Breakfast recipe

Gus has decided he wants us as a family to start eating less processed foods. So the first things we are trying to change are snacks and breakfast. I came across this recipe in a new cook book I got yesterday from a forum I am on called MOMYS. Every recipe in the book is laid out to feed at least 8 people which one day I will need since we are now a family of 5 with plans to expand more. With the exception of the white bread I used, a pretty good breakfast. (I need to start baking bread again) :)

Scrambled French Toast


4 eggs

2 cups of milk

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

12 c of cubed day old bread

3 tbsp butter

1/3-1/2 cup sugar


In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add bread cubes and toss, let stand for 5 minutes. Melt butter in large skillet. Add bread cubes and stir until cooked and browned. Gradually add sugar a bit at a time, stir to coat evenly. Cook until all sugar is dissolved Yields 6-8 servings.

I cut the recipe in half, used 3 eggs and less milk and I used fresh bread since I just decided to try this spur of the moment. I also do not have nutmeg so did not add that either. It turned out just fine. I added sugar just a bit at a time until just sweet, it makes it sweet enough to not need syrup. I would say prep time was about 5 minutes and cook time around 10 to make sure all was cooked well.

My baby boy is growing fast and a link to homeschool interview

Our new addition is getting so much love and attention, his big brother and sister love him so much. Boog has asked for 5 more brothers and 4 more sisters and Baby girl is always asking if another baby is in my tummy :) I am glad they want more siblings since we do want to have more children. The baby is getting so big and already so strong, just look at him holding his head up high at 7 weeks old. I told Gus he will be walking before we know it.

I also wanted to post this link to an interview done here by a local homeschool mom of 4 who also runs the Homeschool Cottage in the neighboring town.

Interview

Baby is here!!

Well after a long hard wait, my new baby boy arrived. He really liked my belly apparently, because he was 10 days overdue and arrived after an induction. It was a long wait on my part, since my other two came before their due dates.

He was born on August 25th after a very short labor. I was pretty terrified of the induction but it was not as bad as I imagined.

He is the absolutely best baby and so content to just eat and rest or cuddle. We are all so in love with him and he as just meshed right in with our family.

We are getting into the swing of having a new baby and I hope to get kindergarten started with Boog here in the next week or two. I also hope I am able to post more often at least about schooling and now having a family of 5.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Birthdays and Update

Here is my first born, today is is birthday, he is 5 years old! He is such a blessing to me. God was so good to give him to me and on the same day I had experienced loss. One year before he was born, on July 13, 2003, I miscarried our first baby. It was so very devastating and a very dark time for me. When I became pregnant again 3 months later I was so happy but very scared. At some point in my pregnancy I realized his due date was one week after the date of my loss. I heard God tell me in my heart that this baby was going to come on July 13. Boog arrived on July 13, 2004, it was such a wonderful blessing from God to allow me to experience life and motherhood the very same day I had experienced loss.

I praise God for the blessings he has given me!


Baby update:

I am 35 weeks along, I am very ready for the next few weeks to go by. We have everything we need for the new baby's arrival and have already rearranged our living space and our bedroom to occupy the new addition.

Sorry I have been on such a long blogging break, I will hopefully get back into the swing after baby is here and we are settled.

The Excellent Wife

I have read quite a few books on marriage and what it means to be a wife. Out of all of them I have found this one to be the best at dealing with heart issues and your thoughts. She also gives practical things for you to do to change your heart and the way you think. It is full of scripture and I found that it was very balanced, especially in talking about how marriage should be a living example of Christ and his church. It was very convicting to me in some areas and I am glad my eyes have been opened so that I can being to allow God to work on me in those areas. I highly recommend any wife or to be wife to get this and read it.

I am thinking I may go back and reread some chapters, if you are interested in this book I got mine off Half.com for less than $10 including shipping.

Proverbs 31

I recently came across this teaching on Proverbs 31 and thought some of you might like to read it as well. It is a bit long, I had to read it in parts until getting through all of it. Hope you enjoy.

Proverbs 31 Woman

My First Cucumber Blooms

Yesterday as I was tying my tomato plants I noticed one of my cucumber plants has it's first blooms. I was very excited to see that, b/c they were looking a bit shabby, I actually thought they were going to die. I hope this is a good sign that they are making a good root system and in a few weeks start making some veggies. I should have taken pictures of my other plants as well they are growing so big.

Cheap Dinner Meal: Chicken Pot Pie

You start off with 2 frozen pie shells ( walmart brand $1.28 for 2 pack), one small can of vegall and one can of cream of chicken soup ( $1.50 for both), I had left over chicken so was able to use that at no extra cost. I used 2 large boneless thighs to make 2 pies.















Here is my cream of chicken soup and vegall and chicken mixed with about 1/2 cup of broth to thin some.














after you fill one pie shell, take the other and put on top, mine broke apart, if it does not you need to remember to put some vent holes in top. Also remember to cook on a cookie sheet so it does not drip onto the bottom of you stove.













Here is the finished results, very easy to serve with salad or some other side or just have alone. I was so happy that Gus liked it, since it tastes really good and is very cheap to make, especially if you have left over chicken you use. Total cost for 2 pies was less than $5.

Laundry Detergent

Well I got up this morning and took a look at my detergent and it was very congealed on top. I had to stir it quite a bit to mix it up well. I took an old detergent bottle and washed it out well and filled it up to take up to my laundry area.

I ended up using about 1/2 a cup, for my largest load setting. It does not make a whole lot of bubbles but you can tell the water is soapy. Even with the lavender essential oil it is not very scented. So far the clothes look clean and just have a nice clean smell.

My First Attempt at Laundry Detergent

First I wanted to show you my supplies and the cost. A 5 gallon bucket $4.26, Washing Soda right under $3, Borax around $3 and Zote laundry soap $.88. I ended up using just over half the bar of soap so you could use half and get two uses out of each bar. I will end up getting multiple uses out of each box of the other ingredients, so in the end this will be very cost effective.

I ended up using the recipe from the Duggar's website, since I had a 5 gallon bucket.















Here is my 1 cup of Washing Soda and 1/2 cup of Borax.
















Grated Zote soap, it was not hard to do at all. I thought it was going to be hard to grate, but was very easy.
















Here is the grated soap, melting in boiling water. I thought I did something wrong at first b/c the soap all clumped together, but as it boiled it all dissolved.
















Here is my dissolved soap, washing soda and borax all mixed and all I had to do was top off with water and mix well. I added a bit of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil for a mild sent.

I will update tomorrow after I use it to let you know how it works.

My Father's World Update

We have been using this for about 2 months now, we are still not very strict about schedules, but try and get 4 days a week in. Last week we took an impromptu visit to my parents so there was no school, but the kids were able to go fishing with my dad and have other learning experiences with my parents.

The teachers manual is very easy to follow, very simply laid out. Tells you exactly what to do for each day of the week. I have found even the projects are pretty easy to do and they have made sure it does not take a lot of extras expense or materials to get them done. Most of the time I have been able to use things in the house or materials from outside.

Here are some pics of Boog's favorite thing to do. Tracing letters in salt, it was one of the suggestions for helping them learn to write letters correctly.

Best Deal of the Year

The kids and I went up to visit my parents for a few days this week. When we go I always love to go and take a look around this store they have called Dirt Cheap. It is a store where they get all these randoms clothes and things from stores and they mark them at least 50% if not more off. Well I lucked up big time. They had about eight racks that had clothes on them for $1 a piece, mostly winter stuff. It is time consuming b/c there is not rhyme or reason to the order. How every I got the two Quicksilver jackets you see above for Boog this coming winter for $1 a piece. They will be a bit big, but he will probably end up wearing them for 2 winters, which ends up being an even better deal. These retail for $20 a piece new.
















I got these 3 shirts for Baby Girl for $1 a piece, new they were from Old Navy and were priced at $9.50 each.















Lastly were these two pairs of gym pants for Boog at $1 each, retail for $16.50 each.

I was so happy to get all these thing for less than $8. Who says you need lots of money to have kids? :)

Quote of the day

I read this quote today on a board for momys and wanted to share. This was stated by a man named Doug Phillips.

"The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing. But in our culture, we apply for a curse and reject a blessing. Something is terribly wrong with this picture."

Recently watched movies

We watched this one last night. It is based on the book, which I have never read. I thought it was very good, laid out the information well and was informative. I think it gave me much to think about and areas that you could delve into for more study.



















We watched this one last week, I know it has been out for some time, like 3 years. I thought it was very good and something you can watch together as a family. I have since taken a liking to Hadassah as a girl name. Gus not so much. :)

Memorizing Scripture

A week or so ago, I started reading Psalm 119. Throughout this whole chapter it talks about keeping God's laws and decrees and statues. God has really laid it on my heart to start memorizing more of His word. The reason not only being that we need to know it, but his Word tells us to keep it in our hearts. Also with the possibility that one day we may have to know God's word if the actual book is taken from us.

My friend shared a dream given to her from the Lord regarding the same thing. She dreamed that Satan kept trying to attack her in different ways and in each scenario there was always a way out. God showed her that during the times she is being attacked she did not have time to go and cram from His word, she only had the word she had stored in her heart to use against the enemy. It just showed her it is very important to know God's word in our hearts.

Psalm 119: 11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"

I just want to challenge myself and others to start memorizing God's word that it may always stay in our hearts.

Just wanted to announce....

We will be welcoming a baby BOY in August. We are more than thrilled as are the kids.

Parenting

I am in the middle of reading "Be Fruitful and Multiply" by Nancy Campbell. It is a study on looking into the Bible and what it has to say about having children. Today I read this and even though I know it, I like the little reminders that parenting is the most important job we have.

"Parenting is the highest calling God has given mankind. Every other career is subservient to this one. Everything else we do in life serves our highest calling of teaching and training the next generation for God."

I think it is good to remind ourselves from time to time that our children are a blessing and gift from the Lord. They have been given to us for this time to train and raise for Him with hope that they will be ready one day for the calling he has for each and every one. At times it overwhelms me to think of how big and important that job is, but on the other hand I feel blessed that God has allowed me the privilege to have these wonderful people to mold and shape into usable vessels for Him.

I'm back

Above is my bucket garden. We currently live in townhouse and just have a small patio with that short strip of grass you see. I have wanted to plant a garden for some time, but we lived in an upstairs apartment for 6 years then moved over here last year and it was too late to plant. Anyway I bought the buckets and my dear brother came over and drilled holes into the bottom of them to help drain excess water. I picked buckets because it will be easier to handle and move if we are to find a larger rent home in the next few months. That way they can travel with us to the new place.

I have 5 tomato plants, 2 green and one yellow bell pepper plants, 2 egg plants, 3 squash and cucumber plants. The plants in the blue bucket are broccoli. I was able to get them all planted last weekend when I was off and are looking really good so far. I am really hoping that they can be a learning experience for the kids and that they live and thrive to give us some great veggies.

I may be off line for a bit

Over the last few days our computer has been giving us trouble.  It has been slowly dying over the last year and we think it is just about done.  It has had a nice life of over 6 years and we are trying to see if we have the funds for a new one.  Hopefylly so, but if not I may not have daily access to a computer for some time.  

Hope you all stay doing well!  :)

Poetry Thursday

This is another by Ruth Bell Graham

Jesus wept.

But why?

Knowing what lay ahead

moments away........

Was it becuase

He had not come ,

when He heard

Lazarus might die?

Lazarus was dead!

Was it in sympathy

with their raw grief,

faith's impotent lack?

Or could it be

because He 

had to  bring Him back?

I had never thought of this as a reason why Jesus would cry in the story of Lazarus.  Maybe it was a combination of all those things, but I am sure it hurt him terribly to have to bring him back to live in this world.

Walgreens

These deals were done in 4 separate shopping trips. First stop last week bought the items in the bottom picture. Large bag of wipes, 2 things of shaving cream and TP, used one of my $10 catalina's from Huggies deal and paid $3.09 out of pocket.

Second trip got the two water color pads and big markers for just under $4.00 they were all on clearance at $1.09 each.

Third and 4th trips were done today. First stop got Bull Frog sunscreen on clearance for $2 (usually $10), baby toothpaste for $1 on clearance, two Reach toothbrushes and floss. Paid $3.24 out of pocket by using one of my $10 catalina's and got $6 catalina for the Reach deal.

Next stop bought 8 more single bars of Dove soap and another pack of TP. paid around $4.00 out of pocket and got another $10 catalina.

So for all the above I spend between $14-15 out of pocket and got back $16 in catalina's to spend again. I plan on trying to do the Dove deal again before the month is over.

Poetry Thursday

Miracles by Walt Whitman

Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach, just in the edge of the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love,
or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with rest,
Or look at strangers opposite of me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

My Father's World: Introduction

After much research and contemplation, we decided on My Father's World for Boog's kindergarten curriculum. I decided to go ahead and start now, so that when the baby comes in August I can take a few weeks off.

The first 2 weeks is about Creation. We first read the creation story out of the Bible, then color, cut and paste the numbers 1-7 on a green background. There is one number for each day and each number has pictures on them to help reiterate the creation story. ( I just made my background out of 4 sheets of green construction paper.) We used them to learn these numbers. This is something Boog has trouble with. He learned and memorized all the letters so quickly, yet he is still having trouble recognizing the numbers all the time. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to them. :)














We also reviewed different letters of the alphabet each day. ( He already knows all of these and the sounds each letter makes) . We worked on spelling his name and counting up to 20. He is catching on really quick.

We also used contruction paper and made our own pictures of each creation day, to make a creation booklet.














We are only into week two of this, but overall it is very easy to follow. I picked this because of the reviews that stated the teacher manual was very easy to follow. It lays out what you are to do each day. There is a book suggestion in the back for each lesson. It is a combination of classical, Charlotte Mason and unit study. There is lots of hands on work, which I like. Since Boog has a hard time just sitting still for seat work.

Anyone who is local that would like to take a look at it, just let me know. We can get together and you can take a look through it.

Walgreens deal

Walgreens has a deal this week for Huggies. Buy $25 in products and get a $10 catalina coupon to spend in store like cash. They are on sale for $10 a pack and there are some coupons out there online for $5/one and $3/one. For the month of March you can buy 8 Dove products and get a $10 catalina to spend in store like cash.

So first trip I bought 3 packs of Huggies, 8 single bars of Dove soap, one bottle of Fructis shampoo (there is a $2 off coupon in the monthly saver, making it $.99), one tube of toothpaste (coupon for $2.50 in monthly saver, making it $.49), and 3 packs of gum for $.99.

Total out of pocket was $33 and come change. I got back the two $10 catalina's. So in essence only spent $13.

Second trip bought 3 more packs of Huggies and tried to use my catalina from the Dove and it would not take, but I spent $21 and got another $10 catalina back.

So I spent $54 out of pocket today, but have $30 to spend. I am going to try roll over one of my Huggies catalinas for more Dove and hope to get another $10.

So everything you see in picture cost $24. Not bad for 6 packs of diapers alone!

Fun with Friends

Today we headed to the zoo with some friends. Boog's lesson today covered the 6th day of creation which made it a good day to head over and see some animals.

Here is a pic of the group, we had a great time. Of course we could never get all of them looking at the camera at the same time.

Poetry Thursday

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost


I remember very well reading this poem in high school and knowing that I wanted to take the road less taken. At the time I was not living for the Lord, but over time as I have grown in my faith know that this is a road not taken very often. I am so very thankful that God has led me down this path and opened my heart to that path so many years ago.

Removing the Dross

Have you ever had one of those moments where God opens your eyes and heart? I had a revelation today of some of the dross that needs to be removed from my life. My poor Boog recieved the brunt of my anger. Was he being annoying? Yes. Did he deserve to see me loose control and rage? NO!
My first thoughts were "I cannot do this, I cannot keep them at home acting this way". I realized right away that was not a thought from God. Right after that thought, God's still, soft voice said "this is why I have you home with them". I then remembered a word that was spoken over me years ago when Boog was still small. These are not verbatim: "God is going to change you, if you continue after Him. One day you will look back and not even recognize yourself". I knew God was saying he was using my kids to challenge me and change me daily.
I then pulled my first born to me and apologized all I could. We hugged for a long time and cried together. We then prayed for each other.

Proverbs 25:4

Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;

I want to be material that God can use for his Glory. Please keep removing the dross!

Thrid Day and Mercy Me

I think I have posted some of their stuff before. I really like them. This new one is great and speaks so much to me. Just to rely on God for direction and revelation.




I like this one by Mercy Me.

Poetry Thursday

I have decided to start sharing some poetry that I know or come across on Thursdays. I hope you enjoy.



This is a poem from the book "Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham"
In this particular poem she is talking about her children and raising them for the Lord.

Five I have:

each separate, distinct, a soul bound for eternity:

and I--blind leader of the blind--

groping and fumbling,

casual and concerned,

by turns.....

undisciplined, I seek

by order and command

to discipline and shape;

(I who need Thy discipline to shape my own disordered soul).

O Thou Who seest the heart's true, deep desire,

each shortcoming and each sad mistake,

supplement and overrule,

nor let our children be the victims of our own

unlikeness unto Thee.

by: Ruth Bell Graham

Psalm 23

I caught the end of a sermon on the radio the other day and he was wrapping up a teaching on Psalm 23. Of course most Christians know and have memorized this verse.

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

He was only speaking on the first 3 verses at the time I was listening, but it stood out to me very much. He was talking about how we always want this or that. Not necessarily material things, but we wish we had this in life or we want certain things to not have taken place in our lives. The he read the first verse:

Psalm 23:1-- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not WANT.

I know in my life, maybe not always out loud, I wish for things to be different. I have a hard time just being satisfied with my Lord and the place he has me in right now. I tend to look towards the future and what may be instead of living and being blessed in the place and time I am currently placed.

The pastor then went on to verse:

Psalm 23:2-3 -- HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters.

HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

I feel I need to be more diligent about letting my heart/soul wander. As we know from "Jeremiah 17:9--The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? " I think in our own selves it is hard at times to know if our soul is being selfish or if we are really choosing the things God would have us do or desire. I think that is where verses 2-3 come in. We need to allow God to lead us in all ways. He will always bring us to a place of rest. He will and does restore our soul. He will always lead us down the right path. We can never trust our hearts in and of itself to do that. When we choose that way we always end up taking a selfish route and end up tired and worn down because we try to get where "WE" want to go in our "OWN" way. This will always leave us exhausted and never resting in peace.

Cousins, Zoo and Grandparent fun

We had a busy few days. We left Friday and headed over to Houma to visit James family. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins. James' brother has 4 kids and we have the two so far, so the house was full. James' was able to visit with his brother while cooking BBQ.

Last night my parents came down to visit for a few days, they are staying over with my brother, but today they took us to the Zoo then out to eat for lunch then over to Chucky Cheese's for game time. It was fun filled, but very tiring, so we are home now resting.




Here is Boog and my Dad on the play equipment at the zoo.















Boog and Baby Girl playing.















On the fake alligator head, Baby Girl really did not want to be on there.















My dad with the kids.















My mom and Boog looking at turtles.















The only animals I took a picture of. I really like the Gibbons and they were cute grooming each other.















Here is the baby of the cousins. He is called Big Boy by the family, since he is only 5 pound lighter than his 5 year old sister at 18 months.















Here is Boog, Baby Girl, Jayonna, DaShawn and Daunte'















Baby Girl and the other girl in the family Jayonna.















And just one of my precious babies, who are growing up so fast.