Cherry Pepsi Cake

We made a fun discovery last night during supper. The kids asked what's for dessert... I am making more and more food all the time and it keeps disappearing. So I decided to throw something together quick, since everything I had made for supper was licked clean. A few years ago I got this microwave container from Tupperware that I love! I found a box of Cherry Chip cake mix and mixed it with 1 egg and a can of Pepsi Max. (So now it's diet cake!) I microwaved it for about 5 minutes and Voila! I served it warm with a dip of vanilla ice cream. One comment was, "This is the best thing I ever had!" I don't know if I'd go that far...but it wasn't bad... and sooooo simple!

A Nice Surprise

I've come to accept that the baby is no longer "a baby"...my little girls are growing up, and as much as I am enjoying these toddler years, I remember the times when I felt a little overwhelmed with them over the past 3 years. The two youngest girls are 16 months apart and when they first came to live with us they were 6 and 22 months. Right before this I remember telling a friend how it is so nice now that the older children are at the age where they are starting to be more responsible for their things and they enjoy helping do chores. Soon after, we received a call about these two sisters that needed a home. I knew it was going to be a challenge at first, going from 2 to 4 children in about an hour, but we felt at peace about this and were excited to add to our family. As challenging as it has been, I wouldn't change anything....except for a few times of how I reacted to different situations (actually more than a few) All of our children have been a true blessing and I'm so thankful that the Lord led us down the foster/adoption path!!

On Sunday afternoon, we all took a nap, except for the 8 and 9 year olds. I normally can't sleep very long because I'm am a very light sleeper and will wake at the sound of a mouse scampering in the ceiling! This time I woke up and was surprised how late it was and there were no children screaming, fighting or jumping on the furniture or floors...I quickly went out to see what was WRONG! I found them all in the living room...Happy! The older ones were playing Wii and the girls were content on the couch with a snack that my oldest daughter had gotten for them. I was so excited about this and couldn't believe it, so I had to snap a picture to prove this!=) People kept telling me that it will get easier...now I'm starting to think it might! Now, just about an hour ago, the youngest found my Bath & Body Works cucumber melon body spray and decided to spray some in her mouth...at least her breath smells good!

The Dishwasher....A Thing of the Past!

Occasionally I will remember that I really don't need to lecture my children, they learn more by their own choices and the consequences that follow=) Besides they usually tune me out during a lecture...it's hard to sit back and let them make their own decisions though. A good example of this happened yesterday. My oldest daughter and son decided that they don't enjoy emptying the dishwasher any longer. I don't remember them ever complaining about this before! So I told them they are welcome to wash and dry all the dishes by hand if they want to. My daughter right away said, "No way! I will stick to the dishwasher!" While my son said that he would like to wash dishes. They stood there and argued about this for a minute or two before I intervened..."I have an idea!" I said, "Why don't you empty the dishwasher every other day and starting today, your brother will wash and dry and put away all the dishes." (Notice the bold print where I put a very strong emphasis while I was talking=) He was very pleased with this idea and she was not, because that meant she would have to empty the dishwasher by herself! I reminded her that it would only have to be every other day, to which she agreed.
Since lunch wasn't quite ready, I told my son he might want to start on some of the dishes until we start eating. He was very pleased with this, because it was kind of fun anyway! After lunch we all helped clear the table and stacked the dishes (HIGH) beside the sink, and he got to work. My daughter wiped the table off and then reminded him that it was his turn to sweep the floor!! =) To my surprise, he didn't argue. He was determined that his choice to wash dishes was better...
A half hour later we were relaxing and he was only half way through. I kind of felt sorry for him.....well, not really....
That evening he came to me and said, "Mom, I changed my mind...I'd like to help with the dishwasher instead!"

Horst family Christmas....just for you who missed it...


My cousin Jason Horst performed for the kids. He is so talented!

Every year someone makes a pinata...I believe Jason made this one also...

Merry Christmas! I love this time of year! I love decorating the house while listening to Christmas music. I love the smell and taste of fresh baked Christmas cookies. I love burning candles around the house. I love taking cookies to the neighbors.... I DO NOT LOVE trying to take a family picture. Usually it it chaos! I don't think I have many pictures where all the children are actually smiling and happy! This year I was determined there had to be a better way!!!!! So, one night before bedtime, I told them we are going to have some fun after they all get showers, baths and pj's on. After they were ready for bed, I got my camera and told them we are going to take a Christmas picture to send out. But, I am not going to tell them how to pose! They had to come up with that. IT WORKED!!!! I must have snapped at least 15 pictures and they were all smiling and having FUN!! I couldn't believe it! I am definitely going to be doing this again. After about the 20th pose, I had to put a stop to it. I think they would have kept going for another hour! Here are some of the results=)

Helping Hands

I am enjoying bonding with my youngest child while the rest are at school.  She has grown up so much these past few months. She is a very busy, determined, strong willed 3 year old. She loves to help me with things around the house. She was begging me the other day to help me bake some pies. I decided to make some apple pies to take to church for a baked goods exchange at our women's Christmas banquet. When I was finished with the crust I gave her the leftover to make her own pie. This year I canned a bunch of apple pie filling from the apples from our two trees. We had an overabundance of apples. She had so much fun rolling out the dough and making her own little apple pie. She was so proud of it when she was done that she could hardly wait to show the others as soon as they walked through the door.

Tonight I tried something new. I am supposed to take snacks to our Sunday School class in the morning, so I decided to try to make some Bubble Bread. It was actually fun to make and I can't wait to try it! It made the whole house smell delicious!

Bubble Bread

*1 pkg(1 Tbs.) dry yeast

*1 1/2 Cups warm water

*2 Tbs. sugar

*1 tsp. salt

*1 Tbs. shortening

*4 Cups flour

*1 stick butter

*1 Cup sugar

*2 Tbs. cinnamon

~Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt and shortening. Gradually add flour. Mix well. Let rise until double. Punch down and divide into fourths, then divide each fourth into 7 balls, making 28 all together. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip balls into melted butter and roll into cinnamon-sugar mixture. Stack lightly into an angel food cake pan. Let rise till double again. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.