Grandpa C

I'm not recording this for anyone but myself so don't feel an obligation to read it...

Now for the reason why I'm so behind.  Right before our trip to Louisiana I got a call from my sister telling me that Grandpa wasn't doing well.  I had a sense that he wouldn't come out of this one.  He's had a couple strokes before but this one took everything. I got the call that he had passed a few days later.
When I heard the news I tried to be happy that  he was no longer feeling the pain of his mortal body, but I felt crushed.  There was no emotion because I didn't know how to feel.  I didn't cry until the funeral as I watched Grandma kiss him goodbye...and then it seemed like I couldn't stop.  I couldn't stop remembering all the really great times we shared and how I was going to miss his hugs and his smile.
Before I left to Texas I went to visit Grandpa, he told me that there was a lot of missionary work to in Texas.  He then asked me if I had any pass along cards.  A few minutes later he came out of his office with a brand new stack of cards and told me to be brave.  Grandpa was always teaching me something.  I'm sad to report that I didn't hand one single card out, that stack is still sitting in my closet waiting for me to be brave.  I made a copy of Grandpa's history before I left Utah to take with me.  It made me so happy because I felt like I was taking a small piece of Grandpa with me.  I devoured every last word when I returned home. Grandpa shared the gospel his entire life.  That bravery must be somewhere inside of me because it was inside of him.  I got up from my couch after finishing his history with a new goal to hand out those pass along cards.

Grandpa,
I may be late, but I'm going to be brave!  You are still teaching me!  During the last month I have learned a lot about the type of person I want to be.  I can honestly say that I have a testimony of eternal families, and everyday I learn more about what it takes to be a member missionary.
I'm going to miss you.  Till we meet again!  I hope I make you proud.             

I stole these pictures from my sister, because I didn't have the frame of mine to grab my camera.  It's a good thing someone was thinking!

For Lisa

While Mom's house last week I was rifling through the fridge trying to find something to eat.  I pulled out a pasta salad that Mom had made the day before in one of her cooking classes.  It was so good that I couldn't stop eating it!
The missionaries came over this week and I decided to do a BBQ so I put together the meal shown below and used my Mom's pasta salad recipe.  When I called for the recipe she told me that she didn't know the amounts.  She just threw it in (typical of my mother).  So I put it together myself with only a list of ingredients.  Later in the day I noticed an update on her blog where she had so kindly posted a recipe.
So here you are.... Mom's Pasta Chicken Salad .  Be careful.  You might like it too much!

Recipe Break

I found this gem a while back.  It's been a huge hit here in our home.  I feel that it's my duty to share this for all of those out there in a food idea funk....which seems to be me most of the time


Smoked BBQ Pork Sandwiches 

Smoked BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

5lbs Pork Roast 

1 Tbsp Salt

2 Tbsp Liquid Smoke

Directions:

For Slow Cooker:

Make sure your pork roast is not frozen.  With a knife, cut slits into the roast with the tip. Place it into your slow cooker.  Sprinkle salt over the top of the roast.  Pour liquid smoke over the top, and cook on High for 8-10 hours.  Take out any liquid.  Shred, and then add liquid back to the meat.  

For Electric Pressure Cooker:

Place Pork Roast into electric pressure cooker. Add 1 1/2 cups water.  Sprinkle salt over the top of the roast.  Pour liquid smoke over the top.  Cook on High Pressure for 1 1/2 hours (if frozen) or 1 hour (not frozen).  Release pressure at the end of the timer.  Take out any liquid.  Shred, and then add about 1/4 cup liquid back to the meat.  

We use BBQ sauce with this but you could use a teriyaki sauce and do a stir fry if you prefer

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Yum......

Beautiful Louisiana

Paul was asked to go to Louisiana for work.  When he called to tell me I was a little bummed that I was going to have to be alone for a couple days, until he told me that Audrey and I could come too.  So we headed out.  On the way there we stopped for dinner. There was a small little grill attached to a gas station,  I was a little skeptical because of the gas station part.  I ordered a guacamole burger and french fries.  I swear I have never eaten a burger that was better, and I wouldn't call myself a stranger to burgers.  It took up half my plate and I could hardly fit it in my mouth (which is saying something).  Let's just say it's a good thing that I don't live in that little town.  I have a feeling my waist line would be a lot thicker.    

Our first full night there we went to visit Paul's Mom's cousin Tom and his wife Toni.  It was so much fun to see the area where Paul's Mom grew up and meet some more of her family. They treated us so well....if there was ever "southern hospitality" I found it here.  We sat and chatted about family as we drank lemonade.  They gave us a tour of their beautiful plantation home and we had a traditional southern dinner. The food was so good I sometimes dream about it.
As we drove up to their place I was amazed by how gorgeous it was.  I was only further amazed as we walked through it. If Audrey hadn't started fussing we might have stayed there all night.  I have a feeling we will be back Tom!

Their Front Yard.....Seriously?

us and cousin Tom

Toni and Audrey

Audrey did not like her car seat on the way home. Eventually she fell asleep

10 Months

I'm a little behind.....about a month, but for good reason.  You'll have to forgive me because this time I can't skip ahead.  

What can I say about my girl. What would I do without you!  You are getting so big and it's making me sad to think you are almost a toddler.  You crawl so fast I can barely keep track of you, which can be messy sometimes. You just started to stand up.  Sometimes you think you are bigger than you are which usually ends in you crying, but that doesn't stop you from doing anything.  If my knees could handle it I would crawl after you all day because it makes you smile so big.  

I love you so so much!  

Independence Day

I apologize for the lack of pictures for this event.  The only picture I have with a person in it Paul took.  I guess my mind was on other things or I was traumatized and didn't have the frame of mind to take pictures.  I love the fourth of July.  But I had one of those moments this year that only exist in nightmares so it kind of ruined it for me.  We were headed to a barbecue and it started pouring rain.  The kind of rain I have never seen before.  Before I knew it we driving through 6 inches of water.  It looked like a shallow river was flowing around us.  Our wind shield wipers are toast so it's just making things worse and every time a semi goes by I stop breathing because everything disappears.  If that wasn't enough I've got a screaming baby siting next to me and lighting strikes a few yards from our car.  Those are the kind of fireworks I don't want to be seeing again any time soon!  Paul was trying to get me to find an address on the GPS...yeah right!  I needed to concentrate on breathing because I wasn't!  I needed a brown paper bag.

To most of you it may sound like I'm over reacting....I'm not, I guess you had to be there to understand.  

We finally arrived at the barbecue.  Thanks to Gods tender mercies.  Someday I'm going to get used to these Southern showers. 

This is a picture of a shower a few days before.  Mild in comparison...but you get the idea.

 The food and company more than made up for the ride over.  Thanks James, Jenny, Nicole, and Jason!  Yes I took a picture of the Hamburgers. 

Trains

I put Audrey into her swimming suit and swim diaper, lathered her up in sunscreen, and get myself dressed.  I open the door and Audrey squeals with excitement....we must not leave the house very often for her to be this excited.  I head down the stairs and then I remember that I need my wristband so they know I'm a resident. I haul everything back up the stairs.  Once I get everything together again we start out the door and I notice my side is wet.  I must not have gotten the diaper on quite right because she has just peed on me! Great.  I put everything down, wipe the pee off me, and get new diaper.  We head out again.  I make the trek to the pool and it's closed.  Awesome! You should have seen Audrey's disappointment when she found out we weren't going back out.  Maybe tomorrow.
Today we will watch Beethoven documentaries, eat banana bread, sing, chase each other around on our knees, and play trains till her Daddy comes home.

Paul called today and said he's going to Louisiana for a business trip next week and he wants us to come with him.  I guess we are going on a road trip!