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:)

Ouch!

Children bring pain.  There's no way around it.  Their very entrance is marked with pain - and that's the easy part!  They painfully point out our sin, weaknesses, selfishness, failures, and shortcomings.  They push us toward the cross to find strength and forgiveness found only in Christ. 

Sometimes they bring physical pain.  Most, if not all, parents can relate to the "head butt" pain.  The other night at bible study I was changing Joey's shirt.  Sitting on the floor, he squatted in front of me.  All was going well until he, suddenly and with great force, pushed upward colliding with my face.  Thankfully, he missed the nose shove, but did manage to produce a nice puffy, bloody lip.  Even after almost 15 years of parenting, my first reaction was to scream.  God's grace allowed it to be silent and inward.  I'm always surprised at the reaction physical and emotional pain brings to my soul. 

Of course, it was an accident.  I got the blood stopped and Joey dressed.  Now I've been humbled this week as I talk with people realizing that my lip has a huge looking sore on it.  I want so badly to explain how it happened. . .but it really doesn't matter, does it?  Who cares if it's a cold sore, herpes, or an "ouchie" anyway.  It's there.  A reminder of my continued dependence on One so much greater than myself!