The Christmas Lists... 2014

 The Sergeant's:

Benny's:

Wayne Peppermint is here... our Christmas Elf. We found him in an empty suitcase when we arrived home from our trip!! The boys were ecstatic.

This Mama is Thankful… More than Ever

Can I just get a blog post?! Why, yes! Idle hands are the devil’s workshop and there is no such mode for these mittens of mine. They have been busy typing away at scholarly papers in APA format for school. However, this place where love, family, reflection and real life stories is my absolute favorite to be at with this keyboard. I am grateful to squeeze in an addition to the blog. I couldn’t leave out the column of thanks this year. I have so much to be thankful for… I was reminded last week.

I received the phone call that every mother dreads. It was an unfamiliar call from someone who doesn’t dial to me often and my mind was already puzzled as I slid my phone to answer. The Sergeant was in a roll over car accident.  I could feel the blood leave my head and I felt like I was going to vomit. I remember some sort of verbiage that he is okay as I am eyeballing where my keys and purse are and ran out of the door. I drove safe, but really fast as the worst parental moment of my life still kept me nauseated. He was waiting for me when I got there to him. It was that look on his face he wore where I knew he needed his mother. I grabbed him and I told him to look at me in the eyes and I held him. I just sat and held him in my arms so tightly. He said he briefly lost consciousness in the car as it rolled and slid into another.

The Sergeant recollects this happened from 6:30-6:38pm. When he came to, he was hanging in the vehicle by his seat belt. He said he started to scream. Before emergency services arrived on the scene someone pulled him out from the back.  The Sergeant said a woman came to him, put her hands on him and prayed. He doesn’t know who she was but she left. He felt safe. I knew he was going to be okay. I bathed him and examined his bruising already forming, the scrapes and the seat belt markings on his neck. I rubbed his sore back and neck with arnica cream and held on to him as he debriefed and my heart sank. He slept right next to me the whole night… we all slept together. I didn’t sleep very well at all. I’m a mild neuro nurse so I wanted to make sure that he woke up easily a few times. Then I caught myself in a stare in one of the insomnia moments… I just looked at him and thanked God for his precious body that is still breathing next to me that I can kiss and snuggle whenever I want to, so I did and I didn’t let go for a while in the dark still. I can’t imagine the grasp of life without my children… it would be the worst torture anyone could endure. It was already enough this close. That Sunday I went to the front of the church and cried my eyeballs out some more with tears of gratitude of course, and it was prayers of thanks someone said for me, as I couldn’t. So here goes my heartfelt column of thanks this year, in no particular order. I am thankful for…

- God’s good grace

- His unfailing love

- Angels in our community

- My children

- Good health

- Family

- Friends

- My cozy home

- Cozy cabins

- Smores

- Fall boots

- Dancing

- Another first kiss

- Movies
- The smell of rain

- Mountains

- Islands

- An ocean breeze

- Roller coasters
- Warm sand on your toes

- My LuLu

- Teachers

- Coaches

- Surgeons

- Nurses

- Doctors

- Anesthesiologists

- Chiropractors

- Massage Therapists

- A good massage

- Skin brushes
- Bubble baths

- Red lipstick

- The color red

- Long hair

- Snuggles

- More Snuggles

- Allrecipes.com

- Grills

- Police officers

- Firemen

- Triathlons

- Lap swims

- Running

- Bike rides

- A warm jacket

- Good advice
- Good Neighbors
- You

- Leggings
- A fun date

- Hugs

- Kisses

- More kisses

- Little dogs

- Big dogs

- Dentists

- Principles

- Co-workers

- A good song
- To have loved
- To have been loved

- Safe vehicles

- Cooking breakfast in your jammies

- My Benny says… for having such a wonderful family

- My Sergeant says… waking up to my mommy

I am blessed to have the week of Thanksgiving off of work. I pumped out my papers for school so I could drizzle my home in reflection of my Christmas spirit and cook my little heart out. I made pies, casseroles and a juicy turkey to celebrate the life and love we have with those around us. It started with mimosas in the morning and friends as my boys played a hearty game of football with theirs. The Sergeant won first place in Seville’s 5K Turkey Trot.

God has plans for you, baby.

I swooped my children off for some time up north. I am lucky to be here right now, enjoying those quiet moments with my family that is important and everything to me. We are hiking and exploring by day and nestled near the fire making smores by night. Indulging in Turkey Day leftovers and creating new dishes out of it as I sip on a little vino. I am waking up to my boys each day while we watch our favorite Christmas movies cuddling in the covers. Benny and I even got a nap in together yesterday and we woke up just as our cherished Home Alone scenes came on. Life is so beautiful, especially with them in it.

If you love someone, let them know... and if you have them, hold on to them tightly.

Simmered Goodness

There was a unique occasion that I decided was enough justification to make my first fall pumpkin recipe early this year. It’s one of the boys’ favorites: Football Season Pumpkin Chili. I took Benny to the store early this day for the veggie shopping. His attire consisted of a Greenbay Packers pajama set and a bed head. He helped me shop, but I told him I was making a surprise that day while he was in school.

The delicious simmered smell filled my home with fall love and a warm welcome for my babes upon their school-day return. My car was being worked on during the day so my garage was car-less. I took this opportunity to fool the boys into thinking that I wasn’t home, and hid to see what they would say as they walked through the door after school. Benny yells, “Mom made her famous chili I think!” I heard the lid of the crock pot open. Then there went the talk that he spots my fresh baked cornbread cooling on the counter… but it didn’t stop there. He shuffled through the pantry and said, “She got the Fritos too!” That with shredded sharp cheddar and greek yogurt are the toppings that make it extra special.

It is exclusively premature because this Mom is attempting to learn football this year! I meant to learn with my boys, but they have surpassed me far already at their young ages. We all made our own fantasy league with some friends. This makes it a distinctive and memorable season of Football for us this year. The boys helped me pick out players as my fantasy selections dwindled on past the obvious known players that I selected. These boys of mine knew just what to do.

The first match was against the Sergeant… and he smoked me. The second against my dearest friend and it was close, but she beat me as well. The third I’m hoping shall be a charm!  

Just when I thought our Sundays couldn’t possibly be more precious… they are becoming more delicious and special to each of us, every week.

A Child's Arms

I brewed some peppermint tea and lit a candle as my babies were just put to bed... a sweet process. Today was built up, as it sometimes is. I worked for days in a row as my yearning for them collected in the silent moments. It does the same for them because I can feel it burst out of them at my sight.

My Sergeant has these eyes, these eyes for me that look deep into my soul configuring me and loving every ounce of his mom. My Benny just can't wait to be close to his mom... he even tries to catch up the missing days in his sleep. 

I love to smell them when I get them. 

I love to squeeze them when I get them.

I love to get a little crazy and mommy wild with them in my mommy pitched voice.

I love to hold them sweetly and listen to all their stories. 

I ask if they've eaten their fruits and veggies and brushed their teeth. 

I love them so much. They are so perfect to me.

The boys often confirm that I will be with them on our days together. Their arms fit so snuggly around me as we chat. Scarlet gets a few funny jabs in to interrupt us. She made a bridge over Benny and I tonight. Every night I cuddle with each of them separately in their beds. They pick a special prayer and I hold them as they talk to Jesus. Sometimes, I fall asleep with them after. 

My Sergeant melted me last week as he said with those connected eyes of his, "Mom, I always pray for you every night when I'm not with you that you stay safe." Those are the loving arms of my children... with or without them.

Fillo Fun Day

In a few fun ways, I decided to step out of the box we all habitually create for ourselves. I decided that on Sundays or one day out of the week my boys can only play educational electronic games. I realized there are so many great ones out there. The other adventurous quest was centered around a game in our kitchen with a few new things. My Sergeant and little creature of habit I know is going to need some warming to these ideas... and these ideas totally made Benny's day. 

My boys are starting to type papers and I realized that they are like half of our population out there who don't use the keyboard on the computer properly. I watch even adults struggle with this. I will not have chicken peckers on the computer. Mavis Beacon taught me long ago to be the quickened typer that I am and I want that fluency for my children. I promise that they will thank me later some day. So, very appreciative towards Apple and it's wonderful Apps my boys are now learning the home row. Benny even found a game to school him on all of our different states and their geographical locations. This really broadened our horizons to what is out there to download and intelligently filled some of our time with. 

Our journey in the kitchen sparked when Benny and I were in the grocery store one day. We like to pick at least one new thing just to try and this time in our cart was a strange looking Kiwano Melon. We even had the grocer at checkout stumped to find the fresh produce code. It's also called a horned melon and is a fruit in the cucumber family. It looks quite odd. I decided while my Benny ran to the bathroom, I was secretly going to grab a few other things for a game in the kitchen. Another virgin item to be in the kitchen was fillo dough. Today, after dinner we were experimenting. 

I had the boys go in a separate room while I gathered the delicious supplies and put them in a paper bag. I had an array of items that they can use. 

 The rules were that they had to use all of the items in the bag, but they can use other things in the kitchen as well. They have 30 minutes, inclusive of cooking or baking time. Benny knew right away what he wanted to do. He loves to mash things and made a fruit puree to go into a delightful dessert he declared he was making special for me. 

The Sergeant was running out of time, didn't really know where to start and cooking is not his thing, so he forfeited. He started making a sauce out of the yogurt chips so I decided to jump in and make a little strudel for my babes with it. Benny topped his special dish with a cinnamon and sugar glaze. I drizzled chocolate over his and carmel over the Sergeant's that I created. They came out absolutely wonderful and there wasn't a single morsel left on anyone's plate. 

Benny had a good time playing on the keyboard and in the kitchen today. My Sergeant had a good time eating in the kitchen and that was about it. For myself... I can't wait to learn a few new fillo recipes. γευστικός!!!

The Adventures of a Sick Sergeant

It all started with our divided house on the football field. As Benny rooted for the Cardinals with his bright face, his brother wore a star eyed gloom on his as he sorely watched his Texans sink. I was happily in the middle and knew I would be walking out of the stadium with at least one wanted win. I was for certain there was a little something more that was brewing with my Sergeant than a team loss... and mama knows her children best. 

Sunday morning my stoical boy tells me he doesn't feel good. I could see it on his face a day ago. I took him home early and ended my after-church errands in a swift. He stripped down and lethargically laid on the couch. I drew an herbal bath for him and as he soaked, I started on some homemade chicken noodle soup with rosemary bread for his ill soul. Benny was delighted to reap the benefits of his sick sibling. 

I don't ever sleep well when my boys aren't well. There is some sort of mom-alarm that is on preventing me from that deep sleep I love to get. I fell into the partial snooze as I was tucking in my boys. I tried to get up and go back to my bed and I just couldn't... it left me watching a netflix series hoping I would drift off. My Sergeant came out to be with me for cuddles and we watched the science show "Monsters Inside Me" episode marathon until the sun came up. He told me he was dizzy and had a headache, which won him a ticket home and out of school for the day. 

I cancelled my morning plans and schooled my boy from our house, editing his paper then grading his math. He blew his nose and coughed comfortably when needed as I ultra-hydrated him out of a dizzy state. Another herbal bath and eucalyptus chest rub was mixed in. Though I don't wish sickness on the Sergeant, it was so nice to have my little buddy home unexpected. He has always been well attached to his mom, right out of the womb... I called him my little velcro baby always in a mama crave he was if not physically attached, and still is... especially during these times. I love it. When he gets tired he crawls onto my lap with a blanket and embraces a snuggle. He did it early that day and I had to carry him off to bed. Benny watched me in amusement. He is getting so big. I could barely carry him and I know the day where I can't is coming soon... but until then, his drifts to sleep on my chest are relished with motherly delight. He told me something that day how I love to take care of people and thats why I'm a Nurse. I told him absolutely... and what a treat it is to take care of my very own, the very best I can sweet boy. 

It is Time

It's that time again... time for the babies to head back to school. I made reservations to properly prepare them and enjoy a certain special event. Benny had the look of hearty summer exhaustion tonight from great break play. That made a satisfied mom smile on my face. He asked me to give him a foot massage and then he was out. As I snuggled and prayed with The Sergeant over back tickles in his bed, I told him how many good times I've had this summer break with him. He said, "Me too Mom... and I'm mad that it's over". It really is the pace that we look forward to and hold dear to us for exclusive reasoning. 

We had an entire day of just watching different movies. I was able to relax poolside and read a whole book and write on another day. Benny had a noon sleep nest occurring in his hair on more occasions than not. The Sergeant dug out toys he hasn't played with in a while. We take some of this time to sift through our things to organize and simplify. Mom makes her picture albums. The boys have summer sleepovers. 

Along with movies, a trip, skating, batting cages, friends and pool play... My baby Ben-Ben turned a precious 10 years old! I now have both children in double digits. We celebrated with water-park fun sprinkled with arcade games and golf. 

Before party day I took Benny somewhere special for his present. We went to the baseball store and he picked out his baseball bat for the upcoming season he will be in. He loves it.  

Today... we were able to end this break's journey with a dear friend and her boys. The setting was just right poolside at our home sweet home. We played all day until we were hungry for a grill simmering summer BBQ staple... barbecued ribs. This complimented something new I whipped up which was beet salad, recipe courtesy of Chelly Beans. Girl time and boy play equals a great day and we ended it the right way it should end.  

Though this time as cherished as it is, the school year appeals to me when the pace picks up. I had another mom give me a strange look when I said this. Though I love this time dearly I do it all here  myself and I find that the school day helps me gather just enough time to take care of the things I need to... so that I can be the mother I want to be when my children get home. And thats just what they get and deserve. Ready... set...go... It is pace-changing time... 

Bahama Mama and her Bahamian Princes

Mama scratched her tropical trip itch with the funnest little boys I could take along with me. It really was "The Trip" for us. So memorable and so needed. Disney does everything top notch and cruising does a single mom good. I decided to put those things together tossed with a water park and amusement park thrown in tailored to our vacation requests. I wanted a place in the tropics with white sand and clear waters where no one can interrupt my time with my family. Benny requested water slides and The Sergeant just wanted somewhere he could wear a wet suit to. The Sergeant had an odd request but he doesn't have much body fat and gets cold easily. Warm Atlantic waters on an island country would satisfy my high maintenance boy. Taking a Disney Cruise through the Bahamas was... the glorious verdict. 

Flying to a climate with constant humidity could be disastrous for vascular migraines. I was most certain to be full of thanks that I prepared this time with Triptans in all of my carry-alongs. The babies had a surprise in store for them. We were supposed to stay in Florida on Cocoa Beach for a few days preceding the cruise. However, there was a recent shark attack near shore too close to that area for my vacation comfort. So mid-flight after a game of Phase10 I broke the news that we are going to Disney World!! They were ecstatic... me too. 

We stayed at a wonderful Disney resort surrounded by giant sports in front of a lush tropical garden. Our room was near the basketball court. My boys found some other boys from Argentina to play a competitive soccer game with on our arrival at the football field. 

Just when I was about to change our room to be near these sweet people from Argentina I found that they like to be loud, bold and I needed my peaceful sleep at night. 

The three of us explored The Magic Kingdom and it lived up to magical. We started our thrills out with Space Mountain and ended it at The Haunted Mansion at night after a wonderful Italian dinner meeting Mickey. I missed fireworks on the 4th this year, but the Wishes fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom Castle prior to park closure was enough to awe me for many years to come. 

Disney World was a tasteful side dish to our 2014 vacation entree. The main squeeze was coming up. I knew the ship was going to be big but seeing it with your own eyes was absolutely magnificent. The Disney Dream is a 130,000 ton vessel measuring 1115 feet by 125 feet of pure family fun and entertainment. Our room was an upgraded beauty with a breathtaking verandah. As the ship was in Port Canaveral and everyone finished boarding we went to one of the movie theaters located on the ship and watched Million Dollar Arm. We watched a few other live Disney Theatre Shows prior to dinners on the ship and had a pirate party with more fireworks. I met another single mother with two darling boys of her own, and we came to find out that our rooms were right next to each other!! What a dessert. The boys enjoyed playing together and zooming down the ship's Aqua Duck slide at day and night hours. 

Daytime excursions were planned by mom. Our first stop in Nassau Bahamas was at Paradise Island's Atlantis Resort and Water Park. There, we were welcomed into Cartoon Network Lagoon where an obstacle course similar to Wipe-Out was created in the Atlantic. It looked easy standing at view of it on the beach. Not so... I couldn't even master a portion of it, no matter how hard I tried. I slid down and at times right into the ocean. My body hurt in so many places from unfamiliar muscle use after those obstacles. We all agreed that was our most fave side dish on the trip. So fun.

Castaway Cay took the scenery prize. In fact... it looked so beautiful it seemed fake. It has to be one of God's finest creations for us. It's better than what the pictures look like and the feel of it is unexplainable. I started the beach day with some time at the spa... heavenly. When we went to explore the island, we rented bikes and rode around the entire place... it even sprinkled! There wasn't a lot of people there because this was Disney's private island where just our ship had for the day. What a luxury. We snorkeled, played soccer and lounged after a BBQ. 

The dinners and company on the ship were spectacular. I almost had my Sergeant who wore his suit and tie every night eat escargot. It's so fun to go at our leisure by day and dress up by night with one another to chat it all out. We even took Kevin and Calvin along with us... they had their own suitcase. 

After dinner Ketut, our room steward would have them in a different place in a different position. That and the towel art with chocolate on our beds was such a sweet tid bit to open up the door to. Benny got his room service every night. And that verandah... ugh. I loved that area. That quiet area I frolicked about on sipping my pre-dinner sunset wine and enjoying the breeze and sunrise with a cup of Earl Grey. What a start and finish to everyday. 

I packed too early and forgot an important pair of shoes. Yes, my running shoes. So I was forced to do nothing but relax. No deck 14 work-outs on this ship. It was total mind and body relaxation. I think I needed it and it was fabulous. I was concerned about the weather as we were there but prayers were answered and it rained on our arrival, when we did inside rides at Disney World and sprinkled on our bike-ride. 

I wanted to stay there, but it's always comforting to come home, when you get there. The boys missed the smell of our house and took a big whiff when we walked through our home doors. It really was a magical time... and I hope I re-live our moments in my dreams and thoughts forever. It was a busy year for us all and we came together to wholeheartedly focus on what really matters in life: family and all of those moments that possess it.