February 14th: These past several weeks have been filled with grandchildren, cooking, birthdays, spring-like days, some snow days, and Valentines! And it started snowing late last night, so we woke up to a winter wonderland outside.
It's hard to believe that almost a whole year ago the pandemic fell on all of us and changed our lives. Now the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed and administered to the most vulnerable, but it's a long time before everyone can be vaccinated. But we continue to practice safe distancing in public places and to go forward in faith.
I've been keeping a Gratitude Journal since last month which I really enjoy. It reminds me of my countless blessings, and those blessings never cease.
Today is Valentine's Day and it's the sabbath. Mike came into our bedroom this morning with a handful of hand-written valentines. He's so sweet and loving. We are going to have filet mignon, pan fried red potatoes, and fresh spinach for our Valentine's meal. I also have a large bowl of salad that we can enjoy sometime today.
I made lots of mini cherry cheesecakes for our ministering families. I also made two large heart-shaped cherry cheesecakes--one for my sister Jacqueline Babbitt and her family and the other for our bishop, Ian Burtenshaw and his family.
We had Jessica's family over for dinner and games last night. They have been coming over on weekends, and Jacob's family comes over on Wednesday evenings after they have a play day with Jessica's family after school. It's been working out well.
My new "Grandma's day" with Hannah and Sofie is on Thursdays from 11am to about 5:30pm. And now I'm having a Grandma's day with Shauna and her kids (Tyler, Elise, and Brandon) on Mondays. The kids don't have school on Mondays so it works out nicely for them.
We celebrated Beau's 8th birthday on Friday with the whole family. He had a Harry Potter themed party, like Hudson had last year. We enjoyed hoagie sandwiches, apple slices, chocolate cupcakes, and ice cream. Jessica asked everyone to dress up as their favorite HP character, and she had homemade wands for all. She had the living room decorated with cool HP banners, and she made an amazing Snitch from the Quidditch game. She also made a large Snitch piñata, which they will use later. We were all too full of sugar to have the kids hit the piñata on Friday.
Turning 8 means that Beau will be getting baptized soon! I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ--for our Savior's life, His example, His Teachings, and His Church. I love being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I yearn for each of our children and grandchildren to become His lifelong disciples.
The biggest news is that Jessica will be going back to school to become a nurse! She'll be taking prerequisite courses online through CNM. Her goal is to work full-time when Sofia is in school so that Sebastian can figure out a possible job change. Jess will need to have medical insurance for her family before Seb can quit his job. He hasn't been too happy as a lawyer for about ten years now, poor guy. I think it's all the reading and paperwork and billable hours he has to put in each week that is burdensome. Personally, I think Seb would be successful in any number of careers. He's intelligent, diplomatic, personable, friendly, and has a great sense of humor.
Shauna and I are also going back to school. Shauna wants to get her degrees in Psychology, and I'd like to earn my Bachelor's in Business. I'll have to cut back on dinner nights once I start classes in April.
Mike and I are going to San Antonio in mid-March to help Kiley with the kids after her baby arrives and her mother has returned to Albuquerque. I'm so glad that Mike agreed to go with me. I really don't like to travel without him. I need his loving support and help with those cute little rascals.
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| This stippled portrait of me was made by Jared in his high school Art class. It took countless hours of stippling work! Jared surprised me with the framed picture, and I will always treasure it. |
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Hannah and Sofia love our Jacuzzi tub
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| A dusting of snow in January |
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Giant stuffies from Costco for the girls
Sofie picked the colorful cat, and Hannah got the raccoon |
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| Beautiful Sofie asleep in our bed during one of her afternoon naps |
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| Precious little Sofia enjoying the fresh snow in January |
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| Adorable little munchkin face! |
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Our Daffodil bulbs shot up with the warm weather in late January and have been blanketed by snow twice since then. Sure hope they survive!
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| One of many fresh salads that I like to make and eat with Mike |
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| Stir-fry vegetables (peppers, carrots, celery, and onion) |
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| Finished dish: Stir-fry veggies with pork |
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| Chinese Chicken Salad--one of our favorite go-to meals |
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| Reading to the girls during snack time |
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| Main ingredients for stuffed peppers: ground beef, onions, peppers, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and rice |
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What you do with an old bag of tangerines?
You make fresh squeezed tangerine juice, yum!
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Fried rice, another quick and simple favorite
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Valentine's weekend: I made these cute Mini Cherry Cheesecakes for our ministering families and others. |
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February 13th: This strange gas appeared on the north side of our neighborhood at night and smelled like sulfur. I'd be interested in knowing what it was!
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| Our sweet Valentine's cards this year |
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| The beautiful snow in our front and back yard this Valentine's morning |
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| Fresh pan fried spinach in garlic oil |
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| Pan fried red potatoes |
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| Marinated filet mignons |
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Our Valentine's meal. Unfortunately, I burned the potatoes and had to make another batch. I also over seasoned the meat and the spinach! I'm not making that mistake again. What a waste of a perfectly great meal.
Our evening green smoothies made with fresh spinach and banana, frozen pineapple, peaches, mango, and strawberry, plus honey--refreshingly delicious
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