Oh How I Love Cooking for a Crowd

I think I have mentioned,

that it has been a bit of an adjustment 

to "only" cook for 6 of us this year.  

Quite an adjustment, actually.

We usually have a LOT of leftovers;

but Papa is sure enjoying having them

for lunch in his new Personal Crock Pot.

But . . .

on the flip side . . .

I have LOVED being back in the kitchen.

For the first time in a very long time,

Mama is the Primary Cook,

and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

(Although I LOVE the fact that our family
always worked as a TEAM, and every one
of my kids is fully capable in the kitchen.)

I am trying new recipes ALL the time.

Today, I tried a new Taco Soup Recipe

that I found on Marty's Blog this week.

As I threw all of the ingredients into

our BIG 7 quart Crock Pot,

I knew that Papa would enjoy the leftovers.

Ben stopped by about 4:00 and I said,

"Do you want to stay for dinner?

I made a big pot of Taco Soup?"

Then, when I picked up Hosanna after Play Practice,

she came to the truck and asked,

"Do we have enough soup to invite some friends for dinner?"

"Of course.  How many?"

"Four.  I already asked them.  I figured it would be okay."

Thrifty Thursday Thoughts: What's Cooking - Part 3

Back in 2001, I wrote this article . . .

"How Do We Feed Our Family of 11 for Under $250 per month?"

while 12 years have gone by  . . .

while we no longer have so many children at home . . .

while grocery prices have gone up . . .

we STILL spend a LOT LESS on groceries than other families our size.

I hope you will pop over to my 

Mentor Mom Blog . . .

to find out what types of things we eat . . .

that help us to 

Save Money At The Grocery Store:

Beyond the Basic Breakfast

Super Sandwiches

Delicious Dinners

Tasty Treats

My Blog Friend Ashley over at 

The Vanilla Tulip

has been doing a new series of

Thrifty Thursday Thoughts.

Lots of bloggers have linked up the past couple of weeks,

so you can pop over there to find a lot more

Thrifty Thursday Thoughts.

Sunshine . . . Or Not.

I spent 5 days in Southern California last week.

I had purchased a really cheap ticket last September,

and thought that a Mid Winter Break sounded like fun.

I was most certainly 

HOPING for SUNSHINE,

but that was not to be.

A week before I left, the forecast was for SUNSHINE with temps in the 70s.

The day I arrived, the forecast changed to RAIN every day with temps in the 60s.

My Pretty Old Coat

Somehow . . .

for the past 20 years . . .

I have kept the dream alive . . .

that I would, at some time, be able to lose weight.

Therefore . . .

while I have certainly not kept all of my 20 year old clothes . . .

there are a few pieces that have stayed in my closets . . .

as we have moved 5 times in 20 years.

20+ years ago . . .

I bought a Nice Wool Coat.

Oh how I loved that coat!

It was a pretty, bright color.

It was warm.

It was the most expensive piece of clothing I'd ever purchased.

(only because I had never purchase any expensive clothes . . .

for me, "expensive" clothing is anything over $20)

So . . .

that Pretty Old Coat hung in my closet . . .

for all of these long years.

Sometimes I felt mocked by that dear coat . . .

"Ha!  You will never be skinny enough to wear me again!"

"How foolish to hang on to me for so long."

Other times I felt encouraged when I saw it hanging there . . .

"I'm still here.  I'm waiting for you.  I'm still beautiful."

"I trust that you will wear me again some day."

Only In Our Arrogance . . .

I read a FB link earlier this week, that I have thought of and pondered much.  Since it clearly impacted my thought life, I decided that some of you might also benefit from some pondering today.  (smile)

I will just share some excerpts from this article in Christianity Today's "Leadership Journal", but hope that you will click on the title to pop over and read the entire piece.  

Going To Hell with Ted Haggard

What I learned about grace and redemption through my friendship with a Christian pariah.

Michael Cheshire

Here are some excerpts . . .

A while back I was having a business lunch . . . with a close atheist friend. He's a great guy and a very deep thinker. During lunch, he pointed at the large TV screen on the wall. It was set to a channel recapping Ted's fall. He pointed his finger at the HD and said, "That is the reason I will not become a Christian. Many of the things you say make sense, Mike, but that's what keeps me away."

It was well after the story had died down, so I had to study the screen to see what my friend was talking about. I assumed he was referring to Ted's hypocrisy. "Hey man, not all of us do things like that," I responded. He laughed and said, "Michael, you just proved my point. See, that guy said sorry a long time ago. Even his wife and kids stayed and forgave him, but all you Christians still seem to hate him. You guys can't forgive him and let him back into your good graces. Every time you talk to me about God, you explain that he will take me as I am. You say he forgives all my failures and will restore my hope, and as long as I stay outside the church, you say God wants to forgive me. But that guy failed while he was one of you, and most of you are still vicious to him." Then he uttered words that left me reeling: "You Christians eat your own. Always have. Always will."  . . .

A Fun Birthday Twist

This week was BIRTHDAY WEEK for the Big D. Family!

Jeremiah's 26th birthday was on the 20th.

Elijah's 11th birthday was on the 23rd.

Mama's 51st birthday was on the 24th.

Carissa & Lindsey's 24th birthday was on the 25th.

Yes.

We have 5 Birthdays in 6 Days.

It has always been a FUN week around our house.

Oh the memories of some BIG Birthday Parties!

But,

this year we got an Extra Fun Twist to Birthday Week.

Lindsey is living in Australia.

The time difference between Washington State and Darwin, Australia is about 20 hours.

Lindsey has enjoyed being a day ahead of us all year.

She has been the first to say,

"Happy Mother's Day."

"Happy 4th of July."

"Merry Christmas."

. . .  as each holiday has arrived in Australia before it arrived in the U.S.

This week, I realized  that Lindsey would NOT be celebrating her birthday with her twin sister.

No.

This year, Lindsey celebrated her birthday on the same day as Mama.

(The 25th in Australia is at the same time as the 24th in the U.S.)

We celebrated our joint birthday with a wonderful 45 minute chat time.

Oh how Mama loves to chat with her Big Kids!!!

It Is Well With My Soul

A Blog Friend used this post title a few days ago, 
and it struck me that it fit just what I've been wanting 
to share with you:   It is well with my Soul.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. As you all know . . . my life has been FULL of  "sorrow like sea billows roll(ing)." Yet . . . It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. Satan has done his darndest to buffet our marriage and our family. Trials have come . . . and come . . . and come. Yet . . .  "Christ has regarded my helpless estate." And . . . It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Mid-Winter Break

All of our Local Schools have a 

"Mid-Winter Break"

. . .  a time that teachers and students

  get to take a vacation.

Some schools take a long 4 day weekend 

(usually in February)

while others give their students and staff a full week off.

This is a time for staff and students to

take a break . . . rest . . . relax . . . sleep in . . .

and enjoy their "free days".

Most people that work full-time,

also get to take vacations.

They usually take a week or two or three off every year,

in order to take a break . . . rest . . . relax . . . sleep in . . .

and enjoy some "free days".

But . . .

. . .  what about Moms?

. . .  what about Homeschool Moms?

. . .  what about Moms of Large Families?

. . .  when do they get to take a Vacation?

. . .  when do they get to take a Break?

. . .  when do they get to rest, relax, 

          and just enjoy some "free days"?

This week, 

I am taking a "Mid-Winter Break",

and I think I may just need to plan one every year.

What's Cooking? - Part 2

"Don't Be Afraid to Ask"
(originally published in 2000)

Would you like some more help to 

save money on your food budget?  

I have a non-traditional idea I would like you to try . . .

. . .  we returned with over 450 pounds of apples for less than $25.00. 

. . .  I brought home 35 pumpkins for $10.00. 

. . .  we had just purchased over 100 pounds of bananas for $5.00.

. . .  you have probably challenged your children sometimes to 

be bold, take risks, and try something new.  

So take your own advice.  

See what fun bargains you can find today.

To read the rest of the article . . . 

just pop over to my Ministry Blog:  

Musings of a Mentor Mom.

Off To Find Some WARM Winter Weather

While I would LOVE . . .

to be heading towards the COLD weather in MN . . .

to meet my Precious New Grandson . . .

instead . . . 

I am off to enjoy a few days of SUNSHINE in . . .

Southern California.

Ready to Brave the COLD Minnesota Weather

Wesley (our 2nd grandson) is 11 Days Old . . .

and doing well.

He is all BUNDLED up to run an errand . . .

with his Mama.

Grandma found the hat a couple of months ago . . .

and I just knew it would be perfect for a . . .

 COLD Minnesota Winter.

It was NEGATIVE 15 Degrees yesterday in Brainerd, MN.

Yikes!

Doing the Happy Dance . . . Again!

Another Couple of Pounds Lost.

(#6.6 lost in the past 8 days)

Another Big Milestone Crossed.

I did it.

I passed the 15 Year mark.

I passed the point on the scale that I have not seen

since I was in a pretty Bad Car Accident 15 years ago,

It's Gotten Quite Comical, Actually.

Back in November, I wrote a post called, "Speak Up".  I told you how surprised I was that having lost #40 in 4 1/2 months, only one friend had even mentioned that they had noticed I'd lost weight (besides a couple of friends who know that I am on a serious weight loss journey).

At #50 lost, now, I have given up on hoping anyone will notice or say anything.  As I said in my earlier post, my weight loss journey is so not about what others will think/say, but about getting healthy and feeling better about myself.  If it was about what others would say . . . I would have given up long ago. (smile)

Anyway, I am happy to report that in the past month two other friends have noticed.  What I find very surprising is that both friends were guys.  I would have thought that a man would be less likely to acknowledge a woman's weight loss, than my lady friends.  But . . . I guess not.  Being the analytically minded person that I am, I am still trying to figure out why my lady friends have said not a word.  There is just no way that they have not noticed.

You Can Win a Nikon D5100 Camera

One of my Sweet Blog Friends is raising money to bring home another daughter from China (to join her already extra large family of 3 bio. kids and 7 from China).

Anyone that donates towards their Adoption Fund before January 30th will have their name entered to win a Nikon D5100 Camera.  Go HERE to find out all of the details.

Won't you join me in supporting this Sweet Family?

The BEST Christmas Present Ever

Jim's New "Lunch Box"

When I saw a picture of one of these on FB, I just KNEW that I had to find one.

Grandsons, Grandsons Everywhere

On Friday . . . Cassie gave birth to Wesley Dean.

On Saturday . . . we got to see Gregg and Noah William David.

On Sunday . . . Jeremiah & Ashleigh announced that they, too, 
                          are having a BOY (in June).


Yes.  
We had 4 kids get married in 14 months,
and now we will have 3 grandsons in 15 months.

Slow Going

On December 9th, I wrote the post, 

"It's Not Just the Big Things That Matter".

I told you that I was "really close to the Big 5-0 Loss".

I was confident that I would hit 50 Pounds Lost before Christmas.

Well . . .

sadly . . .

it didn't happen.

After losing 13 pounds in 14 days . . .

my body just decided to get off the weight loss track.

Ugh.

Welcome to the World, Wesley!

Wesley Dean G.

was welcomed into his Mommy's arms

at 1:12 am on Friday, January 11th

weighing 7 lb. 6 oz.

Blessed By a Blog Contest

I told you last month that, 

"I Won!  I Won!"

I had won a $100 Gift Card to Wal-M*art.

,

in a little "Blog Contest".

A Very Fun, but Very Disappointing Day

Yesterday was a day of ultimate contrasts: 
it included lots of GOOD and FUN,
yet also EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT.

Slipping & Sliding

On New Year's Eve,

our local Ice Rink offered

Free Family Skating.

What fun!!!

Training Up the Last "Set" of Kids

Do you have "sets" of kids?

I do.

Our kids can be divided in a variety of ways.


For several years we had the 
"6 Big Kids" and "6 Young Ones",
until Ben joined the ranks of the "Big Kids".


We also have 3 Sets of Boys:

Gregg (28) and Jeremiah (26 this month)
Josh (22) and Ben (19)
Josiah (12) and Elijah (11 this month)

Random Fact, but totally not "planned":

Each set of boys has one boy with a "J" name.  
Each boy without a "J" name has a middle "J" name.
Each set of boys has day/night personalities,
with each set having a Personality #1 and a Personality #2.
Seriously.  It is CRAZY how alike 3 of them are,
and how alike the other 3 are, 1 from each set.


We have 2 Sets of Girls:

Cassie (27), Carissa (24 this month), Lindsey (24 this month)
Hosanna (16), Sarah (14), Rachel (11)

No names alike.
No crazy personality differences.


Random Fact:  

Did you notice how many birthdays we have this month?
Mine is in there, too; we actually have 5 birthdays in 6 days,
and now we get to add Baby Wesley to the January "Set" of birthdays.



For Household Responsibilities,
we have had 4 "Sets" of kids:

Gregg (28), Cassie (27), and Jeremiah (26)
Carissa (24), Lindsey (24), and Joshua (22)
Ben (19) and Hosanna (16)
Sarah (14), Josiah (12), Rachel (11), and Elijah (11)


We have always Trained Up Our Kids to be capable of 
handling any and all household chores/responsibilities,
which has been especially valuable when it comes to 
meal preparation for an extra large family.

We have had a wide variety of Chore Charts over the years,
depending on how many "Big Kids" we had at home.

It's Baby Time

Our daughter, Cassie, is at the hospital today . . .

awaiting the arrival of her first little 

Bundle Of Joy.

Please pray for Mommy Cassie, Baby Wesley, and Daddy Dean.

Update:  

After over 12 hours of labor, 
Wesley Dean G. was born
at 1:12am on 1/11/13.

What is Family?

Powerful!

This is definitely worth

a few minutes of your time.

Snow Much Fun

Since last week was kind of a deep and heavy week on the blog . . .

. . .  with a friend moving her son to a Boy's Ranch.

. . .  and another friend moving because her husband had an affair.

. . .  and another friend in the process of determining where to move her daughter.

I thought I'd wait a bit to post pictures of the Fun Family Days we've been having.

On Saturday, December 29th, Papa took the kids up to 

Mt. Baker for a Snow Day.  

Woo Hoo!  

Much FUN was had by all!

What's Cooking? - Part 1

What's In Your Grocery Cart?

"How do you do it?"  As a stay-at-home mom with nine children, people often ask me how we make ends meet financially.  Yes, it is difficult.  However the place in which I have learned to save the most money is the grocery store.  We regularly feed our family of 11 for under $250 per month.  (originally written in the Fall of 2000)

When Jim and I got married in 1982, neither of us had been taught anything about budgeting or cooking.  It didn't take us long to realize that walking to the grocery store every afternoon to choose between Hamburger Helper or Tuna Helper for dinner was ot a wise choice for either our wallets or our taste buds.  I soon was on a quest to find out how to cook inexpensive meals that tasted good.  I asked the Lord for guidance and then sought the advice of older women.  I began to read books on budgeting and cooking, borrowed from friends and the library.

Today, let's look at three of the things I have learned:

THANKFUL for . . . Coffee Dates, Conversation, Young Ones, Big Kids, Old Friends, New Friends, Papa Time, Mama Time

Thank you all for your prayers last month.  

I had quite a few difficult days in December.  

So. Not. Fun.

2013 has started off well.

Oh. So. Cute.

Noah is 9 months old . . .

and. oh. what. fun. it. was. 

to have him here . . .

for a couple of days last week.

Looks to me like he is trying to text like his Daddy.
His Daddy is always on his iPhone.

Vitally Important Things To Talk About

On Tuesday, I wrote 

"How Can We Protect Our Families"

Yesterday, my friend that had to say good-bye to her

teenage adopted son this week, 

as he went to live at a Boy's Ranch,

emailed to ask if we could have coffee this morning.

She needs to talk.

This morning, I got an email from a Blog Friend,

sharing that (after 6 years of over-the-top trauma) 

they had to find a new family for their 

teenage adopted daughter.  Part of the reason:

"we no longer felt that living with (our daughter) was in her best interests, 

that of our other children, the health of our marriage, or my own personal health.  

(She) was excited to go, to have a "fresh start", and we wish her well." 

Yesterday, I wrote

"Another Unmentionable Topic:  Infidelity"

Yesterday afternoon I got an email from a local blog reader,

asking if I could meet her for coffee.

After living with a man for 4 years,

and raising his 4 children,

he recently up and moved across the country

with another woman.

She is devastated.

She needs to talk.

Late last night, I got a text message from a friend

(as soon as she finished reading this blog post)

asking if I would pray for her cousin.

His wife recently had an affair and moved out.

She is moving home now, and wants to "work things out".

My friend asked if I would pray for them.

My friend needed someone to share with.

Yes.

These are topics that we MUST talk about!

We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand,

pretending that these things don't happen,

judging those with whom they do happen.

We must PRAY . . .

 . . . for adoptive families with traumatized children.

. . .  for our friends marriages.

. . .  for our own marriages.

We must REACH OUT and LOVE and PRAY with . . .

. . .  those who are walking these most difficult journeys.

Another "Unmentionable" Topic: Infidelity

On Tuesday . . .

I asked for prayer for some friends who are moving their son

to a Residential Treatment Center.

I talked about the "hush hush" nature . . . 

. . . of Adoption Disruption.

. . . of Mental Health Issues.

. . . of Residential Treatment Facilities.

Today . . .

I am asking for prayer for a friend who is also moving this week.

Why is she moving?

Because her husband's new girlfriend is moving into their home.

Seriously. Breaks. My. Heart.

What, exactly, is this "Unmentionable" Topic?

"Godly Christian Men choosing to have Affairs."

I am Just. So. Done.  . . .  with hearing of such things.

I am Just. So. Done.  . . .  with hearing the cries of my friends' broken hearts.

I am Just. So. Done.  . . .  with the lies, and excuses, and rationalizations.

Ready. Set. Go.

I am "off and running" towards my 
2013 Diet Goals.

I am EXCITED for what this year will mean for me.

We had out-of-town family in town for Christmas,

so I purposely just set my diet "on the shelf" for 4 days.

I enjoyed some Mashed Potatoes & Gravy,

and LOTS of Pumpkin Pie & Whipped Cream.  

Oh My!

I gained 4 pounds in 4 days.

Then . . .

I lost 5 pounds in 5 days.

So, I am READY to start the downward trend again.

After an Anniversary Week in Puerto Rico in October . . .

and 5 days at Family Camp in Oregon in November . . .

and Christmas Company for 4 days in December . . .

I am REALLY GLAD to NOT have any

Big Holidays or Vacations 

planned for awhile.

I am READY to get back on track . . .

and hit some Major Diet Milestones.

I am nearing a weight I have not seen for 14 years,
since we were in a serious car accident
and I couldn't exercise nor even 
walk down the street for many months

So EXCITING!

Have any of you decided to start a 

Takin' Care of Mama Journey

in 2013?

I'd love to give you some support and encouragement.

How Can We Protect Our Families

Tomorrow . . . 

a friend of mine will be saying "Good-bye" to one of her teenagers.  

She won't be able to speak to him for 30 days.  

She probably won't see him for a few months.

No . . . he has not joined the Military.

("No Contact" is common at Boot Camp.)   

No . . . he is not going away on a Mission Trip to faraway lands.

Where is he going?

He is moving to a Residential Treatment Facility.

My heart aches for my friend and her husband.

My heart aches for the siblings still at home.

My heart aches to think of the judgment and condemnation

that may now fall upon this precious family.

My heart understands fully what a difficult decision has been made.

My heart understands fully why their child could no longer stay at home.

My heart grieves with theirs . . . as they say their "Good-byes".

I sit here tonight . . .

at 2:00 am . . . 

not welcoming 2013 . . .

but reliving the last 6 months that our Little Miss was home.

The anger.

The rages.

The refusal to do anything asked of her.