Nuttin' new....

So...I haven't blogged in quite awhile....
We had the computer worked on to get rid of those pesky viruses....yuck. The viruses probably started because of my love (and sometimes addiction) to Facebook games......
Once the computer came home...I could not log onto my blog....ugh....so, I just forgot about the blog for awhile....too many other things going on here!!

3 of my children came down with the dreaded H1N1 flu.....I think that the media has scared people witless about this flu....they even had me terrified....but, in reality, it wasn't as bad as the regular seasonal flu....only lasted a few days...the aftermath of it was worse for us...one child developed bronchitis and another developed a sinus infection....other than that, it wasn't bad....well, with the exception of a VERY worn out Mama Bear and us getting behind in school....ugh....but that's one of the joys of homechooling...right??? It still frustrates me to be behind.....guess I am what you call a 'type A' personality..... :)
So, maybe now that I have figured out how to get into my blog....and we are s...l...o...w...l....y catching up with school....I can devote more time to this blog.
I am trying to figure out what direction I would like this blog to go in......still figuring on that one!!

Mammograms....

Have you had your yearly mammogram?? I went in today for mine....uh, and I was only 11 months late!! Why is it when your Dr tells you that you should do something, we, as moms and wives put EVERYTHING on the list but US?? This is what I did. At the time of my yearly appointment with my Ob/Gyn, I told him that I would make the appointment....and, at the time, I meant it......like Scarlett O'Hara said, "I can't think of that today, I will think of that tomorrow".
~but, tomorrow had on it's list- ball games or ball practice, school work, children's dr appts., errands to run, laundry to do, house to clean, food to buy, food to cook, dishes to wash......etc.
Last week, we had a house full of family visiting....after they left to go home, I jumped into the much needed shower to 'unwind'.....then....the unmentionable happened...I felt a lump, under my arm. The day before, I had noticed that I had a tender spot under that arm....I just figured that it was my under wire bra and couldn't wait for night to fall and I could take the bra off.......
Needless to say, the lump IMMEDIATELY got my attention and I thought of that little piece of paper that had been hanging on my fridge for 11 months telling me to call and schedule the mammogram.......I did....the next day.
So today I went in for that mammogram (lump had left days earlier)....and I was wondering as I walked out of the building exactly 16 minutes after my appointment time......(the mammogram was over)....WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO MAKE THIS IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT....AN APPOINTMENT THAT ONLY TOOK 16 MINUTES + DRIVING TIME???
I should get the results in a week.....and next time....I will not wait 11 months.....
I WILL think of that tomorrow and I WILL do something about it....tomorrow.

ARBY'S....er, I mean, MamaBear's Values....

Saturday, the family was out enjoying lunch at a local resturant. As I sat there, I looked over the table an saw something very interesting....on the bag of food was a list of values. I found these values quite profound and decided to adopt them into our family values.

*If you can dream it, you can do it!!

*Do the best you can, in all that you do!

*Set high goals and make them happen!

*Always treat others with respect and fairness.

*Make the most of everyday. Life is mean to be enjoyed!

*Help make life better for those around you!

In a few weeks when our family starts school back....you can bet this will be part of our curriculum!!

Family

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of having my brother and his family in for a stay. They live about 2 hours away from here. The kids were so excited....I actually had one son who got up early, got dressed (without me having to tell him too!) and then took a chair to the sidewalk to 'wait' on Uncle Joe!!...well, actually, he wasn't waiting on 'Uncle Joe'...more like waiting on 'cousin Zachary'!! The weekend was filled with lots of noise (well, there were 8 kids running around here), swimming (after all, we do have a pool---and it was HOT!) and of course, what we do best...EAT!
Saturday night my sweet husband did a 'low country boil'....yum....for those of you that do not know of this southern delight, it is corn on the cob, potatoes, chicken or sausage, shrimp all boiled in a pot with crab boil....it is a little zesty and simply scrumptious! There were no left overs!!
The girls (Miss Sara (my niece) and my daughter, Ridgley) made a dessert we call, 'cookies and cream'....simply dip chocolate chip cookies in milk and layer in casserole dish, then top with whip cream, make another layer of this and on top of the whip cream, crumple a cookie --for decoration! YUM.... The girls did a good job!!!
It was a great weekend...wish it could have lasted longer.....

Goulash....

O.K.,....one usually doesn't receive recipes from one's brother...but, I have to admit...my brother "Joe" shared this one with me....now I will share with you....it is quite tasty. Probably could be in the category of a 'frugal' meal, probably could be added to or taken from...I personally like it as is.

GOULASH

sausage (whatever you like- we use hot breakfast sausage)
can of pinto beans
rice (however much your family usually eats)

brown sausage and drain- add pintos (I added without the juice from can) cover and let sit (not on heat) while rice cooks. Cook rice according to package directions.
Add sausage mixture to rice; mix well. Serve.
YUM!
** 'the Father bear' and I did add some salsa to ours-that made it a little more zesty...very yummy!!

~Thanks Joe for sharing with your dear old (no comment there!!) sister!!

Dogs

Does this look like a sweet little dog to you?? He is not...He is a BAD DOG... very BAD DOG!!

We were leaving the other night to go to my son's baseball tournament...my oldest daughter had a friend going with us (a friend of the opposite gender--more on that later)...so I go out to the garage and start clearing some things out of the van to make way for an 'extra' person....

one of the things I clear out is our 'church bag'....what is a 'church bag' you ask...It is a tote bag (that I made) that holds our bibles, pens, small note book, and any papers the kids may have accumulated in Sunday school.... I put our 'church bag' on the golf cart and proceed to clear a few other things out of the van. I forget to put the church bag back into the van.....we go to the game (daughter and friend of the opposite gender do not ride with us, but ride in friend of the opposite gender's truck---Dad said they could---more on that later). Later that evening we arrive home and I had completely forgotten all about the church bag sitting on the golf cart....it stays there all night and all the next day--the dog doesn't bother it at all....

The following day, we have yet another baseball tournament to attend. Same friend of the opposite gender goes along too (more on that later)....when we arrive home, everyone is freezing cold and soaking wet--yep, played baseball in the rain....and we lost....BAD. Driving into the garage, I notice some paper all over the garage. I am thinking to myself, 'oh, daughter has a mess to clean up' (the dog belongs to my oldest daughter)....grateful to be home-so we can dry off and finally eat supper---I did say we were starving didn't I?? Yes, we are starving! I open my door of the van to inspect the papers that are littering the floor of the garage...and to my HORROR....I notice that the papers are MINE.....excuse me, but now I have to change ink colors because Mama Bear is FURIOUS at this point....those papers that belong to ME...also belong in my BIBLE!!!! GRRRRRRR....the dog has gone into the church bag that is on the golf cart and taken out my bible...completely left the dad's bible alone! ~and has proceeded to eat my bible!

For years I shared a bible with my husband. I have given him several over the years. Every year, several times a year I would 'hint' about how much I wanted a bible of my own....sweet dear husband never got the hint....so I just went and got myself a bible...it was so nice. Leather bound, name embossed on it, NIV version, complete with devotions for every day reading, a Woman's bible....and now, it was in the belly of the BEAST dog!! GRRRRR.

Guess he was hungry for 'the Word'...bad joke I know....sorry....but right now I have to find the funny or I will cry!! Needless to say, the dog is staying out of Mama Bear's way these days!

I will get another bible--don't know when....but in the mean time, I will go back to one of my husband's old bibles--that the dog didn't EAT!

Learning and letting go

So...here we are...end of May...done with another school year...notice how I said 'done' and not finished. I don't think we will EVER be totally finished. This year has been a 'learning' year for all of us. We all have learned valuable lessons this year. Nothing that I can put my finger on, but just those 'life' lessons.
This time of year I am usually stressing over our end of the year tests...not so this year. I have been completely happy with where we are...not that my children are brilliant....but they are smart (to me) and I am happy with the people that they are growing into...that isn't to say that we don't have our off days---we do---but, I am overall happy with the lessons they are learning.
This past week the baby (she is 5--almost 6---but to us, she is still 'the baby') had strep throat....through her sickness, I watched the other 4 kids dote on her, worry about her, sit with her while she watched her 'baby shows' (as the bigger kids call it!) The showed her LOVE.
I have heard my kids one by one ask me, 'can I do anything to help you mom?'......wow.
Personally, I have learned some 'life lessons' myself. My lessons weren't easy...but, I guess had to happen. In a way, it was almost a relief...because I was finally able to let go of a huge struggle that I have carried for years. It was bittersweet...but I am glad it is over.
So, with school done--not finished....I have HUGE plans for the summer......
I plan to spend as much time as I can out by the pool with the kids,
I plan to race each child swimming as much as I can,
I plan to sing in the mornings--even though I can't carry a tune in a bucket...but I will sing! LOUD!
I plan to make thousands of cookies for my kids this summer,
I plan to hug each child 100 times a day!
I plan to tell my kids I love them even more!
I plan to sit and just admire my husband...for the man that he is.
I plan to tell my husband I love him...every chance I get.
I plan to have a few more picnics
I plan to let the kids invite friends over...whenever this summer
I plan to laugh, and laugh often
I plan to....just BE with my family

oh, and my oldest son starts his baseball tournaments this week...I plan to yell for him...as loud as I can!!!

Recipes and Ball fields

We have been spending A LOT of time at the baseball field! My oldest daughter practices soft ball 4 times a week, my boys practice once a week with 2 games a week....You do the math....that comes to A LOT of time spent at the ball field!! My father-in-law gives me a hard time (picking of course) about all that I pack for these practices and games....something about my fanny sitting down appeals to my children! My children can be fine, but once my fanny touches my seat-someone wants to know, 'what did you bring to eat? did you bring me something to drink?'....one ball field only has those disgusting port-a-johns...so that means LOTS of hand sanitizers! Got to have the first aid kit (actually needed it twice this year---for someone else's child!) wet wipes--never know when you might need those! If it is really hot out, we have these towels called "Frogg Toggs" and they are completely awesome!! You wet them and re-roll them to put back into their container....they stay cold and damp for HOURS!!! Those really come in handy for very hot ball players to cool down! Being a mom of 5, I try to stay prepared!
Got a recipe to share with busy moms...my children love it.

Cake Mix Box Cookies
1/4 cup oil
1 cake mix (any cake mix will do)
2 eggs
Mix all together and either roll into balls or drop by teaspoon onto cookie sheet. Bake 325* for 10-12 minutes.
When cool, you can ice with cake icing if you like...we prefer plain cookies....
These do not LAST anytime at our house!!
These are good for ball games, park, lake, pool...whatever---they travel well!!!
Enjoy!

Mmmmmmm...pound cake....Mmmmmmmm

I found this recipe in a magazine over the weekend. Tried it yesterday with strawberries that I got from our produce co-op.....YUM is all I can say!!!

Two Step Pound Cake
(this recipe rquires a heavy-duty electric stand mixer)

4 cups all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 lb butter-softened
3/4 cup milk
6 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325*. Place all ingredients in order in the mixing bowl. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, stopping to scrape down the sides. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10" tube pan.
Bake 325* for 1 hour 30 minutes -or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. Let cool.

I know this is ALOT of butter for a cake...but believe me....this cake is definitely something special....so, why not make it for a special occasion!

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

I realize that it has been FOREVER since I blogged...guess I need to post pictures of what we have been up to.....BASEBALL.....3 out of my 5 children are playing....that means: 3 different teams, 3 different games and 6 different practices.....I am not complaining. Our family really loves going to the game and cheering for 'our' player....and I also realize that not too far in the future, these games will only be a memory...sigh....I am dreading the empty nest already!
Going to these different games, practices and so forth makes a mom of 5 NEED to be prepared....so, I am usually busy right after lunch---PACKING. Packing food and drinks, cups, ice (Ice packs are needed occasionally) first aid kits, jackets, blankets (never know when you might need those!). The kids made fun of me as I was putting my first aid kit together....they kidded me about being TOO prepared....Ha, turns out the first aid kit has been needed (not by us, but by other kids) and the ice pack was needed by another too. So...yes, I was a proud mom (not that someone was hurt) but that I was PREPARED!

I came across these recipes that work very well for us. Maybe they will you too. They will probably be a 'must have' around here this summer!

BASIC BROWNIE MIX:
6 cups sugar
4 cups flour
2 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp salt
4 cups shortening

*mix together and store in airtight container

**BROWNIES**
1 1/2 cup brownie mix
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla ****For my crew I have to double the recipe****
mix together; put into greased baking dish and bake till done; about 30 minutes

THESE ARE YUMMY!



MONKEY MUNCH
9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

*Put cereal into large bowl and set aside; In a microwavable bowl, place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter; melt, stirring frequently. Add vanilla and stir well. Pour over cereal and mix till all cereal is coated with chocolate/peanut butter/butter mixture. Put powdered sugar into a ziploc bag (large) and then add coated cereal. Zip bag and shake to coat...open bag and taste....then taste again....and again....till all cereal is gone!
Seriously though, it is very yummy. Kids love it....and this lasts NO time around our house!

Learning

So....I am trying to learn new things...You hear all the time, celebrity women talking about how things changed when they turned 40...how 40 is the new 30- or something like that..yeah, yeah, yeah....blah, blah, blah....oh, but wait a minute....is there some truth to that?? For me, YES....well, I *actually turned 40 3 years ago (hehe ;P) I am learning daily...something new about myself....or maybe it is just that I spent too much time in my younger days trying to be everything that everyone *wanted me to be....finally, I had enough and said, "enough" "I am not gonna do it anymore!"...
My sweet husband and I watched that movie, "Fireproof", Valentine's night...it was a very good movie...made me want to take a step up in my marriage...not that we are doing anything wrong...my beloved and I have always been considerate of the other, always shown and told each other love...but made me really want my beloved to know that my love for him is real and he IS my knight in shining armor. God is working in us, as a couple...in us, as parents...in us, as a family....in me, as a christian....I *want people to see that Christ lives in me....I *want to be that Proverbs 31 woman!
Slowly, but surely, I am making changes within my home and within myself...in my home I have decided to go all green with my cleaning products....my family deserves it. I am working to make our home a haven for my husband and children....you know, that safe, enjoyable, comfortable place to come to....
In our finances, I am working on remembering this saying- "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" (Franklin Roosevelt). Doesn't that just speak to you?? It did me...with the economy being the way it is, I have found that I have made dumb choices in my spending and I really need to THINK before I buy!! This one will take some work!
Within myself...I finally made the decision to go back to Weight watchers....yuck...I didn't want to....fought it hard...but the reality is: I needed the help and the accountability...so, here I am....
I have a friend on Facebook who is amazing...she is 53 and runs marathons...not small ones either....I was talking to her and asking about her workouts....(she looks so good) she explained that you can't just go on a diet...for us, as women, we have so many roles within our homes...and we really should put forth more of an effort to take care of ourselves....and so many of us don't. If you stop to think about it...in our homes we are needed! If "Mama" goes overboard, the whole ship goes down! So, she encouraged me to make 'life style' changes....make sure that I exercise (even if only spurts at a time)...this will help with that pesky perimenopause! Eat right....sometimes that is the toughest for busy moms...with my Weight watcher program...it FORCES me to actually think about the meals I am going to eat and also the meals I am going to feed my family.
So...I guess we are in what you call a 'learning process' here....and it is O.K.

I found this in my "Blissfully Domestic" email today....it really made me think. I feel that it is very good advice....something to think on....so I wanted to share:


There are 4 things that can never be recovered:
1. The stone…….after the throw.
2. The word……..after it's said.
3. The occasion……..after it's missed.
4. The time………after it's gone.
Today, right now, take a moment to say I love you and I appreciate you to the people who've made a difference in your life. You never know when you'll have the opportunity to do it again.

With GREAT sadness

I lost a friend today...actually, I never met her in real life, but she was a real friend none-the-less. We became friends on a message board that I belong to. Through a series of events, we found out that we lived within 2 miles of each other! Now that she is gone, I am beating myself up for not going over and meeting her face to face. I think part of me wanted to respect her space...she was very sick. Then, there is the part of me that thinks, maybe there was something that I could have done or said....probably not.... She was a great lady. She gave hope and inspiration to those around her....always willing to lift up prayers for others...a great encourager. She did message me several times with tickets to the Shriner's circus that her family couldn't use, and a coupon for a free picture that her family couldn't use. Both times our family had other things going on and unfortunately, we couldn't use them either. ~but that showed her generosity...to share with others. Her faith was apparent to anyone who ever read one of her messages...so, when I opened the paper today and saw her obituary...I was shocked, saddened, heartbroken. Probably more for myself- my own selfishness....because this meant no more encouragement from her! At the same time, it meant she was with Jesus and had no pain anymore...which made me extremely happy. I am sad for her family...I am sure she will be missed greatly. Especially by me. So....Pam...even though I have no idea what your face looks like in real life, I am proud to say that I did know you. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and encouragement...you'll never know what your friendship has meant to me. Knowing you, Pam, has made me a better person. Rest in Peace dear Pam.

3 point prayer

If you read my earlier post, then you will understand what I am talking about here...Yesterday in the midst of asking friends in real life and friends on line to keep my husband and this business venture in their prayers...I check my email. I have an email from James Dobson...random I am sure...none-the-less...it spoke so loud to me! It was the 3 points of prayers for families....it went something like this:

1) Pray boldly- God wants us to approach him with confidence. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" Hebrews 4:16

2) Pray often- God desires a relationship with us. "Pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

3) Pray in faith- He is able and willing. "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" Mark 11:24-26


Wow...isn't that powerful!?

Jobs, Money, Stress....

My husband recently found out about a cracker/cookie distributorship route that has come available for sale. We have had many conversations about this. Today, he went for his interview...we found out that there are 4 guys in the running for this route. The process to see which guy is actually allowed to buy the business is not known to us.
My husband is such a good guy, the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it...and probably would if you just wanted it. He is always available to lend a hand to whoever needs help. He never complains, is a great husband, fabulous father, wonderful son. He has never said that he wants anything...but this distributorship he has stated that he wants. I want it for him if he wants it. So bad so, that my heart hurts for him. Today, he finally told me that he was a little stressed by all of this (only because I asked him point blank)...I am praying, asked my friends to pray, asked my face book friends to pray, asked my friends on 2 different message boards that I go on to pray....I figure the more praying-the better!
The initial cost of this business is quite steep...but we have learned that once a person buys one, they usually don't let go of it...some even hand it down to family members...that is saying alot.
This could be an answer to some financial prayers of mine. Things are quite tight right now. What is hard for me...is to 'let go and let God'...I keep telling God that my husband really wants this and if it is God's will, then He will provide....oh, but it is hard....right now, I guess we are just in a waiting hold.....since the interview is over....we'll see what is next. So...I guess I will continue to trust and hope that it works out the way I have envisioned in my head...that is, *if it is God's will.

Cars and Teens....

So....evidently...I am a bad mom. Our oldest daughter will be turning 16 this coming summer....GASP....where did the time go? How in the world is she driving already??? I mean, to me, she is only 3!! or so I wish!

Her dad and I have been discussing a vehicle for her to drive. Our idea of a car is NOT her idea of a car...go figure! Mom and Dad's idea of a car is one that has air bags, auto locks, good tires, good on gas mileage, 4 doors- big enough for safety.....on and on....oops, forgot the most important thing...under....UNDER $10,000. Daughter's idea of a car is the one you see in the picture....ACK! We have had numerous discussions about this....daughter swears she will be safe, pay attention, not go over the speed limit, not let anyone else drive it...especially any cute boys that thinks she has a 'cool car'! Uh....no.....

Friday, the family went out 'car shopping'...well, actually, 'car looking'....ended up at our local nissan dealer....Father Bear saw a car that automatically drew him over...a 2003 nissan altima...white, 4 doors...everything Father wanted....Daughter looked at it, looked at me and said, 'uh, it looks too 'grand-maw-ish''! To which I reply....you have to try it on! GET IN.... (do I sound like I am losing patience? yeah, pretty much!) so, she gets in...I ask the sales agent to let her crank it and position the seat as if she were going to drive it (which we couldn't do because of time) once she positioned the seat...a look came over her face that said, 'this is ALRIGHT'...I then tell her to sit in the back seat to see how her 'girls' (her friends) will feel riding back there (just trying to get her to think in reality and forget the mustang!!) she then decides that this car is cool! Oh...those teenagers! We haven't purchased a car yet....still shopping...and probably will be for awhile....but I am sure that our teen has this vision in her head: that she will wake up on the morning of her 16th birthday, look out into the driveway and see a shiny, black, convertible, mustang with unlimited gas in the tank! Ok...time to wake up! Uh, sorry oldest daughter of mine....I think Mom and Dad are gonna win this battle!!!! Sorry!!!

on the other hand...couldn't we just go to walmart and purchase that shiny blue 10 speed like we did when she was 10? ~And she thought it was the greatest thing??

French dip sandwich

French Dip Sandwiches

or Rachel Ray would call it, "Samich"

1 (3 lb) beef chuch roast

1 can condensed french onion soup

1 can condensed beef consumme'

1 can condensed beef broth

1 tsp beef bouillon granules

*Half the roast and put into the slow cooker. Pour soups over roast. Cover and cook 6-8 hours on high. Remove meat from slow cooker and shred meat. Skim any fat from cooking juices and use juices as dipping sauce. Put meat on french or Italian rolls, top with Swiss cheese and melt under broiler in oven. **I added onion, salt, pepper, some red pepper flakes and a can of stewed tomatoes to slow cooker and cooked with roast.

This was delicious and got good reviews by my entire family!

What DO I need to wear??

If you have a Khol's Department store credit card, they send you coupons all the time (well, not ALL the time, but at regular intervals) I usually only use these when I receive the 30% off coupons. The other day in the mail I received one...decided to do inventory and see what or if anyone needed anything. I desperately needed a new pair of tennis shoes for walking...mine were so old and worn. So...off we go to Khol's. Once there, I discovered that there was a temedous sale going on! Wow...somethings up to 70% off! On top of my 30 %...you can't get any better than that!!!! Found the tennis shoes that fit like a glove....then move on and start poking around the store....and I realize something...I have ABSOLUTELY no idea of what I am doing! I find a skirt that I remembered seeing a young lady wear to church on Sunday...on her, it was fabulous....of course, this young woman is gorgeous and could make a burlap sack look good...my teen daughter told me that the skirt would look good on me...I look at it and ponder...but then realize...I wouldn't know what to put with it!!!! YIKES....I look down at my arms and I have my usual-favorite....a cotton shirt......sigh......I have become boring! A cotton-wearing-boring-homeschool mom!!!! I have traded my denims in for cotton....another sigh. I really could have gotten a couple of cute outfits and been considered 'in style' or at least 'not boring' if I had only known what to do!!!! Maybe I should watch these two on TLC a little more often!!! or maybe they will show up one day and teach me 'what not to wear!' better yet....what to wear!!! In the mean time...I will just continue to be my old-boring-cotton-wearing-homeschool-mom!

So...we aren't so strange afterall....

Not that I enjoy other people's sufferings...I do not...but lately, I have a few friends that are experiencing some circumstances similar to things that I have gone through. One friend had to take her daughter to the E.R., because her younger son hit the daughter in the neck with a golf club...one day they will laugh about it...but right now, it isn't funny. I just read on a message board that I am a member of that a friend on there had to make an E.R. visit because the 3 year old swallowed the 7 year old's diary key.....now that one WILL be funny in future years....however, now....NOT so funny! I had to make the emergency visit to the dr one evening (fortunately the pediatrician let me come to her office for stitches instead of the E.R.) my children were in our garage playing (it was cold and rainy outside-they needed SPACE to play and burn up some energy!) Things had gone well ALL afternoon....all of a sudden I heard a blood curdling scream....my son had swung the garage broom (those big push brooms) around and my smallest daughter just happened to put her face in the line of fire...BAM...right on the cheek...screaming, blood and VERY scared children is what I had on hand! Luckily, the pediatrician was able to 'glue' my daughter's cut....all that remains today is a small line...and the memory...which we now can laugh and remind my daughter that her brother gave her that battle wound! Then there was the case of a very small little girl...probably 2 years old at the time....swallowing a penny.....yeah, NOW we laugh about it...but at the time all Mom could do was panic and say "oh, NO...oh, NO".....yep, luckily the pediatrician said, "meet me at the office"...however, that trip was just a lay over for the hospital X-rays that would be needed....and as soon as they X-rayed her.....you could see that penny clear as day....just about to go into the stomach....so, Mom (that is me!) was given the instructions to 'fish' through the poop diapers...and if penny didn't appear in about a day or two-we would need more X-rays.....so, for the next while...mom (that is me) 'fished' through poop diapers....no penny appeared...so off we go again for more X-rays....now the penny is seen in the intestines....so, Mom (that is me again)

is told to keep fishing! So, a fishing I go...AGAIN....still no penny...off we go again to the doctor's office for more X-rays....now penny is gone....where did the penny go you ask....whoknows....mom never did 'fish' that penny out!!

This past summer, one of my sons actually put his hand in a MOVING tread mill...yes, let's talk about FREAKING out...yeah, that is what I did!!! TOTALLY freak out....then we head off to the E.R. ....we didn't know what for since there was only shreds of skin left on his hand. Now, that is a story within itself....and we aren't to the point to laugh about that one yet...it is STILL just too new... We spent the entire summer (this accident happened on Father's Day) going to the many doctor visits.....so many doctors....so many bandages...

This past December we finally had our last doctor visit for my son's hand. Luckily, he will not need surgery and he was released until he may have trouble with this hand. The doctor doesn't foresee any problems in the future.....but, like I said, this is still too new for us to laugh at right now....maybe one day...then again, maybe not!

I really don't enjoy other's sufferings...but it is nice to know that there are other moms out there who are/is going through some of the same issues as I.

New Year, New Me...

So, the new year has started...resolutions made...most have already been scrapped or abandoned...or dare I say, failed.....I mean, after all...we are HUMAN.

For the last several weeks I have been meditating, praying, and counciling with my christian friends....and have come to this conclusion....in life, there are some things and/or people that you just have to let go. Anything that is going to hold you back or harm you in some way is only going to do damage to you....as an example: if you had a toxic item in your home and you found out that it was toxic and causing you potential harm...you would get it out of your home ASAP...right? So, that is what I have had to do...let things go....I have let certain people in my life go....I have been cleaning out the house (though it may be little by little) and getting rid of 'stuff'...because most of it is just taking up room anyway, so good-by junk....I am always removing the cobwebs from my head...and thanking God for showing me what is important. I have a wonderful, Godly husband-who supports me in everyway. 5 of the most beautiful, wonderful, energetic, lively, smart, brilliant kids in the world. ~and surprisingly, I have a circle of girlfriends that are probably some of the Godliest women I know....just spending time with them makes you automatically know that God is present in their lives and they live their life for God...they don't have to tell you-you just KNOW.

Lately, I have learned some really hard lessons....lessons that have really cut into me...but, I can honestly say now, "Thank you God for showing me....I needed that"....you know, some lessons just have to be learned the hard way. For me, the lesson was learned.