Yummy Recipe

I tried a new recipe today and wanted to share it, it's very yummy and healthy! I found it on the Body For Life web site. I can't figure out how to make it so it actually looks like a list, so sorry about the big jumbled mess. Easy Salmon Spinach Cakes: serves 6: 1/4 cup water- Egg substitute equivalent to 2 large eggs (I used 4 egg whites)- 1/4 cup red onion, diced- 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced- 1/4 tsp. each, salt and pepper- 1 (16 oz.) can red salmon, drained, de-boned, and flaked (or equivalent cooked, skin removed and flaked fresh salmon filet)- 1 (10 oz.) box frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and well drained (I used fresh spinach and cooked it a little bit first)- 1 cup coarsely hand crushed, whole-wheat crackers (I used the Kashi 7 grain original cracker)- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Using a fork, mix water, egg, onion, yellow bell pepper, salt & pepper in a medium size bowl. Add salmon, spinach, and crushed crackers to the water mixture, combining well. Add more water if necessary. ( I ended up having to add in a little bit more crackers) Divide mixture into 6 equal patties and place on cookie sheet. ( I found that it's about 1/2 cup of mixture) Bake for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve alone or on a bed of lettuce with 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or fat-free dressing of your choice. Freeze patties in an airtight container or freezer bags, using wax paper between them. Reheat in toaster oven or microwave.- calories: 231 fat: 8 grams protein: 19 grams carbs: 16 grams fiber: 3 grams

A conversation with Jacob

Jacob is such a sweet little boy. He has always seemed older than he really is and cracks me up on a regular basis. He loves to make people laugh and seems to find joy in anything. He has always been super snuggly just like his dad. Actually, he is pretty much a mini Manny. He loves to watch UFC fights with his dad and has picked up on the moves very very quickly. He does better wrestling with older boys because he's a little too much for kids his own age. He is such a joy in our family.

I had to share a really cute conversation that Jacob and I had the other day in the car. We were in line at the school waiting to pick up the girls and he turned to me and said, "ya know Mom, I was just thinking that we have 4 boys at our house and 4 girls." I turned to him and asked who were all of the 4 boys. "You know, me, Daddy, David, and my other brother." Your other brother huh... tell me more about him. I'm thinking o.k. does he know something that I don't know?!?!?!? "Ya, my other brother. Except he's not actually in our house, he's in heaven." At that point in time I had many thoughts rushing through my head. Sara knew about Jacob way before I was ever pregnant with him. I believe that little kids have such a sweet spirit and tend to know more than we give them credit for. At this point in time I'm getting pretty nervous, so I ask him to tell me more about his other brother. He gets really excited and says, "well, Jesus is my other brother and he's in heaven. But, he's still my brother so we have 4 boys in our family." "And I have 2 dads. Because Heavenly Father is my daddy in heaven and I have another daddy here. Mom, isn't that so cool that I have 2 dads?" Jacob was on cloud 9 telling me about all of this. I love the conversations that I have with my kids and I get to see a little bit of what they are thinking about.

Jacob with his "Buffalo Cake" that he made for his treat for family home evening a few weeks ago. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and it turned out great. It was so yummy! If you look closely you can see the eyes, nose, mouth, horns, feet, hair, and it has a beautiful tail that you can't see in this picture.

Deon and the kids

We had our family pictures taken by a very talented friend of mine, Amanda. I will be posting our actual family pictures later, but I'm running out of time right now before I have to go get the kiddos from school. I am having a very difficult time choosing which ones to develop and hang on the wall. Beware of the picture overload that is to follow, but I need your help.

Me and my girls!

I think this picture is hilarious. It shows the personalities of the boys so much. Jacob is watching the other kids running around playing. He's probably thinking, "why do I have to be stuck here when I could be over there playing and will he ever stop crying so we can take this picture already!" David is just like the rest of our kids and would live outside if he could. He finally gets to play outside and explore this very interesting new place and you are going to make me sit why?!?!?

Manny and the kids

I love how David is holding Jacob's hand in this one.

They are truly "daddy's girls"

This is the last picture that we did and David was done with this picture taking stuff. I really wanted a picture with Manny and all 5 of the kids. I have a frame with a quote on it that this picture is going in. The quote is from General Douglas MacArthur and reads, "By profession, I am a soldier and take pride in that fact, but I am prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father."

Manny and Deon's pictures

Our "Twilight" pose

Sara's pictures

Emily's pictures