Yummy for the tummy!

Oh I am so excited!  First of all, I LOVE to cook!  I have since I was little.  Well through the wonderful world of Facebook networking, I am able to be a part of a testing group for a new cookbook being made!  :)  This cookbook deals with breakfast recipes.  Yummy!!!  Breakfast is one of my favorite times of day.  So I am going to give you a sample of the Recipes that will be in this book.

Bacon Enchiladas
Biscuits 'N Ham
Hashbrown Extreme
Biscuit Sausage Quiche

These are just a few of the recipes that I have had the privilege of trying with my family!  They are all so very yummy!  :)

Here are a few pictures just to show you the goodies!

Bacon Enchiladas

Biscuit Sausage Quiche

Bacon Sausage Quiche

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Upcoming Reviews

Gabby Mom's
     Cooking Extravaganza

Tropical Traditions
     Coconut Oil Read More

30 Days of Thankfulness

So I was scouring my Facebook feed this morning and saw the status of a friend.  It had the heading "30 Days of Thankfulness."  What a good idea!  Leading up to Thanksgiving and till the end of the month to post something you are thankful for.  This inspired me to do my own 30 Days of Thankfulness!  And away we go!

Day #12 - I am thankful for the job my husband has that allows me to be at home with our children.  It isn't easy living on one income and some days I contemplate the need to go back to work, but I know that my God provides!  He always has provided for us.  A little more than 5 years ago (shortly after the birth of Jordan), my husband was let go from his job.  I was also on my 5th week of maternity leave and had just applied for the FMLA so I could spend another 12 weeks with our 2nd son.  It was a shock!  I was upset, frustrated and extremely hormonal.  The worst part was that we both worked for the same company!  I felt betrayed!  I couldn't even imagine how Darren felt.  He had devoted nearly 9 years to the company.  However, we were struggling to make ends meet with both of us working.  In the end, it was 5 months before Darren got a new job.  We had a paycheck!  PRAISE THE LORD!  He also provided for us in the way of family and friends.  God knew our needs and He has met them each and every time.  The job is a good one and it provides what we need.  God is Faithful!  

Day #11 - I am thankful for my Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law and all the other veterans who have fought and are fighting to preserve our freedom.  The sacrifice made not only by these individuals, but their families as well, will never be forgotten in this house.  It seems today that so many people think of freedom as something that is a free gift, but actually there are those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country.  More than two-hundred years have passed since we first signed The Declaration of Independence.  We let the King of England know that we no longer wanted to be under his rule.  We wanted Freedom.  (insert William Wallace scream of "Freedom" here)  Freedom is not free!  We must NEVER take that for granted!

Day #10 - I am thankful for my 4th blessing, Cordelia Abigail.  She was such a surprise and when we found we were expecting.  Then the boys kept telling me that the baby HAD to be a girl.  So at the ultrasound the tech said she was fairly certain it was a girl, the boys yelled with joy.  I think it was probably the loudest crew she might have had that day.  We were so thrilled!  Cordelia is almost 1/2 year old and has already stolen our hearts.  She is loved and adored by all of us and her extended family.

Day #9 - I am thankful for my 3rd blessing, Josef Micah Gerald.  He is such a big boy, though he was my smallest in birth weight.  He is a muscle man and our little Hulk.  :)  He loves to run, climb, jump, swing, cuddle and dotes on his sister.  I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since we were blessed with him.  He is as smart as can be and I can't wait to see what he is going to do in this life!

Day #8 - I am thankful for my 2nd blessing, Jordan Matthew Gideon.  You are so full of energy and loving and caring.  You make everyone smile and can make me laugh even when I don't feel like it.  You have grown so much!  I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday.  I can't wait to see how much more you grow in personality, love of God and love of family.  I love you Jordan!

Day #7 - I am thankful that God blessed me with my oldest son, Jonathan.  Two months into our marriage, I found out we were going to be expecting our 1st child.  He was born 10 months after we got married.  I was forever changed by becoming his mom.  He is smart, sensitive, artistic, loving, caring and has grown into a great young man.  I love you Jonathan Michael Gabriel!









Day #6 - I am thankful for the Right to Vote!  The men and women who fought for that right would not want us to sit idly at home and not vote.  The elected officials make laws and decisions that effect us all.  If you don't like the way something is being done, VOTE THEM OUT!  If you just sit and do nothing then you have no right to complain.  So please, Vote.  Don't waste what was given to you.

Matthew 25:14-30
¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,^[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

At Grotto Falls, Gatlinburg, TN

Day #4 & #5 - I am thankful that in October of 1998 I met Darren in an online chat room.  From that starting point we started talking on the phone and our relationship grew over the year.  We met in person in 1999 (gotta love long distance relationships).  He continued to either bus or fly down over the course of the next year.  In June of 2000, he proposed on my Birthday.  I was 19 years old.  A little over one year later we got married on my Grandparents Anniversary.  Just a 2 short months into our marriage I found out I was expecting our first child.  Jonathan was born in April.  5 years later we added our 2nd blessing, Jordan.  Josef was born less than 3 years later and this year we had Cordelia.  While the road has not been easy, I wouldn't have changed my partner at all.  I am so thankful that my crazy family didn't scare him away.  (should have known he'd be ok as he was #4 out of 6 kids)  He made me his wife, he gave me the blessing of having his children.  He is the leader of our household and a wonderful husband!  So thankful to God for providing this man in my life.

Meri & I when she was approximately 9m.

Day #3 - I am thankful for my sister!  Yes, you heard that right folks, I am Happy for my Sister!  She is my only sibling on this earth & I love her dearly!  She has been there through thick and thin.  Even after our fights.  I am thankful that my parents decided to have another child after losing 2.  The saying is true.  Your sister is your best friend!  I am thankful that she fed me Jell-O when I was dehydrated.  I am thankful that she doesn't hold the alleged flyswatter incident against me.  ;)  I am glad that she is always there when I have needed a listening ear.  I am glad that she is my sister.  Thank you Lord for this blessing in my life.

Daddy's safe hands holding me.

Day #2 - I am thankful for my parents.  I am thankful that even after losing 2 children that they still tried again and had me and my sister.  I am thankful for the example of Christ's Love that they have shown to me and how they set a great example for us.  I am thankful for their support.  They have always been there for me.  Thank you Mom & Dad for everything.  Thank you for knowing that all children are blessings and for trying after 2 losses.  We will be reunited with Anna and John Michael one day.

Day #1 - I am thankful for the Love of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am thankful that even though I am still a sinner, He still loves me!  I am thankful that when I repented of my sins, He forgave me.  I am thankful that even though I will still continue to mess up, He will forgive me when I confess and repent.  I am thankful for the Gift of Eternal life I have through Him!  Read More

Power of a Postitive Attitude

We've all heard the saying "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."  So, have you ever noticed that when you are having a bad day that your kids seem to follow?  We are their examples.  They look to us to see how we handle things that come up.  Each day provides it's new challenges.  So how can we have a better day?  More importantly, how can we have a positive attitude?

Lorrie Flem, creator of Eternal Encouragement Magazine and author to many other helps for us moms, has a Brand New product coming out.  It is called Power of a Positive Attitude.  It is several audios and notes to help you discover 1 of several ways to have a Positive Attitude.  This session covers Gratitude.  Lorrie then breaks it down even further into 3 sessions.  They are Centered & Sane (this one was important for me), Growing Gratitude & the How To's of Growing Gratitude.

Each session's notes were great in helping me write down things that I definitely wanted to remember.  Sometimes I tell myself that I'll write it down later.  Then as things go on, I forget...Having notes is such a benefit!  Plus there are extra Bible verses and little exercises to do at the end of each session.

I think the one thing that really struck me was when Lorrie said that I am the one who sets the tone in my household.  There are many days when I feel grumpy and I have seen it pass to my kids.  And then I blame them for my grumpiness!  I am setting a poor example for my kids and then getting frustrated when they act the same way I do.  I have also noticed the polar opposite too.  When the day starts off right and things are going well, the kids seem to be happier and enjoyable.  What a difference my attitude makes!

I want to set the tone to have a good day and listening to these sessions by Lorrie and having the notes to fill in gave me a good starting point.

If you are interested in learning more and purchasing this product, it will be available November 1st.  :)  You can go to http://www.attentionmoms.com/ and purchase this product on November 1st.

 ** I was given this product in exchange for my honest review of the product and was not compensated in any other way.


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Amazon Kindle Freebie

Just wanted to share this freebie with my followers!  It's the Updated version of Hope for the Weary Mom by Brooke McGlothin & Stacey Thacker! More added and updated!  I read the original version a few months ago before I had my 4th child.  What a blessing it was then.  I can't WAIT to see what all they have added!  Plus I like to share freebies!  So here is the link.  If you don't have a Kindle, you can download the kindle app for your computer and download it after you have installed it.  I have the Kindle app on my phone so that is where I read all my books.  :)
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So you need a Schedule...

It has been more than 10 years since the birth of my first child, 5 for the 2nd, nearly 3 for my 3rd and 19weeks since the birth of my 4th child.  It has also been 11 years since my husband and I got married, and almost 15 years since my husband and I met online!  WOW!  Where has the time gone?  It seems like yesterday I was pregnant with my first child.  But as I see each of my child in various ages and activities, I realize just how precious life is.  It goes by all too quickly.

Each day seems to go by quicker than before.  Between school, extracurricular activities, Church, group activities, cleaning house, laundry, driving to and from places it seems like every minute of the day is spent doing something.  But is it being done effectively?  Are you managing your minutes effectively?  So many days it seems like I am doing something but nothing gets done!  That is quite frustrating for this mother of 4 children.

Lorrie Flem, a mother of 8, also had to deal with managing her minutes.  She wants to help mothers so much that she wrote a book about time management.  "Managing My Minutes.  Do I Really Need to?" was written to help give guidance to moms about how scheduling will help you accomplish more with your time.

I can't tell you how much I needed to read this.  It gives so much inspiration and hope that I know I can do it!  But it won't just be through my own strength, it will be with God's help!  For it says in Philippians 4:13 "I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me." (NKJV)  I have struggled with schedules and routines.  Reading and coming to understand that I am not the only one is refreshing.  Not that I delight in others troubles, but knowing I am not alone is somewhat helpful.

Lorrie gives some GREAT Biblical advice and support for schedules.  You maximize your time when you are on a schedule.  She explains the difference between schedules and routines and how to implement them.  I feel so much better having read this and am now ready to tackle the scheduling of my family.  This is something that we shouldn't be afraid to do.  It will not only benefit you but others as well.  When everyone is on track there seems to be more time.  I can't WAIT to get the rest of this bundle so I can work on my schedule!  :)

"Managing My Minutes.  Do I Really Need To?" is part of Lorrie's Scheduling Bundle.  The bundle has 3 parts to it and this is just one of them.  It is due out in the Eternal Encouragement store SOON!  As soon as it arrives there I will post the link for the actual product.

UPDATE:  The product is now live!  :)  Here is the link as promised.  http://www.attentionmoms.com/

 ** I was given this product in exchange for my honest review of the product and was not compensated in any other way. Read More

The Unexpected...

What happens when the unexpected happens?  We started school back in July.  With 1 subject at a time we slowly introduced a new subject every 2 weeks.  Well on Sunday, August 19th, I suffered a major gall bladder attack.  I wound up going into the hospital on Wednesday.  What I thought was going to be a simple gall bladder removal wound up being 6 days and 1 surgery.  My extended stay wound up being due to liver and pancreas issues as well as my gall bladder.

Needless to say, our school schedule went absolutely out the window.  Friends and family rallied to help us with our 3 boys that needed to be watched as I was in the hospital with my husband and Cordelia.  Our school plans that I had worked on got derailed and now I am in the process of re-evaluating and organizing.  I think from now on I am going to plan maybe 2 weeks at a time.  To quote the late John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." 

Today is our first day back and we are going slow.  But that's ok.  I am only 3weeks post-surgery.  Still have to take things easy.  My husband has been great!  My kids are adjusting to the schedule and necessary things they need to do to help around the house.  It has been a challenge.  We had things we planned on doing this summer that just haven't worked out.  Life goes on.  We are adapting.  It's good to be flexible.  I applaud my family for being so resilient. 

So in the end, if life throws you a lemon, make the lemonade and enjoy it.  Work through the challenges and changes that are thrown your way.  Do what you can to be flexible.  Read More