THANKFUL

I have a whole lot to be thankful for, but today I am especially thankful for the amazing gift of Life that was given to my Husband 13 years ago on this day, through a heart transplant. I am thankful for my husband and thankful that an incredible man who past away in a motor cycle accident in NYC, did not want his precious life saving organs to be buried in the ground, and wasted, but instead he gave his Heart to my Husband, who gave his Heart to me and in turn gave life to our 3 Beautiful girls! Thank you Lord! We give our Hearts to you! And today we are praying for the family that Lost that incredible man. Yes, I have a whole lot to be thankful for!

Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

The Photo above is an out-take from our Easter/Resurection Sunday pics. But it is my favorite because Hailey our dog is showing the Love we all feel for Kevin!

Here is another out-take below for your amusement. I was trying to get Hailey our Golden-Doodle to sit infront of me, next to the girls, and Grampa Gary just kept shooting while I was getting everyone into position. I'm glad he cought it though. Hilarious and Awkward!

Auto Pilot

Sometimes during all of the crisis I feel triumphant and ready to conquer the day. Other times I feel numb and emotionless like a robot just putting one foot in front of the other, and still at other times I feel as though If I cry I might never stop. But I just stuff it all and be strong and carry on. I do it for the girls, for Kevin, for gramp Gary, and for myself. It's only after all the dust settles and Kevin comes home that I am able to break down, usually in the shower, so noone can hear me.

Happy Birthday my Sweet Eden!

Tomorrow is Eden's 4th Birthday and her second time spending it without Daddy. The first time he missed Eden's birthday was when Eden turned 1, and Kevin was in the hospital for a week with Renal Failure from Rabdomiolisis, caused by taking too much of the wrong medication. My friends Michele and Karen had watched the girls the night before so I could visit Kevin and when I got home at 9:00pm there was a beautiful home made cake, flowers and presents set out on the table for Eden and Lily ready for the next day. I was so blown Away. God is so good to surround me with such amazing friends.
Thankfully when we went home to Maine for a visit about a week or so ago, we celebrated all the girls birthdays one day with Mommy Daddy Gamma, Pappa and Auntie Karrie. And she is still young and doesn't care too much about birthdays, besides the cake, but I am reminded of how as the girls get older, there may be many more things that Daddy will miss and has missed for the girls and for me, like anniversaries and holiday spent in the hospital etc and it makes me sad.  But I have to be thankful for the good days we have together and that's what helps me get through, That, and knowing that God has a Plan and a Purpose for everyone.

Isn't it Ironic

Feeling a bit like Alanis Morrissette! Just after I finally posted that Kevin was feeling better and life was beginning to return to normal.

Who would've thought... it figures

Kevin spent all of friday evening and all day saturday in bed with abdominal pain. Only to finally go in to the ER at around 10pm and then they ran some blood work and gave him some Barium to drink for a CT Scan at 2:30 am. He told the tech about his Renal failure and The docs decided to do the CT scan without the contrast injection. It was much too uncomfortable for him to have me sit on the bed with him, but after they gave him some dilaudid for the pain, he asked me to come up on the hospital bed to snuggle. We joked with the tech, that it was "Date Night" since we rarely get out without the girls. When they got the results from th ct scan, they decided to admit him at 5:00 am, I finally left the hospital to go home and take care of the girls. We had left them at our house in the care of my friend Michele and her mom Eileen, who have been my adoptive family out here in NY and have helped tremendously throughout Kevin's illness. When I got home the girls were still asleep with their friend Livy in the middle, my house was absolutely spotless and there were donut holes on my table. They are so good to us. They told me to go and rest and I was so exausted that I took them up on it. Then I woke up about an hour later and Grampa Gary, who comes over every sunday for church, was here, talking with Eileen and Michele. After he left they called my amazing neighbor and friend Karen over to help out. She shaved the dog for me on the back porch in this terrible heat and watched the girls so I could take a quick shower. There are definitely days I wish we lived closer to my family in Maine, but I am so incredbly blessed and thankful to have friends that treat us like family out here in NY. I would be lost with out them.

Thanks so much to all who have been praying also. We are so grateful and we know that God is listening.

Where do I begin?

First of all, Thank you all for your prayers! Kevin is doing much better and Life is beginning to return to normal, or at least normal for us. Kevin is on the list for another Transplant and will be getting a defibrillator implant soon.

I have been avoiding the blog like the plague. Partly because we have been so busy, and I get a lot more done when I am off of the computer, but also because we went through so much this spring that it was too overwhelming to write about.  I was also consumed with how much catching up I have to do, that's a lot of writing. But it's all going to have to wait. I have decided to just jump in where we are and fill in the blanks later! I hope you all have had a wonderful summer ;)

Dear Blog

(Our five yr anniversary photo ~ taken in late fall '09 by Andrea of Sgt and Mrs Hub)

Dear Blog,
I haven't forgotten you, I have just been avoiding you, because the love of my life, the father of my children, my best friend, has been very sick, and has been in and out of the hospital for the past couple months ;( It's been rough on everyone and I'm just not ready to talk about it. Usually you have been a good outlet for me, but lately I get a lump in my throat every time I log on to write and I have to close my laptop. I'll be back someday when I am ready to talk.
Love,
Molly

Garden Treasures

Woke up this morning to the sun peeking through the clouds and into my bedroom window. Opened the front door to birds chirping in the tree out front. Heard the sound of rushing water in the gutters as the snow melts, revealing garden treasures. Hallelujah! Spring is just around the corner ;)

Keep the Memories not the Mess!

Spring is coming and that means Spring Cleaning!
I hate Clutter! It makes me feel yucky! I think clearer, and feel happier, in a neat and tidy space. That does not mean I have an immaculate and clutter-free home by any means, but I am trying to become more and more clutter-free every day. One thing I used to hang on to like crazy was knick-knacks, not because I really like knick-knacks, and I sure hate dusting around them, but people I love dearly, were constantly giving me them as gifts. And I couldn't seem to let go of them for fear of hurting the person who gave it to me or loosing the memory of that person if they had passed away or lived far away etc. So for years I held on to things like knick-knacks, and furniture that handed down to me from relatives, even jewelry and clothing from friends, that no longer fit or brought me joy began cluttering up my little cottage, and as a result, what people gave me to make me happy, was actually starting to make me sad, like I was drowning in a sea of junk. My home is no where near as scary as the houses on hoarders, but I was beginning to have nightmares that my house was on fire and I couldn't get out with all my kids because we were trapped by all of our junk. I do tend to be a bit dramatic sometimes, but in this case it is good, because it made me do something about it. So a few years ago I started to take a picture of it then put in a bag in my trunk and when the bag was full I'd donate it to Salvation army. It was a slow process and difficult at first, but now I don't even think twice about it. I still have the memory without the mess and the dusting ;) I do the same with my kids artwork. I simply can't keep everything, so I take pictures of Every and I mean EVERY little scribble, doodle and drawing and put it in a special file on my computer with each child's name and date. I Save the originals of my favorite art pieces and place them in a keepsake box designated for each child and I toss the rest. Just a little tip I thought might help if you are anything like me. (Overly Sentimental)
God Bless and happy Spring Cleaning to you all!

Star Cottage Cafe

I have such fond memories of playing restaurant with my best friend Kate and her little sister Sheila, when I was a little girl. It was so much fun, and I often reminisce about it when I see my own girls playing with their little kitchen. And now, even at thirty something, I sometimes like to don my apron and pretend I own a cafe, where I serve up delicious salad, fancy sandwiches and hot soups followed by irresistibly yummy deserts. Only difference is now I am actually playing with real food instead of that of the plastic, wooden or play-doh variety. My friends and family are gracious enough to play along. It really is quite fun. And I don't think we are ever too old to play pretend ;)
I only wish I lived close enough to my dear friends Kate and Sheila for a restaurant reunion.

Today's Lunch Menu~  

Piping Hot Panini, Fresh off the Press!~Hummus, Pesto, Spinach, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Shredded Carrots, Shredded Chicken (Marinated in Ranch Dressing) and Provolone, all Melted to Perfection on Home Made Sun Dried Tomato and Herb Bread.

Salad~ Spinach, Arugula, Romaine, Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Chopped Celery, Cucumbers, Yellow Peppers, Sliced Apples, Craisins, & Sunflower Seeds tossed in a Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Soup Du Jour~ Creamy Tomato

And For Dessert~ Strawberry Shortcake!

Recycled Crayons

This past week we were reviewing our shapes and colors unit for Homeschool. And I thought the girls would enjoy this Project that my momma used to make these with her daycare kiddos. It's super easy and so much fun! The girls and I had lot's of broken crayons we had been collecting in anticipation for this.

 First we peeled all the crayons and then sorted them by color into mason jars, this took a long time, and the girls got a little bored of peeling, so I continued to peel while they sorted.

 To make the solid color stars we simply put them into the star molds, breaking any larger pieces, as we went along.

 Then we melted them in the oven at 200, and kept checking on their progress, until they were completely liquified. And then we cooled them on the back porch.

 We made the rainbow layer stars, much like you make layered jello. First me melted the separate colored crayons in the mason jars and poured them into the molds allowing each layer to cool before adding the next color. And a little tip for getting any kind of wax out of a container, is to put it in the freezer for a few minutes, and it will pop right out.

* Adult Supervision Required of course and the wax is obviously quite hot, so use common sense and be careful ;)

And most of all Happy Crafting!

Banana Sandwich

Daddy makes them Delicious, With Peanut Butter and Honey ;)

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the holidays. We sure are! We are keeping it simple and Homespun here a Star Cottage, by making the majority of our gifts this year. So needless to say, we've been quite busy.

I posted Pictures on Facebook a couple of days ago, of The Girls and I, making White Chocolate Peppermint Bark. One of my favorite things to make. And due to the overwhelming number of phone calls and e-mails asking me for the recipe etc. I decided to just post the recipe Here. It is so easy to make and its a really fun project for kids ;) It's always a hit at parties. It Makes for great chrismas gifts for friends, family, teachers, neighbors, etc. I Hope you all enjoy the recipe and have a fabulous Christmas Season with your families.  And don't forget Jesus is the Reason! ;)

God Bless, Molly

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
You will need about 2 1/2 lbs of White Chocolate Wafers, the kind you make molded candies with.
And 1 full cup of crushed peppermint candies, (Put candies in ziplock bags and let the Kids go to town hitting it with a wooden spoon, ladle, etc.)
Melt the chocolate it in a double boiler. Then stir in 3/4 cups of the crushed peppermint candies and mix well (save a quarter cup of the candy bits to sprinkle on top when you are done)
using a rubber spatula, spread the chocolate mixture onto a waxpaper lined cookie sheet (the bigger the cookie sheet, the thinner the bark and vice-versa) Then to finish it off, Sprinkle with the leftover candy bits to make it pretty ;)
Let it cool over night (Hide it from the midnightsnacking Hubby) and then break it into bits in the morning.

*Variations*
You can switch out the peppermint for crushed lemon candies instead, and it's amazing! Or use Dark Chocolate and Crushed Almonds or Craisins etc. Have fun expirimenting with different kinds of Chocolate and crushed goodies.

Somebody's sad because she didn't want to share the candies with anyone ;(

Then Edy the Sweetie got happy, when she found out she got to crush them to bits ;) 

Lily lou lou Checking her Progress ;)

My 3 Little Monkeys

Last fall just around the time that I found out that I was expecting baby #3, I started searching for something special that I could make for the girls and the new baby, and while visiting one of my favorite crafty blogs I stumbled upon the most adorable and free pattern on mmmcrafts for "Molly Monkeys" . It was the perfect gift. The pattern was very easy to follow. Finding the time to work on them, however, proved to be quite difficult! But I managed to finish them just in time for Chloe's arrival ;)

I made them with the leftover material from the quilt I am also making for the girls.

Click here to see it.Their eyes match my girls eyes ;)I think these monkeys are up to something! My 3 little monkeys, just love their Molly Monkeys ;) Thank you Larissa for sharing your creative genius, and for helping to make 3 little girls very happy!

"What If Land"

(Kevin and Me, Photo taken by Andrea)
I want Star Cottage to be a Happy Place. And I don't tend to share the sad or yucky stuff. But that's just not real life.
I try not to let my mind go here. I try to just live in the moment appreciating every last drop. If I worry about the future I won't be savoring today.
I hate living in "what if land" So most days I don't let my mind wander to that dreadful place. But then there are days it just happens.
I love my husband so much. More than breath! He is so amazing! And makes me feel so complete. I have never known a love like this. He is truly my Best friend. He is the best Husband and Daddy in the world. I know life is not certain for anyone. That any day and any hour could be our last. But for some of us it feels nearer than others, and you just want to run as far away from it as you can. I'm feeling like that today. I want to take Kevin and the Girls and go far far away far away. Life is perfect right now and I just want it to stay this way forever.
I wish Kevin didn't have a heart transplant. I wish he didn't have to take so many pills. I wish he didn't have to go to NYC so much to get poked & proded with blood work and X-rays and EKGs and Angiograms and Biopsies. I wish my little girls didn't know what all these words and other medical terms mean. I wish they didn't have to see Daddy sick EVER! Or have to visit him in the hospital. I wish they only saw him STRONG. I know what it's like to not have a Daddy and I don't want my girls to ever know what that's like. I wish I could fix it all.

Currently Kevin is doing well and I am truly greatful for the days we do have together. I'm just having a rough one today ;(

The Birth of Chloe (our little "Pearl")

(one day old)

I went in to the city for another ultra sound Monday, hoping my placenta had moved so I wouldn't need a c-section. It was partially blocking my cervix throughout my pregnancy and they wanted to check it out one last time before I went into labor. I was really set on having a homebirth so when my midwife mentioned the possibility of a c-section I was a little freaked out. We had been praying it would move, and indeed it did. Praise the Lord. But, while I was there, they discovered that my amniotic fluid was very low, so they had me stay for a non-stress test to make sure Chloe was doing okay. Boy I was anxious and sick to my stomach worried about her. Praise God, they said she was fine, but they wanted me to come into the city again in 3 days for another non-stress test and try to induce me the following Monday. Yuck. So I asked the doctor @ the hosp what he thought about me getting things going on my own, because I didn't want to be induced and I really wanted a drug free birth. And he said go ahead and try to make it happen. You've got the OK from me. So I spoke with my midwife and tried every home remedy in the book all in one day. One of them was bound to work, right?! Pineapple, Black Cohosh, Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, Balsamic Vinegar, & the dreaded Castor Oil, You name it I did it. And I also mowed the lawn, scrubbed floors, and climbed stairs over and over again & walked around the neighborhood. Then I fell asleep exhausted from all my efforts, and a little disappointed that nothing had happened and thinking I'd better just prepare myself to be induced on Monday. Then sure enough, by midnight I was waking Kevin up with contractions. So we walked around the neighborhood again, to keep them going. And @ 5 in the morning I called my midwife and she met us in the city. When I got there I was hooked up to the monitor briefly to check and make sure everything was okay and she checked to see how much I had dilated. I was a 3. Then they unhooked me and sent me on my way to the beautiful courtyard to walk around. I also spent some time on my birthing ball. Then around 10:00 am My midwife checked me again and decided to break my water, as it never seems to break on it's own. Then I headed back out to the courtyard. Soon enough, the contractions became too intense to walk, so Kevin got the Jacuzzi going in my room and I hopped in. It was amazing without the drugs, I was so much more aware of what my body was doing. In previous deliveries with drugs I still felt pain, horrible pain, but it was generalized and I had no Idea what my body was doing, and the labors were long and drawn out. But this time I swear I felt myself dilating. I couldn't hear the radio in the bathroom, so Kevin was singing to me while I was in the tub to get my mind off of the pain, and I tried my best to sing along. Soon I felt ready to deliver and climbed up onto the bed (NOT laying on my back) and asked my midwife to check me. I knew I was close, I was a 9. So I grabbed Kevin's Strong Hand and got ready to push while he rubbed my back with the other hand, and looked into my eyes. ( He is so romantical) I began to ask the Lord for help as the pain intensified and then my favorite song (Lead Me-Sanctus Real) came on the radio. It was awesome, I really felt the Lord was with me. And within a couple of seconds and a few pushes, Chloe was here, happy, healthy and Beautiful. I am very pleased with how everything went. My Hubby was incredible, my midwife was awesome and all the staff, were super sweet and supportive and really seemed to love their jobs. My midwife said that Kevin was a great coach and other nurses said they were jealous, cause he is such a wonderful and supportive man and really handsome to boot. I am incredibly blessed!

As usual, God's plan was better than my own ;)

Our Little Pearl has Arrived!

(one day old)

Chloe Evangeline

Born~6-30-10 @ 12:12 pm

Weight~7 lbs 10 oz

Length~ 20.5 in

Flower Girl

Lily's Sunday school teachers, Alan and Maureen (Lily just adores them) got married this weekend and Lily had the honor of being their flower girl. She was so excited and nervous, but she did a fabulous job and had lots of fun ;)
I had a good view of the ceremony, but I was sitting in the third row behind lots of tall people, so all the photos had peoples arms and heads in the way. Ugg! I am hoping to get some good copies from them when they get back from their honeymoon in Isreal.