recipe for tricia

My husband grew up hating oatmeal. No matter how I tried to get him to try my oatmeal, he refused, saying he does not like oatmeal. Finally, after years of persuasion, he finally relented. And, guess what? He likes, hey Bobby (Life cereal commercial, remember?)! Here is the recipe that transformed him. We eat it often and everyone in my house loves it! Kind of like oatmeal cookies in a bowl!

Yummy Old Fashioned Oatmeal

makes about 6 servings

4 2/3 cups water
salt
3 cups old fashioned oats (NOT quick oats)
1 apple, cored, skinned, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp butter
brown sugar or maple syrup to taste, about 1/4 cup


Bring water and dash of salt to boil. Add oats and reduce heat to medium. (You can add the apples and raisins at this point, if you like them soft). Continue to cook and stir often for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Make sure you don't overcook it; NO MORE SOGGY OATMEAL!

Enjoy!
(In this version, I added flax seeds. I sometimes use pecans, pumpkin seeds, whatever I have available)

penguins and perspective

Maddie is in sixth grade. This is our last year with a child in elementary school, and I can hardly believe it. With each field trip, each special project, I am reminded that this is the last time. The last time of chaperoning a trip to the Denver Aquarium. The last time to sell Entertainment books (not too sad about that one...). The last time to paper mache a marine mammal. So many times in the past I have let these project stress me out, instead of letting them be the fun, creative experiences they are meant to be. I get irritated that I have to be involved in their homework when I have other things I want to do.

It's different when it's the last time. You learn to take it all in. You learn that you can't come this way again. The last times really are the last time. Funny how that realization brings perspective. Makes you realize how much joy there is in these every day moments. Somehow, the stress completely disappears.

You soak it in. You are present. Really present. And you thank God for giving you this moment.

Maddie chose to make an Adelie Penguin. And, guess what? We had fun doing it together.

I want to remember that each moment with my kids is the last time for that moment. I can never come this way again.

Homecoming 2011

Last week was a whirlwind of Spirit Week craziness! The week was packed with Nerd Day, Crazy Day, Spirit Day, Decades Day, football games, bonfires, volleyball, homework, life groups, cross country meets, homework, paper mache penguins, shopping for Homecoming apparel, ordering corsages, and the list goes on! Whew! Now that I've listed it out, I'm not even sure how we did everything!

Here is a glimpse at crazy day. Wish I had taken more pics throughout the week.
And, of course, there was the BIG dance! Nate had a date this year, Caleb went solo. Both were happy with their decisions, but both also wished they could've experienced the other way, too!

Here are my almost-men, ready for their night out!

Caleb, being goofy as always!

Nate met his date, Emily, at a friend's house, where close to 45 kids gathered for a Mexican fiesta before the dance.

Nate and Emily double-dated with Emily's best friend, Rachel, and Nate's good friend, James.

Hangin' with the guys

Caleb met up with a bunch of friends for pictures at Kaela's house, then headed to Olive Garden for dinner.

My boy looks a little too happy!

They had a great night! Feels surreal to have boys in high school, when I remember those days so clearly myself!