St. Patrick's Day

I have a mom that absolutely loves holidays...every one of them, except maybe Halloween. But, that never stopped her from decorating and making us the most amazing homemade costumes (and I always felt bad for kids who had to buy theirs at the store). I'm not quite so gung-ho as she is, but because of her, I love holidays too. The big ones are wonderful celebrations and require much energy and preparation, all of which is worth it. But the simple ones, like St. Patrick's Day, are fun to celebrate, too, and require only a little creativity (or childhood experiences like mine).

We began the morning of March 17th with some of Steve's choice bagpipe music blasting through the intercom system to wake the younger kids. I already had green chocolate chip muffins baking in the oven and green eggs and ham (what my mom ALWAYS fed us on March 17th) on the stove. The milk was already dyed green in the boys' lunches and I welcomed them to my kitchen with a cheery "Top of the mornin' to ye, laddie!" as each of the boys entered the room. (Of course, the night before, I made sure they were all wearing something green, knowing their big sisters would be sure to check first thing.) The boys each smiled and hugged me, cheered for the green muffins and eggs, and Josh and Nathan even danced a jig or two in the dining room while I finished cooking breakfast. I was a little concerned for the girls, though. Their eye rolling and only near smiles all morning made me wonder if there was something wrong with their faces. Perhaps they think they're too old for that stuff now, being so mature and all, but I know inside they were laughing and somewhat grateful to have a mommy as silly as me. I sent them all off to school and work with the phrase, "May the luck of the Irish be with ye today!" ...More teenage eye rolling, but this time with real smiles.

The next day (because the actual holiday evening was way too busy for us) we went to my mom's house for her traditional St. Patrick's Day Dinner... Corned beef and cabbage, cooked carrots, green jell-o and green juice. (It's gotten better over the years, she used white grape juice this year, and real corned beef brisket - it was always kool-aid and a tiny can of corned beef when we were kids. She also added my sister-in-law's Scarborough potatoes to the menu...yum!). I brought cookies and mint chocolate chip ice cream. It was amazing to me, even only 5 weeks post-knee replacement, she still had the house decorated with shamrocks, green tablecloths, Irish buttons to wear, green horns to blow, and every tiny detail taken care of (including writing down how many Weight Watcher's points each item on the menu would be). As much as she does, you'd think we were Irish or something. (I think my great-grandmother was half or quarter Irish, but I'm really not sure, so I hope I didn't lie to my kids...)

I smiled a huge smile as I told her about our morning celebrations and shared with her how much I appreciate the kind of mommy she was while I was growing up, so I could have these traditions, and re-create those same memories for my kids. ...And now I wonder how many of my siblings had green eggs and ham for breakfast on March 17th...?

How Do I Keep My Babies Safe...?

This post should have been made a few weeks ago, at the beginning of March, but I wasn't sure quite how to write what I was feeling, or even if I should write these thoughts down. I have since realized that this is my journal, and no matter how sad, hard, or sensitive things may get at times, I need to write it down for me and others to learn from. (Maybe this is why I should go private, but then, if I do, how can people that need support for heart or PLE issues, or Asperger's find me?.... hmmmmm....) Anyway, I hope this post isn't too sensitive or offensive to some (mostly my family), and that I can adequately express these thoughts without sounding like I'm passing judgment or in any way smearing the names of people I love.... And, after that disclaimer, here's what happened.

At the beginning of March, I got a call from my cousin, the one my age on my mom's side that has been my best friend and one of my favorite people for all of my life. She called to talk to me about her daughter's wedding. In the course of the conversation, I learned that she and her husband finally consented to the marriage of their teenage daughter because she is pregnant. My heart absolutely broke when I heard her tell me that, and naturally, wondered how I would deal with a blow like that, and what on earth I could do to help her. The next evening, my mom called and shared with me a conversation that she had with my brother that had walked away form the church years ago. I learned just how far away he was from coming back, and the finality of his actions left my heart broken yet again, and aching for my parents and all the people who love him. Combined with these thoughts and heartache, I added the fact that a couple months earlier another cousin's teenage daughter had a baby. The worry that I couldn't get out of my head for a week or so after, is "how do I keep my babies safe?"

Parents try their best and do what they can, teaching their kids all the things that make them good, honest, responsible people. Those in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also try to teach them to obey the commandments of God and make the choices that will lead them to eternal blessings. So what do you do when your child (adult or not) chooses a different path.... A path that you know will lead them ultimately to pain and unhappiness? How do you keep them "safe"? After the conversation with my cousin, I realized just how real agency is. It's a gift we were given before the earth was, and no matter how hard we want to take it away from our kids and "make them" choose the right, we can't. It's not what God wanted for us. And yet, our Heavenly Father and Savior love each of us so much that even though they don't want to lose any of us, they won't take it away, either. It's something we actually give up by our choices until we eventually don't have any more options.

After a trip to the Temple with Steve (where much pondering and praying went on), I came home with a very real feeling that things will be okay. For them, yes, but most especially for me and my kids. I worried so much about getting to that point—the one where you start to lose them—and wondered how you end up there, and what can be done (if anything) to avoid going there at all. I don't know the answer to that. I'm willing to bet those that have been through it are still wondering the same thing. I guess the final answer I've come up with that helped to calm my soul is that as long as you can love them unconditionally and place your hand in God's, everything will be okay. It may not be your "okay"... their lives may not go the way you wish they had gone, and your heart may break for them many times over, but at least they'll still know you love them, and they'll still be part of your life. As long as we have our faith and each other, everything will always be okay. I may be too quick to judge, and maybe the paths of these people I love will lead to somewhere wonderful in the end, but in the meantime, I'm holding my babies a little tighter, and thanking my Heavenly Father every night for their obedient spirits, their goodness, their innocence and their love.

A Chocolate Extravaganza!

After the article about Rachel appeared in the newspaper, a very kind lady from the Pocatello Community Charter School called and invited Rachel and Sarah to be vendors at their annual Spring Fundraiser, The PCCS Chocolate Extravaganza! People pay a fee to get in, and then get to taste everything chocolate from truffles to crepes, to shooters, mousse, and cookies! They also have an auction to raise more money. The Sweet Treets girls brought 200 Oreo Truffles as samples and had the opportunity to advertise their business with these samples, business cards and fliers.

The most awesome thing about it all was that the lady that invited them to be vendors at their event actually paid for the truffles Rachel made. It was so generous and kind. I'm quite sure nobody else got that offer. I got to go with them as their "adult chaperon" since there would be alcohol served there. It was really fun to see people's reaction to these sweet little truffles...and girls. People were so kind and complimentary, and so friendly. It was a good experience for the girls to be able to learn to "sell" themselves, be positive, friendly, and go out of their way to talk to strangers. (Something I don't recommend in other situations!) They were so good at it, they were given the "Spirit Award". There was competition for best presentation, best drink, best non-dessert, and "People's Choice". This was decided by votes (dollars) put in a jar on each table. The girls got so excited each time somebody came by and dropped a bill in their jar and told them they were their favorite. They didn't win that, but their "votes" earned another $14 for the charter school. It was so fun!

It was also through the newspaper article and this connection to the charter school's fundraiser that the girls have been invited by Stephanie and Neal Alston to their shop in Old Town Pocatello for the First Friday Art Walk in April. They will be at Alston Ink on April 1st giving out samples and selling Easter Bunnies and other Sweet Treets and doing more of that "talking to strangers" I referred to earlier. Should be a fun event as well, and such a good advertising tool for them. The people of Pocatello are so thoughtful, generous and kind... Thank you, Pocatello!!

Don't Push That Button...Unless You're Sure You Want To!

I think I've hit a point in my life where I'm either too busy or too distracted and find myself often running on "autopilot". I absent-mindedly drive through town, thinking about everything but driving, and marvel that I get where I headed to safely. I wander through the house picking up and putting things away without realizing or remembering what my original mission was. I say things to my kids, answering their questions and requests, and never remember saying them at all (or even the conversation) the very next day--or minute. Well, I was moving on autopilot one day last week. It was Valentine's Day, to be exact.

I was headed over to my mom's house and opened the garage door on my way out to the car. I realized that I had forgotten my phone and went back inside to get it. When Nathan was buckled in and I was seated behind the wheel once again, I turned the key in the ignition with my right hand, and my left hand went up to press the garage door button on my visor at the same time (the autopilot action). Well, I put it in reverse and started backing out only to hear a horrible bang and scrape and realized that I had shut the garage door on the car. I quickly pushed the button to get it to go back up, got out, and assessed the damage. The car was fine...just a little scrape on the luggage rack rails. The garage door, though off the track on one side wasn't very bad either. The biggest problem, however, was that the door opener wouldn't bring the door up or down anymore. I released the door and shut it manually, cursing myself for not paying attention to what I was doing. (I haven't mentioned yet how very much I love the convenience of parking in the garage, and I just wrecked that, after only having it for only 4 months.) What a wonderful call to make to my sweetheart on Valentine's day.... My caring, sweet husband was all-too patient with me, and kindly chuckled (probably rolled his eyes, too) and said he'd look at it when he got home.

After parking the car in the driveway and using the front door for exactly 5 days, Steve called the garage door guys and they came over the next day. Apparently, there were some long wires that were wrapped around the hinge mechanism thing and they got pinched and snapped. I'm not sure if it was the terrible jarring from my autopilot operations, or if it would have happened eventually, but I'm seriously grateful that it was only that. The garage door guy lubed it all up, fixed the wiring, added another spring because the door was "too heavy for just one", and fixed the "hard to push, but works in exactly the right spot with your thumb" button by the laundry room door. It's so nice to have my garage door working again, and even better than before. I feel so bad it put us back about $70, but like Steve said, "It could have been a lot worse. I'm sure glad you didn't keep driving and rip the whole thing off the garage." Unfortunately, he's seen me on auto-pilot. He knows me too well!

I'm a Lifetime Member!!

Well, I did it, I really, really did it! After completing my 6 weeks of maintenance after reaching my goal weight, I officially became a Weight Watchers Lifetime Member tonight! I love the new "me"! I pray with all my heart that my energies and focus will keep me at this point for the rest of my life. I've taken control, I'm healthy, and I feel so good! Here are some of the things I've learned about food and myself:

• I can do anything I set my mind to, if I want it bad enough.
• I can control myself around homemade brownies and cookies.
• It's okay to leave food on your plate, even at restaurants.
• It's okay to say "no, thank you" and it won't offend your real friends.
• It's possible to find healthy food anywhere you go, if you want to find it.
• I have an amazing support system, and I love them so much.
• I know when I'm satisfied, and no longer overeat to bursting point.
• Eating healthy food is more expensive than eating junk food.
• I can have a 32 year-old body, even after I turn 40.
• Planning is the key to success. If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.
• Tracking (even though I hate it) is the key to staying on top of the food game.
• Losing weight and exercising regularly helped me knock off two contributors to diabetes and heart disease.
• Walking on the treadmill is a lot more fun with a good audio book.
• If you fill your plate with salad and vegetables, there's not much room left for potatoes and gravy.
• I LOVE fruits and vegetables!
• There are lots of delicious low-fat and low-calorie substitutes out there, you just have to be willing to try them.
• Eating right is a decision. It's hard sometimes, but so very worth it.

There are a lot more, but I can't think of them right now. I think the most wonderful things that happened are the changes that happened inside of me. I learned that I CAN control myself, that I CAN have energy to keep up with my kids, I CAN feel good on the inside and out, and I CAN do whatever I want to, with a desire to change, lots of support, conscious effort, and prayer!

The turning point in my "healthy-me" journey was definitely when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I have said this before, but I love Weight Watchers! Here's why:

• I had to have someone to report to, weigh in with, and be accountable to (my leaders).
• I had to have money spent (monthly fee) so I would be motivated to make it work.
• I had to have success right away so I could see that it would work.
• I love that the new PointsPlusTM program encourages lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and controlled portions of lean protein (just like the Word of Wisdom).
• I love that Weight Watchers teaches you ways to cope with stress, emotions and celebrations in non-food ways; helps you look inside of yourself for cues; and helps you explore the real "you" inside and instills courage, hope and strength from within.
• I loved going to group meetings. There was lots of support, celebrating, ideas, recipes and knowledge swapped there that gave me much to think about, and the tools I needed for success.
• I lost 20 pounds (and 2 pants sizes) I'd been carrying around for at least 17 years.
• There is flexibility in the plan that allows you to eat out, have birthday treats, satisfy cravings, and enjoy life!
• It's easy to understand, makes sense with everything you know about living a healthy lifestyle, and was created with the latest scientific research.
• It works!!

Rachel is a Celebrity

A wonderful article, with a darling picture of Rachel, appeared in the Idaho State Journal today. It was a feature about her (and Sarah's) chocolate business, Sweet Treets. It was a pretty exciting thing to have the reporter call yesterday asking for a phone interview with her and the photographer to do a photo shoot. I was really surprised that our advertising emails and Facebook post could have spurred a story, but apparently Steve has friends in all kinds of places, even The Idaho State Journal! It was so kind of them to promote her fund raising efforts by doing a story on her. She's braced for a whole bunch of strangers ordering chocolates now, but is really excited and grateful for the extra business. It wouldn't surprise me. A cute face like that and a kid trying to earn money for a leadership conference...it's just the sort of thing a community like Pocatello will support.

Budding chocolatier

The Idaho State Journal, Wednesday, January 26, 2011

By: Kendra Evensen, Photo: Doug Lindley

Rachel Brown, a Century High School student, teaches piano and is in the school choir.

    POCATELLO — Rachel Brown had never made a chocolate prior to last year, but that didn’t stop her from becoming a holiday chocolatier.
    The 14-year-old Century High School student and her sister, Sarah, decided to start making chocolates last year in order to make some extra money.
    Although Rachel didn’t have any experience, her mother, Julia, and grandmother, Linda, did and were ready and willing to pass on their secrets. And the sisters learned fast.
    They were able to start their “Sweet Treets” chocolate business in time for Valentine’s Day last year, and, based on their success, have decided to continue selling a variety of goodies, including Oreo truffles, peanut butter blobs, chewy caramels and an assortment of mints, suckers and chocolate bars.
    They sell their goodies during the Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas holidays.
    “It’s really fun to see how excited people get about them,” Rachel said, adding that they strive to make them not only tasty, but attractive. “We work pretty hard on them.”
    The sisters and their family members use e-mails to spread the word about their goodies during the holidays, and they’ve developed a website, www.sweet-treets.blogspot.com, to further their business.
    And it seems to be working. Although Rachel wasn’t sure exactly how much they sold last year, she said they have had to come up with ways to streamline the system to meet demand, especially during Valentine’s Day.
    Rachel said she strives for perfection to keep her customers happy, even though that often means extra work.
    “When they get messed up it’s frustrating because I have to make them all over again,” she said, adding that the chocolate bars and the chocolate dishes, which hold a variety of mints, are particularly painstaking.
    But she and her sister enjoy the time they spend working together. They have used the business to help each other earn money for various needs, including history tours and college tuition. Rachel is hoping to use the Valentine’s Day profits to attend a National Young Leaders State Conference she’s been invited to attend in Montana this summer.
    “It’s a really good opportunity for me,” she said, adding that her teachers nominated her to go.
    She needs about $1,519 to cover the cost of the conference, so she’s hoping the community will continue to support their business during the upcoming holiday.
    “It’s really nice of them to support me and my sister,” she said, adding that they work hard to give them quality goodies in return.
    “They taste really good and they look really cute,” she said.

Original Story
Copyright 2011 Idaho State Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Grateful for my Journal - Our Family Road Trip

When we went to Alaska this past summer, I had each of the kids decorate the cover of a dollar store sketch book and use it as their travel journal. It gave them something to do in the car, but is also a precious reminder of the things we saw and did on our incredible journey. Because the kids were doing this, I also brought along a journal (you'll remember that even though I love writing, I'm not much of a journal-keeper). I'm so grateful that I did this time. I didn't realize how crazy life would get during the months following our trip, and here we are, six months later, and I'm finally sitting down to share our journey on my blog. Without my messy car-vibration altered writing scratched into my journal, I wouldn't remember even half of the details or feelings I've just read about as I sat reading, smiling, and remembering our incredible family road trip. I thought it would be more appropriate to pre-date the entry in my blog so it was more chronological, so I picked a date in July, 2010, shortly after our return.... Our Family Road Trip  <--- click this link to travel back in time....