Katherine

I have been playing around with some new editing software that I had heard about. I really want to buy the subscription to this as it has the coolest features. Check out what I did this afternoon -

Breakfast Bars

This recipe has been used in our house for a couple of years now. It was given to me by a friend from her sister. We love them and have tried a variety of different berries in them. Here is the recipe -

Breakfast Bars

1 pint red or black raspberries (2 cups frozen)

1/4 cup water

2-1/2 Tblsp flour or corn starch

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup white flour

1 cup wheat flour

1 cup brown sugar

1-1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp allspice

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup butter or margarine

Preparations -

Rinse the berries (fresh) in a colander under cool water. Heat the berried in a saucepan with 1/4 cup water until the berries are juicy. Drain the berries and reserve one cup juice. Add additional water if needed to make 1 cup.) Whisk the flour, sugar, and lemon juice into the reserved berry juice in the saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened. Stir in the berries and set aside.

In a mixing bowl combine oats, both kinds of flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, allspice, and cinnamon. Mix until well blended. Add the butter and mix with a fork until coarse crumbs. Generously spray a 9X13 baking pan with cooking spray and press 2/3 of the crumb mixture into the bottom. Bake at 4oo degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for about 15 minutes, then spread the berries on top and cover with the remaining crumb mixture. Use the back of a spoon or fork to lightly press the crumb mixture into the berries. Bake for 20 more minutes or until the crumbs are browned and the berry filling is bubbly. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. When completely cool cut into 24 bars and wrap individually for an on the go breakfast treat.

I hope that you enjoy these as much as we do.

Saving money....

I was looking back over the past eight months of this year and I noticed something. I have been striving to cut our budget in every area possible. Not really because I had to but more because it is a weird hobby of mine, seeing how little we can get by on. I have been trying to cut down the places and the amount that we "go". I have strived to stay home more. And one thing that I have seen happen is that we are not only saving money on frivolous purchases or eating out and on gas. We are also saving money on doctor's bill. Yes, that is right. Doctor's bills. Since January my children have only gone to the doctor an average of twice a piece (excluding well checks). I feel that is a pretty low number and I really feel that it is due to the fact that my children haven't been out around people as much. Now, don't read me wrong, they have gotten out plenty. They have played at church and at homeschool group and we still go to Wal-Mart and other stores. But I have tried to be more organized and to limit how often I go. I now usually only "go" out one day a week. The rest of the time we are home or are visiting friends at their home but we are not out and around the public.
So, if you are looking for ways to save money here is one that might be a little outside the box. The more seldom that you are out and about with your children the more seldom that you just might be at the doctor.
I do feel that several things play into this. At home we eat better foods than when we eat out. When we are home our children rest when they need to and nap when they should. When we are home our children play out in the sunshine more and breathe the fresh air into their growing bodies. Not to mention the added benefit of the ability to more effectively train our children while at home rather than out in the public eye.
We are all always looking at ways to save money. I hope this gives you a little to think about. To run or to stay home? Which is your choice? And what is there to gain from either choice?

Crayola products

I love, love, love Crayola products. And at one of my new favorite blogs to read you can win a set of their products. So, hop on over and see what there is to win.

My heartbeat

I am a stay at home mom. I am a homeschooling mom. I am an extended nursing mom. I am a mom four times over. But in the past few weeks it has been on my mind a lot, this thing called motherhood. I love it. I live for it. It is WHO I am and have always wanted to be. But do I really take time to "be" it? I mean, as I was rocking my sweet baby who has been under the weather this week I started to look at her. Not just look in her eyes, smile and move on. I mean, really look at her. I studies her hands, fat, chubby, soft as silk hands. Her feet, still soft and uncalloused, and tender, just like her. Then I noticed her cheeks. Man, they are the roundest, pinkest, softest, most kissable cheeks I have seen in a long time. But I noticed them. And I am glad that I did. Because if I have learned one thing on this journey of motherhood it is that things don't last and babies don't keep. Before you know it they are second grade school girls that are making their own lunches, sweeping the floor, and dressing the baby.
So I am determined to "notice" more. To live more in the moment. And when one of my kids needs me, or even just wants my attention, I will stop and savor the moment. I will consent rate on it and REALLY remember it.
Because before I know it the moment will have passed and all I will have is.....

the memory

A Give Away

Sweet as Punkin Pie is having a great toy giveaway sponsored by AllChildrensFurniture.com, who carries everything from kids chairs to toys. Giveaway ends August 28th!

Blog Hop - Favorite Recipe

This is a new recipe for me. I just made it last night but we LOVED it. It is super low in fat, no preservatives.

Black Bean Dip

Roughly 2-3 cups cooked black beans (I used my cooked beans that were already seasoned, see this post)

1/2 onion diced

salt/pepper to taste

Cilantro (dried or fresh)

2 - Chipolte peppers (mine were dried and I just soaked them for a few minutes prior to cutting)

Blend in blender until smooth. I had to add a little of my cooking liquid to thin it out a little and I choose that because of all the flavor that it has. If you use canned beans you could use a little water or olive oil instead.

This is so yummy!

You know your a mom when....

I did a post like this awhile back and I had a few more ideas to share. I love the way that motherhood changes us in every area. We are a different person once we have had children and we will never again think the same. So, here are some situations in which I "knew I was a mother".

I had to remind myself to shut the bathroom door the other night when I had a basement full of my husband's friends. I do normally shut the door ALL the time. Really I do!!!

I was reminded that this life as a mom really does take practice when I looked at the clock on Sunday morning (a crazy time in a pastor's home) and saw that I still had 20 minutes before we had to leave and all 4 of the children, yes all of them, were dressed, fed and had their hair done and shoes on. It may have taken almost 11 months but I finally did it!!!!

You know you are a mother when you wash diapers three times a week and seem to have a never ending pile of diapers to fold!!

You know you are a mother when you look in the pew with you and realize that ALL of the children sitting around you are YOURS. It is even a funnier thought when you think to yourself, man there are a lot of kids around here and then you realize half of the kids playing in the nursery are your own.

Have you had any moments in your life that you thought to yourself only a mother would understand? If you had would you please post about it on your blog and link back to here, or if you don't have a blog leave me a comment and tell me about it. I would love to hear all about it.

Blog Hop

Here is one of my favorite photos that I have taken in awhile. It is very recent (from this weekend at the fountain park) but it has become one of my favorite ones.

I couldn't resist putting up this photo of Josiah. It is one of my all time favorites of him. It was taken on the bech in Hawaii when he was about 15 months old. There are some great memories from that trip and these pictures capture a couple of them. Pluss it amazes me how much Katherine and Josiah look like each other.

Not Me Monday

Well, my heart is in a different place this morning so this "Not Me Monday" will be a little different.

It is "not me" whose heart is heavy this morning with the feeling of loss. I am missing a friend lost a few months back. Will it ever get any easier?

It is "not me" who is totally blessed by the wonderful church family that I now have. They are a great support and encouragement. The way that they work together and everyone uses their talents and gifts for the betterment of the church is amazing to watch. I am so blessed. I mean, I would be so blessed if that was actually me!

It is "not me" who misses her sister that is serving our country miles and miles away. She is where God wants her I know, but I wish God wanted her here!

It is "not me" that is just kind of having a "downer" day so far. I am turning on my praise music and getting started on this house. Praying that I will allow God to speak to my heart and fill me with His praise.

With garden produce overflowing my kitchen and still in my garden it is "not me" that is totally overwhelmed with the chore of taking care of it all. But it is really a great reward for the countless hours in the heat.

My children did "not" have the best time on Saturday at a really cool park that we visited. I am "not" totally blessed by the gifts that God has given me through my children. Check out the pictures in the previous post to see for yourself.

Well, there you have it. Anything you would like to get off your mind this morning? Or just enjoy reading about others struggles/embarrassing moments/personal confessions then hop on over to MckMama's Blog and read more.

A Road Trip

Today I took a road trip of sorts with our four wonderful children. When you live where we do it takes a "road trip" to get most anywhere.

So, today we set off on a road trip to the outskirts of St. Louis. Our destination, a really awesome park (does anyone use the word "awesome" anymore?). This park not only has really cool equipment, see....

But at 11am everyday during the summer they have a fountain park for the family to enjoy. And enjoy it we did. See for yourself...

Samantha did not really enjoy the fountains because she got COLD! Is my daughter the only one that can get cold even when it is almost 100 degrees outside? But she had fun in other ways. See...

So, as you can see this was a fun day. It was a blast really. Maybe even the best day of summer yet. This is really the first fun, summer thing we have done all year. And yes, I know it is already August and summer will soon be behind us. But with Samantha's speech schedule and then Vacation Bible School and such it just hasn't happened this year. Oh well, it has still been a great summer!

I hope you had a great Saturday with your family. And have a blessed and restful Lord's day tomorrow.

Changing..

Well, things around here are changing. Back in the spring I gave my blog a total make over. Gave it a new title (not url just title) and everything. Well, things are changing yet again. While I have loved the look of my blog as is and it has served a great purpose, I want to still be focused on the biggest part of my life, my children. So, when offered help with a blog makeover, I jumped at it. I came up with a new title and a new layout. So, by the next time that you visit, unless you visit everyday, things will probably look different.

I am very excited about the new layout. I am also excited that my new school books have shipped. I am excited about our new Wednesday night services that start tonight at church. I am also excited that my house is a little cleaner today than it was yesterday!

I have a lot to be excited about. There is a lot of change happening around me.

Encouragement

Here is a verse of encouragement that has spoken volumes to me over the years. It continues to bless my heart and renew my spirit over and over again. It is found in Galatians chapter 7. It speaks about reaping and sowing and the law of the harvest. But it goes on to mention that we should not give up. Sometimes as a pastor's wife it is hard to not get discouraged. Things and changes take time. Not only time as in waiting but time as in my husband serving, or me serving. It takes time away from something else, most often our family. But when I get "down" or disheartened I turn back to this verse.
I am then reminded that in GOD'S time I will reap a harvest if I don't give up. How many things in your life have you started and then stopped in the middle only to wonder why they didn't produce change? Well, I want to encourage you us that we must not give up.
Christ never gives up on us as He continues to teach us and to change us. We should never give up on a work that He has called us to do. That is why it is so important to make sure that the work we are beginning is something He is calling us to do. If it is then we will reap a harvest in His time if we do not give up.

So, continue on my friends in the calling He has placed on your life and do not give up! Do not grow weary! Focus on Christ and in due time we will reap a harvest!!!

Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

A New Start

Well, today starts a new school year for us. We are not starting "officially" if you know what I mean, but we are starting none the less. You see, we are getting into our habits and forming our morning routine before we start our actual curriculum for the year. So, over the next we will be working on a schedule and doing morning chores and then each girl will have some work to do. We will do a Bible lesson, then Sam has speech homework(three big packets due the first week of Oct.) and Maggie will do flashcards and reading. We are going to start with this and move up from there. We are going on vacation in September so we won't start our full fledged book work until after Labor Day.

So, after a busy and way to short summer. We are back into routine and I am ready. I love summer, but I also love routine. I love strict bedtimes, and lunchtime and nap time and get up time! I am a person who likes order and structure. I also have several children that function better that way too. So, our house is actually a better place with a strict schedule. While summer has its routine, it is hard to stay on a schedule and bedtime when it is light until 9pm! But, they are going to have to deal with it now. It is time to establish a new routine and prepare for the school year to come.

Here is the curriculum that we will be using this year -

Samantha (kindergarten)
Abeka Number Skills K
Letters and Sounds K
Teach your child to read in 100 Easy Lessons (comes HIGHLY recommended to me for anyone looking for a reading program. Homeschool moms can't say enough about it!)
Handwriting (I use practice sheets and the wipe board, but no actual book)

Maggie (2nd grade)

Arithmetic 2
Language 2
Letters and Sounds 2
Creative Writing/Spelling

Jointly we will be doing "Little Hearts for His Glory"
this curriculum is a multi-subject approach to history and Bible. We will not only be using this book but will also use, "Devotions for the Children's Hour", "History stories for Children", and "History for Little Pilgrims". I am really looking forward to this new year. I am taking a whole new approach to homeschooling thanks to the wise counsel and years of experience from the wonderful homeschool mom's in my support group. I couldn't be more excited to get my hands on my new books and dive into learning with my children again.

We are going supply shopping this week as well. I love new school supplies. I love anything organizational. So, school supplies and I are good friends. A place for everything and everything in its place.

How do you start/get ready for the new school year.