Fight For Air Climb

As many of you know I have been actively working with my local American Lung Association. Recently I became the volunteer coordinator for the Columbus Fight For Air Climb (taking place on February 12th!).

Here's a little about the climb, from the ALA website:

Fight for Air Climbs are unique fundraising events for the American Lung Association. They usually happen in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve climbing multiple steps. Sometimes called a "vertical road race", teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, as a race, with you challenging yourself or you racing against other people, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends. American Lung Association Climbs are also a wonderful way to support someone who has lung disease or as a memorial to someone who has passed away.

I started volunteering because of Matthew's condition, and because I am desperate to know more about the disease that is plaguing my boy. But over the last few months, I have achieved so much more out of the work I've been doing. I feel good knowing I am helping an organization who cares for the air we breath, and those who have various lung diseases. Countless women and men give up their time and talents, to fight for air! Countless men and women work for this company-- and even thought they are receiving paychecks, their care and concern are just as great! And that, I am truly thankful!

So, what will you do? Volunteer? Climb the climb? Donate money?

HERE WE GO STEELERS!

Going to eat us some CHEEEEEEESEEEEE in two weeks..........

Too bad we're a divided home... and BOTH of our teams are headed to Dallas..... Who will win? 

This was us, yesterday.... Planted in front of the television for 6 hours. No joke. My butt hurt, when I got up. And the boys tried SO hard to stay awake... But didn't quite make it. :) 

Smiling faces yesterday.... It won't be that way in two weeks. Someone will be crying! 

Pumpkin Pancakes

Do you have a can of pumpkin leftover in your pantry, like I do (did)? It seems like every holiday season there is something of which I purchase too much! This year... pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling). So I decided I would take my regular pancake recipe and pumpkin-fy it! And the results were pretty awesome-- so I am sharing the recipe with YOU! :) 

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

1 tbl white sugar (I use organic, raw sugar, because it has more of a brown sugar taste)
1 1/3 cups buttermilk (Don’t have buttermilk? See * below, to make your own!)
¾ cup pumpkin puree, (canned is fine, make sure it is not pumpkin pie filling!)
1 egg
2 Tbs melted butter

*To make Buttermilk- Place 1 1/3 cup of milk into measuring cup and add 1 tbl of lemon juice or white vinegar, allow to stand for 5 minutes. Voila! You have buttermilk!*

Making the yum-EE-ness

Preheat a griddle or pan to 375 degrees (medium heat for about 5 minutes)

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Mix well, until the batter is nice and smooth. There might be a few small lumps, don’t worry, they go away!

Spoon, ladle, pour (whatever) your desired amount onto your pan or griddle, and allow to heat up, until you see tiny bubbles forming on the pancake’s surface.

FLIP! (the pancake, not yourself)

Allow to cook another minute. Remove from pan.

Pile the pancakes high, and serve to your family (or eat them all yourself!)

I opted to share mine with this little princess.... :) Enjoy! 

The Lack of Posting

I'm not really sure what to blame for this problem. You know, the one where I don't make a post for weeks at a time, and then just post a picture or two, and expect you all to keep reading. Yea. I don't have an excuse. I mean, I know I am "busy," but I really don't think I have an excuse. Maybe I feel like nothing exciting is going on? Maybe I don't want to seem conceited, by telling you how adorable my children are (they are, aren't they!?). Or maybe I am just a lazy fool. It must be that one! :)

Right now. Right now, we are "snowed in." Right now, my classes are done (until January 24th). Right now I am spending TOO much time cleaning (what else is there to do when you're stuck in the house?!). I would rather be blogging.

I need inspiration. Like funny kid stories. OH, here's one:

Adam comes in out the cold and snow yesterday, announcing that he "made the snow yellow!" Oh yes, that's right... my son peed in the snow. Please tell me this is normal!?!? No? You mean, you don't pee in the snow? Why not? I hear it's fun! And I hear it's even more fun to STOMP in it! AHHHHHHHH..... Really, Adam?!

Anyway- I will try to be a better poster. I'll post funny stories about peeing in the snow and wiping boogers on the walls. Because, that is how we roll in this household!

Here are some snowy photos.... The first was taken by my little sister, the second, by me....Enjoy!

Because the Steelers weren't playing today.....

They wore daddy's team....

I don't think they looked too excited about it!

I love the playoffs!!

Who are you rooting for?!