Grandparents

My father celebrated his birthday this past Saturday and what a better way to fill his day than to have 4 of his 5 grandkids spend the night.  It would be the first time my niece would be spending the night.  She is 5 and very attached to her cousins.  I was really surprised to hear that she willingly wanted to stay.  I was sure she would be calling my brother to come get her when it got close to bed time, but she didn't.  They all fell asleep on the mattresses I set up on the living room floor, like one major campout.  I went home thinking everything would be ok and it would be a somewhat easy night for my Mom.  Well apparently no such luck.  My niece has a little cold and she began coughing around 12:30 am.  My mom needed to give her cough medicine and after which my niece realized that she needed her Mom.  I don't know how my son and father slept through the whole thing, buy my girls tried very hard to calm her down with my Mom.  That wasn't going to happen.  She needed to get picked up around 2 am.  My poor Mom, she was exhausted!  I'm telling this story because I am so blessed to have such a great Mom.   She never complained, never said she was tired, nothing, not a word.  I think she qualifies for Sainthood!

Repairs, repairs, repairs

It seems just when you aren't looking, another something breaks and requires a very expensive repair.  I have a van and it is not that old according to me.  It is a 2003 and I really enjoy driving it.  However, the last few years we have needed to make a repair every summer that is over $1,000.  It seems the money vacuum is on high speed.
The first one started with needing a new transmission, then came the spark plugs that led to something else, then the air conditioning, then my rear axle broke. Yes! broke while we were all in it.  When someone tells you that God has an eye on you with Guardian Angels, believe it!   We were coming home from my parents house and drove the 30 miles on a highway with major pot holes because they were in the process of repairing the road.  How it didn't snap while I was driving 70 miles per hour made me fall on my knees and Thank God!  We pulled up in front of our house put it in reverse and snap!  Needless to say, we needed to repair it and the car company didn't even want to offer us any sort of explanation or help.  We just had to fork over the money.   So when my radiator acted up last week and turned into a major repair of the motor, I was feeling very drained.   It seemed the more days the mechanic had my car, the more it was draining the bank account.  I can't say it's the mechanic because I have never felt like he overcharged or made us repair something unnecessarily.  (He is actually a very nice man.) 
In the meantime, my husband and I were celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary and decided to go to dinner at the nearby casino.  Every dollar you spend on the machines turns into money you can spend on food so it is like getting entertainment for the same price of a meal.  Win, win situation, no pun intended.  Well we actually did win, enough to play for hours and not spend any of our own money.  The casino had sent me a comp of about $10 and it the first minute I turned it into $17.  Great!  During this time, they were also tracking the amount played and transferring them into ticket enteries to win a car.  By the end of the night, I had 55 enteries.  The only draw back is we needed to come back the next day for the drawing.  I had a strong feeling to go and my mom generously accepted the duty to watch our children another evening.  So back we went with the intention to just enjoy each others company and maybe spend about $10. while we waited for the drawing.While I was standing there, I prayed to God that we find a way to either win the car or financial help to pay for the repair.  I won an additional $50 that day but no car.  I was feeling lucky that we won that amount and we came home not feeling upset at all. 
Low and behold the next day, the phone rings first thing in the morning.  we find out from my mother in law that there is a recall for that rear axle and they will be reimbursing us for that repair.  We will now be getting money back to pay for the new repairs and absolutely decrease the anxiety of yet another expense.  I was thinking that yet again, I put my trust in God to provide and he came through. God is Great and I am Thankful!

Quiet is over-rated

My children and I had the chance to fly out to Michigan to visit my dear friend Carol and her family.  My poor hubby needed to stay home due to his work schedule and boy, did he miss us.  He actually complained that it was just too quiet around here and he did not like that very much.
We flew in early Friday morning and the kids just jumped right into the fun.  My daughter Elizabeth spent much of her time playing with the 3 little kittens, that lost their mittens, just kidding.  Carol's family recently adopted 3 little kittens and they are just the cutest things.  My son Jimmy couldn't get enough of doing everything boys do.  He is usually outnumbered by the girls in every activity and he certainly took advantage of having his buddies around.  If they weren't riding the quad, they were daredevils on the pool slide. He loved going to a baseball game and mini golfing.  All the things a little boy loves.   My oldest daughter Victoria enjoyed just catching up with her friend Braaten.  They painted their nails, watched girl movies, and giggled.  It's a beautiful thing when your good friends children get along so well with yours.  They will have a lifelong friendship just like their mommies.
We stayed until early Monday morning and the weekend just flew by.  I think the best times were in the pool just being silly.   The weather couldn't have been more perfect.  My husband had rain rain and more rain.  Aside from missing us, he had gloomy weather to boot.  They say you really appreciate something when it isn't there and I think that really rang true for him.  Just when he thought he would be soaking in the quiet, he realized just how boring it is.  Certainly not something he will be wishing for any time soon.
We were so grateful that we were able to spend some great times with great friends and my hubby was grateful that we were finally home.

Turning over a new leaf- take 2

OK.  I didn't do a good job with keeping up with my blog, but I am going to give it another go.  It seems as though the days just rushed on by.  It was August in a blink of an eye.  I did however, follow through with organizing my pantry and organizing dinner plans.  I have been experimenting with new recipes and this week made some delicious keepers.  My sometimes non-adventurous eaters were excited to try the new recipes and I am so proud of them that they did.
I had a big dose of inspiration when my mother invited me to Atlantic City for the Food Network Food and Wine Festival.  While there, we saw some inspirational dishes being prepared.  We watched Pat and Gina Neely whipping up some fabulous southern goodies.  Too bad we didn't get to taste any.  Highlight for my mom:  meeting Gordon Elliott.  She got to take her picture with him.  He is a very tall man.  He produces the Neely's show and was sitting right in front of us.  I came home with a new perspective on preparation.
I began exploring recipes that included ingredients that I knew my family already liked such as sweet potatoes, chicken, etc.  The results were a so well received that I look forward to whipping up the new soon to be favorites every night.  This weeks adventures were:  Chicken skewers with a grilled potato, zucchini, radicchio, goat cheese with sherry vinagrette, corn on the cob on Monday.  The entire thing was made on the grill which equaled almost no kitchen clean up.  Absolutely a keeper!  On Tuesday we went alittle spicy.  I held back on the heat by alot and it still had a kick.  Everyone thought it was tingly and good.  I made Spicy Mango Sweet Potato Chicken over pasta.  I added some crunch with unsalted peanuts.  Wow! Better than any takeout I ever had.
So here I am trying to get back in the swing on things.  I am going to try to blog at least once a week and continue to be inspired  and stay organized to make healthy meals for my family.

and so it snows again

We have been bombarded by multiple snow storms and this time it gave us a whopping 2 feet, yes, 2 feet.  It was called a snowicane because it was a snowstorm that formed like a hurricane.  First time I have ever heard of such a thing, let alone known it to happen in the northeast.   This is the most snow my little guy James has ever seen.  It was too funny to see him trying to walk through it sinking with each step.  The kids even dragged the cat out to enjoy the fluffy stuff.  He willingly walked around with them and then decided he had enough by meowing with a plead.  It was so funny.  He thinks he's people.
Of course, our snow blower died and my hubby and I were out there shoveling multiple times.  I decided to shovel the driveway for him before he came home from work on the first day and boy did I feel it later.  Who needs a gym when you have all this snow?  I think I got a more intense workout in the snow.
The kids had a ball having a snowball fight with Mom and Dad.  It's been a long time since I had a snow ball fight and we sure did giggle.  The kids thought it was awesome that we were in the snow right along with them.  You can't ever be too old to have fun in the snow.
Now we are waiting for another snow storm for possibly Wednesday.  If it brings us as much joy as this one did, then I say bring it on!!

As A Mom...

As a Mom, we are often pulled in many directions.  As a Mom, we want to absorb all the hurt for our Children.  As a Mom, we need to be strong, no matter how weak we feel inside.  As a Mom, we will never sleep at night the way we did before we had children.  As a Mom, I thank God everyday for the blessings He has given to me. 
I write this today, because I have been up with my daughter Elizabeth for most of the night.  She is sick with a stomach virus that just has not given her a chance to rest.   She finally fell asleep sometime around 4 or 5am. I felt so helpless as she ran to the toilet several times through out the night.   Although I was so exhausted I couldn't even see, I was awake talking to her every time she got up.  As a Mom, God gave me my strength last night.
Meanwhile, today happens to be the 100th day celebration for my son James plus his Valentine's Day party this afternoon.  When I explained to him that I might not be able to go with him to school for the 100th day, he cried hysterically for about 20 minutes.  He is my last one and I have not missed any 100 days for the other 2 kids.  He was feeling shorted and I was feeling guilty that I might miss it.    As a Mom,  I was being torn in half. 
In the end, I was able to leave Elizabeth for the hour(I was less than 5 minutes away) to take James to his celebration and Elizabeth called me on my cell phone every 20 minutes just to let me know she was ok.  James was so happy and even the other kids that were in my group all gave me hugs.  As a Mom, I had to make tough decisions.  As a Mom, I am grateful for cell phones. 
There are many things we do As Moms, but for me, As a Mom, I have the 3 best kids a Mom could ever ask for.  As a Mom, this is a job I will never take a career change from.

Inspirations

I spent most of my morning trying to get 20 ebay packages ready to ship, since we are supposed to get over a foot of snow, and watching the movie Julie/Julia.  As I watched this movie, I was constantly reminded of my grandmother (Babushka) Anya.  A perfectionist, strong, knowledgeable, worldly woman that I miss everyday.  I remember watching Julia Child cooking episodes with her and watching her absorb her cooking know how and applying it to the things she made.  I'm not sure if she liked watching her for her expertise or that it reminded her of her time in France and the experiences she had there.
My mother was born in Sans, France during the time that my family escaped Russia during the communist movement.  They arrived there with a small child and another on the way(my mom).  They didn't have any family there, didn't speak the language, no place to live or a job.  They worked hard in the fields and then my grandmother came home to make dinner and keep house.  Modern woman in the making.
I sometimes wonder how she stayed so strong.  Her house was always tidy and organized.  She made home cooked meals every single day, and never took a vacation(except for the time she came to Atlanta to see me graduate from Chiropractic College when I was 27 years old), and loved life to the fullest.  She taught me how to garden, about our Russian traditions, food,  Russian music and dances, but most of all devotion to God.
My grandparents moved to the US when my Mom was 5 years old.  They were the cornerstones of the Russian population that began an Orthodox Church here.  No matter the monetary struggle, they always gave to the Church, and honored God in their daily life.  My grandfather Peter never began a meal, went to bed, or got in the car without a prayer.  I often get so busy in life that I forget to do this, but he never did.
I guess my whole purpose of todays entry is that I am striving everyday to be a better Christian, wife, and mother and trying to find the balance that my grandmother had and it isn't as easy as she made it seem.  So my inspiration for today is to continue to cook, clean and do laundry with a smile on my face and pray that someday my kids will be as thankful to me as I am to my Grandmother and Mother.

The Battle

I was sitting here contemplating how 3 not so big kids can possibly make so much laundry. It seems that I do oodles of loads and never seam to be able to say that I am caught up. The battle with laundry is a never ending one. I had my whole day planned out and one look at that hamper changed the entire outlook. That poor pantry just keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. I wonder if it is just me that wants so badly to be able to stay on a regimen at the gym but feel I can't devote that hour because that's one less hour trying to clean up this joint. I can get to the gym at around 9 am and no matter how short a workout, its 10:30 before I get back. Motivation I have, time I don't. There's got to be a better way.
My hubby had to go on an out-of-town trip this morning and we're not sure if the job will get done today which means he may possibly need to spend the night. I really don't mind when he goes on a trip, what I do miss, besides his company in the evenings, is the giant help he is getting the kids to all their activities. I actually dread the schedule. This really helps me to appreciate him all the more. With Valentines Day around the corner it got me thinking that I need to shower him with my love and appreciation. I'm not big on buying useless gifts, but I am at a loss as to what that perfect gift might be. Some more research is absolutely necessary. Lobster and steak are on sale this week. The old adage: The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, instantly comes to mind.

Running Behind

So I was not able to get to my blog yesterday since at the last minute I was called in to sub at one of the other elementary schools in our area. My wonderful hubby agreed to go into work late so that I can go to work and he could put the kids on the bus. It was all day assignment and by the time I got home, made dinner, and helped with homework, I was too tired to blog. Today was another busy one, hence, the late evening post. I spent all morning at the school doing PTA stuff and then tried to hit the grocery store before the shelves were bare. We are supposed to have a snow storm which = you will never be able to get food ever again! I was only going to get 2 cans of beans I needed to make tonights dinner... White Chicken Chili! It was so delicious and probably one of the easiest meals I ever made. 5 ingredients and Throw it all in the pot and ready in 20 minutes. No chopping involved.
On my last post I was gung-ho to declutter my pantry and organize myself so that I wasn't continuously buying groceries that we already had and preplanning our menu. That, did not happen. I was all ready to start and suddenly felt a little funny. I'll save you from the details but the rest of my day was spent very close to the bathroom. I am going to try to organize the pantry tomorrow if the snow hits and we are in for the weekend. Pictures are a great idea for before and after and I will post them once I am all done.
I am actually looking forward to a snow storm that makes us all homebound for a day or two. It seems like we have hectic schedules every weekend for the next several weeks and to get a weekend off sounds good to me. I'm wearing my pajamas to bed inside out in hopes of snow. Let's see if we are so lucky.

Delayed start

Before I went to bed last night, the phone call came in that we would have a delayed opening. The snow that had been falling, was starting to stick and by morning the report said, "we would have a messy commute". I for one, love delayed openings. We get to sleep in and the kids get to go to school. Its a beautiful thing.
Visiting with my children over a longer breakfast gives them a sense of peace. They are calmer and they begin their day without all the hurried craziness that goes along with: swallow breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth and hair and jump on the bus. My oldest, Victoria, began middle school this year and with that comes an earlier bus schedule. This, at first was a nightmare. The first day of school the bus was 2 hours late. Yes, 2 hours late. Every other day the bus driver gets here whenever she feels like it, anywhere from 20 minutes early to right on time. We put the Kabosh on that. Now I see her hanging out down the street until it is closer to our bus pick up time. The only blessing is that it is in front of our house.
I bring that up because it comes back to organization. Although I am pretty organized on this part of the routine, I feel there is always room for improvement. I wake up and as soon as I come down stairs, gather their lunches Monday thru Thursday. They are allowed to buy pizza from school on Friday's. I am a big fan of making my own lunch meats. Never been crazy about all the chemicals they put in deli stuff so I usually roast extra chicken or make a bigger roast beef. The kids actually love it and eat it better. Again, it requires the right kind of planning. This week was not successful and we needed to buy our deli meats. This brings me back to the meal planning thing again.
Couldn't I have a prep kitchen and a clean up crew? That would make my life so simple. Last week I went to the Martha Stewart show and there had to be at least 10 people in her prep kitchen and 10 people that cleaned up after every meal, craft or move she made. Today's challenge is going to be to pull out every food item I have in the cabinets and pantry and organize it into groups. The video I watched about organizing pantries says to group your food in the type it is. Cereals, pastas, etc. I have so many plastic containers and a label maker ready to go. Stay tuned to see how successful this will be.

A new day

Today I was inspired by my very dear friend to begin a blog. Hopefully with my daily journal or close to daily as I can get, others will be inspired to organize their life. I am a mom of 3 very active kids. Rarely are we home on any given evening just enjoying each other's company. In a way, I am glad that my children are fortunate enough to participate in their favorite activities and on the other hand, I am beginning to realize how quickly our days are flying by. Soon they won't want to sit around with Mom and Dad on the couch and just relax. There will be boyfriends/girlfriends, mall trips without me, doing their own hair, etc. I want to savour every moment and not feel like a big bundle of disorganization. With that said, I am going to begin my organizing with figuring out a week's worth of dinner menu. I have always flown by the seat of my pants with this one and have been blessed with the knowledge to be able to whip something up spur of the moment. This however, stresses me out!
There are so many websites out there that help one plan their menu's. I like to mix it up and so I tried a few different ones. Tonight I will be making fillet mignon since it was on sale $3.99/lb and it is ready to go(unfrozen). Side dishes are always a challenge since my oldest hates rice and my middle hates mashed potatoes. Thank you Lord, that my youngest loves everything!
Tomorrow I will be making Chicken Mole. Big fan of Rachael Ray and even more so after we (my family and I) appeared on her show in December. She is a very warm, charming person and has so many wonderful dinner ideas. I have been making her food every night for the last week. My favorite was the Chicken Parm Pasta Toss-25 minutes from prep to table. Love it!
Thursday looks like a good day for slow cooking. Crockpot Thai chicken might hit the spot.
Friday-beef stroganof
Saturday-maybe Chili
Sunday-Superbowl Sunday-a delicious taco ring made from crescent rolls. Taking this to a friends house for the big game.
Meanwhile I will keep researching to see what fits best into our schedule. Stay tuned my next challenge will be trying to figure out how much we actually spend on groceries every week...yikes!