Friday, February 25, 2011

Daddy goes to work

This morning:

Kai: "daddy? Are you going to work?"
Dad: "yes Kai, but I love you."
Kai (in a rather loud voice):
"OK! GO TO WORK SO YOU CAN GET LOTS OF MONEY SO THAT WE CAN GET A BIG WATER SLIDE!!"

I don't know where kids get their things sometimes, but it was funny.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mayra

I have been blessed with many special friends.

Today, I wanted to talk about Mayra.

She's from Mexico.
I met her at church, at the Clear Lake 1 ward in Webster, Texas.

I couldn't remember her name at first.
"Ma...y..ra?"

She had her baby girl in her lap.
I've always loved Latins, especially after my mission.
"Hola"
I sat by her.
It all began there.

Now after more than 3 years, we've kept in close contact.
Though my Spanish has disintegrated and is a sad story and she speaks only broken English,
she and I have kept that special bond alive.

We laugh about motherhood and how hard it can sometimes be.
We encourage one another to chug along and we make each other laugh.

Last night, I was able to go to her house with Amanda S. and we taught her how to use a computer.
Fun stuff.

She created herself an email account and of course, an account with Facebook.
I told her she had to write me everyday to practice.
She's already written me 2 emails and says she's so happy.

People like Mayra make me smile.
Sisters like Mayra strengthens me.

I quietly thank my Heavenly Father for giving me a gift named Mayra.

Mayra--te quiero mucho!
(necesito una foto de ti!)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Little people


Little hands,
little feet.

Little bodies jump on me.

Little eyes,
little nose,

Little mouths smile at me.

Little thumbs
little bums,

Little little everywhere.

My Little people, little boys, please stay little, please don't grow.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Hush Little Baby...by Kai

I had a rough day the other day with the kids, but this weekend has been really nice.
Ronny and I've been able to relax and spend lots of time with the kids.
Although they still wear us out, it's times and songs like these that my heart is so full with love for these little angels.
This is a song that Kai just sang me while I rocked him just before putting him to bed.
Enjoy.


To the tune of "The Mocking Bird Song/Hush Little Baby"
(although not all of the words will fit with the original song tune, try to imagine a small child singing it softly)

Verse 1:
my pretty little...big mommy
you're the smartest mommy

you were so pretty after church
i haven't ever seen your mommy

Verse 2:
big little mama
i love you
you'll be the prettiest girl
i haven't seen your mommy
but you can go to church
i haven't seen your daddy and mommy
i haven't seen your daddy and mommy

Friday, February 18, 2011

Feb 18th, 2011. The day's not even over...

I always get these days when I try my best to BE GOOD and BE BETTER.
WHY IS THAT?!

A prayer to be a better mother, and a renewed sense of "I'm going to be better" just invites
BAD JU-JU.

I should quit it.

Anyway, it's only 1:10pm on Feb. 18th, 2011 and I'm gonna tell you right now, it's not been a good one so far.
And you KNOW I had to have had started the day with the best of attitude too; why?

'CUZ IT'S A "FREAKIN' FANTASTIC FRIDAY!"

nothing breaks my spirit on Fridays...
except this.

5:00am: I hear CHEERFUL children giggling in their room.

Um, excuse me, where's the "OFF until it's light outside" switch?
My kids didn't come with one of those.

of course, cheerful noises may start out all cute in the beginning (of course, at 5am, NOTHING is cute), but it gradually gets LOUDER AND LOUDER.
Banging pots, blowing whistles, jumping beds, honking horns, crashing heads and finally, screams and cries.

It's only 5:05am.
shoot me.

Somehow though, I fall back asleep and woke up only to hear Ronny's bike leaving for work...or was that yesterday that I heard it in the distance??
(i know, I'm a stellar wife)

I've managed to learn to block kiddy sounds in the mornings. Ok, fine, correction: I've learned to block out ALMOST all kid sounds. Helps keep sane longer this way, trust me.
Screams, shouts, cries, thumps, murders, you name it, I can sleep through it.

Of course, these all have consequences.
When I finally came to my senses at 7am, I found:

a bag of sugar opened with sugar everywhere.
OH but wait! The child (hmm...Jaiden?) graciously found a spoon to dip into the bag. He was using his manners! (chop!)

fish food flakes (bright red mind you) ALL OVER the carpet.
OH, but Jaiden also was trying to clean it up, BY EATING IT!!
It was all over his face. Very incriminating when I was investigating who had done it.
(chop chop!!)

then the Candies...AHH the M&M Candies.
It's fun when Mom's sleeping, why, it's a candy buffet around here at our place!

and, Ronny and I had recently rolled up about $90 worth of coins in those nifty little coin rolls and what do I find scattered on my desk?
Why not!? It's fun to rip open neatly rolled up coins and see all the pennies slide out of them! It would make anyone feel rich!

Cereals boxes opened and frosted flake cereal crumbs all embedded into the carpet.
Let me warn you, those things can get rather sharp when broken in half and STEPPED ON.
(chop! chop! choke around the neck!)

Here, I will pause and count my blessing.
There was no POOP or any other types of feces involved.
{Thank you.}

Then Kai was jumping around and almost snapped the laptop's screen backwards in half, Jaiden bonked Kai on the head and sent him screaming and crying, then Jaiden wanted food so he began whining, then milk was spilled and CANDY, TREATS, AND ALL OF THE ABOVE were wanted ALL AT THE SAME TIME while I tried to clean up messes and get breakfast on the table while showering, trying to get ready for the day, dressing the kids and putting contacts in Jaiden's eyes.
{Where's my award??}

Why is it that most days, I can calmly handle the same types of situations, but other days, it's a day from HELL?

So we finally manage to get out of the door with Jaiden screaming his head off because I didn't allow him to take his BALL, ROBOT, TWO CARS, HIS FROGGY BOOTS, AND "BONE GLOVES". What's even better is the sound the car door makes when it flies open, almost snapping it backwards because a child managed to open the door while we flew down the street. Kai was "just trying to re-close it."
Is the day over yet?!
Oh, right, it's only 9:00am. HOORAY.

First destination, HOBBY LOBBY. objective?
GET IN, DO A RETURN, AND ABSOLUTELY NO LOLLY-GAGGING, GET THE HECK OUT OF THERE.

What actually happened?
Before I could even get into the sliding doors of this craft heaven, Jaiden has another melt down.
What was it even about? I don't remember. Does it even matter? It was a freaking meltdown!

Throwing his tiny body out on the ground, Jaiden almost makes a lady behind us TRIP as she walked. As she skidded and skipped above Jaiden who was oblivious to how the world is not just about him, the lady muttered a few curse words and glared at me.

I was sorry...until then. Now I kind of would have liked to seen her fall!
hm.

I picked Jaiden up and as CALMLY as possible (trust me, there was no CALMNESS in my heart or eyes) sat him up on a chair "for sale" in the lobby of the store and tried the magical talk. ("don't ever do it again, child!")

After a firm talk and lots of tears (my tears were invisible, but trust me, there were rivers of them), I got him down and we walked in. I was trying to be hopeful for a change of heart on his part. After all, Super nanny swears by the magical talks.

HA-HA.
Another tantrum.
I picked him up and held him tightly in my arms.
It was all I could do to restrain myself from banishing his little soul from this life.

ALL EYES WERE UPON ME AND I COULD FEEL THE ANGER, no, WRATH OOZING--no, POURING out of me. No joke. And I could tell everyone around me felt it too.
(p.s. why are people SO NICE to you when you're this mad?! Try it sometime! Customer service is great!)
But I couldn't tell if they were eyes of "pity," or "whoa, I better be nice to her," or "you devil mother!" It felt more like the judge-y kind where they think you're the most horrible mother for holding your child down "psycho straight jacket style" while he continues to lash his head around and scream. I just chose not to say ANYTHING to him, just stood there with my muscles wrapped around him. Muscles I've been acquiring since last month when I signed up and became a proud gym member.
Thank you, thank you.

But wait! Where's Kai?!
Oh ya, touching everything possible around at the register.
"mama! Look at this! Whoa! I want this for Christmas!"
I like being able to speak in Japanese to the kids.

"Get over here and don't you dare touch that or else!!!....."

Then, it happened.
The man (who looked like the shift manager) in a Jewish Kippah, whipped around the corner and began blabbering something to me. "what a weirdo. What's going on now?!" I thought. When I finally listened in because he kept going on and on about something WITH A SMILE, I realized he had been speaking to me in JAPANESE! Well, ya...
"Konnichiwa! Hajimemashite! Bokuno namae wa......."
(Hello and nice to meet you! My name is....)

Really!?
I just smiled a fake smile and nodded while I continued to fight Jaiden.
This man was obviously VERY happy to be trying his Japanese skills on me. He was radiant while I still loomed in darkness with Jaiden.
(a note to Jaiden here: Jaiden, oh jaiden, I know you had to be strong to survive your first few months here on this earth, but really, you can give it up now. I'd very much appreciate a good karma go-around since I did kind of decide to keep you alive. true story)

I get a lot of "COOL!" and "oooh's" when people either find out that i'm Japanese, or hear me speak it to my kids, but sometimes I get the weirdest people do what this tiny hat man was doing to me at this very INSANE moment.

obviously, this little dude's parents never taught him things like:

look around your surroundings. observe, THINK and then act.

A mother holding her psycho strength toddler who's about to break down and cry in the middle of craft heaven IS NOT THE TIME TO SHOW OFF YOUR JAPANESE SKILLS.

I was NOT impressed.

But afterwards, realized how funny it was and cracked up back in the car.

you gotta love 'em.
The little Kippah on his head and all.

then we had another adventure at the bank depositing monies, and of course, at the gym, but I'll spare you the details.

The day hasn't ended, nor do I expect it to. Why, it's only 1:40pm. I would expect now to go back upstairs where the kids are supposed to be napping, only to find poopy Jaiden just bouncing up and down on the bed (although I cannot hear him...loud music and brain power to block out noises helps) and Kai hiding out and reading books (least of my worries). However, I did get to PUNCH AND KICK out my aggression at my 10:30am Karate class, so I'm good now.

You know, I always wonder if these days would be FUNNY to me someday, or if I'd even MISS these crazy days...

nah!










Thursday, February 10, 2011

We say goodbye to Luvia





I LOVE getting together with some good friends.
I LOVE love love a good "girl's night out!"

Last night, a few of us girls got together to say goodbye to Luvia who's moving to Canada next week.
Why is everyone moving?

So we met up at the Grove in downtown Houston.

Posh!
I felt fancy!

Lovely place and beautiful decor.
WHOA.

The food was good too,
but the best was afterwards.

The pictures in the bathroom (they had an amazing beautiful bathroom!),
the drive around downtown after 9:30pm when the town is DEAD SILENT, engulfed in the chill of the winter night,
Wendy's frosties (really? it's so cold!),
tight car jams with 5 lovely ladies,
Christa the tour guide. Ask her anything about Downtown, she will tell you everything.
but the best of all...

was
the
LAUGHTER.

pure, un-adulturated conversations and big healthy head-throwing back LAUGHS.

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
{from all directions}

like that.

Aah life,
aah, friends.

I loved every moment of it.
Isn't life great?

The funniest part is...
I'm sure most people wondered to themselves;
"gee, I wonder how many drinks these girls have had tonight!"

well....
none to be honest!

That's the great thing about being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We don't believe in consuming alcohol. Why? We don't need it! We have so much fun without that stuff, and guess what?
We remember it the next day,
and the next,
and we don't regret a thing

:-)

Thanks girls for a lovely time!
Goodbye Luvia.
We will miss you.










Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Feb. 8th 2011

Today, I learned more about 72-hour kits from a lady who knows tons about that stuff and what types of things I can pack in them.
That was neat.

Then I learned that one of my very favorite families here was moving...and SOON.
It was sad. I'm very sad. I am already missing them...

Jaiden was a riot as always, and Kai was a talker, but I hugged and kissed them lots.

I called a few people who have been on my mind and we laughed on the phone.
It was nice.

I made "to-do" lists and that also made me happy.

It was a good day.


Teriyaki Sauce--the "Modern family pantry friendly" version!

So I've been thinking about how the last post about Teriyaki sauce might not be as "american" friendly as this recipe I found below (because who really has the need for Japanese "sake" and Mirin and stuff in their pantry if you don't cook a ton of Asian foods, right??)

So, although I don't like posting recipes that I've not personally tried and tasted and LOVED, here's one I found that sounded interesting and equally yummy. If anyone tries it, let me know!


Teriyaki Sauce
Makes about 3 1/2 cups

1 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup mirin (rice wine)
2 cups water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 large, or 2 small, garlic cloves, minced
1/2 inch piece ginger root, peeled and minced

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat combine soy sauce and mirin. Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add to saucepan. Add the rest of ingredients and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat to keep at a steady simmer and cook, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Sauce is done when thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

(thanks, from whence the sweet bird sang)

Teriyaki Chicken & Avocado Tofu Dressing

The Japanese are known to be healthy eaters.
We use a lot of vegetables and have yummy sauces!
I've never really had a good teriyaki sauce recipe until I tried this one today!
And the Avocado & Tofu dressing? I know, it sounds crazy, but it's quite tasty!
Super light and super healthy!
A promise to not leave you bloated and heavy, but satisfied after every meal.



Teriyaki Chicken
{Teriyaki Sauce}


5 tbsp. soy sauce
5 tbsp. sake (japanese cooking alcohol)
5 tbsp. mirin (rice wine) (used a lot in Japanese cooking/sauces--found in oriental aisle)
3 tbsp. sugar
(adjust to your taste--if you like sweet sauces, put more sugar in. Less sweet? less sugar.)

mix together.
(I mixed all the ingredients and microwaved it slightly until the sugars dissolved)

Either marinate chicken in it for 30min--a few hours, or just pour over chicken/meat as you cook it in a frying pan. Sauce will thicken, you want that.



Avocado & Tofu Dressing

6 oz. soft silken tofu (1/2 box)
1 med. ripe avocado
a little lemon juice
3 tbsp. cottage cheese (i didn't have any on hand so I did w/out)
1.5 tsp. granulated chicken stock
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
S&P

mix all together, mashing it with a whisk. It will be a chunky light green mixture. Goes well over green salad or with cooked chicken (however you prefer).
I also think grated/minced garlic would add so much to this dressing, and how about spreading on some sandwiches? mmm


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Don't like my food???


Ahh, children.
So I'm not sure this was the nicest thing for me to say, but it had a great outcome so I'm writing about it.

The other day, I made lunches for Kai and Jaiden as usual and gave it to them.
Kai stared at his plate of whatever it was and mumbled;

"but this isn't my favorite"

without thinking, I looked back at him, locked eyes with him and replied in a casual tone;

"well Kai, if you don't like what mommy makes you for lunch, you can go find yourself a new mommy."

Just like that.

Kai's little eyes grew to the size of baseballs.
Nope. He wasn't expecting that. Nor was I, but I could see it worked. I didn't mean it in a mean way, and I wasn't on the defense.

Eyes still big as baseballs, Kai looked at his food, happily shoveled the first bite into his mouth and said

"OH MAMMA, THIS FOOD IS SO GOOD, THIS IS MY FAVORITE!"

LOL.



Saturday, February 5, 2011

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Double Chocolate-Chip Cookies


Super easy, super practical, super yummy.


INGREDIENTS:


1/2 C. Unsalted butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1.5 C flour
1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. milk-chocolate chips
1/2 C. semisweet chocolate chips



Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer.
2. Add egg and vanilla.
3. sift together all dry ingredients
4. add dry ingredients to butter and sugar mixture.
5. Fold in chocolate chips
6. Bake at 350 for 11min.



Thanks Nancy Myers

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Depressed much?

so here's a not-so happy post for ya.
Ok, maybe just me. lol

I need to vent.
I feel like I do that a lot, but I promise I do love life and I do love living!

But sometimes, I feel down.
I see so many wonderful people doing amazing things.
Then I think.
And thinking's what gets me into trouble.

What good things am I doing?!
{nothing}
says a bad voice in my head :(

I know I must'nt compare.
i know i shouldn't be envious.

but sometimes I feel down.
It seems like EVERYONE else is making some money,
but not me!
I rack up school loans and then think;
uh...I have No way of paying it down...
oops.
So many ladies have so much talent to do things that make a difference. They have gifts and talents and have things that I don't.
I on the other hand,
WANT nothing more than to do what's right, and yet, I feel trapped and tired of "sitting around," not doing much with my life or days.

Why oh why.

Does anyone else feel useless sometimes?
Worthless?
Like the last person to do anything cool at all?
Like you're not even close to receiving answers to your prayers?
HELLO, IS ANYONE OUT THERE?!



I guess it's time for me to get up off my butt and go serve someone...
service always helps you see how good you have it, right?
or I should read something our prophet president Monson has said recently...
or talk with a good friend...
it's nice to vent once in a while too though.
Really, it's just nice to get it out there, be honest with myself and others, and then GET OVER IT (hopefully soon)
and now that I have done the venting, I shall go and say no more.



"buta no shougayaki" = ginger fried pork slices


Here's another favorite dish in Japan!

"Buta no shougayaki" = ginger fried pork slices

1 lb. (more or less) of thinly sliced pork (will most likely have to ask the butcher to thinly slice this for you)
cooking wine (sake) 1 tbsp
mirin (found in oriental aisle and used in most Asian recipes) 1 tsp.
soy sauce 1 tbsp.
honey 1 tsp

grated ginger (about 1 tsp.)
grated garlic (about 1 tsp.)
grated apple (about 2tsp.)

all of the measurements can be eyeballed and "about"

Mix all of the above into a bowl.

1. Heat the pan with some oil.
2. lightly flour the pork slices and dust off extra flour
3. brown pork in the pan
4. add the sauce and cook with meat until sauce is a little thickened

serve with thinly sliced cabbage and cucumbers and or tomatoes/orange slices

The sauce will add a gingery, but sweetness which tenderizes the pork slices.
A favorite in Japan!


Hearty Healthy soup


If you're in Houston today, you'd know it's a perfect day for a hearty hot soup!

Here's what i made.


1 clove of garlic
1 tbsp of oil
whatever vegetables you have in your fridge.
I used:

cabbage
carrots
onions
asparagus
zucchini
half a can of petite diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper
about 1 tbsp. of BEEF/CHICKEN BOUILLON (to taste)

for meat I used:
chicken
sausages (brats)

1. heat oil in pot
2. stir diced garlic and sliced onions with carrots or any other "hard" veggies
3. add diced chicken (or you can use already cooked and shredded chicken-add at the end)
4. add water (however you much you want)
5. add all other veggies
6. Salt and pepper
7. add a tbsp or so of BEEF/CHICKEN BOUILLON (to taste)
let them cook for about 20min.


tip: cook harder veggies (carrots) the longest time. I usually toss the hard veggies in at the beginning for 10min., then add softer veggies like zucchinis in the next 10min. with 20min boiling time, you should have a nicely texturized (not mushy) veggie soup!