mile apple pie

I just love the name of it. Jump over and find some new fun recipes
I found a new blog, have I said how much I love blogging. Honestly I stole this idea from the today show. So for Thanksgiving I decided I could do it and it turned out great.




Presented by
Mile High Apple Pie
by: Martha Stewart
INGREDIENTS
Pate Brisee
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
8 ounces (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
Mile High Apple Pie
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
Deep-Dish Pate Brisee
5 1/2 pounds firm tart apples (about 14), such as Empire or Granny Smith
Juice of 2 lemons
1 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg yolk



DIRECTIONS
Pate Brisee (makes enough for 6 double-crust 4-inch pies):

Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor until combined. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add water in a slow, steady stream until mixture just begins to hold together.

Shape dough into 2 disks. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate 1 hour to 2 days (or freeze for up to 1 month; thaw in refrigerator before using).

Mile High Apple Pie:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the smaller piece of pate brisee into a 15-inch round about 1/8-inch thick, dusting surface with flour to prevent sticking, as needed. Brush off excess flour. Roll dough around rolling pin, and place over a deep-dish 9-inch pie plate. Line plate with dough, pressing it into the corners. Trim dough to within 1 inch of the pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate.

Roll out remaining piece of dough into an 18-inch round. Transfer round to a baking sheet; cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.

Peel and core apples, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place slices in a large bowl; sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon; toss with apple slices.

Remove remaining dough from refrigerator; place apple mixture into prepared pie plate, mounding it in a tall pile. Dot filling with butter. Place dough round over the apples. Tuck edge of top dough between edge of bottom dough and rim of pan. Using your fingers, gently press both layers of dough along the edge to seal, and crimp as desired.

Using a paring knife, cut several vents in top of dough to allow steam to escape. In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk with 2 tablespoons water to make a glaze. Brush surface with egg glaze; sprinkle with sugar. Place on a baking sheet; this will catch any juices that may overflow during baking. Bake until crust is golden, about 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking until crust is golden brown and juices are bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool completely before serving

Not me Monday

There are wonderful praises at MckMamma, I encourage you to head over and read about them.
I did not make sugar cookies and then leave them for my mother in law to ice with the kids because i know it makes great memories.
i did not walk around for 2 days with a piece of metal sticking out of my foot (felt like a splinter only it was metal) because i was too scared to ask DH to help me see it
I did not use my in laws coming in town to convince my dear husband to clean out his closet because for one he would have eventually done it and they would never have looked in my closet.
i am not using last years Christmas cards this year because we did not get to mail them out.
The unit Rob is attached to is doing gift wrapping as a fundraiser and I did not volunteer to stay a extra day because I am able to set and read and relax.
I hope everyone has a great week
I did not have these conversations in my house this week:
Grace: mommy why does curly lick his butt

to clean himself
Grace: is that why we put him outside, so he can have privacy when he goes potty

yes grace, i wish I got privacy in the bathroom
Grace: no mom you do not need privacy, i need privacy but you do not
me: yes grace i would like privacy
Grace: no mom I am watching to see if poop comes out so i can take you to chucky cheese

the funny thing is that we have told her for months if she will go poopy in the potty then she can go to chuckie cheese
me: hmmmm honey i have to apologize for something, hmmmmm
DH: yes
me: HMMMMMMMM that metal dental pick on the bathroom counter
DH: yes
ME: did you use that on your teeth
DH: yes, that is what it is for
ME: hmmmmmmmmmmm i am sorry,
DH: almost laughing at me as i climb in the bed next to the best man in the world and pull the blankets almost over my head
DH: not saying anything as in he does not want to know
ME: hmmmmmm honey i am sorry, ummmmm (sounding so much like one of our children) but I found a great use for the metal dental pick (you know that horrible scraper thing they use at the dentist)
DH: what is it
ME: well you found it in the kitchen because well I used it on the mixer and the (ummmmmmm, sheets being pulled up higher and higher)
and the sink and around the sink
DH: did you use both ends
ME:HMMMMM why does that matter, but i do not know, why
DH: because at least I would have a 50/50 chance of living
ME: hiding under sheets
I love this man, he has to put up with so many things. but really guys that dental pick can really clean the little hard to get to parts of the mixer and other small appliances. do not tell rob but it works great on the cheese grater.


have a great week.

WHAT IS A DENTAL PICK USED FOR

me: hmmmm honey i have to apologize for something, hmmmmm
DH: yes
me: HMMMMMMMM that metal dental pick on the bathroom counter
DH: yes
ME: did you use that on your teeth
DH: yes, that is what it is for
ME: hmmmmmmmmmmm i am sorry,
DH: almost laughing at me as i climb in the bed next to the best man in the world and pull the blankets almost over my head
DH: not saying anything as in he does not want to know
ME: hmmmmmm honey i am sorry, ummmmm (sounding so much like one of our children) but I found a great use for the metal dental pick (you know that horrible scraper thing they use at the dentist)
DH: what is it
ME: well you found it in the kitchen because well I used it on the mixer and the (ummmmmmm, sheets being pulled up higher and higher)
and the sink and around the sink
DH: did you use both ends
ME:HMMMMM why does that matter, but i do not know, why
DH: because at least I would have a 50/50 chance of living
ME: hiding under sheets
I love this man, he has to put up with so many things. but really guys that dental pick can really clean the little hard to get to parts of the mixer and other small appliances. do not tell rob but it works great on the cheese grater.

NEXT:
Grace: mommy why does curly lick his butt

me: to clean himself
Grace: is that why we put him outside, so he can have privacy when he goes potty

ME: yes grace, i wish I got privacy in the bathroom
Grace: no mom you do not need privacy, i need privacy but you do not
me: yes grace i would like privacy
Grace: no mom I am watching to see if poop comes out so i can take you to chucky cheese

the funny thing is that we have told her for months if she will go poopy in the potty then she can go to chuckie cheese

wordless wednesday

Boy Scout camp out

This was Michael's last camp out with troop 757. He had a ball. They went camping on post. They were re creating the battle of ??????? The person who created boyscouts.Michael was blind folded and was being guided through a mind field.
This is the 2 liter rocket they made using 2 liters air and had a contest to see who could shout the target.
This is when they were building a fire to make signals
This is getting a brief before the moved onto the field
This was a casualty, he had to wait for first aid before moving

This is the end, I can not say who the winner was. Check back with me tomorrow. Sh! no one knows who it was.

how to save money

How we save money. lots of changes have happened for our family over the last year. We have started making our own bread. Even things like pizza crust which we have found we like even more. We stopped using paper towels and are using clothe napkins. we started making our own laundry soap 10 galons for less than $2. you read that right. we have started making our own hand soap and the best is the dish washer soap which we LOVE. they are discussing ways to save money on riggsfamilyblog.com. jump over and visit them

zucchini bread

I just love the name of it. Jump over and find some new fun recipes
I found a new blog, have I said how much I love blogging.

I have never made it before. A friend asked if I could and I am always up for a challange. It was honestly quite easy. My friend Becky who always comes to my baking rescue gave me her recipe.
1 1/2 cup AP flour
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 cup shredded unpeeled zucchini
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1/4 t. shredded lemon peel
1/2 cup cup chopped walnuts

Mix flour, cinnamon, soda, salt, b. powder and nutmeg.

In another bowl combine sugar, zucchini, oil, egg and lemon peel, mix
well. Add flour mixture; stir till just combined. Stir in walnuts.
Pour into greased 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pan
Bake 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes

need a laugh

Need a little smile? Just call the Nestle Crunch Hotline at 1-800-295-0051. When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile. Promise! (if you comment on this after listening, don't give away the surprise...) keep going and press 4 it gets even better...

Go on and call... you know you want to! :)

I found this on another army wives blog. stop by and check out her adoption journey.
http://www.myspecialks.com/

Not Me Monday

There are wonderful praises at MckMamma, I encourage you to head over and read about them.
What a wonderful week. So many things happened or were said at my house. I love my life and all the silly things that happen with it.
First, I did not let my son make brownies just because I wanted him to learn to cook. I also did not stay out of the kitchen while he did so. Michael was not so excited to make them that he used steak sauce instead of vanilla because he was not paying attention.
I did not leave my house the other day in a nice but dirty shirt because I always look at myself in the mirror before leaving my house. I most certainly did not then go into 2 stores knowing there was food on my shirt. ooh did I say food, surely not because I would never drop food on my shirt.
Friday night our boys went on a camp out and I enjoyed one too. I did not do this buy allowing the girls to watch movies in there room. I did not and would not go to bed with my oldest still awake only to realize they had hit the auto replay button and she stayed up until the wee hours of the night watching movie.
speaking of my oldest daughter this was not what she said to me after coming home from a children's museum.
faith: I met a boy who told me, that his heart had a hole in it until he saw me and now that he saw me it is closed but if he does not see me he will have another hole
me: WHAT and WHAT
Faith: he is going to call me, and he gave me his number it is in my pocket
me: WHAT AND DOUBLE WHAT
okay, after looking at the number I realized it was a family we knew. but still how would a 9 year old know how to talk like this.
My son turned 13 this week and we most certainly did not forget to pick up the money my MIL wired to him. It has been over a week. I know how much he is looking forward to it and I would never forget about it.
I have been on a cleaning streak recently and I am not sure if I told you but last week I most certainly did not take a metal took scraper (from the dentist) to my kitchen ade to get the little areas. I most certainly did not laugh when I saw my husband pulled out his drimmel to clean out stove. I promise our kitchen is not that dirty but I have really been into getting all the little areas.
I am a healthy mom and would never give my kids soda, my husband and I are most certainly not addicted to soda, there is not a running joke that the girls sneak and drink DH's soda. So my precious baby did not come up with a plan and then take the label off of a root beer bottle from Friday night (she would never be able to do this because I would never let 3 girls drink a whole bottle of soda) and tape it to a can of diet Pepsi in hopes that we would not catch on that she was drinking someone else's soda. And because she was so cute I most certainly did not allow her to drink that soda for breakfast.
On Saturday morning when dad was not home to make his Saturday morning pancakes I did not let the girls eat left over pizza for breakfast just because it was easy.
I have been on a cleaning organizing frenzy this week and this did not remind me that our dog should have been to the groomer a month (or 2) ago. So I made the appointment and then I did not make Robert take the dog in because I did not want the lecture. I would never do this. He then did not take a cute little red headed daughter in who would talk constantly so they would not have time to fuss at him.
This week was out last co op before the move and I was kinda emotional. Hope did not help me through it by having the best prayer request ever. Her prayer request was sincere and deep it would never be that "everyone looks cute". Not my child, my child would never say things like this.
I love our moms night out with our homeschool group. I look forward to it all week. So this month this event did not happen.
leave later than normal to get there which would make me late (and everyone knows how I get if I am late)
stop for gas and to pick up dinner
arrive at said house at 6:18, should have been there at 6pm
as soon as I pulled into the driveway (way out in the country and down a LONG driveway) I realized there was only one car and I must be in the wrong driveway.
this is not what happened when I realized I was in the wrong driveway.
I did not get out of my car to ask the strange house for directions
I did not run back to my house because there was a boxer in the driveway and he came towards me.
I did not then call DH in tears and say I do not know what to do because I can not turn around and I am in a strange driveway (please let me say the house was beautiful and completely lit up)
After rob told me to just back out of the drive way these were not some of the words that came out of my mouth
NO, I will hit there dog, what if I kill the dog, what if they come out with a gun, sobbing, please tell me what to do this dog is walking around the van, please call the police and tell them to help me, sobbing, calling a friend who should be there.
at this point I am thinking that maybe I should have pulled into the driveway across the street. the whole time I am sure DH is laughing at me or wondering if I have lost my mind.
so finally I decide that he can check my e mail to see if I have the ladies phone number because she could call her neighbors. so I try to give DH my laptop password.
My laptop password is not 2 LONG words that he could not spell. so I had to text him the words while watching this dog that in my brain could jump through locked doors (by the way the dog is NOT jumping on my van or growling or showing teeth)
To end this I will just say, my DH did not call me back and say honey you are not late you are early which explains why there was only one car in the driveway. I did not call the lady and realize I was at the right house and that the dog is so sweat that I took several chances to rub on him. I think the homeowner may have thought I was nuts when I called and asked if I was setting in her driveway.
I did not walk into moms night with a smile on my face laughing at what just happened.
Thanks for listening , I really need you ladies to let me know all the things that went crazy in your life so I do not feel like I am the only homeschooling nut.

Saturdays

I love Saturdays. The boys went camping with boyscouts last night. So this morning was a little quieter. I fed the girls left over pizza for breakfast (gulp) and if that bothers you, you may not want to read the next sentence. Grace got a can of diet pepsi and then took a wrapper off a bottle of root beer and taped it to the can. I guess she thought I would allow root beer. I love Saturdays because we do not have school or a real schedual. I decided to take advantage of it. So this is how my day went
play on computer
feed kids
play on computer
straighten kitchen
re fill all soap dispensers
clean off top of fridge-yuck i do not know where all the dust came from
clean out under the sink
play on the computer
hope straightened livingroom
faith started cleaning out van
forgot faith was going to sci quest with a friend so she had to rush to get ready
play on the computer
put away laundry
straighten my room
play on the computer
faith came home and had this to tell me
"MOM, THIS BOY TOLD ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HOLE IN HIS HEART SINCE HE SAW ME AND IT IS CLOSED NOW. BUT IF HE DOES NOT SEE ME AGAIN IT WILL COME BACK"
all i could say was WHAT????????????/
then she said
"OH, I GAVE HIM MY NUMBER AND HE IS GOING TO CALL AND I HAVE HIS NUMBER IN MY POCKET"
again I replied with WHAT????????
honestly after I saw the number I realized we know the family and have not seen them in a long time.
okay on with my day,
rob and michael came home
played on the computer
a friends kids came over
cooked dinner for tonight and tomorrow
made chocolate lava cake for dessert
straighted office and packed up all my craft stuff, the movers could come tomorrow and it would be ready
talked to kids.
ate dessert, talked to kids
straightened (well coached rob as he did) our bedroom closet
in all we got rid of 3 bags of stuff today, not bad but I would love for it to have been 6 bags
unloaded and loaded dishwasher
had kids straighten up
friend's kids left
my babies are taking a showers and then bed time for everyone including me

Have I said I love Saturdays. We have alot to do before the move and it is going to be a slow process.

co op

Today was the last day of our co op until the end of January. I have really mixed feelings. Happy because I always love the break from co op and the extra time at home. On the other hand I am so sad, so sad that his may be the last time I see several of these ladies. Sad that my children will not be taking these wonderful classes with wonderful teachers. Co op has been a wonderful source of laughter. It is educational, it is relaxing, it is fun, it is stressful, it is counseling, it is uplifting, it is interesting. I wish I could describe how my joy I feel waking every Thursday morning to go to co op. To see the other moms. To watch my kids with the other kids. I love hearing what all the kids have learned. This semester Michael took Entomology (too much bug collecting for me), Art and Presidents. Faith took American Girl, States History and art. I loved all the teachers and well prepared they were.

Veterans Day

We had lots of friends over for Veterans Day. We had a great day. In all I had a 12, 9, 7, 4,4,4,3 and 1 year old. So we colored pictures of flags and read books about soldiers. Then we went for a walk where I had them doing tricks like skipping or running or hoping, or maybe running 3 times around a tree. Honestly anything to wear them out. Then we came home and had popcorn and watched Clifford. They played dress up and any other game they could come up with. We ate hotdogs and peaches for lunch. Then everyone laid down for a rest. When they woke up we made playdough. I love making play dough with the kids. Then it was time to clean up and go home. I hope everyone had a good time.

Not me Monday

There are wonderful praises at MckMamma, I encourage you to head over and read about them.
I most certainly did not have over 300 messages in my inbox. Most of which that I have already read. I found several old not me monday list so if any of these are repeats sorry. But in my life if it happened once I am sure it happened more than once.
Okay I most certainly did not let my girls finish off half a pumpkin pie just so it would be gone and I could wash the container. That could not be good for them and I would never encourage them to over eat.
I did not hear Grace say these words "You know the things that go in your butt", talking about tampons. She would never know in what body part it comes close to.
I did not finally break down and call the repair man for my toilet that had been broken for days because Grace filled it with tampons. These kind of things do not happen to me because I never let my daughter in the bathroom with me and I always keep them out of childrens reach.
I did not take my bra off in the kitchen and put it in the trash and tell my husband that I refuse to wear one again until I get some that fit. No worries my husband just laughed and I have been wearing them. Maybe I will buy one next year. Can someone tell me why they do not make them that fit and do not cost a small fortune.
Because I eat healthy and always share with my kids I most certainly did not or do not buy myself a snack cake any time we stop at a gas station and then sneak and eat it before the kids wake up for breakfast.
I did not cancel my dentist appointment this week to avoid a thousand dollar bill. I know I need the dental work and that we are soon moving away from a dentist I truelly trust.
Hope does not request that I blog about all that she does and she most certainly is not worried that I will blog about things like the fact that she wears my socks instead of hers everyday.
I did not bake a pumpkin pie on Friday just because I wanted my house to smell good when a friend came over. I know cleaning would have been better and made things smell better.
Okay it is confession time, what silly things happened to you this week.

Hockey game

Friday night our family went to a hockey game. We had never gone. The kids had a great time. We went with friends. we went to Jasons deli for dinner first and the kids loved that. Free ice cream and peanut butter and jelly. The funniest thing at the game was that Grace freaked out when the mascot got close. For half the game she clung to robert and watched the mascot all over the stadium. But then when the game was almost over she started crying because she decided she wanted her picture taken with him. During the game I reminded her that this mascot was just like minnie mouse. She said OH NO! because minnie mouse talks.

Cancer is a gift

Cancer is a gift
Posted Nov 15, 2009 9:06am
Thank you to all of you who consistently read and make comments to me in reference to this information. One of the greatest supports when someone is ill is to know people care and are genuinely interested in what is going on in your life.

Did pinpoint that fatigue is related to low blood sugar (29 one morning)and am correcting that. Blood work not back yet. Unsure, if the oncologist got enough blood to test for the genetic marker for breast cancer BRCA 1 and 2.

I was fortunate to get in to see a dentist this week. I got my teeth cleaned and my crown put back on saving me $800 a new one would have cost me!

I told someone yesterday that I see cancer as a gift. I get to take time to evaluate what is important in my life, to nap when I wish, to eat when I wish, to communicate only with those who bring goodness to my healing, to read, to meditate, journal, to pray, to spend time with my children and grandchildren, and to do my passion which is to write.

When I am allowed to return to work I have a different vision of how I will set up my practice. I want to do more of what I was taught in my doctoral program which is more mind/body/healing connection of things and not rely on what insurance companies dictate what I can do with clients. I want to be in a location that I do not have to commit to a two year lease or more. In my ministerial work I want to be more creative, to think outside the box. For so long the church has not met the needs of our younger folks and so they just do not go. I want to know what they want and in some way meet that need.

There are so many of you who have touched my life, who let me into your deepest, darkest secrets and that is a sacred trust. I value that and want you to know that you have taught me much. Every person whether a client, a sponsee, a friend, church member, or even people who consider me their worst nightmare have helped to weave the fabric of the tapestry of my life. I am vibrant and alive and that is because all of you are my teachers.

Oh, by the way the one article I wrote is on the website now helpstartshere.org. It is about when a client's therapist has to terminate therapy abruptly. The online publication director said it will go out to the media and be translated into Spanish. The second article is the same topic but for therapists when they have to close their practice. That is at the editor now awaiting more revisions. I do not get paid for these articles, but it helps me keep my brain active and helps me feel better knowing my situation may help someone else.

My other document is still in process. When it is completed I will let you all know. It has to do with boundaries in church settings. The other writing project is the children's sermon book. I am rethinking how to make it more appealing to those who do not normally get interested in church. God has much for me to do yet.

My daughter Val and I are painting her living room/dining/kitchen area. Actually I am allowed to only paint some of the edging and trim. My energy endurance level is not up to the level I desire and she will not let me climb. Later this week the attic stairs will be installed so more of my stuff can safely be transported up to the attic (more flooring needs to be added as well)and out of her garage. Of course, she will only let me hold the ladder and she will take it up there. We are inviting anyone who does not have a place to go for Thanksgiving. So we will have a good time meeting new people. It is a tradition I have been doing since the 1970's.

So what are you doing to make a difference in the world???? Number one, you are showing care and concern for someone in need - me. I know because I can look to see who went to the website and when. I get all choked up when I read your wonderful comments. What else are you doing to make a difference? You could give some food to a homeless person standing on a corner. You could go volunteer at a soup kitchen. You could write a letter of encouragement to someone going through a hard time (besides me).

I will write again after the blood test results. Have a good Sabbath rest. Take a nap. Melanie

Updates

I have really enjoyed blogging the last several months. I almost see it as a scrapbook and since there has been no time for scrapbooking this is great. But I realize that I forget to be personal or tell you what I am thinking or what really is going on in our lives. So I thought I would give you some of my thoughts.
There is only one more week of Excalibur co op
we have one set of orders for airborne school starting in January
we have one set of orders to Fort Bragg to start in March 2010
we are the parents who are scared of telling the kids that after we get to fort bragg dad is leaving for his third tour to Iraq
I have son who turned 13 this week, how did that happen.
I set in the parking lot and told each of my kids there pregnancy-birth story this week
We went to counseling this week where the new counselor was aggravated that he can not get us in more often. It irritates me that we can not get the help we need easier.
I went to heritage girls where Hope is learning about horse and Faith is learning about dancing, does it seem like it was planned just for them.
Grace went to Mr. Frank's class and learned a song about potato chips. I so wish I knew the words to it
Took the kids to a hockey game and had a great time.
Grace was completely scared of the horse at the hockey game and clung to dad when he was close and set in his lap and pointed to him and showed us where he was. then at the end of the game she cried because she did not get her picture taken with him
I bought new red nail polish this week, and even painted my nails while playing cafe world this morning
I skipped my dentist appointment this week because I know the bill is almost a thousand dollars and I do not want this bill before a move although I know if I do not go soon it will cause more problems.
I have a new craft project I am planning on starting this afternoon.
I got my hallway closet cleaned out this week and it feels AMAZING
I am stressed about our moving and getting our house ready for the move, how many scratches need fixed and how much more should we get rid of.
I am in love with homeschooling and think I may be getting the hang of teaching 3 different grades
I love my husband and wish I treated him better and showed him my love in my ways.
I am so excited that in a couple of minutes I get to go grocery shopping.
My in laws are coming down for Thanksgiving and everyone is counting the days to see them.
Hopefully my office will get cleaned out this weekend.
Did I tell you that every Saturday morning my husband sleeps in and then gets up and makes pancakes for our family for breakfast. He is a amazing man.
I am getting overly emotional these days over crazy things like counting down how many co ops are left, I cried talking about how sick grace was last year and how wonderful she is now.

Happy Birthday Michael

I wrote this before but do not know if I posted it. Since it is his birthday I thought I would re post it
my prince michael
Michael-my first son
michael is 13 years old today. that thought in itself is scary to me. I remember when we decided we were going to start having kids. it was way before we were married, we knew we wanted kids. so after being married six months we still were not pregnant. rob decided to go from reservist to active duty. we were on our way to our first duty station when I realized I was late and went to a free clinic to have a test. we could not wait to tell everyone. we moved to our new home knowing we would have our first child in November. we were so broke but so did not know it. I remember the day we went to find out what we were having it was a Saturday morning and when we showed up they were confused. there was a mistake and they had made our appointment on a Saturday. we had decided not to call anyone until we got home because we did not want to spend the money on a pay phone. we also knew we could not go out and buy anything. when the lady said it was a boy I thought rob was going to go through the roof. then he told everyone in the hallway. I am sure they thought he was nuts. then he went home and pulled out a bunch of his beloved tools and took them to the pawn shop and sold them so he could go out and buy boy stuff.
November 12, I was almost 2 weeks over due when I started having contractions. after a early morning appointment that confirmed I was in labor we went home. I stayed home until late that afternoon. you were born at 9:51pm with some wonderful prayer warriors in the room which was very needed. Michael was born and was not breathing. it is a site I will never forget, the doctor had you in the corner and was working on you and screaming about something before he throw the thing across the room. they rushed you to the NICU and dad went with you. I remember him coming back and instead of telling me how you were he told me you looked just like him. he was instantly in love. then a couple of days later we were in a class about caring for your baby. they said never to shake your baby, well your daddy said "why would you shake your baby, I like my things stirred not shaken". I did not think they would let you leave the hospital with us.
Michael, you mean the world to us. you are your daddy's fishing buddy, his camping buddy. you have been with me through some of the toughest times in my life. you were there to hold and snuggle with and make me smile when I lost my brother. you were there with me during every deployment. I remember one time I was re arranging the livingroom and tried move something and fell and scraped my back and leg. I was setting in the floor crying when you came over with no shirt on and pulled the skin on your stomach and tried to dry my tears with it. that is the Michael I know and the Michael I hope the world can see. you are a sweat hearted compassionate boy. you have a heart for those who are hurt or for those who have a disability and I hope that never changes. there are days I get so upset because you are arguing with your sisters and the next moment you are picking them up and comforting them. you are so smart and one day I hope you realize that. I love the way everything is black and white with you. I love your dreams for the future and I hope it does not change. you are getting so tall, it will not be long and I will be looking up at you. I love the way that makes you feel. the way everyday you measure us to see if you are taller. I love the way you look at me when you want to snuggle but think your too big or the way you still need me when you are hurt.
okay so this turned into a letter for Michael instead of about Michael but it lets you know what he is like. i forgot to mention michael is enjoying boyscouts this year. he spent alot of time with dad seling popcorn and won a trip to disney for his family. he also played soccer this year and enjoyed it.

not me monday

This week I ask you to take a look at MckMamma's blog to see how you can pray for this beautiful family. This is going to be a long week for them.
We have had a wonderful week. This morning I did not bribe my dear daughter with a piece of candy if she would take the wipes to daddy and ask him to change her because I did not want to. I would never wake my husband up just to change our daughter.
I did not get excited because I taught my daughter to urinate in a stable when we were visiting horses this weekend. I think this is gross and would never encourage it.
Because my husband is a hard working man I would never try to sneak to bed early on family night without him noticing.
I most certainly did not throw a load of clothes of laundry back in the dryer just so it would look like I had put away all the laundry, I would never do this because I am always on top of things and put my laundry away.
okay you are not allowed to laugh or judge me on the next ones. I most certainly after baking for 2 weeks go to the bathroom and pull out a new metal tooth scraper (like they use at the dentist)and clean all the little parts of my kitchen aide mixer. I would never waste a dental tool and my appliances definitely never get dirty enough to need such drastic measures. I also did not use my melon baler to clean out the pumpkin because it had sharp edges and I was too lazy to put real work into it.
I also did not say excuse me and then pull a piece of Carmel corn off a strange mans butt this week. I honestly have no clue why this bothered me so much and why I thought this would be my business.
Because I love my children and we had been in the car for a hour I would never have stopped and bought myself a mountain dew slushy and nothing for my crying kids. I also would never buy said slushy for 2 or 3 days in a row.
Thank you for reading my blog and for laughing with me. I would love to hear about all of your mishaps this week

pumpkin bread

For the first time ever I have cut and cooked pumpkin instead of using canned pumpkin. I tried my friend melly's www.proverbs31homemaking.com
the second is from allrecipes and the third is my friend angies.
Angies is Angie Allen Clark November 3 at 7:54am
3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
2 c. pumpkin (1-15 oz can)

dissolve baking soda in a few drops of water

cook on 350 for 1 hr
makes approx 3 loaves

(you can freeze the bread too)
good luck!

we actually enjoyed all three. i think i have made about 15 loaves this week. next we are making pumpkin pie.
the bread that is collapsed is because i forgot to add pumpkin. i know i think i have lost it, who would forget pumpkin in pumpkin bread

horse farm

Today we went to a friends horse farm to learn about horses for American Heritage girls. I knew Hope would love it but I loved it. there is something about open air and horses that is relaxing.