Flu

Well, I was looking for a way to cut down on my grocery bill but getting the stomach flu was not the solution I was looking for! Late Sunday night, the vomiting started...and it didn't stop until the next day! I just started eating soup and crackers last night. It was awful! I haven't had the flu since I was in college. This just knocked me out flat and brought me to my knees...I haven't bathed or seen the light of day for three days now. My husband is like, "Honey, shouldn't you take a bath now?" Normally, I'm the one who begs HIM to bathe! Thankfully on this New Year's Eve, I'm feeling 95% better. I'm grateful to finally sneak a kiss from my husband tonight and enjoy a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast this morning! Oh, the things we take for granted!
Note to self: GET THE FLU SHOT NEXT YEAR!!!
Happy New Year's everyone...here's to a HEALTHY and JOYOUS 2009! I can't wait to ring in the new year with all of you and look forward to getting back in the swing of things on Friday!

The Day After Christmas

Do your kids' rooms look like this? Laney sorted through the 30 Baby-Sitter-Club books we bought her for Christmas (I love garage sales!)...on top of dozens of toys and games they're trying to pack into their rooms...Jeff & I are simply overwhelmed at the sheer volume of presents the kids received in relation to the tiny sizes of their rooms. I had to take a breather and blog...or else I'd lose my mind! We asked the kids to clean out their rooms and get rid of their old toys to make room for their new ones...but of course, they want to keep everything. The problem is our house is very small and we don't even have a playroom...so if you have any ideas on how to make space when you don't have any, please let me know! I think the Salvation Army is getting a truckload of stuff from us tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!

Here's a picture of all the kids in my family--Max and Laney along with my most beautiful nieces! Even though Jeff & I live only 15 minutes from his parents' house, my husband wanted to spend the night in his childhood home and wake up with his Mom making breakfast. After opening presents and enjoying a yummy lunch, we played board game after board game. It was a dream day for my husband...the kids were thrilled with their gifts, and I enjoyed spending time with extended family. But I've gotta say, it was a tough day for me because I was so terribly homesick for my parents and siblings who are an ocean away. It's just not the same to connect by phone. But I realize to be with my husband means denying my dream of being with my family and soaking in the sun...I'm trying to make the most of it. My new goal is to create a New Year's resolution to find more joy in life to get out of the winter doldrums! Any ideas? Email me!

Christmas Cookies

Tonight Jeff and the kids made sugar cookies! Thanks to Mrs. Hill (Donovan's mom) who beautifully wrapped a sugar cookie mix with a Christmas tree cookie cutter and dishcloth, the kids had a blast baking! They love to get their hands grimy in a sugary, doughy mess that creates yummy concoctions. I would like to bake more if only I didn't have to clean up! It's a lot of fun for me to see my husband enjoy domestic activities!

Pork...and Marshmallows?

Max and I had a silly moment tonight...He was at the dinner table for literally 45 minutes refusing to eat his dinner. I made Kalua Pig, which is basically pork slow-cooked and smoked. Max doesn't eat pork, beef, chicken, or fish...but only likes baloney, pizza and mac & cheese. I was very sleep-deprived and exasperated so I exclaimed, "Let's see what it tastes like with marshmallows and chocolate chips!" His face lit up and yelled, "Yeah!" So...I spread some marshmallows and chocolate chips on his pork and he FINALLY ate a few bites. When his father returns from the store, he will surely hate me! Are your kids picky, too?