Happy Easter

Last night we had a mini Seder for Passover.  I have not been very good about keeping traditions from when  I grew up.  but, I have made the decision that while I am not a religious person, this does not mean that I cannot expose my girls to both their Christian and Jewish heritages.  So, I made a really yummy brisket with potatoes and carrots last night.  While we were eating, I read the story of Passover, while Morgan chimed in with her interpretation of it.

A quiet Easter with the four of us.  We stayed in MD for the holiday weekend and have been enjoying our holiday, so far.  The weather did put a damper n things, as we had planned to go to Green Meadows farm for an Ester Egg hunt today.  A bit too cold and wet for us to go.  So, instead we stayed home, had a nice breakfast, had an indoor Easter egg hunt, watched Shrek movies (all 4 in fact), played a few games, and prepared our Easter dinner.  It's not the same as being with everyone in the family, but still super nice, none the less.  It's just very nice to have Greg home, as he works soooooo much.

For dinner tonight, we made a yummy spiral ham, green bean casserole with toasted shallot crumb topping, and mashed potatoes.  While we were eating we talked about the story of Easter.  I would like to continue with these traditions in our home.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be nice, so we may venture downtown to a museum or the zoo....Playing it by ear.  Here are some pictures from today :)  Along with Project Life for week 13.

Spring Time is HERE!

I keep trying to blog more often, but I keep failing.  I have recently emptied a few things from my plate that were weighting it down and causing unneeded stress....boy do I feel better.  I put on hold Adapted-4-Autism and Honeysuckledesigns on Ebay and Etsy.  I just could not keep up and was quite overwhelmed. I did not realize until I stopped them, how much time (physical and mental) they took up.  But I did add one more thing to my plate....Miche.  Miche handbags are really cool and since throwing a party once a month is not too time consuming, I thought why not...besides, I could get my bags cheaper :)

So, since January, let's see..........February was a fun month.  I took Morgan to the Poconos for a belated birthday celebration.  we stayed at Deann and Mike's mountain house with Beth Siever, Abby, and Devyn.  We went snow tubing, bowling, waterparking, and had a blast!  Bella and I went with Jen and Becca to see Disney on Ice.  they were princesses for the day.

A huge event was Morgan getting contacts, although now getting her to wear them.  She was so excited to get them, now is afraid she is going to poke her eye.  Slowly but surely we will get there.  Both her and I got new glasses.  My prescription went from -21 to -.5 and -.75!!!!!  Unfortunately and naturally, Morgan's went the other way.  Hopefully she did not inherit my eyes.

The weather has been crazy!  We are now in Spring and have had snow....several inches of snow.  enough to make a snowman!  Crazy, I tell ya!  It's a no wonder why Bella got sick, with this crazy weather and viruses everywhere.  We had an entire week of fevers with Bella.....thankfully, that is done.  Poor baby was sick for 7 days with a fever!  We were at ER and Dr x2 in one week.....sigh!

Here are Project Life pages since my last post.....I am very proud of myself for keeping my commitment to Project Life.  I really enjoying scrapping weekly and it is simple enough for me to not get overwhelmed.  I printed out last years monthly pages and the first few weeks of this year and they look AMAZING in print!

The first snow of the winter

FINALLY!!!!  Some snow.  We had a light dusting one day then an inch or so a few days later.  Not really snow for snowball fights or making snowmen....too fluffy and powdery.  Ringo likes to eat the snow and does not hesitate to run out in it.

My recovery from eye surgery has gone remarkably well.  Even my eye surgeon is pleased.  Before my surgery, my eye sight was terrible.  I couldn't even read the 20/800 line on the eye chart.  Now I can see 20/30 out of the left eye and 20/25 out of the right.  My brain has not wrapped itself around the change yet.  Very excited that the doctor has cleared me for physical activity again.  Thank You!~  Ringo thanks you, too, Doctor!

Morgan and I had planned to go to New York again for her belated birthday trip.  We just decided to change our plans and go to the Poconos instead.  We are planning on going in February and staying Deanna's mountain house.....snow tubing and hanging out are on the plans for Morgan, Devyn, and Abby (and Beth and I).  Can't wait!

Here is our week in review.

WEEK 4

Eyes, birthdays, and more birthdays :)

I made it!  I made it through cataract surgeries and feel so blessed.  Before the surgery, I could not even read 20/800 on the vision charts and the prescriptions in my glasses were up to -21!  As of right now, which is still premature, I can see 20/40 (R) and 20/25 (L) right after surgery.  I am so blown away.  So, I said a bitter sweet goodbye to my very thick glasses and hello to some really cute reading glasses.

Morgan is 15!!!  I cannot believe it!  We celebrated with a few friends, Abby and Devyn and her horse fondant cake she asked me to make.  I think it turned it mighty fine, if I do say so myself :)  Tasted very yummy, too.  My baby is 15!!  How can that be??

Happy birthday to me.  I celebrated my 42nd birthday yesterday.  A day that started out a bit rough, with children fighting and arguing, turned into a day of pampering for myself.  Morgan stayed home and Bella went to her friend Becca's for a a few hours.  I went for pedicure, a haircut, and a bit of shopping....followed by me time in the bedroom with my laptop and my shows, uninterrupted :)  

Been keeping up with Project Life 2013.  For 2012, I did monthly pages.  For 2013 I am trying to do weekly pages.  So far we are 3 weeks into 2013 and I have completed 3 Project Life page sets.  Just hoping I can keep for the next 49 weeks.

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

Getting ready for surgery number 2

In two days, I will no longer need my Coke Bottle glasses.  My wonderful surgeon, Dr. Daoud, has done wonders with my eyes.  I had my first cataract surgery on December 20.  It went fabulous.  Before the surgery I couldn't even read the big E on the vision chart (I was worse than 20/800 in my left eye)  One day post op, I was able to read 20/40!  Amazing!!!!!!!  Hoping that the second surgery goes as well.  I go in Monday morning at 10am for the cataract removal of the right eye.

I am spending this weekend preparing for my limited activity over the net few weeks.  I am straightening the house, organizing, and lots more.  I am going to bake a cake for Morgan's birthday.  She turns 15 on the 15th!  Crazy how time flies.  She wants a fondant cake of a horse.  

Thankfully my girls were very helpful when I had surgery #1 with helping me with things and such.  Without them and Greg, it would have been near impossible.  Love my little family.....xo.  I will post updates about the surgery on Tuesday.  Say a prayer for me.

As you can see from below, I was gung-ho about project life when I did the monthly pages.  I was all excited when the first week of 2013 was complete so I could complete my weekly pages but haven't found the motivation yet.  Not sure why :(  Hopefully will find it soon.

Project Life

Happy New Year!!!!  Hope everyone had a great holiday and New Years.  We celebrated the holidays as we have for the past few years, at home with the Weiss family.  I know, I know, the Jews some over to making Santa's cookies, leave Reindeer food out for the reindeer, and open Christmas Presents....deep down they really love Christmas.

Last night, New Years Eve, we continued the tradition we started last year.  We went out to dinner at Red Robin (new this year) and then went to Brookside Gardens to walk through the gardens all decorated in holiday lights.  So pretty!

No New Years resolutions for me....except that I am starting a new project to leave to printed legacy for my children.  I am starting Project Life.  My plan is to do a two page layout per week for the entire year of 2013.  I decided to practice this week while I was home with a house full of sickies, including myself (recovering from cataract surgery).  I practiced by doing month pages for 2012.  I am almost done.  Here is what I have so far.  I am really enjoying doing project life :)

January 2012

February 2012

Match 2012

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012

July 2012

August 2012

September 2012

October 2012

November 2012

December 2012

Hanukkah 2012 and Getting ready for Christmas

What a crazy and busy time of year.  It was just yesterday that we were sitting down at our dining room table for Thanksgiving dinner.  We had a very nice quiet Thanksgiving.  We did not travel and we did not have guests.  We didn't travel, as we have a new member of the family, who we cannot leave just yet.  His name is Ringo.  Ringo joined our family in mid-November.  He is a beautiful 17 month old dog...his momma is American Bulldog and his daddy is Greyhound and Collie.  He really looks like a Greyhound.  He is such a good natured dog. He is so sweet and great with the kids.  He does get into trouble by chewing things and being hyper at times, but he is a great addition to our family.

Since my last post, we have celebrated Halloween.  Morgan hung out with some friends and dressed up as Katniss from Hunger Games.  Bella dressed up as My Little Pony and went trick or treating with her BFF Becca.  Lots of fun, lots of candy!

Morgan completed her first quarter of high school and did great!  She earned As, Bs, 1 C (in Spanish).  She did well without my support!  Love it.  She is growing up so fast.  I can't believe that college is around the corner!!!!!!!!  She continues with horseback riding and has been spending about 8 hours per week (every sunday all day) at Hunt View Farm helping out on the farm and riding.  Snuck this picture of her last week when I dropped her off.  She made my heart melt.

Bella continue to amaze us, too :)  She is reading!  That's right, reading!  She not only has phonemic awareness, but she comprehends what she is reading.  Her staff at Kidsco told me the other day that she was reading a book to some of her friends.  The entire book!  I borrowed the book so I could have her read it to us at home.  Check out this video.  She is reading Marvin K Mooney from Dr. Suess.  We have never read that book before.  Tonight she blew me away reading "We're Going on a Lion Hunt."  

VIDEO WILL BE UPLOADED SOON

Hanukkah started early this year, so it is separate from Christmas, which I like.  We have lit the candles for three nights so far.  The girls each light their own menorah.  Omi, Poppop, and Aunt Joc are coming in for Christmas.  Can't wait!  Happy Holidays!