THE Functional Family

I am sick today with various aliments and while sitting in my whalor I started to read the February Ensign over and I realized that I must have skipped a beautiful article on being a Functional Family.
I grew up convinced that I was going to create the Huxtables in my little space on Earth. We would be tight-nit, witty, educated and on and so forth....
Well we got married-knocked up-on a beach-half naked-by the Grim Reaper (he had a judges cloak and it blew in the storm and looked like he was there to kill everyone) We were BROKE and I mean it in the worst way- we had a bed and that was it. It was a year and a half till we bought furniture because we didn't want any MORE debt. I was super sick preggers and Jax was in Nuke School usually pulling 14 hour days, 6 days a week.
WE WERE NOT OFF TO A GREAT HUXTABLE START!
One day after we had been married about a year Jaxon pulled me into him and we danced in our living room to a song on the radio. I knew then that we would probably never be the Huxtables and I was alright with that. Then day by day scraped together a beautiful life. We grew in every way. We tried to raise our Korbin the best we knew how and if I didn't know how to do something there was a book I'd read by someone who did or a long distance phone call to one of our moms.
Anyway, We tried to do the best we could and maybe someday in the back of my mind we could still be the Huxtables.
Our lives became more involved and we added our lovely Alexzondra. And because this is a blog and its supposed to be a sugarcoated version of our lives Ill just say that we were 'tried' as a family in ways I would never wish on my worst enemy. There were times I didn't want to live. (sound very dramatic doesn't it? But, its true and no I am not depressed) I REALLY had to decide what we were to do and I had to let go once and for all the Huxtable dream. I had to find what it meant to just be a NELSON. Not Jaxon's super amazing mother and not mine but what I wanted to be and create my family into. Nothing is harder than trying to rebuild a life that was everything you knew and loved that was lost. I wake up everyday with the prayer that Ill be a better mother/wife/friend than I was yesterday and I usually fall short but then I found this and I feel better about the direction my family is going. Because now we are all going in the direction of Heavenly Father.
These are the 6 Keys to a functional family:
1. In the functional family, parents focus their energy on teaching their children correct principles and allowing them to exercise their energy.
2. Parents INTENTIONALLY strengthen their families.
3. Relationships are of SUPREME importance.
4. Parents are active TEACHERS.
5. Parents LEAD by EXAMPLE.
6. Parents teach their children FAITH in our HEAVENLY FATHER and in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Just recently has my Jaxon been fully into getting back with the church and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to come out of the bathroom from brushing my teeth and see Jax all ready to read scriptures every night. For those of you (like my Jaime =>) that did everything right and got Sealed in the temple and has that every day- don't take it for granted because when its not there you have no idea how much you need it. I am glad for my daily examples of how to be a better person. I just hope my babies realize how loved they are and what a mommy is willing to do to make them happy!

Yumminess...

I've have been diligently trying to domesticate myself in recent years and just these last few weeks Ive been in a fever getting new recipes that are super healthy that my family will eat too. That's the tricky part. I want to go Vegan- Jaxon would rather get hit in the head with a golf shoe. Jaxon wants some sort of meat in every meal. Korbin wants anything that has some kind of 'treat' in it; Namely Sugar. And, Miss. Allie eats everything-all the time-always.
So, here we are. I get a new recipe and its weird and calls for odd things or its 4:30 and I'm starting dinner and I realize that it has to sit overnight. We checked out Southern Living kids cookbook from the Library and so far its been our best shot!
We got these non-gross kid friendly yummy recipes from it:
Chrunchy Munchy Lettuce Wraps-
1 lb. ground turkey
1 T. canola oil
1 can (8oz) bamboo shoots, drained and minced
1 can (8oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained and minced
1/2 (8oz) pkg. sliced mushrooms, minced
4 green onions, minced
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup Sesame Ginger 30-min marinade. (Lawry's is best)
12 iceberg lettuce leaves
Left over marinade for dipping

Cook turkey in skillet (use a big one so you can add ing. later) drain well then add oil to pan over med-high heat. Add bamboo shoots and next three ing. Stir fry for two minutes. Add turkey, peas and 1/2 cup of marinade. Cook till all is heated.
Spoon about 1/2 cup mixture in each lettuce leaf and eat like soft taco. *It says it makes 6 1/2 cup servings but it was about 9 1/2 cup servings. Enjoy

Another of our favorites that came from the book was the Granola Triangles but don't let that fool you. We ate it after the pool when the kids need some carbs in them but we've been eating it as a early dessert instead of a snack because it has Corn Syrup!

Granola Triangles-

2 1/2 cups Rice Crispies
2 cups uncooked quick cooking oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter (we used chunky and it was fantastic)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
cooking spray

Combine first 3 ing. in big bowl-set aside. Stir together brown sugar and syrup in small pan. Bring to boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter till smooth. Pour mixture over cereal mixture and stir till coated. Let sit for 10 minutes and then add Choc chips. Spoon mixture in greased 13x9 pan press down into even layer and cut into 12 squares. Makes 2 dozen triangles.
* OK this didn't actually turn out like that for me because I had to answer the door and let the mixture boil too long but even though it didn't hold together perfectly I just put it into baggies and ate it like chunky granola. It was still great!


So, even though am not a domestic diva I do love to find great things for my family!!! There are plenty of days where we throw life span and health out the window-like today. I made Cinnamon Rolls for General Conference Weekend. They are so Delicious!!! Martha Stewart can kiss it!!
* The picture of the three of my loves in bed is what happens when we eat things like the Cinnamon Rolls. See why we can't eat like that all the time!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy

Today was/is my mommy's Birthday, and it sucked. Between all the snow and canceled plans she was sick and had to go to work anyway. As crappy as that sounds this is not unusual for her, when the going gets tough she is the one to hold it all together. She is the toughest cookie Ive ever met. Hello-she raised me!!!
Growing older and having children of my own I often reflect (as do we all once we have kids and bills) how much she gave without me ever noticing. For years she made a bottle of perfume last because we needed new school clothes. She spent hours/days/weeks making homemade Halloween Belle Ball Gowns and Christmas dresses. I ate a great (from scratch) breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for almost eighteen years. She gave me love always even if I felt suffocated by it as a teen. I used to tell her 'We know! We know you love us! TOO much! A little less would be okay too.'
I used to make fun of her when ever she'd go away for a weekend with my dad and she would sit us down and tell us how much she loved us and her Heavenly Father; in case she died on the road she wanted us to KNOW that she KNEW.
I have a faithful devoted mother whom I'm am perhaps a bit late in acknowledging how exceptional she really is. You are the definition of faithful service, hard work, unconditional love and a never ending strive for what Heavenly Father wants from you. You are everything that I hope to live up too as a mother. Happy Birthday.

Spring Break 2

I am exhausted. This Spring Break fun family week at home is a ton of work and the kids have NO IDEA. I know that in twenty years they will tell me how amazing I am and I am counting on that. This morning we woke up and made biscuit/egg/cheese/bacon towers in the oven. I was going to take pictures but I was too busy frying up bacon while helping Korbin make biscuits. After we finished those in about three minutes; We had a bit of spring cleaning to do so I let the kids take all the couch cushions into the hall and make forts. I steam cleaned the house and furniture. Anyone on a beach right now-if you are I want to kill you right now.
Then Miss. Allie went down for a nap. I said went down-not sleep. She continued to screech at us from her crib. Again-screech not cry. She was just plain annoying. SO, we just got her up to go to the Aquatics center. Oh wait... Korbins trunks don't fit and we don't have any swim diapers. Oh what fun we are. Off to Walmart (where I see rich-very put together woman from our stake- I ignore her and continue walking being as I'm in a swimsuit and a skirt and no make-up whatsoever.) Find new trunks and flip flops and go. CRAP almost there and no swim diaper (they wont let her in without one) stop at RiteAid. Jax runs in pouring rain while we wait in the car. We wait and wait and wait. Apparently Jax couldn't find it and had to wait until the only available cashier stopped chatting about menopause with another customer to help Jax. FINALLY we are at the Pool! Yeah!! Its so fun. We did not bring the camera because I wanted to have fun too. I always get stuck with it and I take terrible pictures! Miss. Allie loved the water slide which is shocking because its pitch black in there! We swam our little hearts out. I was nervous as always about being in public in my suit but just as always there was a ton of other people that should acquire some honest friends to tell them that a string bikini over 60 is just not so hot. So, I did just fine. We left about 4:30 so Jax could help someone move a piano and we could have a quick dinner and shower before gymnastics. When did I learn time-management? I actually thought I could do that in that small amount of time. Nope. We rushed home (in a downpour in ferry traffic on a two lane road) to find the guys Jax is supposed to help move with in our driveway. Off he goes to do a good deed for the day. All me. My good deed is going to be not drugging my starving, freezing screaming children while I whip up dinner. We ate food. That's all I can say about dinner. Rush to gymnastics and listen to Alexzondra scream how upset she is that there are too many kids and she can't go out onto the gym floor and play. Korbin is somewhat paying attention to his coach and I suppose that it was a good idea we made it to class today. Then both kids have meltdowns on the way home as I retract my previous thought. I am still covered in chlorine and smell like grilled cheese sandwiches and gym mats. I am tired. This is not Spring BREAK. THIS IS SPRING NUTS. Tomorrow when I am rested and smell like my good old self (its amazing what Chanel par fume can do for your soul) we might try another fun thing, but tonight I am taking a bath and going to sleep. right now.

Spring Break I

This Spring Break Week has hardly looked anything like spring but its fine because we are troopers!!! So far I have not ran every day and have not blogged everyday but other that those we still have started our list.
On Monday for FHE we took our fliers for our blanket drive around the neighborhood and went to the park. Korbin used his allowance money to take our family to McDonalds for ICE CREAM!
Tues was errands and the Dentist- we can skip Tuesday!
Yesterday was great fun going to the Bainbrigde Island Children's Museum. I was not terribly impressed with it but it was okay. The kids had fun for a few hours so I supposed we got our 5 dollars worth. Alexzondra did not have her stroller but I was going to bear it anyway and I'm so glad I didn't bring it. She was on the move and played fabulous; Mostly running after other kids and trying to kiss them. She especially enjoyed being as loud as possible and not getting told to shush. Korbin mostly loved dressing in safari gear and tromping around the 'forest' looking for rare animals with Tommy. After that we went out to lunch with our neighbors (whom also went with us to said museum), the Duncan's to Chinese food. It was very yummy although almost impossible to get the three boys to use any manners they'd ever been taught. Korbin was slurping away! Then I came home and had a nap with Miss. Allie while Korbin played with the Duncans still! Last night was Korbins turn for dinner and we made Tuna pot pie things but shaped them like fish for each of us. They were pretty great but of course nothing we make ever looks like the picture. oh well. Jax and I finally finished Indiana Jones last night. All four of them! I'm glad I could finally get him up to speed with our generation!
Today is perhaps the Aquatic center or maybe we will just stay inside this rainy day and make a fort under our table to pretend we are on faraway continent where the sun shines with its warmth and we have no place to be....