My Sister is coming to town

I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Most live on the west coast and one brother on the east coast. I don't get see everyone as often as I'd like to. One of my sisters came in October and today another one comes in. The sister that comes in today is actually the one I am closest to but not the one I am closest to in age which is kindof funny to me!
So anyway, we will be very busy in the short time she is here and therefore I may not be able to blog! If you don't hear from me I will be back on Monday (December 3)!

Christmas Projects

**As usual my camera is not feeling well so these pictures are yuck-o-la. I think you will get the jest of what we did though!**

The boys started making some Christmas gifts. My family enjoys homemade items and especially homemade from my kids, which probably has a lot to do with not being able to see my kids as often as they'd like to so a homemade gift will help them think of the kids every time they see the gift.

Anyhoo, we started making bookmarks where we took ribbon, tied a knot in one end, strung 5-6 beads and then about an inch from the other end tied another knot. My family is full of readers so this will be fun. They also helped me make some hair barretts for the little girls in our family (including their little sister... she was napping when we started these).

Our favorite gift so far, is one for my mom, an artist in her spare time. It isn't totally complete yet so I will take a picture when it is all done, but basically we are decorating a tote bag. I found some small travel size art supplies, including a water color paint brush that holds water in the handle and a small stackable water color pallette.

I have plans to make more items and will post as I can.

Lady Bug did it!! Woo hoo!

Since Lady Bug decided over the Thanksgiving weekend to be potty trained, she has just done it. I mean, she decided it was time and has stuck to it! Only 5 accidents since Friday and ZERO accidents since Monday. She is staying dry at nap and at bedtime. I am so shocked and so impressed! She comes to us and tells us she needs to go! It is so awesome! I am planning a No More Diaper Bag Party!!

We started to get concerned because she went poo on Friday and then not again for 3 days. We increased her fiber.....veggies, cereal, fruit, etc. and decreased her dairy intake and she finally went on Tuesday night and again last night. Phew. I was starting to get worried about her.... the longer she didn't poo in the potty the worse I felt it would be when it finally did try to force its way out!! eeekk.

Anyway, that may have been too much info! Sorry!

Spirit's Oral Presentation

Spirit, who is in first grade, gave his first oral presentation at school yesterday. The instructions were to pick a celebration of another country, preferably something not celebrated here in the states. He chose the country of Hungary and talked about their celebration of the first king, St. Stephens. They celebrate this every August 20 and it is called St. Stephens Day. There are fireworks over the Danube and airshows, parades, etc.

We looked on the internet and in library books for information. He picked out some pictures to copy/print.

Obviously, we helped him organize the poster but he traced the letters himself from some stencils I have. He glued everything himself and labeled the pictures himself. Then we helped him write his speech.
He was so excited to do it and Mr. Man took off work to go watch him. Mr. Man said he was a little soft-spoken but he kept his head up and tried to make eye-contact with the class. Mr. Man said at the end of his speech, Spirit looked at his dad and said "I am SO going to Hungary next year!"

SAHM vs. Working Mom

I always dreamed of being a SAHM and I would dream about all the things I could do with my kids, crafts, learning activities, play groups, etc. God must have had a different idea for our family. I respect and admire ALL moms who have the patience to stay home with their kids and I know your kids are getting a lot more than I am giving my kids.

I have been reading a lot in the bloggy world and also hearing from my friends who are SAHMs about how they are feeling "under fire" so-to-speak for not working outside of the home and then I report that I feel "under fire" because I do work outside of the home.

When my mom was raising us kids it was during the time when women's lib was coming up (or maybe it was already in full force) and she was criticized for staying home to raise her 6 children. There were other times in my growing up years that she did work, sometimes night jobs, or other times retail during the day while we were in school. But in any event, when I had kids she didn't push me either way -- she said she supported whatever we decided to do.
We decided I should quit my job of 5 years to stay home with Spirit. During that time Mr. Man owned his own construction business and was doing pretty well. Then the unthinkable happened....he had a motorcycle accident when Spirit was 6 months old. He ended up in the hospital and had to have screws put in his shoulder. Even after the recovery time and all the physical therapy he just wasn't able to do the construction work anymore because he didn't have full range of motion in that one arm. We pondered, prayed and contemplated what to do. We had several medical bills and debts that had accumulated while he was in the hospital and neither one of us was making any money.
About that time my previous boss called me up and asked if I was looking for a job because my position had opened up again. So we pondered, prayed and contemplated some more and finally decided I should take the opportunity and go back to work. A close friend of ours agreed to watch Spirit for us at a cheap reasonable weekly rate.
After several months of being out of work, Mr. Man was finally able to get out and look for a job. He found a job that he absolutely loves (just so happens it is his dream job from when he was younger!), but the pay is not the best. The thing is--- he loves it and nothing makes me happier than to see him happy. We have talked about whether or not he should find something else that pays more, but honestly I feel like God wants him there. We pray constantly about it.
Then we had more kids and I was being promoted at my job left and right. I ended up in management there. Accepting the promotions was NEVER about the money. It was a good job, good bosses and good people to work with. My bosses were very good to me and to my family. My kids were well cared for by my Christian friend who was unable to have any kids of her own so she treasured mine as though they were hers. I always thought to myself if I can't be the SAHM then this is the next best thing!
Just as Spirit was starting preschool our dear friend decided she couldn't watch our kids anymore. She and her husband were buying a house way out in the farm country and it would be too hard on us to drive there nor would it be feesible for her to come our way. It was hard to see her go and we still see her on a regular basis!
As it turned out our Pastor's wife, who had been doing childcare in her home but was wanting out of that, called us up asking if we needed a "nanny". She has now been watching the kids since Spirit was in preschool and she comes to our house! It is wonderful.
Mr. Man has arranged his schedule so that he leaves early for work and is off in time to pick up the boys from school. I have arranged my schedule (thanks to a new job that ISN'T management, but just as fun of a place) so that I am home all morning and take the boys to school and head to work after I drop them off at school. Lady Bug is the only one home with the "nanny".
When I am at the school I am frowned upon for being a working mom. I get a flat "Ohhhhh, you don't stay home with your kids?" when they find out I work outside of the home. It is so different than what my mom was hearing but as equally as frustrating.
I am the "bread winner" in our home and we are content with that. I feel like my kids have it really good and I feel we are doing God's will. Whether anyone else wants to believe that or not. I pray every night and ask God to guide us. So far this is where He wants us to be. We are not having me work so we can live lavishly. We don't. I drive a beat old van. We have a beat up old and tiny house with a first mortgage payment of $1,300.00 per month and we pay our "nanny" pennies for salary. I am not a materialistic person and so we don't have "things"....we have the necessities. We don't have a boat or a vacation home somewhere. I work and I am content with that.
Lately though, I feel like I have been criticized for it. I told someone that I didn't think I would make a good SAHM anyway because I lack the patience to do it. This woman told me that "you know that old saying 'it isn't quantity, it is quality' that is a bunch of hogwash. You need to be content with the little things so that you can stay home to raise your children." I was so upset by that because we have nothing but the little things and frankly my husband's salary would pay our mortgage and maybe one or two bills.
Again, I say I have so many friends who are SAHM and I admire them and their kids are probably better off than mine, but I won't really know how mine will turn out until they are grown and by then it will be too late anyway.

Thank you....

Thanks to all of you who emailed and commented about my dad. I am so very happy that he is ok. Mr. Independent that he is admitted to me that he had not been home in a few days because he took a little road trip. I scolded him -- just as any loving daughter would do -- and I told him he could have just called me to let me know his plans!!! His reasoning was that he was only in Pueblo (which is a little over an hour from where he lives). He stayed a few days there, had some doctor appointments there and did a little Christmas shopping. I said "Ok. But you could have let me know that so I wouldn't worry about you." He gave me his standard response.... "I don't need you worrying about me. You have a family of your own now to take care of." I gave him a big fat "Soooooo!"
Apparently, the officer also scolded him for not having his cell phone on and he told me "I don't make that many calls." I told him that a cell phone isn't just for making out-going calls... it is also for us to get a hold of him! He said he would start turning his phone on when he was out and about somewhere.
So, thanks again for all your cares and concerns about him!

What's happening since Wednesday afternoon? Well, let me tell ya....

We had a great Thanksgiving. The kids actually slept in a little on Thursday so that was a definite plus. Then I made "monkey bread" for breakfast with eggs and bacon too. Mr. Man made his "famous" homemade salsa for us all to snack on all day. We had dinner at 5:00 pm so we just snacked and watched football. My SIL had all 3 of her kids, plus their spouses and their kids, PLUS one of the daughter-in-laws parents and grandmother. It ended up being a total of 22 of us there - ranging in ages from 81 down to 8 months (actually if you want to be technical, one of the girls is pregnant! so we had one younger than 8 months there too!!). Every year my SIL cans fresh corn so we had some of that, plus Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, frog eye salad, broccoli & cauliflower salad, jello salad, and for dessert pumpkin pie! It was to die for food! I was so full when we left there!

Friday morning Mr. Man got up and went to the Door Buster Sale at Wal-Mart to get some Christmas presents. Then we decorated the house and did a royal cleaning on the place! It looks so good! It feels good too!

Friday, Lady Bug also decided she was ready to start potty training! woot! She woke up dry Friday morning so I put her on the toilet and she did not go but asked to wear her "unnerwears". A few minutes later I noticed her squatting to poo and I said "Let's go to the potty" and she fussed a little, but went in there with me anyway. I put her on the toilet and she pooped!! So, of course, the whole family hoo-rahed and carried on as encouragement to her! We have been putting a diaper on her at nap and bedtime and she has kept it dry! I had to go buy more underwear for her because I figured the 3 pairs would not be enough to get us through potty training, let alone enough for when she finally does master it! She picked out Tinker Bell and My Little Pony packs. We ran some errands on Saturday with her in underwear...no accident. I took her to church in underwear too...no accidents!! I am so excited and yet a little sad that my baby is growing up!! My last one is almost potty trained. (I can't imagine how teary-eyed I will be on the first day of school for her!)

ALSO.... I spent 30 days leading up to Thanksgiving sending/emailing notes to those in my life who have been a blessing to me and/or my family. Every day I wrote a note to someone different, so 30 people in my life received notes. I think the ones that were most meaningful to me was the one I gave the pastor's wife for all her hard work with the children's ministry and the one I sent to one of my SIL's. I did not realize that my SIL was going through a very, extremely tough couple weeks when she received my card. She emailed me after she received my card and told me how much she needed my card that day and what she had been going through the past couple weeks! It was very special and very meaningful to us both! Go here to read comments about what others did for the 30 Days of Thanksgiving.

Go check out the Michael W Smith free CD

Check this out.... it is awesome...but you need to act fast!

We are heading out this afternoon to Loveland for the weekend. It snowed here last night, not so much in the city where I am but Loveland is a ski town so I know it got more than we did. We have a 4-wheel drive so we should be fine and Mr. Man is an excellent driver in the snow!

We will be staying at my SIL's house. She is a wonderful hostess so I know we will be well taken care of and very spoiled!! She is also an excellent cook! I am looking forward to it!

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

I can't wait to read about what everyone did for the holiday and see lots of pictures!

Something I am VERY Thankful for today!!

I had already found out last week that my dad would not be able to come for Thanksgiving, but I have been trying to get ahold of him for something not related and he hasn't returned my calls since Saturday. I have left him about 10 messages, the more he didn't return my call, the more worried I became. I left a message last night saying I was worried and if I didn't hear back from him I was going to call the police to come check on him.
My dad is 77 years old. He lives alone. He is a hermit and very independent. I have begged him for years to give me numbers of neighbors or give my number to his neighbors "just in case" and being the typical Army man he says "I will be fine." So I do not have numbers for anyone!
I kept trying to get ahold of him this morning and was trying his cell phone too. Still no answer.
I am about a 2 1/2 hour drive from my dad so I called the local police in my dad's small town and explained my situation. I told them it is not like him NOT to return my calls. They dispatched someone to his house. The officer called me back and said he wasn't responding to the knocks on the door so the officer went to several of his neighbor's houses and they all said they hadn't seen his truck there in over a week. I told the officer that my dad helped clean a local Mexican restaurant there in town and the officer said he'd head over there to check to see if they had heard from him.
A short time later, my dad called from the officer's cell phone! He told me he was fine but since he was on the officer's phone he would call me back later.
I am SO VERY THANKFUL my dad is ok! I had terrible visions of him hurt (or worse... no I didn't let my thoughts go there!)... I am so glad he is ok!!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is usually my very favorite time of year. My dad usually comes from Southern Colorado to stay with us and eat and we have so much fun. This year he can't come. So we invited a young couple from the church and now they can't come.
Now I have the Thanksgiving Day blues...
On an up note, one of my SIL's usually isn't in town for Thanksgiving and this year she is so she is hosting Thanksgiving at her house. Instead of hosting at my house we will probably just go to her house and I will bring one (or two) of my favorite dishes. It will all be fun and good, just different for me!
I am thankful to have such wonderful people in my life!

Is it a ghost? Is it an antelope? Is it a wolf?

This is a picture Lady Bug drew this morning. When she proudly showed it to the boys they said

"Oh. That's nice. Is it a ghost?"

"Nooooo!"

"oh. Is it an antelope?"

"Nooooo!"

"Is it a wolf?"

"Nooooo!"

"Is it a monster?"

"Nooooo!"

As I walk into the room I look at it and I said to Lady Bug "Is it a turkey for Thanksgiving?"

"YES!!!!"

Then she glared at the boys as if they should have known that!! I mean come on, really...everyone can tell that is a turkey. Sheesh!

The Tattoo

Someone......ANDREA.......wanted to know what my tattoo is of and so I am here to tell ya that I am pretty darned boring....

It is a daisy flower.

Can you say b-oooo-rrrr-innng???? :o)

I've been tagged ...

Lisa over at Life as I know it tagged me for a meme to share 7 Weird or Random Things About Myself.
So here it goes.....

1. I have a tattoo on my hip that I got when I was 21. I regret that I did it. I regreted it almost as quickly as I did it!
2. I have pierced ears and haven't worn earrings in almost 7 years. I stopped wearing them when I had my first baby and he yanked on one. Now I am too scared (too wimpy) to try to put some in!
3. The first time I met my husband he irritated me. I met him at a friend's house. I was supposed to be picking her up to take her to a BBQ (ironically the BBQ was at HIS parents house) and he was working on her deck and we ended up being late to the BBQ because he was taking his sweet time on her deck. It irritated me that he knew she had to leave and was dilly-dallying around!! He later chatted my ear off at the BBQ and we really hit it off!
4. When I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Lady Bug I was in a roll over car accident and thankfully I suffered NO injuries, not even a scratch. It did send me into early labor so I spent time in the hospital while they attempted to get my contractions to stop.
5. Between Lefty and Lady Bug I delivered a still born which was the most horrific thing I have ever had to go through, but at the same time I feel like such a stronger woman because of it!
6. I used to wear a size 5 1/2 - 6 shoe until I started having babies and now my foot is a size 7 1/2 - 8!
7. I always wanted to be an elementary school teacher but never pursued that! Some days I regret THAT decision too!

So, now who should I tag for this...... hmmmmmm well how about Devin, Kim, Aubrey, Carla and Alisa

My Thanksgiving Favorites

**Updated to fix the way the recipes were posted. They were too crammed together. Hopefully this makes it easier to read!**

With Thanksgiving being right around the corner I decided to post some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. These are the items that are always requested this time of year (and sometimes other times of the year too).
Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!!

Let's start with the dessert recipe first....I love eating dessert first so let's post about it first (hee hee)!!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie:
This is a really good choice if you love cheesecake!
INGREDIENTS:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 pinch ground cloves

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside. Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

This one is an alternative to the traditional marshmallow topped sweet potatoes but it is very yummy!

Sweet Potato Casserole:
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups sweet potato, cubed

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

TOPPING:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish. In medium bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

Green Beans, Bacon & Tomatoes:
INGREDIENTS:
2 (14.5 oz) cans green beans
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
6 slices bacon
1 small onion, chopped
salt & pepper to taste
Brown bacon and onion in a skillet. Drain on papertowels. Put all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Sweet Corn:
I struggle with what to call this because it is similar to creamed corn but I don't like creamed corn so it has to be better than that (hee hee!!!). It is sweet and a little creamy.
INGREDIENTS:
1 package frozen sweet whole kernel corn
4 oz cream cheese
2 Tbls butter
1 Tbls sugar (actually I usually don't measure this so it may be a little more than that but I really can not be sure....)
Place corn in a large saucepan with cream cheese and butter. Cook over low heat until cheese and butter have melted. Stir in sugar. Let simmer 20 minutes (or until ready to serve)

It is coming up on Christmas time...

I love this idea from Julie at Abbilyeverafter. She is hosting a Christmas Ornament exchange. I think it sounds fun!! Go check it out!
I love ornaments and about 4 years ago when we moved a box of our Christmas stuff got broken and yes there were many of my favorite ornaments -- including the ones my sisters and I did when we were kids (so, yes they were sort of ugly, but they meant the world to me). We have bought one or two each year but the tree is still a little bare!!
I am SO excited about this exchange!! woo hoo!!!

Christmas Cards

I haven't even started working on Christmas cards yet....yikes!!! I better get a move on!!

Last year, I was way on top of it and followed this guideline to make the funnest card ever!! Everyone on our list loved it (as you know most of our families live in other states). It was a great way to get everyone caught up on our lives, the kids lives, etc. It was great!

If I had been more on top of things I would have done it again this year.....drats!! But....this year I am thinking of doing this card, or maybe this one, or this one, or if all else fails just go purchase some and address them and get them out the door!!!!!

Things we are thankful for

So the past few Sunday nights we have all sat down together and made a list of things we are thankful for. For each item that you are thankful for, you get to put a colored bead in a glass vase. My hope is that on Thanksgiving day the vase will be very full and during dinner we can read our list!

Some things so far:

My Dollies (obviously Lady Bug said this one!)

School

Our house

Money

Rain

Flowers

Jesus

Toys

Books

Mom & Dad

Family

Our car

My bike

Snow storms

Church / Sunday School Teachers

Friends

The list goes on but I won't bore you any longer.... :o)

Christmas Shopping Carnival

Don't Try This At Home is hosting a Christmas Shopping Carnival and I was a slacker in getting my post together for it. I was trying to get some pictures, but (of course) my camera is still acting funny so here is just a description.

Let me first start off by saying almost all of our family live in other states so I found this clever idea last year (after Christmas) which we are doing this year for grandparents.

Personalized Clock: Just take a cheap plastic clock (less than $10 at Wal Mart). Remove the plastic cover and clock face (cover pops off). Have your child prepare some artwork (or you could have a photo made to the right size) and cut it to the same size as the clock face. Add numbers around the edge. Slide the artwork in place and replace the cover. Poof! Cheap and personalized gift---what grandma wouldn't love seeing her grandkids artwork??

I have also done the kids artwork on a cheap placemat and covered with modge podge. This is fun too!

Welcome to the family!

My niece is getting married next August and this past weekend was the engagement party. I was not able to go since she lives in Oregon, but when I called to ask how it went she told me it was a lot of fun. She said it was mostly our family (our family is big and her fiance has a small family!).
After it was over he said to her "It was kinda wierd that it was mostly your family".

She said "Well, as luck would have it..from this day forward they are your family too!"

She wasn't sure if he was all that thrilled by that or not!!

Underwear

Last Sunday a dear friend of ours took the kids and kept them overnight. As I was packing their bag, Spirit came in the room:

Spirit: "Did you pack enough underwear?"

Me: "Well, what do you mean by enough? I put 2 in here, one to change into and a second pair just in case."

Spirit: "Good! 'cause Michelle always makes us change our underwear. EVERDAY mom. Can you believe that ever-y-day!!!"

Me: "I make you change everyday."

Spirit: "Well, I don't change."

Me: "WHAT?"

Spirit: "Well, not everyday. And besides, you and dad don't change everyday"

Me: "Yesssss, we do!"

Spirit: "Well, maybe dad does, but you don't."

Me: "WHAT? Yesssssssss I DO!!!"

Spirit: "hmmmm. ok"

Then Lady Bug pipes up (keep in mind she is only 2 1/2 so what does she know?): "Mom. You don't has underwear."

I give up!!!

Cold dinner

So last night Spirit was emotional. I am not really sure what was the cause, but everything upset him. After about an hour of it Lefty says (under his breath, I might add) that Spirit has a bad attitude.
Spirit comes marching in to the kitchen, hand on his hip and yells (yes yells) "Listen. I do NOT have a bad attitude!" I am thinking to myself, first of all I am not the one who said you did so why yell at me and secondly, ummm yessss you do have a bad attitude. Instead of speaking what I was thinking, I said "well, what is wrong honey?" and he just turns and walks away.
He never changed his attitude and at dinner yelled at me again for something so I sent him to his room.
After a few minutes I went in to talk to him and he was still upset with me but couldn't tell me why he was upset. So, to make a long story short he came back to the dinner table and, thankfully, had changed his attitude (although I am NOT here to say it was a bad one to start with... hee hee).
So, I attempt to change the subject and say "Boy. This dinner tastes really good tonight. Don't you think so?" and Spirit simply responds with :

"Well, it was probably good warm. But it isn't so good since mine is cold."

Thanksgiving Printables....including a Thanksgiving Day Countdown Calendar

Check out Family Fun's printables... these are fun. This one is for Thanksgiving and this one is for Christmas!! These are so great!

In a fog

I woke up earlier than normal this morning but then from there followed my normal routine but as I drove the boys to school today I was feeling sort of like I was on the outside looking in. I feel out of sorts today and I am not sure why. I had a great evening with my husband and kids, we talked, we laughed....it was great! So I am not sure what is happening to me today.

Maybe I just need more coffee.....that always does the trick (well not always!!!)

Lunch Box Notes

I try to include a note or a joke in the boys' lunches everyday. So I am always on the lookout for fun, quick to print (or photocopy) jokes or puzzles. Click here for the website! Scroll to the bottom of the page for the notes and then click on the pictures in order to print them!

Or click here for another website of lunch box notes, plus some other cool downloadable things!

This is another neat website for lunch box notes, although they are very cute I think they are a little too "girly" for my boys. This website has several options and some are edit-able too which is cool too! I find them absolutely adorable so I have bookmarked the website for my own future reference!

Sausage, Pepper, Potato Skillet Medley

I found this recipe when I was in high school (eeek, was that really a good 17+ years ago??WOW!) During junior high and high school it was my duty to cook dinner once a week. I found this recipe and it is so easy and it is always a hit no matter who I serve it to!

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 lbs polska kielbasa, cubed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, quartered and sliced
5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1/3 c water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a 10"-12"skillet, cook sausage and onions over medium-high heat, stirring often, until onions are golden. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in potatoes, water, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 10 minutes. Sitr in bell peppers. Cook, covered, over medium heat 5-8 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Never any left overs with this one!

Vet's day

Today Spirit came bouncing in my bedroom at 5:59 am and proudly announced that Monday is a No School day because it is Veterinarian's Day.

We had a discussion about it actually being Veteran's Day and why we observe this holiday. So he then asked why so many stores have sales on this day. "Is the sale just for Veteran's?" I said no and he said "well it should be. I didn't serve in the army or fight a war."

Good point my son!!

Ms. Hollywood

Lessons from an almost 3 year old on How To Properly Brush Your Teeth:

First you must always be fully accessorized. Please notice the hollywood sunglasses - these are a definite must have! What the photo does not show is the pink slippers (another must have) that are embroidered in a lovely silver thread with the word "Princess" and a glamorous tiera on the toe of the slippers.

Next, you must sit on the edge of the sink so that when you go to spit out the toothpaste (just like your brothers do) then it doesn't dribble all over the front of the cabinet. I also usually like to sport a headband, or some other form of hair accessory, just so that the hair is fixed nicely while cleansing the teeth.

And, that my dear friends is how you should adorn yourself before brushing your teeth!

Daylight Savings Has Me All Messed Up!

I know it comes every fall and spring and I should be prepared for it but every time we have a time change I get messed up for about a week or so. This time my kids have been really messed up too. Spirit has always been an early riser but now he is getting up at 6:30 or so BUT Lefty and Lady Bug have always been the ones to sleep in and now they are up by 5:30 or 6:00.....What is happening? I feel like I am in a Twilight Zone episode!!! I am having trouble falling asleep at night and then I am up with the early birds and I am so tired throughout the day.

I normally am up and showered and coffee'd before any of them get up and so with them all up before I even get out of bed I am really struggling!!

I will try to do some catching up on rest this weekend!!

My Morning

I got in the shower at my normal time and within 2 minutes there is a knock on the door.

Me: Yes. Come in.

Spirit: I want breakfast.

Me: I will get it for you when I am out of the shower.

Spirit: But I am hungry right now.

Me: You will have to wait for me because you can not pour the milk by yourself or reach the bowls.

Spirit: Ok.

Approximately 1.5 minutes goes by and there is another knock on the door.

Me: Yes. Come on in.

Lefty: Can you help me get dressed?

Me: Well, obviously not right this second, but after my shower I can.

Spirit comes running in: BUT maaahhhhmmm You said you'd help ME get breakfast after your shower.

Me: Here's the deal. I need to finish my shower, get dressed and then I will get breakfast on the table and then I will help anyone who needs help getting dressed.

Spirit: Fine. *sighs*

Lefty: ok. whatever.

Approximately another minute or two goes by and there is .... yep, you guessed it ... another knock on the door.

Me: Come in.

Lady Bug: I wanna sits on yours bed.

Me: Go ahead.

Lady Bug: No! All by mys-self.

Me: Are the boys on my bed?

Lady Bug: Yeeesssss.

Me: My bed is big enough for all of you.

Lady Bug: NO! Mys bed.

Me: Well, I'm sorry but you will just have to share the bed with your brothers.

Lady Bug: ahhhhh.

The door shuts and I seriously consider locking it!!!!!

Why is that I can not just take a simple 10 minute shower ALONE????? Mr. Man fusses at me sometimes for letting the kids watch TV in the mornings.....but I can not get ready without PBS.

Cutest Handprint Pumpkin Pie

This is the cutest thing EVER!!!

Click here to go straight to the Family Fun website for the instructions!!!

Birthday parties

Spirit was invited to a birthday party for a kid who has everything! So we shopped and shopped for the "right" gift (notice I didn't say the "perfect" gift because we would never be able to accomplish that!). We finally decided since this boy really loves baseball and since the Colorado Rockies made it to the World Series (sadly, they didn't do well) - we picked up a World Series baseball, a pack of baseball cards and a notebook and pen set that said World Series on it. Then we packaged it all up in a Colorado Rockies gift bag! It was great.... this idea came from Mr. Man and it was a GREAT idea!!

The mother had a great party favor.... she gave everyone a baseball and then all the kids at the party got to autograph it! It was the greatest idea!!

Baked Potato Soup

This is a fairly simple and yummy soup recipe. Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:
4 large potatoes
1/3 c flour
4 c milk
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz processed cheese spread
1/2 c sour cream
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese

Wash and prick potatoes several times. Microwave potatoes for 8 minutes until very soft. Set aside to cool slightly. Place flour in a saucepan and add milk, stirring with whisk until well blended. Peel potatoes and add potato pulp to pan. Add salt and pepper and stir well. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Add cheese spread, stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve with bacon bits and cheese on top.

Thankful Thursday

We have decided as a family to make a list of all the things we are thankful for. I read on a blog (and I thought I knew which one it was and when I went searching for it I wasn't able to find it.... so thanks to that special someone for this idea!) Anyway, I am using a vase I already had and then I bought some pretty beads and we are putting a bead in for everything we are thankful for. We have family devotion every Sunday night and we are starting this project this Sunday and will continue it for at least every Sunday in November.

BUT....... this reminded me that I read in a magazine once (I think it was Family Fun) to have a jar somewhere in the house that everyone can access (for instance, in the kitchen) and then all throughout the year everyone can write down fun things they did, something funny that was said or whatever and then on New Years Eve (wow...now I sound the shopping stores, jumping from Halloween to NEW YEARS????!!!!! WOW) you pull the slips of paper out and read them!

The point of this is that I was sort of thinking if we kept a list....or OOO BRAINSTORM... what if we write the things we are thankful for on the slips of paper and filled the vase (instead of pretty beads) and then on Thanksgiving we can read them to each other.....Hmm. This sounds fun!!

Just 'round the corner....

I feel so worn out today. There has been so much going on - Breckenridge, the kids sick, Halloween, school projects, etc. And then I always come to the realization after Halloween that Christmas is right around the corner! I mean, I know Thanksgiving is first (even though the stores don't know that and go from Halloween to Christmas by October 15th!) but we always have a big to-do at my house for Thanksgiving so there is THAT and then it will be time to get presents and cards mailed to our out-of-state family. I have virtually NO FAMILY in Colorado except my dad who is in very southern Colorado and so I still have to mail his present too. So as soon as Halloween gets here I have to scramble to get all the gifts bought and wrapped for everyone. Keep in mind, that we only have so much out of each paycheck to spend on gifts which limits how many I can buy and ship at one given time.... *sighs*
I love the holiday but just wish I could be like one of my sister's who has all her shopping done by September. *Big sigh*

Couple of updates

I have been having computer troubles this morning......I hate that!! Anywho, on to some updates!

#1 -- I am still doing the 30 Days of Thanksgiving and I am truly thankful for all the people I have in my life!!

#2 -- I have gone almost a full week of keeping track of the spending and it isn't as bad as I thought! We will see when we are done with the week and have to total it up!