Adventures in Norderland: May 2015

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Happy Birthday Fred

Fred turns the big..................on the 27th. I have been blessed knowing this man for the past 13 years. He has taught me many things in this time together. I don't think he truly realizes how much I look up to him in a lot of ways!

From the Wife:

*He is one of the most forgiving people I know. He has never held a hatred/grudge towards anyone and is always the first to forgive!
*On that same note, he is one of the least Judgmental people I know. Everyone sins/messes up so why rub it in their faces.
*He takes any moment he can to spend time with his kids!
*On that same note, he works INCREDIBLY hard to give them what they need/want.
*He is always doing something, this man has no downtime because he can't! I seriously don't think his body will let him simply lay around! He is always moving. I tease him and tell him he a "caged hummingbird".
*He loves to cook(anyone on Facebook knows this) and he is REALLY good at it!
*He is an incredibly tough man, with a soft heart.
*He loves to do Random Acts of Kindness(I will not say what he has done, but he does them a lot).
*He is the most modest man I know, he hates when I boast about him, and never likes to "toot his own horn"
*I 100% pray that my children grow up to have so much of his attitude and work ethic!

From the midgets:

* I love that you help me with baseball. (Joseph)
* You always help us when we are hurt or sick and you care for us. (Keith)
* You always let us play our games and cuddle. (David)
* I love you for the way you love us. (Camryn)

We thank God every day for blessing us with you in our lives. I love you "to the moon" (and yes I know this is gushy, suck it up butter-cup!).

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Memorial Day

The Veterans in my life:

Dad and Gene: I have always admired your work ethic. You both lived through some hard times and never stopped. Thank You!

Mom: You have a heart that never stops, always willing to help others. Thank You!

Dean and Jimmy: I am always so proud to tell people about you two. You picked up to serve our country at a very tumultuous time. Thank You!

Jenn: You served overseas as a Mom! To me one of the hardest things to do! I admire your tenacity for life!! Thank You!

Jake: You paid the ultimate sacrifice. You died for your country. I watched you grow up and become an amazing man so full of life! There are not enough Thank You's for what you gave us!

Grandpa Dean and Jim Linden: You suffered through the unimaginable! You both lived through being Prisoners of War, you survived!

I am proud to say that we can trace family veteran back to the Revolutionary War(the fight for our countries freedom).

There are SO MANY more, but I don't want to miss anyone. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends, co-workers......Everyone! Thank You! You all stepped up for your country in one way or another.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Fred in The Kitchen: Moz Stuffed burger

This one was a complete experiment (which honestly a lot of our meals are!) . He mixed the burger meat with diced onion. Flattened them into two small thin patties. In between he put a small slice of fresh mozzarella cheese and diced garlic. They turned out amazing!! Of course we have to include the side when you have burgers(the all American food). Baked beans(his special mix don't ask me, I honestly wonder if I will ever be privy to his secrets ;) ) and corn on the cob. I froze a bunch of corn from last harvest, that way we get to eat it all year round! YUMMY!!!

The Circle of Life, and a Hard lesson for kids

Sunday Fred and the boys were doing some yard work at the back of our house. I was over talking with our neighbor when I saw Joseph crossing the street holding something(the way he was holding it reminded me of a Faberge egg) . Here it was a teeny tiny little bunny. Apparently the rest of their nest did not make it, this little guy was the only survivor (which still tears Fred apart. As much as I hate those things for eating my garden, by no means to I want to purposely kill babies).

Fred agreed to let Joseph hang on to him until he passed(he seemed to have a paralyzed back end on top of some other things, so we knew he would just not make it.) What we were both surprised about was how long this little guy did hang on! This happened around 2 in the afternoon and he did not pass until sometime in the night.

Joseph had Camryn get a shoebox and filled it up with some grass, he made a little nest for it. He did his homework in the garage and sat the bunny next to him so he could keep constant watch over him. I was able to get him to drink a little out of the dropper. And as hard as we tried to prepare Joseph last night, that he was just wasn't going to make it until morning(he even went as far as making me promise if he was still alive I would get some special bunny food and things.), it still tore him up this morning when I told him.

He wasn't even functioning yet this monring and the first words out of his mouth were "How is the bunny doing?!" I saw the glimmer of hope in his eyes quickly fade when I told him he was gone. He climbed up on the couch next to me and cried a little and asked Fred if we could bury it.

As hard as it is to watch your kid hurt, this is a lesson that he needed to go through. The circle of life is a tough lesson and never gets any easier, we just learn how to deal with it better.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Fred in the Kitchen

Camryn announced last night that I should give Fred his own little spot light on the blog. We should call it "Fred in the kitchen". I have been blessed with a man who loves to cook(especially grilling!).

So here is the first post for Fred in the Kitchen! Since yesterday was Mothers Day, I decided to show you the treat I got for Brunch!

French Toast, Bacon, Sausage and hash-browns! Yummy!!! The kids always tell me how much better Daddy's French Toast is then mine(I seriously still don't know what he does different!!).