Beautiful Chaos

Birthdays, chickens, and beaches....OH MY!!

2011-10-26T21:25:00.001-05:00

Yes, it's been more than 2 months since I've blogged. What have I been up to? Sitting around, feet up and something to do with bon bons... Excuse me while I laugh. Enter snicker.

Well, we've gotten our first eggs, went to Orange Beach Alabama, I've turned 36 and my oldest turned 15. What do I choose to blog on first? Let's get the chickens out of the way...

Here is a picture of our first egg

Isn't she beautiful. I couldn't eat it. Just had to look at it for days. Now we get about 4-5 a day. Here is just another picture or two to smile at.

Pay no attention to the spotty window. Pleeeease

Orange Beach. This is our second year going. We do so love it there. It takes my Disney addicted children a little while to get used to relaxing on the beach as opposed to running from ride to ride but they do love their beach trip. Here are a few of us.

My precious mom and daughter. She is dripping wet from a water bumper boat ride. Boy does she love those kids.

My beautiful mom (all dry) and handsome daddy. Aren't they ggorgeous? I hope I look half as beautiful as she is when I'm her age.

My hunky boys. Especially the older one.

Princess tea at Windsor Court in New Orleans

2011-08-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Princess Aurora and Rose

My Rose loves herself a tea party. When her Grandmother found out about this princess tea at the Windsor Court Hotel she decieded we must go. So, the attendents were my Mother, Gabbi (14), Rose and myself. Here we are about to leave for the Princess tea.

If you have never been to take tea at the Windsor Court in New Orleans, it is worth it. The lobby is beautiful. It is in such a beautiful part of the downtown district. Here are some shots of the courtyard and lobby.

The food was amazing. Here are some of the yummy shots.

Tea sugar

Grown up sandwiches

scones

yummies

The two sweetest girls there that day

Grandmother and Rosie sharing some kisses

Thanks mom for the wonderful day. The girls and I are so blessed to have you as such a special part of our lives. I am thankful for everything you do for us.

The girls and I wil have sweet memories of that day. I love you.

A flip flop party

2011-08-04T10:28:00.000-05:00

So. The baby has gone and turned 3. I didn't give her permission. As a matter of fact she has completely disobeyed me. I told her NOT to. She went and did it any way.

I don't know a happier, more lively 3 year old. She is sweet. She loves people, animals, princesses, babies, legos, pirates..... Very well rounded for a toddler. Don't you think? She makes my heart dance when she giggles. She is even adorable when she's sleeping.

When you have family that lives more than an hour away from you, it affords you more than one birthday party. To tell the truth, she is having three parties. How fitting. The party being blogged about now, took place at my Father in Law's house. They have a beautiful set up with a covered pool. It takes some of the heat away from those in the pool. Those NOT in the pool, just sweat to death.

Miss Rose asked for a flip flop cake. So mom delivers. I am NOT a professional but I figure mother's love makes up for the ugly factor. That and I know exactly what ingredients when into that cake. The brown "sand" is graham cracker crumbs, fondant flip flops under umbrellas and a boogie board. I tried to create waves in the blue icing. Remember......a mother's love. OK.

We had 9 children and my 19 yo nephew. 8 of those 9 children belong to me and my besite. Here we are. She is such a joy, blessing and I'm so thankful that the Lord though best we were friends.

Here are all the children at the party

Happy Birthday my Rose. I pray the Lord has a long, blessed life for you. He has already blessed me so much with you. Even in these short 3 years. I love you

My Nawlins ladies

2011-06-28T22:26:00.001-05:00

Wow. Seems life goes on and blogging gets put on the back burner. I'll get you caught up on what has been going on.

Well, my precious Mother-in-law, Phyllis, passed away just before Easter. She was diagnosed with cancer and less than 2 weeks later she was gone. She didn't suffer long but it was true suffering for us left behind. (this does have something to do with chickens) We miss her. This is the first parent my husband or I have had to see pass away and sometimes I feel like she CAN'T be gone. But she is and life seems to go on... Here she is...This was the last picture of her and her 6 children taken just this past Christmas. My hubby is the cute, bald one. I love and miss her.

So this brings me to chickens. No, really. I have been wanting chickens for so long. I just thought about them and then looked at my four precious children, laundry, dishes, a dog, a parakeet and went ummmmm......... NO. But then enter my bestie. Let's just call her.... April.... She calls me one day while I'm shopping and says ( in her sweet voice) "hey, guess what? We just got......CHICKENS." Well I did what any bestie would do I told her I was happy for her and was, underneath that fake exterior, planning on getting mine. That day!!! So we venture to get chickens. I said we were only going to "look" at them. Which was partially true. Then while talking to the man selling the chickens he told me they were born on the day my Mother in law passed away. That was it. We left with six chicks.

Here are all 6 of my sweet chicks +2 of my sweet kiddos

Now for my Mother in law. I had to get a special chicken for her. So here is PJ (which is for Phyllis Joan my MIL) This chick is MINE (said in whiny kid tone)

She is an Easter Egger and will lay pink, blue and light green eggs. When she starts laying she will remind me of my MIL every time I collect an egg.

Now for my Mother in law. I had to get a special chicken for her. So here is PJ (which is for Phyllis Joan my MIL) This chick is MINE (said in whiny kid tone)

She is an Easter Egger and will lay pink, blue and light green eggs. When she starts laying she will remind me of my MIL every time I collect an egg.

Now my chicks are not little they are looking like grown up girls. So I'll be putting pictures up in small fragments of them growing and coop building and such. Here are some extra pictures of the children holding our sweet girls (as we call them)

My Anna Rose looking so happy with her "icken"

Gabbi tolerates the chicks but doesn't mind holding them while they are little

Grayson is our "chicken whisperer"

He LOVES the chickens. He never minds helping with them.

Gabe loves them too.

I just thought this one was too cute. Her head was poking through the feeder. Awwww

Post office field trip....

2011-04-07T23:16:00.000-05:00

weeks ago Since then we have done a couple of field trips, a Homeschool speech and debate competetion, pinewood derby, and the caterpillar craze has begun for this year.

Well, I shall begin with our field trip to the post office. I can honestly say that I didn't do this field trip to be "enlightened". I thought it was boring but I did happen to love the ladies going on this so, we go.

Here is Anna Rose and her sweet friend Sarah enjoying some girl time.

Here is our crew. YES, I am holding a baby (far right). Not mine (though I would take him in a minute) He belongs to my sweet friend Amy. Love you baby Issac.

just a few of the sweet little ones.

Now on to the park

My hubby and some other monkeys. My Rose, isn't she sweet.

friends

Mark me absent

2011-03-21T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess my last 365 post will be my last. To tell you the truth I haven't picked up my camera in weeks. I know many of you won't follow me anymore and I'm OK with that. To say that my family has other things going on is....well......an understatement.

1. My MIL was just diagnosed with cancer after being in the hospital for pneumonia. We are still in the stages of staging it. It is either a cervical or uterine. They found malignant cells and a very large tumor in her uterus after a D&C.
2. I am walking my SIL through her mom dying in hospice with Stage 4 Brain Cancer which was found a week ago. They gave her weeks and now it is days. My heart is in pieces for her for there is nothing anyone can do but wish for her to go in peace without suffering.
3. Life around here just goes on. Between raising and homeschooing 4, having a shift work husband and not having family all that close I get overwhelmed. We have speech and debate, scouts, driving people here and there. I just asked the Lord to help me weed out things that I needed to.

So, I guess we all have to choose what to give up and sometimes it's not the thing you WANT it to be but I just don't have the mental/physical energy to do it. You girls who do it ROCK. With those of you who have more children that I do and do it, you have my admiration. I'll blog as I can for my enjoyment and I do enjoy 365 and ALL the girls I have met through it. I will continue to read as I can. I hope to see you girls virtually and the ones I get to see IRL even better. So, pop in every once in a while to see what we're up too.
Because He lives,
Allison

365-61,62,63

2011-03-04T14:00:00.000-06:00

This post is all about Gabe. He is 8 and wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. We got to visit the station across the street from my sister's house. They even put up the ladder for him. Special guy

I think that firefighter was a bigger KID than Gabe. He made us smile.

Thank you firefighters. You are true heroes. May we never forget the sacrifices you make to keep us safe. God Bless you ALL.

365-59,60

2011-03-02T22:12:00.001-06:00

If you have a child in AWANA, you know what this is.

This is a statue in my under my mom's lemon tree in her yard. Grayson took it but I did the editing. Good eye Gray.

365- 56,57,58

2011-02-28T21:32:00.000-06:00

Bubble fun in Maw-Maw's backyard

Here is Anna Rose at her first parade, sporting some sass AND the sweet outfit I made for her. Not the shirt (I wish I did) But this WAS my first attempt at pants. I will be making more for her. They were so easy. I bought the pattern from a local mom ( I love buying local) of 8 children. She sells her patterns here.

These are my Breakfast Cookies. A hungry customer awaits in the background.

365-54, 55

2011-02-24T23:57:00.000-06:00

Spiders freak me out but this one was cool!! You can see how much we've been using outside toys but NO MORE. Welcome to south Louisiana Spring. We've missed you.

I know you are probably tired of seeing my little one but she is not only a cutie but more than willing to smile for Mommy.

365-52, 53

2011-02-23T23:57:00.000-06:00

My oldest and sweet 14yo daughter, Gabbi. She HATES being in front of the camera but she was more than willing to smile at our latest field trip. A visit to the cupcake shop with her 2 besties wasn't all that bad.

My guys. It is a blessing to have a husband who works shiftwork (sometimes). It allows him to come on field trips. I think he would have taken off if he needed to for the cupcake one.

365-46,47,48,49,50,51

2011-02-21T08:05:00.001-06:00

365White blood cell counts normal- check

Children not hacking up lungs-check

No one has any liquids running from their noses-check

Mom caught up on laundry- excuse me while I snicker. Ummmm, no

A girl can dream.
I'm not sure I can make this 365 thing. Life is flying by me. Chruch commintments, homeschooling, scouts may be too much for daily pictures. But I AM trying.

Here is my feeble attempt to catch up.

It's been so nice here latley. These are only some of the sweetest girls in my life. The little one is mine getting her hair done so tenderly by J.

Five seconds before this she said "I not tired"

Most of the sweet things in my life are not blue eyed and blonde. So when I had the absolute honor of watching my friend Amy's sweet children, I couldn't help but capture that sweet face. To be honest Gabbi caught it because I had 12 children under the age of 14 which 11 were 11 and under. Needless to say, I didn't have much time to take picture. Asa's face is covered in my chococate chip muffins.

My attempt at an iced coffee. Pretty but not as good as CC's.

Mabey at your house mixing playdough is a no-no. I think it looks COOL. Emma had so much fun doing this. Her mother cringed. :)

One of the only ones I found that wasn't blurry. That's just how the boys roll.

365-42, 43, 44, 45

2011-02-14T21:30:00.000-06:00

We are back. Waiting on the white cell count of one of my boys to get withing "normal" range but we seem to be at the end of this. Thanks for your sweet prayers for my family.

These are some Meyer lemons from my mom's tree. Almost as sweet and as big as oranges. I love these.

My G boy painting his submarine for the AWANA Grand Prix.

This is my homemade cupcake BEFORE

and AFTER. Not bad I guess. Hope your day is filled with love, not just today but everyday. With a love that only the Lord can supply.

365-41 (catching up)

2011-02-11T09:57:00.000-06:00

Imagine a homeschooling mom of 4 who hates cold. When the cold comes it comes to claim victims and brings with it sickness to a family of 6. That mom is ME. The victims, my children. My two girls went to the Dr. with cough yesterday, I left with both of them having strep. My 2yo has an ear infection on top of that. My oldest 14 yo has......drum roll please...... strep, flu and walking phemonia. OH and not one of them had fever. The 2 boys haven't gone to the Dr.yet. I'm too scared to bring them. (only half joking) So here's what I've been up too. Sorry Tracy, I am trying so hard.

365- Scavenger Hunt *

2011-02-05T18:21:00.000-06:00

1. Initial- children in the shape of an A
2. Favorite drink- Raspberry Peach Iced Tea
3. New Year's Resolution- scale (you didn't think I'd let you see the numbers)
4. Pet Peeve- nails on chalkboard
5. Household chore- dusting (apparently)
6. Everyday item -my apron
7. Store photo equipment- the box (Tracy don't come kill me)
8. Opposites- fire and ice
9. Something cold- Freezie pops
10. Pet pic- Genna
11. Chocolate- homemade PB cup
12. Warning label- Wii
13. Ladder- playhouse outside
14. Something new- a new ring given to my by hubby after losing my original stone.
15. Something borrowed- My children. Totally on loan from the Lord
16.Something blue- self explanitory ;)
17. A matchstick- really the first thing that came to mind
18. A metal hanger- shadow
19. An egg yolk- I thought it looked like a smiley face
20. Self-Portrait- You asked for it.
That was so much fun and way harder than I thought it would be

365-35

2011-02-04T16:58:00.000-06:00

Yes. I've been on a food kick latley haven't I? Well, the weather as of late has made us be home more than usually and......well.......I cook. These are baked cinnamon sugar yeast doughnuts. I made the dough last night in my trusty bread machine. Rolled them out and let them rise in my oven. Dipped them in butter, cinnamon sugar and......yummies in the morning.

365-33

2011-02-02T23:20:00.000-06:00

It was a Turkey Aundoille Gumbo kind-a day around here today in South Louisiana. Oh, it was goooooood. Hot French bread in the background and I got to eat it with my honey before he went to work tonight.

365-32

2011-02-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

She was being silly but I thought she was so stinking cute. Berry juice running down her legs and all.

365-30,31

2011-01-31T21:44:00.001-06:00

Guess what it's been doing in south Louisiana latley... one day of sun and more rain tomorrow

Below is what we call Monkey Chow. Chex Mix box calls it Muddy Buddies. When I have a baby that....ahem....needs to be changed I say she "Ewwww she is muddy." So we don't like to call our food muddy which is why we call our snack Monkey Chow. TMI, mabey, but the snack is yummy.

Menu Monday

2011-01-31T12:26:00.001-06:00

Monday- Crockpot roasted Turkey Breast, brown sugar carrots, rice and gravy

Tuesday- Chicken tender wraps, chips/salsa, celery sticks

Wednesday- Pizza, Salad

Thursday- Taco ring, rice and corn

Friday- Pasta your way- I'll have 2 different pastas, grilled chicken, pesto,
tomato sauce and alfredo. You make your own combo. :)

365-28,29

2011-01-29T23:32:00.000-06:00

Welcome little Camelia. We've been waiting for you. :)

Been itching to sew for "sew" long. Picked up fabric and just DID IT.

I'll post a pic of my sweet pea in it tomorrow. It's not great but I'm proud and I didn't spend more than $4.00 making it.

Literature to Life- January

2011-01-28T13:57:00.000-06:00

"Life is a happy thing, a festival to be enjoyed rather than a drudgery to be endured." ~Luci Swindoll

365-26,27

2011-01-27T23:21:00.000-06:00

6

Had a sweet day with a sweet friend. I wish I could have captured the shot just before this one. Anna Rose was looking straight at her "Taunte" (which is aunt in French). What a great day.

A tree shot from the ground.

2011-01-27T23:07:00.000-06:00

365-24, *25

2011-01-25T10:36:00.004-06:00

Artwork done by the children at Classical Conversations Co-op on Monday.

They were painting landscapes. Even the baby got in on the action.

My ball picture. A mar-BALL. Right?

365-23

2011-01-24T16:25:00.000-06:00

This is my VERY favorite cake from Whole Foods. Berry Chantily. This cake was recently enjoyed for the birthday of my best friend's daughter. If you can get to a Whole Foods, go get one. $$$ but super delicious.

365-22

2011-01-22T22:18:00.000-06:00

365*-20, 21

2011-01-21T08:00:00.002-06:00

She looks excited doesn't she? What two year old wouldn't when they walk into a birthday party and find 7 piles of leaves in the yard. The parents didn't need any other toys. Young children generate their own fun.....then they grow up and discover electronics.

Now, I know I won't win any awards for this shot. I just thought it was funny. This is a buisness in Baton Rouge where we live. In Baton Rouge (LSU land) you just scream "Geaux Tigers", even if you don't like them. People dress their dogs in LSU, newborn babies and apparently decorate their businesses. So if you don't like LSU, just root for them around others. If not, people could make rude noises at you. This picture proves my point.

Time to talk

2011-01-20T08:35:00.001-06:00

Below is a copied post done by bestie. She is the person I share EVERYTHING with. We couldn't be more different. She is sweet, quiet, calm and thoughtful. I am.....well...... the opposite. When we get together there are 2 moms and 8 children. I hope they don't start figuring our they outnumber us 4 to 1.
Why do we love each other? The Lord knew I needed her. I don't have family close to where we live and she is my sister. She also has several gorgeous red-heads who keep us on our toes. She has listened to me go on about miscarriage, husbands working late, and about nothing at all. This was posted by her just a few days ago. April, I love you. Thanks for challenging me and mostly encouraging me in the Lord.
Hope it encourages you when you get to "just talking" with another mom.

I chatted on the phone awhile with a great mom-friend this morning. It was nearly an hour that we talked, and as I hung up, the familiar twinge of guilt came up to tackle me. "You just wasted an hour on the phone!" it said. So I thought, what DID I accomplish during that time?
Well, we talked about:

Bible study-for moms and for teen daughters. Why is there so little available for girls in training them to love God and His Word, rather than just focusing on the "struggles" that many(not all!) teens face? It's hard to find age-appropriate materials that don't make the GIRL look like the center of the universe, instead of pointing her to a relationship with God who MADE her--and HE IS the answer to all those other "struggles."

Teaching kids to read and the funny things they come up with when they're learning to sound out words.

How we need to always be alert to hear what our children are saying AND alert to the environment and how it's affecting them.

Husbands and their work schedules.

Breast cancer.

Toddler vocabulary.

Doctor's office visits.

Breakfast and grocery shopping/menu planning.

Field trips.

Church.

Sunday school.

Getting together for a meal and a visit.

Speech club.

That's a LOT of ground to cover in under an hour--and I know I don't even remember everything we discussed. To top it all, I was not idle during that time; I recall that I ate breakfast, unloaded the dishwasher, loaded it back, wiped the counters, cleaned out both sinks, washed the dish drainer, and tidied the living area . . . there may have been more.

So, to the guilt that wants to steal my contentment, I say Go Away. I am NOT wasting time! Even if I am "just talking."

~april

Posted by April at 12:13 PM

365-18,19

2011-01-19T17:20:00.000-06:00

Breakfast this morning. Pumpkin CC muffins and Chai tea.

365-17

2011-01-18T10:26:00.000-06:00

My camiella getting ready to bloom.

Menu Monday

2011-01-17T19:23:00.000-06:00

Monday- Hamburgers, onion rings, fries, baked beans and corn.

Tuesday- (speech/scout night) Pizza

Wedensday- (church night) Jambalaya, salad, homemade rolls

Thursday- Chicken Picatta, egg noodles, broccoli

Friday- Appetizer night- chicken tenders, salsa/chips, mozzerella sticks,
carrot/celery sticks ranch dip

365-16

2011-01-16T21:53:00.000-06:00

Ice cream. It's what's for dinner on a Sunday night when Daddy is working.

Yeah, it's in his hair.

365-15

2011-01-15T22:52:00.000-06:00

Can't you hear that yarn calling me to come play with it. Mabey once the children are down to sleep. One can hope.

365-14 Happy Momma

2011-01-15T13:31:00.001-06:00

My sweet, left-handed, dimple faced boy doing his work makes one happy momma.

365*-13

2011-01-13T22:44:00.001-06:00

Coincidence. I think not.

365-12

2011-01-12T15:03:00.003-06:00

That sweet older girl (not the one with big ears) is my oldest daughter. Standing at 5'9 she is not only taller than I was at that age but wiser and more godly than I might be now. She is hugging her favorite sister at her favorite place on earth. Gabbi was my first born which makes her my "experimental child". She has been through the ringer of tofu, discipline procedures etc. Hopefully she won't need therapy and will take care of me when I'm old.

Love you baby.

365-11

2011-01-11T18:39:00.000-06:00

Gabe. Well, Gabe is our 3 born, second son. He was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrom last year. He loves toururing the peacemaker and anything that makes me squeal. Gabe want to be a K-9 police officer or firefighter when he grows up. He pretends to be WAY more dangerous than he really is. This is my child who was born 11 minutes after I walked in the hosptial to deliver him and kept us on our toes ever since. Enough said.

365-10

2011-01-11T17:26:00.000-06:00

This is my second born child, first born son. Grayson is a fun-loving, science nerd (self-professed),

butterfly loving kid. He is our reisdent peacemaker. He makes great noises and lives in left field. Wouldn't change him for anything.

365-9

2011-01-09T11:59:00.000-06:00

This week I'll introduce you to my family. This is our sweet 2 yo, Anna Rose (the a is pronounced ahhh as in father) She is the absoulute joy in our life. She keeps us smiling and BUSY. I should be thinner running after her. Alas... here she is.

365-8

2011-01-09T11:30:00.000-06:00

365-7

2011-01-07T19:35:00.001-06:00

My coffee and the Word of God make mornings all right.

365-6

2011-01-06T19:41:00.001-06:00

Thank you 365 project. I would have NEVER cleaned the window unless I had to take this picture so my husband thanks you as well :)

365-5

2011-01-05T15:54:00.001-06:00

Got this shot crossing Lake Pontchatrain Sunday on the way home from New Orleans. One day I'll have a better lens.

365-4

2011-01-05T07:12:00.000-06:00

Louisiana bayou sunset

365-3

2011-01-03T21:56:00.001-06:00

This speaks home to me...Guess where I'm from????

365*-2

2011-01-02T17:50:00.001-06:00

365-1

2011-01-01T20:37:00.001-06:00

365 for 2011

2010-12-31T12:20:00.000-06:00

This is my second feeble attempt to do a 365 project. I was kicked out of the first one. SURPRISE. I had just had our fourth child and apparently couldn't hang with it. So what makes me want to be a part of this project. Well, I just received a Canon EOS T1i for Christmas from my wonderful hubby and children. After pining for one during our Disney trip and more than hinting I wanted one, there it was under our tree. So I hope to learn, be inspired and maybe even inspire someone during this. More than anything it is something that brings me out of the everyday tasks and makes me look at what would make a nice picture. So here I go I DO hope to make it until this time next year. Happy shooting. (With the camera of course) :)

Disney clothes for our sweet princess

2010-11-30T14:59:00.011-06:00

We are on the serious countdown to vacay. We have had shirts and jeans monogrammed, appliqued and ruffled (almost finished) There are also another pair of jeans which have been appliqued and ruffled which are almost done

We are waiting anxiously on the arrival of one our most precious pieces yet. We don't have it yet but are hoping to pick it up tomorrow. This is made by a dear sister in the Lord. Candi has some darling designs. She is doing a giveaway at www.houseofshelbys.blogspot.com

Won't she be sweet!!!

MIckey Monday on Tuesday

2010-11-02T10:43:00.002-05:00

This Mickey was totally staged. Just so you know. Not much longer before vacation. Hopefully more creative Mickeys will follow

Hidden Mickey 1

2010-10-12T09:31:00.004-05:00

This is my crazy take on the hidden Mickey phenomenum. People who love Disney and know the inside scoop look for these hidden Mickeys all over Disney World. We love finding them hidden in Disney but we also play at home. I promise I didn't pose these Cherrios. They just happened as I was consuming my breakfast. Really. Have a Magical Tuesday.

Confessions of a Mouse Junkie

2010-10-11T12:45:00.005-05:00

My name is Allison Barraco and I love Disney World. Whew.... I feel better now. That may not come as a huge shock to some of you but my family and I LOVE the mouse world. We are planning another trip this year to Disney to see the Christmas decorations. I have my cool little vacation ticker on my blog helping us countdown.

We have been in November 05, April 07, May 09, Feb 10 and now Dec 10. So this will be my first time seeing Disney in lights. I've seen in pictures how beautiful it is and cannot wait to experience it in real life.

My family of 6 plus my mom, dad and nephew (18 yo) will all be there. We are staying at the Caribbean Beach resort (which have never been to) The children are so excited I don't know about you but I love looking in the eyes of children as they look at Christmas lights. The reflection is breathtaking.

We usually make a chain to help the children countdown. Yesterday we were at 60 days. Each family member wrote down 10 things they cannot wait to do. So everyday we take a link off the chain and read whatever that person wrote. It is a great way to countdown to ANYTHING fun.

It also helps the children to see what 60 days looks like.

So, to add to the madness every Monday I'll post our Hidden Mickey Monday picture. Kind of like Wordless Wednesday. (which I am not very good at) But this will be all about our hidden Mickey's. I hope you enjoy and if not NO NASTY COMMENTS. Have a magical day :)

She is 2 already

2010-08-10T15:08:00.010-05:00

Why is it that children take NO time growing up? Well our Gianna (Anna Rose) is now 2. It really is hard to believe that. We love her. Nothing else to it. Rottenness and all.

Just this morning Grayson said "Mom, it would boring without Anna. Quiet but boring." Well said Grayson. Sometimes as moms we want them to just be quiet. A wise mom (who had 4 in high school and college) shared with me that she would love to step on legos every once in a while. I promptly invited her over. :) Her point was, it all happend so quickly. Children grow up wether we want them to or not. Anna, slow down. But in the meantime I love the beautiful chaos you bring to our life. We wouldn't trade it for anything.

Many of you might not want to be bothered watching the Smilebox, if not, fine. It's here for the Grandparents who aren't close by.

Enjoy if you choose.

This photo album created with Smilebox

We aint chicken

2010-07-11T22:53:00.012-05:00

Cow Appriciation Day. There is such a day and it is celebrated at Chick Fil A.

Well. I can't tell you a year ago if I would have done this. But we will next year. What fun we had acting like fools and dressing up as cows for free Chick Fil A. Even Pat got in on the fun. I made Anna Rose a cow dress. The doll HAD to have one also. Don't you agree?

This is Gabbi and her friend. Very willing to look silly before we walked in the door. The minute they got their meals, the cow attire came off. Someone (her father I think )tried taking her chicken. Back off buddy.

Now that's better

The boys were way less concerned with how others looked at them. They had a blast. Horns and all. What a fun day to remember.

The recipe for a homeschooling summer

2010-06-14T23:27:00.008-05:00

The alternate title to this post is "Why hasnt' Allison been blogging?"

If you know more than one homeschooler you know they don't always do things the same. Some school like a public school. Some whenever it fits them. We are the latter. This year, as last, we began school in February and will go until November. The summers are brutal anyway right? I haven't posted in so long for many reasons. Life has a beautiful way of getting in the middle of our life. Basically we have been living and not stopping long enough to update our blog. So here is what we have been up to. A queer mixture of life around the Barraco's. So how does one survive summer homeschooling 3 children and wrangeling an almost ( GASP) 2 year old... our recipe a homeschooling summer

Begin with preheating your outdoor tempurture to 95 (heat index of 106) Summers in Lousisina

Then get your ingredients (childen) Seperate your ingredients youngest to oldest.

Anna Rose- eating watermelon. Does anything say summer more than that? Ok, homemade ice cream. mmmmm

Next we add Gabe. This one is easy. Add root beer and whisk in a swimming pool. Happy child.

Grayson is up next. Oh my. Caterpillar, butterfly mania remains. So here is Grayson doing his thang. Well, it's not Grayson but his butterfly that we rescued from Grandmother's enclosed pool area. What would that butterfly had done if Grayson and I had not freed it? Here he is... my sweetie

Gabrielle. Sprinkle in some silliness, friends and loving her sister. What more could the mother of a teenager ask for. Marnitate that until she is 18. :) She is such a sweetie. I love her.

Finally, stir in mom and dad who are just LOVING life with children. I never could be thankful enough for these sweet gifts. Bake all this goodness and enjoy. Oh, no good pictures of me just daddy and his baby girl. ;)

Monarch Madness

2010-05-05T18:23:00.013-05:00

Madness. Webster's 1828 dictionary states the definition as distration; a state of disordered reason in which the patient raves or is furious. Well, I don't know about Grayson being furious but distrated. YES. (me screaming while pulling hair). Let's just say that schoolwork has been spotty all but reading about caterpillars, butterflies and moths. This is a new fastination of his but man, has he got it bad. We bought some milkweek from the nursery and it had 2 caterpillars on it. Wow. What a gift. So we brought it home, planted it and watched the little creatures grow.

Here, Grayson is studying and drawing the caterpillars. Dedication I tell you. But isn't that the beauty of homeschooling. One of them at least. Well, after watching them grow for about a week Grayson went to go check on them and one was gone. He was heartbroken but I assured him it was the beauty of how God made them. I said "Gray, isn't it amazing that they just know what to do. I mean they don't have to go to Home Depot and take a class on how to build their home." Grayson didn't find that amusing. But he still had ONE left. That ended the next day. Two caterpillars gone and one little boy whose heart was broken.

Fast forward to this morning. I told him I'd help him look around our ONE ACRE of land for a chrysalis. AAAAAAGGGGG. I read that they don't go farther than 30 feet so off we go. All day we looked. Finally after 3 this afternoon Grayson finds one under the fence post. What? Only him. Awesome Gray. Here it is

Wait. He found the other. On top by the eave of our gutters. What a blessing. Now we're off to buy more milkweed. Wouldn't you?

Planting love

2010-03-29T20:59:00.008-05:00

Sisters.
What a blessing they are. Gabbi waiting "Forever" (in her words) for a sister. With two brothers back to back and my hubby one of 5 boys with only one sister, we weren't sure our last pregnancy would produce another girl. Well she has been here 19 months and I don't know what we did without her for 13 years. Gabbi and Anna Rose have a special relationship (as all sisters should). Gabbi is Anna's second mom. The only one other than me that can put her to sleep. You know, really important stuff.

The other day Gabbi was planting some sunflower seeds and Anna had to help. Then it turned into "smoochy" time. Don't you love those puckered up lips.

Sweetness. I love my girls.

The face of Tourette's

2010-03-10T23:18:00.009-06:00

What does Tourette's look like? Well....my son Gabe has Tourette's. There....I said it. I used to be so scared to even think he had it. Our journey with this disorder has, looking back, about a year in the making. Gabe started just popping his head back. Which aggravated me to no end. I took it as him just having a habit. Then the noises came. Tics is the proper medical term. We took it as him just being a boy. Boys make noises. Great noises I might add. I don't know how they do it...I digress.

It wasn't until I woke up in the middle of the night in December that it hit me. I remember a friend of mine telling me her her daughter was diagnosed with Tourette's. I knew it. I knew he had it. Well, a couple of days after that dream Gabe has his appendix removed and I told myself "I'll make that neurologist appointment soon." I didn't. I didn't make it until after our trip to Disney in February. His tics were so bad when we got back. During our appointment the neurologist told us that tics get bad with lack of sleep and excitement. Well that is Disney in a box. :)
Gabe cried in the office saying, "Mommy I can stop the noises." Then I cried. The Dr. said he could for a while but it was like a hiccup. It would have to come out eventually.
Where are we now...Well. We are researching some vitamin/food therapy choices. We won't cure it. We just hope to make it better for him. Being home schooled others don't have access to him. That is good now because kids are just mean. I thought about if he were in school how would kids tease him. He is getting ready to play baseball. I want him to have fun but pray he doesn't get teased. My momma claws just might come out.
But one thing I do know...God made Gabe for His glory. Tics and all. So my prayer daily is "Lord save my sanity with this child" (he has ADHD tendencies which is cocktailed with Tourette's) then I smile and say "I love you him Lord but you love him more." I pray that I am enough of a good mom to care for him and give him what he needs to be all the Lord has for him. So the beautiful chaos just got kicked up a notch. I still wouldn't trade it for anything....

2010-02-13T11:34:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our Sneaux Day 2010

2010-02-12T13:33:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Menu for this week

2010-02-09T23:13:00.002-06:00

Don't go into cardiac arrest. I am posting agian after 4 months for two reasons. First, I want to. Second I haven't had a digital camera in that long. I'll be posting on our most recent trip to Disney. The second one in 9 months. Sickness. Yes, we need a suppot group. I needed something easy to get me back into posting so here goes the menu..

Sunday- Superbowl dinner with the D's. Chilli, potatoes and LOTS of snacky foods. I also made chocoltae lovers cheesecake. YUMMY. No pictures to post.
Monday- Club sandwhiches, sweet potato fries, green beans and cupcakes
Tuesday- Chicken parmisgana, pasta, califlower
Wednesday-Turkey Gumbo, french bread, salad
Thursday-Tacos, yellow rice, corn
Friday- Three pizzas in honor of the Olympics, salad.

Thirteen on Thursday- D

2009-10-01T08:41:00.002-05:00

1. Daughters- I have two and they are both so special to me. My bookends I call them. One in front and one caboose. Also, I am a daughter to the best dad on earth.
2. Dad- My stepfather is the man I call dad. Funny how you don't have to be realted to someone whom loves you and you love so much.
3. Diet- one four letter word I hate but should be on.
4. Dancer- I thought I had given that part of my life up after children but now my daughter has resurrected that area. I am now teaching dance to the sweetest 4 girls in my life.
5. Dogs- I have 2 and it is a like/hate relationship. I like that my kids have them but I hate having to care for them.
6. Deaf- I have partial hearing loss in my right ear. Now you know why I am so loud.
7. Debate- something I love to do about religion, politics and healty eating.
8. Desks- something my children NEVER sit at to do school.
9. Diapers- cloth to be exact. I love my cloth diapers. I am now offically a freak in the world of mommies.
10. Disappear- the way I feel sometimes. Just long enough to miss people. Then I shall return.
11. Diving- I HATE WATER. The deep ocean kind. Not the bathing kind. I would never choose to dive and or be in any situation that would call for me to have a breathing tank strapped to my back.
12. Dolls- I was never a doll girl but I have 2 girls whol LOVE their dolls. For my dd 10th birthday we went to Chicago just to see the American Girl doll factory. It was so fun. Now this January we are going to the American Girl facotry in Atlanta. So we LOVE our dolls 'round here.
13. Drama- with 4 children and a shiftwork husband I have more than I need in life. But I wouldn't change it for anything.

Fourteen on Friday "C"

2009-09-10T16:54:00.008-05:00

1. Cats- allergic to them. I can tell if you have one within 15 minutes of being in your home.
2. College- never graduated though I am 1 year or so away from having 2 degrees. One in education and the other in sign launguage.
3. Chocolate- MUST HAVE OFTEN
4. Chicago- The furthest north I have been thanks to American Girl.
5. Calculator- cannot do math without it.
6. Campfire- once I witnessed my husband start one with paper towels, hairspray and a lighter. TRUE
7. Candels- only soy and I LOVE them.
8. Capes- whenever I see one on a small child I keep my car keys and insurance card handy. ;) previous experience
9. Car- my first one was a chevy corsica. I got it at 16 and didn't have a liscence. Got it soon after and drove my mom to phsyical therapy.
10. Cashier- my first job at Stein Mart. So I could pay for the car.
11. Catfish- yummy. I love me some thin fried catfish.
12. Cheerleader- I was one but ONLY on account of my LOUD voice and large thighs. I was needed to hold up the skinny girls and be heard. TRUE
13. Chef- I would love to own a bakery and have a speical tea room for girls.
14. Christ- my Rock and Redeemer.

14 B's

2009-08-28T21:39:00.002-05:00

OK April, you are on. Here is my 14 on Friday.

1. Bible- I love it and don't read it enough. It is my roadmap for life. I strive to hide it in my heart.
2. Barraco- my last name.
3. Babies- I have 4. All different sizes and ages. I always wanted 6.
4. Braces- never had them and I have had straight teeth my whole life.
5. Backflips- what I used to be able to do in gymnastics. Not anymore.
6. Backpacks- things I don't have to pack so my children can go to school in the morning.
7. Blogging- I'm new to it and not that great at it. It keeps the families informed and hopefully feeling they are more connected to us from far away.
8. Baker- self professed. I LOVE to bake but NEVER without a recipe.
9. Ballet- I danced for over 18 years. Now my daughter(who has never taken one class) is obsessed with. I even bought her toe shoes (four sizes too small to ensure she can't put them on her feet) to decorate her room with. It has made me nostalgic to remember those days.
10. Balloon- I HATE THEM. All kinds. They are hopsital visits waiting to happen.
11. BBQ- love to eat it. Hate to smell like it.
12. Bells- the sound I love to hear at Christmas.
13. Bath- something I don't get everyday since having a baby and a shiftwork husband.
14. Blessings- Too many in my life to count. I could try but would run out of time. Thank you Lord for being better to me than I deserve.

Menu for this week

2009-08-23T16:13:00.003-05:00

Sunday- roast chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
Monday- Chef salad, homemade bread sticks/ Rice Krispies
Tuesday- Baked ziti pasta, garlic bread, broccoli/ Peanut Butter cookies
Wednesday- Chicken noodle soup (kids asked for it), rolls/ Pudding pops
Thursday- Bacon sandwiches, fruit, tator tots/chocolate cake
Friday- Grown up grilled cheese( will post pix and recipe), tomato soup/ ice cream
Saturday- Taco ring, black beans, cinnamon chips

Thursday 13- A's

2009-08-13T22:37:00.003-05:00

I am such a rule breaker. I saw my friend Jenn posting this 13 thing and loved it. Now I want to play. (said whining) So I'm not in any official group so I'm gonna play on my own terms. Plus I am waaaaay to type A to start with F. So here it goes.

1. Allison- my name
2. April- the name of my sister and BF
3. Altha- my mom's name
4. ADD- the medical term for the way my brain functions
5. American- and darn proud of it
6. Amazed- at how fast children grow
7. Addict- my relatioship with chocolate
8. Admire- the way I look at people who aren't loud like me
9. Abdomen- the part of my body that may NEVER recover from 4 children
10. Above- the direction of my face looks most days
11. Adress- have lived at my current one the longest in my marriage of 14 years
12. Ant- what I currently have crawing through a kitchen window and won't let my hubby kill with pestisides
13. Attitude- well let's just end with enough said

That was fun and hard. Y'all play too.

Happy Birthday to my Anna Rose

2009-08-04T23:56:00.004-05:00

Yes. It has already been a year. I sit here typing, crying already at the wonderful, scary road it took to get my sweet Anna Rose here to us.

The night she was born, I couldn't feel her move. It had been over an hour and she just wasn't moving. My precious mother, who stayed with us that night while Pat worked, brought me immediately to the hospital. After 6 miscarriages I couldn't come this far and lose my baby. When we got to the hospital, they told me she looked good on the monitor but wanted the Dr. to check me. After the Dr. did she asked if I was in pain. I said "no." I was 7 1/2 cent. Time to call hubby. She was born 3 hours after we got to the hospital. I cried for 15 minutes repeating "I can't believe she is here. " Lord, thank you for her. She is precious to us in so many ways. I cannot wait to watch her grow and learn. She seems so big already yet so innocent. Her eyes are trusting and mischievous all at the same time. That lil' rascal. Here's to you Anna.

Mom, thanks for being there for me. ALWAYS. I couldn't have done it a year ago without you. Just as I cannot make it a day without talking to you. I love you.

Enjoy some picture from beginning to now. Just pause the playlist so you can hear the music.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Barracos and Beignets

2009-07-23T20:14:00.009-05:00

We went to mom and dad's this week and went to go get baby G's first beignets. We LOVE these sugary coated heartattacks on a plate. Who wouldn't? I also love the fact that sugar is supposed to get all over the place. The children hadn't been here in quite a while.

The children got hats as is standard here.

My awesome parents enjoying the madness that comes along with a son-in-law, 4 children, sugar and spilt chocolate milk.

Then the rain came. I won't bore you with pictures of that. But as the wind blew, it reminded them of a naughty little tradition we have. You MUST blow powdered sugar on the brother/sister you love the MOST.

Let's just say.....I don't think this one will be her last. Isn't life great.

Rainbow Buffet

2009-07-19T22:50:00.004-05:00

Not the most exciting post but this is what our children call Rainbow Buffet. It is all veggies and fruits. Now we usually eat this when dh is working nights, as he is now. I now serve this with a baked potato and the children LOVE it. We usually do vegetarian at least 2 nights a week. I figure what ever they eat is good for them.

Red-strawberries and tomatoes

Orange-carrots and cheeseaa(not pictured b/c it was consumed before photo)

Yellow- pineapple

Green-cucumber and celery

Purple- blueberries and plums

Brown-baked potato or bread sticks

I usually serve something super yummy like brownies for dessert. Anyway. Just wanted to share

Wordless Wednesday- Hmmmmmm

2009-07-08T21:44:00.001-05:00

Bird Craze

2009-07-04T08:37:00.009-05:00

We would like you to meet the newest pet in our family. The craze begins and ends with best friends of ours. They have 4 birds and Gabbi loves playing with them when we go to their house. Anyway, her name is Gewel (pronounced Jewel) We had to keep in line with the G thing you know. She loves sitting on Gabbi's shoulder. We are all enjoying her. Enjoy the pictures.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T18:12:00.003-05:00

Don't you just LOVE them dimples?????

Menu for this week

2009-06-29T21:56:00.002-05:00

Monday- Chicken Piccata (southern living) egg noodles and brown sugar carrots/pudding
Tuesday-French Toast, sausage/fruit
Wednesday-Rainbow Buffet(vegetarian tray)/ brownies
Thursday-Red beans(Yes Tracy I know, not on Thurs) it couldn't be avoided/ cookies
Friday-Taco bar/cinnamon tortilla chips
Saturday-hamburgers/homemade ice cream
Sunday-BBQ chicken in the crockpot(hubby working)/leftover ice cream if any LOL

Wordless Wednesday- if you know my son....yes, the one in the cage..

2009-06-24T14:57:00.003-05:00

Menu for this week

2009-06-22T16:52:00.002-05:00

Monday- Meatball sandwiches with carrots sticks/ Desset- c.c cookies
Tuesday-Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, peas/Brownies
Wednesday-Jambalya, salad, homemade rolls/grahams
Thursday-Hamburgers, sweet potatoes, corn/berries and pound cake
Friday-Homemade pizza, salad/popcorn

Menu for this week

2009-06-08T19:49:00.003-05:00

Monday- Quesidillas, yellow rice, corn

Tuesday-Red beans, rice, green beans, corn bread and Best Friends(we aren't eating them LOL)

Wednesday- Baked Ravioli, garlic bread, broccoli

Thursday- BBQ chicken, baked beans, baked macaroni, brown sugar carrots

Friday-Chef Salad, garlic bread

Our Family is Growing......

2009-05-25T23:31:00.000-05:00

Now I know all of you think you getting great news about a new Barraco baby but...........sorry :(

We just started our new garden. Just one more of my green living ways to check off my wish list. We are going the Square Foot Garden type. http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

I have dragged my butt long enough. I have always wanted to have a garden but NEVER had the time/money or desire to dig up the hard Louisiana soil. I have had the box built for a month. I also have had dying vegetable on my patio table crying out to me daily to keep them alive. It took me this long to get my soil. It didn't cost much. I cannot wait to see my veggies start to grow. We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, bell pepper and marigold to keep 'squitos away. We plan to put in pumpkins in July for the fall and some other things. I also plan on putting in a box for the children. I might tye in an object lesson on sin being like weeds in a garden. If we don't confess our sin or pull out the weeds in our garden it chokes life. Hmmmmmm.

I'll keep you updated on the growing. Of children and veggies.

2 posts in a day. Don't faint y'all.

I took pictures but cannot find my cord to upload. Grrrrrr. I'll post some before/afters when I find the cord. TTFN

Menu for this week

2009-05-25T16:38:00.004-05:00

Monday- baked penne pasta, garlic bread, spinach sald

Tuesday- kabobs

Wednesday- anniversary (who knows)

Thursday- breakfast

Friday- pizza with salad

The pillowcase dress

2009-04-28T20:55:00.004-05:00

I have always wanted to make a pillowcase dress. I sewed B.C. I used to love it. Well I finally got the Minnie dress done for baby G just in time to leave for Disney World on Sunday. Whatcha think? Oh, let me plug my honey. If it weren't for my hubby I wouldn't have been able to do this. He gave me an hour and lots of encouragement. I love you Pat.

Lessons all over the place

2009-04-05T22:33:00.008-05:00

Welcome back. No. Haven't been crying that long. 2 things.
1.) The save to draft button.......very important.
2.) Don't hit the back button. NEVER.

God is still on His throne. Amen? Well, the lessons keep on coming. God is doing so much in my life I am afraid if I post I might be considered "odd". OK if you know me, odder than normal. I struggle with time to do the things I want. Notice I didn't say need to do. There are just things in my day I would like to do and PBJ sandwiches and laundry aren't always it.

God is so faithful. Why His eyes stop on me I'll never know but His word says they do. He saw me that fateful day crying in my laundry room and He knew I needed a touch from Him. He touch was a small smack in the head with the Word. It goes something like this... Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. We hear it alot but we need to be aware of the words AND the order.

Seek Him. We really could just stop there. Seek isn't passive. It is an action word. Seek Him by reading the Word, then just listen to what He says. He speaks to us by friends, pastors, spouses and if you are really bad like me, your children. OUCH.. Anyway. Seek Him and the things that please Him and then all these things. I believe when you spend your time seeking Him the other things just fall into place. I know this to be true. I cannot tell you I am in the Word like I want to be but I do spend more time talking and even more listening. Our pastor said that prayer should be the knee jerk reaction for a Christian. I believe he is right. I pray about the smallest and biggest things now. It pays.

Sounds strange but now I seem to have time for making baby food( hush I love doing it), playing games with the children and other things I never had time for. I told you none of this is for you. It is for me. I really am trying to live for the Lord. It is so hard because I seem to get in the way of Him all the time. I pray He sees my heart and finds it to be a worthy place to live. I want Him to have all the dried up, old way, empty places in there are bring His healing salve to it and renew it. If my heart is where He lives shouldn't I take more time preparing it than the "earth suit" I inhabit. Hmmmmmm..............................

Lessons from laundry part 2

2009-03-31T16:07:00.002-05:00

I have erased 30 minutes of work so after I cry I will re post

Lessons from laundry part 1

2009-03-22T21:49:00.003-05:00

Don't freak out. This isn't about how to make homemade laundry soap or something weird about cloth dipaers (although I am into both of those). This is something the Lord has shown me while staring into my washing machine while it was on spin cycle. Normally you cannot see the spin cycle unless you have a broken machine. As I do.

Anywho....Now the normal question is WHY??? Why am I staring at my spin cycle....I was having a...hmmmm mommy moment. I needed quiet, lonley place no one would step into and my children know if they stepped in there I would give them something to do.

I was neck deep in guilt over things that appear to be failure to me. When the children don't listen, when they fuss about not wanting to do a report. I consider them failures on my part. So I stepped into the laundry room and looked into my spin cycle and thought that was what my life felt like. Like I had no control over it and as I said these words "Lord DO YOU SEE ME?". I heard Him say that He saw me and I was right. I really DON'T have control over my life. (Pause) After I let that soak in there was some peace in that. If He gave me control, could I do better.... ummmm....NO.

There really is peace knowing that He knows the beginning and the end. The Word says in 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. OK. So everything I need can be found in Him. I need to stop there. Stop trying to find my goodness or not so goodness in MY works, failures and such. I am beautiful to Him. That is all I need to know.

The Lord didn't stop there but I will....I have some other great wisdom that a sister shared with me during sweet prayer time at church tonight. It just confirms what the Lord is showing me about leaning on Him for ALL we need.

I know this post really isn't for you. It is for me. I just need a space to put it all down. If it blesses you praise Him. I am glad just to be a vessel.

365-9

2009-03-10T23:48:00.002-05:00

365* 8 arch. pic

2009-03-10T23:45:00.002-05:00

Downtown Baton Rouge

Nature walks and falling asleep

2009-03-04T16:43:00.007-06:00

Nothing big to you but today was the first day my baby fell asleep without crying herself there. I am slightly attached parenting in my approach to mothering so letting her "cry it out" is hard for me. We are only doing it during the day and will tackle night next. I hope(fingers crossed) Pray for me.

OK. Nature walks. Charlotte Mason would be proud of me. I had so much fun with the boys just watching them watch nature. They picked up rocks, leaves and other things I told them NO to. Glass and bottle tops.

So sweet. They really DO love each other

My cutie and his "smooth" rock

Grayson about to kick an ant pile. Boys.

No sisters on this walk. Just the boys.

Lord thank you for opportunity to teach my children and watch them grow and learn. I am humbled daily by the task and hope to do it to your glory.

365-7

2009-03-03T19:08:00.003-06:00

An evening view from my front door. 3 days in a row Tracy. Whatcha think?

365-6

2009-03-02T19:12:00.002-06:00

What in the world.........Ok let me explain. To you this is just a picture but no. To us it is the wonderful way to countdown our days to the Happiest place on earth. This is a picture of our Disney Chain. It represents the 62 days left until our trip. It helps to let the children "see" what 62 days looks like. When you go every two years you need to spice things up some. We each wrote what we cannot wait to do, ride or remember about the trip. Craziness I know. I would put a ticker on here if I knew how. Tracy, HELP!!!!

365-5 Loser me

2009-03-01T23:03:00.002-06:00

In our front yard. Her 6 1/2 month picture. I love her. All I can say.

Menu for this week

2009-03-01T22:57:00.002-06:00

I am a loser. I know I haven't been on here in forever. Almost 7 month old still.....not.....sleeping.... but we HAVE been eating. ;)

Sunday-sandwiches
Monday- Spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread
Tuesday- Jambalaya, salad and homemade rolls
Wednesday- Eat at church
Thursday- Roasted BBQ chicken, smashed potatoes, green beans
Friday- Taco Ring, yellow rice and beans

Just to let you know, I make my meal plans for breakfast and lunch and snack. I have to controll myself to NOT post them. Sick. I know..

Menu for this week

2009-02-02T09:31:00.003-06:00

This week for dinner we have

Monday-Chicken Fettucini alfredo with broccoli and flavored olive oil to dip bread

Tuesday-Hamburgers, fries and sweet potatoes

Wednesday- eat at church

Thursday-French Toast with sausage (daddy works nights)

Friday-Parents Night out (daddy working agian.....anyone free for a night out???)

365-4

2009-02-01T19:53:00.002-06:00

365* shoe pic

2009-02-01T14:14:00.003-06:00

Week late but hey..... 6 month old. Nothing more to say.

The vet's office field trip

2009-01-27T19:33:00.005-06:00

The girls after the vet's

Gabe in the assistant area

Grayson looking at x-rays

Today we went on a field trip with our homeschool group to the vet's office. The children had so much fun. We got to see a female dog having surgery. "cool, yuck and mom, I want to leave" we all of the responses to seeing that. We toured the dental area, got to see X-rays and hotel rooms for dogs. No really. Air conditioned and all. Oh I didn't mention the TV's in their private rooms with CABLE. Idon't even have cable. I digress. We went to lunch at some sweet woman's home who was brave enough to host a handful of moms and 55 children... not really but close. My children had fun and got plenty of fresh air and sunshine. They needed both of those things. What a blessing it is to be home and share these experiences with them. Enjoy the pix

365-3

2009-01-27T17:18:00.005-06:00

This one was taken at the vet's office today. I don't know if you can see the bumblebee right below the flower. Those little things are super fast.

my daughters pix

2009-01-21T21:33:00.005-06:00

OK I cannot lie...well. My daughter took these in our yard yesterday. Here is some of her work. The girl is good at everything she does. She doesn't get it from me. Enjoy

365-2 Not red but cute

2009-01-21T21:29:00.006-06:00

She isn't red but the cutest thing I could find. Tee hee. I am biased... Whatcha think?

Which one you like better?

Menu for this week

2009-01-18T22:06:00.002-06:00

Thanks Tracy for the idea. Great one. We might inspire each other.. Culinarilly that is...

Monday- Red beans, rice, cornbread (only on Monday you know who!!)
Tuesday- Sloppy Joes, tator tots, corn
Wednesday- eat at church
Thursday- Chicken alfredo with fetuccini or tortellini, broccoli and homemade bread
Friday- Homemade Pizza, salad, brownies

365* (probably not but will try)-1

2009-01-17T10:41:00.000-06:00

OK, January 17 2009. I recieved a digital camera for Christmas. After all the whining, complaining, huffing and sighing(see kids it does work) I got one. The only thing I have used it for is having a slide show for my my screen saver and facebook. Alas, the photographic inspiration of my fellow homeschooling moms(and fellow bloggers) has paid off. I have taken a shadow picture. Not great. Some of us don't have a 5 mm lens(or whatever it is that Tracy has) This is it. Here it goes. Be gentle with comments. My ego is still in post-birth mode. ;)

The power of a name

2009-01-12T22:30:00.001-06:00

Now if you thought I would be talking about Jesus I am not~ and I am. I have to share a story about what happened in church on Sunday. Something to ponder and be reminded of.

We were having our "grip and grin" time as we Baptists like to call it. During that time I sought out a Vietnamese woman who isn't saved and visiting our church. I said " Good morning Aay" pronounced long A. She grabbed my hand and said " you know my name." I went on to say I remembered meeting her one day and smiled. She went on to say "yes but when you said my name I got goose bumps."

Wow!!! Who knew just saying someones name can do that? Do we really take the time to KNOW someone and care about them. Do we look look them in the eye and care. I am challenging myself to not just do that at church but what about the lady checking out my groceries at Walmart or the librarian. I hope to give that feeling to those outside and INSIDE my house.

Do my kids know that I care about them and what they say!! Eye contact and real concern for others. It could change things big time.