Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Confirmation
Saturday was Hans Confirmation - we are SO proud! He studied so hard, and was always willing to do his community service. And the best part was having Josh as his sponsor. Watching them study together and talk about their faith was really amazing and special for Cody and I. My parents came into town for the event which was fabulous as always, but they had to leave today. (How's the book, Dad?) Here are some of the pictures from this remarkable weekend...
These last pictures are of the 'headband' game mom had us play. You put a picture in the headband, and then ask questions to figure out what it is while the timer is running. Rather challenging - I think I'll stick with Apples to Apples! But we had fun playing it, that's for sure!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
At the hospital
Cody had his surgery yesterday for the kidneystones. It went really well, thanks to our AWESOME Doctor Volfson, and of course God (thank You)! He was home by about 1:00 in the afternoon, and has a stent in place, but he says he hardly feels that, and it's nothing compared to the other suffering he was experiencing. He stayed home from work today; we'll see if he's ready tomorrow. The doctor was able to laser everything - even the stone in his kidney, so he really should be all clear.
The kids are doing all right. Josh had his first unofficial Martial Arts Club meeting yesterday, and is very excited. He's also getting registered for Summer I and Fall classes, so he's staying on top of his academics as well. Bethany had her first LAX game, and played goalie the second half. She was GREAT! She stopped about 65% of all the shots, and the other team really knew how to pass the ball. Hans is hanging in there; he has his Student Council meetings Tuesdays before school, and we are going to Chess Club locally most Monday nights. Most of the men are older... but Hans hangs in there and enjoys it. (He's become sort of a favorite around there - they like seeing someone so young learning Chess, and he gets a little spoiled since they bring treats!) Here's some video and pics.
Love to all... (And thanks for the prayers!!!)
The kids are doing all right. Josh had his first unofficial Martial Arts Club meeting yesterday, and is very excited. He's also getting registered for Summer I and Fall classes, so he's staying on top of his academics as well. Bethany had her first LAX game, and played goalie the second half. She was GREAT! She stopped about 65% of all the shots, and the other team really knew how to pass the ball. Hans is hanging in there; he has his Student Council meetings Tuesdays before school, and we are going to Chess Club locally most Monday nights. Most of the men are older... but Hans hangs in there and enjoys it. (He's become sort of a favorite around there - they like seeing someone so young learning Chess, and he gets a little spoiled since they bring treats!) Here's some video and pics.
Love to all... (And thanks for the prayers!!!)
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Hanging out...
Bethany's friend Tim came over this evening and hung out with her and Hans. It's so exciting to see them making such good friends here; we never even knew this many children in NC!
As for the kitchen, it's looking good - I have the first rough framed wall in place! It just needs a header over the rough opening and it will be done! More pics to come!
As for the kitchen, it's looking good - I have the first rough framed wall in place! It just needs a header over the rough opening and it will be done! More pics to come!
Quick update...
So yesterday my kitchen finally got underway. Here are some pics from the end of the day! Also, Cody had a kidney stone that he's still struggling with. But he was released from the hospital Monday, and we have been taking really good care of him. God bless Percocet!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mmmm... Vegan cookies
I had a sweet tooth this afternoon, and Josh did too, so I made some Vegan cookies for an afternoon treat. Hans and Bethany were very pleasantly surprised! And since it's nearing Easter, I added on a little something to make them special. How cute!
Thanks to Obachan for giving me this recipe years ago. It is so easy, I have to pass it along again (with a small difference):
Cake Mix Cookies
(preheat oven to 350o)
1 box any cake mix
2 eggs or egg replacer (mixed per directions)
1/2 c. oil
Any desired add-ins: chocolate chips, nuts, etc.
Mix together until it starts to form a ball of dough, then spoon or roll balls of dough onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350o for 10-12 minutes. Delish!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
So many things going on!
So I should update everyone on a few things:
On March 7th, Josh was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Delaware Community College. We are SO proud of him; he's doing well in school, working hard, and at the same time trying to start a Martial Arts Club for the college. He's almost there! And speaking of martial arts, last night (18th) at his Kosho class he was given the purple belt promotion on merit! Why, you ask? Because this weekend - at a seminar - he displayed a Kata that HE made, on his own, in front of several Sensei's and Masters. They were so impressed, he was promoted - WOW! Here's some pics...
His new belt...
Bethany has been working hard at school - she got A/B Honor roll (and we are going on a date soon) - and also hard at Lacrosse. YEP! From Field Hockey to Lacrosse, she's running another field, and constantly surprising me with her willingness to try new things. Especially sports!
That's her in the dark outfit - it is March, after all! This was their first practice, and she was doing great her first time out!
She also went to a birthday party for a girlfriend, and we took Vegan doughnuts so she could have a 'cake' thing. They were a big hit, she had a great time, and she was the only one with me the next day for church (I had cantored the Sat. mass). So she went with me to Michaels, and ... well, look what she did in the store!
The next day Hans and I finished making the doughnuts while Boo was at LAX practice. They really were delicious, and disappeared in short order.
And since Hans got A/B Honor roll as well, he too wanted to go to the movies, so we saw Oz the Great and Powerful. It was good, but I was disappointed since they clearly designed it to be seen in 3D, and I hate paying the extra for what is usually an unimpressive 3D experience. But he liked it - and I made him take a picture before we went in. He's the pig monster...
AND lastly, his artwork was in the County art festival. Well, as he said: "everybody's art is in the show", but I'm still proud! Here's his... (bottom right)
I guess that catches us up. Cody is working late now, and next week I should be starting the tear-down on the kitchen with our sub-contractors. YES!!!! Finally, an enclosed, WARM kitchen. I'm so excited!
Love to all...
On March 7th, Josh was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Delaware Community College. We are SO proud of him; he's doing well in school, working hard, and at the same time trying to start a Martial Arts Club for the college. He's almost there! And speaking of martial arts, last night (18th) at his Kosho class he was given the purple belt promotion on merit! Why, you ask? Because this weekend - at a seminar - he displayed a Kata that HE made, on his own, in front of several Sensei's and Masters. They were so impressed, he was promoted - WOW! Here's some pics...
To wrap it up with Josh, his friends - Teron and Alex - invited him to an Eagle Scout celebration last weekend. Josh played 'fashion designer' and they all looked so good, I had to get a picture. I'm so grateful that Josh is finding friends who are smart, responsible, and have good morals/ethics. It's nice to see!
Bethany has been working hard at school - she got A/B Honor roll (and we are going on a date soon) - and also hard at Lacrosse. YEP! From Field Hockey to Lacrosse, she's running another field, and constantly surprising me with her willingness to try new things. Especially sports!
That's her in the dark outfit - it is March, after all! This was their first practice, and she was doing great her first time out!
She also went to a birthday party for a girlfriend, and we took Vegan doughnuts so she could have a 'cake' thing. They were a big hit, she had a great time, and she was the only one with me the next day for church (I had cantored the Sat. mass). So she went with me to Michaels, and ... well, look what she did in the store!
The next day Hans and I finished making the doughnuts while Boo was at LAX practice. They really were delicious, and disappeared in short order.
And since Hans got A/B Honor roll as well, he too wanted to go to the movies, so we saw Oz the Great and Powerful. It was good, but I was disappointed since they clearly designed it to be seen in 3D, and I hate paying the extra for what is usually an unimpressive 3D experience. But he liked it - and I made him take a picture before we went in. He's the pig monster...
AND lastly, his artwork was in the County art festival. Well, as he said: "everybody's art is in the show", but I'm still proud! Here's his... (bottom right)
I guess that catches us up. Cody is working late now, and next week I should be starting the tear-down on the kitchen with our sub-contractors. YES!!!! Finally, an enclosed, WARM kitchen. I'm so excited!
Love to all...
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I can't believe I'm saying this...
...but I am SOOO excited about Pope Francis! I have NEVER been excited about a Pope. But Cody and I were just talking about his background, and for the first time since leaving NC, I feel hopeful for the Catholic Church. Maybe we can be more than what we've become - maybe we can finally have a faith with the people, instead of holding our faith over the people. I'll be praying for him. Perhaps Pope Francis is God's way of leading us to a better, more understanding, compassionate church. One where we finally stop worrying about other peoples 'sins' and shortcomings, and instead embrace one another in love. A church where we lift each other up to be the best that God wants us to be, instead of labeling our shortcomings. After all, there's only been one Man who stood sinless and perfect among us. And it isn't any of us!
LOVE to all...
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Sushi!
So our policy with grades has always been this:
Good grades are your job - we don't pay for grades. We DO, however, reward for good grades! We have dates. A/B honor roll with one (high) C lets you pick one: lunch, a toy, or a movie. A/B Honor roll gets you two choices, and all A's? All three things!
Now that Josh is in college, he only gets grades at the end of each semester, so I tried to make the reward a good one for his first semester in college. So (with the help of Groupon), he and I went to Madame Saito's Sushi making course! It was really nice; he and I improved our skills, learned new terms and techniques, and shared some Plum wine. Well, I shared some with him, not the other way around! It was a great date, and something he can use when he visits Obachan again.
Love to all... XOXOXO
Good grades are your job - we don't pay for grades. We DO, however, reward for good grades! We have dates. A/B honor roll with one (high) C lets you pick one: lunch, a toy, or a movie. A/B Honor roll gets you two choices, and all A's? All three things!
Now that Josh is in college, he only gets grades at the end of each semester, so I tried to make the reward a good one for his first semester in college. So (with the help of Groupon), he and I went to Madame Saito's Sushi making course! It was really nice; he and I improved our skills, learned new terms and techniques, and shared some Plum wine. Well, I shared some with him, not the other way around! It was a great date, and something he can use when he visits Obachan again.
My first roll - Hosomaki (cucumber and wasabi). |
Madame Saito teaches Josh how to fillet the salmon. |
Love to all... XOXOXO
Breakfast for mom...
This weekend Hans and Bethany had a "be good to Mommy" morning and made breakfast for me! Everyone enjoyed it, but they made it especially for me; Hans was in charge of the table and decorations (and supposedly had the idea), and Bethany had a recipe she wanted to try, so she made the food. It was a Blueberry Shortcake recipe, which she made Vegan, and it was AWESOME! Plus Hans made origami swans, with blue water for them to float on, and a couple of lotus flowers. It was really lovely, and incredibly thoughtful! The swans didn't make it - not enough crayon on them - but we fixed up a lotus flower really good, and it will float for a while. Thank you, kiddos!
This was SO delicious - a restaurant quality breakfast treat. We all loved it! |
Man that boy is good at origami... |
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