About Me

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I love to laugh and love with my family, read, exercise, cook and sew, all the while giving thanks to God for his immeasureable love and faithfulness to me.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

I'm going back to Cali

The year after college, when I traveled as a consultant for my sorority, I spent a good bit of time out on the West Coast.  During one visit (to San Diego State University) the women took me out for fish tacos.  I had never had them before, but let me tell ya...they were delish!  Nothing quite like a fish taco eaten on the beaches of Southern California...basking in the sun...ahhhhhh.

So lately, I've had a hankering for some sun and surf.  Perhaps because of the perpetual gray that is surrounding us now...yuck.  You can read the recipe that I used here, but I also included a few photos.  Sorry for the grainy quality of some of them.  You can blame it on the weather (or the rain--like Milli Vanilli said--did I just date myself?!)

Red cabbage, doused with some vinegar
Fresh cilantro and a little onion (I took the quick way and used dried onion...really, it is better w/green onions)
Mix in the lime juice, mayo and Greek yogurt
Pull out the tortillas and layer cabbage, fish (leftover from a previous meal w/a great rub), some yellow tomatoes and top with the lime-cilantro cream.  Yum!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Show Us Your Life

Sweet Kelly, from Kelly's Korner has an ongoing spot that she does every Friday.  She calls it "Show Us Your Life" and each week picks a different topic to showcase.  This week's SUYL is all about adoption.  Yeah!  A topic obviously near and dear to my (our) hearts!!  If you are bopping over from Kelly's blog, welcome!  If you are interested in reading about our adoption experiences, you can find it here, here, here  and here.  Feel free to wander around and I'd love it if you would leave a comment so that I can get to know you!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Dreams

My bible study just finished up reading a book by Phil Vischer, the creative guy behind V#ggieTails.  While the book was interesting, it was really the last few chapters that really spoke to us girls.  Basically, in a nutshell, Phil took a dream that he had, that he felt God had placed on his heart, and began to do whatever he could to see that dream come to fruition.  Initially things went great...V#ggieTails skyrocketed...Saturday morning fun with Sunday morning values became BIG, BIG, BIG.  But then things started to shift...when everything was said and done, V#ggieTails went bankrupt and Phil Vischer's life was left in pieces. 

Where was God in all of this?  Why didn't he step in and save Phil Vischer and V#ggieTails?  How can God plant a dream, a good dream, in the heart of a Christian, and then allow it to go unanswered or even worse shatter into a million fragments?  The answer?  Well, sometimes our good dreams that may (or may not) be God given get in the way of our worshiping Him.  Sometimes, we take our "eye off the ball" as my sports-lovin' sister said last night.  And when that happens, when we start to put our dream before God, then we commit a pretty big sin--the sin of idol worship. 

Idol worship.  Don't know about you, but I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that one.  Especially because golden calves and the like generally spring to mind.  I mean, I don't worship idols.  I'm a good Christian...right?!  Until I think about the times that I've wanted something soooo badly (insert husband, child, healing) that I let my gaze fall away from the cross and all I can focus on...think about...obsess over...is that one thing.  When I write it like that, it certainly smacks of idol worship, doesn't it?  Hmmm...perhaps this Christian has a lot to learn.

The good news is that I can reflect over my life and see when it was happening.  The not so good news is that there will definitely be times in the future (perhaps the not-so-distant future?!) when I have to relearn this message.  My prayer is that perhaps next time, it won't take me quite so long to learn the message, to return FULLY to God, to turn my gaze upward, to walk in the center of God's will for my life and to trust that He has an even bigger, better, more amazing dream for me than I can even begin to imagine.  "Not my will be done, Lord, but Your will."

I have two daily reminders of that:

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Need a pick-me-up?

Here's a little ray of sunshine to brighten your January day.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Fun, fun, fun


Lights blinking...bells bonging...buzzers buzzing...tokens clanking...yep, we hooked up with our friends back at Chuck-E-Cheese.  This time, F's older sister was able to join us.  Yeah!  The Noodle only won 82 tickets, but with an extra coupon for 30, was able to pick a few more things.  Unfortunately, one of her prizes, the car, broke on the way home.  Isn't that the way?!  Good thing she was positive about it ;)
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, I know we'll be seeing more of this family.  We're looking forward to the big party and celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with you.  See you soon!

Friday, January 21, 2011

P#nera lunch

Today the Noodle and I were fortunate enough to eat lunch with a family that traveled with us to China.  They live about 4 hours away, but have a close family member staying at the hospital in our city for an "extended stay", and so are up here for a few days.  Amidst snowy conditions and frigid temperatures we ventured out to meet them at P#nera. 
Did someone say cheese?
It was fun to connect, catch up and chat about life and all that is going on, especially with the 2 girls.  At the end of the lunch, we attempted to get some photos.  L was cooperative, but the Noodle was being goofy.  You'll also notice the red ring around her mouth...tomato soup--yummy on a cold day!
Bundle and cuddle up!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

An interview with the Noodle

This morning, before preschool, the Noodle was engaging in a little creativity with her paints and I thought I'd ask her a few questions...an interview, if you will.  Here it is.  Most of it is straight from the horse's mouth.
"Hey there Noodle.  Can I interview you for the blog?"

"Um, I'm kinda busy...painting."

"Please?  You can paint and talk to me at the same time."

"Well, okay."

"Great--first question:  Do you have a favorite book?"

"The Thomas book.  The Happy Birthday Thomas book."
"Okay, next question:  When you grow up, what do you want to be?"

"I want to be an architect like Daddy.  I will help make buildings but I will need help."

"Great answer.  On to question number three:  Do you have a favorite song that you like to rock out?"

"Pants on the ground and Bibbity Bobbity Boo" (as an aside, the Noodle has never seen Am#rican Id*l, but once, in an attempt to cut toenails, J put it on via YouTube as a distraction.  I seem to remember that she was indeed intrigued, but there was still bloody murder a lot of yelling that went on.  She will periodically chant "pants on ground, pants on ground, lookin' like a fool with pants on ground"...So glad that out of all the music we listen to and sing, that is what her favorite is....)
"Oookaaay, how about telling me what your favorite food is?"

"I love to eat Daddy's pancakes for breakfast.  Are we almost finished?"
Oct. 2008
"Ohh yeah, me too!  Yes, we are almost done, only a few more.  What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?"

"Take a shower and do table time"  (Well now, that surprised me!  Before you think her answer is too creepy, I'll just say that in general, the Noodle still takes baths.  The few times she has jumped into the shower with me, we've usually been in a hurry--the ol' kill two birds with one stone thought process.  Most times though she squeals that the water is in her eyes, watch out for the soap, etc., etc. so I didn't really think she like it.)

"Only 2 more--Do you have a favorite outfit?"

"My coat"
"?!?!  Last one--What is your favorite thing to do by yourself?"

"Read books.  I'm done now.  Stop asking me questions."

There you have it readers...straight from the Noodle herself!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Raising Rock Star Preschoolers--the letter Dd

We took a break from our alphabet lessons over Christmas to focus, on well, Christmas!  Now we're back on track and this past week learned all about the letter Dd.  Again, if you're interested, you can read about the Raising Rock Star Preschoolers curriculum here and see how we've incorporated it here and here.

This week the focus was on the letter Dd and the bible verse was:  Do all things without complaining or disputing--Philippians 2:14  Can I say that I loooove this verse?  There were quite a few times when I asked the Noodle to do something (usually one of her chores) and she'd start to give me a little flack about it, but then I'd remind her of the bible verse and she'd stop in her tracks, think about it, and then say "Ohhhh, okay!"  Wonder how long it will last?!

Bingo dabbers to dot Dd

 Working on her craft

Taking a break for some chocolate goodness!

 Dd vocabulary cards

Clapping out the syllables with the vocab cards

ABC stickers...always a hit...thanks Grandma!

Cutting out her Dd bible cards

Using playdoh to make the letters Dd

Sequencing her cut and paste verse.

These photos don't show everything that we did over the week, but it gives a good, overall sampling. 

 

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Summertime in a glass

Some of you may remember how we went and picked strawberries last summer.  We picked a lot.  Like 5 bushels.  It was great for eating, making jam, strawberry shortcakes, etc. but I ended up freezing a bunch too.  I have since some to the realization that I am able to do a lot more with frozen raspberries and blueberries, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do with all the frozen strawberries still in our freezer.  Taking up space.  Hmmm (any ideas would be greatly appreciated!).

So, even though it is in the low 20s out, I thought it would be a fun treat to make smoothies.  I know...quick on the uptake here.  Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner (slapping self upside the head).

So we gathered our ingredients.
Located the handy blender food processor.
And proceeded to pulverize away.
Ahhh...the sweet taste of summertime in a glass!  The Noodle gives it a thumbs up!!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Aggle Flabble Klabble

Are you familiar with the book Knuffle Bunny?  Our Early Childhood PTA was able to get tickets to see the play, based on this funny book by Mo Willems.  The story is one of the Noodle's favorites and both J and I find it pretty amusing too.  In a nutshell, the Daddy and the little girl, Trixie, go the the laundromat one day and inadvertently Trixie's lovie, Knuffle Bunny, gets stuffed into the wash.  They head for home, not realizing where Knuffle Bunny has been placed.  The problem (and humor) arises when Trixie realizes she's lost her bunny and proceeds to try and communicate this to her Daddy.  Unfortunately, Trixie doesn't speak yet.
Haven't we all been in that situation, where we (or someone we love) is trying to tell us something sooo important and for whatever reason, we're just NOT GETTING it?!  Ohh the frustration!  The annoyance!  The sheer maddness of it all!  Aggle Flabble Klabble!!!  We've even taken to saying that around here when we're feeling at our wits end.  Not that that happens much.  Ahem.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wintery Wednesday

The snow starting falling yesterday afternoon and it has kept coming and coming!  I knew when we got home from preschool this morning that the Noodle would want to go out and play.  Sure enough...she did!  We donned all the gear (whew, that's exhausting) and she grabbed her little snow shovel. 

 Even though J used the blower yesterday when he got home from work and then again shoveled this a.m., the driveway was covered.  Thankfully the snow was really light and fluffy, so between the two of us, we went to town.  Soon my little helper lost interest, and decided that she'd rather bury herself in the snow and make snow angels.  By the time we were ready to go in for lunch, her cheeks were rosy red! 
Perfect for smooching :)

Monday, January 10, 2011

Comfort Part 2

Notice anything?

No, not that the Noodle's bed isn't made, ha... if you look really carefully, you'll see that the Noodle is under the blankets...sleeping.  I kid you not.  I don't know why she does it, but this winter, she has taken to completely submerging herself under the blankets while she sleeps.  I take that back, I do know why...probably because our house is kept at such arctic chilly temperatures (58 degrees at night to be exact and 65/66 during the day...brrr).  I'm sure you're all noticing the lovely flannel sheets also on her bed (J thinks they look like an old lady's) but hey, warmth is warmth.  Usually when she wakes up from her nap (not so much in the morning) her head is (almost completely) wet because she is sweating.  Just like in the summer.  I actually asked the pediatrician at her 4 y.o. well check-up if this was "normal" and she assured me that everything was fine.  Whew.  I tend to be a bit of a worry-wart, especially about medical related things.  Anyhoo, I digress...if you're cold at night, try this trick of the Noodle's--just cover your entire head with your blankets!  But don't suffocate...which is what I feel like I'm doing when I tried it...I had to come up for air!  Stay warm ;0)

Friday, January 7, 2011

"Cover your eyes"

I love the Noodle.  No question.  But at times mind you, she can be a down-right stinker.  And I don't love that.  When she has been naughty or is being given a "talking to", she will sometimes put her hand up and "cover your eyes".  Initially it is hard not to snicker.  But then you realize you're being dissed by a 4 year old and that ain't cool.  Sometimes she'll say "I'm covering your eyes" and sometimes the hand just goes up.  Either way it isn't a pretty situation.  I'm real big on eye contact, especially when you've been caught and the situation is being addressed.  Heh...cover your eyes indeed!
Oops, I guess Thomas was the one being cheeky. 
I stand corrected ;)

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for determination that the Noodle shows when working on her puzzles.  This is one that she got for Christmas and is actually pretty challenging.  I ended up drawing the outline of the provinces,  to act as a guide for her.  The first time through she kept saying "This is hard...I can't do it!" but J kept encouraging her.  After one time working through it together, she has gotten faster and faster at completing it on her own.  In case you're interested, I ordered the puzzle from China Sprout.

Most times I'm thankful for her determination...most times.  Ha. 


I'm also so thankful that I get to hug and love on this goofyball each and every day. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Comfort




Wishing we had one of these!

 
What brings you comfort?