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Green Eyed Monster

The green eyed monster has emerged. No! I'm not referring to me - although, I am green-eyed and can be a monster to live with... especially when I'm PMS'ing.

No, this green-eyed monster is jealousy.

There has always been some form of competition between Elisan and Kyla. I figured it was sibling rivalry in it's infancy. It would begin as a little kiss here, a hug there, that when the other one would see that they were missing out on some mommy luv'in, they'd rush over and get in on the action. That's normal, right?

But, lately it's like Elisan has a stop watch and practically times the amount of time I'm spending with Kyla Mae and compares it with the amount of time I am spending with her.

(The nerve of me, to spend one extra minute tucking Kyla Mae into bed at night!)

And, the worse part of it all... she calls me out on it. There's nothing better than being called out by your 5 year old, let me tell you.

When Elisan whines that I've spent more time with Kyla Mae, I have to remind her that she was almost two years old before Kyla Mae was born and that she did not have to share me for two whole years! Yep, you guessed it... that didn't work.

So, since I'm being monitored now on the number of kisses, hugs and time spent with each child, I better be more diligent about my time management.

Weekend of Friends

I had a nice weekend.

I traveled to Houston and was able to squeeze in visits with two of my close friends.

First off, I visited Angie, a friend from college. We worked at the same law firm in college and attended the same university. I was the Maid of Honor in her wedding and she was the Matron of Honor in my wedding.

This past weekend was her baby shower for their first child. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I'm so glad I was able to go. It was great seeing her and I can't wait to meet the newest addition to their family.

After the shower, I visited my closest friend, Mrs C. who moved away last year. I remember meeting Cyndi for the first time in the neighborhood as she was taking her 6 week old baby for a stroll. (That "baby" is now five!) We became fast friends and haven't stopped talking and laughing since.

Elisan also had a lot of fun with Mrs C.'s kids. So much so, that she didn't want to go home. In fact, I had to promise her another trip back to visit Mrs C. so she would "forgive" me from taking her home.

I would have liked to have spent more time with them both, but I am grateful for the time we had.

Musings of a 5 year old

It's no secret that Elisan is a worrier. She gets that from me, I am sad to admit.

Most of our conversations revolve around her worrying about something and questioning the possible outcomes, etc.

Here's a prime example...

Today, we are heading to Ms. C's house for a weekend trip. She has worried herself (and me!) about this trip all week.

Earlier in the week, she asked me what was she going to do if Ms. C didn't have the kind of cereal that she liked to eat for breakfast. I told her that I'm sure Ms. C would have plenty of selections to choose from and that she needn't worry about it.

But, of course, it didn't stop there...

"Well, Mommy, I like waffles. Maybe Ms. C can make me waffles for breakfast."

Me, "We'll see. I'm sure she'll have stuff that you like."

Elisan, "Or, maybe you can call her and see if she can buy some 'K' cereal for me."

Me, "Elisan, how about we not worry about it anymore."

(Insert lightbulb moment here...) Elisan, "Or, maybe... I can just eat what Joey likes to eat! That would be a great idea, right Mommy?"

Me (exasperated!), "Yes! That's a great idea!"

UNSUBSCRIBE

How did I get to this place? How is it that my in-box is overflowing with merchant emails touting "free shipping" here and "offer ends today" there?

I have just spent the last 20 minutes un-subscribing myself from merchant email lists. Everything from A-Z (or at least "BizRate" to "Zagats")

Freedom! Feels good!

I challenge you to de-clutter and unsubscribe today!

One big heaping of A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E, please...

Galatians 6:7
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

I tell you what, my God is a smart God. I mean, he knows what he is talking about.

So, the question at hand is: Why am I shocked that MY daughter is exhibiting signs of major attitude?

If only I had the time (effort and energy) to catalog all of the occurrences of B.A. in this household, you too, would be shocked. But, let's not forget that tried and true biblical truth:

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

Yes, that's right. I too, exhibited B.A. in my parent's house growing up.

I think my mom would agree, that my B.A. years didn't begin until... oh, around 16... don't ya think, Mom? So, imagine my surprise when my FIVE year old begins to toss around "HMMPHS!" when she doesn't get her way - or, better yet... when she does get her way.

Or, the times when she will she will make everyone in the house miserable because - again, she doesn't get her way. The fact that she knows how to do that, amazes me. I don't think I learned the silent treatment until waaay into my adolescent years.

Oh, and this is a good one... when she is sitting in time-out and the timer will go off and I announce to her that she may get up from time out, she will just sit there, glaring at me and continue to stay in the time-out spot. And what do I do? I reset the timer for another 5 minutes because I'm not going to let my five year old even "think" she has the upper hand. Yep, that works on her every time.

I'm not going to lie here, folks... I still have attitude issues. Just ask my husband, or mom, or friends. But, perhaps now is the time to get control of my emotions and stop the B.A. If not for my own sake, but for the sake of the sanity of our household, because KM isn't far behind Elisan in the attitude department. And two girls...?

(LIGHTBULB MOMENT HERE: So wait... Randy wasn't joking when he said he was going to buy a patch of land and pitch a tent to escape to? )

What's Cooking!

Last week, I was doing a search on Food Network for a yummy, fresh tomato pasta sauce. And, guess what? I found THE recipe for the best fresh tomato pasta sauce! Look no further!

Plus, the beauty of this recipe is that you don't cook the sauce. It's light and easy for Summer.



Angle Hair With Fresh Tomato Sauce
Recipes adapted from Gourmet Magazine

2 cups seeded, and coarsely chopped Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves, minced
1 cup firmly packed fresh parsley leaves, minced
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
3 garlic cloves, or to taste, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 pound angel hair
Fresh parsley to garnish
**Optional: 1 tblsp small capers

Make tomato sauce:
In a bowl combine well all the sauce ingredients and let the sauce stand at room temperature, covered, for at least 1 hour. Toss with hot cooked pasta.

** I added the capers to my rendition and it was yummy!
**I also sauteed some shrimp and served along with the pasta. A definite must!

One Huge Milestone!

Elisan lost her very FIRST tooth tonight at church!
Here's my snaggle-tooth beauty!

Dinnertime

Dinnertime at my house has become my least favorite times of my day.

For those who know me, know that I love to cook. It is one of my favorite things to do. I love new recipes, I love grocery shopping and I love using new ingredients that I've never used before. And, of course, I love to eat!

So, one would assume that dinnertime at my house would be a DINING EXPERIENCE, not a DINING DISASTER.

Here's how dinner goes down at my house.

1. Elisan immediately scoffs at whatever it is that I place before her. It could be macaroni and cheese, topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles... she will still complain. (Okay, not really, but it is ALMOST that bad!)

2. As soon as the first bite is taken by Elisan, she begins the, "How many bites do I have to eat until I get _________" fill in the blank here, folks - Popsicle, ice cream cup, etc. I mean seriously... it's with every bite. "How many more bites, now?" AH!

3. Oh, yeah... and the dessert thing... I'm already aware of the fact that she expects desserts after dinner and how baaaaad that is, but hey! If it gets her to eat the good stuff, then a Popsicle ain't gonna hurt her.

4. Kyla is learning all of these wonderful traits from her big sis, so we have to hear the little mockingbird in the background echoing her sister's complaints.

5. Elisan and Kyla duel over who gets to talk and apparently whoever speaks the loudest gets to dominate the conversation. This while Randy and I have trying to have a conversation about the day, etc.

6. Elisan is constantly up and down from her seat. When we are not telling her to "eat the food on your plate" or "use your inside voice" or "it's Mommy's turn to talk now", then we are telling her to "sit down" or "get back to the table".

7. Kyla Mae does not usually spill her water, but two nights ago, she spilled her water TWICE. Why? Because she insists on keeping it in front of her plate, not behind it. It's a miracle she doesn't spill it every night.

I've always known how important it is to sit down at the dinner table and share a meal as a family. That was standard practice at mine and Randy's homes. And, I wish I could enjoy dinner time more. The fact is though, that by the time dinner rolls around, I'm exhausted from the day and spent at least an hour preparing dinner, so all I want to do is sit down and enjoy it -- but, I can't.

So the remedy? There is none. We stay on the status quo path, because it's like Randy says, "One day, they won't want to talk to us."

Pressing forward!

Back in April, I blogged about a major life choice that Randy and I are currently facing.

We are still in that place of indecision, but I am more open to discuss it now.

Randy will likely be asked to take a temporary job assignment in China. The job assignment would likely for two years. I am tempted to say "only two years", but I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the thought that we could be living in China for two years - give or take.

The job has not been offered, but realistically, he is the most qualified for it. It is only a matter of time before the business contracts are finalized and the deals are closed, and at that point, we assume that the offer will be made.

So here I am... waiting.

We've done the overseas job assignment before, but it was in Europe. And let's be honest... Europe is a far cry from China.

Because there are so many unknowns about China, I can't even imagine what life would be like there. My mind is swimming with all of these various scenarios - true or made up. It is mind boggling.

I could blah, blah, blah about it all day long, but whining about the unknown is fruitless.

So, I wait. And pray. And believe that God will guide our decision about this major life choice.

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A

I've joined the local YMCA! Why?

Well, for a two fold reason!

I need to get in shape. I haven't worked out in YEARS and I need to do something that is for me and my overall health.

Second... well, this is for purely selfish reasons... but the kids need something to do and mom just ain't cutting it around here!

Elisan's school schedule was so crammed packed with activities all day long, that she had no time to be bored at school. Here? She is bored by 9:00 a.m.

So, at the YMCA there is an amazing area for the kids to play in. Plus, there is even open gym time, where they get to play basketball, etc.

It's a win-win! And what better motivator to get to the gym, than have your kids beg you to go - so they can play?

Works for me!