Mommy Can I Help?

There once was a time when every child wanted to help their mom in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. Wendy has always wanted to help cook. Since she was able to stand she has been interested in mixing and pouring. But today, oh today was unlike any other day that I have experienced as a mommy. I am the type that I can't start dinner when the dishes in the dishwasher are clean. They must be put away and any dirty dishes that have 'managed to accumulate in the 45 min. the dishwasher was running' must be loaded before I can start to cook. I was in the process of unloading when Wendy walked and in and in her sweetest, kindest voice asked," Mommy, can I help?" I thought, "hmmmmmm this could be a chance to let her do them and give myself a 'break'." So, in my most loving voice I said, "sure!!". Have at it I thought. I ran through quickly on where in the dishwasher things went and gave her a towel to throw over her shoulder. Within minutes my girl was doing dishes better than I could have ever imagined. So good that after during dinner I told her if she ate all her food I would 'let' her do the dinner dishes. Pots and all! She was so excited! You better believe that I'm going to use this as a privilege now. I was a teenager once and know that this will not last very long. She will soon realize that this is a chore and no longer fun. I intend on letting this go on as long as possible. As I am posting this she is in there singing and washing. Man oh man. I didn't know at first what to do. I mean I walked around the house for a little bit and realized there was nothing at the moment to do but blog!!!

Expectations?

I pride myself in keeping a clean house, laundry caught up and meals cooked. Recently, and I mean recently like a few days ago, God has revealed to me through two different conversations with people that I have way too high expectations of my husband spiritually and my self in serving him. God revealed to me that my husband's spiritual leadership within our home is right where He wants it to be. I have this vision in my head of what I know God has planned for hubby but I need to trust God and His perfect timing. I need to not try to take the control from God. I know He is so much better at this than I am. DUH? This really shouldn't be that difficult. God vs. Me? We know who wins!!! Contentment has been a big word coming up a lot lately. And the Scripture about God giving grace to humble and Him opposing pride. I am praying fervently for God to grow my heart in these ways. I committing to taking it one day at a time and letting God grow my family and me.

Been Catching Up

You know, I have been clicking links on other people's blog to go to other blogs. I have realized that a person could sit in front of a computer for hours reading this stuff. I never comment on the other blogs but a friend of mine has gone world wide literally. I asked how did these people find out about her blog and she said she leaves a comment and then when other people read the comments they click her name and go to her blog then they become regular readers of her blog and so the cycle continues. Obviously, this is huge. I mean when I was reading some of these people I felt like I was reading their personal diaries! What a way to 'get in' someone's head!!

Ruby Wife's Potato Soup

There is an unwritten rule somewhere that says if you have a recipe and you alter it in any way it then becomes your recipe. You are in the free and clear to claim it your own. At my husbands request for a soup similar to Olive Garden's I found this and 'made it my own'! This was what was for dinner on Friday. My family loved it! Peter and Wendy actually asked seconds! We were just finishing up when our small group got here and they all tasted it and said YummY!! It has been requested for me to release this one as well. Which I love when people like something so well they ask for the recipe. The sound you hear now is the sound of my head swelling!!!!!

Toscana Soup

1 pound of ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1/2 Cup bacon bits
1 small onion chopped finely
1 1/4 tsp minced garlic
2 quarts (boxed) chicken stock
7-8 medium redskin potatoes, cut in half lengthwise then cut into 1/2-3/4 inch slices
2 Cup Kale leaves, cut into bite size pieces
1/3-1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

In a Dutch Oven, add olive oil, onion, garlic,bacon and sausage. Brown sausage half way. While this is cooking slice potatoes leaving skin on.
Add all chicken stock. Bring to a boil add potatoes. Reduce to medium heat and cook potatoes till fork tender (about 15 minutes).
Meanwhile, wash and cut up Kale, set aside.
When potatoes are done add Kale and reduce to simmer for 3-4 min. add cream.
Serve with freshly grated Parmesan on top.

A Day at the Museum

Okay, I said I would post pictures from our day trip to the museum. We had so much fun. This day was so blessed by God. We managed to drive 1 1/2 hours with 4 children without having to stop for someone to go 'poop' or someone getting sick in the car from all the snacks they ate on the way there. It was a little overwhelming at first with what felt like thousands of preschool age children every where you turned. After lunch we were able to have so much more fun without having to be shoulder to shoulder with someone we didn't know. Here are the pictures I took of my little blessings.

The museum had lots of fun things for the kids to do. They played in the water with animals. If anyone has kids they know they love to splash and make a mess. It's even better when they are allowed and don't have to clean it up. Well, make that good for mommy not having to clean up the mess.
One of the pictures is of Wendy and Peter inside a cracked dinosaur egg. Of course apple pickin' was an absolute competition. Seeing who could get the most apples the fastest. Believe me there are alot more pictures but for me to load all of them I'd be here all day.

Where are my children????

Last Wednesday I was cleaning house and notice a strange quietness in the house. Which anyone with children knows this can be a dangerous situation. Something has there attention so strong they are actually not yelling. I went to my son's bedroom to investigate what could be so enthralling. I was shocked to only find one of my children. Curious, I asked Peter where Wendy was and with his Dennis the Menace smile he said, "right here". I looked around the room to see only every toy he owns scattered as if a tornado, or should I say two, came through.

Then with a lift of the lid, of what is suppose to be holding his toys, he revealed his sister had been 'right here' all along. They both laughed hysterically. Kids and there imagination. This actually kept them busy playing together for about 20 min. Just taking turns getting in and closing the top. To think, they were actually sharing. After a few minutes I heard Wendy saying, "keep your head down Peter, just put your head down!!". I thought, 'oh no he's stuck'.

Of course, he wasn't. Wendy just thought it would be funny to squish her brother in as far as she could get him. I couldn't get any cleaning done for having to stop and grab my camera to capture these moments in time. I will look back on days like this one and laugh and remember the beautiful gift of children God has given me.

Cold Weather

I can't believe it has been as cold as it has been without snow! I mean it was 9, yes that's right 9 degrees the other night. Not to mention the wind chill factor. My little ones are so ready to go outside and play. And momma is ready for sun and tanning lotion! Don't get me wrong I love the winter as long as we get snow to play in. I love making snowmen and women and of course snowbabies!

Thursday will be fun. A friend of mine and I are taking our total of 4 children to a museum not far away. It will be nice to get out of the house and the kids will play. This is going to be an all day event. I can't wait to see how excited the kids are going to be! I'll will definitely post pictures from our 'field trip'.

Sunday Church Service

Our church is doing a really good series right now "Happily Ever After". Yesterday's service was on submitting yourself to your spouse. Obviously, the husband is the head of the household and makes the final decisions. This is relating to the selfishness that can easily creep into any marriage. If you are a proud person and don't say you are sorry or always have to have your way or the last word your heart can become hard toward your spouse and ultimately to God. You will no longer hear God. I have experienced this in my own marriage. When I feel like I'm right or that things would be 'easier' my way I can get a little flustered and everyone knows it. I've had to tell my husband and my children that I'm sorry and ask them to forgive me for my actions and/or words. I know for sure that when I 'bite the bullet' and humble myself to them that God gives me His grace. I can feel His love again and I can almost see the repair it does to my relationship with my husband and children. When my children aren't, well lets say, don't get along it is very difficult to make them humble themselves and sincerely say they are sorry. This then becomes a heart matter. I have read some of "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman. There is also an enlightening 'Wise Words for Moms' biblical chart that hangs on the front of my fridge. She provides you with heart probing questions for your children. I have found this is the best way to talk things through with a child. You aren't 'preaching' at them or lecturing them on something but involving them in conversation with you on the issue. From the appropriate questions the child can think through what they have done or said and search their own heart for the disobedience along with providing the parent with Scripture to teach pretaining to the particular behavior and thus 'training a child in the way he should go'. I want nothing more for my children than to always know what it means to 'humble yourself'. And to know what grace means at a young age. To know that this can only come from God. For this to happen my children have to learn it from the most important people in their lives, Mom and Dad. Yes, that means me and Hubby. They have to see us living this out. They have to see us humble ourselves and submit our will to one another and most of all God. I pray everyday for Jesus to help me live like Him. I would like to say this is not an easy task for me to do. By which I mean living like Him. Everyday is a different day with the same choice, my way or God's? I believe God knows best. It's not easy to let go and let God lead my life and decisions. I'm really trying to pray and grow in this area of my life.

Home Made Pizza

Okay, here it is. It's time for me to release this recipe so that it can bring families together for a good meal. This can be made as a deep dish if you use a 13x9 glass baking dish. Or if you like a thinner crust divide the dough in half and roll out onto pizza pans. Also Stuffed Crust.

Dough:

1 (.25oz.) pkg Active Dry Yeast

1 cup warm water

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. oil

2 1/2 cups flour

Sauce:

1(14.5oz.) can of diced tomatoes......or 16oz. can of tomato sauce

1 tsp. minced jarred garlic

1 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

Toppings:

Mozzarella Cheese

Any you like. (Bacon, Ham, Mushrooms, Onions, Green Pepper, Pepperoni.)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Add remaining dough ingredients. Let sit while you make sauce. Mix all sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl. If using diced tomatoes, I have found it best to not drain the liquid. The dough absorbs it and makes it that much more yummy!

If using a 13x9 glass baking dish spray with non-stick spray. Sprinkle some flour onto ball of dough to keep it from sticking to your hand. Spread dough on bottom of dish and pinch up on the edges. If making two thin crust, spray pizza pans with non-stick spray. Sprinkle some flour onto balls of dough to keep it from sticking to rolling pin. (If you don't have a rolling pin you can use a drinking glass, like a tumbler.) (Stuffed Crust instructions at bottom.)

Spread sauce over dough. Top with Mozzarella cheese and other toppings you prefer.

Bake deep dish for 20-25 min. Two thin crusts--place two oven racks in the middle of the oven. One pizza on each rack for 10 min. then alternate and back for another 10-12 min.

Note: You can also make Stuffed Crust. Using a 12-inch pizza pan roll out dough (without dividing). Spray edges with Parkay Butter spray. Sprinkle a little Mozzarella cheese at edge and fold dough over. Pinching to make sure crust is sealed. Working all the way around the edges of the pizza. Spread sauce and top with toppings. Bake at 425 for 23-27 min. Watch closely.

More Snow Pictures

Look at these babies! That's George climbing up the rock wall in such dangerous weather conditions. Followed by our canine family member, Goldie. She loves the snow. My Nephew made her a snowball to eat. She was having a 'ball'! Peter was going to brave the snow covered slide. Another beautiful snow angel by Stuart. "This is for my mom", he said.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow........

We woke up this morning to snow falling!!! Immediately my little ones and my neice were so excited. They couldn't wait to go out. These are some pictures from this morning. The first is Peter, Wendy, and my neice Angelina looking out the window at the snow falling. Over from that is my nephew Stuart making a snow ball. Then one of all the beautiful little children. Then you see Wendy and my other nephew George trying to make a snow man. And last is my beautiful neice Angelina again! Doesn't she look like a snow angel? I'm so proud of them for playing so well together. I don't think it would be better any other way than to have them all together out burning up the energy. After lots of snowballs and running noses and wet cold fingers we came in and made some yummy hot cocoa with marshmallows. We will be going out again later to play some more.

Today

Ok so my mom left this morning. (sigh......) Can you tell my bottom lip is stuck out? I really loved having my mom here. We got up and drank some coffee sitting at the kitchen table talking and enjoying each other's company. Then I fixed us some breakfast. Homemade pancakes with butterscotch chips and sausage links. Okay, I won't lie. The pancakes were boxed just add water kind! But they sure were fluffy and yummy! My babies were so hungry they ate like pancakes were going out of style. Then proceeded to run like maniacs around the house from all the sugar that their very loving and smart mommy gave them. Pat on my own back!

Hubby has to work tonight again night shift out of town. And we are suppose to get some icy,snowing,freezing rain weather tomorrow. I pray for him to be safe on the roads on his way home tomorrow. OHHHHHHHHHH!!! I can't wait for him to be home! I will spend today cleaning my house and preparing for him. We will be having homemade pizza tomorrow. And I mean this is really homemade! Sauce and dough. I'll post that recipe soon.

Tonight I will be myself with these children.........may God's grace be with me!

Taco Soup

2 Cans of Hominy, white or yellow
2 Cans of Pinto beans
2 Cans of Rotel tomatoes (diced with green chilies)
1 8 OZ. can of tomato sauce
1 Taco Seasoning packet
1 Ranch Dressing packet
1 onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 lb of ground beef or chicken/turkey

In a Dutch Oven, add onion, pepper, and meat. Brown slightly. By not browning all the way the meat will continue to cook slowly in the pot while it simmers. Making the meat more tender, not a chewy hunk of meat!
Add all remaining ingredients. Do not drain any of the cans. Do not add water to pot.
Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer about 35 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Soup is done when hominy is softer than before you put it in the pot.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese on top and tortilla chips to dip. YUM-O!

All alone......

Not really! Hubby has gone out of town to work this week. It's tough with him not being here. I love our time together. My mom came up and spent the night with me. Which has been really nice. I haven't had hardly any time with her like that since I lived at home. We've cooked and talked and of course laughed. I hope to have many more years like this one.

Peter is doing so well with potty training. We did have a set back over the weekend but we got through it. Sunday afternoon he told me he had to go poopoo!! And today as well!! I'm so happy for him, hubby and me.

Wendy is doing so well in school. She can write her name all by herself without looking at it anymore. And is starting to see words and spell them, of course then ask what it says. I can't believe my babies are growing up so fast. I wish there was some sort of Pause, Stop, Rewind button. Some days I want to have a Fast Forward button though!! Just kidding! I love my children at the season they are in now. I know 'this too shall pass'.

Our small group has been amazing. With Hubby working second shift we haven't been able to meet on Wed. nights. And everyone was willing to meet on Friday night to make it available for Hubby to be there (or here, we meet at our house). This Friday we are having a potluck dinner. YUM-O! My friend is making baked chicken. And whatever she cooks is always sooooooo good! This should help me with losing my five pounds that I gained over the holidays! (Not Really!)

Well, I will post more throughout the week. It's only Tuesday, a lot can happen in the remaining time!

READ IT!

I just finished the best fiction book I have ever read! It was well worth the time. It put God in a different light for me. I want everyone I know to read this book. It will change your view on everything you thought you knew. I was captivated by the main character's life and loss of hope. The Shack made me cry, laugh, pray and have more of a thankful heart for God and His love for all His children. A MUST READ!!!!

If you only read one book this year please make it this one. We are all taught that God loves us and some actually feel it. But for those who have had difficult times, it may be hard to think that God is there when time is dark. The author of this book makes it easy and interesting to trust, believe, and really know God is with us.

Poem

It sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.

But we wouldn't have the rainbow
If we didn't have the rain;
We wouldn't know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.

We wouldn't love the sunrise
If we hadn't felt the night;
And we wouldn't know our weakness
If we hadn't sensed God's might.

We couldn't have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn't experienced
the winter's frosty chill.

And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.

So God's given us a balance:
Enough joy to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.

And if you'll trust in Him you'll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.

Authour Unknown

Still here

I haven't posted in a while. I wanted to let everyone know my baby is potty training so well. He has pooped in the potty for 6 days now!!!! Of course, pee pee too. We also started my woman's Bible study back yesterday. I love all the woman in my group and we were able to be real with one another and heal beyond any imagination. Thank God for His grace and love.

Hubby is working second shift again this week. Today was really nice despite I woke up with a horrible migraine, nausea and all. I felt better after taking some medicine. Which had caffeine in it so I then had lots of energy. I liked that!

Reading a really GREAT book right now! The Shack by William P. Young.

Well I'll post more later!

Prayer for Friends

A couple of friends of mine and Hubby's are getting a vasectomy reversal in February. After lots of prayer, thought and of course research, they have found a doctor who God lead them to and are very comfortable with. They have made the appointment. Two years to the day they had the first surgery. This is a chance for them to right the wrong that they admittedly did on an emotion. Their story is real in so many familes. You won't believe how many couples do this without thinking of the consequences and taking into thought what they have done. I know we met them at exactly the time we were contemplating getting one. Listening to her, tears in her eyes, telling the me the emotions they went through and still at the moment left me and Hubby not quite sure we would be making the right decision. You see, so many families that we know personally have done this and would recommend it to those seeking the information on a Vasectomy. For now, Hubby and I decided we are content with the two children the Lord has given us, but aren't shutting the door on God's plan for our lives.

To our friends: We love you so much. We will be praying for you as God takes you through this and teaches you that He is in control and knows what is best for you and your family. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. We know you are undeniably from God. He sent you, as angels, to teach others (us) along the way that He has the final say in our lives. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Everyone else that reads this blog. Please pray for our friends. Although this is exciting time for them it is also a little scary. The sugery is painful and they have to travel quite a distance to have the procedure done. With or without their three other children. Please pray for quick recovery and safe traveling.

Thanks to everyone!

Happy New Year!

I can not believe another year has passed. This year will bring so many things......1. I will have been a mom for 5 years! 2. I will be 24! 3. Hubby and I are close to paying off our car! 4. I've been a Christ Follower for 3 years! 5. Peter will be potty trained, soon! He pooped in the potty yesterday! And he has been telling me all day when he has had to go potty..........after a few drips though. It's still progress!!

New Year's Eve was nice. My sister came up to eat dinner with us. And Hubby's parents came to eat and stay the night and bring in the new year. We had Crab Stuffed Pasta Shells.....it was okay but the sauce was little spicy. I had a good time with my sister, I don't get to see her that often. We talked about her daughter and watch her cheerleading competition video. Man, my niece can cheer it, shake it, and dance someone right off the field! I guess she's the only reason they took 1st place in her age anyway! Well, atleast I believe that! I am so proud of her and my sister for how well she has done things on her own.

New Year's Day we ate breakfast, and I laid around in my jammies till 5 PM! I like days like that. We did take down all the Christmas decorations......tree and all. We did this extremely early this year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!