Jazzie and Tahlia

Dress shopping

Those who follow me on Facebook know that I have been shopping for a dress for the annual OVV Gala. Matt and I have attended this fundraiser for Jazzie's old school for the past 5 years now and it is always a lot of fun. Let me tell you just how much fun I've been having shopping for a dress. It is so nice to be able to try on dresses and actually like the way I look in them instead of feeling disgusted when I look in the mirror. What is even more fun is realizing that the size I pulled of the rack is too big ;-)

A few years ago I did not enjoy the whole dress experience. In fact, I covered up as much as I could:

Last year was a lot more fun. By then I had lost 80 pounds and I loved my little purple dress:

Fast forward another year and I have lost 115 pounds. This year the gala has a Roaring 20's theme and I have two dresses that I like. One has a flapper kind of feel to it (perfect for the 20's theme) and the other one makes me feel fabulous and super sexy. I love them both and don't know which one to choose. I keep going back and forth between the two.

The good news is that I still have two weeks to decide, unless of course I keep shopping and trying on more dresses...

Biography school project

Jazzie's latest school assignment was to read a biography (any biography) and do a project on it. After looking at manyl biographies at the book store, Jazzie decided on Anne Frank. This brought up many questions from Jazzie that were hard to answer at times. But being from Holland, having read the book and having visited the house several times, I really enjoyed helping Jazzie with this project. 

Sisterly love

Here is a (rare) loving moment between two sisters:

I use the word rare, because unfortunately that's the way it is right now. Tahlia is very loving; Jazzie.... well, not so much. I love Jazzie to pieces and she is amazing in many ways, but she does have some selfish tendencies. I have had MANY conversations with Jazzie lately about the importance of thinking of others and not just herself. About sharing. About being considerate of other people's feelings. 

I just keep thinking that if I remind Jazzie of these things often enough, that one day it just might sink in. Imagine my shock (and delight) when the girls were watching TV this evening and Tahlia got a bit scared. I heard Jazzie say to her: "Are you scared, Talley? Do you want me to come and sit next to you?" She proceeded to sit next to Tahlia and put her arm around her to comfort her.

I was so proud of Jazzie and made sure to tell her so. Maybe she is listening to me after all?

This and that

It seems like I don't have much to blog about lately, so I'll just post a mismatch of pictures.

First, a picture of a typical Friday evening for us: the girls watching a movie or one of their DVR'd shows, eating popcorn and drinking a smoothie:

Look at this smiling, happy face!

I still can't get over how much she has changed from this sad looking little girl at Yangchun Orphanage Guangdong, China:

Half marathon training is in full swing and I'm really enjoying it. I love running with a group of people; it makes the time go by so much faster and I've enjoyed meeting some new people. I've noticed a big change in my level of fitness compared to last year. Right now I can say that the training has been relatively easy, but I know that will change once we get up on mileage.

I think that this past Saturday was the coldest temperature that I have ever ran in. It was in the single digits, windy and bitterly cold. Let's just say that I was very glad that I invested in some proper cold weather gear!

I went to the Asian Market the other day to get some decorations for Chinese New Year. I bought some red banners with things like "There will be harmony in the family", "Wealth will enter the home", etc. However, I was not sure what to make of this one and no, I did not buy it ;-)

Greek meatballs

Here is one of my favorite WW recipes. These meatballs are simmered in a hearty tomato sauce with a hint of cinnamon. Different, but so good!

For the meatballs you will need:

• 3/4 lbs lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 3 Tbs chopped parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Mix well and form into 18-20 balls. Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non stick spray...

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, turning them once. Set aside...

Now for the sauce:

• 1 can whole peeled tomatoes
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 Tbs tomato paste
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Spray a large saucepan with non-stick spray and add the onion, garlic and the oregano. Cook until the onion is soft and add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/4 tsp salt and the cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook until sauce begins to thicken slightly (about 15 minutes). Add the meatballs and simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I serve this over orzo, along with a greek salad. One serving is 3 meatballs with 1/2 cup cooked orzo. The WW points for this is 8. I love this meal. The cinnamon makes the flavor quite unique. It makes plenty for leftovers that freeze really well. Try it, you'll love it :-)

Tahlia's turn

Amazingly sweet.

Amazingly giving.

Amazingly selfless.

Amazingly strong.

Amazingly energetic.

Amazingly insecure (at times).

Amazingly daring.

Amazingly polite.

Amazingly kind.

Amazingly, our daughter.

Jazzie...

Incredibly smart.

Incredibly focused.

Incredibly quiet.

Incredibly strong-willed.

Incredibly stubborn.

Indredibly determined.

Incredibly analytical.

Incredibly ornery.

Incredibly self-reliant.

Incredibly driven.

Incredibly, our daughter...