She's Almost our Leap Baby

If 1997 had been a leap year, this little girl would've been a leap baby.  I went into labor early morning on Feb 28th and she was finally born by emergency c-section in the evening on March 1st.  Yeah, it was a long labor and yes she is still stubborn.   Tonight she is having her first slumber party.  These girls have been so excited it's hard to get anything done.  The plight of a homeschool mother when you just need a few hours to run some fast errands.  Instead I shop with three excited girls bouncing off the store aisles.  Still it's a blessing to have them bouncing - I just need to remember that at the time.

Here she is doing one of her favorite things, soccer.  Tomorrow morning she'll be 11 years old.  It's hard to believe.  Athough she gave me a bit of trouble at the very beginning, hardly slept as a newborn, and was the hardest baby transition, she has come to be a pretty easy child.  She is responsible, helpful, and enjoyable.  May this continue through the years!  

Here is a picture of her party favor; popcorn cup, manicure set, nail polish, soda lip gloss, Webkinz trading cards, travel alarm clock, gum, lollypop and microwave popcorn.  

Wish us luck tonight, it's nice to have a patient husband.

Moved

Not feeling well today again.  I tossed and turned last night because my throat and ear hurt.  I've been experiencing vertigo for about a month which I've had before.  Decided to see the doctor today and received antibiotics for an ear infection.  My glands and tonsil are swollen on the same side so I guess that's why my throat was hurting.  So, hopefully I'm on the mend soon.  I wasn't sure what to post today, head kind of swimming.  One thing that entered my mind was an overwhelming experience I had when I was a student in college on London Semester.  

Now and then I'm asked if I have a conversion story and I always say, "no" I was baptized Catholic as an infant and was raised in good faith, there was never a time when I didn't believe (not to say I haven't failed God).  Although, if I did have a conversion story it would be the day I walked into a small art gallery in London.  They had an exhibit of Peter Paul Rubens.  He was known during his time for the way he painted skin - life-like with reflection.  We had a group of about 30 with us and it was a small gallery so it wasn't conducive to a lot of reflection.  It didn't matter, when I saw this painting of Jesus dying on the Cross I wanted to fall to my knees.  Instead I stood there, stunned, with tears in my eyes.  This painting was so powerful in person.  I knew right then that faith is a gift.  I will never forget it!

The Crucifixion

by Peter Paul Rubens

Wordless Wednesday

"Nutty"

The perfect companion for three little girls.

(see the other pictures at Wordless Wednesday) 

A Heart Journey

Warning - this is a long post, if you don't want to invest a lot of time, jump to the last paragraph.

Today is a day for celebration and thanksgiving in our family.  I think I will have to go in my room later and let go and truly thank God for carrying us through a storm.  For the first time as a family we faced a health crisis last year. 

For about 10 years DH would occasionally have heart rhythm problems.  We discovered it after our first baby was born and he would suddenly wake up during the night.  After this they ran tests, they thought he might have mitral valve prolapse but that was ruled out.  Since it happened infrequently he lived with it.  Fast forward ten years to January 2007.  After having a leg infection, he was advised if it got worse over the weekend to go into the e.r. to receive i.v. antibiotics.  I was taking the girls over to a playdate when I received a call from DH saying the hospital was insisting he be admitted because of his irregular heartbeat.  He refused and they wanted me to go down there to talk to him.  

After hearing them warn of heart attack and stroke what finally hit us was the threat that we'd have to possibly pay for the entire e.r. visit if we refused doctor's orders.  Okay, okay, we'll listen.  DH was upset at the time because this was something he learned to live with and now they were admitting him for that (not the leg infection).  He firmly told the doctor, nurses and myself, "if I'm going in, they better get to the bottom of this and solve it!"  This stayed in my mind because I had never heard him talk to anyone this firmly with as much emotion!

The hospital visit, assignment of cardiologist, heart medications all seemed to somehow exacerbate the problem.  Now the irregular rhythm would occur about once a week and and he'd have to be cardioverted back into rhythm.  Something more concerning happened when he began having trouble with atrial flutter.  Before his heartbeat was irregular but now he experienced a steady rate at a very high level - at times so high he couldn't sustain it and would become dizzy and out of breath.  Three different times we had to go to the e.r. for this.  They'd all rush around, kick me out of the room full of staff, and cardiovert him immediately.  This was scary.

His local Cardiologist referred him to the Bay Area for an atrial ablation.  The Electrophysiologist he was referred to was the only surgeon in California performing a procedure with a new device.  DH had the procedure done in early April last year.  Unfortunately after he came off his heart medication 3 months post surgery he once again went into atrial fibrillation.  Although we were warned about the 30% chance of needing a second procedure, we took a day for disappointment then geared up for the next procedure.

The next procedure was in late September 2007.  DH had a virus days before the procedure date but everything was still a go.  When he got out of the procedure he had a fever (from the virus) and was weaker than he would have been.  After a few days being home he went into atrial fibrillation while on all the medication.  This was the most discouraging point for both of us.  He was cardioverted six days after the procedure.  In December at his follow-up appt. we learned he has an anomaly he was born with where his upper body blood entered his heart two ways instead of one, called persistent left superior vena cava.  It is a benign condition and explains his rhythm disturbances.  We were happy to finally know the cause.

So here we are today.  A month and a half into weaning off all three heart medications.  After two weeks off the main rhythm medication, the Cardiologist proclaimed "you are cured!"  He had to slowly come off the last of the three medications though.  Today is the first day he is medication free!!!  Thanks be to God!  Thanks to the family and friends who helped us through!  God is good.  I am thankful God allowed the doctors to get to the bottom of it as DH requested so emphatically in January of 2007.  

Oscars in Review

Man it takes up a whole day to watch the Oscars these days.  Whew, hard work.  Kaye and I mainly watched together.  She helped me take notes and gave me her opinion (reminded me of my Mom and I watching Miss America).  I wonder if this has any merit at all?  So, I better just call it my break and the kind of fun you'd have as a little kid, doodling on your folder (sort of worthless).  So, here are our winners: 

Best Dressed - Keri Russell

Most Dramatic - Heidi Klum

Most Stunning - Katherine Heigl

(a better picture of her)

Most Classic - Nicole Kidman

Worst Dressed  - Diablo Cody (I wanted her to win though)

In the spirit of high school I also wanted to award in the following categories:

Scariest:  Tilda Swinton

Snottiest:  Laura Linney

Most Real:  Katherine Heigl

Most Fake:  Jennifer Garner

Grumpiest:  Summer Phoenix

Why am I finding him so attractive:  Viggo Mortensen

I Now Understand the Hype:  George Clooney

Still Don't Get It:  Colin Farrell

Most Likely to be Posted on Refrigerator as Inspiration:  Renee Zellweger

Most Need of a Stylist:  Saoirse Ronan (her Mom slicked back her hair with a rubber band)

Nicest Guy but Worst Look:  Daniel Day-Lewis

What is He On?/Party Crasher:  Gary Busey

Tomorrow I'm down to business! (really)

A Few of My Favorite Things

A few of my favorite new things...MacBook, my Valentine coffee mug with coffee in it, my leopard reading glasses (gag gift from my Sister on my 40th, which I use), Becky Higgin's card ideas and an afternoon free to play around on the art table.  These birthday thank-you's are long overdue.  I'm a bit under the weather today, so what better day to make a card and send your sweet germs along with a belated thank you.  Don't worry though, I still have to address and mail them, by that time any germs will have long died.   Here are two of my favorites:

Of course I like the one that is green and simple.

This one had the most detail but I like it too - especially on the white.  Tomorrow is the Academy Awards, I couldn't have picked a better weekend to be sick.

Stations of the Cross

This evening we went to Mass, Stations of the Cross and a Lenten meal at the Parish Hall.  Every Lent we intend to do this on Friday, but sadly before this year, there was always something else.  I've always admired how my sister, her family and my Dad go to Stations of the Cross at their Church in another town every Friday.  Their parish has a soup meal after Stations which they take turns preparing.  

This Lent we have attended in our parish and for the last two Fridays have gone to the Lenten meal afterward.  It's not really a sacrifice, however, last week having Italian salad, wine, clam chowder in sour dough bowels, and a dessert.  Tonight they served pasta fagioli with the same accompaniments.  It was a nice meal with friendly parishioners.  We were the youngest family there.  One note when going to such meal don't wear a loose blouse (you know if you have a round middle).  An older lady that I know said "oh you're having another baby, when I said no, she said, "no, you're having another baby!"  Unless she knows something I don't!  I mean when you make a mistake the first time don't insist!  I smiled anyway and laughed with DH.

Thanks to my Dad, Sister and family for being good examples for us to follow.  It was very nice and I know it meant something to our Savior who died for us!

Hello, I Am Marianne

Take the Quiz here:

I saw this fun little quiz from Kelli Crowe's blog today.  I have really come to enjoy Jane Austen.  Who doesn't love Pride and Prejudice?  (okay, maybe DH)  You answer a few questions to determine which Jane Austen heroine you are most like.  This is what came up for me - Marianne Dashwood.

You are Marianne Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility!  You are impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a bit too brutally honest.  You enjoy romantic poetry and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully.  To boot, your singing voice is captivating.  You feel deeply, and love passionately.

Yes - romantic (I guess), impatient, brutally honest (sometimes), enjoy romantic poetry/novels, feel deeply, and love passionately (hee hee)

No - impulsive, pianoforte (maybe the forte), singing voice is captivating (yikes)

Just for fun go find out which Jane Austen character you are.  

postscript:  DH thinks I'm impulsive, so I guess that goes on the "yes" list too.

What a Little Sleep Can Do

We had a good day at home.  We woke up to rain, but by mid-day it was only partly cloudy with blue skies peaking through.  The girls seemed a little better today too.  Last night I went to bed early with my laptop and some hot tea.  Ahh, it was nice.  All day long this tree caught my attention.  In the rain I thought it might be going through a little blossom confusion, but after the blue sky peaked through I knew the blossoms would thrive at least for the afternoon.  More rain on it's way though.
We accomplished a lot of school today, despite some small interruptions - under the table!  After school I did a little "scrapbooking" (cards) which I'll post when I get them done.  I tried this new recipe tonight from Robin Miller: chicken with brie on baby spinach salad.  We really liked it.  Click the link to get the recipe from FoodTv.  

After dinner we watched for the lunar eclipse.  The clouds cleared after the optimum time but still we all enjoyed being outside after dark.  Needless to say the attempt at pictures was useless with our camera, but here's the little dot.  

It was a good day!

Works for Me Wednesday?

I'm not sure what works right now other than getting to bed early and having well children.  Two are sick again :(  Jae attends Kindergarten and it seems she has had a non-stop cold or virus since September.  Many of the students have been out sick in January and February.  Cee is now sick too - they share a bed.  It was cute the other day when Jae went out to the garage and lugged in a heavy bag of Papa's oranges.  She told me she NEEDED orange juice.  I hope it wasn't their bare feet in the pool water when we were over-enjoying the warm 67 degrees on Saturday.

See all the great ideas at Works for me Wednesday (I'll post the link when it's up), as for now I got nothing - except for something my Mom always said "go to bed, things will look brighter in the morning."

Tackling Laundry

Remember I said Saturday was sunny so we attended to some of the chores on our outside list?  Well, today was cloudy in more ways than one, because it was laundry day.  There was a motherload to tackle.  Since I am a TMR (time management retardo), I found myself employing some coping mechanisms to help me through the day.

1.  A "little" break to check and reply to email is not a "little" break, so you need another "little" break to make up for it.

2.  A whole box of Hot Tamales can really give you a zing and make you fold laundry faster for a good five minutes.

3.  Milk Duds and Dove Milk Chocolate hearts can give you a good 15 minutes of fast folding time.  (handy around the time your sorting through all the mismatched socks)

4.  Finding last Summer's swimsuit at the bottom of the hamper doesn't make you realize you've neglected to fully do your laundry for 3 Seasons, it just makes you think it was thrown in clean.

5.  When your sorting through laundry upstairs and you marvel at how well your kids are behaving downstairs it just means they're sitting at your NEW computer with an open jar of peanut butter, licking their fingers!

6.  When your sorting through laundry while listening to an audio book about eating more vegetables and you feel inspired and determined you're going to finally change and then come downstairs to eat the Hot Tamales, Milk Duds, Dove chocolates and top it off with a can of green olives - you're not ready for change.  Maybe ready for an antacid, but not for change.

Well I better go add the jeans and dry the last of the colors, where are those Milk Duds?

p.s. I did not give up candy for Lent, although it may have been a good idea!

Two Posts

This week I read two posts; one made me happy, one made me cry.  The first is from Angie at Many Little Blessings. She downloaded an entire year of blog entries and sent them to a company who published a hardcover book for $39.95.  For me this is an easy and enjoyable way to preserve our memories.  I already know what will be on the top of my Christmas list next year.  Since I'm the Grasshopper I can't presume I'll have an entire year of posts, but at least I'm guaranteed to have 1 & 1/2 months in a book.  

The second post is from my sister Lisa at This Crazy Little Life of Mine.  She wrote about Valentine's Day being the day of my Mom's funeral Mass sixteen years ago.  Every comment she wrote is a memory that sits inside me, some may have been expressed, some not.  To see it written made the tears flow.  It's hard to put into words the need for a Mother, no matter how old you get. 

Sunny

Today it was 67 degrees.  We planned to make it a weekend to get some chores done, so the weather gave us an opportunity for the outside checklist.  As we were trimming the rose bush this little hummingbird would not be interrupted from his nonstop feeding.  He'd buzz above my head, get around me, and finally perch to take a drink.  Since he fed in 5 minute intervals it wasn't hard to run inside to get my camera to get this shot.  I love the backdrop of our statue of the Blessed Mother. 

I love watching the birds outside our schoolroom window.  We have a predominance of purple finch and mourning dove, about 3-4 hummingbirds, sparrows and a pesky jay who intimidates everyone. 

All the animals seem to be enjoying the sunny day.  Here's little "Nutty" without her Winter sweater.

We turned around to see that all three Girls had taken off their shoes.  It's 67 not 90!

They think if I see them being nice to each other that I won't tell them to go get their shoes on.  They were right.

...and to think he could've had a career in garbage!  

Which come to think of it, I could too.  Since it's the weekend and readership usually slows a bit, from 2 siblings to 1, I thought it might be a good time to post a clear picture of myself so you can get to know me.  Please excuse my hair, it's a bit messed up, but overall I think it's a pretty good shot.

(had a little fun with "effects" in "Photo Booth," thanks to an idea from Lots of Scotts.  Of course theirs are cute.)

Love Bandit Came to Dinner

Here are a few simple things that made me smile today.  A couple things not pictured are Jae coming out of school with a bag full of Valentines with a big smile on her face, grabbing my hand and skipping to the car.  Kaye and Cee enjoying a little Valentine gathering with some friends.  They made the Valentine fortune cookies from This Crazy Little Life of Mine.

Froggy greeted us outside the door this morning from DH's Aunt.

Simple dinner tonight with no waiting - two heart shaped pizzas.

The girls love when my nephew/Godson comes to dinner.  He brought me lovely floating scented bath roses.  I had already gotten him some chocolates and wanted to add something so this morning I asked DH to pick out a stuffed animal for our dinner guest.  DH came home with a gorilla in chains marked with "Love Bandit."  We enjoyed teasing our nephew about his new identity as "Love Bandit!"  DH teased that he could get a c.b. radio and say with a low voice, "breaker breaker Love Bandit rolling through, 10-4."

Nutmeg seemed to like the new name and whispered in the "Love Bandit's" ear if he would be her Valentine!  Then she said in her best Chihuahua Spanish accent, "I think I'm in love."

DH's little gift to me.  I love it - one of the pleasures in life to have a cup of coffee by your computer.  I wonder if I came up with an intriguing name for him if he'd bring me floating scented bath roses?

Hope you had a great day!

Oh "Happy" Day

Happy Valentine's Day!  

Valentine's Day really isn't one of my favorite days.  I think it's more for the Ants, the newly in-love, and the kids.  There's a lot of paper, mail, deadlines, details, and little things involved.  Just as we're getting over Christmas, two of our birthdays, headed for another birthday, this year the start of Lent, another planning event rolls around the corner.  In the last two days I've been to Toys R Us (in search of Webkinz), Target, (in search of Webkinz and cards), Limited Too (found Webkinz), JoAnn's Fabric, the bagel shop, Michaels and twice to Walgreens!  I rushed to the post office to at least show some respect to the grandparents and I drove up at 5:02, just as the mail truck is driving away from picking up the mail.  Sending cards just may be my worst fault - I'm terrible and DH's family is the epitomoE of mail etiquette.  I'm just a sad loser at mail :(  Unfortunately Valentine's Day is in large part about mail.  

So enjoy you Ants out there, you planners, you mail geniuses - enjoy!

Pasta with Spinach Sauce

This works for us because it's oh so tasty, gets us to eat more nutritious spinach, and it's easy.  This is my favorite dish I make and I actually crave it.  I originally got this from Giada De Laurentiis.  If you want the original recipe straight, click on her link.  Leave it to me to make a healthy recipe a little less healthy, but it's still in the range.  I've reduced the garlic so my kids won't think it's "hot" added half and half, skipped a step at the end with fresh spinach and use more cream cheese than she calls for.  Here it is:

1 lb. multigrain pasta

1-2 garlic cloves

2 ounces goat cheese (chevre - not feta!)

3-4 oz. whipped cream cheese

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

6 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves

2 Tbs. freshly grated parmesan

half and half (to taste)

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.  Add pasta until al dente 11-12 mins.  Stir occasionally.

Mince garlic in food processor.  Add goat cheese, cream cheese, salt, pepper and slowly add spinach leaves.  When spinach is chopped, add half and half until desired texture for sauce.  

Add sauce to pasta and sprinkle with parmesan.  When I reheat leftovers I like to sprinkle additional parmesan and coarse salt on top (I love it the next day for lunch).  Obviously if you like a "saucier" dish double sauce or use less pasta.  

Now go see all the amazing ideas at Works for Me Wednesday!

Happy Birthday Auntie Ronna!

Who's this cute little girl? She's all grown up, rarely wears her glasses now, has a shorter haircut....and today's her birthday! In the spirit of this occasion we have each answered two questions about "Auntie Ronna."

Kaye

What's the best thing about Auntie Ronna?

She's funny and nice.

What is your favorite memory of Auntie Ronna?

When we were at Grandma's house and we did the little show about Uncle Slug.

Cee

favorite thing

She's very, very nice. She's pretty.

favorite memory

At Disneyland when we were sitting down eating snacks waiting for the parade. Just being together with them.

Jae

favorite thing

Her hugs

favorite memory

When me and B, C, Kaye and Cee played with her on the stairs at Grandma's. We talked about Uncle Slug because he was going to tickle us.

The Grasshopper

favorite thing

Her strong love for her brothers. Playful and caring with them yet there's a strong maternal aspect to it too.

favorite memory

The day I met her. DH teased so much before meeting her that when I finally did, it was just the opposite of what I was expecting. I thought "wow" she's really nice. I could tell right then that she really loved her brother.

DH/"Little" Brother

favorite thing

She's the world's best Human organizer for contacts and dates of events!

favorite memory

Treating me like a king when I got hit by a car at age 7.

If you happen to know "Ronna" leave a comment on your favorite thing and memory. If not, feel free to comment on her cool glasses and stlyish haircut!

Happy Birthday Auntie Ronna. We love you!

February 10th

February 10th is the day I lost my Mother, for my Dad his wife of 40 years, for my brothers and sisters their beloved mother, for my nieces and nephews their "Nanny."

We have her in our memories, we lived with her, loved her, laughed with her, cried with her, received her wisdom and enjoyed her playfulness. There are eight grandchildren and two sons-in-law though, who never knew her.  Fortunately they didn't go through the sorrow of losing her back then, but sadly they have lost more not living amongst her.

We all thought how could we possibly live without her? How can we make it? With God's loving hand we have made it and we have been happy. Our faith allowed us to understand and pray that she arrived safely to a place we are still journeying to. My Dad has honored and respected her and loved us during this time. God left us Dad to carry us through.

Today we celebrated, hoping that 16 years ago was her happiest day. We went to Mass, a filling brunch, gathered some flowers, went to the cemetary where we let the kids drive, and went to Superior Dairy (hands down the best ice cream anywhere), and enjoyed being together. I can still picture her smile and hear her laugh. She is love to me, and sorrow, and pain too but I thank God for all that is her.

(Happy I was less frustrated working with Photoshop Elements this time.  Found this fitting quote today on Rebecca Sower's site.)

For Steve

Steve, a great friend of ours just completed radiation treatment for brain cancer at the Mayo Clinic.  What a great guy he is along with his strong and wonderful wife Karen and their two kids who don't come any cuter!  Above is a picture of Steve and DH at our wedding.  Karen sent out a little challenge to see if anyone would shave their head to show their support for Steve.  DH definitely wanted to show his.  

Forty with a beautiful thick head of hair.  Gray but thick and full.  

I think he looks a little like "Lovelace" from Happy Feet.

A flashback from his 80's high school haircut.

Here we are - his new look for weeks to come!  I think Steve's is a little smoother!  

The girls didn't like it!  I kind of like the feel of it.  DH thinks it's cool in more ways than one, especially the temperature kind of cool.

I think this is the look he'll be sporting for awhile.  Hmmm, what to do about Church?  Steve we're praying for you!  You and Karen are two of the strongest people we know.  May God be with you and heal you.

Attention Thieves

Today I surrendered a bit in the fight to keep my children's attention.  These things aren't bad, but how much will they steal from their focus on things that are enriching?  They love Webkinz, a stuffed animal with a code into a virtual computer world where you can grow your own plants, buy gifts for friends, design rooms, and earn points for shopping.  This grabs their attention for hours.  I have to limit their time of course but if left to themselves I'm sure they'd entertain themselves for days.

The second and more concerning on a different level was the Hannah Montana 3D concert in the movie theatre.  We went this afternoon and paid a hefty $15 for each ticket!  DH was smart enough to request that I take them.  For $30 Jae and I had a little afternoon nap.  I think Hannah Montana is harmless enough it's just that they become so attracted to the clothes, the tv show, the songs.  It makes them grow up too fast.  Now tomorrow maybe I can attract them to some soap making, yarn spinning and yodeling like proper homeschool kids.

Why can't it be Super Friday?

Things went well yesterday on Super Tuesday.  To say it was busy and we are tired is putting it lightly.  A great experience.  We accomplished what we set out to do, give the girls a first hand account of the voting process.  They absolutely loved it and wanted to stay out there the whole time.  It was really cold in the morning and evening and the day was long.  At the close of polls at 8:00 pm we had to find a second wind to complete the most careful process - counting the ballots, running the totals on the machines, officially sealing boxes...  After our drop-off it was 10:00 pm when we all came in cold and tired.  A hot shower never felt so good.  DH said it best when he said why can't it be "Super Friday" then we could sleep-in the next day.  Today while at a stoplight I actually fell asleep for a second or two.  Late this afternoon I had to take two to the doctor; apparently virus + snow + cold garage for 15 hours is hard on a little body.  

Now, back to all the things that have been put aside for this experience.  Today is Ash Wednesday and like always, God has perfect timing!  I need Lent. 

Preparing for Super Tuesday

We've been preparing for Super Tuesday - California's Primary Election.  As I mentioned, we have a polling place in the garage.  Two of our helpers are coming at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, so it will be an early morning.  I'm glad we can contribute in a small way to the freedom of voting we have in our country.  Keep us in your prayers tomorrow.