We are back! We are living life!

I don't know what has gotten in the way of my blog posts besides my sister's diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer, my aunt's sudden death, my kids reaching major milestones such as losing teeth, getting teeth, or 1st grade, walking or protecting the earth from aliens (which is what Roman has accomplished lately), coaching soccer, learning Ukrainian, or an IRS audit. However, we have been busy. I am back - we are back... more to come

Mommy's Day...well, my wonderful version of it!

Ok...so I had a wonderful Mother's Day, busy and I didn't have breakfast in bed, but I did get to sleep in a bit. Borys got me a new FLIP - love it! I asked for a Flip or a trash can for the kitchen that is still a work in progress. He got the Flip and said it would have cost the same as a trash can. I love it! I spent the day with the kids, they swam at Dana's and then Borys came over and made dinner for us and my mom and a few single mom friends. The funny part was the fact that Dana's BBQ is broken so Borys brought ours over...BUT he did not move it into the BACKYARD...nope! To my dismay, he was BBQ a half a cow for three ladies in the frontyard of Dana's house. Not only, is she the single mom with 6 kids running around most of the time (her 3 & mine), but now we having our own version of a block party. Heaven Help US! Anyways, I got this email below for my dear friend, Tara. The BBQ on the front lawn, naked kids, and me asking for a trash can for Mother's Day....kind of sums it up! Enjoy!



I'd like to dedicate this Mother's Day to all the imperfect moms...
Here's to you, because you make me feel okay...

Here's to the mom whose kid is sporting a rat's nest bedhead to the park. I likeyou.

Here's to the mom who lets her child dress in tutu's with overalls, in highheelsand purses, in outfits so mismatched --it looks like you brought your three-footbaglady to the park.

Here's to the mom who is too busy to send out 'thank you' letters, too numb atthe end of the day to switch from day clothes to pajamas.

Here's to the moms whohave forgotten to brush teeth.

Here's to the mom who looked at their dirty kid and said, "When was your last bath? What's today... Wednesday?"

Here's to the mom who makes Easy Mac, who doesn't cut the crusts off, who has adirty bathroom.

Here's to the moms who sometimes yell, who spanked once and immediately cried afterwards.

Here's to the moms who have dropped the f-bomb infront of their linguistically spongy kid.

Here's to the moms who bicker withyour spouse and who drink a glass of wine when their toddler has a melt down.

Here's to the mom who wonders what it's all about, and goes to bed at nightknowing that in twenty years her child will be discussing her in therapy.

Here's to the moms who turn on cartoons so they can take a shower, or go to thebathroom uninterrupted.

Here's to the moms who bake from the box, rather than scratch.

Here's to themoms who have ever had a screaming toddler stand in the shopping cart at Target with their lip out and arms crossed.

Here's to the mom who has felt thejudgment from parents with perfect little angels.

Here's to the moms who havecrayon drawings, like toddler hieroglyphics on their walls, and stained furniture, who have nothing new and therefore nothing to ruin.

Here's to the moms who read all the discipline books and still have 'unruly'children, here's to the moms who have kids that just "take off," that pee in thebackyard, that say things in public like, "Why is that man so fat?," and "I can see his butt crack."

Here's to the moms who don't have a dishwasher, or maid, or laundry room, and here's to the moms who do.

Here's to the moms who work, who stay home, who give and give and give until they are empty vessels watching reruns of Law and Order at night.

Here's to the moms who go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.

Here's to the moms who have messy closets and dusty shelves.

Here's to the moms who haven't shaved their legs since 1972.

Here's to the moms who read, who read to their children, who teach love, who hug as much as scold, who understand that a tantrum is a necessary part of growing up - and so is that glass of wine.

Here's to the mom who isn't perfect. And here's to the mom whose child isn't perfect either.

There are a lot more of you than you think. Happy Mother's Dayto you. Because motherhood isn't a Gap commercial or Hallmark card. And children, just like life are messy.

Here's to the moms who fails at perfection,but finds perfection in the messiness of life and motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day!

I have been taken hostage....by PIRATES!

The other morning we were getting ready for school and while I was making lunches I was informed that I was a hostage. The hostage of two pirates...Amelia & Roman, and they were in full character and even dressed for the part.

They decided to release me when I told them they would be allowed to have ice cream after school! Life is a negotiation...full with bribes, swords and ice cream!

Borys built a NEW home

FOR OUR...

KIDS!

My husband is one of the best in terms of building things....I know I biased....he really is the best in terms of building, fixing, painting, changing, decorating, and.....duct taping! The kids new house is complete with windows, a front door, and Borys even added another addition. We are not encouraging that our kids live in the garage, we really do like them living with us (for now), but they kids thought they were big stuff with their own fort. We let the kids play in their new abode until we decided that the car needed to go back in the garage. Honey, well done and the kids LOVED it! I recently found out that this was my husband's idea and creation they had nothing to do with it.

Roman said...Amelia, I am SPECIAL because....

"God Made Me"

It was so cute...Amelia was bugging him and with a serious face he said to her "Amelia, I am SPECIAL because GOD made ME" He is right and he is special for a lot of other reasons. He is caring, funny, has a great and amazing imagination, he is responsible, he looks out for Amelia and Annelise. He is all boy, he is a great helper and always volunteers to help out. He does have a mind of his own. He has great manners better than his parents sometimes. He loves to sleep in my bed. He loves to cuddle, and he always has to say good-bye with a "kissie & huggie"

Amelia knows me very well...someday she will do the same!

I took the kids to Ruby's for lunch over the weekend and Roman ordered a hot dog, Amelia ordered a corn dog. Their food came and Roman proceeded to cry saying he wanted a corn dog. I immediately took a deep breath and told him that he should have ordered a corn dog and next time he can get one. He kept up with his crying and I kept up with my deep breathing. I took one last deep breath and said...Amelia....she was eating her french fries...she did not even look up or stop chewing...she just said NO! I know what you are going to ask. She was right, I was going to ask her to share with her brother, I realized that wasn't going to work so I made Roman order a corn dog and we brought the hot dog home for later. I know someday Amelia will do the same thing with her kids.

EASY Easy Fruit Tarts Recipe

6 individual graham cracker pie crusts (sold in baking section)
4 pack pre-made vanilla pudding (i.e. Hunts or Jell-o brand)
1/2 C. fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 C. fresh blueberries
1/2 C. canned, diced, peaches, drained
1/2 C. kiwi, diced
14 C. any flavor fruit jam or preserve (I used apricot, pineapple in yours)

Fill pie crust 1/3 full with vanilla pudding. In seperate bowl, combine fruit and jam. Arrange fruit mixture on top of pudding layer.

Chill until ready to serve.

courtesy of Jan Jorgensen - she made these for my surprise baby shower for Annelise