Saturday, October 31, 2009
The Way to My Little Man's Heart. . .
We knew it would be hard.
But, we had no idea how hard.
Until it was too late. Tickets bought. Deed done. Time to leave. There was nothing we could do.
And, a little boy melted into a puddle of tears on the concrete of our driveway, and I held him back with two hands as he watched Daddy's truck pull off with Daddy and his big brother snug in seats, ready for their weekend adventure. Sweet JCT cried, "Daddy! Wait! Don't leave me! Daddy! I want to go with you! Don't leave me, DADDDYYY!!!" And, with every ounce of 4 year old strength, he tried to push me off of him. He wanted to run after Daddy's truck.
And, I cried with him, and I cried for every precious mother who has had to hold her son and listen to him cry every weekend or every other weekend or every once in a blue moon when his Daddy drops in for a visit and then once again leaves ~ son in tears watching truck pull away. How they handle that kind of pain I'll never know. Breaks my heart to think of it.
After Daddy's truck was out of view, we sat in the driveway, and I held him as he cried until he could literally cry no more. I think the thing that finally broke things up was a silly little dried up worm in our garage. I pointed out to him that the dead dried up worm was in the perfect shape of the letter S. He wanted a closer look. Then, he started looking for other dried up worms. And, as he snubbed and wiped his cheeks we walked around looking for more worms. All was well and good until I called Daddy to let him know that JCT had calmed down. And, while Daddy was on the phone with JCT, he realized that he left his wallet at home. JCT realized that this meant Daddy was coming back, and he wouldn't leave the driveway for fear he might miss Daddy coming back to "get him." I kept assuring him that Daddy was coming back for his wallet only, but he would not hear of it.
You see, the whole story is this. . . Our nephew, Caleb, loves Nascar. So, for Caleb, Jason (Erik's brother), and Pop's (Erik's Dad) birthdays, Erik bought them all tickets to this weekend's race in Talladega. Due to the price of the tickets and the fact that JCT still has trouble sitting still for long periods at ball games, etc., we decided that Erik would just take Joshua. We have always said that we wanted Erik to take trips alone throughout the years with his boys to build individual relationships with them ~ good one on one time. So, we just thought this would be the first. Sounded easy enough months ago, but not today. Oh, no. JCT begged all morning to go along with them. Erik kept assuring him that when he was 6 he would get to go on a trip by himself with Daddy. He assured him that they would do something very fun together, but he just needed to be a little bit older. JCT looked at his Daddy with big eyes and said, "Now, I'm not talking bad about Joshua or anything, but when it is my turn to go on an alone trip with you, I'm going to invite Joshua to come!" Erik's heart was broken for him. I think at that point if he could have gotten a ticket for JCT he'd have done it. He was so sad.
So, as JCT and I sat and waited for Daddy to come back for his wallet, I kept telling him that this was Joshua's weekend, and he just had to be patient his time would come. But, he insisted that he. was. going. "I got a race to go to," he'd tell me. And, I was just so sad for him. But, then I remembered the Pringles BBQ chips I bought for him earlier this week for just this occasion. He loves Pringles BBQ chips, and I almost never buy them. But, I did this week because I knew he would need a happy. So, I opened the back of the van and pulled them out of their hiding place.
His face lit up! "Now, these are for you," I told him, "But, you cannot open them until after Daddy leaves. And, I'm going to let you have one of Daddy's bottles of root beer (another huge treat that rarely happens), but you can't have it until Daddy leaves either."
Daddy came. Daddy left. No tears.
We went inside, opened the Pringles, screwed the lid off an IBC, and this is the sweet face I saw. . .
I guess it is true what they say. . .
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. . .
Happy as a clam.
And, now after a night of trick or treating with his little brothers, my sweet JCT is snug as a bug in my bed. Before I began this post, I went in to check on him and kiss his sweet sleeping face. And, now I sit with a glass of milk and a small stack of Halloween cookies a neighbor brought over earlier today. What a day! I hate it for JCT that he didn't get to go, but he will get his turn and so will Lijah and Erik Daniel. It is good for Daddy to get some alone time with Joshua, and for Joshua to get to hang out with his cousin. And, I'll tell you just like I whispered to JCT as we sat at Pizza Hut (JCT's choice) and ate our dinner tonight. . .
"I know you were sad not to go with Daddy today. But, I sure am glad you are here with me right now."
And, in response I got the sweetest silliest little sideways grin you ever did see!!!!!
Oh, he has my heart!!! He so completely has. my. heart!!!!!!
Labels: My JCT
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Up a Tree. . .
Kind of like up a creek. . .
That is the way this week started out for me. Too much to do in too little time. And, to be quite honest with you, I really do not like to be busy. I like to sip my coffee and smell the roses. I am not content in the rush, rush, hurry, hurry of life. I much prefer boring. Thus, I began this week stressed, frazzled, and downright unhappy. But, with a view like this out my living room window. . 
combined with several rainy days, how could I not find peace amongst the chaotic.
I don't have to look much farther than the eyes of my sweet children to see peace in the midst of craziness.
I don't know about other children, but mine don't worry much at all. They are quite content to trust my timetable which frees them up to find joy in the moment. They know that I (and their father) are in control, and they are submissive to that control (for the most part :-)). They trust us, and they are content to live freely within the boundaries set for them out of love. I could learn a lesson from them!There is something about this time of year that is so peaceful, so good. Our backyard is not at all fancy. We rarely, if ever, weed our flower beds, and there is a lot of landscaping yet to be done. But, our land is "natural" pretty, to me, anyway, especially this time of year. And, I find myself wandering the yard while the boys play ~ listening to the crunching of leaves beneath my feet and looking at all the brightly colored trees. My backyard is my favorite retreat. It is peaceful country, my sweet home where my children laugh and run and play, and I love it.
I love the swing set in the fall. . .
We have almost enough leaves to rake into piles and play in, but not quite! There are still a few trees that have yet to turn. Won't be long. I love to watch them fall when the wind blows, but I mourn the day when they have all fallen. It always comes much too quickly.
Anyway, I digress. . . Amidst the craziness of our busy week, we had a lot of fun, too. Joshua learned to climb a new tree, and he was so proud of himself! Most of the trees in our yard either have branches too high to climb or the trees, themselves, are too small to climb. He took out several small limbs on his way up this one, so I fear Daddy may put an end to his tree climbing days! That is why I made sure to get a few good pictures!
We discovered that we could make a broom stand up on its own and an egg. I'm not sure why? Maybe it has something to do with the time change? Is it the Equinox? I am not sure, but it was fun!
Thanks to Mrs. Donna for telling us to try it out!In other news. . .
I scream! You scream! We all scream for ICING!!!!
We, also, had a fun visit with an old friend of Erik's, Drew. I really love it when Drew comes to visit! He is so easy to have in our home. He comes about once a year, and he just fits right in with all the fun of our happy household!! The boys adore him! They were all over him, and he was so sweet and playful with them! He has a boy and two girls, and it is easy to tell that he is a great Daddy! 
Three mornings a week I have only two little men to keep me company, and it is sweet time, yes, sweet, sweet time! I love doing baby things with them. Lijah loves the attention he receives from me on those mornings! I took this picture to remember these sweet days. Here are my little buddies eating lunch together! 
And, last night our family went to our church's fall festival! It was very fun! The boys loved the costumes Erik surprised them with!! Go SEC!!!!!
Miss Megan, our faithful and sweet babysitter, made these cute bags for the boys to put their Halloween candy in! She is so artsy! I wish I was!!!!
The week is winding down now. Only one party left! Hooray! I told Erik that I missed the quiet days of old when we didn't have to get up and go, go, go all day ~ when I sat and held Joshua and watched Veggie-tales or played with blocks for hours. He wasn't very sympathetic. He said, "Well, you better get used to it. It won't be that calm and quiet again until they are all in college." And, I am certainly not ready for that! But, seriously where has time gone?
This last picture is for Deana B. She knows why.
Labels: Chronicles of a boy mama
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Good, the Bad, and the Inspiring. . .
Should I begin with the good?
Oh, yes, I should!
The Good! This past Saturday night Erik and I left the littles (Lija and Eriky D.) with a babysitter, and we took the big boys and drove to Starkville, MS to watch the MSU/FL game!! I was thrilled because I. LOVE. TIM. TEBOW!!! A friend of Erik's gave us wonderful seats, and we had an awesome view of the game!! :-) I was in heaven with my little boys around me! Experiencing the excitement of a college football game with them for the first time was soooo fun!! All was well and good and wonderful until the game started and something that I had not anticipated happened. . .
Cowbells.
Oh, my goodness, gracious COWBELLS!!
Are you serious, people???!!!
Like I knew MSU fans rang cowbells. I knew it, but I had never experienced it. Not until Saturday night, that is. Now, I know.
Yes, now, I know.
I swear Mississippi State grads are certain to lose their hearing by age 30!!
One word came to mind as those around us continued to ring their beloved (and, might I add, illegal in the SEC, but obviously not in our section! :-)) cowbells throughout the game, and that word is. . .
Deafening.
I asked Erik midway through the game if they would be handing out hearing aids at the exits!! :-) I'm sure we yelled at each other the entire way home, but none of us would have known the difference!!! :-)
It was an absolute blast!! We got home very late, but it was completely worth it! A happy memory it was! And, I have a new respect for the cowbell. I can't wait to do it again!!
The Bad. When it rains it pours, right? Well last week was one of those weeks. In a matter of days, I received all of this news. . . A close friend's grandmother passed away, a good friend had to be hospitalized for something I had not seen coming, a friend in our church was diagnosed with uterine cancer, a friend's marriage is in turmoil, but there is one that hurts my heart the most. And, that is a little girl (4th grade) at Joshua's school has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time. Just over a week ago she was a hometown celebrity with Erik at the benefit for the Make a Wish Foundation, and now she will face the whole cancer thing again. Please say a prayer for her and her family as they walk this road once again. She is having surgery at St. Jude on Thursday. They have to go in through her cheek bone (the cancer is between her brain and her skull). There will be a plastic surgeon working with the neurosurgeon during the surgery attempting to reconstruct her face as very best they can. Then, she will undergo very intense chemo. So, please say a prayer for them. Her name is Amber. Thanks.
I receive emails for Amber's Care pages. And, I'd like to end this post with a quote from Amber's mom. This is how she ended the post where she announced that her daughter's cancer was back. It hit me hard, made me think. Joshua was sitting on the couch and with alligator tears running down my face, I held him tight. Here goes. . .
Amen.
Go, do it!!!
Oh, yes, I should!
The Good! This past Saturday night Erik and I left the littles (Lija and Eriky D.) with a babysitter, and we took the big boys and drove to Starkville, MS to watch the MSU/FL game!! I was thrilled because I. LOVE. TIM. TEBOW!!! A friend of Erik's gave us wonderful seats, and we had an awesome view of the game!! :-) I was in heaven with my little boys around me! Experiencing the excitement of a college football game with them for the first time was soooo fun!! All was well and good and wonderful until the game started and something that I had not anticipated happened. . .
Cowbells.
Oh, my goodness, gracious COWBELLS!!
Are you serious, people???!!!
Like I knew MSU fans rang cowbells. I knew it, but I had never experienced it. Not until Saturday night, that is. Now, I know.
Yes, now, I know.
I swear Mississippi State grads are certain to lose their hearing by age 30!!
One word came to mind as those around us continued to ring their beloved (and, might I add, illegal in the SEC, but obviously not in our section! :-)) cowbells throughout the game, and that word is. . .
Deafening.
I asked Erik midway through the game if they would be handing out hearing aids at the exits!! :-) I'm sure we yelled at each other the entire way home, but none of us would have known the difference!!! :-)
It was an absolute blast!! We got home very late, but it was completely worth it! A happy memory it was! And, I have a new respect for the cowbell. I can't wait to do it again!!
The Bad. When it rains it pours, right? Well last week was one of those weeks. In a matter of days, I received all of this news. . . A close friend's grandmother passed away, a good friend had to be hospitalized for something I had not seen coming, a friend in our church was diagnosed with uterine cancer, a friend's marriage is in turmoil, but there is one that hurts my heart the most. And, that is a little girl (4th grade) at Joshua's school has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time. Just over a week ago she was a hometown celebrity with Erik at the benefit for the Make a Wish Foundation, and now she will face the whole cancer thing again. Please say a prayer for her and her family as they walk this road once again. She is having surgery at St. Jude on Thursday. They have to go in through her cheek bone (the cancer is between her brain and her skull). There will be a plastic surgeon working with the neurosurgeon during the surgery attempting to reconstruct her face as very best they can. Then, she will undergo very intense chemo. So, please say a prayer for them. Her name is Amber. Thanks.
I receive emails for Amber's Care pages. And, I'd like to end this post with a quote from Amber's mom. This is how she ended the post where she announced that her daughter's cancer was back. It hit me hard, made me think. Joshua was sitting on the couch and with alligator tears running down my face, I held him tight. Here goes. . .
"Spend a little extra time with your kids tonight.
Read them a book.
Play a game.
Let them have that ice cream before bed.
Let them sleep in the middle.
Let them be little."
Amen.
Go, do it!!!
Busy Week Menu Plan!
Sunday was my 34th birthday!! And, my sweet boys wrapped up some fall leaves and "fall rocks" (painted fall colors) for me, and I was thoroughly delighted by them!!! They know how mama loves autumn leaves!!! Joshua even decorated the kitchen table with them for me!
I'm not sure why, but this week is one of those insanely busy weeks for our family. I think we have to have at least one every month or so, and this week is it for October! Maybe it is because it is a holiday week, and we have two class parties, a fall festival, a trunk or treat, a surprise event for Joshua, and Erik has a plethora of evening activities. So, as far as a menu plan for the week goes ours is kind of a disappointment!!
Tonight: We will eat lasagna with salad, green beans, and bread.
Wednesday: We will eat at our church's fall festival.
Thursday: Erik has a meeting, so I will make the boys chicken nuggets, baked potatoes, and fruit.
Friday: Erik has an away high school football game, so he will not be eating with us. Therefore, I will, once again, be taking the easy route, and making a homemade pizza ~ using up the leftover tomato sauce from our lasagna!
Saturday: Erik and Joshua will be gone this evening, so I am planning to eat out with JCT and the little boys.
And, Sunday: I think I'll leave that one up in the air! I'm just not sure how that crazy day is going to pan out. I have two meetings, and Erik will not be home for dinner, so I'm not sure what we will do? I am thinking it may be a sandwich kind of night!
Not very inspirational. I apologize, but it is just one of those weeks! Busy, busy, busy!!!
Labels: Weekly Menu
Monday, October 19, 2009
Heat
Last night while Erik was at deacon's meeting and I getting little boys ready for bed, I couldn't help but notice that it was quite chilly inside our home. I glanced at the thermostat, and it informed me that it was 66 degrees in our living room. So, as soon as my little men were tucked away in their beds, I got on the computer and checked the weather. (I am secretly addicted to weather.com. I go there much too often!) It informed me that the low for last night would be 32 degrees!
32 degrees!
I met Erik at the door begging him to let me turn! on! the! heat!!! I am cold natured, and he is hot natured, so we always have to find some sort of middle ground. He was reluctant at first, but in the end I won out, and the heat was turned on for the very first time this year!!!!
I cannot tell you what it does to me!!!!
The smell!!
The feel of warm air!!!
I love the heat!!
Nothing beats a warm home on a cold night!!!! :-)
After Erik turned the heat on upstairs, two curious little boys came tippy toeing down the stairs. . .
They wanted to know what the smell was. . .
Joshua thought it smelled like something spilled over in the oven and was burning (I simply cannot figure out how he knows that smell ~ certainly not from my kitchen!) :-). JCT thought it smelled like "a candle on a birthday cake with FIRE on it!" We explained that it was simply the heat and tucked them back snug and warm in their beds.
And, so it is the beginning of my favorite time of year ~ fall leading up to Christmas!!!! October, November, and December ~ I LOVE them all for reasons unique to each!!!!
I am so thankful for changing seasons ~ even if it seems that this year winter is jumping in a bit early!!!!!! Time to turn on the fireplace and cuddle up with a blanket, a good book, and a cup of Bifferdoodle decaf with french vanilla creamer!!
32 degrees!
I met Erik at the door begging him to let me turn! on! the! heat!!! I am cold natured, and he is hot natured, so we always have to find some sort of middle ground. He was reluctant at first, but in the end I won out, and the heat was turned on for the very first time this year!!!!
I cannot tell you what it does to me!!!!
The smell!!
The feel of warm air!!!
I love the heat!!
Nothing beats a warm home on a cold night!!!! :-)
After Erik turned the heat on upstairs, two curious little boys came tippy toeing down the stairs. . .
They wanted to know what the smell was. . .
Joshua thought it smelled like something spilled over in the oven and was burning (I simply cannot figure out how he knows that smell ~ certainly not from my kitchen!) :-). JCT thought it smelled like "a candle on a birthday cake with FIRE on it!" We explained that it was simply the heat and tucked them back snug and warm in their beds.
And, so it is the beginning of my favorite time of year ~ fall leading up to Christmas!!!! October, November, and December ~ I LOVE them all for reasons unique to each!!!!
I am so thankful for changing seasons ~ even if it seems that this year winter is jumping in a bit early!!!!!! Time to turn on the fireplace and cuddle up with a blanket, a good book, and a cup of Bifferdoodle decaf with french vanilla creamer!!
Empty the Pantry ~ Weekly Menu Plan!
We had a crazy fun weekend in Nashville at the Gaylord/Opryland Hotel (whatever it is called). I can't wait to post about it when I get more time!!!! But, now we are home, and this morning I find myself attempting to get my feet back on the ground!! My main hindrance being the mountains of laundry I must get done today so that my children will have clothes to wear to school this week!!! :-)
Simply the beginning of a chore that will take the entire day I am afraid!!!!
Anyway, I took a few minutes on the way home from Nashville yesterday to jot down a few meals for this week. My goal in choosing meals was to not have to go to Wal-Mart!! I'd like to eat up our pantry if that is possible! Actually I think that we could live off our pantry alone for a week or two! Here goes. . .
Monday ~ Peanut Butter Broccoli and Chicken Stir fry ~ I never got around to this one last week, so tonight is finally the night to try it!!!!!
Tuesday ~ Spaghetti with whole grain pasta, Zucchini sauteed in olive oil and seasoning, and green beans.
Wednesday ~ Church nights so quick and easy ~ Cheese pizza with Whole Wheat Crust
Thursday ~ Italian Chicken over Brown Rice and English peas
Friday ~ Chicken Enchilada, corn, and green beans
Saturday ~ Eat Out!!
Sunday ~ Black beans over yellow rice with salsa for Erik :-)
I'm off to change out another load of laundry! Makes me feel fresh and clean! I actually enjoy laundry if I can just keep myself from feeling completely and helplessly overwhelmed by it!!!!! And colder weather + heavier, longer, layered clothes = more and more loads of laundry!!!!!!! :-)
Simply the beginning of a chore that will take the entire day I am afraid!!!!Anyway, I took a few minutes on the way home from Nashville yesterday to jot down a few meals for this week. My goal in choosing meals was to not have to go to Wal-Mart!! I'd like to eat up our pantry if that is possible! Actually I think that we could live off our pantry alone for a week or two! Here goes. . .
Monday ~ Peanut Butter Broccoli and Chicken Stir fry ~ I never got around to this one last week, so tonight is finally the night to try it!!!!!
Tuesday ~ Spaghetti with whole grain pasta, Zucchini sauteed in olive oil and seasoning, and green beans.
Wednesday ~ Church nights so quick and easy ~ Cheese pizza with Whole Wheat Crust
Thursday ~ Italian Chicken over Brown Rice and English peas
Friday ~ Chicken Enchilada, corn, and green beans
Saturday ~ Eat Out!!
Sunday ~ Black beans over yellow rice with salsa for Erik :-)
I'm off to change out another load of laundry! Makes me feel fresh and clean! I actually enjoy laundry if I can just keep myself from feeling completely and helplessly overwhelmed by it!!!!! And colder weather + heavier, longer, layered clothes = more and more loads of laundry!!!!!!! :-)
Labels: Weekly Menu
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Little Man
Well, sweet boy, you grew up right before my eyes as I watched Ann trim your baby mullet and the hair falling over your ears. My sweet baby turning into a little man in a matter of mere moments. . .
Here you are right after I put you in the chair. . .
You looked so tiny sitting there by yourself. . .
But, you were such a big boy! You smiled and played with one of Ann's combs. I think you had a great time! After all, It isn't everyday that ALL the attention in the room is on you!!! I think you rather enjoyed it. . .
Goodness, I love you! Like crazy, I love you, sweet, sweet son o' mine!!!! Daddy held you at the end while Ann perfected your new cut!!! 
Brown eyed baby boy, I know that I tell you this all the time, but I want you to know it deep down in your heart. . .
Here you are right after I put you in the chair. . .You looked so tiny sitting there by yourself. . .But, you were such a big boy! You smiled and played with one of Ann's combs. I think you had a great time! After all, It isn't everyday that ALL the attention in the room is on you!!! I think you rather enjoyed it. . .
Goodness, I love you! Like crazy, I love you, sweet, sweet son o' mine!!!! Daddy held you at the end while Ann perfected your new cut!!!Brown eyed baby boy, I know that I tell you this all the time, but I want you to know it deep down in your heart. . .I LOVE you! You are an absolute joy to my soul, baby boy! You are so patient, so sweet, so even-tempered, and peaceful. I am so thankful that God gave you to us ~ that He surprised us with your little life. I love to look in your warm brown eyes and wonder if you look just like your Daddy did when he was a one year old. I just adore you, sweet man. Thanks for being you!
You're just great, Erik Daniel Manning.
You're just great, Erik Daniel Manning.
You are just great!!!!!!!!!!
Labels: My Erik Daniel
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Very, Very, Very FULL Day!
Joshua and JCT were out of school on Monday, and I was so excited!!!!! I couldn't wait to spoil them with fun things to do! But, as per my usual I did not ever get around to making a plan for the day!!! So, I just decided to wing it! We went from one ordinary, but fun, activity to the next! And, I was as happy as I could be just to be completely surrounded by little boys for one extra day!!!!
They watched a show on beavers first thing in the morning, so this sparked their desire to make a lodge. Since they couldn't figure out how to do it on their own, I was called in for support! Together we constructed a beaver's lodge that they played in for all of about 15 minutes. . . .
Then, I gave them a bubble bath!!! They are always up for this one, and I love it because: a.) they love it and b.) they get clean!!!
After this we settled in for a Veggie-tales movie/picnic lunch. . .
After lunch the little boys went down for a nap, and I made a cave in my room for the big boys to read in a little while. I turned out the lights put pillows on the cave floor and gave them little lights to read by. . .
While they were in the reading cave, I made a special snack for them. Cookies with chunks of Reese PB cups in them!! Yum! (From this month's Real Simple magazine!)
I also set the table up for painting. They love to paint, and we rarely have time to stop and do it!! So, I surprised them with a chance to paint while their cookies were baking. . .
Then, I served my biggest Reese fan the cookies that I made especially for him. . .
He approved!
After this they watched the rain and played on the back porch. And, then they came in and crashed on the couch and chairs for an episode of the Electric Company! I didn't even know that show was still around!!! :-) And, literally, they crashed. . .
And, this was a good thing because there were still a lot of things to do. . .
And, sweet Jon Andy (home from college to see the big game). . .
Time to go. . .
It's been a long, long day and bed was calling us home!!!
They watched a show on beavers first thing in the morning, so this sparked their desire to make a lodge. Since they couldn't figure out how to do it on their own, I was called in for support! Together we constructed a beaver's lodge that they played in for all of about 15 minutes. . . .
Then, I gave them a bubble bath!!! They are always up for this one, and I love it because: a.) they love it and b.) they get clean!!!
After this we settled in for a Veggie-tales movie/picnic lunch. . .
After lunch the little boys went down for a nap, and I made a cave in my room for the big boys to read in a little while. I turned out the lights put pillows on the cave floor and gave them little lights to read by. . . While they were in the reading cave, I made a special snack for them. Cookies with chunks of Reese PB cups in them!! Yum! (From this month's Real Simple magazine!)
I also set the table up for painting. They love to paint, and we rarely have time to stop and do it!! So, I surprised them with a chance to paint while their cookies were baking. . . Then, I served my biggest Reese fan the cookies that I made especially for him. . .
He approved!After that I settled Joshua in with a pencil and his spelling notebook to write this week's sentences. JCT wanted to do homework, too, so I found some pre-k worksheets for him. . .
After this they watched the rain and played on the back porch. And, then they came in and crashed on the couch and chairs for an episode of the Electric Company! I didn't even know that show was still around!!! :-) And, literally, they crashed. . .
And, this was a good thing because there were still a lot of things to do. . .Next, we met some friends and ate pizza with them!! Pizza Inn was hosting a benefit for the Make a Wish Foundation, and Daddy was asked to be a "celebrity" waiter!!!!!! :-) Here he is serving us!!!!!
Sweet family friends. . . These two are two peas in a pod. . .
Next, we walked over to the high school football game (postponed from a rainy Friday night!). We've had a lot of that lately!!! This was a huge game ~ one of the teams everybody comes out to watch our team play! And, since I had my camera. . .
Joshua, JCT, and Eli (Joshua's buddy) trying to catch one of the footballs the cheerleaders threw into the stands!
Elijah making rounds visiting friends sitting near us. Mr. Bobby. . .
Sweet family friends. . . These two are two peas in a pod. . .Next, we walked over to the high school football game (postponed from a rainy Friday night!). We've had a lot of that lately!!! This was a huge game ~ one of the teams everybody comes out to watch our team play! And, since I had my camera. . .
My handsome husband on the sidelines doing what he loves most (and, I'm not talking about watching football!!! :-) I'm talking about taking care of some of his favorite athletes!!!). . .
Joshua, JCT, and Eli (Joshua's buddy) trying to catch one of the footballs the cheerleaders threw into the stands!
Elijah making rounds visiting friends sitting near us. Mr. Bobby. . .
And, sweet Jon Andy (home from college to see the big game). . .
Time to go. . .
It's been a long, long day and bed was calling us home!!!
Labels: A Day in the Life. . .
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Weekly Menu Plan ~ AK.A. Would You Like a Side of Zofran with Your Sprite and Crackers?
Needless to say, I had to scratch my weekly menu plan for last week due to a version of the stomach virus.
Can I say something?
I HATE the stomach virus. I HATE it with a vengeance. I fear vomiting. I fear it something fierce. This is nothing new. I have been this way my whole life. But, now I have children, and after years of being on hiatus, the stomach virus has reentered my life. And, I am not happy about it ~ not happy at all. Thankfully, I did not vomit this time around. Although, I cannot say the same for all of my children.
My mother and I counted up all the times that I had the stomach virus while living at home from age 0 to age 18. And, do you know how many times I had the stomach virus?
3.
Three times ~ that is it. And, I can tell you in detail about each time. I can tell you what I ate earlier that day, where I went, who I was with, even what I was wearing.
Guess how many times I have had the stomach virus since it reentered my life a year and a half ago?
3.
Three times in less than 2 years.
I think someone needs to come up with a vaccine. Please God!
But, until they do I will remain addicted to sublingual Zofran. We keep our home medicine cabinet stocked with it ~ just in case. And, I rest better at night just knowing it is there waiting if I need it.
So, last week we did not eat dinner from Tuesday night until Saturday night. We just sipped carbonated beverages and ate crackers. So, this week we will eat the meals originally planned for last week!
Can I say something?
I HATE the stomach virus. I HATE it with a vengeance. I fear vomiting. I fear it something fierce. This is nothing new. I have been this way my whole life. But, now I have children, and after years of being on hiatus, the stomach virus has reentered my life. And, I am not happy about it ~ not happy at all. Thankfully, I did not vomit this time around. Although, I cannot say the same for all of my children.
My mother and I counted up all the times that I had the stomach virus while living at home from age 0 to age 18. And, do you know how many times I had the stomach virus?
3.
Three times ~ that is it. And, I can tell you in detail about each time. I can tell you what I ate earlier that day, where I went, who I was with, even what I was wearing.
Guess how many times I have had the stomach virus since it reentered my life a year and a half ago?
3.
Three times in less than 2 years.
I think someone needs to come up with a vaccine. Please God!
But, until they do I will remain addicted to sublingual Zofran. We keep our home medicine cabinet stocked with it ~ just in case. And, I rest better at night just knowing it is there waiting if I need it.
So, last week we did not eat dinner from Tuesday night until Saturday night. We just sipped carbonated beverages and ate crackers. So, this week we will eat the meals originally planned for last week!
Labels: Weekly Menu
Thursday, October 08, 2009
A Warm Welcome
Is there anything better than seeing this. . .
when you are walking back inside after taking a few things out to the recycling bin?
I think not!
when you are walking back inside after taking a few things out to the recycling bin?
I think not!
Labels: My Erik Daniel
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Recipe - Vegetable Cobbler
I wish you all could come over to my home right now! The house smells soooo good!!! JCT and I just finished making pumpkin cupcakes!!!! My house smells amazing! May have to make these again one day just so I can smell them baking!!! I used the recipe from this month's Southern Living ~ except ours are just plain old cupcakes not actually in the shape of cute little pumpkins like theirs were!
Okay, the vegetable cobbler recipe. . . It really is very, very good and chock full of veggies, so it is very, very, very good for you. My husband loved it! And, it gave me an excuse to buy butternut squash!! I was so excited to use a new type of produce! I felt so proud of myself as I carried my huge squash to the check-out!!! I tried to act all cool like I buy that kind of thing all the time!!! :-) And, my sons were very impressed when I pulled it out of the shopping bag and showed it to them!!! They said it looked like "Jimmy" from veggie-tales!! :-)
I digress. . .
This recipe is actually quite long, not complicated, just long, so I am going to give you the shortened version. If you want the play by play, it is in this month's Family Fun magazine!!!
Heat oven to 400.
Part 1 - the veggies:
* 1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into cubes
* 1 1/2 cups peeled and sliced carrots
* 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
* 1/2 cup broccoli florets
* 1/2 cup frozen corn
* 1/2 cup butternut squash, diced
Place all veggies in a medium sized pot and put enough water over them to cover them and bring to a boil. Lightly salt the water/veggies. Cook until soft. They suggest 4 minutes. I think I did a bit longer than that? Drain veggies.
Part 2 - the filling:
* 3 1/2 Tbls. butter
* 1 large onion diced
* 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
* 3 Tbls. flour
* 2 1/2 vegetable bouillon cubes dissolved in 1 1/4 cups hot water ( I used 1 1/4 cups chicken broth)
* 1 cup milk
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp pepper
* 1 tsp thyme
* 1/2 tsp celery seed (I omitted this b/c I will have nothing to do with anything remotely involving celery.)
* 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
Now in a dutch oven, melt butter. Saute onion and mushrooms, but my husband doesn't like mushrooms, so I omitted them! Saute this for 4 minutes or until onions and mushrooms are soft. Then, stir in flour. Cook mixture, stirring nonstop, for 30 seconds. Then, add veg broth, milk salt, pepper, thyme, and celery seed and stir until sauce thickens. Once again, they suggest 4 minutes. Add veggies to the sauce and stir well. Stir in Parmesan and bring to a simmer. Transfer to a casserole dish. It doesn't say what size to use. I used a large corning ware dish.
Part 3 - the topping:
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tbls and 1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 salt
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg beaten
1 tbls oil
Mix these ingredients together and spread over filling. Bake until top is golden brown ~ 25 min. Yummo!
Hope you enjoy as much as we did!
Okay, the vegetable cobbler recipe. . . It really is very, very good and chock full of veggies, so it is very, very, very good for you. My husband loved it! And, it gave me an excuse to buy butternut squash!! I was so excited to use a new type of produce! I felt so proud of myself as I carried my huge squash to the check-out!!! I tried to act all cool like I buy that kind of thing all the time!!! :-) And, my sons were very impressed when I pulled it out of the shopping bag and showed it to them!!! They said it looked like "Jimmy" from veggie-tales!! :-)
I digress. . .
This recipe is actually quite long, not complicated, just long, so I am going to give you the shortened version. If you want the play by play, it is in this month's Family Fun magazine!!!
Heat oven to 400.
Part 1 - the veggies:
* 1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into cubes
* 1 1/2 cups peeled and sliced carrots
* 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
* 1/2 cup broccoli florets
* 1/2 cup frozen corn
* 1/2 cup butternut squash, diced
Place all veggies in a medium sized pot and put enough water over them to cover them and bring to a boil. Lightly salt the water/veggies. Cook until soft. They suggest 4 minutes. I think I did a bit longer than that? Drain veggies.
Part 2 - the filling:
* 3 1/2 Tbls. butter
* 1 large onion diced
* 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
* 3 Tbls. flour
* 2 1/2 vegetable bouillon cubes dissolved in 1 1/4 cups hot water ( I used 1 1/4 cups chicken broth)
* 1 cup milk
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp pepper
* 1 tsp thyme
* 1/2 tsp celery seed (I omitted this b/c I will have nothing to do with anything remotely involving celery.)
* 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
Now in a dutch oven, melt butter. Saute onion and mushrooms, but my husband doesn't like mushrooms, so I omitted them! Saute this for 4 minutes or until onions and mushrooms are soft. Then, stir in flour. Cook mixture, stirring nonstop, for 30 seconds. Then, add veg broth, milk salt, pepper, thyme, and celery seed and stir until sauce thickens. Once again, they suggest 4 minutes. Add veggies to the sauce and stir well. Stir in Parmesan and bring to a simmer. Transfer to a casserole dish. It doesn't say what size to use. I used a large corning ware dish.
Part 3 - the topping:
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tbls and 1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 salt
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg beaten
1 tbls oil
Mix these ingredients together and spread over filling. Bake until top is golden brown ~ 25 min. Yummo!
Hope you enjoy as much as we did!
Labels: In the Kitchen
Monday, October 05, 2009
Weekly Menu Plan. . .
Today is a typical Monday. I am drowning in laundry and sipping coffee slowly adding phone calls, appointments, errands, and chores to my calendar ~ a skeleton of sorts of what our week will look like. Somewhere deep down inside I think I really like Mondays ~ especially dreary, rainy ones like today! 
I cuddled up with my husband last night as he watched the Steelers game, and I planned our family's menu for the next two weeks. Yay! Here is this week. . .
Monday: We have an errand to run in a town about 20 minutes from our house, so Erik suggested that we just grab a bite to eat at our favorite Pizza place located in that town!! Yum!
Tuesday: Vegetable Cobbler ~ kinda like chicken pot pie minus the chicken with a yummy cornbread topping!
Wednesday: Church night ~ leftover vegetable cobbler and/or sandwiches
Thursday: Cashew Chicken and Broccoli Stirfry with a peanut butter sauce ~ can't wait to try this recipe of Jen's!
Friday: White Bean Chicken Chili ~ a good meal for a chilly football game night!
Saturday: Leftovers or eat out
Sunday: Homeade pizzas with the new whole wheat crusts our grocery is carrying ~ cheese for the boys and something spicy and fun for Erik and I!
Labels: Weekly Menu
Sunday, October 04, 2009
The Making of Butter. . .
Last week Joshua's class studied farms. It was all leading up to their end of the week field trip to a pumpkin patch located on a farm way out in the country! As part of their study of farms, they learned how to make butter!!! I was so excited for two reasons when I found out that Joshua's class was going to be making butter! #1 I always love an excuse to get a babysitter and come hang out at Joshua's school and be a part of my big boy's school life! #2 I have never made butter and couldn't wait to learn how!
It was so much fun! First, Joshua's teacher explained to the children the steps they would take in order to make butter. Then, she taught them a little song to sing while they made butter. . .
One of the other mother's helped by pouring cream into the children's baby food jars. . .
Then, the kiddos added their salt, and began to shake and shake and shake. . .
and shake and shake and shake until their arms were very, very, very tired. . .
Slowly a ball of butter began to form. In the middle of the process, it looked like this. . .
After still more shaking, the majority of the liquid was gone and only a ball of butter was left! At this point the children came up to one of the mothers, and she poured off the little bit of liquid left. . .
And, there you have it. . . butter!!! Joshua's teacher was busy making biscuits in the classroom's mini oven. . .
The children thoroughly enjoyed buttering their own biscuits. . .
and eating them!!!!
I think they were thoroughly surprised when their butter tasted as good (or better) than the butter from the grocery store!!! One little girl told her mother that they need not buy butter anymore!!! She was going to make it from now on!!!!! I'm not sure how long that one will last!!!!
One of Joshua's classmate's grandmothers came and talked to the class about growing up on a farm. She had pictures and a spoon like utensil they used to use to make butter with for the children to see.
Joshua's teacher loves to sing! They sing so much in class that they have a songbook. She asked the class to pull out their songbook, and they sang several farm related songs for us. . .
And, now I will end with a buddy picture. . .
It was so much fun! First, Joshua's teacher explained to the children the steps they would take in order to make butter. Then, she taught them a little song to sing while they made butter. . .
One of the other mother's helped by pouring cream into the children's baby food jars. . .
Then, the kiddos added their salt, and began to shake and shake and shake. . .
and shake and shake and shake until their arms were very, very, very tired. . .
Slowly a ball of butter began to form. In the middle of the process, it looked like this. . .
After still more shaking, the majority of the liquid was gone and only a ball of butter was left! At this point the children came up to one of the mothers, and she poured off the little bit of liquid left. . .
And, there you have it. . . butter!!! Joshua's teacher was busy making biscuits in the classroom's mini oven. . .
The children thoroughly enjoyed buttering their own biscuits. . .
and eating them!!!!
I think they were thoroughly surprised when their butter tasted as good (or better) than the butter from the grocery store!!! One little girl told her mother that they need not buy butter anymore!!! She was going to make it from now on!!!!! I'm not sure how long that one will last!!!!
One of Joshua's classmate's grandmothers came and talked to the class about growing up on a farm. She had pictures and a spoon like utensil they used to use to make butter with for the children to see.
Joshua's teacher loves to sing! They sing so much in class that they have a songbook. She asked the class to pull out their songbook, and they sang several farm related songs for us. . .
And, now I will end with a buddy picture. . .
Labels: My Joshua
Saturday, October 03, 2009
A Strange Peace
I can't explain it. . .
Sleeping sick child. . .
Beautiful fall day outside of my windows. . .
GA/LSU game on. . . muted. . .
Fernando Ortega singing my favorite fall CD. . .
Erik and three other boys outside playing and cleaning the garage. . .
I sit ready for my sweet boy to awaken. . .
Ready to hold his warm, fevered body close to mine. . .
He wants me close by his side. . .
And, I bask in his wanting me. . .
And, I feel strangely blessed. . .
Peace. . .
Labels: My Joshua
