Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Boeing Update
Well, Monday night we did not receive great news about Jason's job status due to the union strike and Boeing. Apparently, they met for the first time to discuss many issues...and before they even got the ones that the strike started over (wages, labor, benefits etc) they came to a standstill over another issue. Fuzzy on all the details, but Boeing is wanting to contract out some jobs and the union doesn't want its members to lose their jobs....so they left the tables with no resolutions and no idea when they would come back for discussions. So.....with no end in sight....the strike goes on....and we try to make decisions day to day as what is best to do. The one quote I keep trying to focus on is by Mother Teresa: "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Happy Birthday Joanie
Today is a good friend (more like a member of the family) birthday. I hate being so far away from you Joanie and hope we can see each other again soon. I hope your day was a good one and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers....you deserve a wonderful year ahead. We love and miss you!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Prayers Today and Thanksgiving
Prayers today are being said for my mother-in-law as she has her first chemo treatment. I will keep you posted on how she does through this tough time and again thanks for the prayers and support during this time.
Today I have also once again been shown the kindness, love and blessings of friendship. We found two bags on our doorstep this morning filled with thoughtful tokens of kindness and help for us during this tough time we have been having due to the strike issue. We were so surprised and thankful and it really struck a chord. I have been thinking all day about friendship and kindness and truly living the Gospel. We are very blessed to have such wonderful family members that help take care of us when we need it and are a huge support system. But, we are even more blessed to have such wonderful friends that support us and help us through the good and the hard times. This whole experience has made me so humble and thankful and trusting in truly God's plan to get us through each and every day. The material things may come and go, but true friendship and love remain and will get us through the darkest of times. I only hope that I am as good of a friend as all of you have been to us. I hope that one day we will have the opportunity to follow this loving example and help someone else when they are in need. So thanks again for the goodies, the help, and most of all the prayers and offerings you are doing on our behalf!!
Today I have also once again been shown the kindness, love and blessings of friendship. We found two bags on our doorstep this morning filled with thoughtful tokens of kindness and help for us during this tough time we have been having due to the strike issue. We were so surprised and thankful and it really struck a chord. I have been thinking all day about friendship and kindness and truly living the Gospel. We are very blessed to have such wonderful family members that help take care of us when we need it and are a huge support system. But, we are even more blessed to have such wonderful friends that support us and help us through the good and the hard times. This whole experience has made me so humble and thankful and trusting in truly God's plan to get us through each and every day. The material things may come and go, but true friendship and love remain and will get us through the darkest of times. I only hope that I am as good of a friend as all of you have been to us. I hope that one day we will have the opportunity to follow this loving example and help someone else when they are in need. So thanks again for the goodies, the help, and most of all the prayers and offerings you are doing on our behalf!!
Yummers
Last night I made some homemade applesauce from apples my mom had given me. She had made some earlier in the week and it was so good!! We loved eating it while it was still warm too...and it looks so pretty. The recipe was easy (thanks mom)..core apples and cut into pieces. Then put in a pot with about 1-2 cups water and boil until very soft. I boiled with a cinnamon stick in water. Then take stick out, and blend apples in blender until smooth and no skin pieces remain. It turns a pretty pink color. Then add about 1 cup sugar, couple teaspoons of cinnamon and fresh grated nutmeg to taste. IT IS SO GOOD.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Emma chatter
Well, Emma was chatting away the other day and of course when I get the camera on her....she stops!! But here is a bit for your amusement!! Sorry Meme....one day I will get her saying all her words.....
MOM...I am too big!
I am loaning my baby sling to my sister and decided to show her how to use it with Emma. Well....let's just say that a 20 pound baby does not fit in them and Emma was not too sure what was going on. She did like me swinging her in it, although my shoulder didn't.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Memorial
On Monday, we went to the Bremerton Boardwalk to attend the Memorial Service for the Unborn. It was a very cold and rainy night...but with the girls all bundled up and with our umbrellas ready we still went. It is always powerful to attend these events with little ones and to see so many children there. Angelica was very excited to bring the baby shoes to give to the babies. Unfortunately I think the bad weather kept a lot of people at home, so I only hope that next year it won't rain!
Ready to Ride
Jason loves all his new bike gear he got for his birthday, especially the weather gear for this time of year.
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!
Today is Jason's 29th Birthday!!! We love you so much Jason and thank you for all the love, time and hard work you do to support and take care of our family. Can't believe you are almost 30!!! (I can tease you about that for a few months at least!) We hope you had a good birthday even though this year has been a tough one, I pray that God will bless you with a wonderful year ahead and continued health and happiness. We love you...as Angel says....bunches and bunches...up to the moon and back!! (Jason is a cheesecake man....so every year since we have been married I have made him a different cheesecake that he picks out. This year, it was a huge winner...click on picture to get the recipe for the Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake...and enjoy!!)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
"Get me out of here!"
Angel was climbing on some tubs I had under the dining room table today and got stuck. She couldn't figure out how to get herself down....I was cracking up because she got my attention by yelling "Mama....get me out of here!"
Mama's cookie helper
Angel loves "helping" me in the kitchen and yesterday helped make some cookies. Her favorite part....licking the beaters!
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
Last night we had a long talk with my mother-in-law, Mary Hartsell. Many of you have been praying for her through her battle and surgery, test, etc with breast cancer. We were really hoping the good news would continue....she was told they got all of the tumor and her lymph nodes were clear!! So the plan was to start radiation and be done with it! Well, unfortunately while the cancer is estrogen positive, she is also HER2/neu positive (an oncogene overexpression that could cause more severe breast cancer in other area of the body later if not treated for now. For a better description of HER2 status, click HERE and for a brief explanation on it and the medicine treatment Herceptin, click HERE.) So, to make this short and sweet....here is the plan that we are looking at. She will have a port put in under the skin by her collar bone probably the first week of October. Then on October 13th, start chemotherapy....it looks like they will do the two most powerful chemo drugs first. Two rounds in October and two in November. Then in December the plan is to do the less intense chemo and start the Herceptin treatment every week for 12 weeks. So by the end of February she hopes to be done with the chemo. March she will continue the Herceptin and most likely have to continue until December of next year. Then in April she will start radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks. WHEW. So.....we will keep you posted on how she does, but I really hope everyone can add her and the family to your prayer list. She is a very strong lady and I know she can get through this. I hope that all of our prayers will help her get through each day, one at a time knowing that she is loved and prayed for. It is so hard for Jason and I to be so far away, especially in times like these. Mom, we wish we could come over and have the girls make you laugh.....I wish I could make you a cup of tea and play some cards to get your mind clear, I wish I could come over and make you some meals and clean the house.....but we hope you know that we love you so much and we will help you get through this any way we can!! Saint Peregrine and Saint Agatha, pray for her.
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
The girls look so cute in yes...their Hanna Andersson PJs (thanks Aunty Megs)...it is nice that Emma can wear all the beautiful clothes Angel got!
Missing you Sophie
My friend Sophie has just recently moved to CT and we miss her a lot. We are grateful that she has made several trips back so they we could visit some. Sophie, this outfit still fits Angel and SHE LOVES THE HAT AND SWEATER. Couldn't get them off of her!! We think of you whenever she wears it!
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....
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