Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Kids Say....

Kids say the darndest things don't they? However, the funny things you get to blackmail your kids with later, seem to come further and farther between the older they get. That's how it's been with Eian anyway. Every now and then he'll say something he's totally serious about but used a word out of context or something.

Well I wanted to guide us all down memory lane with this blast from the past. Of course, I think it's hilarious but it may have been one of those moments where you had to be there. Okay so anyway.... It was two years ago and Eian was in kindergarten. We were on our way out the door and to my surprise Eian was done before me and was patiently waiting and watching me as I put English Muffins in the toaster. He asked me what they were when I took them out of the toaster. I told him, "They're called English Muffins honey." I explained to him that it's kind of like a bagel but smaller and not as "bready".

So then to make small talk, he proceeds to interrogate me about them, are they good, are they better toasted than not toasted, what all can you put on them and so on. He then asked me a question I was sooo not expecting. "Hmmm, they sound good but do they also come in Spanish?" So I realized that he was hung up on the fact they're called English muffins and I begin laughing uncontrollably!

He then gives me that look like he has no idea why I'm laughing and then says, "What? Well, they make French Toast why wouldn't they make a Spanish bread?" Oh my goodness I nearly died laughing but then had to quickly gain my composure when I realized he was serious and did not appreciate my finding humor in it all! But boy, it'll be one that I'll never forget and probably tell his kids some day!

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Casserole Queen

I was not an experienced cook when David and I met nearly nine years ago. I had just turned twenty-two and although did not have a plethora of dishes I made I felt I had a little more to offer in the culinary category than my fellow twenty something chicas.

We lived in Orlando at the time and I was slowly becoming homesick. So therefore I loved making comfort food that made me feel back at home and thus my future hubby dubbed me The Casserole Queen!

He may tease but there are a few staples to our cooler weather eating habits that have become a mainstay in our home. I'd like to share a few with you. I should point out that a few of these are new ones that I've attained over the past nine years.

Tater Tot Casserole (thanks to Crissy for this one!)
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

Ingredients
1 lb hamburger
1 small onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
2-3 cups frozen tots (about 1/2 a regular pckg)
Velveeta slices or chunks

Directions
Brown hamburger and cook onion with it then drain. Add soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to skillet and stir till blended. Pour into a 13 X 9 casserole dish. Cover mixture with velveeta slices or chunks. Top with an even layer of tots. Place in oven for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and tots are browned.

Taco Pie
Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Ingredients
1 lb hamburger
1 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
taco seasoning packet
1 small can of tomato paste
1/3 cup water
10 small refrigerated biscuits
2 cups colby jack cheese
sour cream to taste for garnish

Directions
Brown hamburger, green peppers and onions together and drain. Place back into skillet. Add seasoning packet, tomato paste, and 2 tbsp water or whatever packets directions call for. Heat mixture on medium high heat until simmering and thickened.

Add biscuits to bottom of 9 inch pie plate sprayed w/ cooking spray. Press biscuits into bottom of plate until they form a continuous crust. Add half of the meat mixture and spread to cover crust. Spread half of cheese evenly, add remaining meat mixture and top with cheese.

Place in oven for about 20-25 minutes or until biscuits look browned.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a salad.

Well there's just a sampling of the Casserole Queen's recipe box. I hope you enjoy them as much as our family has and continues to!

Blessings,
Stef

Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Unexpected Change

Yep, it happened! My seven year-old is on his way to manhood, already! Now us mothers would gasp at the thought and say "He's only seven!" but the fathers however say (with a deep masculine tone), "That's my boy!".

Thank goodness I'm not talking about signs of chest or facial hair or God forbid any other bodily things changing on my son. It was unknown to me that this sort of thing could happen so young. The "thing" in which I speak of is this....

I was going on about my business on the computer the other night with blogging, putting bills on the calendar, checking email and so on. It was close to bed time and I knew Eian was in our bedroom watching tv and winding down. Then IT happened! I heard a loud boisterous "Yeah, Yeah! Go, Go, Go! Touchdown- woo hoo, woo hoo! It sounded kind of boyish but I quickly looked in the living room to where I thought hubby had been. Yep, he was still there.

I proceeded to go in the bedroom to my dismay I found my little baby sitting on the edge of the bed with one arm rested on one leg and the other arm and clenched fist were waving vigorously in the air as his team scored! I didn't even know he had a team much less hoot and holler for them!

Nobody warned me that this would happen and at SEVEN! I thought ya know sure he would get interested in sports and watching them with Dad at maybe 12 or 13, NOT 7!!! I asked him naively, "Watcha doin honey?"

"Oh, nothin mom just watchin the game. You just missed it though, so and so (at this point all I can hear is, I am not your little boy any longer) just kicked a 40 yard field goal and now they're up by three! So and so also just made two interceptions, man he is awesome!!! The whole team's looking better this year than last. Their record's really improved."

Huh, what? I wanted to scream "What the heck is a field goal and what's an interception? How do you even know what the team's record was last year and why do you even care?" However, I refrained from such commentary and politely asked what happened to the Disney show he was watching. His response? Na, I'd much rather watch the game! Now mind you, my husband's not even in the room. So my son did this all on his own. I now feel like an outsider because I don't just have one but two men speaking the foreign sports language!

So I guess the next thing I should prepare for is boxer's only and the Go Diego pj's will go out the window! Oh well, this is just a sign my little guy's growing up and I find it an honor that God would let me be a part of it. I guess I need to learn to go with the flow and enjoy my guys while I have them and by a NFL dictionary of sports terms!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Grandma's House

Okay so these are a little late coming but here they are anyway. I took a few days off about two weeks ago. Hubby, the kids and I went to visit my grandma up north. We only had a few hours but it was still great. She was so happy to see us. All of us grandkids (all 29 of us) just love her to death but we all get busy with our own lives that she rarely has visitors. It made me realize we should appreciate the time more the lord gives us with her here.

We arrived right before lunch time. Good timing for us because we received the royal treatment! She made us homemade mashed potatoes (no boxed stuff for granny!), homemade chicken and noodles and fresh homemade apple pie. Mmmm, Yummy!

We went to a park to let the kids play right around the corner from Grandma's house. It was a really nice park for being a itty bitty town. Then we let the kids play in the playroom while we talked about things of spiritual nature with Grandma. Then as we had to leave we were sent home with about 10 bags of pears! Mom canned some and since I don't have time to can I've just been sharing with friends, co-workers and anyone else who'll take the stinkin things!

Here are some photos of our visit:

















Table for 2 Please

Aha, you thought I fell off the face of the Earth, didn't you? Well I am actually adding a new post with new pics!


This was from last week and thought it was too sweet not to share. Eian's been under my feet so to speak when I'm in the kitchen since he was little. We've made cookies, brownies and other stuff to BAKE but never over the stove really. So you can imagine I went into protective mama mode when he told me this past February that he wanted to make me dinner for my birthday. Now it was just hamburger helper but what if burned his teeny weeny finger? Just kiddin, I loosened the strings and let him do it and he certainly felt a since of accomplishment.


He hasn't really asked to cook since and I haven't encouraged it for no real reason. So the other day I was scrambling to find something to make for dinner quick, since it was already 6:40. He stepped in like the little hero and asked to make hamburger helper and there was already meat thawed. He did a great job and loved the satisfaction from serving Paige and I. He asked if we had one of those big white chef hats but we don't. I think I have a new gift idea for him!


So here's my little chef, isn't he cute, oops I mean handsome?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Yeah, I Know!

I know what you're thinking... I said I was going to blog up a storm this past weekend and here it is almost a week later and nothin! I reeeaaalllly do have tons to update all of you on but I guess I've been too busy living life that I just don't have time to blog about it!

I know I sound like a broken record but we're STILL adjusting to having another little person in the house, or should I say... I'm still adjusting. I honestly don't know how ya'll all do it with three four or even five little ones at the same time. All of you women who God has blessed, A LOT, with oodles of children are my new heroes, except for Jesus of course!

I promise I'll finally put up the photos of the kids when we were at Grandma's and get some other stuff I keep meaning to post up.

Later Taters!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Latest Niece Update

Yay! I get two days off! Eian's school has fall break/ teacher conferences tomorrow and Friday. I had time left to burn before the end of the year and I'm so glad I reserved the time off. I never knew over a month ago when I put my request in that we would have my little niece living with us. It's true that she has been a wonderful addition to our home and am grateful for the opportunity to help her, my brother and to serve the Lord in this way. However, this wonderful blessing has not come without some growing pains, so to speak. My husband, son and I have all felt the pressure of a hectic schedule as we arrange for her supervised visits with her dad, giving up space and just re-configuring our routines in general.

So with all that said... a two day break is definitely welcomed! I say all of this gingerly because I certainly do not want to seem as if I am complaining or trying to get a pity party! I guess I'm posting this to vent a little and ask for prayers. Please pray for continued guidance, patience, meekness (oooh... I just learned the true Biblical meaning for this recently & I'll share more on this later!) for all of us and that God will be glorified though this. Pray that He keeps us humble and we recognize our need to rely on Him to see us through. Pray that all of my family involved will have their hearts opened and that their innermost being would be stirred by the Lord.

Thank you so much to all of you who have prayed so far. The next hurdle in this journey is coming this Friday. We will be having a 4 hour in home inspection. I'm not real sure what to expect other than I know he'll ask tons of questions and look over the mound of paperwork he asked us to fill out and go through and jot items in the house he wants corrected to make our home "child-safe". I'm trying real hard to remember God's in control because my biggest fear is that they find some reason for my niece not to stay here. I don't know why because it's not like my home's extremely filthy and we have the room for her (well we created room for her that is). So I will be praying about this in the morning and ask God to help me to trust Him. It's so easy for us to praise Him one day and then next day question Him when we're fearful, isn't it?

Anyway, we all felt a need to reconnect with one another and have some family time. So we're going an hour north to the sleepy little town my Grandma lives in. It's been awhile since we visited and she's just thrilled to have us. We'll just be going up for the day. So we're all looking forward to getting out of our normal environment for a day.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings and I hope to post up a storm this extended weekend! I have all kinds of posts drafted but not finished because it's just too hard to find time during the week. So stay tuned for more blogginess....

Saturday, October 4, 2008

The Fireproof Movie

Oh I cannot wait to see the movie, Fireproof. We may have to wait until January when it comes out on dvd though. Oh well, I can live through those of you who've seen it. So share your reviews with me if you've seen it. I would love to hear them. I know a few who've seen it and just loved it. I over heard one woman at church say her husband even got a little choked up!

It's so awesome to see that God is using a church body from Georgia to make His movies! I also heard on the radio that the movie is #4 in the country! So go see your movie with your hubby or heck even if you aren't married, you should go! They interviewed one woman who went and isn't married but dating. She thought it was great to see some of the pitfalls couples can get in and felt like she now has an advantage to "fireproof" her future marriage.

So my anticipation grows and I look forward to snuggling on the couch with David when the dvd's released!

Sailin' Through Saturdays

I just love my Saturday's these days. I used to feel like I DESERVED to sleep in till 10 and then slither to the recliner and veg on TLC and HGTV shows and throw my kid a pop tart if he got hungry. I used to play this poor me act and deceive myself into thinking I needed my "Me" time after a long week at work.


Well I am so glad that I have been saved from a self-centered lifestyle! I still have my moments but I realize that no day truly belongs to me. They are all days the Lord has given to me as a gift. We all know, believers or not, that you can be here today but gone tomorrow so why shouldn't I make the most of any day, especially Saturdays, to be a blessing and to make the most of them?

So my NEW Saturdays include getting up around 6:30 or 7am (most days), Bible study, exercising, catch up on chores, soccer game mid-day, lunch and then get caught up on tedious projects at home that I can't get done during the week, grocery shop and sometimes a playdate at the park. Today however, I have been feeling a little "sluggish" and have been blog lurking. I turned my "lurking" into productivity though!

This afternoon I made homemade tomoto soup that I got from Tammy's Recipes. My mom and dad had a great crop of tomatos this year and I needed to do something with them before they went bad. I have to say, this is the BEST tomato soup. It beats the canned stuff for sure! It does take a lot more time obviously but I made a large enough batch to have a few bowls right away and then froze the rest in baggies. It made so much soup that I'll have enough for several months. Not to mention that I can turn some of the soup into pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce. The best part? It's super cheap.

I also decided to try to make my own iced coffee. It's a great recipe I got from another blog I lurk in from time to time. How ingenius is it to freeze leftover coffee? Why didn't I think of this before? I always have just a wee little bit left in the pot when I leave for work and now I just pour the last few drops into the ice tray. I just made mine and it is delicious! I made a little different variation though. I added a little vanilla extract and some of Eian's Nesquick to make it an Iced Coffee Vanilla Mocha! Instead of feeling guilty for being wasteful and leaving a few drops of leftover coffee I'll now look at those last wonderful drops as my little Saturday treat!

Well I'm off to have some Momma and Son time and finish a few chores! Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and I pray you have an even better Lord's Day tomorrow!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Gift Exchange or No Gift Exchange?

Gifts or no gifts for Christmas? That's the question I've been asking myself lately. I'm sure the idea has been triggered by our playing catch up on bills and just the conviction from the Lord lately to be better stewards of our money. It may also be triggered by the "trap" you get into with gift exchange.

I don't know about all of you but I feel extreme pressure to make sure everyone knows how special they are to me by giving them a gift. I tell myself when I'm standing in line at 4 am wrapped around a Best Buy store freezing several body parts off that, "This is to show ________ how wonderful I think they are. I really want to warm their hearts this Christmas with this awesome gift. They're going to be soooo surprised!"

I also have that voice telling me that it'll hurt their feelings if I don't buy them a gift. What will they think of me if I don't get them this or that they've been wanting? It'll show them I don't care and then what'll they think of me? I say it's because it's in the spirit of giving, which should be to make the other person feel special, but who is it that I'm really trying to make feel special?Hmmmm.... I'd have to say ME! Where's the Christmas spirit in that huh? Kinda sounds like I'm really not thinking about anyone else at all!

I haven't ran it past any of the fam yet but I am tinkering with the idea of suggesting we maybe give to a charity or help a less fortunate family this year instead of gifts. It may get completely shot down, we'll see.

It's not just the fact that we are tight on money this Christmas, but the more I grow in my walk with the Lord the more I see the true meaning getting lost in the sea of useless kitchen gadgets and toys the kids never play with. I mean... how many foot spas and ugly sweaters does one person need?

I wanted to be brutally honest about some of my own personal thoughts and wondering if I'm alone?