They Grow Up So Fast

                                                                 

Ellie(middle)and her buddies

As an auntie of eleven children, I can tell you that they grow up so fast.  Don't take one minute for granted as you watch them grow into young adults.  I have been through many life stages with my siblings children and treasure every moment.

I have told you in previous posts that I currently live with my twin sister and her two children, Ellie(12) and Jacob(13).  My twinner has had both kids in a Catholic School from kindergarten to sixth grade.  Jacob is now in middle school for his second year (Big 8th grader) and Ellie is in her last year of grade school at Holy Name.  It seems like yesterday that these two kids were just little babies.  Anyway, last night I attended Ellie's final choir concert as a student at Holy Name.  It was the annual spring concert that Laura and I have gone to for the past nine years.  We both felt very emotional about the evening because we were very conscious of the fact that we were living through another big mile-stone with one of her children.  We stared in awe at these grown up people that recently looked so young and small.  Weren't they just little kindergarteners?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women out there.  Moms, Aunties, daughters, grandmothers and sisters, you are all very important to our children.

It was a beautiful Mother's Day over here.  Laura cooked a turkey and made my dad's famous stuffing and gravy from the turkey drippings.  I made my favorite cucumber salad which is a mix of cukes, onions, mayo, white and apple cider vinegar and a dash of sugar.  We also had the traditional cranberries to round out the meal.  Ellie worked so hard making two pies, pumpkin and cherry.  It took her about an hour to roll out the dough, but it was worth her time.  The pies turned out great!!  She also whipped up homemade mashed potatoes in the mixer she and her brother got for Laura a few years ago.  What a great meal we had.  None of us ate all day so we would be starving for dinner.

Jacob and Ellie spoiled Laura and I as you can see from the pictures.  We received flowers and many heartfelt cards, including one that was HUGE!!  This is such a fun age with the kids because their old enough to understand the true meaning behind Mother's Day.  They gave us the cards one by one, pretending they only had one.  One of the kids would leave the room and come back with another card.  Eventually we ended up with three cards, a target gift card and hand written coupons that said, "five of whatever you want, valid through forever and ever."  How cute is that coming from a twelve and thirteen year old!  Of course Laura and I immediately asked the kids for a back massage and they happily gave us one.  We each have four freebies left.  Hmmm?? What should it be?? 

Lunch and Play Day with My Buddy

What a rainy, cold, dreary day here in Minnesota.  It's hard to believe that just three days ago (Tuesday) it was sunny and warm. 

I have told you in past postings that we have a great neighborhood here in Minnetonka.  All the neighbors know eachother and our kids all play together and have a great time.  On Tuesday while walking my dog Joey, I heard a scream coming from the neighbors place.  It was my little buddy Bridgette who is the youngest of six children.  She yelled, "mom, I see Linda, I'll be right back."   Like classic Bridgett, she came out skipping and smiling and had to tell me all about her trip to Disney World.  Soon Bridgett's mom came outside and handed me a gift that they had picked out for us while on vacation.  We watch Strawberry, the family fish when their out of town and they thoughtfully bring us a little trinket to thank us.  Anyway, Marsha explained to me that she was busy cleaning and unpacking from the trip and had relatives coming later from out of town.  I know how it is when your trying to get things done and are trying to beat the clock.  I asked Marsha if my buddy Bridgette could come join me for lunch.  We had such a wonderful time.  She picked out macaroni and cheese for lunch and must have told me ten times that it was the Best Macaroni and Cheese she ever had!  She got equally excited when I told her that I had a special treat for her if she ate a good lunch.  She told me to keep it a secret until it was time for dessert.  She let out a squeal when I brought out the Rice Crispy Bar treat.  After lunch we played with my two dogs and then walked to two garage sales in our neighborhood.  We ended our lovely day lounging in the warm sun. 

It is so refreshing to see life through the eyes of a child.  Everything is so new and exciting.  Kids can teach us so Much!!!  Live life as if your a child, seeing God's beauty and wonder for the first time.  Living in the moment is something that little Bridgette reminds me of every time I see her.

Life is Such a Blessing

Today as I sit at Caribou Coffee relaxing and reflecting, I am welled up with gratitude for so many things.  The last six years of my life have been a journey of fear and faith, sadness and hope, death and life.  What has gotten me through the trials and tribulations are faith and family. 

It often takes a life threatening disease or other tragedy to see what really matters in our lives.  What matters most to me at this point in my life is enjoying each moment God gives me and truly loving the people in my life.  Also, giving and connecting to others without expectation.  You get back three-fold when you open yourself up to people and this is what makes life joyous and worth living. 

I am now six years cancer-free this past March.  I am so grateful for my health.  Laura (my twin sister)and I just received more good news this past week.  We will be able to keep our home that we love so dearly.  We went into foreclosure two years ago when we knew we could no longer keep up with our huge mortgage payment.  After two long years working with the bank, we now have a mortgage payment that is affordable.  Laura's children can now stay in the home they have come to know and love most of their childhood. 

Speaking of blessings, I made my first trip of the season to the local Farmers Market in Minneapolis.  I have a schedule of traditional stops when I go to the market.  First I have to go to the roasted corn stand and down a piece or two of corn, slathered in butter.  Then I'm on my way to many differen't fruit, flower and vegetable stands which are located throughout the farmers market property.  On the way out I usually stop and look at the arts, crafts and clothing vendors.  Some days I convince myself that I really deserve a quick chair massage.  A dollar a minute, but it's worth it.  Today my last stop on the way out was the french fry stand.  I know, I told all my blogger friends that I am trying to cut out junk food.  Sometime you just have to say YES to Unhealthy food.  My rationale for my nummy food choices:  My first trip to my favorite Outdoor Farmers Market and I am set with healthy veggies to keep me on track. (Ya- right Linda)

April Progression of My Favorite Crab Apple Tree

2nd Stage

Fully Bloomed

1st Stage

Majestic Crab-Apple Tree

I've missed your graceful beauty
and aroma so pungently sweet
I lye under your shaded branches
my special place of solitude and peace
Your time here is much too short
But I am grateful for out time together

Finding balance in our busy lives

How many of us say we're going to start a fitness program and fail.  I know I have done it many times in my life and believe many of us find it a constant struggle.  Trying to juggle work, family, leisure time and a good daily workout is a challenge.
Now that spring is here, it is a little easier to get out and find a fun activity that is enjoyable without counting the minutes until it is over.  For instance, in the winter months I try to get on my treadmill, but the excitement and motivation is not there. 
I live with my best friend and twin sister, Laura.  Like most buddies or family living together, if I'm not balanced, Laura isn't balanced, but if I'm balanced, she is likely to be more balanced and visa versa.  I don't know for sure if this is a twin thing or not but this is how it is with us. 
My exercise of choice is power walking.  I love it and have had a passion for it since I was in college.  My sister and I started out as runners but soon figured out that the healthiest work out is actually power walking.  Less stress on the bones and body. 
Slowly but surely I am working my way back to my four to six mile walk now that warmer weather is here.  What a difference it is to walk outside with all the beautiful sights, sounds and smells versus walking inside. 
So here it is, I am telling my blogger friends that I have a walking goal and overall fitness goal.  I want to get back to at least four miles on my daily walk.  I also want to cut out junk food as best I can and try to eat smaller portions.  I know the weight watchers plan by heart as I am a life time member.
Laura is such a great inspiration to me!  She recently decided that a work out for her that would make the most sense is biking to work.  She kept saying she was going to do her power walking but found with work and kids it was just too hard to fit in.  I am so proud of her! She is biking 6.3 miles each way, with a total of 12.6 miles a day.  Wow!

Again, as two sisters living together, it will be nice that both of us are back on track.  It makes it so much easier to get fit with someone else and so much fun!
So here's to Health and Wellness sister friend!!

Put Me In Coach

My twinners daughter Ellie-Her first Home game of the season.  They are 2 and 0.