Mom to the 6th

I'm in awe of God's awesome Wonders

2010-06-20T22:43:00.006-06:00

As most of you know I live in Montana, where the weather changes faster than I can change my under ware. Most of our weather conditions are high winds, snow (that usually falls and melts the next day), high winds and wild fires, high winds, and flash flood warnings. This year has been quite a bit different for us folk.

Our winter seemed to last longer than the norm, and the snow didn't melt within a day or two. It even continued to snow into April. So, there really was no chance for us to have April showers to bring May flowers. Instead, May came and with it came some rain, than June came and brought a lot more rain, more than I've seen in the 5 1/2 years since I've lived here. We've had more "severe storm warnings" than I can ever remember as well. Like I mentioned, we are use to the high winds all year long, no matter the weather. In the past week we have had 2 or 3 tornado warnings, which is really abnormal for us. We listen to the warnings and think OK its going to pass us.

Not so much the case today. Or weather alert flashed and warned us of severe thunderstorms, than within in minutes it went from that to tornado warnings. OK, heard that all week. Again it flashes and says funnel clouds have touched down in Billings and a few have been spotted between billings and Ballentine. So the excitement begins. We are right in the middle of that path. I hurry and gather the kiddos get them downstairs with snacks and some games, give them my firm rules, and I head outside to see if I can spot one.

Well, I didn't get to spot one all we got out in Shepherd, was the typical high winds and rain. However Billings was not so lucky. The funnel cloud that touched down in Billings, tore the roof off of our major events centre, Rimrock Auto Arena. Leveled out a auto glass repair shop, destroyed a dance studio and an marine shop, and my most favorite... It destroyed the McDonald's sign. I love this picture so much because this really symbolizes how I feel about McDonald's. Sad circumstance, I know.

The tornado was only a F2, not too bad for those that experience them a lot more than us Montanians. None the less it did some great damage.

Thanks to our Jr High/High School pastor and his wife for putting us on the map. The pastors wife took some footage from her phone and posted it to Facebook, and within seconds it spread like wild fire. Than within half hour of them posting it, they were getting tweets from CNN, ABC, CBS, all wanting to BUY the little 2 minute clip from them, than after that CNN calls and wants to do a live phone interview. Now thinking of the circumstance and how close they were, I am overly surprised in how the wife reacted. She was VERY calm, considering her normal self. She only cussed once, and got bleeped on national television. I think for most of us, our reactions would have been much different!

I am really excited that they were the ones that experienced this, simply because when Kyle preaches, he uses his personal experiences to get his message across. I love that he does that so, the kids can relate. I can't wait to hear the message this creates. God has a plan for him and I know that He put Kyle there at that moment so, he can use it to glorify God.

After all was said and done, the calm after the storm was amazing. The sun came out sky was blue, birds were singing and there was this amazing peace outside. I am in complete awe of God's awesome wonders.

May God Bless you and your & keep you safe in what ever "storm" you may be going through.

We Need Jewlery.

2010-03-24T18:34:00.003-06:00

This is a copy of a plea from a friend's co-worker. She is a rural country Doc. She tells the whole story better than I can so I will just cut and paste her plea and please feel free to pass it on to others.

It all started with a fateful call from the nursing home. "We need you to come take care of Ernie's jewelry!" Despite being more than 40 years my senior, Ernie was a great friend, and we'd both been dismayed when she had to move from assisted living into the nursing home. She'd been there a while, with me as her physician, and this was a new development. Ernie had traveled extensively, loved beauty and being surrounded with beautiful things. When she moved to Heritage Acres she took an oriental trunk with her. It was reported to be filled with gold and jewels (her words), but I'd never been privy to the contents. Now her body was failing and, with decreased oxygen to her brain, her thought processes had changed. Rather than remaining her secretive stubborn self, she was talking to everyone about the contents of her magic box, and the nursing home administrator was becoming concerned about the liability of the facility. So Natasha (her lawyer), Ernie, and I spent some incredible hours cataloging her treasures. There were small bars of solid gold, gold nuggets from a mine, yogo sapphires, and a treasure trove of costume jewelry that we all wanted to play with. When Ernie died a few days later, all her beauties disappeared with her daughter, never to be seen again. We all hope that at one time or another her daughter had heard the stories that made Ernie's eyes shine with delight over a pair of gaudy earrings, made her laugh with joy over a simple bracelet, and made her cry over her infirmities that made her unable to dance around in her finery.Soon thereafter my Cousin Tommy's wife Donna died of metastatic breast cancer. It hadn't been long after her "5 year cancer free" milestone was reached that the tumors recurred rapidly, stealing her health and her joy and their hope.At about the same time my recycling efforts were being thwarted because I couldn't find any place locally to recycle glass or plastic.Our clinic had been involved with the Relay for Life portion of the American Cancer Society for years and had had bake sales at the IGA (grocery store), rummage sales at the Clinic, raffles, etc. I was struggling to find a way to raise money without having to sit at a table at the grocery store or to haul out white elephants into the clinic parking lot (and to convince someone that they really needed to buy them). I thought of Donna, of Ernie, of all the people in Big Horn County who were broke but loved beautiful things - and said to myself “recycled jewelry will work!" Since then we have had 5 "New to You" jewelry sales and have raised more than $24,000 for the ACS. Most of our sales are 50 cents or a dollar, since most donations are "outdated costume jewelry" that just isn't the thing any more. But we've been amazed by the overwhelming generosity of people who can't afford a monetary donation but can clean out their jewelry box or their junk drawer or their deceased great aunt's boxes. One woman dropped off a 5 gallon bucket of earrings (all loose) that weighted over 32 pounds and contained clip-on plastic skateboard earrings and glow in the dark skeleton earrings and phenomenally beautiful rhinestone earrings by Weiss. Another unidentified woman dropped off a sandwich bag that contained 6 genuine diamond rings. A welfare patient removed his necklace because it was the only jewelry the family had and he wanted to contribute. We've had donations of jewelry made of gold, silver, garnet, crystal, agate, plastic, wood; we've had things made of feathers and beads and uranium that glows in the dark; earrings that have been beaded and tatted and crocheted and carved from antlers...Our Hardin Clinic Relay for Life team has requested donations form everyone we can think of, including friends, family, patients, pharmaceutical reps, our surrounding clinics/hospitals. We've visited all the local (within 50 miles) pawn shops and jewelry stores and thrift stores looking for donations - including boxes or bags to put jewelry in, "necks" to display necklaces on, advertising, as well as things to sell including jewelry, jewelry boxes, watches, etc.. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, except for a few instances (like the diamond merchant who couldn't think of any way he could help us, because then he'd have to help anyone that stopped by his office...). We’ve been fortunate that the local media, including the Original Briefs, the Big Horn County News, and the Billings Gazette, as well as several local radio stations, have been willing to give us free advertising. The Goldsmith Gallery in Billings has really supported our efforts, donating a tourmaline cross, a diamond for a ring that wasn't complete, and emerald earrings and a necklace.Unfortunately, the people in our area of Eastern Montana have exhausted the supply of jewelry that they can part with, and we have to look further afield. We thought that if we could get a small mention in newspapers across the United States, we might be able to reach our goal ($100,000!); we can sell it if we can get it! We're getting really good at repairing jewelry, cleaning and polishing, and creative uses. Clip-on earrings and screw-in earrings can be used as pins, on chains as necklaces, as ornaments on wineglasses or hairclips or purses...You can hang bracelets on your towel racks or doorknobs or on your gearshift of your car. We can find a new home for almost any jewelry. Something one person hates may be someone else's hearts desire.So we are hoping to send this to people across the country, believing that people will be willing to open up their hearts, and their jewelry boxes, for an incredibly good cause. 100% of our proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society! I'm hoping to send this plea out as an email; you can't believe what I've spent on stamps so far!!! Unfortunately, I don't know where to send it.If you, or your friends or anyone else would like to donate something, it can be sent to the Hardin Clinic Relay for Life team at the Hardin Clinic, 16 N. Miles, Hardin, Montana 59034. We are a clinic with 5 providers, 6 nurses, 6 business office people, and one custodian; we live in a town of about 2500 people. We have all been very involved in the fundraising efforts. Actually, by now almost everyone in town has been involved in one way or another - donating jewelry, providing advertising or space to have our sales, working at the sales, etc. Our next sale is planned for the end of June if we can find enough to sell. Please give us a thought next time you are cleaning the house, getting dressed up to go out, or trying to streamline your possessions.My brother has always said "If you are going to think, think big". We would like to expand out of our little area. We would be thrilled if there were some way to get donations from each county in Montana, or better yet, from every state in our great country. So far we've raised almost $1000 per person in Hardin; if we could get each person who reads this to ask their mother and their brother and their great aunt to put a ring or a pair of earrings or a necklace into an envelope and mail it to the Hardin Clinic we could really raise a lot of money for the American Cancer Society! We'd really appreciate the help, wherever we could get it. It is definitely a win-win situation!Thanks so much! Please email this to all your friends, acquaintances, jewelry lovers, rich people who are feeling generous, etc!!!

If you are interested in donating anything please feel free to contact, The Country Doc.

Ralphy Ralph

2010-01-29T12:00:00.005-07:00

Who was Ralphy Ralph or Ralph Man?

Well, at first Ralphy was a dog that I told myself I would just deal with, being as he was not a big dog. Then he was the dog I had to protect. We were living in our old house at the time, which was a split level and we were up stairs when this BIG scream came from the living room. So we drop everything and run to see what was the matter. It was Ocean holding her ear. As were trying to calm her down to see what had happened she said "Ralphy bit me" so, without hesitation Steve proceeded to go discipline him. Than I had to leave Ocean be for a min, and go protect this dog that I didn't care too much for. After all it really was not his fault that he bit her. Ocean was about 4 at the time and Ralphy was her first pet. She really didn't understand dog language, but I assure it only took that one time.

After becoming the protector, I became VERY annoyed with "this stupid dog". He would follow me EVERYWHERE, and I mean EVERYWHERE! He would sit RIGHT outside the bathroom door. He would run out the door when he heard my keys and want to come for a ride. If I didn't take him for a ride he would run down the stairs and run circles around and greet me. So, your probably thinking that's not so bad. Well looking back it wasn't but, it got worse. When I would try and have snuggle time with Steve, Ralphy became jealous and would nip at Steve. LOL OK, kind of weird, after all he was Steve's dog. Why would he be turning on him? Ralphy started to not listen to Steve, and would only listen to me. SO, now I had to be his boss! All this for a dog I didn't want to care for.

This went on for a few weeks. Then we found out that we were pregnant! OK not the news we wanted at the time but OK! As my belly started to grow, Ralphy became even more protective. My husband and the father of my child was not allowed to touch my belly in the presence of Ralphy, because if he did, he would get bit. So, now I had to become the mean one and kick Ralphy off the bed or out of the room or wherever.

It was all starting to make perfect sense. Ralphy knew I was pregnant even before we did. He knew all my aches and pains when I was pregnant. I had a lot of hip problems with Keona's pregnancy, and lil Ralphy would come lay behind me or sit beside me and put his back on my hips. WEIRD, you think? Well kind of, but the heat from his back sure did help the aches and pains.

So, after all that and my starting to grow a liking to this lil dog. Keona was here. Keona was now Ralphy's Baby. He would go where she would go. If she was sleeping he was right there with her or laying outside the door guarding it, and would nicely and quietly come get me to let me know she was awake. If she was having a bath he was right there watching. He was SO good that he would even let me know when she needed a diaper change. You would think I could smell it on my own, but after years of working with special needs adults and some that were in diapers, you become VERY immune to the smell so, unfortunately I couldn't always smell it. Anywho, it was very cute to see how he interacted with Keona especially as she got older and a little more Mobile. He tolerated her pulling his hair and tail. Guess we could have thanked Ocean for preparing the way.

OK so I fell in love with Ralphy and became very attached, it only took me about a year! SO, about another year or two later, we went back to visit family in Canada, and unfortunately we could not take him with, because Steve was on fire call after fire call. So, Ralphy went to go spend some time with Gramma Dot. He knew who she was, because that was his first home before Steve. I felt content in knowing he would be well taken care of and well loved, and I still to this day have no hesitations that that was the case. Well... One evening there was a huge thunder and lighting storm. Ralphy HATED thunder. He would run and crawl under the bed or come jump in between us. Thunderstorms were just another way for him to get a little extra love. Anywho that evening at Gramma's, I don't know if he couldn't find a hiding spot or what, but he had a heart attack and died. Getting the news while on vacation did not go over well with any of us. Steve was out on a fire and it was just myself and the three girls. We had cried for a while. We have even tried to have a couple of dogs since. Our first attempt was a bigger dog, a golden doodle named fitz, that we bought as a baby. We had him for a few months until he became a Clifford and outgrew out apartment we were in while we built. So, Fitz went to stay with some friends of ours. Once we moved into our new house we brought Fitz home, and I still couldn't find it in me to like him so, he went back to our friends and that's his family now. Next was a lil shi tzu named Diego. Working very hard not to replace Ralphy. It was hard to love Diego because he was just like a cousin to Ralphy. I tried and tried and prayed that I could find the love in me for this lil puppy. The kids loved him but in all reality it was I that would be the one who cared for him. It ended up not working out, and we took him to a very nice shelter where he would get adopted by a family that will love him.

There was never anything wrong with Fitz or Diego. It was me. I never understood how people could get SO attached to their pets. I now understand and still to this day miss my lil buddy and companion Ralphy.

And the Lemonade Stand Award goes to!

2010-01-17T13:55:00.007-07:00

MARCI BEAUCOUP MME GENEVIEVE GORGET-SMYTH! Mme Smyth is my cousin, my friend, a daughter, a wife, a mommy to be, a self taught photographer, an amazing writer, and a child of God. She has bless me this afternoon with this wonderful Lemonade Stand Award.

I feel so loved and blessed, as the Lemonade Stand Award is only awarded to those bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude, and there are just a few rules for accepting this wonderful award.

Put the lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to the person from whom you have received this award.

So, now that I have been awarded its time to pass the love on to ten of my favorite bloggers!

So here's to you, excellent bloggers, who - for many reasons keep my eyes open and remind me that God is #1, or keep me smiling and remind me that I'm not alone in the mommy world, and for those of you that have such a creative talent, keep me coming back to check out your works of art.

What am I Thankful for?

2009-11-24T22:54:00.007-07:00

I am thankful for many things:

I am thankful for Gaberiel Riley, who in his short 16 months of life, reminded me how precious our children our and that they are a gift from God, and to not take them or our lives for granted. THANK YOU GABERIEL

I am thankful for the wonderful support group I have. Without them I would be legally insane :P They have helped me through my many ups and downs, and continue to be a blessing in my life, which overflows into the lives of my family.

I am thankful for being humbled, by my friend Kyle Reynolds and the team that went to Ethiopia. They too have taught me to be content and thankful for what I have and where I'm at. Regardless of my trials and tribulations, I still need to thank God for placing these things in front of me, only to draw me closer to Him.

I am thankful that I live in a country that allows me to be free.

I am thankful for my family, near and far. As hard as it has been to be a Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Cousin, Niece, Friend, Child of God. I am so very blessed and thankful for my wonderful children, who continue to teach me on a daily basis. And I am very grateful for my Husband. He has stuck with me during my times of selfishness and crabbiness. He has placed me so high up, and treated me like a princes that I do not deserve.

Mostly I am thankful for my growing relationship with Jesus. Without Him, I would not be where I am today, and not ministering to my special group of Jr highers, everyday people. I am thankful for God's word. No matter how many times I hear or read the scripture, there is always that something that stands out to me. Thank you Jesus for my life.

There is so much more that I am thankful for, but this is just a short condensed version of my many things to be Thankful for.You may not be celebrating this holiday and that is OK, it doesn't necessarily have to be a holiday or a celebration for us to show our thankfulness. But lets try and remember each and every morning when we wake and start our day in prayer and whenever it is that you get the chance to dive into the word of God. End and start your day by giving thanks to our God for everything. Weather it be big or small, bad or good. Be thankful for all that God has given us, and make sure you give up everything that may be consuming you and interfering with your relationships.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

Love you all, and hope you all have a blessed holiday season.

Tribute to Bright Hope Team & schools

2009-11-04T21:29:00.003-07:00

OK so for those of you that don't know about Bright Hope, they are a group of 13 people from my church (Harvest, here in Billings) and they have gone over to Ethiopia to do God's work. Bright Hopes school is a school of 2,400 that does not have running water nor a cafeteria. This team from Billings MT has just picked this school in the slum of all slums and decided to go and help them get running water into their school and build a cafeteria, with very little tools. The biggest tool is God's will and direction.

Check out Bright Hope School's blog.

While your at it check out Micheal Jackson's, Man in the mirror, as a little visual as to what is really going on in our ONE world.

Softball

2009-05-18T11:50:00.003-06:00

OK so, softball season is in full gear. After having the first 4 games cancelled due to rain. Our team is undefeated thus far. Remember they were the champions last season, so they are still fighting for the title!

I cant wait until next year though because, the girls will be on separate teams and Marie will become more challenged with her pitching.

Happy "heart" day!

2009-02-14T15:06:00.007-07:00

When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart- shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows. Along with going that little extra mile or mile in a half to show our loved ones that we truly do love them.

In the Fourstar household we have decided to think of Valentine's Day as something a lil different. We took it upon ourselves to change Valentine's day to "HEART DAY". A day dedicated to hearts and love has a new meaning to us now.

Our cousin Gaberiel has had a very special place in our hearts over the past 6 mths. He under went an ABO Incompatible heart transplant, at 2 months of age. FYI: the first ABO Incompatible heart transplant was done February 14, 1996 - what a beautiful valentine's day gift that must have been.

We have also chosen to rename this day as "HEART DAY", because today is 3 days short of the one month passing of Steve's dad Carl. He passed unexpectedly on January 17th, from an Aortic aneurysm.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS TELL THOSE WHOM ARE NEAREST AND DEAREST TO YOUR HEART THAT YOU LOVE THEM!

HAPPY HEART DAY & MAY GOD BLESS!

Nothing is more rewarding then seeing your children accomplish great things....

2009-01-08T22:07:00.003-07:00

I have lost count of all my best days of my life, but I can tell you that this day was another one of those best days. There is nothing better than seeing your children accomplish great things, big or small! Its the best feeling ever for a mommy. Marie sure made me proud again today, when she got accepted to accompany Ed the weather man on our six o'clock news, to give half of the weather!

A glimps of The Fourstar family 2008 year!

2008-11-24T11:36:00.015-07:00

Wow, I can't believe in less than a month and a half it will already be 2009. What a year our family has had. I should have known what kind of year we were going to have when between Steve and I there were Dr appointments after Dr appointments, and well this is exactly how we are finishing off the year! I will get into all of that in just a few! As far as the rest of the family goes, they have been doing well and keeping active in sports.

Keona celebrated her 3rd birthday at the end of June. It was the most elegant princes ball any 3 year old could ask for. Keona is a lil diva. I have tried and tried to fight against that, but truly I think its in the female gene on the Fourstar side! She loves to play dress up and loves her big sister Brittney's high heals. She is very much still a daddy's girl. I love watching the two of them together. She knows exactly how to play daddy and get what she wants from him. He's such a softy.

Ocean started off the year with a tonsillectomy, because she had one too many visits to the Dr for unexplained fever and strep symptoms, so He thought it would be best to refer her to an ENT and have them taken out. In the spring Ocean & Marie both played softball on the same team, that I coached, and they took 1st place in for the whole season. This was Ocean's first year playing softball and she really came a long way from the start of the season. She played centre field (one of mom's old positions). Ocean celebrated her 8th birthday this year, and had an American Idol theme. Her and her 8 lil friends sang there hearts out on our karaoke machine (yes the migraine meds were very close by). Ocean is in second grade this year, and has been moved to extended studies for math and reading. She is reading at a 4th grade level. With her being in the extended studies classes, she will be challenged a little more and will get to do some more fun, exciting, advanced things at her own pace, just so she doesnt lose interest. Ocean has been blessed with a very sweet Christian teacher that I couldn't be more happy with. Her teachers words to describe her were... "Ocean is the light of the class, she shows up every morning with a huge smile on her face, she is never unhappy, she is our lil social butterfly, she is always willing to lend a helping hand to her friends and even me." Hearing those words sure made me proud, and all teary! Ocean really does look forward to going to school, she loves it. She also loves the fact that I come in and volunteer in her class room every Wednesday for a few hours.

Like mentioned Marie & Ocean played softball in the spring. Marie was the star pitcher and pitched the whole championship game. When she wasn't pitching she played short (another one of mom's positions). I was soo proud of her she had to pitch a whole game in about 105* weather and listen to mom nag at her from the bench, she was beyond exhausted. She most recently celebrated her 11th birthday, and her theme was a spa evening with her friends. It was a total hit, her and her friends had SO much fun. Honestly I was really struggling with what kind of theme to do for a bunch of pre-teens, and thought the spa thing might be a little too much for them, but it went of with fireworks. Right now she is waiting for Volleyball season to start. I think she is going to see how that goes and put basketball on the back burner this year.

Tyler has had a pretty mellow year. He started the year playing basketball for school and a traveling team. Then surprised us all and joined the school track team and did very well at that! He decided that he wasn't going to play football this year for the freshman team and just concentrate on basketball. He too has just recently celebrated a birthday, his 15th to be exact. He is now old enough to start drivers ed, but has made a mature decision and decided to wait to do it after his sports are over, so that hes not trying to juggle too many things at once. Stay tuned for reports on that.

Like mentioned earlier I started my year off with Dr apts after Dr apts. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the beginning of the year, just when I thought I had things under control I was attacked with these unexplained and unexpected periods of pains that I can only compare to labour pains. After a few months of dealing with that I finally got into my OB and found out that I had a couple ovarian cysts. So I was scheduled for surgery and had them removed along with a little bit of endrimetriosis. Then when that was all said and done, I went in for a routine dental appointment and had an x-ray done. The dentist was not happy with what he saw on the film and wanted to redo it. So after a second film was taken he still wasn't happy. He had explained to me that he was seeing what appeared to be a large mass in my sinus, and referd me to an ENT. After visiting with the ENT and having an MRI taken, he too was not too happy about the results and mentioned that I had a cyst in my left sinus that was taking up the whole sinus, I also had a smaller one on the right side, as well I had a huge bone spur that was blocking my whole left nasal passage and was starting to push things out of the way. SO again I was scheduled for surgery, and had the cysts removed as well as my bone spur removed. I have to say, since having both of those surgeries pretty much back to back, I have had no normalcy in my live, which is really catching up to me. I don't do well with change and I like to have my routine.

Steve started his year with a lil bit of a struggle as well. Trying to get his pain meds under control to help relieve his back pain. He too had many many visits to the Dr for acupuncture or epidurals to help relieve his pain. He attempted fires this summer with his pain and had a very hard time, but he stuck it through a couple just for the sake of supporting the family. Once fires were over he decide it was time to go through and have the surgery, so just a few days ago he did just that! He was in hospital for only 2 days and is home now working hard at doing what is required to a safe speedy recovery!

Glorified computer nerd in the making

2008-10-26T20:29:00.005-06:00

I think it's a little ridiculous when my 3 year old child knows how to navigate her way around NickJr.com, and not only navigate her way around the website, but navigate a laptop with a touch pad. It also doesn't help any that my loving husband is a glorified computer nerd and contributes to this now, "new problem" we have.

Workin overtime...

2008-10-22T20:25:00.003-06:00

The past two days, Keona has had the opportunity to go and join Daddy at the office. Today she couldnt take working right through, she needed a break. I have yet to get stright if she was just flat out tired from being slaved or if she couldnt take the chaos of Daddy's unorganized office!

Almond, white chocolate & pumpkin cheesecake

2008-10-17T19:10:00.003-06:00

Fall is my most favorite season and time of the year. The leaves are changing, and the weather perfectly not too cold, but not too hot. Fall is the best time of year to see nature at its best. Fall reminds me of family time well spent as a child.

If you know me you know I enjoy cooking, especially cooking those rather large meals, like Thanksgiving dinner, but something about fall brings out another side of me that I really don't care to do too much of any other time..... Baking. Well today I got into one of those moods, even though I wasnt feeling quite up to par.

I came across this recipe on FamilyFun.com, and thought it sounded rather gross, as well as very intriguing. I saved it to my computer and thought I would try it when I got into one of my "baking" moods. My family is always up to trying something new, and they really love dessert. I myself am not so much a fan of pumpkin pie, or pumpkin anything at that. However I took one for the team and made this up, being as I know the others like pumpkin. I did try a little of it and it turned out rather nicely. Pumpkin cheesecake is not so bad!

Budget, Budget, Budget....

2008-10-13T20:16:00.003-06:00

For some time now we have really been working on our "budget", for those of you that do the "budget" thing, you know its a chore in itself, and well if your anything like me your always trying to find ways to save money or reduce costs some how.

About two years ago now, Steve and I went through the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class that our church offered. Every now and again we also like to tune into his radio talk show, and pick up a few new "budgeting" tricks. A few months back we were tuning in and he had mentioned this site that plans your meals and your grocery list according to your needs or wants and store preferences, AND ITS SUPPOSE TO SAVE MONEY.

Not only do I like to cook but my family does like variety, so we signed up, being that it is only $15 every three months, which works out to be $1.25 a week. I couldn't be any happier with this choice. I DON'T HAVE TO PLAN MENUS ANYMORE! A chore that would normally take me 2 hours, now takes me a few clicks of the mouse and VOILA there it is, saved to my computer and ready for me to print at anytime.

I have yet to come across a meal that my family does not like, and the prep time for them are 15 minutes max. That's for a "regular" meal. They send variety, such as, crock pot meals, easy meals, in a hurry meals and regular meals. They are all full course meals to boot.

Most of you know that when I do groceries I shop for about 8, but always have to buy more because of the hungry, hungry kiddos I have to feed. Ever since following this new meal plan we have been under budget every time and that includes buying "non grocery" items. Dave wasn't lying.

So if you have not yet had a chance to check it out, I suggest you do. If you would like to try it before paying for it, email me or send me a message and I will be more than happy to send you some of the menus that we have already used.

And its still snowing.......

2008-10-12T09:57:00.004-06:00

This is more snow than I wanted to wake to this morning.
Lucky Steve had to usher and got to go out for an adventure in this garbage.

Still snowing....

2008-10-11T20:18:00.003-06:00

I can't believe there is this much snow for October already, and the leaves are not even finished let alone barely started to turn colour!

Gaberiel's Story

2008-09-12T08:40:00.002-06:00

Gaberiel Daniel Riley, was born on the 18th day of July 2008, to Daniel and Jennifer Riley at 11:11am in London at the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario. Mom had attended a regular scheduled appointment and a simple rise in her blood pressure had the doctor admitting her to hospital. Jennifer laboured an amazing 11 plus hours without any form of drugs. Jennifer always maintained that her parents insisted that she not use drugs. I think her dad tried to explain the difference between good drugs and bad drugs but after all was said and done she was a hero to many. Gaberiel weighed an astounding 9lbs, 1ounce and the nurses seemed surprised. Laughter filled the room as it was explained that his older sister Danielle weighed in at 10lbs, 2 ounces and his brother Michael weighed in at 7lbs, 10ounces so baby Gaberiel landed right in the middle of his siblings. It was explained that they were all little compared to their father who weighed in over 12lbs when he was born at Victoria Hospital on south street in London. The doctor's cut the cord and he basically rolled out onto the floor walked out onto South Street and went for an icecream.

In the few moments after Gaberiel was born dad cut the cord and after he was wrapped he was placed on mom's chest. Gaberiel seemed congested and mom was immediately concerned about his coloring. Gaberiel was taken to a heat table and cleaned up for his initial examination. During his examination he was suctioned for an extensive period of time and they joked he swollowed a small lake. After 40 minutes of still extracting fluid from his lungs they called for another team of doctors and indicated they could hear a heart murmur. Gaberiel was rushed to the Pedatric Critical Care Unit where Daniel and Jennifer were told by doctors that they couldn't guarntee that Gaberiel would make it through the night. It was believed that Gaberiel may have Menigitis and be needing a spinal tap. On entering the Unit Gaberiel was hooked up to an ECG and on lung support and oxygen as he lay in an incubator. The nurse noted that his blood pressure leveled out and that he stablized when he heard his parents. The nurse furthered to explain that in his almost 30 years of nursing, he knew that no medicine of this day could save their son's life and that through experience he suggested that they talk to him and that he couldn't guarntee it but he stated he would be recovering by morning. Mom and Dad sat vigilant with Gaberiel through the night and talked to him all about Team Riley and the things we do as a family and how much they would like to take him to Disneyland. (Its rumoured that a lot of magical things take place there).

Early the next morning tired and still crying with the belief their baby was dying. Daniel and Jennifer were amazed that Gaberiel began to breathe on his own and was removed from the oxygen and moved to the pedatric care unit on the 7th floor. Gaberiel was subjected to an echocardiogram of his heart and several blood and sugar tests. The early diagnosis was an enlarged heart called by medical name Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and it was believed that mom may have undiagnosed diabetes. Not the case. After meeting doctors and several blood tests later it was determined that the doctors really didn't know what was causing this condition. Gaberiel remained in hospital for 6 days following his birth and after being roomed with other infants born with illicit drug addictions and constant crying mom demanded a meeting with doctors.

Gaberiel's parents had watched as the heart monitors went off and there were delays in response to the crib sides and believed they could better care for their child at home. Gaberiel at this point was on Propanol and his mom and dad providing his care. Gaberiel was discharged and was to follow up in one months time.

Gaberiel was taken to Childrens Hospital in London and after an ECHO examination of his heart it was determined that doctors in London knew that they did not know the cause and that his heart was still growing. An appointment was made at Sick Kids in Toronto and it was indicated that they would operate and remove the muscle around the lower portion of his heart.

On the 26th day of August 2008 Gaberiel was brought to Sick Kids in Toronto and it was a matter of 4 hours before Dr. Benson indicated that there was no reasonable possibility that they could successfully operate and remove muscle from Gaberiel's heart and that it would likely grow back if they could not determine what was causing it to grow. Doctors could only speculate and ordered all his tests from London Hospital and began his own work ups and testing. It was determined that Gaberiel's condition was a terminal illness and the only means to give him a reasonable chance at life was through a heart transplant.

On the 8th day of September, at approximatly 1AM, Gaberiel revieced his new lease on life. Gaberiel came out of surgery that morning very stable and his condition very, very promising. Although Gaberiel came out of surgery stable, the Dr's re-visited the risks and various things Mom and Dad needed to watch... much to everyones amazement, he was breathing with a respirator but not a heart and lung pump (life support).

At 3pm that day they met with the Surgical Team who advised them that Gaberiel was rejecting the heart and that after moving dosages of medications they were unable to get the heart to correct it's self and were facing the difficult task of having to start the life support. They indicated they needed to open his chest cavity again and begin the heart and lung pumps to regulate his heart rate with the assistance of a pace maker. The life support system is used to give his heart a rest and to give them an opportunity to work on the heart. The chest cavity is left open to assist with the swelling of the heart so that proper drainage could occur. They indicate that they would give the heart anti-rejection drugs to possibly correct the problem. They indicate that over the next 4-5 days they will medicate the heart and slowly re-introduce the heart to its functional responsibility to the body and gradually turn down the life support until the heart can operate on its own again. They indicate that this is not uncommon to transplants as initially the heart gets going and starts doing an excellent function and then eventually produces antibodies that begin to reject the donor heart.

After two days on support, Dan and Jen arrived at the hospital and found that the doctors had decided to take Gaberiel off of Ecmo a day early. What a wonderful thing to hear. He is now off the support and his first set of blood work is good. He of course is still very sick and this will be touch and go, minute by minute. But for now, his chest is still open so if something goes for the worse it will be easier to hook the ecmo back up. The doctors were genuinely amazed at his progress as he has taken on the heart, but he's still on the ventilator. They state that the heart muscle is squeezing through the blood to his body under Gaberiel's own power - unassisted. The heart rate is 140 and normal for a little boy. His previous heart rate was 120. The ventilator is to assist Gaberiel's lungs so they can slowly reduce some medications and at this point they are astound at the rate he is taking it on again but are going to be cautious and go at a medical pace.

Mom and Dad were advised not to get to far ahead of themselves, being as he is a very long way from the finish line. Think of it as being lap 2 out of 20.

On the 11th day of September, the transplant doctors surgically closed his chest. It was expected that within 2 hours Gaberiel may start swelling again and bleeding fluid around the heart. There is a usual pattern that is not uncommon to take 1 step forward and 2 steps back, but that never happened this day. The doctors continue to warn us not to get to far ahead as things tend to change very quickly and without warning. To this point they are a little surprised at him.

The next step is to start reducing the muscle relaxants and to see Gaberiel start to wake up. He will still be on some pretty serious drugs but by the end of the day they want to see how the heart reacts to taking on muscle movement and as it takes on more they will slowly turn down the respirator and see how much he will take on. They say that this phase is all controlled by computers and that if theres any signs of the heart tiring that the computer kicks the respirator back up a notch and that takes the work of his lungs and doesn't overload the heart so much. Baby steps.

This only just a part of Baby G's story.

The other half of this is, Gaberiel is not an only child, he has 2 older siblings ages 1 and 2, who have been staying with family in London, a city that is 2.5 hours away from where Mom and Dad are with Baby G. Further more, being as he has had a heart transplant Dan & Jen were advised that they needed to move to Toronto for up to a year after this transplant. The first three months will be daily appointments on demand and then after that, the will have up to 2 apts weekly on demand. At this time finding a place has been very difficult for them. Rent is not lookin cheap and nothing seems close enough. Then to top off the cake Dad works as a police officer on the other side of London and will have to leave Mom and Baby G to head back to support the family.

Dan and Jen have truley been a great inspiration to many, there love for one another and there family is beyond amazing. They have really taken this experiance and became stronger as team Riley.

Please join us all in prayer and pray that God's hand is all over this. As easy as it is said for us, pray that Dan and Jen will wholy give there baby boy up to God and let His healing hands do the work, as well as provide a roof over their heads.

I'M AN AUNTIE, I'M AN AUNTIE!!!

2008-08-19T11:12:00.008-06:00

There is nothing better than going through pregnancy and labour, just to be blessed with a beautiful child.

Being as I have been put on a time out from having more babies of my own. I was more than excited to accept the fact that I would be a first time Auntie.

My brother and sister in law just had their first born on Sunday! Madison Lee Saker arrived around 11 Am weighing in at a whole 7 LB 2 oz. Most of us would say that's a perfect sized baby, however there are a few that would say that she was a very small baby!

I cant express how excited I am to be a first time Auntie. I have my ups and downs about it, only because I live about 3,000 miles away from her and seeing her will be all but once a year. However, this auntie likes to shop and I think that part of my "free" money is not going to go to her. After all what kind of Auntie would I be if I didn't spoil her!

I cant wait, only another 11 days and I will be hogging her. I mean holding her! Until then, Austyn will take perfect care in ensuring that she gets all the attention this little princess needs.

Don't mess with her beauty rest, after all every princess needs it!

Where in the world are the men of the house?

2008-08-08T21:13:00.008-06:00

I was sharing with Steve that I have found this new time consumer, that was not Facebook, its called blog spot. HAHA! Anyways he had a look see and well now he's feeling a little left out of the pic being as I barely mentioned Tyler and him. He told me that I should blog and tell him where the "studly men" of the house are! SO here is it to you my Love!

My wonderfully hard working hunk of a man has been putting in some sleepless hours to help with wild fires both local and out of state. He was so kind enough to snap this picture of himself on his way out to California, because he didn't want to wake us sleeping princesses.

He was in Northern California for nearly a month, and oh my what a story he had to tell from that. My short and sweet of the story, was that he was in pot central. Marijuana is legal there, you can buy it at the corner store. The forest that they were in they were trying to go in to do a fire line on the opposite side of the fire so that they could control it. Well while they were going in they got stopped by the Mexican Mafia and were told to pack up and get out. Well being as they were threatened they had to pack up and get out and call in the officials. Being as they couldn't get in to do the fire line the fire blew up and well the fools lost their pot anyway! Had they let them do what they were suppose to do they would have still had a pot Field. God works in mysterious ways.

Now hes been gone for about a week to Nye, Mt. I believe it's a controlled burn to settle the Red Lodge fires. I'm not real sure the specifics of this fire, other than its pretty close to us. About a 2 hour drive, but he should be home on Sunday, so there goes our plans to drive and see daddy in action.

Ok enough about him....

Wow how I miss feeding this littlel man.. Hes a good eater and enjoys his food, but what man doesn't. He never fails to take an annoying interest in whats for dinner, and then has a little cheer once he finds out.

Tyler has been visiting with his mom and grandparents since about 2 days after school got out. I know that he did have a trip to Saskatchewan, Canada for a revival. Other than a few very brief conversations online I have not talked to him at all. Ohhh and he went and helped Steve's dad pick choke cherries, to help gather their years supply. He too is suppose to be home on Sunday.

So there you have it folks, just in case you were all wondering where in the world the men of the house were, you can rest easy knowing they have been gone working and playing. While us girls sit at home watching the Olympics eating Bonn bonns..

Banana French Toast

2008-08-07T12:14:00.006-06:00

8 slices of raisin bread
2 bananas 1/2 sliced
1 cup of milk
4 oz of cream cheese (soft)

3 eggs
1/3 cup of sugar
3 TB flour
2 Tsp vanilla
powdered sugar (optional)

*Preheat Oven to 350
*Place 4 slices of bread in a single layer on a 9" baking dish
*Top with banana slices & remaining bread
*Blend milk, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, flour & vanilla in a food processor until smooth
*Pour over bread
*Let stand in fridge for 5 mins
*bake 50-55 min. until set & top is toasted
* Let sit 10 min & dust with powdered sugar!

I'm not a fan of french toast and cant stand to make it. I have to be feeling very generous to make it for my family (once a year). I came across this recipe while sitting in the Doctors office. Sounded like a recipe I would want to try. So I tried it today for the princesses. They all said they liked it.

Kjersten said "its good", Ocean said " there's something in here that tastes like metal, but I like it." Metal....Interesting description if I do say so myself. Marie said, "I looooove this", Keona could really care less she just wanted to dip her finger in the syrup and powdered sugar. My personal opinion..... " Gross" French toast is french toast. The middle was soggy. I could have baked it a little longer but nah its Gross!

I would make this more often for my family only because it has a fruit in it and it appears to my eyes to look a little more healthy than the "normal" french toast. That powdered sugar does wonders for the eye.

Our so called "girly time"

2008-08-06T21:47:00.014-06:00

Being as all the Fourstar men are gone, us ladies love to take advantage of "girly time", especially when there is nothing but boys for the girls to play with around here.

After our play date at the water park on Tuesday, we asked Karen's daughter, Kjersten to come have some girly time with us, being that she too is surrounded by boys. She is the only girl out of 4. One day turned into two, which is fine by us we love to have added girls when we can!

Karen is really going to kill me for this next part, but let me just say there were no complaints from Kjersten. Well wait only one, but very much unrelated and I totally understand her feelings. She has no desire what so ever for dogs. Big or small. She wants nothing to do with them at all. With all that being said, I hope none of this next part has any effect on Kjersten's coming back!

Today the girls were hot and decided to take a little dip in the near by creek. After that the neighbourhood boys and them found a dead snake & a craw fish that they found entertaining. Trista and Marie were the only two girls to touch the dead snake! The boys wanted so badly to cut the snake and craw fish open to see what they eat. Great intentions boys, but not on my time!

After seeing all that I thought it was a perfect time to pull the girls in to clean up so we could watch movies and eat popcorn, like "girly girls". This is what a girly girl is suppose to look like.

I truly love watching the kids hang out with one another, they are the modern day version of "The Sugar Creek Gang", except I like to call them "The Crooked Creek" gang, being as that is the name of the creek they swim in. If you haven't the movies I really do recommend them.

BTW these are the accomplises

2008-08-06T01:09:00.005-06:00

A whole new world, a new fanstastic point of view....

2008-08-05T23:53:00.002-06:00

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world
Don't you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath - it gets better
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be

A whole new world
Every turn a surprise
With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red-letter
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me

OK that was the first and last time I will ever sing for you....

This is somewhat a whole new world for me, it's a step outside of the Facebook box! I was feeling a little out of the blogging loop, being as I have some how lured a few unexpected friends into the world of Facebook, so thought I should try out their world of blogging.

Let me say now that I am far from a writer and lack a lot of those grammatical skills, so please have mercy on me and forgive me now!

So here's to the world of blogging! Much thanks to Karen (senior blogger), Amy (blogger), & Amber (blogger in training!)