ADD and my child

I am only just begining what I know will be a long ongoing journey with my youngest son. Rowdy One has always been full of life, full of movement, full of emotion for most of his life. And the name I gave him for this blog fits him well. As he grows it is becoming clearer that he has what appears to be classic ADD. I tend to leave the H out because I do not see the hyperactivity in him that is customary for these children. Rowdy yes but to me he is well within the normal area of activity for a happy healthy six year old boy.

Classic ADD symptoms that he exhibits: is easily distracted; has difficulty sustaining attention span; has difficulty following through on tasks and instructions; has difficulty keeping an organized area; has trouble with time; has tendency to lose things; is forgetful; is restless; has trouble sitting still; is noisy; is impulsive. While some are mild more than half are increasing as he ages. One of my main concerns is his impulsiveness. While he does well most of the time I can not ignore the many times he does not. Many red flags go up on a daily basis with him and I can not deny the fact that as a parent and who I am I must investigate and be proactive for my child and my family.

This is the road I am currently on. Learning more, reading, researching, discussing. Making subtle changes. Becoming more of an advocate for him/us so that our family will be better prepared as he ages.

The statistics startle me. Not that I didn’t know what was going on but that my child has a higher percentage of falling into them.

52 percent of untreated teens and adult abuse drugs or alcohol. (many
times as a way to self medicate)

43 percent of untreated
hyperactive boys will be arrested for a felony by the age of 16.

50
percent of inmates in a number of studies have been found to have ADD. (75 % in
one study)

Parents of ADD children divorce three times more often
than the general population.

Healing ADD The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Labels and statistics can be sticky. Much information is blown out of proportion. Many labels are not used properly. But when I look at the over all picture and take in all that I am reading and seeing it is hard to ignore the facts I see day to day. I do not mind a label that is used to help someone. I have issue with a label given to give someone as an out or excuse. Statistics need to come from several different areas and sides to be useful and balanced. As a responsible parent this is what I am using as my guide for statistic and labels.

My therapist has been telling me that at some point Rowdy One will need to have medication. Not telling me to push it down my throat but telling me so that I have time to get used to the idea. In most of what I am reading I see that she may be right. But there is also a lot my family can do first.

Last week as I sat down to read with Rowdy One I saw up close and personal, and very clearly I might add, some of his struggle. He is a very good reader. He learned quickly and enjoys books. He was reading a story about a frog and a fish to me. He could not finish a page without getting distracted. Not distracted as in frustrated but distracted as in something he read made him think of something else. Fish hid beneath a rock lead him away from the table to look for his rock that looked like what he saw in the book. Frog played hide and seek with fish lead him away from the table to find his Froggy book. And each time he returned he had to find where he was and get back on track. The thought of my child not being able to finish reading a book made me sad. I do not want him to give up on reading at some point because it becomes to difficult to focus. I do not want him to lose the adventures reading will provide him because he can not remember where he was and can’t keep other things from distracting him. That was a crystal clear moment. I have to become proactive. I must.

I am sure I will fill many other posts about this journey. I would love to hear any stories, encouragement, advice or ideas on the subject. Whether it be books to read, diet plans or personal stories. Please fill free to leave a comment or email me directly at njherbst at hotmail dot com.

Lyn

Dinner

After having several recipes that failed I am so happy that this week the recipes on the menu have been superb!

Last night for dinner we enjoyed Tangy Grilled Pork Tenderloin, rice pilaf( 90 sec Uncle Ben's variety), roasted broccoli and roasted peaches with ricotta and almonds(from a new fav book The Best Life Diet).

Seriously, as we ate Chosen One and I both commented on how nice it is for a recipe to work and be well received by the family. I have tried several things that failed in one or both areas!

Happy Eating!

Lyn

Organ Donation

This is a Public Service Announcement on a serious note today at the What Was That? blog.

I have had to sit by 3 friends as they were on the phone with the organ donation staff. I sat next to them as they struggled with a decision they did not want to have to be making but were. They struggled because they did not know what to do and they were already dealing with an overwhelming amount of emotion.

Discuss your choice with your family. Make it known if you do not want to be a donor. Make it known if you do. Just make it known.

It is very hard on a family member to have to make these choices when they are already dealing with so much.

Go here to find out more about being a donor.

The important thing is to let you family know your wishes, either way.

Lyn

Enchilada Jackpot

I found a new friend! And since she provided me with the best cheese enchilada recipe that I have tasted I will be indebted to her for a long time.

Chosen One and I placed this wonderful creation in our mouths and our eyes met and well......the rest is dinner history. These are the BEST DANG cheese enchiladas this Texas girl has tasted.

Seriously, I wanted to run around the block and give everyone a taste. I called my mother and my sister! We all have a favorite place to get our cheese enchiladas but to be able to create them in your own home, so easily, anytime you want.........well, that is almost to much for a girl to ask for.

I used:
***chicken broth
***regular oregano
***2 cups shredded velvetta and 1 cup shredded cheddar
***and no onion

Go, go now and check out the recipe. Make them tomorrow night. Your family will love you!

Lyn

New favorites

Cashed in on some old books and just had to have these. Not to bad, turn in 15 take away 3.

The Wisdom of Forgiveness by The Dalai Lama and Victor Chan

Betty Crocker COOKBOOK

The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene

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

From the last one I found a new favorite recipe.

Berry Smoothie

1 1/4 cup vanilla soymilk
1 cup frozen unsweetened blueberries
1 6oz container french vanilla yogurt, I used Yoplait.

Mix in a blender and enjoy.

This will become a breakfast for me. YUM-O

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

Dinner consisted of many new favs.

Beef Tips, one of the best sauces I have tasted.
Rice, this really was that easy.
Veggies, our produce has just not looked good so I checked out the freezer section.

Happy Weekend!

Lyn

Housekeeping Update

I have finished the labels and I tidied up my links to my friends. Added one, updated addresses and blog names.

Ahhh.....much better. That was bugging me.

Have a great weekend.

Lyn

Admin

Working on getting everything "labeled". It is a little time consuming but I am liking that in one click I can see all the recipes I have listed!

Lyn

"There is a destiny

That makes us brothers:

None goes his
way alone:

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back
into our own."



Edwin Markham

Recipe Thursday

I believe this is a recipe from a Pampered Chef recipe book.

Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip

1/2 cup cream peanut butter
1 - 8 oz contact vanilla yogurt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/2 thawed frozen whipped topping

Mix first 3 items and then gently stir in whipped topping. Serve with apples, pear, celery, crackers...whatever your family likes to dip.

I am trying to keep things handy this summer that are on the healthier side and that will fill my boys up. They are growing which means on most days they are eating pretty much non-stop or at least it seems that way.

Lyn

Away time....

Chosen One and I are away for the weekend, sans children. Those little creatures are wonderful but when I have a weekend away I realize how LOUD my life is. How busy and how much movement my life has. And how little time I actually spend with Chosen One.

We are at my aunt's, which is like a mini bed and breakfast for us. She is out of town so we have the place all to ourselves.

So far we have eaten, watched movies, eaten some more and watched more movies. We ventured out a little this morning, burger's here and groceries here, but really we fully intended to stay in and catch up on us time and movies that can't be watched at home with countless interruptions or little ears.

Music and Lyrics, was not a hit with either one of us! Chosen One said "just plain stupid" and while I laughed at parts I really do agree with him.

Ladder 49, thumbs up. Predictable, yes. Outrageous fire scenes, yes. Story, good.

Blood Diamond, now that was a powerful and thought provoking movie. Makes me never want to wear or purchase a diamond again.

Up next......Crash, Out of Time, and Changing Lanes. All pretty intense. Like I said, not ones to view around little ears.

Oh! And more food. Chosen One is fixing it as we speak.

Lyn

Why DO I love this book.....

Let me count the ways.

I first spotted Why Do I Love These People by Po Bronson here. And then one day, totally by chance, I walk in the library and there it is. In. And waiting on me (I just know it was!). What are the chances? It had been checked out for months.

The first chapter was life changing for me. This book will be on my shelf for many years. I will smile at it. I will thank it. I will read it again and again.

Now the life changing part is not for everyone. Two years ago my little Rowdy One fell in a pool, fully clothed, while playing knights in shining armor with his brother. His sword fell in and he tried to reach it. He drowned. He had no pulse. He had blue lips. His life was saved by CPR. It was and has been a nightmare for me. I was there along with five other adults. The kids treat this house like there second home. They have swam in the pool and played in the yard, many times. They are familiar, as am I, to the surroundings. It was the day everyone had returned from evacuating for Hurricane Rita. We were all stressed out and this was supposed to be a relaxing evening. Grilling, the kids playing on the fort. It all changed rather quickly. The boys, my two and another that is Wise One's age, were in and out battling the villains that were attacking their fort. They were equipped with swords and a healthy imagination. They were all under foot or out on the fort. We were helping unpack boxes from the evacuation and telling stories about our trip. I went to the bathroom and then was frozen at what I was hearing. The other little boy came into tell his dad that Rowdy One was at the bottom of the pool. I was in a totally different part of the house and it was like he was whispering this information in my ear. I run to find my friend diving to the bottom of his pool to pull my child out. I will never forget what I saw and what went through my head. The nightmare began with those imagines.

At the hospital I had to face my parents and my husband, none of which were at the house. I had to face Wise One, who discovered his brother missing, and help him deal with what he saw and the guilt he felt. I had to answer questions from the drs. Look at the faces of the nurses. Deal with ALL the questions with the tone of how stupid a mother are you.!?

The whole while I had a vision in my head. A vision of Rowdy One struggling to reach the side. Calling for me. Wondering where his mother was. Why she was not there to help him. Save him. Why this water was taking him and his mommy was not helping him. I had a vision of him knowing he was drowning and struggling with it.

I have lived with this vision. At times it has consumed me. At times it has beaten me down. At times it makes it hard for me to breathe.

The next day he spoke of a bright light and reaching out for it, that is a whole nuther post. He spoke of falling in and not remembering after that. We got back in the water a week later. It was fall but we got in the very same swimming pool and swam. He didn't want to go under until the following summer. Now he swims like a fish and talks of getting to ride in an ambulance when he "drownded". That is all he remembers.

I on the other hand still struggle. I have a very hard time watching movies where someone is drowning. I have a very hard time reading about people drowning.

And then I opened this book.......and the first story is about a mother who almost drown. On the second page of the book this is what I read:

..... Some would say her soul was saying good-bye to her bag of bones. Some would say she experienced a hallucination caused either by lack of oxygen or by calming endorphins that numb the brain to alleviate the suffering of death. ......

Calming endorphins!!! What the hell are those and why has no one told me about them? A wave of emotion hit me. It was some relief to know that it very well may have been what happened to Rowdy One. He was taken care of by his amazing body. His fear was subdued.

There are loads of other explanations. Believe me, people feel free to share their opinions on this with me. There is still enough guilt to last me a lifetime. It didn't really alter that. But is was comforting to know that maybe, just maybe, Rowdy One didn't struggle like I imagined. Maybe.

He is a happy, healthy, rowdy one. He shows no ill effects.

I am a grateful, thankful mother. I grew a tremendous amount during this time. I still battle my demons. I am still overprotected. But this book gave me another look. Another side. Some comfort. It helped me grow more.

Thank you Mrs. Mmv for showing me this book. Thank you Mr. Bronson for writing this book. For helping these stories reach other people. It is an Honest and Amazing book of Real People.

Lyn

Quotes

How many quotes I come across in my day. The TV, the paper, the magazines, the books. All screaming quotes at me. But once in awhile, more often lately, some quotes hit me smack dab in the middle of my gut and say "HEAR ME". Oh sure sometimes they whisper but they still hit me in the gut with the realization that I need to stop and pay attention. This is good stuff I am being told.

Listen...........

"Life comes in clusters, clusters of solitude, then clusters when there
is hardly time to breathe."

~May Sarton, American writer

Quotes really do help me put life in perspective. I let them sink in. I post them on the refrigerator door. I tell them to my friends and family. I read them to my boys. I keep a log of the ones that help me make sense of my time at. this. moment.

The quote above promises me a cluster of solitude. And I believe it. I will hang on to it. It will get me through this cluster.

Some seem like they are reading my mind. Others I see telling the future. And still some give me great comfort on my roughest day. Oh, sure they are simple. To simplistic for some. But I have found life really is simple. I just make it very complicated most of the time.

Many time I read a quote or hear a saying and look up and say "thank you Lord, I heard it." He really does have to get me in many different ways. I am a slow learner. Putting myself in charge and in control. A quote can really slow me down. He knows my language. I am thankful for that.

A good quote can be like a life raft on a day of drowning.

Enjoy the quotes you hear today.

Lyn

Reading and Watching

Watching:

Superman

Bringing up Baby I thought Wise One would pee in his pants during the scene where they are trying to leave the restaurant and her dress is torn. F.U.N.N.Y!

Reading:

Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

Wicked, yes, still working on it. It is very good just been pushed aside for a bit.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo This cover is so endearing to me. A little mouse with his needle sword. This is Wise One's second time around with this book and Rowdy One's first. A very sweet read aloud.

Just finished:

Over the Hills & Far Away by Chris Conover This is a book Rowdy One and I shared together. The illustrations captured both of us. The endpapers show Tom's family tree. The first thing Rowdy One did was recognize that it was a family tree and remember when we made our family trees and hung them on the fridge. I love books like these. My boys "see" themselves. Something familiar about how it all works.

Why Do I Love These People by Po Bronson In another post I will tell you what this book meant to me. It has truly changed me. And it all started in the very first chapter. I love books like this one. This will be a purchase to live on my shelf for the future and it will be a gift I pass on to many friends.

Lyn

Positive Thoughts

"Most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison."

Sir John Lubbock

Mothers Day

I have no words for what is swimming in my head. I have no words for what is in my heart.

My coping mechanisms have taken over and hopefully they will get me through.

I am sliding into my shell and riding out the storm.

I want to come here and be hopeful and excited but it all seems so fake. So I just don't.

I will continue to post quotes that help me. Books that I enjoy and recipes that are getting us through but probably not much more right now. It is all to depressing.

My husband and one of my closest friends will celebrate their first Mother's Day without their mothers. Another close friend will celebrate without the person that helped make her a mother. And yet another enjoys everyday she gets to BE a mother knowing cancer could take it all away.

Life is happening at a rapid pace for my circle of friends. We know we can't stop it or even slow is down but we are trying to hang on to each other through the journey. We know there is another side but right now we are just surviving the storm.

There are bright spots. I do smile often. I laugh as much as possible. I always see the sun as a gift. I love and I live. But it is shadowed at the moment with a big gray cloud.

"First do what is necessary, then do what is possible, and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible."

Frances of Assisi

Lyn

Big Plans

Wise One turns NINE on Sunday.

Nine years old.

Not eight. One less than ten. Oh, the poor mother's heart!

We have a movie sleepover planned for Saturday. We will be veiwing: Back to the Future, Space Jam and Night at the Museum. We will have pizza, popcorn and cupcakes and share them with two family friends. So that will be four boys under the age of ten to watch giggle and act silly and make loads of bodily functions, I am sure!

Then on Sunday we will go here as a family to see this exhibit.

I really can't believe he is NINE!!!

Lyn

Guess where I was today?

I was at Rice University to see him.

He was calming. He was inspirational. He was witty. He was awesome. I listened more and spoke less today.

Thanks e for sharing this experience with me.

May I also recommend The Art of Happiness.

My favorite quote from today " ....what matters is six billion people and one Earth." Basically, we are all the same. All human beings. All gifts to each other.

Compassion. Love. Forgiveness.

Lyn

I need tips....

On how to handle a VERY mouthy almost nine year old boy. I mean VERY mouthy.

I mean VERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any tips would really help The Chosen One and I because we are about at our wits end.

Lyn

Recipe Wednesday

This is NOT a food recipe. It is a cleaning recipe.

In an effort to be a little more green, I purchased this book many years ago:

Clean House, Clean Planet Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, THE SAFE, NONTOXIC WAY by Karen Logan

I read it in a weekend and while I do not totally follow it it taught me several things that I refer to often.

This is one of my favorite recipes:

Momma's Earth Soap

This is a nontoxic cleaning basic. I developed it as a simple floor
cleaner, but I found so many uses for its simple scented-vinegar formula that is
has found a permanet spot under every sink in my house. It's so easy.

Ingredients: White distilled vinegar, water and an essential oil for
fragrance

You will also need a squirt bottle. (Or for major cleaning jobs, mix
in bucket.)

How to Make: Fill bottle with equal amounts white
vinegar and water. Add 15-20 drops of pure peppermint oil (or your
favorite essential oil). Shake to mix.

How to Use:
Squirt this refreshing cleaner directly onto the floor
and wipe clean with a rag or mop. Can be used on linoleum or tile
floors. Try in the bathroom to cut soap scum. Keep it in the kitchen
to clean the sink and counters.

Lyn

Spotlight day

I have to spotlight this:

*************** link ***************

These are friends of mine who lost their daughter to cancer.

It is just simply and utterly amazing to me the emotion I get when I see this site. How much love is in every word. How much thought is in every offering. And what amazing people they are!

If you are so inclined you may donate here.

Lyn

Quote Monday

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak
knits up the o'er wrought heart and bids it break."

Shakespeare, Macbeth

The House is Quiet

It's 10:30am and I am sitting in a quiet house. This rarely happens. But today I notice it more than ever.

Wise One spent the night with a friend two streets over. Rowdy One stayed with Nana and Papa for a night as an only child.

As I walked in the kitchen it really hit me. The dog was still outside from his 6:30 potty break. The blinds were still closed. No breakfast had been demanded by hungry stomaches so the stove was still cold.

I miss those little guys. All the noise and excitement. All the talking and singing. All the in and outs through the back door. I miss them terribly.

What will I ever do when they fly the nest? Will I be ready then? Will I be old and ready for the calm? Will I be grateful? Or will I still yearn for the noise and the excitement?

Funny how life hits you at the oddest moments.

Lyn

Rowdy One, The Chef

A friend passed on an Amish Friendship Bread Starter. After 10 days of doing as instructed tonight was the baking night. Rowdy One and I ended up home alone to do the baking ourselves (right up our alley). After mixing and getting our starters ready to pass on to friends, basically putting a cup of the concoction in gallon sized zip-loc bags for their 10 day growth period, we made our own two loaves of bread. While we were waiting for it to bake up Rowdy One headed to his bathroom, I mean laboratory. When the door opened he handed me a big 'ole zip-loc bag of HIS bread starter.

"Flour (most of a bag) and water(just a few drops), mommy. Just like yours. Feel it. Doesn't it feel just like yours?"

"Yes, Rowdy One, it is just like mine."

He is so sweet. I love him to pieces. Everything is fun to him. Life is good!

Lyn

Can't wait to be here again......

Days....flying by

Reading ~

Wicked by Gregory Maguire. A friend highly recommended it and I must say it has drawn me in. I was skeptical and leary but I have been surprised.

Good Poems for Hard Times by Garrison Keiller. Thank you.

Listening ~

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown

Watching ~

Ladies in Lavendar can't remember where this recommendation came from......but it was someone in blogland.

Eating ~

Garden Salsa Sun Chips Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yummers!!!

Have a great weekend. And give your loved ones a big squeeze!!!

Lyn

Resurrection

One of my favorite songs lately is "Resurrection" by Nicol Sponberg.

I love her voice. I love the lyrics. I love the song.

When she sings ....

"What I've lost to the world what seems far beyond redemption
You can take the pieces in Your hand and make me whole again, again "

I can't help but cry. Every. Single. Time.

Lyn

Movies

We have been watching some movies lately. Some with the kids, some without. One I even watched all by my lonesome. It was nice!

Eragon - PG The Chosen One, Wise One and Rowdy One watched this. They were all over it. I was in the room, but my big comfy chair just made for a perfect napping spot!

The Guardian - PG13 Chosen One and I watched this by ourselves. It was intense in spots but a good movie. I like Kevin Costner and this movie fit him.

Everyone's Hero - G Hand picked by Rowdy One and a hit with everyone in the house!

The Holiday - PG13 This one I watched on my own. It was great. Happy, not real deep, loved the little cottage. All and all a light movie for a rough week. I do not like Cameron Diaz in most things and this really was no different but because of everyone else in the movie I could handle her.

Take the Lead - PG13 There were a few choice words that luckily my boys were out of the room for. I mean two that really had me. BUT, they were used in areas that were real. Not just put in for effect. Anyway, I could have done without them. And there were some situations that were a little over my boys heads. But it was a wonderful conversation starter. Which I never mind. Another crowd pleaser in our house.

Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker - PG Can't comment, the boys watched it at their grandparents. I can only imagine. But they have talked about it, so they liked it.

What are you watching?

Lyn

Downers and an upper!

Seriously, I have thought about not posting anything related to my personal life because it always seems to be a downer. In the last two weeks we have had two more deaths hit the family. One from a distance and one up close and personal.

My uncle passed away very unexpectantly, in another country, last week. While it was not in my face it took me a few days to absorb it. And I was a little stressed until my cousins were safely back in this country after attending to the overseas matters.

This weekend my closest friend's mother passed away. M and I met in 2nd grade and have shared many, many memories. Her parents are second parents to me and my parents are second parents to her. As we looked through pictures of her mother it became very apparent how close we were growing up. "Oh remember when she always wore those shoes." "Remember that vacation, when we went to....." "Oh that was in the old house, remember that wall paper!"

Her mother's battle with cancer was short, compared to what it can be, but it was no less difficult. Luckily, M is in a healthy place about it. There was some peace in that house. And that was comforting to me. Her dad looks very, very tired. This has aged him significantly.

As I sat with M I realized it was time for me to have baby. What a bizarre time, right? But as one more death occured in my life I just had this amazing feeling that is was time for me to give life. And when the end of my life comes I want my children to be comforted by siblings.

The Chosen One and I know we would like more children. Always talked of more. But there is always a reason to wait. Always something that makes us doubt we can handle one more thing on our plate. But yesterday this wave of peace and happiness and time to focus on life hit me. Maybe it is the Easter season. Maybe it is just that time. Maybe I was just still enough to hear the whisper.

Whatever it was I came home and talked to the Chosen One and of course he just grinned.

Maybe it is time. I am waiting for more guidance and whispers. I will try to hush the world around me and focus on listening.

Lyn

Blog-o-versary

My Blog-o-versary. I have been blogging for a year.

March 2006.

Wow, time flies. This all still seems new to me.

I have noted some funnies, a whole lot of cries and made several wonderful friends.

Happy Blog-o-versary!

Lyn

Some Favorites

Some are regular favs, others are all NEW!

I have oily skin but my old tired legs of 34 years were looking a bit.... scale-e, to put in nicely. They needed some tender love and oil. I found this. Normally when I see the word "oil" on anything that is to go on my skin I run the other way but I decided to give it a try. It is wonderful!

As always, this lady gives me much to think about. Some things I have swimming in my head I just can't get them out on paper/computer screen. Others I have never thought of. I always find something of interest!

The Old Man Who Loved Cheese by Garrison Keillor. Plenty of giggles in the pictures and the text.

I showed you guys her wedding announcement. And I hope you have been going back. Always refreshing. She has become a fav of mine.

You must look at her etsy shop. You MUST!!!! I gave her as a Christmas present to a friend and really wish I would have kept it. Really, that is how selfish I am.

And of course....without this in the morning, I am not. worth. much. Fully leaded, on ice,love it with a straw. Tried to give it up for Lent. Failed. Have. to. have. it. For the safety of those around me.

What are some of your favorites?

Lyn

Spring Cleaning

What do you do with:

~ cards that people have sent you?

~ books, that you don't think you are gonna read.....but you never know, you might?

~ magazines. And don't tell me to pull out what I like because I already tried that and have discovered that it is much neater to keep them in their magazine state. I have tons of pulled out pages lying around.

WHAT DO YOU DO????? Help...................

Lyn

Quote Monday

In my thoughts this week.

"We have a tendency to obscure the forest of simple joys with the trees of
problems."

Christiane Collange

Wonderful Day!

The weather was nice. The company was great! What a wonderful family day it was.

We first headed to a Native American Pow-wow, a wonderful heads up from our homeschooling group we still stay in contact with. While we didn't get to see the dancers like we had hoped we saw plenty of artwork, handmade jewlery and Native American tools and weapons. We also tasted a bison wrap on homemade fried bread. Fried bread, I say! YUM-EEE! Rowdy One and I even tried a bit of white sage. Rowdy One declared it to be much like he thought a leaf would taste. I, on the other hand, thougth it to be a bit methol-y.

Next we headed over to Froberg's. Now as long as we have lived in this area and heard of this place this was our first visit. And we will surely be going back. We enjoyed picking our own ruby ripe strawberries and tasting sausage from the smokehouse. We brought home dinner of fresh asparagus, fresh green beans, ribs and sausage. And a wonderful homemade lemon pie.

Wise One and Rowdy One enjoyed being with us and being outside on a beautiful day. I enjoyed making some weekend memories. Chosen One enjoyed the change of pace.

Come on spring time. I think I might just be ready for you!

Lyn

Sometimes......I feel like a volcano

ABOUT TO ERUPT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going on all at the same time.......around me.......while I am PMSing....

Dinger going off while Wise One practices his math facts. He won't go turn it off because he is finishing up one problem so I have to listen to beep....beep....beep....beep all while having this conversation with Rowdy One........

"Go brush your teeth."

"What is his name?"

"I don't know, Leahy, I think."

"He name is Leahy?"

"Yes, go brush your teeth."

"His whole name is Leahy, that is weird."

"His first name is Patrick. Go brush your teeth."

"Like Saint Patrick."

blink.............

"Yes, like Saint Patrick. Go. Bursh. Your. Teeth."

"Was Saint Patrick a saint?"

"I will not speak to you UNTIL you BRUSH YOUR TEETH."

"Geez.....I just asked if Saint Patrick was a saint."

Back from brushing his teeth.

"Mommy, feel my ribs. Just do this...right here on my ribs."

"Did you brush your teeth."

"Yes, feel by ribs."

"With toothpaste?"

Looking at me with really narrow eyes.....and stomps off!

CALGON...............take me away. With a bottle of wine and some ear plugs before someone loses a limb!!

Lyn

Fish Pudding?

"What kind of pudding is that daddy?"

"Tapioca"

"EWWW!!! Fish Pudding!?!

"Tapioca....not Tilapia, Wise One!"

"Oh! I'm still not eating it!"

Giggle, giggle. We had tilapia on Monday, I guess he thought I used the leftovers to make pudding on Friday!!!! Silly kid.

Lyn

Just when I think I get a handle....

I realize I have a handle on NOTHING!

This poor little blog has become very quiet in the last several weeks. For those that read it...hang in there with me. I have a friend who lives far, far, VERY far away from me who reads it to keep tabs on me. Non ~ I am fine just taking it day by day and that sometimes doesn't allow me to blog. And then there are those whom I have never met that give me encouragement and prayer through this blog. I still need the prayers, especially when I am not blogging!

There is just so much going on in my head these days. It is all a little overwhelming to a simple girl like me. I try to write it, hell I try to think it, and it gets all jumbled and senseless so I just keep it tucked in my head. Some days, that is not a good idea. So if you come here and read a jumbled mess don't worry I am safe and sound, I have plenty real life people around me that know my struggles. I am well taken care of......sometimes I just need a place to release all the stuff in my head. And that place is this little ole blog. It started as a place to document my funnies, my adventures with my family and my deep serious thougths. It has become the place to documents all the tough things in my life. One day I hope it comes back to where it started.

*****funny of the day*****

This weekend I purchased one of these for Chosen One. Rowdy One was looking at it this morning and said, "Is this for daddy to polish his meat with that butter water?" after a giggle and shake of the my head it occured to me how funny his mind must be, or any kid for that matter. The way they think about things. The way they make the world work for them so that it makes sense.

Lyn

So soon?!?!?!

Daylight savings time.

Lyn

Blog Finds

I found this blog a bit ago and enjoy peeking in every once in awhile. This post made me happy. What a cute and FUN idea.

Love, love, love this place.

Well, this morning I woke up with dirty blonde hair and tonight I go to bed a more burnette with red highlights kind of gal. I love it. It is short. It is sassy and I have been told I look younger. I can deal with that.

Lyn

My Mother in Law

I remember before I was married the horror stories some had a their mother in laws. I had some girlfriends who had real "made for TV" encounters with their mother in laws. But me, I got lucky. I lived in a garage apartment above my in laws for 3 years and couldn't have been happier. When we moved to our first house I had to go through all the emotions of "leaving home" again.

We did have our ups and downs but we could always talk about them. Work through them. They never festered. I have the same relationship with my father in law. We can agree to disagree and be fine with it.

As a mother of five sons I think the daughter in law thing was overwhelming at times. Some of us she got along with better than others. As long as we treated her boys well she was happy. Her loyalty to them was fierce. She was the truest of mother hens. Many days when I make that reference it is my mother in law I am modeling after.

She taught me many things in her kitchen. Many things about our shared religion. She guided me down many paths I may have never found with out her. We made a quilt together. I would cut, she would sew. I designed, she made it work. She taught me to use leftovers in very creative ways. And that sometimes that little something special is a warm cake right out of the oven, no icing needed. She taught me that prayer is sometimes all we have to offer. And that giving to God is as necessary as breathing.

One Easter I had given up chocolate for Lent. She called me down at 11:30 pm to help her make up the Easter candy table for our family Easter party the next day and as soon as the grandfather clock in her living room struck midnight she pulled out my very own bag of chocolates. And she sat and ate it with me as we giggled. I can remember that like it was yesterday and it was more than nine years ago.

She came to the hospital when Wise One was born. Traveled 45 min to get there. All my other sister in laws told me how surprised they were. She had not come to the hospital when their babies were born. I felt very special. But I also felt my son was not just my own. It was her baby, having a baby and she was so proud of Chosen One. Not taking anything away from her other sons, but Chosen One was her baby and things were just different at times with him. She was a little more protective. A little more forgiving of his mistakes.

When she suffered her first stroke about two years ago I greived the mother in law I had known. Her personality changed and I missed her dearly. When the cancer with discovered a year later I almost couldn't hold it together at times. I knew what was coming. It mirrored what happened to my grandmother when I was eleven years old. I knew what was coming and I knew I would be a part of caring for this woman who had given me so much. Mainly, her fifth son.

The night before she passed we all spent the night at her house. We all slept in the same room with her. If she could have sat up and seen it I am sure she would have laughed. It looked like a big ole slumber party. In her honor. When she took her last breath the next morning we were all with her. Surrounding the bed, praying and lifting her up.

I am glad the cancer has released her. I am glad she is with all those she loved that passed before her. I am glad she is at peace.

But I miss her. I miss her in the depths of my bones. I miss her gentle smile. I miss her laugh and her squeezes she gave my sons. And I miss seeing her eyes light up at the sight of Chosen One. And his eyes lighting in return.

Lyn

Processing

Still porcessing emotions but I thought I would let y'all know why I have been so quiet and will be a little quiet in the days to come.

My mother in law passed away on Saturday with her family by her side. Her funeral was today.

Now the healing begins for those that on still on earth. It has been a long tough road for many reasons.

Lyn

Sweeties for my Sweeties!

A few years ago I came across a recipe that made my husband VERY happy. It was for a cookie he loved. Sweeties. They are tasty and light. Can be colored pink for Valentine's, green for St. Patrick's, yellow for Easter or the prettiest light shade of pink or blue for baby showers. So in celebration of a batch of sweeties I made last night, for my house of sweeties, I leave you with this wonderful cookie recipe.

Sweeties:

cookie
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter - softened
3 eggs
2 tsp almond extract
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Cream first four ingredents. Add dry. Swirl in food coloring to your liking. Roll into balls and flatten slightly with the smooth bottom of a glass. Bake at 350 for 8-10 mins. Cool on wire rack.

glaze
powdered sugar - a cup or so
milk - a tad
almond extract - a tad
food coloring to your liking

This is a glaze not an icing so if you get it to thin add more sugar, to thick a bit more milk.

Glaze cookies while still warm.

Enjoy!

Lyn

Happy Birthday Chosen One!

Thirty-four years old. Three and a Four. Thirty-three plus one. Six years till forty. Anyway you look at it one year older. One year wiser. One year tired-er. One year maturer. One more year of past experiences. One more year of a few gray hairs!

I am so glad I am taking this ride with you. You know how to make me laugh at my lowest. Make me smile through my tears. And make me giggle till my sides hurt. You make me....me.

Happy thirty-fourth birthday!!!!

Lyn

Don't they look snug?

Go here to check out more "Photos of the Day" I love this page.

Lyn

Prayers

Requesting prayers:

Four years ago today my friend, Mis, watched her four month old die from injuries caused by the trusted babysitter. Pray for her continued healing and strength for her and her family.

My mother in law is declining more and more everyday. Pray for comfort and peace and hope for her husband and five sons.

e - just pray for her. Pray for laughter, strength, smiles, hope, comfort, friendship, sunshine, and contentness. Pray for strong mentally fit doctors and nurses who understand they are dealing with a person not a number. Pray that she feels the warmth of friends who love her deeply.

Lyn

Quote Monday

Poor little bloggy blog, no time for you these days. But I am making a really good effort to post a couple of times a week! Really I am! Really...

Love, love my job. I almost feel guilty saying that. As if that means I am glad I went back to work. Which I am NOT! But if I have to I am glad I have this job to go to!

"Most of the people I know who have what I want - which is to
say, purpose, heart, balance, gratitude, joy - are people with a deep sense of
spirituality......They follow a brighter light than the glimmer of their own
candle; they are part of something beautiful. I saw something
once.....that said, 'A human life is like a single letter of the alphabet.
It can meaningless. Or it can be part of a great meaning.' "

~Anne Lamott~

Exciting

I have GOT to lead you here. And you have GOT to listen to the song and watch the video!

Very cool!

Thems some cute little Canadians! And talented to boot! Congrats to the proud mama!

Lyn

My OWN Strength

To show me my own strength God sent me Chosen One with a new kind of Blue Bell! It is called Cake Batter. CAKE BATTER, I say! And it is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But you see I can't handle dairy without medicine and even with medicine sometimes ice cream still makes me sick. So I took a nibble. Just a nibble.

STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!

I prayed for it. Nobody to blame but myself.

Lyn

Strength

This past Sunday, as I sat in the pew next to my Rowdy One who was proving his name, in church no less, I prayed for strength. I asked God to guide me to strength, to show me strength and to help me with strength. Many days I feel like I am crumbling. So I prayed for strength for my family and for me.

Since Sunday this is what I have been shown. And I have taken a deep breath each time and recognized them. They are strength, my examples and my models. Sent to me from God. A gentle whisper telling me they are all around me and even when I crumble they are there to lift me up.

*a lone white dove in amongst the other fifty sitting on a power line. Seen while I was putting gas in my car. We have dove all around us. I see dove every single day. But this is the first time I have seen a snow white dove in the midst of all the regular gray ones. She was not afraid. She entered their chat feast as one of them. No matter she was stark white and they were dark. Strength......

*a friend making a deep decision. Facing things that she should not have to face. Make decisions that she should not be faced with. And all the while doing it with hope and commitment to the ones she loves. Strength.......

*Wise One jumping out of the car this morning and hollering "hey Nicole" to a girl he barely knows but one he calls a friend. This from my shy one. This from my one who would rather stand in the rain than have someone notice him. Strength.............

*my Chosen One lending his strength to his mother. She can no longer get around by herself. Her strong legs have given out. Her strong mind is wavering. And he is lending her his strength to prepare her for bed. He is lending her his strength in the one sided conversations he continues to have with her. He is showing me strength.............

*a single, bright sunflower in a yard that I drive by every single day. I have never noticed this sunflower until today. It is in the middle of the yard. It is the dead of winter. We just had a cold snap and while everything else is wilted and dying this sunflower is strong and tall. And BRIGHT! Strength.....................

I hope everyone gets a glimpse of strength today, in their everyday.

Lyn

Sickies

Rowdy One woke us up Saturday and was sick. You know what this mother hen's first thought was? Oh we will have a day with Rowdy One on the couch and the rest of us can hang around and watch movies. Poor guy is sick but at least he will be down and contained for the day. What an awful thought.......................

But true to his name, Rowdy One was sick and then up playing. Sick and then running around the house. Sick and then wanting to go outside. Every time he got sick he was down for all of about 5 seconds and then off again.

I should be a glad mother hen. Instead I was a tired mother hen.

This was his first encounter with "vomit". After he got sick the first time I heard him asking Chosen One, did I just throw-up? Was that throw-up? He had not a clue and once he realized he was not possessed I think he was a little proud!

Six year old's can even make sickies funny!

Lyn

Staff?

As I am getting ready to leave this morning the phone rings. Without even looking I answer it and am greeted by a woman who then proceeds to butcher my last name, "may I please speak to Mrs. ^$#&*(?" At this point I knew it was a telamarketer and I said, sorry she is not it.

"Well, then may I speak to someone on her staff?"

Blink. Blink.

"Her what?"

"Her staff, may I speak to someone on her staff?"

"She has no staff."

"Oh, well I will call another time."

Now I have thought of this all day. Who would be calling me thinking I had a staff????

Kinda funny!!!

Lyn

Shorts and Sweaters

I have lived in South Texas long enough, all 34 yrs of my grand ole life, that I know you very well could be wearing shorts on Christmas, that you never pack away your summer clothes and you have very few winter clothes which your rarely unpack. I don't even own a "winter" coat. I own several "windbreakers" some lined if it is really cold. But this weather we are having now is really getting to me. Yesterday it was 75 degrees and I was in shorts. Right now it is 33 degrees and raining with a chance it might warm to 45!

I DON'T HAVE CLOTHES FOR THIS, DEAR WEATHER GODS!!!! And I have to go to work! Please, have mercy on my thinskinned self!

Yes, I am working on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As my boss said "sorry, but this is football season for us." as in tax season. I am glad that the boys and Chosen One get to stay snug in their jammies for the day!

Lyn

Cracked. Me. Up.

I am catching up on my blog reading. When I got to this story I had to get the box of kleenex, I laughed so hard. I love the way she writes and that she is not afraid to tell these tales.

Seriously. I was C.R.Y.I.N.G. I was laughing so hard just imagining the pictures in my mind as the story was unfolding.

Just imagining a child in a highchair saying "I see fire!" is enough to make me start laughing all over again.

Lyn

What a week!

This past week was our first full week in work/school mode. I fell into bed exhausted last night at like 8pm!

The boys are thriving in school. Thank God! And I am not saying that lightly! Thank you God above!!!!! There are some things I have issue with at Rowdy One's school but they are minor and I just need to make my concerns known and I am sure there is a fix. Wise One is having a grand time learning the ins and outs of his new enviroment. They are both very bright kids and are excelling in the new setting. I could list all the things I miss/am concerned with/wish were different but I am not. I am listing all the positives we have had this week. And there have been many.

Work is great. Really. Great. I am very capable and my new bosses are very good about telling me that. The verbal reenforcements are good since I was/am having such a hard time with the transistion. It is a pleasant atmosphere with no real stress and lots of positive vibes. My office is right next to Rowdy One's school so I can skip over there for lunch with him any time I want. I also do not have to be at work until 9 so we are not rushed in the morning. I have cuddle time and all. And the pay is nice. Truly. That is the main reason for returning to the workforce. And it will relieve some stress fairly quickly and help us get back on our feet. And working for CPAs has some perks, as in wonderful advice and education on some long term things at my finger tips.

Ah! All around this week was a good one.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes I have received. I have felt wrapped in prayer and good thoughts and I so appreciate the kindness!

Lyn

Smiles.

As Rowdy One was getting ready for his bath .....

"Mommy, sometimes my tummy hurts and I think I need to go to the bathroom but then I let out a toot and I feel better."

"Yes, sweetie, that is called passing gas."

"Did that happen to you when you were a kid?"

"Well, yeah, and it still happens to me now."

"Awe man, you mean it can happen any time in your life?"

Blink. Blink. Smile. Smile.

**************************************************************
More smiles over the phone when a friend calls to tell me all the good things that happened to her today. Really, just simple everyday things that she received great happiness from.

Smile. Smile.

**************************************************************
A wonderful email from a friend with a list of what makes her smile.

It is nice to have a friend so content with her life. Even if she is thousands of miles away and I miss her terribly. Just knowing that her choice to move, a thousand miles away!, have brought her great joy make me...

Smile. Smile. Smile.

**************************************************************
A sweet little arm wrapping around my neck, as I type on the computer, asking me to come lay down with him.

Smile. Smile. BIG smiles.......

Off to read bedtime stories and cuddle with one of my favorite guys!

Lyn

Positive Thoughts

"All the great blessings of my life are present in my thoughts
today." Phoebe Cary

Positive List for TODAY:

Having a FAB-U-LOUS outfit to wear today! And Chosen One making a wonderful comment about it.
Being greeted with much excitement at the new work place.
Having these waiting for me when I got home. Man, was I ever glad to slip into them! (a Christmas present from one of my favorite aunts that I wear Every. Single. Day.)
Easy and yummy dinner. Homemade pizza.

Lyn

Books

Three books in four days. All were good and I enjoyed them keeping my mind busy.

The Dog Walker by Leslie Schnur Raunchy at times but funny all the same. I picked this up on whim at the library.

Giovanni's Light by Phyllis Theroux I looked for this before Christmas and it was checked out so I read it after Christmas. Good, no matter when it is read. A good quick read.

Marley & Me by John Grogan Recommended by my aunt and my sister received it for Christmas so I read it yesterday while the guys cooked and watched football! It made me laugh, out loud!, cry and run and hug my dog!

Lyn

Positive Thoughts

In looking for some positive things today I found this:

"If you pay attention to the darkness, you'll never find the light."

Yeah, okay, I can go with that.

Positive List for TODAY:

Boys talking, with excitment, about school.
Visiting with a friend.
Chosen One cooking fried shrimp.
Comments from blog friends to let me know they care.
Four Legged One, that dog really makes me smile.
Cleaning out the pantry and reorganizing.
No where I had to be today.

Lyn

School

Well, they are there. Tucked in with the other 600 children in their schools. They were troopers. I was a mess, well not until I got to the car, but a mess all the same. I felt like I was going to throw up or run back in and rescue them. I barely contained both feelings. It has been exactly 30 minutes since I saw them and I miss them TERRIBLY! This is not how I want things. I do not think I have ever had this feeling before....this feeling of swimming against the tide in MAKING myself do something. This is worse than my fight with depression or is it worse because of my fight with depression? Well meaning people say "they will be fine". And all I want to scream is I DON'T WANT THEM TO JUST BE FINE!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought something for myself for Christmas. A sign that reads "if you're handed it you can handle it". Well, today that is a bunch of hooey. And I should have jerked my hand away as it was being handed to me.

I am going for some retail therapy. It is raining and grey out and I need to leave the house of homeschooling books and toys. I feel like a failure today.

Lyn

200th Post

And for my 200th post I leave you with some of my family's favorite things in 2006!

From the fam:

Everest: Beyond the Limit on Discovery Channel

Iron Chef America on Food Network

Mancala

Story of the World

baked potatoes with steamed broccoli

Skippyjon Jones as talked about here

This animal!

From Me:

Broccoli Salad

Brothers and Sisters on ABC

Cottage Living ~ I love this mag!!

this hand cream

these earrings ~ they are the first ones I reach for when I go for earrings.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven as noted here. I still think of this book. And I have since seen the movie and was not disappointed. It still makes me think and wonder.

What are some of your favorites?

Lyn

The J.O.B.

This is a hard and exciting and nauseating and wonderful post.

I have a job, starting the 8th. Wise One and Rowdy One will begin public school starting the 4th.

There I typed it. Now I can go and cry.

This decision has been a tough one for me. Tough for my family. The job will relieve some very stressful situations, financially. My hope it that relieving that stress will free up a lot of good energy to fill our lives with.

The public school part....I really can't talk about it yet. Very emotional for me.

But the job is a wonderful job, working for wonderful people I have known for years. They are very family oriented. There is much excitement in that their business is growing in a new way. They are excited to have me, which makes it nice to go to work. I have purchased some FAB-O work clothes that I am sure I will get tired of wearing but I am riding the high as long as I can. The job is local and there are some flexibilities that are hard to find these days. And it pays! I get a pay check! Twice a month!!! Money!!! Oh, that will feel good, even if it doesn't stay in our account!

Lyn

This new year.

What 2007 means to me?

Still processing.....

Lots and lots of changes coming up for my family.

Some sad things that I know will come in 2007.

Many exciting things that will sprinkle in.

It is all a little overwhelming when I look back on 2006. It was a HARD year my friends. And I know many hard things are being carried over to 2007 because life just doesn't get wrapped up nice and tidy that way. If I could pour everything in a envelope and mark it "2006" and file it in the attic with the other forgotten memories, I would!

I am thinking and rearranging and understanding and growing. My years seem to be so adult these days.

One thing I will focus on this year will be bits and pieces of fun. I will embrace the silliness when it peeks out at me. I will laugh a little longer and a little deeper. I will enjoy what is offered to enjoy. The rest is still marinating in my head.

More to come..........

Lyn

Admin

Could you try to post a comment? I was told, thank you Elise, that comments were not working. I messed around a bit and think it might be fixed!

Lyn

Darts

Rowdy One received a Dart Board from Santa.

Yes, Santa Baby, is encouraging Rowdy One to throw things. I need to talk to that Santa Baby! While they are soft tip darts it is still throwing something at something and being rewarded. I think our therapist will have a whole session on this one!


Heard while the boys were taking their shower, yes together. But without their squelchy things!.......

"Hey, Wise One, wanta play darts when we get out?"

"Yeah, and then we can play Mancala."

"And then we can play The Game of Life."

"Yeah!"

I am writing this down to come back to when the darts are not being thrown at the dart board and the stones from Mancala become projectile objects and no one can find the cars from The Game of Life!

Lyn

Note to self

My boys are too close to use these properly. I try to tell them that they must be seperate, by oh maybe a room, from each other for these to work and be.... !!!!FUN!!!!

"But mommy, we want to play together."

"Well, I know guys but these work when you are in two different places. But you are still playing together."

"Oh. But we don't want to be in two different places. We want to play together, right next to each other."

I think this is a good thing.

So they use these squelchy sounding things, right next to each other.

And love it!

Adults, we really must think out of the box.

Lyn

Merry Christmas!

I am signing off for the holidays. I need to focus on the season. I need to focus on and enjoy my family. We have not been doing much enjoying of anything.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

Long, Long Ago

Winds through the olive trees
Softly did blow,
Round little Bethlehem
Long, long ago.

Sheep on the hillside lay
Whiter than snow;
Shepards were watching them,
Long, long ago.

Then from the happy sky,
Angels bent low,
Singing their songs of joy,
Long, long ago.

For in a manger bed,
Cradled we know,
Christ came to Bethlehem,
Long, long ago.

Anonymous, found in The Family Read-Aloud Christmas Treasury

Enjoy the season!

Lyn

Christmas Laughs

I either love Will Ferrell or hate Will Ferrell. Thankful in Elf I love Will Ferrell. It is one of the few things that can make me laugh at the moment!

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

"Francisco! That's fun to say! Francisco... Frannncisco... Franciscooo..."

"Have you seen these toilets? They're GINORMOUS! "

"I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins."

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."

14 years

My friend is celebrating her 14th wedding anniversary, alone. Her first anniversary without her beloved next to her. In a couple of days she will celebrate her birthday. And then Christmas and New Years. All with her heart broken into a million pieces.

“No greater grief than to remember days of gladness when sorrow is at hand” ~Friedrich von Schiller

Come on 2007!

I tweezed a gray hair from my eyebrow this morning. First one. I think I grew it within the last two weeks. I think I have aged, more than one gray eyebrow hair, within the last two weeks. I am ready for a hopeful 2007 to be here!

This was almost the last straw for me. Funny, what the last straw can be! More times than not it is something you would normally not notice.

Lyn

Recipe for the weekend

I have no idea where I found this recipe. It is written on the inside cover of one of my favorite recipe books.

Crockpot Taco Casserole

1 lb ground meat, browned and drained
taco seasoning, use the package or your own, either way about a package worth
small can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 can enchilada sauce
can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained or leftover homemade pintos, whatever you have
can of fiesta corn (the kind with bell peppers) or any leftover corn you have
corn tortillas
cheddar cheese, at least a 1/2 lb shredded but we use more!

Combine meat and taco seasoning, set aside.
Combine chicken stock, tomato sauce, and enchilada sauce, set aside.

Butter inside of crockpot. Lay 3 tortillas on the bottom, top with meat mixture. Then add stock mixture. Top with cheese. Layer 3 more tortillas, then beans, then corn and again cheese. Top with 3 corn tortillas and any and all cheese remaining. Cook on low for 6 or so hours.

Serve with lettuce and tomato salad and chips, cause in my house if the kids can "dip" it they will eat it!

Very handy to have the canned goods on hand or use leftovers from the fridge!

Lyn

Taking a step back.....

"The sun was shining in my eyes, and I could barely see
To do the necessary task that was allotted me.
Resentment of the vivid glow, I started to complain--
When all at once upon the air I heard the blind man’s cane."

- Earl Musselman

Christmas Joy

I pulled out the Christmas Book basket last night. I love The Little Book of Christmas Joys. While there is nothing earth shattering in this little package it certainly has some fun ideas and wonderful reminders of things to do during the season.

#78 ~ Tip someone who doesn't expect it.

#254 ~ Ask the oldest married man and the youngest married woman (or vice versa) to pull the Christmas turkey wishbone.

#360 ~ Ask children, "What are you giving for Christmas?" instead of "What are you getting for Christmas?"

#378 ~ As you pack up the Christmas tree decorations, ask family members to write a prediction for the coming year on a piece of paper. Put them in the ornament box and read them next year.

and the last one in the book......
#432 ~ Don't forget whose birthday we're celebrating!

Lyn

Going through the motions

It seems I am just going through the motions this year. We put up the tree. I let the boys totally decorate it. No rearranging. Just leaving it alone. Not even bringing all my decorations out. We just got a call from one of Chosen One's brothers, 'how 'bout we have Christmas Eve lunch catered by local Mexican food joint?' All I could muster was a very laid back, 'works for me'. Now any other time this would have not happened but that fact that someone else in the family suggested it makes me believe that we are all feeling a bit, uh, overwhelmed! We have been hanging up our Jesse Tree ornaments but not much of the reading is being done. I have some Christmas shopping done but I have to say this will be a slim Christmas for several reasons, one being I can not bring myself to shop.

I reach out for you. I thirst for you as a parched land thirsts
for rain. -Psalm 143:6

Please pray

~for my mother in law and our family.
~for my friend as she faces a tough time without her husband.
~for "e".
~for all those that have lost their way.

Lyn

Thought of the day, and many days to come!

"Giving control of our lives to God doesn't mean we let go of our resposiblilites. It simply means we leave the worry and the results to God."

I found this on page 9 of a wonderful little book called The Power of a Positive Wife by Karol Ladd. It was an "ah" moment. And I have been comforted by it ever since I read it.

Lyn

Today

This about sums up how I feel, 'cept my thighs aren't that toned!

This is one of my favorite sites. The photos submitted are breathtaking on most days. And then on other days it's like looking in a mirror. That is how this frog made me feel today. But he does look like he has a pretty good grip, so that makes me hopeful!

Lyn

Lemon Cookies

In need of something to lift our spirits.

Lemon Cookies with fresh lemons from my in laws tree.

Yum!

Lyn

more of This and That

Several of you have asked about a part time job or working from home. I do that right now. Do we have a satellite? No, already cut. Do we receive the newspaper? No cut also, read on line. Can you cut your entertainment/clothing budget? What entertainment/clothing budget!?

We have turned this snow globe every which way. And at the moment there is only one way to keep afloat. Well, next to winning the lotto! But since someone just won in our zip code I think the deck is stacked against us, there!

We have discussed this with the boys and they are being great about it. Just enough "mommy, I will miss our snuggle time" and "mommy, you taught me so well I won't have a bit of trouble" mixed in with the "I am excited to meet new friends" that it is making it bearable for me to have the conversations with them.

However, when I called to make arrangements to enroll Wise One and was told what all needed to be done including a math and reading test to make sure he should be in 3rd grade and that the test could take TWO hours I almost hung up in disgust and vomited! A two hour math test for a third grader!!!! I hung up the phone and prayed. Truly. There was nothing else I could do. I prayed that God will lead me and my children and keep us safe and secure.

Believe me. I know there are worse things in the world. I do. Some of them I know up close and personal. But this is really tugging at my heart. This is really hard. We will get through it. We will be strong and positive. Some major stress will be relieved and that will be good for our family.

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My mother in law has had a couple of good days. We have seen more of her personality. While this is more than likely just temporary we are enjoying it and enjoying seeing her smile. And my boys are learning a lot from their grammy and the people around her. They are learing about life.

Lyn

Wrestling

We are wrestling with some things on the homefront, over and above the normal family stuff. Basically, the need for me to return to work. I can not deny our financial situation any longer. We have cut all we can possibly cut and are still not meeting ends. Really it goes beyond that.

This has lead to sleepless nights, knotted stomachs, talking and more talking. And yes, prayer. Really, I know it is in His hands and He will guide our famliy. But for some reason in the middle of the night when I am at my wits end and I turn it over to Him I always end up taking it back to worry over more the next time my eyes open.

I love, I mean really love, being home with my boys. It takes my breath away to think of not seeing them all day. Of not being there to witness their learning for eight hours................that was even hard to type.

Ugggg! I can't type anymore.

Prayers please. Please. I can't wrestle this alone.

Lyn

BRRRRRR!!!!

Right now it is 30 degrees Farenheit outside with a wind chill of 25!

We don't get weather like this is these here parts of coastal Texas!

Brrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lyn

Car Conversation Part II

"Mommy, did that sign say speed limit 55?"

"Why yes, Rowdy One, it did. You read it! Way to go!"

"Then why are your going 60?"

"Oh. Well. I guess I do need to slow down a bit. Thank you, sweetie."

a few minutes later......

"Mommy, green is for go, yellow is for slow and red is for stop."

"You are right Rwody One."

"Then why didn't you slow down?"

Don't you just love when they are back seat drivers at SIX!

ThankyouVERYmuch.

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Our days with my mother in law are flowing nicely. We do our school work, bake cookies and watch movies and then prepare dinner for them and eat with them when Chosen One gets there.

Wise One has a severe case of poison ivy that has spread to his face and other delicate areas. He is handling it like a trooper but today we filled some medicine from the dr. that he has to swallow and you would have thought we were asking him to drink drano! But he finally got it down with a scoop of peanut butter and some apple sauce. Probably both things that counteract with the medicine! OY!

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It seems I am facing death of a couple of loved ones. Both by the awful thing that is cancer. Six letters that change everything. I am a person that has to process. That has to prepare. Whether it be preparing for a feast or preparing my brain and heart for what is coming, I must prepare. So that I can see it for what it is and not totally go wildly mad. I walk on a fine line of sane and insane, these days. Watching those you love die gets really old. And now the numbers seem to be stacking up and in order for me to stay on the sane side of the line I must push forward and embrace what I know is coming. I must find a place and put It there. Some think this is morbid. I think, for me, it is a very healthy thing. Some think I am obsessing. I think, for me, I am processing. Some think I am looking at the negative. I think, for me, I am embracing the positive.

We live our whole life trying to get to heaven. I do not look at death as a horrible thing. The suffering is what gets me down. The heartache of watching people not able to handle the death of a loved one makes me sad. The process is what can be hard. But death. Death is not the enemy. Many times it is our emotions attached to death.

"There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is
love, the only survival, the only meaning."

Thornton Wilder
The Bridge of San Luis Rey

My baby is SIX!

Rowdy One turned six on Saturday. We spent the day here in honor of a little boy who loves sharks! Nana and Papa, Aunt L and Uncle J, cousins O and L, along with Beck and Little M. It was a beautiful day and Rowdy One had a wonderful time. The shark voyage was is favorite! He is still talking of it. He rode the ferris wheel with Chosen One, Wise One and Nana because Mommy is AFRAID, SCARED TO DEATH of heights. Everyone enjoyed the change of pace and lots of smiles!!!

In the last two weeks Rowdy One has lost his first tooth followed by the second one a day later. He took his training wheels off and has not stopped riding his bike except to sleep. And he has, to me, been a little less fearful of things. He is growing up. Stretching out. Thinking crooked. Seeing life in a whole new light! With six year old eyes. He makes me smile everyday. He makes his brother giggle and makes his daddy shake his head! He is a treasure.

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I may not be around as much as I would like in the coming weeks. They have discovered several tumors in my mother in laws brain, she had lung cancer this time last year. The boys and I will be caring for her in the afternoons. Our days will be pretty full. I will try to keep up with everyone as best I can.

And please keep us all in prayers.

Lyn

It started out as a innocent question.

Conversation in the van today:

Rowdy One "Mommy, how many Thanksgivings did you and daddy have without Wise One?"

"Three" simple reply by me.

"How many without me?"

"Five."

"So you were alone for three years?"

"Yes, daddy and I were married three years before we had you babies!" I answered with a sweet grin on my face.......thinking, YES, dear little one three years of quiet and three years of finishing your dinner plate and I was continuing to think of days gone by when Wise One pipes up.......with THE question. THE. QUESTION. Seriously, we were having a very simple, innocent Thanksgiving discussion. And then...............

Wise One "How do you make babies?"

"What did you say? I think I misunderstood."

"How do you make babies? Does it just happen? Or do you do something special?"

In my head I am saying, oh you do something special alright Mr. and I ain't havin' this conversation now. You are only eight years old! And my heart can't take this.

As I try to control my breathing I think...short and sweet. Only as much informtion as they ask.

"Well, sweetie, God gives a man a special gift and a woman a special gift and when they come together in love they have a baby."

"Oh."

Well, look at that. He is satisfied and I can calm down.

"Well, what about cousin C.?"

Cousin C is a nineteen year old cousin that is unwed and pregnant. The famliy just found out. Now while I know worse things could happen to a family I just wasn't quite sure how to explain this to my eight year old in regards to how it happened.

So we talked of gifts God gives and we talked of free will. We talked of choices. We talked of hardships for Cousin C, the baby and the father, who is wanting nothing to do with the baby. We discussed all of this.

And then he says "So the gifts are sperm and eggs? Like when seahorses are born, only the daddy carries them."

"Yes, sweetie, basically yes." Dang Discovery Channel!

And that was it. As innocent it was started it ended. It wasn't until I pulled in the driveway that I realized our tightly I was griping the steering wheel.

Innocent car conversation.

OY!

Lyn

Headline that caught my eye.

Secret Santa

Lyn

Current Favorites

Listening to:

A Toad for Tuesday by Russell E. Erickson ~ our library has a sound recording of this and it is wonderful to listen to. Both boys really enjoy it.

Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse by Judy Schachner ~ when I read this I butchered the silly words. Luckily it came with a cd with the story read by the author. Wonderfully silly and funny. While it is no literary masterpiece and at times I thought it didn't make a lot of sense and was hard to follow, it made my two giggle over and over!

Watching:

The Joy Luck Club ~ just finished the book, had to see the movie. I cried and cried at the end. I enjoyed watching it.

A Midsummer Night's Dream ~ produced by the BBC and Time Life, couldn't find a link. Wise One and I have enjoyed this.

Reading:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott ~ I have had this copy since I was nine years old I think it is high time I find our what all the fuss is about.

Lyn

Holy Jalapeno!

I finally put my links up. Just had to sit down and do it. Uninterrupted.

Lyn

Searching

The holiday season is upon me. No way to get around it. I used to enjoy the season and I think I still can, I just have to get my head straight. Family stress, financial stress, food stress, stress, stress, stress! That is what I see. Now isn't that sad? Really, pretty SAD!

Today I pulled my lazy bones out of bed early to take a short walk. My real motivation was that we were out of Dr. Pepper and I have to walk by little neighborhood store in the process of exercising so it made my "fix" more justifiable. I did wait until after I completed said 20 minute walk to purchase said fix! Come on, what do you take me for?

Anyway, during my walk I was searching. How can I get my "groove"(Beck knows she needs to get her groove on as well!) in the mood for the holidays? There is something more than this feeling I am feeling, isn't there? This is not they way the season is supposed to start out, is it? In my searching I know I am learning. I am learning the hard way because I am a slow learner. Very slow.......

Every moring I visit places like this and this. And, oh, this one too. So peaceful. So clear. So intent. So content! I am searching for a feeling like that. I know what I believe. At least I think I know what I believe, most of the time. I know this is His season. I know that. I know I want my children to know that. I want them to feel that. But my actions don't always, naturally, show that. And that is what I am searching to correct.

He is what I am searching for.

Lyn

Jackpot!

When Chosen One and I ate Saturday night for our anniversary one of our topics was what we would do if we won the lotto. Earlier in the day we watched a show on TLC that was about regular people who had won a power ball and what they did with their money. One man won a gazillion dollars and at the time he was unemployed and needed back surgery. The things is purchased just boggled our minds. Statues and statues of people/goddesses/animals that were each at least $200,000. What? I mean it is his money and he did do several good deeds that the show highlighted but 50 statues each worth that much is just not for me.

Anyway, we decided to play the lotto that night. Can't win if you don't play! We purchased 11 tickets in honor of eleven years. Ten quick picks and one ticket we used important dates. About 10:30pm we checked the computer and what do you know...................

SOME ONE IN OUR TOWN, small Texas town in the middle of nowhere, WON THE LOTTO!

But is wasn't us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone in or around our little town is EIGHTEEN million dollars richer!!!!!

But is wasn't us! Ah well............being poor is not soooo bad. Eighteen million would probably have brought us a whole lotta trouble. I mean who needs a new car?!. Who needs all the stress of buying new clothes or a new house?! Truly, who needs it?!

I would have liked a new car. Not a Bently or anything just a regular ole new car for a family of 4. Nothing big.......

Lyn

Eleven Years

Eleven LOOONNNGGGG years! heheeh, just kidding Chosen One.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the Veteran's and celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary.

Eleven years: two kids, three pregnancies, two dogs, two cats, seven vehicles, ten jobs, two homes. Yep, that is what we have gone through in eleven years. Now when you look deeper into all these you will see the life we have lived! Oh the ups! Oh the downs....... Oh the fun! Oh the "what the heck was I thinking" and better yet "what the heck were you thinking". The sleepless nights, due to illness, babies, fights or having to much fun! The tight money situations that never seem to go away. The talks that make us feel so much better. The talks that make us crack up!

Who else would I want to live this life with? None other than the Chosen One. I am so glad we decided to get married. While I think back and know we had NO idea what we were really getting in to, I do believe God put us together for the long haul. Put us together for each other.

I love you Chosen One. Happy Anniversary!

Lyn

What am I doing up at this hour?

Well, it IS 2:49 in the morning but who is noticing that!

I have a cold. One that makes it hard to breathe when you lay just right, makes it hard to not cough when you lay just so and one that makes your stomach queasy from all the drainage from you know where that makes you feel like you know what. Yeah, that kind of cold. And I just couldn't lay in bed anymore. I need to eat something and blow something and take something.

So there you have it. I have a cold. And I don't like it.

Lyn

Reading and Viewing

Just finished: The Joy Luck Club

At one point I was not sure I would finish reading the book. But, I did and I am glad. In the begining I was having a hard time keeping everything straight and it was a little confusing, the comments, traditions, the harshness of the characters. In the end I was pleased with the closure it ended with.

Just watched: Capote and Being Julia

I knew nothing of either one of these. Well, of course I had heard about Capote but had no idea what it was about. I throughly enjoyed it. I wanted to watch it again. I was mesmerized by Philip Seymour Hoffman and I still do not know if it was the writing or his acting but he was wonderful. Being Julia was fun to watch just to listen to the accents. Bad or good (the accents), I could not tell, but I enjoyed them!

Lyn

Therapy

"The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love."

Hubert H. Humphrey

Details

Today was math and handwriting. Importance stressed on the details. Don't forget to carry the one. Remember to cross the t. Wise One is artsy so we are working on making a one look like a 1 and a seven look like a 7. He would love to go straight to cursive but I am making him patiently learn to print neatly. Again, cursive appeals to his artsy side. Details my dear one. Details. Lets not jump ahead.

While working at the local high school I found that many kids can not write neatly to save their lives. Seriously. And lets not even start talking about spelling. In the computer age of texting and shorter phrases and abbreviating everything handwriting, and the importance of it, have fallen by the way side.

This article was interesting to me. Are we losing the art of handwriting? Not in this house.

Lyn