Self-Site-Changing

What a weekend!  Ethan built a pine wood derby car (just this week..), won three heats, and 7th place overall at his Pinewood Derby!  He qualified for regionals..and he is really excited about going.  He says he likes hanging out there with all the kids.  Mr. Social.

Mary Claire had another Lego Robotics practice on Saturday.  Her team qualified for state competition, and it's NEXT weekend!  They are just about ready.  She isn't running the robot this year, so she's much less stressed.  She's working on memorizing her lines for the skit they rewrote this month.

Now she is at a friend's house finishing up her National History Day project right now.  Her group is making a documentary.  I can't wait to see it!  It's due this week.  She's spending the night, and I just took her stuff to her.  It's snowing, yippee!

Clay went to Little Rock for Weekend Extravaganza!  It was a big trip, but not all the youth group were able to go.  He had a lot of fun, the kids were all good, but he's exhausted.  Lots of fun, games, praise, and great speakers!  I'm proud of him.  : )

in front of the Capitol Building

He has now changed his site BY HIMSELF (HUGE accomplishment for him!).  Last Saturday morning, he came in and told me he'd changed it.  WITHOUT ME.  Wow.  I've been coaching him, talking him through the steps, reminding him of little things..but he did it alone.  I packed our little site-changing case, and I thought he'd run out of insulin before he made it home from Little Rock.  I knew he'd eat a ton being out of mom's jurisdiction..and he ran out just before he got home.  (blood sugar of 187 after a huge weekend of burgers, shakes, and 7 hours of car driving!) I changed it for him tonight, but I'm still so stinkin' proud that he's capable now!

in the Cathedral : )

I know lots of kids can change their sites at earlier ages (but he was only diagnosed at 12!)..and take care of themselves.  Maybe I still just want to keep an eye on things.  I don't know, maybe it's my fault it's taken so long.  But, he's there! : )

at Purple Cow!

Mary Claire has been learning to site-change too.  She hasn't done it sans me, but she's done it all with me coaching.  Both kids have the hardest time putting the needle in themselves.  There is f-e-a-r..even though they've been doing it for years.  Hard stuff.

At Dr. Maass' office the day before Thanksgiving break-their JDRF (School) Walk Day!  Clay *loves* having his picure made, especially with me. ; )

So.. I finally took my Christmas tree down.  And vacuumed up the little needles and glitter, haha!  Ok, I have two more to go, but eight down, two to go is an awesome ratio!  The kids' trees just get draped in trash bags, and put in the attic.  Wish they were all that easy. : /

I was headed to Washington Regional to be there with Veronica today for her MRI (along with a couple other girls!)..but the machine broke, and they cancelled her appointment.  It was frustrating.  But I got a lot of work done, and she's totally psyched.  She was nervous, prepared and was finally SO ready!!

I'm excited to have just one more day off, I hope you get it "off" too!  Happy MLK, Jr. Day!  Hugs and prayers that your day is blessed.

ps-Bax has a plan!  He's going to St. Jude's in Memphis, TN, on Wednesday.  Treatment will take six weeks.  He will actually get to come home every weekend, I'm soo thrilled for them!  St. Jude's is a HUGE blessing! : )

 

Applying

I was up late last night and soo busy yesterday.  I think I'm embarking on a new journey.  Eeeekkk!!  Exciting is the word.

I applied to graduate school to go back to finish my masters degree.  I thought (until about 6pm last night) that I was going to be able to go this spring..but alas...t'll be summer.  It's still a formal application.  I applied to the Graduate School, then I applied to the program.  Now I just mail in my writing sample, my autobiographical sketch, and have three sweet people fill out recommendations. ; )

They required the GRE until this year, and I'm debating just taking it anyway.  I'm kinda weird, and I *like* four-hour tests.  I like when they tell me how smart I am.  I kinda like the studying and practice.  I know..WEiRd!  I have until March 1st or something.  But it only takes two weeks for results, and I could study and take it by the end of January even.

And I forgot to mention that since my 18 hours are soo old (the youngest ones are 15 years old!)..they won't count.  I'll be starting all over.  And I'm not even freaked out.  I kinda knew it already.  I reapplied and was accepted in 2010, but then I started having babies, so I decided to wait it out.  I can't handle too much at once (believe it or NOT!), but I think it's getting easy enough that I can fit it in now.

I'm just doing it for myself.  Is that selfish?  I'm not positive if I'll use it right away.  Or go back again to go farther.  I just don't want to stagnate.  I want to grow more and learn more.  So..I'm doing it for fun for now.  I might change my mind along the way.

Anyway, that is what happened yesterday.  

And we had a FUN girls night out party the night before for my friend Molly's birthday!  I didn't know what to get a gorgeous 27 year old who has everything (her amazing new modern house will be ready next FRiDAY!!), so I got her hydrangeas..are they every inappropriate?  I *LOVE* them!!  You can't be uncheered by flowers.  Girls always like flowers, btw.  You know if you are a guy stalking passing through reading this..BUY THE FLOWERS! : )

Can you even remember turning 27?!  soo sweet!

We are headed out to eat to celebrate momma not cooking tonight.  Clay is going to Weekend Extravaganza in Little Rock this weekend, Ethan has the Pinewood Derby tomorrow, and Mary Claire has Lego Robotics..so this might be the calmest it'll be for a while. : )

Continued prayers for our favorites, and a new request: my friend Lea's husband, Ron, passed away last night.  Please pray for her family. <3 font="">

Hug your family and friends a little tighter, today is all we're promised.  Sending YOU hugs!

Awards, A1C's, and Faith

Kids are growing, all back in school for the spring..and I think it's time to take all the Christmas decorations down! : )

We had a wonderful Christmas with family, fun new toys to play with (a go-pro and instamatic camera!), and enough food to put weight on us..ok just me, ha!  My great aunt Frankie came to stay with my mom, and we got to play CARDS!  sooo fun, it's our favorite!  We have this game we play called High-Nine.  I haven't ever met another soul in the world who has heard of this game besides family.  Have you heard of it?  It's a fun game four person game similar to hearts, but you bid with the partner across from you without knowing their cards, then call the suite, and play to catch the nines.  We love it, we're kinda competitive, and it lets us stay out late/eat/escape reality. (bedtime duties, kid teeth-brushing, baby baths, loading the dishwasher, etc.) (is that bad?)

The kids' a1c numbers were a little higher than we'd hoped last time we visited our endocrinologist.  He wanted their basals dropped..and Mary Claire has been having some lows.  We f-i-n-a-l-l-y got her a little bluetooth stick (Minimed Connect) that sends her constant glucose monitor numbers to her phone, and now I can watch them on my computer.  *It only works IF she had her Enlite sensor on, AND IF she has the Connect on her AND charged, and IF she has her phone on and near her.  Soo...it works about 45% of the time. :o/

Mary Claire is working on her silver award in girl scouts (second to last BiG award!), and her plan is to supply new and gently used games and books to homeless shelters, children's shelters, and battered women's shelters.  If you have any you'd like to contribute or want to donate, let us know!  It's a huge undertaking, and the plan is to make it sustainable (it can continue and grow) even after she moves on.  Include us in your prayers on this one!  I'm helping lead this tiny bit of the group..and I'm learning as I go.  It's a 50-hour required commitment per girl.  There are seven girls, and two projects so far.  Max of four girls per project. : )

Carter's school friend, Baxden, has been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma (brain stem tumor), he's had surgery, and is awaiting treatment.  PLEASE keep this precious family in your prayers.  It is a daily struggle to keep family going plus he's in physical therapy since he lost some feeling/movement in his left side.  His mom, Hilary, is also Carter's teacher, and she's wonderful.  We've missed her so much.  I will say I've seen prayer growth in my sweet three year old, and it thrills this momma's heart.  He asks to pray for Bax, and is soo thoughtful in his words.  Even if I'm praying, he's saying "Yes", "for Bax", "for Hilary", for their family", "please heal him", and it's precious.  

I have other sweet friends in need of prayer.  I don't know if it's a season, or my age.  My friend, Monica, is having severe pain, and she had a CT scan today and is awaiting results.  My friend, Veronica, is having an MRI on Sunday at 4pm.  The eye doctor can't get her to see using the regular lens in the office, and she's concerned about a possible tumor or problem.

I have this framed in my house, and I love it.  A great reminder.

God knows our needs.  I am thanking Him for the healing that's coming and the health being restored.  Prayers that you are healthy! :o)

 

Handy Fudge and the BEST Bark!

I can remember in third grade, my right hand hurt a-l-l the time.  My teacher made me write these awful cursvie sentences:

I will not talk, or my hand will hurt.

I had just moved to a new school, and I don't even remember being especially social that year.  My teacher was so mean.  (I even had a nickname for her I've never, ever said out loud.)  I even got paddled that year.  Yes, ME!  If you didn't turn your work in, you got paddled.  Boy, did a swift whipping on the heinie work wonders for assignment completion.  I even did turn my work in, and a little boy named Ricky erased my name, and wrote his name in the Name___________ blank.  I could even see my name through his crappy erasing job.  I kinda sense she could see it too.

Anyway, my hand hurt all year.  I guess I was making friends, so it was totally worth it, haha!  Which brings me to why I brought up my sore hand..

I've been making candy, treats, and little gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends.  I have the best fudge recipe (but..it will make your hand sore!)  It always turns out perfectly..and I love a recipe that is consistent (especially if I'm giving it to someone else!).

Would you like the recipe (and a sore hand, ha!)?  Here it is:

Fantasy Fudge
Ingredients:
   3 cups sugar
   3/4 cup butter (1 and 1/2 sticks)
   2/3 cup evaporated milk (1 small can)
   12 oz. (bag) Nestle chocolate chips or Reese's peanut butter chips
   1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme
   1 cup nuts-optional (pecans or walnuts in chocolate fudge is delicious!)
   1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
   Prepare 9x13 pan.  (I use butter and lightly coat the entire dish, but you can line with foil if you want.)  Then, I get all the ingredients ready.  Cut open the chocolate or peanut butter chips.  Open the marshmallow creme, peel off the paper top, and set out a big spoon for scraping the jar.  Set out the vanilla and the teaspoon.  (I even set a timer on my phone for five minutes, so it's ready to hit start when my mixture begins to boil.)
 
   Bring sugar, butter, and evaporated milk to a full rolling boil (this means lots of bubbles coming up, not five, haha!), stirring nonstop so it doesn't burn.  Start the timer, keep stirring, and boil for five minutes.  This is when it's making c-a-n-d-y!

Don't start your five minute timer till it looks like this.

   Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate or peanut butter chips until melted.  Stir in the marshmallow creme, nuts if you want, and the vanilla.  Pour into your prepared pan, and spread until level.

   Cool completely, and cut into squares using a plastic knife (it's a much smoother cut!).  I cut a 9x13 into ninths, wrap with wax paper, red striped baking string, and add a plastic knife to add to a box for a gift. Yum!!

And I have another NEW favorite recipe..Chocolate Cookie Bark! (and no pain, haha!)  My friend, Corinne, brought this to our latest Junque2Jewels Bunco painting party Tuesday night, and it is SOOO good!  She let me take the rest home, and I've already made MORE!  Here is one more easy recipe for you:

Chocolate Cookie Bark
Ingredients: 
   8 oz. Baker's Semi-sweet baking chocolate
   6-8 oz. Baker's Premium White baking chocolate (it calls for 6 oz, but what do you do with the
                         extra 2 oz?  ..How can you have too much chocolate?  I throw it all in!)
   2 Tbsp. peanut butter
   10 Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies
 
Directions:
   Line a baking sheet with wax paper.  (I use clothespins on the corners since the darn paper wants to roll up!)
 
   In two separate dishes or pans, melt the two chocolates.  (I melted one on the stove top and one in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time..the microwave was much faster!)  Add 2T. peanut butter to the white chocolate and stir well.   
   
   Crumble five Oreos into each bowl of melted chocolate and mix well.  Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto the prepared baking sheet, alternating colors of chocolate.  Cut through the chocolate with the back of a butter knife (don't want to cut your wax paper!) to create a marble effect.

   Refrigerate at least one hour, and break into pieces.  Store in an airtight container.  (If it lasts that long.)

Here is how the little gifts turned out:
 

v

I ordered the cutest wooden monograms, and spray painted them white to add to the bow!

Yes, I was up until 3:30 this morning.  So..making them all cutesy takes time.  Or I'm super slow and can't focus with the kids awake.  ..Or I went to see Star Wars at 10:26pm, and didn't start putting the tins together till after we got home last night!!  and it was soo worth seeing Kylo Ren, love child of H__ S___ and P________ L___!!  He wasn't even scary with his mask off. (yay!)  I loved seeing the Millennium Falcon and X-wing fighters again, the re-creation of the Death Star destroyed, and meeting the new characters: Poe (the Luke-like pilot), Rey (new girl Jedi/pilot/hero), BB-8 (small orange-white droid), and Finn (rebel storm trooper)!

Make your friends some candy, and go see Star Wars, The Force Awakens! : )