the beginning of a new year and I'm so excited! I don't have much to post today because I've been busy getting ready for our dinner guest tonight - but I hope that you each have a great night tonight and a wonderful day tomorrow! I know this next year is going to ROCK! Happy 2009!!
Love to all
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Ok - I know I'm behind with blogging.......
I took this week off from pretty much everything because last week was such a whirlwind. My husband is off work this week - so we've been doing things around the house and cleaning up all the Christmas stuff.........we've taken Jake to the park, the Children's museum - tomorrow is Chuck-e-cheese (much to my husband's dismay!) and then Friday - maybe the zoo......Jake has been going stir crazy because he is use to his schedule and being home for two weeks is NOT to his liking!
One of the things I've been doing is contemplating this upcoming year. I want this year to be a great one!!! Not that this past year wasn't - but I have an expectation for this year - spiritually and physically. I don't set goals because they ALWAYS get broken - but, I do create a LIST (surprise, surprise!).....here is what it looks like so far (these are in NO particular order)
Lose weight (of course - what's a new year without this one?)
Go to the gym more (see above)
Spend more time with family (ok - you guys don't pass out!)....this includes all of you - so beware - I'm going to come a knockin'
Expand prayer time
More service time(I say this because most of my time is spent in the Sunday school classrooms)
Lose weight (wait - did I say that already)
Spend more time with Jake and his classroom work - i.e. work on his fine motor skills
Learn how to "blend" veggies with food to trick Jake into eating more healthy
Lose weight - lose weight - lose weight - lose weight - ok - you get my point!
The biggest thing on my list is what my friend Angie has challenged me to do with her - it's from Beth Moore and I know it could be beneficial to all of us.......it's memorizing scriptures together - but in a creative, accountability way. Check out her website - we would welcome any more of you that would like to take on this challenge.... http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/12/anybody-game.html - I don't know if this link will work - if not, just go to www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com and walk through the blog.
Finally, our New Year's eve is going to be spent with some good friends of ours for dinner at our home and then New Year's day is dinner with the in-laws. Hope whatever your plans are - you are safe and secure! Be Blessed this New Years.
love
k
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I'm tired...........
OK - Patrick Christmas party is over and I'm TIRED!!!! The last week or two has been non stop and it has finally caught up with me.....all I want to do is lay around and do nothing!!! I was going to work on taking down all my christmas stuff today - but, guess what - I'm not!!! I'm just hanging around the house in my sweats doing absolutely nothing...
Last night was the Patrick Christmas party was at my house - we had a lot of fun - it's always fun to get together.......I will say about now though - - I'm familied (is that a word?) out.....hehehehe. I mean - three days in a row - that's a little much for me.......ok - now, come on - all you out there saying "I can't believe she is saying that" has thought the same thing about your bunch - you are just more polite than I am and don't say it out loud.....ROFL.......
Seriously, I've had a great Christmas week seeing all the family and watching all the kids enjoy their presents. Jake is at that stage where he kepts saying "I want more present's mommy - where are more presents"......I kept saying, "Christmas is over honey - there are no more presents" but he didn't like that non too much!
Ok - so, now for New Years - no big plans here - we always stay home on New Years eve - too many crazy drunks out on the streets and we don't like to chance it. We will just have dinner together as a family- maybe hang out side with some of the neighbors and do fireworks - but for the most part - just stay close to home. New Years Day - we'll be with my in-laws for lunch.......after that - back to normal routine..........
Hope your weekend is relaxing and restful.
Chat soon
Be blessed
K
Last night was the Patrick Christmas party was at my house - we had a lot of fun - it's always fun to get together.......I will say about now though - - I'm familied (is that a word?) out.....hehehehe. I mean - three days in a row - that's a little much for me.......ok - now, come on - all you out there saying "I can't believe she is saying that" has thought the same thing about your bunch - you are just more polite than I am and don't say it out loud.....ROFL.......
Seriously, I've had a great Christmas week seeing all the family and watching all the kids enjoy their presents. Jake is at that stage where he kepts saying "I want more present's mommy - where are more presents"......I kept saying, "Christmas is over honey - there are no more presents" but he didn't like that non too much!
Ok - so, now for New Years - no big plans here - we always stay home on New Years eve - too many crazy drunks out on the streets and we don't like to chance it. We will just have dinner together as a family- maybe hang out side with some of the neighbors and do fireworks - but for the most part - just stay close to home. New Years Day - we'll be with my in-laws for lunch.......after that - back to normal routine..........
Hope your weekend is relaxing and restful.
Chat soon
Be blessed
K
Friday, December 26, 2008
Combined couple of days...............
Ok - I'm finally getting around to my blog!!! I wanted to post after each event - but I just couldn't find the time! All-in-all - we had a great couple of days! Here we go.........
Wednesday - Christmas eve was Popsie's birthday party - it was great fun! There was so much food and lots of smiles, hugs and laughter going around. I nominate that we do this Patrick-Thomas thing every year for Popsie's birthday. It worked out great starting early for those of us who had to leave to continue our Christmas' with our in-laws.....and, granted - some of our family won't be there every year as my sister, Vicki Simoneaux and her family live in Africa as missionaries - but on the years that they can be with us - it will be awesome! My nephew Micah and his wife Chelsea are heading to Africa too - so, they will all be missed greatly - but only a keyboard/phone call away! Popsie was so excited that he got money for a new pair of boots. All 9 kids gave money and we stuffed it in his old boots ($305 dollars - all in $1 dollar bills!!!!).....he was trying to keep Shirley out of his boots - afraid she would take his money.....too cute! Enjoy the photos.........and then keep reading - the rest of my holiday follows.........
Christmas Eve at my house with the in-laws was later in the evening - after I ate at Popsie's party - I ate again!!!!! (of course!). The tradition in my husband's family has always been German noodle soup (with homemade noodles.....very yummy!). We had so much food - soup, homemade summer sausage (sorry dad- there is NONE left!), cheese balls, sausage balls, you name it! We also opened gifts from each other, it was a great time. My gift was an antique bowl that had been in the family for almost 100 years!!!! I love it - I am a huge "antiquer" (is that a word??) and I love it! These type of gifts mean more to me because they have such great history - of course, I'll have to place stratigically so that Jake doesn't break it!!! Enjoy pic and keep on reading..........
btw - in case your wondering why there aren't more pictures of my husband - he doesn't like his pictures out on the internet - so, I promised him I wouldn't put any out there (if you see his face in a picture - act like you don't know it...heheh.......he does exist - I promise!
Christmas morning - Jake was up and at 'em at 6:15 AM.......he started running towards the back bedroom where his nana and pop were sleeping and stopped dead center when he realized that "santa" had come to see him............too cute! He got a new drum set, 2 new guitars and amp.........all things that make lots of LOUD noise!!!!! What was Santa thinking???? After Christmas at our house - we loaded up for lunch at Nana and Pop's......where Santa came again there for Mr. Jake.........woo hoo!!!!
Patrick family Christmas coming up tonight - more pictures to come.......
Love to all - be blessed!
Wednesday - Christmas eve was Popsie's birthday party - it was great fun! There was so much food and lots of smiles, hugs and laughter going around. I nominate that we do this Patrick-Thomas thing every year for Popsie's birthday. It worked out great starting early for those of us who had to leave to continue our Christmas' with our in-laws.....and, granted - some of our family won't be there every year as my sister, Vicki Simoneaux and her family live in Africa as missionaries - but on the years that they can be with us - it will be awesome! My nephew Micah and his wife Chelsea are heading to Africa too - so, they will all be missed greatly - but only a keyboard/phone call away! Popsie was so excited that he got money for a new pair of boots. All 9 kids gave money and we stuffed it in his old boots ($305 dollars - all in $1 dollar bills!!!!).....he was trying to keep Shirley out of his boots - afraid she would take his money.....too cute! Enjoy the photos.........and then keep reading - the rest of my holiday follows.........
Christmas Eve at my house with the in-laws was later in the evening - after I ate at Popsie's party - I ate again!!!!! (of course!). The tradition in my husband's family has always been German noodle soup (with homemade noodles.....very yummy!). We had so much food - soup, homemade summer sausage (sorry dad- there is NONE left!), cheese balls, sausage balls, you name it! We also opened gifts from each other, it was a great time. My gift was an antique bowl that had been in the family for almost 100 years!!!! I love it - I am a huge "antiquer" (is that a word??) and I love it! These type of gifts mean more to me because they have such great history - of course, I'll have to place stratigically so that Jake doesn't break it!!! Enjoy pic and keep on reading..........
btw - in case your wondering why there aren't more pictures of my husband - he doesn't like his pictures out on the internet - so, I promised him I wouldn't put any out there (if you see his face in a picture - act like you don't know it...heheh.......he does exist - I promise!
Christmas morning - Jake was up and at 'em at 6:15 AM.......he started running towards the back bedroom where his nana and pop were sleeping and stopped dead center when he realized that "santa" had come to see him............too cute! He got a new drum set, 2 new guitars and amp.........all things that make lots of LOUD noise!!!!! What was Santa thinking???? After Christmas at our house - we loaded up for lunch at Nana and Pop's......where Santa came again there for Mr. Jake.........woo hoo!!!!
Patrick family Christmas coming up tonight - more pictures to come.......
Love to all - be blessed!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Happy Birthday dad! (Popsie!)
Happy Birthday Popsie!!! Another year older and another gray hair that DOES NOT have my name on it. I'll gladly take responsibility for the ones you received in the 90's - but all other's - I can't take responsibility for......maybe Redonia, Trent, and some of the older grands can call dibs on those! LOL
I hope that your day is filled with love, laughter and family. This is the first year in 15+ years that your whole blended family will be together for Christmas Eve and we do this in honor of you! We celebrate your life, your love and your friendship. You are a great dad, an awesome grand dad (Popsie) and a great man.
Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for loving me through my rough years and for praying that a good man would come along and "straighten me out!".....(it worked! LOL). Thank you for standing with us when Jake was born so premature and through all of our ups and downs with him in the hospital. Thank you for loving all your kids and grands equal - never dividing.
Mom would be so proud of the man that you have become - I know that she is smiling down on the life that you have built with Shirley.
I love you dad.
I hope that your day is filled with love, laughter and family. This is the first year in 15+ years that your whole blended family will be together for Christmas Eve and we do this in honor of you! We celebrate your life, your love and your friendship. You are a great dad, an awesome grand dad (Popsie) and a great man.
Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for loving me through my rough years and for praying that a good man would come along and "straighten me out!".....(it worked! LOL). Thank you for standing with us when Jake was born so premature and through all of our ups and downs with him in the hospital. Thank you for loving all your kids and grands equal - never dividing.
Mom would be so proud of the man that you have become - I know that she is smiling down on the life that you have built with Shirley.
I love you dad.
Traditions, blended families and in-laws.....that about covers it...
I love them! It's so important to me that I create traditions for my son, just like my parents did for me. Our tradition was always a little different on Christmas Eve because it was my dad, Popsie's, birthday. My mom would require us to "dress up" for dinner because she always had a spread for Christmas Eve.....then, if I remember correctly, we would be able to open one present......the rest - well, we would have to "dream" about them until the next morning. Our Santa gifts were always just "placed" around the room - unwrapped because Santa, of course, doesn't have time to wrap - he has too many other kids to deliver too.......it was always perfect!
I carry the same traditions at my house. Jake has gifts that are wrapped and then he gets "Santa" gifts on Christmas morning.
As we get older, some of the traditions have to change. Families change, people come and go - but for the most part - we can carry traditions on. My husband's family has always gotten together on Christmas Eve........so, now that I'm married - I've had to be considerate of other traditions (ok - whoever thought that I would be considerate of others feelings....my, my how I've changed! ROFL)......it's hard - I'll give you that - but that is what I've learned about growing up - (are you sitting down?) it's not all about me!!!! ROFL!!!
This year - our blended family is getting together for Popsie's birthday. This is a first!!! I am so excited...it's a come and go type party, for those of us who have other plans with our in-laws, but it's great because we can all get together for a short time and just be together - celebrating the life of a great man - a man who has learned to share his life with others - be a popsie to many - 15 now I think! For years after my mom passed away, our family (the Patrick's) were always together for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.......once my father married Shirley, the Patrick's had Christmas Eve and the Thomas' had Christmas Day.....I'm not sure we ever thought about combining - not for any particular reason - maybe back then - there were some issues (ok - with me - there were some issues - not with the Thomas bunch - just issues of bitterness because my mom was gone and I wasn't sharing!) How I've changed!!! Thank God he took all that bitterness away because I've learned how to blend - how to accept change, how to extend my heart to other members of the family - how to include, how to acknowledge that I have 6 sisters and two brothers, lots of nieces and nephews.....it's not just our side, their side - it's everyone.
Granted - we all can't always be together because we all have in-laws and they need time spent with them too - but I think as we are all getting older, we realize that we have a great blended family, we have lots of people to love and share with. On my end - this is mostly due to Shirley - a lady with a heart big enough to include everyone and to always make sure that no one felt excluded - we are always welcome in her home, in her heart......I don't think my mom could have found a better person to care for her children......a better person to love her man......a better lady to love her grand kids.....I know she is looking down - smiling with joy that the life she didn't get to have with her kids - - is being lived out with Shirley and the relationship she has formed with us. I love you Grammy.
I also love Tracie, Vicki, Kristi and Scott. You have put up with me and all my weirdness, bad attitudes, wild days, and now, you guys have a sister who has finally grown up - who has a family of her own and who loves being a part of your family.......
To my blood family.......Deniese, Carla, Paulette and Kelly - I love you guys too! You have definitely seen the good, the bad and the ugly - but, you've stayed with me - prayed a many times in your "prayer closets" to keep me safe and out of jail...HEHE - but God, through his mercy - created a "new" me......(thank goodness!!! LOL). I know that death effects people differently and I spiraled out of control for a while - but you guys pulled me through it......for that - I will always be grateful....
Ok - I think the spirit of Christmas is making me sappy!!!!! I hope that everyone has a great Christmas week - enjoy your family times together.
Be blessed!
I carry the same traditions at my house. Jake has gifts that are wrapped and then he gets "Santa" gifts on Christmas morning.
As we get older, some of the traditions have to change. Families change, people come and go - but for the most part - we can carry traditions on. My husband's family has always gotten together on Christmas Eve........so, now that I'm married - I've had to be considerate of other traditions (ok - whoever thought that I would be considerate of others feelings....my, my how I've changed! ROFL)......it's hard - I'll give you that - but that is what I've learned about growing up - (are you sitting down?) it's not all about me!!!! ROFL!!!
This year - our blended family is getting together for Popsie's birthday. This is a first!!! I am so excited...it's a come and go type party, for those of us who have other plans with our in-laws, but it's great because we can all get together for a short time and just be together - celebrating the life of a great man - a man who has learned to share his life with others - be a popsie to many - 15 now I think! For years after my mom passed away, our family (the Patrick's) were always together for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.......once my father married Shirley, the Patrick's had Christmas Eve and the Thomas' had Christmas Day.....I'm not sure we ever thought about combining - not for any particular reason - maybe back then - there were some issues (ok - with me - there were some issues - not with the Thomas bunch - just issues of bitterness because my mom was gone and I wasn't sharing!) How I've changed!!! Thank God he took all that bitterness away because I've learned how to blend - how to accept change, how to extend my heart to other members of the family - how to include, how to acknowledge that I have 6 sisters and two brothers, lots of nieces and nephews.....it's not just our side, their side - it's everyone.
Granted - we all can't always be together because we all have in-laws and they need time spent with them too - but I think as we are all getting older, we realize that we have a great blended family, we have lots of people to love and share with. On my end - this is mostly due to Shirley - a lady with a heart big enough to include everyone and to always make sure that no one felt excluded - we are always welcome in her home, in her heart......I don't think my mom could have found a better person to care for her children......a better person to love her man......a better lady to love her grand kids.....I know she is looking down - smiling with joy that the life she didn't get to have with her kids - - is being lived out with Shirley and the relationship she has formed with us. I love you Grammy.
I also love Tracie, Vicki, Kristi and Scott. You have put up with me and all my weirdness, bad attitudes, wild days, and now, you guys have a sister who has finally grown up - who has a family of her own and who loves being a part of your family.......
To my blood family.......Deniese, Carla, Paulette and Kelly - I love you guys too! You have definitely seen the good, the bad and the ugly - but, you've stayed with me - prayed a many times in your "prayer closets" to keep me safe and out of jail...HEHE - but God, through his mercy - created a "new" me......(thank goodness!!! LOL). I know that death effects people differently and I spiraled out of control for a while - but you guys pulled me through it......for that - I will always be grateful....
Ok - I think the spirit of Christmas is making me sappy!!!!! I hope that everyone has a great Christmas week - enjoy your family times together.
Be blessed!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Disney Live.......awesome
Today was Sunday - as usual - we went to church.....a little bit more excited today than maybe a normal Sunday would be. We are always excited to go to church - but today - after the 9:00 service - we were heading downtown to the Toyota Center for "Disney Live"! Jake was so excited - he could hardly contain himself.
Church was great - Deniese, my sister, had written another great Christmas skit/drama - it was awesome. Jake had a "Happy Birthday Jesus/Christmas party in his classroom...it was a fun day......10:45 AM - Jake is ready to go - "let's go Mommy - it's time for Disney Live".
Jake adores Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too - there was also Handy Mandy, Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse/Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck!!!
We took Nana and Pop - they just stared at Jake's face the whole time because he was in "awe" that the characters were "really on stage". He kept saying - Mom - they are waving at me!!!!!!!(ummm - yeah - ok - you and 6,000 other kids)...LOL
We danced, sang and waved our hands at everyone (ok - we drummed a little bit too - ok - we drummed ALOT!).....the joy on his face was breathtaking......even daddy was in awe.....I watched as my husband looked his son with such love and adoration on his face.......a kodak moment.
No pictures as they don't really allow you to take pictures while the show is going on - but it was a magical moment.
3 more days until Santa comes and brings Jake another set of drums - can you even believe that!!!!! Help me Lord. I cracked up laughing when the box arrived and my husband said "surely that is not the drums". I laughed so hard because I guess he thought they were going to be put together for him.......now, he is going to be trying to put them together on Christmas eve".......they came in one box - so you can imagine the parts!!!!!!!
Have a blessed week!
love to all of you
k
Church was great - Deniese, my sister, had written another great Christmas skit/drama - it was awesome. Jake had a "Happy Birthday Jesus/Christmas party in his classroom...it was a fun day......10:45 AM - Jake is ready to go - "let's go Mommy - it's time for Disney Live".
Jake adores Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too - there was also Handy Mandy, Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse/Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck!!!
We took Nana and Pop - they just stared at Jake's face the whole time because he was in "awe" that the characters were "really on stage". He kept saying - Mom - they are waving at me!!!!!!!(ummm - yeah - ok - you and 6,000 other kids)...LOL
We danced, sang and waved our hands at everyone (ok - we drummed a little bit too - ok - we drummed ALOT!).....the joy on his face was breathtaking......even daddy was in awe.....I watched as my husband looked his son with such love and adoration on his face.......a kodak moment.
No pictures as they don't really allow you to take pictures while the show is going on - but it was a magical moment.
3 more days until Santa comes and brings Jake another set of drums - can you even believe that!!!!! Help me Lord. I cracked up laughing when the box arrived and my husband said "surely that is not the drums". I laughed so hard because I guess he thought they were going to be put together for him.......now, he is going to be trying to put them together on Christmas eve".......they came in one box - so you can imagine the parts!!!!!!!
Have a blessed week!
love to all of you
k
Friday, December 19, 2008
One more week to go...........
I can't believe we only have one more week to go before Christmas!!!!! And, to top it all off, I was so excited because I thought I was finished shopping and then I realized, I have two more to go!!!!! My intention today was to get everything accomplished and be completely finished - my goal was to hit the mall at 9:00 this morning (which i did) buy Jake a new suit (he thinks he is IT in a suit- which I bought) and then i was suppose to buy the other two presents. Well, I got sidetracked as I went into Charming Charlie's.......need I say more!!!! I left there with about $100 dollars worth of presents - but they were all for me!!!!! ROFL!!!
When I got home - I realized that I have to go back out tomorrow - Saturday - which is what I was trying to avoid........
Today was also Jake's last day at school for 2 whole weeks.....let me repeat - Jake is now home for 2 whole weeks!!!!!! YIKES! I work around Jake's schedule (yes, God has blessed me with a part-time job at a family owned company who knows that Jake comes first and I can only work while he is in school)......I'm pumped about being home for a few days - but when I start thinking about 2 whole weeks - well, let's just say my heart starts beating fast and I get sweaty palms....LOL
Jake's Christmas party at school today was Polar Express - they got to wear their PJ's all day long. Poor Jake - he was so sick last night (I think he has a stomach virus- he was up from 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM) - but he wanted to go to school today because of the party. He did good - no accident's (if you know what I mean) but since he has been home - whew! Not pretty! ANYWAY - I'm including some photos of his party - not many as he didn't feel good and didn't participate in many of the games or food -but, at least I was able to get some pictures. One funny thing that did happen was they were suppose to bring a book wrapped for their book exchange - so this morning - I told him to make sure that he gave his teacher his wrapped book. Well, when he got home today - he had a new book from the exchange - but he also had his wrapped book still in his back pack!!!! I'm freaking out thinking his teacher probably thinks I'm the biggest loser because I didn't send a book and jake is jumping up and down saying "look mommy - I have another present!!!"......
be blessed this weekend.
k
When I got home - I realized that I have to go back out tomorrow - Saturday - which is what I was trying to avoid........
Today was also Jake's last day at school for 2 whole weeks.....let me repeat - Jake is now home for 2 whole weeks!!!!!! YIKES! I work around Jake's schedule (yes, God has blessed me with a part-time job at a family owned company who knows that Jake comes first and I can only work while he is in school)......I'm pumped about being home for a few days - but when I start thinking about 2 whole weeks - well, let's just say my heart starts beating fast and I get sweaty palms....LOL
Jake's Christmas party at school today was Polar Express - they got to wear their PJ's all day long. Poor Jake - he was so sick last night (I think he has a stomach virus- he was up from 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM) - but he wanted to go to school today because of the party. He did good - no accident's (if you know what I mean) but since he has been home - whew! Not pretty! ANYWAY - I'm including some photos of his party - not many as he didn't feel good and didn't participate in many of the games or food -but, at least I was able to get some pictures. One funny thing that did happen was they were suppose to bring a book wrapped for their book exchange - so this morning - I told him to make sure that he gave his teacher his wrapped book. Well, when he got home today - he had a new book from the exchange - but he also had his wrapped book still in his back pack!!!! I'm freaking out thinking his teacher probably thinks I'm the biggest loser because I didn't send a book and jake is jumping up and down saying "look mommy - I have another present!!!"......
be blessed this weekend.
k
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Cold Weather......Hot Soup......
Last night the weather was cold and I was in the mood for a great soup. I don't know if any of you subscribe to Taste of Home - but I LOVE their magazines. They have several out besides Taste of Home - the other two that I subscribe to are Cooking Light and Cooking for Two - all related to Taste of Home....anyway - one of my favorite soups is from one of my magazines and I made it last night!!!! It was awesome....my husband kept saying......"this is delicious" as he kept serving himself over and over and over and.....you get my point. LOL
Meatball Tortellini Soup (6 points per serving if you are weight watcher fan)
Yields 4 servings
Prep/total time: 25 min
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium beef broth
12 frozen cooked italian meatballs (1/2 ounce each)
3/4 cup fresh baby spinach
3/4 cup stewed tomatoes
1 can (11 ounces)mexicorn, drained
3/4 cup frozen cheese tortellini (about 20)
1/8 teaspoon of italian seasoning
dash salt and pepper
In a large sauce pan, bring broth to a boil. Add meatballs. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the spinach, tomatoes,corn and italian seasoning; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tortellini, salt and pepper; cover and simmer for 3 minutes or until tortellini is tender.
Serve with Garlic Onion wedges
Prep/total time: 20 min.
Yields: 2 servings
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
3 garlic gloves, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tube (4 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
1/8 teaspoon italian seasoning
In a small skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Unroll crescent dough; seal perforations and press into two 6-in x 4-in rectangles. Transfer one rectangle to an ungreased baking sheet; spread with half of the onion mixture. Top with second rectangle and remaining onion mixture. sprinkle with italian seasoning. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into four wedges.
For dessert, I served my sister, Tracie's, peach cobbler! Very easy and very, very good!!!
Peach Cobbler
2 sticks margarine
1 large can peach slices, undrained
1 butter flavored cake mix
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Melt 1 stick margarine in 9x12 casserole dish @ 375 degrees. Add peaches. Sprinkle cake mix over peaches. Slice stick of margarine into small pats. Place ontop of cake mix. Mix cinanamon & sugar and sprinkle over margarine. Bake approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Note: can use 2 cans apple or cherry pie filling in place of peaches
Cooking is one of my passions. I'm learning how to cook and "hide" veggies for Jake. I haven't accomplished that totally yet - but I've bought a cookbook (I'm a cookbook fanatic) called deceptively delicious and hope to be cooking "deceptively" pretty soon.....the boy need veggies.....and he won't eat them if he can see them!!!
Happy cooking!
Love to all
Meatball Tortellini Soup (6 points per serving if you are weight watcher fan)
Yields 4 servings
Prep/total time: 25 min
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium beef broth
12 frozen cooked italian meatballs (1/2 ounce each)
3/4 cup fresh baby spinach
3/4 cup stewed tomatoes
1 can (11 ounces)mexicorn, drained
3/4 cup frozen cheese tortellini (about 20)
1/8 teaspoon of italian seasoning
dash salt and pepper
In a large sauce pan, bring broth to a boil. Add meatballs. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the spinach, tomatoes,corn and italian seasoning; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tortellini, salt and pepper; cover and simmer for 3 minutes or until tortellini is tender.
Serve with Garlic Onion wedges
Prep/total time: 20 min.
Yields: 2 servings
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
3 garlic gloves, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tube (4 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
1/8 teaspoon italian seasoning
In a small skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Unroll crescent dough; seal perforations and press into two 6-in x 4-in rectangles. Transfer one rectangle to an ungreased baking sheet; spread with half of the onion mixture. Top with second rectangle and remaining onion mixture. sprinkle with italian seasoning. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into four wedges.
For dessert, I served my sister, Tracie's, peach cobbler! Very easy and very, very good!!!
Peach Cobbler
2 sticks margarine
1 large can peach slices, undrained
1 butter flavored cake mix
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Melt 1 stick margarine in 9x12 casserole dish @ 375 degrees. Add peaches. Sprinkle cake mix over peaches. Slice stick of margarine into small pats. Place ontop of cake mix. Mix cinanamon & sugar and sprinkle over margarine. Bake approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Note: can use 2 cans apple or cherry pie filling in place of peaches
Cooking is one of my passions. I'm learning how to cook and "hide" veggies for Jake. I haven't accomplished that totally yet - but I've bought a cookbook (I'm a cookbook fanatic) called deceptively delicious and hope to be cooking "deceptively" pretty soon.....the boy need veggies.....and he won't eat them if he can see them!!!
Happy cooking!
Love to all
Monday, December 15, 2008
It's almost here......
I'm getting excited! Christmas is almost here and my to do list is shrinking!!!! I only have a few more gifts to buy and I'm done (come on Kelly and Gayla - send me that list for your kiddo's....LOL)! I just finished wrapping the ones that I have bought and excitement is in the air. I have my lights dimmed,my tree lit up and Christmas music playing...of course, in the background - I have drums banging from Jake's band room, but I've lived with that so long- it just blends in!
I've wrapped gifts for my husband, my son, my parents, his parents, friends at church, friends at work, teachers, Jake's teachers, and Mr. Robert.....I even wrapped my gift from Jake!!! (yes, I know what it is - but, I will still act surprised when I see it). Since my husband and I don't buy for each other, I tend to go over board with Jake - but it's so much fun. Besides giving gift cards to the church for the needy, my husband and I always purchase one big thing for the house (which we consider our Christmas to each other) and this year - we extended our patio!!! It is beautiful. I can't wait to purchase new furniture for it......I have great plans to hang out and enjoy it during the spring for sure!
One of my passion's is having picnic's and sitting out side reading.....Jake and I have had several picnic's in the grass and indoors (eating on a blanket in the living room - doesn't matter to him - as long as it's on a blanket - it's a picnic!). I can't wait to buy a table with an umbrella so we can enjoy our picnic's without the ants joining us! I love creating memories with him.
Hope you are getting close to being ready for Christmas. I went from a million things to do to a thousand things to do - so I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Be blessed.
I've wrapped gifts for my husband, my son, my parents, his parents, friends at church, friends at work, teachers, Jake's teachers, and Mr. Robert.....I even wrapped my gift from Jake!!! (yes, I know what it is - but, I will still act surprised when I see it). Since my husband and I don't buy for each other, I tend to go over board with Jake - but it's so much fun. Besides giving gift cards to the church for the needy, my husband and I always purchase one big thing for the house (which we consider our Christmas to each other) and this year - we extended our patio!!! It is beautiful. I can't wait to purchase new furniture for it......I have great plans to hang out and enjoy it during the spring for sure!
One of my passion's is having picnic's and sitting out side reading.....Jake and I have had several picnic's in the grass and indoors (eating on a blanket in the living room - doesn't matter to him - as long as it's on a blanket - it's a picnic!). I can't wait to buy a table with an umbrella so we can enjoy our picnic's without the ants joining us! I love creating memories with him.
Hope you are getting close to being ready for Christmas. I went from a million things to do to a thousand things to do - so I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Be blessed.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
"That was awesome Mom"
Today was a normal day with a little lesson thrown in it......a lesson that I will continue to share with Jake as he grows up....giving...vs... receiving.
I have to clean out Jake's room/closet/play room in order to make room for the new "Santa" gifts. Today was that day. Jake was in there watching me - - questioning what I was doing, why I was doing it, picking stuff out of the pile, me putting it back in the pile (LOL)...then it hit me.....we need to give these perfectly good toys to HAMM (a ministry close to where we live that is like goodwill - but works with families in our community). I started sharing with Jake that there were kids out there who weren't as blessed as he was - didn't have the toys that he had and wasn't going to have the Christmas that he was going to have. I asked him, wouldn't it be nice to give some kids your used toys that might not be able to get anything for Christmas. His little eyes lit up - he was so excited. I told him he could ride with me to the ministry and help unload the toys. Daddy loaded the car and off we went.
On the way to the ministry - he would ask me, "now where are we going mommy" and I would tell him "we are going to give toys to the needy".....he would sit back and smile. Once there, I told the man that we would like to donate some toys....we unloaded the toys with a smile on every one's face as Jake was there being a part of it. Once back in the car, Jake said, "that was awesome mom". My heart smiled.
I love knowing that he will be blessed for being a blessing. This is something that my husband and I want to continue to teach him. Mark and I know what it means to be blessed by helping others. Every Christmas, we take the money that we would spend on each other and purchase gift cards that we give to our pastor to pass out to needy families in our church. We ask that our names be kept anonymous, no one needs to know where it came from - God knows - he knows our hearts. We don't do this for our glory - we do it to glorify him and acknowledge that we know we are blessed - therefore, we bless others.
May your heart be merry this season. May God shine his face towards you and your family during this holiday time.
Be Blessed. Love to all.
I have to clean out Jake's room/closet/play room in order to make room for the new "Santa" gifts. Today was that day. Jake was in there watching me - - questioning what I was doing, why I was doing it, picking stuff out of the pile, me putting it back in the pile (LOL)...then it hit me.....we need to give these perfectly good toys to HAMM (a ministry close to where we live that is like goodwill - but works with families in our community). I started sharing with Jake that there were kids out there who weren't as blessed as he was - didn't have the toys that he had and wasn't going to have the Christmas that he was going to have. I asked him, wouldn't it be nice to give some kids your used toys that might not be able to get anything for Christmas. His little eyes lit up - he was so excited. I told him he could ride with me to the ministry and help unload the toys. Daddy loaded the car and off we went.
On the way to the ministry - he would ask me, "now where are we going mommy" and I would tell him "we are going to give toys to the needy".....he would sit back and smile. Once there, I told the man that we would like to donate some toys....we unloaded the toys with a smile on every one's face as Jake was there being a part of it. Once back in the car, Jake said, "that was awesome mom". My heart smiled.
I love knowing that he will be blessed for being a blessing. This is something that my husband and I want to continue to teach him. Mark and I know what it means to be blessed by helping others. Every Christmas, we take the money that we would spend on each other and purchase gift cards that we give to our pastor to pass out to needy families in our church. We ask that our names be kept anonymous, no one needs to know where it came from - God knows - he knows our hearts. We don't do this for our glory - we do it to glorify him and acknowledge that we know we are blessed - therefore, we bless others.
May your heart be merry this season. May God shine his face towards you and your family during this holiday time.
Be Blessed. Love to all.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Snowing in Texas.......I can't believe it!!!
I can't believe I'm writing about it snowing in Texas - I can't remember the last time it actually snowed and stayed on the ground for any lenght of time......I think 4 years ago it snowed - but it melted before it ever hit the ground....this time - we could actually see it!!! It was beautiful!
Jake and his friends at church had a great time playing in the snow before service and then for sure played in it once church was over because it was really coming down at that point! It always feels more like Christmas when it's cold - I hope it stays cold or at least cools back down before Christmas comes.....today it's high 50's with sunshine - it's a beautiful day -hard to believe that yesterday was snow - but, that's ok - I have pictures to prove it!
Tonight I plan to sit around my christmas tree with a warm cup of tea or peppermint coffee and enjoy the Christmas season.....I love it when my house is all decorated and lit up!
Enjoy the season.
Love to all
Jake and his friends at church had a great time playing in the snow before service and then for sure played in it once church was over because it was really coming down at that point! It always feels more like Christmas when it's cold - I hope it stays cold or at least cools back down before Christmas comes.....today it's high 50's with sunshine - it's a beautiful day -hard to believe that yesterday was snow - but, that's ok - I have pictures to prove it!
Tonight I plan to sit around my christmas tree with a warm cup of tea or peppermint coffee and enjoy the Christmas season.....I love it when my house is all decorated and lit up!
Enjoy the season.
Love to all
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Secret Santa Shop.......
Today at school was the day the kindergartner's could shop at the Secret Santa shop. We were to send in a certain amount of money and the kids could shop for their parents, grandparents, etc. with adult supervision..........can you imagine the chaos!
Oh how cute it was when Jake got in the car this afternoon with his back pack filled with presents that he picked out for mommy, daddy, Nana, Pop, Grammy and Popsie! He couldn't wait to tell me everything he had bought - I kept telling him that it was ok to tell me about the grandparents gifts - but to keep mine a secret - he couldn't stand it - he wanted me to see my "book" with the heart!!!
The gifts were wrapped in blue Christmas bags with a sticker for each person. Jake readily picked mine out and said "look at your book mom - it has a heart on it". So precious and so cute.......so I peeked inside the bag - but that wasn't good enough - I had to take it out!!! So, I did - and he was so excited about the heart that said "mom - I adore you". I made a really big deal out of it and told him we must put it back in the bag so Daddy wouldn't get jealous that I had seen my gift and he hadn't seen his. Jake ran over to the tree and put it in the back.....then he told me that he couldn't wait to see what was in his gifts......kept looking at them in awe.....this is what it is all about. Not the hustle and bustle and stress of the season - it's the gleam in the little kids eyes, the excitement that they feel about Christmas.
I can't wait until Christmas Eve when Jake and I make cookies for Santa and leave out milk too - it's always fun to watch Mark after Jake goes to bed - he really does eat the cookies and drink the milk and he will leave a note thanking Jake for the cookies.....making memories - I love that! Of the few memories I have of my mother - Christmas is one of them. She always loved this time of year and I have so many memories of Christmas.......especially the gallon dill pickles that she would buy me and wrap up as a joke - knowing that I loved pickles - it was my favorite gift!!!
Be blessed. Love to all
Oh how cute it was when Jake got in the car this afternoon with his back pack filled with presents that he picked out for mommy, daddy, Nana, Pop, Grammy and Popsie! He couldn't wait to tell me everything he had bought - I kept telling him that it was ok to tell me about the grandparents gifts - but to keep mine a secret - he couldn't stand it - he wanted me to see my "book" with the heart!!!
The gifts were wrapped in blue Christmas bags with a sticker for each person. Jake readily picked mine out and said "look at your book mom - it has a heart on it". So precious and so cute.......so I peeked inside the bag - but that wasn't good enough - I had to take it out!!! So, I did - and he was so excited about the heart that said "mom - I adore you". I made a really big deal out of it and told him we must put it back in the bag so Daddy wouldn't get jealous that I had seen my gift and he hadn't seen his. Jake ran over to the tree and put it in the back.....then he told me that he couldn't wait to see what was in his gifts......kept looking at them in awe.....this is what it is all about. Not the hustle and bustle and stress of the season - it's the gleam in the little kids eyes, the excitement that they feel about Christmas.
I can't wait until Christmas Eve when Jake and I make cookies for Santa and leave out milk too - it's always fun to watch Mark after Jake goes to bed - he really does eat the cookies and drink the milk and he will leave a note thanking Jake for the cookies.....making memories - I love that! Of the few memories I have of my mother - Christmas is one of them. She always loved this time of year and I have so many memories of Christmas.......especially the gallon dill pickles that she would buy me and wrap up as a joke - knowing that I loved pickles - it was my favorite gift!!!
Be blessed. Love to all
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
List, list and more list.......
I'm not sure how old I was when I started making list.....however, this is how I live. I seem to get overwhelmed without a list and I seem to stay overwhelmed with my list. Right now, I have the following lists:
I am now working 4 days a week - 5 hours a day because I was bored at home while Jake was in school - so, now I'm wondering -how am I going to get all this done with only 2 Friday's left!!! Granted - I will be off work the whole week of Christmas (because my schedule flows with Jake's school schedule) - but everyone knows you can't shop with a 5 year old!!!!
Lists keep me sane and at the same time, drive me insane!!
However, I'm sure that I will get it all done. To all the other "list freaks" in the world.......what are we doing to ourselves??? LOL
All this coming from someone who plans her meals out for the entire month and never serves the same thing twice during that particular month............I need to be committed.......HELP ME PLEASE. (ROFL)
Love to all
- Grocery list
- To do list (consist of multiple things like get with Carla re: Dad's birthday, buy present for Dad from kids, choir practice twice this week, two christmas parties this week, get pictures taken, get to Mall before Sunday for something to wear to choir special - must be red)
- Christmas List for nieces and nephews
- Christmas Card List
- Christmas Dinner list
- Patrick Christmas dinner List
- Children's church list
- Teacher list
- plan kids service this wednesday - thank you party for christmas showcase
- plan Christmas party/Jesus birthday celebration for children church with pastor's for Sunday the 21st.
- Wrap gifts prior to christmas eve so Jake can have fun trying to guess what's in there
- Figure out what in the world to buy my husband who doesn't like "stuff"
- Figure out what I'm going to buy myself from my husband (smile)
I am now working 4 days a week - 5 hours a day because I was bored at home while Jake was in school - so, now I'm wondering -how am I going to get all this done with only 2 Friday's left!!! Granted - I will be off work the whole week of Christmas (because my schedule flows with Jake's school schedule) - but everyone knows you can't shop with a 5 year old!!!!
Lists keep me sane and at the same time, drive me insane!!
However, I'm sure that I will get it all done. To all the other "list freaks" in the world.......what are we doing to ourselves??? LOL
All this coming from someone who plans her meals out for the entire month and never serves the same thing twice during that particular month............I need to be committed.......HELP ME PLEASE. (ROFL)
Love to all
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Great party recipes
I hosted a neighborhood party last night at my house and it went off without a hitch!! (of course, Jake was at grandma's house or else we would have been entertained all night with DRUMS!!) Most of the neighbors showed up and everyone brought their favorite holiday hors d'oeurves........one thing I've got to get better at is having an ending time for my parties - I think the last person left at 1:00 AM!!!! Whew - I'm too old to stay up that late! We had a great time tasting all the food and enjoying everyone's company. We have been blessed - all of our neighbors are great people - everyone likes each other and looks out for each other.
I thought I would pass on a couple of recipes that I used last night - I "borrowed" these from one of my southern living magazine.......hope you enjoy.
Marinated Shrimp (I doubled in order to feed more)
2 lb unpeeled, large raw shrimp (21/25 count)
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 cup veg. oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup capers, undrained
1 1/2 tsp celery salt
1 medium-size red or white onion, sliced and separated into rings
Bring 6 cups salted water to a boil; add shrimp, and cook 3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Drain and rinse with cold water. Peel shrimp, leaving tails on. Devein if desired (If pushed for time - purchase the frozen cooked and peeled shrimp - let them thaw overnight and then assemble everything the next day).
Combine vinegar and next 5 ingredients in a shallow dish; add shrimp alternately with onion. Cover and chill 6 to 24 hours, turning often. Drain shrimp mixture, discarding liquid before serving.
You can serve with herbed saltines - take saltine crackers, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with dried herbs and bake in oven for a few minutes.
Black bean and Mango Salsa
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup Italian vinaigrette dressing
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp seasoned pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp hot sauce
Serve with assorted tortilla chips
You can substitute the mango for 1 (11-oz) can shoepeg corn - drained. Proceed with recipe as directed.
I also made the Christmas Wassell from Tracie's Charming Hospitality blog as well as some of the white chocolate treats with andes chocolcate mint and coconut/walnuts....very good!
Overall - it was a success!
Hope everyone has a great Sunday.
Love to all
I thought I would pass on a couple of recipes that I used last night - I "borrowed" these from one of my southern living magazine.......hope you enjoy.
Marinated Shrimp (I doubled in order to feed more)
2 lb unpeeled, large raw shrimp (21/25 count)
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 cup veg. oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup capers, undrained
1 1/2 tsp celery salt
1 medium-size red or white onion, sliced and separated into rings
Bring 6 cups salted water to a boil; add shrimp, and cook 3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Drain and rinse with cold water. Peel shrimp, leaving tails on. Devein if desired (If pushed for time - purchase the frozen cooked and peeled shrimp - let them thaw overnight and then assemble everything the next day).
Combine vinegar and next 5 ingredients in a shallow dish; add shrimp alternately with onion. Cover and chill 6 to 24 hours, turning often. Drain shrimp mixture, discarding liquid before serving.
You can serve with herbed saltines - take saltine crackers, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with dried herbs and bake in oven for a few minutes.
Black bean and Mango Salsa
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup Italian vinaigrette dressing
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp seasoned pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp hot sauce
Serve with assorted tortilla chips
You can substitute the mango for 1 (11-oz) can shoepeg corn - drained. Proceed with recipe as directed.
I also made the Christmas Wassell from Tracie's Charming Hospitality blog as well as some of the white chocolate treats with andes chocolcate mint and coconut/walnuts....very good!
Overall - it was a success!
Hope everyone has a great Sunday.
Love to all
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Today - what a beautiful day
Beautiful days are not always about the weather. The beautiful thing about today is that my mother-in-law is finally finished with her Radiation/Chemo treatments. I wish that I had been with her so that I could have taken a picture of her with all her doctors.....she told me that they all gathered around her - from nurses to doctors - everyone and anyone who had been involved in her care - gathered around her for the ringing of the "completion" bell.
Cancer - such an ugly word.....a word that sometimes brings fear to those of us who aren't physically affected with it as well as a fear to those who have it. It's the fear of the unknown. I've been affected by cancer three times in the span of my 40 years. My mother, Euna Patrick, was touched by cancer - I was 12 years old when she passed away. My mom was a beautiful lady - so quiet (unfortunately, I took after my dad's side of the family - LOUD! LOL) and reserved. Very spiritual - very calming. Sad to say, I don't have many vivid memories because I was so young when she passed - but the ones I have - I hold dearly in my heart. I've known my "other mother" as I call her, Shirley - for more years now than I knew my mother....sometimes if I allow myself to dwell on that - it seems so surreal. I went through a rough patch when my mother passed - thank God he saw fit to pull me out of the hole that I dug myself into. My "other mother" has always been there for me - as my school teacher prior to becoming my "other mother". She has seen the good, the bad and the ugly and has never once tried to be my "mother", she has always been my friend.
My sister Paulette - touched by cancer - survivor of one year!!! What a road she traveled - all the surgeries, doctor appointments, blood test, chemo therapy, reconstruction surgery - you name -she had it! I was honored to be her caretaker through most of her cancer treatments and although it wasn't always fun - it made me happy to able to help her - to have experienced some of what my dad must have gone through with my mother (although my mom didn't have surgery or chemo - she went through lots of pain). Way to go Paulette - you make me proud to call you my sister.
And now, Tootsie - my sweet mother-in-law. She loves me!!! The reason - she thought her son would NEVER get married (as he was 40 when we got married) so she thinks I hung the moon!!! LOL. She is a precious lady who has welcomed me into her family with open arms. She took care of me when I had my baby (who was 3 months early - I was so sick and almost died - she stayed with me for weeks and weeks). Now, I get to help her - what a beautiful thing. Her hair is growing back - she looks great and is starting to get her energy back. What a beautiful day.
Be blessed.
Cancer - such an ugly word.....a word that sometimes brings fear to those of us who aren't physically affected with it as well as a fear to those who have it. It's the fear of the unknown. I've been affected by cancer three times in the span of my 40 years. My mother, Euna Patrick, was touched by cancer - I was 12 years old when she passed away. My mom was a beautiful lady - so quiet (unfortunately, I took after my dad's side of the family - LOUD! LOL) and reserved. Very spiritual - very calming. Sad to say, I don't have many vivid memories because I was so young when she passed - but the ones I have - I hold dearly in my heart. I've known my "other mother" as I call her, Shirley - for more years now than I knew my mother....sometimes if I allow myself to dwell on that - it seems so surreal. I went through a rough patch when my mother passed - thank God he saw fit to pull me out of the hole that I dug myself into. My "other mother" has always been there for me - as my school teacher prior to becoming my "other mother". She has seen the good, the bad and the ugly and has never once tried to be my "mother", she has always been my friend.
My sister Paulette - touched by cancer - survivor of one year!!! What a road she traveled - all the surgeries, doctor appointments, blood test, chemo therapy, reconstruction surgery - you name -she had it! I was honored to be her caretaker through most of her cancer treatments and although it wasn't always fun - it made me happy to able to help her - to have experienced some of what my dad must have gone through with my mother (although my mom didn't have surgery or chemo - she went through lots of pain). Way to go Paulette - you make me proud to call you my sister.
And now, Tootsie - my sweet mother-in-law. She loves me!!! The reason - she thought her son would NEVER get married (as he was 40 when we got married) so she thinks I hung the moon!!! LOL. She is a precious lady who has welcomed me into her family with open arms. She took care of me when I had my baby (who was 3 months early - I was so sick and almost died - she stayed with me for weeks and weeks). Now, I get to help her - what a beautiful thing. Her hair is growing back - she looks great and is starting to get her energy back. What a beautiful day.
Be blessed.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Santa Claus - is it really you???
So, I had mentioned to Jake last night that we were going to go to the mall today and see if Santa Claus was stopping by for pictures....he was so excited he couldn't see straight.
This morning - the first thing he asked me was "are we going to the mall today"....I kept telling him yes and that he really needed to be a good boy so that Santa would bring him lots of toys (I think that part - the being good part - went in one ear and through the other one). Picked him up from school and off we went to see Santa.
Of course, once he saw him - he was in awe. Couldn't believe it was Santa Claus. He justed wanted to stand and stare at him. He took his picture with him and told him he wanted a guitar, amplifier and cord (of course!) and told him that he has his own band...did Santa want to come watch him! Then, after the picture - he wanted to stand and watch Santa take the pictures with the rest of the kids.....he kept waving at him (trying to get extra points) and when all the kids were gone - he snuck back up there and sat on his lap again. Too cute!
Hope you enjoy the photo.
love to all
Monday, December 1, 2008
Cyber Monday - LOVE IT!
Ok - why get up at the crack of dawn on Black Friday when you can sit in the comfort of your own home on Cyber Monday! Today, lots of stores offer great deals if you order online.......so, once I got home from work - I spent two hours shopping online at Amazon.com and finished my Christmas shopping for Jake! I'm so excited. It should all arrive at my house by the middle of next week - perfect timing to wrap and place under the tree so he can try and figure out what it is exactly.
The large "santa" gift is a new drum set! I must be INSANE (Trent - why oh why did he follow in your footsteps!) He loves to play his drums and just this week - punched a hole in two of his drum heads....of course, he has had them for a year or so and has beat the fire out of them (he has also gone through 2 cymbals - they split in half)!!! He plays them so much that he is on a limited schedule due to the fact that we have neighbors and I have EARS!!! LOL. He wakes up in the mornings at 6:00 asking if he can play (which he can't play before 9:00 on Saturdays) and then at night - he has to get off at 8:00 PM......if he is not drumming - he is playing his guitars...so, we are replacing all musical instruments this Christmas Season.
A funny story is my sister Carla was at my house over the weekend and she asked Jake what he wanted for Christmas. He told her he wanted a guitar with an amplifier and cord. She said - do you want anything else and he replied No. She said - "well, that sounds like something Santa might bring you - what can I buy you and he said "that's all I want" in a tone like - if you can't buy that - then forget it! too cute! He is a music freak!!!
I'm hoping that I can now relax. I bought my mother-in-law's present (digital picture frame - I can say that because she doesn't have a computer and won't see this)all of jake's and some of mine (I know, I'm bad - but I've wanted a video camera for so long that Mark told me to pick it out and order it - so I did!!!). All I have to shop for now is my neices and nephews - which won't be hard once I receive everyone's list. I also have to buy my dad and Shirley's gift - but we've got that covered too (which Grammy has a computer - so I can't say what that is LOL)
I'm looking forward to the rest of this week - I'm hosting a neighborhood party at my house on Friday night and I've been checking out ideas and recipes from Tracie's Christmas blog - can't wait to try some of them on my neighbors! My house is all decorated and I'm excited to host and share with my friends.
I think tomorrow I'm going to take Jake to have his picture made with Santa - I'll post if I do - we go to the same "Santa" every year - he is great - and looks so authentic.......
Ok - gotta go make dinner - I'm having turkey pot pie (to get rid of all the extra turkey!) Very simple recipe that I recieved from my sister Deniese (who received from her friend Susan)
take a pie crust - place in bottom of pan - put in whatever kind of veggies you want, chopped up turkey, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, some sour cream (I just put in a big ole dollup) and whatever kind of spices you'd like to add (salt, pepper, nature's seasoning, garlic powder) - top with another pie crust - bake on 350 for 45 minutes and then up the temp to 400 for 10 minutes (or until golden brown)......YUMMY!
Love to all of you.
The large "santa" gift is a new drum set! I must be INSANE (Trent - why oh why did he follow in your footsteps!) He loves to play his drums and just this week - punched a hole in two of his drum heads....of course, he has had them for a year or so and has beat the fire out of them (he has also gone through 2 cymbals - they split in half)!!! He plays them so much that he is on a limited schedule due to the fact that we have neighbors and I have EARS!!! LOL. He wakes up in the mornings at 6:00 asking if he can play (which he can't play before 9:00 on Saturdays) and then at night - he has to get off at 8:00 PM......if he is not drumming - he is playing his guitars...so, we are replacing all musical instruments this Christmas Season.
A funny story is my sister Carla was at my house over the weekend and she asked Jake what he wanted for Christmas. He told her he wanted a guitar with an amplifier and cord. She said - do you want anything else and he replied No. She said - "well, that sounds like something Santa might bring you - what can I buy you and he said "that's all I want" in a tone like - if you can't buy that - then forget it! too cute! He is a music freak!!!
I'm hoping that I can now relax. I bought my mother-in-law's present (digital picture frame - I can say that because she doesn't have a computer and won't see this)all of jake's and some of mine (I know, I'm bad - but I've wanted a video camera for so long that Mark told me to pick it out and order it - so I did!!!). All I have to shop for now is my neices and nephews - which won't be hard once I receive everyone's list. I also have to buy my dad and Shirley's gift - but we've got that covered too (which Grammy has a computer - so I can't say what that is LOL)
I'm looking forward to the rest of this week - I'm hosting a neighborhood party at my house on Friday night and I've been checking out ideas and recipes from Tracie's Christmas blog - can't wait to try some of them on my neighbors! My house is all decorated and I'm excited to host and share with my friends.
I think tomorrow I'm going to take Jake to have his picture made with Santa - I'll post if I do - we go to the same "Santa" every year - he is great - and looks so authentic.......
Ok - gotta go make dinner - I'm having turkey pot pie (to get rid of all the extra turkey!) Very simple recipe that I recieved from my sister Deniese (who received from her friend Susan)
take a pie crust - place in bottom of pan - put in whatever kind of veggies you want, chopped up turkey, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, some sour cream (I just put in a big ole dollup) and whatever kind of spices you'd like to add (salt, pepper, nature's seasoning, garlic powder) - top with another pie crust - bake on 350 for 45 minutes and then up the temp to 400 for 10 minutes (or until golden brown)......YUMMY!
Love to all of you.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday - what a great day
I love Sunday! There was a time in my life that Sunday didn't mean much to me - a time when I stopped going to church and led my own life - but now, it has a different meaning. I'm trying to pass that trait to my son Jake - he gets so excited when it's church time!! He pops out of bed on Sundays asking "what time are we leaving". He knows we are going to both services and he doesn't care that we will be there from 8:00 - 1:00.....he wants to be there and be involved. He gets to play in the youth band and he LOVES singing and playing and worshiping. It's makes me so proud to look up there and see Jake's hands raised and his love for Jesus showing on his face. You see, he has the knowledge of being a miracle. I have never stopped telling him that Jesus healed him and that if it weren't for Jesus' love and healing power - Jake might not be with us today.
I love knowing that I'm meeting good people who love to worship and honor God. I love knowing that hearts will be touched and lives will be changed.
Today was no different.
Awesome move of the spirit in both of our services during the praise and worship and then, I had the honor of teaching the toddler class - not once - but twice! They are so sweet and have such a desire to learn more about Jesus. Our lesson today was about Lazarus and the friendship that he had with Jesus. We talked about what it means to have friends, what it means to love our friends so much that we would do anything for them.....I have several friends like that - most of whom read this blog. What would you do for a friend? How far would you go to let someone know how much they mean to you? Jesus traveled a great distance to raise Lazarus from the dead when he could have just spoken the word and Lazarus would have been healed - but I feel he wanted those around to know how much he cared for him by traveling to his gravesite and proving his love for Lazarus. Can you imagine the people's awe when they saw/heard Jesus raised him from the dead - can you imagine the feeling that must have come over Lazarus to know that his friend cared enough for him that he would come and raise him from the dead? Wow - what powerful friendship.
My point - find someone who means alot to you and let them know....don't let today pass you by without someone knowing how much you love them.
To all of you - my love.
I love knowing that I'm meeting good people who love to worship and honor God. I love knowing that hearts will be touched and lives will be changed.
Today was no different.
Awesome move of the spirit in both of our services during the praise and worship and then, I had the honor of teaching the toddler class - not once - but twice! They are so sweet and have such a desire to learn more about Jesus. Our lesson today was about Lazarus and the friendship that he had with Jesus. We talked about what it means to have friends, what it means to love our friends so much that we would do anything for them.....I have several friends like that - most of whom read this blog. What would you do for a friend? How far would you go to let someone know how much they mean to you? Jesus traveled a great distance to raise Lazarus from the dead when he could have just spoken the word and Lazarus would have been healed - but I feel he wanted those around to know how much he cared for him by traveling to his gravesite and proving his love for Lazarus. Can you imagine the people's awe when they saw/heard Jesus raised him from the dead - can you imagine the feeling that must have come over Lazarus to know that his friend cared enough for him that he would come and raise him from the dead? Wow - what powerful friendship.
My point - find someone who means alot to you and let them know....don't let today pass you by without someone knowing how much you love them.
To all of you - my love.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Crazy day
I think that all days from now until Christmas are going to be crazy busy! I started out the day thinking that I would go shopping - but it didn't pan out that way. Woke up early enough - but Jake wasn't in the mood to get going.....I made coffee, breakfast, worked on email, took a shower, got dressed - all before he decided it was time to move....
My day wasn't wasteful by any means - I went to Sams and bought snacks for the children at church. We always serve snack during Sunday School and I wanted to donate some snacks - so Jake and I went to Sams and loaded up. Then, I had to rush Jake to choir (because we were late going to SAMS) so he could practice for the upcoming WayStreet Kids showcase....Jake is in the drama/skit, hip-hop dance, choir and band!!!! He signed up for everything - and he is doing a great job with all the practices. While he was at practice, I got the opportunity to have coffee with my friend Aaron, who is here for the holidays. It was great to catch up with him. Once choir was over - it was off to my sister, Deniese's house to help her with some computer sutff......then, back home at 5:00! It's amazing how fast the days seem to get by you.....I never made it to any of the stores I intended to hit today.....
Needless to say - next week - I will be trying to hit some of the stores in the afternoon to get some christmas shopping done so that I don't wait until the last minute. I have to remind my self to slow down and enjoy the season. It is my favorite time and I don't want to be in such a rush that I don't have time to enjoy. My house is decorated, my yard is lit up - so I'm enjoying some good christmas music and making all my list......I live by list (and I get made fun of because I do!).
I have a neighborhood party at my house this Friday night - I'm going to be utilizing Tracie's "Charming Hospitality" site and using a bunch of her dessert recipes......should be lots of fun. It seems like I have something to do every weekend until Christmas - but I'm determined to keep my spirits up and not get bogged down.
Hope everyone has good church tomorrow! Love to all
My day wasn't wasteful by any means - I went to Sams and bought snacks for the children at church. We always serve snack during Sunday School and I wanted to donate some snacks - so Jake and I went to Sams and loaded up. Then, I had to rush Jake to choir (because we were late going to SAMS) so he could practice for the upcoming WayStreet Kids showcase....Jake is in the drama/skit, hip-hop dance, choir and band!!!! He signed up for everything - and he is doing a great job with all the practices. While he was at practice, I got the opportunity to have coffee with my friend Aaron, who is here for the holidays. It was great to catch up with him. Once choir was over - it was off to my sister, Deniese's house to help her with some computer sutff......then, back home at 5:00! It's amazing how fast the days seem to get by you.....I never made it to any of the stores I intended to hit today.....
Needless to say - next week - I will be trying to hit some of the stores in the afternoon to get some christmas shopping done so that I don't wait until the last minute. I have to remind my self to slow down and enjoy the season. It is my favorite time and I don't want to be in such a rush that I don't have time to enjoy. My house is decorated, my yard is lit up - so I'm enjoying some good christmas music and making all my list......I live by list (and I get made fun of because I do!).
I have a neighborhood party at my house this Friday night - I'm going to be utilizing Tracie's "Charming Hospitality" site and using a bunch of her dessert recipes......should be lots of fun. It seems like I have something to do every weekend until Christmas - but I'm determined to keep my spirits up and not get bogged down.
Hope everyone has good church tomorrow! Love to all
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving - what a great week!
what a whirlwind week I've had!!! I spent Monday and Tuesday getting my house decorated for Christmas because I knew I wouldn't have time this weekend and I wanted my tree up for Thanksgiving day! Wednesday I spent all day cooking - I made Grammy's dressings, Tracie's green bean bundles and hash brown casserole - we had bread, sweet potato's (made by my sister Deniese), corn casserole, ham and my sweet husband spent all day on Wednesday smoking two turkeys!!!! Whew - so much food.....took a break around 5:30 - got dressed for church, went to church, came home around 9:30 and cleaned my house!!!!
Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Got up at the CRACK OF DAWN to go to the Thanksgiving Day parade downtown. We go early to get a spot and then wait for 2 hours for the parade to start....however, that time is well spent - looking at all the people, eating kolaches, donuts and drinking hot coffee. We also get to spend some time with other family members who will having Thanksgiving with their in-laws. My brother, Kelly and his family, who pastor in Mississippi, were there, it was great to see them for a short time before they left to have Thanksgivng with the McClains.
Then, back to my house where 10 of us gathered to give thanks for all our blessings and dig into all the great food!!! It was wonderful. My mother-in-law made two homemade pies (pecan and cococut) - they were fantastic!!! I need to learn how to make that homemade crust!!!
After cleanup - myself, Jake, one of my sister's Carla, and my mother-in-law, piled into my car and headed to Conroe to visit with Popsie and Grammy (my parents). My sister Paulette and her two kids were there and later - some of my extended family arrived - Kent, Tracie and "bishop" the new puppy (which, Jake did not want any part of!) Redonia, Courtney, Kyleigh, and Scott came by and Jarod - a friend of the family......and guess what we did there - EAT MORE DESSERT!!! By this point - I'm having a major sugar rush!!!!!
Back home at 9:00 and I'm ready to pass out!!! I'm tired, full and the Aggies lost!!!!
Today, my husband is decorating the yard - putting out all the lights......we are ready for Christmas at our home........4 weeks left to shop - OH NO!!!
I hope you all had a blessed Day. Happy Black Friday to those of you brave enough to shop!!!
Love to all
Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Got up at the CRACK OF DAWN to go to the Thanksgiving Day parade downtown. We go early to get a spot and then wait for 2 hours for the parade to start....however, that time is well spent - looking at all the people, eating kolaches, donuts and drinking hot coffee. We also get to spend some time with other family members who will having Thanksgiving with their in-laws. My brother, Kelly and his family, who pastor in Mississippi, were there, it was great to see them for a short time before they left to have Thanksgivng with the McClains.
Then, back to my house where 10 of us gathered to give thanks for all our blessings and dig into all the great food!!! It was wonderful. My mother-in-law made two homemade pies (pecan and cococut) - they were fantastic!!! I need to learn how to make that homemade crust!!!
After cleanup - myself, Jake, one of my sister's Carla, and my mother-in-law, piled into my car and headed to Conroe to visit with Popsie and Grammy (my parents). My sister Paulette and her two kids were there and later - some of my extended family arrived - Kent, Tracie and "bishop" the new puppy (which, Jake did not want any part of!) Redonia, Courtney, Kyleigh, and Scott came by and Jarod - a friend of the family......and guess what we did there - EAT MORE DESSERT!!! By this point - I'm having a major sugar rush!!!!!
Back home at 9:00 and I'm ready to pass out!!! I'm tired, full and the Aggies lost!!!!
Today, my husband is decorating the yard - putting out all the lights......we are ready for Christmas at our home........4 weeks left to shop - OH NO!!!
I hope you all had a blessed Day. Happy Black Friday to those of you brave enough to shop!!!
Love to all
Monday, November 24, 2008
Turkey trot.....whew!
All I can say is ......."Good night nurse!". I had no idea what I was in for when Jake asked me to come to the "turkey trot" at his school today.....I mean, I know there is a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot which is a 3 mile run - but, I must have still been sleeping when I said "sure, I'll leave work and come to your turkey trot".....
Picture this - I get there today, the PARKING lot is roped off and I realize that the parents are supposed to RUN/WALk the parking lot with the kido's!!!!! It's relatively warm out side and for each lap that you "run" (trot) you receive a popsicle stick and it counts towards your class.....so, here I am - all made up - "trotting" around the school parking lot!!!! Cute, let me tell you! I had sweat running everywhere (because I went to work with a long sleeve shirt, jeans and closed toe shoes - not TENNIS shoes to run in - work shoes!!!)
I realize I'm making lasting memories - but, next time - I should check into what exactly he is asking me to do!!! LOL
Jake was so excited that I was there - I couldn't complain - he was introducing me to all his friends (everytime I'm there - I have to meet everyone again and again and again)......LOL
Can't wait to wake up and go to the Houston Thanksgiving day parade. It's been a long standing Patrick tradition - as long as I can remember, I've been going to the parade. Then, it's home to my house for lunch with the in-laws and then over to grammy and popsie's house for leftovers! This is definitely one of my FAVORITE holidays. Believe it or not - as I get older - family is becoming the most important to me and I find myself wanting to be around them much more! There is a bunch of us when both families are together (Patrick/Thomas) but it's alot of fun. Grammy is a special lady as she has always welcomed us into her home and has never made us feel like the "step" kids. All the grands are her grands - there is no separation and that is something to be thankful for as well! She is one special lady and I love her much.
Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving day! We all have so much to be thankful for this year - Paulette is healthy, Timo is healthy and on his way to a great recovery, and all the other nieces and nephews are doing fine. Popsie and Grammy are well and Tootsie (my mother-in-law) completes her final radiation treatment on Wednesday, December 3rd! We are so blessed, above and beyond.
Ok - that's enough sap from me!
Love to all
Be blessed.
Picture this - I get there today, the PARKING lot is roped off and I realize that the parents are supposed to RUN/WALk the parking lot with the kido's!!!!! It's relatively warm out side and for each lap that you "run" (trot) you receive a popsicle stick and it counts towards your class.....so, here I am - all made up - "trotting" around the school parking lot!!!! Cute, let me tell you! I had sweat running everywhere (because I went to work with a long sleeve shirt, jeans and closed toe shoes - not TENNIS shoes to run in - work shoes!!!)
I realize I'm making lasting memories - but, next time - I should check into what exactly he is asking me to do!!! LOL
Jake was so excited that I was there - I couldn't complain - he was introducing me to all his friends (everytime I'm there - I have to meet everyone again and again and again)......LOL
Can't wait to wake up and go to the Houston Thanksgiving day parade. It's been a long standing Patrick tradition - as long as I can remember, I've been going to the parade. Then, it's home to my house for lunch with the in-laws and then over to grammy and popsie's house for leftovers! This is definitely one of my FAVORITE holidays. Believe it or not - as I get older - family is becoming the most important to me and I find myself wanting to be around them much more! There is a bunch of us when both families are together (Patrick/Thomas) but it's alot of fun. Grammy is a special lady as she has always welcomed us into her home and has never made us feel like the "step" kids. All the grands are her grands - there is no separation and that is something to be thankful for as well! She is one special lady and I love her much.
Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving day! We all have so much to be thankful for this year - Paulette is healthy, Timo is healthy and on his way to a great recovery, and all the other nieces and nephews are doing fine. Popsie and Grammy are well and Tootsie (my mother-in-law) completes her final radiation treatment on Wednesday, December 3rd! We are so blessed, above and beyond.
Ok - that's enough sap from me!
Love to all
Be blessed.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thanksgiving Feast - Kindergarten style
I love being able to participate in Jake's school activities. I know that some mom's are not fortunate to be able to attend all their kids activities - but God has blessed me and I'm able to attend most of them.
Today was "Thanksgiving" according to the Kindergarten class and it was a hoot! Of course, the food - was just like I remember school cafeteria food to be - AND it was turkey and dressing at 10:30 AM - but, it was fun to be there and to see Jake get so excited that his mommie was there. He kept asking his friends - "have you met my mommie yet". too cute.
I know, I know, I need to treasure these moments - but like I posted yesterday - give him about 20 minutes and he'll find a reason to slam the door in my face....LOL. He is a good kid most of the time - everyone tells me he acts up for my benefit only. Don't you love it when they stay with the grandparents and you go to pick them up and the grandparents say "he was an angel" and you, the parent, wonder if they are talking about the neighbors kid???
Anway - hope you enjoy the photos that I took today. They were little indians for the luncheon.
Be blessed.
Today was "Thanksgiving" according to the Kindergarten class and it was a hoot! Of course, the food - was just like I remember school cafeteria food to be - AND it was turkey and dressing at 10:30 AM - but, it was fun to be there and to see Jake get so excited that his mommie was there. He kept asking his friends - "have you met my mommie yet". too cute.
I know, I know, I need to treasure these moments - but like I posted yesterday - give him about 20 minutes and he'll find a reason to slam the door in my face....LOL. He is a good kid most of the time - everyone tells me he acts up for my benefit only. Don't you love it when they stay with the grandparents and you go to pick them up and the grandparents say "he was an angel" and you, the parent, wonder if they are talking about the neighbors kid???
Anway - hope you enjoy the photos that I took today. They were little indians for the luncheon.
Be blessed.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
ok - what is it with 5 year olds???
Am I really being paid back for my young, precious, attitude that I had as a child??? I'm sure I was NO where near as crazy as my son is....(no comments from my family - extended family included!) LOL....how can someone so cute......be so.....not cute!!!
Ok - here is the deal - if I'm not being hit, I'm being looked at with non adoring eyes, growled at, pinched, kicked, door slammed in face, drums sticks thrown at walls, tongue stuck out, eyes once again rolling back in the back of his entire head - I mean - come on - you would think that I'm the worst parent on the block and it could be as simple as something like - "No, Jake, you can't stick your hand in the oven door while the cake is baking!"
Now, don't believe for one minute that he doesn't get in trouble for this kind of behaviour - but some of it is so hard to not laugh at because I can totally see me giving my dad and mom some of this same grief (and Mom Shirley too if the truth be told!). However, I know for a FACT that I would have been picking myself up off the floor if some of this attitude had been given to my father.....whew - I don't even want to think about that....those were the days -when you could discipline your child without having to worry about who was watching you.
Of course, for those who don't know me - I was exactly like him and the funny thing is - I get the blame when my nieces and nephews act just like me - like I had anything to do with them being created - but whatever!!! (ROFL). Hannah and Kidron are alot like me and probably get in the most trouble for just acting like Aunt Karen - but, oh well - when it's not my kid - I think it's funny!!!
Anyway - terrible two's are officially extended into the terrible five's and I'm just wondering..........when does it end????
Love to all
Ok - here is the deal - if I'm not being hit, I'm being looked at with non adoring eyes, growled at, pinched, kicked, door slammed in face, drums sticks thrown at walls, tongue stuck out, eyes once again rolling back in the back of his entire head - I mean - come on - you would think that I'm the worst parent on the block and it could be as simple as something like - "No, Jake, you can't stick your hand in the oven door while the cake is baking!"
Now, don't believe for one minute that he doesn't get in trouble for this kind of behaviour - but some of it is so hard to not laugh at because I can totally see me giving my dad and mom some of this same grief (and Mom Shirley too if the truth be told!). However, I know for a FACT that I would have been picking myself up off the floor if some of this attitude had been given to my father.....whew - I don't even want to think about that....those were the days -when you could discipline your child without having to worry about who was watching you.
Of course, for those who don't know me - I was exactly like him and the funny thing is - I get the blame when my nieces and nephews act just like me - like I had anything to do with them being created - but whatever!!! (ROFL). Hannah and Kidron are alot like me and probably get in the most trouble for just acting like Aunt Karen - but, oh well - when it's not my kid - I think it's funny!!!
Anyway - terrible two's are officially extended into the terrible five's and I'm just wondering..........when does it end????
Love to all
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Another hearing test.....here we come!
so, Jake has officially failed his hearing test at school twice now!!!! We had an extensive test down about a year and a half ago where they had to put him to sleep and they monitored his brain waves for 4 hours.......it showed that he show some signs of less hearing in one ear - but not enough for a hearing aid......however, since he has failed both of the hearing test at school....
The nurse at school has recommended he be tested by the district audiologist - which I will do - it's a more extensive test. I will however, consult my pediatrician before going back to TCH for the test that requires a sleep agent.
Just when I think we are on track - bam - here is something else.....please know that I'm not complaining - I've had my share of trials with Jake....I just get comfortable that he is on the safe track and then I get a blast of reality. Let me explain - Jake is a little boy who was 3 months premature - weighing in at one pound....he has seen his share of doctors and hospitals.....he is a miracle - pure and simple! God has answers our prayers everytime and I know this is just another speed bump to cross. What I mean when I say a blast of reality is that Jake doesn't show his disabilities on the outside - so when you see him - you don't even know that he has them - sometimes I get caught up in the "normalacy of Jake" and I get sidetracked by him doing so well and then something will show up and I'll be like - oh yeah.....this is a struggle for him. Now that they have told me that he has failed his hearing test - I realize that he has mentioned a couple of times that he "can't hear" - can I turn the music up......or can I talk louder.....maybe it's all that drumming he does!!! LOL......
Jake is my hero - he doesn't even realize he has issues - he could care less if someone thinks he can't do something because he is going to prove that he can! I know that even if it's time for a hearing aid or some kind of implant - he will overcome whatever is placed in front of him. He already knows that God has brought him this far - he will tell you real quick that he was very tiny when he was born and Jesus healed him.....so, I'm not worried - I'm just "motherly" frustrated!
Please keep us (as well as my nephew Timo who is also struggling with his own hearing loss issues)in your prayers! Everything works out according to his plan for our lives - I believe that and I know that Jake was born into this world for a reason and a purpose and no matter what is thrown in our direction - we will overcome because greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world!!
I will keep you all posted!
Love to you all.
The nurse at school has recommended he be tested by the district audiologist - which I will do - it's a more extensive test. I will however, consult my pediatrician before going back to TCH for the test that requires a sleep agent.
Just when I think we are on track - bam - here is something else.....please know that I'm not complaining - I've had my share of trials with Jake....I just get comfortable that he is on the safe track and then I get a blast of reality. Let me explain - Jake is a little boy who was 3 months premature - weighing in at one pound....he has seen his share of doctors and hospitals.....he is a miracle - pure and simple! God has answers our prayers everytime and I know this is just another speed bump to cross. What I mean when I say a blast of reality is that Jake doesn't show his disabilities on the outside - so when you see him - you don't even know that he has them - sometimes I get caught up in the "normalacy of Jake" and I get sidetracked by him doing so well and then something will show up and I'll be like - oh yeah.....this is a struggle for him. Now that they have told me that he has failed his hearing test - I realize that he has mentioned a couple of times that he "can't hear" - can I turn the music up......or can I talk louder.....maybe it's all that drumming he does!!! LOL......
Jake is my hero - he doesn't even realize he has issues - he could care less if someone thinks he can't do something because he is going to prove that he can! I know that even if it's time for a hearing aid or some kind of implant - he will overcome whatever is placed in front of him. He already knows that God has brought him this far - he will tell you real quick that he was very tiny when he was born and Jesus healed him.....so, I'm not worried - I'm just "motherly" frustrated!
Please keep us (as well as my nephew Timo who is also struggling with his own hearing loss issues)in your prayers! Everything works out according to his plan for our lives - I believe that and I know that Jake was born into this world for a reason and a purpose and no matter what is thrown in our direction - we will overcome because greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world!!
I will keep you all posted!
Love to you all.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Out of the mouth of babes.......
I have to post this - what a sweet heart my niece Hannah is.........as most of you know - my sister Paulette has struggled through this past year with Breast cancer and is officially a survivor! Well, yesterday, a friend of her's was listening to KSBJ and heard this email being read over the air....it was from Paulette's daughter, Hannah. It is too sweet not to share. Hope you enjoy it as much as we all did! I'm very proud of you Hannah - I love you!!!
Email from Hannah to KSBJ:
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 7:51:31 PM
Subject: Thank You/ My Testimony
Okay, this is just something I thought I would share with you. So here it goes:
My name is Hannah, and I'm a 13 yr old girl in Houston, Texas. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about last year, and she won the battle, but now she is fighting infection for the same reason. Well, the other day, my aunts and I were praying for her, and while my aunt was praying, she said, "God, we know that Paulette has been to death's door and came back because of you," and today I realized that I disagree. I like to think that she never made the trip to "death's door", I like to think that God had her in his hands and all she had to do was keep believing and she would make it through. And I just wanted to thank everyone on KSBJ because every time I felt down or sad about my mom, I would just switch my radio on and would listen for a while and it really calmed me down, and made me see that God was in control. So thank you very, very much!
Simply Me
~Hannah C
Email from Hannah to KSBJ:
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 7:51:31 PM
Subject: Thank You/ My Testimony
Okay, this is just something I thought I would share with you. So here it goes:
My name is Hannah, and I'm a 13 yr old girl in Houston, Texas. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about last year, and she won the battle, but now she is fighting infection for the same reason. Well, the other day, my aunts and I were praying for her, and while my aunt was praying, she said, "God, we know that Paulette has been to death's door and came back because of you," and today I realized that I disagree. I like to think that she never made the trip to "death's door", I like to think that God had her in his hands and all she had to do was keep believing and she would make it through. And I just wanted to thank everyone on KSBJ because every time I felt down or sad about my mom, I would just switch my radio on and would listen for a while and it really calmed me down, and made me see that God was in control. So thank you very, very much!
Simply Me
~Hannah C
Monday, November 17, 2008
Beautiful weather........makes me feel like dancing!
I love this time of year - it always makes the holidays feel much more like "holidays" when it's cold vs. hot! I can remember going to the Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown Houston when it was FREEZING and we were all bundled up, with hot chocolate......and then, I can remember times when we were sweating like pigs....it's just hard to get in the spirit of the holidays when it's hot - but, when the weather is nice and cool.....I'm ready to celebrate!
I love to make my mom's famous chicken and dumplings when it's cold.....it's my favorite fall food. My husband, Mark, loves chili - the hotter the better for him. If you are not sweating bullets while eating it - it's not chili.....or so he says!
Jake is such a picky eater! However, I was pleasantly surprised when I made Mexican cornbread the other night (without the jalapeno) and he ate the whole thing off his plate!!! Score one for mom. I recently bought the "deceptively delicious" cookbook that Jessica Seinfield wrote where you puree the veggies and "hide" them in the food - I'm hoping that I can trick Jake into eating more healthy.
I made an great, easy cake yesterday - here is the recipe if anyone wants to try it....it's simply called "good cake"
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup oil
1 cup orange juice
4 eggs
1 can coconut pecan frosting
Mix ALL ingredients (even frosting) in bundt pan - 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. turn to 300 for about 30 more minutes. Cook until test done. Can lay foil on top so it won't get too brown for last 30 minutes. This is very good and SO easy!
Be Blessed.
I love to make my mom's famous chicken and dumplings when it's cold.....it's my favorite fall food. My husband, Mark, loves chili - the hotter the better for him. If you are not sweating bullets while eating it - it's not chili.....or so he says!
Jake is such a picky eater! However, I was pleasantly surprised when I made Mexican cornbread the other night (without the jalapeno) and he ate the whole thing off his plate!!! Score one for mom. I recently bought the "deceptively delicious" cookbook that Jessica Seinfield wrote where you puree the veggies and "hide" them in the food - I'm hoping that I can trick Jake into eating more healthy.
I made an great, easy cake yesterday - here is the recipe if anyone wants to try it....it's simply called "good cake"
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup oil
1 cup orange juice
4 eggs
1 can coconut pecan frosting
Mix ALL ingredients (even frosting) in bundt pan - 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. turn to 300 for about 30 more minutes. Cook until test done. Can lay foil on top so it won't get too brown for last 30 minutes. This is very good and SO easy!
Be Blessed.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk
I've always been a proud sponsor of the Susan G. Komen foundation - not only because they are a great cause - but because I would walk in honor of my mother, Euna Patrick, who passed away from breast cancer in 1983. This year, I had a very proud moment in my life when I got to walk with my sister, Paulette, who is a ONE year SURVIVOR! What a great moment it was to see her walk down the survivor path and cheer for her! She has come such a long way and has been through so much this past year - but has always kept up her spirits and took what was handed her without complaining!!! Way to go Paulette - you are my hero! I love you!!!
Be blessed.
Be blessed.
Jake's 6th Halloween!!!
halloween is so much fun at our house.......this is the first year that we decorated the yard - every year - we'll add a little more... nothing spooky - just good, clean fun. Look at Jake - big, bad spiderman! I'm surprised the costume lasted until halloween - he played in it for days prior to the 31st! This is the first year he would wear a mask - and even then - it only lasted about 10 minutes into trick-r-treatin'.......he got so much candy!!! WHEW. His Dad gets the honor of walking through the neighborhood with Jake - I stay home and pass out candy.......after they toured the "hood", Jake helped the prisoner pass out candy........
One of the funniest stories that we have from a past halloween is a couple of years ago - Jake was a pony with a big, long bushy tail.....he was too young to walk - so Mark carried him around the neighborhood....little did we know - several of our neighbors saw Mark from the back and thought Mark was trick-r-treatin' with his DOG!!!!! We found out a couple years later - after getting to know them - that they thought Mark was out trick-r-treatin with his dog!!!! Poor Jake!!!
enjoy!
One of the funniest stories that we have from a past halloween is a couple of years ago - Jake was a pony with a big, long bushy tail.....he was too young to walk - so Mark carried him around the neighborhood....little did we know - several of our neighbors saw Mark from the back and thought Mark was trick-r-treatin' with his DOG!!!!! We found out a couple years later - after getting to know them - that they thought Mark was out trick-r-treatin with his dog!!!! Poor Jake!!!
enjoy!
My first attempt
Hello everyone - this is my first attempt at blogging......so hang in there! More to come as I figure this all out!!!
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