Be Prepared...This will take some time!

So, it has been awhile since I last updated this. We have been super busy. Trying to keep up with our kids, the other kids coming and going on a daily basis and trying to be Santa to two of the cutest kids on earth.

So here is what has happened in the last couple of months:

 I made this cute bow holder for a friends little girl. It has 2 long ribbons coming down off the bottom.

(These pictures take too long to upload, but I made a super cute, Pinterest inspired, yard-stick Christmas card holder too)




We have also had B's 4th birthday, which turned out to be a real success. I can't believe it has already been 4 years. My baby is really growing up on me and is such a good big brother, most of the time.

All 4 of us were in our local Christmas parade and we rode on the Santa Claus float at the end. Best of both worlds: going to get candy and then actually getting to be IN the parade. The boys loved it, but it was very windy that day.

We put our tree up 2 weeks ago, sans the ornaments. Between my grubby handed children and the other 6 grubby handed children running around at any given time, we are lucky that the tree has only fallen over once so far. (That was tonight actually, by L)

We had a choir cantata at our church last Sunday and J & I both sang in it. We sounded really good, if I must say so myself, and I do. We are also having our Christmas Program next weekend. For the kids program; B is the wiseman that brings gold and L is a dog. As for the adult program, J is Joseph and I am the angel. My dad is going to come (from Tulsa) and watch us perform as well as J's whole family. It will be great.

Finally, I have worked some real magic and gotten Christmas gifts for the whole family on a very tight budget. While B asked for a DS for Christmas, I have talked him into wanting a new stuffed puppy to sleep with. That's because we got both of the boys new Build-A-Bear's and some gift cards to get their own clothes for them. I was able to get some really good deals on things for the boys and our nieces and nephews on Black Friday (which was insane) and then decided to go INTO Bath & Body Works. That is the single, most stupid thing I have ever done in my life. Me and 300 of my closest Ozarkians crammed into a 1000 sq. foot store. DUMB!!!!
Oh well, I got what I went after and even scored a VIP bag with some awesome stuff in it. 

So to wrap up, I want to leave you with this thought:
Do you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
I say Merry Christmas and firmly believe that is the ONLY way to go. Explanation; aside from the fact that I am a Christian who serves Jesus Christ, I know that saying Happy Holidays is null & void without him.
Example: Jesus was born on Christmas. Without his birth, there would be no holiday to celebrate. with out Christmas as one of the holidays, then it would in fact, just be, Happy New Year!

Think about it & MERRY CHRISTMAS!
MommyShelle C

Catching Up

So, for the last couple of weeks, I have been going crazy trying to watch myself coming & going. We have been super busy and it is only going to get worse between now and January 1st.

I have a couple of new recipes I need to post on here, but they will have to wait a couple of days. I also have some new craft projects that I have recently completed to post. I am thinking of selling one of them, because they are so stinkin' cute. (Hint: I can't use one in my house full of all boys)

So until next time, when I have more time,
MommyShelle C

Book Review: Love You More

I just read “Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting my Daughter” by Jennifer Grant. This was an excellent book about the insides and outs of adopting and the struggle involved in such a process. 

Jennifer Grant has a quirky writing style that is difficult to get used to at first, but once you get into it, she does an exceptional job of relaying the message intended in a way that anyone can relate to. The author takes you on a journey through being a newlywed with the desire to have children to being a new mom that has it all under control. Three kids and a talk with God later, Jennifer & her husband find themselves on the long road to adoption.  

While the author gives an enlightening story of the ups and downs of the entire adoption process and the emotional turmoil that a family goes through along the way, she has a way of sugar coating the process without taking away from the pain involved. I have several close friends who have also just gone through the process of international adoption, so it was really a nice insight to compare and contrast what the author went through versus what my friends went through, all in the same general process. 

She finishes the book with a glimpse into what life was like the first day, week, month, year and birthday after they brought their daughter home. She relayed what the trauma was like on the kids they already had and what it entailed to bring a child of a different race into a family. She gives some great advice from the hindsight point of view as to what worked and what didn’t and what, if you too are considering adoption, can do to try to ease into the transition.  

I highly recommend reading this book if you are considering adoption, in the process of, or even just know someone who is going through it. It was very insightful & witty.

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

MommyShelle C

'Fall'ing Into The New routine

It has been a little over two months since I started being a SAHM.

It has been exciting and exhausting, energetic and hard. As well as having my own two kids at home with me everyday, I have also been watching other kids. I have a little boy two days a week and two sisters three days a week. It is hard enough keeping my own two kids in line and on task, adding 3 more kids to the mix makes it impossible most times. (It does help that I love kids and had wanted to be a teacher at one time.)

But by far, the hardest part, is keeping all of the schedules on schedule. I have 2 calendars hanging in the same spot. One is for the everyday stuff; like who I am keeping that day, Dr. Appointments, school stuff, trash pick ups, etc... The other calendar has birthdays & anniversaries on it. Then just to make it worse, B's ACTUAL preschool calendar hangs next to them.

I knew this was going to be the hardest thing I had ever done, but that was an understatement by far.

The next 10 days of life will include:
Grandparent pictures with Granny & Pa
Grandpa Ray's birthday party
B is helper of the day at preschool
Fall Party at preschool
B's 4th birthday party
Church Hayride
Halloween/ B's 4th birthday

OMG!!!!!!!

Oh well. If we weren't busy, we would be bored. If we were bored, we would complain. If we complain, then we get busy. thus the cycle of life...

What does your Fall schedule look like??
MommyShelle C

Date Night

So, tonight was date night for J and I.
With 3 hours to spend with your spouse and no kids, what did we do?
We went to watch the newly released movie: 'Courageous.'

One word: Awesome! It is a faith-based movie by the makers of 'Facing the Giants' and 'Fireproof.'

The movie was centered around a team of Sheriff's Deputies from Georgia that all decide to not only be 'good-enough' dads, but to be better dads (and husbands). The movie revolves around what we really need more of: good Dads that are involved in their children's lives and genuinely care enough about them to lead them in the right directions in life.

I can't say much more without giving a lot of it away, but it is a great movie that will having you laughing & crying. I needed more than the one popcorn covered napkin for this movie.

Then after our movie (which was the 4:00 matinee) we decided to go get our favorite Chinese food for supper. We haven't had it since before I became a SAHM, so it was a real treat! I enjoyed every calorie laden bite & even had a few bites to bring home and love tomorrow for supper.

And finally, a trip the old Mega-Mart to get some ice cream for dessert. We also picked up B's birthday present, but I will let you know more about that in 30 days when he turns 4. :(

BTW: we also got a new member of the family today. His name is Slick & he is a terrior mix of some kind. The best part; he is already house broke, so no potty-training the dog; which is great since we just got done potty-training the almost 4 year old!

Until next time & go watch this movie,
MommyShelle C

September 11, 2001-10 Years Later

10 years ago yesterday:
- I was 17 years old & a senior in high school
- I was sitting in Senior English
- I had NO real idea what was going on
- I had NO real idea the impact it would be in the days, weeks, months & years to come
- My small town in the middle-of-nowhere Missouri was slightly impacted
- My naive self later figured out just how naive & sheltered I was in comparison to the rest of the world
- Some of my classmates and myself talked our way out of a Biology II test in order to watch the happenings on TV that day

Looking back now, there are very few things that I remember from that day 10 years ago. As a senior in High School, there were things I am sure I found more important. I had cheerleading practice, a boyfriend and friends. I had tests to study for (after all; we couldn't postpone that Bio test forever), hair to style and movies to watch.

I do remember writing a journal entry the week before in Senior English. It was to the following prompt: "Name a major catastrophe that would kill a large number of people and how it would affect people."
My journal entry happened to involve a huge plane crash that killed hundreds.
WEIRD!!!!
CREEPY!!!!
I don't remember all of the details, I just remember how creeped out I was over the whole journal entry/ plane crash irony of it all.

So what were you doing that day? What do you remember about how you felt? How did it directly/ indirectly affect you & your family???

In the words of Diamond Rio; "In God We Still Trust."
MommyShelle C

Vacation, Family & Traditions

Okay, so last Saturday we piled our two sleeping angels into the Mommy Mobile (AKA the van) and headed out on what we thought was going to be a 12 hour trip to Northern Iowa. Well, it only took 9 1/2 hours (Praise the Lord!!!) and that included an hour for breakfast.

We spent Saturday afternoon relaxing, catching up on sleep and talking with my Aunt & Uncle that we were staying with for the trip.

Sunday, we went slightly over the border into Minnesota to visit my Dad's side of the family. well his sister and one of his brothers anyway. we also met up with some of the cousins (a few of which I met for the first time). We then detoured off course about a mile to visit my Aunt (Mom's oldest sister) and finished with a good nap on the ride back into Iowa.

On Monday, we journeyed North again for a visit to my sweet 93 year old Grandma. She was doing very well and even got in a tug-of-war with L over her walker.

We also made a few stops along the way. we drove past my Grandma & Grandpa J's old farm place and let the boys do some exploring...

 B riding the deer in front of Grandma & Grandpa's old house and then picking apples off the trees.

So, then on Tuesday it was time to say farewell to Northern Iowa and head home. We loaded up and hit the road around 8:00 AM and we made it home about 6:00 PM. Not to bad of a trip except the screaming kids and the whining husband (because oh yeah, he got sick on Saturday evening, to later find out it was strep throat). I put the kids to bed and let J lay around on the couch and I went grocery shopping to re-gain some of my sanity.

So, then Wednesday brought back an old family tradition of mine; cleaning fresh sweet corn. While in Iowa, Uncle Dan hooked us up with some fresh corn straight from the field. So, once we got it home, it had to be cleaned, cooked & eaten (or frozen in our case). B was a natural at this cleaning thing...

We cleaned 25 ears of corn. We saved eight back for when mom & dad were here over the weekend, but I cooked, cut and froze the other 17 wonderfully delicious ears for later.

So, aside from long car rides and a sick husband, this year's vacation went well. It is back to work for J tomorrow and back to the SAHM business for myself. My first kid starts this week and the look out for more begins.

Until next time and from my life to yours,

MommyShelle C

My Life as a Stay-At-Home-Mommy (SAHM)

So, today was day #4.

Day #1 ended with this: "Mommy, you have been such a good girl today. Daddy will be so proud of you." B
Day #2 was uneventful.
Day #3 involved 2 of our nephews and it was LOUD!!!
Day #4 was much like day #3 but we made Chocolate Chip Cookies, and that made it more tolerable.
Day #5 will be just us again.I hope to plan bowling trip in there somewhere and a full day of packing before we leave on our trip.

So, the first week has been fun, but still just feels like a week off of work. Nothing overly out of the ordinary or eventful to speak of. Although, it doesn't take long for your co-workers to not bug you anymore when you are no longer a co-worker.

I have seen two of my past co-workers this week in 'FREE WEEK' at a local fitness center. They are offering a free week of classes to entice you into paying for them. Well, this SAHM is one out of shape lady; unless you count round as a shape!?!?? we have all had a good time killing ourselves in these classes and deciding that Yoga is in fact, not as easy as one might think.

This weekend we are off to see my side of the family. They all live in the corn & bean fields of Northern Iowa/ Southern Minnesota. Our main objective is to see my 93 year old Grandma, so she can see the boys. B was only 7 months old (3 years ago) the last time we saw most of the family. A 12 hour car ride with two kids under 4 should be an enlightening experience to say the least. I will post pics when we get back to show you how fun it was or wasn't.

the best part of the trip is sure to be the 100 stops we will have to make along the way for out FINALLY potty-trained 3 year to use the bathroom (or side of the road). Oh well, at least he tells us now when he needs to go potty. Praise God!!!

So long for now and I will update when we get back in a few days,
MommyShelle C

M.O.B. Blog Hop

(Sorry no button, could get it to work, but here is the link): http://www.themobsociety.com/2011/07/the-first-annual-boy-mom-bloghop-2011/

I would first like to Welcome anyone who has not visited before and a Welcome Back to those of you who haven't read in a while.

Life as MommyShelle is a blog all about me and my (un)perfect life as a mom of two boys. Also, the life I lead as a wife to my wonderful husband. B is almost 4 (2 more months) and L is 15 months. They are rambunctious and adorable. They are my world and my pain in the hind end. I wouldn't trade them for anything, but would trade their attitudes for new ones (some of the time).

I am a working mom (for 4 more days) who has decided to become a SAHM and spend more time with these lovely creatures God has given me the blessing to raise. That and the fact daycare is costing both arms & four legs most months. This was a very hard decision for our family to come to, but we have been praying about for several months.

I have been a member of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for almost 4 years and have taken on the role of co-coordinator this year with my dearest friend, Julie. I am also the member of a little country (way out in the country) church her in rural Missouri and my husband leads the music on Sundays.

So, come on back and keep in touch. I update as often as my life as MommyShelle allows.

Until next time,
MommyShelle C

Season's of Life

Summer: The Hot Seat

So it is Thursday night and I have been on my way to unemployment for 96 hours. Monday, I finally gained the strength to do what I had been talking about for months: quit my job.
I don't mean, quit as in, I hated my job and never wanted to go back. I mean, quit my job, in a "we can't afford this daycare" anymore. While I LOVE the daycare that B & L go to, they are a Christian daycare/ preschool with a super awesome staff, I was basically working to pay daycare and buy a few groceries each month.
With me stating home, I am planning on watching a few kids, enjoying my kids, and being a better wife. There are so many areas that I need to improve on, but I can't do them while being stressed out over money.

Fall: A Period of Cooling Off

The next step, after we get back from a few days of a much needed vacation, will be finding those kids and getting into the swing of things. B will be starting 3 year old preschool at the end of August and L is 15 months old today! He is moving all of the place a hopefully just a few weeks from walking. I am actually going to get to see his first steps this way. I am ready to be that kind of mom.
This all came to me in sort of a God moment. Never in my life have I considered being a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM). So for me to undergo this renovation of life, God had to be the center of it all.
Well, here I am God! Take me, mold me, use me...

So I will keep you posted on the unraveling of the days to come and in the mean time, say a little prayer for me, but most of all the boys. After all, this will be a huge change for them as well.

Hot & Humid in MO,
MommyShelle C

The Waiting Place - A Book Review

I just had the pleasure of reading “The Waiting Place” by Eileen Button. It is a charming little collection of essays. Each essay is about a waiting place in life. Whether or not she chose to laugh, cry or both in the situation really told something about her character. Many of life’s waiting places are relayed in this book in a real and meaningful way.

Eileen Button had a way of going from life as a child waiting on Grandpa to life as a minister’s wife and liking the two together to show how life may take you through a journey you could have never imagined but one that you wouldn’t trade for the world.  

While talking about her husband’s job as a Methodist minister, she talks about ‘waiting’ for him to come home. Not home in the physical sense, but in mental sense that he is detached from her and the kids while dealing with all of the stresses that come with being a minister.

While talking about waiting for her son to cry, she expresses the great heart ache & sorrow that a stay in the NICU can put on your heart. She then transitions her waiting into the joy that comes from the simple mundane things that the rest of us take for granted; a crying baby.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and believe anyone could find a connection to or relate to the book and essays in some way.

Please note: I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze through their bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Signs of Summer

Mary, Mary, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
When Silver Bells and cockel shells
and pretty flowers all in a row?

Raise your hand if you remember this???

I love my lilies. They are beautiful & come in orange, white & yellow. They came with the house. They also came with a huge lilac bush.
They didn't, however, come with any other landscaping what-so-ever!

Our house so deperately needs some help, but alas it will have to wait.
(I am detemined to get on the show 'Curb Appeal' one day)

We live in an older neighborhood with big trees and lots of shade, but our house is the like the most under-dressed home on the block.

Oh, well, one day.

What show does your house/ yard qualify for??

MommyShelle C

Love

I heard this song a little bit ago on my lunch break. I really like this song and it has such a powerful message. In a time in which Love & Marriage are taken lightly, I want to remind us all what it really is:

Love is not a place
to come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
then commit to never leave

So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
Work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for

To some love is a word
that they can fall into.
But when they're falling out
keeping that word is hard to do

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for

Love will come to save us
If we'll only call
He will ask nothing from us
but demand we give our all

Love is a shelter
in a raging storm
Love is peace
in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave;
May God send angels to guard the door
No, Love is not a fight
but its something worth fighting for.

Cause I Will Fight For You
Would You Fight For Me
It's Worth Fighting For

This song is by Warren Barfield and is from the Movie "Fireproof." If you haven't watched the movie; watch it. If you haven't heard the song; find it and listen.

That's all I have to say about that!

MommyShelle C

Aprons

So Tuesday night after the kids were in bed, i decided I was going to do something for myself that I have wanted to do for quite some time now...make myself an apron.

A couple of months ago I had decided to make myself (or actually have Mom make me) a new quilt for our bedroom. I wanted to keep the chocolate brown, but change out the aqua for yellow. It would brighten the space, but I would be able to keep the beautiful curtains my Mom made me last year for Christmas. (Thanks again for helping us get rid of those blue towels & the neighborhood thanks you too!!)
But, much to my dismay, yellow is not an 'in' color this season and is very very hard to find (unless I am looking for more of a goldenrod color).
So, I went downstairs, found the fabrics I had already collected, and made my self an apron.

This is what I came up with for myself.

So then, B tried to put it on (after J laughed his hind-end off at me with it on) and got it all tangled up and upside down. He asked if he could cook in my apron, which is quite obviously too big for him. I then decided to make B his very own cooking apron. 

We went to Wal-Mart and he picked out the colors he wanted & the ribbon too.

J doesn't really like the apron & thinks it looks girly, but B loves it! I think we will have to make cookies tomorrow so we can both try out the new aprons.

What do you think of this little master piece??

Until next time,

Holly Homemaker aka MommyShelle C

Run Ragged...

The last couple of weeks have been busy to say the least.
There has been a surgery that went very well. Landon is practically a new kid these days. He also pulled up to his feet for the first time last night. He was so proud that all he could do was smile for a couple of minutes. He was amazed at how much more he could reach (get into) if he got all the way up to his feet.
Then, there was a death in the family, Jason's Nanny. She was 91 beautiful years old and lived a very full & Jesus loving life. She will be missed more than words can express!!!
Finally, it was just life in general taking over. Kids, work, house work, husband, self...all of this needs to be nurtured, so I did the best I could.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Chirst is the same yesterday and today and forever." NIV

Think about it!
MommyShelle C

Surgery

As a relatively healthy person in life, it is hard for me to imagine going into surgery. The only reason I have ever been to a doctor for something other than a cold or a check-up was when I broke my foot & the two times I had children.
Well, my 1 year old will have me beat as of 7:00 AM tomorrow morning. He is having tubes put in his ears. Now, as a well informed parent, I know that this is minor and vertually not even surgery. It is a 20 minute out-paitent procedure. Well, the Mommy in me, thinks this is the most horrible thing ever. (Slightly over dramatic; ya think??)
L has had 7 ear infections in 4 months and the fluid in his ears hasn't actually ever drained out in that time. The infection goes away, but the fluid does NOT! the tubes he is having done tomorrow will allow his ears to drain properrly and should in fact also take care of the chronic ear infections of the last 4 months of his short little life. I am scared for him and his brief period of time away from me, but I am so thankful that in less than 12 hours, I will have a happier baby.

Dearest Lord, I pray your comfort and healing over Baby L tomorrow morning as he has this procedure done. I pray for an easy recovery and easier time of things. Bless him Lord and protect his tiny body with your mighty hands. In Your mighty name I pray. Amen.

MommyShelle C

A word about Moms!

Everyone has a mom!
God made it that way, for which I am very thankful.
I love my Mom. She is great. Even at 27, she stills helps me when I need help and she still thinks of the little things that I will like. Just like, when I see her next, she will probably fix me something that I really love to eat. She makes quilts and will sometimes make one for just little ol' me (or one of my children).
She spoils my children rotten, while still maintaining that authority that they need. She thinks of them while out shopping and will often pick up something for them, so when she sees them next, they get something from Gra-ma.
She spoils my sister rotten (yes, even still at the ripe old age of 24). When she is in need, she provides her with shelter. When she needs a sitter, she is more than willing to watch K for the day (or weekend) to help her out. Now, not to say she wouldn't do the same for us, but we do live 4 hours away, so it is a bit harder to do for us.
Not to say my Mom is perfect, but she is mine. While my Sis & I have given her a run for her money over the years, she has maintained being a good mom. I hope that when I when i get to be her age and have Grandchildren of my own, that my children will look back on me and say the same things.
So, in honor of Mother's Day (yesterday), I will post some pics of me & the boys.

Me & L (notice the pouting 3 yr old in the background!)

Boy it was windy yesterday!!!

L eating one of my flowers while looking sheepish & wondering why I am telling him not to

B being himself and looking cute doing it

I hope all of you moms out there had a great Mother's Day & may God Bless you all!!!

MommyShelle C

The Big Number 1

Well, yesterday was L's big first birthday bash. He turned 1 on Thursday the 28th. And for those of you following this, yes, i did finally pick out a theme for the party. His cake was a Turtle and the decorations were green & yellow.

There were approximately 20 people in my cozy 1100 sq ft house. Luckily, the rain let up for a couple of days, so most of the kids stayed outside most of the time.

L was so tired from his lack of nap yesterday morning, that he almost fell asleep in his cake and was groggy throughout the present opening. Oh well, it's not like he is going to remember any of it anyway.

So, after several new toys and lots of new clothes, L is 1. The year has flown by, but i wouldn't any of for the world.

B really likes all of the new toys in the house, even though he is about 2 years to old for most of them.

I hope this is finding all of you dry & healthy.

God Bless & until next time,
MommyShelle C

Rain

Rain, rain go away and come again on drier days.

That about sums it all up!

Southern Missouri is at its breaking point and we need some relief, however, that does not seem to be the case for at least another week.

While staring out my rain-soaked window, I know God is control of everything, but this incredible amount of rain is getting out of control. River are starting to break out of banks and towns are going under water (again). We need a break, so everything has time to soak in and go down stream for a while.

But, as we always say, we need the rain to stop, but in a couple of months, we will wonder where all of the rain is. So, we should just be happy while we have it.

So until the next rainy day,
MommyShelle C

A Case Of The #2's

So, as an oldest child, I never really got left behind or forgotten. But, I always thought that when they say the 2nd child (or any child thereafter) gets forgotten, I didn't believe it.

Well now, as a mother of two handsome little boys, I believe it.

L will be 1 on the 28th, and even as OCD and organized as I usually am, I haven't a clue what we are doing for his birthday!! B's 1st birthday had been planned carefully with lots of thought and it was ready to be at least a month in advance. Not L's though.

I haven't figured out if I am making a turtle or an elephant for the cake. We haven't bought his gifts (I am not even sure what to get him). J wants to get him a drum (YIKES!!). I however want to be sort of practical as well and get him something he needs and will use, but what??

Not to mention; we have so much going on in the next week, I am not quite sure when I will gt any of it done. We have family/ L's 1st birthday pictures tomorrow. Sunday is Easter, which is busy all on its own. Then the weekdays leave no room to breathe or anything extra. So, I guess I will go around 9:00 to go shopping for the party stuff (after J, B & L are fast asleep of course) and birthday presents.

Not that I am complaining, just venting. I LOVE my life and wouldn't trade it for anything. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with J & those sweet little boys. I am thankful for the crazy and the busy. But most of all, I am thankful that he died for me. So, in this Easter season, I am trying to be more thankful. I am trying to focus more on the blessing and less on the stuff that is meant to get under my skin.

So until next time, in which I will try to post a new picture of us in the aforementioned matching Easter garb, have a great weekend!

MommyShelle C

Thoughts of Easter

Does the Easter Bunny come to your house?
Do you & your kids all get new Easter clothes so you will look just right for church & family pictures?
Well we do at our house.

But Stop!
Do you stop to think about a few of the most important events in history? They all happened this week. If it hadn't been for them, where would we be?

I have been thinking a lot about this since it was mentioned in church on Sunday. I, for one, am guilty in getting caught up in the vibe of Easter that I forget to stop and remeber the MEANING of Easter.

God, chose his Son, Jesus, to die for us! STOP...think...reflect
What does that mean to you.

That means that I am completely unworthy for what I have and therefore need to be eternally grateful for what he has done. He died for us and then he rose again.

My 3 year old is in my Sunday School (3 & 4 yr olds) class? This month is all about 'Jesus is Alive!'
As a very curious 3 year old, he is always asking about Jesus dying on the cross and the thorns on his head and why he died. He knows the story: Jesus died for our sins.
"But what does that mean mommy?" "Well, honey...(how do I answer this)???"

Isn't it amazing that kids will ask the questions that we should be asking?

So I leave you with these words from Matthew 28:
⁵And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
   ⁶He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
   ⁷And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

JESUS IS ALIVE!

Rejoice and be glad in it and tell everyone you know.

MommyShelle C

Friends, Food & Fun

There is something to be said for Great Friends, Food & Fun!

I had a jewelry party last night and I had 5 wonderful ladies show up to enjoy some fabulous mexican food (and some chocolate chip cookie bars) and play dress-up for about an hour & a half. We had a great time. We ate, we played, we laughed and just plain had fun. What's not to love about eating mexican while playing with jewelry? It's like being 5 years old and having a dress-up tea party again. (Which there were a couple of children running around wanting to try stuff on)

So, this is a shout out to all of the ladies with great friends around them.
Keep Them!
Enjoy Them!
and most of all, Love them!
Life is so much better when surrounded by good friends (and some great food doesn't hurt either)!!

MommyShelle C

Food for Friday

So, what is it about the sun shining on a beautiful April day that makes me hungry? Oh yeah, the idea of a grilled hamburger or hot dog hot off the grill!

So, I am going home to make hamburgers & hot dogs tonight for supper. These of course have to be accompanied by some baked beans and some sort of vegetable (to instill those healthy eating habits). And just to round out the All-American BBQ effect, we will be enjoying big bowls of ice-cream with chocolate sauce for dessert. The cold ice-cream is good for a teething 11 month old's sore gums (right??).

Then as we head into the weekend, there will be more opportunities for yummy goodness from the grill! But not without shopping for the perfect Easter outfits for 2 little boys, that could care less, so they will look adorably perfect for Easter in 2 weeks.

So I leave you with encouragement to get out and grill up some gorgeous piece of meat this weekend.

As always,
MommyShelle C

Trained By A Toddler

Isn't it funny what motivates you?

After 27(ish) years of biting my finger nails, my new motivation to quit: my 3 year old now bites his nails! How, as a mommy, do you convince your toddler to NOT take up a bad habit, that you yourself do everyday? Well, you DON'T. That said, I have been doing all that I can to NOT bite my nails.

It is strange and leaves me a bit in awe as to what a mom (or any parent really) will do for their kids. I find myself considering the moves I am about to make and think, will B do this? Do I want B to do this? If B does this, is L going to try the same thing? So, in my MommyShelle world of 2 very mobile children, I am being trained each day by THEM. Yes, I train them, but they are are re-training my thoughts and actions everyday.

So, WARNING, to you who still have cute little tiny babies that smell good, they GROW UP fast!!! And when they do, watch out, becasue it won't be long before your life takes on a new training schedule.

Trained By A Toddler,
MommyShelle C

It is a Fabulous Friday!

       By Fabulous, I mean, the sun is shining and there is no rain/ snow in the forecast for a full 24 hours! Tomorrow is supposed to be a great day in Missouri. It shall be in the 70', partly sunny and no rain in sight. It is also a day of outdoor fun, including: a church turkey shoot. BANG!
      
In the spirit of Friday, I leave you with a recipe.

Grandma Geri's Choclate Chip Cookies
1c. margarine
3/4c. brown sugar
1/4c. sugar
1t. vanilla
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
2 1/4c. flour
1t. baking soda
1 pkg. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350
Mix margarine, sugars, vanilla & pudding. Add in eggs & mix. Add the flour & soda and mix until combined. Finally add the chocolate chips. Scoop onto a cookie sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes.
(I like to slightly underbake these so they are still kinda gooey in the middle)

As always,
MommyShelle C

Change...

   Raise your hand if you are adverse to change! Not here. I like change and sometimes crave change. For instance, Saturday afternoon involved me changing the bedrooms around and lots of cleaning.
   Right now, in my life, is one of those times in which I am craving some change. The stresses of day-to-day life are getting to me. Small children, house work, a full-time job, a husband, etc... They are all getting to me.
   While I know that I need some change, I am, however, not capable of knowing what that is on my own. Therefore, I have spent a great deal of time lately praying about that change and what it shall be. UGH!!! Thinking about my stress is stressing me out. :)
   So, while I am trying to figure all of this out, I encourage you to also figure out what in your life is making you stressed & then pray about changing it. Because as the old saying goes, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

Considering Change,
MommyShelle C

Chicken Enchiladas

I get people all the time wanting my enchilada recipe, so here it is:

3-4 Large frozen chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel
(Place in a crock-pot and let it cook into yummy-ness for a few hours)
Dig chicken out of sauce, place in a bowl & shred with 2 forks
Save sauce for future use
8-10 flour tortilla shells
1 can refried beans
2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 375
Lay out a tortilla & spred a spoonful of beans down the center. Place some chicken (amount varies by how much you have & how many you are making) over the beans and then sprinkle with cheese. Roll up the enchilada and place seam side down in a 9x13 casserole dish. Repeat until you are out of chicken and/ or tortillas. Once you have all of your enchiladas in the pan, pour all of the soup/ rotel mixture over the enchiladas. The cover with the remaining cheese. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or so, until bubbly & cheese is melted. Serve hot and with sour cream & salsa. Enjoy!!

I hope that you find this recipe enjoyable like so many others before you.

MommyShelle C

Foodie Friday

I had big plans of Friday being the day that I was going to post a really yummy recipe on here, but instead I have a question...
At what age, does it become acceptable to have a bag of crunchy Cheetos & a Pepsi for lunch?

I would NEVER EVER let my 3 year old eat this kind of junk and call it lunch!!! I, however, am having such a lunch today. Too much running around on my lunch break to get actual food, so I settled for Cheetos & a Pepsi. YUM! While very unhealthy and bad for the diet (and the dress I have to squeeze into tonight), it is quite yummy.

Just a thought to ponder,
MommyShelle C

A Thought for Thursday

What is Holiness? Are you Holy?
These are the questions that have been presented in our Sunday sermons & Wednesday night studies this week. First of all, being Holy is not a state of self-righteousness. It is being a Christian and displaying it in a Holy way for others to see. Do you display Holiness in a positive light as a witness to others? Do you do the best you can from day-to-day while shining the light of Christ?
So here is a thought for you: what do you do to be Holy or what could you do to be more Holy?
I for one need to work on the "Slow to Speak & Quick to listen" thought. I also need to be slower to anger (yell) when upset about something.
As Christians, we are all Holy. We just need to find that Holiness within ourselves and display as our witness to the world around us.

MommyShelle C

Life with a 3 year old

   So, the guy who dubbed the phrase, "Terrible Two's," clearly was not around much when that child turned 3!
   While I do love my 3 year old dearly, I do loathe his stubbornness, his determination & his constant whining (like his 11 month old brother). This child is hard headed like no other (except his mother) and constantly lets us know exactly what he wants and how he wants it.
   Then there are the times that he is screaming and while in the middle of the fit, does or says something cute & charming. Such as: I luv you momma! Melt my heart!!!
   I also believe that God sent me this little angel to test my temper & attitude as a mommy. Well, let me tell you, it is most certainly a test. I fail every day. But, I take a deep breath, count to ten and try again.
   A very inspiring lady in my local MOPS group once told us: "It will NEVER be this hard again." And I believe it. So, no matter what life throws at you, remember that phrase and remember this one as well: "I CAN do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil 4:13

Until next time,
MommyShelle C

Here I Go...

   With all of the blogging craziness these days, I decided I would give it a try and see where it goes. My life is not glamorous or 'blog-worthy' but who really has a life like that?
   I have two ruff & tumble boys under the age of 4 and a husband who I am more grateful for than I let him know. I have a few really close friends that I hold true in my heart and a deep love of books & scrapbooking. I also like to think I am the next Food Network chef (yet to be discovered).
   Feel free to shout out and let me know what you think and I will keep this thing updated as often and possible as my world of MommyShelle allows.

See you soon,
MommyShelle C