Hugging Cousins

It has been nearly three years since Craig and Amy have seen one another. There have been three children born in the meantime - Craig and Angie had Darci last August; Amy and Brad had Gavin two August's ago, and Jack last October. This morning Craig, Angie, Lucas and Darci arrived at our home, after a long night on the road, at 6:30. All four of them were awake, while Amy's family slept. Finally, around 8 AM, Craig and Angie decided it was time to get some sleep. Brad was up so he and I would watch Lucas and Darci. A little while later James and Gav came out of the room they were sleeping in, holding hands (how cute is that?). When they saw Lucas and Darci and said 'hi' they went and gave Lucas a hug. At one point in time during the day James and Lucas had to make up (who remembers why, not me!), so they hugged, then Gav came over, and Lucas was hugging both of them at the same time.

So, so precious!

It is great to have them here, I am grateful to have them here... only 6 other members of our family are missing, and definitely missed.

Good talks

Yesterday I was able to talk on the phone with Linzi for an hour and a half. It'd been awhile so we had some catching up to do. Plus, they've had some trials lately and it was good to hear that they were doing okay. Sometimes a mom/mom-in-law/grandma needs to know what is going on in the lives of her family...that'd be me. :)

I am grateful we could talk, it just made me feel happy.

Yummy Cookies!

Brad, Amy and boys headed north to visit with Neil and his family in Elk Grove today. I had a little bit of time to myself so I decided to bake some cookies for their return. I tried this amazing recipe posted on Our Best Bites on Monday...super yummy. I've been trying various chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for years, in hopes of finding a really good great one. I finally did! I am so grateful I did and I know they are going to love them...especially Pat.

If you are interested in making them go to ourbestbites.com ...you're gonna love them! (I chose to not make them giant, just because!)

Just to make it easier for you, here is the recipe. :)

Giant Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe from The Best Bake Sale Cookbook

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour, lightly spooned into measuring cups and leveled with a knife (very high altitudes may want to try adding 2 additional tablespoons of flour)
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon table salt)
3 cups (or 18 ounces) chocolate chips (I used the big Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips and don’t think I wouldn’t be above using those chocolate chunks you can get in the baking aisle…)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325. If desired, line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Beat the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients (except the chocolate chips). Add to the butter/sugar/egg mixture and mix until combined. Add the chocolate chips and mix until just combined.

Using a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop, drop the dough by the scoopful onto the prepared baking sheets. You should be able to get about 6 cookies per sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they begin to turn light brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely (or don’t…no shame…) Makes 18 giant cookies. If you’re feeling more modest, you can always use a smaller cookie scoop.

Missy is calmer

Our cat, Missy, usually always freaks out when the kids visit. She has a hard time with little ones. For some reason she has become more patient. It's practically a miracle. She still hangs out in our bedroom when the kids are here, but she has learned to tolerate a small degree of petting. As long as no one is squealing at her, or chasing after her, she seems to be fine. (Well, a tiny bit anxious, but nothing like she used to be.)

I am grateful she has become calmer in her old age (13 years), and hope it continues to be that way whenever the kids/g.kids visit.

Human alarm clock

Typically when I spend the night at Amy's home I am awakened by James, as he slowly opens the door, and happily creeps over to my bed. Soon he has crawled into bed with me for a few minutes of snuggle time. Before I am fully awake he asks for my hand so that we can go downstairs together and play or watch something on PBS. Early this morning he came in and joyfully climbed into bed with us. He had his Papa and Nana together!! Life doesn't get much better than that! Soon we were out in the great room playing with swords (since James is actually a knight), Papa was his foe that he'd stab, then roll/jump away from, only then needing to be rescued by Nana! Then, being the kind knight that he is, he'd give Papa a hug and kiss to help him recover from his serious injury. Oh, how grateful I am for our little alarm clock, and the sweet, courageous knight he is. :)

Revelations

This morning President Monson announced a change to the mission age for young men and young women. The men can now be called at age 18 along with being a HS grad, and the young women age 19.

There have been a number of historic events, throughout my life, in the church. They have all had an impact, and I am certain this one will as well. I immediately felt the Spirit testify to me that this is Heavenly Father's will.

Following General Conference they had a brief news conference. There they shared a little more in detail, about how they would have to expand the Missionary Training Centers, and hire more teachers for the newly called missionaries.

This is an exciting announcement. I think of all those that want to serve right now, yet are waiting for their age to catch up with that desire, and now they don't have to. I think of all those who graduate high school and feel a little lost as they feel in limbo while they wait for the time when they can go on their missions. Then I consider all those who have a desire to have the gospel taught in their countries and need more missionaries. What a blessing this is. How wonderful it will be for those who are patiently waiting for the life-changing missionaries to knock on their door, to share with them what they know to be true.

I am grateful for all the Church revelations that I have experienced in my life. My favorites (that I can think of off the top of my head) are: African-Americans receiving the Priesthood, The Proclamation on the Family, scriptures added to the Doctrine and Covenants, Temples built all around the world, and finally...today's announcement that will allow the young men and young women to go on their missions earlier than planned, if they are worthy, ready and able.

Family visits

Amy, Brad and boys are taking off tonight from Oregon to drive here and visit for a week. :) That right there,  is enough for me to be grateful for.