Menu Plan Monday: July 29th

How is it the last week of July?  Shoot that went by fast.  And I know August is only going to go by faster. With vacation, Back to School stuff and Soccer, it will be Halloween before I know it.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves now.  Focusing on this week, here is whats cooking.

I like to serve fish at least once a week and I'm trying a new recipe this time around.  Garlic Crusted Cod.  I think I will serve it with salad and brown rice pilaf.  What do you serve fish with?

Another quick and easy recipe I am going to try is Crock Pot Creamy Italian Chicken.  This looks interesting. And very similar to to dish I made before but forgot, so I'm going to try it out.  Shh don't tell David I'm using the Crock Pot again.  Is he the only hubby who things crock pot food tastes weird?

Spaghetti with salad and bread is always my fall back meal.  David and the boys could eat it every night if I made it.  But I am going to go back to making it from scratch.  I am not a fan of it. Unless the sauce is homemade and not half salt. I need to make the pasta from scratch too.  One of these days!

Tuna Casserole with green beans will make for another easy meal.

Enchiladas, Rice and Beans will be our Spanish dish of the week.  When David and I first moved to the states, him mom and Dad would come out to visit every winter.  She taught me how to make a few dishes that she always made for him so that I could make them now that we lived half way across the world.  I love that I can make these dishes for him every now and then, even if she only lives two blocks away now.

On Wednesday my sister leaves for part one of her vacation and my brother and his family will be staying with us for the next few days.  My guess is that there will not leftovers this week!  But with all the craziness that we are gearing up for, I am thankful for an easy menu plan!

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Happiness is ______ {Week 16} #happinessis

Happiness can be found everywhere if you look hard enough.  While last week was pretty dreadful, when the weekend came around, it was nothing but smiles around here

David had promised us a fun filled weekend.  And he did not disappoint. First things first, we had to drop off Bruce...

Happiness is knowing he is going to be loved forever!

Oh how we miss him.  He was our foster Dane and stayed with us for 3 weeks.  Its crazy how much happiness this little big guy brought us in those weeks.  But the day came to send him off to his new home. And while it was sad to leave him we were all super happy that he found a family to love him til the end of his days!

Then it was Movie time!  We have started movie time at the house during the day but David surprised us with tickets to see Despicable Me 2.  Talk about funny. The boys got popcorn...and candy and we had a blast.  They were pretty impressed by the 3D too!

Happiness is these two jumping back at the 3D action on screen!

After the movies we needed to drain all the sugar out of our boys, who were convinced they were minions! So off to the zoo we went.  Alex just wanted to see the elephant.  He has told everyone he can that an elephant weighs as much as 6 slug bugs (VW Beetles).  I guess it was on a sign somewhere and his brother read it for him!  He said that makes him happy because he loves elephants and slug bugs.  Hey what ever works.  We had to leave my happy place for last.  The snake house!  I LOVE it in there.  And I always leave with a ridiculous smile on my face!

Happiness is finding beauty in everything.  Even your biggest fear!

After the Zoo we went to Grandmas house.  It was her birthday so the boys had some cake and ice cream before a certain 8 year old realized that mom wasn't kidding about to much sugar making you sick!  Poor kid!

Sunday David had to work, which is another chance to see the bright side.  Even though it took a chunk our of our fun filled weekend, his job is what allows us to enjoy things like movies and trips to the zoo.  As soon as he got home though, the fun continued. Off to the dog park we went.

Happiness is the way he gets so excited when he realizes we are going to the dog park

So in the end, it was a fun and happiness filled weekend.  What made you happy this week?  Summer is almost over.  How did that happen?  Its crunch time to get everything checked off so go out and have some fun!  Be happy:)  Dont forget to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see whats making Lisa and others happy!!

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Friday 5: Me and Liver Disease

Liver Disease is a taboo subject to most people.  When I tell someone that I have a liver disease they usually think it is from drinking.  They they ask  if its from hepatitis.  No and nope.  When I tell them that I have Budd Chiari Syndrome they look at me like I am speaking Marshallese.  What is it?  How did I get it?  How to I cure it? Is there medication?  Here are 5 facts about me and Budd Chiari Syndrome!

1. Budd Chiari Syndrome is a very rare liver disease caused by a blockage in the hepatic veins that carry blood out of the liver into the heart.  For me it was chronic.  Over time as my veins were being obstructed my body created a web of veins around the clots. 


2. The most common cause of Budd Chiari Syndrome in the US is blood disorders.  This was the cause for me.  Shortly after diagnosis I also found out I had the Prothrombin Gene Mutation which makes my blood clot much easier than normal.  This was passed down to me from my father who tested positive after I was diagnosed.  My brothers and sisters as well as my boys have a 50% chance of carrying the gene as well.  But no one else has been tested yet.  


3. I had no idea I was even sick.  My severely enlarged liver was discovered when I went in for an pregnancy ultrasound.  As my belly grew, the pain got worse and I was retaining a lot of water.  Now days, the pain comes and goes.  When its bad, its pretty bad.  The encephalopathy is what gets me.  The most common symptoms are ascites or fluid build up.  Pain in the upper right abdomen.  Nausea, weight loss (none of that here), vomiting blood, enlarged spleen and edema (swelling).  I've been able to hold off a lot of swelling with a low sodium diet thankfully because I don't need any help in the puffy department.


4. There isn't an easy fix for this one.  The only way to "cure" it is with a liver transplant.  Until then, my body will work as hard as it can until it just cant anymore.  But eventually my other organs will fail.  This will bump me up on the transplant list and get me closer to my new life.  But for now, its a low sodium diet, exercise, blood thinners and other meds that keep me going.  


5. What if.  What if I never knew.  It was by luck that I found out.  I had given up all hope of getting pregnant again.  So what if I never was diagnosed?  Well when I was diagnosed and all my problems with past pregnancies were discussed, my doctors all agree that I probably had the clots back when I was pregnant with Anthony 3 years prior.  What is the life expectancy of someone who is not treated? Three Years! I was hanging on my a thread and I had no clue. Long term survival following a successful complete liver transplant is between 69 and 87%.  I can handle that!

Every day I open my eyes I thank God for giving me the chance to enjoy one more day.  Life is a gift.  Don't take that for granted.  Love the people that love you.  Forget the ones that don't.  And if you haven't yet, register to be an organ donor at Donate Life America!  

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Happiness is ______ {Week 15} #happinessis

Its Wednesday and you know what that means!  Time to bring on the happy stuff and link up with Lisa over at Crazy Adventures in Parenting.  Want to know what makes me happy?  Naps.  Its been a super lazy week around here.  My energy has been at an all time low and I've just been in a funk.  So I declared it the week of rest.  So we did and it made me very happy :)

What has made you happy this week?  Dont forget to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see whats making others happy! 

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Friday 5: Five things I miss most about my Dad

In a few days my heart will break all over again. Its hard to think that he has been gone for a year already. Maybe it feels like shorter because I still hear him correcting me over my shoulder when I cook or because my boys ask about him so often that it almost feels as if he is still here on earth.  One year.  Ten years.  The pain will always be the same.   I miss my daddy more than anything.  Not a day goes by I don't think about him.

1. I miss calling him at work.  Hearing "Communications.  This is Jim"  As we would talk I would picture his office. The money jar we would take change out of to buy something from the vending machines when we visited. The walrus "bone" that he was so proud of.   The emergency cigarette in a glass case.   Photos of us kids pinned up.  The smell of the office.  It was one of my most favorite places.  And for so many reasons.  He loved his job.  Losing it ate him up inside and I know it played a big part in his health failing after he left.  
2. I miss the Summer Vacations.  There was nothing more that this man wanted than to spend time with his kids and grand kids.  He had all these plans of places we could visit.  A few days before he passed we were talking about it all.  He said he would be better before next summer and then we would plan something big. Only its Summer and he is not here anymore.  It has been so hard to accept that.  
3. Dad sent the BEST care packages.  So much of what we have around the house, came wrapped in pages of the Kwaj Hourglass.  The boys bust out their Kimonos just about every day.  Alex prefers his snacks to the rice bowl Grandpa Jim gave him.  My little jewelry box.  The Marshallese Handicrafts around the house. Quite a few of the spices in my pantry.  I still have unopened sauces and things he sent that I have yet to use.  Not sure if I ever will be able to.
4. As much as it may have drove me crazy.  I miss hearing him say "Of course they did that!  They are boys" That was his answer to everything.  That and "well look at who their grandpa is"  I would roll my eyes and then laugh because its was true. I would always feel better after hearing him say that. Now it is what I tell myself.  When there are underwear hanging from the fan or they are acting up.  I take a deep breath and remind myself that they are just boys.  And when they comment on the weather or critique my cooking, yup...they hare his grand kids!
5. When it came to hugs, nothing could compare to his.  Not to soft and not to tight.  Just enough for you to know that no matter how complicated our lives were he loved us.  He would squeeze tight at the end and when he turned his head his beard would tickle my face.  Always followed by a kiss on the cheek.  I think this is what I will always miss most about him.  What I wouldn't do for just one more hug!

This week has been unbearable.  I have not been myself. Today the puppy chewed Alexs sneakers up.  The ones Dad bought Anthony and now Alex was wearing.  I have never cried over a pair of shoes before but these ones were special.  Then I imagined him telling me that they are only shoes. I will buy him another pair.  

Some days I am so angry that he is gone.  That he is missing out on our lives.  I wont get to tell him about Alexanders first day of school.  I won't open anymore packages in the mail.  No more hugs. I wont ever hear him laugh.  But I like to think that now, he can see it all.  That he sees all of us and all we are doing.  I think that he is happy when we are happy and sad when we struggle. I think he is still proud of us when we do the right things.  I know he would have a lot to say about how broken we have been without him.  I am hoping that this next year will be easier. I've been told it takes time.  That it gets easier.  I will try to remember that!

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Insta-Recap Sunday #3

It was a pretty slow week for me on IG.  Weird I know.  But I have been loving Insta-Videos. I had just started using vine, but I hated that if I made a mistake, I had to start all over.  In a way I wish Instagram could just stay as photos, but since its not, I am going to just go with it :)  Here are a few of my videos from this week!!

 

Are you loving Instagram Video too?  You can find me HERE!  

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Happiness is ______ {Week 14} #happinessis

It's Wednesday already?  Its funny how now I look forward to each Wednesday.  Even if I don't post my happiness here, I feel it.

Happiness is waking up to this sweet face.  Even if he isn't supposed to be on the bed :)

Happiness is curly hair cuties and new friends!

Happiness is having his daddy home.

Happiness is loading the van up. 3 dogs, 2 boys and heading to the dog park!

Happiness is finding random pictures like this on my phone.  "No Mom, I didn't take your phone!" Ya right!

Happiness is a constant reminder on my phone.  I have been struggling with so much lately.

And happiness is knowing that I can inspire others!

What made you happy this week?  Stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what others are happy about!!

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Menu Plan Monday: July 1-7

OK!  I am getting back on track with this meal planning business.  When summer hit, so did the craziness and I have got to get my stuff straight again.  So back to planning it goes.  Here is what is on the menu this week!  And since the boys have been so in love with salad, we are having it just about every day :)

Crispy Southwest Wraps.  

Monday - Pork chop milanese with caesar salad and crusty bread.  Thank you $10 dinners!  Well I think it came out to $14 because I had to get a little more meat.  Cant wait to try it.

Tuesday - Meatloaf, roasted red potatoes and green salad. Easy peasy.  Don't judge, but I used the McCormick meatloaf seasoning packet.  The only other meatloaf I have ever liked is my Dads.

Wednesday - Southwest chicken wraps and green salad.  David requests this at least once a month! The boys didn't care for it the first time I made it but now they love it!

Thursday -  Burgers and hotdogs and yes...salad if there is any left.  Happy Fourth of July!!  I also got a big ole watermelon, because what is the 4th with out juicy melon?!?

Friday - Hawaiian beef with rice and some veggie that will probably not be salad.  This is new, but it looks good so I am excited to try it.  Although, not to be snobby, when things say "Hawaiian"  I always doubt them.  I'm not Hawaiian, but I am an island girl and grew up eating a lot of real Hawaiian food.  Either way, I just hope it taste good!  Fingers crossed!

Saturday - Leftovers or Spaghetti.  I am determined not to eat out this weekend.  Cutting back for our vacation next month!  YAY!

Sunday - Spanish rice and chicken with beans and tortillas.  Can you guess who picked this?  Alex.  He would eat it every day if he could.  When I ask him why he likes it so much he says its because hes a Messican.  Love that boy!

I don't ever plan breakfasts and lunches unless one of the boys suggest anything.  They have been on an oatmeal and eggs kick lately and lunches are usually leftovers or sandwiches.

What are you cooking this week?  Stop by Menu Plan Monday and see what everyone else is cooking up!

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