Too many cooks in the kitchen? NEVER!!

When it comes to teaching small ones. Have you ever stopped to think of the many different lesson's you are able to teach in the kitchen? Safety, science, reading, math, self help, patience, cause and effect, self confidence... the possibilities are endless and your just making pancakes:) Yes, you will make a mess, and yes it will take a little longer and yes it could result in some "crunchy" pancakes. But what's a little egg shell when you see that smile on your child that says "I'm proud of my accomplishment" So the next time you have the chance; let them in, teach them what you know, encourage them to help in the kitchen! This could be a future chief, food critic, food scientist and or food enthusiest and your actions are encouraging these possibilities all by making pancakes, or eggs or pasta together. Be flexible and just about any recipe can call for a small child's help. So go ahead! Cook a little with your kiddo(s) and watch them grow!

Oh SNAP!

It's 3pm and I forgot to take ANY meat out of the freezer?!?! WHAT IS A MAMA TO DO!?!

Oh! I know:)

1. Take a frozen roast and place it in a pan with some sort of covering
2. add a little oil (just a trace)
3. add seasonings (I used garlic and season salt)
4. toss in oil and seasonings
5. put in pan
6. cover pan
7. put in oven at 350*
8. and in about 2-3hrs you should have a nice plump roast!
9. serve with starch and veggies/fruit!

For the rest of this meal I chose to saute' fresh green beans, mash potatoes and enjoy the roast! But almost anything goes with roast! You could just grab a can of green beans and a can of peaches! Or toss a bag of salad and some garlic toast! Possibilities are endless!!

think, thank, thunk!

You can....

hold a grudge

carry a grudge

bear a grudge

nurse a grudge

Trouble is...

to hold/carry/bear is to pick up that grudge every day!

to nurse is to feed into the grudge and give it life or power over you!

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as a member of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving him thanks to the God the Father through him.

Just think! If you 'let go and let God'! How much freer you would be!

http://youtu.be/EKSQjSdU8VA

Think, thank, thunk!

YOGURT!!

I just figured this out today (have been doing it for a while but just never officially noticed it:) I buy a large (4lbs) tub of plain non fat yogurt from Cost-Co for $4.00. It being plain and needing a little flavor I also purchase a 2 pack of strawberry jelly (all natural!) for about $6.00 for the pair. Mix it all together, about 1tsp($.03) of jelly 3/4($.40)cup of yogurt (its really thick!), and you have strawberry yogurt for $.43!! It's just awesome how satisfying thriftiness can be!! Its also being "green" since your only buying to containers, one plastic and one glass, BOTH recyclable! Yes, this is cheaper than making your own yogurt, unfortunately. Just in case your curious as to what on earth you will do with 4lbs of yogurt! Well let me enlighten you! You can use it as a substitute for oil in muffin's, breads, brownies, cakes etc... It can be used as a sour cream substitute (it is PLAIN yogurt after all:) Like today I used it to stretch out the last bit of the Classico- Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo sauce to pour over noodles, add some shredded cheese, seasoning and TA! DA! You have the worlds best mac'n cheese EVER!! Okay, maybe I'm biased but it was pretty good! The kids asked for more so... yum!!

Decision!

I have been a stay at home mom for the past 4years. I have been there with him for ALL of his moments! Big or little they have all been imprinted on my heart. Even when I fuss/whine/moan/ groan! About his eating habits, toileting set backs and wake up times that seem to be more in line with the birds than humans. Each moment is a joy, maybe not right away, but it's really a true joy to be able to be there always for him (excluding date nights or mom's night/day's out!!) But now I face a challenging decision, do I go "back to work"? There are several great things about working outside the home(I have a list of at least 5 pros!) I hold nothing against "working mom's" in fact I applaud them. Just the thought of "going back" terrifies me(I have 7 con's)?!!? It really strikes my heart with fear and sadness. And I am struggling to reflect why? What is it that causes me to tear up each time I think of working outside the home? Thus far I haven't been able to put my finger on it, only to be able to finger the actual emotions I feel inside each time the topic comes up. Terror....Sadness...Stress...Overwhelming... Tentative.... Its not the first time I've been at a loss of what to do, yet its the first time as a mommy. I was hoping it would be a little more clearer as to which path I should take, which opening I should pass through, what decision I should make. All I know for certain is "I'm gonna miss this!"http://youtu.be/lBDN8yWyNYU At least this moment will be captured in time for me to look back at as a mom of a teenager when I want to sell him to the zoo! Or pay the circus to take him!

Dream a little dream of...

http://youtu.be/oY6KMoioSog

Okay, I know that song has absolutely nothing to do with the thoughts I'm about to share with you but!!! It's the peppiest little tune and it has the phrase in it I used as my title so I figured I'd better throw my props out there:)

I'm sure you've noticed, by now, how "dreams" (future aspirations) have changed since you were about 5 years old/ understanding the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" What was your five year dreams? Did they differ from year to year? Who inspired those dreams? What inspired those dreams? How much different are your dreams now from then? For me... not so much... I mean sure, I had the occasional "I wanna be a ballerina" (I have two left feet, really, I do!), "I wanna be a princess/royal dignitary" (I'm thinking my story wouldn't have turned out as Cinderella with the "sassy sass" I dish out!), or the "I want to be a successful "business" woman" (now if I just liked sitting at a desk for extended periods of time....doh!) But through all those dreams I found one to ring true, when I grow up I want to be a mom! And guess what, I am!! Isn't that awesome? I am amazed every day I hear "Mommy!" and realize its me the small child is referring to I smile! (unless it's "mommy! mommy! mommy! mommy!" then it's more of a grimace but...who's counting?)

Now that the "Mom" dream is realized, I realize I have other dreams to chase! Here are a few of them...

1. Leaving a legacy behind me that my family/loved ones can celebrate
2. Knowing my child(ren) are believers of Jesus Christ
3. Finishing my Bachelors degree (and possibly a Masters)
4. Realizing my desire to create a welcoming daycare/preschool/re-source center for special abilities children and their families:)
5. Being a Proverbs 31 woman (at least close to one:)
6. Finishing my basement!!(and 2nd bathroom!)
7. Creating healthy habits (working out, eating right, daily devotions....)
8. Blogging regularly
9. Being a good friend
10. To have more babies!!(naturally or adopted:)
11. Self control to resist chocolate!

So what are your dreams? Or future aspirations ? Have you spoken them aloud? Do you pray about them? do you dare to dream a little dream?

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Delay of game!!

Phew! Time fly's when your having fun! And when your stressing out about stuff! Either way it just keeps tick, tick, ticking away!POOF! A month has past and I haven't blogged, what is with that? I guess I figured laundry, dishes, cleaning, meals... were a little more important:) Or was it that REALLY good book? Or it could have been me enjoying the fleeting day's of summer! Literally they are, fleeting away right before my very eyes! I had to wear jeans 'the other day' really?!? I'm not ready for summer to be over! But I am, because with the end of summer come's a new adventure! PRESCHOOL (home schooling)!! I don't mean just the age group I mean my small child is actually ready to do some school work! I am so excited to be able to see him work at something and then.... **light bulb** those moments are so precious as a teacher and I'm sure more so now that I'm a mom! Time to start digging out ALL those teacher made resources I've been hording, transporting and collecting over the years. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on here I will add a few of the resources, easily made, can be used in your home to enhance even a regular day! keeps the TV off and the child engaged! oh happy day!