Our Primary serves the children of our ward and also the children of the Spanish-speaking branch in Waco. At the beginning of the year we decided on a couple of songs we would learn in Spanish for our program at the end of the year. As Mother's Day approached and we were invited as a Primary to sing in both Sacrament Meetings, we decided to go ahead and teach the kids the first verse of "Soy un hijo de Dios" (I Am a Child of God).
I've been singing this to my kids in Spanish since they were born, and Elijah only just barely started asking for the song in English at bedtime last week. Apparently, he now knows the difference between the Spanish version and the English. We haven't been doing much speaking Spanish at home for quite a while, so I was happy that Ellen was really excited to learn the song in Spanish for real.
On Mother's Day, the children sang beautifully in English in our ward, and then we stayed after Primary for one more meeting, and they kids sang beautifully the same two songs in English for the Spanish-speaking branch. I wasn't really prepared for how emotional I would be when they all sang "Soy un hijo de Dios" at the very end. It was really amazing. What a blessing for the children, leaders, parents, and teachers it is for us to get to know the children and families from the branch and some of their language as well.
Today I was standing in the hall at church and someone opened the Primary room door, and the children were singing "Soy un hijo de Dios" again. I started crying again. At least I wasn't standing in front of the kids, crying, although that does happen on a regular basis. It's so sweet for these children to know who they are in two languages.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Gardening
So, gardening. We have had such interesting weather this spring that the first round of seeds I planted (1) didn't sprout or (2) died. Actually, that was probably more due to laziness on my part than the actual weather.
So, gardening. I decided that if sunflowers can grow on the side of the highway with no help whatsoever, they would probably do all right in that patch of my back yard where nothing but dirt grows.
Also, the neighbor removed two trees along the fence line and replaced her chain link fence with a wooden privacy fence, but the people who came to grind the stump only took care of the roots on her side of the fence, so the root section in our yard started sprouting all kinds of foliage as soon as it rained. And, we have about an inch of dirt and then lots and lots of "chalk rock". You all probably know what it's actually called, but there's a lot of it around here, and that's why I didn't plant a nice row of sunflowers along the fence. And because it didn't occur to me at the time. [Lazy gardener]
The package said dwarf sunflowers, but they're as tall as Elijah and still growing.
Since the plants are so big, I didn't see any harm in leaving the caterpillars to their meal.
So, gardening. Until a couple of days ago, we had a large patch of thistles and dandelions that I didn't do anything about, and then it rained several times, and they exploded. Then Jack Jack came home and identified several ladybug larva after studying the ladybug life cycle in kindergarten, so I left the weeds alone and called it our "ladybug garden." This was literally a breeding ground for my favorite insect. I didn't mention it to Jack, and he took a weed eater to the patch the last time he mowed the back yard, so the ladybug garden is no more. We still have plenty of snails, though.
So, gardening. Jack gave me a potted rose for Valentine's Day this year, and I repotted it and hung it outside the kitchen window. It hasn't died yet, so I feel good about that.
So, gardening. While many people consider honeysuckle a weed, I have many happy childhood memories involving honeysuckle. Good thing, because this stuff cannot be killed, short of chemicals. I'm opposed to chemicals in theory. In practice, I'm just too lazy to buy and apply them. However, with the removal of two trees, fence, and installation of a new fence, I didn't have very high hopes for the honeysuckle. Turns out, they don't call it a weed for nothing.
So, gardening. Today I found two flowers on one of my tomato plants!! These babies started from seeds, and it seems like it's taking forever for them to get growing. And I almost killed them when I repotted them into bigger pots. Not pictured in my "actual" "vegetable" "garden" are the tiny plastic strawberry containers with sprouting kale and chard, and the pots in my kitchen windowsill with sprouting basil, onion, and chives. That's because they might still die. [Lazy gardener]
This was the second time I saw this guy in my yard. Unless there is more than one large lizard wandering around with a missing tail. Also, we have seen squirrels, birds, garden snakes, and never ending snails.
So, gardening. I decided that if sunflowers can grow on the side of the highway with no help whatsoever, they would probably do all right in that patch of my back yard where nothing but dirt grows.
Also, the neighbor removed two trees along the fence line and replaced her chain link fence with a wooden privacy fence, but the people who came to grind the stump only took care of the roots on her side of the fence, so the root section in our yard started sprouting all kinds of foliage as soon as it rained. And, we have about an inch of dirt and then lots and lots of "chalk rock". You all probably know what it's actually called, but there's a lot of it around here, and that's why I didn't plant a nice row of sunflowers along the fence. And because it didn't occur to me at the time. [Lazy gardener]
The package said dwarf sunflowers, but they're as tall as Elijah and still growing.
Since the plants are so big, I didn't see any harm in leaving the caterpillars to their meal.
So, gardening. Until a couple of days ago, we had a large patch of thistles and dandelions that I didn't do anything about, and then it rained several times, and they exploded. Then Jack Jack came home and identified several ladybug larva after studying the ladybug life cycle in kindergarten, so I left the weeds alone and called it our "ladybug garden." This was literally a breeding ground for my favorite insect. I didn't mention it to Jack, and he took a weed eater to the patch the last time he mowed the back yard, so the ladybug garden is no more. We still have plenty of snails, though.
So, gardening. Jack gave me a potted rose for Valentine's Day this year, and I repotted it and hung it outside the kitchen window. It hasn't died yet, so I feel good about that.
So, gardening. While many people consider honeysuckle a weed, I have many happy childhood memories involving honeysuckle. Good thing, because this stuff cannot be killed, short of chemicals. I'm opposed to chemicals in theory. In practice, I'm just too lazy to buy and apply them. However, with the removal of two trees, fence, and installation of a new fence, I didn't have very high hopes for the honeysuckle. Turns out, they don't call it a weed for nothing.
So, gardening. Today I found two flowers on one of my tomato plants!! These babies started from seeds, and it seems like it's taking forever for them to get growing. And I almost killed them when I repotted them into bigger pots. Not pictured in my "actual" "vegetable" "garden" are the tiny plastic strawberry containers with sprouting kale and chard, and the pots in my kitchen windowsill with sprouting basil, onion, and chives. That's because they might still die. [Lazy gardener]
This was the second time I saw this guy in my yard. Unless there is more than one large lizard wandering around with a missing tail. Also, we have seen squirrels, birds, garden snakes, and never ending snails.
We got lots of pecans from the trees in the front and back in the fall, and the peach tree in the front yard has fruit on it, but I'm not getting my hopes up. . . . Okay. Maybe I'm getting my hopes up a little.
In my lazy defense, I do water my plants daily. But if they need more than regular watering and sunlight to grow, and an occasional application of liquid miracle grow, That's beyond my lazy gardening KSAs. [I don't plan to be lazy forever, for the record.]
In my lazy defense, I do water my plants daily. But if they need more than regular watering and sunlight to grow, and an occasional application of liquid miracle grow, That's beyond my lazy gardening KSAs. [I don't plan to be lazy forever, for the record.]
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Mediterranean
Last night I made something for dinner that I love, and that I haven't made in over ten years. I'm a little ashamed to admit that while I learned to make a Spanish tortilla while on my mission in Spain, after a few failed attempts upon returning home, I gave up altogether. So when I received a new cookbook as a gift, I marked the page with the recipe for tortilla española and determined to introduce my family to the most typical Spanish dish I ate as a missionary.
A non-stick pan is helpful, as is lots of olive oil and keeping the heat at medium or lower. Fry a chopped onion in olive oil. Add two chopped potatoes and fry until soft and a little golden. Remove from oil, let cool, beat six eggs, stir into potato and onion, add salt and pepper, return to the oil and cook until golden on the bottom. Here is where it can get a little sketchy. When the bottom is done, cover the pan with a large plate, flip the tortilla onto the plate and slide it back into the pan to cook the other side. This part scares me. A lot. But I did it, and I managed to get most of the tortilla in the pan where it belonged and cooked all the way through.
The reason I will probably make this again is the same reason I told Jack we needed to install a camera to record our dinner conversations with the kids. Every time I try a new recipe from my cookbook, I tell the kids we're "eating Mediterranean". This often involves several "courses" and gets lots of dishes dirty, but they are generally willing to try what I've made. Our hard and fast dinner table rule is "Mom chooses what goes on your plate. You choose what to eat from your plate."
So back to last night. I explained that I was serving the family a Spanish food from my mission, and we discussed the differences between the Mexican tortillas and a Spanish tortilla. Then I served tiny pieces, told the kids not to worry if they didn't like it, but that they could have as much as they wanted if they did like it. Everyone tried it. Everyone had seconds and thirds, and as they were eating the kids made comments like, "This is delicious! Can you make this every night? I love this Spanish food, Mom. You are the best cook ever. Can I have some more? I didn't think I would even like this, but I love it! This is my new favorite food. I'm going to have this for my birthday dinner instead of [my other favorite food]" I promise, I am not exaggerating.
What's not to love about fried onions, potatoes, and eggs?
Since we've been "eating Mediterranean," we've tried several new things. I may never buy pasta sauce in a jar again. I've experimented for weeks with sourdough. My husband has happily eaten several items he has specifically prohibited me from making in the past (I just ignored him). I'm surprised at how willing my family has been to try it all, and how much they actually like. The biggest changes have been an increase in fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes and greens, prepared in various ways, and the amount of olive oil I am using at a rapid pace.
Our favorite dishes (the ones the kids and husband ask for) so far have been:
-Broiled fish (fish fillets topped with minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, then broiled in the oven)
-Hummus (tonight we had roasted garlic hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, and spinach hummus!) So, this was actually a favorite before, but now I serve it at dinner with some toasty homemade whole wheat bread.
-Homemade pasta sauce (saute carrots, onions, garlic, and parsley in olive oil. And any other vegetables you feel like. Squash, cauliflower, greens :). Add a large can of diced or whole tomatoes and some dried oregano and simmer until the sauce has a "jammy" consistency. I always puree it with my immersion blender at this point, because my kids' patience with my experimentation only goes so far, and this makes it look like the familiar sauce they know and love. Only it tastes so. much. better. Mix with cooked pasta and top with some freshly grated parmesan cheese.)
-Bruschetta (I was floored to learn that it really is just chopped fresh tomatoes, salt, minced fresh garlic, and olive oil. Served with toasted wheat bread.)
-Tabbouleh (not new. I grew up eating this: cooked cracked wheat or bulgar salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green onion, parsley, and lemon/olive oil dressing.)
-Baba ghanouj (roasted eggplant with salt/garlic paste and lemon juice. This is only my favorite. It's a little spicy for the kids' taste.)
-Olives, olives, olives. Black California, Spanish manzanilla, Greek kalamata.
So, seeing as how the closest I've ever been to the Mediterranean is the northern coast of Spain (Cantabrian Sea and Atlantic Ocean, people), and an Italian friend named Massimo during my college days in the Foreign Language Housing Program at BYU, this is far from authentic. However, this little experiment has increased my desire to plant a large section of our yard with lettuce, chard, kale, spinach, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. For now, we'll have to make do with dandelion greens. Ha.
By the way, this is the cookbook, and I never would have bought it for myself, but it has been fun to try new things!
A non-stick pan is helpful, as is lots of olive oil and keeping the heat at medium or lower. Fry a chopped onion in olive oil. Add two chopped potatoes and fry until soft and a little golden. Remove from oil, let cool, beat six eggs, stir into potato and onion, add salt and pepper, return to the oil and cook until golden on the bottom. Here is where it can get a little sketchy. When the bottom is done, cover the pan with a large plate, flip the tortilla onto the plate and slide it back into the pan to cook the other side. This part scares me. A lot. But I did it, and I managed to get most of the tortilla in the pan where it belonged and cooked all the way through.
The reason I will probably make this again is the same reason I told Jack we needed to install a camera to record our dinner conversations with the kids. Every time I try a new recipe from my cookbook, I tell the kids we're "eating Mediterranean". This often involves several "courses" and gets lots of dishes dirty, but they are generally willing to try what I've made. Our hard and fast dinner table rule is "Mom chooses what goes on your plate. You choose what to eat from your plate."
So back to last night. I explained that I was serving the family a Spanish food from my mission, and we discussed the differences between the Mexican tortillas and a Spanish tortilla. Then I served tiny pieces, told the kids not to worry if they didn't like it, but that they could have as much as they wanted if they did like it. Everyone tried it. Everyone had seconds and thirds, and as they were eating the kids made comments like, "This is delicious! Can you make this every night? I love this Spanish food, Mom. You are the best cook ever. Can I have some more? I didn't think I would even like this, but I love it! This is my new favorite food. I'm going to have this for my birthday dinner instead of [my other favorite food]" I promise, I am not exaggerating.
What's not to love about fried onions, potatoes, and eggs?
Since we've been "eating Mediterranean," we've tried several new things. I may never buy pasta sauce in a jar again. I've experimented for weeks with sourdough. My husband has happily eaten several items he has specifically prohibited me from making in the past (I just ignored him). I'm surprised at how willing my family has been to try it all, and how much they actually like. The biggest changes have been an increase in fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes and greens, prepared in various ways, and the amount of olive oil I am using at a rapid pace.
Our favorite dishes (the ones the kids and husband ask for) so far have been:
-Broiled fish (fish fillets topped with minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, then broiled in the oven)
-Hummus (tonight we had roasted garlic hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, and spinach hummus!) So, this was actually a favorite before, but now I serve it at dinner with some toasty homemade whole wheat bread.
-Homemade pasta sauce (saute carrots, onions, garlic, and parsley in olive oil. And any other vegetables you feel like. Squash, cauliflower, greens :). Add a large can of diced or whole tomatoes and some dried oregano and simmer until the sauce has a "jammy" consistency. I always puree it with my immersion blender at this point, because my kids' patience with my experimentation only goes so far, and this makes it look like the familiar sauce they know and love. Only it tastes so. much. better. Mix with cooked pasta and top with some freshly grated parmesan cheese.)
-Bruschetta (I was floored to learn that it really is just chopped fresh tomatoes, salt, minced fresh garlic, and olive oil. Served with toasted wheat bread.)
-Tabbouleh (not new. I grew up eating this: cooked cracked wheat or bulgar salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green onion, parsley, and lemon/olive oil dressing.)
-Baba ghanouj (roasted eggplant with salt/garlic paste and lemon juice. This is only my favorite. It's a little spicy for the kids' taste.)
-Olives, olives, olives. Black California, Spanish manzanilla, Greek kalamata.
So, seeing as how the closest I've ever been to the Mediterranean is the northern coast of Spain (Cantabrian Sea and Atlantic Ocean, people), and an Italian friend named Massimo during my college days in the Foreign Language Housing Program at BYU, this is far from authentic. However, this little experiment has increased my desire to plant a large section of our yard with lettuce, chard, kale, spinach, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. For now, we'll have to make do with dandelion greens. Ha.
By the way, this is the cookbook, and I never would have bought it for myself, but it has been fun to try new things!
Monday, May 13, 2013
L-L-Legos! And, Jack needs a haircut.
We may need to work on Jack's "camera face."
This lego bus he designed and built is awesome, though!
And I love the curly hair. The back gets really, really curly. When he wouldn't let me comb it or fix it or teach him how to do it himself, he got a haircut.
This lego bus he designed and built is awesome, though!
And I love the curly hair. The back gets really, really curly. When he wouldn't let me comb it or fix it or teach him how to do it himself, he got a haircut.
It was getting longer than Rose's hair.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
More family photos!
My friend took some pictures for us after church while the bluebonnets were in bloom.
I can't decide which one I like best.
I want to get some printed, because I have no family pictures displayed in our home.
Which one do you like best?
I can't decide which one I like best.
I want to get some printed, because I have no family pictures displayed in our home.
Which one do you like best?
Let me know.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
For all my mothers
Mother's Day hasn't been able to sneak up on me like it usually does. We've been practicing songs for Mother's Day for the past three weeks with the children in Primary and at home, I was involved in a mother/daughter activity for eight- to eleven-year-old girls last night, and story time at the library today was a Mother's Day tea party. So here's a little pre-Mother's Day video that I love. It made me smile, cry, miss my mom, feel inadequate, want to be better, remind me that I'm not alone, and of many, many things that I love about being a mom. I am so grateful for the many women who have mothered me and continue to do so.
Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mother.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Teacher Appreciation Day
My kids have loved their first year of school.
I love these women and how much they have taught, loved, and believed in Ellen and Jack.
Jack's teacher was named Teacher of the Year for the entire school district. We are so grateful and appreciate all they do!
I love these women and how much they have taught, loved, and believed in Ellen and Jack.
Jack's teacher was named Teacher of the Year for the entire school district. We are so grateful and appreciate all they do!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Way back crafts
fabric scraps, canvas, scissors, stamps, glue gun
no sewing required
holiday table runners
no sewing required
holiday table runners
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The experts.
Sometimes the best people to consult about parenting skills are your own kids. Sometimes it's hilarious, and sometimes it hurts.
At a recent dinner conversation, the kids were going on and on about how great the food was, and how dinner was good because "Mom is amazing!" Jack asked the kids, "What about Daddy?" "If you want to be amazing, you better get some more stuff going."
Who knows what that actually means, but Jack and I were cracking up.
Rose made me a pretend salad and presented it to me like this: "This is a magic salad, Mom. If you eat it, it will make you a better mom." "Yummy," I said. "I'll eat it. What do better moms do?" "Not get angry."
Lately my grumpiness has also been the subject of the kids' very candid family prayers.
Obviously Jack and I have some work to do to bring our parenting skills up to scratch.
In other news, Ellen challenged me to a push-up contest this afternoon. "First one to do ten push-ups wins!" I'm shocked that she could do seven real push-ups. I did ten, because I'm still working on this.
At a recent dinner conversation, the kids were going on and on about how great the food was, and how dinner was good because "Mom is amazing!" Jack asked the kids, "What about Daddy?" "If you want to be amazing, you better get some more stuff going."
Who knows what that actually means, but Jack and I were cracking up.
Rose made me a pretend salad and presented it to me like this: "This is a magic salad, Mom. If you eat it, it will make you a better mom." "Yummy," I said. "I'll eat it. What do better moms do?" "Not get angry."
Lately my grumpiness has also been the subject of the kids' very candid family prayers.
Obviously Jack and I have some work to do to bring our parenting skills up to scratch.
In other news, Ellen challenged me to a push-up contest this afternoon. "First one to do ten push-ups wins!" I'm shocked that she could do seven real push-ups. I did ten, because I'm still working on this.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Hello, old friends
Hello old friends
There's really nothing new to say
But the old, old story bears repeating
And the plain old truth grows dearer every day
When you find something worth believing
Well, that's a joy that nothin' could take away
And so we meet again
After all these many years
Did we sow the seeds we're reaping
Now that the harvest calls us here
It seems that love blooms out of season
And much joy can blossom from many tears
So old friends you must forget what you had to forgive
And let love be stronger than the feelings
That rage and run beneath the bridge
Knowin' morning follows evening
Makes each new day come as a gift.
--Rich Mullins
I'm so glad to hear from so many of you after my long break from blogging. I like to follow your blogs and know what's going on with you and your families, too. If you don't see your page linked on the right sidebar or here, let me know so I can visit you!!
There's really nothing new to say
But the old, old story bears repeating
And the plain old truth grows dearer every day
When you find something worth believing
Well, that's a joy that nothin' could take away
And so we meet again
After all these many years
Did we sow the seeds we're reaping
Now that the harvest calls us here
It seems that love blooms out of season
And much joy can blossom from many tears
So old friends you must forget what you had to forgive
And let love be stronger than the feelings
That rage and run beneath the bridge
Knowin' morning follows evening
Makes each new day come as a gift.
--Rich Mullins
I'm so glad to hear from so many of you after my long break from blogging. I like to follow your blogs and know what's going on with you and your families, too. If you don't see your page linked on the right sidebar or here, let me know so I can visit you!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)