Not Yet

We have had a month of busy Monday nights. So Family Home Evening has been mostly in the car while driving somewhere.

Tonight on the way home from the piano recital (Teague chose to wear a shark costume), I said, "We need a gospel message. Anyone?" Nothing very gospel-ish came up so Kenyon suggested we talk about Stake Conference. But I missed the whole thing chasing Quinn in the halls (can you tell that I really need Love and Logic again?). He asked the kids to retell a story about the oxen. Apparently one of the speakers told the story of a pioneer woman who had lost her oxen and her prayers were answered clearly. She knew where to find her oxen.

Kenyon asked what the lesson was from this talk. We had quite a variety of answers before we got to the real one. But then Kenyon explained to the kids that the speakers in conference were trying to teach that our prayers are answered - sometimes with a yes and sometimes a no. But he pointed out that the speakers missed the most common answer - "Not Yet." I replied that that might be my least favorite answer.

I wish I could remember quite how it went from there but Teague and Elise both made comments referring to Kenyon's knee. It was so interesting to listen to these kids describing the MANY prayers for Kenyon's recovery have resulted in "not yet" answers. Elise said "there must be some reason." The kids are so consistent to remember Kenyon and his knees in every prayer. I am grateful they have the faith and commitment to his healing.

Halloween Mystery Dinner

This just might be the kids' most favorite tradition. Of any holiday. Seriously. I will NEVER get out of this so be careful what traditions you start. Several years ago, my sister-in-law's sister-in-law (is that confusing?) gave me the idea of a Halloween dinner with menu items and crazy food. Thanks to my sisters - it always turns out better than I could do on my own.

Egan's creation. Melted Witch. So clever.

Jane's creation. Bad Heads. Yum.

Read this is if you are having days like me lately...

http://71toes.blogspot.com/2010/10/myth-of-perfect-mother.html

I love her perspective on motherhood. I just wish it had a better solution.

Not one of my favorite days

Let me just say that I HATE markers. I threatened the kids tonight that I am throwing them all away. Of course, I won't. You should see the wall down the stairs. Equally great artwork. And the artist's belly. It is talent.

Good thing we love her to pieces.

Where was I? I ran to take a shower. Really? Teague, Elise and Gavin were all in the room with her. I thought I had left her in good hands.

Horse Crazy

I took Gavin and Quinn to Thanksgiving Point Farm. And we were surprised to find out it was the Barnyard Boo. We beat most the crowd. Gavin LOVED the games, crafts, prizes, etc. But all Quinn wanted - the horse ride. That is why we went anyway. She LOVES horses (she says, "sies"). She was even patient and waited 15 minutes in line just to have her turn. I don't think she has ever been quite so happy in her life.

While she can be kind of tiring, she is so much fun. I love her excitement about life. She has mastered some amazing facial expressions and the art of acting to get things she wants. She is learning more and more words each day and staring to put them together. It requires a little deciphering but eventually we understand.

New Easy Dinner Recipes

I love the Cook's Illustrated magazine.

Anyway, for Christmas one year, I got The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. A great one. But sometimes I am intimidated by the recipes because they seem so complex. But not these two...

They were easy and perfect for the crazy nights we have had. And EVERYONE loved th. A miracle. (Except Quinn but I am not counting her yet).


Easy Chicken Calzones

2 - 10oz pkg frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped

1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded (4 cups)

2 cups cooked chicken (1 lb), chopped

1/2 cup pesto

salt and pepper

2 lbs pizza dough - I used 2 pop-up canisters of pizza dough - the Pillsbury kind - I think you might need 3 because my filling was a lot.

Oven to 450.

Pat broccoli dry and the toss with other ingredients.

On a floured counter, unroll one pizza dough (roll to 1/4 inch thick). Mound half of the filling on to one side of the dough. Brush the edge of the dough with water and fold the other half of the dough over. Seal the edges.

Put calzones on greased baking sheet.

Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake until golden about 15 minutes.

Perfect for on the go nights.

Fiesta Casserole

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 cups instant brown rice

2 cups frozen corn

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups salsa

1 T Tabasco (i didn't use this)

3 cups shredded cooked chicken  (1 1/2 pounds)

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

6 oz crushed Frito's ( yummy without so if you are counting calories - just skip it).

Heat oven to 450.

Combine broth, rice corn, beans, salsa. Pour into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

Stir chicken into dish and sprinkle cheese over the top and then the Fritos. Bake 8-12 more minutes until edges are bubbly and crumbs are toasted. 

I want to win this...

Check out this giveaway....Wouldn't this be such an amazing trip? Photo - Stephmodo

The Knee Report

I wish I was better at describing all the details. It would probably be boring to most of you but I will give you the best recap that I can.

This is Dr. Rosenberg. Best knee surgeon in the country. He is the US Ski, Speed Skating, and Snowboarding Team Doc. And such a nice guy. It helps that long ago he was friends with my parents. He pretty much thinks they are perfect people (and they are). He thinks I look just like my mom so he decided that my nickname should be "deja vu."

He sat down in our room today before surgery and chatted our ear off about the whole "Elder Packer" talk and gay marriage. It was the most random pre-surgery conversation EVER. So funny. But that is all a side note.

Kenyon got his leg shaved and I wish I had pictures. Then they wheeled him off to surgery. An hour and a half later, Dr. Rosenberg came in to give me a report. He took lots of pictures that don't make a lot of sense to me but it showed all the scar tissue and inflammation. He cleaned out all the fluid and junk in there. The hope is that will help alleviate some pain and also give the bone a chance to grow back.

The bad news...(yes there is some). Part of the dead bone in his knee had already started to collapse. Which explains the INTENSE pain that he has been living with. Dr. Rosenberg said he couldn't believe he could get around with that collapse. So that means that what was supposed to be a fairly easy recovery is no longer. It is 4 weeks of NO weight bearing = crutches only. And it means he must be so careful to not do ANYTHING that would cause the bone to collapse any further.

It will get better but we are talking years till that day comes. We will gladly take the miracle route at this point but if not then less pain will be a welcome outcome.

Thanks for all the prayers and concern. Much appreciated.