Gifts from the Heart

Monday began as any other Monday does. A hustle and bustle of getting ready, dealing with kids, making lists, etc. Monday is shopping day in these parts, and the girls know it. Brooklyn always asks.."where we goin, we goin to Cosco?" Morgan came over that morning while Dixie volunteered in Livy's class. The girls had a grand time stacking the blocks into a tower and knocking them down. I wish I had video of their glee each time they'd fall and then they'd start over again. Brooklyn was completely disturbed and bothered that Morgan didn't have a dress on like she and Maggie did. I had to explain that shorts were a perfectly viable option for Morgan and that life would go on without their tripletness being complete. Anyway....like I said, all was normal, and then I got a phonecall.

It seems one Miss Lana and her 8 month pregnant self were having some technical difficulties. Suffice it to say, her baby was sitting in such a way that she was rendered incapable of movement on her right side. She was in A LOT of pain, and apparently things were ugly "down there." She went to the doctor, with Porters assistance and the doctor just thinks the baby is sitting wierd and it could get better, or it could not. Anyway, after she called, I just couldn't get it out of my head that I needed to get over there and help her out. And so it was that the kids and I went and babysat Lana and Dane for the day.

Here she is, resting it up on her chaise. Doesn't that word alone just imply snootiness? We talked, the kids played, the kids napped. Well, Maggie was the only sacrifice for the day. She apparently doesn't do naps anywhere else but her own bed. While the kids slept, Lana and I ate old Halloween candy and watched House Hunters, all the while mocking the buyers and their choices. We might have discussed the meaning of life, who knows, it's all just such a blur. (giggle)

Tater puff came home from school and was filled with glee at the sight of us visitors. She worked on a puzzle and looked cute. Seriously, what a cute girl.

There were popscicles to be had. Ok for reals, Dane is the funniest kid, and the best picture taker. He cracks me up.

Maggie enjoyed her very first popscicle, and without much mess either.

Yep, chocolate AND a popscicle. Oh the beauty of pregnancy.

Maggie has such a great time at their house because there is so much room to wander around in. Not ot mention the room entirely devoted to play.

Seriously, could someone please get this girl a cellphone commercial. She'd sell a million of those things. This is really how you see her at all times. She's generally not without some sort of phone in her hands, and she has some pretty rowdy conversations to boot.

After naps, play time, etc. I made dinner for one and all (including Jenny who hung around long enough to score some grub). We got the kitchen cleaned up, the kids bathed and then headed home. All in all it was a really great day.

Here is where my title comes in....Poter kept thanking me over and over and saying what a "saint" I was, and I didn't have to do this, etc. Well, of course I didn't HAVE to do this, I WANTED to do this. I NEEDED to do this, for so many reasons. One, she is family and she needed help. Two, I had no excuse not to. I could sit at home, or I could sit there. and THREE, Icouldn't even begin to list or express the MILLIONS of things that Porter and Lana have done for me over the years. This was the very least i could do to in some small part pay them back. They will never know how much I love and appreciate them and look up to them. They are so giving and so loving. I cherish with all my heart the years we got to be back door neighbors. ALL the times they had me over for meals, or the times Lana came in and cleaned my house after my surgery, or they steam cleaned my carpet and cleaned my house before I got home with Maggie. The love and compassion they showed me, the listening ears, the advice, the everything. They really are two of my favorite people in the whole world, and I would walk across a desert, give my last two cents, do anything I ever could to help them, if it would at all let them know how much I love them. So yeah, I gave up a day, but I think I gained a whole lot more. There is no reward greater than giving a gift from the heart. So, THANK YOU for allowing me to serve you in a small way.

Pregnant bellies and "lazy" days,

Allyson

Seven Years

A Lot can happen in seven years.






A lot can change.









For instance.....










I'm not as fat, Jere isn't as thin and frankly, I don't recall marrying a 12 year old, but pictures don't lie, right? Seriously, what is he 10, 15 maybe here?





We celebrated our 7th anniversary this weekend. April 4 to be exact. 7 years ago was a most beautiful day. Literally beautiful day. The weather was stunningly perfect. Cool, bright, gorgeous. The flowers at the Temple were out of control in their lovliness. MY day had finally come and God saw to it that it was perfect. Even though my Dad couldn't be there (busy in Honduras), my Mom was able to fly in and spend a few days with us. My besty Angie flew in 8 1/2 months pregnant to share the day AND my beloved G'pa Shumway flew in from PA. I had all the people I loved in the world (minus Dad) around me to share in this day. It's a very happy memory for me.

This was always my favorite picture from that day. I just like the look on my face.

Yeah, we did. Our photographer and video guy were dying the whole day with us. Apparently they weren't used to such irreverant and animated people. Eh, what can I say? We're cool like that.

So, exactly 7 years later, to the day, all we could manage to do to celebrate was squeezing in a lunch between conference and pageant and all our life craziness. We headed off to Charlestons, 'cause Jer loves it there and it was gonna be his last steak for a long time. We snapped this gem of a pic ourselves. Impressed?

I don't know, it's just a random shot of our bread and Jere. After a lovely little meal we headed out to purchase a new and muchly deserved and NEEDED toy.

I gots myself a brand new camera. Nothing fancy folks, just a nice Canon Elph(thank you tax return, NO, thank you two kids and poorness for making tax returns like this possible). I heart it so. Our old one was really on the verge of a breakdown. I mean, it was an 80 dollar Kodak that was nearly 5 years old, what can you expect?

Anyway, point is, simple as it was; it was just nice to have a little quiet time, just me and the manz. It's amazing to think we've been together for 10 years, married for 7 and that we're still in one piece. Oh you KNOW! I'm thankful for the fun, the laughter, the tears, the drama, the life lessons learned, etc. Here's to another 50.

And lastly I leave you with this beaut of a shot. And this question.....When did we get OLD? I swear I feel like we all look the same, but then you see a shot like this and you realize, holy CRAP we look OLD! Ageing sucks, but this picture doesn't. I have a hawwt family.

Memories lighting the corners of your mind,

Allyson

Beauty Tips for Toddlers

So this morning, when Maggie was on exactly her 3000 and first meltdown of the day, and it was only 7:15, (you know, sickness induced) I picked her up and put her on my lap. I was trying to finish getting ready and sometimes, she REALLY likes to be a part of that process. So, there she was, sitting on my lap, rummaging through my ancient caboodle (oh yeah, you read it right, I still have a caboodle, circa 1992) of makeup. She was harmless enough, playing with the blush brush, pulling out the blush, but not opening it, etc. I was keeping my eye on her. I mean, how could I NOT, she was on my LAP, I had exactly 1/2 an inch of space between her and my makeup applying hand. So, I don't know HOW this happened. I was brushing my teeth and noticed that she was holding my mascara. Aha I said, "no no, we don't play with THAT." I quickly pulled it out of her chubby little hand and put it away. Phew, crisis averted. But then, I noticed a stray smudge of black on my arm. Hmmmm, where did that come from? It was then, and only then that I noticed, on my daughter ON MY LAP that she had successfully done this:

Please note her awesome runny nose and shiny snot rubbed cheeks.

How I ask you did I miss my child applying mascara to her FACE? It's a mystery. None the less, I merely chuckled at the retardedness of it all and made Brooklyn fetch my camera so I could record this special moment for all posterity. And then I promptly scrubbed her face clean.

Morals of the story....ONE: Don't let your curious kid sit on your lap and play with your makeup. TWO: According to Maggie, this is the hawt new look for spring, better get on that quick.

Unibrows and spring flowers,

Allyson

And in case ANY of you were wondering, after another trip to the docker (doctor in Maggie speak) we now have a winner. Max has, you guessed it, a DOUBLE EAR INFECTION too. Hooray, hooray, hoorah! More medicine, more good times. I've spent $75.00 in the last 2 days on doctor visits and medicine. Suhweet! Good thing we're rolling in the cash at our casa. HA! Also, they want another urine sample for Maggie, he's checking something else, just to be sure. Hmmmm. AND, he thinks Max is wheezy and gave him a breathing treatment (pretty sure that was the most traumatic moment of Max's short life, WOW!), and I'm s'posed to make sure that goes away. OK. So, we're rockin and rollin now. At least last night, when Max had a 102 fever and I took him to pageant anyway ('cause I didn't discover said fever until 15 minutes before we left) he was the sweetest most perfect baby Jesus ever. He never made a peep, no crying, only happy faces and coos. It was great for the sweet Mary and Joseph who have to do the scene with him, and great for me, 'cause i didn't feel as bad. But, I'm babbling.

A Reality BITE

Meet my favorite Biggest Loser, it's Sione! He looks so different, it's nutty. And he looks even better now.

I'm just here to say, I'm completely PI*$#@ at the outcome of last nights show.

I freaking hate Ron and the manipulating, weasle that he is. And Laura is a loser (not in a good sense here) too. I knew Sione didn't make it to the end, but none the less, I'm just MAD that he got the boot. Frankly, I would have preferred Filipe go, not that I don't like him, but I like Sione better. UGH!!!! On the upside, at least I wasn't seething in anger, I was very composed about the whole thing. Perhaps I AM growing up. hehehe

And finally, how crazy was it to see him with his sisters and realize....what the? I was his sister Marys visiting teacher for awhile a couple of years ago. I had NO idea they were related. How fun for me to find a connection. I KNEW I liked him.

In Idol news, just not feeling it people. Even my boyfriend Danny wasn't that great last night. The retards cut off Adam and frankly, can someone please put some sunglasses on creepy Scotts eyes before I lose it completely?

Maggie the demander is yelling from her bed for me to hold her. Guess my solitude is done for the day. Speaking of, Max decided to come down with a charming 102 fever last night just before pageant, therefore he was not baby jesus for the night. He woke up this morning with snot literally crusted to his entire face, it was charming to say the least. However, at least both kids slept completely through the night, even if there was slime and crust to pay in the morning. Anyway, gotta save a crying girl.

Sad goodbyes and goobery eyes,

Allyson

It's Baaaaaaaaaaackkkkkk!

Well, the brutal beast of sick is back in the ol' Van Pat house. I s'pose I should have been clued in to his return by the veritable fountain of green snot that started running non-stop out of Maggies nose on Monday. Or perhaps, just perhaps I SHOULD have listened to her when she told me a week ago that her ear hurt (but in my defense, she said it one time and never mentioned it again and never acted like anything was wrong at all). Or maybe I should have believed her when she started crying in the car out of nowhere and told me her tummy hurt.) UGH! Last night was spent with a wailing and unconsolable Maggie for well over an hour, refusing to go to sleep. In between sobs demanding "Mom, HO ME." "Daddddddy, I wan Daddddddy." As she has NEVER exhibited such behaviour or even cried longer than half hour before, this was new ground. Nothing we said, did or otherwise could or would help her. Finally at around 10:00, after a dose of Tylenol and lots of loving she layed down and fell asleep. That was not to last that long, 'cause Midnight came a knockin and so did her crying. She would cry out, "ow, ow, ow" and then "Mommy, or something else." I think I went in her room at least three times to comfort, give her something, hold her, talk to her, etc. Finally at 4:ish I gave her some more tylenol and at 5:ish she fell asleep. Of course I was s'posed to be getting up then for a swim, and of course, I didn't go. I was tooo tired, AND I knew I needed to take her to the doctor first thing, which meant I didn't have time for hair washing and doing. So, needless to say, called the doctor first thing, they got her in at 8:50 and wouldn't you know the diagnosis was........






Double Ear Infection AND we got to test for a UTI.







Ever seen how they get a urine sample from a baby in diapers? It's quite clever really. Think strong adhesive, little bag with an opening, attached to the hooty hoo and voila. Maggie was not a real fan of the bag, it was bothering her, and her peeing was bothering her more. On the upside, no sign of a real UTI, on the downside, something is not right. AND, I found out I was s'posed to be taking her for a pelvic ultrasound and an abdominal scan. I sort of forgot I was s'posed to do that, per orders of the Pediatric Ortho guy. Have I ever mentioned one of Maggies legs is shorter than the other? Yeah, I know, you all thought she was perfect in her beauty. Nope, she has a flaw. Left leg, TOTALLY shorter than the right. It doesn't seem to be hindering her in any way, other than to watch her run is hysterical. They did x-rays and can't find anything wrong, and don't know why there is the discrepancy, so he ordered these other tests to rule out cysts or something wierd like that. But, that is not my story right now.





So, new round of augmenton starting tonight. In the meantime, whiny, bawly, tragically sad Maggie to deal with. She woke up from her nap with green goopy eyes to boot. Sick is so awesome.





Did I mention Max has a creepy, rattly cough. Perfectly peachy in every other way, just coughing.








Why don't they mention in the ol' parenting handbook that you might as well just plan on your kids being sick from age birth to like 8. Just one constant round of antibiotics, sleepless nights, crying and misery. Oh yeah, they don't mention it 'cause ONE there is no stinkin handbook, and TWO, noone would have kids if they knew all the hideous truths.






All I have to say is, it's a good thing I love them so freaking much it hurts, AND that they're so utterly adorable. It makes these "tough" times just a little more bareable.






And with that said.....get thee hence you stupid, hideous, brutal beast of sick! I'm DONE with you!

BUGGY!

Ok, I just posted another really great recipe, but for whatever reason, it went in just after the "battlescarred" post. So PLEASE, scroll down and find the one titled "another recipe." I assure you you'll be glad you did.


Holly, I never got your invite to your recipe blog.

Corn Chowder anyone?

Ok, OK, stop hounding me people, the highly anticipated and much sought after corn chowder recipe is FINALLY here. Don't feel bad, I only told Andrea I'd e-mail it right over to her well over 2 months ago. Yeah, I'm cool like that. Anyway, I was waiting 'til I made it again so I could have a picture of it. I feel it's of utmost importance to have a picture of food, so you can get a sense of it, and decide if it looks good or not. The travesty here is, my camera is el sucko and this shot does no justice to the deliciousness that is "the chowder". Dixie tried to tell me I make this like every day or something, and she is sorely mistaken. I at least wait one week in between makings. So what, every other week is totally fine, especially when it is something as fantabulous as this. Know what else makes it so FANTASTIC? I made it last night and the entire thing, start to finish literally took me 20 minutes. HELLO, it doesn't get any faster than that. So, here you go:

Chicken Corn Chowder

This recipe slightly adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

1/4 c. chopped onion (I usually use the dried, minced onion, 'cause I'm to lazy to deal with real onions. Who needs stinky hands and water eyes? Not me. So, with dried only use 1/8 c. or less)

3 Tbl. butter

1/4 heaping C. flour

1/2 tsp. heaping dried dillweed (ALL kitchens should have and use this regularly. I always add more)

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. salt (or more)

2 cups milk

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup water

1 can chicken (If you're super over achiever, you could make your own chicken and shred it in there, but why?)

2 cups corn or one can (I MUCH prefer to use the organic white corn that is frozen at Costco, it is HEAVEN, but can corn will work in a pinch)

1 red pepper chopped (this is my addition to the recipe, ONE because I have a MAJOR love affair with red peppers, two because it adds a lovely layer of flavor and three it gives an otherwise bland color soup some snappy color.)

In a large saucepan cook onion in hot butter till tender but not brown. Stir in flour, dillweed and salt/pepper. Add the milk, chicken broth and water all at once. Cook and stir 'til thick and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more and then add in the corn, chicken and red pepper; heat through. Makes about 4 (1 cup+) servings.

286 Calories, 12 g fat, 28 g carbs, 18 g protein.

Tips and tricks: Before you start combine all the dry ingredients in one bowl. Get all your wet ingredients in another bowl. After cooking the onions and stirring in the dry ingredients, use a whisk as you pour in the wet ingredients. Constantly whisk and stir until all the flour is broken apart and you see a "sea" of dill floating about. Just keep whisking. I generally add more flour at this point, it all depends on how thick you want your chowder. I probably add another 1/8 cup or more and then a little more milk as well. This is up to you. If you put too much and want to thin it out, add a little water.

If you have a large family, of course double it. I usually double it for our small family because there is always someone over who needs to eat, and Jere loves it so much it all gets eaten.

Final tip: See the bread in the picture? It is an essential MUST to finishing off this meal. If you live in AZ, you just head right on over to Fry's and get their $1.50 french bread in the paper bag. There is crack laced into it, I'm sure, because you can't stop eating it and it goes so perfectly with this chowder. If you don't live in AZ, well then I'm sorry, you'll have to make do with some other french bread. And for those of you over achiever, bread baker people, if you feel so inclined ot make your own, well then so be it. But, the way I see it is, then you've totally negated the amazing 20 minute meal by spending hours making bread. I'm just saying.

PLEASE, come back and give me comments if you end up making this. I'd love to know how it turned out for you and if me and mine aren't just crazy for thinking this is soo freaking good.

HAPPY EATING!

Reality Bytes

Hello, my name is Allyson and I'm a reality TV hooer (whore, but saying it hooer makes it sound so much less offensive, don't ya think?). Generally, if it's reality, I will watch it (though there are some exceptions, of which I'll cover later). There is something about being a voyeur, about watching the train wrecks that live among us. It's fascinating to see people change their lives, wreck their lives, perform, fight, scream, be in love, out of love, etc. And, if you know me AT ALL you know that I have some VERY strong opinions about things and if you've ever watched a show with me, you realize I voice said opinions regularly. It's amazing how much I can HATE someone on these shows, like seething, white hot hate someone, or conversely, adore someone. I know, it's embarrassing, it's so unbecoming of me, that's why I've convened this group session. I need to air this, and try and overcome myself a little. I mean the "reality" is, it's all editing, the producers choose who they want as characters, as winners, losers, etc. We really have no control over anything, but man, there is a lot of fun in the watching, the "hating" the mindless release of viewing someone else make a fool of themselves, or being inspired by somone who is doing amazing things to improve themselves. Reality TV is the greatest invention since, well, since anything, may it never go away.



So, without further ado, I've decided to post in somewhat a favorite to least favorite order, MY reality shows, with a brief detour to cover those shows I will not, or do not watch.

I WILL NOT watch ANYTHING with "real housewives" in the title. What a bunch of crap. I will not watch Survivor, never have, never will, it bugs me. I used to watch The Bachelor, I no longer do or will. It's just so contrived and stupid, and none of them except Trista has ever worked. I REFUSE to see crap like Flavor of Love, Rock of Love or Girls Next Door, or any stupid reality show based around a worthless celebrity or non celebrity who thinks they're a celebrity, which I guess means, NOTHING ON MTV ever!




The Amazing Race: This show holds a very special place in my heart. Way back when season 2 started, I was sitting in the living room of Julie Fischbecks house, while she and Jere were in the other room looking or listening to music. I was bored and I turned on her TV. There was this show starting called the Amazing Race. I have been HOOKED ever since. I will love Ken & Gerard and Team Cha cha cha forever! There have been seasons where we were so enraptured, we could barely breathe. We would have "Amazing Racebowl" parties where the food was plentiful and we were all there to see the final episode ane cheer the winners on. There was only one tragic misstep and that was the "family" season, that sucked! The adventure is grand, the views of the world amazing, the challenges insane, etc. If you don't watch this show, there is something wrong with you. It's on Sunday nights right now, check it out.
Forever hated from this show: Flo, Victoria, any of the stupid dating models. I can't remember the names of the ugly older couple from season 2, and I know there are others.
Forever LOVED: The hilarious brothers from season 4 or 5, Ken & Gerard, Cha cha cha, Uchena and Joyce, Chip and Kim and others.







The Biggest Loser: What is NOT to love about a show that shows you people getting skinny. Literally working their asses off before our eyes. It is ridiculously inspiring and amazing in every way. Do I think/know the show is totally rigged as to who they want in the finals, yes, but that is beside the point. The point is, watch, learn, be inspired, go out and do something healthy. I particularly love this season, there are some great people on their. Sione is my fave, followed closely by Kristin. Totally done with Ron, but whatev. Season 2 was my favorite with Matt and Suzy, and then Season 3 with Eric, so AWESOME!!! And I heart Bob forever!








So You Think You Can Dance: Oh my WHERD I l-o-v-e this show! Perhaps it's because I am a totally tragic non-dancer. I'm living my dreams through them, that could be. But, whatever the case, it's just sooooo fun to watch them dance, and see what choreographers come up with week after week. It is safe to say that I'm totally in love with Wade Robson and his choreography. He's a total freak of nature, but man, his Rama Lama Bang Bang from season 2, UNTOUCHABLE!!!!! And, who wouldn't love Mia Michaels and her freakishness. I like to use the term banoodles, just in honor of her. I'm soooo excited for that show to come back, and fear not friends, it starts on May 21, mark you calendar NOW!








Project Runway: Are you kidding me? Soooooo fun! I'm the least fashionable person ever, I don't get it at all, but man I sure love to see what they can create in no time flat. People with vision amaze me! And furthermore, who does NOT love Tim Gunn, he's the best!







Top Chef: Again, not a foodie, and certainly not a chef, though I can make a few things quite well. There is something so fascinating and fun about watching people have to create meals out of crap found in a vending machine, or at a Circle K. Of course they do many other challenges, but that was a couple they had to do. And, because of this show, I now have the misfortune of knowing what a monk fish is and what the heeby jeeby it looks like.








American Idol: What is there to say? There are singers, some really sucktastic and some really great. Chris Daughtrey will forever be my boyfriend, oh how I love him. It is through this show that I discovered I have some freakish hidden love for dirty rockers. I won't lie, I loved Constantine and Bo Bice (hey you can't deny that guy could seriously entertain). Chris Daughtrey just melted me, and still does. So, as it is currently running, let's discuss the good and the bad.
This season my boyfriend is totally Danny Gokey. I LOVE him, everything about him. His voice, YUM, his glasses, his sweetness, just love it all. Krys Allen, cute and really pretty good, underestimated. Matt G., that kid can seriously kick A. Last night he sucked, but that's beside the point. And of course Adam Lambert. I think I could write an entire entry just on him. His vocal skills are so retarded it's mind boggling. I have NEVER seen someone with such utter and true control over their instrument. He does things that just shouldn't be possible. I realize that he is really too gay to function, he's freaky and wierd with his obnoxious hair and painted nails. But, you can NOT deny the talent. Frankly, he is in a whole league of his own. As for the girls, they aren't even worth talking about. It's embarrassing really. Judges, i like the new girl, LOVE Simon, hate Paula, 'cause she's stupid and Randy is just annoying. Ok, got that covered.







Americas Next Top Model: Seriously, talk about freakshows and trainwrecks. Sorta makes me sad to know what messes exist out there. However, to see how they can turn ugly girls into stunning with hair, makeup and camera shots is AMAZING!! Could totally do without Tyra, 'cause she bugs the crap out of me, but what can ya do?





Dancing with the Stars: Again with the dancing. I'm fascinated, in awe, impressed. And, it's super fun to make fun of the crappy "celebrities" who give it a whirl. Even when i don't think I'll like the season for who they have, I'm still drawn in. Drew Lachey will always be my favorite, though I really loved Joey Fatone and Apollo Anton Ono. I think too, it could be the fact that those dancer chicks and guys have the MOST amazing bodies ever and I marvel at how little they can wear and still look stunning.








Design Star: Can we say...David Bromstad?(season 1 winner) LOVE HIM! Let's face it, if it has to do with design/decorating of any kind, I'm a goner. I LOVE to watch pretty much anything on HGTV. I'm an interior designer in my heart/dreams. And this show is FAR superior to the gay Top Design on Bravo.










Extreme Makeover Home Addition: Can't stand Ty, and all the cheesy schlock, but I LOVE to see the new house and it's decorations at the end. I have been known to cry a time or two if I watch the families story, but mostly, just like to see the finished product.







Make Me A Supermodel: Bravos poor version of Top Model. It's sorta retarded, and yet, as stated, I'm a hooer and I watch it anyway. What is it with the model shows bringing out the real freaks who live among us.







Well, this is sufficiently long and ridiculous, but at least I've said my 2 cents worth. Please, let me know what your faves are or aren't. Who do you love or hate from this season of AI, or seasons past of other shows. Let's dish!





Reality and trainwrecks,




Allyson