Archives for 2010

Jul 11 2010

My Kids

There is just nothing better than having children. Really. And a day spent with them is especially fun! We started off with the Smart One getting his long hair cut. What a shock! He looks older, and we can see his beautiful eyes again! He was at camp all week, so it was really nice to have him back and listen to him as he talked about his week; what he liked, what moved him, etc.

I spent this evening with B-boo at her dance pool party. We took along a couple of her friends and the Drama Queen. I got a kick out of watching them tumble in the grass. It brought back memories of when they used to compete together in gymnastics.

After, we went home and the Drama Queen put on a concert of us. My dearest friend was there to share it with me. It brought tears when she sang, "The Climb." When she was finished and her voice could sing no more, the Talented One lowered the lights and graced us with his music. I cannot tell you how much his music moves me. When he plays, a peace just comes over you. It is beautiful. Sitting there in silence while he played is about the best way to end a day. Even more, watching his younger brother sitting there beside him, just listening, while he plays, and his sister on the other side, again, sitting and listening.

I love how supportive my kids are of each other and their talents. We are so blessed with wonderful children!

Tomorrow I leave for camp and my blog will be shut down for a week. I love spending a week at camp with my favorite teens, but I also miss my family while I am gone.

I'll see them in a week though, for a much needed vacation with my older brother, all of my kids, and my parents.

It doesn't get much better than that, either!

Jul 10 2010

Haircut!

Before

After

It's been a while since he had shorter hair!

Jul 06 2010

Quotable Quote #9

B-boo and I were working on her final essay for her health today, when the Talented One started printing.

We waited.

And we waited.

Finally, she spoke up.

"What are you printing? A tree?"

Ya just gotta love her.

Jul 05 2010

5th of the Month

It's been over a year since I wrote about the Steven's family and the loss of their son, and our dear friend, Josh Stevens. I thought today would be a good day to share more.

It has been almost two years now. Up until I became sick a few months ago, we continued our monthly tradition of Steven's Soup. During that time, my sweet friend, Barb, was grabbing the Drama Queen and taking care of her (including feeding her, which is hard with all of her food allergies!), and helping us out tremendously! Now that I am better, my kids (and Shelbie) are ready for soup again. So today, we make soup!

These days, a gigantimous pot is needed. It involves 20 lbs of potatoes, and lots and lots of love! I thought I'd re-post the recipe in a larger quantity for anyone who might want to make it for their family and share it with another family! You can still find the original recipe, in smaller quantities, on the link above.

But first, let me share a little of what has happened in the past several months. The Steven's family has started the Josh Steven Foundation. Here is a small quote from their web site:

"Josh was always doing something kind for someone else. We believe that
when he was kind to others, seeing how it made them feel, it inspired
him to pour out more kindness. It was a necessity to him. And when a
person would say “thank you” to him, it filled him so full, that it
would make his day. This is how and why we came up with The Josh Stevens
Foundation and the Kindness Card.
It’s a simple way to “catch” a child and let them know that their
genuine kindness can change the world. Our hope is that children being
“caught” will be inspired to be more kind, more often."

I'd like to encourage you to check out their site and see how you can be involved in passing on some kindness!

Ingredients

Love, as much as you can put into it

1 cup butter (I use earth balance to keep this dairy free)
6 qts
organic chicken broth
2 diced sweet onions
20 lbs red potatoes,
peeled, chopped
1 1/2 tsp cayenne
2tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp sea
salt
3 12 oz tub sour cream ( I use tub Tofutti Better Than Sour
Cream)
3 8oz tub cream cheese (I use tub of Tofuttie Better Than
Cream Cheese)
3 heaping tsp dill (fresh is best)
1 tbsp minced
garlic
1 bunch of fresh chives chopped up

Place onions and
potatoes into a large pot. Add chicken broth, garlic, cayenne, pepper,
and salt and bring to a boil. Continue boiling until potatoes are
tender. Mash potatoes with a potato masher (or a larger spoon thingy)
until there are small little chunks of potato mixed in. Add butter, sour
cream and cream cheese, chives and dill and simmer for about 15
minutes. If soup is a little watery, you can add in a bit of potato
starch to thicken it up.

Here's a little added tip: the broth should just cover the potatoes, giving enough liquid to boil; add a little more, add a little less. The soup is much better if the spices are added in while the potatoes are boiling, but you can add them in later if you forget.

For those who can have dairy, top off
your bowl with colby jack or cheddar cheese and enjoy. the Smart One likes bacon bits added to his!

But before
you take a bite, please remember Barb, Drew, Shelbie and Sammie in your
prayers…and if you knew Joshi, share a few memories as you sit around
your table eating the Stevens Soup!