August 29, 2009
August 28, 2009
Hodge Podge
What's that?...you want to know what other fun and exciting events we've had going on around our place? Well let me show you...
David is busy teaching Jacob some really cool tricks - sure to impress the girls one day!
Lia and Jacob play lovely duets together...
Lia has been shopping for a pair of boots.
should she get pair A...
or pair B?
These are big, important decisions in life that a girl must face you know!
We also got to spend a few days with our cousins in another town. Jacob and Lia had a blast with "A". And he had a great time with them.
Is this not one of the cutest things you've ever seen!
These two are great buddies now!
So that's it in a nutshell...aren't you glad you asked!
Next up...my baby girl's first birthday party!
David is busy teaching Jacob some really cool tricks - sure to impress the girls one day!
Lia and Jacob play lovely duets together...
Lia has been shopping for a pair of boots.
should she get pair A...
or pair B?
These are big, important decisions in life that a girl must face you know!
We also got to spend a few days with our cousins in another town. Jacob and Lia had a blast with "A". And he had a great time with them.
Is this not one of the cutest things you've ever seen!
These two are great buddies now!
So that's it in a nutshell...aren't you glad you asked!
Next up...my baby girl's first birthday party!
August 27, 2009
Where to begin?
Where to begin since I've been gone so long? I had intentions of getting all caught up but that task seems too overwhelming right now with everything else going on so I'm keeping this simple...
We went to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus in Dallas a few weekends ago. We met B,L&Co. there - and had a grand time! Afterwards we all went to a great restaurant...Aunt Lesha & Nana had fun keeping the boys occupied while we waited to get seated...
...and where is this kids parents?? ;)
Us ladies received roses from my Dad...he's good like that. However, the boys thought they needed the flowers. Perfect photo op right??? riiiiight!!
Trevin decides Lia's lap is just perfect for him, Lia wonders if she is going to be stuck for life, Jacob is proclaiming to the world how awesome his "Scoop" is, and Trace is just being sweet.
Kid fruit basket turnover...and Lia is out of there!! ("Not so fast, little missy, not so fast!" declares Trevin.)
Trevin decides Lia need some lovin' for putting up with all the action!
And one more try with Nana & Papa...fugetaboutit!!
We went to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus in Dallas a few weekends ago. We met B,L&Co. there - and had a grand time! Afterwards we all went to a great restaurant...Aunt Lesha & Nana had fun keeping the boys occupied while we waited to get seated...
...and where is this kids parents?? ;)
Us ladies received roses from my Dad...he's good like that. However, the boys thought they needed the flowers. Perfect photo op right??? riiiiight!!
Trevin decides Lia's lap is just perfect for him, Lia wonders if she is going to be stuck for life, Jacob is proclaiming to the world how awesome his "Scoop" is, and Trace is just being sweet.
Kid fruit basket turnover...and Lia is out of there!! ("Not so fast, little missy, not so fast!" declares Trevin.)
Trevin decides Lia need some lovin' for putting up with all the action!
And one more try with Nana & Papa...fugetaboutit!!
August 9, 2009
MIA
I know, I know, I've been MIA for a while and I will be for a little while longer - that's just life sometimes. Everything's all good...just been a bit busy lately - living life and NOT blogging about it. I do want to share these pics from a recent outing...anyone care to guess where we've been?
Someday soon I hope to get all caught up on here with what we've been doing for the last couple of months. This blog is kind of my "journal" of our life so I do want to keep it up, it's just that sometimes real life gets in the way...like toilets that don't work, 3 yo boys who need extra amounts of attention, 11 mo girls who are cutting teeth, and Moms who are feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything and feeling like things are spinning out of control! But I'll get my "vertigo" under control one day.
Someday soon I hope to get all caught up on here with what we've been doing for the last couple of months. This blog is kind of my "journal" of our life so I do want to keep it up, it's just that sometimes real life gets in the way...like toilets that don't work, 3 yo boys who need extra amounts of attention, 11 mo girls who are cutting teeth, and Moms who are feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything and feeling like things are spinning out of control! But I'll get my "vertigo" under control one day.
July 13, 2009
A New Chapter...
WARNING - THIS IS A "WORDY" POST
So...in the last post I mentioned some changes in my "professional" life that I am excited about - here's the scoop.
When Jacob was born 3 1/2 years ago I quit working outside my home. I was thrilled we were in a position I could do that and have loved every minute of it. (Well, as long as I'm laying it out here...maybe not EVERY minute, but you get the idea.) Then a little over 2 years ago David lost his job at the hospital where he worked and NO doors were opening in FL. Being the awesome husband he is, he agreed to apply for a job at ONE hospital in Texas in the same town my brother and his family lived in. He was hired and I was beyond thrilled. I was actually going to get to move back to Texas, something I really believed would never happen. Now, don't get me wrong, I loved living in FL, we have great family and friends there, but there's no place like home...espicially to a Texan. ;) Since coming to the East Texas area there have been many changes...I won't go into all of that but I will say I had gotten quite restless and feeling like something had to give. I'm very much a people person and have been feeling a strong urge to get back out into the "working world" but nothing has felt right. (I know, I know, being a Mom IS working!) I'd actually gotten quite down about some things. Then through a friend of mine I found out about someone looking for someone (does that make sence??) in the East Texas area to represent her company. It took me all of 8.2 seconds to decide that this is exactly what I wanted to do.
Way back in the day I worked in Occupational Therapy - it's been several years since I worked in the field and I don't have my license any more (my Mother and Husband have not quit yapping to me about that) but that is my background. Even after I wasn't working in OT anymore I was still in medicine - I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator for Mayo Clinic until Jacob was born. So...this "someone who needs someone" is an Occupational Therapist who remembered me from when I graduate from OT school 11 years ago. We started talking about the possibilities of us working together. This all happened so fast my head has been spinning for the last few weeks. This is just perfect for me. I will be selling assistive technology communication devices. (Say that 3 times really fast!) I can work as little or as much as I want. My plan is to work really hard 2 days a week and then relax a little the other days. Of course I understand plans are made to be changed. I'm still working on child care issues but I have a few good options. Just have to iron out the details. I went out "in the field" one day last week and was thrilled with what I saw and how I felt about it. Our clientelle is very diverce. On the particular day I went out I saw 2 people with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Diseas). One person was in the hospital and one person was at home...both had progressed to the point they could not speak anymore. They could both use one arm at the time, but that will be gone soon too. We showed them a device that is a camera mounted on a special computer that tracks their eye movements. By looking at the computer screen they can communicate with those around them, and do so many other tasks. AMAZING!! We also saw an 11 year old little boy who is deaf. We showed him a small device that he can carry around that will talk for him. You should have seen the excitement on his face. He's excited that when he's 16 he can use the drive through at McDonalds and order 6 BigMacs if he wants. ;) His family knows sign language and he has an intrepter at school, but there are times when having someone to intrepret for him is not possible. This gives him some independence he would otherwise not have. Our last appt. for the day was a lady in her 50s who had a stroke. As a result, she was paralyzed on her left side and could not talk. We showed her a special lap top computer that she can use to communicate and speak for her. She was able to effectively communicate with us that day - that was a first sine she had the stroke. Needless to say she was thrilled. I will also be going into school systems working with some of the students and assisting them in getting devices that will help them be able to communicate as effectively as possible. All in all that was an emotional day for me...seeing the highs and lows people experience every single day. I came home and was more thankful for the gift of the healthy family I have. I know there will be times my heart will break for some of my clients, and there will be times when I will feel an extreme high for my clients. The bottom line is I feel peace and excitement about the decision I've made to pursue this opportuniy and my family is being 100% supportive. I'm a happy girl.
These are websites of some of the equipment I sell:
ERICA
Words +
Say-it SAM!
So...in the last post I mentioned some changes in my "professional" life that I am excited about - here's the scoop.
When Jacob was born 3 1/2 years ago I quit working outside my home. I was thrilled we were in a position I could do that and have loved every minute of it. (Well, as long as I'm laying it out here...maybe not EVERY minute, but you get the idea.) Then a little over 2 years ago David lost his job at the hospital where he worked and NO doors were opening in FL. Being the awesome husband he is, he agreed to apply for a job at ONE hospital in Texas in the same town my brother and his family lived in. He was hired and I was beyond thrilled. I was actually going to get to move back to Texas, something I really believed would never happen. Now, don't get me wrong, I loved living in FL, we have great family and friends there, but there's no place like home...espicially to a Texan. ;) Since coming to the East Texas area there have been many changes...I won't go into all of that but I will say I had gotten quite restless and feeling like something had to give. I'm very much a people person and have been feeling a strong urge to get back out into the "working world" but nothing has felt right. (I know, I know, being a Mom IS working!) I'd actually gotten quite down about some things. Then through a friend of mine I found out about someone looking for someone (does that make sence??) in the East Texas area to represent her company. It took me all of 8.2 seconds to decide that this is exactly what I wanted to do.
Way back in the day I worked in Occupational Therapy - it's been several years since I worked in the field and I don't have my license any more (my Mother and Husband have not quit yapping to me about that) but that is my background. Even after I wasn't working in OT anymore I was still in medicine - I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator for Mayo Clinic until Jacob was born. So...this "someone who needs someone" is an Occupational Therapist who remembered me from when I graduate from OT school 11 years ago. We started talking about the possibilities of us working together. This all happened so fast my head has been spinning for the last few weeks. This is just perfect for me. I will be selling assistive technology communication devices. (Say that 3 times really fast!) I can work as little or as much as I want. My plan is to work really hard 2 days a week and then relax a little the other days. Of course I understand plans are made to be changed. I'm still working on child care issues but I have a few good options. Just have to iron out the details. I went out "in the field" one day last week and was thrilled with what I saw and how I felt about it. Our clientelle is very diverce. On the particular day I went out I saw 2 people with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Diseas). One person was in the hospital and one person was at home...both had progressed to the point they could not speak anymore. They could both use one arm at the time, but that will be gone soon too. We showed them a device that is a camera mounted on a special computer that tracks their eye movements. By looking at the computer screen they can communicate with those around them, and do so many other tasks. AMAZING!! We also saw an 11 year old little boy who is deaf. We showed him a small device that he can carry around that will talk for him. You should have seen the excitement on his face. He's excited that when he's 16 he can use the drive through at McDonalds and order 6 BigMacs if he wants. ;) His family knows sign language and he has an intrepter at school, but there are times when having someone to intrepret for him is not possible. This gives him some independence he would otherwise not have. Our last appt. for the day was a lady in her 50s who had a stroke. As a result, she was paralyzed on her left side and could not talk. We showed her a special lap top computer that she can use to communicate and speak for her. She was able to effectively communicate with us that day - that was a first sine she had the stroke. Needless to say she was thrilled. I will also be going into school systems working with some of the students and assisting them in getting devices that will help them be able to communicate as effectively as possible. All in all that was an emotional day for me...seeing the highs and lows people experience every single day. I came home and was more thankful for the gift of the healthy family I have. I know there will be times my heart will break for some of my clients, and there will be times when I will feel an extreme high for my clients. The bottom line is I feel peace and excitement about the decision I've made to pursue this opportuniy and my family is being 100% supportive. I'm a happy girl.
These are websites of some of the equipment I sell:
ERICA
Words +
Say-it SAM!
July 11, 2009
Ice Cream - Revisited
I actually have quite a few ice cream pictures I didn't share yesterday as quite frankly I didn't have time to mess with it. I did love that one though and wanted to shock you with a post...and to see if anyone even pops over here any more. ;) I know, I know,...I'll be getting back to my regularly scheduled program of leaving comments on all of your blogs. There's also been some new developments in my "professional" life that I'm very excited about so that's kept me quite busy lately. I'll share more about that later. In the mean time I hope these make you smile!
This is the little slide show with the pics from yesterday...
Or...if you don't want to watch the slide show with the music and all that cute jazz here's a "sampling". ;)
umm...interesting
yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about
ahhh...this feels good on my fingers...and it's fun to play with
it's fun to fling it all around and watch the chocolate go everywhere
You think she may have required a bath after this??
All in all I'd say we had a successful first icecream cone eating experience!
This is the little slide show with the pics from yesterday...
Or...if you don't want to watch the slide show with the music and all that cute jazz here's a "sampling". ;)
umm...interesting
yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about
ahhh...this feels good on my fingers...and it's fun to play with
it's fun to fling it all around and watch the chocolate go everywhere
You think she may have required a bath after this??
All in all I'd say we had a successful first icecream cone eating experience!
July 10, 2009
July 3, 2009
Recipe - and a plea for help!
So...I'm coming out from the rock I've been hiding under for the last little while. I guess you could say I've been in a "blog funk" lately as quite frankly I just haven't felt like writing/ post pictures/ commenting etc. Nothing bad is happening...just been in a "non blog" mood I guess you could say. But...I do want to share this recipe here...if you're going to make potato salad for the 4th you MUST make this particular recipe. It's the BEST!! I got it from my friend Shauna - she made it for us one weekend when we were there. My head was spinning trying to figure out how on earth I was going to be a "good guest" (though we feel more like family) and eat it when the truth is I can't stand Potato Salad. Well let me tell you, I was in for a huge surprise...this stuff is goooood! Honestly, I don't like any of the ingredients in it (other than the potatoes) ;) but mixed all together it's ummm ummm good!
But before I share this golden recipe here is my plea for help...I need some vegetarian recipes. I can't even believe I'm writing this but it's true. (Hanging my proud TX beef eating head in shame.) David has a chronic condition (Gout) that is getting worse and worse. I know, I know, those of you who know what Gout is think that it's something only old people get where their big toe gets swollen and painful after they've consumed to much alcohol or eaten to much rich meat. That's true for 90% of the population...but for those of you who know David "in real life" he's not like the rest of the population. For better or for worse. ;) I won't get into his medical history (it's way more complicated than "just" gout) as it would be quite boring to everyone else, you really don't care, and he probably wouldn't want me to, but...what we REALLY need to do is move to Alaska (a cold climate is better for him) and survive on nothing but rice and only certain beans. Moving to Alaska is not an option and I really would like to feed my family more than rice and beans. So...I'd love it if you would e-mail me your favorite vegetarian recipes. Remember I live in rural East TX which means I have no access to great and wonderful stores like Whole Foods and such. Not without driving for a few hours. I need something that I can make with ingredients from a "regular" grocery store. And peanuts/ peanut butter...forgetaboutit!! Can't have that either. As I try the recipes I'll post them on here (and on CiaoDown). So that's your homework class. Have a great Holiday Weekend...and get those recipes turned in! ;) kristencoker (at) hotmail (dot) com
Shauna's Potato Salad
2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes
2 large eggs
Kosher salt
2 cups mayonnaise
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup finely chopped dill pickles with ¼ cup juice, about 2 pickles
¼ small onion, finely chopped
½ lemon, juiced
⅛ C sugar
freshly ground black pepper
Put the potatoes and eggs into a big saucepan of cold salted water. Bring to a simmer. After 12 minutes remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and let cool. Continue cooking the potatoes until a paring knife poked into them goes in without resistance, about 3 minutes longer. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them cool.
Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickles and their juice, onion, and lemon juice in a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes. Peel the cool eggs and grate them into the bowl. Stick a fork into the potatoes and lift them 1 at a time out of the colander. Break up the potatoes by hand into rough chunks, add them to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
But before I share this golden recipe here is my plea for help...I need some vegetarian recipes. I can't even believe I'm writing this but it's true. (Hanging my proud TX beef eating head in shame.) David has a chronic condition (Gout) that is getting worse and worse. I know, I know, those of you who know what Gout is think that it's something only old people get where their big toe gets swollen and painful after they've consumed to much alcohol or eaten to much rich meat. That's true for 90% of the population...but for those of you who know David "in real life" he's not like the rest of the population. For better or for worse. ;) I won't get into his medical history (it's way more complicated than "just" gout) as it would be quite boring to everyone else, you really don't care, and he probably wouldn't want me to, but...what we REALLY need to do is move to Alaska (a cold climate is better for him) and survive on nothing but rice and only certain beans. Moving to Alaska is not an option and I really would like to feed my family more than rice and beans. So...I'd love it if you would e-mail me your favorite vegetarian recipes. Remember I live in rural East TX which means I have no access to great and wonderful stores like Whole Foods and such. Not without driving for a few hours. I need something that I can make with ingredients from a "regular" grocery store. And peanuts/ peanut butter...forgetaboutit!! Can't have that either. As I try the recipes I'll post them on here (and on CiaoDown). So that's your homework class. Have a great Holiday Weekend...and get those recipes turned in! ;) kristencoker (at) hotmail (dot) com
Shauna's Potato Salad
2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes
2 large eggs
Kosher salt
2 cups mayonnaise
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup finely chopped dill pickles with ¼ cup juice, about 2 pickles
¼ small onion, finely chopped
½ lemon, juiced
⅛ C sugar
freshly ground black pepper
Put the potatoes and eggs into a big saucepan of cold salted water. Bring to a simmer. After 12 minutes remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and let cool. Continue cooking the potatoes until a paring knife poked into them goes in without resistance, about 3 minutes longer. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them cool.
Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickles and their juice, onion, and lemon juice in a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes. Peel the cool eggs and grate them into the bowl. Stick a fork into the potatoes and lift them 1 at a time out of the colander. Break up the potatoes by hand into rough chunks, add them to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
June 25, 2009
11 of 52
I am still here! The annual County Fair and Rodeo in the town I grew up in was this past weekend. We took the kids and had a blast! Nothing like fair food and a hometown rodeo to make you feel like an American!
June 18, 2009
10 of 52
Some of you have already seen this picture...but it was taken during the past week so I figured it is "legal". ;) I took Lia's 9 month pictures at a local park and that's when this one was taken. Of course it's had a bit of tweeking to make it look all warm & fuzzy. ;)
June 15, 2009
On the road...to Alison's
Last week the kids and I took a little trip over to see my cousin Alison and her girls. Tuesday evening we all went to an outdoor shopping center where we had supper, let the kids play in the commons area, and ate delicious Italian Gelato. Wednesday we went to see Trace, Trevin, and Aunt Lesha but I forgot my camera so all pics of that day are on Lesha's new camera. We spent the day playing at the pool...twas very nice! Thursday we came back home. It was a quick trip but worth it...I'm always happy to see my family even if it does require some time in the car!
Playing in the commons area.
Lia gets her "gelato" from Alison; my 2 babies and I; Caroline makes sure Jacob gets to the car safely
after their baths
Lia and Allie wore outfits made out of the same material (was not planned) to Bible study...you can see Lia was not thrilled about getting her pic taken at that particular moment...she thought Momma needed to be holding her instead.
Playing in the commons area.
Lia gets her "gelato" from Alison; my 2 babies and I; Caroline makes sure Jacob gets to the car safely
after their baths
Lia and Allie wore outfits made out of the same material (was not planned) to Bible study...you can see Lia was not thrilled about getting her pic taken at that particular moment...she thought Momma needed to be holding her instead.
9 of 52
Better late than never...my "Mommy" picture for last week. I went to visit one of my cousins and her girls and we spent one evening at an out door shopping center. Fun times.
June 8, 2009
Hot Springs, AR
Last weekend the kids and I got to spend time in Hot Springs with our friends Shauna & Jay and their kids. Unfortunately David couldn't go as he was sick, but the three of us had a great time. We "camped" at a KOA (I'm using the term camping lightly here!) for the weekend. Most of the day Saturday was spent at Magic Springs. Jacob started out being totally overwhelmed by all the activity and people, but by the end of the day he was cool as a cucumber and keeping up with the "big boys". Later in the evening we enjoyed hamburgers & hot dogs and play time at the playground. The grand finale was s'mores. ;) Sunday was meeting in the morning then back to the campgrounds to pack up and say "see ya later". All in all it was a great weekend and we hope to do it again.
Gavin (S&J's nephew), Bryce, Jacob on the train. Lane was our conductor
Jacob & I on the airplanes
Jay with the 3 V boys - they like to spin really fast...
J with Shauna in their own car...J did NOT like spinning fast!
The one ride J got to ride by himself...he though he was one cool dude.
Bryce and Gavin in their bug
J, Shauna, Bryce in the ferris wheel
J and Bryce checking out the turtles and fish as the "big" boys were riding a ride they were to short to go on.
Mizz Lia looking all cute...and having some time with Jay
Lane taking J by the hand...he's a first born and definitely has that spirit about him...always trying to take care of the "little" kids. That and telling them how things should go...like who will ride with whom and which cars they will ride in etc. (I mean this with all due respect...J is the same way...fiercely protective of his little sister, but isn't afraid to TRY to be boss!)
After a long, hot day J takes a nap...L is suppose to also but...
...you can see what she's up to instead!
Lane having fun with L...as Bryce and J discuss the perfect way to make s'mores.
Jay starting the fire for s'mores as all the boys look on...they can't wait to start roasting their marshmallows. At this point Jay just wants to get the fire started so he could go to bed...he was sick too. :( Isn't that a handsome group of little boys...girls you better watch out.
J and L get their goodnight hugs and kisses from Shauna
Gavin (S&J's nephew), Bryce, Jacob on the train. Lane was our conductor
Jacob & I on the airplanes
Jay with the 3 V boys - they like to spin really fast...
J with Shauna in their own car...J did NOT like spinning fast!
The one ride J got to ride by himself...he though he was one cool dude.
Bryce and Gavin in their bug
J, Shauna, Bryce in the ferris wheel
J and Bryce checking out the turtles and fish as the "big" boys were riding a ride they were to short to go on.
Mizz Lia looking all cute...and having some time with Jay
Lane taking J by the hand...he's a first born and definitely has that spirit about him...always trying to take care of the "little" kids. That and telling them how things should go...like who will ride with whom and which cars they will ride in etc. (I mean this with all due respect...J is the same way...fiercely protective of his little sister, but isn't afraid to TRY to be boss!)
After a long, hot day J takes a nap...L is suppose to also but...
...you can see what she's up to instead!
Lane having fun with L...as Bryce and J discuss the perfect way to make s'mores.
Jay starting the fire for s'mores as all the boys look on...they can't wait to start roasting their marshmallows. At this point Jay just wants to get the fire started so he could go to bed...he was sick too. :( Isn't that a handsome group of little boys...girls you better watch out.
J and L get their goodnight hugs and kisses from Shauna
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