Oklahoma's Version of a Snow Storm

In Oklahoma (at least in the Southeast portion) we aren't lucky enough to just get snow storms.  Nope.  Apparently God thinks we need a challenge, so he gives us ice before the snow.  I took a few pictures yesterday and today of the progression of our latest winter weather.

These were taken yesterday around lunchtime.

These were taken this morning.

And the view from my front door this morning.

My Little Picassos

Playdough meets Mr. Potato parts.

We used the kool aid playdough that I made a few days ago.  It wasn't at all difficult to clean the playdough off the Mr. Potato Heads parts.

Pancakes Made with Love

Everyone in our house loves my pancakes.  They are made with love.  Okay, maybe I just add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinammon.

Cakes and Kiddos

Cakes

I love making things beautiful.  The reason I prefer baking over cooking.  I have been playing with cake decorating for a long time.  Just on my own.  I bought some icing bags and tips and whipped up a couple of creations.  Well, now I'm finally enrolled in a cake decorating class!  It is a four-week Wilton class taught at Hobby Lobby.  I found a 40% off coupon on Hobby Lobby's website, so I bought the big cake decorating caddy with 50 tools.  It's fantastic.  This Saturday we will be decorating our first cake.  I'll post pictures of my latest works of art.  Here are two that I did in the last few years.

My awesome new cake decorating tools.  I've always loved a good tool box.  I might be an organizational freak.

This one was for Mother's Day last year.  My mom's favorite flower is the Hydrangea, so it's supposed to look like that.  My cake cracked down the middle, so this one was a challenge.

This was the girls' 1st birthday cake.  Homemade banana cake with cream cheese icing.  This was my first attempt at a specific design on a cake.

Kiddos

The girls have been growing up like crazy lately.  They went to a birthday party Sunday night and Julia gave Amelia a hug TWICE!  We'll pretend that she didn't hit her sister directly after the first hug.  Amelia has recently learned how to say, "Thank you."  She does it unpromted almost everytime I hand her something she's asking for.  It's precious.  Both girls recently learned to say, "I you" (their version of "I love you") and "Happy to you" (their version of Happy Birthday to you).  They are pretty stingy with the "I love yous", but it's pretty darn cute when they say either.

Last night shortly after the water finished draining from the tub, I noticed that Amelia had an awfully serious look on her face and was being quite still.  Considering that we had a "pooping incident" a couple nights ago, I didn't want to take any chances so I swooped her up and sat her on the toilet.  Jonathan took Julia into the living room so Amelia wasn't so distracted and we read her potty book for awhile.  Then she actually peed in the potty!  We cheered and she was happy to get to wipe, flush, and wash her hands.  I braved a pair of Elmo panties on her in lieu of her diaper thinking she could make it an hour or so until we put the overnight diaper on her.  Wrong!  She soaked through the panties.  She soaked through the fleece footed pajamas and there was a puddle on the floor.  How can such a little person have so much pee?!?!  So we probably aren't anywhere close to potty-trained, but we are making progress.

Attacking Daddy.

The Interview

Today was the big day.  My interview with OU's Physician Assistant program.  It was surprisingly informal, which was nice because my stomach was all tied up in knots with nerves.  I managed to smile at my fellow interviewees, but I couldn't manage small talk.  We were told how to apply for financial aid, given a brief tour, and allowed to ask all the questions we could think of.  After all this they called us out of the room individually for our interviews.  I went into a small room where I was interviewed by three people - two younger women and an older man.  The older man was awesome.  He led off the questions by asking me what went through my head when I was told I was having twins.  Haha.  It was a great question that helped me open up and be myself.  The next question was how I've prepared for becoming a PA besides my prerequisites.  I talked about my shadowing, told them I already had the girls on a waiting list for a daycare, and then talked a lot about my work with the underserved.  OU's program is based out of their school of community medicine.  They strive to help equalize the disparity in healthcare in our community.  I figure anyone can come in with a great GPA and lots of medical experience, but this could be the thing that sets me apart.  I talked about how I began by helping in a food pantry in elementary school and, then did my first inner-city mission trip to Houston, and finally told them a little about my time in Philadelphia.  Apparently there were 210 qualified applicants, 103 interviewees, and they can take 24 students.  I should find out if I am one of those 24 before the end of February.  The most awesome thing about the day was that I remembered how badly I want this.  When I'm away from the program, it's easy to lose focus.  Everytime I go to campus, I am reminded of why I am doing this though.  I really do want a career in which I can make this world a little better.  In which I can show people the dignity and respect that society as a whole so often denies them - helping them to heal in more ways than one.

School Update

I am in week two of my first ever online class.  I thought I would have a hard time with this, but I think it may actually be easier for me than going to class.  My fear was that without going to the classroom, I would neglect my schoolwork.  This class (Medical Terminology) has two assignments or more due each week and that keeps me on top of everything.  So the new semester has begun well.

Friday is the big day for me though.  My interview for the Physician Assistant program.  I have been told to show up at 2:30 for registration.  They will begin with opening remarks, financial aid information, a tour and then I will interview at 4:15pm.  There were over 200 applicants for 24 openings.  I don't know how many of us they are interviewing.  If you think of it, please lift up a prayer for me that I interview well.

Edible Playdough

For those of you that have kids that still think the world should be taste-tested, I've perused many edible playdough recipes and tried out a couple that I love.  Both of these recipes are taken from http://www.familycorner.com/

Kool-Aid Play Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
3 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
1 package Kool-Aid Mix (any flavor of unsweetened)
1 tablespoon cooking oil

Mix dry ingredients together in a large saucepan. Slowly add water mixed with oil and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens to dough. Turn out onto a heatproof bread board or counter top and knead until cool enough for children to handle. Dough will be the color of the Kool-Aid mix and will smell like the Kool-Aid mix. (Can be stored in a tightly covered container for up to six months)

This one is so colorful and the texture is just like the store-bought stuff.

Peanut Butter Play Dough

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, using your hands. Dough should feel soft and pliable.  Storage: When not using, MUST be stored in an airtight container.

This one is a bit oilier than the store-bought stuff and it's not as pretty as the kool-aid kind, but it is really tasty!

Amelia

Julia