for eyeglasses

Stella has been complaining of headaches for the past few weeks, and new glasses are on her Christmas list, so we got her eyes checked today. Eyeglasses are such a marvel! Both of my girls are nearsighted, and I often think about what their lives would be like if they didn't have access to good sight. I am forever grateful that we are able to provide it for them.

happy weekend

Mike and I have been putting in our winter lawn this week. It is so much work, but it is worth it! Our regular grass (bermuda) goes dormant in the winter and turns brown and scratchy. Winter grass (rye) is lush and dark green and so pretty.

We transplanted some jasmine vines to the side wall of our house last year, but just barely got around to putting up a wire trellis for them. I can't believe the difference it has made! The vines have flourished with the trellis and will soon fill it. There are some gospel parallels here, but I'll let you sort them out on your own.

I hardly ever buy clothes, and especially never shoes, but I bought two new pairs this week! These black sneakers from target are replacing the 15 year old black converse that I've worn into the ground.

Quilting update: I've almost completed 12 blocks. The more I've worked on it, the less wonky my pieces have gotten. I love that it's an ongoing project that I can work on when I have a spare moment. Next I need to decide how to put my blocks together. I like quilts with a lot of white space, so I'm experimenting with different border sizes. It has been so fun.

This weekend is big for us. Tomorrow is the elementary school carnival (I'm the PTO vice president, so I'll be there all day), homecoming for Mabel (She's not old enough to date, so she's going with some friends ... and I couldn't convince her to wear my cute vintage dress. Sigh.), and then Mike is singing in sacrament meeting on Sunday. I love when he sings.

It sort of feels like the world is falling apart, doesn't it? I found this quote from President Uchtdorf to be comforting: "When we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better. This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow ... No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest ... The fires and tumults of moral life may threaten and frighten, but those who incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten."

I hope your weekend is a happy one!

a story about a dress

Mabel had a school dance last weekend. It was a "Blast from the Past" theme or something like that, so we pulled this vintage stunner out of the closet. I found this amazing, handmade and very old dress at a thrift store in Salt Lake City, Utah when I was 18 years old. I almost didn't buy it because I don't usually buy things, but my friend convinced me to get it and I am so glad. It fit me like a glove and I wore it to a dance with Mike my first winter at BYU. Funny thing, Mike had moved home after the fall semester, and I thought I was going to the dance with a blind date. But it turned out to be Mike! He had driven all night to surprise me. 

And now, 19 years later, our daughter is wearing the same dress. Life is good like that. She finished her makeup at a friend's house before the dance and had such a good time! And now the dress is back safe and sound in the closet til next time.

glasses! and contacts, too!

Right before Christmas, Stella started complaining that she couldn't see things far away very clearly. Funny thing: I had just bought her some little fake glasses to put in her stocking. But it turns out that she needed the real thing! After an eye exam, we ordered a home try on kit from Jonas Paul Eyewear (just like Warby Parker but for kids) and loved the Maddie. We placed our order, and just a few days later, her glasses were here! She was so excited to wear them to school, and to be able to see the chalkboard again.

Another funny thing: as excited as Stella was to get glasses, Mabel was just as excited to stop wearing hers. All she wanted for Christmas were contacts. :)

a month of thanksgiving

Happy November! It's my most favorite month of the whole year! Not only does our weather improve drastically in November, but today marks the beginning of my month of Thanksgiving. Every year, during the month of November, I focus on gratitude, and then I post here on my blog something I am thankful for, every day for the whole month. I've been doing it for years and it's the best thing I do for myself. It puts my challenges into perspective, makes me more content, and definitely brings me a lot of joy. Plus, feeling extreme gratitude and contentment is a really great way to enter the holiday season. Have you ever tried it? Why don't you do it along with me? I promise you will see a happy difference in your life.

And so, I am thankful for November, for the opportunity it gives me to take stock of my life and focus on all of the really fortunate blessings I've been given.

Here's a quick look at our Halloween:

We had Kip from Napoleon Dynamite and a banana.

And a really sweet Dorothy and an Obi Wan Kanobi.

The kids had a lot of fun, but I am always so glad when Halloween is over. :)

apple sharlotka

Have I mentioned that Mabel has fully taken the reigns of our family baking (minus the bread--I still do that)? It is the best. She eagerly awaits our turn to bring dessert to Sunday dinner, and this past Sunday she made a really great apple cake. It was simple and light and not too sweet. I thought I'd share the recipe here in case you want to try it.

Apple Sharlotka

6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into medium sized chunks
3 eggs
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup of flour
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
cinnamon and powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

In a large bowl, mix the eggs and sugars until thick ribbons form on the surface of the beaten eggs. Beat in the vanilla. Then stir in the flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg until just combined. It should be very thick. Add the apple chunks and mix well.

Pour everything into a nicely greased 9 inch springform pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Dust with more cinnamon. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

We ate ours warm with whipped cream, but I think it'd be really great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Original recipe from smitten kitchen here.

our only safety

My Sunday School lesson yesterday was titled, "How do the commandments help me learn to be more like Heavenly Father?" I wish I had shared this quote from Elder Eyring with my class:

"The Master knows what it is to have the cares of life press upon us. And He knows that both the trials we face and our human powers to deal with them ebb and flow. And so He offers us the covenants to 'always remember him' and the warning to 'pray always' so that we will place our reliance on Him, our only safety. It is not hard to know what to do. As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril."

I believe that Heavenly Father gave us commandments and covenants to keep us safe, and as Elder Eyring said, we need them now more than ever.

In a talk by Elder Christofferson referenced in my lesson, he says:

"Sadly, much of modern Christianity does not acknowledge that God makes any real demands on those who believe in Him, seeing Him rather as a butler 'who meets their needs when summoned' or a therapist whose role is to help people 'feel good about themselves.' It is a religious outlook that 'makes no pretense at changing lives.' 'By contrast,' as one author declares, 'the God portrayed in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures asks, not just for commitment, but for our very lives. The God of the Bible traffics in life and death, not niceness, and calls for sacrificial love, not benign whatever-ism.'"

At any rate, yesterday left me with a greater desire to turn my heart to God, to keep His commandments, and to commit myself more fully to Him. After all, He knows what is best for me. He, who created this earth and this life, knows what I need to help me return to Him.

Yesterday was a happy day at our house. Mabel gave a really well-written talk in Sacrament meeting and Oliver was ordained a deacon. I really love the people these kids are becoming and I am grateful for their happy, helpful influences in our home.

happy weekend

Well, we are three days into the new school year and I have to be honest, I feel a little out of sorts. I didn't expect to feel this way! I'm a little lost. The good news is that my house is really clean. The bad news is that I've spent the past two days doing nothing but cleaning. I don't want to spend all my time cleaning. Time to reread this post, I guess.

Here's the school report: Mabel says high school is a glorified eighth grade and is underwhelming. Phew! Oliver's bus leaves later than last year, giving him about half an hour more sleep in the mornings. In classic Stella fashion, she says things are "great." And Elliot is really, really tired. Good thing tomorrow is the weekend and he can rest up.

My kids are dying to see Pete's Dragon this weekend, but I kind of just want to veg in front of the olympics. Doesn't that sound nice?

Here's something good: Rubygirl.org. My sister introduced me to it. It's a wonderful, uplifting, and positive place for girls (and women, too!). From their site, Rubygirl is a place where "young women from all over the world gather to exchange ideas, work through problems, share faith, and build friendships. . . We hope to encourage writing as a tool for spiritual, personal, and emotional development." I subscribed Mabel to their feed. She spends a lot of time online, and Rubygirl seems like a better place to browse than pinterest, you know?

Have a happy one!

here we go!

Oliver left first, bright and early this morning. Because he is now in 6th grade, he will have an extra hour of instruction in the afternoon, so it will be a longer day than he is used to. Other than that, he is at the same school with the same friends as he has been for the past two years. He attends a public school in our district with a more rigorous academic curriculum than our regular neighborhood school. He is doing well there and I am grateful for that option.

There were a little more jitters in our second group. Mabel is off to high school! She will be a third generation Warrior, as she gets to attend the same high school that Mike and his mom both attended, where she will be doing the International Baccalaureate program. She is nervous, but I know she'll do great. She is bright and kind and so capable. She is excited to be out of uniforms, but of course that led to a little outfit stress this morning. Ha!

Elliot will be in all day first grade, much to his chagrin. I know he'll love it once he's there (he is especially excited to eat lunch in the cafeteria), but he thinks that all day is going to feel really long. It probably will. I sense an extra early bedtime tonight.

And Stella is ready in her cat pants to take on third grade!

Hooray!

summer: expectation vs. reality

I found this doodle in my living room the other day, drawn by Mabel. I thought it was so funny! And also true. We always have such high hopes for summer, don't we? And then it's 115 degrees everyday and we mostly end up sitting around, trying to stay cool. Well, our summer break is winding down. Only two weeks til everyone will be back in school (including Mike!).

I thought this little part needed to be enlarged. Ha! #blessed

We have one last quick trip to California to visit family and see the ocean. And then we'll be all about the backpacks and lunch boxes and pencils and new shoes.

Any last fun plans before school starts?

happy weekend

It's been a big summer for Mabel's teeth. She got her upper braces on a couple of weeks ago, and then yesterday, in preparation for her bottom braces (just in time for high school!), she got three teeth extracted-- teeth with big daddy roots still attached. I almost had to put my head between my knees as I watched the dentist yanking them out. Don't feel too sorry for her. She is off to Sundance today to recuperate with my parents' ice cream packed freezer and her best girl cousins at the first ever "Granddaughters Week". Stella will be there, too, and I know they are going to have the best time.

A couple of you asked about meal ideas or resources for our no sugar/no white flour life. I know, I know that documentaries aren't the best places to find unbiased information, but Mike and I found Fed Up, Sugar Coated, and That Sugar Film to be very helpful/inspiring. They'll make you want to clean out your pantry asap.

Things we've eaten for dinner this week: tomato soup with homemade whole wheat rolls, shredded beef tacos on grilled corn tortillas with guacamole, chicken fried brown rice, and whole wheat oatmeal pancakes with fruit and very, very lightly sweetened freshly whipped cream. Since Mabel has become a vegetarian, I've made these black bean burgers and buns (subbing in all whole wheat flour) lots of times. We have fruit at every meal to satisfy our sweet tooth. And I've successfully made these muffins without the added sugar for a snack. I've put strawberries, blueberries, and raisins in them, and they've been delicious every time (although, to be real, my kids won't eat the ones with raisins).

I still make all of our bread, and I always use this recipe. I use half whole wheat flour, half white wheat flour. The recipe calls for three tablespoons of honey, but it's the only added sugar in my diet and I figure that three tablespoons spread out in a whole loaf of bread is a negligible amount, so I don't sweat it.

I found it easiest to go cold turkey. I cleaned out our kitchen and got rid of everything with added sugar and white flour (including white pasta and flour tortillas). (Ok, I moved all of the Ben & Jerry's to our deep freeze for special 'moderate' desserts. Ha!) I survived a trip to my parents' house and girls camp without eating added sugar, so I know I can survive anything. :) It was not easy, but it was possible.

We aren't perfect. For example: my kids had corn dogs for dinner the other night. I don't freak out when they eat sugar or white flour because I know that at home, where they eat the vast majority of their meals, we are making good choices. I don't want it to be a thing, you know? We do the best we can.

Have a happy weekend!

Mabel Kay turns 14

I think being the oldest child must be a heavy responsibility. The oldest child has to deal with parents who don't really know what they're doing. They have to pave the way for the siblings who follow and be a good example. They help set the family culture and establish traditions. Mabel is able to do all of these things well. She is patient as Mike and I figure out how to parent a high schooler. She has forged a good path for the rest of our children and has set the bar high. She is kind and calm and tries her best in her schoolwork and in the kitchen. She loves to bake and is handling the fact that we aren't eating sugar right now with grace, even though I know she's dying to whip up some treats this summer!

Mabel started our family off on the best foot. I am so grateful for her influence in our home. Happy birthday, Mabel!

Mabel's dress

I was sort of relieved when I saw these pictures. Mabel doesn't look as old as I thought she would (or as old as she probably wanted to). Granted, this was pre-hair curling, but still. Sometimes in my head she's nearly grown and out on her own, but really, she's still our girl, even though she is headed to high school next year.

She said the dance was lots of fun. And no one had a dress exactly like hers.

p.s. I used Butterick 3350 for the bodice (in child's size 8 with the sides taken in--Mabel is teeny). I've used that pattern at least a million times. I swapped out the back zipper for a hidden side zipper. Then I used this great website to calculate the measurements for the circle skirt (one layer of jersey knit, one layer of lining, and two layers of chiffon for maximum twirling capabilities).

happy weekend

I've been working with this pretty rose gold sequin fabric this week for Mabel's eighth grade dance tonight. I have found sequins in every room in my house, including my front porch. Ah! Such a nightmare, but the dress is turning out just like she hoped it would, and that makes me really happy.

This weekend is packed to the brim with her school dance, little league tryouts for Oliver, a cousin's wedding, a long run with Mike, and a visit from my parents. Plus it's my turn to teach Sunday School on Sunday, and with the 8:30 slot at church this year, I can't put my lesson prep off till Sunday morning anymore. :) Oh well. What do they say? They best way to get the work done is to do the work, or something like that? The weather is going to be fantastic, so that makes everything easier. And really, these are all really happy things, so I am excited.

What do you have planned this weekend?

Have a good one!

happy weekend

Happy weekend, indeed! My sister, Leslie, is in town! My parents leave today, but Leslie will be here all weekend. We don't have any plans (except attending Mabel's concert and a vintage boutique market in my neighborhood on Saturday - if you're local, check it out!), but I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Are your trees up? Your advent calendars begun? We baked our first batch of gingerbread men yesterday and then ate them for dinner. I make this recipe every year. They are my favorite. Be sure to smear them in cream cheese frosting and chocolate chips. It's the only way to go.

Have a merry weekend!

for Mabel's choir

For the past three years, Mabel has sung with the East Valley Millennial Choir and Orchestra. It has been a very rewarding experience for her. I was able to be a volunteer at last night's rehearsal, and I enjoyed seeing the intense discipline and effort required of the participants. There were hundreds of 12-18 year olds crammed into a school auditorium, practicing so diligently for their upcoming Christmas concert. It is no wonder that their concerts always leave me breathless. Many hours of preparation are involved, and I am grateful for the lessons Mabel is learning through her participation. She has gained confidence and ability, and because the director places great emphasis on the importance of the text of these Christmas hymns, I know her testimony of Jesus Christ has been strengthened through her experience.


Tickets for the Christmas concert here in Mesa are now on sale. You really don't want to miss it! And if you live in Boise, Idaho, Dallas, Texas, Orange County, California, or Utah Valley, there are local choirs in your area, too. You can find information about their performances here.

happy halloween weekend

Because painting my living room wasn't enough this week, I also completely rearranged the boys' room. The new set up is not at all the best use of space, but sometimes you just need a change, you know? It feels like a clean slate with the drawings and posters and stickers that covered the walls taken down and now I can breath when I walk in the room again.

I have some sad news to report. Mike accidentally left his bike at the park the other night and now it is missing. This is the bike that is our second car. He rides it everywhere! I'm not sure what we're going to do without it. We are praying hard that it shows up.

Have you baked pumpkin bread yet this season? Mabel made a batch to share with her friends at school and when she reached for the chocolate chips I practically swatted them out of her hand. It was an important lesson that she needed to learn. You do not defile my pumpkin bread with chocolate chips! Cream cheese frosting, totally. Chocolate chips, no way. Am I right? Or am I right? Right. Right.

I am looking forward to the start of my month of thanksgiving on Sunday. This is when I post something that I am thankful for every day for the month of November. It is such a great exercise in gratitude! I hope you'll consider playing along. It always leaves me feeling happier, more content, and more generous, too.

But first we have to survive Halloween. Good luck!

pumpkin crumb cake

I've happily turned the household baking reigns over to Mabel. Last weekend she made a delicious pumpkin crumb cake for Sunday dinner. It was moist and fluffy and sweet and I'm not going to lie, I had the leftovers for breakfast the next morning. It's a good one, if you're looking for a new pumpkin recipe to try.

first day

They're off! Mabel and Oliver left early this morning to catch their bus. They are in 8th and 5th grades this year. Last year, when they started at their new school, they were understandably very nervous. This year, I think they are just looking forward to seeing their friends again. And their bus driver. He's our favorite.

Stella and Elliot left a while later, for 2nd and kindergarten. Their school is just across the park behind our house, so we go out the back, through our gate. They were pumped. Elliot is in the half day class, so I'll be back to pick him up soon enough.

And now the house is quiet. And the beds are made. And this freedom feels really great. Hooray!

happy birthday Mabel!

Not only does Mabel have to put up with these yahoos all of the time, but she has had to put up with having me and Mike as her parents for the past 13 years, too. Despite all of us, she is turning into the best young woman. She is bright and kind and creative. She is helpful and responsible and funny. I am excited about this next phase of teenager-hood because I can see who she is becoming and it makes my heart burst with love and pride. She's going to knock her teen years out of the park.

p.s. How not to ruin your relationship with your teenager.