No other words come to mind for this day... Febuary 8, 2015

First off let me just say "I am seriously getting older. And it is hitting me!" Looking at today's date is like a serious slap in the face. I never really understood what my mom was feeling or going through when she would turn to me and say "My have times changed." I mean I remember when the FIRST smartphone came out!

OK, so back to today. Where should I start? Well husband is back after a *cough* 45 days being away. That's another story for another time. Anyway... He had what we will call a LONG WEEKEND. Still going on now. My kids have just topped me off. I love them, I REALLY do. But man can they drive me up to wall sometimes. I have said prayers asking for help with patience. BIG MISTAKE. no not really. more of a "if you ask you will receive" lesson. Note that I say 'lesson'. you never can really learn something, especially a new personality trait, unless you go through trials where that trait is put to the test. And that is the case with patience and my kids..hopefully I don't sound like I am rambling on here.

My youngest (2 years old) is sometimes the one that teaches me these lessons. She is by far my most...spirited and fear-nothing child. We started off the day just fine. Oldest (7 years old) gets up first, followed by my middle (4 years old), then my youngest...dun dun dun (enter Darth Vader's them song here).

While I was getting dressed for the day (I learned a lesson here and I will list those lesson learned at the end of the post) M3 decided she would sneak into my in-laws room and get the NAIL POLISH! I hate the stuff may I note. I would rather spend the money to have someone paint mine then have to buy it, take it home and have this problem..exactly!! Anyways. She took the evil polish back to her bedroom where she proceeded to paint herself - left leg from toe to groin, left arm from elbow to fingertip, and her right hand - and if that wasn't enough she splattered the carpet with it like it was a piece of canvas. I'm sure M2 helped in some way but I cant link her...yet. No amount of nail polish remover or hot water and soap took all of it off. She will be attending evening service with a knee caps covered in mermaid scale nail polish! *giggle*

Now lets fast forward about 2 hours. As I'm scrubbing the carpet and talking to my grandmother (hubby's grandmother), M1 comes up to me and says "Mom! M3 has white stuff all over her butt!!" Seriously? She seriously got into daddy's shaving cream? Yup she sure did! Lord HELP ME! The girl...the GIRL got down to her birthday suit, covered herself in shaving cream and then walked on all fours roaring. She looked at me with those eyes of excitement and said "I like a polar bear mama!! Roarrrr!!!" I could do nothing but LAUGH!! I laughed so hard I could have peed my pants. Good thing I have been doing my kegals *smile*.

So I just cleaned it up and let her do her thing. It was cute honestly and a memory I will share with her later in life. But...dun dun duuunnn... when I was almost done with cleaning up the bathroom. M3 comes to me and tell me with a serious face, "Mama I pooped in dine room and I stepped in it." Why Child? Why? She then says "It was warm mama. very warm." This time I didn't laugh. I took a moment, asked for some advice from others who have gone through days like this or has a child like this, and then shoved all my kids out in the backyard. I cleaned up the mess and now I'm writing about it.

Its crazy what happens when you pray for something. Don't you see your prayers are being answered at the most craziest times in your life sometimes? But when you are able to stop and look at the moment in its entirety, its so clear.

Oh yea, the lessons I learned today...or so far. 1) When you pray for something, be prepared for that prayer to be ANSWERED! It may not be the answer we were hoping for, but it was ANSWERED. 2) Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little more time to keeping areas closed and locked. 3) Sometimes dressing with a toddler in the room is the smartest idea. 4) Laughing at times that are frustrating and just push all those buttons its good to let out a loud and long laugh. 5) No matter what happens God knows what the outcome will be. And if you hold tight to Him, you will always see the light at the end of the tunnel and make it through.

God's many blessings to you

Chrisi
Proverbs 31:30

Rainbow Pizza!!!!

Oh how I love the sight of a beautiful rainbow. Its always a reminder of how much our God loves us and how amazing He is that He always keeps His promises. So its nice to be able to say I can make that rainbow and that amazing feeling always come. And if you live in Southern California right now you know the feeling of not seeing a rainbow in a while. *giggle* We have had NO rain in so long we are in a nasty drought.

But anyways. This is a recipe that I learned from my mother. We called it something different when I was growing up, "Fruit Pizza", and it was ALWAYS a hit when we would take it to parties, meetings and family gatherings. As I got older and started have kids of my own the named ended up changing while we were learning about Noah and the Ark. It was so perfect for a end of lesson "home ec" project. *smile* I have also made this just because I love making it! I like it more than anything...except Red Robin's ranch dressing! *giggle* And still after years it is a HIT wherever it goes. I am always approached and asked if I could provide the recipe. So with that..here it is...

What you’ll need:

• Crescent Dinner Roll Dough (i buy what's on sale, it all taste the same anyways *smile*)
• Pizza Pan
• 8oz Original Cream Cheese block (again what's on sale)
• Sugar
• Canned Sliced Pineapple (i get the big 20oz can)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges ( i use about two 11oz cans)
• Strawberries
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Grapes ( i use the purple ones..seedless of course)

Directions…

{{*Note: I like to cut and baggy all my fruit the night before. It just makes one less thing for me to do. And about 15min before you start set out your cream cheese so its soft when you need to use it*}}

1. Preheat the oven according to the directions on the crescent rolls. During this time you can peel and cut the fruit {Strawberries (i like to cut them in slices), Kiwi (peel and cut), and Grapes (i like to cut these in fourths)}. Now i do this part the night before, so this is usually where I say a little prayer of peace and to help really enjoy this time either by myself or with my kids.
2. Making the “Crust”.Spray some non-stick baking spray on your pizza pan. Roll out the crescent dough on a pizza pan. Squishing it together to make a good thick crust. I use about 3 cans myself. {If you like more of a thin crust you can make it that too. Its your pizza *smile*} Spread the it a little over on the lip of the pan (or towards the edge), the crust will shrink inward so spreading it out that little extra will give you a little extra *smile*. Now pop that in the oven according the time time on the package.
   
3. Now you get to get your hands dirty...well ‘cheesed’. Let’s make the “Sauce”. Take the cream cheese and plop two of those blocks in a mixing bowl. I like a sweet “sauce” so i add about 1 ½ cups of sugar. But I have been making this for awhile so i know the taste i like. So i would start off with ½ cup of sugar and add to taste. Mixing it is NO JOKE *smile*. So be prepared for a arm workout. Mix this till it is like the texture of frosting.
   
4. Now AFTER your crust is cool, spread the sauce on evenly. {After draining the water from the can} Evenly spread the pineapple slices on top of the sauce. {{This is the BEST time to cut the pizza. Once you add all the other fruit on it gets more difficult.}} Then add the rest of the fruit; Strawberries, Kiwi, Mandarin oranges, Blueberries, and Grapes.
   
5. Take a picture of your beautiful Rainbow Pizza and post it tagging #FaithAndSweetTeaCreations or tag me @faithnsweettea. I cant wait to see yours *smile*
6. Place in fridge till ready to serve and then ENJOY!!

A New Start...Again...

I have often tried time and time again to start a "Mommy Blog". Every time being a failure. I'm sure people are huffing telling themselves not another one Christina, come on! Well yes, yet another. This time though, there is no idea or theme behind my blog. I will blog about whatever I want to. Somethings will, yes, be about being a mom. I'm not perfect, and I'm definitely NOT a perfect mother. So to just get it out there and pray that there are other mothers out there who are also going through, or already been through what I post about. But, some topics will be so random. I'm new to homeschooling, so this is a new step for me. I have a lot of thoughts and concerns when it comes to it. So you can expect some post on that as well.

I feel like God has given me the gift of "Examples" and "Speaking" so to say. I love to encourage people, and give them examples I have either lived through, or got from other wise counsel. I would never give advice to someone that I have no clue about. But I always tell people, no matter the situation, turn to God in prayer, read His wise words (aka open your bible and start reading) and listen for that still small voice. That is the best advice you can get. Back on topic now...

I have a lot to say, and sometimes I don't have a outlet to say it. So here I am again. I'm not looking to boost this blog so that i get a lot of followers, or views so that it becomes a hit. If that is the future for my blog, then the Lord will see it through.

I will continue to pray for this, and pray that someone out there will be encouraged by my words and that God will use me as a example and guide me to do His will.

May the Lord forever Bless you *smile*