Friday, April 29, 2011

My Silly Hat

Barney sings a song about "my silly hat". The kids love to talk about their "silly hats" when they put books, toys, pillow cases, etc. on their heads. It's the only thing I could think about when I watched the guests at the Royal Wedding this morning (yes, I'm a total nerd I know).











This couple is RIGHT out of 1986:

Wait, I actually like these:
This one is gorgeous (this woman is gorgeous). It's said that this couple's wedding  (Prince Albert and some swimmer) is supposed to be grander than Prince William/Kate's wedding (how do I know this crap?):

My favorite hat was Ms. Beckham's (of course):

Now back to reality!

Have a great weekend,
JC

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Blast from the past

Okay, maybe not that drastic, but I've been looking through some old pictures the last couple of days. You know when you come across some that are so funny, or cute, or classic that you decide to post to your blog? That's what this post is all about:

Snapshot of a typical day at home--kids in diapers, cluttered house, toys scattered. Oh yeah, and Brooke in her sunglasses and Dora backpack.

Jackson made the cutest little faces:

Here too:


And little, tiny Brooke. I can't believe how much she's changed: 


I'm starting to work on their Jackson's 3-year-old book and plan to give one to Michelle & Cody for his birthday (it will be here before we know it!). Then, I'll work on Brookie's for her b-day in November.

Time sure flies when you're having fun.

JC


Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Jackie Jackerman

This little guy is sure loved. He's so lucky to have his family, extended family and his birth family. I caught a snippet of his birth parents talking about him in Facebook:


We love Michelle & Cody so much. We can't imagine our lives without them, and we certainly can't imagine them without our little Jackie Jackerman.

JC

Monday, April 25, 2011

Two Things:

1. Sunday afternoon the kids were playing each by themselves. Jackson was occupied with the new ‘Gone Fishing’ game from the Easter Bunny and Brooke was doing her own crazy thing. I actually found myself thinking, “hmm, I have about an 1.5 hours before we need to leave for G&G’s house. Could I actually work on one of my many unfinished projects?” I didn’t, but just the fact that I had the time and availability startled me.

2. Later at G&G Curtis’ house all the grandkids (except little Crew-Crew) played outside while the adults sat inside—including my kids. Then, they all went downstairs while the adults sat upstairs—again, including my kids. Tyler and I have never experienced this in the last 2.75 years. No matter what, at least one of our kids (usually both) wants their mom & dad right by their side all the time.



Are our little one’s growing up? It’s kind of strange. (Surely this is short-lived…they were excited about all their Easter stuff). But maybe we're starting to make progress.

Now if we can just conquer toilet training...

Happy Monday!
JC

Friday, April 22, 2011

Today's Obsessions

I should be focusing on work, but at the moment I'm a little little obsessed with some other things.
  • Making Brookie's room pretty again. She just got a big bed, new wall mural. But I still need to spruce up the area around her dresser. Thinking about these:

And these:
 
  • Dying to try some chalkboard paint somewhere in my house. I need to figure out the perfect wall, like these (by the way, how cute is that pink table?):



  • I really want to spruce up my bedroom. Considering accents of yellow (that wouldn't be too weird with chocolate brown/green, would it?)
  • And this weekend is calling (no shouting) for these babies that I found yesterday. Easter bunny can do cookies, right?



Happy Good Friday!
JC

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Chicken Pot Pie with Cream Cheese and Chive Biscuits

Chicken Pot Pie with Cream Cheese and Chive Biscuits

Um, yum...putting this on the menu for next week.

JC

Don't You Just Love This Face?



We have a "Brooke" meltdown about every 30 seconds from approximately 7:30 am until 9:00 pm (or so). The reasons vary:

  • She wants to watch Gabba
  • She wants to watch Mickey Mouse
  • She wants to watch Dora
  • She wants to "do a game" (on one of our phones)
  • She wants to watch Wubzy
  • She wants to ride her bike
  • She wants to go outside
  • She can't get her shoes off
  • She wants Shadow out of her room
  • (repeat and add from your own imagination)
The "meltdowns" usually involve very loud wailing, crocodile tears, flopping on floor, rolling around on the floor, screaming, throwing things (toys, shoes, Mom's camera, Mom's phone--you get the drift). We try to remain calm, tell her if she's going to throw a fit she needs to do it in her room. Many times she'll comply and go to her bed to continue the wailing, flopping, screaming, throwing. It usually doesn't stop on it's own. We usually have to go in and calmly talk her out of it by offering her something...

These get old and are exhausting. Last night was a particularly tiring night of screaming & fighting from both kids. After we put them to bed, I laid with Brooke for a few minutes so she would stop talking (and keeping her brother awake in the neighboring room). She stopped talking, but began to sing (the girl LOVES to sing). I tried to remain stern and enforce that it's "quiet time" and "time to go to sleep" ("damnit" -- I thought).

After a few minutes of listening to "We will Rock You" (almost word for word), "Snowman", "Elmo's World" theme song...I couldn't help but smile. I may have even sung along for a few minutes. 

I guess no matter how chaotic things can be, they are sure some cute, sweet, precious times too.  If only we could focus on those moments all the time...

JC

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Royals

I'm not one to pay much attention to the Royal Family. I will probably be watching the Royal Wedding though because that brother of Prince William, Prince Harry, is such a cutie! He's the catch--not William.















Ladies?


Jill

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Putting things into perspective…

I don’t want to depress anyone (all 1 or 2 of you reading this blog), but there have been so many events take place of the past months that made me shed tears and contemplate life.

1. Logan Rylee Bostrom (babyloganbostrom.blogspot.com) – This blog (by a friend of my sister-in-law, Lacey) shares the journey of a beautiful baby girl born with a heart condition that allowed her to live with her mommy and daddy for one week.
2.       Ethan Thomas Gauchey (Geoffreyandsharee.blogspot.com) – This story really hits home. Sharee is Tyler’s darling cousin, and her amazing little guy, Ethan, recently passed away after a strong fight. We had the privilege of attending his beautiful graveside service last Saturday and I’m so grateful we could be there. What an emotional, long and heart-breaking journey they’ve been on. And what an amazing little baby. I’m truly grateful for eternal families.
3.       One of my nephew’s best friends ended his own life about a month ago after a long battle with drug abuse. Tragic as it is, he ended his life in front of his twin brother and parents. What a sad, heart-breaking way to go.
4.       The news is full of sad stories—missing children, abused children, mothers senselessly killed and discarded, natural disasters taking the lives of thousands of loved ones in addition to all the possessions families have worked so hard to have.
5.       All the events taking place in Lybia, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. where innocent citizens are dying from the senseless acts of extremists. And, soldiers are sacrificing their lives and time away from their families/friends to fight and protect them/us.
6.       Last summer a friend from high school lost his wife in a tragic bike/auto accident. They had two little girls—age 3 and 3-months. I think about them a lot, even months later. I can’t imagine having to heal from something like that.
7.       My neighbor recently told me she and her husband split up after only 9 months of marriage. They’ve moved out and now her two little boys have to adjust to life without their step-dad in and new house/neighborhood/school. Breaks my heart.

The list goes on…

I decided a while back that I can’t read or watch the news anymore because it’s just too sad. But it isn’t just the news that’s sad—real life is sad. There are so many around us suffering and struggling.

With Easter just around the corner, I think it’s a perfect time to reflect on the power of the Atonement. Because it happened, we know those sweet parents will be with their babies again. And we know that they can heal and move on. We also know all those that are suffering from loss or life’s heartaches can heal.

Moreover, events like these certainly help me realize how truly blessed I am and how grateful I am for my two miracles. They are truly miracles—one through an amazing adoption journey and one through a miracle pregnancy! As overwhelmed as I feel at times, I can’t imagine my life without them.






I hope you all enjoy this Easter week. Let’s all try to keep those we love in our thoughts and prayers and try a little harder to ease the suffering/burdens of others.
Love,

Jill

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

It's already been a day and it's 10:30am

This is me trying to get out the door this morning: 

Tyler left a little early to drive a neighbor to his new job--the poor guy doesn't have any source of transportation, and Ty has coordinated rides to and from work for him with various people in the neighborhood that work close to him. 


Anyway... trying to get myself ready for the day with a head cold, getting my kids dressed/faces washed/hair brushed, and trying to take a conference call with our team in Amsterdam at 8:00am just made things a bit hectic. Jackson "trapped" me in a "cage" in my bathroom using all the living room throw pillows, then laid on his sister causing a fit of screaming and crying that would carry on from about 8:00 to 8:45. I finally pulled out the bucket of candy to get Brooke calmed down enough so I could get her dressed before heading out the door. There's not much a piece of chocolate can't cure.


We made it to Joy's house by 9:00 and I rolled into the office about 9:30. Deep breaths, decongestants from work medicine cabinet, Diet Coke (and I even splurged on a Dunford Donut) and I think I can make it through the rest of the day. I pray my little one's will do the same. 


Here's to a great day?


Jill

Monday, April 11, 2011

Jack the Mechanic

Meet Jack. He wears his goggles when he goes to "work", which is "fixing firetrucks and ambulances".



Sounds like a pretty sweet gig. (Maybe we ought to loosen up the straps...what do you think?)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

What? You updated your blog?

The answer is "yes".


I've decided it's time to start blogging. We live our lives at such a fast pace that we forget to write down the fun stuff. I need to do more of that. And after giving it a lot of thought over recent months, I'm committing to updating this blog on a somewhat regular basis...and that's better than nothing, right? (By the way...this is Jill, if you were wondering).


Looking forward to figuring out how all these blogger gadgets and stuff work. I'm sort of a blog idiot.


More to come! 
JC

Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies

I made these over the weekend. They certainly had a lot of promise--not sure about the outcome. They're good, but I think I may try to mix in the peanut butter mixture little bit more and not bake quite as long (just 40 minutes rather than 45).

My review hasn't stopped me from eating nearly 1/2 of the pan by myself, however.

IMG_3545


The recipe
(Joy the Baker, adapted from Martha Stewart):


For the Brownie:

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

coarse sea salt for topping

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter, I prefer natural peanut butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

large handful of pretzel sticks

Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper so that it overhangs on two sides and grease the parchment paper as well.

Boil two inches of water in a medium saucepan. Combine butter, unsweetened chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and coffee powder in a heat proof bowl and place over the simmering water. Stir until chocolate and butter are melted. Use a pot holder to remove the bowl from the double boiler and let mixture cool slightly. Stir in the vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

Whisk granulated sugar into the chocolate and butter mixture. Make sure the chocolate mixture isn’t too hot and whisk the eggs in the mixture one at a time.

Fold in the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture and spoon into prepared pan.

To make the Peanut Butter Filling, whisk together peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract until smooth.

Pour the peanut butter mixture on top of the brownie batter and use a butter knife to swirl the two together. Arrange pretzel sticks on top of the brownie batter in whatever pattern makes you happy. Top with a few sprinkles of coarse sea salt. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes our mostly clean… maybe with just a few crumbs.

Let cool for about 30 minutes before slicing and enjoying.