Birthday Deals...

All my kids' birthdays are right together...August, September and October. So it can be a busy and expensive time...or it can be a fun and memorable time on a simple budget!

Here is the breakdown for our oldest daughter's birthday. She turns 6 on Sunday.

We had a quick lunch at Taco Bell...did you know they have "Fresco" Tacoes...only $.49! Cheaper than a cheeseburger at McDonald's and they are healthier! Lunch for our family: $6.50 total.

For each birthday, we are doing a family activity. Addie chose bowling. I received a coupon in the mail for a "Free Game of Bowling" up to 10 people. We went in the early afternoon when it was mainly families with children and not crowded. We only had to pay for our shoes! The girls all had a great time! Activity: $8 total.

By the way, while we were there, I signed the girls up for their birthday club. For their birthday, they will receive "2 Free Games of Bowling". We also received 1 coupon for free shoe rentals and 3 "Buy One Game, Get One Free" coupons! We plan on going again for Autumn's birthday next month!

She also got to pick out two presents...a Cinderella doll with outfits and a set of a necklace with 3 rings. Presents: under $14 total.

We will also have a special birthday meal picked out by Addie at home along with a homemade cake.

Since we did not have a birthday party with friends, I am making cupcakes to take to church for her friends to celebrate her birthday. Cupcakes: $2.00 total.

Next week, I am taking Addie on a "Birthday-Mommy and Daughter Date". I have a coupon from Sonic's Birthday Club for a "Free Kid's Meal". We will go to Cold Stone Creamery and I have a coupon for a "Free Like It-Create It Your Own Creation Cup of Ice Cream". This is also from Cold Stone's Birthday Club. Then we will go to Chuck E. Cheese and I have a coupon from their Birthday Club for "20 Free Tokens"! It will be a fun day for her and me! Birthday-Mommy and Daughter Date: FREE!

It is easy to sign your kids up online for these birthday clubs!
Sign up today and make some memories!

Video: Birthday Bowling - Autumn

Today, we went bowling for Addie's 6th birthday which is on Sunday, August 2. This is Autumn bowling...she was hilarious! She never stopped jumping and cheering!

Video: Birthday Bowling - Addie

This is Addie bowling for her 6th birthday!

Video: Birthday Bowling - Eric

I had to put this video in of my husband bowling...I love it!
He closed the camera on me!
LOL!

School Preparations...

For the month of August...my mind turns to "Back To School"! It may seem early to you but time goes quickly...we have almost completed all of our dentist, doctor and eye doctor appointments...we began our clothes shopping for this next school year...we are on a roll!

Next week...I hope to enroll Addie in 1st grade and Autumn in K-4 in the Abeka Homeschooling Program. I can't wait to get their materials in the mail! It is always an exciting day in our house when the new schoolbooks arrive!
Other things to do...

-Go school supply shopping at Wal-Mart - I always stock up on glue, crayons, notebooks at this time while they are on sale to last for the entire year.

-Decorate our bulletin board for the beginning of school.

-Set up work stations for the girls to watch their videos and do their schoolwork.

-Organize their supplies for the year.

-Read through the Teacher Manuals for this year and watch the first few days of lessons on the DVD's. This helps me to be prepared for what their lessons will entail.

-Plan and organize field trips. Last year, we weren't able to do field trips with only one family vehicle.

-Make out a schedule for each girl and myself for our school year with homework time...chores...etc.

I hope that your school preparations go well!

My Garden Update

Today, I picked my first green beans out of my garden! Yea! I decided to put them into a garden veggie dish...squash and zucchini from my neighbor's garden (Don't you just love good neighbors?), mushrooms, onion and my green beans. I sauteed them with olive oil, fresh garlic and lemon-pepper seasoning.



This is my first Nevada vegetable garden...I am already thinking about changes that I want to make for next summer! I hope it to be bigger and better next year. :)

"Are You Ready To Faint?"

Two of my favorite verses are the following...
"I had fainted,
unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord."
Psalms 27:13, 14

This morning, I came to the moment in dealing with a problem...that I just said, "Lord, I can't handle it anymore. I can't deal with the stress of figuring out a solution.
I have no solution!"

I suppose I was ready to "faint" as it says in the verse in Psalms.

Yet, I knew that God is good. His goodness outweighed my problem. Even though, I could not find the solution...God could.

My problem...I needed $500 more to pay the deposit for my two oldest daughter's homeschooling materials. With only my husband working...we just don't have any extra money...plain and simple. My last babysitting job ended on June 3 and I hadn't been able to find another job. Time was coming to a close and I needed that money to enroll them for school.

I prayed...searched for jobs...and prayed. I felt that my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling. After more searching, I thought the only way to get the needed money was to sell MM's. Don't get me wrong...I sold hundreds and literally thousands of candy bars in my college years for the bus kids! But not with a 1, 3 and 5 yr old! LOL!

Then it came. A call from a lady who needed a full-time babysitter at nights while she is at work. And guess what...it will give me the needed money for the deposit!

What is the hardest thing about the process...waiting.
Just wait...God will bring it to pass.
Give Him your time...and give Him your trust! It is well worth it!

More Zucchini!

Is your zucchini overflowing in your garden? Are you having a hard time giving it away? LOL! Sadly, my zucchini did not ever grow in my garden. I was surprised because I thought zucchini thrived pretty much anywhere!
But due to a turn of events...I ended up with 5 lbs of zucchini!

So, I have been scouring my cookbooks finding different recipes and ideas for zucchini. For supper, I made up a casserole using the following ingredients...cooked rice, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cheddar cheese soup, 1/2 cup of mayo, and 1 steamed squash and 1 steamed zucchini. I mixed it all together and topped it with shredded cheddar cheese! Wha la! One zucchini down...4 3/4 lbs to go! LOL!

Then as an appetizer/snack, I made Parmesan Zucchini Slices. This recipe is varied from the fried recipe so it is therefore healthier. Have a plate for a snack tonight and don't forget the ranch dressing for a dip! Oh yes, it is a very kid-friendly recipe...my five year old helped me make them.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup nonfat Parmesan cheese topping
• 4 small zucchini, cut in slices
  
• 1/4 cup egg substitute or 1 egg
  

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs and cheese topping. Dip zucchini in egg substitute, then in crumb mixture. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450° for 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Yield: 4 servings.

Backyard Breakfast

I just love my husband. Sometimes he cracks me up. Lately, he has been into cooking with his Dutch Ovens. If you are not familiar with a Dutch Oven...just think of the big, black cast iron pot that the cowboys or pioneers cooked with on the trail. You basically put the ingredients in the oven and put hot coals under and on the lid. This is the way the food inside cooks.

My husband has two complete with carriers and all...a 10 inch and a 14 inch oven. He recently entered a Dutch Oven cook-off at his work and received 3rd place in the breakfast category. On Monday, his day off, he cooked us the breakfast that he made in the contest. He called it "Eggs Under Fire". It was stewed tomatoes, green chilies, jalapeno peppers (you can see where it got its name! LOL!) and eggs. Once it is cooked and the eggs are poached, you serve it on English muffins. We were all impressed and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We sat in our backyard and had our breakfast.
What a better way to start your day than with your husband cooking! :)

A FREE Way To Be A Blessing!

Eating lunch on Tuesday at the park!
Addie, James, Thomas, Sierra and Autumn

Sierra...she is a ham!

Thomas and Autumn - they are both 3 yrs. old.

Do you ever ponder on something nice to do for another friend or perhaps a couple at your church...but you are just too strapped financially to do anything?

Why not babysit for free for a couple that may need a date night away? What a blessing you can be to a couple just trying to make ends meet in their own life...have little ones at home...and just need a few hours to get away and reconnect...but they don't have money to pay a babysitter!

Why not babysit for free for a couple that would like to attend church camp...or Youth Conference...or a Worker's Conference...or a Marriage Retreat...but they have no one to take care of their children in order to do so.

My husband and I have been blessed by friends in our church that have done these very things for us. This week, we returned the favor and watched our friends' two boys so they were able to be a counselor at Junior Camp.
Busy...yes! Five kiddos...5 yrs. old and under! :)
Yet what a blessing!

Who could you be a blessing to this month? No money...just giving out a lot of love! Have a great day!

Table Centerpiece Idea: Plate Holder

"Stacked Up"

Create a functional and attractive table display with a vintage cake stand. Place a stack of plates on the stand and top it with a vintage birdcage.

This would be a great accent for a Ladies' Brunch or Luncheon.

Ideas for Kid-Friendly Snacks

We all need healthy snack ideas when our kids are home for the summer...here are a few for you!

Turkey Tortilla

Place deli turkey, low-fat mozzarella, and lettuce on a whole wheat tortilla. Roll tightly, seal, and refrigerate. Cut into 1-inch slices.

Sweet Smoothie

Blend a banana with one cup nonfat milk and two tablespoons Ovaltine. You can add variety by mixing in other fruits, yogurt, and peanut butter.

Fruit Kabobs

Place melon chunks, pineapple wedges, and grapes (sliced in half if your child is under 4) on an ice-pop stick, alternating fruit with small cubes of low-fat string cheese. Use yogurt for dipping.

"WHEN my spirit was overwhelmed..."

Lately, it seems like my life would never slow down. At any moment of the day, I could sit down and think of 10 more things that I needed to accomplish by that day! I was just becoming overwhelmed with life

"Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me;..." Psalms 143:4
It is a great thing to stay busy but it is not good to be overwhelmed.
One of the definitions in the dictionary for overwhelm is "to pour down upon and cover over or bury beneath".
Does this definition describe your life? Are the pressures and stresses of life bogging down your mind and spirit?

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,..."
Psalms 142:3

David said in the book of Psalms..."WHEN" my spirit was overwhelmed within me. It is not a choice...your spirit will become overwhelmed.
Let us as ladies make wise choices so that we may handle the "WHEN" times in our lives. Here are a few thoughts:

1. Get up early in the morning.
---The later you let yourself sleep, the more behind you will become. Wake up early and attack your day!

2. Whether in the morning, afternoon or evening...spend time with the Lord.
"Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart."
Psalms 119:2


3. Make a TO DO LIST in the morning of what you would like to accomplish that particular day.
---This will rid your mind of all the clutter you are trying to remember. Appts., bills, church functions, school functions... Write it down, clear your thoughts and then forget about it!
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,..."
I Corinthians 14:33

4. Try to accomplish at least two things on your list at a time.
---Examples:
1. Water the lawn while you wash the dishes.
2. Have your daughter dry the dishes while you wash the dishes.
3. Have a load of laundry in the washer while you make the beds.
4. Have dinner cooking in the crockpot while you weed the garden.

5. Once you begin a task, finish it.
---Example:
You begin to vacuum the living room...notice there is dust on the TV...stop to dust the TV...resume the vacuuming.
NO! Finish the task you start, CROSS it off your list, and then begin a new task that is on your list.

6. Finish the things to do on your list FIRST and then go to other tasks as time allows.
---The things you wrote down are probably the most important things that you need to accomplish. Accomplish them and then move on.


7. Make "Keeping a Clean and Tidy Home" a priority on your TO DO LIST!
---A lady's spirit is greatly affected by her surroundings. If you don't believe that...why do we want candles, a beautiful bedroom, soft music to "get us in the mood" for our husbands?
Keeping a clean and tidy home will be a great boost to our spirit and to our family's spirit. One night, my oldest daughter who was 4 yrs. old at the time, was lying in my bed reading books with me. She looked around at my bedroom and said, I just love your room. It is so pretty. We should strive for every room in our home to be pleasing to our family and to our Savior!
"That they may teach the young women...keepers at home,..."
Titus 2:4,5

8. Throughout the day, praise!
---Play uplifting music or sermon or Christian ladies speaking tapes throughout the day. It will fill your mind with good things!
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24


9. Remember, God is with you and His spirit is good!
"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good: lead me into the land of uprightness."
Psalms 143:10

Party/Shower Idea: Place Card Holder Quotes

For your next party or shower, try this idea.

Instead of names... display quotes about the theme of your party in place card holders. Example: A bridal shower...quotes on love or marriage. A college shower...quotes on education or learning.

Print the quotes from your computer or use store-bought scrapbooking stickers.

Living Room Decorating Idea: Faux Fireplace

"On Fire"

No fireplace? No problem. You can still enjoy the cozy warmth that a mantel adds to a room. Prop a salvaged fireplace surround against a wall, dress its mantel with a few of your favorite things, and pull up a comfy chair to create one terrific tableau.

Eric's Ordination

On Wednesday evening, my husband was ordained at our church - Lighthouse Baptist Church of Reno, NV. It was a special, sweet and touching service that we will not forget.
I am thankful that we could share this time with our church family.
For this was the same people who knew Eric when he started attending church at the age of 12...
saw him get saved at age 12...
saw him serve the Lord as a teenager...
saw him surrender to preach at age 15...
saw him go and graduate from Bible college at age 17 - Hyles-Anderson College...
saw him get married to a godly Christian wife at age 20 and raise three daughters...
and now see him being ordained for the ministry at age 28.
WOW!
My special thanks is to our pastor and his wife...Bro. and Mrs. Randy Ralstin...without them and Lighthouse Baptist Church...it would have never came to be.
I praise the Lord that He has found my husband and I worthy to serve Him! My eyes were full of tears for most of the service...tears of joy. I am grateful...truly grateful.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;" I Peter 2:9

I don't know where God may lead us in our future...but it is sweet to just serve Him today.

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalms 94:19

Bedroom Decorating Idea - Four Poster Beds

"Post Modern"

Fashion a fabulous four-poster bed frame from old porch posts. At the head of the bed, simple tie curtains hang from the metal frame to mimic the look of a luxurious canopy.

Table Centerpiece Idea: Single Blooms

Singular Style

Petite milk-glass cordial glasses are just the right size to showcase single blooms. Arrange a cluster of the glasses on a tray to create a centerpiece. Or use the glasses instead of name cards for a dinner party. Add a bloom to each guest's place setting.

"Our GOD is MIGHTY!"

This morning, I read this verse in Psalms...chapter 93:4.

"The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea."
This verse popped out to me this morning having just visited the Pacific Ocean a few weeks ago. How amazing and mighty the waves of the ocean were! I sat on the rocky coast and gazed in awe! What an incredible sight to behold!

Yet my God is mightier than the waves of the sea! WOW! I am encouraged today to know that my Lord can take care of any problem you and I might have today. Physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual...

our God is MIGHTY!

Summer Recipe: Chocolate Malts

This week, we are in the 90's and maybe 100! A nice chocolate malt would hit the spot! Here's a yummy recipe for the chocolate lovers out there!

Chocolate Malts

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
• 3 tablespoons malted milk powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, optional
• Grated chocolate, optional

Directions:

In a blender, combine the first five ingredients; cover and process until blended. Pour into chilled glasses. Sprinkle with grated chocolate if desired. Serve immediately. Yield: 2-1/2 cups.

Addie's New Look!

A few weeks ago, our daughters, Addie and Autumn had their first eye exam. The doctor found that Addie is slightly far sighted. She obtained this from her dad! :)
So she has cute burgandy glasses for reading, seatwork and schoolwork. She even got a cute froggy glasses case!
I thought I would share a picture of her the day she got her glasses.

Today's Blessing: Pets

After we came back from our vacation, our dog, Max, became sick. Of course, with dogs, it is hard to tell what is wrong with them since they can't tell you! :) He lost a tremendous amount of weight...was vomiting...would not eat...and would just lie around. I was very worried and the girls and I prayed for him many times. We just did not have the money to take him to the vet or to buy any medicine.

Thankfully, the Lord answered our prayers and he is crazy as ever! Praise the Lord for listening even to the simplest prayers!

He has even learned to shake hands and catch a treat since then! :)

Today's Blessing: Health

The third week in June...our oldest daughter, Addie, became sick on Monday evening. During the week, she was always tired and sleeping, sore throat, vomiting, fever, etc. I called the doctor on Friday but was not able to get her an appt. until Monday. I called the Nurse Hotline on Saturday and she advised for me to take her in to the ER. It was found to be a virus...she had pharyingitus. A viral infection of the throat.

I pondered back on our hospital visit...thanking the Lord for my healthy children. In my almost 6 years of parenting, this was my very first ER visit. Many parents go through so many incredible health problems with their children.

I am so blessed and I want to give praise to the Lord for this blessing!

Our Trip: The Coastal Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Hiking down to the shore.

Agate Beach in Patrick's Point State Park. We searched for seashells and watched the waves crash in. Awesome!

The coastline was gorgeous!

Trying to capture a wave on camera!

One of the most photographed Victorian mansions in North America.
This was in Eureka, CA.

The world's largest redwood tree...Giant Tree!

My most favorite picture I took of the redwoods...lying down on the forest floor!

There's our truck...driving through the world famous Shrine Tree!

I took this picture on a beach in California to remember the Pacific Ocean!

My other favorite picture of our trip...my husband on a beach on the Pacific Ocean.

I realize I haven't posted in a very long time...LIFE is catching up with our family! LOL!

I just wanted to share a few pictures of our recent mini-vacation to the Coastal Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean. My husband and I recently celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary and took a 4 day getaway.

If you would like to read about our vacation in more detail...click on our family website link on the left side of my blog.