Saturday, October 29, 2011

What I Ate

You've all seen those ever-popular What I Wore posts, right? I've decided to start What I Ate posts on Saturdays. 

I know I've mentioned on here that I joined Weight Watchers (WW) last spring, and I post healthier recipes every week but I really don't talk much about it otherwise. I guess I didn't want to bore you and also I didn't want to jinx things for me. :) 

I've been asked a lot recently, though, about my weight loss and how I do it. Others who have also joined WW ask me "but, what do you eat?" This is where I will answer that question and share any tips I may have picked up over the week.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments, or email me if you'd rather be anonymous, and I will do my best to answer them the following week. 

I apologize if this will be a total bore to some of you ... I didn't want to create another blog just on weight loss and yet I wanted to address some questions I've been getting without taking away from my usual mommy stuff.  So I added another day of posts ... because I'm crazy like that. :)

I hope this is helpful because I would love to help you or motivate you on this difficult journey called weight loss!

I'll start today with my weight loss story ...

I've ALWAYS struggled with my weight and my self image. Even at my thinnest, I thought I was fat. (I look back and want to slap my young self.) 

After I got married, I put on some newlywed weight. Ugh. Then I put on 50 lbs while pregnant with my 1st child. After having her, I lost 35 lbs of it. (Do the math ...)

With each pregnancy my weight yo-yoed (I usually ended up losing weight during pregnancy because of gestational diabetes but made up for it after when I could eat again). The biggest cause of my weight gain was due to some medication I was taking for my anxiety (that, and the fact that I would eat my emotions. Happy? Bring on the food! Sad? Bring on the food!! Stressed? Bring on the food!!!) And that is the quick version to how I became this person I didn't even recognize anymore. 

Thankfully, a dear family member got me started on WW and what a journey it has been!

I joined Easter weekend. As of last Saturday (my weigh in day), I've lost 54.2 lbs!!! Crazy! I haven't weighed this low since I was pregnant with my oldest. I still have a ways to go but I'm in it for the long haul. 

I take it a day at a time and realize I am much better off today than I was yesterday. 

When I started, I bought myself a charm bracelet with one bead on it (my birthstone). With every 20 lbs I lose, I buy another bead. It's something fun (because fun is good) and it marks my progress in a visible way. 

Everyone is different and different things work differently for everyone. But if you are struggling with your weight and can't seem to be successful in losing weight, I would recommend trying WW. (They are not paying me for my opinion, I just really believe in the program.) I have never been this successful at losing weight before. I have 3 close family members who have joined me and we've lost about 120 lbs combined. That's outrageous! It's like we've lost a whole extra family member. :)

God is good and He truly is the one who deserves all of the credit! I KNOW I could never do it without Him. 

I'll end with a day of What I Ate.

Breakfast 
4 - peaches n cream instant oatmeal  

Lunch
5 - Digiorno 200 calorie pizza 
3 - baked chips and salsa  

Snack 
4 - vanilla yogurt with strawberries and raspberries

Dinner
4 - 4 oz (93/7) hamburger
1 - slice of low fat provolone cheese
4 - sun chips
2 - single serving Green Giant corn with butter sauce

Dessert
4 - Skinny cow ice cream sandwich

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins are positively scrumptious. My sister is famous for making and bringing these everywhere she goes in the fall - and I love it! I lightened them up by using egg whites instead of eggs, applesauce instead of oil, and by reducing the chocolate chips to 1 cup.

I made them yesterday this way and I honestly could not taste a difference. Neither could my daughter who gobbled them up. There should actually be a warning on this recipe. Something like "Warning: This recipe makes about 3 dozen muffins and you will want to eat every one!"

So, now you're warned.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:
8 egg whites
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
1 15oz can solid pack pumpkin
1 1/2c applesauce (no sugar added)
3c flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1c choc chips

Directions:
1. Beat egg whites, sugar, pumpkin, & applesauce.
2. Combine dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mix
3. Fold in choc chips
4. Pour into muffin tins
5. Top with chopped pecans if desired
6. Bake at 400 for 16-20 minutes

Makes about 36 muffins
Each muffin is 3 points plus.

Courtesy of Sarah H, Ruth G, Kelly S, and Jamie H (this was a group effort :)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Scarecrow Cupcakes

I saw these cupcakes in a Woman's World magazine recently and thought they were adorable!




The Ingredients
cupcakes:
1 cup Reese's Pieces candies chopped
1 pkg (18. 25 oz. yellow cake mix)
Water, eggs, and oil
frosting:
1 1/2 cups butter, at room temperature
4 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, from 2 (16 oz.) packages
3 Tbs. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
decorations:
Blue, golden yellow and orange concentrated food colorings
Rainbow Twizzlers Twists
6 flat-bottomed ice cream cups
2 1/2 cups All-Bran cereal
24 brown mini M &M's
Toothpicks
12 pieces candy corn
Chocolate sprinkles
Jumbo leaf-shaped sprinkles
1 Tbs. light corn syrup



Directions
Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line 24 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
Mix candies with 1 Tbs. cake mix; put aside.
Prepare remaining cake mix with water, eggs, and oil following package
directions. Stir in candies.
Divide among liners.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool.
Frosting:
On medium-high speed, beat butter until fluffy.
On low, gradually beat in confectioner's sugar, then milk and vanilla until combined.
On medium-high beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. (Or use this recipe for frosting - yum!)

Reserve 1 tsp. frosting.
Tint 1 1/2 cups frosting blue, 1 1/2 cups frosting yellow and remaining frosting orange with food coloring.
Transfer 3/4 cups each yellow and orange frosting to separate pastry bags fitted with rose tip (such as Wilton #104); reserve. Spread blue frosting over 12 cupcakes; spread remaining yellow and orange frosting over 6 cupcakes each.


Constructing the Cupcakes



For each patchwork "hat", cut 9 (3/8" long) pieces of desired color Twizzlers. Arrange pieces, on top third of 3 yellow and 3 orange cupcakes, pressing into frosting.
For "hat brims", cut 2 1/2 "x 1/4" strips from Twizzlers press onto cupcakes below "hats."
Tuck cereal into frosting around Twizzlers hats and along edges of cupcakes.
On orange and yellow cupcakes:
Press on M&M's "eyes"; for "pupils", using pick, dot M&M's with white frosting.
Press on candy corn "noses."
Press on chocolate sprinkles "mouths".
Place "head" cupcakes, on sides on top of the blue cupcakes with "face" forward (about 1" in from the front edge), press down to attach.
Tuck cereal into frosting along top edge of hatless "heads".
For each cone "hat", trim and discard wide top end of ice cream cone. Pipe frosting "brim" along edge. Invert onto "head".
Pipe frosting "collars" around "heads."
Tuck cereal around "collar."
Decorate with leaf sprinkles, brushing with corn syrup to attach to "hats."


This recipe from Woman's World Makes 12 scarecrow cupcakes.

Photo Credit: Woman's World Magazine

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

November Playdates

Ok, is anyone else wondering where October went?!? I can't believe that next week is November.

Our first November playdate will be Friday, November 4 at 9:30 am at Aileen's home. If you need directions, please leave a comment saying that you are coming and I will send out an email with her address and directions. Thank you, Aileen, for hosting! I hope you all can come; it will be a fun time!

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


Our second playdate will be Monday, November 14 at 10:00 am at Flabbergast in Sussex. Here is some information from their website:

Flabbergast is the newest indoor family fun center for play that offers a child electronic security system as well as daily sanitizing on ALL equipment!
Flabbergast is the ideal environment for parties of all sizes, and our doors open to walk-ins as well. Open play, all day, every day! We are located at W248 N5250 Executive Drive, Sussex WI 53089. Located conveniently at Hwys 164 and K in Sussex, just a short drive from Milwaukee, Brookfield and Waukesha.

Bounce and Climb
Flabbergast boasts giant inflatables, colossal slides and a huge climbing obstacle challenge with a triple slide!

Flabber-cade
Perfect for anyone who loves arcade games-Flabbergast offers 50 games for all ages!

Flabberlicious Café
Enjoy a snack at Flabbergasts’ café. From hot dogs to pretzels to pizza and specialty coffee drinks, the café is sure to please all! Click Here for our Menu

Flabber-flop Lounge
Relax in comfortable easy chairs, enjoy the flat screen TV, take advantage of pub-style tables perfect for working or relaxing, and surf the Web with free wi-fi – all while keeping an eye on the fun.

Outside Food Policy
No outside food or drinks are permitted by Flabbergast.

Requirements
Signed waivers and socks are required to play.
All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Parents are required to stay with children, no drop offs please.
In order to assure a safe and pleasurable experience Flabbergast staff enforces a strict code of conduct.

Monday through Friday beginning at 10:00am until 12:00pm. Flabbergast welcomes moms and young children to enjoy quality playtime! Cost is $5.95 per child. Moms and children under 24 months are always FREE (with at least one paid $5.95 admission)! Intended for children ages 1-5. Children over the age of 5yrs ARE WELCOME to play as well! REGULAR ADMISSION COSTS apply to children over the age of 5yrs. For your enjoyment, admission includes either a small coffee or small cappuccino! Dads are ALWAYS welcome for the fun too!

Looks like a fun place! Let me know if you are planning to join us.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Fall Fun

Last weekend we had our Fun Family Fall day. My parents, sisters, and our families get together and do some fun fall stuff.



This year we tried out a new place, Schuett Farms. We had a fun time and I thought I would tell you all about it, too.



We started with a hayride. Hayrides are always fun but this one was unique in the fact that they stopped midway near a group of cows and everyone could feed them corn.





After the hayride, we went through the corn maze. I have to say I'm not a fan of corn mazes. I must have a terrible sense of direction because I get all turned around and have no idea where I am. This corn maze held 6 different riddles that you needed to answer.



Last we went and each picked our own pumpkin from a big field. The kids had a great time and the field was just the right size for little legs.



We had a very fun time. You should check it out. Here is some information from their website:


"SCHUETT FARMS IS A DIVERSIFIED FAMILY FARM LOCATED ON STATE HIGHWAY 83, THREE MILES NORTH OF MUKWONAGO IN SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN. STARTING IN MID-SUMMER WE OFFER THE BEST FRESH SWEET CORN AND VEGETABLES AT OUR ROAD SIDE STAND. IN THE FALL, WE HAVE AN ON-FARM DISPLAY AREA SELLING PUMPKINS, CORNSTALKS BUNDLES, STRAW, AND MANY OTHER FALL DECORATIONS. WE ALSO OFFER A CORN MAZE, PICK-YOUR-OWN PUMPKIN PATCH, AND HAYRIDES ON THE WEEKENDS. IN LATE NOVEMBER WE SELL CHRISTMAS TREES AT THE FARM. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE OFFER HOMEGROWN NATURALLY-FED BEEF, WHICH IS CUSTOM-CUT AND READY FOR YOU FREEZER.

The Hayrides will be open on the weekends, and large groups are welcomed with appointments. Corn Maze is open all week during hours of operation.
Please check the website for road construction details, we will continue to post updates. At this time the Highway 83 construction project seems to be on schedule, and completion should be in November. Watch for signs in the area to direct you around and through the construction to get to Schuett Farms. There will always be a way to get to Schuett Farms during road construction."


http://www.schuettfarm.com/Site/site_flash/index.html

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Meatballs

1 lb. 93/7 ground beef
3/4 c bread crumbs
1 egg + 1 egg white
1/4 c Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs. Parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
dash of pepper

Add 1/2 cup of water to bread crumbs. Add eggs, cheese, and seasonings. Mix in ground beef.

Divide into meatballs. Brown in frying pan with cooking spray on each side. Once browned, add to your sauce and heat through. 
 
Divide into 24 meatballs for 1 points plus each or 12 meatballs for 2 points plus each.
 

courtesy of my mom :)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ray of Hope

The year 2009 was a rough one for me. It started out with me finding out I was unexpectedly pregnant (with my little guy who I wouldn't trade for anything). 

Morning sickness started at about 6 weeks and continued until about 20 weeks. I also suffered through 3 bouts of strep throat one right after the other in my first trimester. Strep throat that made me throw up - in the middle of Disney World. I ended up on a cot in the "health room" while the rest of my family enjoyed our last day at Disney. That night I flew home with a Dramamine and a prayer. 

By June of that year, I was in bad shape and ended up getting my third gestational diabetes diagnosis. I was probably at the lowest point of my life.  

I was sick. I was depressed. I was overwhelmed. I was stressed out - beyond stressed out. (This was in the middle of my funk.)  

The first full week of summer vacation, I had a doctor appointment. I brought all three kids with me - stressful - and on the way home we were in a car accident. A woman ran into the side of my van and scraped it up. Thankfully, the accident was minor and no one was hurt. 

But, really?? It was just one more thing for me to deal with.

The insurance company came and gave us a check for $1900 to take care of the damage.

Being that I couldn't deal with anything and the fact that I am a hopeless procrastinator, we didn't get the van fixed right away. 

Six weeks later, we take the van in to have something repaired unrelated to the accident. 

When we go to pick up our van, I saw it parked and waiting for us. But the van I saw had no big scuff down the side, no dents, or any other visible damage. 

I ask my husband, "Is that our van?"

He, of course, says "Yes."

I said, "Look, there is nothing wrong with it. It looks like we were never in an accident."

We went inside to pay and asked the man at the desk if they had fixed the side of our van. He said "No."

We said "But we were in an accident and now there is no scuff."

He actually said, "Maybe someone brushed against the van and rubbed the scuff off."

To this we laugh and say, "No, it was a major scratch with dents."

He never admitted to fixing up our van.

We still don't know what exactly happened but I do know that God provided for us in a major way. 

That summer, due to the gestational diabetes, I needed to go to the hospital 2-3 times a week. I ended up reducing my hours due to the appointments and my inability to cope with trying to stabilize my blood sugar and deal with insulin injections. 

Also, our son was born at the end of August and I needed to take some time off to recuperate. 

We were going to be losing a lot of income but God took care of it. 

We had the money from the accident AND a fixed up van. 

I still shake my head in unbelief when I think of what happened that summer. In the midst of the darkest storm, God broke through the clouds giving me a ray of hope. 

Did He rescue me from the storm? No.
Did He let me know that He was still there, He still cared and was going to take care of me? Yes, yes He did.


 Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future."

This was my verse for that year (every year God gives me a theme verse at some point). My neighbor even unknowingly gave me a plaque with that verse on it that June for my birthday.

   Our God is awesome.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

God is Like the Sun


This is not a new concept but it has really come alive to me recently. It's like I'm finally understanding something I've known all of my life. My brain doesn't always see the obvious right away and then when I do, it's like a huge revelation to me. So bear with me ...

Recently during one of the storms we've had, the sky was black. There were dark, angry clouds and the sun was not visible. 

Then there was a break in the clouds and a ray of sunlight came bursting through. That was when I had my aha moment. I realized that the sun was still there doing what it does even when we can't see it. (duh) Instantly the analogy of God and the sun hit me. That is when it all became clear to me. 

God is like the sun. 

He is always there. 

He is always shining brightly providing LIGHT and WARMTH and LIFE. 

When we turn away from Him, we are in darkness. He is our LIGHT. 

We can experience different seasons in our life.

 When we are closer, we experience more LIGHT, more GROWTH, more LIFE. 


When we are further away, there is less light, no growth, things are in a frozen state.  



Troubles can drift into our life like clouds. The enemy can produce thick, black, ugly storms in our lives that let us lose sight of God and make us think He is not there. 

But never fear, behind those clouds, HE IS THERE! 





Have you ever experienced a bad storm that darkens your world and then suddenly there is a break in the clouds  and you can see light shining through? 

I've gone through some pretty bad storms over the years. Yet there were times when the clouds broke slightly and I felt God's LIGHT- God's LOVE and PROVIDENCE - shining through. 

Giving me HOPE, letting me know that He is STILL THERE. 

Even when I can't see Him, even when I choose NOT to see Him. He is ALWAYS THERE. 

He wants to bring LIGHT to my world. 

He wants to give me LIFE. Living things cannot grow and live without the sun and we cannot as Christians grow and have life without God. 

I love that thought. I know that often I find myself thinking "God, where are you?" And yet all along, HE IS THERE. 

I need to keep my eyes on Him and even through the storms, I will see Him breaking through the clouds, telling me "I'm still here. I will NEVER leave you or forsake you. There is not a storm out there that can defeat me. The storms come and go but I am CONSTANT. I am HERE for you. I want to give you NEW LIFE."

Come back tomorrow to hear about a time God broke through the clouds of a storm I went through. We serve an amazing God!  

Friday, October 14, 2011

Beautiful Music

Today, I am totally in need of a day of rest. I have been going at full throttle for way too long now and my body is protesting. Sadly, my house is also protesting and telling me it is in major need of a deep cleaning. Ugh.

I think one room will have to do.

I'll leave you with these two songs today that I think are just beautiful. They are both "love" songs and stir my heart when I hear them. I hope your heart is stirred as well.

Have a magnificent weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gbBrlAVm20&feature=youtube_gdata_player

-Natalie Grant, Your Great Name

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyDxHw-MdjE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

-Matt Hammitt, All of Me

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Banana Pudding Pie

6 low fat Graham crackers 
2 (4 serving) sugar free instant banana cream pudding
2 3/4 cups skim milk
2 bananas
Fat free cool whip


Lay one layer of graham crackers in bottom of 8 inch square pan (break them apart as needed to fit right).

Slice up bananas and layer them on top of graham crackers. 

Make pudding according to directions with milk.  Pour over bananas.

Refrigerate for a couple of hours.  Top with Cool whip. 


1/9 serving is 3 points plus

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I'm No Martha Stewart ... Cleaning Your Refrigerator

I decided that I was getting tired of focusing on the bathroom and wanted to move along. I'm sure we'll be back but for now, we are headed to the kitchen. 

I am due for a good refrigerator scrub down, so that is what I looked up. I loved the name of this article and that is pretty much the reason I chose it. Can't you just hear the prim British accent as the author says the title aloud. "How to properly clean your refrigerator." Ok, I know I'm weird. I have a thing for accents. 

Here we go. Be inspired. 


"How To Properly Clean Your Refrigerator
By Tiffany Provost


Your refrigerator holds all of your food, but it can also hold a lot of bacteria too. Regular refrigerator cleaning is absolutely necessary in order to keep your family healthy. Follow this guide on the best way to clean your refrigerator.

Step 1
Gather your supplies. To properly clean your refrigerator, you'll need the follow supplies:

Rubber gloves
Dish soap
Baking soda
Vinegar
A few rags
Warm water
 

Step 2
Turn down the temperature on your fridge. Since your fridge door will be open for some time while you're cleaning it, you should turn down the temperature on the fridge. No sense in wasting energy! Turn off your freezer as well.

Step 3
Go through the contents of your fridge. Now you can start to clean out your fridge. Start by taking everything out of the fridge (yes, everything!). Throw out anything that is expired or gone bad. Keep the rest of your food in a cooler or a box lined with towels while you continue to clean your fridge.

Step 4
Take your fridge apart. Once your fridge is empty, the best approach to cleaning it is piece by piece. Remove all the shelves, trays and bins from your fridge. Fill your kitchen sink (or your bathtub) with hot, soapy water and allow these pieces to soak as you clean out the cavity of your fridge. (If they all won't fit, give each piece a quick soapy bath and then place the soaped piece on your countertop to rest.)

Step 5

Wipe down the inside of your fridge. You can now clean the inside of your fridge once it has been emptied of all its contents and fixtures. Use a rag and some soapy water to scrub down the walls of your dishwasher. Clean off any shelves that weren't removable. And don't forget to thoroughly disinfect the rubber seal around your fridge and freezer (since this is where food particles tend to land and collect over the months.) Tough stains can be treated with vinegar, which is much better than using a harsh chemical inside of your fridge.

Once clean, use some baking soda to go over the inside of your fridge wall again. Create a mixture of ¼ cup baking soda and a half gallon of warm water, and wipe this mixture all over the inside of your fridge. Rinse it well with water and then pat dry. (This helps to get rid of odors!) You can omit this step if you plan on keeping an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator.

Step 6
Clean the shelving. When the inside of your fridge is clean, you can begin to clean the shelves and racks. Scrub and rinse each piece thoroughly. Dry each one off before replacing it in the fridge.

Step 7
Restock your fridge. Your fridge is now clean, so you can begin to put all of your food back into it. Try to be organized with this so that you can always find food when you need to. (No more ‘honey, where's the mayo?'). Have a specific spot in your fridge for every type of food, drink and condiment.

Step 8
Turn your fridge back on. Don't forget to turn the temperature back up on your fridge and freezer.


The best way to clean your fridge is thoroughly. Don't leave any crack or crevice dirty. Disinfect everything and organize your fridge in a useful way. And continually wipe the outside of your fridge when grease and fingerprints appear. Frequent cleaning of your refrigerator is best for your family and shows your guests that you're a great housekeeper."


http://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/best-way-to-clean-your-refrigerator

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Day in the Life of This Mom

Ok, you know I'm desperate when I pull out the old day in the life post. I thought it would be fun to document one of my crazy days from this season of my life. I also figured if my husband ever stumbled across this post he would know "what i do all day." ;)

I chose one day that sticks out in my mind because it was the day that my husband was out of town for work. He had called me that afternoon complaining that he was all alone in a hotel room (thank goodness!) with nothing to do for 4 hours. I tried to commiserate with him but inside was secretly dreaming of what that would feel like.

This was my day:

4:00 am Hubby's alarm goes off. I pretend not to hear it because I had begged him not to wake me the night before after forcing me to stay up until after 11:00 pm to watch his last episode of Psych before he died in a plane crash. (Yes, he also had his last supper at Chili's - thank goodness it was Tuesday, kids eat free.) He is not very fond of flying.

4:45 am Wake up to the living room light shining directly in my eyes. Roll over and try to fall back asleep.

5:00 am My 2 year old wakes up coughing and miserable. Hubby brings him up to me in bed and I desperately try to get the little guy back to sleep.

6:00 am I hear Hubby leave for the airport. My son is still restless and I am trying to get one more hour of sleep.

7:00 am My alarm goes off and whether I like it or not, my day has "officially" begun. I hop in the shower and try to wake myself up.
Wake up the kids, get them dressed, remind them to brush their teeth 10 times.
Make breakfasts and lunches.
Get everyone packed and ready.

8:15 am Load the kids into the minivan and head to the girls school. Call the doctor's office on the way and make appointment for my sick son.

8:35 am Drop off the girls at school. Head to son's school.

9:00 am Take son into preschool. Unpack his backpack, encourage him to write his name and answer the question of the day. Kiss him goodbye.

9:15 am Head to Pick N Save. Save $10.00 with coupons (woohoo! - First time attempting using coupons) and decide it is worth it to take the time to deal with coupons at the store.

10:00 am Come home. Make blueberry muffins to go along with a meal for my grandparents. (My grandpa was having some testing done on his heart that day and I just wanted to lighten his load a little.)
Realize I am now out of eggs. (Boo!)

10:40 am Head to Walmart to buy eggs.

11:00 am Make a meatloaf and pack it up.

11:20 am Leave for Dr appointment for my son.

11:40 am Dr appointment. (Sinus infection) Make appointment for son's 2 year old checkup and flu shots for all the kids.

12:15 pm Head home. Make lunch.

1:00 pm Leave to pick up son from school.

1:15 pm Pick up son. Pry boys from playground and come home.

1:45 pm Arrive home. Work on flowers for Women's event.

2:15 pm Grandpa comes to pick up his meal and see the boys.
Finish flowers.
Outline class for 3rd grade Stars that night.

3:00 pm Load up the boys into the minivan once again and head to the girls school.

3:30 pm Meet daughter on the playground. Three youngest kids play on the playground while oldest daughter practices for the 5th grade run.

4:00 pm Head back to the minivan.
Pick up son's prescription.
Pick up pizza for supper.
Eat.
Finish up work for my class.
Clean kids up.

6:00 pm Head to church.
Drop off kids at classes.

6:30 - 8:00 pm Teach 3rd grade Stars.

8:15 pm Take kids home.
Get kids ready for bed.
Tuck them into bed (after they talked to dad on the phone) later than usual.

9:30 pm Decide if I should just go to bed or stay up and enjoy the quiet. You guessed it - stayed up later than I should have enjoying every minute of "me" time.

10:40 pm Drag myself to bed, ready to get up and do it all again the next day.

(And that, dear husband, is what I do all day . . . :)

Whew, that made me tired just reliving it in my head.

If you would ever want to share "a day in your life," let me know. I think it would be kind of fun to see the adventures you all have as moms and compare the different kinds of craziness we experience during our days.

Have a restful day! ;)

Friday, October 7, 2011

My Life as an "Out of Control" Mom

Today we have a guest blogger who needs no introduction ... You already all know and love her. My sister, Kelly, is going to share her story today. (cheers and applause)

Check out her blog at t w i r l ministries.

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


My Life as an “Out of Control” Mom
by: Kelly Seelow

{ insert Steve Tyrell’s “Give Me the Simple Life” here as background music }

It was going to be perfect. I could see it. An adorable baby bump followed by years of snuggling, frolicking, and fun.

{ okay now insert a loud screeching sound of reality hitting }

After gaining 70 uncomfortable and forever figure changing pounds, I gave birth to a 10 lb baby boy.

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my boy but what was up him sleeping only an hour or two at a crack? Where was the 10 hours of solid sleep I was used to and needed now more than ever??

Okay, now fast forward 10 months. I was lovin’ my baby who was sleeping through the night, taking 2 naps a day, wasn’t walking or talking, life was good. I felt in control and content.

Now enter a positive pregnancy test…a very unexpected positive pregnancy test.

9 months and a very painful labor experience later, a baby girl.

So now I have a newborn and a 1 ½ year old. This was not in my plans. I loved my kids but my life was crazy and hard and most importantly to me, not going the way I wanted it to.

Today I have a 2 & 3 ½ year old. They are beautiful, healthy, active, smart, crazy, funny, strong willed, independent, trouble making, back talking little stinkers who I couldn’t love with anymore of me.

We have good days, we have bad days, we have really bad days. My biggest problem is that they will not listen to and obey me. I just don’t get it. It’s an easy concept, just-do-what-i-say. Nope.

I guess you could say that I just plain can’t control them. This doesn’t sit well with the mother who makes lists, has a detailed calendar, is an organizer, a planner of everything. I had it all planned out. MY kids were going to behave, have manners, be sweet, listen to everything I said, clean up after themselves, and if they didn’t, I would spank and time-out them until they did. After all, I was the PERFECT mother…until I actually had kids.

God has taught me more about myself and more about His character through allowing me to have children then any other time in my life thus far. I have learned that I am not in control and any control I thought I had was an illusion. I have learned that not only will I never be a perfect mother and have perfect kids, but that it is OKAY to be crazy, messy, and real.

I have learned that you just can’t control your children no matter how much you may want to. Now I am not saying that you can’t discipline them, steer them, teach them and instill morals in them. That is our job as parents. What I am saying is that you ultimately can’t make them who you want them to be. All you can do is the best you can and cover them in prayer.

This “Out of Control” mom is thankful to serve a God who holds me in His hand. It’s easy to give up control to the one who is the creator and controller of the universe and loves me more than I can imagine. My life has not turned out as I had planned…it’s better.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

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Thank you, Kelly, for sharing today! I think we all can relate a little bit to feeling out of control as a mom and if you can't yet - you will! (Sorry to ruin it for you ;) It's important to know, though, that you aren't the only one feeling that way. That's why I love this new feature! We all have a unique story but there may be parts of it that others can relate to. A community. That was the vision I had for this blog from the beginning. A community of moms who could lift each other up, be vulnerable, be real, be there for each other.

I love hearing your stories written with your own words! If you are interested in sharing your story with us, please let me know. I have guests lined up for the next couple of months, so you have time to think and pray about what you would share.

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Enchilada Ring




This is a lighter version of Kelly Stamps' Enchilada Ring recipe. It's still very tasty!






Ingredients:

1lb (93/7) gr beef (can also use chicken)
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese + 1/2 cup for top
1 small can Rotel, undrained
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
1 package taco seasoning
2 rolls of reduced fat crescent rolls
1 small chopped tomato
1 lime (juice)

1.  Brown meat and add olives, cheese, Rotel, sour cream and taco mix.  Seed and chop 1 tomato and add 2 tablespoons lime juice; add to meat mixture.

2.Unroll crescent dough and separate triangles.  Arrange on round baking stone or cookie sheet making a circle with wide ends OVERLAPPING in the center and points toward outside. (I did lightly spray oil on the cookie sheet I used).  There should be a 5 inch diameter opening in the center.

3. Spread meat mixture evenly onto widest end of each triangle.

4. Bring points of triangles up and over filling and tuck under wide ends of dough at the center of the ring.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. 

5. Bake @ 375 for 20-25 minutes.  Garnish with tomato and serve with salsa and sour cream.

1/8th of recipe is 9 points plus

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Because I've Been There ...

In the not so distant past I was in a funk. I suffered from anxiety which resulted in paranoia and simply strange behavior. I'm sure a lot of it was due to my hormonal state. Just to give you an idea, in the last 11 1/2 years I've either been pregnant or nursing a child for all but 8 months. I don't even know what normal looks like anymore. 

I was overwhelmed. Like big time. Even the simplest daily tasks were totally overwhelming to me. And dealing with people, forget about it. 

Most days I felt like I was drowning in life. Every so often, I'd come up for small gasps of air but as soon as I was up, I was pushed back down into this swirling abyss that I did not have the strength or energy to pull myself out of. So many times I thought, Why doesn't someone help me, throw me a life preserver, pull me out? Doesn't anyone see that I'm drowning? Doesn't anyone care?

I later realized that no one could help because they didn't even know what was going on. And also, no person is really equipped to save someone from what is in their head. 

Thankfully, God is healing these things in me like only He can. 

But if I've ever offended you or puzzled you with my behavior, please know that it was never about you. I was the one with the problem and I didn't have any idea how to handle it. 

I say all of this to first of all explain myself. I know there were years where I was simply not myself. I had lost myself and for the life of me, couldn't find the real me again. I hated the person I had become but it was the only way I could deal with life. 

Avoidance. The best way I could cope was simply by avoidance. 

I couldn't handle the clutter in my house, I avoided it. (In which, the clutter grew.) 

I couldn't deal with people, so I avoided them. (Yep, relationships suffered.) 

I couldn't deal with the pregnancy pounds and clothes not fitting and I avoided taking care of myself. (it definitely took a toll on my body.) 

Avoidance was the key to keeping me out of the insane asylum but it literally destroyed my life.

I'm working very hard at cleaning up the messes in my life. I still get overwhelmed at times but I'm working through it with God's help. It's going to be a slow process but so worthwhile in the end.

Another reason I tell you this is in case you are dealing with the same thing right now. If you are feeling hopeless or overwhelmed beyond belief, please feel like you can come to me and confide in me. I've been there. There are still days I feel like I'm headed back there but God is faithful and able. There probably won't be much I can do but I'll do all I can and I'll pray for you - that's everything right there. You do not have to go through this alone. You are not ever alone (God is there), but I know it feels like it sometimes.    

And lastly, if you have a friend or acquaintance that just doesn't seem herself, invite her for coffee or lunch. Maybe she's just having a bad day or week or maybe it's something bigger. Don't feel like you need to solve all of her problems because you can't. Do what you can to encourage her.  Feeling like you have a friend or ally there for you can really help when you are feeling hopeless. 

If nothing else, pray for her. Prayer is the easiest thing you can do for someone and it is often the most overlooked. God hears our prayers. 

I'm sure there were people praying for me. I can't explain any other reason for why my life is experiencing such a turnaround. When you are overwhelmed, even praying can be too much to handle.

I don't know why we go through the things we do but I do know that we can use those situations and what we've learned to help others. I feel compassion for people struggling with things I struggle or have struggled with. I know what it's like. I pray God is able to use me to help others like me. 

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  Genesis 50:20 NIV

 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Miracles in the Rain

Last week we had some pretty miserable weather all week long. But God used the rain to show me two little miracles that I want to share with you. 

 

My 4 year year old son brought home a helium balloon from church Sunday afternoon. It was raining outside. The balloon was around my son's wrist until the van door opened, and then it slipped off and blew away.
 
Disappointment. Major disappointment. 

A simple helium balloon carries such importance to a young child. Especially my children.
 
His father knew how upset he was and was probably just as upset himself. He tried to track it down. 

In. The. Pouring. Rain. 

The balloon got stuck in the gutter two houses down. My son was crying. I was trying to calm him down and downplay the importance of that simple balloon. My husband was determined to get the balloon back. He suggested getting the ladder out and picking it out of the neighbor's gutter. 

In. The. Pouring. Rain. 

I was mortified and irritated that there was so much commotion about a silly balloon. I told him No and proceeded to calm my son and husband down.
 
Three hours later, we left to run some errands. The sun was shining, the storm had passed. 

As we drove down the street, we passed the house with the balloon. It was no longer stuck in the gutter. It was, however, floating above the rock bed along the driveway. The balloon was still full of helium, just hanging out among the rocks.
 
I'm sure you know what happened next ... My husband stopped the car and ran to get the balloon. There was much jubilation in the car. 

I kind of rolled my eyes but had to admit that I was a little in awe that we had recovered the balloon - three hours later, fully intact. 
 
It was then that I found out that while the fiasco was taking place earlier that afternoon, my oldest daughter was watching the balloon float away and prayed it would come down. She knew how upset her brother was. She knew how frustrated her dad was. So she prayed. And God answered her prayer.

I was really in awe at that point. I was so quick to dismiss this irritating hiccup to my day. It's just a balloon, I thought. Besides, it's hopeless. (Have you ever seen how fast those balloons float to the heavens?) Who cares? But my son did and my daughter was compassionate enough to realize that. Her simple step of faith, taught me so much that day.  
 
God loves us and cares about the seemingly unimportant details of our lives. If we give our concerns to Him, He will listen. When things look hopeless, give it to God. He can do the unthinkable. 

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A few days later, due to some extenuating circumstances, I was incredibly late picking up my girls from school. And just as school was letting out, a monsoon blew in. I was carrying 4 little boys to the car one by one, while the wind whipped, the rain dropped by the bucketful, and hail pelted my back.

I was drenched.  

School had already let out so I knew my girls were standing outside waiting for me in this weather. 

As I drove as fast as I was able, which wasn't very fast, I prayed that God would watch over my daughters. 

I didn't know what else to do. I felt helpless. I knew the girls didn't have umbrellas with them and if I calculated correctly, I would be 15-20 mins late (unthinkable on a beautiful day). 

As I drove up, I saw the saddest, sweetest sight. My girls were the only 2 kids left at school and there they were, huddled together under an umbrella.

When they got in the car, I asked them where they had gotten the umbrella. They said they had gone to stand in the office for a little bit and then came back out to look for me. As they stood there, they noticed the umbrella laying there "like someone had put it there for them to use" as my daughter said. 

I know exactly Who had put it there. God was providing for my children when I couldn't. 

These things are not just coincidences ... They are evidence of God's hand in our lives and He deserves all of the glory!


"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Scarecrow Coloring Page

Ha! I almost forgot to post the coloring page today.

It has been a busy weekend and this week is going to be busier. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, though. Yay!

If you think of it, say a prayer for me about Saturday's women's event. I'm not nervous yet but I know come Saturday morning, I'll be shaking. Public speaking is NOT one of my strengths. Please pray that God speaks through me and gives me His confidence. I hope you all can come!

Here is the PDF of a cute scarecrow:

http://www.kidssoup.com/scarecrow_harvest/a_scarecrow.pdf


Happy Coloring!