Best Birthday Ever

So, I turned 43 on Monday, January 24th.  When you get to be my age you don't worry too much about how you're going to spend your birthday.  At least I don't.  We did the usual family outing over the weekend, since my mom's birthday is four days after mine.  This is all I really look forward to.  I enjoy my family so much and if I get this special time with them on my special day, then I feel more than blessed.  Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I received more birthday wishes than I ever have before.  It was wonderful and again, I felt so blessed.  One of those birthday wishes included an invitation to breakfast this morning at one of my favorite restaurants, The French Laundry.  I had such a blast!!!  I felt like a little kid again who couldn't wait for Christmas morning.  I was able to go with some wonderful ladies from church and they made me feel so special.  We ate, laughed, ate some more, talked and ate!!!  Did I mention we ate?  I have never been made to feel so special.  I just love these women who inspire me and set such great examples of courage, determination and love.  Life is good!!!

A Very Sad Day for Us

Yesterday was one of the roughest days I've ever had in my adult life.  My husband's cousin Michelle & her husband Jeff, loss their 5 week old baby.  The funeral was yesterday and I just can't fathom how they will go on with their lives.  As a mother, I have always worried about my daughter going before me.  It just shouldn't happen.  A parent is not suppose to outlive their children.  I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father's plan of salvation.  I know Andrew is now a sweet angel looking down upon us all and cherishing the love his family has for him.  I'm so blessed to know that Andrew is in a better place.  His soul was too good for this earth and God knew it.  That's why he took him home so quickly.  He has a bigger work that Andrew just couldn't accomplish here on earth.  I'm grateful for that knowledge.  

Healthy Banana Nut Muffins

Okay, I'm one of those people who cant stand to throw away food.  So, when I see my bananas sitting on the counter starting to turn black, I think, I better do something with those.  I love banana nut bread and muffins, but since my family and I are not eating white flour or white sugar, I had to go on a hunt for something that we could eat.  This is what I found and let me tell ya, these are fantastic.   


Whole Wheat Banana Nut Muffins


1 3/4 C. whole wheat flour
3/4 C. Splenda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 egg
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1/2 C. plain yogurt or sour cream (You can use low fat or fat free versions as well)
1 t. vanilla extract
3-4 ripe bananas mashed
3/4 C. chopped walnuts


In mixer, combine egg, oil, and sour cream or yogurt, and vanilla.  Mix throughly.  Double sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add sifted mixture along with Splenda to wet ingredients and mix until well blended.  Add bananas and nuts and mix until well blended.   Grease 12 muffin cups or line with muffin papers.  Distribute mixture evenly between 12 tins.  (I use an ice cream scoop and that works great.)  Bake @ 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until middles test done with cake tester or toothpick.  Allow to cool 10 minutes in pan and remove to cooling rack.  Enjoy.  


I have also put extra chopped nuts on top of the batter just before placing muffins in oven.  If you like nuts, this adds a little extra crunch to the top.  Also, be careful not to over mix batter as this will make for tough muffins.  My family loves these and I've finally found something Sarah will eat before school.  (She's not much of a breakfast eater).  Hope you guys will find these as good as we do.  Have fun!

Happy New Year

The Loomis Family is starting out the new year on the right foot.  We've joined yet another weight loss challenge put together by one of our friends from church.  She is so spunky and fun and we just love her.  Sarah started back to school this week and has been doing very well.  She was a little disillusioned the first couple of days because she spent her Christmas break staying up late and getting up late.  Oh well, she's young and will bounce back easily.  We also have challenged each other as a family to read The Book of Mormon daily and rededicate ourselves to doing what the Lord would have us do.  My knee check up is leading to injections first then if those don't work, it will be surgery.  I hope and pray I don't have to go through more surgery, but if that's what needs to happen, it will.  Happy New Year to all of you and we hope your are all well.