I can do this, I can do hard things.

It's been a hard week at the Court House. I think I've mentioned/lamented, whatever you want to call it, that Jarom is allergic/intolerant, again whatever you want to call it, to the protein in milk. It has recently come to my attention that maybe Jarom shouldn't be having any dairy products. Sunday, Spencer and I (mostly me) decided to conduct a two week experiment to see if removing all dairy in Jarom's life would clear up what ails him.

Now if Jarom had problems with the lactose in milk our lives would be substantially easier. Milk protein or a form of it is in EVERYTHING. You think of it and he can't have it.

Meals this week have been a bit of a nightmare. What do you make for dinner, lunch and breakfast when your child can eat practically nothing? As the week has gone on I've found more and more things he can eat, but of course he doesn't like the new food. Right now at this very moment I am hiding in my room as Jarom screams because he doesn't like his vegan hotdogs. Now I ate the vegan hotdog for dinner and I thought it tasted much better than the more commonly consumed dogs.

I've had some revelations about parenthood this week. I really like a parenting book I read called The Parenting Breakthrough by Merilee Boyack. She is all about teaching your children to be independent and work. My favorite part of the book is when she says, sorry I tired to find it in the book so I could quote it, but here is what I got out of what I read. I as a parent can/have to do hard things, when I find myself slipping in my resolve to do what is best for my child I need to head into my room and give myself a pep talk.

This has been going through my head all week and I've had to give myself many pep talks. One night I hiding in my room while Jarom conducted a 50 minute screaming, crying fest. I built myself up and then headed back out to face what was awaiting me.

If, you made it all the way through this post, thanks. I just needed to share.

Boo

A Conversation with Jarom

The following conversations took place this morning while we were leaving the house. Jarom was putting on his hoody.

J: I don't like to wear the hood. It doesn't make me look cool.
M: Okay
J: Boys are suppose to look cool and girls are suppose to look nice.
M: Do I look nice?
J: Yes, you have nice eyes. I like your hair.

I love this boy.

The Northcott's are Out and Nolan's In

Since the Northcotts stopped showing up for Party Night we've had to be a little more creative. Nolan seems to have taken after his parents (mom) and loves to play game. It's nice he's getting older now and can play adult games. He does pretty good at holding his own, but in the end, I of course win - now that James isn't around to stop me I have quite a few victories under my belt.

That's My Boy

In a highly intensive gym game Nolan suffered the following injuries: a chipped tooth and a black eye. Actually the black eye is a result of the nose injury. Nolan dove nose first into a fellow classmate. He did however make the save so it was all worth it.

Wednesday I got a call from the school letting me know that there had been a accident and Nolan needed to be picked up. I went to the school and followed the blood trail to Nolan's class. He was brave but as soon as we got in the van the flood gates opened. I did what every good mom does when their son is moaning in agony, proclaiming this is the most pain he has ever been in - I feed him ice-cream and let him watch a movie he wasn't suppose to watch. Worked like a charm. (in all fairness to my parenting skills, Nolan had previously seen the movies under his dad's supervision). Thanks to an exceptional dentist Nolan's tooth is back to it's former glory.

He is mending well, but would of course appreciate any gifts, flower, cards (with money) candy bouquets you wish to send.

I want to be Martha Stewart

Every day my e-mail inbox is filled with multiple ideas from Martha to make my life better. I receive organizational tips with a promise to help my house run more efficiently while still being beautiful. I receive a supper menu ideas - many of which I find very appealling, but are either made with milk or cream (out of the question with Jarom) or I can just hear the moaning and groaning I will have to endure after having slaved away cooking the perfect masterpiece of a meal. Lets be honest folks, Martha Stewart doesn't adopt the same quick and easy philosophy that Kraft does; her recipes are a little labor intensive. I also receive the cookie of the day - many of which look like they should be served at an afternoon tea and since my kids inhale cookies faster then I can bake then, I merely enjoy the beauty of Martha's cookies and promptly delete them.

However, I been drooling over this little recipes ever since it first arrived in my inbox. Butterscotch Blondies. Made with butter, skor bits, butterscotch chips and cashews. Since I have long proclaimed my love of brownies I thought blondies would be a good avenue to explore.

The verdict is still out of this little number. I bought peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch's and had to use milk chocolate instead, so I feel I can not properly critic this little dish. It sort of reminded me of thicker, moister cookie. Quite enjoyable, just not quite what I was looking for. Maybe it was the lack of icing - everything tastes better with icing.

If you've ever made this little number, let me know what you thought, I'd love to compare cooking tips.

Thankful Hearts

I have lots of Thanks-giving memories over the last 10 years, Thanksgiving with friends, Thanksgiving in the mountains, but this year was the first year in 10 years that I have spent with my family. My mom sets such a beautiful table that I felt like we had a feast with our eyes before we even sat down to a very delicious dinner. My Sisters were home and The Grandma's were there. There were jokes told and the traditional sharing of the blessings in our lives.

I was in charge of the salad and the pies this year. Can you say YUM! I love pie. My salad of choice was my very favorite; Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad. It is to die for delicious and if you beg me long enough and promise me wonderful things, I'll post the recipe.
Pumpkin chiffon Pie - Sooooooo good you'll swoon all over it proclaiming terms of endearment!

Look closely at Nolan's ears, is he Spock, is he Caesar?

Notice anything shiny on Rachel's finger?

Today we gathered with Spencer family down at the river bottom to be blown to smithereens. It had the potential to be a wonderful time spent together, but as so often is the case in Southern Alberta the wind had to go and show off it's mighty powers. We reconvened the party to our house, the kids played together while the adults played ticket to ride.

Can't you just stay little?

9 Years Ago

October 8, 2008

Nolan performing the traditional licking of the candles.

Happy Birthday Nolan!

A hiking they will go

Yep, that's right, the Court boys went on another hike.  Spencer's brother Cam loves to hike as much as Spencer does so they are eager to get out in the great outdoors and do manly wilderness stuff.  The boys  - Nolan, Jarom, Ethan and Hyden are  eager tag alongs.  Even Jarom has been converted, there wasn't any protesting this time when his dad told him about the hike. Although, I do agree with Jarom when he said to his dad, "I like the overall experience, just not the walking part".  (I'm thinking Spencer may have changed the wording a bit as overall isn't a word Jarom would normally use) 

  Crandell Lake was their destination of choice this time around.   There is a lake to throw rocks in, there are rocks to climb on, in, around and up, really what more do boys need?  They saw a moose, they sat around the fire, then all took turns peeing on it to put it out for the night. Good Times.

Now I know you are all sitting there thinking, what could Angela possibly have done with yet another week-end to herself.  It has come to my attention that some of my readers think I have too much childless time on my hands and although it has gone unsaid, I think they think I sit on the couch watching soaps and eatting chocolate all day.  I would NEVER point this person out, but the first letter of his name is a D and it ends in ALE. 

So this is what I did, I got to spend Friday night with my totally fun, cute nephews while their parents went to the temple.  Then today, I went and watched Conference with my 90 year old grandma, had lunch at the Lodge with her and her friends, then I got to spend some time showing her tendering loving care.  It was great.

THE REWARDS OF BEING THE MOM.

Spencer and the boys arrived home about 15 minutes before me.  I came in the house, put away my belonging, and waiting for my kids to attack me with hugs and kisses since they missed me so much they could hardly stand it.  Jarom sought me out, hugged me, kissed me, and informed me that Nolan was laying in his bed because he was sick.

I went to check on my Nolan and as soon as he saw me he started to cry uncontrollably.  I picked him up, loved him, dosed him up with some Tylenol and tucked him into my bed.  

I bet you're all thinking, "Why is this a reward for being a mom"?  I'll tell you.  There is something about seeing your child cry when they see you because you are their safe person, you are the person they want, that makes all the other drudgery of motherhood disappear.  I, as Nolan's mom can kiss away the pain and make his world right.  

I know it's not going to last much longer, so I'll enjoy it while it does.