Sacrifice

When we decide to have children, we know sacrifices will be made and our lives will be turned upside down. For the most part, I have enjoyed every minute of my new-found topsy turvy world. I'm now used to sharing my hot fudge brownie sundae. But I am now graduating from a new mom to a MOPs member (mothers of preschoolers). Life is easier in many ways, but some areas have now grown more cumbersome. More and more sacrifices are needing to be made. I have less time, and quite frankly less friends to share my time with. Activities that I have always done seem more difficult since I now have to find someone to watch my two active tikes instead of one sleeping baby.

I remember hearing someone say "Parenthood is 10 times harder, and 10 times better, than I ever dreamed." The longer I'm a parent, the more I get it. There are things I never expected I'd have to give up for my kids. Good things. Beneficial things. But my children are wonderful, delightful beings and worth all the sacrifice. Sometimes sacrifice really hurts, but mothers know that.

Kitchen Plans

Jay and I have talked about getting new dishes for our kitchen soon. And of course, buying new dishes means possibly changing the color scheme of the entire kitchen. The walls are a celery/mint green and I have no desire to change it. For a while now, our kitchen colors have been pale green, yellow and red. But I have found a color combination I have fallen in love with: mint green, navy and turquoise. The turquoise would be more of an accent color, and the combination is flawless together. I found a moroccan plate on overstock.com that embodies the blues I'm going for. Unfortunately I will not be able to afford an entire collection of the dishes since the plates go for about $50 each. But alas I have found my kitchen color calling. As soon as I find the right dishes, towels, etc. I'll be able to make up my birthday wish list. If you find any suitors, send them my way.

Sweet Tooth Cheeseburgers for Independence Day

Growing up, we enjoyed big family BBQs for Independence Day followed by an amazing fireworks display by the local university. We children would make these for each 4th of July. With 15 cousins, an easy-made sweet treat was always on the menu.

The buns are made from Nilla wafers. A thin layer of red icing (the "ketchup") is spread on the bottom "bun" and a peppermint pattie is pressed on top. Coconut dyed green give us the lettuce, and yellow icing ("cheese") sticks it all together. For added cheeseburger authenticity, the top bun can be brushed lightly with water then sprinkled with poppy or sesame seeds. Enjoy!