What Foundation are You Setting?

My kids have really been on my mind lately. I am constantly in a state of wondering what else I need to teach them and 'do they know enough.' Truth is, they are not toddlers any more. At 12, 14 and 17, they have their own thought process and way of thinking. They need further explanations with each question they ask and the questions are quite thought-provoking now! There are just so many thoughts to sort through as a parent, home educator, spiritual trainer, counselor, mediator, etc.

Did I lead them down the right path? I know what I taught them, but did my own personal example just crush what they've heard me say for years? I always try to point them back to the cross but what did they think when they witnesses my own sins in action? If I talk about and demand mutual respect then why don't I always give it to them like I expect them to treat me? Are they curt with each other because I was like that with them just the day prior?

So many questions...so few answers.

I've noticed that our home education hours are more Biblically led. We talk about our devotions during breakfast and even the sentences that I dictate are spiritual in nature. I have this overwhelming passion to give them such a strong moral foundation and I don't believe that even at their age, that I am finished yet. My 12 year old son asks often for us to come together and pray - several times a day. This is good! He is already so intuitive that he knows when things don't 'feel' right and that the answer is prayer.

Though I am far from perfect in any area of my life, I do feel that I am extremely blessed with three incredible children that love the Lord.

Nothing makes a momma more proud than when someone compliments your child. I think the Lord knew I needed some extra warm fuzzies this week and so He sent some special people my way. I'm sure they didn't even realized they were being used by the Lord.

Little comments like, "Wow, your son sure is polite." "Does he ever NOT smile?" "He is so mannerly." "She has such a sweet spirit and I love her smile." "I can't believe your 17 year old still says Mr. and Mrs. when addressing people. That is so rare these days." Sometimes complete strangers utter these words, which make me just giggle inside! Only two days ago, I had the special treat of experiencing my own children myself. I witnessed that even though they are normal kids who argue and get punished, when the rubber meets the road, they rise to the occasion.

My pain started at 10 in the morning and only got worse as the hours progressed. That's when the transformation started. I watched my children turn into incredible servants - the event demanding it and they were there. They waited on me hand and foot and even cooked lunch with me shouting directions every few minutes! When the pain was too great, my eldest drove me to ER where I spent the next 7 hours passing a kidney stone. (Definitely not on my list of fun and exciting ways to spend your day!)

A smile drew across my face when I entered the kitchen at 8 pm. The house was clean, dishes done, tile vacuumed and their school work completed (as much as they could!)

After I hugged and praised them, I went to bed feeling the Lord's embrace around my body. They are good kids and I am proud to call them mine. I have always said that I want them to grow up and be a blessing to people. That day...they were a blessing to me.

If you haven't done this today - go hug your kids and tell them how special they are and what a treat it is that God gave them to YOU!Thank you Kyle, Victoria and Adam - I love you...to the moon and back!

Chile-Egg Bake

I found this recipe and just had to try it! I have made Quiche' before but the kids all hate it. This was a cross between Quiche' and an omelette and I am happy to report that it was delicious and passed the "kid test"!

10 eggs
4 oz shredded mild cheddar
4 oz shredded Monterey Jack
1/2 cup flour
16 oz cottage cheese
4-oz can diced green chiles, drained
1 tsp salt
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp onion powder

Mist a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, beat eggs on medium until pale yellow and doubled in size. Toss cheese with four then add to eggs. Add remaining ingredients until combined.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until center is firm.

For those that know me, you'll remember that I am always tweaking recipes. I only did 4 tablespoons of butter and since I didn't have unsalted, I just used regular butter. I totally forgot about the onion powder (which I don't think the kids missed) and to make it more fulfilling, I added 1/2 pound of low-sodium turkey sausage. Next time, I will half the recipe since it was a lot for just the four of us.

You could make it up tonight and stick it in the fridge so it is ready to pop in the oven in the morning...just a thought :)

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

These made my mouth water...they are more like individual small “cakes” but oh so yummy! Super easy recipe for the junior bakers in your life :)

1 can 100% pure pumpkin (a 14 oz can)
2 medium eggs
1/2 cup of applesauce
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 package spice cake mix(size: 18.25 ounce)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves

(NOTE: I used 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and instead of canned pumpkin, I always use the pumpkin puree I have in my freezer from cooking pumpkins and squash after each Thanksgiving. Also, I think I'll only use 1/4 cup of applesauce the next time as they were a little 'too' moist for us)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees . Grease two baking sheets. Beat the pumpkin, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Drop by spoonfuls on greased baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven until tops are firm when lightly touched, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

I honestly can't remember what I did the other day, but my daughter asked me what I was doing and how did I know to do that. "Ummm...I don't know...I've just always done it!" Not much of an answer but it got me thinking about all the tricks, tips, substitutions and shortcuts that so many of us use. Where did I learn all this stuff? Although some of it was trial and error, a lot of these ideas came from my friends, books and magazines. So, I thought I would share a few of my favorite tips and their origination. This is a book that MUST don your bookshelf! I bought this about 13 years ago but can't tell you how many times I have re-read it! Mary Hunt is the founder, editor and publisher of Cheapskate Monthly. It is broken into categories such as Family, Food, Home, Travel, Auto and Money. Easy to read, understand and use; the tips will leave you with your mouth wide open while gasping, "What a great idea!"

Another source of my tips and cheap substitutions is the All You Magazine from Walmart. I refuse to pay the counter price, so last year I found a years subscription for $2 - for the whole year!! Not only it is chocked full of great articles, awesome tips and recipes, it has a clothing section sporting the latest trends and anywhere from $50-$100 in coupons!

Without turning this blog into a book, I will mention just a few of my secrets :)

* Instead of buying dishwashing detergent at $1.78 per 20 oz, make up your own with 1 cup Borax, 1 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup kosher salt. This only cost .81 per 20 oz

* Best way to remove baked-on bits of food from your glass pans? A rolled up ball of tin foil (can even be a used piece of tin foil - go green all the way!)

* Shave your legs, ladies, with hair conditioner that you probably already have and save $4 from not buying shaving cream

* Save all the bones from a roasted chicken. Please them in a pot of water with a bay leaf, a sliced onion, celery and carrot to make awesome chicken stock. Freezes well too!

* Your recipe calls for white wine and you don't have any? Use apple juice

* Don't buy expensive buttermilk that you will only use one cup of for that special recipe. One cup of regular milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar will do the trick (let stand for 10 minutes)

* No molasses? Use honey (it's better for you anyways!)

* When you find summer fruit at an awesome price (like .88 for grapes), buy 5 lbs or more. Once they are cleaned, freeze them in pint size baggies for fruit all year round. I do this with bananas, strawberries, blueberries and grapes. Great for smoothies too!

Oh, how I could go on and on and on! Saving money, being frugal, finding better ways, refusing to let the retail industry steal my money...so many goals!

Treat yourself today, do your family a favor and go buy this book! Keep it right by the Bible and watch your daily life bring joy and satisfaction! Love you all :)

Where is Your Will Power?

I have always said, "I don't have ANY will power!" Which is why I try not to buy cookies, candy or unhealthy snacks. Not only do I not want my children to eat this stuff, but if it is here, I will eat it myself!

I hate this about me. I wish I had more self-control. I'm always trying to work on "something" but self-control in this area is not what I have ever desired to work on.

Then something just snapped in me.

Have you ever had that happen? You don't really know where it comes from or how it happened or what was said, but all of the sudden you just wake up one day and KNOW that you need to make a change and today is the day!

That is exactly what happened to me four weeks ago. Little by little I have put on a few pounds and then a few more pounds over the last 5-6 years. Then I gained a little more extra this summer with all my kidney stone issues. I wasn't happy with my body and nothing fit. I have never dieted a day in my life, so this was all new to me. But I did it!

Along with some other minor adjustments, I decided to cut out all sugar and carbs. Boy was I in for a rude awakening! I ate more sugar than I realized (including honey) and the carbs...well that was just ridiculous! Now, I eliminated rice, potatoes, bread, crackers, chips, pretzels, corn products, tortillas, and the list goes on and on.

I am here to say that I am VERY happy with the results! I've lost what wanted to along with an 8" total loss around different body parts.

Although I haven't looked like this for a long time, I thought it would be hilarious to post a picture of me 14 years ago!It looks worse than it is since I just had my baby girl, but it amazes me how your body can go through so many transformations!

Hold onto your belt buckle, because that's not all I wanted to say! This was more than just a diet for me. This was Character Training Boot Camp. I discovered that I DO have self-control...I just never utilized it before! It is within me but it was buried so deep that I thought it never existed. Although I'm pleased with how my clothes fit now, more importantly, I'm pleased that the Lord found a unique way to prune me a little bit further. He's just so cleaver :)

Here's a better picture of me with my mom taken just a few weeks ago. I think I like this 'me' better!Denying ourselves. It's not something we typically discuss with our friends. Can't say I've ever heard a sermon on it. But it does build character and shapes us into stronger, more determined people - it's a great life lesson for you and your children.

I think I'll look for something else to deny myself of just to see what the Lord has in store for me!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Next to apple pie, this is probably one of my favorite recipes to make and take to special events or while hosting a party in my home. It's very simple and although it's extremely unhealthy, it's so good for the soul while you are eating it!!


2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 ounces sour cream (1 cup)

Topping:
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Into a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
In another mixing bowl cream together butter with sugar until fluffy and light; add egg and vanilla and mix well. Add half of the dry ingredients, mixing just until flour is blended. Blend in sour cream then stir in remaining dry ingredients.

Spread half of batter lightly into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle half of topping and spread with remaining batter. Sprinkle with remaining topping. Bake at 325 for 40 to 45 minutes.

Enjoy and then make sure you fast the next day :)

Thank You for The Change, Lord!

I have finally escaped from my hole. I truly cannot believe that I was there that long and how thick my walls were that I so earnestly built.

I know that I did what was best for my family and me at the time but enough is enough.

I need people back in my life.

My life was completely different when I first started home schooling 11 years ago. With a first grader and two babies demanding my attention and a husband who was constantly traveling, attending a mom's night out, home school meeting or even a social gathering was completely out of the question. To add to my situation, I was blessed with two deaf children. I quickly discovered that I was the only home school mom in this situation, so obviously no one understood my life or my daily struggles, right? On a small and manageable scale, resentment and bitterness slowly crept in. In addition to my ungodly mindset, the close friends that I had began to move away.

The result? 100% seclusion. After all...what could they offer me? Without any prayerful consideration, I have said no to teaching Sunday School, being the coordinator of our girls group at church, joining the worship team, being the home school leader, leading the greeters at church, taking over Prayer for Cops Ministry, participating in any home school field trip, etc., etc. My family was top priority and they needed me. It has taken me years, but I have learned that withdrawing from everything was not the right way to handle my life.

Fast forward from 1999 to 2010. "You've come a long way, baby!" doesn't even come close to explaining what has happened to me the last few months. I've been deeply humbled and have successfully climbed out of my hole. It all started with a Power Up Worship service at our church. I was the first one in line to receive a special touch from the Lord, yet He did more than just touch me.

The two ladies in charge began to explain my life to me - in great detail. Funny thing is, I had never shared even a sentence with them about my struggles from the past 10 years. It was truly a Divine appointment from the Lord. I wept as the Lord said, "Enough is enough. You think you are trapped in a room with no door and are completely alone. Not only is there a door - I have opened it for you. It is time to walk through. You have too much to offer and I have blessed you..." I stayed about an hour later than anyone else receiving more prayer and expelling more tears. I was long overdue for a meeting with God.

He cared enough about me to not only show up to this worship service but to speak to me specifically. W O W!!

I had an old friend visit our church recently. She pulled me aside and asked what in the world happened to me! A little flabbergasted, I questioned her as to her meaning. She said, "You're different. You look peaceful and free. I've never seen you worship like that before. Obviously the Lord has done something in your life - please tell me what it is!"

Tis true!! I HAVE been set free! I found flexibility five years ago. Things aren't so black and white. I'm learning more each day to let God control my activities and to do my daily routines with love. I'm investing more into the character of my children. I am back on the worship team after a six year sabbatical. I have joined the board with my Home Educators Group AND I attend just about every meeting there is! Back to school picnic, Newcomers Tea, Moms Night Out and every training and encouraging seminar possible!

Why? Because I need it and so do my children. They need a plethora of friends and I need to be encouraged daily by those who continue to do the difficult task God has called them to do - parenting and educating.

I'm so excited! I love failing forward and can't wait to see what else God has in store for me and my family.

My challenge to you...be more flexible than I was. Adopt a godly mandate and rely on it daily. Allow the Lord to humble you and embrace the friends He has placed in your life. Weather you home school or not, listening to the Lord's prompting is something that you will never regret. God made you on purpose for a purpose and to sit in a hole is not it!

Thank God almighty I'm free at last :)