Monday's Menu....with a little twist!

Here is a bit of a different menu...its a liquid menu! It is a new drink that I served Saturday night when I had some friends over to celebrate my 40th birthday party. The drink was amazing!! It really has become one of my favorite drinks to date. Anyone who has been to a party or function at my home knows that I like to "feature" a drink of the evening! Well Saturday...I picked a good one! The girls loved it! It is the type of drink that tastes so good, makes you feel wonderful and then drops you on your ass...it was a great night!!


The picture below is the little ediable stars that I bought to make this drink sparkle! It was just a little added pizazz!!

This picture you can kinda see the stars sparkling in my drink! It was pretty cool...definatly to be done again!

I am actually going to do a full blog about my birthday party tomorrow, its late and I don't feel like uploading lots of pictures tonight~
Trust me its gonna be worth the wait!
Good night my friends and god bless~

Prioritize...

Somedays really are a choice to be happy isn`t it? I mean, I have a choice today..I can be miserable, tired, frustrated, unhappy and overwhelmed OR I can put my prioritizes in order and say f**k it to everything else. I do firmly believe that the true success to happiness is being able to say F**k it to the things that really are not that important. So with that said the first thing I did was cancel a few appointments we had with some community services for Braden. No loss there...I am thankful for what the service can offer but I get sick and tired of having people in my house. Second, my house..it's not clean, deal with that! Third, the dogs..I currently have 4 dogs here and one very sick young man. I am packing up 3 of these dogs without ANY guilt and dropping them off at my parents house for the afternoon because I am just way to tired to deal with the barking, running in and out, fighting over toys and bones..etc. Fourth, food...I have no food in my house, and I don't care..we will continue to order in, eat fast food..as long as Braden can keep it down and doesn't throw up... and guess what?? NO guilt! That's right, I am going against everything I believe about eating out through the week and breaking down that barrier...for now! I mean come'on..priorities, right? On a side note...I had to cancel an evening of fun, games, movies and treats with my wonderful nephew! I am so disappointed as I am sure he is as well, we always have fun together!
So today's priorities are to get some rest, tend to the young man's needs, get him better, curl up watch a movie and maybe if I have any energy later...I'll tidy this house before I go back to get the dogs?? Let's hope things look up..I am suppose to have a few girlfriends over tomorrow night for some drinks! I will be sad if things don't get better, but like I said earlier...Priorities..right?
So back to the...lets choose positive.
Now that I have my priorities in order...I need to work on the power of positive thinking!
Here are 10 reason's to choose happy today..
1. There are only 2 more days that I will be alone, Paul will be back!
2. Braden will get better, its just going to take time.
3. I got to sleep in today after a long long night, thank goodness I am not working right now!
4. Braden's illness is not life threatening
5. My parents are in Las Vegas having the time of their lives
6. My parents will be back on Monday which means Mac will go home and I will return to only three dogs.
7. All of my family is safe and happy that's including all my Martz family
8. If all goes well...my friends will be here tomorrow for drinks.
9. I have the most comfortable bed in the world, and I can crawl into it very shortly
10..I have a fire going in my fireplace and its so comforting.
How can I not be happy with all those wonderful things that I have going for myself.
So, I am not going to let this low time bring me down, yes I have alot on my plate..but its nothing I can't handle, I've been through worse!

The world of blogging...

WOW...I really wish I would have found this world of blogging ALOT earlier in my life. It would have been especially helpful back in the day when i was coming to terms with raising a child with a physical disability. I have recently come across some very inspiring blogs from mothers who are also living in this world of special needs children. I could honestly sit all day long reading their stories, listening to them vent and look at the adorable pictures they so kindly share with us. Let me tell you...some of their stories will make mine look like a walk in the park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
I LOVE their honestly, I love how they use their words to bring you into a moment that was so vitally important to them. These women are so brave to share their feelings, their lives and their truth...it is bringing me to a place where I am almost ready to go. I really wish I would have found this blogging world along time ago. I am sure, the stories shared would have been helpful to me and would have been a great support to me!
I have also come across blogs that before you read is a warning of inappropriate content. Those blogs sometimes I cannot read...having an open mind is difficult. These blogs are those where you don't want to be ready but you just can't pull yourself away. I am aware that there are many people out their that choose to live their lives a certain way, I try my hardest not to judge, but when I'm reading a story that is morally inappropriate it proves hard not to pass judgement.
Some are just plain funny, they are almost not even believable and I wonder if there is someone at the other end writing stories just to cause an uproar. Someone with a very sick imagination is sitting at home dying laughing at the comments left by other mom's.
I have learned so much through blogging, and I have to admit overall its been a great experience. Like I said I absolutley love following the stories of families just like ours who choose to share it on thier blogs. There are some pretty amazing people out there, and I enjoy reading about them.



On another note, there seems to be so much going on in this house. Last night we had to sit down and do course selections already for next year! Can you believe that? Kail will be going into grade 10, and Braden will be applying for college this time next year!! This is going to be one crazy busy year. I am gearing down, planning, organizing and preparing for the changes about to occur within my family. Especially with the big guy wanting to go to film school in NYC. He is bound and determinded and I do believe he is in the process of making an appointment for us to go down for a tour and to discuss living arrangements and attendent care options...WOW, I keep requesting that he looks more into the Toronto College that is appealling as well. I of course will support what ever choice he makes...even if it means letting him go to NYC. The biggest concern of course if financial...this is not a cheap school, but nothing is impossible and if its what he wants, we will do our best!
We have been paying attention to Kail's course choice's and have noticed a common theme. She seem's to be excelling in course's related to physical activities and science. For the longest time she has wanted to be surgeon, however lately she's been making comments about being a physiotherapist. So many options, so many choices...she's uncertain and that's ok, the only thing I push is the fact that she NEEDS an education. I want both my children to learn as much as they can for the rest of their lives...you can never stop learning! An education is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you! I love to learn, I love to take courses all the time...the more I know the more I want to learn! My 40's are going to be years of expanding, allowing myself more time to learn...maybe even starting my own buisness?? I just never want to cripple my children with thoughts of sticking to one job, one life, one career. They have learned to live life to the fullest, love often and bring to any table as much as they can. Through education...many doors will open and they will have the opportunity to florish and build on who they want to be, or who they become. It will never matter to me how much money they make, they could work at McDonald's if they wanted but as long as they were happy and expanding their minds educationally not being stuck in a world that hinder's their mind, body and soul..I will then feel complete as a mother!I can not discount what life experience can do for the mind and the teachings of life lessons. In most instance's those lessons in life are the ones that we learn from. I have just found that the more we know and experience through education, the more chances we take. We elimanate the fear of the unknown and go into situations with some knowlegde. Success to them will be their own definition, success to me is getting through every day being the best person that I can be...even if it mean's just remaining positive!
Good luck my babies...enjoy these years, enjoy all your choices...never close any doors!

Doula Love...

Just like I had commented in yesterday's blog I seem to have a hammering about learning! I seem to be only completely happy when I am filling my brain with knowledge of all good things wondeful. So, when I saw this ad for a workshop about working towards becoming a Post Partum Doula...I thought, "What the heck?" What can it hurt? Let's just go on in, check it out and see if its something that might interest me!
Guess what??...It totally interests me! Not only, is there job opportunities but there's also owning my own buisness options as well. How exciting is that? When I was working at thet hospital in Post Partum I had found that I felt at home. This seemed to be where I belonged, Surgery was good...I felt like I was helping people and it was great! But working with new mom's who were just slightly unsure of their new life style change...was definately my calling. I even recieved a letter from the head of the Post Partum Dept. who had seen first had my skills and abilities during an "intervention" with a mom who was just not listening to the nursing staff. There is no secret to having success in this department, you just go with what works...and what works is just being real..being you! Get down to their level, throw away the medical lingo. Put away your nursing title for a breif moment and just become a listener...that's exactly what I did during one of the most profound moments I had while working as a Post Partum nurse.
While at this workshop I had so many great ideas about starting my own buisness, it became overwhelmingly exciting! I'm not "for sure" putting away my nursing career...I will remain registered and I will continue to educate myself in the field. But, its really nice to be able to add some other details to my resume. Another workshop that I am looking forward to doing is the baby massage, I would love showing parents how to massage their babies and promote stronger bonds while doing so.
One topic that I most of you know is dear to my heart and soul is working with new mom's of special needs babies. I have 2 years to complete this training, and have no doubt I will love every minute of it!
I still have so much to learn, wow..so much has changed since I have had my children. I'm not going to get to worked up about it though as the women who I met on the weekend were wonderful. I know if I have any questions or concerned I have a support team there that will help out in anyway they can.



I have not forgotten about writing my book, that is still going to happen and I am starting to plan for the beginning. I have a course that I am taking the end of March and I am hoping that I become inspired and productive once I can sort through my ideas and feelings. I will keep you posted on that!

Monday's Menu Returns...

What You Need3 cups whole wheat farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
1 lb. (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
3 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled
1 can (19 fl oz/540 mL) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained 125 g
(1/2 of 250-g pkg.) Philadelphia Light Brick Cream Cheese Spread, cubed
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 Tbsp. Kraft 100% Parmesan Light Grated Cheese




Make ItCOOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, cook chicken in large skillet on medium heat 5 to 6 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Add next 5 ingredients; mix well. Cook 3 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.

DRAIN pasta; place in large bowl. Add sauce; mix lightly. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

The picture's that I have added are really not the best ones! As long as you can see the bow tie pasta..I don't really care!
We did not have this for dinner tonight, we had this a few weeks ago. I will admit that it was a favorite. This one is definately kid friendly.

Its My Party...

This year unfortunately my whole family is going to be away on my birthday~
My parents are off to Las Vegas and my hubby and daughter will be in Ottawa for my daughter's provincial games in ringette. This coming weekend will be spent with myself and my boy, and I can't wait!
So..this weekend we celebrated my birthday with a wonderful dinner out on Saturday night complete with an amazing birthday cake. It was so nice, I had an extremely busy weekend with this Doula workshop going all day Saturday and Sunday. My parents had surprised me with one of the nicest gifts I have ever gotten. I will have to say it is definately one of the most meaning full gifts. They had their wedding bands melted down together and made into this most beautiful locket. At first I didn't know what it was...I thought it was very pretty and thoughtful, but once I was told it was their original wedding bands bound together and made into this locket just for me....the emotions ran high! I LOVE it, immediately all I could think of was how many smiles, breakups, makeups, tears, laughs, handholding, caring for, touching and caressing these two rings together have seen in the 40 years my parents wore them on their fingers. The history and love this locket represents is enduring and breathtaking. These two rings which have become my locket has held the babies in our families, they have touched the heads of many sick children, they have searched for and believed in the power of hope, love and trust. These rings have guided many, they have lived through sorrow, pain and despair but have always remained firm and fierce never leaving the hands that housed them. They are the rings that I once looked at as a child and felt the safe place every child should feel, these rings symbolized my life...they were the image that started and secured our family forever. There are wonderful stories of true love and true heartache embedded in my new beautiful locket...some that I am well aware of and some that I will never know!
With all the love in my heart, I Thank You Mom and Dad! XOXOX

Guess who's back....??

That's right my friends...its me!! I have missed you all so very much! So, I have decided to make a new commitment to my blog! You see, i have been feeling lonely, kinda lost...not really myself lately. I searched everywhere for what I thought I may have been missing. Looked everywhere..closets, fridge, microwave, pockets...everywhere!! Woke up through the night with night sweats..bad dreams about losing things! Then it hit me....my blog, I miss my blog! So here I am friends, please come back to me!!
I may?? even let facebook go again? I don't know, I wasn't really missing anything...I never woke up through the night with night terror's when I wasn't on facebook! ;)
I promise to blog...every single night that I CAN!
I will go back to my Monday's Menu's and Wednesday's Reflection...and maybe some in between?!
Tonight hubby and I had another date night..it was wonderful! I have a confession...I love my hubby's hands, I love holding them. It's amazing how after every movie we see in a theatre, when the movie is over and the credits role after 18 years of marriage we still stand up, grab hands and run for the door. It never fails..its just habit, I reach out for him and he is there...every time! I love how he asks at least once throughout every movie.."have you checked your phone". Its just automatic...he wants to know if the kids have pinned or text us! I love how we talk about the movie as we walk back to the car, how we replay lines or funny scenes from the movie...we after 18 years of marriage still LOVE to see movies together! I don't know my friends...that ol'e saying "things only get better"....I'd have to agree!!