My Cooking = My Life

I don't know about you, but this describes my life perfectly! And lately, it also describes my cooking...

Bread failure! In my defense, my bread machine decided it had had a long enough life- but this bread, especially the one on the right turned out just awful! Some days are just like this- not my fault but still awful!

And then there is my hummus mixed with romesco sauce- yum! I have wanted to try this combination since I first tasted the romesco, and it worked! So good!

Some days in life are like this, a mix of new things that turn out to be so good!

 And last, but not least, the tried and true favorite- risotto with roast asparagus- amazing!!!

I think a little bit of EVERY day can be this IF I take the time to look for it.

Like this  message left on my driveway one evening:

Life can be "breathtakingly beautiful"!

EVERY DAY!!!

World's Best Hashtag From Some of 'My' Girls!

Went out to walk early Monday morning and found this:

So LOVE it!!!

Not only do I get to play with these girls, but they like it too!!

I am one LUCKY aunt!

Making bubbles!

Science is cool!

My Very Own Piano Man!

Luke has begun to play the piano in the evenings now quite often. It helps him to relax.

Bonus: I LOVE IT!!!

And so does Claire!

And so does Ashtyn!

I am so blessed to have such a talented husband!

And he reads pretty well too...

True Love = Cleaning the Toilet

If you ask Luke how he is doing, he will always say, "Life is good!"

And he's right!

But life is also challenging...

With his CFS, Luke can choose to either help around the house or use his energy to work on getting well/making a living, etc.

So our house has become a 'magical' house!

We have a magical refrigerator, microwave and table!

Food just magically appears for Luke when needed.

We have a magical clothes hamper and chest of drawers!

Luke's dirty clothes disappear from the hamper and reappear when clean in the drawers.

We have a magical dishwasher!

Luke's dirty dishes disappear and reappear clean and full of food on the table.

The list goes on and on... And I do enjoy taking care of things I can to help Luke- but some days the list does seem to go on and on. Some days I don't quite feel like being magical.

SO it's a really good thing that I truly love Luke!

And I KNOW that he truly loves me too! After all, he is the man who surprised me with a 'magically' cleaned toilet- and to me, that is a sure sign of true love!

The Love of My Mother

And most mothers, really...

A blog post from my little girl explaining how, as a mom, you just do what needs to be done (http://justasahmom.blogspot.com/2016/02/as-mom-you-just-do-what-needs-to-be-done.html) really made me think about all of things my wonderful mother did for me when she was still alive.

One that stands above the rest:

It was after my divorce when I had been able to move back home with my kids. (Here's the story of why we were away from home: http://mostblessedsinglemom.blogspot.com/2011/05/repeat.html)

Eric was away to kindergarten, and I had the flu. I was so miserable and just wanted to sleep. But I was still 'Mom' to 3 year old Charly and 1 year old Jon- so I laid down on the couch and put in a video. I asked Charly to keep an eye on Jon and wake me up any time they needed something. Charly being the wonderful person she was (and still is) even at 3 decided that she wanted to help me by letting me sleep. So she was going to feed Jon!

I awoke to find them both in front of the open refrigerator, crying, surrounded by at least 3/4 of a gallon of milk and a dozen broken eggs on the floor all around and splashed on the two of them... and did I mention I had the flu?! 

I turned around and went to find the phone... 

My mother came to my rescue that day. My mother, who had by then been diagnosed with cancer, came right over to my house, bathed my children, fed my children, cleaned my kitchen- all while she allowed me to sleep. 

I know it was not easy for her to come to my rescue that day, but I am forever grateful that she did. I am forever grateful that she was able to come and show her love for me when I was at my limit. I am forever grateful that she was able to come and nurture my children when I could not.

Now when I reach my limit in life, I know that my mother is still there cheering me on, encouraging me to rest when needed, and always loving me as only a mother can love!

A Good Man for My Little Girl!

Happy birthday (soon) to this good man!

People always worry at least a bit about who their little girl will one day marry, and I was no exception. My little girl means the world to me- always and forever! And I didn't want to see her have the same challenges I did when I married someone who was not what he had seemed. I also worried that, as she had not had a father to treat her as a father should treat his little girl, that she may not choose the best man out there....

I am so glad that I have NOTHING to worry about! 

Ben is such an honest, hard-working and upright man! I love how he loves the Lord and how he loves my little girl- and now, their little girl!

I am so grateful to have this good man for my little girl!

Finally has a Father!!!

It was a great day this week when Jon chose to make it official- Luke is now Jon's legal father!!!

How happy we all are for this choice of Jon's!

Jon never had his other father as any part of his life... because of that person's choices, that person never had the joy of knowing this wonderful young man who is my youngest son... (but, all things considered, it is a blessing for Jon that things happened the way they did. Doesn't make it easier, though.)

When Jon was much younger, he would pray every night for his Heavenly Father to bless him with a dad. I wanted so much for that for him too.

Nearly 3 years ago, that blessing came to fruition as Luke and I were sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple- we became a forever family!

I have had so much joy watching Luke strive to be the best father he can be for my children. He and Jon are especially close- which makes my heart so very happy!

And now, in the eyes of the world, Luke is Jon's legal dad too!!!

I am so incredibly blessed!