Blessed Adventures

Mixin with MOM

2012-01-20T14:31:00.004-06:00

The girls and I played cooking TV show, Mixin with MOM!
{mom and daughter cooking show, original, right!}

It was sticky,
it was messy,
it was fun!

Smoothies are a great way to get the kids to drink "a cool drink" packed with fruit and calcium.
They are easy to put together. Use whatever fruit you have available and add a little milk, some yogurt and some ice cubes. It really is that simple. You can also add extra flavors like sugar or vanilla.
I prefer to leave the sugar out, but it is an individual preference.

Have Fun and get Mixin!

Love for Winter?

2012-01-17T01:20:00.000-06:00

I must admit I'm guilty, most winters I'm counting down the days until the season of spring. The short days, the dark sky and the dormant life that surrounds me can be depressing.

This year is different. Although I have been struggling with the change in our lives right now, this struggle has nothing to do with winter.

This year I found my love for winter.

Winter Charm

Down Time- In the months of winter everything slows a bit. We cuddle in our blankets reading a book or watching a movie. ( I believe so many of us have trained our minds to be constantly entertained, so much that in the season of slowing down we become discontent and antsy. Allow your mind to rest, enjoy the simplicity of stillness.)

Most winters I find myself missing the green life that fills the tree branches. Everything seems dead and dreary, but this year I am enjoying the winter tree's beauty. The crocked limbs that intertwine and the ability to see so much that is usually hidden by the leaves.

The air is clean, crisp and renewing.

The lifeless grass that coats the ground has a quite, softness that goes right along with the white sky.

Day of surprise- How excited we are to wake to sunshine in the winter. We venture out of our blankets and play in the sun.

One of my favorite things to do is close my eyes and feel the sun's warmth as it cover my face.

Black birds flying south by the hundreds.

The animals are dressed in their winter coat, as their fluffy fur grows wild and thick.

Winter, it really is a beautiful time of the year.

What about you? What winter charm do you love?

Thanking the Lord for allowing me to see the beauty in his gift of winter.

At the Car Wash

2012-01-11T13:36:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday Allen loaded up the family and we drove into the "Big City" for Sacrament of Confession and Mass.
We then enjoyed yummy cafeteria food, with funny waiters, jello for dessert and balloons to take home.
Heading out the kids spotted balloons and a sign, announcing TODAY FREE CAR WASH. So who knows where this adventure may take us.
On this adventure we ended it at the CAR WASH. Sweet Pea was simply amazed.
The little things~

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-10T01:22:00.000-06:00

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true."

"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

"I have a Dream

I say to you today, my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this Nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed--"we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a Nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the conduct of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its Governor, having his lips dripping the words of interposition and nullification -- one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as brothers and sisters.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted: every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plane, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our Nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together; to pray together; to struggle together; to go to jail together; to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring, from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring, from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the crevatial slopes of California.

But not only that. Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill in Mississippi. From every mountainside.

Let freedom ring and when this happens...And when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at Last! Free at Last! Thank God Almighty, We're Free at Last!"

Less Stuff =More Life

2012-01-09T02:55:00.001-06:00

Simplifying
Less Stuff =More Life
Less Stuff=Less responsibility on nonliving non loving items
Less is always more
Simplicity is key
It is a new year and a new day

Even on the full blown cleaning days, you must make time to sit in the middle of it all and take in the "good stuff" the hugs, the kisses the love and the laughter.
Because this is really all we carry with us, this is all we really remember....

Looking Back on 2011

2012-01-04T00:04:00.004-06:00

Looking back on back on 2010

and 2009

Come Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always.
Be our light, our guide and our comforter. Be our strength and our courage.
May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us.
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts. A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally.
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.
Come Holy Spirit be with us today and always~

High in the Sky

2011-12-29T16:24:00.002-06:00

Sweet Pea age 4 " Momma, I want to be this little tiny and ride on a birdy really high in the sky"

I then tell her that sounds like a wonderful adventure.

Sunshine girl age 8 " Well, you can in Heaven, you can even ride a drop of rain. You can do all the wonderful adventures in Heaven."

and then...... the heaviness of the day is gone and I breathe knowing I will never have the chance to live this amazing moment again.

Thank You Lord!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2011-12-26T23:55:00.000-06:00

Did you know that the twelve days of Christmas really began on Christmas Day and will run through the Epiphany (January 6 celebrating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus- The three wise men).

Little Man asked me why we would celebrate the Epiphany only twelve days after Christmas "if we really do not know when they arrived". I answered him with a question. If we really do not know the exact date of the Epiphany, should we just skip it all together? Of course not, it is entirely too important for us to not recognize. This is the same for so many of our celebrated feast and holy days.

If you are like me, you put up your tree half way into fall and are itching for clarity and a clean home just days after Christmas day. This year I had to ask myself, what about the true twelve days of Christmas? The liturgical calendar states that Advent is a time of prayerfully waiting for our savior to come and on Christmas Day we celebrate the gift of his arrival.
This day starts the Christmas season.
Of course it would! Why would we be waiting for our savior to come and rescue us {he comes} and boom it is all over, all the celebration out the door. Lets all go back to our everyday lives.
Noway, we must go on celebrating this amazing gift of our king.
Now I am not saying we must keep our tree up or else, but I am encouraged to continue this blessed Christmas season with our nativity, ours prayers and our scriptures.
Although I do plan on keeping my tree up a week or so longer, so that I may enjoy my time in the evenings prayerfully gazing at the lights and rejoicing in my heart over my Saviors arrival.

Advent- Four weeks of preparation for Christmas.
(Preparing our hearts for the gift of our Savior.)
Twelve days of Christmas- Starting on Christmas day, The birth of Christ -The Epiphany (The three wise men. This shows us that Christ was sent for all.)Christmas Prayer
Lord God, we praise you for creating man, and still more for restoring him in Christ. Your Son shared our weakness; may we share his glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Before I go I also wanted to share something fun!
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" may be more than a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. Some say it was written in England during the period 1558-1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholicism in England. Catholics were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law - private OR public.
It is said that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith.
The song gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith.
The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings.
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity. The Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = The six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = The eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = The Ten Commandments
11 Pipers Piping = The eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

O Holy Night

2011-12-24T14:49:00.001-06:00

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoyces. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on your knees.

O hear the angel voices, O night divine!
O night when Christ was born, O night divine! O night, O night divine!

And in His Name, all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus. Let all within us praise his holy name, Christ is the Lord!

Noel, Noel, O night, O night Divine. Noel, Noel, O night, O night Divine. Noel, Noel, O night, O holy Divine

The Nutcracker and My Girls~

2011-12-23T03:34:00.000-06:00

For years we have talked about it~
For years we have dreamt about it~
This year we made the memory~

The Nutcracker preformed with the orchestra. Just mom and her girls out on a date. I enjoyed watching the shadow of their bright eyes fixed on the performance. They both were amazed. I know I will be visiting this evening for years to come.Thanking the Lord for his blessings.

Saint Lucy (Lucia ) Day 2011

2011-12-15T02:10:00.004-06:00

Saint Lucy (Lucia ) Day is on December 13 . It is an important day on the Swedish calendar. In Sweden it is called Luciadagen. This day honors a young Christian girl who was martyred in ancient Rome. She is always portrayed with her head encircled by a halo of lights. Though it's not officially part of Advent, for many Lucia Day forms the gateway to the Christmas season. Her feast is also tied in with the celebration of light and winter, as her name means light and her feast day originally coincided with the winter solstice, which marked the shortest day of the year.

While celebrating this blessed Saint, it is tradition to have the daughter wear a white dress and a red sash. She also wears a wreath crown with white candles, while she serves her family with coffee and Lussekatter (saffron buns).

Saint Lucy, You did not hide your light under a basket,
but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see.May we not suffer torture in our lives the way she did,
but may we hear the calling to let the light of our Christianity
illumine our daily lives.
Dear Lord, Help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation and every corner of our day. Amen

This year our Sweet Pea served us as the blessed Saint Lucy. The kids and I baked cinnamon wreaths and dressed little St. Lucy, then we all laid on the couch as she walked around for each us to have a bite.
She really enjoyed serving as Saint Lucy, as well as learning more about this blessed Saint.
Thanking the Lord for the Saints that have done his will throughout the ages, as I pray that we too may strive to become saints in our own lives.

Click here to read Saint Lucy Day 2010

Lussekatter (makes 10-12 buns)
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
8 ounces (1 cup) milk
1 tablespoon yeast
1/2 cup sugar
4 ounces (1 stick) butter
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 beaten egg white for egg wash
Using a mortar and pestle, pound saffron threads to break down strands. In a small saucepan, heat milk to lukewarm.
Mix yeast with 1/4 cup milk and 1 tablespoon sugar. Set aside.
On low heat, melt butter in saucepan with milk. Add crushed saffron. Let cool.
In large bowl, mix together flour salt and remaining sugar.
Stir yeast into cooled milk mixture. Mix into dry ingredients, beating to mix well. Add beaten eggs. Knead in bowl for 5 - 7 minutes. Turn onto floured board and knead another 7 - 8 minutes.
Put dough in lightly greased bowl, turn to coat all sides, cover and put in warm, draft-free place to rise for about 1 hour.
When dough has risen, knead lightly to push out air and divide into small pieces (about 10 - 12). Using the hands, roll each small piece into a strip about 8 - 10 inches long. Shape each strip into an 'S' or a figure 8. Place on lightly buttered cookie sheets.
Cover with clean cloth and let rise again until double in bulk, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
When dough has risen, brush lightly with egg white. Bake in preheated 375° F oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool on wire rack.

Was it Almost a Month~ Ramble

2011-12-15T01:42:00.001-06:00

I could not allow a month to pass. Where did the time go and how have you been my family and friends? So many nights I thought about jumping on here for a quick blog post and then I knew I did not have the time to say all I needed, so I waited.

Well something small is better than nothing at all, right.

So here is the try to be quick catch you up~ ramble

Allen got the job~ He has been apprenticing for over a month now. We are excited to learn he will have collage credited hours throughout this journey.

He is tired, but happy. I am sure it will just take some time for his mind and body to adapt to the change.

Our place is for SALE~ Oh how bitter sweet it is to have the homestead open for takers. The first few weeks I was not thinking about the bitter part of it. We had prayed and talked it over. Hearing the Lord, we went for it with a smile on our face.

As the Christmas "season" approached I could feel the bitter part of it setting in. The memories and the love we have here in our home. Even with this harder side, we trust that selling and moving is the path our Lord is calling us upon. We are greatly enjoying our home in this wonderful season of Christ birth. We are not thinking about the sign posted in our yard, Christmas in our home is warm, joyful and filled with love. It is not the house that creates this, it is the Lord and the family he has blessed us with. So wherever this path leads us, our home shall be there. There is so much more I could share, but it will have to come at a later time, with much less of a ramble.

Church News~ I am busy busy with our tiny church that is overflowing with growth. This year I have ten wonderful boys and girls in my First Holy Communion class and about thirty children all together. As well as newborns, babies on the way and families converting to Catholicism. If you did not know, we are a tiny branch off of a large Catholic church about 45min away, so this growth is something to rejoice over. Now we just need a larger building and volunteers to jump in and get involved. Soon I will be sharing more photos of All Saints Day and other celebrated feast I have missed sharing here with you.

Last night we had a full church practicing for our Christmas play. I am so thankful two of the other ladies were there to help. I have glitter everywhere. We have been decoupaging a star, making crowns, pulling out costumes and handing out parts. Sweet Pea will be the angel that delivered the great news. She kicks off the play with a bright star and a Welcome to the Christmas Play greeting. Sunshine is reading a part and Little Man will be Joseph. Little Man also made the manger for this years play. Even with the exhaustion and in times that I must remind myself that in the full season of giving my time, it is time spent giving to him. In this I am gratful.

Life News~ As I stated before, we have signed up to volenteer at a local ministries foster/adoption org. We also just wrapped up 40 Days for Life fall 2011. Our church family pulled together to pray every Tuesday night for the unborn and a month long baby shower for the local pregnancy help center. It was really neat seeing our small church pull together for life with so many others across the world.

Homestead, Critters and Garden Goods~ We still have the horses, but I know we will have to sell them or give them to a good loving family when we move.

Our goat Valentine looks like a big white cotton ball, last weeks snow brought this on.

The chickens are still laying. The dogs are still being overly spoiled by Sweet Pea. Lastly, the garden was a no-go. After my time in the hospital, the fall garden was just not going to work this year.

Home school and Thanksgiving~
Home school has been rolling. Sunshine is doing well with her new Hooked On Phonics, Little Man is doing really well this year. This has been the year I can breathe and know he is really getting the core. Whew~ Now that he has this, he will continue to grow. Sweet Pea is writing her name and learning her sounds. She loves to draw. She is a talented artist, I am wowed by her much of the time.

We enjoyed a fall field trip with a new home school group and worked through groups studies on the First Thanksgiving. Along with poems of thanks, crafts and giving. To our surprise the kids had prepared a wonderful and hilarious Thanksgiving play. I knew they made their costumes, but I had no idea the work they put in this surprise for us. I was great.

Well I guess this is it for now. I could sit and blog all night, but I better get to bed. I have been following through with our scedule the past few weeks. The kids needed it and so did I. Be looking in, I plan on blogging almost daily to jump in on the Christmas fun. Oh and tell me, How are you?

Blessed Advent to you and yours, my dear bloggy friends!

Happy 11th Birthday to Our Little Man.

2011-11-16T01:43:00.001-06:00

My heart contains a sea of stories, emotions and words that I could write here today, but sharing them would not say enough. The love I have for you is far too much to place here in this blog post, I have tried five times, with this I am going to place the lyrics from our song.

and by the way, My blessed adventure is YOU.

I love you.

We are so proud of you and so is our Lord.

This has been our song from the time I danced with a newborn baby boy knowing each of these lyrics to be true.

Lying here with you. Listening to the rain. Smiling just to see the smile upon your face. These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive. These are the moments I remember all my life. I've found all I've waited for and I could not ask for more.

Looking in your eyes, seeing all I need, everything you are is everything in me.These are the moments know Heaven must exist.
These are the moments I know all I need is this. I've found all I've waited for and I could not ask for more.
I could not ask for more than this time together. Could not ask for more than this time with you. Every prayer has been answered, Every dream I've had come true.

Yeah right here in this moment, is right where I'm meant to be, Oh here with you, you here with me. I could not ask for more.

and I really could not. The blessings we have been given in you are beyond our every thought and our every dream in a son. Thank you for being so wonderful. You are Gods amazing gift to us.

My 31st~

2011-11-13T02:09:00.001-06:00

I have to say my 31st birthday was truly a blessing. Waking up to the sounds of a surprise breakfast being prepared.

What do you know, breakfast in bed and homemade cards brightened my morning. Although the pancakes were wonderful, my favorite part of breakfast had to be the tiny ink stained fingers handing me my newly created birthday card. {This is what it is all about... This is the good stuff that fills your heart. The ink stained fingers are the real memories you take with you.}

Then we enjoyed a family drive surrounded by changing autumn leaves. It's my only birthday request. I supposes it has something to do with the many years I rode along side of my mother on her birthday request.
At Mass that night our sweet church family surprised me with a beautiful chocolate cake and song.

That is not all, my in laws also made me a birthday dinner the following night. Who knew 31 was so special? Thank you all for making my 31st birthday a wonderful memory.

Love you so ~

My Blooming Sweet Pea

2011-11-10T20:21:00.001-06:00

Sweet Pea and I had a conversation one night about a tiny yellow rose bud.
She wanted the rose to open up and bloom and was sadly disappointed finding out she must
wait.

~GOOD things come to those who wait~

Sweet Pea woke to a beautiful blooming yellow rose. Look at that bright smile painted across her face. Thanking the Lord for all his blessings, especially my beautiful blooming Sweet Pea that makes my heart smile daily. The little things that mean the most. There is so much to learn from our children.

All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day 2011

2011-11-03T13:20:00.001-05:00

What is All Saints Day and All Souls Day?
On All Saints Day Nov 1st we remember the saints, known and unknown. The eve of All Saints is known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween.
Some may ask "Who are the saints and why do we celebrate them?" The word saint comes from the Greek word "hagios" which means “consecrated to God. Saints are people that choose to live their lives for God. They devoutly listen and obey the plan he has created for them. Saints are wonderful holy people, we should strive to be more like.
While educating yourself on the saints and their lives you begin to identify with some. They become special to you and your family. I encourage anyone to learn more about the saints that have done Gods will throughout the ages.
Thanking the Lord for Saints today.
Thanking him for our brothers and sisters in Christ that inspire me daily.
Our church held an All Saints day party last Tuesday night. The night started with our scheduled Tuesday night prayers for life and Mass. At the end of Mass our little saints stood in front of the church singing ,When the Saints go Marching in.
The night was filled with crafts, games, music, roasted hot dogs/ smores, chili and church family.
We are beyond blessed to be part of the beautiful church family.
Saints Party Activities

Saint Bingo
Knocking out the 7 deadly sins with Virtues {Write each sin on the bowling pin and the virtues on the bowling ball.
Pin the bishop hat on St. Patrick.
Coloring sheets of the saints
Draw you in your saints costume, then pin it on the board. We hang the board on display to remember All Saints Day.
Saint cake and holy card walk
Peace be with you, trunk walk {Our church family sat at the bumper of their cars and handed out candy to our little saints.
Name that saint. { Each child stands and describes some of the details of their saint's life, whoever knows wins.
Jump for Jesus {Blow-up jump zone}

All Soul's Day, Nov 2nd
After Mass we joined our church family at the cemetery to pray for All Souls. All Soul's Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed on. Thanking the Lord for all his gifts.

Autumn Snack and Crafts

2011-10-29T15:20:00.000-05:00

My kids love chex mix. Well, we all do. The only problem is chex mix comes in those tiny bags with a pricey tag on the front. We buy it and it is gone within an hour or less.
With this I had to ask why not make our own!
Thanks to "photographer daddy" we have photos that help tell our homemade chex mix adventure! This was such a fun way to celebrate the season of fall.

Chex Party Mix

1 box Corn Chex
Worcestershire sauce

1 box Rice Chex

1 Box Cherrios

1 box pretzels

1 can shoestring potatoes

nuts

2 cups salad oil

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

2 Tablespoons
1 Tablespoon garlic salt.

Combine dry ingredients. Add liquid and bake in oven at 250 for 1 1/2 hrs. Stir frequently.

Autumn crafts are another fun way to celebrate fall. This quick and easy craft is wonderful for toddlers, but my older children also enjoyed it.

What You Will Need

Construction paper
Craft glue
Markers
Index cards

Instructions {Autumn Tree Card}

1. Have your child pick out colors of construction paper that will represent fall leaves.

2. Tear the construction paper into tiny pieces.

3. Draw a tree trunk and limbs on the index card.

4. Have your child glue the torn pieces of construction paper to the tree.

This makes a wonderful homemade autumn card.

Instruction {Fall Leaves}

1. Cut out the shape of a leaf with your index cards.

2. Have your child pick out colors of construction paper that will represent fall leaves.

3. Tear the construction paper into tiny pieces.

4. Have your child glue the torn pieces of construction paper to decorate the cut out leaves.

After they create their own fall leaves you can

Add them to a string making autumn garland for your home.
Draw a large tree and have them decorate the tree, by gluing the leaves to the limbs.
Set them around in a bowl, lay them out around your centerpiece or stick them in a window as a decal.
Give them to a friend with a message of thanks on the back.

There are so many things you can do with these homemade autumn leaves.

Have Fun and Happy Autumn~

New Blessed Adventures

2011-10-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

It's autumn on the homestead, we are baking and enjoying the changing leaves. Allen starts his new job on Nov, 1 {All Saints Day}. I know he will do wonderful, He just does. I'm still asking for prayers that everything goes smoothly and his "new job" jitters will be replaced with peace.
We have been spending a lot of time in the van these days, looking for an area we may want to pack up our family and move to....... Safety, space, location and price. This could be hard, but all of this is a God thing and we know he will provide.
Jesus, I Trust In you.
Thanking the Lord for leading our family on this new Blessed Adventure.

Momma

2011-10-22T12:20:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was my mothers fifty-fourth birthday. Happy Birthday Momma. I love you so much.  My mother and I have an unique relationship. It was just the two of us for years. My biological father left us when I was just an infant. With this I watched mom care for me as the mother and work hard to provide as the father. I can not put into words the bond that is built surrounding a family as this. As I have stated all of our crosses have blessings within them.  Later mom remarried when I was fourteen to a good man that loves my mother and has openly welcomed me as a daughter. This is my children's grandpa, they too love him dearly. What a blessing he has been for our family.
On October, 19, 2010 mom called with news of her breast cancer diagnosis. This was such a shock. I know so many hear this life halting news, but when it hits in your own home and your own heart it is just shocking. My faith was shaken and I cried for days. I would have been here asking for prayers and advice, but my mother is a private person and wanted to keep it within the family.
   Finding out her cancer was diagnosed early and removed quickly. I was thankful for this blessings and remorseful for my shaken faith.
    She would now have frequent check-ups and medication by mouth for the next five years. Unfortunately moms medication created more trial, but is now getting better.
   With all the test and results that came with cancer treatment we were informed that mom carried blockage in some of her heart arteries. Although this felt as the saying "when it rains it pours" Are you kidding me! I somehow knew moms cross of cancer allowed us to find this blockage early. With this, mom had a coronary stent placed in her heart last week and everything went well. Talking to her last night she shared that she felt better than she has felt in ten years. What a blessing this cross as been. Thank you Lord for restoring my mothers health and forgiving me in times of shaken faith.

I dreamt of mom last night. She was dressed in her 80's aerobic gear, running free and even hula Hooping . Wow mom, you really do feel better.
Oh and by the way, Mom also graduated collage this year. Amazing right!

With all of this I can not just say Happy Birthday to the woman that gave birth to me, cared for me, loved me, made time to play and laugh with me, protected me, taught me and most of all raised me in the faith. There is so much more to be thankful for. So much more this amazingly strong woman has faithfully endured.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA~ I LOVE YOU SO MUCH~

As mom said "okay, now I am ready to get on with living" Here is to you and number fifty-four.

Happy Birthday. Hope it was a good one, to your bran-new year. Love you, Allen

Happy 54th Birthday Grandma, I love you! Love your boy. (Little Man)

Happy Birthday Grandma, I love you so much. Love, Sunshine

I Love You Grandma. I love you more and more. I made that card for you. Happy Birthday. Love, Sweet Pea.

St. Francis of Assisi~ Bird Feeder Craft

2011-10-19T02:02:00.000-05:00

The prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Click on St. Francis of Assisi to learn

about the Patron Saint of Animals.

Feast Day: October 4

Born: (around) 1181 :: Died: 1226

To celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi, the kids and I made bird feeders to feed the friends of Saints Francis.

What you'll need:

Pine cone
Baggy
Butter knife
Smooth peanut butter
Birdseed
Ribbon or yarn
Scissors

How to make it:

Cut a long length of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder.
Tie the ribbon in a knot around the pine cone near the top (about 3 sections down).

Use the knife to spread peanut butter inside the pine cone and around the edges.
Put the pine cone in a plastic baggy filled with birdseed. shake it around until the pine cone is covered.
Hang the bird feeder on the tree.
Enjoy watching the birds eat their treat.

What do you think about our DIY Bird feeder chandelier? We Love it.

Old Brassy Chandelier- $2

Remove electrical wiring

Remove lights
Flip over
Paint
Fill the cups with birdseed!

~ Super Easy

Banana Pumpkin Bread

2011-10-17T18:10:00.000-05:00

Banana Pumpkin Bread

Original Recipe Yield 1 - 9x5 inch loaf pan

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup walnut pieces (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 9x5 inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, stir together the mashed banana, eggs, oil, pumpkin, honey and sugar. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pie spice and cinnamon, stir into the banana mixture until just combined. Fold in the raisins and walnuts if desired. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Happy Autumn to you and yours!

We Found More than an Adventure, We Found US

2011-10-12T23:49:00.000-05:00

Once more, adventure was found.

We set out early on this beautiful fallish day. I was greeted with that groggy eyed excitement as I woke the kids. Don't you just love their morning smiles.

On this day our adventure was chocolate milk and coffee at the Rivermarket, exploring the riverfront, watching the boats and bikers, climbing at the park, riding the trolley and experiencing past-time at the History Museum. Best of all, on this Family Fun Day we felt like US again. The heaviness of all the decisions to be made were lifted. We found more than an adventure, we found US.

Thanking the Lord for simple adventures that in some way ground you all over again.

Sweet Pea's Big First Day of Story Hour 2011

2011-10-08T15:30:00.000-05:00

Sweet Pea's big first day of Story Hour. We love our library and all the charms that go along with it. Over the years each of our children have had their time in Story Hour, as we now treasure the joyful memories made. On this day Sweet Pea's class had fun adventuring the book Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed . After class we set outside enjoying the crisp fall air. It didn't take long and my monkeys were having too much fun with their monkey hats. They were acting like zoo monkeys begging for freedom. (Little Man age 10) " Hey mom, put on my hat. It makes you act like a monkey." I guess he was right. Thanking the Lord for the silly little blessings in my life.

Bundle of Laughter

2011-10-06T23:15:00.000-05:00

I bet you did not know, but my Sunshine is a very Silly Gal.

She is.

Just look at these photographs,

they are filled with Sunshine Silliness through and through.

She keeps me smiling.

She keeps me laughing.

On days as this I sing,

" You are my Sunshine, my Silly Sunshine.

You keep me laughing...Everyday!"

Thanking the Lord for this bundle of laughter in my life.

Oh, I love her so!

Prayers for LIFE

2011-10-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

Life Sunday 2011, was a beautiful blessed day. I felt the overwhelming amount of love and support for life. While standing in the Life Chain and thinking about this being 1 in over 1500 Life Chains, my heart was pronouncing ((("LORD, we are here standing, hearing your call. We care and we are doing something about it. Help us Lord, lead us where we are needed.")))
I stood there filled with the prayer that abortion would soon uncover it's face of evil.
I prayed for the people passing, that they too would hear the call to stand up for Life, that any affected by abortion would repent and allow the Lord to fill them with his love and forgiveness. As I also pray for the poor lost souls supporting abortion directly and indirectly, that they may come to know the Lord and his gift of human life as a whole.
LIFE is non-negotiable.
Life has no place in the debate of a political party.
Humans, Infants, Children, Men and Woman, this is human LIFE no matter what the age.
We are not a political choice, we are LIFE. If you too are being called to walk with us in the path to destroy this evil in the mask of abortion, pray with us. Prayerfully stand with us, walk with us and minister to others that may not take the time to see this evil for what it is.
Abortion is not a touchy subject as I have heard from so many, it is not something we are to shield our eyes and our minds from believing if we do not look we do not have the responsibility to become involved. Abortion is the evil killing of innocent life, we as Christians must be involved. If we are not, then who will? Who will the Lord call on? We are his people.
40 Days for Life 2011
September 28 – November 6
We are on day 7 and 44 babies have been saved!
I am asking you to take time this 40 days to pray for the end of abortion.
The 40-day campaign tracks Biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities ... and the entire world. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ's resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of His people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge.
Vision and mission

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion in America.

The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in America.

I am going to leave with the Life quotes of our little blessings.
Little Man, age 10
"It's really a no-brainer,

who would not stand for life?"

It's LIFE, just stop and think about it!"

Sunshine Girl age 8,

"God created life, he created my life.

All kids should have the chance of Life.

It's Gods gift.

Sweet Pea age 4,
"Jesus made me."