And the Two shall become One..

I had a conversation with my Mom the other day. The conversation led to some deep thoughts. In a world where divorce is so prevalent, is it odd to remember that once you are married it should be for life? So many times I have seen people just looking out for themselves; in a marital relationship, even in their parenting. So here are my thoughts.
I have been married for a few years, I look back on the words that were spoken on my wedding day: "What God has joined together, let no man bring asunder."  Basically saying that in God's eyes I am no longer an individual, I am one person in a two person team. I need to view Hubby as an extension of myself and vice verso. If Hubby is in pain, I am also in pain. I may not feel it the way he does, but it affects my life also. How would I want to be treated if it were me. You see for me when I got married it was set in my mind that the other person would come before me. Yes, I am an individual. But that doesn't take away from my relationship. If anything it enhances my relationship with Hubby. When it comes to making decisions I should no longer make them on my own. Every decision is a joint decision. If everyone was mindful of their spouse in this way, would the divorce rate be as high? I doubt it. In my mind when you get married you are making a covenant with that person that no matter what you will put them ahead of yourself. It may be an off the wall concept for others.. but it shouldn't be.

Being Asexual means that you can procreate all by yourself. There isn't a mammal I know of that can do that, we need both male and female to procreate. Having a child should be a well informed team decision. That is not always the case, sometimes a child comes into the world because two people were thinking about what made them feel good at the time.. and did it. Instead of seeing parenting as a selfless thing they could do.. some people are selfish from the start. Then when it comes to parenting children.. at times they are non-existant. You know the ones I am talking about. The ones that you don't even know have children until suprise, you see them. If you think of having children as a team effort, you may change the way you discipline. Hind sight being what it is, children may hold both parents in account for ones overt discipline, or lack there of.

Man was not ment to be alone, so God made him a helpmate.. out of his rib. The two become one and the outward symbol of that is the wedding ring. When two physically become one  the result is a child. The family is a unit and the helm of that unit is the parents. They can either be selfless and see that they no longer belong to themselves but to the family. Or they can be selfish and the family will eventually fall apart.
When I married Hubby I said it would be for better or worse, in good times and bad, in richer or poorer, no matter what I would be here for him, and he for me. That means that when ever he needs me to compliment him, I do. To compliment someone you need to come along beside them and assist them. It is not completion, it is complimentary. Doing so is not always easy, but it is it's own reward. If you haven't tried it.. I would challenge you to do so. Just some things to marinate on. Be Blessed dear readers!

Crafty Bug Strikes Again

The Crafty bug has caught up with me again. I think it started with a slide show I made for my sister S and her new Hubby for their wedding this past weekend. I wasn't able to attend because all three kids had the icky sickies and Hubby was on bed rest due to his back hurting so bad.. Dr's orders. So I missed a wonderful wedding. UGH!! Here is the side show..

I really enjoyed making it and hope that you all enjoy watching it. S and F are truly in love and made for each other. I have NEVER seen my sister so happy and F..I am certain he feels the same way. Right now they are off on their honeymoon. I wish them more then enough and so many blessings that they would be hard to count.

Now Hubby and  I did redo our living room. There are a few pieces that stayed the same, but some things have also changed. Where everything was done in browns and earth tones we have now incorporated teal and an aqua blue with a vibrant white. I must say I enjoy the way it brightens everything up, and yet it is still very soothing. As many of you know I had picked up a pieced top a few years ago, and have been working on patching it up ever since. Admittedly I was inspired when I saw it and now the inspiration is going a bit further. I am going to make a pieced top napping blanket. Instead of the squares I plan on using strips. All the fabric is in the washer now (pre-wash all your fabric before starting a project). I would like this one to also look like a duvet cover, so the buttons are already here and so is the backing. Now to find or make the crochet that will go across the top. I will post a picture when I can.

So that is basically what has been going on lately. I hope you all are doing well dear readers.. maybe this crafty bug will hang around for a while.. we shall have to see.

Happy Very Belated Birthday C

This is my sister C and her family. She and her hubby have two beautiful children. A is their oldest and by far one of the sweetest most gentle children I have the pleasure of knowing. G is their youngest, he is adorable and I must say a good baby fix when one is needed. Both of her children are bright little lights and wonderful to be around. C is two years older then me and has been through her share. After struggling with infertility for years she is now the proud Momma of two blessings. One of which has severe allergies. 

C struggles to find recipes and foods that she can make for G and the rest of them to enjoy. Three of his allergies are milk, eggs and peanut butter. I was able to find a website here in hopes that it will help. The world of food allergies is becoming quite large. I have met people with Chron's Disease (an allergy to gluten), lactose intolerance, shell fish allergies and so much more. It is hard to feed a family with cheap food as so much of it is processed with many allergens. I have heard of some parents who don't understand how severe allergies can be complain that when they bring snack to a preschool or otherwise that it makes things hard on them. How much harder is it for the parent of the little one with severe allergies? Really, if you have to make a jam and cream cheese sandwich because one of the kids in your playgroup has an allergy to peanuts.. don't be spiteful about it. How would you feel if that was your child and even the simple act of peanut butter touching his skin will cause him to go into shock and possibly die. There goes eating out with the family at most restaurants and countless other things that others take for granted.

  C is amazing. When she heard of G's allergies she automatically started looking at every label on everything, looking up different things on the web to make for her family and I am certain prays that this too shall pass. C is one of a kind. She is strong, intelligent, hard working, soft spoken, when she speaks it is well thought and kind. C is a person if inward and outward beauty. It is an honor to have her as my sister and a privilege to have her as a friend. She is mindful of others and if ever guilty of anything it would be putting herself last. Happy Belated Birthday C.. I pray that this year will be full of blessings and the wonders that  take your breath away. You are strong and an inspiration to those who know you and a blessing to those who call you not only friend, but family. 

The best cookies EVER!!

My new friend M is coming over today around 10a. Her Hubby is also a hard worker and with two little ones at home I imagine that a little time away from her four walls is needed (I remember what that was like). Anyway, we will be making cookies, homemade popcorn and I am sure a mess of fun. Hubby has been asking for a special type of cookie. I was first introduced to it the night before my wedding day while at my sister I's house having a spa day with my Mom and sisters. To date they are my favorite cookie and when Hubby hears that I am making them.. lets just say you can cut the anticipation with a knife. Do you like oatmeal cookies? You know the way they melt so wonderfully in your mouth and are soft and chewy at the same time. What about chocolate chip cookies. The smell of them is enough to put you in a blissful coma.. then at first bite you are hooked and could eat an entire sheet without blinking your eye. Well, these cookies are a mixture of both. I must say that I don't make them often.. if I did I would have to work out all the time. As I am sure I would put back on all the baby weight that has come off so far. The full recipe makes 112 cookies, so I will post the half and you should be able to figure out the whole.Oh and these aren't the usual mix by hand cookies. You are going to need more then a hand mixer or else be prepared to buy a new one.  Without further ado here is the recipe:

Preheat oven to 375* F

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cup oatmeal
2 cup all purpose flour
2 eggs
12 oz milk chocolate bars
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)


Later you will need a tall glass of cold milk.

Before mixing ingredients you will need to:
Put oatmeal in a blender and reduce to a powder form. Chop chocolate bar into medium small pieces.

When all ingredients are ready:

Cream the first 7 ingredients together. Once creamed, slowly add the next three ingredients. Then fold in the last three ingredients. Roll cookie dough into balls and place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. If you like soft cookies bake for 8 or 9 minutes. For a crunchy cookie bake for 10 or 11 depending on how you like it.

While cookies are still warm pour yourself a tall glass of milk (if you like dunking your cookies get a short glass with a wide mouth). Sit back and enjoy. If you are like me you will be standing at the cooling cookies with a glass of milk in one hand and a cookie in the other telling yourself that this will be the last one. The looking down realize you already ate half a dozen. Enjoy!

House into a Home..

Quietly settling into our new house. The kids rooms are all filled (now if they would just stay clean). Our master bedroom acquired a new handle this morning, it locks. While I was dealing with an unresponsive all in one printer.. Bubbles decided to take it upon herself to try out all the wonderful "Mommy things" in the bathroom. You know.. contacts; face wash; under eye cream; toothpaste and brush. After getting things settled with my all in one (a new one is getting sent to us as this one is still under warranty). I realized just how quiet Bubbles had become. I sent Goosie upstairs to check on her and was graced a few minutes later with a few " Oh My Goodness Mommy... you need to go upstairs." As I followed Goosie up the stairs I noticed a faint scent coming from my bedroom, it got stronger the closer I went to the bathroom.
There sat Bubbles  precariously perched on the sink,lotion all over her and a look of  "Oh, no I am in for it now!" on her mischievous sweet face. The second thing I saw was my contact case, laying open and empty on the counter. My first thought was everything is replaceable.. the main thing is she isn't hurt. Followed quickly by: Oh man.. now I am stuck wearing my glasses. I was angry, but if anything it is just as much my fault as it is Bubbles, as I was too narrowly distracted by the all in one printer. Long story short.. I found my contacts in small shards in the u-bend of the drain pipe. The fact I found that much is a feat in it's self.. Bubbles was quite apt in making a mess of things.
It doesn't really feel like home yet. There is something about baking that makes a house feel like a home. Add that to a little knitting and quilting.. then I may feel a little more settled. I already knitted a dish cloth for the kitchen, the cook books are out and I am searching for the first thing I will bake to settle into the house. Hubby has requested a special kind of chocolate chip cookie.. and there may be some zucchini bread in the near future. As for the quilting.. that may still take some time to get around to. What about you.. what makes your house feel like a home??