States Update and a recommendation

So far we are enjoying our states unit.  We’ve taken a break this week to do a much needing clean-out upstairs, which is going to conclude with cleaning the carpets :P   I am looking forward to jumpin’ back in at the end of the week by starting in the New England States.  We have some fun activities to do like making a New England boiled dinner, learning about whaling, clams and other cool things up north. 

So far in our postcard collection we have: 2 Florida, 1 New York and a Georgia that we picked up at Lookout Mountain. We have promises for several other places from family and friends and we’re looking forward to getting those. 

 

Care for a Game of Tag?

I’ve been tagged by my friend Michele at Life As I See It.  Since I got interrupted before I could finish this, and others have already responded, I’m not sure if I have enough people left to tag.  But I will try to find five unsuspecting souls

The Rules:

1. Post the rules at the beginning
2. Answer the questions only about yourself
3. At the end of the post, tag five people and post their names, then go to their blogs and leave them a comment so they know they’ve been tagged.  Ask them to read the sender’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know you’ve posted your answer

 

Potty training and solid foods

The past couple of weeks I’ve been tackling two milestones - potty training and solid foods - and no, not with the same child :)  The toddler has shown interest in the potty for a few months, so we have had her ’seat’ in our bathroom so she could get to know it.  I am ready to move past that and to the mastery stage.  Two things I’ve learned about potty training, though, is that each child is different and they do it when they are ready.  Her siblings have been watching a movie called Potty Time with her.  It’s about a boy named Bobby who is having a birthday party and he has also been successful in his potty endeavors so they are celebrating that, too :)  So now, everyday without fail, she will burst out with Happy Birthday, Bobby!  Which, of course sends her sibs into hysterics. 

 

Taco Salad Recipe

Last night I brought a taco salad to the ladies bible study at Kim’s. I promised a couple of the women that I would post the recipe.  I love taco salad and this is a favorite version that has a little twist.  It has been a favorite of mine since I was in girl scouts and Pam, who co-lead our troop with my mom, used to bring it.  It’s easy and it’s great for summer because the only thing you have to cook is the taco meat.  You could do that early in the day and leave it in the fridge until you’re ready to put it all together. 

 

Revolving-Door-Day

I’m sure you’ve had those days where it seems like your front door is a revolving door.  You barely shut the door on someone leaving before the bell chimes and someone else is there.  This morning was one of those times. 

 

Fruitilicious Smoothies

It just occurred to me that I have never posted a recipe. So I decided to start with my two favorite smoothie recipes.  You can make these in your blender or you can make them in your magic bullet.  I am not one to buy something I’ve seen on an infomercial , but several months ago, after I had the baby and was too uncomfortable to sleep anymore, I turned on the tv, hoping it would lull me back to sleep and caught the magic bullet spot.  The things they did with this thing were amazing :)  I didn’t buy it then, but I did mention a couple of times in Bill’s presence.  He must of thought I wanted it or something because he got it for me for mother’s day (from Kohl’s for less $$).  By far my favorite things to make in it are smoothies.  It came with four cups that you can put your ingredients in and blend them up, then you screw on a collar and drink from them.   The collars are color-coded, too, which makes it great for the kids.

Like I said, these are my two favorite flavors.  The amounts are approximate.  This is one of those things that I make by just throwing stuff in.  You can play with it to suit your taste.  Add more ice to make it crunchier or more yogurt to make it smoother - you get the idea

 

The Day the TIVO Died

If you have a Tivo or DVR, need I say more?  About four years ago, I got Bill a Tivo for his birthday.  He had been wanting one and our satellite company (Directv - excellent service, by the way)  had a great special at the time, so I surprised him with it.  Now, I just did not see what could be that great about a box that records tv shows.  We had a VCR and I just don’t watch that much tv.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Yesterday, our tivo was pronounced dead and it got me thinking about all the reasons I had come to love the little guy.

 

Sad Day

Yesterday I was trying to fix my oldest’s computer (our old one that crashed) when a little person showed up beside me.  I didn’t think anything of it at first until one of the siblings said uh-oh.  Then I realized that she had been down for her nap and I didn’t get her up and after a quick check, no one else had either.  She finally decided to climb out of her crib.  We even took her downstairs, put her back in and asked her to show us how she did it.  She was quite skillful and didn’t even fall. And she was also very proud of her accomplishment.

Not long after Daddy put her to bed last night, we heard the door creak and saw her little face peek around the corner with a cute little “hi”.  Daddy explained that she couldn’t get out, tucked her back in, and she didn’t get up again (thankfully). 

There’s something very comforting about being able to put a toddler in their crib and know that they can’t escape.  I guess that peace of mind is gone now.  Time to get out the big girl bed, which is okay, because we have one waiting to move right into the crib.  And the carousel of beds and bedrooms starts again…

 

My Take on Prom

I know there have been several posts on prom already (1,2,3,4), but I thought I’d throw my two cents in. 

First of all, let me say that we love our volunteers at the Ridge and I hope they know that.  It feels weird saying that when I was one just a few months ago Now I’m a ’staff wife’  ~ still not used to that yet! It was great to see them let their hair down (literally) and have some fun.  It was also great to see them come to an event that they didn’t have to set up for or break down afterwards or watch someone’s children during. ( We did have to beat some of you off with a stick though.  You just can’t help but help! ) We’re  grateful for Canvas coming to fill that void.

One thing I also enjoyed was the preparation.  Looking back through pics from that time and listening to the music of my youth has made me feel a little bit like a teenager again!  While going through photos, I came across letters from Bill while we were dating and lots of movie ticket stubs from those dates.  It’s neat to see how that puppy love has matured into something deeper and lasting. 

While I don’t think we should live in the past, I think it’s important to revisit it once in a while to remind yourself of where you came from.  I’ve been reminded of all the reasons I fell in love with Bill in the first place.  Sometimes it’s easy to forget, especially when there’s six kids vying for your attention!  And no, don’t expect baby #7 in March :) 

I also think it’s important to take some time out from working, even when it’s something as worthy as ministry, to just have some fun. Like Bill said in his blog, I wish it had been a little longer.  And there were a few notable absences.  Next time people are going to just have to plan their vacations around these things!

By the way, you can find pics here. Like, they’re totally tubular!

 

Fresh Meat

There’s a new blog in town that you might want to check out.  It’s my hubby’s.  He made his blog a couple of months ago, but has not posted anything since his original post.  I guess he was inspired by the 80’s prom because he actually posted something yesterday.  You can check out his blog by clicking here.  Just remember that anything he says about me in future posts needs to be verified with me as to the accuracy

He will probably be a little sporadic in his posting, but I know they will be worth reading when he does get one written.    Happy blogging, honey!