Appreciate the Small Stuff!

Falling Behind

2013-11-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

Long Weekend

Eating restrictions and braces adjustment don't mix. And I got to visit my family this weekend, so I didn't cook much. I did cook a roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, turnips and mustards for my mom. Thankfully, it was all soft.

Came home to Bardan in the pepper plant

I spent the weekend eating soup, soft breads, and cooked veggies (mashed potatoes..my favorite). Even today, I ate soup since my mouth is still a bit tender. Oh, well....tomorrow is another day.

Super thankful for my husband, though. He stayed home to help with an Eagle Scout Project and went to a new members class at church.....Love you, Babe

He's mine...back off!

Day 2

2013-11-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

Awesome things happen with leftover homemade bread, olive oil, and spices....See my croutons!!!

SO PROUD!!
We didn't eat them though. We ate.......

TA-DA!
This is chicken tacos on whole wheat tortillas, cheese, and white sauce (sour cream, cream cheese, home grown cayenne peppers, and stock from the chicken).

And.....

These were dry beans, not canned :)

In the beans, I put dry beans, water, bell pepper, onion, and molasses in the crockpot. Please don't ask for measurements...I'd have to say enough.

But seriously.....I want ice cream.....This isn't hard. It's that I want what I'm not allowing myself to have. I'm glad Mac asked for an ice-cream machine for Christmas. If "Real Food" sticks, an ice-cream machine will be useful.

Real Food Challenge

2013-11-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

So my husband decided that at some point in the near future he'd like to lose weight.

Fantastic!

He wants to cut out processed foods.

That's good for you, but I can see extra work in my future....

It's a good idea to cut out any ingredient the kids can't read.

Ahhhh! I knew it! Extra work for me! Challenge accepted (He knows he's loved)

So I decided to give it a go first, see how it works. When pay day comes around, I'll start making shopping choices to switch the whole family over, but I'm the Lone Eater for now. Note: they will eat what I make. If "real food" is what is cooked, they have no choice but to eat it.

So step 1:Research

www.100daysofrealfood.com

Step 2: It's not pay day, so how can I do this without going shopping. To the pantry, Bat-Man!

I need to make changes to the rules on the web link above to fit my budget.

1. Meats, veggies, fruits, milk, cheeses are all acceptable.
2. If it was a staple 100 years ago, it's a staple now. (This is how I'm justifying my flour, grits, and sugar. Anyone who says grits isn't real food is insane.)
3. If the kids can read the ingredients list, it's acceptable.

Step 3: Cooking

Rolls made for lunches. The kids are use to this, so it can be incorporated immediately. (Thank you bread machine!!!)

Looks like Kraft, but it's not. Elbow macaroni, heavy cream, butter, and cheese. They had no idea it didn't come from Kraft.

Here we go.....

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Sharing My Experiences

2012-05-10T19:03:00.001-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Sharing My Experiences: Parents and grandparents of children on the Autism Spectrum are use to the sight in the picture above. Not the cast, but the Legos. ...

Sharing My Experiences

2012-05-10T19:01:00.003-07:00

Parents and grandparents of children on the Autism Spectrum are use to the sight in the picture above. Not the cast, but the Legos.

Today, I met a grandmother of a possible Autistic child while taking my boys for speech. He was diagnosed as Autistic by a pediatrian, not a doctor who specializes in the Autism Spectrum. After a while, she decided to change doctors, and the new doctor suggest take the child for brain seizures. She is hoping that her grandson has brain seizures, not the Autism, so that they can medicate and have a "normal" kid.

She asked my opinion on the matter because she was so lost. I shared my experiences with doctors, specialists, labeling, and such. I told her about how she needs allow herself to grieve over the loss of the grandchild she dreamed of, and the for life that she dreamed for him. That would allow her to cope with what was in the future. Many parents and grandparents don't realize that grieving over their ideas give such release. We miss something very real to us, but we gain so much more after we let go of our "dream".

God has something very big planned. He allows us to participate in His glory. I have no idea what is planned for my babies or me. I have 4 kids, and 3 are classified as special needs. 2 of them are on the Spectrum and 1 is hard of hearing. I often ask God how He could possibly trust me so much. I know He doesn't make mistakes. And my babies are absolutely perfect the way they are made, and I wouldn't change them.......so that means He must have more faith in me than I have in myself.

It's hard. I've been driving to therapy for 9 years!!!! A majority of the time, I drive that twice a week. Not to mention, it's expensive and exhausting. Parenting is hard enough without trying to interact with children who communicate so differently.

Still, I wouldn't trade, fix, or do without any of them. As Psalms 139:14 states, they are "perfectly and wonderfully made" by a Creator that has big plans for us all to bring Him glory. He has selflessly allowed us to play a special part in His creation. He gently guides us in becoming beautiful souls that make Him smile as we plod this path that He specially designed. I trust that in His infinite wisdom; He prepares us for the time that we are caught up with Him. Until then, I hide myself in His arms, holding on, and refusing to let go. I can only begin to understand Psalm 17:8, "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings."

As, I typed this, Daniel and Hannah brought me an early Mother's Day gift. They made a flower out of paper and a pipe cleaner. Daniel wrote "love is superior" and he rubbed deodorant on the paper. He said the smell pleases him. I know why instinctively. It is soft and noninvasive. Such sweet spirits.

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Thinking Back

2012-03-23T06:54:00.001-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Thinking Back: DISNEY We love to go to Disney.....and to go often. Why? Why in the world would we go to the same place all the time? See the same shows? R...

Thinking Back

2012-03-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

DISNEY
We love to go to Disney.....and to go often. Why? Why in the world would we go to the same place all the time? See the same shows? Ride the same rides?

Planning is easy. And (if you know how to do it right) once you get there, you can park your car and not drive until you are leaving. Also, the kids know exactly what to expect. Everyone can relax. It's AWESOME!!!!

Gabriel is drawing with chalk at Downtown Disney. They had artist everywhere. The main focus was on chalk art, similar to in Mary Poppins.

The kids and their grandpa. The in-laws LOVE Disney as much as the kids do. This is at the campgrounds.

Wayne and I don't have many pictures together. So I took one while we were giving the kids a snack in the Land.

Shhhhh! He doesn't know that I'm posting this one. Epcot is by far Wayne's favorite. He likes to take me into Norway. Wayne's parents use to "shop" for him a girl in Norway. They figured girls are tall, fair skinned, and blond. What more could he want??? Well, I'm tall, fair skinned, and blond, but no Nordic heritage. I guess he likes to show them that Americans can grow anything they can (and taller). He keeps me laughing.

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: HE MADE IT!!!!!

2012-01-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: HE MADE IT!!!!!: Today was AWESOME!!!!!! But I'm going to tell some back story first. At 18 months, Daniel went from a vocabulary of 75 words to not talkin...

HE MADE IT!!!!!

2012-01-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

Today was AWESOME!!!!!! But I'm going to tell some back story first.

At 18 months, Daniel went from a vocabulary of 75 words to not talking at all. (Give me a break, I was a first time mom. I wrote down every word he said.) At three, he still wasn't speaking much, uncomfortable/unconcerned with people, had night terrors, anxiety, but could read. He was the weirdest but most beautiful boy ever. He started language therapy with the school district with the ruling of "language delay". At 5, we were told by a psychologist that he was mentally handicapped while Daniel sat in the room reading "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling (and not the Disney version). We wrote that guy off as a kook, and had him retested. He was given the diagnoses of "Asperger's Syndrome/High Functioning Autism" at 6. Since then, we have homeschooled, had language therapy, gone to conferences, and read books trying to find ways to helping him.

And then today, we went to our private therapist to have testing done so we could restart private therapy. AND HE TESTED NORMAL!!!! He has never been in a normal range in the pragmatic, listening, and social language. But now at 10, he made it!!! He has had a lot of set backs this year. Anxiety has gotten awful, so we started on medication. Meds have help tremendously. This was after we tried everything else first; gluten free, sugar free, carbohydrate specific diet, exercise, and counseling. I was torn apart by the decision to medicate, but we tried everything else.

Anyway, he has made such improvements. We are ecstatic with how well he is doing. He is in a 7th grade science book, 6th grade math, vocabulary, and social studies book. Not bad for a "mentally handicapped" kid. (That Psychologist puts the "o" in "psycho")

We are encouraged that since we made it to this point with Daniel; we will make it with Gabriel, who was diagnosed last month with Asperger's. Thanks for the prayers and please continue.

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: A Great Friend

2011-09-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: A Great Friend: This lizard captured Daniel's attention more than any animal in the zoo.
Sometimes it just hits me, Daniel is SO different! But he ...

A Great Friend

2011-09-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

This lizard captured Daniel's attention more than any animal in the zoo.

Sometimes it just hits me, Daniel is SO different! But he tries so hard to fit in. The problem is that other people and various types of work just not interesting. And when he isn't interested he "self-stimulates", or my preferred word "Soothes."

Stress or Boredom causes some really unusual behaviors. It started with spinning, then flapping. He flapped for a long time. Then he started clearing his throat. We got more negative attention for that, as parents. Everyone always thought he was sick. Nope, it made him feel better. Now, the new thing is a facial twitch. Kind of like he is winking. It is less obvious than flapping and spinning, but still....I fear that he will be slapped for winking while some pretty girl is near. He wouldn't be winking at her, just as she happens to walk by.

So we are working on a list. He and I are working on a list of the qualities that other people want in a friend so that interacting with people is less stressful. The less stress, the less "soothing". I am putting the list here. Feel free to contribute ideas. Some of this may sound ridiculous, but we have to be very upfront, honest, and thorough.

Qualities a Friend Wants
1. Smart, but not a show off
2. Well and appropriately dressed for specific occasions (don't wear a suit to play outside)
3. Smell and look clean
4. Care for others thoughts and feelings
5. Kind
6. Lets other people talk
7. Listens
8. Stays on subject
9. Doesn't interrupt (even if what I have to say is more interesting)
10. Good manners

Any more advice???? Remember if it doesn't make it on the list, then it isn't a "friend quality". We don't assume that it will just come with practice. A mental (some times actual) note has to be made.

Isn't he WONDERFUL! He wants to be a good friend. And he has the kind and good manners down. He is very proud of his manners. Sometimes when he is holding a door, I have to make him stop. He will stand there forever, because "people keep coming and I need to be polite."

I LOVE MY ASPY!

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Homemade taco shell

2011-08-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Homemade taco shell: Yesterday was rough! I went to the store with the kids, and they were wilder than normal. Mac tripped over a woman and apologized for her ...

Homemade taco shell

2011-08-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was rough! I went to the store with the kids, and they were wilder than normal. Mac tripped over a woman and apologized for her "big feet". Gabriel was clingy and wanted to be held. Then I pulled a muscle (or stressed it or something) carrying him around. Thankfully, Wayne came home early and let me lay down after taking some meds. All that to say, I didn't get around to making my tortillas yesterday, but I did this morning!!!!

2 1/2 cups of flour (you can use whole wheat)

1/2 cup of oil

1 tsp of salt

1 cup of water (warmed in the microwave for 1 minute)

Mix in a mixer with the dough hook for about 3 minutes

Turn out on a floured surface and roll into a log.

Slice with a pizza cutter

Roll with a rolling pin

Cook for about one minute on both sides in a
pan sprayed with nonstick.

Viola!! Pretty good.

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Canning Tomato sauce

2011-08-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Canning Tomato sauce: So some little people around here think that tomatoes are "yuck", "eww", "that's just nasty", and so forth. And that was just today. But ...

Canning Tomato sauce

2011-08-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

So some little people around here think that tomatoes are "yuck", "eww", "that's just nasty", and so forth. And that was just today. But when I make spaghetti, chili, lasagna, or any number of other things, they are willing to "suffer" it down. And they at least make me think that they like it.

So today's project "Canning tomato sauce" sounds ridiculous, because I am actually putting it in jars. But I don't get to decide what things are called, so here it goes.....

A whole bunch of tomatoes diced (some people remove skin and seeds, I don't)

Enough Olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of a stock pot

some seasoning (yes, it's technical....I used salt and oregano..and a tsp of sugar to reduced acidity)

Boil until it is reduced to a liquid. And while it is still hot put in in the jar.

If you put it in while still hot, it will seal itself.

This is 1/2 of the little ones that have decided that tomatoes are yuck.

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Real Food-Crepes

2011-08-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Real Food-Crepes: Crepes 1 cup ap flour 1/4 tsp salt Mix Add 2 eggs 1/2 cup of milk 1/2 cup of water mix Cook in a hot, lightly greased (or nonstick)...

Real Food-Crepes

2011-08-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

Crepes
1 cup ap flour
1/4 tsp salt
Mix
Add 2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup of water
mix

Cook in a hot, lightly greased (or nonstick) frying pan about 2 minutes each side

Batter:Pour a little less than 1/2 cup into the pan

Crepe

Filling

Mac and Daniel had eggs. Hannah and Gabe had Blueberry filling

Filling

2/3 cup of sugar

4 tbsp of cornstarch

1/4 cup of water

dash of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg

bring to a light boil

Add about 1 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh blueberries

Cook until it has thickened

Blueberry filling

Sorry. My picture didn't turn out and the kids ate it before I realized.

And I am very excited to say that my children have been eating wonderfully since I have started to remove processed food. No vegetable or fruit arguments. For snacks there is yogurt and fresh fruits. This weekend I made sloppy joes with a homemade tomato sauce. Which is (surprising to me) just a diced tomato cooked down with a little olive oil and seasoning. And it was awesome! After the kids ate it, I told them that I cooked a tomato in it...They just said, "oh, well." ;)

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Real Food-Beef Wellington

2011-08-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: Real Food-Beef Wellington: What a day!!! I decided yesterday that I wanted to make Beef Wellington. But guess what....When making a puff pastry from scratch it reall...

Real Food-Beef Wellington

2011-08-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

What a day!!! I decided yesterday that I wanted to make Beef Wellington. But guess what....When making a puff pastry from scratch it really needs to be done the day before, so the Wellington got pushed off a day. It was SO worth it!!

Puff Pastry Recipe (this is the quick recipe, but it still takes hours. Or you can buy one at the grocery store)
Roast cut into about 2x2 strips (estimate)
Fresh Mushrooms diced fine
Mustard (yep, the yellow kind)
Prosciutto
Egg wash (eggs beat so you can use it like a paint)

Puff Pastry (even though I used only 3/4 of the butter it called for)
Next day, brown roast, paint with mustard, wrap with prosciutto, and let rest in the fridge.
Meanwhile, heat diced mushrooms in the pan to allow all the water from the mushrooms to come out.
Then, roll out dough, add mushrooms, then beef.

Brush the egg wash around the side and wrap.

Note the size of the beef and the egg wash

Here it is rolled

Then brush with egg wash and make small cuts

Cook on 425 for about 40 minutes

Super yummy!!! Even the kids ate it without complaining.

I added spinach salad and strawberries to make the meal complete. And if you ask my mom or sisters, a meal isn't complete unless the plate is colorful.

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: My new thing...

2011-07-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: My new thing...: "So I may be slightly ADD. (There is no H for ADHD in my body.) I am always doing, reading, learning, or trying different things. This we..."

My new thing...

2011-07-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

So I may be slightly ADD. (There is no H for ADHD in my body.) I am always doing, reading, learning, or trying different things.

This weekend, I decided to make it through the week without restaurants with the exception of Sunday morning when we all eat breakfast before church. We started Friday. That may not have been the best day to start. The weekends are times when I try to relax. Not to mention it is a week until payday, so almost all of the grocery money is spent. But I figured that this would be great for the family! When I was a child we didn't eat out much, and when we did it was at Street's in good ole

(Note: I downloaded that picture so it isn't my fault that "Bay Minette" is cut off.) So of course Friday was pizza night, Saturday was chicken gorditas, Sunday was tacos, and tonight will be taco casserole because I have left over taco meat. This is the last week for free lunches at the school cafeteria for the kids, so I won't be making those meals. I am totally loving the free summer lunch program! The kids don't eat all the food, but they are exposed to foods that I wouldn't necessarily cook. For example, pinto beans (eww) isn't something that I would just heat and feed to my kids, but Gabe didn't mind them too much.

All this to say, just because we can eat out doesn't mean we should. So am taking this week and giving food a shot without the restaurants. I know that this seems really ridiculous. Some people can't eat out ever, and here I am trying to get through the week without it. I don't want my kids to feel like they grew up on McDonald's or Chick-fil-a. I want them to have the same dinner experience that I had. A table with food and fellowship. Shame on me for letting it get to this point. I want to get to the point that eating out is very rare. But on Sunday mornings, you can find us enjoying down time before the Sunday morning rush starts.

This is where I will be spending lots more time.

Luckily, I am pretty good at making these.

And as I finish this, one of my babies walked up and asked if we could eat out tonight. Me, "Nope, get use to it."

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: "Switched at Birth" Reaction

2011-06-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the Small Stuff!: "Switched at Birth" Reaction: "I just watched the 3rd episode of 'Switched at Birth'. The first 2 episodes aren't available yet. Brief History- Two baby girls are switch..."

"Switched at Birth" Reaction

2011-06-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

I just watched the 3rd episode of "Switched at Birth". The first 2 episodes aren't available yet.

Brief History- Two baby girls are switched in the hospital. Many years later, they introduce the girls to their real parents, and one set finds out their real daughter is Deaf. And the two families are complete opposites and trying to learn to live together.

My older sister asked for my reaction. I am not sure what to say. There are so many levels of emotion, even in the one episode.

I had some "Hey, that's cool" moments. Especially when I watched the section when Daphne (Deaf) was in her room. The poster on the wall......Yea, I've seen that movie.

www.seewhatimsayingmovie.com
And just so you know, the interpreters in the video chat rooms, don't tell you what to say and not say. They only interpret. Although, I do find it funny that the interpreter was telling the guy that what he was saying, you aren't suppose to say to a girl. That though, was more for hearing people. Also, Marlee Matlin is AwEsOmE in what ever she appears in.

On an emotional level, I found sections frustrating. Mostly because no one would give Bay (Hearing) any information on her father. Just that the entire situation was painful and that he had no interest in being a dad. All the parents go out of their way to connect with Daphne, but when Bay wants information (reasonable information) she is shut down. Things are hard enough already, and now the small amount of information that she wants is denied. Bay's lost in her emotion. She was always different and now she has to compete for attention with the people that raised her. AND her biological mother is shutting her out while giving everyone grief about not being more honest.

As a mom of a Hard of Hearing child, I find the show encouraging. They are introducing Deafness as a culture....which it is. And they are trying to educate people on that culture. (As an aside, I hope that they don't go as Liberal on t.v. Where is would be accurate, I don't think that it would go over well.) I don't think that they thought through the script very well. They have lots of expressions that a Deaf person, who attends a Deaf school, wouldn't understand. And since the actress was diagnosed recently with a hearing loss, she doesn't know that they are using phrases that she wouldn't understand if she had been born Deaf. Daphne's friend I think will be my favorite. He is the most genuine Deaf character. He seemed to display the confidence in who he is and in his world that is so integral to that people group. Mac is the same way. He is so proud and upfront about who he is. It's the "this is me and I am not going to change myself for you" mentality.

Like I said, I haven't seen the 1st two episodes. I am hoping that they went though some of the emotions that a parent goes through when you find out your child can't hear. The sense of loss and helplessness. The overwhelming emotion of not knowing what to do or where to go. The steps of grief and confusion to the realization (most of the time) you feel blessed to have such an exceptional little being in your family. Sometimes I wish I could fix it, but those are rare. ( And I think that I had an easier time than most parent since I was not alone. I have/had my parents and sisters to help me through it.) I know that is a lot of emotion to show in 2 shows, but they all come so fast. Like in waves, rolling over and over your being.

There is so much that they can do with this. I am interested with which directions they choose to take.
Right now, I guess I would classify this show with a "hmmmm" while rubbing my chin and pondering.

Past Kid Quotes

2011-06-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

Below are things the kids have said over the past 6 months. I copied and pasted from my facebook page, so they may be things you have read before. AND BEWARE....There are a lot of quotes.

Gabriel, "I'm all dressed. Now, we can go to Eric Estrada's house."

Daniel, "Gabe, don't bite my butt."

Hannah had a serious blond moment. She is convinced that she hasn't grown since she turned four, because she can still touch the top of her head.

Daniel, "Gabe, stop throwing toys!!" Gabe, "I'm not Gabe. I'm He-man. And I have the power of Castle Grayskull!"

Gabriel just came in the room...naked....and screamed "Naked Power." Then started attacking his brothers with a sword.

Daniel, "Gabe, don't call me 'Stupidhead' or 'Dumbnuts'."

Gabe, "Hannah, please give me my car book now because I said so."

Daniel, "Mom, I just realized something. Fat cells and muscle cells are like balloons. Depending on how much you eat or exercise they get big and small like a balloon with air."

HANNAH: Our story at VBS was about a missionary who owned a dog that was a Christian. GRAMMA: Hannah, dogs cannot be Christians. HANNAH: But, Gramma, the Bible says "All things are possible with God!" GRAMMA: Cool! A Christian dog!!

Gabe shakes his Spite and sprays his babysitter. After I "inform" him of how the behavior is unacceptable, he says, "but it sure is fun!"

Daniel, "Mixed vegetables? What did I do?" (In all fairness, we threaten them with mixed vegetables occasionally when they don't behave.)

Another thing for the list of things you never thought you'd say, "Gabe, don't take your clothes off in the middle of the store!"

Cheryl McKinley

Hannah gave me a 20 minute explanation of Lucy, the cricket's, family tree. Apparently many of her relatives have moved to the far reaches of the world. I was happy to find out, though, that she her family has adopted an African mosquito and an Asian stink beetle. Multicultural experience for sure!!

Gabriel found a dead bug in the living room. Then he used an ENTIRE roll of toilet paper trying to pick it up. I had toilet paper from one end of the room to the other. And of course he was wearing a dinosaur mask at the time.

Mac-"I never want M&M's again!" Daniel-"And a collective gasp fills the room."

Went to the gas station this morning to get gas for the lawn mower. While I was there, I picked up some donuts. Gabriel said, "No sprinkles? They broke, Mom." and then he cried.

Mac, "Instead of cleaning my room, let's just pretend I did."

Mac, "I threw up, Mom." Me, "Why? Are you feeling sick?" Mac, "No, I swallowed toothpaste." Me, "It isn't time to brush your teeth. Why were you brushing your teeth?" Mac, "I didn't brush my teeth. I ate the toothpaste." Me, "Why did you do that?" Mac, "Because the soap I ate tasted awful! I needed something else to eat."

Mac came in with a bloody nose. When Wayne asked him what happened Mac said, "I hit it." Wayne, "On what?" Mac, "Gabe's head."

Me-"Daniel, I told you to get dressed." Daniel, "I did." Me-"You forgot your shirt."

I have too much to do. Daniel says, "Why do any of it? Let's just go swim."

Gabe, "Big boys don't share. They are scary warriors!"

Is Very upset with Sun Herald newspaper!!!!!!!!!! Hannah says, "They are stinkwaffers."

Gabe brings me his plate with the rest of the food that he didn't eat and says, "Here, Mom, put these back with their family. I'm finished eating."

Gabriel loves to sing "Blue Danube" in the pool. And of course, he has to splash as he sings.

Gabe had his first dentist appointment. It went really well. He said, "I holded Mr. Thirsty and got a spider to scary you." Mr. Thirsty is the vacuum thingy. Daniel says, "Hey, you can say it sucks! Hahahaha"

Mac, "I am pretty good at stuff like climbing the wall."

Mac, "Mom, I almost bit my chin off. But I didn't. See???"

Daniel, "I;m going to name my son Daniel Wayne Francis, IV because I already know how to spell it."

Me to Gabe, "who are you?" Gabe, "Well, I'm not the professor."

Mac, "How far did you run, Mom?" Me, "Only 3 miles today." Mac, "Wow, did you go to Mexico?"

Had a conversation with Gabe a while ago. (He napped until 6 so he is up late.) It went something like this. "The honk that whale and the baby toilets had to go to the jewy fish."=the humpback whale and the baby tortoise had to go to the jelly fish.

Me, "I ran 4 miles today." Daniel, "Why?"

Mac, "Don't miss Daddy this morning. Here I'll help. *makes gas noise*"

Gabe noticed how sweaty I was after my run and said, "Mom! You peed on your shirt!"

‎"So a pun is just a homophone used in a funny way? That's awesome."-Daniel

After traveling a newly asphalted road, Daniel asked, "What is THAT smell?" Hannah answer, "Uranus."

Mac, "Mom, everyone thinks that I am the cutest boy on the whole Earth, Poppy says so."

Mac palmed a folded up wad of $20's to his Karate instructor and said, "I really want to pass my test."

Mac, "Why in the world did God make so many girls? I need more boys to play with!"

Mac, "I love macaroni and cheese, because it has my name."

Hannah has named a toy "Miss Periwinkle von Yum-Yum". What a creative bunch I have!

Mac, "Mom, I weigh 46.5 plus taxes." My poor child! What are we doing to this generation?

Daniel was excited to have his own bed room, until I told him to go clean it up. Then he said, "Mom, that's not fair! They trashed the room before you moved them out." Mac laughed at him.

The birthday boy with his favorite animal, "baby jaguar." He thought "Baby Jaguar" was "stinky".

Gabe got his birthday cards in the mail. And one of the great grandmothers send them $1 for every year. Hannah and Mac were all excited that Gabe got money. Gabe said, "I don't want money! I want some lunch.

Mac, "Did you hear me fart? Then why aren't you laughing?"

Wayne has a kidney infection. I told Mac that the doctor was going to give his daddy a shot in the rear. Mac said, "Will he leak out of his butt?"

Gabe last night at bed time, "Mommy, you not sleep. You sleep on Sunday." Apparently that is my only day of rest too.

Mac ran into the street. I told him that he would get hit by a car doing that. He said, "Then I will die. Go to heaven. And God would say, 'Mmmm, Mmmm, look what you did to your momma!'"

At Chick-fil-a, Gabe decided that he wanted to go to the bathroom by himself. He came out naked.....What a start to my day!!! :)

Mac, "I don't like that gum. It makes me blond."

Me, "Gabe, where's your shoes?" Gabe, "If they were up my but,t I'd know."

Yesterday, Mac tried riding his skateboard down the stairs. I have a feeling we may be in the e.r. real soon

Hannah, "Mac, stop being obnoxious." Me, "do you know what that means?" Hannah, "It means Mac is a pain in the rear end."

Gabe, "Come inside bug! I killed your friend."

Gotta good laugh at Gabe today, he wiped his rear and then his nose.

I made hot wings for lunch. Mac said, "That smells ferocious!"

Gabe is running around the house with his pull-up around his ankles and laughing while Daniel is chasing him with a broom

Daniel to Gabe, "What's 2+2?" Gabe, "My big toe."

Daniel had to read a paragraph about a grandmother and grandson cooking rice together. Then the directions said for him to visualize the interaction between them and write a sentence. He wrote that he visualized them making cookies, because he doesn't like rice.

Hannah, "Chuck Norris once had a fight with Superman. The loser had to wear his underwear on the outside of his pants."

Mac walked past the room where the offering team meets to pray before church. He asked, "Is that where all the men go to get belts before church?" Me, "Of course." Mac, "Do they have one for me? Because mine is too big?"

Me, "Mac, did you have a good night at Karate Kid's Night?" Mac, "No, something really bad happened." Me, "What???" Mac, "There was a big jumpy spider and I screamed like a girl."

So Stanley Steamer was suppose to come this morning and clean the carpets sometime between 8 and 12 (4 hours..I know). Well at 12 they called to say that they weren't going to make it in the time allotted (Ya Think!) Anyway, Hannah said, "I think their business model is broken." Just is only 7! She cracks me up!

The sentence was "Has Ann a hat?" Mac reads, "Has Ann a hat mystery."

Mac,"Rule 1000 of the quiet game-Never, ever get blown up. Rule 1000000-Never, ever do anything stupid that you're not suppose to do."

Daniel, "giraffe's use their tongues to pick their nose." Hannah, "They learn it from their dad's."

Gabe in his sleep, "No, no! I can't wipe my butt!"

From the back seat of the van- Hannah to Daniel, "Stop being so astute!" They both crack up laughing because the pun was intended.

Played Apples to Apples with friends and the kids. Word- "Friendly" Hannah's card-"Geisha". I laughed until I cried.

We went to the battlefield in Vicksburg. There were many monuments for the different states that had soldiers fighting. We drove through looking at the normal looking monuments. Then we came to Alabama's monument. It was a well shaped woman holding a flag encouraging the soldiers around her to fight. Daniel saw her and said, "WOW! Alabama likes their women!"

Gabe, "Daddy's not at work. He's in the big house."

Mac, "I don't want to fight Daniel on the Wii game! It's rude....And he always wins."

Gabe's reason for not doing anything, "I can't! I hurt my foot.”

Daniel, "I'm not being sarcastic, I am being sardonic." Only my kids know the difference.

Just walked in to see Gabe trying to teach the dog to sign "more"

Gabe, "Captain Huggy Face, show us pensive."

Gabe,"Mommy, have some fudge." Me, "I can't." Gabe, "Why? Are you hurt?"
Gabe, "I can't go get my car, Mom. I will miss you to much."

Mac, "I wish I would fly when I farted."

Mac and I discussed noise pollution. His question, "Does farting count?" And your answer would be?

Gabe, "No, I not a boy. I'm a horse. Giddy up me."

Hannah, "I am going to grow up and get a scholarship to college. Go and meet a nerd that loves Jesus. We will finish college, get married, be happy, and get rich."

Mac, "Mom, God made poop just so I have a funny word I like to say."

Daniel, "Today, I am going to make up my own idioms."

I hesitate to put this up, but it was too funny. Daniel about some mythological creature, "it's a shaper sh**er." We laugh and he says, "What? I didn't say sh**, I said shift."

Mac, "I need to go to the bathroom, but not for a spanking."

Gabe accidentally turned on the tv, and it turned up loud. He screamed and ran, "Mommy, I scary! I scary!" Me-"Why?" Gabe, "because I said so."

Mac....What do I do.......He cut his hand and said, "but don't worry! I'm not dead." I said, "are you sure?" He said, "Yep." I am not sure what to do with him.

took the kids to Hibachi. The boys had just finished Karate, so they were still in their uniform. That attracted the attention of the chef and the chef encourage Mac to talk the ENTIRE time. Everyone at the table was watching Mac instead of the chef. He is so funny. But I had to tell him that Ninjas (like him *wink *wink) do not need to pull the fire alarm.

Gabe, "Mommy, I can't go to sleep. I'm scary!"

Mac can sing Zip-it-i-do-da to the tune of Indiana Jones!

MAc, "Daddy cut his finger, but he's not dead."

In Daniel's sleep he starts screaming, "OK, OK! Come here! What's the plan? AWWWW! I don't make a plan!" Wayne and I couldn't help but laugh.

Mac-"Hey, at your wedding can I walk around and make sure a lot of people are there behaving?" Kristin-"I'm sorry?" Me-"He wants to be security."

Wayne's best friend from high school and college asked Hannah to be the flower girl at his wedding. In typical Hannah fashion said, "Why, of course! I would be absolutely delighted!"Gabe singing, "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree! How lovely is your mustache!"

Gabe, "Mommy, I broke your house and Daddy went scary!" He broke a drawer in the kitchen.

And $1000 worth of car repairs later.....Daniel says, "Hey, could be worse! You could have a car payment!"

Me to Mac, "Mac, the number is 2. What did you draw 2 of?" Mac smiling, "2 butts!"

Hannah told me about a conversation that she had recently with a person that will remain un-named. Frustrated Person, "Yes, ok! I believe in Jesus. Now will you stop talking about him!" Hannah, "I can't." That girl is going to do a great and mighty work for God!

Today with Mac's school work, Mac had to read the word and draw the picture. One word was "can", he drew the trash can. Too funny!

Either Hannah or Mac "mistakenly" ripped a leg off a frog to see if it would grow back. Neither one would fess up to who did it.

Gabe to Mac, "No, Mac! That's not nice! I'm going to hit you now!"

When I changed my profile pic Gabe said, "Look it's me! I have clothes on."

My grandfather turned 91 today. Mac asked him, "Are you 13 today?"

Daniel to Hannah, "I bet I could design a robot that would beat your butt."

Hannah to Daniel, "Does Uranus smell?" Daniel giggled.

Wayne, "Gabe, you are going to see Mickey!" Gabe, "Oh, I'm pretty sure I'm not."

While trying to talk Mac into going onto Tower of Terror Wayne said, "If you don't go with me, you have to go see 'Beauty and the Beast' with Mom and Hannah." Mac said, "I don't want to see princesses!" Hannah then replied, "If you go with Dad, he will be the only princess on that ride."

Gabriel, "Mommy, I got your heart!" Me,"You sure do."

The kids watched Disney's "The Christmas Carol". Mac asked, "Why didn’t Donald and Scrooge just fly south for the winter?

Daniel very matter of fact stated; "Look at all the stars. God put up His Christmas lights"

Reason for Recent Weather

2011-05-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

With all of the recent floods and tornadoes, the news has been (understandably) filled with stories and pictures. Seeing all of that, Hannah has been asking a LOT of questions about Katrina. She was 21 months when Katrina hit. Last night at dinner, she started asking more questions. Most of the questions revolved around whether or not there was mud in the peoples' homes. And then she asked, why it all has happened. Did God know that it was going to happen? If so, why did He allow it happen. Daniel said, "After Katrina, we were at Walmart. We were walking out of the store when Dad called to tell Mom that our house flooded. She sat down and cried." He remembered! He had just turned 4. I was amazed.

Then Wayne, full of wisdom through the Holy Spirit, said, "Hannah, I believe that all of this is happening to get Christian up and about His business. Just like Katrina, and now with the floods and tornadoes. The church is mobilizing. There are lots of people who need God right now. They need to know that He sees them in their time of hurt and loss. They need to feel loved and cared for. The Christians who go and help in other's times of need show how great and wonderful God is. Many Christians have been praying for the people of the United States to love God again. Maybe it will happen. But only if we do our part. Only if we do what we need to do which is being about God's business."

What a wonderful dinner conversation! I pray that we will be about God's business.