The weather has been getting consistently hotter, so I need to avoid heating up the kitchen with the oven or long-simmering dishes. While I was trying to put my menu plan together, I realized that I need more crockpot recipes. My first stop was Stephanie O'Dea's A Year of Slow Cooking where I found a several recipes I'm going to try this week.

Do you have any tried & true slow cooker recipes?

Monday: Chicken & rice soup, salad

Tuesday: Slow-cooker Italian chicken & veggies, oatmeal bread

Wednesday: Spaghetti, salad, garlic toast

Thursday: Rustic cabbage soup, sourdough bread

Friday: Crockpot falafels on pita w/yogurt sauce, lettuce, tomato

Saturday: Sweet & spicy salmon, Basmati rice, garlic-butter green beans

Sunday: Honey garlic chicken, Basmati rice, steamed broccoli

Leverage

My two oldest sons may try to hack my blog when they see these photos. For some reason, at least one of them does not like for me to share with the world just how adorable they were when they were younger. While I'm changing my password, here is an example of leverage for you.

National Police Week 2012

As many of my regular readers know, Papa Bear is a police officer and this week has a special meaning for us that most people don't recognize. May 15 was the official Peace Officers' Memorial Day, but we are joining in a local remembrance tonight. I especially look forward to getting to hear my amazing husband sing during the ceremony. My boys' favorite part is at the end when the Scottish bagpipes play and then we move outside for a moment of silence filled with dozens of flashing red and blue lights, followed by a 21-gun salute. It is very heart-stirring.

If you have the opportunity to attend one of these events in your community, I highly recommend it. It is a great way to teach your children to respect and honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and those who continue to put their lives at risk to protect your family and other local citizens.

Even if you are unable to participate in a memorial service near you, here are some ways that you and your children can still observe National Police Week and learn more about police officers:

• Read Officer Buckle and Gloria.
• Watch Courageous. Great movie!!
• Take homemade thank-you cards to your local police department or personally thank them. While baked goods may be well-received, it would be a good idea to call and ask first. I'm sure you can understand why they may not accept them.
• Pray for your local law enforcement officers and department personnel.
• Teach little ones more with these police coloring pages and crafts for kids or preschool activities. Make a police lapbook or these cute little paper police dolls.
• For elementary age kids, use these free police learning printables or do a police K-9 unit study.
• Get to know more about those who have sacrificed their lives at the Officer Down Memorial Page.
• Check out current LEO prayer requests at The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry blog.
• Find out more about National Police Week and view a slideshow from last year's event at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9

Little Words

Photo credit

When you have a baby, you look forward to the day when he speaks his first word. Wondering whether it will be mama or dada. (Sometimes, he surprises you with some other sound, but it's usually one of these.) That day eventually comes and your little one learns that his words have power. At this point, the power to delight his parents and bring smiles and applause.

At about 18 months, M2 had a language explosion. He was learning several new words daily. He would repeat just about every word you said to him...except "love you". Not. Even. Once. I wasn't concerned, but we all became close to obsessed with being the first to get him to say it. That first "luvoo" melted our hearts. He was almost two.

"Luvoo, Momma!"

"Luvoo, Daddy!"

"Luvoo, Bubbie!"

"Luvoo...much!"

It didn't take long for M2 to figure out how to adjust his tone and facial expression to match his words and to occasionally get a desired response. Now, if he causes me pain or spills something, he tilts his head to the side, displays a sad face, and says "torry, Mommy".

Of course, children quickly learn that their words also have the power to inflict pain. All of my boys have used the weapon of words against me at one point or another, but I'm seasoned enough to not let their words get under my skin.

"You're a mean mom!"

"I don't love you anymore!"

"I want a new mom!"

"I hate you!"

Even M2 has picked up on it and I get the occasional "toopid mom". Yes, my 26 month old has called me stupid. He doesn't yet know what it means, but he does know that it's a word that is discouraged and has a negative meaning.

Just as easily as those bitter words spill out, so do sweet words reaffirming a little boy's love for his mother. Complete with kisses and "huggies" around the neck.

"You're the best mom in the universe!"

"I love you to infinity and beyond!"

"I'm going to marry you when I grow up, Mom."

Even little words are a big deal. God has plenty to say about them. Not only do I need to teach my sons to carefully choose their words, but I need to take great care in doing the same. They will follow the example that my husband and I set.

Honestly, writing this post has been very convicting for me. I am not as careful as I should be when speaking to my sons. Many times, I am too harsh or my words are discouraging instead of building up. Please pray for me that the Lord would place a guard over my mouth. That I would set a godly example for my sons with my words, as well as my actions.

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21    

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

         Ephesians 4:29

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

 Proverbs 16:24

Happy Mother's Day!

May your day be blessed and filled with loving little words!

Free eBooks

I never understood what all the hoopla over smart phones was about...until I got one. One of my favorite things is being able to download free ebooks from Amazon.com directly to my Android phone. Here are several free ebooks, but I don't how long they will be free, so be quick!

Fresh Fruit Pies, Tarts, and Galettes - Every Recipe has a Gluten Free Alternative

Grandma's Best Muffin Recipes (Grandma's Best Recipes)

Healthy Whole Grains, Easy and Delicious Soup Recipes

The Organized Kitchen: Keep Your Kitchen Clean, Organized, and Full of Good Food-and Save Time, Money, (and Your Sanity) Every Day!

Amazon's collection of free Classics eBooks are perfect for homeschoolers or anyone interested in good literature. Download Treasure Island or Gulliver's Travels for the next time you have to wait in the car for soccer practice to finish or while you are waiting to see the dentist.