Party Time

As I said last week, my baby turned 5 this weekend - sigh. We had a great time with family and friends last Saturday. I was really sad on Saturday. Five seems so old, doesn't it? It's kind-of like leaving little-girl-hood and moving on to big-girl-hood stage. She quite the girl, also, she is five moving on the 16! It doesn't seem like she is staying little as long as the boys did. She is definitely moving on to big and better things.

Her Grannie bought her a play iron board and iron. I was secretly grinning to myself hoping this would be the start of training my little girl for my least favorite household chore. She seems absolutely happy ironing away. Go, girl, go!! One of her friends gave her the cutest little apron that her mom made (Randi at I have to say), which, by the way, she had to iron right away. It was the perfect start to her first day of "big-girl-hood". It still makes me a little sad. After all, she is my baby.


Children are such a blessing!
Michelle

What a terrible thought...........

We are studying Genesis again in our homeschool with a slightly different twist. We aren't just studying facts and "Bible Stories". We are trying to get down to God's principals and how it applies to our lives right now, today, everyday. We were talking specifically about Genesis 2: 7 "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." We did a T chart to illustrate the difference between Man and animals - how God made us different. I told the kids a lot of scientists put man on the same level as animals. They say we are just another mammal. I told them it is true we have similarities to animals such as two eyes, four limbs, nose, mouth, fingers, etc. Why? (They already knew the answer because we've talked about it before.) We all have the same Creator!
Here's some of the differences we came up with: We have a definite language, we can invent and discover things, we rule over the earth, we can have a relationship with Almighty God!

We then talked about if we were like the animals what would happen if we died? We would just die. That's it. Nothing more. Done. Finite. It hit my kids like a ton of bricks. My 15 year old said "That's really scary!" No hope. No purpose. No reason to live or make life the best we can. It was a great "ah ha!" moment for all of us. Thank God we DO have a reason to live, we have a purpose to live the right way - every day, we have a goal set before us. One day we will live with Him forever if we live for Him today. What a wonderful hope! Jesus is the Answer for our lives today.

Living for Him,
Michelle

Trust

My baby girl will be five this weekend...... sigh,,,,,,,, sigh,,,,,,,,, sigh again. I still picture her like this picture. Actually I picture all of my kids right around 3 or 4, definitely not taller and bigger than me like my 15 year old. Where does the time go? Everyday is a wonderful gift from the Lord. What joy God has brought to my life because of my kids. I've been thinking of "Trust" for a couple of weeks now.
"As for God, His way is perfect; The Word of the Lord is proven: He is a shield to all who trust in Him." Psalm 18:30

We have been going through a lot of different circumstances in our life were we have to totally trust God. We have placed our lives in His ever-able hands. There is no greater opportunity to trust the Lord than with our children. They are His... We have to trust the Lord with their lives whether they are 5 or 15. He is worthy of our trust.
In His care,
Michelle

It's a dog's life.....

This is one of our dogs. We have two dogs. Adding them to the family was totally my husband's idea. I protested because I knew who would be taking care of them since my kids were still pretty little when we got them. I was right... another job for mom but I have since really learned to love and appreciate them. We live up in the mountains and I know if an unwelcome visitor such as a bear or mountain lion ever came near my kids the dogs would fight until the death. I thought about writing about them because we are starting a unit study on the Iditarod. I receive the homeschool magazine "The Old Schoolhouse". They have some great articles on this dog race in Alaska. I know my kids would enjoy this study because they love the story of Balto. There is website to follow the race which starts March 2. I'll be writing more as go along. Here's the link: www.iditarod.com.
Happy sledding!

It's all about being together...Valentine's day and every day

Being a TRUE Valentine.........

KARATE ----------- NO WAY, NOT ME! That was what I said several years ago. I was totally a "girl" sport person. I did ballet, gymnastics, baton, aerobics, running, racquetball, swimming but karate never even entered my mind as being an option. My husband did some karate before I met him. He always walked around the house doing karate moves and yelling "hi-ja". When he started karate I had no desire to join. He joined to spend time with our boys. The school they joined was absolutely fantastic. The adults and the kids did classes together. It was very family friendly. It was exactly what we were looking for. I sat there watching, taking care of my babies and then watching some more. A couple of other moms/wives (who also watched their families do karate) and I started talking. We were all saying "Why are we sitting here??". We all started together - all six of us. Our Sensei (teacher) was so surprised to see us all in our white gis (uniforms) standing in front of him. It was great. I have enjoyed it immensely. Number one - I spend time with my family, not away from them. We are learning together. We encourage one another. It is another way to create a bond with my husband and my kids. My marriage has been strengthen through karate. I read a marriage book a long time ago that encouraged wives to get involved with their husbands interests. I tell you ladies it really works! My husband appreciates the fact I enjoy something he enjoys. I really could go on and on how karate has been a blessing to me. I'm sure I'll write more at another time. Our link to our karate website is on my links if you are interested. We are having an open house at our school this weekend. If you live in Canon City, CO - stop on by! Happy Valentine's day!!

An added note r: meatball soup

Just an added note to the meatball soup since I've had a couple inquiries:

Put the meatballs in the soup raw. This makes them really tender. Bring the soup to boiling after the everything is added, then simmer for approx. 45 minutes. I usually test a meatball or two to make sure they are done. Happy Souping!

Souper Mate

Sopa be Albondigas
(Meatball Soup)





Last night I went to talk to my husband while he was brushing his teeth I said "I need to get some pictures of the soup I made". He said "Pictures of your Super Mate??" Then he started to flex his muscles and pose actually thinking that is what I said. I was dying laughing!

Anyways, here are the actual pictures of the soup I made (I know you all really want the other pictures - sorry I don't share!)

This is a great soup. My family loves it on a cold Colorado day.

Sopa de Albondigas

1 med chopped Onion (1/2 c)
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp oil
4 cups water
2 cans chicken broth
1 can tomato paste
2 c potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 c sliced carrots
(any other veggies)
1 beaten egg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp pepper
1 lb ground meat
1/4 c rice

In and large saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in water, broth and tomato paste. Bring to boiling. Add potatoes and carrots. Simmer 5 minutes. Meanwhile combine meat, egg, rice and spices - mix well with hands, make meatballs. Add meatballs to soup a few at a time to slowly simmering soup. Return soup to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 45 minutes or until veggies are done.
Cheese, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips are great on top!

p.s. The kids love making the meatballs!