Cake and Pizza

We are on Day 6 of our 100 day challenge. I made a "chocolate cake" for Pablo's birthday (which was yesterday) and pizza for dinner. The chocolate cake recipe came from my raw food recipe book and is made with walnuts, cocoa, dates, salt, water, vanilla extract, agave nectar. Add ingredients to the food processor and mix it up. Transfer to a plate and form a circle. That's it! It took like five minutes. No baking or anything! It was a delicious, natural treat. Even Monica liked it! We made whole wheat crust for the pizza and used tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves. Mmmmm. No leftovers tonight.

The art of being Art!

First time pedaling a two wheeler. Way to go Arthur!

Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

Nice break between internship and school!

Remembering our 10 year anniversary

We spent our 10 year anniversary in San Francisco, CA. We did all we could in 4 days without kids. Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz (boat only for it was sold out), China Town, Japanese Garden, Golden Gate Park, Museums, Lombard Street, Pier 39, and much more.

100 days...

of no junk food! Last night at FHE we officially started our family's commitment to a new, healthy diet. We started out by reading the Word of Wisdom from D&C89, discussed it, then made a list of "real" food and "junk" food. Junk food includings all refined sugars, sodas, white breads, processed meats, and most anything else that comes packed in a box with a powdered seasoning. The challenge will end December 7. So we will have to be creative for Halloween and Thanksgiving! Tonight we made whole wheat tortillas from scratch! They were not perfectly round but then again they were not made in a factory! Dinner was delicious.





A World Without Tears

I dream of a world without tears

A life without fears

I dream of a day without night

With a sunny morning light

I dream of a song without end

A lullaby that all things mend

I dream of a smiling face

Or a time or a place

I dream of your whispering voice

Of the resolution and a choice

Is it so wrong to dream a while

When all I see is a fading smile?

Cleaning pays off

Since returning to Wymount, I have been overwhelmed with all our STUFF! Every shelf, corner, closet is filled. So, I have started cleaning, dejunking, and reducing. It has not been easy. I found the duffle bag filled with high school cheerleading uniforms that I have been storing for 11 years. Pablo said it had to go! Ok. I found the box labeled "Mom". I opened it and read letters, poems, obituaries and had a good cry. However, yesterday I found something that really paid me for my hours of labor. In the back of a file box, in a stack of old letters, I found a card addressed to me from Amber. Inside I found $100! AWE-SOME!

Back to Provo

With the Pennsylvania chapter closed in our books, we have returned home to our cozy Wymount apartment. Another year of school and who knows where our adventure will take us next. Coming home has been challenging, in part because we had such a great time in the east, and part because of the anxiety of living a student life. It was good to work in the summer, it was better to earn for our work. Now we realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that light is brighter and brighter the more we look into it. Kids are great. Laura has taken the reins. Pablo is just Pablo, dreaming big, getting old. We look for things to bring our family together. Our next adventure? 100 days without junk food (after the camping trip). It will take us that much closer to graduation and real life again.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty

We drove to New Jersey with Jason and Heather Bailey and took the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We had perfect weather and a lot of fun. The lady freedom is indeed magnificent.

Cae la Lluvia

Cae la lluvia en el día de sol,

Y moja las trochas de un camino infinito,

Se encojen los pájaros bajo el puente,

Y esperan la seca hora de alzar el vuelo.

Caen mis sueños que soñé ayer,

Y se parten al tocar en suelo,

Pues veo la carretera llena de los que se van,

Y el cielo amargo como la ducha fría.

Caen las imágenes del otro día,

Cuando llegaba pronto a la casa azul,

Y pensaba en tenerte vida,

Y soñaba en soñarte amor.

Caen mis lágrimas y mi sonrisa,

Y camino sin saber si llego,

Y te veo correr lejos, tan lejos,

Porque me haces quererte

Cae la lluvia en el día de sol,

Y moja mi corazón perdido,

Caen el cielo y las palabras tuyas,

Que me hacían seguir caminando.

Poor Cita

Cita had an accident on the playground slide. She was dog-piled inside the slide and came out crying. She didn't cheer up and was cradling her left arm. Went to the ER and had xrays on her elbow and wrist. Good news is no broken bones. She will wear a splint until we see the specialist. Such a brave girl! When we left the ER she asked me if we could go back to the park. Poor Cita.

Update: The specialist was able to pop her elbow back into place. She is 100% better with no cast or splint. Happy ending!

Eagle's Wings

This picture made think of Isaiah scripture about waiting upon the Lord. How I hope Arthur will run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Our Treasure

Monica is almost 7, playing tennis, and still daddy's girl. Arthur is 4 and a half, learning how to smile, and bravely jumping into the pool. Carmen is almost 3, potty trained, and getting dark like a chocolate. Our children are our treasure. They are a handful, never quite satisfied, and often bored by their parent's adventures. But then again, so were we, a lifetime ago. It's fun to watch them grow. It's scary to see them transform from a small little thing into the joy they have become.

Liberty Bell

We stopped to take a look at the liberty bell. Such an honor to see it in person.

Washington Square and Independence Hall

The very place where the declaration of independence and the constitution was written. So much history. The men knew they were committing an act of treason against the king, but they had the courage to do what they thought was right for their children and their children's children.

Rocky Balboa

Father, son, and Rocky!

Philadelphia Museum of Art

We ran up the famous stairs that made Rocky the Italian Stallion, favorite son of Philadelphia. Hot day! Lot's to see. It all started at the museum.