It's a New year and I am losing weight?

So it's a new year, 2012, and now it is finally time for me to lose weight.  I know it's such a cliche to say you want to lose weight at the begining of a new year.  I am not making a "new years resolution", that is just not for me.  I guess it is just having a blog with photographs makes it really hard to not see the weight creeping up on me.

This is me 6 months ago trying to workout with Little Man.
I have gained some weight since then.

It is a little sad when your "fat" jeans are getting too tight to button.  I just don't have the heart to ask my hubby if we can budget in a shopping spree for me to get some new clothes that fit, because I cannot seem to control myself when it come to food.  It is so embarrassing to admit.

Now this is a photo taken of me yesterday.  Yes, my work out clothes are a little tight too, but I have to start somewhere.  

I wish I knew someone that lived close to where I live and was in the same situation as me.  I would love to have a friend that could keep me accountable; but since we live in the country, I am going to use my other blogs to hold myself accountable. ( my other blog: http://nowamomof3islosingweight.blogspot.com/)

If there is anyone out there that would like to be my cyber-walking-buddy?  click here.

What is one way you make sure you get a workout everyday?

Purex Triple Action Laundry Detergent: Review

As a wife and mom of three kids, laundry can be an all consuming task.  I feel like we are always doing laundry.  I sometimes feel like the piles and piles of laundry never end.   I have tried many different brand of laundry detergent, but only one fits our family and budget, Purex.  Purex is affordable; nearly half the price of other leading brands. Purex is a great product at a great value and switching to Purex as really lighten the load of our budget (no pun intended).

I switched to Purex laundry detergent almost a year ago, and could not be happier. As a purex insider, I receive a bottle of Purex Triple Action to try.   As a avid Purex brand user, it was no suprise that Purex Triple Action leaves my clothes white, bright and clean. 

The new and improved Triple Action formula delivers even better on Purex’s promise to leave your clothes bright, white, and clean.   With my two youngest spilling; either on me or on themselves, it can be hard to find a laundry detergent that will get rid of all different stains. The new Purex Triple Action leverages the best parts of there current formula, combined with new additions, to deliver great cleaning plus improved brightening power.  My white clothes are whiter, my colored clothes are more vibrant, and I don't have stains left on my clothes.

Just like all of Purex’s current detergents their new Triple Action has been formulated to work in both traditional and High Efficiency (HE) washers. Purex will work with both top and side loading washer machines.

Since my family has sentive skin we chose Pure Triple Action Free and Clear.  Purex free and clear has a fresh clean scent without the heavy perfume smell because it contains no perfumes or dyes.  It is ideal for people with sentitive skin.  I like Purex free and clear l because it leaves my laundry smelling fresh and clean. 

 I hightly reconment making the switch to Purex laundry detergent.  I know my family and I are glad we made the switch.

Disclosure: Purex provided a free sample of their Triple Action laundry detergent for me to review. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

A Postive Story of a stranger,we will never forget

 I almost thought the idea of "goodwill towards men (and women)" was as old as the song with the same lyrics. That was until a few days ago...

My in-laws were visiting from Nevada and we all decided to take a drive to Houston to see friends they had not seen in over 30 years. My mother-in-law was sick with a cold and we almost thought we should not go.  She really wanted to see her friends and use her Christmas Present (tickets to see the King Tut exhibit). We were supposed to leave around 10am on Saturday, but when my hubby noticed the tires on our car were balding, we had to push back our departure time. He did not want to go on a long trip and have something happen to the tires, so he took the car to get four new tires.

When he arrived home we all loaded into the car. It was the five of us and my husband's parents, thats a total of 7 people in a Chevy Tahoe. It was tight, but we all managed.

About an hour and a half into our journey I notice the car was jerking a little. It was like the car was in cruise control and was going up and down a steep hill. I ask him if the car was in cruise control and he said "no", but the look on his face told me he knew something was wrong with the car. Before we knew it, the car rolled to a stop.  We did not even have a chance to get off the major highway.  We were stuck about 5 miles outside of town.

It was a stressful time to say the least. My hubby did not know what was wrong with the car and all the added question from us only made things worse. I knew the best thing to do was to stay clam and let him figure out a solution. He called AAA for a tow, but since their was 7 people in the car, he had to call a rental car too.

It took 30 minutes for the tow truck to find us. The rental company took longer. The rental company was under staffed and one of their employee was on her lunch. It was going to take them over an hour to get us.

I was so stress out. How am I going to manage my daughter with special needs, a very active toddler, and a teenager by the side of a major highway. I said a little pray "God, this is more than I can handle, please help." Those words were all that I could get out of my mouth without going into full cry mode.

We all decided the best course of action was to have my hubbie's parents go with the tow truck and we would all stay and wait for the rental car to arrive.

As we were waving goodbye to the tow truck, we notice a car coming to a stop in front of us. The women in the car rolled down her window and asked us if we needed a ride somewhere. My hubby and I look at each other dumb founded. Our look said to each other " What do we do? Do we take the ride?" My Hubby was the first person to speak. He said to  her, "yes, we could use a ride to the rental car center" (it was only 5 miles away). She said she would be glad to take us. We asked over and over again if she was sure  it was not to much trouble to take us.  She assured us that is was no problem, and she just felt she should do this.  We told her over and over again how much we appreciated her stopping to help us.

I loaded the kids in her car as my Hubby put our belonging in her trunk. When we were all in the car, we showered her with gratitude followed by some small talk where we found out that her son and my hubby work for the same company. My hubby even knows her son's boss. What a small world.


As we pulled up to the rental car company, I did not know what to say, so we simply said "Thank you".


Thank you was too little of a word for what she did for our family. I knew right here that she was a blessing send to us from God. She was the face of Jesus, a glimpse of heaven and God's glory. She, a stranger, put our needs above her own needs. Simply put, she was an answer prayer.


You see God cares for us, he cares just as much for the little things in our lives as he does about the big things in our lives. He is willing and wants to help us all we need to do is ask.  I am blessed, becaused I asked for God's help.




Matthew 7:7-8
⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

If you have any question about what all this means or how to ask Jesus as your Lord and Savior please visit this link.  How to become a Christian.

Friends, Family and fireworks: New Year 2012

So today is the last day of 2011.  Today is New Years Eve.  We do not do anything daring, or go out together with the crowds.  We are more homebodies.  We like to stay home with our kids and ring in the New Year with our whole family. Eating goodies and drinking Martinellis' Sparkling Cider. 

This year was extra special because not only was our whole family together, but my hubby's parents were here with us too.

We have never lit fireworks before, but since we live outside the city limits, it is legal for us to set off fire works.

Here is dad showing our Oldest (the Boy Scout) how to safely set off fireworks.

Mare Bear loved all the colors, lights and sounds.  She giggled uncontroable.  She was so excited she almost jumped out of her stroller.

My Oldest was showing Marebear the sparkler.  They changed colors and she like watching all the colors.

As for my Little Man he like the colors, but did not like the loud popping noises.  It really scared him.  Our Dog, Shasta, was just as scared.  She jumped behind me on the bench, panting.  Both of them were shaking, so I took them inside.  I held both of them until they calmed down.

What were you doing when the new year rang?

Dragons of the Valley book review: A tale of a faraway land in need of heroes.

Dragons of the Valley by Donitta K. Paul is a contemporary Christian fiction book.  It is the second book in a trilogy.

 Dragons of the Valley takes you through another world in the country of Chiril.  Some unlikely friends band together to save their beloved country from war by hiding statues, Trio of elements, from the invading enemy.   Among the unlikely friends are a princess, a wizard, an artist, a prophet of Wulder, two Kimens (a race of tiny, fast, musical people), and minor character they met along the way.

Tipper Schope was chosen to take one of the Trio of elements to the Dragon of the Valley.  Tipper is a princess in line for the thrown.  Her father,  Verrin Schope sculpted the Trio of elements.   The trio of elements are connected to the well being of Verrin and Chiril because he had unknowingly  used the cornerstone of their world to sculpt it.      

Tipper’s friend, Bealomondore was also chosen to take one of the Trio of elements to the Dragon of the Valley.   Bealomondore is the one of the most unlike characters to be chose to protect the statues, he is an artist not a swordsman.  During his quest he must decide to follow Wulder (their God) and to pick up the sword of Valor.

The unlikely friends must hide the statues in the valley of dragons, escape the clutches of The Grawl (a unusual beastly hunter like creature)  and defeat the invading army.

I really enjoyed reading Dragons of the Valley.  I did not read the first book in the trilogy so I was a little lost at first, but in the back of the book is an appendix, it helped we to sort out the characters , races, and unusual objects.   The author’s use of allegories adds to the main story line.  She  has woven the ideas of Wulder (based off the Christian God) into the story to help reader get a glimpse of God.

The main theme of trusting and having faith in the Creator, is a timeless Truth that all readers can benefit from reading.  The book also reminds us; if we do not teacher our children the Truth of God’s word, our grandchildren’s generation will not know God.  This book is an eye opening book, but also a fun light read.  I cannot wait to give it to my 13 year old son, whom loves to read books on fantasy. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Press as a member of their Blogging for Books program. All opinions are my own.



Rate my review of Dragons of the Valley:

The True Christmas Story!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and The Government shall be upon His Shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty GOD, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this"
(Isaiah 9:6-7).







The following is a King James Translation of God's Words spoken through the Holy Spirit to Luke


Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child. 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son,
and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.

2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us. 


                                      


2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His Name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb.








The following is a King James Translation of God's Words spoken through the Holy Spirit to Matthew


Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ. 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost. 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 


1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God With Us. 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the LORD had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn Son: and he called His Name JESUS.

2:1 Now when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2:2 Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?

For we have seen His Star in the east, and are come to worship Him. 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel. 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the Star appeared. 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also. 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the Star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.




2:10 When they saw the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.


This is only the beginning of the story.
To be continued...

Christmas Holiday Trends 2011

 Merry Christmas, right about now, you’re probably gearing up for a wonderful Christmas filled with great family, great friends, and of course, great food.


Thankfully, Betty Crocker is here to help make cooking and entertaining easier than ever with Betty Crocker’s Red Hot Holiday Trends 2011! The food experts at Betty Crocker have selected trends that will be red hot this holiday season, and have created delicious recipes to bring each one to life. These fun and delicious recipes are sure to fire up any holiday event, and keep you toasty and warm for the New Year ahead.

Trend: Double Desserts

Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It’s a 1+1=3 kind of thing.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

I can say that I tried this recipe and it was delicious.  They went so fast that I didn't have  time to take a photo of them.  I love pumpkin so I added a little more pumpkin to each of the cupcakes.  I think you can never have to much pumpkin.  

This is a great recipe to show off you culinary skills to your friends and family.  

Trend: Better Than Bought

From canning to candy making, there’s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity.

Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge

Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt—a recipe to impress.

I do like to can my own fresh fruit Click Here to learn more about canning.  Right now black berries are a  great price at our local H.E.B grocery store.  If I can spare the time I am going to try to can some of the black berries.  So far I have made three pies with all the black berries, they did not make it out of our house.


You can always make Reindeer Feed to giveaway as gifts.  It is easy and inexpensive to make.