Take a deep breath...

Cameron is having a hard time dealing with impulsive behavior. Today he got so upset I had to pick him up from school practically as soon as it started. It must be very hard for him to have an impulsive burst and then realize that is was not constructive and have such remorse and be so sorry and hard on yourself. I get so concerned for him. For a 10 year old he has a lot to deal with. Sometimes it seems so unfair. I'm trying to be the most understanding mother and act in a positive way. I know God will get him through this stage in life as he has so many others. For those of you that have children like Cameron, please know that they do try but sometimes life is even hard for a child. Just let them know you are there for them always and be patient. It will work out in the end. I'm sure of it.

Another issue that the family is dealing with is attending church regularly. Kevin and I have such a strong religious background and really love the Lord. Our church has been my church since I can remember. My parents and grandfather still attend there. My cousin is the Youth Pastor as well. We just and have for a long time feel that it is time to move on. We are scared to make the move but know it is inevitable. God had been dealing with us to go somewhere that offers more for our personal situation and even though we love our church and the people they are not meeting the needs of our family. We have decided to visit a few churches in the area and pray about a new start. So please keep us in your prayers and pray we make the best decision for our family. Thank you to everyone that has been with us throughout our journey with God.

The kids had a great time at the park today. The sun went behind the clouds and the breeze felt so good that I had to take them to play before the rain started. Funny when we got there it was sprinkling and stopped pretty quick. It made for a nice relaxing book reading moment while the kids worked off some energy. I hope we can do this more often since the weather is getting to be so nice. I think it is going to rain this weekend but maybe we can squeeze in a little park time.

Kevin just got in from work and it is time for the kids to go to bed. I plan on getting to bed early with a little book reading maybe. First I have to visit with Kevin and do our daily download for the day. I'm so glad I have Kevin. He makes life in general so much easier. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Planting Flowers

Decided to plant flowers today and actually got quite a bit done. I'm going to post several pictures from before to after, including the kids planting some small veggie pots to watch grow. We have a variety of flowers/plants and in lots of colors. Hopefully we will add to this as time goes on. We are trying to do everything as a family so that the kids can learn to enjoy things and not just think of it as work. They did really well tonight. We gave them tasks and they really worked together to get everything done. But by the end they drifted and we sent them in to get ready for bed. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Productive Day

It was a great day with lots to do. We managed to find time to go to the fresh produce stand. Actually we went to two different one. We really scored today on the fresh stuff that we've been craving. The first stand we picked up some onions and yellow squash. The next we got corn, cucumbers, potatoes and green tomatoes. Off to the store to pick up some items needs including lots of fruit. We are really trying to make fresh our summer plan and the sooner we start the better. Kevin roasted the corn on the grill. I think it looks great.


Next I decided to see if I could come up with a healthier way to make the old southern classic fried green tomatoes. And I did...I ended up baking them. Everyone loved them, including Kevin who doesn't eat tomatoes. Then I created a fresh veggie pasta salad. Kevin grilled steak and we had a complete meal with some Rice A Roni. Everyone was stuffed and plenty of leftovers for lunches tomorrow. I love that!!

Baked Green Tomatoes (instead of fried)
2 Green Tomatoes in thin slices
1 box Jiffy Cornbread Mix
Salt, Pepper and Onion Powder to taste

I just mixed the Jiffy Cornbread Mix in a bowl with the salt, pepper and onion powder (all dry). I sliced the tomatoes and ran them under the water to wet them and then dipped them in the dry mixture covering them. I sprayed a sheet pan with non-stick spray and placed them on the pan. Bake them at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes. They were crispy and we didn't even need a dipping sauce.



Fresh Veggie Pasta Salad
Frozen Peas
Chopped Onion
Chopped Cucumber (take out the seeds)
Chopped Squash
Shredded Cheese
Pasta
Salt and Pepper
Miracle Whip

I just took all the veggies I had and chopped them the same size. Boiled my pasta of choice and ran it under cold water, seasoned with salt and pepper and added Miracle Whip until the right consistency. Mixed in Cheese and put in fridge. It was really light and fresh. Everyone liked it...well I had to force Cameron to eat it. I love salads like this you can't go wrong. I plan on making up lots of these this summer.

Back to the grind.

Well we have to get back on track as the new week starts...the old back to the grind. Today was just a recover from the weekend and cram as much as you can get done into the beginning of the week to make the rest of it stress-free. Everyone knows how that is. We just worked at home and ate leftovers. The kids played outside before coming in for baths and to settle into the evening before bed. Kevin and I are just going to relax and of course watch the Hero's finale tonight. One of our favorite shows. So nothing major...sometimes that is wonderful.

Weekender

Well it's been a little busy this weekend and I just couldn't seem to find time until late at night to get online and I just decided to wait. No sense in blogging about nonsense when you are barely awake.

Kevin had to work this weekend. Breanna was gone and Cameron stayed with my folks. This is the only time I've not had a kid since before Thanksgiving. I enjoyed it but really what do you do with yourself. I wonder sometimes what I did before I had kids.

Friday after dropping Breanna off, Cameron, my friend Cindy and I decided to grab a bite to eat. On the way to the restaurant we had a real "Tommy Boy" moment. You know from the Chris Farley movie. Well earlier that day my battery went dead and I had to get a jump. Somehow the hood didn't get shut all the way and just when we are driving down the highway I hear this pop and the hood is bouncing up and down...seems that part of it is still latched. I slowed down and we made it to the restaurant. Forgot about it and ate and just when we were about to leave Cindy remember. I got out and tried to close it but it just wouldn't. I opened it and closed it several times. So we just drove home very carefully...all the way laughing our head off imagining what would happen if it opened while going down the road like in the movie. Kevin got home from work, goes out and releases the hood and closed it and it was fixed. Things like that just makes you mad when you try and try to fix something and then in a snap it's fixed. Oh well we had a good laugh.

Saturday was a run around errand day and Cindy and I went and got haircuts. I cut about six inches off my hair. Man does it feel so light. When Kevin came home from work we went to get something to eat and got to talking about when we were kids what we took in our lunch. I remember Twinkies, Ding Dong and then I said there was something we had but I wasn't sure of the name. I thought maybe it was Crockadocs or something. Kevin laughed and made fun of me so I called someone and they remember something like that but couldn't remember the name either. Well if you know me I have to figure it out, so I get online and start searching for cupcakes, snack cakes and anything I could think of. FINALLY I FOUND IT! It is a Chocodile. Made by Hostess, it is a Twinkies dipped in chocolate. I knew I wasn't crazy.

Sunday is usually a stay at home family day and of course watch Nascar if at all possible. I decided to make a special dessert today. I had never made this before and I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out. I made a Nutter Butter Banana Pudding. AWESOME!!!



NUTTER BUTTER BANANA PUDDING
1 package Nutter Butter Cookies
1 large package of vanilla pudding
1 large whipped topping
1 can condensed milk
3 cups milk
5-6 bananas

I used a trifle bowl, but whatever you have will be fine. Break the Nutter Butter Cookies in half and slice your bananas in round circles. Layer the cookies and then the bananas and continue to alternate until everything is used. In a large bowl add the milk, condensed milk, pudding and 2/3 of the whipped topping. Mix with mixer and then pour over the cookies and bananas. Top with the rest of your whipped topping and garnish as you like. I bought a package of the mini Nutter Butters, but you could crumble a couple of the larger cookies.

Be sure to try it and let me know what you think. I like it so much I think I'll make it for Kevin's family reunion in a few weeks. Well time to get ready for the week. The next couple of weeks look to be very busy.

Pammy's Work Day

Today started off as normal as it always does. Pammy got up and got Cameron off to school and got ready to go to work for the charity today. I got up a few minutes before she left to tell her goodbye and that I love her. She left me a nice little list like she always does. It consisted of going to the bank, watering the garden, taking the ironing over to her moms (which I didn't do), making a few phone calls, and doing laundry. I got Breanna out of bed and fed her breakfast, got her dressed and we left for the bank came back home and ate lunch. She laid down for a nap and I done the laundry and watched a few movies that I've been wanting to watch. I also gave the dogs their baths. Pammy called to check on me like she always does. When Breanna got up she was wanting Cameron to get home so they could go out and play. So I told her to go and play and he would be home before she knew it. When Cameron got home the kids went out and played for a bit. Then they took the dogs for a walk on the leash to the stop sign. When they got back it was thundering. I took the training wheels off Breanna's bike and told her we were going to work on riding without them. Then we went inside because it was starting to rain a little bit. Pammy called and said she was on her way home and what was for dinner. We decided on eating BBQ. It was pretty good. Then we came home and got our showers and settled in for the night. Hope you enjoy reading this cause this is my first entry on the blog it may sound like I do nothing but ramble on...which is probably what I do but anyway. Hope you enjoy. Good night and good luck.

The Garden

Well we finally did it! We officially have a garden. They say that for every$100 you spend for a home garden you can produce up to $1200 worth of fresh vegetables. Isn't that awesome? Of course it is our first and not that big, but an accomplishment for us. We decided if we do well this year we will put more planning into it next year. Here are a few pictures of the finished product. We have a pretty good variety...carrots, several types of tomatoes, cucumbers, white squash, two types yellow squash, two types watermelon, cantaloupe, beans, two types of lettuce, and bell peppers. I think we picked some good items. The kids were so excited at first and got bored really easy and off to the bikes and scooters. Oh well...I'm sure they will get more excited when they actually see something on the plants. I think with the economy that a lot of families will be like us and plant a garden for the first time.

The Rash

The nurse called me from school this morning at 8:30 to tell me Cameron had some sort of rash on his body. I was warned last Monday at the doctor's office that it is common to get a rash on the antibiotic they prescribed for strep. Well of course my car was still in the shop and my dad had to go get him. By the time he got home he was covered from head to toe in a measle like rash. He wasn't itching or having trouble breathing. I called the doctor's office and the nurse told me it was okay to give him some Benadryl, so I did. Later the doctor called me and we decided to just keep an eye on him and continue with the medication along with Benadryl. My dad picked us up to go to dinner at their house tonight (no car) so I decided to give his medicine a couple of hours early so I could watch him better. Thirty minutes after taking it he was all dotted again. This is what he looked like four hours after he took it today.


You might not can tell but I can tell you this it looks uncomfortable. Let's just hope it doesn't start itching and we survive the last three doses.

Making Decisions

Today was just a leftover day and a typical Monday. The kids had a good time playing outside this afternoon. The rain finally stopped. They took the dogs for a walk one at a time to the end of the street. Cameron is really showing some responsibility and we want to really encourage it where he excels. He really shines when he gets to be the "big brother". Breanna's biological mother called and of course she was in a hurry to go with Cameron and barely talked to her. I think it upset her but you know how kids are they live in the moment. When they got back I asked her if she would like to call her back and she said not really. What do you do in moments like this? Like our situation I'm sure many of you find yourself having to deal with an ex. Breanna doesn't always want to speak to her or even go for visits but we still encourage it. Sometimes it is sad that the kids are in the middle and seem to have to do things just to satisfy a parent. I am thankful that Cameron's father is in agreement to allow him to make choices. He decides when he wants to see or talk to him and his father can call anytime but understands if Cameron isn't interested then accepts my update and we just keep the lines of communication open. I think overall communication is the best and to allow the child to have a little control of things is a positive thing, especially when they are back and forth like Breanna is. We just hope the kids learn to make careful decisions that leads them in the right direction in the future. Here's a tip - I believe you can build a child's self-esteem greatly by allowing them some control of certain situations and trusting them to make the right decision. Before long they will be making wise decisions.

Rainy Days!

Well today it rained so it kept us from doing the garden. Found out my car needs a little bit more work...yep in the shop for ummm the third time I think. The air conditioner as an issue of course Kevin will be working the next few days so he won't be able to fix it until he is off. I really need to check the weather, I hope it isn't a heatwave this week. The kids have been a little bored today. Cameron got in trouble and chose his punishment of not riding his bike. He can start back on Tuesday...how many more days. Of course it was raining so he couldn't ride it anyway. Breanna chose a punishment of no T.V. today and I think she is really regretting it. Even though we limit their T.V. anyway it is killing her that everyone else can watch. We took some advice and decided to let the kids choose their punishment. So far so good. Of course we have to hear the constant "I'm bored" comments. We did have a great family dinner though.

MENU
Turkey Meatloaf
Green Beans
Squash
Mashed Potatoes
Cornbread

By the way the green beans were good. I didn't get enough salt in them. So when you make yours remember you need more. I do have to say crock pot makes it easier but the stove top is my preference. You decide.

Everyone seems to to really like my turkey meatloaf (I don't think everyone realizes that I use turkey unless I tell them). So I'll share my recipe with you. I'm a dump cook so there is no measuring in this, but the ingredients are the key. Don't substitute.

Turkey Meatloaf
Ground Turkey
Oatmeal
Saltine Crackers
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Minced Onion - dried
Ketchup
Mustard
Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ Sauce - the key
Eggs

Topping
Ketchup
Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ Sauce
Mustard
Brown Sugar

Just mix and spray pan with non-stick stray, place in pan, mix topping and spread over top. I usually bake at 350 for about 40 minutes. Just make sure the turkey is done.

By the way I thought the play by play was too much yesterday. I think I'll just tell you the special parts, you know the fun stuff. Well I've had a few comments and it seems the people that have read our family blog seem to enjoy it. Let me know what you think.

It was a dawg day.

This has been a busy but great day with the family. We headed to my folks for a huge family breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits, gravy and pancakes. Yep, I know...we in the south know how to eat. How do you think Paula Dean got a show?

Cameron stayed and helped my dad work to rebuild the tumbling wall, it was his first paid job. Kevin, Breanna and myself planned to make a quick trip to the store and head home to start our first family vegetable garden. Those who know me are probably thinking that I'll just supervise the layout. I'm just not that outdoorsy and I know this. I do plan to get dirty or at least buy gardening gloves. Well once we got home from the store the typical unpredictable thing happened and we decided a little more planning and rethought the layout. Kevin called his mom to get the tiller attachment to the weed eater, let's make life a bit easier if we can. So back to the store now that our plan had gotten much bigger for more plants and seeds, don't forget some solar lights (expect the unexpected).

We picked up Cameron, the moneymaker for today and grabbed a bite to eat, ran by the produce stand and I bought some fresh tomatoes and green beans to cook as a surprise for Kevin and rushed home to take showers...we had a busy evening planned. Kevin put the solar lights out and I got the kids ready and started breaking beans (this was a first since childhood...I think I did them back then or did I just watch). After Kevin finished showering he finished breaking beans with the kids while I got ready. We gathered the dogs and headed to our local rabies clinic to get the annual shots. Usually we go to the vet, but like many families we are cutting corners anywhere possible.

Just a quick tip - going to the vet usually cost us close to $150.00 per pet and with two you can see it can add up. Today we got both dogs registered and rabies for $30.00, you just can't beat that. So be sure to check your local county rabies clinics out, this was our first time.

As you can see from the photos above we have two beautiful black and tan miniature dachshunds. And yes they are our babies. Black Velvet Mojo, we call him Mo is on the top. He hates car rides and was already traumatized by the car ride so the shot didn't even phase him. Opie Cunningham on the bottom, well he is the original "Fly Boy". Oblivious to his destination but happy to be in the wind. His ride home wasn't so joyous, a little low key. But you gotta love them both.

Quickly we headed to the charity auction and bake sale which was well on the way and seemed to be doing quite well when we arrive. Kevin's Mother Reta and Aunt Myrna came to help support our cause. They had over 100 items to auction, lots of homemade goodies at the bake sale and the kids really enjoyed the cake walk. Cameron and Breanna had a ball eating hot dogs, cupcakes and coke (a real treat since everyone knows we rarely by cokes). We all decided to have quick dinner at a local restaurant to top our visit off. A quick stop at Wal-mart (can't seem to drive by one) for a few last minute items for dinner and we headed home for bed.

The kids are asleep in bed and I thought I'd take care of any new followers we might have picked up while Kevin works out on Wii Fit. Hey don't knock it...he's lost 11 pounds. That was our Easter present to the kids and we all benefit from it. Another great tip - get back to the basics, we decided to minimize T.V., do more outdoor activities, give up video games and workout on the Wii Fit from now until the end of Summer and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted. The kids don't seem to miss the T.V. and games, frankly there really isn't much on T.V. anyway except reality and well we are living it so why watch someone else.


Fresh Green Beans
Here is the way I did my green beans in case anyone didn't know, I couldn't remember I had to call my mom.

After taking the stems and strings out just break your beans in the desired length. Rinse and place them in a crock pot, add a whole onion and 2-3 slices of bacon. I also added a little salt and poured about 2 cups of water over them. Let them cook overnight on low. They will be delicious tomorrow. If I'm wrong I'll let you know.

Well It's Finally Friday

The day started out as normal as can be. Cameron off for school. Once everyone was up we did the typical stay at home things so the weekend isn't so cluttered. Laundry, clean the kitchen, straighten the house and thank God Kevin mowed the yard...my allergies couldn't handle it. I did go out in the yard and took a few pictures of nature.

These are a few things that always reminded me of Tennessee when I was traveling and I enjoy every time I see them.

Hopefully today will be more relaxing than anything. I am waiting on the Director of the charity I work at to stop by and pick up some baked goods for our Auction/Bake Sale tomorrow. I hope it has a very good turn out. It could help so may women and children who are homeless. We want our kids to understand that they should be thankful for everything they have. We want them to recognize that they are very lucky and when they have an opportunity they should help someone, especially in their community.

Hopefully we will have a simple evening. Plan to run to the store when Cameron gets home. I had taken homemade chili out of the freezer to make the family favorite Chili Cheese Casserole yesterday and well...this morning it was on the counter. I had forgotten to put it in the fridge last night. In the trash that went. So going to the store for a few items and dinner. Maybe a family movie or game tonight and a restful night of sleep. I'll keep you posted...this is actually kind of fun and I have a feeling it will be addictive.

Chili Cheese Casserole (great budget friendly meal for the family)

2 cans of your favorite Chili (I use leftover homemade saves money and tastes better)
2 boxes of Jiffy Cornbread Mix
1 8 oz package of shredded cheese

Take a rectangular glass dish, spray with non-stick spray, preheat oven to 400, mix cornbread mix according to package directions, fill dish, top with shredded cheese and then chili. Bake approximately 30-45 minutes according to how your oven bakes. Serve with sour cream or whatever chili topping you like.

I hope you enjoy it!!!!

First Day Jitters

I've just set this up with great things in mind. Hopefully it will benefit many people. My goal is to post daily life trials and solutions. We have a very unique family makeup, but I bet it isn't as unique as I think. I'm looking forward to finding families just like ours with non-traditional situations in hopes that we can shed some light on life in general. I hope to be helpful and informative with the hopes of a little humor thrown in here and there. Remember life is just a journey and God is with you all the way!