Clappy Shoes

New friends

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:01:00 +0000

GeoTagged, [N36.16058, E86.77862]

This is a picture of my new friends that I am working with in ARVA. We are at a math conference in Nashville, TN. Yes, it is a new season. This is a place I never thought I would be. Isn't that just like the Lord? Exciting times.

Danger!

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:42:00 +0000

I think his spelling might be more dangerous than him! He is precious!

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Fall fun

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:35:00 +0000

My kids have been dreaming of doing this for weeks. They raked the leaves themself for the sole purpose of jumping in them. I love it and they are growing up too fast!

The Friendships of Women

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:48:00 +0000

This weekend our church is having a Retreat on "The Friendships of Women". Our speakers are speaking on the saying "Friends are for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime!" I would love your input on your own friendships. Please fill out this 6 question survey (link below) for your friend, Desiree'

Survey on Lifelong Friendships

Dust Angels

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:52:00 +0000

My kids said, "Hey look mom, we are making dust angels!" Nice! :)

Menu Planning for the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:42:00 +0000

pic from google images supergrocer.ca

This menu planning is for the sole purpose of my own sanity. I do not think I would have made it through these last few weeks without eating out every night had I not learned how to plan ahead with my menu. At least I know what I haven't made when everyone is starving!

Monday - Small Group - taking meatballs in some kind of sauce - not sure what kind-maybe ketchup :)
Tuesday - Realistic expectation - Subway footlongs (2 for $10) - have an away soccer game
Wednesday - Roast in the crockpot, potatoes and carrots, French Bread
Thursday - Pancakes, Sausage or Turkey Bacon, Fruit (Soak beans)
Friday - Beans and cornbread
Saturday - we have a big Harvest Festival Party for the kids at church (Hotdogs and smores) - very fun!
Sunday - leftovers

The Story of a Young Girl in Iraq

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:57:00 +0000

http://livesstrong.blogspot.com/

I was searching for a blog that I used to read to get craft ideas and I ran across this much more important blog. I have wondered a lot about what is going on in Iraq from an Iraqi's point of view, but I really did not seek it out. This is it! I emailed my mom and husband and said, this blog should be a must read for every American high school kid. It is appalling what our kids complain about after reading her blog, isn't it?

Let me know your thoughts on her blog.

Hansel practicing with his teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Piano Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:58:00 +0000

How long will my kids be excited about piano lessons? They started two weeks ago and they will not stay off of the piano.

Prince Charming and I decided that we would let them play during dinner and pretend that we are in a fancy restaurant. That's one way to get a date in!

Creating Fresh Blog Posts

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:11:00 +0000

I wanted to let you know that I am working on new material for my blog. That is why I have not been blogging. I am collecting exciting family events, crazy work stories and many many soap boxes that are soon to be written about.

These are a few of the titles that will be featured some day when I get finished experiencing them first hand! :)

Exciting Family Events

Son Turns a Decade Old
Daughter's Picture of the Tooth Fairy Destroyed Forever
Clappy Shoes Goes to Memphis With The Gals and Her Momma
The Light at the End of the Building Project

Crazy Work Stories

Losing Sleep
A Blessing and A Curse
Is the Money Really Worth It?
I Need to Defragment in the New Whirlpool Tub
Exercise or Sleep, I Choose Sleep

Soap Boxes

Treat Others the Way You Want To Be Treated, Including Your Husband
What the World Thinks of Us

I really do have hope that I will be able to come back to my blog, a part of my life that I love. Beading would be nice too, but let's be reasonable.

Menu Planning for the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Ok, so last week definitely was better than the week before. I am not sure if it was the lighter load or the advance attack menu planning. I thought I might give it a whirl again to see if we can stay on menu task. :)

Monday - small group, hoping I can make some monkey bread! YUMMO! Oh, we're not supposed to have just that for dinner? Well, hopefully our small group will bring something healthy.

lunch: leftover french onion soup - very yummy

Tuesday - Chicken marinated in teriyaki on the grill, broccoli marinated with soy sauce on the grill, and brown rice (steaming that right now so I do not have to think ahead).

lunch: grilled cheese and chicken noodle for lunch for the girls,

Wednesday - Chicken Pot Pie - going to Little Rock for my job

lunch: leftovers or grilled cheese again

Thursday - Soft Tacos with salad fixins (forgot tomatoes need to pick up), vegetarian refried beans ( I know that is an oxy-moron) but I can't stand the thought of lard in refried beans! :),

lunch: hopefully leftovers or cheese pizzas on the sandwich thins

Friday - I am realizing that I really have a full time job. My friends are taking their kids to the pumpkin patch and it will probably will not happen for me. I can't stand the thought of not taking her or her going without me. What to do? Ok, sorry I got sidetracked thinking about Friday and lunch and all that.

Dinner - I know this is lame, but I think we will have spaghetti with whole wheat pasta, salad and french bread. It is definitely a simple kind of week for cooking. No new recipes for me, I need old stand-bys.

Saturday - I still have not made beans and I had good intentions. Hopefully I will remember to soak them overnight and then I can let them simmer on the stove for awhile. I think we are in luck this week for some good fall weather. A pot of beans and cornbread on the side sounds really good right now.

Sunday - taco salad or taco soup or leftovers - whatever suits my fancy that afternoon; they are all about the same to warm up or to make!

It Feels Like Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:41:00 +0000

Menu Planning for the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Ok, so last week was a disaster in my meal planning. It was my first week working full time and juggling most of my life (minus Gretel who had to be shipped to grandma's). I think we either ate out or Prince Charming cooked every night. So I determined to make improvements this week, maybe not perfect, but improve!

Monday - Small Group, making brownies and dip/veggies if they are lucky! :) Desiree or John Mark to put on beans for the next day to let them soak overnight.
Tuesday - beans with ham, jiffy corn muffins
Wednesday - Prince Charming has elder's meeting; breakfast for dinner; pancakes, turkey bacon and fruit
Thursday - Turkey Burgers on New Thin Sandwich Bread that I love (100 calories and healthy) and Sweet Potatoes
Friday - Mushroom and Chicken Bake - yummy, I bought boneless skinless chicken thighs and they are really good; salad
Saturday - Ladies' Night Out at Church. . .mi familia you are on your own! :) Mini-Pizza's with the Thin Sandwich Bread perhaps?
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie or Leftovers

I think having a game plan will help my week when I blankly stare into the fridge with not a clue what to make. Plus, I know that I have all of the ingredients to make these things so no excuses not to eat at home this week!

Here's to a better week!

Intervention and an Interception

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:26:00 +0000

www.bible-history.com/resource/mount-vesuvius

Last night, my mom came to rescue me. I was buried under the ash from what seemed like Mount Vesuvius. My desk had erupted, my patience had spewed and I just needed a break from my new job.

She was taking Gretel back with her and so my Prince Charming decided it would be fun to go to dinner about an hour away to a restaurant we had never tried, but had heard was yummy. It would get my mom an hour closer to home and me away from the computer.

www.nppa6.org/clips/2007/august/Aug07.html

We got seated and Hansel quickly asked the waitress if they had a trash can. I thought this was odd because usually you only need a trash can at take-out restaurants to dump your uneaten food. As soon as I could turn around the waitress stuck out her hand and said, "this is the trash." Before I could bat an eyelash, my son pulled his gum out of his mouth and was about to put his chewing gum in her hand. I squealed and quickly pushed his hand back and yelled, "Nooooooo!" The waitress jerked her hand back before the patty of gum could stick to her thumb. My husband and my mom just rolled laughing. I think it was probably the last time that this waitress volunteered her hand for "the trash."

We had a great time coming out of the dust of the volcanic eruption (at least for me). Now back to climbing out of the ash. Have a great day!

Job Change

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:19:00 +0000

For the last four years I have been working for a non-profit organization called Apartment Life. My husband and I joined them as a CARES Team six years ago when he started seminary in Dallas. In the last year that we were there, I started working on their staff as well as being a CARES Team. After that last year at seminary, we moved to take a job in Arkansas. I was fortunate enough and thoroughly blessed that the Apartment Life staff allowed me to continue to work for them part time, just remotely doing more admin type stuff. I have loved it! I have been able to stay at home with my kids, school them from home and be a pastor's wife.

I have sensed God leading me elsewhere though. I have my BS in Elementary and Special Education. My son started going to school at a local public school this year, while my daughter is still at home; schooling with the Arkansas Virtual Academy. I have felt for awhile that my giftings were only being partly utilized through Apartment Life and I basically live in a bubble. I am around Christians through work, church and friends. I really needed to get out of the bubble and start utilizing some of my other gifts and abilities that the Lord has given me.

I joined the Arkansas Virtual Academy at the beginning of the month as a Virtual Math Coach. I am "coaching" the 3rd and 4th grade. Basically, our nation, as well as, the Arkansas Virtual Academy's scores have fallen in math. They are bringing me on as well as other teachers through the eighth grade to get those kids math skills up to par . . . hopefully better than par.

It is so cool to see how the Lord has brought me to this point. Basically, I could not have done my Apartment Life job had I not had my own home business selling jewelry for Premier Designs. My Premier job helped me to be self-motivated, help my work ethic and to stay scheduled at home. My Apartment Life job was at home as well. With that job I was exposed to a lot of technology. Telecommuting made it where I had conference calls regularly. I spent a lot of time on excel, outlook, and working in Apartment Life's data banks. Now, with my ARVA job I need all of that to stay motivated as well as be familiar with the technology. We have been with ARVA going on my third year and that helped me to be familiar with the systems that they use. ARVA is a high technology job as well. We "virtually" teach children.

It has been like a stair step. I could not have skipped from Premier to ARVA because I would not have been equipped. I am always amazed at our God who has the big picture. He knows our future . . . He has it all figured out. Wow, this is the God we serve.

If you think of me, pray for me. I am working with Apartment Life and ARVA until the end of September. Until then I have a full time and a part time job, as well as, teaching Gretel at home. I hate to neglect my church this month, but something's gotta give. Isn't that a movie?

Anyway, I hope you are not giving up on me. It is a season called busyness, right now, but I promise to keep you as up to date as possible. I hope that you are doing well. I know that this is a busy time for everyone. I am so thankful that I can draw upon the Lord's strength. Blessings!

Home Depot

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:58:00 +0000

We are at home depot to celebrate my birthday! Yay! My daughter just requested to go to see the lighting. She is eight. What eight year old do you know that cares about lighting?

By the way, I was excited about going to Home Depot and it was actually my idea.

FYI: I am learning to blog from my phone and so if you have been seeing weird posts on my blog, it is because I have been experimenting and messing up a lot! Sorry about that! I think I am getting it though.

Serving an Unchanging God

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:50:00 +0000

I have a post up on 5 Minutes for Faith. I hope you enjoy! It is called Serving an Unchanging God. Have a great weekend.

Notification of Offense

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:23:00 +0000

When the kids started school, I gave them the list of things to do before school each morning. It included: eating breakfast, getting dressed (including shoes), brushing teeth and making bed . . . if they got all of that done they could watch cartoons.

Today, I walked into their room after they left for school (one child to my friend's who we trade days homeschooling on Thursdays and the other child off to public school). As I ~~partied~~ mourned their leaving, I realized they had committed the first morning offense of the year. Both of their beds were left unmade. I thought for a second and realized that they need a consequence to remind them other than nagging. Nagging only works for awhile. :) They needed a semi-natural consequence. I pondered putting fake bugs and snakes in their bed like they like to do to me, but I decided it needed to hurt their "pocketbook."

I decided to "fine" them. We use a penny jar system that we invented over a year ago to help implement some desired behaviors and ward off negative behaviors. It has really worked! It works as allowance as well as positive reinforcement. We love it. Anyway, they came home from school and I told them that I fined them today and the notice was on both of their doors. They were confused at first when observing the notice on Hansel's door, but I could tell after they realized what happened they were disturbed. Hansel, got a slight smile on his face and I like to think it is because he thinks I am pretty witty. :) Gretel, was quite perturbed and stomped off to her room to locate her fine on her door.

I have great hope that this is going to work to help them remember the details of our morning. What do you think? Have you done something similar that has worked for warding off bad habits in your home? I would love to hear.

Small Update

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:03:00 +0000

This week has been a long week. I have felt that God is allowing me to use that thing called, "patience" in a lot of areas of my life. I know that He has the best plans in mind for me though. It is just when we get our earthly minds made up about something, He has to show us who's the boss!

I'm excited about today though. Gretel is having her 8th birthday party with her friends this morning. She has planned pretty much all of it. I have just given her my credit card and my servant spirit! :) It will be fun though. We are having a luau. Her birthday isn't until the 31st, but this was a good weekend to do a friend party since school is just now kicking off.

I will make sure to update you with pictures in the next day or so. Have a great weekend!

Mom's Head Explodes

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Well, that is pretty descriptive, huh? That is what I would put as the headline at our house this week and last. I just feel this immense pressure! I think it has to do with the post I am putting up at 5 Minutes for Faith tomorrow. By the way, my computer is on the blink so I am on a borrowed one so no little cute button to follow to my post. :)

I can't imagine what all of the moms in America are doing right now. Possibly, putting these "brown nosing teacher pails" together? Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do our husbands not stay up late wondering what we are going to give the teacher the first day of school or what our kids will wear? I imagine because they have bigger fish to fry, like where will the money come from to fund all of the sporting events our kids are a part of this year.

So what are you doing at your home? Are you calm, cool and collected in the before the school rush or are our head's exploding together? I sure hope that you are the calm one!

Many blessings!

Who Let the Dog Out?

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Last night, I woke up with the image of this dog that I had to chase out of the yard on Sunday stuck in my mind. I saw the dog as I was returning from the grocery store with a ton of groceries. The dog was in the middle of the road and he looked a little bit like a pit bull. I am not a dog person so I haven’t really studied different kinds. I pulled into my driveway and gathered all of the groceries that I could possibly carry (for fewer trips to the car, can you identify?). I was walking up to the door when I realized that that dog was after one of my cats. I had three of the four cats in the yard at the time and the dog had cornered two of them. If you know me at all, I am as protective of my cats as I am of my kids. Some would say that is sad! It’s ok. J

My older Persian cat was a ball of fur sticking straight up in the air. The dog was on her tail and I did not even drop my groceries, but immediately started chasing the dog. He was not giving up. I was swinging my twenty grocery bags at his face. I chased him around the tree several times while the cat could climb up it. Then the dog went after my other cat. That cat, not being so bright, just hid behind a bush. I finally threw down my groceries (oops on the eggs) and picked up a rock and chugged it at the dog. I started swatting at it with my hands and screaming at it. My husband heard the entire ruckus and came rushing out of the house to see what I was up to now. He helped me get the dog out of the yard and let me tell you . . . . that dog was persistent. Prince Charming had to pepper the dog with rocks to get him to get away. At first, the dog thought he was playing a game and he started going after the rocks until he got nailed a couple of times.

The dog came back one other time to scare my youngest cat up a tree. The whole thing was pretty crazy. The other thing is there were several people walking down the street watching the whole scene. I am sure that they thought I was one crazy woman. And they would be right. J

As my family struggles with the flu right now I started wondering if it was an attack on my family. We were supposed to go to a family reunion in Missouri the day that our family started getting sick. Whether or not it is it reminded me that we have a very real enemy. He is much like that dog . . . persistent, focused and knows what he wants.

The Bible says that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10), but Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly. I am reminded by the realness of the enemy today. We need to be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour as it says in 1 Peter 5:8.

Not to leave you on a devastated and defeated note. Here are some verses that show who is victorious at the end of the day.

Psalm 60:12
With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Hebrews 2:14

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

In our relationship with Christ, we will have victory over that “dog” who is determined to kill, steal and destroy. He will be locked up for a thousand years and eventually he will be overcome. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37)

Much Love and Victory in Christ!

2 Cor 5:17

Menu Plan Monday - Calorie Counting Ready!

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:52:00 +0000

A little update on my family. We are fighting the flu. So far I am the only survivor. I am stating that this nice menu just might change. :)

The other thing about this menu is that I am trying to lose weight. So far, in two weeks I have lost seven pounds. I have been counting my calories. I have a hard time with "portion distortion" so counting my calories has helped a lot.

Some of my resources have been my "Lose It" App on my iphone, and a Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter book that I bought from Wal Mart. All of these recipes should please everyone. . .hopefully! :) Also, Sparkpeople has been a source of encouragement to me in giving me lots of information on watching what you eat.

Monday - Whole Chicken cooked in the crockpot all day/brown rice
Tuesday - Turkey Burgers, black beans with lime juice and cilantro
Wednesday - Prince Charming's Birthday - hmmm. still pondering
Thursday - Bratwurst and Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage for me
Friday - Apricot Glazed Chicken, fresh broccoli, brown rice

1 cup Smucker's sugar free apricot preserves
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup Smart Start
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine preserves, oj and Smart Start. Rub chicken breasts with marinade combination. Sprinkle pepper on top. Place chicken in a roasting pan. Cook for 20 minutes, basting the chicken with excess glaze every 5 minutes.

I have been reading Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser coach), Master the Metabolism and Making the Cut. This was one of the many recipes in Making the Cut.

Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - taco salad (Turkey taco salad for me)

comparison of calories that I have recently discovered:
80/20 ground beef 290 calories per 4 ounce servings
85% lean ground turkey 170 calories per 4 ounce servings (3 ounce cooked weight)

When you are on a 1174 calorie diet, every calorie counts! :) Sorry for all of the extra information, but I have had to brainwash myself to count my calories.

Have a great and blessed day!

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:50:00 +0000

I have a post up on 5 Minutes for Faith today. Check it out. I hope you are blessed!

Menu Plan Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Desiree') — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:04:00 +0000

I am on a diet and my menu reflects that, minus the cream cheese I will need to lick off the beaters today when I make the pumpkin roll. :) I am watching my calories and using my iphone to track my calories. The app is called Lose It and it is really helpful.

Monday - Small Group - making a pumpkin roll to take; eat a salad before I go!
Tuesday - Frozen Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry with Brown Rice
Wednesday - Caribbean Baked Chicken with Mango
Thursday - Breakfast for Supper - my pancakes

Banana Bread Pancakes

Higher in Protein & Fiber and lower in Fat and Carbs than regular pancakes!

INGREDIENTS
2 pouches - Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Weight Control, Banana Bread (or any type/flavor you like)
1/2 cup - Egg Beaters (or 2 eggs)
2/3 cup - Breakstone's Fat Free Cottage Cheese

DIRECTIONS
Blend in blender and then cook in a non-stick skillet sprayed with Pam over medium-medium high heat. Makes 8 medium pancakes (about 6") Turn carefully because these pancakes are very tender. May need to cook longer than 'regular' pancakes.

If not using flavored oatmeal you may wish to add a little cinnamon, sweetner and vanilla extract or other flavorings to taste. The nutritional information is based on using Egg Beaters, any substitutions will change the nutritional content.

*This recipe was originally posted by another SparkMember on the message boards.

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user ELAINEHN.

and kids pancakes and turkey sausage

Friday - Sandwiches - Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato
Saturday - Leftovers or spaghetti
Sunday - In Missouri