Just what I needed...

"To err is human; to forgive is divine."
-- Alexander Pope

Date Night

Yay for date night!
...and for free close-to-the-court tickets
...and for Mark's ability to make good picks and win free money in the office football pool
...and for an amazing babysitter who A loves
...and for a night of talking, holding hands and just being out and about
I love date night and am determined to make them happen with greater frequency in 2011.

The howling was great fun.
Along with the music, lights, dancing and, oh yeah, the game.

This guy cracked me up.
What a job.
I can already hear my sister laughing.

Yes, I made Mark pose on our way out.
Yes, he thinks I'm crazy.
But who can resist the giant photos of the players?
Clearly not this girl!

The Wolves ended up losing to the Nuggets after being ahead for the majority of the game. Honestly, I really could care less who won or loss; it was more about being out and having fun. Therefore it was a GREAT night.

Hanson Christmas Day

Christmas Day at the Hanson household was relaxed and low-key with lots of opportunity to play with new toys and games. The morning started nice and early for Anthony with the anticipation of Santa arriving the night before and leaving presents behind. (It was so early that he WANTED to take a nap at 10:00am! That's NEVER happened before!) After an earlier than expected nap we had a delicious meal, opened gifts and then spent the rest of the day just being together. Mark and I topped off our night with a trip over to the Tuttles for a few drinks, conversation & laughs as well as some serious Sequence playing where Team Tiara Colon beat Team Forever Farts.

Treats for the big man and his reindeer.

That Santa brought everything A asked for ---
candy canes, underwear and Army men Legos!

There was lots of games being played. Grandma Carol and Anthony had fun with the iPad while Mark and I played many rounds of Sequence. I had to take a picture of the first victorious time for Team Blue.

What a nice photo of A with his grandparents!
Oh no.
Look closer.
A has a smile, but he's doing his new trick that he learned the week before Christmas. Catch it yet?
Got to love the cross-eyed look of a four year old boy!

So excited about his dragon castle!

An afternoon walk on the lake

It's clear after over a decade of being a couple and celebrating many holidays together that Mark is very fortunate to have parents who love and care about him so much. As always, I feel like I hit the lottery in-law jackpot!

Johnson Christmas Eve

What a fun and blessed holiday season we had with our families! I realize now, after the fact, that I did a pretty poor job capturing all of the moments with my camera. I was too excited about my new flip camera and video taping that I forgot to take pictures of Anthony with his grandparents or try to get a shot of A & A together or capture dad's "pal" (the clucking chicken has yet to be named...) that he'll take on adventures this next year and then pass on to a lucky member of the family next year.
It was a great day of eating and celebrating and spending time together. We had an abundance of good food, Mama Santa spoiled everyone as always, there were many laughs to be had and it was all topped off with a bonfire & dance party with Uncle Airwick. A sure is one lucky little boy to have so many people who love and support him.

I so love the Ash!

Ash checking out the gift Uncle Mark picked out for him.

A&A hanging out with their Uncle

The yearly sibling photo

I love this smile and his pose with his new handmade Uncle Airwick bag.
Asher really wasn't into opening presents, but I have a feeling
that next year A&A will be quite the team of ripping into gifts.
Somehow Grandma Kathy found a fire truck AND ambulance!
THANK YOU, MOM! :)

A mountain of mashed potatoes and gravy.
Any thoughts on who this plate could belong to?

A's Fire Truck

What did he say?!
A fire truck?!
A fire f....WHAT?!
Oh, Anthony!

I am SO BEYOND EXCITED that I'm actually able to post videos now. This is just one more reason that I'm loving our new flip camera.

The Rip

"Watch this, momma!"

"Look what I can do, daddy!"
Running,
Jumping,
building,
destroying,
dancing,
laughing,
hiding,
seeking,
constant motion,
constant playing.

So it's only natural that the
ONE PAIR
of soft, comfortable, Anthony approved jeans
gets a rip in them this week.
Hopefully I can find an identical pair
or the Bubsa Boo might be forever wearing his
coveted
comfy
pants.

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Another December weekend at home results in a dozen eggs being used, the Kitchen Aid mixer getting lots of use, a mixture of Muppets and Elvis Christmas music to sing along to and wonderful smells from my childhood filling our house as I spend another day baking mom's tried & true (and super yummy too) recipes. I love this time of year!

Mom's Powder Puff Cookies

½ c. margarine
½ c. oil
1 c. powdered sugar
Beat together and add:
1 egg
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Mix and add:
2 1/3 c. flour
½ tsp cream of tartar
½ tsp baking soda

Roll into balls – roll in sugar – press with bottom of glass
Bake 10 – 12 minutes at 350
DO NOT BAKE UNTIL BROWN!

Makes five dozen (If you don't eat the dough as you go along...)

Two-Tone Fudge

Combine:
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
½ cup butter in a saucepan

Bring to full boil, over moderate heat, stirring constantly. Boil 8 minutes over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Add:
1 jar marshmallow cream (5oz to 10oz jar)
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts

Stir mixture until smooth and creamy. Dump into a sprayed 9 x 13 pan and cool until firm.

Makes about 2½ pounds.
Mom’s Tips: (1) Cut when it’s still a little soft. (2) To make Erik’s favorite fudge – substitute chocolate chips with peanut butter chips

Peanut Blossoms

1¾ c flour
½ c sugar
½ c brown sugar
1 tsp soda
½ tsp salt
½ shortening
½ c peanut butter
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1 tsp vanilla
48 candy kisses

Combine all ingredients except the kisses. Blend well. Roll into balls, roll into sugar and put on an ungreased pan. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes, take out and put the kisses on and then bake for 3 more minutes.

Frying Pan Cookies (Date Balls!)

Melt ½ pound of butter in frying pan (or in the microwave)
Add ¾ cup walnuts (chopped finely)
1 cup of sugar
Dash of salt
2 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups of dates (chopped finely)

Stir until dates melt and then add:
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups Rice Krispies

Roll into balls and then into coconut
Place onto wax paper

Makes 48 cookies

Celebrating a Beautiful Life

Happy birthday, Grams!
Today I celebrate you and the love you shared.
Even though I miss you and wish you were here
to meet Anthony
and spend more time with those who love you,
I give thanks for your life.
You will be forever cherished
no matter how many birthdays come in your absence.
Until we meet again...

Dear Asher

A year ago today you

made your grand entrance into the world

and gave me the wonderful gift of becoming your

Auntie Tonna.

You will be forever
loved,
prayed for
and cheered on by me
as you go through your own journey of life.

I look forward to watching you
grow & change
throughout the years
and giving you all the support
and encouragement you'll need.

I love you and cherish every moment we share together.

Hugs, kisses and lots of cuddles for you,
Mr. Chubby Chubberton!
xoxo

Asher's 1st Birthday

Happy first birthday, Asher John!
It's hard to believe this once teeny tiny baby
is now turning ONE!
It was a joy to be able to celebrate with him
this past weekend with family and friends.

Here's to the evolution of getting messy
while having fun eating birthday cake
(and then getting all cleaned up)!

What a messy, but proper little boy!

Sibling Saturday

Sibling Saturday was suppose to be a baking frenzy of all Christmas goodies. It ended up being a chatting, laughing, having fun, sort of baking, but not really type of day. We had great fun using Photo Booth and slowly eased our way into getting started on our various planned projects. (I even manage to squeeze in a nice quick nap on the couch. That is until Ash decided Auntie Tonna needed to be up and paying attention to him.) We certainly weren't as productive as some years (I think we needed our mom there to keep us focused and on track), but we still managed to create some goodies as well as have a great time.
Manda's sole focus for the day was creating Asher's masterpiece of a first birthday cake. I definitely could not visualize her plan in my mind while she was going through the different steps, but it turned out AMAZING and super FUN! The winter scene was a big hit the next day at the party.

Erik's goal for the day was to create some Oteneagen Famous Bergeron Caramels, which turned out delicious as always.
Since I had made a few double batches of different cookies throughout the week my ambitions were pretty low for the day. My plan was to spend more time talking with my siblings, playing & cuddling with my nephew and then maybe creating something else to share. This popcorn snack could easily be done by a slug it's so easy. It was a perfect recipe for the day!
So even though our productivity was much lower than in the past it was nice to have a low-key, laid back, and easy going Sibling Saturday. Maybe next year we'll jump back into the cookie making frenzy type of day?!

Adoption is Forever

This blog post has been swirling around in my mind for many months. It all started after reading a post on Single Dad Laughing regarding adoption and random people asking their random questions --- How much did YOUR kid cost?

He was confronted with that exact, insensitive question.

Unfortunately, that wasn't a single occurrence.

It happened several times with several random people he would come across in life to his great frustration.

I've never had that question asked in an inappropriate manner.

I have answered it to friends who have contemplated adoption themselves or others who were just curious about everything surrounding adoption.

None of those questions were offending or unwanted.

I am an open book and enjoy sharing all the ins and outs of a pre and post adoption.

However, there is a question that has been asked by random individuals that is absolutely unwanted and extremely insensitive.

Some thoughts should not be stated.

It's just too hurtful.

Yes, we adopted Anthony.

And it is true that he has several behavior concerns that we are working on with therapy and medication.

Most days are chaotic, stressful and just plan difficult in our household.

Even though all of this is happening I never want to hear the following statements/questions again:

Do you ever think it would be best to bring Anthony back?

Maybe it's time to think about sending Anthony back?

After everything that has happened since the adoption I'm sure you have contemplated giving Anthony back.

What?!

Um, no, no, and no.

NO!

Anthony is a PERSON.

What are you suggest we do?

Ask for a refund?

Exchange for a different item that will fit better for us? And what exactly would be a better fit? A child that has no issues? A child that doesn't need us and a stable family as much as A? Would it be a child that looks exactly like us and gives us no problems whatsoever at all?

Please for one second think about what you are asking and then stop. Think about the consequence of "just giving a child back" because things have gotten difficult. What would happen to Anthony? Do you think he would thrive in a "given back" foster home environment? Would he ever get past his anger and hurt or would it continue to build and cause him more problems? Are you thinking of his welfare or ours at all? How would Mark and I deal with losing our child?

The fact is we would all be absolutely devastated.

Forever damaged.

Crushed.

A lost and sad family.

I will continue to share the triumphs and struggles when it comes to parenting Anthony. It's a need that I have to be real and honest with myself and those around me. It helps to get things out and not feel so isolated -- therapeutic in so many ways.

But there is something that all naysayers should know right now.

Anthony is our son.

We love him.

We are a family.

Adoption is not a disposable option.

We are not "giving him back".

Ever.

Instead of questioning our decision and all that happens in our family please give us

support,

love

and constant friendship.

That is what we need more than anything.

Chubby People

Anthony's art work has taken a new turn as of yesterday. Instead of drawing lines, circles and a bunch of scribbles he's now perfecting people.
"Chubby people" according to A.
I happen to LOVE these chubby portraits; they're so much better than the standard stick figures.
This particular drawing is one of me...
two arms,
two legs,
eyes, nose, smile, chin,
and
???
MOLE!
Clearly he's not leaving out any important details.
Of course I was beyond excited and made a huge deal out of this new development.
Anthony was much more nonchalant.
"Mom, I am four."
Duh!
How silly of me!

'Tis the Season

The tree is decorated and all of our Christmas treasures are all around the house. The beautiful snow outside and John Denver and the Muppets playing inside can only mean one thing --- Christmas is near much to a little boy's delight.

This weekend we had breakfast with Santa and hands down we visited the best Santa so far. He truly was jolly and low-key and funny to boot! Anthony was giggling and was even able to tell him just what he would like for Christmas --- Army men Legos and a candy cane. Both should be easy for Santa to find and make a little boy happy on Christmas morning.

Shalom

For so many years the road to grandma's house was just a short drive from Grand Rapids. Now in hindsight, I wish we would have taken that trip more often. We could have had more conversations, more chances to get to know one another, and more time together. I so wish there could have been more time --- just one more visit.
On Friday we took a final trip to Chisholm to see grandma. This time, though, we were saying our goodbyes and thanking her for her life, love and the legacy of family she leaves behind. It was clear, though, that her presence is going to be so dearly missed as we continue on with our life journeys.
While visiting and spending time together with the family I married into I was filled with extreme gratitude. I am so fortunate to be a part of the Pluth/Hanson/Steenberg family. The gift of their friendship, love and togetherness as a family is not lost on me.
I look forward to more visits with them, more conversations getting to know one another and more time. Every visit will be cherished and appreciated with the memory of Grandma Jean lingering in the ether.