Snow Days are the Best

My mommy has been out of the classroom for the past two school years, but she still enjoys the thrill of knowing it's a snow day! We hurried up and gobbled up breakfast this morning so that we were sure to have enough time to pile on our gear and head out into the snow. We had loads of fun tromping through the snow, playing with Mocha (until she jumped on me), licking the snow, sledding around the yard and just having a great time. When we came in we warmed up with some hot cocoa and then got busy making Valentine playdough -- playdough is fun anyway, but spending the time to make your own is the best!


We hope you were able to get outside and enjoy the snow today!

Ready or not, here I come!

This stuff tastes sooo good!Here I am throwing snow on my mommy - it was pretty funny!

Another face full of snow!

Time to make the playdough!Kneading it out to make a Valentine heartThis took a lot of work - can you see how proud I am?!?!Mom wrapped my hand into the playdough - that was the most fun ever!Here is a smaller heart that I made

Not feeling to spiffy

Mommy and I haven't been feeling the greatest over the past few days. I've had lots of pajama days, extra juice, lollipops, extra tv time, and of course loads of snuggles. My mommy even ran out one day and got McDonald's for me to enjoy for lunch since I wasn't feeling good...it was soooo good! We haven't really spent time doing toddler school and we haven't even gotten a chance to decorate for Valentine's Day, but we have had a nice time hanging out at home with nothing special to do other than getting better.

I made this creation all by myself! "It's a dinosaur with a tall neck and a long body and a tail!" I was very proud of my work.

Dad let me help him get some shredding done - well, actually I had more fun playing in the paper shred!!!

Enjoying a quiet afternoon of watercolor painting - it's nice to take it easy!

A Week in Review

I'm officially getting the itch for Spring to arrive. How about you? I went to Target recently and was happy to see that the clothing has changed to warmer weather wear and slowly but surely I'm seeing garden and outdoor supplies hit the shelves...ahhh bring it on!

Praises and Hallelujah's - After the New Year arrived Randy and I sat down and took a look at our finances. We weren't happy with what we seen so we decided to switch to a strict budget or "envelope" system. Well, if you talked to me at all last weekend you probably heard about my discouragement with the new system. I thought that we were supposed to be saving tons of money my budgeting everything out...I mean, it makes sense right??? I was meal planning better than ever, clipping coupons, shopping sales, only getting what we "needed" - why wasn't I seeing improvement??? I was pretty bummed out. But, as always, Jesus was right there holding my hand and helped me up - He gave me new perspective and showed me that with the budget system we were being much more responsible and that the budget was helping us plan ahead for thigns that we normally wouldn't do. As we enter in a new month I am now able to see that we really did save money!!! Now, I am smiling a new smile and ready to keep going with this plan, all the while surrendering our bountiful blessings to Jesus!!!!

Recipe Pick of the Week- Kielbasa and Sliced Red Potato's with Onions

Slice and cook Kielbasa

Sautee a Tbsp. of butter and sliced onions in skillet

Add thinly sliced red potato's and sausage and cook at Medium heat

Cook through and serve with Asparagus or Green Beans, a small salad and spiced pears for dessert!

What I'm Reading - The Power of a Praying Wife, my Avon catalog and Pampered Chef catalog =)

God's Powerful Word of the Week - To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Romans 8:6

This Week's Weather - A bit of snow, a bit of sun, a lot of cold and a lot of gray

Pic of the Week - My precious little boy isn't feeling well. I feel horrible for him, but admittedly I love being able to spoil him with extra juice, lollipops, popsicles and extra tv time for snuggling and relaxing. He really wanted to watch one more show before nap time - guess he didn't make it!

TV Time this Week - Not sure what we'll watch tonight - HGTV tapes, a Netflix video or Shark Tank - hmmmm....

Website of the Week - I've been on several "flooring" websites reviewing possible candidates for a new kitchen floor

Most Listened to Song this Week - "We are the World - for Haiti" and Nicole Mullins "Victory Chant"

Enjoy the remainder of the week - do something fun this weekend!!!!

Just stuff

Mommy and me having some fun - we were looking at text pictures on mommy's phone and being silly! Cracking up becuause mommy was chasing me with her camera =)

Making a winter felt quilt for "school" after reading "Snowy Day"

Another week wrapping up

Wow - these weeks seem to fly by so quickly!!!!

Praises and Hallelujah's - God always knows how to put the "cherry on top" when it comes to blessings. Earlier this week a dear friend of mine (Carolyn Daniels) blessed my socks off when she sent home an amazing bottle of stress reducing lotion (eucalyptus and spearmint) for my night stand and my purse - WOW! She works with Randy and I had noticed that he came home smelling rather delicious one day after a conference - he told me it was Carolyn's lotion. So, I asked her about it and voila - a big huge blessing landed in my lap! It may seem small to some, but this lotion is a big time hit in my book - love ya Carolyn!!!! Also, what's even a bigger praise and hallelujah is that God brought Carolyn and I together through her son, Douglas. Sadly, Douglas went home to be with Jesus in September of last year - I often reflect on his life, shed tears and smile at the same time. Although his loss is immense and burdensome I find great peace and comfort in seeing how he left his "footprint" "handprint" etc. here on this Earth - his heart was full of gentleness, humility, and compassion - I'm sure you also see this in his mom just as I do. Please continue to pray for this family - they are precious and as you can imgaine the loss is deep. I think of Douglas often - watching a leaf blow accross the grass, seeing the sun sparkle in the snowflakes, the simple things in life bring me comfort, peace and joy as I reflect on Douglas.

Recipe Pick of the Week - Super Duper Easy Chicken Florentine

1 lb. cooked and diced chicken breast (lightly seasoned)

1 can crescent rolls

2 tbsp. cream cheese

1/2 package of frozen spinach (thawed and well drained)

1 c. or so of shredded mozzarella cheese

Spray an 8x8 pan - put 4 crescent triangles on bottom of pan and push seams together. Place cooked chicken on top of crescent roll then spread spinach mixture on top (cream cheese softened in microwave and spinach mixed together)-next place cheese on top of spinach and place 4 remaining crescent rolls with seams pushed together on top of that - bake according to crescent roll directions (just lightly browned 15-18 min). Yum!

God's Powerful Word of the Week - Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others - Phillipians 2:4

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being - 1 Corinthians 10:24

God's word is sooooo awesome and powerful - chew on it, apply it and grow!!!!

This Week's Weather - Yikes - It is sooooo cold, but we also have sunshine so I'm smiling!

Pic of the Week - Daddy reading a bed time story to Joshua - so sweet!

What I'm reading - Still moving through the Power of a Praying Wife - it's good stuff for sure! I will be pulling out the power of a praying parent as soon as this one wraps up - I've also been reading toilet training blogs - not as much fun I must say =)

TV Time this Week - hmmm...we watched the movie "Stick It" - a gymanstics movie - very cute

Website of the Week - Google =) I've been doing lots of web searches on visiting Shedd Aquarium for a future getaway

Most Listened to Song this Week - a bit of Glee music (from the tv show - just downloaded some songs - "Don't Stop Believin'" -gotta love the "oldies"

Well, snuggle up everyone and stay warm - looking forward to the weekend, a new week and a new month!

Having fun with Daddy

If you look very closely you will see that daddy is holding "me" in the pop up hamper. Normally, all of my stuffed animal friends are kept in the hamper, but after emptying it out, daddy put me in it and took me on a journey through the house - what fun!

I L-O-V-E Playdough!!!

Spending time with playdough is one of my favorite sit-down activities. I'm really good at cutting the playdough into pieces and then counting them. I've also been very obedient and have resisted the urge that almost every child has to put the playdough in my mouth. Check out my pics!

Plymouth Ice Show 2010

On Saturday afternoon my Papa and Grandma picked me up to take me to the Plymouth Ice Show. It was pretty cold, but mom had me bundled up really good and even sent hot cocoa to keep me warm.

The ice sculptures were soooooo beautiful. My favorite was the seahorse (because I got to touch it). There were a lot of people at the ice show and it was set up in a fairly small area so we didn't stay too long. I love doing fun things with my Grandma and Papa - they are the best!

Here is the seahorse sculpture - so cool!

Papa and I checking out the ice and the ice carvers.

The seal and squirrel

Staying warm with my Papa

The squirrel was another really good sculpture - love it!

Thanks for a great afternoon Grandma and Papa - love you!

A week in review

Well, another week is wrapping up. This week started out moving along a bit slow, but yesterday I woke up and realized it was already Thursday and could hardly believe - crazy how time flies when you're having fun raising a little one =)

I'm still trying to figure out how I want to do this week in review thingy - this time I am adding something to the top of my list and am planning on leaving it this way unless something else pops up - here we go....

Praises and Hallelujah's - Many of you know that Joshua is a rather timid little guy until he gets to know his surroundings and the people in it. Well, with that said it goes without saying that our bi-weekly adventures to MOPS (that is when he hasn't had a cold or something else going on) have been quite a struggle. Let's just say it was normal for him to spend the entire 2 hour session crying hysterically. So, just when I was feeling like I would have to give in and let him stay home from MOPS (to my great dismay) God prompted me to start praying for BRAVERY AND COURAGE in Jesus name!!!! Well, we prayed that over and over again for 2 weeks and gues what???...he went to MOPS on Tuesday and was awesome!!!!!! He actually had fun and I believe that he realizes in his little heart that Jesus blessed him with bravery and courage!

We are shouting out some big time praises and hallelujah's in our family - how about you??? What is something awesome God did in your life this week??? Praise Him for it!!!



Recipe Pick of the Week - 3 Bean Pot O' Chili (crock pot recipe)




1 lb. ground beef

1 med. onion chopped

29 oz. can tomoato puree

15 oz. can each of black beans, butter beans, kidney beans - all rinsed
3 T. chili powder, 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 c. water

Shredded cheddar cheese

Sour Cream

Brown beef and onions together, drain. In a crock pot, combine beef/onion mixture with remaining ingredients, except for cheese and sour cream. Cook on low for 6 hours. Garnish with cheese and sour cream.


Cornbread added a nice touch to the meal as well!


On a side note - if you are an Aldi shopper - you can by everything you need for this recipe at Aldi, including the cornbread mix.

**This recipe freezes well for leftovers**



God's powerful word of the week - Proverbs 24: 3-4 "Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."


This week's weather - Hmmm---no snow which for me is a good thing, some snow melted which is also nice - a mix of sun and clouds - cold, cold, cold - but it could be colder I guess - so all in all - I can't complain =)


Pic of the week - Joshua LOVES seeing his Grandma and Papa and they try to stop by at least one night during the work week to visit with him - we are very blessed to have this opportunity to visit each week!

















What I'm reading - Still enjoying reading and praying through "The Power of a Praying Wife" - it's good stuff! I'm also trying to make a dent in my pile of magazines.

TV Time this week - Looking forward to snuggling up in front of the TV tonight to watch this past weeks episode of Ugly Betty and maybe The Middle

Favorite website this week - If you are on Facebook or Twitter you've probably seen people begging and pleading for you to vote for the Chase Bank Million Dollar Giveaway - well, the charity we are rooting for is called Friendship Circle. As you know I am very involved in helping kids with special needs enjoy success in life and the Friendship Circle is a wonderful place that provides thousands of kids with unique abilities the opportunity to spread their wings and fly. Voting ends tonight - go to http://www.votefc.com/ - choose the Friendship Circle!!!!

Most listened to song this week - Let My Words Be Few by Phillips, Craig and Dean --amazing worship song - gotta love it!!!!


Enjoy the weekend!!!!

Birthdays Abounding

Last Sunday we had a great family birthday celebration honoring my Grandma and my cousin Melissa. We had a delicious Taco dinner and lots of laughs. I made my Grandma homemade chocolate almond ice cream (her favorite) to take to the celebration - there wasn't a drop of it leftover - yummy!

Here I am mixing the ingredients Taste test

Into the ice cream maker it goes

20 minutes later - Voila!!!! Delicious!

Here is Melissa with some of her girlfriends (L to R - Audrey, Emily, Melissa)

Getting a bit sleepy but awake enough to watch a pooh bear movie.

Getting ready for cake and presents!

Daniel and Melissa being silly!

Here is the gang singing Happy Birthday - crazy silly - you might not be able to see it, but I'll bet you can hear it =)