My Children!

Here's Hannah and Jaidyn in their school pictures! Hannah and Jaidyn will be starting Jr. Jazz this year too. They are getting so big and I'm so proud to be their mom.

Introducing my father

I haven't known my dad since he and my mom were divorced when I was 5. He moved out of state and I didn't get a chance to know him. Recently we found each other and I'm excited to get to know him as an adult. So here is a recent photo of him. I also discovered I have 2 half sisters who I'm excited to get to know as well. Here's to new memories and healing!

Snuggle time

Just have to say I love it when Hannah wants to sit next to me and snuggle. She doesn't like to sit on my lap anymore, she says she's too old, but likes to wrap her arm through mine and lean against me. I cherish moments like these...

Avon Specials and stocking stuffers!

Here's some of the awesome deals from the current catalog... Check it out on www.youravon.com/hgrimes

Some Fall fun!

Here's some of the fun we've been having at our house! Hope you're having fun too!

Disneyland Giveaway!

The picture won't work if you click on it, so click below to get to the site.

You need to go to THIS SITE to enter to win a trip to DISNEYLAND! There's always extras added to the prize package so it sweetens the pot. We went a couple years ago and would LOVE to go again, we had an amazing time with our children.

www.sweetlifeinthevalley.com

Broiled Teriyaki Steaks

Yesterday I decided I wanted steak so I marinated some steaks I had in teriyaki sauce overnight then cooked them under the broiler for about 5 minutes per side and they were delightful! My children ate it all up and couldn't stop commenting on how good it was. I also served rice pilaf and a salad. I will be doing this again since the steaks were juicy and nicely done. Maybe next time I'll add some crumbled bleu cheese after I turn the steaks to the other side... Mmmmm my mouth is already watering.

Big accomplishment!!

Hannah read her first book today all by herself! I'm so proud of her and what she's accomplishing now. She read Fun in the sun in the Bob Books series. She's an amazing little girl and I'm so lucky to be her mom. I love you Hannah!

Feeling

So I'm just going to put some of my feelings out there... This may be a downer but bear with me. I lately have been feeling overwhelmed in many areas of my life. While at the same time I've been able to accomplish a lot as well. My house is cleaner thanks to the children being in school, which in turn makes me feel great. I just can't seem to shake the previous feelings of I'm a terrible wife, mother, daughter and terrible in my church calling. I don't like the feelings of not being good enough and feeling very guilty because of them. I know where/who they come from but it's hard to shake after a life time of feeling this way. I burning out on many aspects in my life, calling, motherhood, wifehood (don't know that's a word, but it is now for me!) and I'm falling into a funk. It's not due to the time of year since it is my favorite, I love the coolness in the air, colors, HALLOWEEN! I just am having a hard time accepting me for who I am and moving on with that an gaining strength from it. I hope I'm not the only one who has felt this way and I'm pretty sure I'm not but it always is healing to put it out there instead of holding it in. Are there other ways of coping and dealing with this other than the basic Sunday answers? I sure am struggling to find my way out and know I will eventually find my way out. I just need to put my feelings out there and hope when you my reader reads this that you'll still love me in the end. I sure do love all my friends out there and miss several of them since I've moved here to Salt Lake. I do at the same time love the friends I have up here and cherish the time with them.

I hope you can gain something from my rant, and I hope I can gain strength as well.

Poached Salmon!

I made the best dinner tonight! I've been wanting salmon for quite some time since eating at Lamb's Cafe here in Salt Lake so I tried to replicate it and I got the same textured fish with a bit more flavor than theirs. I thought I'd share it with you since it was so easy and wonderful!

Since salmon fillets are on sale at Harmon's 5 for $20 I got quite a deal then came home and diced 1/2 yellow onion while melting 2 TBS butter in my pan. I sauteed the onions for a bit (1-2 min) then added a can of chicken stock. ( I would have used vegetable stock, but I didn't have any) I added some garlic powder to the stock and put the lid on the pan and let the onions cook a bit more in the stock. I cleaned the salmon and then placed it in the pot. After adding the fillets I put just a bit minced garlic in with it since I love garlic with salmon. I put the lid on and let it gently simmer for 12 minutes and viola it was done! So fast and so delicious. Then after removing the salmon I turned up the heat on the pan to a fast boil and let the sauce reduce and then spooned some over the fillets. WOW is all I can say, very tender and flaky as well as very flavorful! I highly recommend you try this as well. I would have taken a picture but I was too excited to eat.

It would be good served with some rice pilaf and asparagus. I hope you try it!