THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011
Southern Virginia University Offers BreaLynn Scholarship!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
One of lifes greatest blessings!
Andrew & Byran were born 16 years ago today. Andrew will be quick to tell you that he was born 45 seconds before Bryan making him the oldest.
Finding out we were expecting twins was about the most amazing, humbling experiences I ever experienced. I was well into my 4th month of pregnancy before going to the Dr. I knew I was pregnant, but we had been in the middle of our first move to Ohio. We were busy trying to get our first, very own house fixed up before Jon would have to start classes. I was done with morning sickness and was feeling fabulous and figured there was no hurry.
The OB clinic was connected to the medical school, and my first appointment & ultrasound were scheduled so that Jon could go right on to class & I pick him up after school.
While in the office I recall us talking over baby expenses and I, confidently, reassuring Jon that we had everything we could possibly need and that we would be fine. But then as we watched the screen together with the Doc the most amazing thing happened! As he turned away to record measurements on his writing pad, an identical bubble (skull) floated up and aligned itself with our baby's skull.
"UUUUmmmm......wwwhhhhaaattt'ssss that?" Jon & I both stammered while pointing at the screen. The Dr. turned, leaned in for a closer look, got up and left the room without a word.
Hearts racing, hands clinched, giggles erupting...."Could it really be?" The door opened and two doctors entered the room and went straight to the Ultrasound machine...then the second turned and said, "Well, congratulations, congratulations!"
As Jon walked me to the car I was trying to assure us both, "we'll just need one more of everything... It will be okay." We were both in a joyous shock of what felt like a blessing too large to grasp. As Jon turned to go to his first day of class I said, "Hey, you forgot something." He turned to give me a kiss, to which I laughed and said, "No, This" & held out his bookbag he about went to class without. We walked around a few days in this comical stupor.
Being pregnant with them, like our others was not without challenges, but I'd go back and do it all over again.
Finding out we were expecting twins was about the most amazing, humbling experiences I ever experienced. I was well into my 4th month of pregnancy before going to the Dr. I knew I was pregnant, but we had been in the middle of our first move to Ohio. We were busy trying to get our first, very own house fixed up before Jon would have to start classes. I was done with morning sickness and was feeling fabulous and figured there was no hurry.
The OB clinic was connected to the medical school, and my first appointment & ultrasound were scheduled so that Jon could go right on to class & I pick him up after school.
While in the office I recall us talking over baby expenses and I, confidently, reassuring Jon that we had everything we could possibly need and that we would be fine. But then as we watched the screen together with the Doc the most amazing thing happened! As he turned away to record measurements on his writing pad, an identical bubble (skull) floated up and aligned itself with our baby's skull.
"UUUUmmmm......wwwhhhhaaattt'ssss that?" Jon & I both stammered while pointing at the screen. The Dr. turned, leaned in for a closer look, got up and left the room without a word.
Hearts racing, hands clinched, giggles erupting...."Could it really be?" The door opened and two doctors entered the room and went straight to the Ultrasound machine...then the second turned and said, "Well, congratulations, congratulations!"
As Jon walked me to the car I was trying to assure us both, "we'll just need one more of everything... It will be okay." We were both in a joyous shock of what felt like a blessing too large to grasp. As Jon turned to go to his first day of class I said, "Hey, you forgot something." He turned to give me a kiss, to which I laughed and said, "No, This" & held out his bookbag he about went to class without. We walked around a few days in this comical stupor.
Being pregnant with them, like our others was not without challenges, but I'd go back and do it all over again.
Andrew & Bryan- you are by far among the greatest blessings in my life and I love you both so very much!
-mom
Hoping this year is the best ever.
We love you very much!
-mom
Hoping this year is the best ever.
We love you very much!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2011
Birthday Celebration
They were both sustained & then ordination to the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood today at church. They were both given the oppertinity to share their testimonies. As I said about their father when I first laid eyes on him, they "glowed".
It's been a great day.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011
Amelia with her Daddy, Uncle Bill
Welcome Baby Elwell! We can not wait to come meet you and play with all of you this Spring!
Hope you're letting your mommy get some sleep.
We think you are cute as can be!
Mr. Donut Man meets my Seminary Class
So, here we are. We all go through life like Mr. Donut Man, with this need to fill this gaping center spot in our bosoms so as to feel whole, completely loved and at peace. We can try to fill this spot with all sorts of stuff but never really feel quite whole. Going to and fro searching for what is missing.
When I went to Krispy Kreme at 5:45am this morning, I was stunned to learn that they don't sell the holes! It's not that the holes do not exist... They had been shipped off to grocery stores in the area. I had to go find them!
At first this was so sad to me for in my analogy the Donut Hole represents Christ. How we need to always have Christ as the center of our lives, In our hearts or we will feel quite empty no matter what else we try to cram in there. So in the end I guess it was fitting that I had to go in search to find Him.
I'm happy to report that Mr. Donut has been reunited with his Divine Center.
Today was Birthday Friday. Donuts & Scripture Mastery games.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2011
Krispy Kreme Monte Cristos Sandwiches for Dinner...YUM!
Personally I can't stomach Krispy Kreme donuts, but my family & Seminary students love them. I had left over’s from this morning so I decided to us them for dinner. I remember a sandwich my mom used to make called the Monte Cristo. Still my mouth waters at the memory.
A Monte Cristo is made by using white bread with crust cut off. Then light mayo with ham and slice of Swiss cheese. Then cut diagonally, dipped into egg batter and deep fried, then rolled in powder sugar. As kids, we could not get enough. I don't fry much food, so I never made them.
Today the thought came to me that a Krispy Kreme Donut cut like a bagel, layered open faced with ham & cheese & then broiled, these would taste very much like a Monte Cristo. You would have though I was doing something sacrilegious to see the kids react as they watched in horror as I supposedly desecrated the last box of the Krispy Kremes.
The results were just what I expected. Two batches disappeared in less then a few moments. Magically, the "I'm not hungry"s were begging for more. I suppose with ham & cheese, I can feel a little better about my kids eating these things. To make, you will need:
1 dozen Krispy Kremes
1 package sliced Swiss cheese
1 package sliced smoked ham
Now, be brave, try them, and don't quibble till you nibble.
A Monte Cristo is made by using white bread with crust cut off. Then light mayo with ham and slice of Swiss cheese. Then cut diagonally, dipped into egg batter and deep fried, then rolled in powder sugar. As kids, we could not get enough. I don't fry much food, so I never made them.
Today the thought came to me that a Krispy Kreme Donut cut like a bagel, layered open faced with ham & cheese & then broiled, these would taste very much like a Monte Cristo. You would have though I was doing something sacrilegious to see the kids react as they watched in horror as I supposedly desecrated the last box of the Krispy Kremes.
The results were just what I expected. Two batches disappeared in less then a few moments. Magically, the "I'm not hungry"s were begging for more. I suppose with ham & cheese, I can feel a little better about my kids eating these things. To make, you will need:
1 dozen Krispy Kremes
1 package sliced Swiss cheese
1 package sliced smoked ham
Now, be brave, try them, and don't quibble till you nibble.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2011
Bet ya didn't know... Food Trivia
I just found that in 1966 - (the year of my birth) Disneyland in Anaheim, California also contributed to the trend of eating this sandwich. In 1966, it appeared on their menu of the Blue Bayou and Tahitian Terrace restaurants in New Orleans’s Square in Disneyland and has continued to be a popular menu item to this day.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2011
The question we are daily asked....
"Is the military moving you guys this summer?"
The answer has changed this past month from "For sure not" to "YES, to DC" to "Nope, we're staying for sure" to "We have NO idea". The most current answer is "Yes, but we have NO clue as to where, and that could change". The process of shifting assignments in the military is more complex then anyone realizes and to say politics play a huge role is a vast understatement. But this is what Jon & I do trust and believe, that we will go where we need to be and love it or at least learn to.
From Texas to Alaska, from DC to Hawaii... to anywhere oversees.
We are taking your guesses. Whoever gets closest will get a giant sized candy bar of their choosing!
The answer has changed this past month from "For sure not" to "YES, to DC" to "Nope, we're staying for sure" to "We have NO idea". The most current answer is "Yes, but we have NO clue as to where, and that could change". The process of shifting assignments in the military is more complex then anyone realizes and to say politics play a huge role is a vast understatement. But this is what Jon & I do trust and believe, that we will go where we need to be and love it or at least learn to.
From Texas to Alaska, from DC to Hawaii... to anywhere oversees.
We are taking your guesses. Whoever gets closest will get a giant sized candy bar of their choosing!
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30th 2011
Andrew & Bryan blessed the Sacrament for the first time and did a very nice job of it!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2011
Ice Storm of the Decade
 |
| Aubrey and Daniel sliding |
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2011
Ice Storm Leaves 80,000 Without Power in Dayton
Heavy icing on trees and power lines caused power outages all over the Miami Valley. Dayton Power and Light officials said approximately 80,000 customers are without power.
An Ice Storm is when the rain freezes on contact. This photo was taken on our balcony at 2am. This limb is weighed down over ten feet. The weight on the trees can get too much and limbs will snap. We only had one large limb down this morning. From about 2 to 3, it was hard to sleep for all the loud cracking sounds as the wind blew outside. All is closed down and we are again all at home. Feeling very blessed to have heat and power.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011
Still those without power
We have several friends in the area that are still without power & heat. One friend, whose husband is serving in Afghanistan, is home with her mattress pulled up close to the fire place to stay warm at night. She is diligently keeping the fire burning in hopes of keeping her pipes from bursting. We've offered our home or generator but she is a trooper and is determined to make do. This is as rough as we know it.
Can I just say how grateful I am for a sturdy roof to keep us dry, strong walls to shield the freezing wind & salt to melt ice. For heat, for warm stew... and hot cocoa... we are truly spoiled. I think often of Lauvi, a young gal who came to live with the children & I in Germany. The stories she would eventually tell of her life in war-torn Kosovo, living in a half bombed out apartment building. Extreme cold, little food, I realized that I could not comprehend. So much I take for granted.
My heart is full of gratitude for the little storms that cause me to ponder and push me to prepare a little more. Both temporally & spiritually for whatever storms may lie ahead.
Can I just say how grateful I am for a sturdy roof to keep us dry, strong walls to shield the freezing wind & salt to melt ice. For heat, for warm stew... and hot cocoa... we are truly spoiled. I think often of Lauvi, a young gal who came to live with the children & I in Germany. The stories she would eventually tell of her life in war-torn Kosovo, living in a half bombed out apartment building. Extreme cold, little food, I realized that I could not comprehend. So much I take for granted.
My heart is full of gratitude for the little storms that cause me to ponder and push me to prepare a little more. Both temporally & spiritually for whatever storms may lie ahead.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011
Still those without power
We have several friends in the area that are still without power & heat. One friend, whose husband is serving in Afghanistan, is home with her mattress pulled up close to the fire place to stay warm at night. She is diligently keeping the fire burning in hopes of keeping her pipes from bursting. We've offered our home or generator but she is a trooper and is determined to make do. This is as rough as we know it.
Can I just say how grateful I am for a sturdy roof to keep us dry, strong walls to shield the freezing wind & salt to melt ice. For heat, for warm stew... and hot cocoa... we are truly spoiled. I think often of Lauvi, a young gal who came to live with the children & I in Germany. The stories she would eventually tell of her life in war-torn Kosovo, living in a half bombed out apartment building. Extreme cold, little food, I realized that I could not comprehend. So much I take for granted.
My heart is full of gratitude for the little storms that cause me to ponder and push me to prepare a little more. Both temporally & spiritually for whatever storms may lie ahead.
Can I just say how grateful I am for a sturdy roof to keep us dry, strong walls to shield the freezing wind & salt to melt ice. For heat, for warm stew... and hot cocoa... we are truly spoiled. I think often of Lauvi, a young gal who came to live with the children & I in Germany. The stories she would eventually tell of her life in war-torn Kosovo, living in a half bombed out apartment building. Extreme cold, little food, I realized that I could not comprehend. So much I take for granted.
My heart is full of gratitude for the little storms that cause me to ponder and push me to prepare a little more. Both temporally & spiritually for whatever storms may lie ahead.
What's for Supper?
My everyday routine consists of teaching Seminary, getting kids off, cleaning house, doing laundry,
fixing dinner, preparing the next days Seminary lesson. Simple enough. There is of course the running errands. Dr. appts, VTing or temple visits & lunches with friends. The crafts, projects, and blogging...
I love my life!
The part I love the best is when everyone comes home in the afternoon and all seems to kick into light speed motion. For as much as I longed for the quiet days when all would be in School, truth be known, I miss them all terribly when the house is so quiet.
I love when everyone comes home in the afternoon, they head straight for the kitchen for snacks, then typically Bryan will be on his bed studying, Daniel at the upstairs computer desk, Andrew at the dining room table, Aubrey at the breakfast table while BreaLynn is always at the piano with a student.
The kitchen is where, more often than not, I will be found. I LOVE TO COOK! What I love most is having my family gather at 6 around the table. I've never known how to cook for small numbers. Even when it was just Jon & I, there would be enough for a small army. I still cook that same way but as of late, it hardly seems to be enough. I LOVE to try new things & to have them scrape the pot clean! So much for left overs for Jon's lunches.
Andrew had to eat early one evening last week to get to his volleyball practice. As he sat and took his first bite, his eyes rolling back, he asks in all seriousness, "Mom, how will I ever be able to leave home?"
There is nothing that warms my heart quite like preparing food for a family that truly appreciate it.
So today...I'll start with this.
And add in lots of this...
A Hearty Potato Leek Soup Recipe for the Last Days of Winter
* almond milk, non dairy butter, gluten wheat free broth, msg free bacon.
fixing dinner, preparing the next days Seminary lesson. Simple enough. There is of course the running errands. Dr. appts, VTing or temple visits & lunches with friends. The crafts, projects, and blogging...
I love my life!
The part I love the best is when everyone comes home in the afternoon and all seems to kick into light speed motion. For as much as I longed for the quiet days when all would be in School, truth be known, I miss them all terribly when the house is so quiet.
I love when everyone comes home in the afternoon, they head straight for the kitchen for snacks, then typically Bryan will be on his bed studying, Daniel at the upstairs computer desk, Andrew at the dining room table, Aubrey at the breakfast table while BreaLynn is always at the piano with a student.
The kitchen is where, more often than not, I will be found. I LOVE TO COOK! What I love most is having my family gather at 6 around the table. I've never known how to cook for small numbers. Even when it was just Jon & I, there would be enough for a small army. I still cook that same way but as of late, it hardly seems to be enough. I LOVE to try new things & to have them scrape the pot clean! So much for left overs for Jon's lunches.
Andrew had to eat early one evening last week to get to his volleyball practice. As he sat and took his first bite, his eyes rolling back, he asks in all seriousness, "Mom, how will I ever be able to leave home?"
There is nothing that warms my heart quite like preparing food for a family that truly appreciate it.
So today...I'll start with this.
And add in lots of this...
A Hearty Potato Leek Soup Recipe for the Last Days of Winter
* almond milk, non dairy butter, gluten wheat free broth, msg free bacon.
Our Typical afternoon...
Daniel in the office, Andrew at the computer desk, Aubrey in the family room. Only Bryan and BreaLynn were where I said they would be. :)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2011
Big Hit Trail Mix
Andrew has been so big into trail mix lately, mixing up his own bowl every time I turn around. I decided to surprise him with this JUMBO JAR on the counter. They have promised not to just pick out the candy. We'll see. :)
-Kixs -M&M's -Crasins -Yogurt covered Raisins -Crackl'in Oat Bran- Peanuts -Quaker Oat Squares
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2011
Week's News
BreaLynn was released as the Laurel Class President. She has served for over a year and from all reports has done a super job. She was also released as the YW Pianist but called to serve on the Stake Youth Council and now that Bishop knows she has been taking Organ lessons this past year committed her to play for Sacrament Meeting at least twice before leaving this summer. So... a few tears were shed this week. Sad to be released, and a bit nervous about a new challenge. Change...it's part of life. Oh and how could I forget, she stole the ball this morning in Stake basketball tournament, raced down the court and slam dunked the winning points for her team much to the crowds screaming delight! I thought my heart would explode from excitement.
Andrew has been working on his vertical jump for Volleyball with a jump program Jon set him up on. He has been dedicated to it for a couple weeks and is delighted to have increased two inches. This also has improved his basketball game. Today he was recruited to play on the men's team only to break one of the guys nose. Truly. Blood everywhere. He felt horrible!
Bryan has been busy with track conditioning & Aubrey is still enjoying playing basketball.
Daniel watched this video clip about a BYU basketball player Tyler Haws and it has inspired him. He and Jon go each morning to the Church Gym at 6:30am and he drills until seminary is over and he comes home with me. He is determined to not just be the small guy, but the small guy that stuns everyone. He is doing a great job of it.
Jon & I had a wonderful time at the Temple last night. Not that I am complaining, but I do hope we can be nearer a Temple when we move.
Other than that our week has been pretty uneventful I guess. And still NO word.
Love you all!
Andrew has been working on his vertical jump for Volleyball with a jump program Jon set him up on. He has been dedicated to it for a couple weeks and is delighted to have increased two inches. This also has improved his basketball game. Today he was recruited to play on the men's team only to break one of the guys nose. Truly. Blood everywhere. He felt horrible!
Bryan has been busy with track conditioning & Aubrey is still enjoying playing basketball.
Daniel watched this video clip about a BYU basketball player Tyler Haws and it has inspired him. He and Jon go each morning to the Church Gym at 6:30am and he drills until seminary is over and he comes home with me. He is determined to not just be the small guy, but the small guy that stuns everyone. He is doing a great job of it.
Jon & I had a wonderful time at the Temple last night. Not that I am complaining, but I do hope we can be nearer a Temple when we move.
Other than that our week has been pretty uneventful I guess. And still NO word.
Love you all!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011
Happy Valentines!
I LOVE Valentine's day! I love to find all sorts of ways to say "I think you're grand!"
I know, some will say, "Humbug! Don't need a holiday to say that!" But I don't care what grumpy has to say. I have always LOVED Valentine's day! It's not the roses, or the candy. It's the perfect excuse to brighten someones day. It makes my heart swell. I love to cover an unassuming friends door with big red hearts, I love to surprise my kids. I love to write silly anonymous love notes to be delivered to them at school. I love to decorate Jon's office so the whole world knows I'm crazy about him. I love Valentine's Day!
I suppose it would only make sense that almost 20 years ago I married Cupid himself. His birthday is in fact today you know. He knows that though I'm about scattering heart shaped sprinkles everywhere I go today, that at the end of the day my whole heart will always be his! And his birthday is not lost in it.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2011
Home before & Afters continue
I have a friend that inspired me to post my before & after of our home improvements. So here are most of them. More to come!
This laundry room half bath was rarely ever used so we partially took out the wall. We put in a wash basin opposite the partial wall to enlarge the Laundry Room. Put in shelves behind the door and new wall cabinets and a folding table to the left of washer. I like it much better.
This may be harder to figure because we gutted and doubled size of our Master Bath.
Door to balcony new, closet to left gone.
Wall gone, door way gone. New closet.
Master Bedroom
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