Our Families Big Fat Greek Wedding!

While we were in Greece this summer, our first cousin got married! It was such an emotional time. I was very happy for her, because she has started a new life, with a wonderful man. But, I was also sad because I just can't seem to get past the fact that she is old enough to even get married in the first place. You see, my first trip to Greece was when I was 19 years old....a baby myself. I fell head over heels in LOVE with George's family. All of these little cousins brought me into their circle, and made me feel like one of them. They were the ones who taught me the Greek Alphabet, and how to dance all of the Greek dances. Now they are all grown up, and it really pulled at my heart strings watching Paraskevi get married. I recalled the quiet little girl who used to braid my hair and have the patience to teach me to dance. She was my kids age when I met her, and now she is all grown up, with a job, and a house of her own, and a life of her own. I am so proud of her. She was such a beautiful bride! Steven and Amanda Lily were two of her little flower girl and ring bearers. In Greece, you do not have friends in your wedding, only children.

The pictures with the bride and groom on the bed are of a Greek custom. Friends and family go to the couple's home and throw money, flowers, rice, jordan almonds, and a baby boy on the bed. Everything is symbolic. Money for wealth, Flowers for Love, Jordan Almonds for sweetness, Baby Boy for fertility....you get the idea. It is a custom that we did for our Greek Wedding too, as I think it is important to keep these traditions alive. The wedding itself had over 400 guests, all who stayed until well past 3 am dancing and celebrating. Greek weddings are incredible! If you are ever invited to one, please attend, and bring your dancing shoes!

Greece Vacation Part II Land Adventures

Greece is known for its islands and beaches, but where my husbands blood line is from is considered mainland. He is from a village called Mystras. It is just on the outskirts of Sparta, so if you've seen the movie "The 300", those are his ancestors! Cool huh? Anyhow, these photos are all mainland Greece. Monemvasia is a rock formation in the middle of the sea that has a town inside. The cobblestone streets and shops built into the mountain are surreal. Next, are some of my favorite photos from Athens. I went with our cousin, and a friend. It was HOT!!!!! Once we arrived at the top, the breeze was awesome, and how amazing is it that the ancients were able to build the Acropolis. Then there was this church, St Gregory's. I wondered through in complete awe. It is the home church to the Greek Arch Deice. They had bones of Saints there, and monks singing Gregorian chants. I felt like I was in a holy place. I'll never forget the way I felt, but it's hard to describe. Our cousin Panagiote, was with me, and he felt it too. Let's see, next was the Spilya. It's this cave that was discovered in the 1950's. It has stalagmites growing that are old as the earth. We were rowed through by a tour guide in these little boats. The cold air inside the caves were a welcome change to the heat outside. There are lots of photos here, but I took over 1200, so imagine trying to narrow it down! Enjoy!

Greece Vacation Part I Beaches

We had a wonderful time in Greece with family and friends for the month we were there. I took so many photos that I am breaking my posts into chapters! If you want to see the inland photos, check out my next post.

I thought I would start with trips we took to the islands and beaches, and show you the beautiful sites. My personal favorite was called "Ellaphonisos" The water was amazing. It graduated in color from clear to soft aqua to deep blue. GORGEOUS! The kids favorite was "Kalamata" because we rented a boat with a slide on top for them to slide down into the ocean. By the way....Kalamata is where most Kalamata olives come from. "Spilya" beach was also lovely, but it had large rocks, no sand, that we had to walk on and sit on. We called it white rock beach. At our local beach, the kids enjoyed burying each other and Daddy in the sand. Just as in years past, we had a big time at the beaches!

New Mantle Bling

I have new "bling" for our mantle! Today was Steven's 2nd Grade awards ceremonies, and once again, he did us proud. This was also his first day back to school, but he only stayed for half the day. He received numerous awards, but his favorite is the trophy. Nana, Daddy, and I were so glad to see the smile on his face as he crossed the stage and heard the accolades. He is a stellar student, and we couldn't be happier for him. Go Baby Go!!!!!!

PS...I'm sure you noticed the Greek music in the background. I couldn't resist!!!!!

Turn Around Day

Today is Steven's turn around day. Last night was the first night he slept all night, without needing a shower to dull the pain. Therefore, I got a full nights rest myself! Also, he was able to eat some ravioli that I made in a simple olive oil with Parmesan cheese sauce. He scarfed it down so fast, then asked for more. He is up and around and being his lively self. No fever. I am so happy and relieved! Woo Hoo!!!

Kindergarten Awards

Amanda Lily had her Kindergarten awards ceremony today. She was so happy to go on stage and collect her awards for the hard work she has put into this school year. She recieved top honors in accelerated reading and math super stars. The one award she didn't get is "perfect attendance". I told her not to ever expect that one.....it's just not a Kountanis thing. LOL. George and I are super proud of her, and can't believe she is going into First Grade!!! Here she is with her sweet Teacher, Mrs Schneck.

Peas Get Well Soon!

Aunt Heather and Sophie stopped by the house with a balloon bouquet for Steven. I had to post a photo of this balloon to look back on, because it is just so darn cute! Steven's recovery is textbook. It seems that everything listed in the literature the Doctor sent us home with has happend right on cue. We are half way there now! He has told us that he "wants his tonsils back", because of the pain, and inability to eat solid foods. The whole ice cream thing is old news to him now. I wouldn't be surprised if he never wants ice cream again! Another thing he said to me is "I want to do a worksheet, Mom" He is referring to school work. I almost fell over, because what kid begs to do school work? Poor guy....he's over it, and ready to get back to his routines. I did take him into class for a short visit with his friends. He hugged them all, and told them all about his surgery. Mrs Fischer and I got a kick out of him saying his body "felt like dust and then I closed my eyes" when they gave him the gas to put him to sleep. He also said how he was telling the Doctors "I don't like this.....I don't like this at all!!!" just before he dozed off.

Everyday is better for him. He is taking fewer and fewer showers, which is a good sign. He has been in the shower upwards of 10 times just trying to cope. I guess he's like his Mom in that way, cause anytime I'm in pain or stressed, baths work magic to comfort me. Must be something about warm water. He has lost 5 lbs due to not eating.

I can't wait until this is all just a distant memory, and he is 100%. Sooner than later now!

Checking things off

scroll to bottom of post for chicken and rice/Jewish penicillin recipe

I am at home with Steven, and I feel like making a "jail break". LOL. His recovery is coming along, but it is much like a roller coaster. One minute he is up, then he is in bed with a 102.5 fever. He is not giving me too much grief over having his food pureed. I feel like I'm having a flashback to when he was a baby, and I pureed everything! He is being a good sport about it. I call him my brave little trooper. Although, he is only eating a few bites, because it makes him cry to swallow it. He says it really hurts, so I don't push. At least I feel good about the bites he does take. I've been reading Narnia to him, and we love the quiet time together. I haven't read to him in forever. Ever since he started reading on his own, he does just that! He reads at "lights on" time every night before bed. I still read with Amanda Lily, because she needs some help, but not him. He's not felt well enough to read, so I've been reading to him.

We made it through 2 birthday parties, a ballet recital weekend, and now Steven's surgery. I feel like I am just checking things off my "to do" list, and it sure feels good. We had been planning our big double bday party for Memorial Day, but I had to cancel because Steven is not allowed to swim for two weeks. I'm not sure if we will even be able to make it happen at all this year.

Next up is packing for Greece. Yes, we are taking the trip on June 21st. (Like 3 weeks) I am super excited to spend a month there with friends and family. My Dad in Law is already at our house in Greece making sure everything is in place, and the house is ready for our arrival. What will make this years trip extra special, is that our first cousin is getting married! I met her over 14 years ago on my first visit to Greece. She was just a little girl then, and we bonded big time. She and a couple of the other girl cousins actually are the ones who taught me all the Greek dances. I am super super excited to spend this special time with our family. She is the first of the cousins to get married, (besides George and his brother), and our whole HUGE Greek family is all abuzz. Even more fun is that Steven and Amanda Lily are in the wedding! I can't wait for that reception. We will be dancing until the sun comes up, I'm sure. I could get emotional just thinking about it. I'm sure I'll cry at the sight of her in her gown. Her Grooms name is George, so I am so happy for her. I know she will have a life full of love and passion and family....it just goes with the name Right?

I watched Jeanne on Wheel of Fortune last night. She did AWESOME! She won some cool stuff in a 30 min time frame. I am so happy for her.

I've been in the kitchen a lot since being home with Steven. My Sister in Law gave me this awesome recipe chocked full of nutrition to help Steven heal. If you have a sick one, I highly recommend this. I tweaked it a little for my family, and you can do the same.

Jewish Penicillin
Boil a whole chicken for an hour. Skim off white foam that rises to the surface. Add water as needed. I use a Greenwise Chicken from Publix.
While chicken is boiling, chop:
1 lg sweet onion
1 bunch celery
3 parsnips

Remove chicken, completely debone and return chicken pieces to broth. Add chopped veggies, and one bag greenwise baby carrots, and one bag frozen corn.
Add sea salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 cups Jasmine Rice. Let simmer, stirring every now and then, until rice has absorbed broth.
*This ends up being "Chicken and Rice" If you want more of a soup texture, use only 1 cup of Jasmine Rice.
Jennifer....you would LOVE this!!!! Try it.

Steven is home....YEA

So, just a quick note to let everyone know that Steven is home tonight, and resting. The procedure went great, but we are in for a 7 - 10 day recovery time. The Doctor explained to me that the older the child, the longer the recovery. Also, that he had a current sinus infection and infection in his tonsils!
Anyhow, he did not do well with the anesthesia. He threw up.....a lot. I don't mind at all. I am just so relieved that he woke up!
Thank you Lord.

Pray for Peace

Hello all. I really struggled with if I should post this, but I've decided that because I believe in the power of prayer, I would.
I am freaking out! Steven is having his tonsils and adenoids removed tomorrow. He has been sick with Strep over 9 times this year alone, and has missed more days of school over being sick with whatever bug is going around at any given moment. He is always hacking and coughing, and our Pediatrician recommended we take his tonsils. I am NOT one to make this decision litely, because it pains me to even crack open a bottle of dye free tylenol to give my kids, much less send them into surgery to remove a body part. So, we traveled to Orlando for a second opinion. We have the best of the best doing the procedure. She is a Harvard educated MD who specializes in Children's ENT at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital. I have prayed about it, and educated myself about the procedure, and all the after care stuff. I am at peace with the decision, but not with the process. The surgery is tomorrow morning at 9:45 am. Honestly, I am scared to death of the idea of him being intabated (having a tube down his throat to breathe for him), and put under anesthesia. This is a routine procedure, and it is done everyday by ENT's across the country, but somehow, I am still freaking out today. Crazy thoughts are crossing my mind. I am not one to be cool as a cucumber, ever, so I guess I should have known that as time grows closer, I would get this way. Maybe it is just the Mom in me. I keep trying to remind myself that he will have a much better quality of life after the "diseased tonsils" are removed. Please just say a prayer for Steven. Pray that God will send angels to guard him. Ask God to help me not to worry. I need to be calm, and not rub off on Steven. I'll catch up with you all in a couple of days to let you know how things are going. I'll be doing lots of blogging I'm sure, as he will be out of school for 7-10 days for recovery. Thanks in advance for your prayers. I just need to pull it together!

TITANIC!

One of Steven's favorite historical events, is the Titanic disaster. He started coming home with books from the school library about Titanic a couple of months back. After reading all our little library had to offer, he talked our school Librarian into buying new books on Titanic for the library when the book fair was at school! He's such a charmer. Anyhow, we bought the Discovery Channel's documentary that Robert Ballard did, and he watches them repeatedly. I thought it would be fun to surprise him on the Monday before his surgery, and take him and his best friend Benjamin to the Titanic Experience, in Orlando. It ended up being super fun for the kids. After the 1 1/2 hour tour, we went to dinner at Texas De Brazil. Honestly, I wasn't super impressed with the food, but the boys sure were. Don't get me wrong....it was good, but for the price I could have had a Charlie's steak. I think my taste buds have just grown accustomed to Charlies. The experience was more what we paid for, and that was priceless. Watching those two with the way the meat was served was so fun. Oh, and not to mention when we ordered 4 desserts, and passed them around the table. The boys really really loved that part. I thought the Key Lime pie was out of this world. We made a big night of it. It was Steven's "last supper" before having to fast for anesthesia for his tonsillectomy and adnoidectomy. We are in for a long couple of weeks!

Invited you are, to a Star Wars party!

Steven is now 8 years old! His party with his school friends was lots of fun for everyone. He is obsessed with Star Wars, just as most little boys his age. Don't worry, he still loves his trains, and we still chase them all over. The Star Wars theme was a welcome relief, and I was thrilled with the idea of doing something different. The kids enjoyed water blasters, pin the tail on the star ship, and each got a light saber to swing at a Darth Vader pinata. I found these awesome clone baskets at Target after Easter for 90% off! That means, they were only $1 each. I was so happy with that find. The kids all put their candy from the pinata in them. A big hit was the "Yoda Soda". I put lime sherbert in a cup, and poured sprite over it. It foamed up, and the kids loved it! Just like Amanda Lily's party, the pool was the main event. I did put up the family water slide for Steven's, so everyone splashed around on that as well. It was a great day! My favorite part of the day was when the doorbell rang, and Steven opened it to both his English and Spanish Teachers! Even his Teacher from 1st grade came! He was so happy to see them. I tell you, education is one of my top priorities with my kids, and I couldn't ask for better Teachers than we have over here at Eustis Elementary. I just can't say enough good about them. They love my children as their own, and they prove it by their actions all the time. It makes me feel good to send them everyday. Anyhow...hope all is well in your worlds. I can't believe my son is 8!!!!!