Jesus Shines

Jesus Shines night and day to show us the way.

"...And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was." Matthew 2:9b

Please continue to remember that Jesus goes before you, preparing the way and knows what there is to come. He will never take you down a road you couldn't handle.

Chicken

So recently I made a chicken. It was my first whole chicken. I was pretty excited and nervous about what we would find inside it. You know if they had taken out the guts or if I would have to do it. Thankfully it's parts were in a bag, which is now in my freezer since I'm not ready to tackle that new adventure but don't want to be wasteful.

Any suggestions about what to do with them would be appreciated as I have NO CLUE what you do with whatever parts are in this little bag...

Once we got over the inital fear of the bird (and it's innards) we really enjoyed it. Claire and I helped it do the chicken dance... yes our bird was shaking it's butt right before we stuffed it full of salt, pepper, and parsley.

Then we put that bird in the crockpot, covered it in salt, pepper, basil, parsley and butter. Yes Aunt Stasi- we did put butter in that bird's armpits because everyone who knows anything (ie anyone from our house) knows that butter belongs in your armpit.

Then we cooked that bird... for like 7 hours (2 on high and the rest on low). While it cooked we called some friends to help us eat the chicken.
They came and brought the pie. :)
We think we'll try doing a duck next! Any advice from those who have done that before?

Advent

This year I made my own Advent calendar. I made it out of a mini muffin tin and some magnetized scrapbook paper and stickers. I am quite fond of it. And the thing I am most fond of is the storage space it takes up, or lack of storage space; I can fit it into my pocket!

I can also use the tin for other things, baking muffins and cupcakes of course but also countdowns to vacations, birthdays and other holidays.
I even made some small magnets to put inside. Since the books I bought won't fit in the tiny cup, there will be a present magnet (sticker stuck to a business card magnet and cut out). A matching sticker will be on one gift wrapped book for the kids to open that day.
Can you tell I'm excited!?

I am hoping that doing advent this year will keep us focused on the true meaning of the holidays. Jesus' birth, God's sacrifice and our Hope.

Merry Christmas!

Better Late than Never

69. family
70. my Grandma Rita and all the life lessons she taught me without even trying.
71. Knowing that it doesn't matter where you eat on thanksgiving, as long as you are with family. (a GR lesson)
72. That I am NOT doing ANY shopping today
73. Days off work
74. off switches
75. Slippers
76. ears
77. the number 6
78. health
79. that it is now acceptable to think obsessively about Christmas
80. That Claire reminds me what Christmas is about (Mommy, will there be cake at Jesus' birthday party?) (ps. mom do you use real cherries for His cake?)
81. That it's only Friday but it feels like Sunday
82. socks
83. rugs
84. my vacuum cleaner
85. Fixed computers
86. tissues
87. modern medicine

Blast from Holidays Past

So I just unearthed a reminder of what the holidays are like. I was moving Christmas from the back of our only storage space to the front so that when we wanted to put up the decorations we could skip the entire days worth of work that it takes to get to the decorations and just put them up in holiday bliss.
In my rearranging I found a tote, unlabled and rather large considering our small amout of storage here. I remember putting the tote in the closet around the end of Christmas last year. In the tote that took up a lot of my storage space I found :
1 dirty baby sock (Claire's)
6 small pieces of cut up twine that used to tie something up (I'm guessing)
1 crushed and USED christmas bow
1 annoying as anything crying box out of a babydoll that Claire recieved last year.
2 duffel bags I have been searching for all year
1 life vest for and infant (still brand new)
1 empty Christmas ornament box for Claire's first year onament.
And that's it.
Why was I saving this strange assortment of mostly garbage? Why did I allocate about 1/8 of my storage space to storing it for a year? The world may never know.

Tubs to Tears

47. bath time
48. a home all my own
49. family all on one continet
50. having my computer home
51. not having to talk to the police in a whole year at least about anything
52. Shoes
53. bubbles
54. graham crackers
55. movies in bed
56. dishwasher!!!
57. Forgiveness
58. Love
59. Hope
60. Packages
61. Picture Frames no one else wanted
62. hearing
63. Sight
64. the lack of mirrors in my house
65. breath (the deep relaxing kind)
66. Laughter (especially the big kind from little people)
67. tears
68. Joy

Thankful Through the Storm

36. Marshmallows
37. Hot cocoa made with warm milk
38. My kids :)
39. A warm home to be in
40. Child locks on cupboards (how I wish mine would actually work all the time)
41. Kids who think cleaning is fun
42. My husband who takes such good care of me (I love you honey)
43. Flowers to brighten both my house and my day (from the husband who loves me)
44. Crayons
45. Feelings of accomplishment
46. Christmas decorations

It's a Wonderful Life I Lead

We have begun the process of becoming married with children. No, even though some days our lives may seem like they are right out of the soap operas I am really meaning that we are getting responsible. You know, insurance, wills, all that grown up stuff.
So far we have spoken with the life insurance guy, and met with the come-to-your-house Dr. who takes your urine and blood. I have only tuned out during babble that I don't understand once and I passed out after they took my blood but came to rather quickly. Overall I think it's been a success so far.
However, growing up is stressful and when I get stressed I start having strange dreams. Like the night we met with the insurance guy I had a dream nightmare about what life would be like if I passed. Jimmy would have to take care of the kids and in my dream they didn't get up on time for daycare. Claire dressed herself in neon green and orange leggings and a pink party dress with her 'fuzzy' shoes and knee high socks with cupcakes on them (all items she has in her wardrobe, but we don't usually wear them together). He didn't know where I kept the diapers and had no clue about how to change Nick. They ate Peanut butter sandwiches or pasta for every meal and Jimmy hadn't changed the sheets in over 4 months. (I'm not sure how I knew that...) Needless to say, life was bleak.
So I think I will stick around a little while longer, until I can train Claire to cook, and dress herself, and until Nick is potty trained, and can change the sheets by himself. It's good to be reminded they still need me. (and probably always will)

Another Full Night and Day

28. full nights of sleep

29. blankets

30. washing machine

31. America and it's freedoms and opportunities

32. my Dad

33. the anticipation of something good

34. Sisters (of all kinds)

35. DVR

So as I was writing this I typed 'chickens' for number 34. Making chickens a repeat, I took it off but the oddity of 'chickens' appearing twice in my list of things I am thankful for was not lost to me. Maybe we'll head over to the zoo to crow at the roosters and chickens today in appreciation for them. We were up before them this morning. I am not thankful for daylight savings.

Cows to Chickens

14. cows
15. sister-in-laws
16. visits from actual sisters :)
17. Pillows
18. gas (the kind you put in your car)
19. email
20. beautiful fabric (even though I don't have a sewing machine to do anything with it)
21. my gram (who taught me that there is no shame in stock piling large quantities of fabric with no real intended purpose)
22. my Aunt Peggy
23. mail from friends
24. stamps
25. Christmas in the air
26. The Chicken Dance song (which plays on repeat at our house these days)
27. Brother-in-laws who married my sister and introduced #26 into my children's lives; Thanks Mark :P

I'm on a roll!
I really do have a lot to be thankful for today;
This morning I get to have some time to myself AND a visit from my sister AND my husband home for dinner!

That could have read; This morning I am going to the 'lady doctor' AND my sister is coming to work at my house so we don't get to play even though she's right there AND my husband probably won't be home for dinner.
But that's not as positive as I feel this morning. I am choosing to accentuate the positive, and eliminate the negative. Nauffy weather outside take your best shot, my bubble of sunshine will prevail!

Plenty to be Thankful For

So, as with everything in my life, I am a little behind, or maybe I'm just way ahead. My mind has completely skipped over an entire holiday...
I am already dreaming of Christmas decorations for my house, I have begun shopping for gifts and I'm blogging about Christmas cards (which by the way netted me free Christmas cards for 'almost' all my facebook friends)(YAY!).
Forget Thanksgiving. I would I guess if I didn't have so much to be thankful for, and so many people to remind me to be thankful :)
So here goes:
1. A Jesus who loves me
2. Two beautiful and healthy kids
3. My ability to smile
4. My kids ability to make me smile
5. Hardwood flooring
6. My mom (I meant to put her near the top cause I know she appreciates it) (oops)
**Now is a good time to remind you all that this list is in no real order**
7. Love, and especially a family who always loves (no matter what)
8. books
9. The library
10. brownies in a mug with a glass of cold milk
11. money
12. Sisters
**Again not in any real order**
13. new paper items

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it-
is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward

You Get a Card.. And YOU get a Card... EVERYbody Get a CARD!

This year I decided to do my Christmas cards on Shutterfly.com.
I scrolled down the page, about halfway down I had set aside 6 designs that I really liked. That's when I knew I was in trouble. My list this year is short, I am not sending to Jimmy's boss, the guy who owns the deli, or girlfriends who Jimmy's friends will probably break up with before the cards even arrive. In fact this year my list of close friends and family tops out at 40. But with this many different card options, I'll be sending a different adorable card to every person on my list!

There are all types of cards!
Some that are classic:

I really like the bright colors they used this year in lieu of the red and green that dominates everything else.









They have ones that feature you/your adorable kids really big;
Or not so big if you aren't cute or have no kids
(notice that I am not in any of these)


If you forget to order them in time,
no fear, send out Thank You cards with your pictures on them. Who doesn't love a picture of an over enthusiastic three year old ripping paper off a box like it contains Curious George himself.

And if your list is even shorter than mine they have priced their holiday gifts to make them super affordable as well as cute! Every year I make a calendar for our family so we can look back and remember just what we were doing a year ago or how little the kids were 'just one year ago'. They have different designs this year, more childlike and like the cards, full of bright colors and great designs.

Oh heck forget the 40 people I love the most, this year I'll be sending a different card to each of my facebook friends. Nevermind that I don't know where half of them live anymore; my kids look so cute on these cards I need to brag to everyone I know!

Trick or Treat

When I was a kid we went trick or treating a few times. I don't think we went every year. Maybe we did and I just don't remember but a few times really stick out in my mind. Like the time we went to knock on a door and our hand went right on thru because there was no glass or screen in the door. Or getting all dressed up for the parade and getting a fifty cent coin for making it to the end. Or... ok really those are my only trick or treat memories. (good to know if we miss a few years it doesn't matter cause they won't remember anyway)
Anyway, things have changed. now you have to have a cool outfit and all the right accessories. The most absurd accessory is the trick or treat bag or bucket. You can get them in all kinds of shapes and sizes now with the option to personalize or not. But really all they need is a shopping bag (like the plastic grocery store kind you have a million of) or a pillow case if you are feeling especially earth friendly.
But look how cute these are...

Who could deny their perfect little child of such joy? They need to carry around a bag that is, lets face it, as adorable as they are.

So tonight I made Nick one.

It came out pretty cute. (if I do say so myself) And I now feel bad for all those little kids who will be carrying around dirty old pillowcases or disposable plastic shopping bags.
Amazing how having your own kids changes your views on a lot of things.

My Melodious Mess

I meant to clean my kitchen I honestly did....
So I called my mom; to have her yell at me to do it (I remember from when I was younger that she's so good at that)
She didn't answer.
I tried my sisters; to have them tell me that I just couldn't live this way any longer, it was a disgrace.
They didn't answer their phones.
So I went for a walk with my kids before the sun set.
Then I was going to clean the kitchen, honestly.
But then I ended up cleaning the living room.
I was cleaning the living room; honest.
Then somehow I was doing the chicken dance with Claire and Nick.
They are quite good at it actually. Nick's little singing birdies are SOOO CUTE!

So instead of cleaning my kitchen I was making birdies sing and flap their wings and shake their butts!

Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap

Join Us For Dinner

Our Lives of late have been very 'ordinary'. Not that they weren't ordinary before, just that now we are faced with extra ordinary days. We have nothing to blog about. (that's not true) We have not blogged anything of note for quite some time. (that IS true)
So, we are going to blog about the 'ordinary'.

Dinner.

Almost every family we know has dinner. There are big campaigns across the country pushing family dinner. Reminding us just how important family dinner is. It is so powerful to eat as a family that it has been found in studies to reduce obesity, drug use, teen and unplanned pregnancies and eating disorders. It also boosts self-esteem and school grades.

So mix up something good tonight and join us for dinner. As a family.

UGH!

---SIGH----
the biggest, longest, most air ever released at one time;
--SIGH--
an attempt to release some of the tension built up;
-SIGH-
a last ditch effort to pull it all together and move forward
SIGH
the kiss of death to my day.

A Great Fall Day

Today started a bit stressfully with Jury Duty. That meant that I had to empty my purse. As you can pretty much deduce from reading this blog I don't get out much (read: at all). So going out sans kids meant that I had to dig out a real bag as opposed to my diaper bag; which I take everywhere much to the shock of my mother-in-law who offered me a handbag to borrow for my sister's wedding. I told her I'd just have the diaper bag. Her look was like ice water after the hot tub... it's been a while since diaper bags for her.
ANYWAY
I had to empty out my purse (yes I own about one that is presentable). This is the contents. It made me giggle so I took a picture for you so you could giggle too.

It includes some Swedish fish that were stuck to the lining (that are from the Lamaze class Jim and I took together for Nick), Nick's hospital band (how long were those fish in there?), kids sunscreen and of course a measuring tape (that made me feel close to my mom) and some other randomness.
After all that work of putting away (mostly throwing away) the contents of my purse. I re-packed it for jury duty. An ipad, iphone, summer reading book, and birth certificates for both of our kids.
Jim and I drove in together this morning which was nice.
It took me all of 20 min to get out of jury duty (and probably 10 of those were waiting at security)
I came home to my sweeties and then Jimmy surprised us by taking a half day!
We made spaghetti squash casserole! YUMMY! So good and even better the next day as left overs.

A Sense of Accomplishment

I feel the need to share what I did today.
I outfitted my kids for winter. (both of them)
I racked up a total of $110 and paid $32!
(that's $78 saved!)
I get warm fuzzies and the kids stay warm but hopefully not fuzzy. :)

Nick at New Heights

As you all know, Nick likes to climb on things. Anything really. Now he has discovered steps. Like using one thing to help him get onto something higher; easier and with more consistency. He likes this Fisher Price chair, you know the yellow ones; cause it's light, and sturdy. He's into things I never thought he would be into. And he loves, loves, LOVES the silverware drawer, and the computer. He figured out the other day how to take the keys off the keyboard. (thankfully he only takes off the 'option' and 'control' keys and I have two) I feel the need to document it because I know no one will believe me when I tell them about his problem solving skills or his strength and agility. So take a look yourself.
(Insert Video of Nick carrying chair out of my room where I hide it, across the living room and into the kitchen to the silverware drawer where he then navigates it around to figure out how to get into the drawer while one the chair. Blogger apparently deems this unacceptable for viewing and will not load it)

(BOO)

What can I do? does the chair have to go? He likes it so much I wish it wasn't so potentially dangerous.

Date Night

The kids are asleep.
it's only 8:30!!!
they put themselves to sleep.
did I mention; it's only 8:30!!!
The house is clean.
So far a great date night.
If only my date were here :(
Alas, he is food shopping.
Maybe he'll bring home something yummy to eat. :)
Date night is great.

How Long till this Feels like Family?

This past weekend my littlest sister got married. To a guy she adores more than anything I have ever seen her adore, (perhaps even more than sharpie markers and ductape). It was a magical day, watching them make that commitment to one another and more interestingly and impressive, watching them navigate the union of their two families for one day, bringing together two visions (or more) of the way the day should go; and they did it with grace. Bravo! Ami and Mark, Bravo!

It got my wheels turning, about family, extended family, pseudofamily and my own family. It was so nice to see my family. To spend time with them and remember that I am loved unconditionally, something I forget a lot these days. It was good to get hugs, kisses, cuddles and even the jabs were welcomed.
In laws aren't like that. If there's one thing about marriage that I have found it's that even though your 'new' family likes you, accepts you, welcomes you, they'll never replace or replicate your 'real' family. Their hugs will never make you melt as much as the ones your dad gives you, their jabs will always make you think twice, and their kisses will always feel foreign. At least this is what my limited observations have made me conclude. Perhaps as time lapses the lines will blur, perhaps my own family is so close they defy the norm, perhaps I am just having an especially melancholy day. But this weekend made me think, When will this start to feel like family? and Why is Christmas so far away?

Go Ahead. Be Amazed.

I know I am.
This weekend my baby sister is getting married. It's hard to believe, and mostly it hasn't set in yet, until I see her in that amazing dress again. (I cried the first time) But I told her a long time back that I would take care of the flower girl's headpieces, she wanted flowers in their hair in the same color as the bridesmaid dresses. Good thing DB dresses are made for women who are seven feet tall we all had extra fabric that was cut off our dresses. That's what I used. Then I cut it down, took a flame to it (yes I burned myself on the first attempt). But out of the ashes rose these beauties!

I am impressed myself, they came out better than I thought they would. I can't wait to see the girls with them on. and I can't wait to see Ami get married and I can't wait to hug my mommy and daddy. Mostly I can't wait for this weekend!

Apple Picking

We went apple picking with Grandma and Grandpa Bill today. It was the first time picking anything for our little family. We drove and drove and drove some more but in the end it was all worth it to spend some time together, without phones ringing or places to be later. I can honestly say this was the most relaxed we all have been lately.

Nick loved being able to run around wherever he pleased. And surprisingly he did not try to climb any of the trees.

Claire also enjoyed the freedoms of the 'country' and the many apples, I think in total today she ate about 4 apples herself.

Good times were had by all.

We Got Trouble

Right here in New York City.
We are in some serious trouble. We are in need of some cement shoes or something. Today Nick expanded his horizons. Vertically.
I walked into Claire's room today only to find Nick standing on top of the dresser! Yes, the really tall, really beautiful one that GB made for her. Yup. and you know what he did next? He looked at me; all sweet with those baby blues and pointed up to Claire's mobile; that hangs above her bed and says 'budda fly' just like that. He speaks, he climbs, and he aspires to master door knobs in the very near future. We are in some serious trouble.

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Today we played with paint during nap time. "On the floor!?" That was my soon to be three year old's reaction when I suggested it. She's too clean for her own good. She had fun, a change of scenery combined with some new paints and larger work area were a good idea.

A bad idea is for mommy to get distracted by a phone call from the Aunt and chat away the time she should be doing dishes while talking to her budding artist. Another bad idea is for mommy to continue to chat once little brother gets up from nap. Worst idea ever; leaving the room where muffin tin full of paint and budding artist are after little brother gets up from nap to continue to chat. Do you see the path of bad ideas?

We Just Got a Letter

We got our first letter from our letter writing activity today.
The other week Claire checked the mail and was abnormally upset that none of it was for her. I tried to convince her that some of the unsolicited Capital One advertisements were for her but she wasn't buying it. Unfortunately the only letter in the alphabet she recognizes with any consistency is also the first letter in her name.
So I tenderly explained that you have to 'send a letter to get a letter'. She immediately had in mind who she could write a letter to and who 'might' send her one back.
So we set to the task. She dictated to me what she wanted to write. The first one was good, a bit abstract but good. And as they went on they got more bizarre and abstract. (we sent 4 to increase our odds of receiving one back). I believe the last thing on the last letter was something about Uncle Mark picking up sticks to feed to the squirrels.

So she was excited to get a letter from Grandma and Grandpa Bill today in the mail. We see them pretty often lately so there wasn't much in the ways of news but she was thrilled to get a letter. Tomorrow perhaps we will write back.
I forgot to take pictures of the first letters (and I regret it. If you got a letter and still have it could you take a pic and send it to me? thanks). I think if we continue to pen pal with everyone I will compile an album of her letters.

Shopping and The Seal

Yesterday we played 'cash' (as Claire likes to call it). I 'shop' from the food box and she rings me up at her register (which yes, it also doubles as the top to her play stove). We could do this for hours and yesterday we did. Everything at Claire's Grocery costs $3, and some of it is 'ganic' (organic) and some of it is on sale! but even the sale items are $3. And a bag of groceries will set you back... you guessed it $3.

Even Nick got into the fun of ringing me up.
I love these kids! I will miss Claire so much when she heads to school next year.

In other news; Nick has the croup (again). Last night I was getting ready to hit the hay and I heard it; the seal that lives inside my son. We took a walk around the block in the night air and some steroids and tossed and turned and fussed all night. Today we are going to ride it out and see how tonight goes before we rush to the Dr. Please pray for him as the main problem is the fear factor for him. He gets scared and then cries and that makes it worse. poor guy. Also if you know of any ways to sleep without actually sleeping I would pay top dollar. (that means $3 of course) :)

Ah the Joy!

I want a cookie
If you pick up all the animals and put them in their box, then you may have a cookie
Nick made that animal mess
I know, but I am asking YOU to pick it up please. then you may have a cookie
Well I'm asking YOU to go fishing. then you may get a fish.

Do you Know?

What side of the gorilla is the hairiest?
A: The outside
What sound does a hippo make?
A: An evil laughing sound


Additional useless facts :
If facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd most populous country IN THE WORLD just below China and India!

Fun with Fingers

Napped in the car today on the way to the craft store, (more to come from that trip later on) so no real napping progress made today but it did mean that Nick was able to join us for some quality time; fingerpainting! Nick didn't like the texture and Claire wasn't too interested.. I think given the time I would have fingerpainted for hours, I forgot just how fun it feels between your fingers. We made our own fingerpaint out of cornstarch and water and food coloring. what it lacked in the actual coloring part of the paint it more than made up for in the texture. You should give it a try yourself. And remember that you are never too old to fingerpaint!

Additionally I took on a project all my own. A bedtime routine chart. I saw one online somewhere. (if it's your idea, sorry I can't credit you 'cause I don't remember who you are. but I like it) The check marks are magnetic and you can stick them on after you complete a task. I plan to use it later on for chores as Claire gets older.

In other news:

Aunt Stasi is back! We think she might like us :)
She taught us this great raspberry thing... I would like to thank her from the bottom of my slimy arm...

Another Day Another Adventure

Another 'successful' napping experience. (Although I can't figure that it's any kind of comfortable)

And thumbprint bugs. :)

Begin with the Basics

We recently began "sleep training" Nick, I remember how hard it was to do this with Claire and have put it off as long as I could without feeling like I was not doing for Nick what I had done for Claire. I think it's important for children to learn to put themselves to sleep and the earlier the better because they aren't forming bad sleep habits.
*jumps of soapbox*
But it's breaking my heart all over again to hear him cry, to be right there and have to restrain myself from running to him and scooping him up. I know in the long run, and in the grand scheme of things it's only for a short time and it will benefit him and me but... ooo he breaks my heart. It's just a daily reminder of how much I love him.
On a happier note,
I am taking the opportunity that this new napping schedule has offered us to spend more quality time with Claire. We are starting with the most basic, and fun mother/daughter 'crafts'; fruit loop necklaces.

A Cooperative Tale

Yesterday I did my first ever shift at the food coop. The food coop is a grocery store, where I work. In exchange for being able to shop there at discounted prices. It's a pretty good deal. I worked in the childcare room, a nursery of sorts for those who are working or shopping and don't want to/can't have their kids in tow. Nothing to note as of yet but there are so many possibilities for great stories out of this new adventure. (which Claire drew in big red scribbles then told me "This is our adventure mommy") What I loved about last night was the way they use the intercom. It's like if you were in the grocery store and everyone there had access to the intercom. Here are some of the best ones of the night: (but not all - by far)

I can now help the lady who wanted to know about the vitamins if she could meet me by the sweet ice cream treats. Thank you.

Can anyone tell me if we have any more watermelons? (second person's reply) No more watermellons today hopefully we'll get some more tomorrow.

Can anyone tell me what isle the popcorn is in? (second person's reply) Isle 2 is the bulk popcorn for --- cents a lb. and in isle 4 is the prepackaged microwave popcorn - if you want that. Hope that helps.

It's so much fun! I can't wait to go back. Unfortunately we only work once a month for 2.7 hrs. I see lots of grocery shopping in our future, just because it's such an adventure every time now :)

Listen to your mom. She's always right.

So when I was 21 my mom bought me/sent me a book. Things I need to know in my 20's. The first chapter was all the different ways you can make an egg. Sunny side up, Sunny side down, poached, scrambled, and some others I had never heard of. I laughed at it and skipped that chapter for the one that was titled "Marriage is NOT a rowdy sex romp", then passed the book onto my sister who also laughed with me at the egg chapter and skipped to other chapters more appealing to her. I never thought that my husband would ever ask me to poach an egg or how to poach an egg. Then today at lunch Jim turns to me and says "Hey hun, how do you poach an egg?" Just like that! Out of the blue. Panic set in. I was so unprepared. This was something my mother had tried to prepare me for and I laughed it off. Sorry mom. You were right.