and he said it couldn't be done.....

Approximately 4 months ago, I expressed some displeasure at ALWAYS being the one family member that had to create and make dinner. It was beginning to feel less like a loving way to nourish my family than a burden of, "I'm hungry and I want you to feed me." Elizabeth, Nate and I created a schedule that included Elizabeth cooking for us one day a week. ONE day a week, and you have thought we called her Cinderella and was expecting a banquet at each meal for the rest of our lives. Needless to say that she despide it and we dreaded eating the food that was prepared with such venom.

I knew though that not asking her to contribute to the family meals and not teaching her how to cook was a disservice to my committment to raise an independent girl. Also, she seemed awfully happy with us fixing her meals which made me want her to be a bit less happy.

I created the challenge that she had to learn a new recipe or dish each week of the summer. That meant 8 dishes over 8 weeks. Nate said, "It can't be done!" I doubted myself too. But to teach her to cook somewhat and to prove him wrong - I was now determined.

After browsing at Borders for a beginner cookbook - I found this.... perfect.

She has now tabbed the 8 recipes (no more no less) that she will be fixing over the summer and started TODAY , the FIRST day of summer vacation!

Told ya Nate, I could do it! smiles

while I wasn't looking, somehow I found you - carly simon

I truly look at Elizabeth sometimes and have to wonder, who is this kid and where did she come from. She is like a magically combination of silly, wonderful, and thoughtful. With the end of another school year, I feel myself falling in love with her all over again.

When I saw her little red face, 13 years ago - my heart was so full of love for her that it was simply overwhelming. I think that I cried for much of her first hour of life. The tears were of love and a feeling of responsiblity to do whatever I could to make her a meaningful member of our lives and community. Her dad and I both tried to raise someone that was kind, gentle and smart. We weren't looking for her to always be happy - by seldom over indulging and never seeking to overtly entertain her. Instead we sought for her to enjoy each moment, whether she was bored, aggravated, or content.

A few things from her lately....
-Elizabeth had just finished her latest read, "I am David," and asked if I had another recommended read for her. She then goes on to tell me that she didn't use to like the books that I recommended, but now she does.
-As she was packing for her Kings Island trip, she packed her phone into her "fanny pack" (seriously, she did take a fanny pack) and she said that she would stay in contact with me through the day.... guess how many messages I received?? thats right , none! smiles
-Jake and I went to pick her up after majorette practice and she proudly introduced him to everyone as 'her brother.' ahhhh
-Elizabeth started reading a book that she had once started a few years ago. Well, in the book she found an old bookmark where she had written all of the words from the book that she didn't know. She so proudly exclaimed that she knew all of those words now!
- E just got her report card yesterday and she had SIX A's, ONE B, and ONE C. After congratulating and celebrating all of the A's... I asked her about the constant C that she has earned in Algebra. She quickly reminded me that, "as long as I try my hardest, a C is ok." arrgh, I hate when my own words come back to bite me!
- As soon as Nate comes home every evening (or every weekend), she is so happy and ready to be entertained by him. Her laughing and joking just endears us to her over and over.
- E texted her grandmother yesterday and asked if she could come down and visit her for a few days. The first few days of her summer vacation, and Elizabeth wanted to see her Gram.
- Elizabeth still likes us to tuck her into bed. Nate that assures me that as long as we do that, she will stay a little girl and not grow up while we aren't watching. She will close her eyes while we are tucking her in or rubbing her back and I can tell that she is happy and secure.

This new honeymoon of love for her may only last for a day - until she rolls her eyes at my request, or leaves her shoes on the stairs, or doesn't want to sit in the back seat, or changes the radio station the second she gets into the car, or begs me to fix her cereal because the milks too heavy ... but until then and even after - she will always be one of the very best things that has ever happened in my life.

letters & words & sentences .... oh my!

My best excuses for not spending quality time with my blog...

1. My blog writing wasn't on my daily calendar to check off.

2. My blog doesn't have dreamy green eyes to gaze into.

3. I lost my camera. (but now have a borrowed one to use, so this excuse doesn't count.)

3. A wedding, a honeymoon, a job, 3 kids, and a busy house take up too much time.


But I do love writing and sharing my life through this blog... so I am back - no excuses allowed!

these things

These things I know to be true..... (idea from Oprah)

Packing is easier 2 days before departure date, instead of the morning of.

Sour cream and onion potato chip dip is worth the stinky breath.

Sit ups and crunches are never fun.

My mother-in-law loves completely & unconditionally, all the time to all people.

Bed time is a child's enemy and a parent's pleasure.

Humidity will always make my hair crazy big and out of control.

Marriage proposal memories are always sweet, no matter where or when.

Julia Roberts smile always makes me smile.

Sisters are like roots, they provide you with a foundation and supports new growth.

Losing your Dad is never ok... whether you are 25 or 41.

Puerto Rico only looks good.... all of the time!

Gray hair will never be a welcomed guest on my head.

BLT's are better with mayo on both pieces of the toast.

Hubs is a nickname for a chubby hubby that is cute and has green eyes.

White sheets are all that matter.

The @ symbol is beautiful in its simplicity and structure.

Red fingernails are perfect for vacation.

My students have a love/hate relationship with me - of course.

An organized closet is symbolic of an organized mind.

Dehumidifiers need positive affirmations everytime I empty the water.

Surprise dinners with neighbors are god's gift to me.

Anyone that has a 5 year old that reads with them is blessed. Thank you Jakey!

incredible

I have married the man of my daughter's dream.

She dreamed of a few new siblings to love and boss around.

She dreamed of someone to dance and sing with.

She dreamed of dinners together.

She dreamed of someone fun.

lights on a Thursday night

What a fun Thursday evening! Girls evening in the circle, so we decided to make it special...

We started with a fire in the pit in the back yard, though with wet wood and only math papers to burn - we were slow on the start.

top 10 reasons

Top Ten Reasons that I wish

"Julie from California" was

"Julie from Charleston."

10. Julie chats with Elizabeth that makes E feels like she has something important to say.

9. E and I could have hugged Hannah on her birthday a few days ago.

8. Julie is smart, pretty, interesting, and always up for an adventure!

7. Julie is inspiring me to be meat free again. Our friend Marceen was the first vegetarian that I had ever met, so now that Julie is going in that direction.... hmmmm

6. Julie can read a poem with such emotion as if she actually wrote it.

5. She has long brown hair too, thank goodness Bob likes that too.

4. Julie makes me laugh, almost nonstop. I am truly so happy around her.

3. Viv and E would play little polly pockets well into the night while Julie and I hang out.

2. Nate now understands why he will have to buy me a plane ticket to CA every year.

1. I have learned how to be a friend from Julie - circa 1996.