Great Depression Cooking Ep:6 - Depression Breakfast

A friend emailed me this gem of a lady! She has quite a few cooking videos and great stories to go with each one!

Name Meme

JMJ tagged me for this one!


Copy the questions from my post and paste them in a new post on your blog. Erase my answers and put yours in. Use the first letter of your name to answer ALL of the following questions. If the person before you has the same 1st letter pick a new one. You CAN NOT use anything twice, and you CAN NOT use your own name for the boy/girl question. After you are done, tag 5 people.......


1. What is your name?: Jamie
2. A 4 letter word: Just
3. A boy's name: Jason
4. A girl's name: Jennifer
5. An occupation: Janitor
6. A color: Jade
7. Something you wear: Jeans
8. A Food: Jelly Roll
9. Something found in the bathroom: Jergins Lotion
10. A place: Jamaica
11. A reason for being late: Just Forgot!
12. Something you shout: Jeepers!
13. A movie title: "Justice League" (Super hero movie, Jedi helped me with this one!)
14. Something you drink: Juice
15. An animal: Jaguar
16. A song title: "Janie's Crying" (I have no idea who sings it, but all the boys in high school sang it to me all the time, changing it Jamie's Crying...I know it's a rock song)
17. A verb: Jump


I'm tagging 5 new bloggers I think worthy of checking out!
Amanda @ All For His Glory
Sarah @ With A Hopeful Heart
Glacial Mama @ Frozen Footprints
Suzie @ Shepherding My Sheep
Sarah @ More Than Enough (she's new to me)

*These are all MN and ND moms!! The only one I have not met yet is the last Sarah, but hope to meet her someday!

St Vincent De Paul?

A while ago, in January, Allison at Totus Tuus Family, decided to help anyone who wanted their Saint of the year to pick them. She prayerfully picked Saints for each person who wanted a Saint, either for themselves, their family or their blog. I kind of reluctantly decided to go for it. I say that because the first time I did this several years ago, someone working in a local Catholic bookstore picked a Saint that I did not want and actually did nothing with him. (except wonder why I got him) Which is kind of ironic now, because that Saint was St Pius X. This time, I thought, Alison knows me, her prayers will be more heartfelt and therefore I will get someone like Blessed Mother Teresa (my favorite) or any patron Saint of my children (we've named all our children after Saints). But, she picked St Vincent De Paul. Now, I was very disappointed at first. My first thought was "why him?" He is my dad's patron Saint, his feast day is on my dad's birthday, September 27th. I kept asking over the next couple days "why?" knowing that he was for me for some reason.


Well, God answered me, in the shower of all places. (around here, that is the only place I get peace and quiet) St Vincent De Paul is my dad's patron Saint. Who knows him better than Jesus and Mary? His patron Saint. My dad and mom (and sister and brother) left the Roman Catholic Church a couple years ago and joined the SSPX (Society of St Pius X) which has given me great pain (click here). Anyone see the irony? I am now praying to my dad's patron Saint for him to come back to Rome. I just have such a hard time hearing my dad say "No, we are not in full union with the Holy Father." I do, hope and pray someday they will be in full union, and I do believe someday they will be, but for now they are not and they are wrong. Simple as that.
Thank you so very much Allison, God bless you!


**I'm trying to catch up on posts, I'm so far behind, I owe Sarah (JOT) a huge thank you and I've been a lazy blogger lately...I've been a lazy everything. I have no energy. I have no ambition. This baby has taken it away!! I am positive the energy will come back, my husband says "no, it will be gone for the next 2 years!" He's wrong, right?

Come Back, Repent, Lent is Coming!

I've seen this so many times, and every time it makes me cry. God's Amazing Love for us, all the things in life that get in between us and Him, if we let them, but He's still there, waiting for us to call out to Him, waiting to help us. This video puts me right there, ready to do what I need to do this Lent to bring me closer to Him.

H/T Regan (I can't link on YouTube)

Happy Update!!

Thank you all for your wonderful prayers!! Little sweet Sophia is perfect, her head is going to grow just fine!!

Praise God for this wonderful news!

Urgent Prayers!

My closest friend, Sarah, who's more like a sister to me, just took her sweet 4 month little girl, Sophia to the doctor and he told her " there is a possibility about premature fusing of the suture lines of her sweet little skull, which would inhibit her brain from being able to keep growing." (her words, not the doctors, he was a little more blunt than that) They took X-rays yesterday and she is waiting for results, hopefully by Friday. My good friend, has already been through so much, losing her dear mother last year and her sweet little baby boy, Gabriel about 5 years ago. Please storm Heaven for her and her sweet baby Sophia! Thank you so very much and God Bless!

Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure Intro

Holy Heroes are back!! Join today and don't miss out for Lent! Their Lenten Adventure comes 3 times a week and is sure to help our family get ready for Easter!

Go to www.holyheroes.com to sign up your family!

Sick!

We all have that stuffy head, body ache, runny nose, feverish, coughing thing that's going around. So I will not be doing much reading or posting until we are feeling better! First time this whole school year we've gotten sick!

Valentine Crafts

This one I saw at Art Projects For Kids! The girls loved doing this together! The colors are so vibrant, we might have to frame these!
Here's our craft wall coming together! These people are made with a big pink head shape, connected to two pieces of paper, cut the long way, big enough to look like arms, then their own hand shapes on the ends! They loved making these too!

Lots of painting, in Valentine colors, red, pink, purple and white.

Marble Painting, I've shown this before, but here it is in Valentine colors and shapes!

Just pick your colors of paint, cut out your shapes, put in a box and either drop the paint onto the shapes or dip the marbles in paint and drop the marbles in. My kids like to use several marbles for a more marbled look, but you can also use only one marble. We drop the paint in using the colors they pick, it goes much faster and is much cleaner than dropping the marbles in paint first.

Heart designs!

Hearts on a string! I used scrapbooking paper (I buy it for crafts) and picked beautiful colors and cut them out and punched 2 holes at the top and strung yarn through!

Love Bugs!

Valentine Holders, made from paper plates. This will be our craft at our Valentine party, so each child will have a holder for their Valentines.

We also have a few more crafting we are planning on doing today, but we'll see, we are planning on celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes too, but I am an "after" poster, so pictures will have to be later, if at all!!

One Healthy Baby!

Sorry for the glare, it is a picture of a picture! (we don't have a scanner) No twins, but one healthy baby! Heart rate was 177 which means it probably will be a girl, but one can never tell, I guess! (my son's heart rate was always in the 150's and the girls' were in the 170-180's) I don't know if you can tell, but in the bottom picture, the baby is kicking his/her left leg up by his tummy! (so cute!) I have been asked by a few of you, yes, we will find out the sex of the baby. That will be in April. We didn't find out with our first, with the second, we did find out around 32 weeks and didn't tell anyone (which was really fun to do!) then with the last 2 we did find out and tell people. It's nice to prepare (get the right boxes out, since they are c-sections, I won't be doing that afterward) and for the kids to feel closer!

Thank you for all your prayers, I appreciate them.

A Valentine For The President

The HEART of the Matter Presidential Pro Life Craft Project

With Valentines approaching, this gets to the heart of the matter. I am copying Totus Tuus because it is worth spreading around the world!

Get a red envelope.

On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

On the back of the envelope, write the following message.
This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president?

The Office

Our latest Netflix series we are watching is "The Office"! It is great and we just finished the 2nd season where Jim and Pam finally kiss. I have to admit I watched that scene 3 times. It seems to get better each time I watch it. My husband and I started a year ago and he kind of thought it was dumb, and only watched a couple and quit (I would have kept going) but then he started recently again, to give it another try and I'm so glad! To watch one show, it's only 20 minutes with no commercials and it is so funny! The 3rd season comes today and I can't wait to sit down with my hubby and laugh tonight! (We always watch after the kiddos are in bed)

"Followers" of a Blog?

Can someone help me out? What does it mean when someone signs up and becomes a "follower" of a blog? I now have 5 followers. Do they get updates? I just don't sign up for the blogs I follow, not sure I should let everyone know how many I actually follow! :) I'm sorry I don't showcase you, I just don't want to brag about my followers, not that I don't appreciate you, it's just a fine line you see.

Babysitters!

I have to clarify my position on the babysitter thing. We do have a wonderful babysitter that we always get if we go out (we try to go once a month). She is our old neighbor girl and she is what I want my girls to grow up and be like, she is wonderful! If we can't get her, we don't go out. She plays with the kids and they look so forward to her coming. You can see her here. The going rate here in MN is $2/hr per child, so at $8 an hour, we don't go out often and I cannot pay her less, she is totally worth it, just to have someone who really knows the kids and who they love.


For my doctor appointments, I try my husband first, if he can't, I try my friend Lisa, who I totally trust with my kids, I also have gotten to know my neighbor Jeanne really well and totally trust her too. My mom is another one I know I can call if I have to. I just hate asking "Can you come watch my 4 kids?" I know it's hard and a lot of work and just hard to put people out.


My friend Lisa has been calling and asking when my appts are and seeing if they work for her, which is really nice. My neighbor found out my ultrasound is Monday and she just insisted on watching the kids for it. God has graced my life with wonderful people and we do just fine.


I also prefer people to do it at my house, because we just have everything and when there's 3 girls and one boy, well, the boy has something he can do when the girls monopolize the time. I also know my house is totally babyproofed and safe.

6 Things You Might Not Know About Me Meme

I was tagged by Tina for this one. I did something like this a while back, here's the link, but I will try to think of different ones.

I, too, am not going to post the rules, but if you want to play, please play along and post 6 things on your blog too!!

1. I hate answering the phone. I am not good at calling people. I do try to call anyone back who has called me though. We do screen our calls, mostly because those who come up as "unknown caller" to avoid those darn telemarketers!

2. I have watched many people's kids, but rarely have let them return the favor. I am just too picky. I also have a hard time letting people help me out. Actually, thinking about it, people never really ask to return the favor. I wonder why?
3. I see no reason to go on vacation if it's not warm and there's no beach and if I can't bring my kids.
4. I only completed 1 1/2 years of college. And was kicked out or suspended because of bad grades. I didn't care at the time, I thought "I'm paying you and you are kicking me out!" So young and dumb, I was. I was working full time and just didn't care enough to try hard enough.
5. I have a strong conscience that makes things very black and white for me. No gray area with right and wrong. Which gives me very high expectations of the friends I choose and actually do things with. (I didn't learn to listen to this conscience back when I was younger, see #4) If things don't feel right with my conscience, I know they are wrong.
6. I was never ever good in sports. I tried a few things, but either didn't like it or was not good. I really wanted to be a cheerleader, but couldn't, still can't and never will do a cartwheel. So tryouts were really a joke. I was, however great at aerobics and walking!
There. Done. Now you know what a true dork I really am.

Pay It Forward! (Finally)

This is how it works:

Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it forward".I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join the PIF exchange.

All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive!

What you need to do in return, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THE SAME PAY IT FORWARD PICTURE AND THIS MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.

OK, I finally am posting this, after seeing it on Christine's blog way back in December! The first 3 to leave a comment will be the 3 I pick! Just email me your address and expect something in the next year! You can find my email address in my profile on the right sidebar, by clicking on it!

Yummmmmmmm!!!!

Thank you so very much Barbara!! These were delicious and turned out perfect!! I've always wanted to learn how to make Crepes and now we have a new Friday meal!!

9 Weeks Today!

I had my first OB appointment yesterday. It was only meeting with the nurse. You know where they go over everything you already know and anything new that you don't? Like, now we are supposed to heat any cold sandwich with meat on it to steaming. SO, if I get a sub anywhere, I am supposed to heat it. YUCK! That is the only thing new I learned. I did end up leaving my big 3 ring binder with all the numbers I might need and all the info she went over with me, at the clinic, on a bench, where I stopped to put on my headband and mittens. (it was a day where we ask "why do we live in MN?")

I now have a ultrasound scheduled for next Monday, so there, I will see the baby and it's little heart beating. They said they trust my dates, but they have to be sure when it is a scheduled c-section. I'm not going to argue any chance to see the baby. She also said they need to see if there are 2 babies.

Twins. I doubt there are twins. But, I have to admit, I have prayed for them. I have always wanted them. I love babies and 2 of them would be wonderful. I know, yes, it would be very hard, but it would also be wonderful. I feel selfish even talking about it, but I noticed with my last baby, that I got bigger much faster and start thinking twins right away. When I had my first ultrasound with her, I remember, even mourning the loss of not having 2 babies. Isn't that dumb? It's a baby, it's a miracle in itself and here I am wanting more! I am selfish. I take for granted the wonderful gift of life God has given us. I think God gives only special moms twins and I guess I want to be that special mom. See how selfish I am? I am drawn to twins and of course, I am bigger this time and starting to show already and thinking twins.


Give me. Give me. Give me! I am a selfish child wanting more more more.


The nurse also warned me that I will be "living" at the clinic the last 2 months of my pregnancy. She said "so basically plan on your whole summer being here." I will be there at least 2 times/per week, for non-stress tests and ultrasounds and then every other week will be with the OB and then monthly with my diabetic doctor.


I am a repeat/multiple, c-section, almost 40 year old, type 1 diabetic, high risk? Yes.
Is it all worth it? Yes.


A few people have asked in emails and my comments how I am feeling. Just assume that I am feeling like crap, unless I tell you otherwise. I don't have a better way to put that. I started gagging, 2 days ago and still have absolutely no energy to do anything. I even canceled sledding at our house with Melissa and her children ! I never cancel things!

Again, I will ask, is it worth it? YES! I can't wait to find out what this baby looks like, what his/her personality is. I am and feel so very honored that God has trusted us with another soul.


SO, I'm sorry if I sound like I am complaining (I am pregnant you know!) But, I am just trying to be honest and real. I love having babies, I hate being pregnant. It is a total sacrifice of self. Which only brings us closer to God, right?

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

I love the symbolism in this picture. It has so much. The doves, the offering Joseph and Mary gave as they presented Jesus in the temple 40 days after his birth. Holy Simeon telling Mary her first sorrow. For a great explanation go here. Barbara has a wonderful crepe recipe on Catholic Cuisine today. I know after my first OB appt today, I'm stopping and getting some whipping cream for those crepes. I've never made crepes, but am going to try them tonight for this wonderful feast day. Barabara also has a ton of activities and beautiful explanations for this feast day and the upcoming feast days. Thank you so much Barbara!

I love the explanation of the crepes, the symbolism of the swaddled baby, Mary's sweet sorrow of how her love for her Son yet knowing the future that would give her great sorrow. I love the sweet cream inside the cream representing the sweetness and the purity of Mary.

Dana-My Favorite Catholic Singer

I love her songs! We have been listening to her songs this afternoon! I have only her old tapes, I have 4 of them. My all time favorite is "Little Baby" where she sings to the baby in her womb. "Little Baby yet unborn, in my womb so safe and warm" "Are you a boy or are you a girl?" You can play the song here. (and many others)

Totus Tuus, another favorite! OK, I have many favorites!

Happy Sunday everyone and Happy first day of February, we are a little closer to Spring!