God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'What more can go wrong?' Here is a wonderful explanation, an email sent by a dear friend of mine. How could she have known I was in need of a little perspective...

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack. The daughter replies, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

With a smile her mother offers, "Here, have some cooking oil."

"Yuck," says her daughter.

"How about a couple raw eggs?"

"Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all disgusting!"

To which the mother replies, "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

Our Heavenly Father works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But He knows that when He puts these things all in HIS order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

Pee-Jay-Par-Tay

Jillian's "Pretend Sleepover" was today, and our house was busting at the seams with girls, girls, girls. We. Had. A. Blast. This party was very last minute - only about 8 days to plan, buy, make, decorate, etc. Our local Papa Murphy's had large take-n-bake pizzas on sale for $3.99, and I thought "oh, two pizzas will definitely be enough." Boy, was I ever wrong. Eight girls cleaned out 2 pizzas in minutes. Minutes I tell ya. After dinner, we made soccer hair bands (some girls have them on in the pictures), danced to Jillian's favorite songs, played "would you rather," opened presents, ate cake and ice cream, played with the presents, then had a few "bedtime stories" before the girls were picked up by their parents. Each girl left with a diary, a satin eye mask with lash detail, and a pajama party soundtrack of Jillian's favorite music with a little thank you note written on the disc. The party was a big, HUGE success. Jillian was on top of the world, and all of the girls were terrific, simply delightful.

Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Today is the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I remain humbled by the resilience of those who fought to get their lives back after the extreme devastation of the storm and angry over the current condition of the area.

"A few years ago there was a shining moment in that struggle. It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor -- both black and white -- through the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So, I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such." ~~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 1967

Josh is Three!

Happy Birthday to our big guy, nephew, and cousin. We love your outgoing personality, the way you always insist on being in the thick of things, your independent spirit, and your awnry grin. If a game has ball, you are there and dressed in the appropriate uniform I might add. We love you big guy and hope your big day is everything you deserve.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Well, not exactly. But at least I now know what is the source of all my issues, no not the neurotic mental ones, the bathroom ones. Two words. Intestinal. Obstruction. And yes, I will spare you the details, but just imagine a slow draining sink. I know, I know, already T.M.I. So if you need me, I will be at home, in the bathroom, consuming several trees worth of TP, and hopefully, just hopefully, I will drain normally once again.

Got any missing money?

Who couldn't use a stumble upon a big pile of money they never knew they had. Well, take a trip on over to Missing Money and see if any of it could be yours. PS - I charge a 10% finders fee.

Just one more story, Mommy, puh-leeze!

I have to say this is a K-E-E-P-E-R, keeper. Jillian is infamous for always, always, always asking for just one more bedtime story. We read for about 10 minutes every night before bed, but that 10 minutes is never enough. SO, for her birthday, she received a Barbie bedtime story clock and nightlight. And lets just say, it is magnificent. It has a nightlight and a projector with 3 images, AND two bedtime stories, The Princess and the Pauper and The 12 Dancing Princesses. We, and I do mean we (not just she) love, love, love it.

The Family Party

This year Jillian wanted to have a sleepover for her birthday party, and well since 6-10 five year old girls screaming for their moms and dads at 11 pm didn't sound like MY idea of fun, we opted for a pretend sleepover aka A. Pajama. Party. Which meant we needed to separate the good ole family party and the wild and crazy friend party. Today: Family Party. Saturday: Friend Party. Today's Plan: simple, simple, simple. Saturday's plan: stay tuned...

So we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Waishnora, Uncle Matt, Aunt Jennifer, Joshua, and Alyssa. Pizza and Salad then the most adorable cupcakes and ice cream. Unfortunately, I am still not feeling quite well, so I didn't get too many pictures. But I had a wonderful assistant that captured many lovely images of our living room floor. Thanks Josh, you were a big, big, HUGE help!

Happy Birthday Jillian!

~

Five years ago today, Mark went rushing down the hospital hall into the waiting room and through tear filled eyes declared, "It's a girl, and she's beautiful!"

Rock On!

~~~ Brendan decided he wants to be in a band. Leave a comment with potential rocker names. The winner gets a copy of his first demo. ~~~

Locks of Love

Jillian received a thank you card today from Locks of Love for her hair donation. Just look at those long curls. Oh, how I miss them. As we were reminiscing about her temporarily absent locks, she reminded me that there was a little girl somewhere that needed her hair more than she did, "and besides, Mom, it will grow back."

That Time Already?

Ohhhh...Back to School, Back to School

To prove to Dad that I'm not a fool

Got my lunch packed up, My boots tied tight

I hope I don't get in a fight

Ohhhh...Back to School, Back to School, Back to School

~Adam Sandler

Today, is the first day of school, and despite my previous Staples post, I am truly sad that this day is here already. Summer passed before our eyes and days of schedule-free fun are long gone. Good luck, Bubbie! Remember who you are and know we are proud.

Karigan's New B-F-F

Karigan loves, loves, loves the Backyardigans.

And given the choice, Tasha is her favorite - her new B-F-F.

Brendan the Thrill-Seeker

Attempted his first "big boy ride" with no hands

B Shot in a Slingshot

As we drove by King's Island on our way to our hotel, a giant hamster ball shot into the sky. Immediately, Brendan called out from the back seat, "That is what I am going to do!"

And. So. He. Did!

265 feet in the air. 65 miles per hour.

Sorry, the video is sideways. I was trying to capture the full parameter of the launch. And at one point the ball goes off the camera. That would be because...as his mother, not only was I trying to preserve this moment in history, but I also had to make sure he was okay. SO - I wasn't really focusing on the camera shot.

The Suite Life of Brendan and Jillian

~~~

Brendan and Jillian were quite comical when we arrived at the hotel. I have to admit, even I was slightly in awe over the beauty of my surroundings. And of course, Jillian was NOT speechless. She loudly, and I mean loudly, proclaimed "this is suh-weet!" Brendan added, "this is the sweet life" and then it became "the suite life of Brendan and Jillian." And that all we heard, all anyone heard from the front desk, to the elevator, to the room, to the bathroom, to the bed, to the view out the window - you get the idea, right?

How did I spend my Saturday?

Want to find out.

Click here.

Gotta Love a Deal

So as a last minute hurrah before school starts, Mark and I decided to finally take the kids on that Cincinnati trip we have been talking about ALL summer. We are hoping to squeeze in as much as we can in a very little window of time on a very, very tight budget. So, I had been searching all day for a good rate at a decent hotel that was close to where we wanted to be. No luck. Later, Mark called his mom to see if she knew of any steals, and she recommended priceline.com. They now offer a "name your own price" on hotels. So, if you are familiar with priceline for airline tickets you know that you name the price and once your bid is accepted they tell you the name of the airline you will be flying on and the time of your flight. With the hotel option, you pick your star rating and name your price. Once your bid is accepted, they tell you the name of your hotel. I figured with a little strategy, we could get a nice room at a great price, and hopefully we wouldn't be stuck with one that we would have to sleep with our clothes on or wear our shoes in the shower. So we picked out a 3 star hotel and bid $50 - hey there is no harm in aiming low. Surprising, they came back and said "increase your bid by $14 to win." Thank you priceline - $64 a night for a heavenly room at the Kingsgate Marriott. I will definitely be using priceline again for every hotel stay.

The Olympics

Okay, so maybe this post should be titled The Ultimate Tear Fest because that is all I do when I watch the Olympics - cry, cry, cry. Like. A. Baby. Even as a young girl, I remember crying as Mary Lou Retton scored a perfect 10 on the vault and crying as Jackie Joyner Kersee repeatedly broke world track records. This year, the floodgates have yet to close as there have been so many proud moments for our country, the Olympians, and their families. Why the tears? Every time I hear our national anthem and see the victorious smiles on the athletes face, I feel their pride, I sense their accomplishment, and I can't help but think that each person is there because somebody believed in them -- somebody saw in them what he or she didn't even see in themselves. And that is sooo powerful to me. So, the tears come, and I can't stop them. There is no point in trying to hide them, so the tears come.

Mom-cation

Some people go on vacations, some people have stacations, I have mommycations!

Definition: achievement of simultaneous naps without a mommy to do list. TGIF!

Giggler Dribbler

The girl can't dribble for all the giggle, but boy she had all of us laughing with her.

The Starlights!

Soccer Practice #2 and the assignment was to bring back a super bodacious name for the team, a name that epitomized everything girl. Lets just say - We. were. prepared. Jillian had been told stories about Brendan naming his first soccer team the Blue Sharks, and she wanted to pick out the winning name as well. So before soccer practice she made a list.

And the winner is #3 - Starlight Soccer!

That Time

Only in India would you actually find a sign like this, although, we could probably use one at our house today. Oh, the hormones - out of control, I tell ya, out of control.

See the whole collection, click here.

The Start to Soccer Season

Today was a proud moment for this 'burb dwelling mamma.

My girl is playing soccer!

We have been anticipating this day for several weeks now. I have a great feeling that this season is going to be full of many surprises, a little drama, plenty of good laughs, and a lot of fun. Jillian has always been identified as a possession to someone else, i.e. Brendan's little sister, etc. Up to this point, she hasn't had an opportunity to do or excel for and/or by herself. SO - she is superstoked! And boy, Coach Eric does not know what he is getting himself into, well maybe he does a little. I am not sure if sitting on the field sulking is part of soccer (yes I do, and it is not) but I am sure we will have some of that at least once - at. least.

Surprise #1 - Brendan whining on the sideline because he had to sit and watch his sister play soccer - as if she hasn't been watching him from the sidelines her WHOLE life.

New Baby Silver Leaf Monkey

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a baby silvered leaf monkey in the morning hours of August 8, 2008 or 08/08/08. The last langur born at the Columbus Zoo was born on July 7, 2007 or 07/07/07. Pokey, the Zoo's year old langur is big brother to the new baby whose sex has not yet been determined. Both babies are the offspring of father, Digby and mother, Gumby. Langurs are born with orange fur and white colored skin on their hands, feet and face. The skin changes color to black within days of birth. The orange fur will change to the grown up color in 3-5 months. So we headed up to welcome the little one into the world, and learned that sibling rivalry, and the corrective discipline that accompanies it, is even more extreme in the animal kingdom. While the new baby was nursing, big brother decided to come from underneath and pull its tail. In return, mom grabbed big brothers hand and bit it! I told Brendan and Jillian to be prepared - the next time they are picking on one another, I am going to bite the perpetrator. Think it will work?

80s Housewife

You Belong in 1980

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Rub-a-Dub-Dub-K-Dub-in-the-Tub

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - How about two letters.

Now, if only her determination to help with the dishes lasts until she is older.

Dr. Insecta

A very dear friend of ours is a wonderful, fabulous, stupendous, eclectic, genius, hilarious, AMAZING magician. He is

THE AMAZING MAXWELL.

As part of his portfolio, he is working with local libraries as Dr. Insecta to help kids "catch the reading bug." So we thought we would check him out at our local library. What a show! A little magic, a few bugs, a lot of fun, and then one lucky kid got to turn into "Insecta Kid." Lucky. Brendan! Yes, that is a giant, hairy tarantula holding my son up by his belly. AHHH!

Vertigo Haiku

Oh, vertigo, vertigo;

nine hundred miles an hour I go.

Stop, spinning wheel, stop!

Gotta case of the dizzies - when the room stops spinning, I will be back to post.

Five Things

So on the 5th of every month, I decided to start a list of 5 things. This month's list...

Five Things People Don't Know About Me:

1. I can walk from my bed to the bathroom with my eyes closed.

2. I am completely EVIL in the morning (only for about 20 minutes) and I can't do naps for the same reason, even though I do try sometimes.

3. I become physically ill when I am extremely tired or when I am in pain. Stomach cramps, vomiting, chills, etc.

4. I almost never answer my home phone. (I guess if you've ever tried to call me, you DO know this, or now you feel really special, if I happened to answer...) I am always doing something and the phone is never where I left it. I do make an attempt to call back, though.

5. I can't do massages or any type of repetitive touch. My nerve endings are very close to the surface of my skin, and it is painful - very, very painful.

Anybody want to play? Leave a comment listing 5 things I don't know about you!

Daddy Confusion

Is Mark a Chris Bradley look-a-like?

Apparently Karigan thinks so. You see, Chris Bradley is the lead meteorologist on Channel 10 news and while watching the weather tonight, Karigan crawled to the TV, pointed to Chris, excitedly declared "da dad dad," then started clapping. I am hoping it is because we normally watch the 6 o'clock news (watching the 5 o'clock today) and Mark typically arrives home around weather time. Sure that makes sense, right?

The Brave Little Toaster Inside Us All

While I was never one to put up with crap, having children has made me an even stronger, braver woman. Because I don't want my kids to put up with crap. I want them to be strong. I will fight on their behalf. Because I want them to be fighters. Because while I might be willing to put up with injustice on my own behalf, I never want my kids to suffer any injustice. I want my kids to be brave. To never be satisfied with something that is less than they deserve. That's what our kids do for all of us. They make us strong. Maybe because they don't necessarily have a voice of their own - we will stand up and be that voice, where we once might have stood by silently. In the world we live in today, we need strong willed kids. Hopefully, my kids will use those strong wills to fight for the good and right things in life. But they will not learn to be strong and good if we don't teach them to be. They will not be brave if we're not brave. So I guess that's the way it works. Our kids make us strong so we can teach them to be strong. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again. Having kids is quite an inspiring experience...I'm still learning a lot!

Sunny Day

Pool Bound!!! We are in some need for a little sunshine, so we are off to...

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been."~ Madeleine L'Engle

Please join me in wishing Mark's sister a very happy, happy birthday (not that it couldn't be because she is on an island off the coast of Florida right now.) She is one of the most wonderful people on this planet, the original Jennifer Waishnora. Everyone who knows Jennifer, loves Jennifer. Here are a few reasons I think she is soooo great...

She is always up for an adventure, stays active, and teaches the importance of these things by example to her children. * * She has big, HUGE dreams, her education and personal legacy is on the forefront. * * She keeps things exciting - even the little things. * * She isn't afraid to take on Mark in a cupcake eating contest. * * She makes some mean cupcakes herself - I know it is just a box, but no one does 'em like she does. * * She is extremely friendly and kind-hearted. * * She is real. * * She always looks for the good in everyone and never spotlights the bad. * * She finds the fun in every situation. * * She is an amazing Mother. * * She washed my husbands dishes before I did, even the special-can't-be-washed-in-the-dishwasher plate. And that is honor enough ;)

First Steps

Karigan took her first steps today. Three. 3. Steps. Mobility has not at all been on her radar. That is until she discovered the steps leading to the unknown world above the first floor. Now she likes to climb on everything. The stairs, the furniture, the dishwasher - with the latter being her favorite climbing adventure. Maybe I will get a video the next time she decides to perambulate upright. Otherwise, stay tuned for some hysterical dishwasher photos.

Wonder-ful

So I offered the kids a treat in exchange for some house cleaning, good behavior, etc. Okay - you can call it bribery, but it worked. So Mr. Magoriums's Wonder Emporium was the first "kid movie" on Pay per View that caught my eye. I remember when the movie came out last year - wanting to see it, but then being disappointed when it didn't get the best reviews. But, I found myself "wonder-ing" again. I knew Jillian would be intrigued by all the toys and colors, and because one of the lead characters was Padme from Star Wars, Brendan would be in, too! Any connection to Star Wars is always a bonus! So about the movie - Boy, oh, boy - it was so wonderful! I love, love love it and want to buy it - or maybe add it to my Christmas list. I even called my mom to tell her she had to see it - she has the ultimate movie collection of all time, and this would make a great addition. I am surprised that I did not hear more good things about it when it was in theaters. I just (not that I am a "just" person - from the movie) loved all the hidden messages in the movie and it was so inspiring to me. The heroine of the movie is Molly Mahoney and she was a child protege on the piano. She is now 23 years old and STUCK. She has not moved past playing the magnificent piano pieces that she was able to play as a child. She is trying to write her own, and yet she just can't make it happen. She also still works at the same toy store that she has worked at since she was 15 years old. Without giving away all the fun, quirky details of the movie ... The 234 year old, eccentric Mr. Magorium has decided that it is time to leave the store and he wants to give it to Mahoney. She doesn't want him to leave and so he is trying to make it stay. She even tries to show him all the wonderful reasons why he should stay. Overall, what a great lesson in learning how to believe that anything is possible, that sometimes your life is not what you thought it would be, and that our Heavenly Father can use our gifts in ways that we did not see coming. It is about getting outside the box and letting life be an adventure. It is about not being JUST a person. So, this is a tidbit of what I took away from the movie - I can't wait to watch it again with Mark - because he will love it too and I will probably find something else to love about it even more! All I can say is I give it 5 great big stars, despite what the critics say!

One more day for you...

Today is Mark's half birthday - his Saints Day, I once heard it called.

Celebrating half birthdays is our little family tradition and it wouldn't be complete without the gaudiest, tackiest half cake ever. No presents please. Just laughs and good times for everyone.

Explanation Puh-leaze!

Does anyone else just not understand this?!?! While Mark and I were on our date last week, we noticed this trend. Okay, we have noticed it before, but now our repulsion only seems to attract our attention to this "self expression" even more - funny how that works - but, why oh why, are boys squeezing themselves and all their parts into skinny-legged, girl jeans. I am sure their mothers want grandchildren someday, and I don't think melting into cross-gender denim is going to achieve procreation. Just my opinion. At least he is using his belt properly - to keep his pants up, that is - not suspended below his cheeks with his underwear clad bum rising above.