Movie Night

Friday night we had pizza and a date with the girls. We went to see the movie, "Confessions of a Shopaholic". It was really cute and the girls thought it was hilarious. It also was a good movie to illustrate why you don't go into credit card debt!! If you don't catch it in the theatre, definitely rent it. We have to support these PG movies or they may not even make them anymore!

Treats for Valentines

I made this cake for Jared and the girls for Valentine's Day. Jared actually did the frosting, proving once again that he does an amazing job at everything he does-- even if it's for the first time! It was a yummy white chocolate cake with strawberry frosting, baked in a square and a round pan, then cut and put together in the shape of a heart. Everyone loved it!





I also dipped the traditional chocolate covered strawberries-- an extra special treat. They were so popular that I had to dip some more on Monday for family home evening. We did white chocolate, too. So good!

Roses for Valentines

We had a great weekend full of Valentine's Day activities. Jared came home from traveling on Wednesday evening. We were all glad to have him home! Thursday 24 roses arrived at the door for me. I thought they were so beautiful! But when Jared came home from the office he counted and said there were supposed to be 48! Being the customer service minded man he is, he made a call and quickly had 48 more beautiful flowers on their way. So, by Friday, I had 72 amazing roses in all these gorgeous colors. That is 6 dozen total! ( You see, on our first date he came to the door with flowers for me in hand. When I said, "Oh! You didn't have to have to get me flowers!" He replied by saying, "Oh it's Valentine's Day, You HAVE to have flowers!) He set himelf up on that one! ) Thank you Jared for such a beautiful display of affection!

Happy Valentine's Day

Trail Mix

This is our favorite trail mix recipe. It is from Runner's World Magazine. We package it in snack size zip-loc bags to take along wherever we go.

POWER TRAIL MIX
Get your daily dose of vitamin E, a round of health-building antioxidants and a punch of trace minerals in this delicious seed snack mix.

Nuts: Source of Vitamin E for muscle recovery
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup pecans

Quality protein:
1/2 cup roasted soy nuts

Fruit: Loaded with health-building antioxidants
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried blueberries

Seeds: Packed with trace minerals
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Combine nuts, dried fruit, soy nuts, seeds, and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (if desired). Store in a plastic container with a tight lid. Keeps for six to eight weeks in a cool, dry place away from light or in the fridge.

Per 1/3 cup serving:
calories: 180
protein: 5 g
carbs: 16 g
fat: 11 g
fiber: 4 g

It's great! It makes 7 bags.

New Beginnings

Last Wednesday evening the girls had their New Beginnings program at church. The theme was "Come Unto Christ". Gabrielle spoke on coming unto Christ through obedience. She did a terrific job! All the young women sang a special song together. The girls were recognized for the goals they had completed in the Personal Progress program. They set goals and complete experiences and projects in the areas of Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. Virtue has recently been added as well. Madison has completed about 24 experiences and projects. Gabrielle, who has really just been working on it since October, has completed 5. Right now both girls are working on an experience in the area of Divine Nature and are working on being a peacemaker in their home and at school. I am grateful for this inspired program for the Young Women of the church. Keep up the good work girls!

The girls each received a flower from their leaders-- so pretty!

Conversation Starter

15 years ago in early February I met the man that I would marry. We actually had our first date on Valentine's Day! I have always loved this holiday, but since then it has been even more special to me. Whenever I see those little conversation hearts I am reminded of the time we were at a church activity for singles. It was the Saturday before Valentine's Day and they had little bowls of the candies sitting out. We made silly sentences out of them. It was fun and a bunch of other people started doing it, too. The next day Jared asked me out for Valentine's Day and he's been mine ever since.