Resolutions????

I looked in the Thesaurus ( because I can't find a dictionary) under resolutions to see what other words would help explain its meaning. The ones I like so far are : aim, courage, purpose, and sincerity. Every year it is the same thing...make a huge resolution/s and then beat myself up because I can't keep up with them by February ( sometimes it is really mid January) But this year is different.  I am really making them for me. Not to try to please someone else. 

The first one is inspired by my middle son.  Before Christmas he was toting around a Bible I had gotten my husband when he was Batized.  It is your basic bible, black cover, gold edges. My little guy wanted help finding the middle of the bible. Then he would just stare at the page and read the words he knew. He is in kindergarten and is picking up reading very quickly, great for him...another challenge for Dad and I as we try to "sneak" things by the children..( does anyone else do that?).  He did this night after night for a decent amount of time.  One night we where having some "challenges".  I was tired and out of patience.  He was full of energy and mischief.  After being short with him because I was trying to get some "Christmas" stuff ready, he came over to me toting the bible and said " Mom, will you read this one to me?"  "Of course, show me which one."  "Right here" he said pointing.  I took the bible and adjusted it so my old tired eyes could focus and read "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." Proverbs 14:29 (NIV).  Humbling on a normal day. Of course God always knows what to do and again he let me know how I should be behaving with my son.  As I fought back tears, we talked about what the verse meant and how it applied to everyone but how is specifically fit the situation when had been in that night.  It was a good "teachable" moment. One that I am so greatful for taking the time to have.  He has come back with his new, green, camouflage kids bible that I bought him for Christmas ( Dads black one was hard to hold due to its size) asking me to find that verse and read it again. He said it is his favorite. One of mine too. So the actual "resolution" here is to be more patient. With him. With the rest of my family. With everyone. And to take the time to use the moments God gives us with our children. The time goes by too quickly.  This incident also reminded me of a resolution I have made for several years but have been unsuccessful at meeting. I have never read the entire bible. Last year for Christmas my mom got me a chronological bible that is broken down by days.  I started reading it last year and didn't make it very far.... so January 1, 2010 I took it off of the shelf, blew the dust off, and cracked it open.  I am happy to report I have read it every day so far and am very optomistic this time.  With a new baby coming in a few weeks and the cold and snow we have blanketing the Midwest  it is the perfect time to commit to an inside "project".  I am anxious to see what the end result INSIDE me is.  I will let you know as I go along.  If you are interested here is a pic of the bible I am using

It is available at here ( one of my very favorite websites) or you local bookstore. Did you make a resolution?

Happy New Year!

* Note: I actually wrote this on New Years Day...but forgot to POST it! Duh...

It is officially a new decade. Where has the time gone?  You know you are getting old when you think things like that....let alone say it out loud!  The kids were very excited to see the ball drop in NYC...unfortunately since they are getting older and wiser they have learned to tell time.  Soooo they knew that it was not midnight yet when the ball dropped. But that was Daddy's problem because I fell asleep..at 9:30! I think it is because I am old, tired, pregnant and getting a sinus infection ( at least that is what I told myself when I woke from my slumber this morning....no New Years kiss for me).  Our New Year's Eve tradition has become staying home with the kids and eating an obscene amount of "junk".  This years menu was Pizza Rolls, Lil' Smokies(these two make the cut every year), mini Quiche, fried mushrooms and mozzarella sticks and a veggie tray.  We are snacking on left overs today and also eating the "stuff" that didn't make it out last night...cheese and summer sausage and Dad's cheese dip. I had the intention of making homemade doughnuts for breakfast but could not muster up the energy needed. Maybe tomorrow or Sunday.

Dad did take the official New Years Eve picture.  Thanks Honey!

So here is to 2010. May you and yours have a year of blessings!



Here is the cheese dip recipe. It is one that he got from a good family friend, "Y". It is quick and easy and everyone always loves it.

2-3 jars of Cheese Whiz
1 family can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
browned Sausage and Hamburger ( I think it is supposed to be 1/2-1 lb. each but we just wing it. Sometimes using just one or the other)
Mix all together and keep warm in a crock pot.

You could also add some jalapeno's. We don't with the kids, but do add just the "pickled" juice from them once in a while.

My LIfe. In Pictures. Day 3

Today's challenge is "touch". Again, a difficult one to decide on since there are so many things I touch during the day...some good, some not so good. My photo skills are lacking but here is what I came up with for today....

                         

I was "touching" my little pumpkin as he/she ( or "Pat" you know from SNL..as my MIL so lovingly refers to it ;p) was kicking me...while drinking my warm cup of tea!  Hard to take a pic of yourself....

I know we are only supposed to do one but the other thing I have been touch all day is my sick little monkey...

I always kiss their foreheads to see how the temperature is going (part of the time because it is a good excuse to kiss them, the other times...I have NO idea where I left the thermometer after I took the temp the last time).  I am usually within .5 degrees- as I am sure you are too-Mom's just know.  So this is my baby finally sleeping with a temp, right before I touched his forehead with my lips to see how he was.

Hope you are all having fun with the photo challenge! It is great to see what everyone else is posting! Be sure to check it out at Amber's blog....

My LIfe. In Pictures. Day 2

Oooopppps! Yesterday got away from me..I had three doctor appointments in the morning ( everything is A-O-K) and I just forgot to do my Day 2 challenge....Probably no big surprise to those of you who read my blog.  Anyway I have been thinking about what to shoot for Day 2 and have come up with and discarded many ideas.  But I think I finally settled on one....The sound of silence.  Of course how do I capture that?  I was just warming up water in my favorite mug, getting ready to enjoy a cup of warm tea and it hit me.  I usually have a cup when all is quiet.  With three rowdy boys, a wonderful husband, two wacko dogs and a couple of part time day care kid; I really enjoy the sound of silence.  Sometimes.  Usually, while I am sitting there listening to "nothing", I am reminded again of how lucky I am to have the above "noise" around me all of the time. I do miss it when it is gone.  But for the few brief moments when I am enjoying the too hot sips of tea, it is nice to hear the thoughts in my head, even if they eventually come back to what I can't hear.

( The mug is on the arm of my favorite new recliner with the blanket I cover up with while I am drinking my tea)

Don't forget to check out the other entries in the photo challenge at Amber's blog.

My LIfe. In Pictures. Day 1

Today is the first time I am participating in My Life. In Pictures. from Amber's blog.  This week in pictures will explore the 5 senses. Today is sight....and my entry is (drum roll please)........

I caught my little angel hanging out on one of the last warm days....

Be sure to check out the rest of the entries in the "contest" and enter one of your own!

Friday Favorites...

I have been thinking about doing a Friday Favorite post for a while now. The problem is I am terrible at posting and I usually remember on Saturday. So for my first FF post: Deals! I love to get a good deal. My husband works hard for the money so I really do like to be careful when I spend it. My best deal lately was a new Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. We both had been coveting one for some time but just could not justify spending the money on it since I rarely bake him anything anymore. ( He lovingly pointed this out last night...again!) So imagine my glee when I stumbled upon one this summer while checking out the new Shopko. We had been given an additional 20% off your entire purchase coupon when we walked in the door. The mixer was marked down from 299.99 to 115.02, frankly a deal in itself. But remember my coupon! Final price 92.02! WOW! It is beautiful black, has all three beater attachments and the comfort grip stainless bowl. I LOVE it! Maybe I will make hubby something sweet this weekend....

Let the light get in...

I was waiting in the lobby of the doctor's office yesterday and picked up an article about Elizabeth Edwards. It talked about her on going battle with breast cancer, infidelity, losing a child, etc.* In the article was a passage she has painted on her wall. The words are from the song "Anthem" by Leonard Cohen. ( View whole song here) It says "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Sometimes we forget to look at all of the blessings we have in our lives. The last several weeks have brought news full of sadness for friends and family. It has been so easy to say, "Why them?" Their lives are falling apart right before their eyes...but through the crack, the light that shines in...it is the friends who rally around to give strength. The chance to say " I love you" knowing the end is near. Remembering the fun, laughter and good times. The new teachable moments that are REAL life. So today I challenge you to look for the light, it is everywhere. And be thankful! *HealthMonitor , Vol.7 October/November 2009