I really enjoyed Joel's blog about finding contentment and humor in the middle of stress and hard times. It has been a couple of days like that. Yesterday I woke up early and put in a load of laundry. I went downstairs and got breakfast going, and heard a new "running water" sound upstairs. It took me a while to say "huh - that doesn't sound good" and it was finally Madison's shouts "mom, my bedroom carpet is all wet" to bring me out of my morning stupor. The water was pouring out of the bottom of the washing machine pan, and had already soaked part of Madison & Livi's rooms and the hallway. I shut of the water and we got out a million towels to soak up the water, then Garrett downstairs shouted "I'll get the pans" The ceiling had two huge "beehive bubbles", which Garrett punctured and the water came out like a waterfall from the second floor to the first floor. The positive -as we stood staring at the waterfall coming down, the kids laughed and thought it was very pretty. Another positive - I called USAA - the most wonderful insurance company on the planet, and they acted quickly. The water restoration people came within two hours - they cut two large holes in the ceiling, and put in five huge industrial strenth fans in which need to stay on for three days to dry everything out. The positive - these powerful fans have provided hours of play for the kids, and an aeronautical engineering demonstration from Rhett on unstable and stable air flows. Another positive - despite the large deductable we are paying, the carpet cleaners are cleaning most of the carpeting in the house, and our carpets need to be cleaned. Matt IM'ed Madison and when he heard the news at first, he started laughing, then she had to go. Then he desided to be "mature Matt",and call back to talk to me, offer his help, to offer his shop vac. Positive- Matt made a good impression.
So the washer is broken and the part is on order, so I went to the laundrymat with Cecily and about 150 lbs of laundry - a lot of wet towels. While I was doing the laundry, Cecily climbed onto a chair and fell on the concrete and hit her head badly. She made funny little sounds instead of crying, and looked dazed and sleepy. I told the owners I had to go, and took her to the ER. Good news, what is normally a long wait went very quickly because there was a doctor in triage - she is just fine - just a big bruise, and we were in and out in one hour. When I got back to the laundry mat, I found that the owners had put all my laundry in the dryers, and were folding it for me when I walked in. I offered to pay them, but they declined, just saying how grateful they were that the baby is okay. There are so many good people out there! I'm not being Pollyanna, there was just so much good, and so many people willing to help when things went a little haywire. I'm waiting for the contractors now - we're getting some new drywall and a new ceiling. That's a good thing. Thanks Joel!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday Potluck
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! YOU'RE SO GORGEOUS!!!!!
Snow today - church cancelled (this is Virginia)
What do you do with your best friend on a winter day when you're bored? Put together the most disgusting kitchen ingredients together for each other and decide which one is worst. Madison gave Mika leftover lentil soup with relish, maple syrup, thousand island dressing, cottage cheese, and carmel sauce. Mika whipped up vinegar, onions, and other stuff. Garrett captured the moment and Mika won for grossest. Madison won for worst after taste. I just go to sleep when I'm bored!
The eldest and the youngest. Cecily is 15 months on the 28th,
To honor my mother on her birthday, I got out the family cookbook and looked for a bread recipe to go with the chili I made. I made "mom's white bread recipe" not realizing that it is
designed to make 8 - 10 loaves and serve a special forces unit. I bravely made the dough, and realized we do not have enough pans to put all the dough in. See the snow in the background? So who wants some bread? Huh? Huh? This is only 1/2 of it!
I am enjoying the cookbook, and have started making some of your recipes. It's fun! You are good cooks. Madison made "Steve's German pancakes" today.
Livi did such a great job of cleaning up the playroom, she became one with the toys. Becca is still sucking those fingers!
Snow today - church cancelled (this is Virginia)
What do you do with your best friend on a winter day when you're bored? Put together the most disgusting kitchen ingredients together for each other and decide which one is worst. Madison gave Mika leftover lentil soup with relish, maple syrup, thousand island dressing, cottage cheese, and carmel sauce. Mika whipped up vinegar, onions, and other stuff. Garrett captured the moment and Mika won for grossest. Madison won for worst after taste. I just go to sleep when I'm bored!
The eldest and the youngest. Cecily is 15 months on the 28th,
To honor my mother on her birthday, I got out the family cookbook and looked for a bread recipe to go with the chili I made. I made "mom's white bread recipe" not realizing that it is
designed to make 8 - 10 loaves and serve a special forces unit. I bravely made the dough, and realized we do not have enough pans to put all the dough in. See the snow in the background? So who wants some bread? Huh? Huh? This is only 1/2 of it!
I am enjoying the cookbook, and have started making some of your recipes. It's fun! You are good cooks. Madison made "Steve's German pancakes" today.
Livi did such a great job of cleaning up the playroom, she became one with the toys. Becca is still sucking those fingers!
Have a good Sunday.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Out of frustration and necessity, I have posted a rather lengthy list of table manners beside the table. So which ones should I leave out, or add - which ones are most important you you?
1.) Prayer
2.) Napkin on lap (a toughie)
3.) Chew with mouth closed
4.) Try at least one bite of everything
5.) Do not interrupt each other - take turns talking & listening
6.) burps & fluffs - keep to a minimum
7.) NO NOT answer phone/check caller ID during dinner
8.) Sit at the table until the last person is finished eating, or ask to be excused
9.) Take plate to the sink
10.) Thank the cook
11.) Do kitchen job.
Am I a crazed mother or what?
Had a funny call yesterday- talked to a woman who wanted to me to advertise in the ward what she has for sale. She needs to make money. One abdominizer, a used baby mattress, a jogging stroller, and a roaster for meats. I gave her the number for our local paper's classified ads. So here we go!
Also I'm not going to my hairstylist anymore - there is a nail person there who is in touch with the next world, I sat with her and listened while she told me some really real things about my life & loved ones who have died, but not from the right source. I really won't do that again, and in order to avoid that situation, I won't go there again, which is sad because I like my sylist a lot! We live and learn! Tomorrow a buch of women are coming over and we are starting a "make-ahead freezer meal" group - 30 people signed up, so we're breaking up into 5 groups. I hope I get a lot of good cooks in my group!
1.) Prayer
2.) Napkin on lap (a toughie)
3.) Chew with mouth closed
4.) Try at least one bite of everything
5.) Do not interrupt each other - take turns talking & listening
6.) burps & fluffs - keep to a minimum
7.) NO NOT answer phone/check caller ID during dinner
8.) Sit at the table until the last person is finished eating, or ask to be excused
9.) Take plate to the sink
10.) Thank the cook
11.) Do kitchen job.
Am I a crazed mother or what?
Had a funny call yesterday- talked to a woman who wanted to me to advertise in the ward what she has for sale. She needs to make money. One abdominizer, a used baby mattress, a jogging stroller, and a roaster for meats. I gave her the number for our local paper's classified ads. So here we go!
Also I'm not going to my hairstylist anymore - there is a nail person there who is in touch with the next world, I sat with her and listened while she told me some really real things about my life & loved ones who have died, but not from the right source. I really won't do that again, and in order to avoid that situation, I won't go there again, which is sad because I like my sylist a lot! We live and learn! Tomorrow a buch of women are coming over and we are starting a "make-ahead freezer meal" group - 30 people signed up, so we're breaking up into 5 groups. I hope I get a lot of good cooks in my group!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Madison is at it again.
My darling Madison is embarking on a journey; an Epic journey. She is about to jump into the gaping jaws of the Dating World. It is a scary one, and a ferocious one, but she will triumph with her strong values and endless supply of lipgloss. And I, Kasey, close friend and emotional manager, will be sitting by the phone waiting to hear of every detail.
Boy: Ian.
Boys Status: "HE'S A FRIEND!"-Madison.
Girls Status: "Mom Is this too much?"-Madison
Movie: Ghost Rider? Scary movie. He's a sneaky one.
Outfit: Pending
This date will go just swimmingly.
KaseyHansen.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Be Mine
Happy Valentines Day and Happy Birthday Carter!
We love you! We played "Sardines" Monday night for Family Night - brought back
lots of memories. I remember hiding in the dryer, or other wierd places. Now the smallest place I can fit into is the shower. We had a big ice storm and school is cancelled the for the second day. Hope you all get to smooch your sweety today!
Love-Melecia
We love you! We played "Sardines" Monday night for Family Night - brought back
lots of memories. I remember hiding in the dryer, or other wierd places. Now the smallest place I can fit into is the shower. We had a big ice storm and school is cancelled the for the second day. Hope you all get to smooch your sweety today!
Love-Melecia
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Bishop Jefferies
We sat the kids down last night to tell everyone about dad's new calling as Bishop - it will be official in church today. Cecily is getting her molars in, and has been crying all day - she didn't stop. Becca was twirling around on the floor on her head, and Livi was sitting on Rhett's lap with a funny incredulous look on her face. About how we pictured it when we told them the news! After Rhett told them, he asked the kids if they know what a bishop does. Livi says "Are you going to be the guy that says 'And now lets open our hymn books to page 519 and sing this song?" Rhett said "Yes, that and some other things."
He said "Becca, what does a bishop do?" Becca continued to twirl around on her head and said "He shakes people's hands and then he takes their money."
Madison teen-age lamintation "People think I'm wierd & pefect enough. Now we'll get to add 'bishop's daughter' to it. "
Rhett "Any questions for me?" Garrett serious as a journalist. "What things are you going to do around the home to raise our standards?"
Rhett "Um, what would you like me to do Garrett?"
Garrett, "Well, you know, things like how me act on the sabbath day and stuff like that."
Madison, (HUGE GROAN)
The stake president mentioned that people will look to us as a model couple/family, and I'm glad they will because they will see an imperfect/flawed, but happy family who is a little crazy but just trying their best. I'm praying for an open heart and lots of love - big dose of the spirit today. It's going to be a good day!
He said "Becca, what does a bishop do?" Becca continued to twirl around on her head and said "He shakes people's hands and then he takes their money."
Madison teen-age lamintation "People think I'm wierd & pefect enough. Now we'll get to add 'bishop's daughter' to it. "
Rhett "Any questions for me?" Garrett serious as a journalist. "What things are you going to do around the home to raise our standards?"
Rhett "Um, what would you like me to do Garrett?"
Garrett, "Well, you know, things like how me act on the sabbath day and stuff like that."
Madison, (HUGE GROAN)
The stake president mentioned that people will look to us as a model couple/family, and I'm glad they will because they will see an imperfect/flawed, but happy family who is a little crazy but just trying their best. I'm praying for an open heart and lots of love - big dose of the spirit today. It's going to be a good day!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Love Stinks! Yea Yea!!
"He loves her, and she loves this guy right here, but he loves somebody else. You just can't win. And sooo it goes until the day you die. This thing they call love, is gonna make you cry - I hate you - Love stinks! - Yea Yea!" (Madison's favorite song right now) - Children - move! Let your mother blog in peace!
Valentines Day is almost upon us, and in the world of teeny-bopper land, it is either a time of anticipation, or a time when the bile is rising in the throat. It is the latter for our oldest daughter right now. After observing "this thing called love'' from my vantage point of "so out of date mother", I have some things to say. First - Love is an emotion that teenagers can definately feel. It's real, it's intense, and can bring to mind young lovers like Romeo & Juliet - ending? Not too happy for anyone - especially the young lovers. The words "I love you" expressed at a young age - there is no holding back - waiting and watching for the relationship to mature and grow. You love the person - you tell them, not caring who hears or who cares, or if it's the right time or place.
Then comes the internet/my space/ and e-mail, and expressing your feelings as a teenager becomes so easy to type in, but so much harder to say face to face than in person. "The chase" the thrill of persuing that person - A flip of the hair, a look or a smile, the flirting. The chase is the thing! Once you get the person - reality sets in. The chase is over. That person wants to "go out" to "be a couple". To walk down the hall together, or hold hands, or be that first kiss. Possession is hinted at like " You're my girlfriend - I'm your boyfriend". Once the chase is over,
I believe the end of the relationship for teenagers is aleady in sight. Once that couple is seen as a couple, all other friends or possibilities for a relationship melt away so that couple can "go out".
Madison is experiencing this right now - just wanting to be friends and like lots of guys, but finding out that when she flirts, pursues, and chases the guy, and she gets him, she doesn't really like him as much, but there are his feelings involved. In some cases, I think guys fall "in love" harder, while girls enjoy the merry chase. Maybe I am totally backward about this philosophy, but in our house, it is the m.o. for our eldest. But then, after considering the feelings of the guy, what she is doing - not having a boyfriend or getting serious with anyone, is just what she should be doing right now. Hallalujah! Madison's friends said they are learning from her never to tell a guy you like them, but rather keep it a secret because of the strong reaction it can produce, and the fall out afterward! Young love keeps us all young! It is fascinating - Like a comet burning brightly - real, spectacular, and short lived.
Valentines Day is almost upon us, and in the world of teeny-bopper land, it is either a time of anticipation, or a time when the bile is rising in the throat. It is the latter for our oldest daughter right now. After observing "this thing called love'' from my vantage point of "so out of date mother", I have some things to say. First - Love is an emotion that teenagers can definately feel. It's real, it's intense, and can bring to mind young lovers like Romeo & Juliet - ending? Not too happy for anyone - especially the young lovers. The words "I love you" expressed at a young age - there is no holding back - waiting and watching for the relationship to mature and grow. You love the person - you tell them, not caring who hears or who cares, or if it's the right time or place.
Then comes the internet/my space/ and e-mail, and expressing your feelings as a teenager becomes so easy to type in, but so much harder to say face to face than in person. "The chase" the thrill of persuing that person - A flip of the hair, a look or a smile, the flirting. The chase is the thing! Once you get the person - reality sets in. The chase is over. That person wants to "go out" to "be a couple". To walk down the hall together, or hold hands, or be that first kiss. Possession is hinted at like " You're my girlfriend - I'm your boyfriend". Once the chase is over,
I believe the end of the relationship for teenagers is aleady in sight. Once that couple is seen as a couple, all other friends or possibilities for a relationship melt away so that couple can "go out".
Madison is experiencing this right now - just wanting to be friends and like lots of guys, but finding out that when she flirts, pursues, and chases the guy, and she gets him, she doesn't really like him as much, but there are his feelings involved. In some cases, I think guys fall "in love" harder, while girls enjoy the merry chase. Maybe I am totally backward about this philosophy, but in our house, it is the m.o. for our eldest. But then, after considering the feelings of the guy, what she is doing - not having a boyfriend or getting serious with anyone, is just what she should be doing right now. Hallalujah! Madison's friends said they are learning from her never to tell a guy you like them, but rather keep it a secret because of the strong reaction it can produce, and the fall out afterward! Young love keeps us all young! It is fascinating - Like a comet burning brightly - real, spectacular, and short lived.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
glasses, shaving and other firsts
Becca got her new glasses on Saturday! Her right eye sees very well, and her left eye needs a very strong perscription. She'll need to wear a patch over the right eye a few hours a day, but that is a definate "no go" for Becca right now It appears that we have a pirate living in the house anyway. Move over Jack Sparrow - Rhett the dashing, swashbuckler is in the house! (Yummy! I need a poster of this guy!) No- Cecily doesn't need glasses, but Livi tried hers on Cecily. We have a house full of girls who can't see. Go figure!
Garrett shaved last night too. He has a "piddly" mustache, but went for shaving the whole face. This morning he woke up and says "my face hurts". I am proud to say I was there to watch my son's first shave. Pretty cool!
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