Thankful Thursday

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melody Beattie 

Happy Thankful Thursday!  Can you all believe that today is the last day of January?  This month didn't go by too fast for me.  I'm thankful that I was able to enjoy each day and be more in the moment with my family.  I'm looking forward to having even more quality time for my family and continuing to live each day to the fullest next month.

I'm thankful that JJ's bruise is pretty much completely gone. There's like a dot the size of an ink pen tip left.  I'm also thankful that he hasn't had any more accidents.  However, we've been close.  For example, this morning he decided I was moving too slow and tried to climb of the bed alone.  He could care less that the distance from the top of the mattress to actual floor is about 3 feet and a some change.

Over the side he went.  Good thing my reflexes are good.  And I'm thankful that we co-sleep because I couldn't imagine waking up to him having taken a spill over the side of his crib.  Yes, he's strong enough to flip himself over the edge of his crib.  The Mr didn't believe me until one day we put him in it and JJ decided he was not feeling it and flipped right over the front.  At least we know he has good upper body strength.

I'm thankful that JJ is starting to get more vocal.  Among his favorite words are "stop," "candy," and "cook" (cookie).  I'm thankful that his teeth have come in.  He's the proud owner of ten pearly white chompers now.  And he's not shy about using them, especially on his sister.  We're still working on the whole not-biting-when-you-get-mad thing.

I'm thankful that I got to see my baby sister yesterday!  I love that kid like she was my own.  Our bond is so strong.  We tell each other everything.  And she truly has unconditional love for my kids.  No matter her mood, if I've needed her to help out with Moo or JJ, she has.  Likewise they are completely nuts about her too.

I'm thankful that this week has been very productive.  Yes, I haven't been able to blog as much but that's because I've been busy creating inventory for Moo's Closet and I got a few custom orders!!  I can't wait to snap pics of everything and get up on the Etsy shop and the Moo's Closet Facebook and Website pages.  Yes, I've decided to expand and give customers multiple platforms to order from because not everyone has an Etsy account or wants to open one.

One of my creations

I'm thankful for all the positive responses and comments I've received from my Bible 365 posts.  I was a little worried about blogging about the Bible at first because I didn't want to come off as holier than thou.  You start talking about God and people automatically think you're not as fun as you used to be or that you can't mess up.  Well, not the case here.  I'm still fun and I still make mistakes.  

The whole purpose of Bible 365 is for me to grow in my faith and getting a better understanding of the life I should be leading and teaching my children to lead.  It's a learning process.  I'll still stumble like everyone else, but hopefully a little bit less because I'll be making a more conscious decision about my actions and words.

I'm thankful for my loving husband.  He's been so supportive of me!  He saw me crocheting away this week and gave me the idea of trying to approach some stores about maybe selling some of my Moo's Closet merchandise.  I have to tell you the thought is a bit a scary but I've definitely been toying with the idea and have a proposal letter and speech rolling around in my head.  I've been checking out what locally owned stores are in our area that could be potential buyers for creations.  

I'm starting to get excited and less nervous about talking with some of these shop owners.  So, please keep me in prayer.  This will be a huge undertaking.  However, all things are possible with God, faith and action

What's on your gratitude list?

Bible 365: Week 4

I'm still marching full steam ahead with my Bible 365 Challenge.  As Steve Harvey would say, "He ain't through with me yet!"  I've definitely been learning some things.  Week 4's reading was Leviticus chapters 1 through 27.  And the book of Leviticus, written by Moses, got its name because Aaron and his sons were from the tribe of Levi.  God appoints them to be priests of the Israelites.

This particular book of the Bible focused on establishment of the different offerings (burnt, grain, fellowship, etc), the ordination of Aaron and his sons and regulations and laws from the Lord.  When it came to offerings every family had to offerings you had to bring the best of the best of whatever you were going to offer.  For example, if you were offering up a goat or sheep for a burnt offering it couldn't have a blemish or spot on it.  The purpose of this was to symbolize the cleaning of the slate for their sins.  Once forgive they became blemish-free in the eyes of God.

And you know how some of us like walk on the wild side and eat adventurous food like squid and crocodile?  Well, the Israelites had a list of forbidden or unclean foods that included pork, shell fish, and rabbit.  Can you imagine being forbidden to eat smothered pork chops or fat back?  And in the summer time, many of us would be going crazy if the only sea food we could was fish.  I don't know about you but I love my blue crabs!  However, I would give them up if God said I had to.

Other foods on the list I thought made sense like camel, eagles, vultures, bat and insects (except grasshoppers).  Also, if you touched any of these forbidden animals you were considered unclean until the evening.  You had to bath and wash your clothes.  And of course Leviticus 7:26-27 says, "Moreover you shall not eat any blood in any of your dwellings, whether of bird or beast.  Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people."

No rare or medium rare back then.  The juices that ran from the meat could not be red.  That would have been fine by me because I prefer all my meat well done anyway.  And when it came to pregnancy, if a woman had a son she had to wait 33 to be purified and 66 days if she had a girl.  Before your time was up you weren't allowed to go to the sanctuary and you weren't allowed to have sex.  But those aren't long periods of time because six weeks is the time recommended by doctors to allow your body to heal and get back to normal in today's society.

One thing I wouldn't have wanted to have back them was an infectious disease.  Leviticus 13:45-46 says, "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out 'Unclean! Unclean!' As long as he has the infection he remains unclean.  He must live alone; he must live outside the camp."  Imagine having to trade in your Steve Maddens for house slippers and your Gucci for a potato sack.  Yes, I would have been a bigger cleaning freak back then trying to keep any germs out of my house. 

Something else I found interesting was Leviticus 15:18, "When a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening."  So, you pretty much had to get all your sex in at one time.  If you were going to give a burnt offering or a sin offering that next day, you and your household had to be "clean."  Some of us would be up a creek for real.

Did you know tattoos were forbidden too? Yep, it's right there in Leviticus 19:28, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves."  And mean couldn't shave their sideburns or trim the edges of their beards according to Leviticus 19:27.  And you know how that Long Island Medium show on TLC?  Well, if you saw her coming your way you'd better head the opposite way because seeking out mediums and spiritists got your exiled and being known as a medium or spiritists could get you stoned!

A spanking for kids who talk back and curse their parents doesn't seem so bad in today's society considered to what the punishment was back in Moses' day.  "If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to DEATH.  He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head," according to Leviticus 19:9.

Cheating was also punishable by death back then too.  I wonder how Tiger Woods and Jesse James would have survived being that they both claimed to suffer from sex addiction?  And priests were allowed to get married contrary to popular belief.  They had to marry virgins only though.  Also, if you killed somebody there was no life on death row with cable tv and free meals.  You were automatically sentenced to death.

Know that famous eye for an eye quote everybody says?  That's Leviticus 24:19-20, "If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.  As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured."  God wasn't playing when He commanded them to love their neighbors as themselves!

What I liked most is Leviticus 25:35, "If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you."  At the end of the day, charity and being good to others is what it's all about.  This verse made me think about all these families that we still have struggling due to the decline of the economy and the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.  This verse is exactly why I'm always going through my belongings and donating to the charities in my neighborhood. 

I'm so blessed when it comes to material things like having shelter, food, clothes and transportation but Leviticus 25:35 reminds me that others don't have these luxuries.  Thus, you and I should be then become that blessing and become a bridge to help them achieve that blessing by doing what we can.

What is your favorite way to giveback or help those less fortunate?

Thankful Thursday

"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

~Henry Ward Beecher 

This week has been somewhat peaceful for the most part here in the YUMMommy household.  And peacefulness is something that I'm thankful for.  It's good for your health and your spirit.  I'm thankful that I've been able to keep with my Bible 365 challenge.  So, what it's only been three weeks.  Most people have already given up or slacked off on their resolutions by this time.

Last weekend JJ had an accident that could have been really bad, but wasn't.  He just has some slight bruising and lump.  I'm thankful that we didn't have to spend hours at the ER and he's on the mends.  I'm trying to prepare myself for his dare devil stage that is starting to take form more and more.  I hear boys start getting into a lot around age 2.

I'm also thankful that although I'm not able to with my bff as she plans her wedding, I have been able to offer my support and a listening ear via the phone, FB and letters.  Real and meaningful friendships are hard to come these days.  It's much easier to buy friends than taking the time out to really connect with others.  So, I am very thankful that we stay in touch and continue to put in the effort.

I'm thankful for all the positive things that haven't happened in my life yet but will happen this year.  I can't explain it but I've been really praying for God to do a few things this year for me and my family.  And I just feel like He's in the process of working it all out for us.  I'd really love it if you all would join in and keep us in your prayers too.  

I'm also thankful for the continued growth of YUMMommy.  Shout out all of my new readers, followers, supporters and visitors!  Thank you for just coming back week after week to see what I have to say and for sharing your thoughts with me.  I humbly appreciate it!

What is your heart thankful for this week?

The MoneySmart Family System

In today's tough economic times it is important not only for us as parents to know how to effectively manage money, but our children also.  Why?  "The flow of cash from you to your children may be a trickle or it may be a torrent.  The control of the spigot and the power of the flow should be determined by you, but in many cases, unfortunately, the child controls the tap."  And letting our children dictate how much money we spend and what we spend it on can and will lead our families into financial ruin!

In their latest book, The MoneySmart Family System, Steve and Annette Economides share they managed to raise not one but five financially responsible and independent children.  Oh, and they saved 77% of what the USDA said it would cost to raise children.  Which proves that while raising a family is expensive, it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.  The Economides provide readers with worksheets, personal examples and rules that we can implement with our children to help them manage and invest their money well.

Since, this is a family system, they also provide tips and tools for parents too.  As parents and even grandparents, we often feel the need to over compensate or give children better than what we had materialistically.  However, this concept only succeeds in creating an entitlement complex that lasts well into their adulthood.  And I don't know about you, but I don't want to be one of those parents whose children are riding around in a Lexus or BMW because Mommy and Daddy are paying for it.  I want them to be able to drive nice cars because they can afford it without my help and without putting themselves in a financial bind.  Thanks to this book we are well on our way to becoming wiser earners, savers and spenders/investors not just as individuals but as a family!

Does your family have a money management system in place?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bible 365: Week 3

Week 3, I started the book of Exodus.  This book got its name because the word exodus means a mass departure.  And that is exactly what happens in this book of the Bible.  God calls Moses to lead an exodus of the Hebrews (600,000 according to Exodus 12:37) from out of the hands of the evil Pharaoh.  This week I read chapters 1 through 34.

Exodus opens with the death of the old Pharaoh who had some kind of compassion towards Hebrews.   However, this new Pharaoh all out hated the Hebrews and convinced the Egyptians to help him enslave them.  As if that wasn't enough, he then ordered that all the newborn Hebrew babies that were boys had to be killed in an attempt to make sure they didn't continue to grow.  After all, if their future generations only consisted of women and none of the Egyptian men took them as wives thus the Hebrews would have eventually died off.

Thankfully, Moses's mom was able to hide him for three months.  After that she put him a basket and set him  a river where his sister kept an eye out to see who would find him.  Well, turns out Pharaoh's daughter found him.  How ironic right?  And genius too because Moses's sister then tells the princess that she knows a wet nurse who can nurse Moses until it's time for him to be weaned.  

The wet nurse of course was his birth mother.  So, Moses's mom did get to help raise him.  Then when Moses was about 80 years old, God came to him as the burning bush and told him that He wanted Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that the Hebrews be freed.  However, Moses did not feel worthy of such a task saying, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt...." (Exodus 3:11).

I mean can you imagine being 80 years old and God telling you to go one of the most powerful men on the earth and telling him to let go of his slaves?  I bet Moses was worried that Pharaoh would get angry and demand to have him killed.  Not to mention, Moses told God that he wasn't and eloquent speaker.  He got nervous and shy.  So, God told him to take his 83 year old brother Aaron with him to be his mouth.

Of course, we all know that Pharaoh did not turn over the Hebrews easily.  There were 10 plagues that were cast on only the Egyptians.  The first plague caused all the rivers, ponds, streams and even stored drinking water to turn into blood for seven days.  For the second plague, God caused Egypt to be overrun with frogs.   Exodus 8:3 says, "So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls."

So, there was not a safe place from the frogs.  The third plague was lice.  I've never had lice but I hear they will make you itch worst than the chicken pox.  Next came the plague of flies.  After that was the plague of diseased livestock and the almost all of the Egyptians animals died.  Yep, there meat supply pretty much went up in smokes you could say.

The sixth plague was boils that cover them from head to toe.  I shutter just thinking about how painful that must have been.  And don't even get me start of them bursting...just ewww!  The seventh plague was hail.  Now God did warn Pharaoh that any man or animal left outside would die if hit with a piece of the hail.  However, some of the Egyptians didn't take that warning seriously and lost their lives and even more of their livestock.

The eighth plague was a swarm of locusts.  The locusts pretty destroyed whatever was left of the Egyptian's crops that the hail didn't kill.  So, not only did their meat supply take a hit but now they don't have wheat, herbs, etc.  The ninth plague was darkness.  It was so dark that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.  For three days the Egyptians couldn't even get out of bed for fear of running into something.  They couldn't light fires or anything.

The tenth and final plague was the death of the firstborn which was also the start of the first Passover.  It was only after Pharaoh loss his son that he freed the Hebrews and kicked them out of Egypt.  I know you're wondering why he just didn't turn them over from the get go, but the Bible says that God hardened his heart on purpose.  Why? Well, Exodus 9:16 says that God did so that, "I may show My power in you, and the My name may be declared in all the earth."

Sometimes, in order for people to be humbled they have to be broken down.  I think that if Pharaoh would have had to let the people go on his own that he would have just as quickly changed his mind and enslaved again.  In the end, God did kill Pharaoh and his army by drowning them in the Red Sea.  Just goes to show you how God feels about discrimination and enslavement out of hatred.  It also proved that when God makes a covenant of promise He keeps it. 

He made a promise to Abraham to be with his future generations and deliver them into a land of milk and honey.  Another interesting read in the book of Exodus is one of the first mentions of generational curses.  Exodus 20:5, "..for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me..."  So, there you have it folks.  That sin that you do and think God forgot about could end up being atoned for by your children, grandchildren, great children and beyond.  Be careful about what you think you're doing in the dark!

Overall, I think that reading the story of the Hebrews and the Ten Commandments has taught me to not complain and to trust God.  The children of Israel did a lot of complaining and when times got hard they forsook God and created a golden cow to worship instead.  That act cost three thousand men their lives. I don't about you but if God would have delivered me from an evil ruler, gave me food and water miraculously and I had witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, I would have NEVER doubted God for another second for all of my days!  If something like that happened today my mind would be blown in amazement.

Do you think that you could do what Moses did if you were in his shoes?

Thankful Thursday

"The thankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessing."

~Henry Ward Beecher 

This week I'm thankful for the simple things.  I'm thankful for the blessings that are my two lovely kids.  I know that I've said it this a million times, but Moo and JJ really make me a better person.  They inspire and motivate to become something more than I am at this moment.  They're constantly teaching me about patience, compassion, love and kindness.

I'm thankful that we are all continuing to feel better.  I'm thankful that JJ has two new teeth!  They've broken through the gums and he's already been trying to use them on his sister.  I guess part of his extended sickness was due to teething, but he's back to his usual self.

I'm thankful that Moo is patient with him.  JJ is becoming quite the boy.  He's not so gentle in his playing.  We're working on teaching him to not be rough and to play nicely, especially with his sister.  Meanwhile, I'm constantly telling Moo how proud I am of her when she doesn't retaliate because he's kicked over her dollhouse or something.

I'm thankful for peace.  This week has been very peaceful.  No drama. Just calm.  Lastly, I'm thankful that I might be getting my snow I've tweeted, blogged and talked about.  Weather man says the temps tomorrow will be perfect.  So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

What are you grateful this week?

An Old Favorite

There's nothing like rediscovering an old favorite.  Whether it's stumbling across a fragrance you thought had been discontinued, finding your old 'skinny' jeans stashed at the top of your closet or a making a dish you enjoyed as a child it's hard to resist those things we once clung to almost religiously.  Well, last month I rediscovered an old favorite tv show, The Vampire Diaries.  My baby sister and I used to watch the show every week like our lives depended on it.

So, what happened?  Well, I kind of went on a CW strike after they didn't bring The Game back for a third season.  They said it was because of ratings but I wasn't buying it.  It's been years since The CW has been on my tv.  But thanks to Netflix and The CW app, I am officially rehooked on the drama surrounding Elena and the Salvatore brothers, Damon and Stefen.

Like OMG!  I missed out on so much.  Like Elena finding out she was adopted, her uncle John was really her biological father and her mother was vampire and her aunt's boyfriend's supposedly dead wife.  Yes, that is a lot!  And Carolyn got turned into a vampire and started dating Tyler who's also a werewolf.

I've been staying up late to catch up on the past seasons before the one starts tomorrow.  My mind is totally blown.  Looks like there are still a few great scripted shows still out there.  And while we're on the subject of The CW, did anyone watch the pilot for The Carrie Diaries on Monday?  I watched it last night online and I think I'm going to like it.

If you're a fan of Sex & the City, then you might like The Carrie Diaries.  The show is about how the young, teenage Carrie Bradshaw became the fabulous Manolo obsessed adult writer Carrie Bradshaw we all admired and loved in the HBO series.  It's also based on the book, The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell.  I think The CW is growing on me again!  Hmm.... I wonder what other old favorites, I should rediscover?

What old favorites have you fallen in love with again?

3 Years And Growing

Source: Microsoft Clipart

On this very day three years ago, I hit the publish button on my first blog post.  Just looking back at the post and my first year of blogging, I can truly say that I've grown.  I was so nervous and afraid to put my personal life and experiences out there.  I was single mom.  I was trying to figure out in which direction to take my life.

I also wanted to be a voice for moms of color like those who had inspired to me to blog.  I wanted to share my passions, meet new people, form new friendships...  Most importantly, I wanted a place where I felt like I belonged and I was free to be myself, good or bad.  And YUMMommy has definitely given me that and so much more.

In these last three years, I've met some wonderful people, gotten to travel and have had the opportunity to work with some amazing companies!  I've learned how to become a better communicator.  I've cried and laughed.  There have been ups and downs.  Negatives and positives.

I'm still standing, still persevering and still GROWING!

Bible 365: Week 2

This past week I have done much better with my goal to read the Bible every day.  I only missed one day.  JJ's asthma was acting up and by the time I finally got him settled after his breathing treatment, I was tired and went to Dream Land with him snuggled in my arms on the bed.  I wrapped up the book of Genesis reading chapters 21 to 50.

Week two's reading continued with even more drama involving Abraham's wife Sarah, her lady's maid Hagar and Abraham and Hagar's son Ishmael.  So, Sarah gave birth to Isaac like God told Abraham she would.  And I guess they held weaning parties instead of sip and sees back then.  Genesis 21:9 says that while at the weaning party for Isaac, "...Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing" at Isaac.

Of course, Sarah was not having it.  She went to her husband and told him that it was time for Hagar and Ishmael to kick rocks pretty much because she wasn't going to have Ishmael getting jealous and trying to overthrow Isaac to become Abraham's heir.  And if you've ever read the story of Cain and Abel then you can't really blame Sarah for feeling this way.  Cain killed his full blooded brother Abel because of his jealousy.

However, at the same time Sarah wouldn't have been in the situation she was in if she hadn't pushed Abraham to sleep with her lady's maid from the start.  Just a lesson that it's better to tell God what you want and be patient until He gives it to you instead of trying to solve the problem yourself.  Hey, they had to live and learn back then too.

Now I know you all have heard the phrase the 'cousins make dozens.'  Gross, I know but apparently it wasn't so gross back then because Isaac married his father's niece Rebekah.  Let me just say that I couldn't even imagine or entertain the idea of JJ marrying my niece.  But such was the norm in that time.  From what I gather, this was done because sometimes those families who were supernaturally blessed and virtuous by God moved from their homeland, they settled in areas where it wasn't good for the different cultures to mix or the suitors there weren't from suitable families. So, you had to go back to your hometown and your own family to find a mate for your child that was worthy.

And while we're on the subject of love, Jacob fell in love with Rachel at first sight.  So, the Bible does in fact confirm that there is such a thing as love at first sight for those who say it's not possible!  And yes, the it actually said that "he loved her" because I know somebody is going to argue that it was just sexual attraction.  Anyways, Jacob told her father, Laban, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter" (Genesis 29:18).  Talk about true love!

This man committed to being a shepherd for seven years before he could marry Rachel.  And if that isn't romantic enough, Genesis 29:20 says "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her."  Wow!  Like now days just asking a guy to wait a year or two before you get married to have sex seems like a lifetime to them (and us).  This is the kind of love I think that we all desire and that I'm praying God will send my children when they are ready to get married.

Jacob's fight for the right to marry Rachel doesn't end there. You'll have to read his story to find out what goes down on their supposed wedding night!  Also, this week I read about Joseph being sold into slavery by his 11 brothers.  Again jealousy was to blame.  However, as Joseph put it, God let what his brothers meant as an evil plot work for his best interest.  And boy did it ever.

Joseph became the governor of Egypt and Pharaoh's right hand man pretty much.  Just proof that when people do things out spite to hurt you that if you keep your trust in God, He'll work it out so that you come out victorious.  I'm really focusing on that after my fall out with certain family members.  I don't know why they did what they did, but I do know that since then the separation from them has given me a new found sense of peace.

Jacob does end up reuniting with his entire family.  He ends up saving their lives during the seven year famine and helps them to get in good with Pharaoh who gives them the best of the best just because they're Jacob's relatives.  I'm really looking forward to starting the book of Exodus.  It's known as the book of deliverance because it's about Moses helping to deliver the Hebrews from Pharaoh.  Back then Egyptians and Hebrews were like Whites and Blacks during slavery and the Civil Rights time.  

Would you work for your in-laws 7 years just be able to marry your spouse like Jacob did?

Thankful Thursday

"One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life is because we become ungrateful..we let what was once a miracle become common to us.  We get so accustomed to His goodness it becomes a routine..."

~Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential 

This week has been a bit rough thus far.  Sunday, we missed church.  Then, we had a major run in with the neighbor on Monday night.  Tuesday, we woke up to find a bootleg apology note taped to our door from said neighbor.  That same night her daughter called the cops on her after they had a little scuffle.

So, in the mist of everything that's went down I have to admit that it's been a little hard to concentrate on being thankful.  However, it's a new year and I'm not going to let negative things get in the way of my thankfulness.  Despite all the craziness that has gone down I'm thankful that we got spent some quality time together a family on Monday and Tuesday.  We took the kids to the indoor playground on Monday and I got to snap pictures and video of JJ going down the slide for the first time by himself.

Tuesday we ran errands.  Afterwards, we enjoyed some time at the library.  Yes, we are still avid readers.  My goal this year is to read 100 adult books and to read 100 books to the kids.  The 100 books for the kids will be a breeze since we read a book almost every night.  I'm thankful that I was able to find really good books that are going to help me with taking my brand even higher.

I'm thankful for unexpected sources of money.  Times are still hard and I'm always thankful when I can get extra cash, gift cards, etc.  I'm thankful that I can contribute to my household beyond just raising my kids, keeping the house clean and cooking.  I'm also thankful that we're able to a blessing to others through our donation of clothes and household items to a local charity.

We go through our stuff often to make sure that we're not hoarding things we don't need or have outgrown. Moo was even nice enough to give up some of her old toys.  Remember, last week I told you all about how we were under attack with all these cold germs floating around?  Well, everyone is feeling better except JJ.  His asthma has been acting up and he's teething.  I'm thankful though that through it all he's been his usual cheery self for the most.

Last but not least, I'm thankful that rest of this week is going to be a great one!  I'm naming and claiming it folks.

What are you thankful for this week?

Empanadas Galore

So, here I was earlier today debating out loud what I was going to make for dinner.  Before I had kids making meal plans was easy because it was just me and the Mr.  However, these days it's a little bit tricky.  Moo has been going through a picky eater stage.  JJ will only eat certain meats cooked a certain way.  Plus, you have to factor in food allergies.

It can be a bit of a headache trying to make a menu based around what you think everybody is going to want to eat.  Anyways, it's going on 4 o'clock and I haven't taken anything out of the freezer to defrost.  Then the Mr comes into the kitchen and tells me about this new empanada recipe he saw on tv.  I was a little skeptical at first because he's cooking shows and I wasn't completely certain if had REALLY seen the recipe on a cooking show or not.   And if anybody who knows me knows that I all about Mexican cuisine. 

Well, tonight I gave the recipe a try and it was a success.  Such a success in fact, that I've decided to get on YUMMommy at 11 o'clock in the night to share it with you.  I would have typed this post up early but JJ is still sick and has been cranky, then Moo needed her one on one time and I had to put both kids to sleep.  But better late than never.  We made tons of empanadas tonight. Pictured below is what we're going to call the M Family Mucho Grande Empanada!

Ingredients

2 cans of Pillsbury Grand Biscuits

Ground beef/turkey/chicken, cooked

Chunky salsa

Mexican blend shredded cheese

Flour

1 egg beaten

Nonstick spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl mix together cooked ground beef, one can of salsa and two large handfuls of shredded cheese.

Next, dust a flat surface with flour and flatten out two biscuits using your hand (or rolling pin if you must).  Make sure they are about 5-6 inches in diameter.

Then, add filling to center of one biscuit.  Make sure to leave the edges clear of filling.

Take beaten egg and coat edges of the biscuit.  Once finished, lay the second biscuit on top and seal edges together using fingers or a fork.

Coat baking dish or cookie sheet with nonstick spray, add empanadas and bake until biscuits are golden brown (about 15 minutes).

Let cool for 2 minutes, serve and enjoy!

Bible 365: Week 1

I mentioned that one of my resolutions for 2013 was to read in entire Bible in 365 days.  And I'm proud of the progress I've made so far.  I've only missed two days of actually reading but I read Sunday night and made up for the missed day.  I would love to be able to read everyday from here on out without missing a day and will try my best to do so.

However, in the end I will be happy to just have completely read the Bible from cover to cover in 365 days no matter how much or how little I have to read to accomplish that.  I know that life happens and I might be overwhelmed and forget.  I'm just being honest.  And I know that God will understand.  He knows that my heart is in the right place and that I'm serious about my journey to grow in my faith.

So, this week I read Gensis chapters 1-20.  No better way to start off the New Year than reading about how the world was formed and mankind was created.  Like Coldplay said, "I'm going back to the start."  And I'm glad I did because I came across some scriptures that really spoke to me.  Here are just a few:

"And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.' "

~Gensis 2:18

It's always nice to have a reminder that I am "comparable" or equal to my husband.  Sometimes, I find myself wishing had certain aspects of personality.  However, the truth of the matter is that my differences and me being who I am is the way it's so suppose to be.  I'm the Yin to his Yang and if we were the same, I wouldn't be much of a helper because we'd most likely be bumping heads 24/7.

This scripture also stood out to me because I've received so much criticism from certain family members about knowing at a young age that my husband was one.  There were times that I was made to feel bad about wanting to be in a relationship.  I wasn't one of those women who thought having a man was everything, but at the end of the day who wants to be alone?  And to have people trying to convince me that being alone until they felt I was old enough to be a relationship was what was best for me was just nuts.  Everybody deserves to be with somebody if you're an adult (kids have to abide by the dating rules their parents set).

"I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the shall be blessed.'

~Gensis 12:3

This scripture couldn't have come at a better time.  Right before Thanksgiving, I had someone close to me tell a lie about me and someone I love dearly that resulted in me not only cutting them off but the person they told it to.  Now, I could have gotten on FB or called around to lay all their trash bare so to speak, but that's not my style.  God already had our backs and I knew that.  Karma is real folks and they already reaping what they consequences of their actions.

And did you all know there was Baby Mama and Mistress Drama in the Bible?! Whoever says the Bible can't be juicy read, clearly didn't read Gensis 16, the story about Hagar and Ishmael.  Long story short, Abram (God later changed his name to Abraham) and Sarai (God changed her name to Sarah) wanted kids but couldn't have any.  So, Sarai came up with this grand idea that she would offer up her lady's maid, Hagar, to be her husband's second wife (bad idea already) so that she could birth him an heir instead of letting their legacy and land go to some stranger.

Well, Abram went along with this scheme and got Hagar knocked up.  That's when it all went south.  Sarai got jealous that Hagar was having Abram's son and not her.  She started treating Hagar so bad that Hagar ran away.  Pregnant and all folks.  But then God sent an angel to her and told her to return back to Abram and Sarai and to name her son Ishmael.

The angel also told her that Ishmael would "be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him" (Gensis 16:12).  But then God and Abram had a talk.  Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah would give birth to a son who would be named Isaac.  While in conversation with God, Abraham asked Him to bless Ishmael. 

After all, it wasn't his fault that the situation under which he was conceived and born into wasn't pleasing to God.  And God agreed with Abraham and reassured him that Ishmael would be blessed and would have 12 sons. And they would all be princes!  Talk about a blessing! Just proof that just because a situation starts off messy, it doesn't have to stay or end messy.

Oh and I read about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  I always get said that Lot's wife looks back and ends up getting turned to salt.  However, this just lets you know that if God has said or says don't do something, then don't do it.   I know we often times like to thing that God won't let bad things happen to us for disobeying Him, but this story proves that some rules are NOT made to be broken!

Whelp, that's it for this week.  I'm looking forward to seeing what other juicy tidbits I'll uncover that I've forgotten were in the Bible as I continue with my challenge.

Under Attack

It's only Day 4 of the New Year and we're already under attack by the cold germs. *sigh*  I was really hoping that I would at least make it through this winter cold free.  So much for that.  But I should have seen this coming because earlier this week the Mr was complaining about having a sore throat.

© Wizdaz | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

Last night, I started sneezing my head off.  Then I had to get up to hunt down my heavy wool socks because my legs and feet just couldn't get warm enough for some reason.  I even slept in my robe.  Apparently, I was the only one freezing because both JJ and Moo had started to bust out a sweat.  So, I had to turn the heat down.

Sometime around 3 o'clock this morning, JJ started waking up because his poor little nose was stuffy.  Thankfully, I only had to put him back to sleep twice.  Needless to say we both slept in until 10.  But we both woke with runny nose and my head was feeling slightly heavy and cloudy.  And to make matters worst, something has broken me out on my back and upper shoulders!

Ugh, I just can't seem to get a break other than the kids being a little more subdued and calm today.  I'm hoping that these cold germs go away quickly.  I don't need this turning into anything more serious.  So, I've striped the beds, washed the covers and will be steaming the mattress, sanitizing pillows and Cloroxing counters and floors and Lysoling door handles, remotes and anything else we touch on a daily basis.

Stay well out there!  And wish me luck because I still have to find the time to add 10,000 words to my manuscript.  My creative juices are flowing and I want to get these last few chapters down before I forget them.  Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever."

~Psalm 107:1

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Happy first Thankful Thursday of 2013!!  Can you all believe that we're almost one week into the New Year already?  Today, I'm thankful just for the chance to have seen another year in come.  When I think about all the people who didn't make it to see 2013, it makes me sad.  While I didn't lose anybody close to me last year, I know of several friends and other family members who loss loved ones and some even loss loved one during the holiday season.

So, I'm truly giving thanks to the Man upstairs for my life, health and strength as well as the life, health and strength of my family and friends.  I'm thankful that I decided to take the down the Christmas tree yesterday because I ended up discovering two leaks in one of our storage closets.  I'm not talking about small leaks either.  The floor of the closet was almost completely soaked!  Thank goodness we had everything that was sitting on the floor in bins and storage bags.

More importantly, I'm thankful that I caught it in time. We've been having a rainy winter and there's no telling what kind of funkiness would have started growing in there if I hadn't decided to put the tree in there instead of taking it to Goodwill like I wanted to.   It pays to listen to your mind sometimes.  Anyways, we called the landlord immediately and he came over and put a temporary fix on it until he can a professional to check it out.

I'm thankful for fresh starts.  This is a new year and a chance to start over anew in areas that I didn't do so well in last year.  I'm brushing the dirt off my shoulders and putting on my boxing gloves.  I'm prepared to do what I need to do to make this year successful.  Both the Mr and I are definitely focused on becoming better parents, better spouses and growing in our careers.

Getting back to our rental, I'm thankful that our neighbors have been keeping it down these past few weeks. Attached living has its cons and loud neighbors is definitely a big pet peeve of mine.  Growing up we never lived in an apartment or any kind of attached residence.  So, once I moved out on my own, apartment/attached living took a little getting used to in terms of dealing with the noise.  My tolerance level is growing.

I'm thankful for the kindness of strangers.  The Mr decided to do a few laps around the track yesterday and forgot to turn off the lights to the car, but a nice stranger gave him a jump.  I'm also thankful that my iPhone isn't dead.  Long story short, I let my battery get beyond drained because I forgot to charge it for two days straight.  So, when I did put it on the charger, it took 15 minutes for the battery to charge up enough to turn the phone back on.

I was freaking out thinking that my new toy had gone on to iPhone heaven on me.  I wasn't sure that if we took it the Apple store that they would be able to retrieve all my pictures.  That's honestly the only thing I was worried about.  I take tons of candids of the kids using my iPhone and haven't had a chance to download them to my computer yet.

And speaking of pictures, I've been talking about getting a decent camera to take pictures for the blog for months now.  Well, God heard my prayers and blessed me with a Canon PowerShot A620 for less than the cost of a gallon of gas!  It's not brand new, but the only thing that's wrong with it is the latch to keep the battery shut is broken. 

 But a trusty piece of tape has taken care of that until my Best Buy gift card gets here. And then it's off to get repaired.  I'm in love with it already and have been playing around taking photos of the kids.  Now, all I need to do is get a tripod.  And to all you photography geniuses, what's a good photo editing software to use?

What's on your thankful list this Thursday?

Happy New Year

Source: Microsoft Clipart

Happy 2013 YUMMs!!  We made it.  Another year is upon us and I couldn't be more excited.  I've gotten started on my resolutions.   I've started off this year so much more focused than I was last year.  Instead of just making resolutions and setting goals, I'm detailing plans on the steps I need to take to reach them.

Anyways, we rung in the New Year at home.  Last year we ventured out to see the firework show only to be disappointed when it didn't happen.  So, this year I didn't want to waste the gas.  No worries MTV, BET and just about every other major network were airing specials. We flipped from one channel to next until it was time for the ball to drop.

I got New Year's kisses from Moo, JJ and the Mr!  My sister had sent me some adult beverages that I was hoping to enjoy with the Mr, but everybody passed out on me as soon as the fireworks on tv finished.  Of course, I stayed up wishing my extended family members a Happy New Year and then I eventually got tired and called it an early morning.

I did get to catch both of Brandy's performances though before I hit the pillow!  I'm such a huge fan of hers.  Couldn't be happier that she's back putting out good music and she recently got in engaged over the Christmas holiday.  Although, I don't know her personally, just knowing what she's been through on her search for love makes me over the moon excited that she finally has it with her super cute new fiance.

Nothing uber exciting went down when we got up later on this morning.  The kids and I slept in and almost missed the Rose Parade.  Moo was going nuts when she heard that Coco "Roxy" Jones was going to be performing.  She's totally obsessed with Let It Shine.  In fact, we just finished watching that movie for like the  90th time.

I did a little laundry, cleaned up, blogged and cooked dinner followed by a "little baby snack" as my brother would call it.  Hope that you all have had a great start to your 2013!