Oreo Poke Cake

I'm a little behind getting this recipe posted, but life goes on, right?

Oreo Pudding Poke Cake

1 package chocolate cake mix - any kind works
Ingredients to make the cake (usually oil, water, and eggs)
2  4 oz packages of Oreo pudding mix
4 cups milk
Crushed Oreos (optional)

Make (and bake) cake according to directions. Just before cake is done, make pudding mixes. You want them to sit for around 2 minutes once they have been made. While the cake is still warm, poke holes all over, using like a wooden spoon or straw. Pour pudding mixture over warm cake, pushing it into all the holes. Then put cake in refrigerator and allow to cool completely. Right before you eat, garnish with crushed oreos - I didn't do this because I don't like crunchy things in my cake. If there are any leftovers, make sure to keep them refrigerated. Note: This cake is good for only around 2-3 days. After that it gets soggy. If you have a family like mine, there is no worrying about that!

Perfect Day

Do you ever have one of those days? No, not one of those days when everything goes wrong, but one of those days when everything goes right. Like all the planets aligned in your world just for a moment. Well, Monday was one of those days for me.

Work was normal. It is my extremely busy time of the year, but I came home happy. Kevin was in a good mood, and the kids weren't fighting too much. Usually we have Family Home Evening at Granny's (Kevin's Mom's) house, but she had other family down, so we just had it at our house. I had decided on Sunday that I wanted to talk about Patriarchal Blessings. Jordan is reaching the age where he should think about getting his, so I wanted him to know what they were for.

I asked Dylan and Kevin to share part of their blessings after I gave the lesson and shared part of mine. All of our blessings are amazing and so different. I loved what President Monson said, "Your patriarchal blessing is yours and yours alone. Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way." The Lord really knows us and knows what we are in need of and where we need to go.

But, the best part came after the lesson was over. We just sat around and talked - mostly about Dylan's mission, but also about all the ups and downs we have had as a family. We laughed and we cried and we all got along. The spirit was so strong and I loved every minute of it. Sometimes the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of heaven - He give you a perfect day!

Basketball

I have some amazingly talented kids. They play most sports and love playing them. But, they don't just play - they are constantly practicing. They go out in the yard and play catch, or to the outside basketball courts to practice shooting, or over to the football field to throw and catch. They are always working on the talents that they were blessed with.

There is nothing better in life - for me anyway - then being a sports mom. I LOVE watching my kids play sports, and it doesn't matter what sport. There is no better thrill seeing my kids thrive in what they enjoy doing. I took thousands of pictures - and I mean that literally - this season, but I am only going to post a few.

This is the second year for Kolar to play basketball. He had a pretty good team, but only won a few games. But, most importantly, he had fun - and he learned a lot! He is constantly playing basketball and loves sports. He improved so much from the start of the season to the end of the season. I just know that he is going to be an awesome player.

Kolar learned some pretty fancy dribbling this year.

And it's good!

Foul shot.

Just having some fun.

Jordan played so many games this year - and I have so many great pictures that it was really hard to choose which ones to post. He made the 8th grade basketball team and was the star player. I am amazed at how good he is, not just at the sport, but as a member of the team. He always tries to pass the ball and make sure that everyone has a chance to make some points. He is also one of the few that encourages other members on his team. You can hear him yelling - just like his mom. I am a little loud, but I can't just sit quietly and watch a game. It's not possible for me.

This year, he played tournaments in Moab and Richfield. They played some really hard teams. Even though they did not win a lot of their games, they got a ton of experience. In Richfield, one of the coaches said to Jordan, "Man, you're good. Don't stop playing." At another game, one of the parents yelled, "You've got to stop number 11!"

In Moab and Richfield he was on fire during a couple of the games. In Moab he hit three three-pointers in a row. In Richfield, he made five three-point shots in one game. He has such a natural ability with a ball - no matter what kind of ball it is, football, basketball, or baseball.

Foul shots.

He can jump so high!

Can't touch this!

Left hand layup - all by himself.

Three point shot.

Passing the ball.

Another three.

Playing at the Sevier Valley Center - way nice court.

Richfield tournament team

Two points for the team - easy layup.

Yep, that one's in too.

Team huddle

And the tip off goes to . . .

 

 

At the Richfield tournament, they had Thurl Bailey come and speak to the kids. He did such an amazing job. He talked a lot about hard work and determination - if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. During his 7th and 8th grade years, he was cut from the basketball team and the coach told him that basketball "wasn't his thing," and to stop wasting time trying to make it. He was never going to play basketball. His 9th grade year, he made the team (with a new coach), but only played during the tipoff. He was a starter with approximately 3.8 seconds of playing time. He also spoke a lot about listening to their parents and coaches. Your dreams come true if you work hard enough.  Here is a picture of him.

 



Dylan decided this year that he did not want to play school ball. He wanted to do track and I'm totally fine with that. Not playing school ball allowed him to play church ball and city league. It was seriously so fun watching him play. He was always laughing and out to have fun. I had that comment over and over again, "It is so fun to watch Dylan play basketball. He is always laughing and having a fun time. I can hear him all over the court."

He has so much talent and I was just glad that I made time to watch him play. Hard to believe that these are some of the last times I will see him play in two years. Man, where does the time go. In church ball his team won the championship. I thought that was pretty cool.

Always happy and laughing.

I can jump as high as you.

And it's in!

Having some fun.

Shot from down under.

Score!

Can't block me!

Church team huddle.

Carver trying to guard Dylan. Love these two.

The winning team.

Even though our lives have been scheduled around basketball, I am kind of sad to see the season over. I am so blessed to have such talented kids and ones who are good sports and don't get mad too often. They are truly a pleasure to watch. Now on to baseball!