Living the Unexpected Life

Yes, I did it again. I have been baking since I was 10 years old and I think I am pretty good at it.  My one weakness is the last batch.  I burn it every time.  I don't know how it happens when I consciously say to myself, "This is the last batch.  You will not burn them."  I walk away confident and at some point I can smell the burn and come running.  My kids and my husband don't even bat an eye anymore. Part of me likes that I burn them.  It reminds me that I still have something to perfect.  It also reminds me that everyone around me is human- just like me.  The other part of me hates that I burn them.  The looks I get from my family are getting old. A few weeks ago David turned 16 and we celebrated with several parties and our traditional Mexican food dinner with our extended family The Phillips.  The waiters gather together and sing their rendition of Happy Birthday.  It reminds me of those burnt cookies. ...

Just remembered I forgot to blog.  It is 10:20 p.m. So, here is just a quick list of 10 things I thought of on the spot: 1.  David is turning 16 on Wednesday.  How can this be? 2.  Evan got his first pin.   Click Here to see. 3. I can now do 48 push ups on my feet in 4 minutes but I'm still short.  Someone needs to invent an exercise that makes you taller. 4.  Teaching middle school choir is exhausting but rewarding and sometimes the kids sing so well I get tears in my eyes. 5.  I made the best sugar cookies ever for Valentine's Day and made homemade Chicken Parmesan.  YUM! 6.  Jason and I have been together for 24 years and I still like him. 7.  Parenting is hard.  I don't ever feel like I am good at it but I keep trying. 8.  Evan always waits until the last minute to wash his wrestling singlet.  It is very tiny and red which makes it hard to gather a load and justify using the washing machine. 9.  Da...

We were positively overloaded with activities the last 10 days.  We haven't had a week like this for a while! Here was our schedule: Saturday: Ice Fishing Both kids slept in snow caves and went ice fishing with their scout troop.  It was so quiet around the house while they were gone and we enjoyed that peace! David messing around instead of packing for his trip. Cooking for the other Scouts. David is a bit stronger than this poor kid! Monday Nights: Percussion Lessons Evan has been taking lessons since his birthday this past summer and is learning very quickly.  He also plays in 7th grade band and begs me to buy him a drum kit almost every week.  I can't believe I agreed to this instrument, it's going to be extra loud around the house for a long time. Monday- Friday: Jazz Band Workshop   David was released from school several days this last week to practice with professional jazz musicians over in Wenatchee.  This was his 4th year ...