Not Me Monday's

Well, it is Monday again and of course McMama's website said we could do Not Me Monday or Not My Child Monday.
This is really hard because once again, I could do both.
So here we go.....

I DID NOT go to the bowling alley and for the 3rd week in a row eat a grilled cheese and nachos with cheese and jalapenos. That is SOOOO not part of the fitness challenge I am in the middle of.

I DID NOT go to the bowling alley and use rental shoes.....have you ever considered who may have worn them before you and heaven's, even thought about, what if they forgot to spray them with Lysol......

I DID NOT text my oldest son to tell him how great I was at bowling and then realize that I was reading the wrong column on the score board. I had to re-text him and tell him, I DON"T KNOW WHAT I AM DOING!!!!!!!

I DID NOT proceed to go out to dinner afterwards and eat a huge chicken-steak with french fries and eat every last one on my plate at 9pm......not on my challenge. (This was not the same night as the grilled cheese....)

I DID NOT just die laughing when my husband gave into the little one's request to pull out the sofa sleeper in the front room and watch him lie down on it in just the place where there is no support and he was almost EATEN by the couch!!!!! I laughed hard enough that I was sore the next morning.

I hope you all have a great MONDAY!!!!!! Oh by the way, feel free to grab a BUTTON on the right sidebar and add it to your page. Leave me a comment and let me know.

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

GRAB A BUTTON!!!!!///// BABY BABY EXPO!!!!!!

Hello everyone,
I have 2 things that I wanted to share quickly before signing off tonight.
First...... I now have link back buttons. Link my blog with yours. I just love the design. Hotbliggityblog did the buttons for me. I worked with Casey and she was WONDERFUL!!!!! If you are in need of buttons, they are the people to do it for you!!! AWESOME work and very helpful and VERY nice. I am not computer savvy and she jumped in and did whatever I needed. Check them out!!!!! http://www.hotbliggityblog.com/ Thank you again Casey!!!!!

Baby Baby Expo was today here in Greensboro. ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!!! Well organized, advertised and it was great. I met so many wonderful people and potential mom's and grandparents and other vendors. It was just fabulous!!!!! Triad Mommies sponsored it. They did a great job. I had everything I needed and then some. It will be a yearly event that I would love to attend. Just perfect!!!!!! Visit their website at
http://www.triadmommies.com/ Christine and Amy did a fabulous job!!!!! Awesome day!!!!!!
Please go by and visit their sites. Great people to work with.

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Super Supper Saturday/Sunday

How was the Triple Delight last week? Did you try it? What did you think?????

Ok, since we did the Dessert last week I guess we better do something a little more healthy this week. How about a salad? This is one of my favorites. I have posted it before but I think it is worth repeating just incase you missed it. It is so easy. You can basically throw it all together and literally put it on the table or take it to a dinner somewhere. LOVE THAT!!!!!

Give it a try and let me know what you think......

Marsha's Salad

1 bag of baby spinach leaves

1 containter of feta cheese or you can use bleu cheese crumbles

1 small can of mandarin oranges, drained well

1 bag of candied walnuts or you can use pecans if you have those

1 cup of dried cranberries or cran-raisins

1 bottle of Raspberry Vinegarette Salad Dressing (Ken's Steakhouse is my favorite)

1-2 cups of a plain crouton

Mix salad together WITHOUT the dressing. Allow people to add as much as they like. It is an awesome salad. Great to take places or eat at home.

TIPS

***Add grilled chicken, steak or pork and have a complete meal.

***Use romaine lettuce if there is no spinach available

*** Use apples and blue cheese together in place of the oranges and fetta to change things up a bit.

Hope you enjoy......This one is GOOD for you.

Laboring (and Cooking) with You,

Doula Mama Pam

Fantastic (it's) Friday!!!!!!

YEAH AND PRAISE THE LORD!!!!! I MADE IT THROUGH ANOTHER WEEK!!!!!!
This has been a trying week. I'm not exactly sure what has made it so "trying". I know there is a lot going on. Anything from having a major event that I am taking part in on Sunday afternoon to the complete other end of the spectrum when you find out that your oldest son's girlfriends cousin committed suicide.
We found on Monday about the suicide. I was absolutely speechless. This was a young man who had graduated not that long ago from high school. He was 18 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him. He left behind a hurting and questioning family that will never be the same because of this loss. My heart just breaks for them. I immediately sent out an e-mail and text to all of my prayer warriors. This is a close family. From what I have seen of Amber's family, they all live so close together and quite a few live all on the same street. I have been praying and praying for them...yet, when I sit in the quiet of the moment when the Lord brings them to my mind, my eyes just well up with tears and my heart just breaks all over again and I can't even find the words to utter. I just have to depend on the Holy Spirit to know what and how I need to intercede for this precious family. Amber and Kyle have been together for over 2 years and they are so precious. Kyle has been with the family so much and knew this young man as well. Please continue to pray for them that the Lord would just wrap His arms around them and hold them while they are hurting so deeply for this loss.
We also had some issues with our daughter. Lot's of details that I chose not to share here. If you are a personal friend of the family then you already know. It was hard but there are consequences for our actions and sometimes, that is a tough lesson to learn.
On a completely different note...... I WENT BOWLING WITH A CHURCH LEAGUE!!!! You have to understand. My husband is like THE BEST!!! I'm talking 300 games, the whole thing. He has 3 bowling balls, rings, 2 pairs of bowling shoes. Well, you get the picture. I had always said....NOT ME!!!!! He is so competitive but I agreed to do it as long as this was just FUN!!! No competition. Let me tell you, I HAD A BLAST!!!!!! I had to use rented shoes....YUCK!!! Then I had to use the bowling balls there.....still trying to figure out what weight to use. It really was a lot of fun. It's been 20 years since I threw a ball but I will be back next Thursday to try again. No, we will NOT discuss scores. When I get better, we will talk scores. Check in on NOT ME Monday and I am sure this adventure last night will make it's way to Monday.....hahahaha
2 more things. Please pray for me on Sunday. It's the big EXPO. 2,000 people are expected!!!!!! WOW!!!!!! My name and Mothering The Mother will for sure be out. No doubt about that!!!! How cool!!!!! I'm a nervous wreck. I will be selling my earrings that I have made. I'm super excited about that as well. I will be taking orders for the Baby and Mom bracelets that I make. They are so sweet. I will of course take pictures and have them posted either Sunday evening or in the week next week. Keep in mind, the money from the earrings and bracelets will help me on a mission trip to Ukraine, I'm praying is in 2010.
Last but not least. I have chosen to add on to the blog. YEAH!!! Super Supper Saturday/Sunday. Please check in on Saturday if you are looking for something special to prepare for your family, your party or to take to an event. If you have some that you would like to share, please do so. I would love to hear from you.

That is it for now. Have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesdays

Headed Back to Myrtle Beach in February????? Half Marathon?????

Blog Hop Tuesday!!!!!

Well, better late than never. Stomach bug went around the house and I really thought I had escaped it. ......NOT. Anyway, we are back on the topic of food!!!! YEAH!!!!! How cool is this. I even have one for this weekend to. That will be perfect. Ok, so here we go......
Easiest Chicken Casserole EVER!!!!!!!

2 cans of chicken (you can also used left over baked chicken if you have it-approx 1-1 1/2 cups)
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 8oz container of Sour Cream
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
1/4 cup of shredded cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick spray. In a bowl, mix the first 3 incredients. Make sure it is mixed well. Salt and Pepper to taste. Pour mixture into the baking dish. Place the sleeve of crackers in ziplock bag and crush. Top casserole with crushed crackers. If you chose to use the cheese, sprinkle on top of the crackers.
Place in the oven and cook for 20-30 minutes until hot and bubbling and the cheese has melted.

Quick and easy. Serve with a green salad and crusty bread. DINNER IS SERVED!!!!!!

Have a great HOP!!!!!!
Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

DOUBLE POST!!! Not Me and Not My Child!!!!

This is going to be good. I have one on me and then one on my child to.
First.......
I DID NOT get ready to prepare dinner on Saturday morning and decide that I would do a "southern breakfast".
I DID NOT get out the pot to make the grits (we are in NC don't forget).
I DID NOT put the butter in the pot, along with the salt and pepper and even cut up the cheese to.
I DID NOT look in the pantry to get out the grits and NOT find them.
I DID NOT look in the refrigerator.
I DID NOT look in the freezer.
I DID NOT look in EVERY SINGLE CABINET in the kitchen.
I DID NOT have my hubby come and look behind me. I had just opened a package the other week and put them in a storage container. I knew I was NOT losing my mind.
I DID NOT on Saturday afternoon while cleaning up the kitchen, discover the above mentioned grits.
I DID NOT put them in the storage container next to the cream and sugar containers that sit next to the coffee pot.
I DID NOT get to make grits this weekend.

My child DID NOT go in the bathroom with my husband while he was working on the floor in the bathroom.
My Child DID NOT find a pair of plyers laying on the floor in the bathroom.

My Child DID NOT pick them up and decide to play them.
My Child DID NOT figure out a way to pinch his belly hard enough, just on the skin that left him crying.
My Child DID NOT walk around and sit in Mommy and Daddy's lap with his shirt raised as high as it would go and talk about his Diego bandaid with a sea turtle on it.



Nope....NOT MY CHILD!!!!!!!!

****BATHROOM UPDATE........It is almost done. The new floor is down and the toliet is almost finished. Just some finishing touches with molding and some other minor things......the FLOOR IS AWESOME!!!!!!! THANKS SO MUCH TO MY AWESOME AND WONDERFUL AND LOVING HUSBAND!!!!!!! ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!


Have an awesome Monday!!!!!
Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Super Supper Saturday/Sunday

Ok, This is something totally new and different. I am horrible at trying to post on the weekends so let's try something that everyone does....EAT!!!!

So, I will prepare something for you to try, tweek, totally love, not-so-much like or not-on-your-life. Keeping something new and exciting on the table has always been a challenge for me. I am the worlds worst at trying to bring in new things because I get stuck in a rut. I am sure it drives my family crazy but that is what happens. Does it ever happen to you? I'll try to include fun things like appetizers, main dish, snacks, and of course we can never forget the desserts.

Well, what are we waiting for??? Here we go.........
Let's start with dessert first!!!! Of course, where else do we start...LOL

Triple Triffle Delight
1 prepared angel food cake (if you are feeling sinful, use pound cake)
1 large box of vanilla pudding
Milk to prepare pudding with minus (-) 1/2 cup
2 containers of Cool Whip (Light if you like or regular)
1 small container of blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
1 small container of strawberries
2 bananas-sliced

In a large glass bowl crumble up 1/3 of the cake. Use a tall glass bowl because you want to see the layers. Layer over the cake 1/3 of the berries, 1/3 of the strawberries and 1/3 of the bananas. In a seperate bowl, prepare the pudding according to directions minus (-) 1/2 cup of milk. It will be thick and that is what you want. Whisk in 1 full container of Cool Whip. This is the "mousse". Layer over the top of the berries 1/3 of the mousse mixture. Now repeat with cake, berries, strawberries, bananas and more mousse. Once you are done with all the layering, cover with the entire container of Cool Whip. If you have to press it down a little, that is not a problem. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator.

Tips----
**Fozen fruit works great and so does canned. If you use the canned, drain them well.
**Use pound cake or angel food cake. Either works great
**Always put fruit on top of the cake and then the mousse. The juices from the fruit get in the cake.
**Make this in the morning and allow to chill until lunch or dinner. If you are making ahead, you may want a TINY bit of lemon on your bananas so they don't turn dark.

Believe it or not, there is a CHOCOLATE VERSION!!!!!! You will have to check back for that one!!!!!
Hope you enjoy this one!!!!!!! Let me know what you think.......

Laboring (and cooking) with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursdays

Well, better late than never right??? I have been thinking and really praying and looking and watching to see what all was going on that I was at liberty to share and somethings are not "share-able".
To update you on last weeks post a little. Bo and I are so excited that we are going to be teaching 4 year olds in Sunday School this year. To a lot of people that is probably not a big deal but it is for us. This will be the first "ministry" that we have done as a couple. I can not tell you how thrilled I am about it. I have taught 4 year old in pre-school at our church. That was probably one of my most favorite jobs in the world. Watching young 4's become Pre-K and some going on to Kindergarten. What a blessing. I told one of my co-workers that we were teaching. She was not at all surprised. I can sit and just think about it and have the lesson plans done in my head and the crafts and what we can make to eat and all of those fun and creative things just get going. LOVE IT!!!!!!
I got to meet with my September Mom last Saturday. It was such a treat. We talked about what they had been learning in class and what she was wanting and how she wants things to go for the big "Birth-Day". It is so exciting to see how much she has changed. She is not the young pre-teen and teen that I used to know. She is a wife and soon to be Mom. What a blessing to be a part of something so thrilling. Going Sunday afternoon to meet with my October Mom. She and her husband are just PRECIOUS!!!!! The neat part is, they don't know what they are having. I think that is so cool!!!! Not only is it an exciting day but that will be the moment they find out if they have a son or a daughter. I am sure that Dad will be the Announcer that day!!!!
The Childbirth Educator process is long but I am learning so much more than I ever thought was possible. What to do with it when I am done....TEACH of course. Where, how, when, and all of the logistics are still to be seen. I just know that just like with the Doula Duties, this is His design and not mine. Therefore we will watch and see and of course, He has is all figured out. Aren't you glad that He does that for us? I would so totally mess up everything if He was not in control. It would be total CHAOS!!!!!
My youngest is sick today with a stomach bug (we will leave it there). He is chillin' at home with Daddy and just sleeping and resting and of course watching "Cars". He called (Daddy dialed) me to let me know he "watch Cars". He told me some other things I didn't quit understand until he said "I wuv you Mommy". That was crystal clear and I just wanted to pack my bags and go home and sit and hold him and make him feel better. I know he and Daddy are just fine. Not sure about work on Friday. That will depend on how the Little Man is doing.
I do have a prayer request before we close today.
August 23rd, I am taking part in a "show" of sorts. It's called "Baby Baby" and there will be a lot of people there. There are estimating somewhere around 1-2,000 people. (This is gonna be big). Anyway, I am the only "Doula Service" that will be there. Is that like totally cool or what???? On one end of my table I will be selling baby bracelets and earrings that I have made. I am thrilled to be able to get my name out for the Doula Services but at the same time THRILLED that I will get to sell the earrings. THEY are NOT EXPENSIVE!!!! Here is the thing. I have friends in the Ukraine. They are missionaries there. She is M.O.M(My Other Mother). I know without a shadow of a doubt that ANY AND ALL MONEY made on that end of my table will be going to help me with a trip to the Ukraine next year. The Lord made it VERY clear that it would be next year. I don't know when, just that I am to go. The cost is reasonable but I have got to sell these earrings and bracelets and even take orders for the baby bracelets. They are very sweet. I love making them. I will try to take some pictures this weekend and post them. PLEASE just pray that they will sell and my calendar will be full with Doula Duties!!!!!!! SENT BY HIM!!!!!!!! I'll post more on the even when I can put links on here for it.
Thanks for stopping by today!!!!!! It' s been a pleasure to share.

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama

Thoughtful Thursday

Running a bit behind today. This post will be up a bit later. In the meantime, check this out!!!!! This is my oldest. He has done it again!!!!!!

I am soooo proud!!!!!!!
http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=2190
and this is his website
http://kjm-photo.com/

Let me know what you think!!!!!! Leave it in the comments and I will make sure he gets it!!!!! COOL STUFF!!!!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama