When you can't say anything nice ...

... post a picture! My 2 year old is "giving me a time" today!

Chocolate Ganache Cake

There are a few blogs I follow that regularly post about recipes. My two favorites are How Sweet it Is... (I actually know the sweet girl who this blog belongs to) and Keeping up with the Joneses (I don't know this girl at all, but she seems sweet in her blog!) I love the way they post step by step pictures AND instructions of the recipes they share. Today was the last day of our Bible Study session and we had a potluck (I heart potlucks!). The perfect opportunity to try a new recipe. I chose one from the stack of recipes I've been printing from these blogs because it had a short list of ingredients and honestly, it looked like there weren't too many opportunities for me to mess it up! It was very easy to make and got rave reviews at the potluck. Unfortunately, I do not know how to insert pictures into my post except to put them at the very top. I have so much to learn, but for today this will have to do. :o) Here's the recipe, let me know if you decide to try it! Oh and beware of taste-testers (pic #5)

Chocolate Ganache Cake

Ingredients:
1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist chocolate fudge cake mix
water, vegetable oil, and eggs called for on cake box
1 container Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 bars Heath bar, roughly chopped

Instructions:
Bake and cool cake according to directions on box (make 2 layers in 8 or 9 inch pans)
Place one layer, rounded side down on serving platter. Spread with about 1/3 cup frosting. Toy with second layer, rounded side up. Frost top and side of cake with remaining frosting. In 1 qt saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium-high heat until hot (do not boil). Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Let this cool until it thickens. You'll know this is ready when it mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon (and isn't runny). Pour over top of cake and let it run down sides. Top with chopped Heath Bar. Refrigerate about 1 hour until chocolate is set before serving. Store covered in refrigerator.

Total time: 3 hours (includes cooling and refrigerating)
Serves: 12-16, depending on slice size

Lessons from Little League

I would consider myself a baseball fan. I don't mind watching it on tv but I really like going to the game ... the crowds, the noise, the food, the organ music (seriously!). The Braves were always my favorite team until my younger brother started playing. He's the reason I started biting my nails. Okay, probably not, but I would get so nervous at his games. I just wanted him to win so bad. I wanted him to have the biggest hit, to be the fastest runner, to catch the ball every time. Thankfully, he did not disappoint, and proved to have talent with any sport he chose. But of course, there were times that his team didn't win, that he struck out, and that he let the ball get past him. Looking back, I can see that God was preparing me to be them mom of a little boy, #17 Will Schloss.
Now, just in case you don't know, 6 year olds play "machine pitch" which is so totally different from "t-ball" BECAUSE you aren't guaranteed a hit - ever! This thought did not occur to me until the first time Will got up to bat, and oh boy, all of those feelings of a 10 year old girl watching her little brother play came back x10! Will loves to play and I love to cheer him on. Here are a few things I've learned from our first season in Little League:

1. I am not in charge. What??? I do not understand all of the rules and calls they make in Little League and I'm pretty sure it would not help to read the rule book.
2. You can never have enough team paraphernalia. Hmm, how can I make this clear? When we ordered WT's uniform they had an option to order a mom and dad shirt with your child's # on the back. Oh cute, I thought. At the first game, every other mom had on a team shirt, hat, and flip flops. Not to mention they were sitting on a team chair with a team blanket over their lap and sipping their water bottle in a team koozie. I will be more prepared next year!
3. The volume of your yelling does NOT correspond with how fast your child runs.
4. Don't change seats in the middle of the game. Your child does know where you are sitting and if he cannot find you because you've moved (say to talk to another mom, gasp!) he will miss any balls hit his way until he finds you again.
5. Snacks are important. Don't forget them when it's your turn and only bring the good stuff ... apples and veggie sticks are apparently not welcome. I could write another post on the importance of snacks for the child who is NOT playing but is sitting in the stands for the third time this week and can't pick out her Bubba on the field because of his hat. Let's just say snacks prevent meltdowns. They are THAT important!
6. Be nice to the coach's wife. I'm pretty sure this one correlates directly with how many laps the kids will run at the next practice. She also controls the snack schedule (see #5).
7. Learning to be a part of a team is invaluable. Will has learned so much about strengths and weaknesses and how we can compliment one another. A lesson that I don't think is learned well by lecture.
8. Just go ahead and expect your child to dig in the dirt or twirl until he makes himself so dizzy that he falls down while playing in the outfield. At this stage, not very many balls make it that far and he really can't hear you yelling his name or hear the coach yelling that they're going to make him wear a pink tu-tu if he doesn't stop dancing. In defense of my son (baseball does bring out a whole Mama with a capital "M" thing in you!), he has stopped or caught most every ball that was hit to him while he was digging or dancing in the outfield.
9. During baseball season, you should ALWAYS have a blanket, toys for the 2 year old, fold out chairs, snacks and gatorade in your car. You just never know when the coach might decide those boys need a little more practice ... or a few more laps.
10. You can never cheer loud enough. Okay, don't be obnoxious like some of the mom's from the OTHER teams. But, at the end of the day, my boy is giving it all he's got and I'm so proud of him. "C'mon Will, you got this!" "That's my boy!" "Don't worry, we'll get it next time!" "Way to go, son!" and my favorite thing that Will's coach says "Get the junk out of your trunk and RUN!"

Just a side note, I've not bitten my nails once this season. I finally gave that up after Matt finished high school football. If Will plays football, the nail biting will most likely return!

It's Always Better when We're Together

In honor of one of the sweetest girls I know, today's post is about coming home. Our dear friends the Reed's will be reuniting later this afternoon after Mike's 2nd 6 month deployment in 2 years. Military life is hard, there is no way around that. But, there are also some things about military life that are completely wonderful ... reunions are definitely #1!
There is nothing so sweet as that first glimpse of your husband's face as he rounds the corner in his uniform. In his face you see relief that he has come home safely, excitement to scoop you and his kids (who have grown leaps & bounds while he was away) up in his arms for the biggest hug you've ever had, and exhaustion from the time away, but most likely from the weary trip home. If you take a second glance, you'll see more in the face of your soldier. He's proud. Proud to serve his country, proud to wear that dusty camo in service to others who are so less fortunate than we, proud to come home to the family that has been by his side though he's been thousands of miles away. As his wife, all you can think is thank you Lord that he is home safe, thank you that he loves his job, thank you that he does what he does for me, for our kids, our friends, our community, and our country. All of this happens in slow motion over about 10 seconds while you see him, but you can't yet reach him. Some of us girls dissolve into tears immediately, others jump up and down even shouting "hurry up!", and others just stand there with a smile from here to there soaking it all in. And then, relief floods over your soul. Your hero is home, the boys are back in town, daddy is in the house. All of the things that broke while he was away (which are usually numerous!) will be taken care of, you're no longer in charge of the yard work (my least favorite thing to do!!), the kids have someone to wear them out past the point of exhaustion in the backyard (and you can sit and read a magazine - which you haven't done in months - while you enjoy the laughter). You will go to sleep tonight without a care in the world and wake up to realize that it wasn't a dream, he really is home. Welcome Home Mike ... Kami, you my friend, are amazing. Enjoy every precious minute!

Makey Mess

"MOM! Kate makey mess!" I heard from the kitchen as I was finishing up the last few things to get us out of the door to drop Will off at school on time. (I've noticed that Kate calls me "Mom" instead of "Mama" when she thinks she might be in trouble, yes she's 2 going on 13!)When I came around the corner she gasped and looked down at the pile of Lucky Charms like "how did that happen?!?" When I asked Kate to help me clean it up, she just kept STARING at the mess. One glance at the kitchen clock, and I knew I had to get a move on (as MY mama would say :o). I started scooping up handfuls of cereal and continued trying to encourage Kate to help me. Once I got all of the large pieces scooped up and back in the bag ... yes, I'm one of THOSE moms, I grabbed the vacuum to collect all of the Lucky Charms dust that was still in a pile on the floor. I had to maneuver all around my sweet little girl, because she was still staring at the mess.

Later that afternoon, when the messmaker was napping, I was thinking about the events of our morning rush. Then it hit me. Our life has been in high gear lately and honestly, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. But instead of doing anything about it, I have just been staring at the mess.

Some things just needed to go. Facebook. Ugh. I heart facebook - way too much, just being real! I hated to deactivate my account. How would I know who was having a baby? I'd miss out on the last minute trips to Chick-fil-a. And the pictures, oh how I love to look at people's pictures. BUT, over and over again, I was feeling convicted that I was giving fb too much of my time. I tried limiting myself, but it just wasn't working. SO I deactivated and it's amazing how much more I've gotten done during Kate's nap time this week. Maybe one day I'll be old enough to manage a facebook account wisely :o)

Some things needed to be re-organized or scheduled. When I first began staying at home after teaching for several years, I quickly made out "lesson plans" for my days. I just couldn't help it. Over the past few years, I've gotten away from that, but I recently realized how helpful it is for me to have a plan for my days. I know it won't all always get done and sometimes none of it will be accomplished, but at least I have an idea of how our day might play out.

Some things just are the way they are. I decided that I need to stop complaining about the little league schedule. Yes, I think it's a bit much for 6 year olds to have three 2-2 1/2 hour practices a week. This week we have a double header on Monday night and another game on Thursday. It sometimes frustrates me a little, okay a lot. BUT, Will loves it. John loves it. Kate loves it. Once I get there, I enjoy it too. So, it's only temporary and it is something that we can do together as a family. I'm choosing to put a smile on my face (a real one) the next time the coach texts that we're going to have an extra practice.

These are just a few things that have been making the days a little crazy lately. Instead of being discouraged, exhausted, and feeling guilty over not getting things done the way I want them to be done - you know, STARING at the MESS, I'm going to get up and do something about the things I can do something about. Time is precious, and I don't want to waste one minute!

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:27 &33

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." John 3:16-17

You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma

Katharine Allison Schloss celebrated her 2nd birthday on February 4th (yes, this post and many others are long overdue!). Before she was born, I wondered what she would look like, how she would laugh, and how quickly she would sleep through the night (hey! these are honest thoughts of a mom who is about to have her second, or third, or fourth ... child). Now that I've had two years to watch her grow, I just can't imagine our lives without this precious, wild, funny, crazy girl. Just a few thoughts to document this time in her life:

1. Kate is still sleeping in her crib. Actually she really enjoys playing in it too. I might just keep her in there until she starts kindergarten.
2. She has two favorite stuffed doggies ... Georgia and Major who are already well loved.
   
3. Kate loves to eat. If I say breakfast time (or lunch, dinner, or snack) she yells back "O-kay" and comes running. She eats most everything except eggs. Before you go getting jealous, Will is definitely a picky eater!
4. She is really into "coyors" and "kickers". A piece of paper, a sheet of stickers, and some crayons will keep her busy for a long time.
5. Kate is C-R-A-Z-Y about her big bubba (and the feeling is mutual!). She misses him when he leaves for school and she's thrilled to wake up from her nap, because that means it's time to "Go get Bubba!!!"
6. She is especially fond of going any where with her daddy. It doesn't matter if it's to Lowe's, the car wash, or the Recycling center, if he asks her if she wants to go, she promptly says "Bye Mama!"
7. She almost always wants her mama to put her to bed.
8. Kate does not like to be "scrappy backed". (That's how Will used to ask for us to scratch his back ... and it stuck)
9. She loves Barney. I'm not sure how this happened because I don't think Will ever watched one single episode of the purple dinosaur.
   
10. Kate adds the "y" sound to the end of a lot of words ... sleepy good, makey mess, takey nap (more like, NO takey nap!) squeezy tight (she says that when she gives you a hug, and I love it!).

We know that we got more than we bargained for and way more than we deserve when God chose to send Kate to our family. We love you beautiful two year old!