Cinnamon Rolls and Chocolate chip cookies

Today we are making cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies. I'm using the recipe from Pinterest that looks amazing and makes a ton for cinnamon rolls so we can share with our friends. I found the recipe here. I am not going to use raisins... those should never be in cinnamon rolls or even bread pudding... I could go into a whole diatribe about that... but I digress... not going to go there today. So that is one thing that will definitely be changed from the original recipe. I am not quite sure but I also love to add not just white sugar to my cinnamon rolls but also cinnamon chips and brown sugar. We will be also making a cream cheese frosting for the top of these delicious nuggets of goodness. I am grateful to be able to have a friend come and make these with me. It will also be a homeschooling lesson for science for my 15 yr old. I've taught my older two sons to make pretzels and bread from scratch. So we are doing cinnamon rolls for this son. This way all of my older three sons will know how to make something with yeast and learn that powerful lesson of how all things are alive... even the bread we make.

My chocolate chip cookie recipe will be from my Better Homes and Garden cookbook Limited Edition 1930-2000. I love a good Chocolate Chip cookie. I also believe whole heartedly they should have butter and shortening. Not many recipes call for both. So it's hard to find those that call for both. They make a far superior cookie. I double the recipe. I will be listing the ingredients doubled here.

Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1 cup shortening
1 cup butter (I use salted)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups unbleached flour
2 pkg semi sweet chocolate chip pieces


1. In a large mixing bowl (I use my kitchen aid) beat the shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda. Beat mixture until combined, scraping sides of the bowl occasionally. Beat in the egg and vanilla til combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixture. Stir in remaining flour. Stir in chocolate chips.

2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons or an ice-cream scoop about 2 inches apart on uncreased cookie sheet or parchment paper. Bake 375F degrees oven 8-10 min till edges are lightly browned. Let sit for a bout 30 seconds to 1 min before removing from pan. Transfer to wire rack or wax paper and let cool. Makes about 120 cookies... I use a large scoop. So makes about 60.

Cardiac babies with boundless energy as toddlers, moody teenagers and everything in between

ok, so our baby #4 who has had 3 open heart surgeries and is only 3 yrs old has boundless energy. It is exhausting... am I the only one who's exhausted... I wish he was. He is such a happy kid and so full of energy I can not keep up! Of course, on top of all of his boundless energy is his younger sister who follows right after him but when she's tired, she will willingly lay down. He bounces everywhere. I worry sometimes when he is on the quieter side that he's having heart palpitations or something else wrong, because he is always so amped up. Anyone else know a cardiac kid who's had at least 3 surgeries as a little one and was different. We were warned that he may develop ADHD because of the amount of anesthesia he's had. I don't see the correlation but the Dr's mentioned it's possibility. Is that what is going on? I know he had a lot of energy even for a little baby on only 65% oxygen level. So we were aware of how much he may have once he regained a closer to full high 90% oxygen level. He makes my head spin sometimes. I know all toddlers give their parents a run for their money, so to speak. But man, o' man... does he ever!

Baby #5 is angelic and sweet with a temper that is of EPIC proportions. She says please and thank you, but if she doesn't get what she wants when she want's it.. WATCH out... full on temper tantrum on the floor, rolling, kicking and screaming... ear piercing screech! I try to ignore it and redirect... but I'm not sure how to stop this behavior. I don't remember how to handle this from her older siblings... maybe because as boys we never had to deal with this kind of behavior... I'm at a loss. How does one help a toddler who's almost 2 yrs old deal with all these emotions.

How do you help a 19 yr old boy realize he has worth? I feel like I'm struggling between worst mother of the year and somewhere around manageable mother some of the time. With him I feel like a complete failure. I mean... he's not turned out horrible by any stretch... I just feel like I haven't been able to help him find his worth and believe in a positive future.

How does one have the energy to make meals from scratch when some days I have a hard time getting out of bed... I wake up exhausted. I feel overwhelmed quite a bit. I am treading water and flailing it feels like, quite a bit. I know I'm deficient in Vitamin D and B12. So I take supplements. That adds to the feelings of malaise I'm sure. Trying to find time and energy to do schoolwork with the toddlers are down for a nap/quiet time is so hard.. All I really wanna do is take a nap myself. I know I need to focus on my schooling, house cleaning, cooking, planning, helping to get my house ready to sell and the list goes on and on... but by the time they are put down... I'm already worn ragged... I don't drink, smoke or any of that kind of thing... I've been trying to watch what I eat... but I don't even have the energy to get on the treadmill in my room and take a walk. I just want to sleep. Anyone else feel that way?

I struggle to not over burden anyone else in the family with my lack of energy and feelings. I know we are all struggling with out own stuff... My husband is traveling a bunch, and we aren't really communicating much these days. We have been going in separate directions under the guise of going in the same direction.. Our approach isn't unified but I don't know how to broach the subject without making it into a fight, especially one I'm too exhausted to do level headed and correctly handled. So we avoid each other. It's not good but neither one of us feels we can open up right now about the HUGE elephant in the room. It's sad and lonely. I love him dearly.

My life is a mess... but I'm managing as best I can. I feel like since I'm running on fumes I needed to vent a little to the void that is my blog. I really don't thing anyone actually reads it, so it's safe. Right? We shall see what the fall out becomes. Time will tell. After 20 years of being married and a mother for 19... so much has happened.... it's important to remain committed to the life we chose. I/We will make it through together. WE are just having a rough spot. Everyone has them. if they say they aren't then they are lying. Peace be with you, and God bless. Thanks for taking the time to read my rant.

Time flies when your having fun... and more

WOW!!! So much has happened since I last wrote!

Not sure where to start. Let's see... After our little Aimee was born, Andy had another open heart surgery in April of 2017. We were in the hospital for over a month recovering from that surgery. Came home and tried to get back some semblance of order and normalcy. School started for the older boys and by the end of August of 2017 my husband ended up in heart failure and needed open heart surgery. We were in the hospital again for another 2-3 weeks. I forgot how long... Then it was helping my husband with his recovery. He ended up needing a mechanical heart valve. He had an aortic aneurysm which created his aorta to swell and need replacing. This being his third open heart surgery, second since we've been married. We wanted a better permanent solution. It's different for sure. Always have a clicking sound around him. A lot like Captain Hook from Peter Pan, but much more lovingly. Realizing the clicking noise helps me know he's ok. I'm able to enjoy the click instead of being annoyed by it. It bothers my husband and he's trying to still get used to it. The clicking keeps him up many a night. He's back working and it's been 1 year since his last surgery. All is holding strong. Which is good. I've started back to college working towards my Bachelors of Science in Medical Administration, then on to my MBA. I realized I need to have a back up plan. My life can change quickly and I need to be prepared to care for my young and old children if needed. I'm still a Stay-at-home mom but things can change. We in addition to all of that have decided to move to South Carolina and put our current house on the market March 2019. So, we have been working on updating and fixing up the house. It's been a lot of flooring so far, but we've got painting, bathrooms, outside stuffs and more to still do. With the weather turning cold we feel a need to quickly get the outside stuff done sooner than later. Now if only we had the money to complete everything. One thing at a time I keep trying to tell my self. All in due time. I've also been released from Young Womens calling at church and am now in Primary CTR 4 Teacher. I love my little kiddos, but I miss my young women. 

Aimee is talking, walking, running and jumping. Andy is inquisitive and creative. We've also potty trained Andy! woohoo... one more little to go and no more diapers EVER!  Bryen moved out last year in Dec, but moved back home in April this year. He's working and plugging along, doesn't seem to have much of a desire to have any direction which is sad and scares me. I'm trying to be encouraging but it doesn't always come across as that. We are trying to get him to pick a direction... and go. However, he is in no hurry to do that. Braeden graduates this year and is getting lots of stuff from colleges. He doesn't know if he wants to move with us to SC or stay here in WV. Time will tell what he decides to do. He's also working at McDonalds and says it's ok. Mikey is learning to drive and through his online high school is scheduled to graduate early 2019. He will be 15 almost 16 when he graduates. Crazy to think I will have three high school graduates next year. It will be a big year. 

Bill and I celebrated out 20 Year anniversary this July. We went on a dinner cruise in DC and spent the weekend together. It was very nice. Some times it's hard to believe it's been that long. It feels like just yesterday we were married. I can't imagine my life without him, I hope I never have to. Some days I still get sad when I think of how I almost lost him last year. It puts priorities and thoughts into different perspectives. We realized life is short and we need to live our dreams instead of just dream them. Living near the beach has always been our dream. WE will be making that a dream come true next year. We will be 45 min away from the beach, instead of 4 hours. We can hardly wait. 

What's new? well, lots... I've put my cooking on the back burner for a while and every now and again I make something from scratch. But right now I need to focus on the kids, house and schoolwork. Cooking has gotten more quick and prepackaged lately. I am trying to lose weight and so I've been eating less, and trying to make healthier choices even with quick meals. For a while I did 5 Dinners in 1 hour meals. Which I loved but were still a bit too involved for my current time. I am hoping to start back up soon. They have great recipes for lunches and dinners. Planning a week at a time helps too. Here's hoping it doesn't take me as long to post again. I hope all is well with my Blog peeps! leave a message and share with me your life. I sometimes feel I write and it goes into the void of nothingness. Have a great day! May God bless and keep you!

What a crazy two years!

What a crazy two years it has been since I've last updated this blog!

We have had another two surgeries for baby Andy. We have added another two members to our family, we now have a baby girl Aimee Sariah Clark who is almost 7 months old and a fur baby girl Skyler.


We have had many ups and downs as well as a few steps forwards and a few steps back.

I am still baking and making up recipes or altering existing recipes. I am hoping to pick up getting them online. Some of my creations have been posted on my Facebook. I am done having babies, Andy is done with surgeries for the foreseeable future. He isn't completely without needing something, but as normal as we will get. He is taking two medications twice daily and one medication once daily. This is our new normal. He is healing well from his last surgery which was in April. He was in the hospital for over a month. This last surgery was a doozy of one. He struggled for a while there, but eventually pulled through. He is a fighter and a warrior! He is one amazing little dude! Aimee is a little gem! She definitely has all the men in our home wrapped around her little pinky... well mom, too! We are grateful for the blessings we have received. God has been very good to us.

What's next... Well, I have two children homeschooling. One is in public school, and then the two littles. Getting back to some kind of order from the chaos. Next up is potty training Andy, and helping Aimee learn to crawl.


until next time! :)

BABY #4 has ARRIVED!!

Back on May 21, 2015 our baby #4 arrived. Welcome world Andrew Len Clark...

Due to his medical issues, we were delayed coming home. He was almost in the hospital a month after his birth. He barely missed it by 6 days. While he was there, he had two surgeries. One was on his bowels due to a malrotation called a LADDs. The second one was to put in pacer wires on his heart and to put in a shunt and patch.

He has been home almost two months and it's hard to believe so much has happened in his short little life. We are so grateful for the prayers of many.

His current status is amazing baby! Yes we are not done with heart surgeries... but we have been so blessed by such an amazing spirit in this little man. He is thriving. Growing like a weed.

Baby Andy joins the World! Before any surgeries:)

Baby Andy after first Surgery LADDs procedure

Baby Andy before Heart surgery

Baby Andy meeting brothers for the first time after heart surgery

 Baby Andy shortly before coming home from the hospital. Baby Andy... HOME! 

Now he's almost 3 months old and he's doing very well...
No NG tube for feeding... and he's growing like a weed. Almost 16 lbs. Next up, grow bigger... Next heart surgery sometime between Sept 2015 and Dec 2015.

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs

One of the easiest recipes I've ever made. I found a similar recipe on Pinterest that used kielbasa. Since I didn't have that and not as much bell pepper (my family won't eat it any way) I altered the original recipe that was for Freezer Meal Crockpot Sweet and Sour Sausage, to Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs. 

Trying to adjust to having a baby and three teenage boys, making dinner has been a real challenge. Well, at least made by 9pm. The two older teenage boys are playing football this fall, and are at practice most of the day. When they come home they are famished, to say the least. Having something quick and easy to make and have ready has been much needed these days. 

Luckily, lately the baby has been napping without me holding him for a few hours in the morning. Thus I can get a few things done that were previously neglected. 

One of those being dinner prepped and/or made.

Crockpot Sweet -n- Sour Meatballs

1/2 bag prepared meatballs (found in frozen section)
1 can pineapple, DO NOT DRAIN (I use the small can..8 oz. I think?)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
**Or, alternatively, I buy a small bag of frozen, chopped pepper and onion mixture to throw into it. (I would probably only use half a small bag)
Cooked rice

Sauce Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
4 T. ketchup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
2 T. soy sauce
1 t. garlic salt

3 T. Sweet Chili Sauce
Mix the sauce ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix well. Add directly to Crockpot mixing the meatballs, pineapple, bell pepper, onion and sauce mixture. Cook on low 6 hours.

Freezer Meal directions:

Place the mixture in a gallon ziploc and freeze.  The day before serving, thaw mixture in fridge.  The morning of serving, place the mixture in the crockpot and cook on low for several hours.  Serve with rice.

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Egg Roll in a Bowl

This is a very low carb dinner. the carbs are in the vegetables. Which to me means, no carb, since those are some of the best carbs to eat. :) As I'm trying to keep my blood sugars under control and find foods that are low in carbs and healthy and filling, I am looking on Pinterest for ideas. This recipe I found on Pinterest and it made enough to feed our family of 5. I had a full plate, my other family members had a slightly smaller portion as they are not huge fans of cabbage. They still ate it all and said it was delicious. That is saying a lot. The original recipe I found called for ground ginger or fresh ginger... I had neither so I made mine without. It might be even better if you like the flavor of ginger... I think it's more of an acquired taste. Each to his own. So, Here is the original recipe. Mine is listed below :)

Egg roll in a bowl

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp sesame oil
1 lb ground beef or ground pork (NOT sausage)
6 cups sliced/chopped cabbage (I used regular green cabbage, but napa or red would be good too)
2 cups shredded carrots (4g carbs per 1/4 c serving)
1 med onion, diced
2 tsp minced garlic (I used refrigerated pre minced)
1/4 c Braggs Amino Acid (less than 2g of carbs per meal)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Brown ground beef in a large skillet or wok, season with salt and pepper. Turn heat to med-high add onion and sesame oil, heat until onions are translucent. Add garlic and amino's to the pan and stir. Next add the cabbage and stir. Cook for a few minutes stirring and mixing to help the cabbage soften and wilt. The cabbage will reduce in size. Add the carrots and heat through, stirring to incorporate together. Once carrots are incorporated and warmed, and cabbage is softened. It is done... Serve :)

Serve warm.

Serves 4-6

Notes:
This recipe is quick. The longest part will be the chopping and shredding. Best to chop cabbage and shred carrots before starting this recipe. This recipe would be good with ground pork as well.