Blessed Week

We've had a busy but blessed weekend around here. My Caleb turned 13 on Friday. Jason and I had always planned to do something special with each of the children as they turned 13, but it always just seemed like something far off into the future. Now it's already in the past. Truly, this life on earth just flies by. Reminds me to be investing in what's ETERNALLY important!

For his birthday, we took him to buy a new set of Carhartt's (in men's sizes, I might say!), and then we left the other kids with grandparents and took KK out to eat. Jason and I had each written a letter to him, and he was so sweet and thankful for the extra attention. The world has given such a fearful reputation to "teenagers". A few weeks ago, somebody asked KK how old he was, and said, "You'll soon be a teenager!" Later he said, "Mom, what's a teenager?" I thought it was cute, and I know some would criticize me and Jason for sheltering him so, but we've never allowed him to watch movies, listen to music, or hang out with other kids or adults who think that it's a "rite of passage" for kids to turn into monsters for a few years during their teens. We're grooming him for manhood, not hedonism; therefore, we have carefully and purposefully fashioned his world to enforce what we're teaching. Very few people approve of it, but when I look into this young man's eyes, and I see a live personality and not an apathetic stare...I don't give a care about what anybody else thinks.

Here's a pic of KK and Sis on Sunday evening. Few things in life please me more than watching the relationship between these two.

Then on Saturday, we went to Lake Winnie Amusement Park. I didn't take a lot of pictures because I actually rode rides! Summer was old enough to ride and enjoy the day, and that freed me up to actually enjoy myself! It was the first time in 3 kids that I got to ride a roller coaster. I can testify that roller coasters in your 30s are different than roller coasters in your 20s, but I had a great time.

And now for the really fun news: I am potty training Summer Rose this week! Monday was a disaster, but today has been good. I'll give a report of this experience later. Wish me luck!

The Break-Up

This is hilarious, but good news. I've seen this among my own family and FB friends as well. I'm thankful some eyes are being opened, but I just hope it isn't too late!

Boys!

Seth captured a stick bug and made it a clay backpack. I'm sure Mr. Stickbug is thrilled.


- Posted using my iPhone

This is dedicated to Poppie and Bro. Jamie (you know who you are)

Deep Sea Cake

My children think they can just name a theme, and their mom can bake a cake that tastes good and looks just like whatever they imagine. It's a tall order, but I have fun trying. Some turn out better than others! This year, Seth didn't just want an ocean cake (I've done one of those before for him), but he wanted a deep sea ocean cake with a scuba diver!

I actually had high hopes for this cake, and was going to do a lot more with it...until Summer woke me up by bringing me my glasses...

Migraine + blurred vision = mediocre cake, but Seth liked it so that's all that matters.

Getting in Touch With My Inner Tomboy

What a mother will do for her son!



Posted using my iPhone

Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

My little Seth turned 7 years old yesterday. He's changed so much over this past year, and it's been a joy to watch him grow and discover who God wants him to be. Seth has never been into guns and knives and cowboy hats like my other boys, and I've had so much fun trying to find ways to feed his insatiable curiosity about everything there is to know about God's creation. Seth has been a challenge to me from Day 1, and he continues to cause me to do lots of soul-searching as I go down this uncertain road of parenting.

A few days ago, we were at the Wal-Mart vision center having KK's eyes examined. One of the associates was watching all the kids seated quietly, and he came over and said, "What?! All your brothers and sisters have on cowboy and cowgirl boots. You have on tennis shoes! You are not a cowboy?" To which Seth replied in a humble, quiet voice, "No sir, I'm a scientist." So cute, and indeed, he IS a scientist. This year, he had his heart set on this deluxe insect collector's backpack for his birthday.

He has had so much fun already with it.

Here he is having his birthday morning monkey bread.

For his birthday supper, I cooked one of Seth's favorite meals: chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese. I'll share my recipes below. These chicken fingers are the one and only reason that I even own a deep fryer. I threw it away several years ago, and went without one for about a year. The kids and Jason just kept on asking about chicken fingers, so I purchased another one just for this one meal. I spent quite a while tweaking the seasoning on these, and they are so delicious!

CHICKEN STRIPS

Mix together:

2 sleeves of saltine crackers, finely crushed

1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. paprika

1 1/2 tsp. onion salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Preheat deep fryer to about 365 degrees. Beat together 1 egg and 1/2 c. milk. Dip chicken tenderloins (about 3 lbs) into milk mixture, then cracker mixture, and deep fry about 4 pieces at a time for 4 minutes, or until desired crispiness. (1 chicken finger = 3 Weight Watchers points)

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE

8 oz. elbow macaroni, prepared according to directions

In saucepan, stir in:

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 can evaporated milk

1 c. water

2 Tbsp. butter

Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Stir in 1 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Add macaroni and mix thoroughly. Pour into greased small casserole dish (7 x 11, 9 x 9, etc.). Sprinkle with 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Enjoy! (1/9 of dish = 6 Weight Watchers points)

In Memory of the Americans Who Died on 9/11

I miss having a patriotic President, don't you?

The Forgotten Man

I did a blog post several months ago about artist Jon McNaughton's amazing painting, "One Nation Under God".


Now, McNaughton has painted another amazing piece of work called, "The Forgotten Man". Notice what our President is standing on. See this video below:




Click here for the amazing interactive painting where you can scroll over each person and read the information about each one. It also has McNaughton's explanation of why he painted this picture, and his response to its critics.

Click here for Jon McNaughton's website, where you can purchase copies of his paintings. Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Stick 'em Up!

Can you tell she has lots of brothers?

- Posted using my iPhone