Dining In or Dining Out

It has been on my heart for some time to not eat out and to try to dine in our home and to provide a healthy meal for my family. Although it has been on my heart I haven't necessarily acted on that desire. We would still eat out many times. About 2 months ago I began making a menu and it helped me to know what to cook, what to buy, etc. I didn't necessarily adhere to it every day, but it did help. I have been getting Kraft Food & Family in the mail and those have some wonderful and simple recipes that I've been trying.

The past few times it seems we've eaten out (particularly at one of my favorite restaurants) I have not been very pleased at all. One time I was there with a friend and we had the worst service. The other night we went there as a family and it was terrible. Took forever for our waitress to come and greet us, probably took about 10 minutes after that to get our drinks. My food was not cooked how I wanted it, my dressing tasted like it had dish soap in it, etc, etc. I felt like such a complainer but when we go out and pay about $40 a meal I want to be satisfied! While going through it all I really realized it was almost happening for a reason. I enjoy being home. Lately I have hated to go anywhere because I've just been enjoying our home. I enjoy eating at home with my family. Sure, I love to eat out too, but I think maybe on more special occasions, just so to make them more special. I don't always enjoy cooking, especially when I have 6 hand trying to attack the food I'm preparing, but I'm working on that! But I know how important it is to eat a meal at home as a family and to make some memorable moments from those times. So, instead of wasting so much stinkin' money to all of these dining establishments I'm going to try to do what I am supposed to do and cook a good, healthy meal for my family. So with that said- I have a November menu to plan!

Hay, Hay, Hay

Last night our homeschool group had a 'Fall Festival' type deal. Most of these consist of 'Halloween' type activities (which we do not do), but this was a nice old-fashioned cook-out and hayride. We had a blast. They had a zipline that Zach finally had the nerve to try...took him awhile, but he did it. I will not go on one of those though! They had a homeade merry-go-round that the kids had a blast riding on. They had a 'train' behind a four-wheeler that they loved riding on. We roasted marshmallows, ate S'mores and went on a hayride. It was so much fun. A bit chilly, but I brought along a blanket and Zach kept us all entertained on our end of the trailer with his antics. He was quite the character. We were out in the bayous of Mississippi! Not even sure where we were, but it was entertaining. At one point we ended up in water at a boat launch. The driver purposely decided to back up into it and of course who were the ones sitting at the end of the trailer? I was pretty freaked out that we'd get wet, but he finally stopped! Made for a good laugh. The kids had a blast. H made a new friend, G was pretty quiet but I could tell he enjoyed himself, and J was having fun but also asking to go home. We were all pretty tired by the time we got home. Good thing we got an extra hour of sleep last night! Here are some pictures of us enjoying ourselves! Sorry they're a bit fuzzy...guess that's what happens when you take pictures at night!

Caramel Apples

Today we made caramel apples. Who would guess that they are SO simple to make? The things I learn... My children have never had caramel apples until today! Boy, do we shelter them or what? Here they are taking a turn mixing the ingredients.














Here's H coating her apple in the caramel and then placing it on the cookie sheet.




































Here's J dipping his apple.

J was quite proud of dunking his apple (even though just a little bit of it was dunked).












Here he is enjoying his apple. He devoured that thing!



















H enjoyed licking off the caramel but was afraid to bite her apple for fear her loose teeth would fall out! At least she enjoyed the caramel!














Even G enjoyed the cut up apple parts I gave him. He enjoyed his so much his diaper afterwards really proved it. Ah, the joys of mothering!














Here is how we made our caramel apples:
Melt 1 1/2 tbsp. of butter. Add 1 1/2 cups of light brown sugar and 6 tbsp. of water. Stir until smooth. Gently bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Pierce the center of the apple with a stick (I used cut up craft sticks since I didn't have popsicle sticks), swirl in the caramel until coated and place on greased cookie sheet to harden. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. I used about 8-10 apples, both red and green as I ran out of green.

"The Cousins"

I just had to post this picture of Amie's littlest. I thought it too cute that he was trying to play croquet with everybody else!














This is one of the only pictures I managed to take of 'the cousins' which they all called each other! The two littlest boys were inside with their mommies while the older ones enjoyed playing on this structure that Zach is slowly making into a fort for the kids. They all played so well together and it was great seeing how well they got along!














And of course we can't forget the play of the big kids... They managed to wear one another out, however Amie and I did alot of shopping, which was fun but wore me out (and probably her too)!

 

Making Play Dough

Here are H and J stirring the ingredients to make play dough.


































And they really enjoyed the end product- lots of play dough! 

First Batch of Pictures

Here is my mom reading the Bible to J and H before church.











Beautiful Pensacola Beach













J, Nanny and H enjoying the beach












Nanny watching G as he enjoyed playing with a stick near the water.

My boy J and I.











The 3 munchkins.













I'm rarely ever in pictures with them so I thought I'd better take advantage of the moment!














I love this one of their feet that I cropped.

Do you recognize this girl? No, it is not a Halloween costume, she is wearing Daddy's goofy wig.








Here G fell asleep on Nanny and she enjoyed every minute of it!













Zach enjoys things as much as the kids!

















This is at the Stennis Space Center. We went almost a month ago.

Here's J with his buddy J. We went to Stennis with their family. J is Heather's little boy (the one who just had the baby).














G, H and I!













They thought it cool to sit under the plane on display!














I have a few pictures to post from when Zach's brother and family were here so hopefully I will get to that soon. 

Baby Fever

Well, seems to be the time for everybody to be having their baby! My friend Heather, where I attended the birth of her baby. Then I get an email that my friend Beth had a baby boy! I can't forget my friend Angela who had a baby a month ago. I am awaiting news from Bethany and my friend Kim, actually two Kim's, that they're blessings have arrived. Seems the time for babies! I just can't wait until I am pregnant again. Although the doctor said to wait 3-6 months we don't believe in 'birth control' and have done nothing to prevent a pregnancy. It has only been a short time since my miscarriage but it seems like others who had one at the same time as me are already pregnant. I just can't imagine waiting until a year from now to hold a new baby of my own! So, it is baby fever! I am so excited for the blessings being born to my friends- children are SUCH a wonderful GIFT from the Lord! So, congrats to you all!!!

Rambling Thoughts

So much has been going on and I have so many thoughts running through my head that I am not sure where to begin... I guess I will begin with the most exciting news first and then hope I don't forget the other rambling thoughts floating through my brain.

Tuesday night my friend called to say she was definitely in labor. About an hour later they called back and said that I'd better get on over there. They were having a home birth and wanted me there to watch the other two children, who are two and four years old. So, I prayed like crazy while driving over there, just for God's hand upon Heather and their child about to come forth. Their precious little girl arrived about an hour after I arrived! Heather only pushed two to three times and it just seemed like the babe gracefully flowed out of her with such ease (although I'm sure Heather will beg to differ). I just know that when I push (on my back) it seems to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But she was leaning over a birthing chair not laying like they make you do in the hospital! They were all so excited. The kids were a bit freaked out for a little while, but once they saw the baby they were awed. The four year old kept telling Heather what to do, like she wasn't nursing right and all! It was too cute! Already the protective big brother! That experience for me to be there and help them however they needed and to see such a miracle is one I will never forget! I am so thankful that they allowed me to be a part of such a special time for their family!

On another exciting note, Amie and her family will be here today! The kids are SO excited to see their cousins! Zach is thrilled to see Miah and is hoping to kick his butt as they spar. I am looking forward to visiting with Amie. We always have such a nice time visiting. I also can't wait to meet Jonah and see how much the other boys have grown.

Have you ever heard of the word "teetee"? I am assuming it is because I am not southern that I don't know this word, because I never heard it until I moved down here. I guess it means "peepee" or potty. When one lady asked me something about teetee at Cubbies and I gave her a blank expression I think she thought I was crazy for not knowing what she was talking about! Just more proof to show my roots are firmly planted elsewhere!

I am reading this awesome book called, "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. It is awesome! So many wonderful ideas and most things I already know, but sometimes we need reminding in areas. She talks alot about Charlotte Mason and how school doesn't have to be about workbooks and sitting for hours. I think children today really lack the creativity that we had as kids. We can't allow them to ride their bikes all over the neighborhood for fear of pedophiles or bad influences. I rode my bike everywhere and as I did I loved to pretend I was driving on a road and I'd go to McDonald's (for pretend) and get ice cream or go and get gas. What about making a fort or tent with blankets? I don't know that my kids have ever done this! Our children are given so many toys that it seems they don't have time to explore and just imagine. I am working on trying to let them have more creative play. Zach is building them a fort. I wish we had trees for them to explore for bugs, nests, etc. Anyway, I highly encourage you to read this book!

Yesterday while doing school H says to me, "I'm sorry, I really have to go to the restroom." She got up and walked out. She was so matter-of-fact about the whole thing and I sat there with my mouth hanging open wondering where she learned to talk like that! I guess from her homeschool co-op or something! Most kids I come in contact with down here have such manners. Please, yes ma'am, no thank you, etc. It is weird because where I come from we didn't have that. It is difficult for me to have my children say ma'am and sir! But, they are in the habit of saying Mr. or Mrs. before they say an adults first name (most of the time). Then while riding in the car yesterday H was asking about babies and how cute she and her brothers were as babies. She asked what I looked like as a baby and I told her that I was cute, of course! I said, 'Aren't I pretty now? So that would have to mean I was a cute baby!' She replied with, 'Yes, you are pretty but you don't wear dresses very often. Why do you only wear dresses on Sunday? Can you wear a dress tomorrow?'. I busted out laughing! Guess maybe she thinks a woman isn't pretty unless she wears a dress!?!? So, I put on my skort for her today and she smiled when I told her I wore it for her!

H and J went to the dentist yesterday and were complimented on their 'perfect' behavior. J had x-rays for the first time and did wonderfully! He told me in the car on the way home, 'The dentist said not to suck my thumb anymore so I'm not going to.' Well, I already saw the boy sucking his thumb at naptime...

G loves to help mama. He helps put the dishes away, put clothes away, put shoes away. The only thing is he will not pick up toys! We have to fight this boy! He loves the mutt to pieces and will play with him, lay on him, etc all day long! Wish I had such enthusiasm for the mutt, but I am still not fond of him...

Anyway, I will try to post some pictures from when my mom was here now...

Oh, what a week!

To recap the rest of the visit with my mom, we did much more shopping, went to Pensacola Beach in Florida, ate out a gazillion times and played with the kids! We also got a pedicure and manicure- my mom's first! We had a wonderful time and it was so sad to see her go home today. It just didn't seem like a long enough time! H bawled at the airport and I was crying more than I have the past few times saying good-bye too. My mom and I are really close, especially since I am an only child and for many years it was just her and I until she remarried. I will post pictures of some of the things we did soon.

I am praying that the pinkeye isn't back. Zach woke up this morning with crusted eyes and his one eye is pink. He says its just allergies (we're all suffering from that), but it looks like pinkeye! This is getting very frustrating! Why can't everybody get it at once if they're going to get it!?!?! Speaking of allergies...I've been suffering for weeks and may have to make a doctor appointment at this rate. I cannot stop coughing a dry cough. Any advice???

I've had my phone attached to my hip in anticipation of my friend calling to say she's in labor. She is having a home birth and I will be going to watch/assist. I have never seen an actual birth (besides my own children of course) and I am very excited to get to be there. So I sit and wait with her! Her contractions are all wacked out. A few days ago they were 5-10 minutes apart, but mild and I haven't heard from her since!

I've been wondering a lot about the whole casino thing. I'm sure some people who read my blog may be shocked that I went to one! I know our church teaches against them. But, does going to a casino once mean that I"m going to hell? I think not! Anyway, I just wanted to comment on that.

Well, I will post pictures later. Time to catch up on email and all that fun stuff! It will be nice to return to my internet addiction;) Mom, when you read this- thanks so much for such a wonderful visit! We miss you already and can't wait until you come back.

Cars, Concerts, Casinos and More!

Well, we've been very busy since my mom has been in town. She arrived on Thursday and we haven't sat much since! This past weekend was 'Cruisin' the Coast' down here on the Mississippi coast. People from all over the U.S. come down with their old cars that are all done up and 'cruise along the coast'. You can go and walk the streets of various towns and look at them. So Friday we went downtown and looked at some of them. It was neat to see the different cars and try to picture the people that drove them way back. I could picture girls in poodle skirts and men with slicked back hair like from the movie Grease! I could picture farmers in their finest driving to church on Sunday in their new wheels. That day Zach went to work with a relief organization to help people rebuild their homes from Katrina. That evening was a free Charlie Daniels Band concert at the park. I had never heard of this guy, but my mom was very excited about it. So, we went to that. The kids got to ride on their very first real school bus and were quite excited about that! They weren't too thrilled they couldn't play on the slide and swings but there were too many people for that! They did eventually get into the music and were dancing and smiling!

Saturday morning my mom and I went to some garage sales. We took the kids to the park and went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Then we just relaxed at home, played outside, made dinner.

Sunday we went to church and after lunch my mom and I left to go shopping!!! This was the FIRST time in a LONG time that I had my mom all to myself! It was so nice! A mother and daughter need alone. We love to go places with the kids, but this was so nice. When we were in Michigan this summer we didn't get a chance to do anything with out somebody else with us. And before that it was probably at least a nursing baby with us! So, it had been a long time coming! That I took her through some of Biloxi to see the damage. There isn't much rebuilding going on along the beach at this point and it is still very devastating to see. My mom hasn't ever been to a real big casino before. The one in Baraga just doesn't cut it! We're not big gamblers (I'm not at all), but it is so neat to see the insides of these huge resorts! So, off to the Beau Rivage we went! We played some penny machines and just had fun walking around looking at everything. She tried to explain various games to me like Blackjack, but it was way over my head! Then we ate the the buffet you hear such good reports about. It was good. You should have seen the dessert bar! I have to admit I was quite disappointed not to see a chocolate fountain I have heard so much about! When we had sat down my mom got up to get a knife from the server. Another customer was talking to her and when she came to the table she told us the lady had said how a man took his private out of his pants and peed on the floor. Right there. In a restaurant. How disgusting. So, that was part of our experience. One I guess we'll never forget...

It's Back

The pinkeye monster will not leave us alone. I thought baby G would be the blessed one and not get it, but no such luck. He began to get it Saturday night and it is still not cleared up. Of course I was sick of going to the doctors so I was giving him some silver (a natural antibiotic), but it just didn't seem to do the trick. I finally got some good antibiotic drops and this will clear up soon! I am so tired of it and my mom flies in on Thursday so we have got to all get better and rid of this! Meanwhile I am giving the other two silver drops to make sure they don't get it again. Please pray that this ends soon! Today H went to co-op alone as I stayed home with the boys since G is not well. She had a wonderful time again! It was so weird with her not here and I kept thinking, "So this is what it would be like if she went to public school!" I don't want that- we all missed her and J even asked when she would be home! She's such a wonderful addition to our family and a huge helper to me!

Homeschool Co-op

Tuesday was our first day at the homeschool co-op we joined. It lasts from 10:45 to 4:05. Makes for a LONG day. G was in the 'nursery' section all day and I missed him terribly. But, my friend Robin teaches that age so I knew he was in good hands. Her little boy is in there too and I know G had a great time! I am helping in all of J's classes, only because the boy can't part from me! Although he did amazingly well when I would leave the room for this or that, so maybe I could get away with helping in some of H's classes? By the end of the day working with 4 & 5 year olds all day got to grate on my nerves. My friend Canaan is also in there all day with her children and we were at our wits end! But, J learned some sign language, Spanish and etiquette. He also has an All About Me/Math class, Music/ABCs and PE. PE consisted of playing on the playground while the older kids played soccer and Canaan and I were 'baby-sitting' the kids on the playground. Not what we thought it would be, but the kids had fun. Her son was Noah on the boat and J was God! H seemed like she had a blast! She had Home Ec where she is learning to crochet! She also had speech, sign language, Spanish, PE and Science. She saw one of her friends there who is also in all of those classes plus she met another little girl. All of us were exhausted when the day was over, but it is wonderful to get together with other homeschoolers and have my children learn other things from other people! It is 8 weeks long one day a week. I'm not sure we'll do it again next semester but maybe next year we will!

Vision Forum Goodies

You could be the lucky winner of a whole lot of goodies from Vision Forum! Kim at Life in a shoe is hosting a wonderful contest. If you've never heard of Vision Forum, check them out! We love their materials and are trying to add to our collection. This is a GREAT contest!!!!

Refined in the Potter's Hands

So alot has been going on in our lives, right? First I had the miscarriage. Zach's job is terrible (an understatement) and then the other day he was involved in a hit and run (he's fine, he was at the drive-thru when somebody hit him). I threw up my hands in the air and exclaimed, "What's next?" I wondered, "Who's going to die?" I don't even want to know what could be next. But then I got to thinking, and most importantly reading my Bible. And I know God is trying to teach us something. Something BIG. Why else do we go through trials? Every time we go through a period of trials it is always because God is trying to show us something. We've been quite stagnant in our walks for awhile now. Sure, we read our Bible (try to every day), pray and all of that, but we aren't producing a whole lot of good fruits (love, joy, peace patience, etc). The intent is there. We WANT to live righteous and holy and upright lives. But it is SO hard! And so God has been showing me the following:

Jeremiah 18:4

"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him."

So maybe we are a bit marred right now and God is trying to shape us into a whole new, more righteous being. It takes his hands to mold us and make us and sometimes that can hurt!

Malachi 3:2, 3

"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness..."

I am reminded of the following story, and as I read it again I truly know without a doubt that God is working on and with us. I know He is here right beside us.

The Refiner's Fire Story
Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse. "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.
"But Sir," she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes madam, " replied the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression,
"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had still further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying was complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver. Beautiful example! When Christ shall see His own image in His people, His work of purifying will be accomplished.
Author Unknown

While these times may be trying I know that God is refining us to bring us to a 'higher level', to bring us nearer to Him and nearer to the place we desire to be. As I ponder all of this the following song plays in my head over and over again:

Hungry (Falling On My Knees)
Hungry, I come to you for I know you satisfy
I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry
And so I wait for You so I wait for You
I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Broken, I run to You for Your arms are open wide
I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life
And so I wait for You so I wait for You

If you are also going through some trials know that God is there beside you (Joshua 1:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you"), wanting you to draw ever nearer to Him (Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest").

Where to Begin?

This is about my tenth attempt at this post. I could not get pictures to show up on here for a whole day. I am not sure what is/was going on but I am so annoyed. Anyway, here is my long post about my week...Let's just hope it turns out!

I took J to the doctor Monday morning. Later that day H began to get pinkeye. We got the tiniest bottle of drops that was supposed to last 5 days. It lasted about 3 as I used it on H too. Wednesday both of their eyes were fine, but now H has got it again so we had to go back to the doctor yesterday and get more drops. Now it has also gone into her other eye. I pray it will ease up and leave our home soon, this pinkeye monster. Zach, G and I never did get it (and I'm praying that continues). Go figure that the unimmunized child is the healthiest one right now. The rest of us are or have suffered from allergies or sinus trouble- coughing, sneezing, sore throat. I sound so hoarse.

This week was an awful week for Zach at work. Awful doesn't even come close to how bad it was. It is so bad that I couldn't even sleep well this week. Of course his work does affect me anyway, but this time it is a whole different level. Now he is seriously considering getting out of the military (still has about 2 years before that can happen). The thought scares the daylights out of me. Although I am tired of all of the military crap and rank that goes on, I feel comfort and stability in being a military family. But, is it worth all the junk he goes through? So please remember to pray for him. He is trying so hard to get out of the current job and into a different area here. It hasn't been good here from day 1, but this has been pretty much the last straw.

Even though he had such a horrible week, he was sweet enough to think of me. He told me last weekend that he had a surprise for me and this time I didn't guess it! Here is what he had made for me:

• Sorry for the glare on it. But it says, "Presented to (my name)...Teacher of the Year...2005-2006". He got it for me because he said I do such a great job teaching H and because I taught her to read. It was so thoughtful of him. He also took me out to dinner! What a great principle of our school he is!

We had a few days that weren't quite as humid and so we had a chance to play outdoors. While out we had some great hands-on science! I played in the garden and then H found a toad that she caught in her net. It was fun watching it and seeing it play dead! Then when the kids went for a walk with daddy they found a huge turtle, so of course they took it home to show mommy. They sure enjoyed getting those visits with God's creatures!

• 

H had her first piano lesson this week. My friend Canaan is her teacher and giving us a great deal! H seemed a bit shy, even though she knows Canaan but I think she'll enjoy it! I am excited to get her into piano again!

• 

I was saying how we had the chance to play outside. The boys sure had a fun time riding their bikes!

The boys have also really been playing well together, especially guns. This site here just always amuses me:

• G loves to stick his gun (a tiny water gun) in the back of his shorts, and sometimes it ends up in his diaper! J had fun outside shooting the bad guys with his gun!

I made our first lapbook this week. This week J learned about his five senses so we made a book on that. H and I are in the process of making one on the four seasons. It was rather fun, but I am not very creative or artistic. J sure loves the book though- which is the main goal!

We bought a cage for the mutt. One day out of the blue he just started peeing on the carpet! Boy, was I ticked. And not just a trickle. Then that night he puked on the carpet. He seems to puke every night. Zach thinks its because he is so hungry. How can a dog be that hungry? We feed him twice a day plus he gets some snacks once in awhile. Sometimes when he pukes its just spit, but this was not spit. And it left a mark. So I spent yesterday morning shampooing my carpets. The mark is still there. Dang mutt. Every day I say how much I hate that dog. We were using baby gates to lock him up by the back door but he would always manage to escape no matter what we did. Finally we got a cage and there is no escaping now! However, the boys really seem to like the cage more than the dog:

• 

I managed to get my hair cut this week. I think I like it. She was able to pretty much fix the mess from my last one! It is short, but at least I can wear it down now and not always have it up.

We took the kids to see the movie 'Everyone's Hero'. Very cute.

Ok, now that I wrote a book I am praying this thing actually posts. Every time I try to copy it it doesn't even work! Go figure! If you read this far- thanks. More power to ya!