Homeschool Mothers Journal

In my life this week…we got the baby registered into the Army or DEERS, which means he officially has insurance. It seems like it took forever.
In our homeschool this week…Algebra kicked my backside. So grateful that our curriculum gives step by step directions
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…take a step back and look at the whole picture. And if a child is not doing well in one area it does NOT mean you are failure all the way around.
I am inspired by…my son. This week I was in tears crying to a friend about how horrible I am at everything. A minute later I walked into the kitchen and found my son leading morning devotions without being asked.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We just came home from a marriage retreat that I cannot wait to tell you about.
My favorite thing this week was… sad but refreshing. I was gone Wednesday night having dinner with a friend and last night I had a meeting which means I missed 2 bedtimes. Last night at 11pm we heard tears. My hero went into the boy’s room and Tom was crying. He said he missed me and wanted me. So my hero brought him to my room. I just snuggled him and assured him that I am always here and will be here when he wakes up. Oh this boy tugs at my heart.
What’s working/not working for us…Devotions, I see such a difference when we are not starting our day with devotions.
Questions/thoughts I have…will I ever have a dusted house and clean bathrooms again.
Things I’m working on…We went through the girl’s closet last weekend. Now I need to take all the pillow case dresses they do not like anymore and turn them into skirts.
I’m reading…Praying God’s Word. It is really opening my eyes.
I’m cooking…macadamia nut with white chocolate chip cookies for my husband. Sadly I did not know this was his favorite food until this weekend.
I’m grateful for…my hero who gets up every morning and goes to work and then comes home and takes care of his family.
I’m praying for…a high school friend who was injured in Afghanistan this week.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…



Pamela

Feeling Beachie

This week’s statements:
1. _Mountain Dew___always tastes better__ice cold out of the back of the fridge. ___
2. I predominately read _Beverly Lewis or Karen Kingsbury books. ____
3. I have brand loyalty to __Pepsi__________ and _you will never find a Coke product in my house.___________
4. When I feel sad, I like to _turn my praise music as high as I can and sing like no one is listening. __
Pamela

Mil Spouse Fill in the blank

1. I always feel like I’m 18 years old, but in reality, I’m older than dirt.
2. I wish my family understood better when I tell them that I can handle more children and that children are a blessing. That I know my husband is deployed (when he is) but I cannot collapse on the floor in a sob.
3. If you saw me when I dressed for the formal, you’d think I was a total girly-girl, but if you saw me when I am in my house day in and day out, you’d think I was a tomboy through-and-through.
4. I feel like I’m in a totally different universe when I drive on post and see soldiers marching with weapons. I feel like I am in a foreign country.
5. In honor of this being MFF #60… 60 months ago (exactly 5 years ago, so September 30, 2006) I lived in Huntsville AL and my life was totally different because My baby girl was turning 1 years old and not a big 6 year old.
Pamela
Want to link up and find other military spouses, head over to Wife of a Sailor.

5 Question Friday

1. Do you apologize to your kids if you're wrong? Oh man all the time. Sometimes in tears.

2. Do you have a class ring, letterman's jacket, or similar obscenely priced high school "must have"? Nope, nothing. My husband has a class ring and I think he even had the jacket.

3. If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would you choose? Early 30’s healthy with energy and happy.

4. What is your favorite (unused) baby name? Hannah Joy. If we ever are blessed with another girl she will be called Joy. I love Mercy too but do not know that I would use it. I also love Noah. My favorite is Jeremiah. We used it but no one knows because sadly that blessing did not make it into the world.

5. If you could make your child like something what would it be? Music, my son can stand music and is annoyed with any thoughts of music. Oh to let him hear some praise and worship music. I would love for my children to love to read too.
Pamela

My computer got a facelift and the wrinkles are gone. Sadly my list of favorites are gone too. I am so sad (and a little angry). Please leave me your blog name so I can find you again.
Pamela

Any guesses?

Did you know you could find me on facebook under Troop Petrie? I know I should figure out how to make a like button. If you follow me on facebook you will know what this is?

Not me Monday

1 I did not buy lollipops to feed to the kids on the way home from the store so they would stay awake and not fall asleep. Not me, because sugar is bad for kids and makes them hyper.
2. I did not smile inside when I saw my son talking to a girl. Not me because we have said that our children to not date.
3.it was not me the crazy organized packer who unpacks suitcases into the dresser in hotels who did not pack enough diapers. It was not me who insisted on stopping at the first drug store to buy a bag of diapers just to make sure we had one for the drive home. Not me because I did not know if we would need it (we did not by the way) and we have 3 cases at home.
4. it was not me who smashed my Iphone in the back of my van and now cannot check my e-mail like I should and totally missed two wonderful bloggy oppurtunities. Not me because I have not had good oppurtunities in a while.
5. it was not me who wanted to take my son on our date during our marriage retreat. Not me because I know that it has been months and will be months since we have another date.
6. It was not me who grabbed my husbands survey at the end of the retreat and answered two of the questions for him. Not me because I know he knows how to fill out a survey.
7. it was not me who forgot to pray for our marriage retreat and then wondered why we spent the first day arguing over stupid stuff.

Feeling Beachie

This week’s statements:
1. When I was little, all I wanted was a __daddy.___
2. I always want to love to _excercise___ but no matter how hard I try, I don’t.
3. The ____truth_______________ of it all was that ____I am in love with my blessings and cannot get enough of them__________________
4. The mist around the mountains makes me feel safe and secure.
Pamela
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Mil Spouse Fill in the blank

1. My favorite thing that happened this week was watching my husband get promoted. He deserves it. He is officially a Chief.
2. Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll be washing your hands and worrying what you caught.
3. Autumn is officially here and my favorite part of the season is the colors and the fact that my blessings can go outside and play all day long without sunblock.
4. One of the things I’d like to do before winter arrives is to clean out our attic and garage. Bake all day every day because it will help heat up the house.
5. I would so be willing to participate in MilSpouse Secret Santa
Pamela

Fill in the blank Friday

1. The best thing I did all week was keep my laundry caught up so I can pack for our weekend getaway.
2. Cool air make me super happy.

3. Pets are stinky, expensive, fun and cuddly and keep my children occupied .

4. My God is the best thing about my life.

5. With the cooler weather I am looking forward to evening walks, baking without it heating up the house.

6. Something that's on my "wish list" right now is a pair of knee boots. I have only found one pair and oops they got thrown away in a hotel. It is not fair because it is hard to find decent boots for a size 11 foot. .
7. This weekend I am going to take lots of classes about marriage, go on a date with my husband and son. Be in a car with 6 kids for 8 hours.

Pamela

Homeschool Mothers Journal

In my life this week…We finally received the court paperwork for Jerry. It does not change anything but until we had the paper in hand we could not enroll him in DEERS. I cannot wait to have him on insurance.
In our homeschool this week…we had our first science lab. All I saw was sugar being burned and ammonia. The smell was horrible.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Do not wait until the last minute to find things for your science lab or your husband may come up with his own ideas.
I am inspired by…a older couple in my church who I get to talk to every Wednesday night. They study the Bible together. It is so neat to see them together.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…Myrtle Beach for a marriage retreat. Can you imagine, hours setting next to my hero. I am so excited.
My favorite thing this week was…my husband finding a AMAZING double stroller for $65. He found it at the thrift shop. It looks brand new. We needed it more than I can say.
What’s working/not working for us…the new double stroller.
Questions/thoughts I have… how am I suppose to teach my son Spanish when I do not understand it myself.
Things I’m working on…keeping us on our schedule. Things seem to run more smoothly and we get so much more done.
I’m reading…Shepherding a Childs heart. I am hoping to get more into it this weekend.
I’m cooking…chocolate/pumpkin cake and would you believe I did not get a picture of it. SHOOT, I just realized that.
I’m grateful for…the Army, who is paying for our weekend getaway. I cannot wait to get away and relax. I know it will be crazy busy and hard having 6 kids in one hotel room.
I’m praying for…a precious baby I met recently who has a brain tumor. I look at her chubby cheeks and think how beautiful she is and then I hear her mom give a update and struggle not to cry. Praying for this precious baby and her family.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…


Pamela

5 Question Friday

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic. I would love to own a bed and breakfast on a big farm. I would love to work with my husband full time.

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other? Rarely, I am so weird. I honestly do not even like to talk about it.

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it? To Germany 8 weeks after my first son was born. We lived there for 3 years and LOVED it. I would love to go back.

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a kid? We use to do big birthday parties. Now it is just family and maybe a friend or two.

5. Fave thing about fall? The colors, the smells. Making pumpkin everything. The cool air, it wakes me up and gives me energy.
Pamela

Seriously

Seriously- they are not accepting red heads anymore in sperm banks. I am sorry but that was hilarious.
Seriously, you had my friend and had her take her autistic daughter to the ER for a bump on the head.
Seriously, you accused her of child abuse because of a bump on the head
Seriously, in your face that that crazy bump that made you strip her daughter down to her panties so you could look for other signs of abuse was JUST A SPIDER BITE.
Seriously, I would have lost it if that would have been my daughter
Seriously, if your employee “Ashley” calls here and ask for my husband with a teenage voice as if you know him personally AGAIN I am going to climb through the phone and ring her neck.
Seriously, Jesus died on the cross for me, ME who is constantly doing wrong. This still amazes me daily.
Seriously, we are going to have the best weekend at the beach. I am so excited to get away for the weekend.
Seriously, If someone does not help me decorate my daughters room I may cry, it is driving me batty.
Seriously will I ever be able to quilt again. I have all the fabric but just need the time to do it.
Pamela

Teaching the boy to sword fight

Having toddlers is more fun than I remember. Rob was teaching Tom to sword fight. Every two minutes he would stop him and show him how to hold the sword. Then he finally picked him up and helped him. He was not going to let the girls win in a sword fight. I love these boys.

Mondays

I am combining a couple of things this week. Miscellany Monday and Not me Monday.
This was a great week. My husband got promoted to Warrant Officer 2 which is HUGE, MEGA, AMAZING, WONDERFUL.
So I:
1. Did not find my diva cup right where it should be in my bathroom closet, after looking for it for 2 months. Not me.
2. They did not decide to leave my children standing in the middle of the room while everyone else stood around the room during his promotion ceremony, as if they were on display.
3. I did not notice that there is a hair on the back of my leg that is probably 3 inches long. SERIOUSLY, how do I always forget that spot.
4. It was not me left half a gallon of milk on the counter all night after fussing at her children for leaving food out.
5. It was also not me who also left my last 8 cups of pumpkin on the stove all night, which means I am being wasteful again.
6. It is also not me who started cooking things several times this week to only realize I did NOT turn on the stove. I so need a new brain.
7. I did not smile a little more than needed when I realized my son got urinated while caring for a friend’s 5 year old. He is so funny about such things that this was comical because he did not totally lose it.
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Pamela

Big Boys

Tonight Michael asked his daddy for a piggy back ride. Of course my husband said yes. It took forever to get him on his back. Michael refused to give dad a piggy back ride in return. This is where I should tell you that my son is over 6 foot tall. I knew that once they started it would turn into a wrestling match. I love watching them wrestle together. My boy is growing up so fast.

Pamela

Feeling Beachie

1. _Oranges are my favorite fruit
2. I know it sounds silly but, I can’t stand _back ground noise, I have 2 children doing school on the computer plus 5 others running around and the noise drives me batty.
3. The sight _____ of __overalls________ remind me of __the time I spent with my dad. _____.
4. I have to _go potty___________ before _I leave my bedroom or who___ knows _if I will be able to make it to the hallway bathroom.________.
Pamela

Mil Spouse fill in Friday

1. Right now, our weather 58 degrees but what I’d really like is just like this but sunny, this is the best weather ever.
2. Sometimes I like to let my hair down forgot about responsibilities and just play my music loud and take pictures and not care if someone notices there are toys on the floor.
3. Mommy Rambles made a post about heroes… my hero my husband. I know it sounds crazy and our marriage is not perfect. But the fact that this man works 12+ hour days and then comes home and helps is amazing. The fact that he deploys to Iraq although he has been there before and knows what he is walking into is amazing. I just cannot imagine what he has seen and done and it inspires me to not give up.
4. It’s a weird combination, but I swear French fries and a chocolate milk shake are a perfect pair!
5. Some may see the glass half empty and others may see it half full, but I say pour another glass and see if it comes out better.

Homeschool Journal

In my life this week…My husbands promotion, it is happening in 8 hours. I should so be up making cupcakes and showering kids.
In our homeschool this week…My daughter had 2 good days of reading. I think I need to keep working hard and we will get there.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Do not listen to what everyone else is doing and accomplishing. I often am over whelmed with what my friends can get done. I wonder how many days are in there day.
I am inspired by…my husband. He leaves for work by 5am and comes home after 5pm. And every night he helps with our blessings and dinner.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…7 days from now we will be heading to a marriage/family retreat. I am so excited for time away.
My favorite thing this week was…watching my husband teach Tom how to sword fight, I have not heard him laugh this loud in a long time.
What’s working/not working for us…somehow my 5 year old is not getting chores done like she should. I need to really take the time to watch her more closely.
Questions/thoughts I have…Would It be okay if I had my kids wear the same clothes everyday for a week and not shower so I do not have to work on laundry.
Things I’m working on…Cupcakes this morning for my hero’s promotion. We ordered a cake but decided to make cupcakes to make sure we have plenty. We ordered the cake because he wanted a special picture put on the top of it.
I’m reading…Shepherding a Childs heart.
I’m cooking…beef tips in the crock pot today so we do not have to worry about it this evening.
I’m grateful for…my hero who is willing to start taking financial peace with me.
I’m praying for…my children, for my husband and for my family.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Pamela

5 Question Friday

1. If you had a weekly newspaper column, what would you name it? Random acts of craziness at Trooppetrie’s house

2. Who is your mentor/inspiration? Several people in my life. No one is playing a strong roll right now. It seems weird but I always have someone who is my mentor and right now it is not there.

3. What is your wake up beverage of choice? The green juice, you know the kind that makes you lose your teeth and jittery. The kind that comes in a can and has the letters MD in it.

4. Would you wear your mom's clothes? Nope, she is about a million inches shorter than me. But, I have seen some of my friends moms and I so would borrow their clothes.

5. When you were a kid, did you put posters on your wall? If so, what were they of? Nope, not that I can remember. I have never really loved anything. I mean I like lots of groups but do not remember anything specific. I am calling my mom to ask her if I had posters and just do not remember.
Pamela

IPHONE destroyed

The other day I took the kids to the park. Something I do not do often. After we were there about 20 minutes I asked Hope to go get my cell phone. She said mom it is not here. I told her to look in the back. She then yelled in front of everyone. Mom your cell phone is broke. I said okay no problem. She said no mom it is broke as in stuck in the door broke. I had set it on the back of the suburban and then slammed the door shut on it. The crazy thing is that the otter box was not destroyed just the actual IPHONE screen.

Not me Monday

Not me Monday, oh how have I missed you. Because it has been so hard to keep up my perfect life. Okay so it was not me who: 1. lost her diva cup 2. It is not me who is scared of where my diva cup will show up 3. It is not me who fusses at her children for being wasteful and leaving things like the milk out and then leaves the milk out 4. It is not me who changed the sheets on her bed and cleaned her room so she could enjoy her bed alone on Friday night because I surely do not enjoy sleeping alone. 5. It is not me who is stressing because the kids all need hair cuts before my hero’s promotion ceremony on Friday. 6. It is not me who did not do her quiet bible time this morning because she was looking at everyone’s facebook status. 7. It is not me who was scared to do Financial Peace because I know he will tell me NOT to eat at anymore and I love eating out. 8. It is not me who is thrilled to have not me back so I can tell the world all my wonky behaviors.
Thanks MckMama,
Pamela

Friend Making Monday

1. What are your talents? I organize and organize and love to organize. I love to take care of babies.
2. What is your best habit? I tell my children I love them daily.
3. If you had to be stuck with someone in an elevator for 8 hours, who would you want it to be? My son, he is growing up so fast. I need time to just be with him without video games.
4. Share one odd fact about you that we’d never know to ask. I have keloid scars. So when you get a scratch it heals and is gone. When I get a scratch there is a good chance that it is going to leave a raised scar
5. What’s your latest project (work, home, whatever you care to share)? I am determined to get my daughters room in some type of order. While it does not normally look this bad it is hard to decorate. This is a Monday morning after not cleaning up on Sunday. It still has the border from when it was Michael’s room. I do not like the layout. It is a good size room but with 3 little girls it needs some real help. But it needs to be help that can be moved in a couple of years.
6. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? Hmm, I would like to go back to the weight I was 10 years ago.
7. What do you do in your spare time? What is spare time, I sleep, I blog.
8. What is your biggest pet peeve? People correcting me about silly things. It seems like recently everyone has a way of telling me how to do things better. I can take helpful hints but it seems like daily I am getting advice.
9. Why do you blog? It is a way express myself, to get things off my chance. It is my personal online scrapbook and journal.
10. Are you tidy or messy? I want to be tidy and several times a day my house is tidy. But you know as soon as someone knocks on the door the house looks like it has not been clean in days. Really my goal is tidy and not clean. I can straighten up in a couple of hours.
11. What’s the last song that played on your iPod? Be glorified by Ron Kenoly
12. Do you cook? If so, what’s for dinner tonight? I love to cook, I am making chicken fried steak. I have not made it for years.

13. Do you like sports? If so, list your teams. We do not like sports. My husband likes to play all sports but he does not like to watch it.
14. How often do you read and/or watch the news? I watch the first couple of minutes of the Today show while the kids are waking up.
15. Did you stick to your new Year’s resolution this year? I stopped making them because I do not want the stress of not keeping them
16. What are you looking forward to most in the remainder of 2011? Our family retreat to Myrtle Beach
17. Shoes, sunglasses or handbags? I have to have them all. Seriously I wear sunglasses even when it is raining.
18. How do you feel about sleeping on satin sheets? The cooler the better. I love to be cold when I sleep
19. Do you sing in the shower? If I have my Ipod going, if not I am thinking of everything else. I swear I need a water proof notebook in there.
20. Describe yourself in one word. Changing
Pamela

Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It is breathable, it is nice to be outside and feel the cool air again. It is currently 66 degrees. If only it would stay that way. I do see it is going to be 90 degrees tomorrow. That is crazy.



Things that make me happy: My children praying. Even the 2 year old that visits my house during the day has begun to pray. It is the most precious thing in the world


Book I'm reading:
Prayers that Avail much for women. I have had it for a while but just re found it.


What's on my TV today:
NOTHING, I have been keeping it turned off more and more. It is too distracting to keep it on.


On the menu for dinner:
country fried steak, I have not made it in years so this should be interesting.


On my To Do List:
Put away laundry, normal school stuff. Make a real grocery list. 2 dental appointments, a doctor’s appointment, a promotion ceremony, Scouts, PWOC, Small group on Wednesday and AWANA, it has all started and I am ready to go.


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

Pumpkin Scones, I am determined to make them this week.


In the craft basket:
It is shut down, closed, not available to be looked at. Unless you consider the fact that I will somehow be decorating a reception table for my husband’s promotion.


Looking forward to this week:
My hero get’s promoted on Friday, he so deserves this.


Tips and Tricks:
I have started keeping a bucket of water with my laundry soap in it on the kitchen counter right next to the laundry room. That way when I take the babies clothes off of him I can put it right in there to pre soak. We do laundry daily so it is not setting there long and it helps get out all the stains we forget about.


My favorite blog post this week:
Pray for me Monday, Look who is linking up with her.

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Jeub Family, I loved watching there show but never dreamed to look to see if they had a blog.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):





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Lesson learned the past few days:
That PWOC is going to be fun. That I may even enjoy it and I need to go a couple more weeks. That my older children can get some work done without me while I am gone.


On my mind:
So much. Last night we let my son watch 102 minutes. He is 14 and has been through 7 deployments with dad. I walked in and asked him what he thought about it. Then I said do you think differently about your dad deploying. Then I asked him if he thought it was hard for daddy to deploy. He said “no mom dad has JOY”. JOY, Jesus first, Others next, Yourself last. WOW, that is awesome to hear. I worry so often that the deployments will change who my children are.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: Plillipians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold

Miscellany Monday

1. It is hard to set here and write tonight as I watch more documentaries of Sept. 11th.
2. It is hard to watch because I know where my brain was that day.
3. Today I found out that my daughters along with other friends thought the confessional at our church was a secret hiding spot. We go to a Army Chapel so we share it with the Catholic congregation.
4. Tonight was the first class for our financial peace class. It was better than I thought. For some reason I expected him to be mean.
5. Tonight my blessings started AWANA, they all seemed to enjoy it. Grace was upset, she said she feels bad because they played dodge ball and she has never played dodge ball and she was not good at it.
6. This week my husband will be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2.
7. This week 2 of my children have dental cleaning. UGG, I just see paychecks being handed over.
8. My boys had a boyscout campout this weekend and had a wonderful time.
9. In case I have not said it before I love my husband. I respect him and am so grateful that God has given him the strength to climb on that plane every time he is told to serve his country. Without hesitation. I am thankful for the way he holds me for days before he leaves and assures me that I will be okay.

Pamela
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September 11

My thoughts on September 11th. I know everyone says I know where I was that morning. I do. I was driving to bible study that morning when it came over the radio that it had happened. All of us arrive at Bible study and no one truly believes this is what has happened. I remember for a brief time I stayed in the nursery with the kids until everyone caught on to what had just happened. My husband was away at school for the Army. I do not remember the school. My first thought was, oh no, what does this mean for my family, will my hero be able to come home before he deploys. I often feel guilt for those feelings. I often feel I should have been worried more about what was happening to my country. Please understand I was, I really was. But I was also worried about my family and how this would affect us. I knew that this meant my husband would be deployed to someone rather quickly.
I had a friend who did not have cable. As soon as I left the church to go home a friend called and asked if she could come over watch the news. So the rest of the day we sat in front of the TV watching the news. It seemed so unreal, honestly it still does.
I did hear from my hero but only for a moment. Long enough for him to tell me he knew nothing more than I did and he was not allowed to talk about anything.
My hero did deploy a month later. I feel like that day rocked my world as a military spouse. My hero had deployed to Albania, Bosnia and Kosovo but they were just deployments. I accepted them as part of life. But this deployment seemed real. This deployment is when I learned to fear that I may one day be a single mom, that my husband may not come home.
To this day I still feel pride for our soldiers who are doing all they can to keep up safe. Not only our soldiers but our EMT workers and our police officers and fire fighters. I think sometimes we forget about them. We forget that daily they put their lives on the line for us.
Do you remember where you were that morning? Do you remember what your thoughts were? How has this changed your day to day life?
Pamela

Orange cupcakes

My hero had a four day weekend for Labor Day and we took full advantage of it. We went to the beach and played in the water. I have never seen the waves so big at this beach. Walking through the water was almost painful because of the shells. That did not stop the kids from running and playing. Even Michael who does not like the beach was having a great time.
I saw a recipe for cupcakes made inside of orange peelings on a blog. I forgot the name of the blog. So I just winged it. They baked well and came out cute. I used store bought chocolate frosting but added orange flavoring to it. I think this would be a great idea for fall decorations.

Prayer

Pray for me Monday is coming back and I am thrilled. For several weeks I have gone back to Home Grown Families looking forward to pray for me Monday. I love that there is a place to join together to pray for one another.
This is what I wrote for her blog: I was recently contacted by Tiffany about starting pray for me Monday again. I was thrilled. It was the one time of the week I felt like I was more open with my blog readers.
Prayer is powerful. I feel we too often forget to go to our knees in our time of need. Please know I do not feel you have to literally hit your knees. But if you have not before then try it. I think it brings you to a different place. I am less distracted when I am on my knees. If my children walk in and see me on my knees there is no guessing what I am doing.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word
I am very cautious to not tell someone that I will pray for them unless I mean it. So if I say I will pray then I will pray. Too many times in my life I have only been able to breathe because I know that others are on their knees for me when I cannot be. While most people have a hard time praying during the good times and find it easier when things are bad, I am the opposite. When my daughter was sick, when I thought my son would never be the same, when my husband was deployed and I made the mistake of watching the news I could not bring myself to pray. I did not know how, I did not know what to say. But I knew that there was a group of people praying for me.
So what does this have to do with Pray for me Monday? We want PFMM (Pray for me Monday) to be away of really praying for one another. A way for us to keep up with your prayer request. Our goal is to have a contact form but for now I ask you to link up and leave a comment. I would love it if you not only link up your prayer request but you keep us updated on them so that we will know how to pray. 1 Thes. 5:17 pray without ceasing
let’s start with what is prayer. Wikipedia says Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to God or spirit through deliberate practice.
That is exactly it. Prayer does not come naturally to everyone. I remember setting in a counseling session one day and struggling with praying. The counselor finally stopped and set a chair on top of the table and said “okay imagine God is setting in that chair and talk to him”. It changed my way of thinking. I no longer thought of it as a chore or as something formal. But as something peaceful, something I looked forward to. You know when you talk to that friend you have not talked to in weeks. It is that feeling.
I encourage you to head over to Home Grown Families and let’s encourage one another.
Pamela

Pumpkin Biscuits and Syrup

I have really enjoyed cutting up, cooking and freezing pumpkin this week. I may end up giving away part of it before we move but it looks beautiful in the freezer. I wish pumpkin was something that canned well and I wish I knew how to can. To date I think I have made 15 loaves of pumpkin bread. okay, I am off topic. Here is the recipe, just for crystal who reminded me I had it a month ago.
Pumpkin Biscuits
2.5 cup all purpose baking mix (bisquick)
1/3 cup dry milk (can someone tell me how to buy this cheaper)
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup pumpkin
1 T water
1 1/4 pumpkin spice
Preheat 435
COMBINE baking mix, dry milk, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in medium bowl. Stir in pumpkin and water until just moistened
KNEAD dough 10 times on lightly floured surface. roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. cut into 12 biscuits. place on ungreased baking sheet 2 inches apart.
BAKE 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. spoon sauce over

Pumpkin maple syrup
mix 1 cup pumpkin, 1 cup maple syrup (pancake syrup), 1/4 t cinnamon in saucepan until warm

MY NOTES:
love it but a little pricey because of the milk
I did not roll out my biscuits, just used the large pampered chef scoop and did drop biscuits.
I also doubled both recipes and it was great.
The biscuits did seem a little moist when being dropped on baking stone but they cooked perfectly
Pamela

Help

HELP
Conversation #1
Faith: what show should we watch for girl’s night?
Grace: soul surfer (she has watched it a ton and cries every time)
Faith: Soul surfer is not a girl movie
Grace: HELLO boys without shirts
Conversation #2
Grace walked outside to tell daddy good bye. I noticed he was glaring at her. I asked if it was because she was outside in a swim suit. He said NO, LOOK. She had stuffed her shirt so she would have breast.
Conversation #3
Grace: Mom
Me: yes Grace
Mom: why can’t I have big breast now
HELP ME!!!
UPDATE:
And if that was not funny enough today I decided to let the girls stay up and have girl’s night since the boys are camping tonight. So I put popcorn in the oven and pop one bag. Then I put in the next bag and turn around to start dishes. All the sudden Hope said mom, mom, MOM. I turned around and noticed black smoke filling the kitchen. The next bag of popcorn was a mini bag and was completely black. OOPS!! Now how do I get the burnt smell out of my microwave?
Pamela

Fill in the blank Friday

1. Somewhere someone is hurting and I need to pray for them.
2. Bloggers is/are my muse.

3. It would suck if mountain dew was no more because, I have been addicted to the green juice for half my life .

4. It’s Friday and I have nothing to do tomorrow is/are my favorite thing about today.

5. Life is kind of like a box of chocolates, every day you bite into a new flavor .

6. If I could have anything I wanted I would want my husband to be able to afford to retire right now and us enjoy being together. .
7. A funny thing happened the other day... I keep a 2 year old during the week. I obviously change her several times a day. The other day I was changing her and Tom came up and looked at her (I had no idea where he was looking) and said “where’s your pee”. She had no idea what he was talking about. It made me giggle that after being here 12 weeks he just noticed. She is now changed in my room.

Pamela

Homeschool Journal

In my life this week… My husband was on lock down for 36 hours, lots of where is daddy and I miss daddy.
In our homeschool this week…my son helped my daughter with Math, was not told to just did, I almost cried.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Make a schedule even if you cannot follow it perfectly, make a schedule so your kids know what is expected when you are not right there.
I am inspired by…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…to Myrtle Beach for a family/marriage retreat. I am so excited to get away.
My favorite thing this week was…My hero calling and saying he was on his way home
What’s working/not working for us…My afternoons, that is when I plan to work with my 2 middle children while the youngest 2 take naps but by nap time I am toast and am not having the motivation I need. I am doing it but do not think they are getting my all and all.
Questions/thoughts I have…Nothing this week
Things I’m working on…I am hoping to take Saturday and work on some sewing. I am turning all Hope’s pillow case dresses into skirts for Grace. They do not love the pillow case dresses anymore.
I’m reading…I picked up So Long Insecurities yesterday for about the fifth time. I just can never seem to get into it. Great book I just am not taking the time I need
I’m cooking…pumpkin pudding for the fun of it, I love all things pumpkin
I’m grateful for…Our boyscout Troop, they have really taken my son under their wings and been amazing to him.
I’m praying for…a friend who is 21 weeks pregnant and having some issues. She is on bedrest right now and I know how hard that can be. She has four other little ones. Praying for this blessing to stay put and grow. Praying mom has all the help she needs to stay in one spot so baby can grow, praying for dad because after being in the hospital on bedrest for 5 weeks I understand the strain it puts on dad.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
This is Grace wearing little boy 3T clothes.
Pam