Do Over

Have you ever had one of those days where you knew right when your child woke up that it was just going to be a rough day?  You know, one of those days where in the first five minutes of getting them up you are already wondering how quickly you can get them back to bed in hopes that they will wake up a much, much, MUCH nicer person?  You know, that person that you gave birth to...yeah, that same sweet one!

That was today.  I was looking forward to today so much.  I had a wonderful morning all planned out with nothing to do but to play with toys and chase each other and of course, my favorite, give lots of hugs and kisses.  I was going to feed B his favorite food, fettuccine Alfredo, for lunch.  I was excited about today.

I spoke at an inservice at 7:30 this morning and got home before Daddy T had to get to work.  As soon as I walked in the door, B started throwing some papers off of the table and preceded that with his cup.  Thank goodness the cup was spill-proof.  He was informed that he needed to pick up everything he threw down and then to go sit in his room until he could lose the attitude (okay, so other words were used that were more on his level, but that's the gist).  I made him some oatmeal for breakfast and he refused to eat it.  Have I mentioned how much I am disliking feeding this boy?  That's another post, though.  Anyway, upon his refusal, complete with whining, crying, and tantrum-throwing, I sent him to his room for fear that I just might say something to him that I will regret and I was losing my patience.  FAST.  This lasted for an hour!  By 9:30, I took him aside and explained to him why I was so angry (and he did eat his oatmeal, by the way) and that I was sorry for losing my patience with him.  I thought he might have learned his lesson and decided to perk up a bit.  Nope.  Not even 15 minutes later, we hit more bumps in our morning.  So instead of doing all of the fun things that I had wanted to do with him, we ended up going to bed at 10:15 this morning for a very early nap.  He didn't seem to mind, so I'm hoping that this behavior is just happening because he's extra tired.  I know I am, so hopefully he will be happier when he wakes up.  I never understood why my mom hated my brother and I whining.  And I never viewed our "requests" as whining.  Now I understand why she was about to go crazy with that when I'm sure she heard it constantly and continuously.  Oops!:)  There Mom, you've gotten your revenge.

DVD Review: Adventures in Booga Booga Land-Volume 1

This DVD could easily be summed up in one word: GREAT!  I have never read any of these books, but apparently the movie is based on the books from Richard Milner.  This movie takes three different parables that are all found in Matthew and it puts it into a story for kids and adults to understand.  This movie adds lots of humor and I found myself laughing out loud during several parts of it.  Even my 2-year-old sat for most of it.

Adventures in Booga Booga Land has two main characters: Marty (the monkey) and Gerard (the giraffe).  Together, these friends act out the different parables, such as "The Workers in the Vineyard" (Matthew 20:1-16), "The Wise and Foolish Builders" (Matthew 7:24-27), and The Lamp Under the Bowl (Matthew 5:14-16).  The movie lasts 45 minutes, but is broken up into 3 short segments.  Before each segment, the Scripture reference and the parable title is written on the screen so that you know which parable they are teaching.

I think this movie will be great as B gets older because it will open up some conversation opportunities to talk about the parables and what they mean and why they are important to us.  Overall, a very cute movie...one that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

I really enjoyed this book, having never read anything by the author.  This book is the last in the triology, but I had no problem figuring out what was happening or how people were related.  It was very easy to follow the characters and the plot was actually believable. 

I had heard in an interview about her that she likes to write strong protaganists that have a believeable weakness so that everyone can relate to her.  She did just that.  Bridget was torn between choosing love because she loved someone or forcing love upon herself, thanks to her parents intervening.  Bridget and Phillipe want to be together but are forbidden, partly because of their religious views. 

I am now intrigued by this author and am definitely going to hunt down her first two books.  She writes her books in an enjoyable style that makes the book hard to put down.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Too Much Time?

I get asked a lot by others as to how I do all that I do and still find time to blog and read.  Here's my answer....I have too much free time!  Just kidding!  I actually had abandoned my blog, not on purpose, for a few weeks.  I had a lot to write, but no time to sit down to do it.  Well, I think I figured out the perfect solution for this time in my life.  I'm sure it will change next month, but for the moment I spend about 30 minutes on Friday afternoon and write my posts for the week.  I keep a running list of blog titles in my Home Control Journal so it makes it much easier to sit down and write in one day.  There.  That's my secret.

The question about reading is a little bit different.  I obviously don't do all of my reading in a day, but I do read a bit everyday.  It helps that I'm nursing, so I'm mandated to sit down.  Those who know me know that struggle with sitting down and not doing anything.  Nursing is good for me because it makes me focus on myself for just a bit.  It's actually very relaxing for me and I enjoy it.

You asked, I tell.  And no....I'm not wonder woman or the pefect mom (as you can tell from previous posts).  I'm just an ordinary mom trying to make things that I enjoy fit into my schedule.  Currently exercise is getting shoved in, as well as some bassoon practicing.  That's just until after my concert tomorrow, though!

Baby update

Since it's been awhile since I've posted pictures of our baby girl, I thought I'd better do it for this post so that the grandparents and great-grandparents can keep up with her.  She is very cuddly and loves to be in the Moby wrap.  If it wasn't for that thing, I'd never be able to keep up with B.  It allows me to run after him and still have both hands....all while she sleeps!  She is tracking people a lot and is settling into a routine.  She's not much of a day napper, but does well at night.  She still has colic but the medicine seems to slowly be working with her reflux.  You can still feel it in her chest and she wheezes, so I still get nervous.  Have I mentioned how thankful I am that my friends and neighbors are doctors and nurses?!  (The best is that Heather is coming to stay with us for her next rotation which is in pediatric gastro.  I informed her that she can practice on baby M and she can tell me what else to try!)

Baby M is smiling a lot now.  She loves her playgym with lights.  She gets the biggest grin and kicks her legs when she sees it come on.  B likes it, too.  The other day I went in her room to check on her since it was awfully quiet and I saw B lying under it with her and pointing out the lights to her.  It was too sweet!

John Deere and B

         B loves his brand new tractor that looks just like Pop's.  Nanny Ruth and Papa bought B this little beauty since he loves the farm and loves the tractor.  He thinks that he is big stuff when he's riding on this thing.  He does his cute little wave and yells "bye!"  He even carries his keys in the wago that follows behind it. 

We put this tractor together the day after his birthday party.  It had been a long day for him already and by the time we got to their house, he was tired.  But he was so excited once he saw what Dadd T was putting together.  He just couldn't wait to get on it.  Once it was assembled, he wasn't quite for sure what to think of the gas pedal.  I think he was a little scared of it.  Once he got the hang of it, he wouldn't get off.  We only charged it a little and figured we'd let him ride it until the charge ran out, but it never ran out.  Thankfully, all we had to tell him was that it was time for us to park it in the barn so we could take it home and he obliged without throwing a fit. 

Recipe Post!

Buffalo Thigh Sliders

Serves: 4

• 8 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed (I cheat and use tenders)
• Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or vegetable oil, for drizzling
• Granulated onion
• Granulated garlic
• salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup hot  sauce (eyeball it), such as Frank's RedHot
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (crumble up a small wedge)  --I leave it out
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 8 small slider rolls, such as Pepperidge Farm, or soft dinner rolls, split
• Shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots, for topping

1. Preheat an outdoor grill, gril pan, or griddle pan to medium-high.  Dress the chicken thighs with EVOO and season with a sprinkle of granulated onion, granulated garlic, salt and pepper.  Grill, turning once, until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

2.  While the chicken cooks, in a small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the hot sauce.  Add the chicken to the sauce to coat thoroughly.

3.  In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, blue cheese, chives and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.

4.  Place the chicken on the roll bottoms and top with the lettuce, carrots, and blue cheese sauce; set the roll tops in place.

(Taken from Everday with Rachael Ray, p 128, June/July 2010)

Just Plain Sad

My heart just hurt when I heard the following news on the radio:

"In response to the proposed burning of the Quran, the advocacy group for freedom of religion is battling back with signs that say 'Imagine a world with no religion' and 'Stay home on Sundays.'"

Is that what this nation has become?  I, in no way, agree with the burning of the Quran.  Nor do I agree with the Quran.  However, by a few people acting hastily and whatever else you want to call it, it is showing that world that what they already think of Christianity is true.  No, I can't imagine a world with no religion, but I am beginning to see a nation where the freedom to worship may not be available.  Especially after hearing about the small town that has banned home Bible studies.  I will not stay home on Sundays.  Not because it's tradition, or because it's the "right" thing to do.  I simply will not do so because I love my Lord and Savior and want to worship him with others that love Him, as well.  I wish there was some way to make the world see that not all Christians are full of hatred or judgment.  There are Christians who care and who truly love and who are full of respect for others.  It's sad that we're not living so radically that people can see that's who Christians are.  Yes, it's what they say they are, but it's not how they are living.  In fact, I'd beg to differ that many Christians live just like those who say they aren't Christians.  We are called to be set apart, but we are also called to love others.  Fine balance between the two that only God can balance for us.  Pray for our nation, but better yet, pray for those that hate us with a passion.  How awesome would it be for God to touch their lives and have a "Paul moment!"

Happy Birthday, B!

I really did mean to blog about his birthday party and birthday and share those pictures with the grandparents and great-grandparents, but life was just so hectic at that point.  I know, I know.  I should have had things more together with a one-month-old, right?!  Anyway, we had a wonderful birthday party.  We rented out a local inflatable facility that has 2 rooms of inflatable jumpable things in it, such a slides and bouncy stuff.  We had a lot of our friends and B's friends come celebrate with us.  B had so much fun.  It's hard to say what part was his favorite.  I think he liked the present opening the best since he got to sit in an inflatable chair.  He cracked us up, though, because every present he opened was met with a hearty "WOW!" followed by the huge eyes and big grin.  You could have given him a simple pencil and you would have thought by his reaction that you had given him all he'd ever wanted!  (A gentle reminder to me that it doesn't matter the gift, it's the thought.  Think he'll remember that as a teen when he's wanting a cell phone and a car?)

I made cupcakes to bring with us because it is much cheaper than buying a cake and also because I absolutely love the funfetti cupcakes.  Not the most healthy thing, I know, but they are delicious!  I only make cupcakes a few times out of the year, so when I do I delight in them and the yummy icing.  We are so thankful for all of the kiddos that came to party with us on that stormy night.  Your thank you card is in the process of being made. I had a creative idea that I thought I'd embark on, so that's why they are a little delayed.  Happy 2nd birthday, sweet, precious B!

Cake time!

Running Away and the Jeebies

Sounds like a great song title, huh?  We had a run-in with a man that did just that...gave me the jeebies.  He was a man who looked homeless, so I smiled and so did B.  Backup a bit.  We met Daddy T at Hardees one day for lunch.  The place was empty except for an older couple and this man.  This man kept staring at us.  He would turn around in his chair and stare.  When we would look at him and smile, he never smiled back.  He would turn around and face his table when Daddy T was with us.  However, the moment Daddy T would get up to go wash a paci or refill his cup, the guy would turn around and guess what?  Right.  Stare at us.  I was feeling pretty uncomfortable.  B is the most social boy and likes to be nice to everyone and even he stayed a few tables away.  He would smile and wave at the man, as is his usual routine, but the man just stared. 

We finished eating and I was glad to get out of there.  Daddy T and I grabbed the kids and threw our stuff in the trash.  I had parked next to Daddy T and we were the only two cars on that side of the building so I felt okay knowing that we were safe.  Not so.  We got out the door and I noticed that the man was leaving to.  I just figured he had been there awhile and needed to be on his way so I didn't pay any more attention.  Daddy T had put baby M in the car and was standing by the car waiting for me and B.  Well, B was doing what he does best, which is not listening (I'll give him some credit...it was WAY past naptime).  He started running away from me in the parking lot.  I began to run after him and I heard footsteps behind me.  I turned around and the man was behind me.  When I got to B, the man stopped.  I grabbed B by the arm and talked in a very loud and stern voice about how he never should run away from Mommy in hopes that the man would hear me.  I then hustled back to the car and Daddy T, all the while being followed by this man.  Daddy T made sure all of us were in the car before he left my car to jump in his.  Once Daddy T started to walk away from my car, the man started to inch closer to mine.  That's when I put my car in reverse and slowly started to back out in hopes that Daddy T would hurry and do the same, which he did.  It was so odd.  The man came out with a bag, but as soon as we were leaving the parking lot, the man walked briskly back into the building with a bag.  I really wanted to call my friend and have her tell her policeman husband to check into this guy, but I didn't. 

Needless to say, it did and has continued to give me the jeebies.  Oh...I left out the other part of the story.  That week, in the same vicinity, a man had tried to abduct a 12-year-old girl.  She escaped and got to her step-mom safely.  The only thing that didn't match her description is that the guy I saw looked scraggly (if that's a word!).  The one she saw was clean cut.  I figured he could have always cleaned himself up.  I have no doubt in my mind that if I was by myself, something would have happened.  He could have easily pushed me in my car and grabbed my kids or have done something to me.  I hate going places by myself now because of that.  There.  That's the reason that I now spank for running away from me.  It's dangerous.  Very dangerous.  I don't know what I would have done if Daddy T wouldn't have been there.  I can't stop thanking the Lord for His protection over me and my family that day.  So you locals, beware of the town of ER.  At least, that's where we were.

Bad Mommy

It's finally happened.  I got called a bad mom by a lady in one of my Kindermusik classes the other day.  Actually, she said it in an email to me stating that I couldn't control my kids (since baby M cried the last 5-10 minutes) and B was having a 2-year-old-defiant day.  Needless to say,  she said a lot more, but I don't want to relive it by retyping it.  I spent that afternoon in tears because I felt like I had failed.  I mean, that's my main job and to hear another mom judge you based on the actions of your 2-year-old who is still learning manners is crazy!  However, her words stuck with me for the rest of the week.  So much so that I started to treat B not very nicely.  I just couldn't get her words out of my head.  Between Sunday School and church, friends, and Daddy T, God got my attention and showed me that I am not a bad mom.  A mom that is a work in progress, yes.  I am most certainly NOT a bad mom.  I love my kids dearly and discipline them, but I can't help the fact that my child decides to throw a tantrum in a spot that is in front of everyone OR in the middle of a class that is supposed to be fun.  Since then, he's been great, but the woman never came back.  She has a girl that is about 17 months old so she just doesn't get that boys are in fact different.  B is a lot rougher than he means to be.  We are working on being gentle, but he's still learning.  I wonder what she'll say when her child throws a tantrum in the middle of a class.

All of that to say that I used to judge other moms who had screaming babies.  Not anymore!  Now I simply look at the mom and feel bad for them, especially when I can see that they are trying to get their child under control.  However, thanks to people who think that spanking is downright abuse, you are limited in your immediate punishments that you can dish out.  One of my friends just told me that she had told her daughter that if she stood up in the cart again, then she would be spanked.  When her daughter thought about standing up, she simply reminded her of the punishment.  The mom said that a random lady walked up to her and asked her "Do we have a problem?"  It took my friend awhile to realize what she was talking about and then realized that the lady had followed her throughout the store ever since she had told her daughter that she would spank her for standing up.  She simply didn't want her child to fall out of the buggy or get hurt.  Likewise, I spank my child for doing his latest thing....running away from me and running through a parking lot.  Wait for another post and you will see why I spank for running away.  That does not make me a bad mommy.  That makes me a mom who cares how my child will turn out.  I'm not saying that spanking is for everyone, but please don't judge me on what my child does at the ripe age of 2 and certainly don't say I don't discipline, because we do.  We do it all...timeouts, quiet times, spanking, etc.  We try something until it works since not all of those work in every situation.  I'm trying here.  I think mom's who try deserve credit for caring instead of criticism that their child isn't what someone else thinks they should be.  There.  That's my soapbox for the day!

Book Review: Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

God has definitely been hitting on a theme with me in the past couple of months.  Every single book I have read has had to do with not just saying I'm a Christian and living it, but living it so radically that people can't help but notice (which is, by the way, how God calls all Christians to live out their lives).  Needless to say, many modern day Christians think it is okay to do the basics.  That's all good, but Christianity is about more.  God is about more.  He doesn't want the bare minimum.  He wants it all...our all.  Max Lucado does a great job through storytelling in showing you the differences you can make in people's lives.  God doesn't just use the person with all the knowledge.  God uses everyday, modern people.  He doesn't use just the rich.  He uses the poor and the middle-class, as well.  In fact, there's no limits. 

My favorite chapter is Chapter 3, entitled "Let God Unshell You."  He talks about a clamshell and makes the analogy that we are like clamshells as believers.  When we don't want to be touched by something, we run back to our shells and hid out, just hoping that no one sees us watching them.  We should be the most touched people, but we like it better when we can be ignorant to the fact that people are hurting or sick or need help.  What's that saying?  Out of sight, out of mind?  Yeah...that's how most Americans are.  This chapter challenged the reader to get out of the shell, be touched, and touch back. 

The book club chapters at the end are helpful for a Bible Study resource.  I found it interesting because it gave many ideas of how to minister to others and many great websites that I have enjoyed looking at and praying for.  You're not simply living out your life.  You are out living your life and bringing glory to God.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Seeds of Turmoil by Bryant Wright

I really enjoyed reading the Seeds of Turmoil.  It was not a book written to scare you about the end times or the ongoing crises in the Middle East.  This book was very well-written and well-researched.  It isn't written in an intimidating way as a book full of facts.  This book was hard for me to put down, which says a lot for a nonfiction book.  Pastor Bryant has a heart for Israel and really brings out the fact that it is all because of one choice, a long time ago, that has led to the conflict in the Middle East, just as God said it would.  I'm sure that Abraham never realized that their decision to use Hagar as a surrogate would lead to the ongoing conflicts.  Imagine Hagar when God told her that Ishmael would be a wild man and his hand would be against the world and the world's against his.  Yikes!  I wouldn't want to hear that about my kids!  However, that's the section of the Bible that Pastor Bryant highlights.  He goes in-depth into the history of Israel as well.  He even includes sections on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic beliefs.  I found it quite interesting since I don't know too much about Islamic beliefs.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wonders what's going on over in the Middle East and why can't there just be peace.  Through this book, you will learn why peace isn't really as easy as many people think it is....that with everyone wanting the same pieces of land as each other because they think it belongs to them.  Funny, though, that we are all ancestors of Abraham, but that's where we break off....as either ancestors of Isaac or Ishmael.  I never really thought about that before, but now I find it quite interesting for some reason!





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”