A Peek into Corbin's Life

This is Corbin coming home from Pre-school. On Thursdays the bus driver gives the children treats.
She usually gives Corbin 2 so that he can share with his little brother, Cooper.

Corbin has EXTREME allergies to dairy and egg. Everything he eats must be checked for these ingredients.


As soon as Corbin is inside his house the backback is dropped and shoes and socks come off.
Meanwhile, Mom is checking the ingredients of the candy. Insufficient information!


Mom and Corbin rush to the computer to the candy manufacturers' website to check for ingredients.
Not helpful.
Corbin is so patient.

Next they run to the phone to call the 800 number of the company. A hopeful Corbin declares,
" All CLEAR!" while Mom is Still on the phone.

Meanwhile Little Brother is roaming around enjoying his sucker.
Alas, the results are....the suckers were processed with a machine that also processes products that contain milk.
BooHOO!


Mom saves the day when she suggests that Corbin could have 2 DumDum suckers!!!
Happy BOY and one Smart MOMMA

As a witness, may I say that Corbin was patient and understanding through this entire procedure. Surely, it has been repeated many times over.

A Miracle

Sunday Night after spending the entire evening working on Proposition 8 with Craig and neither of us having time for dinner I considered the busy upcoming week. In prayer I expressed to Heavenly Father that I had too much to do. Then I listed them...Prop 8 on Monday, teach a 1 1/2 hour scripture class on Tuesday, Serve in the temple 8 hours on Wednesday, Stake Enrichment Night on Thursday, visit Dad and Mom a few times, and work more hours on Prop. 8, prepare a talk for Sacrament mtg. and a Relief Society lesson as well. I asked Him for HELP!

Monday a MIRACLE came! I was told that a change had just been made and I would not need to give a lesson on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!

Sunday Six

A wonderful week on land! Here are 6 things I am grateful for:

1. The most important thing to do once we were home from vacation was to visit my father in Rehab. Leaving town while he was still in the hospital was a difficult thing to do. Happily, he is doing well. He can sit himself up in bed, walk a bit with a walker, and practices his leg lifts. He hopes to be home in a week or so. Wonderful!
2. Darling Mom has been at Dad's bedside every single day-hours on end. She is and always has been the best example of how to be a loving person. She is always optimistic and cheery.
It was her birthday this week. She wanted to spend it with her Man so Craig and I took her presents and a birthday cake to Rehab.
3. I have such a FUN husband. He let me dress him up for a costume party! I owe him BIG TIME!
4. A few days ago Jan celebrated her birthday. We have been friends since we were both 27...long time ago. To call her a friend seems inadequate. She is more like a sister to me. She lives far away but we talk almost daily and communicate through blogging. Her health is poor. She deals with the decline with grace and gratitude. I love her. Happy Birthday, Jan
5. Stake Conference was this weekend. Going to church has always been a favorite pastime. Everything about it is wonderful. This morning we sat on the front row and were able to watch dear friends Rene , Donnette , JoLynn, Julie,and Kari sing in the choir. The first song taught that when our hearts are filled with love the Savior will come and make our home a heaven on earth. The melody, beautiful voices, lyrics were beautiful. Watching Donnette sing filled my heart. She bore testimony of the words through facial expressions and the subtle motions of her body. I am grateful for sincere, talented, and beautiful friends. (No Photo for this one!)

6. OK! This may be the best one of ALL. My brother and his family are moving back to town! TODAY! They moved to Arizona 3 years ago. We have been in mourning ever since. Since they are returning to their local homestead Mom and I were able to create a Heart Attack to welcome them back.

Even though we have been home for 5 days and there have been piles of mail and laundry, hundreds of email and phone calls to attend to, dust and duties I am still RELAXED.
15 days away is just about right.

Did I mention...

That Hawaii is BEAUTIFUL?
Or that we saw amazing botanicals?

Hibiscus flower

This looks like a yellow (which I have never seen before)
Hydrangea but the leaves aren't the same.

Does any one know what it is?

A Banyan tree that covers a park

OR
That we waited up past midnight in the COLD WIND to see an active Volcano

The night was black as pitch. You can imagine our emotions when we spotted this phenomenal natural wonder.....There it is! We would rather have been sleeping!

OR

We laughed at the towel creations made by our steward

This is a reptile about to strike at a darling little bird

Or that we made friends with a very nice Homosexual couple
This is Terry and Brian. We met them on our Kayak tour. Only 5 of us had signed up for this experience. In 3 two-man kayaks we traveled across a bay then into a river which took us to a lagoon with waterfalls, banyan trees and cliff jumpers. Terry was especially fun. He stalled their kayak under a fall SOAKING Brian. Craig didn't dare do that to me. We kayaked about 2miles or more! Another act of COURAGE on my part.

OR

That we played pool on a table that moves up and down to stay balanced as the ship moves with the waves

We challenged Dan and Cherrie to a game of pool. We won (no thanks to Me). Well, I did make 2 amazing shots in a row where the balls actually went in the pocket..but the next shot I barely hit the cue ball.

OR

That I had FUN!

Well, Let's get the record straight............
Craig+15 days+ Hawaii =

1 Happy Kris

SUNDAY SIX

On this beautiful Sunday afternoon I have so many reasons to REJOICE! I will share a few of them...Six to be specific..

1. VACATIONS! 2 weeks alone with Craig. No phone (to speak of), no computer, no housework, no meetings, no assignments, no work....just relax, eat, play, talk, eat and watch the sea and eat some more!

This is the pool area on our ship...where we spent some very restful time. The ship was beautiful. We love to be on the sea. We love everything about cruising.


2. BEAUTY OF THE EARTH Hawaii is so very beautiful. The green is beautiful. The flowers are beautiful. The colors of the ocean waters display more hues of blue than can be described.

We saw Banyan trees, waterfalls in a lagoon that we kayaked to, chickens roaming free, beautiful skies, stars galore and many beautiful people.

Craig and I will go back and explore more of Hawaii someday.

The ocean is magnificent. We love being on it; the swaying of the boat, the crashing of waves, the fresh air, the surprises in the weather, the power of a huge ship floating through the vast sea.

3. COURAGE
I admit that the whole idea of snorkeling made me nervous. We went way out into the ocean to a crater to snorkel. The captain of the boat that took us there said the water was 100 feet deep! All we had to do was jump in the ocean and stick our face in the water and breath just right to see we were surrounded by fish. Well, there are a whole lot of elements to that last sentence to cause CONCERN!

But, I did it! I stuck my face in the water and was AMAZED at the beauty. It was an entirely different world. The turquoise water was crystal clear. Pink and bright yellow coral decorated the bottom of the sea while amazing fish glided all around me. It was one of the best hours of my life.

4. CRAIG
Craig is such a fun traveling companion. This photo depicts him in his tuxedo. Isn't he a good sport to get all dressed up? He knows that it means a lot to me. I'm a 'Fancy Nancy'. So, Formal night on a cruise is just pure delight to me. Isn't he a hunk?

Craig is fun in more ways than wearing a tux. He has a fun sense of humor, he is so interesting to talk with, he loves adventure, he is a good sport ( he let me win most of the ping pong games but he killed me in pool), he talks about the gospel often, and best of all he loves me. He knows how to make me feel loved. He says and does just the right things.

5. HEALTH
This is a photo of us looking sad. Poor Craig contracted an intestinal bug during our cruise. On the 3rd day of it he went to the ship doctor to see if they had better medicine than our regular old Imodium. BANG! He was placed on 48 hour quarantine and 24 hours for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, this is a photo of us in Honolulu ! That beautiful sight out our window is all that Craig got to see that day!
And he never saw Kona. I did. He insisted that I go without him. It turned out to be lots of fun. Before I ever left the ship a gentleman asked to be my traveling companion. So, I went on a date in Kona. Here is my friend, Bill.


6. GOSPEL FRIENDS

To our delight Dan and Cherrie Martin were assigned at our dinner table. They are from Utah. We had wonderful conversations with them. It felt good to associate with people we had so much in common with. Their son had received his mission call the very day our cruise began. They had invited us to tour Honolulu with them. Dan gave Craig a priesthood blessing before they departed for their fun day. It was a comfort to have the priesthood available.

ALOHA!
WE ARE ON A HAWAIIAN CRUISE!
We will miss you...
True or False?

SUNDAY SIX

This week I feel GRATEFUL for many Gifts Heavenly Father has given me.

1. At the top of the list are my PARENTS

This week my dad fell and fractured his left hip. He is awaiting surgery in Loma Linda Hospital. Mom is by his side. Waiting. My gratitude is boundless to them and for them, for their love, their goodness and for their steadfastness.

2. My parents' love for each other is a great example to me, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and ANYONE who knows them. While Dad was lying on a gurney in the emergency room, in pain, he asked for a blanket for Mom, he worried that she was cold.

3. This is the LOVE of my LIFE! Craig. He is MY Miracle Man. I am constantly amazed at his goodness, wisdom, humility and how much he loves me. He brings to my life just what I need to be more. He is everything to me. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

4. Children, Grandchildren, brothers and sisters...I love them so. This week I received many phone calls wishing me Happy Birthday from these beloved people.

5. Friends! I wish I dared put photos of all the friends who have contacted me this week to wish me a Happy birthday. Whoever thought of celebrating birthdays deserves a BIG Thank YOU! It is wonderful to be remembered.

6. The Plan of Salvation. Today I taught the Relief Society lesson on this most important subject. Joseph Smith described the The Plan as "a most precious morsel", a "supply of strength" and suggests that it should, "occupy our strict attention and be regarded as one of heaven's best gifts." My thoughts, words and deeds are truly shaped by my understanding of God's plan for me/us.


I hope wonderful Gifts come the way of each of this coming week and that we RECOGNIZE them. God Bless US!

56th Birthday

Today is my 56th Birthday!
I made a list of 56 Reasons to Rejoice!
But, the list isn't complete.
I keep thinking of more Reasons.
I feel so blessed.
That's because I am blessed.
We all are.
Some are blind to the Miracles they Receive.
I SEE MIRACLES.
So, I REJOICE EVERMORE!
Yet, I know I don't see them all.
My prayer is that I will SEE More Clearly HIS Hand in my Life.
And may you!

Micah is a Soccer Player

Micah attended his very first soccer practice today.

Before leaving the house he willingly posed for photos
with the press (Grandma).

Daddy took him to meet his new team.

When told to get in a circle the team of 3 year olds
didn't know what that meant.
There is a lot to learn about soccer when you are 3.

Micah's favorite part of the practice? TREATS!

Princess Rapunzel's Birthday Tea Party

All dressed up and waiting for the guests Princess Rapunzel (Makayla) and I posed in front of the castle for our photo. The Princess is wearing her very favorite dress. She has loved it for about 3 years. She has other dresses in her closet that are more Princess-like but they were not chosen for this event.




This darling Tea Pot cake was the centerpiece to the table.
It was created by Lori, Makyala, and Me





Makayla was such a good hostess. Her friends all had fun. She made sure the games they played were fun. She accepted her gifts with graciousness. She was adorable.
We Love Each Other!

I'm going to Play Grandma
So I will be
out of state for a few days.
Bye BYE!

I will be attending Makayla's
Princess Rapunzel's Tea Party Birthday!

Yes, I packed my princess dress and jewels

SUNDAY SIX or SEVEN

1. Makayla attended kindergarten for the first time on Wednesday. It was an emotional day for her. Walking away from her mom and little brother that day wasn't easy to do. She felt sad BUT she knew she was beautiful. She had slept all night with rollers in her hair. Daddy let her use his pillow so she would be especially comfortable. With her pink backpack and lots of darling curls she was ready for school. As, her mom says, "Only 12 years plus college left."

2. Micah (Makayla's brother) attended Pre-school for the first time on Wednesday. He hard a very hard time waking up for his big day. He had to walk all the way to Pre-school. Which meant walking through his backyard to the backyard of the neighbor's and then inside their house! With Play-Doh, coloring, stories and bubbles he was thoroughly convinced that Pre-school is fun.

3. Entering the BLOG world has been a big deal to me. I love journaling but that is personal. To BLOG is to be open to others. That is NOT easy for me. This feels BIG. And there are rules to learn...like be sure to check all your friends blogs daily because important things happen you might miss....like there may be an award waiting for you (Thank you, Lura!)! And now I see my life as..."Oh, I could BLOG this rather than, "oh, that was nice." But, it is wonderful to expand my world and embrace friendships more fully.

4. Craig and I went on one of our favorite dates of the year. We always look forward to this event. We mark our calendars months in advance and don't let anything interfere. We talk and plan and imagine what it will be like this year. To tell you what it is ...well, that puts me in position to be mocked or who knows what. So, I'll let it go at that. But, we did have FUN. See, I do struggle with total openness on my blog.

5. Shannon and I met to look at fabrics. She wants to redecorate her already darling master bedroom. Whatever the reason, we were together. That is all that matters. My children are my best friends. Well, I have lots of best friends but they are the BEST.

6. Number 6 already? I need more! I loved to get to hear Sarah Palin... did you? Wow. She is dynamite.

7. I am involved in a political issue that is dear to my heart. I have been walking my precinct and calling voters and doing other support from home things. It feels wonderful to be involved in upholding Truth and Righteousness. YES! On Prop.8!

Pears and Peaches

What would you do if you suddenly had many pears
and hundreds of peaches?


Eat many? Check that one off
Slice them on cereal Yep.
Put them in our Isagenix shake? Ummm Delicious.
Peach cobbler? Check that one off THREE times!
Then what to do with the leftovers?
How about...............................And there is MORE in the Freezer!!!!!

Grandma's Magic Trick

Yes, this is my Magic Trick. Steele has been the magician in the family for years and years. I have given him some competition with this pie.
It tastes like APPLE PIE
It looks like APPLE PIE
It smells like APPLE PIE...but is it?
NO! There isn't an apple to found in it anywhere.

It's Zucchini Pie!

Even when the grandchildren found out the secret they still wanted second helpings.

I KNOW you want the recipe so here it is!

Z'Apple Pie
5 c. zucchini -peeled, sliced, remove seeds (every one...they are a give-away!)
Cover in water in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Drain well.
Make your own double pie crust or you can cheat and buy it.
Combine
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice
1 1/4 t. cream of tartar (I don't know why-just do it)
1 T lemon juice (A MUST)
3 T. cornstarch
Add this to the zucchini and place on pie crust lined pie plate.
Top with 2 T. butter
Then enclose with second pie crust
Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes (this makes the crust flakier) then lower to 350 degrees and cook 20 minutes

Let me know how the magic trick works for your family.