SICK

Apparently my March calendar has run me into the ground. Doubt it, but whatever it is that I've got is nasty and the house is a mess, and the snow just won't stop (even if it IS freaking March 30th), but I'm grateful for Chris who stayed home today so I could get my sorry self into the doctor for needed drugs and watch Elizabeth so I could rest. Me, rest? Yes, almost a full week of doing nothing and I'm miserable . . . cooped up and no energy to do anything inside the house, and no energy to get outside - bleah with a capital "B!"

MARCH - a summary . . .

Just glancing at our family calendar can set a migraine in motion (just click on the picture to feel the full scope of the insanity). And to think that one of my New Year's resolutions was to "simplify" - good luck with that one Julie!

"For my next birthday party . . .

we're going to BODYWORLDS!" You got it, the day after her little birthday party to the zoo (a perfectly respectable venue for a child's birthday) a couple of weeks ago, Liza announced that when she turns six, she's taking the party to "Bodyworlds." She has it all planned - we're meeting at the house to first read her Bodyworlds book so all her friends know how the body works (really, she's fascinated by anatomy), then we'll open presents and have cake and ice-cream because according to Liza, "the kids might not want to eat after seeing all the bodies."

Too much - where on earth did she come from?!

Happy 5th Birthday Elizabeth (March 13th)

Our Liza Jane

Smiles, laughter

giggles galore

crazy stories

lover of animals

kindest of hearts

keenest of minds

sweetest sister

blessed daughter

our comedian, our ham

our baby.

Family Dinner Time

At the beginning of this week I decided that I am making dinner TOGETHER a priority. Really, we have fallen into the horrible habit of eating together (at the same table at the same time) only once or twice a week, not counting Sunday dinner. I was finding myself fixing something for the little girls b/c the big kids were still gone, while Chris grabbed whatever to eat with MSNBC as company, then I would eat with the older kids later - insane. Our schedule can't be that crazy that I am unable to work around it and make family time around the table happen, even if it means dinner isn't served until 7:30pm.

And guess what? It worked! Now for two nights each week we don't eat until 7:30 (we ate later Monday night too), and with a little foresight, planning, and the crock-pot, we made it happen. What a difference it made to have dinner simmering, leave to take Caroline at to tennis at 5:15 while Ryan stays home to set the table and get things ready for our late dinner. I even got a relaxing 6-mile run in while she had her lesson and Chris still gets to catch up on the news. THEN (this is the best part), because we all eat together, everyone is there to help clean up . . . it is actually easier doing it this way - I don't feel like I'm running a cafe and feeding everyone as they walk up to the counter!

I thought I would share tonight's recipe - one of our favorite (and easiest) meals:


Cranberry Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts, cut in half lengthwise
1 can whole berry cranberries
1/2 c. Russian dressing
1 pkg. onion soup mix
salt/pepper to taste

- Arrange chicken at the bottom of crock-pot, sprinkle w/S&P, mix remaining ing. and pour on top, cook 3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Serve over rice.

Like I said, EASY - your kids can do it! Tonight we just had it w/rice and some fresh fruit - perfect :-).

It's only been a month

For anyone who is remotely interested, here is an overload of pictures from our family vacation - enjoy at your own time wasting risk ;-). Phew, I am such a procrastinator, but it feels great having that out of the way so I can move on to other important blog worthy events like Elizabeth's birthday last week and general thoughts and ramblings. It's been awhile, but I've got to write, otherwise I have all these thoughts jumbled up in my head with escape and it's driving me crazy!

KAUA'I

I'm working on a slide show of our trip, as well as all the fun pics from the weekend before we left with Laura's wedding (Chris' sister) and family in town. Just had to put up one of my favorite pics from the trip for now :-).