Excellent Holiday Cooking Site

Excellent recipe link, just in time for the holidays, check out the site and see what you would like to add to your personal collection. http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/

Happy Baking!!!

Two Little Helpers and Good Playmates

Today was a beautiful Fall day. We just couldn't resist to get outside very early and play with the sidewalk chalk, trike, etc.

Then later before nap time, we made over 90 pumpkin shaped sugar cookies, our special treat for the High School band kids as they are traveling to a game tonight over 1 1/2 hr one way from home.

Did I mention, I love Fall!!! More photos to review...http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/PLNEWHOU/Two%20Little%20Playmates/

Do You Believe In Celebrating Praises?!?

My DH has a great praise report:

Today one of his co-workers told him that his advice was a tremendous blessing to her family. She had told DH that her neonate grand baby who was born at less than 1 lb and significantly premature and unlikely to survive about 5 months ago, was unable to be released from the hospital because the family had been unable to successfully transition her to feeding from a bottle. They were devastated and didn't know what to do...My DH shared that we had tremendous success with Dr. Brown's bottles and why don't they try them (all he could remember is that I was having difficulty and had tried 5 different bottle types and many more types of nipples to no avail). That was yesterday.

Today the grandmother was thrilled, her daughter went out and was able to purchase the bottles at WalMart and the baby was able to successfully bottle feed 8 oz at one time!!!

That is a praise report!!!

If you haven't heard of Dr. Brown's unique bottles and vent system, check it out!!!

http://www.handi-craft.com/

What Does Dave Ramsey Have to Say About the Recent Bailout

I have read Dave Ramsey's books and know of several families and individuals who have been helped greatly by his financial advice.

In light of these economic times, I think that Dave is right on target with actions that need to be taken or reviewed by everyone in this country.

Check it out!!!

http://www.daveramsey.com/tdrs/index.cfm/2008/10/6/YOU-fix-you

Timeouts Can Be Very Effective With A Toddler!!!

Today I had the opportunity to place my littlest DS in timeout on two separate occasions. It seems that the more I am using this technique the more devastated he is in when he is placed in timeout.

• First, occasion, I was starting laundry and he and his new playmate were found with their hands in the bird cage trying to grab ahold of the parakeet (they have never been this bold previously, so the timeout was for 5 minutes, an eternity for a toddler) then they both had to listen to a short lecture from me


• Second, throwing his dinner plate on the floor (if it is not meatloaf or meatballs, lately, then he is not happy with any other food selection and this is one way of expressing his frustration)

I and my littlest DS can use all of your prayers and support as we trudge through all of these issues....we really are in the full throws of the 'terrible two's'.

I am also trying to use the 'Five Languages of Love' and figure what is his 'love language' to try to discern which type of discipline/correction will be the most effective with my little 'mule'. Our Sunday School class bible study lately has been re: Saul and it is interesting to study how he was a 'donkey wrangler' as a young man and how that characterized the children of Israel and their desire to have him as their first king.

Just call me "Mama Saul".

Do We Put Too Much Pressure On Our Kids?

My DH and I were able to attend our son's high school open house last night. It was good to get to meet his teachers and interact with them. Unfortunately, we talked so much to each teacher we were not able to get to 3 of his classes.

What I was surprised to see:

• Parents aggressively confronting teachers regarding their child's grades (i.e. Pre-Calculus)
• So few parents attending the open house (for two of his classes we were the only parent to show up)
• Parents expressing their displeasure with their kids academic performance to other parents in public

What my DS has said recently:

• Kids eat too much junk food (my son is not perfect, but compared to others one coke per week and candy bar doesn't seem excessive, from what I understand that is the typical breakfast for his friends)
• DS is shocked that kids seem to eat excessively and continuously, whenever they stop on his band trips the kids pile out to buy junk food galore (my son has always been one who eats when he is hungry and doesn't typically gorge himself, apparently my DS was almost to the point of getting sick when he saw some of what his friends were eating and how much)
• People don't know how to enjoy downtime and just take it easy occasionally
• People don't take the time to be with their families
• People always seem to put too much pressure on themselves
• People are too materialistic
• Girls don't understand how to dress and presents themselves with modesty (such and such would look so much nicer if she removed her make-up and didn't dress in short dresses/some of the latest trendy clothes)

What I heard from my DS today:

• One parent was at school today and approaching several of their child's teachers about their child turning in additional assignments in order to improve their grade (today is the last day of the six weeks and the grades must be turned in today)
• Several kids were visibly upset that they were receiving "B's" in an advanced placement class and afraid of the repercussions from their parents
• That our son is glad that he doesn't have to face this type of 'pressure' from us, he says that we have always expected him to perform his best and if he says that he has done his best then that is good enough for us, no additional pressure (but he does give us a heads up on classes that are going to be grades lower than 95, we always ask if he thinks there is something that he thinks he might need to do differently and we have an upfront discussion)
• Several of his classmates are getting fewer than 3 hours sleep each night because they are overly involved in extracurricular activities and with the AP class demands they are stretched to exhaustion, they are falling out in classes and look terrible
• Our son is heavily involved in band as his extracurricular activity and as he says that is enough to stretch and challenge him in addition to his class load; (some of his classmates are involved in sports, AP classes, cheerleader, 4H, etc and are expected to give 110% to everything)

What I recognize is that I have these type of tendencies. I explained to my son that I could see myself getting this overemotional on his behalf, as you can tell from some of my postings, right!!!
I guess what I am trying to say is that I keep getting affirmations everyday that I am not in control of my life or my son's no matter how much I think so...

I have been lifting up in prayer my recognition of my need to surrender and trust the Lord to direct and lead my life and my son's life each and everyday.

My writings seem to be getting more intense the closer to graduation from high school we come. My DS is scheduled to graduate May of 2010 and we have a ways to go, but it seems to be going faster than I expected. I am full of apprehension and some fear of the future, but at least in stating it, I am taking steps to pray and study the scriptures to assist me in this period of my life. I would appreciate your lifting these concerns up in prayer...

Holiday Butter Recipe Card Request

Click on this link to request your own copy of a booklet which will give you eight holiday recipes using Real Butter.

http://www.wisdairy.com/OtherDairyProductInfo/Butter/SpecialOffers/Holiday2008/recipes.aspx

Just in time for the holiday season...

Living Far Away

Do you find that living far from your loved ones is difficult?

It seems like my DH and I are struggling more with this issue lately. We have been living in the boonies of the Texas panhandle going on 6 years and it seems like it is getting more difficult that we are not closer to parents and children. Children are over 7 1/2 hours away, my parents are 5 1/2 and my DH family is 1 1/4 hour away.

I guess it is even more of a challenge, because the gas prices keep going up and up and up. We have even been having to watch our trips to the 'big city' of Amarillo. So when we ever get an extended time off we are torn about where to spend some of our time.

We know that we are set to be here at least one more year to have our son graduate from high school, but we are not sure if the Lord wants us to consider moving after that or not. With the economic factors on the rise, it is an even greater need to start praying already.

So if you are a prayer partner, my DH and I have found it is never too early to start your prayer requests, so please join us as we seek to know the Lord's direction for our lives after May 2010.

Thank you!!!

Glasses On The Cheap

Don't ask me where I found this link, but it is wonderful!!!

If you are overwhelmed with the cost of glasses or know of someone who could use a more economical alternative, then check this out.

Amazing prices, for quality products. Realistically you just need to have your prescription info to complete your order.

This is a legitimate site, so check it out and see for yourself.

http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php

Toddler Struggles

I guess the title should read 'Mommy's Struggles' for my littlest really isn't struggling at all.

I am finding it good that I my littlest DS has a playmate that comes over on Mondays and Fridays. He is doing pretty well with the visits. They typically hug when they meet and each loves to wave bye/bye when she leaves for the day.

I have found that our littlest one is very strong natured and it is a bit more of a challenge to get him to follow-through with obeying 'no no's. I have been using diversion and also timeouts, but we do also believe in corporal punishment so there are also pops occasionally.

I am trying to not get too hung up on feeling like I need to have him learning his 'ABC's, numbers, etc.' I am reviewing them but he just laughs and wants to do his own thing. I can't even get him to point to his mouth, nose, ears, eyes, etc. He doesn't want to do that. I guess I am also frustrated with his lack of wanting to talk, he is very at ease with using his own language and we can occasionally hear him say some words, but for the most part, it sounds like Chinese/Hungarian and he loves to talk....so there is no lack of our acquiring his language.

From what I understand, I shouldn't be hung up on his language and other skills and just allow him to play and explore all the more.

It can be difficult to adjust when you have such different personalities and interests between your children. So I am all the more having to learn to let go and trust God with my child.