I’m Baaack!

What a sweet little break!  My kids went swimming a lot!  I love seeing them using all their energy in a pool and then coming home begging to go take a nap.  Just needed a little break from the mundane. 

I got an email that rather disturbed me this morning.  My childhood pastor had his homecoming.  (In the background right now I hear Michael Jackson’s funeral going on.  The music that is being played is awesome!  It is kind of fitting for my mood.)  People are hurting all over for many different reasons. 

What makes me in my “mood” is that the way things change.

• My youngest turned “3” on the 4th of July.  He is growing up! 
• The way people tell people die is emails.  What ever happened to phone calls so that you can hear people’s sadness so that a person can relate?
• My body.  (I thought I must be pregnant because I have gained so much weight.  I even took a test.  NOPE – it was a negative.  Just need to “drink more water.”)
• Cause it’s too HOT!  116 degrees is the heat index today.  (Heat index means what it feels like to your skin.)

Okay, aren’t you glad you are reading this today?  I’m sure it has pumped you up with encouragement!  Since that is the reason for this blog – I will now turn on my PollyLana face.

• I will now be getting a raise because we are going to be out of diapers and into big boy undies.
• I can delete emails and pretend they never happened.  I think this is called “living in denial” but hey it’s my computer.
• I get to buy new clothes.
• I can go swimming and everyone looks good in a bathing suit in the summer.

Tomorrow will be some great pictures so be sure to come back and look!

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Taking a blogging break...just a little while.

I need a little break.
(I'm thinking I really need a cruise but that will not be happening anytime soon.)
So, I'll take a break instead. I will be back and ready to go very soon.
(Although, I will be imagining myself on a cruise.)

See ya' soon!

Blessings to each of you! You are loved!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

How to get the sand off…

We don’t get to go to the beach that often. However, when we do, I always take my baby powder. I just take one of those little trial sizes and it works perfect..

After we wash off the sand at the showers, we still have to walk through the sand to get to the car. By putting baby powder on their legs and feet the sand slips off before they slip in the car. I love it and this works for me!

Blessings to you! You are loved!

Project completed. Fort, castle, and not sure what you would call it for the sake of fun.

Let’s just say – my hubby did most of this project.

When asked, “Why?”

He would answer “Because I love my daughter.”

Only I know the truth.

First, he loves to make things.

Second, we had a lot of leftover wood from another project.

Thirdly, he loves to make things.

He creates them in is mind and then I make him draw it out because I’m a visual person.

Fourthly, I critique his ideas and he loves that.

Okay, that is not entirely accurate. He still does what he wants to do and says “wow honey, that won’t really work but good try.”

Fifthly, did I mention we had a lot of leftover wood?

Sixthly, he likes the cat, Parker.

Seventhly, he loves the cat, Parker, but won’t admit it.

He says he loves his daughter who loves the cat.

Eighthly, he wants the cat to quit jumping on his wife’s furniture
.

Ninthly, pet stores are too expensive for cat furniture.

Tenthly, we had a lot of leftover wood.

Isn’t it pretty? Can’t wait for the exposed wood to be painted black and get some neat feathers attached to it so Parker can attack something other than my toes.

Parker likes it!

Parker is smiling!

Parker does not like the camera and is about to attack it.

Parker is about to make the death jump.

After the last picture, Parker told us she will not play on her new toy unless the camera is put away. So, now we will put the camera away so we can watch her play. Hope you enjoyed our Parker’s new toy.

Blessings to you! You are loved!

Linked to:

Miss Mustard Seed
DIY Day

Leggo my Daddy…

My hubby is a precious hubby and an admirable daddy. I dare say if you ever met him – you might not see what I see. He does not flaunt his goals, his strengths or his wisdom yet has all three. He is not vain or proud! That is what I love about him! He will work quietly behind the scenes and only step out if he truly sees a need. God works through him in so many ways including being one of the most loving and kind Dads I have ever met.

Side note: My husband is in no way perfect. He is human and makes mistakes. I tend to paint a picture of this make-believe, too good to be true, husband on my blog. Although, I probably won’t blog about our fights “discussions”, we do have our moments but they will always turn to good or we will not go to bed at night. I just wanted to clear up that I’m not living in a fantasy world but we are for real.

So, when the man has asked for a waffle-maker for a present for many years now, don’t you think I would have done it? The answer is no! Why, you may ask? Because I’m selfish. I don’t want another appliance in my kitchen. I’m trying my best to purge and simplify.

But – I have noticed something this Father’s Day. My husband did not ask for anything particular this year. Well, he got a trailer to take on trips for my shopping excursions and all the luggage but that was a bargain to good to pass up. It really wasn’t intended to bless him for a Father’s Day gift. He really didn’t think or expect anything – yet we surprised him.
Last Wednesday, there was a sale going on. So, in the 177.9 degree weather, one mommy, 4 kids, and 1 child who needed a nap desperately, ventured out to the sale with a coupon in hand. Have I ever mentioned how I despise the HOT weather?

My hubby scored 3 beautiful shirts and one Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic Waffle Maker. Now we have a new Sunday night tradition, Waffles.

I’m not sure how long this will last but rest assured – he is a mean waffle making machine!

Blessings to you – You are loved!

One of my faves…

This Austin Lantana is one of my faves in my yard.  Hummingbirds and butterflies both love it.  I love the red flowers.  It has gone absolutely crazy in the yard.   It’s smell is little to be desired but the overall plant is one of my faves.

My mom gave this to me about 2 years ago when I was pregnant with my baby.  She came down a weekend and we went shopping.  That shopping trip was my last “big” trip while being pregnant.  It landed me in the hospital for weeks with pre-term labor.  I’m a  born shopper and can go for hours without sitting down or taking a rest.  It was totally worth every minute.  Now, when I look at the plant it reminds me of that special day and my special baby.

It is amazing how some things produce memories.  What blessings memories are!

Blessings to you – You are loved!

Buckets of fun…

Sometimes we get a little stir-crazy in our home.

So, we look to each other for some entertainment.

What should we do?

Let’s make funny faces!

Okay, that went fast. Now what?

Let’s lay on our backs and count the stars. Oh, wait it is daytime. Let’s count to one trillion. {Aren’t those cute feet?}

Let’s stick our feet in the air. We are having fun now! Mom – see our “buckets”!
{I hope this is not the pose they give me every-time, I get my camera.}

Wow! All that work out – it must be our naptime.
{Okay, it is Mom’s naptime! }
Hope you enjoyed our little quality time together.

Blessings to you – You are loved!

Snickerdoodles and makes your house smell sooooo good cookies!

Do you ever walk into someone's home and instantly the fragrance takes you back to a time when your Grandma used to hang her laundry on the clothesline and your Grandpa listened to the baseball game on the radio? These cookies do that for me. Yet, I never remember her making these particular ones. She probably did or still does for that matter. YUMMY!

My kids and hubby love these cookies. They are so yummy and probably not on any weight watcher diets. Not to mention – SOOO EASY!

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cream of tarter
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 Tbsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream margarine, shortening and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Combine flour, soda, salt, cream of tarter in separate bowl then add to creamed mixture. (Don’t tell anyone but I just add it in not using a separate bowl. Again – I’m liberated this way.)

Then combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll dough into small balls. I flatten them out just a little then coat with cinnamon mixture.
Put on cookie sheet, pizza stone or whatever you like to bake cookies on and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. It supposed to make 3 dozen. But, if you make them like I do – you won’t get that many. Make them how you want to – it’s okay – they still will melt in your mouth.

This makes your house smell AWESOME!!!
This is what WORKS FOR ME!

I also posted it on WORKS FOR ME - Gift Edition.

Look at my other Easy Recipes or you can look at my other Works For Me posts.

Blessings to you! You are loved!

Sisters…Sisters…

I always wanted a sister.  When I was in Jr. High, I got one.  She is so very special to me.  We talk at least twice a week, since we live about 6 hours from each other.  She is the person I will call at midnight knowing she is up and ready to hear everything I have to say.  We are not blood sisters but you would never know it.  We are both blessed to have that.

So, when I look at my girls – I see a special relationship.  They are sad when the other one gets in trouble.  They share a twin size bed even though they both have separate beds.  They share clothes and like to play together.  Although, they have their “heated discussions”,  it is always ended by laughing so hard they pee in their pants. 

I have heard horror stories of sisters growing up and never speaking again.  I think that is so sad, it makes me shiver at the very thought.  I pray that my daughters will always overcome any differences that may occur and see that they will always share a common bond.

This scripture has been on my mind…

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Blessings to you today!  You are loved!

Special Delivery…

My hubby coordinates a Financial Peace University Class at our church.  One of the perks, is we get to get the empty box the kits come in (some people would dare to call it trash). 
We call it cheap thrills for our 2 year old.

Do you think Dave Ramsey knows the goods he really sends us?

Blessings to you today – you are loved!

Ugh…feeling heartsick…

Dear Mr. Keeper of things I can’t find,

I can’t find my wedding ring anywhere! This ring is so special to me and I’m looking everywhere!

Okay, so if you see it please give me a call – at this point – I’m not sure where it could have ended up.

Sincerely,
The Weak Hearted

Follow-up Letter

Dear Mr. Keeper of things I can't find,

Thank you for hiding my ring in my pants that I wore two days ago. Who would of guessed that I would have put my very expensive beautiful wedding ring in the dirty clothes?

Mr. Keeper - I think you have a sad sense of humor. I would appreciate if you would have just told me before I lifted both very heavy couches, raised the beds, and moved the planets out of order. Just think of all the trouble - you would have saved me.

Hopefully, you won't play this horrible trick on me again for a very long time.

Sincerely,
Grateful and tired

Easy Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I love EASY recipes! I’m not sure where I got this recipe. I read cookbooks like novels and if I see one I like I write it down and forget where it came from.

Look at my other yummy Easy Recipes!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz frozen prepared meatballs or you can make your own. I would let them thaw out some.
• 1 frozen package of stir fry veggies or cut fresh ones.
• 1/4 cup apricot jam (I have used grape too.)
• 1/4 cup Catalina dressing (French is great as well.)
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce

Combine all ingredients in a skillet. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes or until veggies are cooked through. If doesn’t look like enough sauce just add more dressing and jam. Stir until heated. Serve over rice.

Out of 7 votes (my family) it was given 5 thumbs up. (2 of my kids don’t like sugar snap peas and cooked carrots.) That is a winner in our home and this is what works for me!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Couples - Are you listed?

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and a wife. They never showed any PDA (Public Display of Affection). Their kids grew up thinking "touching" was a sin.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife. They believed it was okay to speak sweetly to strangers but at home it was okay to yell and scream at the people you loved the most. Their kids saw this as well and did the same.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife. They believed it was okay to be Chreasters. (Only go to church on Christmas and Easter.) Their children grew up thinking the Church was only for funerals and weddings. The Saviour meant absolutely nothing to them.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife. They believed in treating their children to everything because they both grew up with "nothing." So, they went in deeper debt and was in bondage to the lender their entire marriage. Their kids also were spoiled and continued the same legacy.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife. They believed in one thing and would change their minds and believe something else the next year. They were unstable in all their ways. Their kids grew up frustrated and vowed never to be like their parents. However, they too were unstable in many areas.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife. They believed in providing for their children but there was never laughter in the home. There was also never communicating. Their children grew up with no relationships. The children had a hard time finding friends and holding on to loving relationships.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife. They decided that their marriage must have been a mistake so they lived separately. Their children grew up separated from them as a couple and had to cling to others in cases of crisis. Their parents were known as quitters in their mind. Their children had relationship issues.

A long long time ago in a far away land lived a husband and wife...

Then there was this one couple....
They believed in showing PDA to their children. Their kids grew up thinking it was healthy to share smooches between husband and wife. They even believed a STOP sign was meant for Smooch Till Others Pass.

They had family night, where the kids enjoyed playing games and laughing with their parents. The kids grew up thinking it was okay to enjoy your family. The kids would actually look forward to holidays so they could reunite with their siblings and parents.

The couple didn't have debt but also lived within their means. The kids grew up thinking Christmas was about Christ's birth instead of presents. They would grow up with creative minds to explore inventive ways to spend the mighty dollar.

The couple would live the best they could with the principles stated in the God's Holy Word and it alone. They lived by Grace and never made their kids feel defeated. There was always room for mistakes - it is how they learned the most. If the couple made a mistake, and yes there were plenty of those, then they apologized and asked for forgiveness. Their kids always felt safe with coming home to their parents and sharing problems with them. Their children felt safe with them even as adults. The children went on to follow the Lord and love Him with their whole heart, mind and soul.

The couple realized early on that parenting is long term and children don't always learn the first time. If the children did make a mistake, it was dealt with before the sun went down. It was never corrected with anger or corrected with malice. Kindness in their voice is how they would want to be treated so they applied that rule to every situation. Their children went on to also being known as kind and gentle in all circumstances.

The couple was not perfect by any means. If they had a disagreement they would be civil about it. They would not raise their voice to get their point across. They would simply realize that their partner was for them and not against them. They were a team and teams work together in every situation. Their kids saw this and learned great communication skills from this.

Their children were actually very sad the day the left their parents' house to be on their own. They were not in a hurry to get married or move out on their own. It was mutual. They had formed a sweet and healthy relationship. The parents knew to let go and only give counsel only if it was asked for at this point. Their children had turned into adults and their training had ended. If they had done their job correctly, then their children would know where to go for the answers in every situation. Only time would really tell.


Which couple are you? I can honestly say, we are... it depends on the day. I'm learning. My hubby and I do make mistakes but I pray that my children will forgive us when we ask, and we do ask, it seems daily. I pray that you are encouraged by these. I pray that if you need to change something in your life that you would do it.

Blessings to you - you are loved!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

Big girl now…

Parker Alexandria is off the bottle! She loves to eat and drink out of a bowl. Plus, she is potty-trained. Oh – I wish it was this easy for the kids.

Can you see the “M” on her forehead? Is it because she is a Maine Coon cat? (We are in the need to know.)

All the kids just adore her and to tell you the truth, I’m kind of cat stricken myself.

My hubby the other night was supposed to be watching her. He had let her out of the kennel and was just letting her roam in the house. He had gone in the kitchen to finish cleaning up and when he came out he couldn’t find Parker.

We looked for over an hour. We looked in the kid’s rooms (who were all sleeping), in the bathrooms, under the couches, in the office, and even in closets. No kitty! I was beginning to think the “cat rapture” had happened and how I was going to have to explain this one to the Princess.

An hour and a half later, my hubby called me to come there. Next to Parker’s kennel is a shelf. Under the shelf Parker had fallen asleep and couldn’t get out. It was a precious moment. Her belly was so full from eating – she had been to tuckered out to even try.

She is blending in well with our family. We are truly grateful that the Lord gave her to us for such a time as this.

Blessings to you! You are loved!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com

This makes me glad…

Years ago, we lived in a rent house and the owner had planted these flowers. I fell in love. When we bought our home here, I planted about 50 bulbs. None of them came up. I was so sad.

Last year, one came up in October. I couldn’t believe it. This year 10 came up. Aren’t they beautiful? They are called Gladiolas

and they make me glad!
That is what I’m hooked on this Friday.

Blessings to you! You are loved!

©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com