The Ark

2011-11-29T15:58:00.000-06:00

Give Jewlery

2011-11-19T19:02:00.001-06:00

I was reading Elizabeth Foss's blog about a company called Give Jewelry! What a great company. Please go visit their website and do some Christmas shopping that will also benefit a worthy cause!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-18T15:07:00.001-05:00

One of the only rules I have for the kids. You have to be able to carry your own pumpkin.

Spike

2011-10-12T16:23:00.005-05:00

Spikey growing up! It's been about 6 weeks since we brought Spike home. He has decided he wants his own blog. You can visit Aloha Spike for updates!

2011-10-05T17:20:00.004-05:00

HSLDA needs your input to help them better serve you and the homeschooling community! Follow the link below to their short, six-question survey and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
http://www.hslda.org/Survey/mvt/Default.aspx?rid=35663

Zero's 19th Birthday

2011-09-05T20:59:00.006-05:00

Instead of a cake he requested cookies and cream pie. - REAL easy

pack of cookies and cream pudding mix - 1.5 cups of milk - premade chocolate graham cracker pie shell - 1 tub of cool whip. (extra oreos if desired)

Mix the pudding and milk - fold in 1/2 the tub of cool whip - put in pie crust (I coarse chop about 10 oreos on top) place in freezer for about 3 hours - cover in with the other 1/2 of the cool whip when serving.

For Zero's birthday we bought him a Bearded Dragon... He wanted a snake when his last African Clawed Frog died a few months ago but after looking at snakes my dh and I decided on "Spike" now all we need to do is purchase a terrarium for him. We like the Exo Terra but while he's small he's in the old frog aquarium. He should be about 24" full grown.

Lulu and Zero - she's a mean attack dog!

BSA Camp

2011-06-29T17:06:00.001-05:00

My three older boys just got back from summer camp.

Zero and Yoda went on a white water rafting excursion while at camp.

AND yes - my son is the one who volunteered to ride the rapids on the front end....

Kirby and I had my Godchild from back home spend the week with us. - they did all the usual boystuff! Played outside one day and the rest video games and junk food.... We had our own camp back home ;) No school!

2011-02-14T09:41:00.004-06:00

To all my future D- DILs

You're welcome!

My 4 boys all did something for their mom on St Valentine's Day and I am very proud of them.
Kirby made cinnamon toast (he forgot the sugar) but it was delicious anyway ;)
Jedi Ducky made a small batch of cocoa crispy treats (he save 2 cups from an open bag of cereal last week - in a ziploc bag under his bed.
Yoda - made duct tape roses for me - including the vase
and
Zero - cleaned off the dinning room table (trust me not a simple task)

Jedi Ducky's violin

2011-01-20T13:37:00.000-06:00

It's amazing what a new bow and strings can do to wake up a 40+ yo violin! - Thanks to my cousin Pat who played this very same violin when he was a child!

Snow day 2

2011-01-11T09:48:00.003-06:00

How can I tell a 10 yo boy he's too sick to go play in the snow two days in a row - He waited all day yesterday.... He only lasted about 10 minutes ;) I think it took him longer to get dressed than he stayed outside.

Well his momma didn't go outside (evidence from the window screen)

9 inches of SNOW!

2011-01-10T09:37:00.003-06:00

None of us went to play outside - We are all sick and it was to cold! The photos are all from the from the front door

White Christmas

2010-12-31T09:23:00.004-06:00

I just have to say - this was our second white Christmas. Our first was Christmas 2004 in New Orleans - little did we know that was going to be our last Christmas living in New Orleans.

AND No I didn't get a new mini van for Christmas my two older boys snuck out of the house at 1 AM Christmas morning and cleaned my van out for my Christmas present!

Our Advent Tree

2010-12-30T11:28:00.000-06:00

I love shrinky dinks I buy the rough and ready style. I used them to create our Jesse Tree and O' Antiphons. They last year after year.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T23:11:00.002-06:00

hero factory lego

Disney - 2010

2010-09-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

We just returned from Disney World on Orlando Sunday morning early (1:30 AM) We stayed at Ft Wilderness - which was perfect for us. It slept 6, you parked your car right by the cabin AND we splurged and rented a golf cart. (well worth it in our opinion)

I have to say WITHOUT one souvenir with a mouse. They have a Lego store in downtown Disney! I have to admit - we didn't even take one picture with the mouse but we have several with their lego purchases! Each boy received $50 from their grandma and grandpa for their spending money.

The Broke Socialite

2010-08-24T13:28:00.001-05:00

In Atlanta there is a entertaining superstar called The Broke Socialite. She's such a great hostess!! I dragged my sick husband over to Atlanta for her The Broke Socialite does ..... Graze tour. We visited several restaurants around Atlanta and "grazed" our way through the city. At each restaurant they had small samples of some of their delicious cuisine (and several of them had some delicious cocktails!!). I have to say Mrs TBS and Mr TBS were so enjoyable!! Her next events are Sugar Coma tours - She has several bakeries set up and you go from one "sweet spot" to the next. YUMM

If you ever have a chance to attend please do - they are so much fun and I guarantee you will enjoy yourself!!!

Sugar Coma Birmingham (10/16) AND Savannah (11/6) tickets are going on sale sometime today!!!!

The Modest Mom

2010-08-13T22:27:00.000-05:00

I entered a contest at Modest Mom

I WON!!! I WON the homeschool planner!!!!!

Thank You!!!

Yoda - back to duct tape wallets

2010-07-30T17:01:00.002-05:00

My 14 yo ds, Yoda, learned how to make duct tape wallets about a year ago. Why? He loves duct tape.... Well he has branched out and created duct tape psp cases and business card holders. He has now moved into popsicle stick and duct tape weapons - I know bad mom.

Any way Yoda, is trying to make some extra do ray me for vacation - if you are interested in purchasing a duct tape wallet please let us know! He has a clear wallet on ebay you can see here. He can make them in pretty much any color. He wants to sell them for $3.50 each.

Thanks!!

Meal Plan Monday

2010-07-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

Monday - hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, and broccoli
Tuesday - homemade pizza
Wednesday - grilled chicken and green bean casserole
Thursday - spaghetti
Friday - bbq chicken, corn, baked beans
Saturday - leftovers

Meal Plan update

2010-07-22T12:33:00.000-05:00

OK - It was toooo hot to turn on the oven - so once again - bought pizza - I just couldn't bring myself to pull out the pizza stones and turn the oven on to 500.

2010-07-20T20:57:00.002-05:00

I love using Motivated Moms Chore Calendars. - She just reduced them to $4 because the year is half way done. If you were thinking about trying it now is the time!

2010-07-20T19:52:00.000-05:00

OK - Not as late this week - We were sick last week so all bets were off for meals

This weeks menu

Mon - Roast from our Happy Cow

Tues - Stew

Wed - Homemade Pizza

Thurs - Spaghetti

Fri - Mac and Cheese

Sat - oven bbq Chicken

The Modest Mom

2010-07-18T21:04:00.001-05:00

The Modest Mom is giving away a Robby Wash Laundry Ball - I have always wanted to try it but never wanted to pay for it because I am a skeptic. I am hoping to win it though!

2010-07-07T08:50:00.001-05:00

Ok so it's not Monday... I lost track of time.

Monday - we ate at Bob's favorite Mexican restaurant - Red beans and rice were on the menu but he came home a little early and they weren't ready ;)

Tuesday - Turkey sandwiches (we saw Toy Story 3) and had a Court of Honor to attend.

Wednesday - Today we will eat the leftover red beans that we didn't eat on Monday.

Thursday - Gumbo

Friday - Jambalaya

Saturday - Spaghetti

He's Home!

2010-07-05T18:59:00.004-05:00

We picked him up this afternoon!

A little scruffy but we we're happy to see him! I was so happy when he told us they offered Mass at Base Camp before he left on the trail. WAY TO GO BSA!

When he was in Amarillo, TX the group stopped at the Big Texan. As seen on Man V's Food

Those of you who know Zero know he couldn't pass up the 72 oz steak challenge .

I warned him not to try it - he doesn't even like steak - and it's pretty disgusting. He ate 28 oz of the steak along with all the sides (required) of a shrimp cocktail, roll, salad, and baked potato.

Here's the leftovers...

Only scroll further if you have a strong stomach.

Are you sure you want to see them?

Are you positive?

He's in base camp!

2010-07-03T20:19:00.001-05:00

He called this afternoon and said he was in base camp - they hiked 9 hours into camp over the Tooth of Time. Thanks for all who prayed with us for his safe return.

Prayer Request

2010-07-02T17:26:00.003-05:00

We have been praying the Rosary every night since DS left for philmont - One of the other parents just sent me this:

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 30, 2010:

BEARS ATTACK CAMPER, GOAT AT PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH
PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH -- One bear was killed and conservation officers were looking for another bear Wednesday following separate incidents in which bears scratched a camper and injured a goat at Philmont Scout Ranch.
The Department of Game and Fish set a trap for a bear that ran off after it jumped on a tent and took a swipe at a camper at about 5:40 a.m. Wednesday. The adult camper received a deep scratch to his face and was treated at the Philmont health facility. Another man in the tent was not injured. The men had secured their garbage and food by suspending it in a tree and had stored their toiletries and clothes they wore while cooking away from the tent.
At about 6 a.m., another bear attacked a goat near the Philmont museum and had the animal in its mouth when a staff member heard the commotion and was able to chase the bear off. Another staff member tracked down the bear and killed it.
The bear attack on the camper was the second bear-human attack in the past four days. Monday, a bear pulled a young woman from her tent while she was sleeping with two companions in a tent in the Sandia Mountains. That bear was trapped and subsequent tests for rabies were negative.
The bear that attacked the Philmont camper also will be killed and tested for rabies, as required by state law.
For more information about living and camping around bears and other predators, please visit the Department Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Meal Plan update Wednesday!

2010-06-30T18:58:00.006-05:00

So far so good!!

Today I made Turkey meatloaf

I buy ground turkey at Sam's 2- 2.5 packs

I use 2.5 lbs turkey
about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of prepackaged stuffing mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup of ketchup
about 2T of powdered ranch dressing mix
1T of garlic pwd
1T onion pwd
mix all together and I form 2 loaves so it cooks faster.

If you want to smear ketchup over the top of the meatloaf (or BBQ sauce) it will add a little extra something.

- bake for about 45 minutes at 350

for the veggie side - I made green bean and artichoke casserole

2 cans french style green beans
1 can artichokes in water
italian bread crumbs
parmesan cheese
olive oil

drain green beans and artichokes - I cut the artichokes into small pieces
mix with bread crumbs (enough to coat the green bean mixture)
add about 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup olive oil and mix
Place into a baking dish cover lightly with a sprinkle of bread crumbs and parmesan cheese then pour enough olive oil over the top to lightly coat the casserole.

bake at 350 for about 15 - 20 minutes until warm

Meal Plan update

2010-06-29T19:00:00.001-05:00

I think I have figured out my meal plan aversion! While fixing "sticky rice" I was thinking - why is it I don't like to have a meal plan considering I know how much easier it would make my life... hmm. Well I think it's because of hyperemesis leftovers (and no I am not pregnant) I still have food aversions and my youngest is 8! I especially don't like to eat the food after cooking it all day. When I cook red beans I never want to eat them after smelling them all day.

Weekly Menu Plan

2010-06-28T19:20:00.010-05:00

I have always resisted a weekly menu plan even though I know how much easier my live would be IF I broke down and had ANY plan. I always thought if I planned what to eat I would want to eat it that night. This week I have decided to start posting (or try to) every Monday what our meal plan will be. Hopefully this will help in two different ways. One we are trying to cook at home more often for health reasons and second, to save money. When a family of six sit down to eat at a restaurant - we are talking minimum of $50-$60 with tip. Here comes a secret. My greatest weakness is eating out. I can wear an old t-shirt for years because I don't want to spend the money to buy new clothes but eating out - I could do it every night. Surprising I know - I like to cook. I even think I am a pretty good cook, but having someone bring out a delicious plate of yummy goodness and keep my ice tea full with delicious tea and a fresh slice of lemon... just makes me feel good.

I also hate it when the kids(and dh) start asking me at 1pm what we're having for supper. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard.

SO - I am going to start simple. I purchased this Peel and Stick Wall Decal - Dry Erase Calendar and I placed it on my kitchen door (FYI it's not white more just frosted - because of the color of the door it looks brown). It will stop everyone from asking me what's for dinner AND I won't lose it. The kids really enjoyed it as well!

We started with tonight and the kids enjoyed picking the rest of the week! It was great - they got involved with me. The meals are planned and ready to go.

So drum roll please ... I have a real meal plan for this week!!!!

Monday - Enchilada Casserole
Tuesday - Sticky Rice ( rice, garlic powder, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken breast)
Wednesday - Turkey Meatloaf
Thursday - homemade mac and cheese
Friday - chicken tenders
Saturday - homemade pizza
Sunday - 4th of July BBQ Ribs

My goal next week - planning side items as well!!!

Menu Plan Monday

2010-06-23T16:15:00.001-05:00

This is Zero Saturday morning.

The morning he left for Philmont - please keep him and all of the boys in you're prayers. We have been praying the Rosary nightly for his protection.

Bob and his toys...day 2

2010-06-17T22:47:00.002-05:00

Bob is at it once again here is his flip video he titled "Dance of the Robot"

Bob and his toys...

2010-06-16T21:26:00.007-05:00

DS, 10 received a Flip video camera from Santa last Christmas - he absolutely loved it!! He makes his own movies with legos and puppets. Well last week he made a deal with his "KEKE" (his grandmother). She was going to pay for him to go to a robotics camp that cost the same amount as the Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 so he dealt the deal and decided to get the robotics set instead of camp - personally I thought it was a smart move.

Anyway he has now combined them and has started making movies - he has learned how to use the flip software, add background music, and email the videos - I have no idea how he learns this stuff. (not from me)

Confirmation Pictures

2010-05-18T11:38:00.000-05:00

All Souls Recipe

2009-11-02T09:48:00.007-06:00

The Cast of Characters

Pretzels - temptation (or original sin- your choice)

Marshmallows - our clean souls without sin

Chocolate - sin

temptation enters (you may notice some have less temptation than others LOL)

then when we give in to sin

our soul is covered in darkness and makes a dark hard shell to keep us from God - and if you sin again (double dip) the wall will build up thicker and thicker...

and even though it might taste good still not a good idea

and after confession our soul is white again

BUT WE STILL NEED TO DO PENANCE

or

we will end up in purgatory

Halloweeen 2009

2009-11-02T09:46:00.003-06:00

I keep losing my posts - Here are the Halloween Photos

Catholic Medical Association evaluates health care reform proposals

2009-10-28T10:20:00.000-05:00

Catholic Medical Association evaluates health care reform proposals

Belated 17 th birthday.....

2009-10-09T09:43:00.005-05:00

After all these years I would have never thought when looking at our first born 9 lbs 11 oz baby boy we would buy a car for him to drive but after 17 years I guess it was time. The car was a month after his birthday

And scary is if you look behind him in the back seat is my 7 yo all excited about his oldest brother getting to drive.

2009-07-16T11:41:00.003-05:00

I feel like I'm on the tonight show! Yesterday I was mentioned on Shower of Roses I guess I need to step up my blogging. I'm sure all of the visitor are in shock at my sorry little blog after visiting Jessica's lovely blog.

2009-07-04T19:37:00.001-05:00

2009-05-26T21:01:00.002-05:00

BOB is now 9!

Today is Bob's birthday - I remember being in the hospital not having a name for him! We wanted to name him after Msgr Elmo Romagosa but I just couldn't name my child Elmo. After a couple a days we came upon his name. (the birth certificate worker kept calling us asking if we had a name yet - and we figured it was best to come up with a name before we left the hospital) While doing a little search while writing this post I found out that Fr Romagosa's father's name was the same as the name we picked for BOB!! how crazy is that?

This year I broke down and made Bob's cake.

Of course he wanted a Kirby(video game) cake.

2009-05-21T09:49:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I had a few people ask me about the curriculum I use. They asked me to put a link on my blog like Wildflowers and Marbles. I have to say my blog (and my house) will never look like hers but that's OK because I like Jen and when I grow up I want to be like her. (ok so maybe I am already a little older)

I really like The Smart Seeds ebooks and I have Bible ABC's.

I like their illustration style.

I also use Noeo Science. We have really enjoyed using the Biology 2 and plan on using the Physics 2 next year.

Homeschool Picnic

2009-05-20T18:19:00.004-05:00

I figured I wanted to be the first one to blog about our super wonderful picnic! One of the homeschool familied invited the whole Catholic Homeschool group to their house for an end of the year picnic. All I can say is thank you thank you thank you!!!

This was just such a fun day. - Oh I forgot we don't socialize

Easter and Kirby's First Communion

2009-04-22T17:42:00.009-05:00

Easter 2009 Intercessors of the Lamb in Omaha

The community had a table set up with a cake and gifts for each of the children receiving Our Lord for the first time.
Fr Francis was the celebrant for Mass
We had our own reserved table for the lunch after Mass.

Kirby with Grandma Jackie
Kirby with Uncle Manny and Aunt Carolyn
Kirby with Great Grandma
This picture Kirby look just like my dad
Because we were out of town - we used gift bags instead of baskets for the Easter Bunny - but he had no problems figuring it out!

a

2009-03-23T20:07:00.001-05:00

The boys had a request for clear duct tape wallet - We had never heard of clear duct tape but there it was!

2009-03-14T16:23:00.001-05:00

The kids have made another wallet for ebay - this time it's red. I hope we get to post more. I am still teaching them how to post on ebay so they haven't posted one with out me. Hopefully they will be able to start posting by themselves. Having to wait for me took 3 weeks to get the one posted....

The Mini Van Adventure

2009-03-12T12:13:00.007-05:00

And yes we learned about tow trucks - one subject down!

Well since I haven't posted in some time I wanted to catch everyone up on what has been going on. My mini van had a little excursion into a ditch then back out and over someones driveway - no kids in the car just me - and I have to say the airbags have been tested and my hands turned red and were burned - not to bad just enough to be a pain - a little aloe cleared it up - anyway it took over 6 weeks to fix it ... and State Farm's check
Here is my van being towed away on December 15th
This is the puddle of oil it leaked into the drive way - the van was empty!

The Tow truck man was very nice and cleaned up some of the oil - no he is not a plumber ;)
I don't know what the tow truck guy wanted me to take a picture of but here is the underneath of the van - I think that is the oil pan...

No clue what this is - but it seems to be broken.

Bye - little van

The boys sold their wallet!

2009-01-01T21:14:00.002-06:00

I am so happy that the boys sold the wallet they made. I know they are proud that someone thought their wallet was good enough to buy.

My friend Karen in France

2009-01-01T21:03:00.004-06:00

I came across this you tube video of a friend of mine singing in France - she is an alternate singer for the Pfister Sisters. Karen is the one in the black dress (pregnant with her 7th child) - Karen I hope you don't mind me sharing ! Karen and her kids spent a couple of nights here just this September when they evacuated for Hurricane Gustav.

The Older Boys have Become Entrepreneurs!

2008-12-29T19:53:00.006-06:00

Today the 2 older boys have started their own business -
You can check out their items here on ebay. They are hoping to make a lot of money on their new Duct Tape wallets.

The Twelve Days of a Large Family Christmas

2008-12-16T08:21:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to add - someone sent me this video to watch and I thought it was hilarious and wanted to share.

Beth

Evidence of Global Warning - Oops maybe NOT!

2008-12-11T18:42:00.005-06:00

snow in New Orleans!

This is cousin Preston down in Metarie, LA

Merry Tossmas!

2008-11-18T11:13:00.003-06:00

Thanks to my friend Lori for sharing this with me!

2008-10-31T13:09:00.002-05:00

Pack Meeting 9/30/08

2008-10-30T21:26:00.000-05:00

Joseph's Coat of Many Colors

2008-10-20T14:42:00.005-05:00

We colored coffee filters and spritzed them with water
Then we hung them up to dry

Next we made pipe cleaner Josephs
After the "coats" dried we cut them

And glued them together
Here are our Josephs and their coats of many colors!

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

2008-10-07T22:23:00.003-05:00

Today we made a cookie Rosary for dessert to celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary.

Have you ever wondered?

2008-10-02T22:42:00.006-05:00

Why does my camera have these crazy photos after the kids borrow it?

And just when I think maybe space aliens come down and place them on my camera - kind of like camera crop circles... But for some reason right in the middle of fuzzy photos you can't make out - there are always at least one like these...

Park Day!!

2008-10-01T17:17:00.001-05:00

We just had to get out of the house so we had a park day with a few of our friends - nothing fancy just pizza at the park.

A's 16th Birthday

2008-09-03T22:00:00.001-05:00

This was a fun party for A's 16th birthday. He had several of his "old" friends here this year because of Hurricane Gustav.

2008-09-01T21:24:00.000-05:00

These were our first evacuees (The Martin Family and pets - a dog, 2 cats, 2 birds, a rat and a bunny) - they arrived early Sunday Morning. This photo is when they left - see the happy smiles -hmm was that because they were leaving or because they had such a great time?

Hurricane Gustav

2008-09-01T20:52:00.000-05:00

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE??

Well we had a great time with everyone who came up for Gustav - I hope that everyone can return soon for a real vacation.

S and His Cake

2008-07-17T22:19:00.001-05:00

As hard as he tried he just couldn't finish his cake!

G and His Cake

2008-07-17T20:31:00.001-05:00

G couldn't decide on a theme for his cake so he just got a generic Happy Birthday.

S and G's Birthday Party

2008-07-17T20:23:00.001-05:00

We had S's 6th and G's 8th Birthday Party a little late on July 17 at my parents' house.

Our Dam Outing

2008-01-05T21:46:00.007-06:00

The older boys had a merit badge college Florence so we decided to all go and spend the night - the hotel was right on the dam - so this was our "dam vacation" we stayed in the dam hotel and ate at the dam restaurant in the hotel - DH and my dad had a field day... just a side note - when we were at the library the week after S pulled some rocks out of his jacket pocket. He was so excited and he announced he found his ... dam rocks in his pocket.

The restaurant was so bad - every glass they brought out was dirty and the food was less than expected... If you ever go - don't eat at the dam restaurant.

The pattern the ice made was so pretty I had to take a picture.

Great Grandma's Birthday

2007-12-16T21:03:00.006-06:00

Great grandma's birthday was fun - she had an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins - with her wee Christmas tree that lit up.

Grandma was sad when her cake was finished.

Halloween 2007

2007-10-31T22:25:00.003-05:00

OK don't ask why jrotc (14) and Zero (15) went trick or treating ... (they just went to a couple of houses)