The other night I was lying down in bed and my twins decided to come and jump on me. They are so adorable. They do everything as a team. They eat at the same time, they sleep at the same time, they poo at the same time, and they jump on me..at the same time. They are just wonderful, they just turned 20 months and it feels like they were just born. Although I knew I was having twins, nothing could have prepared me for my life with twins.
Every day as a parent, is a journey. There are new obstacles to pass, and new lessons to be learned, and it is all done within 12 hours. We wake every morning wondering what we will find when we put our feet on the floor. Sometimes we wake up to laughter, sometimes to tears, and sometimes we just feel like putting our head under the blankets and telling anyone that comes near us “No hablo anglais.”..lol. But we have no choice, so we get out of bed and we begin our day.
It sometimes feels like the days are long, and the nights; even longer. We feel unmotivated and frustrated, but then we look at the calendar and it all comes into perspective. The days are flying, the months are passing, and the years have come and gone. The other day I was watching a Baby Story on TLC and there was a woman who had 2 kids and then she got pregnant with twins. I was watching the show and I felt like that was me, everything she was saying hit home. She was explaining how her older 2 were the ones that were giving her a hard time at the beginning. She went on to talk about breast feeding twins, changing twins, and trying to raise twins.
I felt like it was 20 months ago, all over again. All the emotions came back to me. The stress, the chaos, the confusion, the wondering if I should have gone for a 3rd child… moments. It was a very hard year when they were born. I cried a lot, I screamed a lot, and I questioned a lot.
My older 2 were driving me nuts. They were the ones that I thought would be easy, but instead, I did not realize that they were still young and still needed my attention too. If my mind goes back to those days, guilt comes to me, and emotions run wild in my mind. I remember crying to my husband one night and saying to him, “You were right; we should have stayed at 2.” He couldn’t believe I was saying what I was saying. I knew what I meant, I knew it didn’t mean I didn’t love them; I was just overwhelmed and hormonal. He thought I meant what I really said..lol.
Since then, life has gotten a little easier, a little less hectic, and a little more comfortable. We have gotten used to being a family of 6, and we are loving it. Our mornings are crazy, are nights are crazier. There is constant noise, yelling, laughing and screaming in my house. But it is a house filled with young children; my young children. God had a plan for me and my family. He knew that times would be tough, but the pay off would be better.
As I was watching a Baby Story on TLC and remembering the early summer days of 2008, I felt proud. I felt proud that I was able to relate to this woman. I felt proud that I was given the gift to know exactly how she felt the day she gave birth to her twins. I felt blessed to know what life is like with 4 beautiful children. It brought me back to the day June 2nd, 2008 at 8:25pm when I pushed out my first twin baby Jenna, and 19 minutes later when I pushed out my second baby twin Michael. It was a moment in my life I will never forget. It is a moment in my husband’s life that he will never forget, and it is a moment in my other children’s life that they will never forget. I am humble to have been able to experience such a miraculous event. An experience that no words can describe; an experience that will forever be a framed moment in my mind.
That’s my peace today!
Spagetti in Carbonara
10 strips bacon
1 chive onion
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pack spagetti
3 eggs
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped parsley for garnish
Boil spagetti as directed. Drain. Meanwhile in a pan cook bacon until crispy, add chopped onion and sautee put aside. Add the oil in the pan, heat and add spagetti, toss, add bacon and onions, toss and throw in the beated eggs. With a fork or tongs toss until egg is cooked (you may want to put a lid for the heat to stay). Add the parmesan cheese and garnish with parsley.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
A team is made up of players, but not all players make up a team
Yes, another piece about my son’s victory in net. I had to endure another stressful hockey game; 3- 15 minute periods. It was another nail biting, heart palpitating game. My son’s team is now going in the playoffs in 1st place. They won 2-0. My son got another shutout! After the game I overheard a little boy telling his uncle “that goalie was just too good.” Lol, I have to admit, that is one of my prouder moments in my life.
I don’t think they won only because of my son; they won because his team worked together. In life, everything important that has to be done, or with any major decision that has to be made, is done with a group of people. When a woman has a baby, it is not only her that pushes the baby out, there is a team of people around her; helping, assisting, and cheering her on.
Saturday night my husband and I attended a “Pink affair” fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer research. The 2 people that planned this whole event are 2 young 25 year old girls. Last year they decided to start this big event to raise money for the weekend to end Breast cancer walk.
It was a success, so they decided to make it an annual event.
Although these 2 girls poured all their heart and soul in their planning, they needed other people to help with the fundraising. They could not do it alone. All the guests, the sponsors, the supporters; were all a part of the grand process. When a Politian wins an election; it is not he/she that wins it alone, it is all the people that helped them get there. The voters, the writers, the planners; they are all part of the win.
A team is not made of 1 star player. It is made of a bunch of people that know how to work together. Each one has a role to play, and when they do it well; the payoff is sweet. When there is 1 person who truly believes that the victory was all theirs, or that they were not able to do it without them; that is not someone who is really a part of the team.
We teach our children all the time. A family is a team. A mother and father; team members. There is coaching involved, teaching, preaching, listening and sometimes disagreements when members come together. I tell my kids all the time, they need to work together every day at home; at school. As they get older they will realize that when they work together, they will achieve their goals without effort.
This weekend, I witnessed examples of superior team work. When people work together, good things happen. It is the positive flow of synergy and energy. There is not 1 successful person that did not have a team behind him/her. So when that little boy made the comment that his team lost because the goalie was just too good, I wanted to say to him, “It was not only the goalie that made the team unstoppable, it was the whole group of little boys that skated their hearts out the whole game.” This boy will learn on his own, that playing together, working together is what leads a team to victory. He will also learn one day, that a team is made up of players, but players don’t always make up a team.
That’s my peace today!
Chick pea and Ditalli pasta with tomatoes
1 can chick peas
1 pack ditalli pasta
1 can plum tomatoes
1 clove chopped garlic
1/2 white onion chopped
1/4 c olive oil
3 large springs chopped fresh basil
In a pan, add oil, garlic, onions, basil, and chick peas. Cook for about 5 minutes, add tomatoes for another 20 minutes and salt. Meanwhile boil ditalli as directed, drain and add to chick pea mix, toss and serve.
I don’t think they won only because of my son; they won because his team worked together. In life, everything important that has to be done, or with any major decision that has to be made, is done with a group of people. When a woman has a baby, it is not only her that pushes the baby out, there is a team of people around her; helping, assisting, and cheering her on.
Saturday night my husband and I attended a “Pink affair” fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer research. The 2 people that planned this whole event are 2 young 25 year old girls. Last year they decided to start this big event to raise money for the weekend to end Breast cancer walk.
It was a success, so they decided to make it an annual event.
Although these 2 girls poured all their heart and soul in their planning, they needed other people to help with the fundraising. They could not do it alone. All the guests, the sponsors, the supporters; were all a part of the grand process. When a Politian wins an election; it is not he/she that wins it alone, it is all the people that helped them get there. The voters, the writers, the planners; they are all part of the win.
A team is not made of 1 star player. It is made of a bunch of people that know how to work together. Each one has a role to play, and when they do it well; the payoff is sweet. When there is 1 person who truly believes that the victory was all theirs, or that they were not able to do it without them; that is not someone who is really a part of the team.
We teach our children all the time. A family is a team. A mother and father; team members. There is coaching involved, teaching, preaching, listening and sometimes disagreements when members come together. I tell my kids all the time, they need to work together every day at home; at school. As they get older they will realize that when they work together, they will achieve their goals without effort.
This weekend, I witnessed examples of superior team work. When people work together, good things happen. It is the positive flow of synergy and energy. There is not 1 successful person that did not have a team behind him/her. So when that little boy made the comment that his team lost because the goalie was just too good, I wanted to say to him, “It was not only the goalie that made the team unstoppable, it was the whole group of little boys that skated their hearts out the whole game.” This boy will learn on his own, that playing together, working together is what leads a team to victory. He will also learn one day, that a team is made up of players, but players don’t always make up a team.
That’s my peace today!
Chick pea and Ditalli pasta with tomatoes
1 can chick peas
1 pack ditalli pasta
1 can plum tomatoes
1 clove chopped garlic
1/2 white onion chopped
1/4 c olive oil
3 large springs chopped fresh basil
In a pan, add oil, garlic, onions, basil, and chick peas. Cook for about 5 minutes, add tomatoes for another 20 minutes and salt. Meanwhile boil ditalli as directed, drain and add to chick pea mix, toss and serve.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The 80 year Science experiment
In April it will be 9 years ago that I became a mother. I gave birth to my son 3 days overdue with the help of a doctor, some nurses, and a wonderful drug called an epidural. Since then, my life has been on an on-going roller coaster ride. Up, down, straight, bumps, screams, smiles, and sheer fear. I had my 4 kids within 7 years and I can honestly say for certain, “I am done!”
I am moving on now. I am looking forward to the stages I already passed with my older 2; with my twins. Diapers, potty training, and no baby car seats. It’s funny because there are so many things I have learned along the way and I continue to learn.
Since Joseph was my first, I shared all my “firsts” with him. I guess I understand the different relationship an older child has with its parents. They are the ones we “try” things out on. Like feeding foods for the first time, sleeping patterns, nap times, bottle weaning, pacifier weaning and potty training readiness. We swore that we would do it better the next time. So when our second children are born, we want to do the exact opposite. Like when people come to visit, we no longer smell their breath to make sure they didn’t have a cigarette or a drink 3 hours previous. We no longer put our ears to their mouth to make sure we hear them breathing, and we no longer cringe at the thought of bringing them to a mall and uncovering them for strangers to coo at them. We loosen up, and we love it. I cannot tell you how much you don’t fret if you have a third or fourth..lol..I think my twins were climbing stairs at 6 months..lol and eating full grapes at 12 months..lol.
I am going through all the motherhood changes right alongside my oldest. He is like my project child. I figure if it works on him, it should work on the others. I didn’t take into account ...personality. What rule worked on 1, may not work on the next. You see, there is never a right way of doing things, or a right way of approaching a situation. When you are a parent, everyday is a new challenge.
Sometimes I find myself looking at my kids and wondering when the camera is going to stop rolling and the taping ends. When are their real parents coming to pick them up? Lol..It sometimes still feels surreal to me that after 9 months, I had a baby, and I even had 2 at once (talk about productive..lol). At night, when I put them to bed I still look at them one by one, by, one, by one, and stare at them. I sometimes still check if they are breathing, and I sometimes still wonder what answer I will give them when I am asked from my son “how babies are born?” Or “how does a woman get pregnant mommy?” or “do you ever see Daddy naked?” I am working on answers that are just so unbelievable that I try hard not to burst out laughing.
I remember when my son started JK I was a wreck. I cried, I was so emotional that I couldn’t bare to talk to anyone about it because I felt so silly. The next year when my best friend’s daughter began, I had the nerve to say, “Oh toughen up, she will be fine.”..lol. My point is, we forget. We forget the hard times, the emotional times, and the times where we want to sell them to the gypsies. (A line my own mother would use).
Raising children, (whether it was 5 years ago, 15 years ago, or this month) is not easy. It is an on-going questionable period in our life that pretty much NEVER ends. We will guide them, teach them, show them, scold them, and nurture them until the day we die. We will be side by side with them as they reach all their milestones, and we may sometimes not know how to handle it, or what to do. And that’s ok.
Parenthood is a work in progress, a continuous test, exam and assessment. We try different recipes, formulas and tactics over the years. We do not get a final grade, or a report card. And one day when we are old and grey, rocking in our chair, we will have realized that we just spent the past 80+ years (we are all living until 105..lol) learning, revising, re-doing, and re-checking over and over our “little” Science experiment we call “Parenting”.
That's my peace today!
Roasted Red Peppers
6 red peppers washed left whole
1/4 cup olive oil
3 springs fresh basil
6 springs fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic cut in halves
salt and oregano
In the summer it is best to do this on the bbq but you can still do in the oven in Winter time. Place the peppers on a baking pan and cook in oven for 1 hour at 400 degrees. Once the peppers look soft and blackened, remove and cool. Peel off skin and remove stem and seeds. With your fingers break apart into thick long strings. Put in a bowl with oil, salt, oregano, garlic and herbs. Toss and refridgerate.
I am moving on now. I am looking forward to the stages I already passed with my older 2; with my twins. Diapers, potty training, and no baby car seats. It’s funny because there are so many things I have learned along the way and I continue to learn.
Since Joseph was my first, I shared all my “firsts” with him. I guess I understand the different relationship an older child has with its parents. They are the ones we “try” things out on. Like feeding foods for the first time, sleeping patterns, nap times, bottle weaning, pacifier weaning and potty training readiness. We swore that we would do it better the next time. So when our second children are born, we want to do the exact opposite. Like when people come to visit, we no longer smell their breath to make sure they didn’t have a cigarette or a drink 3 hours previous. We no longer put our ears to their mouth to make sure we hear them breathing, and we no longer cringe at the thought of bringing them to a mall and uncovering them for strangers to coo at them. We loosen up, and we love it. I cannot tell you how much you don’t fret if you have a third or fourth..lol..I think my twins were climbing stairs at 6 months..lol and eating full grapes at 12 months..lol.
I am going through all the motherhood changes right alongside my oldest. He is like my project child. I figure if it works on him, it should work on the others. I didn’t take into account ...personality. What rule worked on 1, may not work on the next. You see, there is never a right way of doing things, or a right way of approaching a situation. When you are a parent, everyday is a new challenge.
Sometimes I find myself looking at my kids and wondering when the camera is going to stop rolling and the taping ends. When are their real parents coming to pick them up? Lol..It sometimes still feels surreal to me that after 9 months, I had a baby, and I even had 2 at once (talk about productive..lol). At night, when I put them to bed I still look at them one by one, by, one, by one, and stare at them. I sometimes still check if they are breathing, and I sometimes still wonder what answer I will give them when I am asked from my son “how babies are born?” Or “how does a woman get pregnant mommy?” or “do you ever see Daddy naked?” I am working on answers that are just so unbelievable that I try hard not to burst out laughing.
I remember when my son started JK I was a wreck. I cried, I was so emotional that I couldn’t bare to talk to anyone about it because I felt so silly. The next year when my best friend’s daughter began, I had the nerve to say, “Oh toughen up, she will be fine.”..lol. My point is, we forget. We forget the hard times, the emotional times, and the times where we want to sell them to the gypsies. (A line my own mother would use).
Raising children, (whether it was 5 years ago, 15 years ago, or this month) is not easy. It is an on-going questionable period in our life that pretty much NEVER ends. We will guide them, teach them, show them, scold them, and nurture them until the day we die. We will be side by side with them as they reach all their milestones, and we may sometimes not know how to handle it, or what to do. And that’s ok.
Parenthood is a work in progress, a continuous test, exam and assessment. We try different recipes, formulas and tactics over the years. We do not get a final grade, or a report card. And one day when we are old and grey, rocking in our chair, we will have realized that we just spent the past 80+ years (we are all living until 105..lol) learning, revising, re-doing, and re-checking over and over our “little” Science experiment we call “Parenting”.
That's my peace today!
Roasted Red Peppers
6 red peppers washed left whole
1/4 cup olive oil
3 springs fresh basil
6 springs fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic cut in halves
salt and oregano
In the summer it is best to do this on the bbq but you can still do in the oven in Winter time. Place the peppers on a baking pan and cook in oven for 1 hour at 400 degrees. Once the peppers look soft and blackened, remove and cool. Peel off skin and remove stem and seeds. With your fingers break apart into thick long strings. Put in a bowl with oil, salt, oregano, garlic and herbs. Toss and refridgerate.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Girls will be girls
Raising daughters is obviously quite different than raising boys. You have to factor in hormones, fashion, phone calls, make-up, and DRAMA. There is always drama when girls are involved. I know, I grew up with 3 sisters. There is a little bit of competition, envy, and sheer silliness when you deal with girls. It is very important to teach them how to be strong in mind and body.
My daughter will be 6 in March. She is in Senior Kindergarten and she is a very pleasant little girl. She is always happy and laughing. She has many friends at school. She makes friends easily with the boys and the girls. She definitely has her own fashion sense. As long as it glitters or shines, she is wearing it. She has a great personality, she is fun spirited and she doesn’t take too many things serious. (She gets that from me)
On Friday, she came home quite upset. She told me that her teacher split her 2 “friends” Sophie and Sophia. I asked why and she explained to me that they were being mean to her. Every time she would go beside them, they would run away and laugh. The teacher realized what was going on so she didn’t allow the 2 girls to play with one another. I then went on to ask her why she continues to speak to them and she said “Because mommy, they are my friends.” I try to explain to her that she doesn’t need them, she has so many other friends that adore her, but she is just adamant about being their friend.
We women have a tendency to just do what we are not really “supposed” to do. We like the bad boys, we chase the delinquents, we transform the nerds into hotties, and we make friends with the mean girls. I think we are just glutton for punishment. We love to do the opposite. It makes us feel like we are in control. I don’t even think we even care about what we are doing, we just do it.
How can I teach my daughter to walk away from those girls that are not so nice? How do I explain to her that they are being mean to her because they have insecurities about themselves? How do I let her know that there is nothing wrong with her, but they are the ones with the problem? Her teacher was there to protect her at school against those girls, but she will not always be there. My daughter is confident with herself, she doesn’t care that they ran away. It hurt her feelings, but it didn’t stop her from talking to them the next day. In fact, she wants to invite them to her birthday party.
I am going to try my best to be an adult and forgive their behaviour because they are just kids.
My job is way more important than that. My job is to teach her to walk away and be the better person. My job is to let her know that she cannot control other people’s behaviour, but she can control how she handles it. We all have a choice in life on how to behave and treat other people. My children have taught me that. My daughter did not hold a grudge, or anger for these girls, she still called them her friends. Who am I to tell her that she shouldn’t be the nicer person?
She will have her whole life to make decisions on how to handle tough situations. She will learn on her own, that she should not accept mean behaviour from other people. She will learn that her “true” friends will always like her, no matter what. She will learn that people will say mean things and do mean things and that they can intentionally hurt your feelings. I need her to learn that on her own. I cannot pave that way for her; she will have to smooth the bumps on herself.
It will hurt me to see her feelings hurt, but that is the only way she will learn how to deal with it the next time. I cannot call each and every little girl that offends her. I cannot give their mother’s a dirty look and key their car..lol. The only thing I can do for my daughter; and all my 4 kids, is to listen and bite my tongue and let them figure it out on their own. One day the innocence will fade and all that will be left is the reality that there are mean people out there who are not so nice. They will learn and understand one day, that girls will be always be..girls.
That’s my peace today!
Fungi Risotto
1 pack portabello mushrooms
6 oyster mushrooms
6 cremini mushrooms
1/4 cup flour
1 cup uncooked risotto
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine
2 cup chicken stock
3 tbsp butter
Slice all the mushrooms, wash, pat dry and roll in flour. Heat a heavy pan, add oil, place all mushrooms and sautee, add half the wine and salt the mushrooms. Cook for about 10 min and put aside. Meanwhile in another heavy pan, melt butter, add rice and toast for about 1 minute. Add the stock, 1/4 cup at a time. Keep stirring until cooked about 25 min(you may have to add some water if it begins to stick). Once the rice is cooked with no liquid left, add the cooked mushrooms and stir together.
My daughter will be 6 in March. She is in Senior Kindergarten and she is a very pleasant little girl. She is always happy and laughing. She has many friends at school. She makes friends easily with the boys and the girls. She definitely has her own fashion sense. As long as it glitters or shines, she is wearing it. She has a great personality, she is fun spirited and she doesn’t take too many things serious. (She gets that from me)
On Friday, she came home quite upset. She told me that her teacher split her 2 “friends” Sophie and Sophia. I asked why and she explained to me that they were being mean to her. Every time she would go beside them, they would run away and laugh. The teacher realized what was going on so she didn’t allow the 2 girls to play with one another. I then went on to ask her why she continues to speak to them and she said “Because mommy, they are my friends.” I try to explain to her that she doesn’t need them, she has so many other friends that adore her, but she is just adamant about being their friend.
We women have a tendency to just do what we are not really “supposed” to do. We like the bad boys, we chase the delinquents, we transform the nerds into hotties, and we make friends with the mean girls. I think we are just glutton for punishment. We love to do the opposite. It makes us feel like we are in control. I don’t even think we even care about what we are doing, we just do it.
How can I teach my daughter to walk away from those girls that are not so nice? How do I explain to her that they are being mean to her because they have insecurities about themselves? How do I let her know that there is nothing wrong with her, but they are the ones with the problem? Her teacher was there to protect her at school against those girls, but she will not always be there. My daughter is confident with herself, she doesn’t care that they ran away. It hurt her feelings, but it didn’t stop her from talking to them the next day. In fact, she wants to invite them to her birthday party.
I am going to try my best to be an adult and forgive their behaviour because they are just kids.
My job is way more important than that. My job is to teach her to walk away and be the better person. My job is to let her know that she cannot control other people’s behaviour, but she can control how she handles it. We all have a choice in life on how to behave and treat other people. My children have taught me that. My daughter did not hold a grudge, or anger for these girls, she still called them her friends. Who am I to tell her that she shouldn’t be the nicer person?
She will have her whole life to make decisions on how to handle tough situations. She will learn on her own, that she should not accept mean behaviour from other people. She will learn that her “true” friends will always like her, no matter what. She will learn that people will say mean things and do mean things and that they can intentionally hurt your feelings. I need her to learn that on her own. I cannot pave that way for her; she will have to smooth the bumps on herself.
It will hurt me to see her feelings hurt, but that is the only way she will learn how to deal with it the next time. I cannot call each and every little girl that offends her. I cannot give their mother’s a dirty look and key their car..lol. The only thing I can do for my daughter; and all my 4 kids, is to listen and bite my tongue and let them figure it out on their own. One day the innocence will fade and all that will be left is the reality that there are mean people out there who are not so nice. They will learn and understand one day, that girls will be always be..girls.
That’s my peace today!
Fungi Risotto
1 pack portabello mushrooms
6 oyster mushrooms
6 cremini mushrooms
1/4 cup flour
1 cup uncooked risotto
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white wine
2 cup chicken stock
3 tbsp butter
Slice all the mushrooms, wash, pat dry and roll in flour. Heat a heavy pan, add oil, place all mushrooms and sautee, add half the wine and salt the mushrooms. Cook for about 10 min and put aside. Meanwhile in another heavy pan, melt butter, add rice and toast for about 1 minute. Add the stock, 1/4 cup at a time. Keep stirring until cooked about 25 min(you may have to add some water if it begins to stick). Once the rice is cooked with no liquid left, add the cooked mushrooms and stir together.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
It's harder than you know
When a woman has kids her whole life changes. Not only physically and mentally but every possible aspect of life changes. It is especially hard when you have a career that you love and that you are successful at. When you become a mother, you must sacrifice a lot more than your flat belly.
Last night I was at my mom’s house and my sister (who just had a baby 10 months ago) was contemplating going back to work. If it was simple, it would end at that. But of course, it is not that simple. She has 2 young children that she stays home with and cares for everyday. She went to University for a gazillion years and has a degree in ECE and languages, and then some. She worked very hard to get to where she got; before she had kids.
I felt very bad for her because I know what it feels like to want to get out there and be an adult again. But at the same time, she has an obligation to her 2 little ones. A husband gets it. When he has children, he still has to go to work. He doesn’t worry about travel with work, or the location of his office vs. Daycare or school. He does not need to worry about that, because he knows his wife will.
When I went back to work after all my pregnancies I felt sad to leave my kids, but I also felt like “me” again. I didn’t have to sip my coffee 2 feet away from my mouth just in case my little one grabbed it. I didn’t have to wonder if I would be able to pee without racing to see if one of the kids was eating Ajax. I felt like I had control of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I still have worries about them, responsibilities when I am away, and when I get home, but from 9-3, I am me.
People say it all the time, your life will change. Yes we know that it does. We no longer plan for ourselves, but we plan for our families. Every decision is carved around their comfort, no longer ours. We are given the most important role anyone can ever have. We must raise babies into adults and we must do our best at it. A stay at home mother has a very long, tiring day. I know; I did it. Some people think you have all the time in the world to go shopping, read, watch soaps and chit chat with your friends. Anyone who stays home, knows that is not true, in fact, it is the exact opposite. Time flies, but it flies with laundry, making breakfast, snacks, lunch, playtime and then dinner time. There is no real break at home.
My sister had a career before she gave birth. She woke up every morning and drove to a place where she was able to chat with colleagues, have a coffee, go for a patio lunch and get a pay check. That all changed. I am sure she is very happy with her life, but sometimes you feel like you are stuck in neutral and always doing the same thing, everyday, over and over. Unfortunately we do not see the rewards until they are grown and out of the home. It is only then, we can see our hard work of motherhood pay off.
Last night when I was at my mothers and I saw my sister’s face when she was talking about the possibility of going back to work, I wanted to cheer her on. I wanted to yell out at the top of my lungs, “Go for it..just do it!” I know she loves what she does when she works, and that is important. I say it all the time, I love my job and for me, it is not considered “work.” I know she feels the same. My sister will end up making the decision that is best for her and her kids, but it is not an easy decision to make. There are so many things she needs to weigh in and analyze. I support her decision either way because I know she will make the right one.
Women have to make that decision every day, and whatever works for you and your family, is the right choice. It is not an easy one, it is not a fast one, and it is not a clear one. It is life at its best. God gave us the opportunity to be moms, and thank God for that. But next time you see a woman or hear a woman telling you she is going back to work after having a child, just know that she didn’t make that decision overnight. She used a lot of paper to write out the pros and cons, she had many conversations with other mothers, and she used a lot of tissues wiping her tears away. It is result of her life as a mother, and as wonderful as it is; it is harder than you know!
That’s my peace today!
Pasta Primavera
1/2 cauliflower cut in pieces
1/2 broccoli cut in pieces
1/2 red pepper sliced thin
1/2 white onion sliced
1 carrot sliced
5 cremini mushrooms sliced
1 pack spagetti
1/2 cup olive oil
In a pan heat 3 tbsp of the oil, add veggies and saute for about 10 minutes, salt and pepper. Cook spagetti as directed, drain and add to veggies, add the rest of the oil and toss in heat for 2 minutes.
Last night I was at my mom’s house and my sister (who just had a baby 10 months ago) was contemplating going back to work. If it was simple, it would end at that. But of course, it is not that simple. She has 2 young children that she stays home with and cares for everyday. She went to University for a gazillion years and has a degree in ECE and languages, and then some. She worked very hard to get to where she got; before she had kids.
I felt very bad for her because I know what it feels like to want to get out there and be an adult again. But at the same time, she has an obligation to her 2 little ones. A husband gets it. When he has children, he still has to go to work. He doesn’t worry about travel with work, or the location of his office vs. Daycare or school. He does not need to worry about that, because he knows his wife will.
When I went back to work after all my pregnancies I felt sad to leave my kids, but I also felt like “me” again. I didn’t have to sip my coffee 2 feet away from my mouth just in case my little one grabbed it. I didn’t have to wonder if I would be able to pee without racing to see if one of the kids was eating Ajax. I felt like I had control of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I still have worries about them, responsibilities when I am away, and when I get home, but from 9-3, I am me.
People say it all the time, your life will change. Yes we know that it does. We no longer plan for ourselves, but we plan for our families. Every decision is carved around their comfort, no longer ours. We are given the most important role anyone can ever have. We must raise babies into adults and we must do our best at it. A stay at home mother has a very long, tiring day. I know; I did it. Some people think you have all the time in the world to go shopping, read, watch soaps and chit chat with your friends. Anyone who stays home, knows that is not true, in fact, it is the exact opposite. Time flies, but it flies with laundry, making breakfast, snacks, lunch, playtime and then dinner time. There is no real break at home.
My sister had a career before she gave birth. She woke up every morning and drove to a place where she was able to chat with colleagues, have a coffee, go for a patio lunch and get a pay check. That all changed. I am sure she is very happy with her life, but sometimes you feel like you are stuck in neutral and always doing the same thing, everyday, over and over. Unfortunately we do not see the rewards until they are grown and out of the home. It is only then, we can see our hard work of motherhood pay off.
Last night when I was at my mothers and I saw my sister’s face when she was talking about the possibility of going back to work, I wanted to cheer her on. I wanted to yell out at the top of my lungs, “Go for it..just do it!” I know she loves what she does when she works, and that is important. I say it all the time, I love my job and for me, it is not considered “work.” I know she feels the same. My sister will end up making the decision that is best for her and her kids, but it is not an easy decision to make. There are so many things she needs to weigh in and analyze. I support her decision either way because I know she will make the right one.
Women have to make that decision every day, and whatever works for you and your family, is the right choice. It is not an easy one, it is not a fast one, and it is not a clear one. It is life at its best. God gave us the opportunity to be moms, and thank God for that. But next time you see a woman or hear a woman telling you she is going back to work after having a child, just know that she didn’t make that decision overnight. She used a lot of paper to write out the pros and cons, she had many conversations with other mothers, and she used a lot of tissues wiping her tears away. It is result of her life as a mother, and as wonderful as it is; it is harder than you know!
That’s my peace today!
Pasta Primavera
1/2 cauliflower cut in pieces
1/2 broccoli cut in pieces
1/2 red pepper sliced thin
1/2 white onion sliced
1 carrot sliced
5 cremini mushrooms sliced
1 pack spagetti
1/2 cup olive oil
In a pan heat 3 tbsp of the oil, add veggies and saute for about 10 minutes, salt and pepper. Cook spagetti as directed, drain and add to veggies, add the rest of the oil and toss in heat for 2 minutes.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Holy Moly...What a goalie!!
Yesterday my 8 year old son played as goalie on his hockey team for the very first time. He has been playing hockey for 3 years and always wanted to try it out, but to my advice, he never played this position.
After the holidays, Joseph decided that he wanted a chance to play in net for a game. The goalie schedule was already set out for the year, so I told him it was too late. He was not happy with that answer. He begged me to ask his coach. I asked him again (like I had many, many times before) “are you sure Joseph? It is a lot of pressure to be goalie.” He didn’t think it was a big deal, he just wanted to play hockey as goalie position. I hesitantly emailed his coach (hoping there were no spots left) and asked if there was room for him to play in net. He said he would ask the boys that were already signed up, if they didn’t mind switching with Joseph. The next day he emailed me with a date he would play.
AHHHHH is what I thought. OMG, how is my son going to do this? I was so nervous and not looking forward to January 24th. As a parent, we feel the pain, the nerves, the tears, and the weaknesses. We want so badly to have them succeed and do well in everything, just to protect them from any harm or criticism. “When a child bites into a sour grape, it is the mother that tastes the wrath.” Any decisions our children make in life, affects us more.
The morning of the game I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. The game was at 4pm so I had to go the whole day with these nerves in my tummy. My son was so excited, and so was my husband. I couldn’t wait to get it over with. My father, my sister and my niece decided to come and watch his first game as a goalie. When I got into the dressing room I felt emotional and nervous when I saw him in the extra equipment and mask. I again asked him if he was nervous and he looked at me with a strange look and said, “Nooo, why would I be nervous?” It was at that moment I wanted to take his equipment off and put them on me. I wanted to play in net for him..lol.
I went in the stands with my daughter, hubby and rest of my family who came out. Other mothers that were there totally understood my nerves and emotions. The fathers thought I was nuts (just like my own hubby thought) The game started. They were off, my VILLELLA son was in net and there was no turning back.
Save, Save, Save, Save. He saved all the shots taken on him. My son got a shutout! His team won 3-0. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Who knew my son could make all those saves? I sure didn’t. At the end of the victorious game, all his team members jumped on him to let him know, “Good job buddy!” When I arrived in the change room after the game, they were doing 3 cheers for the team and 3 cheers for my little Joseph. All the dads were coming up to me and my husband and complimenting our son in net, telling us how amazing he did. He did so well, that they asked him to be in net next week again. I told the coach I was not sure if my heart can take it..lol
In life the biggest compliment any one person can give you, is to compliment your child. We want them to succeed, well above our own lives. We want to take away their pain, wipe away their tears and take that virus that gave them a fever, and give it ourselves. I now know what my own parents meant when they would tell me, “It hurts me, more than it hurts you.” They knew what I know now. They knew that we feel more than our kids ever will. I was nervous, my son was not. I wanted so badly to be in his skinny little 52 pound body and save those goals. But the thing is, he didn’t need me to do that. He did it on his own. He made those saves because he is the one who practiced and plays; not me. Why would I think that I could do better than him? I felt so proud of my #5 player last night. He played an awesome game, that all would agree. He played a game that deserved the words we chanted to him after his victory; “Holy Moly..what a goalie!!
That’s my peace today!
Asparagus wrapped in Veal Scallopini
1/2 bunch asparagus steamed
6 veal scallopini
2 tbsp butter
salt and pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper both the veal and asparagus. Place 3 asparagus strings in the middle of the veal (so that it is hanging out on both sides. Put a tsp of butter in the middle, starting from one end, roll into a log. Heat oil in pan and saute the veal on both sides (about 5 min each side). You can sprinkle shredded mozzarella for extra flavour.
After the holidays, Joseph decided that he wanted a chance to play in net for a game. The goalie schedule was already set out for the year, so I told him it was too late. He was not happy with that answer. He begged me to ask his coach. I asked him again (like I had many, many times before) “are you sure Joseph? It is a lot of pressure to be goalie.” He didn’t think it was a big deal, he just wanted to play hockey as goalie position. I hesitantly emailed his coach (hoping there were no spots left) and asked if there was room for him to play in net. He said he would ask the boys that were already signed up, if they didn’t mind switching with Joseph. The next day he emailed me with a date he would play.
AHHHHH is what I thought. OMG, how is my son going to do this? I was so nervous and not looking forward to January 24th. As a parent, we feel the pain, the nerves, the tears, and the weaknesses. We want so badly to have them succeed and do well in everything, just to protect them from any harm or criticism. “When a child bites into a sour grape, it is the mother that tastes the wrath.” Any decisions our children make in life, affects us more.
The morning of the game I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. The game was at 4pm so I had to go the whole day with these nerves in my tummy. My son was so excited, and so was my husband. I couldn’t wait to get it over with. My father, my sister and my niece decided to come and watch his first game as a goalie. When I got into the dressing room I felt emotional and nervous when I saw him in the extra equipment and mask. I again asked him if he was nervous and he looked at me with a strange look and said, “Nooo, why would I be nervous?” It was at that moment I wanted to take his equipment off and put them on me. I wanted to play in net for him..lol.
I went in the stands with my daughter, hubby and rest of my family who came out. Other mothers that were there totally understood my nerves and emotions. The fathers thought I was nuts (just like my own hubby thought) The game started. They were off, my VILLELLA son was in net and there was no turning back.
Save, Save, Save, Save. He saved all the shots taken on him. My son got a shutout! His team won 3-0. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Who knew my son could make all those saves? I sure didn’t. At the end of the victorious game, all his team members jumped on him to let him know, “Good job buddy!” When I arrived in the change room after the game, they were doing 3 cheers for the team and 3 cheers for my little Joseph. All the dads were coming up to me and my husband and complimenting our son in net, telling us how amazing he did. He did so well, that they asked him to be in net next week again. I told the coach I was not sure if my heart can take it..lol
In life the biggest compliment any one person can give you, is to compliment your child. We want them to succeed, well above our own lives. We want to take away their pain, wipe away their tears and take that virus that gave them a fever, and give it ourselves. I now know what my own parents meant when they would tell me, “It hurts me, more than it hurts you.” They knew what I know now. They knew that we feel more than our kids ever will. I was nervous, my son was not. I wanted so badly to be in his skinny little 52 pound body and save those goals. But the thing is, he didn’t need me to do that. He did it on his own. He made those saves because he is the one who practiced and plays; not me. Why would I think that I could do better than him? I felt so proud of my #5 player last night. He played an awesome game, that all would agree. He played a game that deserved the words we chanted to him after his victory; “Holy Moly..what a goalie!!
That’s my peace today!
Asparagus wrapped in Veal Scallopini
1/2 bunch asparagus steamed
6 veal scallopini
2 tbsp butter
salt and pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper both the veal and asparagus. Place 3 asparagus strings in the middle of the veal (so that it is hanging out on both sides. Put a tsp of butter in the middle, starting from one end, roll into a log. Heat oil in pan and saute the veal on both sides (about 5 min each side). You can sprinkle shredded mozzarella for extra flavour.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Those arn't tears; there's something in my eye
So we did it! We bought our “new” resale home on Tuesday. It was a very stressful experience and I do not want to go through it for another 15 years (at least). The price was right; the house was great and the location..stellar! Our new home’s yard backs onto my children’s school yard. I will actually be able to see my kids playing with their friends from my kitchen window. (I am sure Grade 8 will be interesting).
The housing market is hot, hot, hot. Houses are selling like hotcakes. The house was on the market for 1 day and we had 4 other people to beat. My fingernails didn’t make it, and my heart almost didn’t either. I felt it in my heart; that was my house. In fact, I was getting annoyed with all the other visitors that were looking in my closets..lol.
My kids were also excited about the possibility of living behind the school, they thought it would be cool to see mommy in the yard from the playground. Before my son went to bed on Tuesday night he asked me to say a special prayer for the house. He knew we put an offer and we were waiting, so he thought that if he asked God for that little something extra he would do it. He looked at me and said, “Mommy can you try your best to buy the house.” I promised I would do the best I could.
When you buy a house, you are not just buying a building; you are buying a place for your family to live everyday of their life in; to eat; bathe; play; run; laugh; cry and sometimes scream in. A house is not only bought with money (and lots of it) but it is bought with emotions. It means something different to every one person who is planning to buy it. For me, I wanted that house because I liked it, but more importantly, because my kids loved it.
My heart was racing the whole night. The offers were being presented at the same time; 10:30pm. Our agent called for a last minute chat and we asked him to swing by because we wanted to up our offer to make sure we were the winners. It was a nail biting 1 and a half hour, waiting, and waiting for his call. Finally at 11:45pm I picked up the phone to hear the words “Congratulations, you got the house!” I screamed, I laughed, I jumped and I smiled from ear to ear. We got our home.
We went to bed late that night. Our agent came by, we had some alcohol, some espresso and we talked. He explained what was going on and the craziness of house bidding. We gave it our all and it paid off. The next morning I was up at 6am (partially because of the babies and partially because I was excited). I ran into Joseph’s bed and I pretty much woke him up. He looked at me and asked me “Well, well, did we get the house?” I looked in his beautiful big green eyes and said, “Yes baby, we got the house.” He sprang out of bed and ran to tell his sister.
He was proud, and so was I. As parents, the best feeling is seeing our kids’ happiness. We do everything we can to keep them safe, to feed them well, and to see them happy. I achieved my goal. I bought a house that we all love. When I saw his and my daughter’s reaction to our efforts, I was satisfied. All the future memories began running through my head. The barbeques, the walk to school, the at home lunch time meals, and the fingerprints on the newly painted kitchen walls. I felt a little silly at how emotional I was getting thinking about the future in my new home, so when my kids asked, “Mommy are you crying?” I quickly smiled and answered, “No honey, I have something in my eye.”
That’s my peace today!
Veal Sandwich
6 veal scallopini
1 cup breadcrumps
oil for frying
2 cups cooked sauce
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 sliced onion
1 cup mozzarella
6 buns
Dip veal in beated egg and bread. Fry in pan with heated oil. Place onions and mushrooms in a pan and stir fry with 2 tbsp oil. Place cooked veals on a baking pan with cooked sauce and sprinkle mozzarella. Bake for half hour. Remove from oven and place in open bun, add cooked veggies.
The housing market is hot, hot, hot. Houses are selling like hotcakes. The house was on the market for 1 day and we had 4 other people to beat. My fingernails didn’t make it, and my heart almost didn’t either. I felt it in my heart; that was my house. In fact, I was getting annoyed with all the other visitors that were looking in my closets..lol.
My kids were also excited about the possibility of living behind the school, they thought it would be cool to see mommy in the yard from the playground. Before my son went to bed on Tuesday night he asked me to say a special prayer for the house. He knew we put an offer and we were waiting, so he thought that if he asked God for that little something extra he would do it. He looked at me and said, “Mommy can you try your best to buy the house.” I promised I would do the best I could.
When you buy a house, you are not just buying a building; you are buying a place for your family to live everyday of their life in; to eat; bathe; play; run; laugh; cry and sometimes scream in. A house is not only bought with money (and lots of it) but it is bought with emotions. It means something different to every one person who is planning to buy it. For me, I wanted that house because I liked it, but more importantly, because my kids loved it.
My heart was racing the whole night. The offers were being presented at the same time; 10:30pm. Our agent called for a last minute chat and we asked him to swing by because we wanted to up our offer to make sure we were the winners. It was a nail biting 1 and a half hour, waiting, and waiting for his call. Finally at 11:45pm I picked up the phone to hear the words “Congratulations, you got the house!” I screamed, I laughed, I jumped and I smiled from ear to ear. We got our home.
We went to bed late that night. Our agent came by, we had some alcohol, some espresso and we talked. He explained what was going on and the craziness of house bidding. We gave it our all and it paid off. The next morning I was up at 6am (partially because of the babies and partially because I was excited). I ran into Joseph’s bed and I pretty much woke him up. He looked at me and asked me “Well, well, did we get the house?” I looked in his beautiful big green eyes and said, “Yes baby, we got the house.” He sprang out of bed and ran to tell his sister.
He was proud, and so was I. As parents, the best feeling is seeing our kids’ happiness. We do everything we can to keep them safe, to feed them well, and to see them happy. I achieved my goal. I bought a house that we all love. When I saw his and my daughter’s reaction to our efforts, I was satisfied. All the future memories began running through my head. The barbeques, the walk to school, the at home lunch time meals, and the fingerprints on the newly painted kitchen walls. I felt a little silly at how emotional I was getting thinking about the future in my new home, so when my kids asked, “Mommy are you crying?” I quickly smiled and answered, “No honey, I have something in my eye.”
That’s my peace today!
Veal Sandwich
6 veal scallopini
1 cup breadcrumps
oil for frying
2 cups cooked sauce
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 sliced onion
1 cup mozzarella
6 buns
Dip veal in beated egg and bread. Fry in pan with heated oil. Place onions and mushrooms in a pan and stir fry with 2 tbsp oil. Place cooked veals on a baking pan with cooked sauce and sprinkle mozzarella. Bake for half hour. Remove from oven and place in open bun, add cooked veggies.
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