parenting

You are the Gift

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Are your children cuddle bugs?

Some of mine are and some are most definitely not {take note K.Bear is missing from the picture}. With four children it always amazes me to see just how very different they are. Similarities for sure but the same no way. With each turn of the key a new adventure is just waiting to be discovered.

 I would never want my children to be the same as each one brings about something different, special, and unique to our family table. As for all of the unknown adventures lying behind the door; I trust God has a special plan, and it is simply my calling to mother my children the best I know how.

As we prepare for our sweet baby boy {scooters} first birthday tomorrow. I’m reminded just how different things can be. When we had our oldest nearly 8 years ago we invited everyone we knew to the party, we celebrated, ate dinner, enjoyed cake, and all was well. What changed?

We got wiser! 

Four kids later the party is now broke into ‘3‘ mini ones allowing those who we love to share ample time with our sweet boy. The fuss of it all is toned down and the gift giving/receiving is at a minimum. It is the sharing, loving, and reflecting on this special day that make it memorable. It’s not the gifts, cards received, and the company by the 100’s. It’s not the money spent, the hours spent preparing, or the location. It is about celebrating “the gift“! 
The gift of you!

 

In this case we will be celebrating a tiny cuddler. A boy loved dearly by his siblings; adored by his parents, and an all around blessing our family. Happy Birthday sweet “baby James” {Note; that is not his name…that is simply the name big brother; Mr.Smiles calls him.}

Join me at my friend Crystal’s place as we take you “Behind the Scenes”

The Merry-Go-Round of Life

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Round and round we go; its funny how life on earth is sort of like a merry-go-round. We ride the ride; up and down, round and round we go. We hold on tight and don’t let go. Well, that is until the ride comes to a complete stop.
Did you enjoy your ride; or are you left with regret? 
Lately, I am finding myself in a constant push and pull oppose to the constant up and down motion we readily expect in life. These past few weeks I have had several ‘behind the scenes’ projects/dreams coming to surface. I have been up crazy late and up way to early just to get it all done. The push until I can’t any more and the pull; is this what I’m suppose to be doing? 
I was giving up writing; I was closing my blogs, I was hanging up my ‘mom blogger’ hat. How did I possibly go from wanting to delete every social media everything to this? 
What am I doing? What am I being called to do? Is it write? Is it minister to others? Is it mentor? 
Truth be told, I do not know fully what is in store , but what I do know is there are big things happening. When we say ‘yes’ and don’t throw in the towel; like we so often have a tendency to do. We shut the doors before they fully open. We jump off when things get hard. We find ourselves regretting, confused, and frustrated as a result.
Well, this time friends this girls going to keep ‘pushing’ forward because i know in the end it will lead to an ‘upward’ motion of achievement. The ‘push’ is hard and the ‘pull’ is sometimes the hardest. It is a juggle and a struggle and one I could do without. In the end the merry-go-round keeps spinning all the while. It doesn’t stop so you can jump off whenever you please. There is a set time for you to exit and until the final ‘bell’ sounds. You will ‘push’ because you believe ‘you’ are capable of more! Sit, dream, and DO!

Mr. Smiles Turns “2”!

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 Mr. Smiles is the big “2”!! He has been such a joy over the past two years. He is all boy; full of spunk, a little monkey, a heart of gold, and guaranteed to light up a room with his personality and smile! He can count to 3, say almost anything, plays pretend like the best of them, loves babies, balls, trains, boats, motorcycles, riding his bike, and just being a boy! There is never a dull moment when he is around and I feel so blessed to be his Momma!

Being a summer baby the cake this year was a homemade gluten free pound cake complete with fresh strawberries and raspberries from our back yard! Yummy! We also enjoyed some orange flavored  cupcakes with a dairy free frosting at Mr.Smiles birthday celebration with Nonna and Papa this past weekend. Yes, despite our diet changes over here I’m happy to report a successful “sweet eating birthday” 🙂 whew!

 Our rough, tough little boy received a lawn mower from our Grand-neighbors…I thought that Mr.Smiles was going to take it to bed with him he was so excited! In fact he loved it so much it had to sit at the table with him while we sang “Happy Birthday”. Yes, he almost passed up cake ….and this boy can eat!

Then there was the Duplo lego table from Mommy and Daddy…another big hit. Well, that was until big sister K.Bear started bossing him around a bit and trying to ‘take over’ that’s when I was able to capture the ‘sour puss’ welcome to “terrible 2’s face” complete with hair pulling. Ha! I foresee some sibling squabbles in my near future. Hey, we all survived….bring on the fun or should I say “time out’s”, “discipline”, and “consequences for ones actions”.

Gluten and Dairy Free Pound Cake

2 cups sugar
1 cup Earth Balance Butter melted
4 Organic Eggs (room temp)
4 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla
3 cups Gluten-Free Flour Blend
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
1 cup Almond milk

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 12-cup Bundt® or 10-inch angel food cake (tube) pan; sprinkle with gluten-free flour blend. Set aside.

Combine sugar and melted butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until well mixed.

Stir together gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, and xanthan gum in small bowl. Gradually add flour blend mixture alternately with milk substitute to butter mixture, beating at low speed until well mixed.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan.

*Recipe has been altered from original Landolakes Recipe

Parenting is certainly not easy but truth is I wouldn’t change a thing!