Friday, February 27, 2009

Inspiration



I keep this picture from a magazine on my bathroom mirror. I see it every day.

Look at it again. See that woman? Don't let her killer abs distract you from the really impressive part. She is running up a hill with a metal leg attached to a blade for a foot. See her expression? She does not pity her situation. She meets it head on and takes it for a jog.

When I first saw this picture I stared at it. To me she is a pefect example of human perseverence. When I am discouraged, negative, whiney, achey, I remember this woman and she encourages me to push on.

Who are your heroes, your points of inspiration? Have you ever told them? The few times I have slowed to tell someone, "I really admire the way you _____" I am always glad I did. Try it!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Smile!

My really awesome daughter made this for me! The pictures say to click on them, but just use the arrows on the bottom to turn the pages!


Click to play this Smilebox photobook: Family Photos
Create your own photobook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox photobook

Monday, February 23, 2009

Funny Onesie


This is my husband's favorite piece of baby clothing we have ever owned. It's a gift from my long time good friend Danielle. It's from "Fortune Tees" and came packaged in a snappy Chinese take out box. Cute, memorable gift, already wrapped, can order online ... wish I had thought of it!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Where did this DNA come from?


This is a picture of Nolan helping me prepare dinner. He offered to help me! This is not as much an indication of his helpful age, but more of the fact that he loves food. Unusual food. Foods like calamari, crab, coconut and shrimp.

My other kids do not fall into this category of exotic food lover. Nope, in them we have tiny eaters, picky eaters, no meat eaters, and just-give-me-a-cheeseburger eaters. If something new comes across their plates they gape in disbelief and want an extensive 411 on what the offending new food is, and exactly how it was prepared.

Nolan, on the other hand, wants to buy shrimp from the back of pick up trucks, grab coconuts just because they are available, and covets chestnuts ... yes, roasted chestnuts. In fact, I believe buying roasted chestnuts from a kiosk was his highlight of our recent trip to NYC.

Unfortunately the poor little cute guy has me for a mother. Someone who believes the fewer ingredients the better the food will taste, and who believes in buying locally. This ends up producing a predictable, albeit healthy, menu. I can only hope his interest in food and cuisine remains ... after all it does give me some happy help in the kitchen!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Childrens Art









It has taken me many years to accomplish this. And by many, I mean over a decade. How embarrassing.

After one fun evening of the kids rummaging through their keepsake boxes I realized what great artwork has been hiding under my bed ... for ten years. This actually is a little misleading because we have moved many times, but after each move they again return to under our bed.

In any case, I have been scavenging thrift stores and clearance aisles for frames, and have come up with a cute collection of my children's artwork. Most of them ended up on the walls in Nolan and Emmeline's room. (Again, misleading because calling it Emmeline's room suggests she spends time in it, like at night, when in reality she is smack dab in the middle of our bed.)

I have more to finish off, but for the mean time they have really brightened the room (and given some balance to the existing Star Wars theme). Check back with me in another 10 and I might have them done!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Pregnant, and no it's not me!






Yeah! Heard news my wonderful sister in law Celeste and her husband Dave are expecting their third child! They are just the best parents in the world to their almost two year old twin boys, Ian and Shane. Here's the kicker ... she was on the pill when they were conceived. They had planned for more children (although maybe not right now) and are very excited. Now, this is great, super news for them, but I find it Terrifying. A seventh baby is not in our forecast, and luckily nothing convinces a father of six to get to the urologist like hearing about an unexpected pregnancy.

The last time I saw their beautiful family was over Christmas when Tom's extended family came and stayed with us. Lots of people, lots of snow, lots of fun.

The mind of an 11 year old boy

Doesn't he look adorable? Innocent, even?

This sweetie pie nearly set the school on fire last week. I delivered their lunches straight from Noah's Bagels -- not because I am a Really Nice Mom, but because I am Sometimes Too Tired to get Lunches Packed Mom. Brian and two of his sisters are in the second shift of lunch, and since the bagel dogs had been sitting there for 25 minutes, apparently Brian thought it would be great to warm his bagel dog in the microwave. His big sister's bagel dog, too.

Unfortunately for the cafeteria microwave and the food it contained, the aluminum wrapper was not removed before the cooking began. Apparently Brian gave Chloe a big smile and said, "I'm warming your lunch for you!", whereupon Chloe noticed a FIRE in the microwave!

In small schools any type of fire in the cafeteria microwave is big, big news. The Main Lunch Lady was alerted. Water was deployed. And two kids went hungry.




Cute baby

Sweet Emmeline at 4 months two weeks is looking a lot like her big sisters!







Sunday, February 15, 2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Turning forty!

I knew this day would come. A lady nicely asked me today if I was Emmeline's GRANDMA.

Ouch.

Now, I am still 39 although this is the month I turn 40. As in, "Hey mom, I'm FOURteen, Emmeline is FOUR months old and you are turning FORty." The indignity of it all!!!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Sleepless Nights

Ohhhh ... it's coming back to me. Babies with colds, unable to sleep or really breathe. The stuff of nightmares and creator of wrinkles.

Poor Emmeline is so congested AND has a runny nose. Cancelled her four month check up for today; no shots on top of this bug. Tom was up with her for a few hours early on and I took the late shift. She is now sleeping peacefully, but I need to get to the market and drop off the kids' lunches at school so I will wake her soon. Darn.

After raising twin infants this should be easier. It is not easy, and I am not 29. I am on the countdown to 40 and feel every second. My hips hurt, my back hurts, I have grey hair, and just recently had some sun spots (aka "mask of pregnancy") burned off, & my face looks mud splattered. I had a skin check while I was there -- now that was an experience! The dermatologist even looked between my toes! Everyone, get your skin checked every few years; skin cancer is more easily treated when caught early. Just do it!