Happy Fourth!

I've read some great blog entries and emails the past few days that have expressed so much gratitude and appreciation for our wonderful country. It really makes me grateful for what my mom and dad taught my siblings and me as kids--I think we all learned to love our country at a young age. I feel a bit sad when others I know don't have a great appreciation for our country, especially because I think that is mostly due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. So thanks, mom and dad, for teaching us..

Some things I found myself thinking this past weekend:

I know that the founding and establishment of our country was inspired on this dedicated and consecrated land. It is because of our establishment of government and religious freedoms that so much of the world is free to practice their faith of choice. I know that there are good things about other countries, but there's nothing like the good ol' U S of A anywhere. I'm grateful for the inspiration of the founding fathers and the sacrifices they made to give us the rights we have. It makes me sad to think of what politics have now become (mostly I consider my votes to be a vote for the LEAST harmful/corrupt - morally, ethically, and every other way), but I still recognize that our democratic freedoms are a blessing. Though I don't love some of what our system has become and even some of what it now stands for, I know I'm blessed to be born in this country.

I'm grateful for the 4th - while I know we should recognize and remember the privileges we have continually, it's a day/weekend that makes it easy to do so.

And here's one photo from the weekend - a classmate of Rob's took it. She's sending a few more our way later this week - I can't wait to get them all. :)

Laughing Guy

I filmed this the other night right before Guy went to bed, so the lights are low and it's kind of difficult to see, but it was pretty funny to hear Guy laughing so much--which started in response to Rob's hiccups.

Childbirth v. Kidney Stone

In terms of pain, I'm pretty dang sure that the kidney stone wins. Funny that I was talking about that with my parents one day not too long ago. Since I had experienced both but was remembering the pain of the kidney stone of December '00 more than the pain of childbirth I'd say the stone is worse (of course, that could just be because there's no overwhelming joy and celebration overshadowing all else when you pass a stone). And although I got an epidural, I'll choose to remind you now that the needle was in for over an hour before it was hooked up to the juice that numbs you. That wasn't fun at all as I felt labor pains and the needle in my back with almost every move.

However . . . I did get an epidural, and it did end up working. Right now I don't even have the option for an epidural, and I really wish I could sign up for one. After my first encounter with the stones I started drinking water like it's going out of style because dehydration is one of the known causes of kidney stones--actually it may be the only known cause.

Looks like all my water drinking didn't help.

I learned a new word today--Idiopathic. The Dr. told me it's a fancy word for unknown. Used in a sentence: Most causes of kidney stones are idiopathic. Lovely, isn't it? For some reason I already find myself disliking that word in tremendous ways.

The suggested remedy after this kidney stone diagnosis: Come back in two days for xrays . . . if it still hurts.

I love that I had to pay for that.
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. . . An extra big thanks to Eden and Dad today - Eden came and got Guy today so that I could do the drs visit and lab work without dragging Guy everywhere. Thanks Eden! And thanks Dad, for waiting for her.

Early Father's Day

Well, Saturday I'll be working all day, and Rob is always off on Friday, so the only time I could do any sort of surprise for him for Father's Day was yesterday. So I spent all day in the kitchen (and amazingly - didn't eat ANY part of the treats) yesterday, and this is what I made:

This hamburger and fries is dessert - made out of a cupcake, brownie, and sugar cookie fries - with some dyed frosting for the hamburger toppings.

I copied the idea - after my friend Maddie told me about a a fun blog called Bakerella (bakerella.blogspot.com). I looked it up, and since then, I've spent a LONG TIME salivating. The site is basically all food art, and I love it! This idea even came with a pdf to download to print out the food tray, the tissue paper, and the fry holder - I already had all the different kinds of paper (from all my art years at BYU), and crazy enough, I also had all the mixes to make this stuff, so I didn't even have to go to the store to get a thing - it was the best kind of project for me. She did use sesame seeds for the bun--I skipped those because I didn't have them.

Bakerella has all sorts of fancy stuff that she uses (gradiated circles for cutting is the first thing that comes to mind), and I'd love to have and use fun stuff, but I don't have the budget to spend $ in that way right now, so I found things around the kitchen that worked (like the top of a can of spray oil for the perfect brownie size).

Honestly, I knew it wouldn't be the best tasting dessert I've ever made (I used all mixes to hugely cut down time), but it was really fun, and I think it looks pretty neat.

What We've Been Up To

It's been a little while, so I'm finally updating a little. Though I did share my favorite bread recipe for the sake of breaking up what could seem monotonous to others (aka photos of Guy).

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So, lately we've been learning that one finger in Guy's mouth isn't enough (he does this feeding, too - but we don't take photos of that). . .. . .we've been taking lots and lots of photos . . . . . . hoping to find the PERFECT one . . .

. . . spending some quality time on dad's feet . . .

. . . taking many many walks (yes, sometimes sans clothing) . . .

. . . deciding which superhero Guy should be for Halloween *. . .

. . . and learning how to fly.

Oh yeah, AND enjoying EVERY roll on this little boy - they (the rolls) are so cute on babies - I love 'em!

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* That "mask" is actually the cover up he had under the bililamps right after he was born - Rob amazes me with what he can do with a pair of scissors and a Sharpie. :)

My favorite bread

Well, one of my favorites (I'm a bread lover!) . . . it's wonderful on it's own, or cut into squares then sliced through the middle for sandwiches - either a great vegetarian one with sprouts, tomatoes, avacado (for those of you who like it), cucumber, lettuce, etc. or with a little deli meat and cheese added to all that good stuff, too. Either way I make the sandwich, I top it off with Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinegar Dressing - my very favorite dressing.

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Rosemary Focaccia Bread

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2 c water

1 Tbsp yeast

1 Tbsp sugar

1/3 c freshly chopped rosemary

3 minced garlic cloves

1/4 c extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp freshly cracked pepper

5 cups flour

2 tsp salt

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For the top:

extra virgin olive oil

kosher salt

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1 - In a large mixing bowl combine water, yeast, sugar, freshly chopped rosemary, garlic, olive oil, pepper, and 3 cups of flour. Mix together and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

2 - Add the salt and enough of the remaining flour to pull the mixture together into a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes.

3 - Spray a large bowl with olive oil

4 - Shape dough into a round and place in the bowl tha thas been sprayed with olive oil.

5 - Spray the top of the bread with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Allow bread to double in size (About 1.5 hrs).

6 - Once bread has doubled in size, remove from bowl and place on a counter top. Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes.

7 - Spread dough into a well-oiled cookie sheet - dimpling it with your fingers

8 - Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt

9 - Allow bread dough to double in size again.

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Bake @ 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

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**This recipe actually came as a hearth bread recipe, if that's your preference, use steps 1-6 and follow these:

7 - Divide dough into 2 equal portions

8 - Shape each portion of dough into rounds and place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

9 - Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle each top with kosher salt.

10 - Allow bread dough to double in size.

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Bake @ 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

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I could REALLY use a rosemary plant of my own.

Procrastination as an Art

Five years ago got as far as piecing together the nine squares and the dark border around them all.

A couple weeks before Guy was born I finally added the last border, backed it with some fleece, and stitched it all together (after digging through my mom's craftroom to find it). There's nothing like incentive to finally get a project done, right?

Squeaky Guy

With some subpar video editing skills, here's a short clip of Guy

Friday Hike

Right now Rob works four ten hour days a week. On Friday, his day off, he was kind enough to join me when I wanted to check out a trailhead I spotted a while ago while we on a motorcycle ride one evening. The trail was a little disappointing, it just led to a rock climbing area, but we did find a pretty good view from the top.

Next time we should bring someone else along to take photos. :)

Before . . . and After

A while ago I decided to grow out my hair a little more and donate it. Yesterday both Rob and I decided we'd had enough of my hair falling out and and being all over everything (especially after the pregnancy - you lose much more than "the usual" post-pregnancy) - so in the afternoon I went in for a cut.

Before:

I made two major requests to the stylist while showing her styles I like: my hair be shoulder length, and I still want to be able to put most of it back with a rubberband.

After:Now I can't do either. Nice girl, but not the greatest listener.

Damage done:

This is the shortest my hair has EVER been (besides as it was growing out when I was a kid). And we like it--I just hope that I can replicate what the stylist did . . .

What do you think?

Happy Easter!

Finally getting around to putting new photos on. Easter was Guy's first week at church - it's nice to be able to take him out and about more, especially in the warm weather.

And - just for fun - what sometimes happens when Rob dresses Guy.