Memories of Chris

Please see our blog in honor of Byron's dad, Chris, at http://www.ourdadchris.blogspot.com. If you knew Chris, we would love for you to leave comments, stories, and thoughts about him on that website.

The Passing of Olaf Holman Christoffersen

It is with a sad heart that I tell you that Byron's father, Olaf Christoffersen, died this morning, Thursday, April 24th at 8:30 AM. After suffering for close to 15 years with Parkinson's Disease, his body finally gave in and now he is at peace. The past several weeks have been terribly worrisome yet now "Chris" can walk around with confident steps, with no one having to yell "Take a step, Chris!" or waiting for his walker. We're relieved for Jeri, Byron's mother, as well, as she was unable to leave the house for simple errands for fear of Chris injuring himself. Now she can breathe freely. Funeral plans are being made and we'll announce anymore information as we get it. Thanks to all of our family and friends who asked about Chris on a regular basis. Byron really appreciates all of your thoughts!

Turn Down Service

Does anyone else's dog provide a turn down service and serve as a bed warmer or is Duke the only one? (I come upstairs to this every night.)

They're Sprouting!

To our amazement, Wyatt and I found little sprouts in his Zinnia's pot. Have no idea if that's what they really are after our little flower catastrophe, but hey it's something!

Quick Tip

I know lots of you are new to whole blog thing, and I am too. So here's a tip I learned. I love comments, so if you want to leave one, click on the word "comment" under a certain paragraph that you want to comment on. Some of you are commenting on my slide show (which is fine) but doing it the other way leave you more room to write. Thanks! Write to me often, it makes me think this blog is worth while!

Gardening with Wyatt

So, always being a teacher at heart, I was excited for Spring to come, so Wyatt and I could plant cute little seeds in cute little pots and watch them grow. Wyatt had a great time digging in the soil and looking at the seeds. He became quite concerned with the soil on his hands, however. But I'm taking that as a sign that he has a very clean mother who wants to keep her son healthy, and not that fact that I am a neat freak and my son has to look perfect at all times.

So I thought, "How cute would it be if I take pictures of our cute little plants every now and then for our blog, and everyone can see how Wyatt's seeds are doing?" Well, Wyatt wanted to see how his seeds were doing this morning and dumped his cute little pots all over my kitchen rug. That's what I get for doing laundry! He wasn't in tears, but I could tell that Wyatt was very concerned about what had happened. He knew his innocent plan if looking at his flowers (which by the way, is so cute that he can't understand why the flowers haven't grown yet) didn't quite turn out the way he wanted. So, we cleaned up the soil, put everything back into the cute little pots, but our outcome could be very different now. I may have chives with my marigolds and marigolds with my zinnias. Oh well, Wyatt will still learn about seeds, and roots, and stems, and blossoms, no matter what plant comes out of which cute little pot. And a plus side of the soil falling out everywhere, one seed did already sprout, so Wyatt was able to examine it. Would never of happened if that seed stayed safe and warm in the pot!

Oh my goodness! The dog next door will not shut up! Help me! Any suggestions on how to shut up a neighbor's dog?

Easter pictures, how many weeks late?

A Message to Myself

I'm getting ready for work right now, happy for the first time since September and I had some thoughts. These thoughts aren't really for you the reader, but for me. And if I don't write them down, I might forget how I'm feeling right now. Plus, if I write it on my blog, then you'll serve as a witness to what I need to do now that I will have quit my job. So the following is written to myself:

"Don't mess this up! You wanted more time to spend with Wyatt, then you better use it wisely. Wyatt is such a smart boy and you have the ability to teach him more than he'll ever learn at school. A clean house is great and fulfilling your responsibilities for church is nice, but you aren't quitting your job for them. You're quitting and moving on to focusing on your family. You need to say 'no' more. You easily allow other commitments to fill up your time, but you're not going to let that happen this time. Stand up for yourself and your family. Don't mess this up!"

Big News

Today I had a heart to heart with my bosses and I am quitting my job. Byron and I have been trying to figure out if it was a possibility because I have been so miserable this year. And I realized it wasn't the school causing problems for my being miserable. I was causing problems for myself because my heart was in my home and with Wyatt, and not at work. You cannot imagine the weight that has been removed from my shoulders. For once this year, I can breathe. Now I don't have to feel guilty about spending idle time writing in my blog! I'll probably work up to June. And then freedom is mine.

We're hanging out with Byron's brother John right now. He's visiting from California. It is always so interesting talking to John. He knows everything about everything! He always opens my mind to things I normally would never talk about! I love to visit him. He knows the most interesting places to visit and the best restaurants in his neighborhood. I feel like John really wants you to get the best experiences on your trip. He is a wonderful tour guide. We love you John.

Just some pictures

Dutch Babies Recipe

Yum Yum! The Dutch Babies Recipe has been requested. Enjoy!

Dutch Babies
Heat oven to 425 degrees.
in an 8x8 pan, melt 1/4 cup butter in oven.
While butter is melting put 3 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, and 3/4 flour in a blender. Blend to combine well.
Once butter is all melted, take out of oven and pour in batter. Place back in oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The side will puff up really high and brown. Cut into large squares and top with powdered sugar and lemon juice. It sounds odd, but the heat of the butter combines and makes a yummy sauce. SOOOOOO good! They come from Byron's family. Makes a great breakfast.

Doing Better

We are all feeling better this weekend. Step throat is gone and it seems the wind has finally stopped. Work and church callings have me so crazy that I think we're all just going to relax and breathe today. It is so nice out, we're having dutch babies for breakfast and then taking the dogs for a run in the desert. I've gotta get rid of some of this stress!

OK, I know that I don't have time for this, but I've become so envious of my friends' blogs, that I feel it is my duty to make one too! I know it won't be up to date as everyone else's, but it is gives me a reason not to do the three baskets of laundry that await me down stairs. And besides, I think we make a pretty cute family and I don't mind showing it off. So, I have strep throat, Byron does too. Nice huh! I taught Kindergarten for 6 years, never catching it once, last year a student had it three times. I leave the classroom setting, and I get it. SO painful! On a happier note, Wyatt seems to be getting this potty training thing. He at least has the desire to use the potty, so I'm happy. We had a great weekend despite the illnesses.

It was my dad's birthday and we spent Saturday at the Springs Preserve. Had lots of fun minus the temper tantrum breakdown Wyatt had in the bathroom due to exhaustion and hunger! OK, the laundry waits for no one. I must go before they multiply like rabbits! I love you all!