For My Far Away Husband

These are Evan's favorite Sweet Potato Wedges. (We miss you.)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Peel 3 sweet potatoes; cut in half crosswise and then into wedges about 1 inch wide.

2. On cookie sheet, toss the sweet potatoes with 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1/4 tsp. dried thyme, 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Roast until soft, about 30 minutes. (Courtesy of Everyday Food.)
Thanks to my little helper.

Green Home

I know this is a silly post, but I really want to win this. First of all, its in Hilton Head, SC. And second, its amazing! I want this house more than I wanted the Dream Home. But if I can't win, I want someone with enthusiasm to win. I want someone to scream and jump up and down. Or better yet a friend who will let me stay for a week or so. So everyone go enter because it ends May 9th.

Cold, Wet Feet

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house yesterday.What was supposed to be a nice Sunday walk to the park to see the ducks...
and sit in the grass... turned into a dip in the pond.

I should have realized the girls can't resist the water.
And it was such a beautiful day.
Between the dogs, the ducks, the sun, and the pond, it was a great day.
Just the cure for spring fever.

Back to Normal, Somewhat

Things have been slowly returning to normal after our little flu outbreak. Which, for us, normal means busy. And with all the laundry I didn't do and the schoolwork the girls missed, faster-than-the-speed-of-light, busy.

I went to Sadie's class for Fairy Tale Friday and we read The Bremen Town Musicians and made drums and maracas out of formula cans. The substitute commented on the vast amount of formula cans we have acquired around our house. That's what happens when you have two on formula. Ah, how I long for a baby that would actually nurse.
Evan's parents came to town for his little brother's graduation. So Thursday night we went out to dinner. Since we were already pushing bedtime, we went somewhere nice and kid friendly, but the kids were all quite well behaved.
Jack behaved like a little man. Maybe I should put him in hats more often. Afterwards he posed for a photo session with Uncle Gary. We are so glad he takes his camera everywhere he goes. (Gary - As soon as you can get me those pictures, I'll make you cookies!)
Sadie loves corn! Little miss Maisy was so squirmy in her high chair that all her pictures are blurry. Can you tell its past bedtime? I think it will take a couple days get the younger three back to their schedule, but it was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Christensen.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend. Evan is out of town next week and the girls are off-track, so we are going to the zoo and to have fun with Grandma Gayla downtown. And probably a lot of slumber parties in mom's room. Love you all.

April Art

When Sadie was in Kindergarten I found it hard to volunteer because Evan's schedule was so irregular and Maisy couldn't have a babysitter. When I did make it she was so excited.

Ever since Ella started Kindergarten, at almost a year younger than Sadie was, I've made it a priority to go to each class at least once a month. The arrangement we made for Ella's class was for me to teach an art project each month. I decided to focus on illustration and introduce each lesson with a book. This month we made a project that used things from the recycling bin. They turned out really cute and were fun to make. So I thought I would show you what we did. We looked at the paintings from this book and we talked about recognizing beauty in everday objects.

For the project, I started with some brads and pin backs.

Then I got some magazines and catalogs out of the recycling bin.
Along with some cardboard boxes.
I cut flower shapes out of the boxes and colorful pages of the catalogs. I made the cardboard flowers slightly bigger than the paper flowers. For each flower I used seven paper flowers and one cardboard flower. Evan used a nail to punch a hole in each cardboard flower and I hot glued a pin to the back.
I also cut three peanut-looking shapes from the catalogs. First, the kids put those shapes on the brad, alternating like a propeller. Some of the kids had a hard time getting the brads through the catalog cutouts. So maybe cut a little slit or have a hole punch handy.
Next we put the paper flowers followed by the cardboard flower. Folding the brad out to secure the pieces.

Then, I had them pinch the petals toward the center to make a 3-d effect.
The flowers look kind of ruffled, like a peony. They now have a cute little flower to give their moms for Mother's Day. We had fun. I only wish Ella hadn't been home sick from school. They are a fun bunch. Sometime I'll have to show you the paper pinwheel "quilt" they made in our "quilting bee."

I love their enthusiasm and excitment. They make me wish I had become a teacher.

(My friend Pam made these with her class, you have to check them out. Very cute Pam!

I Hab Da Foo Too

Why do I find this so tragically sweet? Snotty nose and all.

Sibling Rivalry

I wanted to get a picture of Maisy in this dress. I originally made this dress for Sadie when we lived in Charleston. When I put it on Maisy for school last Wednesday, I realized it may not fit much longer and she is the last of my three girls to wear it. I'll be sad to see it retired.











Well, Maisy did not want her picture taken and took a little convincing. Meanwhile, Jack, concerned by his sister crying, came to get in on the action. He gave her a hug to make her feel better. Which only made things worse.











Then she started to cry about the hug. Which baffled him, because I think he genuinely wanted to make her feel better.








He wasn't really sure what to do, so he just kind of stood there with his little hand on her. I love his sweet little expression. He seems so confused by her tears.









I hope these two figure out how to get along. Jack loves his sister so much, he just shows it in ways that make her MAD.

I Hab Da Foo

Some how we got the flu. We haven't even been anywhere. I can't blame the nursery because it was Conference. I can't blame school because I got it first. Everyone, except Evan, has been rather miserable. Which I guess, makes his life pretty miserable too. I think he welcomed the return to work today. In spite of the fevers, aches, sore throats, and coughs, I still got a few smiles. Hope you are all feeling well. Somer

Beautiful

Although this picture is dated December 3rd, 2004, sometimes it feels like just yesterday. Our family has been taking a difficult journey these days, down memory lane. Our niece was born in February, with a congenital heart defect; and as Evan and I discuss Avery and all that her sweet family is going through, we have been remembering all the past three years has sent to us.

Through work, Evan often hears new parents state the old adage about ten fingers and ten toes; to which he privately wonders if they understand the miracle that lies in the birth of a new baby. Healthy babies are born every day, and every day someone comments on a beautiful baby. Through Maisy we witness amazing miracles. Through Jack we value the miracle of everyday. "Where there is great love there are always miracles." Willa Cather Our children have broadened our appreciation, we now have a greater understanding of all the beauty in God's plan.

We are so fortunate to have four beautiful babies. Some days I don't feel fortunate, but apple juice tracked all over the floor is nothing compared to past experiences or what others are going through. Renae, Avery is so beautiful, don't let any equipment or procedure allow you to forget that. Life is always a balancing act and our ideas change with our experience. And so here is a little of what we know is beautiful. "Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony." Joseph B. Wirthlin

A small squeeze in an otherwise still body.
A cry we've waited weeks to hear.
A smile amidst inconceivable circumstances.

A child who does what some say she won't. Who fights long and hard for everything she wants. Who overcomes whatever is thrown her way.

This is beautiful! How can you not love her? Maisy came into this world with so much love; she gives love and receives it. Sometimes I get a look or hear a comment that surprises or hurts me; its hard for me to understand. Maybe through Maisy others will begin to understand and next time they won't say hurtful things. Maybe they will be able to reach out to someone who may appear a little different. “Remember my friend, the heart is not measured by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.”
— from The Wizard of Oz

Peter Pan

Sadie has a zest for life like none I have seen. She embraces adventure and imagination. She is my firstborn; my first chance to be a mom, my first opportunity to hold an angel in my arms.
When Evan went back to school, we became best friends. We would laugh and talk and play. We did everything together. We were living in a new place and Dad was busy with school, but we had each other.
Sadie was about three when she decided to never grow up. Every year, the next birthday is to be her last. She will live with us forever. And that has suited me just fine. After all, who wants their sweet babies to be anything but. Sometimes people will tell her she has to grow up, which mystifies her. She simply will not let it happen.
I know that someday she will change her mind, but for now I want her to believe that she can be this age as long as she wants. There are signs it may not last. For instance, she has begun using marker as eyeshadow. While she still diverts her eyes when people kiss in movies, she now talks about a boy at school who wants to kiss her.
When I look at my fabulous daughter I am amazed that she is mine. She is capable of so many wonderful things. Her kindness and beauty are only surpassed by her dreams. If she decides to grow up, one can only imagine the wonder, joy, and beauty she'll bring to all around. I love you angel and you can stay seven forever.

This is my real smile.

I have known for a long time that my children are hams. They even see a camera and they begin posing like professional models (or at least how they think a professional model would pose.) My sister-in-law and I got all the kids together for a photo shoot in my kitchen. In the hopes of getting some nice pictures for my parents. But try as I might I cannot get them all to pose together. Luckily, we did get some nice individual shots. And one group shot that when changed to black and white you can't see the tears.
But in this post I wanted to show you something that you may have seen once or twice in our pictures. That is Ella's smile.
Not the "light-up-the-room followed by giggles" smile that I love, but the smile that emerges whenever someone holding an electronic gadget (camera, cell phone, video camera) says, "smile."
Oh wait, there's the smile I love.

See this is my beautiful girl. She is as beautiful inside as out. Sometimes I know she feels lost in the mix, but I love her so much. If I could give her one gift it would be for Ella to see herself from my point of view.