ALADDIN and MAMA SMITH's GREEN DRINK

Dave and Janna are at church, and I’m home with the sleeping baby (who has come down with a cold) and Jesse who is on the mend from croup and a double ear infection!  The doc said to try and keep Jesse rested as much as possible as croup is worsened by activity/stress/strain...He had a decent night sleep and woke up without a fever...but we didn’t want to chance him passing anything along to all the kids in his Sunday school class, OR picking up something new. Here he is... getting to watch a movie! Aladdin is what’s playing.  It’s pretty scratched up, and sometimes won’t play, but this morning I gave it a good rub and it seems to be working well.  I am enjoying sipping on some “green drink” I made this morning, and catching up on some emails.

Growing up, my mom would almost always have this horrid looking and smelling green gunky smoothie in her hand for the first couple hours in the morning. I tried it a few times, and could barely swallow it... but have been having an odd craving to try it out as an adult.  SO, yesterday, when I called my mom for her orzo bean salad recipe, I also asked her for her green drink recipe.  I was surprised to learn that she STILL drinks one of these things most mornings...and my dad has even been enjoying them lately.

So, I plugged the ingredients I was missing into flyeronfire.com  This is a great website that allows you to type in an ingredient you need, and it will bring up all the places it is on sale and for what price.  I base most of my meals and snacks on door crasher sale items, but often need a few extra things, and so this is how I go about getting the best price on things that aren’t on crazy good sales.

So, the ingredients for this beast are

A frozen banana

An avocado

Pineapple

Fresh parsely

A packed cup of each: kale/spinach/ spring mix

My mom will also throw in an apple/celery/and or dates if she has them.

Blend and voila!

Well, I was pleasantly surprised that this was not nearly as gross and vile as I remembered!  I think it’s something that will grow on me, and for several of my fruit/veg servings for the day, I’m going to try and make one most mornings.  Dave had a hard time building up the nerve to try it... it was pretty funny watching him look at it and work up the nerve to take a sip.  But, he said it was way better than he expected, drank a cup of it, and for all the health benefits, he wants to have one every morning, too.  

Something I love about Dave, is that he never goes half-way on things.  After drinking it, he was like, " So what is our commitment to this drink going to be?"  I told him I hadn't really thought about it.  That I'd  probably try and make it a few times per week.  He was like, "no.. we need to like buy long glass viles, and chug one back every morning!" so funny.  

So, we’ll try it out for a while... see if we can develop a LOVE for it J Anyhoos, this post needs to wrap it up early.  Poor Robyn is awake sniffling.  Thanks for reading. I’m out. 

Groceries and tears

Today I was super close to bursting into tears at the grocery store check-out.  And then AGAIN at the Tim Horton’s drive through.  I’m feeling a tad emotional and I feel I need to back-track to yesterday, to bring you to my mind-set today.

I have noticed the trend these days, that Thursdays are the hardest for me.  The days I find myself asking the Lord for patience and joy continually, while feeling like I am failing miserably.   I think Thursdays are hard because it’s almost the end of the week.  Dave is drained, I am drained, and we really need the weekend but have another 2 to go.  Friday is OK because it’s Friday!! TGIF, ya know?  Thursday is just, maybe, PGBF?! Please God, Bring Friday?? Anyways, yesterday was just busy with lots to do, and nothing really going smoothly. Lots of whining, crying, pooping, kids falling, food spilling, dog peeing, Janna yelling sort of days...ya know, one of those days?  At 7:30, I put Janna in bed and just had a good cry.  Then, I stared at the laundry in front of me that needed folded for almost an hour.  Feeling like my arms and soul were too heavy to fold.  I eventually decided an early bed time was in order, and of course Janna sensed this, and we played a fun game until 11 of “Janna wails, Jesse cries, mommy goes in and settles everyone down.” I lost count of how many times this went on.   I think Dave pitched in a few. 

Some days are draining.  But I have peace despite the fatigue. And Joy despite the crying.  And that is no thanks to me, but to God, who has given me these 3 incredible gifts, and the grace to handle the daily challenges.  Anyhoo... throw in being up a few more times in the night, I just don’t really felt like I got much rest, and Friday mornings are always busy around here. 

Jesse goes to preschool Friday mornings.  It used to work out that I would get Jesse to school and then drive home just in time for Robyn’s nap. Janna and I would have some time at home together, and then we’d have to turn around and go pick him up.  However, Robyn is now sleeping 11 hour nights! And waking up usually for 6 am instead of 7.  So, she is READY for a nap by 8.  I haven’t dared stretch her an extra hour.  So, we’ve just been letting her sleep one hour, then getting Jesse to school a bit late.  Last week, I was able to do all my groceries in the 2 hours I had with the girls,  and this was awesome for me!  It’s much harder to do the groceries with all 3 kids, and I just haven’t been wanting to take time on the precious weekend to run around doing them.

So, this morning, I Put Robyn down at 8 again while we got Jesse and Janna and all the bags and snacks required for a morning out .  Well, I had the baby monitor on, and didn’t hear so much as a peep from her.  But, when I went in at 9, she was WIDE EYED and just playing with her blankets.  I wondered if she had slept at all?  It didn’t matter, I tossed her in the seat and off to Barrhaven we went!

Well, it became clear to me after dropping Jesse off, and at about the second grocery store I went to, that Robyn had NOT napped earlier that morning.  She was rubbing her eyes, and letting out sad wails, and acting all out of sorts.  I pushed through Sobeys, and when I got back in the van considered going back home to let her nap.  (This girl doesn’t sleep in the car or running errands or anything)  However, I had ONE hour before I had to pick up Jesse, and to drive home which takes 15 minutes, and then get her settled to sleep...well she would only have been able to sleep like 20 minutes before I’d have to pack her up and go pick up Jesse from school.  So, I decided to push through with my grocery shopping and hit up food basics.

I’m a really nerdy sale shopper.  I go to several different stores and plan my meals around the door crashers, etc.  About a month ago, my friend showed me the ropes of the couponing world, and so on top of this, I am now printing off coupons, and doing match-ups and all this fun stuff.  It takes me about 2 hours to plan, and then 2 hours to shop, but I’ve only been having to spend about 100 per week on groceries,  for what would cost about 200 if I paid regular prices.  SO, it’s worth it!  However, I have this new bad habit when I grocery shop now.  Whenever I am passing someone who is throwing something into their cart that I KNOW is like half the price somewhere else, I just want to rush up to them and holler      “DON’T BUY THAT BONELESS SKINLESS FRESH CHICKEN BREAST for 6.99 a pound!  It’s on at Sobeys for 2.99.”  Or... “DON’t DO IT!!!!  Did you know at Metro they have a tear pad of coupons for 50 cents off that pasta, AND it’s on sale for 99 cents? So, you could pay 49 cents for that box of pasta that is normally 2. 50!”   Oh man....  it stresses me out...  Because I realize how annoying it is, and would be to have someone say this to you at the store.  So I have to try really hard to pay attention to nobody but me!

Ok, so, that was a side note.  We got to food basics and as soon as I got into the store Robyn started to cry.  Like WAIL!  This little girl barely cries and so it broke my heart.  I was zipping around as fast as I could, and her face was blotchy and the tears streaming, and it was SO sad.  It was sort of like one of those “goat cries” of a newbown.  With the shakes and wheezing? But much louder.  It was so bad that it was getting me sympathetic looks from everyone  (As I was trying to avoid looking at these people because of pricing on the food they were putting in their carts! )  Finally, I got my stuff, and my heart sank to see line ups of like 5 or 6 people long at each cash.  I got in what line felt like the shortest and this sweet old woman in front of me gave me the most sympathetic nod and asked me if I wanted to go ahead of her.  I told her that was very kind, but she should go ahead..the lines were all long. Well, Robyn did NOT let up, I was considering taking her out of her seat and breastfeeding her right in the middle of that packed front store of a million lines even though I had no cover and not a good shirt either...but then this sweet old woman came around and took a peek at her, “Is she just fussy? Or hungry?” she asked me. I replied that she was just SUPER overtired and hadn’t napped that morning, and needed her bed  “Oh, well, dear! You need to go right ahead of me.”  So, I graciously accepted this time, and it wasn’t too long until my turn.  I had a super fast cashier!  Well, my total popped up on the screen, and I couldn’t find my debit card!!!  That is the only form of payment I had, and I couldn’t find it.  The baby is screaming, and EVERY SINGLE person in the store is sort of watching me it’s THAT loud and awful sounding.  And I’m looking in every pocket and flap and in Janna’s clothes, and it is NOWHERE!!! Ugh. I felt so stupid.  I must have left it in the van.  So, I asked the cashier if she could just suspend the transaction for like 2 minutes while I ran out to grab it from the van.  I thought she must have a function that allowed her to ring other people in and put mine on hold (we had this function back in the day when I was a cashier).  She said sure, and So I grabbed the heavy cart holding Janna and Robyn in her car seat and DASHED out of the store.  Ya know how I said I “felt” like EVERYONE was watching me?  Ya, I’m pretty sure they were, because twice on my way out, I had total strangers offer to wait with the girls in the store, “so you could get to your van faster?”  It’s not that I’m unfriendly or didn’t appreciate the thought, but NO WAY IN HECK am I leaving my 2 baby girls with strangers. “ Umm...thanks, but I’m good”  And I RAN pushing this cart through the parking lot, and back into the store.  Well, my big line of people were all just waiting for me! She hadn’t rung anyone else through, and they were all just standing there looking annoyed(except for the sweet old lady) who tried to make Robyn smile and helped push my cart through the crowds.  What a charmer.   I fought back the tears in my eyes and that lump in my throat as I waited for my debit to process.  I think all this emotion was partially due to embarrassment, and partially due to the kindness of this sweet old lady, and all on the heels of a week of crappy sleep.

I got back in the van and of course, Robyn stopped crying as soon as we got in.  But, I was too flustered to hit up my last few stores, and did NOT want to repeat a screeching baby in a long line.  And I still had 40 minutes until I could pick up Jesse.  Unsure if I had the makings for lunch, I thought I would go to McDonalds and buy happy meals for lunch.  This thought made me feel really happy, so, I drove to McDonalds, only to see they were closed for renovations.  No big deal, there sat a Tim Hortonsbeside it.  Ice cap and timbits!!!  I fully realized I was exercising what some call, “emotional eating,” but I rarely do this, and it would put in some time.  SO, we waited in the drive through line a while, and I pulled up to the window only to see a big sign that read, “NO DEBIT OR CREDIT. Machine not working”  I double checked with the woman before ordering, and she said it had been down, but I could try.  I agreed, and when my card read  “authorization failed” I bit my lip and felt the tears just welling.  I looked up and through a cracked voice I whispered something like, “ I guess the machine is not up yet.”  I think the woman noticed my seeming fragile state, and she said with some hesitation, “let’s try again.”  And sure enough, IT WORKED! Yay...it worked!  I firmly believe this was God smiling down on me and saying, “I love you. Have an ice-cap. You’ve had a busy morning. Enjoy it”

So, we picked up Jesse and made it home.  We had some bagels and strawberries for lunch, and then a book before nap time.  It was Robert Munchs I’ll Love you Forever, and sure enough I lost it crying almost everytime I had to sing that sweet little chorus.  Jesse and Janna kept looking at me like I had something weird on my face that stunk. LOL!  My kids think I’m crazy today. That’s ok.  It’s been kinda crazy today, and there is no place on earth, I’d rather be, than here. Thanks for reading. I’m out. 

A DOZEN DATE with the THREE CLUB

Today, despite a lingering headache and feeling pooped, I got myself dressed and the kids all set for an outdoor outing (at a chilly 7 degrees)  For a few weeks, 2 of my best girls and their kids have had a park date planned for us and our 9 children!  That makes 12 in all!  I can't believe that 4 years ago, there were just 3 pregnant mamas.  Rebekah had her 3 kids in under 2.5 years.  Sarah and I had our 3 kids in under 3.5 years.  Hanging out with Rebekah and Sarah is fun. They understand the craziness and juggling act I go through each day, and probably understand what my day is like more than others.

Today at the park, we juggled our own kids, and took turns juggling each others.  With a newborn, a 6 month old, two 1 year olds, and 2 clingy 2 year olds, it actually did look like juggling at some points. Shuffling one baby to one arm to grab another, putting one down to scoop up another.  Thank goodness for those well behaved 3 year olds, who were just angels doing their own thing and playing nicely!

I feel like the more kids you have, the more you have to sort of LET GO of the control a little.  When Jesse was at the park, and it was just him, I was behind his every step and helping him and warning him of all the dangers.  He is a pretty cautious kid, and I think part of it is his nature, but it's been furthered by my nurture in those super early years.  I'm working on it.  Janna has had much less attention and warning as she has grown, and she is much more fearless and tackles things much quicker.  Now, with 3, I just can't always be watching every single move each one makes! And, being a person who struggles with wanting control, I think this has actually been good for me.   I fear it is my personality (that if I only had 1 or 2 kids) I would spend my whole life trying to plan their steps and organizing them to the point of exhaustion.  he he he...

Today at the park, there was a very sweet mom there with one older 3 year old boy. She was following each of his steps and interacting in all his interactions with other kids.  At one point, one of our 2 year olds wandered only a few meters outside of the park gate towards some bushes. I had an eye on him while I was holding a baby/looking for sand toys/ and rallying my troops to leave.  This 3 year old (with his mom close beside) ran out to grab his hand and make sure that he was staying near the park.  The mom laughed and said very loudly to another mom as if speaking for her son, "Well, your mommy sure isn't watching you, so I'll make sure I do!"  I'm sure the comment wasn't mean spirited, but it made me bristle a bit.  We're all doing our best here! We're trying.  It is crazy.  We do have our "hands-full" as every person mentions.  But it's worth it, and it is Good!

I'm so happy I have great friends like Sarah and Rebekah who understand the feeling of losing sight of your kids for a moment at the park because sometimes that is inevitable. I'm happy that my kids have this great network of awesome little pals to grow up with.  And I'm happy the sun was shining today. We had a great park-date the 12 of us, and here are some pictures:

mommas day 2013

Despite the head cold of ALL head colds, I feel pretty thankful, today!  I have a great mom, a great mom-in-law, and have been blessed beyond words by my crazy little ducklings: Jesse, Janna, and Robyn.  The things they have taught me by the shaping their lives have demanded, is something I couldn’t learn on my own.  ALSO! Today is Dave and I’s 6 year anniversary! What a great ride it’s been so far.  Bad days, good days, mundane days, special days, and moments that have been etched into my heart for all of time.   

Dave let me sleep in this morning, Yay for 7:30! and planned the entire day around me getting some rest.  He’s been in charge of the kids all day and has taken on the cooking and cleaning, and EVEN caught us up to date on the laundry.  I have just sat back and enjoyed some quiet moments to myself, and lots of snuggles with the kids.  Here we are!

Tonight, Dave and I will celebrate our big day with blizzards (I have freebie coupons) while Katie pops by to watch the kids for an hour. Last year we really did it up for our 5^th year anniversary with gifts, and a night out, and dinner and breakfast out, etc.  Probably the next 3 will be celebrated in a similar style, and maybe for number 10 we’ll do something out of the ordinary.  But, I am totally satisfied! Dave is a gift to me EVERY day!  His easy laughter, kind heart, and HARD work ethic blesses everyone who crosses his path.  And I get to experience this day in and out!  

Well, I wanted to write something special about my mom on here.  I have blogged about her a few times on mother day over the past several years that I Have been writing on Vance Palace Tales.   So, I thought that instead of rehashing all the reasons she is awesome, I would share a few of my favorite memories!

THE FURNITURE REARRANGING

One time, when I was around 11, we moved all the furniture around in our house.  My bedroom was going downstairs.  I had a HEAVY wooden framed box bed that needed to go downstairs.  My mom decided that this task was no problem for the 2 of us to conquer one day when it was just the 2 of us around.  We had steep, twisty, slippery hard word stairs, and I will NEVER forget thinking one of us was going to die as we moved all of the furniture around.  I remember her roaring, “We ARE WOMEN! We are strong.  We got this.”  And me being like, “ Mom! I’m going to cry.... I don’t like this....I'm gonna die”  And she found this hilarious and started laughing!  Like, pausing on the stairs as we are trying to hoist this thing around laughing.  My mom is strong!  I have only ever seen her cry twice, and she takes a lot on her plate without complaining.

CROSSING THE BORDER

So, growing up I lived near the US border.  WE traveled across it frequently to get gas/milk/hit up Walmart and sometimes for Chinese Buffet.  They often had Canadian money at par day! One day, I think I was probably 15 or 16, we were traveling over to Houlton Maine, and I was in the front with my mom.  My 2 brothers, Jesse and Jake were in the back, along with Jesse’s best friend, Josiah.  We were playing our new favorite car game where we’d make up a story with each person taking a turn adding one word to the narrative.  Around and around we go, and little Jake kept getting to end the sentences, with the most ridiculous endings.  I believe several of his endings were, “ FISH. ”  

Well, we were laughing so hard when it was our turn at border patrol.  My mom got it together and rolled down her window only to look into the eyes of the most serious young new trainee on the job.  “Hello ma’am.  Can you take off your sunglasses please.” As my mom reached up and pulled down her glasses, she erupted into spitting, shaking, uncontrollable laughter! My brothers and Josiah BURST into giggles in the back.  This man had NO idea what to do with this reaction and  so just sort of scowled and slowly started circling our car looking VERY serious.  I was SO SCARED!  Like, this guy could tear our car apart, strip-search us, send us AWAY without Chinese food.  I was telling my mom to get it together, and the more she tired taking deep breaths and trying to curb her laughter, the WORST it became.  Her head was hung down and she grabbed her stomach doubled over in laugher, and tears were STREAMING down her face.  She’d look up and take a deep breath and TRY, and then erupt into laughter again. “ Mom!  Stop! He’s coming back to the window” I was also trying not to laugh, but the fear in my heart was helping me.

  The man came back to the window and my mom sat up straight and looked into his eyes and seemed to have it together. “Ma’am! Where are you headed?”  She took a deep breath, and then BURST into laughter. AGAIN!  At this point, the man looked sort of mad.  My mom gasped in between snorts, “ Chris...sy...Tell...Him.... Tell.....him”  And she points her finger forward.  Right I thought.  This is helping.  I got out my best grown up voice and said, “ I’m really sorry. We were just telling funny stories. We are going over to Houlton for Chinese food.”  Then man looked at me, and paced  the car again, checked his computer for a while, and then when my mom had her laughing and "tears away"- he waved us on through.  I’m pretty sure he was quite perplexed.  I love this about my mom.  She laughs easily, and is fun to be around

THE SEWING ROOM

My mom spent many of her hours in her sewing room.  It was in the A frame part of the house...so a triangular and LONG room with a HUGE cutting table in the middle, and POUNDS of fabric and 5 or 6 different machines lining the walls.  Days after school when I didn’t have cheerleading or friends over, I would go and sit in the door way of this room.  My bum against one wall and feet against the other.  And I would just talk and talk and talk about my day.  My teachers, and friends, and what happened and what I was thinking.  My mom would sit at her machine and listen and laugh, and sometimes curse when her needle broke or she sewed her finger.  I wish I had pictures of this room.  I remember the general way it looked, and I remember the smell of it, and the warmth of if from the skylight.  My mom is a great listener, and I always felt heard and welcome in this doorway.

Anyways, those are just a FEW among many that popped into my head.  My baby is crying and so I must be on my way to feed the poor child.  Thanks for reading. Happy Mother’s Day one and all. I’m out.