Gifts of the Season

I recently read the Santa Letters (thanks for sharing, Lori!) and it started me thinking of all the gifts I have been given. No, I’m not thinking of my beloved Cricut machine. And no, I’m not being sarcastic about having gotten croup, flu and a broken window this Christmas. I’m talking about intangible gifts that I enjoy the whole year through, every year of my life. The gifts listed in this book apply to me too and I feel the need to set them down so that I can look back at them this coming year and remember how grateful I am for all that I have been blessed with. They are: Warmth Despite the broken window, we never had to worry about staying warm and safe and most important to me, there’s plenty of love in our home to keep us feeling warm and protected all year round. Music I enjoy music of all kinds and this month we got a special treat. (thanks to Terra) We went to see the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas Concert. It was amazing and truly inspired! If you’ve never had the chance to hear them sing, you’re missing out. Traditions Who doesn’t have family traditions, whether it be baking sugar cookies, decorating gingerbread houses, or making clam chowder? I’m grateful for traditions that have brought me a profound sense of being and belonging and I look forward to the future and seeing what my kids deem important enough to share with their own families. Laughter I am married to Dustin, enough said! Friendship We have always been blessed with great associations wherever we are. I’m not sure why anyone would want to be friends with me, but I sure am grateful to have always been in good company! Health Yes, in spite of Jace having croup and Dustin getting the flu, in general, we have been blessed with good health. Dustin’s issues with CPPS are under control and for that we have cause to be thankful. Good Cheer O.K., so I have stress issues, which cause me to be grumpy now and then but I have to admit, that for the most part, we have a jovial life full of silly children and lots of good fortune to smile about. Support How would we get by without the constant support we receive from family and friends? There are so many who build us up and keep us standing. Thanks to all of you! Justice, Mercy and Forgiveness Words fail me when it comes to speaking of Christ and His atonement. What can I possibly say to thank and honor Him? What do I say to show my appreciation for these three gifts? Luckily He can see my heart and knows the feelings I can’t express. Heritage In the past I have had issues with who I am and where I came from. Luckily I have realized that heritage is more than biology. For me, it is a heritage of strong women, a legacy of faith and an inheritance of unconditional love. Service As inconvenient as it sometimes is, I’m glad I have ample opportunities and the ability to serve. What a great way to keep me grounded and humble and we all know I need that! And, last but not least, Family Where would I be without you? Or better question yet, who would I be without you? Thanks for sticking with me through the good, the bad and the ugly. I look forward to spending eternity with you!

Who could ask for better gifts than these?

Slave labor

Since I don't have a snow blower at my disposal, and am too lazy to shovel the driveway myself, I decided to do what I do best and relegate the chore to someone more inferior. (How old do you think he'll be when he discovers that this is not an amusing game?)






I used to be able to get my girls to scrub the kitchen floor by telling them, that if they'd get their swimsuits on, it'd be just as fun as the Slip-N-Slide!

(Notice Jace in his diaper? Oh yeah, I start 'em early!)

Christmas Eve

Flying off the jumps,
On a plastic, yellow sled

Soaring through the air

I almost hit my head!

I fell on top of Jace

I nearly smashed his face

Then, Mom launches off the drift

with Lainie in a race!

Ooh my gosh! Oh, my gosh!

My heinie's really red!

Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!

I wish that I were dead!

lyrics by Ellie

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

This is what I'm making for neighbor gifts this year. I'm putting mini cheese ball's in silver cupcake liners, on a little, holiday plate surrounded by graham sticks. Not very fancy, but yummy nonetheless!

Sarah's Famous Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball:

1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. butter, softened (do not substitute)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
3/4 C. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 C. finely chopped pecans
1 box graham cracker stix (chocolate is my favorite)

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars and beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refridgerate for 2 hours. Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refridgerate for at least 1 hour more. Just before serving, roll cheese ball in pecans. Serve with graham stix.

*Sarah, you should share your apple version of this!

25 things you may not know about me

Something I did on Facebook (since everyone else is doing it) and thought I'd share it here too.

1. My husband still makes my stomach flutter
2. I think my kids are cuter than most
3. I hate to cook
4. I love to eat
5. I love to travel and wish I had more opportunities to do so
6. I grew up in a tiny, little, backward town in rural Idaho
7. That was one of the best things that ever happened to me
8. That was also one of the worst things that ever happened to me
9. I got my drivers license when I was 14
10. I love to cut and glue paper
11. I'm obsessed with finding the perfect shade of slate blue
12. I'm always disappointed by the local fabric store
13. I wish I could create my own fabric
14. I have one sister who also happens to be my very best friend
15. I have 69 (1st) cousins
16. I married a man who only has 7
17. I spent 5 of my best years yet, living in Michigan
18. I wish I could do it again
19. I would love to live in a foreign country
20. When I was in Jr. High, I dreamed of going to finishing school in Switzerland
21. In Middle School, I wanted to be a Marine Biologist after reading "A Ring of Endless Light"
22. Now, I just want to be one of those people who gets a good nights sleep
23. But, I wouldn't give up being a stay-at-home-mom for anything
24. If I could be anywhere right now, I'd be in France...Spain...or maybe Greece...or...
25. I refuse to have my picture taken and therefore have none to post on Facebook or my blog

Make your own. I'd love to learn something new about you. W.

Sneek Peek!

A quick glance at the Christmas cards that are coming your way!

Santa loves unconditionally

I've had a number of trials this year, as everyone does, but none so exacerbating as potty training. In the beginning, I was all smiles and encouragement. I cheered each time Jace even looked at the toilet. Praise and patience soon gave way to bribes and rewards which quickly yielded to threats and conditional love. Recently, I even went so far as to tell him that it made Santa sad to see a big boy have accidents in his pants. (believe me when I say I am not proud of that moment)
Today I was at the mall finishing up the last of the Christmas shopping, and who do we run into? Santa! Jace sprinted over to him and hurdled himself onto his lap. Grinning ear to ear, he gave Santa a huge hug and in the sweetest voice told him just how much he loved him. (huge change from just a month ago, huh?) Santa, being the good guy that he is, returned the sentiment. Jace, his face still beaming, hollers at the top of his lungs, "Hey Mom, Santa loves boys that poop their pants!"

Not Super, just delusional

It's official....I am now "uncool". Me of all people, considered un-amazing, un-wonderful, un-awesome! I knew this day came to many, with a devastating blow, but it was never going to happen to me. I was immune, I believed I had super-human powers that would allowed me to stay hip and cool forever. Then, last night at the movies, my prowess was simply and easily demolished. As I'm headed to purchase tickets, Lainie grabs my arm and says in a low voice, "Mom, pretend you don't know us." Kryptonite! My self-esteem lay in ruin right there on the pavement! How could this have happened? I'm not that old. Lainie isn't that old. How could she behave like a cheeky teenager when she's only eleven? The girls headed to get popcorn and drinks and I decided to hole up in a dark corner. Licking my wounds, I see Lainie trying to get my attention. I slowly slink closer, trying not to embarrass her, and what does she say? "I can't carry all this stuff, will you bring my popcorn?" Oh the rapture of redemption! I knew it wouldn't last long, I knew she still needed me! Underneath their thin disguises every preteen still wants her mother! My head held high, I proceed with them to the theatre. But, all too soon, my dignity was once again torn from me. "Mom, walk behind us!"..... After delivering the popcorn, like some half-witted hireling, I sat alone (far away from the girls) with that phrase still ringing in my ears.
Now, 24 hours later, I'm having a good laugh about it! In fact, I nearly wet my pants retelling it. In my dreams I'm Super-Sensational-Magnificent Mom and in reality I'm....well....just Mom.

So thankful!

"Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers."
- Edgar A. Guest, Thanksgiving


I'm so grateful for family and the opportunity to have had them in my home this Thanksgiving. Each, in one way or another, has afforded me pleasure and contentment and for that I am truly appreciative!

Sausage , Apple Dressing

One last post before I switch gears and get all keyed up for Christmas!

Here's the recipe I promised, glad you liked it. Hugs and kisses to my family who helped make Thanksgiving a memorable day. I appreciate you all so much! And to those who couldn't be with us, I thought about you every second of the day! Much love, W.


16 oz. plain stuffing cubes
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter (plus more for greasing pan and for the topping)
1lb. sweet Italian sausage
1 med. onion, chopped
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3 C. low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 C. fresh parsley, chopped
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 325'. Put stuffing cubes in a large bowl and set aside. Butter a 3 Qt. dish and set aside. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in skillet over med-hi heat. Add sausage and cook until most of pink is gone. (not dry) Add sausage and pan drippings to stuffing cubes. Melt remaining butter in pan and add onion, apple, celery, and salt. Cook until veggies are soft. (about 5 min.) Add broth and parsley and bring to a boil. Pour veggie mix over stuffing and toss to coat. Mix in eggs. Loosely pack dressing into buttered dish and cook uncovered until top forms a crust (about 40 min.) Drizzle with 2 Tbsp of turkey pan drippings or melted butter. Cook until top is crisp and golden. (about 20 min. more) Serves8-10

No more Yesterdays!

Jace is just beginning to understand the concept of "yesterday", "today" and "tomorrow" and has asked some really crazy questions using these three, new words. But, last night one of his questions was more poignant than most.... Since my last post about him, things have not calmed down much and I still feel like the sole member of the Birch Incident Management Team. I spend my entire day running from one disaster to another, putting out fires and cleaning up chemical spills! Unfortunately, each day has been an exact repeat of the last. As I was once again reprimanding him for breaking one of our rules, he looks up into my discouraged face and said "Mom, today is yesterday." That's when it hit me, just like a bolt of lightning! It wasn't a mixed up statement by a confused three year old, it was the truth! I had allowed each day to turn into an exact carbon copy of the last. I was allowing myself to become overwhelmed and disgruntled by the same silly situations! Thank heaven for "Aha!" moments! That seemed to throw the switch and my black mood immediately disappeared. For the first time in a few weeks I saw him with clear eyes and I remembered just how much I love the little scamp! My optimism has returned and we ended the night with a spirited game of "I stole your heart!"

*check out this cute box of bath salts Sarah gave me, was this me or what?

I am thankful

I am thankful for my friends. And I'm not just saying "friends" because I don't know what I'm thankful for. I really am thankful for friends! A true friend will stay by your side for a long time. I have two best friends. They are Amber and Emily.

Amber knows everything! She's helped me through some rough patches. She give me the best advice. She never let's me down.

Emily is so nice and really talented. She can sing and is nice to everyone. But there's just one thing I like most about her. She's never afraid to ask me questions. And that helps me to be a better friend.

I think I'm the luckiest person in the world! I have friends!!!!

By Alaina Birch


(I thought this was so sweet, I had to post it. Lainie has been asked to read this at the school's big "Barnes and Noble Day" this weekend.)

Greek Pizza Salad

Brie, Do you like Greek pizza? If so, you're gonna love this! I know it sounds strange, but it's divine!

1 bag Romaine Lettuce
1 Cucumber, diced (I like mine in bigger pieces)
1 can Med. Olives
1 4oz. container of Feta Cheese (crumbled) or add more if you like
1/4 to 1/2 Red Onion, sliced and separated (I like thicker slices)
1 loaf Rustica Bread or Baguette loaf (cut into large chunks)

Combine in a large bowl and toss with your favorite Greek dressing!

My sister passed this on to me this summer. I love the chunky bread, it soaks up the dressing and tastes great! (You could add Pine nuts to garnish the top if you like.)

Oh, my beloved Jane!

I have a secret pleasure, I read Mansfield Park once a year, sometimes more! I can't remember how many years I've been reading it, but by the look of this cover it's been many. It has been taped and glued more than any other book I own but I can't bring myself to throw it out! I love the way Ms. Austen wrote. She was so sensitive and in-tune to the manners and circumstances of her time and I sometimes long for the rules and decorum they had back then. I'd like to think that more people would be better behaved and well mannered if we embraced the civility of the 1700's. While I don't want the oppression (or the lack of plumbing) that women dealt with then, I would love the simplicity and the romance of the times. Come on, who doesn't want a servant bringing tea, a rose garden to walk in, the beauty of candlelight and getting all dressed up for a formal ball?!

P.S. I'm just as in love with Charlotte Bronte! I used to have a copy of Jane Eyre, but it was in worse shape than Mansfield Park. The last time I read it, each leaf came out as I turned the page. (I really should have invested in hard cover!)

Santa is not coming this year!

It doesn't matter that Jace is not a Santa fan, because Santa will not be coming to our house this year! At least not to bring Jace toys. Jace has been a serious handful since we got back from California and I am ready to box his ears with those Hulk Hands of his! He has ramped his mischievousness up about ten notches and is now a pro at thinking up (and doing) all the things that will get him into trouble. Just this morning he got into my medicine cabinet and with a pair of scissors, cut open all the blister packs full of Benadryl. This seems to be just a typical day in my life right now. He won't eat, has regressed in his potty training, has scratched every one of our DVD's, has lost or broken most of his toys, yells louder than ever, has gotten aggressive with his friends and the most infuriating to me right now, (because I'm a busy girl) he has slowed down to a snails crawl whenever I need to go anywhere. It took him 15 minutes yesterday just to get his shoes on and get into the car. (they are slip-on, velcro closure shoes) For some reason, he thinks he has to try on everyone elses shoes before he gets to his own. I told him to grab his jacket on our way out the door this morning and he proceeded to try on Ellie's gloves and Lainie's ski goggles instead! Once we finally get to the car, he takes his sweet time climbing in (he has to check under the seats and in the cup holders for "treasures") and then pitches a full-on hissy fit if I lift him in myself. Getting out of the car is just as bad! He wants to swing from the handles above the door and pretend to be Indiana Jones. And if he doesn't swing just right, or if I don't hum the Indiana Jones theme song good enough, he has to start over! Aaagggghhhh! Santa may not be bringing Jace anything this year, but if Santa is smart, he'll bring me a plane ticket to somewhere far, far away!

P.S. Just as I was about to publish this post, I hear a familiar beeping sound, I run to check it out and see Jace on my cell phone calling who knows where, the contents of my purse dumped out on my living room floor and all the pieces of gum (from a brand new pack) unwrapped, broken and smashed into the rug! Please help me!

(I should have seen this behavior coming, look what he did last year!)

Not a Santa fan

Me: Jace, what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?

Jace: Nooo! I don't want toys from Santa!

Me: Why? You don't like toys?

Jace: I don't like Santa!

Me: Why don't you like him?

Jace: 'cause I only like Chuck E. Cheese!

Happy Halloween!

Hello Ghosts and Ghoulies! Did you get a kick out of Allhallows Eve this year? We sure did! Thought you might like to see pictures from past Halloween's. (At least the ones I bothered to take pictures of. Someday I'll try scanning and get all the oldies in!)

Did you notice how poor Jace only gets costumes that I can create with the help of felt and a Sharpie?

Ellie had a pair of ice skates that she carried over her shoulder. It made her look like Michelle Kwan! An Oscar winning actress! Did you guess Cyndi Lauper? Miss America!

Lainie claimed to be "too old" to dress up this year and decided to have a party instead. Besides all the chips, dips and candy, she made Green Meanies and Popcorn balls. Watch out Martha Stewart, here comes Lainie!

A success!

First and foremost, a great big, gigantic THANK YOU to all those who were thinking of us and sending your prayers our way! And, hugs and kisses to Keith and Susan who did a great job spoiling our kids for eight days. (I'm sure it will take me months to get them back to "normal".)

In my opinion, California was a success and we are looking forward to a pain-free 2009! Dr. Wise was brilliant (fitting name don't you think) and gave us lots of good tools and help. I was feeling rather apprehensive to meet him, he being a genius doctor of research at Stanford University, and me being a backward country bumpkin from Nowhere, USA. But he put me at ease the minute we met and in the course of a week has become a very close friend of Dustin's. Tim, his physical therapist, is now a member of our family and Dustin has invited him to live with us! Well, maybe not "live" with us, but they have already planned a ski vacation, hiking expedition and guitar jam session to be held ASAP! Spending nine hours a day with others, sharing your pain, anxiety and intimate details can really forge a bond quickly and that's what Dustin has gleaned from this experience. Nearly 20 new allies! Men and women from all over the world, including England, Spain, France, Finland, Ireland and Scotland, not to mention all the others from the states. It was an amazing experience... amazingly hard...amazingly beneficial. We feel incredibly blessed for having found help for Dustin's CPP. It will be a long process, he has not been "suddenly cured" but we now know what to do and how to do it and having the tools we need is the greatest boon!

Asian Chicken Salad

I love this salad and thought I'd share. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

For the Salad, add together:
1 bag of fresh Spinach
1 8oz. pkg. Bow tie Pasta cooked and cooled
4 Tbsp. Sesame Seeds
1/2 C. Sunflower Seeds
1 C. Water Chestnuts, chopped
3 Chicken Breasts, cooked in lots of lemon-pepper seasoning, cooled and diced

For the Dressing, mix together very well: (make sure the sugar is dissolved)
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
1 tsp. Salt
3 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/2 C. Sugar
1 tsp. Sesame Seeds
2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
1 tsp. fresh, grated Garlic

Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. *Do not refrigerate dressing before putting on salad!

Paintin' Pumpkins

Check out what we did this weekend! We not only painted pumpkins but we also worked on our Halloween costumes (pictures coming soon) and got spooked at our friends' "Spooky Walk". They decorate their backyard with gravestones, flashing lights, skeletons and all manner of creepy crawlies and cajole the local drama club into dressing up and entertaining the neighborhood. Did I mention they also have candy? So fun!

P.S. the warm weather has returned! (75 degrees today)

Dustin v. Snow

I had to post this picture, it makes me laugh! Dustin went out to save the trees after the big snow the other day and this is what he got for his efforts. He reminds me of Don Quixote. The aging, gentle buffoon part you ask? Of course not! As the hero who rides off on his decrepit horse to perform acts of chivalry in the name of love. I can see clearly in my mind, the fog beginning to lift and Don Quixote racing toward the windmills, imagining them as giants. Now, conjure up the lyrics to "The Impossible Dream". (To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe....) Picture Dustin, cantering toward those towering trees, gallantly grasping the trunks and shaking with all his might! Ridiculous? Yes, but like Quixote who is also ridiculous, he "maintains his staunchly hopeful attitude and belief in chivalry." * For me, his love, (or maybe to safeguard his investment) Dustin bravely fought the snow. While not looking like the resplendent hero, deep down he really is my knight in shining armor!....(And the world will be better for this, That one man, scorned and covered with scars, Still strove with his last ounce of courage, To reach the unreachable star.)
* www.answers.com

What the Heck?!

Where did my beloved fall go? The leaves on my trees haven't even changed color yet! And isn't that the best part of October, all the yellows, oranges and reds? As I was wallowing in gloom, my kids were joyfully pulling on their snow boots! Ellie (being the scientific one) took a ruler out and measured that abominable, pallid mess. 7 inches in my backyard! Just look at the tree in the front, it looks like the top has been broken off and is barely hanging on by a shred of bark. It's not even Halloween! We're not supposed to have snow until after Halloween! Ignoring my state of depression, the kids had a blast building a snowman and making angels all over the yard. They made a regular "snow day" out of it and in the end, (resigned to Mother Nature's will) I actually pulled myself out of my funk to make them hot chocolate when they finally came in.

I love Fall!

Fall is exciting!

It's apples and cider.

It's an airborne spider.

It's pumpkins in bins.

It's burrs on dog's chins.

It's wind blowing leaves.

It's chilly red knees.

It's nuts on the ground.

It's a crisp dry sound.

It's green leaves turning

And the smell of them burning.

It's clouds in the sky.

It's fall. That's why...

I love fall."

-Author Unknown

An afternoon in the pumpkin patch

Our local nursery offers free hayrides and pumpkins this time of year and we love to take advantage! We pile onto the trailer loaded with hay and head out, bumping up and down the dirt roads, to the back of the nursery where all those fat, orange pumpkins are waiting. It's great fun to see the kids run from pumpkin to pumpkin, checking under all the overgrown leaves and vines for that one special gourd that will make this seasons best jack-o-lantern!

Jace's autograph

Is not a kiss the very autograph of love?

-Henry Fink

Can you see the kisses along the bottom of the mirror? I'm not sure when Jace did this, or even why, but I love it! Usually I'm annoyed by his messes, but if I could etch these kisses permanently onto this mirror I would!

We're having WHAT for dinner?

My in-laws are coming to stay with the kids while Dustin and I are away and I want to have a few meals prepared in advance to ease the burden of having to cook each night. So, as we sat around the dinner table I asked the girls which meals they'd like for me to freeze. Lainie was enthusiastic and suggested five or six great ideas. Ellie on the other hand replies, (with a no-nonsense look on her face) "I'm 75% sure I won't eat anything with chicken in it!" I bet you all can guess what we were eating for dinner tonight!

Screwdriver as hair appliance?

This morning, as I was getting ready for the day, I had just picked up my hairdryer when I heard Jace yelling for help. I find him sitting on the floor holding his foot. As I kneel next to him to examine his toes, my wet hair falls into my face. Looking up, Jace says “Mom you need to get your screwdriver.” “Why do I need a screwdriver?” I inquire. “Cuz, you gotta get that hair fixed!”

D & C 1:27

As you can tell by my last post, I love my sister and that doesn’t stop even when she chastens me! She has shown me the error of my ways and has encouraged me to make amends. Yes, she called me to repentance and so I humbly come before her to ask for forgiveness.
Sarah, will you please forgive my lazy ways? Will you forgive me for not carrying my camera with me wherever I go? Will you forgive me for not blogging every silly thing Jace says? Will you forgive me for being too lazy to do anything other than sit on my couch and read a good book? I promise to try harder to keep my blog updated. I promise to add pictures to my posts. I promise to patiently wait for my decrepit computer to log on so that I can keep you a breast of “all the goings on in the Birch household”. I can’t promise perfection, but I can promise that I will endeavor to be a much more consistent blogger.
Your humble and always sincere sister,
Wendi

Sarah

Having my sister here for the week has been the most wonderful thing! Do you have a friend or family member who (no matter what is happening in your life or theirs) makes you feel like a million bucks? They can look into your eyes and know exactly what you’re thinking, exactly what you're feeling and they know exactly how to react to whatever need they see there? (and respond in a way that boosts your self-esteem?) That is my sister. She is brilliant! She makes me feel good about myself. She makes me laugh. The best thing is that I don’t even have to try to look good in front of her, she loves me for being real. Even when it’s weak, shallow, selfish-Real. I have so much fun when she is around and I can see myself morph into a new being, someone who is more positive, more loving, more giving, more good. Oh how I wish that she lived next door! Having her close would be so great for me, not to mention what a benefit it would be for my kids! Until that golden, happy day, possibly in the far-distant future, I’ll cling to the spirit she left here and will always admire her pluck!

Happy Late Birthday To You!

A small tribute to the summer birthdays I so rudely neglected!

“May be Vader someday later - now he's just a small fry”

On cleaning days, I like to crank up the tunes! The louder and faster the song, the harder and faster I work. Dustin has proven himself a great D.J. when it comes to knowing which songs will get us all working faster. (His knowledge of bands and all their songs is staggering!) He queues them up and the girls and I head in our separate directions to get to work. All seems to be going well as I rush through the bathrooms at break-neck speed, until I hear loud peals of laughter coming from upstairs. “Oh, no, no No!” There is no time for messing around! We are on a tight schedule today and I can’t have the girls slacking. I take the stairs two at a time to deliver my stern warning but what do I encounter? Ellie, red-faced and belly laughing squeaks, “Play it again dad, please!” Lainie, nodding her head in agreement exclaims “This is gold, pure gold!” Dustin turns to me with a twinkle of pride in his eye (looking as if he’s just bestowed the secret of eternal happiness on our beloved offspring) and explains, “Oh, the sheer genius of Weird Al!”

'cuz you lub dem!

This handful of gorgeous strawberries was a peace offering from Jace. I had repeatedly told him to stay out of the mud and he had repeatedly chosen to ignore me. He is a smart boy, much smarter than he may appear at times, and he knows how much I love strawberries. So as to avoid a "time-out" he grabbed some berries and proceeded to explain that the mud all over his pants was really from picking strawberries "special for you mom, cuz you lub dem so, so much!" How can I be mad at that? It's true, I love strawberries! I love running out to pick a few to put on top of my morning cereal. I love to eat them when I take a break from playing with the kids in the backyard. (We just sit out in the sunshine and fill our bellies full of those juicy berries.) They are my reward when I've finished weeding the flower beds but my most favorite thing is strawberry freezer jam! It's like a scoop of decadent ice cream melting on top of a hot, buttered piece of toast! Divine!! When I was taking my first Lamaze class, the instructor asked us to picture one of our most favorite and strongest memories to focus on during labor. Mine included strawberries! It was a bright summer morning and Sarah and I were out to Grandma Steel's (in Plano) picking berries. I can still feel the sun on our heads, smell the musk of that gritty, black sand and see our hands covered in that sweet red juice! Oh yes, I lub dem!

A Million Thanks!

A quick salute to my favorite sister Sarah and her darling family.
We had so much fun hangin' at your house and spending time with you last week. Thanks for putting up with us and treating us so well. I miss you so much and would give anything to live next door! (especially if you and Tony would continue to feed us so well!) Thank you, thank you, thank you for absolutely everything! xoxoxoxo

www.greatwolf.com

Before leaving Seattle, after picking up Lainie, we had a chance to stay at this phenomenal place with the Austins. They'd been there before and had so much fun, we had to try it out too! There is no way I could do Great Wolf Lodge any justice on this little blog o' mine, so check it out for yourself. Be sure and watch the Howlin' tornado clip. It was our favorite ride!

She's a growing girl, she needs adventure!

And what an adventure she had! Lainie spent part of this summer in Seattle with Sarah and her family and had a blast! They took her everywhere and she did so many exciting things. ( As a kid, I remember dreaming that one day I'd travel the world and see and do amazing things.... I envy her!) She did everything an eleven year old girl should do. Met a great, new friend, played at the beach, hung out at all the "hot spots", got into trouble with her cousins, saw the Blue Angels, formed an unbreakable attachment to baby Belle and realized what an amazing aunt she has! (I think she may have even fit a little bit of a "crush" in there somewhere.) As much as I missed her and boy did I miss her, I'm glad she had this opportunity. She's growing up and realizing that there is more to life than the swing set in your own backyard. Thanks Sarah and Tony, for taking such good care of my girl and for offering her a chance to see a little part of this great, big world!

Maligayang Bati Sa Iyong Kaarawan!

Today is Dustin's birthday…HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY, OH! I LOVE YOU SO!...and it’s got me thinking about how he and I came to be. It started out as love-at-first-sight. I saw him at work. I walked in the back door to the shipping department and there he was, a Greek God in a tight, hot pink t-shirt and mismatched Converse high tops. The summer sun had tanned his skin to the most beautiful bronze and had highlighted his flaxen hair (neither of which I’ve seen on him since). I was totally intimidated when my brother introduced us and was sure that Dustin would never again give me the time of day. But not long after that, he transferred into my department and we quickly became friends. His good looks were the first to attract me, but his sense of humor is what made me fall head-over-heels-in-love with him! He makes me laugh and I love to laugh! He helped me (a backward, immature, unimportant girl) realize that there were many imperative qualities that I should be looking for in a husband. Of course, he had them all! Each night, I’d pray that I would find someone just like Dustin. Imagine my surprise when (after complaining loudly about an upcoming math test) he volunteered to be my tutor! Not a stitch of algebra was done that night, but there was plenty-o-chemistry goin' on! Now, sixteen years later, he’s still making me laugh and I am still out-of-my-mind in love with him. Just goes to show that prayers really do get answered!

"I miss my Owie!"

Our sweet, sweet Ellie has been gone for a week and poor Jace is suffering! As she left, she vowed not to miss that "pest of a little brother". She claimed she needed "a break" from his relentless begging to play, the constant pain of him hanging on her and the all around headache of his annoying, three year old personality. You should have seen the wide grin on her face as we drove away, and she was left to the peace and tranquility of grandma. Oh, how I miss my Ellie! More than I could have imagined, for you see, she is the only one willing to listen to his endless jibber-jabber. The only one of us willing to play Mario's Dance Dance Revolution for hours on end with him. The only one who thinks it's fun to race him around the yard and help him ride the scooter. She has more patience for his whims than I do and thus, Jace isn't the only one suffering! Yesterday, Jace wanted her back and cried when I told him it wasn't time to go get her. After getting him in bed, I cried too! I've taken for granted how much she helps with him and just how much I can get done around this house while she's keeping him busy. When she gets back on Sunday, I vow to show her my appreciation. And I vow to never let her go to grandma's again!

Ellie, at last!

Introducing the amazing, the fabulous, the extraordinary Ellie!

I know, I know, you were beginningto think she didn't exist. That this so called "Ellie" was just a figment of our imagination. She had a lot in common with the ever illusive "Chuck" from Happy Days. (you know, Richie and Joanie's big brother. They always talked about him being part of the family, but you never actually saw him) Well, she will no longer just be talked about. Here she is in all her glory for the entire internet audience to see!

I don't know why it's taken us this long to post something about her, it's not as if she doesn't like candy just as much as Jace or doesn't have as good of a dance class as Lainie. She has all those things and more! Maybe it's because she is more of a "behind-the-scenes" person than those two. She doesn't always like to be in the spot-light, she prefers to be the one running the lights. She isn't always the one wanting to say the lines, she would rather be the one writing the lines. She also has a darker, more mysterious side, a side that likes to lurk in the shadows, watching and waiting for anything she can use against you when you least expect it. She happens to be a great prankster! When she was just three years old, she slipped a fake spider onto the driver's side visor in my car. For days, she didn't say a word and I didn't see it. Then, at the worst possible time, I pull the visor down to shade my eyes and down comes that nasty spider! I nearly wrecked the car! And she never laughed harder! That's our Ellie, brilliant, funny, and the real producer of this show.

The main attraction or circus freaks?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls..........

Sixteen years ago today, the circus began! And what a spectacle it’s turned out to be!
In the beginning it was all burlesque shows (burlesque is a humorous theatrical entertainment involving parody) and Grease joints (concession trailers full of corn dogs, fried cheese curds and funnel cakes.) Then came the day when we realized that all play and no work makes Birchling Bros. very unprofitable. There were dancing horses to train, hippo cages to clean and man-eating lions to tame. So, we got to work… and during those long, hard years, we grew from two rings to five. (Now, we’ve got quite the menagerie on our hands!) Though we’ve had some acts fail, I would deem most as being a successful part of The Greatest Show On Earth! I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute in the Big Top and am glad I’m part of this Flying Circus. And, despite all Dustin’s clowning around, I’m still head-over-heels in love with him! He has been the finest Ring Master I’ve ever know and I’m proud to have him running the show.

Lainie The Jazz Dancer...

Alaina was part of the official pre-game entertainment at a Jazz game a couple months ago. Her dance team performed at the Jazz-Clippers game on January 25th. We're not prejudiced parents, but she was clearly the best one out there. No one was even close.

Dustin Takes A Business Trip To San Diego...

In January, I took a trip to San Diego for a software convention. After several days of seminars titled things like "A Guide To The SolidWork API", and "FEA Applications In Cosmos", I got to go to a block party complete with food, music, and "go-go" dancers. The only downside was when a waitress made fun of me for not drinking beer - she called me a "girl". I can assure you I'm not a girl, as is evident by my apparent excitement at watching the dancer do her thing.