Melted Snowman Cookies

These are SO CUTE! They are NOT gluten free or dairy free, but I think something could be changed to make them that way. They are just darling!

Crazy Domestic: Melted Snowman Cookies: Click on that link and it will take you to the CrazyDomestic.com blog. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!!
Moe

Favorite stocking stuffer & it's FREE!

This is a favorite stocking stuffer in our house. The coupon booklet, click the link and you can design your very own coupon booklet!!  Click on gift certificate (large size) or father's day coupon booklet (smaller size). After that you can pick your holiday theme, then just follow the prompts and pick what you want. I always type in my own ideas for coupons. Our son likes the following ones that I have made up in the past.
GET OUT OF SCHOOL FREE DAY! (get out jail free card basically: we love Monopoly)
Double lesson in any subject (sometimes you just can't put down that history book since you want to know what happens next in history!!)
Lunch out (Pizza Hut book-it or a friend's son like Crazy Bread from Little Caesars)
Lego play day!
Media day with Popcorn (movies or Wii)
Bowling (our local place is $2.50 per game with shoes during the week)
Skip a subject of your choice
Library day (lay around at the library reading all day)
Chore free day-this one is pretty popular........lol

Above is a sample of the coupon booklet that I made this year.
I normally put 2 of each in the pack and they are good until 12/31/12.

This is a fun thing and it's free.......we like free!!

Merry Christmas,
Moe

"Praise God Anyway"

Sometimes our lives feel like we just dropped our ice cream cone and we are missing out.
I love this Precious Moments quote: "Praise God Anyway" 
A dear friend of mine named Beth died earlier this year from Pancreatic Cancer and she use to say this all the time. She had her share of dropped ice creams, their only child, an RN. was killed in a car accident, when this occurred my friend was in the hospital with a serious illness at the time of her daughters death, she then suffered through the removal of most all of her colon, they were able to save a few inches. She had 1 knee replaced last year and did great with it, then had the other one replaced later in the year and did great with it, then she suffered from terrible back pains afterwards. She went through all sorts of X-rays and physical therapy. They they found the real cause of her back pain, Pancreatic Cancer, the doctors performed the Whipple Procedure on her and for some reason it would not heal up, so she lost precious time waiting to start cancer treatments. Finally she got the treatments, never lost her hair (this was a big concern for her), but then the treatments were not working. So on hospice she went and what a blessing it was to find that our friend of ours (homeschooling mom's husband) was the RN that cared for her on hospice). So glad that we were able to see her a few times before the end, as it came very quickly. Her husband and niece an RN were visiting with friends in the other room when my dear friend was ushered into Glory. Beth will be enjoying her first Christmas with her Lord and Saviour. I'm happy sad about it all, but I'm still saying "Praise God Anyway".

Moe
My friend Beth has been on my mind since I was going through some piles of papers and came across her obituary this week.

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

That is what life seems to be all about.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

Tomorrow I see the first of many specialist, so we shall see what he has to say about it all.

I've kept busy here, decluttering and tossing stuff. I gathered up a large box full of scrapbooking supplies and gave them to a girl at church. And ya know those piles of papers that we all have, I've been sorting through those and have a rather large 'to be read pile!'. (yes, you know those hidden away piles of misc. papers, magazines, flyers and such that you had good intentions of reading.....lol).

I've also stumbled across a few Christmas gifts that need to be wrapped. Along with the latest homeschool class schedule for the spring semester, would like to sign our son up for a few classes, but not sure what the future holds as I have to wait 6-8 weeks before the doctors say that they will do any testing, that right there cuts into the Spring semester.

School has been going well, our son is working on a huge research paper on The Battle of Britain, I'm working on teaching him how to hone in on the topic, as he is pulling in way too much information (thinks he is doing a college paper!). He needs to narrow it down a bit, there is a TON of really neat info, but he needs to fine tune it.

The chickens are freezing their tail feathers off........lol. Not really but their water has been frozen over every morning. So it's for sure winter time. They are enjoying some goodies, we sliced up pumpkins yesterday and they like those. We have 1 watermelon left, I'm saving that for a mid winter treat, hoping it lasts.

Husband is burying himself in his work, that is how he deals with all this. No Christmas tree up yet, but I have a few snowmen out. I think we will forgo the tree this year since I just don't have the strength or energy to deal with it. In thinking along those lines, there was never any mention of Christmas decorations in the Bible, so I don't think that we are missing out on much this year, decorating seems to be a world's view of Christmas. We have been enjoying Christmas music and seeing the lights displayed on many homes near us. One tradition that we will keep for sure this year is driving to look at light displays. It just dawned on me that we did not get a Christmas tree up last year either, we were in the middle of a remodeling project and there was just no room for it. I used my Cricut Machine to make a cute cut out of a tree with a train underneath it.

What are some low key Christmas traditions that you enjoy as a family?

Moe

I'd like to welcome Heather to my blog.

Nice to see you on here Heather!!
I'm working on getting better   :O)     
Doctors say they want to keep me comfortable for about 6-8 weeks and get me healed up so that they can run some tests on me. They say it's far too dangerous to do any scopes on me right now. So all they can go by are CT Scans and MRI. So I am trusting my Lord, holding my dh and ds tightly and enjoying the ride!
Take care,
Moe

Homeschooling, Character Training & Other Musings.

Well it's been a crazy 2 weeks here, but I really think it's been a full 2 weeks of learning experiences for our son. While I was hospitalized our son got his school work done each day, this I attribute to allowing him over the years to read over the teacher manuals (not the answer keys, but the actual lesson plans and teacher explanations.) while I guided him, we started this in the 4th grade with history and science. I let him read the daily teacher manual and then do the work. He learned to pace himself as well as to follow directions and teach himself. Something that we as adults use daily if not hourly in our lives and it's all part of character training.

This week while home resting has been spent on some Home EC type things (LOL!) getting the house straightened back up from the bachelor pad look. I checked out several DVD's from the library and our church library on science, the human body and space, so that has been a lot of our schooling this week. Relaxing and watching educational videos and then discussing them. While I was in the hospital a Civil War kit came in from the library that we had ordered. So that has been a lot of school work this week too. It comes in a huge suitcase with rolling wheels, there are books, video's, DVD's, lesson plans, and all sorts of things to play with like hard tack, gun powder keg, dishes and many more Civil War era fun things. That has kept DS busy for many hours last week while at Grandpa's and this week while home with me.

Home schooling is such a blessing, it amazes me how many of the kids are willing to read good books (if presented with them), play with educational items (like the Civil War kit) and still have fun without the TV, computer, radio, IPOD, or gaming systems. We must be mindful that these things can sneak in and take over our kids lives and our homes. Be mindful of the influence that media plays in your own life and life of your child. Not all media is bad as we can see from this week: enjoying some educational videos during a time of sickness. But a steady stream of daily intake can take it's toll. Our son never even asked for the password to the computer while I was in the hospital, though he was thrilled to get to check his email when I got home and he had 100's of messages......lol. I had to hear about all the
Vision Forum 'deal of the day' emails that he missed out on......lol. We love that website and have gotten some really great toys and books from them. We are planning on using the Soldiering Through History Collection (3 DVDs and 3 Study Guides) this winter along with our regular history.

Feel free to share any homeschooling highlights you have had during a time of sickness in your home and how you handled it. As you home educate think long term, instead of from test to test, think about how each day you are imparting learning on your child for the future. A well rounded education is key to a well rounded adult, so books knowledge, love, home ec, sickness, and forgiveness should all be a part of our schooling day. I know that sometimes we get in the TEST mindset, but look at life through Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."


Have a wonderful week, slow down and enjoy the true meaning of the holiday season. And to my Jewish brothers and sisters, I praise the Lord that you are His chosen people and I love you!! Happy Hanukkah.

Moe

We lost a chicken :O(

I was resting in the recliner on Friday morning when I heard our son come screaming around the house. Now as a mother I know the difference between a 'I broke my arm' scream and a 'something terrible has happened' scream. Well it was the something terrible type of scream. And our son ran in the house crying saying "I can't find the head, I can't find her head." Well he had gone out to do his chores in the chicken house and found one of his hens missing a head and blood all over. It was very sad. I know it was hard when Sicky Chick was ill, but we knew she was ill and then she died, but to be enjoying your day and all the sudden walk in on that, it was very hard. We thought it was a mink or a weasel, but since the head is gone we are thinking more like a dog, since the other two would have just cut the neck and drank the blood. Now on our Christmas cards I will have to cross off 14 chickens and write in 13. Sort of entertaining in a weird way, but when you have been ill, sometimes the most interesting things are funny. lol. She will be missed though.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecclesiastes 3:3-5
I think I have done all of these this past week. It's so wonderful that God's grace extends to all who will accept His free give of Salvation. Won't you accept this gift during the season of giving? Click here to find out more.

Merry Christmas

Sorry to be gone for so long.........

I ended up in the hospital for 5 days with acute diverticulitis. Had an incredible ambulance ride when they transferred me to a larger hospital. Those 3 guys has me laughing all the way there!
I am to be home resting and healing up so that they can do some testing. My dh's family has been wonderful!! His sister has really helped me out tons with doctors, nurses and hospitals, it can all be so confusing when you are very ill and out of your head. My church family has been bringing meals in, how wonderful is that!! It's been a real blessing to see our son step up to the plate while I as gone. He did his school work and chores, made meals for himself and dad, he also knew where all the 'hidden' meals are in the freezer......lol. I always have some sort of chili, soup or casserole in the freezer for a quick and easy meal.

Well my point for being on here today was to share something that I found from the Bible that has been a  real encouragement to me today, as I know that I am not the only person on the Internet feeling poorly today. I was pouting around this afternoon, had a very bad day reflux wise, as I am flared up from my throat all the way down to my colon  :P      Ended up on the phone with the nurse 2x and finally think I will make it through until tomorrow when they want to see me again. So here it is.

Weakness in the Bible: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It is a paradox of Christianity that true strength is found in weakness. Jesus himself embodied the world's idea of weakness, even to the point of submitting to an excruciating death. However, just as Christ's saving power worked through that "weakness," so God's power is often most visible in the midst of suffering, humility, and weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Gospel.com

I do have a few prayer requests:
1. No more reactions to antibiotics (had 3 in the hospital)
2. Antibiotics will be effective since I am on so many stomach drugs
3. No more blood thinners, these T.E.D. Hose are driving me crazy!
4. DH can concentrate on learning his new job, lots of reading and testing along with the stress of me being ill.
5. Insurance issues won't occur, our current insurance ends 12/31 and the new job insurance is to kick in 1/1.
6. Doctors and Nurses will be competent and know what is going on with me. Since I was told that what I have has been missed for many years and severe damage has been done. I have actually prayed that the doctors would be woke in the night thinking of my case, I pray that they will be milling it over in their mind and looking at it from all sides. This new doctors even apologized for the suffering I have endured, that in itself was a real blessing to hear.

Everyone have a wonderful week!