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

Hard to believe that seven years has passed by since September 11th and the attack on the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania. Hard to think that my girls weren't born and I wasn't even married. I think September 11th is one of those days that everyone will remember "where they were when IT happened". I do...I was at Maryville College in TN and just walking into my first class for the day, Comparative Vertebrate Zoology with Dr. Cash. A friend of mine walked into the room and asked if we had heard about the plane crashing into a New York building. A couple people said "ya, a little" but most of us said no. The professor started teaching and I remember in the back of my mind thinking, gosh...I hope it wasn't a bad plane crash! Slowly the noise in the halls outside the doors started to get our attention. When we opened them we saw people standing around crying, people glued to radios and TVs and lots of confusion. I remember racing over to my apartment (the campus was eerily empty since everyone was inside by a TV) and tuning it on to catch up on all the news. My stomach ached, my heart ached and I think my emotions were stunned and in disbelief. I remember feeling so scared, so alone and just wanting to be home in WA with my family and loved ones. I called all day to Jason, then my fiance, who was stationed at a base there right outside the city and not hearing ANYTHING from him for HOURS. I was so relieved when I knew he was ok and spent the rest of the day numb and with close friends and calling home a lot!! I thank God for the safety of my loved ones, I pray for those that are still mourning the loss of theirs, and I feel so grateful and blessed to be part of a great nation where we have brave men and women in uniform to protect this freedom we get to enjoy everyday. We will never forget...

Messes Coming!!

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

Monday: Chicken Patty Sandwiches, Applesauce, Waffle Fries & Green Salad
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!)

Baby Gate Time

I can't believe we are at this stage with Emma already...:(

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!

Big Girl Bike

Learning to ride...now that her feet can touch the pedals!!

Couldn't resist...

... I know, a bit cheesy but those big baby bums just make me laugh! I think her expression fits the question too!

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

Aunty Megs has spoiled them again with new Fall Sweater Hanna Andersson dresses and Angel's favorite...hats! So cute!

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!

Babies Can Sleep Anywhere

...even with their faces pressed against their crib with their arms hanging out...in a squatting position!! This is how Emma decided to finally fall asleep after we let her cry it out some. I guess she just got too tired yelling and decided to close her eyes for awhile...we will see how long it lasts. I was able to move her back to a more comfortable sleeping position. She has still not been sleeping in her own bed at nights and I am trying to get her used to it...wish us luck! Not that I mind the cuddle time...but she is a mover during the night and I think is waking up to nurse out of habit and comfort now more than the need to eat. I think the teething has been making her not sleep as well either....but because she is so active and mobile now, I would like to not have to worry about her rolling or crawling off the bed if she wakes up! Angel was in her crib for the most part by 6 months so Emma has been spoiled a little longer...I think because I have found it much easier to just sleep and nurse than go to the room and such...we shall see how it goes! We took video, but unfortunately it is coming across to dark....

Me too!

I was trying to get a picture of Emma's little tooth that finally broke through the gums....and then Angel wanted to have a picture of her teeth taken too! Then we have been having Emma practice walking behind the toy truck and after we video taped Emma doing it...you will see that Angel has to show us how she can do it too and then takes off on it! So silly...does not want to share the spotlight very much lately.

Soccer Shots

This past weekend we enjoyed being able to watch Caitlin play soccer. She had a game Saturday and Sunday (the ESC tournament) and both of them were in Olympia so we could easily drive there. Saturday they played Carroll College and won 5-1. Sunday they played Rocky Mountain College and won 3-1. Other than some injuries (including Caitlin getting kicked hard in the head!), they played really well. Angelica is definitely the little cheerleader this year and kept the crowd entertained!! If anyone would like to see a game, they will be playing in Tacoma this coming Sunday at University of Puget Sound at 12 pm. The girls had a good time, but were exhausted Sunday on the drive home...and yes Angel fell asleep with her socks on her hands...(we also stopped at the Olympia Farmers Market on Sunday and it was REALLY neat. We must go back when we have more time and the Harbor Festival isn't going on!) This first pic must have been a bad call...we all look too serious and not so happy!

Missing Mamasan

Hard to believe that three years have gone by since Mamasan passed away. It is really neat that Angelica can recognize her in pictures and knows the stories about her even though she never got a chance to meet her. I think of her so much and there are so many things I miss:

-the smell of her English Muffin Bread

-those great back rubs up and down the spine

-her great laugh and sense of humor

-the attention she would give you and advice she would share

-the ever so personal and thoughtful gifts

-the way she made everything seem it would all be ok

and a million other things I could mention here. I found the slide show I did before I thought it appropriate to share again. We miss and love you Mamasan.

Hanna Jumpers

Exciting Times

Today, I think I was shocked and then excited and very impressed with McCain's VP candidate.....Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. You can watch his announcement and her acceptance speech, HERE. I was impressed with her a few months ago, when I read this account and story of her decision regarding her last pregnancy and the courage it took to remain pro-life and stand up for the unborn....now a beautiful little boy. She seems like a very grounded, solid, strong, determined and courageous woman...and I look forward to learning more about her and her politics during the next 67 days before the election. McCain-Palin '08 ...an unexpected ticket...but a good choice...in my opinion.

Cutest Elephant Ever

Emma's Stats

Yesterday, Emma had her nine month check up. She weighed in at 20 pounds (75%)(same as Angel was at this age) and is 28 inches long (75%). Her head is still 97% at 47.8 cm....most be all those smart brains in there!! This was her first appointment with the doctor since I switched to this pediatrician, and it was very refreshing. She took the time to discuss certain issues with me such as vaccinations and we worked out a plan together. She is very good with the kids and answered my questions, concerns and attentively listened to me. I was also very excited that the brands I wanted for vaccinations....they had! So all around it was a successful and refreshing visit. If anyone needs a good pediatrician in our area, let me know....so far I highly recommend her. Emma got her finger pricked for a blood count (of which she later sucked off the band-aid and got blood everywhere.....so remember to request the heel prick over the finger!)...and one shot....which she didn't even fuss about yesterday at all....such a HUGE difference from the last time! And the other big news.....her first tooth has broken through the gums!!! (that explains the biting while nursing lately and the fussy nights while sleeping) Where has our little baby gone?? Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but she has added yet another big bruise around her eye....her crawling and standing war wounds!

Zucchini

We have been harvesting LOTS of zucchini from our garden. So I spent the last couple of days making up lots of batches of Curried Zucchini Soup and Chocolate Zucchini Bread, all of which I will freeze so that we can enjoy over the next several months. I am also just going to slice and grate zucchini in the quantities I need to be able to grab from the freezer when I want to make quiche and soups etc. Nothing like enjoying the fruits of the garden throughout the winter!! (I also updated the menu from Monday to include the ravioli recipe)

New Hanna Attire

Yesterday the exciting Hanna boxes arrived. Angel loves opening her presents and trying on her new clothes. Aunty Megs spoils them and definitely keeps them in style! Here is a video just for you Megs of Angel opening the box although I missed the initial excitement and her carrying it around the house until I opened it....then she plays shy when she sees the camera on. oh well...and after I stopped she stood up and asked..."where are the hats?" Another Hanna package came with some darling dresses and hats, but will post pics of those later when we get the exchanged sizes back. Thanks so much, they are adorable!

Teaching Emma how to make soup

Congratulations for Twenty Years

Today my in-laws, Larry and Mary Hartsell, or Grammy and Grandpa...celebrate twenty years of marriage. Congratulations you guys....hope you can celebrate in a special way! Your example of love and commitment is a blessing to be a witness of and we can only pray to reach such a milestone one day ourselves. We miss and love you lots!!