Cooking with Jamie

Normally I'm a self professed pretty good cook.  I'm no Martha but I've dabbled in Paula Deen and my beloved P-dub (Pioneer Woman).  I guess one might say I'm a poser for either of the above.  I don't go so far as making step by step photos of my food but the consumption by my family and guests is all the same.
My ingredient lists are not extremely elaborate.  I moonlight with goat cheese frequently but I also see no shame in opening up a can of Hunt's tomatoes.  I make fine use of Greek yogurt as substitutes for sour cream and such but I also shake on the Kraft powdered parmesean like nobody's business.   I also have no holds barred when it comes to the use of the "b" word.  Butter that is.  I mean, I like it so much I learned to make my own!  I've also been known a time or three to use the "c" word as well.  Cream, heavy, high fat cream.  So, no, most of my recipe repertoire is not light and health but you can usually rest assured it will be GOOD!
Yesterday I felt a bit of voodoo cast upon me as I managed to burn not one but 2, yes 2 Pillsbury crescent crusts for the veggie pizza I was making for Bible study.  Now, it was in the midst of bedtime routine and I personally will no longer suggest cooking anything during that process as it requires all of your attention and more.  At 9 pm when the second one was toast.  Burned toast.  I resigned to hitting up publix at 7am after my morning run.  The rest of the veggie pizza went off without any fingers chopped or burning episodes.  Luckily most of the chopping had been completed before the voodoo struck.
This afternoon, I decided to make a toasted flat bread type veggie pizza for after school snack.  Lincoln was quietly napping and I popped 2 flat outs in the oven and plopped down in front of the ol' computer to zone out and enjoy my peace and quiet.  A moment later I see the oven flash a bright white and then turn to flickering red and yellow while making a terrible popping sound.  It was frightening to say the least.  I actually heard myself yell " No, no, Stop, stop, Stop!" to the oven, as if it should obey me.  I had the flash thoughts of if I was going to grab water to throw on it or run upstairs for my sleeping baby and yell screaming to the neighbors house.  Both were unpleasant and the oven seemed to have calmed.  I turned it off and opened the door to find a bit of smoke and nothing else suspicious.  There was a fine powder substance all over the inside so I knew the flat bread was toast (as in unfit to eat.) No sooner did I pick up the cell phone to call Jason in a full panic, the fire alarms start going off because of the smoke.  Did I mention I had a chatty 2 year old ASLEEP upstairs?  So I'm flinging the doors open, breathlessly reliving the nightmare to Jason on the phone while fanning the smoke detectors to shush and allow my baby to sleep and me to grab a drink maintain my composure.  When I gathered my thoughts and called the home owners to fix it, I thought I was in the clear.  No oven cooking for me until Thursday.  I'm not heartbroken about that.  So tonight was Beef Salad for dinner.  Until I realized I wasn't comfortable eating the beef that had been in the refrigerator longer that I was aware.  I just couldn't chance it so we played it safe.  Now we were down to salads and Jason requested grilled cheese.  I made grilled white sharp cheese flat breads with avocado.  I made them in my brand new pan from T J Maxx.  I had to get new ones because SOMEBODY used metal and scratched mine.  I noticed a funny smell but thought it was reminiscent from this afternoons fiasco.  Then I went to wash the dishes.  Did you know that you have to remove the price tag from the bottom of pans before cooking in them?  Apparently that was something I was not aware of tonight.  Luckily no one was harmed in my cooking with the price tag on but how embarrassing.  So, now, who wants cooking lessons?  Right now they are half off and will consist of microwave cooking.  And yes, I'm aware that metal isn't recommended in the microwave.
Here's hoping for better days and fireproof ovens.

Cause and Effect

There's been no earth shattering occurrences happening in the deFoor household lately. Of course there's always something going on and this is the best way I knew how to explain it.

Cause:  We like to eat.  We like to eat good!  And, we eat out what most people would call a lot.  We also eat A LOT of pizza.
Effect:  Jackson recently told me when he grows up he's going to have his own restaurant.  It's going to be called Fiano's and it will have the world's best pizza Ever.  I think he's onto a good start!

Cause:  I've recently been threatened by a gun in Kroger if I didn't purchase fruit snacks (Lincoln) and permanently disposed of 2 sets of expensive Beyblades over a crying 6 year old.(Jackson)
Effect:  I just purchased "How to Unspoil Your Child, Fast" on Amazon for my Kindle.  Now, I better get to reading, fast, before I perish in Kroger of embarrassment!

Cause:  We are slowly trying to potty train my spoiled youngest child.  Mostly at home but I am not opposed to taking him when I'm out.
Effect:  I asked the ladies at church to take him in a few minutes and they did.  In the bathroom he loudly explained to them that "He'd pee pee at His Mama's house!"  So they gave up and let it be.

Cause:  Again, we're potty training, slowly.
Effect:  Underwear.  I hear more about underwear than I ever cared to hear.  I listen to it non-stop.  Specifically after Jason taught them this awesome new song that goes:
"Lincoln likes to wear dirty underwear"
Jackson likes to wear dirty underwear" in a real sing-song type chorus that just can't help but be repeated over and over and over.  Thanks Jason!

Cause and Effect here are in the same photograph.
The Cause:  I'm still buying diapers, still.
The Effect:  In addition to my diaper purchases, it has become necessary to also purchase anti wrinkle cream.  It is certain that the diapers and all that accompanies them is the cause for any wrinkles that have or may occur and this is how I make myself feel better in caring for them.  The wrinkles, that is.

Cause:  We jokingly questioned Lincoln's masculinity recently while we were hanging out with some friends that have a little girl a little older than Lincoln.  He let her put kiddy make-up ALL over him and he proceeded to paint his nails and everyone else's that would let him.
Effect:  Ain't nobody going to question whether not he's a boy.  You might call it well rounded but he wouldn't think twice about shooting your eye out!

Cause:  Jackson has finally learned to read Lincoln's favorite book.

Effect:  No more bears, chairs, mice or mush for me!  One day I'll miss that book but it's not today!


Cause:  The local recreation center has free roller skating on Friday's from 4-5pm.

Effect:  Bruised up hyper kids happy that it's the weekend and not nearly as tired as one might expect them to be after an hour of "butt meets floor".  And the need for a large margarita...for ME of course!

Cause:  The Zoo is not quite as lively in January.

 
Effect:  Our "free" membership zoo trip cost me $15 in tickets to ride this short and kid professed boring train that went in a small circle around some pine trees.  We could have jump started the ol' Husqvarna lawnmower in our garage and taken a more exciting trip around our own house.  Ah, the things we do for kids and those smiles!

Cause:  Same zoo, same cold animals.

Effect:  This time it was the carousel.  I do find it odd, however that Jackson chose the snake while Lincoln chose the monkey to ride.  One would think it would be the other way around.  Those 2.  The carousel was a hit.  I rode the ostrich for photo ops.  It was a pleasing ride.  Now, I think I'll go stick my head in a hole.

Cause:  Daily, I mean daily, we all still make references to our friends back in NC.  Don't get me wrong, we LOVE LOVE Nashville but those girls in NC were like my family and I still miss them dearly.

Effect:  I just book cross-country plane tickets for a summer-time trip to CALIFORNIA!  We're takin' the deFoors (plus my mom!) to see the Higerd girls in Cali for a week.  Hollywood, Lego land, Coffee, beach and lots of gossip are currently on the agenda!  It's sure to be a heck of a time!

Everything Changes

I've never concerned myself with the weather.  I've never lost sleep over bad weather conditions.  I've survived "hurricanes" in NC and it never seemed much more than a little wind.  I weathered severe thunderstorms alone in our house while Jason was deployed and never gave it more thought than I wish it would pass and I hoped we wouldn't loose power.  That changed in April of 2011.
We were moving out of our house in NC and made a trip to Walmart to get Carbon Monoxide detectors for our house to rent.  It was raining  and seriously dark and I knew if I got out, I'd certainly melt so I stayed in the car to peruse the latest facebook gossip.  Jason called and said some people inside said there was a tornado and suggested I come inside with him.  The power was already out in there and after we stayed in the dark store for several minutes, we ditched the effort and headed home the back way.  We knew something seemed amiss as the emergency workers drove toward us and the traffic was significant and many were turning around. We could see some debris in the road and we found an alternate route home.  When we got there, we discovered that the Lowe's (across the street from the Walmart) had been severely damaged by a tornado along with several other buildings in it's path.  I'm still not sure how we not only escaped that severe weather but didn't even know what had happened until we got back to our no power empty house.  And if that wasn't a close enough call, we drove (moved) to Alabama on April 27th.  That was the day before tornadoes destroyed large portions of middle Alabama including a significant portion of the city of Tuscaloosa, Phil Campbell and Hackleburg.  The damage and coverage was consuming.  It was like nothing I'd ever seen before.  It had the power to instill fear in someone who had never before been afraid of weather.  It was powerful.

Today we have been made aware of a severe weather cell headed for much of the south including Middle Tennessee.  It's been on everyone's mind today.  We have the luxury of fair warning but it can't help the fear subside.  It also doesn't help that the storms are rolling though in the middle of the night when one is supposed to be sleeping.  So I, the one who's never been afraid of the weather, is feeling much anexiety.  I can't help but loose my breath a little when I hear the heavy rain or the strong winds hit the side of our house.  A moment ago, my heart skipped a beat because I heard the sound of a train.  It is the same train that runs though our neighborhood every single night at 9pm. The normal night time sounds are spooky and eerie.  How do you sleep well with that kind of fear?  Yes, many things changed last April, including a new found respect (translate:PANIC)  for the "possibility" of severe weather and all that it entails.  

On a much happier note, another experience changed the way I think this morning.  Growing up in church, I've always seen Baptism services.  As an adult, the baptisteries that I grew up seeing have changed a bit.  In the churches I've attended lately, the baptisteries have been temporary pools set up on a day set aside for baptisms. They are pseudo pools that are set up in the sanctuary to serve as the baptismal waters.  It works and it's definitely all the same action but today, it took on a whole new meaning to me.  At the end of our Sunday sermon and before the baptismal candidates entered the pool, the children k-5 that usually have their own service filed into the front of the church and sat on the floor to watch the baptisms.  Several of them were children and they wanted the kids to be a part of it.  That's when I realized that my 6 year old was among the ones watching this life changing event in their friends.  Kids slightly older than him making THE most important decision of their lives and professing it with their friends there to witness.  I was crying before the first one even hit the water and I wasn't alone.  I look around to see hardly a dry eye in the house.  Like I said, I've seem my share of Baptisms in my 30 years but as our praise team sang "I believe that Your my Hero, I believe You're more than enough for me, Jesus you're all I need."  I cried happy tears for the new brothers and sisters I have in Christ.  I cried for the friends they were reaching by making that step, I cried for the wisdom I'm going to need God to provide me to lead my 6 year old and 2 year old to make THE most important decision of their lives sooner than later.  I placed my heart in that pool with every person that was Baptisted today.  I rejoiced with them more than ever before.  Later this evening, I had the opportunity to serve at church helping the Baptismal candidates.  It was my honor to stand behind the screen and hand out towels to the newest members of my family!  Again, I cried tears of utter joy that Hell no longer has a hold on them.  I praise God for the new Christians and I praise God for leading us to CrossPoint where I feel like I can really place my heart into serving God's people.

Very Pinterest-ing

I think we are all aware of the Pinterest internet sensation by now.  Everyone who wants to be a member has been invited and the website has grown tremendously over the past few months.  I'll be honest, I joined in the craze for a while.  I spent countless hours designing our future house, pinning crafts I'd never have the patience to do and planning rainbow parties for the girl I currently do not have (and probably never will!)

  I spent so much time that I became aware that it was consuming me.  I was judging myself and others by the things I saw on pinterest.  There was no doubt, I was coveting the things I didn't have and things I wanted.  It seemed to always leave me with a feeling of discontent or "I'm not good enough."
I made a decision at the beginning of the fall that I would have to take a step back from pinterest.  I loved it, however, life was happening around me and I was about to miss it!  Keeping up with my friends on facebook and my beloved blog following was all the computer face time I could handle.  It sucks to place yourself on restriction.  It's like mothering yourself and you don't like it and want to rebel against it.  But who are you hurting besides yourself.
I took a complete break for a while and have recently been using it for looking up the perfect recipes for dinner and cooking club, crafts that I DO have the patience for and ideas for the 100th day of Kindergarten.  I'm far better off if I have a goal in mind when I get on there.  I still find time to peruse a few pages but it is not all consuming.  Now if I could imply this kind of discipline in other areas of my life (on screen and off!) then I could add a few more hours to my day!

 Recently  I read one of the more profound blogs I've read on one of my favorite deal following sites.  You can read it HERE and I highly recommend it.  It puts perspective on that "I'm not good enough" feeling you get from comparing yourself to others.

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

With that being said, I 'have been looking into some valentine crafts for me to do lately.  I wanted a new wreath for the front door and all over pinterest, I've seen the yarn wrapped wreaths.  I even have another blogger friend that made one and I decided I could do that one.  So, I went off to Michaels with my 40% off coupon and big plans for my wreath.  I got all the necessary materials.  A straw wreath, my choice of yarn color, 3 runuculus flowers (because I decided against making my own felt ones.), and a love plaque that needed to be painted a different color, pink paint and floral wire.  Ok, now with what I think is all I need, I go to wrapping the wreath.  I do this beside Jason in the floor and he looks at me like I'm crazy.  It's going to take a while.  Hours probably.  I finished one layer of yarn but to look nice, it's going to need another.  After that, I cut, place and hot glue my flowers.  I remove the country looking bow motif  from the wooden plaque and prime and paint it pink, twice.  When it's dry, I also hot glue it to adhere it to the top of the wreath.  I hang it and decide that it's still missing something.  Back to pinterest, back to Michaels, I finally have a finished product that I can be proud of.  Just out of curiosity, I checked to see how much I'd have paid for this baby on etsy.  I was quite surprised to see that aside from the cost of shipping, I could have nearly the same wreath, delivered to my door for about the same price.  I was a little smug at this discovery but I'm trying to convince myself that I need to be uber proud that I took the time out to do this, regardless of cost.  That's where you come in I guess!

Next I wanted to make cake balls.  I've been hearing about them for years and I think staying far far away was still a good decision.  Curiosity got the best of me and I'd been craving some strawberry cake anyway.  Cue the Valentines bug again, I wanted to do some pink cake balls and easily found my vice on pinterest.  I found several but the winner included cream cheese along with the frosting in the cake mix.  It too was  a process.  Bake the cake, cool the cake, crumble the cake, mix the cake with frosting and cream cheese, chill the mixture, roll the mixture into balls, freeze the balls, melt the candy coating, dip the balls and let them cool AGAIN.  Yeah, a process but I'm telling you right now, this one was WELL worth it.  They were a hit!  They were worth the hour I'm going to spend in the grueling Cardio Blast class next week to burn a few of them off.

I'd love to hear about some of your latest pinteresting projects.  I'm already a little excited about St. Patty's day.  It's the one day a year my boys can properly participate in rainbow crafts!

So Much for being Green

Starting the new year off right, my accomplishments today have been to run 5 miles and make a trip to the recycling center.  I'm going to have to make almost 2 trips a week to keep up with my new years resolution to strive to recycle everything we possibly can.  I had to wait for Jackson to get home to head to the recycling center on the way to Walmart to have a low tire checked out.  As we drove down the road, I felt my car pulling a little bit but I figured that was exactly why I was taking 2 kids to Walmart at nearly rush hour so we'd be fine until we got there.  At the recycle center between the cardboard bins and the glass drop off, I thought to take a look at my tire.
Well it wasn't low.
Nope.
It was FLAT.
Like, breath a little harder.  How could I be so stupid? did I ruin it?, flat.
I looked around for the nearest recycling male.  I profiled just a little in deciding to pass on the elderly man and go with the middle age guy that had a fatherly vehicle.  I asked him if I could even drive safely across the street (4 lane highway at a red light) to the Firestone place.  He thought not and I called them to see what I should do. They were uber helpful in taking my number and asking me to wait 10 minutes and never bothering to call back.  Thanks for that!  So we (and by we I totally mean HE) proceeded to change the tire to the spare.  I knew where the jack was.  That's about where it ended.  My dad and Jason have always tried to teach me how to change (and inflate) my tires and I consistently tell them it is not a skill I long to possess.  I don't really want to know how to change a tire.  Have you ever seen how BLACK their hands get after doing that?  No, thank you!  So the guy lays on the wet ground to figure out my jack (did I mention it was raining?) and proceeds to change my tire.  All the while, I stand there holding a bottle of hand sanitizer, a tissue and a $5 bill (which is more cash than I usually carry!)  There is no photo of this but please tell me you have a mental picture of me and my earrings standing there in the chilly rain trying to look helpful (or possibly helpless.)  Occasionally, I lean into the car to threaten screaming, fighting children in the car.
Now screaming children and dirty diapers, I can handle that.  Dirty tire changes, not in my job description.  After getting the spare on and loading the large heavy (or so it looked!) tire in the back of my car, we were able to drive to the Firestone place (SO, not helpful) and they told me that someone could fix the tire but they could not.  Do  they not WANT any business?  So, after wrangling my kids from "riding" the tires in the waiting room, we drove home with no resolve.  When we get home, Jackson realizes he has forgotten the kindergarten stuffed animal that came home with him today at the tire store.  I call to make sure it's there and send Jason by to get it.  In the mean time, I wash my hands (you know, just in case) and pour myself a nice glass of red!  I rank car issues right up there with taking out the trash.  I hate it, it's not my job.  I'm thankful for a man who does both!
So much for being green and trying to recycle.

Butter Makes it Better!

Well, I'm pretty sure I hit my peak as a domestic goddess today.
I've been moving on up ever since PW (that's  Pioneer Woman) started showing me her ways but today, I think I outdid myself.
I certainly made her proud, that's for sure!

I, along with the help of the neighbor kids, made Butter.  Yes, I said butter.
We milked the cow, placed it in the churner and took that stick and went to town churning.
No, we didn't.  We don't have access to a COW!  And if we did, I might get mud, or something MUCH worse on my shoes if I milked one!

But we did use heavy cream from the local Publix and a good ol' mason jar to make fresh homemade butter.
Jason was a total skeptic and said it would never work.
It wasn't nearly as complicated as one might think.
Just in case you ever run out of butter in the midst of making any one of P-dubs lovely recipes (because they ALL contain copious amounts of butter), then you can make some of your very own.  Assuming you have heavy cream on standby, as we all should!  Can I get an amen?

Ok, here's what you are going to need:

A mason jar with a lid

Heavy Cream

a pinch of salt (if you wish)

Time and energy to *shake what yo mama gave ya*!

(your arms, I mean use your arms.)

You are going to fill the mason jar to about 3/4 full so you have enough room to let it shake around and get whipped.  The cream, right now let's focus on whipping the cream, the kids will come later!  

You will need to move it and shake it for about 20 minutes.  It is fun and exciting to take turns doing this.  We set a timer and everyone took their turn.  Somehow, I seemed to finish everyone's turn for them.  

 After about 20 minutes, we took a peek and a taste.  It was surely whipped cream.  It was salty and creamy and fluffy.  

 We placed the lid back on and started shaking again.  By we, I mean I started shaking it again, the kids had lost all interest and gone back outside.  I walked around shaking it for another 5-10 minutes thinking is this going to work.  It didn't feel like anything was even moving around it was so fluffy. 


I peeked again and to my surprise, the milk was beginning to have a grainy appearance.  I quickly re-tightened the lid and shook my heart out.  I could feel the butter solidifying inside the jar.  

When I stopped, there it was!  It was like magic, a large clump of smooth yellow butter was in the middle of the jar.  It is surrounded by a white liquid that remains which is butter milk and can be used to make buttermilk pancakes which would taste wonderful with none other than...homemade BUTTER!

To perfect your butter, you can run cold water over the yellow butter and drain the liquid. 

What results is perfectly delicious, rich and creamy BUTTER.

The kids were pretty impressed, I don't think they believed it would work either.  And now that I've done all that shaking, I'm pretty sure I've earned myself a teaspoon or two on a big fat yeast roll.  Yummy!

Hey, I did make it to the gym today.  Thank goodness.

A likely better tutorial and the one that I used can be found here.

Now, get out there and shake up some butter of your very own!

New Years Resolutions

It's never too late to write down your new years resolutions, is it?  The truth is, they have been written down on my "to blog" notebook ever since Dec 30th.  Before I even finished the reflections blog.  I just haven't found the time to sit down and compose them on the keyboard.  So they were there.  I just have to get started on them.
 Up first....stop procrastinating!
Just kidding.
But seriously, maybe I should think about that one considering the slack.

Every year, my sister prompts me to make resolutions.  Sometimes, I'm totally in for it and make something "usual" and we hold each other to it for several months (or weeks, who's counting?)  Some years, I'm not in the mood or situation to desire making resolutions.  That has been the case the last several years.  Two years ago, Jason was still deployed and my resolutions was to not go crazy until he returned.  It was  a close call as can be read about here (man, that got UGLY!). But I made it.  Barely.  Last year, we were really diving into the whole, life change, get out of the Army thing.  I was feeling the weight of moving, selling the house, making new friends along with sending my first born into Kindergarten in a whole new town where I knew no one.  My resolution was a crabby "find a decent place to live and a spectacular public school for my child to attend."  I was already feeling the anxiety about making those two things happen in the same location.  But alas, I did.  With only a hint of skepticism, we are happy in our place and I'm pretty happy about sending him BACK to spectacular  public school tomorrow so I can get started on the rest of these!

(Jason and I are in a disagreement about resolutions.  He says you only make one or you are setting yourself up to fail.  I say, the more you make, the more chances you have to succeed .  You decide.)

1.  Strive for JOY in motherhood.  And in wifelihood for that matter.  I love my job as a wife and mother of these boys but I know I don't always do it joyfully.  Complaining becomes a way of life.  This is the best job I've ever had and I would like to start acting like it.  Joyfully, of course!

2.  Listen to people.  Especially Jason, but everyone.  Make mental notes about conversations and ask about them again later.  Be that person that when I walk away, someone thinks, "she is so thoughtful."

3.  Positive thinking.  I would like to start thinking of everyone, every situation on a more positive note.  I think I start out that way but as I become more comfortable with people, I begin to say things that are not quite so positive.  I want to be the girl that people claim never says anything bad about anybody.  I'd like to think I'm off to a good start as indicated in the line above my first resolution.  See, positive thinking.

4.  Run 10 miles a week.  I would also like to visit the gym 2 days a week.  This may include some of my running, especially when it is 19 degrees in the mornings.  This should be easy to accomplish until May.  The Country Music Marathon training will have me well over this most weeks.  After that, I just have to keep it up!

5.  RECYCLE.  I have always taught the boys abut recycling.  Jackson has always been an earth friendly kid.  He's been known to call my mom out recently on a recycling error.  He has a strong opinion on littering.  We currently reycle plastic, glass, aluminum and paper.  This year, we are going to strive for recycling as much of our trash as possible.  We have no excuse.  The recycling center is on the way out of our neighborhood.  It's nearly walking distance.  We just need to commit to making at least one trip a week.  This house is going GREEN-er!

6.  Enjoy this year in Nashville.  We already know we probably won't be here forever.  We will have to move where Jason's job takes us.  We love Nashville dearly already and we are still learning.  I want to enjoy every aspect Nashville has to offer in the next year we are living here.  It is likely this time next year, I'll be consumed with house hunting and school hunting again so I intend to enjoy the time we have here.  Want to visit?  Now's the time, the fun is just beginning!

7.  Spend quality time with the friends I've made here.  Again, my time here is likely short lived.  I want to nurture and continue to develop the friendships I've made here and really invest in them.  I want to sit, drink coffee, talk, learn.  I'm not the kind of friend that floats in and out of life and when I leave here, these friendships are all I'll have to take with me.  Get ready girls, Starbucks is calling!

8.  Explore GREEN spaces.  Nashville is blessed with green spaces beyond your wildest dreams.  There are so many green spaces here, I'll never visit them all but I'm putting green spaces, greenways and all the Warner parks on my agenda for the year.  When it warms up a little of course.  Join us?!

9.  Better bedtime routine.  We've always had the  bath, books, bed routine but lately it seems a bit harried and rushed.  It is usually my fault for not starting it earlier or eating dinner too late but it has always been one of my favorite parts of the day.  I think it is critically important for winding down wild boys into a peaceful and restful sleep.  I would like to start earlier, eat earlier so that we have time to clean up, dress, brush and choose books without whining, yelling or utter chaos before saying our prayers and turning out the lights.  I think we could all benefit greatly from spending that 45 minutes a night together.  Those are the exact moments I want my kids to remember.  Maybe I should move this one to #1?

10.  Serve.  There are so many ways in which we have opportunities to serve others for God.  I have been enlightened in the fact that those opportunities are all around us.  It's sort of a pay it forward mentality.  Just remembering to think of others before yourself.  Letting them see God through you.  It isn't hard, you don't have to travel far or spend lots of money.  You just have to make yourself available to serve.  I would love to find a way to involve my children in serving.  How great to have them see God's light through helping others!

And what kind of post would this be without a few deFoor family photos?  These were taken on New Years Day after church.  We started the year off right but I'd be lying if I didn't say that these pictures were made with a lot of bribing going on behind the scenes.  Mostly directed towards the bald guy in the back.  Why are men the hardest to photograph?  He's usually  a pretty good sport, he doesn't realize that one day he'll value these photos as much or more than I do.  I adore them, thanks again, MOM!

Reflections of 2011

You can find these questions located here.  It's fun and inspiring to look back at the past year.

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

We made a life change.  The decision was made long before this year but this is when it all came to fruition.  We transitioned from the only life we had ever known as an Army family into the civilian world.  After nearly 10 years in the Army, Jason's duty was done and we were moving on to new adventures.  He had chosen to further his education with an MBA and was accepted into the program at Vanderbilt.  While I was hesitant at first about our life altering move, I quickly began to see all the advantages it had to offer.  Jason really knows what he is doing in taking care of this family.  Not only did he move us here to Nashville (which we LOVE with our whole heart!), but he also worked hard and scored an internship with the ONE company he was targeting to work for (Exxon Mobil, Gas and Power Marketing Division).  All that worry about moving here just proves, I don't know much...but I know I love the man that makes these decisions.  I should really trust him more!

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Moving away from THIS.  We spent the first 8 years of our married life in Fayetteville, NC.  A place I never knew I would miss.  We built our first home and loved living there.  We had an amazing neighborhood and friends there that proved to be more like family to me.  The friendships I had while residing there shaped who I am today. I raised my children from babies with those girls.   It was some of the most challenging times of my life and without them, I might have crumbled.  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times and I'm thankful for every minute!

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

We found this house.

  It was one of the first ones  I looked at.  I spent the months of February and March consumed in research for finding housing and schools for us during our transition to Nashville.  I knew we couldn't afford private schools so I would have to place us strategically in a place where the public schools were acceptable.  My search was consuming and a little disheartening.  I knew that Metro schools didn't have a great reputation and there was ONE, only one elementary school that carried a 10 (the best) rating on GreatSchools.org.  I focused in on that area but there were no rentals available there.  I widened my search and even lowered my standards a bit to try and find something acceptable.  I had several picked out that were rented before we could move it.  I was looking too far out, apparently, when renting, you can only look 1 month out.  That didn't sit well with this planner mama.  I needed a place to live and I needed peace of mind BEFORE I left NC.  I found a house on craigslist, in our price range, close to Jason's school with a playground across the street.  It looked too good to be true.  I contacted the owner and set up a showing for when I flew into TN.  The only hang up was that the school wasn't exactly the one I wanted him to attend.  Oh, well, it was just Kindergarten.  I met the home owner and we had an instant connection.  She was delighted to see a family and I was happy to see that she actually cared who rented the house.   At the end of the showing, we discovered from my neighbor that the school WAS the one school I had chosen.  It had been rezoned to the only school I desired Jackson to go to.  That pretty much did it.  That was the biggest joy I received this year.  And we haven't looked back!

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

Health Insurance!  We were a little blindsided by Tricare.  You know, you can always count on them.  When Jason exited the military he was told that we'd have 180 days of Tricare coverage.  Not true.  Luckily, we who are rarely sick didn't know until we had been uninsured for nearly 2 months.  They dropped us the day he was officially out and we didn't know it until 2 months later.  So then we were scrambling to find health insurance for the kids.  It was mostly on me since he had school and in that 2 weeks, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about insurance plans.   

5. Pick three words to describe 2011.

Anxious, Adventurous, Amazing  

After last year, I figured I'd go with a letter theme and it worked out well.  I spent the first 4 months of the year incessantly looking at housing, schools and researching where we would spend the next 2 years.  It was really important since I'd have a kindergartner and school zones were at a premium.  I knew public school was our only option(we jokingly say only one family member can attend private school at a time and right now, Jason is taking his turn!).

After moving to Nashville, we made it out goal to live out every single minute here to the fullest.  We jumped right into life here and started doing all the things one must do in Nashville.   We spent the summer in the Warner Parks, at the Music Venues and Canoeing along the river while occasionally visiting the not to be missed restaurants locals admired.  It's been quite an adventure and it's not over yet!

We love it here (this might get repetitive!)  It's an amazing city.  The people are nice, the weather is pretty great and there is tons of stuff to do.  We sat on our back porch late one summer evening and self proclaimed that this may be the best place we will ever live.  Not the house or area but the best city we'll ever get the chance to live in.  Sure, we will love wherever we are together but this place is about as good as it gets!

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).

Neurotic, Surprised, and I asked him the last one and well, we won't even begin to go into the words he came up with.  It wasn't pretty and it didn't end well.

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).

I totally asked him.  I didn't have the patience to try and choose for him.  Besides, who knows himself better than him?  Ok, sure, most of the time I do but this time I thought I'd give him a chance.  His answers were similar to what I would have chosen.

Different, Exciting and Happy

8. What were the best books you read this year?

Ah, I read a lot of great books this year.  I read The Help, Same Kind of Different as Me, Water for Elephants,  Black Wheels to Tractor Wheels (again!), The Art of Racing in the Rain and most recently The Hunger Games.  Next up on my library que is book 2 in that series.  It is INTENSE!

Oh, and I nearly forgot but I read the most amazing book called Kisses from Katie.  It should be on your next book list pronto.  Life changer, game changer, hold on to your seat!

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

While I had to say goodbye to some of my very best friends in NC, they will still remain my friends among the many miles.  We can thank social networking for that!  I also developed quite a few new friendships here in TN.  I joined a MOMS club shortly after moving here and it gave me tons of moms just like me.  It wasn't long before I found a new running partner, Stephanie who has kept my miles up and my running strong.  Also, as sad as I was to say goodbye to Mari H, I found a new Mari!  Really, I found a friend with lots in common and her name just happens to be Mari W.  How totally cool.  Cool enough for it's very own blog...coming soon!

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

I went from being an "Army wife" to a "grad school wife?"  I had always defined myself by Jason's job in the army.  It was my job too.  I had to transition from that lifestyle but luckily for me, much about business school at Vandy is about networking which is exactly what I was doing in the Army.  Sure, it's never as intense as it was while discussing deployments and homecomings but it does take an outgoing personality and a smiling face.  I think I can handle that!  

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

My heart grew on the mission field.  I had never even considered any type of mission for me to go on. I have always been a giver of money but never put myself there.  I had never put such an emphasis on serving God.  Crosspoint is a church committed to serving God's people both near and far.  Also, a friend from NC who has become a better friend across the globe also set my heart on fire.  She and her husband, led by God, moved their family across the globe to serve His people in Cambodia.  She was a normal girl, just like me.  Her kids were my kids age and God told them to go and she obeyed, they obeyed.  You can and (SHOULD!)read about her life HERE.  It hasn't always been easy for her but it has been a blessing to me and started a fire in me that will lead wherever God sees fit.  This Christmas, it was Wheelwright, KY. I don't know where it will lead next,  I just pray for obedience.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

After the move, we were looking for a new church.  We didn't have to look far.  As we drive into the neighborhood, Crosspoint Church is about a mile away.  We like to choose a church that is close by, it ensures that we at least get there somewhat on time!  We tried it and the kids came back telling us it was the best church ever.  It helped that many of my mom friends already went there but when in every single message God started speaking directly to us, I knew we were home. Also refer to question #11.  It applies here as well.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

No brainer here, Jen and I finished our first half marathon in April!  It was our running send off.  We ran the Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon and did it even faster than we ever thought possible!  We crossed the finish line in UNDER 2 hours which is far better than what we had expected!  I'm already aware that we set the bar pretty high for future half marathons.  It was so exciting to finish with her by my side.  We'd been running together over the last 4 years pretty consistently and most days about 5:45, I still miss her.  Country Music Half Marathon coming up in April of this year, who's running with me?

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?


Many of my past friendships matured into long distance friendships or friends via social networks.  We moved and many of them did too.  I like to think I'm pretty good at the long distance friendship thing since my best friend moved to Ohio several years ago and we never miss a beat.  I keep up with several friends via their blogs and then when I need advice, I know I can count on them to be there.  
I also jumped right into making new friends here.  I love how quickly the dust settles and you discover who you will mesh well with.  I have discovered several true friends here that I fully intend to maintain long term friendships with.
It warms my heart to know that some friendships are blind to distance and time.  Those are the best kind!

15. What was the most enjoyable area of your work?


I have really enjoyed being involved in Jackson's school activities.  I am fortunate to be able to have that luxury.  I like him knowing that I care about his education and can invest time into it.  I like him to see that his teacher and I are on the same page.  
I also enjoy the time I have had to spend with Lincoln while Jackson is at school.  Sure, we talk about him all day until he returns but it is nice to do things one on one just like I did with Jackson before Lincoln came along.  It's only fair.

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?

This house is SO much smaller than my NC house.  We have tons of stuff in storage but it seems to not matter.  It is so much harder to keep this house clean!  I try equally as hard and it never seems tidy.  I know it's temporary but I miss my big house, my large kitchen and my craft/dining room!  There are also stairs in this house and that took a little getting used to.  Basically it means toys are up and downstairs now.  The children won't have it any other way!

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Say hello to PINTEREST.  Yes, along with many many others, I have spent more time than I care to total up checking out the latest recipe and craft pins.  Pins of houses I'll never live in and projects I'll never be talented enough to try.  I actually had to take a step back after the initial addiction because I was pinning my life away.  Now I get on there mostly to look up recipes or great ideas for pumpkin carving or 100 days of kindergarten activities.  Otherwise, Facebook and Google Reader are my only vices.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

The best time I've spent has been with my family.  I spent the whole summer with Jason and the boys exploring Nashville and all it had to offer.  We spent a week traveling LA and FL.  I've probably never in my married life spent this much time with him.  It was such a wonderful change for us.  Having him home for dinner on a regular basis is still surprising sometimes.  Definitely something I want to get used to.

We are also taking full advantage of living so close to our extended family.  They boys are getting to spend so much more time with the grandparents lately and having babysitters 2 hours away has been fantastic!  We are lucky to be able to depend on them so much!

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

Change can be good.  Fantastic actually.  I gained nothing for all the months I spent worrying about how things would work out when we moved to Nashville.  Things are working out just fine.  Better than fine and it all happened without the help of all my worrying.  I need to learn to trust God more and worry a little less.  He's got this!

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.

Happiness is something you CHOOSE. Love is WORTH IT. Life is what you make of it and I think mine...SPARLKES!

To God be the glory!

I have a 6 year old-part 1

You might be thinking that it will take 2 blogs because what I have to say about having a 6 year old is so heartfelt and sentimental that the emotion covers more than one blog can handle but that is not the case.  It is in 2 parts because his birthday is SO celebrated, it took us 2 days just to wrap up all the festivities.  Some would say having a birthday so near Christmas is a disadvantage but not to this 6 year old.  Not yet at least.

Being a good mom, like I am, I had scheduled to see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular on none other than Jackson's birthday.  He's 6, what does he care if his Mom spends his birthday evening with him?  Well, honestly, he doesn't but it was also not the day of his planned party and I'm still thinking he got a pretty good deal out of my poor planning.
We started out the big day by checking him out of school to meet Nana and my Aunt Janie for burgers at Burger Up, the fancy little burger place on 12S.  No Chuck E Disease for his birthday lunch, we went all out.  We topped it off with popcicles at Las Paletas.  Those popcicles are good no matter how cold it is outside!  Next, we headed to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.  That place is an event in itself.  The extent to which they decorate for Christmas is above and beyond and definitely worth seeing once a year!  It was his birthday 2 years ago we also visited the Gaylord for an overnight stay.  Such a fun staycation.  I wonder if I can get someone to take me there for my birthday next year?
Aunt Janie ponied up the nearly $20 bucks to take them on the little indoor boat ride around the hotel river.  yes, I said river, inside the hotel.
The Gaylord hotels have partnered with Dreamworks animations and brought characters to the hotel to add to the magic.  The only catch is you have to purchase a "Dreamworks" package to have your picture made with the characters.  As we longingly looked at Po the Panda from Kung Fu Panda, a nice man walked up and asked us if we'd been to the ICE exhibit.  I told him no and he handed me 2 tickets to it plus the bracelets that allow you access to the Dreamworks experience!  Score!  So Jackson and I visitied the panda and Shrek on our way out to see the Merry Madagascar Ice display.  This is what he had asked for ever since a boy in his class had gone.  I was glad it worked out so that we could take him and even more glad that Jason and I didn't have to pay the exorbitant ticket prices to get it!
At the ICE building, we were fitted with extra large parkas for our journey through the 2 billion lbs  (or something like that) of ice carved in every color to look like all the characters from the Merry Madagascar movie.  It was pretty stunning to see the cool creations and by cool I mean 14degrees indoors!  It is COLD in there.  By the time we got to the exhibit highlight, Lincoln was starting to whine.  Jackson, Jason and Lincoln took on the ice slide more than a few times before Jackson himself decided it was time to move on to warmer climates.  By the time we got to the nativity in ice, Lincoln was crying and Jackson was sporting a red nose.  We were pretty glad to see those doors and feel the heat again.  When the boys thawed out, Jason took them home and Mom, Aunt Janie and I walked over to the Grand Ol' Opry to see the Rockettes.  It was my 3rd time to see them and it never ever gets old to me.  I LOVE it.
I'd say Jackson had a pretty great birthday for a 6 year old and the fun is just beginning.  Part 2 will feature pirates, volcanoes and slime.  Yes, everything a 6 year old could possibly love.

And out of obligation:  How in the world do I have a reading, writing, math whiz, bike riding, growing taller by the minute 6 year old?  It is amazing how quickly he went from looking like a toddler to being a blooming Kindergartner with a very independent mind.  He's growing up faster than ever and learning like never before.  Some Most days he surprises me with things I didn't know he knew.  I guess I'm still getting used to him being away from me for more hours of the day than he's with me and depending on someone else to teach him.  I'm not one for homeschooling, Jackson is definitely a social child and his school is great but I do miss being in the know about what goes on with him every day.  He has always been the easiest, most agreeable child.  He was my perfect child.  He is a pleaser and a charmer.  He is his father at age 6.  And I couldn't possibly love him more!