Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Random thoughts and catching up...

I just haven't had a lot to write about lately so I thought I would just catch up a bit...




Alex is on his 2nd week of Spring Break and enjoying spending time with friends.


Connor was off last week but back in school this week.. and ever so excited about it (not)


Connor is going to be in the Spring musical at school!





















Mark is feeling more like himself everyday!


We went to a Nuggets basketball game Friday night and the boys had a great time. I realized we need to get out more. Seems like we've almost been in hibernation these past few months.


Connor is a bottomless pit! He is eating us out of house and home but never gains weight, just keeps getting taller. He's actually taller than Mark now but don't tell Mark, I think he's in a little bit of denial :)


I really need to start taking more pictures again!


Alex was invited to a birthday party yesterday but when Mark showed up to drop him off, no one was there! I guess it was cancelled but they forgot to tell us... Who does that? haha


Working full time sure cuts into my blogging and reading time! (but as I always say...I'm thankful) most of the time, lol


I am really excited for Spring and Summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What's on your mind today???

Monday, March 28, 2011

Weekly meal plan

Here is what's for dinner at our house this week.


Sunday - Dinner with friends

Monday - Grandpa's Chili

Tuesday - Spaghetti

Wednesday - left overs

Thursday - Lindsay's Southwest pasta

Friday - Grilled chicken

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Monday, March 21, 2011

Perfect Moment

I am participating this week in Perfect Moment Monday. You can check out other perfect moments over at Write Mind Open Heart.



You know that feeling you get when you drop your kids off for school on the first day. It always feels like a milestone to me and I ALWAYS get emotional to some extent.

I sometimes get that same feeling in other situations, like when I drop Alex off for orchestra or student council. I always watch him walk all the way up to the door of the school and don't drive away until he is safely inside. I always feel a certain pride at his independence. It was completely his idea and choice to join student council and orchestra. It's just interesting to watch them grow and make choices all of their own.

This morning he got out of the car with his back pack and violin. He had is hands full. I watched him make his way to the front door of the school, ring the buzzer and wait. I noticed another student, an older girl walk up behind him. I didn't even think he noticed but when the door unlocked he reached to open it and then, slowly opened it, stepping aside, opening it wider to let the girl in first.

I know it sounds like such a little thing but it really touched me. For me it was a perfect moment because it is the little things, the little kindnesses and considerations we show to others that make all the differences in the world.

I am always proud of Alex but this little gesture made my mommy heart swell with pride.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Weekly Meal Plan


This is what's for dinner...

Sunday - Beef Stew (Made a double batch so I will freeze half)

Monday - Chicken Mac Casserole

Tuesday - Beef Tacos

Wednesday - left overs

Thursday - Orange Teriyaki Chicken (new)

Friday - Pizza (Home made)

Saturday - Hamburgers

Friday, March 18, 2011

What I learned this week.













This week I am linking to Sittingonanoak's What I learned this week. Just click HERE to see more of what others learned this week.

I learned that blog friends can be amazing. I have made a few friends through blogging all the way from Virginia to Florida to North Carolina to Arizona and even some right here in Colorado. It has been amazing getting to know each one of them, learning about their families, their personal struggles and their journey. I have enjoyed sharing with them. I treasure all of them.

My friend Lindsay over at BYTES OF MEMORY sent me a present this week!

She sent me this book...
















I cracked it open last night and I can tell I'm going to really like it.

The neat thing is that my friend Terra over at Sittingonanoak had sent it to her a few months ago.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

It's the little things that are really big.

As most of you know the past year has been pretty interesting for us. We moved out of our house last May just as the kids were finishing school and lived in a hotel for a couple of months and then moved in with Dad. It's been quite a journey. Probably one of the toughest times in our lives. It has been a time of sadness and stress but also an amazing journey through healing, faith and growth. We are so thankful to Dad for taking us in. We know what a sacrifice he is making and I have to say he has been amazing.

When we moved we put pretty much everything we own in storage. We only brought with us what we thought we would need for a couple of months. Well nearly one year later we are managing pretty well without all that "stuff". I know the boys miss their "stuff" and would like to have their own rooms but I have to say they have risen to the occasion. It has truly been a learning experience for them too. Sometimes I worry it has shaken their security but other times I see in them a strength and confidence they may not have otherwise developed.

Even though it's been rough there have also been many blessings. Mark's successful surgery back in November is one of the greatest. The other is watching the relationship bloom between the boys and grandpa. I know years from now they will remember this time in our lives and look back at the quality time they were able to spend with their grandpa.

Not only has he given us a safe haven to duck into during this time of crises and healing he has done many little things that are really big things to make the boys more at home.

One of those being this basketball hoop he made for the boys. The boys really miss their basketball hoop we had at our last house. They spent a lot of time shooting hoops and playing basketball together and with friends and neighbors. Well a few weeks ago they figured out a way to improvise. They used a medium size rubber ball and bounced it against the side of the house, Making a point required hitting the ball on just the right board. Well, I came home from work one day and saw them shooting hoops into something bolted onto the side of the wall. I actually teared up when I realized Grandpa had cut the top off of a bucket or something and bolted it to the wall so they could play basketball.

These are the moments that stop me in my tracks and make me realize how much we have to be thankful for.

From the bottom of my heart... Thank you Dad........for everything.



Sunday, March 13, 2011

Weekly Meal Plan





Monday: Meat loaf

Tuesday: Oven Fried Chicken

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Chicken

Thursday: Grilled Chicken

Friday: left overs

Saturday: Hamburgers

Sunday: French Dip

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Mad Scientists...

Grandpa, Mark and Alex had discussed Alex's Science fair project for weeks. They reminded me of mad scientist disappearing into the basement to discuss, build and experiment. They came up with an idea of a water and oil separating device to compare it to the oil spill. You know the one. You may have heard about it on the news. (Unless you were hiding under a rock).
 Grandpa built a great device that had to be "tweeked" a little as we got down to the wire but it all worked out perfectly in the end.








Alex wasn't too thrilled about Dad taking a picture at school but I'm sure Mark said something along the lines of "Sorry bud, Mom's orders" Can't you just see it in his smile?  :)


On the day of the science fair Mark was planning to be there in case Alex needed help but Alex was determined to do this on his own. I was a little nervous because it did involve oil and food coloring... what if it spilled or didn't work? In the end we decided that if he wanted to do it on his own then good for him! And he did excellent! No problems other than when he retrieved it the next day, with the "help" of a couple of buddies. Someone (not Alex) may have spilled a little on the library's carpeted floor :0. I called and offered to come clean it up but was told the boys did a good job of cleaning it up themselves. Shewwww... with all the budget cuts in our school I was a little concerned we may be responsible for replacing the carpet! Anyway it all worked out in the end. I am curious though if there isn't a little stain, (it was oil after all) as a reminder of Alex for Science fairs to come.



Thank you Grandpa for all your hard work and determination although part of me suspects you enjoyed as much as your grandson!

By the way Alex ended up winning for his grade! They don't give out ribbons anymore but he received a certificate and was announced over the intercom. Good job Alex!

Grandpa also "helped" Alex with his science fair project last year.

Remember the Hot Dog Cooker? Click HERE to see that post.