Laughing

I really like to laugh.
I am afraid that I have passed this on to my oldest son.
He laughs all day long.
Some people have told me I have a distinct laugh.
I am afraid that I have passed this on to my oldest son as well.
Why is this a bad thing you might ask?
Well let me tell you.  His distinct laugh is a fake laugh.  More like a cackle.
He gets louder and louder until you acknowledge him.  And then for acknowledging him he gets even louder.
A vicious cycle if you ask me.
It drives me crazy.
So that I don't go crazy... I laugh at the situation.  How ironic, right?
Just like I laugh with him when he makes silly faces.
Just like I laugh with him when he dresses up in anything and everything.  Let's just say he has found multiple awesome uses for a pair of underwear.
Just like I laugh with him when he says things like, "When I'm your age I will have zits."
He is one funny kid and I surely like to laugh with him all day long.
Even if his laugh isn't real!

DANCE PARTY PACKER STYLE

Each morning around 10 I close the blinds in our apartment.

I put on my favorite workout attire.

I crank the music. Usually something with a beat.

Thomas, Lewis and myself have a dance party Packer style.

Kind of like these women.

Except I look better in a leotard. They accentuate all of the right features. You know post baby features.

We feel like when we are cooped up in our apartment with the winter blues. Moving our boogie bodies is the perfect thing to lift our spirits and get some of our energy out.

You should try it too. Hopefully these ladies inspired you. If not turn on some of your own tunes and MOVE YOUR BOOGIE BODY.

ANGELS

Yesterday Daniel and I celebrated being married for four years.  
We think it is funny that in these few short years SO much in our lives has changed.  So many BIG things to completely change our whole perspective on life.  
We are no longer two individuals.  We have learned to combine our lives.  We still are learning weird quirks and all. 
We have made a few moves.  
Changed wards.  Not callings.  
Graduated with our bachelors degrees.  
Started a masters program.  
We are no longer just a couple.  We are a family.  With two children.  Two angels.  
We decided that it is our angels that have helped us to change our perspective the most.  
They keep us on our toes learning and growing every single day.  
They bring a lot more meaning and simple joy.  

We've been blessed.  These four years have been full of love, laughter, and learning.  
I think that Jack Johnson described our marriage perfectly when he said...


"You gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause the angels will just keep on multiplying."

Amen Jack.  Amen.  

Seriously

* I feel like I have been posting like crazy these last few days.  I just keep having all of these experiences that I want to remember.  Maybe the overload is because we were gone on such a long Holiday Hiatus.


Last night Daniel was at class late.
Thomas was in his bedroom playing quietly while I was on our couch feeding Lewis and watching Dan in Real Life.
I heard the door knob turn.  I wasn't expecting Daniel yet so I yelped in shock, "Oh hey, I didn't expect you home yet."  As I saw another man enter into my house.
My first reaction was to cover up.  Remember I was feeding the babe.  And I was not covered.
I even think that I apologized to this strange man for "flashing him" if you will.
Then as he mumbled an apology he walked in and started to take off his shoes.
Um... Seriously?
I then thought he might of been a friend of Daniel's that brought Daniel home from class early.
I heard myself asking him, "Can I ask, who are you?"
He turned to me.  Looked at his phone.  Then said, "Is this not apartment D 103"
"NO"
He apologized.  Slipped his feet back in his shoes.  Turned around.  Opened the door.  and Left.

All of this took place in a matter of seconds.
I felt my face turning bright red as I sat there assessing the situation.  Partially because I had just "flashed" this man.  Partially because I was so upset that a stranger had just walked into my house so freely.  He made me feel so uncomfortable in a place that is suppose to be my safe haven.
Something has got to change.

Pearls

For Christmas I got "Mastering the art of French Cooking" by Julia Child.  

Last night we had a special back to school dinner for Daniel.  (Today was his first day back)

I decided I would pull out the books and make him something special.  

On Saturday I carefully flipped through the pages.  Treating each page as if it was scripture.  

I took it all in as I searched for the perfect meal to make him.  

I dreamed that I was at a famous in market in France instead of at the local Wal Mart in Utah as I searched the aisles for the perfect ingredients.  

I wanted to take in the whole experience, so that my journey to becoming a great chef would be legit.  

I wanted to learn to cook food the proper way.  Not just so that it is edible.  

I wanted to be in control of the food.  The master.  Not have my food be in control of me.  

I wanted to not eat food just to survive I wanted to learn to savor and enjoy each morsel.  

On the menu:   Artichokes with hollandaise sauce.

                          Baked potatoes with garlic butter

                         Panfried Steak with bouillon gravy

                                  Orange Cream Sodas

A perfect Daniel dinner.  

As I started my dinner on Sunday evening I was very optimistic that this would be the best meal ever.  I had on my apron and I had all of my ingredients ready and prepared so they would be ready when needed.  I had my book open and I had read and reread each recipe so that I knew most of the steps by heart.        

I put the potatoes in the oven, prepared the artichoke and started boiling it, made the garlic butter and my spirits were still high.  Even if my sink was beginning to fill with dishes.  I hadn't burned anything yet and I felt on top of the dinner.  Then I started on the hollandaise sauce.  Nothing that she said was suppose to happen, happened.  It was a failure from the beginning.  Then on to the steaks.  I placed them on the hot pan and instantly they curled up.  "Seriously" I didn't know that steak could do that.  I rolled them around the pan as I tried to cook them evenly. 

Daniel said that things could of been a lot worse.  I agree they could have.  

I just had such high hopes of being the next MASTER and this wasn't the best start.  

As I talked to my sister on the phone and told her about my failed attempt, she asked me if I was wearing pearls.  

I had forgotten to wear pearls.  I now know why my hollandaise sauce didn't turn into a thick cream.  I now know why my steak curled into balls.  I had forgotten to wear pearls and I quickly decided that the answer wasn't to stop because I failed.  I just realized that I am a young mother of 2 and right now might not be the time in my life to Master the Art of French Cooking.  It is just that. An Art that takes more time than I get to devote on dinner each night.  For now I will stick to my few staples that are fail proof and tasty within minutes.  And save my "pearls" for another special occasion.  

                      

Cookies or carmel for breakfast

(Thomas before a hair cut)

Each morning for the past week I have woken up to Thomas eating cookies.

He is so proud of himself for getting himself one without bothering Daniel or I.  

We are loving being able to sleep in and waking up to cookies and other rich "breakfast foods" such as cinnamon rolls and carmel apple french toast.  So who is to say that cookies aren't a great way to start the day?  

Apparently it wasn't our new years resolution to "eat better".

Maybe when Daniel goes back to school we will try to be better.  Maybe.  

As for now I think the new year has started out pretty darn good in the Packer home.  

Cookies.  French toast.  Hair cuts and all.  

* Carmel Apple French Toast

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 Tblsp karo syrup

3 apples peeled and sliced.

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 loaf of french bread sliced thick

cinnamon

Heat on the the stove in a saucepan the brown sugar, butter and karo.  Bring to a boil for a minute and then pour into a 9 by 13 inch pan.  

 

Peel and slice apples and lay over top the carmel.

Beat the eggs milk and vanilla together.  Dip the french bread in the egg mixture on both sides.  Coating generously.  Then place on top of the apples.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cover and refrigerate over night.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

HOLIDAYS

(Thomas the aspiring photographer captures a blurred and unfocused moment in the Packer home)

We are back in business.  

We have been in Rexburg enjoying the Holiday Season with family for the last few weeks. 

It was lovely.  

I am so behind on the happenings in our life... we just had too much fun while away.  

We ate good food, watched movies, went cross country skiing, swam, went caroling on horse drawn sleighs, played basketball, got a hair cut, learned to roll over, hit a horse, we went sledding and played in the snow, we built snowmen and snow angels, played lazer tag, went on a hot date, went bowling, played with cousins, chatted, got a pedicure, played video games, read good books, and of course enjoyed everything that Santa brought for us.  

Now we are home again and back in business.  Except that 3 of the 4 of us have colds.  So is life. 

Daniel says he is sick of the "BLAH" post and asked for something more upbeat.  

I don't know how fabulous this has been... but it will be a new post at least.  

I haven't even downloaded all of our fun pictures... It is probably better.  I would have overloaded you I am sure.  

 

We had a very lovely Holiday Season.  I am sad that it has come and gone.  Our tree is down.  We felt of our Saviors love.  We served and were served.  We counted down and tried to take in the whole experience.  I can't believe how fast it went.  

But I am completely excited to see what this new year brings.  

It is going to be unexpected and exciting.  Right now I am feeling really optimistic!  

As for resolutions I want to get lost in serving others.  I want to be aware enough to recognize and then be selfless enough to follow through.  

I am tired and must go to sleep before someone else needs me.  

Doesn't that picture at the top totally fit this post?  Completely blurred and out of focus.  I thought it was fitting!

Good night and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!