••~~~>>> 300 <<<<~~~••

Someone has been our 300th visitor at our blog!
If you know it's you, leave a comment and tell us you were lucky 300!
thanks for stopping by : )

Christmas morning

So fun this morning seeing them enjoy all the goodies from Santa.

Asian Coleslaw Recipe

1 package coleslaw mix
4 green onions
1 package ramen noodles (chicken flavor)
¼ cup margarine or butter
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
¼ cup slivered almonds

Brown margarine or butter on stove. Schmoosh ramen noodles into small pieces (while still in package). Put in pan with melted butter and ramen seasoning packet & brown along with sesame seeds & almonds. Toast until light brown.

Dressing:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
½ cup oil
¼ cup white vinegar
1/3 cup white sugar

Mix together & chill.

Note: You can make the "crunchy" part a day ahead of time. Cool after toasting and leave on countertop in tupperware. This is the step that takes the longest, so it helps to have it done ahead of time. I also make the dressing the day before and keep in fridge, then mix everything together right before serving or leaving the house for a get together.

I could eat bowls of this stuff! It's so yummy and crunchy. enjoy : )

Playing Tag

I'm jumping in on a game of tag with a fellow favorite blogger, Tammie. I'm off work (and actually truly taking a little break) so I have a bit of time for something fun....


Here are The Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Here are the weird/random things about me:

1. I save all kinds of crap for scrapbooking and I'll probably never have time to make a page until I retire.

2. I absolutely hate flying. I white knuckle the whole trip. For those of you who knew I served in the Air Force for 8 years- shut it.

3. I love to eat good food. I really appreciate the whole culinary experience, especially if it involves painstaking work on presentation or foods that I've never tried or a wonderful bottle of wine. I have a lot of respect for people that are willing to branch out, brave enough to try new things and step away from burgers or wings and things cooked from a box. If you suggested sushi, thai, authentic mexican (not like On the Border) or something like The Melting Pot or Kona Grill, or Genghis Khan... I'd be there! mmmm, yummy

4. I cry watching tv and movies all the time, anything based on a true story or about kids just kills me. and I enjoy reality tv probably too much. Favs: Celebrity Rehab, Intervention, John and Kate plus 8, Survivor, 17 Kids and Counting, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Ice Road Truckers, COPS, Extreme Home Makeover, Run's House, Punk'd, True Life. And probably half a dozen others I'm too embarrassed to list. No, I don't watch all of them all the time, but I try to get a weekly fix of one or two.

5. I just got the new iPhone to help make my life easier with work. hated to give up the money right now, but this tax year is coming to a close. I'm glad to have gotten it over the break to figure it all out and research all the cool apps available. I love it. LOVE it!

6. I don't sleep. People I work with probably know this since they get emails from me at all hours, and most people that I'm really close with know this as well. Working from home and having babies over the last 2 1/2 years have made me very accustomed to it. oh, and a LOT of coffee : ) there's always that.

Well, there you go. 6 random/weird things.
YOU'RE IT! Nichole, Joleen, Lindsay, Cindy, Heidi, and Lara!
Jump into this game if you want to play, too!

2008 Christmas Card

You can see the card better here if you click on these:

(front)












(inside)
















(back)

2008 Miranda Family News

My Christmas cards have evolved over the years somewhat. one of these days I'll do a "news of Christmas past" and put them all on here, that would be fun. Before I got married, I sent out Anne Geddes cards. I love her work and her Christmas cards were adorable. I bought those for several years, but then the designs ran out just as we were celebrating our first married Christmas. I decided to take the plunge into a huge endeavor. I began creating hand made cards for each person on our list. The list was already around 50 families back then. I had always wanted to make a "Newspaper" Christmas newsletter. It was a bit weird at first to write in the 3rd person, but I really wanted it to read like it was a newspaper, and unless it was an editorial, it wouldn't sound like it was written in the first person, the way most people would write their newletters. Anyway, the paper was a huge hit with friends and family, so it became a Christmas tradition. I continued the handmade cards for four years, but when GG was born, I had to be realistic. I couldn't fit in the hours it would take, but I also couldn't accept the feeling that I was being defeated somehow by giving up making the cards. So I decided if I still designed them, they would be more personal, but I'd have the digital design printed instead of making each by hand, one at a time. I loved the result last year. Still beautiful, still a design from the heart, a bonus with the wallet sized photo on the card as a keepsake, a fraction of the time and about the same amount of investment.

This marks our 7th edition of the newspaper, but it's the first year we're producing a "green" Christmas newsletter. Couple reasons for this. For starters, we're avid recyclers, have been for years and we really understand the benefits of paperless communications. Second, and this one has a more immediate impact on our family, the economy obviously has seen some better days and I don't know about all of you guys, but we're feeling the pinch. We've trimmed down all we possibly can and have come up with some pretty creative ways to make a dollar stretch. Normally, I love going all out on our cards because I feel like it's the one gift I can give to everyone even if we've never been able to buy a real present for everyone we know. Our card list surpassed 75 families last year. But this year, when I started thinking about the fancy labels, the envelopes, the printing charges for the cards and the newspapers, and of course all the postage (usually extra required for weight) I just couldn't figure out how we could afford so many. They're typically around $2.60 for each card, including everything.... now think about it, that's really not that bad when you figure you're getting a totally custom card, and you pay probably $2.75- 4.50 for a greeting card at Walmart. But you've probably never gone in there and picked out 75 cards at once.

Time to get creative.

We knew there were lots of people on our list who would not only be supportive of this "green" movement, but were also tech-savvy enough to be receptive to the idea of a digital card and able to actually check it out. So we're moving again on the evolution chain. Hopefully we can add a few more green recipients to our list next year.

We thank you for your support and hope you enjoy the card and news. If you have any problems viewing the Newspaper, increase your zoom under "View" in the top menu.

Happy Holidays!

Santa's coming, Santa's coming!

Heidi Wise is a wonderful photographer! She graciously offered her services today to take photos of all the children in my MOPs group with Santa. What a fun time! See more of the images here:

http://imagewise.smugmug.com/gallery/6785598_RtTv4/1/433560344_Km8uy

and order prints!
call her if you're looking for a photographer : )
www.imagewisephotography.net
I also have her blog listed as a favorite on the blog roll to the left here.
enjoy!

Giving Thanks

This was on a blog I follow, she had seen it on her friend's blog, so we're all paying this one forward. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week and get a few minutes to focus on it's true meaning.

No Better Time

Author: Unknown

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, then some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. THEN life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So... treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you share it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with .... and remember that time waits for no one. So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you loose ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids grow up, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or a new home, until your car and home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on to decide that there is no better time than right now.... to be happy.

HAPPINESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION.

So, work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like there is no one watching.

So maybe we share some genes?

This photo of me (on the left) always cracks me up when I see it. I think I see a little of both of them in this one. I added the one on the right, too, because I think the resemblance changes depending on the age. funny.
What do you think? Double click the photo to zoom.

Just Do It Already!

Do You Feel It?

We are on the cusp of an historic, historic week in our country.

We've already made history just with the names on the tickets, but my God, how blessed are we that we have made an enormous stride over the chasm of racial divide with the way the vote seems to lean? (at the moment, anyway) Do you know that in a world wide poll, there is only one country that has not yet had a mandate for Obama? It is the US. I certainly believe this election could help heal our image in the world. For the world to see us as fair, equal-minded, level-headed... couldn't hurt.

Ironically, I just came across some notes in an old notebook yesterday, and I was shocked to see what it was about. I had seen this young senator on Oprah a few years ago and he made me think of how my mother's generation must have felt when they listened to the Kennedy brothers or Martin Luther King, Jr. He was inspiring, he was uplifting, he was impressive. I was so taken by him that I actually got out paper and made some notes about him and wrote down his book and his name because I was afraid it might be too hard for me to remember how to spell it....
Barack Obama.


"The Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." (MLK)

GG's First Steps

Luke and Sandi were over tonight, so they helped us out and we were able catch GG on video trying out a few first steps. Now that she sees how fun it is, she wants to do it more! Plus, she's trying to climb on things, and I'm thinking we may have to move her out of her crib before Jack really has to!

oh, and one other thing....

GG slept all night last night, without ever waking to nurse, not even at 6 am. TALK ABOUT MILESTONES!

One sleeping through the night and another on the potty?!? What?! something about pigs... flying....

They went to bed around 7 and she got up about 7:45 this morning. WHAT IS UP?? I'm not even going to inch my hopes up that she is finally going to sleep through the night at nearly 14 months old! But it sure would be nice. She's slept til six a few times and ate and went back to bed but never the whole night until we're up for the day. please, please.... let this be the light. (sigh)

He's Gettin' It Down!

This was the view from my kitchen the other morning when I was caught off guard by a great chuckle : ) I left my shoes out from church and Jack found them the morning after. I'm so proud of this kid, he's saved us $27.40 in diapers in the last few weeks!



I'm just so excited, I have to post this one to our main blog, since this new adventure is a bit momentous for this rookie-mom! I just heard Jack upstairs rolling around in his bed and when I went up, he said "potty?" He was still dry and he went right away in the potty! But trying to stay dry through the night? It can't be.

So... this could be a fluke, but that's how all of this started, so I'm hoping we're on track for more successes. We haven't been setting the timer for pottying over the last few days because he's started telling us. YES! I thought it would never happen. Its more like an "out-loud" thought though, with Jack. "Potty?" its almost a whisper, like... "uh-oh, is that what I'm feeling?" So if we hear it, we don't even ask, we just run with him. (He even went TWICE in the Johnny on the Spots at the JDRF walk! Not a single accident!)

Today, we installed his new potty seats in the house. I finally found something that I'm really happy with. In fact, this is one of the best products I've ever brought into my home. (next to my Foodsaver, my baby sling, and my Mac! and if you know me, you know I rave about great products, IF I really believe in it.) This is the "Flip-n-Flush". It installs on the seat and there is no extra clean up of a potty bowl or awkard fitting of the seat every time or where to put it afterwards. This is AWESOME! Here is the cheapest place I could find it, because I've just got to share this with all my mommy-friends out there! Best of luck to you, too, if you are embarking on this grand journey of eternal patience with bottomless stickers and praise!

And for all of you that don't have children yet.... I know this is probably waaay too weird to wrap your head around. I hope you'll experience this level of joy someday- its worth it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170243119592

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Jack and GG really enjoyed the Pumpkin Patch this year. It was great to go on a Thursday afternoon when there were no crowds or lines for the little rides. Jack was big enough to enjoy more of it and GG was big enough to be awake for it : )

Taking pictures really made it feel like a family tradition. Jack picked out all of our pumpkins and did a fine job at that, he also did well at pulling around our wagon full of pumpkins. GG was very curious and picked her first little pumpkin on her own this year.

¸,ø¤º`200!`º¤ø,¸

Our blog has had 200 visitors!
wow : )

Jeremy's Journey

Hello, Friends.

This is the story of Jeremy's Journey.
(photo: Burd Family at the JDRF Walk in '06)

Jeremy is only 6 years old and lives with Type 1 Diabetes everyday. I am collecting pledges for him for the annual walk in October to fund research. His mother Brandi is a friend of mine and has a special place in our family's history. She helped deliver both of our babies and actually helped to save both their lives, when Jack was in distress because the cord was wrapped around his neck and when she was the primary assistant in the emergency surgery to rescue Geneviève. I am privileged to ask for your help in Jeremy's honor. This little boy has endured over 8,500 finger pricks since he was diagnosed with diabetes 3 1/2 years ago. He must have his blood sugar levels checked up to eight times a day, even when he sleeps. This affects him all day, everyday. He does not get a break from it.

Could you imagine how you would respond, as a parent, if your child said "I wish I didn't have diabetes," as Jeremy does from time to time? It breaks my heart to think of an innocent child having to endure so much.

Fortunately, this is a disease that has a very attainable cure with the proper research. Research funding has already given Jeremy ways to check his own levels and an automatic insulin pump to help his life be as normal as possible by helping to relieve him from multiple daily injections. This has allowed him to be able to attend school! For more research to continue, more funding is needed.

This is where we are asking for your help!

Join us for this year's JDRF Walk for "Jeremy's Journey" which will be held at The Legends at Village West in Kansas City, Kansas on October 11th at 9am.
If you cannot join us, I will walk for you! You can send checks to me by October 10th made out to JDRF and our family will deliver it personally to Jeremy.
The Burd family has a goal of $3500 in donations and to help with this effort, they are having a raffle this year! For every dollar donated, your name will be entered in the following drawings, all prizes were donated by family friends.

1st Prize: A Broil King Gas Grill, valued at over $400 from Patio Pool & Fireside
2nd Prize: A handmade K-State or KU throw
3rd Prize: Beautifully made Swarovski crystal and glass beaded bracelet, valued at $35
4th Prize: Bag or purse filled with name brand hair products from Allure Salon & Spa

Remember, your contribution is tax-deductible and ANY amount, even $5, will benefit Jeremy and will enter your name 5 times in the raffle.
If you will join us at Legends for the walk and want to wear a Jeremy's Journey t-shirt, designed by Jeremy himself, they will be $5 each. Please let me know so I can tell Brandi.

We hope you will join us to support Jeremy, thank you in advance for reading and for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Heather
(please email me for my contact info to send your donation if you don't have our address)

(photo: Brandi taking Jack's stats after delivery)


(photo: the Miranda family walking for Jeremy in '06)


(photo: Jack and mommy walking for Jeremy in '07)

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Well, we didn't get a very good photo today, so I thought I'd conjure up some ghosts of birthdays past, and a few other oldies for good measure...



thank you, friends, for such a great birthday, I appreciated all the well-wishes and nice thoughts today from emails, to voicemails, phone calls and facebook, and especially my "secret sister" -it was super. Thanks, Kellee, for caring for the babies so we could sneak out. And thanks, Mom, for EVERYTHING!
I also have a wonderful family, and they really treated me up this year, thank you, thank you!

Happy Birthday, Gamma Meyer!

This is the big one, Gamma!
5-0!!
Congratulations!! we love you

GG Featured at Harrington's Blog

http://harringtonphotog.blogspot.com/
You may see this as advertised at Dickerson's in Fairlawn Plaza. (if she got some decent images)
They sell the cute tutu's there that she is wearing in this photo, plus a really nice KU one!

What a Big Girl!

Sunday was so fun. GG had an awesome party. See more at GG's Journal.

Birthday Girl

We have a birthday coming up! Just had to post this photo. I can't believe she's nearly one. Its a shame that is goes by so so so fast. I'll have more photos and birthday news over at GG's journal as soon as I get a chance.

Empty Nesters Now

This was the final photo of the babies before they made their way into the world. It was really fun watching their progress and seeing them grow so large that they couldn't hide in the nest anymore. Me and Jack had a good time making a bird feeder together when the eggs hatched. Unfortunately, my beautiful mother's day baskets were sacrificed, partially because it was hard not to disturb them when I watered either basket, and partially because it is just so stinkin' hot outside. The geraniums are barely hanging on. Jack still asks "babies, babies?" every time we go out to get the mail. Maybe we'll see them again next year.

He's okay, he's okay

He looks so pitiful and cute all at the same time, doesn't he? He'd get away with anything if he looked like this for long. Thank goodness he didn't. CLICK HERE for the story over at Jack's Journal.

Day at the zoo

Jack loves the zoo. GG doesn't seem interested at all like Jack was when he was even younger than she is now. (sigh) I have a hard time just leaving her in the stroller the whole time, especially with the heat, but she was perfectly content just as she was. The most action she saw all day was the duck that nearly assaulted her! We ate in the park afterwards and Jack played on the equipment. Later, we invited Peyton and Madi over to swim in the front yard. CLICK HERE to go to GG's Journal to see how that went.

Banana Split Trifle

So many people asked how to make this, I thought I'd post it. So yummy! Perfect for summer, and maybe not the worst thing you could eat.



So, start with a pineapple cake mix and cut out 1/2 the oil recommended, use crushed pineapple instead, plus juice and use this to also replace the amount of water you would normally add. You'll only use maybe 1/2 cake. I slice my two rounds into shorter thickness so I get a nice flat surface, cut out a couple of inches in the middle lengthwise and put the left over halves together if the solid piece won't fit in the bottom of the trifle. For the chocolate layer, mix a fluffy chocolate frosting with a tub of cool whip. (you'll have lots left over here too, so be creative- I always put my extras in between small cookies and make little sandwiches - they're great for pot luck or school stuff) Slice bananas and strawberries and layer as see in the photos with the cake. Pipe in the chocolate, its a lot less messy, trust me, its worth the little effort of squeezing it out of a zip lock bag. Top with cool whip and favorite banana split toppings. Its a hit!

5 New Mouths to Feed

Daddy's 3rd Father's Day...

...but the first one as a father of a daughter! We had a fun and full weekend. Saturday we met with the other Dads in our Parents As Teachers group for breakfast before we headed to Gage Park for Dad's Dad at the Park where we met up with our friends, Brian & Courtney and their two, Peyton and Madi. There were lot of things for the kids to do and GG even won the drawing for a prize. She won American Girl bookends from Catholic Charities. We haven't picked them up yet, so I don't know what they look like. Looks like she's a lucky girl already! I think I was 8 before I ever won a prize : )
After those events, we rode the train and then Jack had his first pony ride! We finished up with a couple of rides on the carousel which is having its 100th birthday this year.

See us here at Gage Park on WIBW News!


For more photos:
http://www.slide.com/r/4hfatP-A7D8T9YxCRTZBl647dF2mEu2Y?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

Since we had a late birthday party to go to Saturday night, Sunday was more of a take it easy day, per Daddy's request. We watched "Who Killed the Electric Car", our first Netflix rental. Great documentary, highly recommended! Check out the trailer:
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, too!

Father's Day Greetings

I found two funny cards that I couldn't resist.
One is for Pepe since this is his first Father's Day as a father to a little girl and the other card is for my step-dad Brad.
You'll figure out which is which....




More on Father's Day later....

Babies on the way!

Look what I discovered in one of my hanging baskets! That will teach me for getting behind with my watering duties. We have a house finch pair that have decided to delight us with the impending birth of five little babies. We had a family visit us annually at our old house, so this is a nice treat, especially for Jack, who is fascinated that he can hear her singing in the distance every time we are in the front yard. (she's probably terrified- but their songs are about my favorite of any bird I can think of, so pretty)
We'll let you know when the babies arrive....