Fun at play

We had so much fun today playing with my cousin and her kids at their house. There were 4 wheelers to ride, a sprinkler to run through, a trampoline to jump on, 4 wheelers to ride (again), a treehouse to play in, puppies to be played with......lots and lots of activity....lots and lots of fun memories were made as well.


The whole gang -- Noah (10), Chloe (8), Abby (8 1/2), Joey (7), Eli (3 1/2), Carter (5)

Eli drinking from the sprinkler

Abby and Joey on the big 4 wheeler


Eli drove this battery powered "4 wheeler" all day long!

Chloe and Joey

Chloe and Abby



Carter and Noah


Eli and "his" puppy -- the hardest thing to do all day long was separate him from the puppies



Abby holding the girl puppy


Joey and puppy


Noah and puppy, looking lovingly at each other

Thank you, Carla, Chloe, Carter (and Chad!) for being such wonderful hosts. We must do this again sometime.

Out of the mouths of moms

Wow! When I saw this on my friend Jennifer's blog, I knew this was the perfect re-entry into the blogging world. So, sit back and enjoy some of the things I've said in the last couple weeks to my children!

• Please put that mouse down right now! Why? Because it's gross! I know it's dead...that's why it's gross and dirty. Now come in here and wash the dead mouse gook off your hands!
• Put the scissors down! We don't try to cut our friends while they're here playing.
• Please don't bite your brother. You aren't a real dinosaur.
• Please take your hands out of your pants. (ah, life with boys)
• (said to 2 of my boys in the back of the van while I'm driving) Keep your hands to yourself please! I said, keep your hands to yourself! BOYS! Ok, both of you sit on your hands and look out the window. Look out your own windows please! Thank you.
• Please tell me you're wearing underwear.
• Please take that pull-up off your head. Because we don't wear pull-ups as hats. Please tell me you didn't pee in that one.
• Did you just dip your toothbrush in the toilet to get it wet?

And my favorite one:

• Yes it's very cool your penis has a hole in it but it's not cool to pee on your fingers! Now please come here and wash your hands!

Yes, life with children is always an adventure. And one that I love!!!! Hope you had a laugh...or 2!

Lasagna casserole

I made this for supper tonight and it was a huge success!!!! 5 out of 6 of us liked it which is what makes a HUGE success in my book. So I thought I'd share the recipe with my "mommy readers". Let me know if you try it and what the outcome is for your family.

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
****I used 12 oz of mild Italian sausage instead of the ground beef/onion****
salt (I omitted)
pepper, to taste
1 pound medium shell pasta, cooked and drained
****any pasta can be used...next time I'll use whole grain pasta****
1 pound (4 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
****I used 2% skim shredded mozzarella cheese****
1 carton (24 oz) small-curd cottage cheese
****I used 1% cottage cheese****
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1 jar (26 oz) spaghetti sauce
****I used Barilla Tomato and Basil pasta sauce****

In a skillet, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink, drain. Sprinkle with salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, set aside. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, 3 cups mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley and remaining pepper; stir gently. Pour into a greased 13 in x 9 in baking dish. Top with the beef mixture and spaghetti sauce (dish will be FULL). Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

I served this with a salad, fresh veggies, and garlic rolls. Yummmmm!!!!! Enjoy!

Life

"Only one life, so soon it will pass. Only what's done for Christ will last."

These are a couple lines from a song my cousins, aunt, and uncle used to sing years ago when they traveled during the summer singing at different churches. I heard them do this song many times but, I hate to say, it didn't really mean much to me at the time. But this week this song has gone through my mind over and over.

Early Sunday morning a tragedy struck the home of a young couple (Heidi and Nick) from our church. I had her in youth group for a short time when I worked with youth. I knew her older brother better since I worked with him for a longer time. Heidi heard an intruder in her house and told Nick. He armed himself with his shotgun and they headed downstairs. Nick was confronted by the intruder and a struggle over the gun started. The gun went off during the struggle hitting and killing Heidi. The gun went off a 2nd time hitting Nick in the leg. Heidi was only 25 and her husband is 27. To say that this has rocked our church is an understatement. Both Heidi and Nick's parents are dearly loved at our church and have attended for years.

This has made me think about how I'm living my own life. None of us are guaranteed a long life. If something were to happen to me tomorrow, would people say that they saw Jesus in me? Would my children remember the fun times we spent together or the times I got upset with them? Would they know how I pray for them and how my heart breaks when they are sad or hurt? Would my family know how dearly I love them? When I see my Savior face-to-face will He say "Well done, my good and faithful servant"? What am I doing daily to live for Jesus?

These are just some of the questions I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about. And these are the quesions that are causing an ongoing change in the way I live my life. No more mediocrity. I want to do all things to the glory of God.

my attempt at photography

I only have a "point and shoot" camera....although I'm drooling over a sweet, awesome Canon Rebel or 40D camera. Someday......but until then, I'm trying to master photography with my "little white camera" as it is affectionately known. Let me know what you think!

the hunt is on!

This morning after church, the kids had an Easter egg hunt in our own yard. There was a bit of a twist though......Eli just had to search for his Easter eggs and little Easter present that were hidden in the yard.

Of course, he found the present first!

Then the "carrot" filled with jelly beans.

Then the eggs.

Some he had to work for a bit more than others.

Everytime he saw one, he was point and say "THERE IT IS!" So adorable!

For the 3 older ones, Jeff had set up a scavenger hunt for them. They started out with a clue....

which led them inside AND outside the house...........

across the street to the mailbox.....

inside the remote opener for the garage......

inside the trees...........

and finally............

finding........

the prize!

coloring eggs...and Easter tradition

Coloring eggs is something my kids look forward to every year before Easter...and every year I am amazed at how creative they get with combining colors for their eggs. They take such ownership over them. Gone are the days of just dunking the eggs in 1 color and calling it good. This year I picked up some dye that came with little "paint rollers" which was a huge hit. Enjoy these pictures of their masterpieces....which we can start eating tomorrow according to Abby.

You can just feel Noah's concentration in this picture....tongue out and all.

Masterpieces!