Little Miss Cute Mischievous

Few captured mischievous but cute Sophia moments.

Green Beans with Pork

Here's a quick and delicious main dish recipe I like with white rice. I suppose it could double for a savory side dish as well. Hope you like it.

Prep. time: 5-10min. Cooking time: 20-25min.

Ingredients:

*2-3 Tbs oil

*3-4 cloves of minced garlic

*1 slice of pork chop (with some fat preferred) cut into small bite size pieces

*1 lb of fresh green beans, cut slanted

*1/2 medium yellow onion

*2 medium tomatoes

*1/2 C of water

*3-4 Tbs fish sauce

*salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In wok (or equivalent), saute and brown garlic in hot oil (move quickly or you'll burn it!). Add pork and saute until almost fully cooked, maybe 5-6 minutes. Then add the next 3 ingredients and continue to saute until the vegetables have carmelized. Stir in water and fish sauce (if not available, salt will do or maybe soy sauce) then cover and let simmer for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste in between simmering and boom! you're done!! Enjoy with rice.

Our Beloved Prophet Passes Away

President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away last night in Utah; see here for details and updates.

I bear my testimony to you that he was a prophet of God. I know this to be true because I have prayed to come to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, therefore the established Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is lead under Heavenly Father's authority. Personally, I have come to admire President Hinckley and have felt his sincere devotion to providing guidance to us in how to become a better person and better child of God. He loved us all and served his Heavenly Father faithfully and diligently. I thank you President for your strength and service. I love you!

Circle of Life

About an hour ago, we received a call from one of my sister-in-laws letting us know that one of my brother-in-laws just passed away. Dave's at the hospital now while I stay home with the kids. All I could tell Dave was to give my sister-in-law a hug for me. Here at home, I offer a prayer for comfort to be with her. I can only imagine the pain she must be feeling after losing a spouse. Words probably don't exist to describe the anguish. There is comfort however knowing that there is a way to be together again in the continued life. I certainly wish that for them.

Sending you a big tight hug, Tish, ... until I see you in person and give you the real thing. We love you!

Baby Update

Dave and I discussed the baby situation. Since I'm at that over 35 age, I'm at a higher risk for birth defects than those younger. That fact is known to us and the AFP test coming in positive just gave us a little more of specific number risk and in my case showing high risk for Down Syndrome. So we talked about whether doing the amniocentesis (diagnostic test for genetic abnormalities)would serve us good since this test also comes with the risk of having a miscarriage and we definitely want to keep our baby. So, our thinking was that we would do it if there was anything that can be done to "treat" any defects that they might discover or something the doctor might say to sway us to take the test. Well, we had our appointment with the doctor yesterday and discussed our thoughts. We then opt to decline taking the test. We did have another ultrasound done that would do a "soft marker" ... looking for certain clues that might suggest Down Syndrome. There were no positive markings that the doctor saw but again he pointed out that it doesn't mean that the baby doesn't have it, so he'd like to continue to see me every six weeks or as needed to continue to view the baby's physical growth.

I had foggy feelings after receiving the news of the positive AFP test but after talking to Dave about it and getting good input from him, I was put to ease. Dave's pretty good about seeing things as they are and I don't know how to put it ... just that he can see the practical perspective. Anyway, knowing that he is accepting with me in raising our child in any condition is such heart warming and gives me great respect and admiration towards him. Dave certainly is my rock. Thanks Hon and I love you.

Baby News

A couple of days ago I had a message on my answering machine from my doctor's RNP (registered nurse practitioner). Unfortunately, I got home after office hours so I had to wait until the next day to get a hold of her. I suspected that she had serious news for me. Anyway, after playing phone tag we finally talked the next day. She informed me that Sacramento had reported that the AFP blood test I had taken showed risk that my unborn baby might have Down Syndrome. She offered to refer me to a genetics specialist for consultation and posibbly have more definitive tests. So, I have an appointment with the doctor specialist next week. I asked Dave to go with me and so he will call off work so he can be there with me.

I don't know how to put to words how I feel. I do know that if the child has Down Syndrome, I think Heavenly Father placed him with us because we would be able to take good care of him. I certainly would do my best.