Foodie Friday

Here is the new weekly post of my blog. I'm going to try and post my weekly menu, but can not guarentee that it will be every week. But Fridays will be all about food, recipes, tips and tricks I have learned over the years in the kitchen. Most of my cooking knowledge comes from being in the kitchen with my Mom who was a cook at a resturant in town for over 20 years. My husband is always amazed that no matter what or where I can find recipes. Believe it or not I was in the sporting goods store with him and I found a section with cookbooks! So I stayed there and he went looking at the fishing stuff. LOL!



At least for the summer you will see on the menus a lot of sandwiches and salads because we go camping on the weekends I need easy meals. Here is the menu for next week June 29-July 5.



Sunday-B-French toast, sausage/bacon, oj. L-BLT's, carrot sticks. D-Hot Dogs, baked potatoes.



Monday-B-Oatmeal (made over night in the crockpot). L- Salad w/grilled chicken. D-Lasagna



Tuesday-B-Granola w/yogurt. L-Tuna boats or leftovers. D-Tacos



Wednesday-B-Eggs on muffins. L-Pasta with salad. D-Hamburgers and Salad.



Thursday-B-Oatmeal with fruit. L-Sandwiches. D-Pita Pizza Grilled.



Friday-B-Pancakes and Sausage. L-4th of July picnic at camp. D-Leftovers from picnic.

Well I was going to include recipes for a lot of these dishes, BUT the batteries died in our mouse and I can not find any more....GRRRR! Oh well I will pick up some batteries this weekend and post the recipes.



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It is finished!

We have offically finished our 2007-2008 school year. I dropped off all of the required paperwork to finish out this year. I even turned in all the paperwork for next year. Yes, it is very time comsuming! But it is so great to look back on the school year and reflect and see how much progress the children have made. Each one of the children have done extremely well, even while we were under "attack" from family members. I am so proud of them for sticking with their studies and completing everything! I am really looking forward to spending the next month in relaxation! I need the vacation as much as they do.

Another thing that is finished is our sink. My husband fixed the leak this past weekend and then last night my Dad came over and we replaced all the piping underneath the sink. It was a great opportunity to clean out under the sink (a place I do not like to go!) It is great to have all new stuff under there. I am very thankful that my Husband was able to do that.

Starting perhaps this Friday I will begin to add a menu portion to my blog. I will do it on Fridays. Not only will it keep me on the menu plan but it may give some of you some ideas of your own for menus. I posted before that I let each one of the kids help with the dinner. We have a 3 x 5 card file. Each child has a section of recipes (I do not put the recipes on the card, there is a title of a cookbook and page number. I collect cookbooks!)they are interested in preparing for dinner. They go to the file and pull out their cards with the cookbook and page number on it and then we make a list and go to the store. Not only does this help them learn cooking skills, but they learn how to follow a recipe. Which surprsingly many people do not even know the basics of cooking. We also learn how to incorporate new and exciting foods into our diet. Best of all we do not hear on a daily basis any more...."EWWW I don't like that!"

We are going to our camp for the weekend! It is opening week at camp and we are looking forward to hearing a great concert and wonderful speakers. We go to a Christian Bible Camp. Not only do we get a vacation every week, we continue to grow in Christ. We are also building wonderful memories as a family. Have a great day!!

This is a picture of my iris garden. The flowers were taken from my Great-Grandmother's garden. I'm so thrilled to have them to enjoy. Right in front of them are the tulips my father-in-law mowed over for years. I post about that a while back.

My Husband

So many time we get so wrapped up in the daily happenings all around us and sometimes forget to mention those who work so hard for us. My husband is that person to me. He works very hard to provide for our family that sometimes I take it for granted. I go on and on about my daily happenings that I over see his daily happenings. He is the strong silent type. I am so grateful to God for bringing us together. It is so great to see us grow as a Christian couple. We were both saved on the same day, almost 3 years ago. I have been so preoccupied creating the "perfect" home that I have neglected my husband. I'm so tired by the end of the day that I do not even want to talk when the children go to bed. Each day I concentrate on one room in the house. I try not to take on too much so I will be able to have a conversation with my Husband. At the end of the day he too has a lot he wants to talk with me about.

I've been doing very well at getting up with him and seeing him off to work. He seems to be much happier about going off to work since I've started spending that time with him. I use to worry a lot about "stuff" which I am pleased to say that I have been doing better at this, I've turned it over to God.

The other day our 14 year old came to me and asked me to teach her how to be a good Wife and Mom like I am. I didn't quite know what to say, I wasn't even sure I knew how to be a "good Wife and Mom". I know something is being done right when a 14 year old tells her Mom this. I've been praying about this and reading "The Excellent Wife", there are some great tips in there and I highly recommend it. But most importantly I've been searching scripture for the answers to how to be a good Wife and Mom. I think of the Proverbs 31 woman, and try to Be like her in many aspects. I know that it will be almost impossible to live up to everything in that passage, but it does not hurt a woman to try her best.

Each and everyday we should honor our husbands, not just on birthdays, or special days. My challenge to you is to do something for your husband. Something that is totally unexpected. I will post what I do.

Peaceful Moments

Believe it or not...it is hard for me to believe sometimes....we are having more and more peaceful moments here. The children are growing up so quickly. Last night we had our "Thanksgiving Dinner". We had a turkey in the freezer we had to use so we saved it for when the children had finished up school. I am thrilled to say that we finished a week ahead of time! We had all the trimmings, turkey, stuffing, squash, mashed potatoes and an apple pie. I'm real thankful that it was cooler yesterday. We went around the table and said a word of thanks. Each one of them were of course thankful that school was done! But each one also gave a heart felt thanks to God for something. It really touched our hearts. Katie was thankful for our home, Hannah was thankful for our family, Andrew was thankful that we are able to buy food like this. I was almost moved to tears.

Then...so much for peaceful moments....after dinner the children went down to their rooms and Andrew promptly yelled...FATHER...there is water coming in Hannah's room from the ceiling! Yikes! Well the pipes under the sink in the kitchen are shot. My husband tried to tape them for the time being but as he was taping them they broke right in his hand. Guess we can't complain...they held for over 50 years. So we need to call our personal neighbor hood plumber, Happy Papa...LOL...Happy Mama's husband to see if he will come over and help my husband put it back together with new piping. If he is unable my brother may be able to come and help out. But he lives a bit further. Our third option will be to wait until my Dad returns on Tuesday. So last night we had to take part of the ceiling down to let it all dry out. Then we will put it back together later. Our bright side son said...."hey you said you wanted to clean the carpets in Hannah's room, so now all you need is the soap." I didn't let any of this worry me, which is huge progress for me.

I've been trying very hard to get up with my Husband and give him a proper send off for the day. Today I actually did it. Now he gets up at 5 AM! I am not by nature a morning person. But last night I prayed that God would help me accomplish this for my Husband....I'm so happy to say I did it. Of course I'll probably fall asleep during dinner tonight at our friends house...Sorry ahead of time Happy Mama! LOL. But after he left I was able to get so much done. I was able to spend a lot of time in God's word and just be with my Father as the day began. It really is amazing how clear your mind is that early in the morning. It really is peaceful that time of day, birds chirping, clock ticking can be very relaxing. Well after all that peace I was ready for a nap. LOL. So I laid down and slept for about an hour. Now I feel so refreshed and ready for the day....as soon as I get another cup of coffee that is.....Have a GREAT and blessed day. Remember, at the end of the day What reflection do you see in the window or mirror?

Wednesday Happenings

We have been working hard around here to get our home organized. I'm excited to say that the only room left in the house to organize is the kitchen! It is such a sense of accomplishment when you set your mind to something and do it! Although with my back hurting like it does it has taken me longer....but as the saying goes....Slow and steady wins the race.

We are also working on going "chemical" free around here. I went to this website and found these natural cleaners:

Surface Cleaner
It seems as if society has forgotten that old-fashioned soap and water actually cleans. Rather than spraying chlorine bleach or ammonia based products on kitchen and bathroom surfaces, consider the following alternatives.

Mix one tablespoon of Ivory or natural dish soap with hot water in an 8-ounce spray bottle. Spray surfaces and wipe with a damp, clean cloth, rinsing as needed.

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of borax with a tablespoon of vinegar in 16 ounces of water. Shake the bottle well, spray surfaces and wipe dry with a clean cloth. (Add 1 tsp. of tea tree oil to help prevent mildew.)

Glass Cleaner

Mix 1/3 cup of vinegar to 2/3 cup of water for cleaning glass. For particularly grimy or greasy windows, you can mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and water. Both versions are extremely cheap to make and alcohol will act as a disinfectant when needed.

Bathroom and Heavy Duty Cleaner

To cut through grime, mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water and add up to a tablespoon of borax. Mix well in a spray bottle and clean surfaces as you would with commercial cleaner. (Add 10 to 20 drops of citrus oil to create scent if desired.)

*My note.....a few drops of lemon juice (any kind) to the laundry will take out odors. My husband works around oil all day and it takes the odor out of his clothes.

Abrasive Cleaner Alternative

Create a thick paste with baking soda and vinegar. Works well on stainless steel. Just rub and rinse.
A similarly thick paste made with baking soda and lemon juice works well on other metal surfaces such as brass or copper.

Laundry Detergent Alternative

You can create inexpensive powdered laundry detergent by mixing equal parts baking soda with borax. Store in an airtight container, using approximately one-half cup per regular load.

Air Freshener Alternative

For a spray freshener, dilute citrus or lavender oil in water and place in a spray bottle with a fine mist setting. Lightly mist the air, but avoid wetting fabrics and upholstery.

To recreate the warm cinnamon smell of popular air fresheners and candles, mix one cup of applesauce with 1 1/2 cups of cinnamon, roll out onto wax paper to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into small squares or even decorative shapes with miniature cookie cutters. Air dry for 48 hours or until hardened. This is a particularly moist mixture, but dries out nicely. Place dried pieces in a bowl or jar, mixed with marbles or river rock for color.

We are making small changes here and there. We have not tried the Air Freshener yet, but am going to try it soon.

I also have a recipe for homemade fabreeze. I've searched for the blog that I got this off of. If you are the original "poster" please let me know so I can give you the credit you deserve! I've looked and looked.

Homemade Febreze Recipe (I'm not sure how chemically free this is....but it sure is cheaper than the name sake.)

2 cups fabric softener 2 cups baking soda 4 cups hot water
Purchase a large spray bottle. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water; allow to cool completely. Put fabric softener (Downy is a good one to use) in it and fill the spray bottle. Spray it lightly on furniture, curtains, carpets and bedding for a nice fresh scent.

Simple Woman Day book

This is something I got from The Simple Woman blog I've tried to do every Monday. Sometimes the time gets away from me and I forget. Stop by and see Peggy at The Simple Woman and try this out.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window.....there is a gentle nice cool breeze! Very refreshing after the last week of 90 degree weather here.

I am thinking...i need to go check the peas, they had pods on them and they should be ready to pick....WOOHOO

I am thankful for...for so much, my Lord and Savior, my husband, my children.

From the kitchen...hamburger, potatoes, carrots, in the crockpot for supper. Hamburger made to taste like pot roast. MAYBE I'll make an apple cake.

I am creating...a postcard scrapbook to place all the wonderful postcards we have been receiving from all over the world and US.

I am going...to organize our home! Organization begins in the heart.

I am wearing...my hair in a bun....it is finally long enough!!

I am reading...the "Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace

I am hoping...to finish up our school this week! Then finish the 4th quarter report.

I am hearing...Chip Ingram on the radio

Around the house...there is so much to do. We finally picked out our colors for the house. We will hopefully begin painting this weekend. There is a reason God gave us a small home, we can do the painting in a weekend!

One of my favorite things...is hearing my children laughing

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...go to a friends to scrapbook, finish quarterly reports, finish organizing the house.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Father's Day (I've been tagged!)

It took me a moment to realized what a friend of mine, Happy Mama, meant when she said she tagged me. I'm not all up on the blog world lingo. lol

So anyway, I went over to Happy Mama's house yesterday, its our scrappin day. Usually we take the time to work on our scrap books while the children play, but since Sunday is Father's Day I wanted to finish his cards from the kids. Now a days cards are so expensive and I think they add a little more of a personal touch when you make them yourself. So I found these really cute cards on a family website (which I'll post when I remember it) They only took about 10 minutes to make. Which I will post when I can find my patch cords for the camera...grrrrr, frustrates me when I loose stuff. Ok I didn't find my patch cords but my Father lent me his card reader....Thanks Dad! So here is the picture of the cards we made for my husband.

We went to camp this weekend for an over nighter. Since there are no Church services there until the 28th when the offical season begins, we came home this afternoon. Which was fine with me since it stormed the whole time we were there. Also it was like an oven in the camper. I'll be happy when this round of hot weather is gone! I'm not a happy camper (sorry about the pun on words) when its this hot.

Home!

When God leads you to a Church you know you are home. That is how we feel with the Church God has lead us to. When you walk through the doors of a Church and feel such warmth and you are welcomed at every corner, you know you are where God wants you to be. Up until about a month ago we were attending a church where no one was on fire for God. When you are in that situation you become luke warm yourself. We had felt no growth in over a year. NOW I can't get enough of God's word. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us over the next few years. Like I mentioned in a previous post, my Husband has been called into ministry. Where God will lead we are not sure yet. Last night we went to mid week prayer meeting and we could of sat and talked with people for hours. We broke up into prayer groups and not once did we feel "awkward" with not really knowing people. The took us into their groups for prayer. The children even made friends and they had their own prayer groups led by an adult. How great is that!

We are entering our last 2 weeks of home school for this year. I am ready to be done, as well as the children. I'm excited to begin our new year learning world geography. Along with missionaries and those in other countries who can not freely talk about God.

Below is a picture that my Husband took off of our deck.

I love how the branches are in focus almost in the center of the picture. I'm working on a faithbook and want to include this picture. Any ideas? Or perhaps a verse that may go along with this picture?"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Weekend Blessings

This weekend was such a blessing. I went with a few ladies from church to a ladies advance, one including my Mom. She was blessed as well. The theme was on Reflecting on the wondrous works of God. There are a number of workshops you can choose from. The three I choose were "Pass it on-our Christian heritage" this workshop was taught by a retired couple from the ministry. They talked about the mother's role in passing on the heritage and how we need to realize your children are a gift from God, made in the image of God, a sinner by nature and it is up to us to raise them in a Godly example. We can not save them nor should we try to get them to "pray the prayer" to be saved. I could go on and on about this one. I have to say they were my favorite. The second workshop I took was "Living above our circumstances-not under them". She talked about waiting on the Lord for his direction. Also how you think will reflect on how you act...."Are you a confident thinker or a negative, stinkin'-thinker" I liked that saying. When something happens you realize that it was God's will and move on. As hard as that might be. When things do not go our way we tend to get down and gloomy. When we learn to quietly trust God to renew our strength each day we will begin to sore like an eagle. The third workshop was "Are you walking your talk" which was about feeling like it is impossible to put your faith into practice. You go to all the sermons, seminars and you know God's word so why is it so difficult to obey him? She taught that you need to walk the walk, It's a willful choice to place yourself under God's authority. Open all the "rooms" to your life, not just certain ones. I could go on and on about the advance. I have such a sense of renewal in my Christian life. I learned that I was one of those who had closed rooms to God. I also realized that because I'm divorced doesn't mean God doesn't have big plans for me. So many times I hear Christians judging people because they are divorced. It's like the big "gasp" when you are in these circles. Divorce is like any sin. I've asked for forgiveness so it is forgotten by God. I realized that I'm NOT divorced I'm married to a wonderful Christian man who loves me unconditionally! My husband and I talked about this subject for hours when I returned on Saturday. My husband told me that he had surprises for me when I got home. My mind was going over what could he possibly be doing? When I got home I noticed ,with some hints from him, that he had made me the shelves I was waiting for in the bathroom and our bedroom. I was thrilled!!

We are wrapping up our 2nd year of homeschool. When I look back on the year I see many trials during the year. But at the same time I see tremendous growth in the children. Not only academically but spiritually. They have all made great progress in their studies. Our 14 yo put it best when she said, "Home school is not just about book learning its about life learning also".

Just when you think they haven't retained any information that you taught them they blow you away by remembering little details. Yesterday we were playing the board game "are you smarter than a fifth grader" They all answered a question that I really didn't think they would remember. It was great! We are also participating in a Postcard Kids program, where you post your email and people that are also members can email you and we mail postcards out from where we live. We are learning more and more about the world. We are getting postcards from all over the US and over seas. I was worried about safety but that quickly went when I talked to the "owner" of it. She has a series of questions she asks at the beginning, then again at the time your membership is approved. We are very excited about getting our mail. The kids love getting mail, and learning about different areas. We were also blessed from an older couple who had a lot of National Geographic magazines 40 years worth!! That they gave to us. They all fit into 6 banker boxes. We are having a great time going through all the magazines. We will use them to the fullest. Yes it is a lot of magazines, but we enjoy seeing places that we will only be able to see in a magazine. Its like traveling in our own home. They even gave us maps from their travels, Australia, Europe, Africa. Not only general maps but site specific maps. Its wonderful.

Help with the rising cost of everything!

I've been meaning to post about this for sometime but other things kept coming up...like something about my kids...LOL!

Anyway, for a few months now we have been using a master list of meals. I separate them into each meal. First, I had to come up with something that everyone was going to like with out getting tired of it. Usually during my weekly shopping trip I am able to find many of these items marked down at the store. We purchased a small recipe file box with dividers. I'll break down how we do dinners. Each of our 3 children have a cooking day where they are able to pick what we are going to have for dinner. Each day of the week we have a "type" of meal for dinner.

Monday-italian
Tuesday-mexican
Wednesday-meat and potatoes
Thursday-pizza
Friday-hodge podge of left overs or once in a while order out
Saturday-Asian
Sunday-crockpot (that way it's cooking while we are at Church)

Now for the 3x5 file. Each day has a coordinating recipe for the type of meal we have. I try to keep new ones in there for something different. The children grab the cards with the page numbers on them of the recipes. Since we home school I use this as learning experiences for them. Following directions, reading recipes, math skills, the list goes on and on. Once the children have picked their recipes we make up our grocery list together. It not only helps us keep our grocery budget under control but gets everyone involved with meals on a positive note instead of complaining all the time. It also helps us control the "oh I forgot this I need to run to the store" trips. Hope this is easy to understand. I'm only on my first cup of coffee...LOL!

HOT! HOT! HOT!

Boy did we have a scorcher today here in WNY! It was 85 with a lot of humidity. It felt like it was well over 90. Tomorrow it will be over 90. yikes! I'm not ready by any means for summer like weather. The kids had a ball outside today. We found this water ball that you hook up to a hose then throw around. It had water coming out in all directions! We did a science experiment outside with water evaporation.

They had such a great time playing outside. I was tempted for a little bit to join them. But that quickly left.

Another BIG thing that happened today was I got my gift from my hubby. He had tried to surprised me with a couple of things but I found out before they got here. I got my Cuttlebug! I was so excited. It came with one party die so I took some paper and turned away. I can't wait to get more....or just borrow them from Happy Mama!

We broke down today and put our air conditioners in.....well my husband put them in. I'm not the best person to be around when its hot and muggy. I'm working on it though. Below is a couple more pictures from our fun today.
Our pooch Gloria, she looks thrilled doesn't she. Katie and Andrew jumping over the ball.

Hand made soap give a way

Hey all! There is a soap give a way over at the Rustic Cottage. Stop on over and check it out. But hurry up you have until midnight tomorrow (6/6/08) She will draw the winner on Saturday. Good Luck.

God's Calling

This past Sunday as I mentioned before was the closing of a church that has been very dear to me growing up. Well my husband and I were talking on Monday about God's call to him into ministry. We have talked about this many times in the past. He has been called by God into ministry but what part is unknown to him at this point. When we talked about this in the past we talked about the student loans that we both still have. I suggested we wait until at least one is paid off. Well guess what, my student loan will be paid off in September. Now since my husband is the financial guru he came to me Monday night during our couple Bible study and said "Sweets....." I usually know where that is going...smiling. We agreed that since God worked out our student loan "problem" we are taking the step in faith and he will be going back to school in September. I know this is what God wants, but me as a wife can not help but sigh, not because of what he is taking but the fact that it will take up so much time again. I'm struggling with these feelings and praying about them. I am very excited about this new part in our life in ministry, just not excited about the schooling. Although he will be completing most of it here at home, praise God!

The children on the other hand are very excited. Our son said it best, "Praise God!" Katie said, "Oh boy will we get to move?" Hannah said, "Will we travel like M & R?" (names left out on purpose they are interviewing for a Pastor's position at churches all over) I am so proud of our children for standing up for what we believe. Most of you have read about my former mother in law and what problems she created for us this school year. The children stood up to her, they even witnessed to her. Katie told her that home school is so much more than "book learning". Boy what was I worrying about with her rebelling??? She is the "normal" teenage who does not like school, rules, ect. But I can tell you that our children have grown enormously by leaps and bounds this past year. Just this morning I was reading in the local paper about what kids are doing in PS, this got me. They are taking "pictures" of themselves (adults I think you know what I mean) of them selves with their cell phones and emailing them to their boy/girl friends. One boy has been convicted of possessing child p**n because of it. Now I was no angel in school by any means but what were these kids thinking??? They couldn't of been thinking at all, not with the brain the good Lord gave them. Peer pressure is a word that comes to mind. That is one reason we are home schooling.

Giggles and Grins

Last night I was finishing up the supper dishes, my husband was watering the garden, the kids went out to play before it got too dark. All of a sudden I heard a scream and then a bunch of laughing. I looked out the window just in time to see our oldest throw a cup of water on my husband. LOL! He didn't even know what hit him. The children all stood there frozen in time...in shock perhaps....I don't think they thought they could actually get him wet. He promptly took the hose and chased them in the lawn. The quiet of the evening was filled with giggles and grins from my family. Along with our dog throwing in her 2 cents. It is such a wonderful sound at the end of a long day. This is a picture of my son with his best "giggle". He saw me load this picture and said, "awww Mom! That one?" These are the things the children will remember.


We have entered the last few weeks of school. I'm excited to be finishing up our 2nd year of home school. I am really looking forward to the month of July off. We then start back in August. We are on a 4 day schedule with Fridays left for appointments or getting together with friends. I enjoy having Friday's off even if we do not go anywhere. It is also a good day for the children to get caught up on any lessons they have "forgotten" to do.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today

Outside my window...the weather is so nice today. Warm breezes, sun shine, birds are chirping. Dog is barking at wildlife in the nature center across the road.

I am thinking..... about all the wonderful speakers we heard this past weekend.

I am thankful for....my garden is all planted, the children are willing to help this year with it.

From the kitchen...is the ticking of the clock. Amazing that I can hear it during this time of day.

I am creating....an herb garden. Right now it is in 2 barrels to help control the spreading of the plants, especially my sage. I have sage, peppermint, lemon thyme, chamomile, and fennel so far.

I am going....to a ladies advance! I'm so excited about going and growing!

I am wearing....my garden clothes.

I am reading....notes from this past weekend's workshops from the homeschool convention. Trying to sort out all of the information and place it into "bite" size pieces.

I am hoping....my 14 yo will stop with the attitudes she has been giving me lately. I'm praying more on this every day. She is rebelling in everything including being a Christian. Any advise from those who have raised or is raising a teenager will be helpful!

I am hearing....My 2 younger children reading to each other and talking about history!!

Around the house....there is so much going on, we are getting ready to put a new roof on. Then we will be painting the house. I am waiting on my flower gardens until that is done.

One of my favorite things....is at night when the children are in bed and my husband and I can just sit in silence or talk with out interruptions. This is the time where we connect on a couple and talk about the day's happenings.

A few plans for the rest of the week....get the house in order for my dh who will be home alone for the weekend, Maybe.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing....

This is my middle daughter, who always takes time to smell the flowers. Most of the time she comes in with some color on her nose from smelling. So remember to take time to smell the flowers.

Weekend Happenings

Well if any one has ever been to a state convention for homeschoolers you will be able to relate to what I have to say. This past weekend was such a blessing for my husband and I. The support group that we are forming was offically voted upon. Armor LEAH is now an offical support group for homeschoolers. We are so excited. We have 7 families already growing by the minute. We were able to go to a number of workshops on a varitey of topics. We went to 4 by the same woman. She talked about how children learn, and different ways to teach them. We were so inspired by her and her research. She also talked about how what a child eats and doesn't eat plays a big part in how they learn and what they retain. It was a eye opener for us. Our diets in general in the US are mostly prepared foods with a lot of fillers and perservatives. Many children have allergies to certain foods that are not picked up in a simple blood test. Take dairy for example, many children have allergies to dairy and do not even know it. Check out her website for more information, www.dianecraft.org.

We were also able to go to a workshop on Biblical Parenting, presented by a woman with the National Center on Biblical Parenting. WOW what a difference a weekend can make. I could go on and on forever about this. She has given us a lot of information to help the children become all that God wants them too. Not only them but my Husband and Myself. We saw so many areas that we need to improve. When you are a parent a lot of times (I know in my own life) everyone wants to give you advise on how to raise your children. Everyone has a way that is better. We have learned that no parenting way is right or wrong, except for God's way of parenting! Like anyone who goes to a conference like this you have so much information thrown at you in a short amount of time it takes a while to sort out. When I do I will post more on each topic we learned about.

Next weekend I will be off to a ladies advance. I'm so excited about this. Its a time I look forward to each year for many reasons. One, is I get to spend a weekend with my Mom, doing what we love to do grow in Christ. Second, we go every year with some really good friends. I'm afraid that this will be the last year of her going with us. Her and her husband are in the process of interviewing at churches. I'm sad to say that not many of the churches are in this area. She has been such a great friend to me for about two years. We share many of the same hobbies, scrapbooking, sewing, cooking/baking, crafting. We get together once a week and do some of those things. Well its been pretty difficult to get to gether recently. With that said, I pray that they will find a church.

I've never been really good at changes that are all a part of life. But God brings on changes for reasons not known to us. The church that my parents have attended since 1981 had its final service today. It was a day of remincing and sharing a lot of memories. I had a whole "speech" in my head prepared. But when it came time to say it I was unable to talk. All I was able to get out was "thank you for all everyone had done for my family. The last 3 years have brought a lot of changes for my family, my sister had a brain infection and had to have a part of her brain removed, my Dad had a heart attack, he was forced into an early retirement at a job he had been at for about 25 years, my grandfather went home to be with Jesus, now the closing of the church. I know God does not close one door without many more opening. So my prayer for the members of that church are that they will be faithful and go where God wants them.