Happy Father's Day--Here's to Dads!

So, about 12 years ago a social scientist named Gladstone did a study on elephants. Apparently, a pack of teenage male elephants and a female elephant were moved to an isolated park in Africa. Videos were taken which showed packs of these teenage male elephants chasing down rhinos, teasing them, pushing them down, and goring them with their tusks. A bull elephant was brought into the area by the game wardens, and the rhino killings ceased. According to Gladstone’s interpretation, "When fathers are absent, adolescent males become agitated, seem lost and out of control". He and other experts agreed that "studies done with elephants show that boys need strong, mature male influences, they need to know who is in charge, what the rules are, and who holds them accountable." (See "The Kovacs Perspective" on Searchwarp.com)
Dads' roles can never be filled by anyone else, no matter how well-meaning those others may be. Even the best mother can't replace the father of her children. A loving father makes a child's home feel safe in a way that nothing else can. His role is to "preside over, provide for,and protect his family" (Proclamation on the Family, 1995). Even a child who has mere memories of his/her father is often motivated, uplifted, encouraged by these memories.
I'm offended by television shows and advertisements, jokes and parodies, eye-rolling comments by women which belittle husbands and fathers. You can bet if the tables were turned, and women were degraded in this blatant manner, heads would roll and litigation attorneys' phones would be ringing off the hook.
Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating, maybe not. But I love dads. Even imperfect dads, which all of them are but One. But I love dads who try. They show up, they participate, they lead their families, love their wives, guide their children. I love my dad, who went to work every day to support my mother and seven children, who made sure my mother could stay home with us. I love my brothers and brothers-in-law who are dads as I watch them be involved, hands-on Fathers.
I love my husband, who supports me emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually. He adores our kids and he shows them who is in charge, what the rules are, and how to be accountable. He works hard and supports our decision for me to be home with our children. He makes our home feel secure. He is a stalwart and a loyal friend.
Dads are a beautiful blessing; can you imagine life without them? I don't want to. So Here's to Dads everywhere--keep up the good work! You are often behind the scenes, but we need you, we love you--You Rock.

Richesons' Salmon BBQ Sauce

Warmer weather means grilled salmon if you live in the great PNW. Got this recipe from my parents; they got it from some family friends in Burlington, WA. Now we rarely eat salmon prepared any other way. One batch should be enough sauce for a 10-15 lb salmon.

1/2 c butter
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp dry mustard

Boil all ingredients together in small saucepan. Pour over salmon on the grill as it is cooking.

Lemon Tart Squares

One of Troy's and Mom's favorites.

Crust:

1 c softened butter
1/4 c powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 c flour

Blend together thoroughly; texture should be crumbly. Press into 9 x 13 x 2 cake pan (spray with Pam first).
Bake at 350 for 15 min, cool slightly.

Filling:

4 eggs, beaten
3 oz lemon juice
2 c granulated sugar
1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar. Mix eggs and lemon juice into flour and sugar mixture. Blend thoroughly. Pour into baked crust.
Bake @ 350 for 25 min. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Allow to cool before cutting.

Mom's Sweet Recipes

Congo Squares

3/4 c butter
1 lb brown sugar

Melt together until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool and add:

3 eggs, one at a time
1 tsp. vanilla
In a separate bowl, sift together:
2 1/2 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Add butter/sugar mixture to flour mixture. When batter is completely cool, add:

1 12oz. bag chocolate chips
chopped walnuts, if desired.

Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 x 2 pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 min, until golden.

Mom's Peach Pie

Crust:
1 cube butter
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 c flour
pinch salt

Combine dry ingredients, then cut butter in. Press into pie tin and flute edges. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min.

Filling:
1/2 c cold pineapple juice
1/4 c corn starch
pinch salt
3/4 c sugar
1 sm pkg Peach Jell-O
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 large peaches

Add 2/3 c boiling water and cook until thick; add Jell-O and boil 1 min. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Let set up partially in bowl, then cut peaches into mixture and pour into crust. Keep refrigerated.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake

2 c flour
2 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c water
1 c butter
1/4 c baking cocoa
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
1 c chocolate chips

Combine flour, sugar, soda and salt; set aside. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt together butter, cocoa and water; bring to a low boil. Pour into flour mixture and stir to combine. Beat in sour cream and eggs. When mixture has cooled sufficiently, stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased 9 x 13 x 2 pan and bake at 350 for 35-38 min. Cool for 5 min.

Frosting:

1/4 c butter
3 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp baking cocoa
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

While cake is cooling, combine butter, milk and cocoa in saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Pour over warm cake.

Hard Things are Good Things, too

So, a few weeks ago in RS we had a lesson on gratitude. Our teacher took it a step further, asking us to find good in our trials, even gratitude for our afflictions. Upon considering my teacher's remarks, I can honestly say, looking back, that I am extremely grateful for some of the ugliest trials I have suffered through, because they have strengthened me, changed me, and helped me to know how to empathize with others who have suffered or do suffer as well. Even the trials I have brought upon myself by my own poor choices, although it would have been better to avoid them altogether, have given me a greater appreciation for the infinite blessings of the Savior's Atonement. I'm working also to look for good in trials as I am suffering them, which seems to be the most difficult for me to do.
Here is a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott's talk "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness":
"The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord. Ask to be led by the Spirit to know His will. Be willing to accept it. You will then qualify for the greatest happiness and the heights of attainment from this mortal experience."
The most important thing I've learned about the relationship between gratitude and affliction is that the more grateful I am, the less afflicted I feel, and the more afflicted I think I am, the less grateful I am able to be. The Savior is the source of all light and joy and peace; I know I am eternally indebted to Him for every breath I take, every smile I enjoy from my baby, every warm touch I am blessed to give or to receive. It is up to me to receive that Light.

Sopa Azteca

2-3 chicken breast halves
1/2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
1/2 med. onion, diced
1-29 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 c. chicken broth (use water from boiling chicken + 2 tsp. chicken bouillon powder)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3/4 Tbsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2-3 celery ribs, sliced
1-4 oz. can diced chiles
1-2 halved and sliced zucchini
1-2 halved and sliced summer squash

Directions:
Boil chicken and shred. Set aside. Saute garlic and onion together. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and spices. Bring to a boil. Add chicken, carrots, celery and chiles; let simmer until vegetables are tender. Add zucchini and summer squash and simmer until tender. Add more chicken broth if soup is too thick.
May serve over fried corn tortilla strips or crushed Fritos. Top with shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro--whatever sounds good to you. This is a great soup to use up summer vegetables.

Zion National Park, April 2011

A friend of mine asked me today if Kenji ever stops moving. I told her that Taylor said once that we'd know if Kenji was dead, because he would stop moving. He even moves in his sleep. He is a mover and shaker, that one. But how can I complain? I've seen a few children with feeding tubes over the last month or so, lying listless and quiet; my heart breaks for their parents. So, even if my baby climbs me like I'm a mountain or bounces incessantly, I'll take it.
Tonight I read the talk by Elder Scott (one of Kenji Scott's namesakes) from this last General Conference (April 2011). It was called "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage". He related several touching experiences about his wife and his family, but one in particular stands out to me.
He said, "One night our little son Richard, who had a heart problem, awoke crying. The two of us heard it. Normally my wife always got up to take care of a crying baby, but this time I said, “I’ll take care of him.”
"Because of his problem, when he began to cry, his little heart would pound very rapidly. He would throw up and soil the bed clothing. That night I held him very close to try to calm his racing heart and stop his crying as I changed his clothes and put on new bedsheets. I held him until he went to sleep. I didn’t know then that just a few months later he would pass away. I will always remember holding him in my arms in the middle of that night."
I can't imagine the hole that losing a child must leave, or having no control but to watch or to struggle to comfort an ailing child, but I am grateful for Elder Scott's example of faith in the Plan of Salvation and the peace he exudes.
I am so utterly grateful for the health and growth of my children.
Three of Kenji's top front teeth broke through this weekend, with the fourth close behind. He will have sprouted six teeth in a matter of days! It is a relief to him and to me that they have finally cut through; he was miserable for a week or so there.
Taylor is maturing so well. It will only be a matter of weeks before he is taller than I am. He has a good handle on things--turning 12 and entering sixth grade has brought him many extra responsibilities, but he is adapting well. He often cares for Kenji when I need help--without being asked. He even got him to sleep this afternoon when Troy and I couldn't get him to calm down.
Gabrielle is also growing up to be such a young lady. She has a great blend of beauty and kindness. She is a great student and diligent with her work at school and at home. She is now working on a project of Japan for her school's fourth grade "Around the World" presentations. She has also created a fictional land with its own language, clothing, geography, plants, and natural resources as a project for her GATE class. It is pretty impressive. She even made up an alphabet and numbering system for her country.
Troy is still team roping. He won a little bit of money Thursday night at the Las Vegas "Helldorado Days" roping with Dell. He works hard at everything he does. He is my best friend and I am grateful for him. He is loyal to me and he loves our children deeply.
I'm mostly grateful for the way the Lord has guided and continues to guide my life. I'm glad He protects me from myself (making stupid choices) and I'm glad He doesn't give me my way when I don't need what I think I need. He has helped me to change, to be more positive and happy; I hope I can continue to have the courage to allow Him to keep working with me. I have a long way to go, I know, but it doesn't worry me anymore. I am just grateful for each new day because I get to start again.
Took the kids to Salt Lake to see Mom and Dad off on their mission and to visit with Cindy and family. Had a great weekend there. On the way home we stayed over in Cedar City and then headed up to Zion National Park for part of a day. So this is the picture I'm posting today: the kids at Zion.