My kids like ramen noodles... GASP!

Ok all you health nuts out there, go ahead and smack me.... (verbally, since we are just here online). My kids like, no actually, they LOVE ramen noodles. They request them (and receive them) about once per week. I know that there are a LOT more healthy options out there. However, my kids eat healthy most of the time. And truth be told, I like the effect that ramen noodles have on my wallet.

Anyway, sometimes I eat them with them. Occasionally, they sound kind of tasty to me as well. Not that often though. I had plenty of ramen during college. Sometimes I try to doctor them up though in order to make them more tasty.

  Here's what I did today & I must say that it was a hit. And even I LOVED them.... 1 package shredded carrots 1 small onion Coconut oil Approx. 1 T of peanut butter Lime Juice Fresh Cilantro 6 packages of Beef Ramen Saute the carrots & onion in the coconut oil. Add the cooked noodles, lime juice, seasoning packets, fresh cilantro. Voila! This seriously tasted like something from Noodles & Co (our family favorite!)

I, Melinda Jill, take you, Patrick, to be my husband.

"I, Melinda Jill, take you, Patrick, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

Today is the anniversary of my marriage to my perfect husband. I'm not saying he is "perfect" perfect because let's face it, none of us are perfect. However, I know that God chose Patrick as my husband and he is perfect for me. We have faced many ups and downs during our marriage. I honestly believe we have come out stronger.

 Marriage is a sacament.

When Patrick and I married at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Chicago 13 years ago, God joined us and the two became ONE. Without the grace that God has given our marriage, it would have been easy at times to let the "bad" overcome us. I'm so thankful for the Faith that Patrick brought to our home, to our marriage. He has shown me how important it is to turn to God, to pray "all the days of our lives".... Not just in the bad or the sickness, but in the good and in health. I think how much richer our marriage is because of our faith. I think of the example that we are providing for our children. I pray that they go out into the world and find a spouse who shares their faith, who will share the foundation that will strengthen their lives and their marriages. 13 years ago, dressed in white, filled with a nervous happiness, I walked down that aisle, Trumpet Voluntary playing, on the arm of my Dad. There at the end of that LONG aisle (St. Mary of the Angels is a BIG church) stood my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and the husband that I thank God for every day. I can't really put into words just how blessed I am to have him. But I am SO, SO, SO truly, truly, truly blessed. I am so thankful that I get to spend my life with him. I love you Patrick.

Oh How I Love the Pitter Patter of Little Feet

It happens without realization. The sound of pitter patter becomes the sound of kids growing up. My 5, almost 6 year old, no longer pitter patters down the hallway when he gets up in the morning. I don't even remember when it stopped. It just suddenly hits you that it no longer has that baby/toddler/little one sound to it anymore. Thankfully, sixteen months ago, I had a wonderful oopsie-baby & get to hear that pitter patter every morning when Ella wakes up. It's a beautiful sound.

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

Last night we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday at Pizza Hut in Osage City. It was a surprise party planned and executed by none other than my dad. He did a pretty good job. Mom had no idea that she was arriving to a reserved room full of friends and family.
She spent her afternoon sewing with her friend Ramona, as she often does on Wednesday afternoons. Ramona lives in Osage with her husband Larry. The plan was after sewing, my dad would arrive and the two couples would grab a bite to eat for a small birthday celebration. The ladies finished up their sewing around 5:00pm and that left about an hour to kill, waste, etc. Normally, my mom wouldn't be too sorry to wait until 6:00pm to eat dinner. However, she said several times to her friend Ramona that she was hungry, she hadn't eaten much that afternoon, she couldn't wait until dinner. So finishing up their sewing on the early side required lots of thinking on the part of my dad, Ramona, and Larry to try to make it to 6:00pm. You don't want to arrive early at a surprise party! From what my dad told me, first Ramona said "oh I better get ready" and then proceeded to s.l.o.w.l.y. get ready. After she announced her readiness, it was Larry's turn. Nope, they couldn't get ready at the same time. When they were finally ready, there was still a little bit of time they needed to kill. Osage is a small town. So you can't hope for traffic in this situation. So with 10 minutes to kill, my dad had to do some quick thinking. He said "oops, I think I need to use the restroom, um a #2".... He then went & just stood in the bathroom for about ten minutes. hum-de-dum-de-dum....
To me, the funniest part of it all came next. As they headed out, my mom, the birthday girl, the one whose "day" it was, said "I'm in the mood for chicken". Well, now what do the 3 schemers do? "oh not me, I have had chicken the last several days" was the response of Larry and Ramona. "let's have pizza!" Imagine yourself, YOUR birthday.... and you are thinking "really???? isn't it my birthday??? shouldn't I have chicken if I want it??" Well, lucky for my dad and their friends, my mom is a big-hearted woman. And even though she REALLY wanted some chicken, she said "ok, let's have pizza" (whew....)
So there we sat, awaiting her arrival. Her sister and brother-in-law, 6 friends, my sister's family minus one college coed, and my family of 7. She walked in and said "oh!!!!" and was completely shocked. She was very happy and very surprised which is truly what you really want to happen, isn't it? I think she was more shocked than when she arrived for her 60th birthday surprise which my sis and I planned an executed 10 years ago.
So my wonderful mother turned 70 and thankfully, we were able to spend a portion of her special day with her. I'm so happy that we could go. And I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful mom. I love you mom!