These Is My Words

I finished reading "These Is My Words" by Nancy E. Turner. I went to Santa Barbara, layed outside and read this book. It was a good story written in journal form. Some of my friends told me it was a true story, but at the back of the book the author talks about how and why she wrote the story. The premise is about a woman in the late 1800's how she lives and the experiences she has. Some parts are funny, but it's mostly a hard sad story. I am thankful it's about Sarah and not about me. I will remember her when I think I am having a bad or hard day. It's nothing like the things she had to endure and overcome.
Here is my most favorite quote in the book...

"Children are a burden to a mother, but not they way a heavy box is to a mule. Our children weigh hard on my heart, and thinking about them growing up honest and healthy, or just living to grow up at all, makes a load in my chest that is bigger than the safe at the bank, and more valuable to me than all the gold inside it." Quote from These Is My Words By Nancy E. Turner

I was told there are 2 more books in the series. Not sure when I'll get to those, moving to Utah and all...I finished it in a few days and then started "Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief", which is super easy to read and a cute, fun story. I am almost done with it, but Scott started reading it to the boys last night and they're already on chapter 4. As soon as were done reading it as a family, we will go see the movie!

Chicken Fetachini!!

Here is the most delicious chicken fetachini dish, ever! Well, it 2 recipes combined into one...But man it's good!

Scott likes the sauce all over everything, while I prefer the sauce to be on just the pasta. Just FYI, it's a lot yummier (yeah, I just made up a word!) in real life. These pictures don't give it justice! The smell....YUM! The chicken literally melts in your mouth like cotton candy. It's so delicious!

So, here it is:

cut up chicken into bit size pieces...add 1 T mayonnaise, 1/4 C Parmesan cheese and stir together. Put in 9x13 baking pan. Cover with bread crumbs. 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

When 30 minutes have past, start the sauce.

In a saucepan melt 1 cube butter. Add pint of cream. Use plastic spatula to mix. Dice up 3-5 cloves of garlic, add in. 1/4 C finely chopped parsley, dash of salt and pepper. 1/2 C mozzarella cheese, 1 C Parmesan cheese, 1 C Italian Blend Cheese (One time I couldn't find this kind at the store, so I added 1/2 C more of mozz cheese and 1/2 C more or parm), after all is just about melted add 2-3 T of lemon juice (from a real lemon, none of that fake stuff!) Turn stove off and keep stirring until cheese is totally melted.

You can have your guests dish up each item separately or you can add everything together, your choice. I have notice the 4 times I've made this delicious dish that there is a ton of sauce left over...Just FYI!

Bon Appetite!

Hike!

Last week, before I left for Santa Barbara, we went hiking...It was awesome. The weather changed a bit and cooled down and became real windy. I knew it was the perfect time to go and we'd better hurry or it would be too late and the weather would change and we would move to Utah. So off we went on a 3mile hike to see some Indian hieroglyphics's. (THANKS Rebekkah for telling us about the place!!) I had baby Nathan on my back and Scott help Brig's most of the time on his back. Will held the backpack with water and snacks. It was a hike hike, fun too.

Here are some of the cool drawing s and writings we found. We also found a neat cave and other strange rocks to climb on. We sat for a bit and ate a snack, but that was short lived. The boys seemed to get a boost of energy and want to climb like little monkey's everywhere. It was fun to watch them. There were a few people we saw on the path and up the top. All were very impressed we hauled 7 kids up there (Jack and Ty brought a friend...)

Some of the boys found walking sticks and other cool things on the trail. It was fun and I'm happy to mark it off my "Arizona To-Do List".

Multi-Cultural Event

The boys had their annual school Multi-Cultural event last week. Will's 5th grade class studies Great Britain. He had to write up a report and make a poster board of it. Jackson's 3rd grade glass studies Italy. Jackson too had to write a report about it and make a poster board with the information he found out and liked. Tyler's 1st grade class studies Greece. Tyler read a few books about Greece and Greek God's. Tyler also made cute crafts.

The event was held last week in the morning at school and there was a pretty good turn-out. Tyler's class sang a couple songs and did a cute little skit about the Greek God's. Jackson's class also sang a couple songs.

There were decorations, food samples, and pamphlets the whole school worked on and put out. It was a very fun event!!

Marshmallow Guns

Last Monday night we wanted to make marshmallow PVC guns with the boys. But, because it's family home evening night I asked Scott to think of a lesson that would involve the boys making guns. It was a great lesson about the importance of following a plan. The boys had over a friend and their Papa (a non member) was there. Scott tied it all together explaining to the boys that following the plan of salvation and being prepared is key to return to live with our Father in heaven. It was a great lesson and the boys really had a good time putting the PVC guns together.

You're not that cool...

I meet Scott over at the Union (ASU East campus cafeteria) a few times a week. Because Scott works for ASU he gets money every week so we can eat there for free! Great deal! Anyways this one thing happened a while back but we were talking about it again today. I want to share it with all of you.

Scott, Brig's and I are sitting at a table right next to some young college guys. We stop talking and started ease dropping on their conversation. It was wild. Every once in a while I'd look up at Scott and all 4 of our eyes balls looked like they were going to pop out. We were shocked. What they were talking about was pretty crazy, but more so because they're talking out loud with so many people around. That was really crazy.
This guy was telling two other guys how he totally cheated on a test he had just taken. Long story short, this guy is getting A's and cheated off a friend. The friend is getting C's. Lamo for cheating. Lamo for thinking you had to cheat and the biggest Lamo of all is talking so loud! He has no clue who is around listening to his conversation. Scott is the Acting Director of Housing, but guess who was sitting 1 table away from the idiot? Yep, you guess it, the Dean of the school. Umm, hello you could get kicked out of college for cheating on a stupid test, but chatting about it with your friends to make them think you're cool is just so beyond stupid. I kinda wish Dean McGrath overheard...

Mini Goals Week 21

Another great, great week. The power of prayer is amazing and I felt so connected to the spirit. Why don't I always do this? Why does it have to be a mini goal? Well, I will be better at praying. Like I said before I am always saying silent prayers randomly throughout the day, but the mid-day prayer is what I have loved and will be better at. Going somewhere quiet, kneeling in prayer. Just the thought of it is so wonderful!
I have, another, crazy busy week. I am off to Santa Barbara for 6 long, relaxing, fun days! YES! I can't wait! I am taking the babies with me and Gavin is already there. So, I am choosing not to have a mini goal this week. I plan on finishing up the summer camp plans for the boys during my visit. I also plan on crafting a bit. I also plan on lounging in the warmth of the sun in the backyard reading a book while the boys play. Who wants to join me? Aww, I can't wait! So I guess that's my mini goal. TO do nothing bur relax and have a fun vacation! Ok you talked me into it. That's what I'll do! :)

Relay For Life

The other night the Relay For life was held at the ASU track. I have attended this event for 4 years now, and I love it! The night kicks off by the survivors of cancer take the first lap around the track. Half way through they are joined by their supporters. There are games, food, activities, and lots of stuff going on the entire time. The event runs from 6pm to 6am. Scott and the kids have always spent the night, but we took most of our camping stuff to SLC already!

This year there were jumpers and slides for the kids...

And adults! It took my mom several minutes to climb the stair, but made it with a little help!

Around the track there are these lunch bags decorated by random people. The write something on there about how cancer has effected their life. I made one for my moms friends, Carolyn and DeEett. I also made two others, one for my aunt Kathleen and the other for my cousin Debbie.

Jamborama!

We celebrated with many people a couple Saturday's ago at a beautiful park. What were we all celebrating? 100 years of Scouting. How wonderful is that?!
There were a ton of fun events and games for the boys to participate in. A little golfing...

climbing and walking across this awesome bridge...

Cool Army uniforms to try on....

Making homemade SLIM!!!

More bridges...

More cool Army gear...

FORE!!!

Will was in heaven! He wants to be "an Army guy" when he grows up.

Some marshmallow guns...

A very fun obstacle course. I raced against Jackson and Dad raced against Tyler...So creative and fun!

It was like 90 plus degree outside, but we all had a blast! Thank you Cub Scout program!!