To my mama and auntie Heidi for helping me with the estate sale! Felt just like old times today and was so fun to share stories - even ones we shouldn't have been telling! Hehe! Would have been perfect if Hannah was there, so excited to see her tomorrow!
To Susie and Jayla for keeping Lola busy today! She had so much fun playing and napping at your house! I am greatful for such a wonderful friend! Susie ALWAYS offers to take my kids for me whenever, today I finally took her up on that offer!
To my pops for loving Kyan the way that you do! He loves spending time with you! Thanks for taking care of him today and for letting me have time with my mom and aunt!
To my auntie Heidi! OMG - so loving the scrapbook pages, I know what I'll be doing next week - sorting through photos and getting them ordered to put in the kids new pages! LOVE THEM!!!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Lola eats...
...South Beach Diet Protein Bars?!? She always makes her way to the pantry and begs (screams) for it to be opened. She takes inventory of what is in there and then finds the snack she wants and picks it out - I swear, in our next house, there will be NO FOOD in the pantry, it is going in the cabinets, so she doesn't wreck shop! Regardless, today she found my favorite breakfast! She always gets bits and pieces of mine, but never just the bar on her own, well, today was different, she wasn't settling for just a bite or two. She wanted the whole thing and she ate the whole thing! She looked so funny walking around the house - so proud of her big girly-ness! Oh yeah, when she showed me that she was all done, I asked her to throw her wrapper in the trash, and she did!
Dinner-Beer Marinated Chicken Tacos w/ Tomato Salsa
Hands down the best dinner I have had in a long time! I am not a guacomole fan - but there was something about this salsa that made my mouth water, other than the fact that it was hot as hell! So good, and worth the two hour marinade wait on the chicken! I wish there was some left over to snack on today, but I am pretty sure, anything left went to work with Chad today! Best part about dinner? I didn't make any of it! Chad did it all! He is a way better cook than I'll ever be!
Beer Marinated Chicken Taco
Marinade
1 cup dark Mexican beer, such as Negra Modelo
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 4 ounces each
To make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk the marinade ingredients. Place the thights in a large, plastic resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place the bag in a bowl, and refrigerate for 2-4 hours, turning the bag occasionally.
Remove the thighs from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill over direct high heat until the meat is firm and the juices run clear, 8-10 minutes, turning once or twice. Cut the chicken into thin strips
Tomato Salsa
1 and 1/2 cups roughly chopped ripe tomatoes
1 large ripe avocado, finely diced
4 to 5 green onions, white part only, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 to 2 tablespoons minced jalapeno chile peppers (without the seeds)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Tabasco (we used Chulula) sauce
To make salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the salsa ingredients, including salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce to taste.
Beer Marinated Chicken Taco
Marinade
1 cup dark Mexican beer, such as Negra Modelo
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 4 ounces each
To make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk the marinade ingredients. Place the thights in a large, plastic resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place the bag in a bowl, and refrigerate for 2-4 hours, turning the bag occasionally.
Remove the thighs from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill over direct high heat until the meat is firm and the juices run clear, 8-10 minutes, turning once or twice. Cut the chicken into thin strips
Tomato Salsa1 and 1/2 cups roughly chopped ripe tomatoes
1 large ripe avocado, finely diced
4 to 5 green onions, white part only, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 to 2 tablespoons minced jalapeno chile peppers (without the seeds)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Tabasco (we used Chulula) sauce
To make salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the salsa ingredients, including salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce to taste.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Rockin' with the Rosies
Yesterday, after the movie, Frank and Chrissy stopped by, along with Jayla, Susie, and Jearel! We visited for awhile, ate some Pizza Hut, and rocked! It was fun hanging afternoon hanging out with our friends!
The true highlight of the day was when Kyan asked Chad if he could go outside! Well, Chad was a little shocked that he would ask that since the kids go out the doggie door all the time, but said yes! Next thing you know, we see Kyan standing outside with his pants around his ankles (he didn't have a shirt on at the time anyway, so it looked even funnier) PEEING! OMG, it was the funnies thing I have seen in awhile! He later told me, when I asked him about it, that he didn't think that we could see him because the curtains were covering the windows. I can see where he would think he was in the clear, because when you look in, you just see the curtains, you can't see anyting, but from inside, we saw it all!
For some reason, Jayla and Lola loved sitting on the gate that blocks the dogs from the room!
The true highlight of the day was when Kyan asked Chad if he could go outside! Well, Chad was a little shocked that he would ask that since the kids go out the doggie door all the time, but said yes! Next thing you know, we see Kyan standing outside with his pants around his ankles (he didn't have a shirt on at the time anyway, so it looked even funnier) PEEING! OMG, it was the funnies thing I have seen in awhile! He later told me, when I asked him about it, that he didn't think that we could see him because the curtains were covering the windows. I can see where he would think he was in the clear, because when you look in, you just see the curtains, you can't see anyting, but from inside, we saw it all!
For some reason, Jayla and Lola loved sitting on the gate that blocks the dogs from the room!
Tickling Kyan! The girls were all laughing until Susie took the picture I swear! Jayla thought it was funny!
Frank and Jearel rockin' on the guitars! Jearel was a little reluctant to play, but when Kyan's shoulder started hurting from the strap - Jearel stepped in and played and I think he mighta liked it!
The "men" rockin'!
Yep, I was the singer! Tried to give up the mike, but no one stepped in! Where was Brian when I needed him, he always steals my mike! HAHA!
Swisher/Roseland Band
Chrissy and I looking tired - can't imagine why?
Ahhhhh, Kyan so sweet just trying to give his sister a hug! What you don't see is that Lola's binkie was on it's way out of her mouth (can kinda tell in the pic) and that she tried to bite his belly! Kyan didn't even notice, I told him what she was trying to do as I was pulling her off of him! Little turd!Kyan wanted his turn on the camera, so these next few were curtosey of him!
Chad and I - little blurry!
If you look close, Kyan got everyone in the picture, even himself! By this time, our Garrett friends had left the building!
Chrissy and FrankSunday, June 28, 2009
My Sister's Keeper
Ok, so the first thing that I want to say about this movie is DO NOT WEAR EYE MAKEUP!!! I cried from the second the little sister Anna started speaking at the very beginning of the movie to the very end of the movie. Even in parts that make you laugh, you are still crying.
I am not a fan of movies made from books, HOWEVER, this movie did justice to the book and you could feel the emotions that you felt from the book in the movie. Sure, did they leave stuff out - absolutely. Were things different, yes. Didn't matter to me, I thought it was a great show. Could have been so good also, because it hits so close to home.
I thought about Brion the entire time and the different stages of cancer that he went through. I cried a lot because I am sure that most of the stuff that Kate went through, Brion went through too, except Brion did it alone. Then I felt more sad, because no one was there for him, not that we wouldn't have been, but because he wanted it that way. When I looked at Kate, I saw Brion. I think that Brion never wanted us to see him like that and only allowed us to at the end because he had no other choice. Then I felt bad because I wish I would have said so many things to him before he died and am mad at myself that I couldn't muster up the courage to tell him how incredible I thought he was. Not sure this is the right thing to blog about, but, I kick myself for being a coward for not saying it to him, so thought everyone should hear how wonderful he really was...this is what I would have said.
Brion,
I love you. You were one of the most incredible men that I have been blessed to have in my life. You treated me always like the daughter you never had and I will always remember that you said you finally got your daughter the day I married your son. You treated me like your own child and loved me unconditionally. You were an amazing father and grandfather to Chad, myself, Kyan, and Lola. No one was more proud than you. I was so happy that you fought hard enough to see your baby granddaughter born - she truly was the daughter you never had. I wanted to have a girl for you, not just for me! When they told us, "It's a girl!" in the delivery room, it was you that I thought of immediately and couldn't wait for you to hear!
I was so happy that Kyan was able to stay with you at the end and help take care of his Grandpa B. Some people might say that it wasn't right to have Kyan there seeing you slowly slipping out of this world and into a much better life, but I disagree. I think he was there for you and for Chad and brought comfort to you both. You will live on through him. He talks so sweetly about you, his Grandpa B. We explained everything to him and he knows you watch over us from heaven. We know that you hear us in heaven every time we sing your song ("What I've Done", Lincoln Park) on Rock Band!
I am sorry that you had to be in so much pain at the end of your life. Seeing you slowly slip away was the hardest thing I have ever had to watch in my life. I hate cancer and what it did to you. I pray that one day they will find a cure and that others will not have to suffer like you did.
With that all being said, I do know you are in a better place, I knew it the moment that I saw that you had passed - with the biggest, most comforting smile on your face. Seeing you like that made me feel secure in knowing you are in a better place, but that you are still with us everyday, still taking care of us in your own little way. Thank you for being who you were and having a part in making us who were are today. I am sorry that I didn't say these things before you passed, but I hope you hear me now. I love you.
Jenni
I am not a fan of movies made from books, HOWEVER, this movie did justice to the book and you could feel the emotions that you felt from the book in the movie. Sure, did they leave stuff out - absolutely. Were things different, yes. Didn't matter to me, I thought it was a great show. Could have been so good also, because it hits so close to home.
I thought about Brion the entire time and the different stages of cancer that he went through. I cried a lot because I am sure that most of the stuff that Kate went through, Brion went through too, except Brion did it alone. Then I felt more sad, because no one was there for him, not that we wouldn't have been, but because he wanted it that way. When I looked at Kate, I saw Brion. I think that Brion never wanted us to see him like that and only allowed us to at the end because he had no other choice. Then I felt bad because I wish I would have said so many things to him before he died and am mad at myself that I couldn't muster up the courage to tell him how incredible I thought he was. Not sure this is the right thing to blog about, but, I kick myself for being a coward for not saying it to him, so thought everyone should hear how wonderful he really was...this is what I would have said.
Brion,
I love you. You were one of the most incredible men that I have been blessed to have in my life. You treated me always like the daughter you never had and I will always remember that you said you finally got your daughter the day I married your son. You treated me like your own child and loved me unconditionally. You were an amazing father and grandfather to Chad, myself, Kyan, and Lola. No one was more proud than you. I was so happy that you fought hard enough to see your baby granddaughter born - she truly was the daughter you never had. I wanted to have a girl for you, not just for me! When they told us, "It's a girl!" in the delivery room, it was you that I thought of immediately and couldn't wait for you to hear!
I was so happy that Kyan was able to stay with you at the end and help take care of his Grandpa B. Some people might say that it wasn't right to have Kyan there seeing you slowly slipping out of this world and into a much better life, but I disagree. I think he was there for you and for Chad and brought comfort to you both. You will live on through him. He talks so sweetly about you, his Grandpa B. We explained everything to him and he knows you watch over us from heaven. We know that you hear us in heaven every time we sing your song ("What I've Done", Lincoln Park) on Rock Band!
I am sorry that you had to be in so much pain at the end of your life. Seeing you slowly slip away was the hardest thing I have ever had to watch in my life. I hate cancer and what it did to you. I pray that one day they will find a cure and that others will not have to suffer like you did.
With that all being said, I do know you are in a better place, I knew it the moment that I saw that you had passed - with the biggest, most comforting smile on your face. Seeing you like that made me feel secure in knowing you are in a better place, but that you are still with us everyday, still taking care of us in your own little way. Thank you for being who you were and having a part in making us who were are today. I am sorry that I didn't say these things before you passed, but I hope you hear me now. I love you.
Jenni
Lunch w/ Camille and Avery!
Friday we met up with Camille and Avery for a little lunch at Applebee's! We had the little gym at ten and had a million errands to run, but were delighted to enjoy some salad and wings (we love the wings!) and time with our girlfriends! I was able to snap a few pictures of our time out! Thanks girls for meeting up with us!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Belated Birthday Post - Mama and Joel
Mama - What I realized while trying to find a picture of you is that you aren't in too many of my pictures?! Are you hiding from my camera? That will have to change for sure! Hope you had a happy, happy birthday - I am sorry that you only got flowers and the card that way instead of your usual card in the mail! You are still the best mother in the entire world and I am so lucky to have you! I can't wait until you make the move to AZ permanent! Happy Birthday! Love You!
Little brother - can't believe I thought you were only 25! I think I was secretly wishing I was younger! Means I am pushing the you-know-what-number soon! Not yet though, got another year before that happens! I also realized that I don't have too many pictures of you either! Maybe because you are in the ARMY and live all the way across the country right now! I took some of you and Braiden when you were here last month but no clue where they went, so I had to settle for one from my wedding! Kyan asked who you were and I told him Uncle Jo Jo and he laughed and said you looked funny! HA! You were so little back then - like how Uncle Bill asked when you got out of prison last because you are so ripped! Happy Birthday Little Bro! Love You!
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