Finding Peppino. . .

A few months ago Paul purchased one of those Living Social deals where you spend $10 but can order $20 for a little restaruant down the road called The Trail Blossom Cafe. We weren't overly excited, figuring it was a little American sandwich joint in the middle of nowhere but it needed to be used, so off we went one evening for a quick bite - just the three of us (Miriam, too). Trying to find their menu on-line (I never could), we noticed the ravings over the Italian food served only in the evenings. What a pleasant surprise! We walked in the small, homey cafe and were greeted by Peppino! An older Italian gentleman wearing his signature white chef jacket and chatting with customers. We had eaten at Peppinos 20 some years ago and lost track of the them once their establishment closed down on Shaw and Blackstone. It was a wonderful surprise to have such a dinner. The unexpected in an unexpected place. Homemade clam chowder - the best I've tasted. Homemade bread and plenty of it. Linguine with clams and Cioppino. . .Delicious. Sorry for the awkward photo - Paul was so excited about the food he didn't care about the background:). A major thumbs up from the Micus. We even had enough left-overs for another meal the next day. . .If you go, be sure to call and we'll come join you! It is literally five minutes from the house.

Vaycay!

Since the last posting, we survived two weeks of VBS, two weddings, two birthdays, sent one kiddo off to Colorado early and drove 1100 miles with 8 children to meet up with my family for a reunion in CO. And to use the word "survive" is such a low view of the last three weeks. Perhaps the words "growing in grace" paint a better picture.

VBS, while busy, is an incredible time of physically exerting, mentally taxing, spiritual battling, fellowship inducing craziness - centered around the Gospel. I could write pages about VBS and perhaps will in the future. The Prince's Bride theme was timely in pointing us to a greater view of God, a more heinous view of sin/self, and a more glorious understanding of Christ. All that displayed throughout the VBS morning, but applied and played out when trying to get teens out the door early, preschoolers off to their classes, checking bad attitudes, fatigue, messy house, no time to grocery shop. . .and add two weddings on the weekends!

The weddings were both amazing and such a privilege to be a part of in my minor way. I really wasn't part of them at all - but enjoyed Paul's involvement during these weeks of craziness and was blessed that he was a blessing to these special couples as he was given the honor of "tying the knot." Weddings are so different today than 20 years ago!  Some positves and some negatives. Another blog musing for another day.

Oops, here come the troops! Will have to post more on the VACAY later. . .

Summer fun. . .

I couldn't get these to add on in the last posting, so here are some cute shots from Amanda:

The lie of summer. . .

Why do I think that summer will provide me with that much needed time to "catch-up?"

Every child anticipates the arrival of summer for that time away from formalized learning. . .every mom dreams of a summer that allows her the every elusive time to clean the closets, organize the garage, use the material purchased years ago, work on a new project, blog, talk more deeply with her children. . .you name it! Each summer I come to the end of July and realize that I have not achieved that summer of organization and catch-up!  It has alluded me once again. Instead, my home has been a whirlwind of hospitality, my nights and early mornings filled with studying for VBS, my children are pulled in 90 different directions (that's only 10 each:)) and if my house is looking somewhate clean - it's because it has been pushed into the garage!

Ah well. "Light and momentary" are these things in light of the glory to come! Thankfully some of the young adults captured photos of my kiddos - something I planned on doing this summer:).

Nina took those great shots of Miriam (3 months) one morning while I was at setting up VBS stuff and working at church! A quote from Sarah (15) "she looks better than in real life!"  I would have to agree:). We think she's pretty cute, just not THAT cute!

RESOLVED

Paul and I just returned from the Resolved conference early Tuesday morning. We were blessed again by the refreshing spirit-filled preaching by men of God. While this conference is designed for young adults, it has been a huge source of encouragement to us over the last eight years. Paul attended the first conference with about ten young adults - this year over 100 people from Riverpark attended. While you can listen to these sermons on line (and I encourage you to do so at http://www.resolved.org/) there is a special dynamic Resolved produces of taking in the meat of the Word and digesting it with others.

This year's theme "The Church" is extremely pertinent to the generation today. Steve Lawson's message on what to look for in a church is something I think we'll start having our high school seniors listen to before they graduate. Dr. Lawson's second sermon on the future of the church can only be described as "glorious."

May you listen and be encouraged! What a great God we serve!

Starbucks party

Bekah Ruth turned double digits on Flag Day. We had a few friends over to help celebrate. The back row is Bekah, Bekah, Emily and Rachel.  Front row are the sisters :) - Jael, Naomi and Hannah.  Baby Miri was sleeping and Sarah was slaving in the kitchen making the beautiful cupcakes below. . .

 If there are two things Bek loves, it's bubble gum and coffee!  Sarah found this fun (but very time consuming) recipe for us to make.  They were delicious - can't go wrong with 10 eggs and a pound of butter!!

 You can find them at http://kimzkitchen.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/starbucks-frappacinos-cupcake-style/

Along with the yummy cupcakes, we had our own Barista (Tamara) come out and make fraps! Josh got a lesson in making drinks so I hope to have some homemade fraps this summer.

Swimsuit Edition

Childhood: the only time rolls coming out of your swimsuit are CUTE!!

Girls, girls, girls!!

Girls, girls, girls! To quote the song from Annie, "some women are dripping in diamonds, some women are dripping in pearls, lucky me, lucky me, look at what I'm dripping in - little girls!" While Miss Hannigan is not happy about her fate, I feel extremely blessed to be drippin' in girls! I chalk this up to the deep longing for the sister I never had . . .still getting therapy for that. Ha.

It is super fun to watch this little threesome enjoy each other. Their older sisters (and brothers) blessed them with a special tea party when they woke up from naps. The pictures say it all:).

Who doesn't love to dress up?!

Hannah Esther (7)

Naomi Deborah (6)

Jael Leah (4)

Jonathan even made special visual placecards for the special event!

Sarah and Bekah set a mean table and make a nice spread.

The Wonder Twins (Bekah-9 & Jonathan-11) even helped serve and entertain!

Re-reading Girl Talk with Sarah and Bekah reminded me of my vision and intentions with my six (!) daughters. "The Bible unfolds an exciting and important plan for mothers and daughters: to pass on the legacy of biblical womanhood that commends the gospel." What is this "biblical womanhood?" Mahaney defines is as "God's perfect design for women as revealed in the Bible." Frustrated with your daughter? Disappointed in your mother?  God has a purpose for your relationship and is all about redeeming relationships for His glory!

Celebrating Easter

Easter was a bit of a blur with a four day old. . .went for making the ham since it was pretty easy.  I felt like a new cook with each entree coming out of the oven bit by bit. . .we ended up with courses:). Had I better realized my limitations we would have enjoyed Chinese take-out for Easter dinner.

It was an interesting Easter and one we'll look back with lots of memories. Isn't neat how God takes our weaknesses and allows us to look back and laugh? Not thinking Miriam would arrive early, I had the candy and plastic eggs but hadn't stuffed them for the hunt. Jon and Bekah handled it but got confused on some of the color coordination (each child has their own color egg. that way we can hide Joey's yellow eggs easier than Sarah's blue ones:)). Made for interesting egg hunting and we're still finding some of the eggs!

The Crew

Miriam is here!

Well, I started that announcement on April 17th and now it's May 18th!  The time flies with a newborn. . . We are happy to proclaim God's goodness to the Micu fam yet again by blessing us with a new little girl -
Miriam Eve Micu. She made her arrival on April 4, 2012. Here are a few shots of her first day:).

 A nice quick arrival is always appreciated by mama:)

 Joey suddenly looks huge as the new big brother. . .

Miriam Eve Micu, number nine is just fine!

Cheese Blintzes and preschoolers

This is a great recipe to make with kids, especially preschoolers!  Lots of fun tasks for them to help with and they love eating the end result.  It's not the healthiest recipe, but it is fun. :)

The recipe was passed to us from our dear Swedish Mor-Mor.  Enjoy!

Cheese Blintzes

1 loaf white bread, cut off crusts

8oz cream cheese
1 egg yolk
1/2 c. sugar

Beat the above together in a mixer.

1/2c. melted butter
cinnamon sugar to sprinkle on top

1. Grease a 9x13 pan
2. With a rolling pin, roll the bread very thin.
3.  Spread bread with some of cheese mixture.
4.  May need a spatula to help lift, but roll up and place in pan.
5.  Do above until pan is full.
6.  Take a brush and brush on butter.
7.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
8.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until nicely browned.
9.  Serve warm.

More birthdays!

Naomi turned 6 on February 6th and Josh hit manhood this year on the 22nd (yep, 13!).  Here are a few shots of the birthday girl and man:). 

 Naomi enjoyed having a friend over and special birthday treats on superbowl Sunday.  It was a girlie afternoon, since the men folk went to find a home with a TV!

 Monday morning started with the traditional "breakfast in bed."  The birthday girl enjoyed lunch at the park with a few special friends and sisters:). The she had her "date with dad" at Red Robin and Chuck E. Cheese.  More pictures to follow - I just have to figure out how to get them off the phone!


Josh turned 13 and wasn't too old for his birthday breakfast either.

 One of Joshua's gifts was a survival knife from his dad.  He used it later in the week when we sent him off into the fields with only his knife and in his underwear for three days to enter manhood.  Ok, just kidding.  We did have a "man party" on Friday night with quite a few men (and sons) from the church to celebrate this coming of age and imparting of wisdom.

 Josh shot a couple rabbits and mom learned how to cook them for the man party.  The unexpected surprises in life.  I never would have dreamed I would have a hunter son and would have to learn how to cook such things.:).  Thankfully, Josh takes care of skinning his kills.  We served rabbit and wild boar (shot and killed by Uncle Tim "Mountain Man" Buletti) - how manly is that?  I did have some grilled chicken for the more faint of heart.

I know you all just really wanted to see it:).

Josh with his new "man-stick' and amigos.

Jael turns 4!

 Our baby girl turned four at the end of the year. . .

 Jael's BFF (!), Miss Megan made her day special by coming over and enjoying time with the birthday girl. 

 Birthdays are best at Chuck E Cheese. . . Lolo and Lola were able to join us for some fun and lunch with the giant rat himself!  As much as she loves going, Jael is still uncertain about his motives. . .

Jael and her modest mermaid cake.  She thinks we should call the new baby "little mermaid". . .hmm.  Doesn't quite fit the Bible theme. . .

True love

 These were taken when we were taking Christmas photos.  I love how Amanda caught true sibling love in action!  Poor Joey!

 Ok, Jael kisses and makes up for the wet willy. . .

Final result:  posing like an angel:)