Tuesday, November 29
Becca is grateful that she has a good mommy and daddy who want to take care of her.
Mom is grateful for good books.
Isak is grateful for our bodies.
Dad is grateful that we all brush our teeth (apparently he saw a couple of patients who don't have good dental hygeine habits).
Wednesday, November 30
Mom is grateful that my trip to the Louisville temple today went smoothly (took a day trip to the temple today with my mom).
Isak is grateful for our family.
Becca is grateful for food.
Dad is grateful for Becca and Isak.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Gratitude
Monday, November 28
Isak is thankful for school because he loves "to do math and stuff".
Becca is thankful that she has a mom who does stuff with her.
Mom is thankful that she gets to teach the Book of Mormon class at church. (I teach an "institute" class for women on Monday mornings. Children are welcome, which makes it nice for mom's who don't have many opportunities to go to scripture study classes. Even with many children running around, the discussion is wonderful and I love that I get to be a part of it!)
Dad (shared via phone as he was driving home from school after staying late to study for a test) is thankful for Christmas music.
Isak is thankful for school because he loves "to do math and stuff".
Becca is thankful that she has a mom who does stuff with her.
Mom is thankful that she gets to teach the Book of Mormon class at church. (I teach an "institute" class for women on Monday mornings. Children are welcome, which makes it nice for mom's who don't have many opportunities to go to scripture study classes. Even with many children running around, the discussion is wonderful and I love that I get to be a part of it!)
Dad (shared via phone as he was driving home from school after staying late to study for a test) is thankful for Christmas music.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Gratitude
Saturday, November 26
Dad is grateful for his two wonderful children.
Mom is grateful that we were able to help Grandma Judy and Dan put up their Christmas tree.
Becca is grateful for a loving dad.
Isak is grateful for how the sun warms us.
Sunday, November 27
Becca is grateful for a warm house and a warm school to keep us safe.
Dad is grateful for his biscuit (a term that we lovingly use for our bed, taken from a tv show that was on several years ago).
Isak is grateful for the temple and the Church. (When I asked him why, he said that he is grateful for the Church because without it we wouldn't know that we have a Savior).
Dad is grateful for his two wonderful children.
Mom is grateful that we were able to help Grandma Judy and Dan put up their Christmas tree.
Becca is grateful for a loving dad.
Isak is grateful for how the sun warms us.
Sunday, November 27
Becca is grateful for a warm house and a warm school to keep us safe.
Dad is grateful for his biscuit (a term that we lovingly use for our bed, taken from a tv show that was on several years ago).
Isak is grateful for the temple and the Church. (When I asked him why, he said that he is grateful for the Church because without it we wouldn't know that we have a Savior).
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Gratitude
I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts this month on the things that they are grateful for. What a wonderful tradition to devote not just one day, but an entire month, to thinking about and sharing with one another the precious gifts in our lives.
Our family has had a similar tradition for the past few years. On Thanksgiving we pull our gratitude journal out of hiding. Each night between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as part of our bedtime ritual, we record one thing that each of us is grateful for.
I started this tradition hoping that by focusing on our blessings, we would be less inclined to come down with a case of the "I wants" leading up to Christmas. By keeping our focus on what we have instead of what we want, we don't lose sight of the spirit of Christmas (or at least that is the goal, and it seems to work pretty well!)
We started this practice in 2008, when Isak had just turned 4 and Becca was about to turn 6. It is fun to go back through and read the things that we have been grateful for. I have the sweetest memories of Isak, with his fingers in his mouth, expressing his gratitude for candy, gum, cookies, snacks...you get the idea. Becca, with stars in her eyes, would give thanks for Barbies, sparkling Christmas lights, her favorite tree ornaments, etc. For Jeremy and I, our greatest treasures don't seem to change that much from year to year - home, family, friends, sleep, warmth, cooperative children...
Because I truly have the desire to blog more frequently, I have decided that taking a few minutes each day, or a couple time a week, to post what we have recorded in our gratitude journal, would be a simple way to contribute to our blog more regularly, at least for a few weeks (then maybe I'll be in the habit and keep it up!)
So, here is what we recorded last night...
Isak is grateful for the planets, because Earth is one of them.
Becca is grateful for Adam and Eve, because without them, we wouldn't be here. She is also thankful for the Church.
Mom is grateful for relaxing and productive days like today.
Dad is grateful for the DVR.
We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We spent Thanksgiving day at our house with my extended family. Yesterday we had just the right combination of relaxation, fun and work, and today is turning out just as nicely. Today we are going to help Grandma Judy and Dan put up their Christmas tree and then we are going to spend some time with Jeremy's extended family. Hope everyone else (at least the handful of you who read our blog) has had a Happy Thanksgiving as well, and that we can all look forward to Christmas with an attitude of gratitude.
Our family has had a similar tradition for the past few years. On Thanksgiving we pull our gratitude journal out of hiding. Each night between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as part of our bedtime ritual, we record one thing that each of us is grateful for.
I started this tradition hoping that by focusing on our blessings, we would be less inclined to come down with a case of the "I wants" leading up to Christmas. By keeping our focus on what we have instead of what we want, we don't lose sight of the spirit of Christmas (or at least that is the goal, and it seems to work pretty well!)
We started this practice in 2008, when Isak had just turned 4 and Becca was about to turn 6. It is fun to go back through and read the things that we have been grateful for. I have the sweetest memories of Isak, with his fingers in his mouth, expressing his gratitude for candy, gum, cookies, snacks...you get the idea. Becca, with stars in her eyes, would give thanks for Barbies, sparkling Christmas lights, her favorite tree ornaments, etc. For Jeremy and I, our greatest treasures don't seem to change that much from year to year - home, family, friends, sleep, warmth, cooperative children...
Because I truly have the desire to blog more frequently, I have decided that taking a few minutes each day, or a couple time a week, to post what we have recorded in our gratitude journal, would be a simple way to contribute to our blog more regularly, at least for a few weeks (then maybe I'll be in the habit and keep it up!)
So, here is what we recorded last night...
Isak is grateful for the planets, because Earth is one of them.
Becca is grateful for Adam and Eve, because without them, we wouldn't be here. She is also thankful for the Church.
Mom is grateful for relaxing and productive days like today.
Dad is grateful for the DVR.
We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We spent Thanksgiving day at our house with my extended family. Yesterday we had just the right combination of relaxation, fun and work, and today is turning out just as nicely. Today we are going to help Grandma Judy and Dan put up their Christmas tree and then we are going to spend some time with Jeremy's extended family. Hope everyone else (at least the handful of you who read our blog) has had a Happy Thanksgiving as well, and that we can all look forward to Christmas with an attitude of gratitude.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Isakisms
It's no secret that Isak makes me laugh. Here are a couple of his recent homework assignments to demonstrate why he both amazes and amuses me.
He was given a list of words with the long O sound. He had to choose a few of them to use in sentences. Here are his sentences (I am doing no editing as I type these):
1. The batter stole second base.
2. The rose is in a garden with zinias and marigolds and daisys and a lot of veggies such as tomatoes and potatoes and elephant ears.
3. The north pole is on the opposite side of the south pole.
4. I chose the Ritz (here he wrote in a registered trademark sign, which I can't figure out how to do in blogger) for a snack.
5. Those choirs are in Butler University.
The registered trademark sign is what truly cracked me up. It's funnier to see it as he wrote it.
For another assignment he had to write a letter. Here is what he wrote:
Dear grandparents,
It is 100% awesome to spend time with you. I like it more when you come to my house to spend time. My favorite game to play with you is Monopoly. Another one is Life. (the game not how you live)
Sincerely,
Isak
The kid's a hoot!
He was given a list of words with the long O sound. He had to choose a few of them to use in sentences. Here are his sentences (I am doing no editing as I type these):
1. The batter stole second base.
2. The rose is in a garden with zinias and marigolds and daisys and a lot of veggies such as tomatoes and potatoes and elephant ears.
3. The north pole is on the opposite side of the south pole.
4. I chose the Ritz (here he wrote in a registered trademark sign, which I can't figure out how to do in blogger) for a snack.
5. Those choirs are in Butler University.
The registered trademark sign is what truly cracked me up. It's funnier to see it as he wrote it.
For another assignment he had to write a letter. Here is what he wrote:
Dear grandparents,
It is 100% awesome to spend time with you. I like it more when you come to my house to spend time. My favorite game to play with you is Monopoly. Another one is Life. (the game not how you live)
Sincerely,
Isak
The kid's a hoot!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Favorite Fall Recipe
I recently posted on Facebook that I had made pumpkin pancakes and apple cider syrup for breakfast and a few people expressed interest in the recipes. Here they are! They are not difficult and they are so yummy!
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 Cups flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon cinnmon
1/4 teaspoon allspice (I don't always have this on hand and eliminate it)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1-3/4 Cups milk
1/2 Cup canned pumpkin
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine dry ingredients with a wire whisk and set aside. In a large bowl, beat milk, pumpkin, egg and oil. Gradually add dry ingredients. Mix only until wet. Batter will be lumpy.
Heat griddle and brush with oil (or spray). Make pancakes using 1/4 cup batter. Cook until top is bubbled and edges are dry. Turn and cook for another minute or so.
Apple Cider Syrup
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Cup apple cider
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter
In a medium pot mix sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon with a whisk. Add apple cider and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil until thickened (takes just a few minutes). Remove from heat and add butter.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 Cups flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon cinnmon
1/4 teaspoon allspice (I don't always have this on hand and eliminate it)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1-3/4 Cups milk
1/2 Cup canned pumpkin
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine dry ingredients with a wire whisk and set aside. In a large bowl, beat milk, pumpkin, egg and oil. Gradually add dry ingredients. Mix only until wet. Batter will be lumpy.
Heat griddle and brush with oil (or spray). Make pancakes using 1/4 cup batter. Cook until top is bubbled and edges are dry. Turn and cook for another minute or so.
Apple Cider Syrup
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Cup apple cider
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter
In a medium pot mix sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon with a whisk. Add apple cider and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil until thickened (takes just a few minutes). Remove from heat and add butter.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Friday, June 24, 2011
June 24
Today was wild. I had breakfast at 4AM (the flight offered both a dinner and a breakfast, both of which were about as big as my hand). We landed in Rio De Janeiro at 5:20AM, worked our way through Immigration and Customs, walked over to where we could transfer our luggage and saw that our flight to Curitiba had been cancelled. We were mystified, but continued in the luggage transfer line. When we got up to the counter, we were told that the flight had not been cancelled. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 8:15AM and we re-checked out luggage in at 7:05AM. We rushed through security and got to the gate... only to find out that our flight had been delayed because of fog at Curitiba. So, we waited for 2 hours for the plane to leave. Luckily, we were in the airport waiting. We got to Curitiba and met the people we'd be staying with. I am staying with Felipe, who is awesome. We got money exchanged and bags loaded (oh - we had no issues with our 8 55-70lb bags) and went out to eat at a Brazilian steakhouse. Man did I get stuffed. That made up for the small meals we got on the plane. I got to sit and talk about Steven Covey because both he and I are Mormon and the husband of one of the people here has a boss that had rcently worked for S. Covey. It was glorious... -ish.
So, we went to our place of residence and I showered and took a short nap. We then went to my the apartment of my hosts aunt and watched some TV and made conversation. I also had some Coke from a 6oz glass. It was a far cry from my usual 44oz beverage. :( We went out to eat at an Italian Restaurant, which was served like a Brazilian Steakhouse. That was fun... and the food was good, too. I'l be going to sleep at about midnight. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight.
To my kids and wife, I love you and hope you had fun in Ohio. Also, one more day is complete. Wahoo. :)
So, we went to our place of residence and I showered and took a short nap. We then went to my the apartment of my hosts aunt and watched some TV and made conversation. I also had some Coke from a 6oz glass. It was a far cry from my usual 44oz beverage. :( We went out to eat at an Italian Restaurant, which was served like a Brazilian Steakhouse. That was fun... and the food was good, too. I'l be going to sleep at about midnight. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight.
To my kids and wife, I love you and hope you had fun in Ohio. Also, one more day is complete. Wahoo. :)
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