Somedays are like that

5:15 a.m. - Drew leaves for work. The loud roar of his Neon (more like a soft whine) somehow wakes Lucas up and I go in to convince him that although the birds are chirping and light is peeking through the window it is not time to get up. He is sitting on top of his armoire perfectly content (he opened the drawers and used them as stairs).
6:30 a.m. - I lose the battle of sleep and go into Lucas's room and lay on his floor while he empties all of his dresser drawers (I'm too tired to care).
6:35 a.m. - Elena hears this and decides she doesn't want to be left out. I convince her that snuggling would be fun and we lie on the floor together and try not to become targets of Lucas's throwing practice.
7:00 a.m. - I finally accept that the day has begun and head downstairs to get the screaming nut jobs their breakfast.
7:15 a.m. - Time to get the kids ready so Elena can get to school by 8:00. This usually involves an argument between Elena and myself as we settle on what she will wear to school. Her choice is consistently her little apple shift dress.
7:55 a.m. - Race like and Indy car to get to school. There is not penalty for being late, just bruised pride considering we had been up since 6:30.
8:01 a.m. - Lucas makes his MWF appearance at the Wal-Mart fish tank department where we proceed to watch the fish for what seems like an hour but is usually only ten minutes. Proceed to kill time until Elena's pick up.
12:30 p.m. - After lunch I find Lucas on top of the entertainment center. Laying there like it would be the perfect spot for a nap.
1:00 p.m. - A stray cat manages to get into the house. One adult and two children are chasing this animal with different agendas. They think it would be a fun pet and I just want it out.
1:05 p.m. - Crisis averted. The cat decided he wouldn't want to live in this nut house and exits.
2:00 p.m. - The kids lay down for naps after an exhausting game of stay away from mommy (their favorite outside activity). Quiet time for me that I should use to be productive but generally don't.
4:00 p.m. - Back to reality. The kids come down wanting their snack. I oblige.
6:00 p.m. - Dinner time. Usually a power struggle. I realize I am no match for them and they escape, Elena having eaten only enough to secure a treat and Lucas having eaten anything we let him dip in sour cream.
7:30 p.m. - Bath time. They need it. Like Elena says (because I told her once and she will never forget) her "butt is stinky."
8:00 p.m. - Good nights and a gentle reminder that the bathroom is not a personal playground after mommy goes downstairs.
8:05 p.m. - Drew gets home from work and asks me how my day was. This post is for him.

Mourning

I lost a dear friend today, or at least what felt like one. Over the last seven years we have spent every Sunday evening together. I probably turned to this friend more than any other to help me cope with the wave of sickness that accompanied my first trimesters with both kids. This friend was my go to if I needed a larger-than-life sidekick to bring to parties or dinners. The kids have become quite attached too as they have shared in the joy that this friend brings into our lives. Goodbye beloved popcorn bowl. I will miss you.

On this day, May 18, our beautiful, huge, breakable popcorn bowl entered into eternal rest (in the trash) due to injuries suffered during a fall. Being too tempting for Lucas to resist, he pulled the bowl down off the counter in search of remnants from last evening's festivities. Having joined our family on a wedding gift registry outing, it has been with us longer than Drew and I have been married. It could withstand several long-distance moves, but it was no match for our little boy. A moment of silence please.

Progress

I look for joy in the small things =). Yesterday at church everyone sat together with hands in laps long enough to get through part of the Sacrament. The peace lasted a total of two minutes. Progress, people, progress.

Random Run-in

I love random run-ins. I love running into people at the store I see on a regular basis. I love Facebook for the randomness it provides (I mean we weren't really friends in high school, but why not be facebook friends?). Today I experienced my favorite kind of random run in. The long lost friend kind. Drew and I took the kids up to Pittsburgh to go to the Children's Museum, and while he was chasing Lucas down a hallway he bumped into a friend of ours that we haven't seen in seven years. He was a guy that went to Ukraine (and BYU) with us way back when. He's doing his residency up in Pitt., so we ended up spending the evening with him and his family. So fun.

Wouldn't it be nice..

if vacation could last forever?
Drew was able to take this week off from work and we have been eating up every minute we get with him. Elena is so excited that she actually gets to eat breakfast with her dad. Every night she asks him if he will be home in the morning and most nights the answer is "no," but this week it's all "yes"es.
The first part of his vacation was spent with a whirlwind jaunt down to Cincinnati. A place that is quickly becoming one of my top cities. Anyway, Drew was able to meet up with his life-long friends for their annual guys-night out. The kids and I stayed with the family of one of the other musketeers and had our own fun. We all had so much fun, even Lucas.
The last couple days have been spent running aroud trying to get some work done around the house mixed in with unadulterated family time. We actually had an FHE that started before 7:3o and celebrated a major holiday all together. Cinco de Mayo counts when its one of the few you get.
We have a few days left with Drew before it's back to work, but we are loving it while it lasts!!

Leftover Ham?

I have a friend who is trying to use up her leftover ham, and this recipe came to mind. It is so good that even my kids eat it. It is pure comfort food complete with butter, cheese and potatoes. Not for the faint of heart. I found it in a Taste of Home cookbook.

Mom's Ham Casserole
2 c. cubed, peeled potatoes
1 lg. carrot, sliced
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 T. chopped green pepper
2 T. finely chopped onion
2 c. chopped ham
4 T. butter
3 T. flour
1 1/2 c. milk
3/4 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1) Place potatoes, carrots, and celery in a pot. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer until tender. Drain.
2) Saute green pepper, onion and ham in 3 T. butter until tender. Combine with potato mixture in baking dish.
3) Melt 4 T. butter in saucepan, stir in flour. Add milk, salt and pepper. Stir. Cook until thickened (about 2 minutes). Add 1 c. cheddar cheese after removing pan from heat. Pour sauce over mixture in baking dish. Stir to combine. Top with 1/2 c. soft bread crumbs.
4) Bake 25-30 minutes.

These measurements are according to the cookbook. Feel free to adjust the amounts based on what you have. For example, I usually have extra ham, so I make a few more vegetables and a little extra sauce. Whatever you like.

Hope this helps, G.J.!