Advent Season of 2010

Happy December everyone! 

 This is a month we look forward all year long.  Not only do our two oldest have birthdays in this month, but we also enjoy celebrating Christ's birth all month long with activities planned for every day.  Now, this may seem like a lot, but in reality, it usually isn't.  This will be the third year that we have implemented an "activity" calendar into our holiday season and usually a lot of the activities we can do while Daddy is at work and kinda go along with school, and some of them are evening activities that we can do during or after dinner time.  

We began this idea of creating a calendar full of activities from Kristen and I thought it was a wonderful way to be able to turn the focus off of Santa (who I do not want to build up for the kids) and presents, but back on the real reason we are celebrating and being together as a family.....and most important, making memories.

This year, on Thanksgiving evening, our friend Elf on the Shelf, Kris, came back to visit us.  I know I said we were trying to downplay Santa, but I guess our Elf kinda defeats the purpose.... oh me, oh my....being a parent is hard!  :o)  We've already forgotten to switch his position once and its only a few days into the time that he'll be with us.....  again....oh me, oh my....being a parent is tough!  Thankfully my children don't ask many questions and Hubbie was able to move Kris quickly!  Whew!

Our calendar of activities will begin today with the official "decking the halls"......  Christmas music will be turned on for the first time this year and we will decorate!  I think once we get the house decorated, it will start to feel more like 25 days until Christmas, because right now, with the weather so weird and hot and unpredictable, its hard to get into the Christmas mood!  That and the fact that I'm feeling crappy!  Oh me, oh my!  Whats a gal to do!

The rest of the month we have little things that we have enjoyed in years passed with a few new activities.  Lord willing we can keep up.  I've bought all the presents (Amazon.com is awesome!) and really don't plan on doing too much baking for the simple fact that if its here, it gets eaten and we do NOT need that much sugar!  I plan to make a few goodies throughout the month, to be enjoyed that day or weekend and then give our body a break.... lots of vitamin C, real yogurt, sunshine and elderberry juice will be given all month long too, Lord willing, prevent any extra sickies from entering our home because we're eating so many sweets!!!  (Ok, jumping off my soap box)

So, here are the things we plan on doing..... decorating the Christmas tree and listening to Christmas music, reading the story of the Candy Cane and eating candy canes, watching a Christmas movie and drinking hot cocoa, celebrating Bubbie's birthday with cake and having family over, attending a Christmas parade, making ginger bread structures (houses or trains), go see Christmas lights, making Christmas rings to count down til the 25th, play games and eat a Christmas goody, read a Christmas book (depends on which one that I've held at the library, comes in), see snow in a nearby town, make a goody or bread to deliver to neighbors, take gifts to neighbors, read a Christmas book and do an activity together (again, depends on which book we've gotten in), drive around and see lights, bake goodies, watch a Christmas movie and get take out,  take a walk through a Bethlehem town, celebrate Peanut's birthday with cake and family, read the story of Christmas over several evenings and do an activity each evening, on Christmas Eve, attend Christmas Eve service and read the Night Before Christmas and on Christmas morning we will sing Happy Birthday Jesus and thank Jesus for coming to Earth!  

Not all of these are in order and like last year, we may end up switching some of these around or not doing some of them, but the main focus is celebrating Jesus's birth.  And this year, instead of looking at a calendar posted on the fridge, we will be putting the day's activity inside our wooden advent calendar... not sure if we'll open a door each morning or evening.... I guess I'll have to sneak a peek each day and see what is needed so that I'm prepared for that day's activity!

I've said it several times, but it really has brought our family closer together and seemed to slow down the month of December for us.  Since we aren't doing big parties at schools (because we're homeschooling and missing our co-op's party due to already having plans), that will definitely decrease the stress a lot of people feel during the Holidays and since my shopping is done, I am just hoping that its a wonderful time of togetherness and making memories with our kids.  They are growing up too fast.... just looking at pictures from last year is amazing to see how fast they grow and how much they change in just a years time.....

Merry Christmas to all!  

If you want to check out the last two years calendars, go here and here.  

Ummmm.....Menu Plan Monday?

Well, I have no menu plan for the week and don't plan on making one.  I have my reasons and we have a ton of food leftover from the last week that didn't get eaten or made for several reasons.  BLAH BLAH BLAH! has been my general attitude and feelings over the last week.  I wish I could knock this and send it packing, but I can't and I'm trying to be patient.  So, because of my attitude and feeling just plain lazy and crappy, I am not even bothering to do a menu.  The last week or so, when I look at our menu, I'm so not feeling what I have and its making me bummed that I'm not into my menu or cooking or anything.  :o)

In happier news, its almost December (2 birthday boys coming up!) and I've been busy making our Advent Calendar and gathering books from the library and thrift stores to read to the books!

I hope I'm back next week with some exciting new recipes and a better outlook!  Happy Monday!

My 3 Turkeys and Our Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving, 2010  

We had an awesome day with my grandparents!  Just lots of together time, playing and talking and laughing!  The kids ate up all the attention and even Buggy, who is usually very cautious of other people besides us, warmed up quickly to my grandmother and grandfather and was cuddly and playing with them.  We were so blessed that my grandparents took the time to travel down to see us!

Bubbie, Peanut...and Rudolph?

The day it happened..... raw and oozey....

The next day..... scabbed up

Buggy usually stops at the end of the porch and wait for me to let him down..... not on Wednesday.... he went full speed towards the end of the porch and out of the corner of my eye, I could see that he wasn't slowing down like usual.  And he fell and slid across the driveway...all on his poor, little nose!  :o(  

There was BLOOD AND MORE BLOOD AND LOTS OF CRYING!  Oh my gosh!  I think I am scarred for life!  It was just awful....  I didn't really know what to do, because there was so much blood.  I wasn't sure where it was coming from.  After a lot of crying and screaming and blood, I finally got it cleaned up and realized that he basically got a rug burn on the top of his nose.  I didn't take him to the doc/ER because I really wasn't sure what they would do, but put neosporin on it and send us home.  

It just looks so painful and I know its gotta hurt him when he brushes against things...  OUCHY!  My poor babe!  And I have a feeling, out of all my kids, he's gonna be our always getting hurt, because he is another "no fear" dude.  Even after that incident happened, yesterday, he was still trying to just walk off the porch!  He was doing so good, but I guess he just isn't caring about being cautious anymore!  :o)  

Thankfulness

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men,

For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."       Psalm 107:8-9

What am I thankful for? 

Family and friends, 

our home and the country we live in, 

my God and His faithful love towards me and my family, 

Seasons and changes, 

my three adorable, rowdy and healthy boys, 

answers to prayer and provisions, 

fulfilling my dream to be a wife, mother and debt free

modern conveniences (what would I do without a blow dryer and computer?!), 

teaching my children and watching them learn, 

health, same day doctors and good 'ole fashion medicine,

Salvation and eternal life, 

Hubbie's job, health and dental insurance and paid time off.....and many many more.  

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!  

Thanksgiving Thoughts ~ 2010

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever."  Psalm 136:1

Chicken (either grilled, brined or "beer can" chicken)  

Green beans (courtesy of my grandparents! yum!)

Macaroni and Cheese (in the crockpot! score!)

Corn souffle (thanks Lindsey for suggesting!)

Sweet potato casserole (a new recipe this year...sounds yum!)

Rolls (we love the easy, quick 30 min rolls!)

and....last, but not least, dessert.....  not sure what my grandmother decided to make for dessert, but whatever it is, its going to be yummy!  :o)  Depending on my energy level, I might make an apple pie!  

~

So, there you have it, what we will be feasting on this year at our home!  We are excited to have family in our home and look forward to lounging around and just spending time with my grandparents.....  as excited as we are about seeing my grandparents, we are still sad to miss my brothers, my parents and my other set of grandparents.  Maybe one day we'll ALL have Thanksgiving together!  :o)


Happy Thanksgiving!  

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of Thanksgiving 2010

Monday evening ~ Mexican Lasagna with chips and guacamole

Tuesday evening ~ Leftover Mexican Lasagna

Wednesday evening ~ Pizza, bread sticks and salad 

Thursday evening ~ Sandwiches, chips and carrots with dip and apple pie 

Friday evening ~ Beef stir fry, rice with egg rolls

Saturday evening ~ Easy Chicken and Dumplings(never had last week) with peas

Sunday evening ~ Leftover Thanksgiving dinner

We had a good weekend, despite the busy days.... I didn't get much accomplished around the house, but hopefully we can get some things around here knocked out in the next few days!  

We are very excited about this being Thanksgiving week.  I think we finally decided on a Thanksgiving meal and am excited to spend the time with family.  The big boys have been so sweet in their evening prayers.  Bubbie has been thanking Jesus for allowing him to play basketball, his new team mates, etc. etc. etc.  Peanut did his normal evening prayer that Hubbie taught him and one evening as I started to leave the room, after the prayer and kisses were over, he stopped me by saying "I forgot to thank Jesus for my friends!"  

Such sweet, sweet boys......

The menu and groceries are done for the rest of the month .   All the Christmas gifts have been purchased and are in hiding!  Now its time to de-junk, clean and enjoy the family!  We have 2 birthdays in the month of December, too, so a busy busy month ahead!  :o)  

The Friday Before Thanksgiving....

We have a jam packed weekend and week ahead.  We didn't necessarily plan for it to be this hectic, but things kept coming up on days that we had a jazillion other things to do, so our schedule for the next week became quite full!  I am really looking forward to next Wednesday when I can straighten up the house and start prepping for Thanksgiving lunch and then Friday morning breakfast with some family.

Bubbie and I are off to a field trip today!  Nana agreed to watch the little boys so that I could go spend some one-on-one time with Bubbie.  He and I hardly EVER have time alone, so I'm really excited about watching him learn and being able to do hands on things with JUST him.  We've got our bags and lunches packed and hope to have a fun day!

Bubbie has his first basketball game this weekend!  We are participating in Upwards basketball and it seems very particular- the way things need to be, etc.  which is fine.... just not as laid back as the last sport with did with Bubbie at a local church (soccer).  Hubbie has a 5k that same morning, so he is going to miss about half of Bubbie's game!  :(  Talk about bad timing for both things.... the race has been on the schedule for 4 mos and the basketball has been talked about for 3 mos and the game schedule came out last week!  Anyway, Bubbie will also be in the fun run tomorrow morning as well.  He loves doing these races!  I think it makes him feel like he's like his Daddy, which is A-OK by us!

Last week we tried a new church.  It wasn't a NEW church to us.  We had gone there over 7 years ago, but for some reason, we stopped going because we didn't like something.  Once we began to talk about going back on the church search, we mentioned this one and wondered why we ever stopped.... we both couldn't remember.  After going back to the church on Sunday, I think we remembered.  (HEE HEE) I think its something we can live with...knowing that we don't  have to do it, so we'll see.  The kids LOVED the children's program and have talked all week about going back.  This is a new thing for our Bubbie, so we may have found a winner.  I really hope so.  I'm tired of the search and just want to feel at home somewhere.

A few other things we have planned throughout the rest of the weekend and early week will make this an unusually busy weekend.  Praying for calmness, healthy family and safe travels for my grandparents!  God is bigger than stress, crazy drivers or all these sick bugs that everyone is getting.... so I'm putting it in His hands and trying not to stress or be paranoid!   :o)

Have a great weekend!  And don't forget the giveaway going on here.  General Mills through MyBlogSpark is giving away 2 boxes of cereal and 4 movie theater tickets!  We'll announce a winner Monday PM.

Thanksgiving Meal 2010

We are "hosting" Thanksgiving this year and we are thrilled to have company!  My parents are going to be visiting my oldest brother, SIL and my youngest brother will be with his in laws, so my grandparents are coming down here!

I've said it before, but I am so grateful for both sets of my grandparents to have the opportunity to see and know my children.  Its a definite blessing... the older I get, the more I realize how blessed I am to have had them in my life for so long!

Its all the talk in our house lately..... "when will BB and PJ get here and how long til "Turkey day!".... who taught my children that anyway?!  Geez.... its called Thanksgiving, kiddos!

So, since I was already going to make a Thanksgiving dinner, having my grandparents is just icing to our day! We realized a year or two ago that Hubbie and I really weren't huge turkey fans.  I mean, we eat it and enjoy it on Thanksgiving, but as far as leftovers of it, we don't really care for them.  What probably pushed us over the edge was Thanksgiving of 2008 when Bubbie spread the rotavirus to my parents and everyone else had a touch of it.....  kinda the last time I remember enjoying turkey. Actually I didn't really enjoy dinner that year since my Daddy got sick DURING dinner.  :o(  It was NOT a good day!

Anyway, since we don't much care for turkey leftovers, we decided to use one of our large chickens that we've been purchasing every month through a co-op.  The chickens are about 4-5 lbs each and we usually get 4 or 5 of them a month!  These birds are heavy and they are free range with no antibiotics or steriods and hormone free.  We have a freezer FULL of them, so I think we are going to do something fun with them... maybe brine or grill?

So, besides that, really aren't set on anything besides sweet potato casserole.  This recipe looks really yummy!  My grandmother is bringing dessert (yum!) and some green beans (I love her green beans!).  I know I'll make an easy 30 min roll recipe and probably will do a baked macaroni and cheese casserole for the kiddos.  Other than that though... not really sure.  I'm not a huge stuffing or dressing.... Hubbie doesn't seem to care for it either anymore, so......

Any ideas?  Hafta haves?  I want to make enough so that we can eat off of it a few times, so I do want to make one more thing!  :)  Maybe another veggie?

Trying...

Well, its time to purge some bad stuff like....

On a roll.... 2 days without a coke!  The biggest challenge will be not drinking a coke tomorrow when we get Chick-fil-A.....  its SO good!!!  Trying to gulp water!  I use to drink water like it was going out of style and now I just get too busy and forget..... and Cokes are my daily cup of coffee.

3 or 4 days without a dessert!  Woo hoo!  I purposefully didn't purchase any sweets at the grocery store and don't plan on making anything until Christmas baking time.  We've had sweets constantly for what seems like a month... and I love baking.....and I'm bound and determined to lower the amount of sugar going into our body.... The more sugar, the weaker the immune system and I'm wanting to get as many good things into our bodies as possible!!!  ((FYI- we do Sambucus and green smoothies as often as we remember (we try for daily!) Lots of fruits, organic, real yogurt and veggies during the day too! ))

And, I was trying to do the Couch to 5K, but I've never been consistent.  I've started and stopped about 5x... no exaggeration.... so I finally decided to stop trying and just focus on getting out and walking every day.  I failed today.  It was so dark by the time Hubbie got home and I wake up early to get my quiet time and computer time in, but I'm determined to get out at least 5 days a week for a 30 min brisk walk.  At least I'm doing something!!  

Wish me luck!  :o)  

Family Flick Night Giveaway

I don't know about you, but we love watching movies and who doesn't love a free visit to the movie theater?!  I was selected to be apart of MyBlogSpark and General Mills Family Flick Night Giveaway and its such an awesome thing, I can't wait to share with you!!  

Go here to check it out!

Life

Life doesn't get much better than what this particular Tuesday was all about....  simplicity, contentedness.  And lets not forget the beautiful weather and fabulously Sunny skies that only the Creator himself could paint......  

We went for a simple walk that turned out to be a slice of Heaven for this Mama.  

The big boys were eager to explore.....  

and climb..... 

And these three were best buds for the morning, doing all this together.....  

Homeschooling isn't the perfect answer to the issues in education or the way to solve the worlds problems, but its a decision that Hubbie and I have made to try out for a year.  To test the waters.  To see what this Mama is made of.  I can't say that its been an easy journey.  I've battled many things that I didn't dream I'd have issues with and to be honest, most of the time, the battle is within myself.... my lack of patience, my insecurities, my laziness.....my, my, my.......  I thought it was all about schooling my kids, but in reality, God is molding me into something that I never dreamed I would need to be molded into in order to keep my three precious, yet rambunctious and inquisitive children at home.  

Even though schooling at home isn't always wonderful or luxurious or rewarding, I can say that, even if we don't continue this, I have very fond memories of the time these three kiddos and I have spent together on a daily basis.  Sure, I would still see them if they were going to half day Kindergarten or Mother's Day out, but it seemed like my life was more focused on what came next when they were away from me.... now a days, we seem to have more free time to snuggle up and read or play outside....take walks whenever we want to, nap whenever the baby needs to and just be free to set our schedule the way it should be....for us.  Very few outside commitments.  

These three little boys have become best buddies...more than I thought possible.  The eldest is a model older brother... always looking out for his younger siblings.  Willing to lend a hand and teach.  Akwats willing to play with and keep the little ones occupied for Mama.  The middle brother is watching his eldest brother closely and adores him.  The adoration our oldest has for his youngest brother, the middle child has been watching and has started to follow the eldest's leading....with lots of kisses and cuddles.  Don't get me wrong, we have a LOT of tattling, disobedience, corner times, crying and boo-boos.  Homeschooling didn't BY ANY MEANS make our life picture perfect.  In fact, its probably the opposite.... its probably made us search for answers on a lot of things that wouldn't have come up if we hadn't homeschooled.  Its definitely stretched us and challenged us and made us seek His wisdom more than ever.

I don't know if homeschooling is where God is calling us.  I'm still begging for a miraculous sign from God on that one.... but I am thankful for this time to do this.  I am thankful for the extra hours that I've had with my kiddos...uninterrupted by schedules, home work and hafta do's.....  

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of November 15th, 2010

Monday evening- Leftover vegetable soup with cornbread

Tuesday evening-  Out after Basketball Practice

Wednesday evening-  Crockpot Lasagna, salad and bread

Thursday evening-  Leftover lasagna and sides

Friday evening-  Homemade pizza

Saturday evening-  Veggie and Beef Stirfry over rice and egg rolls

Sunday evening-  Either clean out the fridge or Chicken and Dumplings (leftover from last week)

Hope everyone has a great week!  Pretty typical week around here, but a busy, BUSY weekend!  And then its Thanksgiving week!  Getting excited!!

For more menu plan tips and ideas, visit Laura over at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Buggy's Portraits 2010

For those of you who are not on Facebook or weren't able to see Buggy's portraits, I got the OK to post these!  

Since he is my youngest baby boy and hasn't really had professional pictures taken of him since birth/newborn, I decided to do something special for his first birthday.  

A local gal took his "smash cake" portraits!  And a local MOPS mom made his smash cake!  

My in laws were kind enough to take care of the older two boys so that we could make the trip out to the photographers house to get his pictures taken one morning!

Buggy was more interested in everything BUT taking pictures!  He wanted to fool with the photographer's backdrops, lights, props....anything BUT smile for the camera.  

I am amazed at what the photographer was able to capture and it brought tears to my eyes!  She captured my littlest man's personality SO well!  

If you're local and want the photographer's name/number, let me know!  :o)  She did a great job!

Straight From His Mouth....

While Peanut was playing in the bubbles during bath time, I decided to "get-to-know" him.  He was having a rare treat....all alone in the tub with Mama's undivided attention and I knew he was soaking up the space, toys and attention!

Lu- "Hey Peanut?  What is your favorite color?"  My favorite color is GREEEN!

Lu-  "What is your favorite T.V. show?"  Cat in the Hat and Curious George...we're PBS loyal

Lu  " What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Wall-E.... I am ROBOT!

Lu- " What is your favorite thing to do"  Build puzzles (same 3 puzzles OVER AND OVER AGAIN!)

Lu-  "Who is your favorite family member?"  Bubba

Lu-  "Who is your best friend?"  Bubbles and YOU

Lu-  "What is your favorite food?"  Pizza

Lu-  "What is your favorite restaurant?"  Zax-a-bee's and Chick-o-lay (Translation- Zaxby's and Chick-fil-A)

This little boy and his sweet spirit warms my heart!  I hope I can always find little moments to steal away for just Mama and the boys by themselves!  :o)

Appliquéd Tops!

A local gal pal did these shirts for the boys as a birthday gift!  The big boys love their "space ship" shirts!  I'm all about appliquéd tops, outfits for my sweet boys!  I decided to "hire" her to do some Christmas shirts for me too!  I had already loaded up on blank long sleeved shirts at Wally World with the intention of doing some for the boys myself, but I would rather hire someone to do them( if the price is right ), because I just don't know if I'll make and find the time!  I always make great plans of doing craft and sewing projects, but when it comes down to it, I hardly ever give myself the time or freedom to ignore household chores and busy myself with craft projects!

Here is what we came up with for the boy's "winter" shirts!  I love the two fabrics and the red shirts make the truck pop!  Hopefully its boyish enough!!  I love for these type of shirts to have the kid's names on them too, but I'm just such a stickler for "passing things down" that I just can't bring myself to put names on them!!!  

If you're interested in this local gal's info, let me know!  I would be more than thrilled to pass along her FB page!  

Christmas Shopping

photo found here

How are you doing on Christmas shopping?  Are you done?  Have you started?  Well, I'm happy to state that I am almost done!  Woo hoo!  Drawing names with my side of the family definitely made things quicker and cheaper!

Ever since Christmas of 2002, Hubbie and I have changed our way of celebrating Christmas!  Its not about swiping the credit card and buying EVERYTHING we have EVER wanted, but its about being together and  making sure we're not stretched to the max in December and paying for Christmas in January!

Our finances have changed a lot in the past 8 years.  We've had extra money, all thanks to nice end of the year bonuses.  We've been DEEP in debt with absolutely NO extra income.  We have had years when we spent a tiny bit on each other and we've had quite a few years that Hubbie and I haven't given each other anything more than a smile, a kiss and a great big "Merry Christmas".  This year, we're going to be celebrating another Christmas with a smile, kiss and a great big "Merry Christmas"....

Each year we ponder on how much to spend on the kids.  Having children's birthdays near or in the month of December does make the month a tiny bit tighter, but hopefully we still spend the same and celebrate just like we would if they're birthdays were in June.  (By the way, I'm TOTALLY sold on celebrating their half birthdays in June next year!)

I think Christmas spending needs to be evaluated by each family and by their budget.  We have a LOT of friends who make more money than we do, and therefore, spend quite a bit more on their children.  I tend to look at yard sales, craigslist and Goodwill for things that I know the kiddos will like.  Does it matter if the toys are a tad bit worn?  Do they notice that it isn't in a box?  The answer to both of those questions are NO!  The fact that I spend half as much or sometimes less on an item just means that if I've budgeted X amount per kid, they just get a few more little things and having the ability to SAVE some money makes this Mama feel extra proud!

I really went into this Christmas sold on the idea of just doing "3" gifts per kid.... like the wise men brought Jesus.  We ended up doing more than that.  We didn't go overboard- we never have with our kids presents and aren't spending hardly anything on the kids, but I guess I caved..... once those cursed Target and Toys 'R Us ads came in the mail...it was too late!  The pens were flying and the pages were being searched!  I did find deals and found lots of quiet things (puzzles, books) that will, Lord willing, make the cold, winter months of schooling a tad bit easier for this Mama.

I did ask Bubbie what was his FAVORITE THINGS that he just HAD TO HAVE and we went from there.  (He always wants the MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS!!!  He must have his Mama's eye!  ;o)

I am proud to say that my Christmas shopping is almost done.  I am busy making our 25 days of Christmas celebrating calendar is in the works!  Hope to publish that soon!  The kids always have a great time doing something fun and related to the reason for the season every night of the week!

Oh and I'm a stickler.... no Christmas music will be played and not one Christmas tree is being put up in our home until AFTER Thanksgiving!!!!

Until then, we are busy preparing for Thanksgiving and learning all about the Holiday!  We are anxious to celebrate Thanksgiving with my father's parents(BB and Papa John)!  Its a privileged that they are coming to our home and we are excited for the lazy day at home for them to spend with our family!  I praise God for 2 sets of grandparents that have been able to see our kiddos born and grow!

Look for a cool giveaway coming next week!

Bubba's Turn

While riding in the car, Bubbie says, "Mom, I hope when I get big and have a wife, she can take the kids to Kindermusik while I work."  I chuckled and asked "So, how many kids do you plan on having?"  He quickly said, "5...or 4....."  I was shocked by his number.  I figured he'd say 2 or 3 MAX, so I probed more.  "How did you decide on 4 or 5 kids?"  My very wise oldest son said, " Because  the van only fits that many kids in the back!"

So, we began to talk about other vehicles and how they DO make vehicles for larger families!  Holy Moly!  We opened a HUGE can of worms!  Bubbie continued, "You mean there is a sub that will carry more kids?"  I think he meant a suburban?  So I corrected him and told him how many people that type of car would carry.  He was excited!!!  Then I told him about a 15 passenger van and he immediately said, "WHOA!  I need to get one of those when I start driving!"  HAHA!

Watch out Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar!  You might have some competition!  :o)

Buggy Boo!

This week I finally got around to rescheduling Buggy-Boo's 1 yr doctor's appointment!  I had canceled it the week of his birthday, because of BSF starting and just never made another one!  With the holidays rolling around and everyone in town getting sick, I figured it was time to bite the bullet and just go!

Buggy was almost 14 mos on the day we went to the doctor, so of course, all these measurements aren't exact!  He has definitely grown in height in the last two months, because he's outgrown almost all the 12 mos clothing that was passed down from his brothers.  Thankfully, most of his new (12 mo) clothing still fits him!!  

At the appointment, Buggy weighed 21lbs 14 oz (gained 2 lbs since his last well baby check up) and is 30 inches long.  He is right at or above development for walking, talking and motor skills.  The doctor and nurse were super impressed that he walks and does other fine motor skills so well.  We think that its because he has 2 older brothers to watch CONSTANTLY and wants to be JUST like them!  

We did have to get a few shots...one of them being the flu vaccine.  I struggle with the decision to vaccinate every.single.time I go to the doctor with my children....  I know a lot of people have differing opinions on the subject, so no comments PLEASE!!!  I struggle because of what people say or what I read, but the pharmacist and doctor remind me that they give these things to their children and hearsay gets messed up along the way so that makes me feel a little better!  The shots that Buggy got this time had a "bite" to them and boy! did he tell everyone about it!  As he SCREAMED, he would look at the nurse and start doing his talking while crying thing.  Its just so pitiful....  it took him a long time to calm down!  And didn't help matters that I was meeting Nana outside so that she could keep Buggy for the day while the big boys and myself attending BSF.  

While we were at the doctor, I brought up two issues that we've been having with Buggy.  One issue was a possibility for him being allergic to eggs.  Around 9 mos, we gave him some scrambled eggs for breakfast and he broke out in a small, red, bumpy rash on the side of his face and then later on that day, the same type of rash on his back.... both places, very small....  We thought it was weird and kept an eye on him.  The rashes disappeared as quickly as they came.  About a month or so later, scrambled eggs again....and rash again...this time it wasn't on his face, but on his back.  During this time, I was reading my SIL's best friend's blog and they had recently found out that their son was REALLY allergic to peanut butter, so I was scared about what was happening!  From then on, Hubbie and I didn't feed him eggs by themselves.  He hasn't ever had a reaction to eggs in anything...and he's been eating eggs in things since he was about 6 mos....  After talking with the doctor and telling him my concern for having Buggy allergy tested, we decided that he probably just has my SUPER SENSITIVE skin and if its a reaction, its probably just a sensitivity to it.  I was very comfortable in our decision to watch it and to wait and see... if he's still having these kind of reactions in a year, we'll do the testing, but the testing that is available and can be zoned in on one or two products isn't very reliable, so we'll wait!  

The other issue was Buggy squealing or screaming at the TOP OF HIS LUNGS!  GEEZ!  Its awful and embarrassing!  We had started trying to introduce sign language so that maybe he could sign to us instead of SCREAMING!  We have NEVER had a screamer like this!  The doc was very funny and said that Buggy has to compete with 4 other people to get a word in ALL.THE.TIME, so its his way of getting attention!

Mom did some running around while we were in BSF and she said that Buggy did the "I'm gonna tell you all about my problems" to everyone in the stores!  He was NOT happy about shots!  HAHA!  Poor little guy!  He was a trooper though....even though he had a rough morning!  :o)  I was very glad to get my hands on him after BSF because I felt a little guilty leaving him after him getting 3 shots and him sobbing for us!!!  

Menu Plan Monday-Week of November 9, 2010

Monday evening - Fend for Yourself / Mom Night Out (WOO HOO!)

Tuesday evening - Out after Basketball practice

Wednesday evening - Veggie Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches

Thursday evening - Out - Field Trip / or if no field trip - Meatballs with gravy, mashed potatoes &  green beans

Friday evening - Homemade Pizza and bread sticks

Saturday evening - Leftover meatballs with sides

Sunday evening - Easy Chicken and Dumplings (will be making these with homemade biscuits, not canned)


We have a pretty busy week scheduled this week with doctors appts, a field trip that was canceled last week, the normal BSF and Kindermusik and.... Bubbie has his first EVER basketball practice with a game in two weeks!  EEK!  This is a child that barely knows how to dribble the ball!  Mama Mia!  This is going to be interesting..... but all we have heard about for 6-9 mos was that he wanted to play basketball...not soccer, not baseball.... BASKETBALL!  :)  So we're gonna try it!

We spent the entire week/weekend preparing for Bubbie and Peanut's joint birthday party and to say that I was stressed, was an understatement!  I finally was able to start breathing around 1 pm on Sunday...and the party was at 4!  Up until then, I stressed and fussed that things weren't getting done! (And we still didn't do everything I wanted to) EEK!  I'm thinking that having parties away from home are not ideal!  But we were on a tight budget this year and we wanted to do a friend's family party so that siblings and parents could come and have fun and eat too!  So, it worked out, most of our friends were able to join us, we have 3 families that weren't able to come, but it turned out great.  Bubbie's favorite people came and Peanut and Buggy had an ABSOLUTE BLAST!  My normally shy baby boys weren't shy at this PARTY!  They were living up the attention and fun and food!  Oh my goodness!  It was great to watch my boys!!!  Anyway.... Hopefully I can find a few pictures to post and show everyone what we did!  (BTW, their birthdays aren't for another month and its always hard scheduling birthday parties in the month of December with the crazy weather and Holiday parties)

Have a great week!  :)

Bubbie's Feelings

I Peter 5:7 

…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

The big boys got in the van, everyone was buckling up and chattering about their morning away from Mom.  I got busy with their lunches.  (I pack their lunches for our morning away because we have to drive back across town to pick up the babe at lunch time....curbs the desire to pick up something quick in the drive thru window)

All of the sudden, Bubbie says, "Mom, ever since we did X Y and Z with so and so (did you follow that?!) he's wanted to play with me, but today he didn't want to."  While he was saying this, he was fighting back tears and trying to be a big boy as he was wiping the tears away.  I had a lump in my throat and my heart bounded loudly as I watch him grow up before my eyes!

I wanted to rush to that little boy's Mama and fuss at the little boy for not wanting to sit next to my son.  I wanted to hold my big boy and take on all his feelings of insecurity and hurts.  I wish I could have taken away every one of his precious little feelings that had been broken by a friend.  Life hurts sometimes.

I wasn't sure what to do and I just listened to my big boy as he continued..... "But Mama, I know he still likes me and wants me to be his friend, so my feelings aren't hurt"....as he continued to try to be strong.  I immediately climbed into the back of the van and held onto him.

I held him for him and for me.  I held him because I didn't know what to say.  They certainly didn't write a manual about how to deal with LIFE!  I asked him if he wanted to pray to Jesus and tell HIM all about it...... because I sure did...... my big boy was too smart for me and replied "But Jesus already knows..... and Mama, you're squishing me!"

How often do I get my feelings hurt.... so and so doesn't talk to me or sit with me or call me or include me.  I could empathize with my little boy.  These hurt feelings will continue for the rest of my son's life.  Sadly, I can't take unthoughtful people out of the world and I can't protect his heart from getting hurt again.  I wish I could......

Since I was squishing him, I backed out of the van and finished getting their lunches together and climbed into the drivers seat trying to think of something profound to say.  As soon as I turned on the van, my big boy seemed like he was OVER the situation and was laughing and talking with his little brother.  Boy! I wish I could get over things that quickly.....

Maybe that lesson wasn't just for my son, but for me as well....  My big boy has a sensitive spirit and I was reminded today that it is a gift from God.  I shouldn't try to change him or get annoyed with that....but to embrace it, learn from it and help him to be the best Bubbie that he can be.....all while glorifying God.

Man, oh man, I can't believe how big my son has become over the last few months and he makes me so proud......  who wouldn't want to play with him?!

Voting!

Most of the time, I don't plan school very well, but on Monday, things fell into place for me to be able to remind and teach the boys about voting and the importance of it.  

We got this book in a box of Cheerios.... and it was a PERFECT lunch time read!  Of course, it was funny and got the kids to ask questions.  Once the story was finished, I explained the different levels of government and how these elected officials can/might affect our lives.

Then I remembered an Adventures in Odyssey episode (oh, how I love them!) from my childhood.  A Single Vote (found here on CBD.com, can be downloaded for a fee) is about the story of how 1 single vote helped make Texas a state!

What a FUN way to make the lessons of voting stick with the boys!  God was so good to give me a way to teach the boys without any planning or preparations....and little money!!!  :o)


We are off to vote!  Me and the 3 boys!  Wish us luck and Lord willing, these little life's lessons will stick with them for years to come!

The Year of the Wall-e, the Frog and the busy, BUSY Bumble Bee

Deals!

I haven't been posting as many "deals" lately, but this one was too good to pass up!  

Melissa, from 320 Sycamore (one of my all time FAV blogs!!) posted this deal!  Thanks Melissa!!  

BarnesandNobles.com is doing buy 2 toys get a 3rd free.  See details here.

Its a great deal, but add to it this coupon code A9N8U4H and its even BETTER!!  

I purchased the gifts that I needed to buy anyway.  
I got free shipping, the 15% off AND a free Melissa and Doug toy for Buggy's Christmas!  

Menu Plan Monday - November 1 thru 7th, 2010

Monday evening- King Ranch chicken w/ chips 


Tuesday evening- Leftover chicken dish 


Wednesday evening- Chili and cornbread


Thursday evening- Out/ field trip 


Friday evening- Homemade Pizza, bread sticks and fruit 


Saturday evening- Leftover chili and cornbread


Sunday evening- Birthday party

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We've got a busy and fun week ahead.  Praying the Lord's blessings over our health and our busy schedule.  Just praying we can get it all done and this Mama isn't stressed out of her gourd!  




I went back to monthly menu planning this month.  I thought maybe it would help with the out of control food budget.  We had to add money to the budget last month because of adding in more natural, organic food items.  Our veggie and fruits alone are costing us a bundle each week and we aren't able to afford it all organic!  Ouchy!  But we'll make do and do as much as we can....  


Anyway, I decided to divide our food budget in half this month.  Hubbie gets paid once a month and thought maybe we could divide it in half.  1st thru the 15th, we get X amount of money and from the 15th thru the end of the month, we get the remainder...X amount.  Hopefully it'll help me budget better.  Our food category is the hardest to control and keep a tight grasp on!  I really need to do a better job about getting the cost lowered, but with having so many items like fresh chicken, produce, eggs, milk, flour....those things don't have coupons or if they do, not that often!  I just need to remember to pray over our budget monthly and for wisdom as I spend money.  When I do, God really takes over and helps me to make better choices, but the hardest part is remembering.....  


I was convicted about that last week in my Bible Study Fellowship lesson.  One of the question was "Who do you go to for guidance or when something happens?"  I think, how often I go to people, but also to "self help" type books.  What a convicting question!  I know when we were having so many issues with Peanut a few months ago, I didn't like the child- he wouldn't listen, he wouldn't obey....he was the most unpleasant child to be around.......  and I turned to a lot of books, the internet, my mom, Hubbie....anyone, any book.......  I just wanted advice and wisdom!  I should have turned quicker to the Lord for wisdom and to the Bible for the answers...which is the best parenting book out there!  Silly Lu!  :o)  


Hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Happy Eating!