Living Loving Breathing Boys

We finally have winter!  It’s cold, the roads are snowy and there is whiteness outside my window!  It is cold!!!  The good thing about the cold, snowy days is that it gives my boys something to do besides screen time.  They have this awesome dad that goes through a lot of trouble every year and makes a rink in the yard.  These freezing cold temps promise a lot of ice time for the boys, meaning that they will expend the never-ending supply of energy they seem to have.  Wahoo!

It means that I begin to look for yummy comfort foods… Tomorrow I am in the mood for making a roast, with scalloped potatoes, green beans and a salad.  Yum… and I don’t even really like meat! Yet I love making foods that everyone loves… I love cooking.  The other day I made the most delicious lasagna … combining my SIL’s recipe of using cream cheese instead of cottage or ricotta cheese and my cousin’s (Tina) recipe of using ground meat as well as sausage, the spicy kind! Yum!  OK was is calorie friendly, nope.  Was it heart smart?  Probably not.  🙁  But it was YUMMY!

I’m looking to master scalloped potatoes, I think it’s pretty easy but I just never have made it often enough to remember from one time to the next.

And then I am trying to master a chicken in the oven that is spicy and lemony.  I have a recipe that I often use, cilantra, lemon juice, cumin, black pepper, salt, garlic cloves (lots), ginger all blended together, roughly then mixing in plain yogart.  Mariniate the chicken over night and then BBQ it.  Serve this on pitas, with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and some of the marinade that was saved… Yum!

I want to make a chicken thigh, boneless and stuffed with onion fried rice… just not sure how to marinade the chicken to compliment the rice….  I’ll let you know what turns up.

I look at Martha Stewart and feel like I could do that… couldn’t you?  Cooking is just mixing this and that together.  As my mom as instructs, “A little bit of this and a little bit of that,”

Anyways, I’m planning a New Year’s Eve Party… not sure who is coming but the food is under control!

 Do you  have big New Years Eve plans?

Did you have a Merry Christmas?

I love Christmas! I love thinking of gifts for those I love … I love all the decorations and lights.  I love all the food and sweets.  I love the Christmas music… I love a day when we are just all together.

Growing up Adventist, we never did the going to church on Christmas thing… but I have to tell you how much I love that tradition, of being with a whole group of people all celebrating Jesus’ birth.

I love Silent Night… How holy that night was and yet how humble a setting was Jesus born in.  Such a simply beginning… I love thinking of Mary, so young and innocent and how awesome a privilage she had and how much pain she would suffer in those few hours of his crucifixion.

I couldn’t help thinking of the families of the Connecticut children that were shot died.  Did their moms buy them their gifts already?  How sad and heavy their hearts must have been and continue to be.

Christmas, it seems to always be such a time of mixed emotions.  I missed being with my family, all of them.  I missed seeing my friends that are now so far away.

Yet there are the things that cause continuous delight… my boys and their happiness at being surprised at the gifts they recieved.  The foods that fill our bellies.  The time of being with each other.

Now we have the following days of just relaxing, sleeping in, hanging out with friends… just what the doctor ordered.  I love waking up to a bunch of bodies, warm and snugglie, understanding I want to sleep and they are content with playing on their ipod or whatever.  Then the restlessness starts, then the touching, then the wrestling of sorts and then the noise… my usual wake up call.

I love my boys so much.  Oh don’t get me wrong, they can be drive me to the brinks of needing to be committed…. but I adore them.  They warm my heart… and I truly can’t imagine life without them.

The other night, Sammy, my social child, wanted to go help the neigbour girl, driving with  her to Whitby, help move her cousin back here to our neighbour’s house.  It was already 7 ish in the evening.  They were calling for snow.  My gut told me no.  And yet, Sammy has the persuasion skills of the best of them.  We let him go, told him to make sure his phone was on and text us with what was happening.

I found myself reading, awaiting for him to come in and yell, “Mommy, I’m home” and then I would go to sleep.  Yet, I feel alseep and woke up with the need to go to the bathroom.  Suddenly, I realized I had fallen asleep and didn’t remember Sammy saying he was home.  I looked at the time, it was 3:30 a.m., I peeked into his room where his bed was empty.  Panicked, I called his cell.  NO ANSWER!  My first thought was, “I’m gonna kill him!”  My next thought was, “What if he was dead on the road somewhere?”

I kept texting, knowing his phone had likely died by now, and found myself begging God to please keep him safe, to bring this child who drives me bonkers, home to continue to drive me bonkers.  I couldn’t imagine our world without Sammy in it.  My heart raced at an abnormal rate.  Sanj, whom I woke up, muttered an “Oh NO…” and then continued his snoring.

Then there was that welcomed beep.  Incoming text.  Never have I been so happy to hear that sound!

Sammy…. he was alive, well and on his way home, after dealing with a broken down vehicle, waited for the father to show up and the roads were horrible so it was slow going. Phew.

First I can’t imagine not having the faith in a Father above who is in control of all things.  I am so grateful to Him of all things.  Then  after I got Sammy’s text, after I thanked God over and over for His mercies, I found myself haunted by the thoughts of the 26 little ones that have parents that must get through the holidays for their other little ones.

I know that every day we live with love of family and friends, even sometimes strangers, is a day filled with blessing, that I must never take forgranted.

Hope your Christmas was filled with love, family and food.

xoxo

I’m getting so excited!!! How many more sleeps?  Till what, you may ask… well the first date I’m counting down till is only ONE MORE SLEEP away!!! That’s when school FINALLY gets out and it means a couple of weeks of sleeping in and no making those horrid lunches that my kids never really eat anyways.  So, I am so pleased that we can all enjoy those lazy mornings… something I can’t not express how much I love them!

Then there is the count down till Christmas! 5 more sleeps!!!  OK… I’m really like a kid, I love Christmas!  I love it all… the trees, the excitement, the presents and this year I have a couple of GREAT gifts for some of my boys and can’t wait to see their reactions! lol  One is really a fun gift but he is going to love it!  It’s sometimes one of those DIY gifts that make the greatest ones! lol  Of course, there is the excitement of WHAT is under there for me???  lol  OK I know, it’s really the thought that counts but really if you get a fabulous gift that just makes it all the better, doesn’t it?  🙂

Today we gave the office staff their Christmas presents… at the office Christmas luncheon.  Usually every year, there is the sour pusses that make sure they cause the usual tension.  We have added some new staff and today was one of those days where giving a gift that is received with joy and gratitude is what the gift giver loves!

You know what I mean, right?  Sanj gave his staff Ugg mittens for Christmas, for most people this is a luxury.  This one friend/staff member was so touch and blown away she was actually shaking.  It was SO sweet!  I loved her reaction!

There is something about being a giver, it’s a gift of sorts in itself.  Yet there is something even more beautiful in a gracious reciever.  It’s a hard thing to do, especially if you are usually the giver but think of the thought and effort that went into a gift… and how insulting it is to not accept with another reaction then grace?

It’s so funny but Sanj is the worst when it comes to reacting… it’s his personality, I suppose… but I usually am the excitable sort and react with huge squeals of delight and excitement… I just can’t help it!  I love gifts!!!  Sanj loves gifts too, (I think) but never reacts.  At first, I was offended.  Then a little hurt. Then disappointed, I mean How can you not react with delight at gifts?  My MIL is like this too so I suppose Sanj gets it honestly.  And it is passed on… at least half the boys are non-reactive.  I told my MIL once, I put a lot into this gift, so I wasn’t to see a happy reaction!  I think Sanj was shocked I even said it, my MIL looked a little shocked too but laughed. (phew).

So, I am prepping Max… I made him the greatest (in my option) little DIY gift and I know he is going to love it but I am hoping for a reaction!!!

Sigh.  Maybe I have too high expectations.  Eh?  Here it is a few days till Christmas and I am still very stumped on Sanj’s gift.  I usually have a great idea months ahead of time but this year… stumped.  We agreed on doing stockings for each other but I am really pretty sure he got a real gift for me (probably because it was easier then filling a stocking of nick naks and much less shopping… lol

If you have any ideas, please let me know!!!

Oh and enjoy!

I have felt numb the last few days and yet still felt the need to write the emotions that seem to overflow within me if for no other reasons to let remind my boys how much I desperately love them.

Newtown, Connecticut, the lose of so many little babes, who barely had a chance to live, their parents, their siblings, their teachers and their families… I mean how …. what word even begins to describe the unimaginable pain and horror?  

I was driving yesterday into Toronto, after dropping off the boys … and felt this uncontrollable need to weep…  praying, actually begging God to let me see their beautiful faces at the end of the day.  I just couldn’t help image if my kids were those poor children, if Josh (age 7) was dealt with the horror those children faced… what would his little heart do?

I can’t help think of Adam Lanzsa’s mom and her heartbreak and fear as her own son pointed his gun on her… of Adam’s brother, his nightmare of living now with his mom dead and all the things he will have to deal with due to his bloodline.  Or of the father….

Then I can’t even image the emptiness that has filled the moms of these babes, of their raw grief… of how life has to go on and yet how do they, will they do that?

I can’t imagine and yet I feel such grief for all the people, families affected.  And then I selfishly snuggle with my 7 year old, hug my 10 year old, hold my 13 year old’s hand for the few moments he allows, ruffle my 15 year old’s hair, playfully punch my 16 year old and snuggle (yes, he allowed it) on my 17 year old for a moment… listening to the beating heart… grateful and yet feeling pain, such raw pain from one mom to another, across the miles.

I am reminded for a moment of all that is important… all that we have as a family and stop and simply say “Thank you, Jesus.”  And then pray for strength for all those that need it to simply get through today.

Today is 12*12*12!  Love this kind of thing!  It will only happen today!  It is the last repetive date we will ever see! I feel like we should celebrate somehow!  But how…

I am feeling so much better!  Definitely back to my ole self, almost.  Thank God for drugs!  (The good kind).  Now to play catch up… there’s so much that needs my attention.  I hope that spending the day home puts a dent in my list.

This weekend a friend of mine invited me to Toronto with her daughter to do some Christmas shopping.  We left early and came home late and I have to say it was pretty good medicine!

I still have no idea WHAT to get Sanj!  I am looking for that gift that causes a reaction… you know, the jaw dropping kind!  I have no idea what to get him, except maybe a lock on our closet door to keep the boys from getting into his clothes, a big pet peeve of his!  Poor thing!  He keeps saying, “Just get me some good books.” I do that anyways.  Sigh.  SO now what?  Yes, I know, it’s not about the gift…

Tyler went to lunch with some friends at a local resturant.  Apparently he didn’t have enough money.  He only had a bit of change for his tip on a $16 meal.  He felt bad, so he says, so he left the waitress something else.  Sammy’s phone number!  He thought the waitress would be pleased.

Have I mentioned how much my boys crack me up?  Sometimes their way of thinking is so crazy scary!  (Of course this was followed by a lecture that he really should go back and tip the poor waitress).

I love Christmas!  I love all the decorations that make the world just look nicer in this drab grey wintery season.  I don’t like digging everything out of the basement, though.  I wish I could snap my fingers and it would be all done!

Oh well… Happy 12-12-12 today! Enjoy the sun shine (hopefully it is shining wherever you are!)

Today is Sanj’s Holiday Open House at work.  It’s a day he takes time to spend with his patients that stop by and wish them a happy holiday.  There’s food, too.  The boys love stopping by on a day like today and raiding the goodies that are left.

This week I have been really exploring the definition of introverts and extroverts.  Only recently have I realized how much this defines a person. 

I realized that I didn’t really understand the defintion of both.  An extrovert is someone that is energized by people.  An extrovert tends to get bored when alone and will often seek other people out.  So funny, this is me!  This is why I hate being home (well, we won’t even talk about the other factors such as laundry and the mess that seems to be a constant).  I love the energy of being with others.  It feeds me.  I love having people over.  I love interacting with them even if it’s just through my phone and messaging them.  I need people.  When I am home alone, the tv is always on, just for the noise, I realize, or to hear other voices.  The quietness is too loud and leaves me unsettled.

It’s interesting because Sanj can be an extrovert but I think it’s more by necessity.  He is a little bit of both, though he says he is an emotional introvert.  An introvert is someone that is drained by people.  It doesn’t mean they are shy.  Sanj can be with people all day but he really does recharge with his alone time, when he is downstairs making music or reading or what ever else he does in his man cave. 

An introvert can be with people in a social setting but they need to recharge with alone time.  When Sanj is recharging, he can tune the world out.  It’s quite an amazing skill.  Usually he is on the piano or keyboard and I will go to him chatting and know after a moment that he is not hearing me.  Then… I straddle him while he is on the piano bench.  I removed his hands and place them on me.  Then… I have his attention.  He laughs everytime I do this.  I  am a little high maintance, I suppose, being the extovert I am.

When I go to my brother’s house, I used to notice my SIL would go off to her room and be on the bed, with her magazine or phone.  I can’t lie, I would just assume she didn’t really like us.  Only recently, did I realize that this is her needed time out, especially when we, being such a large loud brood overtake her space.  Last time, I peeked in and was Invited to lay on the bed too… but I realized that I need to be quiet! lol But I just really liked being with another human.  My brother, her husband, is a loud extrovert.  It’s in the family.

Funny enough, most of my boys are quite extroverted when needed or it’s called upon them but they 4 of them are natual introverts too.  They need their quiet time.  Often when we are off, with others, we will come home and those 4 disappear.  They can be found strumming a guitar, on their bed with an iPad or head phones.

Then my two, Sammy and Zachary, are true gregarious extroverts.  They love people and just hanging out.  They never get tired of partying.  Guess we know where they get that!

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? 

I’m not sure if I’ll post this or not but sometimes I feel better just writing.  I am so low, depressed, craZy right now.  I hate that feeling.  Especially since I am usually full of energy and ready to that the world by storm.  Not today.  Not yesterday.  Probably not tomorrow.  Hopefully the next day.

I went to my doctor and got my crazy pill adjusted.  Now it is just surviving till the drugs kick in and balance me out.  I screamed at my kids today.  We were waiting for pizza and they just seemed to go crazy.  I mean really?  It’s one thing to act insane at home.  It’s another when everyone is watching and they have no shame.

I screamed at them.  They got really silent.  Maybe scared.  Well, actually they never seem scared enough. Sigh.  Yet they understood I was crazy.  Daddy isn’t there to save them so they’d better stop.  You could hear a pin drop.  I texted Sanj.  He said he was scared too.

I would say LOL but I don’t feel that.

I slept today while Josh was getting tutored at my MIL.  I never sleep.  It felt so good.  I feel like sleeping for days.  I feel like burying myself in a hole, with my book and some yummy cooking shows and chocolate and candy.

Yum.  Corn candy.  JuJubes.  Corn Candy.  Popcorn.

OK…  I am sure that in a few more days there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Work crazy pill, work!

My Facebook status reads, “Ever feel like running away? Today is one of those days… where would you go?”  Funny how many assume that I’m wanting to run away from my kids. lol  Yes, there are many times I do, but today it’s just the rat race we call life.  Nothing specific… just all the things that keep me running.

A week or two ago, I was sitting in the driver’s seat, parked, waiting for Sanj, and reached my arm around to tickle Sammy.  My arm was in an ackward angle.  Sammy jumped up, reacting to the tickle and then landed back on  my arm.  Needless to say my elbow was twisted in an unnatural angle and I screamed out.  No, it isn’t broken, “Thank you, Jesus!”   Yet I believe I torn a ligament.  Sammy felt horrid, though it wasn’t his fault.  Did I mention that it’s my right arm (yes, I’m right handed).  Even wiggling my fingers causes discomfort. 🙁

My doctor is likely going to send me for an ultrasound and told me not to use it and rest it.  Ummmmm… really?

Then this week is the Apple Pie Fundraiser.  (Remember this post?)  Then there is the Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors… on Thursday.  Then… 4 blissful days of no school!!!

I’m sitting here and Josh is over my shoulder.  I love that someone’s always over my shoulder.  Usually, in the background, is Max.  He is always right by me.  This summer Tyler and Max were always with me.  Wherever I went.  Is that sweet?  I love that no matter where I am, Max, usually, follows me.  He is doing his own thing, playing on his iPad or whatever but always with me.

This summer, no matter if I was doing the most mundane task, Max and Tyler always puttered along.  I loved that.

Back to running away, I would likely go somewhere warm with water.  A place I would love to go is Tahiti.  I’d have a little hut on the beach, read, cook, enjoy mangoes, not worry about bills, laundry, messy house and vehicles. I wouldn’t have to wonder if I am living up to God’s full potential for my life… and wonder what I am really suppose to be doing…

I wouldn’t worry about all the people that I worry about.  I would just focus on today.  I’d appreciate that yesterday was gone and tomorrow isn’t here yet.

Yup… I’d love to be on an island somewhere… in another life.  I mean this picture below is the reality I would choice is my life today wasn’t so perfect. (Insert… well, you know…)

Yet then… I’d have to worry about my reoccuring nightmare… tidal waves.

Today will be the wedding anniversary for Jenna and new husband, Dave, from this day forward.  This beautiful young lady was the first babysitter we entrusted our wild boys too.  Jenna was their first and longest babysitter.

She lived next door to us and was a young 12 year old.  I remember her mom assuring me that she’s be fine with my 4 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old and Baby Max.  Her mom reminded me that she was right next door, if anything came up.

Thus began Sanj and I finding a life away from the boys!  The boys loved her.  They trusted her.  They teased her and pulled pranks on her.  Today, as we waited for her to walk down the isle, they were chattering quite animatedly about … “remember when we… to Jenna…”  Sanj looked at them eventually and said, “Wow,  you boys were quite something to Jenna!”

Then came that moment when I was ready to give birth to Josh, who came 3 weeks early, at 11 pm.  We had no family and as it was Easter weekend, didn’t want to bother our friends that said… “Call if you need anything…”  Jenna was family.  I knew that they boys could walk up from sleep and see her and feel so safe and comforted.  I knew she understood how I parented… I didn’ t the boys cry to sleep but rather usually laid with them if needed.  I know she’d protect them with her life and if anything came up, her mom was down the road now.

Jenna was one of the first to hold Baby Josh.  While our Josh doesn’t really know Jenna, as she was growing up and moving on, he loves repeating that Jenna was there to be one of the first to hold him.

Over the last years, Jenna has grown up and found her calling, working with children.  She has impressed us with how she has grabbed life.  The boys were chatting about when they discovered Jenna had a boyfriend.  How they laughed and teased.  They were appropriately impressed as he was quite a hockey player too.

Today we had the privilege of watching her walk down the isle.  As she walked right by me, I was overcome with emotion.  The boys were baffled by my tears.  I could hear them, “Mommy’s crying.”  “Why is Mommy crying?”  

I guess  I am much to young to have a daughter Jenna’s age.  Much to old to be a sister, I suppose… and yet I have this pride and love and adoration for this lovely lady… who has grown up right in front of me.  I wish her so much … love, happiness, babies and yet so much more.

Jenna… Congratulations!  May all your wishes come true!  We love you.  You will always be family to us.  I pray that life is good to you!  Lots of love…