an random act of kindness

One of my favorite math teachers came in 2 days ago to the copy center in the morning.  I always noticed her beautiful ruby and diamond tennis bracelet but this day she was not wearing it.  I asked her, "Where is your bracelet?"  She teared up and said she lost it sometime the day previous.  She had been at school, Walmart and pumped gas.  I suggested she tell the office and the custodians that she had lost it.
     Meanwhile during this conversation a special ed English teacher came in and was organizing paperwork to get copied.
     Traci came back to the door of the copy center with glassy eyes holding her bracelet.  It had been found and turned in.  I helped put it back on her wrist all the while we were talking about how great it was that it was found. 
    Lesa said, "Oh, is that yours?  I found it this morning as I was coming in at 6:30.  Normally, I don't walk with my head down but I was carrying a bunch of stuff and I was looking down and I spotted it in the crack of the sidewalk."
It was such a good experience.  Traci's bracelet was found and Lesa was so honest to turn it in. 

Been doing some thinking

I used to visit Las Vegas before when I was younger and coming from Seattle area I have never felt not safe there. It did not bother me. This trip however, I did not feel as safe as I normally do. Also, with life experiences and my own children aging I saw it differently. What I can say, is I have been changed as I age.

 I have not ever been too much of a deep thinker. Lately I am noticing I notice and think more. This last week we went to Las Vegas for a few days. I realized that I have lived in "Safe Utah" and got used to it now. I think nothing of heading out on a walk in the dusk of the night or going to the store at night I never get scared. A couple of times I was even scared on this trip. While I was visiting Las Vegas I noticed how ethic it is which I love and miss about Utah. I also noticed men and young boys out walking by themselves at all hours of the day and night. They may have been walking to work as shifts start and end at all times of the day just to keep that city moving. But I think some were not. Some were there without friends or family and down on their luck. I saw it in their faces. They just looked sad and it made me sad.

When we got home, that very night I went on a walk and it was dusk. I could hear children playing and laughing and I smiled. I walked up this street, up a little hill and turned on my road. The course I always walk and I was thinking of how wonderful it is to live with family and have friends and live where I can hear children playing outside, laughing and talking.

I passed a church where Scouts was just getting over and boys were running and dodging outside, laughing and yelling. My eyes filled with tears. Then as I came to the corner and turned east to walk down the hill there were two men laying on the front yard of their house talking with smiles.

I wonder if those boys/men have friends?  If they ran to Las Vegas to get rich quick and now they are stuck?  I am so grateful my boys have jobs, friends and family.  I am grateful I have the same. 

Framed as a picture

The day before Thanksgiving Logan took money and went to Walmart and purchased 2 puzzles. The first one was 500 pieces and was fast for him to make. This one was 1,000 pieces and alot of the same colors and was a bit harder. It took until Christmas. We glued it and framed it and hung it outside his bedroom door. I joked and said I was going to get vinyl lettering that said "I can do hard things" to stick on the wall over it.

Happy Grandparents Day 2013

We love love love our kids' grandparents. 

 For all the support they give our families.  

 For the love and caring they show.  

For the joy they bring us. 

 For their good health. 

 For their testimonies. 

For setting an example of service.

For all of them being temple workers.

For their phone calls, cards and gifts. 

Overnight Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes

People, you have got to make these.  As we tried them this morning, someone asked me as I tasted the first one with fear and trepidation, are they good????

My answer....yes, they will be running into the streets, crying and wanting more!!

Here is the recipe, Let me know as you try them!!!! (please)

Overnight Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes

2 cups quick oatmeal
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups buttermilk

1.  Prepare the batter with night before you want to make these!  In a large bowl mix the oatmeal, flour, soda, powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add the honey, eggs, vanilla and buttermilk and mix until the batter is well-combined.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.  This does not rise so don't worry about it making a mess if you use a smaller bowl to store it.
2.  The next morning give the batter a good stir to combine.  It should be fairly thick.  I added a splash of milk, mine was too thick.  Heat griddle but use lower heat than usual.  I usually make pancakes at 350 so I made these at 325.  Pour oil on griddle and use 1/4 cup to make pancakes. 

(found on blog www.melskitchencafe.com)

this proves what kind of mom I am.....

Saturday morning I get up early and run.  Then I come home and finish my good book and start on the chores.  By 8:30 I am humming along sweeping, mopping and washing rugs and clothes.  I vacuumed and cleaned bathrooms.  I even wiped baseboards and dusted plants.  

Man life is good for someone who likes to clean. 

Kelsi comes around to me around 11:30 and says mom I had an upset stomach and bad poop.  I say oh no did you make a mess up the back of the toliet. ??????

Really, I think to myself later, I did not ask her how she was feeling, I did not offer her Sprite or Tums.  

Just worried about my cleaning!

First Day of School

Kelsi is a senior and Logan is a junior. 

Even though they both have cars they rode together, isn't that cute.

For the first time in 3 years I was home to see them off.  And I will be home every morning to see them off.
I woke up, turned on my great smelling apple cubes to melt, opened the blinds.  I went down to run on the treadmill.  I came up and made Logan his lunch and walked them to the door.  Oh what joy!
 I will follow them to school at 930 due to my new shortened hours.  See, it's not all bad to have your hours cut!