Sick Ward

I'm shouting out to you from the sick ward also know as our living room. Kylie came down with a fever Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning Macy had a high fever and then started vomiting - uuh, in our bed, of course. I would call it projectile vomiting as she hit the window by our bed with the nasty stuff. I'm sure some of you have weak stomachs and didn't really want to hear that but hey, that's what blogging is all about. Me getting to share stuff you really didn't need to or don't want to know! :)

Anyway, I went into town last evening and got a call from home that Levi had started vomiting and was running a high temp. Then, this morning, Shelby came down with it. She is running a temp and complaining of stomach pains so we all know what that means.

Macy and Kylie are looking much better today. I am praying that Dan and I are able to skate through this without succumbing to the bug.

My house is a wreck. I haven't vacuumed in two weeks as my vacuum was in the shop. It's STILL raining and gloomy outside.

But I'm grateful. Grateful that my kids will be well soon. Grateful for a roof over my head. Grateful for medicine and warm blankets. I can't imagine what moms go through in other parts of the world when their children fall sick and they have none of the comforts we have. How their hearts must ache.

Please be in prayer for a guy in our church named John who just found out he has an inoperable brain tumor. He is just a few years older than us. He has three children and a wonderful wife. On their Caring Bridge website his wife wrote this, "God has numbered John's days aright. Nothing we decide can add or take away from that." They are so right. If you know Him, it fills your heart with a sense of peace. He has it all under his control.

Many times, we (yeah, me too) make mountains out of molehills. Things that shouldn't matter at all are blown up into something huge. Each day is a gift from God. To watch our children grow is a gift from God. That stuff should never be taken for granted.

So, even though my car alternator gave up and my husband's truck isn't running right and my vacuum cost $270 to repair and my kids are kicking a nasty bug around... I'm feeling mighty grateful.

the woodworker

***A post I found that I hadn't published***

My talented man has been busy building me an end table to go beside my chair. We have one there already but the style is too stuffy/ornate for me. It was given to us by a friend and we used it because we had it. Anyway, here's the finished product. Very similar to my dining room table that I'm so fond of.

He also built a cabinet to go along the back of the sofa - like a sofa table - but with cupboards so we can stash all our homeschool books, markers, pens, pencils and paper.

His next projects include bookshelves for our bedroom and then, a headboard/footboard for our bed. I just love a man that's good with his hands!

Flatbread Tacos

Last night for supper I was looking for something quick to make before Dan and I headed over to the church for praise team so I picked up my latest copy of Taste of Home and found this recipe that won a contest for meals in 30 minutes or less.

It was delicious and quick! Love that combination.

Flatbread tacos with ranch sour cream

1c (8oz) sour cream
2 tsp ranch salad dressing mix
1 tsp lemon juice
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained (I used Rotel)
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 Tbsp hot pepper sauce
1 tube large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
Optional toppings: sliced olives, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese


In small bowl, combine sour cream, ranch dressing mix and lemon juice. chill until serving. (I used the sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and a teaspoon or two of the Pampered Chef Southwest seasoning mix. I left out the lemon juice.)

In a large skillet, cook beef over med heat until no longer pink; drain. Add beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning and pepper sauce; heat through.

Meanwhile, roll out each biscuit into a 6 inch circle. In a small nonstick skillet over med heat, cook each biscuit for 30 - 60 seconds on each side or until golden brown; keep warm.

To serve, spread each flatbread with 3 Tbsp, ranch sour cream mix; top with meat mixture. Sprinkle with desired toppings.

I'm looking forward to leftovers for lunch today!

winter white

It has been snowing off and on all day and was also when we went to bed last night. We have 2 1/2 inches or so on the ground. The little ones have been outside playing in it most of the afternoon. I didn't even have their winter coats/boots/pants out of the storage bins yet...but we do now!

Macy woke me up yesterday to tell me there was "frosting" on the ground. How sweet. She did the same thing last year. Later in the day when the frost had melted, I heard her exclaim, "Oh no, it's summer again, not winter"! She's been excited about this snow all day long.

We have the task of getting the boat out of the water, cleaned up and stored for winter. Dan is out on the lake as I type this and it's 30 degrees out there. Brrr!