Adventures in Mommyhood

Today I was expecting to wake up, dress and feed the 3 kids and scoot them off to daycare, preschool and school, and then head in to work.  I was then planning on working for the next 7 hours, then picking up Claire, then Holland, then Fisher, then dropping Claire off at gymnastics, prepping supper, eating supper and then putting the three kids to bed. Instead... -Holland woke up at 5:30am, and came into bed with Lance and I. -Holland threw up at 6:30am.  At this point, I knew that I would not be working today. -I took Fisher to school and then Claire to school -Holland and I came home and played with blocks.  Then we took a bike ride to our neighborhood park and spent time on the swings and slides. -We came home and had a snack.  At this point the poor little girl was out of energy. -For the next 3 hours we spent lots of time cuddling, napping and rocking. -When I was able to leave her, I snuck away and caught up on laundry and made chocolate chip cookies -I changed everyon

I love casseroles.  My husband gags at the word "casserole."  So, I don't make many casseroles. However, my husband was out of town last night, so guess what we had??  I finally got to open up that can of cream of mushroom soup I've been saving for just the right occasion.  :) There were so many options to pick from, but I decided on this one:  Hamburger Chop Suey Casserole, straight from my Grandma's recipe book.  I remember her serving this to me many times from her farm house kitchen.  My kids went nut-so over it- my 20 month old even had 3 helpings! Yes, it is nothing pretty to look at.  It tastes WAAAAAY better than it looks, I promise! Hamburger Chop Suey Casserole 1 pound ground beef 1 green pepper, chopped  1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups) 2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup) 3/4 cup uncooked rice 1 can cream of mushroom soup 2 cans water 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2-4 Tbsp. soy sauce (or to taste).  I used low-sodium Brown ground beef, gr

My supply of tomatoes is slowly dwindling.  I have these three friends ripening on my windowsill and a handfull of them still on the vine that I am hoping will ripen before frost.  Today for lunch I just had to have another one of these... Sourdough, romas, romaine, bacon, light mayo, salt and pepper.  I have eaten probably 20 BLTs this summer and I never get tired of them.  After the last of my tomatoes have been sliced and sandwiched I'll say goodbye to my favorite sandwich for 9 long months.  Any BLT that isn't made with garden tomatoes is not worth wasting my time on, in my opinion.

Easter 2011.  She was so proud of this fruit arrangement she brought.  Isn't she pretty?  My Grandma had a stroke a couple of days ago.  I got to spend the last two days with her at the hospital.  At first I thought we were going to loose her.  Her stroke was described as "massive" and she was asleep.  Then she opened her eyes and has been asking (with slurred speech) about things like my cousin's pretty new kitchen cupboards, and if the Cyclones are playing next weekend.  She's been tickling Holland's legs with her good hand and commenting on her pretty dress and shoes.  She's been taking jokes and even trying to smile.  My Grandma is still here and she's still herself and I am so thankful that the last of my time with her has not come yet.  But still there is so much sadness for what has been lost.  A stroke that came in the night changed my Grandma forever.  She's lost her mobility and her independence.  Just a few days ago she was driving ar

My Claire-Bear started Pre-K today! Flashy outfit is courtesy of her Grandma.  Yes, that is a sequined vest... She's cute, isn't she?? Holland is going to miss her big sister in the mornings (and so am I!) And just to depress me, here's a picture of Claire with her big brother on his first day of Pre-K at the same school 2 years ago.  (Sob).  She's getting so big...

{this moment} {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.