Sunday Gratitudes

This Sunday I am so grateful for my Mr. Wonderful. He works so hard for us. He is my love, my sounding board, my best friend, my rock (call me a rock! - private joke for Mr. W), my math and stats tutor, my reason for my "million little reasons". Yesterday I made him a gourmet dinner to thanks him for the things he does for me every day,

Halibut Oscar and Fingerling potatoes (and me wishing I would have sucked in my stomach before the picture was taken. Look at the food. Please, look at the food....)

Mr. Wonderful brought me roses. He also set the table.

Usually, Mr. W ducks when he sees a camera, but he couldn't this time or he'd spill the nonalcoholic peach sparkly he was pouring. I have to be sneaky with a camera.

Halibut Oscar and lobster bisque (I didn't make the lobster bisque. Bought it as Costco.)

I did, however, make the most fabulous blackberry creme brulee for dessert. It is a dangerous thing, this knowledge that making creme brulee is insanely easy. Oh, but it makes a grand impression. Mmmmmmm.

Happy 14 Day's of Valentines to my Mr. Darcy, my own private Michelangelo statue, my honey, my Sweetheart of the first order. You deserve every single day of effort that went into it. God blessed me the day he brought you into my life.

Check out this new blog

Extraordinary Mothers

I can't get their link button to work so just click on "Extraordinary Mothers" up there and you'll find your way to it.

Think they could use a writer who is all about Family, Special Needs, education, the importance of the family dinner table, music, and Loving your Mr. Wonderful?

On the 12th Day of Valentines

I printed out 11 poems/sonnets/lyrics/love notes. Instead of making scrolls as planned, I put them all in a binder. The final 12th page is an original poem by me. Not a cheesy poem, a serious one.

Did I ever mention that I am GREAT at cheesy poetry?


Not so great at serious attempts of poetry.



I trust Mr. Wonderful will get the gist of my intent and forgive me my many and varied faults. He has enjoyed the 14 Days of Valentines this year. The kids have loved pointing out the days he received treats. They wanted to be there when he opened them. They are all about the sharing.

I think I will share my stats homework with Mr. Wonderful tonight........

On the 11th Day of Valentine's

On the 11th Day of Valentines
I used to give you candles of red
To tell you about our dinner date.
(And give hints for what lies ahead.)

This year I leave it to you
To bring candles on your own.
And pick a bottle of sparkling-something.
(If you want, you could write your own poem).

I will be uber consumed
With planning our special night.
There is a lot to be considered.
(And I want to make it right.)

We’ll start with Lobster Bisque
And a Hot Crab Dip for two.
With pita chips and crackers
(it’s the least the I could do).

Then I will attempt to make
Your most favorite dish
From my most favorite restaurant
(hint: it will be fish).

Dessert will be our favorite recipe
I’ve attempted once before -
Also from my most favorite restaurant.
(I will be tempted to eat more.)

That is all I’m going to tell you
For the rest you will have to wait.
Dinner will be at 7 sharp.
I trust you won’t be late.


(this will be printed on a scroll and waiting for Mr. Wonderful on his nightstand.)

On the 10th Day of Valentines

Ten Reasons I Love Mr. Wonderful:

His arms wrap completely around me.

He makes me feel safe and protected.

He understands my sense of humor.

He thanks me for every single meal - he has never forgotten in 17 1/2 years of our marriage.

He is one amazing kisser.

He listens to me when I talk my head off, knowing that I need someone to hear me.

He encourages me in everything I do.

He works hard for our family.

I love the way he looks at me when we are sharing a private joke.

He honors his priesthood.

I taped this list on his bathroom mirror to find when he comes home tonight.

Sunday Gratitudes

This past week was incredible. We hosted an athlete, his unified partner in Floor Hockey, and the team doctor from Kazakhstan. Dimitri, Rustam and Yevgeni were charming, wonderful guests. They loved our American streets. "Just like in the movies", Yevgeni said. When I asked him if they were very much different from Kazakhstan, he started to laugh. Apparently they are.

Our guests were amazed at American grocery stores, especially Costco. They couldn't believe the availability of items and the fact that they cost less here. They took pictures of everything: Mustang cars (everyone had pose around one they saw in the high school parking lot), buildings, birds, school buses.

The loved the high school, with its available computers, library, culinary school, exercise equipment, weight room, and cafeteria. The boys stopped to stare at every single American girl. They loved American food. They thought the hoedown was a riot. Rustam tried every line dance taught. They rode the "mechanical" bull. They stuffed themselves with hamburgers, potato salad, and Idaho ice cream potatoes. (remind me to tell you about that Idaho tradition sometime).

I am so grateful for these three opening my eyes to blessings I might have taken for granted. Our homes are huge compared to theirs. We elect the President of the United States every four years while they have a president who has been in power much longer than any president should in a democracy. Our schools make so much available to our children. Our buildings each have their own individuality and beauty.

Yevgeni invited us to stay with him if we ever make it to Kazakhstan. We told him we would be honored. I would love to meet his sweet wife and adorable baby. In the meantime, we are making plans to attend some Special Olympic events. Particularly floor hockey.

I need to learn Russian for "GO TEAM!"

Today I received an official letter from my university

I MADE THE DEAN'S LIST!

()()()(\\\\\/////()()()()()

(doing the happy dance)

Sunday Gratitudes

I know, I know. I missed last week. It was crazy here with me getting ready for the first week of my new Semester at school. My classes will prove interesting enough for a few blog posts. But I saved up one big gratitude from a two week study:

I had a lightbulb moment. I've wondered for a while why The Love Magnet appears to be the most popular girl at her school. Everyone says "hi" to her. She stops to hug them all (a few get a kiss on the cheek. I really should get her to stop that - she needs to learn personal boundaries. But it's just so darn cute!)

TLM even has a reputation at the middle school. Secondborn reports that the kids who previously attended our elementary school still talk about her enough to the point where their friends come up to him and ask if he is TLM's brother. It's been funny to listen to the stories from Secondborn and his friends.

This past week showed me why kids keep talking about her and why kids want to be around her. The Love Magnet was playing Wii tennis with my sons and their friends. I was on the computer (doing homework) when I heard noise that indicated one of the visiting boys beat TLM at tennis. Right when the shouts died down, my daughter piped up "You WIN! You AWESOME!" I peek over the 2nd floor balcony to watch my daughter congratulate the winner with a hug and a big grin.I have never seen this happen before. Kids that age are usually sore losers. They don't like to lose. But my daughter was thrilled for her opponent. Her reaction connected the dots for me:

• The Love Magnet makes everyone around her feel loved and accepted. She doesn't worry about looks, or capabilities, or popularity. She will spread her kind of love around to everyone who will receive it.
• This past week when one of her classmates fell out of her chair, TLM, ran over to see if she was okay and would only sit down after she saw for herself that her friend wasn't hurt.
• She cheered for those picked to participate in music class last week (and she was picked twice by fellow classmates.)
• She says Hi or Good Morning to every single child and school staff on her way to class. No one gets overlooked.
• And this week I watched her be as excited for her opponents win as she would for her own win.

So this week I am grateful for my pint-sized teacher and her lesson of Unconditional Love and Acceptance. I hope I've learned it well. One down, sweetie, possibly a whole school. Now you've got the world left to go.

Marmalade Chicken

Marmalade Chicken
Adapted from Eating Well Jan./Feb. ‘09
Makes 4 servings

My notes: Easy weeknight pantry meal. I subbed coarse ground mustard for regular Dijon, b/s chicken breasts for the tenders, and more than doubled the orange zest. The flavor is not overwhelming, surprisingly mild even with my changes. Big thumbs up even from my picky eater. This will go into regular rotation. I served this with brown rice (to soak up sauce) and steamed broccoli.

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1 teaspoon coarse ground Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 pound chicken breasts sliced into strips
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 large shallots, minced
1 Tablespoon freshly grated orange zest

1. Whisk broth, vinegar, marmalade, mustard and cornstarch in a medium bowl.2. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 4 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. 3. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and shallots to the pan and cook, stirring often, until beginning to brown, about 30 seconds. Whisk the broth mixture and add it to the pan. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer; cook until the sauce is slightly reduced and thickened, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Add the chicken; return to a simmer. Cook, turning once, until the chicken is heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in orange zest.

Per serving: 213 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 68 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrate; 27 g protein; 0 g fiber; 246 mg sodium; 55 mg potassium.

Even More 14 Days of Valentines Ideas

The following is from my fellow Cookie, Carol (Carol is the Cookie who knitted The Love Magnet a Red Riding Hood hat before TLM had her open-heart surgery). Carol copied a few of mine and had some great ideas of her own:

1 sweet baby boy - blowup of Levi
2 lunch for two at his favorite local dive
3 movie nights - we watch whatever he picks, no whining
4 love poems - various places around the house
5 heart-shaped red velvet cupcakes (his favorite dessert)
6 years together
7 x 70 that he's forgiven me (note; how much I appreciate his patience and good nature)
8 eternity - commitment to each other
9 ways he is the best dad ever
10 ways to say I love you (languages)
11 taper candles with printed menu
12 ways he is the best guy for me
13 love songs loaded on a special playlist on his iPod
14 Valentine's Day Dinner

For Valentine's Day dinner, I am ripping off an idea from a restaurant I went to in Toronto a long time ago. They were called Mezzetta - they had a mezza menu where you ordered small portions of a whole bunch of stuff. It was great fun. I don't have everything finalized for that yet, but there will be cheese fondue, asparagus BBB, artichoke/spinach dip with homemade bread, chicken rangoon, more stuff I haven't decided on, and for dessert, another favorite of his: meringue nests with vanilla ice cream and berry sauce. I am doing a silly thing with cards - we have an old deck of playing cards that is needing to be retired. I am throwing out everything but the hearts and one joker. Each day, he gets the corresponding number (or face) card with a hint (written in Sharpie) about where to look for his surprise that day. On the 14th, I'll use the joker.


I am going to rip off idea #7 for next year. thanks, Carol! You can find more of Carol (including cool knitting projects here.)

More 14 Days of Valentines Ideas

These come from my fellow Cookie Sally. She has some great ideas this year:

1. One apple – you are the apple of my eye
2. You are two sweet – two candy kisses
3. Picture perfect kids - Pictures of kids in heart frames
4. You are four me – give 4 love sayings on heart shaped post-its
5. I am not full of hot air – 5 heart shaped balloons
6. you are my sweetie pie - Pie sliced in six pieces –
7. You are stuck with me – 7 heart magnets
8. – Eggactly what I want - Eight items on breakfast plate – three eggs, two pieces toast, three pieces of sausage or bacon
9. Nine reasons I can’t say no to you – nine is no in german.
10 Say “I love you in 10 languages 11 You hold the ticket to my heart – 11 tickets with love sayings
12. You are my muffin man (inside joke) – give a dozen heart shaped blueberry muffins
13. Sugar and spice – sugar packet and 12 spice candies
14 Fourteen opera cream candies – with a personal saying -

A Great Big Thank You

(The Love Magnet received a package in the mail today.)

What is it, Mom?

It's a..................

scarf!


But not just any scarf..........

IT'S A SPECIAL OLYMPICS SCARF!!!

Who sent this to me? Let me read it myself, Mom.

Thank you Auntie Cookies from TTOOL.

I love you very much.

Running Update

I haven't been running in six weeks. Yes, I am ashamed to admit it. My weight has creeped up from all the holiday noshing. I have started to have dreams of what I would be like if I let myself go worse than now. (Now I know that dreams aren't accurate, that I won't grow 18" chin hairs, have my triceps sag down past my elbows, or that my teeth will fall out. But you know how dreams are. It shook me up, as illogical as it seemed).

So last night I made a goal which I emailed to all my Relief Society sisters to help keep me focused. I committed to running M/W/F and most Saturdays at a specific time each day. I asked if anyone wanted to join me (no one did, yet).

This morning I dressed in running gear to take the kids to school. I know I looked ridiculous driving to school while wearing running gear, but The Love Magnet is slow. Getting her to move in the right direction and at a regular speed is like herding cats. It isn't going to happen.

I came home. Posted on Face Book that I was going for a run. Posted on my Kookies WW board that I was going for a run. Psyched myself up. Turned on my Garmin and got it linked up to those mysterious satellites in the heavens. Walked out the door.

oooh. ugh. puff....puffpuff......*gasp*....chug...chug...chug

It was hard. Really hard. I know I am going to have to bite the bullet and get over the fact that it will be hard for the next two weeks.

At least I am proud for getting out. 2 1/2 miles 11:30/mile

Here we go again.

Sunday Gratitudes

Today was the first day (for our family) of new Primary teachers. Normally, its a day that is very traumatic for The Love Magnet. She doesn't handle change well. We found out that her new Primary teacher is the mom of a girl whom TLM loves very much. They came over this week to bring my daughter a treat. Sister F included a picture of herself (a very cool pic - she is a photographer) so The Love Magnet would remember who to look for on Sunday. TLM carried that picture around the rest of the week. I kept finding it on the Love Sac, the couch, her bed.....and would put it on the fridge at her eye-level to find again. Today, The Love Magnet talked about her new teacher all the way to Primary. She entered the room and went straight to her new class. No tears. No trauma. I am so grateful that Sister F came to visit. I'm grateful that this year was much easier to transition. The Love Magnet saw her teacher from last year across the room and waved enthusiastically. Then my love turned to me and said "Mom, go to your class." I couldn't. TLM requires two teachers in her class and a 2nd teacher still needed to be called. TLM wasn't happy that I escorted her everywhere. Oh, well.

I'm grateful for the smell of Sunday dinner cooking when I walked through the door tonight. Baked chicken. "Mashed 'ta-toes an' gwavy", cornbread stuffing, veggies and dip, and the ubiquitous jello (it was even green with pineapple - a rarity at this house). I'm thankful that we have food on our table. We are blessed with Mr. Wonderful's job and his willingness to work hard for his family.

The weather has been warmer. Not warm, just not below freezing. I'm grateful to have the sun out again. My mood needed it.

I'm grateful that Secondborn scored so well on his tests this week. He was so excited to come home and give me a play-by-play of every single test. While I am at it, let me express how thankful I am that he wants to talk to me. It's so much better than receiving monosyllabic answers.

I'm grateful for the teachers that will be testing Thirdborn starting this week. I hope their expertise can give us some answers to help him in reading, spelling, and math. Its getting harder and harder to get him to try. He has just about convinced himself that he can't do it.

Today I received an email from Special Olympics that we have been chosen to help host the delegates from Kazakhstan! I am thankful and thrilled for the opportunity my family will have to learn about these people and their culture. We had such a good experience last year with the athletes from Lebanon.

Honey don't read this either....Valentine Stuff

Here it is: The 14 Days of Valentines 2009 list

1. Giant Valentine Card (bought at the after-Valentine sales last year)

2. Two Feet – Cheesy poem for a foot rub that night
.
3. Movie tix and Red Vines

4. 4 Cute Kids poster hung on garage door

5. Five phone calls (I’ll have 5 people call or send emails to wish him Happy 5th Day of Valentines. People he hasn’t talked to in ages.

6. I can’t tell you this one. He’ll love it.

7. I’m in Heaven (new feather pillow and a certificate to sleep in on Valentine’s Day morning (I’ll take the kids out to bfast so the house is quiet. Might try to keep them gone all morning.)

8. Eternity (picture of the SL Temple and memories of how I felt on our wedding day)

9. Family Night about Dads

10. Ten Things I Love About You (send emails, scatter labels, etc)

11. Two candle sticks to light for Valentine’s dinner. Include printed menu.

12. Twelve Love Notes/sonnets/poems/quotes (11 found, 1 original by me)

13. Thirteen languages to say I Love You (hot pink post-it notes on his truck, in his laptop, wallet, on his sun glasses, bathroom mirror, etc.)

14. Dinner and a movie

Now for the menu (which can be changed, but I doubt this will)

Appetizer: Smoked Salmon and cucumber rounds

Soup: Lobster bisque (Costco)
Main: Halibut Oscar , risotto, rosemary bread from Costco
Dessert: Crème Brulee with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

The recipes for Halibut Oscar and Creme Brulee come from our fave restaurant in Utah, Market Street Grill. In fact, the halibut is his favorite dish. We always would share creme brulee or Raspberry Almond Torte afterwards (which I might make instead of creme brulee). I really miss that place.

Honey don't read this.....Valentine stuff

Last night I worked on the 12th day of Valentines: 12 Love Notes. I had to be sneaky because Mr. Wonderful was home and he thinks I spend too much time on the computer.

I'm rather proud of this. (No, not my reputation for spending too much time on the computer.) I thought the Love Notes research turned out great. Between my computer and my own personal library, I found some doozies. Some of them are:

Trust; perfect confidence, honor, and love
Come from the Perfected Being above—
These make the truest of sweethearts kind—
These, my Jewel, in you I find.
-David O. Mackay, Heart Petals, p.44

"And what is a kiss, specifically? A pledge properly sealed, a promise seasoned to taste, a vow stamped with the immediacy of a lip, a rosy circle drawn around the verb 'to love.' A kiss is a message too intimate for the ear, infinity captured in the bee's brief visit to a flower, secular communication with an aftertaste of heaven, the pulse rising from the heart to utter its name on a lover's lip: 'Forever.'"

- Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac, Act 3

In all our losses, all our gains,In all our pleasures, all our pains,The life of life is: Love remains.In every change from good to ill,--If love continues still,Let happen then what will.

- Theodore Tilton

"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet..... I mean, what does any one life mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things..... all of it, all the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness'". –Shall We Dance

There are more. They will all be printed on white paper, rolled up, and tied with a red ribbon. They will be hidden in pockets, in his truck, in shoes. The last one (mine) will be waiting in my hands to greet him as he walks in the door that night.


I absolutely love getting ready for this!

The 14 Days Of Valentines

Its that time of year again! Time to show your Mr. Wonderful (or Mrs./Miss) that he absolutely warms your heart. Take the first 14 days of February and do something for him/her that will be completely unexpected, completely charming, and completely knocks his socks off! See the previous post under the 14 Days of Valentines under blog labels for ideas.

I had a few questions come up last year that require the following clarification.

WHAT THE 14 DAYS OF VALENTINES ARE NOT:

1. This is not a vehicle for you to dump guilt on your Mr. Wonderful if he is not the romantic type. If you are a guilt-dumper, change your ways or your are not allowed to play.

2. This is not a contest. There is no competition to see who comes up with the best ideas. All ideas are free for the taking. In fact, I encourage the sharing and taking of ideas. Your only prize will be a deliriously happy Mr. Wonderful (or Mrs./Miss....you get the idea).

3. This is not a build up for gifts. Do not expect a gift. This is for you to completely shower your Love with pure love. Completely selfless. You do not automatically deserve jewelry for doing this.

Okay now that is all settled. Onto the sharing of ideas! (Oh, and before I forget: Mr. Wonderful, if you are reading this post - its time for you to log off. No peeking. Shoo.)

Truly he won't read this if I tell him not to read this. Isn't he amazing?

This year I will be changing a few things. Day 4 will still be "4 Beautiful Children" with pictures of the kids. But.....this year it will be a candid shot, completely silly, and blown up to poster size. If the weather permits, it will be hung on the garage door. I shall try to capture his reaction for you.

The 1st Day of Valentines will be One Giant Valentines Day Card that I picked up on sale last year after Valentines Day.

The 12th Day of Valentines falls on Family Night which means we shall dedicate it to Mr. Wonderful. This year I shall be more prepared and make sure the kids are prepared BEFORE the big day.

As for the rest, it will be decided in the next week. I like to give myself at least 2 weeks to gather everything.

Don't forget to make dinner on the 14th just for the two of you. Homemade, or pick up something yummy. I'll post my menu as soon as its decided.

Leave a comment. Let me know what your are planning. Spread the love.

There isn't enough selfless love in the world right now.

____________________________________________________________

My ideas from last year:
Feb 1 - You Have My One Heart - heart shaped chocolates (Dove) in cute red/pink/white takeout box. Heart decoration over his mirror. Box and decoration for $1 each at Target.

Feb 2- For just the Two of Us - invitation in calligraphy on nice card stock to my homemade valentine dinner. Include menu and two candles, and bottle of sparkly.

Feb 3 - The Three necessities for our next date night - 2 movie tix and a box of Red Vines.

Feb 4 - Four Beautiful Children (and one cute wife)- head shots of the kids and me taped to the inside of his windshield. I might even write with lipstick on his windshield

Feb 5 - Five (x2) fingers - massage lotion from Bath & Bodyworks

Feb 6 - Six candy bars in a candy gram - things like Big Hunk, Twix, Sugar Daddy etc. No, I am NOT telling you what I am writing!

Feb 7 - Seven freshly made orange or cinnamon rolls. Hide the rest for later.

Feb 8 - I'll love you for Eternity (Eight on its side). This will be a home made Valentine card.

Feb 9 - Nine Items for Breakfast in Bed - 3 egg omelet with spinach, mushrooms and feta (that makes 6), sourdough toast (7), orange juice (8), broiled fresh pineapple (9)

Feb 10 - 10 - Ten Things I Love About You written on beautiful card stock and propped on his pillow to find when he gets home

Feb 11 - Eleven Reasons we are grateful for our dad and husband Family Home Evening. The kids will be involved with this one. I'll let them run with their imaginations and each come up with something.

Feb 12 - Twelve Hugs and Twelve Kisses. Hershey's Hugs and Kisses (12 each!) in another cute little takeout container. DH shares all chocolates with the kids. As long as it isn't dark chocolate, I have no problem abstaining.

Feb 13 - Thirteen Ways To Say I Love You on Post-It Notes. Start researching languages now. Make sure you write down what language it is. If your DH speaks a foreign language, be sure to include that one in the thirteen languages. Be silly and go for pig latin. Be creative with drawings of ASL signs. Write it Korean/Chinese/Japanese if you know the calligraphy.

Feb 14 - A letter expressing how much I love him and a note to remind him to meet me for dinner at a certain time.

Other Ideas from last year: hide red note card around the room with your fave romantic movie quotes, sonnets, Shakespeare, poetry, and sayings for him to find.

Sunday Gratitudes

This past week we were in Utah for the funeral of Mr. Wonderful's grandpa. Grandpa-Great was an amazing man. He built and flew his own airplane (he also built his own boat and his own home.) He ran incredibly successful businesses. He help his grandsons on their missions. Grandpa-Great had suffered many years with Parkinson's disease. At one point, he decided that he would rather have a clear head than be on all the medication, including pain med, that muddled his thinking. He quit all meds a few years ago. When it looked like he was ready to leave us, Mr. Wonderful drove down to be with him in his last hours. I'm grateful that he made it in time. Mr. Wonderful called to tell me that Grandpa-Great passed peacefully and was finally free from pain. When I told my children, Thirdborn said "Mom, I'll bet he is having THE BEST family reunion right now!" I'm sure Grandpa did. His wife died 28 years ago. He also had a daughter wwho died when she was 5 or 6. I would have loved to see that family reunion.

This year instead of making resolutions, I decided to make specific study goals. My study goals for school are set so I am making personal scripture study goals. This month I want to focus on Prayer. Along with scripture references in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants, I have been pulling conference talks and Ensign articles: Prayer by Ezra Taft Benson (when he was an apostle), Improving Our Prayers by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, and Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayer by Elder Richard G. Scott. Every night that I study I record thoughts and inspiration in a new journal. I am grateful for this goal. I have faith that it will improve my scripture study and answers some questions that are really puzzling me. If you have any suggestions on articles or insights, I would greatly appreciate them. I've yet to decide the upcoming subjects in subsequent months.

I'm grateful for all the prayers said in behalf of my family today as we traveled home. We were safe. The roads were clear and the weather fine.

I'm grateful that school starts up again tomorrow - at least for the kids. The Love Magnet especially does better on a set schedule. she has been begging for the past two weeks to go back to school. I still have two weeks to get things together for my school, thank heavens.

I'm grateful for my house, my bed, my kitchen, my tub, my own computer with my own bookmarks in it......as much as I love being with my family, its nice to come home.

Sunday Gratitudes

My last Sunday Gratitudes for 2008.

I'm grateful for my testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that without Him, I am nothing. It is through him where I receive my strength. Because of Him and His sacrifice, I will be able to live with my Heavenly Father again. He knows every single one of my strengths and my weaknesses...and He loves me. My goal in 2009 is to learn more about Him and grow closer to Him.

I'm grateful for my courteous Firstborn son. Today I watched him jump up to open a door for a man whose arms were full of a wiggly, screaming child. My son wasn't supposed to be manning the door at church today. He was helping to pass the sacrament. I watched from my seat behind the pulpit (I sit there when I am not conducting the congregational hymns) as my son noticed this father and child head up the aisle and moved over to the door in order to help. I know its just a small thing. But it was one of those moments where I realized that Firstborn will grow up just fine.

I'm grateful that we are all healthy, happy, and home. That gratitude is in my prayers every single night.

I'm grateful for the high school friendships I've renewed in the past week. I was a drama geek way back in the 80's. My closest friends were part of that group. It has been fun to reconnect with them.

I'm grateful for one of the men in my ward. He asked The Love Magnet if she was ready to be the hymnbook girl again. For the past few months, my daughter (and also Thirdborn) have been helping him put hymnbooks on the folding chairs in the overflow of the chapel (our ward is so huge we fill up all three overflows). The Love Magnet loved being asked and knew exactly what to do. I am thrilled that someone else was taking the time to teach her how to give service. (During that time I am setting up in front and making sure the hymn numbers are in place.)

I'm grateful yet again for all the patient Primary teachers and Sunday school teachers my kids had this past year. Next week they will have new teachers. I hope we get to meet them before Sunday so The Love Magnet doesn't get stressed over the change in her schedule.

I'm grateful for all the friends I've met through this blog. One of these days I will be able to met you in person and give you a hug with skin on it.

Christmas Morning

Impatient to come down the stairs....

Doggie Girl is impatient, too....


Secondborn wasn't sure why he was receiving cologne. He wanted to know if girls liked that stuff.


The Love Magnet wanted to help Thirdborn unwrap his presents.

She also tried to help Firstborn unwrap his.

Firstborn loved his BYU hoodie.

Mr. Wonderful loved receving a subscription to MIT Review.

The Love Magnet is ready to open her own doll hair salon.

D'ya think Thirdborn is happy about this gift?

Christmas Eve at Auntie M's

The Love Magnet loves Auntie M's mashed 'ta-toes almost as much as she loves Grandma's mashed 'ta-toes. She ate three helpings.

Secondborn was asked to be the donkey this year during the traditional re-enactment of the story of the birth of Christ as told in St. Luke. Secondborn came up with a fitting costume.

Mr. Wonderful chatting with Auntie M.


Santa came to visit! The Love Magnet eagerly waited for her turn to sit on his lap. As soon as she got there, she started to cry. When asked what was wrong, she said that he didn't give her a chocolate like he gave to the other kids. Forget all about telling Santa what you want, the best part is the COCOLATE!

CHOCOLATE!!! Oh thank heavens. That was all she wanted. She was done and ready to get down. The Love Magnet did remind Santa that he already came to visit her at the special ed room at her school.

Thirdborn announced that he was too big to sit on Santa's lap. He refused to go over until Firstborn and Secondborn said that they weren't too old to be with Santa.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Secret Santa with my Cookies (the women, not the holiday treats)

There is a group of women I have known for 5 years. Most of them I have never met in person.

We refer to ourselves as the Cookies. Originally brought together to swap healthy recipes, we've become so much more to each other. These women are all kindred spirits in the very best sense.

For the past four years we've had a Secret Santa swap (something that some of the Cookies have admitted that they look forward to more than any other present. The gifts in the past have been often hilarious, sometimes very touching. Last year I received from Chrissy a hand-knit wrap that I refer to has my "Chrissy Hug". The year before, cookbooks from Cape Cod from sweet Claudia. Claudia passed away this year after a brave battle against cancer. I will miss her dearly.

This year Chris in PA drew my name. She knew about the tea parties and my hunt for tea things. Chris told me she scoured antique shops looking for the perfect teacup and saucer to add to my collection. I love this! This teacup will be for me. Along with the teacup, Chris sent me the Heinz Field Cookbook filled with tailgating recipes. I mentioned to the cookies how I loved collecting regional cookbooks on my vacays. This particular cookbook will be fun to use. Now I have to plan a football party. (Not to mention I have to learn how the game is played so I can actually watch it. The Cookies know all about my sports gaffes in the past. They still love me.)

Thank you so much, Chris. I P2H you to the Nth power! xoxo

Merry Christmas from the Scarehaircare's

Happy St. Lucia Day

(and a big hug to Miss Morgan - I think of you fondly every year at this time)

Merry Christmas to you all

(we hope your holiday is filled with love)

Sunday Gratitudes (on a Tuesday)

Today as I was leaving the local Costco parking lot, I saw a woman begging on the corner. Her sign said that she was a single mom supporting two kids. All she was asking for was food. I've seen plenty of people begging for money - I have never seen anyone begging just for food.

I stopped on the side of the road and pulled out 2 gallons of milk, a box of canned pineapple, and a box of canned black beans. As I was talking to her she told me that she could either pay the electricity bill or buy food. She chose to have heat in her home. It turns out that one of her children is a daughter the same age as The Love Magnet. I pulled out a gift I had just bought for TLM and added it to the pile. I wished her a Merry Christmas and drove off. I was in tears all the way home.

Here is my single gratitude - that Heavenly Father put this woman in my path today. I spent all morning with my head full of lists to get done and feeling sad that we can't make it to Utah to spend Christmas with our family. I left that woman with my heart thankful that we have employment, a home with heat, food on our table, and money for Christmas gifts.

I ask you - how on earth can we keep a straight face?

(The following is a prayer given at dinner last night by The Love Magnet)

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for our day

Thank you for our food

Thank you for Christmas....DON'T TELL!

Thank you for presents......DON'T TELL!

Thank you for book......DON'T TELL! (the book is a Christmas present she made for Mr. Wonderful and me at school. We're not supposed to know about it yet.)

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


I fully believe that Heavenly Father was at least smiling during that prayer.

12 Great Things About Secondborn in honor of his 12th birthday

Secondborn and two of his favorite cousins

1. Secondborn is smart. He loves school and learning new things.

2. He is very self-disciplined. I never have to worry about him doing his homework as he gets it done on his own. He is constantly making goals and working on them. He prepares in advance for tests.

3. Secondborn sees the good in people. He is a loyal friend and will look for everyone's strengths.

4. He is kind. He will seek out anyone in need of service or a friend.

5. My son is grateful. He never fails to thank me for a ride, a meal, or for helping him in any way.

6. Secondborn is patient, especially with The Love Magnet. He helps her with homework, with the computer, and with anything she asks of him. I noticed today one of the ways in which that patience paid off. I taught my daughter's Primary class today. When class was over, and all of the children were waiting for their family members to pick them up, The Love Magnet proudly told her classmates and me that she was waiting for her brother. When Secondborn came in, she jumped in his arms, totally content to be there. I pointed out to him that she had been waiting for him and did he know to come? No, he didn't, but he was sure pleased that she singled him out.

7. Secondborn is good at basketball. He consistently scored half of his team's points every game this season. He has worked hard at improving (one of his goals) and spent a lot of time with Mr. Wonderful at the church gym after Scouts, practicing his techniques.

8. He is a good example. A few of his friends have quit swearing in his presence after he told them it wasn't cool.

9. He loves to read. All he wanted for his birthday were books. I have to check his room before I go to sleep because he reads late into the night. How can I get mad at that?

10. He loves his extended family. His favorite thing about trips to Utah is seeing his favorite cousins.

11. He has a surprising love for cooking. He really enjoyed the home economics (not sure what they call it now) class this past term and came home with a few recipes. Now he wants to help out in the kitchen more. I'll encourage that. He has mastered spaghetti sauce without a recipe. He loves to make pull apart sticky rolls and Orange Julius. Time to learn how to make pizza dough. After that we'll start on Sunday dinner prep.

12. This kid loves the gospel. He has asked if he could teach the Family Night lesson tomorrow. I'm not sure what it is: Aaronic priesthood, a scripture story, something about Christmas? I"m looking forward to having my 12 year old son teach me.

Sunday Gratitudes

On December 6th, Thirdborn was baptized. I am grateful that he was ready and understood the importance of this ordinance. Thirdborn was so excited for this day.

The next day, Secondborn was ordained a deacon and received the Aaronic priesthood. I'm grateful that he, too, was prepared and understood the importance of this day. I'm thankful for the family members who made the trip to our house for the baptism and deacon ordination. I'm so grateful for the worthy priesthood holders in our family Mr. Wonderful's dad was there. My daddy was there. Two of my brothers, a brother-in-love, and one of Mr. Wonderful's brothers were there with their families. We had a houseful. It was a good thing.

The Love Magnet monopolized her cousin R. I think R has the patience of Job. My daughter would not leave her alone the entire weekend - they colored, played with dolls, watched movies, and a host of other girly things my daughter never gets to do in a houseful of boys. I'm afraid I relied too much on my darling niece. She kept The Love Magnet occupied so I could get other things done. So here is a huge heartful of gratitude to my darling niece R for being so patient and loving with my daughter. You are going to be a great mom someday.

I also have a huge amount of gratitude for my Mom, Mother-In-Love, my Twin Sis, and my Sis-in-Love who spent the weekend helping me, counseling me, and at one point listening to me bawl (the weekend was uber overwhelming with one final down and one the following week and three the week after on top of two birthdays, a baptism and a deacon ordination to plan). I'm overcome with their love, generosity, and completely un-judging attitudes.

I'm grateful that we could take Secondborn to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead. Mr. Wonderful's parents are huge family history buffs and love to do research. They brought enough family names for Firstborn, Secondborn, myself and them to do 10 names each (Mr. Wonderful did the baptisms while we stood proxy.) I love to go to the temple. Its even better with my children there. I look forward to the day when all of my children can be in the temple.

Tonight was our Stake (multiple congregations) Christmas Hymn Sing - a time where each ward (congregation) sings one of the songs they have prepared for their ward Christmas program. Our ward performed a song called "For Unto Us Is Born." Its a challenging piece and one that they thought they couldn't do. We worked hard on it for months...and it sounded beautiful tonight. I'm grateful for the support of my choir members and their willingness to use their talents and work hard.

I'm grateful for this opportunity to go to school. Its much harder than I thought it would be. I've loved it.

That being said - I'm grateful that there is a break coming up. I need it.

Doing the Snoopy Happy Dance

I know I've been absent a lot and I missed Sunday Gratitudes. 'Tis the season of finals. Two so far and three more next week.

I just had to announce that I EARNED AN 'A' on my anatomy & Physiology lab final. Combine that with my lecture grade and it might actually be decent. I also aced my Psych final.

Later on tonight I will post 12 great things about Secondborn in honor of his 12th birthday. I and I can't forget Sunday Gratitudes from last week because it was doubly important.

Be back tonight.

(still doing the Snoopy Happy Dance. I'll be this feelings lasts all day......)

Soup Recipe

Chunky Potato-Crab Chowder
from Cooking Light, October 2003

This easy New England-style chowder lets the red-skinned potatoes shine. Cream-style corn is a surprise ingredient that adds a little sweetness and contributes to the creamy texture.

My notes: Big hit at our family dinner to celebrate Thirdborn's baptism. We tripled the recipe and used crab and shrimp. Easy to put together. It was nice to have a seafood chowder that I didn't feel guilty about eating.

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 garlic clove, minced
3 1/2 cups (1-inch) cubed red potato (about 1 pound)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces lump crabmeat, shell pieces removed
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Add potato; sauté 1 minute. Sprinkle with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, thyme, pepper, nutmeg, corn, and broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in crab, parsley, and salt; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)CALORIES 265 (23% from fat); FAT 6.8g (sat 3.8g,mono 1.9g,poly 0.6g); IRON 1.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 47mg; CALCIUM 176mg; CARBOHYDRATE 36.5g; SODIUM 968mg; PROTEIN 16.3g; FIBER 3.1g Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2003

Thank you, Smith Nation!

Smith Nation graciously offered to send The Love Magnet one of her tea cups towards our tea party collection. She sent two (one for TLM and one for me).

Wasn't that sweet?

8 Great Things About Thirdborn (who turned 8).

(This kids forgave me for forgetting to bring cupcakes to his class for his birthday. In my defense, I was trying to get ready for his birthday party. Thirdborn publicly forgave me before I could ask him to. I'm not including this in the 8 Great Things, but I wanted you all to know just how sweet that was.)

1. Thirdborn is very creative. He is constantly making up stories and plays. He loves to invent things and will often show me drawings or creations he made with toys.

2. Thirdborn is very sensitive. He will find the new kid in class, the boy without anyone to play with, or search out someone who is having a bad day. Thirdborn will then do everything he can to make things better.

3. Thirdborn is a great friend. He constantly thinks about what he can do for others.

4. Thirdborn is an explorer. He loves to try new foods and learn about new cultures.

5. Thirdborn wants to work for the FBI when he grows up. He has a sense of right and wrong and had decided that making the world a better place involves catching the bad guys.

6. Thirdborn is a great big brother. He constantly looks out for The Love Magnet and helps her whenever he can. He reads to her almost every night.

7. Thirdborn loves to cook (hooray!) and wants to help in the kitchen. He is so excited: one of the great things about turning 8 in our house is that he will now learn how to cook spaghetti from scratch. That includes making your own sauce. No recipes allowed. Once he masters that he will move on to other meals...again no recipes allowed. (Yes, I do teach the boys to read recipes, but I think that everyone needs to know how to do a week's worth of meals without relying on recipes.)

8. Thirdborn is SO EXCITED to be baptized this week. He had a great interview with our bishop and gave his answers to Bishop's questions without hesitation. He is prepared to choose the right.

Guess what came in the mail yesterday?

Pictures will be posted tonight.

I'll also post Sunday Gratitudes on a Tuesday.

And 8 Great Things About Thirdborn who turned 8 on Saturday.

(Can you tell that I have two weeks before finals and I'm frantically trying to get the house ready fro my family to visit this weekend? I'm a bit behind on blogging....)

Bittersweet Thanksgiving

This is the holiday where I will always miss my Grandma S the most.

This is also the first Thanksgiving that Grandma S will celebrate will Grandpa S in 8 years. My sis-in-love pointed this out to me today while we were standing in the kitchen, reminiscing about food traditions. There are quite a few from Grandma S that I will continue on at my own holiday table.

Grandma always had three kinds of homemade pickles: bread-and-butter pickles, mustard pickles, and crystal pickles (sweet pickles made from tiny cukes and sliced so thin that they looked like crystal). I don't have the recipe for crystal pickles yet (Mom has promised that I can look through grandma's cookbooks). I went to the store this morning to buy bread-and-butter pickles and mustard pickles (sometimes called mustard chow-chow). None. Nada. Just dill and one lonely bottle of sweet. I was so disappointed. Next year I won't be caught without them. I doubt I will make them all myself, but I will have them in my pantry.

Celery stuffed with Old English Cheese spread. This is such a huge part of my childhood food memories. Every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and quite a few Sunday dinners, this dish would appear on the table. I have been known to scarf the leftovers.
I have to admit that I have graduated from Food Snob to embracing everything homey, homemade, and totally un-gourmet. I've shared with you before that my Grandma was a true salt-of-the-earth woman. Her recipes are the kind you would find it the old ward cookbooks (cookbooks of family recipe put together by various congregations in our church).

Grandma was famous for her Yucky Rolls. They were actually just Parker House Style rolls. My mom uses frozen Rhodes dough, flattens them out a bit, dip in butter and folds in half. then they finish rising and bake. So easy. Sooo good.

The last must have dish is Grandma's Cranberry Salad. Do not leave out the whole orange. Yes, you do have to grind it up, peel and all. Trust me, its good.

I grew up with this sauce. I had no idea that cranberries came any other way. My first Thanksgiving dinner at my in-loves, I marveled out loud when they brought out a cylindrical shaped cranberry sauce mold (at least that is what I thought it was). Mr. Wonderful was embarrassed. Mother-in-love looked at me strangely when I asked her where she found a gelatin mold of that shape. Mr. Wonderful took me to the kitchen to show me the empty can of cranberry sauce. I wanted to crawl under a rock and stay there, thinking that his mom must hate me.

So I give to you the recipe for my Grandma S's Cranberry Salad. Don't wait until next Thanksgiving to try it. Be sure to try it on a leftover turkey or chicken sandwich. I have also been known to scarf all leftovers of this.

Grandma S's Cranberry Salad

1 large pkg cherry jello (I use cranberry)
1 Cup water
1 pkg fresh cranberries
1 Cup sugar
3 apples (granny smith or golden delicious) Core, but do not peel. Grind up
2 oranges Grind up peel and all. I usually chop into eighths and use the grind
button on my blender.

Dissolve sugar in boiling water. Add the cranberries and cook until they pop. Stir in jello until dissolved. Add apples and oranges. Chill until firm. (Sorry, when I originally posted this I forgot the cranberries. I just added it today 11/28. If you want, you can cut the cranberries half and cook them before adding the jello.)

You can add nuts to this.

Start the hunt!

After hosting my first tea party, I've been thinking about how to do it right. Today I started the hunt at a local antique mall. Unfortunately, every teacup and saucer I loved were over $60.

While I was there I started noticing the fancy hats, gloves, spoons, pots, creamers, and sugar bowls. I started feeling like a little girl again...the one who loved tea parties and dressing up. Now that I have a base knowledge its time to really start hunting. I'll be scouring antique stores and secondhand stores for tea things and proper "tea wear".

I will have to ask Mr. Wonderful to either build or help me figure out a way to store or display said items. Tea things are not the normal way I decorate (not flowery, frilly, or chintzy) but I am so looking forward to starting this collection.

Especially the gloves and hats. I love gloves and hats. Never wear them. Just adore them.

Still collecting recipes. If you know of any good ones, please send them my way. I will have my mom, mother-in-love, and possibly nieces over in two weeks and I'd like to do this again.

Sunday Gratitudes

No posts this past week. The week before Thanksgiving Break is notorious for being overloaded as professors cram things in before the final weeks of the semester. I had a Persuasive speech due in Comm (which I nailed thankyouverymuch!), art exam, really difficult exam in Anatomy & Physiology, and exam in Psych. So....

1. I am grateful that the week is over, exams are done, and I can enjoy this coming week off. What will I do with it? Write some extra credit art papers and one 10 page APA format paper for Psych (and hope he will accept it for extra credit. I am borderline for an A and I want to make sure it will be an A). I will also study math in prep for the math placement test and start studying for the Humanities CLEP test (so I can test out of it). All this in prep for hopefully getting my Associates of Science after summer term and being accepted into my major come fall.

2. I'm grateful that all the kids are over their colds (at least for this round) and we can have a healthy T-day.

3. I'm grateful for that Mr. Wonderful has a stable job and we have sufficient for our needs. We've been hearing stories from friends and neighbors who are struggling in this economy. The news reports that more people than ever are requesting assistance from food banks. I have seen more people begging on the side of the road. The stories of people needing help increase every day.

4. I found out that my southern grandmother is coming for Christmas! Actually, she isn't coming here, she will be in Utah with my parents. I am so grateful that I will get to see her over Christmas (if the traveling weather cooperates). I am thrilled to pieces over the prospect!!

5. Thirdborn had his birthday party yesterday. Miniature golfing and a pizza lunch. Thirdborn decided he wanted doughnuts instead of cupcakes so we bought a dozen and stuck candles in his. He is so excited to be baptized, be a Cub Scout, and be old enough for sleepovers. I'm just grateful that I survived hosting the birthday party. (I sure hope I survive hosting the one coming up for Secondborn in December.)

6. Yesterday it started to snow. Cold, wet, slushy snow. It wasn't much fun to shop in, dragging two kids along, and furniture shopping, too! Yet, I am grateful for the snow and hope more comes along so we won't be in a drought. That, and my boys are so excited for snowboarding/skiing season. Mr. Wonderful has plans with some of the ward dads and sons for frequent trips to the local ski resort.

7. I'm grateful for my T-21 Buddies (see the link list to the right). These are the people I go to when I have questions or I just want to be understood. They get it. We celebrate all successes and marvel that we wouldn't know each other if it weren't for the extra chromosome in one of our children. These families are my heroes.

8. Now to share one of those successes. I am so dearly grateful that The Love Magnet read 10 sight words this week at school! O Happy Day!

9. My Aunt and Uncle are coming for Sunday dinner. Maple Roasted Pork Loin, Streuseled Sweet Potatoes, Brussels sprouts with bacon and onion, raspberry jello, and a Gingerbread Trifle with Eggnog Custard, banana, and oranges. I'm grateful for good food and good company. I'm really looking forward to tonight.

10. As usual, I am grateful for the Sabbath day. No schoolwork. No housework. Just worshipping my Heavenly Father, singing his praises with the choir, and enjoying quiet times with my family. I love Sundays.

Tea Party Pictures

What do you do when you can't fathom paying $25/person for a proper tea at the local teashop? Your do it yourself.

Spending $35 for groceries was much better than paying $150 (not including tax and tip).

The Love Magnet is ready for some Girl Time...

along with the cousins and Auntie M.

Don't forget me. (My hat courtesy of the cousins. Thanks, cousins!)

Cucumber and mint sandwiches. Cream scones with lemon curd or currant jam and clotted cream. Cadbury chocolate biscuits. Fresh fruit. Treacle cake (which everyone was excited to try because we learned about it from reading Harry Potter). Huge thanks to Auntie M for supplying the teapot and cups and helping to put the food together.


The Love Magnet wasn't sure about herbal tea or cucumber-mint sandwiches. She went straight for the Cadbury Chocolate Biscuits. She definitely takes after her chocoholic auntie aka my twin sis.


The Cousins were great at practicing proper etiquette.

The boys were at school. We had to take one more picture when everyone came home. They were quite happy to eat the leftovers.

Huge gratitude for sweet cousins. Thanks for coming to visit!

Calling Dr. Teeth

The Love Magnet is very aware of things going on in her classroom. She is determined to be treated like everyone else and doesn't want special consideration. When the class has a spelling test, my daughter insists on doing it as well. (If her aide helps her with sounding it out, she can spell as well as the class. Oh, yes, she is smart.) The Love Magnet also wants to do math, write sentences (although it takes her too long, in her opinion, to copy the sentences from the board so she makes up her own), and even do homework just like her classmates.

We've run into a wall of sorts. I can't fix this problem and it won't fix itself in The Love Magnet's time frame.

My daughter has noticed that all-important rite of passage that happens to first graders. She has witnessed her friends losing their teeth. When a tooth wiggles and pops out, the class celebrates and the toothless-ninny gets his/her name on the tooth poster. Its a very big deal to a first grader.

Its a Very Big Deal to The Love Magnet.

Kids with Down syndrome do lots of things differently. That includes the fact that all milestones happen later than usual. When it comes to teeth, kids with Ds have a longer wait for their baby teeth to appear. They often appear in the wrong order. It seems to take forever. It turns out that the same rules apply for losing teeth. It takes much longer for it to happen and it will happen in the wrong order. Which means The Love Magnet will probably start losing her teeth......in third grade.

There are no tooth posters in third grade.


Oh the agony!


The Love Magnet has taken matters into her own hands. She told her teacher she lost a tooth. Unfortunately there was no proof. When TLM realized that Plan A wasn't going to work, she quickly opted for Plan B.

She asked her teacher to pull her tooth. Please.

She asked her aide to pull her tooth. Please.

She asked me to pull her tooth. PLEEEEAASE!

Now The Love Magnet wants to call Dr. Teeth, my Brother-In-Love and our former dentist in Utah. ("Dr. Teeth" is the name bestowed on him by TLM because she couldn't say his name.) She just knows that he will help. After all he counted her teeth. He brushed her teeth. He took pictures of her teeth. Surely he could pull her teeth. See the logic?

The Love Magnet waits for someone to pull her tooth. Any tooth. She wants her name on that big tooth poster.

This tooth. Just in case you weren't sure.

Its going to be a very long wait.