A Lesson in Fasting

As most of you know Maddie is having surgery May 17th. It is a really big deal because she will be in a wheel chair for 3 months! Today we told Maddie that all of her relatives (on both sides) were fasting for her. She was totally shocked and honored to have so many people care about her. We asked Maddie if she wanted to be a part of the family fast and she loved the idea. Zach wanted in too. When we got home from church we told Maddie to go upstairs and break her fast so we could eat dinner. Five minutes later Maddie came down stairs with tears streaming down her cheeks. She admitted that she really was scared for the surgery, and that fasting made her feel something good but scared inside. A few hours later when Maddie and I were alone, she expressed deep concern for her surgery. I asked her how she felt as she was praying to end her fast. She expressed that as she was telling Heavenly Father how scared she was she got a really funny feeling in her heart that felt really good, but still scared her. We had a special moment today when I got to share my testimony with Maddie about the great power of her fast. I could tell that she was beginning to understand Heavenly Father's love for her and that he would watch our for her during this scary time. Her faith made me feel better about the surgery too. It is moments like these where I know my daughter is growing up to be a righteous young lady who is such an example to me.

Piano Recital

Maddie had a piano recital last week and did an awesome job. She played "Ten Second Song" which was literally 10 seconds long. . .we timed it, and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." She was really proud of herself. It was a perfect recital because it was only 20 minutes long!! Maddie's piano teacher is a young girl down the street that teaches only a few kids, we love her. Maddie's piano skills have grown so much since she started last year and I hope she keeps it up!!

Special Olympics

“Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
(Special Olympics' motto)

Saturday was FREEZING!!!

But our hearts were touched as we met families from all over the valley who were just like us!

Each day I realize how blessed our family is!!!

They don't let words like "Autism" limit the things they can accomplish in life!!

The best thing that came out of today, was my realization that my children are amazing. They care for others and treat everyone the same no matter what disability others may have; they are friendly too all.

My kids came home Saturday feeling like winners!! It was a great feeling.

Houston! We Have a Problem.

(Me and G on the Bike)

Girl weekend has officially begun, and Houston is awesome. It is so much fun hanging out with my sister and mom.

Day one: Enjoyed my first TexMex. It was awesome, after a long day of travel!!

Day two: NASA and the Space Museum, visited the small city of Galveston to see the Gulf Coast, tasted my first Blue Bell ice cream and wanted more, and last but not least . . .(drum roll please) . . .rode my first motorcycle and lived to tell about it!! (No, Dan you can still not get one).

(me at NASA)
(Historical Mission Control)

(Mom and Meg on the beach)

Day three: Went to the zoo in Houston and saw the infamous baby elephant named Tucker (he appeared on Scrubs!), visited Hermann Park, and toured the Holocaust Museum.



(a railroad car at the holocaust museum, this is how they would have transported the Jewish people to the concentration camps)

(Hermann Park)
Day four: Went to church and took a nice long nap (we really needed a day of rest!!)


Tomorrow: Shopping and home!


The best part of this trip has been the constant laughter of three crazy women!!

Book Worm Confessional

As a young mother I had no time for books. I read every parenting magazine I could find, but when it came time to read a good book, I was too busy changing diapers and playing peek-a-boo. Now that my kids are older I have a little bit more "me" time. Despite what you may think . . .I don't sit around reading all day while my kids are at school (there's no time), in fact, I usually read while my kids are in therapy, or once they are in bed . . .I am still a full time mom with a house to clean and errands to run during the day! But I have discovered that I love to read. I love a good book. However, Dan and I have differing opinions on what a good book actually is. We both agree that Harry Potter books are amazing, but I have discovered that Dan appreciates the classics: To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Sawyer, Lord of the Rings, things from Charles Dickens. I've tried reading them so I look smart, but I just end up yawning through most of it, and either never finish it, or read it over the course of the entire year, hoping to lose it along the way. I prefer historical fiction, romance, or just a good story. Being a history major you would think I know a lot of historical facts, which I do, but I am more into history for the good story and happy endings.
My all time favorite book is "The Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks. The story of a young woman in the 17th century who lives in a town where everyone is dieing from some plague. She tries to care for the towns people as best she can, and falls in love too. It has everything I could ask for in a book: love, heroism, a good plot, and a little bit of history all in one. I encourage all to read it, I don't think you will be disappointed!

This past February I read five or six books and couldn't get enough. I must admit, I do love a good Nicholas Sparks book (I read two last month!!). But now I am in a book rut! I'm not sure what to read, and have read so many holocaust books these past few months that it is affecting my rational thoughts. I need some good recommendations and I need them quick!! Any ideas??

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Most of you know I LOVE to cook! Through the years I have gotten better and better. Since Dan and I have stopped eating so much junk, I haven't baked as much as I used too and I have really missed it. Now that I have a lot more self control I have decided that I need to start baking a bit more and "plump" up my children. They are so skinny. . .and super picky. . .what's a mother to do??

Here is my absolute favorite cookie recipe that I must share. I have tried every cookie recipe I can, but for some reason I just keep coming back to this one. I got it eight years ago from my next door neighbor. I was pregnant with Zachary and feeling so sick all day, every day. She made me a plate of these cookies and I thought I had tasted a little bit of heaven. The secret to these cookies is to NOT OVER BAKE!!! Cook these for only eight minutes and do not cook a second longer. They may look a little doughy, but take them out of the oven and let them sit on the cookie sheet for six minutes to finish cooking.

The Recipe

1 C brown sugar

1 C white sugar

2 cubes of butter

2 eggs

1/2 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1 t. vanilla

2 C flour

2 1/2 C oatmeal

1 pkg. chocolate chips or 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 bag M&M's

cook at 350 degrees for 8 minutes

My Little Einstein

Okay, okay, I know I sound like every other parent when I say that my kid is a genius, but how many kids do you know who take a math workbook to sacrament meeting and work on it quietly for the entire hour. And. . .yes. . .every answer was correct!! Zach has become addicted to math, he sits at the kitchen table for hours figuring out math problems. He is even staring multiplication and is only in the first grade!!! He certainly did not get his math skills from his mom and dad!!

Today Zach was busy playing with his Gameboy when Dan started to ask Zach how school was. Without looking up to have a normal conversation with his father, Zach briefly stated that his day was "good." Trying to have a deeper conversation with his son, Dan asked Zach how the "spelling bee" went. Again Zach replied "good" and kept playing his game. Dan had about given up at this point, but tried once again to continue his conversation with Zach. He then asked Zach if he did well in the Spelling Bee, without interrupting his game-play Zach said, "Good, I think I won." and continued to play his Gameboy. I think Dan was a little shocked and wasn't sure if he heard him right. . .next thing I know Dan is calling me on the phone to ask if I knew what really happened at the Spelling Bee. (I was at our weekly Physical Therapy appointment with Maddie) I hadn't heard anything about it and was just as shocked to hear that Zach may really have won the spelling bee. I told Dan to check in Zach's backpack to see if there was a note from Zach's teacher or something and sure enough there was a note from Mrs. Redman claiming that Zach is one of the finalist and will have another spell-off this Wednesday against other students! Dan and I were freaking out!!! (Someone had to!!) The other funny thing was that we forgot about the Spelling Bee until last night and just had Zach glance at the words before bed. Our past few weeks were focused on recovery from his surgery, so we weren't going to worry too much about the Spelling Bee this year. I think Dan and I are still in shock!! Tonight we did have Zach look over the list of words that will be given at the next Spelling Bee and sure enough he is a spelling genius!! He got practically everyone right.
So, yes I may sound like an annoying parent who thinks their kid is the brightest, smartest kid in the whole wide world, but now I have proof!!