Little Okie Homestead

You know that scene in Big Daddy where Frankenstien is playing the game I win?  Well that is our house now! Monkey has invented his own 'I Win' game and loves to play.  He finally has made the rules more even where we can actually win too! Want to know what it is? Here is how the game goes... Monkey: "Mom, what are you doin'?" Mom: "Typing on the computer." Monkey: "You win. Now say 'What I'm doin'?" Mom: "Monkey, what are you doing?" Monkey: "I'm doing up and back down on the couch. See? I win!" Now if you answer with a funny answer like "Flying an airplane" you lose but it is funny.  We have times where we play funny answers and he just cracks up! Then we have times where we play both and he never knows what I'm going to say & he thinks that's funny to. In other words my life consists of always being asked what I'm doing because he thinks it&#

Tomorrow at 9:30am MST our governor here in Colorado, John Hickenlooper, is holding a moment of silence for all the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. I have yet to talk with Monkey about this because I don't think that he needs to know about it in much detail but tomorrow before the moment of silence I will quickly share that a very sick man hurt some people and we are having a moment to think and pray for them and their families. I will answers his questions as truthful as possible and as I see fit for him. But I want to take the opportunity to teach Monkey that when people are hurting we pray for them. Please join us in this time of  remembrance  and prayer for all those affected by this senseless act.

I'm so excited to be co-hosting with Melissa! I have been a long time reader & finally got around to co-hosting! I can't wait to see all of your holiday traditions & I'm sure add a few to my list too! Holiday Traditions? What are those? I'm not sure we have any set up in our family. We never really had anything that we did every year growing up either. So I'm not surprised that we haven't thought about setting anything up for our kids either. Last year we tried doing the  Three Wise Men Gifts  but I of course bought more than just 3 gifts. So what is the plan this year for holiday traditions in our house? Bass Pro Shop Winter Wonderland to visit Santa Three wise men gifts  One Santa gift plus the stocking Baking cookies at Granny & Great Popa's house Baking cookies at Grandma & Popa's house with cousins & then heading to the local fire department & police station to share with the men & women that keep us safe throug

I have been struggling with many of the movies that are out today for children. They have inappropriate language, behavior & even teaching our children that big business & working hard are bad things! I'm seriously appalled with several movies that we have watched recently & have even considered watching all children movies before I let Monkey watch them. There are still some good ones though like 'How to Train Your Dragon' . I think this is a super cute movie. I'm actually watching it right now while Monkey taking a nap. There's really nothing else on to watch at the moment anyway. Although Hiccup disobeyed his father repeatedly throughout the movie he does it for a greater good for his people. He knows that something just isn't right about the way the people treat the dragons. He wants to fit in & get his fathers approval so he tries to kill the ultimate dragon, the night fury. When it comes down to it he just can't do it. Hiccu

He's now 4.5 months but hey I'm still getting around to sharing all the details! So with no more procrastination here they are... I can't believe that he's so big already! I have moments where I can't wait until he's mobile and playing with his brother but then I have moments where I want him to stop getting bigger. I'm sure it's normal mom thing to do. I just want to make sure that I'm enjoying him growing as much as I can! Have to add in the brotherly love picture too!

We all have our secrets but homemakers, housewives, whatever you want to call us are sometimes in a league of our own! We have the perception that we sit around and eat bonbons all day, (man I wish that was true)  but we are normally very busy raising our little ones and sometimes secrets just come with that terriorty. But today on  Growing Up Geeky 's Toddle Along Tuesday we are sharing some of those secrets with you. Come along and share with us what you keep from everyone about your daily life ;) Showers have become a luxury and not a routine of everyday! The times that I get to shower when Hubby is home I take loooong showers whether I hear the baby crying or not. I think I deserve it after a long day and I think he deserves to care for a crying baby once in a while. I love that my boys are on the same schedule for nap time! Why is that a confession? Because I don't mind staying up until 11 or 12 with him until he goes to bed at night. I don't mind being exhaus

Mine All Mine  by Claire Hawcock was a very cute book! I really liked that it started with feelings that every child struggles with. Most children that are 2-4 years old go through a mine, all mine stage. They want to keep everything to themselves no matter what. I remembered that friend posted this on Facebook and I just had to add it here. It shows exactly want I'm talking about.  One morning a sparkling snowflake lands on a little squirrel's nose. He's so excited and he thinks mine, all mine! The problem is that his brothers and sisters want to enjoy this wonderful snowflake too but the little squirrel doesn't want to share. He finds a place to hide and stays there with his snowflake. As time goes on he realizes that it would be more fun and special if he shared the snowflake with his family. By the end of the story he is saying, Ours, all Ours and enjoys sharing his snowflake.Also the art work is fantastic  The sparkling snowflake is raised up so you ca

I'm so excited! I entered Melissa's  Holiday Gift Guide giveaway and I was a winner! Ya Me!  Well, it arrived in the mail today and I'm so excited! I can't wait to use my  muslin receiving blanket  from Saving Grace Designs! So here it is... And one with Baby Goose enjoying it!!! Thank you Danielle for this wonderful gift! I know we will get a lot of use out of this great blanket!

Now that Goose is 4 months old I've been thinking about all the things that I was able to do with Monkey that just hasn't happened with Goose. Having two kids takes up a bunch of time! I'm sure that you know that if you are a parent to more than one child. I never really have a down moment because someone always wants my attention but there are also so many things that I want to do with both of them. There just isn't enough time in the day. So here are some things that Goose is missing out on and goals that I hope will help prevent it from continuing. Things Goose is missing out on: Reading stories Having a schedule Sleeping in his own bed One on one time with Mama Goals to help prevent this from happening: Get Goose on a schedule that works for the whole family Set up a bedtime routine Get him use to sleeping in his own bed Read more stories with and without Monkey Create one on one time with both boys weekly How have you figured out sharing time

Marriages are under attack every where! I see it happening in friends families whether part of a church or not. I think it's evils way of trying to break our spirits! If he breaks a family he not only breaks the parents spirits but the children as well! Now some situations can turn out better than they were before but there will always be scars left on everyone. I don't know about you but I want to keep my family together at all costs! The great news is Biblically it's not that hard! Debi refers to Proverbs 17:22 and 15:13 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. - Proverbs 15:13 So in laymen terms smile! Be happy! Let your husband know no matter what your current circumstances are that as long as you are all together you will be happy and make the best of it! If you haven't been living this way, which I haven't been lately,

A while ago I said I was starting a Bible study of James and I did but not consistently. I'm doing it now though! Today I studied the background of this book to get a feel about who wrote it and the timing of when it was written. Here's what I learned: Author - James is Christ's oldest half brother and brother to Jude - James first rejected Christ as the Messiah but then became known as James the Just because of his devotion to righteousness - James is the earliest book written in the New Testament - 44 to 49 A.D. Just this information is way more than I ever knew. It's so cool to learn fun facts about what your studying! Background - James was writing to Jewish people who were dispersed because of persecution Themes - James focuses on godly behavior - He shares his view on justification by faith and adds his own emphasis on spiritual fruitfulness - He teaches on the law but not that we have to obey to be saved or rules for our life but instead give

I just came home to the cutest picture ever and I'm so bummed that I couldn't get an actual picture. I went out tonight with my sister in law to see the new Twilight movie. It was great to have some girl time without Goose since he still coming to most girl only times because of him nursing. Well half way through the movie I get a text saying he won't go to sleep. This is a common experience for me but Hubby normally sleeps through it so it was new to him. I let him know to just keep trying and let me know if we have to head home early. No more texts come so I figure he got everything worked out. I walk into the room we are staying in and there is Hubby and Goose cuddled up together on the bed both passed out! It was so adorable! This is a common occurrence for myself and Goose because he's been out lasting me at night so I give up and bring him to bed. I think when we get back home next week it will be time to start some self-soothing techniques and falling asle

In the beginning of the book, Created to be His Help Meet, Debi Pearl asks you to make a list of 10 things that you want to see change in your marriage so I will share a few with you. 1. My heart & attitude I've been resentful and angry lately about things regarding my hubby and my role as a homemaking wife. I want to change my negative feelings with positive ones. I really do love my hubby and being home to help him and raise our boys. 2. His heart God promises that my hubby can be won over by my actions, not words (1 Peter 3:1-2) and return to Christ! This alone should motivate me everyday! Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be win over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. -1 Peter 3:1-2 That's all that's on my list at the moment. I plan on praying for guidance on what else needs work. I can think of plenty

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him".... So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep...he took one of the man's ribs.... Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:18, 21-22 We were created to be our man's helper! It's a great thing to be because when we help our husbands, we are helping him complete the purpose God had created him for! How awesome is that? But "being a perfectly fit helper does not make one inferior to the leader." Being a helper just means we are helping our husbands do their jobs-- better! You may not be the one controlling everything and making the decisions in the house but if your husbands knows he can trust you he's going to come to you and value your opinion. He's going to take on account your feelings and do what is best for everyone! As Debi Pearl says, "

I'm Thankful For...Safe Travels Day 17 We are heading out to OKC today!  It's a long 10 to 12 hour drive from Denver (thinking 12 with the kiddos) but I'm excited! We have never been one a road trip before with the kids so this should be interesting! I trust that God will keep us safe during our travel & that it will go smoothy! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone! See you in a week!

I'm Thankful For...Teachers Day 16 Not the normal type of teachers. I thankful for them too but that's not what this post is about.  Last night I went to my life group. It's kind of like Bible study to our church. We are studying about parenting in our group which I don't think we can ever study to much. We are all at different points in child training and going through different struggles and it is great to talk to others and get suggestions. Last night I asked someone that I respect and admire about David and Goliath. Monkey has really been into this story. He talks about it all the time and on the way he said, "We are strong like David and Goliath." I wanted to make sure he understood the difference between what made David strong and what made Goliath strong so I started to explain. "David is strong because he had God in his heart and God made him strong. Goliath was strong because ...." Umm didn't know how to explain that one

Chicken Parmesan The Family Kitchen by Debra Ponzek   Some changes made by me I think this is the best Chicken Parmesan that I have made! It was really quick and easy! Since I didn't have to fry it completely through it made for the perfect crispiness and probably a little bit more healthy too! 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (5 to 6 oz each) *I used 10 thighs because that's what I pulled out of the freezer Salt & freshly ground Pepper 1 cup all-purpose flour * I used whole wheat flour & 1 cup was way to much so I think this could be cut in half 3 large eggs, lightly beaten  2 cups Panko or seasoned dry bread crumbs 1 cup canola oil * I used extra virgin olive oil & some Wild Tree Basil Grapeseed oil 1 1/2 cups Auz Delices's Marinara Sauce (pg 129), or store bought tomato sauce , warmed 1 cup grated Provolone cheese * I didn't have any so I didn't use it 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese * I used

I get asked every year from many family members what I think my boys would like for Christmas gifts. In reality they don't need anything. We are so blessed to have everything they need and then some. We have toys and clothes overflowing most of the time. So this year I thought I would try to look at toys, books, ect. and make a list that would help guide everyone to what we are looking for this season that my boys will use. I think it's very important for toys to be things we will actually use and I think that learning toys are always important too. Monkey actually prefers toys that he can learn from but he also enjoys board games or books. So here is my list. For Goose   (this list was hard because really what does a 5 month old baby need?) 1.)  Fisher Price Growing Baby Animal Activity Puzzle Monkey loves puzzles & I think that they are fun learning toys. I never knew they made puzzles for little guys like Goose but I would love to start introducing puzzles to h

It was hard to come up with a wish list for me but I did it! So here are some things I would like to have. 1.)  Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom 2.)  Apple iPod touch 32GB White (5th Generation)        My Ipod is one of the old ones & it's completely full so I would like a new one with more storage for more songs 3.) Ruby stud earrings        For our anniversary after Monkey was born Hubby bought me stud aquamarine earring for Monkey's birthstone so I would like some for Pilot's birthstone as well 4.)  Wild Diva Kalisa-04 Vickie Round Toe Mid High Boots        I love wearing boots during the winter but all of mine have a heel & with two kids a heel is just something I'm not comfortable wearing right now. Maybe in a few years when they both are more independent 5.)  Victoria Classics Camille 7 Piece Comforter Set       Our bedding it falling apart! We got it as a wedding gift & we just p

Monkey was too big to do this with when October rolled around so I had to get a big enough pumpkin that Goose would fit in. I love photos like these & I think he looks pretty stinkin' cute in his pumpkin!

I'm Thankful For... Day 10 Today I want to say I'm thankful for my sister in law  M ! Her birthday was the 9th & it got over shadowed by the stomach flu entering our house. I'm so excited that we get to head our to OKC to visit her over Thanksgiving!  The boys are going to love playing together! Just a few more days & we will be heading out! Can't wait!

I'm Thankful For...My Mom Day 9 This is a post that I couldn't have written on the day...why? Well because I was dealing with a baby with croup & a 3 year old that was experiencing the stomach flu for the first time. Poor guy woke up around 2 am saying his tummy hurt. He has been saying this a lot to get attention since Goose has joined us so I just told him to go back to be. Well before he could turn around to head back to bed he threw up all over the floor! (Yep, lost the mom of the year award again) I felt horrible!  I got him cleaned up, the floor cleaned up, & got him back into bed. A few minutes later while I was nursing he comes out saying his tummy hurts again. I put Goose down quickly which makes him start screaming because I interrupted his eating time, wake up the hubby on the way to the bathroom & try to get Monkey to stand over the toilet.  When he didn't throw up I set him to bed with a trash can just in case & went to get my

I'm Thankful For...Doctors Day 8 Normally I try & do everything homeopathic but sometimes you just can't risk it! Today was one of those days!  We have all been sick. It started with Monkey, then me, now the hubs & Popa have it & yesterday Goose started showing signs that he was next. His cold took off! Within 24 hours he was coughing really bad & it was so sad having to listen to him cough through the night. This morning we decided it was time to take him in to be seen.  We headed up to Children's Hospital because we had to go there to get Monkey's stitches out so we figured we'd have Goose looked at too. Doc said it was croup :( I have never had to deal with croup with Monkey (or really any cold) when he was this little. They gave Goose a steroid & he's doing much better now. We have a follow up appointment on Saturday with his doctors office to make sure everything is going well. For now I'm back on the couch