I’m learning how to take a walk from my toddlers….here’s what I’ve got so far. 1. The alphabet is amazing. Any time you see a letter it is cause for excitement. Point and name it (or guess). 2. When you see big rocks, embrace this opportunity for physical challenge. 5. Every living thing deserves a pause for a greeting, this especially includes people, cats,...
Today’s Favorites…. Michelle: the Waffle Maker – I love this thing! We had waffles today and they were just great. As usual. And left us wondering why we don’t have waffles more often?! We like to eat them with syrup or yogurt, or even freeze them for a quick and easy meal or snack. I want to try dipping them in chocolate for a...
Whitney’s original heartbeat had a whoosh whoosh whoosh sound. After surgery, with VSD all patched up it’s now a thump thump thump. Amazing, huh!? On another note, we’ve got the hospital bill and yes, there are quite a few decimal places. Sticker shock? Well, not really, we knew this was a pretty big deal. Still, I didn’t expect it to start with a 3....
So I started using a Fitbit. What is a Fitbit, you ask? It’s just magic little gadget clip on my bra strap that watches me like a hawk and tricks me into healthier choices. Instead of an angel on my shoulder it’s like having Mr. Hunter from 8th grade PE in my ear bellowing ‘pump your arms’ and threatening me with a muumuu. I’ve...
For a few decades my mom collected charms. Dozens of adventures and meaningful moments are molded into these little tokens. I love it that I can scan through her charms and remember some of these experiences because I have either been a co-adventurer or have lived vicariously through her stories. At Christmastime I decided to figure out how to get these memories out of...
For the greater part of a decade now my mom and I have made a yearly tradition of jam sessions. We’ve become a decently well-oiled machine when it comes to strawberry, olallieberry, and peach preserves. I know there are a number of methods out there…but here’s the one we follow to a T. What you need for one batch: – 8 canning jars (8oz)...
Dylan has learned to repeat “Good Morning” to me. Whitney wakes up happily bouncing. Evening walks include kids playing “stop” and “go” along the sidewalk, blooming mustard, and usually some good conversation between mommy and daddy. Another Sunday Smorgasbord gathering with our friends….this time with water table and little whispers over smoothies. Earlier, at church, Whitney was laughing hysterically chasing around a...
In springtime, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring. — Shakespeare Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day. I’ve got a beautiful feeling everything’s going [our] way! — Curly in Oklahoma! [the way I sing it with the kids] Wake up buttercups and daisies, wake up violets dear, see...
Before surgery I was afraid and saddened by the thought of Whitney’s scar. I thought of what it represented, particularly of the trauma that her little body went through. It made me sick. I mourned the loss of her perfect soft skin on her chest being blemished with a gruesome mark. The other day I thought again about her scar. Yes, it’s quite large,...
Whitney made a friend at an appointment this morning. A six-year-old girl with Down syndrome entered the room and zeroed in on Whitney, coming over to proclaim her “sister” and sat forehead-to-forehead cupping her face, whispering secrets, and looking into her eyes lovingly. It was precious. I soaked in this beautiful moment of kinship. I’m not usually one to try to make best friends...
Today, one Signing Time: Family, Feelings and Fun DVD = one outdoor pillow for our deck! The kids learned how to say/sign things like “sister” and “grumpy” and I got to get my creative on. Win-win! I am very proud of my little square. And grateful for the sewing machine my grandma gave me years ago. Glass raised to believing in the ability to...
Little dude is part Tasmanian devil. I have been mommy-trained to assume the triple threat position when he starts giving off his crazy cues: his brow furrows and his jaw thrusts forward, clenched. What’s next is unpredictable but has recently been any combination of shrieking, throwing, running, jumping, climbing and tackling. Here he is balancing on the seat of Whitney’s horsey, which promptly turned...
So I resigned from my coaching job today. Through much deliberation I’ve realized that the immensity of the time and energy commitment of running a high school program is too much for me and my family at this point. I’ve done almost everything to keep coaching a part of my life the past four years, I even birthed both babies during volleyball seasons with...
We took a little drive up the Eastern hills this Friday for a fun family adventure. This time of year the hills are a lovely green and there’s mustard blooms proclaiming spring all over the place. It is trips like this one that make me well up with pride to be a native Californian. When we actually take the time to explore I find...
The pressure/tension/stress around here has been of epic proportions in the past month…so I thought I’d share some of the things that has kept me from losing it altogether…. Love notes. The support and prayers and texts and emails of dear friends from various parts of my life have been a lifeline. Knowing one is not alone must be the single-handedly most comforting reality. ...
Whitney’s homecoming from the hospital was a week ago yesterday. We are thrilled with how “normal” our life is already…the surgery successfully closed up the hole in her heart and her resilient little body is recovering quickly. Here’s a recount of the day-by-day… The night before the surgery…bath time with Gramby. Day 1: Daybreak arrival. Happy drugs. Emotional parents not wanting to let...
We’ve been home from the hospital for just shy of a week now, and life is just about back to normal, a wonderful new normal. Whitney is a superstar, happily playing and dancing and chatting away. We are weaning her off the little bit of Tylenol she was on since she appears to be pain free. Amazing. Praise God. I’m brewing up a post...
sike: A misspelling of psych. Knowing Sonia was thirsty, Jonathan teased her with his soda. “Here, you can have a sip…psych!” www.urbandictionary.com What a whirlwind. The hospital cried wolf. I feel like I had a baby. Exhausted and yet euphoric. I escaped my worst nightmare. I woke up to a reality where my sweating,panic and screams fizzled into the “you’re safe, it can’t get...
Having a child is like having your heart walk around outside your body. Um. yes. I am more and more aware that my heart is running around willy-nilly ducking in and out of places that were most certainly off my self-protective itinerary. Today we ran a pre-op marathon with all kinds of pokes and prods and tests. Whitney was brave, cooperative, and had impressive...
We miss Daddy. …and school …and Gramby …and Lady Dog (who visited us for the weekend recently) …and in general everyone and everything else. We’ve been cooped up with a virus this past week, and will be keeping Whitney at home the next two weeks to protect her from the germs of the outside world until her surgery. I’m forgetting...
Two recent recipes courtesy of Michael Ruhlman (Ruhlmans Twenty cookbook, and his blog) – although slightly modified. Dutch Oven Bread Put in Bread Machine – dough only setting – 4c Flour (500g) – 1 1/2 c. water – 1 tsp yeast – 2 tsp Kosher salt Once dough cycle is complete, knead the dough to release bubbles and redistribute the yeast. Shape roughly into...