ronda

I am blessed to have so many great friends.  Truly, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't pause and give thanks for the many incredible, smart, funny and generous people I'm lucky to call my friends.

I met Ronda when we were in middle school.  We had braces back then.  We were just starting to go boy crazy.  We read each other's poetry and we journeyed through high school together, also visiting each other throughout college.  I visited her when she went away to chiropractic college in California. She was in my wedding.  And we get together when we can to visit.   She's been a true friend all of these years, and we share a rich history of friendship, adventures and stories.  I'm lucky to call her my friend.

Last week, Ronda did something so truly selfless and incredible. Something so out of the realm of comfort and safety.  Something that's inspiring and has left me in awe.

Ronda put her medical practice and personal life on hold, and joined 13 other chiropractors, and traveled to Haiti on a humanitarian mission.  They stayed in tents on top of a house at an orphanage amid the post massive earthquake rubble, and gave care to people in tent cities and remote mountain villages.

When I first saw her amazing photos, I didn't even know what to say. Its heartbreaking to see these people, especially the children, living in these conditions.  It makes you count your many blessings in life.  That these children can live with hardly any comfort, no family support, and still smile, play games and laugh..well, it just brings me to tears.

I wish I could share all of her photos, but this is a sample that tells part of the story.

Devastation.

This is the orphanage where they stayed.

They stayed on the roof of this abandoned house at the orphange.  There was less of a chance of having things stolen by staying on the roof, plus the kids pee all over the floor of the orphanage.  Also, they could catch a breeze sleeping on the roof. Ronda's tent is the white one to the right.

They gave chiropractic care to those in pain.

This picture got to me the most.

Angelica, Jay Z and Jessica. They lost their parents in the earthquake. 

Ronda with Angelica and Jessica.  I think she left a piece of her heart with them.

Most people (myself included) talk about helping. Maybe it all seems so far away; maybe we just aren't sure what we can really do to make a difference. But Ronda actually went beyond the $10 Red Cross donations and touched peoples' lives.  I can't imagine doing something like this and it not changing you forever.

I know Ronda says she got much more out of this trip than she gave. I'm so proud to have a friend with such a kind, generous heart.

now ass funny!

I was looking at some old photos this morning and came across this one... it made me laugh out loud.  We were at the Luray Zoo.  My Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bill were visiting from Arizona and Dylan was maybe about 16 months old so it was August 2004.  There was a donkey and  he had been quiet the entire time we let Dylan feed the goats.  But the moment we turned towards the donkey, he started hee-hawing really loud and I just about peed my pants!!!

I remember laughing so hard we were all doubled over.  The only one who wasn't laughing was the donkey.  But then again, I wouldn't be laughing if those were my teeth either!

Logan V.I.P.

This week, Logan is the Notorious V.I.P. (very important preschooler) at school. Except he had to miss a day due to a touch of the dreaded strep throat.  Thankfully he recovered very quickly and I'll head into his class next week for a make-up story reading session.

We had to make a poster illustrating his life this past weekend, once we finished Operation Birthday Party Clean Up.  He's less than three months away from turning four, and his new phrase these days has been a very sarcastic "Mom, are you serious?"  He tends to use it with disbelief when I'm trying to talk him into doing something he doesn't want to do, which usually means running errands or cleaning up.  Or eating something other than a cheese sandwich (the horror!).

alone

I see others out there like me. Others who drop off their kids at preschool and are blissfully kid-free for 2 hours and 45 minutes, two or three times a week.

Have you seen us?

We’re the ones with laminated numbers dangling from our rearview mirrors or stuck to our car windows, numbers that correspond with our preschooler for car line pick up later. We’re the ones peeling through the neighborhoods in our shiny minivans and SUV’s, disobeying speed limits and barely coming to a complete stop… anything so as to not waste a single precious minute of kid-free time. We’re the ones sprinting through the assorted stores, not making eye contact with anyone for fear we’ll see someone we know and have to stop and chat, thus dipping into our precious alone time. We’re the ones hauling a huge stack of clothes to the dressing room, not because we need anything, just because WE CAN… after all, we’re alone, alone, alone!  Buying a pack of gum and not having to share it! We’re the ones rockin' out in our cars, happy to turn off the kids DVDs . Rolling down the windows since there’s no one to complain about it being too windy or too sunny. 

And we're the ones, taking a deep cleansing breath as we get into car line for pick up, feeling fresh and rejuvenated again, at least for a little while.

Indiana Jones Birthday

Yesterday, the place to be for a true Indiana Jones adventure was right here in our own backyard.   Dylan invited 18 kids friends from class and our neighborhood and soccer, and his cousins, and we all embarked on the Search for the Golden Monkey Treasure...

Andrew created invitations inviting the 'freshmen class' to assist Indiana Dylan in the Search for the Golden Monkey...

We turned our yard into an adventure obstacle course, with a snake pit, bone ring toss, toss boulder in the basket, walking across a bridge avoiding hot lava while being blown by 'poison darts' (Q-tips thru straws)....  Then the kids mummied each other with toilet paper, and we had Indy cake..  Here are some photos of the day.

Andrew placed clues around the backyard for the kids to find.  All the clues together pointed kids in the direction of the hidden treasure. 

When the kids arrived, they each made a necklace to help them obtain the special powers needed to find the treasure..

Next, the kids had to navigate a foot bridge across hot lava while the 'native's blew poison darts at them... (you can see the snake pit trampoline in the background).

Dylan and his friend Alec..

The kids made each other into mummies with TP..

Finally, they found the treasure with the Golden Monkey and jewels, and everyone got to take some home. It was fun really seeing the kids use their imaginations and buying into the whole theme...they loved it!

Finally, it was time for cake.

The kids had a blast, and the mess in our backyard proved it!  It was a true adventure cleaning it all up last night and today.  But the kids were all great, and I think their favorite part was wrapping each other in toilet paper and jumping like wild monkeys in the trampoline!

Dylan said it was the 'best birthday party ever' and he collapsed into bed last night and slept for 13 straight hours.

This is the totally awesome birthday card my Mom made for Dylan... our own little Indiana Jones!

Here's to a great year ahead, Dylan!

surprise!

We kicked off the birthday week celebration early with the new bicycle, and kept the momentum going all week.  On Wednesday, Dylan's actual birthday, Daddy made a special breakfast before Dylan had to catch the bus.  Then Grandma Lynn came out for a surprise visit.

We met Dylan at the bus stop with balloons....

Surprise cupcakes at home for an after school treat...

And a special birthday gift from Grandma.... Tony Hawk's Wii Skateboard game!

7

Dear Dylan,

Every year on your birthday, I like to take a journey in my mind about how much you've grown, and the boy you've become.  I've been writing this blog since you turned five and then six.  You're turning seven tomorrow.  Seven years old, and I can hardly believe it.  You're growing up so fast, and changing all of the time.

I can no longer pick you up, or hold you in my arms.  You've turned into a boy, independent and full of ideas and opinions about the world around you.

This has been a big year for you.  You graduated from kindergarten and confidently started first grade, head held high ready to take on the world.  You've learned the basics of reading. Everytime I visit you in school, your friends are all fighting for who will get to sit next to you.  I know you will always have a lot of friends, because you're kind to other kids and you're very, very silly.

On Sunday, we were at the park.   You went off, on your own, because you had seen some wildflowers.  You picked a flower for every adult that was in our group and gave one to each person, making sure everyone was included.  You have such a sweet nature.  Sometimes you'll be working on homework, or eating your dinner, and you'll just reach over and touch my hand and give me a little smile.  You take your time walking to the bus stop each morning, stopping to help a worm make it to the grass, or making sure you don't step on an ant.

You're such a good big brother. The other weekend, I walked past your bedroom and saw you reading a book to Logan, who was listening intently.  You are the light of Logan's life.  He idolizes you in every way possible and even though I know he can annoy you as only a little brother can, he worships the ground you walk on and wants to be just like you.  I hope you will always be close to each other, and help each other.  Sometimes when you're both watching TV together, you lay so close together its hard to tell where one of you ends and the other begins.

Other than your family and friends, your three favorite things are playing Wii, swimming, and riding your bicycle.  You can do any of these for hours, and you've quite good at them all.  I hope we can get you as interested in books... we're still working on that.  You're also getting into skateboarding, and we're surprising you for your birthday by signing you up for a skateboarding camp this summer.

This year, you've also expanded your food horizons. Cheese quesadillas have given way to cheeseburgers, casseroles, black beans, and even carrots. Your favorite fruit is fresh pineapple, and your favorite ice cream flavor of late is party cake. You love to watch shows about 'how things work' and nature. This has been the year you've become obsessed with all things Indiana Jones, and you bust out your Indiana Jones costume so often its starting to get holes in it.

This Saturday, we're going to have a party to celebrate your birthday.   You've taken quite an interest in your birthday party this year... creating your own guest list (friends from school and soccer), coming up with the theme (Indiana Jones), and even telling Daddy what you want your cake to look like.  I know it will be a memorable day filled with laughter.  I know my favorite part of the day will be just watching you, when don't know I'm watching.

I'm so proud of you buddy.   You amaze me everyday, in everything that you do.  I love you all the way to the moon and back and back again. Happy 7th Birthday Dylan.

Love,
Mom

pre-birthday birthday

This week, and quite amazingly (to me), Dylan will turn 7.  We kicked the celebration off with a trip to the toy store today.  He test drove every bicycle in the store, until he found the perfect one.    Sleek, green, hand brakes and the perfect size. 

Grandma Bobbie captured his maiden ride in front of our house the second we got home from the store.   I don't even think the rest of us were out of the car yet...

What was Logan doing while all this was going on?  Why, wreaking havoc throughout the Toys R Us with Grandpa Joe of course!

And what other way to end the day...the first birthday cake of the week, enjoyed with Grandpa and Grandma.

Its going to be a fun week.

Bake Sale Lemon Bars

These are easy, yummy, and lemony and summery!  I didn't have to shop for any ingredients, I had everything on hand. 

Bake Sale Lemon Bars

Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick spray.  Combine the three ingredients above.  Press dough into pan.  Bake for 15 minutes in preheated oven until slightly golden.

Filling:

6 eggs

1 3/4 cups white sugar
6 TBSP all-purpose flour
1 cup lemon juice (you can use fresh squeezed or store bought from concentrate)
3 drops yellow food coloring
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

While crust is baking, whisk together eggs, white sugar, flour, lemon juice and yellow food coloring until frothy.  Pour this lemon mixure over hot crust. 

Return to the preheated oven for 20 minutes (still at 375 F), or until light golden brown.   Let pan cool.   Dust the top with confectioners' sugar.  Cut into squares. 

Baby Carter

Many times I've written about our good friends John and Paige, and their journey to adoption.   They've been home with Carter for about two weeks now, and we've had the pleasure of being around him many times already.  He's just absolutely juicy, there is simply no other way to describe him.

We a couple of unseasonably hot days this week, a little preview of summer...    So we got out the water toys and let 'er rip in the front yard (remember, the same front yard that had three feet of snow covering it two months ago). 

Carter was just dying to get out of his ride and go for a splash in the pool with the big boys.

this is how they do it on the west coast

I have a few friends who live in L.A., and this is how they get their weather forecast each night.



I love it!

dressing it up

No one really eats a salad just for the veggies right?  Its all about the dressing.  And this dressing is one I find myself making when I get tired of the store bought varieties.  Its quick, fresh, delicious and you could probably whip it up right now based on stuff you have in your pantry.  We're having it over spinach salad tonight, but it would be good over just about any salad.

Its also easily doubled.  I think the ingredients listed here would make enough dressing for about 2 - 3 dinner size salads so just double everything if you need for more peeps.

Zesty Salad Dressing

1 TBSP toasted sesame seeds (just throw them in a little skillet over med heat for 5 minutes until they get browned)
1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon minced white onion
1/8 teaspoon paprika
2 TBSP red wine vinegar
2 TBSP cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil

Whisk all ingredients together, drizzle over spinach salad, or your favorite kind of salad.

Easter 2010

We've been so busy this week, we put off coloring eggs until the last possible minute Saturday night.  The boys always enjoy this and I was in the laundry room busy secretly filling eggs for our backyard egg hunt the  next morning.   We're still enjoying deviled eggs, even if they're a little green.

We got the kids to bed and got busy assembling the baskets of loot.  I really, really tried to take it easy on the candy this year.  But we ended up having two different egg hunts yesterday and it all still added up to be way too much.   We started a new tradition this year... the boys got their first pairs of summer PJ's, and some books/movies, some bath stuff and Webkinz stuffed animals.  It just can't be all about the candy.  Plus, in typical fashion, Logan would binge eat candy for hours until he makes himself sick if I let him, its disgusting.  Dylan, on the other hand, will have to throw his candy out in a few weeks after he barely touches it.

In the morning after inspecting the booty, it was time to adorn the Crocs-with-PJ's-look and head to the backyard to find some eggs.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Jessica, and cousins Josh and Maya came over during the afternoon for Egg Hunt Part Deux, and a meat extravaganza on the Big Green Egg.  And a little Skyping with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Bobbie too!

the greatest show on Earth

Last Thursday evening, we headed to the circus for some visual stimulation and $12 cotton candy.  My Mom and Stepdad met us there, and we had a great time taking it all in.  The all access preshow was fantastic, and gave the boys an up close view of the performers.  

A friend of mine is the Creative Director for Feld Entertainment, and scored us free tickets (thanks again Suzanne if you're reading this!). The seats were fantastic and the show did not disappoint.   The costumes and acrobatics are so amazing and there's so much to see its hard to even take it all in.  I'm always a little torn over circus animals and all the controversy that surrounds their treatment.  I've read terrible things and wonderful things and I just still feel... conflicted.

But alas, we had a great night and the look on the boys' faces made it all worth it. They were mesmerized.

We've never been to Ringling Brothers, we usually go to the Big Apple.  So this was my first time seeing elephants and tigers as part of a circus.

2nd half was a charm

The last half of our spring break was much improved from the first half ... Logan's stomach bug subsided, the weather was incredible, and we did lots of fun things.  I'm going to attempt to catch up on the blogging here now that I've downloaded my photos from the rest of spring break and Easter!

Last Thursday, we picked up one of Dylan's good friends from school and headed to our favorite local park for a picnic lunch.   The best part about this park is the big creek with two bridges at the bottom of a walking path.   Boys can spend hours throwing sticks and rocks into creeks, and tempting to get closer and closer to falling in.  We even saw a large brown snake - exciting for the boys, for me...not so much.