Friday's Thankful Treasures

Lydia: Her new skill of rolling over!

Me: Fall, Family, Dustin's birthday and all of our friends

Dustin: his birthday was this past Wednesday. click on this link to see what he is most thankful for: http://holyworldwide.com/dustinhedrick/?p=1531

AB: Her Poppy's coat. Last night cold water was poured on hers and she got to wear his to the car and of course he offered for her to wear it all the way home. The look on her face shows her thankfulness and her love for her Poppy

(sorry it is so dark, her car seat is navy blue, the coat is black and it was dark outside)

Thursday's things Heard...when talking about Jesus

AB: Mommy look (a Christmas decoration), I remember that from last year. Its for Christmas.

Me: Yes, I see that. Do you remember what Christmas is all about?

AB: Santa Clause and presents!!!

Me: Do you remember what else Christmas is about?

AB: Nope

Me: Remember it is about Jesus and him being born and God sending him to earth to be with us?

AB: Oh, yes, I remember that! That is so special. This year at Christmas, I want Jesus to be with Christmas and presents and be in my heart.

Although I know we have been talking a lot about what it means to have Jesus in our hearts, I knew she was not really getting it, we arrived at our location shortly after that and I let the conversation rest. Later that evening we were on the road again, this time Poppy was in the car. We dove past another Christmas decoration.

AB: Poppy, do you remember that (a Christmas decoration)?

Poppy: I do

AB: Its for Christmas

Me: Do you remember what Christmas is all about?

Yes, Santa, presents and Jesus

Me: Hey Poppy, did you know what AB said? She said this Christmas she wants Jesus to be in her heart!

Poppy: (hopeful but still sensing it was too early, heck it was just the other month she said she didn't want Jesus in her heart even though he was in poppy's and mommy's) Really? Wow, that's great? Why do you want Jesus in your heart?

AB: cause he is very nice

Poppy: well thats not the reason we ask Jesus to be in our heart. We ask him to be in our heart because he loves us and we love him and he is our friend and we can talk to him and he died on the cross for us and...

Me: and he keeps us safe

AB: just like the firetrucks keep us safe

Me: yes, firetrucks keep us safe. Who is better than fire trucks?

AB: Jesus

Me: who is better than ambulances?

AB: Jesus

Me: who is better than police officers?

AB: Jesus

Me: who is better than mommy?

AB: Jesus

Me: who is better than poppy?

AB: Jesus

Me: who is better than moose?

AB: Jesus

Me: who is the best in the whole world?

AB: (with much thought and consideration she was quiet for a second and then shouted) .... Anna!!!

Wednesday's Something I have never done before...pumpkins and wine

I made an incredible Pumpkin Sausage Pasta dish. It has been a long time since I followed a recipe and created a nice meal. Encouraged and inspired by my Uncle David, I finally agreed to do it. I printed the recipe, read it over and over and over. Made a shopping list and went to the store. $26 dollars later I had all the ingredients for the pasta dish and the accompanying spinach salad. I had hoped to spend a little less but if you think about it, the cost of going to a nice restaurant and getting 2 entrees, 2 salads, a kids meal, a drink (i usually get water but Dustin always gets a diet coke) and a milk for AB plus tax, plus tip - I think $26 was a good deal!

Dustin had to work late which was great, there wasn't a lot of pressure for me to get it done quickly. I read the recipe over and over again. Had it really been that long since I followed a recipe; shamefully I think it has. 1 cup of dry white wine. Ok so how in the heck am I to know if the wine I got was dry? I don't drink, everyone knows that. I bought a cheap bottle for $7. Looks like I can make this recipe many more times seeing that I only used a cup. How long does wine last in the fridge after it has been opened? Speaking of opening, how in the heck am I supposed to open it? I have never opened wine. I called my dad, he walked me through it. It was kinda cool. AB was upset that I made her leave the room while I did it. (I didn't know if it was going to fly off and hit her in the eye or something.)

The pasta dish came together very nicely and the spinach salad was perfect; even the dressing was homemade!

Here is the link to the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/pasta-with-pumpkin-and-sausage-recipe/index.html

Tuesday's Taco Salad Family Night...Dustin's birthday eve

No Taco Salad again...but it was a special occasion. Poppy's birthday was tomorrow and we had to go shopping without him. In our house we celebrate birthdays for a week and today was day 3 of the birthday week. I made a quick mashed potatoes and a steak cooked inside. The rain would not let up long enough for me to grill.

We scarfed our dinner down, AB wore her rain boots and off to the store we went. AB was on a mission. She wanted to buy Poppy a dog. Lord help us, its all about dogs. I was going to try to steer her in a different direction but then AB announced to Poppy that she was going to buy him a birthday present and it would be a surprise, a dog! He looked at me as I shook my head no and said, at least make it a good one...not some cheap something other, make it something she will like.

My intentions were to go to Bed Bath and Beyond to get him a facial hair trimmer...well let's face it, he's getting old :) and then we would go to the dollar store and let her go wild and pick out whatever she wanted. I didn't think the dollar store would have an appropriate dog we could get plus the rain was a lot and it was late AND it was me vs. 2 girls! Once in BBB I tried to make it a one stop shop. We were on a hunt for a dog. We went straight to the check out isle. I found one for $2.99...you know those family stickers on the back of minivans? You know, the mom, the dad, the princess daughter, the skateboarder son...they have dogs too. We got a dog and it can go on his car and not clutter my house! SCORE!

The evening ended with a stop at AB's favorite place, Old McDonalds. Cheeseburger for her, and ice creams for Poppy and Mommy!

Monday's Making it a Home...10 minutes the night before

So the daycare, LMNOP opens every morning at 7am. This particular weekend, my house looks very "lived in". (i can't be perfect all the time) and I had planned on waking up early to tidy up a bit before my client arrived instead of doing it on Sunday night. All I can assume is that my last thought before bed was of my intentions and last night my only dream was that I was cleaning all night. So my sleep wasn't restful and I woke up only to still have to scramble to clean up before 7am! The best part is is that it only took me 10 minutes to pick up the whole house.

How restful would my sleep have been last night if I had taken 10 minutes and knocked it out then? Its a goal I can strive for.

Friday's Thankful Treasures

AB: Green, Poppy, Cheetos, Moose and Crackers (maybe one day I will make it to her list)

Lydia: learning how to sleep longer

Dustin: a break in the clouds (nothing to do on Saturday)

Lori: my husband and his upcoming birthday week

11.12.10

Thursday's things Heard...What do you want for dinner?

Things heard in response to the daily question...what do you want for dinner?

Me: Ab what do u want for dinner?
AB: Mayonnaise and blueberries!
Me: No way!

Things heard while trying to get a boogie from AB's nose

Very mature and mater-of-factly AB said to me: "Mommy my boogie is way far away and you just cannot reach it"