Being a mom....

 
I love being a Mom....even though I told my 3 1/2 year old I was changing my name. :) I waited a long time to hear that precious word "mama".  I had my first boy at age 37 and my last at 39.  They were well worth the wait.  I am amazed every day at what they can learn....sometimes that's not a good thing.  Nathan was looking at some pictures with me on the computer yesterday and said "Hey...that's my name!"  He was right!  His name was printed at the bottom of his picture.  It makes me feel better that he recognized it as a word and not just a bunch of letters.  All of our quizzing has not gone in vain!!!!  They change so much every day! 
 
Noah follows his brother around like a puppy!  He does everything that his big brother does.....also not always a good thing.  If you see Nathan, Noah is only 2 or 3 steps behind looking at his brother with adoring eyes.  Nathan has had to be mindful of some of his actions because they both get in trouble for it.  I cannot imagine being a non-believer in , Christ and trying to raise children.  I call on Him daily to help me in many different ways.  He has gotten me through many tough situations that I could not have accomplished in a good way without His love and guidance. 
 
We recently had to deal with the problem of them fighting over things.  It's not the first time, just the most physical they have been with each other.  They don't like to be disciplined.  Spanking works sometimes, but for Nathan the most effective punishment is to make him sit on his bed or just sit still somewhere.  That's not a typical pose for him.  He is in constant motion.  Noah doesn't really understand what time out means...that he's not supposed to get up.  He has decided that he doesn't like for me to make him sit for ANY length of time.  I keep praying for guidance and asking people I trust for advice.  We are trying to raise Godly boys and they show signs of learning that.  When we bow our heads to pray, they both fold their hands and close their eyes.  I can't give up teaching them and the frustrations are punctuated with little glimpses of the wonderful men they can become.  Go slow my precious babies...don't grow too fast.....I'm not ready for you to be grown up yet!

Root Beer Barbeque Beef

We had our 4X4 small group today from church.  It was my turn to cook and I couldn't figure out what would work.  I came upon this recipe at http://www.bettycrocker.com/  and it was GREAT!!!  It was worth the whole house smelling like BBQ for 2 days.  Everyone must have liked it because I had less than one cup of beef left over.  I highly recommend it.  It is super easy....come on, I made it....and not very expensive.  We had it with potato salad and green beens. Mmmmmm!  Now I did not say it was low calorie so sorry but it tasted awesome.  Good luck! 

Here is the exact link for the recipe:  http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-root-beer-barbecue-beef-sandwiches/03b7cdb3-cffb-437e-9f00-edcb707f0535?wt.dcsvid=ntewndq5mdc1nws2&rvrin=458f54cb-2790-4840-8214-e3a4d73fc5d2&wt.mc_id=newsletter_dme_02_28_2010


Slow Cooker Root Beer Barbecue Beef Sandwiches


Put three ingredients in the slow cooker and forget about it. Your family will root for this shredded roast beef!

Prep Time: 30 min
Total Time: 10 hours 30 min
Makes: 16 sandwiches

1 boneless beef rump roast (4 lb)
2 cups barbecue sauce
1 cup root beer
Dash salt and pepper, if desired
16 sandwich buns, split

1. In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, place beef. In 4-cup measuring cup or bowl, mix 1 ½ cups of the barbecue sauce and the root beer; pour over beef.

2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 10 to 12 hours.

3. About 20 minutes before serving, remove beef from slow cooker; place on large plate. Pour juices from slow cooker into 12-inch skillet. Cook over medium-high heat about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until juices are thickened and reduced to about 3 cups. Meanwhile, shred beef with 2 forks; return to slow cooker.

4. Stir remaining 1/2 cup barbecue sauce into reduced juices in skillet; pour over shredded beef in slow cooker. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Spoon about 1/2 cup beef mixture into each bun.

Nutrition Information:


1 Sandwich: Calories 290 (Calories from Fat 50); Total Fat 6g (Saturated Fat 1 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 60mg; Sodium 600mg; Total Carbohydrate 34g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 11g); Protein 26g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 2%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 8%; Iron 20% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 1 Vegetable; 3 Very Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Guitar Giveaway!!

My friend Alisa is giving away a child's guitar on her blog. http://alisa-thesweetlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/super-cool-guitar-giveaway.html  Just go to the website here and follow the instructions.  It's a nice guitar and a great opportunity for a child.  Good luck!

Busy week!

This is a crazy, busy week.  Class on Tuesday, church on Wednesday, Date Night on Thursday, Work on Friday, Valentine's dinner on Saturday.  WOW!  It would be better if Noah was sleeping OK, but he is up at least 2 to 3 times every night.  I'm hoping he is just teething again and it will go back to normal.  I can't believe I get 2 nights out with Chris this week.  That doesn't happen in a month let alone in one week.  We start projects with Nathan this week too.  He says he's ready to start "school" again.  A friend of mine gave me some wonderful Christian curriculum that she uses at her daycare. 
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm ready for warmer weather.  I love winter! I've just had enough time in the house with the boys.  They need to be able to get out and play.  This freezing cold weather doesn't get them out though.  This is just another way that church is good for them.  They have plenty of room to run around with their friends.  God will send the warmth before long.  I suspect this summer we will be wishing for winter again.  :)

Compassionate friends

I was talking with my friend Shannon today about my boys.  When Nathan gets into trouble and has to go to "time out" he cries...LOUD.  Noah cannot take this. He will go and sit in time out with his brother and cry right along with him. Although not quite as loud.  I hope their love and concern for each other doesn't wane over the years.  They fight one minute and hug each other the next.  Nathan was the same way when he was little.  Any time a baby cried in the nursery, he would sit down and cry too.  I know they don't know what their actions do to a mother's heart, but it gives me glimpses of what kind of men I hope they will grow up to be.  I think God is like that.  When we cry or we are hurting, He sits down with us and cries right along with us.  He also puts His comforting arms around us to give us strength and hope.  I need to be reminded of this.  I've been feeling a little down lately. I need to remember that God is there with me and I am never alone.  Life has been changing constantly for my family for the past few years.  I think I am ready for a little sameness, but then I might grow bored.  God knows my needs better than I do.  I just need to be patient and wait for His leading.  This has always been my favorite verse.  It is very appropriate for this time.

Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Potty Training

Well....I decided that 3 1/2 is old enough to be potty trained.  Nathan is just too busy to bother with it. He's learning that the floor is not a good option.  This is my last effort for a while.  Nothing I've tried has worked, including threats.  He is almost as stubborn as I am.  We started without pants this morning.  I had to turn the heat up but I'm hoping it will be worth it.  We've been working on this for a year.  God & I have been doing some serious talking about it.  Never thought I'd be praying for potty training to click in.
After an hour of Nathan running around sans pants, Noah decided he needed to try this too.  He pulled his diaper off and grinned at me.  I promptly took him to the potty and sat him down.  He didn't pee pee but he understands that the potty is where it's supposed to go.  He didn't like having to put his diaper back on when brother doesn't have to wear one.  I'm hoping he will be easier when his time comes.
I don't know if I'm doing this right, but I'm trying.  We've been to the bathroom every 30 minutes.  He gets frustrated with me so I took a friend's advice and had Chris bring home some M & M's to reward him when he goes.  It makes the complaining less.  I just know he will be 4 in August and I would hope he gets it by then.  Wish us luck!