Baldy's Blog

Sunni - was it you that told me about this blog? Whoever did - do I say thanks? I have just spent a couple of hours reading one of the most amazing blogs - Baldy's Blog - totally appropriate to our life situation. Only go there if you are ready for quite a bit of sadness and an amazing heartfelt story of a 26 year old guy with leukemia and his battle for this life. He is expected to die by July. Word of warning - his leukemia is MUCH more severe than Kenyon's. Only start reading if you have some time. The real time sucker is to go to you tube and check out Adrian Sudbury's video about the transplant process and time in isolation. It is pretty crazy.

His message (and my motivation for posting this) is to encourage all people to consider joining the registry for bone marrow donation. The process is not too painful and it save lives. I haven't done it yet - but all of Kenyon's siblings have been so willing and so many of you have offered on behalf of Kenyon - and if you are still willing you could do it through a national registry. It is something to consider and look into. At least look into what you can do. You can also donate your baby's umbilical cord for those in need of a match or for research on the transplant process. Pretty cool. It is amazing what can be done.

We don't have much of an update but apparently we get to pick the date. Who wants to do that? I was kind of hoping for them to pick it but we will...we are just considering a few things but it should be in the next couple of weeks - certainly before June is over.

Quinoa Salad

My friend Christina recently posted a Quinoa salad recipe that I tried out on the ladies that I visit teach. I think everyone liked it. I did so check it out!! It is also quite good for you which is always a plus.

Southwest Quinoa Chopped Salad with Chicken and Creamy Salsa Dressing
Total Time: 25 minutes Serves: 6 (6 REALLY hungry people, it makes a ton)
1 c. organic quinoa
1 tsp. sea salt
1 c. Wild Oats Medium Salsa (I used whatever kind I had)
1/4 c. organic sour cream or plain yogurt (I tried it both ways. There is so much flavor you don't miss the fat when you use yogurt.)
3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 tsp. Wild Oats Extra Virgin Olive Oil
juice and zest of one lime
sea salt to taste
2 c. rotisserie chicken, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 c. Wild Oats Organic Black Beans, rinsed (I used the whole can of store brand low sodium, what else are you going to do with the 20 beans left over after you measure out 1 cup?)
1/2 organic red or orange bell pepper, diced
2 ears corn or 1 c. Wild Oats Super Sweet Organic Corn, thawed
1 avocado, chopped
1 large, ripe organic tomato, chopped
1 large head organic romaine, chopped
chopped cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

Bring 1 1/2 cups of cold water to a boil. Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Place quinoa and salt in boiling water. Bring back to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit covered for about 5 minutes. Drain quinoa in fine mesh strainer and set aside to cool. (I skipped all of this, bought pre-rinsed quinoa and cooked it in the rice cooker exactly like I cook rice).
Place salsa, sour cream, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice and zest in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Season with salt. Place in refrigerator to chill.
Toss cooled quinoa with chicken, beans, pepper, corn, avocado and tomato. Add just enough dressing to coat evenly. Divide romaine on six plates and top with quinoa salad mixture. Garnish with wedges of fresh lime and cilantro.

It's a Match

Good news? Yes and no. Kenyon has a match. But that is all we know. It is one of his brothers and we are so so so grateful. We have no idea what the timeline is but it is sooner than later which is pretty much freaking me out. I was kind of hoping to delay this reality but we do feel blessed and obviously prayers have been answered. Actually, I was hoping the whole thing would just go away but it is here...so we will take the blessings in whatever form them come. Thanks for all your interest. I will continue to keep you posted on the developments...

Are you happy?

Last night we had a super late Stake temple night. It was nice but super late. So by the time we got to watch American Idol Final Result Show it was 11pm. I pretty much fast-forwarded through the 2 hours - pausing for things I liked. I was SO tired and by midnight I was finally to the end. Just as Ryan Seacrest said "and the winner is..." my DVR recording ended. What in the world! Last night I hated my DVR (even though it really is one of my most favorite modern inventions). Why can't it stop recording when the show actually ends? Duh! This is has actually happened to me too many times and you would think that I would learn my lesson. So after staying up way too late, I just looked up the winner online. Lame.

However, I am happy. I would have been happy with either one but David Cook is great. Archuleta will still do so well - and who knows maybe even better. I know for sure that one of my readers out there may just be falling apart - she was a DIE-HARD Archuleta fan.

This morning, Kenyon comes sauntering out for breakfast and he was whistling that ridiculous "we are brothers" song that they did last night. I did not want that song in my head all day. Thanks a lot, hon!

Big Changes

Today Kenyon was released from the bishopric. He has been in 3 years and has really enjoyed his time serving in this capacity. We are so sad. With the transplant there is just no way to have any calling. It really hasn't been that difficult of a calling. We have felt so blessed as he has served. The kids were happy to have him come home early today - except then he took a long nap (well deserved but a little disappointing to the kids).

Chicken Tarragon Recipe Update

I have an update thanks to my friend Amy. My Chicken Tarragon recipe listed somewhere on the side has been improved. Amy omitted the asparagus and added artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes and they loved it. Give it a try.

I love improvements to recipes so please share.

Also, I realized that I haven't shared any recipes in quite sometime and that is completely due the pregnancy factor. I will work on that. I need some good food in my life.

My other "Good" story

So my other "good" story from Friday night was meeting Thurl Bailey. My kids saw the David and Goliath movie from the Liken the Scriptures Series and loved it. We have seen Thurl Bailey at our gym a couple of times and they always dare me to say, "I am Goliath." (a line and song from the movie) So Friday night at the game he came over to where we were and said hi to my friend Janna. She called him back over after I told her the story and I felt kind of dumb but I told him and he did it. "I am Goliath." He has such a cool voice and he was a good sport for my pretty dumb request but kids would have been so excited.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

What do you want first....good, bad or ugly?

Let's start with good and we might just skip ugly. Last night we went to the Jazz game and it was great. Such a fun win! That stadium gets LOUD! American Idol star, David Archuleta was AWESOME!!! It was so cool. It was the perfect way to end a really hard day (that is the upcoming "bad.") Thank you to our dear friends who knew just the thing for us to do!!

The problem is that wasn't the end of the day. On the way to get on I-15 we got rear-ended and it was scary. We were definitely blessed. The car is damaged but not totaled and we are stiff and a little sore but we can manage. Lame. I don't handle those things very well.

The really "good" news is that we are expecting baby #4 (early November due date). The kids are so excited and we feel blessed that we get to have one more baby. It doesn't feel like the greatest timing (considering the bad news) but I am sure it is meant to be this way. It definitely adds to how emotional I am - beware. A couple of you have already been victim to my emotional messes. Sorry.

The "bad" is that we spent a good portion of yesterday at Huntsman and concluded with a team of doctors that the best option (maybe the only option) for Kenyon is to have a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. We met with the transplant team and learned more than I could possibly share (that is the "ugly"). If we have a donor match in the family then this process could begin in the next 8 weeks. It will require a lengthy stay at the hospital and a lot of follow-up treatment. This is definitely going to be a challenging year. But, by next year this time, we hope to have Kenyon healthy and cured. We will keep you posted as we know more. The trick is (and anyone who knows me know this could be a problem) that we have to keep the house really clean and the kids really healthy - as well as anyone who visits us in the next year.

Thanks for all the love and prayers out there. We definitely need it and feel it. And don't you worry - I already know I will need help so you just might be one of the lucky ones who finds out what it is like to have Gavin by your side (see previous post).

Jealousy!

My nephew's wife, Dayna, posted these cute pictures of Teague on her blog. How fun to be in Fiji. We are all a little jealous. Can't wait to see more pictures and hear all the details. Seriously - don't you love that dimple. As painful as it was to get that, we are sure glad he has it. Such a happy kid - and cute cousin too!

SAVE ME!!

He is cute - I know - but he is driving me completely crazy. He has always been kind of a Mamma's boy but seriously he won't leave my side. He talks my ear off all day long and wants to do everything I am doing. I should be grateful for a buddy but half the time I just want a moment of peace to do my project without little hands. He keeps saying, "Please, Mom, what can I do to help?" I know, I know. Any mom would love to have her child say that to them but really it is usually things I really didn't want help on. I should just love it because it won't last. I just want him to play with friends or toys or anything. Oh well.

2nd problem is that he is the biggest negotiator. He always wants just one of something or he will promise his best behavior for life if I will buy it. (you know that doesn't last though). I was SO good with the two oldest but I find myself caving way too often with child number 3. Help! He just knows how to work it with me. And dang he is persistent. In my parenting class (Love and Logic) they call it "brain drain." He has mastered it. (yes, he talked me into buying that dumb candy toy thing he is holding.) In fact, I just now became the meanest mom because I won't let him have one of my 2 1/2 gallon zip lock bags (which I use for scrapbooking kits). Please. Why does he think he even wants one. Ughh. He is cute and that saves him- often! But he is up for rent if someone is feeling lonely and needs a buddy - actually he is free no rent necessary.

Blag?

I think the I am using the term correctly - to blag - brag on a blog....

Look what my friend made me! I came home from a crazy day to the cutest gift. She made these hot pads with some sort of thermal batting and the cutest fabric. Love them. Plus it came with a Martha Stewart Cookie cookbook! Yum and fun.


Jul has been my friend FOREVER (well really since we were in Jr. High). I learned to sew with her. We learned to sew quilts together when we were in YWs. She is so talented. I always wish I could have her taste when I am trying to pick out fabrics or doing anything creative.

So, thanks Jul!!

Funny thing

I was listening to Dr. Laura and a caller was complaining about a teacher being mad at a group of students for misbehaving. Dr. Laura went off on how terribly behaved children are these days and the teacher should expect better behavior. Then she said, (and I quote) "If you want to see really well-behaved children, go to any mall in Utah. They are so well behaved because they have been raised to respect their parents."

Seriously - I laughed out loud. You have got to be kidding me. I know my kids aren't the only one who do not behave in malls or just about anywhere else for that matter. But, that is why I never go to the mall - so maybe only parents with well-behaved kids go to the mall. I don't know. Kenyon took a group of kindergartners on a field trip to the zoo today and he can tell you they are not all well-behaved. He had quite the little brat who was begging for Kenyon to buy him food at the concessions. That kid obviously doesn't know Kenyon. :)

Ok - so another thing - I thought I would post my 2 latest projects. I have given one away and I don't think the other person getting this project reads my blog so I can post it now.

Hate it Love it

Ok - So I officially hate May 1st. I think I will no longer acknowledge it anymore. It doesn't help that not only is it becoming a trend to be a bad day it had to snow. What the flip? I am really grumpy so I shouldn't say it - but I pretty much hate Utah today - this whole Spring. This is such a dumb spring. It doesn't help that I am shopping for beach clothes for my son and not for me. :) The GCrew had to wear flip flops today because he left his other 2 pair of shoes out by the trampoline and sure enough they are covered in snow. That shouldn't be a problem in May.

But - the good news is I found something I love.

Ok - So I already love Harmons and there is one within a 2 minutes of my front door. But this new one in Draper/Bangerter. You have to go. I know that half you who read this don't live close enough but those of you who do...make a little jaunt over there. It is a gorgeous store and it offers so much more than our Harmons. You can go there for lunch. No lie. And they have a gelato counter. Pretend to be in Italy for a second. Top that off - Bob was bagging groceries today. How fun is that. And I got a free loaf of white chocolate walnut bread and we are using it for french toast in the morning. If you haven't tried that bread- you really must. If you go to Harmons soon - you can get a free loaf.