I just got home from book club, and had a lovely time as always. The women I meet with every month are so amazing. We're all so different, but we all like and respect each other so much, and we all bring unique perspectives to the table. And there's always a ton of yummy snacks. I do like to eat. :)
We were at Melanie's house this month, all the way out in Dripping Springs. She has such a lovely house, and she's such a lovely person. I really admire her a lot, and look up to her in some ways. And she's so much fun!! But it takes me over an hour to get to her house, so I had to leave and run back, because Hannah was watching the kids.
She said everything went well, and that my kids are very sweet and well behaved and she likes them so much. I swear, if I could have hugged her through the phone when she told me this, I would have. Seriously. I know that my kids are peachy, and I love them to death, but it's really nice to hear from someone else that they are well behaved. Cause Lord knows they have their moments. :)
And she cleaned my kitchen!! My goodness, lawsie mercy!! I'm going to get her a happy, because I didn't even notice until after she let, and didn't get a chance to say thank you.
Hannah is another person I admire a lot. She's very quiet, like me. Ha!! I almost wrote that with a straight face ... Anyway, she's just a doll, very sweet, but strong in what she believes, and maybe the kindest person I've ever met. And did I mention that she likes my kids??
We're going up to Georgetown tomorrow to see John's grandfather, who isn't doing too well. These next few weeks will probably be his last; please pray that he will be comfortable. His name is Jim.
Now, I'm off to bed, because I had the strangest dreams last night that kept waking me up. I normally don't have dreams like that, but they were crazy last night, and I'm beyond exhausted at this point ...
Wednesday, September 26
Tuesday, September 25
Pot Roast
We have this every other Sunday. A favorite with, well, eveyone!
Crock Pot Pot Roast
by Brea!
1 pot roast
1 medium onion, cut in thick slices
5-6 cloves garlic, diced (we love garlic, and I use about 10 cloves)
1 bottle Shiner Bock (optional, but this really brings everything together, trust me!)
2 c + diced carrots
2 c + diced red potatoes, skin on
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 t dried basil, or 1 T fresh
salt and pepper to taste
flour and oil for browning roast
Salt and pepper roast, and light flour while heating a small amount of oil in a frying pan. Brown the roast on all sides on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side.
When the roast in browned, place it in the crock pot. Turn crock pot to high. Add Shiner, all veggies, basil, pepper, and 1/2 t salt. Add enough water to just cover everything.
Cook on high for 6 hours, checking every so often to make sure everything is under water, until roast is fork tender. Adjust seasoning in the last half hour of cooking.
Serve with homemade cornbread and a salad, and enjoy!
**Notes: If you don't have the full 6 hours (and possibly a little more) to cook the roast, cut it into two or three pieces before you brown it. This will make it cook faster.
**Also, if you're kind of new to buying roast, the packaging should say something like 'good for roasting.' And since you're doing this in a crock pot and not the oven, you can use a much more lean cut of mean, because you don't have to depend on the fat to keep it moist.
**If you're planning on prepping this whole thing the night before, follow the instructions the same way except for the potatoes. Wait until right before you actually cook the roast to cut to potatoes.
Crock Pot Pot Roast
by Brea!
1 pot roast
1 medium onion, cut in thick slices
5-6 cloves garlic, diced (we love garlic, and I use about 10 cloves)
1 bottle Shiner Bock (optional, but this really brings everything together, trust me!)
2 c + diced carrots
2 c + diced red potatoes, skin on
2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 t dried basil, or 1 T fresh
salt and pepper to taste
flour and oil for browning roast
Salt and pepper roast, and light flour while heating a small amount of oil in a frying pan. Brown the roast on all sides on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side.
When the roast in browned, place it in the crock pot. Turn crock pot to high. Add Shiner, all veggies, basil, pepper, and 1/2 t salt. Add enough water to just cover everything.
Cook on high for 6 hours, checking every so often to make sure everything is under water, until roast is fork tender. Adjust seasoning in the last half hour of cooking.
Serve with homemade cornbread and a salad, and enjoy!
**Notes: If you don't have the full 6 hours (and possibly a little more) to cook the roast, cut it into two or three pieces before you brown it. This will make it cook faster.
**Also, if you're kind of new to buying roast, the packaging should say something like 'good for roasting.' And since you're doing this in a crock pot and not the oven, you can use a much more lean cut of mean, because you don't have to depend on the fat to keep it moist.
**If you're planning on prepping this whole thing the night before, follow the instructions the same way except for the potatoes. Wait until right before you actually cook the roast to cut to potatoes.
Monday, September 24
I done got tagged!!
Jesnicole tagged me a while back, and I just realized it a few days ago. Ok, I can be a little slow at times ... I've been working on this for a few days, since I can't seem to find more than 2 minutes to sit down before at least one of my children has blood or chicken poo (or both!) somewhere on them ...
1. What is your school name and why? Uh, I'm supposed to name my school? I guess it's the Stewart Please Don't Embarrass Me In Front of My Friends Whose Kids Are In Public School Cause They Already Think I'm A Little Strange Academy.
2. How is your weather today? A little warm, low 90's, but feels like fall already because the mornings have been cool and the humidity has been low.
3. What steals your joy? Waking up late. I do not like to sleep in past 6:30 because I feel like I've wasted my morning, and I like to have some quiet while I have my coffee and devotional, and sometimes fold clothes. Joy comes in the morning!!
4. Name 5 blessings you've received this week. Ooh, that's way too easy!
1. I had grown-up time with John, and the kids had a blast at my mom's house.
2. I helped raise money for a great charity. Helping others makes me feel great about myself.
3. Hannah agreed to watch the kids Wednesday evening so I can go to my book club alone ... yay!!!
4. I have pretty much the best husband ever. He is so good to me!!
5. I won a book and had a sweet email from Dawn.
5. Favorite Scripture? Easy, too. One of the first 'long' verses I memorized. Isaiah 40:29-31 'Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'
6. Who in the Bible do you think you are most like? Well, obviously, Mary!! Ha, just kidding. I'm pretty much not like her at all. I really don't know. Someone with a lot of flaws, but with a desire to know the Lord better and learn His laws and ways.
7. Passage of Scripture you last read? I Corinthians 9, 10, and 11.
8. Have you ever praised God for something weird? Please, who do you think you're talking to?? Of course I have!!
9. If you were making a greeting card for God, what would it say? Seriously? This is probably the strangest question I've ever read. I'm too mystified to even begin to answer.
10. What is the most fun thing you have done lately? Had a beer on my deck with a fire in the fire bowl with John, just chatting for almost 2 hours with no interruptions!
11. How did you choose your screen name? It was my name on a (mostly moms) message board, and I just like the sound of tinymama. And I am a tiny mama!! :)
12. What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favorite answered prayer? No question or thought about it. My answer to both is John.
I don't think I'll tag anyone else. I'm a rebel like that. And I don't know all that many bloggers. :)
1. What is your school name and why? Uh, I'm supposed to name my school? I guess it's the Stewart Please Don't Embarrass Me In Front of My Friends Whose Kids Are In Public School Cause They Already Think I'm A Little Strange Academy.
2. How is your weather today? A little warm, low 90's, but feels like fall already because the mornings have been cool and the humidity has been low.
3. What steals your joy? Waking up late. I do not like to sleep in past 6:30 because I feel like I've wasted my morning, and I like to have some quiet while I have my coffee and devotional, and sometimes fold clothes. Joy comes in the morning!!
4. Name 5 blessings you've received this week. Ooh, that's way too easy!
1. I had grown-up time with John, and the kids had a blast at my mom's house.
2. I helped raise money for a great charity. Helping others makes me feel great about myself.
3. Hannah agreed to watch the kids Wednesday evening so I can go to my book club alone ... yay!!!
4. I have pretty much the best husband ever. He is so good to me!!
5. I won a book and had a sweet email from Dawn.
5. Favorite Scripture? Easy, too. One of the first 'long' verses I memorized. Isaiah 40:29-31 'Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'
6. Who in the Bible do you think you are most like? Well, obviously, Mary!! Ha, just kidding. I'm pretty much not like her at all. I really don't know. Someone with a lot of flaws, but with a desire to know the Lord better and learn His laws and ways.
7. Passage of Scripture you last read? I Corinthians 9, 10, and 11.
8. Have you ever praised God for something weird? Please, who do you think you're talking to?? Of course I have!!
9. If you were making a greeting card for God, what would it say? Seriously? This is probably the strangest question I've ever read. I'm too mystified to even begin to answer.
10. What is the most fun thing you have done lately? Had a beer on my deck with a fire in the fire bowl with John, just chatting for almost 2 hours with no interruptions!
11. How did you choose your screen name? It was my name on a (mostly moms) message board, and I just like the sound of tinymama. And I am a tiny mama!! :)
12. What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favorite answered prayer? No question or thought about it. My answer to both is John.
I don't think I'll tag anyone else. I'm a rebel like that. And I don't know all that many bloggers. :)
My Slow and Special Chicken (revised)
When we decided to buy chickens, we went ahead and bought 11 total, over the space of about a week. One died, so we now have ten. We didn't want any roosters, but and a really funny twist of fate, both of the Hilton Sisters have turned out to be boys. So instead of Paris and Nicky, we've got Man Paris and Nicholas. We still call them Paris and Nicky, though.
Here's Man Paris.
Funny things happen when you have kids, especially when you've got boys. And some things are pretty funny in retrospect, but but so much at the actual time.
A while back, Evie and Sam were playing outside, and I gave them permission to play with the chickens. They had been outside for a while, and I was just thinking to myself, 'Hmm, they've been out there for a while now. And it's awfully quiet. No good will come of this,' when Evie came running into the house, shrieking at the top of her lungs. 'Mom, mom, Sam threw Nicky into the side of the coop and she's just dead and she's not moving and there are bubbles coming out of her nose and SAM KILLED NICKY and I didn't do anything and MOM NICKY ISN'T MOVING!!!!' (Yes, she said it all one sentence like that, and actually there were no spaces between the words.)
Was the chicken's welfare my first thought? Was I concerned about the psychological state of my son? Sadly enough, no. The first thing that came into my head was, 'Aw, crap. I'm going to have to explain to John how his favorite chicken died on my watch!'
So I went out to check on the chicken. Sam was standing there crying, partly our of guilt and partly out of fear. (As it turns out, he just wanted to see the chicken fly, which is admittedly very very funny, and ended up pulling a Lenny; he just didn't realize his own strength.) Nicky was indeed lying on the ground, with bubbles coming out of his nose, not moving. I picked him up and he started to move a few seconds later; in a few minutes he seemed fine, if not a little shell shocked. We had a long talk with Sam about having respect for all of God's creatures We really didn't give it much thought after that.
About a week ago, my handsome husband came up to me and said, 'Babe, I think there's something wrong with Nicky. He acts really strange!' He went on to tell me some of the peculiar things Nicky does. He likes to run off on his own, which chickens don't do, and he gets left behind by the rest of the flock on a regular basis. It isn't uncommon to walk out on the porch and find Nicky perched on the doormat, making little squawking noises because he's lost the rest of the chickens. When we go out to feed the flock some raisins (it's like chicken crack, I'm telling you!! They love it, and that's what we've used to train them to come when we call them), Nicky will often just sit there and look at the raisin, and one of the girls will swoop in under him and eat it before he can. He's easier to catch, and just gets confused. Sometimes he'll stand just outside the chicken yard, squawking at the other chickens who are inside the yard eating all the food, while he's standing two feet from the open gate and is perfectly capable of flying over the very low fence. And sometimes, when all the others are eating birdseed that's spilled on the ground, Nicky just plops down in the middle of it all and stretches out. And he's never crowed!
We think he suffered some brain trauma when he got knocked out, and now he's retarded. Slow and special, mentally disabled, stoopid, whatever you want to call it. He's very, very sweet, though. Very gentle, not at all like a normal rooster. We may be able to keep both of them!!
Ladies and gentlemen, my retarded chicken, Nicky:
That's Nicky eating raisins out of my hand. He loves me. Now, he runs up to me and jumps on my toes.
And here's Sam and his very blond cousin, Mary Jane, harassing ... er, I mean holding some of the chickens.
Sam has Zsa Zsa and Thelma, and Mary Jane has Louise. Thelma is a little bit hateful. She comes up and pecks on my toes if I stand too close to her for too long. Eh, whatcha gonna do?
Here's Man Paris.
Funny things happen when you have kids, especially when you've got boys. And some things are pretty funny in retrospect, but but so much at the actual time.
A while back, Evie and Sam were playing outside, and I gave them permission to play with the chickens. They had been outside for a while, and I was just thinking to myself, 'Hmm, they've been out there for a while now. And it's awfully quiet. No good will come of this,' when Evie came running into the house, shrieking at the top of her lungs. 'Mom, mom, Sam threw Nicky into the side of the coop and she's just dead and she's not moving and there are bubbles coming out of her nose and SAM KILLED NICKY and I didn't do anything and MOM NICKY ISN'T MOVING!!!!' (Yes, she said it all one sentence like that, and actually there were no spaces between the words.)
Was the chicken's welfare my first thought? Was I concerned about the psychological state of my son? Sadly enough, no. The first thing that came into my head was, 'Aw, crap. I'm going to have to explain to John how his favorite chicken died on my watch!'
So I went out to check on the chicken. Sam was standing there crying, partly our of guilt and partly out of fear. (As it turns out, he just wanted to see the chicken fly, which is admittedly very very funny, and ended up pulling a Lenny; he just didn't realize his own strength.) Nicky was indeed lying on the ground, with bubbles coming out of his nose, not moving. I picked him up and he started to move a few seconds later; in a few minutes he seemed fine, if not a little shell shocked. We had a long talk with Sam about having respect for all of God's creatures We really didn't give it much thought after that.
About a week ago, my handsome husband came up to me and said, 'Babe, I think there's something wrong with Nicky. He acts really strange!' He went on to tell me some of the peculiar things Nicky does. He likes to run off on his own, which chickens don't do, and he gets left behind by the rest of the flock on a regular basis. It isn't uncommon to walk out on the porch and find Nicky perched on the doormat, making little squawking noises because he's lost the rest of the chickens. When we go out to feed the flock some raisins (it's like chicken crack, I'm telling you!! They love it, and that's what we've used to train them to come when we call them), Nicky will often just sit there and look at the raisin, and one of the girls will swoop in under him and eat it before he can. He's easier to catch, and just gets confused. Sometimes he'll stand just outside the chicken yard, squawking at the other chickens who are inside the yard eating all the food, while he's standing two feet from the open gate and is perfectly capable of flying over the very low fence. And sometimes, when all the others are eating birdseed that's spilled on the ground, Nicky just plops down in the middle of it all and stretches out. And he's never crowed!
We think he suffered some brain trauma when he got knocked out, and now he's retarded. Slow and special, mentally disabled, stoopid, whatever you want to call it. He's very, very sweet, though. Very gentle, not at all like a normal rooster. We may be able to keep both of them!!
Ladies and gentlemen, my retarded chicken, Nicky:
That's Nicky eating raisins out of my hand. He loves me. Now, he runs up to me and jumps on my toes.
And here's Sam and his very blond cousin, Mary Jane, harassing ... er, I mean holding some of the chickens.
Sam has Zsa Zsa and Thelma, and Mary Jane has Louise. Thelma is a little bit hateful. She comes up and pecks on my toes if I stand too close to her for too long. Eh, whatcha gonna do?
Sunday, September 23
My Slow and Special Chicken
Check the post above to see what I wrote ... I'm having tech issues this morning, and you should be able to see the pics now!
my family is whole again
Yay!! My babies are back!! My very brave and wonderful mom took all three kids over the weekend. She drove up Friday morning, and I just met her this morning in Columbus to get the kids back. It was the most wonderful and relaxing weekend I've had in a while.
On Friday, John and I just kind of vegged. I took a peaceful and uninterrupted nap. John mowed the lawn. I straightened up the house. Then I made seared Coho salmon with a ginger-lime and soy marinade, with sautéed veggies, over steamed brown rice. It turned out delicious! Supper was out on the deck, because the weather has been hot during the day, but not humid, so the evening have been really pleasant. We were able to have a fire in the fire pit once the sun went down, and we just sat outside and had a few beers and talked for over two hours. Then we watched a movie.
I woke up at my normal time (around 5:45) Saturday, had quiet time, and got quite a few things done. Then I had a very leisurely cup of coffee and spent some time in prayer. I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast after John got up, then started outside on my garden. Out of all that stuff I planted a while back, only the garlic and snap peas made it. So I tilled all the rest of the area up, spread more compost, and planted spinach, swiss chard, a new kind of lettuce, and broccoli. I was very hot and tired when I was done!
John was doing a car wash with some of the employees for the St Jude's event they do each year, and I had agreed to pick up pizza and bring it to them. Then I got stuck at the car wash, helping to wash cars. In my jeans. With no sunblock. I was there for about 2 1/2 hours, and could barely walk when I got home, I was so tired and sunburned. For those of you who don't know, I avoid the sun like a vampire. I make sure that I have on a big hat and am in the shade, and I try not to be outside when the sun is at its strongest. I completely fried yesterday!!
I got home and just laid on the couch for about two hours, napping mostly, then watched the Ugly Betty marathon and did lots and lots of laundry. I got the 'problem corner' of my room cleaned out, and started on my closet. John didn't get home till around 8, and he was waaaay worse off than I was. He ended up very dehydrated and sunburned on the back of his neck and his arms, and was asleep on the couch before 9. He slept for 11 hours, and really needed it! I, on the other hand, only got 9 hours of sleep, and was up really early again this morning.
It was so nice to have a weekend off, but I missed the kids a lot. I'm so glad to have them back, and I can't wait for tomorrow evening when all 5 of us can have supper together.
On Friday, John and I just kind of vegged. I took a peaceful and uninterrupted nap. John mowed the lawn. I straightened up the house. Then I made seared Coho salmon with a ginger-lime and soy marinade, with sautéed veggies, over steamed brown rice. It turned out delicious! Supper was out on the deck, because the weather has been hot during the day, but not humid, so the evening have been really pleasant. We were able to have a fire in the fire pit once the sun went down, and we just sat outside and had a few beers and talked for over two hours. Then we watched a movie.
I woke up at my normal time (around 5:45) Saturday, had quiet time, and got quite a few things done. Then I had a very leisurely cup of coffee and spent some time in prayer. I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast after John got up, then started outside on my garden. Out of all that stuff I planted a while back, only the garlic and snap peas made it. So I tilled all the rest of the area up, spread more compost, and planted spinach, swiss chard, a new kind of lettuce, and broccoli. I was very hot and tired when I was done!
John was doing a car wash with some of the employees for the St Jude's event they do each year, and I had agreed to pick up pizza and bring it to them. Then I got stuck at the car wash, helping to wash cars. In my jeans. With no sunblock. I was there for about 2 1/2 hours, and could barely walk when I got home, I was so tired and sunburned. For those of you who don't know, I avoid the sun like a vampire. I make sure that I have on a big hat and am in the shade, and I try not to be outside when the sun is at its strongest. I completely fried yesterday!!
I got home and just laid on the couch for about two hours, napping mostly, then watched the Ugly Betty marathon and did lots and lots of laundry. I got the 'problem corner' of my room cleaned out, and started on my closet. John didn't get home till around 8, and he was waaaay worse off than I was. He ended up very dehydrated and sunburned on the back of his neck and his arms, and was asleep on the couch before 9. He slept for 11 hours, and really needed it! I, on the other hand, only got 9 hours of sleep, and was up really early again this morning.
It was so nice to have a weekend off, but I missed the kids a lot. I'm so glad to have them back, and I can't wait for tomorrow evening when all 5 of us can have supper together.
Tuesday, September 18
Aww!
To all the lovely women who left comments on my last post, thank you so much!! Y'all totally made my day. Evening. Night. It's 10:30, past my bedtime. Y'all made my night. :) It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who sometimes has issues, know what I mean?
Today, we had school, did some housework, played outside, worked a little in what's left of the garden, took a meal to Mr McCormick, and visited with him for a while, got caught in a freak rainstorm, had supper, and watched Dirty Jobs. It's a hard, hard life we lead, I know.
This week's Bible verse is Proverbs 10:1 'A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.' Hmm, ill-behaved and foolish children won't really make John look bad, they'll make moi look bad. Not the top reason to train up my children, but not a bad motivator!!!
Retarded rooster post tomorrow, with pics. I promise!!
Today, we had school, did some housework, played outside, worked a little in what's left of the garden, took a meal to Mr McCormick, and visited with him for a while, got caught in a freak rainstorm, had supper, and watched Dirty Jobs. It's a hard, hard life we lead, I know.
This week's Bible verse is Proverbs 10:1 'A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.' Hmm, ill-behaved and foolish children won't really make John look bad, they'll make moi look bad. Not the top reason to train up my children, but not a bad motivator!!!
Retarded rooster post tomorrow, with pics. I promise!!
Monday, September 17
A Few Ramblings
I've been very pensive this morning ... or reflective might be a better word, I guess.
My husband. Honestly, my life revolves around him. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love it. I love him. I love him more than my house, more than my kids, more than my family and friends. He is a good man, and has earned every single ounce of love that I have for him. He is fair, and honest, and loving, and gentle, thoughtful, strong, sweet, incredibly handsome, tall, creative, hardworking, supportive, incredibly funny, easygoing, somewhat antisocial, considerate, very cute, a good kisser, and really good at ... um ... darts (oops, that one almost got away from me! See, just the thought of that man distracts me ...). He is an amazing father, and he gives me some awfully cute babies.
He doesn't ever cook if I'm home and physically able to make lunch or supper, but he works in a restaurant. He's there for 10-12 hours every day. I'm not going to ask him to come home and cook after that! But he does enjoy everything I make (we won't bring up the black-eyed peas, though), and when I need a night off, he is more than willing to bring food home from Chili's. Not so much a treat for him, but he knows that when I get to the point where I'm asking him to bring food, I truly need a break.
I have a secret that will make y'all ladies jealous: I don't make my bed. Ever. I wash the sheets, and put the clean ones back on, but I don't make my bed in the mornings. I get up every day at 5:30 or 6, and John always sleeps later than that. Before he washes his face, changes clothes, takes a shower, or has coffee, he makes the bed. How lucky am I??
He never begrudges me time by myself. When I told him about Girls' Weekend, he was excited for me. The only requests he made were1) that we not wander around downtown after dark, and 2) that I leave a written schedule for what kid eats what foods at what times, and who naps when. How cute! He is the one who has encouraged me to stick with my book club, even though I have to drive an hour (if not more) to get there.
Did I mention that he is a wonderful father? He'll leave the house at 7:10, get home at 6:30, and play baseball with the kids for 20 minutes while I finish getting supper on the table. He won't leave without telling everyone (who is awake) goodbye, especially the baby.
Sometimes he comes home late. Sometimes he comes home in a bad mood mood, or comes home and mentally brings his job with him. Those nights are less pleasant for me. But you know what? He always comes home. Each and every single night, that is a worry I don't have, that a lot of other women do have. I never, ever doubt that my husband will be there when I wake up.
He loves the Lord. He is fairly silent about his faith, but it is there, it is real, and it is strong. He is fairly silent about a lot of things. He doesn't talk about his love for me every often, but I have never for a second had cause to doubt how big and strong it is.
He loves me. He could have nothing else going for me, and that would be enough. He loves me for who I am; stretch marked, much too talkative, slightly irrational, flawed me. That by itself makes a person rather attractive!!
I know I am Biblically commanded to honor and respect him, and even if he did none of the things above, I would. But I have to tell you, he sure does make it pretty easy for me!
Why am I posting what should be titled, 'Why My Husband Is The Best Ever'? Because I was so mad at him at one point last week that I couldn't even form words. I don't know when I've ever been so mad. And when I get upset, I start thinking about me. Me, I, me, I, me. Why would he be that way toward me? I am so mad at him. He can't talk like that to me. I work so hard for him. He can't treat me like that. I deserve to be spoken to in a better way. And so on and so forth.
Pride is a great feeling, isn't it? It makes us talk kindly, treat others with respect, put the wants and needs of others first, and generally act in a way that glorifies the Father. Oh, no. Wait. It does the exact opposite of all those things. And I was so full of pride that day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
I was in a funk for a while. To snap myself out, I started thinking about just how amazing John is. And as I write this down, this list that only begins to cover the gift that God has given me in the form of my husband, I'm wondering why I was ever upset in the first place, because who could be mad at such a great person? The Lord has blessed me so many time over, and I was upset because two little comments?? It's not like he accused me of being fat, or being a bad mother. So now I'm going to plan out his fav supper, and plan my conversation that starts with me apologizing for being a total brat, and moves on to asking if we can just talk to each other before things get to the point they were at, and hopefully ends with a great round of ... uh ... darts. Seriously.
I think I'll even shave my legs this afternoon. It always helps my darts game. :)
My husband. Honestly, my life revolves around him. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love it. I love him. I love him more than my house, more than my kids, more than my family and friends. He is a good man, and has earned every single ounce of love that I have for him. He is fair, and honest, and loving, and gentle, thoughtful, strong, sweet, incredibly handsome, tall, creative, hardworking, supportive, incredibly funny, easygoing, somewhat antisocial, considerate, very cute, a good kisser, and really good at ... um ... darts (oops, that one almost got away from me! See, just the thought of that man distracts me ...). He is an amazing father, and he gives me some awfully cute babies.
He doesn't ever cook if I'm home and physically able to make lunch or supper, but he works in a restaurant. He's there for 10-12 hours every day. I'm not going to ask him to come home and cook after that! But he does enjoy everything I make (we won't bring up the black-eyed peas, though), and when I need a night off, he is more than willing to bring food home from Chili's. Not so much a treat for him, but he knows that when I get to the point where I'm asking him to bring food, I truly need a break.
I have a secret that will make y'all ladies jealous: I don't make my bed. Ever. I wash the sheets, and put the clean ones back on, but I don't make my bed in the mornings. I get up every day at 5:30 or 6, and John always sleeps later than that. Before he washes his face, changes clothes, takes a shower, or has coffee, he makes the bed. How lucky am I??
He never begrudges me time by myself. When I told him about Girls' Weekend, he was excited for me. The only requests he made were1) that we not wander around downtown after dark, and 2) that I leave a written schedule for what kid eats what foods at what times, and who naps when. How cute! He is the one who has encouraged me to stick with my book club, even though I have to drive an hour (if not more) to get there.
Did I mention that he is a wonderful father? He'll leave the house at 7:10, get home at 6:30, and play baseball with the kids for 20 minutes while I finish getting supper on the table. He won't leave without telling everyone (who is awake) goodbye, especially the baby.
Sometimes he comes home late. Sometimes he comes home in a bad mood mood, or comes home and mentally brings his job with him. Those nights are less pleasant for me. But you know what? He always comes home. Each and every single night, that is a worry I don't have, that a lot of other women do have. I never, ever doubt that my husband will be there when I wake up.
He loves the Lord. He is fairly silent about his faith, but it is there, it is real, and it is strong. He is fairly silent about a lot of things. He doesn't talk about his love for me every often, but I have never for a second had cause to doubt how big and strong it is.
He loves me. He could have nothing else going for me, and that would be enough. He loves me for who I am; stretch marked, much too talkative, slightly irrational, flawed me. That by itself makes a person rather attractive!!
I know I am Biblically commanded to honor and respect him, and even if he did none of the things above, I would. But I have to tell you, he sure does make it pretty easy for me!
Why am I posting what should be titled, 'Why My Husband Is The Best Ever'? Because I was so mad at him at one point last week that I couldn't even form words. I don't know when I've ever been so mad. And when I get upset, I start thinking about me. Me, I, me, I, me. Why would he be that way toward me? I am so mad at him. He can't talk like that to me. I work so hard for him. He can't treat me like that. I deserve to be spoken to in a better way. And so on and so forth.
Pride is a great feeling, isn't it? It makes us talk kindly, treat others with respect, put the wants and needs of others first, and generally act in a way that glorifies the Father. Oh, no. Wait. It does the exact opposite of all those things. And I was so full of pride that day. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
I was in a funk for a while. To snap myself out, I started thinking about just how amazing John is. And as I write this down, this list that only begins to cover the gift that God has given me in the form of my husband, I'm wondering why I was ever upset in the first place, because who could be mad at such a great person? The Lord has blessed me so many time over, and I was upset because two little comments?? It's not like he accused me of being fat, or being a bad mother. So now I'm going to plan out his fav supper, and plan my conversation that starts with me apologizing for being a total brat, and moves on to asking if we can just talk to each other before things get to the point they were at, and hopefully ends with a great round of ... uh ... darts. Seriously.
I think I'll even shave my legs this afternoon. It always helps my darts game. :)
and ...
And my weekend with Margaret and Sarah was amazing. More on that later, when Sarah emails me the pictures ... because even though I took my camera with me, I left it in the car and forgot to take pictures ... Yeah, I'm that person.
Supper Swapping
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
It's brilliant! I love it!! I hope I can get a group out here together to try it!!!!
http://www.trishberg.com/html/supperswapping.html
And this could easily be adapted for all kinds of different groups. Oooh, I'm so excited! I have to go email my friends right now ...
My.
Goodness.
It's brilliant! I love it!! I hope I can get a group out here together to try it!!!!
http://www.trishberg.com/html/supperswapping.html
And this could easily be adapted for all kinds of different groups. Oooh, I'm so excited! I have to go email my friends right now ...
Friday, September 14
My poor baby!!
The baby has a cold. Or allergies. Either way, he's been sneezing his head off for the last 24 hours, and has been really cranky, with a stuffy nose. I'm hoping it's a cold, because I really don't want to deal with this every time a northern blows in (even a weak little one like the one that came in a few days ago!).
So my post about Nikki will have to wait, because I David woke up 5 times between 10:30 and 5:15, and since John and Sam are out of town, I was up with him every single time.
I will say this. I had a lot of snuggle time with him last night, which I don't get much of because he's getting so much older. I think it made me want another baby even more, if that's possible!! I mean, think about it. David I pretty much out of the cuddle stage. I'm pretty sure he'll be walking in about a month. Even if we did start trying to get pregnant, it would probably be a few months. So that's at least a year before I would have the new little one in my arms. David would be two by them!! Aww, I have to not think about him being two. I don't even like to think about him turning one in a few weeks ...
xxSiiiighxx I really want another baby ...
So my post about Nikki will have to wait, because I David woke up 5 times between 10:30 and 5:15, and since John and Sam are out of town, I was up with him every single time.
I will say this. I had a lot of snuggle time with him last night, which I don't get much of because he's getting so much older. I think it made me want another baby even more, if that's possible!! I mean, think about it. David I pretty much out of the cuddle stage. I'm pretty sure he'll be walking in about a month. Even if we did start trying to get pregnant, it would probably be a few months. So that's at least a year before I would have the new little one in my arms. David would be two by them!! Aww, I have to not think about him being two. I don't even like to think about him turning one in a few weeks ...
Thursday, September 13
Coming soon ...
A post about Nikki, my retarded chicken. As in, brain-damaged retarded. Seriously.
My handsome husband and Sam left a little while ago to go to Dale's house for the night out in Katy; I miss them already!! They'll be back tomorrow morning, just in time for me to give everyone a kiss and leave for Houston, because MARGARET AND SARAH AND I ARE HAVING A GIRLS' WEEKEND!!!!! We're staying at the Hilton Americas, and having dinner and drinks out (although we have absolutely no idea where yet ...), and then doing brunch. Imagine, me!! Doing brunch!! I don't do things like brunch. It's all very wild and crazy. And I'm going to wear my fab black skirt and heels and I may even paint my nails. And wear lipstick and mascara. That's right, you heard me. :)
I am so freakin' excited that I don't know what to do with myself. I guess I'll try to get some retarded chicken pictures to go along with the next post.
My handsome husband and Sam left a little while ago to go to Dale's house for the night out in Katy; I miss them already!! They'll be back tomorrow morning, just in time for me to give everyone a kiss and leave for Houston, because MARGARET AND SARAH AND I ARE HAVING A GIRLS' WEEKEND!!!!! We're staying at the Hilton Americas, and having dinner and drinks out (although we have absolutely no idea where yet ...), and then doing brunch. Imagine, me!! Doing brunch!! I don't do things like brunch. It's all very wild and crazy. And I'm going to wear my fab black skirt and heels and I may even paint my nails. And wear lipstick and mascara. That's right, you heard me. :)
I am so freakin' excited that I don't know what to do with myself. I guess I'll try to get some retarded chicken pictures to go along with the next post.
Wednesday, September 12
School!
Well, we officially started school last Monday, on John's 38th birthday. How old!!!! :) Everything has been going wonderfully! This year, we're doing handwriting, reading/phonics, very simply math, telling time, Spanish, geography, computer skills, and sign language. And the usual nature studies in science, along with Bible study and scripture memorization. I know it sounds like a lot, but we don't do everything (except Bible studies and scripture, and nature) every day.
Spanish consists of me getting out the Spanish book, pointing to things, and teaching the kids what the object is in Spanish. Geography is sitting in front of our two huge maps upstairs (US and world) and just learning the names of states and countries. Sam has already memorized the states that border Texas, along with five or six others!
For reading, sign language, and telling time, we have a set curriculum we follow; for everything else, we just wing it. Some people call it 'unschooling,' but I call it 'who wants to help me cook?'
Kids pick up things at an amazing rate. They are always learning, whether I think I'm actively teaching them or not! A lot of the math that they know has been picked up in my kitchen, at the grocery store, and at the farmer's market. They know that a tablespoon is bigger than a teaspoon, and that two sticks of butter equals one cup. We always try to have 8 frozen pizzas in the freezer when we get home from the store, so if we have one left, we only need to buy 7 for that trip. $.50 is two quarters, and if I give them a five-dollar bill to buy two treats, they will get $3 back, because each cookie or brownie costs a dollar and they each got a treat.
We read a chapter from Proverbs over breakfast, and a chapter from Psalms at most lunches. We memorize one verse each week, and review the verses monthly. Nature and science comes from cooking ('Evie, where does flour come from?' 'Wheat.' 'And who gave us wheat?' 'God did!') ('What happens when we open an egg? When we scramble and cook it? When we boil it?') and just being outside ('What kind of flower is that? What kind of tree is that? Where are the seeds on that tree? Why do tomatoes and green beans and pepper have flowers? What do bees do?) ('Let's catch that bug and feed him to the spider. What is the spider doing? Why?).
We decided to get chickens because, among other reasons, it is a wonderful learning experience for the kids. They have seen the chickens grow from chicks to little chickens, and they should start laying in the next 2-3 months. What a wonderful way to learn about where your food come from! Also, the kids are responsible for the chickens, so they're learning how to take care of their pets.
Computer skills involves opening Word, setting the letter size to about16, and letting the kids type. They're already getting pretty good with knowing where the letters are and using the mouse. I usually let one kid type while I play with the other two in the loft; they are never left alone with the computer, even for me to grab something out of the other room. This is something that will not change, even as they get older.
At night, we read at least one chapter out of whatever book we're reading right before bed, so they are learning several things (how to be still, how to exercise self control and be quiet, reading comprehension, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc ...). I think some parents don't realize just how valuable it is to read out loud to their kids!!
It's all a lot of fun. As I write this, it sounds like we do a lot; we really don't! We spend maybe an hour at the table each day, and the rest of 'school' is just going about everyday life and making the kids are not just included, but an active part of everything I do. Makes for a much better day, all the way around. Their attitudes are better, I'm happier, they aren't arguing and fighting (they don't have time, between school and chores, lol!), and they're learning in the process. I love doing school at home, because we acknowledge God in every aspect of what we do. Without Him, we would have no books, no words, no chickens, spiders, or bugs, no flowers or food, no math or art ... we wouldn't have anything!!
Spanish consists of me getting out the Spanish book, pointing to things, and teaching the kids what the object is in Spanish. Geography is sitting in front of our two huge maps upstairs (US and world) and just learning the names of states and countries. Sam has already memorized the states that border Texas, along with five or six others!
For reading, sign language, and telling time, we have a set curriculum we follow; for everything else, we just wing it. Some people call it 'unschooling,' but I call it 'who wants to help me cook?'
Kids pick up things at an amazing rate. They are always learning, whether I think I'm actively teaching them or not! A lot of the math that they know has been picked up in my kitchen, at the grocery store, and at the farmer's market. They know that a tablespoon is bigger than a teaspoon, and that two sticks of butter equals one cup. We always try to have 8 frozen pizzas in the freezer when we get home from the store, so if we have one left, we only need to buy 7 for that trip. $.50 is two quarters, and if I give them a five-dollar bill to buy two treats, they will get $3 back, because each cookie or brownie costs a dollar and they each got a treat.
We read a chapter from Proverbs over breakfast, and a chapter from Psalms at most lunches. We memorize one verse each week, and review the verses monthly. Nature and science comes from cooking ('Evie, where does flour come from?' 'Wheat.' 'And who gave us wheat?' 'God did!') ('What happens when we open an egg? When we scramble and cook it? When we boil it?') and just being outside ('What kind of flower is that? What kind of tree is that? Where are the seeds on that tree? Why do tomatoes and green beans and pepper have flowers? What do bees do?) ('Let's catch that bug and feed him to the spider. What is the spider doing? Why?).
We decided to get chickens because, among other reasons, it is a wonderful learning experience for the kids. They have seen the chickens grow from chicks to little chickens, and they should start laying in the next 2-3 months. What a wonderful way to learn about where your food come from! Also, the kids are responsible for the chickens, so they're learning how to take care of their pets.
Computer skills involves opening Word, setting the letter size to about16, and letting the kids type. They're already getting pretty good with knowing where the letters are and using the mouse. I usually let one kid type while I play with the other two in the loft; they are never left alone with the computer, even for me to grab something out of the other room. This is something that will not change, even as they get older.
At night, we read at least one chapter out of whatever book we're reading right before bed, so they are learning several things (how to be still, how to exercise self control and be quiet, reading comprehension, vocabulary, sentence structure, etc ...). I think some parents don't realize just how valuable it is to read out loud to their kids!!
It's all a lot of fun. As I write this, it sounds like we do a lot; we really don't! We spend maybe an hour at the table each day, and the rest of 'school' is just going about everyday life and making the kids are not just included, but an active part of everything I do. Makes for a much better day, all the way around. Their attitudes are better, I'm happier, they aren't arguing and fighting (they don't have time, between school and chores, lol!), and they're learning in the process. I love doing school at home, because we acknowledge God in every aspect of what we do. Without Him, we would have no books, no words, no chickens, spiders, or bugs, no flowers or food, no math or art ... we wouldn't have anything!!
Wednesday, September 5
This rain is killing me!!
Ok, so there are many, many, many beneficial things about all the rain we've had this summer.
*We haven't had to leave the house because of fires a single time, which is three times less than last summer.
*We've had to water our lawn once this year.
*All the lakes are up, so I don't have to worry about water not coming out of my faucet one day.
*Everything is green and beautiful and lovely and it makes my heart happy to drive out here in the country because of all the flowers.
*The temps have been amazing!! We didn't even hit 95 until the middle of August, compared with last year, when we hit 95 for the first time in April.
*Actually, we haven't even hit 100 out here.
But there are other things about the rain that I'm not crazy about ...
*I planted 9 different 'crops' this summer, and only two of them did well. My garlic, onions, peppers, swiss chard, spinach, and Asian greens either were washed away or rotted in the ground.
*Out of 15 tomato plants, only 5 ended up producing tomatoes, and even those were less-than-stellar producers.
*I was very excited about my fall garden, and planted snap peas, swiss chard, carrots, garlic, spinach, and snap peas. Everything started to come up beautifully, and I was really looking forward to all the things I could make form my own garden. Then came the rain ... and everything but the snap peas have started to die!!
It's all very depressing. And yes, I know, too much rain is a good problem to have (at least for us, because we live in the middle of a giant sandbox, and it doesn't flood out here). It just makes me sad to see so much of my garden not make it, when I've put so much work into it. '
Oh, well. There's always next year. And the cooler temps really have been nice ...
*We haven't had to leave the house because of fires a single time, which is three times less than last summer.
*We've had to water our lawn once this year.
*All the lakes are up, so I don't have to worry about water not coming out of my faucet one day.
*Everything is green and beautiful and lovely and it makes my heart happy to drive out here in the country because of all the flowers.
*The temps have been amazing!! We didn't even hit 95 until the middle of August, compared with last year, when we hit 95 for the first time in April.
*Actually, we haven't even hit 100 out here.
But there are other things about the rain that I'm not crazy about ...
*I planted 9 different 'crops' this summer, and only two of them did well. My garlic, onions, peppers, swiss chard, spinach, and Asian greens either were washed away or rotted in the ground.
*Out of 15 tomato plants, only 5 ended up producing tomatoes, and even those were less-than-stellar producers.
*I was very excited about my fall garden, and planted snap peas, swiss chard, carrots, garlic, spinach, and snap peas. Everything started to come up beautifully, and I was really looking forward to all the things I could make form my own garden. Then came the rain ... and everything but the snap peas have started to die!!
It's all very depressing. And yes, I know, too much rain is a good problem to have (at least for us, because we live in the middle of a giant sandbox, and it doesn't flood out here). It just makes me sad to see so much of my garden not make it, when I've put so much work into it. '
Oh, well. There's always next year. And the cooler temps really have been nice ...
Monday, September 3
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!
Made some changes to the links over on the right. Added a few new gals, Amy, Ree, and Jesnicole, and took out some old and/or defunct links. Please play around and visit the sites I love!!
Mangosteen? Mango-what??
So, a while back I mentioned that I was trying something new, and I'm ready to share.
I get the magazine Above Rubies (check out my links to the right ... it works now, I just tried it!), and Nancy Campbell, the amazing woman who puts the whole show together, is always giving health tips. She has traveled to SE Asia with her husband to do missions work, and fell in love with the fruit mangosteen (not related to the mango ...). It isn't really available here in the US, which is a shame, because the health benefits are amazing. She was very excited to see a little while ago that a man in Canada has come up with a way to make a juice out of the fruit and rind, so you get the goodness of the whole fruit.
The juice is sold under the name XanGo. I decided to give it a try, and ohmygoodness, I just love it!! The juice is aprox 85% mangosteen, with a few other fruits (blueberry, raspberry, pear, etc) added to smooth the taste. The taste is wonderful, by the way!! The juice is packed with antioxidants, and is good for a variety of other things. It is also a known anti-inflammatory. I have seen a jump in my energy, and my knees haven't been bothering me like they normally do.
Hello, I have three kids under 6. I'll do just about anything to help my energy!!
The juice isn't cheap; it retails for around $40 per bottle. Each bottle is 750mL, the size of a normal bottle of wine. After trying and loving the juice, I went ahead and signed up to be a distributor, so I get a discount. I originally signed up just for the discount, but have decided to start looking into the business side, too. The company, also called XanGo, is a network marketing company, kind of like Avon or Pampered Chef. Buuuuut ... unlike those companies, you don't have to throw the parties!! (I mean, you can, but you don't have to!) I've been wanting something I can do from home, that will still allow me to homeschool and basically not change my routine at all. I'm really excited!
And have I mentioned how much I loooove this juice?? :) Cause I do! Now, I have to say, not everyone loves it like I love it. My mom tried it and never saw any changes (but she only tried one bottle). But my friend Kristie has been taking it since I have, and she's completely addicted, too.
If you're interested in something you can do from home and bring in a few extra dollars (you probably won't get rich anytime soon unless you're willing to work at it like a full time job), this could totally be for you. Let me now if you have any questions ... I'd love to answer them.
I get the magazine Above Rubies (check out my links to the right ... it works now, I just tried it!), and Nancy Campbell, the amazing woman who puts the whole show together, is always giving health tips. She has traveled to SE Asia with her husband to do missions work, and fell in love with the fruit mangosteen (not related to the mango ...). It isn't really available here in the US, which is a shame, because the health benefits are amazing. She was very excited to see a little while ago that a man in Canada has come up with a way to make a juice out of the fruit and rind, so you get the goodness of the whole fruit.
The juice is sold under the name XanGo. I decided to give it a try, and ohmygoodness, I just love it!! The juice is aprox 85% mangosteen, with a few other fruits (blueberry, raspberry, pear, etc) added to smooth the taste. The taste is wonderful, by the way!! The juice is packed with antioxidants, and is good for a variety of other things. It is also a known anti-inflammatory. I have seen a jump in my energy, and my knees haven't been bothering me like they normally do.
Hello, I have three kids under 6. I'll do just about anything to help my energy!!
The juice isn't cheap; it retails for around $40 per bottle. Each bottle is 750mL, the size of a normal bottle of wine. After trying and loving the juice, I went ahead and signed up to be a distributor, so I get a discount. I originally signed up just for the discount, but have decided to start looking into the business side, too. The company, also called XanGo, is a network marketing company, kind of like Avon or Pampered Chef. Buuuuut ... unlike those companies, you don't have to throw the parties!! (I mean, you can, but you don't have to!) I've been wanting something I can do from home, that will still allow me to homeschool and basically not change my routine at all. I'm really excited!
And have I mentioned how much I loooove this juice?? :) Cause I do! Now, I have to say, not everyone loves it like I love it. My mom tried it and never saw any changes (but she only tried one bottle). But my friend Kristie has been taking it since I have, and she's completely addicted, too.
If you're interested in something you can do from home and bring in a few extra dollars (you probably won't get rich anytime soon unless you're willing to work at it like a full time job), this could totally be for you. Let me now if you have any questions ... I'd love to answer them.
Friday, August 31
Where there's smoke ...
there's fire.
In my hair.
Seriously.
I set my hair on fire at Book Club on Wednesday. I wore it down, which I usually do on the third of never, and stood too close to a very small tea light candle. A few seconds later, there was sizzling and that horrid smell, and then a few seconds after that, all was right in the universe again. Except that I had to apologize to Monica for making her kitchen smell really, really bad. :) My hair is fine. No chunks or anything missing, or so I've been told.
The moral of the story?
Make sure you have good friends in your book club who will make sure that you don't burn up, and will then laugh with you later. And forgive you for the awful smell.
In my hair.
Seriously.
I set my hair on fire at Book Club on Wednesday. I wore it down, which I usually do on the third of never, and stood too close to a very small tea light candle. A few seconds later, there was sizzling and that horrid smell, and then a few seconds after that, all was right in the universe again. Except that I had to apologize to Monica for making her kitchen smell really, really bad. :) My hair is fine. No chunks or anything missing, or so I've been told.
The moral of the story?
Make sure you have good friends in your book club who will make sure that you don't burn up, and will then laugh with you later. And forgive you for the awful smell.
Monday, August 27
So much fun!
Last week was completely wonderful! I mostly worked around the house Monday and Tuesday, doing my thing. Wednesday, I had another dentist appointment. It was great, let me tell you. I did find out that I only have one more visit (albeit a rather extensive and expensive one) until my mouth is whole again!! I can't even comprehend being able to chew on both sides of my mouth without shooting pain. Its been about 6 or 7 years since I could do that.
I had a lovely surprise Thursday. Lyndsey, one of my best friends who is currently living in New Orleans, called me to let me know she was in Katy. I told her that she should make a quick road trip to visit me, and (shock of all shocks!) she did!! She drove in Thursday afternoon, and stayed until Saturday afternoon. John was off Friday, so we drove, kid-less, to Austin and played for the morning. Then she helped me get ready for Evie's party, and gave me some great cake ideas.
Evie's party was Saturday, and it went wonderfully. We had three girls from the church over, plus her cousins Mary Jane and Emmabeth. All the girls looked completely cute, and they had a lot of fun. The cousins' mom Jenny (John's cousin) stayed later with the girls, so I got to visit with her, which I don't get to do often. They live out in Lakeway, so we don't see each other as much as we'd like.
Lynds left, and I collapsed on the couch while the kids watched Discovery Channel. Sunday, we all missed Sunday school, because John didn't get to bed until 4!!, and went to church. It was fantastic, as usual.
I'm taking this week to work on attitude training, scheduling, and a few other projects, because we start school next Tuesday. Evie's birthday is Wednesday, and John's is Monday, so we've got a lot going on in the next week, too. It'll be nice to start school and slow down, lol!!
I had a lovely surprise Thursday. Lyndsey, one of my best friends who is currently living in New Orleans, called me to let me know she was in Katy. I told her that she should make a quick road trip to visit me, and (shock of all shocks!) she did!! She drove in Thursday afternoon, and stayed until Saturday afternoon. John was off Friday, so we drove, kid-less, to Austin and played for the morning. Then she helped me get ready for Evie's party, and gave me some great cake ideas.
Evie's party was Saturday, and it went wonderfully. We had three girls from the church over, plus her cousins Mary Jane and Emmabeth. All the girls looked completely cute, and they had a lot of fun. The cousins' mom Jenny (John's cousin) stayed later with the girls, so I got to visit with her, which I don't get to do often. They live out in Lakeway, so we don't see each other as much as we'd like.
Lynds left, and I collapsed on the couch while the kids watched Discovery Channel. Sunday, we all missed Sunday school, because John didn't get to bed until 4!!, and went to church. It was fantastic, as usual.
I'm taking this week to work on attitude training, scheduling, and a few other projects, because we start school next Tuesday. Evie's birthday is Wednesday, and John's is Monday, so we've got a lot going on in the next week, too. It'll be nice to start school and slow down, lol!!
Friday, August 17
Something Old, Something New
Well, since I don't have anything old, borrowed, or blue (except the amazingly comfy jeans I'm wearing right now), I'll just tell you about something new.
No, I'm not pregnant.
I have a new pet!! Its name is Lucky. We don't know if it is a boy or girl yet, but we should be able to tell in the next few weeks.
Lucky is a squirrel. It lived in a tree on our property line with its mom. However, the tree died a little while back, and has been dropping rather large and dangerous limbs for quite a while. One almost smashed my car a while back. It really freaked me out! But I digress. Our neighbors had the tree takes down yesterday (hello, firewood!!), and in the process, Lucky's mom abandoned it. So we have adopted Lucky, and we already love it so much!! It is about 4-ish weeks old, and possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. We named it Lucky cause it's really lucky to be alive; it should have died!
It eats puppy formula mixed with a little Pedialyte ... who knew? I'm off to feed it right now. I'll post some pics tomorrow. :)
No, I'm not pregnant.
I have a new pet!! Its name is Lucky. We don't know if it is a boy or girl yet, but we should be able to tell in the next few weeks.
Lucky is a squirrel. It lived in a tree on our property line with its mom. However, the tree died a little while back, and has been dropping rather large and dangerous limbs for quite a while. One almost smashed my car a while back. It really freaked me out! But I digress. Our neighbors had the tree takes down yesterday (hello, firewood!!), and in the process, Lucky's mom abandoned it. So we have adopted Lucky, and we already love it so much!! It is about 4-ish weeks old, and possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. We named it Lucky cause it's really lucky to be alive; it should have died!
It eats puppy formula mixed with a little Pedialyte ... who knew? I'm off to feed it right now. I'll post some pics tomorrow. :)
Wednesday, August 15
a quick pop in
Read this article. Discuss amongst yourselves. We'll talk more later.
So many things to do today. Bathrooms and vacuuming, running a few quick errands, school, and ... starting my fall garden!!! I'm really excited, and the kids and I are going to start working as soon as we're done with breakfast (before it gets too hot!).
The Ellisons were over yesterday ... 8 kids under 9 were at our house! It was noisy and wonderful. I can't imagine a quiet life without lots of kids running around. But David just bit my arm, and I can imagine a life without teeth marks near my wrist. I'm just sayin.'
So many things to do today. Bathrooms and vacuuming, running a few quick errands, school, and ... starting my fall garden!!! I'm really excited, and the kids and I are going to start working as soon as we're done with breakfast (before it gets too hot!).
The Ellisons were over yesterday ... 8 kids under 9 were at our house! It was noisy and wonderful. I can't imagine a quiet life without lots of kids running around. But David just bit my arm, and I can imagine a life without teeth marks near my wrist. I'm just sayin.'
Tuesday, August 14
The Coop is Done!! and other pictures ...
My chickens have a home! It is secure, it is cute, they have plenty of room, and it can be completely operated by the kids. But most importantly ... it is FINISHED!!!! This is a big deal. John started the coop over 4 months ago, and just hasn't had the motivation to get it finished out. So I figured out a way to fix that. I just bought chickens anyway, and they lived inside the house in a box until they had a home. :) Talk about motivation!!
Aww, look, here they are! How cute!! (Yes, that is a light saber in the chicken yard. We find light sabers to be surprisingly effective herding tools when the occasional jailbreak is discovered.)
David would really, really, really like to get into the chicken yard and play with 'the girls,' as we usually refer to them.
John had just finished patching a few holes in the wire when David crawled over to him, and they were too sweet together not to take a picture!! I tell you, this man still makes my tummy do flip flops and my knees a little weak!!
And speaking of making my tummy jump, this is a whole different ball game!! I cringe and have to walk away when I see how high John swings the kids ... I just can't watch most of the time.
Evie, always the little lady, doesn't swing quite as high yet, luckily.
What's that? You'd like another picture of that adorable baby you saw earlier? Well, ok. Since you're being so persuasive and all ...
(Notice how green the front of my back yard is?? All the plants around here have been loving all the rain we got this spring and summer after that awful drought we just came out of. But I digress.)
Now, you have to be careful with that cute little ball of energy. One minute, he's sitting there and grinning at you. The next thing you know, he's trying to attack you and lick your cheek!
With a giant booger in his nose.
Tell you what, people. I've done been bit by the Baby Bug. Although we're not planning or trying right now(like we've planned or tried to have any kids yet!!), I wouldn't be sad if I was able to make an announcement in the next five or six months. I'm just sayin.'
But don't tell my mom. She'll freak out.
Aww, look, here they are! How cute!! (Yes, that is a light saber in the chicken yard. We find light sabers to be surprisingly effective herding tools when the occasional jailbreak is discovered.)
David would really, really, really like to get into the chicken yard and play with 'the girls,' as we usually refer to them.
John had just finished patching a few holes in the wire when David crawled over to him, and they were too sweet together not to take a picture!! I tell you, this man still makes my tummy do flip flops and my knees a little weak!!
And speaking of making my tummy jump, this is a whole different ball game!! I cringe and have to walk away when I see how high John swings the kids ... I just can't watch most of the time.
Evie, always the little lady, doesn't swing quite as high yet, luckily.
What's that? You'd like another picture of that adorable baby you saw earlier? Well, ok. Since you're being so persuasive and all ...
(Notice how green the front of my back yard is?? All the plants around here have been loving all the rain we got this spring and summer after that awful drought we just came out of. But I digress.)
Now, you have to be careful with that cute little ball of energy. One minute, he's sitting there and grinning at you. The next thing you know, he's trying to attack you and lick your cheek!
With a giant booger in his nose.
Tell you what, people. I've done been bit by the Baby Bug. Although we're not planning or trying right now(like we've planned or tried to have any kids yet!!), I wouldn't be sad if I was able to make an announcement in the next five or six months. I'm just sayin.'
But don't tell my mom. She'll freak out.
Monday, August 6
Good grief!
First of all, that thing that we're not talking about is still hurting. I think they didn't put my temporary crowns on correctly, and they're killing me, but I don't want to go back, because I have to go back in two weeks anyway for my permanent crowns. And I'm a wuss, and I just don't want to go. What's a little pain, anyway?
I woke up in a truly foul mood this morning. This doesn't happen often, but by 8:45 I had all three kids playing upstairs while I was on my knees in prayer. I forget sometimes that I can't do anything apart from God, including (but not limited to):
-getting out of bed
-being in a good mood
-being a good wife (and mother, friend, daughter, sister, etc)
-getting anything done
-functioning.
There is a reason that Paul tells us in Philippians 4 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (KJV) Philippians 4 is one of my favorites to turn to when life gets kinds hard. I also love 1 Corinthians 13 and the entire book of James. It never ceases to amaze me that I continue to learn from verses I have read a million times already. I love that the Bible is the Living Word!!
When I'm in a bad mood, and feeling sorry for myself, I have found three no-fail ways to get out of it.
1) Prayer. Lots and lots of prayer.
2) Making a list of things I'm grateful for. The 'smaller' the things are, the better (ie: I woke up this morning. I have coffee in my pantry. I have money to make sure there is always coffee in my pantry. I have running water. I have a kitchen I love ... this is all just in the first 2 minutes or my morning!).
3) Doing something for someone else, especially if they will never know who did it. Try this sometime. It is amazing!! And it is a double edged sword: the person you do something for is blessed, and by following one of God's commandments (Matthew 6:1-4 and ), you are also blessed!
Just some food for thought. :)
I mopped my entire downstairs today. All of it. John helped me move the couch, coffee table, dining room stuff, etc, so I could get the entire floor clean. With all the work John and the kids have been doing on the chicken coop, the floor has been trashed for the last few weeks, so it feels so good to have all the floors looking so good!
John just put the kids to bed, and on that note, I'm going to get some ironing done so I can make bread with Evie when she wakes up!
I woke up in a truly foul mood this morning. This doesn't happen often, but by 8:45 I had all three kids playing upstairs while I was on my knees in prayer. I forget sometimes that I can't do anything apart from God, including (but not limited to):
-getting out of bed
-being in a good mood
-being a good wife (and mother, friend, daughter, sister, etc)
-getting anything done
-functioning.
There is a reason that Paul tells us in Philippians 4 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (KJV) Philippians 4 is one of my favorites to turn to when life gets kinds hard. I also love 1 Corinthians 13 and the entire book of James. It never ceases to amaze me that I continue to learn from verses I have read a million times already. I love that the Bible is the Living Word!!
When I'm in a bad mood, and feeling sorry for myself, I have found three no-fail ways to get out of it.
1) Prayer. Lots and lots of prayer.
2) Making a list of things I'm grateful for. The 'smaller' the things are, the better (ie: I woke up this morning. I have coffee in my pantry. I have money to make sure there is always coffee in my pantry. I have running water. I have a kitchen I love ... this is all just in the first 2 minutes or my morning!).
3) Doing something for someone else, especially if they will never know who did it. Try this sometime. It is amazing!! And it is a double edged sword: the person you do something for is blessed, and by following one of God's commandments (Matthew 6:1-4 and ), you are also blessed!
Just some food for thought. :)
I mopped my entire downstairs today. All of it. John helped me move the couch, coffee table, dining room stuff, etc, so I could get the entire floor clean. With all the work John and the kids have been doing on the chicken coop, the floor has been trashed for the last few weeks, so it feels so good to have all the floors looking so good!
John just put the kids to bed, and on that note, I'm going to get some ironing done so I can make bread with Evie when she wakes up!
Wednesday, August 1
Please tell your kids to take really good care of their teeth!
I sat in the chair at the dentist's office for over four hours this morning. My appointment was at 8, I got called back right away, and I didn't leave the office until almost 12:30. I had 4 teeth worked on, consisting of 3 fillings and two crowns. One of the fillings was on a wisdom tooth. It was all very fun. We will speak of this no more.
John is outside working on the coop for the chickens. My master plan to just buy chickens and force him to finish the coop has paid off, because the durned birds are driving both of us insane in the house. They are getting so big and so cute!! I love it.
David is almost 10 months old, and Evelyn will be 4 at the end of the month. It's all very depressing. And now, I still have a hangover-esque headache from that thing we're not going to speak of again, so I'm off to nap. Good day.
John is outside working on the coop for the chickens. My master plan to just buy chickens and force him to finish the coop has paid off, because the durned birds are driving both of us insane in the house. They are getting so big and so cute!! I love it.
David is almost 10 months old, and Evelyn will be 4 at the end of the month. It's all very depressing. And now, I still have a hangover-esque headache from that thing we're not going to speak of again, so I'm off to nap. Good day.
Monday, July 23
so many kids! ... and some thoughts on music
One thing I love about our church is the size of many of the families. We went for a play date to the Ellisons' house today, and there were 8 kids there. The Oliver and Guy families each have 6 kids, the Seales have 5, and there are some families even larger, with 10-12 kids. Talk about an inspiration! I love watching these families interact with each other; to watch the older children interact with the younger ones is truly a blessing.
After chatting with Kristie this morning, I just felt so blessed and encouraged. And she let me borrow a very cool book called Managers of Their Homes, about scheduling and other things Christian-homeschool related. I'm already on the fourth chapter!! The couple that wrote the book also have a website that looks really neat, but I haven't had the chance to really play yet.
Catherine had her baby a few weeks ago, a little boy names John David, whom they'll be calling David. I love it! And Sam and Evie are very amused that there are not one, but two Baby Davids. I'm taking their family a meal tomorrow, so I finally get to see the baby. Yay!!!
Ok, confession time. Ready to hear this one? The kids are playing in the loft behind me (with the baby gate at the op of the stairs, thank you very much, so he doesn't fall down the stairs ... again), and I've been doing stuff here at the computer for a while, and put a fun playlist of music on Windows Media Player, so we can have some tunes in the background. And Bohemian Rhapsody just came on. And I know pretty much all the words. Now, The Joker is on. Yeah, that one. By Steve Miller. At least my kids will grow up with a well rounded knowledge of music. :) And now, we have the Four Freshmen playing. Think early 50's jazz vocal group with very slicked-back hair.
It's my mom's fault, really. She listened to every kind of music under the sun (well, she did deprive me of punk and the Beatles, but we can talk about all the another day), and I love everything now!! Bluegrass to Queen to Steve Miller to the Supremes to Amy Grant to 2Pac to the Deftones and Ramones to Debussy... I love it all!! Thanks, Mom!! You and your taste in music totally rock!!
Except ... um, I don't know if I want to mention this one ... um ... R Kelly? Seriously? We may need to talk about that one...
But for the rest, thank you so much. I owe my love of all music to you!!
After chatting with Kristie this morning, I just felt so blessed and encouraged. And she let me borrow a very cool book called Managers of Their Homes, about scheduling and other things Christian-homeschool related. I'm already on the fourth chapter!! The couple that wrote the book also have a website that looks really neat, but I haven't had the chance to really play yet.
Catherine had her baby a few weeks ago, a little boy names John David, whom they'll be calling David. I love it! And Sam and Evie are very amused that there are not one, but two Baby Davids. I'm taking their family a meal tomorrow, so I finally get to see the baby. Yay!!!
Ok, confession time. Ready to hear this one? The kids are playing in the loft behind me (with the baby gate at the op of the stairs, thank you very much, so he doesn't fall down the stairs ... again), and I've been doing stuff here at the computer for a while, and put a fun playlist of music on Windows Media Player, so we can have some tunes in the background. And Bohemian Rhapsody just came on. And I know pretty much all the words. Now, The Joker is on. Yeah, that one. By Steve Miller. At least my kids will grow up with a well rounded knowledge of music. :) And now, we have the Four Freshmen playing. Think early 50's jazz vocal group with very slicked-back hair.
It's my mom's fault, really. She listened to every kind of music under the sun (well, she did deprive me of punk and the Beatles, but we can talk about all the another day), and I love everything now!! Bluegrass to Queen to Steve Miller to the Supremes to Amy Grant to 2Pac to the Deftones and Ramones to Debussy... I love it all!! Thanks, Mom!! You and your taste in music totally rock!!
Except ... um, I don't know if I want to mention this one ... um ... R Kelly? Seriously? We may need to talk about that one...
But for the rest, thank you so much. I owe my love of all music to you!!
Saturday, July 21
new pics!
Sorry, this week has been crazy. I've been busy around the house, starting back up with the school schedule, buying more chicks, and every day life with three kids under 6! It is still so strange to think that Sam is 5 now, and Evie will be 4 in a month. Oy!!
But anyway, here's some long overdue pictures.
Here's our chicks!! We have 10, all with names, of course! (Lucy2 & Ethel, Zsa Zsa, Thelma & Louise, Laverne & Shirley, and Paris, Nicky, & Britany) (oh, that's right, I named my chickens after the Hilton sisters!! Mwwaa hahahaha!!)
And Evie with Laverne and Shirley.
Here's some river pics.
Sam and Evie with a fish my brother Kevin caught.
Evie with a huge slice of watermelon and a Popsicle. Hey, some of us have a hard life, ok? Lighten up already, and stop judging. :)
Moi and my handsome, loving, strong, sweet, mmmm ... well, that's none of your business, is it? John and me. He still makes my tummy do flip-flops and makes my knees wobble a little. Or sometimes, a lot. He's the most wonderful man I've ever met.
This is David helping me in the kitchen, making supper the other night. Ain't he just the cutest? I want to eat him up!!
And since I didn't feel like I posted enough pictures of the darling Evelyn Grace, here's the little troublemaker before church last week.
That's what I know for now. More in a few days on a new thing in my life. And no, its not a lover. I am very boring, and raaawther happy in my marriage. Sorry.
But anyway, here's some long overdue pictures.
Here's our chicks!! We have 10, all with names, of course! (Lucy2 & Ethel, Zsa Zsa, Thelma & Louise, Laverne & Shirley, and Paris, Nicky, & Britany) (oh, that's right, I named my chickens after the Hilton sisters!! Mwwaa hahahaha!!)
And Evie with Laverne and Shirley.
Here's some river pics.
Sam and Evie with a fish my brother Kevin caught.
Evie with a huge slice of watermelon and a Popsicle. Hey, some of us have a hard life, ok? Lighten up already, and stop judging. :)
Moi and my handsome, loving, strong, sweet, mmmm ... well, that's none of your business, is it? John and me. He still makes my tummy do flip-flops and makes my knees wobble a little. Or sometimes, a lot. He's the most wonderful man I've ever met.
This is David helping me in the kitchen, making supper the other night. Ain't he just the cutest? I want to eat him up!!
And since I didn't feel like I posted enough pictures of the darling Evelyn Grace, here's the little troublemaker before church last week.
That's what I know for now. More in a few days on a new thing in my life. And no, its not a lover. I am very boring, and raaawther happy in my marriage. Sorry.
Sunday, July 15
We're back!
We are back, and we had a fabulous time. We didn't get back until laaaate on Tuesday, because we stayed in Fredericksburg on Monday night; kind a spur of a moment thing. Everything was amazing, I had a blast with my family and Wes' friends, and my legs are less white then when we left. We took some great pictures, so I'll try to post those tomorrow when I have a little bit of time.
We got our chicks this week, too!! We have 6. I'll tell you their awesome names and what kinds they are tomorrow.
And now, I have to get off the computer because a) I'm not supposed to be on the computer on Sundays, and b) there's a thunderstorm coming. Again. Surprise, surprise.
We got our chicks this week, too!! We have 6. I'll tell you their awesome names and what kinds they are tomorrow.
And now, I have to get off the computer because a) I'm not supposed to be on the computer on Sundays, and b) there's a thunderstorm coming. Again. Surprise, surprise.
Thursday, July 5
going, going, gone!
We leave for the river in the morning, if we haven't been washed away before then. We should get there around lunch Friday, and be home by supper on Monday. I am so looking forward to this ... I need a break!!
Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and I'll take lots of pics and post 'em for y'all when I get back!!
Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and I'll take lots of pics and post 'em for y'all when I get back!!
Monday, July 2
And then there were none ...
None that missed the awful stomach bug, that is. John got sick Saturday night. I talked to him at work around 10:30 that evening, and he was fine, in a good mood. He called me around 12:45, and the kids and I had to go pick him up from work. That was fun, by the way. Nothing makes my night a little better than waking all the kids up from a dead sleep and loading them up in the car. And sitting in the Chili's parking lot for 40 minutes. And driving home with a very sick husband. And finally getting back to bed at 2:45. And then getting up 4 more times with the kids, before the baby wakes up early for the bad at 6:45. Wow, that was one of the worst nights I've had in many a year.
But enough grousing. I finished Great Expectations, very sad and wonderful book, and am about to start The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I haven't read anything by Hugo before, but I'm looking forward to it.
David is trying to pull himself up on things, and thinks he can talk. Maybe we just don't speak his language ... who knows? But he is darling, and I just want to eat him.
Evie and I had a date this afternoon, and had a blast. We went to Starbucks, and then up to Bastrop Gardens. The gal that owns the place, Deena, is a doll, and I just love her. The kids think she's pretty great, too, and she likes them. She gave me a few free plants (I love knowing people, and bringing them cookies and coffee from time to time!) that I'll put in tomorrow, and gave me some really good advice on some of the things I've got growing.
We leave for the river Friday morning, early, and I'm starting to get ready for that tomorrow. So little to pack, so much time ... Wait! Strike that. Reverse it.
And I'm still lacking on sleep, so I'm off to bed raawther soon.
But enough grousing. I finished Great Expectations, very sad and wonderful book, and am about to start The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I haven't read anything by Hugo before, but I'm looking forward to it.
David is trying to pull himself up on things, and thinks he can talk. Maybe we just don't speak his language ... who knows? But he is darling, and I just want to eat him.
Evie and I had a date this afternoon, and had a blast. We went to Starbucks, and then up to Bastrop Gardens. The gal that owns the place, Deena, is a doll, and I just love her. The kids think she's pretty great, too, and she likes them. She gave me a few free plants (I love knowing people, and bringing them cookies and coffee from time to time!) that I'll put in tomorrow, and gave me some really good advice on some of the things I've got growing.
We leave for the river Friday morning, early, and I'm starting to get ready for that tomorrow. So little to pack, so much time ... Wait! Strike that. Reverse it.
And I'm still lacking on sleep, so I'm off to bed raawther soon.
Saturday, June 30
Better now
Well, I think I'm going to pull through. I think I might just make it to see another day. I feel like a completely different person! I finished my entry yesterday and went to bed before 9. I think I fell asleep before Evelyn did. I kind of made up for it today, though.
I woke up; made the wonderful coffee I can't live without, let alone start my morning without; swept all the downstairs floors; nursed the baby (and read out of Hebrews, the book I'm currently working on for my morning Scripture study ... and can I just say WOW?!? but more on that another day ...); harassed the kids into getting dressed, getting the paper, feeding the cats, emptying the dryer, and unloading the dishwasher; made breakfast and got the kids and the baby fed; then I sat down to eat while the kids played outside and David snacked on Cheerios. Then I washed a load of clothes; folded another; went out and picked tomatoes, green beans, and basil, and, and proceeded to spend the better part of an hour messing with my sprayer and taking care of a bug problem that is effecting my tomatoes.
Then it was about 10:30, and I woke John up. Poor baby, he didn't get home until 4 last night. And by 'last night', I actually mean 'this morning.' He got up, had breakfast and coffee, and then mowed the lawn for me. Sweet man. I was having trouble walking in the back yard, because the grass was almost up to my knees. I was ok with that, until I stepped on the end of one of my pumpkin vines because I couldn't see it. It was hiding in the grass.
We had lunch, my mom and Wesley came by on their way back from Camp Peniel, and then the whole family napped. Except moi, because I had some very important things to do. Like finish Great Expectations. Wonderful book. Go find it, and A Tale of Two Cities. Read them this afternoon. Now. Why are you still here?? GO!!
I woke up; made the wonderful coffee I can't live without, let alone start my morning without; swept all the downstairs floors; nursed the baby (and read out of Hebrews, the book I'm currently working on for my morning Scripture study ... and can I just say WOW?!? but more on that another day ...); harassed the kids into getting dressed, getting the paper, feeding the cats, emptying the dryer, and unloading the dishwasher; made breakfast and got the kids and the baby fed; then I sat down to eat while the kids played outside and David snacked on Cheerios. Then I washed a load of clothes; folded another; went out and picked tomatoes, green beans, and basil, and, and proceeded to spend the better part of an hour messing with my sprayer and taking care of a bug problem that is effecting my tomatoes.
Then it was about 10:30, and I woke John up. Poor baby, he didn't get home until 4 last night. And by 'last night', I actually mean 'this morning.' He got up, had breakfast and coffee, and then mowed the lawn for me. Sweet man. I was having trouble walking in the back yard, because the grass was almost up to my knees. I was ok with that, until I stepped on the end of one of my pumpkin vines because I couldn't see it. It was hiding in the grass.
We had lunch, my mom and Wesley came by on their way back from Camp Peniel, and then the whole family napped. Except moi, because I had some very important things to do. Like finish Great Expectations. Wonderful book. Go find it, and A Tale of Two Cities. Read them this afternoon. Now. Why are you still here?? GO!!
Friday, June 29
Kill. Me. Now.
Please!!
It all started Monday night/Tuesday morning, about 1:45, when Sam threw up. He kept throwing up until Tuesday night, around midnight. (7 times. He counted.) Then Evie threw up Wednesday night, but only once, and has just been a little puny since then. But then ... Oh, but then. Then came Thursday afternoon. I started to feel a little 'off,' but thought it was just because I was tired from being up three nights with vomiting kids and not eating enough. By 7pm, I had sent Sam and Evie upstairs to play, and David crawled laps around the coffee table while I had to lie, completely miserable, on the couch. I sent everyone to bed early, around 8:15, and stumbled back to the couch. And then I started throwing up.
As a general rule, I don't get sick. I have had only one minor cough since last Thanksgiving, and that only lasted about 12 hours. My sweet husband was able to go by the store on the way home from work (at 1:30 in the morning) and pick up some Instant Breakfast and PediaPops. I admit it, I love them ... Then he didn't have to be at work today until 4, so all I really had to do was nurse the baby a few times. I tried to be good, and still get some stuff done. I washed a load of clothes, and folded what was in the dryer (while I was in bed, of course), and I ironed John's work clothes. He took the older kids to the park and to run some errands, so I could catch up on some important things ... like reading some great Dickens in the bath tub ... and sleeping. And eating PediaPops. And sleeping some more.
The baby is sick, too, but not near as bad at I am. He threw up a few times last night, probably after I did, but he never cried, so I had no idea until John brought him to me this morning, and we had to change all his blankets. He has still been in a surprisingly good mood (unlike certain other people who are writing this blog entry ...), just a little milder. More inclined to snuggle, which he rarely does when he's wide awake.
Praise God, John hasn't been sick yet. I love him, but I don't like him as much when he gets sick. He has been so wonderful at taking care of me, and has called a few times to check on me. Wonderful man. I sure do love him something fierce!!
It all started Monday night/Tuesday morning, about 1:45, when Sam threw up. He kept throwing up until Tuesday night, around midnight. (7 times. He counted.) Then Evie threw up Wednesday night, but only once, and has just been a little puny since then. But then ... Oh, but then. Then came Thursday afternoon. I started to feel a little 'off,' but thought it was just because I was tired from being up three nights with vomiting kids and not eating enough. By 7pm, I had sent Sam and Evie upstairs to play, and David crawled laps around the coffee table while I had to lie, completely miserable, on the couch. I sent everyone to bed early, around 8:15, and stumbled back to the couch. And then I started throwing up.
As a general rule, I don't get sick. I have had only one minor cough since last Thanksgiving, and that only lasted about 12 hours. My sweet husband was able to go by the store on the way home from work (at 1:30 in the morning) and pick up some Instant Breakfast and PediaPops. I admit it, I love them ... Then he didn't have to be at work today until 4, so all I really had to do was nurse the baby a few times. I tried to be good, and still get some stuff done. I washed a load of clothes, and folded what was in the dryer (while I was in bed, of course), and I ironed John's work clothes. He took the older kids to the park and to run some errands, so I could catch up on some important things ... like reading some great Dickens in the bath tub ... and sleeping. And eating PediaPops. And sleeping some more.
The baby is sick, too, but not near as bad at I am. He threw up a few times last night, probably after I did, but he never cried, so I had no idea until John brought him to me this morning, and we had to change all his blankets. He has still been in a surprisingly good mood (unlike certain other people who are writing this blog entry ...), just a little milder. More inclined to snuggle, which he rarely does when he's wide awake.
Praise God, John hasn't been sick yet. I love him, but I don't like him as much when he gets sick. He has been so wonderful at taking care of me, and has called a few times to check on me. Wonderful man. I sure do love him something fierce!!
Monday, June 25
Chicken and Pine Nut Couscous
I just made this for lunch, and we all stuffed ourselves silly. Mmmm ...
Chicken and Pine Nut Couscous
by Brea!
2 c whole grain couscous (you can find this in the bulk bins at Whole Foods)
4 c fat free chicken stock or water
1 c finely cubed cooked chicken
1/3 c lightly toasted pine nuts
3 heaping T chopped herbs (I liked basil, flat leaf parsley, and some rosemary)
2 heaping T minced leeks (onions or shallots would work fine, too)
4 cloves garlic, diced
olive oil, salt, and pepper
Pour at least 1/4 c olive oil into the bottom of a sauce pan, and bring to medium high heat. Add garlic, leeks, and herbs, and a generous pinch of salt. Sautee until onion is just soft, and add stock or water. Bring to a boil, then add pine nuts and couscous. Remove from heat and cover immediately. Let stand for 5 minutes, until couscous has absorbed all the liquid, and fluff with a fork. Add chicken and stir. Garnish with chives if desired.
This is great served with a nice mixed greens salad, and cooks up super fast. Including all the picking of herbs, and chopping of herbs and veggies, this whole thing took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. What's not to love about that?? And it's super healthy, too. My kids scarfed it, and had seconds. Sam and John and thirds, and David just sat there like a little bird, waiting for each bite. (He doesn't get the chicken or pine nuts yet, of course ...)
You could also make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a day or two and reheat it. Just be sure that you reheat it covered, and add a little extra water to keep it from drying out.
So, go make this. Tomorrow. And enjoy!
Chicken and Pine Nut Couscous
by Brea!
2 c whole grain couscous (you can find this in the bulk bins at Whole Foods)
4 c fat free chicken stock or water
1 c finely cubed cooked chicken
1/3 c lightly toasted pine nuts
3 heaping T chopped herbs (I liked basil, flat leaf parsley, and some rosemary)
2 heaping T minced leeks (onions or shallots would work fine, too)
4 cloves garlic, diced
olive oil, salt, and pepper
Pour at least 1/4 c olive oil into the bottom of a sauce pan, and bring to medium high heat. Add garlic, leeks, and herbs, and a generous pinch of salt. Sautee until onion is just soft, and add stock or water. Bring to a boil, then add pine nuts and couscous. Remove from heat and cover immediately. Let stand for 5 minutes, until couscous has absorbed all the liquid, and fluff with a fork. Add chicken and stir. Garnish with chives if desired.
This is great served with a nice mixed greens salad, and cooks up super fast. Including all the picking of herbs, and chopping of herbs and veggies, this whole thing took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. What's not to love about that?? And it's super healthy, too. My kids scarfed it, and had seconds. Sam and John and thirds, and David just sat there like a little bird, waiting for each bite. (He doesn't get the chicken or pine nuts yet, of course ...)
You could also make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a day or two and reheat it. Just be sure that you reheat it covered, and add a little extra water to keep it from drying out.
So, go make this. Tomorrow. And enjoy!
Friday, June 22
I'm so excited and proud of myself!!
... for a few reasons. First, we're going to visit my mom this afternoon, which is always fun. Also, today is Friday, which means it is Farmers' Market Day. We love that! But, here's the real reason: I and rocking out on my budget this pay period!!
After paying $60 for part of my new bike and new shoes, that leaves me with $170 for the next two weeks. $25 goes to my IRA, and $25 goes into my savings account, leaving me with $120 for groceries for the next two weeks. I bought all my WalMart groceries for just under $30, and all my HEB groceries for just under $30. My total is now at $60. I took $40 in cash for the Farmer's Market, so that leaves me with $20 extra, in case I want to get a cup of coffee (have I mentioned that we have a Starbuck's finally??) or some Taco Bell.
That means that I'll be feeding our whole family on $50 per week, including meat and dairy. This has been my goal for quite a while, and I hope I can keep it up. I really am completely excited that I was able to do it!!
After paying $60 for part of my new bike and new shoes, that leaves me with $170 for the next two weeks. $25 goes to my IRA, and $25 goes into my savings account, leaving me with $120 for groceries for the next two weeks. I bought all my WalMart groceries for just under $30, and all my HEB groceries for just under $30. My total is now at $60. I took $40 in cash for the Farmer's Market, so that leaves me with $20 extra, in case I want to get a cup of coffee (have I mentioned that we have a Starbuck's finally??) or some Taco Bell.
That means that I'll be feeding our whole family on $50 per week, including meat and dairy. This has been my goal for quite a while, and I hope I can keep it up. I really am completely excited that I was able to do it!!
Thursday, June 21
Well ...
I'm still here, but busy as usual. Sam's party went swimmingly. We only had about 35 people out here (more than half were kids), which was nice, because I was expecting more like45-50. I have fajita meat coming out of my ears, and am totally loving it!! We start thank you notes this evening, and should finish tomorrow.
The kids are more than halfway through their reading curriculum, and we have started back up with math and signing. I have the best signing course. Ever. We learned a new song today.
My big tomatoes are finally turning red, as are my peppers. I love green bells, but John hates them, so I don't mind letting them turn red.
We're driving to Katy for a little day trip, coming back Saturday, maybe early afternoon.
I got some new running shoes, and a new bike, and I am veeery excited about both. However, I got them on Tuesday and have yet to use either (for their intended purpose, at least ...), so I should be able to run or bike tomorrow morning.
Now, off to make supper, and hopefully get some good sleep this evening ... something which has been eluding me lately. Hmm.
The kids are more than halfway through their reading curriculum, and we have started back up with math and signing. I have the best signing course. Ever. We learned a new song today.
My big tomatoes are finally turning red, as are my peppers. I love green bells, but John hates them, so I don't mind letting them turn red.
We're driving to Katy for a little day trip, coming back Saturday, maybe early afternoon.
I got some new running shoes, and a new bike, and I am veeery excited about both. However, I got them on Tuesday and have yet to use either (for their intended purpose, at least ...), so I should be able to run or bike tomorrow morning.
Now, off to make supper, and hopefully get some good sleep this evening ... something which has been eluding me lately. Hmm.
Wednesday, June 13
What I Grow to Eat
Since I've been having so much fun with my camera and new lens lately, I thought I'd share a little of my world with y'all. Today, a small sample of the things I grow that we consume.
My swiss chard. I don't grow enough (this year) to be on my own, so I still buy some from Erica at the Farmer's Market.
My strawberries! I didn't have any success last year with these guys (sequoias, I think?), so I made a few changes, like growing them in a container. I have a lot less bug problems, and these things have grown so much since I got them! I was very pleasantly surprised. They taste great, too. I'll have many more next year.
Green beans. Climbing Kentucky Wonder, to be precise. One of my favorites. We'll have about four times this many next year. Mmmmm ... the kids and I love to eat 'em right off the vine.
My Husky Cherry Reds. Since I took this picture last week, they've started turning red. Just off this plant, we're getting 2-4 tomatoes each morning.
Pumpkins ... we think. I wasn't going to plant pumpkins again this year, because while I think they're beautiful, I just didn't have much luck with them last year. But as it turns out, a lot of the seeds got mixed into the compost so late in the winter that they never ... well, composted. So when we put the compost down, all these pumpkin plants started coming up in the middle of the tomatoes! So I transplanted four plants, and three have made it, so far. Which brings me to my next picture ...
A baby pumpkin! Ain't he cuuute?? I love him. I named him Steve. Yes, I sometimes name my produce. We won't be eating this one, if he makes it that far.
This is a new one, too. Kentucky (something) Spearmint. Not as tasty as the regular, which I also grow, but its awful purty, don't 'ya think?
And last, but not least, the reason my grandmother loves me. Red tomatoes. These babies are Sweet 100's, a great patio plant for those of you who can't garden for various reasons. They are so easy to grow. We have three this year.
I have several other herbs I grow and dry throughout the year, and some other veggies, too. I'm getting to plant a new crop of something in the next few weeks, because I have a huge space available in my garden. Because of all the rain, my garlic and onions all died. Happened to a lot of people this year, apparently. I'll let you know what I decide on ...
My swiss chard. I don't grow enough (this year) to be on my own, so I still buy some from Erica at the Farmer's Market.
My strawberries! I didn't have any success last year with these guys (sequoias, I think?), so I made a few changes, like growing them in a container. I have a lot less bug problems, and these things have grown so much since I got them! I was very pleasantly surprised. They taste great, too. I'll have many more next year.
Green beans. Climbing Kentucky Wonder, to be precise. One of my favorites. We'll have about four times this many next year. Mmmmm ... the kids and I love to eat 'em right off the vine.
My Husky Cherry Reds. Since I took this picture last week, they've started turning red. Just off this plant, we're getting 2-4 tomatoes each morning.
Pumpkins ... we think. I wasn't going to plant pumpkins again this year, because while I think they're beautiful, I just didn't have much luck with them last year. But as it turns out, a lot of the seeds got mixed into the compost so late in the winter that they never ... well, composted. So when we put the compost down, all these pumpkin plants started coming up in the middle of the tomatoes! So I transplanted four plants, and three have made it, so far. Which brings me to my next picture ...
A baby pumpkin! Ain't he cuuute?? I love him. I named him Steve. Yes, I sometimes name my produce. We won't be eating this one, if he makes it that far.
This is a new one, too. Kentucky (something) Spearmint. Not as tasty as the regular, which I also grow, but its awful purty, don't 'ya think?
And last, but not least, the reason my grandmother loves me. Red tomatoes. These babies are Sweet 100's, a great patio plant for those of you who can't garden for various reasons. They are so easy to grow. We have three this year.
I have several other herbs I grow and dry throughout the year, and some other veggies, too. I'm getting to plant a new crop of something in the next few weeks, because I have a huge space available in my garden. Because of all the rain, my garlic and onions all died. Happened to a lot of people this year, apparently. I'll let you know what I decide on ...
Tuesday, June 12
Things to come ...
Coming soon, hopefully Monday, I'm taking a page out of the Pioneer Woman's book and doing a step-by-step picture recipe. One of my new favorites, stuffed squash! This stuff is good, and Sam just can't get enough of it ... Its a fun recipe, one I just really enjoy making. Here's to hoping I get my act together and get it posted. I think Sarah might quit loving me if I don't ... and I'll tell y'all what her husband, Scott, got Sarah for her birthday ... :)
David, or The Cutest Baby Ever.
Here's some pictures of my sweet baby. Enjoy!
Here he is in the wagon, one of his new favorite things. Basically, we just fold a huge blanket in half a few times, stuff it in the wagon, then add the baby. He just sits there like a little angel, unless we try to take his picture, in which case, he hams it up like always.
Here's his first sink bath. He probably won't have many more, because my life is so much easier when I bathe all three in the tub at the same time. And I don't have to worry about him trying to escape while I'm taking pictures.
Like this. It took two adults to keep that slippery little tree frog in the sink. Bad baby. :)
And last, but not least, a hug for you!!
I'll put teeth pics up as soon as I get them.
Here he is in the wagon, one of his new favorite things. Basically, we just fold a huge blanket in half a few times, stuff it in the wagon, then add the baby. He just sits there like a little angel, unless we try to take his picture, in which case, he hams it up like always.
Here's his first sink bath. He probably won't have many more, because my life is so much easier when I bathe all three in the tub at the same time. And I don't have to worry about him trying to escape while I'm taking pictures.
Like this. It took two adults to keep that slippery little tree frog in the sink. Bad baby. :)
And last, but not least, a hug for you!!I'll put teeth pics up as soon as I get them.
Monday, June 11
Busy!
Just wanted to pop in and let you know I'm still here. The last few weeks have been crazy busy (although, lately, when have we not been??), and will continue for a little while. Sam's birthday party is on Saturday, and there should be at least 40 people here, maybe (probably) more, and although I'm looking forward to it, and know I will be ready on time, I'm just a little freaked out.
David is crawling, and has two teeth. But here's the funny thing. Most babies get the two bottom middle teeth, one at a time, then the top two teeth in the middle. My crazy little rebel, though, has decided to get one bottom tooth, then one top tooth. Here's the great part: they're not even on the same side! The one on the bottom is on his right, and the one on the top is on his left! He looks like a little country boy from Bastrop. Which he is. But does he really need to look that way??? I'll put a picture up as soon as I get a good one that really catches the teeth.
I'll try to do another update in a few days. Karin and her daughter are coming over tomorrow, and I have to go to the post office and mail a bunch of cd's I sold on Amazon. I have a dentist appointment Wednesday. And we have to go to the library. Thursday is my big work day, and on Friday I have to make a gazillion cupcakes and finish getting ready. Did I mention there's going to be more than 40 people here on Saturday??
So now, I'm off to get some much needed sleep, because I have to be up at 5:30 to run in the morning!
David is crawling, and has two teeth. But here's the funny thing. Most babies get the two bottom middle teeth, one at a time, then the top two teeth in the middle. My crazy little rebel, though, has decided to get one bottom tooth, then one top tooth. Here's the great part: they're not even on the same side! The one on the bottom is on his right, and the one on the top is on his left! He looks like a little country boy from Bastrop. Which he is. But does he really need to look that way??? I'll put a picture up as soon as I get a good one that really catches the teeth.
I'll try to do another update in a few days. Karin and her daughter are coming over tomorrow, and I have to go to the post office and mail a bunch of cd's I sold on Amazon. I have a dentist appointment Wednesday. And we have to go to the library. Thursday is my big work day, and on Friday I have to make a gazillion cupcakes and finish getting ready. Did I mention there's going to be more than 40 people here on Saturday??
So now, I'm off to get some much needed sleep, because I have to be up at 5:30 to run in the morning!
Friday, June 1
Laughter
I cannot comprehend life without laughter. For all the issues my crazy family has (or has had), my house was filled with it when I was growing up. And not just the man,-that-was-a-good-joke kind of laughter. The kind where you-pee-in-your-pants (especially my mom) (sorry, Mom, if you're reading this), can't-even-stand-up, can't-catch-your-breath, and just-might-be-sore-the-next-morning laughter. Not just on special rare occasions, but all the time. Now I've grown up, and guess what? There's laughter in my house, too! I love it!
I have a friend who says she doesn't remember much laughter in her home as a kid. Not that her home was unhappy, but I think that comes with the territory with no siblings, and both parents working. One of the reasons I love having three kids and want many, many more is because there is just that much more joy! The more people you have in an immediate family, the more personalities start coming together and interacting, and that is almost always interesting at the very least, and really funny and a joy to be around, at the most.
God loves laughter and joy, too!
Psalm 126:2 'Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.'
Genesis 21: 6 'And Sarah said, "God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."'
Luke 6:21 'Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.'
Nehemiah 8:10 'Then he said unto them, "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."'
Nehemiah 12:43 ' Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.'
Psalm 5:11 'But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.'
Luke 15:10 'Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.'
III John 1:4 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.'
Joy is even listed as a fruit of the spirit!! Galatians 5:22-23 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.'
If you go to Bible Gateway and search 'joy,' you will get 187 results, just from the King James Version!! Take a few minutes to think about this today, or for the next few days. Yes, we all have our issues, and we all have bad days, but if I talked to your spouse, or your kids, or a close friend, would they say that you are a person who is filled with joy? Or a person who laughs long and often?
Joy and laughter are such gifts. Not just to us, which they really are!, but to the people around us, too. It is very hard to stay in a bad mood when someone near you is laughing with unabandoned glee. It is hard to be cranky when the person you interact with the most is filled with pure joy. Bless those who are around you today. Laugh, smile, and praise the Lord for all your blessings!!!
I have a friend who says she doesn't remember much laughter in her home as a kid. Not that her home was unhappy, but I think that comes with the territory with no siblings, and both parents working. One of the reasons I love having three kids and want many, many more is because there is just that much more joy! The more people you have in an immediate family, the more personalities start coming together and interacting, and that is almost always interesting at the very least, and really funny and a joy to be around, at the most.
God loves laughter and joy, too!
Psalm 126:2 'Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.'
Genesis 21: 6 'And Sarah said, "God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."'
Luke 6:21 'Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.'
Nehemiah 8:10 'Then he said unto them, "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."'
Nehemiah 12:43 ' Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.'
Psalm 5:11 'But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.'
Luke 15:10 'Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.'
III John 1:4 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.'
Joy is even listed as a fruit of the spirit!! Galatians 5:22-23 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.'
If you go to Bible Gateway and search 'joy,' you will get 187 results, just from the King James Version!! Take a few minutes to think about this today, or for the next few days. Yes, we all have our issues, and we all have bad days, but if I talked to your spouse, or your kids, or a close friend, would they say that you are a person who is filled with joy? Or a person who laughs long and often?
Joy and laughter are such gifts. Not just to us, which they really are!, but to the people around us, too. It is very hard to stay in a bad mood when someone near you is laughing with unabandoned glee. It is hard to be cranky when the person you interact with the most is filled with pure joy. Bless those who are around you today. Laugh, smile, and praise the Lord for all your blessings!!!
Tuesday, May 29
Sauteed Swiss Chard over Pasta
This one is a new fav around here. Packed with all kinds of yummy, healthy goodness, and a ton of veggies, this has become one of Sam's most requested meals.
Swiss chard is a big, leafy green that looks a lot like mustard or collard greens. I get mine fresh every Friday from our wonderful Farmer's Market here in town, and now refuse to buy it from the store after having eaten it so fresh. It's very, very easy to grow, also. It is called 'summer spinach' and tastes like spinach, only slightly sweeter, and a little sturdier. The more ingredients you can find fresh, the better this meal will turn out. This also doubles well for a big family. As written below, this feeds all 4 of us, plus leftovers for at least one grown up lunch, or two kid lunches.
Sauteed Swiss Chard over Penne Pasta
by Brea!
1 large bunch swiss chard, well rinsed, well dried, and very roughly chopped, stems removed
2 raw strips good bacon, diced (optional)
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
white and light green of one leek, minced (you can also do 1/4 cup minced yellow onion)
one large head broccoli, cut into small florets
one large red bell pepper, diced
2/3 c diced or shredded chicken breast (optional)
good quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
one pound whole wheat penne pasta, cooked al dente
In a large frying pan, cook bacon over medium heat. When bacon is almost done, add leeks (or onions), garlic, a lot of olive oil, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. (The leeks cook very fast, so you might want to wait a few seconds to add them if your garlic isn't finely minced.) As soon as your garlic starts to look soft, add all the swiss chard to the pan. Pour on more olive oil and add more salt to help bring out all the water from the chard, and carefully turn chard several times, making sure to move the garlic mix, too.
Add broccoli after chard has been cooking for about 2 minutes. Cook until chard is completely wilted, then add bell pepper and chicken. Cook 30 seconds more, adjust seasoning as needed, then pour over the pasta. Generously grate fresh Parmesan over the top, and serve immediately. Enjoy with a good garlic bread!
**This is a good meatless meal, and we sometimes add other veggies at the same time as the broccoli, like sugar snap peas or fresh green beans.
Swiss chard is a big, leafy green that looks a lot like mustard or collard greens. I get mine fresh every Friday from our wonderful Farmer's Market here in town, and now refuse to buy it from the store after having eaten it so fresh. It's very, very easy to grow, also. It is called 'summer spinach' and tastes like spinach, only slightly sweeter, and a little sturdier. The more ingredients you can find fresh, the better this meal will turn out. This also doubles well for a big family. As written below, this feeds all 4 of us, plus leftovers for at least one grown up lunch, or two kid lunches.
Sauteed Swiss Chard over Penne Pasta
by Brea!
1 large bunch swiss chard, well rinsed, well dried, and very roughly chopped, stems removed
2 raw strips good bacon, diced (optional)
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
white and light green of one leek, minced (you can also do 1/4 cup minced yellow onion)
one large head broccoli, cut into small florets
one large red bell pepper, diced
2/3 c diced or shredded chicken breast (optional)
good quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
one pound whole wheat penne pasta, cooked al dente
In a large frying pan, cook bacon over medium heat. When bacon is almost done, add leeks (or onions), garlic, a lot of olive oil, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. (The leeks cook very fast, so you might want to wait a few seconds to add them if your garlic isn't finely minced.) As soon as your garlic starts to look soft, add all the swiss chard to the pan. Pour on more olive oil and add more salt to help bring out all the water from the chard, and carefully turn chard several times, making sure to move the garlic mix, too.
Add broccoli after chard has been cooking for about 2 minutes. Cook until chard is completely wilted, then add bell pepper and chicken. Cook 30 seconds more, adjust seasoning as needed, then pour over the pasta. Generously grate fresh Parmesan over the top, and serve immediately. Enjoy with a good garlic bread!
**This is a good meatless meal, and we sometimes add other veggies at the same time as the broccoli, like sugar snap peas or fresh green beans.
Monday, May 28
TAG!
Well, I done got myself tagged by Candi. Eight random or little know things about me ...
1. I love bad movies. I stayed up the other night until 2 in the bleeping morning watching the Breakfast Club. (Don't you, forget about me. Don't you, no, no, no, no ... Come on, you know you remember the song and are now singing it!!)
2. I hate people touching my feet. Or being in the same general vicinity of them. Or looking at them. Even John knows not to touch my feet. Other people's feet don't bother me, but heaven help the person who gets too close to mine. You might lose an eye.
3. I want to be a cowgirl when I grow up. I want a cattle ranch, maybe about 50,000 acres somewhere in Texas, with a river, and I want to get up every morning at 5 and go work my cows with my big ole' family (of course, in this dream, I have at least 7 kids, and extended family lives on the other side of the ranch). My horse would be the prettiest and the nicest, and everyone would envy me, and I could cry when she got really old and died.
4. I listen to music when I'm alone that would not be found in most homeschool moms' cars. I am extremely fond of punk and ska (I have the Deftones, Less Than Jake, the Clash, and AFI, to name a few), and some other random stuff (like the latest Justin Timberlake ... haven't you heard? He's bringing sexy back. For real, yo!) (and who could pass up the Garden State soundtrack? Also, Nick Drake, and some Toadies thrown in for good measure. Sometimes you just need to listen to some really loud stalker songs.). All of that is just what's in my car right now.
5. The real reason I run is because it's the only thing that is mine. All mine. No one goes with me, no one can talk to me, no one can ask me for milk or a snack or a video or where-are-my-clean-work-pants or mom-the-baby-wants-something-to-eat or anything else. I am all by myself, and love it! Of course, staying healthy and looking decent in a bathing suit don't hurt ...
6. I love to cook for people. I love to have people over, just so I can cook for them. I don't enjoy going out to eat more than once a month, and I'm not crazy about going to other people's houses because that means that I'm not the one doing the cooking.
7. I absolutely cannot follow a recipe. Everything I cooked is always tweaked, to a certain extent. Just ask John. It drives him nuts.
8. Babies make me stoopid. When I am around them, I can no longer form sentences, I drool, I grin like an idiot ... Doesn't matter whose baby it is, and even if I am holding my own baby, I still act a fool. I just want to eat them all up!!!
So, there's me. Any questions? :)
1. I love bad movies. I stayed up the other night until 2 in the bleeping morning watching the Breakfast Club. (Don't you, forget about me. Don't you, no, no, no, no ... Come on, you know you remember the song and are now singing it!!)
2. I hate people touching my feet. Or being in the same general vicinity of them. Or looking at them. Even John knows not to touch my feet. Other people's feet don't bother me, but heaven help the person who gets too close to mine. You might lose an eye.
3. I want to be a cowgirl when I grow up. I want a cattle ranch, maybe about 50,000 acres somewhere in Texas, with a river, and I want to get up every morning at 5 and go work my cows with my big ole' family (of course, in this dream, I have at least 7 kids, and extended family lives on the other side of the ranch). My horse would be the prettiest and the nicest, and everyone would envy me, and I could cry when she got really old and died.
4. I listen to music when I'm alone that would not be found in most homeschool moms' cars. I am extremely fond of punk and ska (I have the Deftones, Less Than Jake, the Clash, and AFI, to name a few), and some other random stuff (like the latest Justin Timberlake ... haven't you heard? He's bringing sexy back. For real, yo!) (and who could pass up the Garden State soundtrack? Also, Nick Drake, and some Toadies thrown in for good measure. Sometimes you just need to listen to some really loud stalker songs.). All of that is just what's in my car right now.
5. The real reason I run is because it's the only thing that is mine. All mine. No one goes with me, no one can talk to me, no one can ask me for milk or a snack or a video or where-are-my-clean-work-pants or mom-the-baby-wants-something-to-eat or anything else. I am all by myself, and love it! Of course, staying healthy and looking decent in a bathing suit don't hurt ...
6. I love to cook for people. I love to have people over, just so I can cook for them. I don't enjoy going out to eat more than once a month, and I'm not crazy about going to other people's houses because that means that I'm not the one doing the cooking.
7. I absolutely cannot follow a recipe. Everything I cooked is always tweaked, to a certain extent. Just ask John. It drives him nuts.
8. Babies make me stoopid. When I am around them, I can no longer form sentences, I drool, I grin like an idiot ... Doesn't matter whose baby it is, and even if I am holding my own baby, I still act a fool. I just want to eat them all up!!!
So, there's me. Any questions? :)
Saturday, May 19
This is not going to be good for my housework ...
Something bad has happened. Since our internet got fixed (got fixed? That sounded raawwwther Southern ...), I have discovered something the rest of the world has known about for a while. Something wonderful, something informative ... I am so happy!
Want to know what it is?
YOU TUBE!! Did you know they have cooking videos? I haven't had Food Network since we moved out here, and I can watch Alton Brown for the first time in almost 2 years!! My new favorite that I stumbled on is Cooking Up a Story. Love it!
And now, seeing how the baby is asleep, and the kids are outside with John cutting things down with machetes and the newly fixed chainsaw, I am going to watch and learn about artisan cheeses!!!
I am just so very happy!!!
Want to know what it is?
YOU TUBE!! Did you know they have cooking videos? I haven't had Food Network since we moved out here, and I can watch Alton Brown for the first time in almost 2 years!! My new favorite that I stumbled on is Cooking Up a Story. Love it!
And now, seeing how the baby is asleep, and the kids are outside with John cutting things down with machetes and the newly fixed chainsaw, I am going to watch and learn about artisan cheeses!!!
I am just so very happy!!!
Friday, May 18
Clowns in WHERE???
Amy, thank you so much for the comment! It's nice to meet you, too! :)
Candi, I saw your tag. I'll do that (hopefully!) tomorrow, or Monday.
Don't have much time, but here's something to chew on: clowns in church! I'm not kidding. And I'm not talking about entertainment for kids at a church fair. I'm talking about ministers dressing as clowns (face paint, horns, floppy shoes, and all!) and blessing Communion. Got the original link from Amy at Humble Musings, and Googled my way from there. I think I may sit down and cry in a minute. Check out these links, and please leave me some comments as to your thoughts ...
Amy's post
Todd Friel's thoughts
great blog post
Are you kidding me?
I know that God loves us, regardless of out appearance. However, we should still seek to honor Him with our appearance when we are in His home. Can you imagine sitting down to an actual supper with Our King, dressed like this? What kind of impression would this make on a family of unbelievers, visiting a church for the first time? Is this the way that Christ wants His Bride to act? What Bride in her right mind would want to look like this? I'm not kidding, I want to sit down and weep and the disrespect and dishonor shown here.
There are so many thoughts in my head about this, but the rest of the words kinda fail me. And those of you who know me, know what a big deal that is!!
Candi, I saw your tag. I'll do that (hopefully!) tomorrow, or Monday.
Don't have much time, but here's something to chew on: clowns in church! I'm not kidding. And I'm not talking about entertainment for kids at a church fair. I'm talking about ministers dressing as clowns (face paint, horns, floppy shoes, and all!) and blessing Communion. Got the original link from Amy at Humble Musings, and Googled my way from there. I think I may sit down and cry in a minute. Check out these links, and please leave me some comments as to your thoughts ...
Amy's post
Todd Friel's thoughts
great blog post
Are you kidding me?
I know that God loves us, regardless of out appearance. However, we should still seek to honor Him with our appearance when we are in His home. Can you imagine sitting down to an actual supper with Our King, dressed like this? What kind of impression would this make on a family of unbelievers, visiting a church for the first time? Is this the way that Christ wants His Bride to act? What Bride in her right mind would want to look like this? I'm not kidding, I want to sit down and weep and the disrespect and dishonor shown here.
There are so many thoughts in my head about this, but the rest of the words kinda fail me. And those of you who know me, know what a big deal that is!!
Friday, May 11
Whew!!
Sorry about the MIA. We've been insane ... up to The Woodlands for a day trip last Saturday, then church Sunday, lots of errands Monday, library Tuesday, then we left for Katy Tuesday when John got home from work. Stayed at Mom's Tuesday night.
We woke up early and met Papa at the Town and Country Starbucks (mmm ... vanilla latte, how do I love the? Let me count the ways ...), then to Galveston! Went to the WWII airplane museum, then Fish Tails for lunch, then the Moody fish pyramid and rain forest pyramid, then supper with the Cauthens.
Went to the beach with the Cauthens Thursday morning, lunch on the road, visited my dad for a while, then over to Mom's to see Nanny and have Lasagna House for supper, then finally got home around 11:30m last night, only to find out the bio-wheel on the fish tank wasn't working, and the motor was making a funny sound and smell, and we have no idea how long it was out ... but it works now, and we all had a good night's sleep last night.
So. Pics later, when I can function on a higher level. Right now, I'm going to seek coffee.
And Candi is coming to visit me tomorrow!!! Yay!!!!!!!
We woke up early and met Papa at the Town and Country Starbucks (mmm ... vanilla latte, how do I love the? Let me count the ways ...), then to Galveston! Went to the WWII airplane museum, then Fish Tails for lunch, then the Moody fish pyramid and rain forest pyramid, then supper with the Cauthens.
Went to the beach with the Cauthens Thursday morning, lunch on the road, visited my dad for a while, then over to Mom's to see Nanny and have Lasagna House for supper, then finally got home around 11:30m last night, only to find out the bio-wheel on the fish tank wasn't working, and the motor was making a funny sound and smell, and we have no idea how long it was out ... but it works now, and we all had a good night's sleep last night.
So. Pics later, when I can function on a higher level. Right now, I'm going to seek coffee.
And Candi is coming to visit me tomorrow!!! Yay!!!!!!!
Friday, May 4
Thought ...
Sarah,
You are my dearest friend. I don't know what I would do without you. You make me laugh, and you make me think when I get too upset about things and call to rant ot you. But we may have an issue soon. If I'm not allowed to have four kids before you have any, there is a very simple solution to our not-existant-as-of-yet problem:
HAVE SOME FRICKIN KIDS ALREADY!!!
Seriously, I want to play with them.
Love,
~Brea
You are my dearest friend. I don't know what I would do without you. You make me laugh, and you make me think when I get too upset about things and call to rant ot you. But we may have an issue soon. If I'm not allowed to have four kids before you have any, there is a very simple solution to our not-existant-as-of-yet problem:
HAVE SOME FRICKIN KIDS ALREADY!!!
Seriously, I want to play with them.
Love,
~Brea
Thursday, May 3
WOOOOHOOOO!!!
It looks like I have internet again!!! I am so happy!!!! My very, very nice cable man Mike came out today, and gave me a new cable router, and free HBO and Cinemax (yeah, like I'm going to watch those. Are the 'Stros on HBO? No? Why bother ...), and then clicked on a lot of things on the computer, and said, 'Hmmm,' a lot of times, and said that David is really cute, and now my internet works!! I don't have to hit the refresh button 87 times to get a page to load!! It took me over an hour to get that last blog post up, which made me rather cranky, and now I don't have to do that anymore!! YAYYYYYYY!!!!
So, an update ... John graduated from his Dale Carinage class. I'm so proud of you, baby!! I know you really didn't want to do this, but I'm so glad you did, and I know you got a lot out of it. Congrats!! Also, when you accidentally mostly shaved your head, I found that very, very hot. I'm loving the short hair, you sexy beast. Seriously. I almost jumped on you when I first saw it, but I probably would have dropped the baby, not to mention the fact that Sam and Evie were still awake and standing right beside us, and that would have all just been very damaging to their little minds ...
Sorry, I got a little distracted there. But his short hair really does look great.
Sam and Evie are doing really well with their reading, and we're probably starting math next month. They rule!! Sam is slowly starting to grasp money, because he's my Money Man at the Farmer's Market. Sweet boy.
David is still perfect, and has mastered intentional forward motion. Not quite what I'd call crawling, but it will happen oh so soon ... oy!
And I'm ready for another baby!! Well, I know I'm not allowed to get pregnant right now, because 1) Candi has laid claim to all my maternity clothes (congrats, dear!!), and 2) something about a skiing trip next January, and I am going to be forced to go ... blah, blah, family vacation, blah, snow, blah, blah. I don't like snow, or being cold, or the idea of skiing (maybe snowboarding ... we'll see). But maybe I can just make to cocoa and be the food gal. Hmm ..
And now, I'm off to veg with a good book and hot cup of my fab tea that I mix. I love tea ...
So, an update ... John graduated from his Dale Carinage class. I'm so proud of you, baby!! I know you really didn't want to do this, but I'm so glad you did, and I know you got a lot out of it. Congrats!! Also, when you accidentally mostly shaved your head, I found that very, very hot. I'm loving the short hair, you sexy beast. Seriously. I almost jumped on you when I first saw it, but I probably would have dropped the baby, not to mention the fact that Sam and Evie were still awake and standing right beside us, and that would have all just been very damaging to their little minds ...
Sorry, I got a little distracted there. But his short hair really does look great.
Sam and Evie are doing really well with their reading, and we're probably starting math next month. They rule!! Sam is slowly starting to grasp money, because he's my Money Man at the Farmer's Market. Sweet boy.
David is still perfect, and has mastered intentional forward motion. Not quite what I'd call crawling, but it will happen oh so soon ... oy!
And I'm ready for another baby!! Well, I know I'm not allowed to get pregnant right now, because 1) Candi has laid claim to all my maternity clothes (congrats, dear!!), and 2) something about a skiing trip next January, and I am going to be forced to go ... blah, blah, family vacation, blah, snow, blah, blah. I don't like snow, or being cold, or the idea of skiing (maybe snowboarding ... we'll see). But maybe I can just make to cocoa and be the food gal. Hmm ..
And now, I'm off to veg with a good book and hot cup of my fab tea that I mix. I love tea ...
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