The Journey: Happy Birthday, Baby!

The Journey: Happy Birthday, Baby!: "Today is Zachary's third birthday. His brother is far more excited about it than he is. I have had a picture of him as my Facebook profil..."

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Today is Zachary's third birthday.  His brother is far more excited about it than he is. I have had a picture of him as my Facebook profile picture for the whole month, as a tribute o how much I love him.  Today he has been sang to multiple time, gets to watch whatever he wants, had all of his favorite things to eat, and has a huge supply of cupcakes to eat. On Saturday we are having a party with grilled hot dogs(one of his favorites), salads(my favorite), friends, family, and tons of outdoor play.  
I will be making cakepops (something he absolutely loves).
And I must admit birthdays make me uncomfortable.

Growing up my birthdays were most often quite uneventful.  If I had a cake it was store bought by my grandma of handmade by ME.  The few times I ever had birthday parties they were orchestrated by friends, not my parents.  My gifts were all from my grandparents and they were "practical" clothing.  And, uh, for the record "practical" clothing is like a death sentence to any aged child.
As an adult I was always annoyed at people who expected a day long celebration, parties, gifts, and to have the day off work. I mean really how special do you think you are?  I have rarely shared that though, but it was how I felt.  As it turns out it's not how special they think they are but, how special someone else taught them they were.  It took having my own kids for me to get it.
That doesn't mean you need to spends tons of money buying your kids everything under the sun, taking them on endless trips before they are old enough to enjoy it.  It means teaching your child they are amazing , wonderful little people, who bring value and worth to your life. I enjoying showing them they're special.
I will be making new traditions with them to show hem how much I love being their momma and how special their birthdays are to me.
It took having my boys to understand how special, worthy, and valuable I am... What a journey!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACHARY ZEBULON ZANE RAMIREZ!

The Journey: Falafel?... What'el? YUMMY!

The Journey: Falafel?... What'el? YUMMY!: "I have only recently been introduced to the world of felafel's and now plan on becoming good friend with it. Ingredients 2 tablespoons ..."

Falafel?... What'el? YUMMY!

I have only recently been introduced to the world of felafel's and now plan on becoming good friend with it.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, plus extra for frying
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2  cans chick peas, drained
• 1-2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1-2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cups freshly chopped parsley leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves

In medium skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons oil and cook onions and peppers 2 to 3 minutes then garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Make sure not to have the heat too high you don't want to caramelize the veggies.

In a food processor, pulse together chick peas, red chili flakes, ground cumin, coriander, the egg, salt and black pepper to form a coarse consistency. Then add flour, parsley, and cilantro. Then add onion mixture spoon full at a time. Pulse until mixture starts pulling from the sides of the food processor

Chill in a bowl for twenty minutes or until ready to cook.

Roll felafel's dough into one in rounds and flatted slightly.

In a thick-bottomed skillet heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium heat to cook felafel's balls a few at a time, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Be sure to turn them so they do not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while still hot.

Remember you can change up the flavor by adding your own different varieties of spices.

You can serve in pitas, on flat bread or tortilla. I use a Tzatziki Sauce which is just a yogurt sauce, with veggies.

Tzatziki Sauce:

16 ounces plain Greek yogurt

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

5 to 6 cilantro leaves, finely minced

Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and cilantro.

Here you can also change the herbs and acid for a variety of flavors.

The Journey: My Grandma

The Journey: My Grandma: "Betty Lou, that is what many in her life call her. I have always called her Grandma Betty or Grams. She has always been a strong woman in ..."

My Grandma

Betty Lou, that is what many in her life call her. I have always called her Grandma Betty or Grams.  She has always been a strong woman in my life. When my parent's were too involved in their addictions she was the one who took us in and cared for us.  As my parent's were able to love us affectionately, Grandma always loved us practically, you know, food, clothing, a bed to sleep in.  She didn't know how to encourage you into feeling good about yourself but she taught you how to suck it up and make your life happen.
After my great-grandma passed I called her at least five days a week. I shared my life with her over the phone and enjoyed her wisdom and wit in my life. Well last August I called her on a Monday, after not talking to her all weekend. When she answered the phone she could not put a coherent word together. I hung up and called my Aunt Linda and she then began making calls to family up there who could go check on her.  Over the next few days we learned she had a stroke and had weakness on one side and seemed to lose her speech.  I was about 38 weeks pregnant and three hours away. I was a mess emotionally. I can't tell you how many times I picked up my phone to call her, only to remember she was in the hospital unable to speak. We had one family member was close by and giving us information about Grams and it didn't seem good.
I was hysterical one day when Ramiro came home for lunch and he then arranged everything so we could head up there that afternoon. When we walked through the doorway to her room I saw complete recognition of me and my kids and my heart soared.  I sat there talking at her and helping her with her dinner getting more and more excited because I knew she was still there.
On our way home I had this sense that I had been training for years just for this moment. I knew I could care for my grandma, she didn't have to stay in a hospital.
I expressed my desire to open our home to my husband and he was very supportive.  Then I told my Aunt Linda my heart and then began the process of getting everything together for getting her here.  I know many have thought I was insane, but I knew in my heart I needed her here.
From the moment grandma came here I have seen her struggle with her loss of independence and at the same time watched her unable to turn the coffee pot off, or the washing machine on, or watched her try to cut her food up while she confused which utensils were which.

We have our little battles, she has refused my help with certain personal care and simple things like refusing to drink enough fluids. Yet watching her with Nate makes my heart glow, she adores him and he adores her.
Last week things were off with her and she ended up with a raging UTI and pneumonia.  She then ended up in the hospital receiving IV antibiotics and oxygen.  I brought her home last night and she was having a really difficult time getting around and taking care of herself.  I was a bit overwhelmed with anxiety and worry over her health, the decline was crazy.

The day of her admittance to the hospital she was walking around and then when I brought her home she could do nothing without my physical assistance and she seemed very down.
Well this morning after I cleaned her room and brushed her hair and helped her freshen up she was a different person.  She was smiling and I was relieved. After I thought about it I realized pneumonia is a big deal and would most likely require a bit of time for her to get back to herself.  I had been wondering if she would need to go into a convalescent hospital to recover more.  This afternoon I went and got Nate out of his bed, after nap time, and we went to grandma's room to visit.  She wasn't in there. She had walked into the kitchen and got herself more juice. I am not sure I can truly express the joy I felt.  And, tonight she did not need as much help as she did the night before. *JOY*
This is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I have my three boys and my friends daughter most days, so my plate is full not including an elderly grandma who needs help.  Tomorrow she has a doctor's appointment and I have no clue how I am going to pull it off with four small children, four and under, but I will.
I am blessed that I get this time with my grandma. My kids are blessed to get to have their great-grandma in their lives.  I cherish these difficult times.
Think about everyone you love, cherish your time, appreciate who they are and how they have help you become who you are. Call them, go see them, tell them you love them, listen to the sound of their voice, only God knows what tomorrow brings.
This journey is hard but worth it.

The Journey: Wholy Moly, that'sa Good Dough!

The Journey: Wholy Moly, that'sa Good Dough!: "I have fallen off the blog map it seems... no worries I still cook, life just happened. At the beginning of May a very dear friend celebra..."