Used Toy Sale Soon

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There are two things that are wonderfully miraculous about this picture:

1. My camera is obviously still working ~ sort of. I have to hold it 'just so' and put pressure on the lens 'just right', but it's better than the alternative of buying a new camera.


2. My son escaped the 'camera breaking incident' with his life intact.

Monday, Zachary decided that he wanted to use my camera ~ which I generally store waaaaay up high, on top of the entertainment center.

Meaning he had to climb and reach to grab it. And he did so with the grace of a 4 year old, didn't have a good hold on it and dropped it to the wood floor.

Breaking one of my favorite lenses {the 50mm}.

Had you been present in my house at that moment...well, I cried. And had the presence of mind to have my son remove himself from the room before I did something I would realllllly regret later {and he had the wisdom to move quickly!!}.

After some manhandling of my camera, I was finally able to remove the broken lens and put another one on to test the camera and make sure the body was still working. And not rattling.

So far, so good.

Zachary was apparently aware of how seriously upset I was and quickly tried to smooth things over with me by apologizing and drawing me a picture.

This is a self-portrait of him standing in front of a table selling his toys to help earn money so that he can buy me a new camera.

His idea ~ not mine.

Anyone in the market for some beat-up toys? They won't be cheap...

We Do Use Soap ~ I Promise

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A few weeks ago we were visiting some friends and at the end of a day of wearing flip flops, the kid's feet were literally disgusting. Rick took Zachary and sat him down on the side of the tub to wash his feet and grabbed a bar of their soap to use.

As Rick used the soap to wash Zachary's feet, Zachary looked at the soap and said, "Wow! What is that thing?"

Rick started laughing and told him it was a bar of soap.

"Oh. I knew that..." but seriously, he didn't.

And before you think my son is crazy and we never use soap in our house, I will come to his defense. Because we don't have bars of soap in our house ~ it's all liquid or body wash.

The poor, deprived child. :)

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Rick was trying to get Kaleb out of the tub the other night and he wouldn't get out because, "This tub is a mess! I have to clean it up!"

{Good boy!!!}

Once he was done, Rick wrapped him up in his towel and laid him on the changing table to get him dressed and Kaleb got the cutest look on his face, threw open his towel and yelled: "SURPRISE!!!"

{and got a great laugh out of Daddy!}

Head on over to Mary's at Not Before 7 for some more Tiny Talk Tuesday!!

I Can't Live Without...{Friend Makin' Monday}

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Friend Makin' Monday is being hosted by Amber over the next little bit. This week the topic is revolving around what we just can't live without.

Now aside from the obvious ~ you know, my husband, my family, God, my friends ~ here are a few things that I think just make my life plain easier and lovely. I'm sure I would manage life fine without them, but I'd rather not.

• Hi Speed Internet. Gone are the days of dial-up and I am so thankful that I don't have to wait to get access. Truly, a most wonderful, wonderful thing.

• Our Keurig. No more big pots of coffee. Messy coffee filters. Just a simple push of the button to get the caffeine flowing. Heaven in a cup.

• Google. How in the world did I ever find all the answers to my burning questions? Like ~ "Can a child overdose on Tums?" or "Is plant dirt poisonous?" I love Google.

• Chick fil A. Indoor playground. Waffle fries. Free wifi should I want it. Must I say more?

• My van. I would have a very hard time if we had just a car. The whole issue of 'how to cart around 4 kids in carseats' kind.

• My lovely Canon Rebel. To imagine a world without lovely pictures is just plain sad. ***Updated at 11:30 am to add that I may be imagining a world without for a bit, since Zachary just broke my 50 mm lens and quite possibly the camera too since I can't get the lens off the camera body. Sigh.***
  

• Books. Piles and piles of glorious books.

I'm sure that there will be other things that come to me throughout the day, but for now in my 'lack of having used my Keurig' state, this will have to do! Be sure to visit Amber to hang out and make some new friends!

What I'm Reading {9.26.09}

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Ever since I posted my reading challenge list, I've been working at my books a little at a time. Funny how listing a bunch of books can get you motivated, isn't it? I printed off my list and stuck it in my planning binder so that I can cross things off {and add} as I go along.

I just didn't have time to pull together a review for today, but still wanted to track the books that I did read this week and what is up next to read {or currently in process}.

Books I focused on this week:

• Farraday Road by Ace Collins ~ really enjoyed it and stayed up too late reading it one night. Wouldn't you know that it has a sequel? Nuts! Now I have to figure out how to get my hands on that one...
  

• Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley ~ I'm about halfway through this book and poor Rick is probably hoping I'll finish it soon since I keep reading bits of it out loud to him. It just cracks me up! And there are some great little 'nuggets' in the book too that get you thinking.

• Blue Like Playdough by Tricia Goyer ~ I'm about halfway through this non-fiction book and there are some parts that have really spoken to me as a mom....review to follow on this book.
  

Here are the books that I currently have stacked up:

• The Power of a Praying Mom by Stormie Omartian ~ I've read this before, but am pulling it out to read each morning
  


• Return Policy by Michael Snyder

• Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson

• The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

Be sure to stop by and visit 5 Minutes for Books and their monthly meme called "What's on Your Nightstand?"

Delighting in Our Blessings

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One of the books on my reading list right now is Home to Harmony. I picked it up the other night to start and was laughing out loud at just the first few chapters.

I've been sucked in.

At the end of the second chapter, there was a passage that I loved:

"Sometimes we come to gratitude too late. It's only after blessing has passed on that we realize what we had....the time to delight in blessing is when blessing is close at hand."

{p. 25, Home to Harmony, Phillip Gulley}

I was sitting down and trying to read the book while the kids were playing outside...aka doing everything in their power to annoy each other and drive their mother crazy. That phrase just made me stop and think. Watch.

And thank God for the four blessings that I have so close at hand. Even when life is crazy. Even when I can only dream of a quiet moment without interruption.

Because someday, sooner than I realize, those little interruptions in my day will be gone. If I don't take the time to 'delight' in those blessings, I'm going to miss out on some of the most wonderful opportunities that God has entrusted to me.

And truthfully, I don't want to realize all-too-late that I had so much in front of me to be grateful for, but I was too busy looking for a way out or what was up and coming.

Yes, some days feel like I'm just in 'survival' mode, but if I take the time to stop and really focus on these four gifts...it's not too hard to find something to be grateful for.

Even if that little something just drew all over the wall. Again.

Chicken Tetrazzini {Recipe}

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Click on the picture to download recipe card

I found this recipe years ago and one of the reasons I love it so much {other than it being yummy} is because it actually makes TWO 9x13 pans. That means you can cook one and freeze one for later ~ a lovely bonus!

{And I'm sorry if the picture doesn't look super~appetizing...taking of picture of a pile of pasta doesn't work well}.

The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, but we are generally a little more liberal with it. Because really, who doesn't like cheese?

Ingredients

~ 1 1/2 boxes {24 oz. total} of vermicelli or thin spaghetti
~ 3/4 cup of chicken broth
~ 4-6 cups of chopped, cooked chicken {4-6 chicken breasts}
~ 1 can cream of mushroom soup {10 3/4 oz.}
~ 1 can cream of celery soup {10 3/4 oz.}
~ 1 can cream of chicken soup {10 3/4 oz.}
~ 1 1/2 cups of sour cream
~ 6 oz. can of sliced mushrooms, drained
~ 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese {4 oz.}
~ 1/4 tsp. pepper
~ 1/2 tsp. salt
~ 2 cups of shredded cheddar {you decide how cheesy you want the top}

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to box directions and drain. Put it back in the pot and add chicken broth.

2. Stir cooked chicken with soup mixes, salt, pepper, sour cream, Parmesan cheese and mushrooms. Add pasta mix and mix well together.

3. Split the mixture between two lightly greased 9x13 baking dishes.

4. Sprinkle casseroles evenly with shredded cheddar.

5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or till cheese is melted and sides are bubbly.

Makes 2 9x13 sized dishes.

Note: If you would like to freeze one of the casseroles, I usually put the 1/2 of the mixture into a gallon size ziploc bag {before adding the cheddar} and then attach the bag of shredded cheddar to the outside of the bag so it is with the casserole when we are ready to use it. To use the frozen casserole, thaw it overnight in the fridge and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake as directed.

If you would like to download the recipe, just click on the picture above and you can print off a 4x6 recipe card - just cut along the line and then fold in half. :)

Captain of the Obvious

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Sunday night I sat down to start my geography planning for the upcoming school week. I pulled out all my resources on the country of Egypt, researched different topics to study, requested a TON of books from the library and got it all laid out.

Then I looked at my planner and realized that we were supposed to be studying NEW ZEALAND for the next few weeks.

To say I was frustrated would be putting it mildly. I'd have to start all over again and drop all that I was doing, stay up late and work like crazy.

Until my husband looked at me and reminded me, "Can't you just rearrange the weeks around and study New Zealand later?"

Huh.

There is that option, isn't there? Ahhhhh....the beauty of homeschooling {and a husband who so lovingly reminded me of the obvious}.

'Cause I'm quick like that.

I'm Not Big on Change

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I don't like change. Not much at all.

I'm sitting here and frustrated at something that is generally simple ~ uploading pictures to my computer. But my software isn't working.

Which means I need to find a different way, a NEW way ~ one that isn't the way I have always done it before. And frankly, that bugs me to no end.

Lately, there have been quite a few changes going on in my life ~ ones that have been stretching me and pushing me out of my comfort zone. Changes in family situations. Changes with friends. Changes in our own family as our kids just plain 'grow up'.

Did I mention that I'm not big on change?

Despite it all, I am so thankful to know that I have one Thing that is always a constant in my life. Someone that will never change.

Sunday morning while all this was going through my head, we sang a song that just summed it all up so nicely for me:

Everlasting God
by Glenn Packiam

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the Rock that never fails
You never fail

You never change You’re still the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain after the day is gone
And the things of earth have passed
Everlasting God

One thing I know that I believe
Through every blessing I receive
You are the only One that stays
You always stay

'Nuff said...

Serve It Up Sunday {9.20.09}

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Last week was a little bit out of whack with traveling and visiting friends...but this week, I'm back on track with our meals and WILL remember to check the plan at the start of the day before we start school...rather than remember at 3 o'clock that everything I need is frozen {ahem}. Here's the plan for this week ~ and don't you be jealous of my popcorn Sunday.

Sunday ~ Popcorn and movie at night!

Monday ~ Sweet & Sour Meatballs. I am ever-so-picky about meatballs and this recipe is from my mother-in-law. This was one of the first meals she made when I met Rick's family so many years ago!

Tuesday ~ Chicken tetrazinni. Super easy recipe that I am doubling so I can freeze one batch for a quick dinner in the next few months.

Wednesday ~ Meatball subs. I'm planning on making an extra batch of meatballs Monday {if I'm already touching raw meat, I might as well make it worth my while...}. I'm hoping I'll have time to make some sub rolls to go along with them.

Thursday ~ Leftovers ~ somehow I have a feeling there will be some...

Friday ~ Homemade pizza bites. The kids love these - and I promise to share the recipe this time!

Saturday ~ Burritos

See what others are dishin' out in their houses this week {or link up your own menu plans} over at Mommypalooza!

Fall Into Reading 2009

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This fall I would like to re-read some of the books that are already on my shelves. Ones that were wonderful the first time around, but need a little 'dusting off' for Callapidder Day's Fall Into Reading 2009.

Of course, those aren't the only books that are on my list, but it definitely gives me a good start on things!

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In no particular order, here are the books that I would like to read this fall:

My non-fiction list:

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. This has been on my list for some time...but my husband has agreed to read this one along with me and hopefully we'll have it done this fall together. :)

The Key to Your Child's Heart by Gary Smalley

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst

Blue Like Playdough by Tricia Goyer ~ I've started this one already and am loving it!

My fiction list:

Mitford series by Jan Karon. There are eight books in this series and I read them almost two years ago after a friend graciously lent me one for an entire year {ahem}. I finally read the first one and got sucked into the story line.

Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I'm pretty sure the last time I read these books was a little over 9 years ago. 'Bout time to read them again!

Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley. A reader emailed me after reading my list and said that if I enjoyed the Mitford series I needed to check out this series by Gulley...so I added it! Thanks, Amber!

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Return Policy by Michael Snyder

Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson

The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

Farraday Road by Ace Collins

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I have no doubt that there will be other books that I will pick up along the way. Any suggestions for me to add to my list? :)

p.s. I'm also linking up to 5 Minutes for Mom and their monthly "What's on Your Nightstand." Some more great book suggestions there too!

The Marshmallow Test

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Watching these kids just made me laugh. And I'm sorry to admit they probably have more stamina than I do.

And I'm not super fond of marshmallows.

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Those Pesky Phonics...

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The English language just has too many rules to follow.

Period.

As we go along with our spelling lessons {and mind you our kids are doing really well} there are always a few hang-ups on sounds and spellings.

On the bright side, she does remember how to spell the word 'you'.

Two of My Favorite Boys...

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John 3:16 ~ the Zachary version

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The kids are learning Bible verses as part of their Awana class and Zachary is trying very hard to learn John 3:16. And in his defense, there are some big ol' words in there for a 4-year-old.

He was trying to say it to me the other day and this is how his version goes:

"For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes Him will not go to Paris but have ever life."

Head on over to Mary's at Not Before 7 for some more Tiny Talk Tuesday!!

Fall Shows I'm Excited to See! {Friend Makin' Monday}

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Friend Makin' Monday will be spending some time hosted by Amber over the next little bit. This week the topic is revolving around the upcoming fall tv season and what we're looking forward to.

Me? Oh, I have a few shows that I really enjoy ~ some that have been around for several seasons and a few that I've watched the pilot episodes. There used to be so many shows and over time I have slowly weaned off and focused on a few that I really enjoy {and I am one to take advantage of watching them online so I don't need to watch the commercials}.

We also don't have cable, so the shows we watch are usually on the basic networks

Bones ~ End of the season left us hanging. I love the humor on the show and also the scientific aspect of the show.

House ~ The stuff House can get away with...

The Office ~ This show just cracks me up. Everything is so absolutely politically wrong about the show which just makes it even better.

Glee ~ I watched the series premiere and I'm going to check it out a little more, but one that I am interested in. :)

What shows are you looking forward to this fall?

Book Giveaway: That Certain Spark

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Gooding, Texas got so much more than it expected when Taylor Bestman arrived as the new doctor.

A female doctor, that is.

The majority of the town is opposed to having a woman treat them, and Karl Van de Vort is treated almost immediately after Dr. Bestman arrives ~ but only because he is unconscious. Waking up to find her next to his bedside in her scarlet dress did little to improve his opinion, even though she had saved his life.

Despite the opposition to Taylor's line of work, Karl is determined to protect her when he discovers that some in the town are determined to harm her.

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Cathy Marie Hake's books always make me laugh and That Certain Spark did not disappoint. If you have read any of her books in the past, you will be reacquainted with characters from her past books. Even though it is a sequel of sorts, the book can stand by itself without any difficulty ~ although you might have to search out the other books when you are done!

I cannot even begin to imagine the difficulty a female doctor would have had so many years ago. Cathy Hake created a believable character in Taylor that is full of spunk, determination and intelligence. The story has a little bit of everything ~ romance, suspense, and plenty of fun dialogue between Taylor and Karl.

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If you'd like to win a copy of That Certain Spark, just leave a comment on this post and I'll put your name in the 'hat'. Comments for the giveaway will be open until next Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 8pm. I'll randomly pick a winner and announce next Saturday. This giveaway is open only to US residents.

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Here are the books that I currently have stacked up:

• Blue Like Playdough ~ Tricia Goyer
• The Carousel Painter ~ Judith Miller
• Dawn's Prelude ~ Tracie Peterson
• Take One ~ Karen Kingsbury
• Take Two ~ Karen Kingsbury
  

Be sure to stop by and visit 5 Minutes for Books and their monthly meme called "What's on Your Nightstand?" and also the Saturday Review.

Just Me

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I mentioned a bit ago that I had pictures taken of just me. No kids. No hubby {it was a surprise for him}. A clean shirt and a chance to feel pretty.

Misty met up with me early one morning {she's a mom with four little ones too!} and we walked around town taking pictures here, there and everywhere. She has been gracious to give me a few of the proofs to share with you all {and one of these days Rick and I will have time to sit down and let her know which ones we're going to order!}.

If you are wondering why I wanted pictures of just me...well, mainly to document that I am here since I am sadly lacking in the majority of pictures we have of our day to day life. That and I am tired of waiting till I lose that last 10 pounds. Or five pounds. Or have it all together with my hair the way I want it....blah, blah, blah. I just needed to do it!

That said, I have a few favorites ~ one of which is my new profile picture - LOVE it!

If you live nearby, Misty is working on building her portfolio for her business, and I'd be happy to get you her contact information or you can contact her through her website or blog. She's great to work with!! Be sure to stop by her blog and comment on her recent family pic - too cute!!

Nutter Butter Trifle

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Click on the picture to download recipe card

You just can't go wrong if a recipe includes Nutter Butters.

Period.

And when you add pudding and bananas it's even better! I made this for a picnic the other day and probably should have made another dish to sidle up to when we got back home. Because I love Nutter Butters that much.

Ingredients

~ 3 boxes of instant vanilla pudding
~ 4 1/2 cups of milk
~ 1 package {16 oz.} of Nutter Butters
~ 2 tsp. vanilla
~ 16 oz. sour cream
~ 4 medium bananas
~ 2 cups of whipped cream or Cool Whip

Directions

1. Set aside 1 cup of Nutter Butter cookies and cut the remaining cookies in half or thirds.

2. Stir together pudding mix, milk, and vanilla extract until pudding begins to thicken. Set aside for a few minutes.

3. Thinly slice bananas and crush the 1 cup of Nutter Butter cookies.

4. Add sour cream to pudding mixture. Spoon half of the pudding mix into your trifle bowl or other container. Top with half of the chunked cookies and half of the sliced bananas. Repeat layer.

5. Top with whipped topping and sprinkle with crushed Nutter Butters.

Serves plenty. :)

If you would like to download the recipe, just click on the picture above and you can print off a 4x6 recipe card - just cut along the line and then fold in half. :)

When I Was a Child

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Early Saturday morning we saw a hot air balloon close to our house and the kids stood out on the porch watching it fly overhead.

Laurianna stood on the porch, her chin propped on one of her hands and said, "I've always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. Ever since I was a child."

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My dad and mom have a dog and the kids love to play with him. More times than not, my dad will refer to himself as 'Daddy' when talking to the dog.

While Zachary was over visiting them recently, he asked my dad, "Opa, is Mommy Charlie's sister?"

{I'm really hoping that I don't look that much like the dog....}

Head on over to Mary's at Not Before 7 for some more Tiny Talk Tuesday!!

Friend Makin' Monday: Favorite Things About Fall

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Friend Makin' Monday will be spending some time hosted by Amber over the next little bit. This week Amber asked what our favorite things about fall were. I love summer and spring {winter is still up in the air} but fall is hands down my favorite of all of the seasons.

Apple Cider. I know I can drink this other times of the year, but having the house smell of mulling cider and all the yummy spices....Mmmmm! There's just something about holding a nice, warm mug of cider in my hands and inhaling the lovely smell of it.

Apple picking. We've gone apple picking at a wonderful orchard the last few years and have loved doing it together as a family. Last year we came back with so.many.apples and we were baking and cooking for a loooooong time. Makes me want to go right now just talking about it.

Changing leaves. I grew up in New England and we had some beautiful places to visit and see the amazing changes fall brought about. Where we live now there are still some great places to visit and THIS year I hope we can do a little more viewing as a family {heads up honey!!}.

Cooler weather. The general mugginess and overall heat is finally dissipating and we can open up our windows at night and snuggle down under the covers. :)

Long sleeves and sweaters. Being cozy is ever so nice. Wrapping up in a favorite sweater. Pulling out all those clothes that I've missed over the summer and being toasty rather than HOT {I realize it's all in my head...but still!}

Start-up of Co-op. During our homeschool year we are involved in a local co-op with all the kids and they are so excited to see their friends from last year and I love to reconnect with other homeschooling moms.

Pumpkins, pumpkin patches, hayrides and more! We have several places nearby that are great to take the kids with lots of fun stuff to do. While we don't celebrate Halloween we do have fun decorating for fall and bringing home pumpkins.

Fall into Reading. While I read year round, it's always fun to join in with Katrina at Callapidder Days and see what goals others are setting for themselves. I've found some great books through other readers and it's great to track my own reading and set some goals for myself.

There are so many more things I LOVE about fall, but that's it for now. What do you love most about the fall season?

Serve It Up Sunday {9.6.09}

This post may contain affiliate or advertiser links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

We've had company over the last few days and have had so much fun....cooking for the whole crew and enjoying some yummy stuff! Here's what is planned for the upcoming week:

Sunday ~ Roast with potatoes and carrots for lunch. Popcorn and movie at night!

Monday ~ Labor Day picnic with friends ~ all sorts of yummies, but I'm bringing Nutter Butter Banana pudding

Tuesday ~ Korean beef tips with rice and a salad

Wednesday ~ Parmesean chicken and veggies

Thursday ~ Lasagna and brocolli

Friday ~ Homemade pizza bites

Saturday ~ Meal from Italy {courtesy of the kiddos and our studies}

Sunday ~ On vacation to visit some friends

See what others are dishin' out in their houses this week {or link up your own menu plans} over at Mommypalooza!

Book Giveaway: A Surrendered Heart

This post may contain affiliate or advertiser links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Cholera is running rampant in Rochester, NY and in order to protect the family, the Broadmoors stay at their family castle in the Thousand Islands. Amanda, however, contracts cholera and is quarantined in Rochester and later remains to help Dr. Carstead care for the others suffering from the disease.

Unknown to Amanda and the rest of the family, her father has been secreting money from her cousin's inheritance and has almost ruined the family. He banks on Amanda's loyalty and attempts to sacrifice her future to save the family name by marrying her off to a man that neither love her or values her the way Dr. Carstead longs to.

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A Surrendered Heart is the third book in The Broadmoor Legacy by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller. I had already been looking forward to reading the last book in the series, but enjoyed this book even more than the first two. We recently took a trip to upstate NY and went on a boat tour of the Thousand Islands. Seeing some of the large estates helped me visualize the Broadmoor's castle home and I was caught up into the book so much more.

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If you'd like to win a copy of A Surrendered Heart, just leave a comment on this post and I'll put your name in the 'hat'. Comments for the giveaway will be open until next Friday, September 11th, 2009 at 8pm. I'll randomly pick a winner and announce next Saturday. This giveaway is open only to US residents.

_____________________________________

Here are the books that I currently have stacked up:

• Blue Like Playdough ~ Tricia Goyer
• The Carousel Painter ~ Judith Miller
• That Certain Spark ~ Cathy Marie Hake
• Dawn's Prelude ~ Tracie Peterson
  

Be sure to stop by and visit 5 Minutes for Books and their monthly meme called "What's on Your Nightstand?" and also the Saturday Review.

911 ~ What's Your Emergency?

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One would wonder how {and why} I neglected to blog about the fact that Zachary called 911 over a month and a half ago.

I mean seriously. It's prime blog fodder and it involves Zachary.

______________________________

We'd just gotten home from shopping and I laid my cell phone down ~ and forgot to move it out of reach. The kids went outside to play and I was in the living room working and had the screen door open to keep an ear on the kids.

That would be when I heard my phone ringing ~ far off in the distance.

It took me a minute to put two and two together and race down the porch steps in search of the phone. I found Zachary huddled underneath the workbench, desperately trying not to be seen ~ and failing miserably.

After I grabbed the phone from him I saw there were a few missed calls and I flipped through the dialed calls and panicked when I realized that 911 was rather prominent on the list.

There were two messages on my phone from the few short moments he had the phone and after I listened to them I quickly returned the calls from the 911 dispatch operator. The voice on the other end reassured me that no vehicle had been dispatched yet because they wanted to confirm the emergency.

Apparently they were told that a house had been hit by lightning and burned to the ground.

Fortunately for me, it was a beautiful day without a hint of lightning. Dispatch laughed and told us not to worry about it {thank the Lord!}.

After talking to Zachary, we found out the full details. A past visit with some very friendly firefighters....and a little boy who just wanted to talk to those firemen, so he decided to call and chat. In his four-year-old ramblings he told them all about a house that had been hit by lightening and burned down near a friend's house almost a month prior.

Truth, yes. Trouble ~ absolutely.

How Many Diapers?

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On Twitter yesterday I came across an article that Michelle Duggar had announced she was pregnant with their 19th child. While my mind has a hard time wrapping itself around me having a family that large, a little something at the end of the article made me about fall off my chair.

According to the Guiness Book of World Records entry for "most prolific mother ever:''

"The greatest officially recorded number of children born to one mother is 69, to the wife of Feodor Vassilyev (b. 1707-c.1782), a peasant from Shuya, Russia. In 27 confinements she gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets."

Sixty nine.

How many diapers do you suppose that was in her entire lifetime?

Hiding all Their Stuff {aka 'Organizing'}

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Laurianna and McKenna love to draw. And by love, I mean 'use half a ream of paper in one sitting' kind of love.

And then it all gets 'gifted' to me. Or we can't throw it out because they want to give it to {blank}, or they drew it with their left hand, or it was the best story they have EVER written.

What, praytell, is a mother to do with all this STUFF?? I discreetly push stuff into the trashcan when no one is looking, but if I don't hide it well enough the wailing can be heard for miles when their 'stuff' is discovered.

The girls and I took a little shopping trip together the other day and bought two large storage containers that can slide under their beds {not the huge ones, but decent sized}. When we got home, we pulled out all of the papers they have stuffed in their backpacks, special things they have saved that meander around the house, and we began weeding through it all.

The rule was - if it doesn't fit in the tub, it has to go.

Letting the girls sort through it all worked out well and the tubs both slid under their beds when they were full. Now this didn't include their toys and dolls, etc...just all those 'extras' like the notes from friends, their special diary or the five purses that they've managed to collect {and Mommy wishes would 'magically' disappear}. They understand that when that tub is full - they have to sort through it and the top is the limit!

All that said - Mommy is happy now and all that 'stuff' is organized and out of sight! Just wanted to pass along a little something that is Working for Me!

How Much Are My Kids Worth?

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Rick and I found a discount coupon for a nearby water park and were debating about taking the kids because of the cost. We had measured the kids to see what price range they fell into and realized Kaleb would be the only one to go at a discounted rate.

Me: Laurianna would be $38, McKenna would be $38, Zachary would be $38, and Kaleb would be free.

{unaware we had someone listening nearby who had obviously not heard the entire conversation...}

McKenna: What? You're not thinking about selling us for $38??? And Kaleb is FREE??

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McKenna and Zachary were in the bathroom washing their hands and talking to each other.

M: Did you know that there is a part of your body that is as long as a school bus?

Z: What?

M: Look at you! You aren't as big as a bus, so I don't know HOW there could be something inside you that is as big as a school bus. That is just crazy.

Head on over to Mary's at Not Before 7 for some more Tiny Talk Tuesday!!