Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Coffee

The boys had a friend (Lawrence) spend the night a few nights ago.

Lawrence is very funny for only being 10 years old.

After we got home from church, the boys changed their clothes, brought out the humungous tub of legos, and turned on a movie. They were carrying on a conversation during all their playing and watching the movie. It went like this:

Phyllip: I'm having cereal in the morning.

Lawrence: Not me. I'm having coffee.

(I whipped my head around from what I was doing)
Me: You're having what?

Lawrence: Coffee.

Me: Oh, really?

Lawrence: Yes. Isn't that what you have every morning?

The last time Lawrence spent the night, I had just happened to make a pot of coffee and had some of my favorite peppermint mocha creamer to go with it. Lawrence tried it and now he's hooked!

Is it just me, or do kids like being grown up before their time? *smile*

Monday, December 15, 2008

A HOT Lesson...

I was in the process of making "Jalapeno Poppers" today.

I had cut open the jalapenos and was taking the veins and seeds out. Phyllip and Tyler walk into the kitchen and both proudly proclaim that they've eaten the seeds before and they're not hot. What did I, their mother, do????? I dared them to put a seed on their tongue. To which they both happily obliged.

What happened? Immediately they started diving for something to take the HOT away! Phyllip got the biggest glass of milk he could! They were pathetic! Even an hour later, Tyler was still complaining that his tongue was on fire. They are such light weights!

I served the jalapenos for dinner and neither one of them would eat them. They ate the filling and the bacon but happily refused the jalapenos! They didn't want to take any chances.

I think they learned their lesson.......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In case you want the recipe for Jalapeno Poppers, here it is.

1 lb. bacon
12 oz. sausage (any kind you like-I used breakfast sausage in the tube)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
jalapenos - as many as you want

Slice the jalapenos lengthwise. Cut out the veins and seeds (you can leave some seeds in if you want extra heat). Brown the sausage in a pan, breaking up into small pieces. Transfer sausage into a bowl and add cream cheese. Mix well. Stuff the jalapenos with the sausage/cream cheese mixture. Cut slices of bacon in half or thirds (whichever you like better). Roll bacon around each jalapeno. Place in a baking dish. Stick each one with a toothpick. Bake in 350 oven for 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

I can't take the credit for this recipe. I got it from one of the ladies in my church (Thank you, Esha). This has become a favorite of my husband. I made a really good pot of chili tonight and he said the poppers trumped the chili! I know these are good if he says that!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

How Do I Know Jesus Loves Me?

Because He provides even the little things for me!

I was a little bit stressed over finances last week (they are really tight). I asked the Lord if He would provide enough money on payday to pay for alllllll of the bills and have food and gas money. Now, I didn't consider this to be a "little" request. But in the realm of having a mortgage, etc., this was "little." But He answered my prayer and just the way I asked Him to! Now, I shouldn't be amazed by this, but I always am! Sometimes it's not always in my time, but it's always in His due season.

Does it boggle anyone else's mind how our Heavenly Father loves us?

We may not have the money to buy all the "neat" stuff but I see so much of His faithfulness to me each and every day. He has given me the most wonderful man for me to call my husband and he's still with me 19 years later. He has given me 3 beautiful children here and 1 in Heaven. We all have good health. My husband has a very good job. We have a beautiful home with nice furniture. Our car gets us from "A" to "B." We have an awesome church! We live in a beautiful area of America with lots of sunshine. We have fresh air to breathe, food to eat, and water to drink. The list goes on and on! So many of these things I tend to take for granted.

As I read my Bible, my eyes are opened each time to God's goodness to me and how much He loves me. I certainly don't deserve His goodness. But I am soooooo thankful that He's faithful to love me and provide for me!

I hope you can see how much Jesus loves you, too! :)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I'm Quite Sure They Get the Gene From Their Father...

Today was a major work day at church. We have decided to beautify our church building.

Walter and I and the kids were down doing some prep work and cleaning the office.

We had been there for about 4 hours or so by the time we were done.

Unbeknownst (is that a word?) to Walter and I, the boys were outside playing in the water. Shouldn't be anything wrong with that you wonder? Ha! You don't know my boys!

Phyllip told Tyler that Dad said they could slide in the water and mud hole in the grassy area next to the building (major run-on sentence, I know). They played like it was more of a 'Slip N Slide.' As we are about to set the security alarm in the building, I walk outside and call the boys. Tyler is the first one to appear. Dripping wet from head to toe! Next, Phyllip appeared equally as wet.

Our mouths dropped open and I think almost hit the ground!

Me: "What are you two doing?"

Tyler and Phyllip: "Dad said we could slide in the water and mud and get wet. Aren't we just going home anyway?"

Me: "No, son, we aren't just going home. We have lots of errands to run! You can't get in the car dripping wet!"

The look on their faces was priceless! They were completely amazed that we didn't give them permission to get wet.

Walter: "Guess what? You two get to run errands with us looking like that! Wring out your clothes as best as you can!"

Me: "Where in the world did you get the idea that you would ever be allowed to do this?"

Phyllip: "Dad said we could!"

Walter: "No, I didn't."

Me: "Boys, look at me. In case I haven't been clear up until this moment, let me be very clear. You will never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever be allowed to play in the water and mud at church ever! Have I made myself clear?"

Phyllip and Tyler: "Yes, ma'am."

Walter turns to me and says, "They get that from you. Your mom used to have water fights inside the house!" "My sister and I never would have thought to do what these two knuckleheads have just done, so I think they get that gene from you!" I said. We both laughed.

They went inside and tried to dry themselves as best they could. They were shivering everywhere we went because all the stores still have their air conditioning running. Their teeth were chattering. I did feel kinda bad for them, but not too much. The worst part about it was that as they were drying they started smelling like mildew and it was really bad!

I'm not upset now. Actually, I was laughing about it a short while later.

Boys! They never cease to amaze me at what they think of! Gotta love 'em, though! They bring much joy to our lives!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving...

Where do I begin giving my thanks?

Throughout this last year, I have learned so much. Seen so much. Lived through things that I didn't think I'd ever live through. But through it all....
I'm so very thankful...to my Heavenly Father.

First and foremost,
I am thankful that God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, provided a way for each and every one of us to live with Him for eternity in Heaven. I am so thankful for His free gift of salvation and that I accepted that free gift.

At the beginning of this year, my husband and I thought God might be calling us to the mission field of Madagascar.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to take a missions survey trip and to have gone to a foreign field that I never even contemplated. I didn't think I'd ever leave America. I'm thankful that God would even want to choose me for something like that.

While we were in Madagascar, we saw with our very own eyes the incredible poverty that people in this world actually live in. You know, you see it on tv, you hear about it on the radio, and it doesn't really sink in. I mean, come on, we live in America. We have no idea really about poverty. We have so much. But we've gotten used to having it and we cannot fathom not having it.
I am thankful to have been born here in America and live in America.

As I reflect on God' goodness to me, it completely blows my mind that my Creator would choose to use me for
anything. He could have chosen angels to do His work for Him. But He chose man to do that. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve the one true God.

Many days this year, I've awakened in the morning and one of the first thoughts in my mind is how God so richly provides for me every day my daily provision. Food, air, water, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, etc. For too many years, I've just taken those things for granted forgetting that my Heavenly Father has so richly blessed me.
I am thankful for these blessings.

Deuteronomy 8:18
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. This verse was pointed out to our church during our family conference back in May. I am thankful that God has given my husband the power to get wealth to provide for our family so that I can be a full-time mom at home. As I look back in our checkbook, God has worked miracles for us this year. I have a thankful heart for that. On paper, our finances don't make sense...but to God it does and all I can say is, "Wow!"

Our pastor resigned from our church in August. Our church was devastated. It has been one of the most difficult times in our lives. But...God has been faithful to us. He has provided so much for us. Walter and I have made so many new friends through this.
I am so thankful. God has miraculously provided for our church financially. I am so thankful. Nobody left the church because our pastor resigned. I am so thankful. The unity in our church is awesome. I am so thankful. We are still seeing souls saved. I am so thankful. Our church has not closed it's doors. I am sooooo thankful. We don't have a new pastor yet, but I know God will provide the right man in His perfect time.

My family is healthy. I used to take it for granted that we were healthy. I try not to do that anymore because I have come to the realization that our physical lives can change drastically in a short amount of time.
Thank you Heavenly Father for our health.

As I reflect on all of these blessings and more, I realize that God is sooooooooo good. I am thankful that we have a day set aside here in America called Thanksgiving Day to reflect on all the goodness and blessings in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Something Fun...

Just something fun to do.

8 Shows I watch:
We don't have cable, satellite, or even use an antenna so I really can't answer that.

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Read my Bible
2. Talked to my favorite (and only) sister
3. Talked to my favorite man in the whole wide world - my Mr. Wonderful!
4. Did school with my boys
5. Brushed my dog
6. Made dinner
7. Had family night
8. Checked emails and surfed the web for a while

8 Places I like to eat:
1. Macaroni Grill
2. Rubio's Fresh Mexican
3. Red Robin
4. Olive Garden
5. Sizzler
6. Panda Express
7. Good ol' fashioned homecookin'
8. Jack in the Box

8 Things I look forward to...
1. Living in Heaven!
2. Learning something new from the Bible
3. My husband coming home from work each night
4. Seeing what my kids look like all grown up
5. Watching Lyndsey graduate from high school and college (she's so close!)
6. Christmas
7. Summer vacation
8. Being a grandma (but not too soon!)

8 Things on my wish list...
1. To be debt free
2. To have a newer car that has rear a/c
3. To be a better mom and wife
4. To lose at least 20 pounds
5. To be a better servant for the Lord Jesus Christ
6. A really good set of pots and pans
7. To be totally healthy
8. To not wear glasses

If you want to participate, feel free to!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

It Just Has To Be a Boy Thing!

This morning the boys were supposed to be doing their schoolwork. They were sitting at the table with their books open and pencils in hand but decided to have the following conversation.

Phyllip: Tyler, I dare you to eat a piece of Ruby's (our dog) food.

Tyler: Ok.

Tyler can't bring himself to actually eat the food so he licks it several times instead. Eventually, he put the whole thing in his mouth and spit it out immediately!

Then Tyler decided eating one of Ruby's cookies would be better. He tried it (a chicken flavored one) and said it tasted like Top Ramen, then it tasted like chicken, and then it was gross.

What will they think of next?

When I was growing up, it was only my sister and me. The things these boys do blow my mind! It just has to be a boy thing!!!!!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

My Husband Loves Me!

We celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Tuesday night and pretty much all day Wednesday.

Mr. Wonderful surprised me with dinner and a movie and a night away from the kids! We stayed at a hotel just down the street from our house.

We ate dinner and went to the theatre to see "Fireproof." If you haven't seen that movie you need to go! It's an incredible movie! We don't go to the movies very often (the last time we went was over 2 years ago) and we really shy away from recommending movies but this one is a must. It will help to strengthen our marriages as well as it gives a very clear presentation of salvation and why we need a Saviour.

Then we went to the hotel. I noticed that the towels in the bathroom didn't seem to have been put in the normal areas for a clean room but didn't think too much of it that night. The bed was made and the trash cans were empty and the room appeared clean. However, the next morning we got up and I noticed hair all over the bathroom counter and floor, a woman's razor and shampoo in the shower, and an open bar of soap with someone's hair on it in the shower. Yuck!!! We also found a debit card receipt belonging to the person that had stayed in our room the night before on the floor.

When we checked out of the hotel, Walter complained about the room and guess what? We only had to pay $1 for the room (it normally is $109 per night during the week). The clerk tried to credit us completely but the computer wouldn't allow it. We weren't complaining about that! She also gave us her card and told us we could come back and stay in the hotel for free one more time.

It turned out that when Walter checked in, the computer said the room wasn't clean. The clerk called housekeeping and told them it needed to be cleaned and they said the computer was mistaken and the room was clean. Not!!! Oh well! All I can say is, "God is good!"

We spent the whole day out and about shopping - mostly window shopping but we did come home with a few things. Part of my anniversary gift from him was a new dress. We looked at several stores and found nothing. I told him that I usually find my dresses at JcPennys. That was the last store we looked in and I found 4 dresses. We bought 2 (my husband loves me!).

We got home just in time to have dinner and be on our way to church.

I was exhausted by the time we got home last night, but it was a fabulous day with my "Mr. Wonderful!"

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

19 Years Ago Today...

I married the love of my life.

It was the second best decision I ever made (the first being to accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour).

I am the luckiest woman in the world! God gave me everything I ever wanted in a husband. I never made a list of what I wanted but as I've reflected down through the years, I've realized more and more that God truly does love me for He gave me Walter and he is exactly what I wanted! God is soooo good!

Nineteen years ago today my sister married the love of her life.

We decided to have a double wedding. It was so great to get married along side my sister!

We started out as two and the Lord added to our family.







The most current family picture we have

Walter.....I love you with all my heart. You are everything I want in a husband. Thank you for putting up with me and my quirks all these years. You deserve a medal! I pray the Lord gives us another 19 years together!
Love,
Mrs. Wonderful

Monday, November 3, 2008

Fun With My Sis

One of the hardest things I've ever done in my life was move away from my sister.

My sister and I have an incredible relationship. Most people say we look like twins. We actually think alike and can finish each other's sentences. We've been the best of friends since childhood. I like to say we're twins separated by 3 1/2 years (I don't mind telling you that I'm younger)!

We moved to SoCal in 1998 to help our pastor start a church. Walter instantly fell in love with the climate (hot and dry)! It took me a while but I now love where we live.

My husband was so kind to tell me a couple of months ago to buy a plane ticket to go see my sister for a few days. So.....being the good submissive wife (*smile*), I did as he said!

I went up there on October 22nd and came home on the 27th.

We had a great time! Just hanging out together at home suits us just fine. We don't have to go anywhere to have a good time. But I did go up to Tacoma to go to the Holiday Food and Gift Festival that is held there annually in the Tacoma Dome with her. Before we moved to SoCal, Nancy and I went together every year.

I also got to spend some time with a friend that I think of as another sister, Tammie. As well as another friend named (you guessed it) - Tammy! We had a great time. I enjoyed their company immensely.

L to R - Tammie, Me, Nancy
This is the first picture of just the 3 of us in A LOT of years!

Tammy took me to lunch on the waterfront on Sunday after church. It was absolutely gorgeous! We had so much fun laughing and talking about old times and catching up on what's going on in each other's lives currently.

The view of Mt. Rainier was picture perfect. I got 2 pictures. I took the sunshine with me. It was gorgeous the whole time I was there. I took an umbrella with me but never used it. That's amazing! Below are some pictures of the waterfront.

The new Narrows bridge

If you blow the picture up you can see Mt. Rainier

Another picture of Mt. Rainier

My favorite time of the year is fall. I love this picture - it shows all the leaves changing colors. Gorgeous!

This is one of Tammie's sons - Andrew
He's my buddy. Every time we see each other we have to have our picture taken together.

Andrew and Alexis - she was so thrilled to see me. It was fun! She even said that her favorite uncle is Uncle Wally (aka my husband)! He is soooo proud!

Top row L to R - Eden, Ed, Ashleigh, Eddie, Tammie
Bottom row L to R - Alexis, Adam, Andrew, Alex, Eligh

I wanted to get a picture with each of my nieces and nephews. Some were more than willing to oblige me and others did everything they could to sabotage the pictures. But, I won in the end. It took lots of takes (hooray for digital cameras!) but I finally did get acceptable shots.

Richard and me

Matthew and me

Rebecca and me

Katie and me

Matthew is growing up so fast! He's actually pushing his muscle up in this picture, but - his muscle is real! I saw and felt it! Very handsome young man!

The time went by so fast but I had the best time.

Nancy, it was soooooo good to be with you again. Til, next time...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Teaching Does Have Its Moments!

My husband is ADAMANT about washing the windshield of our car when the car gets gassed (is that a word?) up.

He showed the boys how to wash the windows with a squeegee. He usually has Phyllip wash the windshield.

Phyllip isn't quite tall enough and his arms aren't quite long enough to reach the middle of the car. But he tries, and he tries, and he tries, and he tries (you get the picture, right?). If there's a spot left on the window, he does his best to get rid of it - even if it means adding about 20 new spots!

A couple of Saturdays ago we were at the gas station. Walter was pumping the gas and Phyllip was washing the window. When Phyllip would touch the window with the squeegee we laughed because he didn't touch the window gently. It was with all his might! The squeegee would almost slam against the window and 20 new spots would suddenly appear on the window. It was a process of elimination for him! He did finally get all the spots off - it just took him a looooonnnngggg time. And he enjoys washing the window, too!

Kinda makes me wonder how many laughs my parents got from teaching me different things...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Guess Where I'm Going?

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to the...

to get on an...

to go see...

in


We are going to go to a...




and

festival! I haven't been to the Tacoma Dome with my sister in 7 years. We used to go there every year when I lived there. I can't wait to see my sister!!!!!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Church Picnic

Today our church went to a park after the morning services and had a picnic. We all had a great time. It was a beautiful day.









We also have some new friends! This is Ron Brown, his wife, Sheryl, and their son, Jason. Brother Brown has been preaching for our church lately. We have really enjoyed having them here with us!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The Honesty of Kids

Brother Brown (our guest speaker at church today) decided to use Tyler in an illustration. He said, "Are you good with illustrations?"

Tyler said (without any hesitation), "No."

Of course, the church laughed at that one. I'm not sure Tyler understood why everyone laughed.

Friday, October 10, 2008

According to Tyler...

I was taught something the other day by Tyler - melting silver.

It's quite simple, I'm told.

Here's the instructions.

First, get out a small pan. Next, add some water to the pan. Put pan on the stove and turn on to high heat. Place silver piece in pan and watch it melt when the water boils.

If only it were that simple!

I love the simplicity of kids - they've got the whole world figured out.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Quirks!

Does anyone have a dog that has quirks? I do and she is very funny!

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures!

Recently, a small couch was put into Lyndsey's room. It's the only couch Ruby (the dog) is allowed to be on. Earlier this week, Tyler and I were sitting on said couch doing some schoolwork when Ruby walked in the room. Tyler and I were sitting on one side of the couch leaving the other side completely open. Ruby walked over and stood right in front of Tyler. She wanted up on the couch. We tried to get her to get up on the couch. Nope, she wouldn't do it. She'd just stand and stare at Tyler. I told Tyler to get up and see what she would do. Guess what? She immediately hopped up on the couch and moved over to the empty side of the couch! Weird, huh. She did that about 4 or 5 times. Quirky!

Ruby has to smell everyone's breath first thing in the morning. Gross, I know!

After she gets done smelling you she sneezes and gives you a shower!

She likes piggyback rides - I'm totally serious! She started that one on her own. We didn't teach her.

If you have food, she sits in front of you and stares incessantly. If she thinks you don't know she's there, she moves to the other side of you. If you still don't acknowledge her, she starts drooling buckets of slobber! Eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww! Gross!!!!

She nudges our legs when we are walking to take her outside just to make sure we don't forget she has needs, too!

She loves to play "floss the teeth" with rubber bands!

She has to squeeze into tight places! Don't know why but she does it over and over and over.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

A Couple More Favorite Meals

I've recently discovered Taste of Home's website. I've been a long subscriber to their magazine which I absolutely love! The magazine is great but the website is so much better! I didn't want to take the time to look up a recipe in my gazillions of cookbooks and magazines (I love cookbooks) to find a particular recipe the other day. So...I went to the website and in just a couple of minutes I found it! It was so e.a.s.y!

On to the reason for this post.

I started making Baked Spaghetti well over 10 years ago when I first saw it in one of Taste of Home's magazines. I made it the other day and it was so good I had to post it.

And then I was browsing a couple months ago looking for something new to cook for dinner (I can't stand to make the same meals all the time. I've got to find something new at least once or twice a month. Add some oomph to dinner!) and I found Mexican Lasagna. Wow! That has become a favorite as of late, too.

I hope you try one or both of them. I don't think you will be disappointed!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Glasses x 2!

I took Tyler to the eye doctor today because he's been complaining of blurry vision.

Well............he needs glasses!

Like mother, like son, I guess!

I'll put before and after pictures on the blog after he gets them (and of Lyndsey, too).

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Chicken Pot Pie with Cornbread

So here's another family favorite as of late.

My husband and I love chicken pot pie. My children don't like the pastry crust, though. So I experimented one day and, voila, a new twist on an old recipe!

Chicken Pot Pie - serves 4-6

1 10 oz. bag frozen peas and carrots
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
3-4 medium size cooked chicken breasts, shredded

In a small pan, add peas and carrots. Put enough water in the pan to cover the vegies. Cook until tender. Drain and set aside. In a large stock pot melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until transparent, about 2-3 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and flour. Stir until bubbly. Remove from heat and add chicken broth and milk. Return to heat and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Boil for 1 minute. Add chicken and vegies. Pour into 9"x13" cake pan.

Cornbread

1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 Tbsp. butter, melted

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine milk, eggs, oil, and butter in another bowl. Mix well. Add to the dry ingredients. Stir just until blended.

Here's the twist.

Pour cornbread batter over the pot pie mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cornbread batter comes out clean. Serve hot.

To "kick it up a notch" I add a little honey to the cornbread batter.

My family consists of 5 people. I double the pot pie mix and use a single cornbread mix for a 9"x13" cake pan. If I double both the pot pie mix and the cornbread mix, I use the next size bigger baking pan. Otherwise, the cornbread will spill over onto my oven (and that's not good!).

Enjoy!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

What do you get...

...when you mix 3 male college students, 2 young boys, and a HUGE bucket of Legos?




The answer?











A large group of boys enjoying a HUGE bucket of Legos!!!!!!



Three college students (Rob, Oliver, and Scott) from West Coast Baptist College came out to our church today to be a blessing to our church and help us go soulwinning. They ended up coming back to our house for a little while. When they found out our boys had a HUGE bucket of Legos, all 3 of them ended up in Phyllip and Tyler's room playing with them! And, obviously, I got pictures to prove it!


Thursday, September 18, 2008

Remember to keep your doors locked!

Tonight was a ladies meeting at church.

I unlocked the front door for the ladies (I didn't really take a second thought to doing that).

The meeting got started and as I was sitting listening to the devotion, I got this overwhelming feeling someone was watching us or was going to come in the building. I shrugged it off because nothing happened.

After the meeting was over, some of us stayed around and were talking. All of a sudden a strange guy (probably in his early 20s) walked in the building and asked if he could pray. Pam and I looked at each other, obviously startled, and I said, "I guess." The weird thing is that he kept looking around the room at what was there. Since the Knouf family is at our church indefinitely, their sound system is hooked up in the auditorium. He had his eyes on that as well as the church's sound system. We were very uneasy, to say the least. He did finally sit down and pray for about 5 seconds and then got up and left.

Esha happened to be in her car (with 911 on her phone) and she told Lyndsey, MacKenzie, and Justina to get in her car NOW! She was freaked out, too.

The guy walked across a grassy area to several other people and decided to have a conversation with them. We think he was casing the building!

We made sure to lock up the building and set the alarm. I even drove back to the church just after leaving because I couldn't remember checking to make sure the front door latched.

So, the moral to this story is - KEEP THE CHURCH DOORS LOCKED AT ALL TIMES WHEN THERE ARE NO MEN IN THE BUILDING!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

3 Valuable Gifts I Received

Ok - I must admit - it was my birthday yesterday.

Lyndsey gave me a handmade card that was great (by the way - I think she makes incredible cards!).

Tyler won the behavior award in Jr. Church a couple weeks ago. He won a box of "Lemonheads." He loves 'em. On to the story...he made me a card and taped a small container of lemonheads (his most prized possession at the moment) to his card. Boy, did I feel special!

Then it was time for bed. Phyllip came out of his room to give me a hug goodnight. Phyllip not only gave me a hug but a kiss, too! To some, that doesn't seem exciting. But to this here mom - that's incredible! See, I haven't gotten a kiss from said son for over 6 years! He just doesn't like it - giving or receiving. I quit trying to get a kiss from him a very long time ago! But I was pleasantly surprised.

It was a FANTASTIC birthday!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Not the Answer We Were Looking For

It was our turn to teach Jr. Church last Sunday.

Walter asked if any of the kids knew what the dumbest animal on earth was. After a couple minutes of answers from the kids, Walter gave them the answer (in his humble opinion).

"It's the turkey," said Walter. "Do you know why it's the dumbest animal?"

"Because it says 'gobble, gobble?'" said Demetrius.

After much laughter from Walter, he says, "No, that's not why the turkey is the dumbest animal. It's because their nostrils are on top of their beaks and they will drown themselves in a rainstorm because they don't know to find shelter to keep from drowning."

We have so much fun in that class! The kids are priceless!

Monday, September 8, 2008

*Big Sigh*

I've been pretty bad about keeping up with this here blog lately.

School started last week and we are in full swing. Our mornings usually begin by 6:00 a.m. (mine starts at 5:00 a.m.) and we start schoolwork by 6:30 a.m. I try to be very diligent to make sure the kids get all of their work done by lunchtime. We are just very busy until around 11:30 a.m. And then it's on to chores, errands, and phone calls, etc. By dinnertime we are usually gearing up for the night's activities. We aren't home in the evenings except on Mondays and most Thursdays.

So there isn't much time for blogging right now.

Happy days to you!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

What a Night Last Night Was!

We had a teen game night at our home last night. All total there were 13 of us. That's HUGE for our little church!

We started out playing a game of "Ultimate Spoons." That game, by the way, is far more challenging than the regular way of playing "Spoons." It was great! The kids had an absolute blast!

There's a few changes from regular "Spoons." We played it outside. Walter and I took the spoons and hid them in a part of the yard where the kids didn't know. They started the card game looking for 4-of-a-kind. When the first person got 4-of-a-kind, they laid the cards down and started running to find the spoons. Everybody else started running also. The person who didn't get a spoon in the end was eliminated. It was soooooo funny to watch. Here are a few pictures.







Then we ate snacks, had a devotion and continued to play several more games. The final game we played was "Wild, Wild West." We played that game for over 2 hours! Actually we played round after round after round of it! The kids couldn't get enough of it! We'd try to play another game and they would beg us to keep playing it!



The kids didn't leave until after 10 pm. Usually our game nights are over by about 8:30 pm. We were pleasantly surprised! We had a lot of fun and the kids did, too!