Not Me Monday

I did not go to the gym and attempt to run/walk my 3 miles that had become so easy the Saturday before and think that I was going to die after running for just a little while. I obviously thought something was VERY wrong with me. After 1 1/2 miles I realized that for some strange reason it was on 1.5% incline......HELLO!!!!! no wonder I was dying!!!!!!

I did not run into Wal-Mart to pick up some pretzels to find there was only 3 bags left in the store......is EVERYONE making chocolate dipped pretzels this year?????

I did not do the majority of my Christmas baking on Saturday and of course had to tast each part as I went.

I did not go to bed before my 2 1/2 year old on Saturday night because I was physcially sick from "sample tasting".

I hope that you all have an awesome week after your "Not Me Monday".

Only a few more frantic days before Christmas. Do you have all of your Christmas Shopping done??????

Laboring With You,

Doula Mama Pam

More Christmas Cooking

This is one of my favorites. Yes, I know, I say that every week. But this is one that my Dad makes and I just love them. They are so easy and so tasty. I have had others at parties and at different events but there is always something REALLY good about the ones that he makes.

Daddy's Sausage Balls
1 pound of your favorite sausage (hot or mild)-almost room temp
8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese. (NOT PRE-SHREDDED) Grated and at almost room temp
3 cups of Bisquick
Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Take off your rings and your fake nails (just kidding) and start mixing. Really mix well until everything is totally incorporated.
Start with a small spoon, small cookie scoop or just pinch off enough to make the size of sausage ball you want. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Now you have a choice to make. You can place them on the cookie sheet and freeze before cooking or you can cook them and then freeze them. Either way, they are AWESOME!!!!!! If you chose to cook them, place them in pre-heated oven of 365 degrees. Typically about 10 minutes but keep an eye on them, depending on how big you have made them.
ENJOY!!!!!!!

Laboring and Cooking with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Fabulous Friday

Praise the Lord it is Friday!!!!!!
I will hopefully be getting off early so that we can go see the lights at Tanglewood in Clemmons this evening. We have been trying for 2 weeks. First try was not happening because a little boy had not had a nap all day. Second try was not happening because the temperature was dropping and we were not sure what the weather was going to do because it was raining. Oh, how I pray that this time we get to go. There is just something magical about driving through Tanglewood and seeing the lights, not only from an adult perspective but from an almost 3 year olds perspective. I just love it!!!!!!! You can not help but get ready for Christmas!!!!!!
What are some of your family traditions?
-Do you have a "Happy Birthday Jesus Cake?"
-Do you sing songs or play games?
-Do you leave out cookies for Santa?
-Do you put out Reindeer food?
Leave some of your traditions in the comments and share them.
Thanks for stopping by.
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursday

It has been a tough week or so and I am having to learn to let go of a particular situation that has been with me for approximately 10 years. If you are a close friend or family, you will know of what I am talking about. In the midst of all of the chaos that seems to surround, I find myself wanting to do what Billy Graham's Mother would do with her many small children at her feet. Sit down and take my apron and cover my head and just be with my Savior. Even if it was only for a few moments. In the midst of this coming season or even your season of life, take the time, cover your head and just be still with the Father. It is worth it and so is He. So, it seems that it has become a routine here on this blog to do an accrostic (at least that is what I think it is correctly called). So let's do one today.
T-Truth with the world is so full of lies
H-He is my hiding place
U-Unconditional Love
R-Rock
S-Savior
D-DayStar
A-Abba Father
Y-Yolk is easy (especially when I don't fight Him about it)
Thank you for stopping by. Stop and Be sometime today.

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 21st Birthday Kyle!!!!!!!

Love You,

Mom

Testimony Tuesday

This was a post that I did about 2 weeks ago for our church's women's ministry blog. We have and still are going through some very difficult times with our daughter and Bo has been my rock. So I thought it appropriate to share how awesome the Lord is and how much He loves me with not only my church family but those who may read my blog. Thanks for stopping by.

What does your Knight or Prince Charming look like to you? Is he perfect in every way? Is he tall, handsome, have eyes that make you melt, a set of six pack abs, is patient, kind, gentle, understanding? Is he a Godly Man? A man after God's own heart?Well, today I just want to testify to what God can do and has done in my life. You see, when Bo and I met, he learned probably in the first date or 2 about my daughter. She has some serious issues and some things that she is working through. She was actually at that time in a placement in Winston Salem and there had been a crisis that we needed to address. We went, crisis over and I knew that I would not hear from him again after that. Well, I was wrong. He continued to call and we continued to date and he learned all about what was going on in that situation. The hard part was that I was going to have to allow him to help me. Now, I was in the process of learning some independence and the last thing I thought I needed was the good looking guy, tall, eyes that made me melt, to help me. I was a big girl and I could handle it........NOT!!!!!!!! I needed him and the Lord knew I needed him. I didn't like giving up this new found independence but the Lord said that this is what I had to do. Bo and I married in 2008.This past week, God in His sovereignty, that I don't understand at times, allowed my daughter to come and stay with us for a period of time. We don't know how long. We don't know exactly what the next step is for her but I do know one thing.....God knew that I was going to need Bo. Bo knew way before me that I would need him but I had to make the choice. I'm here to say that I am so glad I let go of that independence. I could not have made it the last several days without him. He has stepped in and dealt with attorneys, probation officers and a million other people in the midst of what could be chaos. This is NOT what I had planned before. This is NOT what I thought would happen. This is NOT a surprise to the Lord. He knows what He is doing and I have to trust Him. I also have to let my husband be the man that he was created to be. He has let me cry, let me scream, let me just sit and be quiet and not say a word. He let me go and get my hair done because I needed it for me and that is not something I am good at doing. So, in the midst of my chaos and my stress, God placed with me with a Prince and my Knight and for that I can testify that God loves me and has a plan for me. Praise Him!!!!!!
In Him Only,
Doula Mama Pam

Not Me Monday

I could not wait this week!!!!!

I did not quietly listen to a precious little girl in our 4 year old class explain to me that she has a family of mice living in her room and that she takes care of them and her mom is aware. We were discussing loud and soft and how the Angel had spoken softly to Mary when he told her that she was going to have Jesus.

I did not quietly listen to the above mentioned little girl tell me that she in fact did have an Angel visit her one night and she was not scared at all. This while discussing what our reaction would be if an Angel came to visit us.

I did not go to the gym and ran/walk 3 miles and could have kept going because it actually felt good. (I was so shocked)

I did not get on the Jacobs Ladder at the gym thinking I could add on 15-20 seconds and not die in the process........If they can do it on Biggest Loser, I should be able to do this!!!!!!!

I did not go to lunch with a friend and spend 2 solid hours talking and chatting over Mexican food.........YUMMY!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to see what you Have Not done this week.

Laboring With You,

Doula Mama Pam

Here we are again on this countdown to Christmas. Looking for that special something to put in a cookie tin or a special little container. This is my oldest son, Kyle's, favorite thing that Mom makes during the holiday's. If he finds out it is at the house, he will be knocking on the door to get some. It's also a GREAT way to take out any stress or frustration you maybe feeling during the holidays, not that any of have that.....LOL

Kyle's Peppermint Bark

1 bag of Chocolate Melts ( You can use White, Dark or Milk Chocolate)
1 handful of small candy canes or small star burst peppermints (the little round red and white ones)
1 Cookie sheet covered in parchment paper or tinfoil
1 small hammer (told you it was good for frustration and stress)

Melt chocolate as directed. While chocolate is melting, take the peppermint candy of choice and hit it with the hammer on a cutting board. (LEAVE IT IN THE WRAPPER OR YOU WILL HAVE A MESS!!!!!) Once all the chocolate is melted and you are stress fee, unwrap the candy into the chocolate. Stir until well mixed. Pour melted chocolate onto the cookie sheet and spread out evenly. Place in refrigerator to harden. Do not put away the hammer yet. Once the chocolate has hardened, you are ready for the final preparation. Take a clean kitchen towel and flip the chocolate on to the towel. Peel off the tinfoil or parchment paper. Cover with another towel and hammer away until you get the size of bark that you want. I usually go no bigger than my palm. This is up to you. Then place your bark into containers and be prepared to watch it disappear!!!!!!!

Hope you have fun with this one!!!!!!

Laboring and Cooking With You,
Doula Mama Pam

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TODAY IS KYLE'S 21ST BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

PICTURES WILL BE POSTED TONIGHT.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE!!!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU SOOOOOOO VERY MUCH!!!!!

Love,

Bo and Mom and Kaleb

Jim and Lynn and Alex!!!!!

Tuesday Thought

I was sitting here this morning and checking other blogs and this and that. Something kept coming to mind. What is He to me? I mean REALLY, what is He to me? Of course, me in my small non-imaginative thinking at 7:30am can only think of the letters of the day. Similar to what I have done before. So, let's do this.
This is what He is to me.......(Amazing that if I do this everyday, it would be so different)
T-He is TRUTH
U-He is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
E-He is ETERNAL
S-He is my SHIELD
D-He is my DAILY Bread
A-He is my ABBA Father
Y-He is my YESTERDAY, today and tomorrow

Who is He to you today?
Laboring with you,
Doula Mama Pam