Happy Anniversary

On Wednesday, the 27th Ken and I celebrated our 14th anniversary. We cleared our busy evening schedule and had a wonderful time celebrating as a family. I loved sitting around the table sharing memories of our wedding day and our time dating, before we were married, with our children and my parents. I love to celebrate our anniversaries, the beginning of our family, with our children. I love telling them how much we love them and that of all our married adventure, they are our greatest joys, our greatest accomplishments.

All of this was shared over a delicious Caribbean Stew dinner that my sister-in-law introduced us to when she was here for Christmas. Oh, it is so yummy and I loved making it for our special night.

Caribbean Stew

1 chopped onion
2 celery stalks
1 green bell pepper (I skipped this and it was still delicious)
14 oz. pack of turkey sausage
2-3 sweet potatoes
28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
3/4 can coconut mild
14 oz. chicken broth

Chop onion, celery & bell pepper and saute in oil (in cooking pot)
Add sliced sausage, then quartered sweet potatoes
Add crushed tomatoes, broth and spices
Bring to a boil then simmer until everything is tender
Add beans and coconut milk

Weekend Getaway Pictures

Here are just a few pictures from our trip. The last night we were in Galveston Ken and I chatted about what we enjoyed the most and we both agreed that it was the times we giggled together, the run across the road to the beach, listening to the water crash on the rocks, our uninterrupted conversations about the deeper things we ponder, walking hand in hand doing whatever pleased us. I especially enjoyed the 'adventure'. It is so fun to not worry about schedule, or if we know a restaurant is good or not, or if we wake too late. It wasn't the details, just the time spent together that made our little trip so refreshing.


We had so much fun driving through the water that I had to jump out and see how deep in we were. I love having the pictures to go with the memory.



Our view from the hotel room.

Weekend Getaway

Ken and I have been enjoying a quick weekend getaway to Galveston Beach. I am convinced this is the best time to enjoy the island. There are not many people here and there is no rush to get from one place to another. This is the first time I've been here that I've really enjoyed it and the time alone with Ken has been such a treat.

I've also enjoyed the little phone calls from the kids. I'm not sure that my parents even know they call but it makes me feel good that they always know they can connect to us. I love that Trevor always reminds me that he is just calling to say hello and he doesn't want me to feel bad or feel like I need to hurry home. "Enjoy your time with Dad" he tells me. Oh they are fun.

I'll share pics and tell more later, I'm being rushed out for dinner. :)

Growing Beans

I promised Grace I would not call and tell anyone this story but I need it for my records so it is on the blog.

Today Grace asked me if I really believed that beans can grow on our legs. With confusion I told her no, that cannot happen. "But Mom, last time I was sick and my legs hurt really bad you said that they were probably growing beans. "

Poor girl, it has been quite some time since she had growing pains, what a long time to ponder such a thought.

Ah, to read a good book!

The other night my sister-in-law was in town and was a bit surprised to see Trevor wandering around with a book, reading as he walked. We had an event to go to and every moment that we would let him, he was reading. She asked if that is something he usually did, and yes it is. I laughed that she was so surprised since this is something that is common place in our home, beginning with our first child. Today as I looked out the window to see if Alexandra was walking home yet I saw her coming up the street. I ran to get the camera and got a couple of shots through the window as she walked up the driveway. This is for you Christy.


By the way, today Trevor asked me why Santa brings so many fun things when I don't want so much clutter in our home. When I pointed out that Santa usually brings the things they need his response was, "Oh yes, like books. Yes, I NEED books. I cannot find any thing I haven't read in the house." Ah, what troubles to have.

Celebrating Christ

I love Christmas. I never enjoy the holiday shopping or the crazy driving as you get closer to malls but I love what Christmas really is. Our family has been studying the birth and life of Christ that we may feel a deeper sense of why we celebrate. Oh this spirit I feel every time I hear one of the sweet songs about his birth. I always hope to pass this love to my children and I never stop being touched at the placement of the nativities that they create every year. Yesterday we pulled out our decorations and as I was busy in other areas of the house Grace was very busy setting up my nativity in the art niche and hers on the side table, so much the same as the older children have done in years past. Truly they know the real meaning of Christmas.

A journal entry

This morning I awoke feeling such a deep sense of sorrow for my many area's of lacking as a mother. There are so many things that I am not doing that I know I should. I have come to realize that I do not find joy in the little things like I used to, or should, and in place there is so much stress and frustration. Yes, I have discovered that my sugar intake is so damaging to me emotionally/spiritually, however so are all of the little, simple things, that I have allowed to become a back burner item. I am sick with sorrow as I look at my sweet children who seem to so quickly be growing older as I struggle with my weaknesses.

As I laid in bed I realized that I didn't want to sleep any longer, I need to write these things down, and begin now to take back my world, to accept the joy around me as I recommit myself. Oh that my children will forgive me and recover from my wasted moments. I always worry that I am taking away from them some future joy and yet I know that I can be forgiven and grow and perhaps they will see this and grow from it as well. They are such sweet spirits, so different and so amazing. I hope we give them what they need to fulfill their full potential, to accept all the blessings awaiting them.

Off to read my scriptures.