God Is Not Done Writing My Story

Do you count down the days until Christmas? (135 in case you are wondering.) Or do you count how many days since something has happened? Like when you say your newborn is 3 days old. (In case you are wondering, my youngest is 1,209 days old.) It has been 1,095 days, since I died and lived to tell about it. Today marks my 3 year ReBirthday! I count the days that God has given me since He almost took me home. I am so very thankful that God already knew that the number of my days are not over yet. In Job, it says that God has determined our days and our months depend on Him. In Psalms we read that all our days are written in His book;

Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began.
Psalm 139:16

God is writing the most beautiful story and we have the privilege to be a part of it.

 

Everyday, I look at my littlest and thank God that she is able to live life with her mommy, today.

Because I never wanted part of her story to include losing her mommy while she was a baby.

Everyday, I look at my hubby and thank God that he doesn’t have to do life without me and that I still get to do life with him.

Because I know our story isn’t over.

Everyday, I look at my older kids and thank God that they haven’t had to say good-bye, yet.

Because their story still includes their mom.

Everyday, (well, almost) I ask God to show me what He is doing and how I can follow His lead.

Because His breath is in my lungs and I choose to live my story through Him and for Him.

Celebrating 3 years of God continuing my story.

Today, I celebrate 3 years of my story not yet being over.

Because 3 years ago today, I died and through medical interventions and God performing miracle upon miracle I am still alive.

For anyone who doesn’t know my story, here is the Cliffs Notes version. I went in to have a simple outpatient surgery to remove my gallbladder after having our little surprise number 5. My body reacted to the anesthesia and within 90 seconds of them starting to put me under, my heart stopped and I was in full cardiac arrest. It took 21 minutes of chest compressions and other interventions before my heart just barely started beating again. I was on full life support for 4 days before I started breathing again on my own and finally woke up. I miraculously walked out of the hospital after the doctors told my husband to be prepared to put me in a care facility if I ever woke up. Reactions like that are so very rare, like less than 1% and I haven’t fully recovered from everything yet. But God is so very faithful and I know that in His perfect timing my body will be fully restored.

Morning Frost

I hate the cold. Winter is not my favorite time of the year. And Groundhog Day is one of my favorite days because it means that winter is half way over and spring is just around the corner. I am so thankful that I live where it doesn’t snow and we don’t have ice storms. I wouldn’t be able to handle it, being that cold for any length of time. I think part of my problem is that once I become cold, I stay cold and don’t really seem to be able to get warm. However…

I just love love love frost! The morning frost is such a wonderfully spectacular sight to behold. The way it glistens in the sunlight makes me smile. That delicate white blanket of frozen dew beckons me in the early morning, and I am not a morning person either.

I don’t know why it has such a hold on me but it does. I am mesmerized by its splendor and I love seeing it through a lens. Looking at it through a lens makes you see little details instead of the whole picture at once.

And who knows what little details you will find when you are gazing at the frost through a lens.

This post is linked to Sweet Shot Tuesday with Darcy at My 3 Boybarians.

P 52 Challenge: Self-Portrait

This week’s P 52 photography theme is “Self-Portrait.” I have to be totally honest and tell you that the thought of taking a picture of myself totally made me have palpitations. I love being behind the camera. I have yet to find myself enjoying being on the other side of the lens. Really, it's not my favorite pastime. However, I do need to be challenged in this area or my poor kids will have no record of me being anywhere with them. So here is my self-portrait. Me, drinking my favorite drink from my favorite mug.

I love coffee more than words can adequately express. I didn’t always love coffee though. My obsession started during my senior year in high school. I was dating Daddy Reg at that time (he was in college) and he loved coffee and knew all the best places for coffee in town. One day he insisted that I try a mocha, while he ordered a quadruple macchiato at a little coffee shop in town. A true macchiato mind you has just a touch of milk. Not, like the macchiato you can get at that very popular, one on every corner, coffee shop we all know so well. I could not imagine having that much espresso in one cup and he was determined to get me to like some form of coffee. Well, I fell in love with the mocha and started getting them every day. I bought one before school then went to a coffee shop at lunch for another and then if I had a lot of studying to do I would grab another one after school.

It didn't take long until I discovered the latte with a double shot. Oh the creamy foam with the delectable coffee goodness nestled underneath was pure heaven on my tongue. Fast forward to today a few things about me and my coffee obsession:

• I only buy whole bean coffee and grind my own at home.
• I have a basic automatic coffee pot that serves me well however I wouldn’t mind getting one with a timer so I didn’t have to push the button and wait for the coffee to brew in the morning.
• I own two different sizes of mocha pots and wish I had another one. I used to have three but one literally exploded and I haven’t replaced it yet. Hmmm it’s about time I did replace it.
• I have a great coffee press that I use almost daily after the full pot is gone. (Sometimes I press tea in my coffee press though so it isn’t always for more coffee.)
• I also have a personal sized press for traveling. When I am staying at a hotel, I bring my own coffee and press it.
• Lattes are my favorite coffee shop drink.
• I can make my own lattes at home and I don’t own one of those overpriced fancy machines to do it.
• I love coffee.

This post is linked to My 3 Boybarians P52 Photography Challenge

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Mommy Time

What do you do for Mommy Time? I enjoy taking my camera outside and just take pictures of what I see. I love being alone in my thoughts while I take in God's creation all around me. If you take the time to notice, you will be amazed by what you can see. It is a way for me to get some quiet time with God too. When I go out expecting God to show me something even the smallest something, He does.

I can't sit and have a "quiet time", doing nothing and listen for God. My mind wanders through my list of things left to do and what still needs to be taken care of. But if I go out with my camera, I seem to be able to move all of those thoughts to the back of my mind and allow God to minister to me. Sometimes just a verse pops into my head, other times it's an object lesson with the ant that catches my attention. I get so much more from taking pictures than just a pretty photo.

Most of the time, as a mom, we can find ourselves constantly going and going, not really slowing down enough to see what is around us. And while there are many things I enjoy doing like blogging, sewing, crocheting and knitting, baking, gardening or reading a good book; going outside with my camera in hand to take pictures of what is around me is one of my most favorite ways to unwind and get myself back in focus. For me, time seems to almost stop, I can go out for a couple minutes or a couple hours and it all seems the same to me. But when I come inside I feel so refreshed and ready to take on the challenges that face me.

This post is linked to Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Under the Lilacs

I am blessed with lilacs along our driveway. I love lilacs, they remind me of one of my favorite childhood books.

The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house has been shut up for several years. Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole that it might peep in and see what was going on. ~ Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott

When I was little I read Under the Lilacs probably a dozen times. Alcott is one of my top 3 most favorite authors. Her books are absolute timeless classics.
The aroma coming from the lilacs is wonderfully intoxicating right now. And just breathing in the sweetness and enjoying the gorgeous purple brings happy memories and smiles to this busy mommy.

This post linked to Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Night Owl

Confession, I am absolutely, totally, completely, entirely NOT a morning person. Not even a little. I consider 9:00am early and I don’t even begin to function like a normal person until about 10am. I have such a hard time being chipper when I first wake up and my morning prayer is never full of excitement.

Instead, you can hear me moan out a prayer that begs God to help me wake up and just survive my day.

Psalm 88:13
But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

 

I wish I was more of a morning person.

One who wakes up ready to face the day and sing, “Rise and shine and give God the glory glory!”

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

I seem to be more in tune to God’s revelation later in the day.

And instead of God speaking to me in the sunrise, He speaks to me in the sunset.

I am a total night owl. I prefer my time with God later in the day or even more at night, when the house is quiet and still; after the hustle and bustle of the day is over. That seems to be when my spirit quiets itself waiting for God to whisper His promises in my ear and reveal His mercies to me in His Word. As I lay in bed, (usually after midnight) I think about His steadfastness and thank Him that I did survive my day.

Psalm 119:148
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

It’s good to know that God made me to be a night owl and not and early bird, being alert at night is part of who I am. I love knowing that He never sleeps and is always at His peek and it doesn’t matter if it is dawn or dusk, noon or midnight.

Psalm 121:3-4
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

It’s also great to know that sleep, sweet sleep is something He gives us, especially when we need it most. 

Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

How my Adventure in Homeschooling Began

This month Little Man turned 10. This milestone has me reflecting a lot on how much I have changed over the past decade in how I think about the world. We decided shortly after he was born that we were going to homeschool him and any other kids God entrusted to us. That decision was a big one for us. Originally we were going to send our kids to private school After all; I worked at a private preschool that was attached to one of the best private schools where we live. However, God had different plans for us. God changed our minds and we kept Little Man, along with the rest of our kids, at home. We have never once second guessed our decision and everyday, our decision is confirmed in some way.
One of the first things that transformed was my thinking about exactly what “school” should look like. At first, I tried to make it look just like the preschool and “regular” school. I did circle time with him, read to him, sang with him, did crafts, and everything else I did when I taught preschool – all good things to do. I tried to make school last for three hours everyday and missed the mark completely. When Little Man got older, I tried to mimic a normal classroom school day. I realized he was not retaining much of what we were doing and he wasn’t really enjoying learning. Some kids love this structure but he was not one of them.
I learned quickly, that school is so much more than the daily activities done in school. Much of what is done in preschool is really designed to keep the kids occupied until they are picked up. Many kids are not ready to learn their letters and numbers formally until they are four or five and some really can’t grasp them until they are six. Our society has pushed for kids to start “learning” earlier and earlier. But most kids just are not ready and pushing them is not really helping them.
My mindset about school has changed dramatically since then. I still do formal school stuff with my littles but my picture of formal school has changed dramatically. Little G does school everyday. Most of what she learns is during normal everyday life stuff. She helps sort clothes, tells me the colors of toys while we clean up, counts (she knows 1,2 so far) the cups or spoons when we do dishes, and identifies the ingredients when cooking a meal. All of this is school. I also read to her and she reads to me. Books play a major role in our day. We read tons of books and always seem to check out our limit at the library. She also works with counting bears, pattern blocks, tangrams, and linking cubes at the table while the older kids are doing schoolwork. (These are manipulatives necessary for Saxon Math. You can get them at your local school supply store or you can get them online.) She also has done her first lapbook. I found a site that has tot-books that are lapbooks designed for toddlers. I also give her tons of color pages to do while we are at the table. She does those for school while the kids are working on their written work. She is starting to show an interest in her letters so I am going to start her with some color pages that have letters on them so she can begin recognizing them. She also loves folder games. She loves to match colors and shapes. If we don’t do the formal stuff during the day, I no longer think that I haven’t done school. Instead I look at all the learning opportunities she had throughout her day and I realize just how much she is learning.

Here are some of the amazing sites out there that are full of things to do with a toddler/preschooler.

DLTk's Printables - This site and all of her sister sites are so awesome! There are activities galore and they are all grouped by themes. She also has a coloring page site that is filled with all sorts of categories of color pages.

First-School Preschool - This site has letter activities and so many other worksheets and you can print out.

Kidzone - Fun Facts for Kids - This site is also a gold mine of traceables, counting pages and much more.

TLS Books - So many free printable worksheets for every age/ability level, I cannot even begin to list them.

Preschool Printables - Folder games. Toddlers/Preschoolers well even my 10 year old enjoy games. These games are affixed to a folder and provide a lot of fun while they are learning a concept. Just a little bit of assembly and if you want some clear contact paper for sturdiness provides hours of fun. For even more folder game sites you can click here and here for my other two posts of links to more free printable folder games.

Tot School - This site is newer to my bookmarks. She set up a site that gives tons of ideas for teaching a toddler. I found it while reading other blogs that talked about tot school. There is also her other site, Tot Books they are mini lapbooks perfect for toddlers. Little G just did her first one, and she is so proud of it. She carries it around and looks through it many times during the day.


Happy Homeschooling!!!

kreative blogging

Morgan tagged me for the Kreative Blogger Award Meme. Which is a good thing as I have been slacking on my blogging lately and my blog reading for that matter. Don’t hate me bloggy friends, I am just a tad bit stretched thin and will be back to commenting soon. (I hope)

1. what i did before: I made midnight runs to WalMart with my roommate to get items to redecorate our apartment-and say hi to Daddy Reg (though then he was “the man I am going to marry” Reg) I nannied two amazing little boys who are now adults. (Wow, I am old!) Those two amazing boys walked me down the aisle. ahhh memories. I digress, so I also coordinated childcare for a rather large women’s ministry in town and was a preschool teacher. Went to college but never finished. Got my EMT certification and worked at an elderly residential. Okay none of that was in order. Where is my brain today. Oh well, I guess you get the point.

2. what i do now: I keep my home and make it a safe haven for my family. I help and support my husband in everyway possible. I am raising up young people who love the Lord and are learning what it means to be reckless abandoned to Christ. I am raising up young women who will be amazing wives and a young man who will be a perfect gentlemen to his future wife. Oh, and I also home teach these young minds everyday. I cook, clean, sew, blog (of course) and pour into moms and young women whenever I get a chance.

3. what i'd like to do: get a full night of uninterrupted sleep, learn how to quilt, knit, and anything else I haven’t learned. grow in my walk with my Savior and become more reckless abandoned to Christ. See the lost and hurting come to know the amazing love of their Creator.

4. what attracts me to my husband: my husband is my best friend. I am attracted by his commitment to his family both his parents and siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles… and to me his wife and his kids. when we met he was ripped - he was working for a roofing company - yeah, I was attracted to that.

5. favorite foods: coffee, chocolate, my father-in-laws spaghetti, polenta, homemade bread, biscuits (with gravy, jam, honey, butter…) cookies, donuts, tea, and bubble tea, homemade tortillas, pumpkin pie just to name a few… I love food.

6. what i say most often: “Where’s the baby?” “I need you to focus.” “I need coffee.” “I love you.”

So... for tagging, I am going to not tag because it is way too late and I should have been in bed hours ago. If you want to do this meme, consider yourself tagged. And comment me so I can be sure to read yours.

Quirkiness

Diane tagged me with a quirky meme. Now why would she do that? Would it be that posting 100 things about me was not enough? Or, maybe she really wants to know more than my 7 random things. Maybe, she thinks I need to post something, as it has been over a whole week since I have posted. Maybe she thinks I am full of quirkiness. Or, I bet it is because she already knows me so well she wants to see if there is something she doesn't know.

Random Quirks Information

Here are the rules: “MY UNSPECTACULAR QUIRKS”
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell 7 unspectacular quirks about you

4. Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they have been tagged

What exactly is a quirk? A peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality; an odd mannerism.
I like that word peculiarity. Those who call Jesus their Savior are called to be a peculiar people. So… I guess having quirks is a good thing. Without further procrastinating here they are, 7 unspectacular quirks about me, Mommy Reg

1. There is a frozen yogurt shop in town that has been around for well um forever pretty much. I will only eat frozen yogurt with a plastic spoon. Metal spoons make it taste funny. And, top that with peanut butter cups, on the side, please.

2. Speaking of things frozen and peanut butter cups… My favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - miniatures --> From the freezer. Yep, if you open my freezer you will see a bag of miniature peanut butter cups.

3. I only drink milk if I am dunking chocolate chip cookies or Oreos. Then, before I pour that glass of milk, you will find that cup in the freezer. I like my milk and my cup ice cold.

4. I love symmetry and cannot stand it when things are asymmetrical. Decorations, candles wall hangings, it does not matter, I need them to be symmetrical.

5. I also love even numbers. The volume on the television has to be on an even number or I will accept a number divisible by 9. Often, I will put it on 27, which is an odd number but can be divided by nine. But, 26 and 28 would be preferred.

6. I have lived in our current home for almost a whole year and I have not put any pictures up at all. Okay, except for the much-needed curtains in the kitchen. And the map, skeleton, and school white board. That is the extent of décor in my place.

7. If I am watching a movie, chances are I am crocheting, prepping for school lessons, blogging, folding laundry, or picking up the living room. I have a hard time sitting still.

There you have it. 7 unspectacular quirks about me.
Okay, now to the task of tagging poor unfortunate souls to do this quirky meme. Hmmmm let me see. I think I will refrain from tagging anyone but if you feel so inclined… go ahead and list 7 unspectacular quirks about you.

Psalm 37 - 13 Words of Instruction

This week I have been meditating on Psalm 37. On Sunday afternoon, I was praying about the trials we are currently facing. I began worrying about rent, how we will pay it this month and of course all the other bills. I began worrying about all of life’s circumstances that we are facing right now. Believe me there are a lot at this point. Daddy Reg has been out of work for 7 months now. Somehow, we have been able to pay the rent and other bills this whole time but I still worry at times. After praying, I got one word, “Trust.” I looked up trust on an online Bible site and stumbled upon Psalm 37. I read it thoroughly and then I read it again. God’s Living Word is speaking to me on these pages about what I am to do in everything. Here are the 13 things this chapter told me to do. I encourage you to read it yourself. This chapter has brought peace and encouragement to me this week.

1. Fret not yourself.
2. Trust in the Lord.
3. Delight yourself in the Lord.
4. Commit your way to the Lord.
5. Be still before the Lord.
6. Wait patiently for him.
7. Refrain from anger.
8. Forsake wrath.
9. Wait for the Lord.
10. Turn away from evil and do good.
11. Wait for the Lord.
12. Keep his way.
13. Take refuge in him.

This has not changed the circumstances but it has changed my view of the circumstances.

100

This is post 100 on Mommyhood Adventures! I am so excited. In blogland tradition, I am posting 100 things about me to celebrate. Drumroll please......

1. I enjoy doing the overheads for worship at church. I have been doing the overheads since I was in high school. It is actually hard for me to worship when I am not doing them.

2. I love to play the tambourine.

3. I can play the tambourine and do the overheads at the same time.

4. I play the flute - but now not very well, even though in school, I was first chair.

5. I am not a morning person - at all. My body does not really start functioning until about 10 am.

6. I can play piano but I am not the greatest.

7. I met my husband when I was 17 (he was 20), we started dating when I was 18.

8. My hair is so straight it will not take a perm. I tried in high school and I fried my hair.

9. I collect cookbooks. I have over 20 of them right now.

10. My favorite bread to make is challah bread, if I could make it everyday, I would.

11. I make a really good pumpkin pie. It is my son’s favorite dessert.

12. I cannot parallel park. I am so bad at it that I will not even try anymore. I will just drive around until I can find a spot.

13. I did not get my drivers license until I was 20. I got my first car when I was 19.

14. I went to 9 different elementary schools.

15. I went to 1 Jr High and 1 Sr high.

16. I have lived in Wyoming, California, Texas, Nebraska, and Utah. Not exactly in that, order and I moved to Texas twice, Nebraska twice and California 3 times and then moved to many different areas all over CA.

17. I was born in Wyoming.

18. I love to iron. Do not really know why.

19. I love biscuits - all light and fluffy how could you not? Biscuits and gravy, biscuits with jam, honey, butter, honey-butter, with eggs & cheese… mmm now I am hungry for biscuits.

20. I love scones too, a biscuit only sweeter.

21. I really do not like being cold.

22. I can French-braid my own hair.

23. When I was a little girl, my hair was always long, past my waist.

24. Now, I prefer my hair to be around shoulder length.

25. I am obsessed with coffee. I can drink 60 oz of coffee in one day if it is there.

26. I own a normal coffee maker, a coffee press, and 2 moka pots.

27. I love peanut butter.

28. I like to dip a chocolate bar in peanut butter.

29. Sometimes I put peanut butter on a dill pickle. Even when I am not pregnant, I like the flavor. I like the contrast of sweet and sour, and soft and crunchy. I know, I know it sounds nasty. I tried it on a dare when I was 13 and liked it.

30. I met my hubby when I was going into my Sr year of high school and he was in college.

31. I am allergic to onions. When I cut them, I do more than just “cry” I actually swell up. However, I cut them anyway.

32. I love buttered onions on burgers, steak, grilled chicken, and bratts.

33. When I was a kid, I would stay up until 2 in the morning, reading by my nightlight, the streetlight, the moonlight… whatever, I was not that particular.

34. I have read the Narnia series at least a dozen times, if not more.

35. I learned how to read when I was 4 years old. (But I did not read Narnia when I was 4.)

36. I am obsessed with organizing. I love to organize my cupboards and drawers. Though looking at my house right now, you would never know.

37. I really do not like traveling. I prefer staying home when I am on vacation.

38. We spent our honeymoon in town. We enjoyed all our town has to offer, watched movies, and ate take-out. It was so stress free and fun and, not to mention, inexpensive.

39. I taught preschool before I had kids.

40. I was also nanny before I was married. I love kids.

41. I used to play school with my younger siblings when I was a kid. I was the teacher.

42. Now, I teach my kids everyday. I think I see a pattern.

43. When I was little and asked what I want to be I would answer any and/or all of the following. (clearing throat) A nurse, a teacher, an archeologist, a paleontologist, a missionary and a mom.

44. I love chocolate! Dark chocolate is my favorite but not too dark.

45. Peanut butter cups are one of my favorite candies.

46. I love to sew. I wish I had the time to sew more. I really want to become a capable seamstress.

47. I love the color purple, deep dark purple.

48. Tulips are my favorite flower.

49. I love to write. (I know that is probably obvious.)

50. I love reading Louisa May Alcott. Many people only know Little Woman but she wrote many other good books. My favorite of hers is Eight Cousins.

51. I really hated taking English in school.

52. I really loved Math and Science in school.

53. I got married in my in-laws back yard.

54. I do not follow recipes when I cook. I like to improvise. (Even though I collect cookbooks.)

55. I do not like fish. I really do not. I cannot stomach the taste of it. Except tuna, I like tuna as long as it has the mayo, relish and touch of mustard.

56. It takes me a year to unpack completely from a move. I know it is crazy. You should see my garage right now.

57. It has been 6 months where we are now and I still have not put up the pictures and stuff on the walls.

58. I took 5 years of French in school. I do not speak it very well but sometimes I dream in French. Weird.

59. I took 2 years of Spanish in school and I can speak and understand Spanish more easily.

60. I love playing Monopoly. Even though in all the 20 plus years of playing it, I think I have only won twice. No exaggeration, I always lose at Monopoly.

61. I have big babies. 9lbs 3oz to 10lbs 3oz. Yep, big babies. The shocker is my non-pregnant weight averages 110lbs. Go figure.

62. I do not like to exercise. Sometimes I enjoy a nice walk in the park. That is the most exercise I enjoy.

63. I need a lot of sleep and on most days, if you ask me how I am I will say I am tired. Especially lately.

64. My favorite books in the Bible are Song of Songs and Philippians.

65. When I am frustrated about something, I bake. I bake a lot as a stress reliever. You know something stressful is going on if you see several pies, loaves of bread, cakes, and muffins... in the kitchen.

66. I read manuals. You know the user manuals for well, everything you purchase? I enjoy reading them. I think I could make a career out of it.

67. I do not own a lot of jewelry. In fact almost none. I have a little box that has everything in it and only my wedding rings and one necklace is worth any value over $10.

68. I was an apartment manager for 8 years. From the time, my son was 2 months old until a year ago. It was a way for us to make ends meet and me still be able to teach the kids.

69. When I was in college, my roommate and I used to run to Wal-Mart at midnight and beyond to get décor items for our apartment. I was nuts when I was young.

70. I really have no decorating style. I wish I did. I just cannot seem to be able to see the bigger picture when I look at something in the store.

71. I just recently started liking the color pink. My little Princess K is rubbing off on me.

72. I love cheesecake. It is one of my favorite desserts.

73. I am a hard sell. You cannot just convince me to buy something without convincing me that life will actually cease to exist if I do not have it.

74. I love Girls Scout cookies. Life will cease to exist without Girl Scout Cookies. (Just kidding life will go on but it will not be as yummy.)

75. I like to garden. I love going out and being in the dirt and eating the literal fruits of my labor.

76. I love tomatoes. Tomatoes are so yummy straight off the vine.

77. I worked with Junior Highers after high school. Both Daddy Reg and I were on Jr High staff at the church we went to until we got married. Then decided to take a break.

78. I can do many small home repairs by myself. I am very handy that way. And resourceful.

79. I do not really like talking on the phone very much. However, I can talk to certain people for hours if I get the chance.

80. I am discovering that this is much harder to do than it sounds.

81. I want to learn Italian. I actually started teaching the kids Italian a little.

82. I absolutely love being a mommy.

83. I love being a helpmeet to my best friend Daddy Reg.

84. I am very black and white and no nonsense about life. I have learned to lighten up quite a bit for the kids.

85. I like green bananas but not yellow. They must have some amount of green on them in order for me to eat them. Once they turn all yellow, they are only good in smoothies, muffins, bread…

86. I love watching Fox News.

87. I love my Dell computer and I am not fond of Macs. Though I am not impressed with Windows Vista (it reminds me too much of Windows ME which was also a flop.)

88. I have been married for almost 11 years.

89. I am part of the over 30 crowd. But according to my father-in-law, I still look like I did when I was 14. Yep, he has known me that long.

90. I love watching my kids play together.

91. I like to watch movies. When we were dating, Daddy Reg and I would go to the movies almost every night.

92. I do not like buying things I know I can make myself.

93. I like being frugal.

94. I love playing games like Tetris and can get very addicted to them.

95. I like watching Jeopardy.

96. I enjoy doing pencil puzzles and crosswords.

97. In real life, I am actually shy and more reserved.

98. I love brownies. Baking brownies, smelling brownies, eating warm brownies with a cup of coffee… for breakfast. (Okay so this list is making it look like I have a food problem. But I swear I don’t.)

99. I actually eat a healthy diet. One of my favorite things to eat is wilted spinach with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of salt. (More nutrients are absorbed when it is cooked than raw.)

100. My heart right now is for moms. I love encouraging moms in their adventure through mommyhood. Being a mom should be fun and rewarding. As a mom you should look forward to being with them everyday not dreading it. My heart is to encourage women to embrace their role as a mommy and realize that this is the greatest job in the world.

If you made it this far congratulations and thanks for reading.

Chocolate Covered Love

How does my honey show me he loves me? He buys me chocolate covered cookie dough ice cream on a stick. Yep that is one of the ways my honey shows me he loves me. Tonight that is what he brought home when I said I really felt like dessert. But he did one better because that ice cream wasn't only covered in chocolate, it was laying on a brownie. oh sweet yumminess.

When I was pregnant with Little Man, I had a craving for ice cream. Well ice cream, cookies and chocolate. I was really hungry that night but couldn't figure out what I really wanted. So... I asked him to get me chocolate covered cookie dough ice cream on a stick. He gave me this crazy look and said he would do what he could as it was sometime around midnight when I asked for this I know the request was certifiable. But my honey came home with exactly what I asked for. He is soooo nice.
And tonight when he brought me home one that was on a brownie... oh man... yummy happiness. Chocolate makes mommy happy.

Thursday Thirteen - Cookbooks

I absolutely love cookbooks. I enjoy reading them and getting new techniques on how to prepare any dish my heart desires. I collect cookbooks, recipe cards, cooking magazines and well any book that has to do with food. Including Essentials of Nutrition Diet Therapy from college. I even check out cookbooks when we go to the library and the kids have caught my obsession by checking out cookbooks too. And, to add to it all we are Food Network junkies. My kids love pretty much all the shows on Food Network and will actually beg to stay up late so they can watch specials on Food Network. With that, here is my Thursday Thirteen list for the week.

Thirteen Cookbooks/Magazines I Have in my Collection

1. Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook
2. Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Baking
3. Rival Crock-Pot Cooking
4. Sunset All-Time Favorite Recipes
5. Good Housekeeping Roasting Easy and Delicious Recipes
6. Great Taste-Low Fat Grilling
7. Betty Crocker Recipes for Today
8. The New Joys of Jell-o
9. Slow Cooker Recipe Collection
10. Fine Cooking Holidays Winter 2006
11. The Healthy College Cookbook
12. The Hamburger Cookbook
13. Pillsbury Show Off Desserts