True Confessions

I LET POTTY TRAINING GET THE BEST OF ME YESTERDAY MORNING.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, OUR LITTLE LADY HAS TROUBLE GOING NUMBER TWO. WITHOUT GOING INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL, IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT, CONSISTENT AND EVER PRESENT CHALLENGE FOR HER SINCE AGE ONE. (I WILL STOP THERE AND SPARE YOU THE GRAPHIC DETAILS.)

AND, WHILE I'M THRILLED TO REPORT SUCCESS WITH GOING NUMBER ONE, SHE IS BOTH RESISTANT AND DETERMINED NOT TO GO NUMBER TWO ON THE TOILET. IN FACT, SHE IS DOWN RIGHT DETERMINED TO STOP THIS NATURAL BODILY PROCESS ALL TOGETHER.

I KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS STRUGGLE AND THAT MANY HAVE GONE BEFORE ME, BUT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF PAINFUL POTTY MOMENTS, WHICH INCLUDE FITS OF SCREAMING AND PLEADING, IT IS HARD TO SEE CLEARLY LET ALONE SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, OR DRAIN IN THIS CASE.

AFTER PUTTING MY SWEET ONES TO BED, I HAD A MOMENT TO SIT QUIETLY ON THE COUCH AND JUST BE ALONE WITH MY THOUGHTS. I PRAYED AND CLOSED MY EYES ONLY TO WAKE AN HOUR LATER FEELING REFRESHED AND FULL OF NEW IDEAS TO HELP ENCOURAGE OUR LITTLE LADY IN HER POTTY ENDEAVORS. (APPARENTLY, POTTY TRAINING IS NOT ONLY EXHAUSTING FOR TODDLERS, BUT PARENTS AS WELL.)

ONLY HOURS BEFORE I HAD FELT DEFEATED, WAS FRUSTRATED, AND WAS RUNNING LOW ON PATIENCE. AFTER REST, IT WAS I WHO HAD A NEW DETERMINATION. I WOULD NOT LET THE BOWELS OF A CHILD GET THE BEST OF ME. IT WAS IN THAT MOMENT THAT I REALIZED TWO THINGS. AS A MOTHER I HAVE (THE AWESOME) RESPONSIBILITY TO MOTHER OUR CHILDREN THROUGH EVERY SINGLE KIND OF SITUATION, EMOTION, EVENT, CHALLENGE, AND SUCCESS THEY WILL FACE. WHAT A CHALLENGE. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! WHAT A TREASURE. I NEED TO FACE POTTY TRAINING WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM AND ENERGY AS I WOULD PLANNING HER THIRD BIRTHDAY. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF OUR SWEET GIRL, BUT TWO THAT ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT. EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT, I WAS REMINDED THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PRESENT AND CARES FOR EVERY ONE OF OUR NEEDS. IN FACT, HE INVITES US TO CAST EACH AND EVERY CARE UPON HIM, AND THAT INCLUDES THE FRUSTRATIONS AND WORRIES THAT GO ALONG WITH PARENTING. WHAT A PROFOUND THOUGHT!

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may LIFT YOU UP in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he CARES for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the word are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself RESTORE you and make you STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 5:6-11 (emphasis mine)

LORD, PROMPT ME DAILY WITH THE REMINDER OF YOUR UNFAILING LOVE, COMPASSION, AND CARE.

*IF YOU ARE A PARENT OF A BACKED-UP TODDLER OR HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH PAINS, GIVE ME A SHOUT OUT OR SEND ME WORDS OF WISDOM. MUCHAS GRACIAS!

That's Amore!

THERE IS NOTHING SWEETER THAN SPENDING VALENTINE'S DAY WITH THE ONES THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EXTRA SWEET. IRONICALLY, THE 14TH WAS FILLED WITH MORE UNEXPECTED AND SOUR MOMENTS THAN SWEET IN OUR HOUSEHOLD.

HOWEVER, WHEN THOSE MOMENTS OCCUR WITH THE ONES I TREASURE MOST IN LIFE, I STILL FIND MYSELF SMILING AT THE END OF THE DAY.

LAST YEAR WE STARTED A VALENTINE'S TRADITION OF VENTURING TO BARNES AND NOBLE SO THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY COULD PICK OUT A NEW BOOK. JEFF AND I BOTH LOVE TO READ, AND BE STILL MY BEATING HEART, SO DO OUR CHILDREN. WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME IN THE CHILDREN'S SECTION, AS NO TRIP TO BARNES AND NOBLE WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A STOP AT THE TRAIN TABLE. IN ADDITION, CHARLOTTE CANNOT HELP BUT READ EVERY BOOK THAT IS WITHIN HER REACH. WE FINALLY PRESENTED HER WITH FIVE OPTIONS, AND AFTER SHE CAREFULLY PICKED EACH BOOK UP, TURNED IT OVER, AND REFLECTED UPON ITS TITLE, SHE FINALLY MADE HER CHOICE. I HAD A HEAVY HAND IN JOE'S SELECTION, BUT I ENJOYED A QUIET MOMENT WITH HIM AS WE TEST READ FOUR "TOUCH AND FEEL" BOOKS BEFORE MAKING OUR FINAL DECISION. I WATCHED ON AS MY DEAR HUSBAND THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDERED TWO TITLES WHILE OUR SWEET DAUGHTER RAN CIRCLES AROUND HIM WITH HER NEWLY ACQUIRED BALLOON. AND, AS FOR ME I LET MY LOVE OF RECIPES, ROMANCE AND MEMOIRS GUIDE MY VALENTINE PICK. (WE ALSO HAD TO THROW IN TWO COMMEMORATIVE SPORTS MAGAZINES TO FOREVER DOCUMENT OUR BELOVED WORLD CHAMPION PACKERS.)

WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING OUR BIG VALENTINE'S DAY BOX FROM MIMI. SHE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING SWEET TO SEND OUR WAY.



OUR BUDDING FASHIONISTA.
SHE OPENED THE BOX AND LET OUT AN, "OH, I LOOOOVE IT!"


NO VALENTINE'S DAY WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT SOMETHING SWEET TO EAT. I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON MY GIRL TO HELP ME WHIP UP SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE KITCHEN.


THE BEST PART OF CLEANING UP.


"UM, WHERE ARE ALL THESE SWEET TREATS I WAS PROMISED?!"


PERFECTING THE ART OF SPRINKLES.


SUCH CAUTION AND CARE.

"I'LL GET THE MEASURING CUPS!"

THESE TWO...

SUCH SWEET AND TENDER AFFECTION.

LAST WEEK CHARLOTTE TOLD JOEY, "YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND."

EARLY IN OUR MARRIAGE I WAS SOMEWHAT TIMID WHEN IT CAME TO COOKING. JEFF WAS SO SUPPORTIVE AS I ATTEMPTED NEW RECIPES AND PREPARED OUR EVENING MEALS FOR TWO. THERE WAS ONE PARTICULAR RECIPE THAT STOOD OUT AND JEFF AFFECTIONATELY RENAMED "BISCUITS OF LOVE." I KNEW IT WAS GOOD WHEN HE SLAPPED HIS HANDS ON THE TABLE AND LET OUT A HEARTY, "Mm mm, Mm mm, MM MM!" IT HAS SINCE BECOME MY VALENTINE'S DINNER TO HIM. IT ALWAYS BRINGS BACK SWEET MEMORIES OF OUR FIRST YEAR OF MARRIAGE.

"BISCUITS OF LOVE"

(AKA Creamed Chicken and Biscuits)

Ingredients:

1/2 large onion, chopped

1-2 slabs butter

4 cups cooked chicken (as always use a rotisserie chicken for a quick prep and depth of flavor)
1 can cream of chicken soup (cream of chicken with herbs is also great)

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup chopped pimiento

1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, divided

6 refrigerator biscuits

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 3 quart baking dish.

2. Chop onion. Heat butter in small skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Stir in onion and saute until tender.

3. Combine onion, chicken, soup, sour cream, milk and pimiento in a medium bowl and mix well. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven.

4. Sprinkle baked layer with 3/4 of Cheddar. Arrange biscuits in single layer over top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

5. Bake until biscuits are golden brown and the sauce is bubbly, approximately 20 minutes longer. Serve immediately.

UNFORTUNATELY, MY VALENTINE NEVER MADE IT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL TO ENJOY OUR ROMANTIC DINNER BY CANDLE LIGHT. AS I RECEIVED ONE TEXT AFTER ANOTHER ANNOUNCING A LATER ETA, I FELT MY HEART BEGIN TO SINK A LITTLE. HOWEVER, AS I ATE MY DINNER ALONE THAT NIGHT I HAD A LITTLE REVELATION, THAT COULD HAVE ONLY COME FROM ABOVE. WHILE MY HUSBAND AND I WERE UNABLE TO GUSH OVER ONE ANOTHER THAT EVENING, HE WAS DEMONSTRATING LOVE THAT NIGHT TO THE 3 YEAR OLD WHO SEVERELY CUT HIS FINGER AND TO HIS PARENTS WHO HAD TO SPEND THEIR VALENTINE'S NIGHT IN THE ER. (POOR COUPLE.) THAT MADE ME SMILE. I NO LONGER FELT SORRY FOR MYSELF, BUT WAS CONTENT TO KNOW THAT WE WOULD SHARE A SPECIAL MOMENT ON A DIFFERENT NIGHT. (YOU MIGHT BE TICKLED TO KNOW WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SHARE THAT MOMENT. MY VALENTINE'S CARD IS STILL PROPPED UP ON OUR KITCHEN COUNTER.) WHILE IT WAS NOT THE VALENTINE'S DAY OF MY DREAMS, I BELIEVE I LEARNED SEVERAL IMPORTANT LOVING LESSONS.

1. WHILE YOUR TODDLER MAY BE ABLE TO PRONOUNCE THE WORDS "VALENTINE'S DAY," THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THOSE WORDS. THUS, YOU CANNOT EXPECT THEM TO SHOWER YOU WITH WORDS OF AFFECTION, LOVING ACTIONS, OR SWEET AND SUBMISSIVE ATTITUDES.

2. WHILE I FULLY SUPPORT THE IDEA OF SETTING ASIDE A DAY TO HONOR THE ONES YOU LOVE, TO (POSSIBLY) RECEIVE FLOWERS AND NOTES OF LOVE, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO DEMONSTRATE ONE'S LOVE ON A DAILY (AND CONTINUAL) BASIS.

3. IT IS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...

4. "GOD IS LOVE. WHOEVER LIVES IN LOVE LIVES IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM. IN THIS WAY, LOVE IS MADE COMPLETE AMONG US SO THAT WE WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, BECAUSE IN THIS WORLD WE ARE LIKE HIM. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. BUT PERFECT LOVE DRIVES OUT FEAR... WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US."

1 JOHN 4:16B - 19

Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun

IT WAS NOT LONG AGO THAT I HAD ONLY ONE PARTNER IN CULINARY CRIME.

BACK THEN THINGS WERE A TAD MORE ORGANIZED, A BIT QUIETER, AND POSSIBLY MORE PRODUCTIVE.


ENTER THIS GUY.
SAME SPOT. DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT TUNE.



WHILE MY POTS ARE MORE BANGED THAN STIRRED AND MY PANS THROWN MORE THAN WHISKED, MY KITCHEN IS NOT ONLY LOUDER BUT SWEETER AS A RESULT OF THESE TWO SOUS CHEFS.



WE MAY NOT BE AS REFINED AS THE CONTESSA OR AS QUICK AS RACHEL RAY, BUT WE ENJOY COOKING TO THE BEAT OF OUR OWN CROCK POT...I MEAN DRUM.

THIS WEEK WE ENJOYED.

Paula Dean's Easy Pot Pie
(as always modified by yours truly)

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts, diced (I recommend using bone-in chicken breasts that have been rubbed with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted for 35-40 minutes in 350 degree oven.)

sauteed carrots

1/2 cup to 1 cup peas (I prefer frozen.)

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

1 can Chicken stock or broth

1 1/2 cup Bisquick

1 cup milk

1/2 stick butter (Sweet Paula uses an entire stick. You choose.)

salt and pepper to taste

chopped scallions (optional topping)

1. Layer in greased casserole dish -

2 chicken breasts, chopped

sauteed carrots

peas

salt and pepper

2. Combine can of soup with chicken stock and pour over chicken and vegetables.

3. Combine Bisquick with milk and pour over top. (I like to add extra salt and pepper to this layer.)

4. Pour melted butter over top and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. (I find that cook time varies based on depth of casserole dish. Bake until Bisquick layer is cooked through and golden brown.)

* Serving size: Depends on how much self control one has. This barely feeds our family of four it is so delicious!

Great Finds

THERE ARE A FEW "GREAT FINDS" THAT HAVE RECENTLY MADE MY LIFE EASIER, ENRICHED, MORE PRODUCTIVE AND IMPROVED.

NOT WANTING TO KEEP SUCH FINDS ALL TO MYSELF, I NOW PRESENT THEM TO YOU.

Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood by Jamie C. Martin - This slim but resourceful book was recommended to me by a dear friend and fellow mother. It made this year's Christmas list and is proving to be one of my "favorite things" (a tad less glamorous than Oprah's) of the year. While this book is small in length it is mighty in content. If you are a woman who is a mother and desires to organize your life in a way that is fruitful and productive for you and your family I highly recommend this little treasure of a book. For a preview and other resources see - http://www.steadydays.com/



What a Husband Needs from His Wife: Physically, Emotionally, Spiritually by Melanie Chitwood - This author was quoted in an electronic daily devotion for women I receive. Challenged by her words, I quickly purchased her book through Amazon, and it arrived on my doorstep only days later. I have just started reading it, but I find her words to be honest, reflective, motivating, encouraging, uplifting, and insightful. I look forward to the ways this book will stimulate my heart and mind as I seek to be a more loving, compassionate and focused helpmate to my husband. When Jeff came home earlier this week and saw the book laying on our kitchen counter his response was an immediate and boisterous, "OH YEAH. Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about." I promptly told him there was also a book titled, What a Wife Needs from her Husband, by the same author.



True Blue SPA "look ma, new hands" Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin (available at Bath & Body Works) - I have been on the hunt for a lotion this winter that would actually soften and soothe my tired, dry and cracked hands. (My hands are always in the water with all of the dirty diapers, messes and meals I attend to.) This lotion is WONDERFUL, and provides true and (relatively) lasting healing. It is a slight monetary indulgence, but after spending money on less expensive products that don't work I will be setting aside money from my monthly budget to treat myself to this gem of a product.



Johnson's Honey Apple Body Wash - This is in fact a baby product; however, if you have to bathe a child it provides a sweet and subtle olfactory party to the splish splashin' event.



Mr. Clean Magic Erasers - Ah, my bald-headed friend really won me over with this one! I do not know what makes these erasers so powerful, or allows them to remove all of the marks and stains on my flat painted walls and at this point I don't even care to know. What I do know is that they make cleaning and maintaining my home for showings and open houses MUCH easier. They are a homemaker's dream.



And finally...



My mother's No-Bake Peanut Butter Candy - Who doesn't need a little sweet indulgence after all the reading, moisturizing, bathing and cleaning that they are doing?



Ingredients -
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 pkgs graham crackers, crushed
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 1/3 cups powdered sugar
12 oz chocolate chips (recommend 6 oz semi and 6 oz milk)


1. Combine first four ingredients and mix well. Put into a 9x13 pan and pat evenly.
2. Melt chocolate chips and spread evenly over mixture.
3. Refrigerate and allow to set for approximately 30 minutes. Remove and allow to soften before cutting.

Snow Day

THE ENTIRE COUNTRY SEEMS TO BE GETTING HIT WITH THE WHITE FLUFFY STUFF, AND MADISON IS NO EXCEPTION. WITH LAST WEEK'S SNOW STORM WE WERE TREATED TO A SNOW DAY COMPLETE WITH STRANDED DADDY.

JOEY AND I WOKE EARLY TO FIND JEFF (IN SCRUBS) PACING THE FLOOR WHILE TALKING WITH AAA. APPARENTLY, THEIR SERVICE DOES NOT COVER VEHICLES STUCK IN SNOW PILES. THE HOSPITAL'S LOSS WAS OUR GAIN!

THE CHILDREN WATCH IN ANTICIPATION AS HELPFUL NEIGHBORS ASSIST THEIR DADDY IN RESCUING HIS CAR. WHILE SPORTY AND SLEEK, THE ALTIMA IS NOT THE VEHICLE OF CHOICE FOR HANDLING LARGE AMOUNTS OF SNOW ACCUMULATION.

"OH DADDY!"


"HMMMM...HOW MANY NEIGHBORS DOES IT TAKE TO SHOVEL OUT OUR CAR?"

"UM...DID YOU KNOW MY DADDY'S CAR IS STUCK OUT THERE?"

"I THINK THEY ARE CLOSE!"

"YOU CAN DO IT!"

AND ONCE THE CAR WAS FREE IT WAS TIME FOR A LITTLE WINTRY FUN.

HAVING DADDY HOME ALWAYS MAKES OUR DAYS BRIGHTER.

A LITTLE FUN, INDEED.

CHARLOTTE LASTED ALL OF FIVE MINUTES. THREE MINUTES LONGER THAN IT TOOK TO GET HER IN HER SNOW GEAR.

JOE WAS DESPERATE TO GET IN ON THE ACTION. THIS IS AS CLOSE AS HE GOT TO THE SNOW.

NO. THIS IS NOT HIS REGULAR WINTER HAT.

"I'M COLD."

WE HOPE YOU ARE STAYING COZY THIS WINTER!

Thoughts on Doctoring

COMING SOON...

A FULLY TRAINED AND GRADUATED PLASTIC SURGEON NEAR YOU.

ON A RECENT TRIP TO THE DENTIST FOR A ROUTINE CLEANING, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING ONE OF MY HUSBAND'S RECENT PATIENTS.

IT ALL BEGAN WITH SIMPLE CHATTER AS THE DENTAL HYGIENIST ASSIGNED TO ME THAT MORNING SPOKE OF THE RECENT SNOW FALL AND THE AMOUNT OF SHOVELING IT REQUIRED FOR HER TO MAKE IT TO WORK THAT MORNING. (I FEEL THE NEED TO ADD THAT 1) MY APPOINTMENT THAT MORNING WAS ONE THAT HAD BEEN RESCHEDULED AS I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE ORIGINAL, SCHEDULED A MONTH PRIOR AND 2) THIS PARTICULAR HYGIENIST HAD NEVER WORKED ON MY MOUTH BEFORE. THESE DETAILS WILL PROVE SIGNIFICANT AS THE STORY UNFOLDS.) AS SHE SHARED THE ACCOUNT OF HER MORNING SHE THREW IN ONE PARTICULAR (JUICY) DETAIL THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. SHE WAS IN FACT A RECENT BREAST REDUCTION PATIENT. I MUSTERED UP THE COURAGE TO ASK WHO HER DOCTOR WAS, EXPLAINING MY HUSBAND WAS A PLASTIC SURGERY RESIDENT AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL. SHE MENTIONED HER ATTENDING PHYSICIAN'S NAME AND THEN ASKED WHAT MY HUSBAND'S NAME WAS.

"JEFF LARSON."

SHE PAUSED FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN ASKED IF HE WAS TALL WITH DARK HAIR.

"YES, AS A MATTER OF FACT."

SHE LOOKED DOWN AT HER CHEST AND THEN BACK UP AT ME. "I THINK YOUR HUSBAND DID ONE OF THESE!" SHE REPLIED WHILE MAKING ONE SWEEPING MOTION ACROSS HER CHEST.

I SMILED (AND GIGGLED INSIDE KNOWING FULL WELL HE IS THE ONLY RESIDENT THAT FITS THAT DESCRIPTION) AS SHE RECLINED MY CHAIR, FITTED ME WITH THE OBNOXIOUS EYE WEAR, AND ASKED ME TO OPEN WIDE. SHE SPENT THE REST OF THE APPOINTMENT QUITE GIDDY AS SHE RELATED HER STORY OF BEING RESISTANT TO SURGERY HER ENTIRE LIFE, STRUGGLING TO FIND COMFORT IN DAILY ACTIVITIES, THE MOMENT SHE CHANGED HER MIND AND ENTERTAINED THOUGHTS OF A REDUCTION, HER RECOVERY, AND ULTIMATELY THE SATISFACTION AND BLISS OF EXPERIENCING LIFE WITH A SMALLER CUP SIZE. SHE SPARED NO DETAIL, OR EMOTION IN TELLING ME HER STORY. AT ONE POINT SHE EVEN TEARED UP AS SHE FLOSSED MY TEETH AND CONFIDED THAT SHE NO LONGER FELT DEPRESSED IN LIFE. LIKE ANY PATIENT WHO IS RECLINED WITH MOUTH OPEN, I LISTENED PATIENTLY AND ATTENTIVELY TO WHAT MY HYGIENIST WAS SAYING. BUT, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD SUCH A POSITIVE, ENGAGING, AND MEMORABLE VISIT TO THE DENTIST.

I REMEMBER THE MOMENT JEFF TOLD ME HE IN FACT WANTED TO PURSUE PLASTIC SURGERY. I WAS HESITANT. I KNEW WELL THE PERCEPTION OF PLASTIC SURGEONS AND THE SURGERIES THEY PERFORMED, AND IT MADE ME SLIGHTLY UNCOMFORTABLE. JEFF BOTH NOTED AND ACCEPTED MY HESITANCY, BUT ALSO TOLD ME HE COULD NOT PURSUE THE PROFESSION WITHOUT MY SUPPORT. THIS WAS A DEFINING MOMENT IN OUR YOUNG MARRIAGE. I KNEW THAT HE NOT ONLY NEEDED MY FULL SUPPORT, BUT BEYOND THAT IF HE WAS GOING TO BE A SUCCESSFUL SURGEON HE NEEDED A WIFE WHO BELIEVED IN WHAT HE DID.

IT WAS 12 1/2 YEARS AGO THAT WE EMBARKED UPON THIS JOURNEY, HIS DREAM. JEFF HAS TAUGHT ME SO MANY THINGS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PLASTIC SURGEON; HOWEVER, THE TESTIMONY I HEARD FROM MY HYGIENIST THAT DAY TAUGHT ME WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CHANGED BY A PLASTIC SURGEON. AND, I WILL NEVER FORGET HER STORY, HER SMILE, HER ENTHUSIASM OR HER APPRECIATION FOR WHAT MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DO FOR HER.

YES, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS SURROUNDING THE WORLD OF PLASTIC SURGERY. THERE ARE IN FACT EXTREME CASES PERFORMED BY EXTREME SURGEONS. BUT, THAT IS NOT THE KIND OF MAN I MARRIED.

IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT PERHAPS I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE MY ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT FOR REASONS BEYOND HAVING NO CHILD CARE. THAT, IN ADDITION TO THE FACT THAT HAD I TURNED UP FOR THAT APPOINTMENT I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE "FRAN", THE HYGIENIST, FOR SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN RECOVERY.

UPON LEAVING THE DENTAL OFFICE MY HYGIENIST TOLD ME TO GIVE MY HUSBAND A BIG KISS AND THANK HIM FOR ALL HE DID. YOU BETTER BELIEVE I DID THAT NIGHT.

Little Lessons

1. LIFE IS ALWAYS BETTER WITH A PAIR OF KILLER SPARKLY SHOES.

2. DO NOT PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE THOSE YOU LOVE.


3. SMILE OFTEN. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW SUCH A SIMPLE GESTURE OF KINDNESS WILL EFFECT ANOTHER OR IMPACT THEIR DAY.

4. CHERISH THE SMALL MOMENTS IN LIFE AND CELEBRATE THEIR SIMPLICITY.

5. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, HAVE A COTTON BALL PARTY.

Artistic Ones

AT LEAST ONCE A DAY I HAVE THE FOLLOWING EXCHANGE WITH THE LITTLE LADY.

LL - "UM...I'M THINKING THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD DO A PROJECT."

ME - "WHAT KIND OF PROJECT ARE YOU THINKING OF DOING?"

LL - "UMMMM...I'M THINKING MAYBE PAINTS, OR A GLUE PROJECT, OR GLITTER OR MAYBE STICKERS."

ME - "WELL, WHY DON'T YOU DECIDE ON ONE AND WE CAN DO IT."

LL - "OK. THAT IS A GREAT IDEA!"

I'M THANKFUL THAT MY CHILDREN APPEAR TO HAVE A STRONG CREATIVE GENE. I'M SURE MY MOTHER HAD COUNTLESS CONVERSATIONS WITH ME AS A YOUNGIN' AND IF IT WAS NOT FOR HER PATIENCE IN ALLOWING ME TO CHOOSE ANY AND EVERY ACTIVITY UNDER THE SUN, I WOULD NOT BE THE KIND OF GAL I TURNED OUT TO BE. I'M LEARNING TO APPRECIATE OUR LITTLE LADY'S RELENTLESS ENTHUSIASM FOR THE ARTS. THE LITTLE MAN IS NOT FAR BEHIND, ALTHOUGH I MUST ADMIT HIS DESIRE TO CREATE LOUD SOUNDS BY THROWING POTS AND PANS ACROSS OUR HARD WOOD FLOORS IS FAR FROM MUSIC TO MY EARS.

REMEMBER THAT DELICIOUS SOUP POST A FEW WEEKS AGO? SET ASIDE ONE POTATO AND YOU HAVE SPUD PAINTING.

IN AN EFFORT TO GIVE OUR HOME A FRESH, CLEAN IMAGE FOR RESALE MY BROTHER ADAM CAME UP TO PAINT MOST OF THE MAIN WALLS IN OUR PAD. SINCE THEN, OUR CHILDREN THINK THEY RUN A PAINTING COMPANY.

QUALITY, PRECISION, AND SERVICE WITH A SMILE.


THEY ARE ALSO AVID SCRIBBLERS. THE LITTLE MAN SEEMS TO FAVOR HIS RIGHT HAND UNLIKE HIS BIG SIS.

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK.

Packer Sundays

LET'S FACE IT. IT IS HARD NOT TO LIKE THE PACKERS. WITH THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, CLAY MATTHEWS AND BJ RAJI IT IS HARD TO CONTROL ONE'S ENTHUSIASM FOR THE PRIDE AND JOY OF GREEN BAY. ALL SEASON LONG OUR FAMILY OF FOUR HAS FALLEN INTO THE SWEETEST SUNDAY ROUTINE.

6:30 AM WAKE-UP CALL THANKS TO THE LITTLE MAN

7-9 AM BREAKFAST, SHOWERS, DRESS IN SUNDAY BEST

10:00 CHURCH

11:30 DRIVE HOME WITH TALK OF MUCH ANTICIPATED LUNCH (WHY DOES CHURCH MAKE ONE SO VERY HUNGRY?)

12:00 TASTY LUNCH

12:30 KIDDOS DOWN FOR MUCH NEEDED NAP AND PREP FOR PACKER GAME

THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON CONSISTS OF CHEERING ON THE GREEN AND GOLD, CELEBRATING WILDLY WHEN THEY WIN AND COMFORTING THE OL' MAN WHEN THEY LOOSE. THE KIDS ARE A SIGHT TO SEE AS THEIR EYES GO FROM WATCHING THE PACK TO OBSERVING THEIR DADDY WATCH THE PACK. TO HIS CREDIT, JEFF HAS REALLY TONED DOWN HIS INTENSITY DURING GAMES. ONCE A MAN HAS A CHILD AND SAID CHILD NEEDS TO SLEEP DURING SCHEDULED GAME TIME, HE LEARNS THE ART OF WHISPERING CHEERS, RANTS, AND RAVES. I FIND IT BOTH AMUSING AND ENDEARING. BETWEEN MY SWEET HUSBAND, RODGERS AND MATTHEWS MY AFTERNOON IS FILLED WITH HANDSOME MEN TO ROOT FOR.

GO PACK!

SWEET MOMENT BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.

THE LITTLE LADY DEMURELY GETS MENTALLY FOCUSED.
A MOMENT OF INTENSITY AND INQUISITION.

THE LITTLE LADY PRACTICING HER OWN TACKLE.

"ARE WE GONNA WIN?!"

ON TO THE SUPER BOWL!