This is my family,,, Need I say more?

~Thanks to Shirley Temple's project this week to draw our family~

By the way...

Do you see where she drew the baby?

AND..

My husband and I really want to know why she drew her daddy with a black eye?

A fun-filled life..

That us!

Pregnancy Pictures - 33 weeks

Every Day that I feel her move,, every moment is a gift from God!

49 Days to go.. Give or Take.

We love you Baby Blessing!

Close and Reflect .. Open and Refresh

There are many times in my day, that I find I need to do some closing.

Sometimes the sounds of life  are so deafening and overwhelming... I have learned that I need to just:

-Go in my room and CLOSE the door
-CLOSE my mind to negative thoughts
-CLOSE the book I am trying to read
-CLOSE my computer
-Keep the door to my heart CLOSED to anger and despair
-Keep my mouth CLOSED to snide, negative and fleeting thoughts of disallusion
-CLOSE my eyes and Reflect

Often when I CLOSE and REFLECT..

I am later able to OPEN and be REFRESHED

-I am more OPEN to the day God has chosen for me
-I can OPEN my heart to others
-I am OPEN to His will
-I can OPEN my eyes in the morning to the sweet sound of life that dwells our home
-I can OPEN a book or my computer when time allows,, and not when I think I deserve to
-I OPEN God's Word with and OPEN heart and Reflect and come away REFRESHED

Do you ever feel the daily grind is weighing on you heavily?
Do not let your mind and heart think that chaos is what God has planned for you...
It is NOT.
Give Him your load of worry, fear, or the race of life that you are living.

CLOSE your eyes and Reflect on what is really important in this very moment of your day.

With prayer and thanksgiving  - Give Him the moments. 
They are HIS any ways.. right?

ClOSE and REFLECT
OPEN and REFRESH

Crockpot Oatmeal- Set and Sleep

We love Oatmeal.

I love it with a variety of special ingredients added in the morning.,.

Sometimes, I will add blueberries..

Sometimes maple syrup...

But my favorite is FRESH Strawberries!

ohhh.. the list could be endless...

Here is a Sure to please easy recipe for Busy moms, larger families, or the frugal time saver!

Crock - Pot Oatmeal

( Note: This will be creamier than oatmeal cooked over direct heat)

Amount: Makes 4 cups ( 6-8 servings)  Adjust if necessary

1.) Grease inside of crock - pot up to water level with 1 teaspoon butter

2.)Add: 4 cups water ( room temp.)

2 cups Rolled Oats ( as Old Fashioned Quaker Oats)

1 teaspoon salt

3.) Cover, turn on low, and Cook overnight  OR 8-9 hours.

4.) A few minutes before serving add desired ingredients:

Cinnamon, blueberries, strawberries, etc.

WHALA!  That was easy! 

Interesting Oatmeal Facts:

From ONE Serving of Oatmeal ( 2/3 cup)..

You will receive:

5g. Protein

100 calories

2.7 g fiber

and it costs $.07 a serving!

What is your favorite Oatmeal Stir- in?

Book Read will Begin and Natural Toothpaste!!

The Book read for this inspiring book written by Sally Clarkson will begin :

TUESDAY, January 25th.

This will still give you the remainder of the week to get your book.

If you would like to read ahead... feel free.. I am.  :)

We will Do a review of each chapter on Tuesdays.

Therefore, Tuesday of next week, we will begin the Review of the Intro. and Chapter One.

In case you are contemplating reading this book,,,

don't even hesitate...

I have read the Intro. and the 1st Chapter,, and am truly loving her heart that comes forth in her words.

So inspiring!

Grab your book, a cup of tea ( or latte' in my case)...

and start your New Year with some Good READS!

Also.....

Looking for some alternatives to the fluoride in toothpaste??? ... or something a little more natural?

Try these...

I was so excited to see these companies make a children's toothpaste.

Let me know what you think!

And if you are part of our Book Review..

Leave a comment and let me know to look for you next Tuesday!

Blessings!

The Yummiest Soup and Cornbread- For the weekend!

Looking for an easy meal, yet, wholesome, filling and YUMMY?

I will post the Buttery Cornbread Recipe 1st..  It is such a favorite around here and I can guarantee you will love it too!!!

Just follow the mixing ingredients instructions to ensure the fluffiest, most moist cornbread ever!

Buttery Cornbread

2/3 cup butter, softened ( Use BUTTER -no substitutes)( This is about 11 Tablespoons of butter- if using butter sticks)

1 cup Sugar

Cream the BUTTER and SUGAR together in a mixing bowl till light and fluffy.

Combine 3 eggs and 1 and 2/3 cups milk in a small bowl.

Set aside.

Combine 1 and 1/3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

4 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Set aside.

Mix dry mixture ALTERNATELY with the EGG and milk mix into mixing bowl with butter and sugar.

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 glass pan.

Bake at 400 for 22 - 27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Serve warm!

Yields 12-15 servings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Soup Recipe is loved my all of my children, and we make 2 crock pot of it to feed our family- and it all disappears!

I have adapted this Soup from the back of A Quaker Barley Box

Chicken  Barley Chili

Combine all ingredients into a crock-pot or a 6 qt. pan to cook on low through out the day.

1 (14 oz.) Diced Tomatoes- undrained ( I use basil,/oregano flavored)

1 ( 16. oz. ) jar Tomato Sauce ( I use Aldi's Spag. Sauce)

1 box or Large container of Chicken Broth

1 cup of Cooked Quaker Barley ( buy this in a box)

3-4 cups water ( to desired consistency)

1 Tablespoon chili Powder

1/2 teaspoon Cumin

1 ( 15. oz.) can Black Beans, Drained

1/2 bag or more frozen corn

3 Cups of Chicken Breast, cooked and cut into bite- sized pieces

OPTIONAL - Sour Cream to top when serving

OR

Italian or Mexican Blend Cheese to Top When serving... ( this is what we use)

I triple this recipe when cooking if this helps you figure what you will need to make.

Try these recipes this weekend for an easy, hot and delicious meal!

Soup is always perfect for Saturdays or Sundays!

Enjoy your weekend!

Live It Out - A Rap/Song

Be sure to hit the PAUSE button on bottom right music player on blog...

Before listening to the Video..

Enjoy!

Thanks Sarah- Great Message!

Ever hear of a Train Wreck!??

This post is a Memory I have shared before, but it made an imprint on the hilarious side of life here in our home... Enjoy some laughter today!

Well, we had a little bit of a motorcycle wreck here this week!

In the tradition of keeping life interesting and hilariously unexpected... we had to document a new adventure that we have had yet to embark upon.

Ever see one of those little toy motorcycles, that has an "ON" button, and the wheels turn really fast, to self -propell itself? 

Picture this:
My three year old, Shirley Temple, decides to put the fast turning wheels right onto her head!!!!
Not sure, why... who could guess the mind of a three year old?

Needless to say.. she comes to her daddy and I, crying  - with a toy motorcycle STUCK TO HER head,, the wheels are a turnin', and it is still on....
and she is laughing and crying at the same time... ( She has this strange adult/child humor... I can't even explain it... like she knows something is wrong... will do it,, and then get that smirk on her face that tells you she knew what was going to happen... and she finds it funny.. and yet.. not!)

My first reaction... Oh NO... we are going to have to CUT those precious curls.
Her Daddys first reaction - "Please get me a screwdriver!"

Uhhh.. ok.. I can see the reason God has given this little girl two parents!

Here is a video of Shirley Temple, her daddy, the screwdriver. the motorcycle, and of course.. you can't miss the fact that she won't put her precious kitten down,, even thru the whole ordeal!

Be Sure to pause the music playing in the sidebar to the right before you hit the play to watch the video.




Be sure to pause the music player on right- side-bar before pressing play for this hilarious video.
You never know what is going to happen in a day!

I am linking up with Jenilee for Wednesdays Walk.. A Walk Down Memory Lane.





Be sure to stop and visit her here!
You can read Jenilee's memories and others as well!



Speaking of which... my little one year old.. came into the kitchen crying an hour ago..
You will never guess...??
She had the MOTORCYCLE stuck in HER HAIR!!

You just have to laugh!

Bear up under the weight

One September Day is a day in my life.
Nothing more than that... all to bring Glory to the Lord.

A lot of things we carry on our hearts, don't we?

Sometimes we look around and think that others must never struggle with the trials we, ourselves are experiencing, and so...
 we clam up, shut down, and hide the trials from those that can help us bear them, and encourage us.

Don't do this.
God never meant for His children to bear hard times alone.

This is what trials are for... many purposes...
1.) Growth
2.) Learning
3.)Leaning on Jesus
4.)Encourage others
5.)Change

A trial can be a heavy weight... sometimes too much, it seems.
So heavy, it seems we cannot come out from under it... ever..
Sometimes so sad, lonely, and heavy, that we cannot see any light.  No Light at all.

Going through a difficult time right now?
If you feel as if the weight of it is too much to bear,,,,
think on this....

If we do not bear under the weight that he asks us to carry right now,,,
And we come out from under it... OUR way....
Then ,,..
Just... maybe...
Probably  soo....
HE will ask us to "carry this burden another way.. another time.."

Until we Change, Learn, Grow, and Encourage others with the Lesson we learned.

So,,,
Bear up Under the Weight of it...
He has a Glorious Plan...
It IS so hard..
I know.
I really do know.

Hurting,,, Angry.. Confused... or even lonely?

Look to the Cross... All that pain is there ,,, and was put there for you already...

He has chosen LIFE-
A FULL life for all of us.

Being on the outside of a trial right now, I can share the hope...

Grab a hold of it... if you need it today...
He loves you.  He cares.
Bear up under the weight.

From my heart.

Declare Your Independence!!



Be sure to Hit the pause button on right sidebar under our family picture...
It will pause the music you are hearing before pressing play on this awesome video!

We are half - way there!

Great Job Leah!!

Mother of the Year Tip #2- Share!

So, It has been said that... Motherhood is boring, confining, restricting, and old-fashioned... I would love for you to visit my home for a day...

I can guarantee that you wouldn't be bored, confined, restricted in any way, and we are certainly not old-fashioned here..

I mean, truly,, My kids are doing puzzles, schooling, snacking, running in circles, washing dishes, doing algebra, practicing violin, flute, piano, and voice, and I am navigating all the same...

Nope.. not bored,....

It is Monday,... again.. and I am passing on the Mother of The Year Award to YOU!

So, as before, we will share our tips and tricks of Motherhood, and pass them on to others.

Leave your Tips below on the comment section, and we can all glean from your experiences.

Mother Of the Year Tip #2-

Don't be afraid to teach your children manners.  What they learn before they are FIVE, becomes a HUGE part of whom they become.
For younger children... it is never too early to teach them how to hold their silverware properly,, or say, "please & thank you."  How about not interrupting?  Use an approach for you and your children that help them know when you are talking, and how to get your attention with OUT interrupting.

Take advantage of the tips shared here... and share yours as well.. I am taking notes.. for I still have a LOT to learn.

Blessings to you Moms!

Fun by the Sea!

Take a Peek - Grab some JOY

 Press the pause button on  the Music player on right side-bar.. then push play..

Sharing some of our JOY here at the McCarthy Household.

Books with Character for Kids- GREAT!

We own a lot of books... some of them we read once, and some are on our "favorite to read more than once" list!
If you have the desire to give your child a book of meaning- one with true character lessons, and grit...
then try the two books I share here:

For the special young lady you may want to share a Book with special meaning:

The Princess and the Kiss

A loving king and queen present their daughter with a gift from God - her first kiss - to keep or to give away. The wise girl waits for the man who is worthy of her precious gift. Where is he and how will she ever find him? The surprising answer in this marvelous parable will touch the heart of parent and child alike.The Princess and the Kiss beautifully portrays the ageless message that "love... comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5 NIV)

For that special young gentlemen that you wish to share a gift of a lifetime:

The Squire and the Scroll

This captivating adventure follows a young squire who travels a long, dangerous road beside his brave knight, on a quest for their king. The action builds until the final face-off with the monstrous, evil dragon. Only then does the squire learn of the secret beyond the cave that ends in a joyous celebration for the entire kingdom.Children will gain valuable insight as they learn, along with the young squire, what it means to face the dangers of temptation, and what it takes to guard one's heart from all that is impure.

 

 

Have you read this books to your children?  Let me know what YOUR thoughts on these two books are... I would love to hear from you!

Insecurity Knocks! Guest Post

SOO  Excited to ANNOUNCE...

A New Feature at One September Day-

Guest Post

This week- Beth Gibbs

Beth is a wife, a mom to three children and blessed to be able to be a fulltime homemaker, currently living in Mooresville,NC.

 She can be contacted at bethagibbs@gmail.com

A Beautiful You!

As women, we all have an innate desire to be seen as beautiful. So why do we let the ugliness of insecurity reign in our lives? Why can’t we just look in the mirror and see ourselves as God sees us? We have been created in His image, after all. Does that mean that we’re perfect? By all means no.

We start looking at celebrities in their size zero, trendy fashions with their hair and make up absolutely perfect and we begin to have that inward, heart wrenching feeling of self pity and jealousy.
 We look at people in the mall, in their cars, in their luxurious homes and that insecurity begins to overwhelm us...we can never measure up, or so we think.

 This issue has gone beyond the realms of just our little personal thought lives; it has crept into our homes, destroyed inter personal relationships, and it has woven its ugly head into our churches. Why do we covet what we don’t have? Why don’t we trust the Lord, with gratefulness, for the talents in which He has entrusted us?

 Now, perhaps, in all honesty, there things that you need to do…perhaps you need to put away that chocolate bar and get out and exercise. Maybe you even need to make sure that your family is clean and your house, although it may never grace the cover of a magazine, is respectable.

But just HOW is that yearning, for what you don’t have, to be quenched? Through grabbing our credit cards and feeling the joy of sliding it through that little machine? We walk out of the store with bags filled of “acceptance”…that is until the tags are ripped off, the bills pile up, and then…the next seasons fashion changes.
 How about through eating or drinking to be cool and accepted?
 Living vicariously through our children?
 Unrealistic expectations of our spouse? Oh, yes…you who are married know about that one!! Before you know it, the happiness in external and temporal goods is gone and you’re right back where your insecurity started or perhaps more steps backward from there…why? because in this thing we call life, THINGS don’t really matter and in our heart of hearts, we know it. There is always someone with more...a bigger house, a better decorated home, more expensive clothes (and those who just plain look good in whatever they wear), bigger diamonds, on and on and on it goes…it never ends.
 Will we ever get to the point where our feeling of being inadequate is finally at rest? Will we ever be at peace with “inner” selves?



The truth is, we don’t just have a problem with insecurity. What we have is a problem with our relationship with the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, our Heavenly Father…when will you have your heart set on Him and not on your selfish desires?
 When will HE be your “all in all?”
 I am just as guilty here, I have preyed into the lie…and far too often I still hear that little voice in my head that seems to be screaming, “YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH!”
Well, I have one thing to say to that little voice, “Get behind me satan! You are not welcome here!” We all need to make the daily choice that we will surrender all to Him. YOU have been “fearfully and wonderfully made” (PS 139:14) and God thinks about you more times than there are grains of sand (Ps 139:17,18)!! He loves you, my friend…just the way He created you to be!
 
So when self doubt and insecurities pervade your thoughts and overwhelm your soul…think about how much God loved you and gave His only Son so that He could spend eternity with you. God promises to take care of all of our needs as we trust Him, even the needs of our often weary souls.
 
 Will you join me in the journey of kicking the weeds of insecurity to the curb and allowing God to sow into you, a beautiful life of security wrapped up in Him?
 
 
Thank you Beth, for this inspiring, challenging, and God-honoring post. I am so blessed to re-read this every time.
If you would like to leave a comment here at One September Day for Beth, please do!
Blessings!
 

Starbucks Winners Wahoo!

Getting a Blog Makeover was exciting..

But this..

Giving away 2 Starbucks Cards to those that left comments,,,

well..

It is JUST as exciting to me!

So here we go:

For the $5 Strabucks Gift Card for Leaving a Comment about Our New blog design:

LYNDSAY!

And for the $10 Starbucks Gift Card- For Leaving a comment AND grabbing the NEW Button-

ANGELA!!

Contact me via e-mail, and I will get your yummy, caffeine treats out in the mail!

Congratulations- and THANK YOU for following One September Day!

Oh, How Beautiful!

"The beautiful design of nature itself shows us that a child grows inside of its mother's body hearing the specific sound of her voice, comforted by the beat of her heart, intimately connected to her very being.

Upon arrival into the world. the mother's arms are her first cradle, and the mother supplies the first food, comfort and security.

Because of the initmacy of that first relationship, the child's heart is naturally open to the mother.

Children automatically turn to their mother as their first source of protection, love, and spiritual, emotional, and mental support.

This is all part of the design of mother, child, and family as unfolded for us in the Bible -

a design that, from the beginning, 

God pronounced as very good."

- Quote from Book -

The MIssion of Motherhood / Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity

 by Sally Clarkson

 One of the 2011 Choice Book Reads for One September Day

If you care to join me as we read through this book,

leave a comment.

For every one interested in this absolutely beautiful and helpful book,

I will be giving ONE away by January 13th.  If you would love to read this, and get in on the Book giveaway,, leave a comment.

Join the One September Day Book Read for 2011.

Mom of the Year Tip #1

Yep,, you heard right... We ALL have earned MOM of the YEAR Award for 2011.. and we are only 4 days in!!!

I have nominated YOU as Mom of the YEAR...

WHY?
You already have your plans laid out, right?... To achieve the best possible things for Your Lord, Your Family, etc. right?

Well, that is a qualifier right there.

So Here is My MOTY ( Mom of the Year) Tip #1 for you,,, and in turn, you can share one with all of us reading.

(Just leave a comment with your MOTY Tip below.)

MOTHER of the YEAR Tip #1 -

Don't set up expectations for motherhood that don't come from God.  Those would only be our own selfish desires and ideals.  It will drive you crazy. 

And on the practical side..

***

Try Freezing blueberries and grapes flat on a cookie sheet.  After frozen, put into freezer bags for future snacks.  Kids LOVE the frozen blueberries and grapes just out of the freezer.  And healthy too!

What is your MOTY Tip ?

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words!

Share a Smile with Us... We Love our New Blog Design!!

What do YOU think?

Leave a comment.. We would love to hear!

The BIG REVEAL!

I am just a little excited to share this with you...

I am LOVING my New Blog Design... Designed by Abigail.. a super-talented, super-patient, and very - visionary gal!
She is also the co-creator of The Epic Cheese.. A new Web site dedicated to the "Epic Creations" in all of us...
'It is EPIC  and you will LOVE it.. stop by there today!   http://www.theepiccheese.com/


SO,, I have my very first BLOG Button...    Will you grab it and share it on your Blog?

Join me in 2011 if you haven't yet.. just click on the Follow Button on the right!

The Lord has laid MUCH on my heart in 2010, and I will be sharing HIS GREATNESS in 2011 here at One September day.. Hope you follow along and share with me.

I LOVE your comments by the way... don't be afraid to leave one.!

Love the New design,. tell me,, I cannot wait to share it with My Special blog designer!

Blessings!

P.S.  For those that REALLY read the fine - print... If you leave a comment about our New design,, Your name will go in a drawing for a $5 Starbucks Card!  To be drawn THIS Wednesday! 
... If you grab the One September Day Button and share it on your blog or on Twitter..... your name will go in the drawing for a $10 Starbucks Card .. This Wednesday also!!


                     



Cookie Swap Fun!

If you have never been to or hosted a Cookie Swap...  I would highly recommend this fun idea!

Here is a re-cap and some ideas that we incorporated into out Holiday Cookie Swap -
If you see a recipe that "catches your eye," let me know,, and I can post a few of them ..

One month prior to our Cookie Swap,, we designed and ordered an adorable invitation from Tiny Prints..

Complete with matching return label

After choosing a guest list,... we tried to mix groups of people we knew...young girls, teens, moms, Church family, etc...

We had a GREAT group of ladies join us that day!
We are able to invite larger groups of people because our home is larger, but even a Smaller Cookie Swap would be great!

Every person was to bring their favorite HOME-BAKED Cookies,, and they would in - turn swap an even amount of cookies  to what they brought...from the beautiful assortment that everyone shared that day.

We all gathered around the table and  every rotation around the table was equal to One Dozen.  We had a few that had quite a few trips around the table.
This was soo fun..

There was a different story to every platter of cookies brought., and each person shared their "story," for their Cookies.

Old family recipes, memories while baking, etc. were some of the special touches brought to this Cookie Swap!

We had a Holiday luncheon,,, Appetizers, Hot Soup, and a Hot Cocoa "Bar"... This was a hit.. I washed more hot cocoa cups after the party than any thing!
FUN!  Peppermint Sticks,,, marshmallows, caramel , whipped cream,, etc!

We had Door Prizes,

Take Home Favors....

and Lots of Sweet Things to eat!

Stop back for Recipes for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, DIY Instructions for Party Favors, Hot Chircken Wing Dip, and MORE!