Getting to Know the ones I Love: My Moms

My mother is a women of great strength and wisdom. Her motivation and compassion have always been such an inspiration in my life. She works hard and is always thinking about others, especially her own children and grandchildren. She has given my brother and I a strong foundation. I owe a huge part of who I am to her! Thank you mom for always believing in me and helping me through the peaks and valleys of life. Here's a little bit more about my momma...

1. What is your favorite color?

Blue

2. Where are you from?

Burley Idaho

3. What is your favorite restaurant?

Rodizios

4. What is your favorite comfort food?

Chocolate

5. What is the one thing you can’t live without?

My family

6. What is one movie you can recite from heart?

The Grinch

(The only movie my kids want to watch at Grandma's house)

7. What is your favorite T.V show?

Bachelor

8. What book are you currently reading?

The Kite Runner

9. If you had to choose a movie title for your life story, what would it be?

The Adventures of Grandma Goose...

10. What song is your favorite at the moment?

Lionel Richie "Sail On"

11. Who or what inspires you?

Real people who have overcome real problems

12. What place would you like to visit?

The Redwood Forest

12. Which concert that you attended was your favorite?

The Eagles

13. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate

14. What are some of your favorite memories of us?

Cute things you used to say, going to the library together, reading books, spending summers playing together, having your friends over.

15. What is one thing we have in common?

A big ole SWEET TOOTH!!

My Imaginary Friend

If you know Ashlyn, you know just how vivid her imagination is. Recently we were introduced to her imaginary friend named "Wormy." This little worm is carried around in the palm of Ashlyn's hand and receives quite the royal treatment! So far I know this much about Wormy.

1. Wormy is a boy and he is green.
2. Wormy is afraid of the dark and has to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed
3 Wormy likes to take baths and has to be dried off and fluffed with a towel.
4. Wormy likes to eat Graham crackers and cheese sandwiches.
5. Wormy needs to have his hair brushed every morning and requires a little hairspray and gel. On occasion he likes to wear bows.
6. Wormy likes to hide and only Adrianna can find him.
7. Wormy has to be kissed 100 times a day by various members of our family.
8. Wormy likes Ashlyn to read books to him.
9. Wormy likes his belly to be tickled.
10. Wormy is potty trained.


I think Adrianna is feeling a little left out. There has been talk of a her new friend "Ghosty." Can't wait to see how this one develops!

Getting To Know The Ones I Love: Amy

Amy and I met almost eight years ago on a group outing to the Cheesecake Factory. That night I knew we were destined to be soul sisters! She was the first person I met that understood what I had been through and where I wanted to end up. I've always admired her strength and have taken a lesson or two from her on how to come out on the other side still smiling! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful best friend. Here's a little bit more about my BFF...

1. What is your favorite color?

Blue

2. Where are you from?

Colorado

3. What is your favorite restaurant?

The Olive Garden

4. What is your favorite comfort food?

Mashed Potatoes

5. What is the one thing you can’t live without?

My faith.

6. What is one movie you can recite from heart?

The Little Mermaid

(You ARE the Little Mermaid, according to Ashlyn that is)

7. What is your favorite T.V show?

Heroes

8. What book are you currently reading?

Something Potato Peel Society?

9. If you had to choose a movie title for your life story, what would it be?

The Secret Life of Bees

(I knew you were going to say that!)

10. What song is your favorite at the moment?

Just Dance by Lady Gaga

(If ya don't know then ask your baby fada)

11. Who or what inspires you?

The good in people inspires me.

12. What place would you like to visit?

France

12. Which concert has been your favorite so far?

Nsync!

(Never will forget when Justin looked at you!)

13. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla all the way

14. What are some of your favorite memories of us?

Staying up super late and dancing our hearts out. Making webcam videos together.

(Everybody needs to dance it out, best therapy available! Yes we are dorks and we are proud!)

15. What is one thing we have in common?

We love to dance and eat chocolate!

Getting To Know The Ones I Love: John

John and I met almost seven years ago and are a month shy of our 6th wedding anniversary. He is a man with a big personality and heart to match! I am always amazed by his dedication to his family and his profession (to check out what he does click here). So far John's long list of hobbies include cooking outstanding meals (especially on the Q), woodworking, learning about business marketing, politics, basketball and Golf. Here's a little bit more about the man I love...

1. What is your favorite color?

North Carolina blue (its like sky blue but named for the UNC Tarheels)

2. Where are you from?

Idaho/Utah/Wyoming...mostly Idaho

3. What is your favorite restaurant?

Pat's BBQ in SLC.

4. What is your favorite comfort food?

BBQ

5. What is the one thing you can’t live without?

Besides my family, I can't live without computer with Internet connection

6. What is one movie you can recite from heart?

Anchorman and Rudy

7. What is your favorite T.V show?

Lost and The Office

8. What book are you currently reading?

I only read textbooks and I hardly read those

9. If you had to choose a movie title for your life story, what would it be?

Ernest Goes to Camp

10. What song is your favorite at the moment?

"The Undertaker's Thirst for Revenge is Unquenchable" by Chiodos

11. Who or what inspires you?

My kids

12. What place would you like to visit?

Italy

13. Which concert has been your favorite so far?

Linkin Park

14. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate

15. What are some of your favorite memories of us?

Getting married and what not.

16. What is one thing we have in common?

We both have kids named Ashlyn and Adrianna

Yael

Love, Love, Love this French-Israeli singer/songwriter! Check her out here

Almond Cranberry Corn Bread

Nut meals can replace up to one-fourth the all-purpose flour in baked goods. Almond meal's hearty texture works well in corn bread. Look for it at health food stores or from Bob's Red Mill (www.bobsredmill.com), or place about 1 cup blanched almonds in a food processor; process until finely ground. If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, you can also bake the bread at 400° in an 8-inch round cake pan for 16 minutes.

Yield

12 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

Ingredients

• 3 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
• 2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2/3 cup almond meal
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sliced almonds
• 3/4 cup fat-free buttermilk
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2 large egg whites
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl.

3. Heat oil in a small skillet over high heat. Add almonds to pan; cook 2 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring frequently. Strain oil through a fine sieve into flour mixture. Set aside 1 tablespoon almonds. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons almonds to flour mixture. Combine buttermilk, dried cranberries, and egg whites, and add to flour mixture, stirring until well blended.

4. Spoon batter into an 8-inch cast-iron skillet coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle reserved 1 tablespoon toasted almonds over top of batter. Bake bread at 400° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack.

Study Time Favorites

A necessity during a six hour study session!

Michelle Willam's "We Break the Dawn." Click here to listen!