Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)

Little Biggs

A new play place opened up a few minutes away from my house and today was its grand opening.
And in celebration, everything was free. We got free pizza and drinks, free $5.00 arcade cards per kid and free entrances into their play area.
It's wonderful because it's geared toward 2 - 5 year olds, which is perfect for me.

The first stop was the huge sandbox plopped in front of a beautifully decorated ocean mural, giving it a beachy feel.
The mister had tons of fun!

The miss did too, but she plopped herself in the middle of so many kids, it was impossible to get a picture of her.
But I did get lots of shots of everyone else's kids with the side or back of the miss' head in them.

Once the sand play got old, they were off to explore.
They loved the music room.


The mister loved the piano slide.

The miss then bounced around in the inflatables while the mister climbed on a duck over and over and over and over again.


After about two hours of fun, we played a few arcade games and left the building. It was a mad house there. It was great fun, but there were kids everywhere. I think it is going to be such a fun place to go to once the newness dies down. My kids loved it!!!

The Real Me (Repost)

I was looking through some of my posts from last year. I came across a meme that I had done, and you know, I really like it, because I think it really exemplifies who I am.
I have some different readers now, so I am going to post it again. And I think you, yes, YOU, should do it too. And if you do, then leave a comment so that I can come visit your post and learn all about you!

The Real Me

***<<<*WHAT?*>>>***

What is your biggest dream?
Honestly, my biggest dream, was to be a mother. And I have that. I have been blessed so much!

What is your biggest success thus far?
Being a mom.

What is your ideal job?
My ideal job would be something that would bring happiness to others, spread the love of Christ and allow me to do something I love. So, I would LOVE to be a Christian recording artist. But there are so many other things I could also do, that would allow me to do the three things I listed.

What was the most important thing you learned from your parents?
To work hard.

What do you look for most in a friend?
I like them to have my same beliefs and values....be someone that I can talk to....someone who I can relate to...someone who will accept me.

What is your philosophy of life?
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother Teresa

What's your biggest fear?
It's always been being attacked, killed, harmed by an intruder. And that fear has grown beyond me and to those same type of people hurting my children.

What's your biggest joy?
Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, how great is His love, His peace!!!!!

***<<<*HOW?*>>>***

How would YOU describe yourself in three words?
Empathetic, Generous, Loving

How would someone else describe you?
I would hope in the same way.

How do you measure beauty?
Beauty is from within....it is in the genuine smile...in the loving heart....in the warmth of a caring hug. It radiates from within and it also spreads. A person's true beauty can be seen by the beauty it brings to others.

How important is family to you?
Family is very, very important.

***<<<*DO YOU?*>>>***

Do you believe in regrets?
I believe that regrets exist. I believe that it is easy to get hung up on them. I also believe that they can be damaging. The past shouldn't be focused on. All you should do is learn from the past, grow from it...and see where all those choices we regret, brought us.

Do you believe in second chances? why or why not?
I believe that you can't truly forgive without giving a second chance.

Do you believe in love at first sight?
I believe in an attraction at first sight. But love is so much deeper than a glance.

Do you believe that true love lasts forever and conquers all?
I do think that love conquers all. Look at Jesus' love. I think that the love we have in our lives can conquer all, but it does take work.

***<<<*ARE YOU?*>>>***

Are you trustworthy? trusting? How do you show it?
I am very trusting, always have been. And I do think I am trustworthy, although I have struggled with gossip in the past...I am outgrowing that thankfully.

Are you independent? Or still dependent on someone?
I feel that I have always been independent. And sometimes I think I can be too independent in that I don't even let God have control. It's a real struggle for me.

Are you willing to change for someone else?
I am willing to work on things if I know that I am doing something that is hurting someone else. For example, if I react in a stressed out manner in a situation and someone who that effects asks me to work on it, then yes, I will change that. But I will not change my beliefs and things like that for someone else. I will not change the values and beliefs that are a part of who I am.

***<<<*IF?*>>>***

If you could leave one life lesson behind to the younger generations, what would it be?
To realize how much you have...and how little so many others have and to keep that in mind always and strive to make a difference in the world. Share the love of Christ. Show His love to all. And help the oppressed.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?
How controlling I can be....or I try to be...mainly with my hubby. I seem to back down around friends and what not...try to make everyone happy and accommodate them. But with my hubby, it's like I feel it's my way or no way. It's not nice.

If you could have anything in this world, what would it be? why?
The opportunity to go to Northern Uganda and help out. But I may still get to do that....my life isn't over yet.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
I don't have a very strong relationship with anyone in my family from my parents down to my Aunts and Uncles. So, I would change that. I wish I knew them.....meaning knew who they are as people...what their life experiences have been..things like that.

If you had everything you've always wanted, would you be happy?
No..because sometimes the things we want...or think we want, don't bring happiness, but bring just the opposite. It's hard to remember that at times...especially when in the moment, we focus so much on what we want and how much better it will make our lives...or how much better we think it will make us. And oh how wrong we are. So, I say, I hope that I am able to have all the things God has for me to have, because He has my happiness in mind. He knows the desires of my heart. But he also knows my lustful desires as well. And I am better off without those lustful ones. So, I say God...give me the true desires of my heart....and I will be soooo happy.

Wordless Wednesday

Because I haven't posted a picture of him in awhile...

A Huge Weight Has Been Lifted

When the baby was five weeks old, I returned back to work at my evening job at the front desk of a nearby hotel. And although the job itself was fairly easy, with most nights being pretty quiet, it was sitll a strain on both me and my hubby,

The mad dash I had to do from 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. to get the house picked up, dinner on the table (yes, early, so I could take a plate with me), baby fed and pajamas out for the kids was incredibly stressful.

And my poor hubby, mentally drained from his long day at work, would walk in the door to usually very loud and cranky children. I'd quickly ramble off to him important things, like when the baby last ate, and I'd dash out the door, to drive in rush hour traffic to get to work.

And I'd work until 11:30 most nights, make it home at midnight and then get a second wind that would keep me up until 1:30 A.M.

The baby would wake up around 4:00 A.M. to eat and my other two kids would be up by 7:00 A.M., ready to start their day.

And sometimes the hotel would schedule me to do this four nights in a row, and that really took its toll on me.

I am writing this as if I am not working there anymore, although I am, but only for two more weeks, because last week, I was hired for a new job. And this job allows me to work from home, and I am so ecstatic.

I have already started my new job, just putting in whatever hours I can here and there, because I have to finish up my two weeks at the hotel too.

But already there has been a bounce in my step. My days have been easier, I have been less stressed, and I know it's because of the new work-from-home opportunity I was given.

It may also have to do with the fact that I get to assist two awesome gals, Janice and Susan at 5 Minutes for Mom. So of course, when they are your bosses, how could you have nothing but love for your job?

Scallop Gratin

The other day, I grabbed a recipe for scallops from the turntable near the seafood department at Wal-Mart
I made the dish last night, and it was scrumptious. All of us literally licked our plates clean.
My kids, 4 and 2, loved the scallops and were pretty bummed that I hadn't made enough for seconds.
And just to prove how great the dish was, my mister, 2, who doesn't have many words in his vocabulary yet, said "scallop" last night.
He really wanted more. And after pleading to us with "more, more, more", he finally started pointing to the pan while saying "scalllloooppp".

So, I knew I had to share the recipe with you.
I modified it just a bit. It says to prepare a garlic toast with it and to serve the scallops on top of the toast. But, I served the scallops over rice instead.

To serve 4 you will need:

1 lb. scallops (but you may want to make more, so there are leftovers)
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup green onions
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops and brown well on both sides.

Remove and keep warm.

Add mushrooms and garlic; brown lightly.

Add green onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.

Blend in half-and-half, tomato paste and Parmesan cheese.

Return scallops to the pan. Cook, stirring; bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Enjoy.

(recipe modified from Try-Foods International)

Walking With My Princess

I went on a walk this evening with the miss and mister. The baby boy was at home sound asleep.
I had the kiddos collect leaves and sticks in little bags for a craft we will be doing next week, part of a bug themed Bible lesson. You'll understand next week, when I show you their creations.

As we were walking, my daughter looked at me and said...

"Daddy is falling in love with me. He just loves me so much. I went to a daddy dance with him and we danced and ate food. He loves me."

She is just so precious.

She was excited when we spotted a squirrel in a tree and she desperately wanted it to climb down to her. So, she started singing the ah ah ah ah ah part from the song, "I'm Wishing". It's the song that Snow White sings while in the forest and all of her animal friends come and sit with her.

It was just the cutest thing ever.

Oh, oh and then she spotted a little garden gnome and said, "Look, Mommy, it's a Heigh-ho."

Summer Prayer

Four years ago, I found this beautiful prayer in a Christian Women's magazine. I loved it so much, that I tore it out and kept it on my fridge. It is still there to this day.....and I thought that this morning I would share it with you.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to spend this summer season enjoying your presence. Help me to carve out times of quiet amid the chaos of daily life. Let me be aware of the sacred in the ordinary: the music of a child's laugh, the stained-glass perfection of butterfly wings, the joy of licking a cold Popsicle on a hot day. Draw my attention to teachable moments. Lord, I ask for an extra dose of patience for everything from spilled juice to sweaty temper tantrums. Keep my voice calm, my words gentle. As we spend time outdoors together enjoying your beautiful world, hold my children in the palm of your hand. Keep them safe from all danger and distress. I am so grateful, dear Lord, that you have entrusted me with these little ones.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

- Cindy Crosby

The Recent Find For My Little Chef

My girlfriends out here know that when I visit with my mister, their kitchen will be my mister's play area.
He will get into the dishwasher and try to put away the dishes. He will take all of the pots and pans out and distribute them all over the floor. He will attempt to use the stove, by standing on the oven door. He may also sweep or mop.
My son loves the kitchen.
His birthday is next month, and I decided that it would be great to purchase him a cute wooden stove.
I was looking on Craigslist earlier in the week for a daybed for the miss, and came across an ad for a children's wooden play kitchen for only $10.
I called about it and was told by the sweet old lady on the other end of the line, that she couldn't email me a picture, because she didn't have email or a digital camera. But she did her best to describe it.
Her husband had made the darling wooden kitchen. The stove top has 4 burners and can even be plugged into an outlet, which turns on a little light that warms it a bit.
There is a little oven with two racks, that even some of my cookie sheets fit into. (Don't let the mister know I told you that though).
Under the oven there is a drawer to store pots and pans. And to the right of that, there is a large cabinet for dishes. The wooden stove also includes two shelves up top; one of which adorns several hooks to hang teacups from.

It sounded too cute to pass up, especially for only ten dollars. So on Friday I went to pick up the kitchen.

And, it is adorable!!!!!

It does need to be repainted, to cover up some scratches and what not, it was a very loved kitchen and you can tell that it was played with often.
We were going to save it for his birthday, but I couldn't wait that long. I just HAD to give it to him now.
We still need to paint it, but the mister doesn't mind the worn look at all.
He looooooooves it. And I love that he has his own pots and pans and oven door to open and close repeatedly.

My Life Story

Well, Miss Sara tagged me for the life story meme. I am to come up with my life story in only 6 words.
I actually found this to be quite easy.
And my 6 words are.....
Drum roll please..............

"I want to leave a legacy"

Meaning, that in my life, I want to touch lives. I want to instill values in my kids. I want to show Christ's love in my words and actions.
I want my life story to be seen in the legacy that I leave.

My six words are taken from the song, "Legacy", by Nichole Nordeman.

"I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy"

Time Has Been Flying

Wow, has it been a crazy week. I have been working a ton of hours, which makes for a nice paycheck, but it makes the days a little more hectic.
My 15 year old sister-in-law is also out visiting, and we've been spending a ton of time glued to the television. I have gotten her hooked on one of my all time favorite shows, Dawson's Creek. We are currently in the middle of the second season.
The miss' recital is on Friday, and she had her dress rehearsal this afternoon. We are only allowed to take pictures or videotape during the rehearsal, so I did get a few shots in.
She was sooo stinking cute.