Sunday, November 19, 2006

SUNDAY

Our day got off to an interesting start when I realized that there was no Sunday School. {g} That explains why I got all those Proverbs entries written up. LOL

Jamin and Jared have really wanted Chinese. Usually, we can find fried chicken or pizza or fries or something at a Chinese restaurant. Around here every place we've gone has been buffet and there was nothing American on it. I told the boys to call around and find a place and we'd try it. They were really craving sesame chicken and fried rice. Jamin still wants to try one that Ian suggested to him before they moved, but they were closed on Sundays. This restaurant wasn't too bad, actually it's my favorite here so far. It WAS a buffet but they assured me that I could order 3 hamburgers and fries....obviously they don't make them often....I think it was ground chuck....very good. LOL They really worked with us. At one point Zander was sure he was going to throw up - long story. I jumped up, pushed Stacia's chair, scooped up Zander and ran for the restroom. I came back and everyone was laughing. Stacia's chair was on wheels and she went clear across the dining room with a shocked expression on her face. LOL I'm thinking Chinese may work for Thanksgiving.....no one is taking me up on Taco Bell. I'll be cooking turkeys for the student's Thanksgiving on Saturday so I have no desire to cook more. LOL We'll see.

We did some shopping for Mike's Christmas package...enough said.

Friday, when I picked up produce, I didn't have room in the back for all the produce. They put several cases on the seats up front. I love our new van - but it really isn't built as well as the Dodge was. I'm disappointed. The seats are thin material and that won't be a good option. Jamin has been diligently trying to shave money from our budget at every turn. Today, he used Hard Red for Pizza and asked me to figure the savings of using that over Hard White....{g} He had read that if you took 100 lbs off your vehicle you would save an average of $43 a year on gas. He's been promoting the removal of another rear seat from the van since reading this. He's met with resistance from the other two young men in the family. I came up with the idea of removing the first seat...so now two young men can sit beside Stacia and have all the leg room they need. The three younger ones have the back seat and one sits in the passenger. Obviously, we'll put it back when Mike comes home, but in 6 months this should save us $21.50. ::snort:: It is NICE to have that space.

I didn't make it through church again tonight....but I was THERE. It was good not to have sick or feverish children. Zander was doing so well, but didn't handle the meet and greet time well. I wasn't expecting his actions. I finally just took he and Stacia to the van. The space there really has more play room than the cry room. LOL I have some direction. I need to intentionaly work on Zander interacting with us again.....but I also need to work on impulse control. He simply has none. He does whatever seems like it may be fun. I keep thinking he'll gain some...but it isn't coming. Even after meet/greet he wasn't BAD....he hurt his head and then just wanted to hug himself and rock and it was distracting others....time to just change the setting. {sigh}

I realized today that most the kids here have been on a break since last Friday. I told the older three they could choose what to do with school. I will work on the Thanksgiving unit with the younger ones and that will be that. I'm not sure how I missed that this is supposed to be a school holiday. Probably because Mike isn't home to be talking about days off.....I missed veterans day too...we worked right through the days off. LOL

I had another of my PBS books requested. Yippee!
PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - CH 19

19:11 "A man's discretion markes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."

~Am I quick to anger? Better do buisness with God....

~"overlook transgression" I believe this doesn't mean "ignroes rebellion" but in contest that one isn't quick to anger and doesn't hold grudges

19:13 "A foolsih son is a destruction to his father, and the contenions of a wife are a constant dripping. "

~Quit dripping!! Leaky faucets are dreadfully annoying.

19:15 "Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idel man will suffer hunger."

~Reality discipline displayed...or natural consequences

19:18 "Discipline your son while there is hope and do not desire his death."

~Discipline (chastisement) is oral correction/instruction that results in education. It is based on a covenantal relationship and is God centered and God natured. Only once in Scripture is this word used in a way where the discipline would be coveyed by a rod rather than orally. (See prior word studies by clickin parenting and scrolling down).

~If you refuse to take the time to instruct your child you ARE leading to his downfall.
PLYWOOD CARD


Melody is heading up our project to make a big plywood Christmas card for the base entrance. She picked the graphic and design and I think it is going to be really nice. It's a globe, with children of all colors joining hands and circling the globe. The words above say "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to man" and a reference. There's a dove flying towards the globe with a yellow ribbon in his beak....and yellow ribbons that the kids are trailing....the bottom says something like "Merry Christmas from your .........Air Force Chapel. "


We began by priming the plywood. THIS was the spot where the little ones could shine.



The photo I missed was when Marty went sledding on the plywood...o.k. it wasn't quite that bad but it was hilarious. They had a blast.

Mandy and I took the younger children to the playground...



Arielle



Have you ever seen a sock like THIS one? LOL
While we were at the park Matt & Melody sketched the details onto the plywood.


Jamin and Melody do some detail painting
My Adaptation of Uncle Bill's Chocolate Pecan Pie

4 oz of PURE semi sweet chocolate ( no artificial flavors)
2 T Butter
1/3 C Rapadura
1 C Honey
3 Eggs, beaten
1 tsp Vanilla (I always pour this in - much more)
2 - 3 C of Pecans

unbaked 9 in pie shell

Melt chocolate and butter. At the same time bring honey to a boil. Combine mixtures and add Rapadura (I'm hoping it will dissolve). Beat in eggs, vanilla, and pecans. Pour into shell. Bake at 350* for 40-50 minutes. {Stephanie suggests 400* for 10 min then 300* for 30 min.}

*Note - I have now made this and it was GREAT - but VERY RICH! I did not boil the honey...I put the honey, butter and chocolate in the microwave and proceeded....nuked 2 min stirring every minute.

Uncle Bill's "Original" Chocolate Pecan Pie

INGREDIENTS:
4 oz semi sweet squares of chocolate
2 T butter
1/3 C Sugar
1 C Karo Syrup
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 C pecans

unbaked single crust for 9 in

DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter and chocolate for 1 - 2 minutes - stir 1/2 way. Stir in sugar, syrup, eggs, vanilla. Add pecans and pour into a pastry shell.

Bake at 350* for 50 minutes - until 2 inches in are firm. Check at 40 minutes. {Stephanie suggests 400* for 10 min and then 300* for 30 min.}

* Note Uncle Bill's pecan pies were always carmelized - I've been told since living in the South that Pecan Pies are supposed to be more custardy than caremlized....I'd love to hear opinions on THIS....my plan is to bake it until I think it is done, and if no one else likes it - we do. LOL


Old Fashioned Honey Pecan Pie (for Renee {G})

*Thanks to Emily for finding this recipe on the web for me. I did adjust the baking time....

1 C Honey
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 - 3 C pecans (called for 1)
pinch of nutmeg (I left it out)

Single crust for a 9 inch pie

Directions: In a saucepan bring the honey to a boil. Quickly beat the eggs into the honey. Add butter, vanilla, and nuts. Pour into the pie shell. I baked at 350* for 40 - 50 minutes (called for 325 - 20 minutes and it wasn't near done).

We LOVED this!
PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Ch 18

18:2 "A fool does not delight in understanding but only in revealing his own mind."

~I must delight in understanding my cild not simply revealing my own mind. ::snort::

18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe."

~Name equals character in the Bible. Righteous is one who walks as Jesus walks (according to I John).

~The character of the Lord is my strong tower - my place of refuge, protection and strength....not Mike, the chapel, my parents, the children....

~There are times when all that we can do is run to HIM - I suspect this is to be the norm - it is in my life. We will overwhelm our families if we try to make THEM our strong tower. Funny thing happens...as you realize how incredibly weak you are...and run to HIM FIRST....others begin to think you are incredibly strong. Case in point...many have commented how strong I am - and I'm not. HE is strong IN me....or I wouldn't get out of bed many days.

18:12 - more about pride

18:13 "He who gives an answer before He hears, it is a folly and shame to him."

~OUCH - I've done THIS in parenting. Listen to all the facts before speaking on a matter!

18:17 "The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him."

~Hear all sides in a dispute before "ruling".

18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit."

~Love what? The power of the tongue? Death or life? Whatever it means we'll reap the fruit of what we are sowing....ungodly power of the tongue, words that bring death or life.... I want my words to my children to bring life to their souls....I've failed at this often....most with our first 4....God is faithful to forgive and give us a loving kick to get back into the battle.
PARENTING/DISCIPLINE IN PROVERBS - Ch 17

*Note that I'm leaving out many excellent verses on a son's responsibility and focusing on what Proverbs says to ME about MY parenting.....remember too that these are devotional thoughts....you are journeying with me....we aren't inductively studying (yet).

17:1
"Better a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife."

~Isn't this appropriate for this week? ::snort::
~Seriously my aim is peace and quiet....not wealth and feasting

17:6 "Grandchildren are the crown of old men and the glory of sons is their fathers"

~live in a way so as to be someones glory

17:9 - 10 "He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than 100 blows into a fool."

~Don't break the trust of my family members
~Don't hold grudges against my family members
~Every infraction isn't grounds for a family meeting
~A child who has been taught and led to understanding will accept instruction/correction much better than one who hasn't been mentored.

17:14
"The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out!"

~THIS is not in MY nature but it something the Lord has taught me.
~Choose fights carefully; don't become a quarrelsome parent

17:15 "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous BOTH of them ALIKE are an abomination to the Lord."

~I mustn't justify my child's disobedience and/or sin; neither should I condemn a righteous CHILD for being CHILDISH. I need to train a child to become a young adult....not condemn my child.

17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries the bones."

~Joy is not happy!

17:27 - 28 "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent."

~Don't wear my children out with words!
~There are times, even in parenting, to remain silent.