Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Are you feeling guilty for totally eating way more than you should have this week? Wishing you could "go back" and do something again? Embarassed that your child will argue with you, you know, most any place? Well don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of MckMama's desire to admit some of her imperfections and reveal a few moments she'd rather forget. I know I find it therapeutic to join in and you may as well!

This week I did not pull the cord out of the wall so big M couldn't use the computer for more "fantasy football research". I did not consider pulling the dish network cord out as well. I did not stand at the top of the stairs for, you know, at least 3 minutes considering if I should scream at the top of my lungs, "YOU DO REALIZE THAT FANTASY FOOTBALL IS A FANTASY, RIGHT?!"

Big M did not send me roses for our aniversary, making above behavior even more selfish.

I did not attempt to take all 3 children to a birthday party this weekend. I did not spend the whole time worrying adod was going to do something to embarass me.

I did not drop Adod off for soccer practice in the pouring rain. It was not in the 50's with rain pouring out of the sky. I did not see his sweatshirt in the back of the truck on my way home and just keep driving. I did not think to myself that maybe this would teach him to listen to me when I tell him what to wear. I did not watch the clock, waiting to remind him of this when he got home, just for him to walk in all smiles and *not* (for real this time) the least bit cold.

I did not get the kids uniforms in the mail this week. When I looked at big sister's, I did not throw up in my mouth a little bit. I did not consider just throwing them all in the trash.

My little brother did not turn 32 this week. This did not remind that life, indeed, is short and we should enjoy every minute!

O.K. now it's your turn. Head over to MckMama's blog and grap the button and create your own not me post. Leave a comment and let me know where to find it. I cannot wait to read it.

Skyler is 17

I can not believe the my nephew is 17 today. It was just yesterday that I met him and he wasn't much bigger than lil M. I thought it would be nice to post this. I wrote it a couple years ago for Skyler. He had to do a project at school - telling how he impacted various people.

Dear Skyler,
I thought I could you give you a little insight on how you have positively impacted our lives; and how different I feel our life would be without you.
You have been bringing love and laughter to Uncle Matt and my life since you were very small. I remember when you lived with Grandpa Dodge and we would come over to see you, how you would fly towards us and climb up as if we were a tree and you the monkey. If you hadn't been there, you can bet we would have made a lot less trips.
You know, Skyler, I think in the beginning you brought your mom to me. Your mom and I weren't always friends, once a long time ago; she was just Matt's sister and better yet, your mommy. Through you, I made one of my best friends ever. If you hadn't been born, that would have altered my life in an unimaginable way.
As I sit here and go back through that time in your life when you lived on Walnut Street, I'm taken back by the strong emotion I feel. I believe you are correct that your sister (Gabrielle) and brother (Elijah) needed you to help take care of their basic needs and I believe they would have been forever negatively impacted if you hadn't been there in that very difficult time. I don't believe that you were all they had, or that you single handedly rescued them , but I believe you learned and then taught a valuable lesson to your siblings about doing whatever we can for the people we love. I believe you did everything you possibly could for the people you loved.
Right now, as I type, I'm sitting in your living room at the Walnut street house talking to your mom about your concern for Nana and that she someday go to Heaven. I remember how young you were when you started to be concerned for unsaved people. Reaching up to the God of all Grace to save "everyone in the world who doesn't know you…" I remember many Sunday mornings when your Mom or Dad would call to get Uncle Matt and I out of bed to come to Sunday School; and I'd go, thinking that at least I would get to see you. I remember your happy little face; as you soaked up the truth of God's word and His unconditional love for you. I think you have probably impacted people in a way that you can't understand until you get to Heaven yourself.
I remember the last time I came to the Walnut street house with Uncle Matt. You probably can't remember this, but I clearly do. I can count on one hand the number of times; I've seen Uncle Matt cry. We said good-bye to everyone and then Uncle Matt took his turn with you. I remember him saying, Well Skyler, It'll be a long time before I see you again, and then…he couldn't say anymore…because he was crying. You were such a huge part of our life, we couldn't IMAGINE not seeing you every weekend. I can't even think about how Uncle Matt would be different if he hadn't loved you.
Loving you and helping your mom in those days, helped us prepare for our own family. In fact, you are still doing that. As I watch your Mom and Kevin work with you and work through difficult things, I know Uncle Matt and I will be better parents.
And then there was Allen. Do you remember the first time we brought him to Indiana? He was only a couple of weeks old but we came because you needed us. I have a couple of pictures of you holding Allen when he was first born; and I believe that there is bond between you two that is not explainable. I believe that Allen's life could not possible be the same had you not been born. You taught him about Jesus from the time he could understand. You taught him about nature, and taught him to love Science. (By the way, he never would have got that from me.) I'm pretty sure everything he knows about frogs, lizards, spiders, (should I go on?…) he learned from you. Do you know that he wants to be a paleontologist some day? Maybe he will, maybe he won't, but I doubt he'll outgrow that love of all things natural.
Sometimes, when I look at Allen I see a little you. I hesitate to think who would have taken that place in his life, had you not been born. Allen sees you as someone who he wants to be become; you are affecting another generation. Who could have done that for him? I don't tell you all of this to make you prideful or unbearable to live you. I hope you are old enough to understand these things. Bad things happened when you were little Skyler, there is no doubt. But God has always taken care of you and he always will. He is making you into someone that will love Him and serve him all your life. I pray you will always be the role model to my children that I cannot be frightened of.
For these reasons, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love for all the saints (especially the saints living in my house), I have NOT stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you ALWAYS in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he as called you…Eph 1:15-18

I love you with all my heart; you are impacting my life even now,
Aunt Barb

Foodie Friday

Back when I was working full time, Big M and I used to try new recipes on Friday nights. After spending a work week mostly away from my family, I didn't feel like going out. It was also fun to try new things together. Lots of times, we'd wait until the kids went to bed and then cook something together. We haven't done that much sense Maggie was born, but today I was feeling adventurous. Soooo, I decided to make Red Lobster Cheese biscuits to eat with our Chili.

From what I could gather the secrete is that on its own, room temperature shortening does a poor job creating the light, airy texture you want from good biscuits, and it contributes little in the way of flavor. So, you have to add cold butter along on the trip-with grated cheddar cheese and a little garlic powder.

If you'd like to give it a try (even my 7 and 10 year old loved them)...
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups Bisquick baking mix
¾ cup cold buttermilk
4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese

Bush on Top:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
pinch salt

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine Bisquick with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter or a large fork. You don't want to mix too thoroughly. There should be small chunks of butter in there that are about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese, milk, and ¼ teaspoon garlic. Mix by hand (you know, with your actual hands) until combined, but don't over mix.
3. Drop approximately ¼-cup portions of the dough onto an un-greased cookie sheet using an ice cream scoop.
4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.
5. When you take the biscuits out of the oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter is a small bowl in your microwave. Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder and the dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread this garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Make sure you use up all of the butter.

It will make about one dozen biscuits.

ALMOST WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I adore these adorable kids!

Welcome to Not My Child Me! Monday! (on tuesday this week for us) This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Did you almost die of embarrassment when your child pulled their own pants down at the library? Want to scream bloody murder when your toddler took a pair of scissors to the dog's fur? Feel like a terrible mother when your kid said a four-letter-word at a back to school event? Well don't! Mothers aren't perfect and neither are children. Let's 'fess up today because it's Not my child! Monday!Sound liberating? Then let's get going!



This week my 6 month old did not spend 1/2 hour each day with Barny just so I could get the kitchen and main floor semi-clean. She has not figured out that she loves Barny, I mean, how could she - she's never even seen him.



Adod certainly did not capitalize on this new interest by singing Barny over and over to said 6 month old in the car to keep her from crying. Said 6 month old did not proceed to alternate (like a light switch) between screaming and laughing based solely on the sound coming out of Adod's mouth!



Adod did not immediately ask one of my best friends if she finally has a boyfriend yesterday at the pool. He wouldn't do this because last week we did not send him up to a random guy (at the same pool) to find out if he had a girlfriend. Said guy did not have his LITTLE BOY with him!

O.K. now it's your turn. Head over to mycharmingkids.net and get started with your own "not me" post!

Honestly

Had lots of time to think last night, you know, when lil M was up 15 million times. Since big M is out of town fishing and Adod is spending the weekend with big M's dad, I had A LOT of time of my hands. All I can say is, it's a good thing she is cute!

Honestly, I have no idea what is waking her up other than, you know, naughtiness. Honestly, I've tried all the suggestions for getting her to sleep. Honestly, there are times when I feel like saying, "oh well kid, cry it out". Honestly, I almost NEVER do that. Honestly, she's only gonna be little for a little while and I'll cuddle her in the middle of night if she wants me to.