Winner! (For October 30, 2009)

We have a winner for the CHOOSING GRATITUDE audio book drawing sponsored by Oasis Audio!

Out of 11 entries, Random.org came up with #2 ........................................


BONNIE from Where Did All This Come From.  Congratulations Bonnie!  I need your address now so I can mail out these goods to you.

The King & I

The other night Justin was gone during supper time. 

It was just the kids and I that sat around the table munching our food.  Spinach salad and stuffed shells to be exact.

One of the girls was chewing loudly and I gently reminded both girls to have good manners because they are Princesses and Princesses have good manners.

Of course I should have known this would bring about a conversation about such royal matters.  They wanted to know who the King and Queen were.

“Why Daddy is the King and Mommy is the Queen”, I responded.  “And Micah is the little Prince.”

To which Micah, in his little toddler voice, replied: “Me not prince.  I King!”

I. Kid. You. Not! 

Seriously.

I about fell off my chair!  How could my 2 & 1/2 year old really grasp all that?!  But apparently he does because it took some convincing to make him settle with the title of “Prince” rather than “King”.

Soon, my Little Man, you will be a King with your own set of wee royalty. {sigh}  I love this stage of life.

From The Trenches Of Motherhood…where I’m off to raise my little royal people to be Kings and Queens in their own homes someday…      -Mandy

(PS: The Girls wanted to know who are Soldiers were.  I told them that Uncle Adam and Uncle Aaron were.  Hope they don’t mind!)

Texas Stew

On a cold, dreary day there is nothin’ better than a warm bowl of stew.  Okay, so “nothin’ better” with the exception of a drink from Starbucks!

This recipe is completely original.  Unless someone else had the same thoughts that I did!  I made this one up on my own with jumping off another recipe.  I hope you enjoy it!

Texas Stew From The Trenches

Ingredient List:

• 46oz Tomato Juice
• 24oz Mild Salsa
• 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes (14oz)
• 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes W/ Peppers (14oz)
• 2lb of Ground Sausage
• 6 Cups of Water
• 8oz Bean Soup Mix (dried beans in a bag)
• 12-16oz of Whole Wheat Spiral Noodles
• 1 Bag of Frozen Corn

First I cook up my ground sausage using my handy-dandy tool from Pampered Chef which is called a Mix ‘n Chop.  (No, I’m not being paid for this…I just like them!  A lot.)  When the meat is no longer pink, it’s time to drain the fat off and then set aside for a moment.

Now in a large pot, I used my 8 quart stockpot, add the tomato juice, salsa, and diced tomatoes.

After stirring together the first ingredients it’s time to add the water and the beans.  In the picture you see a 16oz bag.  I only used half of that.  Put the pan on the stove and begin to cook on medium heat.

After an hour or two, when the beans are looking hydrated, you can add the sausage, corn, and noodles.  Stir well and let it cook for another hour or two!

You’ll know it’s done when the noodles are “swollen”.  Turn it off and serve it as is, or let it cool before you dish up into freezer containers to stock your freezer.

I used my latest batch to stock up the freezer for when I need a fast meal that is healthy and inexpensive.  I really like to serve this with homemade rolls or bread, like my Whole Grain Bread.
I hope you enjoy this!  Let me know what you think…okay?

Wordless Wednesday: Faces Of Micah

For more Wordless Wednesday fun join us at

5 Minutes For Mom.

Bathrobes

Last week we were given a bag of hand-me-downs for Abby. 

I *heart* hand-me-downs because it helps us keep our kids in clothes!

Abby got the bag home and and found a fluffy, pink bathrobe with monkeys on it.  She excitedly got changed from her school clothes right into her pajamas!  Over the top she put on her new pink bathrobe.  Then she came out to show me and said:

“Mommy!  Look at my new  thing!  It’s what you put on when you are ready for bed, but you’re not going to bed just yet!”

Whole Grain Bread. Almost.

Every once-in-a-while I tweet about smelling the fresh bread baking in my oven. 

I began trying various recipes in an attempt to feed my family something healthy that wouldn’t break our budget.  This is the recipe that I have thus far.  As you will notice it’s not completely whole grain/whole wheat.  There is a little bit of white flour still used.  But you can alter it based on the taste buds of your family.

Homemade Bread From The Trenches

• 3 Cups Regular Flour
• 3 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 Cup Whole Grain Mix
• 3 Tablespoons Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
• 2 Tablespoons Shortening
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 2 1/4 Cups Warm Water (120-125 degrees)

In a mixing bowl, (I use a Kitchen Aid Mixer w/ the dough hook), add together the regular flour, sugar, dry yeast, shortening, and salt.  When the water is heated to temperature, pour into the bowl and begin to mix it all together. 

Stir frequently until it’s almost smooth.  Pour in the whole grain mix and stir together for just a little bit.  Now add the whole wheat flour, 1 cup at a time.  Let it mix together until the dough is semi smooth (as smooth as it can be with the whole grain mix) and somewhat springy to the touch.  Turn off the mixer. 

Place 1/2 a cup of water in the microwave for 45 seconds.  Meanwhile grease a bowl and place the dough into it, covering it with a tea towel.  When the water is done heating, leave it in the microwave and add the bowl with the dough.  Shut the door tight and let the dough rise for 60 minutes. 

When the hour is over, remove from the microwave and divide the dough in half.  Working with one half at at time, roll them into rectangles like in the picture above.  I use the Pampered Chef bakers mat and roller. 

Then starting at a short end, roll it up and pinch the end into the roll.  Tuck the ends and place it into a greased bread pan. (8 1/2 X 4 1/2)  Repeat with second half of dough.  Place both pans back into the microwave (microwave is off!) to rise for 30-40 minutes. 

Preheat your oven to 425.  After your timer has gone off put the pans in the oven, lay foil across the tops, and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slipping the loaves out of the bread pans.  Add some butter and enjoy!

Music Monday – Be Still My Soul

This song is such an encouragement in today’s world.  I hope you are refreshed by it like I am.  When you know all that Nicole & Todd and their families have been through it gives you a deeper appreciation for their music.

To enjoy more good music join us at Keeping Up With The Kellys for Music Monday!

Simple Woman's Daybook – October 26, 2009

FOR TODAY...October 26th

Outside my window... Brilliant skies and a leaf covered yard.

I am thinking... that I can’t wait to feel better.

I am thankful for... the health I usually enjoy and the health our whole family is normally blessed with as well.

I am wearing... my old pair of jeans with my “Third Day” sweatshirt that used to be my husband’s until I…well, you know…borrowed it! Permanently!

I am remembering... the fun I used to have as a kid with my brothers as we built forts in the woods and fields around our house.

I am going... to go grocery shopping at some point in time, but I’m waiting to feel better first.

I am reading... A Hope And A Future by Don Wilton

I am hoping... to finish up the calendar I am designing for my parent’s business.

On my mind... trying to find more ways to instill Biblical teaching into my kids.

From the learning rooms... teaching Micah his ABC’s and John 3:16. He rather say “John Deere” than “John 3:16”!

Noticing that... the clock ticks way too fast around here each day!

Pondering these words... “In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another.” – Andy Stanley in “It Comes From Within”

From the kitchen... homemade whole grain bread and sausage soup for supper tonight.

Around the house... doing many loads of wash today.

One of my favorite things~ the smell of the fall leaves on a sunny fall day.

From my picture journal...

Choosing Gratitude

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Is the gratitude that flows out of your life as abundant as the grace that flows into your life?"

This question, posed on the back cover, is the perfect way to sum up this book. Nancy Leigh Demoss shares why our life should be full of gratitude and how we can have that kind of depth in our life. We can trade in our whine for worship! When we accept the grace of God in our life we can be full of gratitude for what He has given us...even if it appears to be "bad" in our eyes. I enjoyed the many real life examples of people who have traded in the blues for a heart of gratitude and the incredible perspective they have on life in the midst of some very overwhelming circumstances. Also, Nancy does not leave you hanging as you attempt to apply all that you have learned, she gives a hands-on Bible study to work through at the end of the book. (Or in this case, a printable PDF on the last CD.) It can easily be used without the book and makes for a great follow up on what you have read rather than just putting the book back on your shelf and moving on to the next one. While I would recommend this book in print or audio, I have to say that I really enjoyed the audio version as I worked around the house and surrounded myself in good teaching. Christian Taylor has a beautiful voice that is easy and enjoyable to listen to.

To win a copy of this audio book click here.

Christmas Countdown

There are only 2 months left until Christmas!

Let this little video clip get your Christmas spirit stirred up!

Say It Forward – Week 39

This week I want to turn the spotlight onto Tara from Keeping Up With The Kellys.  She and I have met through the BlogFrog and now we enjoy stopping by for a quick chat at each other’s places every now and then.
She describes herself this way…

”Christian, SAHM, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, degreed social worker, diaper changer, the cook AND dishwasher, a Tar Heel, Target shopper, mess picker-upper, BlogFrog Community Leader, clean freak, bath giver, part-time real estate assistant, reality tv addict, referee, jill-of-all-trades.”

I enjoy reading about her take on life and the fun things she will post…like Mad Libbing It or Music Monday.  I hope you will all give her a little bloggy love and click on over to visit Tara!
And then, when you’re done over at Keeping Up With The Kellys you can go to 5 Minutes For Mom to join or read more Say It Forward!  (Tara, you know what to do now…go get your award!)

Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

I don't drink coffee.

Okay, I very rarely drink coffee.

I used to drink coffee in my late teens when it was the "cool" thing to do. But not anymore. Remember how I told you what it does to me?

But I do happen to have a hankering for chocolate covered coffee beans every now and then. A few years ago I tried to make my own by taking a pile of coffee beans and pouring melted chocolate over them. They were my own little chocolate coffee bean clusters. They didn't look to appetizing though.

So when I found another whole bag of Dunkin Donut coffee beans in my baking cupboard, I had a brainstorm! I melted some chocolate chips in my double boiler and added some shortening to the mix. Then I dug out a muffin pan and put in my silicone muffin liners.

I put just enough beans in each muffin cup to cover the bottom, with a few gaps showing. Then I used a spoon to cover the beans with chocolate. Next, I shook the pan to smooth out the chocolate and quickly stuck them in the freezer for quick setting.
After only 10 minutes I pulled them out of the freezer and I had my own chocolate coffee bean cups!Don't these look yummy? I know it's not the best picture...but for now it will do! I plan to bag them up in pretty little bags to give away at Christmas time. They are simple to do, inexpensive to make, and wonderfully delicious to eat!

Even if you don't drink coffee!

Middle Children, Big Mouths, & More…

Emily Faith is our middle child.  She is four years old.  Her favorite color changes depending on the day and who she might be with at the time.  She begs me to give her “Pippi Longstocking Hair” and she can come up with the most hysterical thoughts.  Let me share a few with you…

“Barbie Toes” – On Tuesday while I was gone to the pumpkin farm,  I asked my friend Susan to pick up Emmy from school and keep her for the afternoon.  When Emmy got home she told me about how she dropped something behind their couch and couldn’t reach it.  But then Emma, (Susan’s daughter), was able to reach it with her feet because, as Emmy said, “She has long toes like Barbie!”  I laughed.  I wish I had long “toes” like Barbie!
“Middle Children” – Yesterday while eating lunch, Emmy told Micah all about how special she was.  She went on to list all kinds of things that she can do.  At the end of her little speech she finally gave her reason for why she is so special…because, in her words, she’s the “middlest child”.  I have NO idea where she gets this from!  Never.  Never would I or Justin say such things to her!  Although, come to think of it, Justin is a middle child, too….!  (For those who can’t joke about such things, neither of us have ever told her that the middle child is more special than the others.  This is her own opinion!)
“My Big Mouth” – The other day while at the table eating lunch…again…Emmy showed me her apple and said, “Look Mommy!  Look at the big bite I took!  I have a big mouth!”  Not wanting to pass up a teachable moment, I jumped at the chance to have a good conversation with her about using her mouth to glorify God.  I said, “Emmy, how can you use your big mouth to bring glory to God?”  (Don’t worry…we’ve already talked about what the word “glory” means.)  I was thinking she would say something like “say kind things” or “don’t be sassy”, but instead she said…”by using it to eat lots of food”.  It took a bit longer than I expected to reach the teachable moment!
“Good Coloring” – As a reward for Abby, I got out a cute book about “Dusty Mole” for her to try and read.  Emmy was sitting down looking at the beautiful illustrations in it when she looked up at me and said, “Mommy, this lady is a good colorer!”.
“Undie Eating” – Our whole family was in the van on our way home the other day when Emmy spoke up with a question.  “Mommy, can you eat undies?”  Justin and I looked at each other in surprise…wondering what was prompting this odd question.  I finally turned around and asked her what she meant.  She seriously responded with, “Well, I have a hole in my undies and I wondered if something was eating them.”  Justin and I collapsed into controlled laughter.  Half because it was so funny and half because we were relieved it was just a curious question!
There is never a dull moment with this precious child.  I am so thankful for the abundant life that God gives us through this high-energy, hysterical, four-year-old daughter. I love you, Emmy!

When No One Is Watching...

Okay! So if you have laughed too much...or not laughed at all...the end is near! This is the last day of my comic relief series for ya'll! Enjoy one last clip!

The Scent Of A John Deere

This little boy of mine seems to be able to smell a John Deere from miles away.  Even if it’s not actually green.  At the pumpkin farm yesterday he wanted to keep playing on this wooden John Deere playground.  What can I say?  We’ve raised him right!

Pumpkin Farm Fun

Yesterday I spent the day with Abby’s first grade class at a pumpkin farm. 

I couldn’t find a babysitter so Micah had to tag along.  For being up early and skipping nap time, he did really well, too!  Of course this Mommy is very glad of that!

Just Trying Something New!

A few days back I was over at Lori’s Reflections reading this post on Windows Live Writer.  I am terribly cautious at trying new things, but decided to take a “risk” with this one.  So here is my very first post using Windows Live Writer…I hope it works! :-)

While I am here writing I will give a plug for Lori’s blog – Lori’s Reflections.  I have been enjoying her blog and I think you will, too, if you hop on over!

We Have A Winner!

We have a winner over at TO READ, OR NOT TO READ for the She Did What She Could giveaway! There will be more giveaways coming...so stay tuned for the next one!

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishing for the blessings through this book!

Awkward Moments

Day 6 is here!

Social Media Self Control

Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder what you really accomplished? I came across this message and thought it was one worth sharing. It's GOOD.

Remembering Names

It's day 5 of our 7 day fest of comic relief! I hope you are enjoying the laughter like I am!

Music Monday: Wonderful Merciful Savior

My favorite musical group is Selah. Ever since seeing them in person back in 2001 when I attended Kingdom Bound I have followed their music closely. So I hope you will enjoy this song sung by them. There is no video motion, so just click play and let it wrap around you as you do something around the house.

So here it is...
Wonderful Merciful Savior by Selah

Simple Woman's Daybook - October 19th

FOR TODAY...
October 19th from Trench Mommy's Daybook

Outside my window... brilliant blue skies and rays of fall sunshine with crusty leaves falling.

I am thinking... how very, very, very kind it was for our neighbor to come along and rake the front lawn.

I am thankful for... an out door wood stove that keeps our house cozy and warm and the water steaming hot!

I am wearing... jeans and an over-sized gray sweatshirt.

I am remembering... how much I enjoyed the milder fall seasons back when we lived in rural Pennsylvania.

I am going... be going with Abby to her class field trip tomorrow to a a pumpkin farm.

I am reading...Sacred Parenting, and for the month of October I am reading through the book of 1 John each day...well almost each day!

I am hoping... to get all my housework done today...and maybe, just maybe attack my to-do list as well?!

On my mind... how I can keep the house clean for longer periods of time...

Noticing that... most of the time it's the little things that mean way more than the big things.

Pondering these words... "Let even your deficits be your offering." from She Did What She Could by Elisa Morgan.

From the kitchen... need to decide what to have for supper...and make a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough balls to put in the freezer.

Around the house... cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning, and LOADS of laundry!

One of my favorite things... A day when all my work is caught up!

From my picture journal...

Book Give-Away: She Did What She Could

It's a Give-Away! Join me over at TO READ, OR NOT TO READ for details on how you could win this book! Winner will be announced on Wednesday (10/21/09) morning!

* * * * * * * * * * *

She Did What She Could (SDWSC): Five Letters That Will Change Your Life by Elisa Morgan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading this book and I want to begin my review with a question...okay...a series of questions.

Have you ever watched a program on TV about a situation or group of people in some sort of need and just felt your heart breaking for them? Have you sat through a special speaker at your church or an event who reaches out to people who are sick or living in poverty beyond our comprehension? Have you walked away with a passion to help only to have it fizzle out when you realized how overwhelming the task of helping truly is?

In this book, Elisa Morgan will grab your heart stings and show you how you CAN help...you CAN do something to change the world. It all begins with a simple story of a lady in the Bible who did what she could.

She Did What She Could is all about doing the simple things to help others out of the love you have for Christ. My favorite quote in this book is found on page 64: "Let even your deficits be your offering."

So many of us can come up with a long list of why we can't do anything or why we are not good at some many things. But the point of this book is not about becoming a better person, learning new skills...but rather using the ones we do have...or even as stated above, the ones we don't have to do what we can do. Love others. Serve Christ.

You will put this book down with a renewed sense of hope for what you can do to reach out in simple, little ways. If you have ever wished that you could change the world then this is what you need to read today!

Spreading Virus

Today is day 4 of our 7 day comic relief fest!

I hope you enjoy this humorous look at a social virus...!

Easy Workout Programs For Housewives

Today is day 3 of a 7 day comic relief fest here in the trenches! Have fun today...laughing burns calories so be sure to come back again tomorrow!

Bad Ideas That Have Worked

This is day 2 of a 7 day comic relief fest! Enjoy!

A Give-Away!

Would you like your very own copy of She Did What She Could by Elisa Morgan?

Join me over at my book review blog - To Read, Or Not To Read - on Monday morning to get a chance at winning your own copy. Click here for the details.

Book Review: Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World

There are not many books that give me the jitters as I read them. But this is one of them. There are not many books that I excitedly anticipate writing a review about so that I can share my thoughts with you all. But...this is one of those few.

When I first got my copy of Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World, I thought it would be a hard book to read. I'll be honest with you...the cover is not all that appealing...at least to me. But out of duty I began to read. Very quickly that duty turned to delight!

I am a wife to a pastor and a mom to 3 children and I will say that living in today's world is very scary. There are days when I listen to the news and fear not only for my own future, but even more so for the future of my children. David Jeremiah does a very thorough job of addressing how we should live in this type of world...full of fear, gloom, insecurity, and doom.

In easy-to-read chapters Dr. Jeremiah walks us through ten thought provoking principles for living life. As I began to read I was overwhelmed with how truly simple and back to the basics these ideas were. The relevance of the Bible came to life through the pen of Dr. Jeremiah and as I read I was filled with a sense of courage and hope for the future.

My copy is now dog-eared and underlined as I internalized the Biblical truth shared in the 235 pages. Some of my favorite quotes are:

"Christian means 'little Christ'. We need to be just like Him, to imitate Him in every way possible so that we could be mistaken for Him."

"As we come together, we are slowly causing each other to conform to His image."

You will greatly enjoy and benefit from digging into these ten topics...
-Stay Calm
-Stay Compassionate
-Stay Constructive
-Stay Challenged
-Stay Connected (My personal favorite!)
-Stay Centered
-Stay Confident
-Stay Consistent
-Stay Committed
-Stay Convinced

Each chapter is full of real life stories that capture your attention and bring home the point of the Biblical truth being shared. The simplicity of the Bible and the way that it can impact our every day life is energizing...giving you excitement about life that is easy to lose sight of in the here and now of today.

I gladly give this book 5 stars and suggest you go buy your copy published by Tommy Nelson as soon as you can! Invest in your future!

For more good reading book reviews go to To Read, Or Not To Read!

Clean Comedy Needed

There are days when I feel worn out and weary. There are days when I just don't seem to accomplish much. There are days when I feel blue from living in a state where we've had nothing by gray skies for over a week.

Something that helps me on days like those...is some comic relief!

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." -Proverbs 17:22

Here in the trenches I have come up with some good, clean, comic relief for all of us. For the next week I am going to post one hysterical video a day for your "good medicinal needs"! I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Turn up your speakers, and well...you might want to make sure the bathroom is open in case you get laughing too hard!

Get ready for 7....yes, 7 days of laughter!



If feeling insecure about your body hits home...check this out...

Giggles From The Trench: Itches

Emmy gets out of bed and comes to my room tonight.

She says this to me:

"Mommy, I have an itch."

My very kind, compassionate response to her:

"Go back to bed and itch it."

Reading Quiz

Hi friends!

Thanks for being my bloggy friends...and for some of you, my real life friends, too! {sappy sigh}

I have a favor to ask you all...don't worry it is painless and will only take a minute. Are you ready?

Okay, just click over to my book review blog - To Read, Or Not To Read, and on the side bar you will see a poll. All I want YOU to do is...answer it! See! That's not so hard, is it?! It's only open until the end of the month. While you are there, and if you want to spare another moment of time for me, I would appreciate you dropping a comment and letting me know what books YOU like to read.

And, while I am at it I might as well let the cat out of the bag...or tell you the end of the story, in this case...but soon...very soon you will be seeing some bloggy giveaways happening around here and over at To Read, Or Not To Read. So stick around and your own bookcase may begin to grow!

Dumb Mommy Questions

We've all heard, and we've all laughed at, the dumb things that we Moms sometimes say to our kids. Like the classic, "If you cut your legs off with that, don't come running to me!"

Today I caught myself uttering one of those sayings. It went like this...

We, (Micah, Emily, & I), were sitting at the table eating lunch. I looked over at Micah, who was fooling around, and said, "Micah, you need to eat your lunch."

Micah looked right at me and said, "No."

To which I, in my not so smart Mommy moment, responded with..."Are you supposed to tell Mommy 'no'?"

And of course Micah sat there just blinking. I'm quite sure he was trying to come up with some response...but what's he supposed to say since he is not to tell Mommy "no"?!

Please tell me I'm not the only Mom out there that has heard dumb sayings leaver her mouth?! Share with me here in my cozy little community about your "Dumb Mommy Moments"! It's a safe place to share the laughter of motherhood...or aunthood...or babysitterhood...or whatever 'hood' you want to share!

For more on what we're talking about in the community, click here!

Blog Award: My First Ever!

Bonnie from Where Did This All Come From was so kind and awarded me a blog award! How sweet is that?!

So the deal is that I have to answer these questions and then pass this award to 6 more bloggers. Here goes....

Where is your cell phone? On my desk.
Your hair? Dry & still not "done".
Your mother? Wonderfully caring!
Your father? Trained me to handle my money well.
Your favorite food? Too many to answer!
Your dream last night? Didn't have any.
Your favorite drink? Water
Your dream/goal? To become a NANC certified counselor.
What room are you in? My study.
Your hobby? Blogging, scrapbooking, reading!
Your Fear? Same as Bonnie...snakes!
Where do you want to be in 6 years? More mature in my walk with Christ.
Where were you last night? Home!
Something that you aren’t? Patient.
Muffins? Again, I'm hanging with Bonnie on this one...blueberry!
Wish list item? MacBook
Where did you grow up? Upstate NewYork
Last thing you did? Put another load of laundry in the washer.
What are you wearing? Jeans and and old comfy fav sweatshirt of mine.
Your TV? Is playing CARS for Micah. Again.
Your pets? Pets? What pets? We have no pets!
Friends? Love them!
Your life? Good.
Your mood? Anxious to accomplish a lot. Always feel that way!
Missing someone? Yes...my dear friend Natalie!
Vehicle? Honda Oddyssey
Your favorite store? Weis Markets!
Your favorite color? Blue, blue, blue!
When was the last time you laughed? With Micah...a few moments ago...while dancing together with Lightening and Sally in the end of CARS.
Last time you cried? Sunday?
Your best friend? My husband.
One place that I go to over and over? CBD.com
Favorite place to eat? I really don't know....Hmmmm....NO clue!

And now...I award.....

{drumroll please!}

...this award to....

1) Finding Grace Daily
2) Life Every Day
3) All Because I Fell In Love
4) Life More Abundant
5) Keeping Up With The Kellys
6) Cardamom's Pod

Okay, Ladies! Grab your award, take a bow...and pass it on!

Fall In The Trenches

It's Fall here in The Trenches Of Motherhood. Although some days it feels more like Winter! (It's global warming...Ha!) Anyways, one of our favorite things is to enjoy apples. Fresh apples, apple pies, apple crisp, apple cider, apples and dip....you name it! So here's a short video that I'm sure you will enjoy as much as we did!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Conversations With A 2-Year-Old...

This morning I asked Micah what his name was. He has been saying "Sam" every so often and so I wanted to see what today's response would be. He replied, "Me...Mipah." (Mipah is his way of saying Micah!)

I then asked him what my name was.

"Mama!", he exclaimed!

"Who are your sisters?" I asked.

"Abby. Emmy."

"Who else lives here?" I asked him...waiting for him to respond with "Daddy".

Instead he said....

"God."

It's so fun watching as little ones learn to communicate! And I think God was probably smiling at Mr. Mipah's response, too!

Homeschooled Confessions

I have a confession to make.

Are you ready for this? Are you sure you can handle it?

Okay...well, ready or not...

I was home schooled.

There I said it.

Now you know.

I never spent a day of my life in any school besides the one at home. I was never sent to public school. I was never sent to private school. I had only one teacher my entire life. My very own Mother. In fact, if we gave her a hard time our threat was to be sent to the nearest Christian school. At the time I would shake in my shoes at just the though of walking through those doors and into those halls with all those kids I didn't not know. Now I laugh because my kids...yes, my very own flesh and blood...now attend that very school that was so foreboding for me.

Are you wondering what it was like? Are you just dying to ask me something about being a home schooled student?

Well, ask your questions by leaving me a comment and I'll answer them in future posts. Go ahead...you know you want to know!

In the meantime...enjoy these two very funny videos I have found about homeschooling. I'm not trying to say anything by posting them here...but just enjoying the humor of them.

WFMW - Squash Eating!

Are you like me? You want your family to eat healthy...but feel overwhelmed by the thought? The first question I think of is "How am I going to get my kids to eat the healthy food I fix?"

Last night for supper I made a hearty texas stew...that recipe will come!...and to go with it I wanted to use up the 2 butternut squash I had sitting on the counter. My first problem is always cutting them open. I don't seem to have muscle power it takes to hack them apart and I hate boiling them because it leaves a layer of wax in my pans that is also hard to tackle. SO...I decided to roast them into submission! I poked a few holes around them and then stuck them in the oven for 2 hours on 300 degrees.

When the time was up I had very hot, but soft and workable squash. I let them cool and then cut off the rounded ends where the seeds all hide out. I personally think it takes too much work for what little squash you get from that section! Then I used a knife to take off the skin and then stuck the 4 big chunks of squash in my mixer bowl. (I use a Kitchen Aid mixer.) I added 1/4 cup of butter and 1/2 a cup of apple juice and then beat them with my wire whisk attachment. When they were as smooth as could be and the butter was completely blended in I poured the mixture into a round stoneware baking dish and put that in the oven on 350 for another 20 minutes until it was bubbly. Though the looked good and creamy, they still needed something to make them look a bit more attractive to little ones....okay, so Mommy and Daddy, too! So out came some mini marshmallows! I threw them on top and left it in the oven just until the marshmallows where toasted.

Would you believe that our family of 5 ate half the pan of squash?! Yup, I had kids asking...begging...for more!

I don't know about you...but this works for me!

Need A Laugh?

Need a laugh today? Then hop, jump, run, or click on over to this post at Raising Olives! You'll be glad you did after you get your daily dose of laughter!

Let's just say it has something to do with a preschool age kid, a toilet, a Mom, and a camera...

Are you curios yet?

I Like Books...

I like books and I have several by David C. Cook publishing...check them out sometime!

Mr. John Deere

This morning as I was putting on my make-up, Micah came giggling down the hallway carrying his sister's John Deere sweatshirt.

"Mama! Mama! John Deere! Wear, Mama!"

"But, Micah, it's Abby's...and it's too big for you."

"Peeeeaaaase, Mama! John Deere!"

"Oh all right...come here..." I mean what mother can resist a cute little boy begging to wear his sister's John Deere sweatshirt???

Okay, so maybe YOU can...but I could not! So here is little Micah in Abby's sweatshirt...all excited because it's John Deere!

Have we raised him right, or what?! {grin}

Simple Woman's Daybook - October 12th

Click on the above button to join.

FOR TODAY...October 12th

Outside my window... cold and dreary...leaves falling all around the house.

I am thinking... that I wish there were more hours in the day...that or less to do in the hours I have!

I am thankful for... being able to spend time with friends today and some of "my" teen girls.

I am wearing... jeans and my light pink Cabela's sweatshirt.

I am remembering... about what my view of the world was when I was in 7th grade.

I am going... to be having eight 7th-grade girls here on Friday for baking and making cards and fun stuff like that as part of my small group time with them!

I am reading...Feminine Appeal by Carol Mahaney

I am hoping... to drink more herbal tea this week rather than hot chocolate.

On my mind... all the things that need to be done...and how I can possible get away from doing them all.

Noticing that...my children are growing up so fast....sigh....

Pondering these words... "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." from Romans 12:3

From the kitchen... teddy bear cookies to frost today at our teddy bear tea party.

Around the house... Got a lot of cleaning done in 2 hours today since we had company coming!

One of my favorite things~ drinking a cup of hot tea late at night to unwind.

From my picture journal...

Redneck Children In Walmart

This is what good redneck children do in Walmart while waiting for their parents to buy their hunting lisences: they watch a hunting dvd and make comments like "Wow! That deer is a beauty!".

Big Thoughts For Little People

Big Thoughts for Little People: ABC's to Help You Grow by Kenneth N. Taylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really like this book!

If you read my reviews you know that I don't often begin with that statement. In fact my average rating is only a 3.34 and that is on books that I have deemed "worthy" of my reading time!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I sent for this book through Tyndale's Blogger Review program, but it has exceeded my expectations. Each spread starts with a letter of the alphabet and then a short Biblical concept follows along with a verse and some brief narration. The second page in the spread is a bright picture full of action for kids to enjoy looking at.

I like how this book can be well used with a variety of ages in a mixed group. I have a 6, 4, & 2 year old and each one can enjoy this book. My 6 year old gets most of it and my 2 year old grasps bits and pieces with my 4 year old falling in the middle of that.

Both Kenneth N. Taylor and Andrea Petrlik Huseinovic have used their talent and abilities to give us parents, and grandparents, a wonderful bed time, or anytime, book to use in the nurturing of our children in the Word of God.

The questions on each page my challenge not only your children, but your own heart as well.

Enjoy!

The Stinky Sneakers Mystery

The Stinky Sneakers Mystery by Beverly Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 7th book in a series about a group of kids who live on the same Cul-De-Sac. Jason, a 3rd grade boy, is working on what he thinks will be the best science project. But tension mounts between him and Eric...another Cul-De-Sac kid.

We enjoyed reading this story out loud and it was a great example of friendship and how to get along. While short enough to keep attention, this book has good lessons on friendship and doing what is right even when others are mean to you.

I like the characters and the way that they are easy for kids to relate to. These stories are great for kids!

Wordless Wednesday - Hanging with Micah!

Micah McQueen

Micah likes the movie Cars.

"Like" is an understatement!

He begs to watch it every day. He sleeps with a little McQueen car and a little Mater.

And these pictures just go to prove how much he likes it. He was tractor tipping on his bed with his tractors and little McQueen & Mater! Be sure to click on the video clip of him saying his favorite Car sayings!

From Peanut Butter To Lunch Meat

This is Abby's 3rd official year of school. She is in 1st grade now.

The first year she attended, it was for 1/2 day PreK. The second year - last year - she was in all day Kindergarten. That meant she had to pack her lunch. Well, that or buy...and that wasn't happening when I could pack!

I was excited to think about all the various kinds of sandwiches I could make her! I wanted to be a "good" mommy and be creative.

I started out with ham and cheese. It came home with one bite out of it. The cold pack had run out and therefore the yummy sandwich, lacking only a bite, was thrown into the garbage. I tried again, but this time I gave out the decree that the sandwich must be eaten before the rest of the lunch items.



The sandwich came home with a few more bites missing...but far from being eaten completely.

When I asked Abby why she wasn't eating her yummy ham and cheese sandwiches she informed me that she didn't like meat. She wanted just a cheese sandwich...or peanut butter and jelly!

So last year was filled with morning after morning making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for my little Kindergarten girl. Through out the year I would ask if she wanted something different, but "no" was always the answer.



This year though...we have finally graduated to the next level! She likes Bologna!



Now my sandwich making has a bit of variety. Bologna & cheese or peanut butter & jelly?



Oh! And don't forget the mustard for the Bologna & cheese! I wonder what next year will bring?!

Book Review: Unveiled

Unveiled: Tamar by Francine Rivers


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the Bible there are many accounts of lives that are summarized in only a few short verses. It's easy to read them and keep going without giving them much thought. I am not saying that we need to read more into them then is there, but there are times we don't really meditate on the passage to the fullest. Francine Rivers takes a passage like that and turns it into a novel that explores what MIGHT have been. Remember, this is fiction based on a few facts...so while the skeleton may be truth, the body of the book is made up based what knowledge there is about that time period. I think this is a great read, and I highly recommend it, but what I don't want it for anyone to approach it as truth through and through. For me, reading this helped me see beyond the cold facts to the emotion...to the reality of life in those days. I am amazed at the grace and mercy that God showed towards Tamar. I am horrified at what life was like for women in those days. I am awed by the power of God. This story takes a woman we quickly read past and brings her to life. She was not perfect by any means, but God chose to use her for His glory.

Unveiled: Tamar

Unveiled: Tamar by Francine Rivers


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the Bible there are many accounts of lives that are summarized in only a few short verses. It's easy to read them and keep going without giving them much thought. I am not saying that we need to read more into them then is there, but there are times we don't really meditate on the passage to the fullest. Francine Rivers takes a passage like that and turns it into a novel that explores what MIGHT have been. Remember, this is fiction based on a few facts...so while the skeleton may be truth, the body of the book is made up based what knowledge there is about that time period. I think this is a great read, and I highly recommend it, but what I don't want it for anyone to approach it as truth through and through. For me, reading this helped me see beyond the cold facts to the emotion...to the reality of life in those days. I am amazed at the grace and mercy that God showed towards Tamar. I am horrified at what life was like for women in those days. I am awed by the power of God. This story takes a woman we quickly read past and brings her to life. She was not perfect by any means, but God chose to use her for His glory.

The Mystery Of Case D. Luc

The Mystery of Case D. Luc by Beverly Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dunkum learns a lesson on friendship when his basketball gets stolen. I liked how Beverly Lewis easily explained through the Cul-De-Sac kids how people are more important that things and favored toys. My 4 & 6 year old daughters enjoyed listening to me read the story out loud and my 2 year old son actually sat as I read through the whole book in one sitting. (It took about 45 minutes.)

This is another short read for a beginning reader, or a "longer" story to be read aloud to young ears. The fun and silliness are found right along with the good character traits and Biblical principles.

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