I Just Want You to Know Part 8

My best childhood memories were the times we spent at their house. We would have New Year's Eve parties and stay up all night long. We also had tea parties, using Grandma's fine china for tea, and pretending raisins were caviar. We'd put on all of Grandma's costume jewelry and bright red lipstick-and then, of course, we'd kiss the duke (aka Grandpa). We'd cook up a storm and destroy Grandma's kitchen for the millionth time, while she'd cheerfully say, "I'll get it," as she cleaned it up. Even the hour ride to their house was memorable.

Grandma and Grandpa picked us up in their pickup truck, and we would ride in the back on the wood storage boxes Grandpa had made. We'd tumble around in the back and then open the sliding window in the back of the cab. Grandma would talk to us or tell us to get drinks out of the cooler or sing the whole way to keep us busy.

Grandma was a fabulous cook, but when she asked us what we wanted for dinner, we would always choose "plastic turkey and plastic mashed potatoes," which is what Grandma called TV dinners. She didn't mind-she would let us have them anyway.

While they had a whole house full of bedrooms, we slept on the floor in sleeping bags in their bedroom. We'd listen to them snore in their well-rehea.r.s.ed chorus. In the mornings, Grandpa got up early and made us a big breakfast in his clanky cast iron skillets and brought Grandma coffee. She stayed up so late, so she always had a hard time waking up in the morning. We would jump on her, and she would never get angry or annoyed. (Wish I could say the same...) I can still picture Grandpa sitting peacefully on a bench in the utility room, watching TV and carving Bible verses into his locally famous plaques with a pocketknife. He kept a peanut can full of bubble gum in the cupboard. He would chew the gum when he took his false teeth out at night, and he would always share his gum with us-especially the grape-flavored pieces, which were our favorite.

Grandma always had a purse full of candy and was known as the "candy lady" at church. All the kids found her after the service to choose a piece of candy.

Looking back, they taught me what really matters: family, memories, tradition. I couldn't have asked for better grandparents. Soon after we moved into the house on Andrew Avenue, we placed the birdfeeder Grandpa had made for us outside our dining room windows. Almost immediately, two doves moved in. With the loss of Grandma and Grandpa always on our minds, coupled with the fact that they were avid bird watchers, it seemed only fitting to name the doves Grandma and Grandpa. Each evening as we ate dinner, without fail "Grandma and Grandpa" were there to pay us a visit. It was as if they were watching over us, and strangely, this was very comforting to all of us.

Grandma and Grandpa doves on our back deck (near Grandpa's bird feeder).

Because Grandma and Grandpa's letters meant so much to me, I started writing letters to my own kids. Every Sat.u.r.day before I left for work I used to write notes to Mady and Cara. Something as brief as: Dear Cara,I hope you have fun today. Please be a big help to Daddy. I hope you enjoy dinner tonight-Nana Janet Roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, your favorite! I'll see you tomorrow morning when you wake up. I love you!Love, Mommy At first I just thought it was a nice way for them to wake up, but later on I realized they came to look forward to and expect those little notes each weekend. I only recently discovered that they saved them. I found stacks of notes in the drawers underneath their beds!

In addition to the everyday notes, each Valentine's Day I write a love letter to each child. While in the day-to-day routine I have to be tough, Valentine's Day is a special time for me to remind them in various ways how much I love them. In fact, all day on Valentine's Day, I ask the kids what Valentine's Day means, and they respond, "Looove!"

The tooth-fairy notes came soon after that. Jon and I were sleeping when Mady presented us with her first tooth. On Mady's note I wrote: Dear Mady,I would like to introduce myself: I am Miss Tooth Fairy! I flew from far away to collect your tooth-and thank you, by the way. I am working on a necklace. Enjoy your surprise! See you next time a tooth falls out! (But please wait until it's warm outside, since I don't like flying in this chilly night weather!)Byeeeeeeee, Miss Tooth FairyOh, and one more thing: Brush your teeth. I don't like dirty rotted teeth! Thank you!

We left that first note with a $2 bill. (The dentist said the going rate in our area for the first tooth is $20. Not so much in our house!) We were so busy with the little kids when Mady and Cara started losing teeth, that at one point, Mady lost a tooth and the tooth fairy didn't come for five days. She was heartbroken. We left her a note from the tooth fairy that read, "I'm sorry, I broke my left wing. I could only fly in circles." We had to come up with something because we had been so forgetful.

I couldn't keep track of only Mady and Cara's teeth, so I can't imagine how hard it will be with six of them. When they start losing teeth, I'm going to have to prepare preprinted notes and have them all folded and ready. Even the tooth fairy needs some organization and efficiency.

Cara lost her first tooth and proudly showed me.

When Mady and Cara started first grade, I wrote napkin notes in their lunches almost every day. I remember how much little notes meant to me during lunchtime, and I want them to feel the same way I did. My mom used to write her notes in red ink with the same curly handwriting as my grandpa and she always signed them "143" (I love you).

In addition to the lunch-box notes, there is always a note on the dry erase board by the sink that I change periodically. For Thanksgiving it read, "I'm so thankful for each one of my eight perfectly amazing kids." For Christmas it read, "You're the eight best Christmas presents I could ask for." For Valentine's Day it read, "My heart belongs to each of you."

Love notes sent from someone who loves us! Aaden and Alexis open their cards I left at their places at the table-standard mail delivery protocol in our house!

The best surprise is that the kids now leave notes for me.

Mady received a plate to decorate for Christmas. Recently, when I was traveling, she decided to decorate it and then so sweetly chose to give it to me. When I got home, she left the Christmas plate in my room with two Post-It notes stuck to it. One note said, "Dear Mommy, I decided to decorate and give my plate to you, because you're the most important person to me." The second one read, "Do not touch unless you're Mommy."

I love the plate, but you know I will never ever remove the Post-It notes.

All those nights when I sat completely exhausted at my laptop and could barely see the computer screen through my blurry eyes, I continued to journal and make notes of our daily, seemingly mundane lives. Even though I thought I'd remember what happened each day, it has gone by so quickly that many of the memories have all but faded. With each journal entry, each note, each event and conversation recorded, my kids will have a permanent reminder of my love for them during these early years. But this legacy is far from complete: I'll continue writing my kids love notes because I just want them to know how much I love them.

Photo Alb.u.m In the process of writing this book, I was looking for photos to include. Because I had never seen many of them before, I spent hours reliving those years in our home on Andrew Avenue. I hope you will engag these pictares as well.

Our first day of ski school in Utah. It took two hours and lots of adults to dress all of the kids. I was so happy they had the privilege of learning to ski.

At the beach in North Carolina, Alexis greets "Dusty." I have no idea where she came up with the name Dusty, but he is her buddy for sure!

All six kids giving one another "rabbit ears." It's moments like these that I can catch glimpses of the future...when they are all teenagers doing goofy stuff to each other (heaven help me!).

This is one of my favorite pictures of Aaden ever...from the snack in the corner of the mouth to the folded down ear.

Cara in her own design. She always came up with the most creative paper hats and masks.

Diving into our Easter baskets before church. There was no room for everyone to go and spread out their contents, so they ended up sitting on the floor around the dining room table...sneaking jelly beans (organic of course) at any chance.

Life's a beach, isn't it?

On a rainy beach day, Leah, Alexis, and Hannah made the pantry into a fun game-jump out and scare Mommy!

Collin clearly had an issue with "lying down and going to sleep"-so he sat up and went to sleep during this naptime!

Collin enjoying a winter wonderland right outside our door!

Mady did her hair up in chopsticks and was proud to show off her Asian heritage.

Mady got a karaoke machine for Christmas and sang all day-and all night!

Hannah and Leah had fallen asleep at the top of the stairs near their bedroom...It was time to put a gate at the top for safety!

Fun at our neighbor Laura's pool. They graciously allowed our eight kids to descend upon their backyard pool each and every Wednesday morning one summer.

Alexis stopping for a water break at her third birthday party.

Out to dinner and spending time with Hannah and Leah.

As we packed for a winter trip, Hannah decided to wear Mommy's shoes for a day.

Hannah, Cara, Collin, and Joel on the "party bus" as the kids always called any bus (other than ours).

Collin is lifting a "BIG" pumpkin...or trying. He called them "b.a.l.l.s." This was taken on the first episode of our show.

First night in our new big boy beds. What a milestone. I sadly watched as our last cribs ever were replaced with beds. Aaden is sleeping, while Joel is playing-typical!

Hannah, Collin, Leah, Alexis, Joel, and Aaden showing off dress-up and favorite toys.

Mady and Cara's sixth birthday at American Girl Place in New York City. What a huge treat for my big girls (and for Mommy)!

The first summer at Andrew Avenue, our friend Carla introduced us to the amazing world of b.u.t.terfly hatching! We took turns releasing them. Each child got to release two b.u.t.terflies. Here it's Cara's turn and Mady and Alexis watch.

Hannah having a counter conversation with Mommy.

All eight kids in five square feet! The kids were thrilled to be in a store picking out equipment for our infamous rainy campout.

Miss Beverly always had a way of not only folding, but also entertaining at the same time. I think the kids were in "boats" here.

In loving memory of Nana Janet.

Enjoy these recipes from Kate's new cookbook, Love Is in the Mix. Love Is in the Mix. Coming soon! Coming soon!

Nana Janet's Roast 2 Tbsp b.u.t.ter2 Tbsp olive oil4 lb bone in chuck roast1 large onion, sliced thin1 tsp coa.r.s.e salt.w.a.ter3/4 cup flour cup flour Rinse defrosted roast and pat dry. Place oil and b.u.t.ter in large saucepan with lid. Melt over medium high heat and then place roast in pan and salt with half tsp salt. Place sliced onions on top of roast. Sear roast on one side until medium brown. Flip roast and salt with remaining 1 1/2 tsp salt. Sear second side until brown. Add 1 cup water (about tsp salt. Sear second side until brown. Add 1 cup water (about 1 1/2-3/4 inch of water in bottom of pan), reduce heat to medium and cover. Cook until most of the water dissipates (about 10-14 min). Flip roast, add another cup of water, cover, and cook again until water dissipates. Repeat steps for 2 1/2-3 hours. Do not allow water to completely disappear so roast won't burn.

During last water addition, cook roast for 5 minutes and then remove roast from pan. Turn liquid up to boil and add flour slowly while stirring to create gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable.

This is a most tender and delicious roast beef. It's especially wonderful in mid winter when it's very cold outside. I remember asking Nana Janet for this recipe. She said she'd have to show me-she showed me alright! We got busy talking and we burned it, so she said with a laugh, "I showed you what NOT to do!" So don't walk away from this one!

Mommy Applesauce 15 apples (I like to use Golden Delicious)1/2 cup water cup water1 cup white sugar2 tsp cinnamon Core, peel, and thinly slice (about 1 1/2 inch thick) apples. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours. Once applesauce has cooled, use a hand mixer to make smooth applesauce. inch thick) apples. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours. Once applesauce has cooled, use a hand mixer to make smooth applesauce.

*Variation: Omit sugar to make Baby Applesauce. Freeze in small container for baby-as one of his first foods!

My kids rave over Mommy Applesauce! There is nothing as easy or as rewarding as this crock-pot applesauce recipe. I freeze it in containers to bring out and thaw (and reheat!) for dinner.

An added bonus? As it cooks, it makes the house smell better than the best apple cinnamon candle you can buy!

Thomas Hummus 3 cans (16 oz. each) chick-peas18 Tbsp lemon juice (or juice from 6 lemons)4 garlic cloves, minced3/4 cup tahini paste6 Tbsp olive oil1-1/2 tsp salt Drain chick-peas, reserving 1 1/4 cup liquid. Mince the garlic. Puree chick-peas with liquid, garlic, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, oil, and salt until very smooth. cup liquid. Mince the garlic. Puree chick-peas with liquid, garlic, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, oil, and salt until very smooth.

Serve with pita bread or pita chips (see below).

Can be stored up to 4 days in the fridge.

Pita Chips Slice pita bread into triangles and arrange on a cookie sheet. Spray with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake at 450 degrees for 79 minutes until pita slices are golden brown and crunchy.

Store in a Ziploc bag for 23 days.

Our kids call hummus "Thomas," thinking it's named after Collin Thomas. They have been eating it since they were very young and often yell, "More Thomas please!" This is a great lunch or healthy snack, and I often serve it with raw veggies.

Memorable Pizza Meatb.a.l.l.s 2 lbs ground beef2 cups seasoned bread crumbs1 cup milk1/2 cup onion, finely chopped cup onion, finely chopped2 tsp pepper1 block (8 oz) mozzarella cheese1/3 cup flour1/4 cup oil cup oil50 oz pizza sauce (our favorite is Don Pepino) Combine first 6 ingredients just until mixed and shape into meatb.a.l.l.s. Cut mozzarella cheese into cubes and put one into the center of each meatball, covering the cheese completely with meat. Roll lightly in flour. Cook meatb.a.l.l.s in oil over medium heat until browned (about 34 minutes each side) and then drain. Add pizza sauce and bring to boil. Turn down heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until meatb.a.l.l.s are cooked through. Makes approx. 3240 golf-ball size meatb.a.l.l.s.

Serve over pasta, rice, in buns, or as an appetizer.

We first tried these during that first year with six crying babies. It seems an unlikely hit, but it has made its way to our table many times-and has become a definite favorite. I serve them with fries and steamed broccoli. It can also be served on rolls and becomes pizza without the crust. This is a great recipe to serve half tonight and freeze half for a quick future dinner!

Grandma's No-Bake Chocolate Cookies 2 cups sugar1/2 cup milk cup milk1/2 tsp salt tsp salt2 heaping tsp cocoa2 Tbsp vanilla1/2 cup peanut b.u.t.ter cup peanut b.u.t.ter2-1/2 cups oatmeal Bring sugar, milk, salt, and cocoa to a boil and continue for 1-1/2 min. Remove from heat and add vanilla, peanut b.u.t.ter, and oatmeal. Line countertop with wax paper and use a teaspoon to drop mixture onto paper. Allow cookies to cool and harden. Makes approx. 3 3 dozen cookies. dozen cookies.

This is one cookie recipe that is safe for kids as young as mine to help. I mix the ingredients together and then transfer dough to smaller bowls and provide a spoon and a sheet of wax paper to each child. They enjoy spooning their own cookies onto their own wax paper. These cookies are also a great source of fiber and are fun to make together!

Eight Little Faces A Mom's Journey Kate Gosselin

Just in time for Mother's Day, this gift book features photos from Jon and Kate's family alb.u.m, along with words from Kate on a variety of topics any mom can relate to including patience, encouragement, grat.i.tude and guidance. Kate's favorite Scripture verses accompany the text.

Follow the lives of the entire Gosselin clan in words and pictures.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

To J.M. for everything-enjoy your new baby (aka Squooshy)!

To S. & G.N. for your unwavering support and for including us as part of your family.

To J.A. & J.M. for your undying lifelong friends.h.i.+p.

To C. & A.T. for answering my SOS calls over the years.

To J.N. for stepping in whenever needed and taking over perfectly.

To A.S., K.C., J.S., and B.P. for your work on this book.

To T.G., J.B. & R.D. for making me look good, and to N.P. and M.L. for an amazing cover.

About the Publisher Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Publishers Publishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, new media products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children's products. The world's largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publis.h.i.+ng rights to the New International Version of the Bible New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, ma.s.s merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher. and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, ma.s.s merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.

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