Friday, January 8, 2010
Owwwww!
I'm so not happy....Tabb secretly scheduled me for a dentist appointment...yes...it's true...I REALLY don't like to go. My last visit was early 2008. I won't go into the gory details, but it was everything I thought it would be and more. Now I can't talk (that happens when they shoot your mouth full of anesthesia), my gums hurt, I'm drooling, and I'm hopin' mad at Tabb for making the appt. I do have a plan for how I'm going to feel better....Tabb has been avoiding making an appointment for a colonoscopy...he he he!! I'm looking up the phone number now!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year!! Always a time for reflection at the first of the year; so here goes:
Resolution #1:
More Family time - I mean meaningful Family Time. Our Family Home Evenings will be better planned versus the random stuff we throw together. Randomness can be fun, but I want the kids to remember FHE as a priority.
#2:
Family Fitness: Yes...I really mean it this time. The kids all got bikes (with helmets)....now Mom and Dad need to find a bike and get moving. We've already begun our fitness routine at the Y but more is needed!
#3
Asthma Education: The entire family needs to get on board with what to do for Melissa. Her fear that she'll stop breathing is gaining momentum in her mind. I think if the entire family is educated, we'll be able to gather around her and provide the security she needs. Currently she believes that Mom is the only one who can help her. Don't get me going about her taking 4 adult strength Tylenol without my knowledge...she thought it would help her feel better. Or the time she took "who knows how many puffs" of albuterol before I stopped her. Yes...locking the medicines would be good, but I think education is better. She's got to be able to stop an attack before it hits. I'm not always at her side.
#4
Visiting Teaching
Did you hear me sigh??? I love it, but I'm just rotten at it. My heart wants to do better, but my schedule is like weights around my legs. Yes...I know...it's all about priorities. My priorities are in such a delicate balance that one push in any direction collapses the whole structure. But...I will do better...promise!
#5
Temple Attendance
The blessings of the temple are only 25 minutes away.....still hard to believe!
#6
School: Finally have a plan: I've slowed the train down. I'm taking 2 easy peasy classes this semester. Then this summer - math and communications. Fall - the dreaded statistics class. May 2011 - complete the BSN requirements. Then ...hmmmmm......Master's in Nursing Infomatics possibly. During this year, I'll finish my work on the system-wide Staff Nurse Council and possibly work on a national public health initiative concerning discharge education of NICU parents. There's an opportunity through UNC Chapel Hill to collaborate with national leaders to further this initiative. Sounds fun and most importantly, an amazing opportunity to help parents.
#7
Somehow arrange a reunion for my side of the family...airfare for our crew will be an issue, but a little planning and saving might help.
Love you all!!!
Resolution #1:
More Family time - I mean meaningful Family Time. Our Family Home Evenings will be better planned versus the random stuff we throw together. Randomness can be fun, but I want the kids to remember FHE as a priority.
#2:
Family Fitness: Yes...I really mean it this time. The kids all got bikes (with helmets)....now Mom and Dad need to find a bike and get moving. We've already begun our fitness routine at the Y but more is needed!
#3
Asthma Education: The entire family needs to get on board with what to do for Melissa. Her fear that she'll stop breathing is gaining momentum in her mind. I think if the entire family is educated, we'll be able to gather around her and provide the security she needs. Currently she believes that Mom is the only one who can help her. Don't get me going about her taking 4 adult strength Tylenol without my knowledge...she thought it would help her feel better. Or the time she took "who knows how many puffs" of albuterol before I stopped her. Yes...locking the medicines would be good, but I think education is better. She's got to be able to stop an attack before it hits. I'm not always at her side.
#4
Visiting Teaching
Did you hear me sigh??? I love it, but I'm just rotten at it. My heart wants to do better, but my schedule is like weights around my legs. Yes...I know...it's all about priorities. My priorities are in such a delicate balance that one push in any direction collapses the whole structure. But...I will do better...promise!
#5
Temple Attendance
The blessings of the temple are only 25 minutes away.....still hard to believe!
#6
School: Finally have a plan: I've slowed the train down. I'm taking 2 easy peasy classes this semester. Then this summer - math and communications. Fall - the dreaded statistics class. May 2011 - complete the BSN requirements. Then ...hmmmmm......Master's in Nursing Infomatics possibly. During this year, I'll finish my work on the system-wide Staff Nurse Council and possibly work on a national public health initiative concerning discharge education of NICU parents. There's an opportunity through UNC Chapel Hill to collaborate with national leaders to further this initiative. Sounds fun and most importantly, an amazing opportunity to help parents.
#7
Somehow arrange a reunion for my side of the family...airfare for our crew will be an issue, but a little planning and saving might help.
Love you all!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tater Tots
It's been 20 years since my last Tater Tot Casserole - sounds like a confession, doesn't it!! We're trying the Duggar family recipe tonight along with steamed carrots, and vanilla cake with chocolate ice cream. This is Katie's night to pick the menu.
Here's the recipe:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can evaporated milk
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1/2 cup sauteed onions (I added this to the recipe)
Tater Tots
Ground the beef, place on bottom of 9 x 13 pan, add sauteed onions, place tater tots over ground beef. Mix soup and milk, pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour!
Enjoy...I hope!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
On the "Other Side"
Shew.....we survived Christmas! Each year I pray that the month of December will be peaceful, spiritual, and relaxing. I'll give this one a 6 out of 10. In some ways, I managed to control the business at the beginning of the month, but it spun out of control at the end. The cooking is what sends me over the edge. I'm so exhausted from it all. On Christmas Eve, we had a baked potato bar, 7 layer salad, broccoli casserole, rolls, dips, ham/cheese platter, and store-bought pies. Still wore me out. Not complaining, but I'm really worn out. Highlights this year: sharing our favorite Christmas stories from childhood, Luciano rolling in catnip, the Nativity at Hayes Barton, Eric's visit, and all the laughter and hugs. Enjoy the photos!!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Calvary has Arrived!!
Bless my little elves....just when I was about to give up hope of getting everything together before our dinner begins at 5pm....my children have turned into "cleaning machines." Now maybe .... I can take a shower and change into something not sweatpants related!!
My Favorite Christmas Memory
When I was 5 or 6 years old, I remember a very special Christmas eve. My parents used to go to a small grocery store run by a very nice Chinese couple. On Christmas eve, they would always have treats for their customers. I loved to go in the store because everyone was so friendly and happy. Growing up in California, it was not often you had a "small town" experience, but going to this store gave me that feeling. On Christmas morning, my parents would always get up before us, light a fire in the fireplace, turn on Christmas music, and then we would excitedly run down the hall towards the living room. I had hoped for a very special doll, "Snuggle Bun." She could blink her eyes and say "Mama." She was waiting for me under the tree along with a stroller. I doubt I even changed from my pajamas before I took her outside for her first stroller ride! I think that was my most favorite Christmas gift ever.
Since I've grown-up, my favorite memories have always been Christmas Eve family gatherings. Our tradition is to have an early dinner (tonight it's a baked potato bar, salad, rolls, and pies). We always go to Hayes Barton Baptist to look at the live Nativity scene. On the way home, we drive through Brentwood Subdivision to look at the luminaries. Later we read the Nativity story, the children open their Christmas pajamas, we say prayers, and it's off to bed! One of my most favorite memories is of Daniel - age 3. He accidently turned loose our pet Hamster on Christmas Morning. All thoughts of Christmas were quickly forgotten as we hurried to find the hamster before the Cat got an unexpected Christmas gift! There was also a very, very special Christmas Eve when we had a terrible Ice Storm. A missionary couple lived across the street from us. Tabb had run out to try and find kerosene - all the power was out. Melissa had just been born. I remember sitting, all of huddled together, in the Den. The power was out, and a small fire was going in the fireplace. The sister missionary was quietly rocking my one month old baby near the fireplace. I noticed that the room was filling with smoke. Before I could say anything, a sudden whoosh happened and fire spread from the fireplace up the front of the wall. As suddenly as that happened, there was another powerful whooshing sound and the fire was sucked back into the fireplace. I've never seen anything like that before. We all realized that we had been protected from a potential disaster that Christmas Eve!
I hope that as you all reflect on the meaning of the Savior's birth, you'll also remember the importance of our showing love and appreciation for the blessings we abundantly enjoy. I can't imagine what my life would be like if it wasn't for a young girl named Diane, who by her example, led me to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been blessed by a wonderful family, a Mom who is amazingly talented and thoughtful (although she would disagree) , a step-father who is one of the nicest people I have ever known, for a mother in-law who is a great example of service and kindness, for my siblings - wish we all lived closer, for a dear husband (my children are blessed to have such a great Dad), for my great kids (it's hard to put into words the great love I have for each of them), for Teresa (you are truly the sister of my heart), for Janine - she's been such a great Visiting Teacher (the best ever), for Sheila and Karen (I'm so fortunate to have such caring RS leaders), for the Quiller family (what a blessing to live near such a great family) and most important, for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm grateful to have the blessing of learning to be like him - I'm no where close - but I hope that throughout my life, those that know me will be able to see my desire to live by his example. Merry Christmas!!
Next year...baby Abigail will be here!!
Since I've grown-up, my favorite memories have always been Christmas Eve family gatherings. Our tradition is to have an early dinner (tonight it's a baked potato bar, salad, rolls, and pies). We always go to Hayes Barton Baptist to look at the live Nativity scene. On the way home, we drive through Brentwood Subdivision to look at the luminaries. Later we read the Nativity story, the children open their Christmas pajamas, we say prayers, and it's off to bed! One of my most favorite memories is of Daniel - age 3. He accidently turned loose our pet Hamster on Christmas Morning. All thoughts of Christmas were quickly forgotten as we hurried to find the hamster before the Cat got an unexpected Christmas gift! There was also a very, very special Christmas Eve when we had a terrible Ice Storm. A missionary couple lived across the street from us. Tabb had run out to try and find kerosene - all the power was out. Melissa had just been born. I remember sitting, all of huddled together, in the Den. The power was out, and a small fire was going in the fireplace. The sister missionary was quietly rocking my one month old baby near the fireplace. I noticed that the room was filling with smoke. Before I could say anything, a sudden whoosh happened and fire spread from the fireplace up the front of the wall. As suddenly as that happened, there was another powerful whooshing sound and the fire was sucked back into the fireplace. I've never seen anything like that before. We all realized that we had been protected from a potential disaster that Christmas Eve!
I hope that as you all reflect on the meaning of the Savior's birth, you'll also remember the importance of our showing love and appreciation for the blessings we abundantly enjoy. I can't imagine what my life would be like if it wasn't for a young girl named Diane, who by her example, led me to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been blessed by a wonderful family, a Mom who is amazingly talented and thoughtful (although she would disagree) , a step-father who is one of the nicest people I have ever known, for a mother in-law who is a great example of service and kindness, for my siblings - wish we all lived closer, for a dear husband (my children are blessed to have such a great Dad), for my great kids (it's hard to put into words the great love I have for each of them), for Teresa (you are truly the sister of my heart), for Janine - she's been such a great Visiting Teacher (the best ever), for Sheila and Karen (I'm so fortunate to have such caring RS leaders), for the Quiller family (what a blessing to live near such a great family) and most important, for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm grateful to have the blessing of learning to be like him - I'm no where close - but I hope that throughout my life, those that know me will be able to see my desire to live by his example. Merry Christmas!!
Next year...baby Abigail will be here!!
The Greatest Blessing of All
Gordon B. Hinckley
For each of you may this be a merry Christmas. But more importantly, I wish for each of you a time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God. Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself—these are of the true essence of Christmas.
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