Ethan's Run

We had a chance to particpate in "Ethan's Run". It was so great to see everyone out in honor of "Ethan" and for raising awareness for kids born with heart defects. Great job Heidi - you did such a great job!!!

It was fun to hang with friends!

Katie, Baylie & Carson

Molly and her family came out too to walk!

"Team Iron Will" - we walked for Will!

Will was born with Hypo-plastic right heart. He has L-transposition, tricuspid atresia, double-oulet of the right ventricle. In other words - he only has one ventricle. He tried to self-correct his heart by transposing his heart. His surgery was the "Fontan"

I loved watching all the kids run! Look at this way cute smile of Will's!! LOVE IT!!

Several families that walked in honor of a child that they lost to this type of defect. 1 of 100 kids are born with CHD. I truly felt that our situation with Will was so much more effected because we knew before he was born what he ws going to be born with. I wish they would screen for this for every pregenant mom!

Walking with the Picketts!

Me, Marla & Deb - Me and Heidi -- "Ethan's Mom"

Overall best score winner sitting with all the "Heart Kids" I'm laughing at how Will is looking at him!

Will was principle pick/ & field Trip to Peralta Trails

This is a big deal for Will. Will has been trying really hard to reach his AR goals and improve in his reading and writing skills. He was the "principle's pick" this week. I was so happy for him.

The 4th grade went on a field trip to "Peralta Trails" with the AZ Don's. It was really interesting! They taught them how to lasso, the mexican cowboy, safe hiking, the story of the "lost dutchman", to pan for gold, and how to be responsible with our trash and why.

Valentine's Weekend

For Valentines Day Doug asked that I go riding with the family. Normally Doug goes with the boys or the kids. We went out. It was a great day! We BBQ. That night we had a bon-fire. It was a really good moment with the family!

FHE - Hygiene Kits

This post is a bitter-sweet post. So bare with me.

Lately I have been feeling that my kids need a kick in the pants. I'm sure I can't be the only one that feels today's generation is a little selfish. I have been discouraged that my kids don't realize how lucky they are. We have so much to be grateful for! Don't get me wrong - I know my kids over-all are GREAT kids. They surprise me at times. I just want my family to understand "When much is given . . . much is required". . . and not have them complain that they are doing to much.

Soooo what can I do to get my kids wanting the next ipod, 3g phone, always want to play instead of work - I know that our family needs to do more service work. Get us out of ourselves and more out there for others.

So in our Effort to have more service opportunities for FHE we made hygiene kits. I know this is nothing new - my kids have done it for mutual etc. . . But we wanted to make it more personal on a family level.

For FHE we watched the video from Pres. Monson "Have I Done Any Good in the Word Today" video that is on the LDS web-site. LINK

We watched some videos of Haiti on You-tube.

We read the Story of "Learning to Hope" . . . about a women that personally has used a hygiene kit in her life. It is such a powerful testimony to this humanitarian effort. LINK - This story is AMAZING!!

We ran over to Wal-mart and bought all of our stuff - and came back and put together all our our kits. We made 30 kits - on a whole it's not much, but something is better then nothing.

When the night was over - I really felt that there was a sense of - "we have it good" . . . "what more can we do to share our good fortune" The kids were really excited about the kits - they wanted to know if they would know the people they go to. It felt good to have done something good in the world today!

Canning

I have made a goal to can every Friday. I had my friend Shannon Morris come over and show me how to can "Chicken". I have done it once before - but not in my own home. I can't believe how easy it is. I have opened it up and we had the chicken for dinner. I can't believe how good it is. I have done - sausage, beef, chicken, beans. My sister-in-law Amy is really good. I call her for little tips along the way. She has made me potatoes, beans. We make the best White-Chili straight from our "Food Storage" - it is soooo good.

White-Chili Bean Soup (adapted from Leta Olsen - G3 Ward recipe)

White Lightening Bean Soup

2 bottles of White Northern Beans (or about 3 cans)

4-5 cooked chicken shredded (foodstoarge - 1 jar of chicken)

1 box of chicken broth (I use the wal-mart brand 16 oz)

1/4 cup chopped onion (use about 1 T of onion flakes - my family does not like onions)

1/2 cup of butter melted into broth

1 can of green chili's

Mix together - serve with homemade bread! Add to each bowl - shredded cheese & dab of sour cream

Left overs - I just put back into the canning jar

Soooo Yummy!