Just Stroll-ing Along . . .

I took the kids to their pediatrician on Monday for their 30 day well child check. He has been their doctor since birth, so it was good to talk with him -- mostly because we barely knew anything about their previous medical history. He gave me the scoop on Josh's shunt -- of course he isn't a neurologist, but he does keep in close contact with the neurologist on Josh's situation -- anyway -- when the shunt was put in (when Josh was 4 months old), they coil up enough tubing that hopefully they'll never have to go back in, and as he gets bigger and taller, it will uncoil itself. And he also said that he's never before had a patient with a shunt that had it taken out. So I feel much better about the whole thing -- I still want to talk to Dr. Nagel, but that will have to wait until July (!).

Tonight we have a class on Seizures and Neurological Disorders from 6-9 and tomorrow Mom & Harold arrive from Lawton, Oklahoma to stay through Monday afternoon. It's all crazy/busy around our house right now.




Favorite time of day:
Cuddling with my little boy before bedtime.

friday:

jambalaya
grandma's salad
this cake

saturday:

ina's spaghetti & meatballs
either leftover cake or carrot cupcakes

sunday:
apricot pork
smashed potatoes
roasted asparagus

I'll be making this dish over the weekend, or next weekend for our company. Courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa!


Lemon Fusili w/ Arugula


1 tb. olive oil
1 tb. minced garlic (approx. 2 cloves)
2 c. heavy cream
3 lemons
salt & pepper
1 lb. fusili
1/2 lb. baby arugula
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
1 pint halved cherry tomatoes

Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 60 seconds, then add the cream, zest & juice of two lemons, 2 tsp. salt & 1 tsp. pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.

Boil pasta until al dente (approx. 12 minutes). Drain pasta and return to pot. Add cream mixture and cook over med-low heat for 3 minutes, until pasta has absorbed sauce. Pour pasta into serving bowl and add arugula, Parmesan and tomatoes. Slice the last lemon and add to pasta. Toss well, serve hot.

Note: I'm going to serve mine with grilled chicken, seasoned with salt & pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

there is nothing better than sending something off to a beloved sister in hopes of giving her a brighter day ...


... except for receiving a package in the mail from that same sister!

thanks for the little book, min -- it made my day a little brighter!

My blog recently celebrated it's 2nd birthday. Honestly, it's probably not a big deal to most, but I've rarely stuck with anything for that long, so it is to me!
Apologies for the sporadic posting --- we're still trying to get the lay of the land over at the Stroll home and when I get to work (the only place I post), I just try to get my work done & research that I've been *meaning* to do. The next 6 weeks or so are going to be crazy for us (like for most people finishing out the school year, preparing for Summer, etc) -- we have 24 hrs of training we have just been scheduled for, doctor's appointments, speech therapy appointments, we're hosting B's mom & stepdad for 4 days (next week), and a trip to Philly for Bran's graduation. We're also trying to tie up a few loose ends with some things, and we are in (aren't we always?? yes, but I have to say this might be the worst!) a serious, serious financial crunch.
Mostly I've been reading the Virginia Tech news online, or listening on the radio, trying to make sense of senseless deaths. It's hard to know what to pray for, except comfort for families and peace for victims.

i have stacks all around my house.

a stack of diapers.


a stack of clean laundry, waiting to be put away.


a stack of clean dishes, waiting to be put away.


a stack of dirty dishes, waiting to be washed.


a stack of books i haven't yet read.


a stack of paperwork i haven't the slightest clue how to sort.


stacks of bills i haven't figured out how to pay.


won't the stacking ever end?

have a blessed Easter, everyone -- full of family & friends and thinking of God's love & grace.



xoxo

hey y'all ....


the kids moved in for good on friday night! what a long weekend it was. some times were easy, some were not. there were a few meltdowns (some from them, some from me), and a new molar for joshy, but we're working through it all. i am only working two days this week (tues & thurs), so the kids and i will have extra time for play and bonding.

yesterday they saw where their new daddy works and then we saw where they will be going to school (wednesdays and thursdays --- grandma will be taking care of them on tuesdays and fridays, and i am going to have mondays off). if anybody in the area needs a learning center for kids, check out the gathering place (in perrysburg). it's amazing. they use scripture based cirriculum, teach spanish and sign language and implement a lot of music into their learning.

lots of work to do, but just wanted to briefly update that we're alive and well!