So Excited for Church!

Ethan's excitement for church! :)

New Recipe Time

So I've been slacking on trying new recipes these last couple of weeks - I don't really know where all of the time is going...  Maybe I should stop reading random books I find!!  :)  Regardless, last night I decided to try another new one and here it is:

Beef Tips on Potatoes

• 2 packages (17 ounces each) regrigerated beef tips with gravy (I accidentally only bought 1 pack, but it was enough)
• 1 package (24 ounces) refrigerated mashed potatoes
• 3/4 cup fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Prepare the beef tips and mashed potatoes according to package directions.  Cook broccoli.  Stir broccoli, water, 1/2 cup cheese into potatoes.  Serve beef tips over potatoes; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

This has to be THE EASIEST recipe I've tried so far!  It was good, too-not a favorite, but good.  Next time I may try it with rice instead of mashed potatoes and keep the broccoli separate (per Ethan's request), but it was still good.

Tonight I had great intentions of trying another new recipe (Carrot Chicken Pilaf), but traffic was awful so I didn't get home until late and we had to leave shortly after getting home to go visit teach.  But, I will try it soon and post it on here as well... along with my personal review:)

Well Said.

"More often in life, we end up regretting the chances in life that we had, but didn’t take, than those chances that we took and wished we hadn’t.”

The Chart That is Saving My Sanity

Every morning I have to ask Ethan over and over to do get dressed, eat breakfast, etc.  It drives me crazy and I feel like a parrot... But not anymore!!

The other night, I made a quick "To Do Chart" on the computer for the five main things Ethan needs to do every morning (get dressed, make bed, eat breafast, brush teeth, fix hair) and taped it on the refridgerator.  It has one column for things that are not done and another for things that are done, with magnets to move when he is done.  Yesterday was the first morning with it and what a difference!  I didn't have to ask him once to do any of those things!  He went straight to his To Do List and moved the magnet when he was done, and went down the list.  Not only was it a calmer morning, but it also saved us so much time!  We were able to take our time with Family Scripture Study and not be in such a rush.  This morning was day #2 and it was the same as yesterday:)

Why didn't I think of making this sooner?!

My Personal Reminder of What Matters Most

Lately I haven't felt myself...  Not too many people have noticed,  but I definitely haven't felt right. I can't explain it.  I know that there is a lot going on with my family right now and things in my personal life that probably attribute to it, but it wasn't until yesterday at church when I realized that it is a combination of the things happening in my personal life in addition to not being diligent with reading the scriptures and having daily, sincere prayer... (as Oprah would say, I had a lightbulb moment!).  I'm admitting it - I haven't been very diligent in reading my scriptures as I should be.  Yes, Ethan and I read them together in the mornings (well, Monday-Friday, at least), and have FHE and nightly prayers, but the 3-5 verses we read each time doesn't really do much to fill me spiritually.  At the beginning of the year, I started reading the BofM with the full intention of finishing it by May 15th (our stake president gave us this challenge).  At first I did so good, but gradually stopped.  I even started taking notes on each chapter when I realized that I started just skimming the words. But, lo and behold, I stopped reading all together and just read Ensign articles occasionally. 

 Tonight I spent some time on youtube (I didn't know there were church videos on there!).  If you haven't seen them, you should take some time and watch them-they are amazing.  Below are some of my favorites that I found in no particular order:  PS.  "Create" is now my excuse for being a craft nerd!!:)

"What Matters Most"


"Create" by President Uchtdorf


"Infinite Power of Hope"


"Lifting Burdens: The Power Atonement of Jesus Christ"


"Come What May and Love It"


"Prayer"


Things that I need to remember (and that I was reminded of tonight while watching these videos):

• Through Heavenly Father, our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough
• We see ourselves in terms of day to day, our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever
• Heavenly Father sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming
• He hears the pleadings of my heart
• I always need to trust in the Lord (even when I don't understand His reasoning)
• "...as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  Alma 38:5
• Everyday, ask: Have  I seen the hand of God reach out and touch me today?"
• Be an instrument in the Lord's hands every day.
• "...Let your heart not be troubled."  John 14:27 
• "... be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you."  D & C 61:36 (also see D & C 68:6, 78:18)
• "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and enduring to the end, behold, thus saith the father: ye shall have eternal life."  2 Ne 31:20
• “I am not saying you shouldn’t be very careful about something as significant and serious as marriage. … Yes, there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts... Don’t give in. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence.’ Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” Brigham Young University devotional address, March 2, 1999. Even though Elder Holland is talking about marriage in this quote, I need to remember his message that whenever I have made a good decision (especially big ones), there will always be tempation to not go through with it.

A couple years ago I started a separate journal-one in which I wrote my testimony in-I would write in it on the first Sunday of the month (fast and testimony meeting days).  I only did it a couple of times before life got in the way and I would remember as I was falling asleep and have full intentions of doing it first thing in the morning.  I am going to challenge myself to start it again (I know exactly where it is, so I can't even say that it is lost as an excuse!) - and write my testimony in it every fast and testimony Sunday.

The past year has been an interesting one in my life-one filled with incredible happiness, some sadness, excitement, and new opportunities.  I'm so grateful that I have the gospel in my life - I can't imagine my life without it, especially over the last 12 months.

Out with the Girls!

This afternoon Annie, Amanda, Howie (Annie's Dad), and I all went out to celebrate Annie's birthday and for all of her accomplishments she has achieved over these last couple of months.  We went bowling (where Annie and I showed everyone our not-so-amazing bowling skills!) and had a ton of fun laughing and having fun.  Afterwards, we went to Guapo's for dinner.  It was so good!  We had casually mentioned that we were celebrating Annie's birthday and right before we left, out came about 8 servers to sing to her!  One even had his guitar, and they made Annie wear a sombrero-it was hilarious!  Luckily I had my camera with me and got a picture of her - she was completely embarrassed, but good entertainment for the rest of us:) 

Happy birthday, Annie, and we are so proud of you!!!!

Annie Rockin' the Sombrero!

Ethan's Note To His Teacher...

This morning while I was getting ready for work, Ethan came in and started telling me about how at school, they changed the sitting arrangements and he now sits next to a girl named Makayla.  He went on and on about how she "chitter chatters all the time, sneezes, coughs and sniffles, in my food" etc.  He clearly was not happy about his new table mate!  He asked if I would talk to Mrs. Hellman for him.  I told him that he needed to do it.  So off he went and came back with a peice of paper and a pen and wrote her a letter.  I wish I could have scanned it, but we were running late and I would have had to try and not let him see me do it.  Anyway, we ran out the door and I didn't really think much of it until I received the following email from his teacher this afternoon:

Hi Brenna,

I wanted to touch base with you about Ethan's letter request this morning. I enjoyed the sincerity of the words and the effort that it took to write it. I did have to deny his request for the moment. While he and Makayla tend to mix it up, Ethan has been asked several times this week to stop talking and get back to work. Makayla really hasn't played a part in that for him. Yes, they do go back and forth with each other from time to time. And I will certainly talk to her about not sneezing, coughing and "suffuling" on his food (I loved that part!). We did change tables last week and I could tell that Ethan was not interested in sitting near her. But…that's part of school, learning to get along with others even when they aren't your best friend.
     Ethan was a little surprised that I got on him for talking without Makayla's involvment. He hasn't been out of control, but as we do more independent work, the children are expected to become more resposible. Since Ethan is so capable of doing the work, he ends up putting greater effort into socializing. And as we've mentioned before, his volume control seems to be set a little higher at times.
     Please let me know if he is terribly distressed by the situation. I did purposely sit him beside Makayla so that he could be a role model at times and lend some support. I will have to do a better job of demonstrating what that means to him. Thank you for having him write to me. It's a valuable lesson for him to learn to speak up.

I couldn't help but laugh when I read this, because I can picture Ethan sitting there and doing exactly what she described!  Essentially, he is my little genius social butterfly:)

Teacher Appreciation Week

It was recently Teacher Appreciation Week for Ethan's teachers.    We gave his two kindergarten teachers candles, rulers-per Ethan's insistance, etc. and some yummy candies!  I attached a little note to the candies...  I have to admit, it was fun thinking of a little note that used the words of the candies:)

Their candies (Almond Joy, Snickers, and Extra gum) with the note

Ethan's Teacher's Gift Bags - Ta Da!

Visit with My Grandpa

Yesterday after work I went to go visit my grandpa.  He's been in the hospital for three weeks and yesterday was the first time I've seen him since his birthday (in February).  It's definitely not because I haven't wanted to see him, my parents just didn't think he wanted people to see him in the hospital.  My uncle came into town to help my grandma out and to take care of some things.  On Thursday he came and visited me at work and so he could get a tour of Greenspring.  He encouraged me to visit Grandpa - he wanted to see my thoughts on what level of care he would need once he is discharged from the hospital since I work with these situations every day. 

On my way to the hospital, I stopped off at McDonald's (Grandpa would always go there and get coffee, so I thought he would like some food and a little break from the hospital food!).  When I walked into the wing he is in, the nurses were happy to see that I was bringing him food since he hasn't been eating much.  At first, he was a little embarrassed for me to see him there and then a little mad at himself for letting him get in the situation that caused him to be there, but I told him that I just wanted to have dinner with him and then he was fine. I sat with him on his bed and spread all of our yummy McDonald's food out on his little tray table.  He ate some fries and drank ALL of his Coke!  The nurses, his aide, AND his doctor all came in during our dinner and commented on how happy they were to see him eat:)  (he definitely has lost a lot of weight).

About 20 minutes later my uncle joined us.  He encouraged Grandpa to eat the cheeseburger-which he insisted that he couldn't eat.  I told him I would eat half, and I broke it in half, told Grandpa I gave him the smaller half (but not to tell Uncle Donny! - which made him chuckle) - and he ate a bite of it!  This is big news!  We stayed until visiting hours were over at 8.  Although it was hard to see him like that, I'm really glad that I went and I think Grandpa was glad that I came, too. 

Please keep him in your prayers!

Ethan's Future Occupation Choices

On the way home from dinner...

Ethan:  "Is this good for your teeth?"  (as he is sucking on a mint)

Sean:  "Ethan, have you ever considered being a dentist when you grow up?"

Ethan:  "No!!  I want to do something manly... like a policeman, fly into space, a fireman... or A ROCKSTAR!!! "

Oh boy.

This picture was taken 10/27/07...  We were in a dressing room and I was trying on clothes... Ethan had grabbed this pair of sunglasses as we were walking into the dressing room and while I was changing, he told me he was "being a rockstar" and even had an air guitar and everything!  During the conversation above, I thought of this picture and how I HAD to find it and add it to this post! :)

Another New Recipe

Ethan woke up this morning still feeling sick and having a temperature-I knew that his school would take one look at him and call me to pick him up.  So we went to my work so I could get my laptop and some things I could work on from home.  Ethan was a very good patient-he laid quietly on the couch watching cartoons, drank whenever I reminded him and ate a little bit.  I was able to get a lot done for work (it's amazing how much can get done without interruptions!) - even though my laptop kept getting disconnected from the internet.

Since I was home, I was able to start cooking dinner early and even decided to try another new recipe.  I haven't tried a new one in the last couple of weeks, so it was time to pull out the cook book and pick one out that I already had the ingredients for.  And the lucky winner was...  Creamed turkey on mashed potatoes.  (Ok, so I didn't have turkey, I used chicken instead).

So here it is:

Creamed Turkey on Mashed Potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper (I just used regular pepper)
2 cups milk
2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast (I used chicken)
1 cup forzen mixed veggies
2 cups hot mashed potatoes

In a large saucepan, saute the onion in butter until tender.  Sprinkle with flour, salt, and pepper.  Stir in the milk until blended.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.  Add the turkey (chicken) and veggies; cover and simmer until heated through.  Serve over mashed potatoes.

I don't know if it was my alternatives that I used or just the recipe itself, but it wasn't the best.  I'll probably keep it and make it again in the future because it was incredibly easy and quick to make and it was OK, but definitely not one of my favorites. 

Let's hope Ethan will be feeling better tomorrow!

Temple and Spring Fling Weekend

Every year the first weekend of May and October are "camping weekends." My dad's friend owns about 1,500 acres in the mountains right outside of Winchester and on these weekends over 100 people meet up and camp out for the weekend-bringing their ATV's, dirtbikes, and lots of food. My dad started taking me on these weekend camping trips (AKA Spring Fling and October Fest) when I was in the 5th grade. It is literally in the middle of the woods, but it is incredibly peaceful and pretty. We sometimes go up for daytrips, too, but mostly just on these two weekends of the year. Anyway, my dad has continued this tradition with Ethan. Friday morning he came and picked Ethan up and then they headed out to "the cabin." (It's the main hang out on the property-mostly used by the people who hunt). Ethan told me right before Dad came that he HAD to go and "have guy time." :) So off they went at 7:30 for a fun day and night filled with riding ATV's, fishing, catching newts, watching the frogs (or should I say watching Ethan try and hit them with sticks?!), etc.

With Ethan being with my dad, I met Cherie at the temple after work (please remind me to start going on Saturday mornings! The traffic on Friday evenings to get there is NOT FUN!). We ended up talking on the phone most of the way, which was a nice distraction from going 5-8 miles/hour on the highway. It was nice to catch up with her. Afterwards, I was waiting in the hallway for her and I saw Sister Woo! She was a missionary in my ward shortly after I became a member of the church. It was so nice to see her again and meet her new husband. She said that she sometimes talks to Jenny (the missionary who taught me the lessons) and that she would send me her phone number if she found it. 

We ran into a family in our ward as we were leaving the temple and they took these picures of us... it was a beautiful evening!

The plan on Saturday was to leave my house at 3 to get to the "Top 60" by 4:15/4:30. (The Top 60 is the farthest my tiny car can make it into the camping area-it is 60 acres, and from there, there is a trail that only 4 wheel drive vehicles can take to get down to the cabin-about 2 miles long.) Well, then the census lady came knocking as it was almost time to leave (yes, I just called myself out-I didn't fill out the census thing and mail it back in... It is with all of my "To Do" stuff, it just never made it to the top of my list!). So after she left, it was passed 3 and I knew we wouldn't make it on time to meet my dad by 4:30... Anyway - it was about 5 when we finally got there, and then out of the woods popped my dad, cousin William, his friend Derek, and Ethan - Yes-Ethan on his own four-wheeler, riding on a very bumpy trail that has some tough spots to navigate on a 4 wheeler! I have to admit, though, he looked way cute on his tiny 4 wheeler with his helmet and goggles on:)

So we load up and start heading down, when we see 2 guys (maybe 17?) ride by us looking completely freaked out... then we see why... I saw a teenage girl getting up from the gravel road (this portion of the trail was gravel) and head into the woods, while there are other people climbing out of the woods. Apparently they were going way to fast on their John Deer (kind of like an ATV, but in the back there is a small bed-like a truck-to put firewood or whatever in) and lost control and went flying into the woods. They missed a huge tree by about a foot and how they didn't flip over, or how the two little kids that were in the back bed portion didn't fall out is truly amazing. Heavenly Father was definitely watching over them. The girl who did fall out, though, was bleeding from a gash above her eye and her palm didn't have any skin on it. But again, Heavenly Father was watching over the situation. He made sure that we were running late so that my dad would be at the scene within seconds of it happening. He immedately took charge of the situation - got his First Aid Kit, calmed her down, and cleaned her up the best that he could. She ended up gong out on an ambulance and probably had a concussion and definitely needed stitches, but it was a testimony builder that Heavenly Father watches over His children and makes sure that people are in the right place at the right time.

The rest of the trip (luckily!) wasn't as eventful. It was neat to watch Ethan play with his friend Jake and to see him do things that I used to do when I was younger and was camping there.

This morning while I was getting ready for church, Ethan came in and told me how much he loved me and that he "wants to get superglue, and put it on our sides so that we are stuck together forever!" Aww.... he DID miss me!! :)

He slept through all of Sacrament (not very reverent-opps, but I guess it's better than him complaining and bothering everyone around him, right?). When we got home, he said he didn't feel well so we watched a movie. I could feel that his body was getting hotter, so I took his temperature-sure enough, he has one. As the afternoon progressed, he looked more and more sick, and he barely ate dinner. He ended up falling asleep at 6:30, and only woke up when I carried him to his bed and had him take medicine. Poor guy! At least he got his "guy time" in, though! Hopefully a good night's rest will help, and he will wake up tomorrow feeling great.

One of the ponds is filled with frogs!

Ethan (second from the left) with some of the other boys playing on the dam... this part of the creek is stocked with fish and the kids also like to swim in it

Ethan and Jake hanging out by the creek

Ethan trying to catch fish with the net while Dad throws in fish food

Ethan trying to hit the frogs with a stick...

Jake and Ethan on their ATVs

About 20 minutes into the ride home...