Learning to shoot with daddy

we purchased a bb gun for our kids yesterday and spent the afternoon and into the evening practicing shooting. Before we ever went out we discussed rules with guns, even a bb gun. A gun is a gun. We have many in our house, my children are use to being around them. Daddy has one on him at all times, on and off duty. Daddy went over our rules and safety. Our boys will probably be hunting before long and more than likely after yesterday so will our girl.

All three kids were an amazing shot. Vivianna expecially took to it. Colton did well as well. Quinton did good, but lost interest soon, he is only 3. Daddy had a wonderful day teaching them how to shoot and Vivianna wants to learn how to shoot a bow now so she can bow hunt with her daddy.

I made this video and I'm pretty much obsessed with how it turned out!

3 ingredient peach cobbler

This faux peach cobbler is made with just 3 ingredients.. Ok.. so its really a dump cake. . But every time I make it my family refer to it at peach cobbler!  Besides i don't like the word dump in a description of something I'm eating. Haha. It  is possibly the easier recipe I have. So easy when you have to take something for a covered dish or just an easy desert for after dinner.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 large can slices peaches in heavy syrup
1 1/2 sticks butter

Open peaches and dump in pan.
Open cake mix dump all over peaches. (See the dump part)
Slice butter and place all over the top of cake.
Place in a 350 degree preheated oven for 50 min- 1 hour. It will begin to bubble and turn oh so yummy.

Giveaway Drawing!!

 

yay! I am so excited for my first give away!! Don't forget to sub to my blog and sub to my Youtube channel!! This was so much fun... I will be doing another one soon!

 

 

Book & Bracelet **GIVEAWAY** & My first VLOG

My very first give away. The winner will receive a copy of the book I just finished (and liked very much) New Believers Guide to Effective Christian Living by Greg Laurie and I will also include one of my favorite types of bracelets. A sideways cross. I have one just like this and I adore it!

Just Post a comment below for a chance to enter.

For additional entry Sub to Me.

also he's my first VLOG!

I joined Ipsy!

I decided I needed to do something Myself. Like most moms (and nurses) I take care of other people ALL THE TIME. I have been wanting to try a subscription box of some kind for quite awhile now so when I researched and found that IPSY was only for $10 a month I said "sure, what the heck" for $10 it is totally worth the shot and it has FREE shipping. I decided to cancel HULU today for the simple fact we don't use it anymore, that's $8 a month and with that saving, I would be putting an extra $2.  That was kinda longer explanation than anticipated. WELL, I signed up. You take a style quiz that I assume helps them customize your bag with them, each month you will receive a makeup bag filled with deluxe size samples and full size products. It is random however so when you get your bag it will be a total surprise each month what you receive. I love surprises.

This is a picture of May's bag.

I'm not entirely certain how the points work, but Here's my link if you are interested in signing up, I believe I get points for you using my link?
http://www.ipsy.com/r/1yh3p?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general

So since I signed up yesterday, My first ISPY GLAM BAG box will be the October one.. It says will be here around mid-October, I'm excited to see what I get. I may even  do a Vlog on my unboxing.. yes, a vlog! first time.. maybe? perhaps? yep.

Ghostbuster birthday party

For Christmas last year, Vivianna got a "just dance" Wii game, on that game was the ghostbuster song.. The boys learned to do the dance. THey loved it. So when the original ghostbuster movie came on TV I added it to our DVR.. and the rest they say, is history. My boys have since became submissed in ghostbuster everything. For Easter they received "The real Ghostbusters" Cartoon season 1 set. And ever sice they have been talking of a 'Ghostbuster Birthday Party' I wasn't even going to do  "big party" but they had their little hearts set on one.. so Mommy gave them as they wanted. Do you know how difficult it is to find party supplies based on something from 1983? Very. But none the less, this mommy set to work.

My boys in their Volunteer GhostBuster shirts My sister in law got them. I'm not sure where she ordered them from.

'Slimmer Jello'

"Stay Puft S'mores" bags as party favors. So simple.

I was going to use ghost shaped cookie cuters to make cookies, but I was lucky the Halloween cookies were already out and I took the easy route! :-p

Proton Streams (for our game)- Silly String! bought at the dollar store and made this cover (seriously in MSPAINT) and taped them around the can..

Again we had grand scheme to draw ghost on poster board, but then we saw these yardghost at the dollar store and said why not. All the kids enjoyed blasting ghost, it really was the high light of the birthday party!

 

Ghost Suckers (to go with their smores Party Favor)-- so simple I'm not sure I should explain but I will. sucker, tissue, marker, ribbon. you get the idea.

I decided Local bakery it was for an easy edible image. turned out great!

 

My boys are born about a month apart.. so I have their parties together. I had them separate for 1 year and then they started to like EVERYTHING the same just about, so hence why we have 1 party. But don't fret, we do have a special cake for them with their birthday dinner on their actual birthday and this is when they also receive their birthday gift from mommy and daddy! these are pictures from this year with their ever so fancy mommy made cakes!

Fall Bucket List

Visit a pumpkin patch
Carve Pumpkins
Find our way through a Corn Maze
Decorate for Halloween
Play in the leaves
Fall Family pictures
Carve Pumpkins
buy/make costumes
DIYHalloween Craft
Attend Revival
Make carmel apples
Take a fall Color Drive
Fall Hike
make a homemade pie
bake a pumpkin yummy
Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte
Paint Pumpkins
Watch Hocus Pocus
Have a Holloweentown Movie Night
Roast Pumpkin seeds
Go to a tailgating Party/watch a game
Go Trick or treating
Watch Halloween wars with Vivianna
Plant Spring Bulbs
"Boo" a neighbor
Church Carnival
Tell ghost stories around the fire
Go on 2 dates
Eat Comfort food
Make Pumpkin Pancakes
Make a Thankful Tree
Volunteer

Its Never goodbye..

It has been a difficult week. On Sunday I got a phone call while at work that my mother in law had passed away. Just hours earlier I was planning the 2 hour trip to to go visit her in the hospital the next day with my sister in law, so when my Sister in law was on the other end of the line I just assumed it was to tell me what time to meet for our trip to the hospital. Instead it was to give me the news that on her way home on from the hospital that day she got a phone call from the nurse she just left that about a hour after they left she passed away. I found coverage at work and met my husband at My in laws house. It felt like a bad dream. We went down to the hospital to "say goodbye" to her. I clenched her hand and as I tried to tell her goodbye.. I heard her voice tell me, like she had a million times while dropping my kids off to baby sit or when we were leaving "Never say goodbye, goodbye it to final.. its always see you later!" out of the 11 years I knew her this was she always told me.

I stepped out if the room and sat down in a chair in the lobby near her room. A little old man came out of his room.. hospital gown on and pulling his IV pole.. stopped beside me.. and began to hug me. He told me exactly what I needed to be reminded of in that moment.. "it's not these Dr's who heal us.. it's our God who does the healing" She was free from all her pain , the cancer, any imperfection.. She was not healed her on earth but she was eternally healed.. she was with him.. He made her new and perfect.. This stranger began to pray for me.. hugging me and praying with me.. he then asked me "young lady.. do you know our lord? Are you a born again christian?" I am still in awe of the entire conversation.. not only is it exactly what I needed in that moment but also an inspiration. . I want that... I want to push all my fear aside.. be the comforting shoulder for someone, there when they need someone.. and use every opportunity to show his love and lead others to him.

Big News..

I'm going to be an Auntie again!!!

My sister sent me a text asking how I felt about being a aunt again with a picture of her official due date from the Dr's office. I am sooo excited.. she has a little girl already, who I adore. We went on vacation for a week and I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of little kylar with her "big sister" news.. :-)

Coleslaw

I haven't posted in awhile so I opted for a easy post, a recipe.

Cabbage from our garden done very well. I don't use cabbage, other than fried cabbage, so I need to come up with some recipes, after searching for a few coleslaw recipes I came up with a version I could make (I had all the ingredients). I was making Fried chicken so lucky for us I had the buttermilk on hand, its not something I regularly keep on hand so its nice to have few recipes that you will use when buying something like this, that doesn't keep a long time.

Ingredients
 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
salt
 pepper
1 head of cabbage
1-2 carrots
1/2 onion


Make things simple and use a shredder or food processor. I don't have a food processor so I used a shredder. The medium side worked well to get the size of the ingredients.

Shred cabbage, carrots, and onions and set aside.
Combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk well.
Pour dressing over the slaw and turn to coat well.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Basketball Birthday

My girl asked for a basketball theme birthday. I booked a local gym and let all the kids play ball majority of the party. Just had cake and a variety of chips. The party was a lot of fun.. see the pictures for yourself.

Cool Down Punch

 

Party Favors & Drink

Game time balls= Cheese Puffs

Half Time Pop corn

Slam Dunk Chips

 

Instead of a card, we invited the guest to donate a can of food that Vivianna donated to our local  food pantry.

She is in the double digits.. 10 today!

I find it hard to wrap my head around the concept that my oldest 'baby' is 10 years old today! I swear it seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home, watching her first steps, and wishing for her hair to grow long enough to put in a pony tail (it took awhile for her). Now I have this tween girl who is turning more and more into a little lady every time I look at her.  

 

You will forever be my baby!

 

We already had her birthday party on Sunday, but we always have a birthday dinner on the family members actual birthday (or as close to it as we can). Birthday Girls choice of dinner. She picked country fried steak, mashed potatoes, and corn. She also requested that daddy make it. she loves her daddies cooking and to be honest I love it to, my favorite part is I don't have to cook. We had cake and then went to the playground and had a family walk and sat on the swing set and talked about our hopes for the up coming summer, since school is officially out for her next week. Her summer is booked solid with adventures, camps, and vacations (with her grandparents). I'm not sure if I will actually get to see her to much this summer. Slow down time baby girl. The days are long and the years are short. It was a good day.

 

Banana Bread

So here I am, up past midnight making banana bread. that's normal right? In my universe, yes! I've had a busy day of re-arranging the boys into their new bedrooms and I just happened to notice the bananas on our counter were in that "we are ripe now, do something with us before we go bad stage", which also happens to be the perfect stage for banana bread.

I love banana bread, which is strange because I don't like to eat an actual banana by itself. My Granny, who was the best cook of all time (I'm not biased either) made the most amazing banana bread. Its another recipe people think is too complex but its actually easy peasy.  Its yummy, easy, and hard to screw up. My favorite qualities in a recipe!

Ingredients

• 3-4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Pre-heat oven to 350. smash banana and mix in the melted butter. Next mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle baking soda and salt and mix. Add flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

I've pinned about a half dozen teacher appreciation gifts on pinterest, but I couldn't decide on any of them. I thought and thought and figured that was something more "us".

Weird as it may seem, we decided to send some fresh eggs from our chickens and made some homemade apple butter in for our teachers. My middle child (whose teachers we were giving the gift to) really enjoys helping with our chickens so it was a perfect combo.  You can find my crock pot recipe here . I just used twine and made a tag stating "thanks for an eggcelent year" I'm sure you could come up with some apple saying for the apple butter, I however just went with "from the kitchen of.. colton"

Apple Butter for teacher who LOVE apples, because Teachers love apples.

 

"Thanks for an eggcelent year"

His teacher and both the assistant teachers loved our appreciation gift. they thought it was unique idea and so much more useful than *another* crayon wreath. ;-)

 

My Little Graduate

We have a graduate, a preschool graduate. Colton, our middle child graduated from preschool this week. End of the year field trips are out of the way and we even had a little graduation. Let summer begin. We still have to let big sister to have her last day of school (then I will have a middle schooler.. sigh) I'm sure we can have some fun for 2 weeks while sister is still in school.


Summer is almost here!!

 

This is our youngest Quinton and daddy on Colton's field trip the zoo. I had to post because it was so adorable seeing Quinton feed the giraffe.

Homemade (Crock pot) Apple Butter

I've attempted crock pot apple butter a total of 2 times now. The first time seemed to take forever (well it kinda did like 24 hours of cooking) but it was still pretty darn yummy. The second adventure in making turned out perfectly. So great in fact I thought I would share it with all of you.

Now let me tell you how labor intensive and hard this recipe is to make! Nah, I'm just kidding you. This is so super easy. I was frightened off because "homemade" stuff is HARD, right? I mean making your own condiments?! yikes. but honestly this is so easy and I will let you in on a few pointers I learned the hard way.

To get started you might have to add a few spices to your spice rack but after that you'll have then and you should only need to pick up the apples if the mood strikes you to make a batch.

So first head to the store, stock up on all you'll need (if you don't already have them) and get 6lbs of apples. now here's the secret I'm gonna share that is so stupid I should have put a sign on my forehead the first time. BUY A SOFT TYPE APPLE. I used Red Delicious the first time because they are my favorite, but they took forever to break down and it just didn't turn out so apple butter texture. the second time I bought MACINTOSH and had success. But any soft apple will do.

Ingredients
6 lbs peeled, cored, sliced apples (the smaller, the easier it is to break down)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 table spoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions
1. Place apples in crock pot. Mix all dry ingredients together in separate bowl then gently mix mixture into apples in crock pot. Cook on low for 10 hours. (I cooked over night.. so easy)

2. mix in vanilla extract  and mix , breaking up and large chunks of apples, and replace lid to cook for another 2 hours.

3. Use a immersion blender (I got one at rite-aid for $15) and mix until smooth.

4 Allow the mixture to cool, then spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months.
recipe adapted from brown eyed baker

 

My Dad's Heart broken but now forever healed.

I'm sorry I have been away for awhile. I have been very busy the past few weeks. My dad had a heart attack, was sent to a larger hospital with a great cardiac team, had a heart cath, stayed a few more days in the hospital, had open heart surgery and a quadruple bi-pass, spent a few more days in cardiac intensive care. Finally we are back home and trying to get him back on his feet. He is doing so well though. He has given up chewing and is eating healthier. I am so happy we get a second chance with my dad. The past few weeks have honestly been the most stressful and scary weeks of my life. I'm still trying to balance life with helping out with my parents, my household, and work. I am carrying a book around and as I think of to-do things I'm writing them down because honestly as soon as I think of something its out of my mind until its time I needed it to be done!

<me, My dad, & My sisters>

One amazing thing that came out of this experience is I was able to speak the word to my father and he was saved! I am sooo happy. He is going to be going to church with us as soon as he is up to it. Our God is an amazing God!

Weekend to Remember (Review & Discount)

Weekend To remember

 

Coupon code = ONENESSTOGETHER

Marriages require work! There, I said it and I mean it! Even the best of marriages require work. But that work doesn't always have to be painful, sometimes it can be fun and in the end rewarding. We need to invest more in our relationship.

Not to boast or brag but I thought I had a pretty dang good marriage. Everything can be improved though. After our weekend at "Weekend to Remember" I realized how much more they can be improved. Walls were broken down between us and we were ONE! ONENESS in marriage is an amazing thing.

The conference is a 3 day event (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning). Conference are held all over the US so it is likely they are having a conference close to you! Click HERE to find an event near you!

Now I was skeptical at first. I had a friend(Simple Little Homestead), who went a few years ago and had this amazing experience. It seemed like a great program to me, but sitting through lectures and "bonding" just didn't sound like something my husband and I would be interested in. A few years later I finally decided to go. It wasn't boring at all. We laughed so much during the convention and learned so many useful key points. The speakers were amazing and the atmosphere was great. Everyone was in the same situation. it was amazing to see how close the couples were at the end of the weekend. They don't single you out during the convention or make you talk about your problems in front of people. There is a few times during the convention or later that evening that they give you to talk with your spouse and those "projects" were the real turning point of our weekend.

The retreat is faith based and helps develop Godly marriages. I wanted a Godly marriage.

I would highly recommend this to any couple who is married and have a great marriage, married and having a difficult  time, or even engaged couples (they have a few separate topics they speak to them about and different "projects") Our review? We LOVED IT! The retreat brought us closer to God and closer to each other! We went almost a month ago and we have used the tools they gave us and have remained so close! The investment is very worth it!

I am able to offer my friends, family, and readers this pretty awesome discount of $50 off per person. A total savings of $100 off per couple!

Coupon Code= ONENESSFOREVER

Easter 2014

I hope everyone had a happy Easter! I was blessed to get to have Easter off this year so we decided to host our families Easter dinner at our house! We had a nice meal, the weather was fantastic, the kids had their baskets, we hunted eggs, and we worshiped. It was amazing to celebrate the real reason for the season. My kids barely spoke of the Easter bunny this year but rather talked about Jesus.

 

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

 

A few snap shots from our day and my attempts at getting a family picture.. those rare gems are hard to come by.

 

 

 

We even went and Egged some houses on good Friday! We went around to a few neighbors and hid easter eggs in their yard. The kids had so much fun with this. We decided to knock on their doors afterwards and hand them the little egged note. It was a bunch of fun for the kids and a great way to get the true reason for easter out there. Colton also told everyone "Jesus loves you!" when he gave them their note explaining their egging.

 

 

"Here is what you do. Figure out who's house you want to egg. Buy 10 plastic eggs per house you want to egg. Fill 9 of the eggs with candy or goodies and leave 1 egg Empty! Yes, Empty. Hide the eggs in your neighbors yard and leave behind the printed out note"

 

The note states:

You've been Egged

10 eggs are hidden for you to find

in all different colors, so I hope you don't mind

We want to remind you that Easter is near

and it is a special time of year

for Jesus loved us and died on the cross

so we all could return and not be lost

there is an egg that is empty for a reason

it's simply because Jesus has Risen

 

you can find your copy to print: here

 

adventures in potty training..

 

My daughter was a breeze to potty train (years ago). We bought her Dora undies and she didn't want to pee on Dora. simple enough, right? When our next child (a boy) came along, I figured "I've got this. easy stuff". Boy was I wrong. Every time I thought he was "ready" it would fight against the whole going to the potty thing. there was times he would literally scream if I tried to get him in the bathroom. I would give up and decide to wait a few more weeks to see if he would be ready. I became to get discouraged. 4 was right around the corner and I was out of plans. We tried everything from letting him go outside, potty chairs, big potty, peeing on cheerios, sitting down, standing up, ext. I was frustrated. He started preschool 1 week before his 4th birthday. day 1 he went in a pull-up. Day 2 he told me not to bring extra pull ups, that evening I set my alarm clock every 15 minutes and he went potty. Day 3, we went to preschool in big boy undies. It was a choice my middle child was making not to go potty and when he was ready, he was ready.

 

Our youngest (2 1/2) started to show signs of knowing when he had to go. He would let us know when he was wet or dirty so I took that as our cue to start setting him on the potty. first I attempted a potty chair but he didn't seem  to care for them, so I bought him the kind that sits on the big potty. I had a few days off of work so I decided to use that time, the other kids had school so it was less distractions. Again I set my alarm. I started out with every 5 minutes, after a few times of that I moved it up to 10 minutes then 15 minutes. I let him run around in nothing but his undies those first few days. They are easier to get down and easier for him to see and feel he has an accident (as well as less laundry). I am happy to report that he is fully potty trained now. I don't believe "boys are easier, girls are easier." its each child *imo*

 

Its a little sad because he is our LAST baby, and this ends an era in our lives... but then again NO MORE DIAPERS!

 

 

Facebook Break!

 

1 month ago I decided to give up facebook for lent. It was becoming a pretty time consuming part of my life. I have to say it almost like an addiction. First thing when I woke up I would get a cup of coffee and set down with my laptop for some facebook time, and it was usually the last thing I would see on my phone before bedtime. Facebook was taking away my time with my children, my husband, and my god! Honestly, I had enough of the drama I would see. The comparison I would make, between my life and others. I just needed a break. period. I now spend that morning cup of coffee over my bible. I now spend those last seconds before sleep, cuddling my husband. spending time looking at people while we are out to eat instead of at my phone (so bad). I have actually started texting friends and even talking to them ON the phone and planning to meet up IN PERSON. lol.

I have to say, I don't miss it near as much as I thought I would. At first it was kind of like a bad habit to break. Now I don't even notice I don't have it, till someone says "did you see what she put on facebook?" and then I proudly say "no, no I didn't." I probably should have gave my friends on FB a heads up because I have actually been stopped in the store with "are you mad at me?" thinking I blocked them on facebook, I then explain why I got rid of it *for awhile*. Some totally understand, some look at me like I have 2 heads and just give me that "oh ok".  Family members have messaged my mom and asked "is everything ok with them?!"  My husband is adamantly against facebook, therefor mine is the only means of updates from our homestead. Its actually seems crazy to me that the norm is to live life vicariously through facebook.

I don't miss the drama.
I don't miss, missing time with my family because I'm checking my phone.
I don't miss listening to people complain.
I don't miss the time suck.

I do miss staying in touch with some friends.
I do miss all the mom groups and girls I keep in contact with only on facebook.
THAT IS ABOUT IT!

Starting my spring cleaning..

I found this super cute FREE printable <here> from 'Just a Girl and her blog>

 

I work full time as a nurse. My job, I work three 12 hour days a week. I will sometimes have big breaks of days off at a time. I love this part of my job. I can work a few days in a row, and have 6 days off. I'm on those 6 days off right now. Day 2, actually. I have high hopes for this "break". My back has been giving me fits so I'm not sure how much I will actually get accomplished. I wanted to start my spring cleaning. It doesn't seem like it should be that time already? Well I'm ready for everything else spring brings, just not the spring cleaning part.

I have already started the washing machine once today and the dish washer. I picked up the living room and started on, most likely, the worst room in the house: My middle sons room! He's 100% boy. I will leave it at that. I have got it pretty well finished. I need to wash the linens and curtains but other than that I think its, complete. I decided to take a break and rest. More for the fact the boys were busy getting into other areas of the house while I was in their room. Bleach and Magic Erasers are my friends! shew.

I don't think "spring cleaning" is such a good idea with them home. I thought it would be a good way for them to help me, but so far, its just been a disaster. I think I'll start on the bathroom and hallway next. they will be easy rooms I can get done with out having to have my husband here to move the heavy stuff for me.  He will be home tonight from a work trip.

April's Walking Challenge..

Decided to take part in a 30 day walking challenge. During the entire month of April I will be wearing this pedometer and tracking my # of steps. so I've got my Pedometer and I'm ready. Day one= 4 miles! I walked this while at work from 10am (when I picked up my pedometer) till bedtime.

2000= 1 mile

Cash prize is given at the end with the person who walks the most/# of steps/miles, but I think it will just be interesting just to see how much I walk between work, home, and chasing after 3 kids.

Summer Bucket List

() Day at the pool

() Trip to the lake

() Go on a Hike

() make Popsicle's

() side walk chalk

() Take the kids to library story time

() GO to a drive in Movie

() blow bubbles

() slip N slide

() Go out for ice Cream

(x) Go to a zoo

() Plant a garden

() Eat Dinner Outside

() Go to a "pick your own" farm

(x) Make Smores on our fire pit

() Bible School

() Pick black berries

() Go on a Picnic

()eat water mellon on a hot day

() Make homemade salsa

() grow sunflowers

() Catch fireflies

() See a movie in theater with the family

() Go Camping

(x) fishing

() fish cook out

() Turn off the TV for 24 hours

() Zip Line Park

() Go for a boat ride

() go see something breath taking

() Have a rainy day Movie & PJ day

() glow in the dark bubbles

() see Fire works

() ramp digging (spring)

(x) grill ramp burgers

() Go to a farmers market

() Get Baptized

() Read 3 non kids books

() KIds= Read to them LOTS

() Build SOMETHING

() Fix something

() paint something

() Make something

() DO something unexpected for someone else

() Build a Sandcastle

() roll down a hill

() go on a vacation