Little dreams for little boys do come true…

My “baby” is still telling everyone about the fire, that happened behind our home almost 2 months ago. Let’s face it, fire trucks are exciting for little guys. All the lights, the sounds, the fact that these are HUGE compared to what they usually ride in, all of it is totally exciting!!!

On a recent trip to visit my family, we were able to visit with my Dad. It is not always easy to catch him due to his work schedule. Being that my parents are divorced, we always try to visit the “whole” family but it just doesn’t always work out. We are so grateful that this trip was successful in that respect.

My dad has been in the fire department since before I was even born, in one respect or another. I remember chasing fires and going to fire houses growing up on “his” weekends. I really thought that was quite normal. I remember having to stay at the police station and playing with the cops or the dispatcher until he got back from one fire or another. I remember going and sitting in the cell – when there were no occupants - and thinking I’m NEVER going to jail – they don’t even have a toilet seat. (The fire house and police station were connected at the time.) It was a small town and really still is, so it was permissible.

My dad and I have a rocky relationship. When I got older in my teens, our relationship became more and more strained. I wanted to be with my friends and did not want to do the "family" thing. We just kind of grew apart. Just lately, have we started communicating more and having more of the Daddy/Daughter relationship that I had when I was little. So when I called him the night of the fire, I think it gave us a new starting ground.

He was so excited to hear that my baby was so interested in fire trucks. So of course, he would get to ride in one. As we were eating lunch, an accident had occurred. A guy on a motorcycle had hit a tree and the tree must of won so the guy needed life flight. With life flight, you need a fire truck. So, my little guy became a volunteered fireman, in fact, all the children did.

Not like they minded one bit!

I asked my eldest what his favorite part was, he said it was that he didn’t have to wear a seatbelt. Go figure!

After we arrived at the helicopter pad, my dear friend from school was there. Her hubby is in fire department as well. What a true blessing it was to see her!

My kids learned that when a helicopter lands, there is a lot of dust.

Not that this two year minded one bit. He smiled the whole time.

This is baby and his Grand-paw-paw.
He still is smiling!

I hope my Dad hid the keys.

So then the helicopter…

went up…

up…

and away!

Is that the face of pure joy or what?

This concludes our fireman adventure.

P.S. My friend did tell me that the motorcycle man, who was not wearing a helmet at the time, was talking and conversing so they thought he was going to be okay. I pray so!

Blessings to you! You are loved!

My newest nephew…

Meet my newest nephew. 
He was born at the beginning of May at 8 lbs 9 oz.   He is just a doll baby!  Due to privacy – we’ll just call him doll baby.

Princess just loves holding him.  He is almost as big as her.

The proud father is on the right.  This is one of my younger brothers, I can’t believe he is old enough to be a Daddy.  The other guy is his best friend, who is like a little brother to me.  He also just became a Daddy.  I’m so proud of these two – they are just too precious.

This is my Grandma with her great-grandbaby.  I love seeing the different generations all together, it just warms my heart.  The life one has seen and the other is just beginning.  Too priceless!

This is the whole family – what blessings!!! 

May you have a blessed weekend!  You are loved!

One of my fave games – TEXAS 42.

I’m still amazed at my grandparents. One of my Grandfathers was a game specialist. (I couldn't even tell you what he really did to provide for his family, he was retired by the time I was born.) By a game specialist, I mean he played games and was good at it. One of his specialties was Texas 42. His 42 trophy sat proudly on the mantle above the fire place.

42 is a domino game. According to this site, it was developed by two teenage boys. They were not allowed to play card games because they were Baptists so they developed a game similar to Spades only with dominoes. I wonder if this is how the dishwasher, the clothes washer and automatic toilets were invented as well, teenagers who were bored? (Kids get inventive when they really are made to think.)

I never liked the game growing up because the grown-ups always told us kids to basically – get lost - if they were playing. Now I know why! It involves thinking and concentration. Two things that really don’t come easy, since having kids of my own.

Well, I am always partners with my mom when my husband and her husband play together. Sometimes we win - sometimes we don’t. That is not the point – well, yes it is, but we bond in the process.

I’m amazed at how many people still don’t know about the game. I will not even start to explain the game to you. However, I will give you a link to a neat site that will do that for you.

Believe it or not – I like Wikipedia’s rules the best. They are very easy to read. Just Google Texas 42, if you still don’t understand and you will find TONS of sites.

This summer might be a good time to learn something new and exciting! I will tell you to be careful - you could get hooked.

Have a blessed day! You are loved!

Star Wars...

My kids and hubby love Star Wars.

Speak Yoda my kids do. For them this is.

Blessings to you! You are loved!


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Stuffed jalapenos!

Here is a link to my Facebook Fan Page! 

My hubby just loves stuffed jalapeños. I thought I would share how we make them. Easy and Yummy!

Ingredients:

Block of Cream Cheese
Jalapeños
Bacon

1. Wash them good!

2. I use gloves because the juice from the peppers will irritate your skin something fierce. Slice the pepper down the middle careful not to go all the way through the stem. You want to basically half the pepper.

3. Using a teaspoon, scrape the insides out. If you want a hotter pepper, keep the membrane but I try to scrape it out because my tongue likes to keep its skin.

4. Stuff the pepper with a slab of cream cheese.

5. Wrap with a slice of bacon. (Thanks Mom for being a Vanna White, holding the pepper.)

6. Either grill or bake on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven until bacon is done.

7. Enjoy!

Can you say – oh baby????

Variations:

We have done stuff to the cream cheese such as adding corn, spices and other ingredients but for simplistic reasons we always come back to just plain cream cheese. Hey, if you want to do that – I’ll never give you a bad grade. 

Blessings to you! You are loved!

This folks – Works for Me!

Participating Balance, Beauty and Bedlam.
Blessed with Grace 
All the Small Stuff 
Funky Junk Interiors 
Tatertots and Jell-O 
All things Domestic 
Kelly's Korner

Major Milestone...automatic demons

I thought the law would have to be called into Wally World the other day.

My baby Princess threw a screaming fit! We are talking for a least 10 minutes. Can you even guess why? No, it wasn't because a stranger tried to take her away from her parents.

It was those "Automatic Toilet's"! Those are demon things - I even despise them! However, when you got to go, you got to go. Well, maybe not everyone...all of sudden she could hold it until we were at home.

I took her in first. She saw the demon on the wall. She decided it was "okay until we were at our house." So, I said "okay, no problem." She walked outside and her Daddy said "No, I'll take her." (I love my hubby and had all confidence in him. They do have a special connection, at least I thought.)

Then the roars came from the restroom! Not just a little girl crying. But, SCREAMS! One of the managers walked by and says this happens all the time. What?!? This would have terrified me to hear coming from a child I didn't know. Hey, it terrified me knowing her. She sounded like she was being in a torture chamber. I finally took the rest of the kids and went to the food department.

She finally did go and only because he was holding her. Needless to say, my hubby was not too happy. We didn't even speak for a couple of aisles. Raising children with those automatic flushers is not what God intended - although I hate those port-a-pottys and outhouses just as bad. (I just remembered... when I was a child, I was so scared of those endless holes in the bottom of them. Yes, to think about it, this could be hereditary.)

Anyway - the point of this story, is on the way home yesterday we stopped at a rest stop. Guess what? They had the automatic demons. But, this time - no crying or screaming. She was an excellent princess on the throne. I love these milestones!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Things I love...Roadtrip Edition.

I'm writing this on a road trip. I'm going to try to think of 7 things I love, other than the backseat drivers, of course.

1. Windpumps (aka windmills) along Texas highways and horizons.
2. Texas sunsets with deer and horses running through the pastures.
3. Sonics...just saying I love those mixed drinks. (Cherry Limeades - Yum Yum)
4. Precious children napping in the back seats.
5. Rainbows after short rain showers.
6. Family bondage - I mean bonding time.
7. Not having to do dishes or laundry!

I could go on and on but it is my nap time. No, I am not driving at the moment, my sweet hubby is the one napping at the wheel.

Blessings to you on this Memorial Day! You are loved!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

It’s a girl!

Meet our newest family member, her name is Parker Alexandria. My daughter told us she was going to call her Alexandria for short.

We are thinking she was born around May 1st. Her mom moved her and her siblings under some boards. The whole story is here about we found her. Then one day, we only saw her and her siblings were missing. We did find the ferret the next day, so one would wonder why the ferret didn’t seem so hungry…

She has been a blessing, thus far. She sleeps a lot. Our dog is so fascinated by her. Honestly, I don’t really like the feline sort, but she is growing on me. I love to see how my kids and my hubby are, when they are around her. My hubby seems to have a very tender spot toward cats and I love seeing this side of him!

This is what she looks like when she is getting full. She can hardly keep her eyes open. It is sweet to have a baby around again, even if it is a kitten. She was kind of fuzzy because she had just had a bath.

Well, this has been answered prayer for my daughter. She has been praying for a cat since she has been able to speak.

Princess is really taking care of Parker. As parents, we are amazed at her ability to wake up at the sound of the kitten’s cry. (Especially, since this girl can sleep until noon.) She is maturing so fast, it makes this mommy want to cry.

We are open to suggestions – we are pretty new to this “cat” stuff. I hope you have a blessed weekend! You are loved!

Critter Getters…

This week has been anything but boring, thus the reasoning I haven’t been blogging as much.  (By the way – if you happen to say the “B” word in our house – you will be getting  lots of chores.  My kids think this is a “real” cuss word.)

This was the newest predator to our estate.  We really don’t have that many boards laying around…but critters seem to love the hiding spots.

My son is coaxing him out.  Just a note:  I really believe this is the reason God gave me my sons, they handle the animals and kill insects.  (I don’t really care that much for animals and detest insects with everything in me.)

Yes, he has the animal by the tail.  Yes, those are his favorite shorts.  Yes, hubby, those are your flip flops (aka thongs).  { I always wanted to say thongs in my blogging.}  That is kind of an inside joke – but I will be glad to share it with the world one day.

Any idea what this could be?  I thought it was a weasel at first.  But, it is a ferret.  Apparently, it has been living in my neighbor’s tree.

We found a sweet home for it.  It didn’t really stink but I used my zoom on my camera and stayed as far away as possible.

  Lately our family seems to be a magnet for strays.  I went to a park the other day and a skunk was laying in the bushes.  I never saw it, and I am only partial to floral fragrances so I quickly scattered. 

Did I ever tell you about seeing the rat at the grocery store?  I’m walking out and all the grocery boys are running with brooms in their  hands toward me.  (That is a little frightening, to say the least.)  My hubby and kids are in the car watching all the action.  It turns out, a rat was out in front and was being chased.  Again, have I told you I really am not fond of critters?  Luckily, it turned under some type patio furniture before it was upon me.  Still gives me the creeps to think about it.

Well, I pray that you have a wonderful weekend!  Ours is starting early!  Blessings to each of you!  You are loved!

Barnabas Box

I like working with people. I’m a people person. I enjoy getting together and laughing. Over the years, it has been very rewarding to see a project completed.

Then I come home and never see a “project” actually get done. The clothes are always needing to be washed or put away. The dishes are the same. The toilets – do I even need to go there?

So, when my pastor mentioned one of these in his sermon last week - I just love the idea! It is for those days, when you just need a picker-upper.

A Barnabas Box! Basically, it is for your notes of encouragement that you may have received. (Okay, not everyone receives notes – but you have scripture!) It basically can be a drawer, a file, or even a large envelope. (There are no rules on how to do this! You can even misspell and that teacher you always tried to impress - well, she'll never know! Just write something and encourage someone. It is that easy!)

Barnabas was a man in the Bible who was known for his encouraging. Look him up – you’ll be glad you did. A long time ago, someone said “You need a Paul, a Barnabas and a Timothy in your life.” A Paul is someone who will teach you, a Barnabas will be someone to encourage you, and a Timothy is someone you can disciple. I tell you what – if a Barnabas comes around my neck of the woods – I smother them and hang on tight! I need encouragement everyday! Who doesn’t???

So, Sunday – I decided I am going to start a Barnabas Box for each of my kids. I want to be their best cheerleader. I want them to know that no matter what happens in life, that they can get through it and press on toward the highest prize!

And this Works for me!

Blessings to you this week – you are loved!

He drives me crazy…

The baby of our family is ALL two! He is into EVERYTHING!!!

It has been very exciting times around here lately. MOM – He is on the counter again. MOM – he just poured out all the milk on the table. MOM – he just cleaned the toilet with my toothbrush. (We change these frequently for “the just in case.” MOM - he is in our neighbor's yard, chasing their cat. MOM - he is...

But, then we have moments like these…

I asked him today what my name was….he responded, “Pretty.” Yes, he is a keeper!

ilovemy5kids

VIRUS go away!!!

It is no secret that I am totally enjoying motherhood lately. I mean who doesn't love getting up at 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. just to wash more sheets and throw up? Okay, well it hasn't been the best month.

Sickness has ruled this home. We have given up a Romantic getaway to an island without kids, missed many functions, and have been up to our elbows in sickness.

The benefits of our household having the yuckiest virus ever....and not going on our trip.

1. There has been family bonding (yes, I would consider this total bondage). {Just kidding.}


2. We were able to clean all the carpets on Saturday. (We are trying to get virus free.)


3. We have seen so many movies...my kids speak total Yoda.


4. We thought everyone was better so we went to Carino's for the free Mother's Day special on Friday. Well, Little Princess got sick in the middle of the meal. It was quite a scene. I finally took her outside the restaurant. (She was scared of throwing up again. So, she was screaming and covering her mouth.) She finally screamed, "MOM, I NEED GOD!!!! I started praying for her but she physically wanted God to come down from Heaven and hold her. I guess she knows where the true power over sickness comes from.


5. Carino's took forever getting us seated and then forgot part of our meals. The manager basically gave us free desserts and gave us a huge credit on the bill.


6. My elder Princess and I rearranged one of my backyard flower beds. This is a big feat!!!


7. My hubby started to move some building materials that he had put in our side back yard. Guess what he found??? 3 little kittens. It was a total answer to my eldest Princesses prayers. They couldn't have been more than a few weeks old. We put them in a box with a towel and put them back close to where we found them. That night the mom moved them to our back yard under some the leftover wood we had from the playground. We are just going to wait and see what happens. (I keep going back and forth on the subject, should we keep one or not?)

Well, I like to do things in groups of 7. So, I will stop with the benefits for now. I need to go wash more towels and sheets. My precious second born got the virus last night. CALGON, take me away!!! Better yet, I NEED GOD!!!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Happy Mother's Day!

I have been blessed to have a wonderful Mum (I don't actually call her that, but I have always wanted to). Actually, if you count my step-mom, my mother-in-law, and my Titus 2 mentors, I have a lot of Mums. (I love saying that-Mum Mum Mum...I can't stop myself.)

I found this website that I thought was so cool, it is a Mom Salary Wizard. It shows you how much your worth if you were paid a salary. (It wasn't enough, but it still is pretty cool.)

If you are a mom, Happy Mother's Day! If you are not, and want to be, but can't, please read the story of Hannah in the Bible. My hubby read it to our children this morning, it is so encouraging.

I can't wait to tell you of our "find" yesterday. I will try to post it tomorrow. It was an answer to my daughter's prayer.

Blessings to you! You are loved!


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Emotions run wild!

Emotions! Sometimes they run high sometimes they hit rock bottom. Perhaps today is the day that mine have been all over the spectrum.

Last night, my hubby and I stayed up late working on some non-profit books. We finally conquered them and I was ecstatic. I finally made it to bed around 1:30 a.m. then around 30 minutes later my daughter crawls into our room, grumbling..."I'm siiiiickkkkk. I just threw up ALL over my floor." She had. It was disgusting, I gave her the bath and my hubby cleaned up the disgusting present that she left in her room. I love my daughters and would do anything for them but cleaning up something like that, I will gladly pass on to the next person.

So, I stayed up with her all night, as she left more "presents" in the trashcan. Around 5:00 a.m., I was so tired that my hubby took his shift.

I actually had planned a full day for today. This morning we had a MOP's (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting. I love our MOP's meetings, they are so encouraging. Then for the afternoon, we were going to the area college and visit their science department. All this got cancelled, for us.

I was praying that Princess would feel better with just some sleep. Okay, I was praying that she would get better so her Daddy and I could have our mini-getaway tomorrow.

Well, that didn't happen. She was sick all day. Then her Daddy got sick. Then her sister. What is the saying...sickness loves company? Okay, maybe that is not correct but it seems to be in our casa.

So, today I have been elated, happy, thrilled, tired, sleepy, drowsy, hungry, disgusted, mad, angry, tearful, depressed, and grateful.

Right now everyone seems to be doing better. Hopefully, sleep will be very good tonight. I have quit crying and put on my big girl britches. I couldn't even see the light at the end of the tunnel this morning but I know it is there. Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. (This is in my Dory voice from Nemo.)

Okay, add giddy and slap-happy to my list of emotions.


©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Husband of the year part 2

To understand this story, you might want to see part one.

Well, I opened up the card and inside of it, I find a blank check. 

Backtrack for a second…

I told you about my photography class.  Well, he overheard a conversation I had with someone on the phone.  {He’s such an eavesdropper.}  I had said something to the fact, that I would love to take another class that the teacher would be offering the month of May.  It was a class once a week basically for beginners with special tutoring.  However, it is very expensive and not too probable.

Now back to our regular scheduled programming…

The blank check was for a month of photography classes plus a field trip with the teacher.  My reply:  “Whooooaaaaa, mister!”  “We don’t make these kind of decisions, without talking it over.  This is a LOT of money!”  He replies casually, “Your talking to me, [aka Dave Ramsey and total NERD with $$$]  if we didn’t have it, I would NOT have given it to you!”  My reply was an inward one of glee, okay- it was an outward one as well, just delayed. 

And that is not all…

He told me that he was giving it to me so I could have some time for myself!  {Yes, I am really not making this man up – he is totally real and totally mine!}

I learned later that our eldest son, who is 10 years old, told his dad, “You are totally spoiling her [meaning me].  My husband just smiled knowing that he does – just because he loves me!

But, wait…it’s not over! 

Tune in to next time for even more to come!  There are plans for this weekend that haven’t happened yet!  (I’ll give you a hint, in involves sand, sun, hot tub and no kids.  Can you give hear me squealing with delight?!?!)

Have I told you lately that I am spoiled rotten that I love my hubby?!?!

Can you say “Husband of the Year"?

My hubby is a lot of things around here!  He is my sweet thang, the one who brings home the bacon, the cleaner-upper of messes, diaper changer without complaining, window washer, handy man, duster, Mr. Romantic, grocery shopper (with all 5 kids), and is willing to give his life for his wife (he told me he would when we were on our honeymoon and I think he still would).  I truly adore this guy! Lately, he has been the best at buying and giving gifts to me. 

For Christmas he gave me Cobalt blue goblets, that I had casually mentioned to him months before that I liked them.  SCORE!!!

For my birthday – it was a spa pedicure!  Do you want to know how much I love SPA Pedicures?  SCORE!!!

For Valentines – he took me out with a few of our fave group of friends to have Teppanyaki.  SCORE!!!

Well, last week as I am busting to get all the kids in the car using the familiar “Mommy’s LOUD voice”, you know the one… “Let’s Hurry! Where are your shoes?  That doesn’t match!  That skirt is way TOO short.  Have you brushed your teeth this week?  WE ARE LATE!!!  Where is the hairbrush?  Come on kids!  LET’S GO GO GO!!” 

They are all just staring at me, as I look in my purse to get my keys out.  Immediate guilt sets in as I pull out a handmade card, that says “To: My Love on Mother’s Day.”  

Inside of it was…

Stay tuned to find out what the mysterious gift that has made Lana totally in love with her husband even more than ever…

Look Ma’…I won.

Pretty Organized Palace had a wonderful giveaway and I won! I’m calling her my pretty box. She is a she.

Isn’t she a beauty? I thought I would put her here but I was afraid she would get wet. So, I moved her here…

When I saw this in the photo, it looked so cluttered with all the photos so I will move them and might just put my pretty box on the shelf. We are in the middle of remodeling, so right now is not the best time to make a definite decision. (Is anything ever really definite when your tastes change as much as the seasons?)

Thank you Pretty Organizer – you blessed my day!

I can’t wait to blog tomorrow to tell you what my hubby did for me! Let me just say, he scored!

It is hard being a thief…

Okay, I was picking up my daughter’s friend the other day and I noticed her beautiful blue flowers in her front yard. My daughter’s friend’s mother was not at home so I helped myself to a couple of these…

Let me just tell you for sake of propriety, I don’t usually go around “taking things” that were not given to me. However, in this instance, I could not help myself!

These were gorgeous on my table!
I’m wondering if I should send a thank you note to someone, who doesn’t even know she gave me a gift?

FYI:
The Grandma was at home and she gave me the go ahead. Thievery is really not allowed in our house.

Happy May Day!

Many of you asked...they are called Plumbagos.