We've moved!

In an effort to keep you from bouncing all over the internet to see what's going on with us, we've combined all of our blogs. Please visit us at our new home - http://smithsinseattle.blogspot.com.

Of course, you can always visit us at http://rhinoworld.org and click through to our new blog from there too.

i [heart] faces

I ran across this great photo contest website the other day and thought that I would throw my hat in the ring so to speak. This week's theme is 'hats'. So, here's Addy - making her own type of hat from a wide-brimmed straw hat. Looks a little like Laura Ingalls don't you think? =)

Go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ to see other cuties - and you can even enter too!

One hundred point no

So, Addy is sick. It doesn't appear to be anything serious, but she's had a low-grade fever all day long. She's not ever had more than a cold, so enter the introduction of the thermometer. We have a pretty snazzy under-the-arm one; it takes 30 seconds and beeps when it's finished. The first time I used it today, Addy was interested in the process and didn't fight it at all. However, after her nap she decided that she didn't want to have her temperature taken. So I decided to take Kennedy's temperature in front of Addy - thinking that might make the whole process interesting again. Anything the baby does is pretty cool, you know. I took Kennedy's temp and then turned to take Addy's. Addy pointed to Kennedy and said "No. Baby do it." Very clearly she understood. I wanted the thermometer warmed and Kennedy was the gal for the job.

AND

Again tonight before bed, I wanted to take Addy's temperature. After a little coaxing, I got the thermometer under her arm. After about 3 seconds, she said "beep".

She didn't fool me.

Sleep is good!

We've been remembering how good sleep is at our house this week! Addy is sleeping very regularly in her bed now and may just be learning to like sleep. Her naps are starting to lengthen and her night-time sleep seems to be much more restful the past couple days. She's, of course, learning more and more too. This week, she's been working on learning the names of all of the shapes and she's discovered that her blocks fit in the square hole (and the star hole too... ha!) of her shape sorter. She also has been counting cars on many of our ventures out. "I love you" has become a regular phrase in her vocabulary and her hugs are frequent and easily given as well. Wow - almost two. Where did the time go?

Kennedy has been sleeping much better as well (thank goodness). Though she slept through the night right after we moved her into her crib, her nights were getting to be rather painful, as she would wake up three, four, five, six times a night crying. But no longer! Giving her just a couple minutes before going into her has fixed this problem! And Mom is so much happier! =) She's also almost rolling over from back to front as well, though she's still working on getting that arm out from under her. She's growing quickly as well. Kids sure speed up your life! =)

The negotiation techniques...

of an almost-two year old are brutal. Thank goodness the business world doesn't run that way! =)

Valentine's Week

This week, we made a stained glass heart and also baked a rice krispie treat for Dad (in the shape of a Hershey's kiss) for Dad. In the last picture, you'll see that Addy is filling the kiss with love! =) Also, we went to a couple playdates (and hosted one), went to the park, went swimming, went to Wiggle Worms, and went to a couple community activity times. We're keeping busy and we're ready for more outdoor time! Summer, where are you? =)

Triple Rush Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 dash hot chili powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1/2 cup cold milk

Directions:
1. Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a glass or plastic dish, and microwave on high, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Mix in the coffee, cinnamon, and hot chili powder until the instant coffee has dissolved. Stir in the cold milk. Strain into 2 mugs. Thin with additional milk, if desired.

Adam - ***
Melanie - ***

(We found it was a lot better if warmed up again before drinking!)

Photo tag

Anna tagged me!

The rules: Go to the fifth photo folder on your computer and then pick the fifth picture you find. After you post the picture, you tag five friends to do the same and blog about it.

This is a picture from early January of 2008. (The fifth file is the fifth day that we took pictures in 2008). Addy was eating a lot of squash, carrots and sweet potatoes (as you can tell by her nose!!) and transitioning to table food. Just a random picture of a cute kid being herself. My how she's grown!!

I'm tagging all of my blog-gy friends out there. It's quick and easy and kinda fun too! =)

A new studio, a new blog!

Just Because is moving up in the world... literally. The photo studio that used to be in the basement in our house has now been moved to the main floor. This allows for a little more space during shoots and also allows for a better traffic flow in the house for clients. Here's a pic - not that you can really tell all that much from this... =) Oh, and even cooler (well maybe just as cool) is that all of the care package inventory fits very nicely just behind the background curtain (which would have been wasted space anyway), so Just Because is now all in one room, which makes my organizational self very happy.

Also, Just Because has a new blog too! Postings of many of my shoots will be able to be seen here - if you're interested!

Yay!

I think I'm in love.

I mean, let's not get carried away here or anything... vacuuming is still vacuuming, but it just got a lot better. (Click the picture to see the full specs!)

Being thankful

I'm going to rely on an email forward for today's post... and then I'm going to go and try to quick clean the house while the girls finish napping! =)

Adam and I have really been blessed with so much. While we sometimes probably take it for granted, we really try not to. Reminders are, of course, always good too though!


Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.Thank you, Lord, for life.

They grow so fast...

Addy is very interested in labeling everything right now. "Dad's water" "Mom's shirt" Addison's socks" "Baby's diaper". It's really cute. And her vocabulary is starting to amaze us. She's now saying words that we haven't actually 'taught' her. Another of her favorite sayings is "Ohmygosh". Yep - she got that from me. Thank goodness I wasn't saying something bad! Ha!

Kennedy had her 4 month check up last week. All looks great - she's over 18lbs and 27 inches long. (Yes, I said 4 month check up). She rolled over for the first time on Friday and has started eating cereal (in the hopes that having something in her tummy will allow her to sleep more than 3 hours at a time - like when she used to sleep 10 hours a night a few weeks ago!). =) So many firsts!!

The things that you learn...

I've never been so busy with so little accomplished.

Adam assures me that 'accomplished' just takes on a different meaning during parenthood. He's right, I know. I know.

But still. =)

Friendship wreaths and purple cow shakes

"Jazz hands!"

Yum!!

Black Forest Cake

I'm behind! We didn't do 'dinner and a movie' night this past week - we're a little short on time around here lately. So, I'm posting one of my all-time favorite recipes. (Oh and I never bother with the cherries as noted here - I just use a can of cherry pie filling!). =)

Ingredients:
2 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 (20 ounce) cans pitted sour cherries
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch, round, cake pans; cover bottoms with waxed paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, 2 cups sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and 1 tablespoon vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Loosen edges, and remove to racks to cool completely.
4. Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Combine reserved juice, cherries, 1 cup sugar and cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool before using.
5. Combine whipping cream and confectioner's sugar in a chilled medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
6. With long serrated knife, split each cake layer horizontally in half. Tear one split layer into crumbs; set aside. Reserve 1 1/2 cups Frosting for decorating cake; set aside. Gently brush loose crumbs off top and side of each cake layer with pasty brush or hands. To assemble, place one cake layer on cake plate. Spread with 1 cup frosting; top with 3/4 cup cherry topping. Top with second cake layer; repeat layers of frosting and cherry topping. Top with third cake layer. Frost side of cake. Pat reserved crumbs onto frosting on side of cake. Spoon reserved frosting into pastry bag fitted with star decorator tip. Pipe around top and bottom edges of cake. Spoon remaining cherry topping onto top of cake.

I scream...

you scream, we all 'say please' for ice cream!

Who likes packing?

I sure don't! I always feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off and then I always wonder if I have everything that's needed... and packing for kids on top of it has made the whole packing process even more stressful. But I found a great tool that will hopefully make it all better (I have yet to try it, but it seems promising). Enter in basic information about your trip and it spits a packing list and a to-do-before-you-leave list back at you. What could be easier?

Now if only entering the information about a trip to Hawaii made the trip actually happen! =)

A night out

Two weeks ago, Adam and I went out on a date – dinner and a movie – just the two of us. I should mention that up to this point, in Addy’s 22.5 months, we had been childless for a total of 13 hours (2.5 of which were the hours in the hospital before Kennedy was born). So, this was a pretty big thing.

The kids stayed at home with the sitter and watched The Little Mermaid. We had dinner at Outback Steakhouse, where we actually managed to keep our conversation relatively kid-free (oh, there was some kid conversation… but it wasn’t all), and then we went to see The Mysterious Case of Benjamin Button. Weird movie. A little long and not the best thing to see the first night without the kids, I’d say – but a movie nonetheless. We got some coffee (hot chocolate for me) on the way home (gotta love those 24 hour Starbucks drive-throughs) and were home 15 minutes early.

It was a fun night. And it’s something that we need to do more often. Once a month would probably be better than once every two years. But we both missed the girls. I can’t speak for Adam, but I missed them more than I thought that I would. I was so excited to get home to see their beautiful sleeping faces.

Kennedy was out – oblivious to the changes in the evening I think. Addy had woken up just as we pulled into the garage, but was back in dreamland by the time that we checked on her a few minutes later. However, as we were getting ready to turn in for the evening Addy roused again. After we each went into her separately and snuggled a little, she still seemed a little uneasy. Just a little unsettled.

So, in quite a departure from the norm, I took her into our room and the three of us snuggled on our bed and read a few books. Addy, more settled after that, went back to her room for the rest of her night of beauty sleep.

It was the best 20 minutes though and a good ending to the evening. Adam, as he saw me bring her into our room, said to Addy “this is for us too.” He was right. It did us all some good I think.

We’re planning on some more nights out in the near future and I'm excited about them, but I think that it would be ok if they all ended like that one did - just our little family of four (or four minus one if Kennedy is out like she was this first time) reading in the big bed past bedtime. =)

Continually growing

Addy's favorite phrase right now is "take a bath". She says it more like "takeabath" though. We went swimming last week and she told most people afterwards that she had been to "takeabath". It's really cute - and sometimes she'll say it just out of the blue. She does love the water though, so maybe she's hopeful that if she says it, she'll be able to dive right in.

Kennedy has always been quite the smiler, but lately she's starting to smile with her whole face (if not her whole body). Her smiles now quite often include completely closed eyes and a wide open mouth and sometimes even raised shoulders. It's fun to see and you can't help but try to make the same face right back to her.

Two kids - lots of differences

So, Addison and Kennedy are very different babies. I'm amazed at how different two kids can be - kids that have the same parents and are less than 20 months apart. Their personalities are so much fun to watch develop.

Just off the top of my head...

Addison
-loved her pacifier
-didn't seem to notice if she had a wet diaper (or even a dirty one)
-could take or leave the baby swing (everyone told us that the swing was the cure to any cry, but that wasn't really the case with Addy)
-never really needed to be burped and only twice in her life spit up
-was a slow eater - she would swallow three times and then pause for a few seconds and then start again
-was a big baby (always above the 97th percentile in height and weight)
-didn't really respond to singing to soothe
-was always moving her feet (all of her old clothes (the ones that Kennedy is now wearing) have knobs on the backs of the feet from where she moved her feet against whatever they were resting against)

Kennedy
-will take a pacificer if it's handy, but prefers her thumb sometimes and sometimes prefers nothing at all
-is not happy about much at all in her diaper
-is very happy in the swing and will happily drift in and out of sleep in it, or sometimes just watch the world from it
-seems to always have a burp in her tummy somewhere and is sometimes like a mini-Old Faithful spit-up geyser
-gulps and never pauses - unless it's to choke a little (which of course may lead to the above mentioned issues)
-is a bigger baby even still (she's outgrowing clothes about 2 months ahead of the time that Addy did)
-responds to singing - it is a cure for most crying (she heard a lot more singing in utero though, because as Addy's gotten older, she loves music, so we're always singing now)
-is more of a stretcher than a mover (beware if she can't completely stretch out - she'll tell the world about it)

So, at this point, Kennedy seems to be the more mellow of the two, while Addy seems to always want to be a part of the action. We'll see if their personalities continue on those paths.

Whatever the case though, they are the most perfect little ones... and I'm continually amazed that we somehow got the smartest, cutest, strongest, fastest, and most wonderful kids out there (followed very closely by our friends' kids of course!).

Oh and though they are different in many ways, both of them seem to be able to wiggle out of Carter's Wiggle Proof Socks quicker than any others. Go fig. =)

Preparation for groundhogs!

This week, we've been preparing for Punxsutawney Phil!!

Kennedy received a groundhog from Gail and Charley for her very first Groundhog's Day!!

Addy colored a groundhog and then we put him on a stick and poked it through a cup to make a 'peek-a-boo' Phil.

We made Shadow Cookies in an effort to scare that shadow away!

We also went to see Doug Fleming and Bongo Mike, went to a few storytimes, went swimming (where Addy learned about the fun of jumping off the side of the pool into Mom's arms!), went to the gym a few times, played quite a bit at home (Addy is learning to catch and Kennedy is learning to sit up unassisted), moved Kennedy's next set of clothes into her dresser and closet (holy cow - she's growing quickly!), and did various other errands and mundane tasks. All-in-all, a good week! =)

Chicken melts

No movie tonight, but we tried chicken melts from allrecipes.com. Didn't use the red wine, but did everything else as noted. It was ok. Nothing spectacular, but nothing to run from either. =)

Chicken Melts:

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, sliced into thin rings
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup red wine
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 English muffins, split and toasted

Directions:
1. Preheat the grill for high heat.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place the onion slices in the skillet, sprinkle with garlic powder, and saute until onions are translucent. Remove from heat, and set aside.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the chicken breast halves on the grill, and sprinkle with wine, rosemary, and thyme. Cook for about 8 minutes. Turn, and continue cooking 8 minutes, or until juices run clear. Place a slice of cheese on each breast half, and top with onions. Cook until cheese starts to melt. Serve on toasted English muffins.

Adam: ***
Melanie: **1/2

All tied up

One pair of shoes has been on these power lines for quite a while. But recently new pairs have been showing up. There's a pair down the street a little as well. I guess it's our own little piece of modern art!

Marin's beanies

Marin knitted hats. A hat designed by her shortly before her death has just been released by Hurley. You can see it here. A portion of the proceeds are going to the Marin Morrison Foundation.

Stuff

“A place for everything and everything in its place.” Yep – that’s how I used to live my life.

And then we had kids.

Kids come with a lot of stuff. The amount of stuff that we have in our house doubled when Addy came into our lives and tripled with Kennedy. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little. But just a little. (And here I was so super excited that having a second girl meant that we wouldn’t need anything more than what we already had.)

I’m not really sure why it’s this way. I’ve been assured that my favorite toys were measuring cups out of the kitchen drawers. My Mom tells me that the day before my parents brought me home from the hospital, my Dad went to the store to buy diapers, blankets and a couple outfits for me – that’s all. I have friends who slept in dresser drawers as babies because their parents didn’t have cribs. Hardly ‘stuff magnets’ there.

But that doesn't seem to be the way it is anymore – we’re not alone with our piles of stuff. Though we’re far far far from the most kid-accessory-stuffed houses (believe me, I know).

So anyway, the days of places for everything in our house are probably gone (at least for a little while) – and even if there were places for everything, Addy might very well see to move things right after they had been placed. So it goes.

We’ve been in a state of upheaval the past week as we move a couple rooms around in our house and along with that we’ve been finding things that we don’t really have homes for and even more so, we’re finding things that we don’t need. (We’re even finding some things that we had forgotten we had – gulp!). So we’re taking this opportunity to de-stuff our house. Salvation Army made a large pick up this morning and the trash at the curb is overflowing as well. That was already a goal for this year – clean up and clean out. So I guess it’s all fitting in with our grand plan.

The things that we’re cleaning out now are all pre-kid. And though we’re getting close to being able to move some of the larger baby things out of our house (the swing, the activity center), we’re not really quite there yet. We moved some of the baby toys out of our storage closet last night for the last time though, because once Kennedy is done with them, they will be going to another home where they will be loved space-taker-uppers for another kid and another family. Yes it’s exciting for Kennedy to get to use them. But I’d be lying if I said that (on some level at least) I’m not excited about getting rid of them too. (And yes, I realize I say all this with a wish list on amazon.com for the girls that has many many more items on it than they will ever need. The brain is not always a rational thing.) =)

Anyway, with the ‘clean up, clean out’ thought in mind, I headed to the playroom last night after the house was quiet thinking that there might be some smaller things that I could add to the Goodwill pile. Things that Addy doesn’t play with – things that Kennedy would never miss. I walked into the playroom that had just recently been picked up (there are things without places though) and it was then that I realized that, it’s full of stuff, but it’s also full of laughter, smiles and squeals of delight. The toys will, of course, come and go and they’re definitely not what make the memories, but right now – they’re the flotsam and jetsam of childhood. Of our little baby girls, who, though may always be our baby girls in our hearts, won’t be babies once we blink.

I’m not a Mom who wants to keep our kids babies. I’m a cheerleader when Addison and Kennedy do things that show that they are growing and learning – I love those moments. Of course, I will always cherish their baby moments and will always remember the way that they felt in my arms as they came into this world, but I’m also very excited to see them come into their own and leave their imprints on the world.

But they don’t have to grow up too quickly either. So the play room stayed as it was last night. Awaiting more laughs, smiles and squeals.

We’ll leave cleaning out for another day.

Our smart little girls

The other day while I was talking to Adam on the phone, I handed the receiver to Addy to say 'hi'. She was sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by books with an open one on her lap (this is a very common occurence). I heard her say "Reading a book" (or at least something very close to that). After she handed me (read: I pried) back the phone, Adam told me that he had, indeed, asked her what she was doing. She's a little smarty-pants. I guess algebra is next. =)

In Kennedy news, we're still seeing great big, full face smiles and we're also starting to see more emotions as well; she's a very expressive little kiddo. She is also starting to reach for things as she sees them now. It's so much fun to watch her make connections as she learns how to control those motions that simply used to be flails.

That was back then...

Once upon a time, I said that I wasn't going to make this a 'Mommy-blog' - only full of things about my, then only, child. I've since changed my mind a bit. One of my New Years Resolutions was/is to keep a more detailed history of the events of Addison and Kennedy... and I think that using my blog might be a great way to do that.

So anyway, I'm just offering this a fair warning - this may become kiddo central, full of the goings-on of the two little amazing girls that have completely stolen my heart. =)

Getting out the door

...with two little ones is always a struggle. However, I have found that leaving the house is actually much easier if I dress the girls first thing in the morning instead of letting them hang out in their jammies for an extra hour or so. It just seems to jump-start the day and it gets us moving a little faster. It's amazing how five minutes earlier in the morning doesn't seem as long as five minutes when we're trying to leave the house.

Goings-on at Casa Smith

We made Jello jiggler towers

and Scupley worms (that can be used to show plant water levels).

We did other fun things too, but these are the picture-worthy ones! =)

Chicken pot pie and The Office

Turkey Pot Pie

Prep Time: 45 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Ready In: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients:
1 recipe pastry for a (10 inch) double crust pie
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small onion, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, diced
3 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
2 cubes chicken bouillon
2 cups water
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed (I used one can of sliced potatoes)
1 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey (I used chicken)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll out bottom pie crust, press into a 10 inch pie pan, and set aside.

2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onion, celery, carrots, parsley, oregano, and salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the bouillon and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in the potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm.

3. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the turkey and flour. Add the milk, and heat through. Stir the turkey mixture into the vegetable mixture, and cook until thickened. Cool slightly, then pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Roll out the top crust, and place on top of filling. Flute edges, and make 4 slits in the top crust to let out steam.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

(Notes: This recipe took a lot of pots and pans (though we didn't have leftover chicken, so I did cook that too) - it felt like most of the contents of the kitchen were in the sink, on the stove or in the dishwasher by the time everything was made. Oh - and there was a lot more filling than would actually fit in the pie crust, so I would probably would use a little less of everything next time.)

We didn't watch a movie along with this, but we did watch The Office - which was a pretty good episode this week.

Pot Pie Ratings:
Adam - ***1/2 (he just doesn't understand how good it is)
Melanie - ****1/2

"Mick"

Addy knows Mickey Mouse (of course). When she sees him, she says "Mick". The other day we were at a restaurant when she pointed to the wallpaper and said "Mick". Only then did we see it. But it's definitely there - we had just never noticed it.

Obamicon yourself!!

http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/

History made

Change has come.

Addy and I made cookies over the weekend - clearly the Inauguration was on our minds. =)

Nighttime worries

Though my car radio, for the most part, has been taken over by Edward the Tap-Dancing Elephant and Winnie the Pooh songs, I did actually manage to listen to a little NPR the other night. And the weirdist thing happened - Adam and I were on the radio (you can hear it here - it's about 9:17 in). Ok, it wasn't really us, but it might as well have been.

M: "I can't hear Addy and Kennedy."
A: "They're sleeping."
M: "Do you think they're ok?"
A: "Yes."
M: "Are you sure?"
A: "Yes."
M: "How can you know?"
A: "Didn't you just check on them 15 minutes ago?"
M: "Yes."
A: "Were they ok then?"
M: "Yes."
A: "Well then they're ok."
M: "Ok..."
A: (rolling over and turing off the light) "Goodnight."
M: "You know, I think I'm going to go check once more..." (leaving bed)

So, this isn't a conversation that we have every night, but we probably have some varation of it once a week or so. Are they too warm? Too cold? Sleeping too long? Not long enough? Eating enough? Too much? I'm good at worrying when it comes to the girls. Try as I might to keep it from happening, it happens. Thank goodness Adam is more common sensical about these situations (not to mention patient enough to put up with me!).

Maybe some day, I'll get over the worrying part of motherhood...

or maybe not. But it's nice to know that I'm not alone.

So that's what Ruldolph does in the off season...

Dolphin olympics

Be warned though: It's a little addicting!

Resolutions

So, I guess I'm kind of late to the ballgame here, but I have finally made my New Years' Resolutions. Yep - plural. Adam jokingly told me that I'm the only person he knows with a sub-bulleted list of resolutions. Whatever. =) It's really not that bad.

But I'm struck at how many of my resolutions (which I really prefer to call goals) are about Addison and Kennedy. I never really realized how much better I would try to make my life because of having kids. Setting a good example, being the change - and all that.

Politics, changing weather patterns, crime rates, car safety ratings, medical advances... all of these things have become more important to me since February 2007. It's crazy really.

It's safe to say that I always knew having kids would change our lives in many ways, but I wasn't aware of just how absolutely everything would be changed...

You know, because of the two little girls who are, as I type this, sleeping across the hall from me, I now even eat my veggies (that was on last year's resolution list).

Patience

According to dictionary.com, the definiton of patience is:
an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay

My definition is:
singing songs, talking about chocolate chips (rewards), doing finger puppet theater, reading books and looking at pictures while your toddler is on the potty, only to have her stand up after an hour and declare that she would like a diaper (which she then promptly uses).

Ah well - it's a work in progress. =)

English muffin pizzas and Wall-E

We didn't do 'dinner and a movie night' this week (and haven't really done that lately... though we're going to start again!), but over the past weekend, we did a 'family dinner and a movie night'. Addy helped make the pizza and then we all watched Wall-E for the first time. It was a lot of fun - and a great movie too (on par with Monsters Inc. even!). Anyway, I would highly recommend a repeat of the evening at your own home!

English Muffin Pizza

Preparation time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 10 mins
Serving Size: 6
Ingredients 6 English muffins, split in half
14 ounces pizza sauce
12 ounces pepperoni, sliced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange muffin halves in baking pan and spread 2 to 3 tablespoons pizza sauce on each. Cover with pepperoni slices. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Serve hot.

Pizzas (out of 5):
Adam - ***1/2
Melanie - ***1/2

Wall-E (out of 5):
Adam - ****
Melanie - ****

Origami towels

We received a box of origami towels from Adam's parents (er... I mean St. Nick) last month for St. Nick's Day. They are so cute, we have not yet undone them. =)

Rainforest love

Click here to help save the rainforests. It's super easy and it may make you feel even better about your day! =)

Back to normal...

...whatever that is! =)

Between Kennedy's birth, visiting houseguests, traveling for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Adam being home quite a bit since October (which is super wonderful - but far from typical), I'm not sure that we really know what 'normal' life with two kids is like yet... even three months after Kennedy's birthday.

I really don't have much more to say than that. I just found it to be interesting. We're getting there now - to normal, I mean. If there really is a 'normal' with kids. It seems to be ever changing. Of course that's a lot of the fun too though.

Anyway, if you've got kids and a handle on normal, please let me know. Maybe I'm expecting the impossible! =)

Marin Morrison

Some readers will remember Marin - one of the Wish Kids that I was so fortunate to meet a couple years ago. She passed away on Friday morning...

I didn't know her well, but I felt (and feel) very touched by her, her family and her story. (See the video below for a great introduction).

I have written a letter to her parents, Matt and Nancy. It doesn't really begin to scratch the surface of my feelings, but it's something I guess.

Dear Family of Marin –

I’m sure that this will be one letter of hundreds (or possibly thousands) that you receive but I thought it still necessary to send.

I know that we didn’t know each other well, and I hope that it’s ok that I contact you now… Make A Wish volunteers are strongly encouraged to ‘fade away’ after a wish is complete for a Wish Kid. But after getting to know Marin and your family in person and through Marin’s site, I just felt I had to let you know how much your sweet daughter, and indeed your entire family, touched my life.

I have kept up-to-date with your family since Marin’s wish though marinlove.com. (And while you were on your Wish Trip, I read all of the back entries on it too.) It was, and continues to be, an amazing testament to Marin’s life, and also to your family as well.

Your strength, your resilience, your optimism, and your love poured through your posts. It’s easy to see where Marin got her outlook on life and on cancer too. You talk about Marin’s strength. Please know that she had to have gotten it from you.

I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters since working on Marin’s wish and I hope that my husband and I are raising them to be like your Marin – graceful, strong and determined. It is through my kids (and so so many others) that Marin’s spirit can live on. I know that her spirit is with you, but I just wanted you to know that her spirit is in many other places too.

Thank you for allowing me to have a chance, however so brief, to know Marin and know your beautiful family. And as your Angel walks the streets of Heaven, please know that Marin will always live on in my heart. My deepest sympathies and condolences to you.

Sincerely,
Melanie Smith
Make-A-Wish Volunteer

Marin Morrison

Hug your kids just a little longer and tighter tonight (and every night). I know that I will.