Encouragement for Moms: January 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Funny Faces

Yesterday the kids and I were playing with the Mac camera. We couldn't stop laughing, which was good for me! I've been working on laughing more and this was super helpful. Maybe these pictures will bring a smile to your face. :)

Ian as Frankenstein

Seth Megamind

Patricia as Leno???

Tunneled Tabitha

The kids got the biggest kick out of my pictures.

And, lest you go away thinking this is how we really look, here is a "normal" picture:

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Roe Vs Wade/Abortion

Forty years.

That's how long its been since the famous court case of Roe vs Wade.

Since then over 50 million babies have been killed. That's more than one million a year. (It takes 12 days to have one million seconds.... that's a large number).

I have a little message for varying groups of people out there:

Those who think abortion is wrong:

When they were deciding whether to make abortion legal, the argument that was used, was women's health. Not their rights, but their health. What if the mother's life was in jeopardy?

That is a legitimate argument. However, we know that health issues are not the reason for most abortions. So, as enticing as some moral arguments are, don't fall for them. Think it through and make the right choice about future decisions.

Those who have had an abortion:

The guilt you feel (or the guilt you have denied) is normal. You cannot bring your baby back, but you can receive peace and forgiveness.

God formed you when you were in your mother's womb and He loves you.

He loves you so much that He was willing to take the punishment for your sins (you're not the only sinner, everyone has sinned). The Lord Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead for you. So that you may live eternally.

All you have to do is believe in faith that God did this for you. Receive His free gift of eternal life.

Those who are thinking about having an abortion:

Don't do it.

Maybe you're scared or lonely. Maybe you've been raped. Maybe you're afraid of being abused.

If you really cannot take care of the baby, give her up for adoption. There are plenty of people who would love to care for your child.

If you are in an abusive relationship and fear your safety due to pregnancy, please get help. Here's a phone number: 1-800-799-7233. There is no need to lose a child because of an abuser.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye trauma and Goodwill

What do you think of Ian's eye injury?

I'll tell you he wasn't smiling when it happened... neither was I nor my mom nor Enoch. No, we were all holding our hearts in the pits of our stomachs.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" Thankfully he got the answer right!

So, what happened?

GoodWill.

I've been visiting the second hand store since my pregnancy with Zachary. I couldn't bear to buy new clothes that would only be used for a couple of months. It took 5 kids for me to break down and start going there!

So, Tuesday night I was wandering around, after finding a few outfits for Zachary, when I spotted these toys brand new in packaging:

This is a popping up toy. The "great" thing about it is the hard center which helps it pop up really high. What a deal and all for $.71! Not only one, but TWO comes in the package!

You live and learn.

I brought this fantastic toy home. We couldn't really get them to work (imagine that!). By the end of 20 minutes, Ian successfully inverted the toy himself. He dropped it on the floor and WHAM, it popped up and smacked his eye!

He screamed, I panicked, but held it together enough to assess the situation.

He took a trip to the ER and a follow-up today with an opthamologist. Thankfully his eye is still good and life can carry on as normal.

Lesson learned: there may be a good reason that packaged toys are in GoodWill... think safety.

I love the card Tabitha made for Ian, though Ian barely looked at it. (Party pooper)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Goal Update

This year I made a list of goals that I am working on. Tabitha, not wanting to be left out of the action, followed suit.

Her list basically consists of 3 things per month. Something with knitting (this month she learned to cast on), a specific book and cook one meal for the family.

Considering she has a whole month to complete 3 things, its totally do-able. Yet, its a large enough task that she actually feels like she's accomplished something.

She's already completed her January list!

Last week, she made us spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were tasty! She was so very proud of herself and I was proud of her, too!

I should add, that cooking is a new endeavor for her.

Meatballs

1/4 cup bread crumbs (We used gluten free)
one egg
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder

Mix all ingredients together. Form into uniform balls. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 20-25 minutes. Serve with favorite pasta sauce.

Friday, January 18, 2013

This Week in Snacks

About a year ago I read Pamela Druckerman's book, "Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting". One of the many things I learned in that book, was the general pattern of eating that most French people tend to follow, which is:

Breakfast, Lunch, 4 o'clock snack, supper

That's it. Not 10 snacks a day.

Since reading, I've tried to implement this in our home. The hardest time for me to keep up with this was when I had a newborn. Not so much during pregnancy, but after! (I blame it on nursing.)

Anyway, what it boils down to, is one after school snack.

The kids' favorite snack this week is pictured above. Its not as beautiful as the original by My San Franciso Kitchen which I pinned, but it was just as yummy.

Apple and Banana slices layered with peanut butter, melted chocolate and crushed peanuts.

I wanted to get the kids' reaction, when they found out what treat it was. Tabitha was too over the top and Seth wanted to pretend he didn't care. :) (Do you see Zachary in the background?)

Here is a list of the other snacks we had this week:

Mint chocolate chip yogurt (the kids' fave- plain yogurt with sugar, chocolate chips and less than a drop of peppermint extract)
Popcorn (not microwave! Light snack due to an early supper)
Roasted Garbanzo Beans with Cajun Spice (this went over so-so, my husband really liked them, though)
Pepper jack cheese sliced and leftover wings from my lunch date with Enoch

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Brocolli Salad

Don't you love recipes that don't have instructions? My broccoli salad recipe just has a list of ingredients. That means its easy.

You know what else? Its good! And its even dairy and gluten free. But there's bacon in it, so its not for vegetarians, although you can omit it. :)

This recipe makes a nice big bowl, but that doesn't deter our family from devouring it within 2 days. If you don't have 8 people living under your roof, you can easily half the recipe.

This is perfect for potlucks. Give it a try, have it as a side for dinner sometime.

Broccoli Salad
Makes 16 side servings

2 heads of broccoli, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 pound bacon, chopped and browned
3/4 cup raisins (or craisins or golden raisins)
3/4 cup nuts (I use peanuts due to daughter's tree nut allergy)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbs red wine vinegar

In large bowl mix broccoli, red onion, bacon, raisins and nuts.

In separate medium bowl, whisk together mayo, sugar and red wine vinegar. Pour over top of broccoli mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Not sure how long this would last, maybe 3-5 days.

Thanks Laura C. for sharing this recipe with me!

Monday, January 14, 2013

I let myself laugh

Bedtime never goes smoothly at our house. I think it has something to do with this equation: 7 people + 2 bedrooms = non-stop shushing.

Last night Ian stayed up way too late with me. He was keeping the school aged children awake, so I let him come downstairs and watch "The Incredibles" in Spanish (my kind of fun!).

This morning he was crying before breakfast. I knew he needed sleep, but I also knew he would refuse his nap as usual.

Fast forward to 8:30 tonight. He had been awake all day, had himself a few crying fits, which are uncharacteristic of him, even walked into walls a few times out of fatigue.

I finally got him to lie down. He was lying in his toddler bed, which is right next to my bed. I was lying down with the baby, so we were all in very close proximity.

Suddenly a harmonica starts playing.

"SETH!" I yelled to shush him. His answer was distant, it wasn't him, but he came running up anyway.

"PATRICIA!" No, it wasn't her, she was just about as far away as Seth was.

I peeked over my bed and noticed it was Ian playing the harmonica!

Normally, under these circumstances I would stifle my laughter and reprimand Ian for playing when really I wanted him to sleep.

But today, I let myself laugh! I must say it felt good, too. AND it made Ian, Seth and even 5 month old, Zachary laugh.

I've been going through the "Complete" devotional with Arabah Joy. My goal is to laugh more with the kids. By so doing, I'm hoping to not be such an angry mom. Today was a victory day for me!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13

Saturday, January 12, 2013

My 2013 Reading List (24 books)

I contemplated posting my list of books earlier, but I was afraid of giving up on yet another venture of mine. But, since we're not quite halfway through the first month and I'm already well into my 2nd book, I feel like I just may make it through this year.

Besides these books I'm also reading small e-books and a one year Bible plan. I'll be updating my Pinterest board regularly.

One thing I've been learning so far, is not to jump ahead. Even if I finish January's two books, I'm not going to get started on February's before their time. I hope to avoid burnout and practice self control. :)

Let me know what you think of my list! I know I have some strange taste and I'm not sure I'll be able to get through some of them.