Matching Names with a Picture

A while ago I posted about a gift I got with our boys names on it.
I have no clue where that post is (anyone with skills on finding old post can comment linking people) 😉 – but after Owen was born Aliesha’s mom made the boys name pieces in frames, and I just loved them!

We had family portraits done this past fall – by my dear sweet friend and amazing photographer Laurie Crutchfield.

So after getting time to finally order some prints – I ordered up 11×14’s of the boys – and arranged them with the name pieces Aliesha’s mom did.

I love how it turned out – and I love the fact we have more wall space left 😉

Its just a beautiful reminder of how blessed we are!

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4 yr old stump

Caleb hit a stumping point at age 4.. He was very stubborn and didn’t want to do much of anything related to school.
It was one reason why I questioned if Id even be able to home school – Im sure friends of mine who knew my struggle can remember the conversations and frustration I had…

I thought it was just Caleb – until recently… now that Taite is 4 – and Im seeing some of the same things in Taite – that I saw in Caleb at this point.

Its hard to get Taite to participate in our schooling right now.

He does some – but it can be very difficult!

Ive heard from his pre-school teacher (he goes to a private pre-school 2 days a week) – that he many times refuses to do the crafts… he just simply says “I don’t want to” – and has no interested in them what so ever.

Hes never really ugly about it with me – he just isn’t into it.

Im not pushing it – but I recently have been making him do some seat work with Caleb.

Theres no reason why he can’t.

It just may take a little pushing 🙂

– and the difference this time, he has Caleb as his inspiration – and not just his mom saying “you need to do this” – seeing his older brother do it, is cool… and I think will be an encouragement to him over time to do well.

He looks cute concentrating doesn’t he? 🙂

Nap's and Schooling

Owen Naps in the morning…

MOST days…

but when he doesn’t – schooling can be a challenge.

Im finding ways to make it work 🙂 – although I do prefer the naps – over trying to keep the Owster entertained during that time – the one thing that will keep him entertained however is when the boys say the pledge… or sing. So if im going to incorporate Owen into any of the schooling – it will be during those parts 🙂 -or- crafts.

My pets? :) – tagggggg

Ok, I don’t usually do tags – but I figured, why not…
I was online waiting for an order to process – and had some idle time.

I was tagged by Stef…. so here goes.

Rule #1: the tagged person must write their answers on their blog and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

Rule #2: tag 4 people to do this quiz; they cannot refuse (ok, so nothing bad will happen if you don’t participate but I would love to see your answers). The tag-ee must state who tagged them.

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?

We HAD a cat – … Id say after she gave me cat scratch that resulted in surgery on my neck costing 6 GRAND and a HUGE 1 inch scar – that she became merely an “animal” – after that – and has since been adopted into a family who I am sure will appreciate her more than I ever could.

As of now we have 1 fish named Spaz, he is a chinese algae eater – he also is just a “fish” 🙂

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?

My 1st thought, for my lost family members and friends to come to know the Lord…. my 2nd thought, to be able to adopt debt free!

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?

Tithe
Adopt
Buy a home
Pay off any debt we have
Put away college savings for all my children
Put away money for retirement
Donate some to missions and the local church
Buy my parents a home 🙂
Buy all the camera gear I ever wanted 😀
Help some families in need
and im sure even after all that, with a billion, there would be so much still left.

A billion dollars is A LOT.

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

Scripture or some sweet snuggles from my boys. Maybe a ladies night out too 😉

5. What is your bedtime routine, with your kids?

Calm down, dim lights – a snack sometimes – bath (if needed) – Jammies, potty, brush teeth, story, tuck in bed, say prayers.

6. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?

We met each other at my church – he was the youth interim for the summer – I was in the youth group.
We however did not date until I was 18 – a year later. In fact, my husband didnt really look at me as “possible wife material” lol – until a year later, after coming back for a visit.

7. What kind of books do you read?

Right now im reading Parenting in the Pew
As well as Lies Women Believe.

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?

37 🙂
A mother of a 16, 14 yr old and 11 year old – scary!
We will also more than likely have a lot more kids – girl!?
maybe a few gray hairs? 😉

9. What’s your fear?

I have had fears of loosing my family. Or something happening to myself and leaving my kids without a mother.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?

Nope, im good seeing it from the TV and books 🙂

11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Roll over and try to sleep some more.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?

That he’d sleep better and eat healthier.
Sleep and food contribute a lot to a persons well being, so I often worry about his health.

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?

I love my name 🙂

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?

SUN – as long as its not 100F or something crazy.

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

Breads 🙂

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?

The memories saved…
The relationships found. I have met so many amazing moms through my blog.
I am thankful for each and every one!

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?

mmmm… it depends on the day 🙂

18. What items are in your purse right now?

Which purse? 🙂
I have a few you know.
A diaper bag purse I use when out with the baby
A tiny purse I use when its just me…
and my Jo Tote photo bag purse – that I use any time I need my camera.

So really, if you combine them all, I have enough to fill up a few paragraphs 🙂

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?

Depends on the time of year, but Id prob. have to say Mountains. I love the views!

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?

hmmmm… Backyardigans – it makes me crazy. Really.

I’m tagging
Aliesha @ Feathersinournest
Stacey @ And so it goes
Elisabeth @ The Happy Yoga Mom
Kelly @ In Everything

"Take that off"

I couldn’t help myself.

After a week inside – surviving a stomach flu raid on our home – My hair stayed wrapped in this thing... after all – if you dont have to leave the house – why fix your hair. Just a thought 🙂

So one evening – I stuck it on Owen – and all Taite could say was “TAKE THAT OFF!”
– The visual of Owen wearing it freaked him out! Was pretty funny 🙂

Owen didn’t seem to mind.

I know people reading my blog must think I spend hours every day sitting at a computer.
That my kids are neglected and that I have a computer addiction 🙂

Even my friend commented on the phone how I have so many post go up that its sometimes hard to keep up with.

I wish I had an excuse for my home being mess, and could blame it on my time blogging 🙂 – but in complete honesty here, its not the problem.

I blame the house-disorderlyness that sometimes occur, to the overload of things I have going on.
From business, to church, to home schooling (that takes the free mornings I would typically have!), the dish washing, the cooking of meals, taking a shower! – can you imagine how much I could get done if I didnt have to shower? 🙂 – its just the way it is with 3 kids…

but back to the amt. I blog…

All the post that go up weekly I schedule. For the most part any way. The one about the boys coardboard castle, that was written sunday 🙂 – so was the one with recipes. I have an entire weeks worth of post schedule – and it took me just 1 evening while watching TV with my husband to write them. I then just schedule them for a week. It works great!

Occasionally when I get some free time to just sit… while the baby naps or the boys play nicely – I will sit down and jot off my thoughts… Thats what im doing right now.

I was on one of my favorite home schoolers blog and came across this list below… I wanted to share it.

Today’s Challenge…

“As a minister to your family, what is God’s plan for you as a homeschooler and parent? Take some time today to remind yourself who you are in Christ. (I realize this is geared towards mom’s, but really can be applied to any parent.)”

Super Mom	Abiding Mom
Does	Is (Psalm 46:10)
Tries to impress others	Pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:10, Proverbs 29:25)
Is controlled by an agenda (curriculum, schedule, etc)	Is controlled by the Holy Spirit: (Gal. 5:22-26) (Uses curriculum & schedules as tools for orderliness so she’s more free to follow the spirit)
Her self worth is found in her accomplishments (clean house, perfect kids, the perfect bulletin boards, etc.)	Her self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)
Her peace is found in the “perfect” environment	Her peace is found in Jesus in the midst of any storm (Is 26:3)
She is discouraged by failure	Failure reminds her that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
She expects perfection from herself and others	She practices grace with herself and others (Eph 4:32)
She teaches her kids to be good	She teaches her kids to be Godly (Proverbs 22:6)
She is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit	She abides in Christ and bears much fruit (John 15:5)
She does things with her children	She builds a relationship with her children (Deut 6:6-7)
Her perspective is based on what is seen	Her perspective is based on what is unseen (Col 3:2)
She chooses quantity of activities	She chooses the most excellent Way (I Cor 13)
Her kids may recall how busy she always is.	Her children rise and call her blessed. (Prov. 31:28)

It was pretty awesome stuff – I read through all the scriptures she mentioned and these stood out to me the most today.

Proverbs 22:6

“6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. ”

Eph. 4:32

“32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ”

2 Cor 12:9-10

“9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ”

Isaiah 26:3

“3 You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you. ”

1 Cor 13:4

“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. “

TP & Print Boxes – recycled!

Theres a list on my side bar, some of you may of noticed…

With a list of projects I want to complete.

Ive completed 2 of those!

This weekend I made a WIPE COVER for my huggies wipe case – It came out so cute.

I look forward to making many more for shower gifts. It was simple and I really believe anyone could make it.

Another project I wanted to work on – involved lots of cardboard.
So for a week – I collected some cardboard from around the house (we accumulate so much! – I blame this on our kids inability to conserve TP – and also print orders from my business) – It took very little time to get enough for this project… and if anyone needs boxes, come by – we have a stash 🙂

So Saturday morning – before heading out for an all day trip to Photograph my Cousin’s Wife’s Maternity Pics & a visit with The Dew’s

– we did this….

& then painted it!

The boys painted it for an hour 1/2!!

I turned on some Jamie Soles for them – Just got his new CD “Wells” – and our kids had a blast.

Heres some pictures from the “painting time”

Owen did a little crawling around – eating crums off the floor during this time.
Until he found me – with a camera 🙂

I helped them cover a few spots they missed – although from this view , you can tell they used A LOT of paint 🙂

This was an awesome project. I highly recommend it to anyone!
Its pretty study too… once you tape it up well – and add the paint, I think it will withstand a good many play times 🙂

and the cost… “PAINT” – so maybe a buck?

– We hope to do a study on “castles” soon – and I think this will be a fun project to do again – with that study.
After all, you can’t have enough cardboard painted castles.

Tell me about yourself… *updated*

Im trying to get an idea of who my blog readers are…
I would love that anyone who reads my blog rill this quick poll out.
It will take seconds 🙂 – and is totally anonymous.

Thanks everyone! –

Blog Polls

note: Im expecting at least 300 people to do this – since theres around 500-600 unique visitors daily.
So no hiding! 🙂 I also realize the AGE CATEGORIES I kinda sorta messed up 🙂

Should of said 18-25
then 26-35
and so on.

Just a general idea is good 🙂 – so if you are 25, you can put yourself in the 18-25 categories if you want

If that makes sense 😀 Age is just a number right? After all, when I went to fill this out, I said I was 25.. and then remembered I wasnt. Oops!

*update: In just an hour 455 people filled out the poll – and out of all those, NO MEN! Wow. Well I know my husband reads this – so maybe we will get at least 1 man HEHE – so glad you all have taken the time to do this tho – I have always wanted to know.*

Skinnnyyyy

Well I guess I could say “I asked for it” ? or… “we should of known it was coming”
– I was crazy picky as a kid.
Still am.

So why shouldn’t our children be?

Well, I was hoping our kids would inherit their fathers ability to try new foods 🙂 – instead of my refusal gene – that I am sure my mom can speak up on – that I was in fact, ODDLY PICKY.

This little dude has my eating habits 100%

and he sure is skinny!

I was looking at him today as he ran around in his little boxers and muscle shirt – and was just amazed at how thin he has gotten.

He was never a chunky baby or toddler… but hes really thinned out this past year.

I know hes fine.. but Id love to figure out some more foods he could enjoy.

Many days I feel like im forcing him to much when it comes to trying new foods – and while I am all for “taking at least 2 bites”… – I want my children to enjoy our meals too.

So! Im asking you all – share with me one of your favorite recipes.

I have a few rules tho:

1) Has to be fairly easy to make – im no chef 🙂
2) No fish (I hate it – yes I know I should feed it to my kids, but you don’t understand – I cant even stand the smell!)
3) No crazy foods that I have to order from the internet to cook 🙂

Eeee! Im excited! I have a few family fav’s myself – that Im going to share below.
So get your pencils 🙂 – cause our kids love these, so maybe yours will too!

Recipe #1: “Chicken with Juice (as our kids call it) or Sticky Chicken” – Recipe given to me by Kelly – our kids ADORE IT.

Ingredients:
~ 4-6 Chicken Thighs – with the skin
~ 1 cup soy sauce (this is not a low sodium recipe LOL)
~ 1 cup dark brown sugar (or light) – this is not a low sugar recipe HAHA
~ 2 squirts of ketchup (I never measure this – so like 2 teaspoons maybe?)
~ Garlic Salt
~ Rice (I use Jasmine Rice)

Directions:
~ Pre-heat oven to 375F
~ Lay Chicken Thighs thawed (raw) on 9×13 glass baking pan – side by side.
~ Mix Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar & Ketchup together in a bowl.
~ Sprinkle Garlic Salt over Chicken
~ Pour Soy Sauce mixture all over chicken
~ Baked un-covered for 1 hour – flipping chicken every 15-20 minutes.
~ While chicken cooks, you can cook your rice.

– Serve chicken (I cut it off the bones for my kids) – over rice, using a spoon to drizzle the juice from the pan over top, its so good. Our kids ask for seconds – we also try to serve this with a green veggie like green beans.

Recipe #2: “Beef Stew (or pork) with Coffee” – Recipe originally from Aliesha (i’ve tweaked it some)

Ingredients:
~ 1 small package of stewed beef (I get pre-cut beef or pork – because its just easier for me)
~ 1 yellow onion – sliced
~ 2 garlic cloves crushed
~ 2 large carrots (cut up)
~ 2 large idaho potatoes (or red)
~ 1 cup of coffee
~ 1 can of beefy mushroom soup (or beef broth – I found the beefy mushroom makes it creamier)
~ half can of cream of chicken soup
~ 1 can of water (I just use the beefy mushroom can for this)
~ Rice

Directions:
~ Get a crock pot (large) – and pour in the cup of coffee, soups. Stir that up, then add in the meat.
~ I then throw in the onion (once cut up of course) – carrots, potatoe, and crushed garlic.
~ Stir it til everything is coated well..
~ Then I add in the cup of water last, stirring it all up once last time.
~ Place lid onto crock pot, and cook on high all day – for me its usually from 10am-5pm – I try to make it in the morning.
~ Serve beef stew over rice 🙂

Recipe #3: “Salsa Tomatoe Soup thing” – this recipe has no name, really…

Ingredients:
~ 1 can of Tomato Bisque soup (its like a thicker tomato soup)
~ 1 cup of Salsa (nothing to spicy – kids wont eat it if it is)
~ 1 cup of mild cheddar
~ 6 flour tortillas (small – if you have bigger ones, just use less)
~ 1 lb of turkey burger (or hamburger -we prefer turkey)

Directions:
~ Pre-head oven to 350F
~ Use a skillet to cook the turkey – until browned and fully cooked.
~ Pre-cut the tortilla’s into 1 inch by 1 inch squares (set aside)
~ Pour in Salsa and Tomato Bisque soup
~ Stir together, then add in the tortilla’s little by little, stirring as you go.
~ Once tortilla’s are covered, add in half the cheese, stirring as well.
~ Then pour ingredients into a corning ware bowl (dish) – and then top with remaining cheese.
~ Bake uncovered until cheese is browned.

– We usually serve that dish with corn as well.

– now return the favor 😉 and share in a comment one of your favorites.

Oh wait, I already said that 🙂 – please do share!

*Note the cooking pictures have nothing to do with these particular recipes. They are just photos I took while cooking a new “egg plant” meatball recipe -which for us didn’t work out – the texture of the egg plant wasn’t something I was use to – but we tried it!*