I am in Mourning!

Yesterday my husband and I went to the Olive Garden with a good friend to celebrate her birthday. It was the worst visit I have ever made to my favorite restaurant... and in fact I have ZERO desire to return (okay 2% desire only because of good breadsticks). The reason: They discontinued the most yummy dish on the face of the planet!

My long lost Garlice Herb Chicken Con Brocoli


As a tribute to something I can never have back I am pasting the recipe here so as never to forget. Looking on the bright side, this will no longer be a hindrance to my weight management.

1 lb. chicken breasts with seasonings (1-2 tsp. dried basil, parsley and rosemary; 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes; salt and pepper to taste. Rub into chicken breasts. I also flattened the chicken with a rolling pin before seasoning.)
2 tsp. olive oil
4 oz. dry pasta (I used medium shells as they were the closest thing I could find to the way they serve it at the Olive Garden)
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 T. butter
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 c. fresh broccoli florets
salt and pepper to taste
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook chicken in olive oil until done and browned. Set aside.

Cook pasta until "almost" done. Drain.

Stir butter and garlic in saucepan. Cook until garlic caramelizes. Add cream and cornstarch and stir on medium heat until thickened. Add pasta. Stir in chicken and broccoli and simmer until noodles are done.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

Calling on all of you Mom's..

I saved this a few years back. It was a poem my Mom received from my Grandma years back and she has retained it in her keepsake box. How many of us can relate? Thanks to my Mom for sharing it with me.

A Mother's Prayer

Help me be a better worrier, God. I know it’s human to worry, it’s natural, it’s a by-product of caring and it can be useful, too. If I didn’t worry about my husband’s health, he might never go to the doctor. If I didn’t worry about our son’s grades, he’d probably never do enough work to pass. And if I didn’t worry about how the house looks, it would never get out of the mess it’s so often in.

Thank you for these worries, God, and the will to do something about them. But guard me against wasteful worrying. Help me avoid futile mental wrestlings with things that can’t be helped – mistakes of the past, irreversible decisions, afflictions over which we are powerless. No, no, let me waste no worries on these. If I must worry, let it be for some good reason – my own reactions, how I will cope with what is.

Don’t let me worry at night, Lord, when my body and mind need rest. Help me to herd all my worries into the daylight hours and to turn them over to you before I go to bed. Let me do this in complete trust, knowing I’ll be claimed by sleep – that precious sleep you gave us, not to be squandered in fruitless thought, but to replenish and strengthen us for all we must face by day.

Remind me, Lord, to follow my worries with action. No worry is worth the trouble if it doesn’t spur me on to do something about the problem – to tackle it, challenge it, change it, or forget it. Help me to write that letter, make that phone call, have that confrontation, develop a plan to resolve whatever is troubling me.

Keep me from the habit of constant worry. I realize that too much worry bespeaks a lack of faith, but I think you gave us worry as a safeguard, God, - a form of mental preparation of coming to grips with things. When I must worry, then help me put my worries to work, use them to some good purpose. Please make me a better worrier, God.

There you have it!

I read this on my friend Kindra's blog and laughed my head off. She too stole it from a friend. Just can't help but pass the laughter along!

If you are 30, or older, you might think this is hilarious!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... Barefoot... BOTH ways yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in heck I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a stinkin’ Utopia! And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the dang library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!

Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our a**! Nowhere was safe!

There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and mess it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone rendering it useless. Cause, hey, that's how we rolled, Baby! Dig?

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!

There weren't any cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends". OH MY WORD !!! Think of the horror... not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah, right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, the collection agent... you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your screen guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE !

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your tush and walk over to the TV to change the channel!!! NO REMOTES!!! Oh, no, what's the world coming to?!?!

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-finks!
And our parents told us to stay outside and play... all day long. Oh, no… no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside... you were doing chores!
And car seats - oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you hung on. If you were luckily, you got the "safety arm" across the chest at the last moment if she had to stop suddenly, and if your head hit the dashboard, well that was your fault for calling "shot gun" in the first place!
See! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980 or any time before!

Santa's Stowaway

I was just checking out some of my friends blogs to get caught up on their lives. I just couldn't help but pass this along. One of my dear friends from High School & College, Brandon Dorman, has just published his first book. He is an amazing artist and has illustrated many books, a few of which have been named #1 by the New York Times! He is truly amazing. This is the first book he has written as well as illustrated. I can hardly wait to go get it myself. I just called Barnes & Noble and they don't have it in yet, so I borrowede Emily Dorman's link. Click here to order now!

Girl in a Whirl, by 'Dr. Sue'

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.

It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I keep in contact through email and blog,

Color coordinate closets, and yes, walk the dog.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
________________________
It's easy!" she said and then she dropped dead.

Ha ha ha... this gives me the giggles. I read this to my husband and his reply: "And you wonder why you are all on pills.

(I am positive he is referencing my anti-depressants... which I am now off of!)

Just one question. Why in the world do we think we should be able to do all of these things to perfection? We ask too much of ourselves!

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

Welcome to the newest 2008 edition of getting to know your family and friends. I received an email from one of my favorite uncles showing some of his favorites. I was to change the answers to my own and forward it on (which I did). I just thought it was a fun little tidbit to share.

1. What is your occupation right now? Full-time child psychologist, clothing coordinator, interior decorater, maid, chauffer, teacher, mentor, laundress, professional organizer, family shrink, biographer/geneolgist, computer engineer, accountant and cook. Almost forgot... I am also a loan officer on the side!
2. What color are your socks right now? Don't have any on.
3. What are you listening to right now? Dead silence (and that is a beautiful thing!)
4. What was the last thing you ate? Cupcake batter with my kids.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My older sister
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? More than he might even know!
8. How old are you today? 28
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Women's college volleyball.
10. What is your favorite drink? Cherry Lime Rickie
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? No
12. Favorite food? Good old Macaroni and Cheese (Kraft please)
13. What is the last movie you watched all the way through: Little Rascals
14. Favorite day of the year? Hands down, no exception... Christmas.
15. How do you vent anger? Pull my eyebrows down, squish my lips tightly together and start cleaning like a mad woman.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Mandy Pandy (she's a doll... still have her) and I couldn't have lived the first 7 something years of my life without my blanket.
17. What is your favorite season? Winter because of Christmas. Fall comes in a close 2nd.
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Of course
20. Who is the most likely to respond? Might be my dad.
21. Who is least likely to respond? Just about everyone, but I'd love to be wrong.
22. Living arrangements? We are currently renting (and loving it) after building & selling our 2nd home. Couldn't say as I have ever been more happy. Share my home with my handsome hubby and our two cute kids.
23. When was the last time you cried? Reading my little sister's letter.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? My mom and my sisters have always been my closest and dearest friends. Otherwise, Rachel.
26. What did you do last night? Hung out at home with my family and loved it!
27. What are you most afraid of? Lightening.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese
29. Favorite dog breed? Teacup Yorkies.
30. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
31. States you have lived in. Utah, Idaho, Californie and Washington.
32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds... oh la la. Although, I do cherish the pearl ear rings my parents gave me when I graduated highschool.
33. What is your favorite flower? Dandy Lion (I know they are classified as a weed but I have loved them since I was a little girl).

A Good Laugh...

I have realized over the past week or two that laughing is truly therapy. Everyone needs to laugh on a constant basis. I am not a big UTube fan, but I found myself laughing hysterically at these two clips. I was even crying. Go ahead... gets your laughs in for the day.

Baby Biting Charlie's Finger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

Baby Laughing at Wii-- this is actually my cousin and his little boy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_mBLWpdwnI

Sacred Place

These are two of my very favorite places to be. Rocking my children to sleep is one of the most precious and peaceful parts of each of my days. I have said it before, I am blessed to be a mother. Beside my daughter's rocking chair I have a picture of me holding her when she was just a tiny infant. I read the words often and it is a sweet reminder of how quickly the days pass that my children will be small enough to be rocked. I wish I could keep them little and innocent for ever and for always. They grow up within a blink of an eye.








Cleaning and dusting can wait till tomorrow,
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs,
Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby,
And babies don't keep.

In my little boys room there is a simple reminder that hangs on his wall.

Cherish Every Moment

I do cherish every moment that I am lucky enough to spend with my sweet blessings from heaven. I am a happy mother.

Amazing!

Last week I found myself sitting on my couch in tears. It had been rough couple of days with my children and I was completely exhausted. I found myself in the same emotional place millions of us mothers have and will find ourselves. It was bitter sweet. I realized that I have dedicated my whote ENTIRE life to my children. I felt a little selfishly bitter because I felt like every fiber of my being was absorbed in raising a family and I had somehow lost my own identity. I felt I had lost all time for myself to cultivate any of my interests. Yet, it was so purely sweet because at that same moment I realized I have become the person I always wanted to be... a mom. To be a mom takes your whole heart and a lot of sacrifice. Anyone can go through childbirth and have a baby. However, not everyone chooses to be a "mother" or a "mom" which means loving your children with every ounce you are made of, and sacraficing anything, or everything for that matter, in the world for their happiness. Please know that I do sympathize with those of you who desperately would love to have children but may not be able to conceive or carry a baby. There are other ways you will affect for good children because of the love you are able to show towards them. I thank you for that and my heart goes out to you in your own circumstances.

As I sat there, crying and working my way through things while talking it out with my sympathetic husband, it was then I realized something, in a way I had never realized it before. I come from a family of eight children. My husband comes from a family of four (a brother lived only a week). It was then and there that I realized I am 1/8 of my own mother's entire life. She gave up everything for all 8 of her "babies". Cortney is 1/4 of his mother's entire life. She gave up everything for her four children. No matter what the part (1/8th or 1/4th) they are equal parts. Our mothers have and continue to give every part of themselves to us. So unselfishly.

I do not and never will regret having children. It is the best thing that I have ever done. What seemed like a heartache at the time was a true emotion. I am sure all mothers feel this way... probably often. But what I realized is that I am earning my own right to be known as "mother" and to link arms with millions of mothers around the world who love their children and sacrifice as they do. I hope that some day my daughter will choose to become a mother. There is no greater calling and no greater blessing.

As a side note... this doesn't mean we should just give up. We need our "outs" and our "breaks". You mom's deserve to have that pedicure, that new outfit, that new family friendly car for that matter... whatever it is. I am just proud to have joined the ranks beside you.

To my own mom... I just want to say thank you with all of my heart. I am who I am because of you. And to my dad, I love you too and you helped mold the person I am. You have sacraficed as well. Mommies just seem to let motherhood over-run their life. And you know, I guess that is a good thing.

To my husband... you are wonderful. Thankyou for giving me the breaks I have needed since that breakdown. And thank you for being my sidekick in raising our children. You are an amazing father. I love you so much.

How it should be...

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

by Dianne Loomans