It's like this...

Last night I got the cooking bug and decided to make some Whole Wheat Sandwich Wraps. They are pretty expensive and I made 8 of them for pennies. Literally. Pennies. I got the recipe off of Allrecipes. Whole Wheat Sandwich Wraps Ingredients: 2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour. (I used one cup Wheat Flour, one Cup White) 1/8 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup water. (I used a whole cup of warm water) Then I added some garlic powder, rosemary and a bit of onion powder to add some flavor to what reviewers on the site had said were some pretty bland Wraps. Oh, and a dollop of honey. I think you can take healthy too far sometimes. My taste buds agree. Directions: 1. In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking powder. Pour in water; stir to combine. Mix in additional water in 1 tablespoon increments, until a soft pliable dough is formed. As I said above, I added a full cup of warm water. I might even add more next time. You know, because I'm just that m...

Often during difficult and painful times, I have found the most peace and comfort in the Temple. I am healed as I put the things of the world aside for a time. I am thankful for so many things---and today I am thankful for the blessings the temple bring into my life and the promises we have received as a covenant family. Things will work out in the Lord's time and in His way. For now, I hold fast to the promises.

On Sunday we attended another ward (congregation) in order to hear the farewell talk by the daughter of friends. It was lovely and spiritual and touching all at once. I felt the spirit there---especially during the closing hymn. Here's what we sang. Be Still, My Soul Be still, my soul. The Lord is on thy side. With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend. Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as he has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake. All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still my soul: The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on When we shall be forever with the the Lord. When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone. Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys ...

A long, long time ago, on a planet not very far away, people wrote letters. Letters, at that time, consisted of hand writing on paper, putting the paper into an envelope, licking a (yucky) stamp and sticking it on the envelope. Then you had to actually GO somewhere to place the envelope into a mail receptacle. There was no clicking of buttons or a 'brrrring' sound to indicate that I had mail. I had friends who regularly did this for me, and I reciprocated. Oh the anticipation of going to mailbox each day to see if there was mail. Real, tangible mail. That's the mail you see above. I was cleaning out dusty boxes that have been moving with me from house to house to house. I came across a treasure trove of memories held within pages written 25+ years ago. Letters from Carin while she was away at Study Abroad in Europe. Letters from John away at BYU and his mission in Sweden. Letters from Kevin while on his mission in England. Letters from Cindy while she served ...

I have been listening more and more to The Mormon Channel . It's inspiring talks, music and videos. All uplifting and oh so welcome in my life. The other day I heard the song below---and I fell in love with it. The lyrics touched my heart. As I watch my little birds grow and leave my nest. I cannot find a video of the song---but I will keep trying. The group is called One Clear Voice , and they are amazing. My Nest The day has come for you to go I've watched you closely so I know I recognize your restlessness It's time for you to leave the nest I've taught you much of what you know It's been a joy to see you grow You fluttered first, then learned to fly While I was flying by your side A part of me will fly away As you leave my nest today But part of you will stay with me You will always be a welcome guest Within my nest You've had brief chances to explore That left you eager to see more You've taken tiny solo flights but ...

It's funny to me that I only made one blog post during the month of June---and it's already the 10th of July and I've yet to post. You're welcome. For me not clogging up your Blog feed. Very, very welcome. School is out and so is work. Well, school district work for me. I've been hired as a contractor for the PSESD to edit and add content to a website they are launching in conjunction with Columbia Legal Services. It's a website to help homeless youth and those who care or work with them. I have enjoyed it immensely. I was going into my office to do the work because the chair I have at home at the computer cripples me if I sit in it for any length of time. Seriously---on Monday night I worked in that chair and I was unable to even lift my legs up to bring them up on my bed that evening. So, the only thing keeping me from working at home was the chair, right? Of course right. Yesterday I purchased a very nice chair. A wonderful chair. A chair t...

I'm still standing, after all this time.... Today I have made a decison. For me. To let go of all the toxic people and things in my life. I cannot forget---oh that I could----but I can choose not to let other people's decisions tear at my heart and my soul. I can walk away. I can and I will. From now on I will let go of the pain and the heartache I have allowed to seep into my soul. I am only responsible for my decisions. I will only keep people in my life that do not use me, abuse me, or bring me down. I will walk in faith, knowing that everything is in His hands and give the control over to Him. I will not be hurt by other people's opinions of me. It's my opinion that counts---not theirs. I cannot save anyone--only He can. I will not dwell on painful experiences. I will seek His peace more fully in my life. I will be happy. I will write what I darn well please. When I please. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I will walk away. I will serve my hus...

I've been doing a bit of research on abuse, domestic violence and how it usually ends. It's not pretty and it's painful and I hurt every time I read another woman's tale of horror. Did you know that emotional abuse is as detrimental as physical abuse? And that most emotional abusers continue on to become physical abusers? I didn't. I do now. I found a site where formerly abused women, on the path to recovery from their abusers, have written poems. This one below is one that haunted me. Thank You You wooed me with poetry I bit on the hook Had I only first read The name of the book I would have avoided The very first page For pages kept turning Revealing the rage The ups were a great high The ride was a bash But I rode with my eyes closed To avoid seeing the crash I knew it would come soon But I never knew when The rage and the leaving And the path to the end You had to control things Determined you would Emotionally destroying me...

In the past ten months, our family has experienced the following: 1. Three Northwest Hospital ER visits. 2. Eighteen Children’s Hospital ER visits. 3. Three surgeries on an Achilles tendon. 4. One surgery lengthening an arm tendon and transferring two other tendons. 5. One lovely ride in a Medic One 6. A bone infection due to a root canal gone terribly wrong. 7. Two oral surgeries. 8. Four hospital stays 9. One Harborview ER visit 10. Our car’s transmission went out so we are down to one vehicle, meaning I get up at the crack of Didn’t-I-just-go-sleep, take hubby to work, come home and get two offspring up. I take one to high school, one to middle school. I go to work, go pick up my husband, pick up high schooler, pick up middle schooler, lather, rinse and repeat ad nauseam. 11. We lost our beautiful home....and 12. Our dog died. Toss in an unwed pregnancy and our lives just became a country song---without the beer of course. Or the gun rack in the pickup truck. ...

I'm home from church today.... I was greatly looking forward to going, for two reasons; One, my husband is speaking and two, my older sister Cheri is coming. It would have been wonderful. However, my place is here at home, keeping my child safe and watching over her. There is no manual for us, as the parents of this very unique and troubled child. There just isn't. We do what we think is right, we pray and pray and pray for guidance. And sometimes....we wonder where the 'joy in our posterity' is to be found. Struggles overwhelm us, as we try to find that joy in small moments. Sadly, they are few and far between. Still, we try. Last night Lance and I sat down with some very dear friends of ours. Their struggles are difficult and some of theirs are like ours, so we had much to talk about. It felt wonderful to talk with someone who understands, someone who is going through the parenting trenches with children who have special needs, and with a typical chil...

I'm going to be brutally honest with all of you. Well, all two of you that may have continued to read my blog. I hope that once you read this, you will continue to be my friends and/or family. I DO NOT LIKE MOTHER'S DAY I really don't. Not anymore. Oh, there were times I loved the celebration of my being a mom, when my four offspring were younger. I remember little handprints on papers in bright colors, crafty mother's day gifts from elementary school that my babies were dying to give to me. Some couldn't wait until Sunday and I was given those gifts as they climbed down from their yellow school buses the Friday before a Mother's Day. Eyes bright with the joy of giving me something they had made themselves. There were breakfasts in bed. One Mother's Day my two youngest girls slaved in the kitchen and brought me a plate of food that did not in fact look like something edible. Since they knew my favorite color was pink, they used some food colori...

This is David Tennant, born David MacDonald. He is the tenth incarnation of Dr. Who, a show I previously did not know existed. Now my life is complete. I have become..... A Whovian. Dr. Who is gearing up for it's 50th Anniversary show. I can't wait. Curse you, David Tennant. I can't seem to quit you. Em, what I mean to say is, thanks for the lovely distraction you give me from the struggles of day to day life. I tell my children we should get a Tardis. They roll their eyes. It's ok. Not everyone can love a show as much as another person. I think it's good to take a mental vacation sometimes. David isn't just some fly-by-night actor, oh no. This gem of a man is a critically acclaimed actor, part of the RSC, the Royal Shakespeare Club. His Hamlet will bring you to tears. His bit on the Catherine Tate Show as the ghost of Christmas present, is one of my favorite pieces, and not just because he dances. Ok, that's partly it, but still. He...

It's been a busy week here for Spring Break. Ashley had her surgery on Monday at Children's. It went well. They lengthened one tendon and moved two other tendons around in her arm. It's going to help her hand not contract as much and hopefully give her more use of it. It's been a bit difficult to control her pain, but I think we're doing much better now. I had oral surgery on Tuesday. Glad that pain is over. I'm doing quite well today. Yesterday we decided to brave it and take the ferry to Kingston. We were planning on staying a couple of days. The weather has been gorgeous! However, once there we realized that Ashley wasn't up to staying, so we spent the day and part of the evening. She slept a bit due to the pain meds. We had a campfire and made hobo stew and s'mores. Allison brought her boyfriend, Andy, for his first Kingston Beach Cabin experience. It was lovely. And here is a photo collage of our day. The moon was incredibly hug...

It is Saturday. I suppose I could be excused for not getting dressed until nearly 4 p.m. Again, perhaps not. My eyes and my head have been throbbing. I felt fine when I woke up, then the pain began. Sometimes I wonder if the act of breathing in and out, thinking and worrying, or simply being conscious can bring me to my knees in pain. After what has happened to me recently, I have done some reflecting. And although I post a great deal of what is going on in my life---those are tiny snippets of a larger, more complex and painful picture. However, I am told that the pain is my own, to keep or reject. I wonder though...if by rejecting the pain, does this cause your heart harden to a point past all caring? When my only son was younger, we were constantly warning him about the physical dangers in his world. "Christopher, please don't climb so high in that tree. Critter, please slow down on your bike. Son, please wear your helmet and elbow pads when you are skateboar...

There are lovely buttery daffodils sitting upon a table in my living room. They are from my coworkers. My refrigerator is full of food from these same people, providing dinner for several nights for my family. While I would not suggest spending time in the hospital to receive such perks from your fellow man, it does soften the edges of my worry. I am blessed. Sunday I experienced something I hope never to experience again. While meeting with my sister Julie at Fircrest to visit our sister Cheri, I was suddenly struck in the head with an axe. Not a real one, to be sure, but the feeling, oh the feeling, was very real. I crumpled and am told that I began screaming. Thankfully my sister called 911. Medics soon arrived and I am told six men were soon working over me. They were unable to find a vein, though that did not stop them from shoving needles into arms, hands, feet and fingers. While the pain of the needles barely pierced through the intense pain I was experiencing, I was ...

Not really. Although it appears that by sharing my beliefs and opinions, I have managed to send a few people into apoplectic shock. I'm not sure how that works exactly---tolerance is the key and a highly touted value for some, unless an opinion differs from theirs. Then you of the differing beliefs are racists, bigots, haters, and other names uttered in hatred in coarse language that I don't use. For the record? I'm not a bigot. Nor am I a racist, nor do I hate women, gays, people who Cos play, undocumented aliens, heterosexuals, people who get abortions, people who drink, smoke, use drugs, engage in a promiscuous lifestyle, The Amish, The Baptists, Palestinians, Israelis, Muslims and homeless people begging on street corners. I do not hate fat people, but I am a little perturbed at all my skinny friends. That's just me, of course. This past week there was a flurry of people putting an equal sign as their user picture up on Facebook. I put up a picture of ba...

My beautiful third child has learned how to sew all on her own. What a creative soul she is! For Valentines day, she created two dolls with magnets (to make them kiss) in her image and in the image of her boyfriend Andy. Today she gave them to him, as we all looked on. Even the hoodies match what they were wearing! Artistic, musical, witty and can sew circles around me.....could she really be mine? I hugged her before she left for Young Women's tonight. I love her so much. I've discovered that the more creative, the rockier the life....or so it seems. Yesterday I had a bit of oral surgery and a bone graft to boot. Hmm, why do we say, 'to boot'? I've never really wondered that before. Oh look! Something shiny! Vicodin has been my companion. Ice packs, heat packs and life is slowly moving towards my normal. Which everyone knows is not anywhere near REAL normal. Ah, normal. You are so over rated. Hubby is still scooting around on his knee scoo...

Once a year for the past three years, someone I care about has passed on to the other side. I must be getting to 'that' age. Whatever 'that' age is. I was unable to attend the celebration of someone's life yesterday, because I came down with some ugly bug on Friday at work. I had to leave an hour early from work...but I digress. I can still see Carol in my mind's eye, laughing in the foyer at church, giggling on a ferry boat ride. Her long blondish hair shining. She went on to become a mom, grandmother, and did wonderful things for her family. Faithful and sweet and kind. I'll always remember her that way. With a smile on her face. Carol Anderson Biddle , a woman of love and faith and with a smile that lit up the world. Prayers and condolences to her family...

You may have noticed that our nation's debt is spinning out of control. Our children will one day pay the enormous price of our elected official's inability or unwillingness to stop their out of control borrowing and spending. When YOUR family is in economic crisis, do YOU spend more? Not if you have half a brain. You cut things out. You go without luxuries, you don't get into more debt! Obama and congress seem unable or unwilling to fix this problem. Here is my newest piece at The Black Sphere about this issue. Trust me, it will Blow You Away! Have I ever lied to you? :::::GRIN:::::

Here's my newest piece for The Black Sphere It's about Ron Paul and Chris Kyle Really, I was dumbfounded by his tweet. What do you think?

Most of you know I've begun writing for a Conservative Blog. I'm working with a team of 7 talented writers---all very creative and knowledgeable. You should read some of their stuff. But since this is MY blog, I'm sharing MY work. How very selfish of me, yes I know. Have you ever known me to be any other way? Don't answer that question. Here's the link to my newest piece there . Yes, I clutch my pearls. Call me a prude, I really don't care. Enjoy!

That is all.

I've been hired to write with a team of highly talented writers for the Conservative powerhouse that is Kevin Jackson , radio host, best selling author and sought after speaker. One of my pieces is up at the moment---well, actually four or five are up here at the Black Sphere. That link will take you to one of my pieces, and if you are so inclined, you may click on some of my other pieces. It's nice to be writing again, and being able to let my voice be heard. I hope you bookmark that link and come back often to see what else I've got to say. In other, more personal news, Lance had to have a third surgery this morning at Harborview Hospital. The third time is the charm, right? We sure hope so. The surgeon came out and told me that they think they found the source of the infection, a suture from the first surgery. I'm a bit confused about all of this, but intend to get to the bottom of it. And in WONDERFULLY thrilling and happy news---I saw Ashley Rose...

As I cleaned up the kitchen this morning, I discovered two large halves of half a watermelon sitting on the tile counter. My youngest had scooped out all the delicious red fruit and left the rest. No attempt to put it into the food waste container, sitting a few feet away. No attempt to toss it in the garbage. As I picked up the discarded shells, I thought, “No sugar ants swarming all over. Sure would have been covered in ants if I was still in Venezuela. All that sugary sweet watermelon juice...” Mentally shaking myself, I offered up a grateful prayer that I was no longer living in the muggy tropical country where ant infestations were common. You could not leave food out on the counters for any length of time. Not unless you wanted ants—or worse. Unattended food was fair game for roaches, ants, bugs of all kinds. When humans with the power left the area, the vacuum was filled with opportunistic creatures taking advantage of the good stuff. If you've been watch...

I won't go into a lot of detail here, mostly because at the moment it is very painful for me to even think about. On Thursday afternoon we had to put our dear sweet dog Cassie to sleep. It was an incredibly difficult decision to make---until she began having seizures one after another and I knew it was the right choice. She was in pain. She was suffering. It was the humane choice for my baby girl. Even having said that, it tore at my soul. Happy Trails, sweet doggie. Until we meet up to play Gimme Dat Bone once again...