Asante Children's Choir!

Last evening I took the little people to see a concert at Redwood Covenant Church. All I can say is "WOW!!"

These 23 amazing children are from Rwanda, and many of them are orphan's or lost loved ones in the genocide. I've never seen such joy emanate from a person or group of people!! It's just such an amazing testimony of how God turns our mourning into dancing and we can overcome the worst of atrocities. "Asante" is Swahili for "thank you" - it seems backward for them to be thanking US, because we received such a blessing from them!

The kids were really excited - Rea was pretty much riveted and on the edge of her seat. Ma-lak liked the drums but got a little bored toward the end. Ni'ke talked and asked questions the ENTIRE time - "How old are those girls? Where do they live? Aren't they tired from all that dancing?" And Ya'shar was baffled by the whole experience. He couldn't figure out how they all knew what to do at the same time! "How did they know they were all supposed to dance like that?!" He couldn't comprehend the concept of group practice and memorization!! Love that little dude....

And to top off a wonderful evening, I was called off work last night and got to stay home and sleep in my warm and cozy bed with my warm and cozy husband!

Before the Concert!

PALS

Here's what I'm doing today!

Every other year I re-certify in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, even though I rarely care for children anymore in the hospital setting. I just can't give it up!! I really enjoyed caring for children even though it truly pulled on my heart strings a lot! I guess the "murse" in me (mom/nurse) wants to always be prepared...

I never know when I might need to call upon this information in an emergency. But I do know that every time I come home from taking this class I hug my children a little closer and pray for their safe-keeping!

I'm grateful for a job that provides and encourages opportunities to learn extra life-saving skills!!

Do YOU know CPR???? Have you seen the ads on TV for "hands only" CPR?? I love the guy walking around on his hands.... A genius move by the American Heart Association to try to eliminate some of the fear people have in emergencies, not knowing what to do, or being fearful that they could further harm the person they are trying to help.

The steps are simple!:

1. Call 9-1-1 or shout for help first if someone is unresponsive.

2. If you determine that someone is not breathing, or are unsure after checking for 10 seconds, push hard and fast on their chest (about 100 times a minute) till help arrives!! (push about 2 inches down on a child, and 1 1/2 inches on an infant less than 1)

You could save a life!!!!

Hooray For Thanksgiving Vacation!!

(**deep sigh**)

Did you hear that? That was the sound of a busy mama who's been meeting herself coming and going. One whose little people get to sleep in today and the rest of the week if they want! A mom who is SO grateful to have a little break from a "harried" schedule and gets to hang out at home with her hubby and little ones for a couple days!! YAY!

On the schedule for this week:

~Only 2 days of swim practice instead of 5

~Lots of baking and new-recipe-trying

~Writing out family holiday cards (this is ambitious, so we'll see...)

~Implementation of my plan to start running again. Or at least attempt "rigorous cardio activity" to inspire the desire to be less dormant. Again, we'll see...

~Shopping Friday morning after working Thursday night! (yes, I'm one of "those" people.)

~Lots of "blessing-countin'"!! This could take awhile. :)

Happy Thanksgiving Week to you all!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. —Psalm 9:1

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”—Psalm 50:23

Willingly I will sacrifice to Thee; I will give thanks to Thy name, O Lord, for it is good.---Psalm 54:6

Mom's Soft Molasses Cookies

We go through a lot of molasses at our house. Especially this time of year! Molasses cookies are the hands down favorite around here, and I probably bake them once a week.

Strangely enough, molasses cookies don't seem to be that common out here in California. What?! I grew up on molasses cookies!!

Everyone's always curious about the spices that are in them and how do I make them and what's the secret.... So my early pre-holiday gift for your baking pleasure is the one and only recipe for the world's best soft molasses cookies - my MOM'S recipe!!!! I love love LOVE baking with my mom, and now I get to carry on the baking tradition with my girls (and boys on occasion!)

Please to enjoy!! (You might just wanna make a double batch. Just sayin'...)

Soft Molasses Cookies

1/2 c. margarine (I use butter!)
1/2 c. crisco
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar (or half white/half brown)
1/2 c. molasses
4 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves

Cream wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients. Form balls and roll in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Don't over bake!

***Best if eaten with a cup of coffee!!***

Harvest Classic Swim Meet at Napa!!

They all sorta look alike don't they?!

My little swimmers had a wonderful swim meet this past weekend, and we had a great time in Napa!! I had never been, so it was a fun treat to be able to explore the town a little and enjoy the scenic 45 minute drive out.

We decided to stay there for the whole weekend (NONE of us are morning people, and the thought of getting up at 5:00 am both days and driving back and forth did NOT appeal.)

Ma-lak got first place in the 50 back, fourth in the 50 freestyle and 5th in 25 freestyle. Way to go, Ma-lak!!

Rea placed fifth in the 50 freestyle and third in the 50 backstroke (with a medal for a new "A" time!!) Yay, Girl!!

They both competed in the breast stroke for the first time this weekend, too!

Ya'shar and Ni'ke both swam the 25 back and the 25 free. They're are progressing really well and love being able to hang with their big brother and sister!

Lots of fun, and looking forward to many more swim meet adventures to come!!!

Owies and Pep Talks

Ya'shar had a rather rough weekend. He got a nasty scrape on his leg, got eliminated from his 25 backstroke event (kept clinging to the rope...) and during our very nice elegant Italian meal at La Strada on Saturday night, he VOMITED all over me, himself, the floor, our food, and anything in a 3 foot radius of where he was sitting. He blames it on the calamari Daryle ordered and let them try. He kept crying and saying "It was that squid! It was that squid!!" Poor guy. On the drive home, he said, "Hey Mommy. Today wasn't a very good day for me." No kidding, Big Guy. He fell asleep by 8:00 that night!

I loved seeing how his brothers and sister loved on him when he was having a hard time, though, very endearing! And while they have amazing coaches, I think Daddy was the best coach of all, giving them great pep talks before they swam.

Napa Valley College

This college campus was host for the swim meet, and I have to say I've never seen a more gorgeous campus. Especially where the pool was - set down in a grove of trees with all these trails leading down to it! So pretty!

Random Photo Opps

Camping Out

I remember our first swim meet earlier this summer... We were these new swim parents, didn't know what to expect, just showed up and thought all those other parents were crazy extremists with their tents and awnings and blankets and coolers.... Yes, well, it seems we've joined the madness.

Clapping, Digging, and Venting

I hate the expression "killing time", because I think that if time is invested thoughtfully instead of spent needlessly, then it's never "killed"... Anyway, that being said, I'm not sure how you would describe how we passed the time this weekend, but there was a LOT of time to do SOMETHING with in between events!

Time Investment #1: Digging a very large hole in the dirt with one's friends, using big sticks.

Time Investment #2: Practicing various hand clap games and making up new ones.

Time Investment #3: Standing on a huge outdoor vent watching your hair fly and your clothes get poofy.

All very entertaining time investments!!!