Month: August 2007

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Homeshooling Dads: Tips for Restoring Sanity to Your Home

As I was reading through the Konos website, I came across their newsletter section, which has copies of archived newsletters. Here is an excerpt from the January, 2006, newsletter from the article, Home Schooling Men’s New Year’s Resolution by Wade Hulcy.

I was just talking about this very thing with Tom last night. It IS hard to quantify the little victories and it is very easy to think in moments of weariness that there is no point to homeschooling or parenting.

…it is wise to go over the original game plan with your quarterback to remind both of you why you decided to homeschool in the first place. Review the goals you had for each child in the areas of academics, spiritual, physical and emotional growth. As you review, check off as many accomplishments as you can think of…such as Jimmy is now reading some and has shown some improvement during the first semester. It is hard for our wives to see some of anything as a victory, because many victories are incredibly small and were won at great cost to her.

I wanted to hug the author.
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Recipe: Sarah’s Shrimp, Baby Clam and Kielbasa Jambalaya

This is my personal jambalaya recipe. Leftovers are fantastic because the flavors meld together soooo well. Be sure to post your favorite jambalaya story in the comments! Enjoy!

If it’s cooked correctly, you can cook the whole thing in one pot – a large Dutch Oven with a lid.

Ingredients
(Grouped into bowls by order of use to make adding the ingredients easier as you cook.)

BOWL 1 – Seafood + Kielbasa:
2 lbs medium raw shrimp (Save the peels to make broth)
1 – 10 oz can Bumblebee Fancy Whole Baby Clams (they are fully cooked)
1 pkg. Kielbasa Sausage – cut longways and then sliced into bite sized pieces.

BOWL 2 – Veggies:
1 large chopped onion
1 green bell pepper chopped
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 heaping tsp. minced garlic

BOWL 3 – Spices:
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1/3 tsp. dried thyme

BOWL 4 – Tomatoes & Broth:
Shrimp Broth (Set aside)
3 – 10 oz cans stewed tomatoes chopped

Misc. Ingredients (added individually):

3 c. Basmati or other long-grain rice, uncooked.

2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley

Tabasco Sauce

Directions:
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A Ringing Phone Has To Be Answered

… but not necessarily by me!

Recently, I noticed that my phone was ringing off the hook. I don’t mind when people call, and I often will spend time praying with them and encouraging them in the Lord.

The problem was, that while I was able to do my housework while talking on the phone, my children were wandering around looking for my direction.

For example, I’d be doing dishes or preparing dinner, and then suddenly my two year old would be out in the alley attempting to “ride bike” with the big kids. Or, I’d suddenly have diaper emergencies because I wouldn’t notice the littler ones hiding in the corner.

My solution : Let the voice mail answer the phone.

I know it sounds like a simple solution, but it is not easy to let the phone ring!

This is our current voice mail message – my friendly way of saying “I’m screening my calls!” without actually saying the words:

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Mushy Mushy

(Not to be confused with a Japanese telephone greeting)

Today I received the sweetest mushy email from my Tom!

It’s a good thing he wasn’t here, because I would have attacked him with kisses and hugs.

My five year old read it over my shoulder and gave me a big hug. “Isn’t Dad nice?” she said.

Although it made MY toes warm, it’s tame enough to share.

So I am.

Because I love him.

Thank you for packing my lunch.

Thank you for helping me find my cigar cutter.

Thank you for washing the dishes.

Thank you for making dinner every night.

Thank you for getting me a towel.

Thank you for having clean clothes for me.

Thank you for finding my contact lenses.

I love you, Sarah…