All about my life. What I am doing, where we are going, what God is teaching me, how our adoption is progressing.... Anything and everything you might want to know and some you probably don't. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0500 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0500 I cannot believe it, pinch me am I dreaming... Yes it is true we are FINALLY almost finished with the adoption process!  The judge terminated both father's rights and then a couple of days later we filled out all the adoption paperwork ( kinda like buying a house!), we got to fill out the info for new birth certificates and guess what! The new birth certificates will have Jon and I listed as parents! I just assumed we would get old birth certificates and adoption certificates, how cool is that? Our Attorney says that it should take about 30 days or so to be final then we will officially have 3 new precious children, Alyvia Joy, Daniel James and Elaina Mischa Milagro ( spanish for miracle). Alyvia is so excited but in her 6 yr old mind it still seems so far away. Daniel and Elaina are also excited but at 3 and 4 do not exactly understand what adopted means ( despite my best attempts to explain), It took me a couple of weeks to realize it was really happening, I still sometimes think in the back of my mind that what if they change their minds, what if judge does not approve us.... Endless worries that only serve to distract me.  Then God gently reminds me that he brought us here for these kids, a perfect match.  God told us we would have a daughter named Alyvia, God told us to come to Wyoming ( where I said I would never live! haha), God gave me a dream of 3 beautiful brown haired tiny children,  then He told us to do foster care for the purpose of adoption. When we called DFS to "sign up" they told us " We do not usually have adoptions, the majority of our kids go back to birth families", but we knew what God had told us and followed anyway. All the physical and natural signs said not a possibility, but God knew otherwise and we trusted and obeyed. I am so thankful we did. It was a huge scary step, but when I first saw Elaina I knew this one was mine. 15 kids later ( and I loved them all) the only 3 that I ever knew were mine are finally going to be mine. Yes I did love them all and no it was not hard to let them go. They were never mine, I just had the priviledge of caring for them for a short time. Now that chapter of our life is coming to an end, it is bittersweet. I look back at all the faces and all the memories and all the life stories. I see how blessed we have been and how we have been used to bless. In James it tells us to take care of the widows and orphans, while these kids were not literally orphans that is essentially what we did. I hope  and pray that in the future we get to help more orphans. I suspect that we are not yet through, but it will be in a different capacity. I am in some ways excited about this chapter closing and in some ways sad. But I know that God has good things in store and he will lead us in the path that he has for us. So on to the next chapter. Wherever it leads, whatever happens I know God is always in control. I hope that this next one will be just as fulfilling and rewarding.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/677734/ Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:30:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/677734/ This recipe is famous at our house. Not like your traditional fluffy white buttermilk but oh so yummy, and way healthier. I always make a double batch because they disappear quickly. 2 cps whole wheat flour,    3 tsp baking powder,   1/2 tsp salt,  5 tablespoons coconut oil ( hardened),  3/4 cp coconut milk ( or regular milk) Preheat oven to 450.  Combine flour, baking powder, salt. Mix coconut oil till resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk and knead 2-3 min till desired consistency. Roll to 1/2 in thickness. Cut with floured cookie cutters or biscuit cutter ( we use all shapes and sizes). Bake on stone or pan for 10-12 min. Yield 10. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/659771/ Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/659771/ My little family of 3 keeps growing and growing. In the 2 years we have gone from 3 to 7. Yep, I thought what you are thinking now, that was fast! As a result our grocery budget keeps growing and growing as well. To top things off all I ever seem to hear is "I'm hungry" like 500 billion times a day. ( Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) Our goals this year are to be more content and more frugal, less money going out and more being saved. Since we do not regularly eat out or go to the movies ( did you know it cost us to take 6 people to 1 movie, with 2 popcorns and 4 drinks $70! I about fell over when the lady at the ticket counter told me my total! Needless to say that was the last movie we all went to together!) Anyway back to my problem. So I came up with the " brilliant" idea to see how I could cut back my grocery budget. I do avoid brand name and prefab foods, but I insist on organic meat and dairy that is non-negotiable. I keep looking at website after website of ideas, some good, some insane, some I am already doing\, some that require lots more time than I have, but I cannot seem to figure out how to shrink my budget. Now 10.5 years ago when I got married I was told that you should budget $150 per person per month for food, so for a family of 6 that would be $900 a month right? But some of the little ones do not eat as much so they would be less. I generally spend around $600 that includes all cleaning products and toiletries, diapers..... I thought this was pretty good, But then I ran across this site where the woman says she spends $200 a month for a family of 4. IS she serious, I cannot ever imagine spending that little on groceries. Is this normal, does living in a small town in the middle of nowhere make it more expensive? So I wonder do I just spend way to much, how can I cut back? What should I do to cut back, I buy bulk on items we use often, I make almost everything from scratch. I make my own bread and my kids will eat 1 loaf in 1 meal, so should I bake more often and let them eat more bread since it is so cheap. What are your thoughts? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/643591/ Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/643591/ A little grumbling here a little complaining there, if not kept in check can become a bad fruit in our lives.  We recently had to nip that discontentment bug in the bud and kick it out of our home. One person grumbled another complained and before we knew it everyone was unhappy and wanting something to change, a new house, better toys,  different kids to play with, to move home....  One day God showed all of us that what he really wanted this year was for us to be content. Everything in our lives he has put there for a reason,  so we just need to be thankful and bloom where he has planted us, for however long he has us here.  While we love our family and Colorado Springs and desire to be there, God has us here for a reason and we are choosing to trust him and obey. To follow through and see what that reason is, maybe it is a cute little boy with big brown eyes who just needs a mama and papa to love on him.  Being a foster/adopt family is not always an easy task, sometimes the system is just too much and we want to give up, but God has been faithful to remind us that THIS is our ministry, THIS is our purpose.  That he put the burden for these little kids on our hearts over 15 years ago. Little did we know then what it would all mean, but God has been leading and guiding us to this place. How many more kids will we have, who knows. I will take whomever God sends to us. I will follow in the example of George Mueller and trust God to provide for all the needs and expenses that go with it. While sometimes I may feel like the most horrible mother on the planet, God gave us THESE kids for a reason, and he WILL equip us to raise them the best way for them.  I now have 5 kids ages 9,6,almost 4 and almost 3, and 1. Yes I feel overwhelmed on some days with so many little ones, but God gives grace to the humble, and I pray that he will give me grace because I truly do need it.  He gave me a wonderful 9 yr old with a heart of gold, who loves others and loves to help. I am so thankful for her and the wonderful things God is doing in her heart, she is learning along with the rest of us. So this year we as a family are choosing to be content in all God throws our way, in all we do, in all that happens. We are playing the happy game, when someone is negative about a situation or person they must then say 10 happy or positive things about that same thing. I love ALL my kids and I look forward to meeting the others that I am certain God has for us, when and how and where I do not know, but I do know that He has put desires in our hearts for a reason. So one day that may be my 15 passenger van you pass on the highway, who knows.  So  join me on my journey to contentment, it really is a freeing feeling. Bloom where God has planted you, grow in the wisdom and love and grace of God.  Love life and embrace it all, good and bad. God loves us and has good things for us. Be happy, be blessed, be Content. Blessings to you, Michelle http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/642710/ Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/642710/ Casting Crowns has a wonderful new song called Slow Fade. Have you heard it? WOW! talk about   a powerful song.  The chorus goes like this: Chorus It's a slow fade when you give yourself away It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade That is so true, one little sin leads to another little sin leads  another and before you know it you have made some choices that  leave you baffled and wondering how did I ever get here.  It could be that little lie you told your boss about why you were late, or that paper you took home from the office, or that juicy piece of gossip you passed on, or that wine you just could not pass up, that chocolate chip cookie you ate when you weren't really hungry... Whatever your sin whatever your choice are you sure that is the way you want to go? I read my kids a story recently about a boy who was known to be honest, but little by little he told little white lies, pretty soon he was in over his head and landed himself in jail, lost his job and his good standing in the community.   A little anger, a little lust, a little lie, a little theft, a little gluttony... they will soon snowball and you will have to face the consequences. They all have different consequences and none of them appealing,  Do you want to feed the angry sin dragon or would you rather bask in the love and peace and warmth of our loving father.  I hope that in this next year you will all take the time to sit and pray and evaluate your heart and what things are hidden there. May God grant you wisdom , peace, and freedom. Little changes add up to big results. Let us make those little changes positive, godly changes.   Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little hands what you do, be careful little feet where you go. God loves us and has good things in store for us. I cannot wait to see what this new year brings and all the changes God will bring into all of our lives. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/642702/ Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/642702/ I have disappeared for a while. Not on purpose, at first I had nothing to say. Then I was busy taking care of myself, I am finally free for a bit to share what is going on with me. Have you ever gotten so busy with taking care of your kids, husband, house... you forget to take care of yourself? I am sure I am not the only one to fall into this trap. I forgot about myself, I somehow convinced myself that everything and everyone else was more important. I would wake up and jump out of bed, throw on some clothes and rush to feed my always hungry kids.  Then we would get Alyvia off to school, start Naomi with school, tackle chores, break up fights with little ones, make lunch... Each day was busy and crazy. Then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks, since we have had Omar and Alyvia my personal quiet time is whatever I can squeeze in while in the bathroom. Not much more than a couple minutes a day. So I determined this must change. So I started putting the little ones in Elaina's room to play and SHUTTING the door, then Giving Naomi a list of assignments, with instructions not to disturb me.  Then I take out my Bible and journal and have some personal time with God.  I listen to my new New Life Church worship CD and I love my time with God, I no longer rush, like I was, I take my time and ignore all around me. The kids amazingly are fine, they play happily till I am finished. This leaves me so much more refreshed and energized and at peace.  That first part was the most important part, but then I got thinking... HMMM maybe I should wear some makeup everyday... Those that know me well know I never wear makeup except on SUN.  So I started my day with a shower, makeup, braid my hair, and get dressed. WOW how much better I feel, even though no one but my kids sees me, I feel good. I cannot explain that but it really makes me feel better and more human? Then I said to myself, hmm lets go a step further and walk 2x a day. WOW that was a good move. My kids often join me, but it leaves me feeling refreshed and energized.   I even went and revamped my wardrobe... GASP, SHOCK, say it ain't so JOE! Yes I bought some new pants that I love and 9 lovely new shirts in colors I love and look nice in. I even splurged and got some new pj's! That made me feel even better. Then to top all of that off  I found an online Bible Study called The Lord's Table, I love this program ( Ok I am only on day 3 but I have been so encouraged and blessed by my mentor).  This has been a wonderful addition to my taking care of me quest. http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/ Now I wonder why do we as moms forget to take care of ourselves, our souls, our bodies. Yes we need to take care of our families, but are we giving them our best when we neglect to take care of us? I do not think so, I think when we neglect ourselves we start resenting our families and others for all that they are taking out of us. Ok, maybe you are saying "NOT ME!" well, take some time and think about it, try it out, see how you feel when you take care of yourself and how that translates to your family. I know for me, I am a MUCH nicer mom when I take care of me, my guess is you will be too. SO I challenge all my fellow friends, moms, wives, homeschoolers take care of you, let God work in and through you and see what amazing things he does in your life. Have a happy, blessed day, may God fill your cup to overflowing as you worship him and sing his praises. Michelle PS. If you would like to have me email you when I write new topics send me a note at mjstahnke@aol.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/616648/ Sat, 8 Nov 2008 22:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/616648/ DMAE- found in a variety of foods including eggs Ok here is the low down on DMAE. You can find this on http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?ss=1&Ntk=products&Ntt=dmae or at your local health food store. 1. Improves sleep, deeper sleep, awaken earlier more refreshed with a clearer mind, helps eliminate insominia, makes it easier to fall asleep, reduces amount of sleep your body requires by 1 hour per night. 2.Improves short term memory 3.Possesses life extension potential 4.Improves athletic performance 5.Alleviates fatigue 6.increases brain/mental function. Helpful for alzhiemers patients 7. Alleviates anxiety 8.reduces apathy 9.Improves ADHD - in studies 70% of subjects had decreased agressiveness, increased intelligence, and improved learning ability 10. Fascilitates weight loss, increases muscle tone, boosts metabolism 11.Alleviates Depression 12.Helps Down Syndrome 13.Increases assertiveness - in a good way- particularly in extremely shy people 14.increases creativity and verbal fluency 15.Improves concentration, intelligence, learning, memory 16.Improves mood 17. Give more energy 18.Improves willpower 19.Balances brain chemicals 20.Stimulates Central Nervous System so it works properly 21.Diminishes liver spots 22. Makes skin look healthier and well just better. Results are from subjects tested after 6 weeks of use Recommended Dosage: For normal people 100 -200 mg morn and night for people with any of the above problems 400-600 morn and night. I ordered some for myself, so I will be the guinea pig and see how well it works. In about 6 weeks I will let you know. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/606035/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/606035/ I am sitting here listening to one of my favorite songs - Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. My kids are growing way to fast and I imagine yours are growing as fast as mine.  I love this song, it reminds me to always take time for the little things and fun moments. that life goes way to fast.  What are the Cinderella moments with your kids, will you take advantage of them or let them slip away.  To often we are tired or busy, up to our eyeballs in dishes or laundry, but what really is important? When they are grown and gone will we regret not taking time to "dance" with our kids. Whatever that means for your kids, take the time, because soon they will be gone. Today I got up the courage to tackle that one laundry basket, you know the one that always manages to get put out of the way because no one wants to touch it. Yes, the sock basket is the one I am talking about. Naomi and I jumped head first in. In the end we threw away all the unmatched ones that I have been hanging on to since the beginning of time. What was left was amazing, I only have one pair of socks( I only wear them when it is so cold I will get frostbite if I don't, otherwise I wear sandals), I did not count Jon's because I always fold his as I put away laundry, he needs them more often than the rest of us.  Now the kids count was rather astonishing to me. Naomi has 5 pairs - she is like her mother, Omar is next with 16 pairs, Elaina has 21 pairs ( she likes to take them off in random places never to be spotted again), And Alyvia won the grand prize of a whopping 29 pairs of socks! All matched. Some of these she inherited from Naomi, some were replacements because she had lost so many, some were gifts from random family members. That must be a record. At least they will last till I have the courage to fold them again. I had a teacher in school who was so germaphobic that we all thought she was strange. Now I am not quite as bad as her, but since having 4 kids I have a tendency to be afraid of germs. HMM the thought of someone giving me a slobbery kiss while sick with the lastest bug, makes me cringe. I have even wondered a time or two if I would end up like that crazy detective MONK ( I LOVE MONK). This weekend I came close, we went on a road trip to Craig and had to stop and use a rest stop bathroom. Yes I got out the antibacterial wipes and washed the toilet seat not once but 3 times! I really wanted  to make sure that seat was clean.  Does that make me like MONK????? We have all been sick here with the lastest horrible bug going around, and since I did not use my normal caution of not letting any sick children close to my face.... I got it too! Omar ( Daniel) my little bug lover is so funny, we were praying that God would help us to get over this bug soon and he pipes up, " Mama. I love bugs, but caterpillers make me sick." Down the street from us a house blew up - literally, we happened to be out around that time and saw the fire. Now every day I field questions about how come people shoot fire at their houses. How their little minds work. I think Omar and Alyvia are growing, they each at a plate of homemade Nachos, 2 oranges, a cheesestick and 4 graham crackers and they are still hungry! AGHH how do I fill them up???? Well, I am going to go dance with Cinderella, hope you do to. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/597339/ Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/597339/ It has been a busy few weeks for us. We started school a week early, Naomi begged me to. We lost our appeal to keep Alyvia home, but it is looking postive the the fathers right will be terminated in the next 2 months. So hopefully after that the adoption will go fast and we can finally homeschool her. We started swimming again as well. I LOVE Charlotte Mason's Methods, Naomi is thrilled with school this year. I threw out the lesson plans ( well sort of) she is doing what I planned but at a much faster pace, She is just inhaling everything. I think I will have to get the enrichment reading books because she is going through them so fast. LOL We discovered Making Math Meaningful and for the first time she loves math - She did 10 pages on Mon!!! I think it should be renamed Math without Tears. With fall almost here, I want to share my ALL TIme Favorite Soup recipe, . I usually make the recipe x6 and freeze the leftovers in meal size containers ( for a family of 6).   Chicken Tortilla Soup 1 med onion chopped,   2 cloves garlic minced,   1-2 T oil for sauted,   2 lbs chicken baked or boiled and  chopped, 14 oz can diced tomatoes, 15 oz beef broth ( can or homemade),  5 oz can Rotel Tomatoes, 15 oz chicken broth ( can or homemade), 2 8 oz can tomato sauce                                  1 tsp ground cumin                                              1 tsp chili powder                                                1tspSalt                                                            1/2 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning                                2 tsp worchestershire sauce                                   Saute onions in oil. Add all ingredients into soup pot , Simmer till hot.  Top with grated cheese, Tortilla chips, cubed avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, fresh diced tomatoes. Recipe feeds 5-6 Hope you all have a blessed day and enjoy the soup! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/592278/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:44:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/592278/ Last night we went to City Hall for a workshop about a proposed Daytime Curfew. I had my list of questions carefully planned out. I had a summary of an alternative truancy program, that was less restrictive. All my thoughts were cohesive and I was ready.  However, when I go to open my mouth all that comes out is total mush! I stumble through a couple of my thoughts, then I get completely flustered, I cannot remember a thing and in my horribly nervous state to speak I had left my notes in my seat. I hope the seat enjoyed them and got some good use from them because I sure did not. Now this is not the first time this has happened. It happens every single time I open my mouth in front of a group of say more than 8 adults. I am completely tongue-tied! I have often profound, brilliant thoughts ( at least I think so ), however all that ever seems to come out ends up as mush, it makes no sense to my ears and my brain and my mouth seem to have disconnected from each other. I did managed to get an A in Speech in College, which if you heard me speak you would think was rather amazing. I vividly remember being terrified each night before my class and Jonathan having to talk me into attending. Thankfully I had a wonderful, kind teacher who graded me based on my outlines and effort. After my first class when I got up and looked at the class and burst into tears, she took me into the hall and said she had been the same way when she first started, she said she always grades their students on how hard they try, not how well they do. So alas, my A was earned not for my speaking ability, but the fact that I tried. When I was teaching kindergarten I had a particularly mischevious little boy, one morning I had pulled him into the hallway and asked him why he had done a particular thing. His response was " I I I am am am sorry MIss Miss Billington My brain brain just gets all all wrapped up and tied in knots and I I get confused.  Now I totally feel that poor childs pain. I think my brain does that as well, it goes into some sort of fast forward super speed and all my thoughts jumble together into one huge ball of who knows what.    Now this particularly baffles me because I can get up in church and sing on the worship team by myself and this does not happen. I prefer to sing with at least 2 others , but I have on occasion had to lead worship myself ( no one else showed up!).  Is this simply because when singing I do not have to think, I read the words and look at the people and it does not bother me one bit!  So this brings me to the conclusion that I am completely and hopelessly tounge-tied.  In  my opinion this is a handicap, I hope my life and  freedom never have to depend on my speaking ability, for I will surely lose or I maybe I can  write a letter instead.  Good  thing I did not become a lawyer, I would never win a case. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/580687/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/StahnkeEaglesWings/580687/