The Chosen One

If you have kids, you know that everything can be classified in "stages." The fussy/colic stage, the crawling stage, the clinging stage, etc. If I had to name the stage of life we are in right now, I'd name it "GrandPo is my BEST FRIEND stage." Olivia is attached to her "GrandPo" like white-on-rice. When he walks in the room, everything stops and she drops her toys and squeals with glee. Dare I say, if GrandPo and I were to walk in the room together, she'd take one look at me (the Mama) and one look at Kevin (the GrandPo) and make her pick - GrandPo all the way.

Needless to say: GrandPo eats it up. I think he thinks he's superman. I think he thinks he wears a red cape, and can fly. I don't have the heart to tell him that it might just be a stage. :-)

Normal Day

Last week, when Olivia was sick, I mentioned to my mom that I just wanted everything to be normal again. Healthy baby, healthy family, normal day.

She found this poem, and I'm happy to post it today when I have a healthy baby, a healthy family, a normal day.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you, before you depart.
Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so.
One day I shall dig my fingers into the earth,
or bury my face into the pillow,
or stretch myself taught,
or raise my hands to the sky,
and want more than all the world;
your return.

Mary Jean Irion “Yes, World”

The recipe that dreams are made of...

So Tom and I were talking on air yesterday about this delicious recipe.

Here it is, friends.

Sarah's Mom's Cheesy Potato Recipe (Hash Brown Casserole)

Mix all together and pat into a greased baking dish:

1 large bag of frozen hash browns (cubed style)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 8 ounce carton sour cream (or more if you like – I sometimes put 12 ounces in)
3-4 cups of grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet onion (NOTE: Sarah says NO! Leave it out)

(you can get creative now, if you want, by adding diced green chilies, or spinach, or green bell pepper, or…)

Topping:

Sauté until slightly crispy/light brown 4 cups corn flakes in 3-4 tablespoons (or more) of real butter. Put the corn flakes on top of potatoes and bake 325-350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until bubbly.

Let set 15-20 minutes before serving – it will stay together better.

enjoy!!!

Where we've been....

Heres the long and short of it.

Last week, Olivia woke up in the middle of the night with a fever. This is her first time ever being sick, so all this is new to me. The next day, her fever continued to rise, and I started getting readings of 104 and 105. Her fever peaked at 106.

We ended up at Childrens Hospital where Olivia tested postive for Influenza A. She also had strider, which is like croup. They did X-rays and tests and admitted her overnight. I was overwhelmed - and all alone because...

My husband, Joel, had the flu and so did my mom, so my support system was gone. I was alone at the hospital at 2am holding my precious baby in a rocking chair. I cried out to God. I feel like he answered my simple prayers of "...let her rest, Father, give her rest, help her sleep..." and "Jesus, comfort her..." and "God, I need to feel you now."

A nurse came in and said "This is what character is made of..." and I cried something like "I don't want character!" I needed sleep, so one of the doctors came in and rocked Olivia to sleep. Normally she doesn't really cozy up to anyone other than me, but God made it so Olivia snuggled right into that sweet doctor. The doctor held her for over an hour while I slept! It was a gift.

We made it through the night and I swear I woke up stronger. Tom says I've earned another "mom" merit badge. He says I'm collecting badges like a Girl Scout.

Olivia is recovering, as is my husband. I'm so thankful I got that flu shot.

Jesus really came through for our family this past week. He always does.

Sarah

Catch Up

A few pictures from over the holidays. The pink snowsuit was actually mine as a baby. So funny to be able to dress her in my clothes.

Napper Girl

Believe it or not, this is how she sleeps. Her little diaper-bottom high up in the air. Looks like a cat stretching. She loves to sleep this way.

Note: I can't find my camera, that's why I haven't posted 1st Birthday pictures yet.... as soon as I find it, I'll download them and post.