Simplicity, chaos, but so much love!

Okay, so first I want to say that I am changing my template to a SPRING one in the hopes to bring on the warmer weather. Normally I do not complain about the winter, but this year, I am so ready to be done with the cold and ready to move on to brighter days!
Okay, on to sharing recipes. I had posted on Facebook on Sunday that we were having crockpot lasagna and that I was making my weekly batch of granola bars and I had several people ask for both recipes. First I would like to say that both were recipes from other individuals that I took and tweeked to my own personal taste, so I cannot take the credit. But both are some of my favorite things. So, here it goes.

Then on to the chewy granola bars. I found a recipe on allrecipes.com that I tried and we all loved them, but I added a few things. So, here is what I use:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees, prepare a jelly roll pan with cooking spray (I use my Pampered Chef stoneware bar pan, so I skip this step).
Cream together:
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 brown sugar, packed
Then stir in:
4 1/2 cups whole grain rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
2 cups of your favorite ingredients: I use 1 bag of miniature semisweet chocolate chips, alongwith 1/2 cup of slivered almonds and often toasted coconut. Mini M&M's would be a good addition, or even PB chips or raisins.
Also, when I have it on hand, I add some wheat germ or milled flax seed.

Press into prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes. The longer they cook, the crunchier they are. So, if you like them chewy, bake for 20 and for crunchy 22! Hint: if you cook in stoneware, it will continue to cook one you remove it from the oven from the heat of the stone.
Cool completely and then cut into bars. We cut into 24 bars. We then put them into snack size baggies that we reuse each week. Everyone in my house loves these. I know they are healthier than what we buy at the store b/c of preservatives. I have yet to figure what the cost is, but I am sure it's cheaper. Regardless, the kids and I usually bake these together and so it's a good time each weekend!


Now I am hungry! Good day everyone.

Okay all, so call me crazy, but I love it when we accomplish a new home renovation project. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! You see, when we bought our house in November of 2009, we knew that we would not be truly "at home" until we did some updates. The home itself was in perfectly sound, structural condition, but was truly outdated. Seriously...1970 everywhere. Wallpaper, mint green carpet, gold fixtures, paneling, you name it, our house had/has it! So, we bought the house, then went shopping at good ole Menards and bought all the supplies to make the renovations/updates, and almost a year and a half later, we are not even half way through these updates. We just do not have the time to get them all finished. We start something, and then we run in to an unexpected problem and it ends up taking more time and money then we expected! Truly our life story! Just ask Adam! Nothing ever goes as planned!
Anyway, anyone who knows me knows that I am a tad bit OCD about orgazination and cleanliness so, having so many unfinished projects literally causes me physical stress! Still having all my decorations in boxes, causes me stress, having half of my garage filled to the brim with supplies for renovation...causes me stress! So, you get the picture! But, with each little task completed, I am so thrilled! And, this weekend, that was my kitchen flooring! When we moved in, we had 1970's linoleum that was coming up in some of the seams and just really old and dated looking. It was the faux brick looking stuff (I know...you are so jealous!) and it was just so dark in my already small and dark, square kitchen (that has 1 real brick wall!).
Over Christmas break, when everyone was actually healthy, we ripped up the linoleum. Which proved to be no easy task as it was sersiously super glued! We couldn't even get the paper backing off the floor! We tried to wet it and everything! Oh, and the linoleum was really, like 1/2" thick! It was awful! But, for a month, all we had was sub-flooring with stuck on wallpaper backing! Not pretty, and definitely not easy to clean! So, I was so sick of it...literally, sick!
So, on Saturday when Tylers basketball was cancelled, we decided to start! I wish I had taken a picture of the ugly linoleum, but I didn't, so this is the floor before:
And on Saturday, we decided to do half of the floor so we could walk on the other side of the kitchen until the other side dried. You see, we walk through our kitchen to go down through basement to garage. And, we have 4 children and so not using our entire kitchen for 24hours was really NOT an option. So, here's after an hour of tile work on Saturday:
And, then on Sunday, we did 2 more rows and needed more glue and tile and so, we took a break and ran up to Avon for the supplies and grabbed lunch on the way, half of us in our pj's mind you! And then decided I wanted a dark grout b/c this is in the kitchen where spills/stains are likely! So, after lunch, Menards, and 3 potty breaks later (Griffin at 2 is potty training!) and we made it home just as Adam had to get ready for work. So, I decided to finish the room by myself. This was our 3rd room of tile and I had laid it and grouted it, but never actually CUT the tile! So, a quick lesson from Adam and I was good to go! So, my Superbowl Sunday was spent home, tiling alone, with no husband and all 4 kids (again, I know you are jealous!) So, ta da!!!! Here is the finished product, minus grout that Adam is hopefully doing today! Then tomorrow, we can put our fridge back and lay down trim and we are good to move on to the next item for the kitchen-redoing cabinets, counters and installing a few items: pot rack, range hood and micro shelf! Cannot wait to be done! But super excited that the floor is down!

     Ice storm 2011! Wow, what a dosie! Well, we survived! Monday night I stopped by Kroger after work at about 3pm and the only thing they were out of were parking spaces and bananas! Someone on Facebook said it best when they said that it was like Black Friday at the stores! Total craziness! Really, really crowded and everyone was in a state of panic. We got everything we could together at the house in case of a power outage. Sadly, Adam worked Monday and Tuesday nights which left me at home with all the kids greatful to have power at night! The sounds from outside were super creepy though. I kept going to the window to look out as I heard limbs falling and transformers popping! Thankfully, Adam made it home safely each night.
     We lost power Tuesday at 4am and was without for nearly 6 hours. Then lost it again Wednesday morning around 10 am and went all day without it. We only got down to 62 degrees and did not every light the fireplace! Then, power came back on around 4:30pm! Yay, thanks Duke lineman! We quickly cooked dinner just in case it went out again.
     We don't have any tree's down, just a few limbs. The worst thing I can say is the kids are going stir crazy! I was able to deal with the no power thing just fine, but the bored children were another story. At least if it were snow, I could have sent them outside to play in it! And, it's not like they could have friends over because hello...we had no power and we were under a Level 1 Emergency so travel was restricted to emergency personnel only!
     So, no school for 4 days for the kids and no work for me for 2 days. Which means, Greencastle will probably have to go on Presidents day and now another week tacked on at the end of the school year. Which won't apply to us as we are planning a vacation the first week of June. Sorry school, it's already been scheduled!
Nothing else really exciting happening! Adam and Tyler are going to the Pacer's game tonight with the Greencastle Youth Basketball League! Tomorrow, we are hoping to FINALLY tile the kitchen floor. I am so sick of looking at the sub floor! I will try to blog about it...before and after! Little by little we are getting things done. At some point, the house updates will be finished and organized, and this will make me one happy homeowner!
     So, I will leave you with this:
LOL! :) Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy the weekend, enjoy your families....enjoy Life!

Okay, so why is it that as adults, or families, we (when I say we, I mean me!) no longer seek new friendships? We no longer really take that plunge in enlarging our friend circle and just stay in our own little bubble or comfort zone? Maybe it's just me? Maybe this is the way that everyone works? So, that's my question to you, do you look for new friendships often?
It's not that we, our family, do not have friends, we do, wonderful friends, but I wouldn't say that we are terribly close to very many...seriously, less than a handful. I am not sure if it's because we have such a large family, or maybe because our children are still fairly young, or maybe it's that our schedules are awful??? Or...it could be that we would rather have family gatherings at home then to go out without kids usually ? We have such little family time, that when we do, we want to spend it together. Don't get me wrong, we like the occasional date night (such as Friday night, thanks again sis!) but, generally speaking, we spend our time together...
Growing up, you cannot have enough friends. You are constantly looking for more people to run in your circle. When a new kids comes to school, you immediately approach them to see what they are like to see if they may be a good fit. But, as an adult, maybe we just do not do this. Do we not have time? Fear of rejection? I just don't know why?
Recently, we've become acquainted with a family that, because of our children, we have formed a new friendship. This family took the initiative and I am very happy they did. It made me realize how important it is to put yourself out there and reach out to new people. Don't get me wrong, we have some great friendships that are longtime friends who we love and adore like family, but it is also nice to meet new people and share new interests, or...sometimes old interests that you have forgotten about. So, it's just made me wonder why we don't put ourselves out there more? I would like to put an effort forth of doing this more in the future. Just sort of reaching out to people I feel may have some things in common with our family.
So, that's my tangent I guess for now. On another note, I am terribly missing my husband tonight. I know people probably think I am crazy that after 13 years together, I miss him after just a few hours of separation, but I do! Since he went to ISP, he has always had Sunday's off. This new schedule has of course changed that. So, while he had his first Friday off in years, he now will go a few weeks without having a weekend day off. This is the family time. The time I am off from work and the kids are off from school and Sunday's have always been our day...guaranteed family time.
It wasn't until after lunch that I realized he worked tonight, and then I was so disappointed! :( The kids were confused because daddy is always home on Sundays! It's sort of hard to explain to young kids that schedules change without us having a choice in the matter. Double :(.
So, Adam, the wonderful husband he is, upon leaving for work, totally unbeknownst to me, left his t-shirt that he had on today, smelling like him (his cologne really) on my pillow for me! He knows how much I love the smell of his cologne on him and so after he went to work he text me that he left me something, and I found it! So sweet (shh...don't tell him I told you!) Now, as I sit here typing after this long day of taxes, cleaning, laundry, meals, qt with family, 2 workouts, running Adam dinner and then showering, I sit here in my husband's t-shirt (that's way too big for me) smelling like him and it makes me both happy and sad simultaneously! You know how a certain smell reminds you of something, well this cologne is ADAM for me. He's worn it since I met him and so, it makes me think of him immediately, and of course, right now, I miss him.
I still continue to pray that the Lords plan works fast for us! So frustrating to be patient sometimes isn't it! It's so hard to hear Adam and the kids ask "when is it our time for change"? The kids and I were talking on our trip back home from delivering dinner to Adam at the post... just about praying for Adam and this job opportunity that has presented itself...they continue to ask if he's heard anything and I just always reply "no, but we are still praying". So, being completely used to this response Tyler asks me tonight "what if God doesn't want daddy to switch positions or shifts"! :( Sad when your 11 year old brings this to light! So I said, "well, we then pray that God helps us to better cope with his current situation because ultimately it's about His plan and he knows whats best for us", so that's how I end my night. Praying for God's direction.

Okay, so I know I have posted a lot lately about Adam and his job, but with the shooting of Officer Moore last weekend, my mind is even more filled with not only love, but worry, for my policman husband. My morning always starts out at work at grabbing the morning Indy Star paper. This week, the headlines have all been about Officer Moore, and against my better judgement, I cannot help but read everything. I say that because, reading about this terrible instance, makes me only worry that it may one day involve my husband. I know, I know, worry is not of God, but of Satan trying to weaken us. But for the life of me, I cannot stop worrying.
A friend of mine, and former officer, posted a video on Facebook this morning with a title of "Policmen" and a picture of a squad car. Intrigued, I of course played it. And, a familiar voice started narrating the story behind policemen (and women). Paul Harvey, a voice I used to listen to every Sunday morning while getting ready for church, narrated this short video that I think everyone should watch.
In the Indy Star yesterday, there was a story regarding why we are seeing so many violent acts lately against police officers. I think they said that in all of 2010, there were 62 deaths of officers on duty due to violence and so far in 2011 we are already up to 15! 15 in one month! They say they think it's because hatred towards police have grown across the US! Let me say that again...hatred towards police officers! Though, the story did not elaborate as to why that would be?! HATE, POLICE?! I just don't understand....
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are dirty cops. Cops who should have never been graced with a badge, gun and power. Cops that give the really good guys a very bad name. But, generally speaking, policemen are the GOOD GUYS! Don't get mad at them because they call you out on your problems! You know, the ones that mean you are breaking the law! Don't bad mouth them and hate them because of something YOU did! They are just doing their job! They are keeping you, and the rest of us, SAFE! 
It just irritates me so much. So many people dislike cops with a passion....that is, until they need them for something! Until the police do something wonderful for them, you know, something life changing! Until they save a life of someone they love, often risking their own life in the process! There are not many people out there who go to work on a daily basis knowing that in that workday/night, they quite possibly will be put into a situation where they will risk their life for a complete stranger! Policmen, firemen, soldiers...they all do this! They do it for all of us! And people HATE them? What is wrong with this picture!?
Well, that's my vent for the day. All I know is that I am happy that today and tomorrow, my policeman husband will be safe at home with us. He has his first Friday off in like 5 years! Cause for celebration! But, when he returns to work on Sunday, my worry will return, as will my constant prayers for my husband and all of those who serve us. Lord keep them safely in your arms and let them all return home to their families! Thank you to all the men and women who walk that "thin, blue line!"
This is the video (thanks for sharing Mike):

As I read the local headlines this morning, I can't help but feel grief for the family of the IMPD officer David Moore. I didn't know him, and do not know anyone who did, but I know that his family is mourning a great loss today. It's hard to lose someone you love, but harder when they are so young and it's such tragic circumstances. The whole town has come together for this family and even in this situation, it warms my heart to see that union.
As the wife of a police officer, stories like this always draw my attention. It gets my attention and usually worries me. I worry not for just my husband, but for all of the officers I know. You see, these officers are trained to be safe and do all that they can to come home at night, but sometimes, all the training in the world does not help because they are paired with an insane individual whose sole mission is to harm them.
I know that when it's your time, there is nothing you can do about it. That it's all in the Lords timing as to when he calls you home. Adam reminds me of this often. I truly know this in my head, but it's sometimes hard to know this in my heart.
I have to admit that I find myself often wishing that Adam had a different career. That he wasn't doing this type of work...that he was doing something much safer and less stressful. But, it is what it is. So, this day, I pray for all policemen/women, especially my policeman, and for the family of David Moore.