Happy Birthday, Friend!

~Just taking a break from the FLU to give a shout out to my BFF!~




I truly believe God only gives you a few kindred spirits in life. LL is one of them.

From the moment we stood on her driveway and discovered we were both Alias fans, to sharing recipes, to blogging together, to lunches at Panera. To long distance phone calls and smoke signal telegrams, she's been there for me. We've shared hospital visits, new babies and lots of chocolate. We've rescued each other from many overwhelming moments. And "Oh My Heavens" that husband of hers makes me laugh!

Even though I miss the BSF days and seeing her every Sunday at church, God has blessed us with the kind of friendship that lasts - even over the miles.

Happy Birthday, Sydney Stewart, from your friend, Martha Bristow. I'm so grateful for you!

(And I've even changed this picture to my preenclamptic swollen and bloated self -YOU look great, though! - because you like it better. After all, it's YOUR BIRTHDAY!)

He was right, as usual. . .

We survived the day today. Barely.

Coach had a meeting so he called to check in about 4. Said I should go to the urgent care.

I fought it, but truth is, he's the boss around here. I promised I'd go.

You wouldn't believe my amazing kids. Handled dinner, dishes, and cleaning up the house. All on their own. Even folded the laundry.

I should be sick more often. Kidding.

Actually, turns out I have the flu.

So in spite of the pain of paying for the Tami-Flu, I'm grateful for it. And for a husband who makes me go to the doctor.

And I'm praying that I haven't given it to all eight kids and the Coach in the meantime.

Thank you for your prayers.

And good night.

Need. To. Sleep.

I went to bed at 8 o'clock last night.
8 o'clock.
And after doing my morning routine today (laundry, dishes, baby fed and changed, etc.), it was 11. As in lunch time.
Hmmm.
Not feeling so good. Can't seem to stay awake, or move quickly. And there is this horrible pain in my neck, shoulders, head. . .
Promised the Coach I'd rest today. Hard to do when it takes four hours to clean up breakfast.
The girls are doing great, though. Daughter (#6) fixed Baby Boy his 11 o'clock bottle for me. And fed it to him.
And they (almost 5 and 3 1/2) are making their own lunch. If you can call three yogurts lunch. Oh and a leftover pancake. Works for me.
I'm going back to the couch.
At some point here, the three glasses of water, extra vitamins, Advil, Mucinex, Sudafed and half plate of brownies will have to kick in.
I jest. There were only four or five brownies left.
Antioxidants, I tell you.
Until then, I'm down for the count.
If you need anything, I'll be on the couch watching old Disney movies with my girls.
Hopefully they can get something together for dinner for the other five, since the Coach has a meeting tonight.
No, by then I'll be back to normal, I'm sure.
It may take another pan of brownies, but I'll make it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the. . .

So, we are in the car coming home from school on Wednesday.

And Son (#1) - he sits in the front with me - said, "I'm running for Stuco."
"Great," I said. "What office?"
"President," he said.
"Great," I said. "How long do you have to campaign?"
"We vote tomorrow," he said.

Nothing like telling me at the last minute!

He then proceeded to explain (if less than 10 words can explain anything) that he won't win, so-and-so has all of the votes, but that's OK. He just ran for fun and it would be OK if he just got VP or some other office.

I'm so proud.

Fast forward to yesterday, on my way to school, Granddad called from Mexico.

(No, my parents don't live in Mexico, they just go there often.
Like this week.
When it's freezing cold here.
So that my mom can call and say, "I really wish I'd brought more clothes for hot weather.")

And Granddad proceeded to tell me that he was so proud of Son (#1).

"Yeah, me too," I said. "That science project was a challenge. And a B+ with a Second Place ribbon was awesome."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said, "I thought you already knew he was elected 7th grade class president today."

Turns out my father-in-law (who teaches Son's government class) called my dad to give him the news.

The story goes that the two other candidates got up for their speeches and promised longer recess, shorter school days, longer lunch period, etc. And my son got up there and said he couldn't promise any of that, because the class president doesn't have the authority to change any of those things. But that he was grateful to be part of this 6th grade class and he would be honored to represent it next year as a 7th grader. Then he sat down.

And he won.

I'm so proud.

Proud of him for his leadership in his class, for his honestly, integrity, for his humility.

He's quite a kid.

And maybe next time I won't have to hear about it from Mexico!

Shallow Waters

It's Thursday!

I'm saying that for my own benefit. Never sure quite what day it is until FRIDAY. And I wouldn't know that today is Thursday if I hadn't been reading some other Thankful Thursday posts. If you are looking for deep thoughts about what I am grateful for - you need to look elsewhere. None of that here today, Folks. However there is. . .

1. WARMTH. I am extremely tired of winter. But I'm so thankful that our house is warm inside on cold days like today. Some of my children would try to tell you that it's not warm in here, but that's because they run around in shorts and bare feet.

2. Reliable transportation. Although I really enjoyed NOT having a car on Monday (while the Coach's was in the shop), because he brought the kids home, I really am glad I can go out, start the car, and drive where I need to without worry. We even have a couple of extra seats if you want to come with us! Warning - it's a bit noisy in our car. I mean van. Or bus.

2. That Baby Boy's first top tooth is ALMOST through. Whew. His new "skill" is crawling behind me all day and whining. It's so sweet. Ha.

3. That Son (#1) got a B+ on his very first Science Fair project. I didn't really care what he got - it's over - but I'll take the B any day.

4. This really should have been at the top - A NEW NIECE! The Coach's baby sister (she's not really a baby, mind you, but you know what I mean) had a tiny baby girl yesterday morning. 5 pounds, 8 ounces (exactly the same size as our son #1). Their second child. We are so happy for them and she's a doll.

5. SPRING BREAK IS THREE WEEKS AWAY. Enough said.

6. PRECIOUS FAMILY WHOM I MISS GREATLY FROM CALIFORNIA IS COMING FOR SPRING BREAK. I'm excited.

7. OH. I almost forgot. Up there with #2 has to be that we had the money to get the Coach's car fixed. Thank you, Lord! (although I'm still open to being "carless" if it means I can stay home all of the time)

8. That Granddad bought 10 chocolate bars from the kids - that's 10 less for me to eat!



Well, Baby Boy found me. Not sure I can concentrate well (was I?) with him sitting here fussing. Too bad I don't know how to record it for you - I'd love to share.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you're thankful for today! And don't worry, it can be something deep. I can handle it. I've got chocolate on hand.

Got Milk?

So I was reading over at Crazy Daisy today, and she told the funniest story about being frugal.

And it reminded me. . .

Several years ago, at the breakfast table, one of the kids thought the top of the milk jug looked just right for poking frosted mini-wheats in. So they did. LOTS OF THEM.

When I realized what had happened, I was ready to pour it down the drain. Have you SEEN soggy mini-wheats? And I will admit, frugal is NOT part of my natural make up. Although I've learned a few things over the years!

Well, the Coach was horrified that I would pour out that much milk. What a waste! So we found a strainer, and strained the cereal out and put the milk back in the jug.

Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

The best part of all, is that when we were telling my mother-in-law (who raised ten children - and did an amazing job, by the way) the story, she told us that she used to save the left over milk from the cereal BOWLS after the kids were done and use it in her cooking.

Double Ugh.

But to be honest, I need more of that frugal attitude most of the time.

Maybe not with milk, though.

I'm a great mom. . .NOT!

Baby boy fell out of his highchair this morning. Yes, he's fine. Apparently landed on all fours, like a cat. No big bumps or bruises. Have a told you how he's an ESCAPE ARTIST with that high chair? No amount of buckling or belting keeps him in. The only solution I have, at this point, is to sit on his right and hold his right foot with my left hand. Which would really be no big deal if I didn't have SEVEN OTHER CHILDREN to supervise at meal times. Truthfully, the Coach takes over at dinner - which is a nice break.

I had just stepped out of the dining room for a second to say good-bye to the girls who were headed to BSF with Grandmother. Right about the time I waved, I heard him crying and immediately knew what had happened. Apparently, not even fruit loops (yes, I know, GOOD MOM) are enough to keep him occupied. He is DETERMINED to not be restrained.

And life goes on. . .

My two oldest are selling chocolate bars to raise money for their 6th grade Washington DC trips (son's is this year, daughter's in next). I'd be happy to hand deliver any that you would be willing to purchase. Yes, even if you live in Georgia! Because I CAN'T STOP eating them. It would be easier on my hips to just give them the money and leave the candy at school.

We got a new picture of "Champ" (the dog - remember?) yesterday. Here he is. And no, I don't know which one he is. We made the huge effort of picking him out week before last and all the while I was thinking, "As IF we will be able to tell the difference!". Hee hee.

They really are pretty cute!

And because I love all of my readers SO much - and you put up with all of my various ramblings - here is the recipe for what we had for dinner last night.

When the Coach says, "Good lasagna, Sweetie." I know I've done well. He's a man of few words. And this is SO easy to make! (Truthfully, everything I make is easy.)

Easy Lasagna
9 Oven Ready Lasagna noodles
1 Large Jar of Prego Traditional Spaghetti Sauce
1 lb of Browned Ground Beef
1 Large Tub of Lowfat Cottage Cheese
1/2 C Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Egg
1 T Parsley
Several Cups of Grated Mozarella Cheese

First mix the sauce and ground beef. In a separate bowl, mix the cottage cheese, egg, parmesan and parsley. In a deep 9x13 pan, layer sauce, noodles, cottage cheese mixture and mozarella. Make three layers, top with sauce and more mozarella. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hr. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes at 450. Let stand 10-15 minutes.

Happy Tuesday, All!