The Toolbox

Today, I realized that I did not come with a full toolbox when it comes to solving problems and generally dealing with my kids. Not only did I not bring to parenthood the tools that I needed, but I also didn't get an instruction manual, either. I didn't get a caution or warning label and I certainly did not get a promise that satisfaction would be guaranteed. Today, I am unsatisfied with my parenting and my kids. To tell you the truth, some days I wonder why my children were sent to me to be their mother. I just don't have the tools I tell you. When I asked Todd this question today, he said that, " they were sent to me so that I could learn." To which I promptly replied, "Yea, like what?" Didn't think about that one before it flew out of my mouth. What more could I possibly NEED to LEARN? Um, like how to accumulate some more tools for that toolbox? Where can I go to find the answers I'm looking for to solve the issues I'm having with my kids? My Mom's answer to that question would be simply to pray and read the scriptures. Can it be that easy? Will the answers come? O ye of little faith?

I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed, O.K., maybe today a lot overwhelmed with the responsibilities of parenthood and how to deal with all of the challenges my kids are bringing to the table as of late. I need some more tools in my toolbox, like how to nail Cole's butt down to the chair so that he can get his homework done and put the screws to him about how important grades are and that his performance in school will be in direct correlation to the kind of adult he becomes. Does he care? Nope. Or all the times I try to hammer into Ethan's head the importance of being kind to his friends and cousins, including everyone and sharing and not saying mean things when he doesn't get his way. And that yes, reading is important, everyday to become a good reader. Maybe I'm not motivating them the right ways...Maybe I'm not....Maybe I need to.... Maybe, just maybe, I need to turn this over to the Lord. He'll know. He'll send me the tools I need, right?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Friends and Family-Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Note to Self

I just updated the quote of the day (see right). I'm thinking my life would be so much better and easier if I were taking heed to the things in that quote! Why, oh why, is it so hard for me to read my scriptures on a consistant basis? Or, at all some months. I really could use those promises in my life right now. I think I'll dust off my B of M tonight and do some readin'! If you have any suggestions on how you make scripture reading work in your life, I could use some.

Try These! Sweet and Spicy, Cool and Crunchy

Been awhile, huh? We celebrated my birthday on Oct. 28th (whoopee!!) and Ethan's on Nov. 8th. In between, both he and I have been sick--him with the lovely H1N1 for a stinkin' week! We're both feeling better thank goodness! I wanted to post Halloween pics but can't seem to find where Todd downloaded them so I'll save that for another time. It's been a crazy couple of weeks!

Last night I made these! De-lish! They are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy & cool and crunchy. I'm addicted to any lettuce wraps so when I found this recipe, I wanted to try them. Even my picky Ethan ate two and said they were really good! (Which he rarely does and says.) I highly recommend these, even though they're not really "Fall fare". They would be awesome in the summertime, though.

If you try these, I'd love to have your review on a scale of 1-10 and any other comments you'd like to share.

P.F. C's Lettuce Wraps

1-2 heads bibb/butter lettuce (depends on the size of your family and the size of lettuce head)
Rinsed, spun dry in salad spinner and refrigerated to get really cold

Chicken Mixture:
1 1/3 lbs. ground chicken (I bought @Maceys)
1 sm. can water chestnuts, drained & chopped
2/3 c. fresh mushrooms, chopped
3 green onions, chopped white & green parts
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Bring 1 TBL. canola oil to high heat in lg frying pan or wok. Saute the chicken til done. Add rest of ingred. Cook until mushrooms are done sweating. Drain any juice/oil. Add stir fry sauce and simmer 4-5 min. more on low heat.

Stir Fry Sauce:
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. rice vinegar

Special Sauce:
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
2 Tbl. soy sauce
2 Tbl. rice vinegar
2 Tbl. catsup
1 Tbl. lemon
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
1/2-1 tsp. siracha chili sauce

Assemble lettuce wraps by spooning filling into bibb lettuce cup. Top with special sauce and white rice. ( You could also add matchstick carrots and red bell peppers sliced thin.)Fold up like a taco and devour!

Just the Best Breadsticks

I've decided to add a recipe of the week to my blog. Last night I made homemade Lentil Soup and these delectable breadsticks. They are quick and easy and just the best. They would be great with your family's favorite soup or pasta dish-like spaghetti. YUM! I had some leftover Alfredo sauce and the breadsticks from last night were pretty darn good dipped in that today, for a snack-or lunch;) Give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

Just the Best Breadsticks

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 TBL. instant yeast ( I used the quick kind)
2 TBL. sugar
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingred. together in a lg. bowl or electric mixer with dough hook. (I used my Kitchen Aid stand mixer.) Let knead for three minutes. Turn off machine and let the dough rest for ten minutes. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Flour your working surface. With a rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut 1 inch strips. Twist each strip and place on baking sheet about 1/4 inch apart. Sprinkle with garlic powder and grated parmesan cheese. (Or, use whatever herbs your family likes: Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, poppy seed, sesame seed, Mrs. Dash.) Cover with a towel or plastic wrap sprayed with non-stick spray. Set in a warm place and let rise for 30 min. Bake 15-20 min. until golden brown. Remove from oven. While hot, using a basting brush, coat each breadstick with melted butter. Sprinkle more parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Sweet is the Work

Last week Todd and I had the great pleasure of taking Cole to the Draper Temple. It was our first time. With Cole. Just our little family. I wished Ethan could've been there too. We weren't complete, it was bitter sweet. But, it's the sweet part I wanted to blog about. What a cool experience!

Let's back up. Over two years ago, I started working on some family genealogy on Todd's side of the family. His dad is a non-member and his mom a convert to the church-Todd too, he was eight or nine when he joined the church. So, needless to say, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Lots of family that still need to be found and that are waiting for their work to be completed. I love, love doing family history work! I couldn't find enough hours in my day. I didn't want to stop or put it down. I delved in and got a good start. But then, I had the distinct impression that this was just not my season to do this work. I ended up putting it aside, reluctantly.

Fast forward. My mom, who is serving a part time mission at the Family History Library for the church, called me up one morning. She had a name come to her in the middle of the night. She wasn't familiar with who it was. It ended up being Todd's great grandfather, Frank Kiss, the line I had been previously working on two years earlier. She felt pretty strongly that he was waiting. My mom, who has so much more free time than I do took it upon herself to start researching. Through her research, we were able to get a good start on 10 family names that included Todd's great and great, great grandparents on his grandmother's side.

It was these 10 names that we took to the temple. My mom came along to watch. I did baptisms for four female names. It was really cool because Todd was the one that actually got to baptize both Cole and I for his family. His family! Todd was baptised for his great, great grandfather, Daniel Szekretar, who Todd's dad was named after. How cool is that? I've never done temple work for a relative(s) before. It was such an amazing experience, not to mention that it was Cole's very first time doing baptisms! I don't have the words in my vocab to describe what I was feeling. I was definitely on a spiritual high. We all can't wait to do more family names.

Off the subject, a pretty cool thing happened while at the temple. I ran smack into Christian Nielson-you know Nienie's husband. I am an avid follower of her blog. Earlier that same day they were on Oprah, although I had not watched Oprah yet. I made Todd go talk to him in the men's dressing room at the temple. I wanted "Mr. Nielson" to know just how incredible I think he and Nienie are. They inspire me, daily. She, especially. That's a whole other post.

Anyway, I'm so very glad that I have three temples within 15 min. of my home. I am incredibly blessed to live in this time and in this place. I hope to be able to meet the family members that I did work for when I get to the other side. I anxiously, sweetly, look forward to that.

Need Advice, Got Ideas?

I woke up in the middle of the night with one sentence on my mind, "Ask Debbie if she has any filters on her computer." Weird. Debbie is my new next door neighbor. Her son Ryan (13) and Cole (12) are great friends. If they're not here on the computer, they're over there. I mean they do other things when they hang out, but one of their favorites is gaming on the computer. So, at 2:30 a.m., my mind is trying to figure out why I woke up out of a deep sleep with that going on in my brain. Is it a warning? An omen? A wake-up call so to speak? A still small voice? Should I be concerned? Should I ask Debbie? What will she think? Or am I just nuts?

I don't worry about the computer at our house-we do have a great filter. I can always walk past my office and see what's on the screen. We've talked a few times to Cole about the dangers of porn. I don't have any reason not to trust him. And, I can certainly be in control of him not being exposed to, or having the chance to view porn at home. But, away from home? That's a different story. To be honest, I've never really given the situation much thought. (Dang it, he is at the age where I have to start thinking and worrying about this kinda stuff.)

So my questions is, how do I protect my child from the evils of porn (accidental or otherwise) when he's away from home?
Any thoughts?