Friday, April 29, 2011

Early American History Field Trip

This week we wandered off to Denver to step back in time. The afternoon was filled with all sorts of history based on the year 1778. I was excited to go with our friends and their kids. It gave me more time with them and no driving in the city. Yeah. When we arrived I went into my calm, quiet state. It was warm, there were blossoms on the trees, the grass was green and again... it was warm. Totally took me to my place of serenity. Kind of like meditation without the HuUUUmmmmmmm. Give me heat and green grass and I am one happy woman.





The girls are playing a fun game that we decided we can make. Two sticks each and a ring with some pretty ribbon on it. How easy is that? So if you have a Bday coming up and you're not a grown up, you'll be getting this game.


They practiced fetching water. I told Lina to go down the creek and back. She stared in disgust. So there wasn't a creek there anyhow. It was just the idea!


They washed clothes in a bucket and hung the clothes on the line.


This gentleman was working with hot coals and bendable iron. Yeah, way cool job.


These gals played beautifully! Loved to hear young people play so well on their instruments.


And this ALWAYS gives me ideas. I would love to do this at home especially on a warm summer night. If only we we weren't under burn restrictions. Too bad.


The last event of the day was the re-enactment of the battle with the Red Coats. Of course history proved itself here and we won the battle! My friend bought us all these scrumptious cookies ooozing with molasses to eat during the battle. Oh goodness, they were so good.


This was a great way to complement our school year as well as get us some well deserved Vitamin D.


Yeah Homeschooling!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Parenting 101: #1

So when you write a blog and it is your blog, you have the liberty to write what you want. Right? So here is Post 1 of Parenting 101.

The show Super Nanny was made for me. Really. It was. I love the show and love seeing families find peace back in their lives (not just their homes). When it was made though, no one told them about me and hired the Brit with the wonderful accent. So, now ya'll get to hear me here instead of on WORLD WIDE t.v.

Today at an event I attended, a sweet momma told her sweet 2 year old it was time to leave. The sweet 2 year old sat her little boo-tay down on the ground and said,"No". The momma said it again and still the little one repeated herself. So I watch this unfold wondering what Momma was gonna do about this. Sweet Momma proceeded to walk away, wave and say,"Ok then, goodbye." I was sure my mouth was hanging down by this time but I resisted, yes I did, saying an.y.thing.

Now in my younger years I was quite honest with my friends. We all were. If your child is manipulating a situation and my friend didn't see it, well, we had a chat. And I would expect the same from them. Okay so it wasn't a chat. it more like this:

"You just lost that battle and your 2 year old won. Did you see that he/she is now in control?"
That's where I was today but I did good. I didn't say a darn thing. I have learned in my years that not everyone wants to hear me. Shock I know.

Why is it such a big deal that Sweet Momma let her child sit down and not listen? It's two-fold.

1. She is the parent and as a parent must make sure she stays the parent.

2. More importantly and much bigger in the vast scheme of life, our children learn from us about God. God places the parents in authority and when the child learns to obey, the child becomes soft and tender towards obeying God later. God is soo creative. He knew how to set an example early on in our life. It's imperative that we reach down to our children, scoop them up in our arms, look in thier eyes and say.. without hesitation,"Momma said it's time to go. You need to obey me the first time." Hug them, love them and off you go.

I would pause right then and there when my kiddos were little and explain ,"God gave you to us and just as Momma and Daddy have to obey God, you have to obey us so one day when you're all grown up, you will be quick to obey when God speaks to you."

Yep. It's that simple. Okay.. so maybe not always but when a momma and a daddy work as a team and the little ones know they mean what they say and why, the family has peace. The child has peace.

So there you have it. Number 1 of my Parenting 101

I love families and my heart leans in towards them. I don't have it all together and have made my fair mistakes but there are a few things I've learned along the way. And surprise, surprise, Ya'll get to read them here!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

New Roof





In the year of 2009 I was talking to my neighbor and told her this:





" I am praying for a BIG hail storm. We need a new roof."



She was thrilled and said she wanted a new roof too. Most of us on our block did in fact; our homes are all 20 years old. A new roof would help the bottom line don't ya know.



Well, the storm did hit shortly after our little chat and she was so excited to let me know they were getting money for a new roof! Actually, EVERYONE around us got new roofs. There were "roof chasers" knockin' on our door daily. We were so excited! Surely a new roof was ours too!





Umm.. no. no. no. no. no. Our sweet (note the sarcasm) insurance company said, "Ahh, you can have a tiny bit of money but your roof isn't ready to be replaced." You're kidding right. It's shake, the hail was YEEEAH big, and did I mention it's shake? We fought with them over this "ruling" but to no avail. For some reason, yet to be known by me, God chose for my prayer to be for everyone else this time.





So here we are 2011 and our roof, well, let's just say it's a bit older and a bit more ready to be replaced. After some serious conversations and a few more serious conversations the decision was made. No Big summer trips, one Big roof. ( okay so I'm going to Cali in May but that's with miles. That doesn't count)





Bid. Bid. Bid. I think 5 or 6 in all. Finally a decision and now the big day. Write a check, get a roof. Oh the satisfaction of a new covering.





So this summer when I want to go on a BIG trip and feel like complaining but KNOW that I shouldn't, I'll go lay in my roof and dream that the hot asphalt under me is actually sand burning my skin. I'll bring a recording of an ocean up there so I can hear the ocean tumbling in my ears. And maybe, just maybe, have the kids spray me with the hose once in a while to pretend I got splashed by a BIG wave.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Chocolate Lava Cake







Chocolate is something I truly love.... and so does Angelina. On her birthday we went to Chili's for dinner. She got this free dessert, Molten Chocolate Lava Cake. It was free but the menu price is $6.95. I started adding that up in my head for all of us there and said, "I can make this myself." So a little researching (another passion of mine) and I had a recipe I was willing to try. This is so easy to make. It is mostly eggs. No lie! Like a full dozen. It turned out yummilicious. I have few tweaks I'll do next time to make it even better. This ooozing warm chocolate treat is on my new dessert list. Grab some coffee and enjoy. Ahhh.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

You have eggs and then you have EGGS




It's time to color Easter eggs, a tradition I dare not pass up. BUT... to color my good farm raised eggs, no way. I went to the store, bought myself 18 cheap eggs and got them in the pot. The good eggs, well, they're for eggs and bacon, pancakes, any other recipe requiring eggs. It has taken me awhile to find good food but now that I have I am not even considering wasting it on food coloring and egg hunting. I have fresh eggs, fresh milk, and a freezer full of meat. So if you come to my house for the annual Easter egg hunt in the back forest, you'll take yourself home a grocery store egg!




Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Happy Birthday Angelina!

My baby, the youngest child I have, is 12 today. Is it possible that she is this old already? My oh my how time flies. Angelina is full of life, joy, excitement, and words. Yep, she is my little talker. Her name fits so well..messanger of God. She is compassionate and merciful. She loves her family and we love her!

Happy Birthday Lina!


A birthday Skype session with her sister. The earrings are from her big Sis, Rebecca




12 already?













Monday, April 18, 2011

My Graduation Gift

I graduated from college in December and received a great gift of hard earned cash from my parents. I couldn't decide what to get: Ipod, Kindle, clothes, or an expensive purse. I knew I wanted it to last a long time and mean something every time I saw it. I just couldn't decide so I waited until I could. I did what my husband does every time he makes a big decision, I did my homework. I researched and researched some more. Four months later and I finally made up my mind. When I settled in on a Kindle, I jumped in with both feet. I ordered it and waited patiently for it to arrive. Now that I have it in my hands, I can't put it down. So far I have downloaded two books, a game and a Bible. I love reading and this little device is sucking me back into reading and away from this typing machine. Thank you Mom and Dad!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Marathon Training


This week started my official training for the October Rock N Roll Marathon. I got in 14.5 miles this week. Some walking, some jogging, some biking. I am glad to be moving again and hope to get the winter layer off and the summer tone on. Now if I can get my kids to move with me!