Filled with Joy

Love Always

Waiting for you to come home from work was such a challenge.

Between baking you a cake, decorating, and wrapping your gift they just couldn't wait any longer.  

You were so patient, even though they gave you no time to even take off your coat before begging you to sit down and close your eyes.

 

You are loved so much.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

 

St. Nicholas Pancakes

These are a first for us, but I really wanted to suprise my children with these special pancakes for the Feast of St. Nicholas.

 

Feast Day ~~ St. John Berchmans

To An Altar Boy

 

 

To be Christ's page at the altar,

To serve Him freely there.

Where even the Angels falter,

Bowed low in reverent prayer.

 

To touch the throne most holy,

To hand the gifts for the feast,

To see Him meekly, lowly,

Descend at the word of the priest.

 

To hear man's poor petition,

To sound the silver bell,

When He in sweet submission,

Comes down with us to dwell.

 

No grander mission surely

Could Saints or men enjoy;

No heart should love more purely,

Than yours my altar boy.

 

God bless you, lad, forever,

And keep you in His care,

And Guard you that you never

Belie the robes you wear.

 

For white bespeaks untainted

A heart both tried and true;

And red tolls love the sainted

The holy martyrs knew.

 

Throughout life, then, endeavor

God's graces to employ;

And be in heart forever

A holy altar boy.

 

  ~~by St. John Berchman

  (Patron of Altar Servers)

Dessert Recipe ~ Eggnog Pots de Creme

 

 

Eggnog Pots de Creme

 

1 1/2 cups eggnog

   1/2 cup   half-and-half

3 egg yolks

2 tsp.  cornstarch

1/2 tsp. rum extract

Ground nutmeg

.

1.  In saucepan, heat eggnog and half-and-half over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

 

2. In medium bowl, beat egg yolks, cornstarch and rum extract with wire whisk.  Stir a small amount of the hot eggnog mixture into egg mixture, then gradually stir egg mixture back into eggnog mixture in saucepan.  Continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just begins to boil and thicken.  Immediately remove from heat.

 

3.  Pour into 4 (4.5-ounce) serving dishes.  Sprinkle with nutmeg.  Refrigerate at least 8 hours until well chilled and set.

 

This dessert can be made up to 24 hours ahead.  Just cover each dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

 

(On a personal note, I doubled the recipe & enjoyed it while it was still hot.  The flavors seemed more intense....to me.)

***I've learned to use a good quality eggnog!  The better the eggnog the better the Eggnog Pots de Creme will taste.

 

 

Recipe ~~ Parmesan-Butternut Squash

 

1 butternut squash (2 1/2 lb)

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 cup Progresso bread crumbs

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

 

(To make ahead, prepare the recipe through step 4.  Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

 

1. Spray 13x9-inch (3quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. 

Peel, halve lengthwise and seed squash; cut into 1/2-inch thick slices. 

Arrange with slices overlapping slightly in bottom of baking dish.

 

 

2.  In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Reduce heat to low. 

Add garlic, cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until garlic is soft and butter is infused with garlic flavor.  Do not let butter brown.

 

 

3.  In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs, cheese and 1 tablespoon of the butter-garlic mixture.

 

  

4.  Brush squash slices with remaining butter-garlic mixture. 

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and bread crumb mixture.

 

 

5.  Bake uncovered 30 to 40 minutes at 375' or until squash is tender when pierced with fork.

  Increase oven temperature to 425'; bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned.

  Before serving sprinkle parsley over top.

 

Simple Dessert ~~ Jell-O Cloud

Two Ingredients:  1 package Jell-O (any flavor) and 1 small tub of Cool Whip

*picture is ingredients doubled.  One bowl stays home & one will go to my mom's

 

Directions:  Make Jell-O according to package directions.

After Jello-O firms up (3-4 hrs) add in Cool Whip and mix well with hand mixer.

 

Put back into refrigerator until firms up (3-4hrs). 

I usually make it a day ahead, then let it set overnight in refrig.

 

Tastes great even with Sugar Free Jell-O and/or Lite Cool Whip. 

That many children? -- Conversation

My children had their homeschool PE class at the YMCA this afternoon.

After classes, my younger three joined me in the family workout room.  Olivia played with Teresa while Nathan challenged me on the treadmills.  I was just happy to be moving.  My slow speed was more deliberate exercise than I've done in several weeks.  Nathan saw a chance to out run me.  He turned it up full speed, then with a sly smile he asked how fast I was going. 

ME: Nathan, my pregnant belly isn't going to let me run full speed. (partial excuse, I know)

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  Oh, Congratulations!  How many will that make?

Pausing a moment.  I thought about our baby in Heaven.  I have six children.  Then I realized I didn't want to go there with a stranger while working out.

ME:  Five

WOMAN NEXT TO ME: (shocked)  What?   I didn't know people still had that many children nowadays!

That many?  Did I miscount?   

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.   No. I thought about my friends who have the same number of children and my friends  who have more.  I just smiled and nodded.

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  Do you come from a large family?

ME:  No.  My parents had three children.

This is the most in depth questioning a stranger has ever had with me.  We were both moving, but of course on stationary equipment, I couldn't slow down or increase my pace to bring the conversation to an end. 

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  [Looking at my kids] There is a big gap between your kids. 

ME:  Yes.  There's almost a seven year age difference between my twins and my youngest.  I thought I couldn't have anymore children, but God had other plans.

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  God's will, I guess

ME:  With a smile.   AMEN!

 

Turkey Handprints

This is another example that there is no reason to try and come up with new craft ideas when the annual tradition is always fun no matter how often it's done. 

For Teresa, this is new, and I don't want to miss out on these cherished moments.

All of my children had a wonderful time.

Teresa's first handprint turkey.  She insisted on completing it "all by myself."
 

 

Olivia's checkerboard pattern

 

 Now I have keepsakes.  It so sweet to look back at Nicholas' handprint turkey from 10 years ago compared to now!

Oh, how they grow up so fast.

 
 

Potlach Masks

As part of our Washington State unit, we read the picture book Raven:  A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, then made a Potlach mask found in our Native Americans History Pocket.

   (Teresa behind her mask)

 

Washington State

We are coming to the end of our Washington state unit study. 

 

On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state in the United States.

 

Notebook pages

 

With the instructions from How to Draw Washington's Sights and Symbols 

they were surprised how simple drawing even the state bird can be. 

 

 

Picture Books used:  Washington State/The Pacific Northwest

 

Not all of the books we used are pictured, however they are all listed below.

 

 E is for Evergreen:  A Washington Alphabet

W is for Washington

How to Draw Washington's Sight and Symbols

Searching for Sasquatch

Raven:  A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest

Where Would I Be in an Evergreen Tree?

123 Moose: A Pacific Norhtwest Counting Book

Northwest Animal Babies

O is For Orca

Eaglet's World

 

Picture Book Study:

E is for Evergreen STUDY GUIDE

 

 

The plan was to draw the well known symbols of Washington, then create notebook pages with them.

 

 

After discussions their drawings sparked, hands on activities were added.

 

Hands on Fun

 

First up, a salt dough map of Washington.  Not bad for their first ever salt dough map.

 

 

 

 Includes details of the Cascade and Olympic Mtn ranges, rivers, and the three volcanic mountains (Mt. Baker, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier).

 

 

Next, Mt. St. Helens

 

 

View of their Mt. St. Helens and "Spirit Lake" before the eruption.

 

  
 No measuring.  Just dump and watch the chemical reaction.

Mt. St. Helens did not have red lava pouring down the mountain. 

It was an Ash flow that devastated an area of 600 square miles!

What about adding various colors?

 We are done with our Washington state study, yet!

Stay tuned as we visit Bigfoot, the Native Americans of this area, and more.

St. Martin de Porres

Today we celebrated Nicholas' patron saint, St Martin de Porres. 

 O God, the rewarder of the humble, you raised up the blessed confessor Martin to the kingdom of heaven. May his merits and prayers help us to imitate his humility on earth that we may be exalted with him in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Happy Halloween

 

Nathan & Olivia, twins even as clowns
 

 
Nicholas as a Jedi 

 

Daddy bought Teresa an angel costume, but she decided she wasn't interested in heading out into the cold to trick or treat.

Teresa stayed home with me and enjoyed these delicious cupcakes daddy had made.
 

 

 

A Friend...

...knows that an unexpected and certainly undeserved surprise can bring much needed joy.

 

A Friend Loveth at all Times...   Proverbs 17:17 

 

The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.

 

Thank you, dear friend.

 

 

 

Parish Lock-in

Life is full of first experiences. 

Nicholas has reached the grade level to be a part of our parish's youth group.  It's a wonderful way for him to be more involved in our parish and in our community with several service opportunities each month. 

Last night, our parish held a lock-in for the youth group. 

The Youth Group leaders had put together fun activities such as a hayride at the local pumpkin farm, marshmallow roast on a bonfire, costume contest, pizza, movies, and games.

This experience was a very big deal for Nicholas.

My children have never been to a sleepover with the exception of camping out on the living room floor with their cousins, so obviously they have never been to a lock-in.

The greatest concern, a safety issue, was letting him ride in a vehicle down the I-5, in the pouring rain, to the pumpkin farm with an unknown driver.  However, that issue was taken care of.   That part of the lock-in was canceled when children who hadn't signed up to go just showed up. 

There weren't enough seats to take everyone.....so.....no one went. 

Fine by us. 

Even without that part of the evening, Nicholas had a wonderful time. He won Best Male Costume for his St. Francis of Assisi costume. He didn't sleep the entire night there.  Robert picked him up this morning, then took him out to eat breakfast.  He told his dad that he planned to stay up ALL day today.  (Yeah right)

Within 15 minutes of coming home, I found him asleep on the bathroom floor and had to get him to bed.

 

A Boy or A Girl?

I had my 20 week ultrasound last week.  I haven't felt any flutters, no pregnancy symptoms, nothing.

  Worry started to creep into my head. 

It was such a big relief to see all the movement going on even though I don't feel any of it, yet.

 

I left the office almost floating knowing baby was fine and the gender of the baby.  Since we have 2 boys and 2 girls running around the house, this baby has been referred to as the tie-breaker-baby. 

I decided to have some fun with revealing if our tie-breaker-baby is a boy or girl.  I went to the bakery and ordered a cake.  The icing in the middle would be dyed the appropriate color revealing baby's gender.

The anticipation was a blessing to watch. 

 All eyes were locked on the cake.

 

Who would see the inside color first? 

Which color would it be?

BLUE!  

We are having a little BOY!

 

 

Little Boys

Author: Unknown

Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

 

 

Feast of the Archangels

We are creating a litugical year notebook.

 

I'm thankful for Charlotte's coloring pages. 
 

Devils food cake.....what's left of it.  All four kids had their hand in making it.  By the time I remembered to grab the camera, it was only a sweet memory.

 

Happy Birthday!

We celebrated a big milestone this week.  Nicholas turned 13.

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

A Walk through the Garden

 

 

This year, I've been able to let our tomatoes ripen on the vine.  Last fall, in an attempt to save our tomatoes from garden pests, I picked all my tomatoes while they were still green to ripen inside on the counter.

 

 

 

We were given six "zucchini" plants, but I think they are squash.

Dwarf apple tree

After aggressively pruning the plum trees and grape vines, it looks like this year's harvest will be very good.

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Craft time

I have been so lax when it comes to craft time with my kids.  I plan to carve out time each day for one-on-one time with Teresa while the big kids are busy upstairs building their legos.  They prefer her as far away as possible when they are buildling legos because she enjoy destroying them.  LOL

 

 

 

This masterpiece needs time to dry.

(template courtesy of www.childcareland.com)

 

An Escaping 2 year old

Oh Teresa, Teresa, Teresa.

Mommy and Daddy just couldn't take the thought of what could happen to you constantly running out the front door into the street.  Those bushes along the driveway are just too high for a driver to see you step into the road. 

Mommy warned daddy that he was going to get a horrible phone call at work if we didn't figure out how to stop your little game.  That's what it was, too.  A game.  You loved the excitement of the chase. You wanted to find your big brothers and sister when they were playing with friends.

No time to wait for an elaborate alarm system to be installed or even a simple box that chimes when the door opens.  Hearing a chime sound when you have made a great escape would not help to ease our worry.

 

A simple flip lock has been the perfect remedy.

Daddy had it installed in 2 minutes.

Cost under $2.

It's absolutely priceless.

 

We love you, baby girl.

Fourth of July Fun

 

Teresa's very first pony ride.  8-) 

 

 

 

Yes, we have WINNERS!

 

 

 

Instead of sitting in the designated viewing area, we went back to the parking lot to watch from our car.  The older three kids climbed on the roof for the perfect view. 

The parking lot was full of families with the same idea.

  

A Happy 4th & Mom's 70th Birthday

It was an absolutely gorgeous day to celebrate America's Birthday AND my mom's 70th Birthday.  I'm sure it's not easy to share a birthday on a holiday, but my mom always enjoys all of the festivities.  Her sister flew in all the way from Germany to be here for her 70th birthday.

We had a BBQ at our home.

  

 

 

 

Charlotte's  Berries & Stars dessert was a huge hit.

 

It tasted as great as it looks.  Better!

 I burned the Stars that were supposed to go on top (used a black pan for the stars which cooked them unbelievably fast).  Yes, I admit that.  I had to call it Berries and Cream.  8-)

 

HaPpY 70th BiRtHdAy, Mom!

 

Strolling Saltar's Pt. Beach

God willing, I plan to take my children to a new beach, hiking trail, or some other point of interest in Washington each week throughout the summer.

Saltar's Point Beach is like old-faithful to me.  It isn't new, but it always seems to change depending on the weather. I grew up walking this small, hidden beach.  Flipping over the rocks in search of crabs and eels.  Coming across a starfish left attached on the dock.  Watching the bubbles that gave away the burrow of clams.  I'm thankful to be able to share these moments with my children.

 

 

 

Easy One Bowl Brownies

    

4    (1oz)  squares unsweetened chocolate

3/4  cup  butter

2    cups sugar

3    eggs

1    tsp vanilla extract

1    cup flour

1    cup walnuts, chopped

 

Directions:

1.  Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

2.  Microwave chocolate & butter in a large (microwave safe) bowl for 2 minutes or until butter is melted.

3.  Stir until chocolate is melted.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients.

4.  Spread into a greased 13x9-inch pan. 

5.  Bake for 35 minutes

Priest Point Park, WA

We joined my friend Diane and her children to explore Priest Point Park in Olympia. The park is a beautiful reminder of Catholic missionaries here in the Pacific Northwest in the 1800's. 

 

Missionaries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate came to this area in 1848 to minister nearby Indian tribes. The site was claimed as St. Joseph's of New Market and was led by Father Pascal Ricard. Father Ricard and three other priests cleared the land, planted a large garden, built a chapel and operated a school for Indian boys.

 

(Ellis Cove - no water - lowest tide of year)

The Squaxin Indians were the immediate neighbors while the Nisqually, Puyallup, and Snoqualmie tribes used the mission as a trading center. Pascal left the mission in 1857 and the mission closed in 1860.

 

In a letter annoucing Father Picard's death he was described as

 “A perfect religious, he lived obedience; he dedicated himself joyfully to all the tasks entrusted to his zeal. In our communities, a refined model of all religious virtues, he showed himself happy to live in and belong to a congregation which he was happy to call his beloved mother. A tireless worker in the missions, he joyfully put to use for the good of souls all the health and talents God had given him. Concerned only for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, he sought only to be forgetful of self and to go unnoticed by others...”

 

This park is over 300 acres with several trails to explore and a playground for fun. 

We were somewhat disappointed not to find a historical marker that showed where the mission and school were, but the park is quite large and we left most of it unexplored.

 

One Sad Sister

 

Teresa woke up from her nap to find Nicholas gone.

 

She went out front to look for him, but he wasn't around.

"My Nicholas left me!"

 

Answered Prayers!

Our newest blessing will be joining us in February!

 

Edited to add:  I am a woman of few words.  So, why have a blog you may ask? LOL 

Well, I do like to share what's going on in our life. 

 I thought the picture said everything, but I guess it doesn't convey our happiness after being open to life, being told by a doctor that I might as well give up....my age and fertility were big strikes against me.

I cannot be the only woman who has several tests, who tests every single month....hoping.

Well, I just happened to have a test, and I thought how wonderful it would be to give my hubby a positive test for Father's Day.  Just hoping.....there were no signs or reason to test other than always being open to life.

The FIRST test read ( - +).  Well, I had tossed the directions because I figured a (+) sign is pregnant.

Robert asked why it also had a  ( - )sign.  Ummm, I don't remember!!

Off to the store I went for the digitial test that uses WORDS.  Pregnant or Not Pregnant. 

PREGNANT!

 

Thank you God for answering our prayers.

 

St. Anthony, thank you.

We are full of appreciation and profound gratitude.

 Acknowledging your intercession has helped to secure the answer to our prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pentecost

Come, O Holy spirit,

 fill the hearts of Thy faithful

and kindle in them the fire of Thy Divine Love.

 

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

~~ACTS 2:1-4

 

We made this Pentecost Cake with one variation. 

~A Dove to represent the Holy Spirit~

Breathe in me

O Holy Spirit,

That my thoughts

May all be holy,

 

Act in me,

O Holy Spirit,

that my work, too,

May be holy,

 

Draw my heart,

O Holy Spirit,

That I love

But what is holy.

 

Strengthen me,

O Holy Spirit,

To defend All that is holy,

 

Guard me, then,

O Holy Spirit,

That I always

May be holy.

 

~St Augustine

 

Thank you

After two months of not posting because of family matters, complete JOY has finally returned. 

My family would like to thank you all for your phone calls, prayers, and opening your home to my children for extra playdates to be in a safe environment.

It is such a blessing to see my children smiling and enjoying their day and our home again.

 

Sol. of St. Joseph

 

Oh, St. Joseph,
whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong,
before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St. Joseph,
do assist me by your powerful intercession,
and obtain for me from your Divine Son
all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph,
I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me and
Ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departed souls - pray for me.

Amen.

Knitting Lessons with Oma

My friend, Donna, kindly gifted us a huge bag of yarn for an Easter project I have in mind.  After seeing the amount of yarn, Olivia immediately called her Oma (my mom) to ask if she would come over to give her knitting lessons.

 

Oma said she was doing a great job.  My mother is very patient.  She ended up giving my SIL and me lessons, too!

 

Here is what she completed in about 1/2 hour.  The holes in the pattern were done on purpose.  My mom was showing her a pattern that makes holes. 

 

This is a picture of her going strong today. 

Oma was coming over and Olivia wanted to show her how much she had completed.

 

This Week's Menu

Monday

Breakfast -- oatmeal (choice of raisins, pb, applesauce add-ins)

Lunch  --  grilled cheese, fruit, milk

Dinner  --  tacquitos, refried beans, fideo

 

Tuesday               St. Patrick

Breakfast -- French Toast, fruit cocktail, milk

Lunch  --  ~~St. Patrick's Day Potluck~ (I'm bringing green cupcakes)

Dinner  --   Kraut w/ corned beef, Irish Soda Bread

Tea Time-  shamrock cookies

 

Wednesday

Breakfast --  oatmeal (choice of raisins, pb, applesauce add-ins)

Lunch  --   sub sandwiches, carrot sticks, pretzels

Dinner --   baked whole chicken, german potato salad

 

Thursday           Sol of St. Joseph

Breakfast -- pancakes, applesauce, milk

Lunch  --  minestrone soup  

Dinner  --  Crockpot Chicken w/ Black Beans

Tea time -  Cream Puffs

 

Friday

Breakfast -- Oatmeal (choice of raisins, pb, applesauce add-ins)

Lunch  --  (LF/BK Potluck) Mac-n-Cheese, salad

Dinner --  Baked Cod & Veggies served with rice pilaf  (Homemade pizza for kids)

 

Saturday

Breakfast -- menudo

Lunch  --   hot dogs, chips, carrot sticks

Dinner -  tacos, spanish rice, beans

 

Sunday

Breakfast @ Church

Lunch/Dinner -- smoked turkey, au gratin potatoes, yams w/ marshmellows, mixed veggie, buiscits, green salad

 

Simple Supper

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken

 

1 cup    Italian style bread crumbs

3 tbsp.  parmesan cheese, grated

1 tsp.    dried basil or thyme leaves

1/4 tsp  ground black pepper

2 tbsp.  butter or margarine, melted

1 egg

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves*

 

Preheat oven to 375'.  Grease baking pan with pam or solid shortening.  In small bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, basil, pepper, and butter.  In another small bowl, beat egg with fork.  Dip chicken in egg, then into bread crumb mixture.  Place chicken on pan.  Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is fork tender and juices run clear, turning once.  Serves 6.

*variation -- substitute with pork chops

                       

A salad, vegetable, and rice completed the meal. Instead of the rice-a-roni, a side of mashed potatoes or with our favorite rice Saffron Yellow Rice would also be yummy.

Piggy-Piggy-Piggy Back Ride

 

My handsome guys.

 

Olivia wanted in on the fun, too!

Sowing Seeds...in the Oven

A couple of weeks ago, in a thread on the 4Real board about growing your own food, Lindsay shared that she has had luck starting seeds in her oven.  I hadn't ever heard of it, but this is only my second year growing vegetables in our backyard.   It sounded like a simple, inexpensive experiment to purchasing and setting up grow lights in our shed.  I'm sure grow lights will come, but I really wanted to start some tomatoes and chili peppers.

Have you ever been able to plant seeds without someone wanting to help?  I think I'm a bit obsessive about it.  I planted the seeds, and Olivia watered.

 

It works!  Three days after planting our seeds, we have little seedlings waving hello!  (Yes, that is what they are doing 8-))  I turned the tray before taking the picture.  The seedlings were all heading toward the light.

The oven is actually very warm and cozy with just the light on.  I need to place a thermometer inside to find out the exact temperature.

  

These pictures of Teresa have nothing to do with seed germination, however I couldn't help but show my youngest green thumb.  She spent the time adding soil to potted plants, then giving them a little spritz.

Are you planning a garden? What's going in your garden? If you'd like to try vegetables, but have no space. Try container gardening.  . We were able to grow pumpkins, tomatoes, lettuce, and spinach last year in small containers. 

Free Pancakes*

Do you have any plans for National Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday!)?

IHOP is celebrating National Pancake Day this Tuesday, Febraury 24, 2009 by giving one FREE short stack (three) buttermilk pancakes.  *They ask for a donation to support the local children's hospitals.

Find your nearest IHOP.

Details:  IHOP's National Pancake Day

Reclaiming My Yard

Oh, the wonderful things that are accomplished when Robert has a few days off. 

We were all tired of the mess in the backyard, and it's time to prepare my garden beds for spring plants.

Last weekend, he made a door to lock up the girls in their pen. When the first one was destroyed by visitors, it wasn't too much of a problem because we weren't outside too much during the rainy season.   However, the sun is shining more, and we want to be able to enjoy our backyard again.

 

I'm planning to add at least four raised beds to our vegetable garden , but there is not way seedlings would survive these two-legged piranhas.

Robert borrowed a pressure washer to clean off our porch. Good-bye chicken poo!

  

Today, is a gorgeous day, and my children can enjoy running through the yard without, umm, stepping on anything yucky. 

Girls: Locked up
Porch & yard:  Lookin Good

Help! She Needs A Name

Meet kitty.  After four weeks with us, she still doesn't have a name.

We thought she'd have to find a new home because soon after she arrived, Nicholas had itchy, blood shot eyes and he started the nonstop sneezing,  We thought he had developed an allergy to cats. Since he didn't have these symptoms with our previous cats, I hesitated to find a new home for kitty until we knew for sure.  The verdict is in, and she's staying.  Now we need a name.

She is trouble, but in a good way.  She constantly runs up behind the kids for a surprise attack, and then disappears just as quick. 

Here she has decided my carnations taste delish.

Caught in the act

She's really just an energetic sweetie. 

Oh, what's in a name? Especially a cat name.  LOL 

I want a name that's a little more unusual.  We used to have a boy cat named Kimo.  (kee-mo).

Krazy Kitty?

Frisky? 

Sheba? 

Trouble?  

 Zada? (zay-dah)  

St. Valentine's Day Party

 

      Sugar Cookies                                                      Potato Print Hearts    

    

Pin the Arrow on the Heart.

Yes, it's a canvas bag on their head.  They could see through the bandanna. 

   

We lowered the heart for Teresa.  8-)

   

Musical Chairs                                           Yellow bowl has prizes for all the games.

 

Shell game                                                 Cake Walk (no cake only prizes)

 

We hope you had a blessed St. Valentine's Day with your loved ones.

Friday Family Fun Night

Family fun night was extra special with a cousin spending the night. 

 

Several contests to stack the cups the highest and fastest.

   

After stacking cups, they came in the kitchen to help make chocolate treats.

Chocolate Pretzel Buttons from Crafty Crow.  I wanted to make them for St. Valentine's Day after seeing them on several blogs this week.  

All the kids enjoyed their taste, and I enjoyed the simplicity of making them. Quick and easy.  No bowls or measuring cups to wash.  No sweeping flour from the kitchen floor.

 

I can see why they were a hit in blog world this week.  We have to make another batch for our St. Valentine's Day party tomorrow.  This batch was devoured by the end of the night.

Weight on Wednesday -- Week 5

After a week's worth of walking, riding the stationary bike, and even raquetball all I have to report is the obvious.....I'm sore.  I'm hobling around like I have aged 20 years, but have no weight change to report.   It would help if I actually started the low carbing.  LOL 

I missed last week's weigh in, but my stats are still   175/172/140

If you haven't already, stop by Regina's blog and join all of us Wowers!

What type of Momma are you?

 

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

~~~  ~~~  ~~~  ~~~  ~~~   ~~~

~~~  ~~~  ~~~  ~~~  ~~~  ~~~

Actually, I'm the mother of four children who love daily art projects. 

Thankfully, they don't need guidance from me. 

I don't have an arstistic bone in my body, but I do open a mean glue bottle and I can squirt paint into little cups with the best of them.

Artististic.  Not at all.

Weight on Wednesday -- Week 3

No change AT. ALL. to report this week. 

My numbers are still 175/172/140

It's a bit of a bummer, but not a surprise. Simply giving up Pepsi and walking isn't going to make miraculous changes. 

LOW Carb -- here I come.  I'm no fool.  The weight won't stay off, especially once I stop low carbing, but I need the boost.

If you're interested in joining or even encouraging us along, head on over to Regina's blog.

Little Flowers, Blue Knights, AND ABCs

A great blessing in my life has been the ladies in my homeschool group.  We all come together with ideas and try our best to make them work. 

We wanted a Little Flowers Girls Club.

Since we prefer to meet during a weekday what about those of us with boys? 

Blue Knights BOYS Club to the rescue.

Oh, one more thing.  What about our little ones who will attend, but are too young to participate in the clubs? Got it!  Hands on fun based around the ABCs could work.

Last Friday, we had our first Little Flowers, Blue Knight, and ABC Class meet.  Each group met in a separate area of my home to help with the atmosphere of individual clubs. 

Our Little Flowers Leader, Donna, kept the girls focused on their project. 

The girls working on their Sunflower votives.
The votives are not only beautiful, but the candles filled the air with a pleasant Sunflower scent.

 

Olivia proudly showing her finished votive.

Here is our Blue Knights Boys Club working on this week's memory verse Hebrews 11:1.

 

Afterward, they made a Shield of Faith, followed by Sue, our Blue Knight Club Leader, taking the boys outside for a game of "Reconciliation Ball".   (That would be Catholic Dodge-ball in case you're wondering.   LOL) 

Last, but not least, the ABC Class.  Our younger children ages 2-4 enjoyed activities around the Letter A.  Diane put several activities together from reading books, handling apples, to apple stamping.

   

   

 

This is an absolutely great group of families to enjoy fellowship with. 

Weight on Wednesday

Having a walking partner has absolutely helped me to get outside and exercise.  I am walking more than I would without her.  Otherwise, I'd make the excuse that it's too cold. This morning, we even RAN for a little bit!!  It's the accountability factor that is working so well.

This week, I'm DOWN 3lbs.

I'm going to be bold and share my actual weight.

This time last year, I weighed at least 205, but there was a point that I wouldn't/couldn't look anymore.  I think I was closer to 210 before the scale started going down.

WOW Start weight: 175

Current Weight: 172

GOAL Weight: 140

From now on, you'll see those numbers in shorthand like this: 

175/172/140

The middle number is what to watch for.

If you're interested in joining us or seeing everyone's results for this week, visit Regina's blog.

 

March for Life 2009

All bundled up on our way to the 31st annual March for Life and Rally at our State's Capitol in Olympia.  This was the first time we have ever participated in the March for Life, but our prayers were answered this year.  We were able to gather peacefully to witness to LIFE -- all life is sacred from conception to a natural death.

Here are a few pictures .

   

   

Marching to the Capitol steps. 

It was so amazing to stand at the top and see the stream of marchers coming to join us.  The sight of families, men, woman, children, and clergy all smiles with the excitement to be together for LIFE.

 

Edited to add:  I've just learned that a record number of over 7,000 people were in attendance. 

Frog Lapbook

Nathan has always had a fascination with frogs.  He will sit on his bed searching through dozens of frog books for a new fact to learn about them.

Each visit to the zoo requires at stop to purchase a frog souvenir to add to his growing collection. I thought he would enjoy creating his very own frog book to look through and found a FREE frog lapbook at Homeschool Share.

 

Here is a partial list of books we read together in creating this lapbook:

From Tadpole to Frog:  Let's-Read-and-Find-out Science 1 by Wendy Pfeffer

Why Frogs are Wet:  Let's-Read-and-Find-out Science 2 by Judy Hawes

All About Frogsby Jim Arnosky

Poison Dart Frogs by Jennifer Dewey

Fun Facts About Frogs!by Carmen Bredeson

Frogs, Toads, and Turtles by Diane Burns

Flashy Fantastic Rain forest Frogs by Dorothy Patent

Red-eyed Tree Frogs by John Netherton

Animal Lives:  The Frogby Sally Tagholm

   

We will be focusing many our upcoming science lessons around the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out 2 series.

Here is another coloring Page -- Frogs Over The Land -- Exodus 8:1-15

2008 was declared the Year of the Frog by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

FROGS in the LOCAL NEWS --

Imperiled frogs get a fresh start at Fort Lewis  (1,000 baby frogs will be released each year until 2012 on a 50 acre lake on Fort Lewis.)

Weight on Wednesday

Time for Wednesday's weigh in.

The main goal I had to get this started was accomplished.....NO PEPSI!  Woo-hoo. 

In addition to that, I have joined Regina to walk two miles around this gorgeous lake.

  

After reading everyone's amazing results in the comment section (Congrats, Ladies!!) I'm going to have to kick this up a notch or two because I have NO CHANGE to report.

This week's goal:

~~ continue to stay away from the Pepsi

~~ increase daily water intake

~~ 50 situps each day

~~ walk the lake at least 3 times before next week

~~ decrease carbs and increase greens and proteins

~~ drop 2lbs

Total Goal: 35lbs 

If you are interested in a joining us, visit Regina's blog and leave a comment in the WoW posts.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday

Breakfast -- oatmeal (choice of raisins, pb, applesauce add-ins)

Lunch  --  chef salad

Dinner  --  roast, german potato balls, veggie, green salad

 

Tuesday

Breakfast -- French Toast, fruit cocktail, milk

Lunch  --   tomato soup, grilled cheese, pretzels

Dinner  --  Goulash, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad

 

Wednesday

Breakfast --  oatmeal (choice of raisins, pb, applesauce add-ins)

Lunch  --   kids - cheese pizza       me-green salad

Dinner --  chicken enchildas & rice  I made Cajun Chicken Pasta instead.  It looked better than the picture AND tasted great! 

 

Thursday

Breakfast -- pancakes, applesauce, milk

Lunch  --  sub sandwiches, carrot sticks, pretzels

Dinner  --  steak w/ sauteed mushrooms and onions, rice, salad

 

Friday

Breakfast -- Oatmeal (choice of raisins, pb, applesauce add-ins)

Lunch  --  Baked Mac-n-Cheese, salad, rolls

Dinner --  Mexican Baked Fish

 

Saturday

Breakfast -- Eggs and Ham Pie (new for us -- need to use up eggs)

Lunch  --   left overs

Dinner -  spaghetti, green salad, garlic bread

 

Sunday

Breakfast @ Church

Lunch  --Aufschnitt

Dinner -- Baked Whole Chicken, red potatoes, veggie, salad

 

To get more menu ideas, visit OrganizedJunkie.com.

You'll find a Family Meal Planner & Notepad GIVEAWAY today!