BLESSING BOOK

I wanted to share with you my "Blessing Book". I got the idea from a gal who put together a list of ideas to help make Christmas memorable and special. I have all our family Chirstmas pictures from 2001 (the year we moved here).

The idea is to look back at the year and write down all of your many blessing that God has given. God not only has given us His precious Son.., but continues to pour His blessings on us.

Along with my Christmas picture, is my Christmas letter. Now that I blog I have stopped the letter. Today I have a written a list of some of this years blessings!
I will type them out and scrap them in my "Blessings Book"

Here are a few...Kayla finished school and was given a wonderful job at Batelle which will pave the way...possibly to attend Masters for a year. Praise to the Lord!

Kellory will be finishing her Senior year very soon and working as a Nanny in January. Praise to the Lord!

My generous husband who gives and gives. Praise to the Lord!

My God-given relationships that are molding me and making me into the image of Christ. Praise to the Lord!

I will end with this quote from Charles Spurgeon.

"Doth not all nature around me praise God?
If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe.
Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies?
Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adorations?
Does not the lightening write His name in letters of fire?
Hath not the whole earth a voice?
And shall I, can I, be silent?"

Thanksgiving 2009

I have to get this posted before Christmas...ugh it has been busy! I wanted to share a few pics of our Thanksgiving. It was very special to have my sister and her family come for a visit, as some of you know they got back from Kazachstan in October with their 2 beautiful adopted children. Alyosha is 9 and Zhyena is 5. They don't know a lot of English but they are learning quickly. It was so great to meet them and welcome them into the family. They are very sweet children and seem to be adapting pretty easily. We hope my sisters family will move closer this way in the near future!! We had a wonderful time together and Thank the Lord for his provision for their family in adopting them.

The MESS Monster!

I have been wanting to share what an interesting daughter I have... The only way I can describe Karis is ....a "messer".
She is always into something and usually in the nature of creams , lotions, or any sticky, gooey substance.
Today I returned home from music lessons to find she had been into the honey. She got it all over the stairs, and various pieces of furniture in the house. It is truly not a fun thing to clean up! We are still finding sticky in places. I can not tell you how many "messes" she has made on my walls and doors and floors. She has been into make-up, bag balm, lotions, and just recently toothpaste. I took this picture below, one of the many messy memories she has made. I need to keep a scrapbook of this, because I have never had a child like this before. They certainly are each one unique. Perhaps she is an aspiring artist? I wish I could interpret this behavior?? Anyone else have a child like this?

PORTLAND TRIP!

Here are some pics from our Portland trip we took a few weeks ago. We went with my brother Brian and my sister-in-law Candy. We stayed a nice hotel in Vancouver...close to IKEA..oh yeah! We spent a whole day in downtown Portland and shopped around town....walked EVERYWHERE! It was a beautiful day...although I did a taboo...and bought some new shoes for the trip...I wore them that day...and yes...my feet were killing me!! Later that day we ended up looking for shoes for me...I finally found some slippers at Ross. OHHH! What relief! The last day of our trip we decided to visit the "Little People, Big World" family pumpkin patch. I don't have cable...but my brother and his wife do, and they enjoy the show and knew that the family lived close to Portland and had a Pumpkin Patch. We headed out in dry weather..but as soon as we got there it just poured. We took a tour on a tractor ride and got soaked...so unfortunatly we decided to head on out to somewhere dry. So we ended our trip with IKEA!! Too fun! I love that store! (Ladies...we need to get a group of us together sometime and make a day of it!) We all had a great time together and made some fun memories.




Family members of the "Little People"...one of the twins is on the right...he drove the tractor for the tour.

My "Cool" hubby trying to keep dry!

Candy and I getting soaked by the rain while on our little tour at the "Little People Pumpkin Patch".

Downtown Portland...beautiful fall trees at every corner!

ABC's and 1-2-3's

Well, we are back to school! I have been wanting to post but with school starting and we have had a lot of sickness it has been hard for me to sit down and think! After 8 years....I am back to teaching Kindergarten once again. Keira loves it...she seems to be catching on quickly. Homeschooling has its challenges but we have learned a lot through the years. What ultimately brought us to homeschool was ...the fact when Kayla was headed for high school...we felt the kids were growing up way too fast and I wanted to be with them more and watch them grow up! I can't believe I have a 20 year old ...! Our passion for homeschool has changed over the years...it is not about the academics ...it is about discipling our children for the Lord and you have a lot of time to disciple when you are together 24-7! We have lots of opportunity to deal with not only our childrens hearts ...but my own heart. As we have started off the new year of school I am really passionate about building my kids up...encouraging them in their daily tasks, just loving them through words. God is good and gives us wisdom in this great task of homeschooling.

Nathan has a full load this year...with Chemistry, Geometry and Guitar to name a few. Kellory is just about finished with her graduation requirements...she is taking a writing class on-line..which has been great for her. She will be done with school by December! Cassia is working on task with all of her subjects...her favorite subject is science.

Some asked for recipes!

Creamy Cilantro Chicken (havent' had this yet, but it is on my menu this week)

4 lbs. boneless, chicken breast
1 T. oil
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. heavy cream
3/4 c. cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper

Season chicken with salt & pepper then brown chken in skillet with oil. Remove chicken and add cream cheese, cream, lime juice and 1/2 c. cilantro (reserve 1/4 c. ofr garnish). Stir all ingredients over medium heat til melted and smooth. Add chicken, cover and cook on low for 10-15 minutes. Serve with brown rice... ( sounds yummy)


Watermelon Salsa

8-10 lbs. watermelon
3-4 bell peppers
1 sweet onion
1 bunch of cilantro
2-3 jalapenos
3-6 chili peppers
1 cup lemon or lime juice
1 T. garlic

chill before serving
For best results chop, do not use blender
Add salt to help sweeten melon.
Yummy!

MY SURPRISE BIRTHDAY TRIP TO LEAVENWORTH!

I know I am posting this a little late...but life is busy.

I wanted to share some pictures of my surprise birthday trip with Eddie. He took me to "Run of the River" Bed and Breakfast in Leavenworth. It was the nicest Bed and Breakfast in which we have ever stayed. It was really cool. I loved the porch swing and the view was beautiful and serene. Just what I needed after finishing up school with the kids . I loved the relaxing atmosphere.

My hubby is the best!!!

"LORD, I PRAISE THEE"

To my sisters in Christ....Do you ever feel downharted or discouraged? Frequently in facing difficult situations, our whole being seems paralyzed. We are perplexed as to what we should do. May I suggest that this is the time to PRAISE. If you praise at this moment, the Spirit of god will begin to work to bring you to the place where all the doors open and every chain falls off. He who sings is free; we can transcend every situation; nothing-no person or thing- can cause us to be downhearted.

In offering the sacrifice of PRAISE, one puts herself into a triumphant position.
PRAISE is never defeated!
We shoul lift our head in the most difficult situation and say..."LORD I PRAISE YOU"
It is foolish to murmur...the more you murmur the deeper you are buried in your trouble.
The more you fret the greater the pressure builds up within. The problems almost overcome you. When you offer the sacrifice of PRAISE---you will quickly transcend everything.
Nothing can bury you!
Psalm 55: 17 says..."Evening and morning and noon will I pray"
Psalm 119: 164 says..."Seven times a day do I PRAISE thee..."
The Psalms are filled with praise. Praise is victory!
Psalm 67: 3,5 says..."Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee."

Begin today to literally PRAISE HIM seven times this day!! Count the times!
Seven times a day say "LORD, I PRAISE THEE"

Praise Him for: wounded feelings...losses...trouble...when you are misunderstood...
and of course all the many (specific) blessings He bestows on us!

This came from a letter my mom sent me years ago...I found it the other day and thought this would be a blessing to share! We were made to PRAISE HIM!!

What can YOU PRAISE God for TODAY?

Here is my latest yard project. I had so much fun working on this. I put some really fun flowers in the garden...lavendar, black-eyed susans, some ground cover to grow over the rocks..so it will be fun to see what it will look like at the end of summer! Gardening is one of my passions! I love flowers and I have flower gardens on both sides of my house just for picking pleasure!

I have been reading a book with Cassia called " The Basket of Flowers". It is a wonderful, beautiful book written a very long time ago...but I would like to take a quote from that book I thought would inspire you... (a Father is talking to his daughter as they are walking through their garden ). " He spoke to her of the first garden where man was placed, and of his sad expulsion from it,--of the garden as the emblem of her own soul, given her to cultivate, and to bring forth fruit to God--and of the glorious garden above, to which, in his own good time, God transplants his people, through which flows the pure river of water of life, where the tree of life bears twelve manner of fruits, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations."
It makes me ponder my own hearts garden and what fruit I am cultivating and producing?
Just a thought for you to think about.

My latest garden project!

Where is the warm weather??? It was in the 80's just a couple of weeks ago. Here is a picture of the girls laying in the sunshine that day!

Give Away! Check this out!



A cute Journal!!

http://thebestnesst.blogspot.com/

Keira's 5 th Birthday Tea Party! It was a fun party...the girls loved drinking their "tea" and eating their sandwiches and goodies. It was a fun day!

Something to impress upon you children!

I found a quote from Suzanna Wesley...an awesome example of a mother who poured God's Word into her 10 children.

"Get as deep an impression on your mind as is possible of the constant presence of the great and holy God. He is about our beds and about our paths and spies out all our ways. When ever you are tempted to the commission of any sin, or the omission of any duty, pause and say to yourself, "What am I about to do? God sees me."

How to show love?

It is Valentine's week...which I love..because I get to show love to my family with love notes and goodies!
I wanted to share another passion of mine and that it Hospitality!! One of my favorite books on this subject is "The Hospitality Commands"...here is a quote from the book.
"Hospitality fleshes out love in a uniquely personal and sacrificial way...through the ministry of hospitality, we provide friendship, acceptance, fellowship, refreshment, comfort, and love in one of the richest and deepest ways possible for humans to understand.
Read Romans 12..and you will be blesses and exhorted...vs. 9-13 could be themed "Love in action" Love and hospitality always go together!
Just a week ago or so we had 2 familes over for dinner...we had such a good time of fellowship around our dining room table!
I wanted to share with you what I made that night for dinner..maybe it will spur you to have someone over soon and share some love from your kitchen and your heart!

Hot Chicken and Cheese sandwiches

6 Chicken breasts ( cooked and cut in cubes)
1/2 C. mayo
1/4-1/2 C. sour cream
1 T. lemon juice
2 C. shredded cheese ( or more if you like)
salt and pepper to taste
9 hoagie buns

Combine all ingredients. Spread on buttered buns and wrap individually in foil. Refrigerate until ready to heat and serve. Bake in 375 oven for 15-20 minutes.

Apple-pecan Salad

1 pkg Good Seasons Ceasar salad dressing
1 head lettus
1 med. red pepper, diced
1 large Granny Smith apple, diced
2/3 C. pecans, toasted (350* for 10 minutes)
2/3 C. crumbled blue cheese

Creamy Fruit Salad

1 (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can sliced peaches, drained
1 can of pineapple chunks, drained
1 C. miniture marshmallows
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 C. vanilla yogurt
1/4 C. sugar
Drain the fruit really well, Beat cream cheese, yogurt and sugar together until smooth; pour over fruit and stir to coat. Chill in refrigerator. ( I double this recipe..leftovers are good)

Steamed Carrots and peas ( yummy combination with sandwiches or choose your own vegie)

Dessert: Super Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 Devils food cake mix
1 sm. pkg. chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1 C. sour cream
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1 1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients , except chocolate chips, in a large bowl and beat for 3 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased Bundt pan. Bake 50-55 minutes. Cool 20 minutes and invert on serving platter.

Frosting:
1/2 C. butter
4 T. cocoa
1/3 C. evaporated milk ( I used 1% milk)
4 C. powdered sugar
Melt butter in sauce pan over low heat. Whisk in cocoa and milk. Brnig mixture to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and beat in powdered sugar with electric mixer til smooth. Pour over warm cake ...makes lots of frosting...yummy!!

Happy Hospitality to You!

ABC's of Worship

This morning for our devotions the kids and I read Psalm 145 ..which is a Psalm of praise based on the Hebrew alphabet. We were challenged with the idea to make a list ..using our alphabet...of reasons to praise the Lord!! It was fun and worht the effort...I have already used my list to help me worship in my time of prayer! What a blessing!!
Here are a few of mine..
A..Adore
B...Beautiful
C...Counselor
D...Deliverer
E. Excellent
F...Faithful
G..Great
H...Holy
I...Infinite
J...Just
K..Kind
L...Life

Homeade Playdough

Today Keira and I made playdough....I wanted to share the recipe ...it is sooo easy and makes GREAT playdough that lasts a long time!! The recipe is edible but not tasty!

Mix in a medium saucepan:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 T. cream of tartar
Combine and add to above:
1 cup water
2 tsp. food coloring
1 T. vegetable oil

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for @ 5 minutes. When it forms a ball in the center of the pan, turn it out and knead on a lightly floured surface. Store in airtight container or ziplock. Now it time for some fun for the kids!!!

Book Report

I just wanted to share a book I just finished and also share some resources I have discovered and am excited about. "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges is the book I recently finished and it was very good! It is about the acceptable sins we as Christians we tolerate in our lives or we just don't recognize them as "serious" sins. What a wake up call to read this book... it deals with sins like anxiety, critical attitudes, our unkind speech about others, our impatience and anger. Some chapters that really spoke to me were about impatience and irritability...wow ...love covers a multitude of sins ...even the unitentional things people do to irritate us and cause us to respond in a sinful way. The chapter on anger was excellent and really helped me define and understand some of the "weeds of anger"....resentment and bitterness. The book also gives hope and resolve to help you with these sins.



I also discovered some really neat resources for parenting. In the back of recipe book I have it listed some really cool helps . Since then I have had the opportunity to look at some of these resources from a friend and wow..they are really neat. I wish I would have had some of these helps when I first started training my kids. Here is a list of books worth checking out.



"Shepherding a Child's heart."..my favorite parenting book!

"The Heart of Anger"...do you have an angry child or an angry parent?

"For instruction in Righteousness"...a topical guide to use each time you discipline your children
(this is awesome and such a help..gives you scripture verses and biblical examples and ideas for disciplining..a MUST have!)

"Polished Cornerstones" and "Plants Grown Up" ..These are a really neat resource to use for your boy or girl their whole life ..using reading , writing, Bible study, and activites

Here is the website..check it out! http://teachmagazine.com

Cookin' Keira

I just bought a sewing machine last week.....(my other machine broke last Christmas) so it has been fun to sew again...I made this apron for Keira...she loves to bake with me! I can't wait to work on some more projects!