Truths

I am what I choose to be. Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."

I am happiest when I choose to look at the things I did today, not the things I didn't do. Today I held sick children and made soup, that was it.

Prayer helps to get things done. Martin Luther said something like.. "I've got so much to do today, I'll have to spend and extra hour on my knees to make sure I accomplish it."

I am more willing to do things when I pretend to be excited about doing them.

Being silly throughout the day makes the day better for everyone.

Life is funny, if I look for the humor.

If I have something to go through or something hard to do, I can choose to be happy and do it or I can choose to cry about it. Either way, I have it to do. I might as well choose to be happy.

The Lord is very patient with me, I should have patience with myself as well. I am still learning.

Speaking in a loving calm tone, especially when it seems impossible, always brings the best results.

Getting worked up over things only brings stress and unhappiness. There is always another way to handle the situation; it is an opportunity to be creative.

If I show my faith through being obedient first, even when it isn't easy, the blessings will always follow. Abraham was willing to kill his son to be obedient and look where it got him.

Life is like a roller coaster with ups and downs. And just like on a roller coaster, the downs are much better when I put up my arms and say WEEEEEE!!!! and know that the up side is coming.

If I can't do anything about it then I shouldn't worry or stress over it, and if I can do something, then I should just do it.

When nothing else works I just remember, "This too shall pass."

The Price of Freedom

Sunday evening I took Sam, Josh and Tim to see The Price of Freedom. It was a free performance paying tribute to the amazing patriots of WWII. The city of Gilbert celebrated Constitution Week last week. This was their closing evening. It was outstanding! My boys were riveted and touched by the heroes of that era. It was a great way to help instill gratitude for those who are brave enough to protect our beautiful country and all the freedoms that come with it. One young man, for his Eagle project, made displays for each of the Arizona soldiers who have died serving our country since 2002. He updates it every year. I was surprised by how many there were. The displays had their names and some of their goals and dreams and then also how and when they died. Let's just say not many people left with dry eyes, and some of us had red noses and a handful of tissues to throw away.

The performers were all incredible. Many of them were moved to tears as well. The composer Rob Gardner, some where around 30 years old, is a musical genius. To be able to hear the orchestration, each instrument's part, and then put it together with the rest blows my mind. He is so fun to watch as he directs. He has such passion and feeling as he does it.

My family talked to Rob Gardner and Tyler and Linsey Maxson (the Maxson's have lead parts) after the show. We asked them how we could get them to bring the show to the West Valley. We are working on it. We need the funds for the orchestra, but the performers will come for love of the show. We also need a place to hold the performance, this last one was at Glibert High School. Any ideas or any one interested in helping to bring more great LDS performances to this side of town let me know.

Rob Gardner is also the writer/composer of Joseph Smith the Prophet, Saints and Pioneers, He is Jesus Christ, The Missionary Hymn Project, Blackbeard the Musical (get tickets for this weekend at the Herberger Theater downtown also starring the Maxsons) and Twelve Princesses. Richard and I saw Blackbeard opening night and loved it. I am taking our four oldest to see it Friday night. I am happy to help get the word out about this amazing young composer.

We Have Turned To The Darkside

My kids are now the proud owners of a Nintendo Game Cube (I know it is a bit out dated already) and one game, Super Smash Brothers. They have been saving their money for at least a year for this big purchase. I have never wanted any sort of gaming system, who needs more distractions, but I decided that if they wanted it bad enough to save their own pennies, they could buy one. Of course, there are rules about when and how long and how peacefully they get along while playing. Saturday night was the first night and it went very well. I do like that 4 of them can play at a time. It was fun to watch them having a blast. I hope it continues to be a bonding activity that does not take over the world. I am proud of them for reaching their goal with hard work and cooperation. Yea kiddos!

Arrg Matey!

Ahoy ye land lovers! We had our third successful Talk Like A Pirate Day. It was fun to answer the phone in pirate and greet the kids in the morning with a good piratey ARRRG! The kids had fun as did Richard and I. Richard, being a programmer, changed the icons at his work to pirates and skull and cross bones. So when his co-workers went to their normal work application, it had been piratized. Sara taught her teacher to speak pirate. She told her to replace the word is in a sentence with the word be; for example "What be in yawr lunch today?" We went out in the evening and surprised a few people with a pirate song and fresh strawberry jam. It was fun and VERY silly. I am sure this is a tradition that will continue on for many years.

Super Yummy Dinner

Last Sunday I was in the mood for something good but easy for dinner. I decided to make fresh rosemary and basil focaccia bread and top it with sauce (1 lb ground sausage, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 small can tomatoe paste, a bit of salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes), half each of a red, yellow and orange bell pepper, cut into slices, sliced black olives, 1/4 of a red onion, sliced, and topped off with a package of Mediteranian Crumbles Cheese, (Provolone, Feta and Mozerella chuncks). We dipped it in balsamic vinegar. Mmmm yum! It was divine. The kids were skeptical but loved it. It was so pretty too. You could top it with about anything.


The next night we had the same bread minus the rosemary and basil and topped it with cinnamon and brown sugar and drizzled cream cheese frosting on it. The kids loved that too. I love to cook and bake and when I make something every one likes it is really exciting.

We have this bread with dinner often. It is so easy and fast.

Rosemary Basil Foccacia Bread
1 tbs. dry yeast
1 tbs. sugar
1 cup warm water (105° - 115°)
2 1/2 cup white flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tbs. fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tbs.c fresh basil, chopped
3 tbs. olive oil or canola oil
2 tbs. butter

Place yeast, sugar and water in large bowl or mixer and allow mixture to become bubbly. Mix in 2 cups of flour and the salt. Add the fresh chopped rosemary and basil. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or in mixer about 30 seconds until smooth and elastic. Add flour if necessary, but make sure the dough is still a bit sticky. Cover with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 15 minutes. (I usually leave it to rise whileI prepare another part of the meal.)

Punch down dough. Shape into two round loaves and place ongreased baking sheet or press into a greased pan or cookie sheet and top the dough with whatever sounds yummy. Let the dough rest about 5-10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450°. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.

Don't Forget International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Friday, September 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. We have been preparing by getting our dollar store pirate garb. Timmy immediately tried some of it on Zanna. It is lots of fun. The past few years we have enjoyed sharing it with others by delivering goodies and singing pirate songs as we go. It is one of our favorite holidays! Join in the fun!



If you need a little help in learning to speak Pirate check out this video tutorial.