Philippines pics

Here are some pictures from the Philippines.  There are a ton, I chose a few.  

This is my favorite pic that C took.  I love the little boy and the canoe in the water

Hospital conditions. 

 So sad, notice the cardboard (has to be provided by the family) laid on the springs of the bed, and the family members sleeping conditions (white chairs)

Local  motorcycle taxi

The welcoming committee.  

C said the army helped them load their bus and got them all ready for their 4 hours bus trip.

Local Scenery 

Local eats, give me Wendy's any day

(I don't think I'd have survived very long)

Notice the taxi in front of them.  I guess it's called a Jeepnee.  

People just pile on these things until they get where they're going (I think we counted 13 on this one).  They just hop on and off.  It's crazy. 

I guess there are no seatbelt laws there, let alone ROOF laws.

Going across the river to visit little communities. 

 Two things would be going through my mind, where's my life jacket and are there crocodiles.

Cute kiddos, look at all those flip flops-love it!

This is the little boy from the first pic. 

 So cute, he looks to be about G's age.

Winter break

First of all, I would like to begin by stating that I do not agree with mid-winter break.  

I think it's utterly ridiculous!

The kids get a measly 9 days off for Christmas vacation, then they are stuck with a crazy week long break in the middle of the freezing month of February and then don't forget about spring break in april...what's one to do?

Monday: Dollar days at the Botanical Gardens.  It was warm inside, the kids ran amuck, people stared, I chuckled.  Playland at McDonald's.  Once again, warm inside, kids running amuck. 

Tuesday: Rollers and Strollers.  GREAT FUN!  A local roller skating rink lets kids bring in scooters, big wheels, bikes whatever on Tuesdays for $3.00.  

Great way to get pent-up energy out!

Wednesday: Day at the beach..well, sort of.  A nearby mall sets up tons of mini sand boxes and lets the kids dig and play.  G had a ball.

Thursday: Bounce house day.  A little pricey, I mean really, who makes somebody pay $10 each for a 2 year old and a 15 month old?  The kids had so much fun, especially when we let them do some token games, they couldn't have been happier.

Friday:  Bowling.  I don't think I've ever seen a ball go slower than when G sent it down the lane.  Magically, it never came to a full stop-unbelievable.  It always made it to the end. J was always so excited to see how many pins got knocked over.  It was so cute.

All in all, it was really fun having our K-man home.  I am worn out!  The kids went to bed exhausted every night.  One night G even fell asleep at 6:30 and slept til 7:30 am.  Fun week!

no pics, sorry, camera was on the fritz, I guess traveling across continents didn't agree wtih it.

Philippines

For those of you who don't know, C just got back from a medical mission to the Philippines.

I tried to keep busy with the kids while he was there, 

I have no pics to show though-he had the camera.

We went to a carnival at the school.

I went on a date with Kellen.

J got potty-trained (YEAH!)

J and G took a bubble bath (with bubbles from shampoo-mom not too pleased about that one)

J decided to give herself a bath, in the sink. With water pouring over the edge.

We went to a splendid valentine party.

We had many invites for dinner.

We battled a crazy cough and fever for about a week.

We had so many phone calls from friends, just checking in on us.

We took a walk around Goat Island and looked at Niagara Falls.

We had babysitting night swap here.

K went to a friends house and played.

We made and mailed valentines.

We had a pre-school valentines day party here.

We had the missionaries over for dinner.

It was a great two weeks, but I don't think I have ever been more excited to see C.  

He had a great time and was able to help so many people.  I'm so glad he got to be a part of it.

And a HUGE thank you to all my friends here who made sure we were taken care of.  We had so many phone calls and dinner offers, it made it seem as if I wasn't alone and I realized what a huge support system I have out here. Thanks so much!

As an after thought:

It reminds me of a little quote I got in the MTC

(can't remember who said it, I think Richard G. Scott, but maybe not..)

"God does loves us and watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.  Therefore it is vital that we serve one another." 

Thanks again cute friends! 

Yummy Enchiladas

I don't claim to be a great cook, but I found a recipe on a friends blog and I wanted to try it.

It was delicious! C even commented that it was 'restaurant quality'.  

They were quite tasty, thought I'd share.  

If your looking for a new recipe, feel free to give it a whirl (sorry, no pics)

I made it with some spanish rice and corn bread. It would be great with homemade salsa too.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

(adapted from Sisters Cafe)

1 lb. chicken, cooked and shredded (about 4 chicken breasts)

6 T. Honey

5 T. Lime Juice

1 T. Chili Powder

1/2 t. Garlic Powder

8-10 Flour Tortillas

1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

2 10 oz. cans green enchilada sauce

Cook and shred chicken and set aside.  Mix the honey, lime juice, chili powder (go easy on this stuff. I added too much once and my mouth was on FIRE) and garlic powder till blended, then add the shredded chicken and marinate for at least 1/2 hour.  Pour about 1/2 C. enchilada sauce on bottom of 9x13 pan.  Fill flour tortillas with chicken and cheese, reserving 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top.  Pour remaining enchilada sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until brown and crispy on top. Top with lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, onions, whatever.

***I also made them with corn tortillas (c loves corn, so I made a few and stuck a toothpick in them to keep them from opening up)

Generation Gap

Today K was quizzing me and asked, 'Mom, what are the 3R's?"

Me, stopping to think, jokingly respond, 'Reading, Writing, Rithmatic"

He looks at me very un-impressed and said, 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle'

I didn't even know what those words were at 7.  How the world is changing, I'm still chuckling at him even now.

Some Thoughts

I was studying the scriptures the other day and found these little gems.  

Thought I'd share.

I love the way the following scripture is written.  

D&C 123:17

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

John Taylor (from Journal of Discourses 18:281)

"In relation to events that will yet take place, and the kind of trials, troubles, and sufferings which we shall have to cope with, it is to me a matter of very little moment; these things are in the hands of God, he dictates the affairs of the human family, and directs and controls our affairs; and the great thing that we, as a people, have to do is seek after and cleave unto our God, to be in close affinity with him, and to seek for his guidance, and his blessing and Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the right path.  Then it matters not what it is, not who it is that we have to content with, God will give us strength according to our day."

Have a great day.