I'm Losing My Mind...and Jacob's Jersey!

So I am not sure this counts as “Wacky” but I am sure my son thought I was wacky yesterday when it happened.

Long story short, I spent over an hour on Monday and Tuesday looking for Jacob’s blue baseball jersey before he reminded me that it is red.  To make it worse, I did not believe him until I looked at a picture of him. In my defense, Last year’s jersey was blue. That has to count for something, right?  When I found it, .  I couldn’t decide whether to be relieved that we had it or annoyed that I wasted so much time looking for it.  Instead, Jacob and I just laughed. So here’s to all of the people out there who feel like they are losing their mind on a daily basis!

By the way, When I say, I am losing my mind, I always want to say, "miiiiind." Why is that? I am pretty sure it is from a movie but I can't remember which one. Hey, don't judge me. I can't even remember what a color the jersey is that I just saw my son in a few days ago!

Memorial Day

As we celebrate Memorial Day with our families, we may find ourselves eating a hamburger or taking our first summer swim.  If we are lucky, we are surrounded by family and friends enjoying the relaxation that comes on a holiday.  As we enjoy our loved ones, may we also remember those who are not so fortunate.  Let us remember those who are celebrating through tears because they are missing a loved ones who fought for our freedom.  Let us remember the parents, the children, the cousins, the aunts, the uncles, the friends that will never get to hug their loved one again because they gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Let us also remember those buried at Arlington and various military cemeteries throughout the world.  Let us remember those are buried in church and private cemeteries. Let us remember those who are buried in public cemeteries, family cemeteries and in mass graves. Let us remember those whose ashes are placed in a home or spread over a favorite place. Let us remember all of those brave men and women who stood strong in the face of danger to protect our freedoms.

God please watches over these ultimate worriers and those who suffer from their great loss. May they find peace in Your love.  Please also watch over the rest of us and help our hearts to remember what this day is really about.  Amen.

Pray for Him

I belong to a new Facebook group of Christian moms who work outside of the home.  It was started by a great mom, Liz, who has a great blog.  I was excited when she started it and am loving seeing the women on it post about things that I can totally relate to, learn from and maybe even offer suggestions about.  Well, this week, I found myself offering advice that I was once so grateful to have. 

One of the women was talking about some struggles with her marriage.  I know you are shocked that marriage is hard or that couples would struggle, but it can happen. (That was sarcasm by the way!) As I read her post, I remember having a similar feeling and how I felt when I learned about Saint Monica and read the book, The Power of a Praying Wife.

To back up a little, I am a Catholic who has had the opportunity to learn about Saints.  My memory of learning about Saint Monica has been buried with the thousand other things I can’t remember, but her story has stuck with me.  She was married off by her parents to a pagan man and bore a pagan son. She prayed and prayed for them and they both eventually accepted God.  Her story is awfully wonderful. I encourage you to Google her.  What has stuck with me the most is how powerful her prayers were.

Many years ago, I also read the book, The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian.   I remember it seeming so enlightening.  It did not encourage my prayers to always be about my marriage or about my relationship. The book encouraged me to just fervently and selflessly pray for my husband and his journey.

So as I responded to the aforementioned post, here was my advice…

This is my husband. Tonight, I will pray for him.

 I know it will not help overnight, and that you will still have daily struggles, but even when you are mad, especially when you are mad, pray for your husband. Pray that he find that the love of God.  Pray that he can create a real relationship with God that with help guide him. Pray that he receives the necessary graces to understand what God wants from him as a Christian husband. Sometimes pray quietly, but sometime pray in front of him. Let him see that you love him enough to pray for him. You may be surprised.  And if it helps, while you pray for him, I will pray for you!

They Grow So Fast!

So my kids are getting big...fast!


Ella ate pancakes this week, then chicken, then one night she refused to eat baby food for dinner. But she's supposed to be my baby, my little tiny baby. Wah!

 

 

And on top of the above, I took Jacob ice skating last weekend. He asked if he could sit in the penalty box for a picture. When I took the picture, he made this face.  This is NOT the silly face of my baby. This is a big boy face. Again I say, Wah!

Don't get me wrong, I love that my kids are healthy and growing, it's just happening so quickly. Because the third time is a charm, again I say, Wah!

Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes

So today is supposed to be Photo Friday, but I needed an excuse to share these YUMMY cupcakes. So, I am renaming it Food Friday. Unless of course I eat too many than I might have to call it Fat Friday. Well, whatever you want to call it, these are great.

My 14 year-old niece loves to bake and cupcakes are her thing! She is amazing; never from a box, she creates delicousness.  Sometimes she creates her own and sometimes she uses recipes she finds from various sources. Well, recently she made these. They were like eating Spring.

If you are a baker, you may want to try them. Well, that, or you could just hire my neice to make them for you. I, on the other hand, will smile and beg a plead until she makes some more. :)


Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes from
http://lexslifeasanewwife.blogspot.com/2012/03/raspberry-lemon-cupcakes.html

 

 

Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes

Makes 24 cupcakes or 55 minis

Source: My Baking Addiction

For the Cake
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
4 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
lemon zest from two lemons
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract

To Make The Cake:
1. Center a rack in the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake tins by using liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Whisk together the milk and egg whites in a medium bowl.

4. Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and, working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light. Beat in the extracts, then add one third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed. Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated. Add the rest of the milk and eggs, beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients. Finally, give the batter a good 2-minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated. Place the batter into the cupcake tins.

4. Bake for 18-22 minutes for regular size or 10-12 minutes for minis, until the cupcakes are well risen and springy to the touch – a thin knife inserted into the centers should come out clean. Cool on wire rack.

For the Raspberry Buttercream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup raspberries (blended into a puree and pushed through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds)
1 stick salted butter – room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter – room temperature
1/2 cup shortening*
1 Tablespoon clear vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of raspberry extract*
1 1/2 pounds confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar, 10x)
2-4 Tablespoons very cold milk (add until you reach desired consistency)

Directions:
1. Cream the butter and shortening in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add extracts and raspberry puree and combine well.

2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, begin adding the very cold milk… one Tablespoon at a time, combining very well after each addition (mixer on medium-high to high speed) until you reach the desired consistency.

Notes:
*If you don’t have raspberry extract, simply add a little bit more raspberry puree until you reach your preferred level of raspberry flavor. If you add more puree, cut back on the milk.

*If you do not like to use shortening, simply sub in butter. The frosting will not be as structurally sound, but will taste just as delicious.


Please visit the blog this recipe came from... http://lexslifeasanewwife.blogspot.com/2012/03/raspberry-lemon-cupcakes.html  
I do not know her or anything, I just want to help out the fellow blogger who created the recipes for such great treats!

How My Parents Helped Sisters Become Friends

So I have these three best friends and they are awesome! We have known each other our whole lives. They are older than I am so we haven’t always had things in common and we have not always gotten along, but we have always loved each other…even when we didn’t like each other.  You see, these three people are my sisters and I do not know what I would do without them.

Now, as a mom, I am getting to watch my children bond and hopefully form a relationship much like the one that I have with my sisters.  Seeming as my kids are not the same gender and have a 6 year gap in age, there will be some differences, but I can already see that have a bond.  Ella, (9 months old) lights up when Jacob (7 years-old) walks into the room.  She already thinks he is the funniest thing on the planet and wants to be near him.  Jacob is a combination of jester and protector.  He loves that he can make her laugh and watches over her.   Don’t get me wrong, he does get annoyed when her needs affect his wants, but at the end of the day, he loves her and she loves him.

Thinking about this made me think about how siblings become friends. I think sometimes things in life push siblings together or pull them apart, but I also think that parents and family have a lot to do with the relationships siblings have.  I am thankful that my parents encouraged my sisters and I to become friends and I hope to emulate them.  Here are some things that I think my parents did to help my sisters grow and stay so close.

1.       They expected us to be close

My parents are big believers in the idea that kids will live up or down to your expectations.  My parents expected us to get along. They knew that we would fight and spend time apart but they expected us to love and respect each other at the end of the day.  How did we know these expectations existed? Well, they would say things like, “She’s your sister and you love each other. We don’t behave that way in this house.”  This was not a question or a suggestion. They were informing us that was just the way it was at our house.

 

2.       We couldn’t say, “I hate you.”  

Well, I guess we could say anything we wanted to on some level, but there were consequences that would have been, well, let’s just say less than desirable.  My parents made it clear that even when we did not get along, we could NOT say, “I hate you.”  There were times when I thought I hated my sisters, or even my parents, and I did not like keeping those thoughts in, but I get it now.   I think if you hear someone tell you they hate you over and over and over, you will begin to believe it.  I rarely, if ever, heard my sisters say they hated me. I did however, hear them say they loved me, and you know what? I believe it!

 

3.       Family dinners

Growing up, our family ate dinner together every night that we could.  Only if we had work, had a pre-approved activity or had permission to eat at a friend’s house were we allowed to miss family dinner.  Whether or not we wanted to, we sat together, shared a meal, and talked about our day.  We learned to share highlights and disappointments and to focus on each other.  No one was allowed to take phone calls and there were no cell phones to text on, so we just built a relationship day in and day out full of love and support. Some of our favorite memories are of that dinner table; telling stories, laughing and even getting in trouble.

 

4.       We didn’t take vacations, we went to visit family

The Sheriff family (that’s my maiden name) did not take typical vacations to the beach or a cabin throughout the year. We spent holidays with my mom’s family and summers with my dad’s family.  Don’t get me wrong, we had fun doing great activities and got to go to Florida every summer, but that was not why we went.  We went to see our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  It was important to my parents to see their siblings and their families and help us to create relationships with them.  These vacations also gave us a time to focus on each other.  We rode in a car for hours and then spent 1-3 weeks together.  We complained, we fought, we laughed, and we cried together when it was time to leave.  For that time, we weren’t distracted by homework or friends or boyfriends, we just hung out…together.

 

5.       They taught us to apologize and to forgive

Like most kids, there were times when my sisters and I did not want to say we were sorry and probably just as many times where the words, “that’s okay,” didn’t come so easily either but we still had to say it.  Often when we were little, we may have just said it because we had to, but eventually we learned how important it was to say you are sorry and how nice it was to hear.   Just as important we learned to accept the apology and forgive. What started out as habit turned into something genuine.  I remember it really hitting home one day when I was reminded that in the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer I said every night, I repeatedly said the words, “forgive us our sins as we have forgiven them.” What a powerful statement that we want God to forgive as we do.  I mean, if we do not forgive then what? Hmmm? I could go on and on about how that revelation affected me, but I need to get back on topic.  This act of apologizing and forgiving created a safe environment for my sisters and I. We knew we would mess up and hurt each other’s feelings, but we also knew it would be okay.   We knew that as long as were genuinely sorry, we would be forgiven.  That safety helped to create a place of unconditional love that does not come by so often.  

 

6.       They taught us about God and Jesus

I already alluded to how this knowledge and love of God helped with the forgiveness lesson, but the relationship my parents helped to create with our Lord has an effect on every part of every relationship we have.  Through learning about God and loving him, we learn how to love Him and each other.  Weekly we went to mass together as a family and attended CCD.  We talked about our religion together and found it a topic that came up more and more as we got older. But mostly, our understanding of God’s love for us has helped us to love each other.

 

My Family in 1979.
I am the little one in yellow.

Before anyone gets all offended, please know that I am not suggesting that a lack of family dinners means siblings will hate each other.  I am just sharing the things that my parents did to help.  If you like them and want to incorporate at your house, great!  If something else works for you, that's great also. I am sure there are 100 other things that helped create the bond that my sisters and I share; but I know these lessons, and others that I failed to mention, are a big reason for our closeness.  I am so blessed to have my sisters and I hope to help my two little ones see how blessed they are to have each other.   If something in your life helps you and your siblings to bond, feel free to share.

We’re Treading Water

Yesterday I had a typical day for my house. It was busy, as I am sure many of your days are, and it left me exhausted.  Between work, homework, dinner, sports, chores and bed time rituals, I had had it by 9 pm.  I needed to sit, I needed to relax, I needed some me time. Unfortunately, I also needed to do laundry and pack the diaper bag. I felt like I  had been so busy all day, yet I felt like I had not gotten anything done.  My house was not spotless, the bottles were not clean and my bed was covered in clean clothes to be put away.

As I walked into our bedroom where my husband was, I thought to myself, “I am drowning; we are drowning.”  But that’s not what I said.  I let sentences and sentences spill out of my mouth about how I felt like I was on a hamster wheel, constantly running but getting nowhere.  And you know what he said? As if he could read my thoughts when I first walked in the room, he said, “I know hun, that’s just how it is right now. We are treading water.”  We are treading water!

At that point, my thoughts stopped in their tracks. I do not say this often, but he was right.  (Whew! I not only said that out loud, I also put it on paper, and I lived through it! ) I’ll say it again, he was right.  We are NOT drowning, we are treading water.  Our kids are healthy and happy (most of the time).  Our bills are paid, there is food on our table and we are happily married (most of the time).  Does that sound like drowning? No! I realize that we also have a messy house sometimes with a pile of laundry and convenience food for dinner. But hey, I didn’t say we were swimming a 200 meter freestyle. I said we were treading water, right?

Sometimes you need a reminder that even when you are stressed and feel overwhelmed, it will be okay.  We are not perfect. Let me say that again, we are not perfect. Our houses are not perfect, our meals are not perfect, our marriages are not perfect and our children are not perfect.  Some days we feel like superwoman. Some days we swim across the ocean. But some days we just tread water. And to be honest, some days we even come close to drowning.  (By the way, when that happens, I find a prayer helps. Is there any better life preserver than the grace of God?)

I wish you all many days of swimming, but try to keep in perspective that on the bad days, you are likely, at least,  still treading water. Oh, and look around, you will see that there are many of us treading right along with you.  And when you see that one mom swimming by at the speed of light, try to fight the urge to grab her feet as she passes dunk her under. Instead, cheer her on. You will want that cheering when it is your day to swim!

I'd Like to be Ideal...

 When I saw this, it made me laugh and I immediatly saved it to post on my funnies section for Wacky Wednesdays.

 

But, you know why it is funny? In the words of a college friend (and many others), it's funny 'cause it's true!

 

How many of us would love to be that ideal mom but realize we just can't do it with only the 24 hours we have each day? Sometimes we are okay with it and sometimes we can't help but to strive as close as we can to perfection. Today, I hope you can realize that you are not alone...and maybe even laugh a little. Remember, you are doing your best. Your kids care more about being taken care of than they do if the dishes are clean or if the house is spotless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Day with my Buddy at the The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

“Because I got to spend the day with you.”

That is how I answered a question Jacob asked me last week.  You see, last week, I went on Field Trip with Jacob’s First Grade class to The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.   It was hot, I got wet, muddy and sandy, I almost lost a shoe, the kids in my group had a tough time listening and I got an awful sunburn.   So at the end of the day when he said, “We sure got dirty, Mom. Why did you come on this field trip?”  I answered, “Because I got to spend the day with you.”  I meant it!



Who wouldn't want to hang out with this adorable child?
Oh how I love the missing tooth!



Working outside of the home, I do not get to volunteer as much as I would like to at Jacob’s school and I certainly don’t get to hang out with him as much as like, but that trip gave me a chance to do both.  Boys love to get dirty and wet and play with critters.  Last Thursday, Jacob did all of those things and I felt blessed to do them with him. Sometimes it is fun to just play like a kid. And you know what? When you do, sometimes you may find that your child will enjoy just playing with you.  Maybe they will find you more relatable and tell you things.  Maybe you will bond a little bit tighter.  Or, maybe you will just have fun.  Either way, you will build great memories with your child.

Thank you to Nantucket Elementary and The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center for giving me a chance to hang out with buddy and maybe even learn a few things on the way!

 

Deep Covered Baker (With Mac n' Cheese Recipe!)

So, if you are at all like I am, cooking dinner is an awful chore. Even if you like to cook, after a day of working or taking care of little ones, coming up with another dinner idea can seem daunting. And even worse, then you will either have to clean it up or potentially explain to kids, AGAIN, why they have to help clean it up.  Either, way, the task of cooking dinner can turn the fun hobby of cooking into a thankless, tedious task. As a result, I am a huge fan of anything that can make that task easier. And I just came across a piece of cookware that can! YAY!

I couldn’t decide if the pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker should go under “Merchandise Mondays”, “Terrific Tuesdays” or “Suggestion Saturdays” because, it is an amazing piece of stoneware.  You can use it in the oven or the microwave, or both in one recipe. You can even freeze in it. It cannot go in the dishwasher, but is easy to clean. I love how this one dish is simplifying things.  The $88 price is a bit shocking, but if you get it on a special or have a party, like I did, it can become much more affordable. If you are in the market for such a piece if simplicity, you may want to give it a look!

If you go on Pinterest, there are so many easy recipes that look amazing. You can make chicken, a roast, pasta and even corn on the cob in it. Oh, and did I mention you can also use it for cake and cinnamon rolls?!? Seriouly.

What did you say? Now you want one? I wish I could buy one for all of you.  But until my bank account fills up juts a bit fuller, I have a great consultant. Let me know if you want her info.

My current favorite is this easy Macaroni and cheese recipe. Yum!
 

Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker Macaroni and Cheese

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 can chicken broth
2 cups of Half/Half
2 cups shredded cheese

Place 2 cups elbow macaroni, 1 can chicken broth, and 2 cups of Half/Half into your Deep Covered Baker. Stir, then cover with the lid.

Heat on high in microwave for 14 minutes (use turntable or rotate every 2 minutes).

Remove from heat and add 2 cups shredded cheese- stir - place lid on baker and let sit 10 minutes.

Stir and serve warm, top with bacon or ham and more shredded cheese if desired.

I hope you love it!

A Reasonably Priced Moisturizing Conditioner that Works!

I have thick, coarse, wavy hair.  Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate my hair and love that it curls easily, but it also requires a good conditioner and maybe even a mask to behave.  I have bought various salon conditioners as well as the typical drug store conditioners.  I have found that sometimes I feel cheated by the expensive ones and when I am lucky, surprised by the less expensive ones. Well, recently, I was pleasantly surprised.  I bought Aussie Moist Conditioner.  It was not too pricy, around $6.00, and I love it.  It gives me so much moisture that my hair actually takes a little longer to dry. I know that sounds like a bad thing, but my dry hair needs it.   I hope that my honeymoon period is not a short one and that I continue to love this product.  I also love the Aussie 3-minute miracle!  

 

And, no, Aussie is not paying me. However, if you know them, and they want to, I wouldn’t turn it down! J

 * By the Way, if you are looking for a hair mask, I happen to like Loreal. It may be worth you checking out!