Perspective

Last Friday I was at an event for my job. The event is a 12 hour radio and tv fundraiser to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Throughout the day I was struck by the people who wanted to help, whether is was the radio/tv folks asking their listeners/viewers to donate, the volunteers who gave their time so generously and the wish families who came back to share their stories of hope, strength and joy. Sometimes I think we focus so much on the bad it is very easy to forget the good and that day was a day full of good things.

I usually do well with controlling my emotions - it is my job to tell people about the Foundation and do it in an emotionally provocative way, but still keep my composure and be professional. There was an instance that really go me that day. A little boy around my son's age who has cancer and his mom came to do an interview for the radio-thon. He had already received his wish. He was absolutely precious; a sweet face with cute little cheeks, blue eyes and sandy brown hair. He reminded me so much of my son that when I looked at him I couldn't help buy cry. I honestly don't know his prognosis. Some of our wish kids beat their illness and live long lives, others do not. As a mother I cannot fathom what our wish families go through. I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child who is very sick. All I wanted to do was go get A from school, take him to do something fun and give him all the hugs and kisses I could give. I talked to my husband on my way home and told him how much it touched me to see this little boy and how I couldn't wait to see my own. When I came home I heard "MOMMYYYYYYY!" My husband had let our son stay up so I could see him and give him the biggest hug I could muster. I, of course, started crying and hugged him so tight he said "Mommy, dat too much!" It was the best hug ever.

Sister's Wedding Update

I am so excited and blessed, to be a part of my sister's wedding. We talk on the phone every day and I honestly don't know what I would do without her. There is something about a bond that sister's have and I am so thankful for her.

As part of my matron of honor duties I have the joy of attending showers, planning her bachelorette party and most importantly standing beside her on her wedding day. It is such an honor to be that person and I can't wait for all of the fun showers and parties to come!

I am also very excited that she is wearing my wedding dress. It looks beautiful on her and it will be the second beach wedding for our dress! I have played the day over in my head a hundred times and I am sure I will cry, but I think overall I will be smiling the entire time!

New Recipe - coffee braised brisket

From the January 2011 RealSimple Magazine with a few minor adjustments. . .

Coffee-Braised Brisket with Potatoes and Carrots
Hands on time: 10 minutes (a little more than that), total cook time: 8 hours, serves 4

1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
1 pound new potatoes (about 12)
1 pound medium carrots, cut into 2 1/2 inch lengths
2 1/2 pounds beef brisket, trimmed Kosher salt and black pepper
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1/2 cup brewed black coffee
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

I salt, peppered and olive oiled the brisket, then seared it in a hot skillet before putting it in the crock pot. The recipe does not call to do this, but I think it makes it more flavorful.

In the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the onion, potatoes and carrots. I used red potatoes instead, and only used about 5 medium-sized potatoes. Place the seared beef on top of the vegetables.

In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, coffee, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar, pour over the beef and vegetables. I used 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar because we didn't want it too sweet. Cover and cook on low until the beef and vegetables are tender, about 7 to 8 hours.

Slice the beef across the grain and serve with the vegetables and sauce, sprinkled with parsley. Serve with bread if desired.

I didn't use the parsley and we served it with cheese grits.

Enjoy!

Homework Project

So, A's teacher sent home a homework project for us to do (yes he is 2 and has homework). The project is related to Martin Luther King Day and asks us as parents to write down our dreams for our child, talk about it with your child and then bring it to class.

I started thinking about my hopes and dreams for him and here is what I wrote:
Follow the Lord and keep Him in your life. I dream for you to be happy, healthy and kind all the days of your life; to have all you'll ever need and appreciate all you have. I dream about the success you have had and will continue to have. I dream of the day you realize how much we love you, and even then you won't really know. I dream about all the fun we will have as you grow up. Love, Mom

I ran out of room on the paper for the assignment and didn't get to finish my other dreams. It gave me a lot to think about and reminded me of all I have to look forward to.

Grandmother's Cocoa Gravy

Hi friends,

I wanted to share a Southern recipe that my grandmother has made ever since I can remember. It is delicious served over hot, buttered biscuits.

Cocoa Gravy
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2 cups of milk
4 tablespoons of cocoa power
dash of salt

Mix sugar and cocoa powder together in a pot on the stovetop. Add milk, stirring as you go. Let ingredients simmer until thickened. Serve over hot, buttered biscuits.

30 x 30 Update

I wanted to share a quick update on 30 things to do by my 30th birthday. I know I am past my 30th birthday, but I thought I should continue working on my list!

1. Go to Vegas. . . with the girls.
2. Get my gun carry permit.
3. Meet Bret Michaels.
4. Be a bar tender for a night.
5. Drive a race car. On a track or on a drag strip. Either works for me.
6. Finish decorating the house.
7. Cook a gourmet meal for friends.
8. Take a photography class - or at least learn more about photography.
9. Start a vitamin regimin.
10. Learn how to swim better.
11. Have all my girlfriends to my house one weekend with no husbands, kids, boyfriends, work or any other distractions. Just fun!
12. Drive a Mercedes McLaren.
13. Get my eyes checked. Boring. I know.
14. Buy a really nice handbag.
15. Bring a good volunteer project to my church.
16. Have Sunday brunch at the Peabody.
17. Do the Diabetes 5K for the 3rd year in a row! For my dad and grandad. 18. Have a romantic dinner on the patio of Jarrett’s.
19. Go paintballing.
20. Go to Key West to see the sunrise and sunset.
21. Have dinner at Itta Beena at BB Kings.
22. Start a blog and keep it updated.
23. Cook more Sunday lunches for my family.
24. See the duck march at the Peabody (there are a lot of cool things in Memphis that I haven’t done).
25. Get dressed up and attend a show at the Orpheum.
26. Invite more friends to church.
27. Finish designing and planting the flower beds at the house.
28. Learn how to can vegetables and make jellies/preserves.
29. Go see the Velcro Pygmies one last time.
30. Learn to water ski.

Fun Things!

Hi friends and family,

I have been a total slacker in not sharing some really great news with you: my sister is engaged!!! That's right fellas, as of this summer she will be off the market!

I am very honored to serve as her matron of honor (matron = old + married)! My son will be the ring bearer, and he will be the cutest one you have ever seen I am sure. Her fiance's brother will be best man, and her fiance's neice will be the flower girl. We are all going to be adorable!

I am so happy for my sister - She deserves this excitement and happiness more than anyone else I know. I am having a blast picking out things for presents and little happies to make her big day special. My sister is an inspirational individual and I want to make sure everything for her wedding day is special.

One other beautiful thing? She is going to wear my wedding dress on her big day - isn't that fantastic! I was so excited when she said she wanted to wear it! It will be in our family for future daughters or daughter-in-law to wear if they wish.

Here is to my sister, who will be the most beautiful bride I have ever seen - may you have years and years of happiness, trust and love!

Why?

2011 has started off as a year with loss, challenges and frustrations. I think we have all asked the question: Why? Why does bad/sad things happen to people we love? Or even people we don't know but feel compassion for?

While sitting in church last Sunday our paster talked about why bad things happen. This particular sermon struck a nerve with me. With losses I have experienced in my life, specifically the miscarriage we had before having Alex, people told us "it was God's will" or "it was in God's plan." What I discovered is that is not entirely true, and as much as you think it is a comfort to say those things, it really is not comforting at all.

The overall message was that God is not sitting in Heaven selecting people and making bad things happen. God loves His children and what I learned on Sunday made me feel so comforted. The Grace of God is that He makes Himself available when His children are hurting. He comforts us through hugs from friends and family, food that is made with love or a simple card sent to someone during a time of crisis or pain. He gives us the strength and determination to power through.

So what I am saying is this: God does not let bad things happen. He lifts us up when bad things do happen.