Category Archives: David

P365 – Day 70 (Comfort Food)

What says comfort food to you?

Macaroni and Cheese
Chocolate cake with hot fudge sauce
Fried Chicken
Oatmeal
Chicken noodle soup
Cheeseburger and fries

In our house pancakes ranks up at the top of the list for cozy, settle in and watch a movie, sugary goodness, comfort food.

Warning – these pictures may shock and dismay!

david's pancakes

This boy can’t even wait to cut his food.

I found an article interviewing chefs and food writers on their favorite comfort foods. Their choices were a bit more elegant than our typical fare but sounded delicious. It was interesting to see how much food and family were interconnected.

We had fried eggs with our pancakes this evening. I was afraid the ravenous looks on the children’s faces would be too much for this sedate crowd so I didn’t take any pictures. I have to protect the gluttonous.

these are good!

No doubt he’s checking to see if there is room for more pancakes.

Since my change in eating the past few years, typical comfort foods are no longer part of my menu. When I have a bad day or the children (darling though they are) are testing my patience, chocolate and bowls of chips are not available to me as snack foods. I have to find other ways of dealing with my frustrations. It’s been rather eye-opening (and humbling / embarrassing) to see the patterns I have of turning to food in times of stress.

For the most part I am much happier to be off sugar and other ‘trigger’ foods, but occasionally I miss some of those good old comfort foods. Look at this face.

smiling boy

Nothing like white flour, white sugar, buttery goodness for dinner. Yum.

Tim reminded me of the words that Jesus spoke when he was hungry (and he was TRULY hungry after 40 days of fasting):

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Ah, the ultimate comfort food. During trying moments in life, when I feel overwhelmed and want to dive into the cookie jar, I do have something available to me that offers real solace, help, and peace – God’s Word. No calories or fat grams to worry about.

Kathy

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Birthday Cakes throughout the Years

I am NOT a cake decorator. Both my mother and my mother in law have studied cake decorating and made beautiful cakes over the years. My mil worked for a caterer for several years and is an extremely talented baker. She made our wedding cake – I should say cakes since there were NINE of them in all (each a different flavor, of course) – and did a fabulous (and delicious) job.

wedding cake

This picture doesn’t do the cakes justice as they were gorgeous. Mom E., I STILL like the dark green leaves!

With this much raw skill in the family, it’s a shame that I am such a poor cake decorator myself. One time my mother in law came and presented a cake decorating class for my Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. Where was I? Working in the Moppets department. I missed the entire thing. Sigh.

david 1 year old

David’s one year old birthday cake. That year everyone got their own little, individual cakes.

messy eater 1

messy eater 2

A neat and tidy eater that made us all proud. “Somebody get me a washcloth and hurry!”

When it comes to birthday cakes I try to outsource this job as often as possible. With five children, however, this can get quite expensive. Thankfully my children’s grandmother is as kind and generous as she is talented and we’ve received some beautiful birthday cakes over the years. Last year she even made Tim’s birthday cake. I know some people would be upset that their mother in law made their husband’s cake (boundary issues and all of that) but I was more than thrilled. She makes the BEST Black Forest cake that is truly Tim’s favorite cake ever. What a great birthday present!

two year old david

Age 2 – David obviously remembers the chocolate cake fiasco from last year’s birthday party and is a bit wary. Where is that washcloth?

daniel helps david 2

Thankfully Daniel is right there to help.

There are times, however, when a girl needs to step up to the plate (so to speak) and make the birthday cake for her own child. Or at least find a decent cake at the grocery store – whatever it takes. Today was one of those days!

david is 3

I don’t know what to say here. Looks like a panCAKE to me. He’s one excited three year old.

blow it out 3

Whew, I wasn’t sure he’d be able to actually blow this one out. Good job, little guy.

Rachel, Daniel, Sarah and I set out for the store to buy the perfect cake for David. Hmmm. We came up with less than spectacular options. The cakes were either totally bland looking (not much to excite a 6 year old there) or expensive (you want HOW much for some flour, sugar and eggs?). There were some impressive cakes in the display book but, um, that doesn’t really work when you’re a ‘last minute’ kind of mother. You have to plan ahead if you’re going to get something fancy like that. Also, I’m sure those are way too expensive (boy, that is some NICE colored frosting there – how much did that cost me?).

david is four

David is four! Oreos and licorice cover a multitude of inadequacies in the cake decorating department.

daniel david 4

Notice Daniel is, once again, right there to “help” when needed.

In a fit of “I can DO IT Myself-itis” I rejected all the cakes behind the counter and led the children to the baking supplies aisle. There are certain people who should never say “I can do this better/just as cheaply/prettier/fill in blank” – at least not without a laugh track playing in the background. I am normally not this optimistic (or cheap) but something about those plastic looking cakes filled me with a renewed sense of baking confidence. No doubt it was all the high fructose corn syrup in the air – addles the brain.

race car cake

race car 2

David is 5!! He had a race car birthday party complete with a race track birthday cake. Note the excessive sprinkles and crumbled Oreos that cover most of the cake.

Armed with a cake mix, a can of frosting, a box of pudding, a tube of decorator icing, and a fancy candle (and this is home-made how??) we set out to make David a birthday cake worthy of his lofty six years.

A friend from my homeschooling e-mail loop shared a cake recipe from the Confessions of a Pioneer Woman website. The entry is called the best chocolate cake ever and she includes beautiful, crisp pictures of each step of the recipe. She is obviously a talented photographer as well as a witty writer. I haven’t tried out her recipe but it looks divine.

I was inspired by her descriptive blog and decided to copy her technique. [As if this blog wasn't long enough already.]

This is the creation of David’s birthday cake for 2007.

The humble ingredients.

ingredients

The first cake, top cut off to create a level surface, ready for filling.

first cake

The chocolate pudding filling with a little cookie help to give it some added crunch (and up the chocolate factor).

pudding oncookiespudding

The top layer is on.

top layer is on

The frosting choice of the day.

frosting

And on it goes.

frosting on

Almost done – starting to look pretty.

getting pretty

Now for some real decorating – how easy can you get? No bags to mess with. Just change the frosting tip (included with the can) and off you go. Ah, this is the life.

blue icing

My attempt at “stars.”

stars

Add a little writing and we’re almost there. Thank you, Betty Crocker.

david's cake top

Add some candles, a little bit of red, white and blue sprinkles and we are all set.

cake is done

Everyone gave this cake a big thumbs up rating. David left one bite on his plate and told us all he didn’t want to eat too much, as he was going to “try and be healthy.” Good job, Buddy! Way to be healthy. We won’t count the samples, the spoon from the cake batter, the ‘practice’ cookie with pudding, and the frosting spatula that found its way into your mouth.

Happy Birthday, David!

Being a true son of his mother, David has been more than happy to extend his birthday from Friday on through the weekend. He called it his birthday all day today; after all, we hadn’t had the cake yet and cake equals party in his mind. He even managed to finagle permission to sleep on the floor from his father (“since it’s my birthday, Daddy.”). He’s obviously learned from the best about stretching celebrations out. Lol!

Kathy

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tn_rocket

P365 – Day 49 Noah’s Terrible Journey

There is a blessing that comes from growing up with three brothers – you have years of understanding that can only come through experience. Boys = wrestling, fighting, admiration of strange bodily noises and odors, explosions of all kinds, insects, speed based food eating contests, expectoration, wild driving (from tricycles, scooters, and bikes to mopeds, motorcycles and cars) and so on.

I distinctly remember my mother saying (more than once), “If you boys are going to kill each other go downstairs so I can make dinner.”

I have been amazed to hear the strangest things come out of my own mouth.

“In this family we do NOT sit on the top of the bed and spit down into the bottom bunk.”
“No, you may not use a screw driver to cut down a tree.”
“Next time take off your rollerblades before you ride your bike down the driveway.”
No, you may not take apart that chair, I’m sitting on it.”
“How much blood are we talking about?”
“Put your brother’s gun down.”
“Put your brother down.”
“Put me down.”

I could go on but my eye begins to twitch just remembering some of these ‘hearty’ boy encounters. People often talk about their children needing therapy when they grow up – I think it’s mothers of boys who will be lounging on the dr’s leather couch one day. Of course, who needs the doctor, I’d be content just to have some time (uninterrupted, PLEASE!) on a comfy couch. But I digress.

Time ater time I have thanked the Lord for giving me brothers. Without them I would surely think my sons are crazy, sick, abnormal creatures who should be rushed to the doctor. Why would you pop the head off of innocent looking dolls? Why would you sharpen a branch into a pointed weapon and immediately charge upon your beloved brother? Why would you turn a simple chore of putting away silverware into an imaginary duel between knives and forks? Why would you want to send Noah flying to the sky?

Oh, that brings me to Sunday’s post.

For his birthday Joshua bought David an Air Hogs Scream’n Stream’n Rocket from Target. The kids had all sorts of fun going outside and shooting off the rockets. It works great – the rockets fly high into the air.

rocket
Boys also = running, screaming, shouting, and shooting. Explosions, again, are always key.

We had a very full Sunday, ending in Bible study at our house. The kids behaved beautifully – they played nicely (and quietly) in the garage while we watched our Love and Respect dvd. Afterwards one family stayed late and joined us for dinner and games. The grownups played cards.

tim wins

Tim humbly points out his winning score.

The girls played upstairs. Joshua set up a huge battlefield for David.

soldiersjoshua's soldiers

At some point in the evening, as the hour grew late and the children squirelly, Joshua and David, in a bond of bizarre brotherhood, decided to study scripture (this being the sabbath and all). The passage they chose was from Genesis 6.

God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

Teaching through illustration and acting is often a very powerful tool and one we encourage in our family. Joshua, being the wise and mature older brother, came up with an idea of how to help David more fully understand these verses in Genesis.

noah's doom

Apparently the practices of these people were even more debased and bloodthirsty then we suspected.

David (no doubt unwillingly) agreed to play the part of some of Noah’s tormentors.

david posed to shoot

Noah, I’m afraid these are terrible times.

noah flies

After such troubles some quiet, peaceful time on an ark full of animals doesn’t sound so bad.

Kathy

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David’s Special/Spiritual Birthday

Today is David’s Special or Spiritual Birthday – the anniversary of the day he asked Jesus into his heart, to forgive him from his sins and make him into a new creature.

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Years ago we started the tradition of Special/Spiritual Birthdays. Tim and I both grew up in Christian families and have been believers for many years. When our children became a part of God’s family we wanted to do something unique to highlight this significant re-birth. If you’re looking for a functional Moon Magick Rebirth Planner, choose from daily, weekly or monthly type at oddpothecary.com.

I John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

John 1:12-13
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

We record the special day on the calendar and then celebrate its passing with a gift – something that will encourage them in their Christian walk. Often we pick out a new Bible or a devotional book. We talk about their decision to turn their life over to Jesus and their memories of how they came to accept Christ. We also praise them for the ways in which we see them growing. It is a special time.

We want the children to understand the significance of their decision and to help them grow in their understanding of God’s grace.

David has always believed in the Angel Numbers, h? believes that ?ng?l numb?r? ?r? the most commonly seen m?d? ?f ??mmun???t??n with angelic gu?d?n??, he has a strong connection with the Angel Number 444 Meaning, as he knows he has nothing to fear in regards to his life, work and Divine life purpose.

The scriptures talk about working out your salvation with fear and trembling, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12b-13 We celebrate the children’s Spiritual Birthdays to help them see how God is working in their lives and build on the foundation that has been laid into place. Our desire is that their love for the Lord and depth of wisdom would increase over the years in accordance with their knowledge of Biblical truths – that they would move from seeking Jesus as a savior from eternal hell to place Him as Lord of their lives.

Romans 10:9-10
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

It has been a tremendous blessing to be a part of God’s work in our children’s lives. They continually amaze and encourage us as they walk with the Lord.

So often we are late in celebrating Special Birthdays. Today I happened to be on the road when Tim reminded me it was David’s big day. Hooray! I was right near a Christian bookstore and was able to go in and pick out a new Bible for him. What a treat to have a gift and be able to celebrate on the actual day.

David's present

so excited

David was thrilled with his new Bible. He even tried reading some of it himself. What a joy to discover the Bible stories afresh and new.

Happy Special Birthday, David.

Kathy

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P365 – Day 32 (Thur w/DW)

It’s David’s Special Day. He will be 6 in the middle of this month. My goodness! Right now he is very worried that we haven’t bought him any presents. He’s not sure we have enough time to get them. These are pressing concerns.

david and sarah

Surely his sister, Sarah, will buy him something fun for his birthday!

In lieu of this worry, I do have to ask a few questions. First of all, what does he possibly want that he hasn’t already gotten for Christmas? If you ask him, he struggles to come up with something. I think he just enjoys the IDEA of presents (and really, as someone who has just a hint – cough – of “gifts” as a love language, I can’t blame him). Also I am a bit amused at the idea that it would take such a long time to buy him some presents. If we were ordering something online, then yes, it would require planning, but a trip to the store (Wal-Mart, Target, and Fred Meyer are all within 20 minutes of our home not to mention Toys R Us up by the mall) hardly needs days and days of planning.

I understand his cry – “I’m special! Don’t forget about me. Don’t forget about my birthday! Celebrate me!!” – and in a big family I can understand the fear of being overlooked.

david smiles

Really, who could overlook this special little guy?

He must not fully comprehend what kind of a celebrating mother and generous, gift buying father he has. His birthday will NOT be forgotten. We will prepare and decorate and celebrate. There will be LOTS of presents (of one form or another). His siblings will thoroughly join in the partying – with gifts and general merrymaking. Don’t worry David!

Today was the end of swim lessons for this session.

david sitting pool

David has rapidly progressed up the ranks of swim classes. I guess he was right when he told me he was doing well. He went from Pike to Super Pike and, this time, got the notice that he can register for Eels next. Such a heady pace of advancement!

there he goes

There he goes!

there he falls

And there he falls–not really, but that last jump did wear him out!

Sweet Sarah, meanwhile, plugs along in Pike, session after session. Lol.

sarah swimsI'm a pike

I’m a pike!

After class I couldn’t resist taking some pictures of David and Sarah in front of the beautiful mural that is along the wall behind the hot tub, in the corner of the pool room.

david and the snake
sarah and the flowersthey're silly

Don’t bite our fingers!

I had a meeting this evening so I wasn’t home to snap pictures of David and Tim playing Age of Empires for their game time. I know they had a great time because David was all smiles when I returned home.

This weekend my parents come for a visit. Whee!! David and Sarah will surely impress them with their new swimming skills. We are all excited to see them.

Happy Special Day, David!!

Kathy

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