Cilantro Lime Pesto Chicken Fajitas with Low-Carb Tortillas

When my friend Maureen made this for my family recently, we all attacked it and could not believe how yummy it was! I’m not much of a cook, though, and just knew it would be too difficult for me to make. Boy, was I wrong! Check out this terrific recipe, perfect for a day when you are busy, perfect for doubling and freezing, or perfect for doubling and giving some to a friend! Let me know what you think!

Cilantro Lime Pesto Chicken Fajitas

-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-Salt, pepper and garlic powder
-1/2 cup cilantro lime pesto (see below)
-1 medium onion
-1 pepper (whichever color you love best)
-Tortillas (I love Mission brand’s carb control version, which is whole wheat also, but you can choose corn tortillas for a gluten-free version)
-Taco sauce/picante sauce/salsa (whichever you prefer)
-1 ripe avocado
-Sour cream (omit for dairy free diets)
-Shredded cheese (omit for dairy free diets)

I like for things to be super easy, so I love to cook the chicken breasts in the slow cooker for a few hours on high. When they are cooked through, I take them out, chop them up and toss the pieces in a bowl. Then I sprinkle on some salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. 

Then I cook my chopped peppers and onions in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil. That’s when the cilantro lime pesto comes in (see recipe below). I take about 1/2 cup of that and stir it into the chicken mixture. Ready to serve! If you love the pesto, you can just add more to your fajita for a refreshing take on a fajita.

Cilantro Lime Pesto

-1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-3 tablespoons sliced, toasted almonds
-2 tablespoons minced garlic
-2 teaspoons lime juice
-1/2 cup shredded Romano cheese
-2 teaspoons salt
-The chicken broth from the slow cooker, about 1/4 cup

Using a food processor, blend ingredients together until smooth.

I like to get Mission Carb Balance tortillas to eat with my creation. 

**Last night I used Flatout bread and it made a more substantial wrap and it was amazing!

Want more recipes? Check this out!

Why You Need a Mommy Business Card

I love me some Mommy* Business Cards! Do I get them because they make me feel all corporate and like I’m back in the “real” working world? (don’t throw your coffee at me, please; I’m just kidding … if anybody knows stay-at-home moms work their butts off it’s me, friends).

Nope. That’s not why.

I’m on my third round of Mommy Business Cards because they make connecting with other parents a breeze. Below is a photo of the second card I ordered … so pretty and serene … a lake in the mountains. And no, I am not paranoid about one of you calling me up on my cell phone because I don’t often answer it anyway. Feel free to leave me a message telling me how much you love my blog, though. Or just email me. I do write back.

When I ran out of those, I went with these. I do love the beach seeing as how I live in KANSAS and all that.

Now, why do I put all that information on there? Well, I make sure all our names are on it so when we meet a mom we wanna hang out with or when one of my kids meets a kid he/she wants to hang out with, I can pass this card out and the parent can hopefully remember who we are.

A card is way better than a napkin or a random piece of paper because those get lost. A card screams, “I’m Serious! Here is my info. Let’s HANG OUT.”

And, okay, I will admit that I like to put on there that I’m a homeschooler because I like to be different. And the writer part is fun and warns people to watch what they say around me or I will write about it. And the editor part tells them to carefully type their Facebook responses and emails to me or I will make fun.

Have I convinced you to order up some Mommy Business Cards or Daddy Business Cards? Good. Don’t forget to take a picture of your card, post about it and send me the link.

*I know stay-at-home dads and homeschooling dads, so Lord knows I am not trying to be sexist and leave out any of my peeps with parts different from mine.

If you want to make your own, you can grab some blank biz cards at Amazon and do them at home :-)

"A Mom's Guide to Home Organization" by Debbie Lillard

Are you, like me, frazzled by your family's hectic schedule and chaotic household? I get to try Debbie Lillard's A Mom's Guide to Home Organization and will be posting a review shortly. I'm told this book walks you through simple processes and tips for organizing your time, your stuff and your space. The second half of the book addresses how to teach your children the life skill of being organized. It's written by a busy mom for busy moms. I can't wait to read it!

Here's a sample before picture:

And a sample after photo:

The McLoughlin's Late Family Christmas Letter 2013

Yes, it is Saturday the 5th of January and I am still sending out Christmas cards. I have all these photo cards left and am determined to get them in the mail. Our PC died recently and my most recent addresses went with it so I've had to reconstruct a freaking address list from scratch almost. So when I go into Facebook to check my messages and write someone's address down in my spreadsheet I ... well, I get a little bit sucked in Facebook. So there goes another 5 minutes OF MY LIFE. Then back to cards. So it's taking me forever.

Here's the 2013 Christmas letter with photos popped in that I used on the photo card. There are 7 photos on the card and YES, they showed up TINY again. Next year I'm doing ONE freaking family photo if it kills us all posing for it. If you don't have a card from us yet, please comment or email me because I want to make sure you get one!

Merry Christmas once again from the McFamily! Let’s dive right in …

            Aron didn’t travel much this year so he went on lots of Scout campouts and started on a plant stand woodworking project during his 10 days off over Thanksgiving. Oh, and he put a new roof on our house, painted the living room and ripped up the carpets in there to reveal hardwood floors that he sanded and finished in record time. He hasn’t fished enough, though, and his boat needs more of a workout for sure!

            Same old story for Kerrie only add proofreading and The Kindle Pixie (an ebook author promotion service) to her list of daily stuff she does, which includes: homeschooling, writing articles, blogs and ebooks, reading, walking, taking the kids places, feeding the family, loving Aron, keeping the house up Martha Stewart-style (never!) and having fun with life as much as possible.

            Joel is 12 now and still loves animals so much that he teaches a twice-monthly Mammal Study class for homeschoolers. He’s in gymnastics, Boy Scouts (First Class), and wants me to let you know he owns and is responsible with lots of weapons. He likes to read, help and play and loves anything having to do with the Hunger Games saga.

            Michael is 10, is also in gymnastics and continues his Lego Love Affair. If you give him a tub of Legos and a small motor, he can make anything. He takes care of his tiny turtle Jiggy and Betta Henry and happily/grudgingly tags along with us wherever we go depending on how many Lego projects he has in his little imaginary work inbox.

            Callie is 8 and is my fashion mentor. She always puts together cute outfits and puts on little fashion and talent shows. She is also in gymnastics and is a huge help to Mommy (like by organizing the pantry after I grocery shop). She loves to hang out with her friends and ride horses when she gets a chance.

            Eva is 6 and loves to color, play My Little Ponies, play with her friends, ride her scooter and jump around at gymnastics. She is described as “persistent” and will ask me 23 times if she can break out the paints before I finally am worn down and say yes!

            Samuel is 4 and recently demonstrated that he is indeed great at any sport he attempts, including ice skating. You should have seen him with his tiny ice skates and walker, racing across the ice like he’d been doing it his whole life! Add gymnastics and being naughty to his resume and that sums him up.

            June found us on a mini Solsberg family vacation in Branson. The rest of the year we swam, went to LegoLand, Paradise Park, apple picking, to KC Pumpkin Patch, homeschooled and hung out with our amazing bunch of friends. In October, sadly, we lost my Poppy (my grandpa), and we like to talk about our good memories of him to keep us from being sad.

            As always, you can check out more of the family fun at TheKerrieShow.com. Have a fantastical 2014!

The McLoughlin Family

Aron, Kerrie, Joel, Michael, Callie, Eva and Samuel

HOPEYLOVEYDREAMYPRAYYLEARNYSINGYLAUGHYACCEPTYSLEEPJ

Don't Worry About the Family That Acts Like You Don't Matter ...

I Set Goals, Not Resolutions or How I Spent the Last Day of the Year

I don't really do resolutions anymore. I don't like doing a bunch of stuff everybody else is doing. Sometimes I go along or else I do it because I am really into it, but sometimes things become so cliche that they drive me insane and I roll my eyes.

I do, however, set goals. Homeschooling goals, set more dates with my husband on the calendar, writing goals and such. Maybe even some weight loss goals thrown in for good measure.

I spent the last day of the year graveside with my friend Jill, who lost her son Nolan one year ago, and her 4 other kids were there. I was there also with my own 5 children, my husband, a friend of over a year (Angeliina) and someone who I have known off and on but recently realized I really dig (Ginette). It was a tragic and sad way to end the year, and I wouldn't be anywhere else but standing there with my friend who is going through the worst time of her life. Later that night we went to Angeliina's to ring in the new year and had a blast (she put up with me despite my head cold and low energy!).

My friend Jill and her son Nolan

My point is that if I spend 2014 doing things pretty much the same as I did them in 2013, that would be just fine. I love spending time with my kids, my husband, my parents, my friends. I love to write, to be there for people if they need me, to bake for people. I like to help. If I could make one resolution it would be to watch more movies snuggled up with my husband like we used to do. I think that's a rockin' resolution!

My mother-in-law sent this to me and I don't know the author, but it's a lovely way to think about the new year, I think.

There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

Make a Ponytail with a Vacuum Cleaner

Someone on Facebook posted a YouTube video of a dad who did his daughter's ponytail with a vacuum cleaner. We laughed until we cried ...and then decided to try it out.

Here is the result! My mother is going to love this one!

Storage Stairs? I Want Them!

Check out this site to see all about these cool stairs and more cool options. These are pretty, huh? But the three on the right are not practical in my household, what with the kids who can't put things back or pick up after themselves. I would hate to come flying down the stairs and bust my hip tripping on a drawer someone left open. Also I would need a handrail or some sort of support or my people would be jumping off the higher steps. See how I have to think these days? Practical over pretty. Safe over glamourous.

9109 High Grove Road, I Love You & Merry Christmas!

Yes, I am aware that I keep posting photos of houses I fall in love with. I have a category of posts called Country Living. I should make one called House Hunting. The thing is, the other two I have posted pictures of on here I did not post the address and they were both $400,000, WAY out of our price range.

Today I'm posting the address and I'm not sure why. I just love it and have not seen it in person. My mom and Dave drove by it today on their way home from our place and thought it was super awesome and that there were deer tracks all over the snow. I should not post online how much I think I love this house. That would mess with negotiations, but Mr. Kerrie says he is not ready to move yet. Still, I have talked him into LOOKING at it from the outside maybe Friday. I hinted that maybe the agent could MEET us there ... why not? What could it hurt to see the INSIDE? I did see the layout of the place after some heavy duty internet stalking of the place.

Here's the link for family and friends and anyone else who just loves houses! Don't freak out on photo #5 because that is my favorite part: PINKSPLOSION (kinda like the pinksplosion we created at our own place recently)! The house was built in 1940 but someone in the 1960s took some acid and decorated this room. Oh, and the SUN PORCH is kind of a hit in my world. So Merry Christmas and enjoy my house love affair #3 (only more affordable).

Don't judge my ugly room. I love it. It has more character than anything in Overland Park any day of the week!

Okay, so it didn't speak to us. Here is a post on Bubblews that talks about that and leads to more about why it was not perfect for us. And in the comments section someone named Tim says he and his wife bought it, which is AWESOME! I hope they are very happy there and have 8 babies just like the previous owners had.

Merry Christmas 2013!

Hope you are having an awesome day!

Being Santa Is Like Being a Spy

Why do the Santa thing when it is so exhausting? When the kids notice the handwriting on the tags, the wrapping paper, that there is a dog hair from OUR DOG in the tape on a package? I'll tell you why. Because I feel like a super spy doing it, making this magic my parents made for me. I shut myself in my room to wrap in secret. I shop in secret. Mr. Kerrie comes up to the bedroom to grab a box of wrapped gifts to cover up and take to the basement. SNEAK to the basement and hide. I guess it's exciting for the adults, too, and we love to see their faces when they are surprised! Merry Christmas!

How to Pose for Photos ... by Mr. and Mrs. Kerrie

These photos were taken in August and I'm finally getting them off DropBox and onto our external hard drive (better not lose that!) because Mr. Kerrie is freaked about our stuff being on DropBox. Duly noted. Anyway, I had him take a picture of me in our newly wood-floored living room and I stood like a normal person, as shown below:

Then I did this POP thing that I learned from our sitter, Jordan. You put one hand on your hip and then POP out the opposite knee. TRY IT! (yeah, I know I look dorky trying this out but I don't really care)

Somehow when I tried the photo shoot with Mr. Kerrie he was not amenable. Poor dude tolerates me; you know that, don't you?

#WordlessWednesday: A LEGO Playground

Would You Live by a Cemetery? Check out my Potential Kerrie Dreamhouse! #househunting

So back here in August I talked about and posted a photo of the house my family had fallen in love with. The problem was that it cost $400,000, a wee bit over our budget. It's still AMAZING, of course, but no house is perfect. For instance, we love our current house but with all the Little Kerries running around we're growing out of it, plus we're on that busy street corner where nobody stops for little kids. The house we fell in love with in August was a little far from Mr. Kerrie's work, in another state, and the pond right out front always freaked me out. I am always going to be freaked out about something, mind you, but drowning is a special freak-out that is dear to my heart.

Yesterday Mr. Kerrie was off work. We FINALLY set out around 3 to go to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our our tree for the first time. I had looked on the internet and found a place and wrote down directions. Welllllll ... the info was out of date and I did something I never do: I didn't do my research. I did not call the place first to make sure we could just go on their property and cut down a tree like the Christmas tree website said I could.

Thankfully the people who lived there were home and, after a wild goose chase to find it, Mr. Kerrie asked and NOPE, they are not doing trees anymore. I felt so HORRIBLE! It was the 16th of December and we still needed a tree and drove half an hour to get there. As we left we saw a NO OUTLET sign, which always turns me on. I mean, the thought of a dead end street and my kids being safe is pretty cool. Alas, there was also a FOR SALE sign pointing down the road. Hmmmm, let's go check it out. After some exploring we came up this stately thing, which instead of calling it South Fork I would call it something goofy like Spoon Fork:

ACROSS FROM A CEMETERY yet at the end of a road! Can't have everything on your home checklist, I suppose. Did I mention I watched too many scary movies as a kid so moving to the country AND being by a cemetery is EXTRA FREAKY?! You can't shoot a ghost, people!

Okay, lemme calm down here before I tell the rest of the story.

Whew. Of course we pull up in the driveway, mesmerized. I mean, look at that beast! Room for kids to run around and LAND, glorious LAND! And trees! So I whip out my handy dandy cell phone and call the realtor.

Well, it's 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms on 40 acres of land. Aaaaaaaaaaaand it's another $400,000 beauty we have found ourselves with. Now, if you are living on one of the coasts of American and reading this, you are wanting to smack me because that is cheap in your world. In my world, I live in a house that we paid about 1/4 of that for. That's a lot of moola. Like I said back in August, I'd better keep writing and hope for that bestseller to take off soon. (buy my ebooks; shameless plug)

Of course we came home and I internet stalked the house. I found out one of the owners died in 2009, was a Gemini like me and her name is the same as Aron's grandma, the name we would name our next kid if it ended up being a girl. Interesting turn of events indeed.

I'll keep ya posted. And if you can't get enough of this topic, I write more about it here.

My Son Is Baking 120 Dozen Cinnamon Rolls Today ... and I'm Chillin'

No, not by himself, silly! With his Boy Scout troop! Thanks to the ever-rockin', fire-fightin' Bill Schneider for taking this photo (I like to give a shout-out and don't do it enough).

Mr. Kerrie is off work for THREE WEEKS so you might be seeing me on here quite a bit posting fun holiday happenings. Know why? 'Cuz I found the external hard drive so I can transfer all the pictures to it that are backing up like a dude who ate too many beans and too much cheese. I've knocked out some big proofing jobs and it's time to concentrate on preparing the house for Christmas.

Wow, reading that back it is a big fat wonder I make any money at all to write because I just jump from topic to topic. Sorry about that. Lemme slow down.

My point is that my camera should be empty so I can QUICKLY post new pictures in the coming weeks. I know the grandparents love that!

Mr. Kerrie has been working insane hours (like 16+ hours per day) and it's been Crazy Town here. I'm looking forward to my man being off work so I can have some fun with my kids instead of policing them, to working on my Laid-Back Homeschooling book and getting it out in time for all the people to receive their Kindles at Christmastime. And then there's shopping for stocking stuffers and other last-minute fun. Maybe the growing pile of clean laundry will get put away magically, as well!

And finding the Excel file with all the addresses for Christmas cards since our PC shot craps. It's cool, you know I'll also post the humblebrag Christmas letter on the blog!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah (wait, that's over), Happy Holidays, Happy New Year!

Love, Kerrie

#Free Ebook: The Cut-Out (Spy Thriller Based on a True Story)

This book is free through tomorrow, Thursday, December 12, 2013, so you have nothing to lose by downloading it. Just go to this link and grab it. You DO NOT NEED TO OWN A KINDLE to get this ebook. I don't own a Kindle (even though I write for the Kindle format!) and just download to a handy little thing on Amazon where they hold onto all my free ebooks for me to read when I want.

Description:
LOGLINE: When the American called me up and said he wanted to talk, I never imagined he would tell me what he did: that someone of global renown, “within days from now”, would be assassinated. Why tell me? A low-key conspiracy journalist? I didn’t know. And quite frankly, I didn’t believe him, either—until the assassination happened… 

SYNOPSIS: Britain in the nineties was obsessed with the X-Files. The high street was awash with X-Files type magazines, and as senior editor of the biggest selling one on the market, I was accustomed to receiving phone calls from anonymous sources promising inside information. So when the American called me up and said he wanted to talk, I took it in my stride. Why wouldn’t I? He was a former Special Forces Green Beret, he said. A CIA runner. He also said that the information he had was best not divulged over the telephone. So we arranged to meet. Nothing unusual in that. 

What was unusual, though, was what the American told me, not at our first meeting, but at a subsequent one some months later. On this occasion he said he'd been made aware of an imminent prime-target assassination, that “one of the most prominent figures on the world stage” was about to be taken out, “within days from now”, though he claimed he was unable to reveal who the target was. 

“Watch the news networks. You’ll know who it is soon enough.” He added: “The media will tell you it was an accident. You’ll know it wasn’t.” 

I came away not knowing if I’d been fed a line or let in on the world’s most terrible secret. And I had no way of finding out, either, other than to wait, and watch the news. 

I didn’t have to wait long. Because a week later the “accident” the American had alluded to was all over the news: the assassination he’d forewarned me about had happened. 

Of course, at this stage I had no idea I was being set up. Only that I’d been told something I wished I’d never been told. And that, because I had, I now faced the most terrifying challenge of my life—to get to the truth before the intelligence agencies got to me... 

The catch: please leave a review for this book if you enjoy it. (let me spoil it for you and tell you this is about Princess Diana's death!)

Thanks for checking out this edition of FREE EBOOKS FOUND BY KERRIE!

Eva at Her Birthday Party: Wordless Wednesday

MY WIFE

MY WIFE

This is a guest post from Kerrie's blessed husband.··You can call me Mr. Kerrie.··I saw a picture of her this morning and thought 'my wife is pretty'.  This is the picture

Of course I  think my is wife pretty in all of her pictures.  And pictures don't do her the justice compared to seeing her.  But don't let her looks fool you she's smart too,... and funny,... and a great cook, and the BEST mother to our children that I could have prayed for, and a perfect wife. ...  I could go on for a while, but probably the best thing that I could say is the she's as good of a mom as mine.  Did I mention smoking hot pretty.  I love you Kurvy©.  Kurvy is my copyrighted name that only her husband may use.

Happy 6th Birthday to my Eva!

I'm cheating a little bit today because I'm going to be super busy. Aron is having to work a lot of long hours this week and today is his day off, but he's gotta work most of it. He'll take off to come ice skating with us, though, and after all these years of birthdays and kids I think I can handle the rest of it and the party prep and the making today special for Eva.

So happy birthday, Eva! Here's the cheat: a post I wrote on another site today. Check it out! It even leads back HERE to a post of her FIRST BIRTHDAY!

Here are some pics of this ornery little light of our lives:

At the park in Grandview on a sunny day.

At the apple orchard. This girl has fun wherever she goes.

Resting in the van after a long day of being sunshiney and naughty

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Babo Botanicals Holiday Promotion!

This newest Holiday Gift Guide 2013 addition includes a product that is great for any age person, but it most perfect for that new or current parent on your shopping list. And if you know someone who is due to have a baby next year, stock up now on Babo Botanicals for your shower and new-baby gifts!

Babo Botanicals offers a full range of natural and safe skin, hair and suncare products for newborns, babies, kids and the entire family! Babo products are made on a certified organic farm in upstate New York and are ultra-rich in vitamins A, C and D delivering maximum nutrients, protection and moisture to your child’s hair and skin. Babo’s mission is to provide the perfect balance between optimum results, natural ingredients and family fun.

Babo Botanicals is having a special holiday promotion of 50% off all products available at their site here! Just remember to use promotion code HOLIDAYBABO.

HURRY and save this link! This offer is only available from December 11th through December 18th and the coupon does not apply to the VIP Gift Basket.

Emilia Delizia Tours: Something for Everyone!

It's no secret that I love to travel. So does Mr. Kerrie, as long as it's not for work and he can be with his family. One of our dreams is to travel the country by RV. Another is to go to Europe. He'd love to go to Ireland and Scotland. I'd love to visit Germany, where I was born. We both would love to go to Italy.

Oh, Italy. How I would fall in love with it. I mean, I already fell in love with it when I read Eat, Pray, Love,  but I want a deeper relationship. I want to go on food tours and wine tours and cooking tours in Italy. I want to really get to know it.

That's where Emilia Delizia comes in. They asked me to check out their site and let my readers know what I think about it and I have to say it is verrrrrrrry cool. Allow me to demonstrate using their infographic:

I am salivating just thinking of all this amazing food. Mr. Kerrie would think he had died and gone to heaven during a culinary or wine tour. And I would be in homeschool heaven going on production visits with the kids to see how things like Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and Parma ham are made!

This site is EXTREMELY informative. Check out this post on truffle hunts! And EEEEEE! ... they can arrange Ferrari test drives here!!!!!!

I have to admit I went to this site and got lost in it for a long time. The Big Family Dream after moving to the country here in the USA is to start traveling to cool places like Italy. Guess I'd better get back to work on that best-selling ebook, huh?

You can follow Emilia Delizia Food Tours on Twitter here. And on Facebook here. But whatever you do, check out this site ... you won't be sorry!

When Is the Right Time for a Cell Phone? (guest post)

Today is Black Friday, I'm taking a little break from the production of The Kerrie Show, and we have a guest post by HB Redbird. She also provided a great piece for me about doing back to school uniquely here. Check it out!

When Is The Right Time for a Cell Phone?

I think the hardest part of parenting is acknowledging that children are growing up in a different age than we are. This is apparent by parents who no longer allow their children to walk to school, or bike wherever their hearts desire. It is also becoming clear to me that parents have a harder time deciding when to let children branch out with technology.

My children range in age from one year to ten years. My children are better with computers than I am, and I thought I was good with personal computers. The older two, aged ten and eight, love computers and cell phones. We have a family computer to allow them the ability to email family members, and keep their own blog. So, when is it okay to allow children to have their own phones?

We see children in first and second grade carrying their own phones, and we feel that it is too young. My husband and I had originally planned to allow phones at the age of 13, but now I think that may be too old. My children are prolific on our Smartphones, playing games, sending text messages, and using the internet to research on the road. Are eight and ten year olds responsible enough to have a phone of their own? How does one keep them safe from those who have only evil thoughts racing through their minds? This is where we are not sure which direction to go.

Pros

·         Able to communicate with friends without stealing our phone

·         Can play games that expand brain power

·         Can call us when they are needing picked up after school

·         Call them when needed

·         Research on the go

These pros come from our current experiences with our older children. My daughter is very prolific with texting, and she loves communicating with my family. She also has a few friends and cousins that have cell phones, so having one would allow her to communicate with them. She is also always stealing my phone to play Draw Something, and other games that require her to think. We also regularly hand our phones over to both of the children to allow them to use Google to work on their homework on the drive home from school.

Cons

·         Increase phone bill

·         Access to evils on the cyber world

·         Unauthorized purchases or subscriptions

My pocket book screams when I think about allowing my children to have access to a phone of their own. Will they understand the limitations on usage? Will they purchase games or subscribe to text messages that will affect the bill? Will they get onto sites that they really should not be on? I understand that most of these cons come with both years of trust and parenting. We can let a child learn by experience that purchasing games require money by making them pay for it. Same with having them go over their minutes, but the OCD in me really has trouble with relinquishing that control.

Therefore, we are back to the beginning questions. When is it appropriate to allow your child to get a phone and join your family plan? We are beginning to think that eight years old is not too young. Are we wrong? My husband and I are not yet sure.

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

I am grateful today for too many things to even list, but I'll go ahead and do a few!

Obviously I'm thankful for my awesome, fun marriage of 15 years,which is still going strong. I'm thankful for my five healthy, awe-inspiring children. I am thankful that my parents and Aron's are alive and well.

I am thankful for new friends and old and those with potential.

For a place to live, a car to drive, a way to make money from home.

For food, a furnace that works after 47 years, clothing, a library card.

For the freedom to homeschool.

My husband is amazing in the kitchen. He has spent a lot of time working on today's meal. He loves to cook and I let him take it over. He was so excited that he got a roasting pan with rack like this one at Macy's yesterday for nine bucks!

My mom and stepdad are coming over to share the meal with us. Please pray for my Grandma Sue while she goes through surgery tomorrow.

I sincerely pray that you have a fabulous day today. Good food and relaxation and love!

Happy Thanksgiving! (and I wouldn't be me without leaving you with a funny!)

Christmas Shopping: My Kid's Favorite Toys Site

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and it's time to start thinking about Christmas shopping, whether you are in denial or not. I'm not telling you to run out and do Black Friday shopping. I'm telling you to sit on your butt and shop at home like I try to do as often as possible! I think my kids are starting to figure some stuff out when the mail comes and I run it up to my closet.

Okay, so check out this site My Kid's Favorite Toys ... I love it because it gives me so many great ideas for my kids for Christmas shopping. I already have some things for the kids but I need more ideas! And family is asking for gift ideas for the kids. I'm often at a loss as to what kind of ideas to give them. I want presents to be a surprise if it can work out that way, so I scanned this site for some great ideas. See what you think!

If you don't know where to start, check here for the top toys of 2013, according to WalMart, KMart and ToysRUs.

My girls are starting to want some of the Lego and Friends sets, like this one:

Samuel is all about trains and this Thomas set is perfect!

And check this out! Nerf finally got a clue like Lego did and now they make stuff in pink!

This site helped me to discover all sorts of new things that my kids might like for Christmas. I'm going to be spending a lot more time on there. I love the search box, that you can shop by brand, by tag, by type of toy and more. I'll be heading back here for birthday ideas for all of my own kids and for the kids of my friends when it's birthday party time next year!

KC Pumpkin Patch Pics of the Day Saturday

We got to go to the KC Pumpkin Patch last month and I have all these great photos I keep forgetting to post! Read here to find out what's going on with them having to move and how nobody wants them as a neighbor. I would totally want them as a neighbor!