This was a Sunday to put down in my book as a 'Sunday Done Right'. We had a nice laid back morning with the kids (Cooper running around with a pair of underwear on his head for a hat), eating breakfast, getting ready for church and enjoying each other instead of fighting while doing it. Ally has pink eye, so she and I headed out to the doctor instead of going to church (we can exclude that from the perfect Sunday criteria). After Ally and I got back from the doctor we sat on the couch and I cross stitched and watched 'House' while Ally played her dad's new PSP. Then I taught Ally how to cross stitch on her own little project that I bought awhile back in the subway station. Lee and the other kids came home around 3:15 pm and we curled up in our warm apartment (it was cold and gray outside). Lee fiddled on his computer and played some math baseball games with Ally while Cooper and Eve played house. It was really relaxing. In the US, Sundays were always a day for me to rest, recoop and generally refuel physically and mentally for the grueling week ahead. I always took a nap, and truth be told, spent as much time in my bedroom away from the kids as possible. I am so thankful for China. I am so relaxed here that I am starting to unwind enough to spend quality time with my kids and actually enjoy teaching moments rather then begrudge them. (I know I am wearing my heart on my sleeve here.)
My favorite part of the day came in the evening. I decided to try my hand at Naan bread, which I absolutely love! So I found a recipe and got started. Ally and Eve wanted to help, so away we went. It's a yeast based bread so after the rising process finished was when it got fun. I thought I was letting the girls help because I was being a patient mom, when in fact I couldn't have made the bread without their help. Eve had her turn at the stove first and then Ally took over about halfway through. I rolled out the dough while the girls actually did the cooking. I was so proud! As I was rolling out the next piece of dough, one girl was stationed on her chair at the stove. I put the flat tortilla shaped dough in the pan while Ally/Eve basted the uncooked side with garlic butter. Then she flipped it when it was done and basted the cooked side. The whole time Ally/Eve was cooking I was rolling out the next piece of naan. When the piece in the pan was done cooking, the other daughter would carefully take the cooked piece and transfer it to a stone casserole dish in the oven to keep it warm and then would cover it with a cloth. I was so impressed with the clockwork procedure that was occurring seamlessly in my kitchen! Three Cannon females, baking and talking and working together without any squabbles! I have to say it was one of our finer moments. I sit here at my computer writing about success in my home and feel blessed with such simple yet incredible bendiciones from my Maker and I think "This is what Sundays are supposed to be about!" We set the table and everyone's mouth watered just thinking about the bread that we had made together. After all that work, I have to pridefully admit THE BREAD WAS AMAZING!!!! We each ate at least 3 pieces and the kids went on forever discussing the endless possibilities for the bread... Could they have it with jam or possibly nutella? Could they have it for lunch instead of pb&j's? Maybe it would be best all by itself for lunch... How many different ways could they work out to eat this great bread? And I just sat at the table, smiled, and thanked my Heavenly Father for simple pleasures in raising a family.
Of course, ten minutes later we were back to arguing about pajamas and who had the turn first at the sink to brush teeth. I thought I would pull my hair out before I got them all to bed. But now, I can sit and blog about a great Sunday and feel totally content.
P.S. I have to say that Lee was out doing his hometeaching and therefore missed out on the harmonious evening in the kitchen. The poor guy was out until after 8 and had to eat his naan and curry chicken all alone (of course I was there for good company and pry compliments from him about our bread).
