patiently starving and waiting for...

Pics to be posted later. I couldn't find any on the worldwideweb that would do the pending feast justice.

Our traditional t-giving spread always includes:

One 20+ lb bird-brined and baked to perfection (not shown, the bird you see is the "extra breast" just in case we ran out)
Grandma Kay's stuffing
Cranberry relish (fresh, nothing canned here, thanks!)
Mashed tots extraordinaire
Rusks (rolls, but kind of more like heaven)
Yam-Apple Casserole (I've never understood the canned yams with melted marshmallows. sick.)
All swimming in My gravy (secret ingredient...brined turkey juice)

Followed up with Pumpkin Pie and Peppermint *real* Whipped Cream
and Apple, Cherry, Peaches 'n Cream pies.

The in-laws added the traditional green beans, you know, the one with the crunchy stuff on top, and banana cream pie (sorely missed this year along with the people who usually bring it!)

Borrowed post. Thanks, Harbers!

The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.

When firearms go, all goes - we need them every hour.
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.

A free people ought...to be armed.

~ George Washington. Speech of Jan. 7, 1790 in the Boston Independent Chronicle, Jan. 14, 1790.

Currently scheduling a concealed weapons class for myself. I've never fired a gun before, but KNOW I need to know how. With an overwhelming democratic majority, I am concerned about the possibility of increasingly rigid gun control. Luckily Utah is still Republican, but still. Christmas????

catch up

Please ignore that I have the same cheesy smile in every picture. Halloween 2008. Good times. I was on candy duty. Thank you Em & Russ for hanging out with me and keeping me from absolute boredom. I was a flower pot. Pretty proud of this creation. Be was that LA ink girl and Em was a Native American. We're hoping the costume gets another use in a couple weeks on a special Thursday.


One of the great joys of unemployment...babysitting this tot. I found her like this, I swear! In the kennel with Scout. She loves that dog.

I missed the memo to cross one eye. Bebe is so talented.

Did not miss the kissy face memo.


Ashley Opal...the newest addition to my cousin Cory's family. I just couldn't get enough of her and her green eyes. She couldn't get enough of spitting up on my sweater. Luckily I layered.



Another cutie...one of a pair of twins. This is Aden. He and his identical twin bro, Xander belong to my cousin Meredith. Adorable.

I feel super lucky to live by so much family. On Sunday, three of my dad's brothers and their wives and three of my cousins and their families came over for dinner, not to mention my siblings with connected ones in tow (which included 11 kiddos from the next generation). We had an extended family preparedness FHE. My uncle, the patriarch of our family, bore his testimony of the importance of following the prophet--a rare treat for me that was very moving. I love my family.

Super Tuesday

I was nervous when I didn't see my absentee ballot in the mail that I wouldn't be able to vote in this election (my ballot came on Monday. Not enough time to mail back by 8pm Tuesday). Thanks to a little internet research and a helpful friend, I'm hoping my vote will be counted!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the outcome of today's election. Last night in family prayers, my mom felt inspired to pray that people would be inspired to vote for leaders who will protect the rights of unborn children. I feel like this is such a critical election and I didn't do enough research for the local politicians' and legislators' positions on such things as abortion. I hope that more vocal issues, such as president and prop 8--as important as they are--did not completely distract from others' proactive research like they did mine.

Trying to not be sick to my stomach.