Life has a way....

My sisters friend, the great Julianne said, "life has a way of knocking you down and dragging you around by the hair". Last week I was feeling almost bald. I was overwhelmed by the life I lead. For 15 years I was a manager. I trained other managers in efficiency. I started the day with a list and seldom went home without that list being done. The next day I would go to work and for the most part I could see the fruit of my labors. Motherhood is not like that. I have really struggled with the fact that many days all I get done is Savannah nursed and an hour or so of something fun for Keaton. The laundry never ends, the mess never ends, and the dinner just gets eaten then eliminated....which I am responsible for cleaning up after as well. I really think my kind Heavenly Father knew I was on the brink. Last Thursday I had lunch with some friends that were single and 30 with me. They both are married now. One of them has 2 kids and has survived a layoff, and now a decrease in pay from a husband that is paid on commission. The other one is well a saint :) She married a widower a year ago and went from a single 30 something to the full-time Mother of 4 boys under 8 (and is now pregnant). Can I tell you how good of a time I had? Keaton said, "Mom you look nice", as I did my hair and makeup to relive my "glory days". Can I tell you how nice it was to hear other people struggle too? That some days they wonder, what is the point? That some days they just want to burn the dirty clothes instead of washing them? That they wonder what it would be like to end the day without spit-up or some other bodily fluid on their clothes?

What is even better though is when we remember the good we do. When we sit in Sacrament and Keaton can tell me the whole story of the crucifixion. When I see Keaton share and be kind to others. When Savannah smiles (yes, once again I did name her after the movie) and shows some kind of recognition of who I am. When I take the time to talk to a neighbor in the driveway who is tears over the struggles of her life. When I get a moment to go to the Temple with Lee and hold his hand and remember our sacred commitment to each other. Come to think of it....maybe THESE are the glory days.

Honey Lime Enchiladas

This recipe has been on a couple of recipe sites I follow. I finally tried it on Sunday and we had a two thumbs up all the way around. When I printed this out it took 2 pages. Don't freak it is really just an easy enchilada recipe that goes into TONS of detail. I always cook a big pot of chicken in the crock pot at the first of the month and shred it. I used that chicken. It is always tender juicy and good. You can use whatever you have. ENJOY!!!

Here's the info:
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 large limes)
2 teaspoons to 1 Tablespoon chili powder
2 large cloves of garlic, finely minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts), cooked and shredded
12 corn tortillas
2 cups of Mexican cheese blend, shredded (1 small bag usually is 2 cups)/ I used cheddar
1 14-oz can of green enchilada sauce (mild or medium, to your taste)
1/2 to 3/4 cup of heavy cream (I forgot to buy this and I was worried about the fat. I used light sour cream and it was really good.)
nonstick cooking spray
1 Tablespoon of chopped cilantro, to garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Place the cooked and shredded chicken in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.In a small bowl, place the honey, lime juice, chili powder and minced garlic or garlic powder. Whisk together thoroughly to combine. Pour this mixture over the chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to marinate while you prepare the tortillas, 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, in the refrigerator.Heat a large griddle till a drop of water skitters across (about 350 degrees F). Spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray or a oil it with a little bit of canola oil in between each round of tortillas. Heat tortillas about 20 seconds on each side till warm and flexible and some golden brown spots have appeared. Remove the tortillas from the griddle and keep them between a couple of paper towels until ready to use.Spray the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray. In a medium bowl combine the enchilada sauce and the heavy cream. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the bottom of the oiled baking dish. Add a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons) of the chicken mixture to the center of each tortilla in a line. Cover the chicken with a large tablespoon (or big pinch) of cheese, then roll the tortilla up from one side to make a rolled enchilada - it will be more of an over lap on the seam side that rolled tightly. Place the enchilada seam side down in the baking dish starting at one end with the long edge parallel to the longest side of the pan so that you end up with two columns of six enchiladas each.Repeat with the remaining chicken, cheese and tortillas. You will use about 1 1/2 cups of the cheese for the filling and set the remainder aside for topping the enchiladas in the pan. Add the remaining marinade mixture to the enchilada sauce and cream mixture, if desired. Pour this mixture over the top of all the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.Bake the enchiladas for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and starting to brown on top. Serve with sour cream, black beans, and rice or a green salad for a great meal.Serves 4 to 6

Easter Finery.

We were all ready for the big day here. Keaton has been telling everyone for weeks that Easter is coming. When asked what is good about Easter he quickly says eggs and bullets. He was sure he was going to get some new bullets for his nerf gun (he did). We took some extra time this morning to be sure he remembered the rest of the story. He is fascinated by the nails in the palm so he has shared it all day.

I do have to share a horrifying story though that will make you not only laugh but be glad you weren't me.

During Sacrament meeting I went out to nurse Savannah before I had to go to Primary. Keaton never wanting to miss the action had to come. He waited until we were all settled to tell me he needed to go potty. My friend was just finishing up so she offered to take him. When Keaton refused I knew it wasn't a pee situation. I decided to try to take him. I carefully fixed the blanket to be sure I could make it the hundred yards or so without exposing myself. I told Keaton I would help him with his belt while I was sitting. By then he was holding his bum (not sure that really works) so I knew we were in a hurry. I was a little preoccupied trying to keep myself covered... I guess. We get about 20 yards from the restroom and I look at Keaton pants and whitey tighties around his ankles holding his bum. Not sure how long he was like that or who saw.....sure we entertained someone for Easter! I just wish I knew why he thought that was a good idea.

Savannah got a new cousin on Tuesday. My cousin Travis had a little girl. Usually you go to the hospital and you think....she is so tiny. This little new born is bigger then Savannah though....looks like she hurt to get out. We had to put the pacy in her mouth because at one point she had "latched on" to Savannah's arm (now I think of it that would have been a better picture).

I love my cousin Travis. He is an amazing guy. He was born one pound over 21 years ago and survived (BEFORE so many advances in medicine). He survived again a major addiction years later. He has always had a heart as big as can be. He is an extra brother to me. I am excited for his growing family.