Passports - Take One
You can always count on the local post office for a bit of fun. We headed over to get passports for the boys. We had spent the a.m. filling out scholarship applications, visiting a notary, and registering for their trip. All I needed to do was have two boys apply for passports. The fun began.
We needed a question answered. AhHa...you must wait in line to ask a question. OK. Question answered, back to filling out forms.
NOT ANOTHER QUESTION! We sent Jared to wait in line to ask the second question. He was thrilled to be of assistance.
Jared received a reprieve when the last sentence said that BOTH Mother and Father had to sign in the presence of someone big and mean looking. Oops.....we'll try the passports again.
We got home to find out that the trip they were planning on may have to be cancelled. The big group that was planning on going has backed out. We've asked them how many it takes to make a "group" - maybe we can find our own group. ::snort:: They offered the boys to go on one of the Mission Trips in the summer...since we'll be moving and we're not sure WHERE...it seems prudent to turn down that offer....but then again....
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
Big Day For Jamin
They tried to talk him into waiting until he was 18 so he could have a "regular license," but he wouldn't have it. I finally got it all together to get down to the DPS (DMV). Jamin was thrilled to get his license....can you believe there is NO driving skills test in the state of TX. Well, they have it, but parents can waive it. AND it only cost $5 to get his license???? Amazing.
Jared says, "I can't read ANY of these instructions!" Then we realize it's all in Spanish.
Finally....
Congrats, Jamin.
When he was having his photo taken we realized that he is NOT 5'11" - he's 6'2"....and so is Jared. ::snort:: Yes, we DID have a great time at the DMV and we DID have the whole place laughing by the time we left with our fun observations.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
*For Margie's Mom....and the ladies that asked last night at PWOC. LOL I have a minute - dinner is in the crock pot (BBQ meatballs) - and so I'll post NOW.....
This recipe sort of adapts. It's one that my sil, Rebecca, came up with. I change the sugar to Agave Nectar or Honey (AN is better tasting) and so adjust the vinegar....adding the balsamic to a bit more....basically I make this by taste...but here's the recipe.LOL
Start with a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup.
Mix together:
3 Tbsp sugar (sweetener of choice), 1 Tbsp Lemon Pepper (black pepper works in a pinch), 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, two pinches of dry beef bullion (I always skip), 2 large cloves of garlic (I use dried and guess), 1 scant Tbsp dry mustard
Add:
Fill to 1/3 C line with Balsamic Vinegar (remember to go a bit higher if using liquid sweetener)Fill to 2/3 C line with Red Wine Vinegar
Fill to 1 3/4 C line with Canola Oil (I use Safflower)
Stir and that's that. I also put a bit of this in with steamed veggies....
For more recipes check out my recipe index page (and linked in the sidebar).
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
Establishing Routine
I spent the vacation establishing a great new Tryst time.....but it wasn't established in "real time".
This week I'm busy establishing 2009's routine - Tryst, Workout, Homeschool, Outside activities....As often is the case, when I'm the busiest, I have less time to blog. When I'm not busy, I blog about appliances and picking noses. ::snort::
I have several posts in mind (new emphasis, physical goals, children's happenings, devotionals)...things are good....we're disciplined...we're accomplishing much....
For now (hopefully blogging tonight or tomorrow night) here's a photo I caught at breakfast....wonder who she's been watching? (Hint - they are males). This is her new favorite book...and she is sure that each baby is HER. ::snort::
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
Sunday Recap
The day began at 5:30 a.m. with me up and making Ooey Gooey Bars, a giant salad and changing the blog look to celebrate Jared's birthday.
The boys and Mike went in for Sunday School. There must have been some mix-up as their teacher didn't arrive....prompting a few comments about how they could have slept in. ::snort::
The younger ones and I arrived in time for church (their teacher is ill). We had an hour to kill between the Protestant service and the ginormous farewell potluck for Father Jim.
Mike and the boys went to the gym. I kept trying to get google to work. ::grrrr:: I also began work on a 5 week meal plan. I used to do this sort of "haphazardly" but I think we'll save $ and time if I write it out.
Josiah came over for one of Mike's Famous Ice Cream Cakes. We played more Cosmic Ball and Mafia. We weren't sure we could play Mafia without Bre, David and Krista here. We missed y'all, but it did work with Josiah here.
"When I clap my hands the birthday begins!"
I could only find 2 candles.
Josiah decided to light the candles and have Jared blow them out - again and again until he reached 15 candles. 
Stacia takes her role as "birthday helper" very seriously.
Cy brought a gift (not having received the no gift edict from Jared) - Stacia continues to assist. 
Cosmic Ball
Zander finally won.
It was a very full and fun day. I thought we'd begin school on the 7th when Mike is officially supposed to report for duty...but he is going in tomorrow and Tuesday (and went in today for RE, Service and Potluck - let's just say duty began on the 4th - well then he went in on Friday for 6 hours and another day too ::snort::). Maybe we'll start school tomorrow - though I'm really not ready as I was aiming for Wed. Hmmm.... We had planned to work on Jamin's driver license and scholarships. Basically, I need to get all the forms together and take him to the DMV....
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
Figured it out? Our "middle child" - our 5th born - Jared - is Fifteen today! Every one of our children bless us. Today, I'll focus on Jared.
We prayed about Jared's name. We named him Jared David - Ruler Beloved. It's been our joy to watch as he moved from immature leadership (um...fostering a rebellion among the younger ones against the older ones ::snort::) to humbly serving (House of Faith these past 3 years) to more mature leadership (Civil Air Patrol involvement - Cadet of the Year) now that he is a young adult. But where does he lead - those are CACTUS?
Jared is an extrovert extraordinaire among his siblings who run the spectrum of introverts to mild extroverts. 
He has always kept us laughing, from day one. This photo was taken IN ACADEMY - he owns none of this.....but loves to poke fun at TT/Aggie fans. 
Jared has developed a passion for God that humbles us, his parents. I love the way God covers parenting with grace as we spend time on on our face before Him. He's also developed a passion for politics and dreams of someday being in national politics (hey - can you think of a place where passionate lovers of Christ are more needed in this generation?)
You won't see a lot of birthday party pictures today. We had Jared's "birthday dinner" when the girls and David were here. Jared has asked us not to give him gifts yet.....it seems too soon after Christmas. He and I are discussing either gifts on my birthday later in the month or waiting until April. ::snort::
We love you, Jared and we are blessed to have been entrusted with mentoring/discipling/parenting you. We look forward, with eager anticipation, to where God leads you.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.
