My dessert disaster

I didn't want to depress you with my two usual posts, snow in late April or Oliver's condition, so I thought I would make fun of myself.

We had my brother in law and his family over on Saturday for a birthday meal. Both of them have birthdays in April and we are on the new budget that doesn't allow much extra money for fun gifts. I knew my menu long before, but waited until Sat. to put it together. I had to run Lance up to the hospital to visit Oliver, but I made the lasagna before I left. This is the recipe I was making for the dessert. I decided I would make the brownies before I left and let them cool while I was gone. I came home and thought I would just make the topping and it would fall together nicely. Usually I can follow a recipe.

I started following the recipe, the birthday girl was helping me, and I created a disaster. This was no fault of the birthday girl, she was just innocently following my directions. I guess I was distracted or blond and I had Michelle whip the egg whites in the double broiler not the yolks.

Okay, I threw away the 6 egg whites and the mints that we mixed in and decided to start again. This time I paid close attention and Ryan was the helper. I followed the directions, I thought, but instead of a mousse like substance I got this...

I threw out another 6 eggs and more mints. The picture doesn't even do it justice as to how wrong I went in the recipe. So I decided that I was not going to cry, but I was not going to try again. (Plus I was out of eggs) I took solace in the fact that I could use it for a blog entry and laugh about it. Michelle actually helped create the final dessert.
We took the brownies and microwaved them for a few seconds in a bowl and put this on them.
Then I went shopping with Michelle!

Feel free to make the dessert and tell me all about it. I guess I will stick to buying the boxed ones:)

Update on our friend Oliver

Today Oliver's mother was told that his epilepsy is evolving into a more dangerous situation. His seizures have become more frequent and more severe and they have to look at some new treatment options. He is going to be admitted to the hospital on Friday for more testing and to figure out which of the three treatment options is the best. There are very severe side effects to each of the treatments, I can't even go into them without crying because they are so terrible. We just ask that you keep this cute 10 year old boy in your prayers and thank everyone that has donated to Lance's walk. The doctors think there may be some major breakthroughs in the next 5 years, your donations will help those breakthroughs.
Thank you again

Why I Blog Blog

I was tagged by my cousin-in-law to answer these questions. If you read her blog you will probably find her answers more interesting, but here is my shot at it. I must admit I like the tags with the simple questions of "do you eat cold cereal or toast for breakfast?" over these deep thinking ones, I'm not really a deep person :)

1. Why did you start your blog?
I began my blog to keep everyone up to date on both our adoption process and the boys growing up. We have so many friends and family members that we keep in touch with by e-mail and I was never getting around to writing those e-mails, this way everyone gets the news.

2. How did you come up with your blog name?
This demonstrates how uncreative I am. I thought, "our family is growing in two ways, that sounds like a name for a blog". Little did I realize everyone's family grows, I thought we were the only ones.

3. Do your friends and family know about your blog and what do they think?
I really can't answer this question because I don't know what you really think. I guess the important family and friends know about the blog:)

4. How do you write posts?
This is how this one goes...oh no, I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks, something must have happened in our boring lives, what can I tell others about? I do try to put things in the blog that are about the boys or our adoption. I could just rant about other issues that I complain about on a daily basis, but then you would be really bored.

5. Have you ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments?
Nope, not even that much interest in my blog. I guess I'll have to think of some creative tags.

6. Do you check your stats or care how many people read your blog. If you care how do you increase traffic?
My blog friend Rachel told me how to keep stats on my blog, but I don't understand them when I get to them and Ryan doesn't have the time to spend figuring out (and explain) my little blog things. I am not really a high traffic girl, so the level is fine. My attitude is that if someone wants to read it they can, if not, that's okay.

Now the fun part for me...I get to tag someone. I choose Pea and Rachel. Have fun ladies, make us proud.

Wordless Wednesday- Pillow Fight Battle Scar (from a sleep over)

Thank you for your prayers

When I got home from work tonight Ryan told me that his dad went home from the hospital today. It was a mild stroke and he is recovering really well. Thank you to everyone that sent prayers and good thoughts our way:) He is going to be on some medication for a little while, but he is still planning on making a trip to MN this June.

Violin Recital

Lance had a recital here on Sat. There were about 25 kids on the program from all over the twin cities, many of them played solos. Lance played in a quartet that they started in the beginning of the year, he plays second violin. These kids are great because they do everything on their own. The teacher began the group because these 4 were a little beyond what the other kids in class were doing. She basically gave them some music to play and put them out in the hallway to practice together. It started with a song at the school concert, then they were asked to play at the potential students' open house events. They were then asked to participate at this recital. They got together 3 times over break and practiced the songs together. A parent was there, but they did the work of getting the songs together. They played 3 songs at the recital and they were great. (Would I be too much of a mom if I said they were the best?)

Here they are performing, sorry the big windows behind them was bad for my light, plus I cut off the cellist.

Waiting for their turn.

A strange instrument a teacher played. (again sorry about the lighting)

Prayer Request

Ryan's dad survived a stroke this morning and we need your prayers. We don't know much about his condition except that he is alert and will be undergoing tests to figure out what is happening. Please pray for his dad to have a quick recovery. Ryan and his brother are having a very difficult time right now due to the fact that we live so far from their dad. Please pray for them also.