I wish...

In the last 24 hours, I have really wished I could hire a lifestyle photographer to follow us around for a day.   Not because anything spectacular happened- it's been rather ordinary, actually- and yet, I keep thinking: I do not want to forget this, ever.

The weekend was insane, but with all the too-close-for-comfort tragedy around us lately, we were grateful for just regular busyness.   As of late, the bedtime routines have dragged on a little too long and each one needs just a minute, especially right now. And as a parent, I'm thinking I definitely do want to stay right here as long as you need me to except I kinda don't because I'm exhausted and just ready to be done for the day. But I do, because that's the job and our time is short. And I never ever regret it.

• I wish I had a snapshot of Layla and I lying side by side, when she said she wanted a micro pig for Christmas and Brynn shot straight up on the other side of the room, with her eyebrows saying more than her mouth ever could. 

• I wish I had a picture of Cale's head bent backwards from laughing too hard when he shared his own wishlist. (What exactly would Santa leave under the tree if a certain little boy's wish involved a cutie at school?) Or when he held up his fist and tapped it like a microphone, to say "Is this thing on?"

• I wish there was a camera nearby when we were doing yoga this morning. It was out of desperation really, just trying to help a couple get control of their bodies. But there was a moment, when one was in a tree pose, and I was standing behind them doing a (therapist-suggested) EMDR technique, and I saw their shoulders drop an inch. 

• I wish someone could catch a picture of Roman, the way he puts his hand inside my shirt to feel my heartbeat. It's started during one of those talks about his beginnings and it's become his own version of skin-on-skin attachment bonding. So he just sits, all the time, with his hand in my shirt.

• I wish, for one day, there could be photos of sleepy morning eyes asking for pancakes, and sisters styling each other's ponytails, and boys tossing pillows in their unders when they're supposed to be getting ready.

• I wish someone could capture the way Anna Gray runs through the door with her arms wide open when I pick her up from school, and the comical scene that occurs when I take yogurt-covered clothes off of her every day at 11:30am and 12:00pm, respectively.

• I wish I could freeze an image of the afternoon chaos when backpacks are tossed and folders are scattered and snacks are chosen. 

• I wish I could keep a permanent reminder of the looks Nathan and I give each other when one has made another shocking choice to argue or tattle or fib or blame or...

• I wish I could see what we all look like crammed in the kitchen, someone reaching for forks, someone else grabbing the glasses. Filling up plates and carefully (or not) carrying them to the table. I wish I could see us sitting around our table every night, holding hands, the kid in the prayer seat talking as fast as they can (unless it's Brynn... then it's gonna be a while), Anna Gray repeating every word to her best ability and at least two peaking and sticking out their tongues at one another.

• I wish it was possible to see in a picture the way they sink into you when you're reading their chosen story. When us grown ups collapse on the couch to recap our day and plan for tomorrow, when we turn off the alarm and do it all over again.

And {sorry for the zinger, but} I wish Alan could have all this... any of this... with his family too.

Update:


I only have TWO photo sessions still available. One will be rural setting THIS SATURDAY. The other is an urban setting in two weeks, 11/29. Message me for details and to snag the last two appointments!

Also, some of you will be getting invites for a CAbi party!  Such beautiful, timeless clothes. For every item purchased, CAbi will donate an item to a woman in need AND a percentage of sales will go toward Alan's adoption grant! Wins all around!


CUPCAKE DEETS:

I am doing a PRE-SALE of up to 10 dozen cupcakes for Thanksgiving.

First come, first served and orders can be placed until Sunday, November 23 (unless all orders are filled before then).

The cupcakes will be $25/dozen (paid to Alan's FSP and receipt forwarded to me.) They will be ready on Wednesday, November 26 and are available in these flavors:

Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Spice/Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting
Tiramisu
Apple Cider


Easy peasy. You get tasty cupcakes for your Thanksgiving gathering AND help a little boy find a family. ::::Insert nerdy cupcake joke using the word gobble::::



So many shifts in perspective lately. I don't ever NOT feel lucky or grateful for the life we live but you know how easy it is for that gratitude to get covered up in every day-ness. It happens so quickly.
At 7am, it's Good morning, Darlings! It's a beautiful day! Try to get up soon for breakfast, mmk?
At 7:40, it's I'm not kidding, if you do not put those shoes on right.this.second...

And the stores have already covered everything in red and green and gold and lights and we start sending all kinds of mixed up Needy/Wanty signals.  In one breath, we say to our children "You need to just be grateful that you have a warm, healthy dinner and EAT... Now, what gazillion things would you like for Christmas?"

I feel pretty certain we aren't the only ones! It's just... Life.
Life just keeps happening.
Thank goodness.
I wish for many many many more ordinary days just like today.

ALAN! {The Plan & How You Can Help.}

Have you seen Alan?!

Our family has committed to being his Angel Tree Warrior(s) from now until December 31. We chose Alan in honor of our two RR babes (Down Syndrome like Anna Gray, Chinese like Roman) who were officially {UN}orphaned in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Alan needs a family of his own.  

With gifts and fundraising, we hope to grow his adoption grant so that any family considering him would feel financially confident in moving forward. Funding is the #1 reason people hesitate moving forward with adoption.  He has a great starting grant already and the more we raise, the better his chances are at having a family and a future.

Our goal is to raise another $1000 by the end of the year, but more importantly, we will shout for him and share his face everywhere in hopes that he will be seen, and wanted, and chosen. 

If you give Alan a gift of $35 or more, you receive a Christmas ornament with his picture on it.

We have three ornaments on our tree so far (2011, 2012, 2013) with little RR faces, all of which have now come home FOREVER, just like our sweets. We already made his first donation and can't wait to add his sweet face to our tree :)

Some other warriors have written some really lovely posts about helping a child in need and being called to care for the orphans. If you would like to read something eloquent that explains how this all works, I will happily point you in their direction. Man, they really know how to pull at your heart strings to raise money for these kids!

And really, you can skip your Starbucks today. Every little bit does help. You are changing the life of a child. And you do get a pretty little ornament in return. You are a good person who can do a good thing for someone else who deserves good.

All true.

It's true that more money helps his chances, absolutely. But I could put a thousand bucks in his account and call it a day (I mean... I can't, but I could). I WANT TO FIND HIM A FAMILY, DANGIT. 

Spreading his face all about and fundraising for him is just a way to do that. 

And here's our plan:

Thanksgiving cupcakes.  Hey, if it ain't broke... 

Picture days (11/15 & 11/29). Christmas cards, holllaaa.

Usborne party (way, way out of the game, but hoping to get back to it.)

for starters....

You can:

Adopt him.

Advocate for him to be adopted. 

Share him on your blog, FB, twitter, other things I don't know how to do.

Donate. 

Donate or sell gently used items. (Yourself or you can give them to me and I will do all the work.)

Anyone in direct sales that would be willing to donate their commission from a party?? (Jamberry, DoTerra or YL, Matilda Jane, Pampered Chef, Younique... anything!)

Do you need a Christmas project for your classroom, Sunday School class, small group, boy/girl scout troop, office, or business?! Could it be Alan?!

USE THIS LINK and share it up.

 Let's find this boy a home, ya'll!

PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!

THIS WEEK'S MENU

I forgot to share last week's (I told you it would be sporadic...)  LOVING the feedback and recipe swapping that this has already inspired! Keep it up. I adore new recipes.

I think the crunchy black bean tacos were bumped to Monday.
We also had buffalo shrimp and kale wraps with homemade chips one night. (We ate them upside down apparently.)

One night was Baked BBQ tenderloin (none for me), steamed asparagus, and twice baked potatoes (all courtesy of Chef Nathan thankyouverymuch.)
Bacon-wrapped shrimp with jalapeno cream cheese grits.

One night was Halloween and one night was the Air Force gala and I can't remember what else we ate.

Let me know if you want recipes!

I thought I'd share some of my fav gluten-free (Usually. I'm relatively new to this.) vegetarian ideas too. I don't really follow the rules on "breakfast foods" vs "lunch foods" or whatever. I just eat what I want when I want because... well, why not?  This morning I had leftover veggies/rice for breakfast, but apple nachos for lunch.

Apple nachos.
Apple slices topped with shredded/string cheese, crushed almonds, and maybe a couple of chocolate chips. Big hit with my kids.

Kale salad.
I eat kale and/or spinach every day. I need the protein and iron. I have some favorite go-to combos and 2-3 dressings I make, depending on the combo!

spinach/pear/feta cheese, cashew with balsamic
kale/apple/bleu cheese with lemon vinegarette
kale/parmesan/red pepper with dijon vinegarette
etc etc etc
I just use what I have. Greens + veggies + cheeses + olive oil based dressing.


Grits.
It's a staple when I need something warm or hearty. My favorite is to sprinkle in some cheddar cheese and top with whatever veggies I have, sauteed in olive oil and cajun seasoning.

Sweet Potato.
Pop that sucker in the microwave, drizzle a little olive oil, s&p, bleu cheese crumbles and Frank's red hot.

Banana breakfast/snack/lunch
One banana, Natural peanut butter, gluten free nut and fruit granola.

Avocado toast.
Spread black bean salsa, top with avocado, s&p, lime juice, and crushed red pepper.

This week's menu: Maybe it will give you some dinner inspiration or at the very least, keep me on track.

White bean and kale gnocchi.
Stuffed pablano peppers.
Spicy shrimp ceasar (off season but requested by 3 of 5 children.)
Couscous and beans with cabbage. (kind of a play on beans&rice)
GF Pasta Primavera (with whatever veggies we have on hand.)
Homemade falafel (my third time having falafel in a week.  Comfort food!)

Let me know if you try any or add a twist that I should try! Keep sending me ideas too, pals!  I'm digging this little online cooking club we have going! Clearly, I'm not a food blogger with lots of beautiful pictures. Straight up phone pics in bad lighting is all I got. Also, you'll notice lots of repeats in one way or another. We have really learned to use what we have to save a buck and eat fresh(er). We don't mind! :)

xo

WEST FAMILY CIRCUS!

Halloween Recap: Not because any of you are that interested, I'm sure, but because some day I will print these into a book for my kids!

Halloween is my jam. It's our thing.
We've done several themes - every person has to agree, and then they choose their own costume within the theme. Then each gets one-on-one shopping time with me to make it happen. It's my personal challenge to see how creative I/we (because they have some killer ideas) can get on a budget. I averaged less than $10 per person this year- Woot.

After several family meetings, we chose a vintage circus. It's seemed appropable ;)

I thought each one chose the costume that fit their personality exactly!

LAYLA: RINGMASTER

The leader.

Before (sort of, I almost forgot):

Red jacket from Goodwill. Feathers, pearls, and hat from Michael's. Everything else we already had. 

After:

Prettiest ringmaster I ever saw. Clearly didn't get it from her mama. 

BRYNN: TRAPEZE ARTIST

The Performer.

No Before/After because after weighing several options, she wanted this and I just straight up bought it from Ebay. It's a dance costume, but it was just right. She did freeze, but only because she wouldn't stay covered- she wanted to show off her costume.

She was looking all serious and vintage-y. She is stunning.

Coupled with those long legs, I told her she looked like a Rockette already.

CALE: DAREDEVIL

The brave one.

Before (sort of. again.):

Black pants and shirt from Goodwill. Add some duct tape and glitter stars, a skateboard helmet, and Daddy's ballistic goggles. Voila.

After:

Apparently, this is his "I just shot out of a cannon and still look this cool" face. He's not the easiest to please, so I was thrilled that he was thrilled.

ROMAN: STRONG MAN

The strong one.

Pajama pants and Brynn's tank top, an $.88 cent mustache, bag of balloons, and a wrapping paper roll. DONE. He was not quite as confused as I expected him to be! I kind of translated "costume", but basically handed him some clothes, put a 'stache on his face, and taught him to say trick or treat. He just went with it!

He caught on quickly and had a blast! He's still not too sure about this cold weather though...

ANNA GRAY: CLOWN 

The happy one. 

Before: 

I wanted "vintage" clown, but it turns out pinafores are not that easy to get your hands on and I can't sew worth a lick. But... I did find a homemade Raggedy Anne costume that included a pinafore and pantaloons! I tea-stained them, Layla sewed on patches, and I used scrap fabric to top it off. 

After:

Doll baby. Who could be scared of this clown?! Not even me, or any other person born in the 80s and saw IT at too young an age. 

I didn't get a close up of Nathan in full costume (unfortunately), but he made his own hat from computer paper and the only thing I bought were the peanuts :)

The happy couple;

So, that's us! West Family Circus/Halloween 2014 complete. 

Good job, little humans. You are fun people and I like you.