I love my kids

Every so often I am struck anew by how much I love those two little characters I am blessed to raise. They are beautiful and smart and funny and silly and oh! so loving. It hit me again tonight while I was getting them ready for bed. Ellen was standing on the bathroom counter making happy smiley faces at herself in the mirror while I fluffed her sweet blond curls til they were dry. And it just hit me how beautiful she is -- the aforementioned curls, the round, kissable cheeks, the dimples, that million watt smile, the sheer delight she finds in every thing around her. I could hold her down and smooch her from now til forever and it wouldn't be enough. And Sam, with those mile long eyelashes and big blue-green eyes and impish grin and silly sense of humor, laughing as I mussed his hair into a spiky mess with the hair dryer. They enrich my life every day in so many unfathomable ways. Yeah, occasionally they wear me out, but how in the world did I live before I had them? What did I do all day? (I think I must have slept a lot, because that's one thing I sure don't do enough of now.) How did I survive without the daily joy they bring to me? I am amazed every day by their intelligence and love and perception. I love my kids.

Oh yeah, that's why!

I am an avid avoider of romantic movies. Give me a good sci-fi, action, fantasy, crime caper or even a comedy. I don't want to watch anything, heartwarming, moving, touching, or whatever. I just don't need that kind of freefloating drama in my life. But, since it is Saturday and there is NOTHING on TV, I ended up watching The Notebook, which may be the all time champion of sappy movies. It started out ok -- the lead actor is a cutie and had some really good chemistry with the lead actress. But of course, instead of living happily ever after, they have to end the movie by DYING together in their sleep. In the nursing home where they are living because she has senile dementia and doesn't remember him except for about 5 minutes every week or so. So now I'm sitting on my couch sniffing back tears. Gah! I knew there was a reason I avoid movies like this!

Luke 2 : 8-16

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.


Merry Christmas, everyone.

Recovery is going well but these kids are wearing me out!

Sam had his tonsils out on Monday, and thankfully, he is recuperating well. He's eating and drinking pretty well, and not having too much pain. The pain meds (liquid Lortab) are not making him nauseated, which is a good thing, but it is making him a bit hyper. Like bouncing off the walls all day yesterday, according to Mom and Dad. That's not too big a deal, until you couple it with the fact that Ellen has decided that she wants to change her own diapers, and then things get a little dicey. See, she soiled her diaper today and instead of waiting for me to change her she took it upon herself to remove her pants, wrestle off her diaper, and get poo all over herself and the floor. When I caught her she was trying to climb up the side of the changing table, presumably to get a wipe and clean herself up! Needless to say, they are keeping me pretty busy today, but that's ok. I'm getting to spend Christmas Eve with two of my favorite people!

Goodbye tonsils, hello ice cream!

So today was the big day. . . Sam had his tonsils out today. I talked with him over the weekend a little bit, and explained what would be happening and why. It is not easy to explain surgery to a 3 year old in a way that he can understand. Sam was really brave about it though. He was super good about not eating or drinking anything this morning, especially considering that it was about 9 a.m. before he went to surgery.

He did really well during the procedure (so saith the doc) and when he came back to the room where we were waiting for him he was all sleepy and pitiful looking, but not complaining about pain or anything. He really didn't want anything except to be left alone to sleep. After we got home he ate some rainbow sherbet, which is his favorite frozen treat, and then fell asleep sitting up on the couch. I put him in my bed and the two of us took a good long nap, and when he woke up he wanted two things -- more ice cream and The Polar Express.

I have been reminded today of how very thankful I am for two things. Number one is the good health of my children. Yeah, they get sick from time to time with the usual childhood ailments, but thank God, we do not spend tons of time sitting in doctors' offices and surgery clinics waiting for treatment. So many parents are not that fortunate. And secondly, I am so appreciative of the family that we have, who are willing to look after Ellen today so that we can focus on caring for Sam, and who will be coming tomorrow to watch after both children while Anthony and I go to work. I honestly don't know what we'd do without them.

And that, friends and neighbors, is about all I have to say for now. Kiss your children and be grateful for their health.

Whew!

It has been one HECK of a long day. Up at 4:45 this morning (that's not unusual) and really hit the ground running. Watched The Polar Express for the umpteenth time with the kids this morning, got them off to daycare and then went home and showered. Got my eyebrows waxed, which was long overdue, since I was starting to look like Groucho Marx, then ran by the library, and then took off to do some Christmas shopping. Sam has asked for one thing -- a water gun-- and that is not easy to find in December! I'm happy to report that you can find them at Party City if you ever need one. Then I went to the craft store to get supplies for my latest craft project, which is a hand-painted rocking chair for Ellen. After that it was lunch with my best friend Sarah, whose 27 week baby bump is freakin' adorable, then to the mall for the last of the shopping. When I got home I started painting the chair, then went to the grocery store for staples and also for the stuff to make the goody baskets I'm giving for Christmas gifts this year. And then back to the daycare to pick up the kids. And then home, and here we are watching The Polar Express for the umptyFIRST time. I still have to bathe the kids and put them to bed, clean up the kitchen, and start my baking!





It's no wonder I fall asleep at 8:30 every night.

Moroccan Roast

I am blessed to work with a group of women who are enthusiastic and talented cooks. We are always sharing recipes and trying new ones out on each other. I got this one from my friend Evie, who is a new mom and understands the value of a make ahead dinner. This recipe has become a favorite at my house; all four of us love it!

Moroccan Roast

1 medium sized roast (Evie uses beef, I usually use pork)
1 jar of smooth picante sauce
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
chili powder

Mix, picante sauce, sugar, and soy sauce in the crockpot. Rub chili powder all over the roast (use a lot!). Put the roast in the crockpot and cook on low all day. Serve over couscous.

They're Coming! Run For Your Lives!

Ok, maybe that title is a smidge dramatic. Cause, you know, with a husband, two kids, and a full time job working with a bunch of other women, my life doesn't have enough drama. Suuuuurrre. But anyway, they are coming! That's right, my goofy little brother and his family are moving home! Preparations are being made, belongings are being packed, and sometime very soon the prodigal Becks will be returning from the wastelands of south Alabama. . . oh wait, there's that drama thing again. Sorry. Can you tell I'm excited that they are coming home? I have missed them soooooo much, and finally they are coming back north so that I can smooch on Taylor anytime I want. Oh, and on Brad and Gayle too; I have missed them more than I though possible since they moved. In all seriousness, I am tickled pink that they will soon be just a short drive away.

Oh, and just in case you think I'm exaggerating my brother's goofiness, check out this picture of Taylor.

She TOTALLY gets that from Brad.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I had a pretty frustrating day today, and came home in a not-so-great mood. That mood evaporated fairly quickly once I was with Anthony and the kids, and I got to thinking about some of the things that cheer me up, make me happy, and otherwise brighten my day.

• Ellen singing nonsense syllables in the back of the car on the way home from daycare. No idea what the song was, but it was definitely a song.
• Sam playing with my hair.
• Waking up with Anthony spooned up against my back and his arm thrown across me.
• Shopping trips with my Mom.
• A plate of really excellent spaghetti.
• Seeing how much my children adore each other. That will last long after I've shuffled off this mortal coil.
• Curling up with a good book.
• Sleeping late.

Those are just a few of the things that I am so very thankful for this evening.

One Million Dollars. . .

Brad sent me this picture today with the caption "One Million Dollars"



Only my dorky little brother would think of comparing this baby angel to Dr. Evil. Although considering how much she looks like him in this photo, it may not be too far from the truth ;).

Happy One Month Birthday, Taylor!

My adorable niece turned one month old on Sunday. Brad and Gayle tell me that she is growing fast and already developing her own unique personality (Brad says her most outstanding quality right now is "spoiled".) He sent me a new picture a few days ago, and it is so darn cute I had to post it here.Happy one month birthday, smiley girl!

The Call

I watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian last night on DVD. I saw it in the theater, but because it is one of my favorite movies I just HAD to get it on DVD. The day it was released. The film is pretty different from the book, by the way. The C.S. Lewis fangirl in my cringed a bit at this, but the William Mosely fangirl in me liked it just fine (I have officially added him to my list of "shaggy haired British boys who are far to young for me to be crushing on". He shares this dubious honor with Daniel Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson). Either way, it's great movie, and if you haven't seen it, then you should run, not walk, to your nearest video store and rent it.

The ending scene in the movie has a wonderful song playing in the background : The Call, sung by Regina Spektor. She has a lovely voice, and the song is just so beautiful and plaintive and poignant that I decided to post a link to it here.

Baby feet

There is nothing cuter in this world to me than baby feet. I love them! The fat little feet, the adorable little toes. . . I just want to play with them and tickle them and nibble on them. Sam has gone beyond the point of having baby feet. His feet are cute, but they are definitely little boy feet -- they are big and wide and usually stinky too. I still love them, but there's just something special about Ellen's sweet baby feet. Especially when she tries to play "this little piggy" on her own toes.

Sam

I just wanted to post this because it's so darn cute. And also because lately in every picture I've taken of Sam there's been food on his face, and in this one he had just gotten out of the bath so his face was clean. Pay no attention to the mess in the floor behind him. Just focus on that adorable impish smile.

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

I like to cook (and to eat!) so from time to time I may post a few of my favorite recipes here on the blog. You'll find that most of them have this in common -- they are easy to make, don't require tons of time or ingredients, and are generally kid friendly. Although my kids will eat anything, so your mileage may vary. Today I thought I'd post the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip. This is a great snack potluck functions or parties (Iron Bowl party, anyone?). You will need:

1. About 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken. I like to use those frozen chicken breasts, but if you are in a hurry a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is great.
2. One 24 oz bottle of Ranch dressing
3. One bottle of your favorite buffalo sauce. I usually get either Frank's or Moore's.
4. Two 8 oz blocks of cream cheese, softened.
5. Eight oz shredded cheddar cheese

Bake the chicken til it is done. If you are using a rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and pull the meat off the bones. Chop the chicken into small bits and put it in the bottom of a 13x9 in casserole dish. Drizzle the buffalo sauce over the chicken; you can use a lot or a little, depending on how spicy you want it to be. In a separate bowl blend the cream cheese and the whole bottle of Ranch dressing together, then spread this mixture evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top. Bake the whole thing in a 350 degree oven til it is hot and bubbly and the cheddar has melted. Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.

I got this recipe from a coworker and it has become a favorite weekend treat at my house. It is great to have while watching movies or sports, and as a bonus it reheats well in the microwave. Hope you like it!

P.S. If you are feeling really lazy or just want to make this ahead of time, you can just dump all the ingredients in a crockpot on low for a couple of hours (cook the chicken first!). It will still be tasty but won't look nearly as appetizing.

Ellen

It has occurred to me that while I have pictures of Sam all over the blog, I have yet to post a picture of my beautiful daughter. Lest anyone think that I have a favorite child ( I don't) Here are some pics of my Ellen in all her curly-red haired, twinkling eyed, thousand watt smile glory.



These were taken at the Botanical Gardens by an extremely talented photographer friend of mine.



And this one was taken on my cell phone the other morning. Now tell me, isn't that just about the prettiest little girl in the world? She is sweet, smart, and knows her own mind. I love that little monkey.

Dothan

Sam and I have just gotten back from an over night trip to Dothan to visit my brother and his growing family. We got to meet Taylor for the first time and I am happy to report that she is every bit as wonderful as I expected. She is so dainty, with long slender fingers and feet and an adorable dimple. Brad and Gayle are absolutely head over heels for her. And Sam is utterly smitten. We got some great pictures of him with new baby cousin.

When he saw her left hand for the first time, I tried to explain to him that it was a little different than most people's. "It's special," I told him.

He grasped her (normal) right hand. "This one is special too!" he said. How wonderful that all he could see was his precious baby cousin, perfect just as she is. It's too bad that more adults don't have that same sort of tunnel vision.

You can't take your eyes off them for a minute

It never fails to amaze me the amount of mischief my kids can plot in practically no time at all. The other day I was chatting on the phone with my brother while I thought Sam was taking a nap in my bed. I heard him moving around and so after a few minutes cut short my conversation with Brad and went to check on my kiddo. This is what I found:
















He was so proud of himself! And then a little while later he remembered that nail polish is for girls and we had to get it off right then. Except for the purple polish on his toes, which 4 days later I am still trying to completely remove. But whatever. I just had a good laugh and reminded myself to never ever ever underestimate the power of a bored 3 year old.

Taylor Ann

So, the big news for our family is the arrival of my beautiful niece, Taylor. She was born November 7 at 4:07 p.m., weighing 6 lbs 15 ozs, and 20 inches long. She has big dark eyes, sweet rosy lips, and a gorgeous dimple (so I hear; I haven't seen her yet because my brother lives 4 hours away. Yes, it stinks.) For those who may not have heard, she was also born missing 3 fingers from her left hand. This was (as you can imagine) a surprise to everyone, but her doctor tells us that it is a result of something called Amniotic Band Syndrome, which is a rare but not unheard of condition that occurs in utero. You can read all about it here . Thankfully Taylor is a healthy baby and I am confident that the missing fingers won't have too great an impact on her life overall. Brad tells me that she can use that hand pretty well already, and other than having her days and nights mixed up, she is a perfect baby. We are all so thankful that she is here and that she and Gayle are doing well.




Look at that face. Isn't she a beauty?

Welcome to Chaos Castle!

So, after all this time, I've decided to try my hand at blogging. If nothing else this will be a great way for me to journal the crazy things my two kids get up to. . . and believe me, they do! And maybe some of our long distance family and friends will be able to keep up with the things that are happening in our crazy, chaotic, and wonderful lives.

Happy reading!