best chocolate chip cookies

i got this recipe from our neighbor. it is the best chocolate chip recipe i have ever used! i took some in to work the other day and everyone loved them. a friend there asked me to post the recipe. you have to try it.

CREAM:
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup shortening

ADD:
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 1/2 cups flour (1 cup at a time)

ADD:
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Bake at 375 for 11 minutes, cool on tray.

Jacob turns 2!!!

Speaking of milestones...Jacob has now entered the scary world of the "terrible twos". He's still pretty mellow and happy. But, more and more we see his frustration when he can't say a word or doesn't get what he wants. Wouldn't it be funny if adults threw tantrums and kicked on the ground and wailed when we don't get what we want? Anyway, that's for another blogging.

He had a curious george birthday party and it was a hit! We also had an Elmo pinata and Sponge bob party hats...(we try not to discriminate :)). He got great gifts and thanks to all those who were the gift givers and also for all the friends that came to party with us. He is still my little monkey...loves bananas and favorite word is "ohhhhhhh". :) We can't wait to see what year 3 holds in store!

Sarah Milestones...

Today Sarah went to her first ballet/tap class. She was SO excited...then cried the whole time because I wasn't in the room. :( But, she is so cute in her outfit and has a great high kick. :) Do I see a future cheerleader? :) She also got a new bike...with training wheels. She advanced from the tricycle...only because the seat fell off. We got the barbie bike for only $10 at a yard sale and sells for $140 on Amazon. Yeah, great deal! And the helmet/knee pads cost $20. Twice the bike. :) (We got those new...there are some things (not many) I don't get at yard sales :))

Anyway...she is more and more grown up. I sometimes she flashes of a grown woman when she looks or smiles a certain way, and it catches me off guard...it really won't be long before she really is all grown up. Jacob pretty much adores her and does whatever she does. Hopefully, he won't punch the washer machine like I did just because Troy did it...then found out he faked me out by pretending to hit it with his fist but really kicked it. Boy, did my knuckles hurt. Anyway, this is about Sarah, not me! While Sarah cried, Jacob took advantage of the class and had a ball doing pleats, turns, jumps, etc. Sean flat out just said, "fag", when I told him about Jacob's enjoyment. :) Hey, at least someone is getting the money's worth.

Sad Day

Yesterday was a very sad day. My mother was violently attacked, as she sat on her own front porch. She was waiting for my sister to pick her up and a black man approached her asking if she wanted to subscribe to the newspaper. She said she already did, and as he lingered she realized he was "stalling". She told him he'd better get going and reached for her purse to go inside, and he hit her so hard in the face that he shattered her two front teeth knocking them out.

Talk about senseless violence!!! He could have stolen her purse without knocking out her teeth!! The police said there is a group going around targeting older women and hitting them to steal.

Who knew your own front porch was no longer safe. My dad told me today they are putting in a gated porch. It is just SO SAD!! I grew up jogging at night with mace and always locking up. If it was that way for me, how will it be for my kids!!!!

I know she is in a lot of pain, so if you wouldn't mind keeping her in your prayers... It makes me so mad at that man...I hope they catch him soon!

On a lighter side, now we really know what she wants for Christmas. :)

Make sure to be safe and careful of suspicious people, and always call your mother! :)

Since 1999....

Yes, that's right! The last time I saw Macarena (then Hermana Balboa) was in 1999 in Trelew, Argentina!! It has been so long and finally I was reunited with a dear friend. We were only companions for one month but became best friends immediately! Isn't it amazing how you can go clear across the world to find someone so much like you...even though they speak a different language and grew up in a totally different culture!:) I was SO HAPPY to take my family to meet my dear friend and her family. Her husband just completed his MBA in Georgia and their cutest girls, Analia and Clarissa, were so adorable playing with my kids. They are all from Chile, but their English is so awesome!!

Seeing her was like picking up right where we left off..laughing together, and learning from each other. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as a missionary. I can't begin to number how many blessings I've received from my mission. But one thing I know, there is a special bond that happens when you have a great missionary companion. I experienced that bond and in only one month had a closer friend than with those I called my "best friends" for years. The spirit and the struggles of missionary life brought us so close. I am just SO HAPPY I was able to see her again...because when we said goodbye that day at the bus station in Argentina...I thought for sure I'd never get the chance to ever see her again, in this life, at least. SO, thank you for coming to the US Macarena!!! Now, I hope to one day return and see the rest!