Ahh, Music

Oh how I love music. Ken recently found a wonderful website called Pandora that allows you to select the groups of music you enjoy and play only that music. I have been quite busy and a little stressed as of late and I have been thriving on some of the most beautiful piano solos. It is amazing how music can feed your soul. What a beautiful gift we have been given, beautiful music to enjoy and the blessing of ears to hear.

Day Two

Today has been a blast. We were slow to get out because of the morning rain but the sun began to shine and we made it out the door. We went to Trader Joe's to get our food for the day, the best way to eat on the road. Then we went to a beautiful park enjoyed our breakfast and flew kites while Timmy played in the sand. Sarah and I took a run while Elice rested then we headed out to the beach. We had a great time boogy boarding, I was too exhausted from the tumbles in the waves yesterday to continue trying to surf, and Elice even made it out to join us today. We then enjoyed our dinner and took a walk over to a wave machine and watched while people attempted the wave and pushed through the heckling. We stopped at a little organic grocery store, almost peed our pants at the blond, long haired guy and the girl with the long red hair. Back at the hotel we played cards and packed up for our early day tomorrow. We are going to La Jolla before we hang out at the airport. I love being here, feeling so comfortable and safe. I love being with my sisters, laughing and playing. Thanks Brian and Timmy for putting up with us. :)

There is such joy in sisters, I feel so blessed Sarah and Elice are mine.

Sisterhood

I know this is my second post in a matter of moments but there is so much I am excited about and the two posts don't fit together well. I am sitting in a little hotel room in San Diego with my sister Elice. My sister Sarah is in an adjoining room with her family and we are enjoying a quick weekend getaway. I love this! I flew in yesterday and we went out to lunch where we girls became teenagers again. Laughing and playing around, being overly silly and obnoxious. We drove straight to the beach where I got schooled by the waves in my attempts to surf. I had so much fun and am banged up and bruised but I managed to get to my knees several times, even to my feet once but not long enough to let go with my hands. I finally quit when I didn't have the strength to push myself up any more. I love being with my sisters, it is so wonderful to strengthen these cherished family relationships.

Anger

I just read a most powerful address regarding anger. I really hate anger and I find myself succumbing to it more often than is appropriate (never). As stated, "Anger doesn't solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything." Anger is a powerful tool of the adversary, it is something that he uses to control us, to direct us for his evil purposes. There is nothing in this world more important than family and yet when we choose to turn to anger when we feel frustrated, tired, annoyed, unjustly served, etc... it damages our family in one way or another. I feel that I have worked very hard to overcome my weakness to turn to anger when I feel that I cannot control the situation and yet in speaking to my children the other day I realized that I have not done enough to teach them to avoid anger at all cost. Oh, how that aches my heart. The joys in this world are overshadowed by the anger we choose to turn to. What beauty and goodness there is in this world. There is great evil too but it is by our examples of love and kindness, turning away from feelings of hatred and anger, that will bring the greatest peace to our lives and to those around us. It has been proven to me time and time again when I strive to let go of my perceived injustice and focus on the love of Christ. I encourage everyone to read this wonderful address. Click here to enjoy such inspired words.

Joy in Narration

I love watching children narrate their world. The other day we were at a family gathering and one of the cousins children, who is just a toddler, was softly announcing everything he was about to do. I'm putting my shoes on, I'm going to the door, I'm going outside. I was so tickled at his cuteness and realized that it happens more often than I realized. These little ones are so treasured, I love knowing what they are thinking!

Sweet Esmé

Today we took a quick trip to Austin to visit our little niece Esmé. Oh she is such a gem and we had a wonderful time holding and loving her and visiting with Brittany. We enjoyed brunch at a darling little bistro called Chez Zee and the children were so wonderfully patient while we talked for hours. We then went to Brittany's house and enjoyed some pictures while the kids played outside. What a wonderful day for a trip. It is such a great opportunity to get to know family and love the sweet little blessings that enter our lives. We were so thankful for Brittany opening her world to us and inviting us in so lovingly.






I was so sad I didn't get a picture of Alex or Ken holding Esmé. We'll have to get that next time.

Grace was so thrilled to help feed and hold Esmé and Trevor was so tickled that Brittany trusted him to hold her on his own. Alex lovingly entertained her siblings, even taking trips out to the car to get more 'supplies' so we could continue visiting after we ate. I love having such kind tender children to cherish. What a sweet blessing they are.

We came back to Houston to Madison's birthday party (another cousin) and the kids had a great time doing a Wii dance game. It was fun to have Ken's Aunt and cousins get to see Grace in full dance joy. She is such a character. Trevor shook is booty too and Alex was like her mother and a little too shy to dance in front of all those people. We had such an enjoyable time laughing and playing with Nicole, Willie and their family.

It has been a wonderful family day and I am looking forward to a good nights rest before I teach my first lesson in church tomorrow.

Kindness

I find that when I succumb to the pressures around me that I begin to focus on the negative, especially within my family. I have a tendency to be a bit of a perfectionist, the greatest problem of which is that nothing is good enough. What I realize is that I must let go of some things to gain the ability to discover the joy that is constantly around me. I have the most amazing children, smart, kind, generous, and it is so important to me that they know this but when I get in my rut... So I've decided that I need to verbally express my pleasure in them daily. I'll begin here. :)

Last night Grace made a water mess on the kitchen floor and since Alex was close by she quickly and kindly corrected the behavior. Then Alex went and got a towel and cleaned up the mess. She had no idea I was noticing such kindness and service.

Trevor was playing 'hide-and-seek' with Grace and one of her friends and every time he found them he would say 'That was a really good hiding space'. Oh those girls were just beside themselves, playing with such a 'big' kid and to have him compliment them, WOW.

Grace is always trying to serve and asking what she can do to help. She was so disappointed that I didn't have time to take a nap yesterday because she really wanted to fluff the pillows and lay a blanket on me. She kept asking how I like to lay on the couch, how many pillows I use, and do I like a blanket or not.

I am so blessed with children who are constantly trying to be better than asked. They are quick to acknowledge their wrong doings and try to repent. Their example of goodness is one I try to emulate daily. What a sweet blessing it is to be their mother.

Not Sugar!

Since we've discovered how damaging added sugar is to our family, particularly to Grace, I've tried to find some items we really enjoy, like desserts, that do not include any added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Yesterday I made some yogurt with plain yogurt, chopped fresh strawberries, and a small spoon of apple juice concentrate and Trevor said it was the best yogurt he's ever eaten. Today I am making one of our family favorite desserts from a book called "Sugar-Free Desserts ~ Naturally Sweetened with Fruits & Juices". Oh, I can't wait to gobble it up, it is such a yummy apple crisp and I don't have to worry about the sugar high after we enjoy it. :)


Apple Crisp

1 cup plus 3T frozen thawed unsweetened apple juice concentrate
1/4 cup uncooked rolled oats
4 large cooking apples peeled cored and sliced (approx. 6 cups sliced apples)
3/4 cup raisins
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon plus 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup cold butter

Preheat oven to 375. Combine 3 Tbsp apple juice concentrate and oats; mix well and set aside. Combine apples and raisins in large bowl; set aside. Combine cornstarch, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix well then add remaining 1 cup apple juice concentrate. Add to apple mixture and mix to coat. spoon into 8X8 baking pan. Combine flour and remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon in bowl; cut in butter till crumbly. Add oat mixture. Sprinkle over apples and bake for 35 minutes or until apples are tender.

Running

I am not a runner. I've never run any sort of 'distance'. I was really proud of myself for running a very hilly 5k in St. Louis the first weekend of December when I went to visit my brother. Since I ran with my sister-in-law, Fran, she pushed me to run more when she was here for Christmas. I tried to convince her that I cannot run very far, and she didn't buy it. I think it had something to do with her running a half marathon just a few months before. She pushed me to do what I thought was impossible, and we got up to 5.5 miles at an average of 10 1/2 min/mile which pushed my body to the limit. I was so proud of myself, so when a friend suggested we get a group together to run a 10k in March I jumped in. I don't have Fran here anymore but I really wanted to keep pushing myself to see just what I can do and this is a perfect situation. We've been training for a week now and I am already seeing improvement in my time. I am still fearful that I cannot run the whole race but I am excited to see what I can do. I love that I have friends who are willing to be patient with me as the slowest member of our running group.

For me the big excitement is that I have recently felt like I am getting older and I hate it. I have no desire to slow done so to accomplish something physical that I have I have never before been able to do is such a thrill. I'll have to revisit this when the race is over.