Heroes

My mom is a hero - did you know that?
Yes, seriously a...saved someone's life, hero.
She would never say it.
She's way too humble.
So...I have to tell the story for her.
(And, she'll probably kill me for doing this)

So, here's the story about how my mom became a hero.

About a month ago, they were dining at Red Lobster. My dad, mom, Cori, Aidyn, and Billy were just sitting down with their appetizers ordered at Red Lobster in Mesa. My dad notices someone near them is talking to his wife and comforting her in a way that makes him think she is choking. My dad motions to my mom to help. So she heads over to their table.

My mom quickly sees she is not choking and asks them if she has a history of seizures. He says no. My mom can tell that they are losing her and says they need to get her on the floor. He and their friends help her get the woman to the floor. CPR was needed. My mom begins CPR. Another gal come over to assist with CPR. My mom continues this for 10-15 minutes while they wait for the paramedics to arrive. Once they arrive, she continues CPR while they set up. The paramedics then take over and the woman gets transported to the ER.

My mom shares her information with the management at Red Lobster. After this...event...my family decides to forego dinner at Red Lobster and head out to another restaurant.

Beer. Is. Needed...can you blame them?

Following this experience, my mom hears nothing. For a couple weeks, she wasn't sure if the woman made it or not. Apparently she is 67 and had a hysterectomy about a week before the traumatic event. We all asked my mom if she had heard anything about the woman. Did she make it? My mom had no idea.

Then, the week of Thanksgiving, my mom received a phone call. The man on the line asks her if she is the same Donna that was at Red Lobster on such and such date. She says yes. He says that he was calling to say Thank You. And, that if it wasn't for her that he would not be sitting across from his wife right then and was so very thankful that she had given her another chance. They invited my parents over. So, they met up a few days later. The couple explained that the woman did have a heart attack. In fact, she ended up in surgery. And, the doctors at the ER explained that the CPR my mom performed had saved her life.

Yes. My mom saved her life. The doctor may have performed surgery. But...that surgery would never have even been performed had my mom not taken the time to perform CPR.

Wow. Can you believe it? Lives forever changed. Bonds made. Second chances. What do you say to someone that saved your life? Your wife's life?

Yes...My mom...she's a hero.

The Day I Almost Turned Vegetarian

Have you ever been to Cafe Rio? Well...apparently, they've got good food. I read many blogs that just rave about it. Somehow I came across this recipe for Cafe Rio's pork roast. Now...let me tell you - I don't really eat....Pork. Yes, I like bacon on Sunday mornings, but...that's about it. Somehow as I was reading the recipe...I was imagining a normal roast, not a pork roast. So, yesterday as I was planning my weekly meals and preparing to go grocery shopping, I came across that recipe. Something new...I thought. I jotted down the couple things I needed and headed to the store.

Wait. Let me back up a bit. I've got this weird food aversion. I don't eat meat on bones. It's weird, I know. Chicken wings? Like the flavor...need a fork and knife please. I've come a long way...I used to not even be able to even touch them. I still really can't But, at least I can have a bite using a fork and knife. I really like to pretend that the protein (meat) that I eat isn't even an animal. It's not an animal rights thing...it's a mental thing. I like my protein to look as processed as possible. I've never been to a Hawaiian luau...but, I'm guessing I wouldn't be near the pig roast. GROSS! When I make chicken or tacos or a pot roast...it's boneless/skinless and I pretty much wash my hands about 75 times throughout the process. It's seriously nauseating.

Okay...so back to the pork roast. I make my list and head to the grocery store. I load my cart up with all the essentials for the week. Last on the list, pork roast. As I'm standing at the meat section, I look at my grocery list. Pork roast...it reads in almost illegible scribble. Just then, at that very moment, I realize that I am making PORK not pot roast.

Pork? What? Yuck!!?? Those are all the things that are going through my mind. And...I'm also thinking about how the Hottie loves pork chops (my mom makes them for him). I'm debating whether or not to proceed. I walk over to the pork section. Pork loin. Pork picnic roast. Pork shoulder. What? I have no idea what to buy. I look for an employee. Meat department has gone home for the night. So...I call my mom. Luckily, she guides me through the best she can over the phone. I select the smallest looking pork roast that I can find and head to the checkout. Holy crap - pork roast is expensive. Definitely not doing this again unless I've got a major coupon.

So this morning...I get out the ingredients for the Cafe Rio pork roast recipe. I cut open the bag of pork roast. OMG! There is a bone.

Yes. My pork roast has a bone. What? Seriously? YUCK! Right then and there I seriously debate tossing the whole thing and turning vegetarian. Vege quesadillas are calling my name. But, I can't stop thinking about my expensive pork roast and the fact that the Hottie loves Chipotle carnitas.

So...I did what I had to do. I transfer the pork roast from the bag to the crock pot in no more than 5 seconds. Then...I scrub, scrub, scrub my hands for a good 4 minutes. I then mix up the rest of the ingredients and pour it in. Low for a loooooong time, 7-ish hours.

So, how did it taste? It was good. But, to be honest - it was the very first pork roast that I've ever knowingly had. So...there is no comparison. The hottie loved it, so that's all that really matters.

Luckily...the Hottie was on clean-up duty. Umm...you should have seen the bone. Had I seen that this morning...I would definitely have become a vegetarian. It was almost enough to change the hottie.

Now that I've made everyone completely disgusted...I will share the recipe. It is good. I promise. My bone phobia is really my own mental illness.

Cafe Rio Pork Roast
2 lb pork roast (I have no idea how large my roast was)
2 cans tomato sauce
2 tsp pressed garlic clove
1 1/2 cup brown sugar (I used light brown)
2 tsp cumin
2 cups Root beer
2 tbsp molasses
1/4 tsp salt and pepper to taste

Place pot roast in crock pot. Mix rest of ingredients together in a bowl and pour over pork roast. Cook on low for 7-9 hours. Shred to use.

We turned the pork roast into Chipotle style burritos (even though I don't like Chipotle). I even made cilantro-lime rice. The hottie says it's identical to Chipotle. So...here ya go:


Cilantro-lime rice
2 tbsp butter
1 1/4 cup rice
2 1/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 salt
pepper to taste
juice and zest of 2 small limes
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/4 tsp cumin

In a skillet melt butter with rice, add liquid and other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Ladies Luncheon and Secret Santa

It's officially Christmas.
I've already been to the annual Ladies Luncheon...and we've been Secret Santa'd...TWICE!

Don't be jealous.

Ladies Luncheon took place at Aunt Cindy's, this year. It was fabulous. Yummy food - fantastic company, lots of laughs, even a present...AND a movie! Half of us saw Burlesque (they raved and danced and sang their way out of the theater. They loved it.) And the other half of us saw Love and Other Drugs. Super great. Last, we followed up the day by delivering toys to the Coach House for Toys for Tots.

As for Secret Santa. We're spoiled. We were delivered a large container of cookies. I'm not sure how many...but oh boy, there were tons. Yummy! To be honest - I think the Cuties used them for breakfast for the last few days. Bad mommy!! And then tonight, we were surprised again with a special delivery. We got a cocoa and smore set with mugs, 2 Christmas cups for Brady and Lily and a sippy cup for Charlotte. Secret Santa is so exciting. It's like Christmas every week. Boy are we spoiled!

Elf on a Shelf

The Hottie made the suggestion to get an Elf on a Shelf. Now...we didn't really know at the time, but I guess it's a big phenomena...meaning it's already been invented and selling like hotcakes.

So...while on my Maine trip this week - I did a little shopping. I really did just about exactly as much shopping I could do and still be able to check it all on the plane without shipping it home. In my shopping - I found an elf. Not, THE Elf on a Shelf (since I'm cheap) but a cute one none-the-less from Hallmark.

He showed up yesterday morning to the house. The cuties LOVE him. They named him immediately...Buddy the Elf. Funny...since, Ashley got one from her secret santa and Jake and Ry also named theirs Buddy. I guess we're not original in the Elf naming department.

Tonight, we sat down to watch Elf as the Hottie plays softball. They wanted to bring Buddy down from the shelf and let him watch. I gave the okay. This is what I hear as the movie begins....

Watch this, Buddy...this is where you came from.

Seriously....SO cute. Gotta love the Cuties!

Thankful for Lots - Day 16

Because there are not enough days left...and I didn't really post every day like I said I would...

1. I am thankful for Bryan.
2. I am thankful for Brady.
3. I am thankful for Lily.
4. I am thankful for Charlotte.
5. I am thankful for our extended families.
6. I am thankful for the holiday season...and for the many Christmas movies we will watch together as a family. Brady is really beginning to love them.
7. I am thankful for our health. Lil and Charlotte have been having some rough times lately...but, they are on the mend.
8. I am thankful for the cute things the Cuties say.
9. I am thankful that although I'm a working mom...Charlotte definitely knows who I am and smiles like no other when I walk in the room.
10. I am thankful for my job. Although it is new...I love the challenge and am getting the hang of it...in my own way.
11. I am thankful to be able to WFH. There is nothing like signing in while still in your jammies.
12. I am thankful Kris Kringle starts tomorrow. Yay!!
13. I am thankful for my oldest and dearest friends. There is just something about those friendships...so much more that you can say to them than anyone else.
14. I am thankful for my co-workers. They are true friends.
15. I am thankful for music. Oh how I love so many different types. As I'm writing this...I'm watching Glee. Oh nelly do I wish I could sing. But...that is just not one of my finest qualities.
16. I am thankful for laughter. Especially when Brady and Lil get Charlotte going. They can do that like no one else.

I think that is enough. I have so much to be thankful for. I am so very lucky. I know it.

Thankful for My Mom - Day 15

Today is my mom's birthday. As Brady would say - "Nanny is turning 21. But, Poppy thinks she's going to be 30 because he said she is 29."

Umm...yeah.

It's cute that he really (and I mean really) thinks she is going to be 21 when he very well knows that I am 31. Funny that it takes awhile to put two and two together.

Everyone would agree with me...my mom ROCKS!

My Mom is:

just about the most CARING person i know.

soooo BEAUTIFUL. you'd never think she was going to be "21."

TRUSTWORTHY - she is the best secret keeper ever!

completely UNSELFISH.

F-U-N - without a doubt.

the greatest NANNY ever!

HUMBLE - did you know she's a hero?

I've got the best mom ever. Sorry...don't be jealous.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

We love you!

I'm Making a List...

Today I helped the Cuties write out their Christmas list for Santa. Brady's consisted of a Nintendo DSi XL (he's specific...apparently kids talk at school), Toy Story 3DS game, and a couple other random things. He did make a switch to his list. He moved the skateboard that he wants to his Birthday list. He says when he is 7, he will be old enough for the skateboard...so he will wait till January. And Lil's list...well her list consisted of a pink Barbie, a big strawberry shortcake doll, and really anything else pink that she saw in the toy catalog.

The Hottie wants...well it doesn't matter because I already bought it. But I promise he'll like it. Even if it's not a new TV.

And Charlie...well, she hasn't really said what she wants. But - I have a REALLY good feeling that Santa will be bringing the Fisher Price Sit to Stand Giraffe, a little bit of clothes and a few small toys.

Now...it's my turn. Bryan says that my Christmas list is the most expensive list known to man. I think he's right. Here's a few things that made the list...

cordless mouse

ear buds

dslr camera

spoons

towels

silhouette sd craft cutter

computer backpack

blog book

Yep. I'm selfish. But....what I really, really, really want right this very minute is for our little Charlotte to feel better. Her little scratchy, lost voice is so sad!