Banana Split Pie

Ingredients:

3 C. of Graham cracker crust

1 stick of butter, melted

3 C. of confectioners sugar (Powdered)

1 TBSP. Vanilla

2, softened sticks of butter

2 eggs

4, sliced bananas

2 C. of sliced strawberries

2 C. of diced pineapples fresh or canned (drain juice)

1, 16oz. Cool-Whip

1 jar maraschino cherries

1/2 C. of nut of choice, (pecans,almonds??)

Chocolate & Carmel drizzled syrup

1. In a bowl, incorporate 1 stick of melted butter with the 3 C. of Graham cracker crust, then place into a 9x13 baking dish. Firmly press crust to the bottom of the dish.

2. Using an electronic mixer combine softened butter with 3 C. of powered sugar, beat for 3 mins, add eggs and vanilla. Beat till well blended (10 mins). Then dish the buttercream on top of the crust, spreading evenly.

3. Place diced bananas, strawberries and pineapple on top of the buttercream. Top the fruit with a container of cool-whip.

4. Place Cherries and nuts evenly on top. Drizzle the dish with chocolate and Carmel syrup!

5. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours





Mom Connection

 Why we need rhythm in our lives. As a mom we sometimes forget that there was ever a rhythm. We can however give you the rhythm to the new fresh beat band song we have stuck in our head for hours. Why is it so hard for us to find our own?

 This book was at first lost in snail mail, then found and made it to the sunshine state of Florida about a month later! Never thought the thing would ever arrive. I jumped with joy for another book to read when my husband brought it in from the mail box. (I'm such a junkie for self help books.) Well the mom life put my book reading on a hold. Finally, I said enough is enough! I am glad that I took a little time to dive into this book after all this time cause God knew I needed to read it when I did. What a blessing!

P.S. Isn't it a wonderful thing that he gives us what we need when we need it?!

 I truly enjoyed this book! Mom connection is an encouraging book for any mother! Tracey Bianchi does a great job at sharing her stories of motherhood to  make you not feel alone. Her stories can be filled with laughter, understanding and even disbelief. In the 12 chapters she really hits all the seasons of our life. The relationships with everyone we come in contact with each everyday. The people who make our life and our family. She even puts a big focus on that person we always seem to forget about... our self! If you're a fresh new mom or the "old"  mom she gives some great tips on how we can establish wonderful friendships through the crying, cheerio throwing and pile of laundry mess. It's okay to slow down and cherish those moments with our kids, husband, family and friends.

  I know, I know! I am guilty if my house is a mess cause my daughter dropped her cereal bowl off the table, the baby pooped out the diaper, my husband didn't pick his shoes up and all I want is a girlfriend to come over to drink cold coffee with while her kids distract mine for a minute.. I won't call her to come over. I over analyze what she is going to think about this chaos we live in. To actually let her see my kids without the bows and smiles! Yet it's sometimes all this lonely mom heart desires!  After reading this motivating book, it helped me realize I can do this. To lighten up and let in those relationships I am missing out on because there might be a dirty sock on my floor or my house might not have the finest china like Susie's! It's okay at the end of the day, they'll step over the sock or even pick it up for me.

A quote from her book that I will now add to many favorites "I will never, nor should I ever, try to spin another person's hoop; that I'm doing the very best work I know how to each day...".

 I was given the opportunity through MOPS international to read their book for this years theme. Mom Connection; creating vibrant relationships in the midst of motherhood by Tracey Bianchi. I was given two copies of this great book. I am thankful that God put this book in my hands when he did. So.. if you want a copy for yourself to read, share this review on your blog, facebook, twitter or whatever else is out there these day to have chance to get a free copy! Please comment on this blog post with your first and last name after sharing!

*What is MOPS?.. MOPS is community of moms just like you! Supporting moms through pregnancy to kindergarten. I am a member of the Suntree-Viera MOPS that meets at Suntree United Methodist. If you have any questions about how you can find a group to join, visit http://www.mops.org/ or feel free to email me!*

My Honey Rolls.

Wathcing bread rise and having warm fresh bread served with dinner just calls the word "DOMESTIC". I have made many different types of rolls. This one by far wins!

Adapted from Pastry Affair

Yields 12 rolls

2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup barely warm water
1/4 cup honey + 1 tablespoon, divided
1 teaspoons salt
1 egg
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra if necessary
1 tablespoon butter, melted

In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and let sit for 5 minutes. Add the honey, salt and egg. Stir until blended. Add 3 cups of flour and mix until the dough comes together. If using a standing mixer, knead the dough with the dough attachment for 5-7 minutes, or until elastic. If not, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until soft and elastic (about 8 minutes), adding more flour to keep the dough from sticking if necessary. Do not add too much flour! The dough will become more workable the longer you knead.

Transfer the kneaded dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, about 2 hours.

Punch dough down, divide into 12 equal portions, and shape each portion into a round ball. Place in a pan (or on baking sheets) coated lightly with cooking spray. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and 1 tablespoon honey. Brush over the rolls. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned.  Serve warm or at room temperature.
* I have save some melted honey butter to brush again, when they come out of the oven.

Want to work from home?!

As a stay at home mom of three girls, three and under! I wanted to find a job that I could stay home but bring an additional income home along with LOVING what I do! I sold for another popular direct sales company for 2 1/2 years before I stumbled upon Willow House (former Southern Living at home)! I never reached the potential I did with the other company as I did with Willow House in a couple of months! For only $199 you'll recieve all the items pictured below along with our May canister bonus! This is well over $600 in products, along with all your business materials to start the day your kit arrives!!

Now that you know you can do this business just like I can. Here are 10 reasons why Willow House is the home-based business for you!

1). We're the only multi-divisional company there is - giving you the opportunity to double your income.

2). We're paid the night of our parties

3). We earn Business supply credits to pay for our catalogs, order forms, etc -- No paying for those items out of your own cash!

4). We are a non-inventory business - we never have to guess what our customers might like and store it.

5). We have a generous compensation plan. Starting with making 20% and recieving a raise after becoming a qualified consultant of 5%!

6). Willow House processes our Credit cards - we never have any fees for processing

7). Willow House offers on going free training

8). Willow House offers incentives -whether you just want to earn extra gas money or fabulous trips!

9). We have a community e-commerce business. - we share styling and decorating techniques and can collect out of state orders!

10). We own our own businesses! -we can will it, sell it, or hire it done!

Mia's 2nd Birthday.

In a blink of an eye, my sweet darling Mia is 2!

 What a blessing God has given us!

    We were able to hire  Simply Sweet Candy Buffet 

She did such a wonderful job with the display and party favors!

Guess who even hopped in for a birthday visit... The Easter Bunny himself!

To bad the birthday girl, had NOTHING to do with him!

What a great idea..

I wanted to share a picture of how I decieded to keep the girl's "dress up" clothes better organized in their room.

Lyla Elizabeth Daiana Stacy's Birth Story

Finally, I had reached a pregnancy where everything was normal and right. I achieved the experience of being an overdue momma who just could not wait to fit in more than one outfit in the middle of July. Emotions of fear, happiness, readiness and exhaustion. This was my first REAL pregnancy. I didn’t have early labor, no premature delivery or anything! My body did what it was supposed to do and I experienced an emotion I had never felt before “belief in my body”! A woman really does not know what she is capable of until she carries a child and gives birth.

On Monday July 25th, I spent the day cleaning, packing and crying! I went through every emotion that day. I was angry for it had been a complete month since my father passed, I was two days “overdue” and my mother in law who was helping me pack for our move, packed all my food!! You can honestly say I was an emotional mess! I went through the day in the mood of “Don’t speak to me unless you’re spoken too.” Finally, the sun went down and the girls were in bed. Corey and I for once this week had some actual time to sit down and talk. We had a nice night while he worked on his class work and I sat going through old magazines cutting out recipes that I have a desire to make one day. We had a moment where we could just relax, talk, and spend some calm time together. We talked about what we wanted out of our experience of having a natural at home birth!

I climbed into bed knowing I had a morning of rushing around cause I had to be in Athens for a midwife appointment. I laid there thinking about how ready I was to welcome Lyla into this world, I can say I am SICK of being pregnant!! I was in deep sleep until I woke wide-awake at 3:18 a.m. thinking,“ouch, that contraction kinda hurt!” Fell back to sleep to only wake right before my alarm at 6:00 a.m. and I woke with a sure feeling today is the day. I woke Corey to tell him to get up and help me get things going cause I am having the baby. Without questioning me he got out of bed, we started a load of laundry, and I then realized my contractions were two-three minutes apart. I went to the restroom to only find a large amount of bloody show! I called Delphine and Holly to let them know that I was in labor. When getting into the bath to get all cleaned up my water broke. We let both our moms know and they arrived to our house quickly to help with Kerhia and Mia. We continued our morning routine while setting up the birthing tub and working with each contraction.
We decided to send our moms off to play with the girls. We wanted them to get out of the house a little bit and not worry with me trying to labor. They had a wonderful time out playing and came back home to mommy still laboring. They both went upstairs to nap just like every other day. Everyone relaxed around the house anticipating Lyla’s arrival.
I continued to labor in the pool which seemed to be the only relief from the contraction pain. They were very strong and tiring. I became very tired and just wanted the pain to stop. I begged for something STRONG!! Knowing not only was I not going to get something cause I am at home, but if I went into the hospital they would laugh and say you are way too far for anything. I was determined to express my desire for a “PAIN KILLLER”. Delphine then tells me to get out the pool I am not progressing in there and she wants me to try to go to the restroom. All I truly wanted to tell her is “NO” I am not moving, I don’t want do anything and I want this pain to stop.

Corey and I then walk up to the bathroom. Within minutes I remember yelling “oh sh*t” she is coming. Not being one too curse much, I knew I was ready. Delphine and Holly run upstairs to help. I then stand in the bathroom and push with each urge. Corey was underneath to be the first one to assist with catching Lyla. My mother, Delphine and Holly helping me as I stand there delivering my third little girl. As I continued the pushing process, I can remember how wonderful it felt! With only a few strong pushes Lyla was born into the arms of her father at 3:06 p.m. in the bathroom of our house. We did it! That is all I could think about! We accomplished a natural home birth! Elizabeth then walked the girls in to see their sister. It was absolute breath taking when Mia realized what had all happened. Thinking she was too young to have an idea, I hear her sweet little voice yelling “Lyla”.

The experience of having such a powerful birth was amazing! Having previous medicated hospital births with Kerhia and Mia having a natural home birth was extraordinary. Corey having the opportunity to catch Lyla as she was born and for us to have every second with her in the beginning was worth every bit of the pain. I won’t sugar coat it for you the laboring for 10 hours and the pain of child birth is hard but truly worth every moment. I will never forget that it was Corey who first handed Lyla to me after having her and the fact that a nurse did not rush her away. We accomplished the breast crawl within the first 30 minutes of her being with us. We spent those first moments together as a family how it was meant to be.