A long time ago I committed my days to teaching my children. I prep, test, teach, love and sometimes.... learn. Today was one of the days my heart learned. And it was a simple as a little girl and a dandelion.
I always try to make sure my kids are educated, polite, kind and well behaved. I make sure to tell them how much our actions and words affect other people. How when we're down or in need of a friend, we want a kind hand held out to us. But in all my educating, I never applied their behavior to me.
I see my child as perfect (although *spunky*) gifts from God. In my eyes, they do no wrong. Even during times where correction is needed; they aren't wrong, they just need redirection. :) So you see, they are always wonder to me, in my eyes.
But today, I was having a somewhat difficult day, and mt patience was waning with everyone and everything. I braved the craziness of the Saturday-before-the-perfect-storm hurricane, to get craft supplies for the kids. When I got home, they rather play outside than do the craft. With a frustrated, deep, defeated sigh, I let them do what kids do and head out to play.
A minute later, I saw the sweet face of my 4 year old daughter smiling the best smile. She said to me, "God made a craft for me to give you, because we both love you!" And from behind her back, she pulled a single dandelion. It was the most perfect dandelion I had ever seen, simply because it was given in love.
Today my heart learned that crafts can be made for the hands of children, and not necessarily by them.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Friday, July 15, 2011
Big Family Remodel Continues
The remodeling of our home continues. We have worked on the bathroom, painted the living room, upstairs hall and bathroom, replaced lights, striped and stained the wood work in the living room, ripped out and hung new kitchen cabinets, added an island in the kitchen (and and prior to that, took out a closet and knocked down a wall - which opened the kitchen up to the dining room. Making room for the kitchen island.), put in a new dining room/kitchen ceiling, we did outside work as well. But now, we've pulled up all the flooring throughout the dining room and kitchen and have exposed the original hard wood floors. We have a lot more work to do on the floor to get it finished - removing adhesive from the previous floor, sanding, staining and applying the polyurethane.
We have 1 bathroom, and have decided to redo it again. To make it look larger, and give us more space to move around, we are replacing the vanity and sink with a pedestal sink, replacing the toilet with a smaller, more efficient one and adding a jacuzzi tub. Of course, all of this will take much time to do. Since we buy the materials when we have cash on hand. I am hoping to have the above items finished by the end of August.
We plan to replace all the radiators with baseboard radiators as well. I would like to have the downstairs one's transferred over before Christmas. The new radiators are fairly inexpensive, so that shouldn't be a problem.
Once all the work is done (months from now I'm sure), I'll post pictures!
We have 1 bathroom, and have decided to redo it again. To make it look larger, and give us more space to move around, we are replacing the vanity and sink with a pedestal sink, replacing the toilet with a smaller, more efficient one and adding a jacuzzi tub. Of course, all of this will take much time to do. Since we buy the materials when we have cash on hand. I am hoping to have the above items finished by the end of August.
We plan to replace all the radiators with baseboard radiators as well. I would like to have the downstairs one's transferred over before Christmas. The new radiators are fairly inexpensive, so that shouldn't be a problem.
Once all the work is done (months from now I'm sure), I'll post pictures!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Everything happenes for a reason.....but I don't understand.
I've always believed that everything happened for a reason. Although we may not know the purpose at the time, it may be relieved to us later and then we'll understand. But there are just somethings I don't think I'll ever understand. One of these things became aware to me on my families recent vacation to Orlando.
We stayed at a resort called Give Kids the World. It is a village designed for families of children with life threatening illnesses. I came to terms with my understanding of why my daughter had her illness and I knew we would encounter other families that were in a similar boat as us. Then one day I met Ed.
Ed and his family is from Cleavland, Ohio. Ed was there with his wife and his daughter. They were the nicest family and Ed, the nicest man! After talking with Ed for some time, we found out his daughter has Leukemia. And her prognosis is dire. She won't get better.
Afterward, I thought about Ed and his family. London (his daughter) was his only child. Why would the Lord give you one child, just to take them from you? And not just take them from you, but take them from you in such a way (leukemia). The loss of a child is the worst thing a family can endure, but especially if you're then left childless afterwards.
My husband has different religious views than I do. So when I mentioned the heart break I felt for this family, losing their only child, his response was, "Everything you say about your God, tell me how that is fair. Tell me how a loving God would make his children endure that." It set bad with me, but it also added to my inability to understand WHY. I was always raised to never to question the acts of the Lord, but my heart wonders, if everything happens for a reason, what is Ed's families reason? A mother and fathers only child given then taken away. And taken away from a painful, long illness.
Someone help me understand.......
We stayed at a resort called Give Kids the World. It is a village designed for families of children with life threatening illnesses. I came to terms with my understanding of why my daughter had her illness and I knew we would encounter other families that were in a similar boat as us. Then one day I met Ed.
Ed and his family is from Cleavland, Ohio. Ed was there with his wife and his daughter. They were the nicest family and Ed, the nicest man! After talking with Ed for some time, we found out his daughter has Leukemia. And her prognosis is dire. She won't get better.
Afterward, I thought about Ed and his family. London (his daughter) was his only child. Why would the Lord give you one child, just to take them from you? And not just take them from you, but take them from you in such a way (leukemia). The loss of a child is the worst thing a family can endure, but especially if you're then left childless afterwards.
My husband has different religious views than I do. So when I mentioned the heart break I felt for this family, losing their only child, his response was, "Everything you say about your God, tell me how that is fair. Tell me how a loving God would make his children endure that." It set bad with me, but it also added to my inability to understand WHY. I was always raised to never to question the acts of the Lord, but my heart wonders, if everything happens for a reason, what is Ed's families reason? A mother and fathers only child given then taken away. And taken away from a painful, long illness.
Someone help me understand.......
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A heart is like a piece of glass........
"A heart is like a piece of glass,dropped once,broken forever,and even if the pieces finally get put back together,it will never ever be the same again."
What things in life left your heart changed? Not who... but "what". What situations left you so broken hearted that you could feel the difference.
I have to say, when it comes to my life, I've lived a pretty upbeat, happy life. I guess I should have expected a fall sooner or later. Nothing can always be good, right? I was looking through pictures, looking for a specific picture of my 2 year old, when I came across a picture of my 5 yr old when she was 3. It was a picture of her when she was in the midst of her treatment for kidney disease. That picture stopped me in my tracks. I froze physically, but my mind and my heart were taken back. I couldn't speak and I couldn't look away from the picture - how that time broke my heart to pieces. If I didn't believe in the strength of prayer or giving "it" to God, I don't know where I'd be today. Looking at that picture I can actually feel the change in my heart. It feels scarred. It feels haphazardly pieced back together. It feels forever changed.
Here is a picture of my daughter 10 days before she got sick.
Here is "the picture" of her during her treatment - 1-2 months after the above picture was taken.
My Lord, I cried every night. With the physical change, it was "seeing" the illness everyday. It was in your face reminding you your child has a condition that has a 50% mortality rate. My mind was always trying to close off the thoughts of "is she in the bad 50%". The only thing I could do was to scream into my pillow at night through my tears and beg God to take her sickness away and give it to me. I'd gladly be the one to be sick. Just save her.
Wow.... the places a picture can take you.
Here is my baby girl today. Healthy, happy and in remission.
Hopefully time will help my heart heal. But if not, at least it'll remind me how precious life is.
What things in life left your heart changed? Not who... but "what". What situations left you so broken hearted that you could feel the difference.
I have to say, when it comes to my life, I've lived a pretty upbeat, happy life. I guess I should have expected a fall sooner or later. Nothing can always be good, right? I was looking through pictures, looking for a specific picture of my 2 year old, when I came across a picture of my 5 yr old when she was 3. It was a picture of her when she was in the midst of her treatment for kidney disease. That picture stopped me in my tracks. I froze physically, but my mind and my heart were taken back. I couldn't speak and I couldn't look away from the picture - how that time broke my heart to pieces. If I didn't believe in the strength of prayer or giving "it" to God, I don't know where I'd be today. Looking at that picture I can actually feel the change in my heart. It feels scarred. It feels haphazardly pieced back together. It feels forever changed.
Here is a picture of my daughter 10 days before she got sick.
Here is "the picture" of her during her treatment - 1-2 months after the above picture was taken.
My Lord, I cried every night. With the physical change, it was "seeing" the illness everyday. It was in your face reminding you your child has a condition that has a 50% mortality rate. My mind was always trying to close off the thoughts of "is she in the bad 50%". The only thing I could do was to scream into my pillow at night through my tears and beg God to take her sickness away and give it to me. I'd gladly be the one to be sick. Just save her.
Wow.... the places a picture can take you.
Here is my baby girl today. Healthy, happy and in remission.
Hopefully time will help my heart heal. But if not, at least it'll remind me how precious life is.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Humbling moments.... what they have taught me.
"Humble : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission."
I've heard of other people talk about having humbling moments in their life and never took a look at my life to look at the times I was humbled and how they have affected me and how I act/react in those same situations today.
About 5 years ago, I stopped working full time and quickly had 3 children that my husband and I had to take care of. 3 kids and one income always proved to be a task for me to learn to deal with. During one difficult financial time, I needed to get groceries and had low funds. I took a large shopping bag full of pennies and other coins I had in the house and set out with the 3 kids to the store. Let me also add, my children were 10, 1 and newborn. The weather that day was cold and a really bad rain storm was passing through. We get to the store and I have my 10 yr old take my 1 yr old b the hand, I grab the bag of change and cover the baby in her car seat and we all go running through the pouring rain to the store. Then BAM! In the middle of the parking lot the bag of change breaks open and all the coins hit the ground.
I have my son take his little sisters up onto the side walk and out of the rain. I then walk back out to figure out how I'm going get these hundreds of coins up off the ground. I'm wet, I'm cold, I'm embarrassed, I'm frustrated and I didn't want my kids seeing me in this situation. I was feeling really low and right at that moment, a car drove by with an elderly couple in it and the man stared at me. I yelled, "What are you looking at?!?!" Then I continued on picking up the pennies and putting them into a new bag.
A moment later I felt the rain stop. I saw that it was still actively raining, but just not on me. I look up and that elderly man I yelled at, was crouched down beside me, holding an umbrella over my head and helping collect all my coins. And there it was..... the humbling experience I've always heard about. Not much was spoken between the two of us, and he even let me keep the umbrella.
This experience has to be the worst story in my life - in regard of how I acted toward another innocent person. It is so embarrassing to me, that I don't think I've ever shared it with my husband. But I wanted to share it here to show how a humbling experience can change you. See, I still remember the feelings of that day. When I find myself beginning to have those same feelings of frustration, I remember that day. It helps put things back into perspective and helps me act the way I know I should and how I'd want to be treated.
Have you experienced a humbling moment? Please share it!
I've heard of other people talk about having humbling moments in their life and never took a look at my life to look at the times I was humbled and how they have affected me and how I act/react in those same situations today.
About 5 years ago, I stopped working full time and quickly had 3 children that my husband and I had to take care of. 3 kids and one income always proved to be a task for me to learn to deal with. During one difficult financial time, I needed to get groceries and had low funds. I took a large shopping bag full of pennies and other coins I had in the house and set out with the 3 kids to the store. Let me also add, my children were 10, 1 and newborn. The weather that day was cold and a really bad rain storm was passing through. We get to the store and I have my 10 yr old take my 1 yr old b the hand, I grab the bag of change and cover the baby in her car seat and we all go running through the pouring rain to the store. Then BAM! In the middle of the parking lot the bag of change breaks open and all the coins hit the ground.
I have my son take his little sisters up onto the side walk and out of the rain. I then walk back out to figure out how I'm going get these hundreds of coins up off the ground. I'm wet, I'm cold, I'm embarrassed, I'm frustrated and I didn't want my kids seeing me in this situation. I was feeling really low and right at that moment, a car drove by with an elderly couple in it and the man stared at me. I yelled, "What are you looking at?!?!" Then I continued on picking up the pennies and putting them into a new bag.
A moment later I felt the rain stop. I saw that it was still actively raining, but just not on me. I look up and that elderly man I yelled at, was crouched down beside me, holding an umbrella over my head and helping collect all my coins. And there it was..... the humbling experience I've always heard about. Not much was spoken between the two of us, and he even let me keep the umbrella.
This experience has to be the worst story in my life - in regard of how I acted toward another innocent person. It is so embarrassing to me, that I don't think I've ever shared it with my husband. But I wanted to share it here to show how a humbling experience can change you. See, I still remember the feelings of that day. When I find myself beginning to have those same feelings of frustration, I remember that day. It helps put things back into perspective and helps me act the way I know I should and how I'd want to be treated.
Have you experienced a humbling moment? Please share it!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Would you like to win?
I'm having a contest and you're invited to join! Here are the rules and reward!
1. "Follow" this blog page and post a link on your social media website (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc..) and invite friends and family to check it out and follow as well.
2. Join my Facebook page - MyLargeFamily@groups.facebook.com and invite others to do so as well.
3. Post below to tell me that you've done both and also tell me why you feel you should win the contest!
Reward:
There are actually 2 chances to win.
The first winner will receive a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate to a restaurant that is local to them.
The second winner will receive a $10 Restaurant.com gift certificate to a restaurant that is local to them.
So please spread the word! And let's see who the winner will be!
1. "Follow" this blog page and post a link on your social media website (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc..) and invite friends and family to check it out and follow as well.
2. Join my Facebook page - MyLargeFamily@groups.facebook.com and invite others to do so as well.
3. Post below to tell me that you've done both and also tell me why you feel you should win the contest!
Reward:
There are actually 2 chances to win.
The first winner will receive a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate to a restaurant that is local to them.
The second winner will receive a $10 Restaurant.com gift certificate to a restaurant that is local to them.
So please spread the word! And let's see who the winner will be!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Big family summer!
What kind of things do big families do during the summer months? We basically do the same things smaller families do, except in a larger version! LOL In the past, we devoted one day a month to take a trip locally. At that time, we were living in Cincinnati, so we made day trips to the zoo, the Newport Aquarium, and the Creation Museum, to name a few.
Now that we're back in the Philadelphia area, not only is there much more to do, but it is also much more expensive. This year though, we are taking the kids on a trip to Disney World in early June. This month, we have our new swing set to keep the kids busy, and July and August hold big birthdays for 3 of the kids. So day trips to their birthday destinations will be scheduled. Lucky for us, we are in a position this year to be able to provide these "extras" for the kids. I'm thinking about adding library story times for the girls on days I have the van and some other free activities to spend time with the kids! Summer is for fun and family.
How do you spend summer time with your family?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
I have a dream.. Can you help me reach it??
There is a mobile home in my local area that I've been trying to buy outright. It is a very minimal investment to purchase, but needs TLC, which we are fully capable of accomplishing. The home has been offered to us and we need only $2,000 more to buy it out right.
Here is why buying this home is important to me. We all are "called" to do something. I feel as if I'm called to help others - any way I can. I want to purchase this home and fix it's needs and make it available to a local womens shelter as a home for a family they are sheltering.
This shelter is dedicated to ending domestic violence in lives, homes and communities. "The mission is to provide safe haven for abused women and their children, to raise public awareness about domestic violence and to advocate for social change against domestic violence."
I don't want to miss out on this opportunity over $2000. So I am reaching out to you. I am asking for donations to help us reach this goal. Any amount will help and be greatly appreciated! Any donation will bring us closer to reaching our $2000 goal.
If you are able, please donate. Please pass this along to others as well. Please help us achieve the calling that was placed in our hearts ti help others!
Our paypal address is:
rmcapaldi@aol.com
Here is why buying this home is important to me. We all are "called" to do something. I feel as if I'm called to help others - any way I can. I want to purchase this home and fix it's needs and make it available to a local womens shelter as a home for a family they are sheltering.
This shelter is dedicated to ending domestic violence in lives, homes and communities. "The mission is to provide safe haven for abused women and their children, to raise public awareness about domestic violence and to advocate for social change against domestic violence."
I don't want to miss out on this opportunity over $2000. So I am reaching out to you. I am asking for donations to help us reach this goal. Any amount will help and be greatly appreciated! Any donation will bring us closer to reaching our $2000 goal.
If you are able, please donate. Please pass this along to others as well. Please help us achieve the calling that was placed in our hearts ti help others!
Our paypal address is:
rmcapaldi@aol.com
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Balancing family, work and household tasks.
It's no surprise that in 2011 moms are expected to be super moms. Whether it is a working mom or a stay at home mom, "super" seems to precede any moms name. So I want to see how other moms balance family, work and household tasks.
Just as every family is different, so is the way households are run. I find some techniques friends and family use or suggest, just don't "fit" how I do my thing. But they fit that family structure just fine and help that family function well.
Some days I do find it hard to balance all the aspects of the mom role. I have more to do at some points than others. And all the "extras" make it hard to get done all the normal things that need to be done. It is these times that I often wonder how other large families handle these same situations, what new things I can apply to make these hectic times smoother for myself and the household, and what things can be set to the side so I still can accomplish the "musts" and have time with my husband and children.
So I ask you readers, how to do you balance? How do you make your busy and not-so-busy days flow as smoothly as they can? Lets share some tips and even just some encouragement with one another and maybe we can benefit from each other! Please post below!
**Remember to "follow" my blog!**
Just as every family is different, so is the way households are run. I find some techniques friends and family use or suggest, just don't "fit" how I do my thing. But they fit that family structure just fine and help that family function well.
Some days I do find it hard to balance all the aspects of the mom role. I have more to do at some points than others. And all the "extras" make it hard to get done all the normal things that need to be done. It is these times that I often wonder how other large families handle these same situations, what new things I can apply to make these hectic times smoother for myself and the household, and what things can be set to the side so I still can accomplish the "musts" and have time with my husband and children.
So I ask you readers, how to do you balance? How do you make your busy and not-so-busy days flow as smoothly as they can? Lets share some tips and even just some encouragement with one another and maybe we can benefit from each other! Please post below!
**Remember to "follow" my blog!**
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Career Change
My husband has decided to make a career change. I know, in this economy? But he is very unhappy working in retail. He has decided to renew his paramedic license and return to that field. Luckily for us, that occupation pays the same, if not slightly more than he makes right now. It should take him 1-2 months to study for and pass his exams and also get the other relevant certifications. He may also be getting a surgery in the near future (like within the month), so that will give him the free time to study while he is home recovering.
So hopefully, in the next few months he'll be settled into a career that he loves!
So hopefully, in the next few months he'll be settled into a career that he loves!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Feeling Discouraged
After a great first week on my diet, I lost 4.4 lbs. But today, I'm very discouraged. The make up of my diet plan is very restrictive. Typically, I would bag the whole thing and find another, easier way. But between the cost of the diet plan and the fact that I lost a nice amount off the bat, I feel trapped in this diet. I am so desperate to lose the weight, I feel like this is working and I have to stick with it. Even though I can't have anything really. Apparently my body type stores fat from everything, so the other 4 body types have flexibility, I have none.
I'd also hate to give up and not lose any weight and 6 months from now look back and have guilt that I didn't just stick with it - difficult or not. I just want to lose the weight! So yeah, I'm down and discouraged today.
I'd also hate to give up and not lose any weight and 6 months from now look back and have guilt that I didn't just stick with it - difficult or not. I just want to lose the weight! So yeah, I'm down and discouraged today.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Favorite On-Line Places!
I'm not talking about Facebook or ebay, I'm talking about other websites that you visit that peak your interest. I have to say that currently my favorite website (other than my own) is Beekman1802.com. If you are new to the site, you could spend literally HOURS reading and visiting all the areas of the site. For those of you who have no idea who Beekman1802 is, it is the website that accompanies the Channel Green reality series, "The Fabulous Beekman Boys."
Not only does this website have a shop option for you to purchase their great items (which I have done many times) it has blogs by various Beekman 1802 individuals, tips on gardening, they are promoting the worlds largest vegetable garden this growing season, and many other interesting things you can get engrossed in. Check it out, also check out the show, I'm sure you'll love it!
As I briefly mentioned above, I have my own website. This obviously is my most favorite. It is a mothering site for mothers of all ages. It is a calm, accepting site. Free of any fighting, prejudices and catty behavior. I honestly can say it is the best moms site on the web (especially if you are looking for good friendships, advice and a place to open up and be yourself!) If you are a mom and want to join us, you can visit the site at modernmamas.info.
Not only does this website have a shop option for you to purchase their great items (which I have done many times) it has blogs by various Beekman 1802 individuals, tips on gardening, they are promoting the worlds largest vegetable garden this growing season, and many other interesting things you can get engrossed in. Check it out, also check out the show, I'm sure you'll love it!
As I briefly mentioned above, I have my own website. This obviously is my most favorite. It is a mothering site for mothers of all ages. It is a calm, accepting site. Free of any fighting, prejudices and catty behavior. I honestly can say it is the best moms site on the web (especially if you are looking for good friendships, advice and a place to open up and be yourself!) If you are a mom and want to join us, you can visit the site at modernmamas.info.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
6 week weight loss
As I posted previously, I am working on losing weight. One morning I was up early and one of those spammy infomercials was on. I was in the middle of reading something online when the infomercial actually caught my attention. I went to their website and bookmarked the page to look at later. A few days later, I remembered about the site and went to check it out and see if it was legitimate or not.
I read the site and it seemed very promising for someone who was looking to lose some major weight. I then Googled info on it, such as reviews, scams, and so on. Pretty much what I found was that it was a legit diet and most people who dedicated themselves to it, had wonderful outcomes. It is a bit pricey, but they have a payment plan, so I signed up for it and my 6 week body makeover was on its way! I got it last week and it suggested you start it on a Monday. I have to say, opening the box and getting everything in order is very overwhelming. I almost gave up because I was so overwhelmed! But I read over what foods I needed and went on the website to get some recipe ideas and prepped myself to start.
I started it yesterday and already lost 1.6 lbs. Its pretty easy if you go by the "easy" recipe suggestions. I'm sure I'll branch out on my foods and meals when I get more comfortable with the program. I told my sister about it and she actually tried it a year or so ago, and gave up. The main thing the diet stresses is a salt free lifestyle. My sister is a salt-a-holic, so after a week and a half, she gave up because she couldn't go without the salt. We have been a salt-free household for about 2-3 yrs now due to Kayleigh's dietary needs for her kidney disease. So that aspect wasn't an issue for me.
So hopefully, this program works and I can drop the weight I need to lose! Wish me luck!
I read the site and it seemed very promising for someone who was looking to lose some major weight. I then Googled info on it, such as reviews, scams, and so on. Pretty much what I found was that it was a legit diet and most people who dedicated themselves to it, had wonderful outcomes. It is a bit pricey, but they have a payment plan, so I signed up for it and my 6 week body makeover was on its way! I got it last week and it suggested you start it on a Monday. I have to say, opening the box and getting everything in order is very overwhelming. I almost gave up because I was so overwhelmed! But I read over what foods I needed and went on the website to get some recipe ideas and prepped myself to start.
I started it yesterday and already lost 1.6 lbs. Its pretty easy if you go by the "easy" recipe suggestions. I'm sure I'll branch out on my foods and meals when I get more comfortable with the program. I told my sister about it and she actually tried it a year or so ago, and gave up. The main thing the diet stresses is a salt free lifestyle. My sister is a salt-a-holic, so after a week and a half, she gave up because she couldn't go without the salt. We have been a salt-free household for about 2-3 yrs now due to Kayleigh's dietary needs for her kidney disease. So that aspect wasn't an issue for me.
So hopefully, this program works and I can drop the weight I need to lose! Wish me luck!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Good Reads!
Recently, I treated myself to a Kindle E-reader. You can find thousands of ebooks online for free. I downloaded about 20 free ebooks from Amazon and began my reading. I read "The Island of Dr. Moreou" by H.G. Wells and loved it! It was a little on the crazy side, but it was a good read! My next 3 books on my list I did pay $9.99 for, because I did want to read them so badly. They were all written by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. The first one was "The Bucolic Plague. How two Manhattanies became gentleman farmers." This book is based on the reality tv show on Channel Green called "The Fabulous Beekman Boys." You can find information about the book HERE. This is a great book! I laughed through the entire thing! It is real and honest and you can relate to the the characters in the story. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great book to read! The next book, I actually just begun reading. Also by Kilmer-Purcell, is called, "I Am Not Myself These Days: A Memoir". I am enjoying what I've read so far, and if interested, you can see if this book is for you HERE. The third book I ought written by Kilmer- Purcell, and have not begun reading yet, is, "Candy Everybody Wants". More of a fictional read, rather than a memoir like the other two books, I anticipate a good read as well. Kilmer-Purcell has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I hope he continues to publish books, not sure how many memoirs one person can write, but I like the real life stories opposed to fictional stories. If you would like to see what this book is about, follow think LINK.
Also on my "paid for" reading list LOL, is "Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back." Written by Todd Burpo. This is waiting to be read as well, but I saw this family on tv and was interested in the book. It is a real life account of things that happened in the life of their son. Information can be found HERE.
And one final book adventure, this is a future buy, once I am caught up on all these reads, it is called, "Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot." Written by Bruce Leininger, Andrea Leininger & Ken Gross. Again, I saw this family on a tv news show and my interest was peaked about the story of their son who had memories of a WWII pilot killed in action. This book can be found HERE.
I'm so glad that my Kindle purchase wasn't a waste. I was so afraid that I wouldn't have time to use it. So tell me, what books have you read lately? Are there books you are looking forward to reading? What type of writing do you prefer when you look for interesting books? (Fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, sci-fi, etc...)
Also on my "paid for" reading list LOL, is "Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back." Written by Todd Burpo. This is waiting to be read as well, but I saw this family on tv and was interested in the book. It is a real life account of things that happened in the life of their son. Information can be found HERE.
And one final book adventure, this is a future buy, once I am caught up on all these reads, it is called, "Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot." Written by Bruce Leininger, Andrea Leininger & Ken Gross. Again, I saw this family on a tv news show and my interest was peaked about the story of their son who had memories of a WWII pilot killed in action. This book can be found HERE.
I'm so glad that my Kindle purchase wasn't a waste. I was so afraid that I wouldn't have time to use it. So tell me, what books have you read lately? Are there books you are looking forward to reading? What type of writing do you prefer when you look for interesting books? (Fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, sci-fi, etc...)
**Click follow in the left margin to follow my blog!! **
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
All in a Day: Quick Family Recipes
We all have days that seem to get away from us. Whether it's due to time change, a busy schedule or an unexpected emergency, sometimes dinner time is here before we know it and you have to make something fast. In our house, we would probably do the good ole stand by - spaghetti. But if I had a little time to work my magic, I would probably make Taco Soup (which I adopted from the Duggar family) the recipe for that is as follows:
TACO SOUP
2 lbs ground turkey
1 med. onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 pkg. ranch or 1 c. liquid ranch dressing
1 cans hominy, undrained
1 (14 1/2 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15oz.) cans kidney beans, undrained
1 (15oz.) cans pinto beans, undrained
4 c. water
Brown ground turkey w/ onion. stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to boil. Simmer 30 min. Serve w/ Tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese & sour cream. Serves 6-8
1 med. onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 pkg. ranch or 1 c. liquid ranch dressing
1 cans hominy, undrained
1 (14 1/2 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15oz.) cans kidney beans, undrained
1 (15oz.) cans pinto beans, undrained
4 c. water
Brown ground turkey w/ onion. stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to boil. Simmer 30 min. Serve w/ Tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese & sour cream. Serves 6-8
One of my family and friends favorite recipe, that also takes a short time to cook, is my Mexican Meatloaf:
MEXICAN MEATLOAF
2 lbs. ground beef
1 can Salsa
1 bag shredded taco flavored cheese
1 egg
1 - 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
In a bowl, mix meat, 3/4 can of salsa, 3/4 bag of cheese, egg and bread crumbs. After mixing thoroughly, make into a meatloaf shape (or any other shape you like!) and cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 mins. Pull meatloaf out of over, baste the top with the remaining salsa and top with cheese. Put back in over for 5 mins. Until cheese is melted.
One last recipe that is very delicious as well as quick and easy, is my turkey stroganoff recipe.
TURKEY STROGANOFF
2 lbs. ground turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 packet of dry onion soup mix
4 oz. sour cream
1 bag egg noodles
Simply boil the noodles and set them aside in a large bowl. Cook up the ground turnkey in a pan and when cooked through, add it to the noodles - set bowl aside. In a separate mixing bowl, blend together all remaining ingredients. When thoroughly blended, add it to the noodle and turkey combination in the other bowl. Stir until well mixed. Enjoy!
Post a comment below and tell me all about your families favorite quick and easy recipes!! And remember, "follow" my page so you don't miss a post!!
Check out the other All in a Day Bloggers...
Carrie @ Our Full House
Christi @ Where the Creek Meets the Lake
Elizabeth @ Yes They’re All Ours
Kathy @ Kathy Mom of Many
Kristy @ Homemaker's Cottage
Lori @ Happy Busy Mama
Monica @ Natural Mama
Renee @ Bakers Dozen
Monday, March 21, 2011
Quality time when your spouse works a lot.
There you are again. 6 pm, foods on the table, kids are seated and eating, you sit down and look to your left and there it is - the empty chair that once was occupied by your spouse. Eating dinner like this has become commonplace recently and even though there are already 6+ people at the table, you're wishing for one more. This ever happen to you??
My husband recently begun a new job. Its a higher position than he's held previously and with that comes more hours. It's like he's never home anymore. So what do you do to make the time you have with your spouse wonderful? Typically on my husbands days off, we're engrossed in remodeling our house, planning and prepping for our garden, out of the house either grocery shopping or buying home improvement items to complete a job. So his days off are filled up with "must-dos" because he can't work on them during the week. Last night, eating a 1 parent dinner again, I decided I would make today wonderful for him.
He will be home in time for dinner tonight, so the house will be immaculately clean (well, as clean as you can have with 5 kids) and I've planned a full course turkey dinner for him. Complete with homemade bread that he loves so much!
I want him to be able to come home and have a delicious dinner and relax in a clean house and just be with us. Tonight should be a great night! I'm hoping to find a quick and easy recipe for bread pudding (his favorite dessert) to make for him today as well!
Tell me the things you do to spend quality time with your spouse when your time with them is limited!
My husband recently begun a new job. Its a higher position than he's held previously and with that comes more hours. It's like he's never home anymore. So what do you do to make the time you have with your spouse wonderful? Typically on my husbands days off, we're engrossed in remodeling our house, planning and prepping for our garden, out of the house either grocery shopping or buying home improvement items to complete a job. So his days off are filled up with "must-dos" because he can't work on them during the week. Last night, eating a 1 parent dinner again, I decided I would make today wonderful for him.
He will be home in time for dinner tonight, so the house will be immaculately clean (well, as clean as you can have with 5 kids) and I've planned a full course turkey dinner for him. Complete with homemade bread that he loves so much!
I want him to be able to come home and have a delicious dinner and relax in a clean house and just be with us. Tonight should be a great night! I'm hoping to find a quick and easy recipe for bread pudding (his favorite dessert) to make for him today as well!
Tell me the things you do to spend quality time with your spouse when your time with them is limited!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Gardening - Heirloom Style!
This year we are growing an heirloom collection of veggies. What heirloom vegetables? Heirloom vegetables are old, open-pollinated cultivators. In addition, these varieties also have a reputation for being high quality and easy to grow. The veggies we'll be growing, along with a small description is listed below.
LONG GREEN CUCUMBER - A direct descendant of the extinct "Green Turkey," dating back to the 18th century.
YELLOW PEAR TOMATOES - Small, sweet, pear-shaped variety dating back to the 1600's.
PURPLE TOPPED TURNIP - Purple above ground, and cream below. One of America's first garden staples.
BLOOMSDALE SPINACH - A Landreth introduction in 1826, it's still the most popular non-hybrid spinach sold today.
BULLNOSE or BELL PEPPER - Introduced to the US in 1759, peppers were originally used mostly for pickling.
NANTES SCARLET HALF-LONG CARROT - A French variety introduced to America in the second half of the 19 century.
GOLDEN BANTAM CORN - Sweet flavor and longer ears made this a mainstay of late 19 century American gardens.
DWARF GREY SUGAR SNAP PEAS - Very early producer, thought extinct until the late 1970's.
FRENCH BREAKFAST RADISH - Introduced in 1879, rosy red with a bright white tip.
GREEN HUBBARD WINTER SQUASH - Originally from the West Indies or South America, distinctive Hubbard flavor.
BUSH BEAN BOUNTIFUL - Introduced by D. G. Burlingame, Genesee, New York at the turn of the 20th century.
EARLY JERSEY WAKEFIELD CABBAGE - While introduced in the 19th this cabbage has been popular right through modern times.
SMALL SUGAR PUMPKIN - Also known as 'New England Pie' this variety is still a favorite among heirloom growers and chefs.
BRANDYWINE TOMATO - The 'original' heirloom tomato that sparked the heirloom craze. From an original strain.
CRISPHEAD ICEBERG LETTUCE - What the supermarket lettuce wishes it could be. From the early 20th century.
We are very excited to begin planting this year! Do you garden? What type of things do you include in your garden?? I'd love to hear all about it!
LONG GREEN CUCUMBER - A direct descendant of the extinct "Green Turkey," dating back to the 18th century.
YELLOW PEAR TOMATOES - Small, sweet, pear-shaped variety dating back to the 1600's.
PURPLE TOPPED TURNIP - Purple above ground, and cream below. One of America's first garden staples.
BLOOMSDALE SPINACH - A Landreth introduction in 1826, it's still the most popular non-hybrid spinach sold today.
BULLNOSE or BELL PEPPER - Introduced to the US in 1759, peppers were originally used mostly for pickling.
NANTES SCARLET HALF-LONG CARROT - A French variety introduced to America in the second half of the 19 century.
GOLDEN BANTAM CORN - Sweet flavor and longer ears made this a mainstay of late 19 century American gardens.
DWARF GREY SUGAR SNAP PEAS - Very early producer, thought extinct until the late 1970's.
FRENCH BREAKFAST RADISH - Introduced in 1879, rosy red with a bright white tip.
GREEN HUBBARD WINTER SQUASH - Originally from the West Indies or South America, distinctive Hubbard flavor.
BUSH BEAN BOUNTIFUL - Introduced by D. G. Burlingame, Genesee, New York at the turn of the 20th century.
EARLY JERSEY WAKEFIELD CABBAGE - While introduced in the 19th this cabbage has been popular right through modern times.
SMALL SUGAR PUMPKIN - Also known as 'New England Pie' this variety is still a favorite among heirloom growers and chefs.
BRANDYWINE TOMATO - The 'original' heirloom tomato that sparked the heirloom craze. From an original strain.
CRISPHEAD ICEBERG LETTUCE - What the supermarket lettuce wishes it could be. From the early 20th century.
We are very excited to begin planting this year! Do you garden? What type of things do you include in your garden?? I'd love to hear all about it!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
You Know You Have a Large Family When . . .
Saw this and had to re-post!
* People ask you if you have two sets of twins. Or about your triplets. You don't have either.
* You get in line for a tour at a museum and they give you your own tour guide.
* You hear "You've got your hands full" at least three times every time you're out in public with your children.
* You start reading a story to one child and end up reading stories to three or four.
* You buy a family pass at a museum but have to pay extra to add all of your children.
* You DO have two sets of twins. And/or triplets.
* You don't fit into a normal minivan.
* You read the fine print on the "Kids Eat Free" offers.
* Everyone you know has less children than you do.
* You go to the grocery store and buy 36 bags of cereal at a time.
* Four pounds of bananas only lasts a day
* You make four dozen cookies and they're all gone the next day.
Anyone got some to add?
**Please take the time to click the "follow" button so you don't miss out on any great deals, articles and more!!**
You Know You Have a Large Family When . . .
* People ask you if you have two sets of twins. Or about your triplets. You don't have either.* You get in line for a tour at a museum and they give you your own tour guide.
* You hear "You've got your hands full" at least three times every time you're out in public with your children.
* You start reading a story to one child and end up reading stories to three or four.
* You buy a family pass at a museum but have to pay extra to add all of your children.
* You DO have two sets of twins. And/or triplets.
* You don't fit into a normal minivan.
* You read the fine print on the "Kids Eat Free" offers.
* Everyone you know has less children than you do.
* You go to the grocery store and buy 36 bags of cereal at a time.
* Four pounds of bananas only lasts a day
* You make four dozen cookies and they're all gone the next day.
Anyone got some to add?
**Please take the time to click the "follow" button so you don't miss out on any great deals, articles and more!!**
All in a Day: The Sunday Morning Rush
We don't have the "typical" Sunday church events, like many other families. I have begun doing home church with the kids. This came about for many reasons. The first being, we have 1 car and my husbands days off each week vary. If I get the kids involved in church, I want it to be a routine, not something sporadic. Second, we really work hard at keeping Kayleigh illness-free so she doesn't relapse. Kids+winter+confined spaces = potential, if not certain, illness. So with that being said, here is our "Sunday Morning Rush."
Between 7 and 9, the kids wake up. They eat, bathe, dress and between 10 and 11 we begin our home church session. Some days I'll have them gather around the kitchen table, other days we may sit in a circle on the floor. I begin by telling them what we will learn about that day. Why it is important and I'll give examples they can understand, so they "get" what I teach that day.
During the lesson, they can freely ask questions if they need to and after the lesson, I ask each child and age appropriate question in regard to the teaching. We then do a hands-on activity. Some weeks, depending on the lesson, we may color pictures, draw pictures as they relate to that days teaching, cook something that corresponds, etc... All of this takes about an hour to an hour and a half. If the kids want to do something more afterward, we continue on. If not, we are done for that week. But I hear them teaching one another and talking to one another about what they just learned.
I find that this form of "church" fits our family the best. Taking into account our situation and circumstances, it's a way I've found to make sure the kids learn to sit and listen, and also to make sure they have the teachings of the Bible taught to them, as they would if they were at an organized church school!
Tell me about your Sunday Morning Rush!!!
**Please take the time to click the "follow" button so you don't miss out on any great deals, articles and more!!**
Check out the other All in a Day Bloggers...
Carrie @ Our Full House
Christi @ Where the Creek Meets the Lake
Elizabeth @ Yes They’re All Ours
Kathy @ Kathy Mom of Many
Kristy @ Homemaker's Cottage
Lori @ Happy Busy Mama
Monica @ Natural Mama
Renee @ Bakers Dozen
If you have a blog, see below on how to link to us! If you don't have a blog, leave us a comment telling us about your Sunday Morning Rush.
We would love to have you link your blog with us, at All in a Day.
Here's how it works:
1. Copy and Paste this code to add the All in a Day banner to the top of your post.
<a href="http://www.ourfullhouse.com/"><img src="http://www.ourfullhouse.com/images/stories/all-in-a-day.png"></a><br/>
2. Copy and paste the list of the "All in a Day Bloggers" into your post.
3. Put your name and a direct link to your blog post into Mr. Linky, below.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Crazy people acting in the name of "Christianity."
I think everyone has seen something in the news about those insane Westboro Baptist Church members picketing military funerals. With this weeks Supreme Court ruling in their favor, it's like handing a loaded gun to a killer. I "understand" their stand on why they picket. Doesn't make it right. Doesn't make it moral and it surly doesn't make it Christian in any form.
But now these people have decided to picket the funeral of 7 Mennonite children who died in a house fire this week. WHY??? I'll tell you why. Because the Supreme Court has now given them the "You can't touch me" syndrome. They now think they are above the law. If, by any chance, they stumble upon my small blog here in cyber-space.I would like to stand on my soap box for a minute and say, Westboro Baptist Church, you are doing the work of the Devil. Forming and carrying out evil, hatred-filled actions towards other of God's children. He has said, "Love one another as I have loved you." The Bible tells us, He sent His only son to die for us. Thats how much he loves us. Protesting and carrying signs that indicate God "hates" anyone is not the work of our Lord, but the work of a dark dark evil. And you promote this evil.
Part of being a Christian, to me anyway, to bring people TO God. To minister to them and help them find their way to Him. Your words and actions are doing the opposite. No one wants to hear anything you have to say. No One wants anything to do with you or your "church" (and I used that term very loosely). All because you outright refuse to bring people to the Lord. You are pushing them away from God and from the path of Christianity. And you really need to stop and think, "Is that what God would want from me?" Let me answer that for you.... NO!! No, it is not. You have a voice. But you would do much better in the job God has assigned to you, if you brought people TO Him. Not drive them away from Him. Your group is doing some heinous damage to the Christian religion. And let's face it, you're group isn't Christian. Lets look up the meaning of Christianity.
Christianity ; following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ. The last part is the most important. Because I don't even remember Jesus Christ behaving in such an embarrassing and hateful way towards people. He loved and embraced everyone. He brought them to God through his gentleness. He wasn't protesting at funerals of those who spoke out against him. He wasn't defiling the life of beloved children by spewing hate filled messages.
So WBC, get over yourself. Members, realize your "leader" is brainwashing you and leading you down a very bad road away from God and His rewards. And when your day of judgment comes, and God asks you, "What have you done for your fellow man?" Your answer will be, "I turned them away from you Lord." And then, do you think you're getting in????
Stop doing the work of the Devil and start now doing the REAL work of the Lord. It's not too late to save yourself.
Ok, now that I've gotten that off my chest, here are links to a few important articles about WBC and their anticipated protest and what is being done about it.
Original Story
http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-westboro-protest-perry-fire-funeral,0,5116994.story
Whats being done.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=170816896302956
But now these people have decided to picket the funeral of 7 Mennonite children who died in a house fire this week. WHY??? I'll tell you why. Because the Supreme Court has now given them the "You can't touch me" syndrome. They now think they are above the law. If, by any chance, they stumble upon my small blog here in cyber-space.I would like to stand on my soap box for a minute and say, Westboro Baptist Church, you are doing the work of the Devil. Forming and carrying out evil, hatred-filled actions towards other of God's children. He has said, "Love one another as I have loved you." The Bible tells us, He sent His only son to die for us. Thats how much he loves us. Protesting and carrying signs that indicate God "hates" anyone is not the work of our Lord, but the work of a dark dark evil. And you promote this evil.
Part of being a Christian, to me anyway, to bring people TO God. To minister to them and help them find their way to Him. Your words and actions are doing the opposite. No one wants to hear anything you have to say. No One wants anything to do with you or your "church" (and I used that term very loosely). All because you outright refuse to bring people to the Lord. You are pushing them away from God and from the path of Christianity. And you really need to stop and think, "Is that what God would want from me?" Let me answer that for you.... NO!! No, it is not. You have a voice. But you would do much better in the job God has assigned to you, if you brought people TO Him. Not drive them away from Him. Your group is doing some heinous damage to the Christian religion. And let's face it, you're group isn't Christian. Lets look up the meaning of Christianity.
Christianity ; following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ. The last part is the most important. Because I don't even remember Jesus Christ behaving in such an embarrassing and hateful way towards people. He loved and embraced everyone. He brought them to God through his gentleness. He wasn't protesting at funerals of those who spoke out against him. He wasn't defiling the life of beloved children by spewing hate filled messages.
So WBC, get over yourself. Members, realize your "leader" is brainwashing you and leading you down a very bad road away from God and His rewards. And when your day of judgment comes, and God asks you, "What have you done for your fellow man?" Your answer will be, "I turned them away from you Lord." And then, do you think you're getting in????
Stop doing the work of the Devil and start now doing the REAL work of the Lord. It's not too late to save yourself.
Ok, now that I've gotten that off my chest, here are links to a few important articles about WBC and their anticipated protest and what is being done about it.
Original Story
http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-westboro-protest-perry-fire-funeral,0,5116994.story
Whats being done.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=170816896302956
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)