I remember...

I was asked by my sweet friend Heather to share some of my memories. Ironically, Heather and I grew up not far from each other in the 1980s. We're quite sure we somehow knew each other at one time. So, here are some of my memories...

I remember when my brother was born and when he and Mom came home from the hospital. I am two years and nine months older than him to the day.

I remember wondering why everyone was crying on the first day of Kindergarten. I was so ready to be in school.

I remember blowing kisses to my mom as I skipped to the bus stop.

I remember having my hair set in pink foam curlers after my bath on Saturday nights.

I remember Dad making popcorn and religiously watching Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons as a family.

I remember my mom reading to me.

I remember crying so hard in 1977 when we moved from California to Virginia. I was very sad to leave my grandparents and remember driving away from their home waving to them from the back of our station wagon.

I remember when my parents gave us a puppy on New Year's Day. We named her Roxie Noelle and she was beautiful.

I remember competing in the Prince William County Spelling Bee when I was in 6th grade; however, I don't remember which word I misspelled to be eliminated and am not sure I could spell it anyway.

I remember wearing Jean Nate' and Love's Baby Soft.

I remember when CDs and MTV came out.

I remember babysitting four children (and sometimes the psycho mom) for $1.25 an hour. Sometimes the Mom would pay me to go to the movies with her. I was in junior high. I think that was weird and very sad.

I remember giving my friend, Stephanie, some of my lunch money so she could put gas in her car so we could get to school. It was about 29 cents a gallon then.

I remember having a couple really bad poodle perms. I looked like Annie with dark hair as I twirled around the house singing, "The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun..."

I remember seeing 42nd Street at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. I loved every moment of the night and know it had to be a huge financial sacrifice for my parents to take me.

I remember my first date. It was with Jamie. We went to Great Advenuture in NJ (exit 7A off the Jersey turnpike to be exact). I was supposed to be home at 11:00. Our last ride of the night was on the Pirate Ship (back seat of course so we could go the highest). I saved the bear he won for me but my purse went crashing to the ground, blue eye shadow and all. They had to close the ride down for several minutes while they called for a supervisor to retrieve my purse. I got home at 11:30. I remember my parents were NOT happy.

I remember having Top Gun posters in my college dorm room. Tom Cruise was so dreamy then.

I remember wearing long johns under boxers with my sorority sweatshirt to class in college. I was NOT alone in sporting this look. I also remember wearing skirts to class with penny loafers (with pennies), too.

I remember preferring to stay home with my parents than go out on "bad" dates.

I remember the first time I laid eyes on Don. My life was forever changed. There weren't any more bad dates.

I remember the tears in his eyes when we got married.

I remember leaving my parents' home for good on February 14, 1993. Don was home from his seven month deployment and ready to take me to Maine so we could live as husband and wife. It was a pretty dramatic scene, to say the least.

I remember the sensation of my nose hairs freezing when I lived in Maine.

I remember when my biological clock went off with a vengeance.

I remember the disappointment each month when I found out I wasn't pregnant.

I remember when Chris & Meg brought Connor home from Russia. Little did I know that would plant a seed in my heart for international adoption.

I remember when the radiologist said, "Mrs. Osborn, you have a brain tumor."

I remember the incredible relief I felt when Don and I decided to adopt from China.

I remember getting "the call" and the joy that followed.

I remember holding Lindy for the first time.

Obviously, I could go on and on. While it is so wonderful to remember, it is also important to keep looking ahead, too. I cherish the memories I have (good and bad) because I know they are part of who I am and have become. However, I look forward to creating new memories.

I would love to read your memories. Feel free to join in if you have time to share. I specifically tag Diana, Jaime, Jill, Linette, and Adele.

In lieu of thankful Thursday

Most Thursdays I post a list of things for which I am thankful. This week I am taking a break and doing something different...

When people ask me where I'm from my usual response is, "I'm from all over" or "no where." I go on to explain that my dad was in the Navy and I've moved around more than a lot of people, etc., etc., etc.,.

Sometimes it really bothers me that I can't plainly answer that question. Other times it just makes me realize I've had a lot of opportunities not everyone else has had. Tonight, however, my heart is aching because I am a NATIVE Californian and it pains me to see this state and its residents enduring so much tragedy.

California is where my grandparents met and married. It is where my great grandparents and my Grandma Caples are buried, along with other family members. It is where my mom and dad met in high school and got married. It is where I was born. It is where my brother was born. It is where Don and I met and got married. It is where my brother and sister-in-law met and got married. It is where two of my nephews were born. It is where I started elementary school and graduated college. It is where I first saw Mickey Mouse and Shamu. It is where I saw my first baseball game. It is where I've seen the biggest trees in the world. It is where I've eaten grapes off the vine. It is where I've had many holidays and spent many vacations. It is where I traveled for business. It is where Lindy became a United States citizen. It is where I have one set of grandparents, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews, two uncles, one aunt, one cousin and his family, two great uncles and two great aunts, several second and third cousins, and several friends. It is a place of many memories for me and deep roots.

I hope you will join me in praying for all the people in California. They desperately need our prayers.

Thank you...

Menu Plan Monday

Where did the weekend go??? Somewhere during that brief time I created a menu and started a grocery list to accompany it. Here's what's on the menu this week:

Monday, October 22nd-Leftover grilled sausage for Don and Lindy. Mentoring Moms for Lisa.

Tuesday, October 23rd-Chicken and vegetable stir-fry and rice.

Wednesday, October 24th-Out before church

Thursday, October 25th-Spaghetti Pie (from my new Deceptively Delicious cookbook), salad, spinach

Friday, October 26th-Camping

Last week I made tuna burgers and told you how Don wasn't really looking forward to them. They were simple to prepare and turned out pretty yummy. Both Don and Lindy loved them. Thanks Paula Deen!!!

Check out this website for the menus of many other households in blogland. What's cookin' at your place?

Thankful Thursday

Today I thought I'd just write free-form for my Thankful Thursday...


I am thankful that our dossier for our next daughter is on its way to China. We were officially DTC on October 16th and will anxiously wait for our log-in-date.

I am thankful for the friends and family who are praying and will continue to pray for us during the very long road ahead of us. It means a lot to us!

I am thankful that my copy of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld arrived yesterday! Ironically, I ordered the book BEFORE her appearance on Oprah, the Today Show, and all the other circuits. I had heard of recipes with ways to "sneak" veggies in food and really felt like I needed to start doing that with Lindy (actually all of us). During my search, I stumbled across the Sneaky Chef and Deceptively Delicious and opted for the latter. I am really excited to give this a try!

I am thankful for a phone call from my Aunt Nadine yesterday. It was just out of the blue and a nice addition to my morning.

I am thankful I had a chance to talk to my brother, Jeff, this week. I don't get to talk to him often but am always glad when I do.

I am thankful I get to go to Jenn's house for Girls' Night In tonight.

I am thankful our friend Mark A. returned home safely from a trip to Korea.

I am thankful our friend Mark B. is out of the hospital after a health scare.

I am thankful for good news from Pamela about their upcoming adoption of Garrett from Korea.

I am thankful Kate & Doug are traveling to China next week to bring home Noah. Kate was my Secret Panda Pal while we were waiting to adopt Lindy and is a sweet friend. She is the busy mommy to twins, Sophie & Avery.

God is so good! What are you thankful for today?

Call me crazy...

Okay faithful readers, I have a confession...

For the past month or so I unwind on Tuesday evenings by watching Jon & Kate Plus 8. I know that makes absolutely no sense. Really, how can one possibly unwind after a busy day of watching one very active, headstrong two year old by watching a show about a family with one set of six year old twins and six, I said six, three year old sextuplets??? It sounds exhausting and chaotic.

In a nutshell, I think it just reminds me of several things. First, God won't give us more than we can handle. If Jon and Kate can handle eight kids, I surely can handle one (and eventually two), right???

It also reminds me to keep things real and be joyful in my circumstances. Women get so easily trapped into keeping up appearances. We want everyone to think our house is always immaculate, our kids are perfect, our marriages are perfect, we're always calm and in control, and on and on I could go and we're unhappy when things don't go that way. Jon and Kate bicker, their kids have temper tantrums, their kids won't cooperate for photo sessions, Kate sweeps the floor a bazillion times a day and probably still finds crumbs. That's real. That's life and they love their life.

Last confession...I've had a difficult Mommy day today. Lindy has had one meltdown and tantrum after another. That's not really her typical personality, so it's been a learning day for me--one with lots of bumps and bruises. (Figuratively speaking!!!) During the day I stopped several times and thought about Kate & Jon. Somehow thinking about their daunting task of raising ten kids made me feel a bit more committed to not giving up on my one child...

Menu Plan Monday

Okay folks, it is a Paula Deen kind of week here at my house. Noooo, that doesn't mean two sticks of butter in everything I prep because I do try to minimize the fat where I can. I was paging through Paula's book the Lady & Sons, Too and here's what I came up for this week...

Monday, October 15th-Don has a meeting. Lindy & I are eating leftovers...

Tuesday, October 16th-Tuna burgers, broccoli, tossed green salad

Wednesday, October 17th-Out before church

Thursday, October 18th-Saucy chicken and asparagus bake (this recipe is identical to the one in Paula's book), rice, tossed green salad

Friday, October 19th-Leftovers

Don looked at me with fear and dread in his eyes when he saw tuna burgers on the menu. I'm just trying to branch out, get out of a rut, experiment, and add some Omega 3 Fatty Acids in our diet, too. It is inevitable that there'll be some losers but hopefully not too many...

Check out this blog to see some other great menu plans. What's for dinner at your place???

Thankful Thursday

How can it be Thursday again? The weeks go by so quickly. Here are some things I am thankful for this week.


1. Lindy is better after enduring whatever she had on Saturday night and Sunday that landed us in the ER
2. A perfectly relaxing, uninterrupted, long overdue dinner with Jaime on Monday
3. My nephew, Jake, who celebrated his birthday on October 8th
4. My grandpa who celebrated his birthday on October 9th
5. Our dossier for our next daughter is being reviewed by our adoption agency
6. I have finally started some Christmas shopping
7. I read in the paper that Panera Bread finally opened in San Antonio. Anyone want to do lunch?
8. Ooey, gooey brownies
9. Today is Lindy's music class day. She loves it!
10. Sleeping with the windows open
11. My crock pot. I seem to be using it quite a bit. Truly one of the best modern inventions.
12. Digital cameras
13. Kind people

I hope you'll spend some time thinking about the things you are thankful for in your life. What are you thankful for today?

Menu Plan Monday

It's Monday and time to think about what's for dinner at the Osborn house. Assuming I make it to the grocery store, here's what will be on the table this week...

Monday, October 8th-Don is on his own again. I promise it isn't like this every Monday!
Tuesday, October 9th-Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbeque , sneaking in some veggies with mashed cauliflower potatoes, asparagus
Wednesday, October 1oth-Out before church
Thursday, October 11th-Texas-Style Enchilada Casserole, green salad
Friday, October 12th-Leftovers


What's for dinner at your house this week? Check out this blog for more fabulous ideas or to share your menu...

Thankful Thursday

Hello~


In the quiet of the morning I am reflecting on some of the things for which I am thankful...


1. Mr. Babcock, a dear friend and example, who celebrated a birthday on Monday
2. My sweet friend Paula who celebrated her second 39th birthday on Tuesday
3. My cousin, Rhonda, who also celebrated her birthday on Tuesday
4. Don made it home from his weekend work trip to Annapolis where he got to see Navy beat Air Force. Yea!!!
5. Dinner with my "big sisters" on Monday night
6. Lindy is initiating saying, "I love you." She'll run up to me, wrap her arms around my legs and say, "I love you Mommy." I waited a LONG time for that!
7. God's provision
8. The men and women who work so hard at our church to make things nice for the congregation and to reach out to the community
9. Lean Cuisine Panini Sandwiches. They aren't too bad for a quick lunch considering they're "grilled" in a microwave.
10. Listening to the owls hooting at night and in the early morning
11. Our last batch of paperwork is at the Chinese Consulate in Houston for authentication
12. A brief moment of feeling chilly this morning. Sure it was because of the air conditioner and ceiling fan but it did dip in the 60s outside last night. Yea!!!
13. The smiling child waiting for me

What are you thankful for today?

A random post

Okay, this is one of those very random posts. Remember, the name of the blog--Osborn Odds 'N Ends. I never promised it would be deep and meaningful. :o)

The other day I saw an advertisement for a new version of an audio bible. This new Bible has an all-star cast and is probably fantastic. Jim Caviezel who was cast as Jesus in the movie The Passion of the Christ has the part of Jesus for this project. What struck me as funny is that Marisa Tomei is one of the actors. She plays Mary Magdalene. I admit I have difficulty separating some actors from certain parts they've played. I can separate Tom Hanks from Forrest Gump or as Woody in Toy Story. However, I just can't seem to separate Marisa Tomei from her role as the very feisty, foul-mouthed Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny. I don't know why, but all I could think of is her having this really thick Brooklyn accent as she tells Simon Peter that Jesus is not in the tomb. I won't quote how I hear it in my head...

So as I was putting this all down in writing, I started feeling a bit goofy like this is no doubt the stupidest post EVER. Then I thought about what message she (Mary Magdalene) gets to convey--Jesus wasn't in the tomb. He was gone. Christ rose. Yea!!! Isn't that the most important message of all? It really is. No matter WHAT the accent...

Menu Plan Monday

Since Don and I have been married I have tried on and off to plan menus and shop ahead for the items. At times I have been successful, at other times I have failed miserably. I adore reading recipes, poring over cookbooks, and watching the Food Network. Yet, when it comes to taking action and making the food I read about come to life, I am not nearly as passionate or diligent.

By far, one of the areas where Don and I spend the most money is eating out. Eating out is often a social outlet for us. We enjoy being with people and since it seems more people get together at restaurants rather than in the home we join the ranks. Other times we do it out of laziness or sheer necessity. Whatever the reason, it can really cut into a budget. When we decide to tighten up and cut back our spending, it is usually in this area and we are amazed how quickly we can add money back into our checking account by planning ahead.

As a stay at home wife and mother, I feel like I should strive to be better in the area of planning meals. Apparently, I am not alone. I came across Laurie's blog at I'm an Organizing Junkie who has decided to share her menus with others. Not only does she plan a weekly menu, she encourages others to plan and includes a cast of many other women's weekly meal plans within her blog.

While I reserve the right to make changes as necessary, here's my first attempt:

Monday, October 1st-Don will be on his own because I am having dinner with friends.

Tuesday, October 2nd-Slow cooker French Dip sandwiches, green salad, sweet potato fries

Wednesday, October 3rd-Out before church

Thursday, October 4th-Gnudi , Caesar salad, garlic bread
Friday, October 5th-Leftovers

What's for dinner at your place???