How I like to start my day:

I love to wake up before everyone else in my house. In those quiet minutes (sometimes an hour!) I like to make a cup of hot chocolate -- doesn't matter the season! -- and catch up on Facebook, blogs, e-mail, or news on the computer. I am a hot chocolate snob. . .I don't like mixes AT ALL. I have this down to a science and the calories are minimal. The first couple times you do it it may take you 3-4 minutes -- I have it down to less then 2, easy. Here goes:
Warm up a cup of milk (I use skim or 1%) and I have found I need to do it EXACTLY 1 minute, 26 seconds.
While that is warming assemble the rest of your ingredients in the bottom of your favorite coffee mug:
1 heaping tsp unsweetened cocoa (I use Hershey's but am sure there are lots of better varieties out there) to 2 tsp sweetener.Today I did one packet of "fake" sugar (Kroger brand is the only brand I like)
and a little less then 1 tsp of hot fudge sauce. Sometimes I use 2 packets of "fake" sugar (you could certainly use real -- I find it to be too sweet), sometimes I use caramel topping instead of hot fudge. Take your pick! I find the sundae toppings to be very rich so certainly don't do an entire tsp of those.

Anyhow, once the milk is warm decide if you are going to add a bit of vanilla extract to it (today I did not -- but usually do when I use just sugar without the flavorings of the sundae toppings). It's better to add the extract (I bet almond would be good!) when the milk is warm -- the flavor comes out more. Put a little of the warm milk into the cup and stir the ingredients until smooth.
Then add the rest of the milk and stir until blended.

Of course you can then add marshmallows, whipped topping, candy pieces, whatever. I'm kinda just plain-Jane and drink it just like this. And the calories are MINIMAL. The fake sugar -- zip. Any extract flavorings -- zip. The cocoa, less then 10 calories and the sundae toppings, maybe 25 calories. I think probably less. (There are 120 calories in 2 Tbsp and we are using less then 1 tsp so. . .). Milk, of course depends on if you're using whole or skim. . .so between 80-150 I guess. But that's good stuff. . .calcium, vitamins, it's all good. So. . .there you go -- a comforting, EASY, delicious way to start (or end) your day! Enjoy :)

Christmas shopping!

It's that time of the year!!! I have decided instead of doing individual gifts for family members(our three sets of parents and three siblings) this year, I am going to put together baskets for each of them with items that I love and/or find meaning in. I have a MILLION ideas, so we'll see how many actually make it into the baskets! My goal is $75/basket, including basket, wrapping materials, etc. I know it seems expensive but really, individual gifts generally run anywhere from $40-$60/each so this is probably about the same. My nieces still have their own gifts (they are 9 & 5) and I love to give gifts to the adults so this is my solution.

My first order is for Ethiopian coffee! I have a good friend, Aime (check out her adoption journey at www.longingforafrica.blogspot.com) who is raising money for their Ethiopian adoption by selling various items, one of which is this Ethiopian coffee. I myself am not a coffee drinker but think this might be interesting for the 3 families I am giving this to. I think I'll fill in hot chocolate or tea for the non-coffee drinkers.

I encourage you to check out the McGinnis' blog on my sidebar! You will be inspired by their story and how God is leading them in the building of their family. You may want to donate to them or purchase a gift for yourself or someone else this holiday season. In my coffee order I also placed an order for Family Road Map for us. . .was trying to get a picture of it here but still too new at this blogging thing. Here is a little snippet for you: "creating a family purpose statement, establishing family values, identifying key mile-markers for their children, and thoroughly evaluating the yearly personal growth of each of their children"

Happy shopping!!!

I am a teacher. I was a teacher. I am also a student. My life is busy these days with SCHOOL. I love school, always have. I knew when I was in second grade (or maybe first) that I wanted to be a teacher. I'm fortunate that I have always known what "I wanted to be" and had that goal to work toward. I can not imagine NOT knowing and going aimlessly through my childhood, teens, and early adulthood NOT knowing that I wanted to get married, be a mom, and be a teacher. Although, ultimately, all of these are up to God, I felt I had the most control over my profession. I remember my student teacher in 5th grade, Miss Frisbee, and admiring her, wanting to BE her. I watched and learned from all my teachers -- what they did that made them good teachers, what made them "bad" teachers. I know, I know, I was born "old". I was. Anyhow, I lead a blessedly "typical" life and went from high school to college and into a teaching job. I taught 6th grade math for 6 1/2 years in a rural school district near my hometown. I never even applied for the job -- they called me!! It was the only job I interviewed for and hindsight shows me the Lord's hand and blessings in all of it.
Then my second "goal" happened. . .I got married!!! I went from "Miss Foster" to "Mrs. Bell". That was fun!!! I continued on in my same school with the same classroom. . .I went to work happy every day :)
Then I was blessed with my third "goal": a son! Now I had it all -- I was a teacher, a wife, and now a mother. And not quite two years later, I became a mother again! This time I said good-bye to my sixth graders and became a full-time wife and mother. Some discouraged me from this decision and many more encouraged me. God's plan and my family's support was all I needed so I left school without looking back. Don't misunderstand -- it was HARD -- but you only have one shot with young children at home and this was my chance! What made it perfect at the time was that my sister was due with her first and would have to return to work so I would get to be a full-time caregiver to my niece too!!!
Even though God continued to bless me as a mother I have felt the calling to go back to school for quite some time now. The difference was, this time I didn't know what I wanted to "do". Go back into teaching? Those that teach know it's a calling and a commitment. I see it as a mission field. I have lots of interest in business and thought maybe I'd start over and take that path. But what about my kids? They were (and still are!) at home with me. Who comes first? So I thought it over for a few YEARS. I applied for and took the tests to obtain a teaching license in the state we live in. Then last year when Frederick started kindergarten I decided to substitute teach in the county we live in. It was a slow start, but once I got in the classroom I knew, without a doubt, that I belonged back there.
Through a series of God-provided circumstances I began graduate work at a local university this fall semester. I love it!!! I am taking three classes and am BURIED. I have two major projects due before Thanksgiving (one tomorrow night at 11 p.m.) and yesterday I spent the ENTIRE day putting these things together. I still am. I am a perfectionist who tweeks and tweeks and tweeks. I need to stop.
Regardless, here I am. . .I am a teacher, but also a student. And I think the best teachers never stop being students. . .someone said that this fall and I am holding fast to it, knowing I am where I am supposed to be right now.
I love to learn and love to teach. I am blessed.

Happy Birthday Thomas!!

Thomas is 11 years old today.

How is that possible?
Just LAST YEAR I was pregnant with him. . .waiting. . .and waiting. . .and waiting. He was overdue.
Then he started pre-school. He went two days a week the first year, then three days a week the second year.
His brother was born on his first day of school the second year.
He was 4 years old and the oldest of 4!

He is an incredible big brother.
I love his white hair and ice-blue eyes.
I love his energy and sensitivity.
I love that he tries so hard to do the right thing (and yet is so impulsive he often acts without thinking. . .)He's good in school -- he loves to play school with his siblings and he's ALWAYS the teacher.
When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said "Under Armour". Easy to please (although his taste is a bit expensive!)
He's a great athlete. He can run a mile in less than 8 minutes. He is strong. He is an excellent swimmer. He loves soccer. He wants to do gymnastics -- and will probably be good at it!
He still gives me kisses.
And I'm sure he'll be as tall as me next year.
My heart overflows with love for him and gratitude for Our Father for giving him to us. I am blessed. We are blessed.I couldn't imagine 11 years ago where I'd be today. And I can't imagine where he'll be in 11 years either. Maybe a teacher? Coach? Still in school? Married? Engaged? I JUST CAN'T THINK ABOUT IT!!!! I'm enjoying THIS day with him, and then tomorrow, and then the next day. . .we're not guaranteed any of it anyway.My cup runneth over with blessings.

Soccer Saturday

Well, Saturday was officially the last day of our Fall YMCA soccer season. It's been a season fraught with lots of rain, make-ups, and not much practice. But the kids had a great time and grew as players.
Our family loves this sport. Neither Tom nor I played growing up but it's such good exercise and all but Margaret have taken to it. Margaret has tried two different seasons but she loses interest quickly. We really enjoy watching them all play, and they all show talent too.
Thomas started when he was three and it just wasn't for him at the time so we didn't try again until we moved down here 3 1/2 years ago. We were looking to "jump right in" to some activities in the community and soccer registration was under way. We signed the older three up, Tom was called to coach and we haven't missed a season since! We also tried coach-pitch baseball that year and it was a disaster. Soccer has been "the" sport that has worked for the whole family.
Thomas has a tremendous kick.
When he was in U8 he could kick it from one end of the field and make a goal at the other end! He's been lucky to have mainly the same team (and same coach) for the last 4 seasons and I think that has helped all the boys to develop their playing skills together. Every once in awhile there will be a girl or two on the team but it's mainly been a core set of boys. We live in a different town from where we play so fall and spring soccer is mainly when he gets together with this group of friends. He loves soccer and wants to play for school when he's old enough. Our school doesn't have a team but I'm looking for other opportunities.

Marie has really developed as a player.
She has a drive for the game that her brothers don't. The first observation made of her when she first started was "she sees that ball, gets to it, and won't let it go". I like to see her aggressive like that on the field. . .I think it builds confidence. Until last season her dad was her coach but once she started having other dads as her coach she started to bloom in a different way. Sometimes it's like that. She scored the only goal of the game today!!!
Now Frederick is someone to contend with. He started on the U8 team last spring, when he was 5 1/2. When he was in micros he ran all over everyone. . .even those on his own team! Then he played on U6 for two seasons but by last fall he was mainly practicing with his dad and sister on the U8 field so he moved up this past spring. He is fast. He knows where the ball is going to go and is there for it. He has a solid kick. The last couple of games he would run to the moving ball, jump over it, spin around and start kicking it down the field the opposite direction!!! This kid is a natural and so fun to watch!Tom is his coach. . .and they had a winning season this fall. It's been awhile since Tom has had a winning season so this was good. Remember, YMCA soccer is "non-competitive" and we don't keep score. . .but we do. . .y'know what I mean???
And on Saturdays where we have long breaks between games but not long enough to make it worthwhile to head home. . .we eat out!
I love Saturday soccer with my family.

I won!

Yea! I'm so excited that I won a blog giveaway!!! Vicki Courtney (check my sidebar, I need to learn how to directly link still) had the following giveaway last week:
Jackie Kendall and her sister-in-law, DeDe Kendall, have written a fabulous book for mothers to use in guiding their little princesses (ages 4-9) closer to the heart of the King, Lady in Waiting for Little Girls (wish I knew how to give you a direct link to this book -- if you can help me please comment!)
My girls are at the older end of the age spectrum for this book I know we'll still cherish it. Any time I have a resource to use to guide my children's hearts closer to Our King I'm stoked!
Happy Friday!

Cheeseburger Soup

Yum, yum!!! My oldest has been requesting this soup since our first cold snap a couple of weeks ago (we're back in to the 60's now but 40's is cold around here!) and I finally got around to making it for him. It's an awesome, hearty soup. Lots of ingredients, but if you get them all out and prepared before you start it is a very easy soup to make. Enjoy :)

You will need:1/2 lb ground beef (most people like more, including us)
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots (I couldn't find them in my store so I chopped mine up)
3/4 cup diced celery
1 t. dried basil
1 t. dried parsley flakes
4 T. butter (divided)
3 c. chicken broth
4 c. diced peeled potatoes (1.75 lbs)
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
8 oz. process American cheese, cubed (2 cups)
1 1/2 c. milk
3/4 t. salt
1/4-1/2 t. pepper

I start by browning my ground beef. This time I didn't because I already had some cooked in the freezer. This is just to thaw it out and break it up.
Peel and cut up potatoes (I think I used 7 Idaho potatoes here)
Cut up onion, carrots (if you don't have shredded), and celery
Saute the veggies in 1 T butter along with the dried herbs until tender, about 10 minutes.
Then add in the broth (I didn't measure -- just used the entire box), potatoes, and beef. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. If you are going to do like I will with this soup this time, it is not necessary to simmer as everything will go into the crockpot for a couple of hours when I'm done and they will cook there. Do simmer if you're planning on eating in the next 30 minutes.The following is my attempt at a roux. I just can't figure it out. The recipes always says 'stir until bubbly' but mine always end up like this. But that's o.k. -- it seems to work regardless. The recipe reads "In a small skillet melt remaining butter then add flour; cook & stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly." Well, anyway, cook this up and add it to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil and stir for two minutes. It will thicken nicely.
Then reduce heat to low and add cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
Actually, I didn't add the cheese at this point because I was going to put the entire soup in the crockpot to simmer for a few hours so I cubed the cheese up and put it in there.
I poured the soup from the pot on the stove into my crockpot, set it on low, put a lid on it and let it sit there for a few hours. When we got home (late) we pulled out some bread, cut it up, served the soup. . .delish!Wish I would have gotten a picture with Thomas and his empty bowl :)

Season of Motherhood IV

Yes, there are four. You could say I "won" (and got the four children I dreamed of instead of the two I had agreed to) but that's not what it's about. By the time we found out about Frederick my husband and I had submitted our lives to God and although Frederick was not in OUR plan (remember, at this point I was done, done, done too) he was always in God's plan and being children of God we gave praise for another human that He was going to entrust us with.
My husband told me I was pregnant December 31, 2002 (my youngest was born May 28th of that year). I didn't believe him. Our good friends had canceled our New Year's Eve plans so we stayed home. We had lived in our home for a year and a half and had never hung up any pictures so that evening we got them all out and spent our time doing that. Well, Tom spent the evening doing that -- I laid on the sofa too tired to help. I couldn't be pregnant! 1) I had a 7 mo. old and was nursing; 2) I was taking birth control; 3) Tom had been out of work for 2 months and had decided to finish up his last semester of school full-time in January; 4) our health plan that we got after he had been laid off specifically didn't cover pregnancies; 5) my body hadn't recovered from it's third birth in four years; 6) it didn't make sense.
Well, as you know, things like this DON'T make sense and you put everything you have into the Lord and move forward. It took another week or so before I'd take a pregnancy test to confirm what Tom suspected and then it was time to figure things out. I think I knew straight-away that it was a boy. This was a name we had never used and this was our chance!!! We had to have boy named after both of his grandfathers. And he was. And we did. This was the only pregnancy that we found out the sex ahead of time -- the baby itself was surprise enough!! And so our family of 6 became complete later that year when Frederick was born.
Frederick is the "everything" kid. He's good in school, good in sports, and very helpful. A pleaser. He holds doors open for me and makes cards for his friends. His downfall? He is competitive. In everything. It's scary. . .he absolutely loses control when he isn't "right" or isn't the best. We definitely need to work on that. And what's funny is neither Tom nor I are particularly competitive so it must be something innate in him. He's only 6. . .we're hoping for a little relaxation in him over the next decade or so. Not that there's anything wrong with competition but you need to be careful who you are competing for, y'know?
We don't celebrate Halloween but our library was painting faces last weekend and he picked a really cute face :)
Soccer is his thing. We had to move him up and out of his age group quickly because he trampled everyone -- including his own teammates!!! His dad has been his coach for a couple of seasons now at the YMCA.
Frederick also likes to cook with me. And he's always perceptive and wants to make what other people are going to like. . .I think here he was making blueberry muffins for Grandpa Fred.
He loves Max. Max is his Nana & Grandpa's dog and they bring him each time they come to visit. My kids love animals but that is just one thing I can't give them right now. We tried once.
I love my boys!!!! They are rough and tumble and loud and fast and smart and full of energy!!! They never stop but I don't really want them to. Life would be boring and dull and not so full of love if they weren't a part of it!!!