Catching up!

SO many things going on right now its hard to keep up with my blog!!

on the theater front:
WIT auditions July 19th & 20th. Roles for men and women - ALL ROLES are open!!

Wait Until Dark Auditions are August 10th. 1 woman, I girl, six men. All MALE roles are open!

Magenta Improv Theater - open classes Tuesdays at 7pm. Shows upcoming for those not brave enough to play!

on the home front:
Thaniel has begun his weekly Sensory Integration Dysfunction therapy, plus we have started his brushing therapy at home every two hours.

The kids are home from school and it has been a cool start to the summer but we did manage one day at the Klineline beach. Hope to get back there soon

Our new roomies are moving in this week - shared baths and kitchen. Extra people always makes a house busier, noisier, messier and definitely more fun!

And speaking of noisy and fun - July 4th party at our place is shaping up. So far 40+ people confirmed!! Including my Mum and Dad who are coming up for 10days or so. Can't wait to see them and catch up on everything that has gone on this past year!!

And FINALLY I have convinced Eric to get away with me for a night. So while grandma and grandpa are entertaining the kids - we are headed off to McMenamins Edgefield for some R&R!!

WHEW! :)

Girlfriends - the REAL solution to life's problems!!

Hiking Trip on Green Mountain

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:34-40)

Welcome E and L into our home. We are blessed to have you!

pizza Canadian style!!

One of our fave pizza places to go when Eric and I were dating was Boston Pizza. Don't be fooled by the name - it is a Canadian pizza chain. I couldn't mimic the crust - but I did have a craving for two of my faves on the BP menu - The Great White North and The Cheeseburger. These are far from authentic but they did satisfy the cravings and the family LOVED them.

Here are my versions:

Great White North:
pre-made pizza crust (I used Boboli)
alfredo sauce
parmesan cheese
skim mozzarella (shredded)
cheddar (shredded)
thin sliced deli ham

Layer the crust, sauce, three cheeses, ham, cheeses, ham, cheeses. Bake until bubbly. OMGosh yummy!

Cheeseburger:
pre-made pizza crust (I used Boboli)
pizza sauce
browned lean ground turkey
saluted onions and mushrooms
thin sliced tomatoes
thin sliced dill pickles (optional)
mozzarella (shredded)
cheddar cheese (sliced)

Layer, crust, sauce, turkey, onions & mushrooms, sliced tomatoes and pickles, mozzarella. Top with sliced cheddar and bake until bubbly. Hannah's FAVE!

special needs

The latest in a string of diagnoses, Nathaniel is now in therapy for Sensory Integration Dysfunction Disorder. This diagnosis has been both easier (Aha! I knew there was always something there!) and harder (really? really Lord? One more thing??)

Here is a blurb from Wikipedia about SID:
Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID, also called sensory processing disorder) is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five senses (vision, auditory, touch, olfaction, and taste), the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the positional sense (proprioception). For those with SID, sensory information is sensed, but perceived abnormally. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SID; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.

SID is its own diagnosis, but it can be linked to other neurological conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, Developmental Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and speech delays, among many others. The meaning of SID falls under the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger syndrome. [1]. There is no known cure; however, there are many treatments available.

Brings to mind that along with the SID, Nathaniel suffers from Dyslexia, PTSD, Anxiety Disorder (social and general) and childhood Depression. All this 'qualifies' him as a Special Needs child.

But here is the rub. Isn't Hannah, who is bright, articulate and gifted, also a special needs child? It makes me question normal. I mean doesn't every parent want their special needs child to be normal??

I cant really imagine my kids any differently at this point. And while I may not always be happy about the struggles that they go through I believe that they are both strong, independent, kind and loving kids. What more could a parent want??

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

smarty pants!

Hannah to Mom:

'mom, I think I need to write a debate about how princesses affect little girls. I mean, aren't we just having little girls growing up with an inflated sense of entitlement? And then they get into the real world and boom - you know?'

I love that kid!