A Morales Minute

I do! I love sourdough bread. I never cared to really make it. Maintain the starter and such. But I decided to learn when I went to our Relief Society Super Saturday Activity.  My first loaf! It turned out great. I love the flavor. Not too sour, soft in the middle. Light crispiness on the edges. We made sourdough grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch yesterday. I had mine with turkey, avocado, light Swiss cheese, a little jack cheddar, and tomato. It was delicious. I've already made a second loaf. I think I'll make a couple more and slice and freeze them. It's so easy to just grabbed a couple slices when I need to and that way it won't spoil and go to waste.   

I only had 3 quarts of applesauce in my food storage. So I planned to can a lot of applesauce this apple season. I friend picked 6 boxes of golden delicious apples for me! I was able to can 76 quarts of applesauce! It was great to see my canned jar shelves be full again after this canning season. I canned tomatoes and peaches as well.  I thought I was all done canning for the year but then I ended up with a large box of Hunnyz apples. I bought it so that Diana could have some when she was up visiting from Arizona. I game some to her and Bel. Then I gave some to Lindsey and Isaac when they were here in October. I wasn't quite sure I'd use up all the rest of the apples. We still had so many! Then I thought I should make more apple pie filling. After doing a little search online, I learned that Hunnyz are great for apple pie because they hold their shape well and have a good complex flavor. I had enough apples to make one batch of pie filling.  They look so pretty!  I had to...

Tyler loves being part of DECA. He was excited to go for a few days to the FLC event in Seattle again this year. He felt more prepared than last year for sure. He said he learned some new things which is good. He doesn't really take pictures and send them to me so I was happy to see some on the DECA instagram page.  Eating Chinese food for dinner in the hallway of the hotel because they all wanted to be together. They're a great group of friends who really have a lot of fun together.  I'm grateful Tyler is getting these opportunities for learning and growth and creating fun high school memories. He's such a social bug and everyone just loves him. I love hearing comments people tell Jaime at school. It can come from staff or other students! He really is just a likable kid. I love him!  

Today Jaime and I took the boys out to lunch and did a bit of shopping. We wanted the boys to get out for a while and to spend some time with them. Tyler said he would drive. It's good he gets more practice in before he turns 16. We had some rain this morning but in the afternoon we had beautiful blue skies and a rainbow!! Tyler requested we do a special dinner for dia de los muertos. I asked what he wanted. He said enchiladas and all that comes with it.  Sounded good to me! And when he asks for something special like this that I could do I want to make him happy. So I made chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Wish a side of horchata to drink. Jaime picked out these cute chocolate desserts in flute glasses. It was a delicious dinner! The boys were sweet and thanked me multiple times and said it was so good. Olivia and Lindsey were missed. They love when we do themed dinners like this.  It was a good start to a new month. Bring on the h...

This pup is just the cutest! He sure knows how to give the cutest looks and when he does the head tilt with his ears raised he's just the cutest teddy bear! This was Tyler cuddling with Koda to keep him close during the door bell ringing with all the trick or treaters coming by. I have to say, this was actually a fun Halloween for Jaime and I. Neither Aidan or Tyler felt like going out trick or treating. They wanted to stay home so Jaime and I went out shopping! Stores were dead (no Halloween pun intended 😜) it was really nice! We hit up both Costco stores! And yes, we bought stuff at both stores. This could be a new tradition for us. hahaha  

Most days I'm happy. I go about my day doing the things I need to do. Other days, I feel sad that I miss my girls. I miss my little kids. My boys are still here but at the same time it's different than when my girls were here. The boys do their own things. Often they're gone to their own activities. They're quieter and don't come talk to me as much as the girls did.  I feel sad that they're not here. Almost like a loss. But grief feels too heavy of a word to use for this situation, one where I am also feeling pride and joy and hope. I was thrilled that my daughters were acclimating so well and a little guilty that I was so sad they were gone. I just felt off.  I came across a word that resonated with me. "Momancholy." And I can't stop thinking that's exactly how I feel.  Momancholy, like its derivative word melancholy, is a depression of spirits, feeling pensive for what was, an abnormal state of sadness for things past.  My life has been a whi...

My girls are home! They're home just for a short few days. I love that they tried to come as early as they could. Lindsey flew in on Wednesday morning from Las Vegas because she had dental work done by Brian. The Olivia and Isaac and Chaz got in late Wednesday night.  I loved spending the days with them home. We went to the Country Mercantile for lunch and browsing. They loved it. Isaac had never been.  She's so happy to be here! Olivia brought Chaz for us to get to know a little better. These four do a lot together. Double dates, dinner at Lindsey's, play games, and shop together. And now they travel together.  Saturday we went to Yakima for Valeria's (Aide's youngest sister) quinceanera. Our table was serenaded by the Mariachi. All of Jaime's family was here so it was fun to be with everyone again. It was the first time Isaac and Chaz had ever been to a quince so it was a new cultural experience for them.  The time went by so fast. It was hard to say goodbye t...

October games means bring on the pink! Breast Cancer awareness month. Tyler and one other player were the first to start wearing pink. Then of course there will be way more on Pink Out night. I'll tell you one thing though, with Tyler wearing the pink socks he is always easy for me to see when he's on the sidelines or on the field! I love it.   

I'm making a bunch of applesauce! I only had 3 quarts left in our food storage room. I asked a friend about getting some apples. She said she'd let me know if she finds out if theirs an orchard to glean since she has contacts to many apple farmers.  Well she messaged me and said that her and her family were going to Othello to glean golden delicious apples and they would get me the six boxes I said I wanted! Wow! I didn't have to pick or pay for my apples. It was so kind of them. I feel so grateful that I'm able to process our own and build up our stock again. I was able to can 76 quarts!  

Jaime had asked me if I wanted to get a way for my birthday. I said it'd be nice but he doesn't need to do that. I'm happy to stay home and just be with him.  He surprised me and took half a day of work so that he could take me out to lunch.  He took me to a new acai bowl place that just opened. He knows I love them so much. And it did not disappoint! It was delicious! I will be going back there again I'm sure.   After lunch Jaime took me shopping. It was fun browsing stores and looking for things. He had planned to take me out to dinner but Tyler had a game that wasn't originally scheduled for the 8th so we went to his game instead of going out to dinner. Jaime apologized for it but I said that was where I wanted to be, supporting our family.  In the evening with the boys Jaime and the boys gave me a birthday card and a gift card for a massage at the Couerd A'lene Resort. So it looks like I'll be getting my weekend getaway with Jaime sometime in the future....

Aidan and Tyler had a joint youth activity where they had to take a meal for two and then it was auctioned off and one of the young women would "bid" on it. They each had their request for the meal they wanted me to make. It would have been easier for me to just send two of the same meal but I wanted to make them happy that they could put in a request. They were similar meals but still a little different. Aidan wanted chicken enchiladas Tyler wanted smothered sweet chicken burritos. Jaime went to Costa Vida and asked for their food pans and lids and they gave him some for free. So it was kind of like a home made Costa Vida meal. The boys said it was sooo good.  October means General Conference! Which means conference cinnamon rolls. While I was at it I made another batch of bread since we were low on that. The house smelled so good! We all love the weekend of general conference. The kids all watch it on Saturday now too. We don't have to ask them to join us. When they...

Tyler has been enjoying every game so far. Both JV and Varsity teams are undefeated.  The Hermiston JV game was going well. Chiawana was just about to score, on the 3rd yard line when lightning was seen so they had to stop the game. The boys all went inside the school. For every strike of lightning seen the clock of waiting for 30 minutes was started over. Eventually they could tell the storm wasn't going to stop anytime soon and was canceled. However, because Hermiston had scored already on their first possession and CHS barely had their first possession and hadn't scored they counted the game as a loss for CHS instead of saying the game was canceled. Our boys were so upset.  Just by how they marched down the field so fast and would have scored on the next play, there's no doubt that they would have beat Hermiston.  At the end of all their games the football players run over to the fans and give three cheers for Chiawana while raising their helmets up in the air. It's ...

Tyler volunteered with his DECA group to provide relief during the Tri-City Ironman triathlon. He worked at an aide station giving drinks and snacks to the triathlon athletes. I asked Tyler how he felt providing this service to others. He said he had a lot of fun and enjoyed serving people. I'm glad he had a good time. I'm so glad he has different opportunities to be an example to others.  

Brian's family came up for a short visit to attend their niece's wedding. They had time to attend church with us today before flying home. I was singing in the choir and Brian took my phone and took a selfie. I love when Brian comes to visit and I love going to visit him. We get a long so well and have grown really close. Thanks for making me smile Brian. 😃  

Let's go 57! Tyler's first varsity game was tonight.  He's small but mighty. The coaches love him because he's so coachable. They just wish he was a little bigger. 5'7" and he looks kinda small out on that field. But there are a lot on the team who are similar in size to him. lol. We lost a lot of bigger players when they graduated. We're excited to see what this team does this year! It was a good game. He got in and had some good plays. They crushed their new opponent Sageview High School.   

A teenager, but still a kid. He's thrilled to build this model.  Aidan still enjoys D&D and loves getting together with his friends to discuss or campaign.  Oh boy something's good... Ooo some of his favorite candies! Happy birthday Aidan. We love you so much! Your even and calm temperament makes it hard to ever be upset with you, course you hardly ever do anything that causes someone to be upset! You're just a good person. You're always willing to help when I ask. So thank you for being such a wonderful son!  

Last night we had quite the thunder and lightning storm! We were outside when it started up really bad. It was so close. Lightning would flash and almost immediately thunder would roll. One was so loud. I mean really a clap of thunder! It was so close! Only it wasn't until the next morning that I learned just how close! A house literally down the road from us was where the lightning struck! It fried their tree. The markings are crazy. So glad no one was around to get hurt.    Seeing the burn marks are pretty cool though.  I was told with these scars in the grass the roots are fried and the tree won't make it.  It'll be interesting to see if it can manage to live though!

Tyler is so excited for football this year. He is so motivated and puts in the work. Goes to zero hour weights every morning before school and then has football practice after school. His days are pretty long but he never complains.  They had a scrimmage at the stadium tonight to prepare for their first football game. I stayed to watch. Tyler is number 57 this year. I have a feeling it's gonna be a good one!  

  Back to school and back to busy schedules. We made sure to get in to the temple this week before things really pick up. I still feel it's such a blessing that the boys WANT to go every month! Not once has one of them said, "Can we just skip it this month?" I love that about them!

The night before School... Back to school father's blessings. Tyler wanted Koda with him for some snuggles during his blessing.  After the boys received their blessings we had fresh peaches and cream for dessert! Can't believe this kid is on to his second year of high school. Tyler loves it. Don't believe him when he says he doesn't. The kid is so infectious that everyone loves when he's around. Students and teachers! He's gonna have a good year. He'll be turning 16 in December and then will be excited for his time to drive himself to activities.  It's even scarier to think Aidan will be graduating an a year and a half! June 2027 will be here before we know it.  He's ready to take on CBC running start college classes as well. It's nice they don't start until September though so he will get a couple weeks with his two classes at CHS only.  Then this guy can hardly wait for the boys to get home from school! He just lays his chin on the windowsi...