Summer Boredom Busters

Let me tell ya somethin'.

It's HOT. Sweltering, dry, and HOT in Louisiana.

Thus, my kiddos spend about 8 minutes outside and run back in the house drenched in sweat and covered in "itchy" mosquito bites. Unless there's water involved, the outdoor play-time has been slim to nerne (none, in case you're wondering).

What ever am I to do with these bored, energy-bursting chilluns? (might I add that another energy-filled little boy has been dwelling at our house daily, bringing the total to 4 littles).

Welll, I was happy to discover this little ebook at the Happy Housewife. It's free, to boot! It give me some good ideas and refreshed my mind with some oldy activities that had slipped my mind.

Click and obtain!

Here's some snippets of how we've been spending our time, and enjoying these short lazy months of summer:

**Button art! An idea out of the above e-book. You need: poster board, glue, a package of multi-colored buttons, and some q-tips (for dabbing glue). Genius! I love to see their creativity displayed!

***Dune-buggy rides! p.s.--we did NOT allow Elijah to drive. He's just posing for the pic. In his pajamas. Well, it is summer after all ;).

***Summer library fun hour! I must say our library has had some awesome things for the kids this summer. Yesterday it was an Indian "pow-wow" with real, live Indians performing their traditional dances and telling the stories behind them. Neat!

On a more serious note, my bloggy friend Ashlee recently got the news that her 3 year-old little girl, Kari, has leukemia. Please join me in praying for this beautiful little girl. Visit her blog (A Day In The Life of Kari and Malachi) and receive updates about Kari's progress. You will be blessed by Ashlee's faith and strength as she is trusting in the Lord through this hard time. Things like this remind me how blessed I am to have 3 healthy children and how fast things can change. Count your blessings!

All In A Day....Meal Planning

Oh, what would I do without my menu plan? Based on my life prior to using a plan, I would be standing in the kitchen at 4:00, scratching my head and wondering what to make for supper. I'd be calling my husband saying, "Watcha feelin' like eatin' tonight?" And he'd either say, "Oh, I don't know" (being no help at all) or "Let's have squash casserole and that chicken dish you made last month" (being no help at all again because I 'm fresh out of cream of mushroom soup and french fried onions). I'd run to the store and spend way too much money, because I wouldn't just pick up a can of cream of mushroom soup, but I'd also pick up a pair of cute sandals on sale for $5 and a pound of peaches because they look so good and a dozen Krispy Kremes because I'm starving and who doesn't want a doughnut this close to suppertime?



With my menu plan stuck to the fridge, I can call him and say, "Watcha feelin' like eatin' tonight? Here are your options." And he can choose from the 5 supper plans I have listed. What man doesn't like options?

For the sake of your sanity and your bank account, and your waistline I cannot stress enough the importance of making a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly menu plan.

See my post here on how I plan and grocery shop.

We have gotten smarter about our grocery shopping since I wrote that post, mainly due to advice given by Angela from The Grocery Shrink. If you are looking for ways to cut your spending, this lady knows her grocery stores. She's got some skills, y'all.

We are currently working on creating a spread sheet that lists the prices of items we most commonly buy, by store, so we can check an item that is advertised to be on sale, and know which store offers the best deal. Just last week, I sat down and numbered a page to 60, and brainstormed for 60 different suppertime meals (I've only come up with about 45 so far), so when it is time to plan my weekly menu, I can see those meals and try to work with what I already have on hand.

Since my chilluns are a little bit bigger, I don't feel so confined to just go to Wal-Mart. We're broadening our horizons and our money-saving potential :).

Here are a couple of my favorite quick, delicious meals:


Sour Cream Chicken (not for the faint of calorie):
4 chicken breasts (amount will vary depending on your family size)
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 cup sour cream
butter
1 pkg french fried onions

Place chicken breasts in a casserole dish with one tsp of butter dolloped on top of breast. Put in oven and bake at 350 until chicken is done. Mix cream of mushroom and sour cream and spread on top of chicken. Put back in oven until mixture has created a bubbling gravy. Remove, spread french fried onions (about 1/2 pkg) over chicken. Serve over rice or potatoes and with your favorite veggie.


Italian Chicken
Chicken breasts (however many you need for family size)
Container of spaghetti sauce
Mozzarella cheese

Place chicken in crock pot (frozen) and pour spaghetti sauce over liberally. We use our own homemade sauce made from our own homegrown tomatoes. Cook for on low for about 3 hours, or less if chicken is thawed. When chicken is done, sprinkle with mozzarella and serve over rice or whole wheat noodles and with your favorite veggie.

This is a great dish for Sundays. You can put your chicken in before church and pour the sauce on when you get home, allowing to simmer while you prepare your veggies and rice.

Yep, we like chicken.

I would to take this moment to say:

I love blogland.

Thank you, bloggers for sharing you wisdom, insight, ideas, and inspiration. This girl would be fumbling around in the dark in so many areas if not for you wonderful women who are willing to bare your soul and share the nitty-gritty facts of your life with us all. Wow.

p.s. How do you like my colors and fonts and such? I just noticed the "Compose" tab up there in the draft section. What fun! Yeah...duh. :)



Now head on over to the other All in a Day Bloggers to see what they are making so quick!
Carrie @ http://www.ourfullhouse.com Our Full House

Christi @ http://antsonafarm.blogspot.com Where the Creek Meets the Lake

Elizabeth @ http://yes-theyre-all-ours.blogspot.com Yes They're All Ours

Kathy @ http://www.kathymomofmany.blogspot.com Kathy Mom of Many

Kristy @ http://www.homemakerscottage.org Homemaker's Cottage

Lori @ http://1happybusymama.blogspot.com Happy Busy Mama

Monica @ http://www.naturalmamax4.blogspot.com Natural Mama

Renee @ http://bakersdozen.typepad.com Bakers Dozen

All In A Day....Laundry

I've been enjoying reading the "All In A Day" posts by some of my favorite bloggin' Mamas, but have yet to jump on the proverbial wagon with 'em. Basically because it's getting harder and harder for me to squeeze blogging in with everything else that's demanded of me, er, all in a day :).

But then I was inspired by Natural Mama's (also my SIL), blog about laundry. Laundry, inspiring? There's an ironic statement. But let's face it, it stares me in the face every day, from just about every room in the house, daring me to keep its morphing masses under submission. Which for the most part, I have found a balance which I am contented to live with. I can definitely write about laundry with ease and confidence.

Here's what works for me and keeps my laundry manageable:

::Gather all laundry every evening after bath and every morning after PJ changes.
This is the children's responsibility--taking their dirty clothes to the laundry room after their bedtime baths and in the mornings after changing into playclothes. The Heart Chart motivates them and it's fun to see how creative they can get with the process {think doll strollers and grocery buggies}. I gather my and DH's laundry in the evening before I go to bed.

::Keep it sorted.
I {heart} laundry baskets. IMO, you can't have too many. I've found a couple of good ones dumpster diving and a 3-compartment sorter at a garage sale for $4 {I took pics but alas cannot upload them to the PC. Bummer.}. It has been a life-saver. The children know which compartment their clothes go into and this makes it easier to keep the laundry room neat{er} than just throwing them all into the floor or cramming them in one basket. It's kind of like pre-sorting. Some laundry baskets I covet:







I've seen some with good prices at TJ Maxx. It's worth the investment when you use them not only for laundry for also for cleaning, like I do.

I try to immediately sort out items of clothing that are stained, to be stain-treated. I do miss some sometimes :(. It helps to have a basket/compartment just for stained clothes.


::Do two loads each day.
This is what keeps my head above water, so to speak. I tried the do-a-different-person's-laundry-each-day method (ya know, Mom's on Monday, Dad's on Tuesday, towels on Wednesday, etc.). Did not work for me. My nerves do not like to see piles of laundry. They revolt. It is not practical to have all laundry done at all times, but I do like to keep it a safe mound instead of an out-of-control mountain. I can breathe this way. Two loads of laundry per day does it for me. It's not really that bad if you have it sorted already. I tackle the largest load first, and move on from there. I switch out a load first thing in the morning, and I like to fold it up immediately as it comes out of the drier and use my deep freezer as a folding table. Just because I "like" to do it this way, doesn't mean it always happens. Because life happens, a couple of loads can wind up sitting on the couch or chase lounge waiting to be folded.

I use Purex, in the blue bottle, and only use about a 1/3 of what is recommended per load. It works fine for us and I feel better about the toxic reduction factor. I've been saying for years I'm going to start going the homemade detergent route, but I can't seem to find any Borax at Wal-Mart or the time to run into another grocery store for just one item. One day.




A great big shout-out loud for my clothes line. Love it. Love hanging clothes, love seeing the clothes billowing in the breeze, love the smell, love the change in the electric bill. If you don't have one, I urge you to nag, I mean, beg your husband until he makes you one.

::Train Children to Put Away Their Own Laundry

Honestly, I hated to put away laundry when I was at home {Hi, Mom :)} and still do. So I love the thought of passing that chore onto my girls {insert wicked laugh}. Seriously, it takes times to invest in teaching children to do a task on their own, and constant reminders and direction, but it can be done. I'm all for teaching our children to have a servant's heart at a young age--you are doing them a favor, trust me. My children all put away their own laundry (even 2 yo), except for hang-up items.

That's it for my laundry post. Hope you enjoyed your visit! Come back soon, and if you're not a follower, there no greater time than now to become one :).


Check out the other All in a Day Bloggers...

Carrie @ Our Full House

Christi @ Where the Creek Meets the Lake

Elizabeth @ Yes They’re All Ours

Kathy @ Kathy Mom of Many

Kristy @ Homemaker's Cottage

Lori @ Happy Busy Mama

Monica @ Natural Mama

Renee @ Bakers Dozen

Please leave me a comment w/ your blog url if you want to join in :).

Chores & Character Training

You've read the Michael/Debi Pearl "Train Up A Child" books (which I highly recommend). You've searched out and read all the Scriptures relating to child-training. You've read them to your children. You've prayed for wisdom. And patience. You've sighed. You've probably cried, too.

Still they huff. Still they puff. Still they fuss & fight 'till you feel like the walls are closing in all around you.

It's a day-to-day struggle. You never know what mood your children will wake up in, or which side of the proverbial bed they will get up on. But whatever their attitude, as a mother, you control the spiritual thermostat of your home--your reaction to their behavior sets the tone for the home.

One thing I've learned is that my children respond better to praise for a positive action or attitude than correction for a negative one. Now that I think about it, that principle applies to adults too :).

Children need a tangible sign that they are doing something right. A pat on the head and a hug aren't always enough to motivate positive behavior. Thus the heart chart.





I got this idea from a blog post by my friend Chrissy a month or so ago. It isn't anything special, just a white board with a little chart with their names and a place to draw hearts. It gets pretty messy with a 2, 4 1/2, and 6 yo drawing on it, but it does the trick. Whenever one of the children exhibit a positive character trait (working together, helping others, doing the right thing without being asked, etc.), they earn a heart. And they get to draw it themselves. Big plus :). Whenever the opposite, negative behavior is exhibited, they have to erase a heart. Or two, or all (depending on the severity of the behavior). Now I'm not talking about things they should do anyway--like taking their dishes to the sink after meals or cleaning their rooms before they go to bed at night. I mean going above and beyond and really putting effort towards genuinely exceptional behavior.

At the end of the week, if they have at least 5 hearts (one for each day), they are rewarded with a treat. Nothing expensive or extravagant, but things like:

* a trip to Kid City (a free open-to-the-public indoor playground at a neighborhood church)
*a Jr. Frosty from Wendy's (I have about three coupon books for free Frosties)
*a trip to Books-A-Million (our kids LUV to play in the kids' area)
*exemption from nap-time for a day (for the older two).

The amount of hearts for the week is optional--older kids could be expected to get up to 5 hearts a day, for instance.

You would not believe the difference in our home. Our children live to get a heart and are absolutely heartbroken when one is removed. They cheerfully and readily offer to help Mama with whatever I may be doing. School-time attitudes are better, and chore-time is definitely a lot smoother. DH and I have noticed that the positive behavior is getting to be a habit for them, and they are doing the right thing more and more without being prompted or reminded.



I just had to snap a picture of my two girls sweeping the floor this morning. I'm so proud of them!

Proverbs 8:5 says, "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart."

Proverbs is full of the promise of wisdom to those who seek it--even the simple can have wisdom! My prayer is to be endowed with wisdom concerning the training of my children. What they are allowed to be now are previews of who they will be as adults.

Do you have any successful training methods?

Homemade Granola Bars

A few weeks ago, DH brought home some yumm-o granola bars from the store. Packaged granola bars. The kiddos inhaled them. So, I went on a search for a just-as-tasty, but healthier alternatives.

We absolutely LOVED these:


Ingredients

* 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2/3 cup butter, softened
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips *I used raisins and pecans instead.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
3. Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

As you can see, a third of these yummy bars were snarfed down before I ever had a chance to slice them up. After doing so, I promptly stored them in a Ziploc bag and put them on the top shelf of the pantry. Out of reach. This recipe makes a lot of squares--they lasted us a whole week, snacking on them 2-3 times a day.

I'm sure you can sub wheat flour for the all-purpose and make them even healthier. Or get creative and add dried cranberries or M & Ms. Umm...I'm hungry!

Either way, this is a yummy, healthy snack the whole family will enjoy and you will be satisfied knowing you kids are eating something good for them.

Oh, and we figured the calorie content on them--120 calories for about a 2-inch square. Not bad when paired with a banana or a cup of grapes for a snack.

New Is Not Allowed to Wear off

Here we are, well into our second week of the new year. I don't know about you, but the new year and all in involves is good for me. I've got a new focus, new goals, and a refreshed determination. Just in time.

I didn't do a New Year's post, but I have set some unwritten goals for myself to reach for this year. I've considered pulling up last year's new year's post, just to see if I actually accomplished anything, but I'm afraid of the repercussions. No looking behind--only forward.

There are some changes, however, taking place around here that reflect these goals:

*No more processed foods. Good-bye chicken nuggets. See ya. Wouldn't wanna be ya.

*Hello in-depth Bible-reading schedule. 15-20 chapters a day. Smokin'. Go here for your own copy, if you think you can handle it :).

*Sorry, table salt. You've been replaced with sea salt.

*What's that? Is it the sound of a sewing machine?

*Yes, my children have an expression of dismay on their faces--their computer/entertainment time has been drastically reduced.

*Master bedroom, I think I love you. After 2 1/2 years of neglect, you now have a new comforter gracing your bed and some pictures on the wall. Get ready. Very soon you will be sporting a new paint color. And as soon as my thrift-store search for new night stands and a headboard is fulfilled, you will not recognize yourself.

*Speaking of recognizing oneself, who is that skinny person looking back at me in the mirror? Could it be me?? Snort.

*Sweet tea, it's over. I'm moving on. To water. He treats me with respect.

I love the new, new-year's feeling that's in the air. I refuse to treat it like a new toy that loses its appeal in a few weeks. Can't wait to share the results of these changes with you as they happen.

Happy New Year! (still).

The Hamper Cleaning Method

There are some really great home-making, house-wifey blogs out there, authored by some pretty amazing, organized women. I'm talking type-A, label-happy, energizer-bunny , catch-me-if-you-can women. They motive some of us less-energized (ahem) to step it up a little. I appreciate that. But I find it baffling, and somewhat amusing when I see women creating and selling e-books they've written on basic cleaning and cabinet organization. People actually pay $5.00 for an e-book telling them how to line up things in their pantry?

You're in luck today, ladies! You get to see a real, live, complete with demonstration photos cleaning post, absolutely FREE!

Seriously, I was at my SIL's house the other night, helping her tidy her house before our trip home (don't you wish you had a SIL like ME?? :)) and I was showing her how I clean a room in a jiffy. She actually thought it was a pretty nifty way to do it. I call it The Hamper Method.

*You line up three containers (like so--see above demonstration picture). Anywhere-on the floor, your couch, anywhere will do.

1. Hamper or box for stray toys.
2. Hamper for stray clothes/shoes/hats/gloves/need I go on?
3. Grocery bag or trash bag for trash (junk mail, long forgotten drawings, chunks of scrap wood and steel van bumpers). No, I'm not kidding. Look closely at demo photos to find the strange objects. Leave a comment and tell me where they are and you get a prize. (not).

*Next, let your three (insert number of children you have at home) children help you pick up said objects from floor and any and all surfaces or bookshelves and place them in corresponding containers.

*Have each child take toy hamper to their room and deposit their toys in appropriate places (toy box, bookshelf, etc).

*Sort through clothes in clothes box and separate dirty from clean, then have children return clean clothes to clean drawers and dirty clothes to laundry room.

When that's done, you're ready to dust and sweep/vacuum. WAIT! Maybe you have procrastinated about cleaning under your couch cushions. Do that now. There's an entire box of crayons and two containers of hair pins under there!

Here's Before:



(I think it is ADORABLE how Emma is saying "Cheese" in each picture. She thinks it's all about HER!)

Here's After:




Now, you can dust your hands together after a job well done, and move on to more enjoyable things...

Busy As A Bee

Does it seem to you that life seems to get busier and busier? Sometimes it seems that each week brings greater challenges than the one before, making the months pass so swiftly it's scary.

I'm asking the good Lord for some extra help this week, for better time-management skills and stronger resolve to resist idleness when there's so much to be done!

Here's my list of To-Dos:
*As soon as the kiddos are up, fed, and dressed, it's off to Wal-Mart to buy ingredients for making homemade spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce for canning (can you still call it canning when you're actually 'bagging'?). I'm tempted to buy one of those sauce packs where you just add it to the tomatoes and you're done. Definitely not the all-natural approach, but a lot less work.

*Home to blanch and skin tomatoes, and start making batches of sauce.

*Knock out mountain of laundry we brought back from 'Bama

*Regular daily stuff (kids school worksheet time, Bible memorization, reading time, etc.)

*Fill an order for 20 hairbows (goal, by Friday)

*Clean out disgustingly disorganized laundry room (which I loathe to enter)

*Pick up check from consignment store, 20 miles away

*Attend court hearing in town two hours away on Wednesday

*Keep up with garden output

*Clean church

And all the other necessary daily stuff that has to be done!! Well, at least I won't have any trouble going to sleep at night :).

Clothed With Scarlet

Proverbs 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet."

I'm so thankful for God's Word. What a great blueprint God gave us to follow in Proverbs 31! In this one chapter we receive direction in so many different areas as women, wives, mothers, and even employers. Each time I read it, I get something new out of it that I didn't get before! God's word is alive and always challenging me to step it up!

There are different ways to look at this verse. It could be interpreted as completely spiritual, with snow (or winter) representing death and scarlet representing the blood of Jesus. Meaning that her children have been fed spiritually and are saved and ready to meet the Lord at the time of their death. Or, one could apply it literally, as meaning a virtuous woman plans ahead and makes sure that her children have warm clothes to protect them from the elements of winter.

For me, the key message here is that this woman thinks ahead, she manages her time and her resources in regard to the clothes her children wear, for each and every season. Now, in this day and time we live in, it is easy to get caught up in commercialism and trends. The marketing world knows that we Moms like to dress our children well. We will dress them well when we ourselves may not have anything to wear! Speaking for myself, it is hard for me to purchase things for myself when there are so many cute things that I could buy for my children. So it is easy to go the wrong way, if you find yourself thinking that your child HAS to have these clothes even if you cannot afford them or if they do not really need them. A few months ago, I was convicted of a competitive spirit regarding dressing my children for church. I wanted them to be the cutest kids there! What a stench in the nostrils of God. But thankfully, He showed me and helped me to change my ways!

That doesn't mean that I stopped dressing my kids in clean, neat, and well-fitting clothing that becomes them. I am particular about what my children wear when we are out anywhere. My husband often get frustrated with me because I want my girls to have a hairbow in their hair even if we are just going to Wal-Mart! But the truth is, we already look different to the world. I am a dresses-only woman, I do not wear makeup or jewelry, and I have very long hair. I stick out like a sore thumb! As do my children. And the world is watching. They are already critical. If I take my kids out in public looking like they just rolled on the ground and dug their clothes out of a Salvation Army bin, what kind of impression does that make?

Especially for those of us who have larger families (more than two by today's standards), we should be extra careful in how we present our children. Yesterday, I went to town with a friend of mine and we met up with her mother and eight younger siblings. Talk about people staring! They just couldn't get enough of all of us and our kids (seventeen in all). While we were eating, a couple of people approached our table and commented on how well-behaved they were, and how cute they all looked with their hairbows and dresses (there were only three boys in the whole bunch). But what if we had all went in with them mis-matched with their hair uncombed and hanging in their faces? The reaction would've probably been more of pity for those poor kids who looked like nobody took the time to take care of them.

Yes, it takes time to bathe, dress, and groom small children. Shoes get lost. Clothes get stained. This is where we have to manage our resources and time like the woman in verse 21. If you know you are going somewhere, lay clothes out the day before. Find the shoes they need to wear and put them up somewhere out of reach so you are not searching for that lost mate at the last minute. Have a certain basket designated for stained garments so you can stain-treat them before you wash. When an outfit is outgrown, put it up where you don't have to dig around it in the drawer or closet. Put bibs on messy children (I still put one on my almost 4-year-old). Take care of what you have. For your children's sake.

A few years ago, I was sitting in the waiting room of a doctor's office when in came this mother with a passel of children! I counted as they walked in, single file, and sat down in the chairs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!! Not one of them moved when their mother walked to the desk to sign in and fill out papers. They were all dressed neatly and attractively. This mother had it together! I was in awe! To give an opposing scenario, I once knew a family of five children whom you heard before you ever saw them coming ;). They would come to church with their hair halfway combed and their clothes ill-fitting and mis-matched. I felt sorry for those kids, when other kids snickered and steered clear. It really wasn't their fault. I heard people talk about large families negatively, because of the impression this family left. Again, it was all in the Mother's abilities or inabilities to manage her children's appearances.

Now, I'm not saying it's right, but how our children look leaves the impression of how we take care of the rest of our lives. If we don't take the time to do our best for our children, which is our most precious commodity, then will we put the time into other aspects of our lives? It is a reflection. Even more so for those of us with 3-plus kids. If we are going to hold forth the standard of large families, we need to do it right!

May we strive to give our best in every aspect of mothering :).

Musings About Raising Daughters

You know when you see the title, "Musings" on a blog, any blog, there's no telling what it's going to be about, right? My blogging of late has been sparse, for different reasons. Firstly, (we say "secondly", so why not "firstly"?) I made a commitment to the man upstairs to decrease my computer time...drastically. There are just too little precious moments in the day to waste. Let's see, I've got a 2600 sq foot home to manage. A persnickety tabby cat to please. A hunka-hunka-burning love to helpmeet. Three rambunctious, mischievous, in-need-of-constant-training, precious children to care for. That makes it pretty tough to justify time spent in front of this screen. Secondly, I just haven't had a lot of inspiration in this area. I'm in a funk, OK? Sheesh. And the rare moments that do bring inspiration are too often interrupted by one of the precious dears previously mentioned.

So yesterday I was musing...Gracie asked me to fix her hair in pony tails. As I brushed, parted, and ponied, it came to me...in just a few short years she'll be fixing her own hair. Yes, she is only 3 3/4, but look how fast those short years have flown by. How will I bear it? Does it ever just hit you like that? The almost devastating awareness that this child will not be here forever? She is virtually gone tomorrow. With her crazy mess-making and princess dress wearing and coloring out of the lines. What a short time we have to hold them and cuddle them and instill important truths in their hearts! Oh, ache of my heart! How I will miss this squeezable girl! I don't want to forget how she says, "You wanna play dolls wiff me?" Is there any way to permanently imprint these memories in my brain? Along with two other lovies who fill the days with cute sayings and expressions and sweet hugs? Thus the blog. It's an attempt to preserve.





My prayer for my girls is that they give their hearts to Jesus at a young age, and never taste the sin of this world. I hope they fall in love with holy living, and submit themselves to God's plan for them. I pray God will help me to instill in them the values of modesty and femininity and that they find an oasis in prayer. I have so many questions. How do I keep them from being boy chasers? From falling into the trap of girl-gossip? To value simplicity and wholesomeness and purity? That beauty is not defined by Hollywood's latest Miss Thang, but God "beautif[ies] the meek with salvation". When the time comes, where to draw the line with dating. Will they date? Or court? Truthfully, I don't have a clue about these things. But I'm trusting that my Lord will give that knowledge to me when I need it. He said if we ask, we will receive, and I'm asking for lots of wisdom.

I love this song by The Isaacs. I cry each time I hear it. If you have a little girl, grab some Kleenexes before you listen.

A Wholesome, Delicous Breakfast

I'm a stickler about having a good breakfast. A weak breakfast leaves my kids unsatisfied and asking for a snack in 1/2 hour after they leave the table. No cold cereal or pop tarts for the Acklen children! I believe in something hot and hearty, that will stick to their bones. Our usual fare: cheese grits & toast, biscuits & bacon or eggs, or oatmeal. Oatmeal is always a challenge. I usually get reactions of wrinkled noses and that little "yuck" noise that Emma makes when she doesn't like the way something looks. :) It's just too cute! So, a little doctoring is in order.

I add brown sugar or sugar in the raw, mix in some natural honey, and combine it with a dash of cinnamon and a teaspoon of flax seed. Now the flax seed doesn't do anything for the taste--it's tasteless and odorless but is very nutritious! Google it and see for yourself! Psst--just for the record, don't tell my kids it's in there--it's a secret! :) Sometimes I chop up some pecans and throw in a few raisins. That way, they have something to "dig" for :).

On Saturdays, we make breakfast a special occasion, and usually have pancakes or waffles, or the full monte--grits, eggs, bacon, and homemade biscuits. I hesitate to mention homemade biscuits because mine have a mind of their own. Sometimes they are edible and sometimes...well, it'd be nice to have a hog or some sort of animal that would enjoy them :).

Is breakfast a challenge for you? I'd love some ideas for healthy, delicious breakfasts that are not too complicated and don't make a big mess in the kitchen.

Christmas-ing

Don't know if that's was a word before, but it is now :).

Have you been Christmas-ing? I've been doing a little here and there. I now have all of my gifts bought! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Now, to wrap it all...not so hip. No, really, I love to wrap gifts. Especially after seeing the Nester's post about it. She's too cool!

Last week, we made gingerbread men out of sugar cookie dough, but I cheated and didn't decorate them. The kids were still tickled pink about it, but I didn't think it quite picture-taking worthy. I would love to make these cinnamon rolls before the holidays end. Just not quite sure how much more my skin can stretch. 'Cause sure it'll be stretching after eating those babies!

Today, we made some homemade Christmas cards for two of our dear lady neighbors.
Mrs. Patsy, across the street, loves to dote on the kids. She's forever bringing them candy and toys and loving on them. Mrs. Janice, across the street and one house over, is a special lady who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her 40s. She is in her 50s now and is an advanced stage. She is like a sweet, innocent, child and loves to watch the kids play. So we made her one too.

We cut some Christmasy clippings from some magazines and had a good time with Elmer's glue sticks and constructions paper:



Grace's expression and posture in this picture cracks me up!

I am pleased to report that my baby girl is feeling much better. She is not completely over her bout with bronchialitis, but is much improved. She went from this:


To this: (I attempted to upload a video of her dancing to Mariah Carey's "Jesus, O What A Wonderful Child", but it would not work. Maybe I'll try again later on a separate post.)


We also bought a new deep freeze this weekend, you know, to hold all the meat my deer-slaying husband is bringing home. The kids were thrilled! They got a new gigantic cardboard box to play with! Who needs presents now?? They had a ball making a "playhouse" with it on the back porch.


By the way, it's just killing me that I don't have any Christmas pics of my kids to show off. I think everything has to be perfect before I can do them. You know, coordinating Christmas outfits and the tree perfect, etc. And our budget has not allowed for the outfits, thus no pics. Total bummer.

Hope your Christmas holidays are Christmasy as can be!