mom and kate

Entrepreneurs can change the world

2009-06-23T19:59:00.001-07:00

2008-12-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Sean is so exhausted from putting together our new computer chair. I don't know how he works so hard and yet finds time to plan his next survivor trip, buy his mother unusual but thoughtful gifts, and plot ways to embarrass his sister. What a boy!

2008-12-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

This is a blessed little boy having a piggyback ride from his awesome grandpa. Are we blessed, or what? Merry Christmas and to all a good night!

2008-12-23T07:06:00.000-08:00

Best Web SITE!

2008-11-28T20:49:00.001-08:00

Please check out this website. It's excellent!
http://oklahome.blogspot.com/

Unsolicited Praise

2008-10-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

In June, my last blog entry, I wrote about Sean's VBS experience. I was so proud of him for behaving at another church. I found out about his behavior from someone who told me how much he enjoyed VBS at the Methodist Church. I appreciated her telling me especially because I didn't have to ask.
Today, my heart and many others are broken because the person who gave me the unsolicted praise passed away last night. Our dear sweet friend, Debbie Morgan is no longer with us on earth. We will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Morgan's today and will continue to be as they face this loss.

Our Vacation Bible School Enthusiast

2008-06-11T18:01:00.001-07:00

K8's little brother and my sweet son,Sean, is a VBS junkie. If you have a bible school at your church, just let him know and he'll help you win a bicycle, skateboard etc. He came home from the Methodist last night and said that he wanted to grow up to be a commedian, he couldn't wait to go back the next night and he knew all the bible stories. Of course, I 'm worried that he's a clown and a know it all. Fortunately , one of the workers gave me an UNSOLICITED critique of Sean and said that he was very happy and well behaved the previous evening. He went back tonight ready for more crafts, snacks and bible studies. Next week he's planning on going to the synangogue.

Carrot, Egg, Coffee Bean

2008-06-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me in an email (thanks Sheila!). Wouldn't it be great to be this wise as a mother and to be that handy in the kitchen! I can't boil water....
Are You a Carrot, An Egg, or a Coffee Bean?
Anonymous
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked. "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another lever?
How do you handle Adversity? Are you a Carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Thanks

2008-06-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you for looking at our site. We really appreciate your help. Have fun!

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone

2008-05-31T17:06:00.000-07:00

If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen
have been proved by scientists
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth;
oh nevermind; you will not understand
the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back
at photos of yourself and recall in a way
you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked.
You're not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future;
or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve
an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life
are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind;
the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts,
don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy;
sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind,
the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive,
forget the insults;
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters,
throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know
what you want to do with your life,
the most interesting people I know
didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don'?t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't,
maybe you'll have children,
maybe you won't
maybe you'll divorce at 40,
maybe you'll dance the funky chicken
on your 75th wedding anniversary.
what ever you do,
don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either.
your choices are half chance,
so are everybody else.
Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can,
don't be afraid of it,
or what other people think of it,
it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own..
Dance,
even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines,
they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents,
you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings;
they are the best link to your past
and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,
but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you cold;
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths,
prices will rise,
politicians will philander,
you too will get old, and when you do
you'll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable,
politicians were noble
and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse;
but you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair,
or by the time you're 40,
it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia,
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.

yippee...

2008-05-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry, my mom wrote that random thing about the job. She's a goober.

Yes, I started a job at the local store...

but i also received some back pains. :)

Hard work pays off.....

Yay for payday!

K8 started new job today!

2008-05-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

K8 started her new job as a sacker/cashier at the grocery store. We're so proud of her! She made 25 dollars in tips today. What a girl! Her winning smile makes the difference.

Best Peanut Brittle Recipe (in microwave)

2008-01-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

1 1/2 cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syryp
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
In glass mixing bowl combine peanuts, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Cook on 100% power for 7 minutes ( my microwave did 6 minutes so be careful!)
Quickly stir in butter and vanilla. cook on high 1-2 minutes longer.
Add baking soda, stir quickly just until mixture is foamy.
Pour immediately onto greased baking sheet. Let cool about 15 minutes until firm. Break peaunt brittle into pieces; store in airtight container. Makes about 1/ 1/4 pounds.

I'm trying to get some where.

2007-12-31T14:48:00.000-08:00

Have you heard the tobyMac song? It's called "Lose My Soul."
Its' message applies if you are rich or poor.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jsZAwZi-x5U