Silence is more...

Mondays Menu....

Sizzling Sesame-Shrimp Noodles

What You Need
225 g whole wheat spaghetti,
uncooked 5 Tbsp. Kraft Signature Asian Sesame Dressing, divided
1 lb. (450 g) uncooked deveined peeled large shrimp
3 cloves garlic,
minced 1 Tbsp. sesame seed
4 cups frozen Asian-style stir-fry vegetables, thawed
2 Tbsp. lite soy sauce



Make ItCOOK spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt.

MEANWHILE, heat 2 Tbsp. dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add shrimp, garlic and sesame seed; stir-fry 3 min. or until shrimp turn pink. Add vegetables, soy sauce and remaining dressing; stir-fry 3 min. or until vegetables are heated through. Remove from heat.


DRAIN spaghetti; place on platter. Top with shrimp mixture

This meal was fantastic! Both kids loved it!! I didn't use frozen vegetables because I found this bag of fresh veggies, and thought it would be more convienent. They were better but I am sure frozen veggies would work too. I also used more than 5 tblsp of the Asian sesame dressing, we like lots of sauce so I did that part to taste. I think this recipe would also go nice with chicken?! You would love this one!! Braden is difficult to please with food choices but even this one he loved!!

What to do, What to do???....

So, I have been thinking pretty deeply about whether or not I want to buy a domain for a website. I have had some second thoughts, I'm not too sure how I feel anymore about sharing things on the internet. Everytime I sit down to write something, I chicken out?! Not sure why, but I do!
Sometime's I think its because the things that I need to write or say can effect my mood and feelings, so I sort of thought.."why write things twice and go through the emotions two times?" If I write it on my blog, then I have to re-write it in my book.
I am also aware of the fact that really? Who cares about what I am writing about? Is there anyone who really cares? So, I think my final decision is going to be to keep this blogspot going, maybe after Jan 01 2011 I will blog every once in awhile. Things that are a fun, or exciting news that I want to share with the world.
I think I have decided to keep my life experiences private, and if you out there are in anyway interested in reading my book, then just let me know and I'll get you a copy.
The only problem that I have with this decision is the people out there who do have similiar life circumstances...maybe they need to hear what I have to say? Maybe someone out there feels the same way, or is searching for someone to relate too. There is nothing more difficult then feeling like you are all alone, living your life without anyone else who can relate, its so isolating!
So, with that said...I have managed to take my time, not make any harsh decisions or make any mistakes with this blog that I will end up regretting. I have not written anything so far that I regret or wish I hadn't said.
When I started this blog, I really wanted to share that certain time in my life...it has proven to be more difficult than I had originally thought.
Maybe Paul will let me move to Italy for 4 months, rent a villa and take the time needed to focus on my book?? Ya right, as if that would ever happen?? LOL
I might get a spot by the ocean in Nova Scotia?? That could just happen, we'll see!?!
I have not given up on sharing my experiences of raising a child/young man with special needs, or my beliefs and values while doing so and maybe just maybe I will launch a website based on just that?! I will keep you posted on that decision, that is something easier for me to do. Certainly the need is out there for other parents raising children with disabilities and/or illness. I am almost finished my year, then I can return to facebook..if I choose too.
I am almost done!

We had a very nice birthday celebration for Papa..

Typically in this house we celebrate birthday's on Sunday's with dinner, wine, cake and presents. Unfortunately this weekend is a busy one and we had to kinda "squeeze" in a birthday celebration for Papa. It certainly wasn't weak by any means...we even had special visitor's to help us eat the huge birthday cake that mom brought. Even though it wasn't a traditional birthday celebration, it was still special. Dad had his cake, we gave him his presents, mom had her wine and we had shared it all with my Aunt Donna and Uncle Ed. It was so nice of them to come by for cake and a visit. We don't see them often and through the years its been hit or miss with visits. Thankfully the spell has been broken and they make it over, hopefully there will be many more to follow in the future. My mom just loves to have her sisters in our lives, its important to her. I too, love to see my aunts..I mean these are the women who helped shape me to become who I am today. These women in my family are the one's who I looked up to as a child, the one's who comforted me when I was sick, the women who taught me to be strong and to fight for what I believe in. I love them all very much, and in my life I have been blessed to have had them all apart of my life. Even if it was in my childhood...they still embedded in me what love is, what strength, hope and encouragement means. I have always felt very loved by all of my family, and I am know teaching my children the same things in life they knotched into mine!
I am happy to have had you here tonight, thankyou for being a part of our night!



Here's my daddy opening his birthday card from us.

Opening presents...his favorite part!

Papa with his grandbabies...he loves them! Missing Ethan but will see him soon!

After 40 years of marriage they still kiss**

Papa and Paul...best buddies! Two of my favorite men!!

Papa and his birthday cake, Happy Birthday to you...


Mom and her sister Donna, so nice to see them together!


Donna and Ed relaxing, so nice to have you here!
Happy Birthday Pops...we sure do love you!!

Oh Shit.....Happy Birthday to my wonderful daddy!!

I love you so much dad! Hope you had a great day today and can't wait to celebrate tomorrow with you and the family!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! XOXOXOOXOX

You almost got me again blogspot...

Ok so seriously...I was in bed and then realized..SHIT! I didn't blog! So here I am sitting here with nothing to say except tonight I went to a CHocolate party at a friends house and we had fun. We shared stories, drank some wine and then had to go home!


Unfortunately people left early due to work schedules and stuff like that, but its ok because the important people were there! I am off tomorrow morning to Pickering for a ringette game, thanks Michelle for taking the girls to early morning ringette powerskating! I appreciate it, but will repay you in many many ways! I've got to go...the wine is still fresh and I hitting the pillow's hard!!

Monday's Menu and Wednesday's Reflection on Thursday...

The above picture of Braden is actually one of my all time favorites! You see at this time in life....things were looking up! He was for the most part walking with a walker, he was healthy and we were on our way to a great recovery. I had decided to take the kids out for a nature walk back when Braden must have been 7yrs old and Kailey was probably 4 years old. It was a beautiful fall day and I really wanted to capture Braden's success with walking. It was another wonderful time in my life, one filled with hope, faith and determination.
As most of you know about a year after this picture was taken Braden started to have some behavioural problems, he was suffering from many colds, he was extremely tired all of the time and he had a weird sensation of always feeling like he was cold. we initiated a CT scan to try and find out what was wrong with him. The doctor's agreed and a CT was performed, unfortunately they found a Syirnix or a pocket of fluid which was compressing on his spinal cord. The news was devastating and once again we were fighting for his life, and again I was feeling the pain of life being wonderful to taking a turn for the worst. You know, it has taken along time to learn to just live life and be happy. I have finally given myself permission to be happy...the easiest way to explain it is to say that for a long time I was afraid to be happy. Mostly because everytime I was, it was taken away. We spent many years like this, it was truly an emotional, mental and physical rollercoaster.
They had decided the best treatment for him would be to do surgery on his spinal cord, however the risks were catastrophic. We were terrified, again we were put in the position to make decisions that could ultimately change everything.
He did have the surgery, it did safe his life. However due to the high level of injury he did loose alot of his function once again alot of the function that he had gained after the accident. The best thing that was given back was his strength to breath. Thankfully he regained that but unfortunately he lost his ability to walk, even with a walker.
Many of you know, I will never give up on him...I do have hopes someday that he will have the strength to support some form of mobility independantly. I guess the difference today is its not really my fight anymore...its his fight!


Look at my beautiful baby girl...god she is gorgeous! She has always been absolutley adorable. How could I not stay strong through those years...look at those eyes, she was the one I got out of bed for everyday! She needed me, and I needed her! She is and always will be my soul!

So, thats Wednesday's Reflection...next, Monday's Menu...

Parmesan-Crusted stuffed Chicken



What You Need
4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb./450 g)
8 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1/2 cup Kraft 4 Cheese Italiano Shredded Cheese
1/4 cup Kraft 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese
1 pkg. (120 g) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
Make It
HEAT oven to 400ºF.

MAKE cut in one long side of each chicken breast, being careful to not cut through to opposite side. Fill pockets with asparagus and shredded cheese.

PLACE on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray; top with Parmesan.

BAKE 20 min. or until chicken is done (170°F). Meanwhile, prepare stuffing as directed on package. Serve with chicken.

This was tonights dinner...it was really good! Both my kids like asparagus so it was a hit! I did cook the asparagus a little bit before I stuffed the chicken with it. I know the picture does not do it justice, I was rushing tonight as I had to be out the door once again!
Good night my friends, and god bless!