I started a food blog because I have all these recipes floating around my house that I have either created or pick up from some where and I wanted a place to organize them.  I'm always on the look out for new recipes that are quick, healthy, easy, and yummy.  So, you can expect I will be posting a lot of recipes.  I thought it would be fun to share them as well.  So check out my food blog at Adirondack Eating.

I love my dog, my puppy, Zorro.  He is so sweet and cute and cuddly.  He's always waiting for me when I get home and very excited to see me.  He has what is called a "bobbed" tail, so it's very short like a little nubby tail.  And I love when he wags his little nubby tail because he is happy to see me and wants to play. 

When I am cold, he warms me up by sitting on my lap and chewing one of his chew toys or raw hides.  When I am sad he cheers me up by making me laugh or letting me just hold and pet him.  When I am tired he lets me rest by going into his crate and being a good boy for "Mama".  When I am bored he is always there to do something with.  We can play ball, or train or whatever we want. 

He gets me to go outside more often.  Especially because in winter I would usually never be found outside. But with a potty training puppy that relies on my to get him outside for potty breaks, I am often wandering around my backyard with him.  He likes to play with a plastic soda bottle he found on the back porch and this winter we carved many pathways around the deep snow-filled yard.  Because of him I have discovered more of the beauty of winter and it's quiet solitude and peacefulness.  Having to be outside long enough for him to run some energy off gives me time to think, reflect, and dream.  It gives me time to notice my world and take in the season that so often dread.  It gives me time to myself alone, in the quiet because he's not talking or yelling or asking for a drink or needing a diaper change... He's just playing with a bottle and I don't have to do a thing but watch him.

Sometimes he bites me.  Sometimes he's annoying.  Sometimes he barks-but rarely.  Sometimes he's a nuisance.  Sometimes he gets into things.  Sometimes he drives me to my wits end and I'm wondering what I was thinking to think I could handle a puppy.  I wonder what dream I was having when I thought a puppy was easy to care for.  But those times are only sometimes and they are times that will pass with time.  He's a puppy.  Puppies like children need training.  Puppies like children learn and grow and mature.  Being that he is an Australian Shepherd and that his breed dictates he will be a loyal companion, faithful friend, good with families, extremely intelligent, obedient, and protective; I have much hope that these puppy days will be days I look back on and laugh at myself for worrying about his upbringing. 

He's a good boy at night.  He goes to bed at 10 and if we let him he will sleep in until 9.  He doesn't make a peep.  And I miss him at night, like right now as I sit here blogging about him.  I miss his fluffy fur cuddled again my cheek and his puppy kisses on my hand.  I miss his big brown beautiful eyes looking at me hoping I have a treat in my pocket and him begging for bacon at the kitchen gate while I cook it.  Yes, I do throw him some. :) 

So, I guess I can't wait to wake up to his puppy bark in the morning and enjoy him being a baby, even though annoying at times, because it won't last forever.  And I will miss my puppy, Zorro, when he is no longer a puppy.

I love my puppy, Zorro. <3

This winter has been a tough one on our family.  We were sick a lot.  Stomach bug (round one and two for some), sore throats, head colds, flus, ear infections, dentistry issues, fevers, stomach problems, etc.  You name it, we probably could find someone in our family that had it.  Luckily, we are mostly healthy now.  I say mostly, because I am still dealing with some minor health issues that I hope will resolve themselves soon. It took more than a month to actually have all of us at church together. 

Anyone know why kids decide to get sick on Saturdays?

Although winter brought much sorrow and sickness, it also did bring some joy-

We got a puppy!  His name is Zorro and we love him a lot.  He is a purebred Australian Shepherd.  Interestingly, Australian Shepherds are not Australian.  They are actually an American bred!  Look it up.  I have a learned a lot about the bred and about dogs in general over the past month.  We named him Zorro because he has what looks like a "Zorro" black mask on his eyes.  He is fluffy and cuddly and adored by all of us.  He is playful and fun.  He has helped us all through the "sick season" also known as winter.

Other good things have happened too.  Like all of us growing in Christ through all these trials and even joys and even through winter. :)  I have seen Jesus working more and more in my own life lately and I am so thankful.  I am well aware of  the days and seasons of wondering if I'm ever going to grow into a more mature Christian.   But, He is faithful and He prunes us when he sees fit, and waters us when it is His timing, and gives us growth when He knows we can handle it.  Sometimes that takes walking through a valley and not knowing when the valley will come to an end and even wondering if it ever will.  But, through it all He holds us in His mighty hand and leads us on.  I know there are times when I have felt like giving up, but He has sustained me; proving to me that it is He that does the saving, and sanctifying and I can not do it myself.  So in light of all this, it is nice to finally feel some growth even if it is small.

Other than that we have been homeschooling and having fun with it.  I like our curriculum.  I won't say I love it though.  Because I don't.  It's a great history curriculum and I love the content but I think it just goes to fast for my little ones.  I want something where we can study and immerse ourselves into the time periods and take our time exploring different eras.  With this curriculum I feel like we get a small taste of something but then it is shoved quickly off our plates in favor of a new flavor.  Of course in this case I feel like we are just learning about George Washington when so quickly we are pulled from that to some other topic of interest.  In case you were all wondering the curriculum is My Father's World. 

How are your curriculum's going?  Any suggestions for us over here?

That's about all I have for now.  Hope this was a good enough first-post-after-not-being-around-for-like-forever. 

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am still around.  My account here is still active but I don't know when I will pick up blogging here again. I don't want to make any promises but did want to just check in and say that I am still around.  Things are extremely busy right now so, we'll see what happens!

Once upon a time....



A very special surprise was about to be born. The Mama and Dada decided not to find out the gender of the baby. This was a very special baby. Baby number 3! The doctor delivered him by c-section and said, "I'm going to pit HIM on over here to get cleaned up. You were our special little boy!




You were cherished and loved so much. Mama was amazed by you.



Your oldest brother wanted you to sleep in his bed but you were too tiny.



But, that didn't stop him from holding you every chance he got!



You made us a family of 5 with all the craziness, difficulties, challenges, love, friendship, and warmth that brings.



Mama took way too many pictures of you.



Daddy bought you a doll that looked just like you!



You became one and with that age came a whole new you. It brought a personality that I am still trying to keep up with. You are loving and sweet, crazy and funny, adventurous and bold, proud and stubborn. You loved the outdoors and make Mama's heart skip a beat with your kisses. Why do you have to grow up?



You love your Maine and the beach and the ocean and the food. My first baby to LOVE food. Italian and Ranch dressing.



Then it happened. In a blink of an eye you were two. Loving music and dancing hip hop. Saying words faster than I could write them down and with the age of two you became more stubborn but still just as clingy to Mama.





Your not just my baby. You are becoming my boy. You are my son. And recently you were also my valentine...



Then the unthinkable occurred. You turned three. How could you grow so fast, my baby? How could you get so big?



You loved your Mickey Mouse raincoat and boots. I knew you would love it since you love the outdoors and you wear it everyday whether you are inside or out.
And you had a Mickey Mouse cake to celebrate.



You were a baby. I remember the night times and afternoons feeding you. You were so good. You got acid reflux disorder and we took care of you through it. I remember the first coo, smile, words, steps, kiss. You certainly got a lot of nicknames starting with Mama saying, "Love you I really do." And causing us to call you "Do." You were Baby Siah, Baby Josiah, Do, Woo, Bubby (because you called me Ma-Ma in french accent), Wishous, and more. You loved to be held by Mama but were/are independent enough to be away from us. You love your brothers. You love music, and dance, Blues Clues, Little Einstein's, Little Bear, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Yo Gabba Gabba. You love legos, and singing, and playing outside. You love the movie Toy Story and your Woody doll. You want to be a cowboy.

As much as your brothers want to remind me that you are a boy now. I can't help but still call you baby. Josiah Luke-your name means "fire of God" and "bringer of light". You have certainly been a shining light to our family. What would we do without our littlest cowboy?