Cooking Videos

I'm so excited!  Today we are launching our first cooking videos for Happy Mom Cooking with Kids!  Nicky was the first to make a video, and he made for you Chicken Fried Rice.  The recipe for the Chicken Fried Rice is in this blog.

We can't wait for you to watch it!  We hope you enjoy.  

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Our first harvest!

Red Leaf Lettuce

 For those of you who've known me for a long time know that I'm not the best with plants of any kind.  One of my best friends once asked me to water her plants while they were on vacation.  That didn't go so well...

But lately I've been taking the time to take care of our garden and flowers.  I was able to cut some of our first veggies, we had red leaf lettuce and spinach.  Wow!  I can't believe how fresh it all tasted.  Making a salad with these was incredible.  I didn't think it would be that much of a difference from store bought, but I was wrong.  I wish we lived in a place where we could garden throughout the year, but alas we don't.  I can't wait to be able to cook more with our other veggies and herbs that are continuing to grow!

Spinach

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Limited technology...what are we thinking?

Yep, you read that correctly.  We have given our children access to limited technology in our house.  What exactly does that mean?  Well, with the exception of TV, they are given 30 minutes each day to play on their devise.  This could be their phone, iPad, gaming system, tablet, etc.  You must have read that thinking, seriously???  Are you nuts???  

Let me take you back a few years to when I was a kid (not so long ago 😂).  During the summer months, my best friend and I were constantly outside, riding our bikes, making up gymnastics routines in her backyard, listening to whatever cassette tapes we had, using our imaginations.  I'm not naive and I realize things were quite a bit different just a few years ago...um...well, 30 years ago.  When I was a kid, we didn't have technology so accessible to us.  Heck, we thought CD's would be around forever.  Times have changed, and we understand that, but we as a family feel that now more than ever, it's so important to "get to know" one another again.  Communicate with one another without using a device to send a text.  Play together, go for walks, bike rides, go to the beach, play games, make up games, most importantly HAVE FUN!!  

Now that our kids are officially in summer break, we started this new policy last Monday.  We're coming to the end of our first week.  So, what are some of the things we've done so far?  Played a variety of board games, played bags, gone on walks and bike rides, made some great meals, helped members of our community through our church, used our imaginations, practiced baseball and softball, both pitching and hitting, learned new things about each other, and worked on many projects around the house.  

Trust me, there have been some days where I'd love for the kids to be "babysat" by their devices, but honestly, where is the personal connection?  Where is that time when one of the kids asks a random question, but is so interested in learning more?  I wouldn't want to trade in those small moments for anything.  Sometimes these little moments force ourselves as parents to step back and admire our four gifts from God.  I know I am able to appreciate their joys, talk through their concerns, and I'm quite enjoying this!  No one has complained (outloud) to us yet, but we will see!! This could end up being a VERY long summer.

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Gardening!

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Mother's Day Ideas during Shelter-in-Place

There's no doubt this Mother's Day will be a lot different for all of us that those of years past.  We would start the day by going to church, enjoying our time together with our friends and God.  Later in the day, our parents would come over for dinner, perhaps a BBQ if the weather was nice.  Unfortunately I normally don't get to spend the day with my stepchildren, but we are lucky this year, because this is our weekend, and I will be able to enjoy them being home.  Having them home is gift enough for me.

So as you may have guessed, our parents won't be coming over for dinner this year.  I definitely have mixed feelings about this.  I want everyone to stay safe and healthy, but it would be so nice to spend the day with my mom and David's mom, my second mom.  Kinda like Easter this year, it will be just us.  

What will this year look like?  We improvise!  In order for us to see our moms and the kids to see their grandmas we will "drive by", blow kisses, and wave to our moms and grandmas.  Since the kids are home the weekend of Mother's Day, we will celebrate on Saturday.  It means so much to our moms, to see their grandkids, and we still want that to be special for them.  

I'm not going to like, this time has been different and difficult for so many reasons, but we are doing the best we can to navigate this journey.

In case you are stuck, and still want to make this day special for your mom, but just don't know how?  I will share a few easy suggestions for you to be able to do just that.  

Mother's Day Ideas during Shelter-in-Place

1) Don't cook, support your local business for "curbside" pick-up or delivery.  Want to provide a meal for your mom at her house?  Order dinner for her (and your dad, of course) from her local favorite restaurant and have them deliver.  I've also known families to drop meals off on their family's doorstep, so that's always a possibility.  

2) Sad about not being able to eat together as a family?  FaceTime during dinner.  Connect with mom virtually while sharing a meal together.

3) Make cards/posters for mom!  Create a homemade card or poster for your mom and drop it off with dinner, or hold up the poster as you drive by and wave.  Bring mom some beautiful flowers too to brighten her day.

4) Create a "care package" for mom putting together some of her favorite treats.  You can include her favorite snacks, gift card for a local restaurant, chocolates, comfy slippers, manicure set or relaxing bath items, or anything else that would be some of mom's indulgences.  

5) Be artistic!  Have your kids create an "Art Walk" on your mom's sidewalk with inspirational mom messages of love and support.  Mom will love to read these and your kids will have fun making these artistic drawings for grandma.  The bonus will be getting covered in chalk dust, NOT!

I hope these ideas help give you some inspiration for making the most out of this Mother's Day.  While it will be different, we will make the best of it the way we know how!  It will be special regardless of what you do, because hey, you're a mom (or mom figure), and YOU ARE A SUPERHERO!  

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What's your "new normal?"

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like we are all extras in a remake of the movie Groundhog Day.  Remember when we looked forward to the weekends, looking forward to Fridays...TGIF!  Lately it seems as if each day meshes together, and I often struggle with which day of the week it actually is. Wait, it's Monday again?  Here's a good analogy, we are like hamsters on a wheel going around and around and not going anywhere.  I was on the phone with my mom earlier giving her a rundown of what everyone was doing.  Michael finished his work for the morning and went out to cut the grass, Nicky and Matthew were playing, Emma was doing her school work, and David went to the store.  "You know, a normal Monday for us," I said.  What...WHAT???  This is a normal Monday?  Our "normal" Mondays used to consist of all of the kids at school and David at the office.  Those Mondays seem so far away in our past! 

Now, our "normal" Mondays include some of the same things, the kids doing their school work through eLearning, David at the office (in our bedroom), and me?  I'm working on my blog, doing housework, cooking, or reading.  Have you wondered what life will become after this pandemic is under control and the stay at home orders are lifted?  The kids have so many questions that we wish we could answer, but unfortunately we cannot.  I'm sure you've heard many of the same...When can we see our families?  When can we see our friends?  Will we ever go back to school?  When can we go out and do things?  When this is all over, can we go out to dinner? What will happen with graduation?  THAT'S A HARD ONE TO SWALLOW!

Emma is in 8th grade this year.  Out of all four of the kids, she misses school the most.  She is also our most avid and conscientious student.  Emma works very hard and always goes above and beyond.  She doesn't really show it, but I can tell she's bummed about not having an "official" graduation ceremony.  Our school district is doing everything they possibly can to bring the graduation and thrill of the 8th grade year to the students.  It's not the same, but I can tell you, we are going to do everything we can to make this as special as possible for Emma.  She and everyone graduating this year deserves just that. 

As far as some of the other questions from the kids, we answer them as honestly and forthright as we know how.  We do our best to FaceTime our families so the kids can see their grandparents and vice versa.  We let the kids know that the stay at home order is meant to keep them safe, and assure them that we will all be together again soon.  They are able to see their friends through Google Meets during their school work for now, but soon will see everyone again. 

Undeniably this is a hard time, and we are all dealing with it as we know how.  While some questions remain unanswered, we have to have faith that all we will one day be able to come together and rejoice this challenging time has ended.  What will our "new normal" look like?  No one knows.  One thing I can be sure of though, is with having my family with me I can get through anything. 

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"Look mom! I'm eLearning too!"

Ezra getting in on the action of eLearning!

eLearning sure has been fun, hasn't it?  It's a learning curve for all of us.  Making sure we have the necessary technology, internet, printing capabilities and most importantly PATIENCE!  Who knew we would all become teachers?  A few years ago, Nicky wanted me to be his teacher in school, well I guess his dream came true in a way.  eLearning has definitely been an adjustment for our kids, but they are working hard and doing their best.

This morning, Nicky wa sitting at the island working on his morning work.  I had to run out to the grocery store for a few things before lunch, and figured Nicky would be able to get his work done.  David was upstairs working, and as you know, Nicky was at the island.  Apparently, Ezra was determined to help Nicky with his work and wanted in on the action.  I came home and Nicky could not wait to show me that Ezra was typing on his Chromebook.  We both laughed so hard.  He said that Ezra was a good helper, but couldn't answer his questions!

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Off Days

We all have them, especially lately.  We have feelings of not being good enough, frustration, anxiety, depression, fear, etc., etc.  I could probably go on and on with the range of emotions I have felt and continue to feel on a daily basis.  As a person living with PTSD, this time is definitely not easy.  Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying that this time is easy on anyone. What I am here to tell you is that I have come to accept (it's taken me QUITE a long time), that we WILL have off days, and it's okay!  There are days when I snap and get upset so much more easily than others, or days when I just feel like crying all day.  Days when I don't want to get out of bed or just want to scream!  Sound familiar?

Please know, IT'S OKAY!!!  You're not alone.  We are all in this together and we have each other.  So what do I do to get through these off days?  First, I have am amazing and supportive family that means the world to me.  I do my best each and every day to focus my energy and my thoughts on them.  I am not perfect by any means, and yes, I do snap and get easily frustrated, but I try my best.

Next, I pray!  God is my refuge, and I turn to him for guidance throughout my journey.  Looking to God and surrendering my fears to God can be a tremendous weight being lifted knowing that he is always with me.  I often think of the last verse of the Footprints poem,

"He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

-Mary Stevenson

This is so powerful.  God always has my back, he has your back.  He will never let you down.  God asks for one thing in return, for us to put him above all else.  Allowing God back into my life has provided me with the fulfilling love that has once again made me whole.  

Don't forget to BREATHE!  Throughout my treatment, breathing has been one of the constant strategies I have used to center myself.  Counting and focusing only on your breathing and depth of breathing is so incredibly important.

And finally for the fun stuff...as you can see from this blog, I LOVE to cook.  Cooking has become an outlet for me to focus my thoughts and attention instead of dwelling on the negative.  You will also see that I LOVE to read.  Just like cooking, it helps me to escape, but also immerse myself in the book as the characters develop and the story unfolds.

We all have our ways of coping and living through the challenging times.  Please don't ever forget you're not alone.  It's okay to have "off" days.  We all do, and we all will.  Embrace them, accept them, but continue to focus on the positives and give thanks for all that you have!

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Giving Back

Here in Illinois we're going on about 5 weeks of the stay-at-home order.  There are days that are EXTREMELY challenging and a constant struggle.  We are all facing these days.  We are all in this together!  Before this started isolating myself was a way for me to feel safe, but I had a few places, like the library, church, or going out to lunch with my parents. I could go out into the community and still feel safe.  About one year ago, I was diagnosed with PTSD, and self isolation is my thing.  Having this forced isolation, and not being able to go to the places where I would feel safe, other than my home, makes some days longer than others.  It's my reality, and I am sure than many of you are struggling along with me.  So, we decided what's better to keep us positive and focused on the good things in life, but to give back to our community!

One way our family has decided to support the community safely, is bringing lunch to our local police department on behalf of our church.  Yes, the lunch and delivery was organized by out church, but we were extremely honored to be asked to participate in our church's mission to serve the community.  We had the easy jobs of making a "Thank You" sign, picking up the lunches, and dropping them off.  I say this was easy, but quite rewarding!  Once we were leaving the police department and seeing how appreciative they were for this simple task, it brought a fulfilling feeling in my heart.  God is good!  The police and all first responders are incredibly important during this time.  They are out in the community doing what they do best, but also put themselves at a higher risk for being in contact with this disease.  If you are out in a grocery store and you see a first responder, stop and take a minute to say, "Thank you!" 

Another way our family has been serving our community is creating small cards for medical professionals.  We wrote notes of thanks and drew some pictures to hopefully put a little smile on their faces, again thanking them for all that they do!  They are fighting what seems to be a never ending battle, and put themselves at risk each and every day.  Our medical professionals are doing everything they possibly can to save lives and fight this disease.  Again, my heart felt fulfilled being able to show our appreciation for these front line workers. 

If you're feeling down, lonely, isolated, anxious, or anything else, think of a way you can give back, serve your local community.  Reach out to your local church, community groups on Facebook, or simply ask around, and I'm sure you will find a way to serve and give back whichever way works best for you!

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