Independence Day

The Fourth of July

It's time for the Barbecue

And the Fireworks galore!

And the Beer and the Friends

And the Burgers for sure!

But most important

And I really must say

Is that America got

It's Independence today!

Yes in 1776

The famous politician

Senator John Hancock

Had signed the petition

That stated that our country

Was free from all others!

And that we would only be governed

By our American brothers!

So while we are celebrating

This great day of fun

Let us always remember

What our forefathers had done!

- Billy Nardozzi

Father's Day

I have a big post to write about our weekend but today is more important. Today is Father's Day. It's a day pretty much just like Mother's Day, except we celebrate the fathers in our lives - be it our fathers, husbands, step-fathers, uncles, grandfathers or just someone who was like a father to us. I know several people in my life who haven't had a good father and it saddens me. I was and am very fortunate to have a loving father. He's always encouraged me in every aspect of my life, even when he may not have understood why or even agreed with me. He taught me a lot of different life skills and fueled my love of sci-fi, reading and writing. Dad, if you read this - I love you and appreciate you very much.

The first picture is my Dad singing to little Ellie and the second is my Dad and Zeke playing.

I'm also very fortunate to have a wonderful husband and father of my children. He and I have learned a lot together about parenting and marriage. It hasn't always been easy but he's never faltered or said "I give up." He's always encouraged my staying home with the kids and has readily embraced my desire to homeschool them. Hubby, you are a great father and I look forward to many more years together.

The first picture is Zeke and Daddy, the second Ellie and Daddy.
(Both are pictures of the kids when they were tired of taking pictures! LOL)

Father's Day FAIL

I love to do creative and crafty projects with the kids for the holidays. I had the great idea this week that the kids and I would make a really neat t-shirt craft for my hubby. We'd get a white t-shirt of Daddy's and add a nice message with iron-on letters, like "Happy Father's Day!" or "We love you!" Then I'd get some blue paint, dip the kids hands in it and let them put some hand prints on the shirt. We'd present it to their Daddy on Sunday and he'd be overjoyed!

You see the disaster waiting to happen right?

My darling hubby is unemployed right now so it's a bit hard to do anything "secret" around the house, without his knowledge. So when he left to run some errands in town today, I saw my opportunity. I pulled down the ironing board and got to work. I started cutting out my iron-ons and to my dismay there were only a certain number of letters, like the single letter D. So we couldn't spell "Dad." That stinks. Only one P, so no "Happy Father's Day." There were also only 3 letter E's so we couldn't spell the kid's names - Elisha and Ezekiel. Too many E's. So I thought okay, nicknames then. "Zeke" and....nope, only one letter L! Ellie needs two. So we finally settled on "Zeke" and "Elisha." Okay, right, whatever. On to the ironing.

Note: Ironing is not really a little-kid-friendly craft idea. They can really only sit and watch. That lasted for a grand total of about two minutes for my son - then he was off sword fighting in the next room. The baby didn't even last that long. So I think well, that's alright - they'll be able to help with the hand prints.

I follow all the directions to iron the letters on to the shirt and flip it back to the front side to peel off the plastic and see my finished project. I start pulling on the plastic and the letters are stuck to it. I consult the directions and it says if this happens to iron the letters more. So I iron more. Meanwhile, the baby is busily dragging out a package of diapers and dumping them all over the dining room floor. My son is doing a similar task, only with practically every book on our bookshelf. I check the shirt and the letters are still stuck. I iron more. By this time, my kids have made a spectacular mess and are fighting - "MOMMM! ELLIE WON'T LEAVE ME ALONEEE!" "WAAAAHHHH! MAMA! MAMA!" I check the shirt again and the letters kind of look like they *might* be sticking to the shirt so I chance it and try to pull the plastic all the way off of one. Bad idea. The letter comes off completely, not attached to the shirt at all. Gaaah! So I put the shirt BACK on the ironing board, put the letters back on, put the press cloth over the shirt again and iron some more. The kids are now in my bedroom destroying things and jumping on the bed. I examine the shirt again and two of the plastic pieces come off the letters just fine. The rest come off in pieces or not at all. UGH.

So I think well, I'll just get the blue paint, have the kids make some hand prints and maybe I can draw the rest of the letters in with permanent marker. I gather the kids and dip baby's hand in the paint first. It immediately goes to her face. I wash her off and repeat. The hand goes to the face again. She refuses to make a hand print. I give up. It's either that or start ironing my head in frustration.

So that's the Father's Day present that WASN'T. It's currently on the floor of my closet in an angrily wadded ball. I think we're going to make Daddy a nice card this year instead. :)

Memorial Day 2010

I celebrate Memorial Day every year - usually by going to a cookout at a family member's house. We laugh, enjoy each other's company, listen to the race and eat some great food. The kids play and have a grand old time. But I got to thinking and I wasn't even really stopping to consider what we were celebrating. So I'm a making a point to pause this year (and in the years to come) and think about those who have died so I can live the life I want in the country I love. They keep us safe, fight for us and have one of the most important jobs in the world. Here's some facts on Memorial Day you may or may not have known:

• Memorial Day is a federal holiday that's observed every year on the last Monday of May. It's formally known as Decoration Day.
• It was first created to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War and was expanded years after that.
• Most people celebrate by visiting cemeteries and memorials. It's also unofficially observed as the beginning of summer and the weekend of the Indy 500, hence all the cookouts, camping and BBQ's.
• Traditionally, there is a national moment of remembrance that takes place at 3 P.M. local time and United States flags are flown at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.

picture source


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Birthday and Mother's Day

May has always been a busy month for me. This year in addition to our normal activities and my babysitting job, my birthday and Mother's Day fell on the same weekend. They usually are pretty close together but not always. My Mom told me when I was born she got to bring me home from the hospital on Mother's Day!
Birthdays aren't really a huge deal for me and I definitely don't feel any different...although since I'm 24 now I guess I'll soon be out of the 18 - 24 age category you get asked about on surveys and things! :-D It is nice to be celebrated though.

On Friday, I went shopping with my Mom, my Aunt and my daughter. We ate at Olive Garden and got some great deals at Fashion Bug. I got a new purse and matching wallet (thanks Dad!) and some new clothes. My mom and aunt were fashion advisers for the day. :) As I've mentioned previously, this is the year of weddings and I now have some new fabulous dresses to wear to them! One of them my hubby and I think is very fifties-esque and I am just in love with it. I've got some cute (fake) pearls to wear with it and I'm on the hunt for a cheap pair of pumps. Or I may just wear my white low heeled shoes.

Mother's Day was pretty nice for me as well. Our church service was very nice and they gave all the mothers some beautiful flowers. My son made me a super cute card in children's church and gave me another card after we got home that was signed by him and our chickens. :) My hubby and kids took me out to lunch at one of our favorite Mexican places and then we spent the rest of the day with family at my Grandma's house. My parents got me an ice cream cake for my birthday that was shaped like a pink purse! It was adorable. I'm a very lucky momma and daughter! :)

Mother's Day

This status update in honor of Mother's Day has been floating all over Facebook recently:

To those mothers with children in your arms, and those who are expecting, to the mothers with babies up in heaven, and those who are still waiting for a miracle: Happy Mother's Day. You are ALL mothers.

And is that not the truth? I have friends who've gone through miscarriages, who are pregnant, who are adoptive moms, step-moms, moms of kids with disabilities, moms of big families and moms of only children. Mothers come in all shapes, sizes, colors and forms. I have an aunt who was never able to have children who has been very much like a "second mom" to my son. I'm so glad she's been able to be involved in his life. I have another aunt who has kind of been like my "second mom." We've always been super close and I love spending time with her and her kids.
I feel like I've gotten a lot closer with my own mom after having kids. You come to realize a lot of things she dealt with or went through as a parent and she's a good source of encouragement. Of course sometimes after a rough day, I just want to call her up and say "I'm sorry if you ever had a day like today when I was little!"
I hope all you mothers have a wonderful day tomorrow! And for anyone that has a mother, grandma, aunt or someone who is like a mother, remember all the things she has done for you. Celebrate her daily, weekly and monthly - not just once a year!

In our own world today, motherhood is rarely sufficiently honored. One day each year, there are brunches and corsages and little gifts of love. But the rest of the time? As a culture, we do not respect the great gift of mothering. Women's work in raising the next generation is taken for granted. Yet it is a vital service to humanity, one that deserves to be acknowledged continually.
-Patricia Monaghan

Wordless Wednesday: Visiting the Easter Bunny

Happy Easter!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It's full of lots of fun things. I like to color eggs with my son and make other Easter crafts with him. We usually attend church and then have a family dinner and Easter Egg Hunt at my Grandma's. This year our church is having a breakfast, a church service (with a special presentation by the kids) and then an Easter Egg Hunt. So we get to go to two of them! Zeke also visited the Easter Bunny this year and got to get his picture taken with him.

But Easter is so much more than that! While those are all fun activities that I myself and my kids enjoy, there is a greater reason to celebrate Easter. As I mentioned on Good Friday, someone told me they didn't know why I watched the movie The Passion of the Christ. As I said earlier, I think it's good to be reminded of the suffering Jesus endured for us. He died so that we could have everlasting life. It's very humbling. But it's also good to know that the story doesn't end there! A good article I read says this: "Jesus rose from the grave on Easter morning, the third day after He was crucified. He showed that He had power over sin, death, and the devil. He not only took our death, but conquered it with life. Because He was victorious, we can be too!" You can read the rest of that article here.
Another great article details why the resurrection is important and vital to Christianity: "The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not about a mere historical curiosity, but an event of enormous consequences to you. According to Romans 1:4, Jesus' resurrection affirms the Bible's high claims about Him, and that He alone is the way to heaven. Christ's resurrection guarantees there will be a Last Judgment, and that there is a Heaven and Hell. Yet this Risen Christ offers the forgiveness of sins and everlasting salvation for whoever believes in Him." To read the rest of that article, go here.
So today not only should we enjoy our egg hunts and precious time with our families, we should also be thankful to Jesus for all he did for us and the whole world.

Cartoon found here.

Easter Recipes

Are you scrambling to find a recipe for this Easter weekend? Then look no further because my bloggy friends have posted some great recipes! I also found a couple more that are pretty easy or make ahead. I may be trying some of these out myself!

• Homemade Kandy Kake (No candy is involved!) from The Practical Mom Guide
• Cheddar Chive Scones from Penny Sophisticate
• Pasta Fagioli from Between the Lines
• Passover Chocolate Nut Toffee from About.com Busy Cooks
• 4 Pepper Deviled Eggs from Alton Brown
• Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup from Paula Deen
• Robin's Egg Easter Basket Cupcakes from the Food Network Kitchens
• Easiest Ever Easter Menu from About.com Busy Cooks

The Passion

Every year around Easter time I like to watch Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Well, I shouldn't say like. I think it's a very well made movie in the sense that it's a very accurate portrayal of the suffering Jesus went through when he died. But that's not to say that I want to sit down every day and watch it! It's a horrible movie in the sense that there's an incredible amount of blood, pain, torment and agony. I've watched it once every year since it came out, usually around Easter time and I still bawl like a baby. This scene in particular gets to me:





As a parent, how devastating would it have to be to watch your child suffer like that? Have you ever felt that way before? I know I have. When my son was incredibly sick last year with a viral infection and couldn't stop throwing up, there was nothing more I wanted than to fix his problems. He would start screaming every time he would feel like he had to throw up because he knew what was coming and did NOT want it to happen. He didn't want to play, he couldn't keep anything down - I comforted him as much as I could but I still felt helpless. After a trip to the ER, we got medicine for him and thank goodness, my little guy was right as rain within a day or two. That's just a small problem in the grand scheme of things - I can't imagine the pain and heartbreak parents of children with cancer, chronic illnesses and diseases must feel.
Someone told me they didn't know how I could stand to watch that movie. I understand that. As I said before, it's not exactly a pleasant, feel good type of movie. The story of Jesus' death isn't. He endured a horrible amount of pain. I read this article on medical aspects of the Crucifixion - it's horrible and incredible at the same time. I guess it's no coincidence that excruciate (to cause great agony or torment) is from the Latin - ex, meaning out of and cruciate, meaning cross.
I can't say that I enjoy this stuff but life isn't all pleasantness and sunshine either. I think it's good to be reminded of what Jesus had to endure for us, so that our sins could be forgiven. It's also great to know that the pain and suffering wasn't the end of the story either! For more on that though, you'll have to wait for my Easter day post. :) For now, take a moment today to stop and thank Jesus for all he did for you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've never been one that goes gaga over Valentine's Day. In High School, I always deemed it Black Whatever-Day-It-Was (even if I had a significant other) and one year I wore black boots, a black shawl, black skirt, black shirt and black tights. Yes, I was a bit odd...still am at times! A couple years back, though somebody told me that he didn't need a day to tell me that he loved me, that he loved me all time. :) I think that's very true - you don't need a day to tell someone you love them, you should tell them all the time! But in case you've been lax in telling your special someone, make sure you tell them today!
I've had some really nice Valentine days with my hubby over the past (almost) five years. I've also come to enjoy making Valentines crafts with my son and sharing in his love of the simple things. So I guess Valentine's has grown on me some...but I'm still keeping the all-black outfit at the ready, just in case. ;)

♥ Me and my loves ♥

Affordable Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is just a week away - can you believe it? It seems like this year *just* started! This year I've been trying to find some affordable crafts and gifts for the kids and I to make for Valentine's Day and of course there always tons of good ideas on the internet! :) I thought I would share with you some of the things we've found:

- The Practical Mom Guide wrote a post a little while back called 20 Ways to Say I Love You Without Spending a Penny that I thought was really good!

- I love DLTK's websites - they are run by a mom & her family and have TONS of fun things for kids to do on them. They have a special section just for Valentine's related things.

- I recently found this blog called 365 Ways To Say I Love You that has a different thing to do each day to show your significant other that you love them - very cool!

- AllFreeCrafts.com has one of the ultimate Valentine's craft pages - SO much stuff on it! See it here. (I especially liked the Inexpensive Ideas for Couples With Kids...hehehe.)

- I've always thought coupon books were an affordable and neat idea for the holidays - just make sure that the person actually redeems them! See Activities for Kids, Links 2 Love and All Free Printables for several different kinds of pre-printed coupon books, individual coupons or coupon ideas.

A Look Back...and Ahead

Well, 2009 has drawn to a close. It seems like time is either going too fast or too slow - you're in a stage or place you hate and time just keeps creeping by, or you love this point in your life and time is just flying by.
This year has been incredible. There have been hard times and struggles, but there's also been a lot of laughter and love. My son started school, my precious daughter was born and I think I've learned a lot. My husband still has a job, we have all of our needs met (and then some!) and are doing pretty well, overall. I had another birthday and I've begun to discover that it's just another day. I saw someone come back from the brink of death. I've lost contact with some people and made several new friends who I have become really close to. I've begun to realize the type of people I want to be around and the people that aren't good for me. I think I've become more mature. My extended family has grown and changed - we've welcomed new babies, celebrated marriage and also heard a diagnosis or two that wasn't that great. I look forward to all of the things that will be happening this year and I hope that it will be even brighter and more blessed than last year.
I'm not making any resolutions in particular but I do want to strive to see what's really important to me, to cut the bad out of my life and to focus on the good. I wish you all the best for your new year as well!

Well hello there!

I've kind of been on an unannounced hiatus but just wanted to let you all know that I am still around just very, very busy right now! We had Christmas with my step-daughter over the past few days, Christmas Eve dinner with family & friends at our house tomorrow, Christmas Eve service at church tomorrow night and of course all the Christmas day activities! I'll be back in a couple days after things slow down, probably with lots of pictures & stories! :)

More Christmas-y Questions

When do you take the tree down?

Whenever. We're never in a rush to take it down. Probably sometime in January.

Do you like eggnog?

I have honestly never tried it.

Hardest person to buy for?

Probably some of my extended family. I just figure they can buy whatever they want or I'm not sure what they would like so it's difficult to make a decision.

Easiest person to buy for?

My hubby. I know a lot of people fret over what to buy their spouse but I know the kind of things he likes and always listen for when he says things like "I could use this," or "I wish I had one of these." (Obviously within reason, though. I'd love a million dollars too....)

Worst gift you ever received?

I don't think I've ever had a "worst" gift. I've always enjoyed the things I've received.

When do you start shopping for the holidays?

I do a little throughout the year if I see a good deal or something but generally most of it is done after Thanksgiving and the early parts of December.

Have you ever recycled a present?

Of course! Not to be mean or anything but because someone else could use it better or needed it more than me.

Favorite thing to eat during the holidays?

Umm...everything? Hence why I am TRYING to do better this year! Seriously though...I love rolls (the kind you just pop in the oven and the homemade kind my friend Amber makes) and all the different types of holiday desserts.

Lights on the tree?

Of course! Last year I think they were all white (on the tree from HECK...I'll share that story later, though...) but this year we've got multi-colored.

Favorite Holiday song?

Anything by Mannheim Steamroller or Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Angel on the tree top or a star?

I'm pretty partial to stars.

Favorite ornament theme or color?

I love the ornaments my Grandma gives us every year. Our first year of marriage she gave us one that had a little bear couple in a sled with the year and "our first year together" written on it. Every year since Zeke was born she's given us ones that have the year and how old he was on that particular Christmas. I know those are things we'll always put on our tree and talk about.

What gift are you hoping to receive this year?

I really have no idea. There are things I'd like but nothing I desperately need. Something I'd really enjoy would be to go someplace overnight and just relax, sleep in, do nothing. Not very exciting but hey, it's my gift, not yours...so I guess that's what I'm wishing for!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Kids

Fun Christmas Activities

With the holidays coming up, sometimes you just need something to keep the kids busy while you are wrapping presents, cooking or whatever other preparations you're working on - or perhaps you're just looking for a holiday-themed craft to do with your kids. I thought some of my readers with kids (or even just the adults! hehe) might enjoy trying out some of these fun things we've found online:

- Virtual Gingerbread House: Decorate your own gingerbread house with all different types of candy.
- The North Pole: So many different things to do on here - coloring pages, decorate a Christmas tree or snowman, watch a disco-dancing Santa and tons more. We also love that on this site you can send a letter to Santa and he'll send you one back! So cool!
- A Kid's Heart: Tons of different Christmas activities and games.
- DLTK's Crafts for Kids Christmas Activities: Coloring pages, crafts, printables, recipes and tons more.
- The Kidz Page Free Christmas Games: Online puzzle and maze games
- Enchanted Learning Christmas Crafts for Kids: TONS of crafts, most using simple household things.
- Activity Village Christmas for Kids: Lots of printables, coloring pages and crafts.

Feeling Christmas-y

Swiped this meme from A Nut in a Nutshell! Also, like my new little signature thingy at the bottom?

1.) Have you started your Christmas shopping?

Yep! We start the day after Thanksgiving. Except for the occasional deal we might see throughout the year.

2.) Tell me about one of your special traditions.

Decorating the day after Thankgiving. We get out the tree, the stockings, the lights - the whole ten yards. It's so much more fun with kids too, I think. They love hanging things up and putting all the ornaments on just one side of the tree! :P

3.) When do you put up your Tree?

Usually the day after Thanksgiving. This year we put it up a bit earlier.

4.) Are you a Black Friday shopper?

Definitely! But we don't go overboard. We mainly just like to get out there and laugh at the craziness. We scour the papers and pick out the only the really good deals.

5.) Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?

We are allllll over the place unfortunately. Well, I should rephrase that. I LOVE visiting with family but it makes for an incredibly long day.

6.) What is your funniest Christmas memory?

Hmm. One year on Christmas Eve when I was younger, I woke up and I was thirsty. So I got up to get a drink of water and walked out into the living room. My Mom & Dad were out there and they both immediately jumped up. "What are you doing?!" my Dad yelped. I replied, "I'm just getting a drink of water!" What was the big deal? It was several years later before I realized they had been wrapping my Christmas presents. :D

7.) What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?

It's a Wonderful Life. I've seen it 2309483249734 times and it always makes me cry. Another favorite of our household (and much more like our own family) is Christmas Vacation!

8.) Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?

Last year, Z and I made Christmas sugar cookies and a gingerbread house and it was tons of fun. We'll probably do that again this year. For the Christmas dinner our families usually do most of the cooking. I tend to bring desserts to family dinners because they're easier and I'm pretty good at them. :)

9.) Fake or Real Tree?

In our (almost) five years of marriage, we have as yet to have a real tree. BUT that doesn't bother me at all. We've had beautiful fake trees. The ornaments & stuff are really the big deal to me - they have a lot more meaning.

This year's tree...plus or minus a few ornaments

10.) What day (as a Mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?

Honestly? I don't really get panicked. We have family things and sometimes will have a dinner at our house but there's really nothing to freak out about - for me, anyway. I love the Christmas season.

11.) Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?

Occasionally. Or like last year, we were putting some together. Well, hubby was. I was supervising. ;)

12.) What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?

Driving around looking at Christmas lights or opening presents with the kids.

13.) What Christmas craft do you like the best?

Gingerbread houses are a lot of fun! You can make them basically anyway you want. We've also had a lot of fun this year making ornaments for our tree.

14.) Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?

Yes! Heck, my husband listens to Christmas music all year long! My favorite song is probably White Christmas or The Christmas Song. Or Carol of the Bells. Too many to choose!

15.) When do you plan to finish all your shopping?

Oh, not sure. We have quite a bit of it done now. We'll probably finish within the next week or so.

Black Friday

Every year my hubby and I go shopping on Black Friday. We're not the die hard, knocking people over and throwing things kind. We usually just go for the few deals we're hunting and to watch all the crazies. ;) We went yesterday (although we left later than we usually do) and got a few deals. (I twittered about our day yesterday if you'd like to read my updates, or if you'd just like to read my updates from now on!) There weren't any really huge deals we were after (usually we find quite a bit but this year the sales just didn't seem that great) but we did pick up a few presents for the kids & some of our family members. My mother-in-law stopped by Walmart later on that night and told me she got a bunch of newer movies (Monsters Vs. Aliens, Coraline, a few others) for $2!
Toys R Us was MADNESS, even though they opened at midnight. I went in there around 10:30 - 11:00 AM the next day and it was still completely craziness. I only wanted one thing and the line for the check-out was almost to the back of the store. Our local Toys R Us has Toys R Us on one side of the store and Babies R Us on the other side. We went over to the Babies R Us side to see if there was that many people there too and *suprise* there was no line at all! So we were able to get out quickly, thank goodness. I also bought hubby's presents online last night (shhhhhh, don't tell) after he passed out from our shopping trip. Now I just have to intercept the package before he does...if I was smart, I guess I would have shipped it to my parent's house or something....oh well!

Thankfulness

This year I am thankful for:

- The wonderful birth of my beautiful baby girl who has added more joy & happiness to our household.
- My son's acceptance and immediate & constant love for previously mentioned baby girl! :)
- The good friends I have made in the past year through the Mom's group I joined.
- The ability & privilege to stay at home and care for my kids.
- My hardworking husband who provides for us.
- My son's bravery and independence at preschool and at church, doing more things by himself.
- Another year with my big, crazy extended family.
- A roof over our head, food on our table and clothing on our backs.
- All the freedom I and my family have and the troops here and abroad that protect that freedom.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!