There are two problems with this sleep when you are dead mentality.  First, one could actually keep working themselves till they are dead if he or she isn't careful.  I have to remind myself sometimes that my body needs to stop for a while and physically sleep.  It just doesn't work that well for someone like me because even in my sleep my mind is still working.  It's like a TV with a different show on every channel. 

The other problem is when you give and give then do and do, other people can take it for granted.  This, in turn, makes a grumpy person.  With this personality, you have to really enjoy doing the things you do or you get easily distracted and want to do something else.  Some other activity that you might feel a little more appreciated and respected.  I'm working through a big problem with that right now.  But I am also very stubborn and refuse to quit something mid-stream.  Oh yeah, and I always need everyone to be hapy and like me too.  ( see I got distracted and started writing about something else!)

The important thing to note is the end result to the above problem creates a monster known as a sleep deprived, over-worked, grumpy person too stubborn to stop so forcefully faking smiles so everyone will be happy, best friends.  Whew!  It's a good thing you don't have to live with me!

But I digress.  Do you know why?  Because going and going and doing and doing is what I love.  I can sleep when I die! 

The power of being positive, especially for on the job moms, is one of the most important thing we can give our children.  If you find your children are whining about every little thing, stop and look at how you react to things in life?  You may not even realize how negative you sound!  But we can't expect our children to be happy, go-lucky people if we are not ourselves. 

Consider all the small things and turn them into big things!  Oh boy my floors are dirty and I get to mop them!  Instead of cursing your mop, the rain that caused the mud, and the food that was thrown in the floor, try this.....Yes!  I am so thankful I have a home with floors in it to clean!  What a relief we have had enough rain to help the crops grow this year!  I am so glad we had enough food to feed us all!

Here is a big one for me: The kids are yelling Mom every 5 seconds, they all need something from me at the same time, it has to be right that second, and I can't hear anyone for the others screaming!  It makes me want to run to my room and throw my head under the pillow.  But I take a deep breath and say: I'm so glad to have the ability to hear my children and them to be able to tell me things.  I am so thankful to have a relationship with my children where they feel they can come to me when they need something.  I am blessed to know I can handle their needs and manage their problems on my own. 

We can't be happy all the time, but trying a little harder will create a loving and more friendly environment for everyone around you.  If you are struggling with depression, regret, anger, frustration, or sadness it will carry over into your children.  The power we have as parents is greater than any influence others around you may have.  Do you have the courage to step up and accept it?  Can you use the power of positive parenting to overcome those everyday struggles that wear us down?  Everyone can use a little extra peace in life!

Every day for eleven years, I have prayed to be able to stay at home with my children.  I enjoy working but I love my children.   I am a very involved person.  I can’t just give half of myself to things I do.  I don’t leave work at the door and I don’t just sit my kids in front of a TV.  I have to be involved and be the best!

When my fourth child was born, my company closed one week later.  I lost my job and have struggled financially ever since.  As hard as it seemed, I felt like it was my answered prayer.  I have been able to be home when my older children get out of school and help with homework.  I have been able to have meals and family time.  I have been able to play games and relax with them.  And I have finally been able to see one of my children grow up.  Being home with Luke has been so amazing.  Everything I missed with my other children, I get to relive with Luke.  Every morning he wakes up and comes running out to me.  I grab him and squeeze him and we snuggle for a few minutes.  Every morning he runs to me and says “Mommy, I’m awake” like it is the greatest accomplishment and he is thrilled to be awake! 

In early 2009, I made the decision to go back to school again.  I enrolled at a local college and I am finishing my degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing.  Because I am able to work from home, it has been a huge benefit to going back to school.  I am able to study and get my homework done much more easily than before.  I am excited about school this time.  Even though I was worried about going back while raising four children and working a full time and part time job from home, I managed to make a 4.0 my first semester. 

Then, around December I had a wonderful job brought to my attention.  It is at an amazing company, wonderful pay, and excellent benefits.  I got really excited about the thought of this job.  I prayed and prayed and waited and waited.  I began to get sick at my stomach just thinking about it.  I wanted the job.  But I wanted my children.  I wanted the job.  But I wanted to do well in school.  I wanted the job.  But I wanted to be with the children I keep in my home.  I wanted the job.  But I wanted to be here when my kids get home.  I could go on and on all day.  I felt stupid considering not taking a job that paid well and was at a stable, growing company.

Last week, I found myself unable to think of anything else.  Beyond nerves and well into full anxiety about the situation, I knew I had to decide.  I had two interviews with the company and was waiting on my third interview.  I made myself come down to reality and think about the ramifications of changing my life.  The job is 45 minutes away from my house.  It required out of state travel on occasions.  It required licensing in various states which meant I would be studying for those tests frequently.  It would require more than 40 hours per week in the office.  It would change me.  I remembered the person I was before.  I remember running around in the morning in high heels trying to get kids to school, cram lunch money in pockets, throw a piece of gum at whoever forgot to brush their teeth, praying no one was sick because I had an 8:30 meeting I couldn’t miss, hoping the spit up on my black pants wasn’t showing up, forgetting the book fair was that day and I didn’t give my kids money so they were crushed, flying to get to the daycare by closing time, and don’t even get me started on dinner and bed time. 

Somehow, I was going to do all this and still go to school full time at night?  That meant on days I have class I wouldn’t see my kids awake…at all!  And slowly I found reality.  I went to a book called Wisdom from the Bible.  I prayed that I would open it to a page where the words would help my heart understand what God wanted.  If he wanted me to go to this job I would, with a heavy heart for my kids.  If he wanted me to stay at home, I would with a heavy heart for my checking account. 

I opened to a story about traveling and there were two paths present.  One was long and winding while the other was a straight shot.  The person in the story took the short, straight path but found that the path was filled with brush and thorns and wasn’t passable.  Instead, the longer path that seemed less likable than the other was clear of harm. 

It became clear to me what this job meant.  This was a path that seemed shorter and easier but once on the trail the thorns would hurt me.  If I chose the job, I was choosing financial importance over my family and school again as I did day after day in my other jobs without realizing it.  It was clear to me that staying home for one more year to finish school and enjoy the time with my children is what I have indeed prayed for the last eleven years.  Although staying home is the longer road with more visible bumps than a short and straight path, I now see that it is God’s path for me. 

I had faith that God had a plan for me and my family.  I just wanted to believe that it meant a high paying job and great benefits somewhere.  But when I truly opened my eyes I saw that I am on God’s path and every time I have ever come to a curve in the road he has always carried me through it. 

Suddenly, the next year in school seems like nothing.  Not being able to afford much is no big deal.  Luke running to tell me he is awake seems even sweeter than before.  Being able to finish my homework on time is awesome.  Knowing I will cook dinner tonight excites me.  The world is a little more beautiful today than it was last week. 

The job was a test.  I knew many years ago God put me here to be a mother.  God tested me with this job offer.  I choose my children.  I choose me.  For the first time, I am putting my needs first.  I need my children.  I need to finish school.  I need what I already have!  Thank you for the reminder!

PS.  The Company was more than understanding and said I could call them next year when I graduate.

Next time you watch the movie, imagine my little boy and thousands just like him.  Remember, "different" can be refreshing!

Here is a story I just found on Yahoo!  A wrong number to the right person!

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/weird/Wrong-Number-Miracle-76368647.html?yhp=1

Virginia Saenz could hear the desperation in the voice of the telephone message. It was 5 a.m. on the day before Thanksgiving, and the caller, Lucy Crutchfield, was trying to tell her daughter that she'd send money for groceries -- but she'd have to miss a mortgage payment to do it.

But Crutchfield dialed the wrong number. Instead of getting her daughter, she got Saenz, a real estate agent from the San Diego suburb of Tierrasanta.

"I know right now we are all struggling," Saenz said. "Lisa on the phone, she sounded so desperate for her daughter, it broke my heart."

Saenz did the only thing she could think of -- she called Crutchfield back and said not to worry. Crutchfield would pay the mortgage, and Saenz would handle the groceries.

"She said, 'You have the wrong number ... don't worry any more,' " Crutchfield recalled.

For Crutchfield, it was a holiday miracle. Her house is already in foreclosure. Her mother recently passed away, and Crutchfield is now trying to pay off her house. She had a money order prepared to make a mortgage payment on that house -- but was going to cash it in when her daughter called asking for money.

"I thought I was going to lose that house, too," Crutchfield said.

Saenz told Crutchfield to keep her money and promised to take care of her daughter. The real estate agent then called Crutchfield's daughter.

"I asked her what she would like, what her kids like, and then I felt really bad because she said she only wanted eggs and milk," Saenz said. "When somebody only asks you for eggs and milk, they are in a really bad situation."

So Saenz went grocery shopping on Thanksgiving morning with her 14-year-old son in tow to tell her what kids liked to eat. They bought food for a Thanksgiving dinner and enough groceries to get Crutchfield's daughter through the end of the month -- her next payday. 

She said the act of giving made "the day special for me."

"I helped somebody," Saenz said Friday. "I think it's what anybody would have done."

Grab a can of baked beans and your favorite bbq sauce.  heat the beans on the stove, add a touch of your bbq sauce and mix together.  Call it your own!

Pick up some Country Crock ready to eat mashed potatoes.  Throw them in a bowl and heat them.  Put a little butter on top with a sprinkle of chives.  Call it your own!

Sprint to the store then grab the last pecan pie, whip cream, and vanilla ice cream.  Heat the pie and serve with ice cream and add a little whip cream.  Call it your own!

Just don't forget to remove the store labels guys!  It's ok to fudge sometimes.  Relax and enjoy the masterpiece you made with just a little help!

Pineapple Cheese Casserole by the Fabulous Paula Deen

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pineapple-casserole-recipe/index.html

• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar
• 2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained, and 6 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved
• 1 cup cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz)
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a medium-size casserole dish with butter.

In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and stir until ingredients are well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

In another medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and reserved pineapple juice, stirring with a rubber spatula until evenly blended. Spread crumb mixture on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Chef Todd English

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34134939/ns/today-today_food_and_wine/

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1. Core pumpkins and toss with maple, oil, salt and pepper, Roast at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes until cooked, but not to soft. Once cooled, roughly chop the pumpkin into a filling

2. Fold the ricotta and parmesan together and season with salt & pepper, nutmeg, and parsley

3. Blanch the pasta sheets in salted boiling water for a minute, toss with extra virgin olive oil and lay out to cool

4. Start to build the lasagna in the cocette, butter the pan, lay a sheet of pasta followed by pumpkin puree followed by cheese mixture, repeat till you have at least 6 layers or the height of the pan. Finish the top layer with left over grated parmesan. Bake in the oven about 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling

5. In a saucepan steep the cream with the ginger and let stand 20 minutes, blend the mixture and strain. Reserve

6. Drizzle ginger cream over lasagna & garnish with chopped hazelnuts and sage leaves

Chocolate Pecan Pie!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/tonys-chocolate-pecan-pie-recipe/index.html

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 1 hr 0 min

Level: Easy

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons bourbon liquor
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
• 1/2 cup mini milk chocolate morsels
• 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell
• Homemade whipped cream, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt butter in a small saucepan. While butter is melting, add beaten eggs to a medium sized bowl. Stir in brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, corn syrup and bourbon until combined. Add butter when just melted.

Mix in the pecans and chocolate morsels. Mix all together. Pour mixture into pie shell.

Place on a sheet tray and bake for 50 to 60 minutes.

When ready to serve top with a dollop of whipped cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pour heavy cream into a bowl and whip with an electric mixer for a few minutes, until it becomes thick. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold in vanilla extract.