Boredom has made us all crazy…

Day number four in the hospital last week brought an entire day of nothing to eat or drink by mouth for Jonah.  Which also meant that if me and Mom wanted to eat, we had to leave the room and do it out of Jonah’s sight.  Since he’s such a smart little turkey, he wasn’t having any of us leaving him in the room.  So, we played…..

Boredom strikes

 

Somehow, Jonah had convinced Nana to crawl up in bed with him.  She did, and Jonah proceeded to “help” her work her crossword puzzle.  This is how it all began….

I’m not exactly certain what the facial expressions are all about…but you will notice Jonah has his “cell phone” in his hand.  At this moment, Jonah was calling Daddy.  Or Larry, as he says.  MY cell phone has voice recognition, so I simply open it up, push a button and say “Larry”.  Jonah figured that should work on his, too, and spent the week with the cell phone, saying “Larry”.  And he says it very plainly, too…..

You’d think Nana would know to just let sleeping dogs lie.  Jonah is trying to watch a very important Bob the Builder episode…..but Nana’s not having any of that.  She has been coerced, after all, into crawling up into bed with him, and he’d darn well better play with her…..

There was some attempted eye-gouging and face smacking and hair pulling going on here.  As you can see, Nana is more than capable of defending herself from a ticked-off Jonah…..

Here, Jonah is apologizing to Nana for trying to gouge her eyes out and snatch her bald.  Although, I’m pretty certain he’s thinking “Well, what did you EXPECT for interrupting Bob…”  But, Larry and I hold our kids to a high standard, and he knew that needed to apologize….and he did….very sweetly, too, don’t ya think?  Even when Nana is aggravating the living daylights out of him….Jonah knows he shouldn’t gouge eyes, pull hair or smack….but come to think of it, if I couldn’t speak and tell Nana to go away, I’d probably respond in the same way….

 

And here’s one more…cause he’s just so darned cute…..

So, even through all the bad stuff last week…the boredom, the homesickness, the 17 students who came into his room to “hear” such a unique heart murmur, the sleep studies, and other tests….we still found some time to laugh, play and enjoy our time together.  Another little nugget of happy times to tuck away in my memory banks….and to forever be grateful for.

Anji

Blessings….

God

This was the view from my backyard, on the night before we left for Cincinnati with Jonah.  The day had been hectic, stressful, and not much fun.  When I glanced out the patio door windows and saw this…. I had to run and get my camera.  God had painted the skies a deep, deep orange, mixed with purples and pinks.  And I was again reminded of the many blessings in our lives.

Today at church Bro. Chris spoke about the responsibilites that we, as Christians, have to minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  All around us, we see people who are broken, hurting, and in need.  And these are our brethren….

Having been on both sides of this equation, I felt qualified to offer an opinion.  Not that qualifications, or lack of, have ever stopped me from opining before…but here we go.  Throughout the years of my walk with Christ, I have been in positions to offer support, encouragement, and assistance to both fellow Christians, and non-Christians alike.  Our journey with Jonah has offered us unique opportunites to minister to other families who have children with Down syndrome, and other medical conditions.  I claim no special talent when it comes to talking to other parents…but I HAVE been in their shoes, and I can empathize with their fears, frustrations, hopes and dreams.  And I love to talk.  So I have often found that I have something helpful to say to these parents.  Who knew that two such “unique” talents (talking too much and a bit of nosiness) could pay off in such a positive manner?  I have sat in hospital rooms with parents…offering support, prayer, encouragement and the comfort of someone who “knows”….I have spoken with parents at grocery stores, ball games, school functions, church functions….just living my life in this community has proven to offer MANY opportunities to minister to others.  And I still remember each of those parents…their stories, their tears, their joy over accomplishments…and have been personally blessed to have been allowed to share in such personal matters.  The blessings that I have received are FAR greater than the comfort that I have offered, I’m certain.

For the past two years, Jonah’s health has been a challenge.  Jonah just got out of the hospital for what was his 20th hospital stay in 22 months.  We have travelled literally thousands of miles over these months, made countless other trips to visit doctors, specialists and therapists.  Our family has suffered.  This past week, while Jonah and I were in Cincinnati, Levi made EIGHT trips to the school nurse.  He had belly aches, head aches, and even some “unexplainable” aches and pains….he was homesick and missed his Mom.  Ms. Becky (not to be confused with AUNT Becky, with whom Levi was staying last week) in the health room at school knew we were out of town…knew Levi was homesick…and she ministered to him.  A few saltine crackers and a few sips of Sprite, with a liberal dose of hugs….and Levi was able to return to class for a while.  And when Levi once again needed to “see” Ms. Becky, she was right there with her arms open wide, a smile on her face, and a hug for Levi.  God used Ms. Becky in a huge way this week, to minister to my youngest child…to offer stability and unconditional acceptance, when I couldn’t.  Thank you God today for the blessing of Ms. Becky in our lives.

Over the past two years, there have been many, many people who have ministered to our family.  The Shockley family, who offer Sarah and Jacob a home anytime we are traveling, is another example.  They love, protect, care for and pray with Sarah and Jacob while we are travelling with Jonah.  Their entire family is an example of true Christ like love and compassion.  And again, we count them as blessings in our lives.  Many others have helped us through these months…offering prayers, meals, laundry service, lawn service, and much, much more.  We have been truly blessed to have Christian friends and family who minister to us in many ways, each and every day.

Having been on the receiving end of the blessings for so long now…I feel fortunate.  And know that when the time comes for our family to “pay it forward” to others who are hurting….we will have been granted the blessing of dozens of “role models” who have ministered to us over these months. 

For today…I am tired of being needy.  I am tired of weeping in church when someone asks about Jonah, when certain songs are played (today it was “Days of Elijah”…and I dare YOU to really listen to that song without weeping…in joy!!!) and when someone just does something so incredibly….NICE for our family.  I want to be strong.  I want to be the one who is ministering to others….I don’t want to be in this place any longer.  I want…..

And therein lies the problem.  For today, I am wanting what I want….not what God wills.  And again I am broken, and humbled, and find myself pleading with God to reveal His plan to me.  I just need to KNOW… what I really need to do is to submit myself to God’s will…once again….and rest in the knowledge that we have so many, many people supporting us through this time in so many different ways.  And I need to stop being so hard on myself….

Thank you God today for the blessings you have bestowed on this family.  Whatever Your will is, in the coming weeks, will be revealed.  And please…just give me the grace and dignity to accept whatever Your will is, and the strength to praise You…even when I am scared, and needy, and weepy, and just want to stomp my feet in anger and demand things to go MY way….

I still have a LOOOONG way to go….but I am getting there.  And for today…that is enough.

Anji

Day Four

Five days in the hospital, learning to accept Bi-Pap ventilation….a gajillion dollars.

One over-sized Thomas the Tank Engine balloon, to help faciliate the Bi-Pap acceptance….$10.00

Second sleep study in two days with Bi-Pap….$2,200.00

One stuffed tiger, to undergo sleep testing with Jonah….$15.00

The ability to still find joy in the sunshine and playground….priceless!

Jonah is doing so much better than I thought he would!  Don’t get me wrong, he is VERY homesick, and just tired of being in the hospital in general.  But he is happy, smiling, and charming everyone whose path he crosses (of course!). 

His sleep study last night was great!  He wore his Bi-Pap ALL night long!  You can’t imagine what an accomplishment that is for Jonah.  This is huge.  And much more than even the medical professionals dared to hope for!  He woke this morning bright eyed, raring to face the day.  The difference that even ONE night of good sleep is apparent in him this morning.  What a blessing…

Today he will be sedated at around noon for CT scans of his chest and head.  Please, say a quick prayer for him on your lunch hour.  They fully expect him to do well, and return here to his room on B5 West.  But just in case….there is a room in Cardiac ICU being reserved for him.  And that leaves a sad, sick, feeling in my stomach…but I’m praying hard that reservation won’t be necessary!

There are lots of things to plan, purchase, have dispensed, etc. before we can come home tomorrow.  We are working on it, and praying that the plan falls into place.  One thing that MAY be a problem is that insurance wants to KNOW that Jonah NEEDS the Bi-Pap before they will dispense it, or cover the cost.  And that could take a while…I don’t understand.  Our insurance has been WONDERFUL….and they just covered the cost of a WEEK in the hospital learning to wear the stupid Bi-PAP…..so what’s the problem?  Anyway, if we can’t immediately put Jonah on the Bi-Pap, on his first night at home, I’m afraid that we will lose ALL the ground we have gained this week.  And we will be back to square one, as far as compliance.  Please, pray that insurance comes through and we don’t lose all the progress that Jonah has worked so hard to achieve this week.

Thanks for checking in.  I’ll update his CaringBridge page later today, after he is awake and out of recovery.

Still reaching for the stars,

Anji and Jonah

Day Two

DAY TWO

Our day began bright and early at 5:00 am, when the sleep techs entered our room to disconnect Jonah from all the wires required for the sleep study. Actually, our day from yesterday never quite ended….this is possibly the worst sleep study Jonah has endured for many, many years. I don’t know exactly why…but I’m thinking the “in-training” techs had something to do with it. And the fact that they wouldn’t listen to me when I TRIED to tell them that they had 2 of the monitoring wires on incorrectly. One of the wire mistakes was corrected about 30 minutes after he had fallen asleep. The other was corrected at 11 pm, again at midnight, and finally, at 2:30 am…I lost it. My mama bear facade was in plain sight, and once everyone (including the scared out of her wits new sleep tech) had recovered from that outburst…we were left alone until 5 am. Sigh…it’s going to be a long day.

Jonah is currently wearing his headgear, eating his healthy breakfast of chicken nuggets and french fries and chocolate milk (ewwwww….)and watching Bob the Builder….again.

The plan for today is an echocardiogram sometime. We’re not really “on the schedule” so they’re just going to work us in. What that means for us is they will wait until Jonah is down for his nap (please God, let Jonah nap today, so I can nap too…) and then want to do the echo…but first up is the Video Swallow Study. Once he finishes breakfast, he can’t have anything else to eat or drink until noon, when the VSS will happen. Jonah has had many of these….and is no more compliant now than he was as an infant… can’t blame him at all…I’m not particularly fond of the taste of barium either. Today’s menu will consist of barium enhanced chocolate milk (his current favorite) and barium enhanced apple juice, and barium dipped Fruit Loops. YUMMY!!

Overall, I feel good about the results of Jonah’s sleep study last night. I had ample opportunity to watch the monitors (since I couldn’t sleep anyway) and I truly feel that THESE results are going to be his best ever. Please, say a quick prayer right now that they are…and that maybe he doesn’t even NEED the Bi-Pap anymore. THAT would be an answered prayer!

If you have a moment, go here http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ecard.htm?WT.svl=r

and send Jonah an e-card. It’s fast, it’s free, and he loves them! He is on B5W, room 533.

Thank you for the prayers. Keep them coming. Today is going to be a veeerrry long day, I’m afraid. Tonight is uninterrupted sleep though…and I am hanging on…looking forward to that. Tomorrow night has us back in the sleep lab…and I am NOT looking forward to that!

Still reaching for the stars,

Anji and Jonah

 

 

Day one…

We arrived here in Cincinnati last night with no problems at all.  Jonah travelled beautifully, and while traffic was heavier than I anticipated, it was no problem.  Unfortunately, the outdoor pool at the hotel was about 47 degrees…and WAAAYYY too cold for even Jonah.  And that’s saying something…so after dipping his big toe in the water, we returned to the room and ordered pizza and chicken nuggets.  And we proceeded to eat everything in sight!  We watched some TV and by 8:30 Cincy time, Jonah was down for the night.  Way earlier than I expected, but…that’s OK too. 

Today has been an exciting day.  Our ONE goal for today was to get Jonah to accept the Bi-Pap mask willingly…without having to be held down and forced into wearing it.  Check this out…

Not sleeping, just relaxing...

Watching Bob the Builder

And after all my careful planning, and careful consideration of how best to help Jonah this week…I ran off and forget Bob the Builder (the 3 ft tall version) at home on Jonah’s bed.  Bob won’t be getting a mask of his very own.  The hospital did supply a perfectly nice, cute, cuddly teddy bear for Jonah to practice on.  Jonah hates the bear and has thrown it across the room every chance he gets.  Not certain what his problem is with teddy bears…except that every hospital and emergency room in the world gives BEARS to kids who’ve had painful or scary procedures.  And Jonah has received at least 50 such bears. And he hates each and every one of them….

The rest of today is going to be pretty laid back.  We’re going to practice with the mask and headgear pretty much all day.  We may actually hook it up to airflow…and see how he does.  Or…not.  We may just take today’s success at face value, and worry about airflow tomorrow.  Either way we do it…it’s not gonna be pretty when we turn the air on.  And that’s when the REAL battle will begin.  Tonight Jonah is in the sleep lab for an overnight sleep study.  He’s not gonna like THAT either….and tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day too.  Video swallow study and cardiology tomorrow.  Audiology and another sleep study on Wednesday.  Sedated CT scans on Thursday.  Home on FRIDAY!!!  Can’t wait for this week to be over.  But for now, Jonah is wearing his headgear, and dancing around the room with Buzz and Bullseyes, watching Bob the Builder, and “singing” along.

More to come later,

Anji and Jonah

Proverbs 31

 

Yesterday was a hard day, for everyone in our family.

 “I said no.  Now, go clean your room!!  NOW!” was my reply to my teary-eyed son’s request for just 5 more minutes of television.  I walked out of the room, after turning the television off, and heard his cries and mutterings.  “It was almost over.  Why couldn’t I finish watching the show?  That’s no fair.”  “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”  Proverbs 31:26

As my husband came in the front door from a long day at work, he was greeted by icy coldness.  On this day, my husband had arrived home 20 minutes later than usual.  “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”  Proverbs 31:28

As a stay at home mom to four children, two teens, a medically fragile 11 year old and a slightly hyperactive 8 year old, I often find myself running short of time, patience, and compassion.  God has blessed our family tremendously, and one of the biggest of those blessings is my ability to stay at home full time.  It wasn’t always so, and I have experienced life from both a working mom’s perspective and a stay at home mom’s perspective.  In the years since I have been at home full time, God has been molding me, guiding me and teaching me things that I would never have learned, had I continued to work outside the home. 

Proverbs 31 has been a challenge for me.  As God faithfully reveals my role in my family to me every single day, I still struggle to become what He intends for me to become.   I still struggle with becoming a good steward, making my husband’s income stretch to accommodate the needs of six persons.  I still struggle with finding personal satisfaction in a well-run, well organized household.  I still struggle with other’s perceptions of stay at home mothers.  You know, the assumption that because I am at home I am slightly less educated, slightly less capable than working mothers. 

But as I spoke with God last night about my shortcomings, my unfairness to my eight year old over cleaning his room and my unloving, unsupportive attitude toward my hardworking husband’s slightly late arrival, I found peace.  As always, His forgiveness washed over me.  Pointing out my failures, yet encouraging me to try harder, to try again, and to never give up.  He certainly has not given up on me.  And as I hugged my husband this morning, before sending him off to work for another long day, I realized that he has not given up on me, either.  My youngest son’s hug and kiss before heading out the door to school this morning proclaimed that he, too, still believes in me.

Thank you God today, for Your forgiveness, Your understanding, and Your strength to try again today.  I’m not giving up…and I am so grateful for a loving Father who nudges my conscience, takes away the shame, and cheers me on, as I try again today.  Today I will be more aware of my words, speaking not in anger or exhaustion, but speaking with loving kindness.  The same loving kindness my Father extended to me last night.

The stress is building over Jonah’s upcoming trip to Cincinnati.  It always does, and yet it always catches me by surprise.  And leaves me wondering exactly who the shrew-like woman inhabiting my mind and body is; and where in the world did she come from?  But most importantly, how can I get rid of her?  Why does she seem to have complete control over my mouth?

Please, keep us in all your prayers. I covet them today…and can tell you that I really, really, really don’t want to go to Cincinnati next week.  But I will.  I will find the strength.  I will live through another separation from Larry and the other kids.  And I will find a way to comfort Jonah, trying my hardest to make him understand.  I told Jonah last night that we were going back to the hospital.  After some huffing and shoulder slumping, he hugged me and asked if Nana was going too.  And if we were going in the gray van.  Then he hugged me tight, and ran off to watch Bob the Builder.  And he didn’t slam the door in my face on his way out of my room.  I was blessed.

Have a great weekend everyone.  And please, don’t forget to sign Jonah’s guestbook next week on his Caring Bridge site.  It is the quickest and easiest way to let us know that you are here…continuing to cover us in prayer.  And it is more appreciated than you can ever know.

Anji

Overcoming Fear

I have a fear.  A really, really, mind-numbing, breath stealing fear.  OK, I have more than one, but in the interest of not letting you know what a messed up freak I am, I am only going to share one with you today.

I am afraid of trampolines.  I have watched waaay too many episodes of America’s Funniest Home Videos, where the moron jumps off the roof, onto the trampoline, and is catapaulted across the yard and smacks face first into a tree.  Levi and I have spent many nights, laughing at the misfortune of these people.  But under the laughter…I cringe.  And worry.  And wonder exactly how many broken bones that kid just ended up with.  I can’t help it.  I’m a worrier.  And while I would like to think I’ve taught my kids to be smarter than some roof-jumping moron…the fear remains.  So I have steadfastly banned the purchase of a trampoline for our yard.  I don’t CARE that they now come with barricades, and restraints, and all the other safety features.  Trampolines are unilaterally shot down when they appear on Christmas-wish lists, Birthday wish-lists, and even when someone tried to GIVE us one.  I’m betting that Mom experienced a few injuries and just wanted the thing GONE…but I digress.

So, when Jonah and Levi got the chance, at Uncle Rob’s, to play on the trampoline…I was a nervous wreck.  And insisted that about 20 adults stand around the perimeter, guarding the exits for any over zealous jumpers.  Here is how it went…

Trampoline fun

Jonah is gearing up to bounce Levi into the yard.  Levi, the poor, naive thing, is waiting expectantly….

This game is, apparently, called “Popcorn”, because, well, the boys get bounced around, and look kind of like popcorn kernels in hot oil.  And for those of you who only eat air popped corn…well, I don’t understand that anyway, so I have nothing to say about that.  Except that you’re missing out…big time.

Anyway, Levi decided to return the favor for Jonah.  And here is how that went….

watch the glasses.  Watch the glasses.  WATCH THE GLASSES.  WATCH THE GLASSES!!!!!!! That was my contribution to the moment.  I had fears of Jonah smash landing on his face, crumpling his brand new glasses, and sustaining some pretty ugly injuries as a result.  Note Jonah’s feet are higher than his head, and his arms are no where in sight.  Yeah…he didn’t even TRY to break his “fall” and smash landed on his face.  The glasses held…but his nose and chin had a bit of “trampoline” burn….silly kid.

So there it is.  I’ve walked naked in front of you (figuratively speaking, of course) and laid my soul bare.  You now know one of my biggest fears.  The OTHER biggest fear isn’t worth mentioning.  Really, it’s not.  I mean, it’s not like you read every day about elevators free-falling 40 floors to the ground, smashing their occupants to smithereens, right?  But, I’m telling you…sometimes I have crazy thoughts in elevators.  Which lead to unexpected and inappropriate outbursts.  But only when the elevator lurches, or it opens it’s doors before it’s stopped.  Now that is enough to make anyone worry.  Right?  Right?  Am I the only one who worries that the brakes have failed, and I am going to crash land, in a heap at the bottom?  Or would I be on the ceiling?  Could it fall fast enough to lift me in the elevator, so that I ended up on the ceiling?  And does it really matter?  Cause if I just free fell 40 stories in an elevator…it’s not gonna be pretty regardless of whether I’m on the floor or on the ceiling.  Right?

So tell me.  What is one of YOUR most irrational fears.  Come on.  Don’t be shy.  ‘Fess up.  You’ll feel better.  I promise.  And I won’t even laugh out loud.  Really.  Cause I’m empathetic like that.  Or maybe it’s just pathetic…hmmm.  So do tell.  What are YOU afraid of?

Anji

70 Years Young

We celebrated my mother in law’s 70th birthday this weekend.  This woman gave birth to 8 children, has umpteen grandchildren, and two great-grand children.  She is a strong woman, having lost her husband to cancer 8 years ago.  In the years since, she has continued to be the driving force behind this family.  And let me tell you a secret….if you had seen her yesterday, you’d NEVER believe she was celebrating her 70th birthday…

Check this out…

Jonah and Mamaw

Now, I am A LOT of years younger than Lillian.  A LOT.  But I would NEVER have dreamed of getting up on the trampoline with THIS crew of kids.  Nuh, uh…no way….no thank you.  Lillian saw the kiddos having such a great time, got a leg up and jumped out there with them.  Someone asked her if she had ever been on a trampoline before and her response was “Nope, but I thought it was about time!” 

Trampoline fever

You can see the happiness on Lillian’s face as she played with the kids.  And the little blond haired nymph in the picture, in the brown shirt….she’s absolutely FEARLESS.  She had no concept of the reality of the broken bones that could ensue if she were to jump OFF the trampoline…and gave me about 14 heart attacks during the day….but she was having a blast.  She is Larry’s great-niece, EmmaLynn, and she is a cutie pie.  The other little brown haired nymph in the picture is Larry’s other great-niece Raylee.  And she is a child after my own heart.  She sat on the trampoline and pretended to be driving.  And she said, and I quote “I’m looking for the mall, but I can’t find it….”  Her mama Rachelle is teaching that girl right, let me tell ya….

Birthday cake

Here Jonah is helping Mamaw with the candles on her cake.  If there are candles involved, you’d better believe that Jonah is going to be right there in the middle of it….

Lillian, you are a wonderful mother-in-law to me.  I love you and hope that yesterday was everything you hoped it would be.  I just hope that today you can get out of bed, and aren’t popping ibuprofen like candy, after your stint on the trampoline…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLIAN!!!

Oh yeah, Jacob was pumped because he won the Corn-Hole tournament yesterday afternoon.  He is $20 richer, and is thrilled!  What a great birthday…for everyone.

And this has nothing what-so-ever to do with birthdays, but I just had to share.  We’re getting eggs daily from our chickens.  And they are DELICIOUS!  We had fresh sausage, homemade biscuits and gravy and our own eggs for supper last night.  YUMMY!!  Here is a picture of our eggs…they are smaller right now, but look at the deep orange color of the yolks…so good.  And hopefully, they’ll be getting larger soon.  Note the color and size difference between our fresh eggs and the store bought ones….

Eggs

Summer is winding down….the kids go back to school in TWO days!!!  I can’t believe it…where has the time gone?  We’ve spent our summer playing, swimming, swinging, chasing chickens and celebrating birthdays.  What is YOUR favorite summer memory?  I’d love to hear it….

Anji

A day in the life of Jonah…

Yesterday was a near perfect day…through the eyes of Jonah.  Let me share a bit of what he encountered yesterday, and see if you can find the beauty that he did.

Jonah and Jimbo

 

The weather was beautiful, and not so hot that Jonah would sweat profusely underneath his helmet.  He rode his favorite horse Jimbo, and his favorite buddy Mike (who is an educator and the father of a child with Down syndrome) leading him around.  The recipe was just right for a successful ride!!

Jonah and cat

He spent some time on the patio, lugging the cat around.  This cat is the best cat IN THE WORLD.  And willingly submits to Jonah slinging him around like a rag doll, holding him like a baby, and Jonah’s curiosity, which forces Jonah to poke and prod and everything on the cat.  And I do mean everything… poor cat.

In the afternoon, I took Sarah, Levi and Jonah to the movies where we saw Space Chimps.  Jonah LOVES to go to the movies.  Not for the chance to view the movies.  He does sit quietly through most movies, and his attention is held by the action.  But for Jonah, no trip to the theatre is complete without popcorn and Coke.  Sarah and Levi dont’ eat popcorn.  But Jonah and I always have to get the BIG bucket, dripping with butter…and we make a respectable dent in the bucket by the time the movie is over.  He LOVES to go to the movies…and we can’t forget the M&M’s that I’ve smuggled in via my purse.  I’m NOT paying $4 for a bag of M&M’s.  So we munch on our smuggled candy, eat our popcorn, and Jonah is in heaven.

After feeding the chickens last night, Larry, Jonah and I moseyed out to their coop, to shut them in for the night.  They free range most days, but because of the coyotes and dogs in our woods…we still shut them in at night time.  Jonah saw, in the distance, the bull dozer that our neighbors have rented to do some work on their property.  And off he and Larry went, like a shot, to check it out.

Jonah the Builder

Jonah’s favorite video right now is Bob the Builder.  And we watch it, multiple times, every day.  From this video Jonah has learned this trick…to stand on the side of the machinery, with his arm extended, and the vehicle drives itself.  He was in HEAVEN, let me tell ‘ya.  He has also learned, from the Bob videos, how to give a toast at a meal…and does so often, especially in public places.  Like restuarants….But I digress.

As we were ready to go in the house for the evening and prepare for bed, we were blessed with this.

View from our patio

The air was still and calm.  The temperature was perfect.  And the light..oh my goodness, the light was PINK.  Coloring everything in sight a deep, dark purple color.  I can’t explain it, but if you missed the sunset last night, you missed one of God’s biggest blessings for your day….

Thank you God today for the chance to view another lazy, perfect, mid-summer day through the eyes of Jonah.  Have I told you how much I enjoy summer?  No?  Well, I do…it’s my favorite season of the year.  And I am thankful today for the chance to experience this summer with Jonah healthy, happy and thriving.  LAST summer was a nightmare, recovering from airway surgery AND open heart surgery…poor little guy missed the entire summer.  And somehow, so did I.

Anji

Hottest day of the year….

Yesterday was quite possibly our hottest day yet.  The heat index at 4:00 pm was STILL 104 degrees!  It was miserable, and we didn’t venture outside any more than necessary.  So, what’s a mom to do with 4 kids and being cooped up in the house on the HOTTEST day of the year?  Why, I cooked, of course…. Here is what we had for supper last night….

Steak, beans, corn......

 

Pan seared ribeyes, fried corn, fried greenbeans, creamy mashed potatoes and homemade wheat rolls.  Since the response from my children to my green beans was…WHAT ARE THOSE?!?…let me share this favorite new recipe with you.  It’s that time of year when your garden (if you have one, and shame on you if you don’t) is bursting over, and you often wonder…what am I going to do with THIS?  So, here is a recipe for a quick, easy twist on tired old green beans.

Fresh from the garden green beans

I started with these babies…fresh from my garden, still glistening with the morning dew.  It doesn’t get much better than that…..A couple good sized handfuls fed my family. 

Then, you break off the ends, removing any strings, so you end with a pile that looks like this:

Now, here is the secret to this recipe.  Pull out your bacon grease…..I’ll give you a minute to wrestle with that one…yes, I said bacon grease.  Everyone eats bacon.  And shame on you if you don’t save your grease!  I suppose, in the interest of heart health and all that, you could use a good shot of olive oil in it’s place.  But if you do, you will miss the AROMA of the bacon grease…and the taste….and heck, the vitamins and antioxidants and good stuff that comes from the fresh from the garden beans will ward off any ill effects of the bacon grease anyway.  So just go ahead, and put a good sized tablespoon of bacon grease in your cast iron skillet and let it melt.  Then, add some finely chopped onions, and just for fun and color, I added a bit of sweet red pepper, finely chopped.  Saute until tender….Here is what it looks like….it’s too bad you can’t SMELL this.  It was HEAVENLY, let me tell you….and brought kids from all directions to the kitchen to ask “What smells so good?”  It really is that good….trust me.

Onions and peppers

Then dump in the beans on top of the onions and peppers.  Add about a cup of chicken broth, cover but let some steam escape, and let simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes.  You want ALL of the broth to cook away…and that’s when it gets good.  The onions will carmelize, the beans will begin to carmelize, and the tastes all blend together… I’m making myself hungry.  About 15 minutes into simmering, when most of the broth is gone, I gave mine a healthy shot of Kosher Salt, since fresh beans don’t come salted.  I added a few shots of fresh ground pepper too.  Then continue simmering until ALL the broth is gone….and this is what you end up with.

Pan fried green beans

And, if you make this recipe, could you make certain that your casserole dish is chipped and old and well used, just like mine?  It won’t affect the taste, but it would sure make me feel better….  The only drawback to this recipe is that since I needed my cast iron skillet for my steaks, I made these first.  Then proceeded to stand at the counter and eat them like french fries while I was cooking the steaks….should have made more beans….

And yes, it was hot.  Especially when I turned the oven on to bake the rolls.  But the rolls are so delicious, that we can handle 10 minutes of oven heat for the opportunity to eat one of these babies warm, dripping with butter and raspberry jam….

And then, we ate everything in sight.  Cause really, there was nothing else we COULD do…it was too hot to be outside.  Too hot to be cooking like that, and especially baking…but hey…we gotta eat right?

So come on and share with me.  What is YOUR favorite fresh from the garden recipe?  I’ve got about a billion squashes that I need to cook…and need ideas.  Somebody save me from the squashes!!! 

Anji