Winter Storm???

There's a winter storm headed this way.  The snow is expected to start sometime tomorrow, and continue through Wednesday evening.  I've heard predictions as high as 12 inches. 

We already have a good bit of snow covering the ground.

My kids have trampled it down and had their fun.  They're looking forward to fresh snow.  Me?  I'm a little skeptical about any predicted storm.  We could get the 12 inches, or less than 6.  But...it's fun to look forward to!  Personally, I'm hoping we get a ton!!  :D  My friend Elissa blogged about her plans if she gets a snowday and how she'll spend it with her boys.  It led me to think about how we'll spend ours.  Of course, we'll have schoolwork in the morning.  That's a minus to homeschooling in Aimee's eyes!  But later I'm planning on making these cookies (recipe courtesy of my sis and definitely a favorite around here!) with the kids, along with chicken and biscuits for dinner.  My parents will be driving home in the snow on Wednesday, and coming home to comfort food should help ease the stress of driving 696!  Depending on the temp and snowfall, I'm sure my kids will want to play in the snow.

I snagged these for Lexi at Target this weekend.  I only paid $3.24!!

I might take her out in the snow for a little bit.  We'll see how much we get.  Theoretically, it could be over her head!!!

We're also going to make snowflakes out of paper.  This website has some fun tips and directions for more intricate designs.  Aimee will like the challenge of copying a design, while the younger ones will practice scissor skills and small motor coordination.  When we're done, I'll hang them from their bedroom ceilings with string and create an "indoor winter wonderland!"

In the evening, if church is canceled due to the snow, I think we might pop some popcorn, light a fire, snuggle together under some blankets, and watch a movie.  The kids want to see Nanny McPhee returns, if I can brave the elements and make it to the nearest Redbox.  :)

Happy end of January!!

Lexi's new pastime

Lexi saw me crocheting today...

and asked me to teach her how.

She tried her hardest to do exactly what I showed her.





But despite her honest efforts...

I was told it's "nah wooking."



Indecision

I haven't been much of a blogger lately.  I'm stuck in a weird situation and I haven't figured out how to handle it yet.

I've always been the type without secrets, and having a blog would never be something I'm uncomfortable with.  But lately, I have had this strong desire to hide from the world.  There is so much going on in my life, and in me, and i think it's an act of  protection.  The Lord said to give Him a year, and so much change is happening in this year.  I'm not ready for it to be scrutinized, and I'm sure it would come out weird in a blog. 

In a way, I'm looking forward to the changes.  But i'm also scared.  There are several uncomfortable things in my life that God has thrown out in the open for me to deal with.  It's like I've given Him permission to do some major  "Spring Cleaning" and after almost 29 years of keeping several areas of myself, to myself, I'm a bit nervous about the journey.  The end result I'm sure will be wonderful, as everything that the Lord does is wonderful.  But the lack of control over the situation and the mystery surrounding my future (along with the humbleness of seeing all of my shortcomings) has led me to seek quiet solitude. 

I guess it doesn't change my ability to blog.  But there are a few things I've grown uncomfortable with.   I've already made it clear that my kids and I eat different and do things that may be off the beaten path.  But those were private decisions that I never meant for anyone else to make.  I never wanted anyone to feel like I may judge them if they live or act (or eat) differently.  And I never meant for anyone to feel free to scrutinize me because of something I may have written on facebook or my blog that contradicted something I said or did later.  No one is perfect, and my whole life is changing by the day.  I'm GOING to make mistakes and change things I once did or believed.  It's all part of the journey.  But I've become increasingly uncomfortable with feeling like I'm under someone else's magnifying glass. 

At least for the time being.  Maybe after God's year of growth and change in me, I can go back to the comfort in being who I am.   But for now, while I'm relearning who that is, I'm staying inside, where it's comfortable.

Pick Up Student

I was putting Lexi, who just turned two on December 30 :) , to bed tonight.  She pointed to a picture on the wall that had a poem written below it.  The poem started with "A thought..." and so the "A" was slightly larger than the other letters.  Lex pointed right at the "A" and said, "A...Apple...B!!"  :-D 

I have been painfully trying to teach letter sounds to Andrew and Amerie, who are as stubborn as they come (I know they soak up everything I teach, but they'll never let me know it!) and sometimes Lexi "learns" with us.  If she has the desire, and obvious ability, to learn with us, she's joining in whenever she wants! 

I'm so proud of my baby girl!!

Friday night movie night...with my babies :)

There's no place I'd rather be than watching "Ramona & Beezus" and "Thomas the Train" with these quirky kids.  :-)

A recipe. And photos!! :D

This is Amerie.  Eating Ham and Bean soup.

This is Lexi.  Eating Ham and Bean soup.  It's good.

This is Ham and Bean soup after it's been eaten by a 2 year old, and you decide to take a picture for your blog.

It's also Ham and Bean soup in terrible color, becuase you don't own a camera, only an old iPhone.

It looks much better in real life.

Really.  It does.

See?  Gooood...

Ham and Bean Soup

2 lb. bag Great Northern or Navy beans

2 tbsp. baking soda

1 ham bone, lots of meat still attached (think leftover christmas ham)

2 quarts chicken stock

1 cup chopped carrots, or as desired

1 cup chopped onion, or as desired

3/4 cup chopped celery, or as desired

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. dried parsley

1 tsp dried oregeno

black pepper, to taste

salt, if desired (I added some, but thought it ended up kinda salty, 'cuz of the salty ham)

Soak beans overnight in enough water to cover them by a couple inches.  In the morning, add the baking soda and bring to a boil.  Skip the foam off the top, and simmer until the beans are starting to soften, about an hour.  Drain some of the water, and add the chicken stock and ham bone.  Bring to a boil, and simmer until the meat is falling off the bone, about 1 hour.  Remove the meat and bone and allow to cool. 

While the ham is cooling, heat the the oil in a large skillet and add the carrots, onion, celery, and garlic.  Sautee until slightly softened, about 5-10 minutes.  Add to the chicken stock and beans, along with the parsley, oregeno, pepper and salt (if using).   Remove the (cooled) meat from the bone, chop, and add to the soup.  Simmer one hour.

Then ladle into a chipped bowl, because you have kids and it's what they do.   

;-)



Confession...

I had a heart to heart with my pastor a couple of months ago.  He recommended (very highly and firmly recommended...) that I remain absolutely single and free from even thinking about entering a relationship for one year from the date of my divorce, which was November 16th.

I only know that it was November 16th, because Bethany had her ultrasound on the 15th, and I remember that date.  And that my divorce was the next day.

 I'm weird.

But I've said that.

Anyways...during that time, I'm healing and growing closer to God.  I'm learning to let Him meet all of my needs and be absolutely everything to me. 

And I don't know that it will be an exact year.  I have no clue on the amount of time.  I'm honestly not worried about it.  I'm enjoying this journey and growing more and more in love with our Lord.  At some point, He'll lead me somewhere, and I'm confident I'll hear Him and be obedient.

He is, after all, a pretty awesome God.  And He's been really, really good to me.  Better than I could ever deserve, and I'm grateful. 

The very least I can do is give Him everything and let Him lead every step I take.  :)


So...the confession part...

I'm fine with being single.  Some days, when I'm feeling stubborn, I  plan on staying single.  Forever.  I kinda like the control.

But I loved being a wife.  I want to be a wife.  I want to have a husband I respect and adore that I can love and admire and care for and cook for and have four more babies with.

;-)

Hey...this is my blog and I'm being brutally honest.

And since this is my blog, I am stating for the fact that my standards regarding men are so flipping high now that only a man chosen by the Lord Himself is going to pass.  'Cuz I am never, ever going through a divorce again.  And if I fear ending up unhappily married...I would much rather stay single and serving the Lord.  

Those are the facts, folks.

But...

Back to my confession.

I am kinda...

sorta...

Maybe, just a little...

And for the record, I don't know how it happened, because I'm not even a TV watcher...

Crushing on THIS guy...

And totally addicted to "Psych" on USA, which doesn't pass my standards for appropriate TV.

Not much passes my standards, which is why I'm having multiple problems with this.  I want to watch every episode.  I'm currently working this one out in my head.

But anyway..no worries.  The show just makes me laugh, which is something i look forward to at the end of a long, tiring day.  :)  And James Roday is nice to look at. 

I'm sure I'll be over it next week.