Shopping with Julia

Today will go down as one of my favorite days in New York - ever. I just went shopping, literally, with my all-time favorite actress. Yes, I talked to her. She talked to me. She met Kate. Kate waved at her. She laughed and smiled and wished us a glorious day. Oh my. I'm not kidding.

I just met JULIA ROBERTS!!!!!!!! In person. TALKED with the woman. Laughed with the woman. It was better than any picture could have been. 

For those of you who know me - you know how huge this is. Well, it would be a big deal for most of us. 

Kate and I, my sister-in-law, Adriana, and her son, Samuel, were at Giggle on the Upper East Side. It's just a few blocks from my apartment. I registered there. It's a lovely and fun children's store. Obviously. So, I thought Adriana and I would just stop by for a few minutes and check out some things. We were only 2 of 4 people in the store at the time and then I look up from getting some lotion and there she was. Julia. Standing right by me with her husband or boyfriend - whoever - no one cares. Sad to say.

It took me only a second and I knew it was her. So, we watched her and kept shopping for a while. I checked out with my one item. As we were leaving, Adriana said, "let's just go say hi". She was alone shopping and I thought - I CANNOT let this opportunity pass me by. So, we just walked over with our strollers and the conversation went like this. 

S: "Hi - You are my all-time favorite actress and I have to just say hello."

J: "Well, Hi!" (laugh and look down at stroller)

S:  "This is Kate. Kate - say hi, Julia." (Kate smiled and waved as if on cue - perfect!)

J: "Well, hello Kate!" (very enthusiastically with her large and beautiful smile) 

S: "Isn't this store so great!?" (making small talk - pathetic!)

J: "Yes, it is"

S: "Well, thank you for visiting with us. We just had to come and say hi. Happy shopping!" (nervous giggle)

J: "Thank you and have a GLORIOUS day!" (smiling just as friendly as ever)

I walked away...freaking out inside. It was thrilling. Sigh. Sigh again.

A Matter of Food and Health

Do any of you moms have a hard time finding and the real kicker - preparing - healthy, nutritional snacks for your kids? Kate is at the stage that she can eat just about anything, although we did discover she has a "sensitivity/mild allergy" to milk and eggs. I am hoping that is a phase we grow out of, but for now it's our reality until she is 12 or 18 months old. 

I feel like I get in a rut with what I serve her and then David and I get the real leftovers. More times than not, Kate will have a small 3-course balanced homemade meal and David and I will be ordering in Thai...again or having a nice, healthy Mexican dish or chicken casserole that I have prepared (does one exist?). That is what I am focusing on right now. Making some meals that all three of us can enjoy and when that is not possible, then making sure that 'balance' extends to David's and my dinner plate as well sweet baby Kate's. It exhausts me sometimes. I feel it's a lot pressure, do you?

Kate's usual daily meals consist of the following options:

Breakfast: whole-grain oatmeal (now with flax) and either 1/2 jar of prunes or fresh fruit and a piece of whole wheat toast, or chicken sausage and a cut up waffle and fruit

Snacks: banana, avocado, and/or yogurt, cheerios, pear, or apple

Lunch/ Dinner: meat: rotisserie chicken ( i just bought at the store), ground turkey or chicken, baked fish / veggie: sweet potatoes, zucchini, butternut or summer squash, sometimes broccoli, she loves peas and green beans  / fruit: any fresh fruit available

David thinks that I obsess over this too much, but I feel like there have to be some other great options without making a full meal every single day - four times a day (like those in my baby cookbook). Does anyone have ideas that work well for your kids and that are still respectful of daily activities that involve things other can cooking? Do tell. 

This weekend I made a new snack for the family on the healthier side. I got the recipe from Dr. Phil's wife on Rachel Ray last week. Some of you may have seen it as well. I must admit, though I hold tightly to my mom's rice krispie treats (they are truly the best), these are a great healthy alternative and quite tasty. 

Warning: It will more than likely require a trip to the health store. For me - that was a bonus, because I am really enjoying the health store these days. It is fun to explore new healthy alternatives for the fam. Our (or should I say my) favorites right now are chicken sausage, milled flax seed (that we add to anything and everything), almond butter, soy yogurt (for Kate) raw honey, and the dried fruit. If you have any recommendations on things we are missing out on,  please do let me know!

And, yes -  to answer your question - this blog was all about food. 

See what you think.  

Family Snack Bars

 ·    Non-stick cooking spray or melted butter, as needed for pan

·     3 cups large marshmallows

·     3/4 cup nut butter, such as cashew, almond, peanut or hazelnut

·     (1) 10 to 12-ounce box brown rice cereal

·     1/2 cup dried cranberries (or any dried fruit)

·      2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

·     2/3 cup chopped cashews, toasted

.  I add flaxseed - but that's optional, of course

 Preparation:

 1.    Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a medium baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray or melted           butter.

2.      In a microwave-safe bowl, zap the marshmallows and nut butter, stirring after 1 minute, until melted,  about 2 minutes.

3.      Add the brown rice cereal, cranberries, pecans and cashews to the melted marshmallow mixture and stir gently to combine – be careful not to crush up the bits of cereal too much.

4.      Either wet your hands or spray them lightly with the nonstick cooking spray and turn the cereal marshmallow mixture out onto the greased baking sheet. Press it into the pan using your slick hands so that it's evenly distributed. Set the pan aside and let the bars set up, about 30 minutes.

5.      Once set, cut them into squares and serve.

Room With a Garden View

Another project completed. Guest bed sold. Kate's room rearranged. All good things. 

Now, Kate has room to play, room for friends...room! We are not painting, so we decided to do some flowers in a mural-sort-of-way on one main wall, with a few flowers sprinkled around. For everything else, we just tried to use what we already had, so we don't keeping acquiring more stuff. I think it works for now. We still have a few more final touches, but overall - here is Kate's "new and improved" room...with a garden view!

If any of you come visit, it will be your view as well. :)

One Day

Beloved Kate, 

One day, I will get to sit with you and talk to you about how we spent our days together in New York. Some of my favorite times with you take place in Central Park. 

How blessed we are to have a daily stroll down "poets walk" and hear the saxophone playing off in the distance. How unique it is, my baby girl, for us to get to sit on the benches and just "be" together. I love holding your hand while you are gaining your balance and learning to stand on your own. There is no place I would rather be. 

I find such joy in hearing your words in formation and how passionate you are already, at such a young age. I love watching your eyes light up when you see someone give you attention and you respond with a slight wave and girlish smile. It is apparent how that one little wave changes their complete disposition and softens even the hardest heart. You do not meet a stranger and I love that about you. You welcome them in with all of the grace and love that only a child can bring and I can't help but think you have just made their day. Truly.

Oh - how you love the swings. We sometimes have to do several rotations before leaving for the day and you love watching those around you - picking up on even the slightest glances in your direction. I love watching your eyes as they have a direct impact on those wheels turning inside your head and I can just imagine what you must be thinking to yourself. 

As we cross over 72nd Street and enter into the Conservatory, I love pointing out the ducks to you and the pigeons here and there. You always give a little "cackle" each time you see a bird as if to say, "I notice you."

Spring in the park is absolutely delightful and I am taken back by the simple beauty of others just sitting and soaking it all in. During my walks with you, I can't help but feel overwhelmed at the blessings in my life and how rich life is with you in it. Many a prayer has been prayed over you on these walks. 

New York is a different place with you, my precious daughter. It used to be a place where Mommy worked all day and rarely enjoyed the sunlight on her face. It used to be a place where I thought about how many things I would change about it if only given the chance. With you, the streets aren't near as loud. The days aren't near as empty. With you, the colors are more vibrant, the park more peaceful, the people more friendly, the days more sweet. I can't wait to tell you all about it. One day. 

I love you. 

Your adoring Mommy

Spirituality for Kids

I received this invitation in my inbox today from an organization I am a member of and I just really don't know what to say. Spirituality for Kids. Really? Sounds intriguing. I wonder if Oprah will be there. 

Donna Karan and the Urban Zen Foundation invite your family to a day of community and fun at the Spirituality for Kids, 'FUN'day event!

Sunday, May 4th

12pm-4pm

 

Stephen Weiss Studio

711 Greenwich Street

 

www.urbanzen.org

 

Experience games, arts and crafts, food and entertainment with celebrity facilitators such as Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and others!

Spirituality for Kids offers hands-on interactive activities that teach children tools that help them realize their full potential.

How To Grow Healthy Roses

Last week, my sweet friend, Katy, and I went to the Martha Stewart show. It's always fun to get to see and do some real "New York" things from time to time. You would be amazed in living here, how much you just don't get out to do unless you are visiting. We had a great time. The show consisted of an up and coming chef with a restaurant on the Upper West Side and a man from London who represents one of the more well known suppliers of roses, David Austin Roses. 

Martha shook his hand during the segment and made a comment on how his hands feel like a real gardener of roses because of the calloused texture. Of course, in dealing with any flower, but especially with roses, pruning is necessary, but unpleasant because of the many thorns encountered. The flowers they had on the set were nothing short of gorgeous and extremely fragrant. As someone who is labeled a "black thumb" by her husband, it made me wonder how in the world someone could grow such lovely roses. 

Thanks to Oprah, you cannot be in the audience of a talk show these days and not expect some sort of giveaway. Well, our gift was....drumroll...a free rose bush from David Austin Roses! Nice, especially for someone who lives in a concrete jungle. (Happy Mother's Day, Mom!) Along with the rose bush we received a catalog highlighting all of the varieties and describing in full detail how best to grow your roses so they can experience their best life now. (just a little humor/sarcasm)  It was interesting to me how the catalog dedicated an entire page on the pruning process. Here are some excerpts that I want to share with you :

"Pruning is a straightforward process. The main aims are to maintain the attractive shape of your roses and to encourage good flowering and a healthy plant."

"As a simple rule, prune your shrub to approximately half its size, aiming to create an attractive rounded shrub. Always take time to step back and look to check that you are forming a balanced shape overall. Finish by cutting out any dead, diseased or very weak stems."

"If you have taken our advice to plant the English Roses closely together in groups of three, prune them into the shape of one magnificent shrub."

Our pastor is continuing the teaching series of Jesus' I AM statements throughout the gospels, and we most recently looked at Jesus as "the vine".

In John 15:1-11, Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Our pastor challenged us to think of an area in our life that may need to be pruned so that new life can grow. If I think back to the times and areas that have been pruned in my life, it was not so much a voluntary situation. No, I would say it more clearly resembled that of a "tug of war" game. God has removed things and people that I depended on so heavily or looked to for my identity. I remember trying to hold on so tightly, until ultimately it or they were gone. In moving to New York, I was not ready to leave the comforts of "home", of childhood friends, of the dreams and expectations of what my life was supposed to look like after a nice job, a few children, a nice house, and several cars. Even for a season of a year, I lost a dear friend. Sure, it was easy to doubt and question as I pleaded with God for answers and for Him to numb the pain, but those answers came with the newness of life that I have experienced since. 

I even think of my marriage when the instructions talk of how to prune separate bushes to have the appearance of one. This year we will celebrate our five year anniversary and there have definitely been times over those years that areas needed to be pruned in my life so that He can shape our marriage into one unit. That does not happen over night. It does happen at the time your say vows. In fact, you say vows so that when the pruning does come, you will remember the covenant you have made before your God that you will endure and run the race before you, knowing what beauty lies ahead. What a beautiful picture. 

I read this passage yesterday and love how it just fits right in here. "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11-12  

I know there are still areas in my life that need to be pruned, but I thank God daily for the "newness" of life that I experience every day in new relationships, in my marriage, and in my life as a mother as a result of that pruning process. It is a dreaded process, yes, and one full of tears, but how joyful it is when those blooms come again. 

The book even says to prune to approximately half it's size. I know there are times it feels as though there is nothing left to take away in our lives, but it's at that moment I think of this. 

One day I get to hold hands with my Savior and I am sure I will notice the scars and calloused marks as a result of the pruning He has had to do in my life. It will be in that moment that I will experience joy completely as a result. He is the true gardener. 

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." 

John 15: 8, 11

Springtime

Here are a few pics from last week. Kate and I like to walk along 78th street to go to Central Park because I get to pass by some of my favorite brownstones. Here are some pictures of their "front yard" or window boxes. 

By the way, I live vicariously through any of you who actually have a yard or a window to put a box outside of this spring. Hopefully this will inspire you if you haven't done anything yet. 

On Guard

Last weekend at the parenting workshop I attended, Mary DeMuth discussed the postmodern culture that we, in America, are entering into and compared it with the modern culture that many of us grew up in and are more familiar with. To give you some context, it seems we are moving from a culture that thinks human life will improve as history progresses, that more education creates a moral society, that all knowledge is reachable via the mind, that applauds atheism, that believes the needs of an individual reign over needs of community, and moving to a culture who recognizes a need for something greater. We are beginning to see a new longing for spirituality in our society, as defined by the postmodern movement. 

The postmodern culture also sees that confidence has been shaken in human ability and says education doesn't necessarily make a better world, that there is no absolute truth and, therefore, that we cannot judge because there is no standard which universal measurement comes from. More positively, postmodernity presents this idea that we should be more outward and globally focused; we should focus on the "meaning" of our life and think in terms of community rather than the individual. Any of this sound familiar? 

I know for us, living in New York City, we are not heading towards postmodernity - we are fulling engaged in this new culture. I have had more discussions about the need and desire for "spirituality" with friends who come from an atheistic, Jewish, or even Christian background in the last year than ever before. While I think that is amazing at the very least, we, in the Christ community must be aware if we are or are not referring to the same God, the same Lord, the same Savior and the same Bible. If it is not the triune God and not the complete, inerrant Word, it is not the same. That line is a tough one but it is clear. 

Have you seen this video clip from Oprah that people are spreading around the Internet? If not, perhaps you have seen or heard of the Oprah show from this past Wednesday, where she was fully explaining how much her new book, A New Earth, as helped people be present and live in the moment. Being fully here is the goal and focusing on the positive energy and light. She reiterates that she is a Christian and refers to her "Aha" moment when she realized that Christ did not just come to die for our sins but that He came, so that each of us can carry forth a "Christ consciousness" and follow His example of how to live. On face value, I don't disagree with any of this or think that in and of itself it is a bad way to think; however, it is a false gospel. In order to be able to discern what is truth and what is not, we must 100% know the true gospel of Jesus Christ and be able to articulate it. Oprah, as one example, presents Jesus as a teacher showing us how to live, not as the absolute truth; not as Savior and Sovereign Lord, but as a man of high principle and love. I pray we are aware of the difference and the danger of nonrecognition and aware who we are allowing to be a spiritual authority over our lives. 

Please note: I am not writing this blog in an effort to encourage the Christian community to take a "stand" against Oprah or this new book. Quite the contrary, if we continue to remove ourselves from culture and place ourselves in a box, we become irrelevant to our society and cannot remain salt and light. I have read Eat, Pray, Love, I still watch Oprah, and I do plan to read A New Earth in time. However, we must be on guard, friends, and realize we are in the midst of a crucial time for our faith and we need to speak intelligently on what it really is and more importantly, what it is not. There will be more people seeking for something "greater" now than ever before, and they will be looking for you and me to either justify where they are or to show them the Truth. As a parent, our children will be raised by society to question the absolute Truth and the best thing we can do is be authentic - from the inside out. Another Mary quote, "Be as a parent who you want your children to become." Love that. 

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6: 33-24 

Notice some similarities? These books aren't coming up with new strategies of how to live your best life now, these principles have existed for hundreds of years, which began with our Creator and Savior and continue to be documented in His Word. Don't be fooled. Be on guard. Read up. Be prepared. Live and speak the truth. It is only going to get harder to do so, but we must cling tightly to the Truth that we know and encourage each other to do the same. If we cannot grasp that Jesus is The Way, than we cannot truly claim to accept and live by His principles. 

On the flip side, how interesting it was to hear the American Idol finalists sing Shout to the Lord with the name of Jesus on Thursday night. If you have not heard it, it is powerful. An encouragement, to say the least, and a tangible reminder that God is in control and is moving in and among His people in ways we least expect.

I would love to hear your thoughts. 

LOL

Here are some of the things that made me laugh out loud this past week: 

* Kate is working on her "pincer grab" and it is so cute to watch her with cheerios and other finger foods. She works so hard and then it either gets stuck or it falls to the ground. I would say 40% actually make it in her mouth. Here's a picture of a cheerio that got stuck and she had no idea where it went. 

The funny story this past week is that I was holding her with a tank top on and I noticed her picking at my skin and kind of pinching me. I was like - what in the world!? I looked at her and she was trying to "pick up" one of my larger freckles/moles. It was frustrating her, but she kept at it. It made me laugh so hard. 

* In my pilates class, there are always a group of older women (ages 60-80, not kidding) who like to socialize before and after. Last week, after class, there were two women chatting about salons and where each of them gets their hair done. One of them says to the other in a very loud voice, "Oh - he gives the best blow job." The other woman just smiled and nodded. Nice. Somehow I walked by right when she said it and I had to run out the door so that I didn't bust out in front of them. I'm not sure either of them realized what she had just said.

* I saw a woman wearing stirrup pants. Not kidding. 

* I am working with Kate on learning some of the "baby signs" when eating. She has a tendency to just yell when she's ready for more and that is not going to work for us. So, I constantly show her the sign for more and please and thank you. All she really knows right now is how to wave and she does it all the time to everyone. So, each time I say more and tap my fingers together, she just yells and waves at the same time. Great. I can't help it, I just have to laugh at how stinkin' cute she is.  Sigh. 

* David has come home 2 weeks in a row now and I don't know why, but it makes me laugh so hard that he has been stopped - not once, but twice - on the street and asked, "Excuse me, are you Jewish?" LOL. 

* At the grocery store yesterday, I took my basket up to the check out counter/ conveyor belt and set it down while trying to navigate my stroller through the narrow aisle and comfort my fussy child, since she had 101 degree fever. I looked up after about a minute (which felt like forever) and the woman was just standing there looking at me. She did not take one item out of the basket to start the scanning process. I forgot there is this "unspoken" rule in NY that you are to place your items on the conveyor belt and no one else. Yes it's absurd, but yesterday it struck me as ridiculously humorous. Only in NY. I mean - she was just standing there watching me - doing nothing. Are you kidding!? You just gotta laugh.

*David had a very important dinner last night with the head of his entire branch at UBS and his direct boss. He was nervous about it and we have been praying for weeks since we knew it was coming. He called me yesterday during the day and said, "You are not going to believe this, but I just ripped a hole in my shirt." The best part was that when he came home, he showed me the scotch tape patch job he did to cover it up and I have to say - it was very creative and extremely impressive. I think it was God's way of saying - don't worry - I am in control and have a great sense of humor. Ha. 

Do you have anything that made you laugh out loud this week? Laughter is my favorite form of therapy. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

If I was honest about the past few months of life then I would admit it has been one big ferris wheel of activity, visitors, travel, sickness, sleepless nights, and full days for the Sullivan family. Somehow March came and went in the blink of an eye and I'm just now dusting myself off and looking around me to get my bearings once again. Of course, many of the activities are good things in and of themselves, but I have allowed some of them to drain me rather than re-energize me and now I am left in a state of exhaustion. 

This Saturday, David and I went to a parenting conference led by Mary DeMuth, a phenomenal author and mother.  I have heard her speak before briefly at our church, but I was a little hesitant to go because we just needed a nice, relaxing family day. Isn't that always how Satan tries to attack us when God wants to do some great things? Well, we went and God moved. It was a refreshing time of encouragement, of sharpening, of eye-opening, and of spurring one another on to continue this mission of parenting in a postmodern society. 

Part of the discussion was how to just slow down with your children and "be". I don't do this well. I really never have. I was always just as busy in high school, in college, after college and in NY after marriage with a career in "corporate america" - I found there really is no such thing as "free time" or "down time" on a regular basis. I found myself, after making the decision to stay home with Kate, creating a busy schedule to "justify" my decision as a stay-at-home mom. I was trying so hard to show people that I wasn't that Madison avenue mom with shopping bags in one hand and Starbucks in the other, so I filled my time to the brim with anything you can think of - even under the name of "ministry". Recently, I have realized through friends and just listening to God that it is time for me to slow down. Enjoy the down time. Read. Breathe. Stare. Listen. Say no. Be.

A few words of truth that Mary spoke at the conference really challenged me when it came to parenting and I realized that the patterns I create now for our family and the role model I am for Kate in this area will only prove more true in time. 

She said, "So many believe that production equals worth. If we are addicted to our worth in what we do, we won't be able to stay still long enough to be filled up. Can you trust God with your time as much as with your productivity?"

Oh - how I needed to hear that! Do I trust God with my time as much as with my productivity? Do I trust that His will is being accomplished in me, even when I'm reading to Kate or singing the ABC's for the 14th time or running up the block to fulfill an errand? Is it necessary to do everything that I think is necessary? This is my goal for April and then I pray it continues from there. I pray that I will fill my days with intentional things, yes, but with some built-in time to just be. Be with Kate. Be with David. Be with the family. Be with God. Be with me. Be. 

Great Inventions

I was thinking about things I use on a daily or weekly basis now that I really am thankful were invented. Of course, there are always the usual ones like a dishwasher, a car, a digital camera, and a phone, but here are a few random ones for me. 

* Oxi-Clean for Babies

* The Bose system which stores hundreds of CDs

* Video chats on our Mac

* Chicco's portable highchair - such a space saver!

* Storage ottoman cubes that convert to a tray top 

* Cup holders for the stroller

* Paper towels

* Cleaning wipes (especially Method all-purpose wipes in Lavender)

* Delivery at restaurants

* DVR

* Decaf coffee

* Sports bras

* Bobby pins and clear hair bands 

* Neosporin

* Burts Bees Lip Shimmer in Champagne

* Chi hair straightener

Do you have any to add?