Life Happens!

Having a two-year-old is like having a blender that you don't have the top for.  ~Jerry Seinfeld

Once again, it has been quite some time since my last post. But being the mother of a two year old boy, life isn't always predictable. The other night, for example, I planned on going to bed early and starting the work week off well rested. I couldn't have been more off... My son, Sebastian, suddenly started crying around 8:30pm, repeating, "I don't feel good. I sicky." And worst of all, he was holding both ears. Being that my father is deaf, I don't take chances when it comes to Sebastian's ears. So I laid him down, deciding I would call the pediatrician first thing in the morning. But then he started screaming bloody murder, yelling, "It hurts!" as he held his ears. Soon after the screaming began, he threw up. A combination of heartbreak--knowing first hand how painful earaches are--and my mother's famous "Better safe than sorry," made me get up and tell my husband that I wasn't going to wait until morning. So off to the ER we went. Diagnosed with an inner ear infection and prescribed with amoxicillin, Sebastian is already feeling much better than he was on Sunday night, thank God! Although he still wakes up in the middle of the night whimpering a bit and complaining that "it hurts," he's pretty much back to his old self: eating play dough, pretending the dog is a motorcycle, constantly begging for candy, and of course, causing me to believe that a tornado has suddenly struck inside my home. The bottom line is, life isn't always as you plan it to be. Everytime I begin blogging, I fully intend on writing every day. But then something unplanned happens: I have to work on a Sunday because a hurricane is on its way; I have to give my son a second bath because he decided to color himself with markers; I have to make a second trip to the grocery store because friends who are displaced are coming over for dinner; and sometimes I even have to take a trip to the ER in the middle of the night. Life happens and days turn into weeks, months pass, and before you know it, you're another year older and your plans have not worked out as you had once hoped. But that's okay. Sometimes circumstances aren't great, but usually things work out for the best. And sometimes, the results are even better than they may have been. I used to work five, eight hour days, Monday through Friday. However, I soon ran into babysitter issues on Tuesdays, so I changed my schedule to four, 10 hour days. Although my work days are longer, I am able to spend the entire day with Sebastian every Tuesday. I didn't plan on this and I was very hesitant at first. But I couldn't be happier. Now, Sebastian and I are able to spend quality time together, just the two of us, at least once a day every week. We bake yummy desserts, play cars and trains, color pictures for daddy, have play dates with my niece. So here I am, back in action with every intention on writing on a regular basis. But the truth is, I am a human being who also happens to be the mother of a two year old, crazy little boy. So while I ask you to join me as I give you "something to relate to," I also apologize in advance if I am unable to write daily; after all, sometimes life happens!

Pet Peeves: What are yours?

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
I was at the office today and after two minute intervals of silence, this is what I would hear. Over, and over, and over again. I was going insane, as were the other girls at work. Turns out it was a computer battery backup that wouldn't shutt off.
The morning beeping gave me the idea for today's post, which is light and fun: little things that drive us absolutely insane. For this post, I would love to see your additions, so please comment below!

I Hate When...
-you wave or smile to someone and they don't return the gesture... You're life is not that bad.
-people drive in the rain, fog, dark, etc. without their headlights on... Hello, I can't see you!
-people chew with their mouths open
-people yell "Huh?!" when they didn't hear what you said
-another woman your age calls you (or your husband!) hun... Seriously?
-someone comes right out and asks you if you're pregnant... Rude much?
-someone cuts you off in traffic, then proceeds to give you the finger as if you've done something to them
-the person driving behind you tailgates you because the person in front of you is driving slow... I can only go as fast as the person in front of me, buddy!
-people say "Davit." There's a "D" at the end; not a "T."
-people ask you for your opinion, then contradict it. Why ask me?
-people interrupt you!
-you come inside sopping wet like a drowned rat and someone asks, "Is it raining?" No! I decided to jump in the pool, fully clothed, and carrying all of my groceries.
-people end their questions with "then?" Like, "Can I get you another beer, then?" When? I want my beer now, not "then."
-someone walks into a room, knows nothing about your conversation and asks, "Where was this?" Not only is it annoying, but rather rude.
-I worked as a cashier and people would hand me crumbled up bills... How hard is it for you to nicely hand me an unfolded dollar bill?
-people slam into you as they pass without saying "Excuse me."

...And the list continues!

Weeping May Endure for a Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. -Psalm 30:5

Everyone goes through a time--or times--in their life when they feel like nothing is going right, and that it may never get better again. We all feel alone sometimes, as if no one could possibly know what it is that we're going through. And we ask ourselves, "How will I ever be able to move on?"
But the truth is, life does go on, and so do we. No matter how hard the struggle, no matter how high the mountain, no matter how deep the waters of dispair, we always manage to get through it.
Why? Because God will provide. Because the Lord carries us when we're weak; He leads us along the path of goodness when we can no longer see the road; He lifts us up when the water is too deep to trudge.
When I was 19 years old, I got a phone call saying that my grandmother wasn't doing well, and that I should go see her as soon as I could. I had heard this many times before, so I didn't panic, but as my mother and I drove the 45 minutes to see my grandmother, I said, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to have a nervous breakdown when she dies."
When I walked into my grandmother's room and reality hit me, I fell a part. I knew that the Lord was going to call her home in just a few days. I didn't know how I was going to go on.
Up until that point, I had never lost anyone that close to me. But my grandmother and I had shared so many memories together, and I wasn't ready to let her go. But that would be selfish. My grandmother was suffering, and she had suffered for the past few years. So I went into her room and kneeled beside her bed and did the hardest thing I have ever had to do: I said goodbye.
I told her it was okay to go home, because I knew that she was tired. I asked her to watch over me once she was in Heaven. I apologized for times I had dissapointed her and for times that I wasn't there for her. I told her I loved her, I kissed her and told her for the last time that it was okay to go home.
My grandmother passed away two days later and I was a complete mess. My mom came to my apartment and sat with me until I fell asleep, reassuring me that everything was going to be okay. I didn't believe her. How would everything be okay? My grandmother was no longer a car ride away. There were so many things I had or hadn't done and now it was too late.
But the hands on the clock continued to tick by. I cried every day for a few months. I'd open up the refrigerator door and fall to pieces, remembering my grandmother as an amazing baker, whose home was always full of goodies. Why hadn't I asked her to share her recipes with me while she still could?
Thanksgiving came and I ruined the pumpkin roll. I called my mom, barely able to speak between tears. "It's just not the same as hers," I cried.
Christmas came and went, as did my college graduation. I was the first one in her family to attend and graduate college, and it hurt that she couldn't be there with me.
But then I stopped and thought, "She is here with me. She's always with me."
As time marched on, I cried less often and I began to remember my grandmother with a smile rather than tears. I still miss her and I wish my son could have met her, but I know she was with him when God sent him to grow in my belly.
I know she's watching over my family and I, that she's no longer in any type of worldly pain, and that one day, I will be with her again. And there she'll be, waiting for me with her delicious pumpkin roll and rice pudding.
So when times are tough and it seems as though life is falling a part, just remember that "This too shall pass." Although things very well may get worse before they get better, they will get better. Because "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Go Crazy or You'll Go Crazy

So much to do, so little time. Isn't that the story of everyone's lives? It's so hard to fit everything into your schedule as it is, let alone setting time aside for yourself. But we have to or we'll go crazy.
I believe it was Ben Franklin who said, "Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today?"
To that I say this: Why put having a glass of wine while sitting on the porch off until tomorrow? Or playing Duck, Duck, Goose in the grass with your kids? Or walking hand in hand along the beach with your soul mate? Drinking tea and talking with your mother? Asking your grandpa about the "good ol' days?"
You never know what life is going to throw at you next, so I say eat your dessert first. Save your sick days for when you're feeling your best. Jump in head first while everyone else is simply dipping their feet in the water. And go crazy every once in a while, because if you don't, you really will go crazy.

Take in the Moment, Make it a Memory

Milestones and memories. That's what life is made of, isn't it? We reach points in our lives that remind us we're growing older, and then those moments become memories and we do just that: grow older. And as we do, so do our children.
My husband, Kevin, and I took our 16-month-old son, Sebastian, for his first hair cut today. It was one of those moments much like the first time he rolled over, stood up on his own, took his first step.
Milestones like a first haircut really make me stop to appreciate the moment, because that's all we ever have. I take it all in and think, "Wow, time really does fly by."
I remember the day I knew I was going to be a mom; the day I heard my baby's heartbeat for the first time; the day I saw my "little bean"--as I always called him--growing in my belly. And then there he was, laying in my arms for the very first time.
Sixteen months later, my little bean is a growing like a weed. He's doing something new every day, and he always reminds me to soak up every moment, every toothy grin, every high-pitched giggle, every sticky grasp.
Yes, I've heard it all before... "You're a baby yet yourself..." "Wait 'til you're my age..." "Wait 'til he's in college..."
Yes, I am still young, and my son is just reaching his toddler years. But I won't be young forever, and neither will he. I'm not going to take these moments for granted. I refuse to let them slip by without fusing them in my mind, creating a filmstrip of memories to play over and over in years to come.
I am 22 years old. But I was 16 months old once, and my mother was 22. Before I know it, my son will be 22 and I will once again say to myself, "Time really does fly by."
So hold on to every moment God gives you, because time slips through our fingers before we even realize that our children have grown another year older.
Crawl around on the floor with them and let them climb on your back as if you're a mountain. Let them make you laugh until tears run down your face and your tummy sprouts that six pack you've always wanted. Read them three stories at bed time, maybe four if you just can't say no to those puppy-dog eyes. And once they fall asleep, sneek into their rooms and watch them dream. Because before you know it, they'll be chasing those very same dreams.

Mac & Cheese Shortage Sends Party Guests Into Temper Tantrum

Macaroni and cheese. Who doesn't love it? It's the ultimate comfort food here in America, because it's not only delicious, but it's also full of cheese and the beloved carbohydrate. Macaroni and cheese has always been my favorite food. However, I don't think I'd start an argument with a caterer over it...
I was helping a friend of mine--we'll call her Sue--cater an event recently, and I was very excited to do so. Not only do I enjoy when I am given the opportunity to help cater events with her, but this event seemed like it was going to be full of fun, laid back people like Sue and myself.
Here's a little background...
When we cater an event, we have a plan in mind to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Not only is it our job to feed the guests, but it's also our job to keep them happy. Therefore, we do our absolute best to keep the buffet table full of every item at all times.
At the particular event we catered, there were seven items that needed to be heated. With a double buffet line, we knew we had to stay on top of things because we could run out of something twice as quickly. Therefore, the buffet was full of 10 to 15 pounds of every item, with another 10 pounds of each ready in the warmers in order to refill the buffet table. Once we filled or replaced something, there was more room in the warmer to heat another five or 10 pounds, which takes about 10 to fifteen minutes.
One of the side dishes included in this buffet was macaroni and cheese: every one's favorite food. Just minutes after the guests began helping themselves to the buffet, the macaroni and cheese was dwindling quickly. We grabbed the heated 10 pounds and filled the buffet tray before the last scoop was taken.
What I'm going to say next, however unbelievable, is the absolute truth. Less than five minutes after refilling the macaroni and cheese, it was gone. Except for a few forsaken noodles and unreachable cheddar cheese, the pan was empty.
Five minutes was not enough time for the second 10 pound batch of macaroni to be heated. So I politely told the guests that unfortunately, the macaroni and cheese would not be ready for another five or 10 minutes.
What did they do? They huffed and puffed, and refused to stand to the side or sit down so that the other guests behind them could continue to help themselves to dinner.
After five minutes, the macaroni and cheese wasn't quite hot enough, so I asked those holding up the line to have a seat while they waited so that others could help themselves to the buffet. They groaned, rolled their eyes and made rude comments as they made their way to their seats. Still, others refused to move.
With nothing left to do but wait, we checked on the other trays of food and made sure they were full, reassuring everyone that the macaroni and cheese was still going to make it's second appearance in its place on the buffet table.
Just as the holy noodles were being taken out of the warmer, I noticed a group of people waiting at the place where the empty tray was.
"Where's the mac and cheese?" "There's still not mac and cheese?" "What are they doing about the mac and cheese?"
Those who had sat down were back, and they were unhappy that they had not yet received their over abundance of carbohydrates in less than eight life-changing minutes.
As Sue rushed to the buffet line, hot macaroni and cheese in hand, one woman said, "I'm waiting for her to bring me my mac and cheese."
Sue kept a smile plastered on her face and quietly made her way back to the prep station without saying a word. For this I give her credit, because I'm not sure I would have been able to keep my cool.
About 20 minutes after the buffet line initially began, 35 pounds of macaroni and cheese had been devoured. The only problem: there wasn't any left, yet not every guest had made their way through the line. There we stood, explaining that this had never happened before, as Sue always makes more than enough food to serve the number of guests. Apparently, the host didn't realize how much her family and friends loved macaroni and cheese.
As the last few stragglers made their way through the buffet line, we looked around at the tables closest to us and saw the problem. At least nine unattended plates were piled to the sky with macaroni and cheese and nothing else. Why? Because most people, especially children, took too much of the sacred noodles and cheese and couldn't finish it. Once we started clearing plates, that little number nine rose, and rose, and rose.
What did people have to say after dinner?
"The mac and cheese was phenomenal!" "I heard your mac and cheese was great; it's a shame I didn't get to try any." "Every one's raving about the mac and cheese!"
My response to them was simple: "You might want to take a look around you and thank those who took enough to feed an army, only to go ahead and waste it without a second thought to those who didn't get any to begin with."
The moral of the story is this: Don't take more food than you know you can eat! How many of us can hear our parents, as clearly as if it were yesterday, saying "You'll eat everything you take or you'll eat it for breakfast!"
Maybe Sue should have a banner made with that slogan for her next event...
Also, don't be so inconsiderate and greedy, glutton! The next guy in line loves macaroni and cheese just as much as you do, so think of how he'd feel if he saw you scoop an eight pound pile onto your plate without leaving any for him.

My Name is Sarah and I'm Addicted to Smoothies

My new obsession: making smoothies.
It all started when I noticed that my cousin had left a bag of frozen strawberries in my freezer. I thought, "What in the world am I going to do with frozen strawberries?"
It was the middle of the afternoon, so I knew I'd better not start making daiquiris. Instead, I replaced the rum with apple juice, used the frozen strawberries rather than daiquiri mix, and added some ice cubes. Not quite a smoothie, but it was a nice strawberry apple icey!
That little concoction sent me straight to the Internet to look up the basic ingredients of a strawberry smoothie. I found an easy recipe, altered it a bit, and I've made it almost every day since then; for breakfast, a mid-day snack for my son and I, or dessert for me and my husband. A few times, I chose to use frozen raspberries rather than strawberries, and I loved it just as much!
On Saturday, I had my parents over for breakfast and I made enough smoothies to fill a cup for the entire neighborhood. After a huge breakfast of blueberry and strawberry waffles, eggs and bacon, none of us had room for an over-sized smoothie. So I made smoothie pops! I simply poured the smoothie mixture into an ice tray, cut plastic straws into three pieces and stuck one in each "smoothie cube." Because the mixture is thick, the straw stayed in place on their own. I threw them in the freezer and we enjoyed a couple frozen treats tonight after dinner.
On Sunday, I had a few things to pick up at the store, and I found a smoothie recipe book for only $4. As a major clearance shopper and a new smoothie lover, I knew this was an offer I couldn't refuse!
I was flipping through the pages today and sent my husband out for a few ingredients. Unfortunately, every bunch of bananas at the grocery store was way-too-unripe green, so I didn't get to try any new recipes. But tomorrow's another day!
For now, I'd like to share this simple smoothie recipe, as it's one that can be altered to anyone's personal tastes; replace or add fruit, leave out the sugar (or add more!) or use flavored yogurt. Happy smoothie making!

Sarah's Simple Strawberry Smoothie
1/2 C milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 heaping handful frozen strawberries
3 T white sugar
1 t vanilla
6 ice cubes
>>Combine ingredients in blender, blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy!