Simple Sunday

Be Still, My Soul

1. 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 every change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heavenly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. 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.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

A Long Sad Post

This post is a going to be a bit sad. Recently I started working with the youth in our ward. This is a first for me and was a little bit scary. I realized very quickly that is was actually a huge blast. You know the kids I have gotten to know are pretty special. Most all the kids are smart, hardworking, and generally fun to be around. In this last month we had a special activity for New Years. This activity was on January 30th, and went for several hours. During this time I was in the kitchen for a bit preparing the desert along with a couple other leaders. One young man, named Tanner, came in to help. This young man is remarkable. The kind of boy you want your daughters to marry and you hope your sons follow in his footsteps. Tanner graduated from high school early and went to college at the age of 16. During this desert making time I spoke with this young man. I asked about plans and goals. What did he want to be. Where was his dream location to serve his mission. Was it hard to find girls to date at school because everyone was older then him. That night I came home and told Charlie about this fine young man. I told him how I truly wished that Chad would become such a fine young man one day.


Three mornings ago as I sent my children off to school. I watched from the doorway as they walked down the street I heard sirens. We live in a very small town, chances are this would be someone I would know who was in need of help. I hate the sound of sirens! A couple hours later I received the call. Tanner was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. He was struggling to breath, with a oxygen saturation level of 65%. This is very low. When Morgan had pneumonia her saturation level was 90% and they said that if it did not go up to 91% the next she would be hospitalized. Tanner was beyond dangerous. They took him to the closest hospital. They in turn life flighted him to Primary Children's hospital. Tanner was unconscious by this time. He never regained consciousness. This young man was amazing. He died of Strep. A type of Strep that had quickly swept through his body.


I am shocked by how deeply I am saddened by these events. I feel such sincere sorrow for his family. I am so very sad that our ward has lost such an incredible young man. This world sure needs young men like Tanner. You always wonder why in times like this. I don't know why, but I do know that Heavenly Father loves us and truly knows what is best. I have faith that we will be forever with our families. I look forward to the day of our resurrection and we can be reunited with loved ones. Both friends and families.

Most of all I am reminded to hug my kids a little longer. To go ahead and read that book to Morgan. To play the Wii with Chad. To listen to their silly jokes. To be more patient. It could all be robbed from us in the blink of an eye.

I really hate the sound of sirens.

MISSING!!!

Chad lost his Lego guy...named Glaciator. You know he looked and looked. Kept asking if I knew where he was. I did not. Really, truth be told...he could be anywhere! So Chad decided to put up missing signs. All over the house. Well Morgan was not to be outdone. She decided that she would also make some missing signs. Notice the difference between the two signs. Chad's are concise and noticeably more advanced. Morgan's on the other hand are HUGE! Who could miss them. There is one other big difference. Morgan has promised gold should her items be found. Well and Chad promises to clean his room for free! HOW GENEROUS!! Who is he kidding...I am going to search the house for his Lego...and he will in turn clean his room? Now I do not mean to imply that Morgan is somehow without guile....she has offered gold. Who wouldn't want gold? Only she told me it is "fools gold" that she found at Farmington Pond last year. To make matters worse...her dogs were on the top shelf of her closet...I thought I was going to win gold! Then I realized she took the dogs off her shelf and "lost" them in order to make signs! Little Weasel!!!


I must admit that I think my kids are funny. I think it was a clever way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I also can't wait for them to go back to school so I can take them down!

A Day To Remember

Today is an incredible day. Truly an historic day. To be honest I don't agree with all President Obama believes in, but well, he is my president now and I am one of those persons who tries to make the best of things! I know he will do his best to make a difference, to effect change and help us be a better nation. I also believe that today is remarkable. Who would have thought that so soon after the great Emancipation Proclamation we as a country would elect a black president. To be honest I feel a great sense of pride to live in an age that we look past a persons skin. We will be watching this great inaguration today. I want my children to be able to look back and say I watched that. Today is truly a day to remember!

Don't Ya Just Hate That!!

By "THAT" I mean when you spend the time making something and it does'nt turn out how you want it to. Morgan chose the fabric and pattern, I chose the size...OOPS!!! It was a simple pattern and I think I would make it again. Only this time a size smaller. Morgan wears a size 12 in most clothes, for length, width, and a little room to grow. I FORGOT that patterns run bigger then clothes. Poor thing!! I was so frustrated when it was slipping off her shoulders. I was thinking how I would have to rip out the side seams and the skirt then tuck and pull and hope for the best then Charlie said "can't you just sew something accross the front?" Why yes dear, I can! Good thinking! Morgan is happy to have a new nightie. I am happy to not have to completly re-make it. And Charlie thinks he is the bomb! Let's get real...he is the bomb, at least to me!

A Giveaway!!

I am all about the free stuff!!! So when www.makeandtakes.com hooked up a fun blog design I had to try!! Again FREE!!!

Simple Sunday

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strengh and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; year, she reacheth forth her hands to the needs. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth amoung the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant, 25 Strength and hour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Just an Update

Just a quick little blurb to keep everyone totally in the know. Today marks 2 weeks with no caffeine; and begins the next step. No soda!!! Yikes, I am actually afraid. Hey, if I dropped the caffeine I know I can ditch the soda. Grapefruit juice here I come!

I went to a Weight Watchers meeting today. It has been 2 weeks since I joined. Well long story short...I really did nothing more then lay off the caffeine and hit the gym a little more and...I lost 2.2 pounds. Hey that's not bad at all! That would equal 52 pounds a year. I can handle that, but since I am actually going to be counting points I should have even better results!

Roasted Chicken

First I rinse and dry the chicken, being sure to remove the gizzards. Which in human means, the guts and neck. Set aside on a piece of parchment/wax paper. While it is "resting" I prepare my carrots and potatoes. I peel and cut the carrots into slices, about and inch thick. I wash the potatoes and chop then in for sections. The carrots take longer to cook so make them smaller. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

I stuff the chicken with one whole lemon, sliced in half. One whole garlic bulb, sliced in half, basically slicing each individual bulb in half. One whole onion quartered.

This is what it should look like when the bird is stuffed.

Next you put all the vegetables in the bottom of the pan. Then put the chicken on top. So this is what the chicken will look like when it is all stuffed and ready. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. And if you want a healthy dinner then at this point you put the chicken in the oven. But if you need some comfort food then do the next step!!!

So if you need some serious comfort you spread a cube of softened butter on top!! Then sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Now place in oven!

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, then drop the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 60 to 90 minutes. The potatoes and carrots should be fork tender. Remove the chicken from the pan and let rest for about 15 minutes before carving. I put my vegetables back in for this time. I like my potatoes and carrots really roasted!! This dinner is great served with home made bread.

Keeping Busy

I have 2 cute neighbors who have new babies. One was born on Christmas day and the other the 28th. Yipee!! I get to snuggle babies. So because I love them both and really need to stay busy so that I do not kill anyone while waiting for the cravings to go away, I made cute blankets. Well I made 1. The other I will save for tomorrow. Same concept, minky on one side, super cute cotton on the other, cute fabric to make binding with. All together, honestly it does not look like it should take me 4 hours to make. But it did, so is that more about me or the process, or the lack of caffeine? Either way I sorta love the colors on this blanket.

Farewell My Friend

Today marks 8 days with no caffeine. Can I get a Woot Woot? Anyone who has spent 5 minutes with me know how huge this is. I love Pepsi, I love the energy burst from all the caffeine and sugar. I love the taste. I need it with pizza and Mexican food. But...I have given it up. It seems to be sticking.

The truth is, this is hard. I have been grumpy and mean this week. Charlie being the devil told me that having gone 6 days with no caffeine I should drink one on the 7th day. EVIL!!! I think he was just a little afraid of me at that moment. Substituting was torture this week, 20 screaming kids...YIKES! So I have put Weight Watchers on hold for one more week. I really am determined to stick to this no caffeine goal. I have managed to get to the gym this week most days. I am putting my energy toward the most important goal this week. SURVIVAL!

For those friends who are behind me, not Charlie, thanks and here is your update.

Simple Sunday

John 3:16-19

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Remembering my Childhood

It all started with this pattern.

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My daughter collects American Girl dolls. She loves them. Every Birthday she frets over what to ask for then in the end she asks for another doll. Then Christmas comes and she asks Santa for another one. So She now has four. Yikes. I have to admit that I really don't mind. She plays house and puts their p.j.'s on them at night. So when I found this pattern I just had to make some clothes for her.

In keeping with my goals, I made this little outfit from fabric I had in the cupboard. Also, I find sewing quite relaxing. So I manage to stay Pepsi free while making them.

Cookie of the Week; with a twist!

This week the "cookie" I made was especially simple. It does not even have a name.

It is what you make when you are desperate and happen to have pretzels and rolos laying around. The basic idea was to unwrap the rolo and place it on top of the pretzel, being sure to spray the cookie sheet with a cooking spray first. Then "bake" the "cookie" for about 5 minutes at 300 degrees. After taking them out place a second pretzel on top of the rolo, which is now squishy and warm. Let cool about 5 minutes and enjoy!

This cookie was an effort to clear my home of extra Christmas Junk! I sorta bit off more then I could chew. No Pepsi/caffeine, weight watchers and up before 6am is really hard. Top that with a nasty cold, I won't mention names (Tara, Trevor, Cameron, Mitchell!) and keeping goals becomes really hard. So I made a decision. I would keep with the no caffeine this week, and add on one more each week. So this is really the last week of cookies at our home. Poor, Poor kids! Watch for the healthy family recipe of the week from now on!

A Brand New Year

This past year my family has been very blessed. We have enjoyed many fun and exciting adventures. Mostly simple little adventures but adventures none the less! For the coming year we have set a few family goals. I myself have set a few goals. Truth be told I am not great at keeping goals. These goals I have made are so important that really I can not stand to be flaky. I have decided that the best way to keep my goals is to share them out load...can you say SCARY!! OK in no particular order....

FAMILY GOALS

1. Establish a house of order....hhhmmmm neat and tidy? Sure..but more! We want to have a year supply of food we will actually eat. Set a routine to keep us from being over burdened with busy stuff! Make a home where the Spirit can reside...so that would mean less contention...softer replies from mom and dad; and less unkind words to and from siblings!

2. Right along with the first goal...we are trying to save more money....and to do that #1 is make do! Sometimes in this life we forget that it is OK to do without. We have shared a car for over a year...somehow we have survived!! Our children both have some fun opportunities this summer and we want to pay cash for them or not at all! YIKES!!

3. Be healthier...ride bikes as a family more...walk the dog as a family more...not eat so many super yummy cookies!! That one will be hard! And....no more caffeine! OH MY! Charlie and I knew it was not good for us, both swearing off from one time or another...but when the leaders of your church publish an article about it in the Ensign we decided to give it a little more effort!

FOR ME

1. I have always been heavy, I really don't like that and now I have high blood pressure. That is not good at all. So my goal is to go to the gym 5 days a week. I commit to walk at least 2 miles each day!! First and foremost the plan is to lower my blood pressure....next is to shrink my bottom!!!

2. No more PEPSI!! This one will be tough!! I know I can do it..it is just going to get ugly around here for a little while!! I drink way too much and well to go without it will help me reach my first goal.

3. Wake everyday at or before 6am...and read my scriptures, pray and workout before the kiddos wake!! That saying "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is too true in our home. And momma needs a little alone time! Right along with this is to go to bed earlier, everyone!! There is a reason there are all those little sayings about early to bed and early to rise..it is true, at least for me...so to bed before 10pm and up by 6am.

4. And just for fun....this year..I want to paint all 3 bathrooms...finish my laundry room and food supply rooms...triple the size of our veggie garden...and sew and scrapbook more....so to accomplish all this I have set rules for computer/TV time for myself....1 hour on the computer each day...and 1 hour of TV....hold on to your hats...of that 1 hour TV..no more crap..by that I mean...Desperate Housewives, Real Housewives of OC, Big Brother..or anything else that I can not watch with my kids in the room!! Thank goodness for Little House reruns!!

Some of these goals will be hard for me to keep and for our family...but 2009 is the year the MacQueens prioritize!!!