Quite the eventful week!

I should have known when Eli Manning broke those 4 or 5 tackles and threw that amazing pass recieved by David Tyree with an unbelievable catch, ball trapped between helmet and hand, to win the super bowl in the last minute, that this would be a week worth remembering.

It started with watching the press conference on Monday where the new First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was announced. I loved watching the Giants of men be exactly that, men. Human in every sense of the word, sometimes grasping for words, not perfectly polished, but undoubtedly called of God. I loved to hear them talk of the importance of education, a world wide church reaching to every culture, all the questions the media had to ask. I love to know that they are human, but with a unique mantle and a keys that no one else has that make them men of God.

That night Josh and I went to watch Benson play his last home basketball game. It was early in the second quarter when the man he was defending jumped and and reared his head which land squarely in the middle of Benson's face. The blood sprang instantly, I could see he was dizzy and off he went to the locker room. He was followed by a coach, who was followed by Dad, who was followed by a trainer for the high school athletics department who was there watching his son play. I sat calmly, not wanting to over react. He came back at half time, ready to go back in the game. The coach and trainer agreed that the nose was most likely broken. He came home and took a generous dose of Motrin.


The next day we called the pediatrician who sent us for x-rays and made us an appointment for later that afternoon. The picture was pretty clear. Even Benson and I could see the break in the pictures the tech handed us. When the pediatrician got the films they called and said, "We can't do anything for you. You'll have to see an ENT." Oh dear! That sounds fun! And so we are headed there on Monday morning to get the scoop.


These photos were taken today, Friday, four days post injury. He didn't get the raccoon eyes we thought he might, but you can see the bruising on the inside of the eye sockets has started into the green/yellow phase.


It is hard to tell in the pictures but his once perfect nose is now a little crooked. We just hope the septim isn't too deviated. So far he has broken his arm twice and now the nose. Just the beginning of a list in a very active young man's athletic history.

Don't have photos for our Tuesday, but the girls and I went to Hannah Montana in 3D with our friends Haley and Cathy Cumming. We had lots of fun! We rushed home to take Natalie to her first official Young Women's activity...New Beginnings. It is weird to think that in May she is officially headed into those youth years. Wow!

Wednesday night Xander and I went to the local high school production of Suessical the Musical.
It is a smattering of many of the Dr. Suess stories all rolled into one. He really enjoyed it, but was exhausted and ready to head home at intermission. He was asleep before we got home.

Thursday evening I lived out a childhood dream, thanks to my little sister Tara and brother-in-law Byron. Since I was about 8 years old I have wanted to see the Harlem Globe Trotters. Tara and I had talked about that dream and so she surprised me with tickets as an early birthday present. It was so fun!! We laughed our butts off! I felt like a 10 year old kid. And my jaw hurt from smiling for two hours straight. It was all I thought it would be! I absolutely loved it! Thanks again guys!

Tomorrow night Josh, Benson and I are going with our friends Jill, Stan and Sam to see U2 in 3D at the IMAX theater. We are big fans! Josh has every cd they have put out I think. Benson has been listening to them since he was in utero. It will be such fun!

I am excited for next week to come so I can be home every evening, but this crazy week has been a great one. We are very blessed! Life is good!

Did you say Pecan Pie Cheescake????

Recently we had Uncle Kyle over to celebrate his birthday. We made his favorite dinner, Shepherd's Pie, and a new fabulous dessert. He said his favorite dessert was Pecan Pie, but many times when we have been to his house there is a cheesecake present. Hmmm.....my brain started churning. I thought to myself, "Self, I wonder if there is a recipe on line for some sort of Pecan Pie/Cheesecake combo?" And so off to Google I went. And sure enough, there were several. I chose this one, and I must say, it got rave reviews. Try it and let me know what you think!

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Crust
1 & 3/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine wafer crumbs and brown sugar. Stir in melted butter. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9″ springform pan. Bake for 6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Pecan Filling
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 & 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into crust and set aside.
Cheesecake Filling
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 & 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 eggs
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Reduce oven to 325°. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Add brown sugar and flour and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Stir in cream and vanilla. Pour over pecan filling. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven and leave cheesecake in oven with the door closed for 1 hour. Remove from oven and run a knife along the outside edges to loosen cheesecake from sides of pan. Let cool. Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

Also, for the local Blog readers, the bread is at the Mrs. Baird's Bread store in Round Rock by the Academy, Big Lots! (of crap) and Pluckers Wing Bar (just off the IH-35 frontage road between Louis Henna and McNeil Rd.)