Plastic sack

Today I found in my fridge a walmart sack. Not that big of a deal considering my husband packs his lunch in a plastic sack with his lunch in it because...

...he lost his lunch bag somehow. Hmmmmm not sure how that happened


or why

we don't just go out

and

buy a new one


Well we don't so the plastic sack works for him. So today I opened the fridge and Viola plastic sack, what was inside the plastic sack you ask.

No lunch

but i guess according to my husband we use plastic sacks to store our leftover onions. I guess it was a temporary fix he says until he looked for our zillion plastic Tupperware. Hmmmm men our funny!

I am thankful for...

So it's not Sunday but I am thankful anyway


I am thankful for........


1. some down time in the middle of a busy scheduled week

2. My little Drew's prayers for other people and for thanking God for this day.. so sweet

3. For my morning boot camp exercise class and all the neat ladies there

4. For my wonderful husband understanding me... even if I don't always understand myself

5. For oxiclean getting out my Communion juice out of my nice Anne Taylor pants.. I spilled the entire cup on myself at church Sunday.

6. For a fun Friday football game even if we lost

7. The yummy fall smells out of my kitchen....

8. Wonderful friends that encourage me, inspire me, teach me and are great examples of Godly women.

9. wonderful gifts I've been blessed with.... it's not even my birthday. I am so thankful.

10. For fun children that come in and out of our doors daily.

11. For no plans days.... and for fun filled days that are back to back

12. For wonderful days at the park with friends

13. Kids organizing the house without being asked

14. My 4th grade boys and girls kidsrock group!!!!

15. For Mops and what an encouragement all moms are and can be!!!


I have so much more I could write, for my daily quiet time, my embarrassing stories that have happened lately, funny things my kids say, or husband says. I have so much so much so much to be thankful for... as the song goes...

Love
Tara

It's football season

Well it's that time of year again..................

the time where I'm the mom.....

the dog feeder

the plant waterer

the laundry person ( I'm always that)

the lawn care woman

the chef

the lunch maker

The mom who works from sun up to sun down, but loves almost every minute of it as this is my life and I love being a mom of two little sweet ones who bless my socks off every day. I love being a wife to a wonderful man who love me with unfailing, unconditional love. Even if this season is a tough one at moments, I love that God uses all these experiences to stretch me and grow me.

Thank goodness for WONDERFUL FRIENDS who help support me with hugs, walks, prayers and support. I love you all.

Things I don't do.....and things I do do

Things I don't do..


I was thinking as I cruised around wal-mart tonight and this little random thought came to me. Okay things I don't do.....

1. I don't do mini skirts... I do wear a fancy dress or skirt every once in awhile only on fancy occasions.

2. I don't wear glasses, but wished i did so I'd look pretty tailored when I am all fancied up.

3. I don't wear any jewelry at home, only when I leave the home.

4. I don't get to spend nearly enough time with all those friends that have moved away, but I do get to spend quality time with some great ones here.

5. I don't get to spend lots of time with the husband at the dinner table, but I do get to eat 100 miles hours and get all the kids foods and drinks.

6. I don't do bikinis but I do do takinis

7. I don't do the Ipod, but I do love the mp3 player and my new touch screen.

8. I don't look good in purple or red, which happens to be our school color. I do wear purple during football season and red during Christmas only.

9. I don't do well with ticks, but I do well picking out good chick flicks

10. I don't do well with negative people, but like to attempt to cheer them up with sarcasm and my attempted wittiness.

11. I don't tell people enough how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I am truly thankful for all the precious people God has placed in my life.

I'm really alive

I haven't been in the bloggity blog land for well, a long time. I have been taking my blogcation and I think I may be back. He he, this is the part you laugh. I just love summer, although it takes me awhile to get use to the change from spring, I warm up to the season well. I love to warm up to the things like homemade ice cream, Popsicles, fun days at the pool where you get some color on the pasty white legs. I love the crickets and how they sing at night to me with the windows open. That brings me to the best part of summer: fun with the family, all my perennials coming back, air conditioning. Cool mornings to go exercise, not really cooking lots but grilling a bunch. I love to walk barefoot in the grass, be sporadic, not be so scheduled.

Things I'm looking forward to this coming Fall: routine of knowing what we are doing most of the time, my husband on a routine :), School resuming and all the fun with back to school beginnings. For MOPS starting up again, Foot ball Fridays and cool weather. Sweatshirts, Sweet fall candle scents, Wednesday night church starting.


I'm loving each season I'm in... and don't want to rush to the next. I do like to look forward to something though!

My Thankful list

1. I'm thankful for a wonderful girls night out five course meal by my father-in-law. What a treat for all us ladies.

2. I'm thankful for a wonderful weekend helping get all the schulte girls makeup done. What a fun day for me and lindsey to be able to help out on their special day.

3. I am thankful for 9 years of marriage to chad this past week. So neat to attend a wedding this weekend and the song at our wedding was played at the schulte wedding. I had lots of tears going as it was a sweet reminder of my special day as well. Not the typical wedding song so that was special.

4. For some great workouts this week.

5. That is rained lots so I wouldn't have to spend lots of time watering all my flowers.

6. For a fun Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Saturday. What a fun week it was.. so much to do.

7. For Lindsey pretending to be a teacher in the van with some older kids and me enjoying her funniness.

8. The A/C. off all week.

9. Chad home lots and us accomplishing a big project of cleaning the basement together and getting rid of lots of stuff.

10. For all the fun text from you all.

11. My new bible study with lots of neat ladies this summer.

12. For a cool prayer I prayed on a run and me thinking it couldn't be answered right away and then it was answered on the run by a person who stopped me. Wow, that's about all I can say.

13. I am thankful for my family, for days we get to sleep in and that is so much fun.

Hugs,
Tara

I am thankful for...

1. I am thankful that school is out. I have really enjoyed the all the kids home from school and having conversations with Lindsey and the neighbor kids. I've had so much fun learning from them and really feel blessed to live where we live and who we live by.

2. I am thankful for sweet reminders of God's grace from my children.

3. I am thankful I have been married to Chad for 9 years on Wednesday! I grow to love him more and more. I am so thankful he is just mr. right for me.

4. I am thankful for all the free perennial flowers I've received. What a wonderful treat. Took over 4 hours to plant them all and it was so worth it! I still have some work to do to find some a little home in my yard.

5. I am thankful for my morning doves, cardinal pair, and all the little chickadees and finches that find a home in our backyard. My kids now know their birds.

6. I am thankful for simple summer days of playing checkers, board games and all the Nintendo DS' turned off!

7. I am thankful for free lunches at the high school for the kids.

8. I am thankful for friends and how each friend is such a gift to me.

9. I am thankful for spending great time with 3 different couple friends! I am thankful my husband is starting to be social.. Yippee! I am loving that!

10. For new recipes, paper plates, a/c, finding out a friend may be pregnant, planning stuff, a new women's study starting soon, a farmer's tan of my feet, not having the air on everyday, the TV off and kids playing all day with all the kids, slip n slides, did I mention planting flowers...

I am thankful for so much this week. I am so thankful for so many of you who confide in me and share your heart, your joys and even your pain this week. I am praying for you in all your circumstances.

Hugs,
Tara

Play day with some friends!

We enjoyed a play day with some friends the other day. This is their sweet park like playsets. It was so much fun. The rubber chips were super hot and drew enjoyed throwing them.


Watch out, crazy driver coming!

Lindsey had a blast riding this. Drew liked her driving it around too!

Can't beat the boys and frogs. Drew has a facination with frogs. We go to rand park pond lots now and watch all the frogs jump in the pond.

Drew not sure about this slide.

Laura and Me

My little princess

Hopefull we can have another play day with the boys and Laura again. We sure had fun and love to get out of the house.

Snake man!

This is me holding some big boa. Isn't this what every good mom does for their kids.. hold a snake so they won't have too?


This snake really wanted to cuddle with me they said. I'm not much into cuddling snakes.. I do children and hubby. Mr. Snake kept trying to get close and coil up to me. I would of let it but I asked girl (katia) if the snake would bite.. she said just don't touch it's mouth. What does that mean... husband thinks I shouldn't of held snake just in case I died... not a very good thing to do since I have children.

Here the snake is... all trying to cuddle and stuff!

I was brave! Drew wants to hold it I think.

This is mr. snake man himself with his albino snake.

drew loved all the snakes

Thought this was a funny picture.

I wouldn't of wanted to see this big snake alive!

Drew really wanted to hold the snake by himself. Cracked me up!

Drew and Brandon enjoying their snake time with animal rings!

" You think we can hold this Brandon" ----Not

Drew's first chance to touch mr. snake

He's not getting on as a pet though. We will just go visit Ms. Dawn's house.

This is as close as lindsey wanted to get.

Can you believe these 2 are only 9 months apart?

t to

Taste and see Thursday

Taste and see is back!

I have a yummy recipe for taste and see thursday. It is a favorite of mine.

It's a Ham and potato bake. It seems like we always have ham leftovers from the neighbors or my mom. This time it's leftover ham so I thought, why not make the potato bake. My husband calls it my "depression era cooking ". I tend to think of it as being resourceful with what you got.

Ham and Potato Bake

1 can cream of celery, chicken or mushroom. I like chicken have used all of the others though

1/2 to 3/4 c milk

4 c sliced potatoes ( i use mandolin slicer)

1 small onion ( I use slicer again)

Paprika

Dash of pepper ( i use more than a dash)

1 c diced cooked ham

1 T butter

Combine soup, milk and pepper. In greased coated 2 qt casserole, arrange layers of potatoes, ham, onion and soup mixture. ( Be sure ham is covered to prevent drying.) Dot tip with butter. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover. Bake 375* for one hr. Uncover. Bake 15 more minutes or until potatoes are done. Makes 4 or more servings. Try topping grated cheddar cheese during the last 15 minutes.

Enjoy the comfort food like grandma use to make.

Here are the ingredients, I like to cook neat. It makes me feel like Rachel Ray or something!

Kidz Rock Overnighter at the Camp!

Lindsey was getting into this game, she is starting to get aggressive.
Chad would be so proud of her Broomball skills :)


Jetta being so very brave

Andrew likes broom ball

Bring on the broom ball game

Faith and Lindsey being goalies

The girls dancing to the songs we sing at church. Leader Joy was having fun with them. I eventually joined in.

Amy, joy and me


The cool rock climbing wall


We had a wonderful reward trip for the kids who earned it last weekend. We got to stay at the camp in cool bunk beds. We had the rock climbing wall, crafts, gobs of food, music, board games, fingernail painting, broom ball and a cool indoor campfire. The indoor campfire was my favorite part. We sat around and all 20 kids plus leaders got to listen to the kids tell their favorite stories that mean lots to them in the bible.

Of course my friend dawn (children's minister) was so great at planning this whole trip and she led the talk in the campfire. I was blown away at what meant lots to them over this year and Lindsey really liked it and actually talked. I liked Dawn's idea for the kids when they can't sleep at night to do the ABC's in your head.
Not the kind where you say them but think of a story for A, ( Adam and Even) B, Barnabas, C Cain and Abel, D, David.... and on and on. The kids really liked doing that and it was so cool for me too. What a great idea. I just love Dawn.

So now Lindsey is ready to go to day camp this year after her debut at the camp. I'm excited for her to go for the day (not overnight) but to experience such a neat camp, and build memories that she can take with her for years to come.

Kindergarten Family Tea

Lindsey , Corey, Jasmine, Colton, Savannah, Zach, Grace and Josh


May 15th we had our kindergarten tea at school. I remember my kindergarten tea we had when I was Lindsey's age. That was quite awhile ago, but I still do remember. I am glad to have some of the same memories that Lindsey is having some 20 plus years later, and especially as a mom. It was nice as the principal noticed that their was 4 of us former students in the audience, me being on of them for the tea, he of course was my principal when I was in kindergarten.



My friend Michelle and Lindsey's friend Corey



Papa and Drew enjoying all the goodies the kindergarten class made. They made mommy's favorite mints. In roses and flowers. They also made snicker doodles, and chocolate chip cookies. They have been working on this family tea for weeks. It was so neat to see all the kids use their very best manners to us all and seat us. It was so fun to see all the properness that they all had learned so very well from Mrs. Hanson.

Lindsey and Mommy taking our own picture!





This is the girls turn to say their lines



So glad Grandma and Pa could come!

Lindsey debuting her first solo. She did so good and I was beaming. She was super brave and something her mother would never do in front of lots of people. I still love the "Over in the meadow" I think I was tearing up at the first word of this.

Here is a cute poem they recited that I have heard lots over the last month. This was also what they sang in the talent show for the school for the other grades to hear.

Growing

When I started kindergarten
I couldn't have felt smaller.
But I've been growing, growing-
And not just growing taller! ( Lindsey has grown 3 inches this year since fall)

I've learned to read and learned to write:
I've learned my numbers, too,
And there are many other things
That I have learned to do.

Kindergarten's over now
But I am not afraid,
Because I know I'm ready
To enter the first grade!

1st marriage proposal!

My sweet 6 year just turned down her first marriage proposal today. She was rather emotional like her mom because of it. First let me tell you the background of our day/ days. Lindsey had 5 hrs of sleep the night before. We had our first of many overnighter at the church camp in Illinois. She could not fall asleep, until she sleep with me (which btw she never does at home). So we shared a twin bed so very comfy (lol). So we sleep off and on all night. We then had our big dance recital later on that afternoon.

I know that's a lot of stuff for one little girl, but she earned the overnighter. The dance recital was fun, I'm no pageant mom who decorates their daughter like a christmas tree like some do, so I was okay with the whole dance/ overnighter thing. Lindsey did have to dance three dances though and I made sure to bring snacks. All went well and we enjoyed our day out to lunch with the other Campbell's, hair done by fabulous and thoughtful Angie and the dance performances were so cute and fun this year.

So after that we still had lots to do, a college graduation party and then a late cinco de mayo mexican night at some friends house. Melt down happened the first 10 minutes at our friends house. We have not had the kids together in awhile and well, the 5 year old boy told my Lindsey that "he liked her, and he wanted to marry her".

Lindsey comes to me in hysterical tears that she wants to go home, and is freaking out. The boys mom then about kills her son, thinking he did something to Lindsey. Lindsey then starts watching a movie and then tells me "Josh said something really really bad to me". I then assume it's some foul language. She then is worked up to crying again. **** keep in mind the whole sleep deprivation. I then walk away and she says "Wait mom, he said he liked me." I then replied he likes you as a friend. *** Crying some more now. I then listen. She says, " He said he wants to marry me". I am almost in full blown laughter at how sensitive she is, but remember, I am the mom and should be respectful. *** Lindsey is still crying like someone who took some drama classes. I then tell Josh's mom, she is relieved it's not any foul language/ attacking Lindsey. I eventually calmed Lindsey down with all I know i can do. I give her some chips and white cheese dip. She calms down and then had a wonderful evening.

So I guess she turned down her first proposal, Dad is relieved. Story gets funnier each time we tell it. Only told our friends husband and their neighbors who also joined our little party. But it was pretty funny!

I'm going to have to remember this when she is older, and tell it at her rehearsal dinner toast. (I hope that's like 20 years from now)

Hugs,
Tara

Mother's Day confessions

Okay so I'm using an idea that I got from my friend Amy. I love her little list, so much I thought I'd copy the idea.

Random Mother's Day stuff

Here's my list from the year

1. I allowed my 2 year old drew to put quarters in our van cd player, ( I thought it was a cd) I was too busy texting my friend Donna nonsense drama and then Lindsey said he put money in it instead. He put in 7 coins not 2........ not a good thing to do.

2. I let my 2 year old take a nap with a ring pop once...

3. Several times I let my Drew stay stinky out in public, until we went home to change his diaper.

3. The dog has been known to be my vacuum in the van for all the kids crumbs.

4. I have used the inside of drew's shirt to clean his yucky nose... so gross I know

5. We all were so tired/ sick recently and Drew wasn't... he watched like so much television that he got sick of it and read books while we sleep... Ahhhh

6. I tell the kids to brush their buggies off their teeth. Drew really thinks he has bugs in his teeth now.

7. I also say we need to use sanitizer to get the buggies off.... kids really think we have bugs

8. Lindsey explained to the babysitter in actions what I do with dirty diapers... I put them in a bag, then throw them out the door. It was so funny.. kinda hickish but that's what you do when it's cold and not wanting to put it in the outdoor trash.

9. I painted Drew's toes and nails

10. I have made both kids cry by my disappointment in them. Puckered up faces...

11. At Wal-mart I've been known to open up more than one food item to make it through the store. I recently told friends that and the couldn't believe it.

I have enjoyed a fun filled year with my children. I love being a mom and a wife. Although both are so much work, there is so much joy in it. I hope you have enjoyed my list!

Love,

Tara

Taste and See Thursday....

*Today's recipe is a recipe for life:


***Say your prayers daily

***Love your family

*** Nuture those around you

***Always make people feel special

***If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right

***Find the positive no matter the circumstance

***Observe and treasure life daily

I think these are great reminders to keep in mind daily. What a treasure each new day is.

Enjoy your day,

Tara

Make a Smilebox scrapbook