Door to Door Salads

Ok so a week or so ago, we were getting ready for dinner. Jordan was cooking and I was hanging with the kids when the doorbell rang. Jordan went to answer it. I didn't see who it was at first but could hear a conversation, Jordan mentioning something about already making a vegetable. Then I look up to find two strangers coming inside our house. "We're going to make you a salad" they say. Um, what? We get lots of solicitors but never someone selling salads.

Well it turns out these two were here to show us their fancy salad mixer thingy which they continually reminded me was free. Of course I would have to invite them back to make an entire meal for a house full of my friends but hey, I'd get the mixer. The woman went ahead to demonstrate the different attachments, using vegetables she assured us had been washed. She opened up shop right there in our kitchen going to town on cucumbers, apples, and even adding her own homemade vegan dressing. I just kept looking at Jordan like "how on earth did you let this happen?!" When it was all said and done, we agreed to look over the materials and let them know if we were interested. As the two salad solicitors left I closed the door and turned to Jordan. "You are never answering the door again."

Before sitting down for dinner, I quickly texted my friend/neighbor, warning her about the traveling salad sellers. Jordan brought the bowl of salad over to the table. "Oh we aren't eating that," I told him. Call me crazy but I don't know where those veggies came from and I didn't see her wash them. I'm not about to feed my kids something I can't vouch for. Jordan scooped some onto his plate and then of course Lucy wanted some too. "Why can't I have the salad?" she asked. Ugh. I tried to explain my reasons to her. We don't know where it came from and we aren't sure its clean. Not super convincing as her Dad munches away. Of course nothing happened to him and I'm sure the food was fine but seriously? Door to Door Salads? Really? There's got to be a better sales pitch than that.

3. Things I Just Don't Understand

3. Freakin' Caillou.

Lu watches a lot of different shows and they kind of go in spurts. One week it will be My Little Pony and the next its Strawberry Shortcake. Some have a lot more staying power and others just come and go. Enter Caillou. This past week when Lucy was picking out a show she saw Caillou and wanted to watch it so we turned it on. We've seen it a couple times in the past and I've never been a fan but I powered through. He's definitely a whiny little guy which I don't love, but hey its a kids show. Well, a couple days ago, Lucy used one of his little tag lines on Jacksen and it was not ok with me. Caillou likes to say "bad cat" when his kitty Gilbert isn't doing something he should be. Jack was playing on the floor and went to grab a toy from Lu, and she said "bad baby." Um ya, no. We went into a whole little conversation about it and it was no big deal, but it just kind of blew my mind. She got it from Caillou! Needless to say, I made sure she knew Caillou was so no longer welcome in our home. What I really don't understand is, how is this show is still on? Does anybody like it? I'd much rather watch some high-pitch voiced ponies sing about friendship and treating each other kindly than see a tiny whiny boy complain about his cat and constantly forget his pleases and thank you's. Kids really do listen to what they hear whether its the music we're listening to, the things we say, or the shows they're watching. Thanks for the reminder Caillou.

1!

Last week Jacksen turned 1 and I still can't believe it. The weekend before we had a family brunch for him. We decided to ditch the whole huge party thing this time around. We definitely did it with Lu, but it can just get so crazy (not to mention expensive). We did fruit, cinnamon rolls, a yummy breakfast egg dish, and donut holes. Instead of cake, Jack dug into a donut with chocolate frosting which he was thrilled about.  It was a super fun celebration and so much less stressful. I still wanted it to feel like a party, so I still decorated a bit. I made some pennant banners to hang around the house with pictures from his first year and a mini version for his high chair.  I love balloons so we got him the giant 1 balloon which was probably my favorite.

On his actual birthday we tried to think of some of his favorite foods and landed on pizza, so we decided to make our own. Lucy and I made cupcakes too. Both were definitely a hit. Later in the week he had some baby buddies over for a little play date party and that capped off the birthday festivities.

The night before his birthday, I started remembering back to a year ago. I've thought about it before but of course this time was different. I remember the contractions and thinking, "this is it." I remember sneaking in to kiss Lu on her forehead as she slept, knowing the next time I saw her, everything would be different. I remember right before all the craziness of pushing and thinking, he's really coming. And then there he was. Our precious Jacksen Cary Cliff. Sometimes when you're pregnant it can seem so long, but then suddenly a year seems so fast. 

Jacksen is such a sweet little guy. He gives hugs, waves, and has the best giggle. He is a great sleeper (thought not quite as awesome as his sister ha). He likes to shake his head while we say "no, no, no." The boy loves the kitchen (definitely learned that from his Dad) and his favorite time is bath time. He loves going in to wake his big sister up in the morning and crawls all over her bed while she hides under the covers. His favorite song is "If you're happy and you know it" and he is a master hand clapper. Jacksen has changed our lives in all the best ways. I can't wait to see who he becomes!

2. Things I just don't understand.

2. Vegetables.

I don't understand how people actually enjoy the taste of vegetables. A couple of weeks ago we were eating dinner. I don't remember everything we had but I remember the broccoli. I looked over at Jordan as he was eating his broccoli and asked, "Do you really like the taste of that? Do you really enjoy eating broccoli?" His answer? "Oh yeah, its delicious!" Seriously? I just can't believe it. When I think of things I like to eat, veggies are pretty near the bottom of my list. It all started back in daycare where I succumbed to the peer pressure of preschoolers. That's when I noticed that other kids didn't like eating their vegetables so neither should I. Its been a struggle. I remember in elementary school one day, there was a teacher or lunch lady walking around the cafeteria. She told me to eat some carrots from my plate and stood there and watched me while I did. I can still feel the involuntary gag reflex. As Lucy has gotten older I've realized that my time of veggie avoidance is coming to an end. How can I ask her to eat them if I won't? Its been a slow progression but I'm happy to say I've made some headway. Green beans and asparagus are a couple favorites. Not sure if favorites is really the right word, but as far as veggies go, they're at the top. Do I think they're delicious? No. Do I eat them anyway? I'm trying!

Merry Christmas Colonoscopy

This was Jacksen's first Christmas and it was a good one. We have spent the last month gearing up for this special day with all sorts of fun Winter/Christmas activities. Tree cutting, Zoolights, watching Polar Express, Lucy's first preschool Christmas program, its just all been so great. We have a little advent calendar that I used when I was younger. It goes through the Christmas story with these tiny books, reading a part of the story each night. Its so fun sharing it with Lu and Jacksen now.

We started out Christmas morning at our house. We opened stockings as a little family. Jacksen was mostly puffs and squeezers but he was happy as a clam. Next Jordan's Grandpa Jack and his wife Fran came over with Jordan's mom and brothers and everyone had breakfast while we opened presents together. Then it was off to Jordan's Dad's and then ending the day with a Christmas dinner at his Aunt's.

Lucy has been so excited, asking for Cinderella shoes practically everyday and stopping to try them on when we pass them at Target. We don't do Santa so I told her to ask Jacksen for them and he definitely came through! She was thrilled when she opened them and insisted on wearing her little high heels out to see friends. I think she kind of loves the little clicking sound they make on the wood floors.

Jacksen wasn't super into actually opening the presents, but loved the paper. And the toys inside it. It was a really special day. So crazy to think that Jacksen was hanging in my belly at this time last year and now he's almost one. Time seriously flies.

One thing I could've done without? Colonoscopy prep. I had to schedule a colonoscopy for the day after Christmas otherwise my deductible would reset. Of course the only time they had available was the day after Christmas. Lucky me. So there I was on Christmas rocking a clear liquid diet while everyone around me enjoyed delicious food. The real kicker was that nasty 4 liter drink you have to down but I made it through, watching Downton Abbey while Jordan and the kids were at his family's Christmas dinner. The actual procedure was no big deal and I came home to a yummy cinnamon roll and Christmas feast saved for me from the day before. 

My parents came down the next Saturday and we had our own little Christmas with them. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends to celebrate with. I love Christmas and I already can't wait for next year.

He heard us.

Last week something amazing happened and I wanted to share it.

Things have been pretty tight for us financially for the past while, as many people can relate to. Its not an easy time of life but its a common one for most people to go through at some point. We tightened the budget, made some changes, and just kept trucking along. We've been hanging in there.

The kiddos and I were sitting down for lunch when a car pulled up to the house. A lady I've never seen got out and was holding a present. She walked up to our door and motioned to me through the window. I opened the door to see that she had left the present on our door mat and was already heading back to her car. She turned and said "Merry Christmas!" I answered, "Oh thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!" I turned back inside with the gift and closed the door, thinking the woman must be a neighbor we've never met. I brought the present over to the counter and Lucy and I started to open it. The tag read "To: The Cliff Family." We opened it up and sitting in a box filled with paper was a red envelope. The envelope had a kind note written to our family. I opened it up. Inside was an amazing and generous gift of money. I could not believe it. I looked at the note again. No name. No address. Nothing. Of course the lady was already gone. I started to cry and immediately just whispered "He heard us." You see, Jordan and I have been praying for our finances. Praying that something would happen and something would change. And something did. I believe wholeheartedly that God works through His people. And this is exactly what happened here. God spoke, someone listened, and we were blessed. Not only financially but spiritually. Knowing that we serve a God who hears, cares, and responds and uses His people to do it. We are so blessed to be part of a community who cares.

So, to whoever gave us this incredible gift. Thank you. God used you to speak to us and we heard Him.

Peacock Lane Fail

I love Peacock Lane. I love Christmas lights in general but Peacock Lane is one of my favorites. Its this great street in Southeast Portland where every house on the block does these fantastic light displays. Love it. So last week I rounded up some friends and decided we would do dinner and Peacock Lane one evening with our families. So our friends (who are also neighbors which is awesome) came over for spaghetti and then we bundled up and headed out. I hadn't bothered looking up info on hours or whatever and just assumed we would be good to go. Not so much. We pulled up and the street was dark. I looked at the clock, it was only 730. Weird right? We drove over and noticed a sign. Opens on the 15th. We were 5 days too early. Cue our nervous, embarrassed laughter. I hate being in charge of planning things out of fear that something like this might happen. I hate being responsible! Our friends got out of their car and we rolled down our windows. We looked at each other and just all laughed. I felt terrible. Lucy was not amused. Quick Plan B, hot chocolate.

We found a Starbucks and hurried in. Hot chocolate makes everything ok. The barista said, "Before you get too comfortable, we close in 15 minutes." Of course you do. But it didn't matter. We made those 15 minutes count. You know the kind of friends that are just fun no matter what? Even when you're in the middle of a major fail, they are happy as clams? That is exactly these friends.  Our girls were giggling and our babies were hugging and it was awesome. On our way home we drove Lucy through some neighborhood lights and she was thrilled. It was no Peacock Lane, but I think it turned out pretty great.