Category: Nicolas
Posted by Tricia at 10:44 pm
for Christmas are his
Gee, if he could only have his
Then he could wish you MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Now…as to what his Momma wants for Christmas: after seeing the difference in the pictures from my camera (top shot) and Auntie Jamison’s camera (other two pics, both of which I cropped from a MUCH bigger shot of 6 children, so it’s pixillated to the max!! <Classic Peg>….or however you say it in fancy camera speak), my wish is clear: I want Santa to bring me Auntie Jamison’s camera!
Posted by Tricia at 9:05 am
Thank you, faithful readers, for your patience with us as we bring you semi-weekly installments of the progress on the little office Jay is slowly creating in the corner of our bedroom. Our first Horne Improvement episode of this particular series can be read here. And last week I shared the second episode with you. Admittedly, this office remodel does seem to be dragging on.
Yesterday I decided that we’d waited long enough for the whole thing to get finished, so we brought in some professionals.
Pretty cool gig for them in these economic times especially!! That short one doesn’t even feel the need to spring for work clothes, apparently!
I’m here to vouch for the fact that expertise in painting directly correlates with the amount of clothing worn. In other words, if your painter shows up half naked, you’d be well advised to find yourself another guy for the job!
Well, after painting over the not so attractive streaks created by the littlest member of the crew, I think the wall is looking pretty great!
It’s ready for the carpenter to go to work and build the desk!
Posted by Tricia at 6:47 pm
Eating all those birthday cupcakes has motivated me to work out!! Well, not really…the realization about a month ago that swimsuit season is impending was motivation enough. Cupcake consumption just served to seal the deal.
A few weeks back, I began looking around for something new to inspire my efforts to get back into the swing of exercising. Jay will tell you that I have to think long and hard about exercising before I ever just put on my sneakers and go for it!!
Given our budget is pretty lean right now, I turned to my friend the library, and checked out several dvd’s to try at home. After working through most of them, I settled on my favorite of the bunch, a Denise Austin “Kick Your Butt” Fat Burner workout, and have used it a few times now. It’s felt helpful enough that I had to share a personal review with all my patient readers!
First, please do not be turned off by Denise’s lack of clothing as pictured on the cover of the DVD – she wears something entirely different (and more covering!) during the actual workout. This is a great workout (said the “hasn’t exercised in a thousand years” girl) that will challenge you over and over. It is circuit training: cardio bursts interspersed with weights, and consists of seven segments which each include about 4 minutes of high cardio activity immediately followed by a couple minutes of weight training. This goes on and on and on….till you wonder how Denise can still possibly be bouncing up and down, and looking downright happy about it!!
There are three levels of intensity shown for every part of the cardio exercise, and of course you can vary the size hand weights used for more or less resistance. The moves are less “dance-y”, and much more athletic in nature. Most are inspired by kickboxing and basketball moves. Some of you may hate Denise’s upbeat, happy personality, but I find her comments about exactly which muscles you are using during each segment really helpful. Her banter is encouraging, and even funny. “Burn that butter!”
I gotta tell you though, that I do not look as awesome as Denise does while burning butter (or fat, whichever term you prefer). Her hair, neatly styled and worn past her shoulders literally never falls out of place or gets the slightest bit frizzy, and I do not believe the woman even began to break a sweat during the entire 45 minutes of high energy exercise. But Denise has a few advantages I don’t: for one thing, she has a huge workout studio with hard floors and plenty of space to punch, jab, and kick. She has backup “dancers” er, workout buddies, to make her look good. And perhaps most importantly, there are no children or animals sharing her workout space with her.
This morning while I sweated along, I had a toddler on one side of me brushing up on his own little jabs and punches, and a Kindergartener on the other side desperately trying to keep up with the fast-paced shuffling and kicking. The kindergartener also diligently weight-trained right along with Denise and me, using his own tiny set of weights (and asking me in a most polite manner to please move over so he could have enough room to do his workout properly!).
Of most help though was my eager lab, who would not submit to being put out of the room just because her 55 pounds were in the way of my workout. Instead she stayed close by to monitor our progress, and near the end happily licked my face repeatedly during a particularly trying set of tricep dips. I think she, like Denise was cheering on my feeble efforts.
Well, there you go. I’ve never been a huge follower of exercise “videos” but I think a good one can be a nice help in adding variety to a fitness routine. If any of you have re-entered the world of working out after a long hiatus and found things that helped keep you in the game, please feel free to share!! Also, if you have favorite workout dvd’s that you want to share names of, please leave me a comment.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, enough of this exercise talk. I must go stuff my face with some homemade queso and chips!!
Posted by Tricia at 2:20 pm
I have been experimenting more with pasta of late. It is a delightful basis for a meal because you can throw odds and ends of what you have in your fridge into a skillet with some garlic and olive oil, and produce an entree that tastes like you just sat down in a nice Italian restaurant.
_
For this latest dish, I wanted a meal that would have great flavor without too much spice. And that also would not use a lot of meat. Here is more or less what I threw together; you could adjust and change amounts and ingredients around to your liking without too much consequence, I am thinking, as long as you keep the basic proportions of sauce to meat/veggies. Do not be put off by what look like at first glance a large amount of ingredients; it is mostly various veggies I put into the dish and then a few liquids thrown in to create a delicious lemon-butter-wine sauce.
1 package (12-16oz) your pasta of choice (I used farfalle, or bow ties)
3 slices bacon (if it fits into your budget, I believe prosciutto would taste even better in this dish)
2 Tbs olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 green onion
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced or chopped
1/4 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
1+ cup fresh spinach washed and dried
flour, for dredging chicken
1 chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces
1 cup chicken stock (I make my own, but canned will do fine)
1-2 Tbs butter
1/2-ish cup white wine
lots of lemon juice (I am totally guessing here, but maybe a 1/3 cup?)
freshly ground black pepper
grated parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
Prepare your pasta “al dente” and set aside.
I used my electric skillet for the rest of this dish, but a large stovetop skillet would work well.
Cook your bacon, remove from skillet and set on paper towels to drain.
Remove bacon grease from skillet (I pour it out, then wipe the inside of the skillet with a paper towel).
Now to the skillet, add 1 Tbs of the olive oil and your garlic, stir to slightly cook, and add other vegetables up through the spinach. It won’t take long for these to cook through, maybe about 5 minutes. Remove veggies to a plate or the already used pasta pot till you need them.
Add the other 1Tbs of olive oil, and your flour-dredged chicken to the skillet. After chicken is cooked (about another five minutes) sprinkle a bit more flour into the chicken, and add your broth, butter, the wine, and lemon juice to the skillet. The liquid will thicken into a nice sauce. Crumble your bacon back into this mixture as the sauce thickens. Now add your vegetables back in, sprinkle with black pepper, and stir till everything is warmed and mixed together.
Serve over pasta, sprinkled with your favorite parmesan cheese. Add a glass of wine and salad to round out this wonderful, tummy-pleasing meal!! Mangia!
Posted by Tricia at 10:16 am
From Phillippians 4 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Philippians 4 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F50004001-50004023" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F50004001-50004023" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><p id="p50004001.01-1"><span class="chapter-num" id="v50004001-1">4:1 </span>Therefore, my brothers,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Or 'brothers and sisters'; also verses 8, 21">[1]</a></span> whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.</p>
<h3 id="p50004002.01-1">Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer</h3>
<p class="chapter-first" id="p50004002.05-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004002-1">2 </span>I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004003-1">3 </span>Yes, I ask you also, true companion,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'loyal Syzygus'; Greek 'true yokefellow'">[2]</a></span> help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.</p>
<p id="p50004004.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004004-1">4 </span>Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004005-1">5 </span>Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; <span class="verse-num" id="v50004006-1">6 </span>do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004007-1">7 </span>And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</p>
<p id="p50004008.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004008-1">8 </span>Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004009-1">9 </span>What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.</p>
<h3 id="p50004010.01-1">God's Provision</h3>
<p id="p50004010.03-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004010-1">10 </span>I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004011-1">11 </span>Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004012-1">12 </span>I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004013-1">13 </span>I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</p>
<p id="p50004014.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004014-1">14 </span>Yet it was kind of you to share<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'have fellowship in'">[3]</a></span> my trouble. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004015-1">15 </span>And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004016-1">16 </span>Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004017-1">17 </span>Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Or 'I seek the profit that accrues to your account'">[4]</a></span> <span class="verse-num" id="v50004018-1">18 </span>I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004019-1">19 </span>And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004020-1">20 </span>To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.</p>
<h3 id="p50004021.01-1">Final Greetings</h3>
<p id="p50004021.03-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004021-1">21 </span>Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004022-1">22 </span>All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.</p>
<p id="p50004023.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004023-1">23 </span>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
</div>
<div class="footnotes">
<h3>Footnotes</h3>
<p><span class="footnote"><a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:1</span> Or <em>brothers and sisters</em>; also verses 8, 21
<br />
<span class="footnote"><a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:3</span> Or <em>loyal Syzygus</em>; Greek <em>true yokefellow</em>
<br />
<span class="footnote"><a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:14</span> Or <em>have fellowship in</em>
<br />
<span class="footnote"><a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:17</span> Or <em>I seek the profit that accrues to your account</em>
</p>
</div>
</div>
…
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I like this very familiar passage because it reminds me of several basic things, that I need to hear each and every day:
* Rejoice in the LORD! He is my God, my Saviour, my provision, my king! How can I not rejoice in his goodness to me? There is no qualifier placed on rejoicing in him; I am exhorted to find my joy in him in whatever circumstances I find myself. And just to be clear: This is not an executive order to “suck it up” when we are in the depths of despair, but a loving reminder to us from our Heavenly Father that he is sufficient for whatever this life throws our way.
* Let your GENTLENESS be evident to all. My er, gentleness has been anything but of late, I am ashamed to say. Some versions refer to this word as forbearance, or patience. I can always use more of this, and let’s just say there are four little people and one big people whom I live with that would not mind seeing a bit more gentleness from yours truly!
* The admonition to refrain from being anxious carries with it a precious promise: that the PEACE OF GOD which passes all understanding will further guard my heart and mind in Christ.
* A reminder to choose to PRAY instead of fretting, to bring to God both our concerns and our thanks! Pray instead of worrying!! Pour out your heart full of concerns to him! And THANK HIM for that peace which he alone can bring into the darkest of situations.
Posted by Tricia at 6:47 pm
Spoken quite adamantly by the six year old today because he was feeling exasperated at his three year old brother who had said one thing, and then turned around and did the complete opposite…
“Josiah!! You’re nothing but a hippogriff!!”
Posted by Tricia at 4:24 pm
Nicolas: Momma, can I please go finish my computer game that I started earlier?
Mom: I don’t know, Nicolas, I think you have played enough computer already today.
Nicolas: Oh please, Momma, I just want to finish my game!
Mom: Honey, it isn’t actually good for your brain and your body to play too much on the computer.
Nicolas: But Mom, it’s helping my brain, really it is! The game is teaching me how to “right-click”!!
Hmmmm.
Posted by Tricia at 8:45 pm
…beautiful music: my 9 year old playing the piano, my 6 year old accompanying her with the guitar, and the both of them plus my two year old all singing “Nothing But the Blood”. Priceless!
Posted by Tricia at 12:43 pm
to our little Aqua-Man!!
Posted by Tricia at 10:10 pm
Another child of mine has passed the huge milestone of graduating from pre-school. I remember distinctly when Jonathan finished preschool and I knew he’d be entering Kindergarten the next year. And he just felt too old, too soon.
Today was our last day of Chapel School, a sweet preschool coop which the little boys and I have loved greatly this year. We have made new friends, gotten to know some old friends better, and been very blessed by the loving and fun environment that is Chapel School. While we will not return next year, I hope when Josiah is older, that he and I can perhaps someday enjoy time again at Chapel School.
Along with our end of year picnic (held inside due to the rain), there was Chapel School graduation. And so I give you pics of our proud little graduate –
Here he is after passing through the streamers, waiting patiently while his cap and leigh are put on him:
A close-up of the grad with his special “diploma”:
And one more…just for fun!!
Congratulations, Nicolas! Kindergarten, here we come!!
April 27th, 2008
Brothers
Posted by Tricia at 1:34 pm
Our neighbors who live behind us bequeathed to us this lovely little rocker that is perfect for our deck. Since it was just their size, the little boys had to try it out right away, and they looked so cute that I grabbed my camera and quickly snapped a couple of pics. Rarely do I take two out of two great shots, especially when wiggly little boys are the subjects, but here they are.
Posted by Jay at 7:11 pm
Jonathan, almost crying: “Dad, I don’t want to play chess anymore. Nicolas won’t play easier.”
That’s Jonathan, the 7 year old intellectual prodigy, referring to Nicolas, the 5 year old boy who until recently tried hard to give the impression he had cotton fluff between his ears.
Editor’s note: see comments for title credits.
« Previous Entries
