Speaking of Patience . . .

I finished Connor's Scout Cake in the nick of time!

With Connor and I brainstorming last night, I sketched something this morning

and bought the supplies this afternoon . . .

Title:  Boyscout Campout

 Now that's a giant wiener to roast, if I say so myself!

 The dad is reeling in his catch!

 Campsite by the river . . .

I mean, really . . . this looks like the life, doesn't it?

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 29: My Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday and I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful Mom.  She has taught me so much about life, raising kids (she should know she raised five of us), relationships, and faith in God.  I've learned a lot about patience and practicality from Mom.  If you want to meet a great friend, a great listener, a kind and caring person you need to meet my Mother. 

It's so amazing and true; I hear a lot of my Mother when I talk.  Not so much her voice but the content that pours out of my mouth.  How reassuring to know that she has instilled her wisdom and love deep in my veins.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I Love You

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 28: Our Furry Family Members

We love our d.o.g.s and are very thankful for their unconditional love and how they lighten up our days.  Despite their annoying shedding of hair and loud barking, they have a lot of love to give and are always up for a snuggle.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Days 26 & 27: VWs

This one is weird unless you are in our family.  We love playing the VW game and it has become the ever so popular contest: how many VWs did you see, what color, and what kind?  This game is an advanced knock-off game that I used to play as a child, "Slug Bug!"  However, this game includes all makes of VWs and the player just calls out "red one!" without the punch in the arm.

I'm so thankful for VWs because they have become a fun family game that has connected us and brought us together.  I'm secretly excited to count all the VWs on the way to great Grandma's house and when we go up to the farm!

Now, just need to teach the family "Pa diddle!"

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 25:  Light

I'm really grateful for the light after darkness.  You can take this literally, metaphorically, or spiritually and I would say "Why yes, of course."

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 24:  The Ability to Relate with Others

As I worked yesterday, I was feeling honored that people (pure strangers) would allow and trust me to care for them.  Here they are in a vulnerable position; they are sick and not themselves, have to lose their modesty at times and furthermore lose their independence and allow dependence upon me and my coworkers.  There is nothing more raw and real than that. 

I am so thankful that I am a nurse and have the ability to relate to others of all creeds, races, cultures, ages, genders, and sexual orientations.  I believe that this is a God given gift for some people are just not cut out to be people-persons, let alone deal with bodily secretions in the same breath!!!

In today's age where technology is in full force and the real human touch and experience is slowly going to the wayside, I am thankful for the realness of my job.  I appreciate "engagement and connections" and believe this is the core of caring and compassion and an imperative component of nursing.

So again, I'm thankful for my job but I'm deeply thankful for the levels of experience it provides me.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Days 21, 22 & 23:  Food, Nephews & Nieces, and Imaginations

I know, quite the spread of gratefulness for the first part of this week, huh?  FOOD:  Monday, I did  some hefty grocery shopping and am so thankful that we can afford the ever-inflating food prices.  I'm also thankful to do the light couponing that I do to save $20.55!  May I also add on a side note that I'm appreciating cooking and baking and I'm starting to really bond with my kitchen now!

Nephews & Nieces:  Tuesday, was my nephew Austin's 9th birthday and I thought about all of my  12 nephews & nieces and thought how lucky I am to be an aunt to all of them.  I love them ALL to pieces and they all brighten my day when I hear about what they are doing or saying.  I've been an aunt since I was 16 years old, so that's a long time of feeling love and pride for the kiddos!

Imaginations:  Our family is really thriving on our imaginations lately, probably more the kids than the adults but we are doing our fair share too!  I can never get enough of Olivia singing on the top of her lungs about fruit and vegetables, AND we've been playing "Thanksgiving Feast," "Grocery Store," & "House Inspector" a lot lately.  (House Inspector is the only way I can get her to clean without her knowing that she is cleaning {wink. wink}).

Connor never ceases to amaze us with his Lego creations, last one he did is a snow-covered park with a snowboarder and a house at the corner of the lot.  The two of them together play chess (I still don't know how to play and NOW my 5 year old is playing!)  However, they also play their own version of chess it is a lot more physical and noisy than the real game.  I love watching them make up their own games!

I've been wowing my imaginations by Pinterest and have actually followed through with some projects:  the paper projects that I showed from the weekend and I'm painting a crate to become a hanging shelf.  Paul is opening his mind by refining his Spanish.  He has been reading it, listening to it, studying it and maybe he'll be able to use some of it when we go to Mexico in February??? 

Anyways, being thankful for what we have because what we have is good enough!

A close up

Thought maybe you would want to see a preview of the floor, the other picture didn't really show it.  There are more gray tones that do not show up in this picture.  It's been seven years with the old floor and parts of the floorboard were showing through.   We tried to cover them up with rugs, but so glad we have a new floor to cover it all up!  Many thanks to Paul and Danny for their hard work on the floor.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 19 & 20:  Rest

Yesterday, I was totally exhausted and so I rested and so I am thankful. Caught up on a lot of sleep, even napped a headache away. I can't say that all of us were resting and I intermittently feel a little guilty? well, anyways . . . I did manage to check off some paper crafts off my list yesterday . . .

This guy was able to balance out some Wii and reading . . .

Danny & Paul placed new flooring in our kitchen!!!  I can't stop looking at it (kinda like the orange paint).

Thursday, was Olivia's last day of swim lessons and she swam, bobbed, dipped, and floated to her heart's desire.

She surprised us all by passing level one!

Happy rest of the weekend everyone!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 18:  God

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it"  Without God, I have nothing.  I am so glad that I have God in my life, providing me my purpose, and making sense of life.  A higher power and the promise of eternity is something that I am so grateful for in a sometimes chaotic life.  I will be glad in each day that God has given me and I will search for a little bit of heaven each day.  May God bless you.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 16/17:  Gratitude

I am so thankful that I'm thankful.  I see too many ungrateful people in my life . . . you probably know those who thrive on problems, crises, complaining . . . ugh!  It just drains the life out of a person.  I'm grateful that I tend to gravitate towards people with positive, cheery, and pleasant attitudes.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 15:  This Girl

 Check out the legs!  Passing the leg cross from one generation onto the next!

Olivia made my morning yesterday.  She primped and made herself beautiful adorning herself in a necklace, earrings, headband, dress, and tights.  She topped the outfit off with some of my chapstick (she calls it lipstick!)  I couldn't help but smile.  She has this way of making me laugh and smile and I love that about her.

This funny girl is also very smart and sweet.  I've written how I love spending time with her but I also just love her!  She is willing to sing at the top of her lungs about anything and everything, she doesn't worry about what others think of her (and I'm hoping to some extent that this will continue), and she goes after what she wants.  I'm so thankful to watch this little girl evolve into a bright woman of the future!

Yep, those darling earrings are stickers (a doggy and a kitty).  We lost them at Target yesterday but found them   in.   her.   hair!  That is Daddy's face isn't it?!?!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 14:  Our Home

This weekend Paul painted our kitchen which gave it a face lift.  I was a bit shocked of the color but I'm warming up to it now . . .

As he was painting our kitchen this weekend and as I paid our bills yesterday, I am thankful for the roof over our heads and all the necessary utilities that are needed to live each day.  I am thankful that Paul and I are bringing in an income that can support our house.  Best of all, I am thankful for the family inside this house which makes it a HOME.

It's bright and cheery for sure!  Once we put up our wall decor I'm hoping that it will tame it down a bit.  I do feel happy in my kitchen and I will enjoy concocting some meals in here!



Monday Menu Planning

Monday:  ???
Tuesday:  Crockpot Hearty Cheese Tortellini (because I didn't have access to the kitchen last week)
Thursday:  Orange Chicken
Saturday: TBA
Sunday:  TBA


Hmmm . . . pretty slim menu this week.  I'm debating if I should get out Paul's turkey and cook it this week; make and freeze many meals???  Or is it just too close to Thanksgiving to deal with all that turkey???

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 12 & 13: Health & Employment

Another weekend bundle of thanks.  This weekend I'm so thankful for my health and for getting back to work; even if it's just for four hours.  Despite having back issues, I'm thankful that I have my health and that our family is healthy. 

I also appreciate that I have a job that is flexible and that I have a caring manager.  I get to have the best of both worlds; staying at home enjoying my kiddos and working 16 hours a week with full benefits.  Can't get any better than that!  I have grown to not take my job for granted with so many people without jobs; not being able to work also helps place my fortune in perspective.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 11:  Veterans

I see only fitting that I am thankful for all the men and women who were in the service and are in the service helping our country by fighting and protecting our freedom.  Home of the free because of the brave.  Whatever I am thankful of is due to the great men and women of our country that are willing and ready protect and serve.  Many thanks and appreciation go out to all of them. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 10:  Water!

Today I'm so thankful that my babes are fearless in water.  I'm grateful that they are able to take swimming lessons at anytime of the year and learn the skills they need to be safe.  Olivia has been taking swimming lessons this week and she's doing a great job!  She's the youngest and smallest one in Level One and has to stand on her tippy-toes or hold on to the edge but it doesn't bother her.  Connor will be in level four (is there such a level or is he telling me a fib?) in the spring time.

I took about three years of swimming lessons and after remaining in Level One, I forfeited until I was in college and took private lessons.  Something that I'm so glad that I did.  I at least have more comfort in the water and can swim.  However, I know my limits and will use a life jacket whenever possible (one time I used one when I was pregnant with Olivia and knee deep in Washburn Lake! Ha!).

Water has also been part of my back rehabilitation and I'm loving it; getting in the lap pool now and ending in the whirlpool, mmmm . . . something very therapeutic about water.

Pin. Pinner. Pinning

I haven't heard these terms since 1997 when I finished half way through the nursing program and participated in a pinning ceremony.  Now they have a new meaning; one that I never dreamed I would include in my daily conversation.

I have found a new way to waste spend my time on the Internet . . . drooling over creative decorations, crafts, crochet patterns, quotes, recipes, fashion, and photography tips. I don't want to give out too much information about this delicious place because I'm on the waiting list and I'm afraid you [sweet reader that you are] will bump me and become a member before me.

That's how good and super cool this site is . . .
hmm . . . you think they may be doing a background check???

Still want to know about this site, don't you? 

Well, I suppose my friends from work and some bloggers that I follow have been talking about it freely, so I
guess I could let you in on it.  (as long as you promise not to bump me off the waiting list?)

http://www.pinterest.com/

I suggest trying out this link but let me give you a fair warning . . . you might get hooked!

Here's a pinterest example that I'm curious to try out:  Homemade laundry detergent.  Totally cheap, easy to make (I think a designated pot, spoon, & 5 gallon bucket are in order), and works for front-loading washers.  I guess those who have allergies or sensitive skin have been using this recipe before it was published on the blog . . . has anyone heard of this recipe or tried it???


Click on this link to find the recipe and read the comments re: q&a's:  Why Not Sew?: How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

Let me just say,
You're Welcome!
(about the website, not really the laundry detergent)

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 9:  This Guy!

I'm so proud of what he has become . . . a little guy who is likeable, kind, approachable, considerate, funny, and smart.  I left parent/teacher conferences last night as proud as a peacock!  I knew all these great attributes of Connor but what fills me with joy is that his teacher, friends, and schoolmates see this too!  I'm so thankful for Connor who has blessed us with his presence and life!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 8:  Our School System

This week is Parent/Teacher conferences and I'm very grateful for the school system that this suburb has to offer.  I love the small town feel with the big town opportunities!

Both of the kids (Connor more) have reaped the rewards of our educational system.  So tonight as I go into the school and share smiles and conversations with the teachers, principal, kids, and parents that are part of shaping my kids' world, I will be thankful!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 7:  Bissell Steamer

Okay, this is a bit superficial but I'm really thankful for the Bissell Steamer today.  Paul used it on the rugs and just two sections of our couch and the house smells so good.  The dog smell is gone!  Allelujah!

This Week's Menu

Monday:  ???

Tuesday:  Pork Chops, potato, veggies

Wednesday:  Homeade Cheese Pizza

Thursday:  Chicken, broccoli, rice casserole

Friday:  Crockpot Hearty Cheese Tortellini

Brunch Time!

 Stuffed French Toast Casserole with Fruit

Ingredients:

10 slices of firm bread (whole or cubed)

8 oz. cream cheese cubed

10-12 eggs beaten

1/2 c. syrup

2 c. milk or half-n-half

1 tsp. cinnamon

1tsp. vanilla

Fruit, your preference-strawberries, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.

Directions:

Butter 9x13 baking dish. Layer half of bread slices, cover with cream cheese and then layer your choice of fruit.  Cover with remaining bread.  Blend eggs, milk, syrup, cinnamon and vanilla and pour over bread; cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven and bake @ 375 for 45 min. to one hour.

Modifications:  I modified the bread because we didn't have any firm bread available.  I used cinnamon raisin bread because it has a firmness to it when buying straight from the store.  I also decided to keep the bread slices whole so I could cut corners with time.  My fruit selections were apples and blueberries.  The apples come from a can of pie filling and the blueberries are fresh.  It will be interesting how the two different fruits will turn out.  I'm making these casseroles for a family brunch tomorrow morning.  The loving family I am thankful for will be the first to taste my casseroles and at least they'll be the first to forgive me if they don't turn out!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 5&6:  FAMILY

So this weekend is going to come and go with the blink of an eye; I've decided to post my gratitude in a weekend bundle.  The theme of this weekend is family and friends since we are going to Paul's friend's wedding and Paul's parents' 40th wedding anniversary party tonight and . . .

I'm so thankful for family!

I've learned a lot about family dynamics as a nurse.  It's sad to hear about broken families: those who are deceiving others, stealing from one another, or have so much hate for one another.  I never knew that existed until I worked with the public.

I've been blessed . . .

I grew up  in a family of seven and I feel so blessed for all the memories and the relationships that we have built over time.  My Mom & Dad always said, "if you have nothing else in life, at least you have family."  I totally agree.  My family (and extended) loves unconditionally, lives faithfully, and laughs continuously.

I'm so grateful that I married into a great loving family, too!  Paul's family and extended family remind me of my own family and extended family.  There's a sense of joy and love that is felt when being with them.  MMmmmmm  good warm fuzzies . . .

Paul & I are so blessed to have grown up with exceptional family values and can infuse it into our family of four. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 4:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

I finished reading "The Girls from Ames" (please note my book list) and I've discovered that I treasure the friendships in my life.  Today, I realized I have been friends with Karen for eight years.  Our first pregnancy brought us together and our boys' play dates as littles have sealed our friendship.  It's great to talk to someone who is authentic and accepts me for who I am.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

I've been blessed with all sorts of friendships.  A very dear friendship that has been going on strong for the last 30+ years would be with my younger sister.  We were only 18 months apart and we were best buddies.  We have told one another a lot of secrets, played a lot of Barbies, and shared a lot of laughs. 

We may not know all of each other's secrets or play Barbies with one another today, but we do share laughs, stories, cheer one another's babies on, and encourage each other.  Distance gets in our way physically, but I'm glad that she's just a phone call, text message, blog, or facebook message away.

Another dear friendship in my life is with my older sister.  When I was younger, age separated our interests and goals in life.  I looked upon her with much adoration (as I still do today).  I'm so glad that she tolerated all my letters I wrote to her when she moved away to college. I'm pretty sure I poured out my fifth grade heart and some interesting secrets along the way. [I'm cringing just thinking of that awkward age!].

I think our relationship really, really developed when I went to college and she was my lifeline.  My home away from home.  The friendship that I have with my two sisters and my mother is timeless and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.

I feel so blessed to have great relationships with my sister-in-laws, mother-in-law, and Paul's family; some people will tell nightmare stories about their in-laws but I have nothing BUT good things to say.  So blessed, indeed that my life is filled with good women and not maximum drama.

Finally, I'm so fortunate to have remarkable friendships with old friends.  You know the kind . . . the ones where you start up from where you left off even if it has been three years since you've been together.  Grade school, High School, College; in each  era I've been surrounded by some great people.

A good friendship(s) is necessary in one's life to ground a person.  To validate emotions and bounce off quirky ideas with one another.  Show love, support, and guidance.  Share advice, stories, and private or embarrassing events.  I love my husband and the friendship that we have but a female friendship is essential to feel whole.

Here's to all the women in my life!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 3:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Today I'm so thankful for my chiropractor!  He's given me a sense of hope today that my back may actually heal and that I may be able to participate in normal activities.  Could it be coincidence that the name of his practice is Hope Chiropractor, hmmmm . . .?

I've been doctoring this back issue since the end of August (if you're really counting and following my blog, you know that I've been doctoring my back frequently for the last five years).  Some of it on my own because I'm a stubborn nurse and believe that I can help myself.  Other parties include my chiropractor, a physician from my doctor's clinic, a pain specialist, my nurse practitioner, and maybe the physical therapist office if they ever call back about a TENS unit.  In addition, I've spoke with a physical therapist at my gym regarding some one-on-one aqua therapy that they offer there.

However, today is the first day that I'm not feeling muscle spasms or that ice pick in my back [knock on wood!].  The chiropractor actually explained why I get the intermittent muscle spasms and intermittent burning and tingling sensations into my hips or toes or down one leg. 

It's so nice that he understands and has the time to explains things to me so that I understand (it probably helps that he also stood up for my husband in our wedding [wink]). 

He's going to do some intense therapy 3x/week for the next two weeks.

So, I may just be thankful on those days too!

I've realized that conservative treatment stinks and is a great test of patience, but if it can delay me from having surgery I'm all for it (until next time that I'm in pain, which could be any minute of the day . . .)

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 2:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

 Being that this is Olivia's last year at home, I am so grateful for our time together. She is the best shopping buddy and sous chef ever! We have played some intense Zingo and Sequence games, but I think the best time together is when we're cooking or baking together. Hopefully, I'm implanting some kind of kitchen love inside of her or at least the lessons that I learned from my Mom.



We decided to make a pumpkin pie because this is pumkin season and Connor absolutely loves pumpkin pie.  We added a little pizazz by cutting tiny pumpkins in the second pie crust and added to the edges.  (We have a tiny pumpkin cutter from Pampered Chef).  It smells delicious, can't wait to have dessert tonight!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day One:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Being this month is Thanksgiving month, I've decided to pour out my gratitude for the next thirty days.  Not only is gratefulness good for the soul but it is nice to rehash my blessings in this life.

Today, I am very, very thankful for my husband, Paul.  He has taken on a lot tasks since I've been laid up with my back.  He does the dishes, laundry, floors, cleaning, and heavy lifting and  he does it without complaining (at least in earshot anyway).

He's handy with the tools and repairing cars.  AND he's an awesome Dad; playing, reading, joking, and staying involved in the kids' lives.

Not only am I thankful for his physical capabilities but I'm grateful for his logic and intelligence.  He's my yin to my yang, carrots to my peas, peanut butter to my jelly! (you get the picture, right?).  Anyway, he has a way of balancing out our lives together, and I hope I do vice versa.

It's all these talents that he has and his character which makes me love him everyday.  I know that Paul is a blessing in my life; he treats me with love and respect and is a great friend and confidante.  I couldn't ask for anything more!

Menu Planner

This Week's menu

Monday:  Perkins (Monday nights are busy and if I don't have anything in the crockpot, Perkins or IHOP is the next best thing).

Tuesday:  Beef & Bean enchiladas (I'm making a double batch and going to freeze a batch for future easiness).

Wednesday:  Rotisserie Chicken, corn, scalloped potatoes

Thursday:  Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

Friday:  Dinner with Family

Saturday:  Wedding & Anniversary Parties

Sunday:  Left-overs!!

Special treat that Olivia & I are making this week:  Pumpkin Pie!