ABC's of Motherhood

~~~~~

C is for "can"

~~~~~

Mothering has a lot of difficult moments.  Moments when your heart sinks and you feel you have no where to turn.  Children can bring us to the end of ourselves in a few short minutes.

The good news is that we don't have to do it alone.  More than once I have sobbed out a prayer to the Lord for strength to do the next thing.  My children aren't very old, but I know my need for help from above isn't going to lessen as they get older.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me."  Phillipians 4:13

What's Going On At My House

I've been trying and trying to think of a way to write this post.

We've had some excitement around our house--yes we have!!

Almost more excitement than I can stand!

Our two little foster boys had birth dad's rights terminated this past week.

Making them "wards of the state" (I hate that phrase--it sounds so cold)

Officially opening up our home for more foster children.

Did I mention that we are licensed for a maximum of three children?

Friday morning I got a phone call asking if we could take twin two year olds and their three year old brother.

I laughed ( kind of like Sarah in the Bible when God told her she would have a baby )  and then told the case worker that we would pray about it.

I was expecting my husband ( the calm rational one ) to say "no".

Instead he said "I know it doesn't make any sense, but I think we are supposed to say yes".

By 6:30 Friday night we had three more little people in our home.

Ages of children living in our home are 9, 7, 3, 2, 2, 2, 18months.

Make a note of the fact that there are three two year olds---I hope I survive. :)

Oh, and one of the twins is a girl. :)

Saying "yes" to God is one wild adventure!!!!!

Honey Oatmeal Bread

2 cups hot (not boiling) water
1 1/4 cups quick oats

Mix and let set for 5 minutes.

3 eggs beaten
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
1 1/2 tablespoon yeast
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup warm water

Add to oat mixture and let set for 5 more minutes.

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons lecithin (optional)
2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)
7-8 cups white flour

Mix in slowly with a bread hook and knead about 7-8 minutes.  Turn into a greased bowl and let raise and punch down 3 times.  Form into 3-4 loaves and let raise again.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

This is a sluggish bread dough.  It raises quite slowly.  This doesn't mean you did something wrong---it just takes a while to raise.  The lecithin makes a softer bread, and the flax seed add some nutritional value.  I've made the bread with or without them.

Questions I Have About The Dentist

Having spent about half an hour in the dentist's chair this week I had plenty of time to think of some questions that have always troubled me about dentistry.

Why can't they invent a dental drill that is silent?  I think at least 80% of the anxiety I feel at the dentists comes from that high-pitched whine.

Why does my jaw hurt so badly for days after I get a filling?  Could it be because I tense up the muscles in my neck in anticipation of horrible pain that never comes?

Why does the numbing agent they use last so incredibly long?  My mouth remained numb for at least three hours after I was home.  Causing me to mumble incoherently, and drool a little.  Oh well, it provided my children with lots of giggles at mommy's expense.

Why do the ceramic fillings smell so incredibly bad?  I was convinced they were pouring super glue into my tooth.

Lest you think otherwise I have a very good dentist.  She is incredibly patient and kind to my children, and puts up with my dentist anxiety.  I am truly thankful for the care she provides, but I don't think I will ever enjoy going to the dentist.

Do you like going to the dentist?  Please tell me I'm not the only one with this phobia.

I Got Tagged

I got tagged by Jennifer from http://petersonponderings.blogspot.com/ to be part of a meme.  A meme is an idea or theme that spreads like a virus.  In this case it's a list of questions you answer.

 This sounds like a fun way to get to know some of my favorite bloggers.

The meme…
 
The (bendable) rules:
You must post these rules.
Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog.
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged
him/her.

1.  What do you want to be when you grow up? :)

A nurse--I was SURE this was what my future held, and then I wanted to be a mom.

2.  When you were 18, how many kids did you (or do you) think you would have?

Oh dear, I wish you hadn't asked this.  My friends read this blog--so if I fib they will shout the truth from the rooftops. :)  I think I mentioned the number 12 at one point.  When I was a senior in high school.


3.  How many vocations have you had and what are/were they?

Waitress, short order cook, housekeeping in a bed and breakfast, nurse's aid, schoolteacher, and I worked as a maid for a housecleaning service.

4.  Coffee, Tea, or Some Other Kind of Caffeine? What flavor?

Hmmmm, I'll have to think about this one.......just kidding. COFFEE with hazelnut creamer once in a while.

5.  What do you crave? (Food, time alone, etc)

Cucumbers---right now, oh, and asparagus.  I like time alone too, but more than that I crave having a full nights sleep.

6.  What is the furthest place from you home you have been?

Farthest north--Canada

Farthest south--Tennessee

Farthest west--Kansas

Farthest east--Maryland

(In other words not very far from home.)

7.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Probably Haiti.  My hubby has been there several times on short-term mission trips, and I would LOVE to go too.

8.  Are you a chicken/beef/pork kind of gal? Favorite main course/meal?

Hmmmm, probably chicken.  I love any kind of grilled chicken.  Lately though we've been eating a lot of this.

2 cups cooked brown rice

2 cups cooked black beans

1 1b. hamburger browned with taco seasoning

2 cups salsa

Mix together in a greased 13x9 pan, and bake at 350 degrees until it's heated.

9.  Have you ever won anything? (Raffle, lottery, etc)

I've never played the lottery.  I think I won a free CD from a local christian radio station once.

10. What Bible story (be specific) do you think about again and again?

The story of Hannah---where she pleaded with God for a child, and promised to give the baby back to Him.

11. What genre of music do you listen to the most?

Lately, something peaceful and calm.  Quiet instrumental music, or hymns.  My life feels pretty busy and noisy----I need my music to be the opposite.


Okay, now here's my list of questions.

1. How many children are there in your family and where do you fall? (Oldest--youngest)
2. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
3. What room of your house do you spend the most time in?
4. Do you have any pets, and if so how many, and what kind?
5. What time of day do you most often write blog posts?
6. Which of these do you enjoy most? Cooking, cleaning, or laundry?
7. How did you meet your spouse?
8. What are some hobbies you have other than blogging?
9. What is your favorite verse in the Bible?
10. What time do you get up in the morning?
11. If you had a choice would you rather go away for vacation, or stay at home and relax?

Bloggers That I'm Tagging

Betsy at http://myfivemen.blogspot.com/
Linny at http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
Emma at http://lotsofhelpers.wordpress.com/
Tykes Mom at http://the-north-forty.com/
Jami at http://www.lifewithapersonalgod.blogspot.com/
Dorcas at http://dorcassmucker.blogspot.com/
Karen at http://stairstepboys.blogspot.com/
Katy at http://countryblossom.blogspot.com/
Gina at http://homejoys.blogspot.com/
Quinn at http://onjustacoupleacres.blogspot.com/
Brianna at http://heldts.blogspot.com/

Things I'm Happy For This Saturday 5

 

 

A Quiet House--Older boys are outside, and the little boys are playing quietly.

(which should probably worry me)

 

 

My Husband--He makes me smile. (that's one of the reasons I married him)

 

 

My Little Family--I look at their faces around the dinner table and can't believe how blessed I am.

 

 

A Good Night's Sleep--My baby slept all night last night! (Why do I always mention sleep in these posts?)

 

 

Pacifiers--I don't think I need to explain this one. :)

 

 

What makes you happy today?

 

 

 

Just a Hug

My two year old foster son gave me a giant hug this past weekend.  I was frying pancakes, and he just came up and threw his pudgy little arms around my equally pudgy waist.

Seems rather typical doesn't it?  I mean two year olds are known for being spontaneous aren't they? 

But this hug was different, and I cried a little when I thought about it later that night.

When children come into foster care they come with baggage.  At the very least they have experienced being taken away from all that was safe and familiar.

As a foster parent it's easy to get discouraged because you love them and pour yourself into them, and sometimes see very little progress or improvement on the part of the child.  

This particular little guy would hug you if you asked him to.  He would randomly hug complete strangers, but he never ever hugged my husband or I unless we asked him to. 

He had several different homes before he came to live with us.  He would get close to the people that cared for him, and then he would get ripped away. 

As a result he figured it's safer to not get close to whoever happens to be calling themselves "mommy" in his life.  If you don't care---you can't get hurt.

It's heart-breaking to think about a tiny little guy having to experience so much loss. 

If someone had been looking through our window that morning.  They would have seen a slightly frazzled mother fixing pancakes for breakfast, and a cute little boy throwing his arms around her.

 They might have wondered why the mother's eyes got a little misty over a hug---I mean there are four children in her house--one hug shouldn't make that much difference.

But, they would be wrong.

That one hug made all the difference in the world!

Busy Day

 

Do you ever get to the end of the day, and wonder "what did I do today?"

Well, today I took pictures--at least of some of my day.

1. Mixed up a batch of Honey Oatmeal Bread.  I haven't baked bread for a long time. I don't know why--it really doesn't take that long, and we love homemade bread.

2. Spent some quality time with my washer and dryer today.  I was falling behind on my laundry this week and today I tried to catch up.

3. Took out the trash.  See those cute little chubby hands--they "help" me all day long. :)

4. Cleaned the bathrooms.

5. My oldest working on his math.  Homeschooling is a part of every week day here.

6. Made Baked Oatmeal for breakfast--food just disappears like magic around our house.

7. Honey Oatmeal Bread fresh out of the oven.

8. Made a pot of tea--I'm trying to drink more tea and less coffee.

9. Changed quite a few diapers.
10. One of my cups of tea.

11. Worked on  paperwork with hubby. Not one of my favorite jobs, but it needs to be done.

This idea of documenting my day with pictures is not original to me.  Betsy  does a "What I Did Wednesday" post almost every week. 

So, what did you do today?



Love

Happy Valentines Day

ABC's of Motherhood

~~~~~~

B is for "begin again"

~~~~~~

As a mom I make mistakes--

I raise my voice in impatience.

I brush a child off when they want my attention.

I say things I don't mean.

Sometimes mommy's need a "do over."

I have tip toed into my son's room after he went to bed and whispered an apology more than once.  The next day always goes better.

The great thing about this is there is no age limit.  Even if your children are adults you can begin again.  All it takes is a little help from Above!





Things I'm Happy For This Saturday 4

A Warm House--it's 19 degrees outside brrrrrr.

A Good Breakfast--my husband makes better eggs than I do.

Snow--we have about 3 inches, and it makes everything so pretty and white.

Empty Hampers--my laundry is caught up, and that's a rare occurrence around here.

Naps--I'm going to celebrate the fact that it's Saturday by taking one a little later today. :)

What are you happy for today?  ( Happiness is a choice ya know.)



Lentil Chili


I used to be afraid of lentils.  They looked complicated, and way too "healthy" for me to cook with.

 I was wrong.  There is nothing complicated about this recipe, and it's perfect for a busy day. 

It can be made on the stove or in a crockpot, but if you use the crockpot make sure that yours will bring food to a simmer.

1 onion diced

1 pound of ground beef or turkey

10 cups water

2 cups dry lentils

2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 cups salsa ( I sometimes eliminate this if I'm serving it to someone who doesn't care for extra "heat")

2 quarts tomato juice

Brown beef or turkey with chopped onion.  Add lentils and water.  Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 15 minutes more.  Serve with crackers. 


This is a very large recipe!  It makes two meals for our family, but it is excellent the second day.

Tea

I am a die-hard coffee drinker who has a collection of tea pots.

Makes no sense, I know.

Lately though I haven't been sleeping very well.

I don't drink coffee after noon--so I knew it wasn't that.

I decided to try some tea in the evening.

My favorite is Bigelow Sweet Dreams.

It's a mixture of chamomile and mint.

Helps me wind down at the end of the day, and sleep better at night.

What's your beverage of choice in the evening?

ABC's of Motherhood

I've decided to have a theme for Monday's.  Partly because Monday is a difficult day for me, but also because it's a good way to start the week.  I am going to work my way through the alphabet with something that applies to mothering that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

~~~~~

A is for attitude.

~~~~~

Over and over I've noticed that my attitude sets the theme for our home. 

When I am positive and upbeat my children are too. 

When I am grouchy and tired they snap at each other and grumble their way through the day.

I realize that not every day is a good day, and plastering a smile on your face like a clown will not automatically make things better.  However, when I feel myself spiraling into a "funk" I try to slip away from the situation and give myself this pep talk.

" I am the only one who can change my bad attitude--blaming it on someone or something else doesn't help--choosing to be happy in spite of my circumstances DOES!"

Things I'm Happy for This Saturday 3

Appliances--while I sit here and blog several of them are doing my work for me. :)

Sunshine--It is absolutely gorgeous out today.

Chamomile Tea--Nothing like a good nights sleep after a cup of tea.

A Clean House--Why oh why does that make me so happy?

A Good Book--There's one waiting on my night stand for me to read

Your turn!!!!  What makes you happy today?



Chocolate Cream Pie

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons baking cocoa

3 cups milk

4 egg yolks

4 teaspoons vanilla

Mix sugar, flour,salt and cocoa in a heavy saucepan.  Whisk egg yolks, and milk in a separate bowl.  Gradually whisk the milk and eggs into the dry ingredients. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until boiling.  Boil 1 minute and take off heat. Add vanilla and stir. Pour into baked pie shell.  Gently place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the pudding.  (This prevents a "skin" from forming on the top.) Chill 3-4 hours.

I know it's much easier to make a chocolate pie from instant pudding. 

 However, you should try this recipe. 

 It has a rich chocolate taste that no pudding ever does. 

Besides, it uses up 4 eggs. :)

Believe It Or Not

Believe it or not, I, the "chicken lover" did not always like eggs.

At one time I could barely choke one down.

Because I knew they were good for me I ate them.

But I didn't enjoy them ONE BIT.

When we started buying them from the farm.

I noticed something.

Eggs from the farm taste much different...

than grocery store ones.

The yokes taste almost buttery.

Now I actually LIKE eggs!

It makes it even more fun that they come from my own back yard!

I Think I Deserve This

I am a mother of boys............ALL boys.

There are no little pink hair bows by my bathroom sink.

There are sometimes rocks, and the occasional frog, but no pink.

There is lots of muscle showing and wrestling that goes on at my house.

There is bloodshed and tears.

There are lots of holes in the knees of jeans.

There are tigers, and wolves, and creepy things in the dark.

If you walk around a corner--brace yourself--because someone will jump out and yell boo!

There are long discussions about motors and horsepower and many things that make my eyes cross.

Oh, and this morning there were Indian names.

Everyone who could talk was announcing what their "Indian name" was.

The conversation ended when one blond haired blue eyed boy stated loudly

"My Indian name is Squatting Dog!"

Oh help!!!!

Does anyone have any cute little ladylike girls that I can borrow for the day?