tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22664226015519344012024-02-06T20:57:11.088-08:00Let The Dust SettleKathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-19932988889121937892009-02-01T20:40:00.000-08:002009-02-01T20:51:42.555-08:00I'm backWell, I knew I was going to take a short break from blogging. I didn't think we would have been quite this long. I am planning on posting my menus again too. <br /><br />It has been a crazy 6 months or so. Back in May, my husband was laid off. He had been with the company for 22 years, so it was a total shock. But God is good, and although he has yet to find something, we have seen His hand in it all. The timing, although horrible at the time for us, was actually perfect. Actually, he is now working as consultant for a few weeks, and then hopefully he will be hired permanently. <br /><br />I was teaching preschool 2 days a week last year, and in September I started working four days. Two days teaching young 3's and two days teaching young 2's. I love it, although it is exhausting! But Princess is going to pre-k for free, so it works well. My house on the other hand looks like a bomb went off....every 3 seconds! I've decided that it's pretty bad when you hope a hurricane hits your house (as long as everyone is safe). At least that would be a great excuse on why it looks the way it does.<br /><br />So I've been struggling with loads of feelings this last few months. The greatest one, I can't do it. I don't have it in me. I love my husband, I love my kids. But to have everything else going on, and then to deal with the never ceasing demands of a special needs child. It can put one in major overload. But there is never a boring or dull moment around here, and I have to admit I do like that!<br /><br />Well, I will be posting more later. And hopefully my thoughts will be a bit more put together.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-47548811086154566812008-06-08T19:59:00.000-07:002008-06-10T08:00:30.984-07:00Life can be so shortLife is so precious. So short. So full of happiness, sadness, bliss, love, and so much more. And when someone special touches your life, and that of your child is suddenly gone....what do you do?<br /><br />Mrs. Guirguis was Science boys third grade teacher. School just ended last Thursday. I saw her, gave her gifts - some of which I made because she loved everything I made and science boy insisted - gave her a hug and said we would see her at the pool this summer. And now she's gone. Just one day after school was over she died in a car accident. She had 2 children and was to be married again this summer. She was in a good place in her life. She was always so joyful, so full of life. She really cared about her students, you could tell that teaching was more than a job to her, it was her mission. And sadly, this last school year was her last mission. God needed her home............I know that. But when someone so young is taken in such a split second it's almost - no not almost - it is surreal.<br /><br />How do you tell your 9 year old that one of the most important people in his life is gone. She did so much for him, and believed in him so much - just like she believed in each and everyone of her students. She is one of a handful of teachers that I've come across that sees the child for the child...sees past what society may have done to the child...sees the core of the child...and brings that to the surface. Each child was an individual to her, and learned differently. She found out the best way to reach the child and they soared because of it. Don't we all just need someone to love us no matter what, push us and be there to watch us fly? Ms. Guirguis was one of the best. <br /><br />As is probably the case for most of her students - I, the parent, am having a more difficult time with this. I'm the one breaking down in tears when I think about it or read the newspaper article. I think it's because there are so many unanswered questions. An investigation is still going on, so not much has been released. Science boy is sad, talks a bit about her, and goes on. We've talked about how God has a plan for us all, how he was so blessed to have been in her class...out of all the third graders he and his friends were chosen to be part of her last mission here on earth. And that satisfies him, he doesn't need the answers that we adults need. His heart accepts that as much as he will miss her, her work here is done. The only unanswered questions to him are what is going to happen to her children (he knows one of them), and why she was the only one killed...why not someone else in the car....why her. And after talking about that, he's satisfied. <br /><br />All that knew her still have a lot of healing to do. If you believe in the power of prayer - please pray for her children, her family, friends, co-workers and students. <br /><br />Ms. Guirguis you will be missed and I will think of you often. But now you have the best seat to watch your students soar.<br /><br />With love and a heavy heart....Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-40025555725069241892008-06-08T09:38:00.000-07:002008-06-08T09:56:49.987-07:00Say it ain't so........Ok, it can not be. Please someone till me that I have blogged some since March. How and where did the time go so fast?????<br /><br />I know a ton or so have happened since then, and I've been crazy busy. But I didn't think it was any busier than normal. But here we are, school is out...summer is around the corner.<br /><br />May was an extremely busy month for us. And even held a few surprises. May 5th science boy turned 9 (I cried....I mean think about it in 9 years he'll be going off to college....The same amount of time that he's been here with us (I swear it was just a few days ago I was holding a smallish bundle of baby in my arms)he'll be leaving us to go to college. Wow!). On May 10th lego boy turned 7. It just boggles my mind how much he has accomplished this year. Plus he got his BAHA in April, what a difference!. My husband got laid off around this time...after 22 years with the same company.....don't get me started. But faith in God is an amazing thing, and we know that the right job is waiting.<br /><br />Little Princess and mine last day of school was May 21st. My husband's b-day was May 22nd. The boy's school carnival was the last weekend in May...in which somehow I was in charge of all the crafts - this was being planned for months, as I was also planning 2 b-day parities, my class' end-of-school party, and lego boys last day of school party (I'm the room mom). Then I was offered a job at the other MDO our church does...so next fall I'll be working 4 days. And to top it all off, it was the 20th anniversary of my 21st birthday on June 2nd. Phew! <br /><br />The boys' school ended last Thursday....and with a bang. Little Princess got a fever Wed. night. Then Science boy got it about 1 hour after school on Thursday. So we went off to one of those after hour pediatric urgent care places. Little Princess had a fever of 104.9!!! So far it looks like it's just a virus...and they still have fever. So far just Little Princess and Science Boy have them. But I was told that they could have the fever for up to a week. Oh what fun!Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-27178706943100861392008-03-19T10:02:00.000-07:002008-03-19T10:23:24.191-07:00Spring BreakGrowing up I always loved Spring Break. A whole week off school. It didn't matter if we were going anywhere or staying home. I never did like school, so any excuse to be away from it was wonderful! Playing for hours with my friends, torturing...I mean playing...with my younger brothers - doing anything was a welcome escape.<br /><br />Then as a mom of one it wasn't too bad. I was very pregnant with my second child when my oldest started Mother's Day Out. So it was a great time to spend some quality time with him before both of our worlds were completely changed forever.<br /><br />When my second child started preschool, it was crazy. He was in a different school district (due to going to a regional day school for the deaf) - so the boys Spring Breaks were different. One the week before the other. Plus I had had little princess by then...so life didn't change to much. I just had an extra child to take on errands, and dropping off/picking up one of the boys.<br /><br />Now that I'm a teacher at my daughter's MDO, and a mom...Spring Break brings mixed emotions. I get a week off (no pay though), and my kids will be home. Wonderful and at the same time I know it's going to be hectic.<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong. I love my kids, but it's been a long week so far (and it's only Wednesday). Monday I discovered...wait for it....lice! Ugh!!! now you'll be scratching your head all day...sorry. So I've been combing hair, shampooing, spraying and doing loads and loads and loads of laundry. And today I still found one in little princess' hair and one in mine. Help!!!! Plus yesterday it rained all day...so we couldn't even go outside to play. Ok, I'm sounding panicky now. I just hate lice! And I have long hair! The kids are getting cabin fever and doing everything they can to push each other's (and mine) buttons, we've had to cancel playdates, and my husband has been working very late.<br /><br />I hope everyone else is having a much better spring break then we are! And if you have any suggestions for a lice infestation....please feel free to let me know. Gotta go and do more laundry!Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-73388406963056795332008-02-05T06:57:00.001-08:002008-02-06T20:36:05.507-08:00Well, I think the kids are finally all feeling better. Last week little princess was "flu like" (the flu test was negative), Lego Boy had a sinus infection, Science boy wasn't feeling well, and I had had about enough of it all. The house is a complete mess, I'm exhausted, and the more I look around the house, the more exhausted I get. Does it ever get better?<br /><br />I used to be very organized, everything in it's place, etc. Ok, OCD is more like it. Cans all lined up, alphabetically in my pantry. Music and movies all alphabetical, music alphabetical and arranged by different types, etc, etc. I obsessed at work if I forgot to put a pair of shoes away, it bugged me all day. Then I got married, I still kept up with my OCD habits, I mopped my floor 2 - 3 times a week, vacuumed all the time, you get the picture. Then I had one child....I still look at the pictures I have and say "oh look, a clean house". Things weren't totally put away. The kitchen counters had stuff on them, but still relativity clean and put away. Then I had another baby, and got very, very sick. Got diagnosed, felt better, got pregnant again. So I had a 4 1/2, 2 1/2, and a newborn. What was I thinking??????(but that's another story) Now the house should be condemned...ok not that bad all the time. But it's still got stuff (toys, papers, craft stuff, etc) everywhere. It's madness I tell you. Just when I think I've got part of the house together, and go work on another part either one of the little people living here, or the other big person, messes it up somehow. It's a never ending process. One day I will toss everything out. Including clothes. I swear I want to have nude days here, I'm becoming anti-clothes just because I'm tired of picking them up off the floor, washing them, sorting them on my bed, then having my husband move them from the bed to another piece of furniture in our room, re-sorting them on our bed, putting them away, picking them (and more)clothes off the floor. I told my husband I need a wife, not for him, for me. He would get nothing out of it...well maybe I could be a better wife to him if I wasn't frustrated(?) But me, I could have a clean house (for about 5 minutes), and somehow it doesn't upset me when the kids mess up the house after someone else cleaned it, just when I do. <br /><br />I used to have a cleaning lady, how I loved her and miss her dearly. But expensive. I've actually said that if I got paid what she did, it might make a wee bit of difference, I might actually think about it a little more often. Right now I work two days a week teaching at my daughter's Mother's Day Out Program. It's great because she goes free, and I get paid a little. In the fall she'll be going 4 times a week, and I'm thinking of working all four days, just so the extra money can go to a cleaning lady. <br /><br />I'm hoping that soon, real soon I can get into some sort of routine and do all I need to do. Of course, now it will be even harder since I don't have any free time of my own. Oh, wow, now I sound like I'm whining. It's late and I'm tired, and I guess I've lost my train of thought. Go figure.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-73798136377676507562008-02-02T21:15:00.000-08:002008-02-03T20:07:07.102-08:00Menu Plan Monday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSNMfvjzrIm5HA0MJdSa3ibSKVHp4EOPuTgKn5MD1EgJUum1Nw7RPmRQFvEe-9C_yNdO-3XvzY6mJCahlSbgc38EXaHo4C7AaG-HiVVwpAXKyC9tlFkZWMBNwpL6t7tzEaODdZTZwSms/s1600-h/mpm3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSNMfvjzrIm5HA0MJdSa3ibSKVHp4EOPuTgKn5MD1EgJUum1Nw7RPmRQFvEe-9C_yNdO-3XvzY6mJCahlSbgc38EXaHo4C7AaG-HiVVwpAXKyC9tlFkZWMBNwpL6t7tzEaODdZTZwSms/s200/mpm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162971057283139602" /></a><br /><br /><br />After a long time of not posting I'm back. Until a few weeks ago I was still planning my menus but things have gotten crazy around here. So I've decided to start blogging again, and posting my menus. Thanks to Laura for hosting Menu Plan Monday.<br /><br />Oh, and for some reason my spell checker is not working, so please ignore any misspellings.<br /><br />Monday - Roasted chicken legs, rice, brocolli<br />Tuesday - <a href="http://mommychef.blogspot.com/2008/01/cranberry-balsamc-pork-tenderloin.html">Cranberry balsamic pork tenderloin</a>, roasted potatoes, corn<br />Wednesday- Chicken fajitas, mexican rice, refried bean, queso<br />Thursday - <a href="http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/recipedetail.htm?recipe_id=54327&ctx=">Easy Baked Parmesan Meatballs</a>, Spaghettti & sauce (either GF spaghetti for me, for spaghetti squash), salad<br />Friday - Family pizza and movie night<br />Saturday - Husband and kids to his parents for dinner, I'm planning on having friends over for dinner and scrapbooking and serving them <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_86396,00.html">Maple Chicken'n'ribs</a>, and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_86393,00.html">Ice Cream Cake </a> with <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_86392,00.html">Butterscotch Sauce</a><br /><br />Have a wonderful week.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-15444112850638681142008-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:002008-03-19T14:55:45.668-07:00HeroesWhen we think of heroes, many different images may pop into our head. Superheros are probably the first thing. Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonderwoman (oh, how I loved that show!), etc. Using their super powers to win against the bad guys. (In fact as I'm writing this, my kids are playing Star Wars. I'm not sure who the boys are, but Little Princess is shouting "Let me in guys, this is Princess Leia" As the sound of lightsabers are heard through the closed door). <br /><br />Or perhaps a historic person comes to mind. Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Thersea, to name two.<br /><br />But my hero. My hero is Lego Boy, my 6 1/2 year old son. I've been thinking of this for a while, and on January 10th, 2008 he earned his place as my top hero. Lego Boy was born with profound hearing loss in one ear, he has speech <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apraxia#Apraxia_of_Speech">apraxia</a>, and also has autism. On January 10th, he had a <a href="http://www.cochlearamericas.com/Products/2013.asp">Baha</a> hearing aide implant. This was probably most troublesome to me. To see him laying in a hospital bed, his ear bleeding (he also had a hole in his eardrum fixed), a 3X2 inch bald spot behind his ear with a bloody gauze, a metal "snap" with a plastic cap on, plus a "c" shaped incision....what kind of mother was I to elect to have this done to my child! To see him fight against us giving him pain meds..right after surgery. It took 4 of us, 2 nurses, my husband and myself to hold him down and get the medicine down his throat. While he was thrashing about, his IV came out, more blood gushed from his ear...what a sight.<br /><br />Later I told him he was my hero. "No, I'm not a hero..just a kid" he replied. <br /><br />A hero is someone who lives their life how it should be lived. Who does not think about how others view them. They are not embarrassed when they are under a table in a restaurant screaming and crying. While their older brother is so embarrassed, their mother thinks "not again, ", the family they are sitting with does not know what to say or do, and their younger sister and father ignore it all. I've learned just to say "Oh, I'm sorry he has autism". The smiles and the talk then start. Questions asked. All is well. Then the hero gets up, sits on his mama's lap and proceeds to eat her food, not caring or acknowledging what has happened.<br /><br />A hero is someone who goes to school, plays with friends even though he is hard to be understood, does not have acceptable social graces...and yet his friends accept him as he is..and he accepts himself.<br /><br />Isn't that what it comes down to...accepting oneself flaws and all? And what kind of mother puts her child through that kind of surgery...a good one..one that sees the big picture how his quality of life will improve. And no matter what he says that 6 1/2 year old is and always will be my hero.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-22343151474557537162008-02-01T20:39:00.000-08:002008-02-01T20:47:31.218-08:00I'm backWow, it's been a long time since I've blogged. So much has happened, and yet everything is the same. How can that be? Time has gone by, the kids have grown in so many ways, Little Princess is now 4, lego boy has had a hearing implant surgery (more on that later), science boy has matured in so many ways, and I've started working part-time. And still, the house is in major disorder, my husband can't seem to pick things up...just steps over them, I'm feeling overwhelmed (ok, I also have had 3 sick kids this week, and I'm not feeling well). So a lot has changed, but not much. I still don't understand how that happens. What a mystery. But I'm hopping to start blogging again, and to somehow make it more interesting. I've been trying to get a little more creative lately, so hopefully that will also transfer into my writing.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-59736713065366063992007-10-21T20:05:00.000-07:002007-10-21T20:30:22.780-07:00Menu Plan Monday - October 22<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG_qBcgKyjPw9xlL_HXJ0VmH5syj5psQksXmEuwDFFCr5JfsiXpw0EKJuWIRgvV4Xqox4y0RF9zUycC7nLPyZX4iHW9Tu2OMsup77_cwt4dcSkQUgBDof_n7WOiRPEa19LpKEj3KguV8/s1600-h/smilempm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG_qBcgKyjPw9xlL_HXJ0VmH5syj5psQksXmEuwDFFCr5JfsiXpw0EKJuWIRgvV4Xqox4y0RF9zUycC7nLPyZX4iHW9Tu2OMsup77_cwt4dcSkQUgBDof_n7WOiRPEa19LpKEj3KguV8/s200/smilempm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123992209776708642" /></a><br /><br />What a week. I followed the menu plan for the most part. I ended up subbing at my daughters pre-school two days, and was really tired when I got home. So I changed things up a bit. But, thankfully, I didn't run out and get fast food like I normally would have. We've been working on our budget, so I'm trying to stick to it. We'll have to see how it goes grocery wise. It's a bit harder to use coupons since I need to buy Gluten Free, but I try.<br /><br /><br />Monday - <a href="http://wiferecipes.blogspot.com/2007/06/lemon-garlic-pork-chops.html">Lemon Garlic Pork Chop</a>, veggies, corn bread<br />Tuesday - Pepper Steak, rice, salad<br />Wednesday - Ham, fried potatoes, broccoli<br />Thursday - Greek Chicken With Oregano & Spinach, rice, corn, carrots<br />Friday - Family movie and pizza night<br />Saturday - Going over to in-laws for a Halloween party<br />Sunday - SpaghettiKathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-24838707277746328292007-10-14T07:22:00.000-07:002007-10-14T20:45:48.431-07:00Menu Plan Monday - October 15<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nZg6cvQsNNFG9NfZ5JZ9AliYWGCDpUecJbyQMWISVZyJcZC4jMjNUCBDDJ8Vr1tZwYkDTppp7RHcfqDehzmUNT_l6o25vmJ5Pac98zckUFjdmNpodCxcDiI2LZFBQci7LU0CeyjDv6Y/s1600-h/smilempm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nZg6cvQsNNFG9NfZ5JZ9AliYWGCDpUecJbyQMWISVZyJcZC4jMjNUCBDDJ8Vr1tZwYkDTppp7RHcfqDehzmUNT_l6o25vmJ5Pac98zckUFjdmNpodCxcDiI2LZFBQci7LU0CeyjDv6Y/s200/smilempm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121203556230892562" /></a><br /><br />Last week's menu plan went pretty well. As it seems to be the case every week, I ended up not making one meal. Made the kids something quick & easy instead. This week, the budget is really tight, so we will see what happens.<br /><br />Monday - <a href="http://eatwell.wordpress.com/2007/04/01/country-fair-chicken-dinner/">Country fair Chicken</a>, mashed potatoes (I add cauliflower to mine, the kids never know), carrots & corn<br />Tuesday - tacos, <a href="http://hillbillyhousewife.com/armymanrice.htm">army man rice</a>, refried beans, salad<br />Wednesday -Honey Pineapple chicken, rice, broccoli, corn<br />Thursday - I'll make something like hot dogs w/ mac & Cheese for the kids. I want to make something a little nicer for me & my husband since it's our anniversary. Not sure what yet. Any ideas? It's needs to be fairly quick, GF (since I'm eating it), no fish (my husband won't eat it). He's a Texas boy..so meat & potatoes is his thing.<br />Friday - Family Pizza and movie night<br />Saturday - My husband will take Lego Boy and Little Princess to his parents and have dinner over there. Science Boy has a b-day party that I will take him to.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-21386398260069211702007-10-14T06:20:00.000-07:002007-10-14T06:40:51.790-07:00What a Week - Part 2On Thursday we had little princess' friend over. His mom had a bunch of stuff going on, and little princess and he hadn't gotten together in a while. I had him all day, and it was great. I got a lot cleaned and straighten up, a pile (and I do mean mountain) of clothes folded. They had such a great time playing.<br /><br />Then as soon as he went home, we raced to pick the boys up a little early from school. They both had dentist appointments. Little Princess had hers last week, and my plan was to drop her off at my in-laws. But they had the audacity to go out of town :) So I had to take all 3. Not fun at the end of the day. I'm no longer giving her a nap because then she's up till 9 or 10 at night. <br /><br />But the boys did great at the dentist. Especially Lego Boy. The last time we went to the dentist (and I'm ashamed to say it's been 2 or 3 years) it was the worst experience EVER! The dentist would not let us leave until Lego Boy had ALL his x-rays. So he was screaming. It was horrible. I was arguing with her and her staff. Finally I picked him up and told them that we would no longer be her patients. Ugh! It took me a while to find someone else. This new dentist EXCELLENT. Before Lego Boy even went back, she and her staff would ask me questions about the best way to work with him. He went back by himself and took all the x-rays with no problem! Part of the trick - it was "digital" so it showed up on the computer screen right after they took the x-ray. So after every time he would jump down from him seat, run to the computer to see the new image, then get back in the seat for more! And they had no problem with this, even though it took twice the amount of time. They had scheduled us for the last appointment of the day so it would be quite for him, but I'm sure they all wanted to go home. Another blessing!<br /><br />Science boy also did really good. Although he needs to brush better :) But he was hesitant about going to the dentist again, after our past experience. So this really was a great experience.<br /><br />Ride home was horrible. The one bad thing about this dentist, she's 35-40 minutes away. So coming home in rush hour traffic...again..not fun. But Little Princess fell asleep, so it did get quite. <br /><br />Friday was a quite day. Boys had school. My husband took the day off, so we got a few things done around the house.<br /><br />Saturday..busy day. I took Science boy to his "girlfriends" b-day party. What fun. They are so cute together, it's too funny. I'll post pictures when I get them. She is the cutest thing, plus she has Celiac Disease. So she loves coming over to our house, because I usually will make cookies or something. I love it too, because I usually won't make cookies, etc for just me. <br /><br />My husband took Lego boy and Little Princess to a cub scout event that Lego Boy had. <br /><br />Then we rushed home to pack the kids up and took them to my sister-in-laws for the night. And Charles and I went out to a movie and a nice dinner to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. It was so nice. The restaurant was wonderful, and could accomodate my diet. Love that! <br /><br />This afternoon Lego Boy has his riding lesson. And then tonight we have part 6 of the financial course we are taking.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-90427662904987705982007-10-12T08:13:00.000-07:002007-10-14T06:20:02.481-07:00What a Week - Part 1I'm finally starting to realize that when you have kids (especially more than one) there is no such thing as a quiet week, and one where you can actually get a lot accomplished, especially cleaning the house.<br /><br />Monday the kids didn't have school so we just hung out at the house, science boy had a friend come over. Wednesday Lego Boy had an ENT appt. It was scheduled for 10. By the time he had his hearing test, we saw the Dr. twice, had a demo on a hearing aide and eveything else, it was after 12. It was however a great appt. Lego Boy is going to get a hearing aide so that is the best news. Ever since we found out he had profound hearing loss in one ear I have wanted a hearing aide to help him. He has an FM System at school, but, of cource, that does not help him at home or when we are out an about. But something inside told me to wait, it wasn't the right time to fight for it. So I listened. Last year I felt it was getting closer, but still not yet. This year it's like my whole being was shouting "now". So we switched ENT's, found one that is wonderful. She referred us to this hearing aide ENT guy. He has done these surgery's for 5 years. He's the leading dr. on these hearing aides, and I feel so blessed that's he's so close. He's done almost 300 of these, on adults and children. <br /><br />Having a child with special needs, you do have to be even more of an advocate that with a "normally devloping" child. But you also have to be still and listen. Sometimes I find that I'm fighting for something at the wrong time. God knows when the timing is, and I have learned that it's best to go in HIS time. I would love to have eveything Lego Boy needs NOW, but 1) he'd be overwhelmed 2) he would (and we would) never learn what he can do if we just wait and let him take his time. With his autisum he has OCD. Part of this is he won't show us what he can do until he can do it perfectly. I remember when he turned one I was worried that he was even attempting to try and stand up and walk yet. When he was 14 1/2 months my husband went to get him from his nap.....and caught him walking from one end of the crib to the other - and not holding on! His face..priceless. he was busted and knew yet. That is the way he is with everything. <br /><br />For the hearing aide that they are going to give him, it a bone conducting one, not an air conducting one like traditional hearing aides. So it requires an implant. They do have one that they use as a demo in the office. They just place it on the bone behind the ear. When they did, and I asked it he could hear me...he got a big grin, giggled a little and said "Yes, I can". My heart jumped. I love this kid! He was so excited and can't wait. But now it's a waiting game. The insurance companies are running 30-60 days before they approve it. So we are praying that it will be more on the 30 day side :) But know that it will happen exactly when it is suppose to.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-88294601540916061432007-10-07T20:32:00.000-07:002007-10-07T21:17:24.876-07:00Menu Plan Monday - October 8<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsspX_-LJTiwiQwjfdMbziPc8D4bnjqeKucpExeYRB4XZXLGa0TW3aJQdxnUj3DmoPUMJ1oWVUeFl4b-WD-8uO_vUQTShxsk2QSWg4x5krpruxPoh1OGY-wBc4sytuEfoVrb7tuQVEbOQ/s1600-h/menuplan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsspX_-LJTiwiQwjfdMbziPc8D4bnjqeKucpExeYRB4XZXLGa0TW3aJQdxnUj3DmoPUMJ1oWVUeFl4b-WD-8uO_vUQTShxsk2QSWg4x5krpruxPoh1OGY-wBc4sytuEfoVrb7tuQVEbOQ/s200/menuplan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118804181340916738" /></a><br /><br />Last week I followed the menu plan for everything except for two meals. The Baked Chicken was delicious, as was the pork loin and the creamy potatoes with kielbasa. Instead of the tarragon chicken I ended up coating it with corn tortilla crumbs and baking it. Tonight the kids and my hubby did McDonalds. We decided on Friday to take a finance class at church. I had a Stampin' Up party to go to, plus Lego boy had speech therapy...so fast food it was. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Monday</strong> - BBQ chicken (on grill), corn on the cob (if I can find some at the grocery store), baked beans, saute squash and zucchini<br /><br /><strong>Tuesday</strong> - Beef Brisket, mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans<br /><br /><strong>Wednesday</strong> - breakfast for dinner; ham steaks, hash browns, pancakes<br /><br /><strong>Thursday</strong> - <a href="http://sharanne.blogspot.com/2007/07/pork-chops-with-green-onion-sauce.html">pork chops with green onion sauce</a>, rice, broccoli<br /><br /><strong>Friday</strong> - Family pizza & movie night (more Little Caesar Pizza Kits - the kids love to make their own), I'll have crab cakes<br /><br /><strong>Saturday</strong> - kids to spend the night at in-laws - hubby and I are going out to celebrate our 10th anniversary (a bit early, it's on 10/18) - not sure what we are doing yet. I'm for going to the State Fair and spending the night at a hotel....but we'll see<br /><br /><strong>Sunday</strong> - Spaghetti, cheese bread<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Beef Brisk</em></strong>et<br /><br />1 large beef brisket<br />Spicy mustard<br />1-2 envolopes onhion soup mix (I have a GF version)<br /><br />Place your beef in the crockpot (fat side down)- coat the beef with the mustard- sprinkle the onion soup over the mustard and put the lid on high for 6-8 hours! The soup and the mustard and the juices from the beef make a great gravy. Thicken with water & cornstartch.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-1858364679855310802007-09-30T20:45:00.001-07:002007-10-02T15:01:26.701-07:00Menu Plan Monday - October 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN11cw9ES2gSa6o4LPDZd7wJvZo8bZPlRmvwgqkbUTrFG3vkP24dxd7RCsMjgLgSuF3QLSKQIdsjICO9D8JWx6VpFRfcL62TWvFXgXMqcAjH_2AxBSDvB6sJkuxxLJevA1YJwM-LFok2s/s1600-h/menuplan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN11cw9ES2gSa6o4LPDZd7wJvZo8bZPlRmvwgqkbUTrFG3vkP24dxd7RCsMjgLgSuF3QLSKQIdsjICO9D8JWx6VpFRfcL62TWvFXgXMqcAjH_2AxBSDvB6sJkuxxLJevA1YJwM-LFok2s/s200/menuplan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116209668906814450" /></a><br /><br />Well, it hasn't been a great weekend. I had an hour and a half meeting with Lego boys teacher Friday night. More on that later, then I woke up sick Saturday...stuffed up nose, drainage, killer headache...then Little Princess developed a fever, and my husband. Today (Sunday) I still wasn't feeling well, neither was little princess. So on my way home from taking Lego boy to his riding lesson I had to stop and buy a thermometer (for the life of me I can not find one in the house, and I know we have a few lying around...somewhere taunting me). Anyway, I took my temperature...101.4! I knew I wasn't feeling well, but I wow, I didn't think I had a fever. Little Princess' was 102.3. So something is going around this house! Therefore, with all of that plus extra-curricular activities, I'm trying to do simple meals this week.<br /><br /><strong>Monday -</strong> <a href="http://mommychef.blogspot.com/2007/09/baked-chicken.html">Baked chicken</a>, baked potatoes, saute spinach, corn<br /><strong>Tuesday </strong>- <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Pork-Loin/Detail.aspx">Roasted pork loin</a>, corn, rolls (none for me, haven't found a good GF one yet) roasted butternut squash<br /><strong>Wednesday</strong> - <a href="http://mjpuzzlemom.blogspot.com/2007/06/sweet-tarragon-chicken-crockpot.html">Sweet Tarragon Chicken</a>, mashed potatoes, green beans<br /><strong>Thursday</strong> - <a href="http://recipes.bestsimplerecipes.com/eRMS/recp.aspx?recid=18485&r_d=y">Creamy Potatoes 'n' Kielbasa</a>,(instead of the condensed cream of mushroom soup, I will just use Progresso cream of Mushroom soup), broccoli (Lego boy will probably have a hot dog)<br /><strong>Friday</strong> - Family movie & pizza night (I just bought some Little Caeser Pizza Kits, so hubby and kids will have that), I'll either have a GF pizza or seafood<br /><strong>Saturday </strong>- Hubby & boys going camping, Little Princess and I will have a mommy/daughter day.<br /><strong>Sunday</strong> - Spaghetti (hubby and kids will have regular spaghetti, I'll either have GF spaghetti, or something else)Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-2595990588672556572007-09-20T20:19:00.000-07:002007-09-21T19:30:12.502-07:00OrlandoWell I made it to Orlando. I wasn't sure I would. <br /><br />I had these great plans that I would be able to do all the laundry (ok, I confess it's gotten a little, well way, out of hand), vacuum upstairs and down, clean bathrooms, the kitchen (floors included)...well basically clean the house top to bottom. Somehow only a peak of the laundry got done, and a little vacuuming. But that's it. Then when I picked up the boys from school Science boys teacher brought him out to me. "Oh no" I thought "what has happened". Turns out he threw up in class (poor baby) right before dismissal. He then threw up two more times at home. Just so I didn't leave my parents with a really sick kid....off to the doctors we went. Thankfully, it was just his allergies so he is on medicine and was able to go to school today. My husband didn't get home until 10, and had to pack for his business trip. Somehow I did manage to get the kids packed up for my parents, and myself mostly packed. Mostly, since I do not have my contacts, my toothbrush, and who knows what else. Always something.<br /><br />But so far the MOPS convention has been so wonderful. The speakers and the music have been so uplifting. It proves to be a great weekend. Oh and did I mention that I have a room to myself (King size bed all for ME!!! nobody to climb in at 2am), a computer in the room, a balcony. I even indulged in room service tonight for dinner and if it wasn't so late the chocolate fondue on the menu would be mine :)Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-83481121025333106822007-09-16T19:10:00.000-07:002007-09-17T19:18:26.861-07:00Menu Plan Monday - September 17 and ramblings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam48O7KzsE8um9mU7DFgUXa26o2WcI_ux_w-iR3vaw1jA54c5_VT7H9GnEfog6kKjIvMlDxrbt5wB06kVAwrAZ0ocblnwj-MkObSjK6owdZlg7KApAlDKT2rhmLVfpFig0aE0_2sq1Ck/s1600-h/mpm3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam48O7KzsE8um9mU7DFgUXa26o2WcI_ux_w-iR3vaw1jA54c5_VT7H9GnEfog6kKjIvMlDxrbt5wB06kVAwrAZ0ocblnwj-MkObSjK6owdZlg7KApAlDKT2rhmLVfpFig0aE0_2sq1Ck/s200/mpm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110990053674544610" /></a><br /><br />I know it's been a while since I last posted. I just needed to take a break....not so much from blogging, but from thinking. I'm not sure why but I have been so stressed out lately. I had told my husband that I was going to take a break from everything this school year, not "join" anything. Ha! I don't know what I was thinking. So not me! I figured I could really start to re-organize the house, and really focus on Lego boy, if he needed extra help at school etc. <br /><br /> It started with not joining MOPS again. I love MOPS and have gotten a lot out of it, but I felt I didn't "need" it as much with my 3rd as I did with my 1st. But of course I joined again, and again I am on the Steering team. But I did join for very selfish reasons. My two best friends from Virginia called me a few weeks apart (and they don't know each other very well - so they don't see each other or anything) saying that they were going to MOPS convention this year was I going? I've gone the past two years, but since I wasn't planning on joining I wasn't going to go. So I joined to go to Convention (Orlando!) and see them. I did feel that I was being lead to go back to MOPS, other things happened to gently guide me back. But my friends going to convention was the big push. And, to tell the truth, although it just started, this is the best year yet. I've gotten so much out of it. At first I thought it would be weird. Everyone on steering (except for the mentor moms) are under 27. I'm 40. Huge age difference. But they are all wonderful. I really don't think I would have been so together to have a family in my 20's....which is probably why it didn't happen until I was 30.<br /><br />I also said that I would not help out so much at the kids school. Only if needed for Lego Boy. I'm on the PTA, room mom for one of the kids, and a substitute teacher for my daughter's preschool. The thing is, none of this is stressing me out, not a one takes that much time at all. I think I would be more stressed out if I wasn't involved...I'm so not the type to do nothing. I have to keep busy. I guess so many other things are going on. The kids starting school, my husband traveling, going to convention this week, I just feel like I'm going in even more directions than normal. Actually, I think I'm just anxious to go. Don't get me wrong, I will miss my family. But come on almost 4 days away is just so tempting. Every year I go I come back so refreshed, and, I admit, I love all the exhibitors there, selling their products. In fact I can't wait to see the products from <a href="www.accountablekids.com">Accountable Kids </a>. <a href="http://gillysmama.blogspot.com/">Kelli in the Mirror</a> has blogged about them, and they sound wonderful. And best of all I can shop by myself :)<br /><br />Now please don't get me wrong. I have not gone crazy joining everything. In fact I have said no to more things than I've said yes to. I had decided not to watch kids this year and I'm not. A store I go to often asked me to work there, and I said no, as well as several other things. So I'm not compltly crazy :)<br /><br />Actually, after all this rambling, I figured out what it is. Lego Boy. Please do not get me wrong. I would'nt trade him for the world. God picked me to be him mom I fully embrace that. But at times, being the mom of a special needs child....well it can be so overwhelming. Especially when things aren't going so well. But I will leave that for another post. <br /><br />Wow, what a rambling.Hope you all stuck it out to see the menu for the week:<br /><br />Monday - <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Honey-Baked-Chicken-II/Detail.aspx">Honey Baked Chicken</a>, mashed cauliflower, carrots, corn<br /><br />Tuesday - Pork carnitas, corn tortillas, guacamole, salad<br /><br />Wednesday - <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_21483,00.html?rsrc=search">Indonesian Ginger Chicken</a>, rice, broccoli<br /><br />Thursday - Leave for MOPS Convention!Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-34672680480386124262007-08-27T12:28:00.002-07:002007-09-16T19:10:30.785-07:00First DayWell, today was the first day of school. And the boys did so well getting ready on time, and leaving. We have a rule that TV can not come on unless they are dressed (including socks & shoes), and have had breakfast. They only had 10 minutes left, but did not complain when they had to turn off the TV. I'm sure that will change in the coming weeks :) We can walk to the new school, so I'm loving that.<br /><br />After I got back from taking them to school, I had about 8 or 9 friends over for breakfast. It was so much fun. My house was a mess when they got here (what was I thinking, first day of school and making a big breakfast for friends), but even more of a mess when they left...so it all worked out. I made two breakfast casseroles <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_18162,00.html?rsrc=search">this</a> one, which I make for any breakfast event. And then another one, which I'll post at the bottom of this post. They were both big hits. Then I had friends bring muffins, fruit, etc. I ate way too much.<br /><br />Bacon Potato quiche<br /><br />3 cups hash browns (country style)<br />1/3 cup onions<br />8 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled<br />1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese<br />1 cup milk<br />5 eggs, beaten<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />dash of ground red pepper<br />paprika<br /><br />Heat oven to 350. Spread potatoes in ungreased rectangular baking dish 12X7 1/2 X 2 inches. Top with onion, bacon and cheese. Mix remaining ingredients, ecxept paprika. Pour over cheese. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or unil knife inserted in center comes out clean.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-44132568591971035962007-08-26T21:51:00.000-07:002007-08-27T12:28:40.817-07:00Menu Plan Monday - August 27<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1R1N6inwX17NewtHjkNK6wx8PI9Kz_Jhzr4Wko3cJKtOapfm7Ic5Xtw_BWX9uC1yL-oC0SxFEv7XRigyTNF6S1RNMUj735yzgsYafLM6tw0cYl4_P68AMALJ4q8PKvZY52YthFdLk6g/s1600-h/menuplan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1R1N6inwX17NewtHjkNK6wx8PI9Kz_Jhzr4Wko3cJKtOapfm7Ic5Xtw_BWX9uC1yL-oC0SxFEv7XRigyTNF6S1RNMUj735yzgsYafLM6tw0cYl4_P68AMALJ4q8PKvZY52YthFdLk6g/s200/menuplan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103238666890750290" /></a><br /><br />Wow, I can't believe a whole week has passed....and I haven't blogged once. The days have been crazy here. School starts tomorrow (Monday). I can't believe I have a 3rd and 1st grader. They are so excited. We were rezoned, so they will be going to a brand new school. It is so nice, and hudge. We got lost trying to find science boy's classroom! We met the teacher on Friday, both seem really nice. So hopefully it will be a great year. Little Princess doesn't start MDO for a few more weeks. Well, enough of that...here is this weeks menu. Quick and simple this week.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Monday -</strong> Breakfast for dinner<br /><strong>Tuesday -</strong> Tacos, enchiladas, rice, refried beans<br /><strong>Wednesday -</strong> <a href="http://susannesspace.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes">40 clove garlic chicken</a>, rice, brocolli, carrots<br /><strong>Thursday -</strong> leftover tacos, etc<br /><strong>Friday -</strong> Family movie and pizza night<br /><strong>Saturday -</strong> going to my in-laws<br /><strong>Sunday -</strong> Spaghetti<br /><br />Have a great week, and don't forget to check out Laura's blog for more menus.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-72110415542061423692007-08-19T19:02:00.000-07:002007-08-19T19:20:25.922-07:00Menu Plan Monday - August 20<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiBhQINBqnols6Wa1PEqvsrcLstIIK9mAggEDLeFRZ3LYkbEhcKy7s_Ubht-b2TN3Uzrx8PEK_7zpoL0enqhiZhY7_imGV7Mc3DnMspC6vzMMKZGaPwBGr3L_WT-tpZlEbiVkf0XNeAw/s1600-h/mpm3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiBhQINBqnols6Wa1PEqvsrcLstIIK9mAggEDLeFRZ3LYkbEhcKy7s_Ubht-b2TN3Uzrx8PEK_7zpoL0enqhiZhY7_imGV7Mc3DnMspC6vzMMKZGaPwBGr3L_WT-tpZlEbiVkf0XNeAw/s200/mpm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100598052277692722" /></a><br /><br />Well, school starts next week. So we are busy getting ready for that. I can't believe that science boy will be in 3rd grade, and Lego boy in 1st. They are growing up so fast, it's scary. Little Princess doesn't start back to Mother's Day Out til September, so we'll be able to spend some "girl" time.<br /><br />Here's this weeks menu:<br /><br /><strong>Monday -</strong> Pork Roast, roast potatoes, broccoli, corn<br /><strong>Tuesday -</strong> Chick-fil-a (the boys have a cub scout event)<br /><strong>Wednesday -</strong> Panfried chicken w/ spinach salad, veggies<br /><strong>Thursday -</strong> Brisket, french fries, veggies<br /><strong>Friday -</strong> Family pizza & movie night<br /><strong>Saturday - </strong>a friend's 50th b-day party<br /><strong>Sunday -</strong> Spaghetti<br /><br />Don't forget to go on over to <a href="http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/">Laura's</a> to check out more menus.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-48690365304916286182007-08-15T17:29:00.000-07:002007-08-15T17:41:45.774-07:00I'm HomeWell, I went into the hospital on Monday morning and they started to desenseitize me to asprin around 1. They had to start with 3 grams of asprin (I would react to 1/4 of a baby asprin...so we needed to go real slow at first). Last evening we ended with 650 grams. I had no reaction to any of it...so it worked! Now I have to take an asprin everyday to maintain the desensitization. Today for the first time in 6 years I started to regain my sense of smell. And what, you ask, was the first smell....the cat's dirty, litterbox, quickly followed by the lovely smell of garbage (as I was dragging the bins down to the sidewalk), the my daughter's "accident" in her panties. Yes, and I wanted to regain my smell...what was I thinking :)<br /><br />No, I'm really thrilled that it seems to be working. So hopefully, once I get a good night's sleep, I'll be feeling "normal" again.<br /><br />Thank you all, for your good wishes and prayers. I LOVE the power of prayer. I know lots of friends and family, and my MOPs group were praying for me. And I felt it, it really made a difference.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-16445153568756213772007-08-12T19:30:00.001-07:002007-08-12T20:01:10.622-07:00Menu Plan Monday - August 13<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj876gFQk81W7K_L0nxbsZUNzgXJwD25K-ncQKXhVNhJhHGPddlv96piRTleWdUIQq83YJG9gE1v7_fY9JYWZ3-jhJh-6RGgezqebEvZOxaBx571GMN2buTq7nHL_hN1ejoD2jGFCdVKfo/s1600-h/mpm3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj876gFQk81W7K_L0nxbsZUNzgXJwD25K-ncQKXhVNhJhHGPddlv96piRTleWdUIQq83YJG9gE1v7_fY9JYWZ3-jhJh-6RGgezqebEvZOxaBx571GMN2buTq7nHL_hN1ejoD2jGFCdVKfo/s200/mpm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098007031780045266" /></a><br /><br />Last weeks menu went pretty well, although I have 3 carry overs. So this weeks shopping was a little lighter :) That's always good. I also saved over $65 with coupons and in-store deals. First time I've really tried it, so next week should be better. <br /><br />Monday I'll be going into the hospital for <a href="http://letthedustsettle.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-life.html">this</a> . So my mom's here to help with the kids. Monday & Tuesdays meal plan is easy & quick for her. I should be home Tuesday, if not there is enough in the house to give them something different or move things around.<br /><br /><strong>Monday</strong> - BBQ chicken, corn, Blueberry muffins<br /><strong>Tuesday</strong> - Spaghetti, cheesebread<br /><strong>Wednesday </strong>- Porkchops with maple mustard glaze, mashed potatoes, veggies<br /><strong>Thursday</strong> - <a href="http://mjpuzzlemom.blogspot.com/2007/06/sweet-tarragon-chicken-crockpot.html">sweet tarragon chicken (crockpot</a>)borrowed from http://mjpuzzlemom.blogspot.com/ , rice, corn & spinach<br /><strong>Friday</strong> - family movie & pizza night<br /><strong>Saturday</strong> - Not sure yet<br /><strong>Sunday</strong> - Grilled flank steak, mushroom Madeira sauce, mashed potatoes, lemony broccoli & peppers<br /><br />I hope everyone has a good week. Don't forget to check out the other menu plans at <a href="http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/">Lara's</a>Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-25068405066580614322007-08-10T19:05:00.000-07:002007-08-11T21:33:01.986-07:00When in Rains...Well, yesterdays post was about my Doctor's visit. Today's post is about lego boys. As well as having <a href="http://www.apraxia-kids.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=chKMI0PIIsE&b=787891&ct=464119">speech apraxia</a>, and being on the <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/index.php">autism spectrum</a>, lego boy also has profound hearing loss in one ear. His other ear has always been great. No changes in 6 years. Today we went to a new ENT....closer to home and hopefully a better informed doctor. This new doctor is wonderful...I really loved her and her staff. What a difference. <br /><br />But they did find out that lego boy is losing his hearing in his other ear. He's never had a hearing aide, something our first ENT did not recommend, since he could hear fine with the other ear. But he does have an <a href="http://www.boystownhospital.org/Hearing/hearingaids/fmsystems.asp">FM system </a>at school. But now we are looking into the best hearing aide for him, and possibly a cochlear implant. So I'm also going to look more at support groups for his autism, and hearing impairments. <br /><br />I'm actually doing fine about the whole thing. Trying to keep it in perspective. My mother-in-law says it's devastating. Not a word I would use for hearing loss. It's hard, but there are solutions for it. I can think of many more things that could happen that would be devastating. We always knew there was a chance his hearing would get worse, and that his "good" ear would be affected. We do not know the cause of his hearing loss. We have had every test done, but there is no explanation, just one of those things. So now another adventure begins.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-6695226658356887632007-08-08T21:33:00.000-07:002007-08-08T21:49:39.971-07:00My LifeOk, so when I was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.celiac.org/">Celiac Disease </a>in 2001 not many people had heard of it. Gluten free food was hard to find. Now, most people I run into have heard of it, a lot of stores are carrying Gluten Free food. A lot of brands are even putting "GF" on their foods that are gluten free. I went into Wal-Mart and they had a Gluten Free Pantry brownie mix and a muffin mix right in the "normal" baking section. I must admit I did "the happy dance" (not a pretty site, I admit) in the middle of the aisle, and called my friend whose two young daughter have celiac. It was an exciting moment.<br /><br />So anyway, being celiac no longer makes me unique. Therefore I had to go and find some other disease that no one had ever heard of. Last year I was diagnosed with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samter's_triad">"Samters Triad". </a>Well, anyone ever heard of it? Thought not. For a quick low-down on it, just go to the link. I'll wait...............................<br /><br />Back? ok. So I've decided to be desensitized to aspirin. Not fun, and admittedly, totally scary. I react to 1/4 of a baby aspirin. They need to get me up to 2 adult aspirin. Last time I took Motrin I ended up in the hospital, because I went into anaphylatic shock. Not an enjoyable experience at all :) I get a rash all over, then swell, then my throat and tongue swell. Attractive huh. So, sometime in the next few weeks I'll be undergoing this procedure. Please keep us in your prayers.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-1326595505371617202007-08-06T05:48:00.000-07:002007-08-06T11:40:42.020-07:00Menu Plan Monday - August 6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4BFgymSiMixYZiVkjAJiqeHyA6xsaXtu2ot53UzEG6nMBcCFn3dy-PNYnRBwR61zyrQUbNyr73Z8r8U7FIyhU7_2UVS-dUfJaFg4aaFWz8f9bVyIKifVhF5p_wOc8WQKn83aRgDV5jY/s1600-h/mpm3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4BFgymSiMixYZiVkjAJiqeHyA6xsaXtu2ot53UzEG6nMBcCFn3dy-PNYnRBwR61zyrQUbNyr73Z8r8U7FIyhU7_2UVS-dUfJaFg4aaFWz8f9bVyIKifVhF5p_wOc8WQKn83aRgDV5jY/s200/mpm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095658341799129538" /></a><br /><br /><br />Last week's menu went really well. I didn't follow the lunch one...well basically at all last week. and this week is looking to be extremely busy as well, so I will not be "planning" lunches. With my mom coming to visit, and various Dr. appt's for the kids and myself, who knows what we will be having.<br /><br />Since it's also been an emotionally hard two weeks, I noticed that I'm doing a lot more carbs than normal. And mashed potatoes twice....and the good ones with cream cheese, etc. YUM! Potatoes are probably my favorite comfort food.<br /><br />So here is this weeks dinner plan:<br /><br /><strong>Monday</strong> - Cheese tortellini<br /><strong>Tuesday </strong>- Kielbasa & fried potatoes, carrots, salad<br /><strong>Wednesday</strong> - Sweet tarragon chicken, rice, corn, spinach<br /><strong>Thursday</strong> - Pork chops with maple mustard glaze, mashed potatoes, veggies<br /><strong>Friday</strong> - Pizza<br /><strong>Saturday</strong> - Over to my SIL for my niece's b-day<br /><strong>Sunday</strong> - grilled flank steak, mushroom Madeira sauce, mashed potatoes, Lemony broccoli & peppersKathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266422601551934401.post-45541011023819335792007-07-31T20:57:00.000-07:002007-08-01T04:36:24.948-07:00It's a Terrific Contest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj6BKPXIT2ws9GZ3JLprTtubWh5Sc4roxOY66HEubiIWuVRZ80GTnBEXyb8OoKvY3WMNosWxkupv62DUdknalDayGakfNtmeqOStjtJdy0ofsgiOqrvilYfWUGZ1SZkhR3UPUNWSUhD8/s1600-h/insignia-flat-panel-tv%255B2%255D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj6BKPXIT2ws9GZ3JLprTtubWh5Sc4roxOY66HEubiIWuVRZ80GTnBEXyb8OoKvY3WMNosWxkupv62DUdknalDayGakfNtmeqOStjtJdy0ofsgiOqrvilYfWUGZ1SZkhR3UPUNWSUhD8/s200/insignia-flat-panel-tv%255B2%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093693385671274930" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <a href="http://www.5minjtesformom.com/">5 Minutes for Mom </a>with the help of <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com">Best Buy</a> is giving away this awesome TV. It is an <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuld=8274672&id=1171058029049">Insignia 37" flat-panel LCD HDTV </a>(it has a retail price tag of $799.99) <br /><br />I've entered to win, so go ahead and check it out. But don't feel you have to enter...don't mess up my chances to win :) (LOL) Seriously, go over and enter to win. Just remember I have the perfect place for it.Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786057784140814242noreply@blogger.com0