Gnocchi

From Scratch. Don't fear the potato dumpling, it's simple and delicious. Not to mention a quick 'go-to' meal if you have bare cabinets. Three ingredients, that's all! I don't use recipes all too often, so I paid close attention to how much of what I was using.

4 average size Yukon Gold Potatoes
4 Egg Yolks (no whites)
1 C Flour
Salt and Pepper

Boil potatoes with skin on. One able to pierce easily, bring one of out water at a time. They need to stay hot to keep the proper consistency. Peel potato and mash through potato ricer* into mixing bowl. Once all 4 potatoes are done, add the yokes and flour into the bowl. Stir until all ingredients are mixed then form into a ball. Take small portions off of the ball and roll out into little logs (be sure to flour the workspace). Cut into 1 inch (or whichever you prefer) pieces. Once all dough is cut, place into water, that is at a rolling boil. Once Gnocchi rise to the top, they're done. It's that easy!
Serve with your favorite type of sauce. We had a homemade marinara with shredded chicken.

*If you do not have a potato ricer, a masher will work. I have a Pamered Chef cheese grater, and I use the smallest grate and it works wonders!

Ketchup

and mustard. Blood, grass stains, chocolate. Ooh, ooh...and grease! I found this stain remover while at Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks back. It costs about $4.50 for a small bottle...but I the self proclaimed Queen of stain removal have hit an OxyClean roadblock lately. NOTHING is working. Hayden's wardrobe has been shrinking by the hour. She's a messy little girl. I get aggravated when she wears something once and it's ruined. Well Grandma's little secret is out of the bag. I've even been able to revive some old shirts that have been washed and dried several times over, setting the stains in further. Seriously....go getcha some!

Twin Haydens??

Besides begging for a baby brother named Jacob almost single day of our existence, I think we know who's fueling my baby fever fire, Hayden began asking me for "another kid" yesterday. "A twin would be fine Mommy". I didn't even figure she'd know what a twin is. Of course the thought that she has twin friends at school never dawned on me!

Anyhow. Since I told her we are not having a baby she's decided that that would be okay as long as she can have a twin, another kid. That looks like her, NOT a boy and they can play together and Taylor has to "stay out of the kids room". Oh...and she still wants to change Tay's name to Tori.

Who is this child of mine with personality plus? I just want to eat her up!!

My "Ah-Ha" Moment

**Disclaimer** Please Oprah, don't sue me for using your trademarked phrase.

Five days into our Summer break, I decided that we've had enough of HOME. After swim today, the girls and I went to Hobby Lobby to pick up some supplies for some projects I'm working on. I was dreading taking them out. They're at the stage where they just drive each other (and me) nuts. They love each other completely...enough to ask to sleep together every night; but all day long, they just pick at each other.
Hayden gets in Tay's face and antagonizes her. And Tay copies everything Hayden says, right down to the "Don't Copy Me". It's driving US ALL crazy!
Anyhow, we spent an hour and a half in Hobby Lobby today. I forced them both to sit in the cart. Taylor up top and Hayden in the basket. And of course, Hayden poked at her through the spokes and Taylor jabbed back with her infamous backswing. I kept threatening my canned...."If you cannot be good you will NEVER come back with me again". Hayden says "But Mom....I'm poking her because she's getting to help you better than me".

What??? They were fighting over who got to hold more supplies? Strange...but it prompted me to take a different approach. I divvied up the stuff so they each had the same amount and tuned in to them a bit more. Prior to that, all I could hear was "no ME.." "I wanna..." "You can't..." "my turn..." . And when I did tune it I hear "no Mommy, let ME help you", "I wanna hold that PLEASE. May I?", "You can't put everything under the cart Mommy, put some in my basket" and "Is it MY TURN yet"?
Yes, they were picking at each other, but they were vying for my attention. When in actuallity, I wasn't paying attention to either. They were using their manners and being very polite. And up until that point, I was tuning them out because it sounded like their typical sister banter.

Much to my surprise, another reveler noticed that they were very good girls. You see, it's not uncommon for older women to comment about how well behaved children are in public; or for a one of us mommies to notice the roll of their eyes when they think you're not parenting well and your kids are out of control. Because let's face it...back in the day, their kids were potty trained at 18 months and would never, ever have a tantrum in the Supermarket.
But today was different. Today it was a YOUNG MOM. Probably somewhere around my age with 2 girls also. They also looked to be about Hayden and Tay's age. And while we both waited in line for our fabric to be cut, she paid me the nicest compliment. She said "I've passed you several times through out the store and cannot get over how well behaved your girls are". I came back with "It's because I have them caged in a shopping cart"...and she said "Well, that may be true. But I've heard them speak to you and one another and they are so polite and kind. I'm not sure if I've ever witnessed two young kids so well versed in respect".
WHOA...talk about take me by surprise. Because you see, I feel like we work hard on our kids and their behavior, but I feel like we get nowhere. And for somebody else, a stranger...a mom with two girls like me, to make an observation like that, made me very proud of them.
And then, as soon as she walked away Hayden's lovely little mouth smarted off with something sarcastic and mean directed toward me.

Ah-Ha...they are just kids....and I went about my business threatening them that they'll never go shopping with me if they can't behave!

swim suit season....meh

Ugh...the dreaded swim suit season. I hate those mothers, and you know who you are, so I'm talking to YOU! I hate those mothers that have a baby, gain 30 or 40 pounds and then in 10 weeks...or 4 months...or even 2 years, have their pre-baby body back!
I know it's my own fault that I am flabby, jiggly, saggy, thumpish, rumpish and round....but seriously. I, like my full bodied counterparts, want the magic pill! Dieting is exhausting and working out is boring! Or is it dieting is boring and working out is exhausting? Excuses, excuses, I know.

I digress!

It's my own fault that I get grumpy and irritable this time of year, when all social activities revolve around a pool, a grill, a lake, or a slip n slide!
I was not going to get into a swim suit until I lost the weight that I've gained since last Summer. Because you know, that was just not huge enough! However, I find I'm missing out on all the fun! You see...the chips and dips and Margaritas are out in the pool bar...and you cannot swim up to a pool bar in your jeans and maternity...uhh...oversized t-shirts! And who wants to miss out on munchies...that is what's gotten me to where I am today, and why would I want to let them down?

So I broke down and bought a swim suit. No fun, I tell ya, no fun! However, I took some of the sting out of it by ordering online. Fitting rooms and flourescent lights play hell on a woman's body image. It shipped in a week and is really cute. Thanks to the modest mormon's for inventing a suit that I can feel so-so in...I'm ever so grateful.
http://www.modbecatalog.com/ Do it!!

Oh yah...they also have really cute shirts that fully cover our bellies so our muffin tops don't show. Damn low-rise pants. But I'll save that for a different rant in the Fall, when none of my current jeans are fitting me!

Central CA Candids

Hayden and MikinahConal and CashCooper, Hayden and Brooklyn Pam, Bub, Cooper
Krystal and Wyatt Tay and Mikinah
Tay Kacey and the girlsHayden's new BFF, Tori
Coop, Mikinah and Cash

You getta line and I'll getta pole, baby

On Memorial Day, we had to go through my Grandpa's belongings, which were taken (the day prior) to my Uncle's friends house. The Pellegrini's invited us to bring the kids out and enjoy their ranch and catfish pond. So after we spent time going through, what he considered his treasures, we enjoyed a nice picnic and partook in a bit of downhome country fun! The kids got to fish in their pond, which is stocked with really large catfish! It was so nice spending the day with our extended family. I know my Grandpa would've loved to be there. That was absolutely his kind of day!Cooper, Jordyn, Devyn, Conal, Nick and Papa watching Hayden take the pole

They think they can help her

Hayden's still not sure about doing this by herself, so Daddy gives her an extra hand

And the control freak can't just sit there and watch! I have to go and get my hands into it and show them how it should be done!

And that's exactly what we did. Showed them how it's done! And I realized that I still hate nature, but will sacrifice from time to time to show the boys up! :)

Hayden caught the trophy catfish, and Uncle Bub got the honors of de-hooking that sucka and holding it up for a picture! (See...their Daddy still has a bit of city-boy left in him!)

WAY TO GO HAYDEN!!

Lazy Sunday @ the Paulus'

Marlene and Bill had us all over for a barbecue on Sunday, May 24th. The kids had so much fun swimming together. This is the first time we've met Brooklyn and Braxton, and the first time Melinda and Melissa met Tay and Cash. Bill and Marlene have been like our second parents for my entire life. Even though we live far away, they are still such a big part of our lives. We see them a couple times a year when they come out here. I'm ever so greatful to them for the friendship and love they provide to my parents.

It was a nice and relaxing day! Eddie grilled out while the girls sat around and caught up. We realized we have a whole slew of kids! My how times have changed!

Goofy Grandma's

Carson, Brooklyn, Dustyn, Brennan, Hayden, Cooper, Taylor and Cash

A Five Night Sleepover!

Upon the passing of my Grandpa, we loaded up and trekked through a 10 hour drive to central California with kids in tow. We went to attend my grandpa's funeral, but while we were there, the doors of our very hospitable friends and family were opened to our family. And when I say "our family" that means 8 of us! Conal, the kids and I, and Pam, Bub and their boys...I know, no surprise! My sister and I sure don't seperate easily!

Anyhow, thanks to Lisa and Dale for allowing ALL of us to crash their house for FIVE nights!
They spent an entire day before we got there constructing a fort in their living room. This is where as few as 4 kids slept and as many as 6 on any given night. I don't think we have any pictures of the garage where the guys spent endless hours playing darts and drinking many, many cases of beer. Seems as though the biggest expense of our trip went to gas and beer. Yes, that's a Conal and Bub 'vacation'!

Cooper, Taylor, Hayden and Mikinah

Hayden, Jackson, Mikinah, Cooper, Taylor and Cash

My own Intervention on ME!

I'm conducting an intervention on myself! I figured this is no secret, so if I type it 'out loud' maybe it will take care of my problem.
"Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY! Baby fever, GO AWAY!"


These two were very cute Bec (and very BIG), but you really, really, REALLY don't want to do it again! Psst...Remember you birth BIG babies and puke all day, every day for 9 months, EVERY time!!

What do YOU think?

DO YOU THINK

LOOKS LIKE ??

Neither do we. Butdoes!

It's really cute, she LOVES Taylor Swift!

The end of an era. Our first of many.

Hayden couldn't find her Daddy (who came late and was sitting in the back), so she wasn't very participatory at the school program on the 22nd. She's a hit or miss at these things.

At the Christmas program she was into it like no other. The loudest one up there and groovin' to the beat.

This one, she was just sad. Between songs, when it was just her class...Ms. Monica pointed her Daddy out and positioned her on the side he was on. That made her a bit happier, but still, she was never whole heartedly into it.

Needless to say, she had fun when the program was over and they showed the video montage. She's a favorite at St. Tim's and so she was in a lot of pictures! She LOVED that!

This day was the end of an era for us, for her. She still had a week of school left, but that was the day my grandpa died, so she missed her last week of school as we headed out the following day.

I was emotional anyway, but the thought of leaving the comfort of her school and staff really got to me. They've become extended family to us. Monica has really been a great sense of support and encouragement to me, and I'm truly going to miss her.

I have Tay enrolled there this Fall, but will not be sending her. She will continue in her PPS program for at least this year, so she can receive her services. I hope that she will be able to attend pre-K in another year.

We did come back in time for Hayden to make the Water Day on Friday. I was a volunteer, and had a lot of fun working the cotton candy booth. When the activities were over, Monica gave Hayden and I a hug and kiss and was as emotional as I was...again! (I'm a real mush right now).

It is so nice to be somewhere, where they truly care about the well-being of your children. It is so much more than a job to the staff at that school. I'm sure they've touched hundreds of lives just as they've touched ours.

Over the last year and a half we've really watched Hayden grow. I contribute it all to the patience, tolerance and kind souls of the teachers. They've handled her so delicately and I think the trust they built with her is so prevelant in her attitude.

We won't disappear forever. Hayden's going to do her Religious Ed. there, and she will be attending VBS this Summer.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Harold Emmersen Jr.

Harold, a resident of Reedley, Ca., was born on September 22, 1930, in Selma, Ca., and passed away on Friday, May 22, 2009, in Fresno, Ca. He was a retired Superintendent for Producers Cotton, and a decorated Korean War veteran.
Harold will be greatly missed by his family and numerous friends.
Harold was preceded in death by his father and mother, Harold Sr. and Katherine Emmersen; and his first wife, Lois Emmersen.
He is survived by his wife Florence; his brother, Don Emmersen; and his sister, Gladys Klein. He is also survived by his children, Nan Adams and her husband Tom of Sanger, Lori Winnett and her husband Bill of Chandler, Az., and Robert Emmersen of Gilbert, Az.; granddaughters, Rebecca Marquette, Kristen Harbert, Pamela Cox, Amanda Cline, Kari Griffith, and Krystal Plote, along with ten great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held at Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home, on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Sanger Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to Sanger Veterans Park, c/o Sanger M & E Flowers, 1719 7th Street, Sanger, Ca., 93657. WALLIN'S Sanger Funeral Home 1524 9th Street Sanger, Ca. (559)875-6555

Cancer Sucks.

It's like a wildfire. A blazing inferno raging out of control, taking everything in it's path with rapid fury.

In just a few short months, 6, I think. It went from a sore throat, to esophogeal cancer, spreading to the lymph nodes, possibly in his intestine and wrapping itself around his feeding tube. With many more details, hurdles and obstacles standing in it's way. It's jumped the lines and branched off of branches.

From the very first day, his spirit has been amazing. He's a fighter. Determined that this is not going to get the best of him. If he stayed positive he "will overcome Cancer".

Chemo and radiation made him sick, very sick, and weak. But that wasn't going to get the best of him, either. He's more comfortable in a Care Facility, not ever wanting to go back home.

He's had infections, a few surgeries...unfortunately due to poor care given by the VA. He struggles to breath and doesn't feel well, often. He's tested positive for MRSA, although suffers no symptoms. Active bouts of nausea and dizziness and heart arhythmia also crowd his days.

He almost coded on Mother's Day and has been in the hospital next door, since. In and out of ICU is where he dwells.

There are days where he suffers so bad, that he takes his prescribed Morphine. There are days where he is not feeling much pain and forgoes it. Those days he's weak, he sleeps most of the time, and can hardly hold his head up. His positivity is fading...although I'm told you can catch a glimpse of it when he's had some meds. They mask his pain and discomfort, and I'm sure his fear, well.

My mom, sister and I flew in spontaneously a couple of weekends ago. Our flight was delayed a bit and we just knew he was counting the hours and watching the clock. And when we arrived and walked in to the courtyard, where he was sitting, his face lit up ever so brightly. Quick to show off his grand-daughters to any staff that walked by. Proud of his daughters, Nan and Lori and missing his son who "also moved to Arizona. Don't what it is about that Desert"! It was a fast trip, but we spent every hour that we could with him. With intentions of busting him out on Sunday, he had been looking forward to it, he could not bear the pain to venture out. He was frail and fragile and crying when we walked into his room that morning. I know he thought he was letting us down. But he wasn't. We know he could've if he would've. And we were only wanting to help him out of his four walls for a few hours.

When it was time to say our goodbyes the morning we were flying back home, I thought it would be hard. But it wasn't. Quite honestly, I didn't say goodbye. I gave him a kiss and a hug and told him to take care and I'd see him later. Because I will. And I have great peace in knowing that.

As my mom is on a plane tonight, in a frantic, scared and tender state of mind all I can think about his comfort. His fear. He's got to be scared. He is on life-support and in ICU. The details are a bit shakey, as his health fell to an all new low suddenly this afternoon, while spending time with my Uncle and my Grandpa's best buddies Ben and Nelda.

My heart breaks. I don't want him to be scared. He is coherent and knows what is going on, and that's so frightening to me. It sounds morbid, but I want him to rest peacefully. He's such an honorable man, such a strong soul and I don't want him to suffer. And he is. I want his pain to dissolve.

His family loves him as much as he loves us. And he knows that, it's a comforting feeling. I believe in eternal life. I believe that Grandma is waiting for him. And when it's time, I cannot wait until they are reunited. Lord willing.

CMoP

We took a ditch day a couple of weeks ago and went to the Children's Museum of Phoenix. It's one of my favorite places to take the girls. I've been working there a lot lately, they're one of our clients. I was able to arrange admission for me and the girls to enjoy a day, on them!

It's in downtown Phoenix and is what I would consider pricey for a playdate. So, it's a rare and special treat and this day, it was FREE...what's better than that?!

There are three floors with classrooms that offer so much variety that you cannot get bored! I was particularly glad I didn't pay the $9 per person (including parents) admission on this particular day, as it was jam-packed with school groups. But, the girls still had a great time for the first couple of hours!

Teamwork! Making Ice Cream Cones

Making a delicious brick oven pizza for Mommy

In line at the checkout of the supermarket

A really cool scooter, motorcycle, bike...whatever! (we couldn't agree on the name!)

Squeegy-ing a colored pane outside

Relaxing in a carpeted cylinder!

Picking flowers and re-planting them

This place is a treat for the senses! Art rooms, and a fun noodle forest. Music areas and ride-ons, car ramps and games. I will take them back this Summer and even after being there a few times prior, I'm sure we'll find something completely different to do!!