February New Recipes
28) I do not normally like homemade brownies but these were AMAZING! I am seriously considering making them again this week! http://www.yammiesnoshery.com/2011/09/best-fudge-brownies.html
29) This one was quick and easy but not anything we loved. Girls ate it so I guess it was a win.
http://api.allthecooks.com/hamburger-pie.html
30) This was absolutely terrible! We threw it away! Didn't even bother giving it to the dog for fear of gastro-intestinal issues! http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Creamy-Hamburger-Gravy-With-Noodles-Recipezaar
31) If there is one dish I have made that everyone needs to try, it is this! Soooo good! Hubby is not a fan of soups but he does like tomato as long as we have sandwiches as well. This one he didn't even want sandwiches and he went back for seconds! So rich and creamy and EASY! Kids were not fond of it but what do they know anyways? ;) Seriously, try this! http://randomthoughtsandthrills.blogspot.com/2012/01/recipe-tomato-basil-parmesan-soup.html
32) This bread was a nice compliment to the tomato soup and was equally delicious for breakfast.
http://www.redflycreations.com/2012/10/the-amazing-amish-cinnamon-bread.html
33) Hubby really liked this one as well and since it was a crock pot meal, so did I! http://mommyofamonster.com/2013/02/crock-pot-chicken-recipe.html#_a5y_p=1147783
34) These were awesome! I think they would be a great side to have with steak or burgers.
http://yestoyolks.com/2013/11/skillet-cheese-fries-with-bacon-pickled-jalapenos-ranch/
35) We tried copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets. I LOVE Chick-Fil-A but I did not love these. They weren't bad by any means but they certainly were not anything that I loved. http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2013/05/copycat-chick-fil-a-nuggets/#_a5y_p=683961
If you are looking for a great homemade chicken nugget recipe, I recommend the Cooks Country Kitchen recipe. You need a membership for the site but it is free and everything they make is wonderful!
36) Unfortunately I don't actually have a recipe for the chimichangas we tried this week. There was a pin on Pinterest but it led to nowhere so I borrowed some tips from Cooks Country as well as Paty's Mexican Table(both PBS Create shows that I love) and made my own. Shredded chicken(pre-cooked and frozen in 2 cup baggies) cojack, pepperjack, sour cream and green onion. I put the filling in flour tortillas, folded them like a burrito, buttered the exterior and cooked like a grilled cheese. It was yummy but if I was making it for me, and not my hubby, I would have added salsa.
37) I have many friends that love quinoa and it is all over pinterest lately so I thought I would give it a shot with this simple side dish. We didn't love it or hate it but we won't make it again. Texture was a big issue for hubby and it did not reheat well at all. I have a few more recipes I want to try out but quinoa does not look like it will become a staple in our home.
http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/11/cheesy-broccoli-quinoa.html
38) This has been all over Facebook and Pinterest as the best chicken ever. It was okay. I kind of felt like it was a waste of my favorite crackers ;) It was good and kids loved it but it was not the best chicken of all time. http://jamiecooksitup.net/2011/10/crispy-cheddar-chicken/
39) After our total success with the previous tomato soup recipe, I thought I would try out something a bit meatier. It was not loved. It was still okay and we ate it but it had a definite canned soup flavor and we won't be making it again. http://recipeswagger.blogspot.com/2012/08/creamy-tomato-tortellini-soup.html
40) We really liked this one! I love baked spaghetti and this one was nice because I made it Friday night along with that nights meal and we stuck it in the oven Saturday after we got home from a long day of fun. It was nice to have a homecooked meal that required no work on the day of serving. http://www.sweetandsavoryfood.com/search?q=million+dollar+casserole
41) I am making this as we speak. I have had it before so I know I love how it tastes but I was shocked to see how easy it is! I've never made it before because I didn't own a dutch oven. It already smells amazing! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/spicy-dr-pepper-shredded-pork/ Anyone in the mood for pork tacos? Supper is at 6 :)
42) These are the brussel sprouts we had last night. They were wonderful! I had never cooked fresh sprouts before and was thrilled with the result! I did not add the honey as the recipe says. http://dashingdish.com/recipe/honey-parmesan-roasted-brussels-sprouts/
43) We had parmesan chicken to go with the sprouts. Every recipe I have used before has had mayonnaise in it and we did not like that flavor at all. This one was easy and fresh without that heavy mayo flavor. http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2014/01/13/baked-parmesan-chicken/
Here is my Pinterest page if you want to follow along.
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-we-wont-do-again/
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-to-try/
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-we-love/
Monday, February 10, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Recipes 2014 January
My New Years Resolution is to try 180 new recipes this year. I am sure it will be challenging but I need some stretching. I will keep a running list of recipes that I try along with reviews of how we liked them. I have also included my pinterest pages so you can see them and follow them anytime.
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-we-wont-do-again/
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-we-love/
1) Pasta with a cream sauce made from cottage cheese, Parmesan and an egg. It was good but it didn't warm up well at all!
http://bakingdomesticityallthingsmini.blogspot.com/2010/08/pasta-with-creamy-no-cream-sauce.html
2) Jared loved this! If you love mushrooms and onions then this is for you!
http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2013/02/mushroom-onions-gouda-grilled-cheese/
3) Meatloaf Cupcake with Mashed Potato Frosting. I am not sure this really counts as I used my normal meatball recipe but I am going to include it anyways. My kids loved it and Jared said it wasn't at all like meatloaf which is a huge plus for him!
4) I loved these! They reminded me of Salt and Vinegar chips but they were meatier. I think I may just use normal taters next time and slice them into rounds.
http://www.savoringthethyme.com/2012/09/roasted-salt-n-vinegar-baby-potatoes-with-rosemary-thyme/
5)Loved loved loved! So simple and cheap! This recipe made 3 dozen rolls and I froze half the batch before the second rise. I will update with how the frozen ones turn out later.
http://nomemade-recipes.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-rolls-ever.html
6)This BBQ chicken has been all over Pinterest and Facebook lately but I am not sure why. It was okay but nothing amazing. I think I will stick with my old "recipe" of dumping frozen chicken and a bottle of BBQ sauce in the Crock pot.
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/07/crockpot-root-beer-barbecue-chicken.html
7) http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270638258830226101/ The website for these red potatoes is no longer available but the instructions are on the pin. They were simple and yummy. A great side for any meal!
8) This was a great quick dish. We ate the 1/3 of it and froze the rest. It could have used a bit more flavor. I think next time I will add onion and garlic. http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-day-14.html#_a5y_p=946787
9) This was amazing! Hubby said I can make this every week! I served it with Macaroni and cheese and sautee'd broccoli. Scrumptious! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/honey-chicken-195274/
10) This was very good! Hubby said to used puree'd tomatoes rather than diced but I loved it. http://www.centercutcook.com/lasagna-soup/
11) This is what is on the menu for tonight. I hope it is good. I love Chinese! I will update with results. http://www.grumpyshoneybunch.com/2010/04/are-you-seeing-pattern-here-lately.html
Update: So good! Very simple and yummy!
12) These are chilling in the fridge right now. Kids are ecstatic about them! http://thegingersnapgirl.blogspot.com/2012/03/ooey-gooey-rocky-road-cookies_19.html
13) I have been drinking this fiber drink in the mornings and it is abominable so I am trying to find things to add it to. This one is great! It says it tastes like a Wendy's Frosty but it lies. It tastes like chocolate and banana. So it's still good but don't go into it thinking it will be a Frosty. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270638258831619858/
14) I like to make dessert on the weekends. It makes it a bit more special. This weekend is Banana Cream Pie Pudding Poke cake. So delicious! http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/06/banana-pudding-poke-cake.html
15) Cream of (whatever soup) substitute. This is something I have been wanting to do for awhile. A money saver and way better for us! I made up a small batch and didn't notice a difference in my casserole at all! Give it a try! http://1orangegiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-you-wanna-call-it-casserole.html?showComment=1310864846151#c3489139395376988271
16) Chicken fried rice at home!? Awesome! http://www.joysama.com/2013/07/better-than-takeout-chicken-fried-rice.html
17) I really loved this alfredo sauce. Best one I have ever made. I was not a fan of having it on ravioli. It was a tad too rich for my taste. We will make it again but probably with rotini. http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/08/chicken-alfredo-ravioli/
18) I love potato soup! J will only eat soup if we have sandwiches so the leftover ham from last week means we have the perfect oppurtunity to have soup! http://topfoodpics.com/?p=4076
19) This was simple and delicious. I used leftover spiral sliced ham so it didn't look as pretty but it was still good. I also used grated swiss because it is WAY cheaper than sliced. http://www.redstarrecipe.com/2013/10/chicken-cordon-bleu-crescent-rolls.html
20) I made this macaroni and cheese thinking it would be great to not use so many pans. And it would have been. If it had been even slightly good. But it wasn't. This is definitely not one I would recommend. http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/side-casserole/vanishing-macaroni-cheese.html
21) I have been trying really hard to eat healthier and smoothies help me eat fruit. I don't particularly like the textures of most fruit so this has helped me a lot! I tried this one the other day and Emily keeps asking for it for breakfast. I did not use greek yogurt because I don't like yogurt at all so I added a touch more almond milk. http://www.fitsugar.com/Harley-Pasternak-Breakfast-Smoothie-Recipe-25151750
22) I LOVE stroganoff! This was such an easy way to make it! Hubby liked it a lot better than normal stroganoff. I used my meatball recipe which I will include too. I almost always have some in the freezer for quick easy meals. http://menumusings.blogspot.com/2011/06/meatballs-stroganoff.html This took about 15 minutes to make!
-Meatballs-http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/easy-freezer-meal-meatballs/ I love these so much that when I need a quick lunch, I will pull a couple out of the freezer, nuke them and eat them plain. They are packed full of flavor!
23) Hubby actually liked this soup and he does not like soup or beans! I considered that quite a feat!
http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/3740/white-chicken-chili
24) This was good but very sweet and the leftovers were completely inedible because they had gotten sweeter overnight. We won't do this again. http://zrecipe.blogspot.com/2013/11/crunchy-honey-garlic-pork-chops-and-you.html
25) We love enchiladas and this was a bit different but very yummy.
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/mexican_chicken.html
26) We absolutely hated this. It was terrible. We made it through one meal but the dog got the leftovers. Very greasy and overcooked. http://www.bestyummyrecipes.com/crock-pot-recipes-pizza-pasta/
27) This was wonderful. It was very spicy but everyone in our house loves spice. You could swap out the rotel for regular diced tomatoes of you don't like spice. http://homemadefoodrecipes.com/cheeseburger-macaroni/
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-we-wont-do-again/
http://www.pinterest.com/kaitlynhem/recipes-we-love/
1) Pasta with a cream sauce made from cottage cheese, Parmesan and an egg. It was good but it didn't warm up well at all!
http://bakingdomesticityallthingsmini.blogspot.com/2010/08/pasta-with-creamy-no-cream-sauce.html
2) Jared loved this! If you love mushrooms and onions then this is for you!
http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2013/02/mushroom-onions-gouda-grilled-cheese/
3) Meatloaf Cupcake with Mashed Potato Frosting. I am not sure this really counts as I used my normal meatball recipe but I am going to include it anyways. My kids loved it and Jared said it wasn't at all like meatloaf which is a huge plus for him!
4) I loved these! They reminded me of Salt and Vinegar chips but they were meatier. I think I may just use normal taters next time and slice them into rounds.
http://www.savoringthethyme.com/2012/09/roasted-salt-n-vinegar-baby-potatoes-with-rosemary-thyme/
5)Loved loved loved! So simple and cheap! This recipe made 3 dozen rolls and I froze half the batch before the second rise. I will update with how the frozen ones turn out later.
http://nomemade-recipes.blogspot.com/2013/01/best-rolls-ever.html
6)This BBQ chicken has been all over Pinterest and Facebook lately but I am not sure why. It was okay but nothing amazing. I think I will stick with my old "recipe" of dumping frozen chicken and a bottle of BBQ sauce in the Crock pot.
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/07/crockpot-root-beer-barbecue-chicken.html
7) http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270638258830226101/ The website for these red potatoes is no longer available but the instructions are on the pin. They were simple and yummy. A great side for any meal!
8) This was a great quick dish. We ate the 1/3 of it and froze the rest. It could have used a bit more flavor. I think next time I will add onion and garlic. http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-day-14.html#_a5y_p=946787
9) This was amazing! Hubby said I can make this every week! I served it with Macaroni and cheese and sautee'd broccoli. Scrumptious! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/honey-chicken-195274/
10) This was very good! Hubby said to used puree'd tomatoes rather than diced but I loved it. http://www.centercutcook.com/lasagna-soup/
11) This is what is on the menu for tonight. I hope it is good. I love Chinese! I will update with results. http://www.grumpyshoneybunch.com/2010/04/are-you-seeing-pattern-here-lately.html
Update: So good! Very simple and yummy!
12) These are chilling in the fridge right now. Kids are ecstatic about them! http://thegingersnapgirl.blogspot.com/2012/03/ooey-gooey-rocky-road-cookies_19.html
13) I have been drinking this fiber drink in the mornings and it is abominable so I am trying to find things to add it to. This one is great! It says it tastes like a Wendy's Frosty but it lies. It tastes like chocolate and banana. So it's still good but don't go into it thinking it will be a Frosty. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270638258831619858/
14) I like to make dessert on the weekends. It makes it a bit more special. This weekend is Banana Cream Pie Pudding Poke cake. So delicious! http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/06/banana-pudding-poke-cake.html
15) Cream of (whatever soup) substitute. This is something I have been wanting to do for awhile. A money saver and way better for us! I made up a small batch and didn't notice a difference in my casserole at all! Give it a try! http://1orangegiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/07/anything-you-wanna-call-it-casserole.html?showComment=1310864846151#c3489139395376988271
16) Chicken fried rice at home!? Awesome! http://www.joysama.com/2013/07/better-than-takeout-chicken-fried-rice.html
17) I really loved this alfredo sauce. Best one I have ever made. I was not a fan of having it on ravioli. It was a tad too rich for my taste. We will make it again but probably with rotini. http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/08/chicken-alfredo-ravioli/
18) I love potato soup! J will only eat soup if we have sandwiches so the leftover ham from last week means we have the perfect oppurtunity to have soup! http://topfoodpics.com/?p=4076
19) This was simple and delicious. I used leftover spiral sliced ham so it didn't look as pretty but it was still good. I also used grated swiss because it is WAY cheaper than sliced. http://www.redstarrecipe.com/2013/10/chicken-cordon-bleu-crescent-rolls.html
20) I made this macaroni and cheese thinking it would be great to not use so many pans. And it would have been. If it had been even slightly good. But it wasn't. This is definitely not one I would recommend. http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/side-casserole/vanishing-macaroni-cheese.html
21) I have been trying really hard to eat healthier and smoothies help me eat fruit. I don't particularly like the textures of most fruit so this has helped me a lot! I tried this one the other day and Emily keeps asking for it for breakfast. I did not use greek yogurt because I don't like yogurt at all so I added a touch more almond milk. http://www.fitsugar.com/Harley-Pasternak-Breakfast-Smoothie-Recipe-25151750
22) I LOVE stroganoff! This was such an easy way to make it! Hubby liked it a lot better than normal stroganoff. I used my meatball recipe which I will include too. I almost always have some in the freezer for quick easy meals. http://menumusings.blogspot.com/2011/06/meatballs-stroganoff.html This took about 15 minutes to make!
-Meatballs-http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/easy-freezer-meal-meatballs/ I love these so much that when I need a quick lunch, I will pull a couple out of the freezer, nuke them and eat them plain. They are packed full of flavor!
23) Hubby actually liked this soup and he does not like soup or beans! I considered that quite a feat!
http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/3740/white-chicken-chili
24) This was good but very sweet and the leftovers were completely inedible because they had gotten sweeter overnight. We won't do this again. http://zrecipe.blogspot.com/2013/11/crunchy-honey-garlic-pork-chops-and-you.html
25) We love enchiladas and this was a bit different but very yummy.
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/mexican_chicken.html
26) We absolutely hated this. It was terrible. We made it through one meal but the dog got the leftovers. Very greasy and overcooked. http://www.bestyummyrecipes.com/crock-pot-recipes-pizza-pasta/
27) This was wonderful. It was very spicy but everyone in our house loves spice. You could swap out the rotel for regular diced tomatoes of you don't like spice. http://homemadefoodrecipes.com/cheeseburger-macaroni/
Books I read 2013
I didn't read as many books as I would have liked. I just couldn't get into reading. My mind was scattered and often when I delved into a book it turned out to be just awful! But I did read some good ones.
1) Summer of Promise-Amanda Cabot
2) A Texans Honor-Shelly Gray
3) A Texans Promise-Shelly Gray
4) The Calling of Emily Evans-Janette Oke
5) Never Stop Holding Hands-Shara Grylls
6) It Happens Every Spring-Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman
7) Historic Architecture for the Home Builder-Walter Jewett Keith
8) Brides of the West:Faith-Lori Copeland
9) Before the Scarlet Dawn-Rita Gerlach
10) Alaska Virgin Air-Izzie Ballard
11) Paradise Valley-Dale Cramer
12) Out of Control-Mary Connealy
13) Craftsman Homes-Gustav Stickley
14) One Tiny Miracle-Carol Marinelli
15) Waiting for Summers Return-Kim Vogel Sawyer
16) An Untamed Land-Lauraine Snelling
17) Through the Fire-Shawn Grady
18) Southern Fried Sushi-Jennifer Rogers Spinola
19) Maiden of Mayfair-Lawana Blackwell
20) Tomorrows Sun-Becky Milby
21) Candle in the Darkness-Lynn Austin
22) For Time and Eternity-Alison Pittman
23) A Simple Amish Christmas-Vannetta Chapman
24) Map of Bones-James Rollins
25) Angels Watching Over Me-Michael Phillips
26) Blowing Dandelions-Miralee Ferrell
27) Deadly Blessings-Julie Hyzy
28) The Last Jihad-Joel Rosenberg
29) Agnes Hahn-Richard Saterlie
30) The Last Days-Joel Rosenberg
31) Leaving Lancaster-Kate Loyd
32) Relentless-Robin Parrish
33) Angels and Demons-Dan Brown
34) Digital Fortress-Dan Brown
35) The Lost Symbol-Dan Brown
36) A Journey to Victorious Prayer-Bill Thrasher
37) Inferno-Dan Brown
38) Rain Song-Alice Wisler
39) A Stranger Gift-Anna Schmidt
40) Accused-Janice Cantore
41) A Proper Pursuit-Lynn Austin
42) Abducted-Janice Cantore
43) Avenged) Janice Cantore
44) Critical Pursuit-Janice Cantore
45) Breathers-S. G. Browne
46) Against the Tide-Elizabeth Camden
47) Spying in High Heels) Gemma Halliday
1) Summer of Promise-Amanda Cabot
2) A Texans Honor-Shelly Gray
3) A Texans Promise-Shelly Gray
4) The Calling of Emily Evans-Janette Oke
5) Never Stop Holding Hands-Shara Grylls
6) It Happens Every Spring-Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman
7) Historic Architecture for the Home Builder-Walter Jewett Keith
8) Brides of the West:Faith-Lori Copeland
9) Before the Scarlet Dawn-Rita Gerlach
10) Alaska Virgin Air-Izzie Ballard
11) Paradise Valley-Dale Cramer
12) Out of Control-Mary Connealy
13) Craftsman Homes-Gustav Stickley
14) One Tiny Miracle-Carol Marinelli
15) Waiting for Summers Return-Kim Vogel Sawyer
16) An Untamed Land-Lauraine Snelling
17) Through the Fire-Shawn Grady
18) Southern Fried Sushi-Jennifer Rogers Spinola
19) Maiden of Mayfair-Lawana Blackwell
20) Tomorrows Sun-Becky Milby
21) Candle in the Darkness-Lynn Austin
22) For Time and Eternity-Alison Pittman
23) A Simple Amish Christmas-Vannetta Chapman
24) Map of Bones-James Rollins
25) Angels Watching Over Me-Michael Phillips
26) Blowing Dandelions-Miralee Ferrell
27) Deadly Blessings-Julie Hyzy
28) The Last Jihad-Joel Rosenberg
29) Agnes Hahn-Richard Saterlie
30) The Last Days-Joel Rosenberg
31) Leaving Lancaster-Kate Loyd
32) Relentless-Robin Parrish
33) Angels and Demons-Dan Brown
34) Digital Fortress-Dan Brown
35) The Lost Symbol-Dan Brown
36) A Journey to Victorious Prayer-Bill Thrasher
37) Inferno-Dan Brown
38) Rain Song-Alice Wisler
39) A Stranger Gift-Anna Schmidt
40) Accused-Janice Cantore
41) A Proper Pursuit-Lynn Austin
42) Abducted-Janice Cantore
43) Avenged) Janice Cantore
44) Critical Pursuit-Janice Cantore
45) Breathers-S. G. Browne
46) Against the Tide-Elizabeth Camden
47) Spying in High Heels) Gemma Halliday
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Nosy people
As a mom, most of my conversations revolve around my kids. I discuss them with my friends, family, professionals, random strangers and sometimes, when I am lonely, the dog. I get a lot of questions about them. Obviously the normal ones about age, size, ability and nearly everyone asks about their eyes. But I also get some oddballs. Here are my top 9. Some give me a chuckle. Some are informative. Most are annoying.
My top 9 questions I get about my kids:
1-Are you worried that Emily doesn't speak? She does, at home. In fact, she rarely shuts up. I have gotten this question from a couple of family members and friends. One even suggested I send her to daycare for a few days so she could "loosen up". My super clingy little girl does not warm up quickly to others. So she doesn't talk. I'm not concerned. She's 2. Take a chill pill.
2-How do you get them to eat what you make? I don't offer them anything else(with the exception of steak because I'm not wasting good steak on kids who can't chew it.) It really is that simple. Emily has always just eaten whatever she is given because she is a piglet. Molly has learned. She doesn't like supper then she can go to bed hungry. I leave her supper on the table but I don't make her stay there. She can get down but when she gets hungry, that cold dinner will still be sitting there waiting. If she asks politely I will warm it up for her. This happened about 3 times last fall. Now she just eats what she is given. *Note-I never make her eat the foods that she hates(broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and celery). It's a texture issue for her and I won't make her gag just to prove a point. I also never feed her berries, citrus or melons because it makes her break out in a rash on her mouth and tongue.
3-How do you get them to drink water? I don't have anything else. I don't have juice in the house. I don't make kool aid. I don't let them have pop unless we are at mcdonalds. They get milk at breakfast and supper but if they want a drink at any other time of day, it's water. Simple.
4-Are you worried that Molly won't be able to compete with other kindergartners if she doesn't go to preschool? Nope.
5-How did you sleep train? The first time I was asked this I had to look it up. I hadn't heard the phrase "sleep train" before that. The answer is, I put my kids to bed and walked away. Starting at about 4 months. They fell asleep on their own(without crying because they were still very young) and slept almost all the way through the night. I didn't read any books or blogs or whatever. I asked my mom. Because she is the real expert.
6-Are you going to homeschool? I usually say I don't know. Sometimes I say no. My answer changes based on who asks. If I am being asked just so that particular person can tell me all the reasons that homeschooling is a bad idea, I just tell them we have no plans to do so. 'Cuz we don't. Our eldest is 3. We've got some time.
7-So you are one of those weird attachment parents? This one made me laugh when I was asked. The only reason I was even asked was because I was using a sling. I am not really sure that qualifies me. For the record, no, I don't think of myself as an AP. I sleep with my kids sometimes but there is no family bed. I wore my kids because it was comfy and convenient for me and the babes loved it. I tried nursing but even if it had worked I would not have nursed my child until kindergarten. Just not my thing.(No judgment intended for anyone who does). I am just a mom who is trying to parent my children the best way for them. I have no philosophy.
8-So when are you going to have your next baby? This one bugs me. It's just too personal. And I don't know. Probably about 35 weeks and 3 days after the day of conception. So ask me again when I am pregnant. I gotta figure out a way to say that so it doesn't sound snarky. I am trying to work on my snarkiness.
9-Do they really need another pair of shoes? Yes. Always yes. Sometimes Daddies just don't get it!
What are your favorite/most irritating/silliest questions you get about your kids?
My top 9 questions I get about my kids:
1-Are you worried that Emily doesn't speak? She does, at home. In fact, she rarely shuts up. I have gotten this question from a couple of family members and friends. One even suggested I send her to daycare for a few days so she could "loosen up". My super clingy little girl does not warm up quickly to others. So she doesn't talk. I'm not concerned. She's 2. Take a chill pill.
2-How do you get them to eat what you make? I don't offer them anything else(with the exception of steak because I'm not wasting good steak on kids who can't chew it.) It really is that simple. Emily has always just eaten whatever she is given because she is a piglet. Molly has learned. She doesn't like supper then she can go to bed hungry. I leave her supper on the table but I don't make her stay there. She can get down but when she gets hungry, that cold dinner will still be sitting there waiting. If she asks politely I will warm it up for her. This happened about 3 times last fall. Now she just eats what she is given. *Note-I never make her eat the foods that she hates(broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and celery). It's a texture issue for her and I won't make her gag just to prove a point. I also never feed her berries, citrus or melons because it makes her break out in a rash on her mouth and tongue.
3-How do you get them to drink water? I don't have anything else. I don't have juice in the house. I don't make kool aid. I don't let them have pop unless we are at mcdonalds. They get milk at breakfast and supper but if they want a drink at any other time of day, it's water. Simple.
4-Are you worried that Molly won't be able to compete with other kindergartners if she doesn't go to preschool? Nope.
5-How did you sleep train? The first time I was asked this I had to look it up. I hadn't heard the phrase "sleep train" before that. The answer is, I put my kids to bed and walked away. Starting at about 4 months. They fell asleep on their own(without crying because they were still very young) and slept almost all the way through the night. I didn't read any books or blogs or whatever. I asked my mom. Because she is the real expert.
6-Are you going to homeschool? I usually say I don't know. Sometimes I say no. My answer changes based on who asks. If I am being asked just so that particular person can tell me all the reasons that homeschooling is a bad idea, I just tell them we have no plans to do so. 'Cuz we don't. Our eldest is 3. We've got some time.
7-So you are one of those weird attachment parents? This one made me laugh when I was asked. The only reason I was even asked was because I was using a sling. I am not really sure that qualifies me. For the record, no, I don't think of myself as an AP. I sleep with my kids sometimes but there is no family bed. I wore my kids because it was comfy and convenient for me and the babes loved it. I tried nursing but even if it had worked I would not have nursed my child until kindergarten. Just not my thing.(No judgment intended for anyone who does). I am just a mom who is trying to parent my children the best way for them. I have no philosophy.
8-So when are you going to have your next baby? This one bugs me. It's just too personal. And I don't know. Probably about 35 weeks and 3 days after the day of conception. So ask me again when I am pregnant. I gotta figure out a way to say that so it doesn't sound snarky. I am trying to work on my snarkiness.
9-Do they really need another pair of shoes? Yes. Always yes. Sometimes Daddies just don't get it!
What are your favorite/most irritating/silliest questions you get about your kids?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Molly-Isms
My Mom inspired me to write down all of the funny and adorable things Molly says. Plus my Nana keeps telling me "You better be writing these things down" ;) So I am. Enjoy.
"I berry hungary. Can I have whole grains for for breakfast?
"Molly and I had a fight in the car about who loves Daddy more. I said-"I love him more because he is my husband!" Molly replied-"I love him more cuz her's(we are working on he/her) is my PRINCE CHARMING!!!!"
Molly-"I will never EVER eat my sandwich!!"
Me-"If you eat your sandwich you can sweep and vacuum."
Molly-"Yay!! I go eat it!"
To the slightly chubby 20-something guy in the tshirt with the ripped out sleeves: If you don't want little girls to shout out to the entire restaraunt that they can "see your boobs!" don't wear nipple revealing clothing. And don't glare at my kid. The end.
Molly has recently developed a fear of thunderstorms as well as a habit of calling me "sweetie"(just like daddy). So last night when she said, "I scary of thunder. I sleep with my Sweetie?" how could I say no? Of course I still have to learn how to slerp with toddler elbows in my chest and curls up my nose...
Eating our leftover Red Lobster for snack and Molly holds her shrimp up to the fish bowl to tell the fish, "I like fish. Them's is yummy. This your friend?"
Last weeks Awana verse was "All have sinned." This weeks is, "All He had made was very good." Molly's version is, "All have sinned very good."
The other day when we were at the doctor he asked Molly where she lived. She replied, "I live at home." Doctor, "Where is home?" Molly, "By the spaceships."(thats the grain elevators) Doctor, "Do any aliens live there?" Molly, "Ya, hims name is Dan." All this time I thought he was an elevator operator but I guess he's really an alien.
Just checked on my supposed to be sleeping daughter to find her reading the story Bible. "Mommy, it's my Jesus?" Can't scold her for not sleeping when she is doing that...
"I berry hungary. Can I have whole grains for for breakfast?
"Molly and I had a fight in the car about who loves Daddy more. I said-"I love him more because he is my husband!" Molly replied-"I love him more cuz her's(we are working on he/her) is my PRINCE CHARMING!!!!"
Molly-"I will never EVER eat my sandwich!!"
Me-"If you eat your sandwich you can sweep and vacuum."
Molly-"Yay!! I go eat it!"
To the slightly chubby 20-something guy in the tshirt with the ripped out sleeves: If you don't want little girls to shout out to the entire restaraunt that they can "see your boobs!" don't wear nipple revealing clothing. And don't glare at my kid. The end.
Molly has recently developed a fear of thunderstorms as well as a habit of calling me "sweetie"(just like daddy). So last night when she said, "I scary of thunder. I sleep with my Sweetie?" how could I say no? Of course I still have to learn how to slerp with toddler elbows in my chest and curls up my nose...
Eating our leftover Red Lobster for snack and Molly holds her shrimp up to the fish bowl to tell the fish, "I like fish. Them's is yummy. This your friend?"
Last weeks Awana verse was "All have sinned." This weeks is, "All He had made was very good." Molly's version is, "All have sinned very good."
The other day when we were at the doctor he asked Molly where she lived. She replied, "I live at home." Doctor, "Where is home?" Molly, "By the spaceships."(thats the grain elevators) Doctor, "Do any aliens live there?" Molly, "Ya, hims name is Dan." All this time I thought he was an elevator operator but I guess he's really an alien.
Just checked on my supposed to be sleeping daughter to find her reading the story Bible. "Mommy, it's my Jesus?" Can't scold her for not sleeping when she is doing that...
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Conflict
One of the many things my hubby likes to poke fun at me for is the fact that I don't understand electricity. I what it is and the basics of how to handle it but I cannot comprehend how electricity gets from wind turbines to the socket in my wall. On our very long drive home from our honeymoon trip, we passed a few turbines and the conversation came up. After and hour or so of trying to explain it to me and seeing that I had not understood a word he was saying(in my defense it was because he was speaking nerd-talk) he looked at me and said, "Sweetie, there are wizards in the towers and they wave their magic wands and abra-cadabra! there is electricity in our house!" That works for me. Okay, I know it's dumb, but it works for me. I don't really need to know how it works as long as it does work.
The same conversation arose once when my brother(who is a gifted mechanic) was explaining what was wrong with me car. After talking about gaskets, seals, pistons and doohickeys I politely told him that, gas goes in my car and my car goes forward. Simple. I was taught the basics of car care, how to change the oil, tires and the basics of checking the engine. As a practical person I know that oil is a lubricant and therefore it must lubricate parts of my engine and is therefore, very important. The rest of it...I don't really need to know. That's why I have a handy hubby and brother who is willing to fill in hubby's knowledge gaps.
So now that you know my personality this part will make more sense to you. I believe the Bible is true from front to back. I believe that, with the exception of parables and prophecy, it is literal. Because I do not need to know the how's and why's of everything, my faith is easier. This is great for me. This is a problem for when I am sharing the Bible or my faith. I cannot count the times that people have asked me "How?!" and I don't have an answer because to be honest, I don't care how. This is a major flaw that has recently come to my attention. So my new goal is to learn. While I personally do not require the knowledge of how God created the world in only seven days, or where dinosaurs went, others do. And if I am to reach others I need to be able to give them more than my usual glib response of, "I don't know. I just believe." As a person who was raised in a faith filled home it's easy for me to say that God did it all and never question it but that isn't fair to those who do have questions.
I have taken a few spiritual gift tests in my life and I know that preaching, missions and teaching are NOT areas in which I score highly. I score very high in exhortation. Yay. Look up what exhortation and you will know why I am being sarcastic. Exhorting a person doesn't usually endear a person to you. Especially when your lowest scoring spiritual gift is Mercy so when exhorting someone you have to pretty much have to constantly be reminding yourself that God loves this person and so should I. I firmly believe that people should cultivate their spiritual gifts because that is what God has given them and He obviously wants us to use them. However, I also believe that the areas in which we are not gifted should be where we strive to grow. This week I heard that "Conflict is the most profound crucible for change."-Nancy Ortberg. That phrase applies to so many situations. Conflict in a marriage can strengthen or beak that marriage. Conflict in a friendship can completely turn that friendship on its head. Conflict in our own lives can cause us to grow or stunt. I do not like studying or learning things that are boring to me and this is obviously not something I am gifted in so it is a conflict to force myself to do that. I also don't like preaching/testifying/Bible thumping, and obviously that is a conflict with what I believe God calls his followers to do. I am hoping and praying that this conflict with bring about a change in me and, though I may never really understand why people need the answers and can't just believe, I at least will be able to share some answers to help lead them to Christ.
The same conversation arose once when my brother(who is a gifted mechanic) was explaining what was wrong with me car. After talking about gaskets, seals, pistons and doohickeys I politely told him that, gas goes in my car and my car goes forward. Simple. I was taught the basics of car care, how to change the oil, tires and the basics of checking the engine. As a practical person I know that oil is a lubricant and therefore it must lubricate parts of my engine and is therefore, very important. The rest of it...I don't really need to know. That's why I have a handy hubby and brother who is willing to fill in hubby's knowledge gaps.
So now that you know my personality this part will make more sense to you. I believe the Bible is true from front to back. I believe that, with the exception of parables and prophecy, it is literal. Because I do not need to know the how's and why's of everything, my faith is easier. This is great for me. This is a problem for when I am sharing the Bible or my faith. I cannot count the times that people have asked me "How?!" and I don't have an answer because to be honest, I don't care how. This is a major flaw that has recently come to my attention. So my new goal is to learn. While I personally do not require the knowledge of how God created the world in only seven days, or where dinosaurs went, others do. And if I am to reach others I need to be able to give them more than my usual glib response of, "I don't know. I just believe." As a person who was raised in a faith filled home it's easy for me to say that God did it all and never question it but that isn't fair to those who do have questions.
I have taken a few spiritual gift tests in my life and I know that preaching, missions and teaching are NOT areas in which I score highly. I score very high in exhortation. Yay. Look up what exhortation and you will know why I am being sarcastic. Exhorting a person doesn't usually endear a person to you. Especially when your lowest scoring spiritual gift is Mercy so when exhorting someone you have to pretty much have to constantly be reminding yourself that God loves this person and so should I. I firmly believe that people should cultivate their spiritual gifts because that is what God has given them and He obviously wants us to use them. However, I also believe that the areas in which we are not gifted should be where we strive to grow. This week I heard that "Conflict is the most profound crucible for change."-Nancy Ortberg. That phrase applies to so many situations. Conflict in a marriage can strengthen or beak that marriage. Conflict in a friendship can completely turn that friendship on its head. Conflict in our own lives can cause us to grow or stunt. I do not like studying or learning things that are boring to me and this is obviously not something I am gifted in so it is a conflict to force myself to do that. I also don't like preaching/testifying/Bible thumping, and obviously that is a conflict with what I believe God calls his followers to do. I am hoping and praying that this conflict with bring about a change in me and, though I may never really understand why people need the answers and can't just believe, I at least will be able to share some answers to help lead them to Christ.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Home Proud.
This morning I began to change Emily's diaper and realized there weren't enough wipes in the container for the nice little present she left me. So I quickly wrapped her back up and ran to her room for more wipes. Upon returning I found Molly chasing Emily with a wet wipe whilst Emily crawled across the floor with a half undone diaper leaving me---oh lets call them "drops of Love"---all over the carpet. I carried Emily to the bathroom and rinsed her head to toe because of the "Love" that had squished all over her knees and legs. Sigh...what a way to begin a week.
Anyone who watches the Nate Berkus Show will know that he talks about being "House Proud" all the time. Maybe it's because I have always wanted a beautiful home that I can show off, maybe because so many of my friends have beautifully decorated, nicely furnished, gorgeous homes or maybe because I tend towards a petty nature, but lately I have been longing for a nicer home. Not a different home...I like my house. Just in nicer shape. We are in the process of redoing some major projects and my imagination can carry me away sometimes. I have a picture in my head of how I want my house to look and I want it NOW! I want nice carpet, nice furniture, decorations that match and most of all, a room where I can put toys. I do not have any of those things. Nor will I have them anytime soon...well I will have the family room but my "soon" and Jared's "soon" are two different things. I was starting to get cranky.
Last week when I was making plans for my home I kept getting this feeling that maybe I was forgetting something. I had the feeling when I was shopping, when I was cleaning and when I was sitting at my computer. Finally I was so annoyed at this niggling feeling that I got up and wandered around the house trying to jog my memory. I firmly believe that "feeling" I was having was God telling me to get up and look around. I started to notice things. Things like, "Good grief! We have way too much food!" "I need to go through the clothes and get rid of some because we have WAY too many!" "The bathroom looks so much nicer than it did 2 years ago!" And then it began to make sense. I had been wanting something beautiful and bragworthy (yes, I did just make up a word, grammar police!) and the whole time I was sitting in the middle of God's blessings. So I sat down with a piece of paper and listed them. In the middle of the living room floor just looking around I covered the page, front and back, with gifts from God. My children and husband were at the top of the list of course but as I looked at the pictures on my walls(those that know me well know that "art" is diddly squat to me compared to photos of those I love) and listed 2 dozen people whom I love and love me. I have a house that was a huge blessing even though we didn't know it when we bought it. Sometimes I need to be smacked upside the head and thankfully I have a God who knows that about me.
Perhaps some people wouldn't want to live in my house with its two bedrooms and only one toilet(which I admit is not fun when pottytraining!) but I know that Jesus is here with us. When we are singing and dancing or having a pj's day or generally making fools of ourselves in our little home, God is smiling at us. Because doesn't call us to be happy once we have a nice house. He calls us to be happy with the gifts He has given us. By not rejoicing in the home I have been given and celebrating His gifts I was practically rejecting them. My ungratefulness was saying, "Not good enough God! I want better presents!" I definitely deserved a smack in the head for that one! There are a great many people in my life whose faith has been an inspiration to me and none of them have had nice homes, money, or even nice cars, but I never noticed...because they were HAPPY! And they praised God for what they had. Everyday. Lesson for Kaitlyn maybe???
I may not have a house that can be featured in a magazine, (or even in a blog for fear you will see the stains covering my carpet!) but I do have a home. A home given to me by a good God. A home where I can teach my babies how to Love and respect and be thankful. A home where they will grow and make messes and memories. And I am Home Proud! So when I whipped around to yell at Molly(after cleaning up the baby) for getting poo all over my floor and she grinned a big proud grin declaring, "Mom I help! I change Emmy!", I sat down on the floor and pulled her into my arms and told her that she was a big helper and she did a great job....then I told her she needed to help Mommy clean the carpet. Which she did...while singing...because my child loves to clean...shes weird. I spent 30 minutes cleaning yuckiness out of the ONLY carpet in the whole house!!!!(How does this always happen on the carpet!!!) But it was okay. Because this is not a dream house but a house in which to dream. Not a lovely house but a home well loved. Not a show home but a home in which to show our love. Someday I will have a mansion in heaven but until then, I will try to use my little home as a place to lead my children to their own mansions in heaven.
Maybe someday I will have a beautiful house with pretty furniture but at this point in my life, I am happy I have a home where spills and stains are just spills and stains and nothing more.
Anyone who watches the Nate Berkus Show will know that he talks about being "House Proud" all the time. Maybe it's because I have always wanted a beautiful home that I can show off, maybe because so many of my friends have beautifully decorated, nicely furnished, gorgeous homes or maybe because I tend towards a petty nature, but lately I have been longing for a nicer home. Not a different home...I like my house. Just in nicer shape. We are in the process of redoing some major projects and my imagination can carry me away sometimes. I have a picture in my head of how I want my house to look and I want it NOW! I want nice carpet, nice furniture, decorations that match and most of all, a room where I can put toys. I do not have any of those things. Nor will I have them anytime soon...well I will have the family room but my "soon" and Jared's "soon" are two different things. I was starting to get cranky.
Last week when I was making plans for my home I kept getting this feeling that maybe I was forgetting something. I had the feeling when I was shopping, when I was cleaning and when I was sitting at my computer. Finally I was so annoyed at this niggling feeling that I got up and wandered around the house trying to jog my memory. I firmly believe that "feeling" I was having was God telling me to get up and look around. I started to notice things. Things like, "Good grief! We have way too much food!" "I need to go through the clothes and get rid of some because we have WAY too many!" "The bathroom looks so much nicer than it did 2 years ago!" And then it began to make sense. I had been wanting something beautiful and bragworthy (yes, I did just make up a word, grammar police!) and the whole time I was sitting in the middle of God's blessings. So I sat down with a piece of paper and listed them. In the middle of the living room floor just looking around I covered the page, front and back, with gifts from God. My children and husband were at the top of the list of course but as I looked at the pictures on my walls(those that know me well know that "art" is diddly squat to me compared to photos of those I love) and listed 2 dozen people whom I love and love me. I have a house that was a huge blessing even though we didn't know it when we bought it. Sometimes I need to be smacked upside the head and thankfully I have a God who knows that about me.
Perhaps some people wouldn't want to live in my house with its two bedrooms and only one toilet(which I admit is not fun when pottytraining!) but I know that Jesus is here with us. When we are singing and dancing or having a pj's day or generally making fools of ourselves in our little home, God is smiling at us. Because doesn't call us to be happy once we have a nice house. He calls us to be happy with the gifts He has given us. By not rejoicing in the home I have been given and celebrating His gifts I was practically rejecting them. My ungratefulness was saying, "Not good enough God! I want better presents!" I definitely deserved a smack in the head for that one! There are a great many people in my life whose faith has been an inspiration to me and none of them have had nice homes, money, or even nice cars, but I never noticed...because they were HAPPY! And they praised God for what they had. Everyday. Lesson for Kaitlyn maybe???
I may not have a house that can be featured in a magazine, (or even in a blog for fear you will see the stains covering my carpet!) but I do have a home. A home given to me by a good God. A home where I can teach my babies how to Love and respect and be thankful. A home where they will grow and make messes and memories. And I am Home Proud! So when I whipped around to yell at Molly(after cleaning up the baby) for getting poo all over my floor and she grinned a big proud grin declaring, "Mom I help! I change Emmy!", I sat down on the floor and pulled her into my arms and told her that she was a big helper and she did a great job....then I told her she needed to help Mommy clean the carpet. Which she did...while singing...because my child loves to clean...shes weird. I spent 30 minutes cleaning yuckiness out of the ONLY carpet in the whole house!!!!(How does this always happen on the carpet!!!) But it was okay. Because this is not a dream house but a house in which to dream. Not a lovely house but a home well loved. Not a show home but a home in which to show our love. Someday I will have a mansion in heaven but until then, I will try to use my little home as a place to lead my children to their own mansions in heaven.
Maybe someday I will have a beautiful house with pretty furniture but at this point in my life, I am happy I have a home where spills and stains are just spills and stains and nothing more.
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