Incoming

The countdown is on for the cousins approach! (My brother, Hyrum Lunt and his family are driving from TX tomorrow). Grandpa, Harold Lunt, is coming too (from CA), and everyone will be here for Angel Face's 7th birthday! He's excited! So, if I'm not around for a few days, it is because I am busy making memories!

You're a Grand 'Ole Flag

Last month, for Flag Day, our scouts posted a flag at the end of our road for us. That day, I ended up driving down the road about 10 times (which really is nearing a record I believe!). Every time I came to the stop sign, my heart filled with gratitude for our country, simply because I was looking at the beautiful red, white and blue flag whipping in the wind. Growing up in a small town, one of the things I liked best was the outward display of patriotism on the 4th of July. There was a big program at the park, followed by a free BBQ lunch, followed by footraces and competitions in the park, coupled with a free swim at the town pool, and then fireworks that ended of day in a spectacular way. I've never been anywhere that celebrates the 4th quite the same way! Experiencing such a celebration annually had a deep impact on this already patriotic heart...I am grateful for the land in which we live, and for the people who, even today, are defending our freedom and allowing us so many things we take for granted. When is that last time you thanked a man or woman in uniform? Attended a patriotic program of any sort? Said a prayer of thanks for this land we live in? Taught a child the importance of being patriotic? Talked about ways to show patriotism? Made a commitment to fly your flag on a patriotic holiday, or better yet, posted your flag every day? Find a way that you can show your patriotism to those around you! I'm looking for ways to teach my children the importance of the upcoming holiday!

Yum!

Buttermilk pancakes are really good. Pat decided 2 weeks ago that we should try them, and brought home a quart of buttermilk. I was surprised at the difference, honestly. I bought more buttermilk on Sat. and made them again for the kids and I today. Here's the recipe, just in case you want to try it.

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 egg
1 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk
1 T. sugar
2 T. melted butter
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix the egg, and buttermilk together. Add sugar, bkg. powder, bkg. soda,and salt into this mixture. Add flour and melted butter. For thinner pancakes, add and additional 1/4 c. milk. (Yield: 10 pancakes)

Of course, we triple this recipe to make enough for our family. There were no problems that I could see (or taste) due to increasing the overall amount.

Lucky 13

On a Wednesday morning, thirteen years ago, I entered the Mesa, AZ temple to be married to my best friend and soulmate. Our sealing was at 9am, and Pat and I were able to spend some time alone in another sealing room before we were taken in to be sealed. What a remarkable experience it was to sit, inside the temple, looking into the eyes of the person I was about to marry. I don't remember the details of the ceremony, but I do remember how happy I was that I had made the choice to spend the rest of my life, here and after death, with Pat. We've now celebrated this day, June 23rd, for 13 years as our anniversary, and it always brings me joy. This year, we had an early anniversary surprise when my mom offered to watch the kids overnight so that DH and I could go to the temple. We chose to go to Albuquerque, since we had not ever attended there, and booked a room on priceline (at the Doubletree!). What a joy it was to spend that precious time with my sweetheart! All told, it was a grand total of about 30 hours, but a wonderful treat and retreat for us. Although it has taken us 13 years to have such an opportunity presented to us, it was wonderful enough that I would love to have it happen on a more regular basis. To end this post, I'm going to wax nostalgic, and list 13 of my favorite memories with my DH...
1. Visiting the Seneca lookout (1991)
2. Oak Creek Canyon proposal (1993)
3. Our honeymoon in Sedona (1993)
4. Our homemade Italian dinner and all day celebration of our 1st anniversary (1994)
5. His graduation and entrance into the job world (1998)
6. Me, supported in staying home with our children (1998-present)
7. Having our children (1995-2005)...k-so that's kind of cheating to put 6 in one, but...
8. Moving to Kearny and all that followed (2000-01)
9. Buying our own new home (9-11-2001)
10. Finding our home in Silver City (2003)
11. Our first family vacation (2004)
12. Prior anniversaries in Silver City (2003,04,05)
13. Our trip to Albuquerque (June 2006)
I LOVE YOU MY SWEETHEART, more now than I thought possible 13 years ago!
Happy Anniversary!

Four

My daughter, Rebekah, turned 4 yesterday. Of course, I have a family of chldren that do not believe that you are actually older until the actual time of your birth, so at 8:23pm, my littlest girl reached the ripe old age of 4. She has the honor of being born on June 21, which is the longest day of daylight in the year...and from here, the daylight hours start getting shorter. (This day is also known as summer solstice). On the day that she was born, we were very aware that we would spend our 9th wedding anniversary in the hospital with her as our newest gift...and rejoiced in the fact that even after 9 years, we still desired to bring another spirit to our home. Her birth was quick, and my first in which I did not even attempt to get an epidural. I remember many things about that day, but mostly how grateful I was that I had another girl, so that my older daughter had a sister. So, happy birthday my dancie prancie girlie! I love you and the joy and sunshine your bring to our lives!

Diligence

Part of the process of becoming a writer entails making sure you write every day. As you can see, I have not kept up with the daily blogging like I had hoped. Call it lack of focus, distraction central or whatever you will...I honestly am going to have to redouble my efforts if I want this to be a daily blog. So, wish me luck...and an extra dose of energy and patience.

Oh, What do you do in the summertime?

It's again been awhile since my last blog. My mom was here for 2 weeks helping me gut out various rooms in the house. I took her to El Paso on Saturday to fly home to UT. My son, Stephen, (10), and daughter, Rebekah, (3), went with me. It was an enjoyable day. We visited the zoo, ran a couple of errands in the "city", and ate at The Cracker Barrel for the first time. (Yum!) DS was excited because he got an adult sized ice cream sundae to end his meal. I had the strawberry shortcake for dessert, and it was delectable. Ice cream, not just whipped cream was the difference between good and delicious. So, go to your nearest Cracker Barrel if you like homestyle type food for a reasonable price! (How's that for a blatant advertisement?)
So, summertime scheduling here is somewhat of a joke. We ran like crazy the past couple of weeks, and our schedule went out the window...funny how that happens with company here. It wasn't the important things (like naps) that went out the window, it was the little things I do with my kids every day...and that time was given to Grandma. We were already back on schedule this morning, so I have great hopes that by Wednesday, we'll be back on track, getting chores done, and spending enjoyable time together.
My biggest complaint with summer is the fact that no matter how hard I try, I struggle to get dinner finished before it starts getting dark. (That means 7:30-8:00pm here people.) That's just wrong in my opinion. It should be easier to pull my family away from the lure of sunlight, and into the calmness (ha!) of the house. Truly, I know that everyone looks forward to talking around the table (just one visit would make that very clear to you!), and I enjoy being with my family, but I've got to do something about changing the supper hour in this home!

Grocery stopping

I wish that grocery shopping did not continually have to be done. It is wearisome and exhausting. I guess it's not for everyone, but for me, shopping for 8 people is not a task that I look forward to, and yet it has to be done on a regular basis. I have been planning meals for 2 weeks and then building my shopping list around that. It seems to be a good system, and takes the guesswork out of the evening meal, which is nice. My daughter, Emily (8) and I went last time, and I really enjoyed her company, and this time my mom was in town to help me, so I shouldn't complain too loudly. I am grateful we have the money to buy food, and really, to buy what we want most of the time! (And it's always nice to have a full refrigerator with various snacks inside.) Truly though, given the chance, I would gladly pick-up my groceries at a drive-thru window, or have them delivered to my home! Given the option, I would stop...not shop!