One more blog for you to follow...

Well, I didn't mean to, but I have slipped up and haven't posted in a while. I've been a little busy being a "single" mom while Bret has been away, working a full time job, registering the kids for weekly summer activities, planning our summer Girl Scout trip, planning our family vacation AND dealing with our new food lifestyle due to Caroline's corn allergy. Yes, you read that correctly- Caroline is allergic to corn. UGH!

And since the corn allergy has taken our life by storm, I've decided to blog about it. But, it deserves its own blog since it's THAT life changing. So, if you are following me here, also follow me here. 

I promise  not to disappoint. Plus, you may learn a few things, or two, or three. And I hope to make you aware of how much of a corn-dominated world we live in.

So, enjoy!

And the countdown begins!

Bret left for Kentucky on Sunday. The last time he left for 2 months (last fall) Bubby and Doodles had a very hard time understanding how long he would actually be gone. About a month in, Bubby said "Daddy is NEVER coming home!" It was heartbreaking. So, this go around, I figured we would make a visual reminder of his return that would serve a purpose in helping the kids "see" how long it will be until he comes home. A visual countdown, so to speak. So, we cut strips of paper into 60 pieces and made a paper chain. The kids had fun!

Caroline gluing one of the links

Landon linking one of the chains

Madeline gluing one of the links

60 chains later... Success!

The finished chain!

Now, if only I can keep them from ripping off the chains all at once, we will be in good shape!

No Givsies Backsies!

Landon has a problem keeping his hands to himself at school. He likes to play fight with the other boys, but with a tough Daddy that likes to play rough at home, he has a hard time not playing so rough at school. As a result, we are working on this since he tends to get a color change to "Yellow" that usually includes a note that states: Landon could not keep his hands to himself today, Landon punched a kid today outside playing Star Wars, etc. All this to say, a week that results in all "Green" is one to be celebrated.

Last week was an all "Green" week and so I gave him a dollar to buy ice cream on Monday. He was stoked! This morning I remembered that I forgot to ask him about the ice cream. Here was the conversation:

Me: Hey Bubby! I forgot to ask you about the ice cream on Monday. Did you buy some with your dollar?
Landon: They didn't have ice cream, so I got pudding.
Me: Awesome! You love pudding.
Landon: Yes, but she didn't give it back to me.
Me: She didn't give what back to you?
Landon: My dollar. She didn't give it back to me. That's not very nice.
Me: Well, you paid her the dollar and she gave you the pudding. That's called "buying."
Landon: Well, I don't like buying. She took my money and now I don't have any.
Me: Well, you don't have any money left, but you got pudding.
Landon: Oh man! {frowns} Now I don't have any pudding either. I ate it all. So now I don't have any dollars or pudding. That's so mean.
Me: Welcome to the world of commerce!
Landon: Wait... I thought we lived in the world of Rockwall?!

Have a Happy Wednesday! 

And So it Begins...

It's been a month or so since I've posted. So sorry! I will begin with a Landonism from this morning:

Landon: Mom, why do you work at the church?
Me: Because that's the job and career I've chosen. Why?
Landon: Well, I think you need to work at my school. As a Janitor.
Me: {laughing} Oh, ok. Why is that?
Landon: Because you're a good cleaner. And the janitors at my school just pile stuff up. And you hate piles of stuff. You would be a good janitor.

That boy cracks me up!

Ok, moving on. If you are just recently following me, you may not be aware that Bret had re-enlisted back into the military (Army, this time) back in May of last year. He is Army Reserves (for the time being) and is a Medic. He was gone for 2 months last year for his Warrior Training in Oklahoma. Now, he is leaving again for Fort Knox, Kentucky for more training. He will be gone for another 2 months- beginning this coming Sunday. And then shortly after his return, he will deploy with his battalion for a year. For some reason, I have been so focused on getting care of the kids in the summer, Girl Scout stuff, work, and other random things that I don't really have any emotions going on right now about it. I am a very fearless person. I don't worry about things. I never have. I don't fear much. I never have. Maybe it's because of my Lion personality, maybe it's my life experiences, maybe it's how God wired me knowing how my life would play out. Whatever the reason, I am pretty neutral. And I am thinking a cry session is coming. Not for fear or stress or worry. But, just that I am going to miss him terribly. Oh, how I am going to miss him.

I googled "Prayers for Safety" and found some prayers on the Catholic.org site. I am not a Catholic, but these prayers say what I can't put into words. I felt them appropriate, not only for Bret, but for those he leaves behind in Rockwall. If you will join me in praying these prayers, I would greatly appreciate it.

For Bret and the other soldiers:
Almighty and eternal God,
those who take refuge in you will be glad
and forever will shout for joy.
Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties.
Protect them with the shield of your strength
and keep them safe from all evil and harm.
May the power of your love enable them to return home
in safety, that with all who love them,
they may ever praise you for your loving care.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

For me and my kids: 
God of all goodness,
Look with love on those who wait
for the safe return of their loved ones
who serve in the armed forces of their country.
In faith and hope, we turn to you for comfort.
Grant that we may trust in your mercy
and send an angel to sustain us as we await their safe return.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Boxer Panties?

I love my kids, but they are just plain silly. Here's the latest with Doodlebug. She is now fascinated with wearing panties. However, since she shares a room with Bubby, she likes to put on his boxer briefs over her diaper and flaunt around the house. Last night as I was getting her undressed for bedtime, I discovered she had put Bubby's boxer briefs over her leggings. What a hoot! I have no idea how long they had been like that. It's possible she wore them to daycare and that all her teachers chuckled all day and then held back laughter as I picked her up yesterday. It is highly possible and most likely the case. These are just the types of shenanigans that happen so often in my world. Here is a picture from a couple of days ago when I caught her for the first time wearing Bubby's boxer briefs (and backwards at that). We now call them her boxer panties. I wonder if they make pink boxer briefs? Maybe Caroline will start a new fashion trend.

Radio is ridiculous!

I know this post may cause some contraversy, but I am just going to share my opinion. First let me say when my kids are in the car, we listen to mommy-approved CDs, the Christian-rock radio station or a station that plays a mix of music. I am guilty of listening to and liking the Pop/Top 40 radio station, but only when it's just me in the car. However, I know when my kids are in other people's cars, I do not have control over that.

After dropping my kids off at school this morning, I turn the radio to my Pop/Top 40 radio station that I like. And to my dismay, I hear S&M by Rihanna. Oh my word! Anyone who has any class or morals should be offended by this song. It infuriates me that song-writers write such raunchy lyrics that they KNOW kids would listen to since they play it on mainstream radio. Not necessarily blaming the musicians as they have a right to write and sing what they want, even though I think it's immoral and disgusting. But what are radio stations thinking? And why isn't there a radio station soley focused on kids music other than Radio Disney (which I can't get since it's AM radio and it is always so muffled that I can't even make out what song is playing)?


No mom wants to listen to Barney or other preschool songs in the car all day, but there are lots of kid-friendly cool music out there that doesn't talk about sex, drugs, partying or whips and chains. I really should start a radio program for that purpose- to provide and promote good, wholesome, kid-friendly music that even parents would enjoy. I don't really like labeling music, but I have labeled the below artists so you know what styles they are. I have a few musicians I would feature: 

• Britt Nicole (Christian Pop)
• Selena Gomez (Mainstream Pop)
• Jonas Brothers (Mainstream Pop)
• Justin Bieber (Mainstream Pop)
• Family Force Five (Christian Rock)
• Barlow Girl (Christian Pop)
• Cody Simpson (Mainstream Pop)
• New Hollow (Mainstream Pop)
• Demi Lovato (Mainstream Pop)
• Lecrae (Christian Rap)
• Miranda Cosgrove (Mainstream Pop)
• Florence and The Machine (Mainstream Rock)
• Emily Osment (Mainstream Pop)
• Zoe Ann (Mainstream Rock)
• Willow (Mainstream Hip Hop/Pop)

I am sure there are more, but these are who me and my kids listen to most often. If you have other musicians I may need to check out, let me know! We are a music-lovin' family so I always welcome new music that me and my kids can enjoy... together!

Also, I might mention I found a website that is helpful in finding good music for kids and tweens. As a parent, you will still want to listen first before running out to buy the music, but for the most part, they feature good kids playing good music that is good for kids' ears. Check out Tween Pop Radio! 

In considering my kids' ears and what music they listen to, I consider this scripture: ^"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Please eat fat... for Madeline!

For those who don't know, I am a Girl Scout mom. And not only am I a Girl Scout mom, I am the Girl Scout Troop Leader. And not only am I a Girl Scout mom and Troop Leader, but I am the Girl Scout Cookie Manager. And not only am I a Girl Scout mom, Troop Leader, and Cookie Manager, but I am the mother of a Girl Scout who is the TOP SELLER of Girl Scout cookies in her troop. Yep, I am bragging. It's ok since she's my kid. Anyway, I am a bit competitive and want Madeline to remain the Queen of Cookies for our troop- don't you? So, buy some cookies, endulge in the fatty deliciousness that are Samaoas, Think Mints, Lemon Chalets, Tagalongs, Do-si-Dos, Thank You Berry Munches, Trefoils, and Dulce de Leches. I know you can taste the chocolate, the coconut, the peanut butter. But if you can't, here's an adorable picture of a peddling Madeline.

  Child labor never looked so pretty!

I'm back!

Well, it's been over a year since I have posted to this blog. But, many of you have convinced me to keep it updated with all the Lord shenanigans, so here goes it.

2011 has gotten off to a pretty darn good start. Bubby made it to his 5th birthday and trust me... that's an accomplishment with this kid. We predicted he would have already had his first appendage break by now (and not by us), however he has managed to keep them unharmed. It won't be long. Just stay tuned... it's bound to happen.

And Doodles, well she has moved from not caring in the least about what's in her diaper and having no interest to potty training, to sticking her hand in her pants to show us what she's done. So, we're making progress there. At least she cares what's in the diaper, right?!

And then there's our preteen, Pookie Bear - Pookie for short - who reminds us every day that she thinks she's responsible enough for an iphone and that they are "only $500." Yes, she uses the word "only" a lot when it comes to money. Like the glasses she wants- "They are only $233, Mom." The girl barely qualifies for glasses, but thanks to Dr. Hill, our trusty optometrist, she now insists on getting them. Thanks, Dr. Hill {that was sarcasm}.

Oh, and that reminds me. I am the queen of sarcasm, so you will see it a lot here. It's just me. I make no apologies. :)

We can't forget Honey... my former Navy man, turned policeman, turned Army man. Well, the news on Honey for 2011 is he is now officially an Army Medic, but also a Manager at Exel. Currently in the Army Reserves, I predict a full active duty status by 2013. But if you ask us we will say "We are still discussing it." However, I am predicting that my prediction will be right. But, we are still discussing it.

And lastly there's me, Sweet Thang. So far this year, I have managed to pick up a few books and actually read. That, my friends, is an accomplishment. Currently I am being an over-achiever and reading two books: The Chronicles of Narnia and The Power of a Praying Wife. One for pleasure and one for necessity.

Well, there's my first post of 2011. Stay tuned for more. I am looking forward to sharing my crazy, fun and laughter-filled life with you.

Lemon-Berry Bundles

Oh yes! It's a party in your mouth with this delicious bit of goodness. It all started with a friend Julie, who made Apple Dumplings for our Thanksgiving Bible Study fellowship. I have to admit, I didn't try them, although everyone raved on and on. My dear friend, Jen, made them the other night using Julie's recipe and would not stop talking about them. Then, Jen convinced our friend Jason to have his wife Candace make them. So, then Jen and Jason were both raving on and on. So, I caved. I made the Apple Dumplings on Tuesday and OH. MY. GOSH. If I were Catholic, I would've gone to confession, they were that sinfully good.

I could not stop thinking about them. The sugary goodness at the bottom of the pan, the ice cream melted on top, the delightful apple cinnamon flavor. Am I making your mouth water? So, I decided to create my own version, using the same basic recipe but adding a bit of "Jenny" to it. It's a party in your mouth for sure, and a wonderful new spin on an already-perfect dessert. I call mine Lemon-Berry Bundles.

48 blackberries
2 sticks butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 sm can Mountain Dew or 1/2 can of 12 oz. can
juice from 1 small lemon
2 cans crescent rolls
1.5 cups sugar
cinnamon

Roll 3 blackberries in each crescent roll. Place in a 9x13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla and lemon juice, stir, and pour over the rolled blackberries. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top. Then go to confession - quickly!!!

Juana Enchiladas!

Last night, I created and perfected what I now call JUANA ENCHILADAS! The name Juana Enchiladas comes from my high school Spanish name. My sophmore year, my Spanish teacher gave us all Spanish names, mine became Juana. Since I took Spanish all throughout high school and college the name stuck amongst my Spanish classmates and friends. I love so much about the Spanish culture so the name has so much love behind it. I hope you enjoy the food as much I enjoyed making it into my own creation.

Juana Enchiladas:
8 corn tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1/2 small onion
1 can (15 oz) Tomato sauce
Shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
Shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp hot cayenne pepper (2 tsp if you like it extra hot!)
1 tsp chili powder

Preheat oven to 350. Ground the beef and saute the chopped/diced onion in the same pan until cooked. Put the beef/onion mixture in a medium bowl and add 1 tsp tomato sauce and a handful of Sharp Cheddar cheese and mix well. Place the tortillas in a paper towel and warm in microwave for 40 seconds. Spoon the beef mixture into each tortilla, roll and place in a 9 x 13 baking dish with seam side down. For the sauce, mix the remainder of the tomato sauce, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. If there is any leftover beef mix, I add that to the sauce as well. Pour the sauce over the tortillas in the baking dish. Sprinkle as much Monterrey Jack cheese as you like to cover the top of the enchiladas. I don't measure, I just coat it (you can never have too much cheese in my opinion) until it looks pretty. Then place in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Sometimes, I add some shredded lettuce as a garnish once it comes out of the oven, but not every time.

Feliz comiendo!

Caroline

This is Caroline. Beautiful smile, right? She's smiling because she's drinking clean water for the first time. She used to walk three hours every day to fetch dirty water. But not anymore. Her village just got a well. Clean water will change everything for Caroline and her community. For every Caroline, there are millions more children hoping to smile like that. Almost a billion people on the planet don't have clean water right now. Who knows how many people you will impact. This is where it begins.

I am giving up "my Christmas" because I have my own Caroline. My Caroline drinks fresh, clean, safe water every day and I think this Caroline deserves the same. Don't you?

Did you know?
- Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. That's one in eight of us.
- Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
- Many people in the developing world, usually women and children, walk more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick.
- Of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation, 90% are children under 5 years old.
- Just $2o can give a person in Africa clean, safe drinking water for 20 years.

Donate today: mycharitywater.org/lordfive

All I want for Christmas is...

WATER. Yep, that's right.

This year I have been working with our Christmas campaign at Lake Pointe and it has been centered around starting a new tradition and giving a gift worth giving. When Bret and I did our typical "What do you want this year?" conversation we both could not really think of anything we particularly needed or wanted. We stopped and realized how truly blessed we are. We do Angel Trees, Christmas in Mexico, and different outreach things every year because we want to teach our kids the value of helping others. We aren't asking for a pat on the back, for we feel we should ALL help those in need.

I have been researching some charities that truly impact lives and landed on this - charity: water. What is truly more important than the gift of water? I can live without Coach clutches, stilettos, designer jeans, hot wings, manicures and pedicures, scarves, hats, candles, Celine Dion music (well, that's pushing it), gym memberships, movies, my Blackberry, fuzzy socks, and the many other things I have come to classify as my "needs". But, God made man to be unable to live without water. It's that simple. Humans need water, and they NEED clean water.

I have set a goal to raise $500 within the next 3 weeks to help build a well in Africa and I need your help.

You know me, you know my passion for serving. I am a firm believer that we are to be the feet and hands of Christ. This matters. This saves lives. I don't care what you give: A dollar or a hundred dollars, but please give something. Let's meet this goal and work to exceed it together. Forward this to your friends or set up your own account and start your own fundraiser. It's free and 100%, each and every penny, goes to build a well.

You can visit the link to my fundraising site here

Thanks, Merry Christmas and God bless you this season and always.

Scare on the Square

This year on Halloween, instead of door-to-door Trick or Treating (which with 5 kids, 4 of them ages 4 and under, would be quite the challenge and similar to herding kittens) we decided to go to Scare of the Square in Downtown Rockwall. I was so glad I made the decision! It was so fun. Hay rides, face painting, and all the stores on the Square participate by handing out candy from their porches. The kids had a blast and it was just enough candy and activity for them. Here are a few pics from the festivities:

Pumpkin Parable

Each year, our family carves a pumpkin and we walk through the Pumpkin Parable with our kids. This year, Ashley and Bradley had the chance to hear it for the first time and it was such a blessing to be able to share Christ's love with them since they hadn't heard it before coming to live with us. If you haven't ever heard of the Pumpkin Parable, I encourage you to do this with your kids next year. It is a great way to have fun while learning about Jesus being the Light of the world.

The Pumpkin Parable:
As we cut the pumpkin open and pull the "yucky" pulp out, we tell how this is a picture of how God takes us and cleanses us from all our sin - casting them as far as the east is from the west.












The carving of the eyes, nose, and SMILING face, represents how God makes us a new creation.









Then as you put the light into the pumpkin, remind them that Christ comes into our lives as a light and can shine through us into a dark world.


It is always so much fun and we read scripture together and learn more about how much Jesus loves us. Happy Halloween and God bless you!

Happy 4th Birthday, Ashley!

Ashley actually turned 4 on September 23, but two weeks after she came to live with us, we found out she had not celebrated her birthday. The event-planner in me couldn't allow that to happen- no way, Jose! So, I arranged a Birthday party, mermaid-themed per Ashley's request, and we had so much fun! I made her cake, Nana, Aunts Amy and Stephanie came, Grandma and Grandpa (Bret's parents) came to town and we had a blast watching her open her gifts. Seeing all the excitement on her face was priceless. Bret and I said from the beginning, that no matter how long they may be here with us, we are going to bless them beyond measure. We are striving each day to be a blessing by showing them the love of Jesus and letting them know how special they are. Ashley- we love you! You are God's princess, created by Him for a purpose and we are honored to have the chance to experience your life with you at this time. Happy 4th Birtday, Precious.

Fall Family Festival

Each year, Lake Pointe Church puts on the most magnificent and overwhelming (in a good way) Fall Festival. This year, we ALL had a chance to go, Nana and Aunt Amy included. Madeline was of course, too old and cool, to wear a costume (apparently that stops in 3rd grade?!) so she was the only kid not taking part in the dressing up part of the evening. I didn't fight it, although it made me a bit sad. She is growing up so fast and even faster in her own world. :)

All the kids had fun, although I think Ashley and Bradley were just a tad-bit overwhelmed by all the activity and people. I am not quite sure they had ever experienced such activity before. But, the all the candy and prizes proved it a success and they talked about it for days after.

Riding the train with Landon, Bradley and Ashley
Landon and Ashley on the car ride. I love their excited faces!
Madeline and Landon on the airplane ride with Aunt Amy.





The 2 most adorable Texas Tech future cheerleaders, Ashley and Caroline






Landon (Batman), Madeline (Miss Cool) and Ashley (TTU cheerleader)

Halloween Sneak Peek

Landon: Batman, Ashley: Texas Tech Cheerleader, Bradley: Superman

Landon's First Day of Preschool

Well, so I have child #2 off to school this year: Preschool, that is. Landon was so excited to start school and could not understand why Sissy started 2 weeks before him. On Madeline's first day, he cried because he wanted to go to school, too. The next day, cried. The next, cried. This happened each day until, finally....

Yay! First day of preschool and Landon was so excited. After school, he came back to my office and talked non-stop about his day. "Mommy, I have a folder like Sissy. Mommy, I have my own cubbie with my name on it. Mommy, we got to go the library. Mommy..." The one that made me smile the biggest though was "Mommy, I am such a school boy now!" Yep, Landon is a school boy now. We love his teachers, Ms. Christy and Ms. Maxine and he is having so much fun! Here's to a great Preschool year.

Ready and eager to go to school!
After school, he came back to my office and played "school" to tell me all about his day.
I think he's a happy school boy.

Dinner in Denim

This year marked the first year that the ladies of our Life Group at church participated in our Annual Fall Women's Event: Dinner in Denim. Each table got to decorate their own table and fill it. We decided on a picnic theme, complete with a picnic basket, torn jeans for the place mats, a red and white checkered fabric for the table runner, sunflowers and some adorable fake bugs. Kelley had the cutest theme idea and it all came together nicely. We had so much fun! Great conversation, great worship, great speaker and some great memories. We are excited to get to do it all again next year. I think it will be a new tradition.
Here we are (only some of the women of our Life Group)
Back row: Kristin, Kelley, Me, Front row: Jen, Alisa

Madeline's First Day of 3rd Grade!

My baby is getting so big! I cannot believe she is 3rd grade. For some reason, Madeline in 3rd grade has made me feel really old. I don't know why. To top it off, she didn't want us to walk her in or take her picture of her first day. A week prior she had already planned it out: Daddy and I were both going to drive her to school, we would all go in, drop her off in her class, take her picture and leave. The morning of her first day, "Mommy, I am too old for you to walk me in. Please don't come inside and please don't take my picture. I am a 3rd grader now!" Me = broken-hearted. But, I told her that since Daddy had made arrangements to be there this morning and we already planned it, we were doing it anyway. I also informed her that I would be taking a "first day of school" pic each year and that she would have to accept it. Ha! But, I came to grips that it may possibly be the last year of the walk-in and snap a pic of her at her desk. I did manage to snap a quick pic when she wasn't looking. I love you Madeline, and you are turning into a wonderful tween. Tears. My baby is indeed getting so big!