Blogging Break

I will be taking a short blogging break for the next week or so. Work life has become very busy and honestly, life will be so hectic from now until May 2 that I won't have time to blog. Besides, no one really wants to hear about my days (which will look something like get up, work out, travel/work, home, bed). So I'll leave you with a pretty picture of a sure sign of spring in Small Town USA and I will see you all in May!

**I will be continuing to update Morgan's blog since we will be doing some fun things with her over the next 10 days!**

PNC Park

Yesterday was our first baseball game at PNC park to see our beloved Pittsburgh Pirates (yes, we are fans even though they haven't had a winning season in somethingl like 18 years). We started the game with a 1 hour rain delay, while torrential rain pounded the field.

But once the rain stopped the weather was really nice and we saw a good game.

The Pirates nearly blew the win, but with a walk off RBI the Pirates are sitting at 0.500. We will be going to 4 more games this season and we are looking forward to more nachos, shooting hotdogs, and family time with Aunt Pattie. :)

The Most Beautiful Bouquet

Is a handful of dandelions lovingly picked by your child.

Easter

We had such a wonderful Easter weekend, spending time with the Tenney family and remembering and celebrating the reason for Easter. Our Lord is risen (just ask my three year old) and because of that we will live eternally with him after our time on Earth. Thank you Jesus.


Here are a few pictures from the weekend. All the rest have been uploaded to Shutterfly. If you need the password, let me know. You can also check Morgan's new website for more pictures of the weekend.

Beauty

The beauty of God is seen in every sunrise (or sunset as is the case here).

Not Me! Monday

So it's been a while since I participated in Not Me! Monday, and I thought that I could probably deny a few good things that have happened over the past month. Here we go!

I did NOT wake up scared half to death last night because I thought I heard a prowler while in deep sleep. In NOT doing that, I most certainly did NOT scream when my three-year old came into the pitch black room and whispered my name. I then did NOT allow her to get in bed with me because she said she was scared, and of course I was NOT scared, so thinking that at least she'd be near me was NOT going through my head while I did NOT wonder when Patrick would be getting home.

I did NOT silently do a happy dance in my head after my daughter told me, "Mom, you're a genius!".

I did NOT shut my door at work, turn off the lights, and stream the WVU basketball game on my work computer while my feet were up on my desk and my eyes were closed. I am always swamped at work so I never have time to put my feet up on my desk! Nope, not me!

I also did NOT tell my husband that all I wanted for Mother's Day was a Shark Steam mop. I always desire cute baubles and would never ask for a cleaning device for a present. And I certainly will NOT tell him that if he doesn't want to get the steam mop that I would really like my car to be detailed instead. HA! NOT ME!

And finally....

I did NOT hide a box of Samoas in the freezer and certainly did NOT eat the entire box in the course of 24 hours. I am trying to lose weight, by golly, and I would never sabotage myself like that.

If you are interested in not admitting to things you definitely did not do the past few days/weeks/months, please visit MckMama's blog for all the rules. And have fun!

Friday's Fab Five

A few of the blogs that I read participate in a blog-carnival called Fab 5 Fridays. In the spirit of the upcoming weekend, I thought I'd participate this week and give you a list of 5 of my favorite things this Friday. So, without further ado...

1) Shiatzu Massaging Chair Pad

This chair pad has been a god-send for me. Patrick likes to call it my torture device because he doesn't enjoy the massage, but for my fibromyalgia, when my back is hurting really bad, I can sit on the pad and get a constant massage, which I can either do my entire back or choose my own spots for the massaging balls to hit. This model also has a heat element, which makes this chair pad even better! There are MANY days that I would not be able to move without this chair pad.

2) Shamrock Shakes

Well, since this week was St. Patrick's day, I need to give a shout out to my favorite McDonald's LOVE. I am cannot stomach much food at this restaurant anymore (and I think that's a good thing), but once these little beauties come out I am like a moth to a flame! :) I love the minty goodness of a Shamrock Shake! I even heard you can get your friendly McDonald's worker to give you half Shamrock, half chocolate! YUMMY!

3) DVR

For years I have balked at the idea of having DVR. I said, who needs it? Well little did I know how much this service would change my life! I LOVE DVR. Being able to record a show when Morgan is having a bad night and requires more snuggle time, or when I am going to be out of town is just great. The best part? Fast forwarding through commercials! Second best? Rewinding live shows to catch that last comment Gibbs made to McGee that you missed because your three year old was in your face yelling about the dog eating her piece of cheese. Oh DVR, how did I ever live without you?

4) The Children's Place

This is my all time favorite store to shop in for Morgan. They have good quality clothes and run awesome sales! I rarely pay more than $3.99 for anything I buy in the store. I have found that it is the least expensive option for good quality, really cute clothes that hold up through multiple washings and romps in the mud, and don't shrink.

5) Books on CD

Having books on CD is really the only way I get to "read" anymore. I spend a lot of time in the car traveling, especially coming into my busy travel time (spring/early summer). Books make the time go by really fast and I enjoy listening to the actors read. I just finished the book shown above, and if you like police mysteries, this is a MUST read (or listen in my case).

These Irish Eyes.....

Are Smiling...

Or Not...

Well Maybe...

A Wonderful Surprise

Today, when I arrived at work, I found this...

Compliments of my wonderful friends, Karen, Sheri, Val, and Felicity (who undoubtedly let them in to my office!). You gals sure are great! I really appreciate it as I begin my 31st year.

And thank you to all who have sent birthday wishes. I feel so blessed to have people to remember my special day.

Disturbing...

Should we be worried about this?

A great recipe website!

If you haven't checked them out in my sidebar yet, head on over to The Cooks Next Door. My good bloggy friend Alaina and her friend Heather started this website with lots of great recipes, cookbook reviews, and themed weeks. This week it's Irish week with the Cooks, and there is a great recipe for an Irish Tea Cake that I will definitely will be trying!

If you remember this post, Alaina made all those wonderful cookies (and boy were they delicious!). All of her dishes that she blogs about sound wonderful! If you are wondering, she DID rasie enough money for her mission trip. Thanks to any of you who helped her out!

So head on over to the Cooks website....you may end up winning a giveaway!

30 each

Today is my brother's 30th birthday. Today we start one week that, on paper, we are the same age. Next week I will turn 31. Being a mother, I now look at my mom and say, what on earth were you all thinking! :) But that's beside the point...

When we were younger my brother would always say I couldn't boss him around for this week since we are technically the same age. Being the older sister, I always reminded him that I will be older next week and I am still the oldest in the family so he HAD to listen to me. Because, of course, I was the boss of him (or so I thought).

In honor of his big 30th day, I promise not to boss him around. Just for today. Because, you know, I am older.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BROTHER!

*Coincidentally, today is also the day that Patrick and I started dating, TWELVE years ago. Happy Anniversary Patrick. I love you!*

The Decline of the American Family

In the past decade, there has been a severe decline in the American family. Manners and courtesy have disappeared. Respect for those older and wiser has turn into distain. Selfishness and arrogance have replaced a giving spirit and humbleness. Everyone always wonders aloud how this happened, but no one is willing to look at their own families to see if the problem has taken root.

I had the unfortunate opportunity to witness a family of six exhibit many of the above mentioned characteristics. This family sits in front of us at the basketball games. There have been a few games where some of the members were missing, but for the most part, the parents, 3 boys and 1 girl (the youngest...probably 6 or 7 judging by the missing top front teeth) usually are together. I've noticed off and on some of the behaviors, but on Monday had my full attention taken up by this family. Each time the father stood up, the children were demanding food from the consession stands. And I do mean demanding. I heard so many "I wants" I thought I was going to throw up. When the vendors came up to our section (about 5 rows from the top of the Coliseum, so we aren't anywhere close to the stairs) the children demanded more, and they got it. Not one "thank you" was uttered from any of the children's lips. The children completely ignored their mother. This was most evident in the little girl, who was sitting next to her mother, sucking her thumb. Her mother kept telling her to stop sucking her thumb but when the child would look at her and pop the thumb right back in her mouth, nothing was said. The oldest son (probably 13 or 14) and his father kept making rude/sexist comments about the cheerleaders which they yelled to each other down the entire row of their family. I tried really hard to pay attention to the game, but the entire 2 hours I sat there, I just kept thinking "This is the poster family for why American children and young adults are the way they are."

Now I fully admit that I may be making a very harsh judgement, having only witnessed this family for 2 hour blocks of time (where most of my time was focused on keeping my child in check). However, I find it hard to believe that their actions at the ball game would be any different if in another setting.

What has happened in this country that has caused such a decline in the American family? Where did the breakdown occur? Am I being judgemental? Yes. Am I being too critical? I would argue no to that. Is a family that requires manners to be used and respect to be given a minority? I hope not, but I fear that is true. Patrick and I try so hard to model the behavior we want Morgan to do. We stress manners, respect, and strive to show appreciation in everything we do. Is that weird? Admittedly we fall short, not always using manners, but we are only human. I have even had some family members think it weird that I write thank you notes for every gift we receive. That's just the way we did things in my house, and I feel it is important to take some time to thank a person for thinking so much about me that they took time (and sometimes money) to get me/make me a gift. And I want Morgan to be that way too. I want manners and respect to be the norm in our house. I want Morgan to grow up having "yes please, no thank you, and thank you very much" on her lips as an immediate, almost instinctive, reaction to life.

I would challenge the American family to look at themselves first to figure out why my generation and even more the generation that is following feels that they are entitled to everything the world provides. Sure, shoot for the stars, but don't think that you won't have to work to get there. And a please or thank you will open more doors than an I want. At least, I hope in the future that will remain true.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Everyone always asks where Morgan gets her hair...

Now you know :)

Tired

It's been a long week. It's snowing again. And I am tired. I don't know what has hapeened to me. Have you ever had a week where you can't really remember anything other than that whatever happened made you exhausted?

I know a lot of my mood has to do with the weather. It's snowing here for the millionth time this winter. Everyone is stir crazy. I would love to walk outside without a coat on. Morgan has more energy than 100 people, and I have been trying to corral her for weeks. And the weather is causing my fibromyalgia to act up terribly. I can tell when we are getting another weather change based on how bad my body hurts.

I've thought of lots of things to blog about over the past week, then when I went to write it figured that I was the only one who would want to read it! Work has been slow at times, frantic at others. That pace often makes me exhausted. On the plus side, two of my friends at work are expecting their first child (each) so we are starting to talk about all things baby! How fun.

I hope that the next few weeks bring more sunshine, more energy, and a lighter mood! How about you...is the weather or work bringing you down?

A Girl and her Slinky

One Funny Guy

Today I was introduced, via Jonah's EB Auction site , to Tim Hawkins. If you don't know him, you are missing out on a very hilarious comedian! Here are two of his songs that are great! Enjoy.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day dear friends! I hope your day has been filled with those you love most. Ours has been great! My day started with roses and donuts, lovingly retrieved early this morning by my Valentine, who is making this a tradition :) We enjoyed a little quiet time together before Morgan got up and we talked to my Dad. Morgan came out to find a slew of gifts on her table from her many admirers.

Morgan got lots of good things, including two Disney movies, 10 Little Golden books, and a giant stuffed dog! I surprised Patrick with a PlayStation 3. This is what he thought of it.

My present is the TV that he is playing his game on. After we opened up gifts, I took Morgan to the pool for some fun quality time, just mom and daughter. We had a blast!

We decided instead of waiting hours in line for a table at any restaurant in Morgantown that we would just eat in. I decided to make Patrick's favorite dinner, Spicy Pepper Penne Pasta. He surprised me by saying that HE wants to make it, with my watchful supervision. How nice!

Here's the recipe. Be careful, it can cause heartburn. I don't feed it to Morgan, but I reserve a little of the penne and cook it for her with either a pesto or red sauce.

Ingredients:

1 package (16 oz) penne or tube pasta
½ tsp. minced fresh rosemary or 1/8 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
2 packages (7 total ounces) sliced pepperoni, halved
½ cup sliced pepperoncinis*
7 oz (1 jar) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped
3 ½ cups boiling water
½ cup whipping cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1) In a large skillet, layer the pasta, rosemary, pepperoni, pepperoncinis and red peppers (in this order).
2) Add water, bring to a boil.
3) Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12 minutes or until pasta is tender (I simmer mine longer…about 20 minutes until there is almost no water left in the bottom of the skillet)
4) Whisk together cream and Parmesan cheese; pour over skillet mixture. Toss to coat.

*Look for pepperoncinis (pickled peppers) in the pickle and olive aisle in the grocery store.
**This dish can be pre-prepped. If you pre-slice the ingredients you can easily throw this together after work for dinner. If you don’t pre-prep, make this recipe on a weekend!

Prep Time: 30-45 minutes Bake Time: 30 minutes

They're Here!

Yesterday we came home to find this box on our doorstep:

This is a very special Duraflame box, for it did NOT contain lighter logs. Instead, it contained my Cookies for Kaz! They arrived in these simply and tastefully decorated boxes.

And inside contained a dozen delicious cookies, each individually wrapped, perfect for gift giving!

I ordered a dozen cookies for each of my family members.....peanut butter for my Valentine, sugar for my sweet princess, and white chocolate cranberry oatmeal for me. I will be taking them to work to share (since they were so nicely individually wrapped they are easy to share) so that I won't eat them all, but Morgan and I HAD to sample a few before I share.

Thanks a bunch Alaina! The cookies are absolutely divine. I hope you are able to meet your goal in time to go to Kaz.

Supporting some good causes

I don't know about you all, but lately I have been touched by the giving bug. Maybe it's the cold weather, or Valentine's Day, or I don't know what, but I've been in the mood to help out. Now, I'm not one to jump in and head up projects and I really HATE fund raising, but I am more than happy to help out some really good causes. So today I want to highlight 3 causes that I feel strongly about:


1) Morgan's daycare has been planning a Souper Bowl charity event for about a month. In fact, the event was supposed to be last Saturday (the day before the Super Bowl in case you aren't connecting the dots) but with the 26 inches of snow we got in Morgantown, the event was postponed until February 27th. The jist of the event is all of the kids got together and hand painted pottery bowls that are going up for silent auction. Tickets were sold for the event, which gave the ticket holder a pass for all you can eat soup, bread, and desserts. In addition to the bowls, there are other items that people can bid on. For this event I cross-stitched a baby blanket.



It took 75 hours over 6 weeks (I tell you this not for you to feel sorry for me, but just for reference) and I had the best time doing it! Not only does it tap into the ONE creative vein I have, but it keeps me busy in the evenings and keeps me from snacking all night long. This, and many other items will be auctioned off and 100% of the money raised will be split between our local homeless shelter and a group called Labor of Love (a house for pregnant women who have no where else to go. They can live in the house and participate in groups and activities from daily living skills, to caring for a newborn, to parent classes). The school is big into promoting a willingness to give in the kids, and as an added bonus it helps promote it in the kids' parents too :)



2) My very good bloggy friend, Alaina, has the greatest joy to be able to return to Kazakhstan, the country where they were adopted their two oldest, adorable boys. She is going with the group Two Hearts for Hope, a non-profit agency dedicated to helping the orphans in Kazakhstan. The 2 Hearts 2 Kaz Team 2010 will be going to Kazakhstan April 30-May 9. They hope to build a playground for the Children's Home, a local orphanage in Almaty City, and visit the blind children's home, and the special needs orphanage in Almaty. You can check out Alaina's story, donate to help her meet her travel goals, or order some cookies from an amazing cook to support this worthy mission.



3) A little boy who I have been following since he was born, Jonah Williams, has a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (or EB for short). People with this genetic disorder is characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation, resulting from minor mechanical friction or trauma. Little things, like a diaper with elastic in the legs cause huge, painful blisters. I'd encourage you to visit his website to see this cutie! This little guy will be one year old later this month, and his parents and their friends are hosting an online auction February 23-27. There are over 100 items to be auctioned off and all of the proceeds are going to DebRA, a non-profit organization devoted to finding a cure for EB. You can check out the link in my sidebar to his auction site and log on to get some great stuff at a great price for a great cause!