Hilarious!!

Okay, a little background. Jefferson hadn't pooped for two days and I was getting nervous. Not because I was worried about him. I was worried about me. I did not want to change what ever came out when it finally did come out. So Sunday afternoon I'm in the kitchen and the guys are in the living room playing. All of the sudden, Jason is just laughing as hard as he can. He tells me to come and look at this while he runs to get the camera. See, we can always tell when Jeffers in going the bathroom because he stands stock still and doesn't move an inch (not even facial expressions) until he is done. On this occasion he was obviously having a hard time so he went over the the stairs and leaning over, gripped them for support. Jason thought this derserved remembering....Boys (sigh). I was just glad that Jason was there and I could make him change the diaper after the show was over.

Awe, Dad! Do you really have to take a picture while I am doing this?

Christmas Treats Days 7-10!

I know, I know, I have been holding onto these pictures for awhile. I just haven't felt like taking the time to upload them and all that jazz. But here they are in all their deliciousness.

Day Seven: Cherry Crumb Bars

So, I picked this specific recipe because I knew Jason would like it. It is very simple and requires just about no time at all, but I would advise you not to make them unless you really like cherries. They are very messy and I did not enjoy cutting them up. Don't tell Jason, but it got to the point where I just threw the middle pieces away because they weren't going to look like squares, just blobs and plops. Oh well, he loved them and ate them all. I got this recipe from BH&G Christmas Cookies.

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup butter

1 17.5 oz. package oatmeal cookie mix (I used oatmeal chocolate chip)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 16 oz. package frozen cherries, thawed and drained (unsweetened and pitted)

1/4 cup cugar

Powdered sugar icing (I didn't use this)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x9 baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges. Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, use a pastry blender to cut butter into dry cookie mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract to remaining mixture in bowl. Stir until combined. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. In a medium bowl, stir together cherries and sugar. Distribute cherries over mixture in pan. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

3. Bake in the oven about 45 minutes or until top is golden. Cool on a wire rack. Drizzle with Powdered sugar icing. Let stand until icing sets. Using the edges of the foil, lift the uncut bars out of the pan. Cut into bars. Makes about 16.

Powdered Sugar Icing

In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and enough milk to make an icing of drizzling consistency.

Messy!!

Day Eight: Marble Poundcake

I think these loaves just look so pretty and they are moist and have just the right amount of sweetness. They are also really easy to freeze. I got this recipe from Mom's Big Book of Baking.

3 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups cake flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cup sugar

1. Preheat oven to 325. Coat the inside of a 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray and dust it with flour, knocking out any extra flour.

2. Melt chocolate in double boiler and set aside to cool.

3. Combine the eggs and vanilla in a glass measuring cup and lightly beat. Combine the cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.

4. Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice.

5. With the mixer on low speed, pour egg mixtureinto the bowl in a slow stream, stopping the mixer once or twice to scrape down the bowl.

6. Ture the mixer on low and add the flour mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, scraping down bowl after each addition. After the last addition, mix for 30 seconds on medium speed.

7. Scrape half the batter into a medium bowl and set aside. Add the melted chocolate and stir to combine.

8. Scrape half the yellow batter into the loaf pan and smooth top with spatula. Scrape half the chocolate batter into loaf pan and smooth. repeat the layers with remaining batters. Run knife blade through the batter to create marbling. Do not overmix.

9. Bake until it is golden, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for about 5 minutes, invert onto wire rack, to cool completely.

Day Nine: Spiced Apple and Raisin Turnovers

I picked this recipe because it seems to me something the characters out of Little Women (my favorite) would bake for Christmas treats. They really aren't hard to make and most of it you can make ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready. Jefferson loved these the most of all. I would find him on top of the kitchen counter trying to open the bag. Jason was a little put out because he only got about two while Jefferson got about six. At least they have fruit in them!! I also got this recipe from Mom's Big Book of Baking. Enjoy!

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 lbs. (4 large) firm, tart apples, peeled, cored, and diced

1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Pinch of ground cloves

1/3 cup raisins

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 disks sweet pie dough (recipe to follow)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1. To make the filling: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the apples and cook them until they begin to release their juices, 4-5 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup sugar, the salt, ginger, cloves and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, 7-10 minutes. Remove from stove, stir in raisins, and allow the apples to cool completely.

2. Preheat oven to 400.

3. Combine the remaining 2 tbsp. sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl. On a lightly floured surface roll out 1 chilled dough disk to 1/8 inch thickness and cut out as many 4 inch rounds as you can. Reroll scrapes and repeat. Repeat with remaining dough disk.

4. Spoon a heaping tbsp. of the filling onto the center of each round. Fold the round over and seal by pressing the edges together with the tines of a fork. Bruch turnovers with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar.

5. Bake until the turnovers are golden, and 20 minutes. Let them cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Sweet Pie Dough

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chilled butter, diced

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

2. Add the eggs and continue to stir on low speed until the dough just comes together.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Knead each half into a smooth round ball. Press each ball into a 6 inch disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour and for up to 2 days.

Day Ten: Christmas Popcorn Wreath

Brings back memories. My family has been making this for years and we all still look forward to it. Of course my mom usually gave most of them away, but hey, we always remember it. This is super simple and ooey, gooey and sticky. All great things.

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernals

1/2 cup butter

1 10 oz. bag marshmallows

Green food coloring

1 cup peanuts

1 cup holiday M 'n M's

1. Pop the kernals in a hot air popper if you have one. If you don't, using a little bit of oil, pop them on your stove top (this is what I did). Transfer popcorn to bowl and make sure to discard all unpopped kernals

2. In a deep and heavy pot melt butter. Once melted, add the marshmallows. Stir continuously until marshmallows are melted. Add as much food coloring as you want until it is the color you desire.

3. Turn off the stove and add in the popcorn a few handfuls at a time until mixed well. Add the peanuts and candies.

4. Pour mixture into a greased bundt or tube pan to shape like a wreath (You will have to press the mixture down so it doesn't fall apart when you remove it). Remove quickly and let harden a little on a plate or cooling rack.

Doctor's Appointment!

As I am sure some of you have been wondering, my doctor's appointment actually went really well. I was dreading it because I knew that certain things needed to be discussed, but I left feeling lighter. My doctor is very comforting and understanding. If you have been in any position like this you know that most doctors will suggest ending the pregnancy for your own safety (and I am not judging those that do choose that path, I understand, really, I do), but they do not understand the LDS mind set. As I had tears streaming down my face my doctor asked my if I was LDS. I said yes and he said that he was also. He told me that as an LDS mother I felt a need to provide a body for this little spirit if that is what the Lord wanted. I said of course. And he responded by saying he understood. Those few words meant the world to me. I immediately calmed and was able to ask the questions I needed answers to. I am very concerned about my safety regarding a vaginal birth (I don't want a c-section) due to all the organs being on the outside and such. We have made a plan and we are watching the baby on a two week basis until the baby reaches the age of viability (24-28 weeks) and then we will re-evaluate. If the only reason we needed to be here in Brigham is so I could go through this difficult experience with this kind hearted and wonderful doctor that will be okay with me. As I was leaving he carefully reminded me that this baby is still mine and will always be mine and I will get to raise him/her later. He also suggested I read this book...

And my Aunt Marla was kind enough to pick that up for me. I have felt a greater amount of comfort this week and I feel the Lord with me and all the prayers offered in our behalf. I know there are still difficult times to come, but I know I can get through them and come out a stronger and more sympathetic person and mother. Oh and the doctor told us neither he nor the hospital should be charging us anything. That was very good news. I am so grateful for the wonderful family and friends that I have been given and I count you as my greatest strengths. I love you all and Thank You again.

More Christmas Treats!!

Day Four: Triple-Decker Decadence

These are the chocolate lovers dream. They are soft and goey and pure chocolate. They are a little rich so don't eat too many, but they are fabulous. They are called Triple-decker, but I thought they would be a little hard to eat, so I made the cookies a little thicker and just used two and made a sandwich. Jason's co-workers had them finished off really fast. I got this recipe from BH&G Christmas Cookies. Enjoy!!

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Chocolate Ganache

1. In a large bowl, beat butter with mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and pepper; beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Gradually stir into egg mixture. Divide dough ino two portions. Shape each portion of dough into a 1 1/2 inch diameter log (about 8 inches long). Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes or until firm enough to slice.

3. Preheat oven to 350. Cut dough into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Place slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute and then transfer to cooling rack; let cool.

5. For each three-cookie stack, spread 1 tsp. chocolate ganache evenly over bottom of one side of cookie. Top with plain cookie, top side up. Spread with 1 tsp. chocolate ganache. Top with another cookie top side up. Pipe remaining chocolate ganache on top of cookie stacks. Chill 30 minutes to set. Makes about 14 stacks.

Chocolate Ganache:

In a small microwave-dafe bowl, combine 6 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate and 1/3 cup whipping cream. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Let stand 30 minutes until mixture is thick enough to spread.

Day Five: Lemon Cream Scones

This has got to be one of the easiest recipes out there. Fresh from the oven these are great for Christmas morning. They are fluffy with the slightest hint of lemon and the tops are sweet and crunchy from the sugar sprinkling. Perfection!! I got this recipe from Mom's Big Book of Baking.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cake flour

1/2 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling

1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 large egg, beaten

1 cup heavy whipping cream, plus more to brush tops of scones

1 tsp. grated lemon zest

1. Preheat oven to 450. Grease cooking sheet.

2. Combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large mixing bowl.

3. Stir in egg, heavy cream and lemon zest with a wooden spoon until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Do not over mix.

4. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Shape each half into a 6-inch disk. With sharp knife, cut each disk into 6 wedges. Place wedges 1/2 inch apart on cooking sheet. Brush scones with cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until they are golden, 12-15 minutes. Let them cool for 5 minutes, and serve warm.

Day Six: Peanut Butter Brownie Biscotti

Peanut butter and chocolate happen to be my favorite combination in the world. I think they are the greatest. A lot of people are not fans of biscotti, but let me tell you; on a freezing night, these are the perfect treat to dip into your steaming hot chocolate. You will be warm instantly. So great! I got this recipe from BH&G Christmas Cookies.

1/3 cup creamy Peanut butter

1/4 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (6 oz.)

Peanut Butter Icing

1. Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and butter. Beat with mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer, and stir in rest. Stir in chopped chocolate.

2. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 9-inch long roll. Place rolls about 3 inches apart on large ungreased cookie sheet; flaten rolls slightly to about 2 inches wide.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on cookie sheet on wire rack for 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 325. Transfer baked loaves to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut each loaf diagonally into 1/2 inch think slices. Place slices, cut side down, on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn slices over and bake 10-12 more minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks, let cool. Dip tops into Peanut butter icing. Let stand until icing sets. Makes about 32 cookies.

Peanut Butter Icing:

In a small bowl, stire together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp. peanut butter, and enough milk to make and icing of dipping consistancy.

12 Days of Christmas Treats!!

12 Days of Christmas Treats!!!
Part of my keeping busy plan is to do a lot of baking. Luckily Jason's co-workers like treats or I'd be have gained quite a few pounds by now.

Day One: Buttermilk Nutmeg Cookies

These cookies are the perfect Holiday treat. They are light and moist, but not too sweet. They have just a hint of nutmeg and it makes you think Christmas is already here. I got this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Cookies.

1 cup butter, softened/ 2 eggs

2 cups sugar/ 5 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. ground nutmeg /1 1/4 cups buttermilk

1 tsp. baking soda /Sour cream frosting

1/2 tsp. salt/ Nutmeg to sprinkle

1. Preheat the oven to 375. Grease cookie sheet. In an extra-large bowl, beat butter with mixer on high for 30 seconds. Add sugar, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs until combined. Add flour alternately with buttermilk, beating on low after each addition until combined.

2. Drop sough be rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on to prepared cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven about 8 minutes or until cookies are set. Let stand on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack; let cool. Frost with sour cream frosting. If desired, sprinkle with addtional nutmeg. Makes 75 cookies.

Sour Cream Frosting: Combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup softened butter, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat with mixer on low until smooth. Gradually add 2 3/4 cup to 3 1/4 cup powdered sugar, beating on low until smooth and spreadable. ( I didn't add as much powdered sugar and used it as a drizzle instead of frosting. It turned out well)

Day Two: Ginger Cookies These cookies are my favorite for this time of year. They make your whole house smell simply divine. They are tender and moist and super easy. This recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book. Enjoy!!!

4 1/2 cups all purpose flour/ 1 1/2 cups shortening

4 tsp. ground ginger/ 2 cups sugar

2 tsp. baking soda /2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon/ 1/2 cup molasses

1 tsp. ground cloves/ 3/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1. In a medium bowl stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening on low for 30 seconds. Add 2 cups sugar and beat until combined, scraping sides occasionally. Beat in eggs and molasses until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture.

2. Shapre dough into 1 inch balls and roll in 3/4 cup sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake in 350 oven for 11-13 minutes until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are puffed. Do not over bake. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes and transfer to wire rack and let cool.

Day 3: Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

I picked these cookies because they remind me of my Grandpa. He always ate these and we would only get them when he was around. They are by no means at all good for you, luckily they don't make that many. They are soft and sweet and oh so good. Don't we all think of those who have passed on around the holidays. So this is for Grandpa. This recipe comes from BH&G Christmas Cookies.

3/4 cup all purpose flour/ 1 egg

1/2 tsp. baking soda/ 1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt/ 1 cup quick cooking oats

1/4 tsp. baking powder/ 2 tsp. hot water

1/2 cup butter, softened/ 1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup peanut butter/ 1 7-oz. jar marshmallow cream

1/2 cup sugar/ 1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup packed brown sugar/ 1/3 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease baking sheet. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. In a large bowl, combine butter and peanut butter. Beat with mixer on medium speed until combined. Beat is sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until just combined. Stir in flour mixture and oats until combined.

2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until edges are light brown and centers are set. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack, let cool.

3. In medium bowl combine the hot water and salt. Stir until salt dissolves. Add marshmallow cream, shortening, and powdered sugar. Beat with mixer until combined.

4. Spread marshmallow mixture on flat side of cookie and top with another cookie. Makes about 15 sandwiches.

Post Thanksgiving Activities!!

I've been meaning to post these for awhile, but I am now just getting around to it. We had a good Thanksgiving despite our bad news being sprung on us two days before. We have also done some fun things to get into the Christmas spirit. Jefferson is old enough this year to really have some fun. So here goes....

I really like to bake and cook and I thought it would be fun to make a celebration braid loaf for dinner instead of regular old rolls. It is really easy and festive. I guess it is supposed to be good luck. It was delicious.

Here we are freezing our rears at Temple Square admiring the lights. I was wondering if because they had a giant tree with just red lights and no giant trees with blue lights, does that mean that the first presidency supports the "U" instead of "BYU". That is probably the case. But we had a good time and we enjoyed the nativity and just walking around.

This year the Grand America Hotel (super nice, super expensive) put on their first "A Grand Holiday". It was for one night only and for only two hours, but it was great. If you are in the area make sure you watch out for it next year. They had Santa and a musical group in the courtyard. Well, it wasn't just Santa. Mrs. Claus was there as well and you could get a family picture in the sleigh with them for free, but the line was way too long. They were also giving out hot cider, hot chocolate, roasted nuts, and scones. It was heavenly. Inside they had a gingerbread house auction. Some of them were extraordinary.

There was sugar cookie decorating and in the Presidential Suite they had Teddy Bear Town. All the bears were donated from various companies and they will be donated to god causes this holiday season. It was so cute. Here is one of my favorites. Bear bubble bath. Sorry it's sideways. It is so fun.

I saw these door hangings in a magazine and really liked them, so my mom and I tried our best to replicate and this is how they turned out. The blue one is hanging on my front door as we speak!

The fam after church on Sunday. My face is still puffy from the crying, but I am doing much better now. My men are so handsome.


After naps we decorated a gingerbread house. Our first as a family. I think it turned out pretty good. That frosting is kind of hard to work with.


The finished product!!!!

Jefferson got to help Daddy start decorating the tree. And he thought it was so much fun.


Home at last, resting and relaxing. Here are my boys playing pinball.
Parts of them never grow up. But I sure do love them!!

Update

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers. I do continue to need them. I am better than I was last week, but every day is a constant struggle. It's hard because I wake up every morning to the realization that today might be the day that I lose my baby and also knowing that I could wake up to this for the next 22 weeks. It's hard, but for the most part I keep myself really busy if I can and just try to take it one day at a time. If I think about the big picture I just want to lay on the couch and cry all day.

Don't get me wrong, I know that what ever happens will be God's will, but sometimes that is a hard pill to swallow and I am still working on it. I don't blame anyone and I am not angry, just really trying to find the peace everyone keeps talking about. And I have to accept that it might not come until after all this is over. I have the faith that I will survive this, and I know that families are forever. Jason is extremely supportive, but this is largely my burden to bear and that is tough. I am trying to live life as a normal pregnant woman and some days are easier than others and I am trying to find joy and happiness in the small things. Like when Jefferson and I dance to music every morning, or when Jason decided he needed to clean the office (a miracle), or when I can go an hour without remembering things are not perfect.

Slowly, but surely, I am sure that warmth and strength will return to me fully and I can smile without a hint of sadness (does that sound really melodramatic or pathetic?), but for now I am dealing in the best way I know how. I am happy for all those who have children and have no problems having them, it's a great blessing and I am not bitter or anything. Count your blessings, that is what I try to do everyday. Don't focus on what you can't control or don't have, remember that someone always loves you, and that without trials you can't know joy.

I hope all of you are getting into the Christmas spirit and remembering those around you. I go to the doctors again on Monday and will update with anything new.

Thank you again for all your support. I love you all!!