Prayers

I have been compelled to write about this since this morning after bible study, but I have managed to be running around like crazy all afternoon. I am not exactly sure how to say what I am thinking but I will do my best. Can we just lift up the ladies from my bible study and all of the ladies that this blog reaches. After some discussion this morning, I have concerns for all the mothers, those with young children and those with older children. Pray for all the marriages, all the daughters and wives, and the husbands too. Pray for the children and babies to come. My heart went out to Miss J this morning and her tears even though I don't know her well and all I could do was give her a hug so that she knew I was thinking and would be thinking of her. All of you ladies are special and I hope you all know that.

Clearing out clothing...

to take to the Goodwill. Trip number 2 this month. This time though, it is kids clothes I am taking it. Seeing all their tiny pjs, shoes and socks makes me sad. I love my kiddos and they are so much fun, but I do miss their baby days. Ainsley will always be a peanut, or a pixie as my friend calls her, as I think she is destined to be little like her mama, but Aidan has grown so much in the last year. I have the jeans to prove it! Skinny but tall little man. All boy now, not much baby left. Sniff!

Another birthday picture of Aidan...and can you guess what Ainsley is doing in the above picture? It was so cute, I promise she is not washing her hands!

Birthday Boy!

My Aidan turned 6 on Sunday! I can't believe he is 6. Aidan poo you are getting so big and are so funny. I love your sense of humor. I love watching you grow. I wish you the best year to come filled with many adventures and fun.


I will post more another time. I apparently don't have photoshop reinstalled on the laptop so I will need to work on the main computer again. I really need to transfer everything to my laptop so I can be totally portable. Later taters!

My in-laws

Have redeemed themselves in remembering Aidan's birthday but on the visitaion front that is another matter. They originally said they would come see us in March. March was too cold so they decided on April. They have travelled all kinds of other places in the mean time. Now they are going to be working in Alabama again for a period of time. So, they are telling us that the only time they will be available for us to come visit them in Texas in the summer is in July. My sister is coming in July plus I wanted to meet a friend in July with our daughters for a little girls weekend. In August the in-laws will be in Colorado as well as most of September. They said of course well what are your plans for fall, once again not remembering that Aidan is in school now. Here I am ranting and whining again, but I am a bit miffed. They said they might take the detour and come up before heading to Alabama, but they are not sure when that will be. I was really hoping to head to Texas in June, one because we have the time and two because the heat of the Texas summer hasn't set in yet. I am just frustrated and now don't even want to go at all. Then they start talking about us heading down at Christmas and B was agreeing and I had told them that I did not want to be the ones having to travel every year. B says...we'll see. Not encouraging. It is the whole thing again when they say jump, Brian says how high. Frustrating! Pray for me that I do not loose my cool over this. Pray that we figure our summer/Christmas travels out in a peacable way that allows everyone do what is in the best interest of everyone involved.



On a lighter note, Aidan had a great birthday and I will get pictures posted soon I hope. B decided to grill this afternoon and left me a disaster in the kitchen to clean of all the cooking implements that had been left outside in the grill cabinet over the winter. Not sure why he did not think to bring all that stuff inside. Now I have a mess and I must clean up. Off this computer now, and no more whining for me! Later taters!

Last minute shopping today...

After some requests Aidan has made recently we decided to revisit what we were going to get him as a birthday gift. I am thrilled by what he wanted...a block center like they have at school. We already have some pieces, but I had to pick up a few different things today. Wal-Mart failed me so I had to head to Green Bay. I have been running all over town all morning, but am done for the day. I have a ton of wrapping to do as the relatives have mostly redeemed themselves and send Aidan gifts. Aunt Debbie said it took her off guard this year and something is on its way. No word from Nana and Grandpa. I am trying to teach Aidan to be thankful and grateful for any gifts he gets, but he is at an age when he notices if packages come in the mail for him or not. He also has an amazing memory for who got him what and when! Sometimes it can be frustrating as he is tenderhearted and can get his feelings hurt so easily if he feels slighted. It is not such a big deal to him who brings a gift to a birthday party but he sure knows those packages come from his family.



Anyway, I promise I will start getting more pictures up here soon. My laptop is back, but I need B to reinstall all the software and get me back on the network.



Going to a friends tonight for a jewelry party. I am actually going to get myself something too I think. I feel so obligated to go though because this sweet lady has invited me over several times for girls get togethers and I have always had to cancel at the last minute for one thing or another. She even asked me when she had to reschedule from the original date she had picked what night would work better for me to come over. So I just called her to RSVP and I am going!



Birthday party tomorrow, I don't have much to do to get ready. I need to clean up, get the cake and juice boxes that I forgot to get this morning. Then at party time order the pizza. Pray for a dry day because I sure would love to get the kids outside to whack the pinata!

Even though Miss Ainsley is feeling ...

rather grumpy this morning due to some major congestion, Mommy has had a fun time on the computer this morning. I got some super deals and cashed in my Gymbucks this morning. Love the Gymboree markdowns! I also cashed in some rewards at my bank so I have $80 in gift cards to Target coming to me. Love shopping at target for summer play clothes for the kids and pjs. Don't know yet when and if we are travelling down south as my parents are coming for Memorial day weekend and my sister and her hubby are coming for the 4th. If I did not have friends that I want to see I would just say skip the summer trip this year. Aidan has school until the first week in June, soccer that weekend, then I think there are 3 weeks until my sisters trip. If we head down after her trip, then we have more time but at a much hotter time of year. Getting a little annoyed with the families right now anyway. Not going to discuss it here right now, but I am hoping they redeem themselves before I start to really get upset. The weather here is getting so much better. We are on a bit of a warming trend after all the rain last week. Mid-60s today so maybe even though Ainsley is stuffy we can enjoy some outside time this afternoon!

My family is ganging up on me...

Baby #3 has been an issue around here for a while. Aidan has always been adamant about not wanting another sib. Today in the car while waiting for Dad he says, "It would be okay with me if we had another sister. Then she could share bunk beds with Ainsley." Grrr! I am wondering if this is God speaking through my son or the influence of my husband. I had asked for guidance, but I am not sure that this was it.

Well, I talked to Aidan's teacher...

this morning. Apparently, Aidan is having trouble following instructions, sitting still, general silliness. It seems to be happening all day long and she says he is just not behaving like his old self. I think his sub was much more permissive with the students than Mrs. S. She thinks they will start to settle down again as they get used to her being back and she is trying to be very positive and praising good behavior. Today he had a pretty good day and we had a nice long chat about listening. Hopefully he will get back to his old self for her soon!

Wow, my kids have been stinkers today...

I think the title says it all. I got a note from Aidan's teacher for the second time this week. Aidan has not had a note from the teacher since the first week or so in October. I got an explanation for what happened Monday from Aidan, but today he claims to have no clue as to why he got into trouble. So tomorrow I have to talk to his teacher for an explanation of her note, he got two time outs and was being a "wild child". She is just back from maternity leave so I attributed his first outburst to having her back. Not sure what his problem was today other than it started early this morning with a fit about his shoes. Don't even want to get into that one! I am thinking that some of this is due to how much B has been gone lately. He has one more trip this month and I am not looking forward to it at all.

I am such a wreck...

I just signed Ainsley up for preschool in the fall. Two days a week from 8:30-11:15. Not a long day, but enough to keep her a little busy. Tuesdays I do bible study, but what am I going to do with a free Thursday morning. I should be happy. Why do I take these milestones so hard?

Aidan funny...

So I was having a discussion with my sweet hubby about our bible study today. We discussed the false prophets mentioned in 2 Peter 2. I said, "...but you never know what is in some ones heart." At which point Aidan chimes in with a completely straight face and adds, "Blood." "Yes, Aidan of course there is blood in the heart but I mean something else." Then I died laughing and Aidan starts begging forgiveness. I am not sure what he thought he did wrong other than almost making me choke on my dinner. The truth that comes from a child's mouth.

Why is it...

that we as Mom's feel so guilty at times leaving our children in the care of others so that we can have some alone time? Since B has been away, I have had some amazing friends have the kids and I over for dinner, and watch the kids so that I could run to the store, get some coffe, get a hair cut, just generally get a little me time. Why is that so hard for me? I know I can't be the only one. I feel guilty leaving them when B is away because I think they are going to feel abandoned by both parents. In reality, when I do leave them with their friends to play they have a great time and probably don't even think twice about me. That is a good thing really because they should be having fun. At their age, they shouldn't be worrying about their parents. They should just know that we are always going to come and pick them up and that while they are with someone else they are safe and free to have a good time. This Mom is just a worrier and wants everyone to think that she has it all together. In reality she doesn't. Thank goodness that I have some good friends who keep an eye on me! I hope that I can do the same for them as well in times when they need to be loved on. Grateful for you guys! Later.

Miss Lisa's Spagetti Sauce

As requested:



To cooked ground beef, or turkey add: 1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5 oz or so size), 1 can tomato sauce, 1 small can tomato paste, add italian seasoning and garlic salt to taste. Cook through until bubbling.




That is the original recipe from a dear friend of mine. To modify and make it mine, I add 3 tablespoons of my sofrito puree, and swap out the garlic salt for Adobo which is a seasoning product by Goya. I order mine on-line since Copps here doesn't carry the Adobo that I use, however they do carry other Goya products.



Enjoy!

Deceptively Delicious...

I received the Jessica Seinfeld cookbook a few months ago as a gift. We have tried several things out of it and all so far hae been received well, however there are a few staples in my house that I just don't want to mess with. My spagetti sauce for one. I use the same sauce for spagetti and lasagna. It is quick and easy to make and tastes better than the bottled stuff in my opinion. To this sauce I always add sofrito, a Puerto rican puree of peppers, cilantro, onion and garlic. I had to modify the peppers and cilantro to what is available in the states. Anyway, while I was making spagetti for the kiddos last night, I decided to throw in some of the purees of have from making recipes out of the JS book. I added about 1/4 of butternut squash, and 1/4 cup of carrot. The taste did not change one bit, the texture was a tiny bit thicker, but not much. Long story short, the kids wolfed this down. Aidan asked for 2 helpings which he rarely does. I still asked him to eat some of his salad. I have him eating some lettuce, carrots and spinach now. But felt no qualms about giving him helping nimber 2 of spagetti sauce chock full of veggies! I felt so sneaky yet I was so pleased with myself. I am going to have to do some more pureeing so that I have more veggies ready to add to our standard favorites. I just can't abide by adding peas to guacamole though. Ick! There is a veggie I won't eat, peas. Later gaters.