Happy Birthday Noah, You're 3

Today my baby Noah Lawrence turned 3. Although, if you ask him he is still 2. He is very ademant about it also. We have been trying to explain that when his birthday comes he will be 3 for the last couple of weeks. Well, according to Noah he is staying 2, No Matter What.

Okay, my boy is so majorly spoiled. We actually bought this train, construction truck table for Christmas. He received so much from all the people that love him that we decided to save it for his birthday. He was so cute about his present. We "rested" in mom and dad's bed after the zoo. When Noah finally got released he looked down at his table and said "Wow, that cool cool". So I think we hit the spot on the nail. I know it will get played with a lot. So I am excited too. He had a difficult time leaving for our adventures of the day.

We went to the Hogle Zoo. We wanted to do something fun since it was a Saturday and Dad and Mom are home. It was so much fun. His favorite animals were the peacock and the elephants. It was fabulous to be together .

My dear friend Kieran made him this amazing Super Noah cape, that does not choke him. (Sorry, inside joke) Isn't this amazing. Her son Heber and daughter Avery both have one and they played and had so much fun together on Friday. Thanks Kieran. We could not get if off him this evening. He had to sleep with it.

After dinner in the end of the day, his friend Jaimason came over to say Happy Birthday. They had the best time playing with his train table and being super heroes. They both cried when we seperated them for bedtime. We had to literally put the house to sleep so they would know it was bedtime. We asked him if he had a happy day. He said Yes and gave us each huge sqeezes, And then I asked him once again "Noah, how old are you?' he yelled "Two" and we both said "Three"

R2D2 Cake with a Party

Yesterday I felt like such a "Cool Cool" Mom. I made Noah for his birthday party with my family an R2D2 cake. Anyone who knows me, also knows that baking, cooking or anything to do with food is not my strong point or talent. So this was a feat to say the least. In all honesty my sister Emilee helped a tiny bit, but most of it was ME. And I am so thrilled with the result. Spencer who is a 6 year old expert on Star Wars even told me that it looked just like the real R2. Noah heard me talking to someone about it and ever since goes around making beeping noises. His whole face lit up at the sight of his cake. It made all of it worth it. I wanted it to taste very yummy so it is a cinnamon swirl cake with cream cheese, whipped cream frosting. My mouth is watering just to think about it. And as requested I will type the recipe for the frosting at the end of this post (never thought I would post a recipe).

The whole time I was making Noah's Cake. He would come over to inspect it. He would start singing "happy birthday" to himself and then act out him blowing out the candles. You can imagine how excited he was when he finally could blow out his candles for real. It was quite the event.

The only thing Noah asked for other than cake was Balloons. When Kersten came home with this big bundle of balloons. Noah was jumping up and down yelling "Ba oon, Ba oon" . He is definitely a spoiled but happy boy.

In this picture above, we were trying to get a picture of Noah and Spencer with little corporation. So Amy asked them to "Show Me Love" for the camera and this is what we got. Hilarious

My son was a bit spoiled as always for his birthday. Audrey and Danny got him some Galatic Star Wars Heroes, Darth Vader and Obiwan (a favorite right now). My Mom and Al gave him a book with Glow in the Dark stickers and a puzzle Truck book. So cool. He has been pouring over it this morning. Emilee and her kids gave him A Luke Skywalker Speeder , It is really cool. His light saber even lights up. I don't think he could decide what to play with first.

Kristin, Noah's cousin made him this adorable sleeping bag for his favorite Donald Duck. It was funny because when he opened it. He took Donald out of his sleeping bag and gave him a hug. So excited to get a his duck. Kristin then showed him that she made him is own "B" or blanket for him to sleep. He thought that was "Cool Cool"

Noah now has his first fish. It is a cute little Beta Fish. Nik and Lena gave it to him. Lena even sandblasted his name into the bowl. Noah has not named the fish yet. He just calls it "ISh ish". As of 7 tonight the fish is now named Ernie

I was really proud of Noah last night. He showed so much appreciation without any encouragement from me or Kersten. Which as most people know. Noah just doesn't volenteer to give hugs to people. It made me really happy. Overall, it was successful and so fun. I hope Noah likes 3 as much as he liked 2. He still won't admit that he will be 3 on Saturday.

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I small carton heavy whipping cream
In a small bowl beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.

An Anniversary of Sorts

I know you just read the title to my post and immediately wanted to know, what anniversary is this Laurie? It is not your birthday, you got married in May, so what could it be? Well, it might not be the happiest of anniversaries but, this day 16 years ago changed my life forever. It changed everything, the way I thought about myself, the way I ate, the routines I kept, the friends I made and kept and in a lot of way it reminded me of my immortality. I have such weird memories and images in my head of this day. I remember my Dad's face painted in beaver makeup for the play, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I remember driving away from the donut shop with a raised donut with chocolate icing, I remember the Eye Doctor squinting at my paperwork looking concerned asking if I had "Diabetes" which I responded with a rousing "NO". I remember strange words and confusion and no one explaining what was going on. They then dragged me into the break room for they needed my seat for another patient and the doctor finally answering some of my questions. I remember my Dad's face in anguish, kneeling in front of me as I told him as only a fourteen year old can with resolve and bravoto that "I would just go blind. for we could not afford the surgeries." And then how his face changed into relief and laughter as he explained it was not necessary. I remember rushing to Dr Gambles, my pediatrician right at closing and there meeting my mom. I saw his wife sitting on a bench patiently waiting for she had finally got a babysitter and they were going on a date that night. I still can feel the guilt I felt for delaying their date. I remember him frantically looking through books about how to care for me and what to do. I remember walking in the back door and seeing my brother and sisters in the family room. I remember looking at our neighbor Curtis Cannon who was playing checkers with Emilee and saying "I haven't eaten all day and all I can have is a tortilla with peanut butter." And him saying quietly,"I'm Sorry." Mad, confused, worried and hurt that I had been ruined and I had ruined my family.

It is funny looking back and remembering. I had two eye surgeries in the short time after that and will blog on those days also. I remember my mother tenderly waking me up in the middle of the night to help me test and eat. I remember being in bed for 4 months only able to watch TV. I did love to read before that but it became an obsession afterwards. I remember looking at the crumbs on my carpet with the strong desire to vacumn without being able too. I remember begging my siblings to do it for me. Vacumning is now one of my favorite household chores. I remember doing puzzles with a sweet 11 year old girl that would come and visit me when none of "my friends" never even called that whole time.

This day changed me and sometimes I think for the better. Other times I still get angry for all the spirling events that have acurd over the years. The stigma, the pity, the worry and the inconvience this disease poses. I now can also see the blessings that it has created in my life

So to celebrate I think tonight that Kersten and I will go get a donut. (Ironic I know)

What is in my Purse?

Well Carrie, Here you go. My sister Emilee gave me my purse for Christmas. So here is the picture of me and my new purse on Christmas Eve. And now here is what is in it

My Wallet, which has in itself, my checkbook, cards, cash, change and receipts
Keys
Cell phone
2 Diapers
My Notebook ( for notes)
My blood tester
3 pens
My glasses
Laffy Taffy Egg from Easter
Gum
4 chapsticks
1 lipstick
2 packages of Fruit snacks
1 baggie of Fish crackers
Light Saber

It is incredible what I can fit in this bag
Hmm what does this say about me? Well, you can tell I am a mom.
Now I tag, Amy and Lena

Easter

Well, Easter was so fabulous. We went to Kersten's family for Brats and red cabbage and an Easter basket hunt in the yard. And then off to my mom's house for a delicious Beef ribs and potato wedge dinner. Oh, did we eat way to much that day. It was very special and delicious. I wanted to post some pictures of some of the Kids in their Easter clothes. They were so cute I could not resist. Above is my Son, Noah. I actually had quite a few really cute ones taken on Easter, but I chose this one because this is what he looks like when he says CHEESE for the camera.

This is Noah and his Cousin Josh, They are so crazy together. They love each other fiercely. Noah was the first person to find his basket at Grandpa Heinz and Grandma Monika's house. They both received some books in their baskets with all of their Candy. Here they are reading together. So Cute. These boys can run longer than any of seen before

Okay, there are two pictures of this baby Allie, I could not decide my favorite so you get to see two. This dress was her mom, My sister Amy's when she was a baby. And now we get to see her cute daughter wear it.

And then there is this sweet one of Allie. Who could choose? That is the thing with Chubby Baby, it was just to hard to pick from these two pictures.

This is my niece Kara and my nephew Christopher, they are so darling. Kara got to pick out her own Easter dress. And much to her mom, my sister Audrey distress. She of course pick out the PINK one. My sister has always hated pink her entire life. It is hard for her tomboy heart to have her daughter love pink so much. I love her piggy tails. Christopher's little hat is darling. Such a smiley little guy. I took some darling pictures of each of them alone. But I wanted to let their mom post them if she wanted.

So sad that Kristin and Spencer were in Jackson Hole so I did not get to see them on Easter. Lucky kids that they were out of town. Anyway, it was a busy, fun and successful day. Noah now understands the excitement of Easter. Before church we read quite a few Easter stories and in nursery they talked about Jesus, so we tried to get the true meaning of Easter in our day. Hope your day was as fun as ours.

The Bonesetter's Daughter

I finished this book about 2 weeks ago and I am still thinking about it. Which I take as a good sign. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan is an astonishingly good book. It is a book about a Grandmother, Mother and Daughter relationship and the emotions, struggles and truimphs we have because of where we come from. It was fasinating to see these women connected and changed throughout their lives. It is set in China and San Fransico and crosses the time of when the Grandmother was born until present time. There is a bit of mystery and discovery in this book. The Mother writes her history in Chinese and little by little her daughter Ruth, pieces together her mother and Grandmothers life. I loved the language in this book. I am completely driven by characters and these women really tugged at me. I laughed and cried during this book, which to me makes it a good read. Unfortunetly, I have already returned the book to the library so I cannot put any of my favorite passages. I love history and the the discovery of your family stories. I recommend this book highly. There are no graphic descriptions just beautiful language.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today Is my Mom's birthday. Above is a picture of my mom and her husband Al. They have brought out the best in each other. Her Name is Jeanne Renee'. I am so grateful that she is my mom. I have been told that I was given the gift of selecting my parents. At times, I have wondered what I was thinking. But I know that my mom is the best mom for me. She has always pushed us along so that we will develop our talents and become our best self. She has taught me to appreciate beautiful things and to find beauty in everything around me. She is an amazing photographer. As someone once said, her love for her subjects shows through the film. She loves her heritage and has taught me to feel the same. She preserves the past for a living and has a gift for restoration. She sacrificed and made due with things so that us kids would have what we needed. She loves to gather people together and have parties and makes beautiful, elaborate spreads of delicious foods for all to enjoy. Everything is always tastefully arranged and very creative. These past few years it has been fun to become closer to her. She has helped me be a better mom to Noah. It is very sweet to see her with my son and the outpouring of love she offers him. I believe that you never outgrow the need to feel loved from you parents. I know that my mom loves me and I hope that she Knows how much I love her