It Does a Mommy's Heart Good

I can't begin to express what today's mail brought into this house.

Today we got Cole's first state test report card.

I had trepidations to open it, because Cam has always done well, and we make over him like crazy for it....so what if?

I figured he would do well at math, as his first grade teacher still calls him Mr. Math.

In a flood, the memories of OT and Speech several times a week combined with our home district wanting to put him in SDC preschool.

We have only asked him to do his best...and always, he has pushed harder than we've realized in some ways.

Holding a tiny bit of air in, I opened it. Halelujah! This little engine that could received "advanced" in both categories (math and reading/ language arts).

It rushed over me like freight train and I burst into tears of joy. When I showed him his scores and we discussed what that meant, he smiled ear to ear and said "well yes, Mommy, I tried my best".

Its not about a test so much as accomplishments. I love that his attitude has always been so great and he has never-ever stopped trying his best.

Mrs. Oppy and Mrs. Ellefson are tremendous!

God bless all of you mommies out there!

Seriously, I can't seem to stop myself

A whole new level of domestic-ness (probably not a word).

The pressure seems to be on to get ready/ do / fix...especially be creative.

I am having the most fun with recipes to test. I know the movie Julie & Julia had a little to do with it.

Pork Chile Verde
Turkey soup/stew

and ham and turkey melts

I am making soup in 90 degree weather to store in the freezer. I have three meals preping at the same time. I am obviously feeling the pressure that I will be very busy again soon.

And this whole jewelry thing is out of control! (thanks to Cole again for modeling)

summer salsa

I ran accross a great and simple recipe that is awesome on fish, chicken...or even as a dip:

See what you think

4 or 5 diced roma tomatoes

1/2 cup capers (drain off vinegar)

1 bunch chopped green onions

5 or 6 chopped basil leaves

salt and pepper to taste.

drizzle two tablespoons olive oil over all of it and mix together.

bling baby!

In Little America, I found this necklace and fell in love.

So, I decided I would try my hand at it and this is what I came up with so far (special thanks to Cole for modeling).

Rushmore and Cody Photo Link

http://www.slide.com/r/hEuruUD30j_wz5P9YitvKqUDe2VAP4y1?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

Pics from the trip...

Outside Ten Sleeps, WY. This is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. It is called Ten Sleeps because the Indian tribe would measure distance by how many nights or "sleeps" it took to get from one place to another.

Okay...we are getting close now!

Here, as a great highlight is Cole's most favorite person in history. Wow, we thought we would have to wait to go to Wasgington DC for him to see a statue of his hero.

Mount Rushmore was created by a man named Borglum. On the way in is a museum about his life and accomplishments...not to mention how Mt. Rushmore was made, and what it took to do it.

By the time we got to the monument, we were very familiar with its history which made it so much more enjoyable.