Category — sharing

Yesterday I was the lucky recipient of some sweet and kind gestures. The point of this blog isn’t to write down the compliments I received but instead to share how I feel about people opening themselves up to giving and receiving compliments.

We all see and hear things that make us happy, put a smile on our faces or spark a comment or compliment in us. But I think that we rarely act on those things. Many times I’ll see a someone who’s dressed beautifully or carrying something that I find beautiful or who has said something intriguing and I’ll want to respond to it-to tell a woman or even a man that they look beautiful or that I love the bag they’ve picked to carry on that day or that their child has the sweetest look on their face. But I think many of us stop ourselves from saying those things because we are afraid of the response we might receive or that the person will think we’re “weird”.

But when we take a moment to say those things-to not be afraid of the response and simply let those things come out of our mouths, more often than not, a little joy is shared. And when we can learn to receive those compliments and let the person giving them know that they are appreciated, then a little more joy is shared.

I got to have a few joyful moments yesterday because people took the time to let me know that they thought that the way I do things for myself and my family was beautiful. I even got to bring home those daffodils pictured because a checker at my local Trader Joes thought I was a good M.O.M. and I’m so grateful for those things. They make me feel freer to share the compliments I feel for others.

Let’s try to take a minute to share a little joy today. When we give it, we will also, surely, receive it.

Have a great day~

I’m just back from the unhappy experience of being at the dentist. Now, don’t get me wrong-I’m very happy to be ABLE to go to the dentist. I know that I need to be grateful for dental coverage. But the appointment and the reason behind it were NOT happy events.

So, let’s go back about 3 years and I’ll tell my tale…

Chapter 1

Pain! Lots of pain while chewing and drinking. Hot-ouch! Cold-ouch! Something must be wrong. I think I’ll ignore it. After-all, I DO have 2 sides to my mouth and only 1 of them is painful. Solution-simply use the other side…only! This chapter lasted about a year.

Chapter 2

Pain! Too much pain! It’s time to call the dentist. I’ve been avoiding one side of my mouth for about a year and there really must be something that should be done. Right? So, I made the dreaded phone call (mind you, I take the kids to the dentist regularly. But for myself, there always seems to be a good excuse.) and scheduled an appointment. At the appointment I was severely scolded for having waited so long and informed that I was in need of a root canal.

~DREAD~

The procedure was scheduled and carried out. It was a 2 appointment procedure. I was told that all went well. ~sigh of relief~

Now…let’s forget about my stupid teeth and get on with life! And THAT is JUST what I did.

Chapter 3

Pain!

Why oh why is there pain in the area of the tooth that had the root canal?! I MUST have something stuck. Better floss EXTRA well…again and again and again.  And that is just what I did.

Over the next 4 months I would have that thought from time to time. I’d floss, brush, rinse and then forget about it until it bugged me again. 2 weeks ago my tooth decided to talk to me and tell me it was no longer going to allow me to ignore it. I spoke gently to it saying, “be well little tooth. You have had a root canal and are fine. You may look different from my other teeth, but you’re going to be ok. I will give you a break and I’ll (once again) chew on the other side of my mouth. Will that make you happy?” Little tooth quieted down and enjoyed the rest. But 4 days ago it yelled at me saying, “STOP ignoring me and patronizing me! I don’t want rest. I want attention!” Then the gum around the tooth started to swell. After 1 day of swelling and pain I called the dentist (on a Sunday). I explained everything and was put on antibiotics until I could come in for an appointment.

Appointment time! So…the dentist greeted me and got right to work. “Oh. Oh my. Let’s get an x-ray of this. My my…Oh Mrs. Lang, this is not good. Let me show you”.

My tooth has broken…in half and must be removed! Apparently that root canal was to be followed by a crown. This was an appointment I never made and frankly, forgot about. Now, here I am 2 years later facing oral surgery and the removal of a tooth that can not be saved. I’m more than a little freaked out!

Chapter 4 to come soon. I must stay on the antibiotics until the surgery, so you can bet it will be in a week or so.

*grumbling* Have a great day~

It’s a Wednesday in Lent, which around this house, means meatless meals. I looked through the cupboards and decided on something that I’ve called Mexican Lasagna and have been making for about 14 years now. It’s a favorite and by request, I’m posting the recipe. (Don’t think I don’t know that Rachael Ray has her own version of Mexican Lasagna. I guess she heard about mine and decided to develop her own recipe. Fine! But hers isn’t meatless and wouldn’t work for us tonight anyway)

Mexican Lasagna…Mommy of Many Style

1 can black beans
1 can refried beans
1 can corn
1 can chopped tomatoes w/ garlic and onion
6 tortillas
shredded cheese (I like to use sharp cheddar)
salsa (optional)
sour cream (optional)
olives (optional)
avocado (optional)

drain black beans and dump into a large bowl. Add the can of refried beans (and unless you are Amelia Bedelia I’m going to assume you know to open the cans before placing the contents into the bowl). Drain the can of corn and add to the bowl. Add the can of tomatoes. Mix together.

Line a 9×13 dish with 3 of the tortillas. I tear one of them in half to cover each end of the bottom. Spread the bean mixture evenly over the tortillas. Top with the other 3 tortillas and sprinkle the cheese to cover.

Cover and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Slice and serve. I like to let the kids decide which *optional* items they want to top their portions with.

Enjoy!

I know that dinnertime is important and in this house we don’t always get to have a sit-down dinner. Many nights, I call the kids into the kitchen, make their plates, hand them to them and then they take them to the table to eat and are excused when they’re done. But last night, there was time in our schedule to have, what Gabi calls,”a spread-out dinner”. This means that everything is put into bowls or on plates and the table is set and waiting and we all sit together. I’m so glad we had that time! It meant listening to the kids chatter at me and at each other about their day and to be able to hear some of their ideas. Had we not been sitting down last night, I may never have known what Tristan wanted to be when he grows up…”rich!”. Or that my 3 youngest boys all think it would be a great idea when they grow up, to have homes for the elderly. Tristan’s thought was that there should be a nice place for older people to spend their golden years. Max felt that he should start a town and give all the housing away, for free, to it’s elderly residents. Luke-Xavier felt that he should have a “food house” where all the people come and he goes up on his roof (he made sure to specify that the roof would be flat) in his elevator and gets the food for the people who need it. Gabi chimed in that she would be a model. She says she’ll be a model most of the days, but on some days she’ll build houses-houses where everything is heart-shaped and they’ll be “love houses”. Tristan asked her, “so, they’re for people who are in love?”. She put him in his place by explaining that “love houses” are full of love and are for the old people so that they know we love them…Sweet girl!

We ended dinner with the question, from Gabi, of how the chicken that was being eaten was killed. I had to admit that I really don’t know how chickens are killed and sent to market. I was scolded and told that they are shot…shot, the bullet is then taken out of the them and the hole from the bullet is superglued together so that no one has to see it. Chicken…yum!

I hope we can find time for more “spread-out” dinners soon!

Have a great day~

United Through Reading is a program that believes in uniting families through reading. They have a military program that is offered through the USO at selected USO sites. A service members can stop into the USO and pick a book for each of their children and then make a video of themselves reading the book or books.

Yesterday, we received 2 packages at our doorstep. They were each filled with books and Beanie Babies (not sure if the Beanie Babies are part of the program or just a fun addition). There were 9 books inside, one for each of the kids (Kateri and JJ, I will send yours along). They were accompanied by a DVD of Clay reading some of the books and talking to the kids. They loved it! The 4 youngest sat down and watched the video. They followed along with their books as Clay read. Maddi took her book, retreated to her room and came out an hour later, declaring that she’d finished it and proceeded to tell me the whole story.

When Clay first left on this deployment, he made a video of himself reading one book and the video and book were sent to us. But the DVD was very small and I couldn’t get any of our players to read it. This new one is regular sized and played right on my computer. Everyone was happy to get the replacement!

Lex with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (it was read SEVERAL times last night)

Gabi, Max and Tristan with their new books

Gathered around the computer to watch and listen to their stories

Clay reading Love You Forever to the kiddos

Happy faces

Thanks USO for making this program available. And thank you to the DFW International Airport Community which helped make our video possible and all the generous, everyday Americans who help to support this program and make it possible for so many!

Have a great day~

This question recently came from one of my readers. With her permission, I thought I’d share it and my answer;

Hi. So I’m asking for M.O.M advice. I know a lot of big families but they either have all small kids or they tend not to be involved in as many activities as my kids. Yours seem to be in a lot of stuff, too, so here’s the question. Or problem. Mine are driving me absolutely nuts with the last minute stuff. I forgot my… I have rugby practice… I need a…. This morning at 6:20 my son informed me that he needs a flash drive because he lost his a long time ago. But he needs it today. He knew I went to staples last night. Then, he forgot his rugby stuff. Which means that I have to drive it to him instead of him getting a ride to rugby.

Here’s the thing: If I stop them from going to sports because they forgot their added practice or gear, I feel like I’m punishing the team, not them. But I’m trying to get them all over the planet and work… So I’m being punished.

Any advice?

Laura

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Yeah, I’ve been there (and still am from time to time). I totally understand what you mean about punishing the team. But…the kids key into that quickly and understand that you’re not willing to let the team down, so they’re off the hook. So, sit them down and tell them (I like to tell them things AND have it in writing so that they understand it’s not going away) that the next time that you have to run around because of their forgetfulness or mismanagement of time, that you are going to give them an extra chore that they can pick from a list of extra chores (make it something substantial, that doesn’t usually get done, but that you REALLY WANT to get done). If it happens again, after an extra chore has been given, then tell them that they will be fined (this is IF they have $. A teen’s $ is usually hard enough earned that they don’t want to have to relinquish it for something that isn’t what they WANT). IF it happens AGAIN after that (make sure you keep track) then they lose the privilege of the sport for the day/week/one game…you decide. BUT, they will have had PLENTY of advance warning, so it’ll be THEIR decision to let the team down. AND let them know that they will have to give the coach (and team, if you choose) an apology for letting them down and tell them why it happened. This all puts the ball in their court. They have plenty of advance notice of what the cause and effect are and the decision is theirs.

That’s my advice. It’s hard to make them accountable for their actions, but it can be done.

Good luck!

I didn’t mean for this to happen. Every day I think of the funny moments that happen around here. I make a mental note of how certain things get done or that we are WELL into this year of deployment and how it’s all successfully happening in this house. I’ll shoot a quick Twitter update, or refresh my facebook status but then…I come home from work, get the kiddos settled with an after-school snack, give them a stern talkin’ to about their homework, drive whomever needs to get wherever they need to go, make dinner, serve it, give instructions for pj’s and bath time, make sure the teeth are brushed, line everyone up for the nighttime prayers (there’s plenty to be thankful for and to ask intervention on), lie the lil ones down, kiss their lil heads, glance at the LLLOOONNNGGG list of “must do’s”, pour a glass o’ vino, read emails, add a few things to the list and head to bed. WAIT!…what happened to sitting here and documenting how I’m Doing the Dance of the Children?! Heck, I even have someone assigning a daily song for me to do the Dance to. And yet, I find it challenging to write about each day. They are all so dang full!

I am floored that we are 2 days into December! My list grew by MANY entries when I realized all that must be done before Christmas and the arrival of the 3 missing members of this Lang Clan. I’m slightly overwhelmed!

So, the blogging has been makin it’s appearance on the ish. You know…Wednesday-ish. Next week-ish. Hopefully identifying this will change it.

Here’s to facing the fact that the Holiday Season is in full swing, that the year has blown past us and that life is WAY TOO full!

Good night~

Mommy of Many’s Mexican Lasagna

JJ requested this tonight and I realized I had forgotten about it.  For awhile it was a staple around the Lang house.  Having Kateri and JJ home for a little while in the summer brings back some of the things I used to do and have just let get dusty in the back of my memory. So, here’s a simple recipe that serves 8-10 but, as with every recipe I post, it can easily be modified to serve fewer or even MORE!

Tortillas

1 can refried beans

1 can black beans

1 can cut tomatoes (you can use any type or even substitute a chunky salsa or Rotel if that’s what you have on hand)

1 can corn

Cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives, avocado….whatever you want to top it with after it’s been cooked

Preheat oven to 350

In a large bowl dump the refried beans, black beans (drain first), can of tomatoes (do not drain) and the can of corn (drain first).

Mix well

Line the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with tortillas. I use 3-4

Top tortillas with mixture from the bowl

Top mixture with tortillas (again, 3-4)

Cover pan with foil and bake for 35 minutes

Uncover, top with cheese and bake for 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted

Cut and serve with chosen toppings

Done!

EASY and INEXPENSIVE!

Let me know how you like it or if you modify it and, as always, feel free to share your recipe ideas.

Good night~

I’ve gotten several requests for simple dishes that feed a group and for easy, inexpensive dishes that are family friendly.  In the last couple of days, I’ve prepared 2 dinners that I think fit both requests and thought I’d share.  Please remember that I get in the kitchen and just cook.  So, measuring can sometimes be a guessing game.  But neither of these dishes require much work, so the amount of particular ingredients can be done to taste.  Also keep in mind that I’m always cooking for roughly 8-12 people and that is what these dishes will feed but they can easily be cut in 1/2 or even doubled.

I suddenly feel a great responsibility! Wow! I’m nervous that you guys will try these and think they’re terrible!

Well, here goes-

A Make-It-Up-As-You-Go dinner

This is a twist on a recipe that one of my favorite bloggers posted about a year ago.  In her’s she added chicken and when I went to make it, either we were in a seasonal fast or I didn’t feel like messing with the  chicken and decided to use beans instead and this is what it’s transformed into.

Tortilla Chips (I like to use what’s left at the bottom of the bag or the ones that are stale b/c kiddos opened a bag, didn’t close it and left it in the cupboard for a few days)

One can refried beans

One can black beans

One can broth (chicken or veggie)

One can cream of chicken soup

Cheese

Crush the tortilla chips and create a layer on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish (I like a thick layer)

Dump refried beans, can of crm soup and broth into a bowl

Drain and rinse the black beans and add them to the bowl of other ingredients

Mix everything together and pour it on top of the crushed tortilla chips

Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes at 350.

Top with shredded cheese, cool and serve. Of course, you could go all out and top it with salsa, sour cream, or avocado, but I’ve kept it simple and just added cheese. The bottom layer should take on a consistency that reminds me of corn bread or stuffing. Yum!

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Colorful and Easy Radiatore

I threw this together one night about a year ago and it’s become one of my favorite pastas. It can be served hot or cold.

1 bag of veggie radiatore

1 jar alfredo sauce

2 bags of krab rounds (I like the rounds because then the pieces don’t break up as easily and aren’t *lost* in the pasta)

pine nuts (I buy a bag at Costco and use about 2 handfuls)

julienned, sun dried tomatoes in olive oil

garlic

olive oil

Cook pasta according to pkg directions, drain, dump back into pot and set aside

Add a small amount of olive oil to pan

Add crushed garlic to warmed olive oil (I use 2 cloves)

Add krab pieces and toss with garlic, just to warm

Pour alfredo sauce over pasta

Add krab and garlic

Toast pine nuts and add to pasta, sauce and krab

warm sun dried tomatoes and add to pasta mixture (use as much or as little as you like. They can be omitted all together if you’re not a fan of tomatoes)

Toss and serve

I LOVE this pasta! I have some kids who LOVE it and some who just want to pick the krab pieces out to eat.  But it’s a colorful and flavorful dish!

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There you have it! 2 easy dishes to serve a crowd, or just a large family!

Have a favorite dish to share? Post it!

Have a great day~

I’m sure you’ve heard me say it before, but I LOVE THE APPLE STORE! I don’t go in there as much as I used to because I’ve stopped taking their weekly classes but I had to bring my computer in, yesterday and it reminded me of how much I love dealing with the staff there and how happy I am to be a Mac user.  I have had some emailing issues, so I drug my computer and external hard drive in and with a smile and a joke, they got everything back to normal.  I always leave there with a smile on my face. 

Each time I leave, I ask myself why it feels so good to go in there and to deal with the staff.  I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s passion.  There’s something intoxicating about dealing with people who are passionate about what they’re doing.  It’s contagious and makes everyone who’s around feel great!  I see this when people talk about anything they truly love and believe in, whether it be their children, their business, food, travel or even…..working at the Apple Store!

Let’s each strive to find a little passion in this day! Not only will it make each of us want to get the most out of the day, but it will rub off on those around us and there will be a whole lot of people stepping a little lighter and smiling a little broader.

Have a great day~

This morning I’m rushing Max through the morning routine, because he tends to lollygag through everything, refusing to stay on task.  So, as I was fixing his hair, I was giving him a M.O.M. speech about staying on task and getting with the program.  

He looks at me and says, “I don’t like this program! Where’s the remote?”

All I could do was laugh and give him a big hug.  

Kids!  Gotta love ‘em!

Have a great day~

We are back from our weekend away.  The van is unpacked.  The laundry is washed and folded and we’re on day 2 of Vacation Bible School.  Whew!  

The weekend was great!  It was in a beautiful place on Mt. Palomar.  We all enjoyed being surrounded by nature.  At one point Max was MIA and we found him laying on the ground under some trees. He was just enjoying being outdoors and the quiet of nature (it was a little scary to have him missing though!). The kids were able to hike, swim, enjoy archery, flag football, soccer, volleyball, shooting at the range, playing in dirt and being surrounded by people who were willing to lend a hand if and when needed.  One family, in particular, really helped me out by welcoming my kids along on their family’s activities.  I was able to steal away for about 1/2 an hour, at one point and sat in the sun, watching a hawk.  Beautiful!  This was a weekend through our church, so on top of it all, we were able to spend time tying all the beauty that surrounded us, to God and all he’s laid before us.  It was a great weekend.  Though, I must admit that it was tiring for me.  

Yesterday we were in full swing of being back home.  Three of the littler kids started a week-long Vacation Bible School and we have some friends visiting from out of town.  Although summer can be exhausting with the demands of keeping the kids busy, I love that the schedule is open and all ours.  Last night we had the freedom to plan dinner with friends and not have to worry about getting everyone in bed on time or if their homework was done.  Yes, it’s all very tiring, but we get to CHOOSE to be tired.  

Summertime around here also means birthdays.  We have 5 summer birthdays!  JJ celebrated his 17th bday while we were on our trip and we have Arianna’s 14th coming up in a few days.  Time for M.O.M. to do a little bday shopping and get ready to enjoy some cake.  I’m a little floored with how these years are flying by and how we have some many teens!  

I hope you’re each getting into the routine of summer and enjoying it as much as we are!

Have a great day~

Potty-training……

Well, I’ve been down this road 8 times and I’ve always started right around each kiddos second birthday.  Last year, as Luke-Xavier’s second birthday was approaching, I decided to wait a little while since Clay had just deployed and I knew that it wasn’t the best time to try to introduce any other life changing events.  So, I waited.  Then summer came and we were busy running around and I thought, “well, I’ll just go through the summer and we’ll worry about potty-training when everyone’s back in school”.  Then school started and I found myself homeschooling two 7th graders and I thought, “well it’s certainly not a good time to worry about potty-training!  Maybe after Clay gets back from deployment and we’re into the holidays….”  And so it went with one “reason” after another until yesterday when I thought, “ok, we HAVE GOT TO GET THIS DONE”!  Not only has his 3rd birthday come and gone, but he’s going to preschool in the Fall and he MUST be potty-trained to be there.  So my mind started working on strategy (I’m a little out of practice).

The other night when he was in the bath, he started to pee and stopped himself and I put him on the pot and he finished there.  Hmmmm….not bad!  So, I know he’s got some control over the whole thing.  Hmmm…..how to motivate him?

Ah Ha!!!!! M&M’s!  I remembered the old trick of giving an M&M (or other small treat) every time a trip to the bathroom is successful.  So, I told him we were going to go to the store to buy a bag and he quickly reminded me of the successful pee episode of the other night and that I owed him ONE M&M.  Who was I to argue with memory, math or motivation?!  One bag of potty-training motivators was purchased and ONE colorful candy was dispensed into a eagerly waiting hand.  

But today!  Oh today!  He gets it!  Man does he EVER get it!  He’s come to me saying he’s gotta go, several times.  So, off with the diaper and a boost onto the potty and he sits there until he makes himself go.  Then he excitedly puts his little hand out for the ONE M&M.  This last time, he was so determined that he spent 20 minutes sitting there, insisting he had to go.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I found something that was gonna work and work fast, but this kid has the patience of a saint!  

So, let’s hope he stays motivated and that it’s quick and easy!  I’d love to make my next shopping trip without purchasing another box of diapers!  

I’ll let you know!

Have a great day (and an M&M!)~

Yesterday I was sitting at coffee with a friend and Gabi and Luke-Xavier and Gabi started this conversation-

Gabi-I’m going to be better when I’m a mom

Me-a better mom than me?

Gabi-yes

Me-what are you going to do that I’m not doing so well?

Gabi-I’m going to be nicer

Me-How?

Gabi-I’ll take my kids anywhere they want to go

Me-Oh.  What if it’s dinnertime and your kids want to go to the movies?

Gabi-then I’ll take them to the movies.  

Me-what about dinner?

Gabi-There’s popcorn there.  I’ll buy popcorn.  That’s how it’ll go. (when she said “that’s how it’ll go”, it was all I could do to keep from laughing!)

Me-ok.

My friend-What if 2 of your kids want to go to 2 places at the same time?

Gabi-I’ll take one to where they want and then the other where they want to go.

My friend-No, they want to go at the SAME time.  They don’t want to have one go first.  One wants to go to the movies and one wants to go to the beach.

Gabi-Then I’ll take them home!

I knew right then that she’ll do just fine!

Have a great day~

I was grocery shopping yesterday, moving through the store (whinny 6 yr. old in tow), meal planning and thinking about what was already in the fridge, when I realized that I have a pattern of Sunday being the day when I clean everything out and start over again.  When we get home from church on Sundays, I take out all the leftovers from the week (though “week” means more like the last 4 days) and put it all out for lunch.  It’s really the only time I present leftovers and it makes Sunday afternoon easier because I don’t have to prepare a large lunch.  It also gets the fridge cleared out.  

With everyone’s busy, family schedules, I’m wondering what some of your “clean it up and clear it out” strategies are.  Share!

Have a great day~