My Thanksgiving Favorites!

The Ham! I know traditionally it's turkey, but we decided to switch it up this year. Ham for Thanksgiving and turkey for Christmas. DISCLOSURE this is not a picture of my ham, sorry so busy cooking and everything I forgot to take a picture! Goal for next year. Yes we had a Thanksgiving meal with my side of the family last week, and on Thanksgiving we will have a meal with husband's family.

Ham
Ingredients:
Ham
2 cups water
2 beef bouillon cubes
12-14 oz can of pineapple chunks
small jar of cherries (won't use cherries, just the juice)
toothpicks to hold pineapple chunks on ham

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Put ham in roasting pan.
Add 2 cups of water with the 2 cups of beef bouillon.
I cooked ham on 350 degrees for 20 per pound. Last 30 minutes I took it out, made sure it was 165 degrees with meat thermometer. 
Took pineapple chunks out of can and stuck them on ham with toothpicks. Then poured the juice over ham. Next I held back the cherries with the lid of the jar, and poured the juice over ham.
Put ham back in oven for the last 30 minutes. Turned out juicy!

Classic Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients:
1 cup of milk
pepper to taste
2 - 10 oz can of cream of mushrooms soup
2 - 14.5 oz cans of cut green beans, drained
Approx. 2 cups of french fried onioins

Directions:
In 9x13 baking pan mix all ingredients (except french fried onions).
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Stir, then top with french fried onions. I like to just go on outside. Bake additional 5 minutes.

Newest Addition - Corn Casserole (A friend once shared her recipe, of course I lost it and had to find one similar online. It turned out great!)
Ingredients:
15 oz can of whole kernel corn, drained
15 oz can of cream-style corn
1 package of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix (8oz)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup of shredded cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together (except cheese) in 9x9 greased pan.
Bake for 45 minutes, until middle has settled.
Take out, sprinkle on 1 cup of cheese. Put back in oven for 5-10 minutes.

Pecan Pie- Husbands favorite!
Ingredients:
Pre-made 9in. pie crust (I like the frozen kind, make sure to poke with holes and bake first)
1 cup white corn syrup
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 tsp salt
1/3 melted butter
3 eggs
2 cups pecan halves
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Cook pie crust as directions indicate.
Mix eggs in small bowl and put aside. Mix all other ingredients (expect pecans) in separate bowl, then stir in the eggs.
Put pecan halves onto plate (make sure they are spread out) and put in microwave for 2 minutes. When done put the pecans in pie crust. Next, add the filling into the pie crust. Place pie on cookie sheet in cause some spills over. (Lesson learned first time I made it.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cook for 30 minutes add time if middle is not settled.

Well this is certainly not all that was on our table, but those are our favorites! Hope this helps any last minute cookers looking for a new way to cook something.

Up next will be a tribute to my upcoming 10 year anniversary with my amazing husband!

Thanksgiving Break

Phew ... it's finally here, Thanksgiving Break! I don't know what your busy life schedule includes, but we have been anticipating this break. Break from school and our regular humdrum schedule. Looking forward to the FOOD, some great fall weather so kids can play outside, and spending some quality time with family.

This is a picture of all my boys playing outside on our trampoline. They slept in (well most of them), and when they all got up and realized how warm it looked outside the first thing they did was to ask to go outside. Of course I couldn't say no, they were still in their pajamas. You truly have to enjoy this fall weather when you can, because here in Texas it doesn't last long.

Some of the things on my check-off-list to do this break are:
- Buy some Christmas and birthday gifts.
- Finish up sewing project (making tote bag from old jeans and dress).
- Go through the dreaded mail and shred all the dang credit cards they try to send to us! Or other junk mail that has any personal information on it, uhh I hate doing this!
- Let kids play outside as much as possible! Seriously you never know when it's going to get too cold or wet here.
- Of course eat lots of food, THANKSGIVING is the best!
- Spend time with family outside our immediate family while we can.
- RELAX try not to consume every moment with something planned to do, this is actually really hard for me to do.

As far as teaching what Thanksgiving is really about to our kids, I did a few different things this year. First I have always heard about a 'Thankful Tree' there are many pre-planned ideas online, but never did one. I decided just to do one of my own, I got some construction paper and make a tree trunk with a few branches. Nothing fancy as you can see. Cut out some leafs using different fall colors on construction paper. Then as a family (about once a week until Thanksgiving) we sit around our table think about what we are thankful for, and put it on a leaf. Sam (my sweet pea, now 3 y.o.) put down ones like; God and cousins. Matt (my rambunctious 5 y.o.) actually came up with some very biblical ones like; Jesus and that Jesus rose on the 3rd day. Josh (my practical 8 soon to be 9 y.o.) came up with ones like; our house, bible, sports, and family. I thought about what Daniel (my spunky now 20 mon. old) likes and wrote down things like; candy and cars. Dad was very insightful and wrote things down like; heater, home cooked meals, and a job. I put down things like; coffee and warm clothes. We all put down; friends, veterans, and grandparents. We still need to add some, but this was so simple and really made them think about how blessed we are.

I also just printed out some thanksgiving pictures, that they colored. We talked about how the Pilgrims came over and had a very rough first year in America. How the Indians helped us learn how to grow corn and other things for food. The first Thanksgiving the Pilgrims and Indians gathered together to celebrate their friendship and the hardship they had overcome. They used watercolors to paint the Mayflower. My oldest has learned some more facts in history but, really just used an informal way to learn and talk about Thanksgiving. 


1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) 'in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.'

Up next on my blog will be my Thanksgiving Menu!

What is on My Lunch Menu

Grilled Cheese and Egg Sandwich

We first got the Egg Sandwich recipe from my sister-in-law, we just added our own twist to it. Thanks Kim! It now has become a weekend favorite.

What You Need:

Bread (slices depends on how many sandwiches you will make)
Eggs (boiled, estimate 1 per sandwich)
Miracle Whip (1 heaping tablespoon per egg)
Butter (to spread on sandwiches)
Cheese (I used velveeta and mozarella)

Step 1.                                             

Boil eggs.
The best way I (well actually my husband found this out online, we tried it and love it!) have found to boil eggs is to put eggs in pan, fill with water a little above the eggs, put on stove to boil, once it reaches a good boil turn off heat, leave on burner and put on the lid, then set the timer for 10 minutes.

 Fill pan with cold water. Let them sit for a few minutes to cool off. Then I empty water. Set eggs on counter, so I can use the pan to put the egg shells in. I tap an egg on the counter, then roll it. This cracks the whole egg.

 I get a piece of the shell and try to grab that thin layer under it, then it peels nicely.

 Had to take this picture of my helper peeling eggs with me.

Oh I love this egg slicer! I am sure I just bought it at Walmart or something. It first cuts them into wedges then smaller slices if you want.

I used four eggs. Kids wanted a boiled egg on the side of their grilled cheese sandwich.

 Since I used four eggs I added four heaping tablespoons of miracle whip.

 Use a spoon to mix. This is what the egg mixture looks like.

 Now I prepare for the grilled cheese sandwiches. We love to use velveeta, and I had some left over mozzarella slices I used too.

 I went ahead and spread the butter on the bread. I like to put butter on both sides!

Yep, that's how high our stack is. Almost the whole loaf.

 Next, I put one slice of bread on the griddle then add a piece of each of the types of cheese, then add the other piece of bread. I love my griddle, it works great for grilled cheese sandwiches, french toast and pancakes (and more, but that's what I can think of)! Also great to bring when camping.

 For those of us who wanted the egg in sandwich, I opened the grilled cheese sandwich right after I put it on the plate. Then added a good amount of egg mixture.

Yes, we use paper plates. Its lunch and its the weekend, don't judge me.

 End result. This is what kids plates looked like.
One day they will appreciate my new meals, right ?!?









This is what our plates looked like.

Yes, that is ketchup on our plates. We dip our grilled cheese and egg sandwich in it, don't  you?

Things I Ask Myself as a Mom

I am not sure if its because I live with five boys (yes, including the husband!) as I have no girls to compare to, but I often hear myself repeating these same questions!

Things I Ask Myself as as Mom...

- How did that get there? Like crayon marks on my walls, stuffed TMNT Ninja in my bed, marbles in my shoe, toy snake in husband's boots, hot wheel cars in shoes, lotion squeezed out on rocking chair, can food in drawer under stove, etc.

- How does he sleep like that? To unusual positions to weird places. Some weird places they fall asleep would be in my closet (hiding), down the hallway, in highchair (during dinner), on bathroom floor (without pull-up on, after pooping mind you), and the latest on the staircase.

- Why can't they pee in the toilet? Not on the lid, seat, around the toilet, floor, trash can by the toilet,   on the rug around the toilet, in bathtub etc.

- What did he just say? Oh the things, like; poopy head, peebuddy, fart face, Bobby head (not sure where this came from?), and basically anything else to do with pooping or farting.

- What is that sound? Usually silence is scary, but with these boys its NEVER quiet. Constant noise. From hearing them jumping off something upstairs, spilling legos everywhere, crying (the hurt cry), belching, farting, making up songs while they poop, ninja fighting, rolling down the stairs (themselves or toys), etc.

Yep, that's my BOY!

Nehemiah 8:10b 'Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'

I am laughing out lout as I am recalling some of these things (yes they all have happened). But sometimes as they are actually happening it is not so funny. I have to constantly remember my strength is in the Lord. And BOY do I need strength with these 4 boys (especially that second child, gotta LOVE him)!

Fall, My Favorite Season of the Year

Sometimes all I can do is just stand in awe of God's wonderful creation around me. Fall is my favorite season! Today as the kids and I were outside, there were about 10 butterflies fluttering around the flowers in our yard! It was so BEAUTIFUL.

Why I Love Fall-

The sun is shining bringing warmth, but there is a nice cool breeze

Tree leaves are changing colors and falling

There are still some flowers

Butterflies are everywhere

Time to pull out the sweatpants and sweaters

I love wearing the fall color, plum

Using my crock pot to make stews and soups

Baking cookies all the time

Drinking lots of hot tea, coffee and chocolate

Candles that smell like apple-cinnamon or pumpkin pie

Going to sleep feeling cool enough for a warm comforter

Cuddles in blankets

Open windows and not using the heater or ac

THANKSGIVING a time to cherish what family, friends, and food we have!

Genesis 1:14 'Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;'

You Know You are a MOM When ...

These are just a few things I have discovered in motherhood. I am sure you could add more, and the list could go on and on. I hope some will give you a good chuckle or at the least you can sympathize with the amazingly crazy life as a mom.

You Know You are a MOM When ...

#100  you stay home with a child who isn't feeling well because no one comforts them like momma

#101 your kid uses your shirt as a napkin or worse a tissue, eww!

#102 you poke yourself with a needle while sewing a patch onto your child's vest, or repairing a tear in their favorite stuff animal

#103 you stay up way too late, because that's the only time you can get all those mom things done

#104 you can change baby's diaper or clothes while they are twisting and turning trying to crawl away

#105 you are holding your baby with one hand while holding your toddler in the other, so he can use the public bathroom

#106 you have to wait to eat your meal countless times, because a nursing baby is always hungry when the meal is ready

#107 you always have one, or at least one, in your lap while you: grade papers, try to read, eat, work etc. ...

#108 you can easily prepare dinner with a child attached to hip, or on the counter ... or both

#109 your alone time is when you are using the bathroom, if you're lucky ...

#110 date night with your husband consists of a Redbox movie with a late night snack while kids are in bed

#111 you say "silence is golden," but is scary when it actually happens

# 112 you've caught yourself repeating your mother, "if your friend jumps off a bridge would you?"

#113 you say "because I said so" to the never-ending question "but why?"

#114 chores like mowing the yard is never done alone

#115 nothing is ever truly just yours

This is my youngest, now 18 months old, eating my toast. I know he looks so darn cute who could tell him no??

Proverbs 31:28a (NKJV) 'Her children rise up and call her blessed;'

Does Homeschooling = A Lot of Patience?

"Wow, you homeschool? You must have a lot of PATIENCE!" I get this a lot, do you??? I always add, "I have patience, I don't know about A LOT." Patience is definitely a God characteristic. Scripture is full of verses on patience, when you have a moment check some out.

Scripture on Patience:
Hebrews 6:12
James 1:4

Act of being Patient:
Psalm 40:1
Romans 2:7
Romans 12:12
1 Thessalonians 5:14

Stories of those who had to be Patient:
Sarah and Abraham awaiting a heir, Genesis 17, 21
Hannah's pain and trust with Samuel, 1 Samuel 1

Patience is certainly helpful with kids, and yes even more so when homeschooling. But truth be told, it really is something I believe most people learn. Some might start out with more than others, but never-the-less we all need it. If I have learned anything in these past few years of homeschooling, it is that I need more patience. Parenting and homeschooling is an emotional and physical task. At the end of the day I am drained ... emotionally and physically. It takes patience to discipline, correct, show love, care for, and to do and mend the many other task as a parent. I endlessly ask God for patience, endurance and strength to be the best parent I can be.

I often tell my hyperactive now 5 year old, "being patient means waiting nicely." Because you know I have told him a thousand times to "be patient," and he has asked ten thousand times "what does 'be patient' mean?" So now, if asked, he can recite it. Unfortunately, that means at every opportunity we must show them how to be patient. Fist part of 'being patient' is waiting, or time. Do you hear the clock? Tick-tock tick-tock. Do we rush without measure when they take their time finishing a seemingly simple task? What is a reasonable time before we are impatient? Who decides what is reasonable and what is timely? I admit this is not my strong suit either.

Which brings up the second part of 'being patient', reaction. Which is arguably the more important part. When that simple task with your young one takes way longer than it should, how do you react? Harshly, yell, boil with anger and frustration? Oh me, this is where I get my toes stepped on! As mentioned before, I have always dreamed of becoming a mother. I love children. I envisioned myself being calm, soft spoken, and God directing mother. As I became one ... where I thought I was fairly good at has increasingly become obvious I'm still lacking. I yell. I get frustrated. And yes at times I am harsh. I seek biblical guidance in this ongoing quest to be patient with my children.

Getting back to the title of this post, if you homeschool does that mean you have a lot of patience? I have meet some parents that homeschool who appear overwhelmed, impatient, and out of control. I have also meet some homeschooling parents who seem to generate this calm, peaceful, and loving vibe. The same to those parents who are not homeschooling. Some are seemingly patient and some are not. Of course this is an over all picture of patient and not based on a single instance.

True, homeschooling means you are spending more time with your child than the average parent. And I would safely assume the majority of homeschooling parents over time have come to practice patience with grace. After all, the alternative would to go insane (ask how close I am to that?haha).

Does that mean I am patient? Uh, depends ... Over all, honestly I would say no. It sincerely is the one place I think I need the most improvement on. But then again ... if I sent my kids to public school, which that would be the 2 oldest, and I only had to manage 2 little ones for 8 hours a day ... My answer might change. So maybe I appear more patient because I manage all four of them, all day?? Not sure. Homeschooling = Patience ? Myth. I believe it most likely depends on the season of life you are in, and/or the amount of time seeking and practicing patience.

Well there is my thoughts, how about you?