Favorite Time of Day

When I was younger (much younger) my sister Naomi and I had to share a bed. We would be sent down to bed each night with the instructions, "Go to bed and no playing around". Yeah right, like that would EVER happen!! We would spend hours sometimes playing or making up games in bed. I remember those fond memories well and they often bring smiles to my face.
My husband and I have reverted back to my childhood, he never had to share a bed with his siblings. We'll talk and laugh and most often will stay up much later talking and goofing off than we do at any other time during the day. Often staying up waaaaayyyy past our bedtime. We keep threatening to start recording our conversations and our giggles and reviewing them at a much later date. How incredible it is to have so much fun with your spouse. He truly is my best friend.

Date Night .... It's a must!!!

So recently our stake had a Womens Conference. The theme of the conference was the parable of the 10 Virgins. The idea was to go around to differnt booth and fill your lamp. They had all sorts of different ideas and items there. Our booth was date night. I'm proud to say that with the rare exception of just a few weeks Carter and I have continued go on a date every week for the past 2 1/2 years. We actually look forward to it. So I thought it might be nice if I posted some of our favorite cost friendly ideas for others to enjoy. I can't guarantee that once we have children we'll continue to date on a weekly basis, but we're going to give it our best shot.

1. Play a favorite board game, or challenge each other to childhood games—such as marbles, jacks, and hopscotch.
2. Make cookies and take some to a neighbor’s house. Place them on the doorstep, then knock or ring the bell and run to hide.
3. Read a book, the scriptures, or the Ensign together. If you prefer, read a book during the month, then discuss it in depth on your date night.
4. Make a list of the goals you want to accomplish in one, five, ten, or twenty-five years. Seal these lists in envelopes with a “to-open” date written clearly on the front.
5. Make holiday (Christmas, Easter, etc.) decorations for your home. Make Christmas gifts for family members or friends.
6. Plant a garden or a tree.
7. Dance to old records or to music on the radio. Learn new steps together.
8. Plan a special midnight supper, barbecue, picnic (summer or winter), make-your-own-pizza party, or candlelight dinner.
9. Make popcorn. Watch a favorite television show, video, or athletic event.
10. Refinish a piece of furniture for your home.
11. Read past entries from journals. Look at old photo albums and high-school yearbooks. Learn about your spouse’s childhood and teen years.
12. Plan an upcoming vacation or a second honeymoon—even if it’s only imaginary.

Favorite Recipe of the week

Baked Flounder
Ok I got this recipe off of Alton Brown and was quite "ify" at first but Carter made it and I have fallen in love with it!!!! Soooooo YUMMY!!!!
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for the sweat and for seasoning fillets
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 (10-ounce package) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
* 1 lemon, zested
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning fillets
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/4 cup white wine (I don't really use white wine)
* 10 ounces grated Cheddar
* 1 1/2 to 2 pounds flounder fillets
* 3 cups leftover cooked rice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium saute pan over low heat, melt the butter; add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute. Add the spinach and lemon zest and cook until just heated through. Season with the salt and pepper, add the parsley, and stir to combine. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

Place the heavy cream and wine into a saucepan over medium heat. Once the mixture begins to simmer, gradually add the cheese and stir until melted. Set aside and keep warm.

If the fillets are large, cut in half. Season each filet on both sides with salt and pepper. Divide the spinach mixture evenly among the fillets and roll the fish around the mixture. Place the rice into a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish and spread evenly. Place each roll on top of the rice, seam side down. Pour over the cheese sauce and place in the oven for 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Frustrations of a would be "Mother"

A friend of mine recently suggested I start posting a blog about the rollercoster ride of becoming a foster/adoptive parent. I thought I'd give it a shot. I think it might just help elevate some of the frustration this process has put our family and me personally through.

In our family my husband and I play certain roles. Although our roles often switch, or ebb and flow, it's a common understanding that I'm the one that kids like best. I'm the favorite Aunt. I'm the one that children seem to flock to. Maybe it's because when they look at me with those eyes, my heart just bursts and I can refuse them nothing.

This past weekend, we had a visit from Amanda and Jason and their three beautiful children. Liam and Harry are so fun loving and great kids. Molly their youngest is 20 months old and has stolen my husbands heart. On Friday Night, the Carter Clan went to a Rockies Baseball Game here in Denver and Molly wanted nothing to do with anyone else. She was so content to sit on Carter's lap and enjoy the baseball game with her Uncle and Grandpa. Several times I was so overcome with emotion and had to look away. I finally had my breakdown today after Amanda and Jason left.

It seems that parenthood is so far out of our grasp. Watching my husband and seeing him interact with his young niece knowing he desperately wants children of his own is heart wrenching. Seeing him on the floor with his nephews playing legos pulls at my heartstrings in so many ways.

I'm still not sure why we are going through this trial, or why it's been so difficult for us, but I know this, Carter is such an amazing man and I'm in awe of him on a daily basis.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Update

I've been told that I need to update my blog. So, I'll try to get something posted this weekend.

Maybe I'll post some pictures of our new house.

We'll see.

We're buying a house

In Aurora, CO.

Why I hate broadcast radio

There's little or no variety.

I've been keeping track of the songs played on some of the local radio stations here in the Denver area. After tracking just the songs played from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday, I've determined just how limited their playlists really are.

Kosi 101.1 (Soft Adult Contemporary) June 2 to June 10
Songs rarely repeated between 9am and 5pm
Entire playlist = 285 songs
(about 19.5 hours of original music during 56 hours of broadcast time)

Alice 105.9 (Hot Adult Contemporary) June 5 to June 10
Frequent repeats between 9am and 5pm
(some songs repeated 3 times within the 8 hour period)
Entire playlist = 118 songs
(about 8 hours of original music during 32 hours of broadcast time)

KIMN 100.3 (Adult Contemporary) June 5 to June 10
Occasional repeats between 9am and 5pm
Entire playlist = 224 songs
(about 15 1/3 hours of original music during 32 hours of broadcast time)

Counting individual songs played between these stations, there's a total of 494 songs. I can fit all that on my mp3 player.

I'll keep tracking, and maybe add some more stations, and update my findings here.

The Real Victims of the Immigration Debate

Kateri's birthday party at Mark's house