Ganster Girl and some very Good Grub

Since the start of my new schedule, I finally get time to cook some yummy, time taking dinners for my herd. I opened my trunk filled with cookbooks and pulled out my favorite chef's cookbook from Food Network, Robin Miller. She has some amazing strategies, time saving tips, awesome recipes, and must have on hand sauce concoctions, all in one book. I love reading cookbooks, almost more than cooking with them. When I cook, I always write on the recipes, spill fixings all over the pages, and most likely dog-ear the pages I will use. I believe that it makes the book special, unique and most of all, mine. Here's what was for dinner on Thursday night...

Pork Chops with Apples and Rosemary

Curried Couscous with Peas and Carrots (didn't have the carrots...so omitted)

Lemon Bunt Cake with Orange Liquor Frosting (a Sandra Lee recipe)

She found these Spiderman glasses a few days ago, and they are still on her face!

Does Santa Have Alzheimers?

Here's to hoping Santa doesn't remember us this year! I found the jump drive we purchased at last year's Santa Seatings! Hope this year yields happier kids, and better results. Maybe we should go before Thanksgiving?!

Quiet Moments of Motherhood

Mamma, this is much better than finger painting!

My first time painting!

I love days like these. Quiet ones when the kids are off at school, and Charlie and I get to sit around and create. Days when the coffee pot is always one, the wind is blowing, the washing machine is humming, the dishwasher is growling, and my house is dark. I had the opportunity with Ethan to be a stay at home mom for three years and sometimes I wonder why I gave it all up to become a nurse. I do love my job, and know that I needed and still need the outside communication, continuous education, and friendship that it brings to my life, but I miss these days where I am nothing but "mamma" to the sweetest little girl around.

Seasons of Change

Saying goodbye to Valerie and Ethan in the morning is one of Charlie's favorite pastimes
My first bath with sissy!

We have been so busy this week helping out Valerie with her school projects, that Mark and I swear we are back in 5th grade. Apart from the overloading homework craziness (I never had this much homework) we are finally all feeling much better. Mark has his new laptop toy, and his classes are winding down. I can't wait till he gets to spend most of his energy on writing! We have decided (Dave Ramsey plan) that he needs to do what will advance his career...write. Not only will he be a great writer, but it will also help him secure a teaching position at a college! We are more than ready to get his career off and running.

Valerie is still hanging in there with the Endeavor program. It was alot more than we all expected it to be. Amongst all the pressures of homework and advanced learning, she is going through alot of changes in her body. It tends to lead to some frustrations, high emotions, and deep lows at times. Her self esteem takes quite a toll....! She is getting taller, leaner and prettier as the days go on! My mom said today that she looks alot like Mark's mom. I guess I will need to look closer to see that one!

Ethan is loving, loving, loving 3rd grade. He is involved in the highest level reading class. He loves math and is a wiz at numbers. He is my overachiever! Smart and handsome...good catch for some girl...someday!

Charlie is 22 months and kicking around the emotions, maturity, and intelligence of a 2 year old. Complete sentences are now flying out of her mouth. Her favorite is, "common, I will show you something." She loves to play in her sister's makeup, brush her teeth, watch Sprout, sing, dance, and play at Grannies house. She is a joy, and reminds me alot of her sister at this age. Loves to be the life of the party!

As for me, I just started my schedule of 12's and love it! I work Thurs-Saturday at Good Samaritan. I love my job, and wouldn't trade it for anything (well maybe a management position). I love helping women (sometimes teenagers) through one of the most important times in their lives. Nothing gives me greater thrill than watching those babies being born.

Happy Halloween

We hosted the "fright fest" again this year! We enjoy going all out for the kids. Mark did the decorations and the kids and I did the dinner. Ethan won best costume...he truly looked like Harry Potter and I came in 2nd place as "Velma" from Scooby Doo. How come no one told me I look like my aunt and not Velma?

Our Patch Day

Saturday we took everyone to the Schilter's Pumpkin Farm. We had a wonderful time petting animals, riding the train, jumping on hay, going on the hay ride, and searching for pumpkins. It was a blast watching the kids go crazy, and cut loose. It is wonderful to have two older children, so that I only has to look out for one. Thanks Shanny, Mike, Lexie for making this season so much fun for us!

A Little Encouragement

Valerie: Mom, I don't like going to school. The only part of the day I like is when I get a note from you in my lunch.

Today I sent a musical card-

Outside read: know what i do every single day?

Inside: i send good thoughts your way

Sings:i say a little prayer for you. forever, forever you'll stay in my heart and i will love you. Forever and ever we never will part(sorry, now I have you singing huh?)!!!

I found the card this morning when I had to stop at Safeway for diapers on my way home from work. Special moments. I also snagged a great coupon book for kids.

Today's coupon: Cash in this coupon to stay up an hour past your bedtime or to extend your curfew for one hour. Everyone should get this book...it will help brighten any child's day. I wonder how long she will hold on to the coupon?