FRIDAY, the 13TH...ALMOST

On Thursday, the 12th, my fresh teen nearly died. He was overconfidently riding the 4 wheeler & rolled it, pinning his head between a rock & the tire, but underwater in the creekbed. He almost drowned. His cousin & sister were spectators in the terrifying episode. The boys cried intermittently for an hour or more, while Shea's eyes were rimmed in red. I've heard of fatal quad accidents, but reality has hit. I'm so thankful for the outcome. Miraculously, the quad rolled off Rett and freed him to live. He had been wearing his helmet earlier, but this was supposed to be just a quick move....ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMETS. I'm humbled and thankful for our Father in Heaven who watches over us.

13TH ANNIVERSARY....

1st time my water broke! I was finally climbing into bed, ending a terrific day. I had had my 2nd baby shower for my 1st born. My church family had showered me with lots of love and gifts and my family, near and far, had given me a crib and stroller/carseat combo. "I was ready!" I had also babysat an active little boy, the missionaries had stopped by, I squeezed in a nap......I don't recall what was for dinner. Now I was moving my slumber from the couch to bed. I climbed in between the sheets and realized, I had wet myself. How did that happen? Hmmmm? I better go to the bathroom to make sure I'm on empty (or at least try, being 37 1/2 weeks along with child), plus I need to change into something dry. I sat down on the porcelain throne and had nothing to contribute, so I stood up...trickle, trickle....sat down.....nothing....stood up...trickle, trickle....Wait a minute? Did my water just break? I calculated the time difference between here in the South and there in the Southwest. My sister of 3 knew all about this water breaking stuff. It was 2 hours difference. I called and she confirmed. "Oh My Heck! You're having that baby." Next I called my doctor. Well actually, after I called the answering service, Dr. Magoo (he reminds me of Mr. Magoo) called back and said "Go to the hospital." Then I called my parents. It was official. We headed to the hospital less than 2 miles away. 13 hours later, I had a beautiful, healthy baby boy we named James Rett Speidel. So as of today, I have a teenager who is slightly taller than me, I think. And now you know the rest of the story. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RETT!

BUT MOM........IT''S NOT FAIR.....

Shea begins her umpteenth injustice in 15 minutes. We're running low on honey. I didn't have time or patience to watch it slowly cascade down the inside of the bear then drizzle over the corn flakes. My children are unaware there is another (traditional) way to 'sweeten' up cereal which is what they get this rushed morning. I'm not ready to reveal that to them. I can only imagine the 'highs' that would ensue if I let that one out of the bag. So Shea follows up her claim with, "I can't help it if my taste buds don't like it." BAH Ha Ha Ha.....I exit to grab the camera for a great blogging moment and Shea exits, under the table, so as not to be caught on film.

MY TWIN

It's been very apparent that Ivy is my look alike and here is more proof. My Brother, Danny (blondie in the pic), found a bunch of slides spilled around my Grandma's vacated dairy home. He gathered them up and has been scanning them in. I saw this and was, once again, amazed by the uncanny resemblance. The elder in braids is my sister, Amy. This is where I grew up in Harvest Valley, Arizona. My parents still live near there on what my mom affectionately calls Paradise Island. I love taking a good walk down memory lane.

SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON REMAKE

Rusty has been working on our treehouse for years and January marked phase 2 of the "Treehouse." He's been wanting to add the second level of it, but I was so nervous. Not so much now there are rungs. Yes, it needs a coat of stain, but between rain, drying out time, Saturdays filled with activities...well, we just haven't got to it. But soon. Perhaps this Spring. There is some talk of a crow's nest. Not sure that will pass the MARC (Mom's Architectual Review Committee).

AS PROMISED

I've NEVER made waffles...until 3 weeks ago when Santa brought me a waffle maker. Sad, huh? Well now I'm hooked. We started with Bisquik, but then I found this terrific recipe where I don't have to separate the eggs, but I do follow the "beat eggs for 1 minute' instruction. I also sprinkle with chocolate chips before 'closing' the waffle hatch/lid for baking. Then I take some frozen strawberries, add a little water, & about 2 Tablespoons of sugar. Simmer that strawberry mixture on the stove. I spoon some strawberries over the chocolate chip waffle and crown with whipped topping. Mmmmmmmmmmm!

I give to you, the new found waffle recipe....

3 cups sifted flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 1/4 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup butter, margarine, or vegetable oil

Sift flour with baking powder, salt, and sugar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat eggs for 1 minute.

Add milk & vanilla extract to beaten eggs. Add milk-egg mixture to dry ingredients; beat only until well blended. Add butter (or margarine or oil) and beat until blended. Bake in preheated waffle iron. Makes about 5 cups batter or about 9 round waffles.

"MOM, I'M A SUCKER,"

Asa tells me.
After my third batch of homemade suckers, Asa comes up behind me....Yep. Looks like a sucker to me. lol Asaism #268