Team Todd Video Montage

The "Ooh-la-la" Girls

After William's blessing, when all the family was together, Ella (Heidi and Ned's daughter) and Claire had a ton of fun dressing up. We are big fans of the Fancy Nancy books at this house and so Claire has learned to say "Ooh la la." The girls got these outfits on themselves and then came out to model and said "ooh la la." It was too cute. These girls sure love each other. Cousins are fun!

Ready for action

The "Belle" of the Ball

Love the glasses

William's Blessing

William wearing the blessing outfit both Daniel and Carter were blessed in

Outtake #1 of group photo

Outtake #2--where did Claire run off to?
Outtake #3-notice Carter and Claire

This is the best one we got:) April, Wes, Annette, John (washed out from the sun), Heidi, Ned, Ella, Asher (in Danny's arms), Hayley, Ryan, Sue, Jeff, Danny, Sarah, Carter, Claire, William, Robbie, Laura, Eric, Sydnee and Kollin
Grandma and Grandpa Ottosen were there but had to run off so they missed the group photo, with Eric and Sydnee in this one

William and his great grandparents

It was such a great day to have our families with us (minus Jake and Amy) and to be spiritually fed at the same time. Danny blessed William and it was beautiful and we enjoyed a fun afternoon and evening together. I love the group photo because it shows how many people are there for William and will continue to be throughout his life. What a blessing that is! At the end of the night I realized we hadn't taken any photos of just us with William and Claire took some of me with William before church but they turned out bad. Oh well!

The Miracle of the Human Brain...

I spend far less time on the internet these days than I have in the past. There are many reasons why this is the case: I have my phone which allows me to check my calendar and email throughout the day, I am now exercising regularly and, of course, I try to spend most of my free time with Sarah and the kids.

Anyway, there are still so many amazing things in the world that one can find by surfing the "human network." Hey, isn't that a line from a commercial or something?

Anyhow, here's something you may have seen. I saw this some time ago but it's worth a second look.




The "miracle of the brain?" Sure, partly, but there's a lot more to the miracle of the human being than simply the physical brain.

Beach Bonfire

William at the beach for the first time;)

Berry girl playing in the hole Danny dug

As soon as we could see the ocean, Carter was so excited...it is going to be a fun summer!

The funny girl who ate her hot dog and destroyed her bun. She did not inherit my carb addiction.

Cute boy Kollin busying playing in/eating sand

It was cold enough to put William in a favorite outfit Carter wore as a baby. He looked so cute in it and stayed warm!
Master roaster Papa

Sydnee, Eric and Kollin

We were so glad Robbie & Laura came down for William's blessing--it is always fun to spend time with them!

Bonfire time! It was such a fun night...looking forward to many more this summer!

Family Home Evening at the Todd's & Giant Catfish

Family Home Evening at our home is always hilarious and uplifting, even when it's chaotic since there is always something inherently joyous about striving to do what we know is right. Although we are not perfect in our adherence to holding FHE, we are generally very good about doing it (thanks, of course, to Sari).

So, for our posterity and for general hilarity, it struck me that it would be worthwhile to make an accounting of a typical Todd home evening. What was initially going to be a "quick run down" of how tonight's evening and subsequent FHE program unfolded has become quite detailed. Anyway, for what it's worth, here it is:

1. I arrived home from work around 5:05PM and enter the house through the garage to find the kids are playing an educational game on the computer. Claire was runnin' the show and Carter lay on our bed watching. Sarah is starting dinner (tilapia, broccoli and some strange whole grain that was delicious...Sarah, what was that called again?)

2. Since William was chillin', Sarah advised me to take my run immediately. I ran the 3.2 mile loop (walking up the steepest hills) and made it back in just over thirty minutes. It was hot and my new New Balance shoes were not as wonderful as I would have liked, but that's tangential.

3. I arrived home to find Claire asleep on the bed and Carter now on the computer. "Time to get off guys!" Sarah said from the kitchen (yes, our home is small) so we drag Claire out to the dinner table and force her to wake up so she wouldn't be up till 10PM and we eat. Delicious!

4. I offered to get started with the dishes but am advised we should commence FHE immediately so the kids can get in their bath. Claire and Carter ran over and summited the entertainment center. It was my turn to choose the song and I chose my favorite primary song, "Give Said the Little Stream." We sang the first verse since it's the only one we know, or at least I know.

5. Carter offers the prayer since it's William's turn and he's a bit too young to do so obviously. We then do "family business" which consists of each of us explains the events we have going on for the week. Sarah is interrupted about 12 times and I don't think I even got a turn.

6. Sarah then produces a semi-large piece of construction paper and we collaboratively create some rules and their respective consequences. We have done this before, but this time it seems more serious since the children choose the consequences. The only rule Carter lobbied heavily against was that which required that toys and other objects be put away before the next item or items are retrieved.

7. Sarah then went on to explain how rules, like commandments, are meant to provide freedom and happiness and not the opposite. We then discussed what life would be like if no one at home shared, if we yelled and screamed at each other and if daddy or mommy decided to hang out late and not come home. We all concurred that this would not make us happy.

8. Game time! Hide and go seek, as usual. It doesn't matter, the kids love it. Claire and I hid first and chose to hole up the master bedroom closet which, if you've seen our hose, is not a walk-in closet. She couldn't seem to hold still but it was actually a the sound of air escaping my body that revealed our hiding place to Carter and mommy. I must admit, it was on purpose...hey, I was sick of hiding in there!

9. After a few more rounds we end up at the table to complete a small school project for Carter's class. After that dessert is served: sugar free Jello pudding. Guiltless but not necessarily the most tasty treat, but that's OK, the kids liked it and it's healthy.

10. The kids get in the bath and I take William outside to relax him. I noticed all the bark chips I had so neatly cleaned up on Saturday have been scattered on the walk way. I took a deep breath and happiness flowed through me, forcing out frustration. I'd rather have healthy kids running around than neat bark chips. We headed back inside and I finished up the bath. While Sarah read a story to the kids in their pajamas, I did the dishes and did the rounds cleaning up toys on the back patio, etc.

11. As we do every night, we read from the Book of Mormon stories book and said our family prayer. Claire said the prayer and I helped her. Hugs, kisses, tooth brushing and then both kids on their bunk bed for their nightly story from me. Right now I'm telling them a story about 13 orphans who are taken in by an immensely wealthy man named Mr. Willard. They soon discover his riches come from his fishing lure business. At this point in the story (I tell them a "mini-chapter" every night) four of the children, William, Carter, Claire and Tommy (there's always a Tommy in every story I tell for some reason) are endeavoring to catch a monstrosity of a cat fish named General Sherman. In tonight's chapter they hook him but he breaks the line. Carter begs for me to continue, but I kiss him goodnight and carry Claire to her room where, as usual, she demands a story. Her story is much shorter since she already had the main story and, as usual, she asks for a "teenie bit uh wata'" so I bring her about an 1/8 of a sippy cup of water. She passes out and Sarah and I plop down on the couch and sigh. Oh yeah, William.... (:

Monday night at the Todd's.

One last thing. In case you didn't know, giant catfish actually do exist in fresh water in the US and have been caught both in "olden times' and in more recently. Need proof?:




Finally: yes, there are tense issues in this posting, but I am too lazy to go back and edit all of them. So live with it...oh wait, you're not OCD about that, or are you?

The 10 Cheapest, Healthiest Foods Money Can Buy

Full disclosure: This article is from the website/blog "Cheap Healthy Good"

I found the following list of inexpensive but healthy foods while looking for good eats that are also good for you. We, like so many others, complain about how it costs more to eat healthy and, generally, that's true. We find buying fruits, vegetables, quality yogurts, fish and other foods we know are good for us costs more than the easy, cheap stuff. Frozen foods, especially pizzas, burritos, etc. cost next to nothing but are full of preservatives, bad fat and are extremely high in sodium ("when in doubt, pack it with salt" is the mantra of many food manufacturers).

So, check out the list below and see if there's anything that jumps out as particularly edible that you might add to your diet.

By the way, other things we eat regularly that aren't terrible expensive include:

• wheat tortillas
• low fat cottage cheese
• canned tuna in water
• whole grain breads (from Costco)
• bread thins

"To compile the final list, there were three main criteria. Each food is:

• Versatile. It can be eaten on it own or used as an ingredient in other dishes.
• Inexpensive. A serving will cost a few dimes or nickels.
• Nutritious. It packs high percentages of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and/or calories. (Note: To be totally honest, some important, but fairly obscure minerals are included here. Manganese? I thought it was a capital in Southeast Asia. It is not, and oatmeal has 147% of the USDA-recommended daily allowance.)

BANANAS
Are there better-rounded fruits? Absolutely. Berries will single-handedly protect you from every known disease and fight off communism. But they are inordinately pricey little buggers (especially out of season), and for the money, don’t compare to a good ol’ Cavendish banana. Lesson: Always listen to the monkeys.

Serving size: One large (5oz) banana.
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.33 each
Good source of: Fiber (14% of a 2000-calorie diet), Vitamin C (20%), Vitamin B6 (25%), Potassium (14%), Manganese (18%)
Suggested recipe: Three-Ingredient Banana, Honey, and Peanut Butter Ice Cream


BEANS
We’ve discussed beans ad nauseum here on CHG, and for good reason: there are fewer cheaper sources of protein and fiber found on Earth. (Maybe Mars?) Their mutability means you can pack them into just about any recipe, and with a range of flavors and sizes, everyone’s palate will be equally pleased. Plus: hilarious farting.

Serving size: Half a cup of cooked black beans.
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost, canned: $0.21 per serving ($0.75/15oz can)
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost, dried: $0.15 per serving ($1.50/1lb bag)
Good source of: Fiber (30% of a 2000-calorie diet), Iron (10%), Protein (15%), Thiamin (14%), Folate (32%), Magnesium (15%), Phosphorus (12%), Manganese (19%)
Suggested recipe: Black Bean Soup with a Fried Egg on Top


CANNED TOMATOES
Canned tomatoes are here not as a snack or a stand-alone food, but an ingredient. Simply, they’re the basis for innumerable recipes across countless cuisines; sauces, soups, stews, and chilis wouldn’t exist was it not for the humble tomato. And yeah, if you’re the type to dig in a can of Progresso with a spoon, that’s okay too.

Serving size: One cup canned whole peeled tomatoes
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.48 per serving ($1.67/28oz can)
Good source of: Fiber (10% of a 2000-calorie diet), Vitamin C (37%), Iron (13%), Vitamin B6 (13%), Potassium (13%), Sodium (14%)
Suggested recipe: Tomato and Bread Soup


CARROTS
Bugs Bunny was on to something. But while carrots can be eaten raw to great merriment, they’re also excellent roasted, braised, in soups, and mixed with other foods. Hint: for snacking purposes, skip the bags of baby carrots ($1.50), buy a pound of full growns ($0.66), and chop ‘em up yourself. You save $0.84 every time.

Serving size: One cup raw carrot sticks.
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.13 per serving ($0.50/lb)
Good source of: Fiber (14% of a USDA 2000-calorie diet), Vitamin A (408%), Vitamin C (12%), Vitamin K (20%), Potassium (11%)
Suggested recipe: Honey-glazed Roasted Carrots


FROZEN SPINACH
Apparently, Popeye was on to something, too. (What is it with these cartoon characters?) Spinach is just about the healthiest food you can buy, and it’s easy to sneak little bits into a plethora of different dishes. Here, I’m going for frozen spinach over fresh for two reasons. First, it’s generally cheaper, and you can find better sales. Second, it takes up less space. For those of us with limited refrigerator storage, that’s important.

Serving size: Five ounces unprepared frozen spinach.
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.50 per serving ($1.00/10oz bag)
Good source of: Fiber (16% of a 2000-calorie diet), Vitamin A (333%), Vitamin C (13%), Calcium (18%), Iron (15%), Protein (10-11%), Vitamin K (660%), Vitamin E (20%), Riboflavin (18%), Vitamin B6 (12%), Folate (51%), Magnesium (26%),. Manganese (50%), Copper (10%), Potassium (14%), Selenium (112%)
Suggested recipe: Italian White Bean and Spinach Soup


LENTILS
Full disclosure: I knew lentils were good for you, but didn’t have any idea HOW good until researching this piece. And $0.11 per serving? My god. No wonder they’re eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner around the world.

Serving size: One-quarter cup of lentils, unprepared.
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.11 per serving ($0.79/1lb bag)
Good source of: Fiber (58% of a 2000-calorie diet), Iron (20%), Protein (25%), Thiamin (28%), Vitamin B6 (13%), Folate (57%), Pantothenic Acid (10%), Magnesium (14%), Phosphorus (22%), Potassium (13%), Zinc (15%), Copper (12%), Manganese (32%)
Suggested recipe: Red Lentil Soup with Lemon


OATMEAL
Here’s a riddle: what comes in a can, goes in a muffin, or can be boiled with raisins? (If you said “bunnies,” you are sick in the head.) It’s oatmeal, folks! High in fiber and all kinds of exciting minerals, it’s appropriate for every meal. Combine it with sweeter flavors for breakfast, or soy sauce and scallions for a strangely delicious lunch.

Serving size: Half a cup unprepared old-fashioned rolled oats:
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.12 per serving ($3.69/42oz canister)
Good source of: Fiber (16% of a 2000-calorie diet), Protein (10%), Thiamin (12%), Iron (10%), Magnesium (14%), Phosphorus (11%), Zinc (10%), Manganese (73%), Selenium (16%)
Suggested recipe: Banana Oatmeal Muffins


PEANUT BUTTER
Throughout childhood, peanut butter was as universal as Sesame Street and possibly even my mother. Even today, spooning some out of the jar is a good time, and adding a dollop into stew or oatmeal positively feels like a treat. And though PB is high in fat, it’s a good kind.

Serving size: Two tablespoons chunky peanut butter.
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.15 per serving ($2.39/18oz jar)
Good source of: Calories (9% of a 2000 calorie diet), fat (25%), fiber (10%), protein (15%, Niacin (22%), vitamin E (10%), Manganese (29%), phosphorus (10%), Magnesium (13%)
Suggested recipe: Indonesian Bean Stew


PEAS
Yes, peas.

Serving size: Half a cup frozen peas, unprepared
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.23 per serving ($3.00/2lb bag)
Good source of: Fiber (12% of a 2000-calorie diet), Vitamin A (22%), Vitamin C (20%), Vitamin K (23%), Thiamin (11%), Manganese (11%)
Suggested recipe: Easy Pea Soup


SWEET POTATOES
Rounding out the list, it’s the tastiest of all natural starches: the sweet potato (or yam, if you’re feeling semantic). Sweet potatoes have all the benefits and cooking versatility of regular potatoes, plus lots of fiber, a metric ton of Vitamin A, and an alluring orange color. Enter their world, and you will never want to leave.

Serving size: One cup cubed (about 4.75 oz).
Peapod/Stop & Shop cost: $0.50 per potato
Good Source of: Fiber (16% of 2000-calorie diet), Vitamin A (377%), Vitamin B6 (14%), Potassium (13%), Copper (10%), Manganese (17%)
Suggested recipe: Sweet Potato and Chickpea Puree

Readers, what do you think of the list? What would you add? What would you leave off? The comment section is ready and waiting."

Find the original post HERE.

Finally, if you made it this far, here is the antithesis of this post (may take a moment to load).

No Pain, No Gain

It's bed time and I'm exhausted, but I feel compelled to write an entry for all of you who have expressed gratitude in recent weeks to Sarah, me, or both of us, for our little blog which we've done a terrible job of keeping up lately.

If I were to be honest, and I'm going to be, I'd have to write about challenges, so here I go: despite the fact that Sarah and I feel incredibly blessed due to the birth of our third healthy baby, my new position at the district and the myriad other blessings we enjoy such as having our wonderful, still married parents near us and so forth, lately I think both of us feel incredibly challenged, but that's not all bad.

One of the primary challenges from my perspective (Sarah has no idea I'm writing this by the way) is that Sarah is sleep deprived, plain and simple. Tonight I expressed my sadness at arriving home to find what I consider a somewhat listless, sad wife. Since this not the normal character of Sarah, it makes it difficult for me. I don't mean to paint the picture of her slumped over on the couch, indeed I found her with a smile and doing laundry, but it's more of the spirit I detect in her eyes, some of you will know what I mean. I didn't express my concern to her in anger or with disdain, but with genuine sadness and with a great desire to do something to help. Sarah reminded me that she's been like this for weeks and that we've been here before with the other two kids' births and that we eventually get through it, which I know is true.

It's not that I expect her to bubble over with excitement at my arrival home from work, I just miss her big, energy filled smile and the excitement in her voice as she rattles of the goings on from the day and the plans for the future. I know that "this too shall pass" and that William will begin sleeping more and she will not have to get up to breast feed him every two hours. Indeed, this has always been tough on Sarah due to the fact that she physiologically and psychologically requires more sleep than many, including me.

Another challenge is my new job. Being a middle school teacher in Fontana is a great gig since years and years ago, the collective bargaining unit worked out shorter day than many other district enjoy for middle school teachers. At Fontana Middle, teachers start at 7AM and are off at 2PM. The problem is that I am not a middle school teacher anymore. Although I rarely left right at 2PM, I was generally home no later than 3:30PM or so. Even when I needed to stay till 4PM which occurred roughly once per week due to planning, meetings, etc., at least that was once a week. Now, in my new position I am home around 5:00PM and I often have work on my mind due to the much more complicated nature of the work I am now doing which includes change theory, adult learning, budgets and so forth. Now getting home late and working to leave work where it belongs isn't so bad (I could be unemployed), but compared to my old schedule and the fact that we had just two kids before, work now seems like much more of a challenge. Combine that with the fact that I like to be home with the family and, believe it or not, they like to have me home, work now feels like a bigger sacrifice. Now there's simply less time to spend together working, exercising, relaxing and cooking. It also extends the amount of time Sarah is alone with three little children and that can often be difficult as many of you know very well.

There are other challenges as well which I won't bore you with, especially since most of what we face is universal (bills, cleaning, dealing with difficult people, etc.) but what I guess I'm getting at, or what I realize I'm getting at now that I've been writing this, is that every challenge in our life, yes EVERY challenge and that includes sickness, etc., is related to a blessing. Other than the bad choices we make, big or small, which bring additional difficulty and sorrow, the other, natural challenges of life, whether we call them trials, stumbling blocks and so on, are all things that are associated with blessings. It goes back to the adage no pain, no gain.

I am so happy that Sarah and I have three children, I feel incredibly blessed to work with amazing people in the endeavor of helping young people learn and prepare for their lives, I am happy to serve people in my position in the ward and I am grateful for every other challenge life brings in that they all educate and add character and can open up the mysteries of heaven if you have the right perspective and attitude.

I am suddenly reminded of the following verse from the Doctrine in Covenants:

"All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (122:7)

More than anything I hope that I can keep this vision and also work harder in my life-long mission of alleviating others' burdens, especially Sarah's, and to keep in mind the reality of our lot in life which is, in my estimation, to see all things as blessings and not as burdens until that perfect day.

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Updated pics of Will (from about two weeks ago):