.

Tips:

• I used lunch meat ham, left it in the stack, and cubed it that way.
• I used 12 slices of Swiss cheese (a whole package), because it covered the casserole more completely
• I used garlic powder instead of garlic salt (because that's what I had)
• I used the reduced sodium cream of chicken soup and added a dash of lemon pepper for added flavor
• I think I added about an extra 1/2 c. of milk to the sauce...but just add a little at a time until the soup is thin enough to spread (maybe slightly thinner than pudding)
• After baking it for 30 minutes, the bread crumbs weren't completely browned, so I placed it under the broiler for a couple of minutes and kept an eye on it so it wouldn't burn.

We ate ours with oven-toasted french bread and a simple green salad of red leaf lettuce, spinach and tomatoes. It was really good. Enjoy!

And Since I Blogged About the Other Two...

If you remember, Matthew got these glasses for Easter last year. He has since taken the lenses off (they didn't even make it one year, though Ethan is more to blame for that than Matthew). He wears them EVERYWHERE. In fact, he was chatting it up with the checker from Wal*Mart the other day and told her that he couldn't see without his "glasses". Then, he took them off, scrunched up his eyes and held his hands out in front of him, like he had to feel his way around and said "See, I really, really need them. And, they look good on me too."

A Big Hurray!!

**I know I already posted these pictures (and more) on my photography blog, but I couldn't help myself.**
Do you notice anything different about Justin?

NO MORE HELMET!!

A huge thank you to my sister-in-law, Andrea for getting me an awesome deal on the painfully adorable bug rocker. I bought it at a garage sale last spring (with the tag still on!) after she talked the price down to $5 (because I was too much of a chicken to do it myself) :)

It Made Me Smile...

...even if I did have to clean up a BIG mess.

I came upstairs from eating my Saturday morning pancakes in front of the TV (James and I chose to enjoy our short stacks of fluffy buttermilk deliciousness while watching Goonies. Wouldn't you? The kids were not invited.) And I found Ethan slurping, not licking, slurping the puddles of leftover syrup off of his and Matthew's plates. I'm hoping someday he'll grow out of this, but it is kind of cute for now.

Family Picture ala Matthew

Matthew drew this family picture for me. From left to right: Matthew, Dad, Justin, Mom (note the bellybutton), and Ethan.

Mom: "Are those arrows sticking in my sides?"
Matthew: (laughing) "No, silly. Those are your fingernails."
Mom: "Ohhh. Nice. Hmmm, do I really look that large?"
Matthew: (still laughing) "Yes. See how big your belly is? That's because you eat too much food."

And there you have it.

Things That I Love

Besides my family (obviously), these are a few things that I love and that bring me joy:

Willow Tree figurine "Tenderness". Helps remind me why I love being a mother.

I really should sew more, and I plan to. Not only does sewing bring me joy (finally, after 18 years of practice!), but so does my sewing machine. This was my mom's and she gave it to me on my first married Christmas (after she upgraded to a Pfaff :) ). It's older than me, and I learned how to sew on this machine. Definitely one of my treasures.

Because drinking hot chocolate is even more fun in my big red mug.

Not only is it cool to look at, with it's vintage vibe and all, but it allows me take TTV photographs.

This was a bridal shower gift from one of my favorite Young Women's leaders. In the card that accompanied it, she wrote "As you turn the blocks each day, may you remember the special times, and the moments that bring you joy."

I love to crochet. It brings me joy to create.

This is a large spaghetti bowl that was given to us as a gift from our real estate agent and mortgage broker when we bought our first house. I use it as a fruit bowl and keep it on my counter so that I can always look at it. Not only do I love the bright, happy colors, but it will always remind me of the happiness that we had in our first little home.

Recipe of the Week

Lime Chicken Soft Taco
This recipe comes from the MBASA cookbook, submitted by one of my friends, Emily Anderson.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1/2 c. vinegar, white or balsamic (I used balsamic)
1/2 lime, juiced
1 tsp. white sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 green onions, chopped (I used four)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. oregano
10 flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
sour cream (optional)
shredded lettuce (optional)
diced tomato (optional)
chopped avocado (optional)
How to make it:
Saute chicken in a medium saucepan over medium high heat for about 20 minutes. Add vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic, and oregano. Simmer for an extra 10 minutes. Heat your tortillas in an iron skillet or in the microwave. Serve lime chicken mixture in warm tortillas topped with cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.

This recipe is a new favorite of mine. You should give it a try!

Finish Apron: check!

Who says aprons can't be pretty?

Way back in October, I started making myself an apron. I spent one day on it, and was mostly done...I just had to make and attach the straps. But, after that day, I got really busy and I hadn't worked on it again...until yesterday. (So much for making these as Christmas gifts, as was the original plan). But, it's done, and I love it. I've never had or used an apron before, but lately I've found myself wanting/needing one, even to wear while bathing the boys. I have the supplies to make another one, too. From the same pattern (Butterick 4945), but a different style and different fabrics. So excited.

" What? Bling on an apron?", you ask. Yep.

New Year's Resolutions

I love Christmas, and it's always sad when it's over, but do you know what I also love? New Year's resolutions. I love the start of the new year, and the feeling that I get that this is my chance to really better myself. Call me a freak, but the possibilities excite me.

I'm also one of those people that like to make signs and post them around the house to keep me motivated. When James was preparing for the GMAT, I made some lovely signs that said things like: "Kick that GMAT's booty out the door!" Silly, yes, but it got the job done...James did awesome...I like to take at least a little credit for that (wink).
That was a really long way of me saying that in the coming days, there will probably be equally awesome signs gracing various parts of our home to keep me motivated. You should try it, it's fun.

So, without further ado:

• Get organized!

By organized, I mean all aspects of my life: Control the clutter, organize my time, find a place for everything and keep everything in it's place... you get the idea. Mainly I want a system for keeping our house orderly, and establish a routine so that I can more easily accomplish this, and have time for other pursuits (like photography and writing my book (shhh!) ).
This is my main resolution. If I can tackle this one, some of my smaller goals will fall into place.

• Exercise five days a week.

With some of my Christmas money, I bought a beginners yoga DVD. I did prenatal yoga (from a DVD) when I was pregnant with Justin, and I really enjoyed it. That, along with a pilates DVD that I already have, and running on the treadmill should keep me fit, and energized.

• Feed my family healthier meals.

By this I mean using fresh foods (not so much processed stuff) and incorporating more fruits and vegetables.

I really think that these are manageable goals, so wish me luck!

Oh yes, and my new theme for the year is courtesy of Elder Wirthlin: "Come what may, and LOVE it!" (hopefully what comes my way will be easy to love...he he.)

Christmas

Ethan's gearing up to sing you a sea chanty.

Yes, it is Christmas morning, and yes, Matthew is all dressed for the day.

The highly anticipated nose-hair trimmers. Like I said, we's got to find us a good internship this summer, and this will help.

It really was a wonderful Christmas. Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful gifts and cards. We have much to be grateful for.

Lights at Temple Square

As in past years, we went to see the lights at Temple Square a couple of days before Christmas.

We rode Front Runner, and then TRAX. It was really fun...except when in an effort to hoist the stroller onto TRAX, my lens cap flew off and landed under the train on the tracks. I know I could buy a replacement cap, but my freakishly skinny arms happen to be good for something: squeezing into the tiny space between the cement of the platform and the train, thus enabling me to retrieve said lenscap before it and my arm met a flattened fate.

Why do my kids look as though they've never seen me before?

I really should have had James take at least one picture of me. I was wearing a kickin' hat that my Grandma Wilson made for me. Thanks Grandma!

The Polar Express

From the picture, it looks like they had a terrible time, but I assure you they didn't!

Right before Christmas break, the MBASA sponsored a really fun activity. A group of families in Lindon put on a miniature Polar Express every year, at their own time and expense and offer it for free! It's pretty unbelievable.

First you check in, and then you get to watch The Polar Express on a huge projection screen in a nice, heated garage. Then, when they call your name, you get to ride a miniature Union Express train.

It winds through part of their neighborhood, in and out of several people's yards. All the way you listen to Christmas music. Then, it stops at the North Pole. Someone had converted one of the rooms of the house into Santa's workshop. It was filled with Christmas trees, nostalgic toys, and benches to sit on. And, of course, Santa was there!

The really nice thing about it was that they took you on the train ride in small groups, so when you got to the North Pole, you didn't feel rushed about visiting with Santa. Each child sat on Santa's lap, and he gave them a pass-along card, a bell, and a candycane. Then, after he talked to each child individually, he explained the true meaning of Christmas and the symbolism of the candycane. It was pretty awesome. Then, on the train ride back, you listened to Christmas hymns, and wound through some more yards that had the artwork of Simon Dewey, depicting the life of Christ, displayed. It was pretty moving, and the kids had a really great time!