I have not written in a while. I can say that it's because I am busy, I can say that is because I had nothing to say (ya right..lol) or I can say it's because I didn't really feel like it? I am not sure why, but I am writing today.
Lately, or maybe not only lately. Maybe always and every day, I have been hearing bad things. So and so is sick, so and so got divorced, so and so said you are a bitch (you get the point)...and to be quite honest, i don't want to hear that stuff anymore. I think I have reached a point in my life where I just want to hear all the happy things that life has to offer. I have reached a stage in my life where it's not ok to purposely hurt another person's feelings. I don't like the feeling it gives me. I feel so much better when I see people happy and smiling (ok maybe not on my PMS days....bc those days I can just rip someone's eyeballs out..LOL). No, but seriously, isn't life too short to be angry?
Over the past few months , there have been several people that I know or that someone in my family knows, that has fallen ill. It is so sad, it is so horrible. But I have decided (although I pray for the families), I am choosing not to dwell on these things that we have no control over. "One sunny day erases 10 days of rain". This is so true. Think about how happy people are when the sun is shining and people are out walking and playing. This is what life should be all about, or at least..what we should want it to be about.
I am not naive enough to think that there will be never be sorrow, or that emotional pain can be far worse than physical pain, but for right now, and for today, I choose to be happy. I choose to do things that make me happy. I choose to be surrounded by people that are happy in their own lives.
There is far too much sadness in this world. There is far too much hatred in the world. There are far too many things in this world that are unfair. We watch the news, only to feel horrible. Kids getting hurt; countries getting bombed; the food we eat being recalled for dangerous bacteria. I am not saying we should not keep in touch with current events, I am just saying we should just keep them at arms' length and embrace the funny, happy, feel good stories. It just feels so much better.
We are all part of this race. We all begin at the "Start" line and we all end at the "Finish" line. Some people think that it doesn't matter how fast you run in the race, or how many times you fall in the race, or if you helped some other runner when they fell down in the race. But I think it does matter. I think it matters how many times you fell, because it felt all that better when you got up, I think it does matter if you cried the whole time running, or if you were too busy being angry the whole race. It matters.
When we die we leave a legacy. We leave an impression. We leave a history. A path that may be invisible to our eyes, but bold in the minds of all the people we love. We will be remembered by them for all the times they saw us laugh, and for all the times they made us laugh. And for all the times that we made that extra little effort to show them we loved them. This is what they will see and what they will remember.
In the past few weeks, my extended family have lost loved ones, and I know that the people left behind, are holding onto to all the wonderful moments that were shared on their run in the race. All the important days that were shared. They are holding onto all the things that made them smile. They are holding onto all the happy times and important times that made their lives so full filled. They remember the parts in the race that made it feel like time went by so quickly, because it was so special. These are the moments that are forever cherished and remembered. This I promise you.
I hope for myself, all my beautiful friends and of course.... my beautiful children, that we live a long, long, long life. I also hope for everyone, that we live a life full of love, a life filled with laughter, and a life filled with lots and lots of smiles. Because, life my friends...is what you make it.
That's my peace today!
Pickled Asparagus
2 bunches extra thin asparagus
1 part vinegar
2 part water
salt
3/4 c olive oil
3 cloves chopped up garlic
salt
Remove hard ends from asparagus, measure 1 cup vinegar, 2 cups water. Add to pot with asapagus. bring to a boil, salt water. Drain and dry completely on cloth. Meanwhile in a large bowl mix, mix oil, salt and garlic. Toss asparagus in oil and refridgerate.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Take the pickle out...once in a while!
We just came back from a wonderful family vacation in Florida. We really needed the get away from the winter weather and the stress of home. We had not been away since before the twins were born, so it was a well deserved venture.
We booked the trip a month in advance so it was quite the wait for us and the kids. Finally the day arrived and we were ready to part from the cold Toronto weather. I was a little nervous because I do not love to fly, in fact, I hate to fly. The kids were all ready to go and so were we. I was wondering how the twins would behave on the plane because it was their first time.
We board the plane and it was packed! There was not 1 seat available. We went to our designated seats and I was sitting next to my 2 daughters and the boys were sitting next to Franco. I bought headphones for the kids to use when they wanted to watch the in flight movies. The first hour went by without a hitch. The kids were good and quiet. After the second hour, Jenna began getting antsy and she wanted out. She wanted out of her chair, out of her section, and out of the airplane. I didn't think that was a good idea.lol. She is 2 1/2 years old. She is at the age where she kind of understands, but she does not quite understand the threats like the older ones do.lol.
I tried very hard to keep her calm. I tried very hard to keep her quiet. I tried very hard to keep her still...FAIL...FAIL...FAIL. Nothing was working. People around us began to get agitated. Some smiled and understood, and others...not so much. The people in front of us were visibly annoyed with this little toddler of mine. I kept apologizing but they were not being receptive. After a little while, the flight attendant came up to us and tried to talk to Jenna..lol..Negative. She just looked at her and continued to squirm out of her chair. I was embarrassed on one end, and livid on the other. I turned behind to look at my husband for help, he barely knew what was going on because he had the head phones on and was watching the same movie as my 2 boys were..lol.. great!
It was almost 730pm and this was normally Jenna's bedtime so she was just cranky and tired. After some begging, smiling, and passing off candy to her she calmed down and she eventually fell asleep. Phew. We landed at 830pm and she was as happy as she is the moment she wakes up. On the way back we left at an earlier time in the day so she was calm, happy and excited to be flying in the air again.
I am sure many parents have had stressful times like these before. You become so desperate to calm your children down that you forget how angry you are that these "people" are being so mean and uncompassionate. If you are a parent then you should try to remember a time that your toddler had a rough time calming down. I can understand if it was my 9 year old son. He is totally capable of knowing good behaviour from bad.
A few days after I came back from my trip, I was having lunch with some colleagues of mine. We were at a Japanese restaurant discussing some work stuff. As we were speaking we kept getting disrupted by this screaming young child across the way from us. A couple of my coworkers began showing their dismay with this screaming toddler. I carried on the conversation like normal (maybe I am just so conditioned to noise, I now drown it out..lol) We kind of just smirked and figured this child is its mother's problem, not ours.
As we were eating lunch, I couldn't help but hear 2 women talking at another table about this child who was clearly not happy. They were going on and on about how kids should behave and how parents should discipline their children and so on and so on. Then they carried on to talk about how kids should be seen and not heard and just going on and on and on. A part of me was biting my tongue trying my darn best not to speak, but the part of me that just went through the judgmental stares I had just experienced days before on my plane ride to Florida, was bursting at the seams. This child was a small 18 mth old little girl. Her mother was trying her best to calm her down and to figure out what was bothering her. I sympathised with this woman because I understand how stressful a situation like this one can be.
I couldn't take it any longer, I had to speak. I turned around to the 2 women. 1 of the women looked like she was just out of high school, and the other looked like she had something stuck up her a-hole. I calmly looked at these judgemental women, I smiled and I said, "I know it kind of sucks having to listen to the screaming child, but instead of talking about this mother, or her "bad" child, maybe you can try to put yourself in her position and how hard it is for her right now ." I calmly turned back around, got my coat and I left. but Not before I walked up to the mother with her child, that she had now calmed down, and said to her, "I know how you feel..it's ok eventually they grow up and leave us" She laughed, I laughed and I know at that moment she felt better.
In life, we decide that judging people is easier to do than helping them. How is it any different if that women would have fallen and asked someone to help her up? Half the time we get stressed in a situation like that because we feel nervous at what others may think of us, or our children.
A child that is having a bad moment is not a bad child. A child that is having a small tantrum in a public place, is not a bad child. A mother who is having a hard moment with her child, is not a bad mother. A mother who is having a hard time calming her child that is having a tantrum, is not a bad mother. She is just trying her best to go through the little bumps and turns on the journey of motherhood. She is just hoping that other mothers will be understanding and sympathetic, and she is just wishing that people would help, more than they judge, and to maybe take that pickle out of their a** ,once in a while!
That's my peace today!
I thought this recipe was suited for the blog..lol
Jarred Pickles
Baby cucumbers (however many you want to make...1/2 bushel makes 10 jars)
Pickled salt
garlic pieces
bunches of fresh dill
Scrub pickles with a brush. Keep overnight in cold water. In a large pot, boil 4 cups water with 2 cups vinigar, add 10 tablespoons of pickling salt (you will need more if you are doing 10 jars so just keep adding evenly)
Sterilize Mason jar and fill with dry pickles, pieces of garlic and bunches of dill. Add boiling water mixture to the jars and seal tightly. Pickles are ready after about a month. (make sure the lids pop once they are sealed for a few minutes)
We booked the trip a month in advance so it was quite the wait for us and the kids. Finally the day arrived and we were ready to part from the cold Toronto weather. I was a little nervous because I do not love to fly, in fact, I hate to fly. The kids were all ready to go and so were we. I was wondering how the twins would behave on the plane because it was their first time.
We board the plane and it was packed! There was not 1 seat available. We went to our designated seats and I was sitting next to my 2 daughters and the boys were sitting next to Franco. I bought headphones for the kids to use when they wanted to watch the in flight movies. The first hour went by without a hitch. The kids were good and quiet. After the second hour, Jenna began getting antsy and she wanted out. She wanted out of her chair, out of her section, and out of the airplane. I didn't think that was a good idea.lol. She is 2 1/2 years old. She is at the age where she kind of understands, but she does not quite understand the threats like the older ones do.lol.
I tried very hard to keep her calm. I tried very hard to keep her quiet. I tried very hard to keep her still...FAIL...FAIL...FAIL. Nothing was working. People around us began to get agitated. Some smiled and understood, and others...not so much. The people in front of us were visibly annoyed with this little toddler of mine. I kept apologizing but they were not being receptive. After a little while, the flight attendant came up to us and tried to talk to Jenna..lol..Negative. She just looked at her and continued to squirm out of her chair. I was embarrassed on one end, and livid on the other. I turned behind to look at my husband for help, he barely knew what was going on because he had the head phones on and was watching the same movie as my 2 boys were..lol.. great!
It was almost 730pm and this was normally Jenna's bedtime so she was just cranky and tired. After some begging, smiling, and passing off candy to her she calmed down and she eventually fell asleep. Phew. We landed at 830pm and she was as happy as she is the moment she wakes up. On the way back we left at an earlier time in the day so she was calm, happy and excited to be flying in the air again.
I am sure many parents have had stressful times like these before. You become so desperate to calm your children down that you forget how angry you are that these "people" are being so mean and uncompassionate. If you are a parent then you should try to remember a time that your toddler had a rough time calming down. I can understand if it was my 9 year old son. He is totally capable of knowing good behaviour from bad.
A few days after I came back from my trip, I was having lunch with some colleagues of mine. We were at a Japanese restaurant discussing some work stuff. As we were speaking we kept getting disrupted by this screaming young child across the way from us. A couple of my coworkers began showing their dismay with this screaming toddler. I carried on the conversation like normal (maybe I am just so conditioned to noise, I now drown it out..lol) We kind of just smirked and figured this child is its mother's problem, not ours.
As we were eating lunch, I couldn't help but hear 2 women talking at another table about this child who was clearly not happy. They were going on and on about how kids should behave and how parents should discipline their children and so on and so on. Then they carried on to talk about how kids should be seen and not heard and just going on and on and on. A part of me was biting my tongue trying my darn best not to speak, but the part of me that just went through the judgmental stares I had just experienced days before on my plane ride to Florida, was bursting at the seams. This child was a small 18 mth old little girl. Her mother was trying her best to calm her down and to figure out what was bothering her. I sympathised with this woman because I understand how stressful a situation like this one can be.
I couldn't take it any longer, I had to speak. I turned around to the 2 women. 1 of the women looked like she was just out of high school, and the other looked like she had something stuck up her a-hole. I calmly looked at these judgemental women, I smiled and I said, "I know it kind of sucks having to listen to the screaming child, but instead of talking about this mother, or her "bad" child, maybe you can try to put yourself in her position and how hard it is for her right now ." I calmly turned back around, got my coat and I left. but Not before I walked up to the mother with her child, that she had now calmed down, and said to her, "I know how you feel..it's ok eventually they grow up and leave us" She laughed, I laughed and I know at that moment she felt better.
In life, we decide that judging people is easier to do than helping them. How is it any different if that women would have fallen and asked someone to help her up? Half the time we get stressed in a situation like that because we feel nervous at what others may think of us, or our children.
A child that is having a bad moment is not a bad child. A child that is having a small tantrum in a public place, is not a bad child. A mother who is having a hard moment with her child, is not a bad mother. A mother who is having a hard time calming her child that is having a tantrum, is not a bad mother. She is just trying her best to go through the little bumps and turns on the journey of motherhood. She is just hoping that other mothers will be understanding and sympathetic, and she is just wishing that people would help, more than they judge, and to maybe take that pickle out of their a** ,once in a while!
That's my peace today!
I thought this recipe was suited for the blog..lol
Jarred Pickles
Baby cucumbers (however many you want to make...1/2 bushel makes 10 jars)
Pickled salt
garlic pieces
bunches of fresh dill
Scrub pickles with a brush. Keep overnight in cold water. In a large pot, boil 4 cups water with 2 cups vinigar, add 10 tablespoons of pickling salt (you will need more if you are doing 10 jars so just keep adding evenly)
Sterilize Mason jar and fill with dry pickles, pieces of garlic and bunches of dill. Add boiling water mixture to the jars and seal tightly. Pickles are ready after about a month. (make sure the lids pop once they are sealed for a few minutes)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"No...MY MA MA"
When I had my first child it was me and him against the world. He was my frick and I was his frack. I would watch him breathe at night and just stare at him while he was playing or watching tv. I think it took me a whole year to fully believe he was my child. He was the most perfect little baby boy any mother could have hoped for. I wanted to enjoy him as much as I could, so my husband and I decided to wait a little while before we had another baby.
After 3 years, we welcomed our precious daughter. It was also the most amazing feeling to me because I always wanted a daughter and I had been blessed with one. Once she came into our family, the dynamics automatically changed. I now had to split my time into 3; my 2 kids and my husband (there was never time for me anymore).
For a while we were on the fence about having any more kids so we waited, and waited, and finally after 3 years we decided it was time. If we wanted a third it had to be done. Well as you all know, we were surprisingly blessed with twins. If you can ever imagine a life changing event, it was that. As precious and miraculous as they were, it was a lot of extra work. I think I cried every day for the first year of their life. That is not because I wasn’t happy, but because I was overwhelmed. I remember a time when I first got home from the hospital, Joseph was 7 and I still helped him shower. I was washing him and I suddenly began to cry, and I mean hysterically. He looked at me and asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong?” I answered with my very sensitive hormones, “Nothing Joseph, I just miss our old family.” I know that may sound horrible now when I write it, but at the time I felt like I had caused a tornado in the family by having 2 more children. I can now see that it was obviously my hormones overplaying that day, but let me tell you, I had many of those days.
One thing I have learned over the years is, never judge or question a mother the first 3 weeks of her babies’ life, she goes a little coo coo for a bit, but eventually she comes back. After almost 10 years of being a mother I have also realized that the saying, “You cannot please the people all the time” rings true to a mother. No matter if you think you are doing your best and giving your all to each child you have, they may sometimes feel like you are not.
I see it in my adult life. I have 3 sisters. Although it is the most wonderful blessing any girl can have, it may also be a small battle for our mother. She tries her best to “hang” out with us as much as she can. But because we all adore her and want her around, by the time she makes her rounds we want her again..lol.
I know sometimes my kids feel like I can’t always listen to them whole heartedly, or that I can’t spend 100% of my time with only them, but I try. Sometimes they get frustrated and blurt out things like, “You are always playing with Joseph” or “You are always going out with Maria-Alicia”. It hurts, but I try to explain to them that they may have to share me, but they are blessed with the most priceless gift in the world of siblings. They sometimes don’t buy it, but I have to vocalize it. Now my little twins are starting too. I feel bad sometimes. I mean, if you think about it, they had to share a womb, share a birth canal, they then shared a crib and they share a very important day; their birthday.
Although they look for each other if the other is not there, and they wake each other up every morning, I know that sometimes they want all of my attention. They are getting older and they need a lot more from me every day. They are growing into little people, with little minds, thoughts, and wants. About a month ago they started this thing that they each climb on me, try to push the other off and tell each other that I am their ma ma. It is quite funny and cute, but sometimes when I want to feel depressed lol, I feel bad for them that they have to always share me. The older ones began joining in too now. All 4 of my kids are their own people, with their own dreams, their own likes, and their own dislikes. But sometimes I feel like I can’t give them as much love and attention as they may need.
Being a mother is not an easy job. It is not a fair job either. Our kids need us a lot while they are growing into people. They need us to teach them, to guide them and to help them make the right choices. I know that having 4 children is a blessing and I would never change it for anything (not even an encounter with Jon Bon..lol) but sometimes the human part of me, the mother part of me, the guilty part of me, wants so badly to be able to give my kids equal amounts of my time. But I know it’s not always realistic. I know that I try my best to be the best to each of them, just like my own mother does. I know one day they will somehow try to blame me for something I didn’t do right, like we do to our mother..lol..but it’s ok, I’m prepared for it. I guess for now, instead of feeling bad when they jump on me, pushing the other one off of me, I will just smile when they scream out to each other, “No...MY MA MA” Because I will know that any mother will feel so blessed to be so loved.
That’s my peace today!
Beef broth with Vegtables
1 osso bucco
1/2 cup peeled squash
1 sweet potato
2 peeled carrots
1 peeled white onion
1/2 cup parsley
1 whole tomatoe
2 stalks celery
salt to taste
In a large pot, fill with water, add beef and boil for 2o minutes. With a mesh laddle, remove all the fat from the water. Add all the vegies and salt. Boil for 1 hour on med high. Serve with cooked small pasta.
After 3 years, we welcomed our precious daughter. It was also the most amazing feeling to me because I always wanted a daughter and I had been blessed with one. Once she came into our family, the dynamics automatically changed. I now had to split my time into 3; my 2 kids and my husband (there was never time for me anymore).
For a while we were on the fence about having any more kids so we waited, and waited, and finally after 3 years we decided it was time. If we wanted a third it had to be done. Well as you all know, we were surprisingly blessed with twins. If you can ever imagine a life changing event, it was that. As precious and miraculous as they were, it was a lot of extra work. I think I cried every day for the first year of their life. That is not because I wasn’t happy, but because I was overwhelmed. I remember a time when I first got home from the hospital, Joseph was 7 and I still helped him shower. I was washing him and I suddenly began to cry, and I mean hysterically. He looked at me and asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong?” I answered with my very sensitive hormones, “Nothing Joseph, I just miss our old family.” I know that may sound horrible now when I write it, but at the time I felt like I had caused a tornado in the family by having 2 more children. I can now see that it was obviously my hormones overplaying that day, but let me tell you, I had many of those days.
One thing I have learned over the years is, never judge or question a mother the first 3 weeks of her babies’ life, she goes a little coo coo for a bit, but eventually she comes back. After almost 10 years of being a mother I have also realized that the saying, “You cannot please the people all the time” rings true to a mother. No matter if you think you are doing your best and giving your all to each child you have, they may sometimes feel like you are not.
I see it in my adult life. I have 3 sisters. Although it is the most wonderful blessing any girl can have, it may also be a small battle for our mother. She tries her best to “hang” out with us as much as she can. But because we all adore her and want her around, by the time she makes her rounds we want her again..lol.
I know sometimes my kids feel like I can’t always listen to them whole heartedly, or that I can’t spend 100% of my time with only them, but I try. Sometimes they get frustrated and blurt out things like, “You are always playing with Joseph” or “You are always going out with Maria-Alicia”. It hurts, but I try to explain to them that they may have to share me, but they are blessed with the most priceless gift in the world of siblings. They sometimes don’t buy it, but I have to vocalize it. Now my little twins are starting too. I feel bad sometimes. I mean, if you think about it, they had to share a womb, share a birth canal, they then shared a crib and they share a very important day; their birthday.
Although they look for each other if the other is not there, and they wake each other up every morning, I know that sometimes they want all of my attention. They are getting older and they need a lot more from me every day. They are growing into little people, with little minds, thoughts, and wants. About a month ago they started this thing that they each climb on me, try to push the other off and tell each other that I am their ma ma. It is quite funny and cute, but sometimes when I want to feel depressed lol, I feel bad for them that they have to always share me. The older ones began joining in too now. All 4 of my kids are their own people, with their own dreams, their own likes, and their own dislikes. But sometimes I feel like I can’t give them as much love and attention as they may need.
Being a mother is not an easy job. It is not a fair job either. Our kids need us a lot while they are growing into people. They need us to teach them, to guide them and to help them make the right choices. I know that having 4 children is a blessing and I would never change it for anything (not even an encounter with Jon Bon..lol) but sometimes the human part of me, the mother part of me, the guilty part of me, wants so badly to be able to give my kids equal amounts of my time. But I know it’s not always realistic. I know that I try my best to be the best to each of them, just like my own mother does. I know one day they will somehow try to blame me for something I didn’t do right, like we do to our mother..lol..but it’s ok, I’m prepared for it. I guess for now, instead of feeling bad when they jump on me, pushing the other one off of me, I will just smile when they scream out to each other, “No...MY MA MA” Because I will know that any mother will feel so blessed to be so loved.
That’s my peace today!
Beef broth with Vegtables
1 osso bucco
1/2 cup peeled squash
1 sweet potato
2 peeled carrots
1 peeled white onion
1/2 cup parsley
1 whole tomatoe
2 stalks celery
salt to taste
In a large pot, fill with water, add beef and boil for 2o minutes. With a mesh laddle, remove all the fat from the water. Add all the vegies and salt. Boil for 1 hour on med high. Serve with cooked small pasta.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
One "Sick" Day
Sometimes in life there are moments that happen that will be cherished forever. Sometimes these moments are planned, and sometimes they are not. Back in November I came across an ad in the Sportcheck flyer and it read, “Maple Leafs Sports Clinics” goalie camp with Leafs goalie JS Giguere. It caught my attention because as you all know, my son is a goalie and he absolutely loves the Leafs. I went online, read a little bit about the day and voila..Registered my little Joseph.
There are not too many times you can get opportunities like this. It was a 4 hour day planned. On Ice training and off ice training. He would get one of his on ice trainings with Giguere himself. There would only be 20 kids per group so I thought it seemed pretty reasonable. My husband and I surprised Joseph with the news and he was so excited but he had to wait over a month for the day to arrive.
On December 12, the day finally arrived. He woke up very excited and he was getting ready to go. I think he was a little nervous because he was quiet and that is not like Joseph to be quiet. My sister Nancy decided she would join us because my husband could not make it, he was busy at work. We packed his bag and we were on our way. It was raining the whole way, and he was silent the whole time.
When we got there, there were dozens of little boys (and a few girls) all waiting for instructions and the day’s agenda. They had lunch first, and then they went on the ice for their first round of training. After an hour, they undressed and went to the off- ice training. When they were done that, they got dressed again to go out on the ice. But this time, they were going to be on the ice with Stanley Cup champion Jean Sebastian Giguere.
The kids were as excited as they were nervous. They make their way out there and they wait for the buzzer to go off. The group before them exits the ice, and then they enter. They all gather in the centre of the ice where the organizer gives them a positive pep talk. “You must be better than the last game, better than yesterday, and better than this morning.” The kids were just listening and absorbing all the positive words. All the moms were watching from the glass, for other reasons than the boys were..lol. After a few minutes he says, “Please welcome JS Giguere. All the kids were banging their sticks on the floor to make the most noise they could. Giguere joined the circle and was just chatting with the boys. After a few minutes, all the kids made a line and they waited for their chance to get their picture taken by a professional photographer with Giguere. What a memory! So they removed their helmets, each child had their smiling shot taken and the clinic began.
After the session was over, they all scurried to the dressing room and continued talking about what they had just experienced. All smiles were around the dressing room. As they were leaving, they all got their signed picture of themselves with Giguere. A keepsake they will always have.
I had brought Joseph’s Leafs jersey just in case I would have a chance to get JS to sign it. He was on the ice with the next group of kids so it was going to be kind of hard. But never underestimate a mother on a mission. My son was shy and said to me, “It’s ok let’s just go.” Oh no no no no. I was going to get that jersey signed no matter what.
I waited for the next group of kids to be done. So as he had done before, he was signing the pics of the individual shots at the bench. This was my chance. I quickly walked to behind the bench where there was just him and 2 young teen girls. 1 of the girls came up to me, and tried to speak. I managed to get JS’s attention and I said, “JS, can you please sign my son’s jersey.” He said, “Sure no problem.” I had to wait for him to sign the rest of the pics. I shook his hand and just chatted a bit. He signed, “To Joseph, JS Giguere.” I thanked him, and I ran back like the wind.
If you would have seen Joseph’s face, it was priceless. He was overwhelmed with joy. As we were walking back to the car, I explained to Joseph that he just witnessed a very valuable lesson. I told him, “Joseph if I would have given up and left when everyone else did, we would not have gotten what we wanted.” I went on to explain that in life no one person will hand you what you want in your lap, you must go get it yourself. He understood what I was saying and he realized that I just taught him something. I said, “The worst thing someone can say to you is No.”
The day was fun. The day was rainy, but the day was amazing. My son experienced something that doesn’t happen very often. He was on a high for the rest of the night. When we got home and he was getting ready for bed I sat beside him and we just chatted like we always do and Joseph and I both agreed that night, that he had just experienced one “sick” day.
That’s my peace today!
Baked Brie with honey and pecans
1 small brie
brie baker
2 tbsp of honey
1/4 c toasted pecans
a drizzle of olive oil
Remove the Brie from it's wrapping and put in an oven proof dish.
Make a few cuts in the top, drizzle with the olive oil
bake for 10 minutes, or until gooey. Remove lid and drizzle with the honey and sprinkle with the chopped pecans.
Serve with lots of French bread to scoop up the gooey cheese.
There are not too many times you can get opportunities like this. It was a 4 hour day planned. On Ice training and off ice training. He would get one of his on ice trainings with Giguere himself. There would only be 20 kids per group so I thought it seemed pretty reasonable. My husband and I surprised Joseph with the news and he was so excited but he had to wait over a month for the day to arrive.
On December 12, the day finally arrived. He woke up very excited and he was getting ready to go. I think he was a little nervous because he was quiet and that is not like Joseph to be quiet. My sister Nancy decided she would join us because my husband could not make it, he was busy at work. We packed his bag and we were on our way. It was raining the whole way, and he was silent the whole time.
When we got there, there were dozens of little boys (and a few girls) all waiting for instructions and the day’s agenda. They had lunch first, and then they went on the ice for their first round of training. After an hour, they undressed and went to the off- ice training. When they were done that, they got dressed again to go out on the ice. But this time, they were going to be on the ice with Stanley Cup champion Jean Sebastian Giguere.
The kids were as excited as they were nervous. They make their way out there and they wait for the buzzer to go off. The group before them exits the ice, and then they enter. They all gather in the centre of the ice where the organizer gives them a positive pep talk. “You must be better than the last game, better than yesterday, and better than this morning.” The kids were just listening and absorbing all the positive words. All the moms were watching from the glass, for other reasons than the boys were..lol. After a few minutes he says, “Please welcome JS Giguere. All the kids were banging their sticks on the floor to make the most noise they could. Giguere joined the circle and was just chatting with the boys. After a few minutes, all the kids made a line and they waited for their chance to get their picture taken by a professional photographer with Giguere. What a memory! So they removed their helmets, each child had their smiling shot taken and the clinic began.
After the session was over, they all scurried to the dressing room and continued talking about what they had just experienced. All smiles were around the dressing room. As they were leaving, they all got their signed picture of themselves with Giguere. A keepsake they will always have.
I had brought Joseph’s Leafs jersey just in case I would have a chance to get JS to sign it. He was on the ice with the next group of kids so it was going to be kind of hard. But never underestimate a mother on a mission. My son was shy and said to me, “It’s ok let’s just go.” Oh no no no no. I was going to get that jersey signed no matter what.
I waited for the next group of kids to be done. So as he had done before, he was signing the pics of the individual shots at the bench. This was my chance. I quickly walked to behind the bench where there was just him and 2 young teen girls. 1 of the girls came up to me, and tried to speak. I managed to get JS’s attention and I said, “JS, can you please sign my son’s jersey.” He said, “Sure no problem.” I had to wait for him to sign the rest of the pics. I shook his hand and just chatted a bit. He signed, “To Joseph, JS Giguere.” I thanked him, and I ran back like the wind.
If you would have seen Joseph’s face, it was priceless. He was overwhelmed with joy. As we were walking back to the car, I explained to Joseph that he just witnessed a very valuable lesson. I told him, “Joseph if I would have given up and left when everyone else did, we would not have gotten what we wanted.” I went on to explain that in life no one person will hand you what you want in your lap, you must go get it yourself. He understood what I was saying and he realized that I just taught him something. I said, “The worst thing someone can say to you is No.”
The day was fun. The day was rainy, but the day was amazing. My son experienced something that doesn’t happen very often. He was on a high for the rest of the night. When we got home and he was getting ready for bed I sat beside him and we just chatted like we always do and Joseph and I both agreed that night, that he had just experienced one “sick” day.
That’s my peace today!
Baked Brie with honey and pecans
1 small brie
brie baker
2 tbsp of honey
1/4 c toasted pecans
a drizzle of olive oil
Remove the Brie from it's wrapping and put in an oven proof dish.
Make a few cuts in the top, drizzle with the olive oil
bake for 10 minutes, or until gooey. Remove lid and drizzle with the honey and sprinkle with the chopped pecans.
Serve with lots of French bread to scoop up the gooey cheese.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Never Say Never
So many of you know by now that my daughter and I went to a Justin Bieber concert on Tuesday night. My daughter is a huge fan and I wanted to do something special for her, so we made a date and went.
We got there a little before the concert began and all I saw was thousands of smiley tween girls and cute little girls hurriedly going to their seats. There were 3 opening acts, and by 8:45pm, Justin Bieber walked on stage. Scream after scream. “Justin we love you” being chanted. It was so cute and so amazing to witness. Much to my surprise, he is a very talented and adorable boy. I learned that evening, that he taught himself how to play the guitar, the piano and the drums. I did not expect to enjoy the concert as much as I did.
During the concert, clips of his life were being shown on the big screen. Pictures of him, as a baby, as a toddler, and as a growing boy. Besides the fact that he was a blonde cutie pie, he was always in some kind of activity. It seems like he was actively involved in many hobbies and sports. At one point during the evening he was speaking to the audience. He was introducing the trailer of his new movie. He said to us that there were many haters, and there were many people who didn’t believe in him. They thought he would fail and that he never would have made it. Then he said, “I guess they were wrong.” The crowd went wild and we watched the clip.
When I got home, I went to bed, my ears were ringing but my face had a huge smile. The next morning I was curious to know a little bit more about the Biebster, so I did what any modern girl would do, I wikipedia’d him. I learned that he was born in London, Ontario. I learned that his mother had him when she was 18, and that she raised him on her own. I learned that he got discovered at the ripe young age of 14. Wow! This boy has accomplished popularity beyond anyone’s dreams. He has 4 AMA awards, something artists dream of for years. It took him 2 years.
I felt proud for him. When I was reading his biography it made me realize something. I appreciated the fact that anyone can become anything. He is a small boy, from a small town, in Canada. He is now a house hold name in over 30 countries in the world!
I feel excited. How amazing is the fact that anyone can become anything, when they want to be? How exciting is it that I can tell my children; with effort, determination, and true love, you can achieve the unimaginable. Life is really an open opportunity for all. There is no limit or boundaries that can stop anyone. Stories like this are a true inspiration to the young kids that don’t believe in the mere thought of “believe to receive.”
Imagine if everyone stopped trying for something if they failed? Imagine if we taught our children that they can never become something huge, if they want to be. Imagine if Justin Bieber’s mother told him that he would never be able to be a huge phenomenon? Imagine if she told him when he was younger, that he would never be able to sell out a show at Toronto’s ACC?
Imagine if she told him that even if he practiced, and practiced, and practiced, he still wouldn’t make it? Then she never would have known that her son would be the next big star. She never would have known what it feels like to witness her son accepting an award at the AMA’s. She told all those people that didn’t believe he wouldn’t make it, “Never say Never” because she knew in heart, that never comes faster than you think when you don’t stop trying.
That’s my peace today!
Mushroom with goat cheese melba toasts
2 cups shitake mushrooms
2 tbsp white wine
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 tbsp chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste
1 package goat cheese
appetizer size melba toasts
4 tbsp olive oil
optional - 1/4 toasted pecans
In a pan, heat oil, add garlic and wine. Add mushrooms salt and pepper and parsley. Remove from heat once cooked (about 5 minutes) Drain and liquid. Arrange the toasts, evenly place the cooked mushroom mixture and top with crumbled goat cheese. Optional -Add a tasted pecan to each
We got there a little before the concert began and all I saw was thousands of smiley tween girls and cute little girls hurriedly going to their seats. There were 3 opening acts, and by 8:45pm, Justin Bieber walked on stage. Scream after scream. “Justin we love you” being chanted. It was so cute and so amazing to witness. Much to my surprise, he is a very talented and adorable boy. I learned that evening, that he taught himself how to play the guitar, the piano and the drums. I did not expect to enjoy the concert as much as I did.
During the concert, clips of his life were being shown on the big screen. Pictures of him, as a baby, as a toddler, and as a growing boy. Besides the fact that he was a blonde cutie pie, he was always in some kind of activity. It seems like he was actively involved in many hobbies and sports. At one point during the evening he was speaking to the audience. He was introducing the trailer of his new movie. He said to us that there were many haters, and there were many people who didn’t believe in him. They thought he would fail and that he never would have made it. Then he said, “I guess they were wrong.” The crowd went wild and we watched the clip.
When I got home, I went to bed, my ears were ringing but my face had a huge smile. The next morning I was curious to know a little bit more about the Biebster, so I did what any modern girl would do, I wikipedia’d him. I learned that he was born in London, Ontario. I learned that his mother had him when she was 18, and that she raised him on her own. I learned that he got discovered at the ripe young age of 14. Wow! This boy has accomplished popularity beyond anyone’s dreams. He has 4 AMA awards, something artists dream of for years. It took him 2 years.
I felt proud for him. When I was reading his biography it made me realize something. I appreciated the fact that anyone can become anything. He is a small boy, from a small town, in Canada. He is now a house hold name in over 30 countries in the world!
I feel excited. How amazing is the fact that anyone can become anything, when they want to be? How exciting is it that I can tell my children; with effort, determination, and true love, you can achieve the unimaginable. Life is really an open opportunity for all. There is no limit or boundaries that can stop anyone. Stories like this are a true inspiration to the young kids that don’t believe in the mere thought of “believe to receive.”
Imagine if everyone stopped trying for something if they failed? Imagine if we taught our children that they can never become something huge, if they want to be. Imagine if Justin Bieber’s mother told him that he would never be able to be a huge phenomenon? Imagine if she told him when he was younger, that he would never be able to sell out a show at Toronto’s ACC?
Imagine if she told him that even if he practiced, and practiced, and practiced, he still wouldn’t make it? Then she never would have known that her son would be the next big star. She never would have known what it feels like to witness her son accepting an award at the AMA’s. She told all those people that didn’t believe he wouldn’t make it, “Never say Never” because she knew in heart, that never comes faster than you think when you don’t stop trying.
That’s my peace today!
Mushroom with goat cheese melba toasts
2 cups shitake mushrooms
2 tbsp white wine
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 tbsp chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste
1 package goat cheese
appetizer size melba toasts
4 tbsp olive oil
optional - 1/4 toasted pecans
In a pan, heat oil, add garlic and wine. Add mushrooms salt and pepper and parsley. Remove from heat once cooked (about 5 minutes) Drain and liquid. Arrange the toasts, evenly place the cooked mushroom mixture and top with crumbled goat cheese. Optional -Add a tasted pecan to each
Friday, November 12, 2010
30 minutes a day
This week my kids received their progress report. I didn’t really expect anything different than the year before. First I opened up Maria-Alicia’s report. E for Excellent in all the behaviour and independent activity section; developing above level for almost all the academic section. Then, I opened up Joseph’s report. Academically I was happy, he was developing and understanding just fine, I then turned over the paper, all I saw was S, S, S,S.....for Satisfactory. I almost died. Why was he getting satisfactory for his behaviour, conflict resolution and independent work time?
I paused for a little, I think I even had a tear. I then asked Joseph what was going on. He said nothing and that he always gets in trouble at school, even when it’s not him. I am one of those old school mothers when it comes to believing the teacher over my child. I look at it as, of course my son is going to blame the teacher, and he is too small to take responsibility. My husband and I talked it over with him and we both decided to wait until parent teacher interview to hear her side.
Thursday night came and my interview time was 6:40pm. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I decided Joseph should not be there with me because I felt this should be a confidential conversation between his teacher and I. I arrived and she greeted me with a smile. I sat down, I looked at her and I asked, “What is going on?” At the beginning of the year, Franco and I had gone for curriculum night and she assured us that he was behaving and that all was fine so this is why I was taken aback from the progress report. So she began to explain to me that Joseph is very smart and that he does not have a problem with the work. She said he is a social butterfly and he loves to interact with his friends. She went on to say that he sometimes does not always behave maturely and that he seeks a lot of attention. As she was speaking, bells went off in my head. I always knew that he was an attention seeker because he behaves like that at home, but I never thought he would do the same at school. She went on to tell me that he loves to be praised (not in an arrogant way) but in a child like way, so she praises his good behaviour whenever she could.
I don’t know how I kept the tears from running down my face. I felt like a failure. I felt like someone just confirmed to me what I had known deep down inside, but always tried to ignore. I know that Joseph loves attention but I didn’t realize it was the same at school. The teacher was being sincere in her tone; she calmly suggested that maybe Joseph feels like he is not always heard and that maybe he feels like he has to fight for words at home and he is starting to the same here because he feels like he can never be heard. Again, tears almost began to form; I had to fight ever fibre of being not to cry. I felt like hiding under a rock and throwing stones at myself. I allowed her to finish. I did not get offended or defensive because I knew she meant every word she said with every care in the world. She told me that she thought he was a bright kid, a wonderful free spirited kid, but not always as mature as he should be.
Then it was my turn to speak. I guess I was ok to admit to myself and to her that I do not always give him the attention he needs. All kids are different. Maria-Alicia enjoys being independent she does not need me to praise her every second, Joseph is the opposite. And instead of me comparing him to her, I had to learn to embrace his differences and treat him with more of the love and attention he needed.
I felt empowered when I left the interview. I felt like I had just learned something new in this world of parenthood. As I was going to my daughter’s interview I bumped into another mom. I quickly explained to her the brief realization of my son and how I will not be able to pay as much attention to my other kids as much as I like. She said something really enlightening to me. She said, “Keep your energy and attention for her when she is a teenager because right now she obviously doesn’t need it, but when she does need it you will do just the same for her.” That again, almost made me cry.
I went home and Joseph eagerly asked me what his teacher had said. I sat him down and I told him that she said he is super bright and that she loves being his teacher. I then asked him if he felt like he didn’t get enough attention from us. He looked at me, almost in tears, and said, “Mommy you are always so busy with the babies and you don’t ever have time for us.” I explained to him that he is lucky to have his siblings and that sometimes time gets compromised because of it. But I also came up with a solution. I asked him if we can set aside 30 minutes together every day (just him and I) and we can do whatever he wants in that time. He was excited and said, “I would like that.”
I am starting today (he even reminded me this morning..lol) I try my best every day to be a good mother. I always thought that feeding them, washing their clothes, buying them the necessities was enough, but it is obviously not. I cannot change the way I have been with my son since the babies have arrived. I cannot turn around and give him more of my time that has already passed. What I can do is recognize that I do not spend any alone time with him. I do not sit with him at least once a day and do something with him. I do not have the time that I need to do that to all 4 of my kids. But I have to play it one kid at a time. I have to roll with the punches and fill in the gaps as they come. The other 3 may not need me as much now, my oldest son does.
A mother bites her tongue sometimes when another mother judges. A mother brushes off the comment her own mother makes about her parenting decisions. A mother like the last word when she is arguing with her spouse. Last night when I was sitting there in the small elementary chair and my son’s teacher was speaking, it became all clear to me, I need to enjoy this time with my child. He needs my advice, he needs to hear my thoughts, and he wants to take my advice, because before I know it, I will be the one begging him for just 30 minutes a day.
That's my peace today!
Shrimp and Linguini with Pesto
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pack baby shrimps
2 tbs white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
5 tbsp of pesto
1 package linguini
In a pan put garlic and olive oil and heat. Add shrimp, lemon juice and wine. (if there is too much liquid drain some). Once shrimp is pink and cooked, add 1 tbsp of the pesto, toss and put aside. Boil the pasta, drain. In the same pot place the rest of the pesto and mix. Make sure the pasta is well coated with pesto. Top with shrimp.
I paused for a little, I think I even had a tear. I then asked Joseph what was going on. He said nothing and that he always gets in trouble at school, even when it’s not him. I am one of those old school mothers when it comes to believing the teacher over my child. I look at it as, of course my son is going to blame the teacher, and he is too small to take responsibility. My husband and I talked it over with him and we both decided to wait until parent teacher interview to hear her side.
Thursday night came and my interview time was 6:40pm. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. I decided Joseph should not be there with me because I felt this should be a confidential conversation between his teacher and I. I arrived and she greeted me with a smile. I sat down, I looked at her and I asked, “What is going on?” At the beginning of the year, Franco and I had gone for curriculum night and she assured us that he was behaving and that all was fine so this is why I was taken aback from the progress report. So she began to explain to me that Joseph is very smart and that he does not have a problem with the work. She said he is a social butterfly and he loves to interact with his friends. She went on to say that he sometimes does not always behave maturely and that he seeks a lot of attention. As she was speaking, bells went off in my head. I always knew that he was an attention seeker because he behaves like that at home, but I never thought he would do the same at school. She went on to tell me that he loves to be praised (not in an arrogant way) but in a child like way, so she praises his good behaviour whenever she could.
I don’t know how I kept the tears from running down my face. I felt like a failure. I felt like someone just confirmed to me what I had known deep down inside, but always tried to ignore. I know that Joseph loves attention but I didn’t realize it was the same at school. The teacher was being sincere in her tone; she calmly suggested that maybe Joseph feels like he is not always heard and that maybe he feels like he has to fight for words at home and he is starting to the same here because he feels like he can never be heard. Again, tears almost began to form; I had to fight ever fibre of being not to cry. I felt like hiding under a rock and throwing stones at myself. I allowed her to finish. I did not get offended or defensive because I knew she meant every word she said with every care in the world. She told me that she thought he was a bright kid, a wonderful free spirited kid, but not always as mature as he should be.
Then it was my turn to speak. I guess I was ok to admit to myself and to her that I do not always give him the attention he needs. All kids are different. Maria-Alicia enjoys being independent she does not need me to praise her every second, Joseph is the opposite. And instead of me comparing him to her, I had to learn to embrace his differences and treat him with more of the love and attention he needed.
I felt empowered when I left the interview. I felt like I had just learned something new in this world of parenthood. As I was going to my daughter’s interview I bumped into another mom. I quickly explained to her the brief realization of my son and how I will not be able to pay as much attention to my other kids as much as I like. She said something really enlightening to me. She said, “Keep your energy and attention for her when she is a teenager because right now she obviously doesn’t need it, but when she does need it you will do just the same for her.” That again, almost made me cry.
I went home and Joseph eagerly asked me what his teacher had said. I sat him down and I told him that she said he is super bright and that she loves being his teacher. I then asked him if he felt like he didn’t get enough attention from us. He looked at me, almost in tears, and said, “Mommy you are always so busy with the babies and you don’t ever have time for us.” I explained to him that he is lucky to have his siblings and that sometimes time gets compromised because of it. But I also came up with a solution. I asked him if we can set aside 30 minutes together every day (just him and I) and we can do whatever he wants in that time. He was excited and said, “I would like that.”
I am starting today (he even reminded me this morning..lol) I try my best every day to be a good mother. I always thought that feeding them, washing their clothes, buying them the necessities was enough, but it is obviously not. I cannot change the way I have been with my son since the babies have arrived. I cannot turn around and give him more of my time that has already passed. What I can do is recognize that I do not spend any alone time with him. I do not sit with him at least once a day and do something with him. I do not have the time that I need to do that to all 4 of my kids. But I have to play it one kid at a time. I have to roll with the punches and fill in the gaps as they come. The other 3 may not need me as much now, my oldest son does.
A mother bites her tongue sometimes when another mother judges. A mother brushes off the comment her own mother makes about her parenting decisions. A mother like the last word when she is arguing with her spouse. Last night when I was sitting there in the small elementary chair and my son’s teacher was speaking, it became all clear to me, I need to enjoy this time with my child. He needs my advice, he needs to hear my thoughts, and he wants to take my advice, because before I know it, I will be the one begging him for just 30 minutes a day.
That's my peace today!
Shrimp and Linguini with Pesto
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pack baby shrimps
2 tbs white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
5 tbsp of pesto
1 package linguini
In a pan put garlic and olive oil and heat. Add shrimp, lemon juice and wine. (if there is too much liquid drain some). Once shrimp is pink and cooked, add 1 tbsp of the pesto, toss and put aside. Boil the pasta, drain. In the same pot place the rest of the pesto and mix. Make sure the pasta is well coated with pesto. Top with shrimp.
Friday, November 5, 2010
The role of a mother
The role of a mother begins from the moment you find out you are going to have a baby. The thoughts, the worries, the planning and all the sleepless nights occur. From the second your child is born your role in life becomes that much more important. You vow to take care of this child for the rest of their life.
Many women I know constantly question the way they are raising their kids. They call me or other mothers and ask for advice when you don’t know if you made the right decision. You second guess every little choice you make and you worry over a virus as common as the cold.
A mother is strong, not in strength, but in mind. They teach the family that love always comes first, and that a woman’s heart is her children. She teaches the family that the best people you will have in your life will be your siblings, and she will teach you that love can never be bought.
A mother’s day will be brightened by the simplest things; a good test mark, making the volleyball team, a compliment from another parent about your child, or the face she sees when her kids realize she made their favourite for dinner. Mothers are simple. They love and they need love back. They hug, and they need hugs back, they respect and they expect respect back.
A mother will never lie to you. A mother will never cheat on you, and a mother will never put anyone before you. A mother will cheer you on, even though you really suck at skating. A mother will stick up for you even though you really did break your brother’s hockey book. A mother will also always tell you that it’s not ok to be mean, and that it’s not ok to hurt someone’s feelings. A mother is there to sew your ripped sweater, or she is there to bring in to the cleaners to get fixed..lol. She will always find the way to make it right.
A mother will always wonder if she is doing the right thing. She will ask herself if her own mother would have done the same. A mother is a woman that is very important in your life. She is someone you want beside you every day when life is hard, or challenging, or just plain unfair.
I am sorry for all the friends I have, that have lost their mothers at a young age. I know that they miss them every day. I know that they think of them every day. I know that they strive to be like them every day. I cannot imagine the pain and the hurt someone feels when they lose their mother. The mother is the head of the household, the bricks in the home, and the soul of the family.
The only comfort I can offer to these dear friends of mine, is that the woman they miss is always there watching over them. She still is there to hold their hand when they are nervous for that interview. She is still there to make things feel better when they are hurt by someone’s ill intentions. She is still there to secretly advice them, when they don’t know what to do if their teenage child is out of line. A mother is a mother for life. When we are born she makes it understood that she is there for you always. You recognize her smell, her voice, and most importantly you recognize her love.
When we are little, our mothers are our hero’s. They are our mentors. They are our strength. Without you knowing, a mother teaches us that even though we don’t want to, we become them. A mother teaches us that we want to love so much more than we want to hate. A mother teaches us that they want so much more for us, than they ever had. A mother teaches us that even when they leave this earth, they are still guiding us. To all my friends that have lost their mothers, I commend your strength, I commend your courage, and I commend your spirits. You have been taught by her that she will by your side every day, that her job is never over and that she will be with you always. Because she assured you a long time before, that is her role as a mother.
That’s my peace today!
Apple Cake
5 apples diced
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder, salt, baking soda
2 tsp cinnimon
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
in a bowl mix sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs. In a seperate bowl mix dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients into egg mixture, mix with a spoon.Fold in apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes in a 13x9 pan lined wth parchmen paper.
Many women I know constantly question the way they are raising their kids. They call me or other mothers and ask for advice when you don’t know if you made the right decision. You second guess every little choice you make and you worry over a virus as common as the cold.
A mother is strong, not in strength, but in mind. They teach the family that love always comes first, and that a woman’s heart is her children. She teaches the family that the best people you will have in your life will be your siblings, and she will teach you that love can never be bought.
A mother’s day will be brightened by the simplest things; a good test mark, making the volleyball team, a compliment from another parent about your child, or the face she sees when her kids realize she made their favourite for dinner. Mothers are simple. They love and they need love back. They hug, and they need hugs back, they respect and they expect respect back.
A mother will never lie to you. A mother will never cheat on you, and a mother will never put anyone before you. A mother will cheer you on, even though you really suck at skating. A mother will stick up for you even though you really did break your brother’s hockey book. A mother will also always tell you that it’s not ok to be mean, and that it’s not ok to hurt someone’s feelings. A mother is there to sew your ripped sweater, or she is there to bring in to the cleaners to get fixed..lol. She will always find the way to make it right.
A mother will always wonder if she is doing the right thing. She will ask herself if her own mother would have done the same. A mother is a woman that is very important in your life. She is someone you want beside you every day when life is hard, or challenging, or just plain unfair.
I am sorry for all the friends I have, that have lost their mothers at a young age. I know that they miss them every day. I know that they think of them every day. I know that they strive to be like them every day. I cannot imagine the pain and the hurt someone feels when they lose their mother. The mother is the head of the household, the bricks in the home, and the soul of the family.
The only comfort I can offer to these dear friends of mine, is that the woman they miss is always there watching over them. She still is there to hold their hand when they are nervous for that interview. She is still there to make things feel better when they are hurt by someone’s ill intentions. She is still there to secretly advice them, when they don’t know what to do if their teenage child is out of line. A mother is a mother for life. When we are born she makes it understood that she is there for you always. You recognize her smell, her voice, and most importantly you recognize her love.
When we are little, our mothers are our hero’s. They are our mentors. They are our strength. Without you knowing, a mother teaches us that even though we don’t want to, we become them. A mother teaches us that we want to love so much more than we want to hate. A mother teaches us that they want so much more for us, than they ever had. A mother teaches us that even when they leave this earth, they are still guiding us. To all my friends that have lost their mothers, I commend your strength, I commend your courage, and I commend your spirits. You have been taught by her that she will by your side every day, that her job is never over and that she will be with you always. Because she assured you a long time before, that is her role as a mother.
That’s my peace today!
Apple Cake
5 apples diced
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder, salt, baking soda
2 tsp cinnimon
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
in a bowl mix sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs. In a seperate bowl mix dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients into egg mixture, mix with a spoon.Fold in apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes in a 13x9 pan lined wth parchmen paper.
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