Its a good thing babies dont remember much because Ryan’s first Thanksgiving was pretty pathetic when it comes to Thanksgivings.  Poor boy.  Oh well!  At least we were able to be together and had lots of family willing to bring us leftovers.  Thank you guys!  I always know that no matter what we will be taken care of.  So here is my photo journal of our day.

P.S. Since writing this post our second set of leftovers, this time from my family, has ben delivered.  Thank you guys for taking care of us!  Since I dont want to go through the hassle of taking a picture and posting it, let me just tell you - DELISH!  Turkey leg, ham, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, my grandmas rolls, and THREE kinds of pie!  Thank you to everyone who made sure we had a Thanksgiving dinner (or two) today.  The worst part was missing family, but good food helps fill the void a bit. 

Did I get your attention?

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Merry Christmas!

Instead of pie making and temple attending, this is how our Thanksgiving Eve is shaping up:

First rain since August!  And see the three yellow leaves on our lawn?  Hello fall! (Finally!)

Ryan having a rough time crying on the floor because I wont hold him. Or, is he sick like his daddy?

Yup.  We got the flu. Rather, Clint has the flu and I assume I will get it, and PRAYING that Ryan doesn’t.  He has had one flu shot, but he needs a second since this is his first time.  Hang in there little guy! (Clint and Ryan!)

This face has a story behind what I am calling Ryan’s Happy Wind Face. Ever since he was little Ryan has loved it when Clint or I blow in his face, causing him to catch his breath.  His eyes get big and he smiles up at us.  Anyway, apparently the same principle applies when the wind blows in his face.  This is a picture of me holding Ryan at our side door so he can see the rain.  The wind was blowing too, and every time it blew in Ryan’s face he would make that same face - he loved it.  So much in fact that when it was time to say goodbye to the rain, we had more crying.  Poor boy.  So neglected.

So,

Rain

Fall

Tears

Flu

Happy wind face

AND, I JUST (as I am typing) accidentally rubbed off a burn scab on my wrist and it HURTS!  OUCHIE!

AND…here is a great recipe you should all try.  Its a great rainy day, Thanksgiving Eve recipe - easy, warm, cheap, and filling, but not so much that you wont have room for that turkey dinner tomorrow! Its a recipe my twin in DC sent me (thanks Jana!) for Cold Potato Leek Soup. I eat it warm though.  Do whatever suites you!

(Sorry, no pic! Just trust me, its GOOD!)

Vichyssoise vesh-ay-swah-ze

(cold leek and potato soup)

Serves 6-8

1 lb. Potatoes, peeled and cubed

6 cups chicken broth

4 medium leeks

2/3 cup crème fraiche or sour cream

salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp. Chopped fresh chives to garnish

1. Put the potatoes and broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
2. Make a slit along the length of each leek and rinse well under cold running water. Slice thinly.
3. When the potatoes are barely tender, stir in the leeks. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally. If the soup appears too thick, think it down with a little more broth or water.
4. Puree the soup in a blender or food processor, in batches if necessary. If you would prefer a very smooth soup, pass it through a food mill or press through a coarse sieve. Stir in most of the cream, cool and then chill. To serve, ladle into chilled bowls and garnish with a swirl of cream and chopped chives.

Speaking as a twenty-something year old mom, in my lifetime, and probably in yours, I really havent personally expereneced much opposition or persecution for my religious beliefs.  For the most part, we live in a society and a generation very much aware of and sensitive the rights and equality of others, even those others who are different from ourselves.  How grateful I am that I live now when I can practice my religion as I will where the worst thing I ever encounter is a misunderstanding of our doctrine - some of which are pretty outlandish and just outright funny.

This past election, however, shook things up for me and other Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormons) in a way those of my generation have never before seen.  Our temples have been vandalized, our people threatened and some even blacklisted for their support of Prop 8 in California.

Honestly, I understand why gay people, especially those in California who were given a right and then had it taken away, would be upset.  If I were them, I would be upset too.  However, it boggles my mind that in a society that teaches love, unity, peace and acceptance - especially on the part of the gay community, calling for those of us who arent gay to accept them - that we have seen such a negative, uncivil outburst post election.  My hope echoes those of the leaders of our church, that those on BOTH sides of the issue can act with respect and civility towards each other.  We don’t have to agree, but we can be kind and Christ-like, and we can work within the bounds of our political and legal system to stand for what we believe.  We should be able, especially in this country of ours, to vote in a public election, and even express our long held beliefs, without fear of retribution.  What happens to our country and our great democratic process if we threaten, vandalize, blacklist and hate those who disagree with us?

If you want to read other decrees, from those on both sides of the issue, for a more civil post-election discussion, click here.

Read the full article.

Uh…what the heck is Minority Report?