Egg(less) Nog

If you know me well, you are probably well aware of the fact that a small part of my love for Fall is because that's when egg nog first becomes socially acceptable during the year! I love egg nog. I recently came across a recipe that immediately reminded me of my little sis. She is disgusted at the notion of drinking raw eggs. Well, Jenna, this recipe is for you and for all you nog-lovers out there:

1/2 gallon cold milk, divided
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant French vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a large bowl, whisk 3/4 cup milk and pudding mix until smooth. Whisk in the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in the remaining milk. Refrigerate until serving.

News Update

I am so shamefully behind on posting important stuff--like family announcements, etc.

So here's what we're happy to announce:

On September 11, 2008, Nate's brother Mike finally arrived home from serving a triumphant mission in Missouri! We are so happy to have him back home!!

My sister Heather is getting married to a great guy on November 21st! Now, I've only met him once, but he definitely seems 100% head-over-heels in love with her and seems to makes her genuinely happy. Therefore, I am very happy for the almost-newlyweds, and wish them an abundance of wedded bliss!
Sorry, no picture of them yet.

Okay. Next, and yes, the following information is true and verifiable: Nate's brother, Mike, is indeed getting married to his high school sweetheart, Megan in December. Yes, December!! Holy cow. We are very excited for them, and can't wait to watch them launch into their new life together.

Lastly, my kids are so excited to have 2 new cousins early next year! Nate's sister, Melissa is pregnant with her first, a little boy; my sister, Jenna is having her first girl! We are all excited to get to know them, and watch out, cuz Jayni just wants to play mommy and dress them up.

So I think that's all the super important stuff. If I left something out, I am SO sorry! Just let me know, and I'll be sure to make note of it.

Love to you all!

Jayni's Funny

Last night for dinner we took the kids to McDonald's. They each got their standard Happy Meal and headed to the Playland to run off some energy. First of all, I must say that Jayni is a very good big sister. She made sure that Aleks was right behind her the entire time, even though there were other kids there that they quickly befriended (will that last forever?).

Anyway, to our surprise the toys in the Happy Meals were completely overlooked for the first time (EVER!), and neither one asked for them until we got into the car. Now, if you're current on Happy Meal toys you would know that the girl theme is the Wizard of Oz, the boys is Batman. While I was opening Jayni's toy she asked me what it was. I told her "It's the Wizard of Oz." Once unwrapped, I handed the good Wizard to her, and upon turning around heard her say in hushed amazement, "Wow! The Lizard God!"

Oprah Loves Heritage Makers!

Okay, most of you should know by now that I quietly run my own independent business with Heritage Makers, hence the links on our blog.... Anyway, I absolutely LOVE Heritage Makers as a business and especially the products because of the power it has to bring families together. It is a new company, born in 2005, that has grown exponentially over the past few years.

Whether you love Oprah or not, you've got to admire her taste. And guess what Oprah loves now? Her Heritage Makers book! HM Consultant Brenda Kruse made a special book for her and Oprah called. Check out the story at: http://www.buildyourheritage.blogspot.com/

This is just one of the ways in which lives are touched, and changed and comforted through the power of story. As a Heritage Makers consultant, I hear things like this all the time. It's just really fun to hear it from Oprah! Stay tuned in the coming months for even more from Oprah about Heritage Makers....

I love what I do, and I think my Heritage Studio is the happiest place on earth. It's the place where I write my stories in the present, create permanent records that pass MY values on to future generations, and link my children with their past so they know who they are and where they came from. It's a place where I am creative. Pictures without stories are memories lost. Without stories, there is no heritage. Is there something that you need to start creating today?

Heritage Makers is poised to launch a Heritage movement across the country. This company has a vision and a mission like no other company I have seen. I am part of this movement and that vision, but I need help. Heritage Makers is about to go HUGE nationwide and when you logon to your Heritage studio today to create something you will see why, but we need more consultants!

I NEED people to help me. Have you ever considered doing what I do? Do you know someone who might be? Please call me. I can't think of anything more meaningful than a story under every tree and a book in every home this year for the holidays. Please let me know if I can help you make this happen for your family this year.

I have been tending to other pressing matters in recent months and haven't hit the sales goals I set for myself. Help me do it this month! If you need great Christmas gift ideas, this is the place!

Thanks for reading!

Family Reunion Fun!

We had a great old time in September rallying as the Clark Clan in Utah. We were very fortunate to have most of the family there! Just missing our dear brother who is serving well in Argentina, and a couple of brothers-in-law. Tim was in and out as work allowed, and Joe graciously offered to stay behind so Mie and the kids come down even though they were up to their elbows in construction deadlines. We were very thankful and delighted to see everyone!!

Lagoon Day. Speaks for itself, doesn't it? Lots and lots of Icees, crazy chaos.... It was pretty fun. I admit that I don't love amusement parks, but it was definitely worth going. Jayni is a ride maniac! She stuck with Grandma and Abby--the daredevils--just so she could go on every ride possible. Aleks, well he gets car sick just driving around our subdivision, so he went on a couple very non-threatening rides, and of course, Rattlesnake Rapids (he loves water).

I still need pictures from everyone so I can make my book of our family reunion. Heritage Makers rocks! Speaking of which, I also had the pleasure of visiting our Grandma Clark in Highland. It was a special trip because we hadn't seen her in a very long time, and also because I made a Heritage Makers book just for her with the help of our extended family. It turned out beautifully, and it was such a rewarding experience for me as I put it all together with the help of my mom and dad. There is so much love for this amazing woman, and it was made so clear to me what a positive impact she has made in the lives of her children and grandchildren as I read through the letters that were submitted for the book. It was a touching experience to watch my grandma sift through the memories on each page, watching her smile and giggle at pictures of her young children. I feel very blessed to represent a company that allows me to make such a difference in the lives of others.

On a different note, we also uncovered some very important information while vacationing with the fam. My big sis is getting hitched! Of course it was off the record at the time, but shortly after our fun-filled week, we received a call from Abby, who was very excited to announce that she is getting a dad. We were able to meet Tige while in Logan, and he is hopelessly devoted to my Heather, and a very nice guy at that. So here's to a great wedding in February '09!

More to come soon! Hopefully.