Here's my week, and you can pass it along if you like.  It's been a rather eventful week for us.
  Last Sunday morning, our new elder's quorum president came to visit us and extended to Jeff a calling.  It'll keep him busy, and we'll miss teaching our precious 9-10 yr old primary class, but we're happy to searve where the Lord wants us to.  We were fasting that day for several things, one of which was whether or not to host another foreign exchange student.  We were a little reluctant, but the Lord made His will clear and so we emailed our friend who is a coordinator and got that ball rolling. Now we're really excited to have a teenage daughter again!
   On Monday was Joseph's well-child dr visit, and he's healthy and doing well.  The rest of the day was spent helping my sister with her federal taxes. She'd never done them herself before. We also emailed the coordinator of a foreign exchange program, as Jeff and I will be hosting another student this next school year.
Tuesday I had 2 bad fillings replaced and a new cavity filled. Joy.  I was tender all day and was grateful that Eva watched my boys extra time so I could take a nice long nap.  After that we did her state taxes.  That night while Jeff was at Choir, I talked more with the exchange coordinator.
   On Wednesday I cleaned and cleaned in preparation for a dinner party, only to have the guests cancel just as I was about to make dinner. I decided to try making ratatouille and was determined to still do so (the egglplant really needed to be eaten that day) and so frantically called friends until I found one who was free to come for dinner. It turned out pretty well and we had a nice evening until Jeff got a call and rushed off to a meeting. Then the party became somewhat dull and dispersed not long after. I was really hit with loneliness that night, but was blessed to get a phone call from a friend I rarely speak with and she filled my time joyfully until Jeff returned. I love Jeff...life just isn't right when he's gone.
    Thursday as I was washing Joseph's hands after breakfast, he started talking to the bubbles as they rinsed down the drain, "Bye bye, bubbles!!" Then Adam, from the table, said, "Bye bye Bubbles. Thank you for cleaning Joseph's hands."  Man, I love that kid! On Thursday I started getting student profiles and sorting through them.  There are so many wonderful young women we'd love to have. We'll probably accept one from Germany, though there is a Polish girl I really like, too...so we'll see. We're praying a lot about this.  That night we were formally released from our primary calling and I am now the RS chorister. I'm excited about that.
    Friday I spent the day in curlers and prettied myself for our ward couple's dinner that night.  I felt beautiful and Jeff and I had a lovely evening. We made friends with some couples we didn't know as well, and the game was fun...for almost everyone. It was a version of The Newlywed Game, and at the end, there was at least one man whose wife was NOT happy with his answers, and let's just say I'm glad I wasn't in their home that night. 
  Saturday I got up early and at 8am was at stake choir practice.  It's hard to sing a good soprano that early in the morning...but that was the only time we could do it. That afternoon was my maternal grandpa's birthday open house and so Eva and I went to that and returned just in time for my official Valentine's date.  Jeff and I saw Tangled (very cute) and then went to a nice Italian restaurant in Provo.  They were crowded and had a wait and Jeff was way underdressed, so we walked over to a sandwhich shop next door for which I had coupons. We got in there and realized my coupons were only for a different location, so we left and went to another place we like....and it was closed.  So we headed home and found an okay place to eat at on the way down....we laughed and laughed and had a great time "restaurant shopping." I think our date was more fun because of all the hassle!
  Today (Sunday the 13th) was the dedication of our new stake center, and ten minutes before it started, I asked Jeff to sing with the choir as we only had 3 tenors, one of which....well....really needs a good singer next to him.  So Jeff spent 10 minutes pouring over the music (the director knows Jeff and was glad to have him join even though it was last minute).  Today was also our last time teaching our primary class, and they seemed really sad that we were leaving. Katelyn, whose dad is the EQ president, said, "My dad stole you away from us!" to Jeff.  It was sweet.  We then explained that the Lord is the one who really chooses and that her dad simply obeyed, as did Brother Brown. They then turned their attention to guessing who their next teacher will be. I love how kids can just accept things as they are and look forward.
  One more thing of note.  Tonight Adam gave his first, "Your Mom!" retort, like Christine does and Jeff does.  Jeff was really excited and made a big deal about it, so Joseph shouted out, "Your mom!" just to get into it.  Oh, my.
 
So this was our week.

I will add info from this week so far:
 Valentine's Day came with a promise of warmth, so I packed a picnic basket and took the boys to a park.  There is still 4-6 inches of snow, but it felt warm and the boys had a blast. I picked Adam up from preschool and we went to Jeff's work to have a picnic with him.  He didn't want to be outside, so we take in the breakroom and had a great time. Jeff showed me a heart he made with bucky balls in my honor. It was beautiful! Then I headed home and made dough for our heart-shaped pizzas we were to have for dinner while watching Eva's kids for her date.  And I made heart-shaped desserts (then the doorbell rang, and the YW dropped off pretty brownies that Jeff had ordered for me - how sweet!!).  Pizza and FHE with Eva's kids was a success!  We had a great night.  After Eva picked up her children, Jeff and I watched A Wrinkle in Time...odd, but kinda cool movie.  We got to bed WAY too late.
 This morning I packed another picnic for today was supposed to be even warmer.  I went to a park with my friend Sarah and we enjoyed our picnic...but it felt colder than yesterday did!  Sammy refused to play, which was really odd, then I felt and noticed that his forehead is hot.  Poor kid. What a day to be sick. Since then, he's spent most of the day snuggling in my arms, sometimes sleeping (like now).  I love holding sick children!
  Anyway, now we're up-to-date!
Ta ta!

This past month has seen the circle of life in almost every form...except for birth, someone in my near family has experienced each...in order, too.
 I guess Sarah isn't technically my family, but I've sort of adopted her as a sister.  Her big event: After years and years of trying, she is finally pregnant with a strong pregnancy.  I pray that it will all go well for both mommy and baby.

 Nov 6th, my niece was baptized.  What a beautiful event it was.  She was so happy, and I reveled in the joy that emanated from her that special day.

That evening, Jeff and I went to a wedding reception for one of Jeff's cousins...so there is marriage.  We don't know the couple well, but we are happy for them and pray that they will have a long and happy life together.

A few days later, Jeff's Aunt Loretta passed away.  As a 50-yr-old with Down's Syndrome, it's safe to say she's lived a long and fulfilling life.  Her funeral was one of the most beautiful I've ever been to, and I can't wait to meet her with a prefect body and mind, and to get to hear her truly express herself in ways that she couldn't here on earth.  Even with her limitations, though, her influence on others was limitless and she'll live on in the hearts of nearly everyone who's ever met her.  Now she is happily singing with her daddy.

What a wonderful life it is!

  Moving on now,  Jeff and I enjoyed a visit from Mom Brown for the wedding and funeral, and it was wonderful to have her here with us.  We are excited to visit her in January for a late Christmas gathering (it's amazing how much cheaper plane tickets are when you wait until the new year to fly!).  A few days after Mom left, Ron came to visit us and spend Thanksgiving with a family that loves him. Things were busier than usual this visit, and there was little "down" time, but I sure enjoyed seeing him again after a longer-than-usual absence.  Around the new year, he'll start treatments for his cancer and I pray that all goes well and that he'll still be able to visit us a few times.
  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in my home with Ron and with Rob's family. I made the BEST TURKEY EVER!  It was so tender and flavorful and juicy!!  The rest of the meal (that I cooked, at least) was okay.  My potatoes were a little tough (as they have been every time since I bought a new hand mixer last year...the wire beaters just aren't the same as traditional ones!). I cheated and cooked frozen rolls, which, though yummy, aren't the same as home-made.  I also cheated by stretching the stuffing with "Stove Top" which really isn't that good compared to other brands. I must admit, however, that my pies were good.  I made a maple-pumpkin pie that was really good, and a pinto bean pie that was surprisingly good - it's a lot like a pecan pie.
 I am excited for the Christmas season, and must try hard to reign in the buying of things I know people would love.

I guess that's all for now.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the food I take into my body and give to my children.  For a couple of years, I've been trying to eat more healthfully, avoiding foods with harmful ingredients.  My personal rule became to keep as close to the farm as possible. The more un-pronounceable ingredients, the less likely I was to eat it.  Trans fats, MSG, and High Fructose Corn Syrup, among other things, were to be avoided.
 I've been thinking about it even more since attending a class called "Word of Wisdom Do's" at BYU's Education Week last month.  It was taught by Brad Peterson, AKA Chef Brad.  I'll share some of my notes from that class.

 Chef Brad talked about how a change in diet can cure most inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and colon cancer.  He emphasized over and over and over that if man has altered it, it's not good for the body.  Genetically engineered/midified produce, hormone-stuffed meats/eggs, and artificial sweeteners (esp those).  If man has messed with it, at all, avoid it!!
  The Lord has told us at all wholesome herbs (plants) are for the consitution of man. Fruits in season (he has some interesting things to say about that), flesh to be eaten sparingly...all grain is to be the staff of life.  LDS people know these things already, but how well to we obey it??  According to Chef Brad, grains are the only thing that we've been given the 100% go-ahead on.  Eat whole grains, and a variety of them.  AVOID bleached and enriched flours....they are SO bad for you! The bleaching process leave harmful chemicals (esp Bromine) in the flour, and that is very toxic to our bodies, messing with our thyroid among other things.  Fruits and vegetables are to be the next most abundant part of our diets, with dairy (preferably raw and fresh, homogonization kills a lot of the enzymes that are good) and eggs next, and meat only once or twice a week.
  All in all, though, he told us to pray about our diets.  Prayerfully decide what to eat...let the Lord guide you, because He knows your body individually and what it needs.  Some people do need more meat. Learn to listen to your body and obey it.  Pray about weight loss and health. God will guide you on that journey in the best and most healthful way possible.
  Raw sugar is better than refined. Agave nectar is good, honey is great (but beware, many honey companies cut costs by "stretching" the honey with High Fructose Corn Syrup, and not putting that in the ingredient list; the FDA allows a certain percentage of HFCS without it having to be labeled). Splenda has chlorine in it, and ought not to be consumed, and we all know about aspartame and nutrisweet and how horrible those are for us!  Hydrogenated fats are the #1 cause of heart disease!  Also, get LOTS of fiber! We should be getting about 50 grams a day of fiber for optimum health.
  In the health-food world, there is a new movement, called the "Slow Food Movement" which is pretty much the opposite of the Fast Food movement.  Take time to prepare your own meals. Forget fast food, boxed dinners, microwave meals, and on-the-go foods as much as you possibly can.  Even Macaroni and Cheese can be good to eat - just make it from scratch with basic ingredients.  Know what is in your food; control what is in your food.

  I decided to try this more.  I've been avoiding boxed dinners more than I used to.  Nix the Pasta Roni and Rice-a-Roni...I'll season my own plain rice and made it into something wonderful (I've had great success with that, and it take no more time!).  I've realized that making my own Mac N Cheese takes even less time than the boxed version (okay, only by like 45 seconds, but still) and costs about the same to make as Kraft boxes cost (according to my estimations), and it's SO good!  I'll share my recipe with you:
~~~
  Mary's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Put a pot of slightly salted water to boil.  Put a smaller pot on the next burner over low heat.  Add about 1/2 c butter and a clove of minced garlic into the small pan and let it melt together.  When it's all melted, add enough flour to make a paste.  Stir in 1 to 1-1/2 c cream or half-n-half (cream is way better) and salt and pepper to taste.  By this point, your water in the other pan will be boiling; add noodles and forget about it again.  Back to the small pan; cut a small block (4-6 oz, maybe) of cheddar cheese into cubes and drop them in.  Stir with a whisk until the cheese is melted (and beyond, until it's smooth and doesn't have cheesy strings when you pull the whisk out) and the sauce is desired consistency. Add more milk/cream if needed.  Take off heat and when the noodles are soft, drain them and pour the sauce over it. I usually have too much sauce. I pour the extra into a bowl and refrigerate it (it's good for about a week) for future use.

  I like to play around with other cheeses.  The first time I made it, it had parmesan, cream cheese, a little mozzerella, and the cheddar. It was SO delicious!!  I like to play with seasonings; add onion powder to the sauce, sometimes seasoned salt.  Once I added sundried tomatoes and that was delectable!!
~~

  As I shop, ingredient lists are my best friends.  My local grocer only sells one brand of bread that fits my criteria (fortunately, it's not on the high end of bread price ranges, and it's really yummy); spaghetti sauce is sneaky, too.  As I've been more aware and more careful, I've finally overcome the weight plateau I've been on since May and have started losing pounds again.  I've lost 22 lbs since Jan 1st.  Another 20 would be nice...we'll see if I can do that before the year is up.  There was a lot more that I learned in the class...feel free to ask me if you want to learn more.

I recently subscribed to Momaroo, and have really enjoyed reading posts written by other moms.  I also have subscribed to a couple other blog rings associated with Xanga.
I enjoy reading about the things that other people think when it comes to motherhood and many issues that come with that, as well as the things people post about health and religion on some of the other blogs I follow.  But I'm starting to wonder if I'm really that different.  I read about so many people who have strained relationships with their parents, spouses/partners, with their food, with everything around them. People who are simply miserable in so many ways.

I wonder, am I the only woman in the world who honestly can't think of anyone in the world I hate? I can think of two people I'm uncomfortable around...but I don't have hard feelings toward them. It's just awkward because they do towards me.  I love my life. I love and respect and have good relationships with each of my 5 siblings (and their spouses), my parents, my husband (especially him - he's so awesome!) and his parents and siblings (and spouses).  My life is happy.

This doesn't mean that I don't have challenges and moments where I'm overwhelmed and unhappy (though those moments can usually be traced to a certain time of the month, or while pregnant).  I still have times when I wish things were better...but all in all, life is wonderful.  When my husband and I were dirt-poor college students who had to carefully budget to afford a date night and eat out at Taco Bell, we were happy.  When Jeff got a decent job and started to work to prove himself and while I spent hours alone with our young children, we were happy.  Now that he's doing well in his job and I spend hours alone with our three children or with my sister and her family, I'm still happy.  Some places we've lived I've had good friends, and some places I didn't.  Regardless, I can be happy.

I am so grateful for the gift of happiness. I wish I knew how to give it to others. 

and I am so excited about it! It's been warm (50 degrees, sometimes even warmer) and sunny for several days now.  I love Spring weather and new flowers and getting out of the house!  Yesterday and Saturday we went for a walk along the path that goes behind our house, and it took us to the river, just a few minutes walk away.  We left development and were surrounded by nature for most of the walk, and I just loved it!

So, here's what my past month has been like: busy!  We moved on March 13th. It's been just over a week and my living room and kitchen and dining room are almost in order.  My boys room is as done as it gets...just a bed and a dresser. The bathrooms are workable, though I haven't found the box with all the bath toys and baby shampoo yet.  My bedroom is a mess of rummaged-through boxes. It's hard to unpack in there because Sammy still sleeps in our room and the best time for me to work is while he's sleeping.

We found out recently that we have quite a gopher problem that needs to be taken care of before I can plant my garden. We also need to get started on building our fence so that the boys can play outside.

Sammy's been wearing his helmet for almost a week now, and is beginning to get used to it.  Tomorrow we meet with the orthotist, and I think I'll have him adjust the helmet a little, as it's putting pressure in an area it's not supposed to and Sammy's skin is not happy about it.  That should be an easy fix, though.  I've got a great orthotist.  His wife is missing a limb and needs his services, and so he understands what his patients are going through in a way most doctors don't, and he really cares about making everything as comfortable as possible.  I like him.

And here are a few of Sammy's 6-month pics:

Joseph is starting to use words now, and though his speech is mostly not understandable by anyone except me, it's still exciting that he's finally trying. 

 Adam is understanding more and more and reasoning more and more, and I've decided his age is one of my favorite ages of childhood.  This may change, but for now, that's the way it is.

Life overall is good; I love my new home, my new ward, my new neighborhood, and my sweetheart. 

Alright, here's the update...warning: this may end up quite long.

  The house Jeff and I are currently in is a rent-to-own.  After having lived here some time, we realized there is a lot of fixing up that needs to happen, and Jeff and I have neither the money nor the know-how to take care of even a portion of them. When our one year contract came up, we needed to tell the owner whether or not we were ready to buy or whether we would sign up for an additional year.  When we spoke to her, we told her we had decided not to buy this home, but that we'd like to stay and continue paying rent until midsummer.  She asked us to meet with her, which we did, and she informed us that she understood our reasons but that we couldn't stay till summer.  She had a busy, busy summer planned and wanted to get the house ready and on the market before May, so we had to be out by the third week of April.

  We still have Julie with us, and wanted to stay through summer so she could stay at her current school and so we could avoid all the paperwork involved with moving while a foreign exchange student is living with you; and all the work, plain and simple, until she was home again with her family and not caught up in the stress of it all (though frankly, she's excited about it because she's never "moved" in her life and this is a new adventure for her).

  Jeff is still working at BlueHost.  This has not changed.  About a year ago the company moved to south Provo, so we did, too.  Now we're moving to Spanish Fork, even further south, and about twice the distance from work as our current house is, but still only 20 minutes to drive.  We are buying a house there...it's lovely!  It was built in 2006, has been lived in for nearly 2 years, and empty for a year beyond that. It has been on short sale and was scheduled to go into foreclosure if it hadn't sold by the end of February.  We offered $171,000 and it was accepted. We close this afternoon or tomorrow. It has 5br, 3 full bath with a lovely kitchen (you may know how much I love to cook - I'm really excited about this kitchen!) and is 3100 sq ft.  Too much space for us now, but we'll grow into it.  I don't yet have half the kids I plan to have.  In the meantime, we may rent a room to some bachelor or something...after Julie is gone, of course.  The ward is full of young families.  In Relief Society Meeting, I noticed that probably 90% of the women were within 3 years of my age.  There are 200 kids under the age of 12. There are 4 nurseries and 2 filled-to-capacity Sunbeam classes.  So all they need is me, with a sunbeam and a nursery child and a baby!  Even so, my kids won't lack for playmates.

  Oh, moving is such a hassle!  At least I'm not pregnant this time, as I have been for my past three moves.  I have 2-1/2 weeks to be all packed up and ready to go.  Yikes!

Some of you have asked about my mom...she has her ups and downs, but at least the ups outnumber the downs, as far as I’m aware. I think she's alright.  Dad's been ailing for so long, we're surprised he lived as long as he did.  I am doing well with it. I am very much at peace with my dad's passing, and have not really mourned.  I am grieving, in a way, but it's not grief.  Does that make sense?  I am more happy than sad about it, and mostly it's been a calm, factual acceptance.  Still, I do have times where I am...reflective.  Where I'll spend an evening or a few quiet moments thinking about Dad and enjoying memories I have of him.  Sometime I cry, but it's not a sad cry.  I had a great relationship with my dad, and I have no regrets.  There are no "I wish I had..." moments.  A week before he passed, he had a major drop in blood pressure and breathing ability, and we knew it would soon happen.  We had a special family home evening that was beautiful in every way it possibly could be, and very spiritual, and the perfect note to end on.  It was our goodbye, and it satisfied that need perfectly.

How am I holding up in other ways is different.  I've never had such a stressful period of life.  Sammy does need a helmet. His head is deformed enough that his eye and ear are pushed forward on one side, and if it's not corrected, he'll have vision and jaw problems, not to mention how kids will tease him as he ages...he looks like a cute, and much milder-looking Quasimodo, without a hunchback.  Because it will not cause any brain damage, the insurance won't cover it.  The orthotist will offer me a $1000 discount if insurance continues to refuse our petitions, and this discount will bring the price down to about $1600.  Sammy also needs to see a dermatologist about these weird scaly lesions he has on his forehead; he is developing a new one on his cheek and another on his left leg.  This morning I went to see the dermatologist my dr referred me to.  I arrived 5 minutes early and waited 50 minutes to be brought into a room, and then after more than a half hour in there, I just left without being seen. Because I got home later than expected, my kids got a late lunch and I missed Joseph's sleep window for naptime and oh, he's a monster!  I'm downright frazzled.  I've called Sam's dr and asked for a different referral, for which I am now waiting.

I’ve also been asked how I am holding up with 3 kids now.  As a mother of 3, I'm generally okay.  I'm blessed with mild children (well, Joseph is in his terrible twos, but otherwise he's a good kid).  Sammy is the most patient baby I've ever known. Joseph loves to help and often really is more help than hindrance (especially with supervision and guidance).  Adam is getting so smart and starting to be able to reason and to remember...and consequently, he's a darling boy to have around.  He finally potty trained and rarely has messes, and he is gentle with Sam and will even gently wipe snot or dribble when he thinks it's needed.  He is a bossy big brother and tries too hard to keep Joseph in line.  All in all, though I am often frazzled and wishing I could put my kids on “pause” so I can take a nap, I am happy and love mothering my three boys.  Julie has been SUCH a blessing! If all exchange students could be as wonderful as she is, I would host one every year!  She is so helpful and loves my family so much.  I'm going to cry like crazy when she goes home.

I hope you enjoyed my epistle!  Now you're all up to date.  Comments are welcome. I hope you all are having a great year so far!