Best Cornbread

no-crumb cornbread~Comes with my money back guarantee to satisfy!
1 cup butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp baking soda
2 cup yellow corn meal
2 cup flour
1 tsp salt

Melt butter. Add sugar and stir well. Add eggs and beat until well blended. Stir in milk. Combine remaining ingredients and add to mixture. Put in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350* for 1 hour.

"Best Cornbread" award goes to my friend Gina (via Gayle Humpherys). That's saying a lot from a former Marie Callendar's waitress.

Highest Priority

"In 1999 the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lovingly stated: 'We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, July 2008 Ensign.
~A few weeks ago in California a letter was read by our Bishop penned by the Prophet, President Monson and the First Presidency. The letter was about protecting marriage as between a man and a woman. It was instructed that we give what we can, financially and in time for this upcoming voting issue and to get involved by the "protectmarriage.com" website (endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). You may want to visit the site to learn more no matter where you reside.

Miss you, Bob Lozano

Our good friend Bob Lozano passed away last weekend. He was a warm and friendly person who lived his beliefs. Here's some creative ways to serve others (thanks Bob, for the ideas)
1-Take over a child's fund raiser paper so the mom doesn't have to do this. If it's girl scout cookies, so be it. Bob would take the paper, collect the orders and money, and then deliver the purchased goods. He would come to our house through the years serving different children. The kids didn't have to do the work, but they got the prizes!!
2- Instead of wondering why no one visits you; visit others. Bob has many friends and all of us feel we are his favorite. Why, because he visited us. This is a great lesson to learn.
3-Bob bought a heavy duty furniture dolly to help friends move. He wasn't strong enough to use it himself, but he knew that others would need it to move, so he would provide it.
4-Don't be afraid to ask for help. Bob wanted to follow the Prophet's counsel and learn about food storage. After talking with him about it, we customized a plan for him and that would fit into his limited space. He now was prepared for emergencies and felt good about it.

Bob, we will miss you and are so grateful that you are now free from difficulties that you had to work through this life. We know that we will see you again.

being a grown up

I have to confess, I've turned into a Craig's list junkie. It started off with wanting a headboard for Sperry. We got a deal and it was very easy. So, then I took a look at a bedroom set for Scott and I. Being that we've been married for 10 years now, I figure it's a good time for a headboard, dresser & armoire ALL MATCHING. I got a great deal, at a great price and with our friend Matt helping us, brought it all home! Now, I've posted a few things to sell on craigslist.org ...and it's fun. I promised Scott I wont get too carried away. Here's the bedroom set that we "earned" after 10 years. Keri, come and see this in person!!

Sneaky Delivery

During our "quiet time" each child is to stay in their room and read or play quietly (in the old days it was to take a nap). Now that the boys are older, they have gone high tech. I found that they had used their remote controlled cars that grandma Sue gave them to deliver messages back and forth. I found the notes and had to laugh, they were pretty funny... Here's a sample:
"Dear Carter, If you write back I'll draw you a picture" "Dear Jacob, I did write you back. from Carter. To Carter (followed by a picture of sonic, knuckles and eggman). "To Jacob, thank you for writing that picture From Carter (with a picture of a big smiley face)" You're welcome (with another picture of a smiley face from Jacob.
This really warmed my heart. My kids are funny, clever, and sometimes show they love each other .

Pioneer Day

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "We will always cherish our memories of the early Saints—their sacrifices, sorrows, and tears but also their courage, faith, and trust in the Lord as they too followed His prophet in their time."
Here's my tribute to some of my Pioneer ancestors.
Walter Eli Wilcox worked at the mill to prepare timbers being used in the construction of the Salt Lake City LDS Tabernacle. In the roof of the Tabernacle he helped wrap the wet rawhide around the wet timbers in the roofing project of the tabernacle. His wife, Amanda Hillam Wilcox migrated with her family from Liverpool and crossed the plains in the fourth wagon train of 1859.
Job and Susan Robbinson Sidwell arrived in Salt Lake City in 1847. They helped to settle Nephi Utah (Salt Creek). Susan is my great, great, great, great grandmother. One sonGeorge, crossed the plains at 16 years old and eventually fought in the Indian War. Another son, John, was asked to explore and to help find a cave large enough for the Saints if needed, to gather and hide from Johnson's Army. His sister, Margaret Ann Sidwell Sperry was at 18 yrs a teamstress from Winter Quarters to SLC.
How exciting it is to learn about those who have learned great lessons through their trials and triumphs. Each one who has gone before me, has helped to bless my life. Their life stories are incredible; I hope continue my search and learn from the past. Everyone has pioneers in their life. They don't have to cross the plains as an early Saint to be celebrated. As President Uchtdorf stated, "...today's modern-day Church pioneers who live in every nation and whose own stories of perseverance, faith, and sacrifice add glorious new verses to the great chorus of the latter-day anthem of the kingdom of God." Learn of your history while making your own "story".

10 years...

I love thinking back to the big Wedding Day. We were surrounded by our family and friends. Here's a few things that took me 10 years to learn...
1- If you are single, go on blind dates.
2- Marry someone you love and who will teach your kids how to ski
3- If you marry someone who's into Rocket science; it will take you ten years to understand what they do at work.
4- If your husband makes bread, learn to make jam.
5- Be grateful, be true.
6- BYU fans and UofU fans aren't always rivals.
7- Don't worry if your child sees kissing and says, "mom & dad's anniversary...gross".
8- Share the happy and the heartbreaking. Share yourself.
9- He will eat your cooking, but your kids wont.
10- Be grateful for the "one" who makes all the difference. They bless your life every day.
Happy Anniversary Scott!! I "heart" you.

Beach Day

We love going to the beach with friends. Here's a picture of the beach boys waiting for the next wave. It was tough pulling my kids away from the waves. The waves didn't want them to go either. Just as we started to pack up our things, the tide came right up to our chairs and started to pull our bags out to the sea. Everything was fine, but we took it as our sign to leave. Of course no beach day is complete without some In-n-Out!!
Note to self: inside beach bag put keys, phone and wallet in plastic bag.

mucho gracias!

I am cleaning & organizing so I thought I'd post a picture of my favorite "get organized guru"... my momma. "What can you get rid of, what do you want to move, how about this..." During her last visit we went through the house to each room I felt needed a little help. Scott's joke for when the mother-in-law is out, "Dont walk around without a light on, you'll bump into something that has been moved and improved". I love this picture of my mom. Big smile, laughing and one happy girl. Full of life and energy, I can't keep up. Thanks mom for all the help and support through my life. And thanks for helping me get it together. I love ya~marci

July 4th...Will Walk for Fireworks

What do: a bicycle parade, walking a mile with friends to see fireworks , and a love for the USA have in common? You guessed it, the 4th of July. We had a great time and are so grateful to live in a country where many freedoms are worth fighting for. Note to self for next year: The fireworks spot is further than what you think it will be. Do NOT walk from the original parking area. Thank Gina & Debra for being patient friends.