Lessons I'm Teaching that I Haven't Learned Myself

  Today one of the girls had a follow-up pulmonology appointment at our children's hospital.  To say she was dreading it would be putting it lightly.  The appointment itself is pretty easy but I think it was going to the children's hospital, performing the breathing tests over and over to get it just right, and the fear of the exam itself.  It started with worry, then fear, then a snotty attitude.

After the appointment she walked to the car mad because she was expecting it to be her last appt. there and the doctor asked to see her again in late Summer.  I explained that everyone has something.  I listed her sister's dental issues, another's asthma, friends recent outpatient surgery to remove a skin issue, her cousin's eye surgery, and all the poor sick kids in that hospital who are truly suffering.  

At the beginning I even listed some of my lovely pregnancy appts. up ahead but she responded, "but Mom I'm not forty yet!"  On the way home I talked about offering a little suffering we have for someone who is really suffering.  Our suffering can be a prayer, an offering to God on behalf of someone else.  This is when I stopped and realized (silently of course), "hey why am I not doing this!"  

There are so many couples dying to have children, women who have terrible pregnancies, and if God gives us another child who am I to complain about any inconvenience, discomfort, or unfounded worry.  I need to walk my talk and offer to God my miniscule difficulties for the many who truly suffer.

Sunday Night Dinner - His Way

I know this is my second post in a row about dinner but it's just an issue right now.  With all my cravings and queasiness apparently DH has developed a craving of his own - steak and potatoes.  Unfortunately I'm as far from being a meat and potatoes girl as anyone could be (although I do like to eat raw potatoes).  It's only gotten worse with specific cravings for saltier, lighter food (not really lighter in calories).  He took matters in his own hands and made dinner tonight.  Since he is not known for his grilling (more like charring) techniques I offered someone who could be of help; Pioneer Woman.  He read her instructions on Pan Fried Rib Eye Steak.  You know what?  It worked, it was great!

He coated the baked potatoes with coarse salt just like Tahoe Joe's and loaded them up with "everything."

Grilled asparagus and french bread topped it off.  (I didn't even mind that he put the asparagus backward on the platter - I'm easygoing like that ;)

A simple, simple dessert with bought pound cake and cherry topping (Mom's Comstock).

As DH ate his meal he reminisced about his youth and eating his Mom's T Bone steak.  I think he may be getting a little tired of my kind of weird food.  

One Mean Craving - One Nice Husband

I planned to make meatloaf tonight...then I started to feel the usual afternoon queasy stage coming on.  Nothing can get me through a queasy stage like salt.  I started to think how good it would be to have miso soup, then went to dreaming about fried rice, then to an angel hair roll (all fully cooked above), then it was good-bye meatloaf.  DH being the supportive husband, agreed to go get some sushi.  The Girls however talked us into sitting at the teppan yaki table so they could see the food show.  

 

It turned out to be expensive and decadent for a week-night meal so we decided to enjoy ourselves like this would be the only indulgence during this trimester :)

Three happy Girls tonight enjoying the food show, thanks to Mom's craving and Dad's good nature.  Tomorrow meatloaf.  I better have some salt close by to get me through tomorrow afternoon's temptation.

Little Fans of Dancing with the Stars

Our girls, especially the two oldest, are huge fans of Dancing with the Stars.  Oh the excitement, the victory, the falls, it all gets to them.  Here are their top 5 favorite things about the show: (Sure to be tweaked a little once they read this because they believe they are the authority on the show!)

Stacy Kiebler, without a doubt the favorite.  There were actual tears when she was voted out unexpectantly.  Cheryl Burke is know the least favorite of all time and still gets boo-ed at every performance!

Mario Lopez the hero.  The night he lost was another bad night for this household.  It took days to get over this one.

Ashly Del Grosso:  Where are you Ashly?  They miss you, please show up soon and bring your little baby on the show.

Jae's favorite input is to mention "Big Lips."  She came up with this herself and once she got the first laugh she loves to bring her up.

And...last but not least.  What would a night of Dancing with the Stars be without wondering what head gear will be worn by this lady in the band.  They literally wait for this portion, pause, and chuckle at her head jewels.  Sometimes the dress that goes along with it is pretty lively too.


Despite a couple risque dances (we fast forward through) and some skimpy outfits we like this show because it provides a lot of fun family interaction.  We used to get our own performances by "Stacy" "Ashly" and "Big Lips" at commercials but for some reason we have yet to see one this season.

**update**  They've informed me I got it wrong.  Kaye's favorites (in order) - Mario, Stacy, Sabrina.  Cee's favorites (in order) - Ashly, Stacy (a close second), Sabrina, Mario.  Jae's favorite's (in order) - Stacy, Mario, Monique, Ashly, "Big Lips."

p.s.  I notice our little baby on the upper right is getting a little more rounded and a little less like a grasshopper.  I think it changed today at 8 wks.  

First OB Appt.

Today was my first doctor appt. although it was just with the nurse.  We went over a lot of paperwork for labs, background information and went home with a lot of vitamin samples with the right combination to help the little annoyances of pregnancy.  The girls were excited to get a free diaper bag and changing pad.  They have been excited about purchasing something for the baby.  Next week I go in for an early ultrasound.  At that appt. they'll determine the due date based on measurements.  

One thing pregnancy does (even when it's your fourth), is open a floodgate of worry.  It seems like you want to get over one stage of worry to begin the next.  The nurse talked about the options available to me now that I'm over 35.  Genetic counseling, Amnio, detailed Ultrasound, options as early as 11 weeks which made me suspicious - wondering why you would have to know so early.  If we want a detailed ultrasound, genetic counseling goes with it.  I've been asking for prayers from St. Elizabeth who was an older mother herself.  I just saw her picture and noticed her feast day is my current due date - November 5th!

'B' is for Birthday and two B's

This little girl, our niece, made the paper!  She celebrated her birthday last Saturday.  She was born one of the most beautiful babies and remains beautiful inside and out!  As you can see below she has lots of personality and a kind heart.  Happy 6th Birthday B!

Happy Birthday today to my big Brother.  He is shown here at the airport, most likely one of his favorite places.  He flies, builds airplanes, teaches and directs.  He's very busy but will drop anything to help his family.  Happy Birthday BB!

Celebrating Easter

We had a wonderful Easter.  After a week in the infirmary the last sickie cleared up Saturday night.  We had 79 degree weather on Easter Sunday - not bad for March!  Here are a few too many pictures:

I only got one shot of their Easter dresses very quickly before Mass.  This photo proves what a stellar photographer I am!  We thought we'd go for matching dresses one last time (since things will change either way next Christmas and Easter).  They all like to match still, so no complaints.  

Some cute little Egg Hunters in Papa's backyard.

The Hunters reveal their find.

If I act cool and casual, no one will notice!

Happy Easter!

He is risen, just as He promised!

Alleluia!

Good Friday

"Behold the wood of the cross, 

on which hung the Salvation of the world. 

 Come let us adore."

Holy Thursday - The Last Supper

"But if I washed your feet...then you must wash each other's feet"

  (John 13:14)

Tonight we begin the Easter Tridium with The Last Supper, tomorrow with Jesus Dying on the Cross, and ending on Holy Saturday with Jesus in the Tomb.   Here is a link to EWTN's Stations of the Cross.  

Also, tomorrow begins the Divine Mercy Novena.  You can read about the indulgence by clicking the tabs in the left column of that site.  The Divine Mercy Novena begins Good Friday and ends on Divine Mercy Sunday.

Hibernation

Just in case you think Cee, aka "Funky Cold Medina," is a rough little girl dabbling in gangster, I thought I'd post a sweet picture with her little shadow, Nutmeg.  I can just picture her 9 months from now in the same pose holding a little bundle, hopefully with less fur.

Jae has finally taken a turn for the better.  Poor girl was so sick with an awful combination of symptoms.  Since I thought it was viral I wasn't planning on taking her to the doctor just yet, but my sister thought I shouldn't wait too long.  I'm glad I took her in because both ears had a lot of fluid, evidence of bacterial infection on her tonsils (white spots), and lovely "pink eye."  No wonder she didn't want to eat.  The first dose of antibiotic was thrown up, but now by the third she asked to go outside for a little while.  Since it was sunny I think it helped.  

I've been sick too but to a lesser degree although with the pregnancy fatigue and mild nausea it has wiped me out.  It's both good and bad that it's Spring Break this week.  We had planned to go to the zoo to see the new stingray exhibit and to see Horton Hears a Who but so far we haven't been able to do anything.  It's good that we aren't missing any school but I hope we can squeeze in a couple of fun things.  Today Kaye and Cee came down in their bathing suits begging to go swimming.  I can't get over that they really think it's a possibility in 71 degree weather. We settled on having them ride their bikes in front.  It's going to be a long Spring!

Happy March 17th (& 15th)

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our two leprechauns, Funky Cold Medina and Doodlebop!

Happy (belated) Birthday Chef!  Where did those chubby cheeks go?

sidenote:  Lots to catch up on but meantime we're bunkering down in our infirmary, once again.

Happy Birthday T.E.Q.!

A big happy birthday to this little boy who turned 16 today!  He has a very sharp mind, loving heart, typical sense of humor for a teenage boy, gifted at the piano and he's enjoyable and interesting to be around.  May his healthy dose of will line up with the plans God has for all his talents!  

If A equals success, then the formula is:  A=X+Y+Z.  X is work, Y is play, Z is keep your mouth shut. 

 ~Albert Einstein~

Language Arts Description Lesson

Hmmm, what about I usually find her cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, at the homeschool table, driving me to soccer...?  At least she was kind about my size!

The Crazies I Find in the Photo Booth

Photobooth is a feature which came free with my well loved MacBook.  It has provided a lot of laughs so far.  I let the kids mess around on there pretty freely so I come across some pretty weird characters.

This one I did for Jae's Huggy Bear Journal.  She has to write about her day with Huggy so just for fun we added his adventure to the moon.

Now we're getting into some alien pictures.  I took this back photo at the beginning and I found Kaye and Cee's adaptation today.  

Cee looks like she would be the frontrunner at a commercial casting call for Kleenex. 

Some alien form showed up from the slumber party.

Kaye enjoys this Superstar interpretation a little too much.  Really, we realize it was a huge error in judgment to let them watch parts of it.  They always beg to rent it again but we say "no."  Unfortunately, it hasn't left their memories.

This one of Jae looks like a certain scary movie in the early 80's that I've always been too scared to watch. 

I promise this looks just like Cee's ultrasound picture minus the hair!

Don't mess with Big Mama!

Father Daughter Dance

Last Friday night was the long awaited Father Daughter Dance where Jae attends Kindergarten.  She has been looking forward to this day for sometime now.  The invitation read that you can be a rock star or a princess.  I came up with every lovely princess combination I could find (and we have a lot of choices w/ 3 girls), but she kept insisting on being a rock star.  I tried to create a more wholesome rock look and hope it came off that way.  

She wore some black boots she had with her Christmas dress.  Dinga gave Cee this jacket one year and they've had it in the dress-up box ever since.  It always comes in handy as a biker jacket when they play dress-up with their (boy) cousin.  
I found some iron-on jewels at the craft store to add "rock star" to the back and a rhinestone star to the front.  

Daddy brought her some flowers.  It was probably his most enthusiastic date - at least I hope so, because I know I wasn't that excited on our first date.

They had balloon arches and prizes for the Dads who had certain things in their pockets like hair scrunchies, bobby pins, and kleenex.  The Dad's danced with their daughters and then formed a circle around them to let them dance together.  I heard the decibel level in the cafeteria was glass breaking level when they played Hannah Montana.  I was happy to here that Jae and her little friend just plugged their ears.  Still - a rock star when we have a gazillion princess combinations!  

What a treat to be taken to a dance by her Daddy!  May all her dates be this nice and this cute!

March 6th

Being born on March 6th must make one a huge Yankee fan, a great baseball player, the only boy cousin, funny, smart and cute! 

 ...and loved by your Madrinha and Padrinho and cousins!

Still Celebrating

We got together for dinner tonight with Grandma and J.  They were out of town this weekend and missed the first two parties.  No need to say that Kaye is not complaining.  She received the next Precious Moments collectible from Auntie Ronna and she loves the cute pillow Grandma made her.  

We don't get to see them enough so it is always exciting for the kids to be with their Grandparents.  

As you can see Grandma lets them get away with a lot!  

Just so you know that's root beer in those bottles and Jae never got that sip!  I'm happy tomorrow is Friday.  How about you?