SUSHI!

It has been awhile since Paul and I have gone on a date. We even missed our anniversary this year because I was sick with the flu. Nevertheless, we were way passed due for a date. I just asked once last week if he was going to take me on a date. Then I followed up with a passage that I was reading from the book "Fireproof Your Life" by Michael Catt. A chapter is dedicated to fireproofing your marriage. It states as the #1 bullet: Husbands, take your wife out on a date regularly. Plan it, prepare for it and court her the way you did when you were dating.

Friday, he called me from work and told me we had a date on Sunday at 3pm until 6pm, making sushi! I was totally impressed, I would be happy with a dinner and a movie. I was so giddy, just like I was when we dated. I told Miss-O and she was excited and thought she got to go on the date too. I told C-man and at first he thought I had a boyfriend, but when he found out it was Dad taking me out, he says, "I want to take my wife out on a date and make sushi too, that's so cool!"

So tonight we had our date and it was so cool!

We made sushi for an army! C-man was excited to eat sushi when we got home....and the rest, well, Paul might have to take it to work....I'm sure everyone will be so sad about that. HA!

Here's the end product:

California Roll
Tempura style!
Chuck Norris is the name of this roll.

We took home the knives, the bamboo mats and now we know where to get our ingredients if we ever want to make sushi at home. C-man is already for a sushi party and he said he could play Kung-Foo Fighting on Rock Band Wii......

Truth from a First Grader

"How to Love. Just be yourself."

I secretly found this in his secret diary, so please, please, please don't mention it to him..........for he will be SO embarassed. I know, what kind of Mom would blog about her son's diary!?!?! He knows that I read it, so it's all good for me. I'm blogging it because I'm quite proud of his message. Hopefully it'll be a good resource in High School and his College years too!

B-Ball Camp with Energy

C-man participated in a Basketball Camp last night. He worked on dribbling, passing, and shooting with two Energy players. Energy is a new NBA-D League in our state.
Working on the dribble!

Getting a hang of the dribbling!

He got a ticket to go see Feb. 6th game.

C-man then gets to go down to the court at half-time and show his stuff with the other kids!
He and I will be doing this as a date, while Daddy has a date with Miss-O that night!

Bunk Mates

Never seen two kids who were so eager to go to bed!
What are you three looking for under there?

Quote from Miss-O, "I'm so exciting that we have bunk beds!"
C-man asks, "Is there such things as triple dunk-bunk beds?"
Only on Alvin and the Chipmunks!

Proud to be on the top bunk, the bed of the Knight in shining armor.

Excited to bed on the bottom bunk, the princess bed, with her knight to protect her.

The first night and C-man wanted to cuddle on the bottom bunk with me and O. He said that he'd sleep on the lower bunk with O so she's not so lonely......and then in the middle of the night, he moved up to the top bunk. (Mom and Dad had the best sleep ever...no feet in the ribs, no blanket hogs, unless you count the dog!)

GI Joe meets Fancy Nancy

Saturday, C-man was invited to a birthday party.

I'm guessing you know what the theme was!

He had a blast!

Miss-O trying out her new mattress in her "Fancy Nancy" outfit.

Growth Spurt

Bloggy visitors: this is a blog of my true-colors; these words will not be sugar-coated. This is raw and pure and who I am and what I've experienced.

Growth Spurt
Every child goes through growth spurts. From baby to teenagers they show signs of their spurts; growing pains, hunger, and extra sleep. I know that I’m way above the teen years, but I too have been experiencing a growth spurt. It took 21 days, believe me I counted. After going through the growth episode, one is a changed individual. Some children are taller, wider, getting new teeth. I too changed and am working on change every day.

Growing Pains
C-man as a toddler, would every so often cry out at night because his feet hurt, we knew he was growing despite the pain. The recent 21 days, I have experienced growing pains quite different as a developing child. My pain consisted of despair, head-aches, hot, burning tears flowing from my eyes, a dark cloud hovering over my every step. The pain was unbearable. I had pain of guilt bubbling inside of me. Frustration was over-whelming me. I was totally paralyzed from these growing pains. Worst of all I was marinating myself in negative thinking and totally distorting my thoughts and being my own worst enemy. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve been hard on myself ever since I can remember. There are no pointing fingers at anyone. I came from an intact family, supportive and loving. I’m just the product of the genetic pool. I usually have strong coping skills and stress-relief strategies to deal with this. At times when there is wear and tear, my rubber-band of skills stretch and break and I’m vulnerable to toxic thinking. These growing pains are something I don’t wish upon anyone. But if there is anyone out there who can relate, we are not alone.

Hunger
A teen-age boy can eat their parents out of their cupboards. A growing boy is in constant hunger and in need of food. I’ve been in constant hunger and it hasn’t been for food. I’ve been hungry for God. I’ve been praying and reading, going to church trying to get my fill of God. I know he will never completely satisfy my needs, but he sure has been talking back to me. I’ve been hungry for help, hope, and self-worth. This hunger has been growling in the pit of my stomach. There is one man who I can pour my faith into so that I’m satisfied, God is my answer. So I keep on looking for and digesting my daily bread. Whether it’s a morsel or a meal, I am feeding my soul.

Excess Sleep (restoration)
Whenever the kids would take a longer than usual nap, I would make the comment, “must be growing.” I was sleeping in excess during my growth spurt too. Sleep is restoration. Not only was I sleeping excessively, but I was resting in different ways as well. I’ve been on leave from work and I stopped all stimuli from the outside world. I needed to do this in order to heal from the inside out, like sleep does to the human being. My infrastructure was crumbled and I needed to build a whole new foundation and work upon it. I’m restoring, slowly but surely. I’ve been getting help, Gold is instilling hope, and I’m building self-worth. My negative thinking is diminishing and I’m beginning to modify my distorted thoughts. Rationale and realistic thoughts are taking their place. I’m hoping to exterminate guilt and lessen frustration. I’m building coping techniques and working on stress relief strategies. I’m reaching out to the outside world. Basically, I’ve been resting but also going through mental /emotional boot camp.
In recent days, that dark cloud is not hanging over my head as much. I see a break-through of light, hope, and I know God is on my side. Better yet, I’m convinced that I need to be on my side as well. I just saw a quote that says, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?”
So there it is family, friends, bloggy world; my bare bones exposed, not for sympathy but for support. Not to find a cause/effect relationship of my growth spurt (depression/anxiety) but to embrace it. Not to create a wall of stigma but to break it down. Not to treat me any differently but to be proud of my change.

I leave you with two prayers that talk to my heart dearly,
St. Francis de Sales…..
Do Not Fear
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father Who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.

Serenity Prayer (suggested by my Dad today in an e-mail, inspired by my oldest brother)
God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things that I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Upside-Down Pizza

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of drained diced tomatoes
or sub the two above ingredients with spaghetti sauce
2 tubes of biscuits
2 cups of mozzarella cheese
optional: onions
mushrooms
other pizza ingredients
can sub beef with ground turkey too


Instructions:
Brown ground beef in skillet. Mix beef and tomato mixture and pour on the bottom of a sprayed casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with biscuits. Cook according to the biscuit directions.
Example: 350 for 17 min....but I cooked a little longer....because Paul got the "grand" biscuits and need longer baking time for those. Sprinkle Parmesean cheese on top and enjoy the yummy comfort food!

Soon this recipe becomes so easy to make and that's when I start getting creative and try different pizza toppings for it.

Guests for Dinner!

This picture can tell you many things.

1. We had upside-down pizza for supper.
2. Miss-O is the last to get done eating, she ate three bites and on to dessert.
3. I need a home for the vacuum cleaner.
4. We are still playing Christmas music on the piano......actually, we're just storing the music, haven't played since before Christmas.
5. We like "Kraft" Parmesean cheese {insert promo here}
6. Just behind the parmesean cheese, there are four "Barbie" guests that ate supper with us....NAKED! (I tried to cover them for their, ahem, modesty). They even have plates on their laps. Oh, the imagination of our 3 year old......I told her that maybe her visitors will need to wear clothes next time they dine with us....or maybe they just shouldn't dine with us anymore.....since toys at the table is a no-no..........somedays ya just gotta do whatcha gotta do!
   

Treesicles!

Our neighbors Sycamore tree, coated with ice and leaning a bit too low for our liking.....hopefully the branch has good integrity. I guess it's God's way of pruning the trees. We have quite a few branches on the ground and probably on our roof too.
Trucksicle! Hopefully, Daddy will be able to get to work tonight. Traffic isn't as busy as it usually is at this time, but people are traveling it fair and without difficulty. Of course, we're in town...out in the country is probably worse.

The last time is rain and freezed like this was March a few years ago, we missed a fish fry and my sister's wedding shower up north.
I also remember January 1st the first year we moved into this house, we had a big ice storm. It was the day that Paul planned to get on the roof and take down the Christmas lights...he decided against it.
Before that, I remember an ice storm out on the farm. We cooked on the camp-stove. We warmed up, sitting on 5 gallong buckets, by the wood furnace down-stairs while Dad worked on the generator. I remember using a lot of candles....and then that's all...don't know how old I was???


Hope everyone stays safe this icy day.....if only we had ice-skates, we could skate in the backyard!.....I remember doing that as a youngster too! Jo and I skated on our patio and driveway!

Bashful but Brave!

Good Time Gang

Fridays 9:15-11:15 am

(Parents drop-off and pick-up)

I asked Miss-O several times before registering for this program if she was ready to go to school by herself. She confidently said, "YES!" So I registered her and sporadically would discuss what the routine would consist of when taking her to school. Mommy will take you to school and say "I love you" and "Bye" then Mommy will exercise and pick you up when school is all done. Making sure PICK YOU UP was emphasized.

"okay?"

"OK."

Well, the first day of her class was cancelled due to frigid weather and the next class I was barfing.....so with Grandma Michelle to the rescue, she took Miss-O. I heard her clarify, "You pick me up?" and Grandma told her the routine and Miss-O was ready.

So miss bashful went to her first day of school and the report I got was that she was a brave little girl. There were some tears when she and another girl wanted to play with the same toy, but with quick relfexes of the teacher and distraction, she moved on.

Mommy & Daddy are very proud of you Miss-O!

You put your mind to it and you can do anything!

Miss-O, being the quiet observer that she is. She takes full assessment of the situation. She warms up slowly and then she is full steam ahead (in her comfort zones of course!)

Persistence/Relentless=Success!

Tatum, since day one has yearned for my Mom's attention.

Everytime she visits, she pesters Grandma for lovin's.

Grandma M. isn't a pet kinda person.

I think Tatum knows this and this is why she yearns so much for my Mother's love.

Well, today with much persistence and being relentless, Tatum succeeded in getting a new friend...and Grandma M. caved!

Tatum's tactics were first trying to pry under Grandma's feet for a belly-rub....she even pawed Grandma's leg unto her belly just to show her how it was done.

Another tactic was jumping on the couch, laying her head on Grandma's shoulder.

Sneaking her head underneath Grandma's hand, pawing at Grandma's arm for attention.....

This went on and on and on....and finally....we assured Grandma if she just gave Tatum some attention she'll stop pestering her........

Two new friends....Look at Tatum's eye, it looks like a look of achievement!
Trying for the belly-rub tactic.

Grandpa said that he's been yearning for a belly-rub for the last almost 45 years, so he tried Tatum's tactic and it worked for Grandpa too!

Silly Grandma and Grandpa Mehmen!

Thanks for visiting us and hanging out with us, yesterday!

22 degrees outside today, means time to romp & play!

Two sweet cherubs with their rosey cheeks!
Going down the gentle slope in our backyard.

Big Brothers are so cool!

Even the dogs had a blast chasing each other!

To make it official, I even sled down the gentle slope today!

I know, pretty gutsy with my back.... BUT..... I gotta prepare for the big slopes!

then.......

Inside for the infamous Hot Cocoa!

PIne Wood Derby

The finished product that Daddy and C-man made for the Boy Scout's Pine wood Derby.
All fired up for the races!

All the boys staying behind the orange line and watching the track!

Watching C-man's car finish 1st in each heat of his den!

Pretty proud of his car!

C-man got to participate in the Gold Division but did not place.

He did get first place in best paint job. and a ribbon for participation, and his

"very first trophy ever" for placing 1st.

It took awhile to wipe that big smile off of his face!

Snow Day Part 2

Let's play school!

and that we did: We started out on a lecture of frost bite and hypothermia, then the kids got to draw pictures of how to stay warm in frigid temperatures. Recess consisted of playing down in the basement, legos, or wii. Math, Art, and music were subjects we learned. Social studies consisted of watching Dora and learning new languages! Miss-O asks, "does a teacher have a tv Mom?"....BUSTED! PE was a great game of hide-n-seek...then snack time, another recess, and school was dismissed......it was fun and made the day go super fast!

Snow Day Again!

Me: "I declare it Pajama Day!"
Kids: "YAY!"

The agenda for the day: reading books, veggin' in front of the t.v., playing dress-up with Indy, playing with princesses, marched in a parade, finished my book; "To Kill a Mockingbird"....(I wonder if I'll beat my mother's 95 books per year?), chatted on the phone with Mom and my Mother-in-law, let the dogs go in and out of the cold all day long, hunkered down and snuggled in our blankets. After dinner, we did get some energy to de-hair the place.....we all participated while Daddy was de-snowing the drive and side-walk...........

Caught being so lovey to each other....C-man reading Miss-O princess stories and Dora stories...what a good big brother he is.......
Indy is wearing the ever-so-fashionable nativity charm necklace, he looks quite studdly in it if you ask me...although if looks could kill of embarrassment! HA!

New Year's Meme

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? I read 23 books!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I just want to run some 5K's.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Not unless you count an adoption then it's yes!

4. Did anyone close to you die? No.

5. What countries did you visit? USA.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? cardiovascular endurance, peace of mind, and confidence.

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? actually getting out and running and being requested this summer by the Director of Education to be a clinical instructor.

8. What was your biggest failure? No weight loss.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? Herniated Disc-PT for rehab. Kidney stone that needed to be blasted.

10. What was the best thing you bought? money towards vacationing in the cabin.

11. Where did most of your money go? Looking at my bank's pie-chart....groceries, kid's activities, and bills.

12. What did you get really, really, really excited about? our new puppy!

13. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? sadder.

b) thinner or fatter? 
same.
c) richer or poorer? same.

14. What do you wish you’d done more of? running, exercising, & playing more with the kids.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of? Staying up late watching Housewives of Orange County, New Jersey, New York, Atlanta...etc.

16. What was the best book you read? "Power of a Praying Parent"

17. What did you want and get? A scrap-book organizer on wheels!

18. What did you want and not get? A personal trainer.

19. What kept you sane? God, the Rosary, my husband, my kids.

20. Who did you miss? My Grandma Mehmen....she had the best advice, down to earth, and I'd love to talk nursing with her.

Last but not least!

Our Christmas.......a little on the late side, but we didn't know when we'd be able to have our own Christmas, so we voted for when we got home from Mom & Dad's.

LEGO'S!
Sing us a tune!

new shirt to wear when fishing for the large-mouth bass!

Yay! I don't have to go to scrap outings with boxes upon boxes....I have my own organizing suitcase! Now to find time to organize.........hmmm.....

The best gifts of all this year was seeing and being with loved ones;

It was celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ and remembering there is so much more to Presence than presents!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas #'s 2,3,4,& 5!

After white-knuckling our way to Great Grandma Donna's, we were happy to be a part of the festivities.

Miss-O got into decorating gingerbread men.
C-man made a gingerbread man rockin' out.

The kids loved decorating with Lizzie and Dave.

This is out of order, but much, much rain and then it turned into ice on Christmas day.....not hard enough to ice-skate.

Miss-O made friends with Lexi; Aunt Terri's dog.

Dave n' Lizzie

The best Roberts' picture in front of the Christmas tree.

My embellished picture of the kiddos in front of the tree.

Thanks for having us over for Christmas eve, Uncle John and Aunt Terri.

Angie and Marin having a good time!

The newlyweds were able to make it!

Like Father, like daughter.......both got caught smiling!

Chris, Dave, Uncle Phil, and Brett...having a jolly good time!

Can you tell they are related????? C-man and Paul's cousin Nick.

Santa Delivered!

A princess castle!!!!

The kiddos were made to wait until all cameras and video cameras were in place......oh the anticipation was painful.

On our way to Mom and Dad's......this was the worst visibility and then it got sunny and COLD!

The Grand kids; Alex, Jeremey, Jaydin, O, Austin, C, Jacob,

Second row: Jackie & Emma...

Chummin' with Jaydin

Two peas in a pod!

If we smile, it's that much closer to opening presents!

Alex and her biggest fan!

Princess Jackie and if you look REAL closely at her shirt......then you'll know what's happening this year!