Picnik fun

After a horrible photography class...this is all I learned. At least they had fun!

Millie seems so concerned that I can't figure out the lighting and settings on my camera.  Murph just thinks it's comical.

Recipes

Update: The dinner last night was so-so.   I'd rather get take-out for curry...and be really satisfied!
I'm trying this tonight!

OK, in addition to many other things, it's my mission (and the mission of many a friend) to make yummy, easy dinners that are easy to plan.  Here are a few favorite recipes, in addition to the ones I previously posted.

White Chicken Chili

Spinach Pesto and Pasta

Zesty Chicken Enchiladas

Black Bean Soup

Colorful Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Parmigiana

Granola

And of course anything and everything on here!

I may be addicted...

Wenatchee

We went to Wenatchee this weekend for Jessica's brother's annual memorial ski/golf tournament.  We had a great time - the cousins played non-stop: bike riding, playing at the golf course, running the halls of the hotel, tackling...  Georgia was in LA with Nani to visit the Pedersens and go to the American Girl store.  It was quite strange without her.  I said, several times, "Murph, hold Georgie's hand.....oh nevermind."  Strange not to count one, two, three heads!

Fun weekend, awesome cause, beautiful weather, great people.

Amie's house = heavenly

The kids and I were walking to the park yesterday and ran into my friend Amy.  We have been planning on getting together forever, and finally were able to stop by her house after the park.  Her girls are way too cute...Murphy was in heaven with the older ladies.  Millie was in heaven being a big kid too.

My poor, deprived children don't play in the dirt much at our house.  I think I am a bit tactically defensive; I grew up going to the beach and hating the sand, I hate the sliminess of bubbles, and dirt under the fingernails is enough to send me into hyperventilation.  (I don't mind getting paint all over myself, and I'm not a germaphobe, just specific things I guess).  Anyways, these two kids played in the dirt for hours.  Literally hours.  They figured out dirt plus water equaled even more fun.   They looked like little orphans by the end of the night (and I mean night - we were there til almost 8pm)!
I could breathe easy again once we got home and I threw them into the shower. 

So, I learned a few things last night.  First, Amy and I need to make more of an effort to get together more.  Secondly, her girls are great.  Such kind kids.  Never have I seen Murphy more happy and feeling like more of a big kid.  Third, her pup Beau may or may not have a romantic relationship with Mason should they ever meet.  Fourth, I need to lighten up and let the kids get messy.  It was way too fun.  Just as long as they don't mind being hosed down prior to entering the house.  And lastly, Amy is an amazing photographer!!

Goodbye Sweet Linny Boy

It was a sad sad day yesterday.  I took Linny to the vet because he was acting strange, not eating or drinking or greeting us with his sweet little weet weet.  The vet called a few hours later, after administering fluids and a pain medication to tell me he passed away in his sleep in the incubator.  I have had the hardest time with this.  I never thought a guinea pig would effect me this much, but I keep thinking of when we got him.  Georgia was two years old, Murphy just a baby.  We were living in Arizona.  He drove from Arizona to Washington with Trevor and the dogs.  He was a sweet sweet boy.  The dogs loved him.  The kids loved to hold him and play with him.  He was a part of our daily lives and he will be missed dearly!

Something to think about

I'm not really religious.  I go to church...maybe half the Sundays (and never on holidays because I can't handle crowds).  I take from it what applies to my daily life.  I heard this and found it interesting...something to work towards!? 

(I don't know why my computer is only letting my type in caps...sorry!!)

Matthew 6:19-21

Treasures in Heaven

 ¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

permission

If you wish to have permission to read my blog (and feel so fortunate), please e mail me your e mail address so i can add you to the list of acceptable friends :)
kellykettrick@gmail.com

Exciting!

We find out tomorrow if we're having a boy or girl.  I am so excited.  So excited. Not sure why this time more than the rest but...wow.  I was very excited to find out with the others, but this seems like such an amazing half-way point reward.

Thinking back four months ago when I found out I was pregnant, I was in a completely different state of mind.  I was just over a month post-op.  Where my sprouts now sprout from my head I had shaved spots.  I was still so uncertain about everything: my recovery, my pain, my prognosis, my life!  In the time that has passed since I have done a lot of growing.  Not just my waistline, but as a person.  I have learned that the little things matter - as long as they are fun and light.  Like letting Georgia have a sleepover because that's what she's wanted to do forever.  It's a little thing that surely made her day...her month...perhaps her six months.  The little negatives - not so much.  Like rude comments from people, or things that would've previously hurt my feelings.  I have learned/am learning to not let those ruin my day.  I have so much to be positive about, thankful for, and live life happily for.  To let the little things bring me down wouldn't be fair to myself.  So on a personal level, I have seen growth.  As Anjali once said "control the controllable."  How true.  I can't control what comes out of the mouths of others, nor their actions.  What I can do is control how I react and my own actions.  Control the situation positively.

Finding out tomorrow just who will be joining our family will be exciting.  Little does s/he know that s/he marked a great changing point in my life.  S/he couldn't have come at a better time.  S/he will be joining three amazing friends for a life filled with love, fun, joy, and excitement!

Inspiration:

To do this weekend:
1) paint bedside tables
2) buy 2 white lamps
3) get bedspread/duvet
4) get striped throw
5) find fun pillows
6) put away the baskets of laundry that are in the room right now
7) go through closet and box up the clothes that just don't fit any more (but WILL again in 6 months perhaps)

20 months (in a few days)

More Hawaii pics I just discovered on my camera!

Now what!?

I am so proud of my little sprouts.  Squash, zucchini, carrots, mini bell peppers...if only I remembered to label them...

Now what do I do?!  I think it's too cold to plant them outside.  I don't even know how to care for them.  I'm seriously stressing...

Bookworm

There are lots of things that make this kid happy.  Lots of little things.  Going to the solo trip to the store with me (or Trevor) and getting prizes for "the kids."  Swimming.  Playing with cousins.  Having play dates.  Helping me make dinner.  Brushing her hair (no, not really).  Sleeping in.  Wearing her robe after her shower.  There aren't many things that upset Georgia.  Except when Trevor is out of town or we're away from him.  And brushing her hair (until Di told me about this miracle).  I think we have found the one thing that tops the charts for happiness.

Georgia always brings home the Scholastic book order forms from school, sits down, and circles 75% of the books she wants.  It doesn't go further than that, however, until last month.  We were at Learning is Expensive Fun and she picked out a Magic Tree House chapter book.  She read it all the way home in the car, walked through the door and sat on the couch only to finish it in half an hour.  In the latest Scholastic order form we saw the box set of Magic Tree House books.  35 books.  Her dream come true.  She patiently waited about three weeks.  I picked her up three days ago from school with a very heavy paper bag held tightly in her hand, and the biggest grin on her face.  "My books came today!"

Three days and seven books later.....

In every square inch of my house I find these books.  I had to tell Georgia yesterday she could not bring her book in to Mobius with us; she had to play.  I also had to have the lecture about not walking in the parking lot and reading because she has to be aware of cars driving around.  She is setting quite a good example for Murphy and Millie.  Murphy carried his own book with him this morning to run errands.

Georgia is truly the best!