UnOrdinary Life

Oct. 18, 2008 - Materpiece of Cuteness!

Today we were in Target, just browsing. Abigail saw a little dish towel with fall leaves on it. She went to it, fingered it and said, "This is a masterpiece of cuteness!"

To which I thought, "YOU are a masterpiece of cuteness!

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Oct. 11, 2008 - Praise, Affirmation, and a Prayer Request.

We took a short trip to MD as my Tommy had a couple interviews and by the time we returned home I started to panic that we were making a very bad decision. However, God is so caring and has shown us that we are indeed doing His will and has blessed us with a sweet peace.

Then, yesterday in the mail we received a very unexpected blessing. The USAF has found Tommy's medical records and sent them the the VA. The VA has proved service connection and has made a doctor's appt for him on the 20th (the day we are to be moving) to determine what percentage of compensation he will receive. This means that we just may be able to afford a home of our own in MD, please pray!

Thank you all so much!

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Oct. 8, 2008 - SIX!

Katherine has had the cutest little two teeth for a while now. I noticed a bit of swelling on her top gums and realized that she would be getting her top two teeth very soon ... thenI investigated further and could see SIX little teeth popping through. Four up top and two on the bottom.

I always pray for us to be productive ... her mouth sure seems to be doing a great job!

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Oct. 4, 2008 - Great Wolf Lodge

Last weekend we met my mom, grandmother, brother and his girlfriend at the Great Wolf Lodge. Oh. My. What a fun place!

It was a bit humid in there and my camera lens kept getting foggy so I don't have very many pictures ... not to mention I was afraid of getting the camera wet! So, I decided to just get one of each kid in the water for memory's sake.

Abigailie

Ian

Emily Joy

Most of the time Miss Katherine cuddled and bonded with GG.

There were water slides, water raft slides, lilly pads to jump, wave pools, a lazy river, just oodles and oodles of chances to get wet and have fun! We really had such a fun time and it was such a blessing to be with our family!

We had been at the water park for two full days and were getting ready to hop in the car and go our separate ways when I was able to talk my Mom into a picture with the kiddos.

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Oct. 4, 2008 - Something To Not Forget ...

There are some things I never want to forget. While cuddling with my Ian the other day, I realized that he was content to keep the pillow still as we snuggled. It didn't used to be this way. He used to want to flip the pillow over every five minutes or so, while saying, "Let's turn it so we can feel the nice cool side."

LOL. I never want to forget that. I love that kid.

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Oct. 4, 2008 - To Maryland We Will Go!

We are moving. Back home. To Maryland.

We've been praying about it for almost a year now. Both separately, before the other even knew it was on our hearts, and then together, and as a family. There are so many reasons. Most of which is our family. There will be difficulties because of our family. Namely, homeschooling. My grandmother devoted her entire life to the public school system, however, she is still my grandmother.

We will not be able to buy a house, or even afford rent there. However, we've always been welcome to call my grandmother's home ours. The only reason we chose not to was sinful pride that we could buy a home of our own ... what good is it if we are miserable?

I desperately want to be a part of my children's lives when they are adults. How will that happen if we don't model it for them now?

There are so many reasons. I know that we are going to receive criticism for moving in with my grandmother, however it is what my husband has decided is best for our family right now. We will put our house on the market once it is empty. My Tommy has submitted several applications, we would really appreciate any prayers for him to get the job God has for him. He has a temporary job that he is able to start as soon as we arrive. He is giving his current job two weeks notice and then we are off. We would have to formalize our homeschool at the end of October here, and would rather not have to do it twice.

I called my best friend and said, "I have a secret for you!"

She said, "We're having another one?!?!"

I said, "No, but if we do we'll be in Charles County so you can see him!"

She screamed so loud that Tommy could hear her and said, "I'm getting my friend back!"

So, I really am excited and can't wait to get on with it.

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Sep. 24, 2008 - Jackets, Tights, and ... Rain Boots?

There was a cool crispness in the air and a chilly breeze too. It seemed awfully early to be feeling such things in North Carolina, however we certainly welcomed the chance to enjoy it!

There is something special about a girl donning tights to keep warm for the first time in a season.

The sight of a contented baby all cuddled in a hooded jacket sure is precious.

And a young boy playing about in his rain boots ... wait, you say it isn't raining? Oh. Well. He's worn those rain boots every day for the last year, why would today be any different?

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Sep. 22, 2008 - Abigail Read The WHOLE Book!

My Abigail. She is such a smart little thing, though she has been hesitant to learn to read. We started with 100 EZ Lessons as everyone I knew loved it. She did okay with sounding out, however kept coming to a road block with "Say it fast", so we just shelved it for a while. We then tried again. Got a bit further and shelved it again. Finally I said to myself, "What is the goal? To finish the book or for Abigail to learn to read?"

She one time confided in me that she didn't want to learn to read because she loves it too much when I read to her. Silly girl. I assured her I would always read to her no matter how old or able she was to read to herself.

I want her to love reading just as much as she loves being read to, so I hadn't pressed the reading. I wanted to let her set the pace a bit and her desire to write notes on her own had her learning to spell rather quickly which kind of propelled her into learning to read a bit more.

So, here she is, after reading her first Bob book. (By the way, 100 EZ Lessons is shelved for good, perhaps to be used with another child later on.)

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Sep. 19, 2008 - Counting WIth Emily

This morning I was helping Emily with her shoes. We got one on and I said, "There's one!" She said, "One!"

We got the other one on and I said, "OK, Em! How many is that?"

She said, "Booooooooth!"

LOL

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Sep. 19, 2008 - Sharon

Stop procrastinating.

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Sep. 13, 2008 - My Ian is FIVE!

I can hardly believe it! My little man is five years old. Where have the years gone? Here is his very first minute as a five year old. (He climbed into bed with the girls and you can see Emily's leg throw over him. hehe)

Grandma got him an Edible Arrangement to celebrate his big day ... he thought it was the best present ever!

Abigail wore a dress with yellow lemons on it, just for him. She's stained all over the place with yellow and green dye from helping decorate the cake.

When it was time to blow out the candles, he huffed and he puffed ... and Emily blew them out. LOL.

He got a "shaving kit" which he absolutely adored!

Katherine thought the best present of all was the box to the train set.

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Sep. 7, 2008 - We Were Outside Studying A Snail ...

when the baby woke up. So, I went inside to get her, indulged in a few cuddles along the way and grabbed the bouncy seat to take out with us. I stepped down onto the deck and immediately went flying. My shoes flew off as my ankle gave out , I somehow (Praise God) instinctively cushioned Katherine's head with my elbow as we hear a resounding crack and subsequently tumbled to the deck floor.

Tommy rushed to get Katherine, who looked a bit bewildered but otherwise unhurt. Abigail, Ian, and Emily all clamored to get ice. I sat there. It hurt. Badly. Abigail came and put the ice on my foot, sat beside me, and said, "Mommy, all I care about is you. It's ok that you stepped on our snail." Love

ACK!

That is what made me slip! I hadn't realized until that point.

Ian said, "Mommy, all I care about is you too ... though I wish you hadn't stepped on our snail." LOL Crying

Abigail then brought me my book, a pillow, and blanket. LOL Crying

Out on the deck. LOL Crying

I decided that I would go ahead and read some, as the thought of standing wasn't really a nice one.

A few minutes later Tommy said that he wanted to help me up so he could see how it was. As soon as I was standing on it, even without applying weight, my toes turned purple. I tried to put a little weight on it and a pain shot through my entire foot and into my toes before they went numb.

Arnica and ice are great, but neither would tell us if it was actually broken. So, my Tommy said that I was to get ready to go and we were going to the hospital.

Now, five and a half hours later, we are home and I'm under strict orders to stay in bed for the next three days. I tried my hardest not to, however this guy Blink

shot a look at the doctor. He said, "I know, I have four kids too, but you don't have a choice. Three days. In bed. Foot above heart. Ice for 15 minutes every 4 hours."

So, it's not broken, thank God. I have to go to the orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday so he can reevaluate and hopefully tell me that I can be up and around more.

Ian absolutely loves my air cast and is so proud that it is his job to keep it blown up. Giggle 4

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Jul. 30, 2008 - Cobbler Recipe

Just for Jennifer!

This is the best I can do. I don't really measure much, sorry!

Filling
About 8 peeled and sliced peaches
Sprinkling of sugar (You really don't need much)
A few shakes of cinnamon
A few shakes of nutmeg
A splash or two of vanilla
3 Tbsp flour

Crust
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Milk
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

1 Stick of Butter

Boil your filling ingredients.
Melt stick of butter in 8x11 baking dish in 400 degree oven
Pour mixed crust batter on top of the melted butter
Pour fruit mixture on top of batter
Bake about 25 minutes or until crust is set and golden brown
Cool
Enjoy!

It is really good served with a tiny bit of vanilla ice cream!

I one day plan to try it with ww flour and agave nectar instead of the all natural white flour and sugar, however I'm not sure how the crust would do without the bulk of the sugar. So, if you are adventurous enough to try, let me know how it turns out!

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Jul. 28, 2008 - Tater Tot Casserole and Gram's Peach Cobbler

We had been married for about two years when my Tommy asked me why I never made Tater Tot Casserole. He took my blank stare to mean that I was offended and apologized, which made me chuckle and kiss him. I was not offended, merely clueless. Tater Tot Casserole? Why had I never made it? Perhaps because I'd never even heard of it.

After searching out a recipe I surprised him with it one day. He was so happy. So excited. So satisfied. And, I could tell that he felt so loved.

Tommy never really had cobblers while growing up. My Gram makes the best cobbler! Peach, blackberry, apple ... my favorite is peach. One day I was making a peach cobbler in my mother in law's kitchen. She was absolutely astounded that I was using fresh peaches. She could not wrap her mind around why I would go through all of that work just for a cobbler.

Well, the answer is simple really. It's the way my Gram does it. Gram's from Georgia. She is qualified to be the Peach Cobbler Authority.

Well, the other day I was making my Tommy his tater tot casserole for dinner followed by a scrumptious peach cobbler for dessert when God had me for a captive student. Don't you love it when God teaches us something in the midst of everydayness?

I browned my 3 lbs of turkey meat. Poured the turkey meat into my large roasting pan so I could make a cream gravy in the frying pan. Made the cream gravy with plenty of onion powder and pepper.

Added the gravy to the meat. Then added the frozen corn and green beans. Mixed until evenly distributed.

Added the tater tots on top and put it in the 425 degree oven.

Then I doused my already peeled and sliced peaches with sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, 3 tbsp of flour and let them sit in the warm sauce pan to meld and get bubbly friendly with one another.

While the peaches and sugary goodness were melding and bubbling I called my grandmother to make sure I had the crust measurements right. We chatted for a minute.

I moved my tater tot casserole to the side so that I could put my stick of butter in its baking dish to melt.

Interesting. They fit in perfectly together!

While the butter was melting I combined the flour, milk, sugar, and baking powder for the crust. When the butter was melted through I poured the crust batter in the butter pan and sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on top.

Then I added the peaches to the buttery batter.

What do you think I discovered when I went to put our peach cobbler in the oven? The casserole was perfectly done!

We sat and ate. I enjoyed watching my husband and children feel loved by me making them one of their favorite meals. When we were done eating, I checked on the cobbler. Perfectly done!

While the cobbler cooled we had our time of family worship at the table. When we had said our last "amen" we checked the cobbler and it was 100% ready to enjoy.

What a perfect meal! The timing was impeccable.

God showed me that this meal is a lot like our marriage. My Tommy and I come from very different backgrounds, yet we fit each other so perfectly. It was such an amazing proof of His love for us, His amazing goodness ... that he led us to each other at just the right time so that we would be "ready" together.

I love that God loves me enough to show me things like that ... always when I need to see them the most!

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Jul. 24, 2008 - Wrap and Carry

I've been meaning to post this for a while now, just never got around to it. I've had some more people ask how to use my wrap, so I thought I would show you. I made this video the day after Easter (I know, because the Easter outfits are drying behind me. LOL) and the camera battery was dying so I had to hurry. It looks like Katherine isn't really secure the last time because I didn't pull the side up all of the way, which I ALWAYS check when doing it for real but with the battery going, I was just trying to finish.

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/salsaandtea/?action=view&current=P3240042.flv

That is just using five yards of a knit fabric.

If you don't want to hassle with all of that fabric you can buy a premade wrap, sling, or pouch. Dr. Allen just reminded me about her friend that has a site with a few different styles to choose from.

www.carrymeclosely.com

(Speaking of Dr. Allen, I wonder if she's wishing she would have moved to FL now? Hehe.)

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Jul. 19, 2008 - RAIN, RAIN, PLEASE COME AND HAVE A STAY!

Yes, I know that I am bizarre. I love the rain. Love it. Yesterday we had the briefest of sprinkles pay us a visit. Before the rain, the clouds foretelling it's arrival tried to tease us for a few hours. My Tommy and Ian went outside to see if they could get the yard mowed before the rain actually joined us. The girls and I lit a candle, turned some music on, indulged in a bit of creme brulee coffee (well, I did anyway ;)), and prepared dinner. Abigail peeled the potatoes and carrots while I chopped them and the onions. Emily sat beside us and asked to peel every vegetable that was pulled from its bag. Just a few more years, we told her.

I always love dinner prep time with my girls, however there is just something about the fresh smell of rain and the calming rattatat it offers that makes even the most usual of chores seem special.

We have a 30% - 50% chance of rain almost every day next week! I can't wait to see what kind of fun memories we will make together!

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Jul. 4, 2008 - Happy Independence Day!

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Jun. 28, 2008 - Saying Goodbye to Dr. Allen

Has it really been two weeks since I last posted? Shame! We've been busy and trying to settle in to a new routine.

The sad thing is that I really do have a picture for each day that I didn't post ... I just need to get them edited and up. Maybe I'll back date them.

Today's POTD is a picture of our Emily and Dr. Allen sharing a goodbye hug, Dr. Allen is moving. Far away.

We met Dr Allen when I was 37 weeks pregnant with Emily. Little Miss Emily proved to be stubborn even before she was born so we had to seek out chiropractic care to enable her to turn. God directed us right to Dr. Allen and He has continued to use her in our life ever since. We will miss her so much, but know that she is doing the best thing for her family.