Well our shoe is somewhat full again, Little Man and Uh Oh joined us late last week. It looks like they will only be here a short time, but for now they are ours and we just think they are adorable! I so wish I could share pictures with you. I have one of all 4 of my toddlers/preschoolers sitting on a love seat at our church that is just adorable. They all look like little angels. Looks can be so deceiving! ;)
We took a few days to decide on nicknames. Sunday night we came up with Uh Oh for the little guy. Monday morning he stayed true to his nickname and while I was at a mother's Bible study type thing at a local church he tried to climb on a table, fell and busted his lip and a tooth out! Uh Oh!! The whole thing was horrible, I can't even begin to describe it. It's bad enough when one of my forever children gets hurt, but these kids are in my care to stay safe, not for me to break them! I wasn't in the room, he was in a nursery room, but I still can't help but feel bad and a little at fault. It really was just a horrible accident, there isn't any blame to be placed on anyone (which is why I've left all specific information out about the event).
So Uh Oh and I spent a few hours in the emergency room. Tony was able to come home and feed and nap the other kids so they didn't have to go to the ER too. My wonderful worker from our foster agency brought me some lunch and stayed with me. Now, let me tell you, I am a fairly emotional person but I held it together this whole time. I was pretty impressed with myself. They would not give Uh Oh stitches and they couldn't save his tooth. They said to go to a dentist as soon as possible. When I got home I already had 3 phone calls to return, plus at least 6 people called me while I was sitting in the ER.
Tuesday morning however, once the phone calls started again (you know all CPS offices open at the same time because my phone was blowing up, all at once!) I just could not hold it together any longer. The weight of the entire situation just came crashing down on me. First of all that my child was hurt. Second, whenever a foster child is hurt in care there is an investigation. I've never had to do this before and so of course I am scared and confused. People keep calling to get more and more details. By this time Uh Oh seems to be feeling just fine, he's eating, playing, laughing, getting into things, climbing!!! I took him to the dentist around lunch time, my wonderful worker met me there, and they took x rays in his little mouth, which he did brilliantly for! Lo and behold, half the tooth is still up in his gums, so my poor little Uh Oh is going to need surgery. We had to find a dentist that could put him completely under for the surgery though, so the afternoon was spent searching online for local dentists that take his kind of health insurance. I did find one though! We'll have a consult and then see how it goes from there.
These are my kids when they are in my home and it just breaks my heart that he won't be returning to his family as "whole" as he was when he came. I know it's just a tooth, and a baby tooth at that. Maybe it's a little dramatic to be so upset about it, but I can't really help it. I like that I am able to take good care of my kids. But accidents happen and this was just an unfortunate accident. I'll try to update when I can, but for now we will be going through all this and I probably won't have a whole lot of time to blog. I will try when I can!
If you could please keep little Uh Oh in your prayers, that his mouth does not become infected and that the surgery goes smoothly and that any discomfort goes away. He's too little to tell me when it hurts. Also, that the rest of my children don't feel neglected that he is getting so much of our time. Fancy Pants already peed her pants twice yesterday and since that is only normal when she's irritated with us I think she is upset she isn't the center of attention right now.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Boots
****I went to schedule my post yesterday and put the wrong date, so it posted late at night instead of early in the morning like I usually do... I hope that you'll take a moment and read it!****
I'm not sure if you have girls, I have 2. We have parented 10 children and so far these two are the only girls in the bunch. One thing my girls share is their love of shoes! And there is something in particular about boots that just thrills them to no end. Fancy Pants had two pairs of boots last year. We couldn't find any cute ones in Baby Cakes size (well, that I would pay for). This summer Fancy Pants grew out of her first pair of boots, so on they went to Baby Cakes. Now, take in mind it was summer and it gets in the 100's where we live. These little boots were thick and fur lined. Now imagine Baby Cakes wearing shorts and a tank top and fur lined boots. (I do have a photo on my phone, I will try to upload it.) Baby Cakes cried for days until we finally just let her wear the boots to the grocery store in this sorts and tank top ensemble.
Fancy Pants was very gracious to her sister and wasn't too heartbroken to give up her pair of boots, since she did have another pair. However, last week we noticed that Fancy Pants black boots were just too small for her. Her foot was larger than the sole, however she was determined to shove her little feet into her favorite pair of shoes! We knew there would be mega tears if we didn't get her another pair of black boots before we passed this second pair onto her little sister. Yesterday we just happened to be walking through Kmart and saw some black boots. To my surprise her little foot has grown 2 shoe sizes since we bought those last pair of black boots. So we got the boots and Fancy Pants passed her old ones onto her sister.
Of course today they both just had to wear their new boots!
I'm not sure if you have girls, I have 2. We have parented 10 children and so far these two are the only girls in the bunch. One thing my girls share is their love of shoes! And there is something in particular about boots that just thrills them to no end. Fancy Pants had two pairs of boots last year. We couldn't find any cute ones in Baby Cakes size (well, that I would pay for). This summer Fancy Pants grew out of her first pair of boots, so on they went to Baby Cakes. Now, take in mind it was summer and it gets in the 100's where we live. These little boots were thick and fur lined. Now imagine Baby Cakes wearing shorts and a tank top and fur lined boots. (I do have a photo on my phone, I will try to upload it.) Baby Cakes cried for days until we finally just let her wear the boots to the grocery store in this sorts and tank top ensemble.
Fancy Pants was very gracious to her sister and wasn't too heartbroken to give up her pair of boots, since she did have another pair. However, last week we noticed that Fancy Pants black boots were just too small for her. Her foot was larger than the sole, however she was determined to shove her little feet into her favorite pair of shoes! We knew there would be mega tears if we didn't get her another pair of black boots before we passed this second pair onto her little sister. Yesterday we just happened to be walking through Kmart and saw some black boots. To my surprise her little foot has grown 2 shoe sizes since we bought those last pair of black boots. So we got the boots and Fancy Pants passed her old ones onto her sister.
Of course today they both just had to wear their new boots!
Get your He-Man on
So during prayer I get the most random images from God... funny ones. I love it that sometimes it feels like God and I have these little inside jokes... because some of the stuff there's really no way I want to share. I wasn't sure I wanted to share this, but God wouldn't leave me alone about it... so here it goes. This weekend I prayed a lot about strength from God. So often we try to do things of our own strength. The Lord kind of spoke to me Saturday night and said "Think of He-Man". Um...ok God.
When I stopped to think about He-Man just for a minute the only thing I could think of was "By the power of Grayskull. I have that power!" You remember that don't you? And you stood up and put your arms in the air and said it with him, I know you did. I did, and I'm a girl!
So what does that have to do with God? It didn't take me long, since I was praying about strength from God, to connect the two.
Who is He-Man? He was Prince Adam of Eternia... when he held that sword and said those words he transformed into the battle ready warrior, He-Man. I especially love that he held that sword above his head and lightening came from the sky, striking the sword in order to transform him.
When we become daughters (or sons) of the Most High, we are transformed. You could equate that transformation to He-Man, that once we become a child of Christ we can do things out of His strength. Once we belong to His kingdom we have access to the Lord's strength and all the gifts He gives.
However, I believe God was speaking even deeper than that when He flashed this picture of He-Man into my mind. After all, He-Man was already a prince. He already carried power and authority, just being a prince makes you more powerful... right?! As sons and daughters of God, princes and princesses of Heaven, we too already carry some of God's power and authority. What else is it that we need then? Why did He-Man need to be transformed? I mean, hello, he's a prince! Why does he need anything else?
He-Man was not content to just be a prince. His kingdom was under attack. He wanted to fight the evil forces against his family and his kingdom. Being just a prince did not give him enough authority against these evil forces. They don't care that he's a prince! His own authority means nothing to them! Satan does not care that you are a prince or princess of Heaven, a child of God. Your own authority means zilch to him. So many times when we are under attack we are ready to go, we are going to fight to win and fight to the end. But we don't stop and make sure that we are fighting with God's authority and with God's strength. We choose to go it alone. He-Man knew that as Prince Adam he could not win the battle. By taking a moment to stop and transform he knew he could win. There would still be a battle, but he was now prepared. "By the power of Grayskull... I have THAT power" He-Man didn't say "By the power of PRINCE ADAM!"
All too often we run into battle, completely unprepared! We have the attitude "Oh, this is easy. I got this thing." And I'm sorry but, the devil doesn't recognize your authority. However, we can stop and say "Lord! By your power I am going to fight this battle! With your strength I am going to win against this evil" We have the ability, as children of God to tap into that authority and strength. Colossians 1:11 says "being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience". This says we must be strengthened with all power according to His Glory... not our own, not someone elses, but the Lord's.
Hebrews 12:12-13 says "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." How are you going to be able to fight for anything (like the lame) for the Kingdom with feeble arms and weak knees?
Ephesians 6:10 says "Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power". When Paul wrote this to the Ephesians he knew already that they were children of the Lord. He still felt the need to encourage them to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. They weren't strong just because they believed and were saved. There were things they physically had to do. Verses 11-17 go on to say,-
We need to tap into God's strength when we are battling for the Kingdom. Our strength will never be enough, even as sons and daughters of Heavenly King. We need to be armed and prepared through His strength and authority.
Once Prince Adam was transformed into He-Man he looked like a force to be reckoned with. So go grab a sword, stand in front of your house, raise your hand in the air and shout "By the power of God!"
No, not really. But do pray and study scripture, then pray some more. And remember to look to God for strength, and give Him the glory for winning the battle. Raise your hands, pray to God, ask for His strength. By God's power you have the ability to fight.
When I stopped to think about He-Man just for a minute the only thing I could think of was "By the power of Grayskull. I have that power!" You remember that don't you? And you stood up and put your arms in the air and said it with him, I know you did. I did, and I'm a girl!
So what does that have to do with God? It didn't take me long, since I was praying about strength from God, to connect the two.
Who is He-Man? He was Prince Adam of Eternia... when he held that sword and said those words he transformed into the battle ready warrior, He-Man. I especially love that he held that sword above his head and lightening came from the sky, striking the sword in order to transform him.
When we become daughters (or sons) of the Most High, we are transformed. You could equate that transformation to He-Man, that once we become a child of Christ we can do things out of His strength. Once we belong to His kingdom we have access to the Lord's strength and all the gifts He gives.
Prince Adam
He-Man was not content to just be a prince. His kingdom was under attack. He wanted to fight the evil forces against his family and his kingdom. Being just a prince did not give him enough authority against these evil forces. They don't care that he's a prince! His own authority means nothing to them! Satan does not care that you are a prince or princess of Heaven, a child of God. Your own authority means zilch to him. So many times when we are under attack we are ready to go, we are going to fight to win and fight to the end. But we don't stop and make sure that we are fighting with God's authority and with God's strength. We choose to go it alone. He-Man knew that as Prince Adam he could not win the battle. By taking a moment to stop and transform he knew he could win. There would still be a battle, but he was now prepared. "By the power of Grayskull... I have THAT power" He-Man didn't say "By the power of PRINCE ADAM!"
He-Man
All too often we run into battle, completely unprepared! We have the attitude "Oh, this is easy. I got this thing." And I'm sorry but, the devil doesn't recognize your authority. However, we can stop and say "Lord! By your power I am going to fight this battle! With your strength I am going to win against this evil" We have the ability, as children of God to tap into that authority and strength. Colossians 1:11 says "being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience". This says we must be strengthened with all power according to His Glory... not our own, not someone elses, but the Lord's.
Hebrews 12:12-13 says "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." How are you going to be able to fight for anything (like the lame) for the Kingdom with feeble arms and weak knees?
Ephesians 6:10 says "Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power". When Paul wrote this to the Ephesians he knew already that they were children of the Lord. He still felt the need to encourage them to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. They weren't strong just because they believed and were saved. There were things they physically had to do. Verses 11-17 go on to say,-
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We need to tap into God's strength when we are battling for the Kingdom. Our strength will never be enough, even as sons and daughters of Heavenly King. We need to be armed and prepared through His strength and authority.
Once Prince Adam was transformed into He-Man he looked like a force to be reckoned with. So go grab a sword, stand in front of your house, raise your hand in the air and shout "By the power of God!"
No, not really. But do pray and study scripture, then pray some more. And remember to look to God for strength, and give Him the glory for winning the battle. Raise your hands, pray to God, ask for His strength. By God's power you have the ability to fight.
(And I had to include She-Ra because even girls can rock at fighting for the Kingdom!)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Blessed Blankies
It was a lot of fun coming up with 7 things about myself to share earlier this week. I think I got the most comments on our charity "Blessed Blankies". I figured maybe I should clarify it a bit... it's not really just an idea in my head anymore, we have actually moved on it! So far we've donated about a dozen blankets to our local Pathways Youth and Family office, who we foster though. I personally was blessed to be able to give the first Blankie to a precious little girl in the hospital. We are still in our early stages, however we were up and running fairly quickly once I put the idea out there.
I do have a blog set up for Blessed Blankies and a Facebook page (just run a search for us! I'm on my Facebook detox, so I can't get the link for you right now!) I've been bad about keeping the blog updated, however I will try to get it updated this week. We also own www.blessedblankies.com and .org, however neither site is up and running yet. It is a lot of work to get started and since most of the time it's just myself it's slow going.
Let me tell you a little bit about the process. When a Blankie is donated first it comes in and I put a sticker with a number on it. I look at the size and pattern and decide if it's best for a Baby/Toddler, Child, or Teen. I log the Blankie with the name of the person who made it (all Blankies are hand made), the number, description and date donated. Once a month or so, depending on how many Blankies we have I have a team of Prayer Warriors come to my house, or we meet at church, and pray over the Blankies. Once the Blankie is prayed over I take the number sticker off of it and affix a little certificate to it that says something like "This Blankie was hand made just for you from _________" with the person who donated it's name on it. Then it's ready to go to the agency. Right now we are working on an application process for other agencies in the area to apply to get Blankies for their children as well. Once an agency is approved they are given Blankies and a notebook. In the notebook is a list for them to basically sign the Blankies out once they are given to a child. I check the notebook once in awhile and then the person who donated the Blankie should get a certificate in the mail saying that their Blankie blessed a boy or girl child, the child's age and the date it was given. I have a pile of these ready to be mailed right now, but with school starting and other stuff coming up I haven't mailed them yet!
So that is the basic run down at this point. I am working on building a database in Microsoft Access to log the Blankies in, instead of the way I'm doing it right now. I am also trying to work on the website, however that I am hoping to find someone to donate their time and help me with it!! It's overwhelming but I am determined to bless these beautiful little children... it's through no fault of their own that they are in the situation they are in and they deserve as much love and caring and comfort as we can give them.
I do have a blog set up for Blessed Blankies and a Facebook page (just run a search for us! I'm on my Facebook detox, so I can't get the link for you right now!) I've been bad about keeping the blog updated, however I will try to get it updated this week. We also own www.blessedblankies.com and .org, however neither site is up and running yet. It is a lot of work to get started and since most of the time it's just myself it's slow going.
Let me tell you a little bit about the process. When a Blankie is donated first it comes in and I put a sticker with a number on it. I look at the size and pattern and decide if it's best for a Baby/Toddler, Child, or Teen. I log the Blankie with the name of the person who made it (all Blankies are hand made), the number, description and date donated. Once a month or so, depending on how many Blankies we have I have a team of Prayer Warriors come to my house, or we meet at church, and pray over the Blankies. Once the Blankie is prayed over I take the number sticker off of it and affix a little certificate to it that says something like "This Blankie was hand made just for you from _________" with the person who donated it's name on it. Then it's ready to go to the agency. Right now we are working on an application process for other agencies in the area to apply to get Blankies for their children as well. Once an agency is approved they are given Blankies and a notebook. In the notebook is a list for them to basically sign the Blankies out once they are given to a child. I check the notebook once in awhile and then the person who donated the Blankie should get a certificate in the mail saying that their Blankie blessed a boy or girl child, the child's age and the date it was given. I have a pile of these ready to be mailed right now, but with school starting and other stuff coming up I haven't mailed them yet!
So that is the basic run down at this point. I am working on building a database in Microsoft Access to log the Blankies in, instead of the way I'm doing it right now. I am also trying to work on the website, however that I am hoping to find someone to donate their time and help me with it!! It's overwhelming but I am determined to bless these beautiful little children... it's through no fault of their own that they are in the situation they are in and they deserve as much love and caring and comfort as we can give them.
Facebook Detox: Day 4
Today is my last full day of Facebook detox. I plan on logging on tomorrow around noon, once the girls are napping.
So, how did it go? Well... not really how I'd hoped. I don't think I got any more done than I usually do. I had a busy week. Tuesday morning I had errands to run, small group, and then I always have friends over for lunch after small group on Tuesdays. It makes for a pretty full day. I also hit the grocery store in the evening.
Yesterday I walked Mini Jedi to school and prayed with him at "See you at the pole". Then a friend and I walked 4 miles! I got home and ate some breakfast and felt incredibly ill until about 2 in the afternoon. So all I really did was watch Tinkerbell with the girls and then lay on the couch and catch up on Project Runway. Wednesday evening we went to church.
So I haven't gotten anymore cleaning done than usual, but most of the stuff I do is stuff I usually do. Tuesdays for me will always be that full, which is fine because I love them. I would have gotten much more done yesterday if I didn't feel so sick (It's the second time I've felt sick after eating eggs this month! Both from different sources.)
Today may be a bit better. I am heading out to check out a grocery store with a friend. The store is about 30 minutes away I think...maybe a little further. We should be home early, then I can catch up on some cleaning. The one thing I just can't seem to keep up with is Tot School with the girls! I need more planning time on the weekends... I enjoy the time we spend together doing activities for this, so it just needs to be more of a priority. Once it becomes a routine it should be much easier.
All in all I'm not sorry that I did the Facebook detox, however it didn't end up the way I thought it would. I still have a day and a half to make myself feel like it was really worth it!
I should add too though that my friends were great, they all text, called and emailed me all week. I talked more on the phone this week than I usually do in 2 or 3 weeks :)
So, how did it go? Well... not really how I'd hoped. I don't think I got any more done than I usually do. I had a busy week. Tuesday morning I had errands to run, small group, and then I always have friends over for lunch after small group on Tuesdays. It makes for a pretty full day. I also hit the grocery store in the evening.
Yesterday I walked Mini Jedi to school and prayed with him at "See you at the pole". Then a friend and I walked 4 miles! I got home and ate some breakfast and felt incredibly ill until about 2 in the afternoon. So all I really did was watch Tinkerbell with the girls and then lay on the couch and catch up on Project Runway. Wednesday evening we went to church.
So I haven't gotten anymore cleaning done than usual, but most of the stuff I do is stuff I usually do. Tuesdays for me will always be that full, which is fine because I love them. I would have gotten much more done yesterday if I didn't feel so sick (It's the second time I've felt sick after eating eggs this month! Both from different sources.)
Today may be a bit better. I am heading out to check out a grocery store with a friend. The store is about 30 minutes away I think...maybe a little further. We should be home early, then I can catch up on some cleaning. The one thing I just can't seem to keep up with is Tot School with the girls! I need more planning time on the weekends... I enjoy the time we spend together doing activities for this, so it just needs to be more of a priority. Once it becomes a routine it should be much easier.
All in all I'm not sorry that I did the Facebook detox, however it didn't end up the way I thought it would. I still have a day and a half to make myself feel like it was really worth it!
I should add too though that my friends were great, they all text, called and emailed me all week. I talked more on the phone this week than I usually do in 2 or 3 weeks :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Facebook Detox - Day 1
So, I decided that I need a facebook detox. Side effects may include increased blog and twitter posts. I will be detoxing until Friday evening, possibly Saturday. And I have a busy weekend... so it could be awhile. I just can't afford my habit anymore, not enough is getting done. So here is what I got done on day 1... not as much as I'd hoped. I woke up at 4:30 and couldn't go back to sleep so I was in a fog a lot of the day. Plus the dr. appt took a couple of hours!
- Baby Cakes and I made Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix (Recipe from Dining on a Dime)
- Danced to the Hannah Montana soundtrack with the girls
- Vacuumed - Living room, girls room, hall, and half the master bedroom
- Rushed the vacuum outside so that the smoke coming from the motor didn't fill up the house...
- Dr. Appt
- Checked the price of a Dyson at the BX while I was on base
- Looked up some recipes for my home made pasta goal in October
- Played with the girls a bit
- Put some girls in time out a few times
- Checked my email approx. 500 times to see if anyone wrote to me... nope
- Cooked dinner
- Prayer
- Walmart
Versatile Blogger Award!
I am so excited, my blog has received it's first award! We have been awarded The Versatile Blogger award from Kim over at Kimmama. Thank you so much Kim!! I think I may be a little over excited about this award but since it is my first... well it's just very exciting!! I visited Kim's blog and clicked back few a through others who won and gave the award. I am also going to check out the other blogs she awarded it to. What a great way to find some great new blogs to read.
So, with the Versatile Blogger Award comes a few guidelines...
1. I'm a California girl. I was born and raised in sunny Southern California. I lived there until I married and Tony joined the USAF. I love California, even with the ridiculously priced houses. I always say I'll never move back but every time I visit I long to stay forever. In my heart I will always be a California Girl.
2. I'm Italian. I don't look it. Believe me I know, and it makes me sad because I love being Italian. (It's that bit o Irish from my mother that seems to cancel out the Italian features). I come from a huge Italian family. I have 11 brothers and sisters and more cousins than I can count (I tried once... it hurt). I have so much family I can't keep track of it all, like that uncle my dad reminded me I had during my last visit! I don't much like crowds but I love the Christmas get together at my grandpas when everyone is there... everyone. I am sad every year that I have to miss it. There always seems to be standing room only, dozens of kids running around. And really it's only 3 generations or so of Guarino's. I love it!
3. I'm trying to start a charity, Blessed Blankies. I hope to one day to turn it into a nonprofit organization and maybe have chapters open in major cities all over the US. The goal of Blessed Blankies is to provide hand made, donated blankets to children in foster care. I have such a passion for these children and have seen with my own eyes how much fear they have when moved to a new home. Blessed Blankies hopes to provide comfort to these children, even just a little can make a huge difference.
4. I love to dance. I just don't do it in public. I dance in the living room to ear splitting music with my girls...almost every day. We've only gotten caught by Tony a few times :)
5. I used to be extremely shy. I'm not much better now. Meeting new people intimidates me. I was so shy in high school that Tony's friends would try hard to think up questions that required more than a 1 word answer. Somehow I was always able to still answer them with 1 word. It was a game they played... I had no idea for months! I thought it was pretty funny once I did find out, although it did explain why they asked me such random things! Once you get to know me though I am pretty open. I always worry that I come off the wrong way... I am comfortable with my friends but new people I have no idea what to say. I worry I look like an idiot or a snob. I'm not, I promise!
6. I am constantly thinking about baby names. I don't know if it's normal for someone who has gone through infertility. I watch credits at the end of the movie for new cute name ideas. I doubt I'll ever get to use all my favorites, mostly because there are so many. Most of the names are girl names. My current favorite is Callie Nicole. (I think our recent trip to California birthed this one, and the fact that everyone else in my family is named after another family member but no one is named after me! My middle name is Nicole.)
7. My hearts desire is to open a home for teen moms. I have a special place in my heart for teen moms, not just because I had a son at 19. I truly believe this passion is from the Lord because I do have such a hard time talking to new people... this would require a lot of talking to new people! I have a desire to mentor these girls and help them build the best life possible for them and their children.
So, with the Versatile Blogger Award comes a few guidelines...
- Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
- Share 7 things about yourself.
- Pass the award along to 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are fabulous.
- Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award
~*~*~*~*~*~
So, 7 things about myself...hmmm...I will try to make them things that you may not know, even if you read my blog. Otherwise, how much fun is that? (Although, if you are a close friend...sorry... you probably know everything about me already!)
1. I'm a California girl. I was born and raised in sunny Southern California. I lived there until I married and Tony joined the USAF. I love California, even with the ridiculously priced houses. I always say I'll never move back but every time I visit I long to stay forever. In my heart I will always be a California Girl.
2. I'm Italian. I don't look it. Believe me I know, and it makes me sad because I love being Italian. (It's that bit o Irish from my mother that seems to cancel out the Italian features). I come from a huge Italian family. I have 11 brothers and sisters and more cousins than I can count (I tried once... it hurt). I have so much family I can't keep track of it all, like that uncle my dad reminded me I had during my last visit! I don't much like crowds but I love the Christmas get together at my grandpas when everyone is there... everyone. I am sad every year that I have to miss it. There always seems to be standing room only, dozens of kids running around. And really it's only 3 generations or so of Guarino's. I love it!
3. I'm trying to start a charity, Blessed Blankies. I hope to one day to turn it into a nonprofit organization and maybe have chapters open in major cities all over the US. The goal of Blessed Blankies is to provide hand made, donated blankets to children in foster care. I have such a passion for these children and have seen with my own eyes how much fear they have when moved to a new home. Blessed Blankies hopes to provide comfort to these children, even just a little can make a huge difference.
4. I love to dance. I just don't do it in public. I dance in the living room to ear splitting music with my girls...almost every day. We've only gotten caught by Tony a few times :)
5. I used to be extremely shy. I'm not much better now. Meeting new people intimidates me. I was so shy in high school that Tony's friends would try hard to think up questions that required more than a 1 word answer. Somehow I was always able to still answer them with 1 word. It was a game they played... I had no idea for months! I thought it was pretty funny once I did find out, although it did explain why they asked me such random things! Once you get to know me though I am pretty open. I always worry that I come off the wrong way... I am comfortable with my friends but new people I have no idea what to say. I worry I look like an idiot or a snob. I'm not, I promise!
6. I am constantly thinking about baby names. I don't know if it's normal for someone who has gone through infertility. I watch credits at the end of the movie for new cute name ideas. I doubt I'll ever get to use all my favorites, mostly because there are so many. Most of the names are girl names. My current favorite is Callie Nicole. (I think our recent trip to California birthed this one, and the fact that everyone else in my family is named after another family member but no one is named after me! My middle name is Nicole.)
7. My hearts desire is to open a home for teen moms. I have a special place in my heart for teen moms, not just because I had a son at 19. I truly believe this passion is from the Lord because I do have such a hard time talking to new people... this would require a lot of talking to new people! I have a desire to mentor these girls and help them build the best life possible for them and their children.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Be sure to check out the 15 blogs I am awarding The Versatile Blogger Award to!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Good Morning World!
During my prayer time this morning I really felt led to thank the Lord for His wonderful design for family and to marvel at how beautiful it is. Do you ever feel this way? Do you ever just stop and really think about the components that make up a marriage and a family and how perfect they are?
I know that the Lord has been working something in my heart. Lately I've also marveled at the way He's designed marriage. I love the way we don't feel complete without our spouse, how the day never feels complete without that embrace from them. (Or just to hear their voice for the military spouse who is waiting for her family to be complete again.)
God designed all of this for us. It is amazing! It amazes me that I get such delight watching my little girls spin around and around, listening to their beautiful giggles and the smiles that light up their face and my world. I love seeing the delight on my son's face when he is able to build out of Legos the picture that was in his head a short time before, how proud I am of him can never be expressed in words. I anticipate the pure joy that flows through me when my husband walks through the door at the end of the day, safe at home with his family once again. Science may be able to explain many things, but it could never explain these feelings that God gave us for our family. It can never explain these bonds and why they are so deep and so important.
God gave me a passion for children and for family. In these moments that He presses on me how wonderfully and beautifully He made my family I know that He wants me to appreciate mine more. Appreciate what I have more. Appreciate that it is He who gives it, appreciate His design more.
God made the family to fill our hearts full of joy. How often do we allow circumstances to rob us of this joy? I know I am often guilty of this... of not appreciating family the way I should. Family should never be something that is a burden to us, that is not the way God designed it. I am glad God has been pressing on me how beautiful family is and how much I need to embrace that beauty.
I know that the Lord has been working something in my heart. Lately I've also marveled at the way He's designed marriage. I love the way we don't feel complete without our spouse, how the day never feels complete without that embrace from them. (Or just to hear their voice for the military spouse who is waiting for her family to be complete again.)
God designed all of this for us. It is amazing! It amazes me that I get such delight watching my little girls spin around and around, listening to their beautiful giggles and the smiles that light up their face and my world. I love seeing the delight on my son's face when he is able to build out of Legos the picture that was in his head a short time before, how proud I am of him can never be expressed in words. I anticipate the pure joy that flows through me when my husband walks through the door at the end of the day, safe at home with his family once again. Science may be able to explain many things, but it could never explain these feelings that God gave us for our family. It can never explain these bonds and why they are so deep and so important.
God gave me a passion for children and for family. In these moments that He presses on me how wonderfully and beautifully He made my family I know that He wants me to appreciate mine more. Appreciate what I have more. Appreciate that it is He who gives it, appreciate His design more.
God made the family to fill our hearts full of joy. How often do we allow circumstances to rob us of this joy? I know I am often guilty of this... of not appreciating family the way I should. Family should never be something that is a burden to us, that is not the way God designed it. I am glad God has been pressing on me how beautiful family is and how much I need to embrace that beauty.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Never Ending List!
I am behind on EVERYTHING. It's nerve wracking. I hate being behind. It stresses me out! How can I get on top of everything if we're never home though. So today I need to work on catching up on stuff. The first thing I need to do is move the computer to the kitchen counter. Why? Because when it's near my rocking chair I sit and catch up on facebook a few times a day... ok, maybe more than a few. Once my butt hits that chair it could be there forever! However, if I put the computer somewhere that I can walk past, quickly check up on my stuff, then keep going it takes less than 2 minutes and I get WAY more done. Why not just close the computer and forget my "stuff" (Facebook, email, etc.)? Because. I just don't wanna. ;)
So here's what I want to get done today -
Vacuum
Clean my bathroom
Get the girls laundry done and start mine
Clean the kitchen counters
Move the kids castle and playhouse back into the grass, they've been taking up my entire porch for a week
Start cleaning up the "baby room" (as the girls call it)
Work on the Monster's lifebook
Work on the budget
Work on some stuff for Blessed Blankies
I really want to get more than that done, but we'll just start with that. What do you have on your to-do list today?
So here's what I want to get done today -
Clean my bathroom
Clean the kitchen counters
Start cleaning up the "baby room" (as the girls call it)
Work on the Monster's lifebook
Work on the budget
Work on some stuff for Blessed Blankies
I really want to get more than that done, but we'll just start with that. What do you have on your to-do list today?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Well??
OK, I am done updating the blog, except my signature line. I put a new banner up... and a scripture a friend shared with me a few weeks ago that seems perfect for our family. What do you think?? I wasn't able to make one with photos, but I may put some photos down the side later... I just need a good one of my Mini Jedi.
Magnetic Shopping List
You know when you grow up and you have kids and you have kids just like you and you feel sorry for your parents? Well, welcome to my world.
I have a very forgetful child. (My poor, poor parents!) I get the "Oh, we need cat litter... I forgot to tell you a week and a half ago when we ran out. Oops." Then he gets that deep, deep sigh that only mothers can give. I also get the timid "um, Mom... I'm completely out of toothpaste". I try to bargain shop, so I try not to be out of these things often, but sometimes it happens. Add to this the fact that his mother is also forgetful and after 3 trips to the store we may still be out of toothpaste... I'm sure you get the picture.
So one final "We're out of cat litter" and the craftiness kicked in. A few weeks ago a friend sent me a link to a magnetic meal planner for the fridge. I decided that the magnetic thing could solve our problem too. So I decided to make a magnetic grocery list.
I found strips of magnet, like a roll of scotch tape then printed out a list using Excel. Cover the front of the paper with clear contact paper to keep the ink from running if it gets dirty. Cut into strips (the tape was 3/4 inch wide, so the Excel rows were 54 pixels wide each), and carefully lay strips onto sticky side of the magnet. Each strip had about 5 things listed, so then cut between each item.
So, now every time we are low on something whoever notices first must move the item over under the "Grocery List" magnet. It's not fool proof, however so far it has been working! Eventually I will need to add a few more magnets. I had to think of items that we run out of the most often, or items that people forget to tell me they need and so I don't think to grab at the store.
Total this cost me $2.50 for the magnet tape. Everything else I had on hand, but would cost maybe another $.10.
I'll be sure to update on how well it works. I'm hoping to make the Magnetic Menu Planner soon as well!
I have a very forgetful child. (My poor, poor parents!) I get the "Oh, we need cat litter... I forgot to tell you a week and a half ago when we ran out. Oops." Then he gets that deep, deep sigh that only mothers can give. I also get the timid "um, Mom... I'm completely out of toothpaste". I try to bargain shop, so I try not to be out of these things often, but sometimes it happens. Add to this the fact that his mother is also forgetful and after 3 trips to the store we may still be out of toothpaste... I'm sure you get the picture.
So one final "We're out of cat litter" and the craftiness kicked in. A few weeks ago a friend sent me a link to a magnetic meal planner for the fridge. I decided that the magnetic thing could solve our problem too. So I decided to make a magnetic grocery list.
I found strips of magnet, like a roll of scotch tape then printed out a list using Excel. Cover the front of the paper with clear contact paper to keep the ink from running if it gets dirty. Cut into strips (the tape was 3/4 inch wide, so the Excel rows were 54 pixels wide each), and carefully lay strips onto sticky side of the magnet. Each strip had about 5 things listed, so then cut between each item.
So, now every time we are low on something whoever notices first must move the item over under the "Grocery List" magnet. It's not fool proof, however so far it has been working! Eventually I will need to add a few more magnets. I had to think of items that we run out of the most often, or items that people forget to tell me they need and so I don't think to grab at the store.
Total this cost me $2.50 for the magnet tape. Everything else I had on hand, but would cost maybe another $.10.
I'll be sure to update on how well it works. I'm hoping to make the Magnetic Menu Planner soon as well!
Monday, September 13, 2010
So what do you do on sleepless nights?
That's right, redesign your blog! I spruced it up a bit today, I still have a bit to go though. I want to make a new banner for the top. What do you think? Leave me some feedback!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Mothering in a Shoe has 12 New Things To Do
So, one thing I noticed when I decided to take my blogging a little more seriously was that a lot of people join in some type of group topic with other blogs (that so isn't the best way to explain, but it's all you're going to get on my 4 hours of sleep last night!) For example, we participate in Tot School, which originated with another blog. That blog author invited others to participate. Some of these topics occur weekly, like Menu Planning Monday or Thankful Friday. Once you post your blog you go to the original site and leave a link... at least that's how I think they work. I have wanted to participate in some, sometimes though it's hard to find the original blog or I'm just not sure I can commit to writing about the same thing, the same day of each week!
I did come across a fantastic blog today however and I am excited to join in their goal to learn 12 new things in 12 months. I am also excited to read about what others are learning! Now, I am starting a few months late, I'm fine with that though! I took me awhile to come up with these 12 things and I had to make up my mind not to allow more than half to be about cooking since that's all I could think of!
I'd love for you to join in with me, if you decide to make sure you let the other blog know by clicking this link and filling out the form, then also leave me a message and let me know you're joining so I can read all about your journey of mastering new skills :)
September - I'm cheating and going to make the girls names I made my goal for September since the rest of my month is FULL and already half over.
October - Learn how to make home made pasta that tastes better than store bought. (I added the store bought thing because I did try once to make homemade pasta and it was gooey... I want to learn how to make it well enough that we don't want to buy it anymore!)
November - Learn how to use the serger that a friend gave me, including making my own Serger Cheat Book
December - Learn how to allow the kids in the kitchen to help me cook. I know this sounds funny, I'll explain more in December.
January - Learn to write thank you notes... ok, this one is a stretch. But I'm SO bad at writing thank you's and it makes me feel bad, people who send us gifts deserve thank you's. I plan on making the cards myself from scrapbook stuff, so it is kind of like learning...learning to make the cards. I want my kids to learn this early and they learn by example...
February - Make the girls both twirly skirts
March - Make Artisan Bread from "The Easy Way to Artisan Breads & Pastries" by Avner Laskin
April - Learn the ins and outs of my camera... I have a Rebel XSi and I barely know how to use it!
May - Make great risotto...mmmmm.....
June - Learn how to can (Hoping to have a pressure caner by this time!)
July - Learn how to make hair bows for the girls!
August - Learn that spending time with my family and with the Lord is the best way to spend my time... I always feel guilty if I don't get enough done in a day. I don't take much time to just sit and play with the kids or cuddle with Tony without the clock ticking in my ear that dinner needs to be cooked or the house needs to be picked up. I put this one last because it's going to take me the whole year to practice and master!
I did come across a fantastic blog today however and I am excited to join in their goal to learn 12 new things in 12 months. I am also excited to read about what others are learning! Now, I am starting a few months late, I'm fine with that though! I took me awhile to come up with these 12 things and I had to make up my mind not to allow more than half to be about cooking since that's all I could think of!
I'd love for you to join in with me, if you decide to make sure you let the other blog know by clicking this link and filling out the form, then also leave me a message and let me know you're joining so I can read all about your journey of mastering new skills :)
My 12 Things
September - I'm cheating and going to make the girls names I made my goal for September since the rest of my month is FULL and already half over.
October - Learn how to make home made pasta that tastes better than store bought. (I added the store bought thing because I did try once to make homemade pasta and it was gooey... I want to learn how to make it well enough that we don't want to buy it anymore!)
November - Learn how to use the serger that a friend gave me, including making my own Serger Cheat Book
December - Learn how to allow the kids in the kitchen to help me cook. I know this sounds funny, I'll explain more in December.
January - Learn to write thank you notes... ok, this one is a stretch. But I'm SO bad at writing thank you's and it makes me feel bad, people who send us gifts deserve thank you's. I plan on making the cards myself from scrapbook stuff, so it is kind of like learning...learning to make the cards. I want my kids to learn this early and they learn by example...
February - Make the girls both twirly skirts
March - Make Artisan Bread from "The Easy Way to Artisan Breads & Pastries" by Avner Laskin
April - Learn the ins and outs of my camera... I have a Rebel XSi and I barely know how to use it!
May - Make great risotto...mmmmm.....
June - Learn how to can (Hoping to have a pressure caner by this time!)
July - Learn how to make hair bows for the girls!
August - Learn that spending time with my family and with the Lord is the best way to spend my time... I always feel guilty if I don't get enough done in a day. I don't take much time to just sit and play with the kids or cuddle with Tony without the clock ticking in my ear that dinner needs to be cooked or the house needs to be picked up. I put this one last because it's going to take me the whole year to practice and master!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Remembering...
I always feel like I should write a little on 9/11. That I should reflect on the day. Not in an obligatory kind of way, but an honoring kind of way. My heart is always torn between wanting to do something honoring, but also wanting to keep the day as normal as possible for my children's sake. Our hearts were forever changed that day. There will never be another 9/11 when my eyes don't well up all day long with tears whenever I remember those tragic events, remembering how helpless I felt half way around the world, remembering how I missed my family so much and longed to be near them, remember wondering how I would be able to raise a child in a world like that.
Yet there is nothing I can write or say that will ever take away those events or bring enough honor to those who gave their lives. A few tears shed, a few words written, watching replays on the news... none of this feels like it can truly make a difference. My heart longs to do more, to somehow take some of the sorrow away from the widows of that day, to gather up children who lost their mothers and fathers and hold them close. What can we truly do to make a difference for those on this day? Everyone says "Never Forget" and that is a good start, but shouldn't there be more? Remembering just doesn't feel like enough...
Friday, September 10, 2010
Hello out there.....
So... I'm wondering... Does anyone read this? I get a few comments once in awhile but I'd like to know, is the content interesting? Is there anything you'd like to read more or less about? I'm open to some suggestion. I am going to continue to write about my kids, adoption, foster care, etc. but I am open to suggestion to new things, less of other things, etc. Let me know, give me some feedback! :)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
It's a Wrap!
A few years back I clipped a picture out of a magazine of something I wanted to make for my girls. At the time they'd probably only been here for a short time. Having just gone from 1 child to 4 children in a matter of months I didn't have time to do much crafting. Recently I came across the picture again and decided it was time to make them for my girls! Only I decided to do their whole names, instead of initials. This weekend we painted the girls room and put their beds to bunk beds. I was able to finish the girls names and posted photos on Facebook. Due to popular demand I decided to post a tutorial. I am actually going to post photos of their actual names on here today, just so I can show you what these things look like :) Also, sorry about the bad photos, my kitchen has horrible lighting.
Now, I did get this idea out of a magazine. However, there was just a little blurb about how to make them, no tutorial. So I don't feel too bad making one up. I'm not trying to take credit, just share!
Wrapped Names (for lack of a better title. Anyone have anything better to call them? Something more fun?)
Cost- $5 (really depends on the embellishments, but $5 is a high estimate!)
Time- 2 hours tops. The cross I made for the tutorial took maybe 45 minutes.
wire cutters
hot glue gun & hot glue sticks
Decorations
(Coffee is optional for some, not for me!)
Take your paper wrapped floral wire and mold it into the shape you want. I'd already made both the girls names, so I chose a cross to do for the tutorial. Here is what their names looked like before wrapping them though -
Secure your shape with the smaller gage floral wire, if needed -
Cut your fabric into 1 inch or so strips -
Start at the beginning, or somewhere that looks like a good starting point and start wrapping it along the wire, moving down in a kind of diagonal way -
You may need to remove the smaller gage floral wire as you wrap to get it to look right. As you get close to the end of your fabric strip you will need to overlap the beginning of the next strip and continue wrapping -
Once you've wrapped the whole thing use some hot glue to secure the end of the fabric -
Decorate to your liking!
So do you have any questions? I'm not that great at writing tutorials, so please if you have questions let me know, I would be happy to answer them!
Now, I did get this idea out of a magazine. However, there was just a little blurb about how to make them, no tutorial. So I don't feel too bad making one up. I'm not trying to take credit, just share!
Wrapped Names (for lack of a better title. Anyone have anything better to call them? Something more fun?)
Cost- $5 (really depends on the embellishments, but $5 is a high estimate!)
Time- 2 hours tops. The cross I made for the tutorial took maybe 45 minutes.
Gather these supplies -
paper wrapped floral wire
thin floral wire, not paper wrapped
fabric of your choosing (1/4 yard is plenty)
some type of mat to cut your fabric on and scissors or a roller to cut the fabricwire cutters
hot glue gun & hot glue sticks
Decorations
(Coffee is optional for some, not for me!)
Take your paper wrapped floral wire and mold it into the shape you want. I'd already made both the girls names, so I chose a cross to do for the tutorial. Here is what their names looked like before wrapping them though -
Secure your shape with the smaller gage floral wire, if needed -
Cut your fabric into 1 inch or so strips -
Once you've wrapped the whole thing use some hot glue to secure the end of the fabric -
Decorate to your liking!
So do you have any questions? I'm not that great at writing tutorials, so please if you have questions let me know, I would be happy to answer them!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Old Favourites :)
(Yes, I spelled that the "British way" on purpose)
One of the perks to getting married young and having a spouse in the military was that we got to travel and see many different countries while we were still very young and excited to try new things. My mom still marvels at the fact that at 19 years old I moved to a foreign country, with a husband and a baby. It didn't seem like a huge deal to me at the time, who wouldn't be excited to live in Italy, Korea or England? Now that we're older it would be harder to up and leave our family and take our kids to another country. But then it wasn't so bad... we loved it!
We didn't just move to other countries and stay on base, our little America. We tried as hard as we could to immerse ourselves in the culture and experience as much as we could. One thing I loved about all the countries we lived in were the magazines. In Italy and Korea I had no idea what they said, but things like the craft magazines, you don't always need to see what they say. You can go by the pictures. I have a box full of Italian Cross Stitch magazines that I love! There are all sorts of patterns in there, crochet, knitting, embroidery, etc.
In England we loved the magazines even more (since we could actually read them)! I can't begin to tell you how much better British magazines are than our own here in the US and there are SO many to chose from. I had a few British cooking magazines I'd buy each month. I finally had to start cutting the recipes out, there just wasn't room enough in our home for all those magazines! (Tony was addicted to Mini Magazines and has loads of them in his garage.)
Last night I fished out an old favorite recipe of ours that I got out of a British food magazine. It's not typical British fare, nor is it quite Italian. I don't think it really belongs in any category other than "delicious"! It's very quick and simple. I use Italian sausage in it, however since I don't think I'd ever seen Italian sausage in England it's probably not what the chef meant for the recipe. So be creative :) The recipe intro even says to use tuna, ham, bacon or fresh veggies instead of the sausage.
Saucy Sausage Pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
packet of 8 pork sausages (I used Italian, I believe 5 come in the package), cut into chunky pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
400g can chopped tomatoes (400g is about 14oz, so a small can. I used a 28oz can of peeled whole tomatoes and cut them up, it turned out great)
1 tsp. chili powder
10oz (we use a 1lb box) short pasta such as fusilli (I used penne)
1. Put a large pan of water on to boil. Heat the oil in a large frying pan (I used cast iron) and fry the sausage chunks on a fairly high heat until they are golden brown all over. Now turn the heat down and add the onion and garlic, cooking them until they have softened (I know it always says to add the garlic when you add the onion. However, I always wait until about a minute or two before the onion is done, otherwise you are likely to cook all the flavor out of the garlic. Garlic shouldn't cook as long as the onion does).
2. Stir in the chili powder and tomatoes with the sausages, bring them sauce to the boil then turn the heat down and let it bubble for about 10 minutes while you cook the pasta.
3. Drop the pasta into the pan of boiling water and cook according to the pack instructions. Drain the pasta then tip it into the frying pan with the sausage sauce, mixing well to coat (or if you don't have enough room put the pasta back into the pot and stir the sauce into it).
Enjoy!
One of the perks to getting married young and having a spouse in the military was that we got to travel and see many different countries while we were still very young and excited to try new things. My mom still marvels at the fact that at 19 years old I moved to a foreign country, with a husband and a baby. It didn't seem like a huge deal to me at the time, who wouldn't be excited to live in Italy, Korea or England? Now that we're older it would be harder to up and leave our family and take our kids to another country. But then it wasn't so bad... we loved it!
We didn't just move to other countries and stay on base, our little America. We tried as hard as we could to immerse ourselves in the culture and experience as much as we could. One thing I loved about all the countries we lived in were the magazines. In Italy and Korea I had no idea what they said, but things like the craft magazines, you don't always need to see what they say. You can go by the pictures. I have a box full of Italian Cross Stitch magazines that I love! There are all sorts of patterns in there, crochet, knitting, embroidery, etc.
In England we loved the magazines even more (since we could actually read them)! I can't begin to tell you how much better British magazines are than our own here in the US and there are SO many to chose from. I had a few British cooking magazines I'd buy each month. I finally had to start cutting the recipes out, there just wasn't room enough in our home for all those magazines! (Tony was addicted to Mini Magazines and has loads of them in his garage.)
Last night I fished out an old favorite recipe of ours that I got out of a British food magazine. It's not typical British fare, nor is it quite Italian. I don't think it really belongs in any category other than "delicious"! It's very quick and simple. I use Italian sausage in it, however since I don't think I'd ever seen Italian sausage in England it's probably not what the chef meant for the recipe. So be creative :) The recipe intro even says to use tuna, ham, bacon or fresh veggies instead of the sausage.
Saucy Sausage Pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
packet of 8 pork sausages (I used Italian, I believe 5 come in the package), cut into chunky pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
400g can chopped tomatoes (400g is about 14oz, so a small can. I used a 28oz can of peeled whole tomatoes and cut them up, it turned out great)
1 tsp. chili powder
10oz (we use a 1lb box) short pasta such as fusilli (I used penne)
1. Put a large pan of water on to boil. Heat the oil in a large frying pan (I used cast iron) and fry the sausage chunks on a fairly high heat until they are golden brown all over. Now turn the heat down and add the onion and garlic, cooking them until they have softened (I know it always says to add the garlic when you add the onion. However, I always wait until about a minute or two before the onion is done, otherwise you are likely to cook all the flavor out of the garlic. Garlic shouldn't cook as long as the onion does).
2. Stir in the chili powder and tomatoes with the sausages, bring them sauce to the boil then turn the heat down and let it bubble for about 10 minutes while you cook the pasta.
3. Drop the pasta into the pan of boiling water and cook according to the pack instructions. Drain the pasta then tip it into the frying pan with the sausage sauce, mixing well to coat (or if you don't have enough room put the pasta back into the pot and stir the sauce into it).
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
This and That
The girls eating yogurt out of ice cream cones :)
Well, I don't have much to write this week about Tot School or cooking this week. I guess I could just say what's been going on here. For one we have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. We've (I should say I've, but my hubby does clean too so I feel bad taking all the credit!) been trying to clean out all the closets, cupboards, etc in the house. So anyhow, here are the hot topics at our house right now -
We've been babysitting... the cutest squeaky baby, she is adorable! The girls and I have had so much fun caring for her. Baby Cakes is such a baby person, just like her mommy. Every morning when the baby is dropped off Baby Cakes rushes over and gushes over her. "She's sooo tiny! Look at her tiny toes!" "Mommy, was I that tiny like the baby?" Yes, my sweet little girl, you were.
Fancy Pants loves babies too, however it has brought up some questions for her... I knew that eventually stuff like this would come up, but I didn't think it would at 3 1/2 years. She knows that she didn't grow in mommy's tummy but someone else's. It's something that hasn't outwardly bugged her before. This week we have discussed it daily. As a mom I want to fix everything for my kids, but her feelings about this aren't completely fixable. This week she's told me "I wish I grew in your tummy" and "I don't even know that lady" (about whose tummy she grew in.) We've spent a lot of time cuddling and talking about mommy's sick tummy that couldn't grow babies, how God had just the right time that we were supposed to be together. That not only is she my gift, but I'm her gift as well. She also told me "I'll grow in your tummy next time mommy" :)
This confusion for Fancy Pants has sparked an idea for me... I don't want to say much until I get at least part of it done, but it includes some baby photos and room decor.... Stay tuned :)
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