Sunday, November 30, 2008

We're here and things are awesome. We are trying to see everyone here, but there just aren't enough hours in the days.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Hey guys,
Check out the new banner on my side bar. It is for our dear dear friends the Robisons, most of you know them. They are moving ahead to adopt a special needs child from China. So, if you have some extra cash you are looking to donate to a good cause this year, please consider their fund raiser.

ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Three more days and then we fly out!!!!!! I hope I can sleep between now and then....oh wait, I have an infant...yup, sleep won't be a problem, but focus during awake hours might.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

We've skipped another week of church shopping. Robert got a ticket to the Browns vs Texans game this afternoon, so we didn't go to church, again. He promises me that we are going to a great church next week, lol! We are watching the game on tv to see if we can see Daddy in HD. So far no luck. Joshua keeps yelling at the Browns to get the Texans legs, even though he says he is for the Texans...and Leah keeps running around yelling "Go Cowboys" with gusto. Can't imagine where she gets good taste from, hmmm. I think Hannah just likes to here the refs whistles blow. She fusses when they go to commercial. Can't wait until we get to watch our Aggies whoop up on the Tsips this week!!!

Other than that, I am just mentally checking my list of things to get done before we leave town. Haven't traveled with a baby in a while, so I have to remind myself of everything not to forget, like the baby monitor. I have a feeling this week is going to drag by.

I made a super yummy potato soup last night for dinner. I'll post the recipe and my review in a bit once I get kiddos down for naps.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Today's Snow Fun



hopefully tomorrow we will get to build a snow man and do some sledding

Snow Eaters Anonymous...


Notice the snow goatee.
9a.m. 24 degrees, windchill is 13. Heavy snow falling. We got 2-4 inches over night, can't really tell from my window and we've had over an inch since Robert shoveled this morning. :-)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Joshua must be going through some huge developmental stage. We cut out tv for him and his behavior is much improved. We also implemented J and L's to do lists from this website They are to-do's and not just chore charts. Their chores are on them but so are behavior to-do's. For example, Leah has to make her bed, as well as be nice to Bubba and not cry or whine. At the end of the day, Robert goes over there list and if we all decide they did good in an area, they get a big smiley face and if not then they get an X. It seems to be working well for them both.

Anyway, Joshua has also become the clumsiest thing I have ever seen in my life. Seriously. He can be sitting perfectly still on the couch and somehow, he'll just fall off and hurt himself. It is the craziest thing. And don't even get me started on walking/running without watching where he is going. People must think I beat him constantly because he is covered in scrapes cuts and bruises all over. Poor kid! I hope he out grows it soon. But, if he doesn't, I've decided he can jsut wear his out door marshmallow man suit all the time and that way he'll just bounce back and forth off of the walls with no problems. ;-)

We are expecting 4-6 inches of snow Friday night!!! YEA! That means Daddy can finally get out and show the kids how to build a snowman and play in the snow. Joshua asks him every day how to make a snow angel but it is getting dark here before 5 already and so Robert isn't home during any day time hours.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My daughter is going have to join SEA...snow eaters anonymous. Seriously, that is all she does. She doesn't even play in it, just eats it constantly. I told Robert that every time she finds a big pile of it, she thinks she's just found an all you can eat buffett. So, I spend 30 minutes getting the marshmallow kids suited up and then they get to play for about 20 minutes. I think they might be able to play longer if they weren't eating snow the whole time!!! Oh wait, Joshua doesn't eat that much, he sticks his head in it. Yup, turns himself upside down in a hand stand and sticks his head in it. Cracks me up! But yeah, the kids are loving the snow. And really, so are we...except

We had to go pick up Robert's van from the dealership yesterday. They've supposedly fixed the problem, we'll see. Anyway, we for sure have the question "front wheel/all wheel or rear wheel drive" answered for us. We will have to buy a 4X4 Suburban next year. It took us two hours to get to the dealership and back last night and that was with Robert babying Big Truck the whole time. So, this winter I"ll be staying home if there is any snow or ice and we have to seriously tighten our belts for all of next year so we can pay cash for a new one. We were hoping to put that off for at least another 4 years or so. Oh well, the Lord has provided well for us, so we just try to be good stewards of what we have.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008



Good thing Robert shoveled this morning....you still can't see our sidewalk.
I just went out and trudged around in the snow. We had about 4 inches last night and it is still coming down steady. Joshua went out this morning and then I went out about an hour later and I couldn't see his footprints any more. I had to go out to find Leah's missing hot pink mitten. It's still missing. Apparently, when the kids were out with Robert last night, she took it off and no one noticed until they were inside. So, she can't play. I hate that. They had so much fun yesterday and it was such a nice break for me, honestly. But, it's 28 degrees and lots of snow, she has to have mittens. I'm hoping since it is supposed to get up to 36 tomorrow that this snow will melt and we can find the mitten. Those suckers aren't cheap! But this snow stuff is really fun and absolutely beautiful. And our lifestyle lends itself to hunkering down, so we're good.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Try This One!

Tonight we had these French Dip sandwiches.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Dip-Sandwiches/Detail.aspx

And oh my, you must go try them! Robert's exact quote was "This is incredible!" I followed the recipe exactly, for once. Then, I served them open face with carmalized onions and mushrooms and some melted provolone cheese. REALLY, TRY THESE!!!! YUMMY!

We got a little over 2 inches of accumulated snow this afternoon, in an hour. I watched it the whole time. It was awesome and my kids are gonna sleep good tonight.
For Angela, here is the chicken and dumplings recipe I worked with.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-and-Dumplings/Detail.aspx

But, I added diced carrots, celery and mushrooms with the chicken. I also used one can cream of chicken and mushrooms and two cans cream of mushroom. I used salt and lemon pepper and a little garlic powder to season. You don't need much salt though with all of the soup. THen, I covered it all in chicken broth. I added the biscuits about two hours before eating, but I did four cans and that was too much to get cooked. I'd think three cans would be perfect. I quartered the biscuits and I always use the cheapy cheap biscuits for dumplings. Awesome flavor!!! You'll need to stir once or twice after adding the biscuits to make sure they are all cooking.
******************************************
And for my information.
I've been making an awesome no sugar apple cobbler this fall. I use two cups Pamela's baking mix (which we LOVE, best pancakes ever), 2 cups milk, 1 Tbs baking powder, 2-3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, fresh ground nutmeg and some chopped pecans or walnuts. Pour it over stewed apples or any fruit! YUMMY!!!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Well, they made it home fine. Robert said he wasn't going to do anything about it. But, this morning we started the van to go run grocery errands for the week and it died about 30 seconds later and wouldn't restart. Nice! Robert is stressed. Yuck. So, dealership is closed today. We'll hear from them tomorrow. It is under 36,000 miles so it is still under the original warranty but we also have the resale warranty too. Good thing.

On a better note, it has been snowing all morning. For real snow. Big huge thick flakes and lots of them. It starts and stops now and then but it is awesome. Nothing is sticking yet, but the kids did get to go out and run around in the blowing snow and try to catch flakes....of course, I took pictures....who do you think you are talking to! Since it was snowing and it was our first real snow as a family, Robert called a snow day and we skipped church. :-)

Crock pot chicken and dumplings turned out great! I put too many biscuits in for dumplings and so I had to work through that but that was my fault, not the recipes. I'll do that again. Alot like my Mom's but easier cause you dump and go!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Pretty low key day today. Robert tried to get out and get the leaves raked to the curb this morning, but it started raining pretty good and at 40 degrees, you just can't stay out in the rain. I've been doing not much. I did dishes and got a crock pot chicken and dumplings going. Also have some brownies baking. I've rediscovered my love of cooking since we've moved up here. I realize that we were just too busy and too over commited in Texas and so I couldn't really cook for joy....it was always just hurry and cook something fast and healthy and run out the door. Or just run out the door and grab something out. It has been nice getting to slow down adn be a family again up here.
Robert and the kids have run out to pick up our milk and eggs. I hope Ada, our farmer's wife, sends something yummy like more fresh cream this week. Unfortunately, Robert just called and said the van died on him. He got it restarted, but now I'm sitting here waiting, wondering if I'm going to have to run out and get them in teh truck. I don't like this feeling. What if it dies on the freeway? Will they get cold waiting for me if they do? The winds are gusting high today, they've downed a tree in our neighborhood and it is cold and will be snowing soon. I don't like my family broken down out in these conditions. Time to stop thinking about an emergency winter kit in the vehicles and get them in there!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Snow in the forecast everyday next week. YIPPEE!!! Maybe we'll actually see some accumulation.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ho hum. Thursday, yea! That means it is almost the weekend, and we have nothing going on, YIIPPPPEEE!!! Although there is some SERIOUS leaf raking that needs to be done in our back yard before it gets covered in snow. You should see the really cool leaf vaccuum truck they have that comes around to suck up the leaves that people rake to the curb. The kids and I were fascinated watching it.
Went and had some retail therapy this morning. Just needed to get out of the casa. It wasn't a big deal. We took clothes to Goodwill and went to Target. Robert insisted that we all have thermal under wear, and they had some for all but me, per usual. Everyone in my house is so easy to shop for, but me. We've yet to buy me anything but my snow boots. Oh well. The jeans I bought two weeks ago are falling off of me already, so maybe I'm destined to be naked this winter, lol. I ordered a vest for our christmas pics from kohls.com. We tried to get it at our store but they didn't have my size and it was the perfect vest. Anyway, the stupid site didn't update my shipping address, just my billing address and so it is set to ship to Ky and Lori at our old house. The only customer service they offer is by email, so I immediately emailed them about their error. I got a reply. Says they'll answer my email in 24-48 hours. Thanks alot, real helpful since I HOPE that it would ship sooner than that. They are quickly ruining my plans for our pics to be done before Thanksgiving. I usually have everything done before Thanksgiving, but looks like it will have to wait until after this year, grrrr.
We've had a low key week. Laundry, cooking, teaching, reteaching, discipling, rediscipling, etc etc etc wash repeat. I'm trying to cook every meal at home until we leave for our trip so we save a little money. I need to post some of the recipes I've made lately so I have htem for next year.
Get a free 8x10 color photo book from Snapfish. These are fun! I did one for Robert for father's day one year.
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Take Action Now.....Stop the Freedom of Choice Act

http://www.fightfoca.com/

Please go and sign the petition to stop the Freedom of Choice Act. Protect the women and babies in our country. This will wipe out every law of protection that's been instated since Roe V Wade. Please help get the word out, quickly!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

I'm fed up with Joshua. I just don't know what to do with him. He CONSTANTLY antagonizes his sister. He can get up from time out or a spanking and immediately go right back to it. I'm just fed up to here and I can't take any more. Today my strategy is that he has no freedoms, none. He stays by my side and sits on the floor next to me no matter where I am. Any ideas out there??
If you find sarcastic humor funny, especially in the face of a failing economy. Check this out. SNL skit on the bailout.
http://guestofaguest.com/finance/the-forbidden-snl-economic-bailout-skit/?ref=patrick.net

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Recipes Please

Ok, hit me with your best soup recipes. I've never been a big soup cooker, so I'll take anything. Bonus points if it uses a heavy cream since I got some from our Amish farmer this week.

Church #11 was not a dud. I'd like to say it is promising, but I haven't been able to talk with Robert about it yet. It is a bit challenging to tell because they are teaching thru Revelation right now. I don't judge or critique anyone's escatology because #1 I haven't studied the topic enough to do so and #2 some of the greatest biblical scholars of our times disagree in eschatology. Everyone was really nice. Joshua was happy because he got to take down chairs after service. He was thrilled to get to help, and the men were a bit stupored by his enthusiasm, lol. The music was good too, although the drummer couldn't keep the beat consistently...slowed down the further we went (you music people know what I'm talking about), wanted to go give him a metronome... promising...maybe...

And, after being in the 60's all week, we should see snow in the next two hours. Tomorrow morning until noon, as well. Still not supposed to be sticking yet. I don't konw that we'll see warm weather again now. We really should have gotten those leaves raked before this...oops.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Daddy's New Baby



Yup, your eyes do not deceive you. We went car shopping to replace our beloved Baby Car....and came home with a minivan. We decided that we wanted his work car to be able to back up our truck. It is 6 years old and still trucking just fine but in the next years it might start giving us trouble. We also only have rear wheel drive in the truck and the minivan has front wheel drive which is safer in snow and ice conditions. So, he now has gone from a Porsche to a Cavalier to a Minivan. Poor guy! I'm sure he still feels studly though since he's cranking out babies every other year, lol!!!!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Thanks Mom!!!!!! Now we are ready.

Two Months Old

 


Hannah Cole is now 2 months old. She's a big girl, although we haven't weighed her in a while. She's also a great sleeper! YEA!!!! She loves her Bubba and Lele and talks to Daddy every night when he gets home from work! Too cute.
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

I guess us moving to Ohio wasn't enough. I am quite unsettled this morning. I hope that this massive swing brings us all to our knees to pray for mercy. God is still in control, praise Him! I will particularly praying for my close friends who own and run successful small businesses, this is going to hit ya'll hard.

I'm off to see how our local elections went. We had elections for the state board of education here.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Looks like we'll be car shopping this weekend. Baby car is on her very last leg. We were hoping to make it to 200,000 miles but only made it to 180,000....not bad. She's a good car. I'll miss her!

Monday, November 3, 2008

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!!

Tomorrow is the end, thank goodness! Please remember to go VOTE!!! No matter who your voting for, please exercise your right that men and women have died to protect.

We voted by mail in ballot last week....seemed easier than dragging three kids to long lines. We voted McCain. Not because I particularly support him as an ideal candidate, but Obama is anti everything that my family believes and lives. If you haven't decided who to vote for, then vote for McCain so my family doesn't have to live in fear of being prosecuted for our lifestyle. It is about more than tax plans! Our country was not founded to be a socialists country, but that is what Obama wants. I don't want to government taking my money to use how it see fit to "help" people. I want my money that my husband works hard for to be used as we see fit and to help the charities and people we want to help with it. Besides, we'll choose charities that efficiently use our donations, unlike the wasteful spending of our government.

Thankfully, Wednesday morning, we will wake up with a new president and we won't have to hear about this stupid election anymore. It has been particularly annoying being in a battle ground state. The candidates are around here all the time and it is annoying how it stirs everyone up. I think Sarah is at the Farmers Market we went to on Saturday, today. Crazy! No matter who is elected, we are called to back and support them, and we will....only if it is Obama, it will be with trembling. Who ever is elected will be our God ordained leader for 4 years....man, I hope it isn't Obama.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

We are home today. Church #11 will have to wait until next week. Robert isn't feeling great. I don't know if it is a bug or stress, maybe a bit of both. Everyone is starting the sniffling/sneezing season with the crazy weather swings up here. This week is supposed to be nice, in the 60's all week until Friday and then back into the 40's for highs. The Tomek's say we will probably have snow that sticks in the next week or so.

We've had a nice weekend. Friday night we celebrated Reformation Day the way we have for 5 years now...breakfast out for dinner. It wasn't as yummy as Magnolia Diner with all of our friends, but we do love our Bob Evans. And Chef Mommy needed a break. When we got home, we went over to wish the Tomek's Happy Reformation Day, dressed up as their neighbors, lol. We also let the kids each have one piece of candy. The split the little snickers yesterday and will the other one another day. We are grateful that Martin Luther nailed his thesis to the door in Whittenberg!

Yesterday ended up being a big shopping day. Robert got up with the kids and let me sleep in until 10 with Hannah....that was much needed. Then, we sprung out of bed and headed to a farmers market. We stocked up on some Amish beef since our Paidom order was gone. I can't wait to try it. The man was very very nice. He even said he if putting together a grassfed beef cooking guide and needs a fajita recipe, so if I send him mine, he'll give us some free product. YES! We also got some produce from another Amish stand. You guys should see the greens, actually all of the produce, it is GORGEOUS!!! Seriously, pristine! I can't wait to cook up the greens. Nothing beats greens and corn bread. My favorite meal of all time!!!! I've finaly perfected cooking them to taste just like my Grannies! I just love interacting with the Amish. I get giddy. I wish I could make an Amish friend and learn more about them, but we don't live close enough to them.

After the farmer's market, we went and grabbed lunch at TGI Friday's. So disappointing eating out after buying such yummy fresh stuff. Then we ran over to Eddie Bauer's to try and find me some jeans to fit. It's always been hard to fit me because my legs are so long and I"ve always been skinny. Well, now I'm skinny and long legged but have a belly.....apparently no one in the clothing industry is shaped anything like me. BUT, I tried on a pair of curvy cut Eddie Bauer jeans in their regular longs and THEY FIT....COMFORTABLY!!!!! Except, they are $59. OUCH! So, we didn't buy them, I am watching for them to go on sale online and then they are mine! I have some money from my Mom to help us buy winter clothes and so I can use that. While I was shopping, Leah had a nasty poopy diaper, twice. The second time, we realized we were out of her diapers in the bag. OH NO! Thankfully I had some large prefolds that we use as burp rags and I set her up in those and we huried home. We were hoping it was something she ate and not a stomach bug because we all shared an all natrual Amish ice cream at the farmers market.

When we got home, we tried to get teh kids naps, but they had slept for an hour in the car ride home. So, we headed to the mall. I got the girls Christmas dresses at Gymboree...my first purchse there ever. They were 20% off and I had a 20% off coupon, so they were reasonably priced. We also got Joshua some shoes. I'm embarrassed to say that his were two sizes too small....the kids never complained! OUCH. I also settled on a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that will do until I can get the Eddie Bauer ones. They were cheap and ok fitting. I still have a long list of shopping that needs to be done, pronto since snow is coming, but you can only shop for so long with a 4, 2 and 8 week old. We got home just in time for bed. Makes me tired just typing it up.

Now, the kids are playing outside, and Robert and Hannah are napping. I am happy to get to sit down for a moment.....although the diapers needed to be put in the dryer and dishes loaded and lunch made.....