Plates a Spinning

I'm Not Crazy

2011-08-03T22:59:00.005-05:00

Ok, so maybe I am a little bit.

Or a lot.

Alright, stop yelling at me!

I admit it, I am crazy!

I mean I must be.

I like my kids.

I enjoy being around my kids.

I have fun with my kids.

I go to kids camp with my kids......

And here is where the crazy comes in....

plus 40 more kids.

I suppose that on some level I am still a kid at heart. What other reason could there be for going to stay in a large cabin with 12 other adults and 41 kids?

And here's the kicker...the really crazy part...

Actually enjoying it and going back year after year!

Church Kids Camp 2011-Kickin' it Old School, was a great success and a lot of fun.

My kids only go for 4 days/3 nights, but I tell you we pack a lot into that time.

We take kids from our church and combine with another church to have about 40 kids.

I absolutely love the format we do camp in. We stay at a YMCA camp, and we all stay in one big "cabin". Girls upstairs, boys downstairs, with a large common area downstairs as well.

I love the camaraderie that is built doing it this way and all staying together.

Is it loud? Yes.

Is it crazy? Yes.

Do adults sometimes want to give some kids a round house kick? Yes.

But wow, the fun!

We have our own chapel time, pool time, lake time, canoe time, game time, eating time, movie time, craft time, small group time, devotion time, and for a few precious hours we even have sleep time.

So why do I go? Why do I do this camp thing?

Because I love investing that time into the lives of my kids and the 39 other kids that are there.

One of the things I have always tried to do as a parent is to be an intentional parent.

I want my kids to grow up knowing that they can trust me, count on me, have fun with me, be sad with me, be mad at me, forgive me, learn with me, grow with me, serve with me, and genuinely navigate this life with me.

To me, part of doing all of those things involves me really knowing my kids.

I love watching my kids grow and learn and seeing them develop in all areas of their lives.

I love watching them grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

I firmly believe, and as the kids get older I believe this even more, that parents are God's sanctification tool for our kids. And really vica versa. Nothing sanctifies me more than my marriage and kids.

I believe that God gives us many unique opportunities in our parenting to point our kids hearts towards Christ, towards their need for the gospel.

These are beautiful moments. Sometimes they don't feel very profound or obvious, but then other times, they seem huge and the weight of them takes your breath away.

Both are beautiful in their own right.

And because of this, I go to kids camp.

I don't go to check up on my kids or make sure they are safe.

As a matter of fact, I make a very concerted effort to not "parent" them when we are there.

I don't remind them to pick up their clothes, or brush their teeth, or put on sunblock.

I treat all the kids at camp the same and lump my kids right in their with them.

I DO go though because I love to see my kids in action.

This is one of the ways that I really get to know my kids.

I see their strengths and their weaknesses.

I see what makes them tick.

I see where they are spiritually.

I see where the rubber is meeting the road.

And in seeing these things, I better know how to relate, deal, train, do life, with these kids God has given me.

Every year that I have gone to camp with one or both of the kids, God has given me great opportunities.

One, there is always the opportunity to laugh! We laugh a lot at kids camp!

I love that thus far the kids love me to be there and aren't embarrassed by me.

They think I am crazy and they love to laugh with me.

I loved this year having Lana and her friends wanting me to sit with them at every meal and calling us the cool table.

I loved being summoned up to a room of 12 girls to tell stories to them and have them make up and tell me silly stories in return.

I loved being swarmed in the pool by kids wanting to play and have fun.

I loved comforting kids by making them laugh when they thought they were hurt.

I loved playing games with the kids and ok-yes- I enjoyed beating them ;)

I loved doing all those things not only with my kids but the other kids.

In just a few short years these kids may all grow into teenagers and think I am the biggest dork out there. But I hope and pray that the investment I have tried to make in their lives will keep the doors open with them.

I don't claim to nor think that I have all the answers. I don't think I am particularly good at giving advice. But I do pray that spending these years with all these kids just doing something as simple as loving them through laughter, will keep the lines of communication open and that through all of it they will see that I love them and want to see them grow in their relationships with the Lord.

Number 2-which really I should list as number 1- in my list of awesome camp opportunities, is the talks we get to have about God and growing in Him.

I don't want my kids to grow up thinking that our Christian walk is this easy walk in the park/go to camp, deal. I want to see them struggle. I don't like to see them struggle, but we would all be missing out if their were no struggle. They need to wrestle with their sin. They need me to help wrestle it with them. Believe me, being a sleep deprived & competitive kid at camp will bring that wrestling match up quick fast and in a hurry. And this is where God gives me another one of His divinely appointed parenting sanctification moments.

Talking through hurt, disappointment, confusion of feelings, misplaced anger, and helping my child see through the lens of the Gospel in all of those emotions...well, its better than all the laughter and the silliness of camp.

This is why I go. To allow God to sanctify me and my children.

I am fully aware when I am pointing my child towards Christ that it is Him working in me and my heart.

I will be full on honest. Sometimes these talks make we lose my mind. I just want to yell, "Do you realize how stupid you are being?!" "Why can't you just listen to me?!" "Do we have to talk about this now?!" Sometimes I just want to lay on the ground and play possum.

When I am trying to help my child deal with their own flesh, I am still dealing with mine.

BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, demonstrates His love for me, and my child, loving us, making us alive because of Christ, bestowing grace upon us that we do not deserve, and preparing us for His purpose, allowing us in those moments to both be transformed and brought more to His image.

I love what God does for my kids at camp. I love that God allows me to walk that path with my kids. I sincerely hope and pray that I am able to do that for many more years.

I am not naive enough to think that I will go on every sort of camp or missions trip type journey with my kids. I know that as they get older, some they will go on their own and God will use other people in their lives. I am thankful for the people He has put into their lives now to help them grow and learn more about Him.

I am so thankful for this time in their lives that God is allowing me to be a part of.

In so many ways I feel ill equipped to be their mother and know that it is the Spirits work in my life that is carrying me through and getting through to them in the first place.

So there you have it.

I'm not crazy.

I'm just a Mom.

It touched Me

2011-06-23T10:21:00.003-05:00

Several weeks ago was our VBS.

I love VBS and I love directing it.

It is a lot of work, but I believe in the ministry and I believe in the fruits that God grants from the ministry.

VBS is a lot of work. A LOT!

One of the things that takes up my energy during that week is doing the opening and closing time every night.

The opening introduces the truths for the day and sets the tone for the rest of the night, and the closing is supposed to wrap up all the truths learned from the day.

On the 2nd night of VBS, I got in the car with my family after it was all done and was feeling very frustrated. The closing time wasn't going how I thought it should. With being outside under a tent, and close quarters, I was feeling the chaos. I was feeling like I had no control over the closing time, and that it wasn't serving its purpose....to wrap up all the truths learned from the day. To close the day in songs of worship.

So on the drive home that night I complained to my husband. I complained that I wasn't doing something right. That I didn't have control over the closing, and that I was frustrated with myself.

And then God like He does so many times in my life, used one of my kids to touch me.

We got home, got showered, and got settled, and Logan came to me wanting to talk and showing so much sincerity and concern that I wasn't sure what was going on.

He then proceeded to tell me what a great time he was having at VBS and how he loved to learn more about God in that setting.

He told me he couldn't believe that I was frustrated at the way things were going because he thought it was going really well.

He told me "I was really surprised to hear on the way home that you were frustrated because you would never be able to tell that when you are up there talking to all us kids."

It made my heart happy to hear all these things.

But then.....

He told me, "It amazes me how God made you. God gave you a gift for VBS. I love how God made you because you are amazing to me."

It was one of those parenting moments that gets etched into your brain. I love how God uses my kids to show me His love for me. I love to see the way the He is working in my kids and how He uses me as a Mother to show His love to them.

Needless to say, I chilled out about the closing for the next 3 nights.

And you know what? I think the last 3 nights went much better.

No Appropriate Title

2011-05-19T23:26:00.002-05:00

There are no real words to convey all that is going on inside this brain of mine these days.

I cannot give an appropriate title to this post because none of what we have witnessed in these past few weeks has been appropriate.

The trials of the past 4 weeks have been nothing but the results of us living in this sinful and fallen world that we live in.

We have seen the depravity of man display itself in the most tragic of deaths. We have seen "Mother Nature" unleash its tole resulting in unimaginable destruction.

As I sit and try to process the events of the past few weeks, I am sometimes speechless.

I sometimes have a lot to say, but don't have the guts to say it.

Other times I cry for the lives that have been touched and forever changed.

But mostly I think about how it all fits.

What is God trying to teach me?

Why has He in His infinite wisdom allowed this past month to be filled with so much turmoil? Why did He bring people into our lives for such a short time only to be heartbroken by their choices?

Why why and more why?

In the broad sense I know the answer. For HIS glory.

But in the general sense, I have to process through how it is gloryfying to Him for a 3 year old to be beaten to death and a grown man to take his own life?

I can look at little pieces and see His mercies, but seeing the bigger picture is where none of it makes sense.

I am a firm believer in God's sovereignty. I believe that He is in control over every circumstance. I believe that all things work together for those who are called according to His purpose.

I believe these things and count them to be true...

But I still have a lot to process.

What will she be?

2011-03-14T21:55:00.006-05:00

This picture was taken back in December when we were in Charlotte, NC.

Lana, who is named in part, after my Grandmother Margaret, wanted to go visit her grave and take flowers as well.

It was a sweet memory.

After taking some time to find the actual grave, we found that my Grandmothers was surrounded by graves with flowers while hers had none. This touched my girl. We lifted the vase and placed the flowers in it. Then we just stood there and talked. She wanted to know about the funeral (Grandmother died when I was 11 and it was also in December). She wanted to know if Grandmother would like her. She was curious about how later Paw-Paw will be buried in the same place. Lots of questions, but so sweetly asked.

I love that it is important to her that her middle name is Margaret. Even though she never met her, it seems that she feels some sort of kinship with her having shared the name.

I love that is was important to her to go and see where she is buried and to take flowers there to be sure she had some.

I love that us doing that was the most important thing on her agenda for that trip. I had to promise and then reassure that promise repeatedly.

3 months later, today, we went and visited another grave. This was the grave of her friend Ms. Eloise.

Ms. Eloise was 88 years old and died last July.

In December Lana had some Christmas money and used it to buy flowers for her grave.

We finally were able to go today and because we were able to go, it makes me wonder....

What will my sweet Lana be when she grows up?

I am amazed at the sensitivity that my 8 year old has towards elderly people and death.

Lana loved Ms. Eloise. She was a sweet little lady that had Alzheimer's, and loved the kids of our church with all her heart. She always had a quarter for Lana. Her sweet husband always made sure she had quarters to give out. Lana didn't love Ms. Eloise because she gave her quarters. She never kept them anyway, but put them in the offering plate.

Lana just loved Ms. Eloise. There was a connection she felt to her...one that I did not realize the depth of, until today.

We spent lots of time today by Ms. Eloise's grave today talking about God, and death, and Heaven.

It was another of those awesome opportunities that God gives us to speak the Gospel to our children.

We then spent some time picking up flowers around the other graves and carefully putting them back into vases. It bothers Lana that flowers have fallen out and nobody has picked them up.

It bothers her that there are too many graves that don't have flowers and that they need to mow the grass.

She was careful to walk around the graves and not step on the places where they are buried because that is somebodies loved one.

She is sensitive to death. She is sensitive to those that death leaves behind.

What will she be someday?

Will she be a person that goes to random graves and pulls the weeds and leaves flowers instead?

Will she go to nursing homes and sit and have tea parties with little old ladies?

Will she work at a funeral home and comfort people in their hour of need?

After we picked up all the flowers, Lana asked if we could go back and spend more time with Ms. Eloise.

She then sat by her grave with one lone tear drop on her face and asked if she could have a few minutes alone.

It was the most touching thing you could see an 8 year old do.

I will never forget that moment.

Whatever Ms. Eloise's role in Lana's life was while she was alive, her role in her death has had a profound impact on me as a Mother. I have seen a love and sensitivity that I did not know an 8 year old was capable of. I have also been given one more opportunity to talk to my daughter about the great mysteries of Godliness. About life, death and God's glory in it all.

What will she be someday?

I don't know the answer to that question, but by God's Grace I know she will be something beautiful for Him.

What happens when...

2011-03-07T23:00:00.003-06:00

You have an endoscopy and your husband and children are there when you wake up?

Well I'll tell you. They laugh at you.

I know right...can you believe that?! How rude!

Here's the thing about these types of procedures. One minute you're talking to the nice nurse about homeschooling and her children, and my children...and then the next minute, she's put something into your IV and you realize she is ready for you to shut up. What nice nurse? I thought we were having a nice conversation! I mean, you were nice, and are in the medical field and did not indeed tell me as another medical professional did that I should give up on the whole homeschooling thing.

I will forgive her however, because, how was the Dr supposed to slip a camera down my throat if her and I are chit chatting.

I do love that feeling when those sleepy drugs kick in and you suddenly just dont care about anything. All is right with the world. Despite the fact that the Dr wants to look inside your stomach.

The waking up part. Well thats just weird. I think I remember a nurse helping me put my clothes on. I'm hoping it was a nurse anyways and not some crazy dude from upstairs with a video camera. If you see anything on youtube, immedietly click the X and run away.

I think I remember my husband and children coming in too.

I thought I was doing pretty well. I asked what time it was. I asked if the kids had finished their language arts.

Then I proceeded to ask those same questions again 4 times each in a span of 6 minutes.

Ok, so maybe I just need to sleep.

Well thats working well, even if it is one of those weird coming in and out of sleep.

At least I'm not repeating myself anymore.

But wait! Stacy is talking about eating Squid! I do not want to eat squid! What is he thinking?!

I sit up.

"I don't want to eat squid."

Children stop, mid sentence of their conversation to watch their crazy mother and hear more about the squid.

Husband- "I did not say anything about eating squid."

Me- "Ok, but I don't want to eat squid."

Husband- "Yes baby, nobody said anything about eating squid."

Me- "Somebody said something about eating squid and I don't want to."

Husband - ~snicker snicker~ and also wishing he would have pulled out his video phone in time for this exchange- "Ok sweetie."

Children giggle. Why are the children giggling at their mother. And did they do their language arts? What time is it?

25 Things You Maybe Never Wanted to Know

2011-02-19T23:33:00.000-06:00

1. I don't like monatany, but am reluctant to change.

2. I always have an opinion, you just don't always get to hear it.

3. I sure do try to find something positive about everyone. Some people just make that harder than others.

4. I think I would just about rather do anything than clean the shower. Anything but eat mayonaise that is.

5. I am mildly obsessive when it comes to buying fall and spring clothes for the kids. I have to have a plan and over analyze my purchases.

6. I want to adopt a little Guatemalan baby. My sister thinks I need a chinese baby.

7. I gag easily and hate hair balls or clumps of hair. I once threw up at a camp when confronted with a hair ball in the shower.

8. Sin is my biggest problem. Or, my lack of overcoming sin is my biggest problem.

9. I can't stand chaos.

10. I like to be organized but have a hard time staying that way.

11. I mull things over for long periods of time. Ask my husband. He loves it.

12. I always thought I wanted only boys. Can't even imagine life without LanaLou.

13. I used to be a lot more out going than I am now.

14. Listening to the sounds of video games is like the sound of nails on the chalkboard to me.

15. There is a sound, and I can't describe it, but its a certain material, and when it is rubbed, I get the goose bumps and feel like I will die. I actually feel that way just typing about it.

16. I need to know who sings a song that I am listening too. This is why I love Pandora.

17. Toilet paper over the roll. If you like it under, I think your Mother must not have potty trained you correctly.

18. Right now I like the color blue. Like Robins Egg blue. I want to paint a room that color, but it would make no sense in the rest of my house.

19. I want to lose 30 lbs. Sigh.

20. I need my space.

21. I don't understand why Aaron is spelled with 2 a's or Lloyd with 2 L's.

22. I like the idea of being an Ingalls or a Walton, but in reality, probablly wouldn't last 2 days.

23. I'm more in love with my husband than I show. I should fix that.

24. Sometimes I feel like Bob, from the movie "What about Bob".

25. Maybe there really aren't 25 things I want you to know.

Friends

2011-02-18T22:39:00.003-06:00

After being yelled at for not maintaining my blog, (not really) I suddenly realized how much I miss blogging and how much I miss reading my friends blogs.

Which brings me to my next point.

Friends.

I love having friends.

I love having true, meaningful, not pretentious, no hoop jumping, there for you, understanding, gracious, loving, funny, encouraging, Gospel loving, friends.

Not to take away from people that have made real and genuine friends on the WWW, but I sure am thankful for my real life-getting together frequently friends.

There is nothing like the sweet communion of true friendship.

Thank you friends for loving your imperfect friend!

Much Neglected Blog

2011-01-12T21:26:00.002-06:00

I have neglected my blog again. I'm sorry plates a spinning. Guess I've just been spinning my plates and have forgotten to include you in that.

Several things I need to blog about for the sake of remembering.

Soon to come:

Trip to Colorado

Christmas

Paw-Paw

Snow day

Homeschooling

I'm gonna just blog about these things and maybe you will forgive me dear blog.

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

2010-11-09T18:13:00.003-06:00

I get the exciting opportunity to review some fabulous Shutterfly cards and tell you all about them!

I have been using shutterfly for years and have never been disappointed. I make photo books for my kids every year and they love these special little treasures.

I have also used Christmas cards in the past and am excited to use them again this year.

They have literally hundreds of designs to choose from.

Some of my favorites are these:

Retro Snowflake - I love the simplicity and yet cute design of this card.

Initially Chic - This one is so sophisticated and chic, and I love the green!

Golly Holly Jolly - This one just screams Christmas to me! I love the greenery swag and the fact that is says "Holly Jolly"

Brighly Merrily - This one is just cute and snazzy. I love the words Merry & Bright.

I am going to have a hard time choosing just which one!

I am very excited to get some fabulous Christmas photos taken this year and put our happy family onto one of these super cute cards. Hopefully after I see the pictures, I will be able to choose the card design.

Tell me, what would you choose?

Check out some of these other cute Shutterfly projects!

Pewter Ornaments - Would be a great First Christmas gift!

Wall Calendar- I have made these several times and they make great gifts for the family!

So there you go, head on over, right now to Shutterfly and find something fabulous to make this Holiday season!

Holiday Baking Ideas

2010-11-08T18:11:00.002-06:00

Because I'm sick and consequently bored, I thought I would start posting some holiday ideas.

You never know when you might be the reciepient of some holiday kitchen goodies from yours truly!

Homemade Twix Bars- Oh. MY.!

Homemade Oreos- Killing me softly.

Cookie Dough Balls- Someone may die eating these.

Ginger Molasses Cookies- Different is good.

Christmas Cookie Bowl- I'll never make this, but it sure it cute!

Peppermint House- This got me to wondering...I wonder if you could make a house out of Pop Tarts. Hmmmm.

Yuletide Treat Logs- I saw these last year and thought they were so cute.

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna- Ok, so this has nothing to do with Christmas persay....just thought it looked good.

White Trash- Everybody makes it different, but you gotta love it!

That is all for now. There will be plenty more to come this holiday season.

What is your favorite Holiday standby?

Come on!

2010-10-27T16:12:00.003-05:00

Trust me, you do not want to miss this event. 20 + local vendors displaying handmade and homemade stuff for you to buy for everyone on your Christmas list...not to mention a few little prizes for yourself :)

Check out the By Hand Boutique website and enter to win a gift certificate to get you started!

I'll see YOU at the market!

Potato Soup & Writing Things Down

2010-10-07T16:58:00.003-05:00

I know everyone has a recipe they love for Potato Soup, but I have yet to find one that is my favorite. So today I invented one. Both children loved and fawned over it with reckless abandon all the while groaning and making "Bob" sounds. (The movie, "What about Bob?"). They then begged me to write it down so we can have it again.

Well, since one of the things that has been on my mind a lot, has been the death of a set of parents that we know of, leaving behind 3 kids ages 25, 19, and 13, I figured I should again be better about writing things down.

I'm not trying to be morbid, I just think of these things, like random potato soup, that I want to leave for my kids if something were to happen to me. Don't tell me you don't do the same thing. I won't believe you.

So here it is, in complete un measured form:

Potato Soup

1 carton chicken broth (the large kind)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

5 diced potatoes

6 baby carrots sliced thin

1 celery rib, sliced thin

Here's where I don't know measurements:

I threw in some minced onion, some garlic powder, some salt, some pepper.

Threw it all in the crock pot around 10:00 this morning, on high.

Around 1:00, I turned it to low.

Around 2:00, I added a handful of shredded cheddar.

Around 4:00 I turned it off so it could cool some.

Around 4:30 we ate it...oh how we ate it...we ate it with cheese, and sour cream, and bacon bits. MMM. We ate it with smiles on our faces, a glass of water by our sides, and a pumpkin muffin to top it all off.

Why, you may ask, did we eat it so early? Well so we could go to football practice and then come home and eat some more of course!

So here you go my little kiddies, Mama has documented this soup for you, so that noone can turn to you and say "No soup for you!"

Jump!

2010-09-23T22:22:00.003-05:00

I love this picture. I've seen it several times at a Drs office I go to.

Today I googled it, and it is by J A Hampton and is in the Hyde Park, London series from the 1930's.

I really want to know the story behind this picture, if there is one.

Was this planned? Was this an impromptu jump? Did he make it? Where was he going? What is in his hand? What is on the other side?

Really, I don't know what it is about the picture that captivates me so much and makes me need to know more details.

Maybe its the fact that this guy was willing to jump....to take the chance and just do it...to get to his destination quicker, without having to go the long way around.

Whatever the facts are, I like this picture and want to know more.

Good job J A Hampton.

Oh Lana

2010-09-06T20:47:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to document this story because it was the hardest my husband has ever laughed at our daugther.

If you don't know this, Lana has some intestinal issues and had to have a Berium enima on Wednesday. During this we discovered that she has some loops in her colon. Its a funny looking little colon. While doing the Berium enima you can see what is going on inside on the screen. It was pretty cool for her to see her insides.

This spawned her "illustrating" a book she called "Exrays". Actually spelled "Ecxrays".

It is a little book of drawings of her intestines. Very funny in and of itself. Some of the drawings are um...interesting.

Well today we were at lunch in Chattanooga with my dad and Lana tells us that she is going to right another book. This book will be called....brace yourselves....are you ready???

POOP LOOPS!

OH my goodness I have never seen Stacy or my Dad laugh so hard at her!

I cannot deny that she is my child. I love her.

On the Table

2010-09-05T18:57:00.007-05:00

On the Table, thanks to Veazer, AKA as Karen, this is the name I will always call it when posting dinner menus.

I must say that I am very happy about the way my grocery shopping has been going. Going to 3 different stores is kind of a pain, but I like the end result of saving money and therefore will keep doing it as long as I am able.

So for this weeks menu we have some of the same ole same old, and some old tried and trues that I haven't made in a while. Plus a newbie.

Let us commence:

Monday-

Ritz Cracker Chicken & Rice. Green Beans

4 chicken breast

1 can cream of mushroom

1 cup sour cream

1 sleeve Ritz Crackers

1 stick butter

2 cups cooked rice

Cook rice. Put into the bottom of 9x13 dish.

Salt and Pepper chicken and place on rice.

Combine cream of mushroom and sour cream and pour over chicken.

Crush crackers and sprinkle on top, and top with melted butter.

Bake @350 for 30-45 minutes.

Tuesday-

Taco Tuesday - Unless something crazy happens, I foresee Tuesday being taco night for a long time. Its cheap, my family loves it, and its easy. The end.

Wednesday-

Sloppy Joe Bake & Brocolli

1 c. bisquick

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

1/2 c. water

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 c. ketchup

1/2 tsp salt

1 can tomato sauce ( 8 oz)

Stir together bisquick, 1 cup of cheeze, water, & egg. Set aside.

Cook beef and drain. Stir in ketchup, tomato sauce, and salt.

Heat until Hot.

Pour into dish & top with bisquick mixture.

Bake @400 for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cook 5 more minutes or until cheese melts.

Thursday-

Again, until the end of the world presumably, we will be having breakfast for dinner (brinner) on Thursday nights. My mantra...its cheap, they like it, its easy. The end.

This Thursday will probablly be Bacon, Eggs, and Blueberry Muffins.

Friday-

Leftovers. Friday night is fun night at my friend Crissy's house, so the kids and I go there and Stacy gets a free night all to himself.

Saturday-

MMMM, Taco Filled Pasta Shells. This makes 2 pans, so I will make 1 to freeze for probablly next Saturday night. I need easy Saturday night/post football game meals for Saturday.

You can click back on THIS link to an older blog post for the recipe.

Sunday-

I don't usually cook on Sunday. That is so not the southern woman thing to do, but its the fact around here.

Monday-

Italian Pineapple Chicken, homemade mac'n cheese, and green beans.

Go to THIS LINK for the pineapple chicken ( I dont add the cheese btw).

And I posted my mac n cheese recipe, HERE.

Tuesday-

See previous Tuesday. And the Tuesday before that. And the Tuesday 2 months ago. And 5 Tuesdays into the future.

Wednesday-

My new (new to me) recipe for the week!

Bowtie Lasagna. The Pioneer Woman likes it, and if she likes it...well, that is good enough for me.

You can find the recipe, HERE.

*I'm going to go ahead and predict that at least one member of my family does not like this recipe. (insert me licking my lips because I will certainly like it and they will certainly go hungry)

Thursday-

Breakfast. For Dinner. Remember, cheap, they like it, easy. The end.

Brinner this week will be dependent upon, a. what I have left in the house. b. how nice my family is to me. c. what I feel like making.

Don't you wish you lived in my house?

Friday-

Start all over again.

Thats whats on the table at the Lowery house. Now go get to cookin!

Feelin' Crafty

2010-09-04T17:42:00.010-05:00

I've been feeling Crafty and Nesty here lately, so I thought I'd share some of my latest craftiness.

I will go ahead right now and assure you it is nothing spectacular and that you too can do anything with Modge Podge glue and the Dollar Tree!

Project #1:
I've had this mirror, FOREVER. As a matter of fact I think it is one of the first things I bought for Stacy and I's first apartment over 11 years ago.
I still like the mirror, but it needed some work.

Enter Modge Podge & Hobby Lobby

Really, it couldn't have been easier. Modge Podge some paper, paint a letter, and add some embellishments. I like the change.

Project # 2:

I got this magnet board on my recent trip to Pigeon Forge with my sister.

I've been wanting something to hang on my back splash, that I could hang recipes on when I'm cooking.

Again, could not be easier...stickers, some modge podged clothes pins with a magnet on the back, an embellishment, and some ribbon.

Missy's my name. Simples my game.

Project #3

I've been seeing the idea all over the Internet for this dollar tree craft using a vase and a candle holder.

You get the glass candle stick holder, and the glass vase/candle holder, and glue them together.

Some people use hot glue, some people use e6000 or something like that. I use hot glue cause thats what I have.

Since Fall is in the air today, I made a little Fall candle holder. Me likey. Me ready for Fall.

Project #4:

Another Dollar Tree craft that again is SO easy.

I saw these napkin holders. I love the bubble look on the outside, and thankfully they are flat on the inside.

Enter Modge Podge Glue and cute paper!

I just so happen to have double sided paper I had bought at a scrapbook outlet store in PF. Unfortunately I only bought 1 sheet of that fabulous paper. But I have been able to make 2 napkin holders out of it.

Lookey how cute! I made this one a couple weeks ago, but I made another one today, but didn't take a picture yet. The one I made today has a tag in the middle that says "S & P", and I have, thats right, you guessed it, Salt and Pepper shakers inside it.

Oh how I love Modge Podge Glue, Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, scrapbook paper, stickers, and feelin' crafty!

For the first time ever, I am going to link to Todays Creative Blog, for "Get your craft on Tuesday". I love to see other peoples ideas and crafty craftiness.

1st week of School. AKA "All the stuff I did wrong"

2010-09-02T21:51:00.000-05:00

Monday August 23rd is the day that is on my calendar as "FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!"

Monday August 23rd kind of came and went and turned into Tuesday August 24th.

It couldn't be helped. Well. Maybe it could have. But I just didn't feel ready.

I tend to set a lot of store in our first day of school. Its like it makes it or breaks it for me.

So when Monday rolled around and my house was not in order, my software for school was not installed, and we were all half dead from being so busy, I felt as if we should have a "get our butts in order" day. And we did.

Tuesday August 24th. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

I am pleased to announce that Tuesday went fairly well.

Lana was so happy and loved her new Language Arts book.

Logan. He pretends not to love it but secretly I think he does.

We started reading together a book called "Big Truths for Young Hearts" to start our day and I like it.

The big glitch. Math. On Tuesday I still had not figured out how it works.

Wednesday August 25th. I have to work on Wednesdays. Almost every single Wednesday this summer, it has worked out for Stacy to be home in the morning.

Wouldn't you know on the week we start school, he has to be out in the field.

So we gathered up our reading materials and the kids went with me.

No biggie really, they've done a few hundred times, it just sure makes for us all being hot and tired when we get home around 2.

Some school happened in the afternoon. Some.

Guess what else happened Wednesday afternoon. Guess!

Diarrhea. 2 days in to school and already a little bug. 2 days in to HOMESCHOOLING.

Days go by....more days go by...and here go some more days....

And here we are, Thursday, September 2nd.

2nd week of school. AKA a very crazy week.

Here is what I love about homeschooling. Life and homeschooling don't work separate from each other. It is not 2 separate entities pulling and fighting for a place. They just mesh together and you make them both work. Its kind of like my marriage vows..."For better of for worse".

2 weeks into school and we have had glitches, and Dr appointments, and errands, and sickness, and a whole bunch of life stuff. And yet, my kids are enjoying school (except maybe not today with my sour attitude) and learn along with me to go with the flow and take it all for better or worse. I'm pretty sure we haven't REALLY stuck to my typed out schedule. Its more of a guideline I suppose. We just plug along and work together to make this life/school thing work.

It has been a week. One of those weeks. One of those weeks where I find myself looking at beach condos because I so badly want to get away and stare at the ocean.

As we near the end of this "those weeks", I am thankful for a merciful God that is patient when I am not, that is loving when I am not, and that is gracious when I am not.

Thank you Lord for new days, new weeks and Your hand in all things.

I have a feeling next week is going to be much better.

On the Table

2010-08-22T20:52:00.003-05:00

I still can never decide what I want to call the postings with my menu's. Surprises are fun right?

I'm going to try to be diligent about posting weekly menu's, if for no other reason but to keep me on track.

These next 2 weeks are going to be boring and not the most healthy as my budget was a little tight this week. But bear with me, in the coming weeks I am going to pull out some old recipes, and everyone will be happy :)

So for this weeks b.o.r.i.n.g menu, here goes:

Monday- Golden Mushroom Chicken, Rice a Roni, Green Beans

Tuesday- Tacos, refried beans, corn

*Bonus* I'm going to a meeting Tuesday night and I'm going to try to bring THIS AMAZING CREATION

Wednesday- ~Here is where you will gasp~ Beef Strongonaff, UM, Hamburger Helper. And a big fat salad!

Thursday- Blueberry Muffins, Eggs, and Bacon

Friday- Going to Logans Football team cookout

Saturday- Pizza Biscuit Cups, Salad, and maybe some Ice Cream if my family is nice to me and I feel like going to the store again.

I feel the need to tell you that at Publix this week I got 6 boxes of Hamburger Helper for $2.50.

I mean really, I know its not the most healthy, but its cheap, and I like cheap.

I promise, more fun menus are on the way!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Upcoming Stuff

2010-08-11T19:54:00.004-05:00

I am very excited that I have decided to overcome my chicken...bwack bwack...ways and get back to blogging.

After reading back on previous posts I realize how much it helps me stay on track and keeps me on my toes. Of course even on my toes I don't reach much more than 5 feet, but still.

So...things coming up in my life. AKA, plates to spin...

Trip with my Sister

Oh yes, I have waited and anticipated this fun event and Sunday it begins.

I call it, "Sleep/eat/float/shop/movies/chill/sistertimeathon!"

Are you ready for some football?

Logan (10) is playing his first year of football. Yikes. He's fired up though, and I'm fired up for him! 4 months of our life goes to football. Its a good thing I love that boy.

Home School

Year #4 of homeschooling begins August 23rd. We joined a new group. We got some new curriculum. We're doing some things different. We got rid of the school room.

Good grief...what am I thinking?!

Mom & Me Baking

If you don't know about it, you will. Lana and I really want to start back up in September.

Stay tuned.

Group Publishing

I have recently been hired as an independent worker for Group Publishing.

I'm called a "Group Ambassador". You may call me Madam Ambassador.

No really, I'm not kidding. Call me that...in your head...now out loud...right now.

I will get the exciting opportunity to go into churches and do trainings on different church curriculum. Really excited to get this going!

Now, if we could just get some fallish temperatures in here I would be a whole lot more motivated to do all of the above.

Repurposing

2010-08-10T22:35:00.002-05:00

I have been a bad bad blogger. A wayward documenter. A slacker of monumental proportions.

Really, if we want to be honest....a chicken. Bwack bwack. ( I don't know how you really spell a chicken noise, but I think bwack bwack should be close.)

The reason for my blogging slackness boils down to 2 issues.

1. Comparing myself to other blogs that highlight all the wonderful things they make, create, and show us all, and feeling HIGHLY inferior.

2. Feeling like my blog was too random and I needed to reel it in and focus on something.

Bwack bwack bwack.

I'm done with these issues now and have decided to move onward.

I have decided that I don't care if anyone reads my blog, follows my blog, thinks my blog is worthwhile, or even judges my blog for lack of beautiful pictures.

I enjoy reading back on my blog and remembering the things I have documented here.

My kids are growing and doing new and fun things. They say funny and random and serious things. These are things I need to document and remember.

My faith grows. My thought processes go up and down. My desires change. My goals come and go.

These are all things I need to document and challenge myself with.

We are soon to start a new school year and I am going to succeed on some things and fail tremendously at others.

These are all things I need to document and learn from.

My sister and her family are stateside for only 8 more months. I have 4 beautiful nieces and an amazing sister that I don't get to spend enough time with, but the time I do get with them, I need to document and remember on those lonely days when they leave me again.

So here we have it. Plates a Spinning...the re purposed edition.

Its going to be random. Its going to be funny. Its going to be serious. Its going to be down right confusing at times. There may or may not be pictures. But by golly, I am going to be a blogger again.

Read it or don't read it. All I know is that I need to do this. For me.

I'm gonna do it

2010-07-15T22:55:00.003-05:00

Thats right. I am. I'm gonna. And you can't stop me. The only one that can stop me is, well me.

Stay tuned....

My First Day with Coupons

2010-02-05T15:43:00.002-06:00

Well today I did it....I shopped at Publix with my envelope full of coupons.
This is a big deal for me because I am mostly an Aldi shopper with some Wal-mart thrown in there. (BTW...I still have to go to Wal-Mart. I hate you wal-mart for making me need you!)
Anyhoo....I spent several hours yesterday at http://www.southernsavers.com/ going through their list of Publix stuff, printing coupons, and then cutting my own out of the newspaper.

Here is my break down:

1. I usually have $200 to spend for 2 weeks. This includes non-food items...toiletries, dog food, medicines, cleaning supplies...all of that annoying stuff.

2. The non-food items I needed today where as follows:
Dog food
Dog treats
Lysol Wipes
Comet
Windex
Laundry Detergant
Fabric Softener
TP
Q tips
Ziplocs (large and small)
Aluminum foil
Vitamins
Paper Plates
Total I spent about $40 on these items, but I did get some good deals.
For instance.

Dog Treats: They were $3.69 each, but where buy one get one free. I also had a $1.50 off of 2 coupon, so I got $7.38 worth of dog treats for $2.19.....Total Savings $5.19

Windex: (I actually got "Glass plus" ) It was $2.49, but was buy one get one free, making it $1.25 for 1. I had a $1 off coupon, so I got it for .25.....Total Savings $2.24

Comet: $1.19 each usually. Walgreens had a coupon for 2 for $1...Total Savings $1.38

Food items:
These were some of my favorite food deals.
PREFACE: I usually buy Aldi brand snacks and cereals. I don't have a problem with it, however my husband....well lets just say, it will bless his heart to have some name brand snacks.

Cheezits: $3.19 a box. On sale, buy one get one free. I had 2 $1 off coupons. So I got 2 boxes for $1.19 . Total savings: $5.19

Claussen Pickles: On sale for $2. I had a $1 off coupon. So I got them for $1.

Frenchs Mustard: On sale for .93. I had a .50 coupon, but AHA, Publix doubles coupons, so they paid me .7 to buy mustard today!

Kraft Cheese: On sale for 2 for $4. I had 2 $1 off coupons, so I got them for $1 each.

I have a lot of deals like that.

Now, I did also go to Aldi cause lets face it, they cannot be beat on milk, bread, and fruit.
I spent $35 at Aldi. I figured up that if I would have bought the items I bought at Aldi, at Publix, I would have spent $50 on those items. ( Because there was no sales or coupons on those items.)

Walgreens had some good coupons, and since Publix doesnt consider them a competitor they won't take their coupons. So I did go into Walgreens for several things.
I spent at Walgreens $8.84, and saved $7.04.
This was on Campells soups, Comet, Chicken Broth, and Green Giant Vegetables.

Back to my Publix total.

I spent (and I always take a big gulp when I see this amount of money being spent, but I do have to remind myself that I got ALOT of stuff and nobody in my house will starve, smell bad, be dirty, or complain about Aldi crackers!)....$159.95 and saved $96.47.

So to sum up:

Total spent (at 3 places) $204.06
Total saved........................$118.51

I feel really good about that, escpecially considering the amount of stuff that I got, and the fact that this will last for at least 2 weeks.
Hopefully in 2 weeks I can do even better because I'll have more coupons stored up, I won't have to buy as much non-food items (i.e. dog food), and I will know a little bit better what I am doing.

Also, I know about the CVS thing, and I had planned on doing some stuff with that, but honestly, I am out of money, so it will have to wait.

I still have to go to Wal-mart to get some vitamins and duct tape. Oh well.

Lets get "LOST" tonight!

2010-02-02T11:54:00.003-06:00

It is here. The night that many of us have waited for...hoped for...longed for....
Groundhogs Day Night............

Er, I Mean, LOST night!

Stacy and I started watching Lost about a year ago as something we could watch together. So we rented them from Net flix and spent the next several months with the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 on the mysterious Island in the middle of nowhere.
About 8 months later we finished all 5 seasons, and now find ourselves like everybody else...still confused, having to wait, and above all else, LOST!

Tonight begins the first episode of the last season. The season where it all comes together and all our questions are answered. Ahem...we shall see.

My husband and I have been anxiously awaiting this night. WHY? Is it because the show is THAT good? YES. Is it because it is one of the only shows that we both like and can watch together? Double YES. Is it because we can lock ourselves downstairs for 3 whole hours while the chidren terrorize each other upstairs. Yes, you have it, triple YES.

So to commemerate this evenings much anticipated "date night", I have planned a Dharma Initiative feast. If you do not know what the Dharma Initiative is you should go away now.

To Start the evening we will be dining on:
"Loin of Wild Boar"
"Seasoned with John Lockes 11 herbs and Spices"
"UPC # 4 8 15 16 23 42"

With a side of:
"Roasted Root Potatoes"
"Given special attention by the 'Sun' and cooked over an open flame".
"UPC # 4 8 15 16 23 42"

And of course some veggies:
"Native Vegetation"
"Others must have been here"
"UPC # 4 8 15 16 23 42"

And to top it all off, some Desssert:
"Dessert for the Deserted"
"Contraband from Sawyer. What else is he hiding in that tent?"
"UPC # ( can you guess whats coming? 4 8 15 1 6 23 42"

And in case your wondering what that REALLY means, the menu is as follows:
Peppercorn crusted Pork Tenderloin
Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
M & Ms and brownies (or MAYBE Duncin Donuts if my husband brings some home!)

So there you have it, our own personal Dharma Initiative date night.
Do not disturb between the hours of 7-10. We will be LOST!

Coming Soon...

2009-11-05T21:36:00.002-06:00

I am going to blog again. Soon. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

OR

Look forward anxiously to the brilliance from which I will spew.
Agh, probablly not.

Ding Dong Dinner

2009-09-12T20:59:00.003-05:00

I don't know...just go with it.

Since you are dying to know whats on the menu this week, here goes.

*Meatloaf w/ bacon on top- Homemade mac' n chz- veggie

*French Dip Sandwiches- Corn on the Cob

*Fish Tacos- Black beans and Corn

*Cream Cheese Chicken- Rice- veggie

*Birds in a Nest- Bacon- Fruit

And since I KNOW you are gonna say next, "How do you make_____"
I will also give you some recipes, cause lets face it folks...thats how I roll.

Fish Tacos:
I got some grilled garlic fish at Aldi.
Figure I'll add some black beans, lettuce, fresh salsa, cheese, a squeeze of lime, sour cream, throw them in a tortilla shell, and we'll call it a day.

French Dip Sandwiches:
Again, at Aldi, I got some French Dip meat ( It was a special item in their special freezer case. I think you have to be special to get it.)
Also got some French Baguetts at Aldi, and some Muenster Cheese.
Gonna heat the meat and au jus. Gonna toast the bread. Gonna top the bread with meat, au jus, and cheese. Gonna pop that in the oven until the cheese melts.
While I'm doing that, I'm gonna put some corn on the cob in a pot for about 5 minutes.
Yep, thats what I'm gonna do.

Cream Cheese Chicken:
I got this recipe years ago from Danae Haskins. I make it a little differently I think, but its still GOO-OD, and EA-SSSY!

4 frozen chicken breast
1 packet of Italian Dressing Seasoning OR Ranch Seasoning
2 cans Cream of Mushroom ( I use low fat)
1 -8oz block Cream Cheese ( again, low fat)

Put the FROZEN ckn breast in the crock pot ( That is the genious of this recipe, you can use frozen chicken).
Sprinkle seasoning packet on top.
Pour Cream of Mushroom in.
Cube (or just break off in really messy pieces like I do) the cream cheese.
Add to the top.

Cook on low 4-6 hours, stirring every once in a while.
MMM and another MMMMMMMMM.
Serve over Rice and there you have it.

Homemade Mac 'N' Cheese:
( I also make a different version in the crock pot, but Master Logan has requested it this way this week)
(This is the famous Bonnie Preslar way to do it)

2 cups Elbow Noodles (Cooked and drained)
2 cups Milk
2 Tbls Butter
2 Tbls Flour
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Ground Mustard ( this is my addition to the recipe cause it just adds a little zip)
3 Cups Cheese (Sharp Cheddar and Colby is what I use)

Make a white gravy by melting the butter, and whisking in the flour to make a "rue".
Slowly whisk in the Milk. Stir until thickened. Add S & P, and mustard.

Now, I do things a little differently, cause I have found that my family likes it best this way.
I add 2 cups of the cheese to the gravy, and let it melt.
Then I add the noodles and stir around.
Pour it into a greased casserole dish and add the other cup of cheese to the top for a yummy crunchy top.
Bake @ 350 for about 30 minutes.
Serve it to your family and let them think you are Queen of the world.

Birds in a Nest:
I'm going to make some homemade bread. Then slice it into medium size pieces.
Next I will lightly toast it.
After that, I am going to heat my electric griddle.

Actually, I am going to plug it in, and electricty and a little heating element are going to heat it.
Ahem.

I will then, melt some butter.
While my butter is melting, I will cut holes out of my toast.
I shall then, add the toast to the afore mentioned skillet.
In each hole, I will crack an egg.
I will let the egg set until it looks like I like it.
While it is setting, I will take the pieces from the holes that I cut out approximatly 7 minutes ago, and I will add a little butter and cinnamon sugar to them.
Oh yeah, thats gonna be good!

Somewhere during that process I will have fried up some bacon, and cut up some fruit.
Then I will put it all on a serving platter, and bring it to the table, where my family will be anxiously awaiting their Birds in a Nest with bacon, fruit, and Cinnamon treat!

And there you have it. Ding Dong Dinner.

A Little Impromptu Chinese Dumpling

2009-09-05T19:08:00.006-05:00

No, we didn't adopt a Chinese kid! (Although I am certainly not opposed to the idea)
This morning we were enjoying a nice rainy Saturday morning, watching Kung Fu Panda, when it hit us that we NEEDED some Chinese Dumplings. How it could occur to us when we've never actually HAD them, well I really have no idea. I guess it was just the site of PO the Panda and his master tossing a bit of cartoon Dumpling around, that got our mouths salivating a little bit.

How sad that we are inspired by cartoons, but alas....we where.

Thankfully we have this great thing on our computer called "Google". So we "Googled" and found THIS great cooking website with a post about Chinese Dumplings. COMPLETE with pictures I might add. This is always helpful when you've never made something before.

Husband decided that we must have them and so off to Wal-Mart I must go.

I have to tell you, it was a lot of fun all of us doing this together. There was lots of chopping involved, as well as deveining of shrimp...and we all know what that REALLY means! Yes, Lana MAY have been freaking out just a little.

Stacy worked on the dough. He's a cute little dough boy ;)

MMMM, this is ours simmering in the pan...

And the finished product....

OH YAY, and how about a little Teriyaki Rice and a Fortune Cookie to go along with it.

And what was my fortune today might you ask?
"Yours will find true love soon."
Really? Yours will? Yours what?

Of course, in the continuation of rainy day movie day, we had to have the PERFECT movie for Chinese Dumplings..
That's right folks, a little Karate Kid II!

~Sigh~ I sure did like me some Ralph Machio back in the day.

OK, a few tips if you too feel inspired to make Chinese Dumplings.

1. We did the pork and shrimp filling- I used mushrooms (minced) instead of the water chestnuts.

2. The dough on this recipe site uses only half of the filling. We got 16 dumplings out of it and I froze the other half of the filling for another day.

3. You only use 1/2 a lb of ground pork, so I froze the other 1/2 lb for another day as well.

4. We made Teriyaki rice to go with it. I discovered that rice that you cook for a long time and NOT minute rice, is the best for this. I just added some Teriyaki sauce and it was really good. I like it when my rice sticks together. It makes me a little giddy.

5. You have to have Fortune Cookies. Have to. Non negotiable. I'm thinking Homemade Fortune Cookies might be my next big endeavor.

You might recall that we had another Chinese Food Night a while back. I never liked Chinese as a kid. It's nice to that my kids like it and that we can have fun making it together.

Linking to Todays Creative Blog! Check her out!

On the Menu

2009-08-27T13:18:00.008-05:00

I really should come up with a permanent name for my menu postings. I don't think I've named it the same thing twice. Maybe I just like to keep you on your toes! Or maybe I should do a contest and YOU can name it! Oh, but then I would have to give you a prize, and I would certainly stress about what to give you. So, nevermind. Just be suprised whenever I post menus. Variety is the spice of life right?!

I didn't have much to report this past week cause we did a lot of leftovers and squeezing out what I could find.

I did however, make 4 lbs of this taco meat for the Taco Filled Pasta Shells. We ate one batch and I froze the rest for this coming week.

Tonight we are having this Enchilada Casserole.

Some other things for this week are:

Homemade Pizzas- Don't be afraid, pizza dough is very easy.

This is my sisters recipe for Homemade Pizza dough, and since she is the Domestic queen of things homemade (you know you have to be when you live in the bush of Africa), you know you will love it! She even makes her own Pizza Sauce! How cool is that?!

Pizza sauce
1 can Tomato paste/water
sage/parsley
oregano
garlic
salt
I have no measurements, I just cover the top.

Pizza dough
1TB yeast
1 1/4 c warm water
2TB oil
1t salt
3 1/2 c flour

Dissolve yeast, stir in oil and salt. Mix in flour. Knead. place in oiled bowl and cover. Let raise until double. Divide into 2 parts and put in pizza pans. Should be enough for 2 9x13 pans.
Bake around 425

Steak Bites from the one and only Pioneer Woman- The most amazing woman on the planet!

Baked Mushrooms, eggs, and Orange/Chocolate Scones ( I made those mushrooms a few weeks ago and they were so good that its already time to have them again!)

Chicken Ranch Casserole (thanks Amy Thompson!), that you KNOW is going to be good because its got Doritos in it. And you know what they say about Doritos don't you? Oh, you don't...well I'm not gonna tell you!

1 Whole Ckn (cooked and cut up)
1 Can Rotel

1 Can Cream of Mushroom

1 Can Cream of Chicken

onion

Half bag of Doritos (crushed)

Shredded Cheese

Combine the soups and rotel.

Layer, Chicken, Sauce, onion, Doritos, and Cheese. Then Repeat.

Bake @350 for 30 minutes.

Now just for an added bonus, cause I love yous guys...I am going to share some goody recipes with you.

If you haven't discovered Bakerella yet, then go....right now....open a new window...check her out!

She has a post about this recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies.

However, if you look at her post about them, you will see, that Betty Crocker SHOULD pay her to advertise this product because her pictures make you want to lick the screen.

I will prove it too you...take a close look at Betty Crockers Picture...

Yep, that looks good. You are possibly salviating slightly. You at least have licked your lips a little bit.

But now my friends...

Wait for it....

Wait just a little bit longer....

Yes, yes, good things come to those who wait...

NOW!

Embrace it, go ahead! It's perfectly OK that you have just jumped across your desk to lick your computer screen! Do not feel embaressed that you are taking in deep sniffs trying to catch a wiff of what is surely heaven!
I tell you, this woman is a genious.
I love that instead of plain ole Betty Crocker frosting, she kicked it up and went with homemae Ganache.
You cannot beat homemade Ganache.
I dare you to try.

All I can say is WOW, I sure can't wait to make these for Brush Arbor on Sunday.

Now for something a little less sinful, but good nonetheless.
Monkey Muffins.
It is a good idea to buy bananas simply with the intention of letting them go bad. Cause then you can make things like this little bit of yummy goodness.

Lana and I made them the other night and they are most scrumptious. We used Crunchy PB cause thats what we had in the house + I didn't have mini Chocolate Chips so we used regular.

And that my friends are the things that we will be partaking of this week.
Hope you find something good in your pantry!

Me OH My

2009-08-16T23:11:00.006-05:00

Monday is the day. The dreaded day. The day that I have look forward to and yet fall into a glazed over trance when I think about it. The day that ushers in routines and the "D" word.
Yes folks, that day would be our official first day back to school.

~BIG GULP~

~SIGH~

~A LITTLE FRANTIC PULLING OF THE HAIR~

~SLIGHTLY VOMITING IN MY MOUTH~

~YET DOING A LITTLE BIT OF THE HAPPY DANCE~

Why oh why can't I just be a normal person? I ask myself this every day.
We may never know the answer.

But alas, it is here. The day that I over analyze and plan for. I promise you, I do.
In my mind our first day back to the homeschool way of life has to be PERFECTION. ( Chandler Bing once said, "That would be perfection", when a supermodel asked him if he wanted some gum. I just thought you should know that I am not the only person to use the word.)
Back to the subject at hand....
I have these visions for our first day back ( last week we had a couple of trial runs with some busy work). I invision the children sitting nicely at their respective desks, clean new shirts on (yes, I bought them each a new back to school shirt...its part of my visions of sugar plums), pencils freshly sharpened, eyes filled with wonder...."Teach us Mother. Let us glean from your wisdom. Help us soak up all the knowledge that is stored away in the text books, waiting for us to explore."

~DOING A LITTLE BIT OF THE HAPPY DANCE~

This is the reality...
"I got syrup on my shirt, can I go wash it off?"
"My pencils won't sharpen, can I get a new one?"
"I don't understand!!! Do I have to do all this work today? Can't I just finish it tomorrow?"

~BIG GULP~

~SIGH~

~A LITTLE FRANTIC PULLING OF THE HAIR~

~SLIGHTLY VOMITING IN MY MOUTH~

I have tried. Honest I have. I have planned. I have prepared. My ducks are in a row.
I have such high aspirations for what this year will hold. I have goals for each of the kids in their studies. I have goals for myself as a more disciplined person (there goes that "D" word again).
I have some cute little things planned, like Brain teasers, Fun Facts, Limericks, Silly States. And not just once. ONE FOR EVERY WEEK!
I've got a Psalm and a Proverb of the week. Even a missionary of the week.
I mean come on now people, this is going to be great.

~CROSSING FINGERS~

~KNOCKING ON WOOD~

And all of these things are contingent on one day. One measly day. Monday August 17th.
The day that will go down in our homeschooling history as the day that we make it or break it.

Why OH why do I put so much stock into this one measly day.

~BIG GULP~

~SIGH~

~A LITTLE FRANTIC PULLING OF THE HAIR~

~SLIGHTLY VOMITING IN MY MOUTH~

~YET DOING A LITTLE BIT OF THE HAPPY DANCE~

My Epic Cupccake Fail

2009-08-12T22:22:00.005-05:00

It started out as a good idea.
Back to school cupcakes for a little back to school pool party.
It seemed simple enough...cake, frosting, m & m's, chocolate covered graham crackers, good and plentys, more icing. Check, check, check, check, check, and check. Yes, I can SO do this.

See lookey how cute!

But OH NO, mine did not turn out like this....not even close...

Why yes, yes these do look like "Back to the GRAVE", cupcakes and NOT Back to school.
Or maybe they are "Back to the TOILET", cupcakes with the very large suppository's resting on the side.
Or maybe they are "Sorry you have the chicken pox, or whatever that red sore is that is apparently going to KILL you", cupcakes.

Lets back track. Where did I go wrong?
Mistake #1: Trying to save a buck or 2 I got Wal-mart brand Chocolate Covered Graham Crakers, as opposed to the Keebler ones that are in fact perfect little rectangles.

Mistake #2: I saw Mike and Ikes before I saw Good and Plentys, therefore, Mike and Ikes it is!
Oh and look, who needs white when they have all these lovely tropical colors.

Mistake #3: And speaking of tropical colors, I'm going to get Neon gels to write everones names with. Hey, they'll match the Mike and Ikes and how cute is THAT going to be?!

Mistake #4: Actually taking them and serving them to people. One child (Ellas of course) looked at me and said "Why are we having tombstone cupcakes?"
Why Ellas? Why? Because, I am a failure at Back to school cupcake making! That is why!
And well, dadgummit, because I just wanted to remind you that there are indeed worse things than going back to school! Yes, yes, thats right. That really was the point of these cupcakes.

Well, at least my homemade icing was good.
Oh my, and there is some left...in a bowl...upstairs...in my fridge...excuse me ple

Money and the Gospel

2009-08-08T18:55:00.004-05:00

I love it when I've been thinking about things, and then I see a clip of someone waaaayyy smarter than me, actually articulate through the scriptures, what it is that I've been thinking.
(This is a clip of John Piper entitiled "Wealth is almost always a curse, not a blessing", and whether you "like" JP or not, he is passionate about this filth we call the "Prosperity Gospel")

Money, Money, Money. I hate money. Really I do. It probablly has to do with the fact that it is yet another area in which you have to have discipline. And discipline with money is much more nebulous than discipline in other areas, cause we "need" stuff. Now granted, we are in a place of life right now that we don't have any money. We don't have any "wealth" stored up anywhere.
I am not complaining. We have a house, we have a car, we have food for the week and money for next weeks food. We have clothes on our back, in our drawers, and quite frankly, on our floors, and in our washer and dryer. We have a computer, and a TV, and internet access, a couple of CD players, some MP3 players, and dvd player or 2.
There is nothing wrong with these things, I don't think. I like my computer and my internet access. I like being able to keep up with people this way. I like being able to talk to my sister 8000 miles away, and let the kids Skype with their grandparents whenever they want to.
These are not bad things. These things honestly make me thankful for God's provision, but I still have to be a good steward of them.

The problem as I see it, is that the more we have, the more we want, or "need".
Where is the line? At what point do we fall into bad stewardship?
I always think that if I could just fall into a large sum of money, then I could do so much for other people. I sincerely mean that. But would I actually do it? Would my "needs" out way my goodwill? How would I decide what causes are worthy? Would I just give up and keep it all to myself?

If we came into a large sum of money I think I would like to sell the house we live in, and buy a house with some conveniences we don't have now. Why? Really, there is nothing wrong with my house. I mean there is, but does that matter? There is good stewardship, taking care of the things God has blessed us with, but then there is excess. Do I really need a better house? Nope. My house has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and living room, a den, a school room, a garage, an eat in kitchen, and a large fenced in back yard. There are things about it that I don't like, and things about it that I need to improve, in order to be a good steward of what God has blessed us with. Is it Ok for be to want better, when God has given me enough?

I would like to think that if we came into a large sum of money, we would pay off our debt, put a little away, and give the rest away.
If God was to bless us in that way, I don't think He would be blessing on the fact that I am such a worthy person and deserve the best. If God blessed us in that way, I would like to think that its because He sees us as a faithful steward that is going to use the bounty of our blessing to further the Gospel for His glory and not our own.

"He who is faithful with little, is faithful with much."
How are we doing now with little?
How are we doing in deciphering our needs from our wants?
Am I doing what I can do to further the Gospel for Gods glory without money?
If it does not require money to reach out to those around me, then why don't I?
How do I take a burden I am feeling, and turn it into a practical outpouring of the Gospel at work?

Just some thoughts I've been thinking. What do you think about this subject?

Dinner Time

2009-08-07T13:39:00.006-05:00

I have a goal for this week.
Would you like to hear it?
OK.
NO return trips to the store.
Say it with me now.
"NO return trips to the store."
Return trips to the store kill me.
First they ruin my budget, and 2nd they just annoy me.
And considering this next week is the first week back to school for many kids, plus this weekend is the "tax free holiday", (which btw is a joke if you shop in jeff co, since they are not participating. Braving crowds of half crazed school shoppers, just to save 4% is not my idea of savings at all.) the stores will be crazy this week.
So I went today to Aldi and Walmart. $80 at Aldi and $20 at WM. And if anyone in this house needs anything between now and next Friday, they will just have to live without it or starve.
There, that is my small rant. I am done.

On to dinner for this week: (btw...Friday is always fun night at my friend Crissy's, so I usually just take whatever I have on hand, or leftovers, and we all pull together our stuff. This is why there is usually no dinner plan for Friday.)

Saturday- We are FINALLY going to eat THIS Salmon.

Sunday- You know I don't cook on Sundays.

Monday- Chicken, Bacon, and Mushroom Alfredo with Wheat Rotini Pasta & Brocolli on the side
Alfredo Sauce
1 block of cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1 cup or so of milk
1/2 cup of paremsan cheese
S & P to taste
Melt cream cheese and butter with milk. Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted. You can add more parmesan if you like. Add s & P to taste.

Then I add some cooked chopped chicken breast, some bacon, and some sauteed mushrooms to the pasta, toss with the alfredo, and waallaa (is that how you spell that?) yummy yummy yumminess!

Tuesday- Enchilada Casserole ( I will use enchilada sauce instead of tomato sauce, just because I'm cool like that) Chips and Salsa, and Corn

Wednesday- Italian Pineapple Chicken, ( I don't add the cheese to this, and today I found "Parmesan Light Italian Dressing" at Aldi that I will use)
Rice a roni (The Alabama Treat), Peas

Thursday- Worscesire beef and mashed potatoes, Green Beans

This is a recipe that my sister made while I was in Africa, and I really like it.
1 lb ground beef
Onion and garlic (as much as you like)
Worscesire Sauce
(I don't know a measurement, but a good amount. You really want to taste it!)

Saute beef with onion, garlic and worscesire.
Make mashed potatoes.
Place mashed potatoes in the bottom of greased 11X9 dish.
Top with beef mixture.
Top with about a cup of shredded cheese.
Bake 2o minutes at 350.

Lunches this week:
Ramen
Grilled Cheese
PB & J
Lunch Meat
Buffalo Chicken Wraps ( I have been craving these, and found some grilled buffalo ckn strips at Aldi today...MMMM)
Pizza Quesedillas

Breakfast:
Waffles
Cinnamon Raisin Toast
Oatmeal
Toast
Cereal

Snacks:
Bing Cherries
Stawberries
Blueberries
Grapes
Bananas
Carrots
Brocolli
Pretzels
Popcorn
Graham Crackers
Pop Ice
Cheese
Peanuts

So, what are YOU having for dinner this week? Enquiring minds want to know. I want to know.

Yes, we still eat

2009-08-03T22:54:00.002-05:00

I am commited to posting my menus every week.
I am. I am. I am.
I just had a busy weekend, and didn't do it Saturday as per my plan.
Friday night I went to my friend Crissy's house for the whole night.
Whole night as in, period of 24 hours.
I took all of my homeschooling stuff and planned like a fool for the upcoming school year.
Like a fool, like a fool. (sorry, I digress into a little Phoebe Boufee)
I did get a lot done, which makes for 1 happy Mama, and hopefully some very well educated chillens come August 13th.
Why August 13th? Its the Last quarter moon that day. Duh.

OK, I digress. Some of you just want to know what we're eating this week, so I will shut up now.

I will back track so as not to hurt your feelings:

Saturday- Well, I planned on the Salmon that we never ate earlier in the week, but I was so pooped when I got back from my planning session, that my nice husband said "Don't worry about fixing dinner, we'll fend for ourselves." AH, nice husband!
Anyways, one of these days we will have Salmon. I promise.

Sunday- Don't even....

Monday- Baked Mushrooms with Crispy Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Monkey Bread
OK, I have to tell you, (cause it is Monday night at 11:00, so obviously we have already eaten dinner) the mushroom bake was REALLY good. I mean REALLY good. Even the children ate it. Of course, throw a little bit of bacon on anything and my crew will eat it.

Also, the monkey bread was the perfect thing for my 7 year old to make.
Since this recipe calls for bread stick dough, it was easy for her to cut, dip, and dip again, and place in a pan. She was very happy to have made this all by herself.
Some modifications. I just had her cut each bread stick in half, and we placed it in a round cake pan instead of muffin tins.

Tuesday- Logan and I are going to a ball game, so Stacy and Lana will be having bean burritos.
That should be pretty self explanatory, but in case its not:
Tortilla shells
Refried Beans
Cheese

Wednesday- Lemon Shrimp with Parmesan Shrimp
This has become a family favorite and is so good.
And I might add that this, as well as the mushroom bake, called for fresh parsley.
Get it? Thats right, I used 2 recipes needing parsley, so as not to waste.
Yes, I am a brilliant chef.
Oh, except I always add mushrooms to this, and I just remembered that I used all of my mushrooms in the mushroom bake.
Uh, we should strike the brillant chef comment from the record.

Thursday- Happy Birthday to Me! The question now is, what is the family going to cook for dinner?

Friday- PAY DAY! Start over!

Hope you all are enjoying your week!

Raising Discerning Kids in an Undiscerning World

2009-07-26T20:48:00.002-05:00

This is what has been on my mind of late.
How do Stacy and I teach our children to be spiritually, morally, even on a level of basic common sense, discerning, in this world that is filled with "Me. Me. Me."?
At times I am overwhelmed with this task.
As a Mom that also homeschools, I am left with a huge responsibility towards my kids on many levels. I am 100% positive that this is where God wants our family right now, and I look forward to attacking this coming school year with a new fire and increased discipline in my own life.
However, the older my kids get, the heavier the weight is becoming for the directions I still need to steer them in.

I have always been a big proponent of the "First 5 years". I believe that those years are foundational to a childs grasp on many things. Obviously there are the basics, learn to walk, talk, eat with a spoon, etc... but there are the areas that prove more effort on the parents part, like discipline, spiritual introductions, manners, etc.
I enjoyed the first 5 years of my childrens lives. I enjoyed seeing them learn and understand and grow. Progress was easily measurable in many ways, and things were a little more cut and dry. More black and white if you will.

But now, we have what I will call "The next 5 years". My kids are 9 & 7 now, so I guess we are in the middle of childhood. I feel the weight of these 5 years differently than I did the first 5. I look around me and I see the forces trying to suck my kids in. I see the world marketing all it has to offer to my 9 & 7 year olds. I see the church (as a whole) trying to entertain my kids and lull them into a false sense of spirituality.
Basically, I see a lot of things being thrown at my kids, that they have to learn to discern whether it has merit and is favorable in God's eyes, or not. The lines of black and white are being sketched more into gray, with some shadows of blue, maybe a little green thrown into the mix, and some red for a "POP".

I have been convicted lately about personal discernment. First of all, am I discerning the world, (and this includes the church) and my response to it, through the lens of Scripture? Am I teaching my kids to do the same thing? How do I teach my kids to do this? How do I teach them to examine their hearts, to measure things by the Gospel?
I will be the first to admit, its not always easy. It takes time, it takes patience, it takes energy, it takes discipline. This area of discernment is not an issue you just visit once or twice and move on. It is constant. It is everywhere. It begins with me. Ouch. That hurts sometimes.

I have to be honest and say that sometimes I tell my kids "Just go watch TV.", and then I don't take the time to see what they are watching. I mean obviously I know they are watching Disney Channel or Nickolodean, but I don't know what show they are watching.
Wow, shame on me for letting Disney and Nick discern for my kids what is appropriate to watch. I was ashamed of myself when I saw that the show my 7 year old daughter was watching, showed a teenage girl in her teenage boys bedroom, alone and kissing. It was "harmless" by the worlds standards, but what about through Gods standards, and what should be my standards.
Tomorrow I will be going to the "Charter" office, and we are getting rid of our cable.
Extreme? Maybe. Necessary at this point in our lives. Yes.
But there's a kicker. I'm not just cancelling cable and leaving it at that. We will talk, at length I'm sure, about the "harmless" things we watch and about the standards that God has laid out for us.

Here's the thing though. I can cancel our cable and get rid of the Disney Channel, but that does not solve our problem. The problem with raising discerning kids in an undiscerning world has crept into the church. Our kids are being raised in a media savvy culture, and that hasn't been left in the church parking lot. I am NOT in anyway against technology, media, lights, the band, etc. I am not against these things in our church buildings. What I am against is the churchs competition to be as good or better, than the "world" in these things, without any discernment and clarity of the Gospel.
I don't believe that we need to sit on hard wooden pews, and have an all day hymn service, and wear our long skirts. But I wonder what we are teaching our children when they have to be entertained every single second they are on church property. Its a hard line. I work with kids enough to know that. I don't know the answer either. I'm a VBS director for crying out loud, and VBS is about FUN! I'm all for fun, without compromise.
"I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." If I am not ashamed, then I don't need to compromise it either.
Do I think we compromise the Gospel with bright lights, and loud music, and engaging speakers?
Not necessarily. But I do think we can. And I think in many cases we do.

And this is where I start to feel the overwhelming responsibility as a Christian Mother, trying to raise discerning kids. In light of recent experiences and discussions with my 9 year old, I am newly reminded of my responsibility in helping him work through issues that the church has helped to confuse. I'm realizing more and more that this same child needs me to help him talk things out, and through these talks, he is learning to be a more discerning believer.
I can tell you that we still have a long way to go, but I am encouraged that God is working in his life to give him the desire to be a more discerning young believer. Whether he realizes thats what is going on or not.
But WOW! What a responsibility I have as a parent to discern for my kids so that they can learn to discern!
It kind of boggles the mind doesn't it?

I desperately want to raise Godly children. I am thankful for other parents God has placed in my life that want the same for their kids. I am thankful for Godly influences in my kids lives. People that are willing to invest themselves and live out the Gospel and further the kingdom of Christ in this young generation.
I pray that we all strive towards being discerning parents in an undiscerning world and that we might help our children do the same.

The Dinner Bell

2009-07-25T20:53:00.002-05:00

It is my goal to post my menu for the week every Saturday.
I didn't have to do it last week because we were at my parents over the weekend, and then Logan and I were at kids camp (along with 1300 other people!) during the week.
This left Lana at Marmi and Pappy's and Stacy to fend for himself. (With the groceries I left for fending of course!)

So here we go for this week....

Saturday- Pork Chops, Fried Poatoes, Corn ( Yes, this was completly unhealthy and everyone finished their plates!)

Sunday- How many times do I have to tell you people, I DON'T COOK ON SUNDAY!

Monday- Basil Caesar Salmon, Rice, Green Peas (as opposed to Magenta Peas)

Tuesday- Breakfast for dinner- Can I get a MMMMM???!!!

Wednesday- Red beans and Rice w/ Smoked Sausage and Corn, and Sour Cream Sauce (basically just some melted down sourcream and melted chedder cheese with a little garlic salt)

Thursday- Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin (from Aldi) Rosemary Potatoes, Brocolli

Friday- Tacos, refried beans, chips and Salsa

Breakfast this week:
Cereal
Waffles
Toast
Eggs
Fresh Pineapple Juice- We bought 3 whole pineapples this week and are going to start juicing again.

Lunch this week:
Ham or Turkey Sandwiches
Pepperoni Quessedillas
Ramen Noodles
Bean Soup
Grilled Cheese
Omelettes

Snacks:
Grapes
Bananas
Bing Cherries
Blueberry Bread
Popcorn
Pretzels
Cheese cubes
Peanuts

Seriously folks, I had better not hear "I'm hungry, there's nothing to eat!"

Some Goodies

2009-07-13T13:20:00.005-05:00

These are a few of my favorite things...

I've been doing some exploring of creative blogs in order to come up with some new ideas to get my creative juices flowing.
For those of you that share my interest in such things, I am sharing with you, my faithful 3 readers, a list for your enjoyment.
Some of you may have been the ones that suggest these sites to me in the first place, and if you are, I thank you and am sorry to steal your thunder.

1. We are that family

2. Complete Organizing Solutions

3. EHow

4. Simple Mom

5. Spearmint Decor

6. Todays Creative Blog

7. How about Orange

8. Lloyd and Lauren

9. Not Martha

10. Better homes and gardens
I like this site because you can sign up for there e newsletter. I also like that the format is usually in pictures. I.E. 15 ways to spice up your kitchen, followed by 15 pictures. I'm visual! If you want me to do it, I've gotta see it!

There are others, I'm just leaving it at 10 for today. Leave me your favorites and I'll compile another list soon.

Happy Juicing!

Whats the Plan?

2009-07-11T11:55:00.002-05:00

Last weeks menu posting went well for me.
I even got a little dollar dry erase board and put it on the fridge.
The kids loved looking at it and knowing what was for dinner that night.
So I am going to try again this week.
5 more weeks and it will be a habit!
I never even got to 2 of the meals because we had so many leftovers from other meals, so that was what Martha Stewart would call, A good thing.

Breakast, Lunch, and Snacks are pretty much the same.

Dinner:

Saturday- Tacos, Refried Beans, Chips and Salsa

Sunday- Event at Church

Monday- Shrimp Stiry Fry and Stewed Apples

Tuesday- Pork Chops and Oven Roasted Potatoes (Diced-tossed with Butter, Rosemary,and S & P), Brocolli

Wednesday- Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage, Salad

Thursday- Breakfast for dinner- Hashbrowns, Sausage, Eggs

Friday- Leftovers

Saturday- Caesar Crusted Salmon, Rice Pilaf, Peas

As Requested...

2009-07-06T17:34:00.002-05:00

This is my recipe for Chicken Dressing Casserole.
You MUST eat this with Apple Sauce. My sister and I do that for some reason and it just makes it yummier than yummy.
We also like to have it with Green Beans for a well rounded meal. ( I say this in my best Food Network Hostess voice.)

Chicen and Stuffing Casserole
3-4 chicken breasts-cooked and cubed ( I just microwave it for about 12 minutes)
1/4 stick butter
1 can Chicken Broth
1 tsp. Rosemary
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
8 oz Sour Ceam
1 Box of Stuffing

Heat butter, broth, and Rosemary til boiling.
Add stuffing and set aside.
Mix mushroom soup, sour cream, and chicken in a seperate bowl.

Place in a greased 9x11 baking dish.
Top with stuffing mixture.
Bake @ 350 for 20-30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

When I made it tonight I used Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Ckn just because, and it was really creamy and good.
You can use low fat soups and sour creams.
You can also had celery to the broth mix, but I don't.

Enjoy :)

Must give props: This recipe (although I do it a little differently) comes from a cookbook from the ladies of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Ga.
I love this cookbook!

2 Birds-1 Stone

2009-07-04T23:59:00.002-05:00

I blog tonight for 2 reasons.
Reason #1- I need to be a better blogger. I just haven't been feeling it lately.
So in an effort to be more disciplined, I will be blogging more often.

Reason # 2- This week will be one of those tight grocery $ weeks, so I need to really use up what I've got. I thought if I actually have a menu documented, that I just might have to stick by it.
So, here we go.

Breakfast-
Waffles
Pancakes
Cereal
Cinnamon Toast

Lunch-
PB, Honey, and Granola Wraps
Ham and Swiss Wraps
Cheese Quessedillas
Ramen Noodles
Bean Soup
Grilled Cheese
Fruit
Pretzels
Chips
Salsa

Snacks-
Fruit Smoothies
Blueberry Bread
Key Lime Bread
Popcorn

Dinner-
Sunday- Leftovers

Monday- Chicken Dressing Casserole, Apple Sauce, Green Beans

Tuesday- Spaghetti

Wednesday- Ckn stir fry-from a bag cause I already have it, Stewed Apples

Thursday- Breakfast for dinner- Sausage, Hashbrowns, Eggs

Friday- Pay Day

Needed from Store:
Milk
Apple Sauce ( You have to have applesauce with CKN casserole. It is a requirement!)
Bread
Fruit
Chips
Salsa

An All American Boy Birthday Party

2009-07-03T15:21:00.007-05:00

Now, say that 5 times fast!
Last Friday was Logans 9th birthday, and in honor of this momentous occasion, we threw him an "All American Boy Party".
What does one do at an All American Boy Party, you might ask...

Well, when I throw an AABP, you are limited to 5 friends! Sorry Charlie, 6 boys for a sleepover is all I can handle!

A good old fashioned AABP has to start on the trampoline...

And some water balloons...

And maybe some boys thinking about throwing water balloons over onto the trampoline!

An AABP must have All American decorations...

And good old All American Boy food...

A shrimp boil, complete with Shrimp, Smoked Sausage, Corn on the Cob, and Potatoes, with some garlic bread on the side.

Of course you have to have Coca Cola in glass bottles to round out this All American Meal!

Cheers to some truly All American Boys!

No AABP would be complete without a gift card from Wal-Mart.

After all the Wal-Mart smiley face IS the new symbol of America.

Of Course some good ole fashioned Lincoln bills are pretty All American Boy too!

Now what good ole American boy doesn't love a Smore?

Here we combine the best of both worlds with these Smores Ice Cream Sandwiches.

All American boys must have at LEAST 1 picture with the classic "Rabbit Ears."

These All American boys where a little to wet and messy to eat Smores inside this All American Moms house ;)

NO Red blooded All American Boy actually wears their PJ's the right way in front of others All American Boys!

All American boys don't sleep until at least 3 A.M. and of course the ones that fall asleep first, get pranked on!

Even the All American Birthday Boy got a taste of the blue marker!

All American boys go to bed late, and awake mid morning, hungry and waiting for their Cinnamon Rolls! Give me Cinnamon Rolls or Give me Death, they declare!

Yes being an All American Boy is a good thing. The ages of 8-11 are kind of like the "Golden Years" of boyhood, and I think these Golden age boys succeeded in having a Birthday that Logan won't soon forget.

Slumber Party!

2009-06-09T08:45:00.011-05:00

As you may know, last Friday, June 5th, was Lana's 7th Birthday!
Also my ten year anniverary, but since I just had a hysterectomy, we had a child with the stomach bug, and one with a bday, there really isn't much to say about that. ;)
We will be going away in the fall, just the 2 of us, so that will be nice!

Anyways, this year was the first year since Lana turned 3 that her Bday did not fall during VBS. It was the day after, so her and I got to do some fun stuff.
We went to the Chocolate Biscuit Tea Room for lunch, which was lovely.
Then I took her shopping at Cato and let her pick out a couple outfits. She's been dying to shop at Cato and they start at size 7, so this was a nice treat for her.

The real fun though started last night when she got to have a slumber party with 3 girlfriends!

Since Lana likes pretty things I tried to make the table extra pretty.

I picked some flowers from the yard (OK, really the only flowers!), and we had a candlelight dinner with my China plates and nice glasses.

On the menu, per birthday girls request...

Crescent style chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

MMMMM....

Here the girls are enjoying their "fancy dinner"!

Lana, Christina, Gracie, and Bella.

Of course she wanted chocolate cake!

And she wanted chocolate covered strawberries.

So in honor of turning the ripe old age of 7, I made a Triple 7 Cake.

7 layers of cake. 7 layers of homemade/madeup frosting. 7 ginormous chocolate covered strawberries.

And yes, I was a liiiitle bit nervous about carrying this monster. But it never fell!

Add some sparkler candles....

And we are ready to present it to the birthday girl!

I think she likes it!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Lana!

Happy Birthday to you!

I know you are wondering how to cut a cake of such large proportion...

Um, there just was no perfect way...so we settled for taking off a couple of layers.

This face is why I do what I do!

And obviously the guests are pleased !

Christina knows how to work the camera!

Gracie, being the queen of suave!

Bella, cute and poised!

And yes, let us not forget Daddy, with chocolate on his teeth, embarrasing his little girl!

After present time, which was totally fun...we gathered on the couch for a group hug!

And a few silly shots as well.

On to the movie watching and a little dress up with makovers.

Ouch!

Time for bed!

Yeah right!

They had a good time giggling on their pallet.

And finally fell asleep around 12:00.

Ah!!!!

By 7:30 in the morning they were already out jumping on the trampoline while I made some pull apart cinnamon rolls.

MMMM good!

And they finished out the morning making bracelets from the bead kit she got from Bella.

All in all I think they all had a wonderful time and I was happy to do this for my little 7 year old.

My kids have had to put up with alot this year and I wanted to thank them for a job well done and honor them on their special days!

Lana got to go first, but Logan is soon to follow the end of the month.

Thank you LanaLou for being a totally sweet girl and appreciating the little things!

I hope you had a memorable 7th birthday :)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2009-05-18T23:56:00.002-05:00

That is one of Logans favorite books right now.
I haven't actually read it, but I like the idea of cartoon drawings of my daily life with comments on how wimpy I am.
I think I may write my own book..."Diary of a Wimpy 33 Year Old".
Perhaps it will be a best seller.

Topsy Turvy

2009-05-01T09:47:00.002-05:00

I guess God has decided to see where we really stand on our faith.
It's time for the rubber to hit the road and for us to see if we truly do believe in Gods goodness, His soveriegnty, His provision in all things.

Most of you know that the past couple of weeks have been kind of testy.
We were waiting on the results of my sisters baby. (Which PTL she is perfectly healthy!!!!)
My Grandpa in Pa has been doing very poorly, and my Dad has had some health concerns here of late that have caused a lot of testings and doc appointments for him.

Last week I began experiencing symptoms of what I thought was a UTI.
I went to the doc in the box, got treated, and went on. But it never got better. As a matter of fact it got worse.
I was in a lot of pain Saturday night into Sunday and Monday, and I knew that something was WRONG!
I called my OBGYN office on Monday and they said they couldnt see same day appointments unless is was an emergancy. I was in a lot of pain, and asked her to just check with Dr. Radbill.
She did, called me back and said he would see me at 2. I am so thankful for that man. He delivered both of my babies and knows me. He knows that I am not a whiner and don't just come in randomly for nothing.
So I went in, he checked things out, and just as I had expected, my Uterus and my Cervix had prolapsed. I actually can feel my cervix when I sit flat and I assure you it is very unpleasent.
So I then went through some bladder testings as well.
I knew I was going to have to have a hysterectomy and bladder tack, but we were going to try to wait until June, after VBS is over.

Well, Wednesday Stacy came home "for lunch". Yeah, that never happens.
What he was really doing, was coming home to tell me that he is losing his job.
The dealership he works at is closing effective next Wednesday.
Now this is bad news, but this coupled with me needing surgery and tired of being pain, well that was a little too much for me on that day.
We called the Doctors office and they amazingly worked things out to get me in on this coming Monday. Again, I love my doctor and the care he takes for his patients. They really rearranged do get this thing done.
Wednesday I had my little pity party day. I cried (poor Ginger, I thought I was done crying, and then all she said was "How are you?" and I burst into tears and ran to the bathroom at CPC), but now I am done. This is, like I said, where the rubber meets the road.
How much do I really trust in God's soveriegnty over my life?
Did he know before the foundations of the earth that we would have this week?
Yes He did.
Did He know before the foundations of this earth that circumstances in our lives, and in our extended families life would all come crashing down at once?
Yes He did.
Do I believe that trials are meant to show us more about Him?
Yes I do.
Do I believe that He is going to take care of us?
Yes I do.
I assure you, if I didn't believe these things, I would be an utter mess. As it is, I am only slightly a mess, but a slight mess that is resting in the knowledge of the grace and mercy of my Saviour.

So where do we stand now?
There are many things that need to be prayed for at this point.

1. My Grandpa-My Mom is in Pa right now, indefinetly, caring for him and helping my Nana through all of this. It is quite sad to hear what is going on up there. I ask that we all pray that God will be merciful and take him soon. He is miserable. He fights and holds on out of his love an devotion for my Nana. It really is the most amazing love that he has for her.

2. My Dad is having an endoscopy today- Please pray for him. He has had a really hard time lately with all of this. He can't eat very much. Today none of us can be there for him while he does this test and we all hate that!

3. My Sister and her family- They were robbed last week when they where gone for 2 days to find out the status of the baby. They took a safe with there money, another missionary family money, the church money, emergancy fund money, etc...also tools, computers, my nieces cd player and a blanket off of one of their beds! My sisters boots, and favorite bag of hers, as well as her camera, and the computer that had all the pictures on it. There truck broke down in the midst of all of this too. We are praying that the person reasponsible will be convicted in his consieince, and turn himself in to be brought to justice. We pray also for his soul and his standing before God. Also for provision for my sister and her family.

4. Stacy's job situation- Like I said, Wednesday will be his last day. He has a couple of options in the works, but needs guidance on which direction to persue. Now would be a good time to get out of the car business. Pray that God will lead in direction that is best for our family.
I should be out of the hospital Tuesday or Wednesday, and after Wednesday, he is going to remain off work for the next week and a half in order to care for me.
Pray that he will be able to leave work with some money. We are unsure yet of money and how long we will be insured. He thinks to the end of the month, but we will know more Monday.

5. Pray for me and my surgery- Monday at 1:30 is when the surgery is.
Stacy has to finish out his last days at work. He just has to.
I am so thankful for my friends that have graciously stepped up to help us through this time.
My dear friend, Stacey, has offered to keep my kids in NC with her for the week. This is going to be alot of stress off of my Stacy having to worry about where they will be and a reliefe for me to not have them have to be shuffled here and there. I know they will have a great time with Stacy and her family, and it will be a little mini vacation for them!
Crissy graciously offered to take me to the hospital and stay all day until Stacy can get there in the evening. I know thats going to be a long day! Plus she gets to deal with me coming out of surgery and I don't traditionaly do well. Sorry Crissy in advance!
Other friends, like Gwendy, Michelle, Heather, Kristen and Kristin, Jeri, Kelli, Janet, have all offered to come and "babysit" me. Gwendy or Jeri will be getting me home.
I am so thankful for these friends incovienecing themselves during this time for us.
Please pray for me and my nerves. I am a processor, and I don't have time to process all of this.
I have known for almost 7 years that I can't have any more kids, but there is something VERY FINAL about a hysterectomy. I am 33 years old, and it just brings up a lot of feelings that I don't really have time to deal with.
Please pray that I don't experience a "post partum" type depresssion. Dr. R said that is a possibility. You guys know me and know I am not a depressive type person. So I will fight it with all I've got!

6. Pray for my kids- We have told them everything about the job, the surgery, everything.
Pray that this will be an experience for them of truly experiencing God and seeing Him work in His people. Pray for their safety while they are away from us for the week. And pray for them to be at peace with things while they are gone.
I have great kids and I love them dearly and am so thankful that God has given them the uniquness that each of them have that bless Stacy and I so incredibly much!

One more thing. You know I direct VBS. It starts May 31st. Dr. R said if I'm a good girl for the first 2 weeks, I should be Ok, although I will be very limited for VBS week.
I have done most everything I can do at this point. I know that God is still present in our VBS ministry and is not dependant upon me. I am very thankful for those who have stepped up to help with that as well.

Wow, what a long post! If you read all of this, then we are truly friends ;)
Thank you for lifting us up in prayer during this season we are in.
I am thankful for the working He is doing in my heart and life.

Hello World

2009-04-18T14:29:00.004-05:00

It seems that I have been letting my blog fall by the wayside.
Its not that I don't love you all, its just that I "see" most of you on Facebook, and well lets face it folks, we're all a little bit addicted to that!

However, I have a few minutes on this fine Saturday, so I thought I would just say Hi.

In case you don't know its April, which means I am in VBS mode. My nightly bad dreams have already begun. You know the dream where its the day of an event and you've done nothing to prepare for it. Yes, I have those EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! It is a tiny bit annoying. But it sometimes reminds of things I need to get done.

One night I had a dream that I was in college and my roommate was a cannibel. Yep, now that is weird.

Stacy and I started on Season 1 of "Lost" and are making our way through the DVDs to catch up.

We are almost done with Season 2.
I must say, we are VERY obsessed! We are enjoying this show so much, and really enjoying Netflix too.
We reached a point where we didn't have the next disc and decided to watch on line and it was SO annoying. Commercials, small screen. blah blah blah.

We are nearing the end of the school year...the part of the year where I think "I can't homeschool anymore".
When it comes right down to it folks, its all about me.
Its my lack of discipline.
Its my wanting to do other things.
Its my not trusting in what God has planned for our lives.
I know all that, and every day I wake up and think about what a horrible teacher I am, and how we've gotten off track.
Right now I'm trying to keep our heads above water and get us through some basics and then we can be done.
September will be a new start. AHHHHH....I'll feel better then.
And God and I will have a good 3 months to work some discipline issues out (with me, not the kids;)

Well my friends, I leave you with this picture of my daughter and her new tactict for not eating carrots.
Look closely at her cup.

Yes, she chews, then "swallows" some water, and lets the carrots dribble down into her cup. I am being punished for my similar eating antics as a child.

Insight

2009-04-07T16:03:00.004-05:00

Today the Lord ministered to me through my children.
I love it when that happens. I love it when I see His fruits manifesting themselves in their lives.
This morning was a good morning for the Gospel in our house.

Yesterday I got word from my sister, Laura, that there may be a complication with her unborn baby, Skylar. They had an ultrasound that showed fluid on the babies brain. Then they had another one with better equipment that said , no. But after her doctor has looked at that ultrasound, she is saying, yes, she is seeing something she doesn't like. So they will be having to wait until May 4th to have another ultrasound, when she is 29 weeks, to confirm that there is or isn't fluid.

I wasn't going to tell my children about this. I don't know why. I guess I just didn't want them to worry. But what I learned today was that by not telling them, I was not giving them the opportunity to experience God.

This morning they learned of this, through some written words that they read.
They asked me what was wrong with Skylar, and I told them.
My poor little Lana Lou proceeded to cry her eyes out. Uncontrollably.
She is like me. She doesn't like people to see her cry, and so she immediately buried her head in my chest and then proceeded to let the flood gates open.

What happened next was moments with my children that I won't forget.
Lana and I laid in my bed and read a missionary story together, prayed, and talked about God having a plan and a purpose for everything that happens.
She still was very melancholy and clung to my leg while I made lunch.

While she was clinging to my leg, Logan came in with his Bible and said "Lana, I want to read some scripture to you. Its long and a lot of verses, but I want you to listen."
He then began reading to her out of Genesis. The story of Noah and the great flood.
I was listening to him read, and kept thinking..."Where is he going with this?".
When he was done, he asked Lana if she got it.
Lana said no, and I myself was wondering what he was getting at.

Then he told us.

"You see Lana, I read you this story because it shows us that God is in control. That even when bad things are happening, like a flood that is destroying everyone except for 8 people, that God is in control of everything. Noah believed God and trusted in Him, and things were bad around them, but he knew that God was in control. God did what He said He was going to do, and protected Noah and his family. If God was in control over a big flood, God is in control over Skylar too."

WOW!!! I am so thankful for the insight God has given to my son! I am thankful that He uses even what to us is bad news, and uses it for His glory! If I would not have told my children this news, they would have missed an important lesson on God's love for His people and His sovereignty over all things.

What resulted after this, was Lana going and getting her new VBS music CD, and finding a song based on Psalm 33:4. The song is called "We can trust Him"
She then listened to and sang "You are my King, Amazing love", complete with the motions she learned, and had herself a little worship service.
The difference in her countenance before and after hearing the words of the Lord and then worshiping Him the way that she knows best, through music, was amazing!

I have learned a good lesson today about my kids and how God is working in their lives.
Praise be to Him.

The Room Debut

2009-04-01T11:05:00.010-05:00

Sorry its taken me so long to do this. My original pics turned out blurry so I just had to retake them.
First of all I don't have very good before picture. This one basically gives you the idea though that our room was nasty white, always a mess with clutter, and the dumping station for everbodies stuff. I also don't have a picture of the ugly border that once was, but it was mauve flowers. Enough said.

And this is the inpsiration piece for the room. Our wedding flowers were Daisy's and Stacy took this picture and had it framed for our 1st anniversary.

This is as you walk into our room. Notice we have curtains! Never had those before!

We moved the bed to the smaller window wall and WOW what a difference that made!

I got the bedding at Aldi, of all places, for $50. Included the bed skift and shams. It is so soft and comfy! Got the sheets at K-Mart. They are Martha Stewart and are the first new sheets we've had since our wedding 10 years ago.

This is our dresser that Stacy painted years ago and it "just so happens" to match the comforter!

I go the cool iron thing at Hobby Lobby.

I, with the help of friends that are better at Staple Guns than me, made this headboard type thing. It is a 36 X 48 piece of Canvas on a board, then fabric around it. There is a better picture of the fabric below.

Love this cozy little look.

I wanted the kids to do a little project for the room so I painted these frames white and they made daisy pictures for them. I love what they did!

I got this vase at Hobby Lobby for $3. I was a $30 vase but the glass insert was broke, but I didn't need it anyways! The framed napkin is from my Bridal shower 10 years ago.

I love this thing! I saw it at Kohls and got it for $9. It is just so cute and whimsy.

This I made. Obviously a wedding picture and tied in the daisy's. Then I have a quote from Richard Baxter who was a purtian theologian that we had his piece on Marriage read at our wedding. This is one of my favorite parts of the room. And here you can also see that the fabric I found had sage dots in it! I couldn't believe how perfectly it matched!

We didn't have end tables, I had a cheap little wooden round table with the detachable legs, next to my side of the bed. Stacy had that basket on the floor for his clock. I got these cute iron tables at none other than Hobby Lobby.

The frame has 2 brown candle sconces next to it, and I found the brown and sage throw pillow, also at Hobby Lobby.

I love my cute little daisy's and vase on my night stand.

I always wanted curtains like this, plus I discoverd they really block the light from outside and it has been alot harder to get out of bed in the morning!

I poked some holes into this lamp shade and put this brown polka dot ribbon through it and added a little daisy to it.

I found this tray at Target for $3. I decorated the candle with the same ribbon and daisy, and also added some little gems to the candle holders.

Another decorated candle.

I got this plate at Target for $3. There is one on each night stand.

This frame we already had and I definetly wanted to keep it. I got the little candle holder at Hobby Lobby.

This is another candle holder that I decorated with the same ribbon and some daisy stickers that I used in the Love picture.

And here we have Stacy entering the room for the first time!
He had NO idea that Crissy and I did this, and couldn't believe we did it in one day while he was gone to work.

Love that face!

He was so funny. He just kept saying "This is crazy, this is ridiculous, I can't believe it."

At one point in the evening we were downstairs watching TV, and he came upstairs to get something and I heard him laughing and talking to himself. He had to just have one more peek!

I am SOOOOO pleased with my room makeover! It was a lot of fun planning for weeks and gathering things here and there. It was fun having the kids in on it to and they did awesome keeping it a secret!

I am amazed at how different my room looks. It is a totally different room. Plus it looks a ton bigger!

The wall color is called Toasted Wheat. I like it. It looks very crisp and clean!

I must also thank Crissy Sharp who got this ball rolling by pealing my border one day, and then saying "Oh yeah, we could totally do that in one day.".

She came from 9-6 last Thursday and we knocked it out! I couldn't have done it without her!!

Thanks my friend! Oh and thanks to Crissy's husbands, Chris, for taking care of their kids for the day so she could help me!

Also must thank Ginger who came and helped us for a little while. It was fun having her for a while. She also ironed the head board fabric one day at her house when we made it.

I have to thank her husband, Trace, too, cause he took over with the staple gun and stapled the fabric on for me...which brings me to, I must apologize to Heather Nold for Stapleing her finger. Uh yeah, I had the staple gun wrong and the staple popped out and hit her in the hand. Thankfully it didn't puncture and there was no blood, but I am offically never using a staple gun ever again because of that!

Anyways, hope you like it. Now when you come over I won't keep the door shut, I will gladly let you peak in!

Pleasant Noise

2009-03-30T19:20:00.003-05:00

The kids are back.
How do I know?
Mario Kart is playing in the background, as well as some sort of made up Lana song.
Oh wait, and now here comes the griping at each other.
But I like it.
While I enjoyed their absence for the past week, I have also enjoyed their return.
As a Mother that also homeschools, my days are pretty much filled with the kids.
I would not have it any other way right now, it is where God has us, and I mostly enjoy it.
On the flip side of being a mother that homeschools, a week off here and there is a TRUE joy!
I don't have family here, so I don't get those weekly breaks. Therefore I gladly welcome the times my parents take them for an extended stay. Thanks Marmi and Pappy! You're the BEST!

I have to say though, I miss my kids when they are gone.
They are a part of me. They make me laugh, cry, relax and be lazy, or get out and be crazy.
OK sorry, I couldn't resist a ryhme!
But seriously, I like having them around. Who else is going to carry the laundry?
One day last week when I was home all alone for 12 hours, I forgot to eat.
Then when I went to find something to eat, all I could find was some graham crackers, PB, and grapes. See, they remind me to fix food.

I accomplished A LOT last week! Including the room makeover, of which I will try to take pictures of tomorrow.

Stacy and I had 2 fullish days to spend together and that was so nice. We played tennis, and golf, ate out, and watched lots of "Lost". It was just nice to hang out and see him relax from being off work.

And speaking of Stacy, I've gotta go pick him up from work...but I promise I'll get those makeover pics posted soon!

Family Day

2009-03-19T16:19:00.008-05:00

Yesterday we went to Oak Mountain for the afternoon.
I love Oak Mountain and I love my Family, so there ya go!
We even ran into our good friends Nick and Michelle and their kidos too.
If you knew Lana two years ago, then you know that the following pictures are shocking...

There was a day when she would scream bloody murder at the site of an animal up close, or anything dressed up. Now she is a tough girl!

Well, until it comes time to pick up worms!
Although, I will say, that at the end of the day we told her that if she would eat a worm we would buy her any pretty dress she wanted. Instead she took a worm off a hook and asked for a pretty dress. Sorry chic, that wasn't the deal!

Logan threw up in the morning before we left and didn't perk up until he got a Mtn Dew, a fishing pole, and some worms!

I love to watch Logan fish. He is so intent and I wonder what he is thinking about.
Everytime I've ever been around him at a lake with a fishing pole, he has the best time. I love having a typical boy that loves boy stuff like fishing!

And this picture I just love for obvious reasons!

We went on the "Tree Top Trail". In all my years of going to Oak Mtn, I have never done that. It was pretty cool and a great idea!

I love Oak Mountain, and I love my family...I want to do that everyday.

I like it...

2009-03-12T10:59:00.004-05:00

I want to make some of these and hang them on my patio and porch this Summer. You could use any colors of ribbon, and you can usually find ball jars for really cheap at the Thrift Store. The wire is wrapped around the rim 3 times and then you attach 3 more pieces with beads on them, to hang with.

Now if these clouds would clear out and our spring like temps would return!

The torture of living in Alabama.

Hello, my name is Mom and I'm a Kill Joy!

2009-03-10T11:09:00.003-05:00

"Mom, where are the matches?"

"Why do you need matches son?"

"Because I made this cool torch to play in the woods with my friends!"

"Sorry son, but I can't let you do that."

~dissapointed slump of shoulders and heaving a heavy sigh~

6 Year Old Style

2009-03-09T16:08:00.002-05:00

Hello, my name is Lana, and I am Stylin!
I put together this lovely ensamble for this lovely spring day.

The key to this outfit is to gather the side of your shirt into a rubber band and DO NOT forget the lime green socks with pink sparkly shoes.

I put this outfit together when my Mom would not let me wear my bathing suit. I'm pretty much ticked about it because it is my favorite bathing suit, and my Mom says its too tight.

So if you have a pink and brown bathing suit from last years Chidrens Place bathing suits, in perhaps a size 7, I sure would like it. Otherwise I will probablly not like swimming this year at all.

Real Life Day 7

2009-03-08T21:02:00.007-05:00

Say it aint so...say it's not over. WAAAA, WAAAA.
Ok, I am done.
I just have enjoyed this little life documenting journey this week.
But I guess now I must move on to other things, like VBS events that are fast approaching.
March 29th is only 3 weeks a way, and I have much to do.

Anyhooo...today was Sunday.
Last night was the dreaded, hour of sleep losing, time change.
I suppose I will appreciate it when I have more daylight, but now I am DRAGGING.
I haven't been sleeping well anyways, and that just makes it even more annoying.

But I digress...onto the day at hand.

Normally on Sunday we eat breakfast at Church, but today Stacy had Deacons Meeting first thing. So the kids and I had to eat breakfast at home and wait for Stacy to come back to get us.
Here Logan is happily eating his usual, Waffles with Sugar. Don't judge me.

HMM, what do we have here? Oh I know...Lana's bagel with no Lana.
That would be because Lana (who I told last night before I went out) did not get her clothes ready for church, therefore coming out in tights with a HUGE hole in them, a black and white polka dot jumper dress, with a navy blue snow princess shirt on under it.
I'm sorry, I am all for freedom of expression, but holey tights with compeltly non matching jumper and shirt for church just aren't going to work today.

And here I have gotten Lana some matching clothes with non holey tights.
As you can see she is unhappy with her Mama.

I went to Starbucks this afternoon and got a "Vanilla Iced Chai".
I don't regret it at all! It leaves me with $3 in my wallet for the week and I DON'T CARE!
I got it, opened the sun roof and drove around for about 30 minutes before I had to go to a 3:00 meeting at Church.

~Insert cheesy sales person voice~
"If your company would like to sponsor a hole for our upcoming Golf Tournament, please let me know."
There, I have done my sponsorship duty for today.

Because of our one car situation, Stacy, and or, I made a total of 4 to and from trips to church today. Thankfully church is only about 3-4 miles away. But still, that was a lot of trips.

My favorite part of the day was listening to my husband preach. I don't want to say I was suprised at how well he did, but really I was a little bit. Not that I thought he wouldn't do well, but I was just suprised with the amount of passion and clarity that he preached with. It was so natural for him, and I think our Church should definetly know what the Gospel should mean to our Church. I am very proud of him. Proud doesn't quite portray it enough.

I now come to the end of my 7 days of Real Life. Maybe I'll do it again sometime.

And Scene.

Real Life Day 6

2009-03-07T15:04:00.010-06:00

What? Day 6 already? My how the time flies when your documenting your life.
I am doing this in the middle of the day because I am going out tonight with girls from church. Fun times, jah. And let us not forget that tonight we loose an hour of sleep....Missy does not like losing sleep. Just so you know.

Anyhoo, I thought I would blog about Real Life Day 6 while I have a moment.

I made some Yummo Lasagna today.
One for my family, One for some people from Church that just had a baby.
This is my Mom's recipe and she has only shared it with Me, my sister, and my friend Stacy is who is like her other daughter...so don't ask for the recipe! I am forbidden from sharing. But let me assure you, this is the best Lasagna you could ever put in your mouth.

~Insert licking lips, and slurping sounds~

I went outside and worked in the yard some today. Blah blah blah.
Just trimmed some stuff and raked some pine straw into piles. Yada yada yada.

Came back in and had a tiny sliver of said Lasagna. I had to make sure it taste good before I share it!

Have I told you that I love to drink out of a straw?
I save my cups from chic-fil-a and fill them with water and drink from the straw.
Why yes, I am slightly odd! But at least I am drinking water!

My friend, Crissy, went out of town last night on a trip that I wanted to go on but couldn't. So instead, I have her son. He and Logan have been having much fun. And its nice that they include Lana in their fun too.

~I think Logan is using clippers to make weapons out of sticks~

Speaking of my little LanaLou, she drew me a lovely picture today of my favorite flower, a daisy. I love my sweet thoughtful little girl.

I am currently listening to "Pandora", free music on the computer. I love Pandora. You can customize your own station. When I am alone, I listen to the "ColdPlay" station. Usually we listen to the "Third Day" station while we do school. They don't just play that group, but others that are similar in style.
I like it, I like it alot.

Well, the time has come to freshen myself for the evening activities.
It's such a joy to take a shower in my shower.

Doesn't everyone turn on their shower with a screw driver???

Real Life Day 5

2009-03-07T00:38:00.003-06:00

I want to tell you about Day 5, but Day 5 has offically moved into Day 6 timewise.
For whatever reason, pictures aren't uploading, AGAIN!!!

Suffice it to say, Day 5 has been a blast...
~Fun Girlfriends came to my house today, and some stayed till after midnight!
~I did some cooking today which I love! Homemade Mac and Chz, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Meatballs and Gravy, Ranch dip and veggies. Lana helped too which also makes it more fun.
I'm happy to be raising a little girl that likes to be in the kitchen.
~I laughed so hard tonight that my cheek bones are actually sore. Of course the laughter WAS at my expense. Ah, pictures and story for another day when it is not 12:45 am.
~My husband got home around 8:30, and it was fun to have this evening cutting up with him and 2 other girlfriends.
~I am not looking forward to driving Stacy to work in 7 hours, so I should go to bed.

In Summary...Day 5 was a good day.

Real Life Day 4- Part Deux

2009-03-05T22:16:00.005-06:00

~Finally got my pics to post...if you read part one, you may want to scroll down~

I have some good stuff for you today folks. Day 4 of my real life was a fun day.
Plus I ammused myself today, which is, well OK, not that difficult to do...but I do have a funny little story for you.

Last night Crissy and I were IMing on the computer and made arrangments to meet today at the park. Well sometime during the course of the night I had a very real dream that Crissy and I were IMing and she said she would just come pick me up. So this morning I told Stacy that I didn't need to take him to work cause Crissy was coming to get me.

I went back to sleep for a little while, and woke up because I thought my children were outside digging a trench in the back yard. I looked out the window to yell at them, and low and behold they weren't there. I realized I had just dreamed this in a very real and vivid way.
It got me to thinking...maybe Crissy and I did not discuss her coming to get me...So I looked at my chat history and SURE ENOUGH no record of that conversation. Yep, I had a very real, very realistic dream about this so called coversation. I'm a little scared to go to bed now I tell you.

Another amusing thing about my day was when I couldn't find my phone and IM'd Michelle and asked her to call my phone, which rang....dun dun dun....right next to me!
I'm telling you people, I am losing my ever loving mind!

Anyways, as it turned out Crissy and the kids came over here and we had a wonderful day.
I prepared us lunch and we ate....

First of all, I bought REAL Paremesan Cheese at Aldi. I am making Alfredo sauce later in the week and have never used REAL Parmesan before...let me just say that REAL Parmesan is very hard to open. Its like they seal the package 800 times or something.

But I finally got it, and sliced it with my slicer I got in Amsterdam, like they do in a restraunt!

Crissy, Maggie and I had a Caeser Salad bar. I sugar toasted some Almonds that I am thinking about even now, wishing that I had a handful in my mouth.

The kids had Pigs in a Blanket, Cheese Puffs, and Fruit Cocktail.

My back screen door has been half way off for some time, so Tye and Logan got their tools out and took it completly down....

Along with another old screen we had (yes people, we have screen issues), a couple paint tarps, duct tape, and some nails, they created this very fun club house.

Now you are probablly looking at this picture and saying "What the heck?"

No, its not a bunch of body bags...

Give up? Ok, I will tell you. Before Logan and Tye built that fort, Logan and Lana had been working on a fort of their own...out of wood and trash bags. They were trying to be like survivor man. The funny thing is that they used up all my trash bags last week, and so every day for a week I would say "Go out to the yard and get me a trash bag."

You know you live in Alabama when....

Real Life Day 3

2009-03-04T21:59:00.004-06:00

Wednesday is my busier day of the week.
I take Stacy to work...usually entertaining him with my smart mouth and witty wit.
Yes, we only have 1 car. Wait, isn't this 1957?

Came home and did school with the kids...or was schooled by the kids, I can't remember which.
Then it was off to Aldi....

Look at all I can get at Aldi....any guess has to how much this all cost?

The razors and shaving cream , and the slim fast shakes did not come from Aldi.

Normally in the middle of Wednesday afternoon we would go to ballet and piano lessons...however after grocery shopping, Logan who is still getting over sickness, was coughing and feeling warm. He kept complaining about being tired, so we all took naps. He slept for 2 hours and seemed to really feel a lot better after the nap. Sometimes as a Mom I second guess my judgment calls...but letting him rest this afternoon proved to pay off.

Anyways....when I got up from my nap, I had a headache, but I also had 4 boxes of VBS orders waiting at my door! Woohoo, that is some fun stuff to look through.

Now this has been annoying me for days. Sunday night on Snow Day, I made Chilli. Lana dumped the rest of hers in the trash. Except she obviously missed the trash can.

I keep meaning to get her to scrub it off cause I assure you folks, its not my mess, I'm not cleaning it up!

I got on Aldi.Com today and looked at recipes. This was the first one I came across and I just so happened to have all the ingredients on hand. I modified it a bit, but all in all, I thought it was goo-ood! It's basically lazy mans (or in my case woman) Chicken and Dumplings.

Roll out crecent dough. I cut it into 18 pieces. Top it with some small pieces of cooked chicken.

Roll it up like little bundles. Top with Salt and Pepper.

Top with a can of cream of mushroom and half a can of chicken broth.

I think next time I will do two cans of crecent dough, 2 cans of cream of mushroom, and a whole can of chicken broth, cause what I made only took up half a 9x13 and I hate to only use half a can of broth.

Went to Church tonight, but I didn't take any pictures.

I didn't want to be THAT person.

So there you go people, my real life Day 3.

Chinese Food Night

2009-03-03T22:19:00.007-06:00

I meant to post these over the weekend, so now I am just blogging twice in one day. Uh Hum, Mother, I accept your apology.

I made a Chinese Buffet Friday night when my brother and his fiance were here. It was a lot of fun to prepare and everything tasted really good!

I made these P.F Chang style Lettuce wraps.

MMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a pouring sauce for the wraps, and also a spicy thai peanut sauce.

Hot and Sour Soup and Pork Satay to dip with the peanut sauce.

MMMM, Hot and Sour Soup!

Crab Rangoon...My mouth is officially watering!

My happy buffet attendees!

We rounded off the night with Fortune Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, and PB Chocolate Eclair Cake. ALL low fat of course!

So there you have it! I want to make it again, so if you want to come over one night and join me for a Chinese Buffet, just let me know 24 hours in advance! This kind of thing doesn't just happen ;)

Real Life Day 2

2009-03-03T18:54:00.003-06:00

I like to drink my Slim Fast with a straw. I like straws.

Suprisingly we still have some snow, and not so suprisingly, Lana went out to play with her Hannah Montana Sandals on.

This is my real life. I've been wearing the same thing, and haven't showered in 2 days. The dirt you see is on my shirt and on my mirror. This is raw-real life folks.

To counter act the Slim Fast shake I ate some of this yummy yumminess.

Confinscated this stuffed animal collar and leash from the kids after they were trying to put it on the cat for unknown reasons.

All that laundry I washed yesterday had to be folded and put away today. Well, it got folded anyway...

My favorite part of today was when Lana was reading this story out of her reader. The dogs name is Ruff. To which Lana replied...

"I don't think you should name your dog "Ruff" cause it would be freaky if a dog could say its own name!"

Real Life Day 1

2009-03-02T22:43:00.006-06:00

Michelle told me about doing this real life challenge for 1 week. So here you will have it...the good, the bad, and lots of ugly of my real life!

Started off the School day with some Art...

But since we still had some snow on the ground, I let them go outside and enjoy it for a while.
That went well until they got on the trampoline that was covered with a layer of ice and snow, and Logan threw an Ice ball at Lana and supposedly "hit her in the heart."...

Must do laundry...

Must clean rooms...

MMMM...lets have pizza for lunch....

Logan trying to act casual and eat at the same time...

You should know that Lana is ALWAYS the last to finish a meal...always...

I had more, but in true real life fashion, they turned out blurry. Tomorrow I will switch to my not so good camera, and the pictures will probablly turn out good, because lets face it folks, that is my life.

Proving to my Mom that I still do blog!

2009-03-02T14:06:00.003-06:00

Ok, so my Mom complains that I now Facebook more than I blog, and she doesn't Facebook.

So I am copying this from Facebook onto my blog in order to make her happy and be once again back in her good graces. And because it is about her grandchildren I thought she would like it!

So what I had to do is ask the kids these questions about me and see write down what they say word for word.

Me-According to my kids:

Logan -8 years old

Lana- 6 years old

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Logan-"I love you"

Lana- "I love you"

2. What makes mom happy?

Logan-"Funny things"

Lana- "Me and Logan and Dad"

3. What makes mom sad?

Logan-"When me and Lana are sick"

Lana- "When me and Logan disobey"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Logan-"Usually when she is sarcastic"

Lana- "

5. What was your mom like as a child?

Logan-"I have no idea"

Lana- " I don't know what you were like as a child"

6. How old is your mom?

Logan-"30 something"

Lana- "33"

7. How tall is your mom?

Logan- "Midget small"

Lana- "I don't know"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Logan- "Watching movies with Daddy"

Lana- "Spend time with me and Logan and Dad and Marmi and Pappy and Summer and Sarah and Aunt and Uncle Travis"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Logan-"Well, I'm not around so I don't know"

Lana- "At day- lay in bed and watch TV and play the Wii, and at night spend time with Dad"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Logan-"For Facebook"

Lana- "Cooking"

11. What is your mom really good at?

Logan- "Cooking"

Lana- "Singing"

12. What is your mom not very good at?

Logan- "Using knives"

Lana- "Rainbow Road on the Wii"

13. What does your mom do for her job?

Logan-"Care for me and Lana"

Lana- "Take care of me and Logan"

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Logan- "I have no idea"

Lana- "Marmi's cooking"

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Logan- " She's my mom"

Lana- " For being a good Mom"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Logan- "Pebbles"

Lana- "I don't know"

17. What do you and your mom do together?

Logan- "Talk"

Lana- "Cook"

18. How are you and your mom the same?

Logan- "We both have dimples"

Lana- "We're both nice"

19. How are you and your mom different?

Logan- "I'm a boy, she's a girl"

Lana- "I like cats and she doesn't"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Logan- "She tells me and tells me and tells me and tells me

"Lana- "Because she's really nice to me and I'm her daughter"

Stop Yelling at Me!

2009-02-26T15:41:00.003-06:00

Alright, I am finally posting some recipes for you people so you'll stop making rude comments.
And you people know who you are Melissa Mohr, Megan Thompson, and Ashley Faulkner.

Anyways...here are 3 of my favorites. 2 dinner and 1 breakfast.

Taco Filled Jumbo Shells:
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasoning
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1/4 cup butter, melted
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each casserole):
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
3 green onions, chopped
Directions: In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add taco seasoning; prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese; cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until melted. Transfer to a bowl; chill for 1 hour. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Gently toss with butter. Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons of meat mixture. Place 12 shells in a freezer container. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. To prepare remaining shells, spoon salsa into a greased 9-in. square baking dish. Top with stuffed shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses and chips. Bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with sour cream and onions. To use frozen shells: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours (shells will be partially frozen). Spoon salsa into a greased 9-in. square baking dish; top with shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue as above. Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Alteration: I don't use taco sauce or salsa. I use enchilada sauce because my family likes it. I also don't always top it with anything but the sauce and the cheese just to make it cheaper.
I usually double this and make several pans to freeze to take to people cause it is GOOOD and everyone likes it!
If you want to save some calories, you don't have to toss the shells with butter.

Southwestern Chicken Pot Pie: (This is an invention and so I do not have completly accurate sizes)

1 pkg frozen deep dish pie shells
1 pkg roll out pie shells
2-3cups shredded or diced chicken
1 can ro-tel
1 can black beans (2 if you like)
2 cans cream of mushroom
1 can cream of chicken
1 cup shredded taco cheese
1 can of corn optional ( I would like to add corn, but my husband doesnt like corn mixed in things so I don't, but I think it would be good)
Also some fresh chopped cilantro would be a good addition

Mix all the ingredients except the pie shells. Pour into the frozen pie shells.
Top with the roll out pie shells and trim the edges and crimp. You will have leftover pie crust that you can make cute little cut out shapes with and place on top.
I usually wet my finger tips a bit to help them stick.
You could also lightly spray the top with non stick spray.
Use a knife to slit holes in the top of the pie in a criss cross shape.

This makes 2 pies.

Place on cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until crust is golden.
You can freeze one pie and cook it straight from the freezer for about an hour. Leave the foil on for the first half if you do it this way.

Sausage Breakfast Casserole: (I like this one because you don't have to let it sit over night...but you can if you need to!)

1 pound bulk pork sausage
1/3 cup chopped onion
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
8 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine eggs and soup; pour over cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

Recent Random Happenings

2009-02-25T09:23:00.002-06:00

Not too much going on these days.
I'm doing a lot better from the surgery.
I've noticed that my throat dries out real easily, and I am staying tired.
But my Mother just repremanded me for not taking vitamins, so maybe I will do that and gain some energy from the magic pill that is vitamins!

As I said before, my kids did wonderfully during those 2 weeks of my down time.
Logan proved himself a man, and was very responsible. I like Logan cause he is a pretty self motivated kind of guy, and I usually don't have to ride him very much on things. (although we do have our moments!)
Lana did well during that time too, but I also must remember she is 6 years old.
I have had to "re-parent" her this week on some things that apparently escaped her mind...
Things like, not using a whole bag of cheese on making cheese crackers, half of that cheese being on the floor.
She's a sneaky one too. Yesterday she knew she was heading for some "discipline" for some general irresponsibility. As a last resort she said "I'm going to go take a shower because I think really good when I'm in the shower and I'm sure everything will be OK after that."
Uh yeah, sure kid, you do that...I'll meet you in your room when your done thinking in the shower!

Ah children! I love em :)

In other news, my sister had her ultra sound today and is having, yep, another girl!
I told her she could have just skipped the ultrasound cause I could have told her that!
It is amazing to me how much I can love little people that I've never met. Like my little niece Savannah that is almost 16 months old now. Wow do I love her! And this new one, whose name will probablly be Sky, I love her too! I can't wait to meet these little people next year. It will be a great year, but heart wrenching when its over.

My poor husband is very stressed at work. The car business is just a stressful place always, but add the times we are in, and the fact that the owners are in this week "Checking things out", and well...it's just a rough time. I have to say that I am a little nervous about the near future and the job situation. But, we have been here before and God always provides, so I TRY to remain optimistic and prayerful about the future.

My brother and his new fiance are coming this weekend for Logans last basketball game. I am glad they are coming. I really do not know Jessie at all and look forward to getting to know her this weekend. After all, looks like she will be my sister in law pretty soon.

Well, that is all for now. There are 4 baskets of laundry in the living room that are begging for my attention.
Hope all is well in your world!

A Typical Friday Night

2009-02-21T13:40:00.005-06:00

For those of you that don't know, Friday night is open house at my friend Crissy's house. It's always ALOT of fun. We laugh, we joke, we talk, we make sarcastic comments, we eat, we drink, and we be merry. It's a welcome relief to the end of a week. That is fo sho people.

We also are surrounded my TONS of children. Mostly boys. On any given week there will be anywhere between 6 and 15 or more boys. Last night was a slow night. There where only 6 boys. We noticed one of those 6 boys on the porch with a pair of scissors. Hmmm....probablly not a good idea. So Kim Poston goes outside to confinscate them.

And this is what she returns with.
A Knife
A Multipurpose Tool
A Knife Sharpener
The Scissors
Oh yes, and a Fork!

I don't know how these Friday night events have not ended in an ER trip for some unfortunate boy.

And less you think that the 2 girls present last night where sitting around playing baby dolls....

I found them in the bathroom with a HOT GLUE GUN and popsycle sticks.
And yes, there are some burn marks to prove it.

Moral of the story...
Friday nights are a blast....just gotta know what the kids are doing!

Slowly Returning

2009-02-13T15:51:00.003-06:00

Well folks, I thought I would check in with an update of my life.
The tonsils came out 9 days ago (last Wednesday).
It has been a crazy roller coaster of a recovery.
I have had a lot of pain, some vomiting, lots of dizziness, shaking, fever, dehydration, and now today found out...a yeast infection in my mouth!
Lovely, I know!
But, I think the worst if finally over. Dr. gave me a steroid shot today, as my throat still had swelling and he felt it would help get me over the hump. He also said the yeast infection in my mouth has not been helping matters either.

What I have learned these past 9 days:

1. Getting your tonsils out as an adult is ridicously painful and I don't know yet if it was worth it. I guess if I never get strep again, than it will be.

2. I never have, and probablly never will, done well with anasthesia.

3. Nurses are very nice when you pee on yourself.

4. Nurses should listen to their patients when patients tell them "They never find a vein in the top of my hand"...9 days later I still have the big ugly bruise to prove it!

5. My husband is a very good nurse! The first 2 days I was home he was there everytime I moved or made a noise. It was very comforting and made me love him more.
He also rushed home to rescue me when I called bawling my eyes out cause I was so miserable. Yep, loved him even more for that too!

6. My children are the most amazing children! They are 8 and 6 years old and have behaved and helped out better then most teenagers. They have done their schoolwork on their own, cleaned up around the house, helped with laundry and dishes, and have been over all so incredibly helpful! Logan has proven himself a true leader and take charge kind of guy, and Lana has showered me with pictures and cards.

7. I can't wait till I recover and can do something extra special for my wonderful family!

8. I also have AWESOME friends! I've had friends drop off milk shakes, and medicine, and soup, and flowers. I've had friends stay and take care of my kids, and take my kids places they need to be. I've had friends keep my kids at their house while I got the surgery in the first place.
I love the body of Christ at work, and deeply appreciate all the people God has put in my life to show me His love.

9. At this point I am antsy. It took everything out of me just to go the Dr. this morning. I have some energy, but it is drained very easily and it is frustrating for me to not be able to do stuff. I mean, I can unload the top part of the dishwasher, but then I have to go lay down for an hour. Stuff like that is very frustrating for me.

10. I have eaten in 9 days, what I normally would eat in 1 day. I still have NO appetite. I try to eat, but nothing has any taste. That may be because of the nasty build up of yeast on my tongue.

11. I have lost 7 pounds in 9 days. I figure I still we lost some more seeing how I am hardly eating.

12. Whenever I fully recover I am very motivated to start excercising and get lots more weight off.

13. My Dad is coming in tonight and taking Logan to his game tomorrow. I am looking forward to the company and hoping that maybe I will have enough strength to go to the game. We shall see.

14. I miss being at church.

15. I miss talking to people. I just started talking out loud yesterday, but it still hurts to talk, so I can't talk much.

Well, that is enough for now. I think its time for another nap!

"The Tonsils Come out Tomorrow"

2009-02-03T16:20:00.003-06:00

I am of course singing that too the tune of "The Sun'll come out, tomorrow".
Please tell me you know the song! If you do not, then we are probablly not REALLY friends and you just stalk me cause your crazy.

Anyways, I think I am as prepared as you can be.
I spent Saturday cooking and putting stuff in the freezer for the fam.
I spent yesterday doing 8 loads of laundry, plus one small one today.
Also spent yesterday scrubbing and cleaning.
Today I vacuumed, packed the kids for the night, and got school stuff together.

Yesterday Crissy came over and entertained me while I cleaned.
Then while we folded laundry she went crazy and decided to peel the wallpaper border in my room. It was amazing! She just pulled it down and used my mini spatula, which is obviously a multipurpose tool, to scrape. Now she has too come back one day and finish! Bwa haha...

We have to be there in the morning at 5:45. Blah. Of course, I get to go back to sleep. Poor Stacy :(

I will admit this only to you my blogging friends...I am a liiiiitle bit nervous. I know its just tonsils, but still. I'm a Mom, I have 2 little people and 1 big person that depend on me. Also, I like to sing and still would like to do that when this is all done with. Plus, I would sure hate for my throat to swell shut and die a death of suffocation. Yeah, I'm slightly overreacting. I know.
So if you want to say a little prayer for me (ooh, another song just popped in my head) then I won't mind, now that you know that I have a probablly irrational fear of dying from tonsil surgery!

Love to you all :)

Before and After

2009-01-30T16:01:00.006-06:00

I had one of those grocery weeks where I tried to use up everything before I went shopping. (Also didn't have grocery money until today).
So I pretty much emptied my freezer, fridge, and pantry. The only meal I could have feasably made was fish and rice, pancakes (with no butter) and tuna (but we all know that would NEVER happen!).

I thought ya'll would enjoy before and after pictures, because lets face it folks, we're all a little wierd like that.

Oh how I love Aldi for filling my pantry, freezer, and fridge!

Un-Bloggy

2009-01-29T13:21:00.004-06:00

I havn't been feeling very bloggy lately.
Don't know why, just haven't had anything exciting or non exciting to say.
I've still been kind of trying to get back into a routine after being gone.
Being out of routine will mess me up for a week.

So we've just kind of eased back into school stuff. I mean we do school, but I've just lightened up on the timing of it. One thing I have definetly learned about homeschooling is that you just make it fit into your life as it is. But that is a blog for another day.

I have embarked on some healthier habits since I've been back.
And I told some people on Facebook I would blog about them today.
So here goes.
Some time back my sister started emailing me and harping;) on me about Cinnamon and Honey.

Immune System: Honey and cinnamon paste is good for boosting the immune
system, removing regular fatigue and increasing the longevity of an
individual.
It can also be used for treating colds and influenza.

Digestion: Honey and cinnamon helps in improving the digestive system,
remove gas from the stomach and intestine and treat stomachache, flatulence,
indigestion and bladder infections.
Itching: Paste of honey and cinnamon
is
often used to treat insect bites.

Skin Care: The benefits of
honey and cinnamon extend to skin care,
wherein minor skin infections and
pimples are treated with regular application
of a paste formed from these
two precious foods.

Hair Care: Honey and cinnamon also nurture hair,
reduce hair loss and
further increase hair growth.

Dental Care: Both
honey and cinnamon are individually used for dental
care. A mixture prepared
from the two is also useful in dental care,
particularly in removing bad
breath and toothache.

Weight Loss: A mixture of honey and cinnamon in warm water is
considered good for reducing weight. Of course, like any other weight loss
remedy, this comes true only when you ensure controlled diet and regular
exercise.

Arthritis: The paste is good for bone health also and
helps in
providing some relief to arthritis patients.

Heart
Disorders: Honey and cinnamon is used for reducing cholesterol
levels and
thus provide health to your heart.

The email that Laura sent me actually was more helpful than this, but you get
the basic gist. Honey is good for you. So I have started doing
it twice a day.

The ratio I do is 2 TBLS Honey, 1/2 TSP Cinnamon, and 1 cup boiling
water. I actually really like it. I drink it in the morning before I
eat anything, and then Stacy and also drink a cup in bed before we go to sleep
at night. I've only been doing it since Monday, so the benefits are yet to
be seen. I do feel better in some ways, but it could just be a mental
thing.

I've also been watching my eating habits and cutting back. I've been using small plates and bowls. Also trying to cut back on carbs. I'm not eliminating them, just controlling them better. Drinking more water too. Anyways I'm trying to just be healthier but not be stressed about it, just do it to be healthier. I figure the results will follow.

Next week I get my tonsils out so things will again get crazy and out of wack, but I can still drink my honey and cinnamon! And after I recover from that, I will begin my new exercise regime. But thats another blog for another day.

My Grandpa

2009-01-24T12:53:00.005-06:00

I am very thankful for the time I got to spend in PA this past week with my Grandparents. Grandpa's health was kind of up and down while we where there. He started dialysis, which is designed to keep people alive for a while, but for him, I think it is just helping to make him more comfortable. He is on oxygen now, and my Mom is up there helping again this week. Please continue to pray for him, Nana, and Mom as they get a lot of loose ends tied up.

Here are some things I love about my Grandpa:
1. Even though he married my Nana when I was 2, he has always treated me as though I was his own. I tease my Nana that I am the reason he married her. Cause I was just so darn cute ;)

2. He makes funny noises out of the sides of his lips. Laura and Adam and I have always thought that was so funny. He sounds like a bird.

3. When I was in High School and College, whenever we got together we would always play golf. The greatest golf shot I ever made was with him and he bragged and bragged on it.

4. He always tells the same story of when I was a little little girl.
"Chris, Chris, lets go for a waaalk and see the do-ooog". He says it in his finest southern accent, and it is so cute!

5. He is a HUGE reader. I remember his collection of books from when I was a kid. Once when I was in JR.High or so, I got the book "War and Peace" off his shelf. It was HUGE! He told me I wasn't old enough to read that yet. I wonder if I can read it now?

6. Grandpa is extremly smart. He does cross word puzzles everyday and has a wealth of information stored in that brain of his.

7. He used to be a "Topographer". You know, the guy that makes "Topography Maps."
I have always been fascinated by maps, I wonder if thats why.

8. He is absolutly with out a doubt, over the top, in LOVE with my Nana. I can always remember that when he would enter a room from being gone some where the first thing he would do is give her a kiss. He always has a compliment for her. Always. He thinks she is the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth.
Even in the ER on Sunday, while he can barely stand on his own without his walker, he was helping her get HER jacket on. That is some serious love people.

9. He used to smoke a pipe and it was a wonderful smell.

10. He grew up in Virigina. His Mom died in childbirth while giving birth to him and his twin sister. They where raised by their dad and step mom, but their dad died when he was an early teen and the step mom was not very nice. So they moved to Sweden to be raised by their Aunt.
He was in the service and has great stories about those times too.
He has a really amazing past.

11. He has the most beautiful blue eyes.

12. His favorite dessert is Boston Cream Pie.

13. I will miss his warm smile when he is gone.

Flying Out

2009-01-15T22:09:00.003-06:00

It's always comforting to click on your home page and see headlines of a plane crashing 2 days before you are too fly. Especially when its the same airline...and the plane, although not leaving from the same place, was heading to the same place you will be having a layover at.

I figure my odds now are much better though. How often do you hear of multiple days of plane crashes? None. Right? RIght?? RIGht??? RIGHt???? RIGHT?????

I hate flying. Ever since my flight back from Africa and the smelly African man put his long legs, and bare feet up under my seat and his nasty feet where touching my leg...yep, that pretty much sealed my disdain for flying.

But fly I must. And prayers I would appreciate. Adam (my brother) and I will be flying out to PA Saturday to visit my grandparents. My Mom just returned from there and my Grandpas health is deteriorating. So we all felt it would be good for Adam and I to go ahead and go. I don't want the last time I saw him to be the last time I saw him. Know what I mean?

The whole logistical aspect of this has been just a joy. Sarcasm sarcasm sarcasm.
Who knew that a flight could go from $225 to $475 in less than 24 hours.
And furthermore, who knew that flying out of a smaller airport could get you a ticket for $186?
Crazy conspiracy I tell ya!

I am ever grateful for wonderful friends who pull through in a crunch to help out extra hours with my kids.
I'm glad that my husband will be with them Sunday-Tuesday. It will be good "Mr.Mom-Teacher-House Manager" time for him! ;)
Really its just a relief to know that for 3 days at least they don't have to be passed around like hot potatoes.
Logan I know will be fine...Lana, well she's a little attached to her Mama.

So anyways, if you think of me, I would love your prayers.
I will be driving 5 hours to my parents tomorrow afternoon, then my brother and I will leave at 4:30 AM Saturday to get to the airport. Yes folks, that would be ME, ADAM, and 4:30 AM!!!
If you know us at all, you know this is NOT a good combo!

But please do pray that our time with our Grandpa would be sweet and that we can minister to him and my Nana in a way that would bring them closer to the Lord.

I will be ~Big Gulp~ without technology for 4 days. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
At least I can still text! So text me, YO!

~To God be the Glory Great Things HE has done~

Ode To My Dishwasher

2009-01-13T10:58:00.005-06:00

Oh dishwasher, my very best friend.

Your shiny silver cover reminds me of a Volvo I once knew.

I love putting my dirty dishes on your top and bottom shelves.

Push a button and come back, how easy is that.

Once filthy dishes have been made clean.

You have cut my kitchen time in half with your wash cycle.

You have made my dishes pretty and pristine with your dry cycle.

A new found love for cooking I have discovered, and its all because of you.

I make a mess with my pots and pans...

Then turn them over to your trustworthy hands.

My counters are no longer cluttered with dirty dishes.

Hepatitis no longer lives on my silverware.

No more wet shirts from standing over a soapy sink.

Yes, my sweet, my precious, my love, you have made my life sweeter.

It is a pleasure to call you my friend.

20 Things I've Learned Just This Week

2009-01-09T13:46:00.004-06:00

1. I am a much happier person when the sun is shining.

2. Grease should not be poured down sinks, even with the hot water running.

3. Ace hardware has very helpful dudes that help plumbing illiterate women such as myself.

4. I have not had Chic-Fil-A in a while and got some today. I've missed you my precious.

5. I have TMJ. I thought my ear was exploding but instead it is TMJ and it hurts a lot.

6. You cannot take Ibuprofen for 10 tens before surgery.

7. Sleeping with a mouth guard provides a lot of drool.

8. My Grandfathers health is deteriorating rapidly and I will be flying to PA soon.

9. Upwards basketball is a good program. Despite our rocky start, they have proven to be good.

10. The nursery rhyme "London Bridges Falling Down" came about cause of vikings and ropes.

11. The Sharps are rich.

12. There are many views on what Jesus did for the 3 days after He died.

13. Kim Hill makes herself dizzy.

14. Tina Turner probably did not say "Hit me again Ike, and this time put some Stank on it."

15. For our 10th anniversary trip, we are going on a Youth Mission Trip to New Orleans.

16. According to Lana she will never ever be mad at me.

17. Some new law may prohibit consignment sales and thrift stores.

18. A guy at church has a Nintendo controller belt buckle.

19. The "Look" game does not actually involve a ball.

20. Lions attack giraffes.

One Word

2009-01-07T11:33:00.004-06:00

I won a prize from Virginia. Something about being a homey homemaker or something like that.

Really, I only function at about 50% capacity in the homemaking, but hey, if you want to choose me for an award, then I'll take it.

Escpecially since it came with a fun little One word thing to answer. You can only answer with one word. Get it?

So ya ready, here goes!

1. Where is your cell phone? desk

2. Where is your significant other? work

3. Your hair color? brown

4. Your mother? fun

5. Your father? loving

6. Your favorite thing? family

7. Your dream last night? wacko

8. Your dream/goal? house

9. The room you're in? aqua

10. Your hobby? projects

11. Your fear? mice

12. Where do you want to be in six years? moved

13. Where were you last night? bed

14. What you're not? skinny

15. One of your wish list items? car

16. Where you grew up? NC

17. The last thing you did? homeschool

18. What are you wearing? black

19. Your TV? off

20. Your pet? outside

21. Your computer? lifeline ;)

22. Your mood? content

23. Missing someone? yes

24. Your car? dead

25. Something you're not wearing? corset

26. Favorite store? Cato

27. Your Summer? VBS

28. Love someone? yes

29. Your favorite color? Red

30. When is the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? dunno

Now back to schooling. So far today is running smooth. And the sun is shining again!!!!

Rain Rain Go Away

2009-01-06T16:21:00.002-06:00

I'm going on a cruise tomorrow.
Anybody want to join me?

Seriously, this long stretch of yucky weather must end.
My vitamin D levels are suffering immensly.

Gulp...

2009-01-04T16:16:00.002-06:00

Tell me its not over!!!!
Is it really time to get back to the real world?
Do I really have to get us back on schedule?
Do we have to stop playing the Wii for many hours a day?
Is excercise and healthy eating really that important?
Are we gonna have to do school everyday??
What if I don't want to take down my Christmas decorations, EVER?
I wish every week was Christmas break.
I have enjoyed it to the max.

Now back to the real world, already in progress.

Snowflake Cake

2009-01-03T22:34:00.003-06:00

I whipped this up for our family night tonight. I thought it turned out really well.

Ouch-ug-arg-ooh-the pain-the electricty-shooting through my arm-lighting bolts crashing around me-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaa

Wii Bowling

2009-01-02T00:27:00.002-06:00

Our Family has become obsessed with Wii bowling.
We've only had the thing for a week, and we have already hit obsession mode.
Of course when we start back to school on Monday, that will have to change, but for now, we are enjoying the wii!

I won't tell you who the Pro is (me) and who has the highest score (me) and who has the best ball because of the pro status (me), but I will tell you who has the most unique Wii bowling stance and throw of anyone in the world. Weee little Lana. It took her a few days to figure it out, but today the Wii light went off, and she is on fire! She scores really well, but her technique is hilarious. I tried to capture it on video, and it just doesn't do it justice. But it sure is funny to watch her play...and play well!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

9 Resolutions for 2009:

1. Gain 40 pounds

2. Be a less patient Mother

3. Not make a lot of money

4. Love my husband less

5. Be less organized

6. Have inconsitent time in Gods word

7. Be unprepared for homeschooling everyday

8. Fix nothing in my house

9. Eat food that is bad for me

I figure I usually do the opposite of the resolutions that I make...this way I ought to be doing pretty well next year at this time :)

Happy New Year Friends!

Another week goes by...

2008-12-29T12:39:00.004-06:00

3 more days left of this year! WOW! Time goes by so fast when you have a family.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas!
Mom and Dad came down for a couple of days and on Christmas Eve day my dad handed me an envelope with a picture of a dishwasher in it! Woohoo!

He then said, "I can give you the money, or we can go now...whatever you want to do"

Well after living with a dead dishwasher for 4 years, we immedietly hopped in the car and went to Best Buy!

Here is a quick lesson on buying things like this...sometimes the best buy is the first buy.

We went to Best Buy first and they had one that I reall liked.

We then went to lunch, HH Gregg, and Home Depot. Needless to say, we ended back up at Best Buy to get the first one that I liked.

Some times shopping around just isn't worth it.

I highly recoomend Best Buy for this type of purchase. They where helpful, knowledgable, and most of all HONEST! The lady at HH Gregg was a complete lying idiot. Sorry, the Mike Harwood in me sometimes comes out...

Anyways....

So here it is...me and my lovely dishwasher.

I am so thankful to my Dad and my Husband for taking the hours of time to install it.

The old dishwasher had to have its legs cut off to get it out. It is currently still sitting in my front yard. Come and get it if you want to. ;)

My parents took the children with them for a few days when they left on Friday. WooHoo!
Friday I went to Kohls, then came home and took a nap, then did a whole lot of nothing.

Saturday I slept in, watched movies, layed on the couch, ate fudge, sorted pictures, showered, went to Cold Stone with Stacy, and played the Wii.

Very relaxing and enjoyable.

Sunday we went to church, went to lunch with friends, went to WalMart, Rooms to Go, Barnes and Noble. Then went to see "Seven Pounds". Really good movie! Then we used our "BoneFish Grill" gift certificate. It was pretty good.

I'm going to Chattanooga tomorrow to pick up the kids so I am trying to finish up some stuff around here tonight and then am going to go to dinner with Crissy, Kim, and Amber. Join us if you like!!!

Hope you all have had a wonderful week too!

3 days till Christmas

2008-12-22T11:10:00.002-06:00

3 days till Christmas and my house is a mess.
The laundry is piled up and we cannot get dressed.

My voice is hoarse, and raspy at best.
My nose is way stuffy, its so hard to rest.

Grocery bags are sitting on the table quite full.
Put them away your miserable toole.

Rotting bananas are waiting to bake.
Banana bread won't happen today for goodness sake.

Packages are ready to be sent in the mail.
But today I'm moving the pace of a snail.

Floors need a mopping, they're dirty and gross.
But how can I mop when I'm blowing my nose?

3 days till Christmas, at least presents are wrapped.
Maybe I could just go lay down for a nap.

~Sigh~

2008-12-17T23:49:00.002-06:00

Tired of seeing friends suffer.
Tired of watching people I love make stupid decisions.
Tired of fighting my flesh.
Tired of striving to be________________.

Holding tight to God's Sovereignty.
Holding tight to God's Promises.
Holding tight to God's Commands.
Holding tight to God's Love and Patience.

Tinsel Tuesday- Week 4

2008-12-15T22:23:00.004-06:00

Hello my friends! Welcome to this weeks episode of Tinsel Tuesday.

(You must know that this is said in my BEST Mrs.Doubtfire voice)

For this weeks TT I thought I would share with you my baking list for this week. Most of the baking I am doing this week is for gifts.

Some of it might even be for YOU! But you will not know until I see you, now will you?!

This week I will be delivering my annual Pastors goody assortment. I assure you no pastors read my blog, so this is definetly not a spoiler. I have boxes for each of them (5) that will be filled with lovelies, of which I am about to share the recipes with YOU!

I also have some other homemade goody gifts that will be ready to go out this week as well.

I will take pictures after they have been delivered. Well actually, I will take the pictures BEFORE they are delivered, but I will post them AFTER they have been delivered. See? Do you see how brilliant I am?

What I have going on this week, goes all the way back to my first TT post about planning.
Remember I talked about planning out your baking for the month?
I did my shopping for this a few weeks ago. Bought my boxes a few weeks ago. And have been working on little projects for this stuff over the past few weeks.
I made my list, and checked it twice, of who I would be giving too, and now the time has come to begin the process!
I love the week of baking. Although, only one of the recipes I am making actually requires the oven. Crazy huh?!
Pastors goody boxes will consist of 4 things, of which I am about to share.
One of these things makes a huge batch and I MIGHT share with some of you.
IF you have been good this year, and I'm thinking, but I don't recall any of my friends being good this year, so never mind.

Recipe 1:

White Trash
(Kim Hill also makes White Trash, but hers is the Mississippi version. Mine is the Alabama version, and yes there is a difference!)

10-oz. pkg mini pretzels
5 c. Cheerios
5 c. Corn Chex
2 c. Peanuts
16 oz. pkg M&M's
1/2 block of White Almond Bark
1 T. Oil
Powdered Sugar-Optional

Combine first 5 ingredients in a VERY large bowl; set aside.
Melt chocolate with oil in microwave. Stir until smooth.
Pour over cereal mixture, and mix well.
Spread mixture onto 3 wax paper lined baking sheets and allow to cool.
Break into bite size pieces, store in an airtight container.

~TIP~ I do not have a bowl large enough, so I bought one of those HUGE disposable roasting pans at Wal-Mart and it works very well.
Also, I don't put my wax paper on cookie sheets. I just spread it out onto my table and do it that way.
This makes a HUGE amount!

Recipe 2:

Rocky Road Fudge
(This is one of those recipes that we have made forever and a day in my family)

12-oz pkg Chocolate Chips (2 cups)
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 TBLS butter or margarine
10 1/2 oz pkg mini marshmallows (or 5 1/2 cups)
8-oz jar unsalted peanuts

In a saucepan combine chocolate, condensed milk, and butter.
Heat over low heat till chocolate is melted; remove from heat.
In a large bowl combine marsmallows and peanuts.
Fold in Chocolate mixture.
Spread in a 9x13 pan that is lined with waxed paper.
Chill 2 hours or until firm.
Remove from pan, peel off waxed paper. Cut into 1" squares with a wet knife.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

Recipe 3:

White Chocolate, Peanut, and Caramel Candy Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups uncooked regular oats
2 c. AP flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 (1.91 oz) pkgs Rolo's candy
2 (4 oz) white chocolate bars, chopped
1 1/2 cups unsalted peanuts, chopped

Beat butter at medium speed until creamy.
Add sugars and beat well.
Add eggs and vanilla, beating until blended.
Process oats in a blender or food processor until finely ground.
Combine oats, flour, and next 3 ingredients.
Add to butter mixture, beating well.
Stir in chopped candy, white chocolate and peanuts.
Shape dough into 1 1/2" balls and place on parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake @ 375 for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool 1 minute on baking sheets and then remove to wire racks to cool.
Makes 6 dozen.

~ I haven't actually made these yet! I'll be making them this week and let you know how it turns out. I didn't buy white chocolate bars, I am using white chocolate chips.

Drum Roll Please! I have saved the best recipe for last!
If you have not had these, then make them!
They are easy, but also a little messy and a little hands on. But SOOOOO good!

Recipe 4:

Chocolate Balls

1 Pkg oreo cookies
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1/2 pkg Chocolate Almond Bark

Put oreos in a food processor or blender and make into a fine crumb mixture.
Place in a large bowl, and with your hands, mix the cream cheese into them.
This is very messy, but using the mixer just doesn't work as well.
For the love, wash your hands first!
Keep mixing until the crumbs are mixed into the cream cheese.
Put in fridge for a few minutes to harden back up.
Line a pan with wax paper.
Roll mixture into 1" balls.
Place on pan.
Put back in the fridge for 1 hour or so.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave.
Dip balls into chocolate.
They will start to harden pretty quickly.
If you want, drizzle some white chocolate over the top for a pretty look, or drizzle the regular chocolate over it again for a drizzly look.
Does that make sense?

Store in Fridge.
Makes about 3 dozen.

I cannot tell you enough how yummy these are!!!!

And there you have it my friends far and wide.
Some yum yum recipes to try.

Later on this week I will show you some packaging.
Until then...Enjoy the last week before Christmas!

What? I haven't blogged in a week?

2008-12-15T16:28:00.005-06:00

Busy week is over.

12 days straight of stuff going on is done.

No parties this week.

Only housework, baking, B'Ball practice, Awanas, and Crissy's Friday night.

Woohoo!

The week of parties was fun, but I am partied out.

~I am definetly making the ornament swap a tradition. And I am definetly going to take some pictures next year, like I should have done this year!~

~Sunday School Chrismtas party was fun. We played Dirty Santa and I won the movie "Deck the Halls". I haven't watched it yet. But I will.~

~Kids Christmas party was fun too. Kids made cute nativity ornaments for me to enjoy forever more.~

~Oh, date night...yes super fun! Although Stacy and I have discovered that we are getting old.

We went to the movies. Yes, THE movie. Then we where supposed to drive to Hoover to go to dinner cause we had a gift certificate. Well after the movie best buy, we where too tired and cold to drive allllllllllll the way to Hoover. (yes people, I am talking 25 minutes max)

So we opted to spend $20 at Frontera. ~

~Childrens Theater was very cute. We saw "The Best Christmas Musical Ever". We laughed, we cried, we had good times. Seriously, Logan told me when we left that he got teary eyed at one part. How sweet is that?!~

~Christmas Choir musical was last night. "This is our God".

It was a compelation of 10 songs that our Music Minister picked from various musicals that we have done in the past and other songs. It went very well. 47 minutes goes by very quickly.

I also have never been so thirsty after 47 minutes.

Logan had a solo part in "Welcome to our World". He did really well. He even hit his "high" note.

Stacy sang "This is our God" with the choir in the background, and even though he doesn't think he did well, I think he did, and I had to fight back tears several times during that song. The words are amazing and then there was a video playing to go with it. ~

This is the chorus:

"This is our God, living and breathing Call Him courageous, relentless,

and brave. This is our God, loving and reaching, Scandalous mercy
and
mighty to save.Hallelujah! This is our God!"

"This is our God, suffering and dying.

Call Him the Hero redeeming the lost.

This is our God, love sacrificing,All that is holy,

accepting our cross.Hallelujah! This is our God!"

Love those words!

~One of my favorite parts of the week was....

The Rockettes!!!
Loved it!

Loved going with Lana cause she enjoyed every single second of it. Everything she oohed and ahhed at. Everything was beautiful and amazing for her.

She has been doing "High Kicks" ever since then. Poor thing, she wants to be a Rockette, and well, I just don't think that is going to happen.

You have to be between 5'6" and 5'10".

Have you seen Lana's mother?

It sure was fun though and something we will remember forever!~

Tinsel Tuesday- Week 3

2008-12-09T00:02:00.000-06:00

Hello Friends. Hope you all are having a good week and enjoying this holiday season.
I know for me, this week is my most busy week of the season.

Monday night- SS Christmas Party
Tuesday night- Ornament Swap- (Hope to see you tonight!)
Wednesday- Christmas pics, ballet party, Awana, Choir Rehersal
Thursday- Childrens Theater, Art Class, Logan-Window Washing Job
Friday- The Rockettes!
Saturday- Morning Choir Rehersal, Evening Kids Church Christmas Party
Sunday Night- Choir Performance

OK, see really that was for my benefit. The more I see it written down, the more it gets ingrained in my brain what I need to do.

And such it is with Tradition...nice segway right ?!

Yes folks, this weeks installment of Tinsel Tuesday is Tradition.

Websters dictionary describes Tradition as:
1 : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)
2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.

The Traditions of Christmas are all around us. The mere act in and of itself is a Tradition.
I am admittedly a Traditionalist, ecspecially around this time of year. I have many customary patterns of thought, action, or behaviour that define me this time of year.
I have been handed down information, beliefs and customs, by word of mouth and by example from another generation. I am now endevoring to do the same with my own small brood.

So this week for TT, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Traditions, both old and new. And I would also like to hear from you...what is one of your favorite Traditions.

Old Traditions that where passed down to me:

1. Baking-
I come from a Southern Grandmother and a Northern Nana, so my recipe list is quite comprehensive. I appreciate that my Mom has kept all the recipes organized so that all I've had to do is print them off. I really do enjoy the baking and cooking involved during this time of year. Growing up we followed my Mom's list to a "T" ("T" for Tradition, I'm sure!)
We made everything on the list, and lots of it. I always enjoyed spending the time with my Mom and Sister, and sometimes even friends that we would have over, baking all day long.

2. Christmas Movies-
There are certain Christmas movies that where essential in my upbringing, that I am sure I could quote every line, and yet I never ever tire of them.
White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, and Christmas Carol- the George C Scott version, are the 3 that are forever ingrained in my memory from childhood.

3. Our Christmas drink-
I'm not sure when my Mom started this, but we have an orange/coconut drink that we drink on Christmas morning that is indeed a family favorite. We raise our glasses in a toast, and everybody taps glasses before we drink.

4. Christmas Morning torture-
As kids we where not allowed to come downstairs or out into the living room until Mom and Dad had everything just so. In other words, no running out and ripping away. Mom would get the Chrismtas lights and music going, while Dad gets the coffee going...then the camera is poised, and then we are allowed in.

5. Sibling Traditions-
My siblings and I always exchanged gifts with each other on Christmas Eve. This was always fun and gave us time to appreciate what we had picked out for each other.

My siblings and I also all had a "side" of the tree. There where 3 of us, and my side was the left, Lauras' was the right, and then when Adam came along he got the middle.

We 3 also had to take turns placing the tree topper on the tree. Obviously for the first 2 years it was only me...then Laura came along and for 7 years we swapped back and forth every other year, and then Adam entered the picture and we went to an every 3 year system. It was always an honor to be the one to place the Angel, or star on top of the tree.

6. The Christmas Story-
I mean this is kind of a given, but I always remember us lighting candles, singing Christmas carols, and my Dad reading Luke 2 to us. I always remember loving to hear him reading out loud to us. I still like to hear him read it now, even as an adult.

There are others from my childhood, but you get the picture.
All of these I am passing down to my kids too, and so far they love all of them!

New Traditions for my family-

1. Pine Hill Farms
Stacy came home from work one day in the December of 2000 and told me about a place called Pine Hill Farms. So from the time Logan was 6 months old and had his first Christmas, we have been going out to Pine Hill Farms. It is one of these cut your own Christmas Tree places. Several times we have cut our own tree, but the reason we go is for the sleigh!
They have a Santa Sleigh in front of a huge Christmas Tree. Every year we have taken the kids and taken their pictures in that sleigh. It's been fun to look back over the past 8 years and see how much my kids have grown. I mean obviously you know that from year to year, but there is something about seeing them in that same spot that really puts it into perspective.

We also take bananas and feed the real live Reindeer that they have. It's a fun family day that we look forward to every year. We'll be going tomorrow! Yeah!

2. Frames
Every year, I take said pictures and I put them in a cutesy new Christmas Frame.
Acutally I do not have a frame from Logans first 2 Christmas's, but I have those in ornmanet Frames.
But every year since Lana came into the picture. I currently have 6 frames, plus I have one of all the grandkids a few years ago. It's a lot of fun to pull those out each year, and I think it will be fun to have around once my kids are grown.

3. Wrapping Paper-
Wierd huh? Actually I guess this should have fallen under Childhood Traditions, but oh well.
Every year I take the kids to the store and they pick out "their" wrapping paper for Christmas.
Then all of their gifts are wrapped in that paper. It's neat to see what they choose from year to year based on their taste. One year we had princess and spiderman...another year was stars for one, and stripes for the other...This year they both picked pretty silver and blues to match the downstairs decor. I thought that was very sweet!

4- Sunday Gifts-
I started this one a few years ago. There are usually 3 Sunday leading up to Christmas. So every Sunday evening I give my kids a gift. It's always predictable too...although I don't think they've caught on to that yet. A movie, A game, and Pj's.
It's fun to watch the movie or play the game all together on that evening. And the PJs are always soft and snuggly! Logan is still not too old for footie pajamas!

5- Baking and Gingerbead house-
I do have my Moms list of all the goodies that we made from year to year, and there are several on there that I HAVE to make every year with the kids. But I also like to change things up and try new things too. The older the kids are getting, the easier it is to do this with them, and they both love to bake.
Lana and I have been decorating a Gingerbread house together for the past several years too, and I will for sure make sure that is a Tradition we keep.

6- Adornments
This is something someone gave me years ago. It is 12 ornaments that open up and it comes with a book. It is 12 names of Christ. "I am the door", "The Good Shepherd", etc...
I love starting this 12 days before Christmas. The kids get to take turns hanging the ornament on a small tree that I have designated just for this. It is something that is different from advent, and reminds all of us of the many things that Jesus is to us.

So those are just a few of my favorites from Christmas past and present, and hopefully will be carried into the future.
Last year I started a Christmas book that I would like to add to and hand down to Lana someday. It's just a binder with all the family recipes, new recipes, craft and project ideas, etc.
Although the defintion of Tradition is information passed down without written instruction, I know she will appreciate having it down the road to keep Tradition alive in her own home.

One thing I would like to point out about Tradition is that if you want to keep it, you need to love it! Traditions can be burdensome and annoying. Seriously, who wants to make a fruit cake every year? Traditions should mean something to you and should show others something about you and your family, about who you are, and who is the center of your holiday season.

If you don't have any Traditions, or if you haven't been keeping up with them because it just gets to be too much, I encourage you to pick one or two that are easy and that you will love and then just do them!
I know it meant a lot to me that my Mom kept up with Traditions, and I can see that it means alot to my family now that I am doing the same.

I do not want to trivialize what the meaning of Christmas is all about. My actions 24-7-365 should be displaying Christ love and sacrifice on my behalf.
If I am not living that out during every month, then really, what good does it do to try to cram it all into December. Tradition means nothing if it is forced and is from a spirit that is trying to live out Christs love because it is the Christmas season. If that is what I am doing, then what happens Jan.1st?

So let me hear from you...what are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions?

Stay tuned for next week's TT. Any suggestions?

Saw it, Tried it, Like it!

2008-12-04T11:30:00.003-06:00

I saw an idea on the cover of Southern Living Magazine the other day. I didn't have a chance to really look at it closely, so I have done my own variation. I thought it turned out really cute.

I used green construction paper and wax paper, because that is what I had. I am quite sure that SL used heavy green cardstock and velum, but hey, you use what you've got right?!
They had plain brownies, and I had made Rocky Road Fudge for a Christmas event at Church tonight. This is going to be fun to transport huh!!!

I think I will do it again next week for my ornament swap and make Creme De Menthe brownies, and get some cardstock and velum. But in the mean time....I am pleased.

Check Him Out

2008-12-03T11:54:00.003-06:00

Logan has had a blog for a while now, but the past two months we haven't done much with it.
Today I have taken off the permissions, so it is an open blog.
Check him out. If your kids are friends with Logan, please let them comment.
I'd be fun to have a little kid network of blogs going on. It's fun for them and a good creative outlet.

Tinsel Tuesday- Week 2

2008-12-02T09:09:00.005-06:00

Is it really Tuesday already? This week has flown by.
Todays Tinsel Tuesday is dedicated to Decorating.
Now really, I know many of you and therefore know that many of you don't need any decorating tips. I know some pretty creative people. But I thought I would just share some of my favorite Christmas decorating tips.

I had pictures for you, but blogger is not uploading pictures today. I had this problem yesterday too trying to email a picture, so maybe it is my computer.

Anyways...you can catch on without pictures I'm sure.

For me, there are a few decorating essentials at Christmas.

1. Garland- I love garland.
Garland is relatively inexpensive. It can also be cut with a good pair of wire cutters. Why would you cut garland you ask? I like to put small strands of garland on lots of things.

~Cut a piece of garland to fit just on top of a mirror or a frame.
~Do you have a plate rack? Line the plate rack with garland.
~You could put just a small piece tucked into the side of a tray or candle holder.
~Put larger pieces over doorways.
~Little sprigs of greenery like that scream Christmas, and add an inexpensive nice touch.

2. Lights- Sparkly lights
Hey guess what...lights look good on garland! Lights are cheap! Don't buy the garland that is prelit. It is more expensive and you can't cut pieces off. Lights are cheap, garland is cheap. Lights and garland together...yep, you guessed it. Cheap!

~Wrap a strand of lights around a long line of garland and drape it over a banister, over a window, or even place it on a table or other surface.
This last way is actually one of my favorite ways to use lights.
~I love lights mixed with a strand of berries or garland, and then placed on the piano.
I also have a strand on a small table that would otherwise go unnoticed.
~Lights are a good highlighter.
~Put a small candle light somewhere that you want highlighted.
~Put an electric candle light directly behind your nativity set to add a special glow.
~Put lights in your windows.
It doesn't even have to be visible...its the effect from the light that you are wanting to show off.

3. Balls- Shiny Christmas Balls
Christmas balls are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to go festive.
~Fill a glass bowl or a glass pitcher with balls.
~Fill an oven mitt with balls and hang it in the kitchen.
~Hang some balls with ribbon on a chandalier.
~Hang some balls with fishing line from a high ceiling or a doorway.
~Set a random ball on a shelf.
~Place some balls in a decorative container with a candle in the middle.
~Hang small balls from cut branches in a tall vase.

4. Ribbon- Save that scrap!
I know you have scraps of ribbon that came off of package and was too pretty to throw away.
Save it in a box or drawer and use it at Christmas.
~Hang balls with it.
~Tie a piece around a plain candle to add a festive touch.
~Tie some around a glass candle holder with a small sprig of garland or berries.
~Tie some onto your garland.
~Hang little knick knacks with ribbon.
~Tie some onto a Chrismtas mug with a festive looking tag.

5. Collections- What do you like?
6 years ago I was in PA with my Mom and Sister and the kids. We where visiting my Grandparents. It was during this trip that I started collecting snowmen. I saw some a cute family of them, and got 4. 2 big, 2 small. This kind of started a little collection.
You don't have to be all out crazy.
I really don't even buy them anymore.
It's just something that accumulates, but I love pulling them out every year.
Do you have something you like to collect?
If you don't, start something.
It doesn't have to be big. If you just pick up one snowman a year, or festive mug, dessert plate, specialty ornament, santa, whatever strikes your fancy.
It really is fun every year to pull the things out and remember when you got it, or who gave it to you.

6. The Small Things- This is where it gets personal.
The small touches are what makes your decorating style, your decorating style and your house your home.
~Display your kids crafty creations.
~Pull out your favorite childhood craft and set it out.
~Add a paper tag to a candle.
~Make a paper chain countdown to Christmas.
~Hang a star over a doorway.
~Put a small Christmas tree in an unusual place.
~Don't hide your wrapping paper...display it in a small bucket or prop it up in the corner of a room.
~Put your Christmas cookie cutters in your window sill for a cute decoration and easy access.
~Don't forget the kids rooms. Kids love to have their own trees, and its also a great place to send decorations that cramp your style or that you don't have room for.
~Get a package of "Angel Hair". It can be used on everything...garland, shelves, around the nativity. One package will go a loooong way.
~Festive tableclothes make great tree skirts.
~ Tree skirts make great table toppers.
~ Think outside the box. Don't be confined by conventional decorating. Everything doesn't have to be red and green. Lime green and bright pink are fun whimsy Chrismtas colors too.

The most important aspect of decorating, in my opinion, is that it is you! Don't try to decorate like your friend if it truly is not your style. Find your style, and then incorporate these little things the way that makes you feel festive.

Even if you think you don't like to decorate for Christmas, I challenge you to do do this.
Buy 2 strands of garland, 2 strands of lights, a pack of balls, and a spool of ribbon.
See what you can do with it...you may be happily suprised!

You know I'm all over this!

2008-11-30T20:44:00.003-06:00

Woohoo! I don't usually do the MeMe things...but this one is about Christmas, so I am all over that stuff.

1.) Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I love a nicely wrapped gift.

2.) Real tree or Artificial?
I love a real tree, but I have an artificial one that my Grandmother gave us, so it is free.

3.) When do you put up the tree?
Thanksgiving day

4.) When do you take the tree down?
Sometime in January

5.) Do you like egg nog?
yes - I love Quinn Hills Egg nog!

6. )Favorite gift received as a child?
Cabbage Patch Doll

7.) Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes- Its just one of those one piece deals, but Logan gave it to me, so its special!

8.) Hardest person to buy for?
Dad

9.) Easiest person to buy for?
Stacy

10.) Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail

11.) Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Stacy bought me "Sleepless in Seattle" 3 years in a row! Bless his heart.

12.) Favorite Christmas movie(s)?
White Christmas, Its A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol with George C Scott.

13.) When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I like to be done before Thanksgiving except for small things.

14.) Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I'll never tell

15.) Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Our families special coconut creme orange drink and Johncies Jello. Plus I LU-V me some Ham.

16.) Clear or colored Christmas lights?
Both....I do mostly clear, but I like colored in the kids rooms

17.) Favorite Christmas song(s)?
O Holy Night, Breath of Heaven, O Come O Come Emmanuel

18.) Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Both- Last year we traveled, this year we stay home.

19.) Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and Rudolph!

20.) Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star

21.) Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Siblings open presents from each other on Christmas Eve- all else on Christmas morning

22.) Most annoying thing about this time of year?
WAAAYYYY to much commercialism. It's getting really ridiculous. Also this whole "Merry Christmas"- "Happy Holidays" debate.

23.) Favorite ornament theme or color?
I love my old nostaligic ornaments and the ones that the kids make

24.) Favorite dinner for Christmas?
Ham! Remember I said I LU-UV ham! (just like my Aunt!!!) Mashed Potatoes, PA Dutch Style Grean Beans, and a Shoe Fly Pie!

25.) What do you want for Christmas this year?
A dishwasher that works

26). Do you bake lots of goodies during the holidays?
Does the sun shine? Seriously, I just filled an entire over flowing shelf in my pantry with baking stuff for the Holidays. White Trash, Sugar Cookies, Creme De Menthe Brownies, Rocky Road Fudge, Candy Cane Cookies, and a few new ones for '08.

27). Do you decorate different rooms of your home?
Yes! Living room, den, kitchen, and the kids both do their rooms.

28.) What decorations do you put outside?
Garland and bows on the railings. I don't have any outdoor plugs so no lights for me. My poor kids ask for them every year though. Maybe some day.

29.) How do you spend Christmas Eve?
Enjoy a nice dinner and dessert, read the Christmas story, kids exchange gifts between each other and watch A Christmas Carol.

30.) Is Christmas your favorite holiday?
I'd have to say yes.

Twilight, Toes, and Christmas Decorations

2008-11-28T22:13:00.003-06:00

Topic One: Twilight-
I went again this week. Loved it even better the second time around. I will go again. I tried to go today but Mary didn't answer my text. Mary why didn't you answer my text?
Anyways...I just have to say this about Twilight and then I will move on...
I love that they are vampires, and could have, do, act, however they like, and yet they CHOOSE to be upright, moral, non killing, vampires. It adds this human dimension to them of fighting their flesh, and I like that about them.
I think that Stacy and I are going to see it together next week for his birthday. Happy Birthday Missy, I mean Stacy. ;)

Topic Two: My Toe-
Crissy graciously offered to take me on Wednesday to have my toe taken care of. It was comforting to know that she was in the waiting room listening to Rob Pattinson sing, while I was having half of my big toenail removed.
I must say that I never knew that something like a toenail could cause so much pain. I had been trying to treat it at home for 2 weeks to no avail.
The worse part was them giving me 3 shots in my toe to numb it. And then as he started to remove the nail, I could feel a digging pain. Yeah, not supposed to feel that. So he had to give me another shot, straight down the top of my toe. Then he proceeded with the removal. It was a horrible sound, and feeling. I could hear the tools, and feel the pressure of him ripping out my nail. Pleasant. Then he bandaged it up all big and fat so that I couldn't wear a shoe. So I've been shoeless since Wednesday.
I even went to Thanksgiving dinner at Kim Postons with no shoes on. Which by the way was such a fun time having Thanksgiving dinner with that fun group of people! Kim Poston made everything imaginable! It was amazing!
Back to the toe- Hubby is about to remove my bandages and re wrap them smaller so that I can wear shoes. I must go grocery shopping tomorrow, and I've already been to Wal-Mart once with no shoes, I'm not doing it again.

Topic Three: Christmas Decorations-
Tuesday the kids and I decorated the den, and the kids did their rooms. Very cute they are by the way. Then yesterday we put up the tree and decorated while watching White Christmas. Can't get any more festive than that! Then today, I decorated my living room. I think I've mentioned before that I do my den, living room, and kitchen, and I do them all differently. It's just something I like to do. I like the differences. Downstairs is snowmen and silvers. The living room is golds, and more rustics. The kitchen is whimsy and fun.
And lest you all think I am rich, a lot of the stuff I have inherited...the rest I have gotten gradually over the past 10 years.
I look forward to a lot of you coming over to my house on the 9th for the Ornament Swap. If you didn't get an email invitation, consider this your official invitation! (unless you are a crazy person)

Alrighty then, I have covered my desired 3 topics for the evening. Now I will go let Stacy bandage my toe. Fun for him huh?!

Tinsel Tuesdays

2008-11-25T16:27:00.010-06:00

I'm feeling festive today!
Can you tell?
Not even Thanksgiving and I've already put up my Christmas blog. Deal.

I have never done any of the day of the week blog thingys.
But during this Christmas season I have decided to do "Tinsel Tuesdays".
Yes, I made that up. Shocking, I know.
On Tinsel Tuesdays, and there will be 5 of them, I will share Christmas ideas and tips.
Edge of your seats...I know you are!

Today's Tinsel Tuesdays tip is Planning. Come on friends, say it with me, Planning.
If there is one thing I have learned about this time of year, it is Planning.
I always have kept a notebook or binder with Calendar pages in it. This year, sweet Virginia gave me a handmade planner that I have already filled up and LOVE! Thanks Virge!

Anyways...things that are in my planning notebook:

1. List of people I need to give gifts to-what the gift will be and how much it will cost.

2. Recipes and how much each of those recipes cost to make. (trust me, this is helpful!)

3. Parties- the date, time, what I need to bring, how much it will cost me.

4. Entertaining- the date, time, what I need to provide, how much it will cost me.

5. Baking Schedule- I need to pace myself and don't want to make everything at once, I gotta spread my baking love!

6. Craft ideas- Any crafts projects I or the kids want to do...again how much it costs, and a general day we might do those.

7. Christmas Eve and Day Menu- This year my parents are coming to our house for Christmas, so I need to be prepared. I have been writing down ideas for our menu.

8. Christmas Budget- This is just me and my financial analness, but I do highly recommend making a budget for Christmas. Include any baking, entertaining, parties that require gifts, giving, and misc holiday stuff.

So my friends, I give you a week to PLAN! Check back every Tuesday between now and Christmas for more Tinsel Tuesdays.

Rainy Day Randimonium

2008-11-24T15:33:00.002-06:00

1. Baking Chocolate Chip Banana Bread today.

2. Kids are cleaning out from underneath Logans bed.

3. Children found a very old waffle underneath Logans bed.

4. Lana freaked out when I told her to pick it up.

5. Found a piece of paper on my desk...with Logans handwriting. It says, 2 times..."Laser Hair Removal". Yeah, not sure what that is about.

6. Trying to attack the mountain of laundry that piled up over the weekend.

7. Really wanting to go see Twilight again. Yes again. Yes I am obsessed. If you haven't read the books, then hush.

8. Had the best time Thursday night at midnight seeing the movie with 8 other women.

9. Stayed home from church yesterday morning with Sinus crud, horrible cramps, and a very painful ingrown toenail.

10. Unless a miracle happens tonight, I have to go to the Dr. tomorrow to have toenail taken care of. I don't think puss, swelling, and constant throbbing are good things. And yes, I have been doing the Epsom salt soak thing.

11. Done with Christmas shopping. Still need to get something for my brother. Other than that...done.

12. Made a huge grocery list over the weekend. Can't wait to start my Christmas baking.

13. Having only one car is a pain in the butt at times...other times its nice to be stuck at home. Like on rainy days like today.

14. Still wondering why my son wrote down laser hair removal.

15. Miss talking to my parents who are in Africa with my Sister. Wish I was there too.

16. Really looking forward to the Rockettes show with Lana.

17. This coming Sunday is the Hanging of the Green and the first Sunday of Advent. Yeah!!!

18. People from church invited us to their house for Thanksgiving. That is so nice. We are looking forward to it. No Cracker Barrel for us this year. Which would have been fun too.

19. Started taking down my Fall decorations so that this week I can put up Christmas decorations! Hooray for Christmas trees!

20. Have the Nutcracker Suite song in my head.

21. I love glitter.

22. Want to do one of those paraffin wax hand treatments sometime.

23. I look like a complete dork right now, and I haven't brushed my teeth today.

24. Had to redo the budget yesterday to make room for all the Christmas parties and such that are coming up.

25. Will be paying the van off on January 31st. Then what? We have a paid off dead van.

26. 2 words- Cullen Family

27. I have enjoyed several cheesy Hallmark Channel Christmas movies this weekend.

28. Really miss my sister. And the girls. I want to give them big squeezes.

29. Speaking of big squeezes, Alli Shirleys new baby is so squeezable and cute!

30. Seriously, laser hair removal? I'm not even hairy...what is that about?

Thank you!!!!

2008-11-21T12:45:00.002-06:00

Well if you where just listening to DJC then you know that picture #9 won.
:( Poop for us.
BUT!!!!! We did win 2 tickets for being in the top ten!
The lady said that we where really close.
#9 was the one that we where close with yesterday.
Oh well....Lana is soooooooooooo happy that we are going to the show!
We've been wanting to go so bad and the tickets are beyond pricey.
She started jumping up and down and was almost crying! So sweet.
Anyways, thank you all for your support and your votes. Ya'll are the best!

BEGGING YOU PLEASE!!!

2008-11-18T16:44:00.003-06:00

OK, so I submitted this picture of Lana from 2 years ago, to WDJC's contest to win 4 tickets and a walk on roll to the ROCKETTES!
Well I just got an email that she is one of the 10 finalist!!!!
Can you please email - contest@wdjconline.com and vote for picture #10-Lana Lowery.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! I am begging!
Lana and I have been wanting to go to the show so bad, but tickets are enourmously expensive. Plus, if she wins, she gets to be part of the nativity scene in the Rockettes show!!!

The rules are 1 entry per email address....so use as many email addresses accounts as you can!
The deadline is Thursday night! Winner is announced Friday.
Thanks my friends!!!

Biscuit Bowls

2008-11-18T15:17:00.002-06:00

To answer Veazers question about Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bowls, I will tell you all.
First of all, my friend Stace' is the one who showed me how to do the bowls. She did them when we where in Charlotte and served Chicken Soup with them. Very yummy!
I thought Sloppy Joes would be good in them too, and they where!!!!

You need:
1 pack of Grands biscuits ( I used the generic kind from Aldi)

Roll the bisuits out flat.
Place them over the back side of the cups of a muffin tin that has been sprayed with Pam.
Bake 10 or so minutes.

I then filled mine with Sloppy Joe meet and topped with some shredded cheddar that melted on it. It was goooood.

Missy's Helpful Grocery Tips

2008-11-17T13:44:00.003-06:00

Ok, well I mentioned last week about grocery shopping for 2 weeks for $100.
Several people have asked me how, so I am here to give you some of my tips.
In reality I spent about $85 on groceries, because I had to spend $20 on non-food stuff.

***Disclaimer- I do not do this every week. This was just a particularly tight week.

1. Take inventory of freezer, fridge, and pantry. See if there is any meat hiding in that freezer that you can use. With your pantry items, see what you can throw together to make a meal.

2. Think soups and casseroles. For my family of 4, a large batch of soup, or a 9x13 casserole will last 2 meals.

3. Breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs, breakfast casseroles, again, all good ways to eat cheap. Bacon and Sausage are also cheap.

4. Settle on two main meats when going to the grocery store. For instance, I bought a 3lb package of ground beef, and a bag of chicken breasts. Those will be my only meats for the 2 weeks. But if you use 1 lb of meat in a casserole or soup, then you've gotten 2 meals out of 1 lb.

5. Keep easy snacks on hand. I always like to have some sort of homemade goody on hand for hungry children. Lately I've been making some sort of bread in my bread machine, that is a good snack with some butter or jelly...or I make some quick bread like banana bread, applesauce bread, etc...in small loaves to keep around for munchy children.

6. For me, Aldi is one of my best cheap grocery allies. If you don't have an Aldi near you, there are other discount grocery chains that offer cheaper food. I had to run into Food World the other day for some canned goods for a food drive, and I was shocked at the difference between them and Aldi for things like canned corn. 20 cents here and there really starts to add up.

7. Go generic. Besides Cottonelle TP, Colgate Toothpaste, and Suave Hair products, I cannot think of anything that I don't buy in generic form.

8. Plan your meals. This is the biggest help!

Here is my list of meals for the 2 weeks:

Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bowls, green beans
Potato Soup, corny cornbread
Venison Pot Roast (already in freezer), rice, corn
Baked Fish and Rice (already in freezer)
Chicken and Rice Casserole, Broccoli
Beef and Mashed Potato Casserole, green beans
Sausage and Egg Casserole, Fresh bread
Country Style Stk (already in freezer), mashed potatoes, corn
Pancakes and bacon
Enchiladas

Lunches:
Baked Potatoes
Hot Dogs ( the very cheap kind)
Ramen noodles and Grilled Cheese
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
PB & J
Cheese Quesadillas

Snacks:
Popcorn
Pretzels
Homemade cinnamon raisin bread, banana bread, pumpkin bread
Hot chocolate and Marshmallows
Apples, bananas

Breakfast:
Cereal
Oatmeal
Leftover pancakes