Book Review - Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

Wow. This book is wonderful. Written by a young boy's father about a terrifying experience the family went through when the boy was nearly 4 years old. The boy almost died and had to undergo emergency surgery during which he ultimately got to see Heaven and Jesus.

The boy doesn't immediately tell his family about his experience, he is only four. But later, he starts sharing details, little by little about his experience and he starts telling his family things he could have no way of knowing unless he did indeed go to heaven. He tells his dad how he saw him praying in a room in the hospital - there would be no way he would know that because he was "asleep" on the operating table. Or when he tells his mom he met his other sister - a baby she miscarried when she was two months pregnant.

This is a great story and well written. It keeps you interested from page 1 through to the very end.

Friday Recipe - Pasta Primavera with grilled chicken

This is a recipe that has been in "Recipes to Try" file that I tore out of a Taste of Home magazine. I changed up their recipe by adding chicken and a couple more veggies so here is my version of this recipe:

Pasta Primavera with Grilled Chicken
INGREDIENTS:
2 c uncooked garden trio rotini pasta
1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2" pieces
3 medium carrots, cut into thin strips
1 small zucchini, cut into small pieces
2 tsp olive oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 c grated parmesan
1/2 c heavy whipping cream
1/4 tsp pepper
6-8 Chicken breasts, grilled

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a large skillet, saute asparagus and carrots in oil until crisp tender. Add in zucchini and cook for another minute or so. Add in tomatoes and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in cheese, cream and pepper. Drain pasta; toss with veggie mixture. Top with a grilled chicken breast and little bit more parmesan cheese.

Latest addition to our family

A few months ago our dog, Gidget, got away and we never got her back. We have been dog-less since. Gidget was a cute dog, but high strung (she had Chihuahua and Jack Russell in her so that should explain a lot!)

The kids have wanted to get another for dog but we have been hesitant. Then the other day my friend contacted me about her dog. They have had this dog for 4 years and have loved him so much, but now as her kids get older and aren't home as much and everyone is running here, there and everywhere she felt like poor little Miles wasn't get as much attention as he deserved. She asked if we would want to take him into our home. I talked it over with Mr. Man (who happens to LOVE Pugs) and he agreed. We picked up little Miles yesterday afternoon and he adjusted fairly easily. My kids smothered him at first so we had to tell them to give him some time to explore and adjust. He has a calm personality and adores the kids. Lady Bug has a tendency to scare dogs to where they nip at her, but Miles has been so patient with her! He is very loving to everyone and thrives on attention (which my kids are more than happy to give him!), but he really loves Mr. Man - following him everywhere!

So here is a picture of our new member - he is so ugly he is adorable!

Fall break

This week the kids are on Fall Break from school so Mr. Man took the week off to be with them. They wanted to go camping, but we woke up this morning to wet, cold, rainy weather. The forecast for later in the week looks more promising. We have had weeks of 80 degree weather and then the week of vacation for them is yucky. Mr. Man is more disappointed than the kids are, although the kids are quite sad too.

This morning we got up in a leisurely manner and took our time getting ready. We ate breakfast together, we looked at some pictures together, we chatted as a family about nothingness. It was a great morning. Made me wish that I could stay home with them all day, but I had to come on in to the office. But today I get off at 3:00 so that will be a nice afternoon with the family!

I am thinking of making some chicken enchiladas for dinner... YUM!

Overall the kids and I had a great weekend even though Mr. Man had to work all weekend. Spent some time with great friends and that was fun.

Looking forward to a good week with the family this week! We got finally got a camera so I will try to get some pictures posted soon! We played around with the camera over the weekend but we just took some silly pictures - nothing worth posting! Lady Bug took my picture and I told her it was so bad I was going to delete it and she said "Why? You don't have 10 chins in that picture." Gee thanks honey!!!

Friday Recipe - Feather Light Muffins

I believe this recipe originally came from Taste of Home, but I got it from my friend years ago. I love these (especially warm... mm mmmmm mmmm)!

Feather Light Muffins
INGREDIENTS:
1/3 c shortening
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 c cake flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 c milk

Topping:
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c butter, melted

Cream shortening, sugar and egg in a bowl. Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Let cool 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll warm muffins in melted butter and then in sugar mixture. I serve mine warm, but they are good cold too.

Lady Bug is hilarious!

As we were getting ready to leave the house this morning Lady Bug said something that she found completely funny to the point she was laying on the floor laughing. Being that she is 5 years old, what she said (which I can't even recall what it was) was really not all that funny so the rest of us didn't laugh. She stops laughing, looks up at me and says with a very serious look "I just LOVE being hilarious!"

I replied with "You do, huh?"

And her response was a classic one:  "welllllllll, I am pretty hilarious you know!"

Works For Me Wednesday - Save those containers

If you will be hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year start saving your sour cream, cottage cheese and any other container that comes with a lid and is reusable. You can use these containers to send home left overs with guests and/or store your left overs in your fridge. If you send them with others and don't get them back, then you aren't at any real loss.

I have a large bin in my garage that I throw all these containers into and then will load up the dishwasher just before Thanksgiving to wash them all up!

This works for me! Click here for lots of other tips, tricks and recipes!

Getting a good work out!

I wish I were referring to me... but no, I am speaking of my poor car!

This is what a typical week looks like for my car:

MONDAY:
7:30 am - Drive husband to bus stop
7:40 am - Back to the house for a break
8:30 am - Drive kids to school
8:40 am - Drive to work
9:00 am - Rest in parking lot
12:00 pm - Lunch and errands
1:00 pm - Rest in parking lot
3:00 pm - Drive to pick up kids from school
4:45 pm - Drive to pick up husband from work
5:30 pm - Home to rest

TUESDAY:

7:30 am - Drive husband to bus stop
7:40 am - Back to the house for a break
7:55 am - Drive Spirit to extracurricular activity at school
8:30 am - Drive Lefty and Lady Bug to school
8:40 am - Drive to work
9:00 am - Rest in parking lot
12:00 pm - Lunch and errands
1:00 pm - Rest in parking lot
2:30 pm - Office errands
3:30 pm - Rest in parking lot
5:00 pm - Drive to pick up kids from school
5:30 pm - Take Spirit to his writing class (he is learning to write a book)
5:40 pm - Drive to pick up husband from bus stop
6:25 pm - Drive to pick up Spirit from writing class
6:45 pm - Home to rest

WEDNESDAY:

7:30 am - Drive husband to bus stop
7:40 am - Back to the house for a break
7:55 am - Drive Lefty to extracurricular activity at school

8:30 am - Drive Spirit and Lady Bug to school
8:40 am - Drive to work
9:00 am - Rest in parking lot
12:00 pm - Lunch and errands

1:00 pm - Rest in parking lot
3:00 pm - Drive to pick up kids from school
4:45 pm - Drive to pick up husband from work
5:30 pm - Home to rest

THURSDAY:
7:20 am - Drive Spirit to Choir practice
7:30 am - Drive husband to bus stop
7:40 am - Back to the house for a break
8:30 am - Drive Lefty and Lady Bug to school
8:40 am - Drive to work
9:00 am - Rest in parking lot
12:00 pm - Lunch and errands

1:00 pm - Rest in parking lot
5:00 pm - Drive to pick up kids from school
5:30 pm - Drive to pick up husband from bus stop
5:55 pm - Home to rest
 
FRIDAY:
7:30 am - Drive husband to bus stop
7:40 am - Back to the house for a break

8:30 am - Drive kids to school
8:40 am - Drive to work
9:00 am - Rest in parking lot
12:00 pm - Lunch and errands

1:00 pm - Rest in parking lot
3:00 pm - Drive to pick up kids from school
4:45 pm - Drive to pick up husband from work
5:30 pm - Home to rest

There are days that I feel like I just barely get in the house and get my coat off before I have to put the coat back on and get back in the car! sheesh.

Crazy Hair Day

The kids had crazy hair day at school. Both the boys have buzz hair cuts so it is hard to do anything crazy with it other than to color it! So that is what we did!

Lady Bug colored hers plus she wore a headband that has some green "hair". Spirit colored his black and then also wore a pom-pom in a hat and Lefty just colored his red.

Sorry the pictures are so small. I took them with a camera phone and if I make them any bigger they get fuzzy.

Today is...

I have mentioned on here before about my baby Wesley who died before we got to know him, so tonight I will be lighting a candle in his honor and for all babies that have gone on to heaven already. I am asking you to do the same.

You can read Wesley's story here.

Friday Recipe - Breaded Ranch Chicken

This is one of Lefty's favorites.

Breaded Ranch Chicken
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 c crushed cornflakes
3/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
1 envelope dry ranch dressing mix
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 c melted butter

In a shallow bowl combine cornflakes, parmesan and dressing mix. Dip chicken in melted butter; then roll in cornflakes to coat. Place in a greased 13x9x2 baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

a few updates

1. I have lost 20 pounds but now seem to have plateaued and can't get the number to go down. I am not giving up yet.When I started this journey my goal was to lose 25 by Thanksgiving. That gave 4 months to do that. Thanksgiving is still a ways off and I only have that 5 pounds left to reach that goal. The 2nd part of the challenge to myself was to start back up in January and try to get to another goal weight by summer.

2. Spirit was tested in school to see his reading level. We already knew he was above the district average in math and reading but they wanted to see exactly where his reading level is - 9th grade reading level! I am so proud of him. Both he and Lefty read books all weekend {it was a dreary, rainy weekend... perfect for snuggling under a blanket and reading}.

3. This Friday, October 15th, is National Pregnancy, Infant Loss Remembrance Day and Mr. Man and I are on a volunteer team to coordinate a candle light service. This is the first one hosted here in our hometown (there are several all over the world) so we aren't sure how it will turn out! If you know some one or have experienced a miscarriage or stillborn or infant loss please light a candle for one hour at 7:00 pm on October 15. They say if everyone does this there will be a constant wave of light around the world in honor of the babies taken from us too soon.

4. Lady Bug and I have battled every day for over a week about her wardrobe. I am ALL ABOUT letting kids pick out the clothes for themselves, whether they match or look good or not. BUT I draw the line when it is 47 degrees outside and she wants to wear shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops. So she cries, I yell and eventually I win! Today, was a much more peaceful day. We discussed the clothes last night. I told her to lay out her outfit and I would come take a look. She had a pair of shorts laying there but just as I was walking in she told me "I think it will be too cold for shorts so I decided to get some pants." She chose some capris, but that is fine with me. We woke up to wind and rain and extremely chilly. She left wearing the capris, a t-shirt with a sweatshirt over top and socks and tennis shoes. Then she added a coat and gloves before we walked out the door. Phew. No tears from either one of us today! Victory!!

Friday Recipe - Onion Roasted Red Potatoes

These are a good side dish to almost any meat.

Onion Roasted Red Potatoes
INGREDIENTS:
1 (1 oz) envelope dry onion soup mix
2 lbs red potatoes, halved
1/3 c olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large plastic bag, combine the soup mix, red potatoes and olive oil. Close the bag and shake until potatoes are fully covered. Pour potatoes into a medium baking dish; bake 40 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally.

Fall finally arrived!

Our weekend weather was finally fall-like. We have been running in the 90's through last Friday! Insane I tell you, insane! But this weekend was sunny and warm, not hot though! It was perfect!
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The kids raked some leaves this weekend - they were hoping to get enough to jump in, but that didn't happen!
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I made vegetable soup and served it with crusty bread. YUM!
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I decided to take a month-long challenge to make my home a haven. I know I need to work on ME and I am hoping this challenge will help bring peace to our home. There are a lot of things that brought me to this decision. The issues with Spirit lately got me thinking. I also got to thinking about a friend of mine who is having some issues with her two boys, and I wondered if it is the parenting or is it the child? I then read on my sister's blog about a boy who who pulled the fire alarm and felt so terrible after ward that he writes letters to the fire department apologizing. It got me thinking - did his parents do something differently in raising him? Maybe, maybe not. But either way, I know I need to work on who I am and how I react and think in order to be a better example for my kids. {note: I also am premenstrual this week which doesn't help a thing!}
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I was speaking with a friend of mine last night about some family relationships that are sour right now. She told me to just keep trying to reconcile and if it doesn't work out then I know I did all I could to make it right and then I let it go. Sometimes I feel like I try and try and this person just doesn't want to reconcile and continues to find things to be upset with me about. When do I say enough is enough? Maybe right now. Enough!
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Lady Bug and I cleaned her closet and dresser to get rid of summer and bring in the fall stuff! she was so thrilled! I had been given some clothes from a friend and there are some super cute things in there! Lady Bug tried everything on and couldn't wait to wear a "new" outfit today to school!
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I was asked by Lady Bug's teacher today how she is doing with her reading. After we talked a bit, she said that Lady Bug failed an assessment test - she said she is surprised because she knows Lady Bug is reading quite well. There are only 2 kids reading at a high level in the class and one is Lady Bug. So the teacher wanted to know how I feel she is doing. I told her she is reading cereal boxes and other books (besides the ones she brings home from school) so I know she can do it. She said she will talk with her today and maybe Lady Bug just wasn't focusing during the assessment and they will re-assess her.
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I was also asked by Lady Bug's teacher today if I would be willing to make calls to parents to encourage volunteering in the classroom. She said she has asked but hasn't gotten any responses so she thinks maybe if I call and tell parents how fun it is to be in the classroom they might agree to it! We'll see. Hee!
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One more thing about Fall - as I walked the kids to school, it was chilly! YAY! AND we had to turn our heater on for the first time this morning! I am loving it!

Friday Recipe - Apple Muffins

I like to make these in the fall and take them to co-workers and have Mr. Man take some to his co-workers too!

Apple Muffins
INGREDIENTS:
TOPPING:
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp cinnamon

MUFFINS:
1 1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
2/3 c vegetable oil
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 c buttermilk
2 c diced, peeled firm tart apples (such as Spy or Granny Smith)

Topping: In a small bowl toss together sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon until crumbly; set aside.

Muffins: In a large bowl whisk together brown sugar, oil, egg and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir in oil mixture into flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in apples, mixing just until combined. Spoon into greased muffin cups filling 3/4 full. Sprinkle topping over evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and tops spring back.