Adios Facebook

Kevin and I have been talking about deleting Facebook for about a month.  Today we took the plunge.  My top two reasons for getting rid of it...

1. I waste too much darn time browsing peoples status updates.  Most of my "friends", I really had no true friendship with, I just know all about their lives via photos and status updates.
2. I wanted to spend more time working on the real relationships and friendships that I have.  I probably spent anywhere from 30-60 mins a day on Facebook.  If I took that time to call a friend, write some snail mail, or even blog, my time would be better spent.

I'm kind of over the whole Facebook thing.... am I the only one that feels that way?  Here's to hoping I can keep simplifying my life in all areas!

Father Daughter Dance

Our church put on a Father Daughter dance this year.  I think it was the second year for the dance.  Kevin was excited to take Allie on a date (we chose not to send Krissy because we knew Allie would soak it up and it would give Allie and Kevin some good one on one time).  They had dinner at China Bistro and then headed to church for the dance.  Here are some pics from the evening...

She was doing some serious posing after I got her all ready.  I didn't let Kevin see her until she was all ready.  In the 2nd picture she was practicing her twirling :)

Kevin got her a mini corsage for the dance.  We opted for silk flowers so she could keep it/play with it later. 

 Favorite photo of the two of them.

 She's a daddy's girl!

 Flowers from Mayflower Gardens!

 Little Princess headed to the ball with her daddy!

I may have gone overboard on pictures, but I think this yearly tradition is something she will really look forward to!  Actually, I know it is, because she still asks Kevin if he will take her to the "Hodder Dodder dance" again.  What little girl wouldn't love dressing up like a princess and spending the evening with her Daddy?  Big thanks to our church for putting on such a great event!!!

Tricks

This morning Kevin let TJ in the house for a bit.  We do that now and then, but try not to make it a habit.  I've spent a little time teaching the dog a few tricks (sit, shake, lay down, we are working on hi-fives).  Allie was really wanting to give him a treat this morning and I told her she had to make him do some tricks so he'd earn a treat.  I gave her three treats and she just put them all in TJ's mouth.  Again, I told her she needed to tell him to do some tricks before she just gave him the treats.  As I was placing more doggy treats in her hand, she looks at TJ and says "Tricks".... "Tricks"

It was very funny to me how literal she took my words.  Then I started thinking about how many times I've spouted off instructions or requests or demands to my kids without ever taking the time to teach them how to do the things I'm saying.  I love these kids, so why am I not taking the time to train them in areas I'm constantly harping on them?

Areas I need to train them in:

• How to behave when Mommy (or Daddy) is on the phone or talking to a friend
• How to behave when we are at places of business
• How to talk and behave respectively to/around elders
• How to listen more than they speak

My goal is not for them to be perfect little robots that act right every time I speak, but I know I can do more, and they are willing to learn more.  So see, even big furry headed dogs can be used as an instrument to show you areas you can grown and learn :)  Thanks, TJ!

February Mid Month Update

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

(written last night)
Outside my window . . . it's cold - I'm ready for Spring!

I am thinking . . .I told myself I'd be in bed 50 mins ago...

I am thankful for . . . my relationship with my husband.

In the kitchen . . . Kevin has been so amazing.  He's done most of the dishes, helped cook meals, and he even mopped our floors!

I am wearing . . . jeans and a long sleeve tshirt... and I'm wrapped in a quilt :)

I am creating . . . a million and one sewing projects. So. Much. To. Do!

I am going . . . on a date Friday

I am wondering . . . what Kevin got me for Valentines Day.  He says it's for both of us, and I've guessed several things, but none have been right... and we weren't even supposed to be doing gifts!

I am reading . . . Sacred Parenting

I am hoping . . . we get our tax refund $ back soon!

I am looking forward to . . . So much.  Probably the biggest thing now is my sister coming home in less than a month for her baby showers!  I can't wait!

I am hearing . . . TJ outside barking

Around the house . . . I'm looking at these huge toys (play kitchen, exersaucer) and I'm ready to have a "toy" room!

One of my favorite things . . . are unexpected love notes from my hubby

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .Sew my little heart out, spend lots of time with Kev, enjoy a weekend with my kids, and maybe make some heart shaped cookies today :)

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I found this recipe for Loaded Baked Potato Soup on my sister's blog.  It looked a-maz-ing so I was anxious to give it a try!  I gave it a couple changes and Kevin and I agree that it's as amazing as it looked!  Definitely give it a try if you are a potato soup fan!!!

Serves 6-8
Ingredients
6 large baking potatoes
3T butter 
3 C chicken broth
3 C whole milk
2 C Velveeta + 1 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese 
1 t chili powder
3T cornstarch (+1/4 C water)
bacon + shredded cheddar cheese for topping


Directions
Pierce all potatoes with a fork (b/c they will explode in your oven if you don't).  Bake potatoes for about an hour directly on oven rack.  While they are baking, fry bacon for topping.  Once the potatoes are soft (about an hour) remove them from the oven and let them cool (you can cut them in half to get them to cool quicker).

While potatoes are cooling, melt butter in a large pot.  Add the chicken broth and milk.  MAKE SURE YOU DON'T BOIL!  The milk WILL curdle!  (I am speaking from experience - I made a similar recipe a couple weeks ago and let the milk boil and had to throw the whole pot of soup out!)  Once the potatoes have cooled, scoop out insides of potatoes and add to the soup.  Next add the cheeses, chili powder, and salt/pepper to taste.  Mix cornstarch and water together and add to the soup.  Top with bacon and extra cheese.  It's a great meal for a chilly day!  It's also good leftover :)  Make it while it's still chilly out!

Hello Peas

Krissy had her 4 month check up last week.  She is 23% in weight and 75% in height!  Allie was the exact same at her 4 month check up!  The doctor also gave me the "ok" on spoon feeding her twice a day.  We had already been feeding her cereal, but we got to add a vegetable to the mix!  We started with peas this past Tuesday!  (I snapped a couple pics on my phone.)  She LOVED them! (And so did Harry - it's his favorite baby food).  Can't believe how big she's getting!!!

The Good Wife Recipe

If you aren't already signed up to get the daily Proverbs31 email, go do it now!  I loved the email I got today!!!  It was titled "The Good Wife"....  I've copied the text below.  Some of my good friends have been telling me they are gagging at the facebook exchanges between Kevin and I lately.  I feel like we have the "right recipe" now (gag all you want people).  If you are married, or want to get married in the future, read the article!


"Being a good wife is a lot like being a good cook.
Any cook using the same recipe and instructions can produce a dish that tastes entirely different from another's. Why is this?
Well, attention to detail is one characteristic that distinguishes a good cook from an average one.
Take fried apples for example. All you need are apples, sugar, butter and cinnamon. But, not every cook prepares them the same. I cook mine on high (I want them caramelized) and I never put a lid on the pan or they get mushy. If you take the same ingredients, cook them on low with a cover, you get a dish that doesn't resemble mine at all. The same recipe produces a totally different result.
The same is true between a good wife and an average wife. There are hundreds of recipes for being a good wife using the same few ingredients: love, respect, communication, intimacy, time, service, and prayer. Even if the recipe is followed without one ingredient omitted, the outcome can be totally different.
If you love in proportion to what is given you, the recipe will not rise to the fullest. Our key verse, Romans 12:10, tells us to be devoted in love. The word love as used here is an unconditional one with no expectations of a return. Love with every ounce of your being and when you have given all, squeeze even more out.
I grew up lacking an understanding of respect. I loved my husband, but didn't respect all of his ideas or his role in our family. But through reading Scripture, God showed me the importance of respecting my husband. In fact, Romans 12:10 encourages us to honor our husbands by thinking more highly of them than ourselves. This meant I had to stop thinking my way was the only way! Once I learned to listen before reacting and respect his thoughts, I find Dale is actually right most often.
Communication is a delicate balance of listening and talking. Listen not only with your ears but with your heart. One author broke down our key verse by saying, "They should speak honourably of each other ... and discourage that evil practice of whisperings, backbitings, and innuendos; they should treat each other with honour and respect in their common conversation."* Allow nothing to hinder this vital ingredient, including interrupting, assuming, or past conversations. He needs to know you care about his every thought, goal, and burden.
Do not neglect intimacy! The spicier you make this ingredient, the easier the other ingredients gel together into the perfect recipe.
I'm not the perfect housekeeper, but I try my best. Serving my husband by keeping our home organized and clean, cooking meals he enjoys, and creating an atmosphere of love makes my recipe great!
Time with him is a vital ingredient too. So, I go everywhere he goes whenever possible. When our five girls were little we would all hop in the vehicle to get gas or pick up nails from the hardware store just to be with him.
Many nights I wake up and while he sleeps, I watch him and pray. I pray for his health, his work, and his dreams to be fulfilled. Make time each day to regularly pray for your husband, and sprinkle in prayers throughout your day as well. The Lord will be faithful to answer.
The Good Wife Recipe is about being devoted to one another in love and honoring each other above ourselves. I've noticed that the more I put into the recipe, the more I get out of it ... and the more passionate my marriage is. The more passionate it becomes the less work it is. My desire to love becomes greater, ability to respect becomes second nature, communication becomes like-minded, intimacy is sweeter, and time with him is my desire not a duty.
Being a good wife is a lot like being a good cook. Anyone using the same recipe and instructions can produce a marriage that is entirely different from another. The secret to The Good Wife Recipe: do not neglect one ingredient. It will be how deliberate you are with the finer details that will determine the outcome."

Thoughts on Homeschool...

Many have asked where we stand on the decision to homeschool.  While Kevin and I are still debating public school vs homeschool, we have both come together and agreed to pursue homeschooling.  We are going to a conference in March, and will hopefully make our final decision after that.

I've read lots of articles in favor of homeschooling, and the more I read, the more I'm convinced this is what I should be doing.  I do think there will be several challenges.  I was talking to my friend Sarah (who homeschools her kids) about the challenges I see, and she reminded me God doesn't call us to do things we know we can do; He calls us to do things we can't do on our own, so we have to rely on Him to carry us through.  I've tried to use excuses that I'm not patient enough, I won't know what I'm doing, public school is just easier, but I truly feel like God is laying this on my heart (and Kevins).

There are lots of myths and confusion about homeschooling today.  Here's a few I've been asked about...

1. In Indiana, homeschooled kids can participate in any public school sports (think Tim Tebow - I had no idea he was homeschooled, but he was).
2. I thought that homeschooled kids were socially awkward (and there may be some out there), but I've found that to be completely the opposite this past year.  I've had the privilege of meeting several homeschool families from my church and all the children I've talked to have been respectful, polite, and very able to carry on a conversation. They also get along great with my kids and I wouldn't know they were homeschooled just by looking at them or watching them interact with other kids.
3. Homeschooled children scored better in every area of study compared to public school kids.  So the arguement that they learn better in the public school setting is invalid.
4. Typically "school" can be done in 2-3 hours a day when you homeschool, verses the 8+ hours they are at public school.  That leaves more family time, and time for extra curricular activities.
5. There are co-ops and groups all over the place for homeschool kids, so they do get to be around kids their age and they do get out of the house. I've been told there is even a homeschool prom here in Evansville!  Who knew. 

I realize it's a big commitment, but there is no other place I'd want to invest my time and energy than in my own kids.  Kevin and I decided that if we do choose the homeschool route, we will take it on a year by year basis, and re-evaluate every year to see if that's the best decision for our family, and the individual child.

I read this great article titled "The 4 Advantages of Homeschooling" and wanted to share my favorite paragraph from the article.  (It's a great read if you're at all interest in homeschooling.)
"Oh yes, I've heard the critics. They say we're protecting the child, sheltering him. Yes, I certainly hope so. When I want to grow a tomato plant, I do not take the seed and put it directly into the garden. I carefully cultivate it in a special growing pot. I control the light, water, temperature, and nutrients. When the roots are deep enough and the stem strong enough, I then put it in the garden to be exposed to the elements. Timing is everything. A good start means everything."

We more interested in growing Hayden's heart and his character and teaching him our values and beliefs, and not leaving that up to a public school teacher (who may have very different views and beliefs than we do).  So, that's where we stand right now with homeschooling :)  I'm open to all questions!

Best Big Bro

Krissy adores Hayden!!!  So does Allie!  Hayden is the best big brother!  Here's some photo evidence!

While I was cooking I looked over and saw Hayden talking to Krissy. 

She thinks he's pretty entertaining.

I've NEVER been so disappointed that my picture was out of focus.  This would have gone down as one of my favorites, but darn auto focus focused on the wrong thing!!

Both girls are entertained by him!

Harry's tail coming out of Hayden's head is pretty hilarious!

They are a mess!  Love them :)

Happy 1st Birthday TJ!

When we adopted TJ last April, I did the math and figured out his birthday was around February 1st, give or take a few days, so we just decided to celebrate it on the 1st!  I envisioned a doggy birthday cone hat, a big birthday cake with a bone sticking out of it, but I didn't follow through with any of those plans!  Instead I bought 140 large milkbones (I got them at Sams so obviously it was a gigantic box) and a new pack of doggy toys. 

We let the kids love on him this morning, give him treats and toys.  He has had a great day :) Maybe next year I'll be more prepared for his birthday! 

I love his big fuzzy head and ears and that blue eye!

 Allie was singing "Happy Birthday to TJ" :)

 This was the pack of toys I bought TJ.  They squeek, bounce, and float!  He LOVED them! (They came from Sams too!)

Birthday hugs!

Hayden & Allie enjoyed throwing them...