InstaCare - Ben - Stitches:

Any Questions?

Really, does this surprise anyone?

This is his 4th set of stitches. (He had his first 3 by the time he was 3.) He's a tough kid, and was good during the whole thing. He told me, "Next time, I want to go to that same hospital and have that same doctor. It didn't hurt at all!"
Me: "Uh, how bout NO next time?!?"

My Favorite Month

January is my favorite month. Why?

- Because it's the only month that goes by at the speed I think months should. When I think "what day is it today?" and look at the calendar, it feels like it should be the 8th or the 20th or whatever. Whereas other months seem to rush by with more of a "WHAT? It's already the 15th!?" I'm left with a 'where did the month go?' feeling. And that seems to gain momentum and get worse as the year goes on.

- I think the word 'January' looks pretty. (weird, I know.)

- It SNOWS!!!!!!!!

(Ben gets as giddy as I get when it snows!)

Yep, I LOVE the snow! When it snows, it just puts me in a good mood. No, a GREAT mood! If I wake up to snow, it doesn't matter what's going on - it's gonna be a FABULOUS day!

Merry Christmas

May we always be grateful for that blessed gift.


We wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

It's been awhile since I last posted, or actually even got online - December is such a busy month!
But, I wanted to recommend this Christmas book, especially since today is the 'night before the night before Christmas.'

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas
by Natasha Wing

And though I know my kids don't understand all the humor in this book, they still enjoy reading it and having it read to them. Happy Reading!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2-4 chicken breasts (boneless,skinless)
2 – 15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
2 – 14.5 oz. cans stewed tomatoes
2 – 14 oz. cans chicken broth
1 C. salsa (mild, medium, or hot; whatever you prefer)
1 – 4oz. can chopped green chilies

Combine all ingredients in a 5 qt. slow cooker. Cook on Low 4-6 hours. Just before serving, remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Stir back into soup.

Serve with toppings:
tortilla chips
sour cream
grated Monterey jack cheese
lime wedges
cilantro

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. pumpkin
1 t. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. nutmeg
2 t. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, pumpkin, and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in dry ingredients; flour, soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add chocolate chips and drop by spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes.

More Food

Easy Kids Cookies

1 chocolate cake mix
1/2 c. oil
1/4 c. water
1 egg
1 c. chocolate chips

Mix everything together. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.