Lexi!

Today marks the year anniversary of Alexis Verzal's injury. As I reflect back on the year I am amazed by God's faithfulness. I remember the phone call I received that night and the sick feeling that came over me, preparing for the worst and praying for the best.

God answers prayers.

Tiffany and Brandon have endured the unimaginable with a strength and peace that only God can give. Their journey is a reflection of Christ's love. My friend Kenzie reminded me this morning that, "He promises that "in all things" He will work for the good of those who love him..." Lexi's journey has been a testimony to His word.

We are so proud of you, Lexi!

Read Brandon's amazing year in review update here: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/AlexisLinn/updates

And a news story from the Omaha World Herald here:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10600984

Four Year Check Up

Caden's 4 year specs: Height 3'1" (In 5% - what a shocker!) 34 pounds (In the 25%)

Caden, Grant and I went to the 4 year check up today. And boy is that a doozy!
He kept asking us this morning if he was going to get bandaids today at the doctor.

So... 4 shots later, yes he was sporting 4 big bandaids on his legs.


Caden did not cry once! He squeezed my hand and held his breath for each one. Grant was SO impressed at how tough his boy was. So was the nurse. Caden, we are so proud of what a BIG boy you are!

Things I love and Things that ACTUALLY Work!

Pandora Radio
http://www.pandora.com/
A website where you can create a custom radio station by typing in your favorite artist or song. It will then create a station with similar artists.


Warts No More (by Forces of Nature)
http://www.forces-of-nature.net/warts.php
So this is one of those embrassing things no one likes to admit or talk about...but I have to because this stuff REALLY works!!! And it doesn't hurt!!! I had a plantars wart on my heel for the last 4 years (callused over and everything), I used the extra strength formula... Gone! No painful experience at the dermatologist! It's supposed to work on all warts, even those on the face.


Orange TKO Cleaner
http://www.tkoorange.com/
Dude, this stuff is awesome. Picked it up at a Farmers Market of all places. If you get permanent glue on your hands, it's the only stuff I know that will ACTUALLY GET IT OFF. Even the lava scrub stone can't do what this stuff does.

It's great for everything from Successfully getting sticky sticker residue off new glassware to cleaning windows, floors, toilets... you name it, it does it. And it's non-toxic!


The One Year Chronological Bible (NIV)
I am successfully in Leviticus right now. I love reading the bible this way. I minored in History and so this Chronological layout really helps me put everything together. Did you know that there are specific instructions about cleansing your house if it has mildew?

Valentines in Austin

We drove up to visit Moppy in Austin last weekend and we had such a great time!
Let me start off by saying how well I packed. So the weather forcast predicted upper 60s and 70s ALL WEEKEND. Well, a cold front moved in Friday night and all Saturday was 40s and 50s. Thanks alot Wunderground!
Poor Grant was stuck with short sleeved tees and 1 beanie to keep him warm. He was a real trooper.

First stop... Austin's best... HOMESLICE PIZZA!

The highlight for Caden was when the ticket arrived in a glass with smarties in place of mints. Truly one of the coolest places to eat if only for that reason alone.

Next Stop... Hey Cupcake! We drove past the little retro trailer 20 plus times throughout the weekend and the line was no less than 10 people long!

Yeah, they really are that good!

My fave was the Red Velvet. But one of their most popular cupcakes is the "Michael Jackson". It's a chocolate cupcake with Cream Cheese icing.

We loved the live music. This dude was playing at Hey Cupcake. But there were people playing guitars and fiddles outside other shops along Congress.

Later that night we ate at Shady Grove and enjoyed more of Austin's relaxed atmosphere and food. Caden got a tie-dyed tee shirt that says Keep Austin Weird.

Then for Valentines day, Grant took me to Cookie Lounge.

You choose the dough, mixin and coffee or flavored milk. They bake it and bring it out to you. It was SO fun! Grant got a brownsugar white chocolate carmel apple cookie. I ordered a sweet cream white chocolate blueberry cookie. YUM!

Oh, and I got Toasted Marshmallow Milk!

Happy Valentines Day!

Caden's Birthday

Caden turned 4 on Sunday!

Our Superman is growing up.
Grant and I realize what a wonderful blessing he is to us. It's so hard to believe he is so big now. Dressing himself, albeit, Supersuits and 3 different shades of green are not exactly what I would choose.



We had his birthday party the previous Saturday at Westwood gymnastics. This year we let him dictate the guest list and it was neat because he invited new friends he's made from his preschool "Turtle" Class.

I sewed and designed super capes for the kids favors.

Hot pink for the girls and red or yellow for the boys.

I also took on the task of making Caden's birthday cake.

I was proud that I didn't butcher it.

I even had a couple of people ask me what bakery I ordered from. :)

*A note to anyone making bright red frosting... to get the shade of red I had for the cake, I used 4 1/2 "no taste" Wilton red food pastes for 12 cups of butter cream. The butter cream was hot pink even after I added the final food paste bottle. NOT COOL for a boy's Superman party.

So I frantically searched the Internet to figure out the problem.

1. Use gel coloring instead of liquid. Check.

2. Use at least 2 bottles of it. Check!!!

3. If that doesn't work, use powdered food coloring. Um. That's so not easy to find. : P

4. (10 minutes later and on my final search) Wait 10 minutes, check color. Viola!

RED Frosting!!!!!!

I also made my awesome nephew a Robin outfit, cape and all! He is a hoot!!! Every time he is over, this is our conversation:

Parrish: "I am Robin Man!"

Unkie Grant: "Parrish, don't you mean Robin?"

Parrish: "NO! I am Robin Man!"

Unkie Grant: "You know he's Batman's side kick."

Parrish: "No he's not! He's Robin man! And he doesn't fly, he only swings. Promise told me so."

And so we are a family of superheros...

Tagged!

Here's how you play! 1. Go to your 4th folder where you store your photos. 2. Select your 4th picture (no exceptions)! 3. Post the picture with an explanation and link it back to your tagger4. Tag 4 people (or as many as you want) to do the same!!

So, now it's YOUR turn...
1. Heather
2. Kenzie
3. Christine
4. Suzanne

How to save those leftover herbs...

I am always frustrated when fresh herbs shrivel up a day or two after purchasing them (before I've had a chance to use them).

THE SOLUTION:

Place any combination of (chopped/whole) herbs in icecube tray.
Pour hot water or stock over them and freeze.

When frozen, remove from trays and store in freezer bags.
Use in soups, stocks, sauces, or herbal drinks.

I'm feeling Spa-ish today and decided to do mint & cucumber water. Thanks for the idea Sheila!

The Weird Kid...

Today Caden asked us if we would (legally) change his name to Superman. It took 15 minutes to convince him that an alter ego might be necessary for now, so Caden will also work, as long as he's not wearing his Supersuit!

We walked the dogs this morning, Superman in tow when a young boy walking with his mom said, "Look there's that weird kid that's always dressed like Superman!" Grant thought it was hilarious and while I tried to laugh it off, it kind of stung...
I reminded myself that he is indeed Not Weird and thought of the recent encounters I had with a Cowboy at Target, Iron Man at HEB and a Fairy Princess at Walmart. You pick and choose your battles! For Caden it is a fun and magical part of his growth. He puts on his Supersuit (and moccasins-it's better just to not ask) as soon as we get home for the day. Caden brings me his cape, that I ceremoniously velcro to his back and he's off saving the dogs, the world and mommy.

One side note:
At breakfast Caden was actually a KungfooMasterSupermanJedi.

So here's to all you Cowboys and Princesses in shopping carts!

A Day in the Life of Superman's Mom

Here it is... my first post about us. Right now Superman (a.k.a. Caden) is singing a song about trains, dogs and heaven. Yes, all in one song... He will be quite the country singer/songwriter someday...

Todays agenda:

Give Maggie a bath.

Cut and stitch 20 super capes.

Bake Superman cookies.

So far all I've done is give the dog a bath. Oh, well. At least the beds are made!!!