Happy Birthday, old lady! I miss you so much!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Confessions of a broken chef
Okay, so I normally LOVE to cook. I enjoy being in the kitchen, I enjoy preparing meals, and the kids enjoy helping me. It is really great family time. However, I have run into a few little snags. First of all, we are stuck in a rut. I make the same meals over and over because I know that everyone likes them and will eat them. Second of all, every new meal that I have tried lately has totally bombed.
Why?
Because my family is picky (and occasionally because I might have left out an ingredient!).
So now I am completely scarred and unable to try anything new.
Here's where you come in - I really need your help! What is the favorite meal in your house? Oh, let me give you a few more guidelines:
1) It can't be very expensive to prepare
2) It can't have any beans or onions in it
3) My husband would appreciate it if it isn't a casserole (although I personally love casseroles so I say bring it on)
4) Venison recipes are highly appreciated
I really need some good ideas. I've tried so many different recipes off of the internet lately, and my family stops just short of clutching their stomachs and collapsing to the floor. I'm losing my confidence now, so I want recipes that I know other people have actually enjoyed.
So, let's have it! Help me return to hero status in my home, and add some meals to our repertoire!
Why?
Because my family is picky (and occasionally because I might have left out an ingredient!).
So now I am completely scarred and unable to try anything new.
Here's where you come in - I really need your help! What is the favorite meal in your house? Oh, let me give you a few more guidelines:
1) It can't be very expensive to prepare
2) It can't have any beans or onions in it
3) My husband would appreciate it if it isn't a casserole (although I personally love casseroles so I say bring it on)
4) Venison recipes are highly appreciated
I really need some good ideas. I've tried so many different recipes off of the internet lately, and my family stops just short of clutching their stomachs and collapsing to the floor. I'm losing my confidence now, so I want recipes that I know other people have actually enjoyed.
So, let's have it! Help me return to hero status in my home, and add some meals to our repertoire!
Monday, March 21, 2011
The rest of the story
Carlye and I swinging in the park in my old home town. Ah, the memories........
Carl took this picture for me before we left Manti. L to R - Me, Popi and Grandma Doreen
After leaving Manti we stopped at this rest stop to enjoy our lunch, and the kids loved getting to climb. Thank you Popi and Grandma Doreen for the yummy lunch!
Durango, Colorado - playing in the mountains beside a frozen lake (isn't my husby handsome? I think so, too!)
Our last stop for Spring Break was Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
FYI - that's us after we hiked back out of the caves. As a family we hiked nearly 4 miles and the kids did great! Carlye wasn't even out of breath!
We ultimately came to the conclusion that Carlsbad Caverns was really neat, and we are glad that we went, but Natural Bridge Caverns is much prettier.
Carl took this picture for me before we left Manti. L to R - Me, Popi and Grandma Doreen
After leaving Manti we stopped at this rest stop to enjoy our lunch, and the kids loved getting to climb. Thank you Popi and Grandma Doreen for the yummy lunch!
Durango, Colorado - playing in the mountains beside a frozen lake (isn't my husby handsome? I think so, too!)
Our last stop for Spring Break was Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
FYI - that's us after we hiked back out of the caves. As a family we hiked nearly 4 miles and the kids did great! Carlye wasn't even out of breath!
We ultimately came to the conclusion that Carlsbad Caverns was really neat, and we are glad that we went, but Natural Bridge Caverns is much prettier.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Hogle Zoo
Group Picture! (Carl was behind the camera!)
Dutch's favorite part of the zoo!
The giraffes - they were so cool!
Carl called this orangutan the 'ugly monkey' and told it's babies to enjoy being cute while they could!
Can you see the baby elephant, Zulu, way in the back?
Right before we went into the zoo
Last Monday we went to the Hogle Zoo with my little sister and nephew. We had so much fun! Pictures will tell the story better than I ever will - so enjoy!
Dutch's favorite part of the zoo!
The giraffes - they were so cool!
Carl called this orangutan the 'ugly monkey' and told it's babies to enjoy being cute while they could!
Can you see the baby elephant, Zulu, way in the back?
Right before we went into the zoo
Last Monday we went to the Hogle Zoo with my little sister and nephew. We had so much fun! Pictures will tell the story better than I ever will - so enjoy!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Home
Some places will always feel like 'home'. That safe, comfortable you know you'll be taken care of kind of feeling that you can't get any where else. You can get something close, sometimes it's almost identical - but then when you actually do go 'home' you realize that there really is no place like it.
I got to go 'home' this week. Right now I am typing this blog from the upstairs of a house that I called home as a teen-ager. But, amazingly, that's not why this feels like home. This feels like home because of all of the memories of growing up. Because - even though it's a different house - it's the same furniture and trinkets and paintings that were in my grandparents home in San Antonio. Seeing all of these things, smelling these familiar smells, and doing familiar routines (like putting up the silverware and taking the leaf out of the table) all combine together to create home. I remember holidays with everyone, family meals and celebrations. I remember eating home made raspberry preserves and playing the piano and eating cereal - and Uncle Bob's home made root beer. I remember so many things, and I am so thankful for the memories. And I am so thankful to be 'home' - if only for a moment.
I got to go 'home' this week. Right now I am typing this blog from the upstairs of a house that I called home as a teen-ager. But, amazingly, that's not why this feels like home. This feels like home because of all of the memories of growing up. Because - even though it's a different house - it's the same furniture and trinkets and paintings that were in my grandparents home in San Antonio. Seeing all of these things, smelling these familiar smells, and doing familiar routines (like putting up the silverware and taking the leaf out of the table) all combine together to create home. I remember holidays with everyone, family meals and celebrations. I remember eating home made raspberry preserves and playing the piano and eating cereal - and Uncle Bob's home made root beer. I remember so many things, and I am so thankful for the memories. And I am so thankful to be 'home' - if only for a moment.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Snow Day
We had the best time because Chris and Pam brought us up to their cabin. The kids loved the snow, and everyone had an incredible time!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Road Trip Lessons (part 1)
Today we learned many, many things. Among them:
1) A child's concept of time is very, very, very different than an adults.
2) My children are 'not very hungry' when we enter the restaurant for a meal, but starving 15 minutes later when we walk into a gas station
3) I am not a fan of the phrase 'how much longer?'
4) I am the only one in my family who can read in the car without becoming 'horribly sick'
5) My children's idea of being nice to each other is not the same as my idea (for example, I don't think of dummo as a nice thing to say)
6) I am very thankful for portable DVD players. Seriously, I am.
7) Satellite radio is awesome when you are stuck in musically challenged areas
8) If I hear 'get off me' or 'don't touch me' one more time I'm going to jump in the back seat, lay on top of my children and tell them they need to be glad that they don't have to ride the whole trip like that.
to be continued........
1) A child's concept of time is very, very, very different than an adults.
2) My children are 'not very hungry' when we enter the restaurant for a meal, but starving 15 minutes later when we walk into a gas station
3) I am not a fan of the phrase 'how much longer?'
4) I am the only one in my family who can read in the car without becoming 'horribly sick'
5) My children's idea of being nice to each other is not the same as my idea (for example, I don't think of dummo as a nice thing to say)
6) I am very thankful for portable DVD players. Seriously, I am.
7) Satellite radio is awesome when you are stuck in musically challenged areas
8) If I hear 'get off me' or 'don't touch me' one more time I'm going to jump in the back seat, lay on top of my children and tell them they need to be glad that they don't have to ride the whole trip like that.
to be continued........
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Isn't it funny.....
I have never worried about Carlye or Noah scholastically, everything just seems to come so easily to them. I have worried about Nathanael (okay, maybe I still do). His teacher was very concerned about dysgraphia and possibly dyslexia at the end of kindergarten, and so he spent all of 1st grade and some of this year in reading recovery. He never knew what it was, just thought that it was cool to leave the room and play games with the teacher. His reading has excelled, although his handwriting still leaves much to be desired. Thank heavens for computers! I know that as he gets older this will be an obstacle that can be overcome easily - although I still make him erase and rewrite his homework almost every night (let's face it, practice makes perfect - we don't need excuses here, people!). He also didn't seem to be able to test well in first grade (even if he knew the material) - a big obstacle in our public school system, (no, I won't go into my feelings on this subject). A bigger concern for me with Nathanael, though, is that he is such a perfectionistic child, and I worried what it would do to him when his "challenges" became more obvious to others. Of course, he has made straight A's all year and is an incredibly hard worker who loves school and loves to learn so I knew that he would make it through. Just the difference a year has made in his reading is incredible!
However, when Carl and I received a paper in the mail asking if he could be tested for the gifted and talented program I was floored. Apparently in his preliminary testing he tested above average in every area, and as high as 21 points above the highest average in one of the areas.
I have always been so proud of him, and now I can be proud and worry just a little bit less.
However, when Carl and I received a paper in the mail asking if he could be tested for the gifted and talented program I was floored. Apparently in his preliminary testing he tested above average in every area, and as high as 21 points above the highest average in one of the areas.
I have always been so proud of him, and now I can be proud and worry just a little bit less.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
My little man
On Saturday Noah was getting a snack when he accidentally broke our Special Day plate. The poor little guy was devastated and blinked hard to hide the tears. I told him that things just break some times, and we will have to look for a new one. I hadn't thought about it since.
On Monday Noah was setting the table for dinner. He gave everyone a large plate except for Nathanael, who was given a small white plate. When Nathanael saw this he flew into a fit, saying how Noah was always mean to him and did it on purpose just to make him mad. Noah didn't say anything and continued to quietly set the table. Carl and I talked to Nathanael, and told him to calm down and quit taking things so personally. After all, it was just a plate, and there weren't any more of the big ones clean. Unconvinced, Nathanael stomped off still upset.
I placed the food on the table and we all sat down to eat. As soon as the prayer was said Noah spoke up, "Everyone say something special about Nathanael - it's his special day!"
Nathanael learned a very valuable lesson on Monday night about love, mercy, patience and forgiveness. And Mommy and Daddy were very, very proud.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Where I have been......and lessons learned
Noah, the last time he saw Julianna:
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have been attempting to Spring Clean and organize my house (thank you Bowl Full of Lemons!) and I am in my third week of P90X workouts. All of which exhaust me beyond belief and suck up every moment of my time. But I'm getting in shape!
On top of all of this, I have been packing for our Spring Break excursion, and that is actually more difficult than it sounds. First of all, my youngest child only owns 3 pairs of jeans. Which is amazing to me since Nathanael has gotten so many hand me downs from Tate and Sam there should be SOMETHING that makes it to Noah. But, alas they are all completely destroyed before he can inherit them. And, quite truthfully, he only has 3 pair because we just bought him two (he's actually getting taller! Yay, Noah!).
So, here is a list of things I have learned while attempting to pack for a road trip:
1) Nothing is sacred. Folded piles of clothing next to or inside of suitcases are an open invitation for children to dig through and possibly jump on.
2) Children are nosy. They want to dig through their travel bags now so that they can find the surprises that they are sure are in there for on the road. (thank you, Dollar Tree!)
3) My children have blanket problems. I washed one of (yes, one of - my children have an insane number of blankets) each of their favorite blankets and packed them for the trip so that they have nice, clean blankets for the car. My daughter is furious - apparently all blankets should be on her bed at all times. (seriously, she has like seven comforters on top of her!)
4) People who do not have 3 children will make fun of people who do when they begin to pack a week in advance.
5) I am easily talked into things. We were going to leave Friday after school, but Friday is grandparents day and the kids didn't have any grandparents who could come (Nani tried but couldn't get the whole day off of work), so we are now leaving on Friday morning because they don't want to go to school that day.
FYI - Noah is now petitioning to leave on Thursday. And, yes, I would probably give in if we could pick up the rental car a day early!!! Of course, this is my son who in all seriousness asked, "I think that the weekend should be 5 days long and the week 2 days. Can you call the governor for me Uncle Bubba?"
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have been attempting to Spring Clean and organize my house (thank you Bowl Full of Lemons!) and I am in my third week of P90X workouts. All of which exhaust me beyond belief and suck up every moment of my time. But I'm getting in shape!
On top of all of this, I have been packing for our Spring Break excursion, and that is actually more difficult than it sounds. First of all, my youngest child only owns 3 pairs of jeans. Which is amazing to me since Nathanael has gotten so many hand me downs from Tate and Sam there should be SOMETHING that makes it to Noah. But, alas they are all completely destroyed before he can inherit them. And, quite truthfully, he only has 3 pair because we just bought him two (he's actually getting taller! Yay, Noah!).
So, here is a list of things I have learned while attempting to pack for a road trip:
1) Nothing is sacred. Folded piles of clothing next to or inside of suitcases are an open invitation for children to dig through and possibly jump on.
2) Children are nosy. They want to dig through their travel bags now so that they can find the surprises that they are sure are in there for on the road. (thank you, Dollar Tree!)
3) My children have blanket problems. I washed one of (yes, one of - my children have an insane number of blankets) each of their favorite blankets and packed them for the trip so that they have nice, clean blankets for the car. My daughter is furious - apparently all blankets should be on her bed at all times. (seriously, she has like seven comforters on top of her!)
4) People who do not have 3 children will make fun of people who do when they begin to pack a week in advance.
5) I am easily talked into things. We were going to leave Friday after school, but Friday is grandparents day and the kids didn't have any grandparents who could come (Nani tried but couldn't get the whole day off of work), so we are now leaving on Friday morning because they don't want to go to school that day.
FYI - Noah is now petitioning to leave on Thursday. And, yes, I would probably give in if we could pick up the rental car a day early!!! Of course, this is my son who in all seriousness asked, "I think that the weekend should be 5 days long and the week 2 days. Can you call the governor for me Uncle Bubba?"
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Road Trip!
I can hardly stand it! For Spring Break this year we are going on a family road trip!
WOO-HOO!
We are going to go see my Popi and Grandma Doreen, my Aunt Marianne and Uncle Frank and all of my beautiful cousins, my babiest sister, her hubby (I hope!) and my nephew, and who knows who else! I AM SO EXCITED!
I don't know how many of you have Popi's that are absolutely perfect or aunts that are as amazing as can be, but when you do you miss them like crazy when you aren't with them - and it has been super duper hard for me to be so far away from absolutely everyone in my family. I get to bring my husband and beautiful children and show them one of the houses I grew up in, and the beautiful mountains. Best of all, we will get plenty of quality family time on the drive up and back (and yes, I'm serious about that - my kids are great travelers!).
YAY for road trips!
WOO-HOO!
We are going to go see my Popi and Grandma Doreen, my Aunt Marianne and Uncle Frank and all of my beautiful cousins, my babiest sister, her hubby (I hope!) and my nephew, and who knows who else! I AM SO EXCITED!
I don't know how many of you have Popi's that are absolutely perfect or aunts that are as amazing as can be, but when you do you miss them like crazy when you aren't with them - and it has been super duper hard for me to be so far away from absolutely everyone in my family. I get to bring my husband and beautiful children and show them one of the houses I grew up in, and the beautiful mountains. Best of all, we will get plenty of quality family time on the drive up and back (and yes, I'm serious about that - my kids are great travelers!).
YAY for road trips!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
So.....
life is busy. School is crazy, (Carlye had her writing TAKS test yesterday) and I haven't found a lot of time to blog lately. The weather here is still beautiful, and the kids and I managed to rake, till and prepare the flower bed for the coming plants. I did plant a few daffodils and an Asiatic Lily, and I discovered that puttering around in my garden in the sunshine makes me very happy. Especially when I get to do it with my children!
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