Thoughtful Tuesday- Family Organization

Hmmm....It's time for another Thoughtful Tuesday post. I'm at a loss for what to blog about.

Not only was the time change last week, it was also Spring Break for me and both Small Boy and Medium Boy. We spent the week hanging out with friends and having fun. I still don't feel as it I have recovered from either one of those things.  The time change has left me feeling out of sorts, and with the change in our schedule due to Spring Break, I just feel....well, out of sorts. :)

Now, we are not a very structured family as far as schedule goes. I mean, we have our regular scheduled things we do like work, school, church activities, etc. However, when we aren't doing those required things, we just kinda fly by the seat of our pants. I am thinking that is gonna have to change a bit. There just seems to be so much down time, but we never seem to get anything done.

I have tried a million different organization programs, chore charts, schedules, and the like. None of which have worked well. Most of that is due to my inability to stay on task and keep up with things. I did find a  chart somewhere that I think will work. We have implemented some things recently, but there are many more things we need to work on and get sorted out. 

So, this week (and the weeks to follow) are going to bring some changes at our house. More structure is in order. We need more organization and structure around here in order to fully enjoy our down time. :)

What are some things that you do to keep yourselves and your family on track and organized?

Missions Monday- Swaziland and the HIV and Aids Epidemic

This is a fairly new blog and you guys know I've been tweaking things and trying to figure out a regular posting schedule and theme. Well, in light of our family's recent connection with the Freeman Family, I have decided to make Monday's theme "Missions Monday". Obviously, I'll be posting missions related stuff. It might be information about certain countries, or missionaries. It could be projects we are working on as a family. It could be ways you can help out or do to help the missions cause. Whatever the post, it will be missions related. :)


As my first Missions Monday post, I thought I would share a little I have learned about Swaziland. Now, I am in no way an expert. This particular nation and family weigh heavy on our hearts as a family so I am doing a bit of research about it.

Did you know?

(information collected from http://www.avert.org/aids-swaziland.htm unless linked to another website)

• In February 2010, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe visited Swaziland where he presented a report estimating that three in every 100 people in Swaziland will be infected with HIV every year leading to an expected 18,000 new infections each year by 2012.

• Approximately 190,000 people in Swaziland are HIV positive, including 15,000 children under age 15 .Swaziland has the world’s most severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, posing a serious challenge to the country’s economic development.

• As elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, the huge number of people dying from AIDS in Swaziland exacerbates existing poverty, which in turn leaves individuals vulnerable to the adverse affects of HIV. When those of productive age die from AIDS or are too sick to work, there is less income and therefore less food for families. Lack of adequate food and nutrition leaves individuals less able to cope with HIV if they are infected, as effective treatment depends on a good diet.

•  Around 39 percent of the population are under 14, and those over 65 only account for 3.7 percent.

• HIV/AIDS is also responsible for 47 percent of under-5 mortality in Swaziland.

• There are only 2 physicians available for every 10,000 people, and one nurse for every 356 people in Swaziland.

• The government estimates that only 16 percent of people aged 15-49 years old have been tested for the virus and know their results

• The extremely high rate of tuberculosis (TB) co-infection with HIV is also a major concern and the main cause of mortality in the country

Things I Love Thursday (TILT)- FRAMILY

Framily. Yep, that's right. Not a type-o. Framily. It's that thing thing every military family longs for every time they get a new assignment. Friends so close that they become your family.

 I wouldn't trade my life for the world, but military life isn't easy. Now, we have had it relatively easy because my husband has had 3 assignments so far in his career. ( We're praying this is the last.) We spent 7 years at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. Then we spent 8 years at RAF Lakenheath, England. We have spent almost 4 years here at Dyess AFB, Texas.

 With the exception of Tinker (which was 'only' a 5-6 hour drive home depending on potty breaks and rest stops) we haven't lived close to family for a LONG time. I love my Air Force framily. Not everyone I have met or gotten to know during my husband's almost 19 yr career get the privilege of being called my framily, but quite a few do. Not only do we have that Air Force bond thing going on, we also have a faith bond. We all have the same values and morals. It makes a big difference.
This framily fills in the gaps that you get when you don't have your 'real' family close. It provides sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers,  aunts, uncles, brothers, cousins, grandmas, and grandpas when you need them. My kids have been blessed by having a great group of framily cousins here in Texas and in England before that. I have been blessed by my framily through the years as well.

 So, I figured I'd share a few photos from my framily album. :)
This is in no way a complete album. These are just photos I had handy when I typed up this post.



Solid Rock Ladies 2004
My RAF Lakenheath Framily



Erin and I 2006-ish (We really need a post WLS pic)
My RAF Lakenheath Framily

Solid Rock Ladies 2006-ish
My RAF Lakenheath Framily

My crazy boys and some of  their Dyess framily.

Steph, Julie, Me, Crystal, Tracee, and Elaina
Some of my Dyess Framily

The Harman and Banks Framilies
More Dyess Framily



My Dyess AFB Framily

Women of Hope Christmas 2009
Dyess Framily



Thoughtful Tuesday-Becoming a Missions Minded Family

I think that in our efforts to bring people to God, we sorta dumb Him down. We make Him a pleasant, jolly type of god and make people think that following Him is all rainbows and puppies and sunshine. Not totally true. Of course God is loving, kind, gentle, etc. Of course He has our best interests at heart. However, to truly live the way God wants us to live. To be totally sold out for Him. To be of the same heart as Him. To have the same mindset as Him is so not a rainbows, puppies, and sunshine life.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the life I have in Christ. I am blessed beyond measure. My family is blessed. My life is wonderful. But, it's not always like that. We have lost 'friends' because of our faith. We have been verbally attacked because of our faith. We have been tested and tried. Sure some of our tests and trials could be considered 'self-imposed' because they come as a direct result of our choice to follow Christ and life our lives for him. However, I would never give that relationship with Christ up just to make things easier. For us it is not an option.

With all that being said, the sacrifices that we have made as a family are nothing compared to sacrifices that Christians all over the world are making.  Some are leaving families behind to travel to dangerous countries to serve GOD in the way HE has called them to serve. I have a missions heart. A desire to go where GOD wants me to go and to do what GOD wants me to do. Right now, GOD has called me to pursue my nursing degree. Not sure what HE has planned for me after that, but for now I'm pressin' on and pressin' in and doing what HE has instructed me to do at this time. Hopefully, eventually HIS call will be more missions oriented, but even if that doesn't happen, it's ok. I know that HIS plans for me are wonderful.

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Our family has talked about supporting a missionary family for a while. Well, Dave and I have talked about it. We want our boys to be more aware of what is going on to further GOD'S Kingdom. To understand the sacrifices involved. To develop a heart for missions. It has been hard to pick a missionary family. We wanted one with boys the same ages as our boys, or as close as possible. Sounds easy, but it's not. We wanted one that really spoke to us. A missionary family whose mission field resonated with our hearts. It's been a long hard search, but we finally found the family for us.

Every Sunday is Missions Sunday at our church. We have different missionaries come and speak about their mission fields. It is always amazing. However, this Sunday was different. Our church had the privilege of hosting Randy and Dezra Freeman and their lovely children, Hudson (who is roughly the same age as our Medium Boy), Olivia, Griffin (who has the same name as our Small Boy. It's not terribly common), and Ella. Randy and Dezra have been called to  the nation of Swaziland. Swaziland has the distinction of having the highest HIV/Aids rate per capita in the world. It is projected that it will be the first modern nation to become extinct. As I watched the short video presentation Randy showed before he spoke, GOD began speaking to me. He was telling me that this was 'our family'. The family we had been searching for. The family I had been praying for.  So, I nudged my husband and told him, "This is our missionary family." He agreed.

I am so excited to be able to support this missionary family. They have a website set up with photos and information about their family and their mission, a blog, and a schedule of their speaking events and such. I have been doing a bit of research on Swaziland, but there is a ton more research to do. We are setting up a change jar for pledges in our house so we can put in our pocket change and get that sent to their account. I personally can't wait until they actually get to Swaziland so we can find out what their physical needs are going to be and what we can do to help meet those. 

The Freeman Family

I am looking forward to what GOD has in store for us as our family moves forward in developing a more missions focused mindset. I am looking forward to hearing how GOD moves in Swaziland and through the Freeman family. I am looking forward to seeing how this changes the boys and their outlook on life. I am looking forward to seeing how our perception of things change, how our priorities change, and how our lives change.

Foodie Friday- Soy Garlic Marinade

I'm a pretty simple cook. I know what my family likes, and tend to stick to those things. I don't use a lot of 'fancy' ingredients. I just like to keep it simple. Here is one of my favorite marinades. I have used it on pork, chicken, and beef. It is my fall back marinade. Everyone in the family likes it, so it's a keeper. :)

Soy Garlic Marinade

1c soy sauce

1c oil

5-6 cloves of garlic

1-2 tbsp dried minced onion

Measure soy sauce and garlic out into a large Pyrex type measuring cup. I use a 4 cup one and just mix everything in there. Saves me from dirtying a ton of dishes.  Peel and mince your garlic. I use a garlic press. It just makes it much easier. Add your onions ( you could use fresh, but I don't always feel like mincing such a small amount, so I use dried) and whisk until everything is well combined. Pour over the meat of your choice and let marinate in your fridge for a couple hours.

I also use this as a freezer recipe. I portion meat into labeled freezer bags and pour the marinade over the meat and pop it into the freezer. Just pull the freezer bag out on the day you want to cook it and let it thaw and marinate at the same time. :) When I am ready to cook, and the meat has thawed, I pour the entire contents of the bag into a baking dish and bake. We usually spoon the extra marinade over rice. :)

Foodie Friday- Condensed Cream Soups

I don't buy condensed cream of whatever soup. It just kinds weirds me out and it is not exactly that great for ya. I make my own. It's pretty easy. If you can make gravy or a white sauce, you can do condensed cream soups. The first time I made it, I followed Tammy's recipe. It's a great recipe. I still use it as a guideline for basic ingredients. Here is my version.

Condensed Cream Soup

3 cups chicken broth

3 cups milk

1 1/2 cups flour

1tsp seasoned salt

1-2 TBSP parsley

1-2 TBSP dried chives

1 tsp ground black pepper

Heat chicken broth and seasonins in a large pan until it boils. In a large mason jar, put all of the flour and enough milk to almost fill the jar. Shake well to fully mix the flour and milk. Pour milk/flour mixture into the boiling chicken broth and whisk until mixture is thickened. I whir it up with an immersion blender just to make extra sure it's not lumpy. Portion out the soup into freezer containers and freeze. I use these.

Ziploc Twist 'n Loc Containers & Lids, Small 3 ea

You can make a cream of mushroom version by adding finely chopped mushrooms to the broth when you are starting. I make the mushroom version quite a bit. Sometimes I can find mushrooms marked down for quick sale, so I buy all of them I can and use them to make this soup. I like the fact that I know exactly what is in it and I can feel good about feeding it to my family. :)