My *little secret*
So it’s been a long time coming! It was just over 3 years ago when I met Rob and we decided at the end of October that we would marry… One day.
Our first wedding date was May 12, 2007; then September 15, 2007. Both of those dates flew out the window thanks to life’s ups and downs. Last year was a complete wash with my challenging pregnancy and 115 days in Denver following Simon’s birth. (Though we planned and discussed, an actual date was never set!)
Finally, after and extremely long engagement and our casual reference as husband/wife, we are finally tying the knot! When? August 15, 2009.
Can I scream yet??? August 15, 2009 is a whopping 2 months and a week away. Am I going to really get married this time round? Where’s the bet pot? You all bet and we’ll enjoy that pot for a short get-a-way following!!
There’s plenty to be done, but all in all, we are well on our way. I’m actually looking forward to our wedding this time, too! Rob has always wanted a big wedding. Not me. We’ve made the compromise that I feel will be fabulous! A small wedding in the botanical gardens here. Our guest list doesn’t even hit 30 adults, though all children will be welcome!!
Now, back to business… Where did my card stock go?
The Legacy
It never ceases to amaze me at how far we’ve come in our own lives and where our thoughts and focus was at various times in our past. Recently I’ve been blessed to take such a splendid walk down a very difficult and challenging part of my life. Some of the works shared here are from that time.
The Legacy
©2000
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
My mother is gone
Went to heaven you see
I thought about it
And began to see
The gift left behind
By my mother
For others to find
Where does it reside
My mother was wise
In her choice
She left a legacy
For others to hold
Just look deep
Within the four
Children in which
She bore
For a piece of her
Lives in each
From humor to art
Crafts, collections and more
For the loss of the body
Is only that
But the Legacy she left
Shall continue an eternity
A crazy Summer ahead!
And moving full-speed ahead!
Jaden turned five at the beginning of last month and his first real birthday party was not only fun and crazy, but a huge success. There was food galore, children running wild and crazy – but most importantly, fabulous memories for Jaden to carry through his life. I couldn’t ask for anything better!
Rob and I are both working now. I had a job fall into my lap, literally. I love it though! Rob is taking 12 credits this summer and Jaden is going to the Kindergarten jump-start program from mid-June to mid-July. As though our schedules weren’t hard to follow before! Ha!
We have a first birthday coming up soon for little Simon! But we also have another celebration this summer too! Rob and I are finally tying the knot! We’ve set dates prior, but life happened and we weren’t able to attend our own wedding. We’ll be setting our date this week based off times available at the botanic gardens here. I can’t wait!
Our summer will round off with both Rob and Jaden in school full time the last week of August. What a fun, crazy and exciting summer to be had!
Baby boy
Who really isn’t a baby any more.
Jaden is five today. He’s blazed past infancy, toddler-hood, preschool age right into school! We can’t believe how quickly time has flown by or how much knowledge Jaden has gained.
Today we are making the day all about Jaden. He’ll decide what he wants for all three meals, get his birthday present this afternoon and we will probably make cupcakes or something of the like as a small special treat just for today.
Jaden is having his birthday celebration on Saturday. We have opted to host a make-it-yourself pizza party for his friends. All the children will be making their own pizza with their choice of toppings: Cheese, pepperoni, ham, chicken, pineapple and black olives. We are working with five year olds here, so I feel quite safe in assuming they won’t be running for the onions or peppers.
After their pizzas are topped just right, we’ll bake them and let the kids decorate cookies to take home. We are making sugar cookies and leaving icing and tiny morsels for decoration. We’ll host a contest to see who has the best looking pizza cookie. That person will get a small prize for winning and the other children will get a prize for competing.
Once pizzas are devoured, we’ll move quickly to presents and cake. We’ll wrap up the party with a video playing until parent’s pick up, leave or kids walk home.
We look forward to our fun day!
Quiet until recently
I figured I should take a moment and share with all what has been occurring in my life to pull me from this blog.
I had a baby.
I didn’t just have a baby, I gave birth to a medically challenge premature son.
Life is crazy.
Without offering all the details here, I can direct you to Simon’s Blog. His story is there from days before his birth through yesterday.
The rest of my world has been up and down. We’ve moved, we’ve struggled, we’ve persevered.
That’s it. Nutshell version.
Hooray! I’m back!
I’m Nuts!
And Jaden is getting a party.
Yes. Frightening.
There will be eight or more children running rampant through my house.
Insane, crazy, commit able.
Not only will there be eight or more children, they will be making their own pizzas.
Shoot me now.
His party is a week from Saturday. I’m dreading it all.
One moment
Music has always had a major part in my life. From the amazing childhood memories associated with the Jackson 5 to the special songs I chose for my son’s funeral and beyond. There are few songs that can knock me to my knees because of the emotion I feel while listening to them. Today, a simple conversation with a friend brought with it the discovery of an artist I’ve never before known and a song that has the same knock-me-down emotional feeling.
To Cindy Campo: Thank you for touching my heart with your soul.
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
6 large baking potatoes, peeled, cut in 1/2 -inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped
1 quart chicken broth
3 garlic cloves, minced (or pressed)
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup cream or half-and-half cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 cup sour cream (optional)
8 slices bacon, fried & crumbled
cheese, for sprinkling
Combine first seven ingredients in a large crock pot; cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours (potato should be tender).
** You can also saute veggies in pan first for extra flavor, then add to pot.**
Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soupy is slightly thickened.
Stir in cream, cheese and chives
Top with sour cream (if used), sprinkle with bacon and more cheese.
Children and Chores
I have a four-year-old and one on the way. I’m big about dividing chores and helping out. At this point, my son, Jaden, doesn’t have many chores per say, but does have to actively help around the house. Daily he is required to pick up his toys and take them back to his room, keep his room tidy and on laundry days, he willingly gathers all the dirty laundry and takes it to the laundry room. Considering he’s just turned four, I haven’t felt unreasonable as a parent expecting the help. With baby on the way, he’s looking forward to taking on more responsibility with diapers and such. I’m looking forward to those changes at year end.
I offer no incentives such as an allowance for Jaden. At this point he gets praise and if he’s really wanting something special, I will give him a few extra things to do and will gladly get the item(s) for him. I plan on using an allowance later in his life to help teach him financial responsibility.
What are your views on children and responsibilities/chores? Are you offering an incentive for their assistance or just offer praise? If you are offering an allowance, how did you derive what each child should earn versus the chores that they complete?
The Decaying Health Care
What’s the first think you see when speaking with a person? Among the first sights is their smile. A bright white smile says so much about a person. Could you imagine what life would entail if that smile you carry possesses decay and there was little to be done? For many the harsh reality is known. The ability to secure a position that would better themselves is a far cry from possible; in process crushing self-esteem and confidence. I know, I see it often.
It’s amazing to me the standard of living most must maintain to qualify for assistance with anything, but dental work especially. Oral health is fundamental in the overall health of an individual. It pains to me see so many suffering because, for one reason or another, they are unable to receive the care they so desire.
So what can be done? Less happening upon a million dollars to assist individuals with their dental work, not much. There are some great organizations in some states that will help out tremendously. Unfortunately, they do have residency stipulations on those that they assist. Does the world need to suffer? I don’t think so.
The actual cost of dental products is low. The mark-up on each item is huge. It is that way to cover the office, staff and educational costs of the medical professionals. So is it possible to have a dentist donate time and money? I think so. It wouldn’t take too much, I would assume. A few letters explaining the situation and why, financially, it’s been impossible to obtain care in the past/present and ask for their help. Could it be a long shot? Perhaps, but one will never know unless they try.
Dentists are people too. They don’t want to see everyone suffer extreme pain caused by decay in the mouth. There are trade-offs that could be offered. For the person who designs websites, offering to create a site in exchange for treatment is one possibility. For a writer, offering to create a newsletter or quarterly update of the business is a great place to start. Don’t think that a dentist won’t consider the possibilities. Any person who is blessed with the ability to smile for the first time in years without shame will do all that they can to help further the business of the one offering services.
Since the dental-health assistance is decaying, why not take the opportunity before you find yourself with no other options but to have dentures. Take a chance on humanity and they could very well offer the chance of a lifetime for you.
