Friday, October 10, 2008
Ready to Ride
Updates
Well, last night was bittersweet as we sad goodbye to my sister Megs (Aunty Megs). Next time I see her (in February) she will have a new little baby boy. It was so good to see her (she is such a cute pregnant woman) and it was lots of fun to rub HER tummy and feel my little nephew kick and roll. Angelica gave him a couple kisses and then just would stare at her belly trying to figure this whole miracle out but remaining quite puzzled. I helped throw Megs a baby shower when she was here and that was lots of fun. I made my first baby scrap book for her to fill in for his first year of life (I was inspired by the ones my sister-in-law did for me). Thanks to everyone who came and made it a very special day. We did a lot of shopping with Megs....she got her maternity winter clothes, a lot of the baby items she needed and of course she spoiled her nieces...WAY TOO MUCH. Thanks for the shoes and clothes, they will forever look hip with you around! It was lots of fun and we will miss you, but we will see you soon. Thanks for asking Jason and I to be godparents, we are honored.
Let's see. Well we are not closing our 5th week of the Boeing strike. I cannot believe it. Every week we say to ourselves that this has to end, and yet another week goes by. Jason has worked so hard, in rain and cold weather, to do yard jobs and manual labor work to help ends meet and get bills paid. Thanks so all those that continue to provide him the opportunity for work. Also, thanks to all those who have helped us through this challenging time.....your prayers, support and friendship mean a lot...it has been a very humbling experience and I only hope we are as generous when the roles are reversed one day and we see people struggling. Keep praying that we stay in good healthy, because Boeing did cut off all our medical benefits on the 1st and it makes me nervous since we have two little ones and entering the cold months.
Well, Jason had meant with his advisers, gotten registered and was ready to start classes this quarter....that was until Boeing called and told him due to the strike all tuition benefits were withdrawn. Big bummer.....especially when this was once of the main reasons he was excited about this job. So....hopefully he can resume things next quarter.
The van and the broken transmission....well, Jason has been shopping around at the junk yards and found one for the van for $350 and a 90 day warranty....so he was trying to figure out how he could do it. But having never done one and not having the proper equipment to do it, he found someone who could do it for $300....which $650 is still a lot less than the $3000 the shop wanted....Jason would like the challenge of doing it, but considering the circumstances might continue working instead of taking two days to possibly do it himself. We shall see. I definitely miss it....amazing with kids how great the van is for transporting them and all the stuff...especially the strollers!!
My mother-in-law successfully had her port put in on Monday and will start chemo this coming Monday. So we will definitely keep her in our thoughts and prayers especially on Monday. We love you.
The girls are getting so big and seem to change a little bit each day. Emma is wanting so badly to start walking...she will take a few unassisted steps and then go back to crawling. Won't be long. I think she is teething again (I hope so, because she STILL only has ONE bottom tooth). She has been fussy, clingy and not sleeping well this week and her appetite has gone down. SO we shall see.....hoping for at least two teeth by her first birthday!! She smiles all the time and loves mimicking and following Angelica around the house. She loves to bounce to music, learning to wave and is a cuddle bug. Angelica is just talking ALL DAY long now, which includes thousands of questions all day long....mostly "What are you doing mom? Mom, what are you doing? Are you doing something mom? AAHHH. She also has become quite the little mother. I hear her saying things to Emma, such as "No no sweetheart....you can't have that. Sorry honey." Oh boy! So they keep me busy and I am loving every minute!!
We got decorated for fall and it is probably one of our favorite seasons. Angel isn't scared of our scarecrows this year so that is good!! She actually loves them and the pumpkins. Will have to take pictures. Still need to go to a pumpkin patch.....Hoping everyone is having a great start to your Fall!!
Let's see. Well we are not closing our 5th week of the Boeing strike. I cannot believe it. Every week we say to ourselves that this has to end, and yet another week goes by. Jason has worked so hard, in rain and cold weather, to do yard jobs and manual labor work to help ends meet and get bills paid. Thanks so all those that continue to provide him the opportunity for work. Also, thanks to all those who have helped us through this challenging time.....your prayers, support and friendship mean a lot...it has been a very humbling experience and I only hope we are as generous when the roles are reversed one day and we see people struggling. Keep praying that we stay in good healthy, because Boeing did cut off all our medical benefits on the 1st and it makes me nervous since we have two little ones and entering the cold months.
Well, Jason had meant with his advisers, gotten registered and was ready to start classes this quarter....that was until Boeing called and told him due to the strike all tuition benefits were withdrawn. Big bummer.....especially when this was once of the main reasons he was excited about this job. So....hopefully he can resume things next quarter.
The van and the broken transmission....well, Jason has been shopping around at the junk yards and found one for the van for $350 and a 90 day warranty....so he was trying to figure out how he could do it. But having never done one and not having the proper equipment to do it, he found someone who could do it for $300....which $650 is still a lot less than the $3000 the shop wanted....Jason would like the challenge of doing it, but considering the circumstances might continue working instead of taking two days to possibly do it himself. We shall see. I definitely miss it....amazing with kids how great the van is for transporting them and all the stuff...especially the strollers!!
My mother-in-law successfully had her port put in on Monday and will start chemo this coming Monday. So we will definitely keep her in our thoughts and prayers especially on Monday. We love you.
The girls are getting so big and seem to change a little bit each day. Emma is wanting so badly to start walking...she will take a few unassisted steps and then go back to crawling. Won't be long. I think she is teething again (I hope so, because she STILL only has ONE bottom tooth). She has been fussy, clingy and not sleeping well this week and her appetite has gone down. SO we shall see.....hoping for at least two teeth by her first birthday!! She smiles all the time and loves mimicking and following Angelica around the house. She loves to bounce to music, learning to wave and is a cuddle bug. Angelica is just talking ALL DAY long now, which includes thousands of questions all day long....mostly "What are you doing mom? Mom, what are you doing? Are you doing something mom? AAHHH. She also has become quite the little mother. I hear her saying things to Emma, such as "No no sweetheart....you can't have that. Sorry honey." Oh boy! So they keep me busy and I am loving every minute!!
We got decorated for fall and it is probably one of our favorite seasons. Angel isn't scared of our scarecrows this year so that is good!! She actually loves them and the pumpkins. Will have to take pictures. Still need to go to a pumpkin patch.....Hoping everyone is having a great start to your Fall!!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Going to get Aunty Megs
This was the cute Hanna outfit Angel wore to go pick up Aunty Megs at the airport!! She arrived Thursday and we are so happy to have her hear and "litter Bertie" as I am calling the Baby since Albert is a little weird for me yet as it is my dad's name. Pics soon to follow of her nice round tummy (and her!) I got to feel him kick tonight, it was wonderful and so exciting!
Happy Birthday Hon!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
"Get me out of here!"
Mama's cookie helper
Could she get your vote??
Well...she did win a mock election and debate series in middle school....but could she win your vote today? Click HERE.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Power of Prayers
So Silly
Angel was cracking us up the other night just running around in circles in the house and being just plain silly!!
Do Your Part
Today is Day 3 of the 40 Days for Life. Check out the site and see how you can help and stay up to date on the latest news. There is no greater power than the power of prayer....so please join this powerful event and change some hearts, lives and protect the gift and miracle of life.
Easy and Delicious
Both of these recipes were super easy and SO DELICIOUS!!
Cheesy Bean Enchiladas (I also used some shredded mexican cheese and added rice)
Grandma Gert's Chocolate Cake
Cheesy Bean Enchiladas (I also used some shredded mexican cheese and added rice)
Grandma Gert's Chocolate Cake
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Alli in Tom Sawyer
My mom took me to Alli's show, Tom Sawyer, Sunday night and it was SO GOOD and SO FUNNY. The newspaper critic was there that night and he wrote THIS AWESOME REVIEW. If you can make it to the show, please come...you will love it! Here are some sounds clips and video from one of the rehearsals to give you a little taste!
The Love Song
Lost in the cave
"The Light" song in the cave
Alli singing in the cave
Recipes to Share
Sorry, with all the stress and crazy menus we have been having lately, I haven't done my Monday menus...but here are two recipes we loved:
Low Carb Penne Pasta in Pesto-Cream Sauce (good for Fridays, I used low fat half and half instead of the heavy cream)
Split Pea Soup (I made up with ingredients I had on hand, SO YUMMY!)
about 7-8 cups water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
whole bag green split peas (I think 1 lb)
chopped up onion
chopped up carrot
2-3 cloves minced garlic
I added spices like Basil, Rosemary, bay leaves and salt and pepper
Put everything in pot...bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for several hours (4-5). I added ham cubes last 30 minutes. YUMMERS!!
Low Carb Penne Pasta in Pesto-Cream Sauce (good for Fridays, I used low fat half and half instead of the heavy cream)
Split Pea Soup (I made up with ingredients I had on hand, SO YUMMY!)
about 7-8 cups water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
whole bag green split peas (I think 1 lb)
chopped up onion
chopped up carrot
2-3 cloves minced garlic
I added spices like Basil, Rosemary, bay leaves and salt and pepper
Put everything in pot...bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for several hours (4-5). I added ham cubes last 30 minutes. YUMMERS!!
"If it doesn't kill you..."
Well, I know I have heard the saying "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger" and "God never gives you more than you can handle"....but starting the third week in this Boeing strike, I am feeling very weak and frustrated, scared and stressed. There is still no "new contract" on the table and the strike is going strong. We found out this last week that the strike checks don't even start until the third week of a strike, but you have to go to Seattle to even get that. It is $150 a week and the first one is issued this Saturday. There is also some buzz that come October 1st, your medical benefits might stop as well....GREAT!! Of course, they offer COBRA which is ridiculously expensive. And of course we don't qualify for unemployment because technically we have a job...one which we are just not allowed to go to work for and not receive any kind of pay or benefits in the meantime. I am having a hard time understanding how the Union which is fighting for the people, is really creating quite a burden for us in the process. Of course, this is all just compiled with the stress of the transmission in the van deciding it was a perfect time to BREAK and poor hubby is trying to find one in a junk yard and how to do ti himself so save us the $3000 the shop wanted! So, yes it hasn't killed me yet and I believe God gives us strength through the hard spots....just trying not to lose my sanity in the process of surviving.
But on a more serious note, we want to thank EVERYONE for all their support and prayers during the time and for all of those that have helped. Especially again, the Grays for the car which has been HUGE right now!! We are hoping this all can come to a close soon!!! October 3rd is Jason's birthday, so the end to this strike would be a wonderful present!!
Update: My brother-in-law, Chris, who was with Lehman Brothers....for now has a job with Barclays at least for sure through December so that is HUGE. And he gets to continue his MBA program too!! They are updating , HERE.
But on a more serious note, we want to thank EVERYONE for all their support and prayers during the time and for all of those that have helped. Especially again, the Grays for the car which has been HUGE right now!! We are hoping this all can come to a close soon!!! October 3rd is Jason's birthday, so the end to this strike would be a wonderful present!!
Update: My brother-in-law, Chris, who was with Lehman Brothers....for now has a job with Barclays at least for sure through December so that is HUGE. And he gets to continue his MBA program too!! They are updating , HERE.
Pajama Time
Missing you Sophie
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Cookin Sisters
They have been spending a lot of time cooking and playing in this kitchen together...so cute!!
Get Out and Vote
This powerful video which has been appearing a lot lately reminds us that there are some REAL important life-changing issues that trump others in this election. Watch and I think the choice is clear....
Girls with Curls
Saturday night I decided to try curls in Angel's hair. First, I didn't' know if she would let me put them in....SHE LOVED IT...kept handing them to me to put more in. Second, I didn't think she would keep them in...she did and wanted to put them in my hair and in Emma's too! Third, I was sure she wouldn't sleep with them....but she did and while some got loose and one fell out....she managed to have some beautiful curls for church Sunday morning.
"Marmee's Blanket"
Frustrated
Still on Strike
Update on us is that the Union is still on strike, thus Jason still is not able to work. I check HERE daily for any good news, but nothing so far. Jason has to go once a week to picket to get the $150 Union weekly strike pay!! We are only hoping that this can end sooner rather than later, although the last one took 24 days!! It is a weird reality to have a job but not be allowed to go in to work. Thanks to all for your prayers and support....thank you to the Gray family for the use of your car while our van has decided to was also a good time to go on strike! I keep trying to count my many blessings during this tough time for us, especially when I see how many people in this country are suffering with the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Sometimes it is hard to keep it all in perspective though. Luckily Jason has been able to do some work for my dad by accomplishing his outside "to do list". Jason spent two days fixing the car to still have a leak from somewhere...hoping the shop can diagnose the problem and possibly a friend can help us fix...we shall see.
I hope we didn't start a sister tradition....because when I was pregnant with my first child...Jason ended up getting laid off his job. And well....for those that haven't heard....Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy and my sister's husband Chris works there. You can go to their SITE to read the details....but being in your third trimester and having your hubby lose a job is never fun...I know!! But, Chris is working through this week and already getting some offers and possible offers on the table....so hopefully something will come through fast for him...maybe even better it sounds like!! So we will keep that in prayer too!
But, I better run because both the girls decided to get a "lovely" cold with horrible runny noses and coughs...so I have spent the days suctioning noses out and dealing with babies that can't sleep!! Angel has been walking around with her mouth wide open and drooling since she can't breathe through her nose and last night started a fever...still 101. Poor babes. So I am off to suction some more!
I hope we didn't start a sister tradition....because when I was pregnant with my first child...Jason ended up getting laid off his job. And well....for those that haven't heard....Lehman Brothers filed bankruptcy and my sister's husband Chris works there. You can go to their SITE to read the details....but being in your third trimester and having your hubby lose a job is never fun...I know!! But, Chris is working through this week and already getting some offers and possible offers on the table....so hopefully something will come through fast for him...maybe even better it sounds like!! So we will keep that in prayer too!
But, I better run because both the girls decided to get a "lovely" cold with horrible runny noses and coughs...so I have spent the days suctioning noses out and dealing with babies that can't sleep!! Angel has been walking around with her mouth wide open and drooling since she can't breathe through her nose and last night started a fever...still 101. Poor babes. So I am off to suction some more!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Happy Birthday Teenager!!
Come see Alli as Becky Thatcher!!

Thursday, September 11, 2008
Goodbye Bessie
Today, I had a "bittersweet" moment. I said goodbye to a very loyal car, Bessie. While it wasn't new, it was my first car. My dad had gotten her when we lived in Virginia Beach and I learned to drive in her. I drove her across the country when we moved to Washington and before my Junior year of college drove her back across the country to TN. I was very recognizable on campus with a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser...especially with no AC in the hot humid weather and when her head liner started to sag! But with a little TLC now and then (had to get new tires and a new alternator when I was in college...and I put a CD player in her) and lots of love she got me through the last couple years of school...another trip across the country toting a U-Haul behind her after graduation...and as my car until just three years ago....today we said goodbye. She has been sitting in our driveway for awhile and while she is definitely still drivable, would need a lot of internal cosmetic work and some new parts to get her working. So we found a charitable organization that had it towed away for free and will fix it up and sell it for that price to someone who needs it. Jason found amusement in my "bittersweet moments" watching her get towed away...but she was a reliable and hardworking car for me that "carried" lots of memories that I will never forget...thanks old girl, I know you will serve someone else just as well!!
We Remember

Monday, September 8, 2008
A Ride in Rocket
Angelica kept telling me she wanted to ride in Rocket....which is this from her favorite cartoon, The Little Einsteins.
I was puzzled for awhile, until she started saying to put her car seat in it. However, what we came to figure out is she wanted to ride in Jason's car....which she has named Rocket and had lots of fun riding in it today and patting to get it to go, just like they do on the show. So cute!! Now, ALL she wants to do is RIDE in rocket (car)....which since the van is broken right now (read post below)...is her lucky day!
Prayers Please
Well, as many of you know, Jason had started his new job at Boeing a few weeks ago and has really been enjoying it...well...that was until the union he is mandated to be a part of decided to go on strike. So today he was not able to report to work but instead had to go sign up for picket times. This apparently happens every three years when the union contract is negotiated (I guess the bright spot there is that it is only every 3 years). But..for a young family trying to make ends meet when prices are up and now we are not even able to go to work...let's just say it is another trial or cross we are trying to carry and praying for the strength to get through it. So we are praying for a SHORT strike and hopefully the new contract will be worth it. I am not sure if there is a patron saint for union strikes but if there is....let me know!! I am definitely praying to Saint Joseph for the work to start back up. But, you know when it rains it pours....and yesterday on our way to go watch my sis play soccer (of course it was the closest game of the year) the car broke down. My hubby was able to get us home but not only did we miss the game (Angelica cried the whole way home saying she wanted to see Aunt Caitlin play soccer), but then we got frustrated wondering how we could handle car problems now too!! After riding 25 miles on his bike today to the union office and back, Jason went around figuring out the car issue (again if you missed this post, I am lucky he is so mechanic savvy). Tomorrow he hopes to fix the transmission leak problem (I know...real technical..sorry hon) for $40-50 by himself instead of $500...but it might take all morning. So, any patron saint of car problems too? Maybe the strike was intended to happen right now so he can resolve my car issue and then miraculously tomorrow night it will end?? I am just looking for the positive perks to this situation. If you can add us to the prayer list, we would greatly appreciate it and will keep you posted!
Menu Plan Monday
Tuesday: Farmer's Pork Chops, Green Beans and Corn
Wednesday: Hamburger Chop Suey over rice, Spoon Bread
Thursday: Orange Chicken Stir Fry over Rice, Homegrown cucumber/tomato salad
Friday: Homemade Macaroni & Cheese, Italian Salad of homegrown cucumbers, homegrown tomatoes, feta cheese and Italian dressing
Saturday: Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Leftover Italian Salad
Sunday: Dinner with Family TBD
(new recipes for me in RED, will leave comment about it here after we try it and update menu if we added or changed anythign worth sharing!)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Good Friends
It was so nice to see Stephers....a great friend of mine from college days. She and her boyfriend Josh were here for her brother's wedding this weekend. Steph is one of those friends that no matter how long it is between talking to each other, it always feels like we can just pick up from old times so easily. I love her so much and was so glad we could finally meet Josh and that she could meet the girls. She is hoping to be in this area for a bit doing the travel nurse thing, so I hope that works out and we can see a lot more of you!! Miss you already friend!
Couldn't resist...
Saturday Sodas
On Saturdays I usually make my hubby and I lattes and Angel is always wanting her OWN drink. So, today I made her a raspberry Italian soda....and she thought she was in heaven drinking it from a big girl cup at the big girl table, with a straw and of course some whip cream!! Little treats make the day!
A Mommy in Training
Angel has recently really started to love her baby dolls. She loves to "keep them warm" which they usually need because she doesn't like keeping their clothes off. She loves to put blankets on them, burp them, pat their backs...all the things she sees Mama do with Emma. Including today...she told me she needed to give her baby yum-yums (which in this house is what we call nursing)...luckily that thought passed quickly...oh boy!! But, last night she told me she needed to put Sally to sleep and laid down on the couch with her...so sweet! (thanks Grays for that Sally doll!)
Dresses and Hats
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Loved it!!
While I loved many aspects of Sarah Palin's speech last night (including her poise, integrity, confidence, humor, cracks and lines she made to her opponents etc), one of the cutest and uncensored moments was of her daughter Piper holding and grooming her little brother Trig....so sweet!! Watch it here!
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