There's was guy who came to church one Sunday and he was going to be away from his family for six weeks so we invited him over for dinner which happened to be Father's Day. My stepfather was coming over and the guy, Neal got there before my dad and I told him how my dad from the mountains and he was living in Tennessee and much like Brandon has served his mission there, went back home, returned to TN and met a girl, got married, stayed. Anyway, my dad arrived told Neal where he was from and Neal and his companion had actually opened the mission in the very, very small area of Virginia my dad was from. They talked all through dinner. My dad enjoyed it and so did Neal.

So while he was in town he came over one more time, but the good part was that he sent us home a dip one Sunday and roughly it was
you take some cream cheese (not sure how much, I messed up on the first one and put too much and haven't tried it again yet, I used a little less than a block...play with it)
spread in bottom of pan
mix together
a can of pinto beans
black beans
chili beans
can of rotel
brown sugar (play with this one too)
mix together
pour over cream cheese
sprinkle with sugar
bake until bubbly
he gave us ruffles plain chips which was excellent, but he says his family uses fritos
let me just tell you this was good stuff, I'm hungry

and there's another recipe, Thai Panang Curry, he gave us the ingredients and recipe for just before he left..it is so good here's the link to the recipe on the recipe blog...
http://delectablydeliciousdinners.blogspot.com/

My Laura

So Laura story, she started dance today and was so excited. Her teacher is an old friend of mine from the student ward, way back when. So I hadn't told Laura much about her and we were getting her dressed in the changing room and I said that her teacher was a member of our church, but went to the other building across town. She looked at me all concerned.."Do they believe in Jesus?" I said yes...she immediately replied "well that's good they believe in Jesus Christ" .... this sunk in for a minute as she rambled on and then she put her hand to her mouth and gasped "Does everyone in the city believe in Jesus?" I explained, no, probably not but Miss Raquelle believed the same things we did. I think she was truly comforted by this. So sweet... I was reading a memorial blog recently where a mother said about her deceased daughter something that reminded me so much of Laura I saved it.....

there were times in life when she was like a gale force hurricane wind ripping through your life and other times when she was a gentle delicate breeze on your cheek

....that's my Laura.

School and stuff

Laura's started kindergarten and is really good at school and let's it all out while at home. She loves packing lunch, the playground and being picked up through the drive thru :).

Cole's in 2nd grade, big boy. He wasn't excited about school, but the first day he spent fifteen minutes, literally, telling the first part of the box car kids. He's given us a summary everyday. The teacher has a store wherein the kids can earn "money" and buy or save when the store is open on Fridays. The child is in heaven. If only he were in class with his kindergarten crush I wouldn't know what to do with him so probably best that's not the case. He thought he was going to hate the back playground and he loves it. I'm so glad. The mornings are already a challenge, shoes crisis, breakfast crisis, snack crisis - but we're not off to a horrible start.

I do miss the kids but have enjoyed time with Hannah. I also enjoy lunches alone while Hannah naps. I know there will come a day where I will have too much time on my hands, alas the break is nice. Like I tell my kids there are advantages and disadvantages to everything. I usually say that when Hannah's giving them trouble.

I have found teaching my kids has taught that good one and another I really like is when someone has hit someone for someone saying something mean..I tell them
You can't choose what somene does to you, but you can always choose how you react to it, you can only control yourself. Why is this so hard to remember as adults? We're only human I suppose. Ah....life!