WFMW ~ Germ Prevention

Having 5 children in 7 years leads to lots of germs. Lots and lots of germs. There was a period of 3 months after our fifth child was born that the stomach virus went through our family 5 times. FIVE. TIMES. We tried the vigilant handwashing, isolating the sick one, sterilizing the toys...and we kept getting it! We were missing something... We finally discovered one key thing that has been extremely helpful in preventing the spread from family member to family member. Toothbrushes.

First, each child has a different cup for their toothbrush.

Second, the toothbrushes get thrown in the dishwasher every night for sterilization.

So far, it has worked for us. When the virus does come into our house, it usually stays contained to just one person.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 14

Please stop by Peggy's at The Simple Woman

for all the links entered in this week's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 14

Outside My Window... our first peppers, it took awhile this year

I am thinking... that it is really hard to wake up sleeping children...really hard

I am thankful for... my husband, 10 years on Friday, it truly has been an amazing decade!

From the kitchen... a bare refridgerator, an ustocked pantry, and dry cereal for breakfast

I am wearing... blue jeans, brown t-shirt with gold writing, brown flip-flops, hair pulled up in a ponytail, and toenails painted red

I am creating... an alphabet book for my nephew, it has been a year in the making

I am going... to Vacation Bible School all week, we are priveleged to get to take our 2 year old neighbor with us as well

I am reading... Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, relationships, roles, & relevance by Bruce Ware

I am hoping... for answers concerning Noah when we meet with a new doctor in August

I am hearing... Chris getting ready for work, coffee maker grinding coffee beans, silence from 5 sleeping children

Around the house... laundry to be folded, stacks to be filed, rooms to be straightened

One of my favorite things... king size beds, lots of kids can fit in a king size bed

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: vbs every day and hopefully a date on Friday

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Ah, we look young...and thin

How Firm a Foundation

How Firm A Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

~John Rippen 1787

You remember how we chose to have kids, right?

In one week we will be celebrating our ten year anniversary. With this momentous occasion approaching, I have been doing some reflecting on our earlier years of marriage. I remember one specific phone call I received from Chris when he was in seminary.

A little set-up. My sister and I had a double wedding (another post or 10 by itseslf). Amy went on to become a physical therapist while I popped out 3 babies in those first five years. Her husband and my husband were both in seminary at the same time this particular semester.

Me: Hello?

Chris: Sweetie? I need to ask you something.

Me: Okaaaaay... (hesitant, because normally, he just asks)

Chris: You remember how we chose to have kids, right?

Me: Yeeeeessss (what is going on here)

Chris: Remember how it's hard sometimes but they are so worth it? Remember how much joy they bring us? What a blessing they are? How they like to giggle? Remember how they also cost a little bit of money to raise?

Me: Yes, why are you saying this? What's wrong? You are freaking me out.

Chris: Well, I just talked to Jonathan (brother-in-law) and he told me what they are doing for their fifth anniversary.

Me: Yeah....

Chris: Remember how cute Katie was this morning when she...

Me: Stop it! Tell me now!

Chris: They just booked a 2 week trip to Hawaii (fear, trembling)

Me: Awwwww, how sweet. I really do love our kids honey, I really do :)

And so Amy and Jonathan celebrated their fifth anniversary with a 2 week dream vacation and we got a babysitter and went to The Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Good times.

So, Amy, any plans for the tenth?!

Free Chick-fil-a!!

((bump)) This Friday!!

FREE CHICK-FIL-A!!!

FREE CHICK-FIL-A!!!

FREE CHICK-FIL-A!!!

I must confess that I have a special fondness in my heart for chick-fil-a. I worked at our local establishment in Jackson, TN during high school. I never got tired of the taste of that *super-duper-secret-ingredient* breading that they put on their sandwiches and nuggets.

We have started going to chick-fil-a on "family nights" here in good 'ole Texas. For every adult value meal you purchase, you get a kids meal free. Because there are 7 of us, we buy 3 adult meals and get 3 free kids meals...mix it all together and share it! It's on Tuesday nights here but it varies from restaurant to restaurant. They also have something fun for the kids to do like animal balloons or face painting.

On Friday, July 1th, 2008,

chick-fil-a is giving away a free meal

to anyone who comes in dressed as a cow!

WOOHOO!!

Katie, Alan, and Lily with cousins Hannah and Sarah Joy who dressed them up for Cow Appreciation Day last year!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 7

Please stop by Peggy's at The Simple Woman

for all the links entered in this week's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 7

Outside My Window... my 6 year old son waters the gardens and the flower bed

I am thinking... that it wouldn't really hurt anything to continue this long weekend into Monday, right? Please say I'm right!

I am thankful for... my country, my independence, my grandfathers who fought in WWII, my father who fought in Vietnam, my cousin who fought in Desert Storm, and all the soldiers who are fighting for our continued freedom right at this very moment

From the kitchen... lots of leftovers including (but not limited to) mashed potatoes with fresh basil from the garden, fried chicken, and grilled vegetables (homemade by my husband, not me!)

If we are going with this whole extended weekend idea...what would it hurt if my kids had poptarts for breakfast? Don't answer that!

I am wearing... the same pajamas as last week; they have been washed though!

I am creating... schedules and plans and booklists, OH MY!

I am going... to attempt another picnic at the park tonight, our plans were foiled last week when we walked to the car and realized my husband had taken the van to work (at my suggestion to save gas)...and wouldn't be home until 10

I am reading... a variation on what I was reading last week; The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Kranowitz

I am hoping... that this new, very detailed, very ambitious schedule will help Noah to function well during the day so that the other children can be schooled excellently as well

I am hearing... the air conditioner kicking on, the children chatter in their rooms, and the ever-present hum of the ceiling fans

Around the house... lots of straightening and maintaining left to do from the weekends festivities. The 2 and 3 year old boys are still deep asleep at 9:30 AM. That never happens! See, it just all points to a final day in the "long weekend" :)

One of my favorite things... books, reading books, reading books out loud to my children, watching my children read books

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Apparently we will start the very detailed, very ambitious schedule tomorrow. This means we will stay home all week so that we can get the routine in place. This will also be a plus since we will be close to 100* all week with the humidity at a level that takes your breath away!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

A photograph, taken by my sister, of Haddon (my nephew) and David engrossed in their deep, theological reading :)

WFMW~Mexican Casserole

** edited to add Disclaimer Three via anonymous commenter...touche!

Shannon over at RocksInMyDryer is hosting a themed works-for-me Wednesday this week. Recipes with 5 ingredients or less! This has been a favorite of mine and Chris' since our first year of marriage.

*disclaimer*

If you are a vegetarian, do not eat anything out of aluminum cans, eat only healthy foods, or only cook from scratch...I am so very impressed with you and I APPLAUD you, however, this probably isn't a recipe you will enjoy!

**disclaimer two**

I added an optional 6th ingredient. That ingredient is cheese. You can choose not to top with cheese. I have never actually tried this because I add cheese to everything. I am a huge fan of cheese. Cheddar, Monterrey Jack, Colby, Mozzerella, Colby Jack, Provolone, Blue Cheese, etc. Any form, any kind. HUGE FAN

**disclaimer three**

If you are a Mexican or of hispanic descent, please know that this really should be called "What White People call Mexican Food - Casserole" ~ via anonymous commenter :)

Mexican Casserole

1 pound ground beef

1 can rotel

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 package taco seasoning

3-6 flour tortillas

optional ~ cheese

Brown ground beef and drain.

Combine beef, soup, taco seasoning, and rotel (do not drain).

Tear tortillas into bite size pieces and place 1/2 in bottom of greased 8x8 casserole dish.

Pour half of beef sauce over layer of tortillas.

Repeat tortilla layer and sauce.

optional ~ top with cheese

Bake at 350* for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly

*freezes well with or without cheese