Life Changing

This is a must read!!!!


This is a must do!!!

This was life changing read for me.  With it being the end of summer, I am worn out from all the fun we have had.  As we prepare for school to start next week, I am going to make this a part of our daily routine.


Lord, please help me mold my children in such a way!!!


http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/03/how-to-help-raise-grateful-kids/

Sisters

"Sisters, Sisters, there were never more devoted Sisters..."

As I was walking by the window the other day, I caught a glimpse of my lil' girls having a ball.  Not sure what they were talking about, but I had to take some pics of this adorable moment. 

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday, one of the world's most amazing women left this world and went to be with Jesus.  My grandmother was one of a kind.  She loved her family and loved her Lord.  There was never a time that she was unavailable for a listening ear, godly advice, or a game of Parcheesi.  My siblings and I got to spend sometime last night with mom and dad reminiscing and telling funny stories about this great woman.  I think it is summed up best to say we have gained some much by spending years with such an amazing woman who taught us all what a selfless life looks like.  She will be greatly missed and saying goodbye hurts deep, but I know there is a great homecoming party taking place in heaven right now and grandma loved a party. 

Caymber's Rough Week

Caymber, daughter #4, has had a painful week.

This was her Saturday.

She fell trying to build her own zip line. Do I need to mention we have a real zip line that dad put up years ago that she could have been playing on? Nah!

Obviously, it did not end well and we spent the afternoon in the ER to find out that she had sprained her thumb.

This was just the beginning of her fun!

On Monday, she went in to have her tonsils removed. This picture was taken before the surgery. You can see she had no idea what was to come. Even though we had tried to prepare her, her only thought was a week filled with ice cream and pudding.

We are on day four of her recovery. Things are going moderately well. It is a tough procedure to bounce back from. Because she can't speak, she has been writing down her requests. I told my girlfriend the other day that it was so pitiful because she can't talk, so she writes, but our "lefty" has to use her right hand because her left hand is hurt. But what makes it even more difficult, is that she can't spell very well either:) My girlfriend jokingly responded that the last part was a

pre-existing condition and insurance won't cover it! Ha!

I can't wait to see that smiling face again and hear her sweet voice.

Our Spring Break

We had somewhat of an extended break. We spent the first week at the lake house (with a little homework in tow).

Here are some pictures of our time at the beach.

When we came back in town we made the most of our time with the cousins who were also on break. This is a few pics of the girls at the park. We played games like red rover and red light- green light and took a walk around the lake. When all the cousins are together, there are 14 kids, so there were plenty of friends to play with.

Our next outing was to the roller skating rink with some of our homeschooling buddies. It was a blast!

We also took a trip out to the Children's Museum in Seminole. It is a fun place with lots of hands on activities for the little girls.

It was such a fun time. I love spending time with my girls! They are growing up so fast. It was great to make some memories with them.

A Crowd Pleaser

Wanted to share this yummy recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

It has become our favorite!!

And it is so easy!

Taken from the book- Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson (pg 137)
I'll give you her exact recipe and then below that I will share with you the way I prepare/serve it.

Summer Linguine

2 large zucchini, coarsely grated (I use a potatoe peeler to peel strips of the zucc.)

8 oz of linguine

2 tbs of extra virgin olive oil

1 large clove garlic, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes

1 tbs of butter

1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Put the zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with a few generous pinches of salt and let sit over a bowl or in the sink for 10 min.

In the meantime, cook the pasta. Salt generously and cook al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little cooking water.

Just before you are ready to eat, heat the olive oil, garlic, and red pepper in a large skillet over medium heat for 1-2 min, until fragrant and the garlic just begins to brown. Squeeze the zucchini between your hands, over the sink, to eliminate any excess liquid and add to the skillet. Cook unitl tender, stirring frequently, about 2 min.

Add the pasta to the pan and add a little cooking water if the zucchini mixture seems on the dry side. Toss to distribute the zucchini throughout the pasta. Add the butter and cheese and toss again. Season with salt and black peepper and divide amond bowls. Top with more cheese if you like.

Changes:

I do not reserve the water. After draining the pasta, I add a splash of olive oil and toss it, so the pasta does not get dry.

I do not mix the zucchini mixture and pasta. I allow each person to decide if they want it served on top of the pasta or on the side of their plate. And each person can choose if they want to top it with cheese or not.

As you peel the zuc, it will get to a point where it becomes to thin to peel any further. I always take this part and chop it up into bite size pieces. Since the zucchini mixture above can be to spicy for my little ones taste buds, I use these bite size pieces, sauted in a little butter, as their side dish.

Our changes are minor, but it goes to show you can make this your own.

I always serve this with a nice loaf of garlic bread.

A fast and easy meal that is sure to please the whole crew!

My Special Valentine's Card

I know Valentine's Day was a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to share the card that my amazingly funny hubby made for me.

After buying cards for each other Dec-Feb (because that is when both of our b'days fall and our anniversary), I came up with a "cheesy" idea it would be sweet to make cards for each other.

Come on!! At this point, I had seen every card out there to buy your husband and I had bought the two good ones:)

Little did I know what was to come.

He made me this card. It is SO great that I can not believe that Hallmark has not designed one like this before!

Here a pic of the front of the card

this is the inside left

this is the inside right

back of card

I died laughing when he gave this to me!!!! It IS my favorite card ever!!! I wonder what he has planned for my Mother's Day card?

(I do have to put a disclaimer in here and say that he did give another card with sweet love notes written on it. No! I will not share that one with you- ha!)