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Show -N E W S- Spanish Fork Sharing the pain and the joy WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 • A3 Covering what matters most Life After Birth Janene Baadsgaard While resting in a hospital bed after giving birth to my tenth child, I answered a phone call from my oldest daughter. "Mom," April gulped, "my back hurts and I can't walk." "Some people feel labor pains that way, "I answered. "Better get over here and get checked." "But what if it isn't labor after all?" my daughter answered. "I don't want to go to the hospital and have those guys send me home." Now I know most mothers and daughters don't go into labor that close together, but that's exactly what happened to April and me. A few minutes and pain pills later, I was in the labor room again, only this time coaching instead of pushing. I became a new mother for the last time and a new grandmother for the first time so close together it left me panting. My husband and I used to watch our young children growing up and sentimentally lament, "Boy I hope it won't be too long between the time we have our last child and when our first grandchild is bom." Little did we know. Experiencing pregnancy, childbirth and new motherhood along with my daughter felt like a mystical linking of generations one moment and a medical experiment gone mad the next. My daughter and I raced each other for the bathroom, craved the same frozen yogurt and kept each other company in the waiting room at the obstetrician's office. Everybody we met asked us if we'd seen the movie "Father of the Bride Part Two." Talk about a crazy way to bond. Yet the moment I saw my grandson enter the world, I was awestruck and euphoric. It was like singing, dancing and flying without leaving the ground. The circle of life, love and family didn't end! My baby was having her baby. There in that labor room, as I stroked my daughter's moist forehead, 1 realized in the most tender sort of way that everything I'd done as her mother for the past twen- ty-four years was worth it. . . absolutely everything. Every single moment I'd chosen to spend caring for my child was far more important than anything else I'd determined to do with my life. As I watched my first grandchild enter this world, I knew my part in the creation and development of his mother was my life's most important work. I understood the whole purpose of this life was bringing down children from God and helping them find their way back to Him. Before that moment, I simply could not begin to comprehend the importance of loving someone. It occurred to me that a thousand years from now, my babies would still be rocking their babies and the miracle of life of and love would go on forever. I also understood that taking part in the creation and development of another human being was the greatest way to give birth to my own best lite. I'd never even imagined I could feel so much joy. Now when I see an exhausted and discouraged mother, I pat them on. the back and whisper, "It matters. Everything you are doing for Peanut Butter Ready or Not Dawn Van Nosdol For food storage purposes, storing peanut butter is the best. It is a crowd pleaser, you can use it to make the all-popular peanut butter and jam sandwich, you can use it to flavor main dishes (especially Chinese), and you can make delicious desserts with it. Peanut butter stores well and it is also a really good source of protein. Many years ago when I had a day care in my home, I used to cut up apple wedges and cover the tops with peanut butter. The kids loved them. If I had been smart, instead of wedging the apples, I would have cored them and then made flat slices to smear the peanut butter on, much like you would a cracker. I think it would have been easier for the kids to hold onto and it certainly would have made it easier for me to keep the peanut butter in place. Either way, it is a delicious and healthy snack that doesn't deliver a sugar rush. Janene Baadsgaard your family matters - so much more than you know." Janene Baadsgaard is the author ofmany hooksfor families including 15 Secrets to'a Happy Home, Families Who Laugh ... Last, On the Roller Coaster Called Motherhood, Winter's Promise, Financial Freedom for LDS Families and The LDS Mother's Almanac available at book stores or at www.springcreekbooks. com. Readers will find her columns at Baadsgaard Bylines on line at www.janenebaadsgaard.blogspot.com. She can be reached at janenebaadsgaard@juno.com. Kind deeds amongst other good things 'Round and About Benjamin Kathleen Olscn Our thoughts and sympathy go to Diane and Bishop Wayne Miller on the death of Diane's mother, Beth Conk West. Mrs. West died on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, in Spanish Fork. ••• Once again, several Benjamin residents enjoyed the sheep dog trials at Soldier Hollow which began on Friday, Aug. 29 and continued through Labor Day. That is such a beautiful area and so conducive to the show. It can become very tense as the time runs down and the dogs are so close to getting the stubborn and wily sheep into the pen. And it seemed that in every group of five sheep, there was at least one who was ready to challenge the dog. It was a delight to watch the dog, crouched down with ears forward, . stare down the sheep and convince them just who was in charge. The trials are impressive as the dogs and handlers work together through whistles and gestures - they provide great lessons in trust and cooperation. ••• It's been a while since we mentioned a 'kind deed' moment but they are going on all the time. One which we observed a few days ago was a young man mowing the lawn of a woman in the community who can no longer do it herself. When it was later mentioned to the young man, he gave a half smile and a shrug and mumbled something about just trying to watch out for her yard. Another kind deed entailed a group of young men pooling their funds to provide a set of new scriptures for someone who had misplaced his. They were not seeking thanks for doing this but just trying to help someone. Thanks to all who quietly go about doing good things for others. They help make this place the special place it is. You can buy organic peanut butter, make your own peanut butter or just go to the store and buy your favorite brand - smooth or chunky. I love it all, but I do prefer a little sugar in mine. When I lived in Denmark my Danish family asked me why Americans were so enamored with peanut butter. They were under the impression that we fed peanut butter sandwiches to our kids everyday (and maybe some of us do). I told them that we fed our children a wider variety of foods than just peanut butter, but that as a group of people we really enjoy our thick, peanuty, creamy, tongue-sticking delight. A final reminder of two upcoming events in the community: "End of Summer Fun" is the theme for Benjamin 2nd Ward's party scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11. The hot dogs will start cooking at 6 p.m. and kick off an evening of fun for ward members. Please bring lawn chairs, if possible. In Benjamin 1 st Ward, the Elders' Horseback Ride will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13. 10 a.m. is the starting time for the ride at Sweat's Shanty trailhead. Later that evening at 6 p.m., a dinner will be held at the home of Brent and Connie Benson for all ward members regardless of whether they participated in the ride or not. I asked them why they didn't use peanut butter more often. The next day, my Danish mother bought a bottle of Danish Joy welcomed in the summer raindrops There and Back Again Shirlene R. OttesenO Yourchucklefortheweek: The 5-year-old was showing a kindergarten classmate the fancy new weight scale in the bathroom. "What's it for?" the small visitor asked. "I don't know," the 5 year old answered. "All know is that when you stand on it it makes you very mad." Snow on September 1st? I can't believe it. But seeing is believing, and during the afternoon on Monday, Sept. 1st, there was a brief time when the clouds lifted and revealed a moderate coating of snow on the very top of Mt. Timpanogos. For many weeks I have opened the east windows in our home in the evening to help cool our house for the day, but not that night. The bedspread felt good and I had it tucked up under my chin. I even wore my pajamas with long sleeves. It's a little difficult to go from a daytime temperature of 96 F one day and 67 F the next. But it was on Tuesday that we really got a good rain storm. Everything has been so dry for so long that it was most welcomed; whether you had hay down or not. The rain felt and smelled good. Everything got a good drink of water and looked fresh and clean. We've had a good summer, even those days that were over 100 degrees.' Years ago, we had a salesman who Cowboys & Associates (o\vl)o\s lUwlsfcle Service \)\\\ io lleyim Help Wanted! Mobile Mechanics Tow Truck Drivers Also hiring for Dispatchers Nn (Aperient niacssciry UNLIMITED SALARY POTENTIAL $ $ $ Call Sue or Sherri 798-2241 came around to our farm every other month selling farm supplies. His family had property up near Woodruff, Utah. I asked him how his summer was. He said, "Oh it was great - both days!" I don't see how some people raise so much feed for their livestock when they have such a short growing season. Here we are well into another new month. The days are getting shorter and young students are settling into their school routine. Fall will officially arrive on the 22nd, so time continues to pass much quicker than we want. Now that the Republican and Democratic Conventions are over, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel in this long presidential campaign that seemingly had no end. My son-in-law told me about a cartoon he saw; that this year's election was unique in that we could vote for the first Black president; the first woman president or the first Mormon president. The cartoon suggested that we should just nominate Gladys Knight, and that would cover all three criteria. peanut butter and it was - well, it was horrible. It was grainy, tasteless and somewhat bitter, and the oil was completely separated and we had to really work at mixing it back together. And it was yellow. Very unappetizing. I'm so glad that I live in America for so many different reasons, and peanut butter is one of them. This is my favorite Peanut Butter Cookie recipe. Peanut butter cookies are a really good easy recipe to start teaching kids how to bake because they are easy to make and easy to eat - and it is fun to use the fork to smash the cookies down. Just a hint - have a small bowl of flour next to the cookie pan when smashing the cookies down and press the fork tines in the flour after pressing each cookie. This will help the cookies not to stick to the fork. Peanut Butter Cookies 1-/2 cup butter or margarine 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 1/4 cup white flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 3/4 tsp. baking soda Thoroughly cream butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and blend into.creamed mixture. Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in a bowl of granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Criss-cross the top of the ball with the back of the fork, slightly flattening them. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly, serve with cold milk and enjoy. Peanut butter can be used for many things: taking gum out of hair, making exotic sauces for your food, and eating in sandwiches, candy or cookies. Peanut butter must be rotated because it has oil in it and can go rancid, but any way you say it, peanut butter is a good food storage buy. FEAR: That which stops us many times from acting in our own best interest. FACT: I 1. The housing market in Utah is considerably stronger than surrounding states. 2. Interest rates right now favor you. 3. Sellers and buyers are strongly motivated. 4. Acting now could save or make you more money. 5. There is a local Realtor/Broker that has the answers and solutions. 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