I really am shocked at how long it's been since I've been on here!!! It's insane! Anyway, we've had some really crazy last several months and I'm finally sitting down to do some updating... Here's the condensed recap: we moved in June in an effort to return to our kids' former schools, couldn't find a house, so we shoved all of our belongings in a huge storage unit! July 1st, the kids and I (and dog) took off in our blue minivan and drove to Provo by way of Nauvoo, IL, then to Mesa, Tucson, then across the southern U.S. to Mississippi, then returned to PA!!! Quite crazy! That took some time... I kind of stayed extra long in Utah because of a stubborn infection that got me down.. I had to be back in PA by the 2nd of August to board an airplane out of Philadelphia heading to Spain! Emma and I got to experience life on the island of Palma de Mallorca (quite a destination!), then Renee' and I were fortunate enough to head off to London for a weekend of great food, comfy bedding, the Tube, and LOTS of walking! We had a blast! After returning to Spain for several more days, we came back to the states (very grateful to be able to understand those annoying airport announcements, and not having a 4 inch cockroach try to attack my feet while USING a public bathroom-yep it happened in Mallorca...). Unfortunately, Conan still couldn't find a house while we were gone; fortunately we have some amazing friends who took in our lovely teenagers while Conan and I were both gone (his business trips..) Hence, an extended hotel stay... fun, fun... We all survived!
Now I'm thinking about it all and wondering HOW we actually survived, but here we are, in a new place with some really super memories... I have the best husband and children in the world along with extended family- my mom, siblings, parent's-in-law, husband's siblings, and even a few random strangers who took care of us/entertained us over our homeless summer! Thank you everyone... I'm still attempting to load pictures onto my computer from London.. having technical difficulties... I'm confident I will get them here soon!!! I love our families!!!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hurray for snow... and letting go!
We did get a few feet of snow over the weekend, and I am done apologizing for my blogging (or lack of) skills... This is a new goal I have- to be kind to myself! So far it is going very well... I actually scheduled and got my OWN haircut, and I'm not saying awful things about myself when I look in the mirror! No more berating myself for not exercising EVERY DAY, and when I eat something yummy, but way too fattening, I'm enjoying it without reservation. Along with that, I am eating better and actually wanting to walk the dog. What is it with us women expecting ourselves to be perfect, then when we fall short (big surprise), we beat ourselves up thoroughly? I found myself feeling guilty for laying in bed- WHEN I HAD THE FLU!!! Okay, come on, that is too much... So, I saw a book at the library about caring for ourselves from the inside out, I promptly checked it out and opened it up; within the first chapter there is a challenge to make a pledge to yourself (type it up and save it) to treat yourself as your own good friend! Wow, what a concept. It's not like I've never heard of it (try, "Love thy neighbor as thyself...") but for some reason I just forgot about it. Maybe it's just a natural cause and effect of having children who we would do anything for, even give up our own needs (selves) for. Well, there has to be some way to balance it out- so we take care of our own real needs first, then we are better able to function and take care of those we love. In my pondering and studying, I have realized that I can easily neglect myself, criticize myself, and become way to hard on myself because of it all. Maybe it's the age... Or the fact that my oldest child is approaching adulthood himself! I read somewhere of the irony of our children struggling through the teenage years, right when we mothers start struggling with our own sense of identity. I am letting go of unrealistic expectations of myself and enjoying life more on a day to day basis, because it's good for me. More reaching out to others, more forgiveness of my own weaknesses, more love for God (and just as important, accepting his unconditional love for me) and more gratitude for the magnificent blessings he gives to me... Ahhhhh, it's divine! (Along with all of that white powdery stuff we have tons of!)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
December!
I actually can't believe so much time has gone by so quickly... I sound old by saying that, but oh well! This blog is bad for my self esteem! I'm just not very good at it! The worst thing is when some amazing corporate working mom asks me point blank what I do all day while my kids are at school... and I have to come up with some concrete answers! Um, well, ohhhhh, hmmmmm.... STUFF!!!! And it's all for the good of the family, ok???
Anyway, we had a super Thanksgiving in Cape May, NJ! It's the most adorable Victorian town right on the Atlantic. We went with two other families and had a blast. The main components being the gourmet Thanksgiving buffet (the bread pudding was "to die for"!!!), and the indoor pool area (the last day we spent 6 hours in there...). It was pretty amazing looking out the windows from our room and seeing the beautiful ocean. (I have to say, the only problem with the East coast is that you have to be a morning person to see a spectacular sun rise, as opposed to the west coast sunsets in the evening- my time of day!) Conan would say, it's worth the sacrifice! We also went to a great zoo with lots of lively animals, and found some really cool shells we haven't seen anywhere else on the beach. We took the ferry to Delaware to get home, stopping in Bethany Beach to visit with friends at their beach house. The ferry ride was pretty crazy with huge waves and very unsteady walking conditions! It was great!
Then, December hit... Always way busier than I'd like it to be. Elizabeth's chorus at school did a super job at the "winter" concert! I spent the first week working on a Christmas tree for our dining room that would be covered in pictures from past Christmases, and other nice memories. That was so fun! I copied all of the pictures in black and white, then mounted them on two different papers. My colors being red and black, I couldn't find any fun black paper in my stuff, so I grabbed some black and white toille fabric from my stash and copied it on cardstock! It worked! I attached ribbon hangers (a stapler worked great), then hung them up! I love looking at it... It has really been simple reminder of what my focus should be this time of year. I had a visiting teaching lunch last week that was a hit- a great way to get all of our sisters together. We decided that the best part of the menu was the honey butter for the rolls... Oh, and the caramel apple cider. Yum!
The girls and I made our traditional sugar cookies, which they frosted and decorated so nicely! Also, Emma and I found a super peanut butter fudge recipe that is amazing! We've already made it twice and have shared it at two different events! The first weekend of December brought us 6 inches of snow!! That was awesome! It only stayed for two days, but that first night the kids spent hours in it and loved every minute of it. Christian and friends decided they would strip down to shorts and run around barefooted in it... Fifteen year old boys... who gets them? I had to get a picture of that!
We have spent a lot of time together as a family this month, which I really cherish. We miss being with our families, especially this time of year, and think about them often. We picked out a Christmas tree last weekend at a local farm and brought it home to decorate with the years of collected ornaments (mostly homemade- the best ones being the ones out of popsicle sticks with glued on school pictures!). We also had a lovely family home evening Monday night with our good friends from our old neighborhood and church ward. My wonderful friend with the five ultra talented string playing boys (someone has to have them...) gave us all a mini concert, too.
I am so thrilled to be able to go to the White House on Monday with a few fabulous friends! All of those beautiful trees amid the history is something I look forward to seeing!
Here are my two favorite recipes for the month. Enjoy what's left of December and 2009!
Caramel Apple Cider: Bring cream and brown sugar to boil over medium heat.
1/4 c. heavy cream Stir in water and cider and heat just until it steams.
1/4 c. brown sugar Divide into 4 mugs, top each with 2 T. of caramel whipped
3 c. apple cider cream. Enjoy!
1/2 c. water
Caramel Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip cream with brown sugar until
1/2 c. heavy cream soft peaks form.
1 T. brown sugar
Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge:
2 c. sugar
2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3/4 cup marshmallow cream (or 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows)
1/4 cup butter or margarine
Combine sugar and milk in saucepan; cook to soft ball stage (I boil for 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat; add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Pour into a buttered 8x8 inch dish. Allow to cool and cut into squares. (It sets up quickly and is ready to cut in about an hour!)
Anyway, we had a super Thanksgiving in Cape May, NJ! It's the most adorable Victorian town right on the Atlantic. We went with two other families and had a blast. The main components being the gourmet Thanksgiving buffet (the bread pudding was "to die for"!!!), and the indoor pool area (the last day we spent 6 hours in there...). It was pretty amazing looking out the windows from our room and seeing the beautiful ocean. (I have to say, the only problem with the East coast is that you have to be a morning person to see a spectacular sun rise, as opposed to the west coast sunsets in the evening- my time of day!) Conan would say, it's worth the sacrifice! We also went to a great zoo with lots of lively animals, and found some really cool shells we haven't seen anywhere else on the beach. We took the ferry to Delaware to get home, stopping in Bethany Beach to visit with friends at their beach house. The ferry ride was pretty crazy with huge waves and very unsteady walking conditions! It was great!
Then, December hit... Always way busier than I'd like it to be. Elizabeth's chorus at school did a super job at the "winter" concert! I spent the first week working on a Christmas tree for our dining room that would be covered in pictures from past Christmases, and other nice memories. That was so fun! I copied all of the pictures in black and white, then mounted them on two different papers. My colors being red and black, I couldn't find any fun black paper in my stuff, so I grabbed some black and white toille fabric from my stash and copied it on cardstock! It worked! I attached ribbon hangers (a stapler worked great), then hung them up! I love looking at it... It has really been simple reminder of what my focus should be this time of year. I had a visiting teaching lunch last week that was a hit- a great way to get all of our sisters together. We decided that the best part of the menu was the honey butter for the rolls... Oh, and the caramel apple cider. Yum!
The girls and I made our traditional sugar cookies, which they frosted and decorated so nicely! Also, Emma and I found a super peanut butter fudge recipe that is amazing! We've already made it twice and have shared it at two different events! The first weekend of December brought us 6 inches of snow!! That was awesome! It only stayed for two days, but that first night the kids spent hours in it and loved every minute of it. Christian and friends decided they would strip down to shorts and run around barefooted in it... Fifteen year old boys... who gets them? I had to get a picture of that!
We have spent a lot of time together as a family this month, which I really cherish. We miss being with our families, especially this time of year, and think about them often. We picked out a Christmas tree last weekend at a local farm and brought it home to decorate with the years of collected ornaments (mostly homemade- the best ones being the ones out of popsicle sticks with glued on school pictures!). We also had a lovely family home evening Monday night with our good friends from our old neighborhood and church ward. My wonderful friend with the five ultra talented string playing boys (someone has to have them...) gave us all a mini concert, too.
I am so thrilled to be able to go to the White House on Monday with a few fabulous friends! All of those beautiful trees amid the history is something I look forward to seeing!
Here are my two favorite recipes for the month. Enjoy what's left of December and 2009!
Caramel Apple Cider: Bring cream and brown sugar to boil over medium heat.
1/4 c. heavy cream Stir in water and cider and heat just until it steams.
1/4 c. brown sugar Divide into 4 mugs, top each with 2 T. of caramel whipped
3 c. apple cider cream. Enjoy!
1/2 c. water
Caramel Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip cream with brown sugar until
1/2 c. heavy cream soft peaks form.
1 T. brown sugar
Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge:
2 c. sugar
2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3/4 cup marshmallow cream (or 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows)
1/4 cup butter or margarine
Combine sugar and milk in saucepan; cook to soft ball stage (I boil for 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat; add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Pour into a buttered 8x8 inch dish. Allow to cool and cut into squares. (It sets up quickly and is ready to cut in about an hour!)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Another Sick Day...
Yippppeeee! After a whole week (2 weeks ago) of Elizabeth being sick, then Emma having that awful flu, Elizabeth came home from school yesterday with a 103 fever!!! I am really hoping this is it for the winter. My poor Lizzie. So, while she went to bed for several hours, I decided to take it upon myself to rearrange the entire downstairs. I was really hoping that Conan wouldn't come home until it was finished, but since it's now the following day and still not done, oh well! He never cares, but I just hate the thought of him at work all day and coming home to complete chaos! He's so used to my wacky design stuff that he just ordered sushi and picked it up for us while I cleared off a few feet of space on the kitchen table. That dinner was way better than the scrambled eggs I was considering... So, all is well... except for Elizabeth. We are really praying that she will beat it today; she was selected to sing in a small group for a choral festival tomorrow in Harrisburg and she really needs to be there...
Conan took Emma to a very lovely daddy-daughter event on Tuesday night at church and they ate a delicious dinner that the girls had all prepared ahead of time (spinach manicotti) and then the Bishop taught them how to waltz! They had these beautiful corsages and boutineers that an extremely creative leader made for everyone and they enjoyed it immensely!
With all the ups and downs of daily life, I am just happy to have so many blessings. That is what I reflect upon when it gets a little hairy around here. I was at Barnes and Noble yesterday doing a little design research (sinking into one of those comfy chairs they have for people like me who just go there to read, not buy!) and reading out of super talented, Celerie Kemble's book. I love her design philosophy in combining as many textures as possible to create a beautiful space that is also for living in- for real-life living, not what we want other people to think that we live like. So many of those magazine rooms look like no one could ever actually live there! Do they have family pictures? Anyway, it helps me to stay grounded knowing that life is what it is and I really just have to find contentment in it right now, not waiting for the better things ahead, but still able to draw upon that wellspring of HOPE that exists deep down somewhere... too much philosophy... I'm going to check on my sickie!
Conan took Emma to a very lovely daddy-daughter event on Tuesday night at church and they ate a delicious dinner that the girls had all prepared ahead of time (spinach manicotti) and then the Bishop taught them how to waltz! They had these beautiful corsages and boutineers that an extremely creative leader made for everyone and they enjoyed it immensely!
With all the ups and downs of daily life, I am just happy to have so many blessings. That is what I reflect upon when it gets a little hairy around here. I was at Barnes and Noble yesterday doing a little design research (sinking into one of those comfy chairs they have for people like me who just go there to read, not buy!) and reading out of super talented, Celerie Kemble's book. I love her design philosophy in combining as many textures as possible to create a beautiful space that is also for living in- for real-life living, not what we want other people to think that we live like. So many of those magazine rooms look like no one could ever actually live there! Do they have family pictures? Anyway, it helps me to stay grounded knowing that life is what it is and I really just have to find contentment in it right now, not waiting for the better things ahead, but still able to draw upon that wellspring of HOPE that exists deep down somewhere... too much philosophy... I'm going to check on my sickie!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Happy Fall!
I am really an awful blogger... Oh well, I try! (kind of)
Halloween was weird at our house this year. I stayed up way too late the night before working on my new website (refreshdesignnow.com- check it out!), and Christian and his friend stayed up until like 4 in the morning... So we all kind of slept in on Saturday! I made scary jack-o-lantern face pancakes with chocolate chips (yum), and by the time we got our yard work and stuff done, it was time for Conan and Christian to go with friends down to Annapolis for the Navy game. They had a great time, even though Navy lost by 3 points...
Just about the time that Elizabeth got her costume together for trick-or-treating with friends, it started raining!!! NOOOOOOOO! It was reminiscent of our Halloweens in Seattle... So, she went with her friends (three of them as 80's girls- scary, and 3 in pajamas) and Emma and I went to McDonalds! (New tradition, I guess). Emma got her bumble bee costume on and we braved the weather armed with umbrellas! Since Emma had just gotten over her week long stint with the swine flu (icky), she was pretty tired after about the 4th house! She braved it out for two whole streets though... "must get candy"... We came home, changed out of our soggy clothes and watched Food Network- haunted house/cake and candy competition! So, no pumpkin carving this year which was totally out of the norm! It was so laid back...
The biggest news is that a fabulous friend of mine and I, after talking about it for several months, took the plunge and started our re-design business! We are so excited about it! She is super talented and amazing and I am just compulsive about design, so we fit together perfectly as business partners! We have one client lined up already, and one potential client! It's a little scary, but also just feels right, for both of us. We were delivering post cards on doors on Friday and looked at each other and cracked up... like, "what are we doing?"! It's great! So, on to new challenges and an adventure... I'm in love with the fall leaves, by the way- breathtaking here in southern PA!
Halloween was weird at our house this year. I stayed up way too late the night before working on my new website (refreshdesignnow.com- check it out!), and Christian and his friend stayed up until like 4 in the morning... So we all kind of slept in on Saturday! I made scary jack-o-lantern face pancakes with chocolate chips (yum), and by the time we got our yard work and stuff done, it was time for Conan and Christian to go with friends down to Annapolis for the Navy game. They had a great time, even though Navy lost by 3 points...
Just about the time that Elizabeth got her costume together for trick-or-treating with friends, it started raining!!! NOOOOOOOO! It was reminiscent of our Halloweens in Seattle... So, she went with her friends (three of them as 80's girls- scary, and 3 in pajamas) and Emma and I went to McDonalds! (New tradition, I guess). Emma got her bumble bee costume on and we braved the weather armed with umbrellas! Since Emma had just gotten over her week long stint with the swine flu (icky), she was pretty tired after about the 4th house! She braved it out for two whole streets though... "must get candy"... We came home, changed out of our soggy clothes and watched Food Network- haunted house/cake and candy competition! So, no pumpkin carving this year which was totally out of the norm! It was so laid back...
The biggest news is that a fabulous friend of mine and I, after talking about it for several months, took the plunge and started our re-design business! We are so excited about it! She is super talented and amazing and I am just compulsive about design, so we fit together perfectly as business partners! We have one client lined up already, and one potential client! It's a little scary, but also just feels right, for both of us. We were delivering post cards on doors on Friday and looked at each other and cracked up... like, "what are we doing?"! It's great! So, on to new challenges and an adventure... I'm in love with the fall leaves, by the way- breathtaking here in southern PA!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Life Goes On...
As in, it's been way too long since I've updated this thing... Mainly because after Conan was unemployed, life got really tough and I just didn't know quite what to say! "Life sucks right now?" I don't even let my kids say that, so it's not really appropriate for me to say, right? On the plus side, my sister Renee' came to visit last month! She surprised me with a day's notice due to crazy communications issues. She had moved from Denmark, spent several weeks in Sardenia, then went on the Bulgaria, and stopped here in the USA on their way to Spain(their move to Mallorca)!!! Yep, it's right on the way... It was the BEST!!! The funny thing was, we were both being totally frugal by necessity, and were both really exhausted, so we mainly hung out with the kids and talked and laughed!!! We found out two major things while she was here- one, our landlords needed to move back into their house (in a few weeks...), and two, Conan got two job offers! The first one he accepted, as a systems engineer outside of Baltimore, MD, working on the UAV (unmanned air vehicle- Army), the second one came a week later, which he turned down, in Pittsburgh. That one would have required him to travel 80% of the year... No thanks... More money, but at too high a price. We are just so grateful that he didn't have to wait it out too long. Reading the news and about rising unemployment, I was preparing myself for the long haul... But praying and hoping for a short one! Tender mercies..
A few strange things happened, including a major change in moving plans (not by our choice) one week before we had to move... and my cute nephew coming to visit, out of complete necessity when he found out his passport was missing in D.C. right before leaving for the airport to go to Spain.. So, Conan picked him up, then back to D.C. a few days later to the passport office, all while we had basically 2 days to find a house to rent... It was CRAZY, INSANE!! The rental business is so completely weird and abnormal here, it's very difficult and time consuming to find anything worthwhile (meaning, not a rat hole!!!). What it came down to was that a family we didn't know very well, but heard about our plight, called us and offered to rent us their house that was empty and had been on the market since May. The downside; though only five miles north of our previous home, it was in a completely different school district and church ward... the kids were freaking out... Heck, I was freaking out!!! But NOTHING was panning out, so after much searching, unanswered phone messages, and constant prayers, etc., we made the decision to accept the offer. Then I spent the next 2 and a half days withdrawing the kids from the old schools and signing up for the 3 new ones... I had one day left to finish packing before we had to be out, then moving day, then one day later Conan started his new job!!! And, the kids started their new schools...and we celebrated Emma's 10th birthday!
So, here I am two weeks later... Meanwhile, Conan spent last week in Georgia at an Army base while I got really sick, dealt with several major meltdowns (I confess to one of my own...), unpacked the house, started chauffeuring kids to their various after school activities (guitar lessons, ice-skating, church youth, gymnastics), not to mention the before school early morning seminary class... Wow, I kind of feel like a super mom right now! I left out the part that I have had NO energy left for cooking, so way too many trips through the drive through... We all hate fast food now!!!! (except Christian who wanted to go to Mc D's after eating three bites of my beef strouganoff the other night- whatever!!!)
Life goes on... and on! I'm ready to get back to exercising, and doing some fun projects. I unpacked and decorated Emma's room for her birthday, now hot pink and black! I have a few pictures, which I have to find the camera to updoad! Somehow, we will all adjust and manage these crazy times.... A lot of praying on my part... And gluing on a happy face... and laughing when I feel like crying... Life is just like that right now. I am so thankful for the blessings, Heavenly Father's love, family hugs (near and far), and the energy to keep going.
A few strange things happened, including a major change in moving plans (not by our choice) one week before we had to move... and my cute nephew coming to visit, out of complete necessity when he found out his passport was missing in D.C. right before leaving for the airport to go to Spain.. So, Conan picked him up, then back to D.C. a few days later to the passport office, all while we had basically 2 days to find a house to rent... It was CRAZY, INSANE!! The rental business is so completely weird and abnormal here, it's very difficult and time consuming to find anything worthwhile (meaning, not a rat hole!!!). What it came down to was that a family we didn't know very well, but heard about our plight, called us and offered to rent us their house that was empty and had been on the market since May. The downside; though only five miles north of our previous home, it was in a completely different school district and church ward... the kids were freaking out... Heck, I was freaking out!!! But NOTHING was panning out, so after much searching, unanswered phone messages, and constant prayers, etc., we made the decision to accept the offer. Then I spent the next 2 and a half days withdrawing the kids from the old schools and signing up for the 3 new ones... I had one day left to finish packing before we had to be out, then moving day, then one day later Conan started his new job!!! And, the kids started their new schools...and we celebrated Emma's 10th birthday!
So, here I am two weeks later... Meanwhile, Conan spent last week in Georgia at an Army base while I got really sick, dealt with several major meltdowns (I confess to one of my own...), unpacked the house, started chauffeuring kids to their various after school activities (guitar lessons, ice-skating, church youth, gymnastics), not to mention the before school early morning seminary class... Wow, I kind of feel like a super mom right now! I left out the part that I have had NO energy left for cooking, so way too many trips through the drive through... We all hate fast food now!!!! (except Christian who wanted to go to Mc D's after eating three bites of my beef strouganoff the other night- whatever!!!)
Life goes on... and on! I'm ready to get back to exercising, and doing some fun projects. I unpacked and decorated Emma's room for her birthday, now hot pink and black! I have a few pictures, which I have to find the camera to updoad! Somehow, we will all adjust and manage these crazy times.... A lot of praying on my part... And gluing on a happy face... and laughing when I feel like crying... Life is just like that right now. I am so thankful for the blessings, Heavenly Father's love, family hugs (near and far), and the energy to keep going.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
American History!
So, I guess when you are unemployed and it's summertime, you go to all of the free sights nearby... For us that means AMERICAN HISTORY!!! It's really what I would prefer to do, but the kids have to grumble a little until we actually get there. (They are bemoaning the fact that we didn't escape to Hershey Park last month when we actually had a j0b...) Then, after the first 20 minutes they are completely into it and have a great time. Last Saturday we visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore, which was really great- we got to see (and HEAR) an 1800's cannon being fired! It is at the tip of the harbor, where the British tried unsuccessfully to take back America. (Part of the Battle of 1812). It is where Francis Scott Key watched the "bombs bursting in air" from a ship in the harbor and penned the "Star Spangled Banner." That flag was ginourmous (as Elizabeth would say)!
On Tuesday, we hopped in the car and drove over to Philadelphia to finally see that old city, with all of it's amazing history! The best experience by far, was the tour of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. What heroic men... It's inspiring. It's such a great city; we could have spent days there! We've decided that when the kids are grown and on their own, we'd love to live in the city somewhere for awhile (Conan picks New York). For now, we'll be content visiting! I finally had my passport picture taken... With Renee' and family in Europe, I don't have any excuses! They are moving to Spain from Denmark in the next few weeks. I miss them tons and can't wait too visit...
On Tuesday, we hopped in the car and drove over to Philadelphia to finally see that old city, with all of it's amazing history! The best experience by far, was the tour of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. What heroic men... It's inspiring. It's such a great city; we could have spent days there! We've decided that when the kids are grown and on their own, we'd love to live in the city somewhere for awhile (Conan picks New York). For now, we'll be content visiting! I finally had my passport picture taken... With Renee' and family in Europe, I don't have any excuses! They are moving to Spain from Denmark in the next few weeks. I miss them tons and can't wait too visit...
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