Going Back to Work!

I am so excited to announce that tomorrow is my 1st day back at MMI (Medical Ministry International).  This was where I was working when I had Zachary and I hated to resign, but I wanted to stay home with Zachary and not work.  I always wanted to be a stay at home mom and I feel so blessed to be able to stay home with them.  I have been asked numerous questions and want to answer them here:

1. How many hours are you going to be working?
*About 16 hours (Tues 9 - 3, Wed 12:30 - 5:30, Thurs 9 - 3)

2. Why are you going back to work?
*I just want to get out of the house some b/c I will go weeks w/o having a break and now that they're older; I feel like it's okay to have a break away from them.  It will be good for both me and for them.  I am going to miss them, but they'll be in good hands!

3. Are you going to still homeschool?
*Absolutely!  In fact, I am planning on putting away some of the money that I'll be making to put towards curriculum, books, activities, etc.  Zachary will be starting kindergarten in Fall of 2014, so right now we're not doing any major curriculum studies.  He is learning to trace shapes and the alphabet right now.  We do coloring, reading, painting, etc.  So, he'll still be able to get plenty of time with me to continue to work on his motor skills, alphabet, counting, etc.  When he starts kindergarten; we'll see how it works out then, but I'm not worried about that right now.

4. What will you be doing?
*I am going to be the office assistant for everyone in the office.  I knew I didn't want to go back to what I was doing b/c that would be too much of a committment from me.  I am so excited to be going back and know that God has provided this for me and He will take care of it all.

Those are the main questions that I have been getting, so I wanted to take a moment and asnwer them.  I hope you have a blessed day and I will write more later!  :)

Cod Recipe

I made up my own cod recipe tonight and I think it's going to be DELICIOUS!!!!!

I started by letting the piece of cod unthaw, although, this step is not necessary, but I like it thawed (personal preference).  :)  After that, I smeared mayo on the cod, just a thin/medium coating will do.  After that, I crushed up into almost a bread crumb consitentcy some French's Fried Onions.  I sprinkled them evenly over the cod and pressed the onions into the mayo (I like a lot of this on there, so I did probably 1/4 cup of these over the whole piece of cod).  Your amount will vary depending on much fish you're cooking.

Here are the pictures of my fish before cooked and my dinner plate!!!!!  :)

 

Here is the picture with just the mayo spread on it 

 

 

Here it is with the onions on it

 

 

 

Here is the final dinner product!  We have roasted veggies (yellow squash, zuchini, carrots, garlic, potatoes, a little bit of olive oil) and the cod!  YUMMY!!!!

 



Christmas

The kids had a great Christmas!!  We didn't focus on them getting many presents, but enjoying the things that they were getting. 
Santa brought them a outdoor playhouse; which its in the garage set up right now and will put it in the backyard when it's going to be nice for several days.  They have enjoyed playing with it in the garage and gives them something to do besides just play inside.  Santa also brought them a kitchen for them to play with.  They have enjoyed that alot so far also.  Then they each got a coloring book, stuff for the bathtub (fingerpaint for the tub and foam soap).  They each got 2 books for us to read and a few other small things.  They were very happy and we had a great time also! 

We definitely emphasized Jesus' birth; which is the main REASON for the SEASON!  :)

Today we cleaned the whole house; which included picking up toys, vacuuming, and putting clothes up that were clean.  Now there are clothes being washed and those will also be put up.  Zachary has been enjoying putting his clothes in his closet for me after I hang them up.  Sadie likes to try to put the clothes on the hanger, but hasn't figured that out yet.  :) 

Sadie has been busy with potty training and LOVES to go on the potty.

Tonight they will be spending the night with Mimi and Poppy.  Les and I will be going to dinner with some of our Sunday School Class.  Yes, we're crazy for going out.....it's going to be PACKED!!!  LOL

Love to all - Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)

Merry Christmas y Feliz Navidad!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas this morning!!  Remember, Jesus is the REASON for the season and He is to be celebrated too.  Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!!!!

Our morning started off with Santa sending us on a scavenger hunt around the house to finally the garage where the outdoor playhouse was all set-up.  The kids LOVED the scavenger hunt and enjoyed doing that.  After that, the kids opened presents, then played while waiting on MiMi, Poppy and Bob to arrive for breakfast.  The kids showed off their toys, we had breakfast and then played outside for just a little bit with the remote controlled 4 wheeler.  Sadie is now snoozing and I'm even thinking about laying down too.....HA!

From our family to yours, Merry CHRIST-mas!!!!!

Who'd a thunk it?!?!

Our big girl started showing interest in the potty a while back and would want to sit on the potty, but would never do anything.  Well, that all changed 3-4 days ago.  She was pulling at her pants and "talking" to me.  I asked her if she wanted to go pee pee and she said," yeah!" and started running towards the potty.  I got her undressed and she went pee pee!  I was thinking this was probably just something fun for her.  However, whenever I ask her throughout the day; then she will always go and try to go pee pee.  She has pee peed everytime even if it takes her a few minutes.  Well, today, my mom had her before she was going down for a nap and asked her if she needed to go pee pee.  She went to the potty, went pee pee and my mom asked her if she was finished.  Sadie said," No!"  Then she proceeded to go poo poo on the potty too. 

I decided to try to start potty training her and see how it goes.  I bought her some pull-ups today and another potty thing to go over the potty.  She has one that goes over the potty b/c I was NOT going to use a potty chair like I did with Zachary.  I disliked cleaning it up......YUCK!  So, she is training straight on the potty.  Now she has a potty chair for each potty......YAY!  She has a pink Sesame Street one and a Princess one.  I had bought the Sesame Street one at a garage sell several months ago and I'm so glad that I did! 

When she saw the pull-ups; she was so proud and she was showing them to everyone who lives at my uncles house!  It was really cute and she was so proud of herself; that's for sure!!  :)

Pray that this goes smoothly for us and that I would also have discernment if it's not.  I don't want her to feel any pressure and so far it has been totally her idea and she is SOOO PROUD of herself!!!

In case you're asking yourself," how old is she again??"  Well, she's 21 months; she'll be 2 in March.  ;)

Sadie

I'm feeling so blessed tonight.  As I was blowdrying Sadie's hair this evening; I was just praising Jesus for her.  I am thankful for her health, her beautiful hair (is just like mine when I was younger), her sweet kisses in the morning or when she decides to bless us with them, her little attitude, her little smirks, her seriousness, her giggle, and the list could go on and on.  I was also praying for another little girl who is not mine, but is a little bit older than Sadie.  She is just beginning her battle with cancer.  Please pray for Reesey with me and all of her family.  It breaks my heart and makes me treasure my time with my sweet babies because you just never know what's going to be around the corner waiting for you.

However, one thing that God has taught me a few months ago is found in Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; which says:

Verse 6," Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Verse 8," The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

I was sharing these 2 verses with a friend last night.  I hope that these verses bless you just as much as they have blessed me.  What great reminders that God has already gone ahead of us and He travels through the good and bad times with us.

Here are a few pictures of my Sadie girl and I - Enjoy!!!

 

Sadie and I

 

She was hugging on Kodi - it was funny watching her covering Kodi up with her blanket; then she would lay her head on Kodi.  I think Sadie was getting ready to go to bed at this time, so she was tired.

 

Sadie was reading her book in the cage.  I happened to walk by the playroom and saw her in the cage and of course, ran and got my camera.......LOL  She's so silly!!!!!!!  :)

 

Here was Sadie helping with the laundry one day.

 

Still working on the laundry; almost all done!

 

Here she is dressed up as Cinderella at Halloween!!  LOVE!

 

Here we are just one day; nothing special; just being silly!!!

 

Here she is one morning after she got up - still wearing her pj's....HA!

Christmas Pictures!

Here is our little family of 4 altogether taking some pictures.  I can't believe how fast this year went by; is it really already almost 1/2 way through December?!?!  Well, yes, it is.....HA!

We've been good, but this is the 1st week in a while that one of us are not sick......YAY!  Zachary and I seem to be on the same schedule as far as getting sick.  :)  He had a snotty nose, fever, and cough about 3 weeks ago; then a few days later, I get the snotty nose and cough.  It took us about 2 weeks to get over that, but now we're all over that.  Then last week Sadie went to the doc on Monday and she had bronchitis.  :(  She started on the Z-pack that day and was significantly better the next day.  YAY!  Then Les got the cold stuff, but his is almost gone too.  So, we're finally doing all better in hopes that we stay well for Christmas fun!

I asked my mom to take some pictures for us and here are some of the shots that I just love!  I hope you enjoy them too!!!!

 

Family Picture

Zachary - 3 yrs old

Sadie - 21 months old

 

Another one

 

Sadie and her ladybug

 

Mommy and Sadie

 

Les and Kimberly

 

Here we are again!

 

Zachary on the caboose!

 

Zachary looking through the wreath

 

Sadie looking through the wreath

 

All of us on the caboose

Me and my honey

 

Daddy and Sadie

 

Zachary posing on his own; just love this picture of him with a natural smile.

 

Sadie was playing by falling down on her bottom; she was having a ball.  :)