Wordless Wednesday: Family

Friday Five: Staples

I love the Friday Five, in fact, I love it so much that I think I'm going to do FIVE Friday Five categories today. Today's topic is "Staples"

1.Five Fridge Staples:

Yogurt
Milk
Baby carrots
Cheese
Diet coke (oops)

2. Five Cooking Staples

Kosher salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Olive oil
Fresh Rosemary

3. Five Pantry Staples:

Pasta
Peanut butter
Pasta sauce
Mac and Cheese
Crackers
(we like carbs, what can I say?)

4. Five Freezer Staples:

Ice, lots and lots of ice
Popsicles
Pork chops
Chicken breast
Frozen veggies

5. Five Cabinet Staples

Ten inch stainless steel pan
Stock pot
Le Creseut Dutch oven
10x13 baking dish
Large covered Dutch oven

What are your Friday Five staples??

The Yearly Cry-a-thon is Here

Ah yes, the first weekend in September and it's time for Eric and Kathy's cry RADIO-thon supporting the children's hospital in Chicago. go check it out and cry with me.

Now, Chrissi, why are you crying? WHY?!

Why am I crying as I listen to these stories? Because Gabe used to go to that hospital for treatment and we're lucky. We *could* have been one of these families that gets on the radio and tells their story to help raise money for the hospital. Our child, while he has his own issues, is healthy and here with us. We don't go to the children's hospital on a regular basis, we don't see doctors on a regular basis, and again, Gabe is still with us. This radio-thon reminds me that life is good for us and life is good for Gabe and not everyone is that lucky. It's a little reminder of what could have been and how fortunate we really are.

If you're so inclined, click the link above and make a little donation in honor of YOUR healthy child and family. Or in honor of our healthy Gabriel. Or just because you can.

Now back to crying...

Tell the Truth Tuesday: Parenting a Girl

If anyone ever tells you that parenting a girl is easy, you smack them right in the mouth. RIGHT IN THE MOUTH. Then you get a pint of ice cream, an extra cold diet coke, and some sort of pharmaceutical grade chill pill and hold on to your butt. Girls, to tell the truth, are awful. Oh sure, they're sweet and wonderful and wear dresses and want ponytails and painted nails and think momma is the greatest thing ever until she's not. Until it's 6:30 in the morning on a school day and she's half dressed and yelling that you woke her up from her favorite dream about watering flowers and she doesn't WANT TO WEAR PANTS BECAUSE IT'S HOT AND NO I WILL NOT BRUSH MY HAIR BECAUSE IT'S MY HAIR NOT YOURS AND WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE YOU ARE SO MEAN TO ME ALL OF THE TIME AND TELL ME TO DO THINGS I DON'T WANT TO DO LIKE BRUSH MY HAIR AND TEETH GOD MOM YOU'RE SO MEAN.

That's just an example of course, I mean, nothing like that ever happens in real life, I'm sure. That's just a for example maybe this could happen if you had a girl like say SarahAnne in your house screaming at 6:30 on a Tuesday. Like, this Tuesday, less than an hour ago. I'm the meanest mother ever but you know what, Miss Itty Bits, you're no picnic either.

Thankful Thursday: School

I am so so thankful that school started this week...and so are Gabe and Bits as seen in the photo below. The only one NOT thankful for school is Betsy, also noted in a photo below ;)

Tell the Truth Tuesday: Unexpected

Usually Tell the Truth Tuesdays are witty or deep and profound (or at least in my mind they are haha) but today's is just sad. Geo and I found out earlier today that a former coworker whom we spent time with outside of work as well was killed unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident this afternoon. Right now it's hard to fathom that he's gone since just last week our mutual friend was regaling us a funny story about him. Death is never easy to comprehend, even if we're prepared for it, but Ray passing away was about as unexpected as you can get. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family, and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace Ray, you were one of the good ones.

Thankful Thursday: My Little Nurse

I had to have a tooth pulled today; it's been giving me issues for a while now and I finally bit the bullet and made the appointment and actually did NOT back out of it. (As I did my last one)

So Bits is very interested in teeth; if she doesn't become a dentist I'll be quite surprised. Our dentist is super sweet and explains everything and let her watch Gabe's last cleaning in depth so that she knew what he was doing. Today she told me she'd definitely be going with me to my appointment in case it hurt. She said "I will just hug you tight if it hurts too much"

Off we went to the appointment, and yes, it hurt because duh, having a tooth pulled hurts ;) She talked to me and asked the dentist questions about what I should do when I go home and was a big help.

Tonight since the numbing meds have worn off, she's been the most attentive nurse ever. Bringing me an ice pack, gauze, and anything else she thinks I need. In fact, as I was sitting here getting ready to type up this entry, she hugged me, put her hand on my cheek gently and said "I'll sleep with you tonight momma so if you need your ice pack or anything I can just get it, then you don't have to get out of bed"

Such a little sweet pea my Bitsy girl and I'm so thankful for her :)