MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY

I am linking up with my friend, Mom's The Word to participate in her Monday meme, "Making Your Home Sing Monday." It's a day when we share what we are doing to bless our families in our home. If you would like to join in, click here.

You all know that expression, "Down to the wire." Well, that's us, in regards to our summer break!! It's is almost officially OVA'!!!!!!! Am I looking forward to that? Of course NOT!!

But, we will have to suck it up, and move ahead just like everyone else.

Our new school year will also have new rules, and I plan on enforcing them. I let too much slide last year, and I definitely reaped what I sowed. I know that all kids ultimately like to have a plan and/or schedule, and I believe our home will be running smoothly if I stick to them!

I've already come up with a few that are pretty much no brainers, but in the past, I let those rules fall to the wayside!

Therefore, as far as video games, and or computer (leisure) time, they will not be able to use them until all schoolwork is finished. They will be responsible for certain chores, and we will also stick with our devotion in the mornings. There will also be consequences if they do not follow through with things on their end as well.

So, this week, I'm getting every last detail taken care of, so come next Tuesday, we will be good to go!

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

On Sundays, I usually post something random. I decided that instead of doing that, I will share a scripture. I pray that it will be a blessing to whoever reads it!

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.-ROMANS 6:17

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT DRESSES

That's what my girls and I did yesterday afternoon! I'm so thankful that my mom came over to watch my boys so that my daughters and I could go dress shopping for the second Father Daughter Princess Ball coming up next week!! I'm so glad our church is doing this again and honoring the relationship not only between fathers and daughters, but also with uncles and nieces, or grandpa and granddaughter.

If you want to see the pictures from last year's ball, you can click here!

We went to a particular store called Lil' Angels because they have the cutest party dresses (this is where I found their matching ones last year). And I have to say that I found the cutest dresses again! They have their appointment that afternoon to get their "updo", and before the ball, the dad's and their girls will go to dinner! Last year, a bunch of them went to The Cheesecake Factory. At the ball, there is dessert, dancing with daddy's, and contests!!

This year is going to be even more special because one of our friends daughter's is going with Gabe and the girls to the ball. Her dad (who we knew) died a couple of years ago and we know how devastated they all were. She and Miranda are very good friends and are the same age, and her brothers are Isaiah's age. Anyway, my husband asked her if she would like to go to the ball with them. She said yes!

So, here's the professional picture that was taken of them last year by someone from church. Everyone got at least five pictures! Isn't it beautiful???

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

1989

That is me on the right (with the perm), my sister, and her ex-boyfriend, Jay, at my mom's wedding to her second husband. I can still remember the drive to Lake Tahoe where she got married. My sister and mom were already there, but I had to work that night, so Jay and I drove up together. It was so funny because we had to make so many stops on the way there, we didn't get to Tahoe till around 2am!

Anyway, he and my sister dated for ten years, from the time they were 15 to 25 years old! Everyone thought they were going to get married! He was like the perfect big brother and nicest guy, so you can imagine how devastated I was when they broke up. It was like witnessing a divorce. It was hard to imagine him not being in our lives.

He and I didn't really keep in touch after that. I think it was too hard. Too many memories, of course. I still thought of him now and then because he was there for most of my adolescence. Well, a couple of years ago, we reconnected, and he told me that he was now a born again Christian!! I can't even begin to tell how how thrilled I was to hear that! You know how you know somebody who is not a Christian, but is really nice, and you think to yourself that if they were saved, that how much nicer they would be? LOL..well, he was that person!

Some time last year, our worship team needed help with drum set up, so of course, my husband thought of Jay. Jay has been playing drums since even before I knew him, so you can imagine how good he is (he uses that gift to play on the worship team at his church). Well, he's jammed with our worship team a few times, and so I have seen him off and on for the last couple of years at different events.

The whole point of this long post is that even though he ended up not being my brother in-law, he is my brother in the Lord, and that is much, much better!!!!

Gross bridesmaids dresses! Sorry mom!

Here we are below in 2008!

27/52 PICTURES OF ME

I'm participating in a year long challenge, created by Carin at Forever In Blue Jeans. The goal is to be in one picture a week, for 52 weeks. Since us moms are always behind the camera, this gives us a chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. So, click here if you want to join in on the fun!

Okay..I'll be honest here. I do not care for this picture of me, but, it's the only "recent" one I have. This was the same afternoon as last week, and I was messing around with the camera outside. Danny thought it was fun to play with the umbrella, so I thought, "Hey..let's take a picture!" You can see that he's not too thrilled. He was not in the picture taking mood.

WORDFUL & WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

What can be better than homemade chocolate chip cookies, straight out of the oven?



When you put it in a bowl with mint chocolate chip ice cream, of course!! That's what!


Be sure to visit 5 Minutes For Mom for more Wordless Wednesday, and 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday.

IT'S ABOUT THAT GIVEAWAY TIME!

I love having giveaways...I really do!!

It makes me so happy to bless someone!!!

I really don't have a special reason for having one, but I just wanted to take this time to thank all of you (my blog pals) for how much you bless me with your own blogs, your friendships, your honesty, humor, advice, comments, encouragement, recipes, and so forth! I can go on and on, but you know what I'm trying to say.

So, for my giveaway...

The blessed winner will be able to choose a $25 gift card to one of the following places:

Chili's

ITunes

Old Navy

Starbuck's

Blockbuster Video

Don't worry, I won't make you jump through hoops to enter. All you have to do is comment which gift card you would like, and for an extra entry, leave me a second comment that you follow!!

That's all folks!

Winner will be announced on Saturday!!!!!

MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY

I am linking up with my friend, Mom's The Word to participate in her Monday meme, "Making Your Home Sing Monday." It's a day when we share what we are doing to bless our families in our home. If you would like to join in, click here.

For many of you, your kids have started their new school year! Ours is quickly approaching and I don't want to start the year "mentally" unprepared!

Because of the homeschool program we use, our books and any material we need for all their subjects are sent to us. I don't even have to order them! Even all five of their lesson plans are laid out for them for the year (on the computer)! It's been such a huge blessing and a humongous load off of my shoulders to not have to worry about those things!

However, because of that, I feel like I can wait till the very last minute to get ourselves in gear! Well, I learned my lesson the hard way, and I know now that we are definitely doing things different around here this school year! But, first and foremost, I must take everything to the Lord first. I don't know how many times I've tried to homeschool "on my own" and the day was just a disaster. I have to rely on Him completely, 100%, or else we will fail, or rather, I will fail them.

So, in Making My Home Sing this week, I will pray about what kind of schedule works for the kids and I. I'm not one of those parents who say, "Get up by 7, and be at the table by 8!" No..so NOT me! However, that could be a blessing and a curse. I need to be realistic about our time, and how we use it. And how does that start? With ME being THE example! I don't want to start the first day of school with blinders on, so I will pray about it, and implement these changes A.S.A.P.!

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

On Sundays, I usually post something random. I decided that instead of doing that, I will share a scripture. I pray that it will be a blessing to whoever reads it!

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.-Psalm 3:3

COOKING 101

Have any of you ever heard of the Filipino egg roll called "lumpia?"

It's probably one of the more popular appetizers of the Filipino cuisine! It's basically an egg roll filled with either ground pork, beef, or just vegetables. There are other ingredients in there, but it's so simple, you can make extra to store in the freezer for future use (uncooked of course). I don't know how many times someone has asked if I could make lumpia! I don't know why I don't make it more often because it really is a meal in itself! Honestly, I don't even remember the last time I made it!

Awhile ago, I planned for my friend Carmen to come over so we could make lumpia her way, or I should say, the more "authentic way"!! After Sunday night service, we were talking in the cafe, and on a whim, we decided that Monday would be great for her to come over! My other girlfriend overheard our conversation and decided she wanted to come over too! Of course, it turned into something bigger! What was originally going to be just Carmen and I, turned into three of us girls, two husbands, and and twelve kids! It worked out perfect because all the kids and my friends husband went with my husband to the soccer practices, and us girls had wonderful girl time!

So, in case none of you have ever heard or seen lumpia, here ya go!!!

My friend Carmen doing her thing! Getting everything together.

We used ground pork & ground beef. I believe this was the beef! The ingredients are so simple. One whole onion, 4 cloves garlic, grated carrot, salt & pepper! You can adjust the ingredients to your liking.

My friend Erica rolling the meat (uncooked) mixture in the spring rolls!

Lorena doing the same thing! The beaten egg in the bowl is used as a sealant.How they look like after they are rolledIn the hot oil they go! Yummy! My friend made a homemade sauce for them. It was so good!

And there ya go! I plan on making more for my family this weekend. They're so delicious, and so yummy with hot, steaming rice!

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

This picture brings back a wonderful memory for me! This is my husband and I (then boyfriend) at his brothers house back in 1995! Not too long after this, I got pregnant with our eldest, Isaiah!! If I put myself back during that time, I would never have imagined us having five kids! I love reflecting on our older photos because I can still remember all what was going on during those times!!

It's amazing to me to think that we first met 21 years ago!

26/52 PICTURES OF ME

I'm participating in a year long challenge, created by Carin at Forever In Blue Jeans. The goal is to be in one picture a week, for 52 weeks. Since us moms are always behind the camera, this gives us a chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. So, click here if you want to join in on the fun!

Me and my little love bug! This is the same day that I took her "Wordless Wednesday" picture! I still have no glasses! My appt. is on Friday!!! Can't wait to see again!

WORDFUL & WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I love this picture! I think it' s because she was being silly (I know, you probably can't tell that). You know how we just know our own kids and their personalities? She's actually sticking her tummy out, but I cropped it so I can get a better close up of her little face!! Oh, and if her lips look a little pink, they are. We had a little "make up and hair day." I let her dab on a little bit of lipstick and I flat ironed her hair! She's such a girl!!!

Be sure to visit 5 Minutes For Mom for more Wordless Wednesday, and 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday.

MY BOYS GOT BAPTIZED!!

This past Sunday, my two youngest sons decided they wanted to get baptized!! They announced that morning that they were going to have baptisms after the evening service.

I'm so blessed to have children that love the Lord and that they totally understand the meaning of baptism. It's not about tradition, or doing it because it is a requirement of being a Christian.

I couldn't help but get teary eyed! It was such a profound moment!!! Miranda and her friends were all yelling in the sacntuary..."Wooo..Eli....woo Danny!!"

That night, six children and one adult were baptized!! God is good!!!!

Our Associate Pastor, Brad, talking with Eli before he gets baptized.

Yay!

Danny's turn! And there's Eli in the background!

Yoo hoo!!

MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY

I am linking up with my friend, Mom's The Word to participate in her Monday meme, "Making Your Home Sing Monday." It's a day when we share what we are doing to bless our families in our home. If you would like to join in, click here.

Hmmm..where do I even begin?

Remember the other week where I said I was going to clear out all the shoes in the garage?

Didn't happen.

I know...that's just life sometimes. You have good intentions to start something, but you just can't get around to it.

I know..excuses..excuses! My mom is probably shaking her head if she is reading this (hi mom)!

As you know, we are a homeschooling family. With five kids, you can imagine all the curriculum I have in my home! Well, I have new boxes arriving today, and the UPS weight said 24lbs!!!!! And that's just for one child!

That means, I need to start re-organizing our homeschooling area which I'm totally dreading!!!! I'm not even in the school mindset yet, and either are my kids. We don't officially start school till after Labor Day, so I do have a few more weeks. BUT, I don't want to wait till the last minute like I always do.

So, as the saying goes, "Out with the old and in with the new!"

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

On Sundays, I usually post something random. I decided that instead of doing that, I will share a scripture. I pray that it will be a blessing to whoever reads it!

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.-James 2:10

THE ABC'S of ME!!

My sweet friend, Kathy over at Blessed Beyond Imagination did this cute ABC list about herself! I enjoy reading these on other people's blogs, so I thought I would participate in this one too! If you want to join in on the fun, go for it!! Let me know if you do, so this way I can go and read yours!

The ABC's about me...

Age: I just turned the big 4-0!

Bed Size: Queen

Chore You Hate: Cleaning the bathroom!

Dogs or Cats: Dogs, for sure!

Essential Start Your Day Item: Coffee with my Coconut Creamer & having my devotional time with the Lord!

Favorite Color: Depends on what it is for

Gold or Silver: Silver

Height: 5'4

Instruments You've Played: Piano & Drums (not professionally of course)

Job Title: Stay At Home Mom!

Kid(s): Isaiah, Miranda, Eli, Daniel, & Veronica

Loud or Quiet: LOL...Loud!

Married? How long: 13 years!

Nicknames: Leesh, Sweetie, Al, Mom, Mommy

Overnight Hospital Stay: When I got my tonsils out and when I had my five babies!

Pet Peeve: Vulgar language

Quote From A Movie: "My favorite animal is a liger."-Napoleon Dynamite

Right or Left Handed: Both!

Siblings: Just one sister, who is older by two years.

Time You Wake Up: No later than 7:30

Underwear: Yes! LOL

Ways You Run Late: Procrastinating!

X-Rays You've Had: Dental

Yummy Food You Make: Baked Spaghetti & cake!

Zoo Favorite: The ferocious animals like the lions & tigers!

Have a blessed weekend!

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

Here are my three oldest kids when they were just little babies!!! Oh my gosh, they were so cute! This was in 2000 when Eli was maybe a couple of months old! Isaiah just turned 4, and Miranda just turned 3! I remember going from two to three kids was a big transition! Eli was my first baby that had colic, so it was a whole new ball game when it came to him. Isaiah was such a huge Toy Story fan! We had everything Toy Story for him! Miranda was such a cute little girl, and she was never into "one" thing. She's still like that till this day!

This just reminds me of how fast time goes by! I know it sounds redundant when I write that, but it seems just like yesterday when I took this picture! Makes me a little sad...

25/52 PICTURES OF ME

I'm participating in a year long challenge, created by Carin at Forever In Blue Jeans. The goal is to be in one picture a week, for 52 weeks. Since us moms are always behind the camera, this gives us a chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. So, click here if you want to join in on the fun!

Do you notice ANYTHING different????

If you read my post from yesterday, then you should definitely know!

WORDFUL & WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I WILL MISS YOU...

You have been with me for over two years now.

You helped me see when nobody else could.

I didn't realize how much I depended on you till I couldn't use you anymore.

Even though you will be replaced very soon, I will never forget you...

My glasses got knocked off the bathroom counter while I was blow drying my hair! I won't be able to drive in the evening till I get a replacement..lol!

I have an eye appointment next week (since I'm overdue for a new exam). I'm debating whether or not to go back to contact lenses!!!!

Be sure to visit 5 Minutes For Mom for more Wordless Wednesday, and 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday.

WAR!

This was the card game that my daughter wanted to play with me the other day!

I love being able to capture moments like this on my camera! Of course, after so many pictures, she was saying, "Okay, no more pictures!!"

It's so funny playing these games with my kids because they really don't know how to handle losing!! Even my good natured, sweet son, Eli, quit mid-game when he realized he wasn't doing so great! I told them that if they were poor losers, I wouldn't play cards with them anymore.

And you guys thought I was the "fun" mom, right? LOL!!!

I told her, "No cheating!!!" She doesn't even try to hide it. She's purposely looking for a card to beat mine!!

She's happy with her pile of cards! Peace!

Whatcha got??

"I'm doing good!!"

"Uhhh...maybe not!"

"I don't want to play anymore!!"

THAT'S WHEN I HAD "THE POOR LOSER" TALK WITH HER!!

Oh...now that's MUCH better!!!
The moral of the story: "You win some, you lose some..."

MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY

I am linking up with my friend,Mom's The Word to participate in her Monday meme, "Making Your Home Sing Monday." It's a day when we share what we are doing to bless our families in our home. If you would like to join in, click here.

We don't wear shoes in the house, period. So, I promise you that you will never see shoes scattered around the house....ever!

However, you will see shoes on the front porch and everywhere in the garage!

Most of the time, we come in the house through the garage, so can you imagine ALL THE PAIRS of shoes that are in there? There are even some pairs some missing the left or the right shoe/sandal/flip flop/boot...you get the picture!

Now, I am positive that I just went through all the shoes not too long ago, but for some reason, it looks like the tower of shoes just got bigger! My mom lovingly suggested that I go through those shoes and finally get rid of the ones we don't need!

So, since it's on my mind, I will bless my home (garage) by clearing out all the neglected shoes(s). This will make it so much easier for everyone to spot the ones they DO use!!

Now, how will YOU "Make Your Home Sing" today?

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

On Sundays, I usually post something random. I decided that instead of doing that, I will share a scripture. I pray that it will be a blessing to whoever reads it!

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,-Hebrews 10:26

DINNER & MOVIES WITH MOM

As a birthday gift to me, my mom wanted to take me out to dinner and a movie. Just her and I alone. YOU KNOW I took that opportunity to have a nice, quiet dinner! I chose to eat at Giorgio's Italian Restaurant, and once again, their food did not disappoint! Just their warm bread and garlic butter alone is a treat! I had a great time with her although she could tell I was PMS'ing at first! Heehee. Mom's always understand, and my mom has a way of overlooking my "moods."

Here's my mom with her FIRST Italian Soda! I couldn't believe she never tried one before! I told her it was similar to a Shirley Temple!

Here's my mom's entree. I forget the name of it, but it had a variety of seafood over linguini with red cream sauce! She ate the entire bowl...it was THAT good!

Now, you may think I'm weird for ordering something basic. I didn't order any pasta dishes. Just that day, I bought Fettucini Alfredo for my kids so I was not craving for pasta at all. I opted for a good ole' sausage calzone. It was really tasty, but since I was so full from the bread, I had half of it left over. When I got home, my kids devoured it like they hadn't eaten in a week!

After dinner, we headed straight over to the theater to see this movie...

It was cute and hilarious at the same time. If you are a Sandra Bullock fan, then you will totally enjoy this romantic comedy!

Thanks again, mom, for the dinner and movie!! I love you!

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!

I know this picture is crooked, but desperate times calls for desperate measures!

Last week, I spilled coffee on my keyboard (you would think I'd learn my lesson after doing that twice before), and, well, it no longer works!! So, now I'm bidding on a new keyboard on Ebay! My scanner is hooked up to that computer, so unfortunately I can't scan a new photo and upload to my MAC! Thank God I have the kids computer to use!

Well, Facebook comes to the rescue, AGAIN! One of my friends from Jr. High tagged this picture of me and my friends from 8th grade...1983!!! My first response to her was, "I don't remember anyone carrying a camera around back then!!"

I don't even recall taking this picture!

She's so funny because she had to scan it against the backside of another photo to make it come out, but for some reason she scanned it lopsided!

So, there I am on the far left, with the off white, funky, I don't even know what style that is, outfit! It looks like we could be sitting on something! The two two girls were some of my closest friends (who I was also able to reconnect with on Facebook)! Jr. High/Middle School was a fun time for me. I was able to establish some really great friendships back then! Good times....good times!!