Katie's Baptism Video

Wanted to share Katie's Baptism video with distant family and friends. It was a very emotional day for me. Enjoy!
What Was I Thinking? pt 1 from Northbrook Baptist Church on Vimeo.

New Goals for Year - January in Review

I have several goals this new year, but I would like to focus on God and His Word. One other thing is try something new at least once a month. Whether it is a new recipe, craft, sport, type of food, etc.  Life is too short, I think it would be good for me to try new experiences and tastes.

As far as studying God's word, I always do real well until after 7 or 8 months. Life overloads and I become a slacker the rest of the year. Thankfully God is forgiving and He always gives me another chance. This time around it came to mind, how about keeping a journal. After reading my devotion or verses, write down my thoughts and what I feel God might be telling me. Remember the Bible is God's Living Word, ever changing.

This month has been a great start to the new year.  I've tried two different crafts for the kids, one new recipe and my journal is coming right along.  I would like to go back, type in the verses and do a few tweaks.

The kid crafts were fun to make and my kiddos just loved playing with them.  I made homemade play  dough with 4 different colors.  Do you remember THIS POST?

Colton got a Doggie Doo game from Santa this past year.  It lasted about 3 days before the putty that came with it began to get old.  Soon the putty wouldn't make it all the way through the dog.  I found a flubber recipe on Pinterest.  Yes, I'm one of very few that actually make the things that I repin on Pinterest.  LOL!  Honestly, I've found some pretty good recipes and crafts from there.  Anyway, I tried the recipe yesterday.  This recipe makes a lot.  Please note that it doesn't work well in the Doggie Doo. I think we are going to have to ditch the dog.  Just sayin' . . .  The instructions call for white glue and add food coloring, but it stains.  I used the Elmer's Glitter Glue.

Source: omsi.edu via Mirya on Pinterest

CLICK HERE  for step by step tutorial on how to make flubber from OMSI.  It also makes for a great Science experiment for young children.

Homemade Flubber
Ingredients:
3 cups of very warm water
2 cups of Elmer's Glitter Glue
2 tsp 20 Mule Team Borax
White Vinegar (for cleaning)

(Do each step right down to the "T" and you'll have no problems. )

The Steps
In a large container, combine and mix:
1 1/2 cups of very warm water
2 cups of glue

Make sure this combination is completely mixed.

In a small container, combine and mix:
1 1/3 cups of very warm water
2 level tsp of 20 Mule Team Borax, (adults need to do this).

Make sure the Borax is completely dissolved. Be sure to read all warnings for Borax.  Keep out of the reach of children.  

Combine the Glue and Borax mixtures: 
Mix well using your hands until all the liquid is absorbed.  You may need to squish, mix or break up the flubber to get it fully combined.  Store the Flubber in an air-tight container at room temperature.  For best results, measure precisely and mix well as noted above.

If the Flubber gets in the carpet or clothing, vinegar will easily dissolve the Flubber.  It will keep for up to 2 weeks.  This recipe will make enough of Flubber for 6 children.

 

Our little girl was baptized this past Sunday.  Most of our family was able to show up and support her.  We appreciate it so much to have our family to be there and hold us up.  It meant a lot to us.  I wished you could have seen the video of her confirmation.  It was absolutely precious!  I couldn't help it, but cry.  A few friends at church told me that we should be able to get a copy by the middle of this week.  I'm really hoping that I'll be able to put it on YouTube.  After church, everyone came over for dinner.  We had two crockpots full of Homemade Vegetable Soup and Chili.  My MIL brought her very good Mexican cornbread.  For dessert, I wanted to try a new recipe.  I needed something that would be simple and quick to make because I didn't have the time to make a very elaborate dessert.  I found this very simple recipe from {ta-da!} Pinterest.

Apple Dump Cake

Source: recipebiter.com via Mirya on Pinterest

ingredients:
2 cans apple pie filling
2 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 box yellow cake
2 sticks of butter
1 cup of pecans, chopped
Whipped cream or ice cream (to serve on top)

Dump 2 cans of pie filling in the bottom of 9x13" cake dish.  I used a glass dish.  Sprinkle cinnamon over apples.  Crumble dry cake mix over apple mixture.  Sprinkle pecans over the cake mix.  Slice each stick of butter into 12 equal pieces and place on top. Cook at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.  I would recommend putting a sheet of aluminum foil over the top because the pecans will burn.

Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

2013 Winter Storm Just For Kids

My little snowman enjoying a rare event in these parts

It was projected that would get a few flurries and maybe an inch of snow on the ground.  I believe our local meteorologists have missed the ball this time.  During the day, Colton and I would go outside and take a few pictures for daddy.  It snowed so hard and fast that within minutes the ground was covered.  I think school couldn't decide if they wanted to shut down early or not.  Finally, a half an hour before schools closed I received a phone call stating that they would close at noon.  Wow!  Not much time to get my thoughts together and get a toddler ready for the drive.  

Katie absolutely loved it.  She told me, she was so happy that her wish came true and this was the happiest day.  We didn't stay outside all day.  Periodically, we'd take breaks inside to warm up.  Besides, Katie had to get her homework finished.  When I could see that the snow was letting up some, we went out one more time.  I wanted to measure the depth and the kids wanted to build a snowman/snow lady.  We measured 2-3 inches of snow in most areas.  

Colton's Snowman

The only thing I could get my hands on for eyes were cherry tomatoes.  His eyes look evil.  Colton liked it though and that's what matters.  LOL! 

Katie's Snow Lady

So fun to make, even with impatient children.

I've enjoyed making memories with my children.  One day, I hope they will be able to look back and remember the happy moments.  Not long after we went back inside for the day, the sun came out and began to melt the snow.  There is still lots of snow on the ground, but most of the snow is out of the trees and off the bushes.  Family and friends going home tonight from work have been more than eventful for them, with wrecks and vehicles skid off the roadways.  Doug got stuck in traffic for a little bit because of the roads.  Tomorrow, most schools will be either closed or have a delay.  I get tickled at Katie and Colton, ever now and then they check on their snowman.  They want to make sure that he/she is going to make it.  (haha)  Colton was shocked that we still have snow.  "Mom, there's still snow on the ground!" he said.  

Just for Kids 

After Colton and I covered our lesson for today, he asked if he could play with play dough.  He did so well, I didn't see why not.  I pulled out the play dough and cutters, but our play dough was getting pretty old that it just crumbled.  I've always wanted to make my play dough and here was my chance.  I got on Pinterest, where I had bookmarked "DIY Play dough" and looked up the recipe.  I have to say that it wasn't has hard as I thought it would be.   

Colton helped me out of course.  Children are so impatient or mine are anyways.  The entire time I was preparing the mixture, all Colton wanted to do was the finishing touches of food coloring.  Ugh!  At one point, he had the lid to one of my gel food coloring off.  One wrong move and he would have his hands dyed orange.  Luckily, I got there just in time to wisp it right out of his hands and the lid back on.  Shew!  The play dough recipe came from Skip To My Lou.  For a complete tutorial CLICK HERE. 

Play Dough

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 cup warm water

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp oil

1/4 cup salt

food coloring

Mix all the ingredients together except for food coloring in a medium sauce pan. 

Stir over medium heat (on the stove) until smooth

Stir continuously until a dough ball forms (it won't look smooth yet) about 1-2 minutes.  

Remove from heat. 

When dough has cooled enough to handle, knead until smooth.

Form into a ball (might be a little sticky)

With a butter knife, divide the dough into how ever many different colors you want to use.  A single batch will make up to 4 different colors of equal portions.  

In order to protect your countertop and hands from food coloring stains, I suggest that you place the dough on wax paper.  Wear latex gloves, so your fingers and hands won't stain.  If you don't have gloves handy, you could use ziploc bags.  

Add food coloring to each portion and knead the color into the dough.  If you are using ziploc bags, the children could help knead.  

Put the dough in separate air tight containers.  I used old Play dough containers.  I only had 3 containers available, so the 4th dough was wrapped in wax paper and placed in a Ziploc sandwich bag.  Dough is suppose to keep for several weeks in an air tight container.

Colton was so excited that he got brand new play dough.  He couldn't wait to try it out.  I told him, first we have to gather up all the old play dough that just happened to be in several pieces all over the table and throw it away.  Like all kids, he hates having to pick up.  He just wasn't picking up all the old dough fast enough, to him, because he asked me to help him.  He wanted to get into his new so bad.  I got tickled at him, while picking up dough.  Absolutely disgusted, he told me "uhhh, mom this is freakin' me out."  He has never said this before.  I had to chuckle and ask him where he heard that word.  Then, I asked him if he heard it from me.  "Yes" he informed me.  LOL!  Got to watch what I say at all times.  

I found these fun play dough sheets at Planet of the Apels.  

The complete set contains 20 sheets.  So far, Colton seems to have had a lot of fun using his new play dough, putting faces on boys and girls.  I placed the sheets in protectors, so they won't be damaged.  

Sensory Game

I haven't come up with a name for our new game.  I didn't know if Colton would be too old for a sensory game.  I've seen several different types, but I don't think there's anything out there like mine.  Colton and I both created this together. How did we do it?  I had a couple of bags of decorative stones. I put them in a plastic bowl along with a bag of different sized pom-poms.  Katie collects Mini Lalaloopsies, so we have several tiny characters that came with the dolls.  At times, we even use tiny Barbie and Polly Pocket accessories (purse, bottle of perfume, etc.)  Squinkies would also work well with this game.  To make it a little challenging, we use popsicle sticks to dig through the stones and pom-pons, looking for our missing treasure.  

- Mix up the treasure through the stones and pom-poms. 

- Change it around: 

   - How many squinkies are there? 

   - Who ever finds the monkey first wins!

   - Find all the butterflies.  How many butterflies are there? 

Add any sort of phonics are counting to fun is always a good thing. So far, Colton loves playing this game.  He will play up to 30 minutes at a time with this game.  At times, I have a hard time getting him to use the sticks.  He wants to go in at it with both hands, but it keeps him occupied.  Also don't be surprised to see pom-poms all over the table as well.  LOL! We created this game at the beginning of the week and he requests every day to play.  He tells me that he wants to go diggin'.  LOL!  

 

 

Chicken Noodle Soup

We have not completely steered away from the surrounding sickness.  Katie had a terrible sore throat and cough a few days before New Year Day.  It seemed to be worse right before she went to bed for the night.  I figured she was having a lot of drainage.  It wasn't long before I was sharing her pain with the sinus headaches and sore throat.  Ugh!  No fun at all.  School went back in session January 2nd and she was not feeling any better.  The night before, she was up crying, coughing and complaining about her throat.  Me not feeling good either could not think at 12 o'clock at night as to what else to give her.  I felt so bad for her.  She kept saying that it hurts so bad to swallow.  I decided to keep her out of school on Wednesday and made an appointment for both Katie and myself with our family doctor.  We were automatically tested for Strep.  Thankfully, it came back negative.  I just knew we had a sinus infection because my face was throbbing and I could feel drainage in my ear.  Dr. L gave us a thorough examination and told me that I wouldn't like the results.  Every time he says that it means we have a cold or something very minor.  Ugh!  Sure enough, he told me that we just have a really bad cold.  I was glad that it wasn't anything serious, but we felt terrible for it to be just a COLD.  Come on!  Well, the only thing we can do is load up on Advil and he called me a prescription for Mucinex D.  He said it was better than the Mucus Relief that you find over the counter.  I won't go into detail,  I believe it's working.  We went home and began eating our Southern Style Chicken Noodle Soup and drinking lots of orange juice.  Katie went back to school the next day and I have to say, she had a couple of rough days of school.  Poor baby!  Thankfully, they really didn't do anything in class because Mrs. M said she could tell that Katie was a little out of it.  This morning is the first morning Katie hasn't had a sore throat for days.  I'm so glad.  I told Doug maybe that is a good sign for me.  Maybe I'll have another day or two and this mess will be gone.  The bad thing is Doug and Colt are now coughing and sneezing a little.

On a lighter note, I took Katie Friday to get measured for her recital costume.  This year's theme will be "La Bayadere," which means female dancer from India. We got to see pictures of all the costumes for the performance.  They are so pretty and Katie loves hers again this year.

 

Katie's recital costume

You'll need to mark on your calendar our Spring Recital is May 25th at WSCC Auditorium.  This is Katie's fourth year of ballet, which means that I've been to four recitals and I've never been disappointed.  I never knew that I would like ballet or theatrical arts, but it ROCKS!  Before Christmas break, I got to view Katie's ballet class with a little exercise dance.  Wow!  I can see the improvement in Katie's dancing this year.  Maybe it's the age, but she seems to want to do exactly what Mrs. A wants her to do to make her happy.  Yes, she is finally LISTENING.  I signed Katie up for ballet at this very little school when she was three years old to instill the skill of listening.  Minus last year because we were in gymnastics, it has taken her this long to finally get it.  Ahh!  FINALLY.  She did a lovely dance and she nailed all of the positions.  I believe our little ballerina has taken a growth spurt as well.  During practice this week, she was complaining about her tights riding up.  Well, it appears that the tights, I just bought this past August, are too short.  Here we go!  I was so hoping that the growth spurts would wait until closer to May.  I'm absolutely clothes poor when it comes to my kids.  They will grow one way and I have to buy more.  In no time, they are growing another way and I have to go back to the store.  Doug and I were talking last night about how we can't afford to buy underwear for ourselves.  LOL! Just joking, but it's nearly the truth.

On a side note for all of you proud relatives, Katie made another straights A's on her report card.  She is doing great in school.  There have been no complaints, but I'm hoping to work on her bossiness.  I suppose it's my fault.  Last year, I did tell her that if she noticed someone was acting like a bully to someone else or if she saw a problem, to tell her teacher.  The past couple of times, while I've been at school (helping or visiting), I noticed she likes to keep Mrs. M informed on all transactions and activities within the class.  Ugh!  This last time, she informed Mrs. M that one of the boys had one too many donuts.  Us, parents, were passing out the food and one of the boys ended up with one too many donuts.  He did tell his mom about having too many.  He had already touched it and I saw no problem with him eating it, if he wanted it.  Of course, he was all smiles.  My little monitor was a little late on hearing the conversation and alerted Mrs. M immediately.  I called her down and apologized to Mrs. M and to the boy's mother.  "She can be a little bossy," I told them.  Hopefully, she will grow out of it.

Tomorrow, our favorite team will face off Notre Dame at the 2013 BCS Championship in Miami, FL.  We are so excited for them.  They have worked so hard and have come a long way for another opportunity to win their 15th BCS Championship.  They are an awesome team and I wish them loads of luck (not luck of the Irish).  ;) Every since it was announced that Alabama would be playing against Notre Dame, the ads and cartoons have been cracking me up.

Posted The Birmingham News; cartoonist, J.D. Crowe

 

Posted by ESPN

 

Of course, I've seen Notre Dame's bashing on Bama.  For instance, "Catholics vs. Cousins" and calling Bama "Mobile Homers."  I have only one question.  Is that all you've got?  Honey, I've heard these ignorant name calling all my life.  There is also the interview that I saw on our local news.  One of reporters were interviewing a ND player (coming off the plane in Florida) and he said and I quote "it's like Rudy versus Forrest Gump."  I REALLY hope our players heard this comment.  Maybe it would be just enough to get them fired up.  If Notre Dame players and fans really think Alabamians are like Forrest Gump then all I can say on game day is "RUN, FORREST, RUN!!!"  Personally, I didn't marry my cousin nor do I live in a mobile home.   One thing about Alabamians, they are grateful for what they have and who they are.   Better LUCK next time on the so-called insults.  :)  

Meanwhile, we are ready for the BIG game.  Doug needed to take some time off and I'm glad he decided to take Tuesday off.  I knew he would want to stay up and watch the game tomorrow night.  He would have been a zombie the next morning, going into work.  On game day, Wholesale Foods (a grocery/restaurant) will be cooking Irish Stew and showing the game.  I think it's an awesome idea and if we lived a little closer, I would suggest us getting an order of it.  

ROLL TIDE!   

 

Merry Christmas!

I've got a lot of photos and stories to tell you, so hold on and read away.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Second and third graders presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  Katie auditioned for a speaking role in this play, but didn't get a spot.  The director said there were so many students that came out to audition. This is great news that our students have interest in the arts and I hope it continues.  Fortunately for the second graders, they were all encouraged to sing three songs during the play, between scene changes.  They sang "Nuttin' for Christmas," "O' Christmas Tree," and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."  They all did such a great job!  The school was right on top of things and offered DVDs for sell.  I received our DVD the following Thursday, which was awesome.  I'm so surprised how quickly they got them edited and sent out.  

 

Second graders singing.

Snoopy decorating his doghouse, while Charlie Brown watches. 

Charlie Brown gets counseling from Lucy.

All the second graders that made it to sing.

Katie's Class Christmas Party
What a nice party!  Of course, there was too much food for everyone to eat all of it.  Almost every student gave each other some little something.  I thought Colton would enjoy the party as well, so I brought him.  Quickly, I began to rethink that decision.  He had a pretty good time the last time we came for class project.  I just didn't think about him not getting a gift and he felt left out for a moment.  I made a deal with him.  If he would cheer up and be good, I'd let him open one gift from under the tree when we got home.  He cheered up pretty quick.

Katie had to have a picture with her Mrs. M.  The kids got to play a couple group team games, which I thought was a great idea and everyone seem to have a good time.  The first game was "Snowman."  Teams broke out and who ever made their snowman without breaking the toilet paper, WINS!  Katie's group broke their paper a couple of times.  They were so frustrated.


The second game - Solo Trees.  Each student in the group had two cups.  When the game started, you had to stack the cups up to make a tree.  The students could check out after the party was over, if they wanted to.  When people began disappearing, Katie made sure I knew that she didn't want to leave.  This is a first for her.  When I picked her up at that regular time, I asked if she had a good time after I left.  "Yes!" said she with a grin on her face.

I have to tell you this funny Colton story.  When we finally made it back home from our class Christmas party, it didn't take Colton long to remind me about the gift opening.  He really wouldn't give me a second to sit down and figure out which was what.  He found an Avengers' wrapped gift and thought that was the gift for him.  I tried to feel around to make sure it was a toy and not clothes.  Honestly, these gifts had been wrapped for so long that I forgot what was what.  I asked him again if he was SURE this was the gift he wanted.  "Yes!" he said.  Okay.  He ripped it up, box and all.  Low and behold, it was a pair of pjs and underwear.  HAHAHA!!!!  He didn't have that many from us, so I didn't know what to do.  You would have thought that I just took a big lollipop out of his mouth and put it in my mouth.  Disappointment was written all over his face.  He begged me to let him open another.  The problem was that he only had two more presents from us.  Oh well.  I thought.  I felt around and found a Toy Story wrapped gift.  I knew it was a toy, so I gave it to him.  Not remembering what it was exactly.  I thought well, I'll wrap the clothes back up and all is good.  As I was trying to fix the box, he tells me that he just unwrapped Zayden's gift.  "No you didn't" just so sure of myself.   I was thinking how silly he was to think that he unwrapped Zayden's.  How silly was that!  Just then, a lightbulb went off.  "Wait a minute."  I turned around and looked.  Yep!  Sure enough, it was Zayden's gift.  Ugh!  I had forgotten that I paper coded everyone this year.  They all had tags, but who looks at them?  Right?  Ugh!  Can you say "STUPID"!?!  So, I ended up re-wrapping two gifts that afternoon before picking sister up from school.  HAHA!

Preparing For Santa
We still had some preparation for Santa's visit.  Lots of cookies to bake and a gingerbread house to assemble. I was completely wiped out that night.  Shew!

I tried piping this icing.  Ugh!  I remember why I hate piping icing on a gingerbread house.  My hands were throbbing when it was over.  Check out the steady hand craftsmanship and lopsided windows.  LOL!  You can tell this was done at 9PM.  HAHA!  Oh well, it's just for kids.  Only Katie knew the difference.

These are the cookies I had on my platters for our Christmas parties.  I ended up making two batches of each kinds - about 4 dozen of each cookie.  Go Here for the recipes and other information.


Shown Above: (L-R: Reese Cup Cookies, Crimson Tide Truffles, Soft and Thick Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies)

Kids settled in the Living Room by the Christmas tree.  It's a family tradition to sleep by the Christmas tree one day before Christmas.  We always watch a Christmas movie right before bedtime.  We use the Christmas lights from the tree as a nightlight until the kids are fast asleep, then we turn the tree lights off. The kids love it!  This is the first year, momma didn't sleep with them.  They asked me if I was sleeping with them, but I get so sore the next morning that I slept in my own bed this time.  They did just fine and drifted off to sleep rather fast.  

Family Christmas Parties
Dad and mom hosted our family Christmas party.  The FOOD, it was unreal the amount of food.  Everything was so good along with the company.  I think everyone had a good time.  My entertainment was watching the kids.  Ryan's girlfriend, Angie was able to bring her children.  Katie and K seem to get along so well.  Zayden was into everything.  So funny!  I got tickled how he loved getting in boxes.    They were his kind of toy to play with.
 
The wreath I made mom fit perfectly in her side window!  
Katie loves her new Lala Oopsy from Grandma Jerry and Papa John.

Colton FINALLY got his Hulk from Grandma Jerry and Papa John.

Kids in front of mom and dad's Christmas tree.

Family Christmas Photo

Christmas Morning
You have to understand, every year in the past, we've had to drag Katie and Colton out of bed to see what Santa Claus left under the Christmas tree.  I'm happy to report, this is the first year, my children came into our bedroom waking us up with shrieks and squeals of excitement.  They wanted us to hurry up and go with them to see what Santa left.  Too funny!

Merry Christmas 2012! 

Santa must have a lot of patience and understanding because the kids got everything they asked Santa Claus.  Wow!  Katie received dolls galore and Colton, his games - Doggie Do and Pop the Pig.  What fun! 

Colton told me that he loves his Pop the Pig so much.  He just couldn't believe that Santa would leave these toys for him.  Katie is playing with her Mini Lalaloopsy Roller Coaster set.

Check out Colton standing beside his 30" Batman.  HAHA!  Katie was so surprised to receive this beautiful Lalaloopsy Ivory Ice Crystals from Santa.  How special.


I wanted to try something different than the usual Breakfast Casserole.  I made a Christmas Breakfast Wreath this time.  I got the idea from Pinterest where Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo posted this recipe.  It was so easy and simple.

Breakfast Wreath
Ingredients:
1 can Crescent Rolls
5 eggs, scrambled
8 pre-cooked bacon
Shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese

Place some wax paper on a large pizza pan, so it won't stick.  Assemble your crescent rolls around in a circle.  I overlapped the rolls a little to make a small circle.  Make sure the points of the rolls are pointing outward.  Sprinkle a handful of cheese on the thick portion on the rolls.  Place cooked bacon along each roll, cooked-scrambled eggs on the thick portion of the rolls.  Fold the points over toward the middle.  Place in a 375 degree pre-heated oven for approximately 17 minutes or until the crescent rolls are brown.  According to the website it is great with your favorite salsa.

So good!

At lunch time, we went to Doug's parents house for Christmas.  Had MORE food and sweets and unwrapped gifts.  Had a great visit!

It was crazy, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the weather had been warm and humid.  It rained quite a bit Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day.  Some areas south of us had tornadoes.  It's bad to have this kind of weather for Christmas of all days.  The highs were in the 60s both days.  As soon as the front passed through, temperatures dropped all day and night.  The day after  Christmas the temperatures were in the 30s and it snowed off and on all day.  This morning, it was in the 20s and I don't think it got past 37 degrees today.  For the next few days, we are suppose to expect these kinds of conditions until New Years Eve.



I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and hope you'll have an awesome New Year!