Mexican Chicken in the crock (for burritos)

So my oldest son made the Crock-Pot beans the other day and took the other crock to put in 5 frozen chicken breasts (because it is good left over on salad) and poured a whole jar of salsa on it. Turned the crock on High for about 5-6 hours. After they were done, I shredded them with two forks. YUM Great burritos that night. Chicken, beans, salsa, sour cream, and cheese. OOO LALA!! O.K. it's a quicky.
This chicken is super good on salad as well.

Righteous Hair

           Since the girlie was born I have felt...different. Not so good. Hormonal. My hair fell out for like, a year. It is brittle. My skin seems dry but, has those annoying ugly bumps all over it. Cycles,.. well, don't get me started. I have decided that I need to cut down on the xeno and phyto estrogens that I bombard my body with daily. That is the chemicals that are either man made or God made that we overdue because companies use these things for so many different reasons. Well, they are in everything. It's hard.
           The other day I realized I was almost out of my super yummy smelling Garnier Fructis shampoo. I made a decision to go to the local health food store and find a good alternative that would be better for my body. I walked up and down the shampoo aisle and chose one that smelled very much like a drink you would order on a beach somewhere. (are you noticing a theme.) It didn't have any of the offensive chemicals I was looking at or many others I never knew to avoid in the first place. It was supposed to be formulated for dry hair. That is it. That is what I want.
           The next night I washed my hair. WOW! Did it smell good. Coconuts. YUM! Although, when I rinsed I noticed it didn't feel very... slimy like the other shampoo felt. It had a more squeaky feel to it. It made me a little worried. That isn't such a good feeling with hair when you have dry hair. But, I re-read all of the things that the bottle claimed not to have in it and felt very righteous about the shampoo and smart. Definitily smarter.
            I added the Garnier Fructis conditioner I had (it never runs out as fast as the shampoo). And went ahead with my normal routine. Next morning I had HUGE hair. Now for those of you that have thin hair, you are now thinking, " Right On!!" No. I have big hair normally. Part of the ritual is to mellow it out. My hair was huge and frizzy. Not only that but, it felt like the scarecrow in the wizard of Oz. Are you kidding me??!! I have to get ready for church. What am I going to do with this.. this... MASS of hair?
             Well, I did what any other woman in my situation would do with 30 mins to be ready (kids included) to leave. I used tons of "product". We all know what this is. The slimy, oily, greasy, full of not only chemicals but, I'm sure it even has silicone in it products. Well, I got it tamed to go to church and not totally embarress my dear husband but, I did feel that sense righteousness going right out the door. So much for the fantastic chemical free shampoo that made me feel like I was doing something great for myself and maybe even the planet. Yea, at $10.00 for 8 oz. I don't think I will be buying that again. In fact, I think it goes in the boys shower (we know they don't care what their hair feels like).  I will hang my head and buy my $6.00 -24 oz. bottle of Fructis shampoo at Target. Because it works so much better. Well, I tried.

The Not So Relaxing Soak

            I had a busy day. The usual, cleaned the house, made a couple of things for the crock-pot, wrangled children. I went down and got boxes of my books for school to start in a couple of weeks from the storage unit. Man, they were heavy and I hurt my back a little. So after everyone was in bed, I thought I can soak in the tub. Well, here is the sad situation that followed that decision.
              First, I looked in the tub and couldn't remember when it had been scrubbed last. Um, I think I will tough it out and get in anyway. Then I get a book, turn on the water, grab a towel and climb in. Ahhh warm water. Oh WAIT, I have a bath pillow. Oh and a cover for the overflow valve so I can make the tub deeper. I jump out and find the pillow. Well, it needs to be blow up. Blow. Blow. Wow that was harder then I would have thought. Can't find the overflow cover. Oh well, Climb back in and try to relax. Tubs awful short. The pillow only has one working suction cup. Got to balance the pillow while I get comfortable. NO big deal. Finally, am sitting back resting, by my self. No little one dumping water on my head. Or sticking a rubber duck in my face wanting me to make it quack. Or leaving gross floating "logs" for me. Just me and a new book. PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS....... What? What is that? A loud hissing in my ear. The pillow has a hole. I'll cover it with my back. No not working. And. And. What is that smell? The pillow is old and I think there is mildew inside that is now blowing in my face. Not comfortable.  Throw pillow. AAKKK! Cold porcelain to lean on. Fine. I am RELAXING.  Now all I can smell is mildew. I am grossing out about the tub feeling not so slick inside. Maybe it is just soap scum but,... O.K. I give up. I'm getting out. I should have just taken a shower. OH Yea, I forgot to brush my teeth. I have to go back to the bathroom and do that now.  So much for a relaxing bubble bath, alone, and refreshing. I'm out of bubble bath anyway and Mr. Bubble isn't really mommy friendly. Oh well.

The Pride of America and Its Roots.

            I heard a woman that had lived in Sweden for many years once say that she couldn't understand why we would think that our country was better than an other's. "What's with all of the patriotism? " I was stunned? Why wouldn't you want to live in the BEST country? Why do people root for their favorite team? Don't they enjoy wearing the colors of their teams or schools? Or the logo of their company or favorite organization? My goodness, I've even seen people with stickers on their cars saying how their breed of dog is better then other breeds. But, not your country? Don't people realize that it is important to not only feel proud of who you are but, you need to feel like a part of something. Something big. If there is no one cheering for the team, why keep playing?
            Our schools have pushed this belief. This is how they work in Germany. They don't have a whole lot of pride in their country anymore because of the World Wars. Even our president has been pushing the collective agenda. How can our country feel good about itself if the children are taught in school not to feel pride. Or even taught that Americans are bad. We have done horrible things to other countries. WHAT!!?? REALLY?! How is that supposed to make our children feel good about themselves? I mean one minute the school says you shouldn't play competitive sports because someone will lose and that will make them feel bad about who they are. Then they are saying that when we came over on the Mayflower, we did horrible things to the natives here. And our Grandparents (their Great - or Great-Great grandparents) were slave owners, or segregationist's. There are so many things  these children are told that their ancestors did to other groups of people. Now feel good about who you are and where you come from.  Yea, sure. We have distorted so much of the reality of life in these ways. How is it we can't play tag or dodge ball at school because someone will feel bad if they lose but, it is O.K. to tell children that things that there family did in the past are terrible and that makes them terrible. Kids aren't stupid. Are we forgetting that some people stood up for these groups of people? Are we forgetting that our grandparents fought for our freedoms because other people wanted to come and do horrible things to us? I'm confused. When did our history stop being about wonderful tales of adventure and sacrifice? When did we stop telling our children that they are decedents of incredibly strong men and women? What about men like Daniel Boone, or Davy Crockett? What about the men and women that came across the plains to move west. Sure there were definitely  run-ins with the Indians. Some of them were waring tribes. Some were more violent then others. Could that be why some of the "white" people were afraid of them? Have you read the Little House Books? Laura's accounts of the tribes were amazing. Some of the other books we have read were amazing too. I think I would have been ready to shoot first, ask later, when you have kids out in the middle of no where.
                  There are good people and bad people. People do good things and bad things. That is life. We teach our children the true history of how our wonderful country came to be and all of the incredible people -men and women-black and white-, etc. that gave there lives. Not just in death but, their whole life in service to our country. That is what they need to teach in schools. Not that we are bad because our ancestors stood up to the red coats. I heard a teacher focus on the fact that the patriots threw rocks at the red coats and how terrible it was. A "mob mentality" was the phrase. He forgot to mention that some of these Patriots had families burned while in church during prayer meetings. That some of this mob had been abused and tormented by the British in their very homes as they were to house some of these soldiers. The list goes on and on as to what the Patriots had endured under the command of such tyrants.  I'm sure throwing rocks was just a fit of anger boiling over. I'm not sure I would have been thrilled to know that my son or husband had been involved in the stoning but, I don't know what my family would have had to endure at the hands of these solders either.
                 As far as learning what is good versus what is bad; teach them what God says about that. We can't teach true American history without it. We came here to have religious freedom. Absolutely. Because, King George wanted to control us with religion. The first things he wanted burned down were the churches with the preacher and the people inside. God is our King. No one else. That made King George very angry. When they took bible out of school and regular moral teaching that was the beginning of the end of this nation. Now, they don't want to teach what our forefathers did to give us this nation. They paid a dear price to  give us freedom.
                In Benjamin Franklin's 1749 plan of education for public schools in Pennsylvania, he insisted that schools teach "the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern."


In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."


the father of the Israelite nation, in the bible lied and said that Sarah was his sister. He even allowed her to go and be with the ruler of the land at the time. God himself had to give the ruler a dream to tell him what was happening. Not one of God's chosen people have ever been perfect or have done everything right.
                I was supposed to be teaching world history to my kids this year. We are on Medieval times. They are excited. However, I think I need to do another thorough year of American history as well. We did it when they were younger but, they need to know so much now during these times. I have a sense that we have enormous changes on the horizon for our wonderful country. I want my family to know why we love it so. They know what Christ did for them. They know why we love and worship our Lord. I better remind and explain more about why we love the country HE gave us.
              In the mean time, I love this seal. Isn't it beautiful.




This was made by Benjamin Franklin and suggested as a seal of our great nation.  He felt that the image shown was of the scene in Exodus when God's people confronted a tyrant to gain their freedom, was perfect for what our young nation had been enduring. It has Pharaoh sitting in his chariot, crown on his head and a sword in his hand. They are pursuing the Israelites through the Red Sea. There is the pillar of fire, God's presence and Moses with his hands outstretched over the Sea as it overtakes Pharaoh. Amazing.


Patrick Henry said:

“It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” [May 1765 Speech to the House of Burgesses]
“The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”


                   What more could anyone say after those wonderful quotes. I feel so privileged to live in this great nation. Founded by men that believe in this manner.

Crock-Pot Enchilada Casserole

I really like this recipe. One that gives us something a little different in the crock.

I use a big oval 6 quart crock pot. So this is a big recipe. You can cut it down for the smaller pot.

2 lbs. ground beef
1 small chopped onion
minced garlic (to taste. 2 cloves?)
2-3 cans of pinto beans (red or black beans are good too), drained
28 oz. stewed tomatoes ( I use the diced. I also use one regular and one spiced with green chile's.)
8-16 oz. jar of mild salsa
18-20 corn tortillas
Grated cheese- I prefer the mixed Mexican cheese.
Opt. Sour cream
Opt. black olives, sliced
Opt. green onions
Opt. Tortilla chips

1) Brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic. Drain any fat.
2) Take the tomatoes and blend them to make them soupier. (do you want it chunky? It's up to you.)
3) Add the beans, blended tomatoes, and salsa (I use about 2/3 of a 16 oz. jar) to the ground beef mixture.
4) Simmer mixture for about 5-10 minutes.
5) Spray the inside of your crock-pot with a non-stick spray.
6) Put about 1/2 - 3/4 of a cup of the meat mixture in the bottom of the crock.
layer about 5 tortillas on top of that.
7) Add another layer of meat on the tortillas.
8) Layer some cheese on top of this meat layer.
9) Add a layer of cheese.
10) Continue layers in order (tortillas, meat, cheese) until everything is used up ending with meat then cheese.
11) Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until everything is heated through.

When you serve this dish, I usually put a blob of sour cream sprinkled with chopped green onions and sliced black olives. I also serve it with tortilla chips. We like to eat it like a dip.

This is a yummy hot dinner. I can't remember where I got it originally, maybe a magazine but, I have changed it so much over time I'm sure the . It is so  simple. You can tweak it to fit  your families taste.

They grow up.

         Kids do and say some of the funniest and even honest things sometimes. My daughter fell off of a chair and wanted me to kiss her foot. The two oldest boys were grossed out that I would kiss her foot. Not my youngest son. He flopped off of his chair, on purpose and yelled, "OW my butt hurts!!" I can tell you I didn't kiss his booty. But, at 3 years old, that was pretty quick. He sure thought it was funny.
         I tell son #2 to clear the table. And you better pick up more than one thing at a time. He picks up his cup and a napkin. REALLY?
         They also really love. Not superficial love. They tell you if you stink one minute and tell you that you that you are beautiful the next. They are just honest and silly. I love my kids. They exhaust me but, I really do love them. When someone talks about having kids they'll ask what is it like to have kids. Most of us can't explain it. It is full of painful heartache, sleep deprivation (even after they sleep through the night, you probably never will again. Always sleeping with one ear open listening for any problems.), gross (they toot, burp, barf, pick their noses, and other more disgusting things), monotonous, gut wrenching, but, also thrilling, exhilarating, dizzying, warm and fuzzy. Oh and they either stink like a billy goat or smell heavenly. Who else would you ever let use you as a tissue? Or slobber in your cup?
          Where am I going with this? My niece went to Kindergarten yesterday and rode the big school bus for the first time today. My brother posted a picture of the back of her climbing the steps on the bus. My heart ached. Not because I home school and I think there is something wrong with school buses. But, because the steps looked as big as she was. I didn't think she could possibly climb them without help. She did. And was excited to do it. It's because the step she took and my brother snapped was her first step of her 13 year career in school and the beginning of the end of her ... babyhood. I wanted to call my sister in law and cry with her. Really? Your baby is starting the time in her life where every waking moment isn't something you have organized or planned. Or even just observed. She is starting her own life. Her own life, away from Mom and Dad. Her own life where she will make decisions without you staring at her to see which choice she makes. She will make choices that you will never know she made.
             We all do this with each child. Whether it is Kindergarten, camp, or any number of firsts that aren't in the baby books for us to record. There are so many firsts that pull our heart strings. Maybe I should write my own baby milestone book. I mean, first tooth lost sure. But, all of them? Do we really want to record them all. Do we really record them all. Why not first poop on the potty? Come on we all know that is so much bigger than, favorite sleepy toy. First time on a two wheeler. WOW! Isn't that an awesome sight to see you baby flying down the street on 2 wheels by themselves??
              So, I have decided that first time on a school bus is totally one of the milestones that would go in my baby book. Sweet niece YAY for you. Brother and Sister in law, I'll mail some tissues. And please take pictures by the dozens. She will be 13 before you know it.


Sweetest picture ever. Has to be one for her wedding toast.

I Live in a Vacation Destination

         What a day. Our summer has finally arrived. People are out in droves. The sad thing is most of the kids go back to school in a couple of weeks. I guess us home schoolers will have lots of space to sprawl out on the beaches. Great motivation for the kids. " Get your work done in a timely manner and we can go to the BEACH!" WOOHOO!! Wouldn't you get your work done? I almost want to start school now to use the leverage. Just kidding. Even moms like summer. We went to church this morning and what a message. Gotta love Doug Fields. If you have never heard one of his sermons, you should look him up on the internet. He has written several books, I think as well. His sermon was on, When your life script isn't God's life script for you. Man.... All I can say is, he was talking to my husband and I.
          Went to lunch with the grandparents. Just O.K. Company is good, food not so good. Don't you hate it when you are really hungry and the food in front of you isn't worth the calorie intake?
           Follow up that great morning with what?? The BEACH of course. How can you live a mile from the beach and not go?? Well, I always go several miles down the coast to the "better" beach. I know. I guess I am a beach snob. It was beautiful. The smells, the view, wow!
             Pick up a burrito on the way home. (Yes Bro at THAT place). What a perfect day!! When we got home I walked out on the patio and saw this:

Could it be anymore perfect than that??? My husband said, " It's kinda like we live in a vacation rental." What a great thought. So now if I get grouchy about not having any storage or not having enough room outside in the yard. I remember, people pay big for this view. And people vacation here. O.K. God is good and he is taking care of us. My God is a big God.