A Sweet Thoughtful Moment...

Ben and I had some fun time today. Just the two of us. Well, actually we went to a 8 year old girl's birthday party and then on the way home had some alone time. He got really quiet all of a sudden and I thought he was crying. He spoke up and told me he had something to tell me. "Mom, today at school someone pushed me into the mud." (My first reaction WANTED to be, who was it, I'm calling their mom!) Ben hesitated a minute and then said, "But the worst part about it was that my friend laughed at me." I wanted to pull the car over and hug him. I probably should have. I did what all mothers do and told him I was very sorry and that I loved him. I also told him that a true friend wouldn't have laughed but would have helped him up instead. Then Ben and I started talking about true friends and what that entails... always being there for each other, helping one another make good choices, keeping each other on the straight path, not laughing at him/her if they get pushed into some mud, making them smile when they need it most, sharing their food or candy and stuff. 

It is interesting being a parent and watching our children learn and grow and make friends and break with certain friends and see their sensitive sides and want to place them in a protective bubble and take out all resistance, but I've learned that it would do more harm than good. It is hard to let go and only be the encourager and not make their choices for them. We are only guiders in this life. I can only imagine how our Father in Heaven feels as He watches us struggle in life. I can see Him on the sidelines, cheering us on, and wanting only the best for us, and crying with us when we get hurt or broken or passed over or misguided. It makes so much more sense the love that He has for us, being a parent. It is SOO hard and I pray that I have been teaching my children how to choose good friends and how to be a good friend and how to pray, and ask for help, and make good choices and the ultimately allow them to do so. And I hope that I show them enough how much I love them so they can turn to me and tell me their hurts and sorrows and joys and excitements.

Stuck INSIDE!!

These kids are driving me crazy!!! We have played star wars, qwirkle, operation, duck duck goose, matching, go fish, catch, and now they want to run around in circles!! I am SOOOO SOOOO ready for nice weather so I can send them outdoors to play so I can finish folding the piles of laundry I have accumulated. Hopefully I can get them to agree on a movie so I can fold for the next hour! Wish me luck!!!

Breadsticks recipe from Allrecipes.com

Here is the breadsticks recipe I used to make those yummy breadsticks. It says it will make 36, but I made twenty with the dough! Good luck!!

Breadsticks with Parmesan Butter

Rated: Submitted By: Elaine Anderson Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 36

"My kids love these nice tender breadsticks, and so down anyone else who tastes them. Any leftovers are great with butter and honey for breakfast the next day. -Elaine Anderson Aliquippa, Pennsylvania"

Ingredients:

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1/2 cup sugar, divided 2 cups warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees), divided 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 egg

1 teaspoon salt 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Butter Spread: 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

1.	In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1 cup warm water. Add the oil, egg, salt, 2 cups flour, and remaining sugar and water. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes.
2.	Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide into 36 pieces. Shape each piece into a 6-in. rope. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes.
3.	Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, cream the butter, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Coat over breadsticks or serve with them as dip.

This is an amazing gift...

So when we had our last baby, Ruby 8 months ago, I thought that I wouldn't need much. Being the fifth child we should have had all the clothes, bedding, and toys she would need... NOT!!! This is a really cool baby carrier that you can actually use as a toddler carrier too!!
beco Baby Carrier giveaway

but really just check out the beco website and leave the giveaway to me!!!

Yummy....!!!!

Today I was trying a new recipe for breadsticks and found a really good, easy one. Because I had breadsticks I had to have soup and salad to go with it so we had our own little Olive Garden tonight. The kids each ate three breadsticks and it was a hit!! Ally showed me a few tricks with dough that I hadn't learned before and it worked beautifully! Thank you!! Anyway, here is some pictures of our dinner!