Pineapple - Coconut ... Need I say more?

It's the perfect combination of pineapple and coconut.   And sugar, and a flour/butter crust with a meringue top....mmmmm...excuse me while I go grab another piece.

You can find the recipe, here.

Will work for sleep.

Last night Colin woke up with sore legs - his legs were rubbed with rubbing alcohol and he was given some medicine.

Last night Elle woke up because of the storms and was soothed and comforted so she could go back to sleep.

Last night Quintin woke up also due to the storms and was calmed down and comforted so he could go back to sleep.

Last night, I knew none of this. Not until I woke up this morning and T told me. He attended to each of them, letting me get a full night's sleep.

It is my hope that I get a lot done today because of my full night's rest. While T works long hours and could use the sleep, he selflessly gave up some to give me the sleep I needed to face the day.

It is easy to get caught up in wishing our husbands did things differently or like someone else's husband, but today I encourage you to think about your hubby and thank him for just one of those extra special things he does, that makes you feel like a queen. And, while you are at it, thank the One who gave him to you!

Berries!!!

2 pints strawberries...$$$

(Overcharged at am.ish stand across from our development, LOL!)

They look good enough to stop here...

1 packet certo...$1.99

4 cups sugar...on hand

6 jars in my first batch of this year

(with many more to come)

all for my hubby's enjoyment...priceless.

What are you favorite jellies or jams to make? Or haven't you tried yet? The recipe in the certo box is very, very easy and the results are very, very yummy!!

Wordless Wednesday

oh boy!

Yesterday, while the picture of my youngest was here on the ol' blog, little did I know he was at it again.  Although, when I put him in his room for his nap, he got quiet quickly and I thought he had stayed in bed.  A few hours went by and I thought I'd wake him up for supper.  I walked in his room, saw piggie toes, and ran back downstairs to get the camera.

After I woke him up, he giggled at himself when he realized he had slept on the floor!

Twin bed for sale, mattress and boxspring.  2 sets of sheets and a brown comforter included.

Wordless Wednesday

Yesterday afternoon

He was fussy when I put him to bed, but I knew he was tired.  Having heard him moving around, followed by quiet, I checked in on him...and then ran back downstairs to grab the camera!

A*musing Musings

1 - After getting pictures taken for an upcoming trip, T and I lamented about all the things we didn't like about our pictures. I chuckled and said, "Yeah, but in ten years when they expire, we'll talk about how young we look!"

2 - Does the amount of dirt that comes into my house come close to the amount of dirt my kids drag out of my house?

3 - What is it about a mound of mulch that beckons a child?

4 - Why didn't we think about the work of mulching two huge boulder walls before they were put in place?

5 - What would I give for a pepsi right now???? ;-)

Lil' piggies.

I love to see little piggy toes hanging down under the table, don't you?

A new favorite recipe for my favorite comfort food!

YUMMY!!! My favorite mac-n-cheese EVER!!! Thank you Pioneer Woman!!! I just added some chopped ham to her recipe to beef it up, if you will, to serve for supper.

Try it, eat it, you'll love it, I guarentee it!

It's all about the whole milk and seasoned salt!

And, here's another new fav that I came across when I found myself with 10 lbs of shredded pork.

You can find the recipe, here.

Happy Friday!! Have a great weekend!!

A belt and a boy...

When Quintin was 1, they either didn't sell these wonderul "adjustable waist" pants, or I was looking in all the wrong places.

To combat the problem of my skinny baby's pants falling down, I set out to buy him a belt.

As I shopped, the clerk approached me and I told her of my situation.

She showed me to the belts, they didn't have any for 12 months, but she talked me into a bigger one so that he can grow into it.  Being it my first baby, I thought it made sense.

Now, with 3 skinny waisted children, I realized this wasn't a smart decision.  My poor child has been wearing his belt wrapped around his waist 1 1/2 times.  He'll be 7 next month.

It took 6 years to grow into the belt!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

We were outside last night enjoying the sunshine that finally arrived in the late afternoon.  Quintin was riding his bike and stopped for a moment to examine something on it.  He looked at me and said, "My bike was made in China.  Everything was made in China."  He continued, gesturing towards our neighbor's house, "That was made in China!" 

Hmmmmm....

***

Heading outside to do some yardwork, I asked the kids if they want to join me and keep me company. Elle joined me outside a few minutes later, announcing, "I came out, Mommy, in case you wanted business!"

***

Colin's fascination with the healing process of my big boo-boo leads him to look at it All. The. Time.  As I finished mowing one afternoon, he starting wiping my scab.  I asked him what he was doing and he said, "Wipe off grass, Mom."

What was he trying to wipe away?  The hair that I didn't want to shave for fear of shaving the scab off!!

For more Tiny Talkers, visit Mary.

Of all things green...

I do most of the mowing at our house. And I'm not complaining. I really do enjoy it, although when mowing 2-3 times a week, it does get a little old.

Between my husband's spring allergies and crazy work schedule, it's easier if I mow during the day - which the kids love because I open up the sandbox. (I'm one of those paranoid moms who keeps the sandbox covered for fear of the neighbors' cats using it as a litter box.) Another reason they love when I mow is because I usually don't enfore the "rest time rule."

About 2 weeks ago, it was HOT. The kids were in their bathing suits and playing in water. As they played, I mowed. At one point, I came close to the kids to check on them, letting the mower idle. First, here's my mower...

Notice any words on the mower? (Besides the irony of it being a riding mower and it's brand is "Walker") Yeah, I know you see, H-O-T!

Quintin thought it was fun to splash water on that box and hear it sizzle. I warned him to stay away because it was indeed, hot. Thankfully, he didn't catch the irony and think that "hot" maybe meant "cold!"

I went back to mowing and I pushed the limit too far with how much the bagger can hold and the mower got clogged. So I had to lift up the bagger (it's the white box behind the seat) and work to shoot the grass out. Well, guess who didn't do so well heeding her own advice. I leaned right into the "hot box" and singed my leg just below my knee.

At least the point really sunk in with the kids when I showed it to them...live and learn!

A quick word about naps and what's under my bed!

A follow-up to my Wordless Wednesday.

1. My older two children do not nap everyday - only Colin.
   
   
2. But, they do take a rest time everyday. I need a break and the older two both have toys in their rooms. Toys: playmobile pirates, dollhouse, puzzles and books.
   
   
3. Sometimes, during rest time, they do end up falling asleep.
   
   
4. No, I don't pose my kids for pictures of them napping. I do usually check in on them in the afternoons and when I see these silly things, I snap pictures!
   
   
5. I believe Quintin fell asleep while watching his clock to see when he could return downstairs!!
   
   
6. Yes, it is that clean under each bed in this house. I do not use dust ruffles and personally prefer a colored fitted sheet on the boxspring, therefore exposing what's under our beds to everyone! :-o If you come visit you'll see nothing (except the dust bunnies) under our beds, just...*ahem*...don't look in our closets!
   
   

Have a great weekend!!

Thursday - The National Day of Prayer

(This is a commercial from last year, so the date at the end is wrong)

Not sure where to start? Here is the prayer guide featured on my county's National Day of Prayer website.



PRAY FOR PERSONAL RENEWAL AND MORAL AWAKENING
Ask God to help us:

• confess our sinfulness
• seek His direction
• obey His commands
• rely on Him instead of ourselves
• Reach out to others in love and kindness

PRAY FOR CHURCHES AND MINISTRY ORGANIZATIONS
Ask God to help them:

• stand strong in their convictions
• be bold in their witness
• meet America's spiritual needs
• be a place of hope and healing

PRAY FOR OUR MEDIA, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Ask God to help them:

• reflect godly values in their work
• be accurate and fair in their presentations
• place a high value on truth and decency
• be responsible with their influence
• bring positive change to our culture

PRAYER FOR THE IMPRISONED AND PERSECUTED
Ask God to help them:

• endure their hardships
• find joy in the midst of trials
• encourage one another
• experience and offer forgiveness
• find comfort in their faith

PRAY FOR THE FAMILY
Ask God to help us:

• commit to the permanence of marriage
• place a high value on all human life
• serve one another in love and dedication
• restore broken relationships

And, don't forget the blog, Lifting Hands, to lead you in prayer each week concerning your children. Join me and the others who follow as we pray together for our children.


"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:22

Wordless Wednesday: Going, going, gone!

(Note to self: buy a fitted sheet for Colin's boxspring!)

Grass guy gets a chop!

Note: Next time, we do "haircuts" outside!  And funny that I did find myself enjoying the smell after his cut! :)

What's left?

We finished our RightStart Math 2 or 3 weeks ago.

A diagnostic spelling test last week (50 words with progressive difficulty) revealed we can cross spelling off the subjects to complete for 1st grade (and 2nd, 3rd, 4th...but I won't do that!)

We have one more Bible story left in our New Testament lessons for the year.

What's left?

Some science - our favorite!

(Jar 2 is in the fridge)

Quite a window display, huh?

Here she goes again...