But we did manage to get a decent photo, thanks to my dad. He took no less than 18 shots and one of them looks pretty darn good. I am going to share a few others just so you can get a glimpse into our reality.
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| Theeeere we go. |
28 April 2011
embrace the camera: reality
Getting a semi-normal looking family photo with the rascals is nothing short of miraculous. That is why we don't even attempt it apart from major holidays, and even then it's dicey. The little men looked pretty handsome Easter morning, and were even freshly bathed, another miraculous occurrence. Nick must have reminded me 47 times that we needed to get a picture taken before it all went crazy. And crazy it did go, as George decided to SCREAM through the last 25 minutes of mass. Happy Resurrection, Jesus!
But we did manage to get a decent photo, thanks to my dad. He took no less than 18 shots and one of them looks pretty darn good. I am going to share a few others just so you can get a glimpse into our reality.
But we did manage to get a decent photo, thanks to my dad. He took no less than 18 shots and one of them looks pretty darn good. I am going to share a few others just so you can get a glimpse into our reality.
25 April 2011
snapshot of cuteness
Today was one of those days where I was pretty excited for naptime. (Um, okay, so that's everyday.) I had just changed George and put him down. I was changing Eddie, who was holding a fire truck in one hand and using the other to feed me with the measuring cup he'd found. In walks Lute.
"Oh hey Lute, are you going on a trip?" I ask.
"Yep, I am."
"That's cool. So how are you getting there? Are you going on an airplane? A train?"
"Oh no, I am going on a rocket ship." He said solemnly.
"Wow, you're lucky! How are you getting to the rocket?"
"I'm taking a taxi, Mama!"
Obviously.
22 April 2011
bakin' it to the streets
Last week I told you about my big idea: to bake or buy something and share it with someone in need. For us, this week, it was a few of the 7,000 homeless people that live in our city. So many of you responded with enthusiasm and that excites me! And it totally motivates me to make it a reality for me and my boys. So this week I baked up a batch of hot cross buns (seemed appropriate for the weekend), packed 'em up and set out with three little men strapped in their car seats. Before we set off, Lute said a prayer that whoever we met would "just really love the raisin bread and the frosting and especially the raisins." We drove around for about 45 minutes and encountered four people holding up signs for food on street corners. We handed over the rolls with smiles (well, except Eddie and George who were ready to head home after approximately 13 minutes) and wished the recipients well. It was the highlight of our Good Friday (apart from the amazing grace that is this day) and made for a good conversation between Lute and me about why we give to others in need. While we didn't see as many to share with as we'd expected, it was a good first week and we are already talking about our plan for next time.
Now it's your turn! Link up with your story or leave a comment below. And remember - let others know, spread the word, and share your ideas. We'll post our next adventure in two weeks!
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| setting off with my dudes |
19 April 2011
i am not completely useless
I am reposting this room redo I did a few months back because it is being featured on one of my most favorite blogs - Better After. I found it a few months back and to say I love it is an understatement. Thanks, Lindsey!
I have big dreams. They usually involve stunning the world with my creativity and natural giftedness with all things artistic. As I may have mentioned in the past, my REAL natural giftedness is the art of procrastination. Yep, got that one nailed.
I love redecorating projects. I love photography. I love painting and drawing, knitting... creating. But as reality would have it, my spare moments are spent in a tired heap on the couch, rather than in fits of productivity. Case in point, I was looking at a page in Real Simple this month presenting the best dusters on the market, depending on which job you're trying to accomplish - dusting under furniture, on top of shelves or artwork, etc. All I could think is, When was the last time I dusted? And I couldn't remember.
BUT, this weekend was different. I shipped the oldest off to my mom and dad's, and they did an awesome job of keeping him totally entertained (so much so that he had an extremely hard time readjusting to the presence of the little two come Monday morning), and my gracious husband completely took over all baby duties. Why? Well, it had something to do with my guilt over my four year old boy sleeping in a room completely covered floor to ceiling in floral print.
So, I formed a game plan, bought the supplies and set to work. Stripping wallpaper is no joke. It took about eight tedious hours, but it got done. And now I feel like I can do anything!
I have big dreams. They usually involve stunning the world with my creativity and natural giftedness with all things artistic. As I may have mentioned in the past, my REAL natural giftedness is the art of procrastination. Yep, got that one nailed.
I love redecorating projects. I love photography. I love painting and drawing, knitting... creating. But as reality would have it, my spare moments are spent in a tired heap on the couch, rather than in fits of productivity. Case in point, I was looking at a page in Real Simple this month presenting the best dusters on the market, depending on which job you're trying to accomplish - dusting under furniture, on top of shelves or artwork, etc. All I could think is, When was the last time I dusted? And I couldn't remember.
BUT, this weekend was different. I shipped the oldest off to my mom and dad's, and they did an awesome job of keeping him totally entertained (so much so that he had an extremely hard time readjusting to the presence of the little two come Monday morning), and my gracious husband completely took over all baby duties. Why? Well, it had something to do with my guilt over my four year old boy sleeping in a room completely covered floor to ceiling in floral print.
So, I formed a game plan, bought the supplies and set to work. Stripping wallpaper is no joke. It took about eight tedious hours, but it got done. And now I feel like I can do anything!
I'm sure I was not the most efficient wallpaper stripper in all the land, but I got it done, and the room was downright scary at that point. I gathered my primer and paint and went to work. I spray painted his dresser and letters to go above his bed. I repurposed an old bookshelf, bought a few new frames and a fun new rug with roads and tracks (my not so secret hope is that it will keep him occupied in the first hours of morning light. Maybe he can invite his brothers in?). And in two days, this was the result:
He could not believe his new digs and I couldn't believe how much I could get done when someone else took over kid duties. I am on a roll, folks - watch out! Now, who's takin' them next week?
14 April 2011
i have an idea and it involves YOU
Yep, you. There is this idea that's been spinning around in my head for a month or so and then today it grew just a little bit bigger. Let me start at the beginning.
Before I had kids, I spent a lot of my free time volunteering. It started when I was in high school and my friend's mom invited me to help put together Thanksgiving baskets for less fortunate families in their church. My youth group would sometimes volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission. I went on trips to developing countries and met families and children in need that made my heart ache. Right after we got married, Nick and I signed up to help with breakfast for the homeless at our church. All of those things changed me and shaped me and gave me a longing to reach out to others as much as I could.
Then, as the story goes, we started with the babies. My focus changed to my family, my free time dwindled into nonexistence and those moments of "reaching out" disappeared. For the last few months I have been trying to figure out how I could do something about that. I want to volunteer somewhere, but the reality of my schedule doesn't really allow it. And I want to include my boys because I think it's so important to instill the idea of sharing what you have with others.
Then a little bell went off in my brain and the lightbulb flashed, and here we are! I may have mentioned a time or two that I like to bake (ahem). But I also like to have someone to give my wares to, because let's face it, I am not a gym rat (refer back to comments on free time, motivation and Hulu Plus). SO, here it is, folks: My goal for the next six months is to bake a big ol' batch of something - bread, muffins, cookies, whatever, and take it to the streets every other week. We live in a city with a homeless population of over 7,000. That is crazy. Almost everywhere you drive, you'll encounter at least one person on a street corner holding a sign. And my baked goods might not add up to much, but maybe they could bless someone in need and teach my boys a thing or two about giving back. And I can do it without getting out of my car.
Here is where you come in. Let me present: Bakin' it to the Streets. Wouldn't it be cool if we did this all over the place? Maybe you don't have a big homeless population - maybe you have a lonely neighbor or coworker, or a nursing home near by, or an afterschool program looking for snacks. We can't all give time and money, but we can all give something. So every other week I am going to host a link up. If you decide to join the party, share it on your blog (or if you don't have a blog, just leave a comment). You could post about your experience, share the recipe you used, do a photo entry - whatever works for you. And, if you want to link up to this post and spread the word, just grab the button on the sidebar, share the idea with your readers and make this thing happen in YOUR world.
Before I had kids, I spent a lot of my free time volunteering. It started when I was in high school and my friend's mom invited me to help put together Thanksgiving baskets for less fortunate families in their church. My youth group would sometimes volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission. I went on trips to developing countries and met families and children in need that made my heart ache. Right after we got married, Nick and I signed up to help with breakfast for the homeless at our church. All of those things changed me and shaped me and gave me a longing to reach out to others as much as I could.
Then, as the story goes, we started with the babies. My focus changed to my family, my free time dwindled into nonexistence and those moments of "reaching out" disappeared. For the last few months I have been trying to figure out how I could do something about that. I want to volunteer somewhere, but the reality of my schedule doesn't really allow it. And I want to include my boys because I think it's so important to instill the idea of sharing what you have with others.
Then a little bell went off in my brain and the lightbulb flashed, and here we are! I may have mentioned a time or two that I like to bake (ahem). But I also like to have someone to give my wares to, because let's face it, I am not a gym rat (refer back to comments on free time, motivation and Hulu Plus). SO, here it is, folks: My goal for the next six months is to bake a big ol' batch of something - bread, muffins, cookies, whatever, and take it to the streets every other week. We live in a city with a homeless population of over 7,000. That is crazy. Almost everywhere you drive, you'll encounter at least one person on a street corner holding a sign. And my baked goods might not add up to much, but maybe they could bless someone in need and teach my boys a thing or two about giving back. And I can do it without getting out of my car.
Here is where you come in. Let me present: Bakin' it to the Streets. Wouldn't it be cool if we did this all over the place? Maybe you don't have a big homeless population - maybe you have a lonely neighbor or coworker, or a nursing home near by, or an afterschool program looking for snacks. We can't all give time and money, but we can all give something. So every other week I am going to host a link up. If you decide to join the party, share it on your blog (or if you don't have a blog, just leave a comment). You could post about your experience, share the recipe you used, do a photo entry - whatever works for you. And, if you want to link up to this post and spread the word, just grab the button on the sidebar, share the idea with your readers and make this thing happen in YOUR world.
You don't have to be a baker to participate. You can grab a box of granola bars, an extra coffee, a bunch of bananas, an extra meal at the drive thru (not that any of us ever eat fast food. ahem) - possibilities are pretty much endless.
Tell me what you think, share your ideas, spread the word - everyone is invited to the party!
I'll write my first post on how it goes on 4/22 - join me!
I'll write my first post on how it goes on 4/22 - join me!
12 April 2011
somebody thinks i'm cool?
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| We may have gone to the NKOTB reunion concert |
11 April 2011
the one and only chocolate cake worth eating.
About a year ago, Nick excitedly told me about the fundraiser that his work has every year - it's a formal event and one of the most anticipated elements is the dessert auction. People volunteer to make a dessert and each table bids on the one they want.
"So would you want to do it next year?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure that sounds fun," I answered.
Fast forward 11 months.
"Hey hon," he said over the phone from work, "Remember how you said you'd make a dessert for the auction?"
"I did?" I replied.
"Yeah, you did. Can you still do it?"
"Sure, I don't see why not."
"Thanks. Oh, and it should be pretty nice, since this is a big fundraiser and it's formal and everything - are you sure you can make something like that?" he asked.
"What? You don't think I can make a nice dessert? I am a good cook - don't you think I am a good cook? Of course I can make something like that!" I huffed.
"Yeah, I didn't mean..." Pause. "I'll tell them you'll do it."
Fast forward 3 weeks.
Why in the WORLD did I say I could make a big fancy dessert for a black tie event that is supposed to rake in some serious dough? I have THREE children who need me on a CONSTANT basis and I am supposed to make a bakery worthy dessert? Who do I think I am?
So I pulled out that chocolate cake recipe I mentioned awhile back. I decided to cut it into four layers and fill it with chocolate mousse (which I didn't really know how to make), pour some chocolate ganache over it and cover it with chopped up belgian chocolate. It took three days. Not that it would take normal people three days, but I have to be strategic with my time between babies and Hulu Plus. And guess what?
It went for ELEVEN HUNDRED dollars. It was the top bid! Well, if I don't feel just slightly proud, and utterly shocked, then I don't know what. But I figured it's high time to pass the cake recipe along. It's embarrassingly easy and absolutely delicious, and you may thank me or you may curse me because you'll probably want to make it kind of a lot. Enjoy!
(Keep in mind, this is just the cake part, not the filling or ganache - you can google those recipes.)
Super Easy One Bowl Chocolate Cake
(adapted from a cake on allrecipes.com)
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water
Whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla and mix on medium speed for a couple of minutes. Carefully add in boiling water and mix thoroughly. Pour into two prepared 9 inch cake pans (or a 9x13) and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean.
We usually eat it with chocolate frosting, but I made it into cupcakes for Lute's 4th birthday and topped it with whipped cream frosting and cherries - it's versatile and kinda dangerous. Hope you love it!
"So would you want to do it next year?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure that sounds fun," I answered.
Fast forward 11 months.
"Hey hon," he said over the phone from work, "Remember how you said you'd make a dessert for the auction?"
"I did?" I replied.
"Yeah, you did. Can you still do it?"
"Sure, I don't see why not."
"Thanks. Oh, and it should be pretty nice, since this is a big fundraiser and it's formal and everything - are you sure you can make something like that?" he asked.
"What? You don't think I can make a nice dessert? I am a good cook - don't you think I am a good cook? Of course I can make something like that!" I huffed.
"Yeah, I didn't mean..." Pause. "I'll tell them you'll do it."
Fast forward 3 weeks.
Why in the WORLD did I say I could make a big fancy dessert for a black tie event that is supposed to rake in some serious dough? I have THREE children who need me on a CONSTANT basis and I am supposed to make a bakery worthy dessert? Who do I think I am?
So I pulled out that chocolate cake recipe I mentioned awhile back. I decided to cut it into four layers and fill it with chocolate mousse (which I didn't really know how to make), pour some chocolate ganache over it and cover it with chopped up belgian chocolate. It took three days. Not that it would take normal people three days, but I have to be strategic with my time between babies and Hulu Plus. And guess what?
It went for ELEVEN HUNDRED dollars. It was the top bid! Well, if I don't feel just slightly proud, and utterly shocked, then I don't know what. But I figured it's high time to pass the cake recipe along. It's embarrassingly easy and absolutely delicious, and you may thank me or you may curse me because you'll probably want to make it kind of a lot. Enjoy!
(Keep in mind, this is just the cake part, not the filling or ganache - you can google those recipes.)
Super Easy One Bowl Chocolate Cake
(adapted from a cake on allrecipes.com)
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water
Whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla and mix on medium speed for a couple of minutes. Carefully add in boiling water and mix thoroughly. Pour into two prepared 9 inch cake pans (or a 9x13) and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean.
We usually eat it with chocolate frosting, but I made it into cupcakes for Lute's 4th birthday and topped it with whipped cream frosting and cherries - it's versatile and kinda dangerous. Hope you love it!
07 April 2011
i really do love my life
My kids aren't nearly as cool when they are sick. Combined with the fact that Eddie is at the point where he knows what he wants to say but doesn't have the words yet to say it, frustration levels are high. So he hits, or pushes, or bites and then gets in trouble and then gets more frustrated. And I get frustrated because I am wondering where my happy, giggly kid went.
What's a mama to do? So I started praying. I pray for my kids everyday, but I have really been focusing on the big E this week. And you know what? Not only is he more himself these days (because God is faithful, awesome and perfect), but what I have discovered is I just like my boys more when I am praying for them faithfully. There is way more joy in the mundane tasks of filling sippy cups and wiping noses and changing endless diapers, because not only is it my measly love for them that drives me, but way more, His love is doing it. And that makes all the difference in the world.
What's a mama to do? So I started praying. I pray for my kids everyday, but I have really been focusing on the big E this week. And you know what? Not only is he more himself these days (because God is faithful, awesome and perfect), but what I have discovered is I just like my boys more when I am praying for them faithfully. There is way more joy in the mundane tasks of filling sippy cups and wiping noses and changing endless diapers, because not only is it my measly love for them that drives me, but way more, His love is doing it. And that makes all the difference in the world.
How can you not love these dudes?
(This is my first time participating in Embrace the Camera over at the anderson crew. You should, too!)
03 April 2011
sappy mama with a heart all aflutter
I think my kids have been sick approximately 462 times since Lute started school this fall. It's not the end of the world, but it does cause a lot of extra crankiness around here, and I am not just talking about me. All three have been walking around with waaaaay too much mucous a-flowin' this week.
It also happened to be my Grandpa's 86th birthday celebration this weekend. Thankfully, Lute got over his runny nose for the most part in time for the party, but sadly, the littlest munchkins were not in a partying mood. Nick was kind enough to stay home with them so that Lute and I could enjoy the festivities.
All ready to go, gifts in hand, I told Lute it was time to head to the car.
"Okay, Mama," he said. He stopped mid-stride, looked at Eddie in all seriousness and said, "Sorry, Eddie, but just me and Mama get to go." Eddie laughed and shouted, "Bye bye!", unfazed.
Walking out to the car, Lute grabbed my hand and said, "Isn't this so exciting?"
"What's that, bud?"
"You know, Mama, it's just me and you!"
"It sure is, Lute," I laughed and squeezed his hand.
Later that night I wrote what happened in my sadly neglected journal. It was a moment to treasure. I know he won't always be so infatuated with me, but I am gonna take it while I can get it.
It also happened to be my Grandpa's 86th birthday celebration this weekend. Thankfully, Lute got over his runny nose for the most part in time for the party, but sadly, the littlest munchkins were not in a partying mood. Nick was kind enough to stay home with them so that Lute and I could enjoy the festivities.
All ready to go, gifts in hand, I told Lute it was time to head to the car.
"Okay, Mama," he said. He stopped mid-stride, looked at Eddie in all seriousness and said, "Sorry, Eddie, but just me and Mama get to go." Eddie laughed and shouted, "Bye bye!", unfazed.
Walking out to the car, Lute grabbed my hand and said, "Isn't this so exciting?""What's that, bud?"
"You know, Mama, it's just me and you!"
"It sure is, Lute," I laughed and squeezed his hand.
Later that night I wrote what happened in my sadly neglected journal. It was a moment to treasure. I know he won't always be so infatuated with me, but I am gonna take it while I can get it.
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