Happy Birthday...our one and only #1 Son!!!

What a joyful day today!!! Our only son, Ronnie is 7 years old today!!! What a happy, chubby little guy he was!From the time he was tiny, it seemed to me that he imitated his dad...he naturally seemed to gravitate to football and especially hockey...and he watched every move his dad made. Cracked me up! After my having no brothers, and 2 daughters...he fascinated me from the start.

No matter how 'tough' or what a little man he was, he was always and still is my special guy...still loves to 'snuggle' his mom, thank goodness! And...I love the way his mind works.

This has been a 'Star Wars' day....most of his presents are from one of the movies...books, dvd's...cards, and action figures...but, oh, the joy and pride of a little boy who is able to relate the struggles of good vs. evil to scripture! And the discussions we have....I think he gets it...and I love the questions he asks.

This morning, after he opened his presents ( he had to follow the clues to find them), and having the breakfast that he chose to start his special day....we went to the surgeon for a followup appointment after his surgery on December 3rd. The doctor had told us after the surgery, that he would be restricted to a walker for 6 weeks, then limited restrictions for apprx. 10 weeks until he was completely healed. Well....this morning, Ronnie was x-rayed and he is NOW completely healed...over 2 months ahead of schedule....Praise God for Healing and Answered Prayer!!! Even the doctor was surprised! Ronnie is now cleared of all restrictions, the darned walker is hidden in the attic, and he resumes hockey on Monday....we have one happy boy!

He had a short visit today from one of his best friends, Aaron, and the boys exchanged birthday gifts....of course, Star Wars! Ronnie and Aaron have known each other from birth...and get along so well! They always enjoy each others company.

Then, Ronnie had a surprise visit from our wonderful neighbors, Grace and Luke, who gave him a very cool Pittsburgh Penguin Sydney Crosby puzzle....they stayed and played for quite a while, which was nice as we've been a little 'isolated' for a while, due to different illnesses. We are very blessed to have the Kimmel family as our neighbors and friends.

We had a very special guest today, as well as all of the friends who stopped by....one of Ronnie's grandfathers, Buppy, drove over an hour to come and spend the day with him. Buppy can do anything...and if he doesn't know how to do something, he'll figure it out! Ronnie, his dad and Buppy worked on his car for the Cubscouts Pinewood Derby coming up in February. What a special time they had!

This last picture was taken as the evening winds down...with a fire in the fireplace, all of us watching a Star Wars movie...and of course, with lightsabres! Ronnie turned to me and said, " Mum....I'm filled with the good force, the force of the Holy Spirit".....I just smiled and agreed...May the God of all creation bless my boy...my 3 daughters, my wonderful husband, and all of you with the force of His love! ~Sue~

Scenes before the Arctic freeze...

Pittsburgh is bracing for below zero temperatures starting tonight...so the kids are playing in the snow today...even the big kids! Here are some scenes from our home today....~Sue~

HSM 3

We just got back from seeing with Danielle, High School Musical 3: Senior Year at the one dollar theatre. It was a good movie, I have to admit. :) I really enjoyed seeing the conclusion of the national phenomenen. At first I really didn't want to see it at all, and wasn't planning on it, but the more I heard about I started feeling, "Okay...it's the LAST one! I have to see it...at least once." Even Mum admitted to wanting to see it. So Danielle set up a day and time for us to go and see it. It was 50 cent bucket of popcorn day where you bring your own container (up to 3 gallons!) and you get it filled for only fifty cents!! And free refills. LOL So we were giddy and excited to see it. I don't at all approve of what most of the celebrities staring in the movie do and/or stand for but the movie was really good. And hey, I only spent a dollar! There are a few 'iffy' moments in the movie involving the nasty prima donna, Sharpay, but overall it was really good. The choreography was better than the first two (especially the second one!) and I did like the songs. :) I was really hoping it wouldn't be really cheesy/corny as the second one was and it wasn't. It's just a 'one time' thing but I did enjoy watching it. Especially with two of my closest friends. There were many 'Awwww' moments and sighing and bursts of laughter. It's a good thing there were only about six other people in the theater. :)

So all in all it was a great time with Sara and a wonderful friend. A memory made. :)

One more thing to say: Michaela, if you're reading this, I know I'm a hypocrite since I said I was 'so done with the High School Musical stuff.' :)

Chaos to...Restful!

Ok...the chaos is dying down a little bit...couldn't resist posting these...the color is actually called "restful"...and I love it! Now I can't wait until my kitchen is back together again and I can do what I need to do...cook and bake!

Below is what is by my rocking chair right now...talk about soothing! And yes....that is the beginning of the Dr. Who scarf...the colors actually dont' look too bad so far! I think it will be the longest scarf in history!

Here is a picture of the origional scarf worn by the actor who played Dr. Who...not sure what season this is from, but I love the story behind it...from what I understand, they needed a scarf for the show, so contracted with a woman to knit one...as they kept sending her yarn, she simply kept knitting...and the scarf became VERY long...so they incorporated it into the show. I hope our friend likes it when it is done! You can see in the above photo that I've just started...purple, camel and now bronze...after this is 'mustard'...definitely 70's colors! Back to my crocheting...with the kitchen torn apart, and dinner in the crockpot...the little's want to watch Narnia tonight, so hopefully I'll get a good bit done. ~Sue~

Chaos and crochet....

My home is in a slight state of chaos right now...it happened suddenly, when my husband, who is on vacation this week, decided to list his car on Craig's list...just to see if it was the Lord's will to sell it right now...well, it sold the next day within just a couple of hours after the initial phone call...it was gone....but he had to stop what he was doing to show it and transfer the title over...which was priming my kitchen to paint it. So...everything that was in there is in the diningroom and there are drop cloths everywhere. (does my writing sound a little chaotic as well?!)

What does this chaos have to do with crocheting...it calms my soul. The feel of my wooden hook, the yarn and the repetitive motion is very, very soothing to me right now...so, until my home is back to normal and less chaotic....I think I will just hang out with my children, read, watch movies and crochet...while watching my 6 month old nephew tomorrow and getting ready for Ronnie's birthday and his party on Sunday....if there are no new posts from me until after Sunday....you'll know why! LOL I'm sure Meghan and Sara will fill in with lots of posts between now and then. Next week, I'd like to share the crochet project I'm currently working on...a "Dr. Who" scarf...should be pretty cool when it is finished. Off to crochet a little bit...~Sue~

I am...

FOR TODAY- Tuesday, January 13th, 2009



Outside my window... the sun is up, the wind is blowing the tire swings, snow is on the ground, blinding me when I look out... :o)



I am thinking... that I need to finish a biographical report



I am thankful for... my fuzzy bathrobe, and God's faithfulness

From the kitchen... Well, my dad is re-painting it, so for now it is covered in dropclothes and paint cans.



I am wearing... gray leggings, a denim skirt, a pink t-shirt and my Aeropostale hoodie



I am creating... a baby afghan... pray it turns out better than my last one!



I am going... to the Maxi Saver w/ a dear friend to see High School Musical III: Senior Year



I am reading... The Kellyhorns by Barbara Cooney



I am hoping... that the movie I am going to see today won't be a big waste of money



I am hearing... Ronnie and Anna playing Star Wars as Anakin and Padme



Around the house... shoes lined up by the front door, Mum crocheting, Meghan making her bed, me still in mine

Go Anakin Skywalker!

STAR WARS ROCKS! Okay, Sara...compose yourself. Star wars is amazing and our entire family is being sucked in to a big, black, hole of light sabers and Jedi knights. And I have to say: we love it! I guess you can consider this a Monday movie review from Sara's Perspective. Since Meghan will be reviewing mostly old movies, I think I will do the new movies. So here it is!

Star Wars III: Revenge of The Sith

Rated: PG-13

Despite the rating (which is well deserved), this movie is fantastic. It is well made, beautifully acted out, and the storyline ties everything together. The parts that are PG-13 should be skipped for the younger viewers.

Good Parts:

The good and evil part is great: Obi-Wan and other jedi's put themselves in harms way for the good of the people, Anakin tells Mace Windu about Chancellor Palpatine and offers to help in any way, and also is passionate about saving Padme's life. After Padme reveals to him that she is pregnant (and offers to hide the baby away) Anakin smiles (My favorite part) and states, "Our baby is a blessing." When Anakin tells Yoda about his nightmarish visions of Padmé's death, the Jedi Master responds, "The fear of loss is a path to the dark side." About mortality, he teaches, "Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into The Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose." Unfortunately, Anakin doesn't heed Yoda's advice. Which leads us to:

Bad Parts:

Anakin is tempted much like Eve in the bible, and gives in to that temptation (a greed for power). The scene with Anakin being defeated by Obiwan is definitely not for young viewers. I will not go into too much detail, but it is most definitely not for younger viewers. Just click skip scene and you'll be fine!

Summary:

Besides all the bad parts, this is a wonderful movie! It is amazingly done, but you do have to watch for those parts where it would be good for a ice cream break! Have fun, and oh yeah: may the force be with you!

Menu Plan Monday...sort of!

Here is the menu plan that I made up for the week...before I knew my husband was going to paint my kitchen...and then he started it....but had to stop suddenly because he sold his car...suddenly....so.....everything is out of my kitchen and all over the place! LOL I'm going to desperately try to stick to this menu...even amidst the chaos....for health reasons as well as financial reasons....looks like I'll start the oatmeal tonight in the crockpot, mix the ingredients for the pumpkin bread tonight and bake it before hubby wakes up...and crockpot the chicken cacciatore as well....hopefully, all painting will be done by tomorrow night! This is a crazy week to begin with...Ronnie's 7th birthday is Thursday, and he has to see the surgeon to get his post-surgery checkup and x-rays...then we're having a big birthday/Steeler football party on Sunday that I need to prepare food ahead of time for, but... here's the menu plan for this week!

~Menu Plan Monday~

Monday:
veggie omlets/ cheesy eggs
potatoes

P.B. J., yogart, apples

Cauliflower cheese soup
garlic bread

Tuesday:
oatmeal with raisons

GF pumpkin bread, yogart and fruit

Chicken Cacciatore with GF pasta and salad

Wednesday:

Buttermilk Soup (a recipe from the Gr. Depression using buttermilk, vanilla and tapioca) with fruit

egg, cheese, GF pasta casserole, and salad

Deer chops, peppers & mushrooms, sweet/sour red cabbage, oven fried potatoes

Thursday: ***Ronnie's 7th Birthday! He picks the menu***

Cocoa crisp cereal, with bananas

Arby's sandwiches with 'horsey sauce'

Chicken and brown rice with steamed carrots

Homemade chocolate custard

Friday:

GF blueberry pancakes

Kefir smoothie

Brown Rice/Lentil casserole with salad

Chuckie Cheese for a pizza birthday party

Saturday:

oatmeal custard with raisons

veggie cheese omlets with GF toast

GF impossible cheeseburger pie ( with ground deer) and salad

Sunday: (Ronnie's party)

GF cereal with bananas ( we ALWAYS have cereal on Sundays)

crockpot chicken and rice soup

Menu for party:

veggies and dip, spinach dip, homemade baked beans, hotdogs, broccoli/cauliflower salad, homemade 'hotpockets', chocolate cake and icecream!

I'm going to TRY and find the time to make the shanghai egg rolls for the party, too...but wo't knock myself out if I run out of time! Getting together some more menu ideas for more meatless meals....my goal is to have 3 days out of 7 be meatless...and use less meat in our meals as well. I keep telling my husband that we simply need to change our thinking to " meat is a side dish"...he just laughs at me....and really appreciates the times he gets red meat! Be blessed! ~Sue~