XL Chicken Salad

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Mandy long before she married my brother. Because it makes so much, it's perfect for any kind of large get-together!

Chicken Salad

(for 300 small crossiant sandwiches)

8 lbs cooked chicken cut into cubes (canned Costco chicken works too)
3 bunches green onions chopped
Green grapes cut in half (how many? until you are sick of cutting them up)
4 c. cashews (I never include these)

5 cans water chestnuts chopped
1 bunch of celery diced

Dressing
2 c. Miracle Whip
2 c. Mayo
1 c. canned milk
1 t. dry mustard
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 pkg ranch dressing

Mix everything up, and let it chill over night.

We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet

Last night I debated driving down to see my Dad in Tucson and skipping Stake Conference. Josh had been out of town, and I felt like I should stay and decided it must be to spend what little time I could with him. I was oblivious that Stake Conference was to be a broadcast from SLC to all 90 stakes in AZ, but as I sat in church with excitement of the pleasant surprise that I got to hear the Prophet speak, I realized just why I felt like I wasn't suppose to go to Tucson. I was suppose to be in that meeting, and feel the spirit that I did.

I was fasting for a couple that had been involved in a roll over accident and also for a few family members. I attribute fasting to me being more sensitive to the spirit at church today. As we all stood to sing "We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet" I had the same tingles of confirmation that I had felt the first time I sustained Thomas S. Monson as the President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It's unlikely I would have ever doubted that he was a Prophet, but I treasure that confirmation. My testimony may be weak in lot's of area's, but this is not one of them. I am very thankful for a modern day Prophet, and I KNOW that President Thomas S. Monson was called of God to be our Prophet today. I love the fireworks that go off inside of me as he speaks and guides us.

He told a story of a new Prison Administrator who went into a prison and made drastic changes that were more humane to those incarcerated. Someone came up and said something to that man along the lines of, "Don't you know a leopard doesn't change their spots?" That man replied, "Don't you know I'm not working with leopards, I'm working with men, and they change everyday?" I too have been guilty of judging people like leopard's who's spots don't change. I hope that after today, I'm less guilty of making that mistake. I appreciated those words as they pointed out ways in which I have been judgemental, and appreciated them just as much for the hope they give me for those, especially my loved ones I had been judging.

Uncle Dafid and Aunt Wori came to town

These are the yummy desserts that were ordered in Tombstone. We had so much fun with Josh's Aunt and Uncle when they came to visit. Had I known that his Uncle David loved food as much as he did (despite being the pickiest adult eater I have ever met), I could have planned a restaurant scavenger hunt to keep them entertained.

I remember playing a game at my bridal shower and it asked what Josh's favorite kind of movies were. I answered comedy, but wasn't sure. Never did I expect to hear westerns as the correct answer. What?!?! (This is what happens when you get engaged after only dating 6 weeks). I was floored by this revelation and couldn't picture my sports car driving fiance watching my Grandpa's favorite movies. But really his dad has rubbed off on him, and Josh really does enjoy westerns. He likes the movie Tombstone, and has great memories of going to Tombstone as a kid with his family. He was excited to take his Uncle there as well.

I think most of the boys share these western interests and so we planned a roadtrip and tried to include as many Hedgecock siblings as possible. Below is a picture of Kaige with his cousins Jarum, Alora and Rennon.

We tried lots of restaurants while David and Lori were here, and Kaige's schedule got a little messed up. He did pretty good considering he was overstimulated and sleep deprived. But going out to eat with him wasn't the most fun, especially when it was after bedtime. At Cracker Barrel he was quite unreasonable and ended up in time out against the wall. He had served his time, but then did something, and put himself back in time out. He wouldn't budge. That's where he wanted to stay....so we let him!

I've gotten to know Uncle David and Aunt Lori better the last 6 months and it's been wonderful to develop a relationship with them. They live in Portland so our time together is sparse, but we're so thankful for their visit and loved having them in our home.

After they left Kaige kept asking where did Dafid and Wori go???

Kids/Kaige says the darnest things!

So a few weeks back as we were looking through pictures, Kaige points at my Grandma and says Big Grandma. I laughed, and said no that's Great Grandma Jenkins. He smiled and said Big Grandma. I then found other pictures of his different Great Grandma's and he continued to call them Big Grandma. Well we stopped by Great Grandma Jenkins house and he said hello Big Grandma. A few days later Kaige was making phone calls to relatives and saw my Grandma and Grandpa Palmer's pictures and wanted to call Big Grandma on the phone. I've had to explain to them that he is saying Big as in Older Grandma. Older than mine and Josh's moms. To him that makes them Big. :)

Then as we were at the register at Ross, Kaige gets all excited and keeps saying Big Grandma. Yep there was a Grandma in front of us. A tiny, gray haired, wrinkled, nylons with tennis shoes Grandma and definitely in the age appropriate group to be a great grandparent. My little guy was not going to be ignored. He kept saying Big Grandma, and got her attention. I tried to have him just say Grandma, but he wouldn't have that. I then had to try and explain his "rudeness" and what Big means to this stranger. The kind woman seemed to love that Kaige claimed her as one of his Big Grandma's. They had a whole conversation and even exchanged kisses. He is little and can get away with it........ for now........

My little Buckaroo

This little Buckaroo keeps me on my toes and usually smiling. There are so many little things he does and says that I hope to remember. It's those small things that make up for the frustrations that come with being a parent.

Old MacDonald = Old DeDonald
Alligator = Owie Gator
Scorpion = Owie Bug
Great Grandma = Big Grandma
Qadry = Tree Tree
Movie = Moomie
Big Truck = Big Cock

As we take him upstairs to bed, he blows kisses, waves and yells his goodnights with each step he takes. We often have him sign I love you from the stairs and he wiggles his little finger on the you part hoping for someone to come and wiggle their finger and touch his.

He has been randomly singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and mid song says Night Night and pretends to go to sleep. He sings it throughout the day playing this game, and he pretends to fall asleep in random parts of the song.

As he drinks his bottle before bed, he always wants to touch us. He pulls our ears, runs his fingers in our eyelashes, pats us with his toes. It's actually kind of annoying when it happens, but he has been doing this since he was a newborn.

He really likes when you hit the little noise makers on the side of the road that are there to keep you in your lane. He starts shouting more noise??? Noise Ears??? He now notices that he hears with his ears. He hears a firetruck and for the next 20 min he is pointing to his ears and talking about the firetruck he heard.

He is all boy. Loves dirt, cars, firetrucks, baseball hats, balls, animals, bugs, electronics, ect. But this boy has a very tender side. He really loves babies right now. He likes to pat real ones, and put their pacifiers in their mouth but he also loves Daria's baby dolls and feeding them a pretend bottle.

Everynight after we read scriptures we ask him what song he wants to sing, without fail he eagerly says "Popcorn". One day he won't say the Popcorn song, and I will be one bummed momma.

Josh had him on Friday for the evening while I hung out with a girl friend. When I got Kaige up in the morning, I thnk he was expecting to see his daddy. As I lifted him out of the crib he started to giggle. Then he grabbed each of my cheeks and gave me a big kiss on the lips. He tightly wrapped his arms around my neck in a hug, pushed his cheek to mine and giggled the whole way down the stairs. Talk about a way to start my day! I love my little Buckaroo!

Best Buddies Part 2

I had mixed emotions as I sent my little guy on his first play date without me. It wasn't even to a little park or someones house....it was to the zoo. I couldn't make it and I'm very thankful that Kaiden's mommy included Kaige in the fun anyways. It was cute to have him tell me and Josh about his day and him nod with excitement when we asked yes/no questions. Both of us were bummed that we weren't the ones at the zoo with him. For the next week Kaige talked about the animals and giraffes. It is so fun to watch these two buddies follow each other around and do stuff together. I really like the pictures of them both passed out in their car seats. If you look close you can see Kaige's eyes cracked open. That boy sleeps with his eyes open...it's the freakiest thing. Hope he outgrows that one!