Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I am not way to busy to actually do a decent job of "not me" Monday this week.

I am not hiding in Luke's office supposed to be doing paperwork, playing with my blog, eating a milky way dark that I hid from Josie so she wouldn't ask for some. Not me!

I am not insanely hot after watering plants and considering jumping in Josie's inflatable pool that has a water temp of 55 degrees at the moment because I just filled it up. Who wouldn't love to see an 8+ month pregnant woman leaping about in freezing water in a soggy tank top and Bermuda sweats? Not me!

Tonight on the harvest menu, breakfast burritos, Doritos, cucumber slices & blueberries, and lemon bars (all food must be able to be eaten while on the go). This is quite literally the recipe I made (I have about 30 burritos on hand, they freeze well), I think you could easily 1/2 or 1/4 it. Not fancy but good!

Breakfast Burritos

2 18 pack eggs
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
3 package regular Jimmy Dean sausage
2 larger cans Ortega green chilies
1 average size bag red potatoes
2 average packages shredded Mexican blend cheese
2-3 packages flour tortillas (you can fill them as much or as little as you want).
canola oil for frying

Cut up potatoes into cubes and put in about 1 inch of canola oil in large dutch oven. Commence to frying, with lid on to cook them till they're falling apart with crispy bits.

Begin browning sausage in another dutch oven. Once sausage is browned drain. In large bowl mix eggs with milk, salt and pepper. Add to sausage in pot and scramble. Once firm add green chillies. Don't forget the potatoes. Once fork tender or visibly falling apart drain off oil, pat dry with paper towel and add to dutch oven with sausage/egg/chili mixture. To all of this, add cheese. Mix well.

I like to microwave my tortillas about a minuet so they're warm and you can roll them easier. I put about 1/2-3/4 cup mix in each tortilla fold in the sides and roll them up. Then I roll them in tin foil. They last a week in the fridge or longer in the freezer (in a freezer bag). We like them for dinner with salsa and sour cream.

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


I did not utter the words "If you go check on Marie you can have the last Oreo" in the last week. And I would never have said it more than once.

I would never admit to the fact that we are still doing ponytails, calling the messy kind a hair style, just to cover up the fact that Josie and I have not brushed our hair yet.

I'm not crazy excited that I get a pedicure this week (mostly because I know Annie will rub lotion on my calves), or that my one in a million babysitter got time off of coop at the beginning of wheat harvest to watch the girls for me. Did I mention that girl is one in a million and I love her like a pregnant woman loves cake?

I'm not excited for harvest. I am not a typical farmers wife and am certainly not adopting that "let's get it done before it's hailed out" attitude. I am a positive thinker, I never get stressed, I'm not sick of waiting on the wheat at all. I love wheat, go buy some. Seriously.

I am not biased and think that my daughters and my god-daughter N (their cousin) might be the cutest things on earth. Spending an awesome weekend with them did not help me decide that.

I'm not considering asking Luke's cousin H to fly up to Wyoming again just so we can stockpile more illegal fireworks to light them off for Marie whenever she likes. Actually, I might be. Marie loves fireworks just that much (and I would really go to that extent just to please my miracle girl).

Finally, I did not sort of wish we had some Easter candy left because something marshmallow covered in a little something chocolate sounds really good right now....

Not Me Monday

I haven't done one of these in a long time. This morning, it might be good therapy. Here, in no particular order is my list of things I have absolutely, never, ever, have not done.



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

• I did not make a conscious decision to stop advocating. I am taking a break from all that is CNA/medicaid/family support and other crap for a while. It did not require admitting that if I do not stop I might kill someone (and enjoy it).
• I would never start a sentence with, "Josie, if you......" and finish it with "I will give you a piece of candy". I would never, I don't bribe.
• I do not allow Luke to dress Marie and call her pajama shirt a t shirt for a day. My kids are always clean, matching, well mannered...
• I do not silently cringe when people touch Marie. I know they want to, she's so pretty, I just picture their hands covered with germs. It has nothing to do with the people, it's just hard for me to get past it.
• I did not do a happy dance on a sawhorse, with a paintbrush in my hand last night because it rained and now I don't need to water my flower pots. I have time for everything, so that wouldn't have been me.
• I don't just put Josie's hair up in a pony tail and call it good just to hid the fact that her hair is a rats nest and I've made no attempt to brush it. That wouldn't happen because her hair is always done, mine is too for that matter. We do not go days where we skip brushing our hair.
• I'm not totally freaked out that that baby ticker to the left says I have only 78 days until #3 is born. I'm not worried at all because I'm ready. That's right, rooms done, cribs up, clothes are washed, and emotionally I'm prepared to be the mother of three children. I'm also not lying.
  
• I'm not secretly proud every time Josie sasses back to me or argues. I would never foster an independent spirit in my child. I would never want her to question the powers that be. I would never encourage testing boundaries. I believe what I was raised, good children are seen and not heard...
  

Who am I kidding, I'm raising a child who will be a woman one day. I want her to be fierce. "Well behaved women rarely make history." Laurel Thatcher Ulrich; or if you prefer "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have a list...

• It was totally awesome to discover at the doctor this morning that Josie not only has pink eye in both eyes, but she also has a double ear infection.
• I was not totally thrilled that my unplanned visit to the doc will make it possible for me to go to the clinic three times this week. Between pink eye/ears and RSV shots and a 5 year well child check it's like I won some sort of crap lottery.
• I do not get nauseous simply by eating or drinking milk. I would never continue to make myself sick by checking weekly to see if I still get sick by eating a bowl of cereal. It is a bummer because cheese and yogurt is fine, milk itself makes me ill though. That and I kind of want cereal, a lot.
  
• I do not have laundry to fold and beds to make right now. I'm not procrastinating. I would never do that!
• I'm not using Luke's going to the Nuggets game as an excuse to get out of cooking dinner tonight. Josie and Marie love leftovers, that's all.
• I do not dislike maternity jeans with everything I've got. I'm not annoyed that manufacturers must believe everyone who gets pregnant is less that 5'9" tall. What on earth do models or farmers wives who happen to be 5' 11" wear when they get pregnant? (Actually I know, it's the Seven maternity jean, at least, models wear that. I cannot stomach paying that much for jeans I'll only wear a few months.) There is a great deal of injustice to this and the tall girls of the world should unite. Why, if Gap makes extra tall woman's jeans would they not also have that inseam as a maternity option? *stepping off my soapbox*

As I said, Luke is going to the Nuggets game and he totally deserves it. Inspections with the house have been stressful and he needs a night off. Their seats are really good so if you look closely you might see my handsome husband on TV. Seriously, that good. He is a very lucky guy.

Me and the girls will be having a girls only night and probably going to bed early as Jo feels crummy and I was up about every hour last night either because of someone needing tissues, having a nightmare, or kicking the heck out of me (Marie).

Happy Monday everyone:)

"Not Me!" Monday and prayer request

***The most important part of my post is at the very bottom, please read all the way down!***

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


I did not eat Josie's birthday chocolates. Well, not all of them. Only all the Three Musketeers and even those I shared with Marie.

I have not been bragging to anyone will listen that my Marie can drink from a cup. She can, she dribbles, but she swallows and does not choke. She rocks.

I'm not still a little emotional that my baby Jo is 5. Or that my miracle Marie is going to be TWO in less than a month. Nope, not even a little bit.

I am not *still* stroller shopping. I would not obsess about the perfect stroller for weeks at a time. I do not drool over features. I am not slowly becoming a stroller snob.


I'm not secretly excited about summer. I did not already look over summer clothes and try sundresses on Marie today. Besides, even if I did that I needed to know if they'd fit her or not didn't I.

I'm not overjoyed that we are finally going to do something about our back porch. We're re-doin' it ya'll. I'm so sick of looking at rotting particle board. I am so excited at the idea of something different. I've also blown our cover, it looks nice from outside, but inside it's all particle board. Circa 1970-something. Niiice.

__________________________________________________________________

Now, to a more serious topic. I am asking that everyone pray, pray, pray for our dear friend, Sweet Abigail. She is having a really hard time and is likely going to be admitted to Seattle Children's Hospital for evaluation of an emergency g-tube and nissan surgery. She is so similar to Marie, from how they are affected by Mitochondrial Disease to their angry face they are little twin souls. Her family is hurting, and her parents are frightened. She has been unable to keep anything down for days and her parents were told that she would not survive until her scheduled g-tube surgery in April if she keeps this up.

Lord please, bring peace to Abigail's family. Help them find comfort in Your grace, find peace with Your will, and find strength to care for their baby girl as she faces yet another hurdle. Please hold sweet Abigail in Your arms, please let them know of how much You love her. Please bring them all comfort and rest in this terrifying time. In Jesus name, Amen.

I'll keep you all updated about this sweet girl, I just cannot stop thinking about them. We've walked where they walk and I will be completely honest. The world seems dark, you are uncertain, you pray for wisdom and are pulled in so many directions it is hard to feel and see God at work a times. It is a frightening place that few can understand and it makes you feel alone and helpless as you watch your child suffer. Please join me in prayer, maybe they can feel it all the way over in Washington state!

Whew! Where'd the days go?

It has been a crazy busy bunch of days! We have been running around a ton, and both girls are doing just great. I have tons of pics to share but I won't today as I am short on time. In short, this is what's up with us:

• Josie's party was WONDERFUL! How cute are six little girls all dressed up as princesses (and one beautiful little Tinkerbell) running around a small town pizza restaurant? Too cute for words.
• It snowed here! It reminded me why I love living in Colorado. For a second I thought we were in Nebraska.
• Have you all bought raffle tickets yet? I am soooo excited to see who wins that camera!
• My brother is my hero, he brought me 3 dozen Madagascar cupcakes for Josie's class and didn't eat a one. He's a gem.
• Can you believe the Super Bowl is this Sunday already? Seriously, it's not time for February yet.
• Marie is just the most adorable girl ever. Today when Luke and Jo were leaving for Pre-k she was begging from her high chair to go with them (this is becoming a daily thing). Poor girl, she's too little for preschool (as Josie gleefully reminds her daily).
• Cheer leading! Josie has a clinic with the high school girls this weekend and then they will cheer that evening at a real live basketball game!
• I've been stroller shopping. It is ADDICTIVE!
  
• We are finally all set up with medicaid. I spent last week double checking everything. We have a new case worker managing the waiver Marie is on and I talked with her yesterday and am feeling really happy and positive about this. Finally, a back up plan that only took since last June to get set up!
  
• I need to quit screwing around and fold some laundry.

That's all I can think of right now, please know that I am thinking of and praying for all of our dear friends. I just seem so busy it's hard to get on and keep up with blogs... I'm actually thinking I'd love to put a contest together for my blog too. Trying to figure that out and I'll keep everyone posted.

Much love!

Monday....

Today I was paying bills and came across the writeup that was mailed to us after Marie's last neurology appointment. His "impression" summing up the visit. "Leigh's Syndrome without expected decline".

My Marie defies expectations, I am so proud of her. I've known she was holding steady, but it is so nice to read it in writing. When she was diagnosed we felt like we were handed a death sentence. Now, she is without the expected decline. Prayer works, Marie proves it.

Now, on to "Not Me!" Monday:) Normally you're supposed to link to the "rules" but I can't find them so... I'm not gonna!

I did not call cereal dinner again last night.

I am not at all excited to go to see a very cool band with Luke tomorrow, in a bar, in a college town.... away from here. I am such a rebel.

I would not rub it in that the band is Cross Canadian Ragweed. That's right, eat your hearts out!

During a meeting regarding the dreaded Medicaid this morning I was not rude. I was not judgmental. I did feel bad about it. Well, actually, I didn't. Not one bit, not me!

I do not hate medicaid. Hate is a strong word. Wait, it's a strong emotion I feel. Yup, I hate it.

I do not secretly enjoy still nursing Marie to sleep after lunch because she's just so darn snugly, and I love how she's all smunched up in my arms. Besides, she's on the feeding pump. She thinks she's the bestest nurser ever.

I would never get excited about getting a new vacuum cleaner. I would not brag about it on my blog. I would not test it out on a Sunday afternoon because I need to see if all the hype is true. Nope, I am wayyyy to cool for that.

I would never post a picture of the vacuum on my blog! The hype, it's true!

Happy Monday everyone:)

A new year

• Exodus 15:2 NIV

  The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

So, we find ourselves in 2009. Just how weird does that sound? Passing of time is something I've taught myself to ignore mostly, and if I were totally honest, there are times when I dislike moving forward. I like where we are now, and I hide like a child under a blanket, not thinking of the future.

Our Christmas was wonderful, and our New Year was nice. We didn't make it till midnight, but instead were in bed by 10:30. Marie is still fighting the cold she came down with before Christmas. She seems better but will start coughing, or get congested in her head again and again. I've found that she doesn't sleep well propped up and I put her down on her side last night. It was the first real decent night of sleep we've had in two weeks.

I wonder if its that lack of sleep, or the changes of a new year, changes in our home, that leave me feeling a little overwhelmed. When you're tired it's so easy to see things in a different light, a light I don't really prefer, so I try instead to focus on all the joy here, and there is a lot of that.

Aside from the never ending cold both girls are doing pretty well. Marie finally cut her upper right eye tooth and is working getting the upper left in. After she gets all her eye teeth cut she should be done for awhile, and that little mama deserves a break!

Josie is doing great, today is her first day back in preschool. She was looking forward to going back. She's been Tinkerbell everything lately. Santa brought her the Tinkerbell movie for Christmas and she's just fascinated. An unexpected side effect is that she is genuinely depressed about not having any wings. Not fake wings, she has several pairs of those, but she wants and honest to goodness, functional pair of fairy wings. I'm not sure what to do about this and am just hoping it passes quickly.

Next week is Luke and I will have our 5th anniversary. We have two, the 14th of January, 2004 is the day we signed papers at the courthouse legally declaring us husband and wife. Then on the 27th we welcomed our baby girl Josie. On the 25th of September, the same year we were married in the church. It's a bit confusing, but I like having two anniversaries. We have been through so much that when I realize it's only been 5 years I want to laugh. In 5 years our lives have changed so much, several times. I'm so glad that God had him in mind for me though, and I love him more now than I did that day in January so few years ago.

Josie's birthday is coming up, and oh-my-goodness! She is excited! She will be having her very first friend party, a princess party, which leaves me feeling a little bad since several of her friends are boys but we won't invite them. I just don't think they'd have any fun really. I'll keep everyone posted with details about this event as it draws closer;)

And now, "Not Me!" Monday!

• Last night for dinner, Josie did not eat fruit loops.
• I would never have said, "Josie, if you eat all your fruit loops you can have some pie". (In my defense, it was apple pie and that totally counts as a serving of fruits and vegetables right?!)
• I did not steal the M&M's I found in her back pack for myself. I mean, it's not stealing if she's totally forgotten they're there.
• I did not get payback in the end because those delicious M&M's gave me heartburn.
• I am not procrastinating folding laundry!
• I have not been being antisocial and not blogging, not reading blogs, or taking a two week hiatus from the Internet. Actually, I did. I've been thinking and praying a lot lately. It was really pretty healing.
• I do not wish it was spring already. It's only January, I love having it freezing cold without the perk of snow. Really, it's awesome.
  

"Not Me!" Monday

"Not Me!" Monday:)

• I am not exhausted.
• I would never act live a 3 year old and throw a fit about taking a nap because I have other things I would rather do.
• I was not cranky like a 3 year old when I did it.
• I did not read almost and entire trashy novel while I was up with Marie last night. It was not because I 1. did not want to fall asleep on the couch, and 2. was afraid to move without waking her up thus trapped prisoner on above mentioned couch.
  
• I did not make Josie and I wear uggy boots to church and change into our dress shoes when we got there. I disliked it very much when my own mother did something like that to me, so there's no way I'd do it to her (even though those uggy boots are wayyyy more comfortable than heels any day).
• I am not regretting my wish for snow on Friday. Bring it blizzard, bring it.
• It's not 9 degree's here. Probably colder wind chill because that's what the wind does here. It blows.
• Seriously, it's 9 degrees! It's a little ridiculous!
• I do not get this irrational craving to bake just because it's cold outside.
• I did not confess that I have a trashy novel reading problem on my blog. I don't. If I did though, I'd recommend reading anything by Jennifer Cruise, or Rachel Gibson. :)

Sidenote: The Christmas pagaent was wonderful, Josie was just beautiful! I have pictures, and I'll probably post them sometime this week. I'm going to try to take some pics at Tree of Lights tonight also!

Marie update: we're thinking sinus infection at this point. She's still coughing but it's because you can hear all that junk getting caught in the back of her throat. We're going to try some antibiotics and are praying that she kicks it this week!

"Not Me!" Monday

It's that time again... For full rules and regulations please see here. It's been a crazy week here at our house!

• I did not nearly loose my temper while trying to take Christmas photos. I did not need Luke to sweep in like prince charming and save the day.
• This morning, I did not learn that Josie has a for-real crush on a boy. I am in no way freaked out by this new development.
• I would never buy a new box of candy canes just because I feel like eating them sometimes.
  
• I am not frustrated with the fact that the weather has been so up and down that everyone has been wearing two different coats, and my rug by the back door is littered with three pairs of shoes for each person depending on the weather. I mean come on, we have plenty of room for that!
• I did not get emotional taking summer dresses out of Marie's closet that no longer fit her.
• No one would ever see me running to the mailbox barefoot in December just because I'm too lazy to put on shoes.

Anyone else have week like that one?

Not Me Monday

So, I am going to do this. I've read it forever and decided today that I am officially going to do Not Me! Monday. Rules and regulations can be accessed by clicking on that link.

Okay, here goes!

I did not let Josie and Marie have candy in their play tent just because they were camping, and it wasn't 10 am when I did it.

I did not listen to Sublime and hum really loud whenever they swore hoping that Josie wouldn't hear the words they were saying. Need it be said that everyone needs a little Sublime time? It's therapeutic.

I would never justify going tanning by my needing a break from it all, and claiming that my complexion is dark enough that once a week wouldn't really hurt me anyway.

I most certainly did not make popcorn with extra butter, cut up an apple and some cheese, and call it dinner for Josie and I last night.

I absolutely, not ever, in a million years, did I not spend a little time in a corn field with Luke yesterday and realized that maybe, just a *teeny* *tiny* bit, I sort of miss being out in a tractor sometimes.

While in above mentioned corn field it did not occur to me with frightening clarity that I may have issues with being able to relax. Surely I can, perhaps it's just that I'm high strung?!