Housewife of the Mexican Mormon Colonies

Wow...it has been a HOT minute!

2019-01-24T16:24:00.000-08:00

I haven't sat down to write on here in years! Time to catch up!

Two and a half years ago we moved out to El Paso, TX so the kids could have family around and more opportunities. Since moving here I have:
-competed in a bodybuilding competition, where I took home 1st place.
- brought my dad (Ronald S. Matheny) in from the ICU in Arizona and put him through drug rehab.
- Was asked to be the stake girls camp cook.
- Put on the stake Nativity display, two years running.
- served in YW and the Relief Society and Scouts

Tori has:
- played on the 8th grade, Freshman, and JV girls basketball team
- played her flute in the Stake Messiah
- Served as MiaMaid class President
- tutored Spanish students
- gotten her driving permit
- frequently is asked to teach seminary and Young Womens

Alex has:
- made the 7th grade cheer squad
- mastered her back handspring
- plays in the Middle School Orchestra on the violin
- Served as Beehive class President
- is booked every weekend babysitting
-

Benton has:
- played tackle football and won 2nd place in the city.
- plays basketball on various teams
- plays the piano
- become a fantastic babysitter
- graduated Cub Scouts
- gives out a Book of Mormon every year to a new friend

Ada has:
-become a master sewer
- started tumbling
- performed with the Russian Ballet in the Nutcracker as a party guest
- plays the piano
- loves and cares for our dog Daisy
- master hooverboard rider

Brody has:
- started Preschool
- played on a basketball team
- played on a T-ball team
- played on a tackle football team

El Paso has been good for us. We have learned and grown so much. We've made several new friends along the way and have found various new ways to serve. Now we're working on getting Garrett to retire from farming so he can join us full-time in El Paso.

the little things

2015-02-23T09:37:00.001-08:00

ada is four years old. she loves primary and whenever she is asked a question she will answer by reciting the first article of faith. this has gone on for months. doesn't matter what the question is, her answer is the first article of faith.

brody is 22 months. he loves to practice running. he runs everywhere he goes. brody like to run laps around my dining room table and his running style is adorable. he pumps his little chubby arms as fast as can be while he runs.

Birthday Boy

2014-05-06T06:02:00.001-07:00

Brody Garrett Hatch is 1 year old! I love this little man more than words. Still not crawling, rolling or walking but he sits like a pro, and scoots forward while sitting up and can get around very efficiently. Brody can dribble a ball and "ball" was one of his first words. He says "thank you" very well too. This little man still sleeps with Mom and Dad and we wouldn't have it any other way.

For this birthday I planned to make a great birthday cake for the entire family. Well, the lights went out for the duration of the day so I couldn't bake. I resorted to purchasing a cake from a local bakery instead and invited the family over to enjoy it together. At the last minute a pipe burst at the farm so that took Garrett away and the temperature was dropping in the mountain orchard so that took Grandpa Hatch away, so that left me, the kids and Grandma. I served the cake and gave Brody his very own slice with a candle in it. He wouldn't even touch it. He scrunched up his nose and pushed it away. My girls were next, they tasted it and said something was very wrong with this cake. I decided to investigate with my own slice of cake and just as I was chewing on the first bite my Mother-in-law announced how wonderful this cake was and how much she was enjoying it. At that very moment I learned that I had purchased a cake that had been soaked in RUM! No wonder my kids wouldn't touch it with a ten foot poll! Grandma, on the other hand...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRODY!!

Shoot It

2014-03-03T05:52:00.000-08:00

Benton, 6 years old, playing in the Little Lobos Basketball Tournament.

He's been shooting it since he was in diapers.

His first words were, "shoot it."

This boy loves the game.

His uncle Robert made a basketball and hoop for Benton using a garbage can and a tennis ball once to appease this little man when he was a baby.

When at church, during Sacrament meeting, he would wad up paper balls and throw them into a hoop made from my thumb and forefinger (the OK sign).

Benton would draw a basket ball hoop, cut it out and hang it from his bedroom door.

Every birthday he asks for a new ball and basket.

When he was an infant he would cry while in the car unless he was holding a ball. We once, while traveling, had to stop our caravan of family to see if anyone had a ball in their car that Benton could hold so we could have a pleasant trip home.

2014-01-23T06:10:00.002-08:00

Every year my mom buys my children Christmas dresses/ties. This year did not disappoint.

Adalyn, my tiny ballerina. 3 years old.

Brody and Ada

Daddy and Brody

Every afternoon Benton drives to Grandma's house to read with her. He loves his little truck and Ada loves going for rides with him, so does our little Chihuahua dog, Bitty.

This is what early morning scriptures and prayers looks like. My four little bobble heads.

The hands of a toddler.

Happy Broday- 6 months

Alex's style

Brody- 6 months

Bryson and Brody- 4 moths

Last summer we had the boys together for 10 days. Everyday was a new adventure.

Benton, Jayden, Kolby

Ballet 2013

Tori and Alex

Benton always seems to injure himself. Today it was his finger and a pencil sharpener.
Benton is our little gentleman. He always gets the doors for me and his sisters and tells us, "ladies first."

My little Tori is growing up so fast! An official Tween now.

Summer fun at the Neilsen's pool.

Alex, Benton, Tori and Ada

Mommy and Brody during church. 4 months old.

Benton's first day of Kindergarten.

Brody

Adam Hatch

2013-09-21T07:53:00.003-07:00

Our cousin and next door neighbor drowned on Mexico Independence day while kayaking with his brothers down the river in town. I had the honor to help prepare him for the viewing and Garrett was asked to dress him. It was the last act of service that I was able to perform for this member of our family. I am forever changed.

father of 4. friend to all. outdoors-men. fisher. camping expert. ice cream connoisseur. chef. generous. hair stylist. high adventure coordinator. million dollar smile. gardener. cement contractor. house renovator. world traveler. family man.

You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again.

Oh Canada

2013-07-29T07:48:00.002-07:00

We finally got around to taking our kids up North this summer. It was amazing to take my kids back to my roots. We had a fabulous time. We got to waterski, jet ski, hike, bike, swim, eat, visit, play games, laugh, play tennis, and enjoy being together as a family!

We hiked Bear's Hump as a family.

All the kids did great. After the hike we laid down for a nap and my mom woke up with a blood clot that she could feel traveling up her leg. She was in immense pain and couldn't walk. She requested a priesthood blessing from Garrett, Dave and Rock then was rushed to the hospital. My mom was administered a shot and tested borderline positive for a blood clot. She was sent home until the morning where she would be given an ultra sound. There were no traces of the blood clot the next morning. It was a miracle!

The first morning in Waterton my niece Sydney was baptized in the freezing cold glacier water at Waterton Lake. It was an incredible baptism that we will never forget.

My kids loved the small town and being able to walk or ride their bikes everywhere. Their favorite was the candy store and ice cream shop.

We hiked at Red Rock and then played in the water. The rocks are smooth enough to slide down if you can stand the ice cold water. We saw 4 bears on the way home from Red Rock, including a Grizzly and a Black Bear and her cub.

We started our trip in Montana at Uncle Larry and Aunt Flora's beautiful cabin. We spent every morning on the lake skiing and boating and swimming. The water was warm and the most beautiful turquoise color.

One afternoon I took my girls to High Tea at the Prince of Wales.

Christine, Janelle, Louisa, Rachel and BarbaraJo

Sisters together again.

All of the Matheny grandchildren (minus 1).

Alex, Grandpa Dave and Grandma Laurel

Renting sureys was always a childhood favorite. It was fun to take my girls.

One quick pit stop to see the World's Largest Truck.

9 of the 10 grandchildren.

Red Rock

Christine Hull, Louisa Matheny, BarbaraJo Hatch

High Tea at the Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales.

The view in Montana from our bedroom window.

Tea Time with my girls.

Canadian Wildlife.

Grandma Laurel and Baby Brody

Montana fun!

Garrett and Brody in Montana on the porch.

Every morning Tori and Alex would go Kayaking in the warm lake in Montana.

Benton and Weston were fast friends and little buddies the whole trip.

The boys...Benton, Weston Hull and Lincoln Hull

Hadley Nelson and Adalyn Hatch

Terrible Twos X 2.

Fruit Salad

2013-06-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

I was in Mexico preparing for my daughter, Alex's, baptism. I had a giant pinata stuffed, 100 mini cheesecakes made, pictures framed, programs printed and food for 50 prepared. All except for the fruit salad. I wanted to prepare that last so the fruit would be fresh.

The morning had arrived. We had a busy day ahead of us. Tori, Alex and Benton had basketball games then Alex had a hair appointment to help her feel special on her big day. I woke unusually early and sat down at the computer while nursing the baby. I was simply enjoying a little internet surfing when the phone rang. I saw that it was Rachel. I instantly knew something was wrong. I answered and could hear panic in her voice as she asked to speak with my mom, who had just arrived from Utah. I asked her what the matter was and she said, "Jordan is dead."

At that moment I could feel the blood drain from my face and the wind knocked out of my lungs. I asked if she was sure and she said the police were with him and it was confirmed. My head started to race and I struggled to find words of comfort. I then frantically started finding ways for my mom and I to get to Idaho the fastest way possible. We still had to baptize Alex. I had to pack. My kids needed to be taken care of. I had to feed the masses. We needed to bless Brody. I needed to be with Rachel. My head spun.

Fortunately, the bishop was the first to hear of this news and in offering to help was able to move the baptism up two hours and allow us to bless the baby immediately afterwards. This enabled us to make the border before it closed so we could catch a flight out of Mesa at the earliest and arrive in Idaho to save Rachel from this nightmare.

I was holding it together pretty well. I needed to be strong. I needed to be happy for this was a monumental day for Alex and Brody. We were celebrating. We were mourning. I had to pull it together.

Everything was in order for us to leave. My mom offered to help prepare the fruit salad so I could pack. I didn't give it a second thought. I had a million things to do before we could leave. Once in the car and down the road my mom gave me a plate of the food I was serving at the after-party of Alex's baptism. I was enjoying it and thinking of how grateful I was for my best friend, Jen, who stepped in and took over for me and for how well everything turned out until I got to the fruit salad.

I took a few bites and realized there was no fruit in it. I asked my mom what happened to the fruit salad and she said she had put everything in it that I left out for her. It was then that I realized that I forgot to bring out the pineapple, strawberries, grapes and bananas. It was just a glob of cool whip, vanilla pudding and mandarin oranges. I lost it.

I broke down and started to cry. I even frantically called anyone in the family to see if they could salvage the fruit salad. I knew it was too late since everyone had probably already eaten and were headed home. It was my last grasp at something I could control in this chaotic day. My sweet nephew, Kaleb, was kind enough to appease his crazy Aunt's request to finish the salad.

My mom kept looking at me like I had gone mad. She said it was not important but only a fruit salad. Her words did not comfort me. The flood gates were released. It was much later that I realized I was not upset about the actual salad. It was my way of mourning and feeling for my sister at her time of need without realizing it. I could cry over fruit salad but I had to be strong for my mom and sister, for my whole family. I had to hold it together for them, but not for the dang fruit salad.

So, June 1st we had a death, a baptism, and a baby blessing. It is amazing how tragedy can put life into prospective. Are our priorities in order? Are we fulfilling our mission in this life? Bottom line is that family is important. The most important. We are forever and we must do all that we can to make sure that sealing stays that way. Family is what brings us strength and comfort, especially in our times of sorrow and need. With the plan of salvation we know we can be reunited with our loved ones...forever.

And so it is. I discovered that I show emotion through non-personal things in order to keep my strength....for my family.

(Picture taken the morning of the baptism)

The trails we endure...

2013-06-10T07:22:00.001-07:00

My little sister is doing something I NEVER thought she would be the first in the family to do. She and her sweet two year old daughter have to bury their husband/father. Rachel has been so strong as funeral plans were made and the choice to move in with my parents was decided. She held it together for her daughter while falling to pieces inside. I know she has felt much peace at this chaotic and emotional time in her life. Here is her story:

http://jordanandrachelnelson.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-sweet-husband-jordan-glenn-nelson.html#comment-form

mother's day

2013-05-16T21:42:00.003-07:00

I was surprised with a brand new bedroom set from Garrett.

He also brought home a chocolate cake and flowers.

Tori made me breakfast in bed and Garrett and Gerald made dinner, with all the trimmings.

It made up for the Mexican Mother's Day from H.E. double hockey sticks...aka: "Dia de las Madres".

It was Baby Brody's first public appearance.

School Program.

Anxious Mamma.

2 hour Program ended.

Kids wanting cake while I needed to get a hungry baby home to breastfeed.

Benton throwing a public fit that I wouldn't get in line to get him a piece of cake.

Ada dropped her cake.

More tears.

Stuck in my car, nursing a baby, trying to comfort a sad toddler, and discipline a 5 year old tantrum while waiting for the older girls to get the dang cake!

Once home Ada decided to hose down my entire kitchen.

Puddles to mop up and more tears... from Mamma.

Ended in me locking myself in my room and crying.

Woke up to a note, from Tori, on my chest inviting me to a concert next door.

I had slept through the concert to which all the other parents and grandparents had attended.

The day did not end well.

So my ACTUAL Mother's Day was a heck of a lot better than this day!
I was surprised with my very first bedroom set.
Garrett pulled it off and even bought the one I had my eye on for the last 6 months.
I was then greeted with breakfast in bed...Thank You Tori...lots of loves, notes, flowers and homemade gifts.
That afternoon my husband and father-in-law made dinner and did the dishes.
I didn't have to lift a finger all day!
Happy (American) Mother's Day!

(Isn't this a beautiful sight?)

Brody Garrett Hatch

2013-04-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Born Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 10:00pm
7.7 lbs.
21 inches long

Friday evening I inserted a prim Rose oil capsule to help soften the cervix. Saturday morning was leaking amniotic fluid so I went to the hospital that evening to make sure everything was okay with the baby. I was checked and not making any progress so I went home slightly discouraged. I was having strong contractions but not regularly. That evening was a Romney wedding reception and in our absence it was assumed I was having my baby. The next morning I was still experiencing a slight flow of amniotic fluid but my contractions stopped all together after being very intense throughout the night. I decided to stay home from church for not wanting to explain the entire situation over and over. Garrett came home and said that everyone was congratulating him all afternoon and he was stuck explaining that it was a false alarm. I sat home all day Sunday wondering what I could do to help bring on labor for fear I was losing too much precious fluid.

Around 7:00pm I decided to take Adalyn on a walk up the street. While on the walk I began contracting. They were strong and frequent so I waddled home and started timing them. Sure enough they were coming every 3-4 minutes apart and were still going strong after an hour. I announced it was time to go.

We dropped the kids off at Grandma Hatch's house and continued onto the hospital. Garrett told me he knew it was time because I couldn't talk (or yell at him) during the contractions and would need to double in half to help alleviate the pain.

We arrived at the hospital at 9:00pm and the doctor arrived shortly thereafter. I was again checked and told that I was only at 2 cm and probably would not have the baby until the next morning. Also, that the baby's head was already wedged. I requested an epidural immediately and was wheeled to my room. Once in my room I was hooked up to an IV, which took the nurse several tries and after injuring one of my hands she finally succeeded with the other. Next the anesthesiologist came in and was ready to administer my epidural. By this time my contractions were coming a lot closer together and I was having the "urge" to push. I told the doctor this and he said go ahead and push, not thinking I was going anywhere anytime soon. After one strong push my water completely broke and the good doctor realized it was time to get rolling. I had progressed from 2 cm to 10 cm in a half an hour.

The anesthesiologist also realized that I meant business so he gave me an additional boost of pain killers since I could still feel everything only on a slightly muted level. Once my bed was transformed and the room was set up I waisted no time pushing. This baby was on the right side (which makes for a harder delivery compared to the the left side) and his head was already good and stuck. I gave it my all for a good 10-20 minutes and he was finally born. I noticed that he was completely purple and the doctor waisted no time with the cutting of the cord, which usually he asks Garrett to do, and was rushed to the corner where the Pediatrician was waiting to administer to him. It took him several minutes before we heard a good healthy cry. All I remember was thinking how quiet the delivery room was throughout this experience.

I was relieved to hear that sweet, strong cry. I was then cleaned up and congratulated by the Anesthesiologist, Pediatrician and my doctor. We all shook hands and they left us to spend a quiet evening together as a family in my hospital room.

From the first week we were left to fend for ourselves and figure out the new dynamic of our family of 7. It took a lot of adjusting. Ada wanted nothing to do with the baby for the first few weeks. Everyone, all of a sudden, was resistant to help out by doing more around the house to help me out. I was feeling overwhelmed and helpless. I was dealing with a hard recovery and couldn't bounce back like I have done before. Every time Garrett left the house chaos would strike. By week two I had a few melt downs and needed to lock myself in my room to cry the day away. Gratefully my children survived those days on their own. I am feeling more like myself, although having 5 kids is proving to be very difficult. Everyday gets a little bit better. I am just so blessed to have a mild mannered baby. I am also very grateful to the family and friends who have heard my cry for help and stepped in when I needed it the most.

March Madness

2013-04-02T09:24:00.002-07:00

spring break.

all the hatchs in town for a week.

tori and alex had their second gymnastics competition and did very well.

easter sunday.

ada gave herself a haircut and is now bald on top.

easter hike and 9 months pregnant.

quick trip to pacheco for a picnic with the family.

Happy

2013-03-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

This little girl makes me happy.

Disappointment

2013-03-06T20:10:00.001-08:00

There are people in your life that are supposed to be your foundation, your rock. People that you can depend on no matter what. To tell you what you need to do with hard situations. To keep a reasonable position and a level head. These are loved ones that are held to the highest esteem. Well, what do you do when that foundation is crumbling beyond repair and you are being disappointed from every side? What happens to your belief in good when those you look up to do not believe in it themselves? And when they let their own selfish desires trump all, even when it affects more than just you? When you feel you've been abandoned in your hour of need and they are not there, by choice. How is one to handle such a situation? I thought these people where rock solid and loved me to the end but over and over again they are proving otherwise. You can only get knocked down so many times before you can no longer get back up. I've been getting up over and over again since I was a teenager and now I am a mother and it is getting more and more difficult to get up. I thought family was supposed to be there for you. I thought no matter what, we stick together. I thought love trumps all. I guess I was very very wrong.

L.O.V.E.

2013-02-27T07:33:00.002-08:00

I've always enjoyed napping with my babies.

This is quality quiet time that we can snuggle.

She knows her days are numbered before baby #5 comes to town so I think she treasures these times as much as I do.

Love nap time.

February 2013

2013-02-27T07:20:00.002-08:00

We celebrate every Valentine's Day by doing something special for someone in the family everyday of the week. Everyone gets a day to be the recipient of the special mementos.

For Valentine's Day morning I made heart shaped chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and pink milk.

Each child got a special HEART shirt and hair-do and a box of chocolates from Mom and Dad.

Not a bad way to start the day.

Garrett surprised me with roses and a homemade steak dinner with all the trimmings.

I surprised him with a weekend get-a-way to a hotel, dinner and a movie.

Tori hosted a V-Day party for all of her friends.

We decorated cookies, played games, made a craft and watched a Charlie Brown Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

January 2013

2013-01-29T19:40:00.002-08:00

"Is there anything in my teeth?"

Benton loves taking his little sister for rides every afternoon. They cruise up and down our street until the battery dies.

New Year's Eve at Grandma Hatch's house.

Malia, Alex and Ada

Happy 5th Birthday to Benton.

He got his CARS cake and a Monster Truck...every boy's dream.

Then pizza and basketball for the birthday boy.

Cupcakes at school for the birthday boy and his class.

Little sister (Ada) and big sister (Tori) out for a bike ride.

HAPPY 100th DAY of School.

100 days smarter.

Third trimester of pregnancy with baby #5...a BOY!

Christmas 2012

2013-01-10T14:24:00.001-08:00

This year we spent Christmas at home and enjoyed a small and intimate celebration. I was sick for the entire week of Christmas and could hardly get out of bed but that didn't stop the baking and watching the kids enjoy their presents. This year we bought the kids a Power Wheels Ford Truck. Benton and Ada ride this truck all morning long, until the battery dies then they go right back out once the battery is charged again. It is so cute watching them cruise around together. We also invested in a family basketball court. We are still waiting for the cement to be poured but that hasn't stopped the kids from going out and shooting hoops until the sun goes down.
For New Year's Eve we were joined by Greg and Jayden Hatch and also the Randall Hatch Family. We ate lots of yummy food and watched the Ball drop in NYC on TV and played games while the boys prepared their tackle boxes for the fishing trip they would be leaving for in the morning. We brought in the new year with sparkling cider and poppers for the kids.
The next week Christy and I wrangled 9 kids by ourselves while our husbands fished. We woke up one morning to snow! It was so exciting and we bundled up all the kids for a day of building snowmen, sledding, snowball fights, snow angels, hot chocolate and soup. The kids had a blast.
The men finally arrived home 2 days late because of the snow/driving conditions but they all brought home ice chests full of fresh fish.

Christmas in our small town

2012-12-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

(Alex dancing in the Grade School Christmas Program)

In our town...

This is what a Christmas band concert looks like...

(Tori on the flute. Ken Farnsworth director)

In our town...

this is what a ballet recital looks like back stage...

(Tori and Alex's class performed Mother Ginger and the Gingerettes)

(The Sugar Plum Fairies and the Gingerettes)

In our town...

This is what giving gifts to all the neighbors looks like...

In our town...

This is what Christmas looks like...

Serving. Baking. Decorating. Visiting. Singing. Gift Giving. Class Parties. Christmas Parties. Lights. Love.

(BarbaraJo, 5 months pregnant, with the Sugar Plum Fairies.)

This OLD House

2012-12-12T19:11:00.002-08:00

1. NO hot water
2. Broken water pipes underneath the floors and in the walls.
3. NO plumbers in town to fix problem #2.
4. Doors that don't lock, or even shut.
5. Missing door knobs on the most important....bathroom....door.
6. Lack of insulation in walls.
7. Windows that are not properly sealed.
8. Uneven floors.
9. NO water pressure.
10. NO closets.
11. Leaky roof.

Aren't old houses so much fun!!!

Boy oh Boy...

2012-12-11T13:02:00.002-08:00

1. Cole
2. Bronson
3. Carter
4. Jace
5. James
6. Brody

The Nutcracker

2012-12-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

Mother Ginger and the Gingerettes

The Sugar Plum Fairies

Mother Ginger

My Gingerettes

Tori

Sugar Plum Fairies

This year I pulled together a portion of the Nutcracker.

It was so much fun to work with these girls.

They were so willing and so much fun.

We were able to perform for our community and enjoy refreshments afterwards.

Since I had to choreograph the numbers, come up with the costumes, decorate the stage, make the refreshments for the parents, and apply make-up to my dancers there were a few oversights.

I am so thankful for the moms that stepped in and helped and also thought of the things that I completely forgot...like taking pictures!

Thank you to the mom who ran the music and controlled the curtain...also another oversight.

I couldn't have done it without you all.

The performance was amazing! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Some of my best investments:

2012-12-08T07:55:00.001-08:00

The Pony: Cinnamae

Alex went through a stage where she was obsessed with the Three Amigos.

She wore the outfit, sombrero and all...she sang "My Little Buttercup"...and she wanted her own horse.

For her 5th birthday we got her a Pony.

She has loved this pony ever since and has grown confident to approach and ride the horse by herself.


The Great Dane: Blue...Man's best friend. This dog is loyal and will follow my kids to their destination then wait for them to get out so he can escort them home safely. This dog started out small enough to hold over your shoulder.


The trampoline.

Our kids are on the trampoline every single day.

It has helped them practice their gymnastics.

Given them great exercise while playing.

Been the meeting place for "secrets".

Turned into a water park in the summers with the help of a sprinkler underneath.

Been a secret fort they can take naps under.

This thing is worth its weight in gold.

Alex mastering her front tuck.

Tori practicing her front tuck.

Benton and Ada's typical pre-nap activity.

Benton

Benton can do a mean front hand-spring and even Ada is learning how to do a front tuck.

As a child I had so many fond memories on a trampoline and I still find joy in jumping and flipping whenever I get a chance.

Football

2012-12-03T08:38:00.002-08:00

Benton's first football photo.

Uncle Travis and Uncle Trent set Benton up with his own football gear.

Excited is an understatement!

As Garrett was helping him suit up, Benton fell backwards and hit is head against a rock wall and split it open.

First battle wound of the sport...and he wasn't even out on the field yet!

Jayden and Benton practiced hitting but they didn't want to hurt each other so the first time around they just slapped their hands around in front of each other...no body contact.

They started to get the hang of it by the end.

Daddy is helping Benton learn how to "hit" in my living room.

The first thing Benton wanted to do this morning was put on his new football helmet.

So proud.

Thanksgiving Fiasco

2012-11-29T15:26:00.001-08:00

This year we packed up and headed to El Paso to spend Thanksgiving with all of Garrett's brothers and parents. I was assigned to bring rolls. I was a little leery of taking on this assignment because the importance of the dinner roll. Everyone expects a nice hot, buttery, fluffy roll to soak up all the juices of their Thanksgiving meal. Knowing that I would not be in my kitchen I knew this would take extra planning and care. Plus I had to make enough for 50 people. So, I took on this assignment and made the necessary preparations. I had everything measured out exactly in separate baggies, brought my own cookies sheets and even took it one step further by making little strips of paper listing things that we are thankful for that I was going to roll up into the rolls as a surprise fortune cookie type of effect. Everything was going smoothly. I had every hour planned out so I would have just enough time to pull hot rolls out of the oven on our way out the door. There was no room for error.

As I started I realized something went wrong right off the bat. My water was too hot and I knew I had killed the yeast. I crossed my fingers that the yeast would still activate and the rolls would rise because I didn't have time for mistakes. 2 hours later I realized that this wish of mine would not be coming to pass. In desperation I called to Garrett to help me out by running to the store for more ingredients. He insisted that I just buy some store bought rolls but I couldn't do it. This was my contribution to a great homemade meal and I wanted it to be the best it could be.

Garrett was off to the store and I got everything ready to start all over, with one hour left before we had to be at Thanksgiving Dinner. While Garrett was gone I realized I didn't ask him to get all the things I needed. I had no way of contacting him and I was losing hope. This was the start of my break down. When Garrett arrived back at the house I told him that he would have to go back to the store and he was not happy. I lost it. I couldn't hold it together anymore. With a few phone calls to family members that lived close by we were able to gather everything needed for these darn rolls.

I had seconds to spare so I began the process once again only to realize that the yeast we borrowed was 7 years old! It was was past good. I had made another batch of flat, unleavened rolls! How could I show my face at Thanksgiving dinner with such a sorry contribution? I was beside myself.

Once I pulled myself together I was able to drag myself to the car with a plate of my dense dinner rolls. Upon arrival we realized that we were late and everyone had already begun. Not off to a good start. Then a sister-in-law approached me with the news that I didn't need to make rolls anyway because they had tripled their recipe and made 144 rolls. Not what I wanted to hear!

I tried to suck it up, plaster a smile on my face and enjoy what was left of this blessed day. Everything was delicious and the mood was calm. The day ended in a success despite my rolls and I was able to sneak out for a late movie with the girls. Just what I needed!

While I was gone Garrett had put the kids to bed and even did some Black Friday shopping for me! SHOCK!

The rest of the weekend was fun shopping, attending a BYU football game and visiting. Then Carol, my mother-in-law, said she wasn't feeling well. We tried several different things to try to make her feel better but to no avail. She ended up being rushed to the hospital in Ciudad Juarez. Upon arrival she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and pneumonia.

What a Thanksgiving! Thankfully she was in good hands and they were able to help her heal and she was released 5 days later, but the very next day she was readmitted to the hospital because she was having chest pains and shortness of breath. She was later given a CAT scan and diagnosed with a tumor that is 5 cm long and wrapped around her esophagus. It is below her thyroid so they will have to break her sternum to extract the tumor. She will have a long road to recovery but we are all here for her.

This is probably one of those holidays that no one will ever forget. Here's to a smooth and clam Christmas!!