We Are Thankful

I have tried to do little activities with Colson to make everyday a little bit more special. Last week I decided that we'd sit down and make a "Thankful Tree". I had to make the tree before hand and traced and cut everything out before except his hands; we did that together. Colson had fun, and even had me trace his feet for some of the leaves too. I had to think of the things we were thankful for, but then I would ask him if he loved that certain thing. To every single one he smiled big and yelled yes. Colson especially loves his blanky, and his daddy and mommy. We are so thankful for our little (growing bigger) Colson as well.

He looks at the tree several times a day, smiles, and says "My Tree".

Halloween 2011

Halloween quickly came and went this year. Which I'm totally fine with. Colson was a generic "Polatis" Super hero. I wanted to make a sweet cape so our boys would have it to last through them playing with it. Colson loves it and zooms around the house with it on. Even though I made it a size three, it's still pretty long which is ok he'll just be able to play with it for a long time.

This is the most still he was for me to ever get pictures of him. He kept on wanting to flap his arms to fly.

We or I should say Colson and I only braved the trunk-or-treat at the church this year. Shane got a fantastic deal on an amazing golf course in Summerlin Nevada so his game overlapped the trunk-or-treat. As for the actual day of Halloween, we went to Costco and ate hot dogs and came home to wait for all of our many trick or treaters........ oh wait we had none! lol So we're stuck with tons of candy. I guess I'll just have to take it for all the ladies in Relief Society the next time I teach! I just can't rationalize eating it all myself. (Even if I am eating for two)

A Crisp White Coat

Yesterday we had the joy of getting to watch Shane's White Coat ceremony at the Rio Hotel. For those of you who are not aware of what a White Coat ceremony is, it is basically when students who have entered the medical field and who are working towards their Doctorate degree (ie. Dr.) are presented with a White Coat they will wear during their practicals, clinicals and residencies during their education and then after in their different medical fields. The White Coat has come to represent and symbolize many things throughout history.

How handsome is the future Dr. Polatis in his white coat?!

"The dress of healers of primitive societies was an important part of the paraphernalia of healing. The white coat, wore by individuals to connote their education and credentials as healers, is a symbol widely recognized by today's society. The White Coat ceremony is a tangible demonstration of the accomplishments, and commitment these students have made so far in their journey to becoming our communities future health professionals."

Not only is the white coat symbolic, but the receiving of the White Coat is as well. There were three professors that "coated" each student. The first shook the coat out to represent the preparation of the student. (Studying, research, clinicals etc.) The second put the coat on the student to represent the support system and group of professionals there to help the student through their education. The third shook the student's hand showing congratulations in ensuing this educational/professional journey.

It was such a fun experience. This has been a long time goal for Shane. Since I've known him he's wanted to be a Physical Therapist and now he's even closer to his goal. I'm proud of him for never giving up and never excepting mediocracy for himself and our family. I'm so grateful for Shane and his desire to help others and heal those who are in pain and in need of medical assistance. Even though this is just the beginning, we plan on cheering for Shane every step of the way!

GO TEAM POLATIS!!!!

Did Jesus Really Live Again...

A few nights ago as I was tucking Colson into bed, we finished up our stack of books with one of his board books about Jesus. It talks about the premortal life (the life before this when our spirits lived with our Heavenly Father), the creation, Christ's life and death, Joseph Smith restoring Christ's church on the Earth once more, and then finishes up with talking about how Christ will come again. Well, half way through the book I stopped to talk about how Christ prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane and how he died for us and how he was resurrected. In my mind I was thinking "Okay Heidi nice big word to try to explain to your 2 year old" But of course Colson was so sweet with his words. He looked really puzzled and said "He dead?" and so I said "Yes, he died but he was resurrected which means he still lives today and He loves you very much." Colson then attempted to say the word resurrection which was actually a pretty good try. And after that he had a look like 'ok mom, I think I knew that'. And that was that.


I am astounded at how much little ones understand when we take the time to stop and explain true and simple principles of the gospel to them. Do they understand them in their entirety? No I'm sure they don't, but I do believe that we start to speak familiar words to them from when they, such a short time ago sat and learned all they could in the Premortal life to prepare them to come to this Earth. These righteous spirits just yearn for truths to be taught. It doesn't need to be a huge production with lights and signs and colors. Often like tonight, it was a quiet room sitting side by side with soft words. I feel blessed tonight to see a gospel truth through the eyes of my sweet little boy.

Knit One, Purl Two

I have a secret passion. The more I do it the more I become obsessed. I love to knit. Back in college a family friend Kathy Lay taught me the basics of knitting. She showed me the two basic stitches and how to cast on and bind off. I was quite the quick scarf maker back then. Then when I was on my mission there was a senior sister (Sister Hill) who I discovered was an amazing knitter. During the slow winter months on the Joseph Smith Farm she helped me increase my knitting skills by teaching me different stitches and teaching me how to fix mistakes and read knitting patterns. She even helped guide me as I knitted a baby blanket for my niece. We made a pattern together, and I even got to share that pattern with a nonmember lady from Denmark who was visiting the sites and asked if she could have a copy of my pattern to knit a blanket for her grandbaby back in Denmark. Sister Hill is such an amazing women! I have fond memories of sitting and memorizing scriptures as I would knit, purl, knit. In a way it made me feel connected to the Smith family girls who I would like to believe sat in those same homes where I sat and learned the same skills I was learning. In fact most of the sister missionaries learned how to knit that winter. We had so much fun!

Now I'm so excited because I get to knit for my own family. I knit a blessing blanket for Colson. And I have just finished this baby's blessing blanket. But this time, I decided that it was time for me to teach myself and increase my talent for knitting once again. I found a neat pattern online for a pinwheel blanket but I had to knit in a round with circular needles. I practiced trying to make a little hat first, and soon found out that I needed to learn how to use double point needles too. So I sat down and looked at a few tutorials on YouTube and began to practice. I think I started and restarted this blanket like 20 times no joke. After an afternoon of struggling and laughing at myself I finally conquered using five double point needles at a time.

This might seem weird for me to say about knitting, but looking back at this past week, I am so grateful for this skill/talent my Heavenly Father has given me. The thing about it is I have had to work really hard at learning how to accomplish this. Line upon line precept on precept. I felt such joy as I was able to search out and learn for myself how to acquire and increase this skill. Whether it was finding the person who could help me learn or finding a resource that could help teach me. I feel like I've learned a very valuable lesson that doesn't just go with knitting. Shouldn't this been how we approach all "good, praiseworthy things" in our lives? I know I'm guilty of not always worked on all things in my life with such vigor and excitement, but starting today, I'm going to try. My scripture study. Preparing for church lessons I teach. New fun things I do with my kids at home. Everything that I need to be seeking after that is good!

And now the pictures...... (If you had the patience to read that whole post lol)

This is the start. I started with 3 double point needles then added 5 and then eventually switched everything over to a circular needle which is 2 needles connected by a piece of clear soft plastic.

Here it is after I bound it off.

And in Colson's own words "TA-DA" After I put the edging on! I'm so excited to use it on my baby boy!

Argentinean Empanadas

Being a stay at home mom has given me a lot more time to cook and bake and venture into some new hobbies I neglected a bit when I was working. Shane is happy that he now gets yummy food and sweet treats. Because after all not only do I have more time, but I'm pregnant and I'm loving every minute of it. (Trying to eat in appropriate amounts .... but not always!) One night I decided to make some yummy empanadas. The recipe I used was from a family back home who is from Argentina. Thank you Carina Capriz for putting this in the ward cook book! They were super good. Shane kept coming in and just eating the filling out of the pan. I guess that means I can keep this dish on our family menu!

I thought I'd share the recipe! Hope you try it and enjoy it! Colson even like it!

ARGENTINEAN EMPANADAS


2 lbs shredded meat (beef, pork or chicken)

4 hard boiled eggs
1 big white onion

green olives (about 15 diced)
1/2 green pepper

1 tsp salt
1/2 red pepper

2 tsp ground cumin
5 green onions

3 cubes chicken bullion flavoring
2 dozen empanadas covers

1 tsp Italian seasoning


1. Chop down onions and peppers into small pieces, put into a skillet with a bit of oil. Cook on medium heat 10 minutes give or take with a lid on it.

2. Mix in meat.

3. Once everything is cooked, add chopped down hard boiled eggs, green olives and all the other ingredients.

4. Let the mixture cool down.

5. Spoon onto empanada covers then fold in half. Use a fork to seal the edges.

6. Cook at 400 degrees until pastry shell looks baked.

7. Let cool for 15 minutes.

8. Enjoy!

High On a Mountain Top

This past Sunday we decided that we needed to get out of the house. We opted for skipping the traditional Sunday nap and headed North East towards the Mountains and the Las Vegas Temple. It was oh so very hot like 108 degrees, but well worth the extra bottles of water we all had to drink to rehydrate ourselves after! The temple is right up next to the mountain and overlooks the city of Vegas. Such a great reminder to "Be in the world, but not of it."

Captain/Angel Moroni. Colson asked me a few times to "Get him down from there".

One of many attempts to get a family picture to prove all of us really were there.....

Colson was having a hayday with the grass, and to be honest so were Shane and I. I think that was like the second time since we've moved here that I've walked across grass.

Such a great sabbath day. I can't wait until the day we're all together with our kids inside the temple instead of outside.