I Canned Chicken

There is this company around here that you can get really great prices on boneless skinless chicken breasts. The downside to it is that they come fresh and in 40 pound boxes that you have to deal with right now. Last year I bought 80 pounds and it took us the whole year to use it. So, I figured this year I would replace the 80 pounds and buy an extra 40 and try to pressure can it.

Yah, I haven't really canned anything before. I did do butter after watching a homemaking meeting on it, and it was really easy. But with chicken, we are talking germs and raw meat and all kinds of scary stuff that can kill a family. And then add in a pressure cooker and there is all kinds of stuff I wouldn't normally consider even touching with a ten foot pole. This is all new territory for me.

I have this problem. I can't be defeated. I want to be able to do anything that I want to do. And I wanted to learn how to can chicken because it is something I didn't know how to do. 

So, I got my hands on a pressure canner. Grabbed all those jars that my mom had given me. Cleaned it all up. Got the 120 pounds of chicken, threw 80 of it in my freezer, and then loaded about 19 jars with the remaining 40 pounds of chicken. All the little tidbits and fat that was cut off the chicken I put into a large stock pot with onions, carrots, and celery, and let that bad boy boil for several hours. I made my own broth! I know broth is better if it is made from boiled bone, but I didn't have any of that available. And I was grateful for that because I don't like to deal with the bone. I also canned broth! 

I took those 19 jars of raw chicken, 15 jars of broth, put the boiled lids on top, screwed the bands on the jars, and placed 7 at a time into the pressure cooker with some water.

 Then I turned up the heat, let the pressure dial get to 11, and 90 minutes later turned off the heat, let the pressure come completely off, and wha la! I had canned chicken.

 I never knew it could be that simple. It took a lot of time, but so simple.

I have already used it in 2 meals and it was so easy. It made throwing together a last minute supper almost as easy as throwing in a frozen pizza. I LOVE having canned chicken on hand. And it tastes pretty good too. I wish I had only thrown 40 pounds into my freezer and canned 80. I love the convenience of having the chicken already done and how it literally falls apart to the touch.

Here is a label that was on one of the jars I got from my mom. Looks like my Gramps, who passed away shortly before Taneal was born, used these jars to can jelly. So cool!

I Used To Be . . .

Today I decided to clean out my closet. I took 9 trash sacks worth of stuff out of there and either gave it away, hauled it to Good Will, or threw it in the trash. My closet looks much better. It is the "catch-all" for my home because it is the size of a small bedroom. It even has two windows in it. But it had collected too much clutter and I was tired of stepping over the mess.

Some of the stuff in my closet was things I need to keep. Like boxes of pictures, scrapbooks, school supplies, shoes, etc. But there was so much of things that I used to do, like crafts.

I used to scrapbook a lot. Taneal probably has 10 scrapbooks from the first few years of her life. Camie has almost as many. Danielle not so great. I moved when I was 7 months pregnant with her, she cried the first 8 months of her life 24/7. And then Spencer was born 22 months later with a move 1200 miles away included in there. That is when the life I lived completely changed.

I also used to tole paint. And make cards. And decorate cakes. And sew.

I don't know if it was 4 children very fast. Or was it all those blasted moves? I think it mostly had to do with 4 children that needed me. I remember very well after Spencer was born, trying to scrapbook. And sew Halloween costumes. I had a monthly subscription to a scrapbook magazine and post-it notes all through it of pages I was going to copy. I tried to do those pages and my children just wouldn't let me. I could not find the time. I completed the Halloween costumes, but with too much contention. It frustrated me beyond where I should have frustrated. I realized then that I just would have to put the "me" things on hold for a few years and put my children first.

Out went the unnecessary frustration. In came the cob webs over all my scrapbooking stuff. All those little crafts that I did with my first children also began collecting the dust. The fabric is still sitting there, with specific projects in mind. I just couldn't do it anymore.

Today I cleaned out much of that stuff. I no longer scrapbook at all. I do blog. And I have learned how to digital scrapbook because it takes up so little space and it doesn't make a mess. I decided that all those little crafts that I used to do with Taneal and Camie and hadn't touched in 8 years, probably wouldn't be touched for another 8 years or never. They were so old and the paints were all dried out, the glue sticks junk. The insturction lost. Missing pieces.

It was my old life.

I used to do all that. The part that surprises me the most is it feels good to have it cleaned out. To have the free space available in my closet. I kind of want to go clean out more. But I am resisting a lot of it because I will use it to help the kids with school projects. And maybe one day I will sew those things.

I don't think I will scrapbook again, at least not with paper and scissors. I never thought I would ever think that because I loved to do it so much. I used to be all that, but not anymore.

I am good with that.

I like who I have become. I don't have really any hobbies right now that don't have to do with my children. But I am happy. I am fulfilled. And I like my life. Even without all the things that I used to be.

Contention

Everyone is all so different. Some of us have a charismatic ability when we are around others. Some of us are easily offended and get upset. And then some of us aren't charismatic or easily offended and just take things in stride stay calm and unaffected.

My children all seem to possess one of the above characteristics. I'm not sure which one I have. And that really doesn't matter. But I do have one child that life just seems to be a little bit harder for. She gets offended easily and lashes back quickly. Her tongue is sharp and her temper flares. But then she forgives so quickly and is so helpful and loving. She is either on or off. One extreme or the other. Not in the bipolar sense. Just moody.

There are times when she refuses to practice her piano. Then her mouth gets the best of her. Or her sister will wiggle the bunk bed too much while she is climbing to the top. Or her sister will flip the light on in the morning. Or someone will accidentally block her way or step in the way. And she lashes out.

The conflict we had last night began with piano. She hurried in and practiced her piano in about 2 minutes. Told me it was done. Her piano teacher had just mentioned to me that effective practicing wasn't happening and the lesson plan wasn't being followed and could I please double check practicing? So that is what I was doing. I asked her to get the lesson plan and then I asked her if she had done each individual item. Of course the answer was no to everything. She had not practiced her assignment. And then her mouth lost control. I asked her to please talk nice to me so she quit talking. But the glares I got could kill. I asked to have that stop. She mouthed off again, had to do laps in the backyard. I told her she wouldn't be able to play with her friend after school the next day without practicing. However, she needed to go to bed because this situation just wasn't working.

She did go to bed. But this morning she was still fuming. Wouldn't hardly talk to me. And in scripture reading with the children this morning we read this verse:

3 Nephi 29-30
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

I can't really get rid of this child, nor do I want to.

But we can't have the spirit of contention in our home. I have pondered a lot on this trying to figure out how to handle the situation.

We also sing a song as we begin our scripture reading. It is the same song each day for the entire month. Yes, it does get old, but the children are learning the hymns. The song we are learning this month is "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel". And in that song it says,

". . . and work and watch and fight and pray with all your might and zeal."

We need to work. We also need to fight for that which is right. And definitely pray. You have to pray.

So how do you work, watch, fight, and pray fervently without creating the spirit of contention?

The Savior threw the money changers out of the temple. He overturned the tables. He fought for that which was right. And I know he did it without the spirit of contention. Miracle right there!

I also know that should not provoke our children. Which is why I asked my daughter to go ahead and go to bed. Verse 30 above says that we should not stir up the heart one with another. Provoking my child would be doing just that.

Now I have to figure out what to do. I know piano isn't anything comparable to the money changers at the temple. And I have to fight for what is right, not whether my child becomes more talented. But I do have to fight for the spirit of peace in my home. And the sharp words, dirty looks, and short tempers are not okay. They bring the spirit of contention into my home.

I think I am beginning to figure out a solution, which is how the spirit speaks to me, reveals things to me. I start to have ideas that build upon thought and things I read, conversation I may have with others. I think the answer lies within myself. I still need to teach. I still need to love. I still need patience. I also need to make sure that love is in my heart, in my speech, and mannerisms as I teach my children. As I handle the situation with this child. Specifically this child.

 I can't change my child and how she feels. That is her responsibility.

I can change how I handle things. I can do the same kind of things without letting the spirit of contention in my heart. I can also be careful that I don't provoke my child. I can throw the money changers out. I can correct the behavior. But I can't let that contention in my heart. And I need to be careful of what I do and say so that I am showing love and not provocation. That's where the work part of that song comes into play. Anytime we want solutions and help with our problems, we have to be willing to work. Anything of value always require work. When I figure this out it will be invaluable!

I still need to work on my solution. It will come. It always does when I couple it with prayer. And part of it came this morning as we were reading 3rd Nephi together along with the song. Heavenly Father is real. He is very aware of our needs. He wants to communicate with us. The hard part is we have to be willing to listen. And listen in subtle ways. He is there.

Indiana On the Brain

Nathan eats, drinks, and even sleeps Indiana Jones. When we drive, I have to play the Indiana Jones theme song or Nathan is just all kinds of a mess. I do tire of listening to it, but figure it is classical music and that is supposed to be goof for the brain, right? I'm not even sure where Nathan was introduced to Indiana Jones. I think we may have a wii game, but Nathan doesn't even know how to use the wiimote, so I can't imagine why he would be so infatuated with Harrison Ford.

 

He talks about Indiana Jones like Spencer talked about coyotes when he was little.

Yesterday he fell asleep on the way home from school in the stroller. I picked him up and carried him to the couch. While I was carrying him, his eyes were still shut and his body was limp, his was softly humming duh, duh, duh . . duh da duh, duh da duh. He kept humming it until I laid him on the couch and he slept another hour.

I don't think he was even awake while he was humming it. I think he was dreaming sweet Indiana Jones dreams.

Happy 2nd Birthday Gavin

This cute little boy had his 2nd birthday. And he was seriously so stinkin' cute! Camie begged to decorate his birthday cake so I caved and let her. He likes Care Bears right now so I figured I would top the cake with some figurines that he liked and that would make for a cute but simple cake that Gavin would love. And I was right. He really liked his cake and didn't care that it wasn't meticulously decorated. Camie did a great job and I was quite impressed. That girl has talent.

 

Gavin was so cute when he blew out his candles. He blew the first one out no problem. But that second one was for some reason hard. He blew and blew and blew. He finally blew it out and was so proud. For the next few days, every time I asked him about his birthday, he would blow. Too cute!

 

I kind of dropped the ball completely on Gavin's birthday. He didn't care. The Sunday of his birthday I was so busy. I had been gone at Time Out For Women. I got home from TOFW at 5pm, had a baby shower at my home for my sister at 7pm. It was busy. One of my counselors took Sharing Time for me in Primary the next day. But I had ward council after church. And I was exhausted. I really shouldn't have been so exhausted, but I was. I was overly exhausted this day and I couldn't pull my act together. I decided since Gavin didn't care, I was going to postpone his day and do it when I could enjoy it. I didn't have the energy to prepare a dinner and have all the family over. So I didn't. I feel a little guilty about that, but not so much that I changed what I was doing. Seriously, I so tired. I wonder if it is my heart acting up. That's what the doctor said would happen.  

 

His birthday was only a week late. But we still celebrated it. And he was a happy little boy. He still can't hold two fingers up to show how old he is, but if I help him he can hold it for a few seconds and he is so proud.

 

He is talking quite a bit. Can say or communicate just about everything. He still is in diapers by choice. He can use the toilet and occasionally does, but also will run naked and have accidents all over the place. So we will keep the diapers until he is ready. He still refuses to sleep in his bed. The preference is mine (and I swore I would never have a kid in my bed EVER. That's what I get for saying that. I was and am too exhausted to train him to sleep in his bed. I cave when I get tired and thus he won't sleep in his own bed. I know, I know.) He likes Care Bears and Go, Diego, Go. He has only started watching movies in the last month or so and it is a blessing sent from heaven.

 

Probably the biggest characteristic about Gavin vs. all the rest of my children is how much Gavin likes to be my helper. That child is by my side constantly. Like the whole day and night. Whatever I am doing he wants to be helping me do it. He helps me make supper. He helps me unload the dishwasher. He unfolds the laundry for me. He showers with me. He sleeps with me. He types on the keyboard with me when I try to get on the computer. He likes me to read books to him. He likes to snuggle. He wants to be by my side constantly. And I really love that about him most of the time. It is so cute how he wants to be so involved with whatever I do. I have figured out how to have his constant help. When I am making bread sticks, I let him eat some of the dough. He helps put the peperoni and cheese in the pizza rolls and eats some of the dough. He is getting pretty good and helping too. Sometimes he really is successful.

 

Gavin also loves to kiss. He smooches with me a lot. He can be in a light sleep and will roll over and kiss me and then go right back to sleep. It is the sweetest thing. He also likes to pull up his shirt and put his bear belly on mine. Where does this kid come up with things like that? And he likes me to hold him. I'm sure his love language is going to be touch!

 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Gavin!

Bubble Baths Aren't Just for Girls

They say barbies are for girls and so are bubble baths. And yes, girls do like them.

But so do my boys. My boys will take barbie cars and zoom them around. They'll play with those same toys, just in a different way. Yes, even barbies. But usually they aren't dressing them. They are doing something like fighting with them.

 Spencer got these bubbles for his birthday and his two brothers joined him in the tub for good fun. They played and played and played. They had so much fun.

 

Spencer kept asking if he could do this every day after school because this was so much fun.

The nice thing about putting bubbles in the jacuzzi tub is that it really makes lots of bubbles. A whole lot of bubbles from hardly any soap. And when the bubbles start to fade, turn on the jets and the bubbles are right back.

 

Of course he bubbles got so high that I was afraid I might loose Gavin in them. I had to keep my eyes on him and be careful not to get distracted at all because one slip and I wouldn't be able to see him in all those bubbles.

 

See, boys do like the same things as girls, just a little different.

Fairy Dust

I'm not sure what the problem seems to be, but the tooth fairy is quite forgetful or just too busy to visit our home as needed. It seems like repeatedly that fairy doesn't come and my children come into my room the next morning in tears wondering why the tooth fairy didn't come.

How could she possibly forget?

Well, Spencer lost his tooth at school and brought it home in this fun little case. He asked if the tooth fairy was going to take his tooth. I told him if he wanted $$ for it then she had to take it. He told me that he didn't want the tooth fairy to take his tooth.

The next morning, he came in so sad and wondered why the tooth fairy didn't come. My response, "You told me you didn't want the tooth fairy to come!"

He sadly said, "I changed my mind. I put my tooth under my pillow and she didn't come."

Well, I told him that if he wanted the tooth fairy to come that he had to tell me.

Spencer wanted to know why I needed to know

Me: Because someone has to let her in.

Spencer: You've seen the tooth fairy?

Me: Of course! (we are walking on uncharted territory here. I realized my mistake. But I have to tell the truth)

Spencer: What does she look like?

Me: I don't really know. She sprinkles fairy dust and it makes me forget. (I really wish I was quick on my feet.)

Spencer: I want her to sprinkle fairy dust on me. That would be so cool. I don't care if it makes me forget.

So, the next morning, sure enough, the tooth fairy came, left a few gold dollars, and a little trail of fairy dust on Spencer's pillow. It was magical. He talked about it all morning. He talked about it to the crossing guard. To all his friends in his class. I went to lunch with him and his teacher even mentioned how excited Spencer had been to tell all his classmates about the fairy dust the tooth fairy left behind.

The crossing guard told me of the conversation she overheard Spencer had with our neighbor friend and Danielle while they were waiting for me to catch up with the stroller:

Spencer to Emma: You'll never believe what the tooth fairy left on my pillow! Fairy sparkle dust!

Danielle: Spencer, you know fairy's aren't real.

Spencer: I know the fake ones aren't real. But I believe in the real ones.

Emma: Yah, me too. I only believe in the real ones.

Danielle: Yah, the tooth fairy is one of the real ones.

And then I caught up to them and missed the whole conversation, didn't even realize they had had it until the crossing guard told me on the way home.

I love the magic and excitement that things like the tooth fairy and leprechauns and Santa and the Easter Bunny bring. I'm careful. I got sloppy this time. Said more than I usually say. I want their imagination to do the work, not me deceiving them. I made an exception this time because they caught me. The fairy dust didn't make me completely forget . . .

 

Stay Calm and Volley On

I have been able to attend all of Taneal's volleyball games so far. Pretty cool because it is quite a big committment. Seriously big. Especially when she signed up and tried out for the team, I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We were so excited and proud of Taneal for making the team because it was a HUGE deal to make the team. It still is pretty cool she made the team. But wow! I had no idea that she would have to be at practice three times a week at 6:45am. And that every Thursday would be game day that she wouldn't get home from school until 8pm. Twice in the season she would have games Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. All good, but you add orchestra, piano, Young Women, all Pre-ap classes, and the homework load of 7th grade, and you have one very busy Taneal.

 

We are still very excited about this oportunity she gets to play. She is pretty good and she will get even better, which will help her to play church volleyball as youth and adult. Pretty cool skills she is learning.

She really likes being on the team, just the juggeling factor of everything else can get overwhelming for her. She has to run the mile every morning and her times are slowely dropping, which makes her happy.

 

And she has fun at the games. Her Sunday School teacher even showed up for her game. His wife had delivered her second set of twins a week earlier. The babies were still in the hospital. So, they wanted to be supportive to Taneal. They brought their other set of 3 year-old twins to the middle school and watched Taneal play. They figured once their new set of twins were home, they probably wouldn't be able to make it to another one of Taneal's games. How cool was that? Taneal felt an amazing amount of love from that Sunday School teacher. Wow!

 

Isn't her serve beautiful?

 

Juicing

We are juicing in my home. Juicing a lot. Becuase Evan's brother juiced and lost something like 40 pounds in a month. Plus we watched the show "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" on Netflix.

 

Bryce convinced Evan to juice. Katie (Bryce's wife) got me a juicer. Blessed woman. And now I am juicing. Katie took me shopping for produce to juice. I couldn't believe the amount of produce I bought. I was sure it would all go bad before I had a chance to use it.

 

None of it went bad and I used it all. Evan drank all these weird concoctions. Carrot and pear juice with lettuce juice. Pineapple and apple strawberry juice. Celery and apple watermelon juice. We did break the "juice" diet and Evan ate unjuiced celery sticks and carrots and bell peppers. Okay maybe a few hundred grapes.

 

He stuck to it better than I could have.

After two weeks he had had enough of the juice fast and added in a little. He won't tell me how much weight he has lost, but I know he has lost some.

He says he feels a lot better.

I make a green smoothie for him for breakfast and lunch.

I just couldn't believe I actually went through all that produce!

Danielle's Baptism

Danielle chose to be baptized. We were so excited that she wanted to make these covenants with her Father in Heaven. Danielle is a beautiful girl with a precious and wonderful personality. She is so sweet, kind, and loving.

 Evan was able to baptize her.

My parents and my sister and her family were able to come from out-of-town for the occasion. We have a lot of family living close and they were all able to come celebrate the baptism. Check out all the family that was able to be there. My brother and his wife and 3 children split right after the baptism, so they weren't here for the picture. I counted 27 people at my home afterwards, all family. So cool!

Here is just my family. I look like that frazzled mom that I feel like. Seriously, I hope I'm not being judged by how well (or unwell) my children are put together. I was just lucky to have them all in their church clothes and get my talk prepared. It was a busy day. And such a special day. And I was somewhat oblivious of much else. I was just happy to be there with Danielle. She is such a wonderful daughter.

My mom gave Danielle a gold necklace. She was excited to wear it. Here I am helping her put it on.

Here is Taneal warming up before the meeting. She played "I Know My Savior Loves Me" on her viola accompanied by my sister, Dorias. My niece, Rebecca, sang the song. It is Danielle's favorite song and she was so excited that Rebecca was going to sing it for her. Also pretty cool that Taneal is talented enough to be able to play along on her viola.

Gavin figures out how to get his own drink

Check out my son. Where did he learn this?

 

I'm not talking about his nakedness.

 

Look what that kid is doing in the sink!

 

He didn't ask me for a drink. He decided to get his own out of the sink. And since that stool he is standing on wasn't tall enough to get his lips to the faucett, he extended the water by putting his hand up there, had the water roll into the palm of his hand where he slurped it up.

 How did this barely 2 year old think of that? Genious! And he didn't get a cup dirty!

I fighting feeling a litle guilty because I wonder if him being the yougest of 6, that he felt he had to do this to survive. I really would have gotten him a drink. But he didn't ask. Poor kid. Maybe I need to give him a little more attention. At least get him dressed!

Time Out For Women

I was recently able to leave my children for a night and go out with the girls!

This was a big deal because I haven't EVER left my children overnight with my husband. We once left our children for a cruise with my family, but I left my children with a very capable female (my SIL Becky).

I was a little nervous, but nobody else was. So I sucked up my anxiety and had a great time. We weren't gone that long, just Friday night and Saturday. And when I returned, I was told I wasn't even missed.

My mom arranged for all of us to go: My two sisters, my mom, and three of my sister-in-laws. That's a whole lot of us. Only two of my sister-in-laws were missing, one had a baby the day after this convention. She had a good excuse not to go. And my other sister-in-law's husband was in North Dakota for work. The whole child care arrangements were tricky. She had a good excuse also.

It was such an uplifting weekend with Hillary Weeks and a few other guest speakers. Of course I can't remember who those guest speakers were because I live in a bubble and never leave my home and don't have television and have no idea who anybody is unless they are in my ward or family or swim class. But I think they were pretty cool people because they sure knew how to speak well and made me feel like I was an amazing, superstar mom and woman.

See, it was all worth it to go. And I also got to hang out with the coolest people ever. Who wouldn't love hanging out with all us girls?

My mom arranged to have my best friend growing up and her mom stay in the hotel room with us. It was fun to be with Heather and get a little reacquainted. We were so busy and there were so many of us that we really didn't get to spend much time visiting. But she is still fabulous and an amazing person.

The only thing I would have changed about this whole weekend was 2 things: I would have liked for my other 2 sister-in-laws to have been there. And I would have liked to come into the weekend well rested and full of energy so I could have stayed up all night visiting and laughing and joking and teasing and acting like a teenager again. But I brought all my exhaustion. I was so stinkin tired that I actually broke down and bought a Dr. Pepper and drank it during this convention in front of all those Mormon women. I was sure someone was going to take it straight from my hands and call me to repentance. But that didn't happen, they were all on their best behavior.

I wish I had oodles of time so that I could write about all the inspirational things I learned at this convention. Bottom line: I am amazing and I can do amazing things. And what is even better is I have this incredible super power called Jesus. With the strength He has and is willing to give to me, I can do anything. I can receive inspiration. I can make it through my trials and challenges (not that I have any, of course). All I have to do is ask. I also need to be willing to work, which I am. And I have to trust Him. Trust that he knows better than I. And everything will be fine.

Intermediate Swimmer

I know, I know. I shouldn't be so excited. But I am. And I know I am silly. But it was one of those moments that I smiled and almost literally patted myself on the back. I resisted the patting.

Today in swim class (And they changed the name to "Master Swimming"), the coach reassigned the lanes we swim in based on speed and skill. There was the beginning lane, the one I've been swimming in since, well, I began swimming. Then one intermediate late, and two advanced lanes.

Guess where she put me?

You got it! The intermediate lane. I'm not a beginning swimmer anymore!

Yes, my 10 year-old daughter can still out swim me.

But that isn't the point.

My swim teacher called me intermediate. That is so very cool. I am just beaming with joy at the thought that I am no longer beginning.

A year ago I never thought this day would happen.

I have been working pretty hard. Not just for Summer of Seals. I take a swim class at the gym and swim usually about 2000+ Meters two to three times a week. It is a powerful workout and so amazing. Amazing because I can actually do it. And it helps that several of my friends are in the class with me.

I'm still relishing the memory of being called an Intermediate swimmer. Silly, I know.

Macey's Cones

Check out the ginormous cones we got a Macy's in Utah. And these were small. And under $1. Such a fun treat to get them while on vacation. Course it wasn't Blue Bell ice cream so I didn't have any. Not an ice cream fan. But the rest of my family loved it!

Eric's Laugh

My little brother that moved here can be so much fun. He probably never thought I would say that about him. Check out this 5 second video. It makes me giggle every time I watch it!

Pediatrician Advertising

This is what we found at the pediatrician's office. I can see why the doctor chose to use it because it is free, but Seriously. What will they think of next? This is a little ridiculous!

In Dad's Arms

We drove from our hotel to the reception of Seth and Kara. Nathan and Gavin were so tired and fell asleep on the way. I can carry two sleeping kids, but not when they are this big. I thought it was cool to see Evan carrying his two boys like this.