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Bye Mom!

05 Nov 2010 by

A few weeks ago we had Stake Conference as a Regional Conference by broadcast with many other stakes. My husband helped usher, so he took a few of our children to save a soft bench for us in the chapel instead of the hard fold-up chairs we usually get in the gym. I had brought several healthy snacks for the kids, water, a few Sunday appropriate books, finger puppets, and coloring books with crayons. We sat surrounded by adults without young children.

If I’d put a little more thought into it, I would have realized that sitting in the chapel with a broadcast wasn’t the brightest idea. The kids were fine coloring in their books before the broadcast began, and then…the lights went out. Um, yeah, coloring in the dark won’t work. We didn’t have that problem in the gym because of the natural light from the upper windows in the gym. Some of it came into the chapel, but it was overcast and darker due to the wet weather we were having.

I’m so grateful for the snacks and the finger puppets! They kept the kids busy enough to listen for about the first hour. The second hour, however, was more difficult. Several needed to use the restroom, and my 2yo son didn’t want to stay with me when some of the other children got to leave. The snacks kept the kids happy until they were gone. Several times I stopped the children from pushing, kicking, tickling, and loudly giggling. Another bathroom break for my 5yo, Wendy, and the 2yo, Peter, would not stay. (Why is it they choose to go to the bathroom when they’re bored?) He fussed until dad picked him up and started walking out of the chapel. Peter simply said, “By mom!” as they left. I couldn’t help but snicker. The lady in front of me told me after the conference that his comment was one of her favorite parts. I have to admit, it was one of mine too.


(This photo is from a summer activity, not the conference.)

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Category: Media, Relationships
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Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

04 Nov 2010 by

I hate wasting the seeds from a perfectly good pumpkin after we carve them for Halloween.  I found this recipe a few years ago, and my kids really like it.   I can’t remember where I got the original recipe, but it was probably Martha Stewart.  I adjusted it to be sucanat instead of sugar.  I don’t even have refined sugar in my house for baking any more.  I like this recipe, though I would like the stuff to stick better.

  • 1 cup Pumpkin seeds, must be dried
  • 5 Tbsp. Sucanat, powdered
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt
  • 1/4 tsp. Cumin, ground
  • 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon, ground
  • 1/4 tsp. Ginger, ground
  • Pinch of Cayenne
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Oil

The pumpkin seeds must be dried first.  If you haven’t done it, you can use a dehydrator or cook them on a very low heat until dry.

In a medium bowl, combine 3 Tbsp. powdered sucanat, salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne.  Set aside.

In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat.  Add pumpkin seeds and remaining 2 Tbsp. powdered sucanat.  Cook until sucanat melts and pumpkin seeds begin to caramelize, about 45-60 seconds.  Transfer to bowl with spices, and stir well to coat.  Let cool.  These can be stored in an air-tight container for up to a week.

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Category: Physical Health, Recipes
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My Young Writers and NaNoWriMo

03 Nov 2010 by

My oldest two girls are writing a book for the Young Writers Program through NaNoWriMo.org. My 11yo daughter, Ella, has a goal to write 8000 words by the end of November. She’s already written 2074 words! I’m so proud of her. She even stayed up late last night because she didn’t want to forget the next part of her book. I’ve been typing it in for her–it would take her too long at this point–but so far it’s a pretty interesting story. I know I wasn’t writing stories like that at her age.

My 9yo daughter, Aurora, isn’t as excited as Ella is, but she’s wants to do it. Her goal is 3500 words. It may be set a little high for her. She has the story in her head, but she doesn’t quite have a grasp of explaining what’s going on yet. She likes to have a lot of dialogue, but there are missing pieces in the story. We had a conversation about it, and I know she’ll get it.

As for me, I’m not writing a novel at all. I still need to finish my mentor training packet to be an official Thoughts Alive Mentor. That’s my goal for the end of November. Then I can work on my website and get that live. I’m going with the flow though and getting my home and family in order, working on my relationships with my family, and working on my spirituality more. My writing is coming along, but I’m not dropping everything to get it done. I feel more confident in what I’m doing than every before, and I know it’s what I need to do, for myself and my family.

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Category: Education
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Halloween 2010

02 Nov 2010 by

Love/Hate relationship with Halloween
Love: Fun, Dressing up
Hate: Candy, Scary/Gross stuff
Dressed as a Renaissance maiden
Peter – my monkey as always
Wendy – a darling unicorn
Lightning – an army man
Aurora – a Renaissance princess
Ella – Raggedy Ann
Trick-or-treating indoors at the mall
Stayed dry during rain storm
Went out to dinner
Bathed kids (before Sunday)
Watched a movie as a family
Gave out fruit snacks to trick-or-treaters
Kids in bed by 9:45pm
Buying my kids’ candy back- for their health and my sanity!



Sunset on Halloween Night

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Category: Media

Impromptu Family Trip

21 Oct 2010 by

My husband had a short meeting this morning, so we got all 7 of us ready to go out the door by 8:30am to head to downtown.  We dropped David off and headed for the parking garage to watch the construction across the street while we waited for him.  We get to the 9th floor, and park.  My oldest decided she needed to use the restroom.  Usually it’s my 5yo, so I was irked for a moment about it.  Then I changed my thoughts and realized I have to go at inopportune times too. I put the 2yo in the sling (I forgot the stroller!) and we all trekked to the office building where I knew where the restrooms were.  I was the only mom with her children walking in that area I guess, because we had quite a few odd looks.  I wasn’t sure if it was my huge smile (it was a happy morning!), the fact that I brought my 5 kids downtown, or that most kids are in school on Thursday mornings.  No matter the reason, I just kept walking, smiling, and encouraging my kids to follow me around.

We made it back up to the parking garage before my husband made it out of his meeting, and I was able to take a few photos.  I’m excited for their construction project to be finished!  I used to work in the building behind the big white one on the far upper right area of the first picture.  It was strange to see the giant gaping hole they left when they tore down the parking garage and other structures around it.  I used to drive up and down the parking garage several times a day as a runner for a local law firm.  I’m excited to see what the finished product will be. Anyway, my kids loved the giant cranes. The noise was loud enough, I couldn’t hear my cell phone ring when my husband called me until my daughter pointed the ring out to me. Fun times!






Then we took a trip up to the capital building.  I took some random and not so random pictures. Most are unedited. I figure if I wait to edit all of them, I’ll never share them!

We were going to go to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum, but I’ve been feeling off today and knew it wouldn’t be a pleasant trip.  So we opted to take the happy route and head for home as a family.  I love spending time with my family and just enjoying each others’ presence.

Oh, and this is what I saw tonight before I put the kids to bed.

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Category: Education, Media
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