Happy Trails

Mom and Pat-yes, they're ready!!!

Christine, Mom, and Tim at her luncheon

Tom and Mom

Mom, Tom, me, and Tim (David couldn't make it down)

Happy trails to you....my Mom is taking the leap into the good life. After many years at the Farm she is moving on to greener (more relaxed) pastures.

Mom I hope that these "golden" years are really golden for you. I hope that you get to do every single thing that you WANT to do-nothing more and nothing less.

You have earned this time so let it be about you (and Patrick of course).

If the CDL license falls through, you can always start a shuttle service and use our van:)

Happy Retirement to you!!!!

Band Concert

Peris is in the back row-what a trumpet player!
Pre-concert photo

Peris' first band concert was this past Tuesday night. Sitting in the audience brought back memories of my first band concert in the very same auditorium. There is something about your children going to the same school as you did that is so cool!

Peris did a great job!! She had an entire row cheering her on-which is cool as well!!!!

Fearless

So here it is, my first Max Lucado book. I have avoided his literature for a long time. Why? No particular reason. I just thought that since he seems to mass produce books they just couldn't be that good. Oh I was so wrong-please accept my apologies Mr. Lucado. Your fans have been right all along. This book is all about becoming fearless through Jesus Christ. I picked it up because I have fears, as does every parent, but mine sometimes verge on obsessive-there, I put it out there. I have big fears: what if that pea sized lump under my jaw bone is cancer? To medium sized fears: what if my kids aren't in the same school system next year? To smaller sized fears: what if one of the kids gets hurt at school? I mean don't we all fear something? Hey, just turn on the tv or open up the newspaper and there is enough doom and gloom to cause us all to pause. But this book takes a stand on fear. It guides us through so many of our deepest fears and then disproves those fears through scripture that show the love that Christ has for us. Got a legitimate concern that has morphed into panic? See page 49-50. Worried about your kids? There's a whole chapter on that!! Money as issue? God's got you covered and so does the chapter called Make-Believe Money. So if you've got a fear/concern/some anxiety pick up this little gem! It's an easy read that has helped to ease my mind!!! I don't think it will disappoint!!

Take courage! I am here! Matthew 14:27 NLT

and my new favorite:

Pour your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands towards him for the life of your young children ~ Lamentations 2:19

Snowman and Co.

Our happy Snowman
Thank goodness for the Christmas wreath that never got thrown away! And YES, Derek made the corn cob pipe from scratch!!!! Are there any limits to what this super Dad can do??

Fiona and her snow "daughter" named....Emmy

Fiona introducing "snow" Emmy to the real Emmy (who thought this was HILARIOUS!)

Emmy hanging out with Emmy

Peris standing by her Snowman-she worked hard to get him just right!

Fiona "feeding" Emmy a cookie

Monday we spent part of the afternoon outside-it was time for ALL of us to venture out!! At our house, too much togetherness inside is not a good thing. I do think that our vacation times are always so much better when we are able to get outdoors-which is why I LOVE summer!!

We made a Snowman together while Fiona worked on her own snow daughter. It was decent out so we also went for a family walk around the neighborhood to check out other Snow families-there is one over on Doud that is pretty snazzy!!! The Snow Mom has a cape on-very stylish!!! I have to admit that I do love days at home without the schedules and routine. It is nice to just have a day to sleep in, rest, and recover from the routine that the school year necessitates.

How many days until summer vacation?

A "Gotta" Read

If you are looking for a fantastic book to start off 2010 this is it!! I picked this up at the library because I thought the cover looked interesting and I liked the title (yes, this is how many books land in my lap-sad but true). It is the beautiful story of Lillian and her passion for cooking-but the story runs much deeper as the reader is introduced to the students that meet for The School of Essential Ingrediants cooking class. You will embrace the characters in this story-cheering them on and sharing in the heartache that some face. I did not want to put this book down-truthfully, I didn't!!

Menu Plan Monday

I've taken a hiatus from publishing my menu each week. While I still plan our meals on a weekly basis, I haven't had the time to post on orgjunkie.com. Since I find that I am in a horrible rut, I thought I would take the time to get my meal plan for the week linked up to orgjunkie and see if anyone out there has got some new ideas!!!!

MONDAY: Baked ziti, rolls, green beans

TUESDAY: Cereal night (Derek teaches so I take the pressure off!!)

WEDNESDAY: Italien beef sandwiches, cold carrots and dip

THURSDAY: StoveTop stuffing and turkey bake

FRIDAY: Homemade pizza

SATURDAY: Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

SUNDAY: Mac and Cheese
*Small group for Derek and I so the kids get a favorite
*Small group dessert: Easy Dump Cake

I'm headed over to www.orgjunkie.com to link up and get some new ideas-check it out whether you're in a rut or in stealth menu planning mode-can't we all use some help now and then:)

First Official Snow Day, January 2010

Our 2010 Bucket List

Our 2010 Bucket List

Things to Do As A Family:

Emmy - go sledding

Ella - go to a McDonald's playland and eat/play inside

Fiona - eat at Chili's

Michael - for one month have the kids choose meals for dinner

Peris - go to Grady's fun center

Derek - paint pottery together

Kara - Gulf Shores, AL

2009 Wrap Up

I can't believe that 2009 is over. It really did fly by!! So much happened!! We got a dog, lost our cat, enjoyed "swinter" (you know the summer vacation that never saw true Midwestern summer like temperatures), sent our baby off to kindergarten and our oldest off to middle school (sniffle sniffle), endured..oops, I mean enjoyed multiple school and extra-curricular activities, I started subbing, and then the holiday came and went in the blink of an eye.

We did get to cross off almost all of our Bucket List items from 2009-the only one we didn't get to was eating at Cracker Barrel, and for some of you that is a check list item well missed. I on the other hand would vote to relist that on our items to do for 2010!!!

I met my personal goal of reading 50 books and actually read 54!! Hooray for me!! Out of my list my top 3 picks to suggest for you to read this year are:

1. The Kite Runner
2. A Thousand Splendid Suns
3. The Doctor's Wife

I don't think that any of these reads would disappoint!!

So much more to do, see, enjoy this year.

Here's to a new year of good health, cherishing the moments, slowing down, adapting to change, and focusing on those things in my circle of influence!!

Happy New Year 2010

This year we decided that we would let the kids stay up until midnight to watch the ball drop. We did our traditional hot dog roast in the fireplace and followed up with our favorite, festive s'mores as well. The kids donned their new year crowns and hats (yes, Derek has a pink one on-he was a good sport) along with some festive beads. It was a great night!!!

Happy 2010!

Snowy Day (Christmas Break)

Henry

Happy adoption anniversary Henry Spencer Story!!

We love you even more today than we did one year ago when Ella said:

"Mom, I found the dog for us! It's THE ONE!" and she was right!!