Bucket List

     I realized that my bucket list was all stuff that I plan to do after school, but look at what I have done so far---raised a good family, earned an Associates Degree in Biology, got in to nursing school, built a great marriage.  Heck, let's cross those off the list! 

     On a side note--Lately, I have been watching America's got Talent.  It may be embarrassing for me to admit this (well, I guess that anyone who reads this knows me pretty well and therefore knows that I am a sentimental fool) but I find myself getting all emotional when acts get through, especially if they get all tear-y.  It chokes me up because I know what it is like to want something so bad, so much that when you get it you are overcome with emotions (relief, pride, gratification, thankfulness).  It takes me back to opening that envelope from MCC, realizing that I got in (relive that post with me here)

I should stop now before I do anything more to incriminate myself.

Song + Memory

Here's a few

Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might Be Giants = Driving around in Jeremy's red truck singing it out loud

Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles = 5th grade Talent Show

Any song by the Beatles = cleaning the house on Saturday mornings as a kid

Teenage Dirtbag by Wheezer = The summer Dave and I met, him singing it off-key

Head Over Feet by Alanis Morriset = the moment I realized I was in love with Dave

Barbie Girl by Aqua = the girls playing in their bedroom

Ooops, I did it again by Britany Spears = Drew begging me to by the CD for him at age 6

Any song by Barenaked Ladies = road trips

How do I live by Leeanne Rhimes + Heather playing over and over for hours at age 11

Bicycle by Queen = Theresa singing on the front porch with her friends at age 15

Wicked Game by Cris Isaac = realizing my mom was more than just my mom at age 13

anything by Al Green = Cris feeling sad

18 by Alice Cooper = Dad giving me advice on parenting

Funny how just hearing a song will take you back to a moment, everytime you hear it

Miss Mack

Theresa is 19.  I remember her as a little girl, pretending to be a cow and crawling around on the floor for hours.  She has always been thoughtful, creative, spunky and passionate.  She sets a goal and goes after it, no matter what gets in her way.  But, at the same time she never takes herself too seriously.  It has been amazing to see this young girl grow into a strong, indepedant woman. 

     She is thriving in the real world--paying her own bills, saving money, balancing work, school and social life.  We are so proud of her for starting out on her own.  She bought a tattoo gun to learn how to do tattoos, a guitar to learn how to play better.  She continues to paint and draw,  her pieces show so much emotion and talent.

Theresa and Drew, older and Wiser

We had a birthday BBQ for the Monkeys

The birthday kiddos

Theresa will turn 19 on the 9th, Drew turned 18 today

Me and my boy

Daddy Mack and Theresa

 

Me and my Theresa

 

Mr Frog, Theresa's B day present.  Drew wants a tattoo, so we just gave him $$$$



all the meat on the grill.........yummy

It was good party, we had fun just hangin out and stuffing our faces

Drew at 18

     In about an hour, it will be 18 years since I became a Mom.  Drew came in to this world and changed my life forever.  I learned at that moment that things don't always go as planned.  When I saw his little 3 pound body I was amazed by his strength.  And when I held him in my arms for the first time, I knew that life was all about moments like that.

     He has grown into a man with a great sense of humor.  He has the confidence to be silly or serious in any situation.  He loves to play the X box, listen to music and watch funny videos on Youtube.  He loves hiking and cliff diving- sometimes he seems fearless.  I am so glad that I am his mother and I am so proud of him. 

Shameless hint for a kitchenaid mixer

     So, now that I have some free time on my hands, I have been baking a lot more.  I have found some good recipes and tips online  and have gotten suggestions from friends.  It makes me REALLY want a Kitchenaid Mixer (in white, if any one needs any gift ideas)

     This link a helped me discover some really good chocolate chip cookies. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/   .  I added some vanilla to the eggs before the dry ingredients, and they got a 10 out of 10 frome the boys.  I wanted to take a picture of  Drew scarfing the dough but he protested, stating "why do you always have to take my picture!".  Oh, well. 

     Another big hit was pinapple upside down cake http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pineapple-upside-down-cake/a1c9a639-0748-4f2c-89f5-fd33cf138986.  I cut the pineapple rings into quarters because it was for a bigger crowd so the cake would have to be cut into smaller pieces and I didn't want to have to worry about cutting through them.  I was able to add more cherries this way and learned that more cherries is a good thing.  I also used the juice from the drained pineapple instead of water in the cake mix--delish!

     I also want to try oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (thanks to Michelle for the recipe) and making homemade icecream with our never used ice cream maker that we got for our wedding.  The hard thing is limiting myself to 1 baking/ dessert project per week. 

     Let me know if you have a "gotta try this one" recipe.  I am having a ball :0)