Oh, the Joys!

Before going to bed, I like to watch a little cartoon with Coco and Connor. It was so nice that tonight we were all able to just sit and cuddle (daddy wasn't working, Cesar wasn't in his bedroom!) and watch Scooby Dooby Doo together. I just felt it was one of those moments when we were all relaxed, talking and mimicking the voices of Shaggy and Scooby, and Connor of course had to sing the theme song for us.

And this is what my neighbor's backyard looked like on Thursday and Friday. Well, it actually still looks pretty much like that! Today was actually a little bit warmer, but we still have loads of snow. A bit annoying by now...

This is just one of those things that remind me of the incredible family the Sweet Lord was kind enough to help me find. Each season, Noni gets a little something for the kids (place mats, cups, straws). But EVERY TIME she gets something for our kids, she also gets an identical item for my ex-husband's daughter, Cesar's sister Sarah. I really, REALLY am so blessed that my family embraces me and my first born as their own. With Brian, very little people even know that Cesar is not his "natural" son. He doesn't believe in the "step" tag. This little present reminds me of one of my many, many blessings.

Since the kids have been housebound for a few days, I just had to give in and get some Play Dough for them to have something to do. Connor was SOOOO excited! He has been playing every day, and I have to say, I am very impressed. he has been so clean and neat about it!

And last Thursday, I banged the big toe on my right foot sooo badly, I thought I had broken it. I went to the Urgent Care Clinic (I discovered we have one down the street, about 3 or 4 miles away, YAY!!!) and they said it is not broken, but pretty badly bruised. I'm going for a follow up on Saturday, because it still hurts a little... The only good thing was having Coco taking care of me. She insisted on fixing me some lunch. We had some left over instant soup from Cesar's days of no eating anything but soft foods, so she brought me a cup, along with a glass of milk (half full, since she couldn't find a tray to bring the food), dessert (two Oreo cookies), a "cup" of water (that is the cup we use for brushing our teeth in by bathroom) and even a candle holder with a poinsettia for decoration. Oh, and of course, Static Guard, since I was soooo electric. How neat is that? Better than any professional Nurse, if you ask me!

And I had a batch of "friendship Amish bread" (you know, that dough that a friend gives you in a zip bag), and I had to give it a try this time. So, on Saturday I went ahead to make banana nut and chocolate chip bread. And who better to help me than my chef assistant??? Connor came to my rescue! The bread was pretty good. The banana nut was a total hit... the chocolate chip was not as good, although our young neighbor Steven loved it, and kept eating and eating it (thankfully!)

And since I had the kids sleep over, Coco, Maddie and I kept doing crafts all Sunday long. They really had a blast, and so did I. I specially loved the puppets by Martha Stewart, they were on sale at Walmart for 75 cents each!

Actually, maybe Steven did have a little too much chocolate chip bread, as today he just couldn't go to school. He had a sick tummy. Or maybe we gave him our cooties, who knows. In any event, he came to spend the day with Brian and I... for a little bit, anyways! I had to go to work, so he stayed with my BORING husband - NOT!!!

This is the place where I worked today. It is the "old" Kane County courthouse in Geneva, IL. I love that place, although I had to work with a very rude attorney... not my favorite one for sure. Tomorrow I have a job I really am not looking forward to do. I have to translate for a patient in his last two weeks of life. He is dying of cancer... I just know it will be a tough job. I'll have to pray to the Good Lord that I can be an instrument for this man.

Lots of hugs and blessings to you and your loved ones!