5.31.2006

Works for Me: Denture Cleansing Tablets

Here is a great way to get rid of coffee stains in a carafe, coffee pot, or the filter basket:

  • Fill the device with very warm or hot water all the way to the top.
  • Drop in a denture cleansing tablet
  • Let it sit all day
  • Use a bottle scrub brush and give it a whirl
  • Pour out the water and rinse

SHINES LIKE NEW!!!

5.29.2006

Memorial Day 2006

  • Did you know Memorial Day was first celebrated in 1868?
  • The number of U.S. armed forces personnel who served in World War II between Dec. 1, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946 was 16.1 million.
  • The average length of active-duty by U.S. military personnel during WWII was 33 months.
  • The proportion of U.S. military personnel who served abroad during WWII was 73 percent.
  • A total of 292,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines were killed in battle in WWII.
  • The estimated number of women in 2002 who were WWII veterans was 210,000. These women comprised 4.4 percent of WWII vets.

Let us not forget...

5.27.2006

Sunny Day, Sweeping the Clouds Away...

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." James Dent

The temperatures are in the 80's and the sky is clear. Get the kids outside, hook up the sprinkler, and enjoy the day!!!

5.26.2006

Our Graduate


Matthew graduated from preschool Wednesday and is excited to start kindergarten in August. The class performed many songs learned throughout the year including nursery rhymes and scripture verses. They put on quite a show! Each parent was presented a scrapbook of crafts and other momentos gathered throughout the year. I was surprised to see photos of Matt and me along with other neat items. I sat back and witnessed another chapter closing in my son's life -- bittersweet!

To add to these feelings one of Matt's lower teeth is loose! He asks every day if it'll come out. Where did my baby boy go? It seems like yesterday I was holding his hands while he tried to toddle around the house. Remember when we long for the first tooth to come in? Now they are coming out!

As for Mark, he is growing quickly too. Can you believe he'll be a year old in less than a month? This year was a blur!!! He is starting to take small steps without help, but does not desire to be walked around. "Let me just get there my way" is his attitude -- so be it! He is babbling more and saying lots of ma mas, da das, and ba bas.

Sharing has been an issue in our household as well. Gone are the days when Matt's toys were all his and he didn't share space with anyone. I find myself reminding him that Mark lives here too, but he argues that he was born first and has the last say-so. I don't think so!!!

Please view our photos taken throughout the month of May --> CLICK HERE!!

5.25.2006

Soul Patrol


While watching the auditions, there was something about Taylor Hicks that made him so likeable. In our home he became known as "the gray-haired man". As the final 12 performed weekly, I grew to like him more. He was so much fun to watch with his quirky moves and "woes". Now TAYLOR HICKS is the new American Idol -- WAY TO GO!!!

5.24.2006

Works For Me Wednesday


I decided to jump on the bandwagon and join the "Works For Me Wednesday" club. Not that I feel I am an expert on tips and advice, but why not share little things I do to make my life easier. Here we go...

A talk show yesterday dwelled on the topic of bacteria and other gross "bugs" in a home. Experts agreed the kitchen SPONGE was the worst at holding tons of microorganisms and hideous bacteria. Here are two things I do to make sure mine is disinfected and ready to use:
  • Wet sponge and microwave for 1 minute. CAUTION: Sponge will be very hot!
  • When you run a load in the dishwasher, put the sponge in the top rack

Now kiss those wiggly microorganisms good bye!!!

5.23.2006

Home Sweet Home

My father was released from the hospital this afternoon and is resting comfortably at home. He is eating solids and everything is progressing smoothly. The doctors are amazed how fast he has bounced back with no complications. Again, thanks to all who prayed for our family.

5.21.2006

Giving Thanks to Crazy Schedules

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

I was looking back on past blogs and came across an entry called "More Rain Anyone?" and I was brought back to a time when I thought our family would never recover. As I read on I remember wanting to be busy running errands again after being home for what felt like years (only 6 days).
This week is crammed with preschool, preschool graduation, and the end-of-the-year preschool picnic. On top of that Steve is busy with his activities at the high school and I am longing for June 5th (the day after commencement).
On the other hand I am thankful to have healthy boys again. Running here and there is truly a gift even though I need to wake Mark from a nice nap taking away from mommy's free time too. I welcome the playful yelling and screaming a house of boys brings since at one time everyone was stuck on the couch and crabby.

5.19.2006

Life Tiles

Steve purchased Spongebob Squarepants Life a few weeks ago for Matthew and it is played daily! One space is labeled "Life". You draw a "Life Card" and it explains a life lesson in kindness and giving which earns a player "life tiles". For instance:

  • "Be Plankton's friend for a day" - 1 LIFE TILE
  • "Go to the Valentine's Day carnival with Patrick" - 2 LIFE TILES
  • "Be named Champion Bubble Blower" - 3 LIFE TILES

Today as Matt and I played the game questions came to mind: "What life tiles am I earning? Am I courteous to the cashier at the grocery store? Do I yell at my kids when I am frustrated? Am I friendly to those outside my circle of friends? Do I try my best at what I put my hand to?"

"But store for yourselves treasures in heaven (LIFE TILES), where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal" Matthew 6:20

5.16.2006

"No Surprises"


Most people love surprises. Whether it's a future vacation, a proposal, or finding out the sex of your baby when he/she arrives -- everyone loves surprises. But when you need everything to go according to plan, surprises are not welcomed.

So, when my father's doctor approached us in the surgical waiting room to give his final comments after his surgery, he smiled and said "There were no surprises. He is doing very well."

AH - what a sigh of relief!! Everything went according to plan, no unexpected snag appeared, and what matters most is my dad is resting and comfortable (thanks to strong pain meds).

I can't even begin to express how impressed we are with University of Chicago Hospitals. Not only were they ranked 14th in
"US News and World Report" 2005 Best Hospitals, but they are ranked among the best in 11 specialty areas. This hospital not only treated my dad's esophageal cancer, but our son, Matthew, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when he was two and is a part of U of C's Celiac Disease Program. We have many reasons to be grateful for that establishment.

Thank you to everyone who prayed and hoped the best for our family. Blessings back!!!

5.14.2006

Mother's Day 2006

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five
people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." Tenneva Jordan


Doesn't this ring true in a mom's life? My breakfast usually consists of the leftovers my two boys didn't finish: a few pieces of pancake soaked in syrup, bits of waffle on my baby's high chair tray, the peanut butter sandwich with a bite mark on the corner...

Today is that special day when mothers are lavished with cards, appreciation, and/or gifts. I soak in every moment knowing tomorrow morning I'll be dragging myself downstairs with Mark on my hip making sure Matt is on schedule to leave for school on time. I will devour those leftovers again while drinking
Chamba Chai (my spa in a mug) and wonder how I will conquer the day ahead.

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

5.12.2006

Father's Upcoming Surgery

On Tuesday, May 16th my father will undergo the extensive and serious surgery of removing his esophagus and replacing it with tissue from his stomach (the next step in esophageal cancer treatment). I won't go into detail on how the doctors accomplish this, but most importantly my mother asks for many prayer requests and here they are:

  • That Richard will be able to sleep the next few nights before the surgery. The news of the severity of the procedure was more than we ever expected. Please pray against a spirit of fear!
  • That the surgeons will be skilled in their surgical procedures and that the anesthesiologist will be skilled in keeping Richard well during those procedures.
  • That none of the following complications will occur: heart involvement or cardiac stress, leakage of the tube after surgery, pneumonia, or any blocked ducts. That the blood supply to the stomach is not damaged and will perform its function perfectly!
  • That the biopsied tissue will prove to be cancer free. That Richard will have the best prognosis possible!
  • That Richard will recover quickly after surgery and that that the drainage tubes can be removed in short order. That he will also have minimal pain.
  • That Richard will be able to learn to eat again with no frustration or discomfort.
  • Most of all, that Richard will be cancer free for the rest of his life!

Thanks to all of you who pray and believe God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ALL-MIGHTY!!

5.11.2006

A Family that Reads Together...

One of our boys' bedtime rituals is reading a selected book. Obviously Mark is more interested in grabbing literature and chewing the pages, but he'll soon benefit from daily storytime. As you can see Mark is grabbing at my shirt upset he can't join his dad and brother in bed!

Some of Matt's favorite selections:
  • Monster at the End of this Book
  • Clifford
  • Thomas and Friends
  • Golden Books (thanks eBay)

5.10.2006

Lesson Learned

This morning on my local morning news they played this commercial. It was thought provoking as I can recall times when I was in a hurry irritated by the slow-poke in front of me. Be aware...


5.09.2006

Batter Up

Matthew
Hurricanes T-Ball 2006

5.08.2006

50 Things Turning 50

From Good Housekeeping (May 2006), here are the list of 50 things turning 50 this year:

  1. My Fair Lady
  2. The Interstate Highway System
  3. Doris Day's "Que Sera, Sera"
  4. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
  5. The Hermes "Kelly Bag" (inspired by Grace Kelly)
  6. Yahtzee
  7. Colo, the first gorilla born in captivity
  8. Plymouth Fury car
  9. The Wizard of Oz on TV
  10. Masters Tournament on TV
  11. Jif peanut butter
  12. Artificial intelligence
  13. "In God We Trust" as our national motto
  14. Elvis' hit "Heartbreak Hotel"
  15. Pampers!!!
  16. Cytogenetics (look it up!)
  17. First hard disk drive (from IBM)
  18. "Dear Abby"
  19. The Hundred and One Dalmatians (the book)
  20. Kim Cattrall
  21. Toaster Ovens
  22. Peyton Place (the book)
  23. First climate-controlled shopping mall
  24. Queen for a Day
  25. Mel Gibson
  26. Certs
  27. Transatlantic phone cable
  28. Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line"
  29. Battery-run watches
  30. As the World Turns
  31. Uncle Milton's Ant Farm
  32. Diorissimo perfume
  33. First wireless remote control
  34. Isolation of a human growth hormone
  35. Godzilla (US version)
  36. Martina Navratilova
  37. The Hungarian Revolution
  38. Pop art
  39. Profiles in Courage
  40. Four basic food groups
  41. Tom Hanks
  42. The Price Is Right
  43. Videotape recorder
  44. Nonstick frying pan
  45. Chuck Berry's "duck walk"
  46. The King and I (the movie)
  47. NBC's Ann Curry
  48. Scotchgard
  49. Do-it-yourself haircolor
  50. Play-Doh!!!

5.07.2006

Some Honesty, Please!

After receiving an email from my friend, Stephanie, I did some soul searching about my role as a mother. Who said the role would be easy? Leave it to the media to glamourize and portray these lives like a blissful walk in the park. Has anyone had this perfect experience? I can definitely speak out and say "NO!"

The neverending days of worry, discipline, and sickness can weigh on any mother. Have you seen those episodes of A Baby Story when the mom is elated and says over and over again: "Oh, I feel so complete and my life is full of joy with little so-and-so around." Does any mother feel that sense of joy when they are cleaning throw up, changing the 200th diaper, or leaving a hopeful trip to the mall early because of a crying toddler's tantrum? The overwhelming thoughts that I am not cutting it as a mom sets in and I feel guilty.

But then when Matthew walks into my bedroom in the morning, says, "I love you," and kisses me, it's all worth the pain and struggle. I could never imagine life without my boys. To witness first steps, first words, and first days of school is priceless.

A mother's sacrifice produces a wonderful blessing!!!

5.04.2006

Fuddy Duddy

When Matthew gets ready for the day he always enjoys listening to his favorite music. His tastes range from Lazytown to The Wiggles to Worship Jamz. I have spied on him "shaking his booty" as he brushes his teeth -- what a sight!!

When it was time to turn off the music I asked Matthew, "Turn off your stereo, please." He corrects me and says, "Mom, why do you call it a stereo? It's a CD player!!" He has that come-on-mom-you-should-know-better tone.

The sense of getting old creeps in as I reminisce about when I was young and had a "boom box". Remember thinking our parents were goofy for playing 8-track tapes? AH - those days when my family would listen to John Denver's Christmas with The Muppets or Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits!!

Now it's me calling his CD player a "stereo" and I am the the fuddy duddy. It's just a matter of time when Matthew's friends say, "Your mom is soooo out of it!"

What goes around, comes around...