NEW LOOK!!!

Alright I finally got my new look done, what do you guys think? :)

Cranky Cranky Cranky.....

Now I know why thin people and models sometimes walk around with annoyed looks on their faces. See yesterday I was feeling a bit better from the cold, but my stomach was just killing me, so I didn't eat much, which made me, yep, you guessed it....CRANKY!!!
I love food too much and this is why I have the hardest time dieting at all, I don't think I could ever be a Super Model, unless the Super stood for Super Sizing!!!

We had a good day yesterday, I spent time with the kids and when it came to lunch time I thought I would make them a treat. Usually lunch in this house consists of Macaroni & Cheese, or PB & J Sandwiches or Chicken Nuggets, you know the usual things kids like. Yesterday was no exception, when asked what they wanted, the answer was unanimous...."Chicken nuggets and mac & cheese". BLEH!!!!
But I decided to make it special, so I made them both some strawberry shakes, complete with whipped cream and all. You should have seen their faces, I don't think I've gotten hugs and kisses like THAT in a long time LOL

Again it proves that they really do love the small things you do for them. I mean I could have easily given them the usual juice box, but wasn't this better???

Today I have to go to a Notary to get a bunch of paperwork notarized and then get some more passport photos taken. Once that is done I can finally mail in the rest of the paperwork and be totally DONE with my part. I just hope this whole process doesn't take very long, so I'm putting it in the Lord's hands and letting him deal with it. Just this morning I started worrying about it and he AGAIN said "This is my battle, not yours, let it go, I didn't ask you to take it on".

What is wrong with me??? You would have thought that by now I would have learnt my lesson, but yet, I continue to annoy Him and question and provoke. He must feel the way I do with my kids at times. "How many times do I have to tell you to do something?", see????
I really am just a little kid when it comes to the Lord, how embarassing, a 31 year old woman who acts like a child.

Anyway, being that it's friday and payday, I'm going to get my menus posted on my food blog, and then I need to get my grocery list done, pay bills, etc. All that fun stuff that goes with being a mommy and wife.

I've also posted my "Everyday Things" below, if you want to know more about it, or even participate yourself, go to Jule's "Everyday Mommy" for the rules. Remember that Jules moved to a new site, so I'm giving you the new link, don't forget to update your bookmarks :)

I didn't forget about my blog look, just haven't had time to mess with it and get it finished. Hopefully sometime today, if not, then this weekend it should be up.

We're having a hard time getting Jasmine to read during the summer. It's frustrating because when she first started school she was thrilled to learn everything, it's like she couldn't get enough of words, reading, spelling etc. Now it's a total turn around and quite frankly I don't know how to deal with it. Her first grade teacher suggested she read chapter books during the school break, and you would think that I'm asking her to read a memo on nuclear bombs or something. Anyone have ideas to share????

Time to get on with the day, have so much to do and my coffee is now cold, need a refill. Hey if you stop by tomorrow I promise to have a fresh pot of coffee waiting AND I'll even throw in some of those new Blueberry Krispi Kreme donuts.....man are they to die for!!!

EVERYDAY THINGS!!!

It's friday and time for another Everyday Things. Jule's over at "Everyday Mommy" started this feature to help us remember the small things around us and embrace contentment. Go to her site to participate or to see a list of others embracing their "Everyday Things".

The smell of onions, olive oil, and garlic frying on the stove. Is there an aroma more heavenly in sight???

The minute I start frying them, the aroma transports me back in time, back to my house in Portugal. I vividly remember sitting on the kitchen floor while my greatgrandmother started lunch or dinner, and it didn't matter what she was making because I always remember the same smell.
It takes me back to the time of innocence, a time where the most important thing in my life were my dolls and my toys, the endless drawings and coloring in's I did, the stories told by my greatgrandma, what it was like when she was a little girl, living through world war I and II, her wedding night, her husband, how to be a good wife and mother.

So now, whenever I stand over my stove and fry the usual onions, garlic and olive oil, I'm quickly reminded of everything she taught me, it's like having a notebook etched in my mind, all the notes taken down of things she said and the minute that aroma fills the air, the words jump out and start dancing around me, reminding me of my childhood and how lucky I was to have such an amazing woman in my life.

HOLY ALPHABET!!!

I got this in the mail today and thought I would share it, it's just beautiful and I hope it brings a smile to many faces :)

The Holy Alphabet... This is Beautiful

Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine guidance!

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

10 HOURS?!?!?!?!?!

You know of what???? 10 hours of sleep, yes, and it was actually MY sleep. I'm feeling SO much better, it's not even funny. LOL
I took some Motrin last night and it always knocks me out, so I fell asleep at 10pm and didn't wake up until 8am this morning. The kids let me sleep in too, actually Jasmine is still asleep with the pugs.

I want to start by thanking you all for the prayers, I really do feel much better today. I'm not over the cold, but at least I'm not feeling as horrible as I did yesterday. Here's what I've learnt though, over and over and over......no matter how sick you may be feeling, if you have kids, you have to put that aside and move on. One foot in front of the other, is what they say.

Just to give you all a heads up, I'm working on another template for my blog. You know how bored I get with things looking the same, and I like having a blog that reflects whatever is going on in my life at the time. It should be up later today, so check back if you're interested, if not that's ok too :)

So last night I was feeling really unwell and didn't want to cook. That's usually when you know I'm not well, I love cooking and nothing keeps me from my kitchen. I almost ordered take out and then I walked into the kitchen and thought, you know, no matter how yucky I'm feeling, my kids and hubby deserve a good meal.
Wanna know what I made???? Chicken Egg Rolls( I posted the recipe on my food blog if you want to see it)!!! Yeah, how about that?!?!?!
I'm dangerous when I'm sick, I usually pick the hardest things to make, I can't be normal like others and make some sandwiches or soup or something. LOL

Boy were they yummy, and let me tell you, I made it all up, the filling I mean. I had never made them before and had no idea what goes in other than chicken or shrimp or whatever. Turned out so good that it yielded 20 egg rolls and they're all gone LOL
Curt took the rest to work for lunch, which wasn't a lot actually, it was about 5 if that.

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I got into bed last night and picked up my book again. This time the chapter was called "Read it Again, Mom!"
It talks about how the authors daughter always asked her to read the same book at bedtime, and yet everytime she did, it was like the daughter was hearing it for the first time, she had that sparkle in her eye.

It's like reading the Bible. But it wasn't always that way for me, I'm ashamed to admit that when I first started reading it it was boring for me. I found myself falling asleep at times or yawning through it. The Old Testament was especially the worst for me, all those names and dates. Yet, once I started finding comfort with the Lord and really appreciating my relationship with him, I too felt like the author's daughter. Everynight I pick up the Bible and always find something new, I read a verse for the tenth time and find something I missed "Wow, how did I miss that?".

I know now that Christianity is not about religion. It is about a relationship - a very intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

There's books that my kids LOVE and when I'm done reading it, they ask me to start again. Wouldn't it be great to feel that way about the Bible and God's Word? To have that same enthusiasm, know all the words and what to expect, but yet feel like you can't wait to get in there and read it again.

"Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day...They are not just idle words for you-they are your life." Deuteronomy 32:46,47

Time Out

• On a scale of one to ten, one being "not intimate" and ten being "very intimate", how would you rate your relationship with Christ?
• If Christianity is enjoying a personal relationship with Jesus, why is so much emphasis placed on "Christian Disciplines" (reading scripture, praying, memorizing verses, going to church, etc.)? In what area do you most need to grow: the disciplines or your personal relationship with Christ?

I have to tell you that this book has really brought it all home for me. It's taught me SO SO much and it's totally changed my perspective on life. I almost feel cheated out of the first 31 years of my life, it's like I've spent it doing the wrong thing (yes we learn from our mistakes), but wouldn't it be nice if I had known about all this before and basked in the Glory of being close to the Lord?

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The kids and I are planning on doing some crafts today, don't know what yet, but I'm sure we'll find something to do. Since I'm feeling better, I think I'll get some laundry done and tackle that mountain of clothes to iron too.

If you have a moment today, please say a prayer for the troops, let's not forget that while we're here in the comfort of our homes, they are out there in the middle of danger and sleeping in cots, dealing with scorching temperatures, exhausted and not getting enough rest, and they're doing it all for US.

Hope you all have a beautiful blessed day,

Cloudy Day!!!

Woke up this morning feeling the same as yesterday, running a bit of a fever, sore throat and headache, guess this cold will stick around a bit longer than I thought.

The kids must be getting it too, they're kind of mopy (hope I got that right) and Jasmine has been sleeping in until 9:30am, which is just not normal for her. Poor Curt, hopefully he doesn't get this cold, maybe we should keep him clear of us? Or the house? Nah, where would he sleep right? LOL

Yesterday I managed to get all my to do list, done. It felt good to get it all achieved, wasn't easy as I was moving slower than usual, but I am happy I did it.
A couple of you asked about the Boston Cream Cupcakes, so I decided to share the recipe on my food blog.

Here's some pictures of the kids yesterday, having fun with the cupcakes.

When we were done, they both looked at me and said "we had so much fun, we loved making cupcakes with you". Isn't it great???
Here we think that in order for kids to be happy we have to buy them expensive toys or enroll them in all these sports and classes, when all they really want is something as simple as making cupcakes with their mommy. Thank you Lord, for reminding me that it's not THE QUANTITY, but THE QUALITY of what we do with our kids.

I'm feeling a little down today, I don't know if it might also be the fact that I'm not feeling well, but cloudy days + being sick = cranky, sad mommy.
I think I need to hold the Lord's hand a bit more tightly today and let him guide me through it, I don't know how else to make it through.

Remember I had said that I was in the middle of getting my "Green Card"?
Well if you only knew how much paperwork and questions and fees are involved, I think you would be running at turbo speed, in the opposite direction.
It's more frustrating when you send everything in only to be told that something is missing and now you need to redo it.....ok fine, I will.
Just means more paperwork, more money and more headaches, but hey, it's worth it in the end right?

I wish I had some profound words to say today, or even something that you could all walk away with feeling "wow that was deep, definitely thought provoking". I don't!!!
Actually, I very seldom do, but I think it's God's way of keeping me in my place, making sure I don't grow a huge head and try to preach what I don't know myself.
I feel like a kindergartener when it comes to my relationship with God.
You know, you tread carefully, you push your limits, you break the rules, you get your time-outs and thinking spots....."what did you do to get here? How does it make you feel? What will you do next time?". I never realized how well those words apply to my mistakes in real life.

Think I'm going to go print those words out on index cards and place them all over my house, next time I mess up with the Lord, I can read them out loud.

And that's it, the weather is looking gloomy, my heart is feeling it too and I feel God tugging at my hand, urging me to sit on his lap and let it all go. I think I need that, it's been a while since I've had a good cry.

See you all tomorrow,
God Bless,

Works for Me Wednesday!!!

I'm really starting to run out of ideas on this, either I need to start creating more shortcuts for myself or just admit that I really DON'T have that many tips worth making anyone's (much less myself) life easier. :)

My tip for today is one about kids and chores. A while ago I had talked about how Jasmine and I had sat down and wrote a list of chores that she is able to do. I'm not one to tell kids to do things that I don't think they should be doing at their age, like telling a 7 year old to scrub the toilet, Ummmm....NO!!!

We had a Chart of Chores for her but after about a week, she started getting bored with the things she was doing and I knew that I had to do something or come up with something before she would completely deny doing anything at all.

So I introduced the Chore Jar. In it I placed a bunch of papers with different chores on it, things like Clean your Room, Make the Bed, Set the Table, Feed the Pugs, Water the Plants etc. Then I also added things like Help Fix Dinner, Help in the Garden, Help Mommy Sew, Help Mommy Iron, Help Daddy make Shelf, Help Daddy change oil in car, etc.

These last ones I added because I think it's important that kids learn a variety of things AND it will also help us spend some one on one time with them. There are times that Jasmine will get a boy chore and Nicholas will get a girl chore, like cooking etc.......
This way they will both be introduced to all sorts of things, and let's face it, won't it be great when my son grows up and is able to do all the boy things PLUS cook, fold laundry etc???

As we think of new chores we just add them to the jar. The kids are actually excited to pull a paper out of the jar everyday and they don't get bored with the usual same things. Works for me!!!

For a list of other WFMW participants, don't forget to check out Shannon's blog. :)

You do what you have to do!!!

I think as a mother, wife and woman in general, we've all become used to just "doing what you have to do". You keep going, and going and going, but you start noticing that no matter how much or how fast you move, you just can't keep up with some things.

There's projects to be done, there's clothes to be washed, put away, floors to be mopped, dogs that need vet visits, cars that need to be serviced, and the list just goes on and on.

While reading my book, the third chapter entitled "Daddy's Lap" talks about the comfort of being in the Father's lap, much like watching your children sitting on your husbands lap, laughing and giggling, or crying and seeking some comfort. That is how we feel when we crawl into our Father's lap and cry over a problem we're having, a loved one we lost or a burden weighing heavy on our hearts.

Many times I've had people say to me "I wish I was as strong as you or had your faith". I smile, but inwardly I'm thinking "are you kidding me??? I'm not strong, I'm not that confident in my faith and I certainly don't have it all figured out and under control".

The author talks about times when she always felt that if someone needed help it was somehow her responsibility. Boy do I know that feeling, and I never trusted God to be the one helping, it's like I would challenge him to try and outdo me "come on let's see how fast you can get it done, I bet I can do it faster."
Sure, but I didn't do it right, I just added to the problem, and in the process disappointed God because again he had to remind me that "The battle is not yours, it is Mine".

Self-effort is ultimately self-destruction. Self-effort short-circuits God's purposes, robs God of His rightful glory and leaves me exhausted. (Exhaustion is God's reminder that we are not resting in Him).

Well when put that way, it makes so much more sense doesn't it???
You can crawl down from his lap after spending some time with Him, but as long as you move through the rest of the day, holding His hand tightly in yours, then everything will be ok.

Time Out

• What battles do you fight? Are you fighting a battle the Lord has not asked you to fight? If so, evacuate!
• Read II Chronicles 20. What is required to stand? What relationship do you see between standing and the psalmist's command in Psalm 46:10 to "be still, and know that I am God"?
• Be encouraged that in your battle, God goes before you and is with you.

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I woke up this morning with a sore throat and running a bit of a fever. I guess I got over my sinus infection but now I'm dealing with the remains of a summer cold. I could complain and cry and whine about it, or I could just go on and deal with it. I choose to just deal with it, really, I don't have energy to stomp my feet and yell and scream.

While watching "Super Nanny" yesterday (I'm sure some of you don't like her, but I do), I realized that I at times also talk to my kids in ways that are unnaceptable and mean. It's not that I deliberately set out to upset them, and honestly, after asking them or telling them to do something a gazillion times, you tend to loose your cool.
I think one thing that I learnt though is that it's all in the way you say things, wow, here I've been saying this for years and years. It's not what you say, it's HOW you say it!!!

So as much as it pains me to admit that I'm not the greatest mom in the world and that I mess up more times that I would like to.....I pledge to try my hardest to do what is right by my kids.
How could I not when I have these gorgeous faces in my life, every day.

So today this is what I have planned:

1. One load of laundry, wash, iron and put away
2. Dusting
3. Vacuum
4. Mop
5. Watch Brazil vs Ghana match
6. Make Boston Cream Cupcakes
7. Devotionals

Don't have a lot, and I'm hoping that me feeling sick today won't get in the way too much.

Yesterday I bid on a portuguese book on ebay, I'm so excited to get it. I've wanted to teach my kids portuguese for such a long time, and I think having some portuguese books to read to them will help too. Nothing would please me more than to have them be bilingual and also learn more about the portuguese culture. Wish me luck!!!

Well ladies, I'm all out of things to say and my head is starting to hurt, think it's time for some medicine and then get my day started. I really do hope you all have a wonderful tuesday and if you're going through some sort of trial or tribulation, I hope that you put it in God's hands and let him deal with it, or even better, hold on to his hand tightly and let him go through this day with you :)

God Bless,

Treasure Tuesday!!!

I've really come to enjoy my Tuesday's, I think mainly because it helps me to STOP and look around, at what I have, and the treasures that fill my house. Let's face it, anything could be a treasure right? Given by that special person, bought at a certain time in your life......

My treasure today is very near and dear to my heart, aren't they all???

You can't really see it well, and I can't seem to take picture good enough to show exactly what it looks like. But here's the story:

I've mentioned before in my blog, that I had two miscarriages between Jasmine and Nicholas. It was two of the hardest and lowest points in my life, I felt guilty because after all this was my body that had somehow rejected the pregnancies (even though now I understand that it was NOTHING I did). I grieved for a long time and you never quite get over it, you just learn to live with it. There's days that you hear something, or see something that takes you right back to those moments, and that is when I am so thankful to have this necklace.

See, I had been wanting a Mother's Necklace, with my kids birthstones, for a long time. Never got around to getting one, and then a few years ago, my wonderful hubby finally said "You know, that's it, we're getting you the necklace I don't care how much it costs, you deserve it".
So he picked this one that says WE LOVE YOU. On it he asked to have 4 birthstones placed, one for Jasmine, one for Nicholas and two for the babies we lost (using the stones for the month in which they were due).

Let me just say there are still days that something gets to me and I find myself longing for my two girls, and I know they're in heaven, but really, when you're feeling that sad you wish you could reach out to them, that is when I reach for my necklace and hold it tight in my hand, it reminds me to be thankful of the two beautiful kids I have with me, and the two beautiful girls that await me in heaven.

For a list of other Treasure Tuesday Participants, head on over to Faith's Blog.

TACKLE IT TUESDAY!!!

You've heard me talk about how my computer desk is always needing organizing, and for some reason I just can't keep it clean. There's always papers, bills, coffee mugs, empty plates etc. I spend a lot of time on the computer, either working or blogging, or emailing or whatever, AND that's where hubby and I spend some hours playing "DAOC", which leads to endless snacks and drinks.

I think of my computer desk as my small home office/entertainment area/bank/cookbook archive etc. See, it serves many many purposes doesn't it?

So in my attempts to constantly keep my desk clean, I have been searching for a way to keep it mess free or at least keep it out of sight. This weekend while doing my usual Yard Sale hunting, I came across just what I needed. A Computer Armoire for $20.....still new and just what I had wanted.

I brought it home and worked on getting my computer area reorganized, gave my old computer desk to my daughter (she's all happy cause it's big, she has lots of room to play and do homework etc).

This is what it looked like before:

This is what it looks like now:

I think what I like the most is that when I'm done working, I just close the doors and walk away LOL

So what have you been tackling this tuesday???? If you joined in then go on over to
5 Minutes for Mom and add your name to the list, or check out the other participants.

Manic Monday!!!

6 0' clock already, I was just in the middle of a dream *insert music*

Yeah it was more like 5:30am and I was in the middle of a dream, a nice dream too, not that I can remember it now no matter how hard I try. I do remember that I was enjoying it and then BAM (the sounds of kids and pugs).

When asked how many kids I have, now I say "4 kids, 3 girls and 1 boy". LOL
My pug girls have become an important part of the family, and where we go, they go, if we can get away with it obviously.

We were supposed to work on the yard yesterday but got a late start, didn't get out there until 10:30am and let me tell you something, the sun doesn't mess around. It was extremely hot, already in the 80's. We picked up the shovels determined to get some work done, and ended up only working for about 30 minutes tops. We gave up, how sad, but really I was sweating profusely, my lower back was killing me and I actually got a tan, just in that little time. So we decided to plant just some of the grass and leave the rest for next weekend. By the look of things this yard will be done next summer LOL

Does housework ever go away??? I mean just disappear, like one day you wake up and your house is spotless because a generous ghost decided to clean up for you???
My house is clean, everything is in it's place, not by luck, but because I've spent the past two weeks working really hard on organizing and cleaning. Yesterday I was happy, I put away 3 baskets of laundry, and you may laugh because it seems ridiculous, but to me it's HUGE.
No more digging through baskets to find that elusive tank top, or pair of shorts. I'm going to try real hard to stick to this, wash, dry, fold, put away.

Have you noticed that the minute you become a mom there's no reason to dress nicely???
I don't mean clean clothes, I mean DRESS UP, hair done, make up, nails, beautiful gown. This is why I wish I had lived in the Victorian times, I could always be seen in gorgeous gowns, but imagine trying to change a diaper wearing that?!?!?
One of my favorite genres of movies is Medieval, Victorian etc. and I think mainly because I enjoy drooling over admiring the dresses.
The last time I dressed up was for my high school prom......wow 14 years ago. Great now I feel ancient LOL

So this morning, we're going to the park with Veronica and her kids. Later today I need to go drop off some donations at the Airman's Attic, but that is pretty much all I have planned for today.
I'm hoping to get some sewing done though, I still want to finish Jasmine's dress and start the other one. I'm also planning on making some bread, I think my bread machine is feeling neglected and it's time to take it for a spin. (you know what I mean)

I picked up some Herbs yesterday, for the longest time I've wanted to grow my own and let's face it, there's nothing better than the smell of fresh herbs in your kitchen. So I got Basil, Marjoram, Chives and I also picked up some Leeks and Red Onions......they look so pretty already. Lord help me to keep them alive, I am so not plant oriented.
The kids and Curt also picked up some Cantaloupe to plant......hopefully everything will survive and we will have fresh fruit, veggies and herbs :)

Well I better get going, it's already 8:30am and I want to get some laundry started and the dishes going before heading to the park.

God Bless,

How does that saying go?

"One man's trash is another man's treasure?" or something like that right?

Well one thing I love doing during the summer, is going to yard sales, there's times I don't buy anything, but just love browsing and looking through everything, it's something that I'm thankful that my hubby loves doing too. So every saturday morning, we load up the kids in the truck and set off at 7:30am.

The sun is already shining, there's a warmth in the air and you can feel the activity in the streets, cars following each other from neighborhood to neighborhood, almost like a procession. Tons of cars stopped outside houses with eager homeowners smiling and giving their usual "how are you today?" Ahhhhhh such joy!!!

We get to this one, and as we drive around to the house I see something outside that catches my eye. Could it be??? Nah, there's no way I would get THAT lucky!!!
Yes yes yes, I think it really is. "Curt is that a computer armoire?" (hear the excitement in my voice?) "Yes I think it is, hold on, let me stop the truck before you run out!"
Yeah, I was THAT excited, because you all know that they are not cheap and it's something I've been looking for forever, well shouldn't really say looking for, I mean I know where they are just didn't want to have to pay close to $200 for it.

I run out and hug the armoire, look up at the price and it says $30. OH- MY- GOSH!!!! NO WAY!!! I turn to the lady and say "It's mine, I'm taking it". So we got to talking and they were saying how they had just gotten to the base 6 months ago and haven't been here long, and how long had we been here blah blah blah blah blah. Before we leave she says "I'll give it to you for $20". GASP!!!! WHAT?!?!?! WHO?!?!?! WHERE?!?!?!
(Doing the happy dance)

So here it is, my new computer armoire....don't you just love a good bargain????

Yesterday we were supposed to keep working on the back yard, but Curt and Jasmine went out to watch "Superman Returns" for FREE!!! The Base apparently won this contest thing and was one of the bases being awarded the showing of the movie for free. Here's the catch though (well for me it's a catch LOL), the doors opened at 11am and the movie didn't start until 1:30pm. So it was on a first come first served basis. I was NOT about to go sit there for hours with a 3 year old who really doesn't give a hoot about movies, and I honestly don't really like those movies myself *duck for fear of a stone being thrown my way*.

Nicholas and I stayed home, we went to Burger King for Lunch, just mommy and son, it was wonderful :) Then we came home and we put up his NASA space wall border in his room, he just loves it :) Will post a picture tomorrow.

I'm so thrilled with the response to my post yesterday, see I never think of myself as inspiring or uplifting. Direct and too open at times, not afraid to say what I'm feeling, YES!!! But inspiring, NO!!!
But if my posts in any way inspire even if just one person, then I know I'm doing the right thing.
Remember yesterday I said I would start posting every chapter of the book? Well I read through some more last night and this book is just filled with information, filled with thought provoking words and most of all FILLED with the Lord's love. How amazing!!!

The first chapter is actually called "Just a Moment, Please". When I started reading I honestly felt like it could have been me saying those things. How many of us have felt that since having children and getting married, we just don't have time for God? We had to put that relationship on hold, on the back burner, because we ran out of time to be with Him.

How many times have I tried to read the Bible or spend some time in prayer only to be interrupted continuously by something or someone? I remember one day trying to do this, I set my alarm for earlier and figured if I get up at least 15 minutes before the kids, I can devote that time to God. Well that worked great when I was thinking about it, then the alarm went off, I got up and picked up the Bible only to have Nicholas wake up too. "I'm hungry mommy, let's go downstairs". Ohhhhkay!!! I gave him his breakfast and picked up the Bible again thinking he's quiet and happy so I can do this. I read two words and the pugs had to go outside. Set it down again, take them out, come back in and pick it up, Jasmine wakes up. Oh forget it.....sorry Lord, I promise I will get back to you when I get a free moment.

Every little moment in our lives could be devoted to God, we just need to realize that and like the scriptures say. "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (II Cor. 10:5)

As I positioned the diaper under Amanda's tiny bottom, I heard the Lord say, You have a moment.
Yes, Lord, I do. Hi again! I sure spend a lot of time changing Amanda. Just like You've spent a lot of time changing me.
I chuckled over the analogy and headed for the toilet with my scrub brush.
You have a moment.
Yes, God, I do. Thanks for washing away my sins, just the way I'm washing away disgusting things in this toilet.
In the kitchen, I set the table for dinner.
You have a moment.
Yes, God. Thank you for food to eat and a roof over our heads.
I was beginning to get the idea.

Yep I'm getting the idea too. How easy and how simple it is, but yet I never thought of it. The book talks about how we usually compartmentalize God, by sticking him into time slots such as Bible Study, Quiet Time and Church. The minute you let God spill over into every moment of your life and instead of being upset by not having an hour with God, you now have a WHOLE day with him. How wonderful!!!

Here's the "Time Out" for this Chapter,

• Memorize II Corinthians 10:5. What does it mean to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ? How can you do this? What does the verse instruct you to do before you take your thoughts captive?
• Do you acknowledge God's presence in your everyday moments or do you confine Him to compartments? What does it mean to abide in Christ? (Read John 15.)

Well I have breakfast cooking, bacon and sausages YUM. Going to make some cinnamon toast for the kids too. I have to say I'm really enjoying spending these quiet times with you all, this book has inspired me so much and I hope it spills over to all of you. Hope you have a great sunday :)

God Bless,

Big Things, Little Things.....

I've been reading a wonderful, wonderful book called "Diapers, Pacifiers and other Holy Things" by Lorraine Pintus. It's really taught me a lot as a mother to a preschooler and a 7 year old.

One of the things that stood out with me was the chapter entitled "Big Things, Little Things".
She starts by telling us that as a mother, one of the most inspiring verses in the Bible is Luke 19:17. It says, "Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities."

To me it translates as "If you faithfully do the small annoying chores that you encounter as a mother, you will be greatly rewarded in the end."

Little things matter to God. Yeah, how true is that??? If only I could keep reminding myself the next time I have to clean a mess, turn around and clean it again, and then yet again 5 minutes later at which point I'm ready to just throw my hands up in the air and scream "That's IT, I've had it and from now on YOU guys clean it up." But what Lorraine has taught me is that every little thing matters.

If your motive is right, even nose wiping can result in eternal rewards.

How truly amazing and shocking is that??? All these years I've been resentful at some of the little things that I had to do. Some of them were truly annoying and I found myself cringing everytime I had to pick up YET another toy, clean up a mess YET again just minutes after I had finished doing it.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23,24

So at the end of the chapter, she gives us what she calls "Time Out". This is a list of 3 things, well more like questions that we need to answer ourselves and work on.

• Motive is everything. Before doing anything, ask yourself "Why am I doing this? For whom am I doing this? Would this please Jesus?"
• Have you ever told a friend "I'll pray for you" but failed to do it? Do you copy personal items on the photocopier at work? Do you exaggerate your charitable contributions on your income tax form? Name three "little things" in which you find yourself tempted to be dishonest. As God to keep you faithful.
• Look up faithful in the dictionary. What does it mean? Why does God want to build faithfulness in us? Whom do we emulate when we are faithful?

I've loved this chapter, it's taught me so much about how I see my role as a mother.....and actually, it can be applied to a lot of other aspects of my life, the way I see myself as a wife, as a homemaker, as a friend.
Yes I know a lot of you would rather turn away from admitting that you do the same thing, that you take the little things for granted, or even worse, like me, that you resent them at times.
Not me, I did at one point, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I have faults, that I sometimes stumble around like a toddler just learning to walk, that I don't know the answers to everything, that even after two kids and 8 years of motherhood there are days I have NO clue what I'm doing.
The first step to fixing something is to admit it right???

Well here I am, being totally honest and upfront with each and everyone of you.
I think I will start sharing every chapter as I move through this book, who knows, maybe it will inspire another mom (or non mom) to take a closer look at their lives and the way they deal with it.

We all know that as mothers, there are millions of little things that drive us crazy, day in and day out, I mean really, who other than a mother is entrusted with all these little details and mindless frustrating chores?
My list usually consists of:

Get up, dress the kids, feed them breakfast
Wash dishes, sweep the floor and mop
Make the beds, feed the pets, clean the living room
Put away the toys, put them away again, and yet again, and yet again
Give them a snack and remind them not to eat in the living room
Watch as the little one spins in a circle while squeezing the juice pouch
Clean up the living room YET again
Repeat and then repeat again......

After a full day of this, I get into bed, open the Bible and say "Dear Lord" and that's usually as far as I get, because I'm exhausted and I tend to fall asleep before I even read a chapter. You may be wondering where I found the time to read this book then?
Ahhh let me tell you the secret......Oh I've become smart the past few weeks, I take the Bible and the book into the bathroom with me, yes, go ahead and turn your noses up and act disgusted, a woman desperate does whatever it takes.

So next time you have to clean up a mess (yet again), wipe a runny nose, cook another meal or do another load of laundry, remember that the little things matter, maybe not to us, but they certainly do to God. Do it with a smile and rejoice in the fact that He is keeping track of it all.

I hope you have a blessed Saturday and may it be FULL of "little things."

SOAKING UP THE SUN

We went to Veronica's house this afternoon so the kids could play in the sprinklers and pool etc. They had a blast and it was so much fun just watching them interact, they've been good friends the past two years and I know my kids are going to be heartbroken when Sydney and Scottie leave.

Anyway, I got some pictures and decided to turn it into a little video to make it more fun and easier than trying to upload 40 plus pictures LOL

So here you go, the kids soaking up some sun and having fun as usual :) Tomorrow I will post a video of them diving into the pool, it was too funny. Click the thumbnail or the file name to play the video :)

soaking up the sun.wmv

THE JOY OF FRIDAY!!!

There's nothing better than the end of the week, at least for me. It usually means I can stay up later, the kids can stay up later too, and yes I know a lot of parents don't agree with having their kids up late, but mine only get to do it every friday and saturday night, it's sorta like a family tradition.
We play games together or watch a movie or whatever, but it's enough to make us feel connected after a crazy week of running around with everyone doing their own thing.

Thank you all for the comments on yesterday's post, I think Liz opened up a can of worms for me and I just ran with it, literally spilling worms all over. (not really, but you get the idea)

Just got back from the park with the kids and Veronica and her kids. It was really nice to take them out first thing in the morning and let them have some fun instead of being stuck in the house. Boy are we gonna miss them when they move in August. Another hard part of being a military family! Go check out her blog and see those gorgeous kids, gotta love the red hair on Sydney (reminds me of my red haired princess).

After lunch we're going over to their house so the kids can play in the sprinkler outside. No it's not just a normal lawn sprinkler, it's one of those new ones that wiggle around like crazy LOL
Don't worry I will take the camera, I'm sure there will be lots of good moments to capture and then share on the blog.

Nothing much planned for today, just having some outdoor fun with the kids and then the usual house cleaning, you know, the joys of being a housewife.

Don't forget to check out my "Everyday Things" post below and on my food blog you can find my Five Ingredients Friday too.

With all the organizing and cleaning I've been doing here, running around with kids etc, I really feel that I've slipped a bit from my closeness with God. I wouldn't have known it before because I remember that when I didn't have that close relationship with Him, I didn't know what I was missing. Now that I do, I know what I'm missing out on and it's a HUGE change in my day to day.

It pretty much changes everything, your whole perspective and way of thinking. It's like removing that armor and leaving yourself vulnerable to attacks. So last night as I went to bed, I closed my eyes and started to pray, only there was a problem, I couldn't seem to do it. Anyone else ever feel that way???
It's like I knew what I wanted to say and who to pray for but the minute I opened my mouth it would become an inaudible jumble of weird-make-no-sense words, or I would fall asleep for a minute, wake up to realize I was trying to pray and have it happen again. Boy nothing like that to bring back the reality that the devil really tries to cut your happiness and any form of communication with the Lord.

After about an hour of struggling with this, I practically BEGGED God to please help me out here, it really felt like a deliberate attack, knowing that I was already feeling distant from Him and trying to make sure that connection was completely broken. What a scary feeling!!!
I do remember after a few minutes, that I was able to pray, honestly and straight from the heart, no more stumbling and babbling on my part, just pure emotional beautiful words that said everything I was feeling and prayed for those who were in need. Thank you Lord, for yet again coming to my rescue....I have to say though this Christian Damsel in Distress role is getting pretty old!!!

Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

But before I close this post, I want you to think about something. If you are not being attacked by the devil, then he obviously isn't worried about you, and if he isn't worried about you then maybe you are NOT defending God and living for God the way you should, right???

If I find myself in his little black book of souls to torture, then at least I know that I'm doing something right by God because let's face it, he obviously sees me as a threat.

2 Timothy 2:3 - Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

YES, I will and I will gladly put up with the devils deliberate attempts to bring me down, because I know that I will always come out winning!!!

God Bless,

EVERYDAY THINGS!!!

Jules at Everyday Mommy started this weekly Friday feature called "Everyday Things".

We're supposed to embrace contentment and learn to like the everyday things that we tend to overlook or take for granted. Thank you Jules, this has definitely made me stop and think about the little things that really do make my life what it is - a happy one!!!

Everyday I cook and everyday I enjoy what I do, being a mom, a wife and a homemaker. But everytime I pick up a pot or pan, I'm instantly taken back to when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I was staying over at my grandmother's house during the summer, and my greatgrandmother lived with her. Every morning, they had the same ritual, they would sit at the table and drink tea with a dash of milk and a piece of toast with jam. I can still smell the tea and the jam and hear their voices talking about what to make for dinner or what they had to clean around the house.

Me, I was sitting on the floor right between them, with toy pots and pans and I would act like I was cooking. I would ask for some pepper or a potatoe or whatever else I could think of, and my greatgrandmother would sit there and tell me what a great job I was doing. "Now add some oil Sandra", she would say, or "you want to make some soup for lunch?".

Then everyday, we would all get dressed after breakfast, go to the market to get fresh vegetables and meat, and my grandmother would always buy me, yet another bag of play pots and pans.

So til this day, whenever I pick up a skillet or pot or pan and am getting ready to cook, I feel as if I have my greatgrandmother standing right next to me, watching as I prepare yet another meal. That is one of the little everyday things that may seem small to others, but is OH SO big for me. :)

"...and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Weddings, big or small????

I'm a romantic and I love the whole fairytale idea, but when it came to my own wedding, I had a small intimate gathering at my house back in South Africa. Why you may ask??? Why not???

It's not that I didn't have the choice of a huge lavish wedding, but I didn't want it, for some reason the whole princess big white wedding dress, the hundreds of guests (some of who you don't even want there), the food, the flowers etc, didn't appeal to me. You may be wondering why I'm bringing this up, well that's because the other day I was watching tv and saw that "Bridezilla".
Quite frankly I was shocked and disgusted......yes I know a wedding is an important day and you want it to be perfect (blah blah blah), but I think these women take it to the extremes.

So yes, I had a very small wedding, went to court and got married, then had about 12 friends and family back at my house for a nice intimate dinner, but I did have my Pastor come and perform the ceremony again at the house. It was a beautiful night, it was romantic, it was inexpensive (we made all the food ourselves), and most importantly, I was able to have my greatgrandmother nearby (at this point she was extremely sick and had to use a wheelchair). Am I happy I did it, ABSOLUTELY!!!

Aaahhhh look how young we looked in that picture, to think it was only 8 years ago.

I have nothing planned for today, which is a good thing because having a sinus infection can be a real pain in the nose neck.
I will have to keep the kids busy, either with a craft or a game or something. It's always like this, summer starts and all of a sudden I have to become a "Planner". It's like a wedding planner but on a smaller scale and just substituting a few things. And let me tell you, kids are harder to please than an angry bride.

So with that said, here's what I've learnt this week (so far):

• If mommy is sick or not feeling well, the world does NOT stop.
• If the kids are quiet it does NOT mean they are being good.
• If you hear "don't tell mommy", it's NOT a good sign.
• If you mention the word -bedtime- all does NOT fall into peaceful quiet.
• If you give the kids a bowl of popcorn, NOT all goes into their mouths (hence the million pieces needing to be vacuumed).
• If you go to the grocery store and have to take the kids with, just because you ask them to behave it does NOT mean they will.
• If you do all your laundry and fold it nicely, it does NOT mean you will put it away that day.

I'm sure I will learn a lot more before the week is over, that's the thing about being a mom, you're constantly learning something new.

While reading Liz's blog this morning, (and yes, I would encourage you to go on over because if there's ONE blogger that keeps it real and is open about her life and her faults, it's Liz), she brought up a very important topic, that of which relates to how we treat our husbands. I too am guilty of not always being fair and "nice" to my hubby.

Why you may want to know? Or maybe you don't, but I will tell you anyway. Since I can remember, all the boyfriends I have ever had were the type that walked all over me, they had no problem letting me know that I just wasn't THAT important. I was cheated on, I was stood up, I was slapped, but I think the thing that got to me the worst and did the most damage was the feeling of being "unloved and not worth it". Yes, that is a major thing for any woman, or man.

I brought that into my marriage, unfortunately, and not because I don't love my husband (he knows I love him to death), but because that was what I was used to. I couldn't trust him though he never gave me any reason not to, and let's not even mention the numerous time he tells me I'm beautiful and sexy, and I respond with "no I'm not, you're just biased".
Why do I do that? Because I can't seem to accept that there really is someone who loves me for who I am, and that I'm actually worth something. It hasn't been easy getting over these feelings I have, I mean, it's going on 9 years that we've been together and I still struggle with it.

Proverbs 31 Woman........Not only is a virtuous woman righteous in the Lord, but she is a loving wife and mother, a smart shopper, a seamstress, a gardener, a good housekeeper, and trains her children with wisdom. Her husband appreciates her and can praise her to his associates and friends because she is worthy of praise.

If I could just become the Proverbs 31 Woman, and I have no doubt that someday I will be able to achieve that, but not without pain and suffering and a lot of work.

So thank you Liz, thank you for reminding us all that our husbands need our devotion, our understanding and our love. I can tell him that I love him everyday, but am I really showing him???

Works for Me Wednesday!!!

It's getting harder to find something to post about for the WFMW. Either I really am not as creative and smart as I thought, or I really don't have any shortcuts to make my life easier LOL

But I thought that today I would share something that really does make my life easier in the summer.

We grill a lot and are always having hamburgers or hotdogs, even for a quick meal, these seem to be the kids favorites. A few years ago while visiting my mother in law, she showed me how she always had frozen hamburger patties ready to go, I thought it was a great idea, and now I do the same.

I go to Walmart and buy those huge packs of ground beef. Come home and before throwing it in the freezer, I put in some finely chopped onion, crushed garlic and some finely chopped tomato, salt and pepper. I then make all the patties out by using the Hamburger Press, you can find a cheap one for around $3, or you could do what I do at times, I use a lid that is the size of the patty I want. Could be any lid, like a margarine tub lid even, then I wrap them in Press N Seal (gotta tell you, I LOVE this stuff). Throw them in the freezer and now I have tons of individually wrapped hamburgers ready to grill. When I want just one, I just take it out, thaw it and cook it up.......if I need more then I can do that too.

This has definitely made my life MUCH easier and I always have deliscious burgers ready for company.

For more WFMW participants, head on over to Shannon's blog.

TREASURE TUESDAY!!!

The treasure I have to share with you all today, is near and dear to my heart. It's a "Journal" that I kept from the first day I met my husband, to the day we married. As many of you may know, ours was a complicated relationship as I talked about here.

I kept the journal and wrote in it every night, my thoughts, my fears and my joys. The ups and downs of our relationship, the deployments, the year apart etc., everything was written down and when I go back and read it nowadays it's just amazing how many different emotions and feelings I had going through me. It's a REAL rollercoaster, let me tell you.

On June 29, 1998 I wrote this entry:

I've never been a fighter and many times I took the easy way out of problems....when something threatened my happiness, I would give in and back away from an eventual fight to keep what was important.
But since last year, exactly on the 12th of August, everything changed.

My love for Curtis changed the way I looked at life, the way I handle problems and most of all what I know as the real meaning of life.
One thing this has all taught me, is that you either trust the one you love, or you don't. God works in mysterious ways and when we think that he is hurting us, he really is only trying to teach us a lesson.

WOW.....I don't even know how to respond to that. This was during an especially hard time in our relationship.


August 14, 1998 (two days after our wedding)

We have been married for two days now and they have been the BEST of my life, in these last few weeks I have felt so much love and happiness, more than I had ever anticipated.
I am where I have always wanted to be, married and totally in love with my husband.

And here is the journal that has kept all these beautiful and sometimes heart wrenching thoughts. I hope to one day share it with my kids so they may understand how mommy and daddy met, married and lived.

For a list of more participants to the "Treasure Tuesday", head on over to Faith's blog "Faithful Mommy". :)

TACKLE IT TUESDAY!!!

If you ladies only knew how much I've come to LOVE Tuesdays LOL

Seriously Janice, you did an awesome thing but creating this "Tackle it Tuesday", now I always feel that I need to have something to show on the blog and my house is really starting to become organized. Pretty soon though I won't have anything to clean, and then maybe we should switch it to "Mess it up Monday"????? LOL

So this weekend I tackled my living room. Yes, you may wonder why I would do that, and no, it's not because I had nothing better to do, but the fact that through the years we collect more and more stuff and before you know it you have a really cramped living room.

It was hard work and took all day long to move everything around, toss out stuff we didn't need and find a new room for other things.

This was the living room before, and as you can see, it was really small due to the HUGE tv and the sectional couch.

The first thing to go was the toys, remember I told you a few weeks ago that those were removed from the living room and put back in the kids rooms where they belong?
Then the reorganizing began. It was a real pain but I have to give a shout out to Phillips (the makers of the tv) because they were brilliant in putting wheels in it LOL
So it's actually easier to move and lighter than my kids LOL

And this is what the living room looks like now. WOW, who knew it was actually this big???

So there you have it, that was my "Tackle it Tuesday" project. For more participants run go on over to "5 Minutes for Mom". :)

Mommy by day, Fighter by night!!!

Yep that's me, by day I fight potty training, sibling rivalry, misterious stains, missing socks, mountain laundry and jelly faces.

Then the kids go to bed and I turn into a fighter for the lands of Camelot, helping Arthur and the Knights fight against the Realm of Midgard and Hibernia. I ride my horse, wear beautiful gowns and hand out justice where needed. Ahhhhhh such bliss!!!
Yeah it's fun to get away from reality for a few hours and indulge in some gaming fun with the hubby. I was surprised and ecstatic to find out that some of you play games with your hubbies too because I know a lot of ladies that don't and find it repulsive to even consider such a thing.

So this is what hubby and I have been doing this weekend, during the day we spend time with the kids and work on the house and yard etc, and then at night we spend a few hours playing "Dark Age of Camelot" together, I don't think I've laughed so hard as we do when playing that game.
It's been great bonding and finding something to do that we both enjoy :)

This weekend we also redid our living room. We rearranged everything, moved the HUGE tv, the sectional couches, etc. But I'm not showing you the pictures today, I'm going to save those for tomorrow's "Tackle it Tuesday".

I just can't think straight today, you know that feeling??? The one where you can't really seem to get a clear thought together???
Yesterday I started feeling like I was getting a cold, and lo and behold I get up today and my voice is all croaky, my head is killing me, I keep sneezing and my nose is running. Huh??? Where did THAT come from??? Am I so weak that just a few thunderstorms and the change in temperature is enough to get me sick??? That's a sad thought.

I have to point in the direction of my food blog again, where I posted a recipe for Lasagna by Sandra Lee (from the food network). I made it for dinner last night and it was just YUM-O (as Rachael Ray would say). So if you wish, just go on over and check it out.

I was talking on the phone with my dear SIL Hayley yesterday and we were saying how time just seems to be flying by and we're getting older, every year it just seems like the numbers keep growing, but that we feel the same way we did when we were both still single and hanging out at my house, watching movies, having sleepovers and being silly girls.

I hadn't thought about it until then, but it's true, because even though I'm getting older, here in August I will be turning 32, I don't really feel it, I still feel like I did when I was 18 (that's a good thing right?) Now that doesn't mean that I can still DO the things I did back then, God only knows my body doesn't cooperate anymore LOL

I remember growing up I used to believe that the minute I started feeling older, I would just resign myself to that fact, but it's been the total opposite for me, I'm more determined than ever to NOT let age get to me. Yes go ahead and laugh, I know there are many out there thinking "Oh for pete's sake, she's only turning 32".
That may be true, but one thing I've noticed is that when I turned 30, I started thinking back on my life, on who I am, on what I do and it was almost a daily struggle with my mind, the constant bombarding of questions "are you happy with your life?", "why haven't you accomplished more?", "who ARE you?". I think every one goes through that stage, some get through it fairly quickly and others seem to get stuck in a rut, wondering and questioning every single aspect of their lives.

Me, I guess I just got through it really fast. Not without my own doubts, but I think I just didn't let it keep me stuck in that frame of mind, I moved on. So I'm getting older, and??? Honestly, WHO CARES!!!!
So from now on I'm just going to adopt the saying "Just like wine, she gets better with age". At least it makes me feel happier LOL

So what do I have planned for today:

1. Start reading my new book "Diapers, Pacifiers and other Holy Things".
2. Put all my laundry away.
3. Sweep, vacuum and mop. (seems the cleaning fairy is on vacation)
4. Return movies to library.
5. Make template for hubby's blog.
6. Bake Bread.
7. Iron one basket of laundry.
8. Mending a few clothes.
9. Craft with kids.
10. Post today's recipe to food blog.

Now the way I'm feeling today, I'm hoping to to make it through one or two of those. These are the days I wish I had a cleaning lady, a buttler, a chef and a chauffeur. *sigh*
A woman's work is never done is it???

With that said, Ladies, I hope you have a great monday. :)

When you find yourself caught in a web of unanswerable "whys", imagine your problems as a convoluted mass of yarn with such tangles that you could never straighten it out.
Then imagine yourself dropping the tangles of your life into God's hands and leaving them there, knowing God alone can untangle the threads of our lives.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

I want to start by wishing a very Happy Father's Day to my dad.

My parents divorced when I was just 2 years old, and though I don't remember much about it, the one thing that has stuck with me throughout my life, is the fact that my dad worked SO hard to give me and my two older brothers, a good life.

That he did. He wasn't the easiest to get along with (sorry to tell you dad LOL), but only because he is a perfectionist and always expected us to do things the right way and to the best of our ability. Yes, that might seem harsh at times, but I truly believe that if it weren't for that, my brothers and I wouldn't have become the responsible adults that we are today.

Dad has always been there for me, after all, I'm daddy's girl. So when I got married and moved to the States in 1998, it was really hard for both of us. I miss him terribly and I thank him for always being the best dad anyone could ever wish for.

Thank you dad, for all the life lessons, for all the laughs, for your daily sacrifices and for always knowing what to say and do. I love you!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

*************************************************************

Now on to another important dad in my life. My husband, Curt!!!

I can not even begin to express the gratitude that I feel for having him as the father of my kids. He's always been there no matter what, he is what you would call the perfect daddy. You know the one everyone is drawn to???

He reads to them, he plays with them, he disciplines them when needed, he encourages them to be the best at what they do, he praises them when they do something good (at times even something so small for us, but huge for them) and he constantly tells them he loves them.

Being a soldier he is at times called to defend his country, which means leaving his kids behind for months at a time, and though he loves what he does, it breaks his heart to be separated from them.

So Curt, I thank you for being the best dad I could ever have dreamed of for my kids. We love you and we blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for everything, for the good and the bad times, for the deployments, for the sacrifices, for the tons of laughs you give us each day.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

****************************************************************

And last but not least, to my brothers Paul, Miguel and Bruno. You guys have all come so far, I remember the times we would run around playing hide and seek, or cars, or hospital (the endless bandaids on the dolls LOL).

Now you are all grown up, wonderful husbands and even more amazing father's. My nieces and nephews Tiffany, Colby, Dylan, Taryn-Lee and Alyssa couldn't be more lucky to have you all in their lives.
Thank you for being the best dads in the world. We love you all!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

***************************************************************
Last but certainly not least, a very Happy Fathers Day to the fathers out there, especially the soldiers who will unfortunately be spending this day miles and miles away from their little ones.
Again, thank you for your sacrifices and I hope that next year you will be able to spend the day surrounded by your kids and not by war.

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

~Author Unknown~

YES, VIVA PORTUGAL!!!

You all now know that I'm a soccer fanatic and that I'm enjoying the Fifa World Cup. Well this morning the kids and I watched Portugal vs Iran. Portugal won 2-0 and they have advanced to the second round. The first time since 1966, so it's a HUGE victory for them. They have now eliminated Iran from the World Cup.

I'm happy, well ecstatic actually, I don't think I've screamed and laughed and danced as much as I did this morning. If things continue this way, I am sure by the time it's over I will have lost the last 10 lbs that haunt me LOL

So now the kids and I are getting ready to watch USA vs Italy at 2:30pm our time. The kids are excited because they want USA to win, and I'm rooting for them too. This is great because my kids are half portuguese and half american, so they get to root for two countries, actually 3 countries if you count Brazil who are portuguese too :)

I kept pointing out certain players to them from the Portugal team, and showed them Figo who I've met in person, years ago.
It just goes to show that there are SO many ways to find time to bond with your kids, from cooking, to playing, to watching tv or even watching a soccer game. Who knew huh???

Curt has weekend duty, which means he will be at work all day, and thankfully he is going back to normal day shift next week. I don't think we're cut out for weird shifts in this house, it seriously messes with our brains LOL

I think I had told you all a while ago that we play this online game called "Dark Age of Camelot". Yes, me the stay-at-home-mommy, actually plays adventure games with her husband. It might be weird but it's true. It's funny in a way because Curt has had many guys at work tell him they wish their wives were like me (lol poor deluded men), just because they say I'm hot (AGAIN, poor deluded men), they say I cook really well, I'm a good wife and mother AND I actually play computer games with him, the whole package. You know what I say???
Playing computer games wasn't my first choice, it's not really something I go out of my way to do, but if it makes my husband happy and it helps us bond and find something else to have fun with, then why not???

Why do we as women believe that it's weird or unacceptable to do certain things??? Is it because society states so, or is it because we just don't have the patience or energy to try something new??? For fear that we might actually enjoy it???
I say, DO what you want to do (obviously within the law lol), but don't go by what others think is the right thing or acceptable, you will find that you miss out on so much precious time with your family and friends. GO FORTH AND CONQUER!!! Oh wait, I don't know where that came from, but you get the point right???

After all the responses I got to my Laundry post, I am debating daydreaming about whether I should make a business and travel the country with my trusty iron in hand. I could bring the happiness of freshly ironed laundry to your home AND get to meet you all in person, plus I would see new places. Sounds like a viable plan, does it not??? LOL
Or maybe you can just mail me your laundry? Nah, that would just take too long (mail wise not ironing, I'm a fast little bugger).

So today for dinner I'm making Mushroom Bacon Burgers be sure to check out my food blog for the recipe.

I will also be working on Nicholas's room. Right now it's all cars and trucks and transportation theme, but the other day we went to the thrift store and found some wall borders on sale for 70c each, I couldn't resist and he begged me to have them. They're not exactly cars, but they are NASA, the moon and a rocket ship. I think we can make that work right????

Well I better get out of here, want to get my burgers ready so I can refrigerate them, the longer I leave them in there the more they will absorb the flavor.

Hope you're all having a great saturday. :)
God Bless,

What is Ironing again?!?!?!?

Julie at Everyday Mommy, has this new weekly topic called "Everyday Things". This is what she said:

If you'd like to embrace contentment and learn to like the everyday things, why not participate by doing a post of your own? Grab the banner and leave your link.

I thought this was a great idea and since I had already posted about Ironing which is one of the everyday things that remind me of home, I thought I would make this post an "Everyday Thing" post.

You know that I've said before "Ironing" is one of my favorite things to do. But unfortunately throughout the years I've become so busy with kids and life in general that I try to go along with everyone else, doing the washing/drying and then folding and putting away. My iron kept collecting dust and let's face it, there's certain items of clothing that really DO need to be ironed.

For the most part you can get away without doing it, but I think you get to a point where you realize "You know, this is not how I was taught AND the clothes don't look or smell as good as when they're freshly ironed".

Another thing that I love but unfortunately don't do, is hanging the clothes out to dry. It's still done that way in South Africa, or at least the way my family still does it. Nothing more rewarding than washing your clothes, then stepping outside to hang them on the clothes line and letting the beautiful warm sun dry them.

But anyway, the reason for this post is that today I had two full baskets of laundry freshly washed. I decided it's "now or never". So I pulled out my iron and proceeded to get it all done. Within 30 minutes I had my laundry all neatly piled up, freshly ironed (boy do I love that smell) and ready to be put away. Just wanted to share that LOL

Here's some pics to prove it :)

The baskets before:

The process, look how happy I am just to be ironing LOL Kids thought it was funny so they took my picture.

And here is the laundry all done :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY!!!

Today is a special one for me, it's my SIL's birthday. I say sister in law because that is what she is according to the law, but in my heart, she is my dear sister Hayley.

We went to school together and a few years later she married my brother Miguel. Let me tell you, she is one of those wonderful people that just bring sunshine into your lives. She's always been there for me, no matter what was going on in my life, she knew just what to say.

When I moved to the States back in 1998, it was so hard leaving my family behind and especially Hayley. There is NOTHING that we can't talk about and no subject is taboo between us. I'm so happy and proud to call her my sister, and we've now been friends almost 20 years. How amazing is that???

So Sis, I hope you have a wonderful birthday, I so wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but will be doing so in heart and spirit. I love you and miss you more than words could ever say.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

****************************************************************************

Something Janice said in her post this morning, reminded me of a day last week where my kids were fighting and when I went to see what it was about, I was surprised to hear them going and on about Jasmine wanting a baby sister to play with, and Nicholas wanting a baby brother.
It breaks my heart because I wish more than anything that I could do that for them, but I don't want to push my luck.

Having the two miscarriages drained me mentally but also physically, so when I managed to get pregnant with Nicholas, I was a high risk pregnancy and couldn't do anything, I would sweep the floor and start bleeding, I had contractions from about 16 weeks and on, I went into preterm labor at 28 weeks, the night before Curt was leaving for a TDY (Temporary Duty) and was put on bedrest. Talk about a scary thought, I had a 3 year old to take care of and my husband was going away for a while.

So last year while going for my yearly exam, my OB/GYN asked if I wanted to have anymore kids and I said Yes, I wanted one more. I thought that I might be better off having my last one now before I turn 35, which is already considered too old for having babies, it's like a cut off date or something, who knows.
I was put on prenatal vitamins so that this year we could have my IUD removed and I could start trying to get pregnant. While talking to God one night, I asked him to help me make this decision because one day I'm eager to have another one and then there's days that I'm so happy with just the two kids.
I don't know what happened or how, but I've finally come to the realization that I'm FINE, perfectly FINE, with just my two kids. I have a boy and a girl, what could be better right???
But yet there's times I see a little baby, or baby clothes or toys and it tugs at my heart, it's almost like a knife twisting and I yearn to have another one. I don't think my body could handle another pregnancy and why push my luck right???

So as much as I wish I could grant the wish to my kids, I think it's safest not to venture into dangerous waters (so to speak). I'm sure they would be happier having a healthy mommy around :)

There seems to be a common topic amongst the military wives blogs the past few days. How to allow yourself to miss your husband and show your true feelings, but still remain a good military wife. Honestly???? I don't think one should outweigh the other, I think being a military wife is just a path that some of us choose to take and it does come with a lot of baggage. Yet we are constantly faced with the feeling of letting our soldier down or disappointing him by showing some weakness while they are deployed. The matter of the fact is that we miss them, we want them home with us and the kids, it's not easy not knowing what they're doing everyday, it's not easy being kept in the dark and the worst part for me??? Trying to explain to the kids why daddy is not with them.

See as much as it is difficult for us as the wife, to hold the fort down and become the mother and father to the kids, it's extremely hard for the kids to deal with. I remember Curt being gone and Jasmine begging me to see daddy and when I told her that she couldn't, she looked at me with such hurt in her eyes almost as if blaming me, like I was the one not letting her see him. It's heartbreaking.
So as much as I know that military wives cry for themselves and for the need to have their husbands back home, I know that for the ones with kids especially, we cry for them, for daddy not being there to take them to the playground, for the lack of wrestling around on the ground, sitting on his lap, laughing hysterically as they tickle each other and for the hugs and the kisses at nighttime with whispered "I love you to the moon and back".

So if you have some time, I ask that you go on over to Emily, Courtney, Charla, Glo, Michelle, Faith and just let them know that they are doing an outstanding job and that they are appreciated for the daily sacrifices they make. Believe me, it helps to hear it :)

I don't think I'll have a "Remember When???" today. I think I'm running out of stories and it's time to move on to something new. What that is, I have no idea yet, but I'm sure I can find something fun to do on a friday.

What's on my to do list for today?

1. Return Carpet Cleaner
2. Grocery Shopping (without the kids, YEAH)
3. Laundry (I just can't seem to get rid of this, dagnabit)
4. Work on Lori Foster's store
5. Update Food Blog
6. Update Pug Blog

Not too much today, thank God, I don't think I could handle an extremely busy day. Next week I'm going to start using my new schedule that I mentioned yesterday, shouldn't be a huge change since that's usually what my day consists of just that it's not in such particular order LOL

I truly hope you all have a blessed and relaxing friday. For my family in South Africa, I hope you all enjoy your public holiday :)
God Bless,

My baby is now a big boy!!!!!

Last night I decided that we were going to try sleeping with just the big boy underwear on and no diaper. I noticed that for the past 3 nights he would wake up in the morning with a dry diaper, so it was time to venture forth into the unknown LOL

I'm SO proud of him, he slept all night with his underwear on and woke up this morning completely dry. I can finally say that he is now officially and completely potty trained. YAY!!!
For some this may seem like a small thing but for all the mommies out there, you know this is a huge step.
This was his reaction when I told him that he was no longer a baby, he was now mommy's BIG BOY!!! (to which he quickly replied "I'm not your big boy, I'm Nicholas" lol)

And this is what my princess looked like this morning. I have to tell you, this girl HATES getting her hair brushed, I have to be on her case constantly about brushing her hair. I often tell her about the time that I was around her age and also hated getting my long hair brushed, and finally one day, my dad got so tired of the fighting about it, that he took me to the hairdresser and got my hair cut really short. I NEVER complained again!!!
So now I threaten warn her about doing the same.
But no matter, she always looks beautiful :)

I'm proud to tell you all that I managed to do everything on my list yesterday, including dying my hair. Boy do I feel better, something about being 31 years old and having some gray hairs that really brings me down. LOL

I've started working on a schedule for the summer. I usually have one during the school year, but for some reason this time I realized that I desperately need one now too, for fear of going insane.
So I used Kim's example from "Reality Check" and made my own. Click below to see it. This is usually what my day consists of so it wasn't a big change and I didn't have to add a bunch of things in, but I did make sure to make time for the kids crafts, reading, playtime etc.

While checking my email this morning, I came across one about "Fear Factors in Parenting".

how not to let the fear of bad things happening to our children dominate our parenting style. Sometimes this fear becomes oppressive and shields kids from the very things they need to be learning.

Wow did that strike a nerve with me. I am so guilty of that. There are so many things that I remember doing when I was little and nowadays I wouldn't dream of letting my kids do it, and I'm not talking about dangerous or major things but even small things such as climbing a dirt hill, playing outside in the front yard, going to the park across the street alone, things like that. Maybe I'm over protective, but then I think "how am I really helping my kids by sheltering them from everything out there?".
Am I the only mother trying so desperately to protect them even from the things that are not that big of a deal??? When do I let go of that control, put it in God's hands and just enjoy being a mom. Seriously, there are days that I feel like I'm living in this bubble, I want the kids to stay in it and not DARE to go outside for fear of something happening.

It's easy when you learn to let go of this fear and when you understand that no matter how much you worry, - whatever is going to happen, is going to happen- scary thought isn't it?
So here's my question, do I place it in God's hands, allow my kids to do the (not so dangerous things that we all did as kids), or do I continue to shelter them and keep them from being kids and enjoy their years of innocence?
It's something I have to work on, it's probably going to be one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, so I'm gearing up (so to speak). I'm putting on God's armor, I'm surrounding myself with the holy spirit and I'm asking Him to show me the light. I will be sure to let you all know when I've achieved it.

Well I better get going, have to run to Walmart and get some groceries too.
Have a great day guys :)

Got Rain????

Yesterday afternoon, we started getting warnings about rain and severe thunderstorms, and actually got some tornado warnings, which for Idaho that is just weird.

By the time it got to around 5pm, the rain started coming down real hard. It's been raining since then, so when I opened my front door this morning this is what I saw:

Instead of being annoyed that it was raining, I couldn't help but to sigh at the sight. All the green trees and the beautiful lawn, my beautiful rose bush and that wonderful-can't-describe smell of rain. You know the one I'm talking about right???
So I thanked God for the rain!!!

I had almost forgotten that the Fifa World Cup had started. I'm portuguese and if you're from Europe you know how HUGE the world cup is, that together with the fact that I'm a soccer fan, had me scrambling to the computer and the tv to find out when the matches were being played.
I was happy to find that they had just started so I would be able to watch all my favorite teams.
Now I know at this point a lot of you are just staring at the computer in utter shock, wondering if I've lost my mind, or maybe you're just struggling with the mental picture of this SAHM sitting on the couch yelling at the tv, things like "Oh COME ON", "Give him a red card", "Hey that was completely offside". Yes, hard to imagine, but maybe I will take a picture or film it for you all???? LOL

See I grew up with just boys, I have 3 brothers. When it was World Cup Season, we would sit in front of the tv and root for Portugal or Brazil to win. It's what I remember doing with my brothers and I guess in a way, this helps me feel closer to them. Well, actually, I just love Soccer and can't deny it LOL

With Curt working this weekend, I know what I'll be doing this saturday morning. Watching Portugal vs Iran. Yep, wish you could be a fly on the wall, I go on to full portuguese mode and my poor kids just look at me trying to desperately understand even if just a word that comes out of my mouth. I WILL eventually teach them portuguese. For now I'm happy that they enjoy soccer too, they sat with me yesterday afternoon as we watched Brazil vs Croatia. It was fun!!!

Alright, so now that you know that little secret fact about me, let's move on.

I uploaded a video of Bella dancing. Yes, we didn't know she danced on demand and it's really funny to watch, so go on over to my Pug blog to see it.

I also updated my food blog with a recipe that my greatgrandma used to make all the time. It's for a Portuguese Rice Pudding (Arroz Doce). It's sooooo good, so if you are looking for an easy and deliscious dessert, be sure to give it a try, I even share my photo of the one I made last night. I will also be adding my menu for the next two weeks so be sure to check back later today.

This morning while at the thrift store, I found something I had been wanting for a while. It's one of those smokeless small indoor grills. It was only $5, can you believe it? Can't wait to cook on there :)

So what's on my to do list today:

1. Vacuum and steam clean the living room carpet
2. Laundry, wash, fold and put away
3. Work on my Recipe Scrapbook
4. Post weekly menus on Food Blog
5. Dye my hair (yes I have to because I'm being overtaken by grey hairs)
6. Work on budget for this pay period
7. Get bills filed away and new ones ready to pay
8. Mop kitchen floor

Right now I have to get the kids some lunch, they want tuna salad. I make it alot because it's so quick and easy and the kids just gobble it down, I think it's one of those dishes that they have seconds and thirds. Plus it's a great lunch for summer days!

God Bless!!!

Works for Me Wednesday!!!

Wednesday morning and time for another WFMW. Remember to go check out Shannon's blog for a list of other participants and as always, if you decide to play along, add your name to the list :)

My tip for today came from the fact that I wanted to display some of Jasmine's baby photos but didn't want to use picture frames. I think I wanted to go in a different direction.

Right after she was born, I took some of my favorite photos, transferred them to the computer and then printed them out on T-Shirt Transfer paper. What I did then was make a simple quilt where I transferred the pictures to. I put a pretty lace border around and then my husband made a shelf and we "wood burned" her name on it.
Now mind you the quilt isn't perfect, I was working with my old sewing machine that would pull on the fabric, I had to pull apart and redo it a number of times, but I'm pretty happy with the result. :)

I'm now working on one for Nicholas too.
I think they will make beautiful treasures to keep and one day they can take it with them. Works for me!!!

Sigh.....the joys of military life!!!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will remember that I really detest swing shift and midshift. I was really happy a few weeks ago when Curt came home and told me that he was back on day shift, it's been wonderful and the kids love it :)

Well yesterday he gets home and he says

Curt - "do you have any appointments planned for this week, during the day?"
I look up from fixing dinner.
Me - "Nooooooo, why?"
Curt - "well because this would be the best time to do it".
Me (still acting dumb) - "why is that, do you have the week off?"
Curt (quickly walking away) - "no I don't have the week off"

I knew it, right there and then I knew that he was either back on swing shift or midshift. Yep, I was right, back on midshift for this week (or so they say). In military lingo it means something completely different, if they tell you they need you on swing or mids just for a week, it usually means 3 months the least. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!
But hey, at least he's home with me, right? And I shouldn't be complaining about the schedule, I know a lot of military wives out there would rather have their husbands home working cruddy shifts, than having them overseas. :)

I managed to get all my computer work done yesterday, in between getting interrupted every two seconds with the kids either fighting, whining, begging for food (like they never eat), or needing my attention for something.

If you go over to our Pug Blog, I've redone the template and the name to include Bella.

I also redid my food blog and added a new recipe, for Baked Mexican Chicken. Be sure to go check that one out. I will be adding more today and the menus for the next two weeks as soon as I have those completed.

I am dreading summer, I have to say that even though school just got out, I'm already daydreaming about the day it restarts. Does that sound mean? Does this make me a bad mommy?
I hope not, because there's only so much whining and fighting a person can take before joining the loony bin. I love my kids to death but there's days (well lately, everyday) that I just can't bear it, I want to run away.

While talking to my friend Veronica on the phone, we both have stated more than once that we just want to run away LOL
At times it becomes impossible to hear each other or have a conversation, I'm either yelling at my kids to be quiet, or she's doing it....it's actually quite funny!!!

Are any other mom's going through this right now? Please say yes because I'm tempted to throw my kids in summer school just so I can keep my sanity for the next 3 months. *Sigh*

Lord give me all of us strength to get through this.

I have to run out and get WIC checks, then run to the library (yes I spend a lot of time there, no need to mention it) to return movies. Hubby watched "Jarhead" last night and then woke me up at 2:30am just to tell me what a BAD movie it was and how much he disliked it. LOL
I also need to go by the Self Help for another carpet cleaner, grass seed and some other tools to work on the yard. What fun!!!

So girls, ladies, kids, I hope you have fun today, whatever it is you need to do, put a smile on your face and get through it. Let the Lord take over, you'll be amazed how much smoother things will run.
See you all tomorrow, I will have my Works for me Wednesday tip up. Still gotta go figure out what to use for that, there's days that my brain wakes up fried. Today is one of the said days.

Look below for my Tackle it Tuesday and Treasure Tuesday posts. :)
God Bless!!!

TREASURE TUESDAY!!!

Time for another Treasure Tuesday. You know I have to tell you, I just love tuesdays because if for some reason there is nothing going on or I'm drawing a blank as to what to write about, this just fills up my day. LOL

So here we go:

Nowadays with technology being so advanced, very seldom do you rely on snail mail. We all get so carried away with emails and computers that we've lost that personal touch of actually sitting down with a piece of paper and pen, and jotting down our thoughts and news to distant family members.

I know, I do the same exact thing. There's always an excuse, I'm too busy, I didn't get a chance, I will do it next week, I would rather just email it's quicker.......tons of excuses, yes they're just excuses. But to me, there is nothing sweeter than going to the mail box and finding a hand written letter from a family member all the way across the world.

That is why for today's Treasure Tuesday, I picked handwritten letters. I've been saving these for years, they are either from my mom, or my grandmothers or stepmother and they all mean a lot to me. It's great going back and reading them again, reminiscing about what was going on at that point in my life. So here you go, my handwritten letters!!!

Letters from mom, grandma Odete, grandma Jacinta and my stepmom.

Just a few of the letters that I wrote to Curt when he was deployed right after 9/11. I still have a HUGE stack of the letters he brought back with him. I love reading them again, takes me right back to those days of feeling scared, worried, missing him etc. Beautiful treasure to us both :)

For a list of other participants, head on over to Faithful Mommy. If you play along, add your name to the linky list too :)

TACKLE IT TUESDAY!!!

Yay time for another Tackle it Tuesday. I was hoping to use my backyard as the project, but it will still be a few weeks before that one is completed, mainly because we have to grow grass out there etc.

So for today I tackled one of my dresser drawers.

I have one drawer that was just collecting unnecessary stuff. I think everytime I had some piece of paper or a photo or something that I didn't know what to do with, I just threw it in there and eventually ended up with this:

Not a pretty sight is it???

I realized that I was trying to fit the rest of my clothes on the other 3 drawers and just shoving them in there and squashing them together because I had no more room.
So this morning, I got up, sat at the computer and realized that it was Tackle it Tuesday and I hadn't done anything. I literally forced myself back up the stairs to reorganize this drawer. It wasn't easy but I did it LOL

So now I can put all my winter pj's, shorts etc in that drawer, which left a lot of room to do the rest of the dresser. Here is the finished project:

I feel so much better having gotten to that drawer, I'm ashamed to say that it had been collecting all that junk for years. Thank you Janice for getting me going with these projects, if it wasn't for you and Tackle it Tuesday, I think the drawer would have remained like that until I died LOL

For a list of other participants, head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, and if you play along, just add your name to the linky over there. See ya next week!!!

OUCH OUCH OUCH!!!!

Since we got rid of Sam we've had to start working on the back yard which was totally destroyed, to the point where we couldn't even go out there anymore. He dug holes, he chewed up the trampoline padding, he tore up the bag for the lawn mower and then there was the constant barking which led to multiple visits by the SP's on base.

When we opened the door to the backyard this weekend and took a step outside it was almost like entering an area devastated by a tornado or nuclear bomb, really, that's how it felt.

Curt and I set to work, at 8am we stepped outside ready for battle. We started by moving the trampoline from the middle of the yard to the far back to give us more room. Then we moved the swing set too. Unbelievable, all of a sudden we had a LOT more yard than we thought. Now because Sam had dug up so many holes and torn out the grass, we were left with a patch of lawn and just dirt all around. We dug all that grass up and all the dirt, and this week we're getting the dirt ready for new grass.

By the time we stopped for the day it was 3:30pm and Curt and I could hardly walk. You don't realize how much work you're doing until you stop and then try to move again. I have pains in muscles I didn't even know existed. To top it off, my wedding rings cut into my finger without me realizing it, so now I have to keep my rings off which is just horrible. I feel absolutely naked without my wedding rings, but what are you gonna do???

So this morning I am soooooo sore. I can hardly walk, my arms are killing me, my lower back is killing me and I'm exhausted LOL

I'll keep you guys posted on our progress and will post pictures of the yard as we move through this huge project. Knowing our luck, the day we finish the yard is the day we get orders somewhere LOL

After stopping for the day, we came inside and everyone showered and dressed and then we sat down to watch a movie. King Arthur!!! LOVED it. We are huge fans of movies like that, medieval, dark ages, you name it. No surprise that our favorite movies are Troy, Alexander, King Arthur, First Knight, Excalibur, The 13th Warrior, Braveheart etc.
You have got to watch King Arthur though, it's just sooooo good. I also watched Tristan and Isolde last night and absolutely loved it too. Beautiful love story!!!

So today I can't be doing much, not being this sore, but I do have the never forgiving "laundry" (if you could see the snarl when I say it).
I plan on updating my food blog and setting up a new one for the Pug girls. I also need to get some graphics done for Lori Foster's store, so I guess I'll be busy at the computer.
One trip to the Airman's Attic later and probably the self help for a carpet cleaner (yet again), since cleaning the back yard and walking back and forth into the house has left my carpet a total disaster.

Well better get my day started if I'm going to get anything done. :)
Have a blessed day!!!

Such a sad weekend!!!!

My heart is just in pieces this weekend. I've learnt of not only one but two soldiers killed in Iraq, so I ask that you send out a prayer to their families.

Faith from "Dedicated to the One I Love", mentioned another soldier killed. SFC Isaac Lawson from the 49th MP Brigade, left behind a wife and 5 children. Please keep his family in your prayers, and for more info you can go on over to Faith's site, she has a link to the story and a memorial video too.

I want to offer my condolences to both families.

God, we do not understand suffering, but we are grateful that You have promised to be with us in the midst of it. Let Your words be a comfort to these families in this time of tears.
'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.' In Jesus mighty name. Amen

So yesterday we went out and got Bella. She is just a sweetheart, she's very mild tempered and loving, she gets along with the kids and for the most part Lola. They've snipped at each other a couple of times, but I think that's normal since they're becoming acquainted and it's only been a day. I'm sure by the end of this week they will be the best of friends.
Here are some pictures of the new addition to the Pug family.

Isn't she just adorable? You can see which one is the puppy and which is the oldest one, Bella has the white whiskers :)
The kids are in heaven with both pugs, I've said it before and I'll say it again, Pugs are by far the best family pets to have.

Last night while laying in bed, I admit that I felt disappointed. I think that I was imagining these two pugs meeting each other and loving playing, becoming instant best friends. The minute the first one took a snip at each other I cringed. I realized that this was not going to be as easy and pretty as I thought. So I lay there and contemplated and thought and thought about it, I was almost convincing myself that I had done the wrong thing, maybe I shouldn't have gotten Bella, maybe this was a bad decision. But just as quickly, I had this sense of calm come over me, it was like God letting me know that it's ok.

Just like everything else that is worth it, it starts off not so pretty and mighty difficult at times.

Me: I guess this is yet again another one of the "leave it in your hands tests?"
God: That's right, and what are you going to do?
Me: I think I should just leave it in your hands, but what if I can't?
God: You know Sandra, after all this time I thought we were getting closer to you not freaking out and trusting me.
Me: It's not that I don't trust you, I just like being in control.
God: You just answered your own question, you don't trust me enough to take care of you. Do you honestly think that I would ever do anything to hurt you, your best interests are what matters to me, trust me, let me show you.
Me: Ok, Ok, I think I will!!!

You know what??? I put it in his hands, I am leaving all this in his hands and not even worrying about it. I got immediate results this time, within a few hours, both dogs were sleeping on the bed, together, with no fighting. This morning they walked up to each other, gave kisses, and went on with their lives. We did have a growl or two when they got in each other's face, but that's normal, and it showed me that God is indeed and YET AGAIN showing me to trust him. I have to believe that I'm not that dense to keep having to repeat these tests, but hey, guess I'm s slow learner. Best part?!?!? He doesn't give up on me, he just keeps loving me :)

This is going to be a real quiet week. I have no errands to run, no appointments and nowhere to take the kids. It's going to feel good just being home and relaxing, so I think I will take the time to catch up on my reading. I'm expecting a book this week called "Diapers, Pacifiers, and Other Holy Things."

•every mother who has cried out to God that she no longer has to time to spend with Him.
•every mother who needs to be reminded that she is valuable.
•every mother who wants to laugh or cry over the ups and downs of life with preschoolers.
•every mother who enjoys her children and responsibilities, but just needs a break.

Each of the thirty-one short chapters will tickle your funny bone or touch your heart, challenge your thinking, and inspire within you the need to walk more closely with your God.

Sounds like the PERFECT book for me LOL

Well it's time to go back out to the back yard, we are working on getting it all fixed since Sam left. Can't wait :)

WELL IT'S DONE!!!

We finally got up the courage to take Sam to the Animal Shelter. Here's the hard part, I know I'm doing the right thing and it's for the best for all of us, but why does it break my heart???

Letting him go yesterday was one of the hardest things I've had to do, it was heartbreaking. Jasmine was ok with it, she had tears in her eyes but she was being a really strong girl, she kept thinking about her toys and games to not dwell on it. Nicholas on the other hand, broke down and started sobbing the minute Curt took Sam. Well, me being the wuss that I am, started crying too. I just hope that he is able to find a good home, someone who can deal with him.

I truly believe that some animals need a certain amount of attention and care that can't be given by just anyone. So please if you could, just say a small prayer that he finds a good home.

With all this going on yesterday, I didn't get a chance to get back on here with my "Remember When???", so I will do that this morning.

Nicholas is at that age where he just says the funniest things. The other day I caught him and Lola messing around, he had put a Dora Mask on her. LOL Me being the "papparazzi" that I am, was ready with the camera.

Here's some of the highlights of this past week:

(sound of fire truck)
Me: What's that Nicholas?
Nicholas: It's a fire truck!!!
Me: *GASP* where is it?
Nicholas: Outside our house.
Me: Why?!?!?!
Nicholas: Because it's not inside! (Well there ya have it mommy, good answer)

Me: Nicholas, come here, let me spike your hair.
(Nicholas takes off running in the opposite direction)
Nicholas: NO, I don't want to!
Me: Why?? Come on you like your hair spiky, let me give you spiky hair.
Nicholas: No I don't want spiky hair, I want Nicholas hair.
(LOL serves me right for trying to give him someone else's hair????)

Me: I love you Nicholas!
Nicholas: Love you too Mommy!
Me: You know you're my angel?
Nicholas: No I'm not, I'm Nicholas, silly mommy!!
(Ummmmm ok!!!)

(Nicholas sitting in the bathtub while I try to wash him)
Me: Give me your foot so I can wash it.
Nicholas: Ok.....(sticks his leg up and I grab it to wash it)
Nicholas: HEY, you going to flip me in the water!
(LOL gotta love him)

See, I have so much ammo cute stories for when he's older.

One thing I've been trying to do is teach my kids Portuguese, because that's my first language. Jasmine loves it, she's always asking me how to say things in portuguese, but Nic on the other hand, laughs uncontrollably when I start speaking to him. He thinks it's hilarious, maybe to him I sound like some weird alien??? I don't know, but I will still keep trying LOL

Today we are going to be working on the backyard, going to throw down some grass seed and hopefully this time it grows. Also gotta get rid of the old swing set, redo the patio area, move the trampoline and put up some chicken wire around the fence so that the neighbors big dogs can't get to Lola and Bella.

Yes I said Bella, we've talked to the lady and we're picking her up this afternoon. Gotta drive an hour to get her, but that's fine.
Of course you know I'll be taking the camera right? What would I be without my trusty camera nearby. I will post her pics later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Lately I've been getting really homesick. I find myself thinking about being back home with my family, the places I used to visit, the foods, the smells and the way everything looked. It's so hard being away from everyone you love, especially my nieces and nephews, but it's what I signed up for right???
Being a military wife has it's ups and downs, you get to be part of an amazing group of women who are the backbone of the soldiers going out to war, you make wonderful friends, you get to visit tons of new places, BUT you are also always on the move and away from your family.
You learn to rely on yourself and find strength and courage to be the mother and father to your kids when daddy is deployed. How do you keep their hearts from breaking when yours is breaking too???

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you live near your family, your mother and father, your brothers and sisters and so on, treasure every minute of every day, you don't know how hard it is to not be able to just have someone come over to help you when you're sick, or to take the kids when you need a break or are having a bad day. Just love your family, really enjoy them, you are one of the lucky ones.

With that said, I have to get my day started. Look below for my "Remember When???" post and check back again for pics of the new pug Bella. Have a fantastic Saturday :)

Remember When???

Since I didn't have time yesterday to post my "Remember When???", I wanted to do it this morning.
For those new to my blog, every friday I post a story or memory, either from my childhood years or vacations as an adult etc. These are memories that have stuck with me, either because they're funny, scary or life changing.

Last summer, my MIL and BIL came to visit. You've heard me say before how much I enjoy having them here, it's always so much fun to be with them and we laugh until our stomachs hurt.

Now remember one of the stories I told you about, was when we went to the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden, Utah. I was bombarded by birds and left looking like a paintball exhibit. Go here, if you want to read the story.

On another trip, we went to a nearby park called the Bruneau Dunes. We rented a cabin for only $35 a night, which fit all of us and overlooked the Dunes. One of the highlights of the trip was the fact that we got to go to their observatory for a show and then got to use the telescopes to see the beautiful night sky. Curt and I are HUGE astronomy fans, we have our own telescopes and accessories and we love dabbling in astrophotography.

So anyway, after the show at the observatory, we are standing there waiting for our turn to look through the big telescope. Nicholas was in the stroller asleep and everything was fine except that it was kinda chilly. We finally get to move into the actual building that houses the telescope, and now just so you know, when they want to move the telescope to a different location of the sky, they alert everyone to move away from the walls of the building, because the whole building rotates. The kids thought that was cool, well, I did too and I'm not a kid. LOL
Anyway, we're almost up to the telescope, there's only about 3 people in front of us, when Nicholas wakes up. He starts crying that he wants out of the stroller, so I pick him up. I am holding him up against my chest and then I get this warm feeling in my stomach and down my pants. I welcomed it at first because I was cold but then panic struck me.........it slowly started to register in my mind that it was not normal to feel that warmth spreading through my body. I quickly pulled Nicholas away from me only to realize that he had pee'd through his diaper. GREAT, JUST GREAT.......so now I have to walk up the telescope stairs, while holding him close to me and my clothes soaking wet with pee. FUN FUN!!!

But I had been looking forward to that and in no way was I going to let that stop me from enjoying the night sky. Pee or no Pee, I was seeing the nebulae and Jupiter, dagnabit!!!!

The ride back to the cabin was mighty uncomfortable let me tell you. LOL

But our night wasn't over. We get back and realize that we're hungry, and we don't have anything to eat, so what do insane smart people do in those situations?
They get in the truck and drive 15 minutes back to town for a McDonald's meal and then drive back to the cabin to sleep LOL

So there you have it, our fun day at the Bruneau Dunes. Don't forget to check out my "Remember When???" next week.

Blogger, Blogger, Blogger........

I don't know about you all, but I'm so near my breaking point with this blog service. It's been absolutely horrible the past week, I can't access blogger sites, I can't leave comments, no one can see mine either etc. It's ridiculous.

Anyway, about two years ago we went to the local animal shelter and picked up a puppy. He is an australian shepherd mixed with something else. From the get go this dog has been nothing but trouble, he destroys the yard (literally), I have no grass in my backyard because of him, he digs holes, he barks constantly, he continuously takes off only to be returned by the SP's (security force police), and now the latest is that the past 2 weeks we have had the cops called on us 3 times because of his barking. It's just getting to the point where I can't handle keeping him because it stresses me out.
So, this weekend we are taking him to the animal shelter and hopefully he will find a home that he likes. We've done all we could and he just doesn't seem happy here.

With that in mind, I came across a message posted on my local Pug Meetup Group, about a 4 year old female pug named Bella, who is in desperate need of a home. She is extremely thin and just needs a loving home and someone who will take care of her. You all know how much I love pugs and it breaks my heart to know that she doesn't have a home. So my plan this weekend is to go pick her up and give her a good home. Will be easier with the other one being gone.
My question is.....why do I feel so bad about having to take him back??? I just can't keep him, he's been nothing but trouble since the beginning and living on a military base, the minute you start having the cops at your door is NO GOOD. They call the First Sergeant, the commander and anyone else needed and I honestly don't want to see my hubby get in trouble at work because of the dog. So please keep you fingers crossed that he finds a loving home and someone who he will be happy with.

I was talking to a friend the other day who asked me if it bothered me that some blogs get tons of comments and mine at times gets only a few. My answer: NO!!! It really doesn't. Before I started the blog I was a lurker, I would just read and look through the tons of blogs available and I noticed a pattern. Some blogs had no comments and were actually really good, and then there were blogs that seemed to have their own little clique and no matter how non interesting they were, they seemed to have tons and I mean TONS of comments, some at times over 50 comments. So when I decided to join the blog world, I did it for ME and my family. I wanted a place where the family that lives overseas could still feel like they were right here with us.

Along the way I've made some really good friends, truly amazing women who inspire me and bring a smile to my face, who make me want to be the moms and christians they are. To me blogging is not a popularity contest, I'm not here to compete with anyone, but if my posts bring a smile to at least one person, then I'm happy. Her next question was if it upset me that I would leave daily comments on some blogs and NEVER hear from them back. Again my answer was: NO!!! I do it because I want to, not because I feel that if I do someone will come back to mine and post too. Maybe I'm not cut out for the competitive world of Blogdom, then so be it, I am here for my family, for my friends and for God.

But anyway, I can't tell you how glad I am that it's friday. Curt and I have gotten no sleep the past two days because of the dog barking and the cops knocking at our door. I am in desperate need of some rest, not even my coffee is doing it for me.

Jasmine is finally sleeping alone in her room without crying and waking up every 5 minutes. It was so stressful when she was going through that phase, because the only way she would sleep was if either I or Curt would go in there with her. But now we have Nicholas still wanting to sleep with us and I think it's time to move him to his own bed. I tried not to push it the past few weeks because he was being potty trained and I didn't want to overwhelm him with all these changes. I tried one night and he just shut down completely, and next thing I knew he was demanding a diaper again....big NO NO.

Now that he is potty trained though, we can start working on the bedtime issues. Wish me luck!!!

Well I am out of here, I have to run to the library to return some movies and pick up Jarhead which is on hold. I then have to run by the self help to pick up some tools so that I can get my backyard cleaned up and fixed this weekend. I still have 2 baskets of laundry to put away (please please won't the laundry fairy come down and do them for me?).

I will be posting my "Remember When???" this morning, so check back here for that, if you're interested obviously if not, that's fine and dandy too LOL
Hope you all have a blessed day :)

Update on my Niece!!!

First I want to thank those that sent out a prayer for her, I really appreciate it and it means a lot to me :)

I got an email this morning, apparently she's been discharged from the hospital even though she's running a fever. The doctors sent her home to continue with her treatment, and then as soon as the fever is gone they are operating on her. I think they've decided to go ahead and remove her tonsils. If you can, please keep her in your prayers, surgery is always a scary thought but especially when they're so little.

Yesterday, I went by the Airman's Attic to donate some things, and just before leaving I came across these 4 books. I quickly snatched them up. They are:

• The Everyday Guide to God.
• The Everyday Guide to the Bible.
• The Everyday Guide to Success.
• The Everyday Guide to Prayer.

Can't wait to read those, especially the prayer one. Have you ever found yourself wanting and needing to pray and the words just don't come out??? I've done that so many times and I always feel that I end up either repeating myself or babbling like a fool. Not a pretty sight either way!
I figure I can get all the help I can. For some it seems that praying just comes naturally, the minute they open their mouths it just flows out, but there's others (like me), who are not so lucky, it's not that I don't know what I want to say, I just can't seem to find the right words to express my feelings. Hopefully this book will help me!!!

I want to apologize to all those who I usually leave comments on, if I haven't done so the past day or so it's because blogger has been extremely uncooperative. I'm seriously thinking of switching blogging services, it's just becoming too annoying trying to post something or leave a comment or EVEN opening up other blogger sites.

This morning I managed to get on one or two (before blogger took a dive again). I was at Courtney's "Waiting on my Soldier" and I loved her post. You really need to go on over and read it. I was in such desperate need of that this morning and I can totally relate to what she is saying. So go on over and read it, I promise to be patient and wait for you.

You're back??? Alright well....last night while laying in bed with Nicholas, he started talking to me like he always does before falling asleep. He said.....well, this is how it went:

Nicholas: Look at me mommy, I'm died!!! (dramatically sticks his tongue out and closes his eyes while leaning his head to the side)
Me: Oh No, don't die, I love you so much!!!!
Nicholas: (smiling while remaining in that position) is ok mommy, I die and I go to Keaven!!!
Me: You go where!?!?!
Nicholas: Keaven I go to keaven.....up in the sky!
Me: Oh you mean you go to heaven?
Nicholas: Yah I go to heaven (strongly pronounciating the H).

He cracks me up, he's so funny and always brings a smile to my face. :) I remember one day asking him if he knew where grandpa went. He was only 2 years old and he said "ya, up in the sky." (now mind you, I hadn't talked to him about grandpa being in heaven yet).
Then he went on to tell me that grandpa was up in the sky, on the clouds in a magical castle. WOW, it really hit home when he said it and makes you wonder doesn't it???

So I'm going to be busy with housework today. It seems it's never ending. No matter how much laundry I do, there's always some more growing in the laundry basket, how, why??? It's like mold attaching itself to the sides of the hamper. Don't even get me started on socks because I have so many "loners" (forcibly left to their own devices by the missing other half).
Then there's the dishes....I don't know what is up with that, my poor dishwasher gets used and abused at least twice a day.
I have to vacuum and sweep and mop, put away 3 baskets of laundry, bathrooms to clean, some clothes to iron and in between all this, I have two kids to run after, explain that it's OK to look at each other and that "no, your sister is NOT stealing your toys". Ahhhhh just a typical day here in the Air Force Household!!!

If I get all this done I might be able to head to the park this afternoon, I think it would do the kids good to get out and about for a bit. Gotta check the weather first though, it's been raining here and we're expecting thunderstorms again. What joy!!!

Well ladies, time to put the hair up, throw on some shorts and a tshirt and get to work. It's such a beautiful day outside, warm sun shining, not many clouds in the sky, know what I wish I had? A big house with a pool. Now THAT I could used to on days like this.

Have a great day everyone, I will be back bright and early tomorrow morning (blogger permitting). Huge hugs to everyone, especially my family in South Africa.....love you guys and miss you terribly :)

Prayer Needed!!!!

I want to start this wednesday post by asking for a prayer for my 4 year old niece. I got an email from my stepmom this morning telling me that she was admitted to the hospital. Her tonsils are inflamed and she was constantly throwing up, so they thought it best to keep her. It's not the first time she's been in the hospital and I just pray that they can come up with a solution so that she will not need to continue having problems and being admitted. So I ask for a prayer for her please, just pray that God watch over her and that he give the doctors the wisdom and insight they need to resolve this.

This is the one thing about being so far from the family, that really gets to me. It's extremely frustrating to not be able to be there, to give her a hug, to offer support to my brother and sister in law. I know that God is watching over all of them, and again I need to just put it in his hands and trust that he will take care of her. I swear this has been one of the toughest lessons I've had to get through.

You all know the struggle it's been for me to hand things over to him and I feel like at least once a week I'm faced with a problem or worry that I need to put in his hands. I guess he's going to keep doing this until I finally learn to do it with no questions asked and no resistance on my part.

It's a funny thing to try, because as humans it's our nature to give it to him but then keep messing with it and picking at it, trying to get that control back. It's ridiculous to think that we would have to show Him HOW to deal with the problem....it's downright ludicrous. Who am I to think that I can tell Him how to do it???

Casting our cares is a choice. It means consciously handing over our anxiety to Christ and allowing Him to carry the weight of our problems. At times this is the most difficult part of trusting God. We don't like turning over the responsibility for our problems.

That's me to a tee!!! I've never been a quitter though, and I don't intend to stop trying now. I know that this will continue to be a big issue for me, but I am determined to continue trying until that day that I can just say "Lord, here is my problem, take it please", then walk away and NOT think about it again. THAT is what I look forward to and the day it happens, boy I'm throwing a huge party.

But anyway, moving on. We're expecting thunderstorms today so taking the kids to park is out of the question, we might go over to Veronica's house this afternoon for them to play, depends on how they are feeling, as of right now, they both seem to be a bit quiet which usually means they are not feeling too good. Must be something going around, I'm not feeling that great myself.

I was so happy yesterday, I went to get the mail and had an ARC (advanced readers copy) waiting for me. Lori Foster had sent me one of Murphy's Law, which doesn't come out until the end of August. I picked up the book, read the first page and was hooked, didn't put it down for the rest of the day. LOVED it, Lori Foster is just an amazingly talented writer and this book more than met my expectations. So if you love steamy romance books, be sure to get this one when it's released, or any of her other books, they're all wonderful.

And with that I'm out of here. Want to go refill my coffee cup and then go read all the WFMW participants before I have to head out for some errands :)
I hope you all have a beautiful wednesday!!!!

Works for Me Wednesday!!!

How many of you have tons of recipes collected??? Some passed down by family, or torn out of magazines or something you find on the internet and just jot down on some paper?

Well I have all those and more. I LOVE cooking so over the years I've collected numerous recipes and they are literally everywhere. It's hard to find just the right one to make and I honestly don't feel like going through piles and piles just to find that special one.

My WFMW tip today is about organizing my recipes.

This weekend I had a couple of free hours, so I took out all my hundreds of recipes, sat down at the kitchen table and literally went through all of them. I separated the ones I wanted to keep from the ones I no longer want. Then I went out and purchased a three ring binder, like the one pictured below and I also got some of those sticky photo pages like you find in photo albums.
Oh I did buy the binder that has those clear plastic sleeves on the cover. I made a cute graphic, printed it out and stuck it in there.

I arranged the recipes on the pages, which makes it easy to remove if I want to use it, or make a copy for a friend or something.

I have recipes that are handwritten by family members, especially my greatgrandmother and grandmother, so for those, I just use a clear plastic sleeve at the back of the binder, this way I still have them handy but don't have to worry about tearing them.

I also used the plastic sleeves to divide the recipes into sections. I made graphics using my Paintshop Pro for things such as Appetizers, Salads, Poultry, Meat etc.....
It looks a LOT better than having my recipes in boxes or in a drawer somewhere, and since everything is organized everytime I find a new recipe, it will be much easier to put it in the right section :)

Definitely worked for me, hope it works for many others. As always, for a list of other WFMW partipants, head on over to Shannon's blog, "Rocks in my Dryers".

Seven Things MEME!!!

A sweet sweet lady named Kim from Hiraeth, tagged me this morning for this MEME. I think I'm really going to enjoy doing these :)
I will be tagging some of you at the end, so if you don't want to be tagged and think I will list you, then just slowly move away from the computer LOL

Seven things to do before I die:

1. See my children happily married
2. Visit Ireland, Scotland, The Greek Islands and England for Stonehenge
3. Have a close relationship with God
4. Teach my daughter to cook portuguese food
5. Teach my children to speak portuguese
6. Take my children and husband to Mozambique where I was born
7. Open a book store

Seven things I cannot do:

1. Swim
2. Keep plants and flowers alive
3. Let my house become cluttered and messy
4. Chat on the phone
5. Keep a straight face when something funny happens
6. Drive a stick
7. Just let it all be released unto God's hands

Seven things that attract me to my husband:

1. He makes me laugh every day
2. He is very handsome
3. He is extremely smart
4. He loves my cooking
5. He is my best friend and is always there when I need him
6. The sacrifices he makes daily as a soldier
7. He puts us first, always

Seven things I say most often:

1. “Knock it off!” (when kids are fighting)
2. “What part of it don't you understand?”
3. “I love you Curt, I love you Jasmine, I love you Nicholas”
4. “Lola, go potty!”
5. “Lord help me!”
6. “Dagnabit!!!”
7. “That's ridiculous”

Seven books (or a series of books) I love:

1. Another Fine Mess Lord by Karon Phillips Goodman
2. And the Angels were Silent by Max Lucado
3. Bet me by Jennifer Crusie
4. Jude's Law by Lori Foster
5. Visitation Series by Lori Foster
6. The Bible
7. Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Seven Movies I’d Watch Over and Over Again:

1. Just Like Heaven
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Lord of the Rings
4. Office Space
5. Captain Correlli's Mandolin
6. Toy Story 1 and 2
7. Milo and Otis

Seven people I’d like to tag:

1. Courtney at Waiting on my Soldier
2. Emily at Consider how the lilies grow
3. Melanie at Supermom or not?
4. Veronica at Keeping up with the Coopers
5. Jaymi at The Flipflop Mamma
6. morning glory at Seeds from my Garden
7. Charla at Standing by my man

TREASURE TUESDAY!!!

I love tuesdays, not only do I get to sit back and reflect on something that is a treasure to me, but it reminds me of the blessings we all have in our lives. Nothing like looking at a certain item over and over again and then one day you pick it up and remember the story behind it, it puts it all in a new light.

My treasure today is very near and dear to my heart. If you've been visiting my blog for a while you remember my Treasure Tuesday about my Greatgrandmother. She meant the world to me and I always think back about the times we spent together, the laughs, the jokes and all that she taught me.

One thing I love doing is cooking, and she did too. I remember spending hours watching her at the stove and learning from her. Those were some of the best moments of my life.

When I was about 15 or 16, we sat down at the kitchen table and together we collected recipes from magazines or newspapers to make this little booklet for me. I still have it and it's one of my treasured possessions. Now mind you all the recipes are in portuguese, because, well, because I'm portuguese LOL

Some of the pages are starting to fall apart, and at first I was thinking about redoing it, but then I remembered that my greatgrandmothers hands touched it, she tied the strings for me and I wouldn't DARE undo it. I hope to one day pass it on to my daughter.

So that's my treasure for this tuesday. For a list of other participants and if you play along and want to add your name to the list, just go on over to Faith at "Faithful Mommy".

TACKLE IT TUESDAY!!!

Time for another Tackle it Tuesday. It's actually unbelievable how many parts of the house I think are organized but then on closer inspection, they're not.

Janice from 5 minutes for mom, came up with this brilliant concept called Tackle it Tuesday. You take a small or big project, anything that you have around the house that needs to be done, and you take before pictures and after, then post them. It's our way of getting the house organized while being able to still enjoy blogging and not feeling like we're neglecting anything.

For a list of the participants and to play along, go on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.

So here is my project for this tuesday. My computer desk.

I do most of my work from the computer desk. You all know how it is, it's not just used for blogging, it's used for my graphics projects, paying bills, surfing, library, you name it.
With that in mind, it gets pretty neglected at times. I tend to sometimes have my lunch at the computer too, so there will be a cup or a plate, kids cups, toys etc.

One thing I've noticed is that the more cluttered it becomes, the less I get done, it's just not condusive to productivity for me.

So anyway, I tackled this project yesterday and now this is what my computer desk looks like. Much better and I'm giving myself a pat on the back!!! :)

Weekends and Food don't mix!!!!

Yes you heard right, I said that "weekends and food don't mix". Wanna know why?
Because for some unknown reason, as soon as friday night comes around I go on this food eating spree. Anything that crosses my path gets eaten, well, not ANYTHING, but food wise.

That's why I went from 133lbs back up to 135lbs. DAGNABIT is all I say!!! So I was sitting in bed last night and thinking about my paranoia with my weight. Yes it's a disease, I used to think it was just a way of thinking but it's not, it's really a sickness, one that has taken over my body and mind for years and years. This feeling of never being happy with the way I look, always wanting to look smaller and thinner and prettier and whatever. How could you not right? Every magazine you look at is filled with these skeletal girls with beautiful skin and no dark circles under their eyes (unlike a hard working mother who never gets enough sleep).

So I'm laying there and I think "Lord, I really need help, I'm tired of feeling unhappy with my body, I'm tired of worrying about every bite I take, I'm tired of wondering if I'll ever be back down to the size I used to, so I need you to take this into your hands, Yes I know, I ask you constantly to take a part of my life into your hands and it's usually somethingMAJOR , but I figure if I can give you the big things and you so easily take care of them, why not the small ones, that should be a piece of cake for you (mmmm cake, wait, see what I mean). So from this moment on, it's in your hands."

I'm happy to announce that from this day on, it's in God's hands. If it's his will that I loose weight without starving myself then great, but if it's his will that I stay the same size for the rest of my life, then you know what? So be it!!!
And don't shake your heads at me and think "oh yeah, like it's THAT easy". It is, everything and anything is easy and possible with God, we just make our lives difficult.

Now that I got that off my chest, let me tell you about our trip to the Volcanoes. As usual no family trip is ever without some sort of funny incident right???
Well seeing that Nicholas just got potty trained this past week, at first I was going to put a diaper on him (yes I know, silly mommy would just make it worse), then I thought "no I can't keep doing that or he will regress". So I let him wear his big boy underwear. BUT, he is still at that stage where if he has to go it's gotta be now, he doesn't understand the concept of holding it in for a bit until we get to a restroom. What does a mommy do in a situation like that? Well, the mommy grabs the nearest bucket and takes it with her. LOL

So we take a bucket in case he had to go potty. We get to the Volcano and climb up to the top. That in itself was an adventure because it's steep and we kept sliding, not to mention I'm so unfit that halfway my legs started feeling like jello......at least now they feel like they look right? I'll just embrace it LOL (hubby would be mad if he heard me say that, he says my idea of my body is very distorted).

This was the view halfway to the top, you can see our truck parked at the bottom.

We made it to the top and the kids collected some lava rocks and then we went back down again, by the time we got to the bottom I asked Nicholas if he had to go potty and he said yes. Out comes the bucket and then daddy says "wait, he's a boy let me just take him and see if he does it". Well, I was at the back of the truck with Jasmine, giving Lola some water and I could hear this.

Daddy: Ok Nicholas, now go potty.
Nicholas: I can't!!!
Daddy: Yes you can, I've pulled your pants down, just go potty.
Nicholas: No, I can't, I can't do it standing up.

LOL yeah so I passed him the bucket and then he finally did. So I said to hubby "look I've done my part, I got the hardest one done, he's potty trained and using big boy underwear, the REST is up to you, I can't show him the whole standing up thing" LOL You should have seen his face!!!! Priceless!!!

Here's some more pics from yesterday, including some of the shiny blue rocks we picked up too.

There ya have it, just a few more pics.

Last night I watched "Captain Correlli's Mandolin". LOVED IT!!! Was really sweet and Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz were great together :)

So what do I have planned for today???

1. Go over Living room carpet once more with Carpet Cleaner.
2. Return cleaner to self help.
3. One load of laundry.
4. One pile of clothes to Iron.
5. Sweep and Mop kitchen floor.
6. Return movies to the Library.

Not bad at all, I should be done with all of this by lunch time.

With that said, I'm out of here. Amazing how much of a mess the kids can make when left to play for a few minutes while I write this entry.
Have a wonderful day and remember to Thank God for all the blessings in your life :)

Ummmm if I say I will be back later to post

more, just ignore that LOL
I don't know how many times I say that I will come back later in the day and update or post something and then I don't, I really do mean to, but it never works that way.

We had a great time at the bowling alley yesterday. Scottie and the kids had a blast bowling, so if you want to see some pics, head on over to Veronica's blog.

After we left the birthday party we swung by the library to pick up some chick movies for me. Yeah, I got 3 LOL I already watched two of those so I guess I need to go back and get more. I don't know what it is, it's like some months I can go by without watching one movie, and then there's those months that I have to watch one everyday. Just yesterday I sat on the computer and added movies to my Netflix Queue, and let me tell you, it's all just romance movies, mostly historical romances.

So last night, I watched "An Unfinished Life". I didn't know if I would like it, but it was pretty good, Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman are in it and I love them, but it also has Jennifer Lopez. It was a pretty good movie.
Then I watched "Persuasion", another historical romance which I enjoyed. Today I still have "Captain Correlli's Mandolin" to watch.

Anyway, I just got done washing the breakfast dishes. See, we have this thing in my house, when hubby works normal day shift hours, we get to sleep in on the weekends. He gets Saturday mornings and I get Sundays. Whoever gets up with the kids then fixes breakfast. BUT this morning, it didn't go according to plan. He decided to stay up until 2:30 am playing computer games, so what happened when Nicholas was ready to get up at 6am???
Come on, you can guess can't you??? Yep, he wasn't ready to wake up, so I did. That means he got to sleep in both days......UNFAIR is all I say LOL

As I sit here typing I'm thinking about what I have to do today. Right after I'm done with this, I have to gather the digital camera and camcorder and make sure the batteries are charged and then get some water and snacks ready. In the meantime I have to steam clean my living room carpet so that it will dry while we are out.

We're heading to the Volcanoes just 15 minutes from base. Can't wait, it should be a lot a fun. The kids are excited and have been talking about it for 2 weeks, so I think it's high time we just took them. Then of course it's back home to steam clean the rest of the carpets. Fun Fun!!!

This week I'm going to be working on some more items for Lori Foster's Cafepress Store. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I love Lori Foster's books, and I've been working with her making graphics for her online store and also for the Reader Author Get Together in just a few days, June 9th.

If you're a romance book reader and you're in or near the West Chester, Ohio area, I would suggest you go hang out with these amazing authors. For more information on all the authors that are attending, just go to Lori Foster's site and the Reader & Author Get Together 2006 page. You are going to meet authors such as Lori Foster, Dianne Castell, Toni Blake, Erin McCarthy, LuAnn Maclane just to name a few. I wish I could be there myself, that would have been awesome. But I'm just thrilled to know Lori and Dianne, it's always such a great feeling to get one of their new books in the mail, especially one that is autographed by them. :)

I thank God for allowing me the pleasure of meeting such amazing authors who are so down to earth and so sweet, can't say enough good things about them.

You know just the other day I was laying in bed thinking about all the blessings that God has bestowed upon me and my family. I think we get so caught up in the here and now and the wanting something more, that we forget to sit back and realize what he already gave us. So I've decided that everyday, instead of thinking I COULD, I will think I HAVE!!! It makes a world of difference when you really allow yourself to look around and see all the different ways in which he works in your lives. Some are flat out huge and in your face (so to speak), and others are smaller and not so noticeable but yet of same importance. Just allow yourself to reflect in those and to enjoy them.

Another thing I thank God for everyday, is for some of the ladies that I've met through the blog. True friends who even though I've never met face to face, already hold a very special place in my heart. They are there when you're having a bad day, they cry with you, they pray for you and cheer you on, and then during the good times, they laugh, they sing and they throw a party in your favor. How beautiful is that???? So to Emily, Courtney, Morning Glory, Melanie, Jaymi and Liz and so many others, thank you, for being you, for being amazing and loving women, I'm truly blessed and lucky to know each and every single one of you.

And with that I'm out of here before I start crying. LOL I'm such a wuss and I cry for everything, I think I'm hormonal even when I'm not pregnant. Oh well, I'll take it with open arms and smile through it right???
I would say I'll be back later, but I better not, I might not have the time, although I do want to come and post the pics of the volcanoes. We will see.

Hope you all have a blessed and wonderful sunday. :)

EDIT: We just got back and had a blast collecting all sorts of lava rock and other beautiful ones, including these really nice blue shiny ones that I will take a pic of tomorrow.
Here are the pics taken today, this first one is of me, I had climbed up on this HUGE volcanic rock and then had a hard time climbing back down, I was laughing and Curt snapped the pic, it's actually one of my favorites.

I took a pic of hubby, the kids and Lola (our pug) messing around on the rocks.

This one is my FAVORITE, I just love the way it turned out. My beautiful kids :)

Helping each other climb the rocks. :)

And here's some views from the volcano of the areas around, how peaceful and calm, it's such an amazing feeling being up there and feeling closer to God :)

Love Romance Movies!!!!

One of my favorite things to do when the kids are asleep, is pop in a good chick lit movie. I've managed to drag hubby along at times and made him watch them with me, obviously not his favorite thing to do, but he does nevertheless because he knows how much I like them.

This past week I watched Spanglish, Pride and Prejudice and The Family Stone. LOVED Spanglish, although not the ending I was expecting. The Family Stone was not one I enjoyed, I found it annoying, maybe it just struck a nerve or something, I don't know, you will have to watch for yourself and let me know LOL

Now Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley, I just loved. I'm a total sucker for Historical Romances and movies from that the Victorian era etc. Nothing like a movie like that to bring that warm fuzzy feeling right? I can't remember the name of the actor that plays Mr. Darcy....but he was so handsome in that role.

Today I'm heading out to pick up a couple more movies. Hopefully some more girly ones :)
So I gotta get moving so that I can be at the bowling alley at 2pm for Scottie's Birthday.

Will be back later with more :)

The day the kids become the parents!!!

First and foremost I want to say a big WELCOME HOME to Momrn2's Little one. She is finally well enough to go home from the hospital. If you've been following along with the updates and her site, you know that the family went through a really hard time. I was in awe and amazement of the outpour of prayers and support she received, just that first day she had something like 80+ comments on her blog. Amazing.

So welcome home little one, may you continue to recover and be well on your way to a full recovery, and to momrn2, thank you for all the updates and for still finding the time to comment on my blog, it means the world to me, you are an amazing and special lady....sending you all tons of love and hugs. May God continue to bless you!!!

Jasmine is growing up so fast and she's getting to that stage of independence and pushing limits. Lately she's taken to disciplining Nicholas when I'm busy with something, and not that I tell her to, she just does it because......well.....because she wants to.

On more than one occasion I've had to pull her aside and explain that she's not the mother in the house, and she needs to stop trying to tell her brother what to do or ordering him punishment. Sibling Rivalry.......how annoying!!!

Yesterday when we went to Walmart, we stopped at the bank and Curt ran inside while we stayed in the truck. Jasmine was sitting in the back seat holding one of those american flags for the cars, you know the ones???
Well anyway, she sets it up on the seat and then places her hand over her heart and starts reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I just smile and next thing I know I hear from the backseat "HEY, you need to put your hand over your heart and say it with me, UNDERSTAND?", and I'm thinking "here we go again, yelling at her brother."

Yeah well, the brother was ME. She was instructing ME on what to do. Oh no you didn't. All I had to do was turn around and look at her and she quickly said "Sorry I was just kidding".
What to do??? Is this something I'm going to be dealing with until she moves out of the house? When did she become a teenager? Overnight?
I love my child to death, but she's walking on a thin line with me. It seems that the minute she started school I've had this power struggle to control her and keep teaching her right from wrong. I send her off acting one way and she comes back home acting completely different.
Lord help me, it's going to be a long 11 years!!!

First thing I want you to do this morning is to go on over to "Freedom Isn't Free" and read the letter to a soldier. I think that any military wife, mom or family can truly relate and for those that are not in the military, I think this letter will better explain the way we feel when our loved ones are deployed.

I'm so glad I have nothing planned for today, after running around yesterday I'm really pooped. Can I say that out loud? Cause that's how I feel.....

Tomorrow we have Scottie's (my friend Veronica's son) Birthday party at the bowling alley. Scottie is one of Jasmine's friends, or actually he's one of her good friends, they've been friends since kindergarten and it's so cute watching them together. She's having a hard time with the fact that he's leaving in two months to go to Washington. Yet another hard part about military life, you make friends and then they get orders somewhere else. Make new friends, and then it happens again. I choose to think of it as a way to meet new people, if I don't then I get extremely depressed over the friends I've said goodbye to over the years.

But moving on, then on sunday we are heading out to see the Volcanoes nearby. We're all pretty excited about that, and of course me being the Papparazzi that I am, you can be sure to see lots of pics LOL

We're also planning a trip to a few other places this summer, Shoshone Falls, Three Island Crossing, Redfish Lake, Soldier Mountain Ranch just to name a few. There's so many beautiful places to visit in Idaho, so we've decided to take advantage this year and really go out and see them.

Last year we did go to Silver City, which is a Ghost Town. These are some of the pics we took.

Can't wait to get out there and sightsee again.

Remember today is friday so I've got my "Remember When???" posted, check the post below for it.
If you like scary stories, that will be one you don't want to miss, if you DON'T then I suggest you just ignore it LOL

You know what??? I better get going, Jasmine just woke up and I need to get her some breakfast.
OH OH I almost forgot to tell yuo all that Nicholas is finally potty trained. I'm SO thrilled and he's being such a big boy. He actually runs to the bathroom when he has to go and does it all on his own. I'm just happy that we've finally gotten to this stage :)

REMEMBER WHEN???

Well, it's friday and that means another "Remember When???". The story I have today is a bit scary, so if you don't like ghosts or things like that, I suggest you go read something else LOL

For some reason I've always been the one to "see things" in my family. Now don't go getting all weird and freaked out on me, I'm not a psychic nor would I want to be one, BUT for some reason if we go to a house that is "supposedly" haunted, I feel really weird in there and if there's something to see, I will be the one seeing it. You have no idea how frustrating and scary it is.

So the story today is about a house we used to live in when I was, Oh, 12 or 13 years old I think. My dad loved this house, but for some reason I just hated it, I would see all sort of things, feel all sort of things too and I literally remember sitting up everynight, with my dog on the bed, the light on and staying awake until the morning before turning off the light and trying to get a few hours of sleep. My grandmother, grandfather and greatgrandmother were all living with us at the time, and I was lucky that my grandmother saw these ghost or whatever they were, too.

There were always weird things going on in that house. I vividly remember going to the bathroom one day and being PUSHED by no one. It was scary!!!
When we went on vacation, my uncle offered to come by everyday and water the plants, feed the dog etc. He went one day and never returned. Apparently he was sitting at the dinner table just reading the newspaper and everything started falling off the shelves, next thing he knows the curtains in the living room start opening and closing on their own....that was enough for him to never go back alone.

One of the worst times for me was when I woke up in the middle of the night (one of the times I actually managed to fall asleep), and saw hands around my throat, I tried to scream and no sound would come out, I finally managed to jump out of bed and run out of the room. I slept the rest of the night with my greatgrandmother.

Now before I tell you this next incident, I have to explain that our house had these closed in porches to the right and left of the front door. My grandmother, being a seamstress, used the one on the left for all her sewing and that is where she would sit all day and work.
We all knew what time my stepmom would come home from work, which was always around 4:15pm, so when she would knock on the door or ring the bell (I don't know WHY she didn't take a key LOL), one of us would run up, open the door and run back in the house.

Well my grandmother was sitting there sewing and heard the doorbell. I ran up, opened the door, turned my back and ran back into the house, as I always did. My stepmom walked in, closed the door and walked through the other porch to her bedroom. A few minutes later, she comes walking out and my grandmother says "Did you bring a friend for some alterations or sewing she needs?".
My stepmom looked at her like she was crazy and said "No, I didn't bring anyone home, why?"
And my grandmother says "Are you sure? Who is the lady that walked in with you?". Apparently when I opened the door for her, my stepmom walked in and a lady wearing black with short blonde hair, walked in behind her and followed her into her room. Let me tell you, I get chills just talking about it. My stepmom and grandmother were both terrified.

So yes, that was just ONE of the weird houses we lived in. Maybe next week I will tell you about the house after that, this time my uncle was living with us and let's just say that he didn't like the midnight company he was getting LOL

GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!

Ok if you see me go by today, just stay out of the way. It's going to be one of THOSE days. You know the ones, the kind that make you run around all day with two kids in tow (no moms of 3 or more, I don't know how you do it), drive around constantly yelling at the backseat "Knock it off" and "If I have to pull this car over" or even "Leave your sister alone, leave your brother alone, don't look at each other". Crazy huh???

Well it's payday, yep, first let me ask the other military wives who get paid twice a month. Is it just me or was this payday extremely and excruciatingly long???? What happened to the two weeks, this was more like a month LOL

So anyway, moving on. I'm going to be running around all day. Here's what you can expect from me, or what I'm counting on getting done if my kids cooperate.

8:30 am - Pick up report card from school
9:00 am - Airman's attic to donate some stuff and look for a lamp
9:30am - Self help for some grass seed and a carpet cleaner
10:00 am - Bx to get a gift for Jasmine's Teacher (yeah I totally forgot about it so will have to mail it to her)
10:30 am - Taco bell to pick up lunch for hubby, drive to his work, put the lunch in his truck, drive back home and call him to let him know it's there
11:00 am - Commissary for groceries (this I am NOT looking forward to, you don't understand the hell I go through with two kids and a grocery cart)
12:00 pm - Home for lunch
1:00 pm - Pay bills online
2:00 pm - Clean the house and do a load of laundry
3:00 pm - Drive downtown to pay some more bills and go to Walmart for some items
5:00 pm - Grab some take out dinner
6:00 pm - Baths and then mommy can sit down and relax for an hour and half before getting them ready for bed.

Ok I just want to run, right now, far far away. After looking at that list, I'm done, I'm tired and I want to go to bed. *insert song* SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME, I'M TIRED AND I WANT TO GO TO BED!!!!

But here's the good news....after 6 years of truck payments, the truck is officially ours and paid for. YIPPEE!!! It's done, it's finally done, I'm so ecstatic. I know that probably means nothing to you guys, well not even probably, I'm sure it DOESN'T mean anything to you, but to us it's a huge thing.

See being married is one of those things that takes work, which by the way, I want you to go on over to Morning Glory's blog "Seeds from my Garden" and read her post about marriage. It's brilliant and should be required reading for everyone married or thinking of getting married. Go on, what are you waiting for??? I'll still be here, I have nowhere to go. You're back, good!!!

She said it best with this line "Good marriages don't happen by osmosis." Boy have I learnt the hard way. After almost 8 years of marriage we struggled through the ups and downs, the getting to know each other stage and let me tell you something, it's not easy when you are used to doing things one way and then are put to the test by living with someone who does things totally opposite from you. We fought like cat and dog the first few years, and it doesn't help that finances weren't good either.

There's this misconception that military get paid well. HA!!! is all I say. Ever tried getting getting by on $450 for bills and groceries???? It's not easy, and that is what made me the frugal and cheap skate that I am today. Well maybe not cheap skate, but it definitely taught me to budget budget budget.

Here's the one thing that hubby and I say to each other. "No matter how difficult things get and how ticked off we may get with each other at times, divorce is OUT OF THE QUESTION. So deal with it!!!" We make the effort and we make sure the marriage works because there is no way out LOL It's really helped us though, we know we want to be together and when things get tough we have our fights and spats but then move on.

And that's it for me, I'm I have to get ready to leave. Hope you all have a great thursday. :)