my second grader loves being a second grader! Can I just say I hope this love continues??? The last two years have been PAINFUL>

As for my little one, she starts preschool in two weeks! 2 mornings a week for two-year olds... she is so excited!

A pizza without ranch dressing just isn't a pizza.

Now don't get me wrong, a thin crust pizza with black olives, feta cheese and green peppers is perfect as it is...BUT, when you are talking about a plain cheese pizza... you need ranch.

It just isn't the same without dipping it into ranch dressing.

My two favorite ranch dressings are from Kraft, and when I order a side of ranch at Red Robin to go with my fries.

But who wouldn't like ranch? It's a delicious combination of milk, sour cream, yogurt and mayo! Of course there was a time when we couldn't have the beloved dressing when Julius was allergic to dairy and eggs.

But then I discovered vegan ranch... but it wasn't the same :( I tried, really I did... but I ended up giving up salads and dips for awhile.

I just came across this recipe for beer battered tofu sticks with ranch dressing, and I am completely intrigued. And I even am curious to try it with the homemade vegan ranch dressing (perhaps it will taste better than the store bought one I had purchased years ago?)

http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=40981.0

I may have to give this a try!!

Just a few more days!!

Just a few more days until we drive off to Quebec for our family vacation.
I can't wait to just get in the car and DRIVE.

It will be great to see Josh's family again and to wake up to the mountains and lake.

We haven't been to Mont Tremblant since 2007.







Julius had a great time the last time we were there. I know Isabella will love it this summer too!

update!

Last week I had my echocardiogram. I knew I had improved since last year... I've been feeling better! The biggest test for me was being able to walk to my son's school and back... and when I was able to do that without thinking I was going to drop to the ground and need an ambulance, then I knew I was okay.

Well today I received the result of last week's echocardiogram... and the results are...



normal.

My cardiomyopathy is GONE.

I have completely recovered.

Needless to say, I feel incredibly relieved. When I had first gotten sick I refused to think about the terrible thought of leaving my children behind. And maybe that refusal is what helped me? Who knows, all I know is that I am incredibly lucky and incredibly thankful. I know there are many people who were in my same shoes, who shared the same passion, but didn't make it. It makes each moment even more thankful.

It's painful however to know that my father-in-law, who has also been experiencing health issues, has not recovered. It's a strange and uncomfortable feeling. I know how he feels and at the same time, I can't help but feel that it's just not fair that I am better and he is not. How wonderful it would be if we both recovered!

This summer will be full of celebrations and moments to make memories.




Loves to all.

-Julieta

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, Future Moms, Grandmothers, Female caregivers, etc...

I had a great one :)

I didn't get to sleep in. I didn't get breakfast in bed.
We ended up going out to dinner which wasn't what I originally wanted... but we did return home for tea and cheesecake....

What I DID get though was many beautiful moments with both my children. I also got a song from my wonderful husband and kids.

What I DID get was time with both my mother and my mother-in-law.

What I DID get was another sweet memory.

So thank you. Thank you kids, thank you husband, thank you Mom and Mother-in-Law. I love you all.

Mother's Day Stress

Last year I think I titled an entry "Mother's Day stress," and since this post is a fairly similar rant, I feel justified to repeat the title.

Again.

Ugh!!

Just... ugh!!!

I don't get. I simply do not get it. I don't understand why it has to be one single day with the moon and the stars and everything so wonderful and perfect... WHY!?? It's ridiculous.

If it were me, Mother's Day would be a kiss on the cheek from my kids, maybe a hand-made card... and if I'm lucky, being able to sleep in an hour. Simple and perfect.

And it isn't as if I'm being ungrateful to my mother or my mother-in-law. Hardly! I love them both and appreciate all they do... but must I take them both out to a resturant, wine and dine them, give them presents, thank them profusely for all they do... all the while chasing my toddler around the resturant and avoiding disgusted stares from patrons who wonder why I would subject THEIR families to the distraction of a shrieking toddler who is tired of waiting for her food and just wants to run?

My thoughts? A beautiful late afternoon at my home with both mothers for desserts and tea. Sounds great, yes? I thought so. I really did.

My mother-in-law thought so too.

My mom? Nope.

I'd repeat last year's rant but it would be easier to just copy the link.

http://julieta-blog.blogspot.com/2010/05/mothers-day-stress.html

Nothing ever satisfies my parents. I'm sure if I were suddenly a millionare and could rent a yacht, they would complain that the waves were too high.

So I should just forget it and move on, and have my desserts party and ignore the tension and be ignorant to the fact that I will more than likley receive a phone call later about how ungrateful I am.

UGH! UGH! UGH!

I have come to the conclusion that Mother's Day sucks.

Video1.MOV

Masters of War

Video2.MOV

My daughter is happiest when she is dancing.

8 years ago

I got married.



March 30, 2003


Then, on June 8th (2004), Julius was born.



Years past,







and in November 2nd (2008), Isabella was born.




And here we are, 2011 and I have two wonderful kids:


and great husband.

Sometimes it's nice to just stop and think about the good memories and know the future can only get better.

Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours... but you can't get a rainbow without some downpour.

So, enjoy the craziness. Life is too short and goes by too fast not to.

Snow Days

Julius and his team win the gold!!

We spent the weekend in Delaware for the Winter Classic Tournament. It was cold, but it was fun, and the best news.... THEY WON THE GOLD!!!

As the official website says:
The Atom Selects won the 2011 Mite Winter Classic Tournament earlier this afternoon, posting a 3-0-1 record.

The Selects beat the Pond Penguins 19-3, the Chester County Cougars 6-2, and then tied the Hollydell Havoc 5-5 and beat them 4-3.

It was a very impressive effort by the Atom Selects as they outscored their opposition 34-13 in the tournament.

http://myha.org/news2.php?news_id=366145&team_id=194017&lang=

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Isabella, pretending to be a figure skater.

Jan, 2011

Can you believe it?!
It's amazing how time flies when you think about a particular moment in time (in the past). Ten years ago doesn't feel like ten years ago... maybe that's when you know you are a grow up?

Things just don't seem that far off anymore, unless I try to think about when I was a kid... that's far: maybe because the memories are splintered? Like, I remember instances but not an entire row of days or weeks...

It's been a crazy year: Some good, some bad, some just overwhelming.... but now we are in, 2011. What will this year bring? I'm thinking something good, something positive. It's great to have a fresh outlook.

Happy new years, Everyone.