Pictures!

So here are a few pictures from our traditional Easter picnic. It was such a beautiful day! Living in Buffalo we can't always have our picnic outside. It was just perfect! I hope to add some more pictures, but have to do another post as it only allows me so many pictures per post- and I don't know how to adjust that yet!

I actually missed this ( Jayna and I were on a long trek to the bathroom), but my understanding is it involved lighter fluid and flames!
Whitney relaxing on a tree! She enjoyed climbing around. She really enjoys being near the water.

Jayna climbing around. She did have a little slip into the water.

Andrew balancing on the edge of the bridge. There were plenty of loose boards that made it a little tricky!

I thought it would be fun to try too, however, after getting a little ways- decided it was just a silly idea!!!

Happy Easter!!

And so it goes...

Happy Easter and More

Hello- It's been awhile since I've blogged so here goes- again.

Happy Easter all- I totally love Easter and the joy in the message of my Saviors love for me. I can't imagine the surprise and joy felt that first Easter. We have a family tradition to have an Easter picnic and thankfully this year it looks like we will be be able to have it outside and not completely freeze. Some years we end up on the LR floor. So on the menu today: grilled out hot dogs, chips, baked beans and lots of fruit- strawberries,raspberries, blueberries. Andrew helped out and hid eggs so Jayna could have an egg hunt. We usually do one with the cousins, but it didn't work out this year. The kids are growing up so much, I've had to learn to let it go some when Andrew and Whitney aren't that interested in doing things we've always done together- like egg coloring! So I just have to work to make it a fun experience for Jayna and not be upset that the big kids aren't that interested in joining in though.

I'm on my last clinical rotation now for school. Thankfully it is going very well and seems like a good fit for me. I'm working with children 0-5 with a variety of developmental delays- some more severe than others. This setting is a ton less stressful and just feels a ton more natural than my last, so I'm thankful to be ending on an up note. I have 6 more weeks to go, and will be graduating near the end of May. I hope to work part time after that- either pediatric/early intervention or school based. Still quite nervous about looking for jobs, but that's normal.

Last new recipe was basically a blueberry bananna muffin. Very yummy, everyone enjoyed it. The next one I plan on trying is a recipe for minestrone.

Reading now:- nothing :( I've started a few books but nothing that has really kept me interested lately. I need a great book to read- maybe the new James Potter series or the next book in the Hunger Games.

Everything else is going fine...

And so it goes....

Sue

Recipes 2&3

New Recipe # 2- Spanish Pork and Rice adapted from a recipe in Betty Crocker's Healthy New Choices I really liked it and would be interested in making it again, plus it was a good way for me to use the 2 pork chops in the freezer. However, Richard didn't really like it, he's not a big fan of rice (unfortunate since I really like rice!) and Andrew's complaint was that it had chunks of tomato in it. I don't think the girls cared for it either. Oh well, maybe make it more as a side dish instead of the main dish in the future?

New Recipe # 3- Sausage and Ricotta Pasta Bake adapted from a recipe I've had for some time cut out from somewhere, maybe something to do with Tops or Sorrento since it calls for those brands in it. Anyhow- I barely felt like it was a new recipe because I've made similar dishes (pasta, ricotta, mozzarella), but haven't used sausage in it, usually ground beef. So a little bit of a change, and definitely the recipe that the rest of the family ate best.

Haven't been focusing as much as I'd like on the vegetarian meal each week yet, having surgery and recovering takes a bit out of you. I'll be returning back to my clinical site Monday- it'll be good to get the ball rolling again so I can move forward. I don't really see the subacute setting being for me, hopefully I'll find the pediatric rotation a better fit for me or be able to find something to do with this degree and knowledge that will work for me and my family. It's really my hope to work only part time once I'm done. Now whether that will be a few days a week all year, or working for a school system, having summers off, or perhaps another option I don't know. I just really feel the need to be here more, not less.

Happy Valentines Day- I feel lucky to have such a good hubby and 3 good kids.

And so it goes...

Am I a B- Mom????

So, raising kids can be quite thought provoking. Sunday I had my gallbladder removed, an unplanned surgery. On Monday I came home and Monday afternoon Richard left town for work. Although I was disappointed (very) that Richard had to leave, I knew we'd be okay. The kids are old enough to basically fend for themselves and Richard had told them that they really needed to help me out- you know the basic "If you see something needs done, just do it (before Mom has to tell you" talk. He told them he'd turn on texting again if they all did a good job. ( I think that was his plan anyway, but good to throw in as an incentive) Anyhow, the kids did OK throughout the week- got rides home from basketball practice, walked to school , Andrew helped Jayna make food, Jayna at least once started unloading they dishwasher and they didn't ask for too much.... but I was really thinking I'd give them a B-. They weren't bad, but I didn't really feel like they put much effort into helping out after the first day. I was left cleaning up the table, loading the dishwasher, had to get on one of them to clean their room... Anyhow, I thought I'd mention that I'd give them a B-, but then it hit me. How often would they give me a B-??? There are plenty of times when I do okay by them- but maybe not great. Possible examples? The times I don't listen to Jayna as much as I should because I'm trying to do something else; the times I let my kids have friends over, but am less than enthusiastic about it; the times I show up to watch my kids perform or participate in an activity, but am watching the clock at the same time.... I'm sure if I asked the kids the list would be endless, and I'd probably have more B-'s than A+'s. So I'm just going to keep my mouth shut about their perceived B-, because I know as a Mom, I want to be earning A+'s, but sometimes am only giving a B- performance. I hope to do better. I have great kids and here's just one more time they've taught me a good lesson.

And so it goes...

New Recipe # 1

It's January. The time of resolutions and solutions- however I haven't been able to pin down my resolutions for the year- I always have so many things that I need to do better at. But I do know that I want to try new recipes throughout the year, and include a vegetarian meal each week into our diet. So it's not the Julie/Julia project (liked the movie, but didn't love it- it was a little bit too much like real life (since it was real life!)), but I thought I'd review our new recipes throughout the year.

So not only is it January, I also live in Buffalo, NY. So Buffalo in January ='s soup!! Our first recipe is Quick Beef Soup from the Great American Favorite Brand Name Cookbook. I've thought this recipe would be good to try for a long time, but have never tried it until now. It's made with ground beef, seasonings, tomatoes, water, veggies, and some pasta- it calls for orzo which I didn't have, but did have tiny pasta shapes, including abc's. I wish I would have taken a picture of it, when it was hot off the stove, but I didn't and now it sits as a leftover in the fridge- doesn't look quite as appealing. The reviews came back mixed. Andrew definitely didn't like it. Jayna thinks I should make it again. In the general food category Richard gives it a 5, but in the soup catergory, he gives it a 9 ( he doesn't like soup as much as I do, so a 9 for a soup is good for him), Whitney said it wasn't as horrible as she thought it would be, but doesn't like it- but would prefer it over fish sticks. I have to say I was initially a bit disappointed- it just wasn't as flavorful as I like, but after sitting overnight, I had some for lunch today and it seemed a bit better. Will we be having it again- yes- because it made a ton and there's lots leftover- will I be making it again- probably not anytime soon. But it seemed pretty healthy so some points for that.

Reading now: The Oath, A Surgeon Under Fire by Khassan Baiev

And so it goes...

Well, after starting the holiday season with a little stress (previous post), it actually turned out quite nice and not so stressful after all! I enjoyed going to the stakes Christmas concert with Jayna and also taking small presents/treats to some individuals who could use a little extra love and attention this season- one lady from the neighborhood (who talked our ears off when Jayna was selling Girl Scout cookies) and one lady from church. One of the items in one of the women's basket was just from the dollar store, but she really thought it was great, and I felt good because I knew her well enough to think it might be a good idea.Those things helped me keep the true spirit of Christmas- which is something I always try to do, but for some reason it seemed easier this year, maybe more inside me???

Here are some pictures of the kids opening presents that were made for each other. We always pull names of someone in the family to make for. This is how it turned out this year: Andrew made me yummy chocolate suckers, Whitney made Jayna a coupon book (I'll play a game with you...) and a scrapbook, Jayna made Richard a carpet rectangle with "I love Dad" on it, I made Andrew a no sew fleece blanket (Really my "making" skills are very limited), and of course Richard made a super cool gift- I call it a Fairy Light, but it's a solar powered light, that glows in the dark.

Everyone got some lovely presents and I was thrilled that Richard bought me some jammies- he had sworn off buying me clothes, but maybe he's coming around. He did a great job! And the unexpected winners?? Flarp the kids all got a canister of flarp noise putty. Being called Flarp, you can probably guess the noise that it makes. They had a fun time sitting around having "flarp contests"! Only thing, Santa should have put some in Richard's stocking too! Okay, I'm hesitant to admit it, maybe I should have gotten some too! After getting played with a ton, it didn't last more than a day, but definitely worth the $1 each! The other surprise??? My new balance ball (which I am sitting on as I write)- has provided the kids with a lot of fun and an opportunity to try some new "tricks". Will all be fun until someone busts up their head!!

Well I have finished my on campus classes- wahoo!!!Still waiting for one last grade to be posted. It feels good to be done. I'll start clinicals Jan. 4th, definitely nervous, but also looking forward to it. I'll be doing one in a rehab setting (hip replacements are big at this setting), then a pediatric setting.

Nice having some break time, I'm trying to enjoy it. Today I took the kids shopping, tomorrow Whitney and I are getting pedicures together, next day I'm taking Jayna to the aquarium, and Thursday is Andrew's birthday/New Year's Eve. Plan on some one on one time with Andrew in January, just haven't decided what yet.

Did something new for our Family fun activity this month- we went to Old Fort Niagara for a Firing of the Christmas guns and walking around the Fort and sites there. It was a nice relaxing night. I like doing our family fun activities, gives us an opportunity to try new things.

Just Read- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - loved it, a great book, it's the 2nd book in the Hunger Games, I think I like it better than the first one even!

And so it goes...

Jayna at Splash Lagoon

Jayna and Whitney making cookies together
We haven't put the train around the Christmas tree for years, Richard did this year and did lots of work on it. It was nice! (He's cute too!)
Jayna in the snow

Andrew being goofy

Whitney at Splash Lagoon

Christmas on the mind and more

So here I am mid November with Christmas on my mind: Posing the perpetual question-how to not be so crazy as I hit this time of year. I love the story and message of Christ's birth, I'm a fan of Santa, I admire the zillion cute decorations and cards- but I don't love feeling chaotic, stressed by expectations, over budget, and unsure if I've bought the "right" gift.

Multiple dilemmas to overcome to achieve the Christmas Peace that I hope for every season. Any suggestions?

First Dilemma- I don't only have Christmas to think about, but Richard, Andrew and Jayna all have Nov. or Dec. birthdays as well. Sometimes we just buy gifts and then try to decide what is birthday, what is Christmas; I think a few times we have bought presents for Andrew after Christmas, um yeah, when there is nothing "good" left in the store. Bad idea. Jayna's birthday presents have just been wrapped- so at least this year there is no confusion over what is for what- ( although I still wonder - did we buy the "right" presents) As far as Richard goes, I really am a lost case when it comes to buying him amazing presents. But hey, I have to plead my case- I really am simple and inexpensive to buy for, and I like things that the general public would have an understanding of what the item is. My sweet hubby is a different story- what do I know he wants- a big screen tv, umm, I am a college student with 3 children- thus out of my budget- sometimes computer gear, or motorcycle equipment, but unless he sends me a link to a website, I don't really know what he wants, (oh and it will be more expensive than a bottle of lotion!)- and how fun is that just buying items he's passed on to me ??? I thought I had a great birthday idea for him, but no luck... So before I even hit Christmas with him I'm stuck working on his birthday.

Dilemma Two- Buy now and be done- or- wait for the best deals and for the kids to change their minds about what is REALLY important
So in my mind, it would be lovely to have all the shopping done by Dec. 1st. That way I could relax and enjoy the season ( okay, relax may be a stretch I have college until the 22nd or 23rd- but maybe I could be slightly less deranged)- But won't more things be going on sale- I am on a budget- should I wait and see what is the best deal????? Do you have any experience with kids??? What may be the must have item today, umm will be so last week, um next week?? Do I wait until I see what the new "must have" item is.

Holy Cow- writing this post is stressing me out!!! And it's not that my kids are totally crazy, but their Mom is somewhat. They don't get a ton of presents throughout the year- they have to buy a lot of what they get themselves- so the things they do get for Christmas, I want to be great. Then there is the other issues- do you make it fair by the number of presents each child gets, or the $ spent. Either way it can seem way off balance- one big presents to ten little ones, makes someone feel jipped I think? But if someone knows the cost of items is way different... Oh and then beyond that- the other questions- how do I make Christmas spiritual when my hubby is not into that side of it. How do I make time for special traditions when I'm going to school full time and doing everything else. How do I keep with traditions that we have done before, but now Andrew and Whitney are outgrowing, but Jayna would still like to do....

And the list goes on and on- any great ideas out there? ( And for the most part- yes I am feeling somewhat emotionally stable- well ususally)

Happy Holidays!

And so it goes...