Even though things aren't going great.....

This verse is really helping me lately with the added stress of Sean's ankle pain. Maybe it will remind you too.

1 Pet 5:6-7- I humble myself, therefore, under your mighty hand, God, that YOU may life me up in due time. I cast all this anxiety on YOU because YOU care for me.

Thank you all for your continued prayer during this difficult time in our lives. Sean's next appointment is on November 19th. I am absolutly certain that God is in control and have felt a certain peace during the last few days. I can't worry about this. God is in charge.

WOO HOO FOR GRACIE!!!

Well I don't know if this is going to be a trend but....Gracie(Kierstin)went pee pee on the potty!!!

This morning I took off her diaper to change her and she was dry yet again...so I took her to the potty and she sat waking up. And as she was sitting there she said "ewwwwww" and then she peed!!! I was so excited that I scared her and then she started crying. I think she still wasn't completly awake!

She is still pretty young, but hey I thought it was pretty cool!

Fridays are Fustrating!

I have to admit I am so exhausted by Friday that it has become my most dreaded day. It takes everything I have and some of God's "magic peace" to keep me from yelling all afternoon.

It just doesn't seem to work out for me on Fridays. The kids are ridiculously crazy, the house just doesn't get the attention that I want it to, and my routine just seems *yawn*...boring!

Where does this attitude get me??? NO WHERE!!!!!

I admit that I need help(the first step is admitting it right?). I admit that having 5 children under 6 1/2 ISN'T EASY!!! In fact, the things that I "need" to get done during the day are actually so stressful that sometimes I prioritize things in order of "what really needs to get done"

So...the cat is out of the bag! I am not good at this. I am frustrated. I need a vacation. I need my husband to be home at 6pm on the dot(the time he comes home regularly)on Fridays!

Grrrr.....thanks for reading my vent!

Now off to stop the two year old from crying because K1 closed the fridge without getting her something!!!! AAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

Longing for my cup to be filled....

Last Friday we had a life altering moment at our home. Some of you may have had these moments but for our family it was GREAT for more than just one reason.

My Kyla asked Jesus to live in her heart!!!!

And the angels rejoiced!

And I was shocked. Not because she did what I knew in my heart she would do at some point but because I CLEARLY HEARD GOD SPEAK. Oh how I long to hear his voice more. Oh how I miss him. I miss hearing him. I miss sitting still and waiting...because I know he is there...but I don't take enough time to sit and be still and listen.

But on Friday he was YELLING! He said "Now! You must talk to her about me NOW! Don't wait another moment" and I responded. Kyla was not surprised or annoyed. It was almost like she was longing for that moment as well.

But God was not just telling me to speak to Kyla but he was speaking to me as well. He was telling me that he is still there, where he has been, waiting for me to seek him. AND I WANT TO.

I got the opportunity to volunteer at the Tri-County Banquet again this year and was in AWE of the worship time. I was really worshipping. Not the look at all the people you know to see what they are doing, fudgeting with my baby, my clothes, my bulletin kind of worship. I MEAN DRINK IT IN WORSHIP. Oh how I long for that. I long to really worship my God for what he has done for our family. For speaking to me on Friday, and for showing himself to me since then.

OUR GOD IS GOOD. And he wants more from me.

Uh oh...I feel another obsession coming on!!!

Lately I have been thinking that I would really love to get a sewing machine and learn how to use it. And then...K1's medical bills kept piling up. RIDICULOUS! So my dream of owning a sewing machine and creating wonderful keepsakes for my children was pushed to the back of my mind for yet another day.

And then my mom called. She said "Erin I was just in Sewing Concepts on the square and they have a quilting class, does that sound like something you would like to do?" Of course I jumped at the idea! I said YES!!! But I still knew we couldn't afford it. So then my mom said "I would pay for it for your birthday if you want". I then again was excited about the idea. She is going to buy me a sewing machine and the class!!! AWESOME!

So here is where the obsession comes in....I have been looking at online fabric stores and trying to figure out just what I want to use for my very first project, and some to come! There is also a surprise bag of the month class offered at sewing concepts which I might do as well. That sounds SO FUN!!!!

So...here I am starting out on a new hobby. And I am excited! If anyone wants to join us I would love to have "friends" who will lovingly laugh at me while I am sure to fumble through my first project.

Go to www.sewingconcepts.com if you are interested in more info.

And I wanted to mention that I joined Cardinal Fitness yesterday and I really LOVED the workout. That might sound crazy but it really was alot of fun. Lots of different equipment to try out and my first time on an elliptical. SO FUN!!! I can't wait to go again! Thanks Beth for the awesome workout!!!

Healthy Corn Chowder!!!! ITS CORE!!!

Ok...well as most of you know I have been doing weight watchers for about 13 weeks now, I have been on CORE for over 4 weeks and I thought I would share with you one of my favorite CORE recipes. I found it in the "Ultimate Flex & Core Cookbook" that I bought at one of my weight watchers meetings.

FRESH CORN CHOWDER

-4 tsp canola oil
-1/2 cup seeded and finely chopped green bell pepper
-1/2 cup seeded and finely chopped red bell pepper
-1/2 cup minced shallots
-1 teaspoon curry powder
-3 cups fresh corn kernels(I use two cans)
-3/4 pound red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
-1 cup vegetable broth
-1/2 tsp. salt
-Freshly ground pepper to taste
-3 cups fat free milk
-1/8 teaspoon paprika

PREP-20 Minutes
Cook-About 20 Minutes
Serves-4(1 1/2 cup servings) 5 Points per serving if you are doing FLEX

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and shallots; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring constantly, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2. Stir in the corn, potatoes, broth, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

3. Transfer 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture to a blenderl add the milk and puree until nearly smooth. Return to the suacepan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until just heated through. Sprinkle with the paprika just before serving.

And that's it. Seriously...I have made this over 4 times now and the page in my book is scarred with a few spilled ingredients...because I am a sloppy cook! This is a hearty soup perfect for a guilt free dinner. And Sean LOVES IT!!! The curry powder gives it a tasteful kick. This would be great for a party as well.

Later I will be making Fresh Tomato Soup...its all core baby!!!

Another milestone checked off the list!

Yesterday Kendell tried her first taste of "baby food". She did quite well. She is 5 1/2 months so I figured I had to give in and try her out on it. Like the others before her more food was spit out than taken in but that is ok! I reminded myself today that this might be one of the first things that I am teaching her. Most of the things she knows how to do so far are instinctual and I guess eating is instinctual too but there is some teaching involved. If anyone is interested I gave her avacados and I am using the methods in the "super baby food" book by Ruth Yaron. Very interesting stuff for babies and kids who are already eating. And I might add...there is a fantastic "make it at home" section for homemade baby products and household products. Great for someone on a budget!

My poor K1!!!!

Kellyn(affectionatly called K1)has no idea but her life is going to change when she gets home from school.

I got a call today from the school vision tester and yes...Kellyn "failed" her vision screening. NOT KIARA(or K2 if you are playing along) just Kellyn!!!! I am beginning to think they aren't identical anymore ;)

The worst of it is that in the last month Kellyn has found out about an abcess, two cavaties, had a surgical extraction and seen the orthodontist(just yesterday). This is just getting ridiculous! All of our "extra" money this month is going either to the poor girls mouth or now...her eyes.

So just to update everyone...Kellyn will have two cavaties filled this month, have a spacer put in and get glasses. Not to mention she had an extraction on Friday last. WHOA!!! Most of you know how I do with change...and this is ALOT OF CHANGE!!!

The best thing about it all is that she just rolls with the punches. She is such a trooper. A "model" patient if you will! And we have been spending some great quality one on one time lately.

Poor Girl! I guess I was looking for differences!

18 inches and a chin!

GONE! It has been many many weeks since I first measured myself(July 22). I was watching Dr.Oz on Oprah and he said something that made me think. "you need to know what your measurements are". I think it had something to do with the waist size and your heart health. So...that night as I was watching it I measured my thickest part of my bust, under my bust, my waist and the thickest part of my hips. This is such a great thing to do if you are making a life change. Sometimes as women we have fluxuations that make our clothes fit tighter. But if you know what your measurements were when you start to live a healthier lifestyle you can measure yourself and know that you are making progress.

I am shocked to know that I have lost 18 inches overall. It is great! And thankfully I think one of my chins is gone! I had three, so I am going to settle with two for the moment.

If you are going to do this make sure you remember this is your starting point. Not your ending point. I didn't think I could lose weight again when I had Kendell but my body is proving my brain wrong! I can be sucessful and so can you!!!

Ahhhh...the joys of twins!!!

Ok...so I was presented with a new "twin issue" today after school.

As I was going through the take home folders I came upon a note that said(paraphrased)"During our spelling pre-test today your child spelled all the words successfully. Because of this I have given your child a new list of spelling words that are more challenging".

The problem....

That was in only ONE of my daughters take home folders. The other daughter tried really hard and got only one of the pre-spelling test words correct.

In any other household with different aged children this would have gone over much better. Either with a huge "I am proud of you" or a "I am proud of you for trying your best on your pre-test, it is a good way to know how much we know on Monday so that we can see the progress we have made on Friday"

But I couldn't say either of those. Because as a parent of twins you don't want them to think that they are doing things slower than the other so that they don't label themselves as the "slow" one.

So what did I do??? When I was in the basement looking for a writing tablet for the child who got the hard list, I mentioned that I was very proud of her but that her sister is feeling disapointed because she wanted to have the hard list too. She told me that she wasn't going to mention anything because she knew that she was disapointed(duh mom!).

Thus one of the joys of twins...especially identical twins!!! I try so hard not to compare them and I see great qualities in both of them but man it is difficult when even in first grade you are being recognized for excelling.