Watermelon drinks for Memorial Day!

I wanted to find a recipe for a cool watermelon drink, and found this (but i subtracted the alcohol reference, since i don't need that added).:

Can't wait to try this weekend...

Watermelon Coolers with NO alcohol

PREP TIME 5 Minute/s

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed, seedless watermelon, chilled
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 cup coconut milk

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Rim glasses with granulated sugar and serve up watermelon lime coolers!
3. Garnish with a lime wedge or small watermelon slice.
4. Enjoy!

This above is a modified version of a recipe found from Style Me Pretty Living.  

Or you can make it with lemonade and 2 tbsp honey and use these instructions:

• Freeze the watermelon in a ziploc bag until just frozen, about one hour.  Add the frozen watermelon to a blender, along with your lemonade and honey.  Process until blended, and pour into frosted jars or glasses.

Decisions, decisions!

This and more can be found on the links from my Pinterest Board:  SUMMER.  Check it out!

MINI diy MOM 

formerly

SOLO dot MOM!

Happy Holiday Weekend!!

Each Day, Each Decision, Each Defining Moment

I'm so proud of my kiddos, my treasures.  They make me crazy at times. I don't need to go there, but they are also making me quite proud.

Jas is off to college and seems to be settling in.  He's been home only once and I like that he is getting a feel for being on his own and doing things on his own - even though I know he is hanging with his friends and even staying over in their dorm - instead of his own suite.... but that's a story for another day about his room mate.  At the very least he is developing a routine and getting into the groove of the work expected of him; and so far I haven't gotten any sobbing phone calls in the middle of the night - begging to come home for good. (knock on wood)

Kass has started high school and is really doing well.  We moved, which placed her in a different high school from her brother - actually the one she wanted to attend - and she loves it.  She is so grown up that it is even shocking sometimes to me.  We hang out in the evenings during the week, make dinner together and work on some chore at the house.  I love this time we get to bond, making memories, just the two of us.

Then there are my other kiddos that aren't here as often: Chad's three that we try to see as much as we can (like the camping trip last weekend with 4 of our 5 kiddos):

Tori is driving already!  She is also doing well this year and looking forward to getting her license sooner than I like to think about, lol.  She seems to be enjoying her second year of high school and the social life it brings.

Rach is finishing up her last year of middle school and has outdone herself with her latest accomplishment with violin.  She is first row 2nd chair - what a high honor!  We are very proud of the fact she is excelling and putting her energy into something she loves, her talent with music.  (And Rach- I hope i have your chair listing correct!)

And then there's Drew.  Little rambunctious Drew that loves his electronics and his books.  So smart he amazes us all as he sails above the rest of his classmates in most of his subjects.

I pray for them daily and my hope is that they will continue to remember and acknowledge that each day, each decision, each defining moment leads them to the bigger picture that results from the choices they make.  I want the best for them but more than that - more than even I can imagine for them - I want God's best for them.  I pray they will also strive for what God has for their futures - His best.

Find yourself, keeping it real...

Kat

Organized for back-to-school? What?

Photo: tipjunky.com

Organized for back to school?

Yes, I have a freshman starting at Virginia Tech in about three weeks and I have a freshman starting at her new high school in about 2 weeks.

But I can't even get unpacked and get our lives organized enough to find my comb and the extra body wash I bought months ago. Who can think about gearing up to get organized for back to school?

Maybe this will be the push I need to put it into high gear so that we can finalize the unpacking and getting the house setup.  Jas will be moving "again" and Kass will be wanting new school clothes... so I guess we better get to work!

The house is in "reno" mode with constant progress being made nonetheless.  The floors turned out great - thanks to my charming and... he has moved on to the stairwell wallpaper/walls.  All six layers of it to get down to the plaster.  But underneath that mass of filthy unbelievable wallpaper we are seeing walls and we know that soon we can apply primer and then our choice of color!

I am excited about the progress and I am excited about what God has already done for us - blessing after blessing in this house of our dreams.  However, with so many things that need to be done on the house, I am finding myself frequently in a true "overwhelming" state of mind.  And with the kids going in two different directions with new schools and new seasons starting for their lives - it has been a diversion. Perhaps it's a good diversion, just perhaps.

But I have reminded myself often: "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2b

...And I am comforted by His grace, His presence, His faithfulness, and His peace... every time... every.single.overwhelming.time.

My DOTMOM Eyes

 

I am trying out a new site to post about my day-to-day joys along this journey as a single mom, a position/status that will be changing in the near future.

Don't worry, I will still be posting at this site (SOLO dot MOM) but also hope you will check out the new tumbler - at http://dotmom.tumblr.com titled: "My DOTMOM Eyes" and check out the latest happenings in my world.

Let me know what you think....

Share a comment below or share a comment at the new site: My DOT MOM Eyes.

Find yourself... keeping it real.
SOLO dot MOM

One boyfriend, one curfew, one text message at a time

While the debate is on in the background, I wanted to sit down and finally f.i.n.a.l.l.y. write another blog.  I have so much to share with my readers, but I will spare you the boring and only share the highlights.

The kiddos

Jas and Kass, the kiddos… I now refer to them in public as “the bigguns.”  They are growing up so fast I can’t keep up; and I am with them every day. (Well almost every day. But I digress <= already!)

Kass has a boyfriend. Seriously you don’t want me to get started on that point.  Trust me when I say, I am just going to leave it at that. And yes, she now has the “worst mother ever” because of the guidelines I have instructed about me being “in-the-know” regarding their conversations and “text messages.” (Can I just skip this part of her life and do a fast forward?!) Sadly if I did – she would be out of college and married after that blink.  Let the roller coaster ride begin, then.

Jas went to his homecoming dance. (Yes, can you believe a formal dance!) And he dressed for it: I have pictures to prove it. He is talking more and more about college plans, taking PSAT tests and I am still reminding him he needs to start applying for those ever lovely scholarships.  Can you believe I will be getting his senior portraits done in just 8 months?! Yeah, I need to stop before I hyperventilate.

The House/Move

Not sure if and/or when we will be moving/selling the house.  That seems to be in an “on hold” mode right now.  But with recent home improvement projects and “other” improvements on the list, we are still enjoying the process of making this one just like we want it.  My kiddos love living here.

Goals

I have been working on creating my goals for the next 5 years and trying to simplify exactly what that means from finances to my children’s spiritual growth.  One thing I do realize more and more each day is this parenting thing is tough.  Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s easy (even with two parents partnering together in one house). It gets tougher as they mature into these ‘tweens’ and teens; and sometimes I have to step back and ask God, “Can I do this?” Then I am reminded, “I can do all things, through Christ…” even when I feel like pulling my hair out.

Interjection here… I am watching the debate and it’s almost comical as they deliberate about “apples and oranges” for this 9-9-9 plan on the taxes.  That is all.

But in the meantime…day by day…

As I prepare for those goals and discuss my kiddos’ (the bigguns’) futures with them, we continue pressing on each day-- one at a time: one hairdo, one curfew, one text message, one XBox match, one girl scout session, one church service, one grade, one boyfriend, at-a-time.

Technorati Tags: teens,tweens,family time,college,scholarships,parenting,personal development,Faith,persistence

The Magic of Disney World

To take you away from the recent gloom and doom in the news from the stock market decline to London’s riots and Philadelphia’s youth vandalizing (What’s up with that, right?), let me share with you some sense of escape for a few minutes about a magical place…

We have now returned from our “magical” vacation.  This is the one I have wanted to take the kiddos on since they were young and finally was successful doing so.  Even though they fought like cats and dogs  - yes they don’t get along right now at the tender ages of being a tween and teen on the brink of adulthood. But between their disagreements on rides, and where to eat and… and… and… we had a great time. Sincerely, we did.

They also flew for the first time and we were impressed with Allegiant Air, with their prices and their services, so I will give them a shout out here. Kass was the unlucky one in our group randomly chosen for the extra security check: But she did great and didn’t freak out! Can you believe it?

Jas now says he is meant to travel.  He loved flying and even considered the possibility of making Florida his home someday… well maybe.  And to his own surprise, he found some rides that he enjoyed amongst the many parks we visited during the trip, between Disney’s Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and especially at Universal Islands of Adventure.

Kass tried a roller coaster  at Magic Kingdom and enjoyed it!  She even had her hands up on the 50 foot drop! However, when we ventured out and did the Expedition Everest Coaster in Animal Kingdom---even I thought it was intense; and now she says she will not get on another coaster again.  Oh well.

Mr. M and his boys joined us on the trip.  (No worries, they had a separate hotel room, people.) The four kiddos actually got along pretty well, except for the few times they seemed to gang up on and pick on Kass… with three boys and one tween girl, what do you expect, right?  But for the most part they did great together.

Here are a few pics from the trip for your enjoyment:

       

 

There are plenty more where those came from.  I will keep you posted of when I load the album designated just for Disney….

Warning: Playing games with your children will make them Happy

Take some time out this weekend and get the kiddos outside.  I know how much they all love video games and being on the computer. Trust me. I do.

But it is healthier for them to have some time in the sun and to be exercising. Plus time spent with you and potentially other children will make them happier.

“But I’m bored”

This is one famous common phrase said by so many children, yet in today’s world – they have so much more stuff than “we” did when we were their age.  But in many ways with so much “more,” some of our little ones might have lost the incentive or the initiative to use their imaginations!

I remember times when I would act out a part in the backyard from a summer movie I had just seen; or just playing with friends from the neighborhood. 

You don’t know any games to get them started, you say?

Here’s a link to just a few all-time favorites.

So pull out those memory banks, look at this link, put on your “play clothes” and go play with your kiddos outside this weekend!

Technorati Tags: happy children,single moms,parenting,health,active,exercise,playtime,playdates,outdoors

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

For all my readers, I wanted to share a great article with you that a friend of mine shared with me.

Here is the link below.  All parents have to take measures to protect their children and to know what to look out for.  This is especially true when around the water.

So if you plan to visit the beach this summer, the lake over Memorial Day, or even if you just plan to go to the pool nearby, take a few moments to read this article, Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning by Mario Vittone.

A new fave

Technorati Tags: Photography,photos,children,creeks,water,light on water,nature,outdoors,pictures,single moms,girls,tweens

Making the Most of Easter and Other Holidays Alone

Spring has sprung and Easter arrived to celebrate new life, and for Christians – the new life you received  when you accepted the very Easter story. His story in history is what gives us joy unspeakable. 

I celebrated the day without the kiddos (it was their dad’s weekend, you know). Following a morning of worship celebration at church, I went with friends to a dynamic 2 hour drama of the Resurrection of Christ in Radford that night. The day was full and the focus was obvious. 

It is tough when you have to celebrate some of the holidays without your children being there. I know.  I get it. But making the most of your holiday, even when you are alone, is where you have to focus your time, your energy, and your planning. 

It can be so easy to let yourself get caught up in the gloomy, oh-my-life-stinks mode.  But how much more enjoyable it could be if you would just refute that mode and with intentionality make the choice to fill your day with friends and things you enjoy.

1. Plan a special time to celebrate with the children on a different day than the holiday falls, if they will be “visiting” on the holiday itself.
2. Make the tradition and fun be about the holiday season – not just the specific day.  Spread out the celebrating so it falls on more than one day during the season.
3. In advance, contact friends and make plans for the day when the children will be away.  Plan a meal with friends or family, an outing, or plan to join them in their family time.
4. Make a list of things you don’t get to do when busy with the children.  Have it available to pull out when you feel the “blahs” of your me-time. Here’s my list for me-time I put together three years ago.

These are just a few simple ideas to keep yourself from focusing on the negative when you have time on your hands without the children, especially during a holiday.

It’s normal to think about them, wishing they were near.  But just think, when they are off to college and doing their own thing on holidays throughout the year, you will be this much more prepared for it.

For some of us, those college days are closer than we like to think about.

Technorati Tags: Easter story,Easter Holiday,holidays,me-time management,single mom,single mother,unspeakable joy,Christ,Christians,Resurrection,holidays without children,lonely,Easter,planning,lists,family time

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

Silence is golden

The kiddos are gone for the weekend.  As I sit here, I take advantage of a few minutes between loads of laundry and gather my thoughts.  We have been doing this “visitation” for over seven years now and yet I still get that feeling in my heart on the Fridays when I realize they will be leaving to go with their dad after school.

These weekends are scheduled to be productive time, me-time, or a combination of the two for me.  And I try to spend some time, in silence, enjoying… the… quiet.  The rumble of the heater is all I hear (after I let the dogs back outside following their whining to go) as I sit hear typing this blog.

I do love music and I have a very eclectic collection of tunes I listen to, depending on my mood. (Maybe I will share a playlist or two here sometime.)  I also enjoy catching some regular shows on the HGTV channel and having them on in the background during my day’s activities around the house.  But there is nothing like the sound of silence as I relax, eat some grapes, and ponder on what’s coming up next for our family, from the big vacation in our future, to buying a new house with Mr. M, big enough for all the kiddos.

Aaah the silence. Do you hear that?

Yeah, me neither.

Love that.

Photo Credit:  photoXpress.com / Mykola Velychko

Soul Surfer while I wait…

While I sit waiting on Kassity to finish with her Orthodontist appointment… and waiting, at least they have Wi-Fi available. 

Surfing the web and going through my emails, I found the release on this upcoming movie this weekend.  Soul Surfer: This is one I do want to see.  Have you seen the previews?  A girl who suffers from an accident that results in amputation, finds her true purpose and passion in life while supported by her family and her faith.

The storyline is excellent and I look forward to sharing this one with the kiddos (well at least Kass).

Here are some fan’s testimonials below and some clips from the film.

Enjoy!

 

 

Technorati Tags: Soul Surfer,tweens,family time,family movies,family entertainment,faith,personal development,Life Lessons

You're a Firework!

Kass, YOU.are.A.FIREWORK, baby girl.

I love this song... we listened
to it on the way home this evening after I took Kass and a "bunch" of her BFF's to the park.  Time is flying by and I can’t believe how much she is growing up before my eyes.  Where is my baby?

Here's one of the pics from the park late today... and here are the lyrics to the Fireworks song by Katy Perry along with more pics from the evening at the park:

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting through the wind

Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin

Like a house of cards

One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep

Six feet under scream

But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh,oh!"

You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road...

More pictures from the evening at the park…..

 

Technorati Tags: Katy Perry,Fireworks,parks,Roanoke Valley Parks,tween,friends,nature,swings,photography,photos,pictures

I’m Back

Well I hadn’t really went anywhere, but my blogging has been anything but frequent.  My plan is to update you more often and I wanted to start today.

This past weekend I started spring cleaning (a little early) and did some deep cleaning in my kitchen.  I spent most of my Saturday working on the tops of cabinets and washing all my “Coca Cola” decorations that sit atop them and my shelves.  I changed out the lighting in the kitchen just last week, which put me in the mood to get a head start on my spring cleaning. The lights replaced an old utility style 6 foot tubular fluorescent light across the ceiling.  Now it looks more up-to-date and modern  - but now the ceiling needs painting.

I know you want pictures.  I will post them soon.

Thanks to Mr. M for his hard work putting the new lights up, I am very happy with the new look.  I also changed the setup of my decor and condensed some things.  You know modern is – “Less is More.”

Sunday we visited a different church.  My goal at present is to find one the kiddos will get more connected to and become involved with the youth group.  We have been lacking in seeing that with both sets of kiddos and our intentions are to work toward finding a place they can connect.

At my day job work is busy busy busy and I am still waiting on a quote to get some electrical work done at the house.  You know the ever-looming goal of getting the house ready to sale…so Mr. M and I can buy a bigger house for all the kiddos to have their much needed space. And, of course, that means we have been talking even more seriously about our futures together and even the M word: Marriage!

This is nothing new, but I like to keep you up-to-date in knowing – it is a slow going process for us to get our ducks in a row… but never the less a big step we are excited about taking.

And my photography hobby?  Recently we took a trip downtown and I took tons of pictures as we pretended once again to be tourists in our own backyard. If you have never done this, give it a try. We have lots of fun every time we venture out.

Photo Credit:  Katherine Shinault

TOP TEN Biggest Little Things of 2010

 

I wrote this list in December and didn’t ever post it because it needed links. 

Here’s the TOP TEN for 2010… with links and all.  Finally.

Enjoy.

10. Jas’ comment recently “Do I get to take my bed when we move?”

9. Funniest Christmas memory of 2010

8. Writing a procedure manual on the side– and getting paid for it.

7. Getting the book, Eat, Pray, Love for free on PaperBackSwap.com

6. The coolest birthday card.

5. Writing for Examiner.com

4. Finishing the “work in progress” half-bath.  Finally.

3. Excavating the back yard to level the lot and re-seed as prep for putting the house on the market.

2. Refinishing the hard wood floors.

and the Number ONE thing in the list of Biggest Little things was:

1. The reveal of Mr. M’s 2 year and 5 year plans.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: PhotoXpress.com, author: scalesy

Funniest Christmas Moment 2010

We had a lot of fun this Christmas from making snowflakes to getting snow Christmas Eve.  We blended our traditions this year as Mr. M. and I plan possible future Christmases together.

But one moment sticks out in my mind as the funniest.

Mr. M’s sister and her family came in town the day after Christmas.  My kiddos had already left for their dad’s house the night Mr. M and I exchanged presents with her family.  I brought the gifts for Jas and Kass home with me for them to open when they returned later that week.

When Jas and Kass opened their presents from his sister’s family we were at our house.  When Jas opened his present he pulls out a box kit of Rice Krispy Holiday Treats Maker.  He looks at me with a look of bewilderment.  I said, “Well maybe she thought you like rice krispy treats, so we could make some.”  He said, “Okay,” and put the box aside under the tree.

Later that day, the neighbor and Kass’ dear friend, E came over to see what they had gotten.  When Kass started telling her about the gift from Mr. M’s sister… she showed E what Jas had received and that we thought it was funny (since Jas is almost 16).  E said, “There’s tape on this box.  Did you try to open it?”

Well I hadn’t seen the tape and he hadn’t tried to open it.  Jas came back into the room and opened the “Treats” box to find a cool hoody from Foot Locker inside.  It fit him great – and he loves it.  What a surprise!

I got so tickled over us thinking he got the treat making kit that I couldn’t stop laughing later when I shared the story with Mr. M.  His response: “What a dork.”

What’s your favorite funny moment from Christmas 2010?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: Rice Krispies Treats,Christmas,Funny,family time,single moms,blending family,traditions

Single mom says “What?”

When I got the news from the doctor who called me about 5pm on my last day of work before the Christmas break, I was mad.

There, I said it.

But after taking time to process the information and taking Kass to see the Orthopedic surgeon, the specialist, and just days later the gentleman who will be customizing her special brace (because I don’t know his official title at the moment); I started to evolve to a point where I am grateful.  Yes, grateful we found this issue while she is 12 and still growing so we can work with her spine and hope, with a brace, she doesn’t progress toward a higher degree and have to have surgery.

Kass has scoliosis of the spine at 25%. (At 5-20% you only have to monitor the issue, so she just passed the cutoff that requires a brace.)

She took the news well.  She seems to be ok about it as we begin this journey.  I am bracing for when she has to wear the thing 24/7 (except gym class and during our yoga at home). (Oh, and no pun intended there.)

I am proud of her attitude and am thankful my reaction has progressed with prayer and processing all this new information.

So I was putting it all to the side to enjoy the Christmas holidays and make memories this year before it was all over…but tomorrow we go for her next session with the gentleman who will be making her brace. Time to face it again, face the fact that my little girl who is wearing braces on her teeth will be adding to her current required apparatuses.  Just like the orthodontic braces, this back brace isn’t cheap.  But they are allowing me to use a payment plan.  (I know you are thinking: Oh goody, another monthly payment.)

If I sound cynical, I apologize for that.  I am sincerely doing better about all this, and do know God is good, all the time: He will provide and take care of this for Kass.  I have faith.

So what issues are you facing as a mom or as a single mom as the new year approaches?

We all have our ‘stuff’ to deal with – some new – some old.

Find yourself… keeping it real

Photo Credit: (photoXpress.com / Chad McDermott)

sponsor: http://helpforsinglemother.net/

Technorati Tags: scoliosis,back,brace,braces,children,single moms,payment plan,yoga

A snapshot of Christmas Eve thru December 26

A Christmas present to me… excavating the backyard to get rid of the large mounds of dirt from the back yard and level it out.  Getting ready to put it on the market!  This was Christmas Eve when they finished leveling all the dirt.

 

Then we headed to Kevin’s place: Here there were presents everywhere as we waited for Santa to come that night.

Christmas morning!

Our kiddos merged Christmas morning for the first time.  Some different traditions – but it all worked together.

Mr. M opening presents.

We also got a white Christmas!

From the vehicle…

Sledding with Mr. M, his youngest son and his nephews the day after Christmas.  We got more snow overnight!

Mr. M – just a big kid at heart.

The duo

A snow angel to end the set.

Hope your Christmas was full of memories.  Ours sure was.

Find yourself… keeping it real.