EVERYDAY THINGS!!!

"...For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

"If you want any one thing too much it's likely to disappoint. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk..."-- Augustus McCrae-"Lonesome Dove"

I think one of my favorite everyday things is my computer. You may be shaking your head right now and wondering why on earth I would bring that up, but the truth is that without it I would be totally lost.

Being a military family, it means moving, from one place to another, from one state to another and many times, from one continent to another. Right now, my whole family is back in South Africa and I'm here in the States.

Every morning, I am able to get on my computer and email them, or write in my blog so they know what is going on with our lives, and even better, I'm able to call them on the computer and talk as if we were using a phone, use the web cam as if we were standing right there next to each other.

My computer has become my eyes and my ears with my family, and it's one of those everyday things that people take for granted, but not I. It's what's made those special moments even better, allowing them to see my children grow, allowing me to see my nieces and nephews turn from beautiful babies to gorgeous young kids. We've even shared New Year's Eve together, using the webcam, we were able to BE there when the clock struck midnight.
And when my hubby is deployed, it becomes the connection between us, the chats, the pictures of the kids missing daddy and the voice of reason when I'm freaking out over him being gone.

So there you have it, my Everyday Thing. For more simple yet meaningful everyday things, please run on over to Everyday Mommy.

I give up on internet explorer

I'm SO sorry my template is not showing up right for some of the IE users. This is the reason why I even changed it, because it kept pushing my other template to the bottom of the page, and now it seems it's doing the same. What is it with IE and templates????

It's best viewed with Netscape and Firefox, so I think I'll just add that piece of info on the template. Again, I'm really sorry.

I'm waiting for Jasmine to wake up and then I have to head to Airman's Attic to drop off some stuff, then the post office to get my package and then the commissary for some WIC checks. I have to tell you, with all the milk my son drinks, I'm extremely lucky to have him on WIC or I don't know where I would go. I'm sure I could buy a cow couldn't I??? And I did milk one once, back in school on some weird trip......now that I think about it, why did I milk a cow, what's up with that???

I want to take a few moments to wish my dad a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Yes, he's back in South Africa and I miss him dearly, wish I could be there for his birthday, but since I can't, I guess the next best thing is a phone call and being there in spirit.

Dad, I hope you have a great day and eat loads of yummy food LOL Have a couple drinks for me too. May you have a many many more birthdays and hopefully with me nearby. I love you!!!

You know what I've come to realize these last 8 years of marriage??? That men really don't know what they're doing. Well, hold on, let me rephrase that.....Men really don't do things to annoy us, they just think differently!!! THERE, better, don't want to go upsetting my hubby or the rest of the male population in the world.
The reason I say this is because things that may seem just common sense to me, seem really complicated to my husband....he's an extremely smart man (seriously), but there's stuff that makes me shake my head and think "Oh COME ON". Ever feel that way?!?!?!?

Don't believe me???....here's a few examples:

The trash is overflowing:
Me - Gotta be taken out
Hubby - Wonder how much more I can fit in there?
Take the last "whatever" out of the box:
Me - Throw the box away
Hubby - Let me put it back where I found it, empty and all.
Toys are all over the floor:
Me - Pick up the toys, I HATE stepping over them
Hubby - I'll just step over this one, and this one
Dishes have to be done:
Me - *sigh* wish I had some help
Hubby - Well I can't read your mind just ask me

The list goes on and on, and when we first got married it would really grate on my nerves. I honestly felt like banging my head against a wall. "What is wrong with this guy? It's right in front of him why can't he see it?". BECAUSE HE'S A GUY!!!! I've learnt the hard way!!!
Sorry honey, I love you to death, but you know it's true!!!
I think the moral of the story is, for all you ladies out there who are single, or engaged, remember that men don't think the way you do. If you want him to do something, SAY IT, specifically and to the point, don't dilly dally and beat around the bush. It will save you years of wondering what you're doing wrong. LOL

I desperately need to get back on my usual routine. I was used to waking up at 6 am every morning and the past 2 weeks I can't get up until almost 8 am. This would be great if it was the beginning of summer but seeing that school is going to start again soon, I really need to get back to normal. Whatever normal is.....anyone know???

Well the kids are acting up and not listening, I can tell it's going to be one of those days. - The hair pulling, want to pack and run away, please shoot me now kinda days.-
Jasmine especially has been testing my patience lately, I don't remember having such a bad attitude when I was 7 years old, but then again, maybe I did and just don't remember. Wish there was a way to bypass this stage, you know come to think of it, when she was an infant I kept saying I couldn't wait until she was a toddler, then she became a toddler and I thought "man, I can't wait until she's 5 or 6, I can't handle the terrible two's". Now she's at the age I wanted and I'm dying for teenager years (maybe not dying, I know that's going to be a problem all on it's own). I GIVE UP, I'll just enjoy whatever stage she's on and quit wishing for another one, it just seems that every age has it's ups and downs, right???

I better get off here before the kids destroy the house, or kill each other, the sibling rivalry is at it's peak today. See ya all in the morning, if I'm still here and haven't managed to run away to the circus. (oh wait, I AM there LOL).

CHANGE YET AGAIN!!!

Alright now, I think I'm leaving this one for a long time.....probably until the fall or winter LOL

What do you think??? And those using IE please let me know if it shows up fine, I'm hoping for no menus being pushed to the bottom, or weird graphics etc.

I tried to keep this one simple so I hope it works :)

Dear Blogger.....

Why do you do this to me???? Do you have some hidden agenda to drive me batty every two weeks???
I know you think you're doing a GREAT thing by offering me a free blogging service (and yes, hats off to you for that), BUT does that entitle you to have less than workable conditions???
Do you have any idea how annoying it is to be locked out of your own blog, or not able to comment on a friend's one??? Please, do us all a favor....get your act together!!!


I've had the WORST time trying to post anything today, it literally took me an hour to get my WFMW post up. I haven't been able to visit any of my favorite blogs, and let's not even mention trying to post a comment anywhere.....Mission Impossible!!!

BUT, it seems that blogger has stopped PMSing, and I'm able to get on and do my daily post, and don't worry because as soon as I'm done here, I'm running on over to all my faves to read and comment. Now don't kill me either, faithful readers, all 1 or 2 of you (if I'm that lucky lol), but I'm looking for a new template. I'm frustrated with Internet Explorer pushing my right menu to the bottom and I think it's time to go back to just one sidebar.....and since I don't have time to make my own template right now (got other work to do), I'm just going to use one of the many wonderful free templates available.

So if you come back tomorrow and it's a new template, don't run away, it's just me being bored and antsy as usual.

Had the worst headache yesterday, didn't even get to run to the store, asked hubby to go for me. I'm just lucky to have such a wonderful husband who does what I ask, no questions asked, isn't that sweet???
The headache is still here today but I'm starting to think it's either allergies or my sinus acting up again, I think the main giveaway is the pressure and the feeling of congestion. Nothing some pills can't cure right???

You all know that we're a military family, so moving is always a thought in the back of our minds, you never really get to call a place a home. Let's just say that we're brave nomads, going from land to land. At least that's how I like to think of it!!!
With the whole BRAC thing going on, there's a lot of changes being made, and one of them is obviously to the base we're at. My husband being an F-16 mechanic will fall into the category of people being shifted and moved from base to base. So I found out yesterday that we will more than likely have orders out of here by March of next year. Who knows where we will end up!!!!
I just gotta keep remindind myself of 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast your cares upon Him, for he Cares about You".....no matter where we end up, things will be fine!

I'm so excited today, I have a package waiting for me at the post office, and of course it's always exciting to get something from your family overseas......but this one is just extra special because it actually contains BACALHAU....yes Cod Fish. LOL
Now I know a lot of you are probably turning your noses up at me, and I understand, because if you know the portuguese Cod Fish, you know that it's dried and salty and it does stink. (literally).
But it's also one of the MOST deliscious fish you can come across.
I will be sure to share the recipes in my food blog, so if you ever find cod fish and don't know what to make with it, try Bacalhau A Gomes de Sa, or Bacalhau a Braz or even a quick Bacalhau Cozido com Grao. My mouth is watering just thinking about it :)

"BE CONTENT IN EVERYTHING", that was the title of my next chapter in the "15 Minutes Alone with God". Boy did it hit home!!! I am one of those people who are always looking to the future, when do we get paid again, when will we have our own house, the next car, the next month, the next outfit......never stopping to think about the here and now. What a fool I've been, I've spent my whole life chasing after the what can be instead of just accepting what IS and thanking God for it.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6)

I think one of the reasons it really talked to me is because of this whole diet thing I'm going on and on about. Always wondering when will I be thinner, worrying about what I eat and when I eat, and really not enjoying just being me, eating what I like, when I like, and accepting that God loves me for ME. Not for the pounds I can loose or the weight I can manage or the food I won't eat.....he loves ME......HOW UNBELIEVEBLE IS THAT?!?!?! If He can love me for myself, why can't I do the same, who am I to think that I'm above His way of thinking????

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I shouldn't eat healthier or try to maintain a wealthy weight. But I need to do it because it's what makes me feel better and NOT because I think it's what will make me acceptable to society. What IS acceptable, really???
I think one of the things that I have to realize, is that even if I DON'T end up loosing all the weight I want, it's OK....the Lord will still be there no matter what, and THAT for me is what matters.

I have to stop worrying about where I am in my life right now, and that goes for everything, my body, my mind, my life, my house, my family, everything. Just have to praise God for where I am, and ask him to reveal to me what I'm supposed to be learning from this present situation. There's always something to learn, and although we may not notice it right away, eventually we see it.

And I'm out of here for today, Blogger is starting to act weird again and I honestly don't have the patience to deal with it. Last thing I need is another whiny kid right? LOL
Have a great day everyone, and please, if you get a chance, come join me for breakfast tomorrow morning???

God bless,

Works for Me Wednesday!!!

You've all heard me complaining about Jasmine not wanting anything to do with books this summer. It's been frustrating trying to keep her reading, so I realized that in order for me to motivate her, I would have to make it fun.

With it being summer and hot and so many things to be done outside, she would rather be on the trampoline, on the swings, in the pool or anything else, than in the house reading her books.

So, my WFMW tip is about getting your kids motivated to read.

The first thing that I do is use "Book Dollars". I made some out of construction paper, and I hand them out for chores or good deeds I see her do around the house, as well as reading her books without me begging. Once she has about 10 or 15, then we head to the bookstore and she gets to spend the equal amount in books. She LOVES being able to pick her own. Right now she's loving the Dumb Bunnies, I guess at her age she finds them hilarious.

Another thing we are going to do this week, is have a "Reading Picnic". We will gather some snacks and some books and then head out to the park, I think she will enjoy that.

I've also noticed that she will eagerly read a book that is about something she really enjoys or like, like dinosaurs. Any dinosaur book will have her happily grabbing for it.

We're also starting a reading corner, a part of the living room just for reading, and she will help decorate it. Going to use some big pillows, a blanket, a little basket with books and snacks (popcorn, crackers etc). Something that will make her WANT to be there reading. Yes it may be almost at the end of summer, but I figure at least this last month she can enjoy her books and not be turned off by them.

One last thing......I went to Scholastic online, and signed her up for the Summer Reading Buzz. They have a book of the week, a reading meter, a bumblebee booklist, a calendar to show you which books will be up each week so that you can buy them from scholastic or make sure you have them to read.

Each book she adds to her reading log, Scholastic will match each one with a donation to K.I.D.S. so she is happy to be helping other kids too.

It's been fun finding new ways to encourage her to read. Hope this helps one of you moms with your kids and their reading. Works for Me!!!!

For a list of other WFMW participants, go run on over to Shannon, and starting this week, everyone is adding a description of their tips to their names, so it will make it easier for you to browse those tips you are interested in reading :)