Happy Birthday Cash!

Did this year go by fast or what?? Amazing.
I was trying to remember the first years of my own children. Long time ago.. Once I got over the awe of seeing what Butch & I had created (which took about 3 months) I remember that year as being so much fun. All the things that we take for granted, a child is seeing for the first time. The first time they see themselves in the mirror.. it was either Genevieve or Evelyn, I would have to drag out the photo albums to be sure, but she was so taken with her image. I had a full length mirror that rested on the floor. She would crawl over to it and play with herself. Just like having a twin. It kept her entertained for hours.
And the excitement at every milestone. The push-up, the sit-up, rolling over, the crawl (how they crawl), the first step. Wow, I am sweating just writing about all that exercise.
Then there is the feeding. I love to see the expressions babies make when they taste all the varieties of food we have to offer. They may pucker and spit up but they always seem to open wide for the next serving. How trusting is that!
The first tooth, the first haircut, the first word, the first laugh, OMG there is nothing better in the world than baby laughter.
Sara, you have been so blessed to be able to spend this entire year with Cash. So many parents don't even have the chance to debate this issue, it is back to work for necessity.
I would love to see the year in review posted on the blog.
I think the first year is just that - firsts. Mother and child both living thru all these firsts. And both, hopefully, experiencing the firsts, with joy and awe. Did you lay on the floor with Cash and watch the world with him? I remember laying with Genevieve and watching the cat walk toward us down the hall, imagining I had never seen such a site. My mind created a little fearful moment, but when I looked at Genevieve she was all puckered up with "man, can't wait to touch that THING!" excitement, that I had to laugh and realize life is good, it is really truly good, when our hearts are full of nothing but love.
No presents from me - just a Birthday Blessing - May year two be full of love, health, joy and laughter. Lots of baby laughter.

Love ya, Charmaine

Deep Thoughts

Hi everyone,
It's 1am and I am still wide awake. I got used to going to sleep at 3 or 4am New Orleans time when I was with Kyle and I'm still haven't gotten myself adjusted...
In these hours of being up when the world is slumbering, I am having delicious thoughts and memories. One that had me laughing was the old SNL skit - Deep Thougths by Jack Handey. Do you remember that? I found a web page that has them written down. Here are my favorites:
~Fear can sometimes be a useful emotion. For instance, let's say you're an astronaut on the moon and you fear your partner has been turned into Dracula. Next time he goes out for the moon pieces, wham! You just slam the door behind him and blast off. He might call you on the radio and say he's not Dracula, but you just say, 'Think again, batman.'" Jack Handey

~If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid seeing yourself in the mirror, because I bet that's what *really* throws you into a panic. Jack Handey

Check out the website: http://www.some-guy.com/quotes/handey.html
Read them all and imagine Phil Hartman's voice saying them in that super serious dead pan tone of voice. I got the good, deep down giggles. :) Or maybe I'm just delirious from being up so late.
Love you,
Genevieve

I've Been Incarcerated

http://jailandbail.marchofdimes.com/RianaReynolds

HELP! A warrant for my arrest has been issued by the March of Dimes for aiding and abetting the fight against prematurity.
I have been found GUILTY of wanting every baby to be born full-term and healthy! To avoid doing hard time for my crimes I must raise my bail quickly. YOU CAN HELP bail me out � or contribute to my incarceration. To learn more about how your dollars are helping to fight prematurity and save babies� lives visit the March of Dimes at www.marchofdimes.com.
If you or someone you know has had a child born prematurely or with birth defects, or who has lost a child, encourage them to visit a special site for families at www.shareyourstory.org.
My personal web page address for donations is ...
http://jailandbail.marchofdimes.com/RianaReynolds
Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
Click Now to sponsor me for Jail & Bail!

Roses

My grandparent's 60th anniversary is coming in June and I wanted to get them something special. Do you have the 60th Anniversary Rose at the Flower Tree? I'd like to plant one for them in their rose garden as a suprise. Thanks.

What though the radiance

which was once so bright

Be now for ever taken

from my sight,

Though nothing can bring

back the hour

Of splendour in the grass,

of glory in the flower;

We will grieve not,

rather find Strength

in what remains behind;

In the primal sympathy

Which having been must ever be;

In the soothing thoughts that spring

Out of human suffering;

In the faith that looks through death,

In years that bring the philosophic mind.

William Wordsworth

Wow! I thought this would be different!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family pictures - Family history

Susan's Look-Alike-Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Roots - Family history

He DOES look like me!

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Sacred Mother

Saturday Genevieve and I journeyed to Pyramid Lake for a sunrise meditation and yoga. We went to the Indians sacred site. The story is that Mother had two sons. One left and traveled north, the other left and traveled south. Mother sat down with her basket and cried. Her tears filled the lake. She was turned to stone at the site. Genevieve climbed into her basket.

To be here with over twenty people, meditating and doing yoga was an incredible experience. I find when I do things like this that I have a heightened sense of the world afterwards.

When we left, I wanted to stop and get a picture of the entire beach. Genevieve sat in the car while I stepped out and took the picture. When I turned to get back in the car I spotted this guy.

As I entered the car, Genevieve had this weird look on her face. As a young child (10-11) she watched the movie Tremor. If you haven't seen it, it is about these creatures that live under the desert floor. They are attracted to vibrations and devour what ever moves.

When I bent down to take the picture of the lady bug, Genevieve turned to look for me and I was gone. The little child in her immediately flashed back to the terror of watching this movie... Amazing how the mind works.

I hope you can find the time to enjoy the sacred sites near you. They are as close as your own backyard.

Check out my slideshow!

Recipes to Come Home To

I wanted to share this awesome mac & cheese recipe. This is a new staple in our house; no more blue box! A real comfort food. I used two 4 oz ham steaks, one just wasn't enough.
ps You can find Fontina cheese in the deli section. I had to ask.

Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
See this recipe on air Friday May. 02 at 4:30 PM ET/PT.
Show:
Everyday Italian
Episode:
Pasta Potluck

Butter, for greasing dish
12 ounces wide egg noodles
2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (packed) grated Fontina
3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan
3/4 cup (packed) grated mozzarella
4 ounces cooked ham, diced, optional
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse. Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, if using, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Quiche request for Lori :o)

A couple years ago Travis and I joined Lynn and Lori for the most delicious quiche one afternoon. It was SO delicious that we have remembered it even years later! Lori, if you read this will you please post the recipe or maybe Sarah can get it? I really want to try it out myself!

Your Child's First Teacher

When I saw the title to the book Sara had read, You Are Your Child's First Teacher, it stuck in my head, following me about the house while I did my morning routine.
I recall reading one book about childrearing, probably because it was the only one out there. I can't recall its title but it was the standard. Susan will undoubtedly come up with it. But I didn't have to worry, I had my mother, my aunt, my sister, my sister-in-law, my best friend, my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, living nearby, all of whom were ready for advice, suggestions and just to give me stories so I would know what I was going thru was normal. I knew what kind of child I did not want to raise, the brat we always see in department stores, or sit next to in crowded places. Thinking that would be easy was my first mistake.
Seeing my children now at 28, 24, 19 years of age, I am amazed at who they are. I was not a perfect mother. I did not have a perfect home. There was dust on the counters for the kids to write their names in, dirty dishes in the sink. They witnessed screaming fights between their parents. They heard cuss words that would rival anything you hear on HBO. And they survived.
I never really thought of myself as my child's first teacher, although I knew I was. The best thing I did was I taught my children phonics as I wanted to make sure they knew how to read and I was certain the school system was inadequate in that regard. My theory has always been if you can read, you can do - learn, anything. And I always made sure I was honest with my kids. If they asked me a question, I would answer it. Truthfully. If I didn't know the answer, I would find out. This means being ready to talk to your child about sex when they are as young as 6 years old. When they ask the question, you have to have an answer. If you don't, you will soon learn they will go somewhere else for their answers and that is NOT a good thing for them to be doing.
Having that book title with me this morning made me think a new book should written.

Your Child Will Become Your Best Teacher

This would be my advice to mothers. Relax and learn all that you can from your baby. You are obviously a wonderful person. Look at who you are. You are smart, have graduated from school, worked at jobs, know what you love and don't love, played sports, found a mate, you know what makes you happy, unhappy, you are functioning well in this world.
You have a baby. Watch how your baby reacts to the world. See what the baby smiles at, what catches his attention. See what makes him cry. Notice how his digestion works. See the world thru his eyes. This will give you a new prospective on your own life.
As he grows, listen to what he says, and ask what he thinks about things. Life is new and fresh to him. The words he speaks come straight from the heart, a quality that we tend to lose as we grow older. He can see joy in things that we have stopped even recognizing.
I know parents worry if they are doing the right thing and want better things for their child than they had in life. But this is my belief.
My child picked me.
True, I made the decision to have the child, but the child I got picked ME. For whatever reason, Butch and I had all the qualities and knowledge this child needed to fulfill their destiny. That thought in itself took a lot of pressure off my mind.
Since they picked you, you know you have what it takes to help them become who they need to be.
Now you can focus on what they came here to teach you. This is the fun part. Open your heart, let the love in and the teaching begin.

Two birthday videos for you Charma!

Great Movie

If you haven't already, please treat yourself to Into the Wild. Travis and I watched it last night and both really liked it. I had wanted to read the book but Netflix was too quick. I think I'll read it anyway. I am searching for the same escape and I am just a bit jealous of Alexander Supertramp.

It's a great day to be alive!

I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?

Spring is here and so were my parents! Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:



Not such a short stack of Cash anymore!















Ahhhhh.... the family!
















The only way we could all be making the same face. It was Cash's idea :o)






























Cookies I invented that you HAVE to try! :

The "Good Stuff" cookie

Submitted by: Sara

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minu

Ready In: 0 Yields: 24 servings

"All of my favorites: chocolate, oatmeal, raisins, and coconut all rolled into one great light cookie that's not that bad for you!!!"

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 sticks of butter softened 1 cup Splenda, 0.5 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1.75 cups whole grain flour, .25 cup wheat germ,

.25 cup oatmeal 1 tsp baking soda .5 tsp salt .5 cup shredded coconut .5 cup mini chocolate chips .5 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS:

1.	mix butter, splenda, brown sugar and vanilla in mixer
2.	add eggs one at a time blending well after each egg
3.	add raisins
4.	add oatmeal
5.	add wheat germ
6.	in large bowl mix flour, salt and baking soda together
7.	add flour mixture to butter/sugar mixture in mixer bowl
8.	blend well
9.	add chocolate chips and coconut
10.	spoon onto greased cookie sheets
11.	bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or until golden

Recipe Submission from Sara

Printed from Allrecipes.com 4/11/2008

Your Life

Here's how to view every decision you've ever made: It was right.

Here's how to view every path you've ever chosen: It was right.

Here's how to view every trend, friend, and dance you've ever moved with: They were right.

And here's how to view the fact that you even exist at all: "I" am totally on fire.

The Universe

Endings or Beginnings??

"God never slams a door in your face without opening a box of Girl Scout cookies...." Eat, Pray, Love

I love how the universe works. Leap and the net appears.

I had a long talk with Bree today. She has been struggling with the opportunity Mike has to work in Canada. Within days she gets told that the lease will not be renewed on her shop, there is space for her and Trish at a new shop opening on Williams Ave, things are just a popping, all in a new direction. How exciting for her! An end to Bella Sorellas, which is sad, but what an opportunity is opening up for her and her family. Good things for good people.

Something has to go for something better to show itself.

Making a memory.....one at a time

Today was one of those "make a memory" days. It wasn't that anything special happened, it wasn't that anything was out of the ordinary. It was just a day that started at about 6am and at 6pm, is now just starting to wind down. Sara, Cash and I had a day out together. We headed over to his eye doctor appointment in Brunswick at 10am, and after being told that everything was aok, his lazy eye has corrected itself, we walked over to Maine Street with a light drizzle of rain, and went to my new favorite store, Morning Glory Natural Foods. Housed in an old gorgeous storefront, wooden floors, curved wood banister leading you to the clothing area upstairs ~ Now this store has everything, and I mean everything. Organic wines, foods of every kind, all the homeopathic oils and potions that Charma has to go to Reno for, books of every variety, organic cotton clothing, and on and on and on. I know that we are getting a new Whole Foods in Reno, but I would take this store over it every day of the week. This place has CHARACTER! It took us almost an hour just to wander through the aisles, Cash tucked into his stroller enjoying all the interaction with all the other happy shoppers. We gathered all our choices and paid for them, and after taking a few pictures in the wine department ~great ideas~ we headed out the door. Back out into the now light snow, we headed on down the cobblestones to a shop that Robert and I had visited at Christmas time. Those of you in my generation will relate to this, but some of you might not remember a true "five & dime" store. Aisle after aisle of treasures, including new clothes...nice ones!... we decided to head downstairs to see what was down there, and the only way to get the stroller down was in an elevator.......where was the elevator???? old wooden stairs down the center of the building, we look and there is the elevator, a BOX of clear Plexiglas, with a small door.......and a "lift" lever. We settled the two of them in, and I headed down the stairs, camera in hand of course.........when we hit the bottom floor our eyes lighted on a toy that Robert had been looking for at all the toy stores in town to no avail......a Fisher Price Popcorn Popper walking toy for Cash, new material for Sara to make cloth bags to take her groceries home in, adorable new kitchen curtains with daises the same color yellow as her old aluminum table, and socks...socks...socks.....BassTahoe style for .99 each! They headed back up the elevator, I on the stairs, and off we went to lunch. Deli Style at the The Big Top, we enjoyed great sandwiches with Cash in the high chair, my how that turns "eating out" back to a pleasurable event with a little one.....there was a little girl, about 13 months I think her Mom said, right next to us, and she and Cash talked and talked together all through lunch. We finished up and headed over to the base to take Travis a sandwich, he was working through lunch to try and get off early to head back home to see Bob to work on their journey across the country planned for this spring, and then we set the car for Freeport and LLBean world. A light snow still falling, we journeyed down the back roads marveling at all the huge old houses, wrapped in white, the true New England experience spread out in front of us in all it's glory. We got to Freeport and hit the Flying Pig Bread Company for some chocolate bread for Travis and Robert's breakfast, then we walked the streets , had a coffee, bought me some great new, stylish I am told by Sara, clothes. We maneuver ourselves through the stores with Cash on Sara's back. Boy, they didn't make backpacks like this for us......his pack even has a rain guard! dry and comfy, he enjoyed the afternoon cruise.

On the way back home we took the scenic route. Cash napping so well in the back that we wanted him to get his full nap out of the way. We stopped in Lewiston on the way home so I could wander through a cathedral that had caught my eye, then on back to the house to gather with the boys. We have cheesecake in the oven, 1950's style because the previous tenants had left an old Betty Crocker cookbook in the cupboard and we decided to try it, taco's for dinner, and oh yeah, gin & tonic on the table beside me. Cash has had his bath and is tucked into his jammies ready for bed, Travis and Robert in the kitchen making dinner.........yeah..............we're "making a memory"

luvyasu.