thanksgiving in pictures

 

 

so excited for Thanksgiving

Yesterday Wende & I ran to the bakery for a donut & look what we saw!

 Thanksgiving dinner~

and it's only $6.99 a plate!

and these cutie thanksgiving sugar cookies- oh how fun

On the Thanksgiving menu at my house:

Dinner

Turkey- brined & roasted with compound butter & turkey paste

Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes w/pecan praline

Harvest blend stuffing

Green bean casserole

Roasted brussel sprouts & butternut squash with bacon & pine nuts

Relish tray & dip

My favorite cheese ball-- someday I should put the recipe up?

Dessert

PIE!!!

Pumpkin- Apple- Blueberry- Chocolate Cream- Cherry

Whipped cream & ice cream of course!

I feel completely overwhelmed with so many blessings!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

last of the nut

Closing night of the 2011 Nutcracker was a BIG night!

We had a big dinner- then drove up to the ballet. Thanks to Brittany for taking these pictures, since I was in the back chaperoning some baby mice... Chloe's age is old enough to go without chaperone's now-- which is FANTASTIC except that now I have to take my turn chaperoning someone elses little dancer. Don't get me wrong--- you know I love kids-- but these little girls can really be loud- I dreaded my assignment all day! Lucky me- I got the cutest little 8 year old mice. They were dolls.

 Brittany & Megan

 Hailey & Laura

 Laura & the bearded Brian

 Brian & Marcus... they must be missing Jack or something here in this photo? Or thinking about how they missed out in life because neither of their mothers put them in ballet lessons- serious envy over men in tights going on here?? hahahahhaaa-- oh that was a good one.

 Marcus & Brittany

 Trent & his DSlite-- you know, just in case he got a little bored. Newsflash: he was NOT bored & sat quietly with hardly any whistling the whole ballet!!!

 Brett & Hailey

And like an idiot...

I forgot to get any pictures with Chloe after the ballet!???

aaaah!?

Oh well- it was a GREAT Nutcracker year.

You were stunning Chloe- we love you.

back stage

 We snuck backstage after last night's ballet & got some photos.

wow

it's nutcracker week!

It's here- Nutcracker Week!

Yesterday I tried & tried to write a post... but I just could NOT get any of these pictures to download! AAARGH-- so I'm a day late. Oh well, what else is new?

Chloe is on point this year & is absolutely gorgeous- of course!

I went to the first dress rehearsal Tuesday night & sat in the audience hoping to get some great photos. It's really hard to get any photos with very crabby people (who don't like picture takers) around--- so I didn't get too many. Still- I tried!

 The orchestra is setting up & hasn't been lowered into the pit- so they were in the way of the run through but there's Chloe- 3rd from the left.

 There's my foot.

 I was quite a ways back because non chaperoning parents are discouraged from coming to dress rehearsal & told to sit behind row N. Well--- okay then!?

Waiting around by myself was just a little boring.

 dang- I've got a crooked nose!

 Chloe is dancing in there somewhere...

and now waiting in the middle for her turn.

I love Chloe- she is a beautiful ballerina & is the epitome of what a ballerina should be.

I cherish these ballet moments--- they won't last forever.

sigh

It sure seems like I'm sighing a lot these days, huh?

After this year, Chloe will only be eligible for 2 more Nutcracker performances.

shoot-golly

time flies when you are a mom

november

Is it just me or does it seem impossible to you all that it is now November?
And now...
tomorrow is November 15th?
How is this possible?
The holiday season hasn't even officially started & I already feel behind?
I'm hoping that's all in my head?

For our family, the holiday season always starts with the Nutcracker. I better "get cracking" because this is it-
Nutcracker Week!
Dress rehearsals start tomorrow.
I am so excited for Chloe & can't wait to see it!

Thanksgiving is Brett's favorite holiday- so that makes it extra special for us all. I am planning some really delicious- yet traditional foods for our Thanksgiving Day feast. I asked my kids what they want to eat besides the obvious:
Turkey & Mashed Potatoes
what did they say?

Campbell's soup green bean bake

Really?
that's what you want? more than anything else you can think of?
huh? really?
okey dokey then.

I am finalizing my menu & I will publish it here- soon.
I wish you could all join us for dinner- but then- that would probably kill me.

loved

I really didn't mean for that last post to stay up so long.
It just got busy...
and ya, it's true. I have been fighting off negative feelings.

But today is a new day & I have been thinking. A Lot of thinking.
Thinking about all of you wonderful, kind commenter's & more who have sent prayers our way!
~THANK YOU~
 I feel loved and-
Loved is --- my favorite feeling.

Loved because of kind comments here.
Loved because some amazing, anonymous person sent me flowers Friday- I wish I knew who you were?!
Loved because of Trent's scout leaders who took him camping Friday night & made sure he had a GREAT time. (thank you- thank you- how can I ever express my thanks!? You guys are so wonderful)
Loved because we all (every person in this family) has such wonderful friends.
Loved because I dreamt Jack was home & he gave me a big hug.
Loved because Trent's teacher now eats lunch in the lunch room at his table & Trent thinks it's the bomb.
Loved because Trent has the world's best brothers & sisters who were specially sent from heaven above, before him to lead the way.
Loved because on my way to work yesterday I prayed
hard
and I received a strong impression- some may call it intuition- I call it an answer from a loving Heavenly Father who knows me & you & wants to bless us.
It came in my thoughts & in my heart.

my answer
It's okay.
We all get bullied at one point or another in this life- all of us. Love him. Tell him what you told the other kids when they had these problems at his age- "now you know what it feels like to be treated badly. Whenever you see someone being talked to or treated that way YOU can stand up for them YOU know how it feels. Because, YOU know what it feels like to be bullied- You must always be careful not to bully others. Look for the kid alone who needs a friend and be one. That is the covenant you took upon yourself at baptism- this is what it means to be a true disciple of Christ."

Parenting a child is not easy- but it is worth it. I wonder if my other children remember conversations like the one above? I need to have the faith that Trent can do this!
Yes- I would take this trial away from him if I could (and you better believe I WILL try to make it easier) but he will learn & be a better person in the long run.
Faith- sigh.

broken hearted

It's been a hard week on the aspergers/autism front.
More than one kid at school this week has picked on my favorite guy.

Yesterday...
Even the typical supportive kids were involved in a challenge to get him to suck down ketchup packets in the lunch table. T- he doesn't get it. He knows something is not right - but he doesn't "get" it. I was angry. Then I was really angry. Then I wrote some emails. Now I am heart broken.

It's not just autism/aspergers we are dealing with.
It's hard to write this.
I just admitted it fully to myself recently.
But he is you know, slow.
His IQ tests are very low.
(Gosh- I can't believe I am writing this? Why does it make me feel better? Like I'm unloading a burden on a close friend? Am I trying to get sympathy, do I crave attention?)
He is more than a kid with ADHD- Tourettes- OCD- anxiety... he is special. He can't help it. He doesn't understand. Most things are more difficult for him than other kids. He just wants to play & have friends, & be liked--- you know, just like all of us.

My heart hurts.
Thanks for listening.

less than 5 months away

This week we got some exciting news!
Monday-- just before I walked into work to prep & teach the class (see post below) I got a phone call from Brett. Missionary Jack had just written us his weekly email & announced (drum roll please)

HIS RETURN HOME DATE!

Yes-- someday soon our missionary will be headed home. sigh
144 days to be exact.

Jack will be flying home starting on April 3- arriving in Salt Lake City- April 4, 2012.
My heart is swelling & I cannot wait to wrap my arms around him & hug him & kiss him right on the face.

Mother joy.


Jack doing the-- "baptism kick," some sort of celebratory kick they do before a baptism. whatever? At least he hasn't lost his sense of humor?

intimidation

(picture courtesy of betty crocker.com)

Today was a big intimidating day for me...

I taught a class at work. I've taught several classes, but this time it was much more intimidating. This time I was almost scared. I taught how to roast the perfect turkey.

Roasting a turkey for Thanksgiving is so personal- so important! I have made Thanksgiving dinner for our family at least 20 times-- (I've tried to count, but I'm not sure.) Everyone seems to have a secret for roasting a turkey- that's what I mean by personal. Thanksgiving is special (it's Brett's favorite holiday) it only comes once a year-- and like one of the attendees at my class said, "It only comes once a year, so if your turkey's not right you have to wait until next year to do it again!" So true. Sure you can make a turkey any ol' day of the year, but Thanksgiving - it's important!

Before the class started I found myself just pinging about... trying to be as best prepared as possible. WEll-- it's over.

It went great! I taught how to pick out & buya roaster & a turkey. How to clean, brine, truss, stuff, roast, glaze, and baste a turkey breast (I hate cooking turkey breast alone.) I made pan gravy & gravy from our store's gravy base so they could taste the difference. I made mashed potatoes, stuffing &served them all (small bites) with cranberry relish. It was so satisfying that everything turned out. AND.. YEs I was so very intimidated & nervous, but hurray it is over & I am breathing a bit easier.

Now-- I only have to think of something to make for dinner tonight?

For more information about getting ready for Thanksgiving go here-- or here!

vocabulary lessons

months ago:
Trent: ____ said I pooped my pants!
Me: did you poop your pants?
Trent: NO
Me: what did you say?
Trent: I said-- DON'T JUDGE ME!
Me: ????
Me: Why did you say that?
Trent: Because he said I pooped my pants.
Me: When you say "don't judge me," that's the same as saying- YES I did & I don't care so leave me alone about it.
Trent: Uh oh.
Me: Next time say- NO I DIDN'T
Trent: okay

fast forward to last week:
Trent: for Christmas I want an ITouch!! I really really want one.
Me: There is NO way.
Trent: I really want one! If you get me one I will get you an IPAD!!
Me: a-huh?
Trent: Mom, I really want one. I can have my own apps I won't break it & I will be so good! MOM- if you get me an ITouch- you will never regret me again.
Me:(oh golly I gotta say this had us all laughing!) Trent do you know what that means? (I won't bore you with my explanation.)

The English language is full of so many words - with so many meanings. Oh Trent- he keeps us on our toes... and giggling... and NO I don't regret him.

flu shot... in photos

Last Saturday -- things didn't go as planned. We had an appointment at our pediatrician for a flu shot & flu mists. Well, even though I had called to make sure the clinic took our insurance, when we got there & after I filled out the paper work- they let me know they did not take our insurance. AAAH! (You have to understand-- I had been looking all over for a place that would take us.) I called the number on the back of our insurance card & the only place close that wouldn't charge us a co-pay was Super Target. Oh boy-- the girls (I had told them just to jump in the car without getting ready because I thought we would be quick in & out of the pediatricians office) were not happy. When we got to Target-- we found out they don't offer the mist, just the shot. Oh Hell. I was not about to go back to the office then pay $30 each for the mist. Everyone had to buck up & get the shot. It was fun. that was sarcasm.

We all got em' -- now let's hope we don't get the flu.

official costumes

 Chloe & Caroline

aka: Elder Johnson & Elder Messer

(Caroline's brother is on a mission too- in Mexico)

 They won funniest costumes at the young men/young women church Halloween party!

Trent is a mad scientist which after the past week--- he tried to

1. invent a robot (spray painted some misc. items in the garage & spilled motor oil????)

2. took down half of the tree house in the back yard????

3. spilled nearly a gallon of water in his room because he was going to clean some toys!!!

someone's mad all right

luckily he has actually lived to see Halloween this year.