Nada

At least 5 times in the past 2 weeks I have sat down and typed a few words, hoping something interesting would spring from the tips of my fingers and onto the screen. Each time I deleted what I wrote and walked away from the computer with a sigh.

Perhaps it is the post-holiday-winter-dwelling blues that I am experiencing. Maybe it's the fact that January always seems to be the longest month of the year. Or it could be the fact that I'm tired of doing the same thing day after day after day.

Either way, I got nothing.

Nothing funny. No photos. Nothing mildly entertaining (if you even thought I was entertaining in the first place).

However, I DO have the irresistible urge to eat chocolate all day while snuggled up in my bed with a good book and a heating pad to keep me warm since my other heater is in CA.

No, I am not doing that, but doesn't it sound good?

Claire is 3!!!

Three years ago this morning, my little Samantha Claire was born. I forget sometimes that we share the same name :) What a sweet, little girl our family has been blessed with. Here are some pictures of her today.Just a few of the things I love about Claire as she turns 3.

~She is dress obsessed (which is meant for a later post). We sometimes go through 10 dresses a day both church and play ones.

~Where there are dresses, there will be spinning and her two favorite questions..."Want to see me spin?" and "Want to see me do a little dance?"

~She still loves to be held and even though there are times that are harder than others, I always love to hear her say "Mama, can you hold me, please?"

~I love to sit and have conversations with Claire. You never know what direction they will head. You could start off talking about the game she was playing and end up with her asking what's for lunch.

~Claire gives the softest kisses and is my cuddly, snuggly princess!

Happy Birthday, Claire! I can't imagine life without you!

Word for 2010

A few years ago, my friend Nance began a great new tradition and this year I've decided to follow suit. Instead of making a bunch of New Years resolutions that only last a couple of weeks, you choose a word, just ONE WORD to focus on for the entire year. Hopefully, as the year goes on you can use it to improve and enrich your life.

So the word I have chosen with a little help from my mom is REMEMBER. Remember that I am a Child of God. Remember the abundance of blessings I have been given. Remember the blessings promised to me if I keep God's commandments and the covenants I have made. Remember to be happy! I hope that I will be able to find ways to "recognize and remember God's kindness." I have started by putting a quote at the column to left. Maybe every time you see it, you will be reminded of the unmeasurable love our Heavenly Father has for you and for each of his children.

Merry Christmas 2009

Recipe Rut

You all know what kind of rut I'm talking about...the one where you are trying to make your grocery list or dreading the dinner hour because you feel like you make the same rotation of meals over and over again.

Well, I'm in the rut, but I came up with an idea. To the bottom of this post I'm going to add the recipe for one of my more original (I hope) dinner ideas. I'm hoping that many of you will be willing to post a recipe on your blogs and leave a comment on mine so that I will be able to get some new and different meal ideas. Sound good? Okay then....here's mine!

Cranberry Sauced Pork Chops

4-8 pork chops

1 tbsp. butter or margarine

1-1 1/2 cups apple juice

1 can cranberry sauce

3 tbsp. cornstarch

3 tbsp. brown sugar

pepper

In a large frying pan or skillet melt butter/margarine. Brown pork chops adding pepper to each side. Once brown, add apple juice to skillet (more or less depending on number of pork chops). Cook pork chops through, turning occasionally. While pork chops are cooking, combine the cranberry sauce, brown sugar and corn starch in a bowl and set aside. When chops are done cooking, remove them from pan. Add cranberry mixture to the apple juice in the pan and heat on low until it reaches the consistency of a sauce. Serve sauce over or on the side of the pork chops. I usually make smashed potatoes to go with the chops. Enjoy!!!

Our Snowman

AKA, Sam the Freeze

AKA, Annabelle

AKA, Sammie the Snowman

AKA, Frosty

A Bowling We Will Go

Last week we took our family bowling for the first time. We had a blast! I think we would be smart to get 2 lanes next time. It got hard for some of the kids to wait through 5 people for their turn to come around again! Keith barely won, edging Rachael out by one point. Me, I didn't even break 100. But we had fun spending time together. Maybe we'll have to try it again over Christmas Break! Enjoy the pictures!