Grateful for Blogging

As I was driving Michael to school this morning, we were talking about snow days and making up school when it goes beyond the designated number of snow days built into the system. Anyway, I was trying to remember what happened my senior year of high school because we had so much snow that year and they were not going to let us graduate, yet the place we always graduated in was not available at any later dates. I know the story, but was somewhat sketchy on the details and find my memory can often fail me. For the year or so I have written on here, as I look back I read things I completely would have forgotten ... so I am grateful.

Erin got her first training bra this week and that was a very big deal for her. She giggled and laughed the whole time while putting it on. Oh, the joys of youth.

Michael is off today for his all west band. I can't believe it has been an entire year since he was there last year. We feel much better equipped this time around. One of the things that was strange last year is that there were 3 people in his room and only 2 double beds. I shared beds with people all the time when young and on school trips, etc. but today is just different. The thought of my son getting into a double bed with some boy I don't even know is not a thought that would leave me untroubled. So I called the hotel and they said if there are 2 beds in the room they will not give them a cot, so I sent Michael with his camping cot. I told him to sleep there 1 night and tell the other kid he had to sleep there one night. Last year he had 3 kids in his room also, and one of them said, I'm sleeping on the chair because I'm not sharing a bed with either of you. Poor kid did sleep on a chair for 2 nights. What do you think? Is that being neurotic to send your child with a camping cot ... how do you feel about your child sharing small beds with others these days?

My mom and dad are coming out today and Jonathan's parents are coming at the end of February. I think they all know I'm kind of at the end of my rope! Primary has been a huge struggle for me lately as in I'm just ready to be released, and I don't really understand why I have not been because right now I am a single parent with five NEEDY children (can I stress needy enough?!!!). Obviously, it will be sometime soon since we will only be here for a few more months, but it takes so much time and I just don't have it right now. In addition, I need to start painting our rooms and getting things ready to either rent or sell our house and I really just need a break!

That's it for today, just my random thoughts.

Story of Adoption

My Bishop's wife sent this youtube link. This is their daughter and her story of putting her baby up for adoption after she had him at age 17. I think it is absolutely beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGCxBmoAIAE

Utah Jazz Game

Michael's Scout Leader, Bro. Tom Combs, works for some company in Memphis and the owners of the company are part owners of the Memphis Grizzlies. They have a box seat section/suite that they own and the workers have access to. Their scout troup was supposed to go camping tonight in the 20 degree weather, so he gave them the option of backpacking/camping overnight and freezing their tails off or going to the Jazz/Grizzlies game in luxury. Hmmm ... kind of a no brainer. So that's where he will be tonight. The last time the Jazz came to town, a super nice guy in our church took Michael to the game, knowing he would have gone with Jonathan if he had been home, so I have to say Michael has been well taken care of and will not miss any local Jazz games this season.

Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks

The kids and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pizza Hut cinnamon sticks but they are quite expensive just to have as a snack, so I found this recipe online about a year ago and it has become one of our favorites. I do the pizza crust bread machine recipe (see link on right side of recipe) and in the bread machine, it takes about 2 hours to get it ready, but then they are super fast to make after that. You just roll them out, put on melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mix, and kind of make the cut indentation marks without cutting, let raise 15 minutes and bake. I have them in right now and love to have these ready once in a while when they come home from school. If you like cinnamon sticks or cinnamon rolls, you should give these a try because they are much faster and less messy to make than cinnamon rolls and most importantly, they are really good! (we do not use the frosting, but you may like it).

http://www.recipezaar.com/Cinnamon-Pizza-Sticks-With-Dipping-Glaze-167598