May 2010

It's time for me to "journal" about our lives again. Good thing I don't have too many readers as to not bore them.  I have grand plans to print this blog into a book so Quinn has some sort of record of his life.  I decided that on each of my children's birthday's that dada and I will write them a long letter detailing who they are on each birthday.  That might be all they get.  And this dumb blog.

So we are day two of potty training--it went pretty well yesterday. I didn't feel like I was very consistent though... he had on pull-ups, diapers, and undies all in one day.  I decided pull-ups and diapers are just a reason to keep peeing in his pants and not in the toilet.  At least with undies he is quite aware when he's had an accident.  So undies it is, unless its nap or bed time.

Thurm finally has his garden in.  It's enormous, but he somehow managed to use the entire space.  He has been waiting since March for our neighbor to come till with his tractor.  The second Jim was done and driving his tractor out of our driveway, Thurm had his seeds and shovel and was planting.  Its awesome he's so enthused because I know we'll be eating some good food in a few months!

Speaking of food, I can't remember the last time I cooked. I can hardly bring myself to put a frozen pizza in the oven.  I think I burnt myself out.  I think I like cooking more in the winter when there is nothing else to do but line your body with fat to keep warm.

Our yard is so pretty right now. Not manicured, its a jungle, but still pretty. There are tons of bushes, flowers, trees, everything in bloom.  We planted raspberry bushes for our fence line between our neighbors house and ours. I think it will be a few years before its actually a fence line.  Thats the worst part of yard care... the waiting!

I have six more weeks till the baby is born.  My pregnancy has been really easy. Other than I've gained ALOT of weight. At one appointment my doctor said "I can tell you've been feeling good, because you packed on 9 pounds in a month."  That's right "PACKED ON."  It might have been an accurate and hurtful statement, but it didn't make me feel bad enough to not do the same thing the next month.  Cookies and fast food are not a good combo.  Usually at night I feel very large and uncomfortable.  The baby has been really active and kicks alot--that's my favorite part of pregnancy.  Quinn often kisses my stomach and tries to get a look at him by lifting my shirt.  I think he'll still be shocked to have a little brother one day.  I don't think he quite gets the concept yet.

Thurm got an assistant ward missionary to help him with his calling. Its been so awesome because the man recently got done serving a service mission with his wife. So he is gung-ho and has really been motivating to Thurm.  They go on missionary visits each week.  It makes me feel bad that I haven't done more to help. I did organize a youth service project for less active or part member families in the ward.  It went pretty good and we were able to do yard work for seven different families.

We have been reading two chapters a night in the Book of Mormon. Having a goal and a daily timeline has been really motivating. Its been alot easier this time to be consistent.  We have a schedule so if we miss a night we read extra to catch up.  For some reason this ward has really helped us grow spiritually.  I think part of it has been callings and partly its just a really friendly, involved ward. Its probably 80% elderly and I'm a huge fan.  They have the time and dedication to really serve and be involved in their ward. Its such a different feel from a young ward where everyone has busy lives and no time for each other.

My dad came down and helped us finish the final stage of bulking up the beams in our roof. Next we need to frame in a few walls, and find an electrician.  Then insulation, sheetrock, painting, carpet. I'm sure this will still be months away, but it seems like we have the hard part done.  At least we get to hire out some of the rest of it.  Then we can move onto what I REALLY want to do, our hole of a bathroom.

Thurm has one more week of school! Summer! The only good thing about being a teacher. We have a busy June. This weekend we are going to Idaho for Thurm's annual asparagus hunt. The first week of June I am visiting my parents just because I can.  Thurm has a 3-day seminar in Provo. Then its off to Bear Lake for a week. Then Thurm is doing a 5-day hike with his brother. Our whole month will be gone, and then the baby will come and I'm sure the rest of the summer will be a blur of nursing and sleeping.

WOW! Its 8:30am and Quinn is still sleeping! This never happens.

It's a good life : )

Potty training officially started today! I have been collecting all the tools over the last few months and decided it was finally time.  He is showing all the signs listed in the "What to Expect: Toddler Years."  We have pull ups, undies, stickers, treats, a tigger toy, a book on toilet training, and the coolest toilet seat ever. Thanks to Elise for showing me your awesome toilet seat!

So far, so good!

Thurm & I went to Pocatello for the weekend. It was my little brother's graduation from college, my birthday, and mother's day.  Mother's day felt extra motherly this year because I have a little boy, one on the way, and I was with my mother.  Thurm was sweet, per usual, and got me some great gifts.  He gave me a Broadway Hits CD set early so we could listen to it on the way up.  A glass 9x13 pan because every time I have to bake something in our crappy, rusted pans I complain about it.  And an hour massage at a spa! YAY! I don't think I'll be able to redeem till after I've had the baby, but that's when I'll be needing a break!  And I got great gifts, cards, phone calls, texts, hugs from everyone I love. Thank you : )

A woman in church yesterday gave a lesson on the history of the scriptures. It was fascinating and I was in awe of her knowledge. She told us that if we read 7 pages a day, which takes 15-30 minutes depending on your speed, you can read all the scriptures in a year.  The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine & Covenants in one year! I'm so excited! I've always wanted to read the Bible, but haven't been motivated enough to ever finish.  Right now we have a stake challenge to read the Book of Mormon in four months, which we are currently on track to do. So after we are done, we are going to just keep going to finish the other three books.

Quinn has been saying some funny words lately.  He is getting the verbal point where he is frustrated when he isn't understood.  He repeats and repeats until we figure it out.

Waffle: a-week-a-wok  (no idea how this makes sense to him)
Lotion: No-loz

Suggestions???

I need some help.  So we are going to re-do our bathroom at some point and I have slowly been gathering the pieces.  

1-My dad gave us some left over floor tiles from his bathroom-the grey 12x12 on the left and we have enough to do our bathroom floor. 

2- At a previous job I got this sink and a matching toilet for free.  

3-In exchange for a photo session, my friend bought me a shower curtain (floral print on right) with matching towels, bath mat, and green wall paint (sample on little card in the middle).  And somehow they all seem to match!!! 

4-So I bought a sample shower tile (16x16 grey that the shower curtain is laying on.  

But its all starting to match a little too well. I'm worried that the whole bathroom is going to be small grey/green square.  So what do I do? 

1-Change the wall color?  If so, what color? 

2-Keep our white sink  & and buy a new white toilet (it uses a ton of water and the tank lid is cracked). Sell the grey toilet and sink to pay for new white toilet.  

3-Pick a contrasting shower tile? If so, what color?  Does the shower tile color even matter because its covered by the shower curtain?

So all we need to buy now is a mirror cabinet, lighting fixture, and vanity for sink, and drywall.  

Lets hear some opinions.  Shauna I want to hear yours!

Crap. I think I'm going to have to quit watching "Glee." I love that show. But the last episode was blatantly immoral. No catchy songs and dancing could cover it up.  And ironically the message of the show was a great example of what I just blogged about. It was about women finding self-empowerment through "owning" their sexuality.  The total crap that has been fed to women and that they are buying.  Ugh. Why does everything get corrupted.  

Colors in my yard this morning!

Thoughts rolling around my head...

Sunday night I went to a women's stake fireside with all young women and RS sisters.  The stake leaders have decided to challenge all RS sisters to complete the new Virtue goal that was added to the YW's goals.  For those readers who don't speak Mormon, young women have goals to complete over a few years and receive necklaces for each major acheivement...along the lines of boy scouts.  The categories for the goals are Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountabilty, Good Works, and Integrity and recently they added Virtue.  The stake leaders decided that Virtue was so important that the RS sisters should complete the goals as well.   It involves reading some scriptures, journaling about thoughts, reading the Book of Mormon, and a few other things.
Something that was said that night that really stood out was "virtue is in danger."  Its so true. Virtue in the world is not praised or respected. Its not desirable to be a virtuous women... its almost thought of as taking a step back for womankind.  "Prude" is a put down.  Another thought that stood out was "making it to the temple is just the beginning."  I think this was so important for the young women to hear.  This was something that I always thought, that if I could just make it to the temple I'd be home free. Its still a challenge to stay temple worthy.  Granted, there is alot more on the line than before to keep me in check. But every person in this world is tempted every day with things to bring them down. Greed, depression, immorality, addiction, etc.
Another thing that was said was that our homes should be as pure as temples.  I started thinking about how Satan is getting into my home?....movies, internet, books, TV, our thoughts. Then I thought how is the Lord getting into my home?..prayer, scriptures, going to church, AND through Thurm & I.  Its our responsibility to make sure that its the Lord coming into our home and not Satan. We need to make sure that we are opening the right doors and closing the wrong ones. It just made me realize that its up to ME to make sure Quinn has access to the right things. I'm always concerned about guarding against the bad that I forget about how important it is to make sure he has the right things.
Tonight Thurm & I had a conversation about how women's lib has really been a set back for families.  When I was in college I thought I was Ms. Women's Lib. I wanted an equal relationship with a man. I wanted a career. I wanted all my rights! But I was immature in my opinions. And I feel that the world is still immature in its opinions on equal rights. People are over compensating---its like they are going over the line of equal, to "women deserve more."  And actually, the stake fireside was one of the reasons I started thinking about this.  The stake president was there and gave a talk and one of the things he said was "women, if someone ever tells you, you are as good as a man, don't believe it. You are better than a man." He said a few other things along those lines. And I know his intention was to make sure we women know how valuable we are.... but its at the expense of men.  This is the mentality right now. We have to man bash to make women feel good.   And maybe this immature mentality will level out someday to true equality.  It reminds me of affirmative action and how minorities have first dibs on a job over a white male. The intention is good, but really its doing more damage to all involved. The qualified person doesn't get the job and its actually making the minority feel like less because they only get the job because of their color.
So Thurm & I  were talking tonight about how women's lib has really been a downfall for the family unit.  With women's lib came sexual revolution. Its a woman's right to sleep around just like a man does. No commitment and attachments, just fulfillment. And somehow women were duped into thinking this made them more powerful to be in charge of their sexuality.  Really? because it seems like women are treated just as much if not more like sex objects than ever. And it seems like women more than ever are wanting to be treated this way....because its empowering? Break down of the family unit. Studies have shown that the breakdown of the family unit, is the break down of our communities and society.

Also comes the "anything you can do, I can do better."  Women feel its demeaning to ONLY be a mom, they want a career. Which is fine, I did too. But why do we have to put down the importance of motherhood. Can't we see the direct coorelation between single parent homes, parents who both work, and youth that are struggling with grades, drugs, peer pressure, self esteem, teen pregnancy, etc, etc. Kids need parents at HOME raising them. I know its not always possible. We are poor. And its pretty likely that I'll have to go back to work one of these days... but we are doing all we can so that I can stay home and raise the children we are bringing into this world.  I can't expect teachers and TV to teach my kids how to be good, responsible, respectful people.  I believe it is women's nature and role to be mothers, to raise children. Even if you don't believe in god, look at nature, the animal kingdom, the circle of life. Its science. There is a reason why women are the ones to give birth. Its in our nature to nurture.  But I'm married to a guy who would be world's best Mr. Mom. I think its important for ONE OF the parents to raise the child.

I have more thoughts on this, but its almost midnight and my brain is getting fuzzy. Maybe I'll add more later.

Toy Sack

I sewed a very girly toy sack yesterday.  I REALLY wanted to use this awesome red apple fabric that I got from my mom. It was sitting in her fabric closet for a few decades and I love it. You can't see it but it says "I like you" in green letters.
I still have some of the fabric left over that I want to use for a toddler dress.
I made a toy sack like this last year and its awesome. Very roomy.

I've been thinking about how tricky satan is.  It seems like we are hearing weekly in the news about a natural disaster. And every time I hear about a new earthquake I think to myself "its a sign of the second coming of Christ, I need to get my life in order." And then I get distracted and waste my time doing something else.  

So here are some of the signs (there are lots more) that I believe are happening right now (from LDS.org):

"The prophets have warned that the earth will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war, and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time before the Second Coming would be a time of trouble such as the earth has never known (see Daniel 12:1). The Lord said, “The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound” (D&C 45:27). “And all things shall be in commotion; and … fear shall come upon all people” (D&C 88:91). We can expect earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightnings, and thunder (see Matthew 24:7; D&C 88:90). Hailstorms will destroy the crops of the earth (see D&C 29:16).

Jesus told his disciples that war would fill the earth: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. … For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6–7). These wars will continue until a great and final war, the most destructive the world has known. In the midst of this war the Savior will appear. (See Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 732.)

Many of these signs are being fulfilled. Wickedness is everywhere. Nations are constantly at war. Earthquakes and other calamities are occurring. Many people now suffer from devastating storms, drought, hunger, and diseases. We can be certain that these calamities will become more severe before the Lord comes."

Here's an article on some Science & Technology website that I read today:

"There has been a "dramatic" rise in natural disasters during the past decade, the director of the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) said on Thursday.

"The number of events have gone up very, very dramatically," CRED Director Debarati Guha-Sapir said in Geneva.

During the 2000 to 2009 period, there were 385 disasters, an increase of 233 percent since 1980 to 1989, and of 67 percent since 1990 to 1999, according to CRED data.

Though earthquakes made up 60 percent of natural disasters from 2000 to 2009, climate-related events, such as droughts, storms and floods, have made up the majority of disasters overall, increasing tenfold since data was first collected in 1950."

There are signs all around us. Not just natural disasters. Look at the state of our nation? Joseph Smith prophesied that the government "would hang by a thread." And there are lots of good signs... the gospel will spread to all nations, the restoration of the church, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  

So why are we (I) so complacent? I'm blaming Satan....ok,  and my own laziness.  But I never really thought about it alot, but Satan uses distraction as a tool.  There are lots of distractions, even good ones, like a giggling two year old. But I let myself get distracted by movies, TV, hobbies, internet, cell phones, whatever. It seems like I let myself get distracted by anything and everything before I'll spend an hour of my day studying the scriptures, doing my church calling, serving my neighbors, praying, etc.  But its so important, especially now, to be doing what I know I should.  The signs are there, Christ will be coming to the earth again soon, and I'm not ready.  Now is the time to get our lives in order!

City Pass in SLC

We had a SUPER Saturday in Salt Lake.  We bought city passes to 13 different attractions for $24/per adult. QT was free : )  http://www.visitsaltlake.com/visit/activities/connect_pass/attractions/

So for $50 we got around a $100 value of fun activities. We left the house at 8am and didn't get home till 8pm.  Quinn was seriously a trooper. He didn't cry the entire day and had so much fun. He missed his nap and got really tired right before the children's museum, but his tiredness turned to hyperness. It was like Christmas! He ran from one toy to the next for 2 1/2 hours like a madman.  

We went to Hogle Zoo first. My favorite animal was the giraffe, they were just so graceful.  Then we ate lunch at the Lion House. We could eat up to a $10 value of food each. So I got a sandwich, soup, salad and dessert. Delicious! I was stuffed and had to share with Thurm.  Then we drove to Sandy to the Living Planet Aquarium. I LOVED the sea horses. I want a sea horse, but only if it looks like the one on "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou."   

Quinn & Thurm got to touch sting rays while I took pictures.  I think that was Thurm's favorite.  Quinn was only interested in finding Nemo.  Which we did.  Then we went to the Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park. I love that park.  Thurm used to run there and I used to eat lunch there when I worked downtown.  The Aviary has nice walking paths with tons of trees. Its really peaceful.  After that we drove to the Gateway and played at the Children's museum for a few hours.  We spent the most time here, but could have spent WAY more time.  I wish we lived closer and I would get a year pass. I don't think a kid could ever get tired of playing there.  Ate some dinner and then watched a 3D movie at the Clark Planetarium and then went home.  Quinn didn't quite make it through the movie. He didn't have the attention span and just wanted to run in the isles. Plus his glasses were really big and he couldn't keep them on his head.  

Fun, fun day! And even more fun with only one child. I can imagine it being alot harder to do with more than one, or even one at a different age. Here's the pictures. 

Quinn has been off his binky for over a week now. It actually wasn't as traumatizing as I thought it would be. He asked for it for a few days, but I think it was a bigger deal to me than to him.  Next is potty training. I think I'll wait till after the baby is born and he is feeling very comfortable, maybe in the fall.
Yesterday Quinn kissed his bunny and said "I love you bunny."  He sings along to every song we sing him now.  He knows "Twinkle, twinkle" by heart and can sing the entire tune in key (not all the words though).   He has a few stories that we read him memorized and says a few words along with us as we read.  I think he got his dad's talent for word-smithing.
Thurm calls Quinn "Quinn Kwon," don't ask me why.  But the other day Quinn was talking to himself and said "Fwinn Fwon."
We are already have summer plans planned out.  Bear Lake with my family. Thurm's family reunion.  Thurm has some 5 day hikes planned with his brother. A new baby. There will be lots of gardening and canning. Home improvement.  YAY for summer! Thank goodness winter is finally over!

Pillow

Made pillows to go upstairs on the matching bench.

Easter 2010

This is Q's basket after he put so many jelly beans in his mouth he couldn't close his mouth and slobbered all over the rest of his candy.

Pleated diaper bag

I bought a sewing machine yesterday and made an awesome diaper bag! I've never made anything with so many steps and it turned out great!  My sewing projects usually look like it was done in 7th grade home-ec.  Thanks to AMY for the block idea and to THIS LADY for the pattern. I tweaked it and made it bigger, put a bottle pocket on the inside and lined it with vinyl in case of leaks.
I'm so excited to have a sewing machine!  I need to come up with some more sewing projects!

Lemon Curd Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

Directions

1. In the top of a double boiler, beat eggs and sugar. Stir in lemon juice, butter and lemon peel. Cook over simmering water for 15 minutes or until thickened.

TIPS: I didn't use a double boiler, just a heavy pan. I just stirred constantly on low.  This was SOO good. You can use it for pie filling, a RICH pudding, on cookies, on scones. 

Spring Break

QT & I spent a week in Idaho with my mom. It was her spring break and she spent the entire week running errands with me. I don't think she got a single thing done for herself.  What a selfless mom. It was a fun visit with cousins and aunts & uncles. One day we drove to Rexburg and had my grandma give us a rundown on geneology. We spent about 5 hours with her and I still feel like I don't know what to do.
Yesterday I spent the day puking. Its the third time this pregnancy I've gotten sick from meat. I just read yesterday that pregnant women are supposed stay away from processed meats.  I wish I would have known that 6 months ago.  It has made me glad, however, that I don't get sick during my pregnancies. I don't know if I would have more children if my whole nine months was spent throwing up like some women I know.
Quinn lost his last binky today. I guess its as good a day as any to quit binkies. I'm just REALLY not looking forward to it though.
Today was the first day of Thurm's spring break. We got a ton done. Let me just give a hint to all the wives out there. Yerbe Mate. Its a sort of herbal tea that Thurm's dad & brother started drinking on their missions in Argentina.  It has a healthier/different version of caffeine in it.  But when Thurm drinks that in the morning he is like a mad man working all day, getting tons done. I guess I could just buy him Mt. Dew, but this works too.  We got lots of yard work done and little tasks that we've been meaning to do.  YAY! So I'm making sure this entire spring break he drinks mate every morning so we get alot done : ) We are hoping to get all the beams in our attic finished this week.  We have been bulking up the beams in our attic so we can insulate and sheet rock and make it into a bedroom.  And the sooner we get that done, the sooner we can start working on our bathroom and kitchen, which is what I REALLY want to be doing.

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

• This was a great breakfast recipe.  You can make it the night before and then bake it the next morning.  I used whole oats and subbed applesauce for the vegetable oil and cut the white sugar to 1/2 cup to make it a little healthier. It was still really good! Quinn kept calling it cake.  We tried it three ways: plain, with butter on top, and with milk poured over it.  I preferred the butter. We ate it warm, but I read it was good cold too.  
• 
  
• 
  
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Beat together oil and sugar. Mix in eggs, milk, salt, baking powder, oatmeal. Beat well then stir in raisins. Pour into a lightly grease pie pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Refrigerate overnight.
2. The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Bake in preheated oven until firm, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 378 | Total Fat: 17.8g | Cholesterol: 55mg

I bought sugar today.

This "no shopping" adventure is getting rough. We are down to 2 cups of sugar and NO chocolate chips.  Thurm wants to make lemon bars which would use all our sugar. Should we do it?  Sugar is one of my four food groups, I don't know if I can make it!