Thanksgiving..Yes I posted recipes

It is the day before another national holiday. Families are traveling to see one another, friends who are close by are swapping recipes and at times listening as the other bemoans the cooking and cleaning to come. There is a lot that can be misplaced on this auspicious day. As a nation we give thanks for our freedoms. We think of the Pilgrims who crossed an ocean to escape persecution and start a new world where they could worship without someone telling them when or how. We think of the American Indians who were here before the English settlers, who had to deal with all these new people coming in to "settle" a new nation.  I think of my creator. How he provides so much for me and not only my Big family, but also my Little big family. There is truly much to be thankful for this year. My sister N's Mr. Man is home from the middle east, safe with the ones he loves and who love and cherish him in return. He is the only one that has been getting deployed, so many of the families prayers have been concentrated on N and her little family. S is getting better and better. Hubby is a different man then he was a year ago. There has been much that has happened. C gave birth to a special little guy, and my other sisters are all very blessed indeed. Yes, there is much to be thankful for this year. I am sure when all the ones are together in the south go around the table and say their "Thankfuls" the tissue box will make an appearance.
Now about that dinner tomorrow. I am starting to bake and do a few other things today to get things ready for tomorrow. Hubby will be off work, Goosie doesn't have school and this year we have the added blessing of my parents being here for the holiday. Mom says that she will help in the kitchen and I have no doubt that this will be a meal to remember, I just want to get some things done today.. besides cleaning and continuing the potty training of Bubbles (she is taking to it this time), I promised recipes so here are a few...( follow the links) Citrus Turkey , Cranberry Orange Relish , Roasted Veggies , Macaroni&Cheese ,  and Rolls . I hope this can get you started. I am going to be making everything but the rolls as I have a bread machine. If you have a bread machine I recommend you using it for your dinner rolls instead.  Today I will be making the pies, pumpkin bread, and the relish. There isn't really any thing else I can do except the general house cleaning I normally do on Wednesday's. Well, that is all for me today dear readers. I hope you have a blessed and filling holiday and that you enjoy your Thankful's to their fullest, and if you are ever wondering what there is to be thankful for.. just look around and count your blessings.

A Song I Heard.. A Reminder For Us All

I found another one.. yes my dear readers, another tear jerking heart wrenching song that is a simple reminder of God's great and wonderful love for us. Oh that I had the talent to sing it for you, alas I fear I would be too overcome by emotion to even finish the first verse of this song.
I was driving home today after dropping Miniman off at at preschool, Bubbles was nodding off in her car seat behind me and this song comes on the radio. It immediately struck a cord and I have to stop myself from going out to get the CD it is on. It is another one of those songs that make you think. Not just a little bit, for me it makes me think deeply about how much I am giving to him.  I know that each of us have our own thought images of God.. I think I should share with you mine.
God is to me like a scientist peering down on us through his microscope. To me He is so big that I can only think of him in this way. We here on earth are like a single cell organism. We each have our own parts to play within the cell otherwise the cell it's self would not work. However we are guided by the nucleus in this case it would be the Holy Spirit. You see God can use anyone and anything to bring about His will and purpose, His hand is in everything and holds everything at the same time. As not only a biologist He is also a Physician, Mathematician and so very much more. Think of a medical or scientific  term and guess what He has already been there, and done that. There is nothing He hasn't done or will do. When you have a problem or are going through a difficult time he waits with anticipation for you to call on him and when you do, his heart rejoices. Think of it this way: If you are a parent and have a child who is struggling with homework and you know that you can help them understand it, you wait until they ask you for help. If you force yourself on the situation they might reject not only the subject but also your help. To me God is similar. He will never force himself on anyone and waits patiently for us to realize that we need help. As soon as we ask, even before the words are removed from our lips he is there. How great is he, how wonderful and mighty!! Oh, dear readers I hope you are excited.. I get excited just thinking about how wonderful God is, feel so humbly that my wonderful creator thinks so much of me that he looks down on me with love. Oh, how he loves each of us!! I know that this entry is just scraping the surface of many conversations.. I would love to share some with you. Just think of how wonderful and gracious Our Heavenly Father is!! Well, I must be off to pick up children. Be blessed dear readers and remember you are never alone.. he is always with you!!

Veteran's Day

This year like many other's Hubby was asked to give a Veteran's Day speech at a local High School. After the teenager's were corralled into the gym, the din of noise subdued; Hubby was introduced.  Hubby diligently works on each of his speeches on order to covey the most poignant of meanings: the Freedoms we in the US enjoy and at times flaunt so halfheartedly are not in any way cheap to come by. Countless men and women have defended them, some to the point of giving their own lives. It is said that a A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact. There are two calendar days set aside for remembering the sacrifice of so many. Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. While the first is meant to pay homage to those who have finished the fight and gone on to more peaceful places. The second is meant as a reminder and encouragement to all those who are still serving. Whether it is in the military or as a civil servant. These individuals run to the fray when others do their best to get away from it. Hubby's speech was captured on video this year and I am glad to say that you will find it above. Yes, there are two calendar day's in which we can honor our veteran's and civil servant's, but shouldn't we find a way to thank and honor them everyday??

Synopsis Of Events

Hello my dear readers.. I know it has been a while and I must say that things have gotten busy once again here in the house on the hill. Hubby and I have an upcoming formal, Goosie is reading anything she can get her hands on, Miniman is at a stage where he will make something and then tear it apart before anyone else gets to appreciate it , and Bubbles is quite the bruiser. That's the simple run down.. so here is the breakdown.
Every year for one weekend Hubby and I have an Annual Training Conference. Usually there is a small party on Friday night with a large formal dinner on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning things get wrapped up until the next year. Hubby is always handsome in his Dress uniform and I try to compliment him in a formal gown. The kids are taken care of for the weekend mostly on site and all in all it is a good weekend. The formal is coming up soon, just a few weeks, and things are slowly coming together. Hubby had to get a new dress uniform; I needed a new dress( both of which we now have) and it is only the smaller things to take care of. On a side note, I am trying to get the house ready for my parent's visit at Thanksgiving. We are all excited, as we have had to travel south for the holidays to see them it is such a blessing to know that they will be here this year. The kids are really looking forward to seeing them as we got glimpses of them during our Labor Day trip.
Goosie has become quite the book worm and so far she enjoys Fancy Nancy I picked up a book for her the other day and she has already read it three times! Goosie also told me that she wants all of the Fancy Nancy books! Having books that she enjoys is not something I mind at all! So now I am on the hunt for as many of them as I can find. I think I may also introduce her to Pinkalicious, we will just have to see. Goosie is also a sharp little tack! She may be the smallest and youngest in her first grade class, but that doesn't stop her from shining! Her teacher tells me that if every student came in with the same attitude and enthusiasm as Goosie, her job would be easy! What better compliment could a parent hope to hear about her child?!
Miniman is also doing wonderfully. He is writing his name and spelling out as many things as he can. His teachers tell me that he is always asking them how he can help. It's funny I was getting out of the shower the other day and Miniman came in my room.. he needed help zipping up his pj's.. I asked him where Hubby was and his response was "do you need help with something?".. keep in mind I was wrapped in my bathrobe. But ever helpful is my Miniman! There are other ways he is exceptional in helping. Wether it is cleaning a room, taking stuff to the garbage can or putting dishes away.. Miniman is ready to help. Miniman is a wonderful boy. He is excited about the things that Hubby is interested in and looses interest in the things that just aren't really attention holders for the average four year old.  Miniman is not quite athletic but he is admit about the things he enjoys and is just getting started on super hero's.
Bubbles is quite frankly a bruiser. She is fearless. If there ever were a child who would leap before looking she would be the one. Her pointer finger on her right hand the other day was crushed. I can honestly say that I was horrified, but thankful that she is okay. There was some bleeding and the next day since it looked worse a trip to the emergency room. They took x-rays and I requested that her tiny finger be put in a splint. Since her finger is still mostly cartilage the phalanges was neither broken nor were there any fissures (smaller breaks or cracks). She of course had both the splint and wrappings off of her finger before we had lunch let alone made it back home. Bubbles is still living up to her name. Quite the bubbly personality, which others get a kick out of. Bubbles is quite the kick in the pants! She is also a bright little star. When I hear her sing Jesus Loves Me, I must admit that my heart swells with pride. How sweet and innocent the sound of her little voice giving me goosebumps and reminding me of the tender heart we are all called to have.
Other than that dear readers there is not much to report. I have been working every weekend since starting my new job. I work only two or three days a week, considering those days are all on the weekend I can sometimes be putting in a thirty hour work week in three short days. I am not complaining though. It is nice to get out and do something that doesn't require changing diapers. I am getting to know myself a little better and understanding more of who I have become as both an adult and a mom. Despite what some may think.. once you become a Mom you are one for the rest of your life and will forever look at the world through not only the eyes of a parent, but at times the eyes of a child. For now dear readers, be blessed!