RRRRARAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

(If you are here for Wordful Wednesday its toward the bottom... but you are welcome to read the whole post if you want... For Free!)

I am soooooooo frustrated right this second. Here I am watching American Idol on the dvr (which I was totally unmoved by tonight), eating a redvine, relaxing and reading some blogs when my dog runs to the door and grumbles. I let her out and she bolts out the door and across the grass barking vigorously.

This is not unusual since we have a wide variety of night time critters who frequent our property. I walk out onto the patio to breathe in some fresh night air and to make sure the dog is not being eaten when I see it. Or, actually DON'T see it. IT being the fuchsias I just bought for a planter in my yard.

In my best Charlie Brown voice...

AAAAARRRRRGGGGG!

STUPID RATS WITH HOOVES!!!

And in case you don't know what those are, I am referring to DEER.

I LOATHE them!

Please don't tell my kids I said "stupid" they don't need to know Mommy is a hypocrite.

Those nasty deer ATE my beautiful fuchsias that I was going to plant today but didn't get around to. Right off the patio table. They ate them... down to the base... every bloom... GONE.

WWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

So if you ever visit us here at our Humble Hillside Academy you will know why every flower bed and planter in our yard is covered in chicken wire and the ones that aren't are full of nubs :-(


NOW, watch this... I am going to segue to a completely different subject so smoothly that you'll wonder why I am not an anchor on one of those cheesy local cable news shows.


So, what exactly kept me from planting my precious flowers today? Well, it was the small matter of an interview.

HuH?

Some of you may remember that I was looking for an evening job a while back. I put out about 10-12 applications and had really given up on hearing anything back. My dream job at the Salvation Army just wasn't panning out (they are confused). However, last night I got a call from the manager at Round Table.

Not my dream job but it would be grocery money.

The interview went really well and he said I was exactly what they were looking for.

OooooooKay. :-/

I have to pick up some paperwork on thursday and I'm not sure when my exact start date is but I am hired. Please trust me when I say that despite any outward appearances this decision was bathed in prayer and is an answer to them. Any extra prayers, though, are appreciated. This whole Mommy has a job thing is on a trial basis.

Now on to

Wordful Wednesday.

My boy, James, is such a boy. Dirty, smelly, loud, ACTIVE, always a bug somewhere on his person, picking, scabby, and emitting noises, are some of his more ...ahem... charming qualities. James makes me realize that God only gave me one boy for a reason. Nonetheless, he is my boy, my little man, the man I would marry if I wasn't already married to his dad. (ok that sounds weird here, but when I say it to him he beams). He has a sensitive side. We cuddle at bedtime while I rub his back and sing his song and he is still and quiet. He always wants an extra hug and kiss for later whenever I go out.

*sigh*

He loves his Mommy.

And to him, these flowers are not a menace. They are worth a million bucks because they were picked specially for me. To a boy, a flower is a flower.

Thanks Buddy, you made my day.

Project 365~April 19th-25th

Today was one of those days. Not in a totally bad way but my rhythm was just off. The kids were antsy at church, the better part of the afternoon was spent in a tearful battle of the wills, little disobediences kept me reeling and questioning my parenting skills... or lack of them, and we finished the night completely over stimulated.

I. am. exhausted.

However, as I write, the kids are in bed, My Love is asleep, the house is clean... enough, and I am sitting right here to rest my aching feet and show you what happened LAST week.






Sunday, April 19th

Marli calls out, "Yook Mommie, Kitties iz besfwend wit me, gittup an takkah pitture." Which translated means, "Look Mommy, the kitty is best friends with me. Take a picture."

So I did.



Monday, April 20th

There is a jump in the temperature so at the very persistant begging from the kids I broke out the kiddie pool, hose and bathing suits. The best thing about it, besides the joyful laughter, was that we were able to skip baths because they became self-cleaning. Now theres a concept!

Look at Marli (the one in turcoise). Ya think that water was a little cold? LOL




Tuesday, April 21st

The weather held out for another day so we brought all the snakes out to catch some rays and stretch their... um... legs? The gray one is Mocha, the red one is... Red, and the red one with white markings is Candy. They DO NOT come when called. :-p




Wednesday, April 22nd

Kiah's ballet teacher is moving. This was her last class :-( We are not yet sure if Kiah will continue with another teacher. I think she is ready to try something else. Maybe piano.




Thursday, April 23rd

I Have no pictures for this day and I can't, for the life of me, remember anything from this day. I'm thinkin' alien abduction...




Friday, April 24th

Kiah's friend Elizabeth came to spend the night. A humming bird followed her in the door. I caught it after it bonked into a window. It was sooooooooo tiny and delicate. It felt like I was holding a rose petal.

After all the kids got a chance to poke... er... pet it I took it outside and as soon as I opened my hand it flew up and away with a loud hum. One of the best moments of my life.



After dinner the girls decorated cupcakes. And decorated and decorated and decorated and decorated. Those poor cupcakes never had a chance.




Saturday, April 25th

The girls had a great time playing dress up and having a princess parade.




Grandpa came over for dinner (floating tacos, mmmmmmm) and cake and presants.

Happy 59th Birthday Dad!

So that was my week. If you want to join in Project 365 hostessed by Sara over at Make Music From Your Heart or you want to read about others' weeks then click on the project button at the top.

God Bless!

Giveaways!

So in my last post I was so overwhelmed by the excitement of sour cream/ cheddar cheese/ green onion biscuits that I forgot to mention a few giveaways going on.



First of all if you will check out Chunk-a-Monks blog you will find an assortment of some of the cutest handmade goodies around. She can even match your current decore. Now tell me that isn't so COOL! She is giving away a birthday frame in honor of her adorable son's third birthday. Go check it out!

Isn't it so fun you can't stand it!?!

AND

Over at Straight From the Heart she is doing a giveaway for a handmade necklace. You even get to pick which design you would like to win. The necklaces are sold on Etsy and come in tons of different styles and they are CUTE! Perfect for accenting your Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Pretty, isn't it?



This one is my fave!

AND

Keep an eye on Adult Deprived because I am approaching my 200th post and will be doing a giveaway to celebrate the occasion. Fun! Fun! FUN!

AND

I know I am slacking when it comes to my Wednesday Triple Threats. I feel one brewing... be patient. ;-)

Here a Biscuit, There a Biscuit

You mean to tell me that you way more savvy than me in the kitchen women out there don't have fabulous homemade biscuit recipes of your own!?! So you must beg and plead and threaten me with bodily harm to get my made up by accident recipe for sour cream/cheddar/ green onion drop, because I am to lazy to roll and cut out, biscuits.

Well,
OK then...
here ya go.

• First decide that you must do something with that 16 oz tub of sour cream that you forgot to take to church last week.
• Buy a packet of green onion dip powder thinking that making the dip will encourage you to eat those baby carrots you bought the week before you were assigned the sour cream.
• Mix the dip... eat half... forget about the rest. (This may just be the most important step)
  
• Make a decision to do SOMETHING with that one pound block of sharp cheddar that you now have two of because you bought one on shopping day not realizing there was one already at home hiding in the back of the meat drawer.
• Run out of rice and try to think of some other starch to serve for dinner.
• Remember the mass amounts of cheese in the fridge and the yummy cheese biscuits you ate at Red Lobster a few weeks ago.
• Look up eight different recipes for cheese biscuits and realize that you are missing key ingredients for each.

Do this:

Mix in a large bowl
4 cups flour
2 Tbsp baking POWDER
2 tsp baking SODA
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup + shredded cheddar (+ because remember I had LOTS of cheese)

Now, here the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of thinly sliced green onions and 2 cups of half and half, neither of which I had.

*ding*

That was the sound the light bulb in my head made as it turned on when I remembered the sour cream turned green onion dip hiding in the bottom drawer next to the remainder of the baby carrots. But, is it still good? I opened it. No mold. I sniffed... it smelled... well, like sour cream turned green onion dip. We are all still alive so it must have been OK. lol.

So I added what must have been at least a cup of the dip and used nonfat milk to make the dough moist enough to stick together. Then I dropped it in sloppy handfuls onto a pan. I basted them with a healthy coating of melted BUTTER (um... these are not diet food) and put them in a 375* preheated oven.

18-20 minutes later (or maybe longer cuz I sort of forgot about them, but then remembered them before it was too late) I pulled them out of the oven and they were GOOD! And they were HUGE! The kids had two each and wanted more but I was afraid of tummy problems that may be cause by mass amounts of bread product containing questionable sour cream turned onion dip.

So there you have it.
My recipe for sour cream/ cheddar/ green onion biscuits. Now aren't you sorry you asked.

Project 365 ~ April 12th - 18th

Yay!

Have you noticed?

Maybe not...
I am almost at 200 posts!
Yippeeeeeeee!

I was thinking that maybe a giveaway is in order. Do you remember the last one? I will have to think of something extra fun for all my lovely blogger friends. I'll take suggestions ;-)

But for now its time for .....

This project is so much fun and great for keeping track of where the time goes. I can't wait until the year is done and I can gather the kids around ye ol' laptop so we can relive each moment.

*GASP*

A New Year's Day tradition has just been born.

LOL

Moving on...

Sunday, April 12th was Easter of course. Our church Crossway Fellowship had a lakeside service and then we had a BYOM buffet. The weather was perfect. A gorgeous day to spend outside in God's creation celebrating the ressurection of my savior.



I had all the girls dressed alike and even James was wearing a suit but, before I could snap a family pic him and My Love ran off to the car to change.



Here he is smiling ear to ear because of the great haul of goodies.



Monday, April 13th I made some cheddar/sour cream/ green onion drop biscuts to go with dinner. There were 24 of them to start. I guess every one liked them.


Tuesday, April 14th I used they eggs the kids had dyed to make egg salad sandwiches for Campus Life. The eggs were still pretty even after they were peeled.




Wednesday, April 15th there was a chill in the air that morning so I turned on the furnace to warm up the house. I'm sure it is much more effective when the kids don't campout on the vents.

James was looking so toasty that Marli had to join him.

Thursday, April 16th I notice that the kitties have actually ventured off of the bed to sit on the windowsill to watch the hummingbirds zip about the feeder. They can drem can't they.




Friday, April 17th we see lizzards everywhere. Eden caught the baby alligator lizzard all by herself. James caught a big, fat, dark blue belly and Kiah found herself a lighter one of the same size. We let them go of course.




Saturday, April 18th My Love had an event to attend at a local park and wanted the whole family to go. I was skeptical due to the fact that it was during naptime but packed everyone up anyway. I was totally unprepared for water play but that is the only thing the kids wanted to do and despite my screaming repeatedly to NOT GET THEIR CLOTHES WET every single one of them ended up soaked. Such is life. :-p I hopped out of the car on the way home to get a pic of the spillway where we spent the majority of our time at that park.

On the way home Eden and Marli drifted off but kiah and James were still raring to go.

Thank you for Visiting my week in review. As I read yours I say a prayer for you and I hope that you do the same for me.

God Bless!

Tagged... Sort Of

So Beckyjomama at Sweet Abundance was tagged with this meme then decided to pass it on to whoever would have it. Since I have been a dry well of late I decided give it a whirl.


Here we go:


8 Things I am Looking Forward To

1. Heaven (maybe even before the next mortgage payment is due)
2. My kids finding something they are passionate about (that doesn't involve cartoon characters)
3. Spring planting and working out in the yard.
4. Losing weight (as soon as I start trying).
5. Family Camp.
6. My birthday (selfish, I know).
7. Garage sales... having one and going to them.
8. The day my kids do their own laundry, make their own lunch, wash their own hair, wipe their own... um... I'm sure you get the picture.

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Read blogs.
2. Homeschooled the kids.
3. Went for a walk... aka, newt hunt.
4. Took a drive just to get out of the house, not necessarily to get out of the car.
5. Vacuumed.
6. Watched Sesame Street ( I know you are so jealous of my life).
7. Watched my birds flit about.
8. You would think that "did devotion/Bible reading/Bible study/prayer time" would be a given on this list but looking back I don't recall doing my own... just with the kids. Naughty Mommy.

8 Things I wish I could Do

1. Play the piano.
2. Dance less like Elaine Benes.
3. Get paid for writing.
4. Have more time to write here and in general.
5. Stay in bed for a week... I'm just tired :-p
6. Get a job and help out with the bills.
7. Grow three more inches... heck lets make it four.
8. Have the house to myself for an entire day *sigh*.
   

8 Shows I Watch

1. American Idol
2. The Office
3. Americas Next Top Model
4. Food Network Challenge
5. Iron Chef
6. Seinfeld
7. Any nature/animal documentary.
8. Whatever is on PBS between 8:00 am and 1:30 pm.

8 People I Tag

1. Who
2. Ever
3. Has
4. Not
5. Done
6. This
7. Meme
8. Yet

C'mon, you know you want to.

Project 365~April 5th-11th

Loved to Death

King of all kings, Lord from on high,
He became common but for to die.
He rode in a king then was sold for slaves cost.
He gave up His glory that I not be lost.
Betrayed, accused, beaten and shamed,
For the sins of man this king would be blamed.
His body was broken His blood was shed,
A crown of scorns placed on his head.
“Forgive them Father they know not what they do.”
He was speaking of me, was He also of you?
For with each sin I pierced His hand.
But before His Father blameless I’ll stand.

Death could not keep Him, he rose from His grave.
As He told His disciples, He came to save.
Now ascended to reign on high,
He is my advocate in the sky.
Also, within me, a still small voice.
Not by my doing, it was His choice.
To save a wretch so wicked and lame,
But now in God’s eyes we are one in the same.

Thank you, my Brother, for enduring that day.
For dying that in my heart you might stay.
Thank you, my Savior, for rising up,
For praying for me and drinking that cup.
Thank you, my friend, for dwelling in me
And causing this one, so blinded, to see.

By Becky(me)

Sunday, April 5th is clash night at Awanas. Kiah and I put together the perfect outfit... very clashy don't ya think?



Monday, April 6th I sent Eden and James out to the yard to burn off some energy which turned into a sword fight over some unclaimed territory.



Tuesday, April 7th there was no Campus Life due to Spring break so I used the spare time to fill my bird feeders. It didn't take long for the goldfinches and siskins to find them. The nuthatches, juncos and chickadees soon joined them. Later this this week I had house finches and even grossbeaks. I can sit and watch my birds for hours. Of course that never happens... its usually two minutes here... thirty seconds there...




Wednesday, April 8th is ballet day. Kiah looks like a little pink Easter egg ready to hatch.




Thursday, April 9th Marli is developing some interesting quirks. One of them is that directly after our daily walk or anytime she has had her shoes on for a bit she has a need to check for foreign objects in between each toe. If you listen closely you can hear her say as she spreads them apart, "nope, nope, ew, nope, ew, nope, nope. nope."




Friday, April 10th Uncle Gary is treated to a home cooked meal and a brownie cake for his birthday. We all gathered around to sing and watch him blow out the candles.




Saturday, April 11th we take the kids to the local miniature golf course which is hosting a free egg hunt. FREE! Even though it was super crowded we all had a blast gathering eggs and playing games.

Marli tries her hand at a bean bag throw and the ring toss.

James and Eden search for the perfect egg. Preferably one stuffed with candy.

Kiah finds a furry friend. She has been wanting her own pet bunny for a couple of years. I set my foot down and told her when she was eight. That will be this December! EEK!

James wants a lizard. Um... Buddy... lets find one a little smaller OK. Seriously, this lizard was as big as my arm but he was very nice, and so handsome.

Before we left the kids wanted to watch the go carts. Poor Marli didn't like it though... see her fingers in her ears? lol.

I hope and pray that all of my bloggy friends
have had a truly blessed
Resurrection Day!

He has risen INDEED!

Project 365 ~ March 22nd - April 4th

Wow, where have I been? I just can't seem to get back into the blog thing... I want to. I almost need to just so I can keep track of myself. ;-)

Well, I did manage to scrape together my pics for this weeks and last weeks Project 365, albeit a day or so late. At least we aren't being graded. Yikes!



Sunday, March 22nd occasionally the cats get to looking too comfortable, which makes me loathe them. I know they do it on purpose... they wait till I am at my breaking point with the kids to look the most serene... then to top it off they give a nice stretch, let out a little squeak, change positions and fall right back to sleep. Naughty, boastful, felines. As my revenge I snap photos of them while they are sleeping until the noise of the camera or the flash wakes them up.

If that doesn't work I give them a good poke.
Then I usually get a glare like this...

Monday, March 23rd some flowers wait inside my bathroom for the threat of freezing overnight temps to pass.




Tuesday, March 24th James insists that he take his bike on our walk despite my best efforts to convince him otherwise. Those training wheels just aren't made for gravel roads.




Wednesday, March 25th Its barely halfway through the day when the counter is covered with bandaid wrappers. A true sign that warmer weather is here to stay is the constant scrapes upon small knees and elbows.




Thursday, March 26th Eden enjoys part of her lunch in true kid style. Come on, is there anyone out there who hasn't done this as a kid at least once? I still do, but its not as fun cuz my fingers are too big now and the olives split. Oh, to be a kid again.




Friday, March 27th one must always be cautious when telling a four year old to pick out their own outfit for the day. Here we see Eden sporting a leopard print bathing suit, a purple pair of corduroy overalls, and a mesh cover up for lounging by the pool. If we didn't have to go anywhere and it was a little warmer then I would have let her stay that way.




Saturday, March 28th must have been a good day since there were big smiles all around.




Sunday, March 29th my plants emerge from the bathroom to find sunshine and a place to call home.




Monday, March 30th we plant our own strawberry patch. Each Monday the kids must observe the plants and draw a picture of what they find.




Tuesday, March 31st was a super busy day. I finished making the snacks for Campus Life and organized the last minute touches for the Easter egg hunt. I stuffed almost 250 eggs! By the end of the day I was exhausted. After I got home at the end of the evening I found this on our bed...

POKE!
hehhehheh...

Wednesday, April 1st we don't do April Fools Day. I just never got into it and haven't taught my kids about it...yet. What we did do since Kiah and James were with us for the Campus Life egg hunt I had them do one for Eden and Marli. They were very good egg hiders and egg finders.




Thursday, April 2nd when Marli falls too far behind on our walks I turn around and yell, "ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO!" Then she runs as fast as she can to catch up. She actually goes pretty fast for a two year old... see the wind in her hair. :-D




Friday, April 3rd I planted some oriental poppies and despite my best protective efforts every bud is plucked by the kiddles before I could threaten their very lives if they touched them.

*sigh*

I'm sure more are on the way.

Saturday, April 4th is our 11th wedding anniversary. We went to see Coroline which was very dark, and not at all what I expected. Then we went to Red Lobster for a truely wonderful dinner. Our last stop was at IKEA which left both of us underwhelmed. The prices were great and the designs were nice but it just wasn't our style.

But before we left for our date I had to get it my fix of Insaniqurium. What is that you ask? Its a computer game that crept over here from my mother's house. You must protect your guppies from aliens as you advance through increasingly challenging levels... um... its sort of addicting... er... like ... uh... blogging.