Just because. . . . .

At the end of a "quick" shopping trip to the outlet mall. . . . the things we make our kids endure!

November is BREEZING by. . . .

I am amazed as I reflect over this month. . . . where has it gone?! Daily life seems to be flying by so quickly.

My kids and I enjoyed a quick visit with my Brother. So glad he was able to be at my parents. What a blessing to see my dear Grands too! Just love that my kiddos can spend time with their Great-Grands. My frail Grandmother still knows who I am with her alzheimers, but does not remember all the grandchildren and who belongs to who. But that is ok, because all that matters is that they bring her such JOY! My little C just LOVES to see his Great Grandaddy and run to him with hugs. I just loved how he wanted to be close to him and try to have a conversation with him several times. Sure made my sweet Grandaddy smile and laugh! What wonderful memories we made with all of our family! Of course all the cousins had a blast together. It sure is loud and busy when they all get together! And of course my sweet A left Papaw and Mimi's with a greater desire for a puppy. Oh how she loves her Uncle Chad's dog "Hampon", really Hampton. She even wants to name her new brother "Hampon" and just does not understand why we cannot have a new baby and a puppy.

My sweet husband has been so busy with his work. Lots of overtime! God has been so faithful in providing for our family. I appreciate how much time and work my Dearest devotes to the ministry God has for him. He is SUPER DAD! Never to tired or busy for me and his little ones. We have been so encouraged as we pray together and seek God to continue to give him creativity with his design for Sunday school materials and several books that are in the redesign process. There is never a dull moment with my job at home! Just trying to enjoy the moments with my little ones. . . . giggles, sparkling eyes, conversations I do not quite understand, the tough training times, school time, play times, story times, potty training times for C (HELP ME DEAR LORD!), sickness, cleaning together, and the list could go on and on. . . . .

Our family once again was reminded to keep our EYES and HEARTS on HIM.
~1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

~Our God is ESTABLISHED and will not change. . . . .Praise Him for His Majesty! Ps. 93

~We have been challenged to put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God. . . . Eph. 6:10-17. . . .so that we can be "mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;" 2 Cor. 10:4

~The daily goal of peace with our Lord and happy fellowship with Him, causes us to think on the passage in Phil. 4:6-9. Oh how we desire to keep our hearts, thoughts, words, and actions in check with our God. Pr. 16:3

~Prayer time for other believers. . pastors, missionaries, friends working in Christian ministry and those who work alongside the unsaved, family, friends, neighbors. . . AND for the LOST around us has become a priority for our family. Eph. 6:18; Phil.1:4

The middle of November has been a week of sickness for all of us except my DEAR, SWEET husband! I would not have made it this past week without him! I have been sick with something viral. . . .antibiotic complete, but no changes. Sweet A has pneumonia (thankfully we caught it at the start), and the most unexpected sickness is C with hand, foot, and mouth disease. We truly expected an ear infection or something with his lungs since he had a runny nose for a week and started a bad cough and fever on the day we took him to visit our pediatrician. We simply had to have a good laugh! J and I are thankful this sickness is now (and praying it not to visit again) before our sweet baby boy is born in 7 wks! Our new little C is safe and sound in Mommy. Glad to hear a strong heartbeat at my routine visit with my OB yesterday! God truly is good and taking care of us! (Oh, A and I now have the hand, foot, and mouth disease. . . again we just laugh!)

Looking forward to the adventures of the rest of the month of November . . . . . and in advance giving thanks and praise to our Gracious Heavenly Father!

I pray you are enjoying your day and wondering if your month is flying by with the cool November breezes. . . . .?

Our New Fall Favorite

I enjoy baking, but rarely get a chance. My goal is to have no goodies around for ME and of course my Sweety who has managed to keep his type 2 diabetes under control. Found this yummy recipe in my Taste of Home 2007 cookbook.
If you love hot-out-of-the oven spice cake, baked apples, warm homemade butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream. . . get the picture!?!? This may become a yummy favorite for your family and friends!

Chunky Apple Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cup sugar ( I use 1 1/1 cups)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 cups chopped peeled tart apples (I use 5-6 Granny Smith apples)

Butterscotch sauce: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cinnamom, nutmeg, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well (batter will be stiff). Stir in apples until well combined.
Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned and springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 30 minutes before serving. (We love to serve it after 5-10 minutes.)
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted. Gradually add cream. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Serve with cake.
(Vanilla ice cream served alongside this warm cake and butterscotch sauce is YUMMY!)
Yield: 12-14 servings

For the LOVE of tractors. . . .

My little C absolutely loves tractors! He loves to go to Pawpa's house just to sit on his tractor. Now start up the tractor, and he will come unglued! C was overwhelmed with the size of some tractors, but he just loved this tractor. It fit him just right.

Thoughts of a Four Year Old

I know it has been months since I have posted on this blog! Where do I start!? Life has been so busy!

Just thought I would share a few funnies from my 4 year old. I never know what she is thinking or what she is going to say!

"Daddy, look at this itch worm! If it gets on you it will make you have to scratch!"

A was watching 101 Dalmations with a VERY serious face. I asked her what was wrong. "Momma, why are all those dogs 'ruffing'?!" We began working on this at 2yrs old. Just like we are still working on saying diapers, and not" biapers".

A couple of weeks ago A was talking with her Mimi on the phone. She was so upset about a pretty, yellow breasted bird that had died outside our FL room. Mimi sympathized with her and told her the poor bird must have flown into the window and broke its neck. A had a very serious face and quickly said, ". . . the bird did not break its neck! It still had its neck on his little body."

A is loving school! We now have our 5 "bowels" down. . . one day she will say vowels!

One afternoon A was sent to put away her toys. She was ready for me to check and see her hard work. All of her dishes were piled high in her kitchen sink. I quickly reminded her to put all of the dishes away correctly. "Does Mommy's kitchen have dirty dishes piled high?" A was quick with her response! "Well, no, but my sink is broken, so I cannot wash the dishes and put them away. I'm going to have to wait until my husband comes home to fix my sink!" This was one of those times I just had to laugh!

At the beginning of the summer, A was struggling with clean up time. I thought we would try a game of beat the clock. She was so excited! She beat the clock! We cheered and encouraged her to keep it up! A had a pretty quick response, "How about tomorrow night you and Daddy play beat the clock with clean up time! I know you can win!"

I could just go on and on. . . .

I just love my A!

Good Times

Our Memorial Day was spent at Animal Kingdom. We were a bit overwhelmed with the crowds of people, but definitely tried to make the best of our time together. One of our favorites was the Safari Jungle ride! A and C had a blast posing with the characters. Of course C was much more comfortable when he was close to Momma or Daddy. He definitely warmed up to Eeyore.

Saturday Happenings

Well, it has been a morning! Our plans for leaving early were delayed by rain. If God had not sent a hard rain, we would have never known we have a leak in our roof, that dripped through the ceiling and made a grand puddle at the foot of our bed. "Sigh" My Dearest climbed in the attic with one of my storage containers (once full of tiny baby A clothes) and was able to fit it nicely between the beams to catch water. I laughed (inwardly) at the thought of him trying to get it out of the attic full of water. When I mentioned this thought, without laughter, Dearest said the "guys" that are hired to fix the roof can pull it out. "Sigh". . . that should be interesting. (I am NOT handy, so I do not have a clue!) He assured me it is not a big leak. . . we have been down this road before. Dearest believes everything will be ok and we can go on as planned with our vacation. "Sigh" God allows these times for me to calm down and trust in Him. I am praying the Lord will slow down the rain so that I do not return from vacation with a nice, big hole in my ceiling. :0)

Sweet A is enjoying being my "hair dresser" and "make-up artist" as I type. I thought she only had my make-up brushes, but she found something else amongst the brushes. She panicked a bit after she had taken my eyeliner and "applied" it on my face. . . Oh, I wish the camera had been handy to capture her face!

I hope your rainy Saturday is spent with precious family and friends. . . .and trusting in our wonderful God.

Am I four yet, Momma?

"I am not three, I am four?!?" Today is my sweet Angel Girls birthday! A has been asking daily for the past month, "Am I four yet?". Now the day is here and she is enjoying soaking it all in! It is hard to believe that she entered this world at 8 lbs.,1 oz. and 21 in. long. Look at how big she is now!

My how the time flies! What a precious gift God blessed J and me with! We pray she will continue to grow physically and spiritually this next year of her life! Thank you God for our sweet Angel Girl! Happy Birthday Princess!

Out of the mouth of babes. . . .

I have been inspired and challenged through the writings of many bloggers. It is time for me to record the everyday happenings in my life! The same week I decided to do this, my sweet A looked at me as I was helping her get dressed for church and said, "You love the 'puter' bestest." Did she say what I thought she said? Once again she repeated, "You love the 'puter' bestest." I had not been on the "puter". I reassured her that I loved her more than any computer and would not blink an eye throwing it away! A told me she knew I loved her and "please don't throw the "puter" away Mommy!" (she loves dressing Cinderella on d^sn*y.com--we have only done this twice, but she has not forgotten!) What pricked my heart deep was that she could not say "Mommy, you love reading the Bible bestest. . . . Jesus bestest. . . going to church bestest. . . .praying bestest. . . .telling people about Jesus bestest." Do our children see what gives us TRUE JOY? Out of the mouth of babes. . . .