The kids want to tell you.....

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I wanted to keep this a secret for a few more weeks, but I can't keep a secret to save my life. We wanted our kids to know first. Now that they know, it can't be a secret anymore.

When we told Emery and Chani that we're going to have a baby, Emery's first question was, "Why?" About an hour later, Emery said, "Are you teasing us?" We must tease too much around here. Later we were explaining that the baby will be born in August, near Chani's birthday. Later, Chani was playing and said, "Mom, is tomorrow my birthday?" I wish, Chani, I wish. We've also told them that we can't pick if it's a boy or a girl, we'll just be surprised when *Bread is born.

When Emery called Clint's brother Jeff to tell him, he said, "I have a really big surprise. My mom has a baby in her tummy, but the best part is I got to go to McDonalds and in my happy meal I got a monster truck and Chani got a pony from My Little Pony."

*Clint's been referring to the baby as "Bread" for a while now, (you know "bun in the oven"). So, until this baby is born, it will be affectionately be referred to as Bread.

A light bulb moment

We went to Chadron over the weekend and it was great to see lots of people that we haven't seen in a few years. There were a few people we missed, but we hope to catch them next time. After church on Sunday, Emery was telling me about this cool treasure chest they have during sharing time. He said that sometimes the kids get to pick something out of the treasure chest. He was sad that he didn't get to see what was in it. He started to cry and as I was listening, my heart went out to him, and I started to cry too. I felt bad that I couldn't fix it for him or make him understand. While I was in the middle of this, my friend Millie came to say goodbye. She asked what was wrong, and I tried to explain, feeling a bit foolish at myself for being so upset. We said goodbye, and Emery was appeased by Granny Bev and some animal cookies. I didn't think anything more of it until today, when I got this e-mail from Millie.

I just wanted you to know that I really learned something about Christlike parenting from you on Sunday. When you first explained why you were sad,my first reaction was "good grief - buck up already." But as we drove home and I thought more about it, I was so touched by your compassion for Emery, for your empathy and concern for his happiness. I was reminded that our Savior suffered for all of our pains and sadness and feels heartache when we do. What an example you are to me of following His example in raising your children. I pray I can develop those skills and become more like Him. Thank you.

I'm so glad Millie shared her thoughts with me, because she taught me something. Yes, I have empathy for my kids and am concerned about their happiness, but I never would have seen the parallel about how the Savior feels that way for us. It was truly a light bulb moment! Thanks, Millie!!!

Oh my yum!

This is not a food blog. But, every once in a while I make up a recipe or two that turn out pretty fantastic. Tonight's dinner was excellent. To just say I made tomato soup and biscuits makes it sound pretty lame, but it was pretty fancy.

Tomato Soup
3 cans tomatoes, whole, diced, it doesn't really matter
1 c. water
2 chicken bullion cubes (I use the Knorr's ones sold on in the Mexican section at Wal-Mart)
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 bunch fresh basil (one of those little plastic boxes)
1 c. cream

Saute onion and garlic in 2 Tbsp. butter for about 5 minutes, over medium heat. Add tomatoes, water, and bullion cubes. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pick basil off of stems, and place half in blender with half tomato mixture. Blend until smooth. Repeat with remaining basil and tomato mixture. Pour back into pot. Add cream and season as needed with salt and pepper. Serve with biscuits (below).

Perfect Biscuits (similar to those ones they serve at Red Lobster)
2 C. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic salt (I like Lowry's course garlic salt with parsley)
1/2 c. shortening
2/3 c. buttermilk (or regular milk)
1 egg
1/2 c. finely shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp. butter
additional garlic salt

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and garlic salt. Cut in shortening, leaving large chunks of shortening. You don't want it fine or mealy, or that will make them not fluff up. Add cheese. Combine milk and egg and use a spatula to fold it into the flour mixture. Mix lightly (dough will be wet). Using a large cookie scoop, scoop onto baking tray in 12 equal portions. Wet hands and lightly press to flatten. Leaving them quite thick. Bake at 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle generously with garlic salt.
(Adapted from Taste of Home)

It's a crummy photo but I'm always more willing to make something if I can see a photo.

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C is for Chani

Chani has been trying to learn how to write her name. Every C is backwards. The opening faces the left. We've been working on it--A LOT. She just brought me a paper, and asked, "Is this a good C?" It was a perfect C, and I told her so. She said, "Oh good, I've been worrying about this for years and years."

Silly girl!

Since we've been home...

We're just recovering from Christmas. We've been sleeping in and playing all day. We've enjoyed having our dad home with us. He's been in to work every day this week, though, and his new semester starts tomorrow.

I've agreed to babysit for a friend, so I have an additional 3 year old and a 4 month old twice a week. They are both boys and lots of fun. In addition to preschool and nursery, I get my fill of kids every day. It's lots of fun, and I'm trying to make the most of it, because Emery will be going to school TOO soon!

I'm itching to sew, but I don't have any projects lined up. After the pillow pets, I need something simple.....like some clothes for my cruise. Any suggestions?

Thirty......

Yup, it's true. Today I'm the big 30! And, I'm rolling with it. I'm not freaking out or crying into my pillow. I'm going to have a great day. And I'm not even going to stuff my face with chocolate....maybe just a little bit of frozen custard from Culvers. Maybe.

The pillow pets

I've been talking about these pillow pets for a while. Darn TV (although we haven't had TV since we moved to Texas, so 2 years plus) convinced my children that they needed pillow pets. Not only did they think they needed pillow pets, Emery decided he wanted the pterodactyl. This particular pillow pet was only available on Amazon and at one point cost $80+. There was no way I was going to spend that kind of money on something so lame. I grew up with a mom who often said, "I'm not paying ____ for that, we can make it for less." Then we'd go to the fabric store, pick out some fabric and make said item. She was really good at knock-off. She taught me to be cheap and marginal at knock-off.

I got the fabric and stuffing for my pillow pets for $15. Enough supplies for two. One green pteradactl for Emery and something purple for Chani. I knew Chani's needed to be a rectangle and so I cut hers out with no trouble. I then decided I could make a pretty cute hippo. The body of the pteradactyl was triangle-ish and so I cut a body out of scrap to make sure it would work. The head was made up as well, as was the head of Chani's.

These pillow pets are also much larger than the ones sold in retail. Emery's is 24 inches wing to wing with a huge head. Chani's is 22 inches at it's longest part of the rectangle. They turned out great, Emery is thrilled with his and Chani loves hers too. Emery was telling me yesterday after watching Toy Story 3, "I will never get rid of my pillow pet, even when I go to college."

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. Clint's parents came out to the Stewart house at 7 AM so that they could be there to watch Emery and Chani open their presents. Kristy came too, and we were glad she did. It was so fun to watch the kids. Emery wanted to soak everything in, and Chani just kept unwrapping things and tossing them aside for the next gift.

Waiting to go downstairs to see what Santa brought!

The kids got a haul (even though we did a very small Christmas this year). Chani got the double doll stroller she'd been begging for for months. It's very cute, and she knows that it is only for dolls and not for people (since the first stroller she had got trashed because Emery would push Chani around in it). It also has a basket underneath and when she was done opening presents, she put everything she got in that basket and hauled it around all week. She also got a purple hippo pillow pet (the pillow pets will have their own post), the cutest boots from Grammy and Papa, a puzzle and game from Grandma and Grandpa, new jammies, and a stocking full of candy, little toys, and new toothpaste. When all was said and done, she announced, "I really wanted Santa to bring a purple stroller." Oy vey.



Emery got a very cool Indiana Jones Lego Castle. He asked for Lego's and originally wanted the red fire boat. We talked a lot about Emery letting Santa pick the Lego set, because maybe Santa knew something Emery didn't. The set is very cool, with lots of booby traps and Indiana even has his hat and a whip. Emery also got a Lego table and a pterodactyl pillow pet. New jammies, boots from Grammy and Papa, a puzzle and card games from Grandma and Grandpa, and a stocking rounded out his gifts.



My kids also got a sweet package from our friends the Odom's in Texas. Brother Odom was the bishop when we moved there, but only for two weeks. He substituted in Emery's primary class a lot, and they got to be friends. They sent a huge bucket of dinosaurs and a book for Emery, and a Strawberry Shortcake and a book and some stacking blocks for Chani. It was so thoughtful and unexpected. Thank you Odoms!

After presents, we had the delicious Stewart Family Christmas Breakfast, which of course included sour dough waffles and sausage ring. Yum! It's a good thing it only comes around once a year, as I totally overate.

We had more presents and Christmas dinner with Clint's parents. It was nice and relaxing. It was quiet and the food was wonderful!

We haven't been in Idaho for Christmas in 9 years, so it was time. It was a great trip (a little long due to weather) and we got to do fun things. Thanks everyone for putting up with us.

Idaho Trip 10

Ok, know before I start this, I did not utilize my camera very well. It sat in my purse everywhere we were, but I didn't take it out and use it. Bummer!


10. Papa and the sleigh. My dad has a beautiful sleigh that he built several years ago. Each winter he hitches up the horse and takes everyone for a ride. At the beginning of December, my dad had his hip replaced. Emery asked several times for Papa to take him on a sleigh ride. I told Emery I didn't think Papa was up for it. Then, Papa said he was going to do it. I caught the horse and my Dad came out with the bells to hitch up the sleigh. But, it was missing. It had been loaned out and not returned. I am grateful that my dad was willing and tried to take Emery for a ride, even on crutches.
9. Little elves to help wrap Christmas this year. I brought a basket of presents (not one was wrapped). My nieces and nephew jumped right in while my sister in law was watching my kids at her house. I think I wrapped one present this year. Thanks a bunch!
8. Sewing, sewing, sewing. Thanks Charlynn, Sally, and Mom for the help. I could not have finished the pillow pets without each of you.
7. The Debate breakfast. It was very small, but I had a really nice visit with my sister and Mrs. Hansen.
6. Sledding with cousins. No pictures, but it was a blast.
5. Christmas breakfast at the Stewarts and Christmas dinner at the Readings. Yum!
4. No road closures while we were on the road. This is huge. I was terrified of getting stranded across Wyoming. Clint was an awesome and patient driver, and the kids were pretty good travelers.
3. Birthday lunch with my sisters. I always miss birthday lunch since I live so far away, but Cathrynn organized it just for me. Thanks, girls, it was fun!
2. Daddy took Emery and Chani on snowmobile rides. Thanks, Uncle Jason, for letting us use your sled.
1. The barn trek. Each year the Stewart family dresses warmly and goes out to the barn where Papa reads the Christmas story from Luke 2, and we sing Christmas carols. It's a lovely tradition and one that I long for each year. It was a relatively warm year, and not freezing like some years. After that, Christmas chaos in the house unwrapping presents. We got some great things from my siblings, monogrammed towels, homemade granola, personalized cookie jars, mapleine for syrup, insulated bags for shopping or camping, the most awesome nativity puzzle, and back scratchers, personalized bow holders, and a cute swim cover-up. Thanks everybody!