Christmas

Every night Piper sits in my lap and I read to her before bed. I cherish this time. I know it's not going to last forever. Tonight she appropriately chose to read The Polar Express. I love this story. If you haven't read this story recently, take a moment to read it. It made me realize that having a child really does make you hear that bell ring every day. Piper creates a magic in our lives. She makes me believe in all that is good and beautiful.
I remember so vividly right after I had Piper I was having a tough time. I got to experience postpartum.So much fun.
It was my brother's birthday party, and everyone was sipping cocktails and living it up. I was talking to my dear friend about how hard of a time I was having. She told me that she looked around the room and she felt so bad for everyone who didn't have children. She wondered what they did. What is was that fulfilled them. At the time I just listened to her. Not until some time had passed did I really understand her words.
Christmas and all holidays I suppose make me think about what she said even more.
This little girl is so magical. One day she will be off to college and creating a life all of her own. It's the little moments with her that I cherish. Feeling her little body rest in my lap and ask who certain characters are in her books. She is the best gift that I could have ever received.
At the end of The Polar Express the child is talking about how he is an adult now and all off his friends, including his sister can't hear the bell ring anymore. I didn't travel to the North Pole, but I did become Piper's mom. She will forever make me believe.
Merry Christmas.

More Change

We've known this was coming for some time now, but we have simply outgrown our house. It's time to start thinking about saying good-bye and saying hello. This makes me so sad. I know a house is just some bricks and paint, but many memories and emotion go into a home.
This was the first home I have ever owned, and Seth's second. Under this roof our children were conceived, 1 child was brought home, and 2 dogs died. Many jokes, laughter, and memories happened here.
When my brother told me that he had ordered the for sale sign, it made my heart sink. I'm not sure if I will be able to watch him hammer it into my perfect lawn that I have taken such pride in mowing for the past 8 years.
My hope is that some fabulous gay couple will buy our house and love it and care for it as much as we did. Ok they don't have be gay, but they just usually have the best taste and take really good care of their homes.
So we have 6 months to sell our home and find a new one. This seems like a tall order in this economy, but we will try our best. If not Seth and I are going to be sharing our room with a newborn. I adore my children, but I am not into co-sleeping.
I am looking forward to the new adventures that lie ahead of us. New neighborhood, new friends, a new home, but mostly the new life that has precipitated the need to move.
www.patrickquinnhomes.com

New Season

I love living in Utah. It has it's quarks, but you take the good with the bad with anything in life. I want to make the most out of winter. I want to teach Piper all the good it has to offer. Sledding, making snowmen, skiing, being grateful that we have a sturdy home with heat and a kitchen full of food.

So this was the first snowman that I have made in years. It is so hard. Each time I drive by a snowman now I am going to marvel at it and know how much effort was put into making this work of art.

I know he is more of a zombie, but I am still quite proud of him.

New Life

I haven't been able to bring myself to post because I am so emotional. On November 3 I found out that I am pregnant. So this was planned, but a bit quick. I think I was thrown back slightly.
I work with a midwife who recently told me that at my old age of 34 my chances of pregnancy were greatly reduced. Wow I can't wait to see her and tell her how wrong she was.
I will be the first to admit that change is really hard for me. I love change, and I know that it is necessary if you want to keep growing, but it takes me a while to get used to it.
I think the thing I am worried about the most is that Piper will feel like she isn't AS loved. The thought of this crushes my heart. I love her so immensely. Will I be able to love another like I love her. I feel so guilty saying this out loud. I know the answer to these questions, but my heart and hormones are having a grand old time with me.
I have an older brother who is 3 years older. I think the world revolves around him. I have adored him forever. I remember so vividly the day he started kindergarten. I was sitting on my mom's lap in the kitchen, and I was crying for him as he walked out the door. I can't imagine a world without my sister and brother.
I know Piper will love LaBron (this is what Seth calls the baby).
I truly can't imagine a world without my children. I hope they give the world hell. I hope Piper and her sibling take on this world with gusto and lean on each other always.
My mom always says that if a mother does her job right, there will come a day when her children no longer need her. When I leave this world one day I will feel a lot better knowing that my children are not alone and that they have each other.
So for now LaBron is hanging out in the cooker and Piper is shredding it up!

Halloween

I love Halloween!
Definitely my favorite holiday. It all began with my mom. She made the best costumes. They were legendary. Then the school parades. I remember being so proud and parading through the auditorium in my costume. I truly can't wait to go to Piper's parades.
Seth and I had our first date at the East High Halloween dance. Our anniversary and Piper's birthday are in October. It's just an awesome time of year.
So 9th and 9th had trick-or-treating tonight. It was so fun. All the businesses gave little treats to the kids. There were children and dogs dressed up everywhere.

Nine years of marriage

Woo hoo! We just celebrated our 9 year anniversary. It seems like we have always been together though. I was 16 and Seth was 17. We met at good old East High School. Seth had just transferred from Rowland Hall. We were friends first, then young and in love. There is something about being so young and falling so hard. It shakes you forever.

I have always loved my Seth and I always will.

Love and Intolerance

This morning a friend of mine posted a clip on facebook of Ellen talking about a teenager who killed himself because he was outed as being gay. I can't even tell you how sad this makes me. I am sitting here crying for some child I don't know. I don't want my daughter to know a world that is so cruel. What kind of sick world are we living in. We try and stop nuclear waste from coming into our state. We go out on Earth day and plant trees and clean up our rivers, and try our best to make this a beautiful world for our children, but then we teach them that intolerance and hatred is ok. I really can't think of anything worse than raising a bigot. I will always try and keep my children away from this mentality, but it is everywhere. It is in my own family.
I have literally stopped what I was doing and sat and thought what is it about being gay that people have a problem with. Unless you are involved with someone sexually, why would you care what two people are doing in the bedroom. Seriously. Does Christianity teach this? If so, that is definitely a club I won't be signing up for. I have listened to family members, or people I know, talk about being gay in a negative way, and their children are standing by their side listening to their words, sensing their negative thoughts, and I have to believe it is coming from their role models. It is so true when they say that children are not born bigots.
We don't choose who we love. Love is so powerful. It makes your mind spin. It truly makes the world a better place.

Every day I wake up and think what can I do for Piper today that will help form her into an outstanding person. We read, go to play groups, take music lessons, and the list goes on and on. I love her unconditionally. I try and shield hatred and ignorance from her existence. I am her guide. Her positive role model.

The one thing I know I can do that will enrich her life better than anything is to really and truly teach her love and acceptance for all. I don't mean a smiling face on Sunday and telling her to help a neighbor and be kind to everyone.

I want to teach her that two men or two women being in love and kissing out in the open is no different than a man and woman. LOVE IS LOVE. I hope not long from now when Piper hears someone spew their hate, she will openly challenge them and know how sad that person is for being so ignorant and hateful.

I know how I feel in my heart. I know how my husband feels in his heart. I hope more than anything that she will learn this from us.

I'm a canning lady

I have wanted to learn to can for a long time. Today my mother-in-law taught me. This is my first attempt.

My beautiful peaches.

Project 52

My daughter and I

Need a photographer??

I know lots of people are doing photography these days, and there is a lot of talent out there, but besides my husband, Jenny Kemp Hebert, is incredible. We were songleaders together at East High School (so much better than a cheerleader because our outfits were a hell of a lot better and we did a lot more dancing).
I started seeing Jen's work on Facebook. I decided I wanted to do a family session with Seth, Pipes and I. Seth was totally not into it. How lame. He wouldn't wear coordinated outfits and gel his hair for his girls. Just kidding Seth. This really did turn out to be such a cool experience. We did a mother/daughter session. We went to Albion Basin in Alta, Utah. This is one of my favorite places on Earth.
I thought the photos turned out spectacular. I really had an image of what I wanted in my mind. This often can lead to disappointment. I can't stop crying every time I look at them. (tears of joy)
My mom came over to see the photos yesterday, and as I watched her look at the prints, I could see and sense her days of young motherhood coming back. She looked at her baby holding her baby, and it made me cry. She does this thing where she turns her head to the left then right and says "oh Shannon, they are just wonderful."
Photos are an investment. Not cheap. I can't imagine not investing in something so important though.
This is a tradition that I will continue on with my next daughter.
Thank you so much Jen!
http://www.jenhebertphotography.com/

Need a realtor??

My brother is a real estate agent for Windermere. He is the best. I don't know if anyone has had this experience with agents, but they can be so slimey and pushy. Not Patrick.
He is very educated and so hard working. He has two degrees from the University of Utah. Tons of designations. I'm not really sure what that means, but I think it's a good thing. He is very knowledgeable on all the best areas in Utah. I would use him even if he weren't my brother, and I am very picky who I do business with.
Now is such an incredible time to buy. I don't care what anyone says, houses are still selling.
If your family is growing, or you are just sick to death of your house, make the wise choice of letting Patrick represent you.
http://patrickquinn.mywindermere.com/

Skiing

When my brother and I were kids, every Saturday my mom dropped us off at Foothill Village. We were loaded onto a bus and spent the day in ski school. I can't remember how I felt about it then, but I love to ski now. I don't do it nearly enough, but nonetheless, I think it is a fantastic sport. I love that you are in the fresh air. I think it teaches you to be tough. You have to ignore sometimes unpleasant conditions, and keep going. I know that I can't force Piper to love anything in life, but I want to expose her to as much as I can, and sit back and hope she loves it as well.

So with this said, Piper is turning 2 October 7. My brother is a huge ski person. I called him up and told him that I was thinking of buying Piper skis for her birthday. We went the next day and bought her the whole deal. She wasn't too thrilled.

For now the skis are just sitting in the middle of the living room. She occassionally goes and sits with them and plays with the clips. We'll give it another try once the snow flies.

Project 52

Brigham City

We headed north today, and went back in time. Brigham City is a gem. We love loading up the car and exploring. Utah has so many little towns that are a link to years past.

I hate strip malls, new construction, chain anything, Walmart, etc. Every city and town is beginning to look the same. It's so boring and classless. Is this really what Americans like. That is frightening to me. I'm pretty sure I was born at the wrong time. It is so rare to find old brick buildings, drive in burger joints, small movie theaters, and a real Main Street.

Take a trip up North and you can get a look at some of these old gems. Not to mention the peaches. WOW. As we stood at the fruit stand, the pickers were bringing the boxes to the stand they had just picked. I honestly have never tasted a peach that good. The stands will stay open til mid October. Load your families up and head north. Enjoy a great peach and some history.

Piper's first fairy party

My mom invited Piper and I to our first fairy party. We had never been to a party like this before, and all I can say is I hope we get invited again. It was at this beautiful home in the Millcreek area. It's an annual fundraiser for children. All the children were encouraged to dress as fairies. Piper of course, as every little girl should, had a pair of wings and a tutu just waiting in her closet for an invitation to a fairy party.

There were ribbons and twinkle lights hanging from the trees. They had live harp music. Wonderful food, and of course, children running around in fairy costumes.

Nothing was more beautiful than my Piper girl though.

Mom and Jan's Black Bean dip

My aunt Jan used to make this dip. She died about 8 years ago. She was my mom's only sister. I miss her so much. It is my mom's favorite thing to make now. She eats it for dinner multiple times a week. Jan loved to cook. She was great at it. She and my mom couldn't have been more different, though they are both fabulous women. I love them both so much.

1 can black beans rinsed and drained
3 limes
2 tomatoes (I love romas, but any will do)
1 avocado
1 can corn drained

Chop tomatoes, avocados, and mix beans and corn into a big bowl. Cut the limes in half and squeeze the juice over all the ingredients.

Eat with lime tortilla chips.

Thanks mom and Jan!

Hailey's Rosemary bread

Hailey is this amazing woman who I work with. She is hard working, an avid reader, so kind, and can assist in a surgery better than any doctor I have ever seen. She brought this bread to work the other day and it was so amazing. I have to share it.

Total time: 2.5 hours
Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients:
1 Tbs yeast
1 Tbs sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt (I love Kosher sea salt)
2 Tbl. rosemary (try and grow your own rosemary. It is so much better when it comes from your own garden and then you won't have to depend on your local produce department) You will also save money by growing your own.
2 Tbl. butter

Directions:
Place yeast, sugar and water in a large bowl and allow mixture to become bubbly (about 15 minutes)
Mix in 1 Tbl butter, salt, and 2 cups flour. Add 1 Tbl. rosemary. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand. Add more flour if necessary. Oil a bowl and put dough in it and cover with a towel. Let dough rise in a warm place for one hour until dough has doubled in size. Punch down dough and divide in half. let dough rest about 5 minutes. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Shape dough into two small rounded loaves. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tbl. over the loaves and press lightly into the surface.

Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with remaining butter.

Serve warm. Dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Thanks Hailey!

Allison's Mocha Brownies

I think I have mentioned my friend Allison Harbertson's cooking before. Well she has done it again. She made these brownies for our book club, and they were the best brownies I think I have ever tasted. I am making them right now and the house is filled with their amazing aroma. Please make these brownies. You will not be disappointed. The frosting is mocha flavored and so yes you have to use coffee. If you aren't a coffee drinker then that is an issue you need to deal with. JK. I love coffee and anything coffee flavored. Enjoy.

Servings: Over 8
Difficulty: easy
Cook time: 30-60 min

For brownies:
Four 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate (I just discovered these packets of melted unsweetened packets of chocolate on the baking aisle made by Nestle) Also I learned that bittersweet chocolate can be used as a substitute for unsweetened chocolate.
2 sticks of butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs (If you don't have your own chickens buy Oakdale eggs. They are wonderful)
3 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

For Mocha icing:
2 sticks butter softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder (I love the special dark cocoa powder)
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 to 3/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
To make the brownie batter, place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Melt the chocolate. Be careful not to burn it. Set aside to cool. If you buy those packets of pre melted chocolate you can skip the melting instructions.
In a medium bowl cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs. With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate. Add the vanilla extract and mix.
Add the flour to the bowl and mix until combined. Do not over mix.
Pour the batter into the baking pan. Spread it to even out the surface. Bake at 325 for 40-50 minutes until the center is no longer soft. Set the brownies aside to cool completely before icing.

To make the icing, in a large mixing bowl combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla. Mix until slightly combined, then add 1/2 cup of the coffee. Whip until the icing is the desired consistency. If the icing is overly thick, add 1/4 cup more coffee. It should be very light and fluffy.

Ice the cooled brownies, spreading the icing on thick. Refrigerate until the icing is firm, then slice the brownies into squares.

If you don't have the set up to make coffee, you might be able to use instant coffee.

Thanks Allison and The Pioneer Woman cookbook!

Project 52

Project 52 is a project I entered into with my girlfriends. Every week for one year you take a photo where some part of you is in it. I have not been great at keeping up with it. My friend Dara is so faithful with this project and motivates me to stick with it.

Family

I had never been to Ledgemere before I met Seth. He used to go to this spot with his family as a child. It is one of our favorite spots to go now as a family.

When I say family I of course mean my immediate family plus Patrick and Erin, but I also mean The Jarrards and The Harbertsons. These women are my sisters. Their husbands are my brothers, and I love their children as if they were my own. I feel their love and support always. Maybe everyone in the world has friends like this, but I feel particularly lucky.

Patrick and Erin

Erin and Jaren

Flynn and Piper

Harbertson and Dunlop crew

Enjoying the fire

My lovely Erin

Project 52

Last week Seth and I floated the Weber River. We had to go back again this week.

It was just too much fun. We took a group of friends this week.

I just can't believe how lucky I am to live in a state where we can drive an hour and be floating down a gorgeous river.

I also got to spend the day with some amazing people, including my best friend Sascha.

A perfect Sunday afternoon.

Project 52

From baby to little girl so fast

How did I ever survive without Piper.

Project 52

Me, mom, Piper and Erin.

The Piper Girls

Two of my best friends

I love this photo. My sister and my husband in Desolation Canyon. I don't know where I would be without these two in my life.

Project 52

Our summer has officially begun. We got to go swimming finally. The more days I can spend in my lifetime sitting by the side of the pool, the better my life will be. I love the smell of fried churros and sun screen. I LOVE grill cheese sandwiches and pickles. I love the hot sun on your back. Maybe it reminds me of my childhood.

My swimming days are so much better now that I have a little love to take to the pool.
Piper loves the water. She is a great little swimmer already.

Mother to mother

I still wonder if the University of Utah made a mistake accepting me into nursing school. Nursing school was very hard to get into, and even harder to make it thru. I loved the U's program. I can't praise it enough. I learned so much. It made me so much stronger in so many ways.
One area it didn't do so great on however was teaching you how to deal with grief. 90% of labor and delivery is so joyous. I get paid to be with people at the happiest times of their lives. The other 10% is gut wrenching. It is so hard to go to work and be a part of these devastating times and then come home and try to shake it off.
Even before you are pregnant you dream of your child. You dream of watching their success. You dream of watching them explore the world and all the joy they will discover. It is an overwhelming feeling.
Last week my young patient and her sweet husband were expecting their second little girl. I was their delivery nurse. When this sweet little girl was born it was obvious to the doctor and I that she had Downs Syndrome. The couple had no idea. When we explained our suspicions, this little mother sobbed. This is an image that will forever be in my mind.
There is a very special moment in every parent's life. Right after your baby is born and they are cleaned up, we place the baby in the mother's arms, and your partner embraces you. It is a moment that I wish could be frozen in time. You are so proud and happy. All you feel is love.
I'm sure this couple felt love, but the fear and sadness darkened this special moment for this couple.
I never know how to react. I am such an emotional person. I went into the patients bathroom and pretended to do something so she wouldn't see me cry. I eventually had to come out, and when I did she could see my face. As a nurse you are looking at technical issues all the time. What are her vitals doing, how is her bleeding, but at this moment I knew it was her heart and soul that needed mending. We just embraced and cried together. Mother to mother we felt each others grief.
When you first meet your patient, you are total strangers. Some patients you might not remember, but others you become so close with and will remember forever.
Their child is beautiful and I know this couple will love her and give her a good life. It's the rest of the world I worry about. The world does not treat you well often if you aren't perfect.
When I have days like this I come home and hold Piper extra tight and remember how truly grateful I am.

Napkins

When it comes to sewing, I am a beginner at best. I seriously just love the fabrics that my mom gets in her store. My poor little projects might not have the best workmanship, but the fabrics they are made out of are spectacular.

I like to think of myself as a frugal person. I hate waste. Being wasteful and excessive are two qualities I hope to never have. Unfortunately, I think many Americans are excessive and wasteful.

So I know this is a very long explanation as to why I made silly little napkins this week, but I am quite proud of them. Amy Butler will now wipe the Dunlop's mouths when we dine.

Eliminating paper napkins and paper towels is one small way to help eliminate waste and save money.

These napkins would make a wonderful gift for any occassion. You need 1/3 of a yard of any of Piper's Quilts wonderful fabircs. Each 1/3 yard cut makes 4 napkins. Cut the 1/3 yard in half and surge the edges. My mom is a wonderful teacher and would love to help!

Project 52

Project 52

Project 52

Piper's first job

Piper is 18 months and she is already working.

Piper spends quite a bit of time with her Aunt Erin and Uncle Peepee (Patrick). A couple of days later I will see photos of her in these adorable outfits that my mom has made for the store.

Piper is their primary model. I love it.