A Bushel 'N A Peck

Joshua's Leap Frog Tag Jr.

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:49:00 +0000

I got this adorable Tag Jr. from Leap Frog for my 2 year old. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. It is big enough for little hands to hold and looks like a fat caterpillar to me. It is a book reading system. You put Tag Jr. over words and pictures in the book and TagJjr. tells you what the words say or what the pictures are or even ask you to "find" other things on the page. You need to purchase the right Tag books. There is Tag and Tag Jr., so make sure you are buying the right ones.

You will need to hook up your Tag Jr. to your computer to download information to it, and upload information from it. You can have Tag Jr. say your child's name! "Hello Joshua!" says ours when he turns it on. You can only download 5 books at a time, put the Leap Frog site makes it very easy to set everything up.Another great addition to the Leap Frog website, is that it will let you know your child's progress. Which book they "read" the most.

As soon as all that is done, show your child how it works. When they see that all they have to do is touch Tag Jr. to any place on the page and it talks, they will be so excited. You don't need to hold it over the words or picture, just touch it...and move Tag Jr. and it will "tell" you about what you "tagged".

I really like it and so does my son. There are many different book from Dr. Seuss's "Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You", one of my favorites, to Ni Hao, Kailan.

You can even purchase a great carrying case for up to 5 books and Tag Jr. It makes it great for traveling in the car!

I only see a few downsides to this product:

1. You can only download 5 books into the Tag Jr.

2. How long till they no longer make the books for this product?

3. How durable is the Tag Jr. My 2 year old does not have a gentle touch. So far, his "touching" has not caused any damage to the unit.

This products get a 4 out of 5 Mom's Thumbs Up

And 3 1/2 out of 5 Happy Kids

The Ending of the Peru Dilema aka "Door Closes, Door Opens"

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:57:00 +0000

Well, last time I posted we were trying to decide. We prayed about it and decided she should not go. No matter what the MRI said, it wasn't going to
"magically" make her knee have no pain. It was an agonizing decision. We both encouraged her to go, and now we had to take it away.

At first, she was angry, and I reminded her through my own tears, that it was not a decision we took lightly, nor one done out of punishment. She finally understood that and wrote this in her blog (and yes, I have permission to share it!) :

Hey there. So, today I may not be going to Peru *sigh* I'm not mad, more like sad. I'm crushed, but hey, it happens. I'm not mad at my mom and dad, I know that it's not their fault, and it's not Gods fault either. God has been telling my parents not to let me go, cuz he knows best, and now, they get it and are saying no. But it's alright. I wanted to go really bad, but...I dunno. This is just gonna happen all my life, and I have to accept it. I'm more fragile than most, and God is keeping me from harm (or should we say in this case, MAJOR harm). I really don't know how feel now. I guess it's like a longing, deep feeling that I have no idea what it is. Maybe sadness, depression, hurt. It's not anger. I just don't know what it is. I...I think I'm gonna go.

My response was:

sweetheart..I think you have a good handle on this. You know God only wants the best for you as do your parents. I think you get to feel disappointed and remember that Paul wanted to go somewhere to PREACH THE GOSPEL and God said no...and I am sure that Paul was thinking..ummm God..but I am going to do good things for you..why wouldn't you let me go??? Seemed the LOGICAL thing to do..but our God never promised to be LOGICAL...as always..His ways are not our ways..and His thoughts are not our thoughts. I hope this helps in any small way. I love you.

She went to church the next day and was met with a "wave" of adults who "could not believe her parents were not going to let her go." She was very confused and we were, needless to say, a bit irritated. Of course, none of those people were here when we made the decision or knew ALL the details involved in the making of the decision. So, we made a few calls to explain and understanding was spreading out to the "masses". Here is her next blog post:

Ok, so I go to church today, and the message was applying yourself to God's work. Instantly I had a pain in the pit of my stomach. In the message, pastor said there are 3 things that might be preventing God from using you. So I look at them and I feel guilty. They were sin, doubt and laziness. So I'm thinking, ' Have I done any of these? Is that why God prevented me? Am I doubting? Am I being lazy? Do I have unconfessed sins? After the message, about 10 people came up to me and asked why I wasn't going, and did I start to feel bad. Now, yesterday, mom said that Megan told her Christian said That I would be one to get it. That started making me guilty, and a bit happy, cuz it was so cool Christian thought of me like that. Anyway, for Sunday School, Mrs.Morgan gave a lesson, and it was centered around the same thing. So I have that pain in my stomach again, and I was wishing I could leave, but I knew I couldn't. She said they would be praying, and afterwards, she and Jessie Jensen said I could do office work and Mrs.Hand could stay with me, so I got a small spark of hope, but on the way home, I was so confused. I told John everything that had happened, and I feel so confused. God, are you trying to tell me something? Didn't you just tell my parents you didn't want me to go? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you tormenting me? I just don't understand.......

I commented on this and so did a friend of ours:

Mine:

First of all...the three things that could hinder you from serving..you have none of them. You wanted to go..you may have unconfessed sin...but you will take care of that and you do not doubt God. The torment lies in the fact that you made a decision...and now everyone, who doesn't even know the decision, are pointing you another way. In my life, I have always practiced...if there is a will there is a way. I would spend hours trying to come up with scheme after scheme to get what I wanted or do what I wanted. 9 times out of 10, I was never suppose to have or do what I wanted because of it not being what God wanted me to do. So, I see all these people as coming up wi "schemes" to get you to go. Not that they are being evil..just they know your heart. If there was a "scheme" I think God would have revealed it. Megan would say..oh take the time you need to decide...and she isn't saying that...not that she is too blame. There are always deadlines on trips.
Take heart, sweetie, God will open another door for you since this one is closed.

Our Friend:

Shelby, I would have to count myself among the people who were guilty of trying to problem solve for you. Like your mother said, it isn't because we're being evil, we all just think...maybe I can fix this!
NONE of us lives with the aches and pains and discomfort that you put up with every day, and we don't even know what it is we're trying to push you to do. We look at you, and see a heart for God in you, and push you to do things that we think sound right, or seem right. It doesn't make them right for you.
God's timing is perfect, not mine. Acutally, my timing stinks a bit. Know that I love YOU with all my heart, and God is using you right now to work in us, and maybe THAT was the whole point of this. I'm sorry if you have been tortured on my behalf. God can use you here, in Northville, just as well as he can use you on the other side of the world.
I will pray that God will give you peace, and that your stomach will stop hurting!

Within an hour, there was an OPEN door! Something in the states, a few states south, doing stuff that IF her knee is still bothering her, she can still do! God is so faithful and I pray that she will see the tremendous amount of love He has for her. Here is her post:

Ok, so I can't go Peru....but Mrs.Morgan did say that they were planning a trip to Virginia and said I could go! YES! Thank you God! I am SO hoping God will allow me to go to this one. Mrs.Morgan said it's gonna be crafts, sewing, painting and all that stuff that I'm good at! Mom said it was as if God closed a door on one thing, and opened another. :D :D I am so happy. When the time come for the teens to go, I'm not gonna be sad, I'm gonna wish 'em off and pray one of them will reach someone. I hope this new trip means that THAT one is the one he wanted me to go to all along.

I am truly blessed and I know God is grooming her and is going to use her in a mighty way.

Lack Of Faith Or Common Sense?

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:37:00 +0000

Recently we are in a dilemma with my daughter and her knee. She is planning on going to Peru for a missions trip in April. She is 15 and so excited about it! Problem is she hurt her knee. She had an X-ray and a MRI done. We are waiting for results as the mission trip for her hinges on them.

So my struggle is always the same. Are the hurdles a sign that she should not go... or Satan just attacking? Am I to look at them as a growing opportunity for my faith or an opportunity to use my common sense?

On and on my mind goes. I could analyze forever, but that is not biblical. One of my many weaknesses is NOT being able to take that step of faith unless I can see the light shining on it! Anyone else like that? Can I get an "Amen"? It is not the way God intended for us to walk with Him. I know that He did not tell Abram exactly how he would travel to where He intended him to go. And did Abram say, Um...can ya let me know the route so I feel better inside about this trip. If I know where I am going, I will be able to be more obedient. " NO! He just went.

I need faith and obedience like that.

Finally Talking!

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:02:00 +0000

I have been a bit worried about my 2 year old, he was not really talking. Well, has that changed. Everyday there is a new word he is saying to us all! I even can get him to count! He will do almost every other number. Couldn't believe that one. My favorite is:

Walks up to me and says, "Mama, Mama, Mama?"

"What, baby?"

"What you doin'?"

Melts my heart! I know that in a few months I will be telling him to "hush!" But for now..as it is blooming, I am enjoying every word.

Why Do People Mock?

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:27:00 +0000

I get upset when people have to be so mocking. I see it quite often on Facebook. I am not sure the rhyme or reason for it, and I usually keep my mouth/fingers shut. Sometimes it is just too much for me, and I have to "zing" back. There is always some status going around that says something to effect of "If you love your mom and think she is the best in the whole world, copy and paste this to your status." Ok, is there any harm in this? If you don't want to, guess what??? YOU DON'T HAVE TO! There are many different kinds from..."If you know an idiot..." to "If you have lost a baby..." People are not FORCED to copy and paste anything they don't want to. If you don't like reading the things that the people YOU "friended" on Facebook write, than de-friend them! Don't mock them. I think some people just need to make other people feel smaller so they can feel bigger. It is sad.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:21:00 +0000

Everyone in my household is enduring some level of sickness. I am going on two weeks with mine. I was the last to the doctor's for antibiotics...can't hear..sinus infection. The 9 year old, and 2 year old have been medicated and on the way out of this. My 15 year old and hubs are in the beginning. And as a side note, the hubs is OFFICIALLY sick now..and surprise, surprise...the "magical cough syrup" did not HEAL him.

EVERYONE is SICK of:
Hearing me saying: What did you say?
Listening to my 2 year old scream constantly from his first prednisone "high"
Listening to the blow-by-blow report of every step of my 9 year old's video game character
Listening to the "SNUFFING" of my 15 year old's nose
Listening to the "disbelief" of my hubs that he is sick AND the 2 year old is still screaming!

So....are we having fun yet???

YES WE ARE!!!

eHow Again

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:28:00 +0000

I have not written an article on eHowfor a few months now...maybe even since spring. I don't know why I neglect THAT but make sure my farm is taken care of on Facebook. My farm isn't making me any money, not even a penny. eHow, on the other hand, has consistently earned me between $25 to $30 a month since mid year. One of my articles has earned almost $50 on its own.

It works, eHow really works and I would be foolish to keep neglecting it. Depending on the article, it only takes a few minutes to put an article up. ..not including the hunt for pictures.

I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a way to make some residual income. I think the most consumption of my time is the networking you should do. Reading articles by your "friends" on eHow, commenting, rating the article, and then recommending the member. I am going to start doing about 10 a night. When they see you have looked at and commented on their articles, they will return the favor. There is a definite relationship between how many people are looking at your articles and the and my monthly amount. The more articles I am reading, rating and recommending, the more times MY articles get the same treatment and the greater the increase in my monthly check! I have 38 articles right now. Imagine if I had 100 or more and let's say I continue to average $25 for every 38 articles ( it sooo doesn't work that way..but let's just pretend for minute). I could be making close to $100 a month! I like that. Income rolling in and I am not doing much work or the work I am doing is something I like anyways...telling people what to do! What could be better?

My Husband Found A Cure For Sickness!

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:08:00 +0000

If you have not realized this by now, I am very sarcastic. My pastor always is saying to me, "Tonya, it isn't WHAT you say, it is HOW you say it!"

We are all being hit with a nasty virus that I started out with. Sore throat, stuffy nose, then runny nose and coughing..coughing..coughing! Unfortunately, my 2 year old got this and has had extremely high fevers along with an unending cough that always puts a chill through a mother's heart. My 9 year old has Asthma, ( I think my 2 year old does as well, but not as bad, yet) and of course it went right to his chest. My daughter and hubby have been able to fend this off. I am on my second week of it due to a sinus infection that I JUST today got some antibiotics for...woo hoo!..I will be able to hear again and have balance!

So on to the CURE!

My hubs has some cough medicine his doctor gave him a while ago. Now this cough medicine has codeine in it! I KNOW it was given to him because he was coughing a lot and the codeine is meant to knock you out so you can get some rest from the annoying coughing. The "cough syrup" part is either an expectorant or suppressant..or both. Well, he thinks he is getting this, so he informs me he is going to take his medicine. I tell him, in probably NOT the nicest tone, that he needs to take it when he is coughing like his 2 year old and is turning purple trying to stop.

But men are like teenagers sometimes...they think they know everything.

He came home from work. I heard him cough softly once. The next thing I know, my 9 year old is in the bedroom tattling on daddy! "Dad took a big swig from the BOTTLE, mom, the BOTTLE!"

"Oh Dear, can I talk to you? Did you take that medicine?"

"Yeah, it will knock this right out of me"

"Knock what out of you..you coughed once! You need to take it when you are repeatedly having coughing fits! You have coughed once."

"Honey, I coughed so hard on the way home, I gagged!"

"Well, dear, that could have been from the cold air outside or the warm air you had blowing on you in the car. You have only coughed once here."

"Well, I know my body and this will knock it out of me."

"But the cough syrup is NOT a cure..it doesn't cure the sickness! It is only for coughing and sleeping! How much did you take?"

"A teaspoon."

"You did not! You drank out of the bottle!"

"Well I know how much needs to go in my mouth...."

Ok, hand went up as I interrupted and said "OH GIVE ME A BREAK!" and went to bed!

Men....I know God gave them to us...now how to live with them!

Homeschooling Parents Arrested For Endangering The Welfare Of Their Children

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:27:00 +0000

Yes, you read that correctly. This is a horrible, true event that is not at the end yet.

This family, who I know very well, are good Christian parents who homeschool 4 boys. They were arrested this past Monday for not registering their children with the school district. The charges were: endangering the welfare of a child. Come on!!!!! I want someone on the face of this planet to explain to me how not filing a piece of paper endangers the welfare of a child!!
For more detailed information please go to this link: Home Schooling Couple Arrested

As I said, I know this family and KNOW that she has been homeschooling them and MORE (they have a farm) for the whole 7 years in question. I would even understand the endangerment charged if they DIDN'T homeschool their children for the past 7 years because of the need for some education for anyone to succeed. But that is NOT the case here. Matter of fact, we use the same curriculum!

My husband was in his car listening to the Rush Limbaugh show when it was announced! The Rush Limbaugh show! We are talking about a tiny community here and it was on a national radio show. Next he heard it on Fox News. I was horrified for them.

HSDLA -The Home School Legal Defense Association heard...HEARD about this and contacted the family. Check this article out on what they are saying: Attorney For Home School Couple Says Arrest Was Unnecessary and Highly Unusual

How did this all start? Some nosey person saw the kids outside during school hours and called Child Protective Services. These parent's pictures...were splattered all over the T.V. and through every paper were article after article of half truths. The sheriff who arrested them made the statement "The boys were very polite and seemed somewhat educated." Who made him judge over who is educated and who isn't? Now ready for the clincher? They were approached prior to the arrest with the problem of non-regisgtration. The investigator came in and made statements to the newspapers that there was hardly any sign of homeschooling. But according to the family, they tried to show him and he said he didn't need to see it. HUH? Child Protective Services helped them and got the kids registered and the curriculum sent in to the school. So the problem solved! Nope..they arrested them later and the investigator even said that they were going to make examples out of them. The father was told of a radio show talking about all of this and he called in. Here are more details with a link to the radio interview at the end: Home School Dad Speaks Out About Arrest

So the county wanted to make an example out of them. I feel, that God will be glorified in this, this family will be lifted up. The outpouring of support is overwhelming and it is just getting bigger and bigger. This story is spreading and spreading, and it needs to. Who is going to be next? The government, despite what they think, do not own our children. God gave them to us. the parents. Please do not take my words as I don't care about the REALLY abused children. I am thankful that there is an agency to step in and protect, but this is NOT the case. And as with all things, it seems, the government goes too overboard and too far in every situation.

Please pray for this family and I will keep you all updated as to how this is progressing.

Please Explain Emergency Rooms To Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:43:00 +0000

What a rough Sunday. Mom and Dad had to rush Noah to ER because he was jumping on the couch and his foot slipped in the crevice that is in the back..and there was a metal "springy thingy" and it stabbed him between his toes.

PAUSE:
OK, it is NOT like he hasn't be told ....ummm...let me think....at least....5,000,000,000 times NOT to jump on the couch. (I may have exaggerated by a hundred or two!)

PLAY:
So we get there at around 11:30 pm. I am so excited because I only see TWO people in the waiting room. YEAH! This will be a short visit.

PAUSE:
Yes, little things like that DO excite me. I am easy to please!

PLAY:
So Dad is carrying him in and we tell them what happen and *poof* we are in with the nurse to get the "story", and *poof* we are at the station where you go through all the insurance information. And I am as pleased as punch that we are zipping through all these steps. And then I say it. The words you are not ever suppose to utter in an ER. And...I even whispered it. "Wow! There aren't a lot of people here tonight." I figured since I whispered it, I was safe.

PAUSE:
No I do not believe in some ER god. And I am sure, by now, you know where I am headed.

PLAY:
So we are told to go sit in the waiting room. That is fine. NOW, there is only ONE person in there! I am watching out the window to the entrance so I can see any ambulances coming. I see none. We settle in, and begin our wait. LMN or Lifetime Movie Network was on and showing "The Natalee Holloway Story". I can deal with this. I felt so bad for that mom, now I will see the REAL story.

PAUSE:
The movie was actually really good and if you get a chance, watch it. And don't let your children EVER go to Aruba, on a Senior class trip, where the drinking and gambling ages are 18. That whole "stupid senior trip" could be a whole other post!

PLAY:
An hour later, we are still sitting there. They gave my son a wheelchair, and he is pushing himself around the whole waiting room. The ONE person there, is a little scary, and repeatedly asks us if we smoke. I guess "NO" really means "YES, but I am not going to give you a cigarette, but if you keep asking me I will wear down and give you one?" We thought she was waiting for someone, till she was called in. Now down to just us, and we are in hour 2.

PAUSE:
Did I ever tell you that on a scale of 1 to 10, in the patience area, I would have to say a 4. Now, in an ER waiting room, at 1:30 in the morning, it is about 1.

PLAY:
I had enough and asked Dad to go ask what the deal was. "All the rooms are full." But there is no one here but us. I hadn't seen 1 ambulance come...wah wah wah. Hour 3 rolls around and I am about ready to bite the arm of my chair off. This is crazy, I don't understand, it isn't like he has to have blood tested, or urine or a brain scan! He just needs his toes cleaned of blood and looked at.

PAUSE:
We didn't clean the wound cause Dad kinda looked pale and said, "We need to go now!"

PLAY:
Around 3 am, we finally get called in. The lady who took our insurance information looked at me as we walked in and said , "You jinxed us!" Which I kindly reminded her that I only whispered it. The nurse walks us to our "room" and informs us that we will still have a "long" wait as the, yes THE, doctor is still checking people out. Hey, I don't care cause we are in, so I am, in my unrealistic mind, thinking "long" will only be 20-30 minutes. We were so lucky to have been put in a "room" directly across from where the, yes THE doctor sits at a computer doing....ummm what , I don't know. Which is the whole problem with this situation.

PAUSE:
Remember my "patience scale", I am now at -4. Oh, and did I tell you that sometimes I get vocal when I am at that level?

PLAY: For another hour and a half, we watched her come and go from the computer. I am playing games with Noah, and Dad is sleeping...(could do another post on that alone). I am getting more and more irritated. It is catchy, because the more I am calmly and quietly complaining, the more irritated I am getting Dad. Dad isn't as calm and quiet as I am. Poor man. I am just rambling on about why this is take so long, why there is only one doctor..THE doctor, why no one has even come in to ask us what is going on or if we even want something to drink since they OBVIOUSLY know, by now, that we have been there for 4 hours. I also discuss with Dad how it should be done. Ok, here is the plan. I am THE doctor and I examine patient A. "A" needs blood work, and I know that is going to take 30 minutes to an hour, so I move on to patient B. "B" needs blood work,too, and urine as well. I order them and move on to patient C. "C" needs stitches, so I ask the nurse to prep the patient by cleaning the wound and getting the necessary equipment ready for me. Now by this time, the blood work has come back for "A" and I "do" whatever it tells me...let's say there is an infection, so I will give "A" antibiotics through and IV. On to "B" who seems to have normal blood work, so maybe I will consult "someone" via phone, they aren't there so I leave a message. "C" is getting a shot in the area needed for stitching and I sew them up very nicely, prescribe some antibiotics and send them on their way. I am now going back to "A" and writing a prescription for continued antibiotics and a follow up with their regular doctor in 3 to 5 days.

PAUSE:
No, I am not in the medical profession, but have had to play one many times with the aches and pains of my children, and unfortunately, too many ER visits!

PLAY:
The "someone" has called me back and after discussing it, have decided to admit them for further testing.
OK, was that all too difficult. I do realize that ambulances come in and things get out of whack. But, again, I didn't see any ambulances come, not was there even any "loud" noises in the ER. Noah and I were the loudest. (surprises you, I know.)
Finally, the....yes THE doctor shows up to look and we are now on the move. No stitches, no broken toes, nasty puncture would and some "lacerations". He got Tylenol Codeine and some antibiotics, prescription for more and off we went. We were the easiest, but we are made to wait last. I agree that those with breathing problems and such need to go. Noah's wasn't life threatening. But, good grief, there has to be a better way than making a family wait 6 hours for an ER visit! We all got home when the sun was coming up and we were so exhausted. I had 1 1/2 hours of sleep before I had to get up to go to a doctor's appointment myself! I don't even remember half of what she said!

So, here's the thing, I would love to know if any of you know the "inside scoop" on ER's. Maybe, if I understand it more, I won't be so impatient. Or could at least try to be. Educate me.

Ahhhhh Spring.

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:28:00 +0000

Spring has sprung..and what that means in my house is sickness! Every spring and fall one or many of us are sick. So far, it is just the boys with the runny nose, fever, and coughing all night.
The sun is shining and the snow has finally melted. Praise Jesus!
Crocuses are up and there was actually a warm breeze the other day! After the sickness has "left the building". We will be trying to get the bikes out, working on the garden, blowing bubbles, and drawing on the driveway with chalk.
Ahhhhhhhh spring...nice to see you again.

Easter "Stuff"

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:10:00 +0000

I thought I would share some links about great Easter activities.

Resurrection Cookies Recipe

Resurrection Eggs Game

Fun Easter Games

Share your favorite Easter activity with us.

A Different Kind of Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:08:00 +0000

A friend of mine just recently lost her niece in a car accident. I believe she was only 19 years old. She was saved and that knowledge helped the grieving family so much to know they would see her again one day.
The other day on Facebook, this same friend said that she " was struck by the realization that Tyla will be celebrating Easter in HIS presence!!" It gave me chills.
We as Christians, celebrate this season as the Resurrection of Jesus, who died for us so we would not know "death" or separation from God, if we would just accept His gift of Salvation. It isn't about bunnies or eggs...it is about an empty tomb.
I think of those who have passed away this year in my life. Some knew the King and some did not. How awesome to be them celebrating this most glorious holiday with the Savior!
I pray that in this time of family gatherings, if you have someone who went "home", take heart and know they are with The Risen Lamb of God!

My Children's Fun April Fool's Day..Ok Maybe It Was MOMMY's Fun Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:43:00 +0000

Oh what a day it was. BA HA HA!!

I scraped off the frosting from inside the oreos and replaced it with Desitin.
I squirted lemon juice into a glass of apple juice my son was drinking.
I squirted lemon juick into the mouthwash my daughter uses.
I filled a glass 3/4 full with Mylanta -mint flavor, and then filled it the rest of the way with milk. I then proceeded to dunk "regular" oreos into it and pretended to eat them. After I saw some crumbs in the drink, I asked my milk-loving daughter if she wanted the rest because I was "full". She agreed.
I gave my daughter a Cool Whip facial. Her skin never felt so soft.

Ahhhhh....busy, busy day for a hard workin' momma!

How about you?? What did you all do for April Fool's Day?

The "Race" May Be In The Past, But The Point Is Timeless

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:32:00 +0000

I realize the elections are past, but I found this and just had to share. It speaks for itself.

I Don't Understand The Workings of A Boy Brain

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Just a little background before the story. I am an ONLY child. My mother's side had predominately girls. When a boy happened to come, we all acted like ...what do I do with this? There are 7 1st cousin girls, and 3 boys. On my father's side, any boy was much younger or much older, so there was very little interaction.

OK, so God decided to bless me with 2 boys and 1 girl. When my first son came, I was terrified. The first thing that terrified me was the "plumbing"! Especially after circumcision. Praise the Lord my mom was here then, not that she knew a whole lot, but together, we got through that stage. He was also my first child to be breast fed. WHOLE new world there, too.

He was sweet and loving but had a horrible temper. Still does. But all this is beside the point. I am here to discuss the "workings of a boy brain".
Last night, my baby boy was drinking from his milk cup in my bed. I figured he would just go to sleep. Of course not...what a silly thought. He ends up stepping on the cup, popping the top off, and the milk streamed down to where I was sitting. I have no clue this has happened until I felt COLD wet on my thigh. That is when I realized and I started yelling for my eldest son to come and help. I tell him to get a towel. My obedient boy runs to the bathroom and brings me back the towel his sister dried off with when she showered an hour ago. It is still damp. I tell him I can not sop up wet with a wet towel. So, I am expecting to get a dry towel. He comes back with a wetter towel. I am starting to lose it a bit as the milk is all over me and seeping into my MEMORY FOAM mattress top. I say, again , I don't need a wet towel. He comes back a third time with a dripping wet towel!!! AGHHHHH!
OK, mom's you know there comes moments in your parenting career when you kinda "lose" it. When you "blow your stack". This was my moment. I just could NOT understand why he would continually bring me a wet towel to soak up something wet.
I ask him, "When you clean up a pee spot from the puppy, you put a paper towel or napkin on it. Do you ever wet these before you try to clean it up?" He agreed that you didn't. But gave me NO explanation to why he kept bringing me wet towels. I needed one.
It was like he zoned in on the word "wet" and kept taking it out of context and thought that I was asking for a wet towel instead of me telling him not to bring me a wet towel. Lazy thinking? I just don't know. At some point, I thought that "common sense" would prevail...yes I know silly me.
I am hoping that I am going "get" the "workings of a boy brain" because I have another one coming up the ranks. My daughter leaves me in 4 years and I will be left with these "boy brains"! Do they have a "Dummies" book for this?

April Fool's Day Share-a -Prank Program

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:49:00 +0000

There are not many days left to pull an awesome prank on someone you love. April Fool's day is one of the more "fun" holidays cause ya get to do "something" to "someone" and you don't get in trouble cause it is "April Fool's Day!" Ya got to love it, don't ya?!

If you have not read my post Pulling A Prank On Your Child - Evil or Genius? please do so. It will give a glimpse into my adoration for a great prank. But sadly, I am running out. I am NOT empty, just running out. I need YOU! And, I think we could help each other and many other people who suffer from "cannothinkofanyprank-tosis"

Please share some great pranks that we can pull on other non-suspecting people. I will be posting after April Fool's Day to see how you all did.

Here are a few of the ones I have in "storage".

Oreo cookies swap-er-roo! Get a package of Oreo or Oreo like cookies. Anything with a "white" filling. Scrape out the filling and replace it with.....? 1. cream cheese
2. sour cream
3. toothpaste
4. lotion

Lemony Mouthwash! Take either a fresh lemon or lemon juice and squirt it in the bottle of mouthwash. (make sure you have another bottle to replace or split it up between bottles.)

Cool Whip Wake Up! Make sure you cool whip is room temp or you will wake them up before you want to. Take some and place it some in their hands and either tickle their nose, or wake them up..and voila! Cool Whip Wake Up!

Switching things are always fun....think of some you can do....regular Listerine/apple juice
salt/sugar, cola/root beer, sprite/seltzer water. The possibilities are endless!

So, please share yours, take mine, and let's have some fun April 1st. Don't forget, to keep track of what you did so you can share afterwards!

BA HA HA HA!
(my evil laugh)
Long Live April Fool's Day!

Facebook - The Worst Thing I could do?

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:50:00 +0000

"Hi, my name's Tonya"
"HI! TONYA"
"I'm a Facebook addict. I have been using for only 3 months now. I spread my addiction to others via Flairs, sending "What 80's Song are You" quizzes, and Super Poke Pet, Farm Town, myFarm, and Pet Society invitations. I also slip them some 'Smiles', 'Hugs', and 'Upstate NY Gifts'. I can't stop. I have even gotten my children involved so I can earn more money on my Poke Pet game!"

Do you or any one you know have these problems? GOOD! I am not the only one.
I have set up Facebook accounts for both of my kids. My daughter first because she found one of her homeschool friends were on there. It was a great way to chat because they rarely see each other. She immediately got into all the virtual pet applications and then went into "farming". Being that she loves farms and animals..she is in heaven.

My son just recently joined. He is the "flair" giver. I love it because the flairs he sends to people show his personality in a way I don't get to see. He is choosing on his OWN what to send. I find it so funny. He, of course, loves the pet and farming, as well. The only difference is that he keeps wanting to interact with everyone! If he sees a "friend" on, he is "chatting" with them in a second. He even does it to me and we are sitting across the room!

I really debated getting them on Facebook. But, after being on it myself, I see all the control I can have with it to give them a safe environment. I can control who sees them, which the most important part to me. We are sitting in the same room, so I can see what they are doing at all times. I have not come across an application I thought was bad. I am sure they are there..but we aren't looking for them nor do the people we are "friends" with. They always ask me "who is so and so..and can I be friends with them." There are some flair that are questionable, or don't fall in line with our beliefs. I kinda look at that like going to Wal-Mart or a mall. There are shirts there that say things I don't like, but we still "see" them. As long as we don't buy them and wear them is the important thing.

All in all it has been a very positive experience. They are having conversations, on their own, with relatives who live across country that they would never get to talk to. They get to share their beliefs and life choices through different things they show on their profile. I am encouraged by the way they are handling themselves and interacting with others.

The only downside is that they are now kicking ME off my laptop so they can get on Facebook! I need another computer!

Legislative Day - Lesson's Learned

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:25:00 +0000

Today was a very special day for two reasons. One, it was my dear friend's birthday.."Shout out to Adirondack Trina!" Two, it was Legislative Day. My daughter..."Shout out to Today, Shelby Says!", my friend, and I went to our state's capital for Legislative Day. For those of you who do not know what Legislative Day is, it is a day that I get to go and listen to speakers, senators, and assembly persons who believe in the same things I do: Jesus is the ONLY way, Pro-Life, Marriage between a man and a woman, etc. I guess you would call it Republican Conservatism's...but there were Democratic Senators there also, believing in the same thing.

I wanted to share a couple of things I learned today because I am hoping that they will inspire you the way they inspired me.
1. Politics and Faith - Many people want the representatives to keep their faith out of their politics. One speaker said today that their faith was their "Moral Compass" and what could be better than a belief in Jesus Christ and in God's Word (which USED to be THE "moral compass" of our founding fathers) to be his "moral compass"? I agree. I am a mom and I see the morality of our world going down, down, down. I want a representative who has morals, and what would be better than having God's morals!

2. We need to be PRAYING! How much time do you take to pray for your senators, assembly persons, governor, president, or our nation? How "bad" does it have to get until you do? One example a speaker gave was : When you have had your children taken away from you because you have been found to be" abusive parents" because you shared the gospel with them...will that be "bad" enough to pray?" ( paraphrasing) Boy did that get me thinking. Many Christians are just "sitting on their hands" instead of being prayer warriors and being BOLD! I don't mean bold as in "in your face", I mean bold as in not being afraid to share their view, opinion, or feelings on issues. So I ask my self..along with you...How "bad" does it have to get to be praying daily for people in office and our nation?

3. All life is precious. I have always believed this, but today....oh my. The key note speaker was the defense attorney for Terri Shiavo. Do you remember her? Do you remember how the COURT ruled to kill her by a slow, painful death of starvation? Not many people were there in the last days and hours of Terri's life, but he was. He explained how there was a POLICE OFFICER in Terri's hospice room with STRICT orders from the courts to arrest Terri's mom if she gave her ice chips...she couldn't even wipe her daughter's brow. I can NOT imagine watching my child go through this, and having some COURT rule to KILL her in front of my eyes, and be helpless to stop it. By the way, in case you didn't know, the judge that ruled to have her put to death, NEVER stepped ONE foot into her hospice room to meet her, see her, talk with her. If you were going to make this landmark ruling, don't you think you would have done that? I will be honest and tell you I had to leave the room. I could NOT take the details of her final hours. I was already so emotional, empathizing with Terri's mother. I just couldn't listen to anymore. I stepped out until he was finished those details.

There was another speaker, a college student who went around the country posing as a 13 year-old pregnant girl. She would go into planned parenthood and explain to them that she was pregnant by her "31 year-old-boyfriend". Law requires you report this to the police as it is rape. She is rigged up with a hidden microphone and camera. We watched as the nurse told her to LIE about her age and LIE about the age of the "boyfriend" so she wouldn't have to report it. Of course, Planned Parenthood fired these people and covered it up as quickly as possible. Kudos to her for exposing this #1 Abortion Providing Clinic in our country. Life...it is too precious. I believe life starts at conception....THE END!

I walked away from my state's capitol feeling renewed, educated, apprehensive, and sad. I am renewed in my commitment to my prayer life. Prayer is a powerful tool and God is just waiting to hear from me. I need to cry out to Him and pray for our nation, the unborn, and the "moral compasses" of our leaders. I was certainly educated on the STUPID bills that are trying to be passed in our congress , what they entail, and how I can let my representative know that I DO NOT want them. I am apprehensive of our future. Many, many things have changed with this past presidential election. I am apprehensive of his "moral compass". Many pro-life bans will be overturned. How long will God keep His wrath from us? I am saddened for all those lives lost. I am saddened for the girl that is scared and doesn't know where to turn because she is pregnant and terminates the life of her child. I am saddened for Terri Shiavo's family and all those that have been "murdered" in the same way.

I realize that this post is a bit heavy for my usual light heartiness. But I must be BOLD and I encourage you to be BOLD, too!

P.S. both Adirondack Trina and Today, Shelby Says wrote about Legislative Day, too. Check out their experiences.

St. Baldrick's 2009-March 21st

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:26:00 +0000

I know what you are thinking, "St. Baldrick's 2009?" St. Baldrick's Foundation is a wonderful foundation that raises money for children's cancer research. Their slogan is: "Shaving the way to conquer kid's cancer!" This is a legitimate foundation whose mission is to "raise awareness and funds to cure kid's cancer by supporting cancer research and fellowship." Now before you stop reading...please rethink it. Take a look at what a fellow blogger is doing:

Jay, from the blog Halftime Lessons is a part of this wonderful "shaving" on March 21st. He is trying to raise money for this awesome cause. No cancer is "good", but when an innocent child get's cancer and their life is cut so short by this horrible disease, it is the "worst" cancer. I wanted to share an excerpt from this blog about last year's fund raiser:

" Last year as we all gathered to shave our heads in empathy outside the medical center, our organizer motioned for us all to look up at the windows where the children on the oncology ward were standing and waving at us...one female doctor from the hospital was so moved by what was going on outside that she came out, walked to the front of the line, and asked us to shave every bit of the beautiful long auburn hair running down the length of her back. People cried, and laughed, and cheered, and gave everything they could to help try to stop one more child from having to go through a terrible ordeal.

This will be the second year I do this...last year I personally raised over $1600, and our venue, one of hundreds, raised over $60,000. And yes, today I am here to ask your help." ( to read the complete post, click "Last year")

Now, if all that isn't wonderful enough, Halftime Lessons is having a contest! For every $5 (and seriously, what is $5!) you donate, your name will be put in a drawing. Grand prize #1 is YOUR blog name written on his head! A button made of that photo and linked to your blog and displayed on THEIR blog for 3 months! So really good advertising there! There are many , many prizes from a custom, handmade necklace, to $20 in scratch offs, to St. Baldrick's T-shirts.

Please remember it is for not only a good cause...but an AWESOME cause. There aren't many days left. Please go support Jay and the "kids".

(picture taken from St. Baldrick's Foundation website)

Jelly Belly jelly beans & $10,000 Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:13:00 +0000

Just wanted to give a "Heads UP" to all the Jelly Belly jelly bean fans...new and old! They have some new flavors and a $10,000 Contest! Go check out the post at my site Our Alphabet Soup for the details. Sweet tooth...you will be satisfied!

What is your Theme Song?

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:57:00 +0000

I was over at NightOwl Mama's place. She had a post "What's Your Theme Song?" I loved the idea. So, I am bringing it over to share with you all.

My theme song is by Mercy Me, "Keep Singing" I have had a rough couple of years with my mom having to be taken away from our home and put into a "Respiratory Rehabilitation Center". I was pregnant for my third child during all of the beginning of this. I am an only child and she and I are very close. Life still had to go on. And If I am very honest, I will tell you how lost I feel without her. I still visit her once a week. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive one way, but it is so worth it. Without God, I would be so much worse. I know He has carried me often.

I thought Bart Millard, the writer of this song and lead singer for Mercy Me, had snuck into my head.
Truth is some days being a mom, wife, daughter, teacher, cook, maid and referee can get overwhelming....but you got to keep singing.

I tried to put the video in my comment to NightOwl Mama's post, but it won't let me. If you leave a comment, and share your theme song, and put the link to your song, I will put your video on this post with your name attached to it.
Thanks again to NightOwl Mama for a great idea! I can't wait to see all your songs!

Tonya's Theme Song- "Keep Singing" by Mercy Me

Shelby's Theme Song- "Set The World On Fire" by Nicole Brit

Brenda's Theme Song- "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty

NightOwlMama's Theme Song- "Baby, You're My Destiny by Jim Brickman and Christina Aguilera

Trina's Theme Song-"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" by George Younce and Larry Ford

Roger's Theme Song- "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks

The Ultrasound "Water Torture Test"

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:22:00 +0000

I had to go have an ultrasound done today. I am experiencing some unusual pain and I am sure they are checking for any cysts and such. My appointment was for 2 pm. The "directions" tell you to drink 32 fluid ounces an hour before your appointment. OK. So here is out how it went for me.

I drank my 32 fl.oz actually on the way to the appointment. I sign in and sit. I am pretty impressed with myself because I am 10 minutes early. I want a band to parade by , balloons and confetti. This is a miracle. So I sit. And I sit. At about 2:15, I am feeling quite "full". Not only do I feel like I have to go #1, I also am getting twinges of #2. I am in sooooo much trouble.

I go up to the window around 2:20 and try to whisper to the "lady behind the glass window" so the two people that just HAD to sit by this window would not hear. I explain my situation and ask if they are running behind. Stupid question because of course they are! OK then, "lady behind the glass window", what am I suppose to do? Not taking this ultrasound is out of the question. They go and ask "someone behind another set of glass windows". While I am waiting, I say, "They should use this" ultrasound water torture" on terrorists." Everyone in the little room agreed and shared how they "couldn't be able to hold it if it was them". Real encouraging.

After a few moments, a tech comes over and tells me to just let "a little" out. I laugh and say..are you kidding? When the "raging river" starts to flow, I am not sure I have a "Dam" strong enough to stop it. I thank them and sit back down. Yeah, that made it better! PRAISE THE LORD no one was there drinking some water or slurping on a soda...I may have fainted.

I can no longer take it. Sweat is starting to form on my brow. I tell my daughter that I am going to try the "little bit " approach. The tech's exact words were "just count to 20 and then stop." So as I am walking to the restroom, I am thinking, OK...how fast do I count? What if I count to slow? What if I count to fast? At this point the pressure and pain is so bad, I am wondering if I can even remember how to count to 20. My next dilemma is how I am going to do "one " and not the "other". All this worry is too much.

I reach the rest room and am concentrating on "everything" and I did it! I counted to 20, I only did "one" and I felt relief. God is so merciful! I am praising Him and being so happy that I got through this and just knew they were going to call me as soon as I sat back down in the waiting room.

Ten minutes goes by and I am off to the restroom for another "little bit". Praising God on the way out. Ten minutes later, repeated. I sit back down and then they finally call my name. I think I scared everyone with how loudly, joyously, and quickly I said "I'm here!"

Finally I get in the dark room and lay down...with my knees up. It hurts too much to put my legs straight because, guess what? My bladder is full to the "rim" again. She tells me I have to put them down and I proceed to administer a death grip on the sides of the "bed". Then she starts pressing. As she is doing this, she gives me even more great news. They are going to have to do an "internal ultrasound", too. Oh yeah!

The pain was so bad, and she was being as gentle as she could, but I broke and was literally crying. Finally, she told me that she was done and I could go empty my bladder. EUPHORIA!!!

We proceed with the "internal ultrasound" and she tells me, "Your bladder is still so full I can't see anything." OK, I just left the bathroom 10 seconds ago. Do I have the fastest filling bladder on the East Coast? Do I need to inform Guinness Book of World Records and get published? She takes pictures of what she can and then tells me to empty again.

EUPHORIA!!

I come back out and she says the same thing..."too full". She again does her best and informs me that we will try this one more time.
EUPHORIA!!
Hop back up on the "bed" and she could see! Two minutes into taking the pictures she has been waiting for, she tells me she has to hurry because my bladder is filling up again. Oh my word!
Why can't I be this productive with house work? In the end, guess what she finds?
She finds nothing...no cysts...or tumors on anything.(PTL!) She told me I was going to have my period very soon though. I am surprised she didn't tell me that my bladder grew to the size of an elephant's head!
She told me that I did not qualify for Guinness Book of World Records...but I am still going to check it out!

Praying With Your Kids!

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:22:00 +0000

Please indulge me! I will set up a video of the day widget...but till then....enjoy this.
I seriously had to watch it 3 times cause I was laughing so hard I couldn't see the screen, only hear it. My kids said they never saw me laugh so hard. I almost wet my pants!

St. Patty's Day is Coming Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Tonya) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:14:00 +0000

St. Patrick's Day is coming soon and maybe you are struggling with finding a gift. Shop Irish.com has awesome products. I am sure you could find what you are looking for here!

I love St. Patrick's Day for two reasons: I am Irish! I LOVE emerald green. I have a Super Poke Pet on Face Book...can I get a "YEA, FOR POKE PETS!!" They have St. Patrick's Day items. I have an EMERALD ROOM! My dream room! I hope my St. Patrick's Piggie will take you there.

Here are some of the products from ShopIrish.Com.

Green Sequined Baseball Hat

Women's Personalized Grandma etc Claddagh Design Sweatshirt

Baby Irish Diva Onesie

Irish Scream Hot Sauce

Shamrock Bouquet Stained Glass Window

Only for Leprechauns Figurine