Kids- God's gift to a parent!

When my children were still babies, I had an experience I don't think I could ever forget. A family from my church had lost a child. I couldn't imagine the feelings the parents had & I hoped I would never have too. Since we were pretty close to our friends, and their children, my husband & I  went to the little 2yr olds funeral. I wanted to show our friends we were there to support them. I wanted to be strong for them but inside I felt like there is no way I would be able to go through this. Seeing his little body in that pretty little box, he looked like a porcelain doll. As beautiful as he was made me cry even more. He looked so at peace as though he were only sleeping. I hugged my friend trying to hold myself together since she seemed to be doing better than me. When it was over my husband & I got in the car to leave I lost it completely. I kept thinking what if that was my child. Since the little boy had drowned & I already had a huge fear of the water & my children being around it my fear only got worse. Some how over the years of growing closer to God & going through our own experiences, I have learned to trust God & listen to my gut. I have finally came to a place where I can feel content and relax a little bit. All of my children can swim and I still am cautious about the safety of my kids though. It breaks my heart every time I hear of a child abuse case. I can not comprehend how in the world a parent could do the things they do sometimes. I want to remind you that we only have a time with them just like everyone else their life will end someday & you will not be able to get them back. My friends who lost their little boy were wonderful parents and continues to be wonderful parents to their other children. Remember we are told to train up our children in the way they should go & when they are old they will not turn from it Proverbs 22:6. What ever way you treat your child now will affect the way they are as adults. I just read a book called 

"A child called it" By Dave Pelzer.



To pick up this book and read it, it just reaffirmed the fact that I want to adopt. I want more children. I have always wanted a large family. My husband & I have a heart for child & our heart has been pulled to the area of foster care in America. There are so many children out there that need a loving home. How their parents could abuse or neglect them is beyond me but I am going to continue in the direction to adopt. No matter how many children you have remember to love them, hug them, encourage them, teach them. I am not saying I am a perfect parent or that I haven't ever made any mistakes. I know I have & I have learned from them. So I guess what my point is..... Your child is a gift please treat them with kindness & respect. I have 3 gifts in the shape of children & I would take any others he would place with me.



Your child loves you & looks up to you!

The benefits from Basil

FRESH SWEET BASIL

My daughter has been growing some herbs and I want to share with you some of the benefits from using some of them. The 1st one I want to talk about is Basil. I love the smell of fresh basil. Although it is pretty strong smelling, it is still very wonderful. In case you have no idea what basil is here is some information.

Description

Basil, also called sweet basil, is the dried leaves of the herb Ocimum basilicum, a member of the mint family. Basil is a small, bushy plant that grows to about two feet tall. Its botanical name is derived from the Greek, "to be fragrant."

Uses

Basil is used in tomato sauces, pestos, pizzas, and cheeses. It is used in green Thai curry blend, bouquet garni, and Italian seasonings.

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Origins

Although basil is cultivated worldwide, Egypt is the principal source, followed by the United States.

Folklore

The early Romans made it a symbol of love and fertility. Through the centuries, it became a custom of young Italian suitors to wear a sprig of basil as a sign of their marital intentions.

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Color

Uniform green color

Flavor & Aroma

Fragrantly sweet

Sensory Profile

Basil is characteristically tea-like, with green/grassy, hay-like and minty notes. It is slightly bitter and musty.

Some Yummy Recipes:

Four Cheese Margherita Pizza

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 10min

Ready in: 40min

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• 2 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crusts
• 8 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 4 ounces shredded Fontina cheese
• 10 fresh basil leaves, washed, dried
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. Stir together olive oil, garlic, and salt; toss with tomatoes, and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Brush each pizza crust with some of the tomato marinade. Sprinkle the pizzas evenly with Mozzarella and Fontina cheeses. Arrange tomatoes overtop, then sprinkle with shredded basil, Parmesan, and feta cheese.
3. Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed With Pesto

I've been serving these appetizers for decades. You can also make a warm side dish with medium-size tomatoes (see variation below).

1 or 2 garlic cloves, to taste

1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves

2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds or Mediterranean pine nuts

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1. To make the pesto, turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the basil, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil to the food processor, and process until smooth and creamy. Add the Parmesan, and pulse until well combined.

You can also use a mortar and pestle. Add the basil leaves gradually, and mash with the pestle. Add the pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper. Mash to a paste with the basil. Work in the olive oil and the Parmesan.

2. Using a paring knife, cut thin slices from the tops of the cherry tomatoes. Use a grapefruit spoon or small spoon to scoop the seeds and flesh from the center of each tomato. Lightly salt the hollowed out tomatoes if desired, and place them, cut side down, on a rack to drain for 15 minutes. Fill with the pesto, arrange on a platter and serve. Refrigerate or freeze any excess pesto.

Variation: Warm stuffed tomatoes with pesto: Use six to eight medium tomatoes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the tops off the tomatoes, and scoop or gently squeeze out the seeds. Fill with pesto, and place in a lightly oiled baking dish. Heat through for 15 to 20 minutes until warm; the tomatoes should still be intact. Serve.

Yield: Serves 12 as an hors d'oeuvre, six to eight as a side dish.

Advance preparation: You can hollow out the tomatoes several hours ahead; the filled tomatoes will hold for an hour or two in the refrigerator. The pesto will keep for weeks in the refrigerator if you cover it with a film of olive oil. It freezes well without the cheese; mix in the cheese when you thaw it.

Nutritional information per serving (cherry tomatoes serving 12): 67 calories; 6 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 2 milligrams cholesterol; 2 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 39 milligrams sodium (does not include salt added during preparation); 2 grams protein

Nutritional information per serving (stuffed medium tomatoes serving six): 139 calories; 12 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 4 milligrams cholesterol; 6 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 76 milligrams sodium; 4 grams protein

I guess this post has been SHORT & SWEET lol
Hope you find this informative 

The Public Library! FREE RESOURCE

Ok I am sure everyone knows about the Library, but does everyone utilize it. When I lived in Florida I was a book pack rat! I had tons of books in every room. I never had enough shelves. I had a dream of making one room a library with a big ladder & everything.

But making a big move to Ohio, I had to downsize a lot. It was a little crushing. I mean I LOVE books! Even though I felt like I gave up a lot, our moving helpers thought I was crazy for bringing sooooo many books with me.

My husband just laughed since he knew how much I had before. So, now that I am moved in, I have organized my books (one of the 1st things on my priorities list lol) I have a new re-found love for the library. (Thankfully walking distance from our new house) I have placed holds on tons of books! They get transfer to our library where I can pick them up. We can renew them if we want to keep them longer & when we are done, I don't have to find room to store them. We just take them back to the library.

The librarian knows us very well. She has commented on how punctually we are in returning the books. I love to hear the compliments she give me about how well behaved my kids are & how she just loves the enthusiasm they have when it comes to books. I passed down a great gene. My husband has even picked up on his reading which I love because he is a great role model for our children. His excitement about books makes me so proud. Books are extraordinary things. They can teach you anything or take you anywhere! I love books a great deal! I think my love for books is right up there with music which I would love to talk about in a later post! As a home school teacher to my children and as a parent, I love watching my children totally lost a book. It really does help in everything else in your life if you enjoy reading. It helps with the way you speak, spell, handwriting, confidence, and the knowledge you can have of so many subjects. I believe the younger children are exposed to books the greater love they have. It will help in how well they read & how early they start reading. Along with so much more! Pick up a good book today! Go try your public library! You will be glad you did! They will be happy to see you & your kids! :)