Slow Cooker~ BBQ Wings

*Before I share this great recipe with
Y'all, I wanted to take the opportunity to
SHOUT OUT a FABULOUS way you can
PAY IT FORWARD to help all
the Families in Oklahoma.
Please Tweet, Share and Post this message~

THANK YOU!
You guessed it, ANOTHER

Slow Cooker Meal!

I just might make you into

slow cooker fans yet. 

These wings have the full flavor

you get from grilled wings.

Without the dry over cooked meat.

Slow Cooker~ BBQ Wings

4 lbs. Chicken Wings

1 1/2 C. BBQ Sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)

1/4 C. Fresh Citrus Juice (Orange, Lemon or Pineapple)

2 TBSP. Hot Deli Mustard

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

1 TBSP. Garlic~ minced

 

Place the wings on a Parchment lined

baking sheet. Season with salt, pepper

garlic and onion powder.

 Place in a oven, broil for 7 minutes

on each side. 

Mix all the Sauce ingredients together.

Place the wings in your slow cookers,

brushing the sauce onto each wing

as you layer them.

Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hrs.

 

*This sauce can also be used as a marinade

or for dipping. Make ahead of time to let

flavors intensify as it chills.

Perfect every time,

Lark

 



Meet Skylar & Brittany Smallwood Family

 Many of you may have received an invitation to a Online Pampered Chef Party from me, or heard me talking about my friends the Smallwood family...well here is their story~

March 6, 2010, was the day that Skyler and I started our Journey through life as husband and wife.  We moved in with Skyler’s two sisters Heather and Staci, in order to save some money, as Skyler had become laid off a few months before we were married.  For two years he worked on and off, mostly off but tried whatever he could to provide for us.  He would travel anywhere from 45 minutes out of town to work a picket line til 3 in the morning, to 3 hours to ELY, NV to work for his brother in law Nick.  The whole time we were hoping for the job he had been waiting for for ten years.  A job that was pretty secure once he got it. We wouldn’t have to worry about the next step, or when the job was going to end.  Then on February 13th, 2012 we received the best news…Skyler got that job he had been waiting for. 

     He started out traveling by bus every Tuesday for 3 ½  hours to get to work and would stay out there through Friday.  Things were going great, we got pregnant right away and we even started looking at homes to buy so that we would have more room for the baby.  The pregnancy was hard on me in the beginning…I was hospitalized due to dehydration and a significant amount of weight loss, so I had to quit my job. We figured we would be okay since Skyler was making a great living for us.  In June of this year, Skyler started taking the necessary steps to get this weight loss surgery done.  He reached the final step before he could move forward with the surgery, and that was to get blood work done.  When his Doctor received the results, she noticed that his kidneys weren’t functioning properly and so she sent him to a kidney specialist.  After several visits with the nephrologist and blood work for a month, they decided his kidneys weren’t getting any better with the medicine they gave him. 

     Tuesday July 31st, 2012 (his mother’s birthday), I received a phone call that neither of us were ready for.  His Doctor told me that he needed to get to the hospital right away because his kidneys were failing, and failing fast.  He got to work around 6:30 a.m. that day and by the time I got a hold of him; he had only worked a few hours.  I told him the news and so he started the long 3 ½ hour drive home.  That phone call had really shaken me up, and being 6 months pregnant I was already emotional.  While waiting for Skyler to get home, I pleaded with God to make me strong during this trial, especially around Skyler.  I got all my tears out before he got home, and I can tell you that through this whole ordeal, I was able to keep it together around him, and I know it’s because of that prayer and the prayers on our behalf from friends and family. 

     We didn’t know the exact extent of damage to his kidneys and the only way to know was to get a kidney biopsy.  Because of his size, the doctors were afraid that they wouldn’t be able to get a sample.  The Lord was by our side the whole time and they were able to collect not only one good sample, but they were able collect three good samples.  The biopsy was done on a Friday and they sent the kidney samples off to Cedar Sinai in California.  Results typically take 24-72 hours but because it was a Friday, we were told it could take even longer.  We had the weekend to prepare ourselves for the results and decided that if his kidney’s couldn’t be saved, we would look on the bright side that he was still alive, and we would take it one day at a time with the help of family and friends. 

     The results came on Tuesday.  The damage had been done.  85% of his kidneys were damaged and he would have to continue dialysis until he could get a kidney transplant.  In order to get on the transplant list, you can have up to a BMI of 38. Skyler’s BMI was at a 56.  We are determined to get Skyler a new Kidney.  Within a month of his hospitalization, Skyler dropped a whopping 50 pounds!  Even with that progress, his doctors suggested he get that weight loss surgery.  Just like his biopsy, his doctors didn’t have the faith that he could do it.  He told them he would reach that BMI within 6 months.  In four months, he underwent 5 surgeries, has lost 85 pounds, and is now down to a BMI of 46.  He has 2 months left to lose about 40 more pounds. 

     Throughout his multiple hospital stays, Skyler made friends everywhere. Especially the staff.  Even though he was the one lying in that uncomfortable hospital bed, unable to move because of the recent shock his body had undergone, he was able to get laughs out of the doctors and nurses and they became wrapped around his fingers.  His positive attitude and humor was contagious and all I could do was sit back in admiration every day at this incredible man that I married.  There was even talk about creating a T.V. show surrounding Skyler and one of his favorite Doctors who was Muslim.  They would go around visiting the doctor’s patients and Skyler would be there to cheer them up if they were sad, or to offer some medical assessment.  Doctor Mohammed would teach him along the way =).  If ever picked up, this show would be called “The Mormon and the Muslim”. 

     We know we can get through this and have all the motivation in the world; our son.  Kevin Thomas Smallwood was born on November 10th, 2012.  We want to live a healthy lifestyle for the rest of our lives in order to be around for Thomas and our future children as well as to enjoy the health benefits!  Before Skyler’s kidneys started to fail, we didn’t know what dialysis was exactly. Through Skyler’s story, we want people to be more aware of Kidney disease.  We don’t want people to get the phone call like we did.  There are things that you can to do to save your kidneys if you are at risk.  Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.  Back in the 1970’s there were about 10,000 dialysis patients in the United States  alone, and today there are over 300,000 and they anticipate that number to grow at a fast pace. Here are some facts about Chronic Kidney Disease:

-26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk.

-Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.

-Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.

-Persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine) means CKD is present.

-High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.

-African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Seniors are at increased risk.

-Three simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.

http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/aboutckd.cfm

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/340394-how-to-eat-healthy-to-prevent-kidney-disease/

Our dear friend Lark has been so kind to our family throughout all of this.  Her friend Carol whom we don't even know is putting on a fundraiser for us through pampered chef.  A portion of the proceeds will go to us to help pay for medical bills.  It's amazing to me the acts of kindess we have seen throughout all of this and we are forever grateful for the people who have helped us.  If you would like to buy something from pampered chef to help us out please visit the link below.  It has all the information available on how to go about doing that.  Thank you for your time in reading this and please don't be afraid to share Skyler's story.  Happy Holidays everyone!!

http://www.facebook.com/events/543193662375419/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_user_joined

  

Thank you all so very much for your thought's, prayer's and for helping a

Special Family this Holiday season with your Pampered Chef order's.

~May The Lord Bless you always, Lark

  

  

"Pay if Forward" Friday's

Welcome to "Pay it Forward"- Fridays

I have always loved inspirational stories.

Y'all know those that make you laugh and cry,

where you want to reach out and hugs the person.

Those who "look" beyond themselves.

STRONG, HUMBLE, GIVING  individuals.

These are the people I want to feature, here on Friday.

*If you happen to know of someone who fit's the

"Pay it Forward" description, please email me HERE

Let's start this off with a Very Special Family.

The Meldrum Family

The Meldrum family are a

"power packed, strong, religious, fun loving, giving" group!

I have never met this family in person....yet I feel as if

I could drop by and visit and be very comfortable there.

I first heard about this family, (well more so of Faye) months

ago from a post I read on a Mandy's recipe Box.

I encourage you to go to Floppy Hat Faye and read from the 

beginning post's of Faye's story and her families journey.

Yes it may take a bit of "time" to read them, however I can

promise you that it will make a change in you for the better.

Floppy Hat Faye

FUN LOVING!!

  I asked Stacey (Mother) a few questions about the family 

that I could share with y'all. So I will let her tell you in her own words.

If you know me, I am not one to talk about myself, even having the blog for Faye and writing things about us, is a bit hard for me, but if it even helps just one person....I have realized it is worth it!  And it is good for us, all the support we are given through Faye's blog....I don't know how we would do this with out all of these people praying, and pulling for us.  And the fact that Faye is one amazing little girl! 

 And cute...but I am a bit biased! 

Anyway so on to a little about us....Nick grew up in the Ogden,Utah area, while I spent my whole life in Layton, Utah.  Nick served a mission in Italy, and soon after he returned we  were introduced to each other..... The first date he asked me on I told him I couldn't go.  But later called him back and said I could!  After that he decided he wasn't going to ask me out again!  But we did go on the date, and he just couldn't  resist me...hahaha...and visa versa!  Our first date was the end of June, we were engaged mid August, and Married Nov 7th, (this year will be our 9th wedding anniversary!) 

 My occupation is a mom....it's what I have always wanted to be....and love every minute!  I did receive my associates from Weber State University in Ogden!  I had done some college before kids, and decided instead of throwing it all away I would at least finish the associates.  Nick received his bachelors from Utah State university in Landscape Architecture.  Then decided he wanted to go on to get his Masters in Real Estate and Land Development....hence what brought us to Texas!  He graduated just this last December from Texas AM...yep we are  &Aggies through and through...Utah State and A & M!  Also right after finishing school he got a job in College Station...he works for a company called Texas Digital as a project manager...they specialize in digital signs and menu boards.  
We have Mitchell who will be 7 in November, Faye who just turned 4 in July, and Nixon who will be 5 months on the 4th of Sept.  

Mitchell, Faye and Baby Nixon

 I asked Stacey to tell me every one's favorite food:

Nicks favorite food:  you can't beat a good homemade burger....

or corn on the cob!
Stacey: I can't resist the carbonara from the cheesecake factory!

Mitchell: this guy loves him some mashed potatoes, Swedish pancakes, and  he is also a big fan of wings.
Faye: she is my fruit eater....she loves strawberries, peaches, watermelon.....absolute favorite raspberries!  And ever since she was little she would eat corn on the cob....cooked or not, she didn't care!
Nixon.....he just likes to be fed! 

What hobbies/ what don't you like to do?

I Love to sew...or do crafts!  The problem is I see something and instead of buying it, I think I could just make that!  Let's just say I have a few projects to finish, or ones I am dying to start!  One thing you will never catch me doing is anything that might or has the potential of embarrassing me...i don't do silly things!  Well every once in a while.....nick says it's a real treat!
Nick...any free time he has he would go, watch, or anything with movies!  Definitely the way to that guys heart is tell him you will go to the movie with him!  Is is also a wonderful handyman.I asked him what he absolutely despises....he said he hates when he steps in gum.....so therefore he tries not to even let the kids eat it....even though they know to throw it away....nothing can ruin a day more than stepping in gum!

Mitchell is our lover of anything Mario, or Phineas and Ferb!  He loves to play baseball!  Is a fantastic reader!  But oh so sensitive, he has such a soft heart, is the greatest big brother any crazy little sister could ask for!  Also I think when he grows up, he is going to be a lawyer or a salesman!  He is very good at reasoning, and giving you a different point to look at....which as his parents makes it really hard to tell him no sometimes!  

Faye....who knows,  that girl is all over the place!  She loves to play house, dress up, help me cook, help me clean....she is pretty easy going!  But stubborn....if she is going to do something it needs to be on her terms....you can suggest something, but until it is her idea...it's a no go!  She is a great helper!  In the morning, after she has bathed and got dressed she would straighten up the bathroom without even being asked, she would get the counters all cleaned off, and everything put back in it's place....let's hope that sticks!  Before she lost all of her hair ( well she still does this sow,times) right after taking a bath she would get the comb and comb out her own hair....made me smile seeing this little three year old looking in the mirror, getting all the tangles out of her hair!  Like I said she will still comb her hair....yep she only has a few stragglers...but she makes sure they look nice!
Nixon.....happiest little guy ever!  It's hard when you get to this guy...I am not even sure what to write!  I know on the weekends when I see him he is a good little guy....love him to pieces!

Both my boys are just like their dad....they get cranky in the evenings...and just want to go to bed! 

 But then are bright and early risers!
Faye and I on the other hand...could stay up forever....it's nice at the hospital we get this mom and Faye bonding time!  But I try and get her back on a bit more normal schedule for the weekend for dad! 

What is your daily schedule like?

Our schedule right now is I am with Faye from Sunday Night to Thursday night!  Then nick is with Faye from Thursday Night to Sunday Night!  They boys stay home most of the time, there are a few times they have made the trek for the switch, but usually nick or I just come and the other one heads right back!  We have been so blessed to have family and friends come to Texas to stay with the boys and take care of them while nick is at work and I am with Faye!  Since we are from Utah all of our family is also in Utah!  We are blessed that Nicks work is nice enough to let him work out of the office on Fridays...to give me a little more time home with the boys! 


I asked how their "story" started:

Starting around Christmas time we were in Utah visiting family, Faye started complaining about her legs, and within a day or two would not even put any pressure on them at all.  We were carrying her everywhere.  We took her to a doctor in Utah, they did crags found nothing to be wrong, told us to give her Advil, and if it didn't go away come back.  Well it went away...she would at least walk on them, but that was about it, the was no running, jumping, and watching her climb into the bed or the couch was a slow process.  When we got back to Texas she started complaint about her legs again, and we would spend countless nights rubbing her legs so she could sleep.  The only way she would walk on them usually was if we had given her some ib profen then she would walk on them a little more.  People kept telling us they were growing pains...and she has always had crooked looking legs, I don't know if it was because they hurt her so bad, but her legs started to look more and more crooked to us everyday!  Well one day she got sick with a cough, she had a fever that wouldn't go away, so we took her into the doctor, it hurt her to cough because of her legs.  The doctor didn't seem to concerned and said let's give her some antibiotics to get rid of her cough and when the cough is gone come back and we will see what we can do about her legs.  Well her cough finally went away, about a week before Nixon was born.  We hadn't got her into the doctor, and we had changed pediatritctians, so Nixon would see one we had never been to before!  When he was born and when we called to schedule his newborn check up we asked if they would be able to see Faye also.  So we took Nixon and Faye in!  The doctor ordered us to get more x-rays done, and blood tests!  That was on Friday afternoon.  Saturday morning we got a call saying we needed to get Faye to the emergency room right away, her hemoglobin levels were so low they were surprised she was even moving!  So Nick took her to the emergency room....and the rest is history, from they they went in a ambulance to Texas children's!  And began this life changing journey!
I look at this whole experience, and I cannot see how this is anything but a blessing.  Sure no one wants their kid to have cancer!  And when people tell me "heavenly father will not give you anything you can't handle" I don't think that saying is true!  I think he is just there to help you with the trials you are given!  Because if you would have told me even 8 months ago, that I was going to have a daughter with cancer...I would have told you that is one thing I don't think I could handle!  but seeing all for the generous people, and seeing the love in people's hearts for our family I feel truly blessed!  The comments through the blog, the words we hear from family and friends about people that have read Faye's blog and say it helps them to be a better person, I know they say we are helping them.....but I think that is where it comes full circle.....we are being lifted up by all these people, family, friends, strangers.....we couldn't do this without all the support, prayers, and love we feel!   

What have I learned from this....I have learned I am going to be a better, friend, mother, wife, sister, neighbor, person.  I have learned there is so much help, support love you can give people!  There is so much service out there to be done, and if there is something I can do to help someone I will!  Before I thought oh I can't give much, or I can't do much....so I wouldn't do anything!  But through all this I have learned every little thing or bit helps!  And all those little things have meant the world to me!  So never again am I going to feel that what I can do doesn't matter and won't matter!

A "Pay it Forward" Family!

 I want to tell Nick, Stacey, Mitchell, Faye and Little Nixon how thankful I am to them for letting me into their "home". Knowing the Meldrum family has improved my life!

Pay It Forward!,

Lark