WFMW....My Sick Child Stash

At my house my children tend to get sick on the worst weather days, or when hubby is out of town or has emergency meetings all day. And what Mom wants to run to the grocery store when it's snowing outside and has a child vomiting every 30 minutes? Not fun, right? So, over the years I've learned to stash a few things away for those "sick" days. Even if I have to run into town for the doctor I don't want to have to make extra stops, especially since the doctor is on the side of town closest to our house and everything else if further away:)

Here is what I like to have on hand:
Pantry:
crackers
chicken broth
Ramon noodles
jello

Freezer:
Popsicles

Fridge:
Sprite or Ginger Ale

Meds:
Tylenol
Advil

I also like to have a little box of coloring supplies or books that they haven't seen so if they get to feeling better they have something they can do quietly.

I never let myself run out of these things if I can help it. My kids don't drink soft drinks at home except on special occasions so they know the Sprite is off limits. And everything else I just make sure if it gets low I replenish.

Anyway, this is what works for me. Head over to Rocks In My Dryer for more great tips!

The Many Faces Of Little One

So Little One has been dubbed the Queen of Expression. She has faces that make you laugh until your belly aches and your eyes fill with tears. Now that she is 21 months she has words to go with the faces, which make it even more entertaining. The sad thing is I know she gets it from me. I watch her face and think, "hmmm, that looks familiar" and then it dawns on me who she is mirroring. I won't take credit for all her faces though! Here's a few of them from when she was younger (I've dedicated a whole scrapbook page to her faces) :

"Uh, were you speaking to me?"

"Did you hear that noise I just made with my lips?"

"Pflllph to you too!"

"Hey Mom, I'm smiling for the camera."

Can we say mischievous?

Doesn't she look like she's about to whack someone, in a sweet sort of way?

Clean, happy, baby.

Okay, this is straight out of the pages of WB looks. I often roll over in the morning to see this face. Alright, maybe not in the morning. I get this look when I bounce into bed at night not at all tired after WB has been trying to go to sleep for the last 15 minutes and well, maybe I'm a little chatty. This is the look, how did she perfect it in her first week of life?!!

"Who? Me? I don't make all those faces!!"

As We Usher In A New President Think About This

My friend Aimee sent me this link on Facebook. I think it is a wonderful thing for all of us to think about us we listen to the news, watch the media coverage, become excited over this man being our president. I bet he's glad his mother made the right choice!
CatholicVote.com

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Memorable Moments Monday...

So I'm still getting back into the swing of things, but I thought I'd share a few memorable moments from the last couple of weeks.

First my mom retired. Yee, haw!! She has been a nurse for well over thirty years, maybe forty. She is an amazing nurse at that. Her speciality being Critical Care. I've watched her work nights, days, shifts that last over twelve hours, seen her cry over lost patients and rejoice with patients when they recover. I've seen her spend vacations and weekends pouring over the latest medical journals. If she had a chance to better herself she did. Her focus was always being the best caregiver her patients could have. A few years ago she left the bedside part of her career behind and worked on educating the nursing staff of her hospital. She shared her love of nursing with new nurses and seasoned nurses alike. I watched everyone from the kitchen staff to the CEO of the hospital come by to wish my mother well at her retirement party. If former patients and family had known they would have been there as well. Many times we've been stopped while out when people recognized by mom and wanted to thank her for the care she gave a loved one or themselves. And you know she remembered every last one of them, that's just the way she is.

Pay no mind to my frizzed out big hair, that humidity in Houston always puts it into a sort of 80's shock, minus the big bangs!

And Little One graduated from her infant Kindermusik class! My parents were here to watch her graduation class so it was extra special. She was the oldest in her class so we have left behind many wonderful friends to move on to the toddler class. We had the first class today and I think we're going to make many new friends. But could someone remind her she is my baby and not supposed to grow up so fast!!

Little One proudly displaying her diploma, right in front of her face:)

Oh, and my sweet friend at The Fritz Facts rewarded me with this and I'm just now getting around to it, sorry.

The Lemonade Award.

Thank you for thinking of me!

This award is for blogs that show great attitude and gratitude.

There are rules:1. Put the logo on your blog or post.2. Nominate at least 10 blogs with a great attitude / gratitude.3. Link the nominees within your post.4. Let them know you have given the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.5. Share the love and link this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

And see I'm really bad about these awards because I love all of my blogging friends. But the following are who I think do a good job at turning lemons into lemonade.

Smockity Frocks

Life In the Crazy Lane

Cherished Moments

Buffaloes and Butterfly Wings

At Pat's Place

Because I Can

Family Blog With A Difference

Anyway, that's a few things that have been going on around here. How about you? Any memorable moments today!

Just Where Have You Been?

I have been away for longer than expected, but I was delayed in Houston due to my ears. When I finally came home you can imagine the chaos, excitement, fun, work, organizing, etc. that when on. Then this came upon us:

This is our first year to sell Girl Scout Cookies, and lets just say things are done a little differently from when I was a kid. Needless to say we have at least 240 boxes to sell, anything beyond that will be up to my kids and their competitiveness.

My Dad did all the laundry while he was here helping with getting Em and Soph back to school while I was in Houston. He also cooked, so WB and the kids had a hot meal each night. My mom retired over the holiday and then preceded to cook for my crew while in Houston and then when she came back with me. Happy Retirement! Of course I now feel weird to actually have to plan things like lunches, dinners, driving carpool, laundry and those normal duties. Mom and Dad can I move back home? I'm coming with three children and one husband, but we'll be really quiet. Really, and we'll try to pick up after ourselves every once in awhile, maybe even cook a meal or two. What do you say can I , can I, please?

I promise to get it together soon and when I do I promise I will entertain you with plenty of fascinating stories. Okay, that may be carrying it a little too far, but I'll at least write something.

Works For Me Wednesday...The Ma'am, Sir Debate

Child #1- Yes, sir I would like some more.
Child #2- Yes, Dad I would like some more.

Which child is being more polite?
How about here?
Child #1- Yes, ma'am I had a good day at school.
Child #2- Yes, Grandmother I had a good day at school. Thank you for asking.

Or...
Child #1- No, sir.
Child #2- No thank you Uncle Sam.

For me both children are being equally polite and respectful. And you've probably guessed that Child #2 is the voice of my child and my own voice for that matter. Before I had children I had the experience of watching parents and children communicate as a teacher and youth pastor. And my conclusions were always the same, just because a child put sir or ma'am after a yes or a no it did not necessarily mean they were showing any more respect or manners than one that didn't. Sarcasm can drip from any word of the English language, as well as body language that puts any parents teeth to gnawing. Sometimes parents would get so caught up in making sure that their child was addressing them correctly that they completely missed what the child was trying to tell them. I am guilty of this!
Anyway, my point to all this is that what works for me is to follow the words my wise mother gave to me many years ago. I can still see her, head buried in the Tupperware cabinet looking for a wayward lid as I asked her why she didn't make me say sir and ma'am like my friends parents.
Turning to look up at me she smiled, brushed her hair out of her face and said, "The words you use are not nearly as important to me as to the way you use them. When you speak I want you to speak with honesty, respect, and caring. If you do that neither I nor anyone else will find fault with your manners."
So I've taken those words to heart. If my children put a ma'am or a sir into their sentence I'm great with that, but I don't require it. My dear husband has gone along with my way of thinking, although at first I think it took every effort he could summon not to blurt out "Sir!" when our first child would respond with a sweet , "Yes".

So that's what works for me, what works for you?

Head over to Shannon's for more!

Happy Dozen

It was through these doors I walked twelve years ago with my new husband and my new last name. It was also at this church we met, went to mass together while we were dating and the church we would be married at 2 1/2 years later.

The same garland and wreaths decorated the brick walls. We were married on Jan. 4th, the last Saturday before the Epiphany, when the Christmas decorations come down. I walked down the narrow aisle of this church to an alter where my husband waited amongst red poinsettias. My bridesmaids wore dark green satin gowns with elbow length gloves. This decision was made by me because it was winter, after all, and they were wearing sleeveless dresses. I wore white gloves with my dress.

As I walked out those doors arm and arm with WB, amongst church bells ringing and smiling faces showering us with bubbles, I was beyond happy. And even if an angel had whispered in my ear that someday I would walk amongst the courtyard of this church and feel an even greater joy I would not have believed it.

But twelve years later I did. And my heart sung with joy as I watched three of my own little angels.This is Em building a little sanctuary for a fallen butterfly she found.

Little One taking it all in.

Soph showing her sister what leaves are!

We stayed and played for quite awhile. Even though there was a chill in the air, warmth seeped through my soul as I watched these three gifts God had given us. Gifts He knew we would one day have as He watched from above twelve years ago while WB and I stood at the front of that little church and said our vows.

Several years after our wedding a new church was built and this one was declared a historical building. I'm glad we were a part of its history, so glad.

Tugging at the heartstrings...

I waved goodbye to my two oldest daughters, along with WB and my Dad. They are headed back home and they took a little piece of my heart with them. Little One and I are staying with my Mom here in Houston due to another flare up of my chronic ear problems. After a visit to my ear specialist here at MD Anderson it was determined I had fluid in one ear, hence the reason for all my pain. Long story short we're going to try some meds to see if it will get better and then I will make the trip home. It probably is only for a week, unless it gets worse and I have to have surgery. Still, I'm not used to being away from my girls.
Last night Soph burst into tears on and off anticipating the separation. When it was time for bed both Em and Soph were hysterical. I think Em is just upset to be going back to school and maybe a little bit missing me! My dear mother climbed in between them in bed and tried to console them as I sat holding their hands. Truth be told I was ready to declare, "Never mind school, you're staying here with me!" I remained strong though and eventually they feel asleep.
This morning it went much smoother as they waved goodbye to me out the car window as soft drizzle rained down upon me. It was a gloomy morning, both inside and out. I felt like a piece of me was missing as I went about the morning. Little One has been irritable all day, but I don't blame her.
So I'm trying to look at this as a little vacation. But truth be told I'd rather take a vacation with my entire family, without the pain and guilt. Although, I am sure there will be plenty of interesting stories to be told as my girls go through the week with my father playing mom and WB filling in the gaps!! I'll let you know...

WB's New Year's Eve Birthday

Yesterday was WB's birthday. He was a very last minute tax-deduction for his parents! He and Soph love to tell people that everyone celebrates on their birthday (Soph's is July 4Th). WB's parents came over from Austin and his youngest brother and family came in from Victoria for a birthday dinner.

I finally got to see my nephew for the first time and it was before he started walking, but just barely!

We ate dinner at Chimichurris on Lake Houston. We had the wine room to ourselves and it was fabulous. So much yummy food...fried plantain chips, chimichurri sauce, crab claws, empanadas, grilled yucca, and on and on. I always eat way too much when we are down here!!

WB's loves carrot cake so I made it from scratch using Alton Brown's recipe. It was a huge hit, I'll take everyone's word on it because I am not a carrot cake fan...give me chocolate please!

This morning everyone came over for some apple fritters and mimosas.

I give up on ever drinking champagne at midnight. Scott and I toasted in the New Year at 10:30 and then went sound asleep.

Here's WB with my little nephew and Little One. Stop, I'm not looking at this picture for one more second... It makes my ovaries tingle!