School Activties

It seems as of late we have had a ton of extra activities to go to through the school.  We had an art show, a 5th grade program, a band concert, a play performance (that's next week), a retirement party, and a DARE graduation (at the same time as an eye appt).

I do try to support all extra activities that the kids do and watch all of them.  This week it was compounded because I have been sick.  I finally accepted the fact that I couldn't do it all even though I like to support the kids.  I don't think I am a bad parent for choosing not to go to the DARE graduation.  I have just accepted that I have limitations and sometimes I just can't do it all.

I guess the kids can just explain that to their shrinks when they are older.  I do love them though.  I think they know that. (no pictures from Noah's band concert.  Just did video there.)

Next week: Adam's Play- He's playing Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins and a swim meet on Friday and Saturday for Lily and Noah.  One more thing, a ballet recital for Lily oh and a pool party for Adam for the 5th graders.  (It's almost summer!!)

Funeral and family

Funerals are never at a convenient time.  One can never plan around one.  So when a death occurs plans need to be changed at a moment's notice.

That's what happened to us last weekend.  Damon's Aunt Siva passed away on Wednesday May 15th.  The next day we found out that the funeral would be on Saturday the 18th.  Damon and I made the call that it was important to attend and for our kids to be there too.

After we made that decision I spent the next hour on the phone with a whole lot of people.  I talked to Damon's mom, my sister, the eye Dr., the school, and the movie theater (we just bought tickets online for a Friday showing and were trying to get our tickets changed).  We packed, cleaned and did laundry.

Friday morning we were in the car and heading down to Mortensen Manor.  After we got in the kids wasted no time getting in the pool and hanging out with their cousins.

Damon also helped Reed set up a volleyball net in the back yard.  The kids managed to play a couple games of volleyball as well.

 On the 18th we went to the funeral.  The nice thing about funerals is that you get to see a lot of family.  The service was nice.  At the end when the coffin was being taken away all the Samoans sang a song acapella.  They do that at every funeral.  It was really neat to hear.

 We drove back to Salt Lake on Sunday.  It was a very short trip, but a nice one.  We are glad we made it.  Family is more important than any other obligation one may have.

Mother's Day Love

Mother's day is always on Sunday.  That means we have to get ourselves to church and things as well as have a relaxing morning where I'm supposed to enjoy the day.  HA!

I was treated with a yummy omelet breakfast and a smoothie on my new vitamix.  It's super cool.  After breakfast we rushed out the door to get to church on time.

 Next step:  make yummy snunch (lunch of snacks).  Damon got fruits and cheeses and crackers.  It was so great and he made another smoothie.


Dinner was a fabulous rib eye steak with potatoes, rolls and a big yummy salad.  Damon made a fudge strawberry truffle cake for dessert.  It took him all day and it was beautiful.  We ate it with homemade vanilla ice cream.

 It was so yummy.  I know I was loved and appreciated this day.  It's nice not to have to cook at one meal.  Damon does such a wonderful job when he is in the kitchen.  He should be in it more often!!

An accomplished resolution

Way back in December when my family was together making our new year's resolutions one of mine was to run a half marathon.  It had been on my list the year before and I hadn't done it so I felt like I needed to put it on for another year.

With the move and everything that happened the first 2 months of this year it was easy to become a bit depressed.  Exercising was the only thing I had to help motivate me during the day while the kids were at school and Damon was at work.  We joined a gym (I think for my sanity) and I found a great class that got me really running again.  The class also had a great trainer who pushed me when all I wanted to do was stop.

So about mid February I found a 1/2 marathon that I could do.  I was excited.  Then I found out we had a swim meet the same day.  I didn't let it set me back. I found another run for the weekend after the swim meet.  This was my chance.  I threw myself into training and continued to push my limits and miles on the treadmill.  I had to do all my training indoors because I am not a cold weather runner.

The race was down in Provo which is about 25 minutes away.  I found out that I had to be down there before 5:30am even though the race didn't start until 7am.  So with the alarm set for 4am I woke up at 3:45am and started getting ready.  Damon offered to drive me down there and then come back later with the kids.  I thought that was very nice of him.  We got down to Provo at 5am and Damon said goodbye.  I went and picked up my number and timing chip and then boarded a school bus that was taking us up to the start line inside Provo Canyon.

It was weird doing a race where I didn't know anyone.  I've always had someone with me at a race.  But just like the rest of the journey that I had been on since January I was used to being alone.  We got to the starting area and it was freezing and really dark.  There were lots of fires going to keep us warm and everyone became really social as we were all huddled near each other for warmth. 

My race was starting at 7:10am and about 6:50am I headed over to the starting line and started getting ready.  By this time I couldn't feel my toes or fingers.  I just kept telling myself once I got going I would be warm again.

The gun fired and we were off.  I didn't really know where we were except near the river.  My run was slow to begin because everything was cold, but it started to warm up after 10 minutes or so.  All I had with me was my watch to help me keep time.  There weren't any mile markers at the beginning of the race so I just kept running and assuming what mile I was on by what time was on my watch.  The run was very pretty.  We were on a river trail with the canyon surrounding us and the river right next to us.  We passed campers along the way.  I felt very much at peace.  Running near the river was like running near the lake down in San Diego which made it feel familiar and comforting.

During my training I had paced myself for a 10-10:30 minute mile.  So by the time I found my first mile marker at mile 9 (I went 9 miles without even thinking about it!!) I was surprised to see the time on my watch which read 1:23.  My last training run had me at mile 8 at 1:23.  I felt like shouting out loud a cheer of triumph.  I managed a little fist pump.  I didn't want to throw off my groove. 

When I hit mile 10 I slowed down to a walk to take off my long sleeve shirt (I was finally warm and the sun was out) and grab a quick bite of a power bar.  I also knew the rest of the run was a quick 5k which I knew was nice and easy for me.  My quads were really sore about mile 11 and then my knees about mile 12, but I was so close to the finish line I didn't want to stop or slow down.  I was so happy to see marker 12 that I touched the sign as I ran by it.

As I approached the finish line I started looking for my family.  I was searching the crowds for my biggest fans and support system.  Finally I heard Lily's voice saying "there she is" and knew exactly where to look.  They were cheering a clapping and taking pictures of course.  It was wonderful to see their supporting faces.

I crossed the finish line at 2:04.25.  My goal had been 2:10 so I was quite happy and very relieved.  This was a small physical victory for me but also a mental one.  This move and starting over in a new location has been really hard and down right lonely at times, but just like in a race with the proper physical and mental training what seems like the impossible becomes possible. I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. 

Next goal:  Provo Half Ironman or Full Marathon.

Dinner #28

Finally!!  I have finished my 28-new meals goal.  What a pain it has been.  I had no idea it would take me 3 months to finish it, but I'm done and I am glad and I have learned some fun new things.

This meal was involved, but not complicated.  I like those the best.  I tweaked the recipe a little and did my own twist just to make it fun.  I even plated it all nicely.  We really do watch to much Chopped.  The kids and Damon were skeptical about this meal and I had to take the first bite, but after I said how good it was everyone tried it and liked it.

Dinner #28-Garlic Chicken

What I made tonight was a garlic encrusted chicken with a cauliflower puree with a cheese sauce and sauteed Brussel sprouts and bak choy.  It was fabulous!!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons minced garlic (can use more or less)

2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided (garlic lovers can use more)

1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (or can use white salt)

3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumb (seasoned or plain)

1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

shredded cheddar cheese (optional and use any amount desired, or can use shredded mozzarella cheese) 

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 350°F.

2 Butter an 11 x 7-inch pan (if using more than 4 breasts use a larger pan).

3 In a bowl, combine melted butter with fresh minced garlic, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and salt.

4 In another bowl, combine the dry breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon garlic powder and coarse ground black pepper.

5 Dip chicken in butter mixture; then in crumb mixture.

6 Place in prepared pan and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until cooked through, larger breasts may take more time (placing the chicken on a rack in a pan will produce an extra crispy crust).

7 Top with shredded cheddar or mozzarella the last 5 minutes of cooking (this is only optional.)

For my Cauliflower I steamed it and then pureed it in the blender.  I added some salt and Parmesan cheese and milk.  I made my cheese sauce with a basic bechamel sauce and then added a cup of shredded cheddar cheese.  

On a much more annoying note it snowed on May 1st.  It didn't stick, but I think one of my tomato plants is not going to make it now because of the crazy change of weather.  It didn't like being cold.  Neither do I.   It didn't stick around to long and it was sunny by the end of the day, just really cold again.

 On a completely separate note Damon and I went to the movies tonight.  I have forgotten what it's like just to go out without the whole production that precedes it. The kids are old enough now to do most of that stuff on their own.   We saw "The Host".  Damon thinks Stephanie Meyer needs to stop writing about love triangles.  He was half expecting one of the male characters to take of his shirt and start running around.  I couldn't stop giggling.  It was so nice to be out with him and to enjoy each others company.   So grab your partner and go out.  It's time well spent!

celebrations and swim meets

 We were able to celebrate Noah's birthday all weekend long.  We had a nice dinner with us and Nana and Papa on Friday.

We celebrated with more family on Saturday and were able to celebrate with Knox who also shares the same birthday as Noah.

We finished it off celebrating Noah's and Matthew's birthday on Sunday with a yummy dinner.  I don't have any picures from that.

Lily and Noah had their first swim meet with their new team.  It was weird seeing them in red instead of blue suits and caps.  They did well.  It's a lot different from out old team.  It's a two day event and very exhausting and long.  We all survive and I am very proud of my fish.

Noah's 13!!!

Wow!!  13 years ago we were at the hospital for what felt like the longest day of our lives.  I checked into the hospital at 12am on 4/19/00 and was hooked up to all the fun things to induce labor.  The induction wasn't by choice.  It was out of necessity.  Noah was already 6 days late and I was the size of a small hippo.  After a very long morning, noon and night Noah joined our family at 10:33pm.  He had a cone shaped head because he chose to enter the world facing it instead of having his head down.

We are so luck to be his parents and are glad that he is so patient with us as we try to figure out this thing called parenting.

Happy 13th Birthday Noah!!!  We all love you so very much.

Here are some interesting facts about Noah

His favorite color is blue
He loves computer/video/hand held/ games
He loves the water-all kinds
He hates breaststroke with a passion
He loves to learn
His favorite thing to eat is chicken pillows, pizza, hamburger/fries and sprite
He is a fabulous older brother who takes care of his siblings
He has a very sweet spirit and charming smile
He is a 1/2 inch shorter than his mom as of today (it will probably be different tomorrow)
He is still very good at playing the trumpet
He is very hesitant to try new things, but usually likes them once he does
He LOVES being out in nature