"Crackers in my Bed"

In my freshman year of college, I was talking with a friend about good-looking people, mainly famous people. At one point, an actress came up and he said to me, "I would let her eat crackers in my bed." I thought that was a great line at the time. In fact, I remember even using a time or two over the years, I was thinking along the lines of Brad Pitt or Tim McGraw or Matthew McConaughey. Flash forward 10+ years to the present. After dinner and some family time tonight, I had to go to work. Bri took he kids into our room to settle down and watch his favorite show. On the way in he handed the kids each a Graham Cracker. As I went in to kiss them all good bye, here sat my 2 beautiful children eating crackers in my bed. I said "Oh, I am so glad to have them eating crackers in my bed," in a very facetious tone. Later, when I arrived home, and got ready for bed, I found a TON of cracker crumbs all over my bed, specifically my side. At first I was a little bugged, but then my friends saying of "I would let her eat crackers in my bed," popped into my head. And you know what, I would rather have those 2 little ones eating crackers in my bed any day of the week over the previously named celebrities. Isn't it amazing when life brings things front and center? So, here I am tonight finding cracker crumbs all over my bed and absolutely delight to know, who I would let eat crackers in my bed.

So Appalled!

The human race seems to amaze me. Sometimes, it because of an amazing good deed that someone or group has done for another, other times it is something that I just can't even wrap my head around a concept. This issue is unfortunately the later. Over the past week there has been a controversy in Florida involving a 6 year old girl. This 6 year old girl, has a life threatening peanut allergy, so the parents of this child's classmates are asking that she leaves the school. In fact, these parents have been outside the school picketing. WHAT?!?!?!? Is the first thing I thought too. Can they do this? Well, technically no. An allergy is considered a "disability" and the school has to help the child. But the parents of the classmates feel that this child is taking away their childrens rights because of the following:

1 - Lunches can't come into the classroom

2 - They have to wash their hands when they enter the classroom and after lunch

3 - They have to rinse out their mouths

Really, so these folks are kicking a 6 year old girl out of school for minor inconveniences, over something she did not choose. Over something that could claim her life, if exposed. REALLY PEOPLE? So, now the parents of the 6 year old girl and the school are trying to work things out, for the best of everyone. But all I can think is GROW UP PEOPLE!

As a parent of a child with a life threatening food allergy, I am so appalled. I just want to slap these people upside the head and say "what are you thinking?" I also, want to give this family that is going through this a hug and tell them that they are not alone. All, I can say is the school had better get this one right or there is going to be one outraged community.

Joining the Upper Class

During the past 3 days, Community Nursing Services annual fundraiser, Art & Soup has been going on. Last year I attended the event with kids and no hubby. This year, I attended the event with the hubby and no kids, so we had a fun little date. Grandma Debby was kind enough to watch the kiddos, so Bri and I could go and really enjoy the event. This year there were some really good soups, my favorite was by Olio, the restaurant in the Sheraton. It was a corn chowder with a crab and potato biscuit. My oh, my was it a good one. I also really enjoyed Diva's tomato basil soup, a very close second. The art was very good, with many that caught my eye, but due to the price tag they did not come home. However, we did find one fabulous piece of art in our range. The artist is Ian Ramsey, who also lived in Aix La Chappelle years ago, the art work is a scene in Ilwaco, Washington. The picture remind us of the wonderful trip we took to Washington and Oregon last year and the beautiful country we saw up there. This picture came home with us and will soon be on the wall in our living room.Last night, as we were walking up to our condo, Bri says to me. "I feel as if we are joining the upper class now, because we have an original piece of work." So, I guess we have made our way to the upper class. ;)

Jump 'N Bounce

After what was such a nice start to the week weather wise, we were a little bummed out that it was so cold yesterday. We had wanted to take the kids to do something outdoor and get some energy burned off. We thought we would take the kids to a jump place, but Colin and Audra stated that they wanted to go bowling instead. When we arrived at the bowling alley, it was an hour wait. We decided instead to take them to Jump 'N Bounce. Coly wasn't quite sure at first but once he got going, there was no stopping him. Audra was game from the moment we went in.

So, Bri, Grandma Debby and I chased the kids from one bounce area to another. We all were stating that we had definitely gotten our work outs in for the day. Coly would find a certain area and just keep going back into the same area. Lynnie being a little trooper was hot on his tails. There are some areas that are a bit steep, but she would keep up, maybe a little slow but she did great.

After a couple hours the kids started to act tired, so Grandma Debby bought them a lemonade each and a licorice rope to share. Surprisingly, they stayed awake too on the way home. It was a great adventure and way to spend the afternoon.

My Mom's Birthday

How does one celebrate a milestone birthday for the most important woman in her life? Here's how we did it! My wonderful mom turned 60 today and it was a birthday that she has not been looking forward too. So, we wanted to spice it up and make it extra special.
To start the day off, the 3 kiddos and I took her a bouquet of balloons and a crown (which I made with pink paper and bling), this morning at work. I told her that she was "Queen for the day and her day had begun."

Next came a drop off from Gar, a beautiful edible arrangement of pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, and strawberries. He dropped that off around 10 AM. I didn't get a picture from this drop off, as I was not there, but she really enjoyed this drop too.

At 12:00, LD met the kids and I at her work with a chocolate cake with purple and yellow flowers. We hid in her cubby and had her paged to her desk. When she reached us, we started singing "Happy Birthday." Her co-workers, couldn't believe that there was another drop off. At 3:45, she told us that she was getting off work very soon. So, we moved the next drop off to her home. It was a very large bouquet of flowers with a heart tag. However, she was not home as quickly as she thought she would be, so she had very little time to enjoy the flowers. At 4:15, she was told to get ready for a pedicure and that she had no time to lallygag. We were at Nail Trix around 4:35 and enjoyed a little pampering just us girls. At this point, while we had our feet soaking and rubbed we talked to Jocelyn (who is in Texas and being missed desperately) and tried to keep her involved in the on-goings of it all. Next, at 5:25 we told mom that we were off on our next adventure. We would not tell her where we were going. We arrived at DSW and told he to pick out any pair of shoe. We were not sure what she wanted or needed, so we let her pick. She ended up getting a darling pair of Keen sandals just in time for spring. As, we drove to our at last stop at 6:30ish. We told her that this would be the last stop for her day. We took her to Red Robin, where Bri, Coly, Lou, Dustin, Carter and Garry met us for a nice dinner. We enjoyed the company of most the family. Garry also gave her, her gift which was a very beautiful watch that makes your eyes pop! It was a busy day, one that included many stops, drop offs and excellent bonding time. I just want my mom to know how much we love her and how special she is to us! Happy Birthday Mom!

St. Patty's Day

I don't know if I have any Irish in my blood, but I sure do love the St. Patty's holiday. My mom does not have Irish, but she loves the holiday and it has worn off on me. Bri's paternal grandfather was 100% Irish, and has royalty in his line. SO, I feel like it is a good thing to really get into the holiday. I picked up corned beef and cabbage yesterday at the store, that is our usual meal. But today, during my morning run, I decided to get the kids involved, so we made Irish Soda Bread. The kids loved it. They each wore an apron, took turns adding ingredients, and then helped knead the bread. It was a mess after, but for a few minutes the kids were in kid heaven.

During their nap, I thought it might be fun to surprise them with an Irish treat. So, I made Irish Tea Cakes (a whole lot like Jam Cookies). The kids thought that was a neat little treat. They were very easy and quick to make, so I am glad to have added them to the dinner. All in all, I think that dinner was a success, except for the cabbage. It seems that I am the only one who likes the cooked cabbage. Brian is begging me not to make cabbage soup tomorrow night for dinner. (Oh, how I love to tease him.)

Makes Your Heart Melt

A week or so ago, I was multitasking. I had my arms full, of this 'n' that. The kids and I were walking down to the car, as we were taking Coly Kai to school. Lynnie is very slow some days as she is trying to take everything in. So, I am standing there telling Lou Who, come on sweetie we have got to go. Coly is super fast and is waiting for the 2 of us to catch up. As, Lynnie is running to catch up she takes a spill and starts crying. Coly being the sweet, loving boy sees that I have hands full and yells "Come here Audra." Lynnie goes running to her big brother, he throws his arms around her in a sweet embrace and asks "Audra you ok?" As a mom, my heart melted. I am so grateful that my kids are friends and that they love each other so much.

M - I - A

It has been quite a while since I have blogged that is due to the fun fact that I have been ill for what seems like forever. The kids came down with influenza about 3 weeks ago, they did well but left me with a very mild form of it. Then Bri and Coly came down with something like influenza about a week and a half ago and they shared that with Audra and I, which left me with a fever, the body aches, and over all horrible feeling. I now have a lovely lasting cough that is not going away, while the kids are running around like nothing ever hit them. My kind husband says that because I turned 30 this year that is why I am struggling to get better. Isn't he a charmer?

How Prepared Are You?

My calling in our ward is "Provident Living Specialist", which I have come to learn deals with MANY different aspects. As one of the aspects, I am a member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee. This entails hours of coordinating and logistics on how to utilize the space at the church, around the church, talents from ward members, communicating with the state, etc. It is very difficult to handle so many details and so many people. Not only is our committee concerned about the members, but we are concerned about our non-member neighbors as well. Since, I am a member of this committee, I have been asked to get CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trained. Well, I signed up for this months ago and the time has come for me to take the class. Tonight, was the first night of class, and I really thought that I had a decent handle on being prepared for a disaster. I know we have room to improve, but we don't not have anything. However, after my first class, I feel my family is a long way away from being able to truly handle an emergency. We have details to work out, that really have not even been thought of. So, here is my little "soap box." Prepare your family as much as possible, we are years over due for an earthquake that may or may not hit in our lifetime. If something else hits during that time, we should be ready because we prepared for the earthquakes. If you are prepared you will NEVER need it. So lets all make a goal to prepare and get our 72 hour kits and house ready. How prepared are you?