11.28.2008

It's a bug's life Pt.1

We had a "bug" birthday party for Judah in July... I just found these pics and thought I'd post the cuteness...
Judah the birthday boy MR. ladybug...
Baby fly
The potato bug auntie and little butterfly

It's a bugs life pt.2

Mark the fly....
Spider cupcakes
Beautiful butterflies
Amazing


11.24.2008

My new hair-do

Today I had an very bonding moment with my daughter, 
after asking her if I could practice braiding her hair- she asked me if she could do mine, 
30 min. later and missing a few chunks of hair out of my head, 
we both look beautiful...Good times.

11.22.2008

"Mother love is not inevitable,
 a good mother is a great artist,
 ever creating beauty out of chaos."
-Alice Randall. 
Yes... those tiny beautiful pauses in the day
Recognizing them, acknowledging them as they happen
Giving voice to the Ordinary now beautiful.
Folded socks in the basket
The candle that makes my house smell like gingerbread
Sweaty- chubby- dimpled hands
Milk escaping the grinning mouth that would rather giggle than nurse...
Realizing the wonder of the moment you are in... creating beauty.

SWEET BABYCAKES





Viva loves her sister's "mommy" doll, she fell asleep like this... made my day.

11.19.2008

Sibling Revelry



Silence

Im savoring it, the lack of noise. My ears are searching and finding nothing, except the occasional click of the oven adjusting, or the washing machine starting the spin cycle. Quiet. It definitely won't last long, but while the baby and kids are sleeping, I will enjoy it. In fact, I don't remember a time I have enjoyed it more.

11.13.2008

Lil' Joe

The many faces of Judah (aka: little JOE ("thanks veggie-tales")
"Hey Judah take some pictures with me"..."uh no mom, I-uhm lil Joe"...
 "Oh Ok Lil Joe, come take pictures." "Yah...I lil Joe....."
"Hey Joe, make your little Joe face"...

Soupendous!

Bacon Veggie Lentil Soup
1/4 lb. Bacon, chopped
4 Cups Onion
1 Cup Chopped Celery
1 Cup Carrots
2 Garlic Cloves
4 Cups Broth
1 1/4 Cup Lentils
14 1/2 oz. diced tomatoes in juice
Balsamic vinegar (optional)
Oregano 
Chopped parsley (optional)

In a large heavy saucepan over med. high heat cook bacon till crispy. 
With a slotted spoon take out bacon pieces and let drain on paper towels.
Using a food processor pulse veggies till finely chopped (or chopped to your satisfaction)
Put veggies in saucepan with leftover bacon fat or olive oil (if your scared of the bacon fat :) Cook over med. heat with lid on for fifteen min.
 Stirring occasionally -being careful not to burn veggies.
Add broth, lentils and tomatoes and bring to boil. 
Reduce heat to med. -low, cover and simmer until lentils are tender -35 to 40 minutes. 
Using an immersion blender bend for 30 seconds or so
 (or use regular blender with two cups of soup and blend till smooth) 
Return soup to pan (if using regular blender)
 Thin soup with more broth if too thick.
 Season with salt and pepper and some balsamic vinegar, if desired.
 Stir in reserved bacon, and chopped parsley. Ladle soup into bowls. 
ENJOY!
(The pictures of the finished soup didn't turn out, so use your imagination)

11.12.2008

Satisfaction Guaranteed

My friend Heather gave me a whole bunch of pears, my favorite.
I had so many, I decided to dry some... 
There is nothing nicer than the smell of drying fruit, it brings me back to childhood.
Putting food up is so satisfying, fulfilling, tangible. And it tastes better than candy. 

11.10.2008

A little late, but better than never...

My all time favorite photo of the election season, enjoy. 
(the longer you look at it the better it gets.)

Genevieve

Genevieve Rosemary  (White wave of the Holy Spirit, remembering what God has done)
(Viva Rose)
My tiniest one
The most joyful child I've ever known
Im so glad that she's mine!

Judah

Judah Zebulon (Dwelling place of praise)
I love your "reasoning face"...when your trying to understand
I love your optimism, may you never lose your sense of Wonder.
      

Nora

Nora Ellen Nicole (One is who honorable and brings light and victory for her people)
 (aka: "Fancy-Nancy")
She is the sunshine in my days...

The epitome of what it means to be a little girl...
I pray she always knows how wonderfully fabulous she is!

11.09.2008

Validation


Validation. It's what every stay at home, 168 hours a week, full time mommy is needing. Sometimes the days turn into weeks and the laundry on the couch rotates through the washer again, before making it to the drawers, and I start to forget the things that really matter. Like the fact that Judah is speaking in completely full sentences "Mommy the fuc goes wibbit wibbit" and "I luv that kiddy- meeeoooowww" Yes, kittymeow... it's one word. So the days go by and I forget. I have never been a good diary keeper/journalist, I've tried for years. So it just occurred to me that maybe, just maybe- it's because no one else was reading it. So, Im going to try this blogging deal again... writing the silly nuances of my stay at home, sleep deprived, crazy in love with my family- life. Maybe its a sort of validation OF my life, so I can look at that enormous pile of laundry and say "hey- look what I DID do... Judah went potty on the toilet today, hooray for us!" Written down, documented, so much better than in my head.
and you can cheer along...