Tribute to the best Grandmother in the world!!!

This was read at my grandmother's funeral, since I could not be in attendance I wanted to make sure that everyone knew how much I loved her & how much she touched my life. Many of you on facebook have been asking about it ... so here it goes! 

Today should not be a day of mourning, rather a glorious day to rejoice. Our grandmother is finally home. She has wanted to be there for some time now. She has been asking for her mom, dad, and brothers; and I just know she is happy to be with them again. She is probably already waltzing through the streets of heaven with DeLynn on Grandaddy’s feet in front of her & Warren proudly watching on!  How lucky is she to be joined with the many loved ones that have gone before her, and to think that one day we all get to join her and be together again.

The truth is that we lost grandmother a long time ago, and I cherish the memories that we had with her & cling to those … to the times when she was the happy, silly, loving grandmother that we love so much. Today, I want to remember the grandmother that tied yarn around baby frogs so that we could have frog races in the driveway. I want to remember the grandmother that laid on the ground on top of the well and pointed out the salamanders, or sat on the back porch whistling at the mocking birds, who always seemed to mock back.  The one that let us dress up in her high heels, pill box hats, and square dancing skirts (Nathan & Chay were excluded from this most of the time).  The grandmother who always said yes when we wanted to bake, and actually let us make the biggest mess doing it…with not one complaint from her!  The grandmother that drew dot to dot farmers on the programs at church and made hats out of the Wrigleys  gum wrappers she use to slip us at church.  Everytime I smell spearmint gum it takes me back to the church pew sitting next to her!  The grandmother that taught us the Christmas story of Jesus by allowing us to act out the entire event in our Christmas programs.  The one that didn’t miss an event. Not a one…every sports game, steer show, choir performance, school plays…in the stands or in the audience we could always count on grandmother being there supporting each and every one of us!  The grandmother that sat for hours teaching each and every one of us something … like how to use the sewing machine, or plastic needle point. She was such a patient loving teacher.

She loved the Lord as much as she loved all of us & the hours we spent around the piano singing hymns has always been a special memory & allowed us to pass on hymns to her great grand children so that they can learn to love the Lord as much as she did!  The memories are to many to recollect, but the one thing that reigns in each memory is how happy and loved we all felt each and every-time we were in her presence. She was such a witty gal & kept us all laughing, thankfully that is something she never lost!  We would see glimpses of that witty gal from time to time & for that we are grateful! 

The most special memory I will always have is of my sweet baby boy meeting her for the first and last time. He sat on her lap & she gave him kisses and tried to get his toes. I thank God everyday for that special moment between me, Grandmother, and Javier.   We love you grandmother!!!  Don’t forget to give Grandaddy, DeLynn, and Warren a big hug and kiss from us all. To my family….I love each and every one of you and wish so much I could be there sitting amongst you today, but know that you are all in heart today and everyday! 

Love:  Javier, JoRie, & Lil'JM (which is what my family calls the lil'man because it is my grandaddy's initials)

Proudly Announcing!

The birth of 

Holden Court Ridenour 

5/23/2011 @ 4:22 pm

8 lbs 3oz 21 1/2in.

My heart just made room for another love!  Isn't he amazing & even better didn't his parents pick out the perfect name!  I can't wait to share pictures of him and his big sis!!!!

 

The Loves of My Life!!!

When this pretty little face was born. I thought there was no way I could love anyone as much as I love her!

My niece (5 years old)

Then arrived these two handsome fellas and my heart got alot bigger!!

My nephews (2 years old)

Then came this little cutie pie and I thought my heart might explode!!

My Son (8 months old)

Now I patiently (well sort of) await the birth of another nephew and my heart is anxious to give him some of this love!!  Good luck to my sister & her hubby tomorrow for inducement (is that a word) day!  Also good luck to my niece who is going to be a great big sister!!!! Wish I could be there to hold the little guy, but just know that I will be there eventually my sweet nephew & I can't wait to get these loving arms around you! 

Okay, I have to stop...tears!  xoxo

Who needs a Closet Extender?

Who needs a Closet Extender when you have an extra shower rod, and floral wire handy!!! Um Not me!!

Hey Mom...What ya doing?

 No pictures please!

I said no paparazzi!!!

Now give me that camera!

Holy Moly look at those eyes!!!

My Future is So Bright!

My future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

   Also....I have decided that I am way to big to sit in this silly chair and let my mommy take pictures of me.

Outfit compliments of Mommy Kay! 

Andy's Airplanes!!!

I wanted to share this video, as the lil'man just loves it so much!  I also wanted my niece and nephews to see sort of what their Uncle does as a job. Although, he is not on an aircraft carrier or flying the F-18, he does fly a fighter jet and this is the general gist of this video. I hope they enjoy it as much as my lil'man!!

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Love, Aunt JoRie

The Joys of Making Your Own Baby Food!!! (Not for my sister's viewing)

So this post is totally going to annoy my sister, but I get quite a few facebook emails about making my own baby food. So yesterday I made an enormous batch, I mean three hours in the kitchen kind of batch. Although, I was so focused on getting things done while the hubby was home, I didn't get any during the cooking process photos.

I made Butternut Sqaush, Acorn Squash, Sweet Potato, Zuchini/Yellow Squash Blend, Cherries, Blueberries, Mango, Apple, Sweet Peas, and Green Beans. I also have avocados on the counter ripening (is that even a word) for later.

 Here we have Mango, Green Beans, Blueberry, Cherry, and Sweet Peas. I will admit first off that the bluberries and cherries are not worth the mess, but I had them so I went ahead and made them knowing it would be a pain in the rear.

Green Beans, Sweet Peas, Mango (purchased in frozen section...natural, organic, no sugar added):

Use cooking instructions on the package. Then place cooked fruits and veggies in a blender or food processor and puree until desired consistency is reached. My lil'guy has been eating solids for quite a while but you may add formula, breast milk, or infant water to get a thinner consistency and allow for easier digestion.

Blueberry, Cherry (frozen):

Again you follow cooking directions on package. You then blend in food processor or blender. For the first time you want to put this puree through a sieve. You simply add puree to sieve and push through to get juice, then discard the skins that will remain in sieve.

This in my opinion is not worth the pain, so I put these items in a mesh bag baby food eater. Lil'man literally sucks this thing dry and the skins remain in the bag!!!  This is also great for teething...just take it directly out of the freezer and put into the mesh feeder.

 Acorn & Butternut Squash



 Wash outside of squash with vegetable cleaner. Cut in half directly down center. Remove seeds and guts with spoon. In a casserole dish place squash meat side down. Add water so that it fills half of the pan or comes up to cover a 1/4 of the squash. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until meat is tender and can be scooped out with spoon. Be very careful when you open the oven, because the water creates steam & the steam all releases at the same time. Yes I burned my face...so don't stick your nose in immediately...allow steam to exit & then get pans out. Scoop out meat into a blender or food processor and blend to desired consistency.

Sweet Potato

Wash outside of potato with vegetable cleaner and brush. Wrap in foil. Bake at 425 for 45 minutes. Cut potato in half and scoop out meat either blend with mixer or puree with blender or food processor until desired consistency, adding formula, breast milk, or water if needed.

Finger foods...once your lil'one can manage finger foods, I use the frozen sweet potato fries and bake them according to package. Lil'man loves these!!!

Zucchini, Summer Squash: 

Wash outside with vegetable cleaner. Cut ends off. Place in steamer for 20-30 minutes until you can easily pierce with a fork. Place in food processor or blender. This will be a bit watery as the vegetable itself has alot of water content. So you shouldn't need to add anything.

You can also cut these in french fry strips and steam for finger foods.

Apple

Wash outside of apple with vegetable cleaner, Peel, and core. Place apple pieces in steamer for 20-30 minutes until easily pierced with a fork. Food process or blend to desired consistency. 

Pear, Banana, Avocado

These are the easiest because you don't have to cook them. Avocado & Banana you simply peel and mash up. Pear you Wash, peel, and core & then puree in blender or food processor. Pear and Avocado are really good for digestion. 

Then you freeze the puree in ice cube trays or I use these from Amazon.  After they have frozen, usually over night Remove and place in labeled (item & date) freezer safe ziplock bags. Apparently they are good for three months, but I use mine up well before the three month expiration date.

Take out what you want as needed. I feed him the same food four days in a row to make sure he doesn't have a reaction & never introduce two new foods at the same time. You can read more about this as Wholesome Baby Food. I usually take out all the meals for the day at breakfast. I place the breakfast food in the microwave on the defrost setting for a few minutes. I leave the lunch and dinner portions on the counter until defrosted and place in fridge until I need them, warming them on defrost for 20 seconds. You can add baby cereal, cheerios, pasta, or meats to any of these as the stage requires.

Hopefully this helps and gives some of you an idea of how easy it is to prepare and freeze your own baby food & the advantage is that you know exactly what is going into your baby. Not that purchased baby food is bad, but this is what I choose to do & since I am able to stay at home it works for us! 

The finished product makes for a happy  chunky little monkey like the one below!!!