We will miss Grandma Toni

My grandmother, Grandma Toni, passed away today. She was 91. We have many fond memories of Grandma. We were fortunate enough to have her move closer to us her last few years of life so that we could spend more time with her. She was very special to Jayce. Even from a very young age of 2 he was always looking out for Grandma Toni, wondering where she was and if she was okay. He called her "My Toni." The pictures of her with my kids as babies will always be precious to me. Grandma was a very energetic person. She could never just sit. Always had to be busy with this project or that. She had a wonderful green thumb and could grow beautiful flowers. I was always impressed with that because I couldn't. She sewed, she quilted and she worked for many, many years as a hair stylist. I remember many haircuts from her. I remember my sister, Teri even letting her cut her hair when she was half blind. She lived a long happy life and touched many lives. We will miss her.

Crazy busy lately

Things have been busy around here lately. I am working to renew or reapply for my teaching license. Before I can reapply, I have to take a 1-credit class that I was lacking before my license expired a couple years ago. Last week I started taking a computer class 2 nights a week for 4 weeks at the college in Carson. I am actually enjoying it. Hopefully, I will have a current teaching license in a couple months. I hope to go back to teaching in a couple years.

Megan has soccer practice 2x/wk and Jayce is now only practicing 1x/wk but it just happens to overlap with Megan's practice time and it is at a park at the opposite end of town from the park Megan practices at. Blake has been taking off work early to take Jayce to practice but it seems he won't be able to do that much longer so I will have to figure it out. Each of them play games on Saturday. Last week, their soccer games were at the same time. Luckily, they were on adjacent fields at the same park so we could sit in between the fields and watch them both. It's difficult to follow both games when that happens.

Colton has his Sensory Motor Integration Therapy 1x/wk in Carson. On therapy days, I take him in, come home get Megan from school and then we load up and head in again for my class. (I drop them off at Blake's work.) Throw in a play group and preschool and there is no time to clean the house. Sorry, hon! Maybe next week.

Of course, Blake is busy with his bishopric calling at least one sometimes two week nights in addition to Sundays.

This week, to this crazy schedule, we are adding Jayce's eye surgery on Thursday, heading to CA Friday for my grandfather's funeral on Saturday and then heading home Sunday and to my Grandma's funeral on Monday. Luckily, we aren't this busy all the time.

Soccer

This weekend was the first soccer game of the season. Jayce, our little giant, looks so much bigger than the kids he plays with or against. (I'll get a picture of that next week.) Being that he is still 4, he plays with the 3-5 year olds. He looks 6! I'm not kidding when I say he is head and shoulders taller than most kids on the field. He enjoys kicking the ball, in any direction, our goal or not. It's fun to see how they improve over the season.Megan is happy to be playing again. It is something she feels confident doing. She was able to get in there and help out her team. She says her new favorite color is tangerine.

Most dangerous cake recipe in the world

Thanks for sending this recipe to me, Kathy. If you like chocolate cake and want it now, this recipe is for you. And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in world? Because now we are only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of day or night.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous)

And guess what our FHE treat will be? Try it and let me know what you think.

We'll miss you, Grandpa Vann

My grandfather, Grandpa Vann or Papa, as we usually called him, died last week at the age of 89. We will miss hearing stories of ranching, hunting and rodeos. He was special to Megan because they shared the same birthday.

Talking dogs

Having some work done on my eyes!

I took Jayce to the eye plastic surgeon today. I had to laugh when the doctor's assistant asked why we were there and what seems to be the problem. (Hmm... we are at a plastic surgeon's office that specializes in work on eyes. Did you notice the small cherry sized tumor growing out of Jayce's eye when you met him a minute ago?) I told her that I thought that would be apparent. She said she has to ask. Okay, so the little tumor appears to have a big root system so instead of just cutting off the top and risking its return, the Doc is going to cut a piece out of the lower eyelid below the tumor to ensure all roots are removed and then sewing two pieces back together. He'll have 4 or 5 stitches for a couple of weeks. And the best part according to Jayce: He gets to wear his pajamas to the hospital! The surgery will be April 2nd.