Work it.

Yesterday I only had a short run to do, so I tried to slip it in between clients and use my treadmill. Then I was discovered by my lil friend...and he found his new favorite activity. We seriously couldn't get him off. He kept trying to let go of my hands and do it himself but I pictured that ending very badly. He now just walks up to the treadmill and starts yelling "GO" as if he can command things to move with only his voice. I guess you could say I am starting him young? He is actually signed up for his first race in June...training hard:)

Look Up

I am really excited for General Conference this weekend. Since I missed conference in October for the marathon (spent Saturday running and Sunday sleeping), I have been reading the talks online to catch up. This week I decided to re-read my favorites in preparation for this weekend. I thought I would post a few of my favorite quotes and links. It is hard to pick favorites, since so many of their words feel so direct and true.


My favorite thing about conference is how I always feel like they are speaking directly to me, and they addressing my very personal concerns, while simultaneously doing the same for millions of other people listening. 


This first quote hit me, and I am sure almost every other mother can relate. Having a baby was seriously HARD for me. Still is. I feel bad saying that sometimes because I know what a blessing Kyle is, and how many people out there are unable to have or adopt children. I know many would give anything to experience the hardships of motherhood. That being said, I have to be honest and say HOLY SMOKES. This is hard for me. In so many ways. However I often remember that anything of worth is usually a challenge.  I loved this quote, especially because he is quoting a non LDS woman. It proves to me that challenges in motherhood are not unique to women in my faith.

Many voices in the world today marginalize the importance of having children or suggest delaying or limiting children in a family. My daughters recently referred me to a blog written by a Christian mother (not of our faith) with five children. She commented: “[Growing] up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood. … Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get.” She then adds: “Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.”⁷

You can read the whole talk here. For some reason looking at motherhood as my job, or my calling, rather than some super fun way to spend my life helps me. It is easy to lose focus and perspective when I get caught up in the day to day tasks of my life. But what I am doing is important. Not always easy, fun, or glamorous...but worth it.


Changing gears a little bit I also love this next quote. I am a person who struggles with change. Not so much when it comes to moving, or hairstyles, but honest real life changes. I take a long time to deal with them. I am talking BIG changes here. Not little things...I go with the flow pretty well. Anyways, one thing that always brings me comfort is the constancy of the Gospel. It never changes. It is always true. It is always there full of light and hope.  

Our Father in Heaven is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The prophet Mormon tells us that God is “unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.”³ In this world where nearly everything seems to be changing, His constancy is something on which we can rely, an anchor to which we can hold fast and be safe, lest we be swept away into uncharted waters.

You can read the whole talk here. I love it. Everything is going to be ok. Always.


The last quote is one of optimism. 

President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things.⁷

You can read the whole talk here. I just have to repeat...through everything in life the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what pulls me through. It is always there. It is always true. It is full of light, happiness, and hope. Sure it is hard at times to live the Gospel, but it is a whole lot harder/sadder/darker to live without the hope, happiness, and joy that it brings to my life each and every day.

This Weekend

Highlights

He spent most of his time like this

My Dad treated us to Hunger Games. (thanks Kels for taking Kyle for SO long)

We loved the movie.

Other: Hair for me. Homework for Ryan. Cleaning. Grilled Cheese. Dairy Queen w/Gma. Benadryl stupor. Playing outside. At home spa night with Ryan (he so got the better end of that deal...since I am the licensed professional...still fun though). Basketball. Church. Church was great this week. 

Big Kid

Today was a big day. Kyle went to nursery for the very first time! He is technically 2 months shy of the actual age cut off...but since we teach a rather large class of sunbeams they took him early. As soon as the door opened he ran right in and never looked back...and we didn't see or hear from him until I picked him up after church. The one time I peeked in to see how he was doing he was laughing, clapping, and spinning playing with some bubbles. I think he was a big fan. Naturally after church I had to take pics to remember his big day.

GCC {4.Spicy Nacho, 5.Crunchy Nacho}

We have temporarily skipped #3, and we did #4 and #5 in one night. Here's what went down.

4. Spicy Nacho Sandwich 2 slices white bread with 1 slice monterey jack or American cheese, some pickled jalapeño slices and 1 slice cheddar. Cook, flipping once, until golden.


5.Crunchy Nacho Make Spicy Nacho Grilled Cheese (No. 4), adding 1 tablespoon crushed corn chips with the jalapenos.


We essentially just added crushed chips to one half of our sandwich. That way we tried both, true to their recipe, but only had to do the work once since they are so similar.

• Did we love it? Ryan definitely did. I am not a huge jalapeno fan. though I loved the added crunch and flavor from the tortilla chips. Ryan loved the kick from the peppers. We also loved the mix of cheeses. 

4/50

Goats

My mom had the idea to take Kyle to Thanksgiving Point to see the baby animals. We had taken them there last year but he was really little then...he definitely got more into it this year! There weren't too many babies yet (apparently the sheep are due this week)..but Kyle had a fabulous time. He made friends with a lil goat. This goat was so nice. He just stood there and let Kyle pet him...all the other goats tried to bite when Kyle reached out. This one was very sweet, and made Kyle's day. He also enjoyed the chicks, pony ride, and being able to run around outside, but nothing made him grin and giggle quite like that bff goat friend. Then we hit up McDonald's on the way home to use my free kid's meal coupon. The little guy crashed the second we got home, he was so worn out. What a spoiled little man. We will definitely be going back soon!

Good News, Bad News

Good News: We finally got a second car!
Bad News: Only Kyle can drive it. (thanks aunt kristy for passing it down!)

Good News: After the gbladder biopsy they found proof of lifelong inflammation and scarring and by removing it they have taken all my pain and discomfort away. I feel like a whole new person!
Bad News: Because of the time I have had to take off from being sick and then having surgery I have had to cancel my plans of running the SLC Half Marathon, and change my plans of running the Utah Valley Marathon to only the half marathon. Disappointing, but luckily I have many years ahead of me to fill with more marathons.

Good News: The weather is getting beautiful and my daffodils and tulips have bloomed!
Bad News: Nothing bad about that at all.

Good News: We get to go to a MLB game this summer!
Bad News: It isn't the Cards...but I will take what I can get!

Good News: We have hit the "less than a year until Ryan has his Masters" mark!
Bad News: Then real life starts...eeek.

Good News: We get to see Hunger Games with my family this weekend!
Bad News: I shouldn't order popcorn and a diet coke.

Good News: BFF Ambs had her baby girl and she is beautiful!
Bad News: I haven't met her yet!! Dying here.

Good News: Katie and Jeff are moving in with us for the summer!!
Bad News: They will probably be really sick of us by the end of the summer:)

I think this picture proves pretty well how Kyle feels about Katie and Jeff...oh...that's Jeff in the pic if you didn't know.

Bad News: Our basement flooded again today!
Good News: It is only on the unfinished side...minimal damage.

We have been happy to hear a lot of good news lately for a lot of people we love. Life is good.

La Salsa

I love Mexican food almost as much as I love Shakira and Juanes. But let's just stick with the food for a minute. I thought I would toss my salsa recipe on here. I have had a lot of requests for it so why not? When I say it is "my" recipe that is a total lie. It is my brother in law's recipe. He taught it to me, and deserves all the credit. It is delish and you won't believe how simple it is.

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can rotel habenero

1 can rotel lime and cilantro

1 bunch cilantro

1 white (or brown or red - your preference) onion

1 tbsp cummin

1/2 - 1 tbsp garlic salt

2 tsp lemon or lime juice

pepper to taste

Put the onion in the blender first, then the rest. It doesn't all fit into our blender so I divide it in half, i.e., 1 can of tomatoes, 1 can of rotel, etc., and make "2" batches. Just blend until you want. You can play around with the salt, pepper and lemon/lime juice to your preference. You can also play around with different Rotel combinations...the habenero will give it more hottness. 

We put this on everything. It is the perfect healthy way to enhance your food's flavor. Tonight we put in on our coconut shrimp tacos. So. Good.

Grilled Cheese Challenge {2.Bacon and Tomato}

2. Bacon and Tomato: Make Classic Grilled Cheese (No. 1), adding 3 slices crisp bacon and 1 slice tomato between the cheese.

• Served with Biggest Loser sweet potato fries (recipe here), and fresh raspberries.
• Did we love it? Yes! I used Monterrey jack cheese and Ryan used sharp cheddar. We decided the Monterrey was better. We also splurged on a bit higher quality bacon than usual...never going back! It made a huge difference. This sandwich was yum. I loved the tomato!
• Ryan stuck with the rules and tried it exactly as the recipe said, but ultimately preferred his without tomato. 

2/50

This weekend...

...did not go according to plan. At all. But we try to go with the flow around here. A few highlights...

Green pancakes! We made them in the middle of the night trying to embrace the fact we were all awake.

Kyle enjoyed his fruit rainbow from Grandma

We cleaned out the closet. I am now accepting spring wardrobe sponsors:)

We tickled him as much as possible.

Not too bad even though it wasn't what we expected, then again, how often does life go as planned? Learn to roll with it eh? Happy St. Patrick's Day!