You are nasty!

 Even your smell gags me!

New Bathroom Directive

I love computers or more what you can do with a computer. I've been searching for something to put on the kids bathroom wall forever. Well, yesterday, I went to one of my inspiration websites (www.landofnod.com) and saw framed digital poster prints of the pictures similar to above for $89 a piece. Well, if you know me, you know I thought, "There's no way I'd pay that but I certainly can make it." So after spending some intimate time with microsoft publisher, the bathroom wall now has two customized (to match the shower curtain colors) pictures with wonderful Mommy directives. Check out the originals at the above link. Look under bath and then bathroom decor. Pretty good, ay? Oh, and the printer paper and frames were bought at the dollar store.  Total cost approximately $3.25.  That's over $174 in savings.  Lesson of the Day: Time, effort, and a little creativity can sure save a bundle.

Shiver me timbers...dares pirates in me backyard!

Don't mess with what my Mama says!!!

J has this friend that Alan and I are not too fond of.  I don't know, there was just something about him that has always bothered us and sent up the red flags.  He's always been polite and they have a great time playing.  He's the type of kid that would rather run and play than sit at a computer or in front of a TV.  We like that but we have never trusted him.  At first I thought he was the Eddie Haskel type...parent kiss-up but always up to something mischievous, but we've discovered, this week, it's more of a bullying type of behavior in it's early form.  His behavior is not so much aimed at J but some of their mutual friends. 

Anyway, that's not necessarily the point of this story.  The other day, J came home upset because this boy was acting like a "jerk" (J's words) at lunch.  This immediately caught my attention because of what I said above and because J doesn't call people names especially ones so harsh (for him).  He said this boy was making fun of him and harassing him because he wouldn't, as J put it, "say OMG but the real words."  This boy mocked him and harassed him saying, "Why won't you say it?" (I can just hear the mocking voice he used.) Finally J said very proudly, "Leave me alone!  I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT!  My Mama told me I'm not allowed to say that and I AM NOT GONNA TO DISOBEY MY MAMA!!!"

I'm so proud of him!!!  If I could just keep that mentality throughout his teenage years I'd be set. 

Lesson of the Day:  J is a great kid!!!  So thankful God blessed me with a child like him!

Oh, don't worry, we talked about it a lot more, about obeying the Bible (3rd commandment:  watch your words...do not use the Lord's name if vain.), how proud we are of him, and how to continue to handle this kid.  I think he's loaded with enough ammo now and Mama is on high alert.

An Potater Patch Valentines

Here are some pics of Valentine celebrations at our house:

J brought his little sister a pink carnation at his schools annual Valentine's flower sale. What a great big brother! Z, thrilled to pieces, immediately HAD to put on her Belle princess dress and began ballet dancing throughout the house. Too funny!!!

Valentine's morning, Z came downstairs wearing this. She said she was a Valentine Girl since it was Valentine's Day. Everything must be girly and fancy.

Super Easy Garland from this link www.made-by-rae.com/2010/01/easiest-heart-garland-evar.html

Since she was sick last week for her Valentine Party at school, Z got all dressed up today (this time with Mommy approval). Her hair was the best part of her outfit and yes, she is crossing her eyes...can't get that girl to look normally at a camera for anything!

Valentine Heart Hair

Here's the link:   www.cutegirlshairstyles.com

Lesson of the Day:  Valentines is definitely for girls!

Pain or Pain Reliever Side Effects?

So far I can't figure out which is worse but

I'm definately leaning towards the side effects.

I think I'd be feeling pretty good if I didn't feel so YUCKY.

So long child bearing years...so long pain...welcome back Rebecca

Well, I'm 2 days post op and feeling more like myself which is pretty amazing.  I'm still incredibly sore but I've been able to survive most of the day on just Ibprophen.  I did have to pop the big stuff a little while ago but that's pretty good considering how I felt yesterday.  My mom (who is the best) went back home today.  So it's back to just our little family.  Thanks for all of your prayers.  I've really felt them.  In case you haven't heard, everything went well.  It was a little more complicated that expected because they ended up having to remove a pretty big ovarian cyst and some pollups (which added an extra hole in my abdominal area) but all in all it was successful.  J was totally siked that he got to see pictures of my insides (my liver, stomach, etc.)...boys...gotta love em.  Z just thought it was gross.  Thanks again for your prayers.  I hope to be back to myself and hopefully feeling better and more energetic than I have felt in a long time.  /FYI:  Mom, don't worry, I'm behaving myself.  I'm laying in bed using Alan's laptop to type this.

BIG EXCITING NEWS!!!!

Last night my little Z asked Jesus to be her forever friend (that's the updated way to say "asked Jesus to come into her heart"). It was totally unprompted but after talking with Alan, we both realized that we knew it was coming based on ALL the questions she's been asking us lately and the deep conversations we had with her about Jesus and why he died for us. For a couple of months, she's insisted that we read her Bible every night even if we don't read another book and she's hasn't been content with just the story. She wanted to pick them apart.

Last night after reading about Jesus ascending into heaven. She said, "What is it that I say to ask Jesus to be my forever friend?" I reminded her and she very matter a factly said, "Well, I love Jesus and I believe when he grew up he died on the cross for me and I believe he came here as a little baby, and I believe he came back to life after three days!" Then she closed her eyes VERY tight and folded her little hands and said, "Jesus do you forgive me for my sins, for doing no-nos, and being bad sometimes?" Then she peeked an eye open and said, "What's next again?" I said, "Just ask him." So she closed her eyes tight again and said, "Will you be my forever friend? I love you. In Jesus name, AMEN" The whole time, I'm in a sort of shocked disbelief that she was really doing. Last thing I expected after a super bowl party. I was the same way when Jonas said his prayer. I guess because they were both so young but then again so was I. Z and I talked some more about what she had just done and how she should try to live, etc. We also talked about how all the angels in heaven (and God and Jesus) were having a big celebration since had Jesus in her heart now.

I love kids! While those of us who are Christians totally grasp the hugeness of this moment. To kids it's so simple. I guess it's faith of a little child. Because, after a few minutes, she said very inquisitively, "Mommy?" I was expecting some huge question this time when she asked, "When are you and Daddy going to get me a fishing pole?" Well, from Jesus as her forever friends to fishing poles...what an evening. Of course she'll wait until she's older to get baptist...just to make sure she really understands but I truly believe she knew exactly what she was doing last night and I couldn't be more happy or proud!

Homemade Cocoa = Mmmmm Mmmmm Good

We've had the great cocoa experiment going on at our house this weekend. I started with a basic recipe but had to make some substitutions, thought it needed a little less of this, and a little more of that to the point that it's pretty different than what I started with. The hubs and the kiddos gave me the big thumbs up on this final version. Beware: It's super chocolaty and super rich. If you drink it too fast, you'll most likely get a bellyache (just ask the J-man after chugging mug #2).

Ingredients:
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 c milk
1/2 c evaporated milk (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
marshmallows (optional)

Combine cocoa, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Stir in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 1-2 minutes (be careful not to scorch). Stir in milk. (I warm my milk for 1-2 minutes in the microwave to take the chill off and so I'm not standing there forever waiting for it to heat up). Add 1/2 cup of evaporated milk for a richer tasting cocoa. Continue to stir until the mixture is very hot, but DO NOT BOIL! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between four mugs and enjoy!

Snow Day? How about black ice tundra.

My Eskimos checking out the ice covered slide. They REALLY wanted to slide down!

Z standing next to the tree in the front yard that in encased in a thick but invisible layer of ice. 

 She's saying, "Winter!!!!!!!!"

J showing off one of the many melty icicles dripping from Daddy's truck. He thought ice skating in the back end was like hitting the jackpot.

Well, the kids were sorely disappointed when they awakened to a snowless snow day. They were so bummed and so was I. Living in south east Texas, we rarely see the white power and if it gets cold enough, it's normally more like a dirty slushy. But, I bundled the kids up (it's still freezing but starting to drip) and we went outside to explore. The entire area is coated in black ice. It's basically ice you can't see until your slipping around or landing on your tush. Both kids busted it a few times in the back yard but all is okay...no tears, just one bruised elbow. Anyway, they thought it was great. So onto a day of indoor play, a little crafting, a lot of hot cocoa, some baking, and one surprise movie (they don't know I picked one up for them yesterday). Hope you have fun and make the most of your day off!!!