Someone I Love

is going to have a baby!


It's early, so I've chosen not to share, for she has not shared with many herself as of yet.  But with a new baby comes many ideas of things to make.  Oh the knitting I want to do!  I always want to knit baby things and always save baby knitting patterns.  However, when I began knitting again my babies were no longer babies and I had no reason to make them.  Now I have a reason to knit those baby things and I couldn't be more excited about it!  


I'm going to knit a blanket, a hat, a kicking bag, booties, a sweater, soakers and whatever else strikes my fancy.  I also need to get this book so I can knit a toy or two. (hint, hint mom, husband??)

I want to wait till she knows if she's having a girl or a boy (around 18 weeks or so) to help with choosing the "right" colors, but I worry I won't have enough time to knit everything!  She does like modern colors, many of which I would consider gender neutral so maybe I can start sooner??  Time will only tell with my novice abilities, lack of speed and oh yeah, laziness!!

Sick Again???

Yes, our little lady is sick again.  We've just got home from the Dr. and from picking up her new medicine for her second bout of Strep.  Yup.  Strep again.  The Dr. said she either caught it again or it has been lingering all along even with the medicine she took less then 6 days ago.  She's now on a stronger medicine and will be home again tomorrow.  


I'm not happy she has strep but I never thought that is what the Dr. would say today.  I just didn't think she could get it again so soon after the last time.  I was worrying about the flu, Lyme disease, or mono with the symptoms she has been complaining about; not hungry, very tired, sore muscles, and a headache.  It's a bit of a relief it's not any of the other things I thought it was.  Although strep is not a picnic, I know how to deal with it and know she will quickly feel better after two or so doses of her antibiotic. 


Poor little lady!

Meatless Monday

I haven't posted about Meatless Monday is quite some time out of pure laziness, but fear not, we have not given up on Meatless Monday.  Adding variety and more veggies is still a part of our weekly meal planning.

I don't have pictures of every meal we've had, nor do I remember every one, but thought I'd list out what I can remember and how successful (or not) the meal was with the kids. 

For me "meatless" means more about not consuming, beef, pork, or fowl.  We still eat eggs and have included fish.  The Husband and I thought to include fish to introduce it to the kids, as well as to add some variety believing and knowing the veggies are not always successful

I know some vegetarians eat fish and eggs.  However according to the definition from dictionary.com a vegetarian does not eat any animals.  

(seems more vegan to me, but I am no expert)

veg·e·tar·i·an

   [vej-i-tair-ee-uhn]  Show IPA

noun

1.

a person who does not eat or does not believe in eatingmeat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived fromanimals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.

adjective

2.

of or pertaining to vegetarianism  or vegetarians.

3.

devoted to or advocating this practice.

4.

consisting solely of vegetables: vegetarian vegetable soup.

The Menu - the best I can remember:

• Pasta Pizza (basically a baked ziti on top of a pizza dough) - Thumbs Up
• Fish Tacos (tried several different recipes) - Thumbs Up
• Crunchy Catfish (breaded in pretzels - Yum!) - Thumps Up
• Quiche - Thumbs Down
• Toad in a Hole - Some where in-between (sideways thumb??)
• Roasted Vegetables Over Rice -  Thumbs Down
• Tortilla - Black Bean Casserole - Thumbs Down
• Spaghetti with Homemade Tomato sauce - Thumbs Up
• Blackened Tilapia - Thumbs Up
• Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli -Sideways Thumbs Up
• Butternut Squash and Apple Soup - Thumbs Down
• Grilled Cheese Sandwiches - Thumbs Up
• and lots of Quesadillas - Double Thumbs Up 

We're always looking for new recipes, however I find I avoid anything too "different" for fear of the wrath from my children.  When it comes to dinner after a long day, I just want to have a nice quiet meal and not a fight, or complaining, or children who go to bed hungry. 

Unfortunately we did not introduce many different veggies and grains and such when they were younger, so now we're having some problems.  How do you "get" your older children to eat different foods?   Any suggestions???

Keeping It Real

This morning I read this post by Julia at Happiness Comes in Little Bits , which lead me to Erin's Post, both have me wishing I had written them myself.  I wish I had the guts to have written it because this is how I feel.  I read many blogs during my days at home.  I read between loads of laundry, grocery shopping, and escorting my kids around town.  And although I love many of the blogs I read and their authors, sometimes I feel like leaving a comment that says "Bullshit".  No ones life looks like this, and if it does, I am certainly doing something wrong.  It's true I don't always blog about the times I scream and yell and secretly wish I could run away for awhile, but sometimes I do yell and scream and look for the next chance I have to leave this insanity. I also believe I do write on occasions about the times when things just down right suck.  When everyone is puking, the messes, the piles of laundry.  I also believe what you see of my house is what it really looks like.  I don't crop out my kitchen wall with half the wall paper pulled off or the laundry baskets in the background.  My kids wear whatever they like, they don't look like kids out of the Boden Catalog.  Sometimes they don't brush their hair or even change out of their pajamas.  I try to be honest to myself and to you.  Maybe it's why I don't have more than 5 readers?  Maybe people don't want to see my dirty kids and my messy house?  There is a blog that makes me want to scream from all the perfectness (I rarely even visit it any more) and she has close to 5000 readers!?!?!  Really?  Maybe people want to see perfect days with homemade everything and gardens that flourish, maybe people like to torture themselves too?  I know about this torture from experience, if you're not doing it the same way than you're not perfect and your blog sucks too.  I'm taking a stand here and now.  My blog will be what it is.  I'll write about the good and continue to include the bad.  My kids will look dirty sometimes and my house is sometimes a big mess.  Maybe I'll always have a few readers, maybe I'll have 6,000, either way it doesn't matter to me.  I love my blog and enjoy it immensely.  I love thinking about posts to write and reading comments from my faithful readers.  I don't think I can keep it any more real than that.

Brothers

Each night before I crawl into bed I check on the kids.  I walk into their rooms and take a quick peek at them to be sure they're OK, blankets on, lights off, etc.  My heart nearly burst into a million pieces when I walked into J's room last night and saw this:

I smiled and smiled as I walked back downstairs to get my camera, as I took the picture, as I got ready for bed and I'm pretty sure I was smiling as I fell asleep.  I mean really? How could I not?

Turns Out

he has strep after all.......

Our "Not So Little" Man

is sick now.  He's resting on the couch with a headache and a sore throat.  He doesn't have strep like the Little Lady did, the Dr's say it's a virus.  I'll be back once he's feeling better.  Wish us luck.

Valentines for the Chickadees

Today I made these "10 Things I Love About You " envelopes/cards for the little chickadees.  I pretty much copied this one (even the colors) from Monika Wright at I Love It All.  I hate to be a copy cat, but when one sees something they like, want to make, and it's the same day you want to give them as a gift, one must take some short cuts.   Such as copying everything, so one does not have to think too much!

I gave them to the kids when they came home from school. J and A got a kick out of them.  A read C's too/for him.  I decided not to give candy this year or any type of toy/stuffed animal. They have enough of those and between the three of them and their Valentines Day parties, I am sure they have had enough candy and sweets to last the rest of this week!

Happy Valentines Day!

Our Little Lady

is sick with strep.  


I'll be away a little longer while I care for her and help her to get better.  


As I type this, she is getting a little more chatty.  A good sign?

Our Handsome Little Pup

He's not really a pup any more, he's 13 years old, but isn't he handsome with his haircut and bandanna?!?

Mogley's his name.  


 Do you think he looks like a Jim Henson Muppet?  I always thought so.

Imagine

Yesterday I took a walk with my friend Jenn.  We walk several times a week for exercise and to spend some time with another adult, talking and sharing.  When we walk, we talk and talk and talk as girls do!  I was complaining about something I was dealing with with the Girl Scout council that frankly was pissing me off.  I told her sometimes I just want to quit.  We talked some more about how I knew I wasn't going to quit and how much the girls are getting out of it etc., etc.  Then she said: 


"If every person in the world did one good thing a day, just imagine the world we would live in?" 


Yes.  


Just imagine.  

Words I Want to Live By

..... there is a spiritual component to getting past such things ---what you're looking for here is grace, and offering forgiveness to those around you is going to help as much as anything.  Personally, I find that Buddhist practice is of help here.  The way not to live in the past is to practice mindfulness --- put your attention on where you are now.  The first step to forgiving others is to feel compassion for them.  Rather than feeling bitter over missed opportunities and past ill-use, chose to feel gratitude for the opportunities that weren't missed and the times that people and fate treated you kindly.

~ Let Things Go/Wise Bread

I want to feel the same way, everyday,  I did when I walked this very path on the Road to Hana, Hawaii.  I think the passage above would explain perfectly how I felt on that very day.  Living completely and totally "in the moment" nothing more, nothing less.


If only I could be so mindful and present "in the now" all the time......

Our Own Little Super Bowl Party

Last night we gathered around our fireplace with a enough food to feed a small army.  I like to tell myself it's OK to eat this way "once in awhile".  The kids get a kick out of all the food, and call it whenever we have some sort of party with lots of food we normally do not eat, a "smorgasbord".  

We made pigs in a blanket, mozzarella sticks, cheesy garlic bread, and hot wings for me and The Husband.  Yum!  However, I am truly thankful I start Heathers Whole Food Kitchen today!  I need to get back on track after a night of gluttony!

Here are my little chicks eating and eating, while they watch the big game.

J stayed up to watch the entire game and surprising looked OK this morning.  (We'll see how he is later!)  A and C went to bed after the half time show.  


I was so excited to see Madonna.  The Husband said to the kids "Watch out! Mommy's going to sing every song Madonna sings."  I said YES, she is my favorite!  J looks at me and said "I thought Pink was your favorite?"  HA!  Yes she is now, but Madonna was my favorite since I was in Middle school.  Oh he says, "Are you really going to sing every song?"  Yes, oh yes I am!!!  And that I did!


Oh, and by the way, did you know Madonna = AWESOME?  Yes, yes she does.

Fantastically Fun February

This is going to be a fun filled, educational, nutritiously balanced, creative, and mindful month.  Yes it is!!

First, I've joined Erin's 10 day Family Re-Charge.  The purpose of The 10 Day Family Re-Charge is to re-connect with your family:

"To consciously focus on deepening the connection we feel with our loved ones, to increase

the amount of peace we feel in our hearts and in our homes, and to support each other on our journeys." - Erin Goodman

Erin will send an email to the participants each day, for 10 days, starting February 4th.  The email will contain ideas and activities to re-connect with your family.  I'm looking forward to seeing what she has in store for us.  I'll be sure to share our experiences here.

Starting February 6th, Heather from Beauty That Moves, will be hosting Whole Food Kitchen.  I am really looking forward to this "class".  I learned so much from her 30 Day Vegan, making some major changes in my eating habits and my outlook on food that thankfully I am still committed to. 

And let's not forget Valentines Day!  A has decided to make her own Valentines, C opted to purchase store bought cards and J hasn't made up his mind as of yet.  I'll get a lovey dovey card for The Husband (because he'll just love it, insert sarcasm) and probably something that has to do with his home brewing hobby.  I'd like to decorate a little for the day of love,  never having done more than a heart wreath on the front door, maybe this is the year to get a little more festive?

Off to Pinterest to get some Valentine Home Decorating ideas!!