Live Feed

So, I was noticing this "live feed" feature on several blogs I've lurked on. It looked cool. So, I shamelessly stole and added it, just to see if there is any traffic here. Turns out there are people who come here! Whether or not what I write is being read is another matter! In any case, it's kinda cool. You can even get one for your own blog. (And you don't really need to "steal" it. It's free.)

What's for dinner.

Today I was craving soup. Don't ask me why on a hot, August day I would want a big, hot bowl of soup. It puzzles me, too. So, I pulled out one of my favorite recipes, that I got from a dear friend. It's called Mexican Minestrone--a very easy crock-pot recipe. (Or crotch-pot, if you're Stephanie's husband. ;) For those who might want to try it, here it is:

Mexican Minestrone Soup:

1 can of drained corn
1 can of Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 C of salsa (more or less, to taste)
1 can of chicken breast
2 cups water
2 chicken bullion cubes
3-4 potatoes, peeled and diced

Combine everything in a crock-pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or till potatoes are tender. You can also add chopped cilantro after it is done cooking (which I did tonight, to rave reviews). Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, and shredded cheese.

Not all my kids will eat this soup. I think I must have some of the pickiest eaters on the face of the planet. But it really is a very good soup, makes great left-overs, and is easy.

(I realize I should probably explain the crotch-pot comment above. My brother-in-law thought that crock-pots were "crotch-pots" for years. He only recently, within the last couple of years, realized that they are croCK-pots. Yeah, now no one in my family can say crock-pot with a straight face.)

Dentist

Last week I took my three "big" kids in to the dentist. It was a pretty good visit. Missy and Bug need sealants, and have small cavities in a couple of teeth. (Thanks to those deep pits they inherited.)

Today I took Lemur and Mister in for cleanings and check-ups. Mister cried the whole way there, in the waiting room, and in the room while Lemur was getting cleaned. Lemur was such a big kid! (Probably because it seemed easy after having been through surgery last week!) He opened big for the hygentist, let her do everything (polish, floss, clean, rinse, flouride--everything!) and the dentist said he's got great looking teeth and gums. Yay! He was so excited to pick a toothbrush and a prize.

Mister wouldn't even open up so the hygentist could count his teeth with her fingers. He wanted a toothbrush very badly (a purple one), but he was too anxious. So, I guess I'll keep talking to him about it. He tells me he'll let the dentist count his teeth when he's four. We'll see.

Help my friend!

One of my friends from my ward was on KUTV2 noon news yesterday, demonstrating a recipe she entered into a contest. She made Honey Jalepeno Beef and Broccoli with Sesame Udon Noodles (sounds yummy, doesn't it). The more hits she gets on her recipe on KUTV's website, the better chance she has of winning the contest. Help her out by clicking here! (You can also watch the video of her demonstration at the same link.)

1st day of school nerves

Today was the first day of school for my three "big" kids. Buddy and Missy started 6th grade (yipes!), and Bug started 3rd grade. Bug was so nervous for 3rd grade. None of his close friends are in his class this year, so he was quite scared. Bud and Missy wanted to ride the bus, but I was driving down to the school to pay for lunches so Bug wanted to ride with me. I walked him to class, and immediately his teacher (who Erik had for 3rd grade, too) asked if Bug's dad was out running this morning. I think it helped him feel at ease that his teacher knows who his dad is. I snapped this picture with my cell phone, because, of course, I forgot the camera (what kind of mom forgets the camera on the 1st day of school, I ask you?). He came home saying he had a great day at school. He loves his teacher already, and even was happy to practice writing his name in cursive at home.

As for the "little" kids...they go to a preschool "open house" on Wednesday, where they play while I fill out paperwork. Then school starts next Tuesday (after Labor Day). They're so excited--they have new, little backpacks (for all the stuff they're going to be carrying home from preschool ;) and can't wait for school to start. They'll go three days a week, for an hour and 45 min. I have to admit...I'm excited, too--maybe now I'll be able to get my basement organized (something I've been wanting to do since we moved when I was pregnant with them). Maybe.

H. Family Reunion

This past weekend we had a family reunion in Provo for my mom's side of the family--the Hs. I really had a great time, listening to stories, looking at family genealogy charts, seeing some of my Grandma Hansen's artwork, and visiting with cousins who I don't see often enough, or know well enough.

My mom is the youngest of 10 children, and didn't marry until she was 35 (I think). So, my sisters and I are the youngest cousins on that side of the family. Which means all my cousins were married and having children of their own by the time we were old enough to know any of them. I wish I knew everyone a little better. I love my mom's family, though, and always love the family reunions. (I just need a family tree in front of me, so I know where to place everyone!)

Another wish I've always had is that I had the opportunity to know my Grandma H. She was very ill when my mom was dating my dad, but when my mom got engaged she was determined not to ruin my mom's wedding by dying. She made a remarkable recovery, was able to attend my parents' marriage in the Provo temple, and even stood in their receiving line at their reception. Three weeks later, she passed away. I remember very little of my Grandpa H--mostly the peppermint ribbon candy he always had for us when we visited and his funeral--as I was only just shy of my 5th birthday when he passed away.

I heard many great things about both my Grandma and Grandpa H at the reunion. I'm positive they were with us there in spirit.

Surgery

Today Lemur had his hydrocele surgery. We had to be at the hospital at 8:30 to check in. They took him to the OR at about 9:30, and by 10:30 he was in recovery. The doctor said the hydrocele was "huge" and had a lot of scar tissue in the scrotum. He closed off the opening (letting the fluid in) and removed the hydrocele, but some of the tissue in there will remain thickened. It won't have any effects on the function of the testicle, though. What a relief! He's not been in any kind of pain since being home, so that's a relief, too. We just have to keep him from running, climbing, or jumping for a few days. All in all, it wasn't as bad an experience as I was expecting. I thought he'd be cranky and irate about not having breakfast, but he was fine. He was a little fussy in the recovery room, but I don't think he even remembers it.