Boys and their toys!

A couple of years ago for Christmas Andy bought Caleb a minibike 50cc motorcycle. Uncle Justin kindly upgraded Caleb recently to a 100cc. So yeah 50cc/100cc means nothing to me other than the new one goes faster...like ummm, yeah lots faster. Thanks uncle Justy. Yes that is sarcasm.

Then last week a very sweet friend told me she had a used motorcycle power wheel and Jake had come to mind. She wondered if that was something he would enjoy. I think the thumbs up says yes. That is pretty much all he has talked about since getting it, and he pretty much rides it nonstop. So here are my motorcycle boys. *And they will be wearing helmets* just fyi. Don't get me started either on how big Caleb looks. Makes me very sad *sniff*sniff*

BOYS

SO a few minutes ago Jake takes his diaper off. He's all done with it he says. Insert half naked boy running around. Few minutes after that I can hear him in the garage, I figure he is inspecting his and Caleb's momorhikeal's (motorcycles-another post coming soon) I go out to check on him, and low and behold a puddle beside Caleb's momorhikeal. Mama-"Jake WHAT are you doing?!" Jake-"I washing Caleb's momorhikeal." Mama-"Is that pee?!" Jake-"Yep I wash it!!!:)" Nice really nice Jake! Never a dull moment with my boys:)

Do I really believe what I believe is true?

So I've been going to the Truth project module on Wednesday nights. This was just the second week. Last week Jake was going through a-tired my daddy has been gone for days and I'm not letting my mom go-meltdown. So I figured I would just take him to the video with me. He is such a good little boy and just sits and colors. Big mistake. I didn't realize what the Truth project really was, just thought it sounded interesting. It is deep...really deep. So I half listened half quietly colored with Jake. Mostly missed a lot. This week I just left Jake in the nursery and headed in. I was totally challenged with the fact that if I really truly with all my heart believed what I claimed to believe I wouldn't live my life like I do. We as humans are living out everyday what we really believe, so what is it. WOW! When I look at it like that, hmmmm I'm not happy with what I see. Fear, Anger, etc. It is the same thing as what is in my heart so speaks my mouth. Scary stuff. A new mind is what brings a new heart. This also hit home with me. I think I have been bucking the system so to speak with not wanting to be one of those Christians. the ones that could talk the talk and look good on the outside but have nothing going on in the inside. I think I thought if God could just renew my heart all would be well. Right? But if I don't have that head knowledge and the renewed heart then I can't have either. It sounds ridiculous now, but I have feared a lot, for a long time, but slowly but surely I'm getting it:) The more closely we follow Christ, the more we will be like him. Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I also was convicted this week as I was informing my 10 year old-in the form of loud talking aka yelling-that he was being very judgemental of some people and what gives him that right. Ouch again! Actions speak louder than words. How many times have I been very guilty of judging someone that I see with very limited details about them. How many times has that been in front of my little guy. Double Ouch. This mama needs to let her actions "scream" at my children for me.

So this is what I'm working on. I think it my be a while before I get it all done. Good thing He will give me the strength. I just need to ask:) Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Dinner tonight

I have been receiving the Family Fun magazine for the last several years (Thanks GMA H.!) But I don't think I've ever cooked anything out of it. I always borrow their craft ideas and have baked a bunch of stuff but never cooked anything. Then my friend The Sneaky Mommy recently posted this recipe from the magazine. A few days later I was looking through the magazine and saw it again and thought I would give it a try. So that is what is cooking at the Kistenmacher's tonight!

I'm also part of a new bible study on Saturday mornings. It is a cooking bible study. Last week was our first week. It was fabulous. Joan our host and her daughter Lori are hosting/teaching it. I really am appreciating their willingness to serve and encourage us (and help me learn to cook:) so I'm also making this yummy bread that Joan taught us how to make. It totally takes a regular loaf of french bread and makes it fancy, and it is super easy. I will post later to let you know how the family liked it.

Sausage Ratatouille

3 to 4 links Italian sausage

4 1/2 T. olive oil

1 medium eggplant, peeled & cut into 3/4 in. dice

2 small zucchini, halved & sliced

1 medium green bell pepper, halved, seeded, & sliced

2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced

2 c. canned diced tomatoes

1 T. plus 1 tsp. tomato paste

Salt and pepper

2 T. chopped fresh Italian parsley

3 T. chopped fresh basil

Bring a medium-size pot of water to a boil. Puncture the sausage links in several places, then cook them at a low boil until they're no longer pink in the center, about 14 minutes. Transfer links to a plate to cool, then slice them into 1/4 inch-thick rounds.

Over medium-high heat, warm 3 T. of the olive oil in a large deep skillet. Add the eggplant and zucchini and saute them, stirring often, until they are lightly browned but not soft, about 7 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.

In the same skillet over medium heat, warm the remaining olive oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute them for 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and sliced sausage and saute, stirring often, for 3 minutes more.

Stir in the tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini.

Partially cover the skillet and gently simmer the ratatouille for 5 minutes.

Add the tomato paste, along with the salt and pepper to taste, and simmer 5 minutes more.

Stir in the parsley and half of the basil. Serve hot, sprinkled with the remaining basil.

Toasted Celery Bread

1/2 c. butter

1/4 tsp. salt

dash cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. celery seed

1 loaf on bread, unsliced

Soften butter(but don't melt-you still want to be able to spread it) blend in remaining ingredients, except bread.

Cut loaf down the middle lengthwise almost through to the bottom. Cut at 2" intervals crosswise almost through to the bottom.

spread butter mixture over entire surface except bottom and into all cuts.

Place on cookie sheet or in shallow baking pan. Bake at 350* about 20 min. or until golden brown. Serve hot in loaf form or break apart.

Hashbrown Casserole

I was asked to take a meal to une autre mere a week or so ago. So I took her hashbrown casserole because it is super easy and most kids like it.

Hashbrown Casserole

1-2 lb bag of frozen hashbrowns
16 oz of sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Corn flakes-crushed for topping

Preheat oven to 350*
Melt butter and combine all ingredients, except 1 cup of cheese and corn flakes. Pour into greased 9X13 pan top with reserved cup of cheese and corn flakes. Bake for 45 min at 350*.

Happy Fall!

Fall is my absolute favorite season. Pretty much every color that the inside of my house is painted, are fall colors. I am in the process of decorating for fall and maybe doing some crafty things with my babes! I will try to post pictures soon of some of my favorite fall things around the house. I'm also going to try and decorate the front super cute. I found some inspiration from a page in a magazine. We'll see how close I get.

Well tonight is church softball and my sweetie is playing, and this week they have the early games, so we will be going to cheer daddy on. I actually like to go and see him play, he is the superstar, after all. Okay, maybe I should say our superstar:) I'm super uncoordinated so I'm very happy with his ability to play sports, and thankful for the good genes he passed to our babies!

I heard this song a couple of weeks ago. The first time I heard it I didn't like it at all. After listening over and over I think it might be my new favorite. For now anyway!

Running....

Okay and just in case any of you are wondering. I'm not currently training to run a marathon and qualifying for Boston is not in my near future. I do still love running, but it was totally a mental thing for me and right now the mental capacity not to mention the drive and the things I would have to put on the back burner to achieve such a goal it is just not something that I can do right now. I do hope to run this race. I've heard it is a blast, that is if you like to get cold, wet and muddy. Who wouldn't want to do it then, right?! This is the picture they use to promote it...Looks fun right:)

Pictures

This summer my camera just stopped working. I'm not really sure what is wrong with it, and have been sooooo stressed that I didn't really care. Well it was the first day of school and there was a mad rush, panic by me. I have to take there picture, it is the first day of school. Good thing Andy lost his mind and bought the big kids digital cameras for Christmas a few years ago. At the time I was thinking WHAT?!? But these days I'm thankful. Now if I would just remember to keep it with me and have batteries I'd be good. So hopefully soon I will have an updated picture of my sweet babes up! I guess if I wait long enough the girls hair will be long again. Jk, I will be taking one soon!

First Day of School

Okay, so I'm a little behind...Only a month though right?!

Jocellen started preschool this year. She goes Monday through Thursday from 12:15-3:00. I can't believe she will be going to kindergarten next year.

Caleb started 5th grade this year and Ashleigh 2nd. I don't know where the time has gone and don't get me started on the scariness (so spell check says scariness in a word, good to know:))of him going to middle school next year. I'm trusting in God that he will be fine and reminding him that there are consequences for everything we do good/bad.

So these days Jacob and I have our afternoons alone. It is sort of weird. He mostly naps but otherwise we do lots of reading and playing with the discovery toy motor works. I'm quite the mechanic I'm finding out!

So being the deadbeat that I am it has been hmmmm... 20 days since I said I was updating. Whoops! In my defense my main man was 900+ miles away for 7 days last week. So just in case you are wondering; YES that left me, 1 mama to yes, 4 kiddos and a puppy for 168 hours. by. my. self. Scary I know. I was pretty sure Andy was going to die while away just to spite me. Thankfully though he proved me wrong and came home. I'm soooo thankful for him and his love and help. He is pretty much the greatest:)

Back at it:)

We have recently been going through a lot with my family. As a result I felt it was necessary to stop blogging for the time being as well as now change my blog address. So hopefully over the next week or so I can get this updated with new pictures of the kids and the giant puppy!