My Thyme

New Blog

2005-04-17T19:52:00.000-05:00

Just letting you know that I am no longer posting to this site. My new blog is at www.pdswy.com

See you there!

It's Rosceola!

2004-09-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness it's not chickenpox! Bad thing is that Tristan and Brinley could get it also :( Time will tell.

WILL IT EVER END???

2004-09-23T16:00:00.000-05:00

Here we go again. Cohen has been sick lately. It started with a cold that everyone passed around, followed by a new tooth, 2 days of a low-grade temp, and now.....CHICKENPOX! We are not sure that is what it is (we see the doctor tomorrow afternoon), but he has the rash on his head, face, neck, torso, and groin. He has all the symptoms of it plus Steve just had the shingles! I think I am going to go insane!

Steve is on week 6 of his shingles and is STILL having lots of pain. He is able to do more but gets wiped out quickly.

Next thurs.(sept 30) is my birthday and Brinley's is the next monday (oct. 4). My side of the family is coming for the weekend and the house is a wreck! Who can get anything done with a 7 1/2 month old (that isn't feeling well), an almost 2 yr old with 16 yr old attitude, an almost 4 yr old that is hyper, and a 12 yr old that thinks he rules the world! Calgon take me away...for a month!

Need to go referee! Will write more after the doctor tomorrow.

My coffee cost me $2600.00 today!

2004-09-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

Just when you think things can't get much worse...they do! Not only is Steve still dealing with terrible pain from shingles, now all 4 kids have a cold. Snot everywhere!

To top it all off, this morning I spilled my entire cup of coffee on our laptop. Cohen was crawling back towards the power strip and I grabbed him just before he licked it. Some how during this process my coffee ended up in the keyboard. I should mention that the laptop was on the table next to my coffee and I was surfing the net with Brinley (Boobahs to be exact. A new PBS show similar to Teletubbies.)

I can't believe this. Apple Care doesn't cover the damage. Our homeowner's insurance doesn't even cover it! I guess Brinley is getting an Apple G4 Laptop for her birthday instead of a Barbie laptop!

If we had a dog house I would be taking up residence right about now. Steve is not happy at all and I don't blame him. It was primarily his toy.

More later if I am still allowed to touch electronics.

Cooking! Baking! Creating!

2004-08-24T21:50:00.000-05:00

While I am waiting for some bread dough to rise, I might as well blog!!!

Tonight I made a really good recipe for shrimp that involved bacon wrapped barbeque shrimp. I found it on allrecipes.com. I did not follow it 100% but here is what I did.

I thawed out some frozen shrimp (31 size, 3 lb. bag) and then coated it with a spicy southwest rub (they called for dry bbq rub). While I did this, I pre-cooked a package of bacon for 3 minutes in the microwave so that, once in the oven, the shrimp and bacon would cook in the same amount of time. Once the shrimp sat for a few minutes, I cut the bacon slices in half and wrapped each shrimp with it and secured the bacon with a toothpick. I placed the shrimp on a baking rack on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil (made clean-up super easy) and baked them for 10-15 minutes at 450 degrees.

I have to confess that I did not wrap the entire bag of shrimp. It took way too long for a week night meal. If I was making them for a party, no problem, wrap them all! What I did instead was throw the bacon in a skillet and cook it for a few minutes and then added the shrimp and sauted it until the bacon was done. Then I added 1/4 cup of water and put a lid on the pan and let the shrimp finish cooking (until totally pink about 2 minutes). I served the shrimp with risotto (flavored with garlic salt and dry dill) and corn. The kids all loved the shrimp!

I would make this again but I would do it in the skillet and forget the wrapping!

Cohen

2004-08-24T20:09:00.000-05:00

Cohen will be 7 months on the 9th. It is so hard to believe he is that old already! He weighs 22 pounds, is cutting his 1st tooth, is starting to crawl, and is almost able to get himself from his tummy into a sitting position! Where does time go!

Update on Steve

2004-08-24T20:04:00.000-05:00

Steve is still feeling terrible. He goes to the doctor again tomorrow. His doctor has really impressed me, this is the second time Steve will see him on his day off! For all we know, he may be charging us (insurance) more for these visits. Steve's rash is still growing and spreading up and down his arm. Steve describes it as tapioca pudding made with grape juice (the way his mom made it when he was growing up). Hopefully tomorrow we will find out if this is just the normal course of shingles or if we are dealing with something more.

Steve's condition

2004-08-19T20:21:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to update about Steve. He does have shingles. The doctor feels that they diagnosed it in the early stages so Steve has a good prognosis. (That sentence sounds so clinical! Yuck.) The pain is tolerable thanks to Vicadin. The doctor thinks he should be feeling much better by Monday. Let's hope and pray he does.

Sleep tight! Don't let the bed stickers bite!

2004-08-19T20:14:00.000-05:00

Tonight Tristan and Brinley were having fun with stickers. They were sticking them all over their legs. I said to Tristan, "Don't forget, you are going to have to take them all off before bed or they will end up in your hair." To this he replied (with the attitude of DUH!), "Nope, they don't crawl. Stickers don't have legs." After we stopped laughing we realized he was thinking we meant they would crawl into his hair while he slept!

Need Prayer!

2004-08-18T17:48:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to ask for prayer for Steve. He just got back from the doctor and may have shingles or a pinched nerve. If it is shingles there is the chance that Cohen (who has not been immunized) could get chickenpox. Shingles and chickenpox are from the same viral strain. If it is a pinched nerve, Steve will have to see a neuro-surgeon.

He goes back to his doctor tomorrow afternoon in hopes of determining what is causing the tremendous pain in his upper back and right arm (it just happens to be the same arm that he had the cellulitus and thrombo-pheblitis in last year after he had the meningitis!).

Steve's mom is here visiting and is willing to stay at least until friday (hopefully we will know what is going on by then!) and longer if need be.

In other news- Keegan has started the 7th grade! They start really early here for some reason (Aug. 17). He is loving it so far! He has told us a bit about his teachers, for instance, he says that if you ask his science teacher if she is an alien, she will say yes and that she is over 100 million years old. She also promised to show the kids her home planet on the astrological maps when they study astrology! I think we need to keep an eye on her!!!!

Cohen is almost crawling. He has figured out the military crawl and can reach/get to anything he wants! Brinley is getting more verbal everyday. Yesterday in the car she took her shoes and socks off (which she had been told not to do) and said giggling "Mommy, socks shoes off! Me naughty girl!" Tristan was also very proud of himself for praying all by himself last night. He thought he could only do "the food prayer"!

More later as we get info.

New Blog Template

2004-08-08T21:55:00.000-05:00

I need to say a special thanks to my husband Steve for setting my blog up with this new template!

One of the really cool features about this template is that the viewer can pick from a selection of preset "skins" that he/she prefers. Basically, you can customize my blog to your viewing preference by selecting one of the 5 skins I have made available! Just pick a style from the section called "Skin this site". Enjoy!

Oops!

2004-08-08T11:24:00.000-05:00

Check out this mistake in Target's weekly online ad!

Are they suggesting some women might need to use the socks to obtain the correct fit for this bra ;)

UPDATE-

Sorry to those of you who are not able to access this link. It was only up during the week that this was blogged. Target changes their ads weekly. What was so funny about this link was that it was an add for Hanes tube socks but the picture they showed was of a woman in a bra! They mentioned that the socks came in boys and girls sizes as well! This ad reminded me of the good ol' days in the girl's locker room during Junior High and High School and finding out who stuffed and who didn't! I will never forget when a friend dropped her padding on the floor of the locker room and it was one of her brother's striped tube socks! I think the stripes were green and yellow, the school colors! WHY I remember this, I have no clue! Can't remember where I put the kids' pacifiers when I need them, but I remember the color the stripes were on some under-endowed classmates stuffing! Go figure.

The Goose is Cooked- Tristan Part 2

2004-08-05T19:20:00.000-05:00

Tonight we had another great meal. It was Tilapia, Shrimp, Asparagus packets which I served with couscous. Tristan LOVED it! He wouldn't eat the Hamburger Pie I made last night but he would eat FISH! What is wrong with my child!

While we were cleaning up after dinner Keegan was complaining about the horrors of sweeping up couscous to which Tristan replied " Keegan, its Goose, Goose. Not couscous!" We had a laugh!

Good Vibrations!

2004-08-05T19:11:00.000-05:00

Last night was my turn to put Brinley asleep. I was singing several songs to her to help her calm down. While I was singing, Brinley put her hand on my neck. At first I couldn't figure out why she was doing that and then I remembered a favorite time of mine as a child.

When we were young we would go to the church service with my parents ( I don't remember if it was Sunday nights or just special occasions when the church didn't have Sunday School for kids). My favorite part of the entire service was when the congregation sang hymns (sitting down of course). During this time my brother and I would lay our heads on our parent's laps and they would rub our backs very softly (not scratching and not tickling, just right for relaxation). I loved to hear my parent's voices vibrate through out their bodies and into my ear. I think this is what Brinley was doing last night and it almost brought me to tears remembering.

Tristan's Antics Part 1

2004-08-05T18:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a day of errands. Tristan mentioned that he had to go potty so we proceeded to the nearest Meijer. He and I went into the women's bathroom and had to both go into one of the regular stalls (no fun with a 3 yr old and pleasantly plump mama!) because the handicap stall was in use. He started to do "his business" and all of a sudden he said oops! He hadn't pulled his pants down enough (and being a little guy) he was angled funny and some how peed on the floor behind the toilet in the next stall! To top it off, it was occupied! I had to try so hard not to laugh hysterically and break public bathroom etiquette! Hate to have someone think I was doing something "funny" in my stall!

Joys of Boys!

Yummy! Yummy!

2004-07-31T19:55:00.000-05:00

Tonight I have to pat myself on the back! I made a REALLY good recipe for Chicken Enchiladas by Tyler Florence. It was so yummy. Steve found it on the internet a few weeks ago. He also found a great recipe program called Shop' N Cook. They offer a free 15 day trial, but the program only costs $24. It is really cool because I can download recipes from the net, add my own, and access the Shop' N Cook database. After I have decided on recipes to use, I can create a shopping list with the click of a button! I can add additional items not in the recipes, plus I can customize the list to follow the layout of my local grocery store. I am starting to feel like a techno-geek! A blog and now a computer program of my own!

Things have been crazy here as always. Yesterday all of us were sitting in the living room and Steve mentioned how the constant toy clutter was "frusticating". Tristan quickly turned to Steve and whispered "its frust-rating", correcting Steve's pronunciation of the word! He is such a little know-it-all.

This weekend has been depressing in a way. My good friend (one of my only in Indiana) Julie, moved to my home town this weekend! That is the one place I would love to be again. Close to my side of the family, great shopping, great church, lots and lots to do with kids, and FREE babysitting by Grandma and Papa. I will be able to visit her and her family (she has a three yr. old boy and 10 month old daughter) when we go to my parents' because they live less than a mile apart. I am hoping to keep up with her through email but you know how that goes when you have little kids.

Keegan is back from Canada and wishing he could live there (with Grandma and Grandpa of course, because parents are no fun!). It was really hard for him to transition from being an independant teen to a big brother that has to help! I think he is looking forward to school starting in a few weeks and being able to see his friends. He really hasn't had a lot of contact with friends this summer. He hasn't called anyone and no one has called him. Strange age for boys. Being a college town, I think most families do a lot of traveling during the summer when professors have 2-3 months off.

Brinley is needing some attention. I'll try again later.

Free time!

2004-07-20T15:35:00.000-05:00

I have finally found time to blog! Cohen is content in his Johnny Jump Up, Tristan is watching Lilo and Stitch and Brinley is playing with the baby wipes (one of her favorite pass times)!

I have really been struggling lately with wanting to do something artistic/creative! I want to make something. I have been looking at lots of blogs from some very creative women and I want to be like them ( if I ever figure out how to show a list of blogs I'll share them!). I miss my artsy fartsy days! I think I might need to take a trip to Hobby Lobby for a creative fix! I can't decide which creative venue I should explore...drawing, opaque watercolor, floral arranging, faux finishes, interior design, jewelry making, scrapbooking, etc. I will let you know if I figure it out.

Tristan has really been testing Steve and me lately. He is a 3 yr old that thinks he is our peer! At times it is hard not to laugh at the way he responds to us. He is so articulate. It doesn't help that he has a 12 yr old brother that teaches him all the pre-teen attitude.

Guess my blogging time is done for right now. Cohen is getting frustrated! More later if I can.

Life!

2004-07-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

Keegan leaves for Canada in just a few days! He is really looking forward to going with Grandma and Grandpa! This will be his 6th time going! I am really going to miss having him around for a week! He is such a great help to me! I don't think I would still be sane if I didn't have him to help with the other kids.

Sometimes I wonder if Steve and I are crazy! We agreed last night to dog-sit for a friend of Steve's (thurs-sat). As if we don't have enough to do between now and Sat with getting Keegan ready! Oh well, I really like the idea of having a dog again but Steve is hesitant. Maybe this is a good compromise! No major commitment!

Well, Cohen is rolling over all the time now! He is almost able to sit up unassisted as well! Where does the time go! He was 5 months on the 9th and it truly seems like he was just born! With all of the other children I couldn't wait for them to hit the various milestones and now with Cohen (probably our last) I don't want him to grow up! It is so weird to have an infant, a toddler, a preschooler and a junior higher! We have the trials of baby-dom, the terrible 2's (which really start at 18 months!), the " I can do it myself!" of the three's, and the hormonal "I can do it myself! Don't treat me like a baby. Why do 'I' have to do it!" attitude of a pubescent boy! YIPEE!!!! I would welcome boredom any day!!!!

I'll try again when things are calm! Brinley has taken off her diaper again!!!! (she isn't potty trained yet!)

Just for kicks!

2004-07-08T16:47:00.000-05:00

I hope I can keep this interesting for everyone reading it! I am not a big journaler but desperately need a creative outlet that doesn't involve children! With four kids ages 12, 3 1/2, 1 1/2 and 5months, I should have plenty to share!

Here is one funny story that happened this weekend while visiting my husband's brother and sister-in-law.

My son, Tristan (3 1/2), was walking around with Char (another lady that was also visiting) killing flies that were in Tim and Linda's house. This was great fun for him. He thought it was really cool to smack the flies. A little while later Char and I were talking and all the while I could here Tristan saying "neighborhood. There's a bee on the table. Neighborhood. Get the bee." Neither Char nor I were paying much attention to Tristan at that point and kept talking. Finally Tristan caught Char's attention and told her about the bee. At that point it dawned on me...Tristan was calling Char "Neighborhood" because she was introduced to him as Mrs. Rogers! Mr. Roger's Neighborhood! We all got a great laugh out of it!!!