I am such a slacker blogger lately! I have been feeling like time is getting away from me. There just have been so many appointments, part of the territory with children in general, never mind when there are special needs involved. I have a standing play date once a week with an old-time friend of mine, and preschool co-op once per week with Aiden, let's not forget one swimming lesson per week for all four boys (getting the most out of one stone there!!), and AWANA on Wednesdays, and we have some type of get together once per week. I have also been babysitting two full days per week for the last 6 months.
It doesn't sound like too much for a family of 8, but the next thing I know it is afternoon, time to pick little boys up, and the snowball is rolling faster right up till bedtime. I feel like I can barely keep up, and the house is never quite the way I would like it to be running. WHEW...blogging has fallen to the wayside. I don't know how those "supermoms" do it. I just want to be at home with nothing extra to do for a solid week (grin), putter around our house, arranging things, messing with the garden and not fearing having enough time, get to all those little things that really make a difference, and that I have been really missing lately.
Today is a mental health day. I cancelled a dentist appointment, and I am not sorry. We will be home all day doing what needs doing, and every other day this week we are busy. I'm going to get lots of laundry put away, counters cleaned, rooms freshened up, read some of The Pursuit Of God by A.W. Tozer, breathe. Tonight I'm going to take my time and cook something with joy and hope Mike will be home to partake with us. Maybe we'll even break out a game, though I enjoy a game without little pieces to worry about, say charades. hmmmmmmm......
I hope to have some pictures of *something* to share next time.
Have a beautiful week~
*update 6:27pm*
Just realized that we missed the swim lesson today. I am not one bit sorry. Dh reminded me a few minutes ago, and I honestly forgot all about it. I SO needed this day at home to do what needed to get done, to refresh myself with reading etc,... and to be able to make a really nice dinner with my love put into it and family time rather than the usual (lately) irritation while trying to cook something mediocre and eat it fast enough to get out of the house and to wherever on time, and then to arrive back with no time or energy for homework. I wish I could have more days like this. Weird thing is all winter long we didn't do much, but I was lonely and bored to tears. I need some balance and some down time more often.
I came up with this version of chicken parm tonight, plugged into a nutritional calculator and it came up to 454 calories per serving, so I am quite pleased with myself. It was actually delicious as well, and the info input is saved for easy tracking next time I make it. =)
Here's the recipe:
trim chicken parmesan
Ingredients
1 lb. of whole wheat pasta
3 pieces of chicken breasts
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup romano cheese
1/4 cup shredded parm cheese
1 Tbsp granulated garlic
1 TBSP basil
1 tsp dried parsley
Nutritional Info
Fat: 9.8g
Carbohydrates: 48.4g
Calories:453.4
Protein: 42.9g
Set a pot of water with a pinch of salt over medium high heat to boil for the pasta. Add the pasta once boiling, and cook according to package instructions. When done, top with 1 cup of the sauce and divide up between six plates with a piece of the done chicken.
Take 3 pieces of chicken breast and butterfly cut them so you have six thin pieces. You may also use mallet to flatten if you have very thick pieces.
Next, mix 1 cup plain panko bread crumbs with 1/2 cup romano cheese. Add 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 Tbsp basil and 1 Tbsp granulated garlic. Take chicken and coat in this bread crumb mixture.
Line 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper. Add the coated chicken so they are not over lapping.
Top each with an equal amount of the half cup of sauce, then equally top each piece of meat with the 1/4 parm cheese.
Place in 375 degree oven 20 minutes or until cooked through.
Number of Servings: 6
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Spiritual Gifts Asessments
Our church completed some spiritual gift/personality asessments back in December, which took an hour to complete. I was excited because we had never done one before, and it seemed pretty extensive. We just received our results today. Next, we will meet with someone on Saturday to go over them which should be interesting.
My results are:
For spiritual gift-
1- missionary: The gift of missionary is the distinctive ability to minister effectively in cultures beyond your own.
Acts 8:4
Acts 13:2-3
Acts 22:21
Romans 10:15
2-helps: The gift of helps is the distinctive ability to work with and support other Christian's ministry efforts.
Mark 15:40-41
Acts 936
Romans 16:1-2
1 cor 12:28
and then a four way tie for the following:
-giving, mercy, exhortation and intercession.
giving: The gift of giving is the distinctive ability to cheerfully and generously contribute personal resources to God's work.
mercy: The gift of mercy is the distinctive ability to feel sincere empathy and compassion in a way that results in practical relief for people's hurts, pain and suffering.
For the personality section, though this section is secular it helped to find what position of a ministry would be good for a particular individual:
1-perfect melancholy-
The depth to see into the heart and soul of life
The artistic nature to see the beauty of the world
The talent to create a masterpiece where nothing existed before
The ability to analyze and arrive at the proper solution
The eye for detail while others do shoddy work.
The pledge, "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."
The desire to "do all things decently and in order."
2-Peaceful Phlegmatic-
The stability to stay straight on course.
The patience to put up with provokers.
The ability to listen, while others have their say.
The gift of mediation, uniting opposing forces.
The purpose of peace at almost any price.
The compassion to comfort those hurting.
The determination to keep your head, while all around you are losing theirs.
The will to live in such a way that even your enemies can't find anything bad to say about you.
Funny thing is shortly after taking this asessment, I was suddenly sparked with the idea of missions. I got so fired up about it that my husband got fired up. Interesting that it's my primary gift. My husbands gift was not missions though, his primary was administration.
update 5/26/09-
I have come to realize that though it is very useful for me to have this information, and be excited about my work, my primary mission is as a helper to my husband, and a teacher to my children. I should use my talents to assist him in what the Lord has set before him. I realize that a lot of my issue is that he doesn't know what that is as of yet and we don't have a family vision/mission and we are just kind of day-to-day getting by. I have been a dreamer for a long time, steeping in imagination, while our family does not have a clear goal that we are working toward, that we can all see. He has been busy working 13 hour days (before paperwork)since we had our first child, and he doesn't have time to contemplate a whole ton on what he would like to do, or feels called to do. I know it is a struggle for him, and for the rest of us. I know what I will be praying about...
My results are:
For spiritual gift-
1- missionary: The gift of missionary is the distinctive ability to minister effectively in cultures beyond your own.
Acts 8:4
Acts 13:2-3
Acts 22:21
Romans 10:15
2-helps: The gift of helps is the distinctive ability to work with and support other Christian's ministry efforts.
Mark 15:40-41
Acts 936
Romans 16:1-2
1 cor 12:28
and then a four way tie for the following:
-giving, mercy, exhortation and intercession.
giving: The gift of giving is the distinctive ability to cheerfully and generously contribute personal resources to God's work.
mercy: The gift of mercy is the distinctive ability to feel sincere empathy and compassion in a way that results in practical relief for people's hurts, pain and suffering.
For the personality section, though this section is secular it helped to find what position of a ministry would be good for a particular individual:
1-perfect melancholy-
The depth to see into the heart and soul of life
The artistic nature to see the beauty of the world
The talent to create a masterpiece where nothing existed before
The ability to analyze and arrive at the proper solution
The eye for detail while others do shoddy work.
The pledge, "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."
The desire to "do all things decently and in order."
2-Peaceful Phlegmatic-
The stability to stay straight on course.
The patience to put up with provokers.
The ability to listen, while others have their say.
The gift of mediation, uniting opposing forces.
The purpose of peace at almost any price.
The compassion to comfort those hurting.
The determination to keep your head, while all around you are losing theirs.
The will to live in such a way that even your enemies can't find anything bad to say about you.
Funny thing is shortly after taking this asessment, I was suddenly sparked with the idea of missions. I got so fired up about it that my husband got fired up. Interesting that it's my primary gift. My husbands gift was not missions though, his primary was administration.
update 5/26/09-
I have come to realize that though it is very useful for me to have this information, and be excited about my work, my primary mission is as a helper to my husband, and a teacher to my children. I should use my talents to assist him in what the Lord has set before him. I realize that a lot of my issue is that he doesn't know what that is as of yet and we don't have a family vision/mission and we are just kind of day-to-day getting by. I have been a dreamer for a long time, steeping in imagination, while our family does not have a clear goal that we are working toward, that we can all see. He has been busy working 13 hour days (before paperwork)since we had our first child, and he doesn't have time to contemplate a whole ton on what he would like to do, or feels called to do. I know it is a struggle for him, and for the rest of us. I know what I will be praying about...
When you thought I wasn't looking
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first picture on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought
it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there was a God that I
could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night,
and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned
that sometimes things hurt,
but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared and I wanted to be
everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked....and now I want to say thanks
for all the things I saw,
when you thought I wasn't looking.
~Author unknown~
I saw you hang my first picture on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought
it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there was a God that I
could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night,
and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned
that sometimes things hurt,
but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared and I wanted to be
everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked....and now I want to say thanks
for all the things I saw,
when you thought I wasn't looking.
~Author unknown~
Monday, May 4, 2009
Swine Flu Prevention Instructions...important info for all mothers and grandmothers!!!
For Swine Flu Prevention,
Do NOT do this:
Do NOT do this:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Long Time No Talk
Well, it's been awhile since I've posted. My camera cord is missing so I'm unable to upload any pictures until I ask dh where he stashed them. We've slipped into a normal routine again, and are enjoying the milder weather. Two days last week were sooooo hot we had the air on! Now its back to the 60's and being quite cool in the morning and evening. Spring is back!!! We took advantage of the cooler temps and baked cookies today. :)
It's been easier to get up early this week, thank God! I've had this veil of fatigue over me for MONTHS now and suddenly yesterday I realized I hadn't been as tired all of the time for a couple of days (I was waking up tired previously). Funny how we suddenly notice days later that an issue is gone. My dh likes to blame fatigue on lack of working out but I had been working out everyday, that was not the reason for it.
Last Sunday our church did a laying of hands prayer time for me upon my request. Some of you may know that 2 years ago I was dx'd with MS. I also have some personal struggle that I've had my whole life. I know God can heal me, and so I've asked many times. I figured I'd better do what the bible says and have some deacons/elders lay hands on me and annoint with oil. It is such a privilege to be part of a local body of believers who are willing to do just that.
Still thinking on the homeschool vs. school decision. I like the idea of homeschooling and get all idealistic when pondering it. The reality of the situation is the toll it may take on me, and the amount of time dh will be able to be involved, and how it may affect my reationship with eldest (challenging) son. As things stand, it would all rest on me, and with six children and my health issues, I am not sure we are considering the decision for the right reasons. I am afraid I am leaning toward hs for selfish reasons and that scares me. I feel as though I have been going through almost some sort of a mid-life crisis. And yes I am too young for that, I am only 34, but reality is I have a 17 year old, so all in all life experience wise I am not that far off. haha The thing is that for 17 years I have never been without a small child at home, I have always had a little one. Now, my youngest is 4 and ready to start school, and my eldest will graduate high school next year. I am not sure of how I will find my place in this world with such a big life change. See what I mean? That is pretty selfish, and fearful. Also I cannot compare my eldest (challenging) son to other school kids, he is a special case and not necessarily a direct product of public school just as he is not a direct reflection of his parents. He is his own person, with very real (PDD & depressive disorder) struggles, nothing typical, as evidenced by our other five children. For now I am just going with the flow as usual and if we decide 100% to do it, we will take it from there, and if we decide against it everything will be in place to proceed next year where they are.
Tonight I am making simple skillet fried chicken breasts, and the adults chicken will be drowned in Frank's red hot for a low fat buffalo chicken flavor. I am off to get the next batch out of the pan. Hope you are having a beautiful week!!
update 5/26/09--
I realize I have been wishy washy. That is not the character trait I wish to have or cultivate!! I am allowing fear to rule once again in my life. As soon as I think I have that figured out, I catch it peering around the corner again. I need to write down our reasons, pray about it, and then stick to it. I need to make a long term decision. Some people are fine with telling themselves, well we will do it and take it one year at a time. I cannot do that. When things get tough, or fear peers in, it will be too easy to waver. I need to recognize this whole process as a life-long process, the big picture looks so much different and do-able in that perspective. They don't have to know it all today, I don't have to teach it all this year, it is a life-long process of learning. Yes there are goals we will shoot for by certain timeframes, but it is not nearly so fearsome to realize we have time! It is simply LIFE. Our eldest special needs son will remain in school as he needs the utmost structure and a lot of services. Our three youngest will homeschool. I need to pray for wisdom, peace, and stability.
It's been easier to get up early this week, thank God! I've had this veil of fatigue over me for MONTHS now and suddenly yesterday I realized I hadn't been as tired all of the time for a couple of days (I was waking up tired previously). Funny how we suddenly notice days later that an issue is gone. My dh likes to blame fatigue on lack of working out but I had been working out everyday, that was not the reason for it.
Last Sunday our church did a laying of hands prayer time for me upon my request. Some of you may know that 2 years ago I was dx'd with MS. I also have some personal struggle that I've had my whole life. I know God can heal me, and so I've asked many times. I figured I'd better do what the bible says and have some deacons/elders lay hands on me and annoint with oil. It is such a privilege to be part of a local body of believers who are willing to do just that.
Still thinking on the homeschool vs. school decision. I like the idea of homeschooling and get all idealistic when pondering it. The reality of the situation is the toll it may take on me, and the amount of time dh will be able to be involved, and how it may affect my reationship with eldest (challenging) son. As things stand, it would all rest on me, and with six children and my health issues, I am not sure we are considering the decision for the right reasons. I am afraid I am leaning toward hs for selfish reasons and that scares me. I feel as though I have been going through almost some sort of a mid-life crisis. And yes I am too young for that, I am only 34, but reality is I have a 17 year old, so all in all life experience wise I am not that far off. haha The thing is that for 17 years I have never been without a small child at home, I have always had a little one. Now, my youngest is 4 and ready to start school, and my eldest will graduate high school next year. I am not sure of how I will find my place in this world with such a big life change. See what I mean? That is pretty selfish, and fearful. Also I cannot compare my eldest (challenging) son to other school kids, he is a special case and not necessarily a direct product of public school just as he is not a direct reflection of his parents. He is his own person, with very real (PDD & depressive disorder) struggles, nothing typical, as evidenced by our other five children. For now I am just going with the flow as usual and if we decide 100% to do it, we will take it from there, and if we decide against it everything will be in place to proceed next year where they are.
Tonight I am making simple skillet fried chicken breasts, and the adults chicken will be drowned in Frank's red hot for a low fat buffalo chicken flavor. I am off to get the next batch out of the pan. Hope you are having a beautiful week!!
update 5/26/09--
I realize I have been wishy washy. That is not the character trait I wish to have or cultivate!! I am allowing fear to rule once again in my life. As soon as I think I have that figured out, I catch it peering around the corner again. I need to write down our reasons, pray about it, and then stick to it. I need to make a long term decision. Some people are fine with telling themselves, well we will do it and take it one year at a time. I cannot do that. When things get tough, or fear peers in, it will be too easy to waver. I need to recognize this whole process as a life-long process, the big picture looks so much different and do-able in that perspective. They don't have to know it all today, I don't have to teach it all this year, it is a life-long process of learning. Yes there are goals we will shoot for by certain timeframes, but it is not nearly so fearsome to realize we have time! It is simply LIFE. Our eldest special needs son will remain in school as he needs the utmost structure and a lot of services. Our three youngest will homeschool. I need to pray for wisdom, peace, and stability.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Chag Pesach Sameach
Tonight we are going to our first Passover Seder at a local church. We haven't been there before, but once we heard they were hosting this we just had to go! I am also meeting a new friend I've been chatting with on facebook there. Our family has been studying/observing the biblical Holy days this year and we LOVE it. There is always such deep meaning that the regular American holidays seem shallow to us. That is not meant to offend anyone, but that is what we think and how we feel. It's amazing seeing how they point to Jesus, remembering when we were slaves to sin before Christ freed us. That we can't tolerate sin in our life, even one little secret sin in a deep crevice of our life will seep in and affect us. I love teaching my children about them so they can see that as well.
I wish I would have been more brave to take more pics but once we got situated I didn't want to go there since we just met and all. Next time I will! ;-)
take notice the Matzo crackers are striped and pierced
1 Corinthians 5:8
8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
I wish I would have been more brave to take more pics but once we got situated I didn't want to go there since we just met and all. Next time I will! ;-)
take notice the Matzo crackers are striped and pierced
1 Corinthians 5:8
8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
What's been cooking at my house...
This week our budget allowed us to spend $73 to feed nine people. I decided to use ingredients I had on hand (since I happened to have mozzarella from the week prior)to make pizza!
I made combination for the adults. I had one hamburger patty-sized amount of ground beef I cooked up with some onions, a green pepper, and the rest of the pack of mushrooms I bought. This way here, the water from the veggies cooked out and didn't make the pizza soggy. I added some canned olives after slicing them as well. I put some cheese over the toppings so that they would not roll off. haha~
Saturday I made some boneless buffalo strips with pasta salad containing the carrots and celery which normally come with wings.
I had also bought some buttermilk for the first time ever (out of curiosity) the week before, so decided to make Ruthann's buttermilk pie pictured below, with my very first homemade crust (not too bad):
by the way, we found we liked the pie better the next day nice and chilled
Scones take very basic ingredients to make (other than butter which I buy in bulk and store in my freezer, so it was on hand), and since my pantry was stocked with powdered milk, we had all we needed to try something else new, and they were great!!
I also had some homemade strawberry and raspberry jam that my dear friend had given us for Christmas. Can you believe I still have some? LOL!! Here is a recipe for you to give a try.
So all in all, though my fridge is barebones now (considering there are 9 of us), we actually had more fancy food than usual, from having some surplus from the bigger shopping trip the week before. Having a well stocked pantry is a MUST nowadays in my opinion. We never know what to expect from week to week since my dh is commission only. I've learned to prepare ahead when able to do so. Really though, anyone can benefit from it.
Also...here is the car that my eldest son made with his dad for the AWANA pine wood derby.
Actually it was done pretty last minute due to dh's crazy schedule and hopefully Mikey will be more involved in the whole process next year! He didn't win, but his car did pretty well for about 60 or so cars participating, and this was their first year ever.
I made combination for the adults. I had one hamburger patty-sized amount of ground beef I cooked up with some onions, a green pepper, and the rest of the pack of mushrooms I bought. This way here, the water from the veggies cooked out and didn't make the pizza soggy. I added some canned olives after slicing them as well. I put some cheese over the toppings so that they would not roll off. haha~
Saturday I made some boneless buffalo strips with pasta salad containing the carrots and celery which normally come with wings.
I had also bought some buttermilk for the first time ever (out of curiosity) the week before, so decided to make Ruthann's buttermilk pie pictured below, with my very first homemade crust (not too bad):
by the way, we found we liked the pie better the next day nice and chilled
Scones take very basic ingredients to make (other than butter which I buy in bulk and store in my freezer, so it was on hand), and since my pantry was stocked with powdered milk, we had all we needed to try something else new, and they were great!!
I also had some homemade strawberry and raspberry jam that my dear friend had given us for Christmas. Can you believe I still have some? LOL!! Here is a recipe for you to give a try.So all in all, though my fridge is barebones now (considering there are 9 of us), we actually had more fancy food than usual, from having some surplus from the bigger shopping trip the week before. Having a well stocked pantry is a MUST nowadays in my opinion. We never know what to expect from week to week since my dh is commission only. I've learned to prepare ahead when able to do so. Really though, anyone can benefit from it.
Also...here is the car that my eldest son made with his dad for the AWANA pine wood derby.
Actually it was done pretty last minute due to dh's crazy schedule and hopefully Mikey will be more involved in the whole process next year! He didn't win, but his car did pretty well for about 60 or so cars participating, and this was their first year ever.
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