Family and God

Been thinkin' about family and God. I don't know how anyone gets through this life without them. Family- we're born into- no choice, no choosing but had I been able to choose I wouldn't change a thing. God is a choice and clearly one that we all need to make- a choice I have come to think of as being yes, no or maybe. I think we can choose to be a christian full time OR part time, even none of the time. Not a good decision but it happens. I don't know how that works for them.

We all have our moments-our blowups or fits -that's understandable we're human and we were born with a sinful nature. BUT how often can we do that and NOT fall into the part time category. For some we are just as guilty as taking a fit because we think by claming up and giving the silent treatment we will get our way... punishing the ones that WE think are in the wrong.

All this thinking has got me thinking about.. ME! I go to church, read my bible, pray for myself, my family and the well being of others but does my light shine? Do my actions speak louder than words. If we send out 2 different messages- most will believe the nonverbal one over the verbal.

My daughter teaches 2nd grade and she said the most wonderful thing about the other 2nd grade teacher she shares an office with. It suppose to have rained yesterday and I made the comment that the rain had held off and Brooke said I knew it would.. Joan was praying it would. Brooke didn't have a doubt that Joan's prayers were heard.

In my mind I start going down the list- do my children think I'm a Godly Mother, what about my Mother does she see me as a christian daughter, does my husband think I'm the wife God tells me to be in the bible, am I a good sister, in-law, friend and the list goes on and on. If only we really knew how others saw us. Just knowing they sincerely thought God hears my prayers would be enough for me.

I love my family and God more than anything - a very verbal statement coming FROM ME. Lord, I hope and pray that others see that IN ME.

1 John 3:18

Boat Outing!

I haven't blogged in a bit- shame on me! Brooke is such the blogger- you go sis! Jeff and I took our first boat ride with our boys on their new SeaRay boat... it's great!


Now, for them this is HUGE. They are savers and this decision was a biggie- one I'm glad they made! It was a beautiful day - perfect and we loved it. The only thing missing was Brooke and Traci. So this shout out goes to you boys... anytime you need passengers "we're in!" About the 5.00 per person fee... riiight... that's not going to work for me.. ha! :)

Thirty Years and a Lifetime later

Today Wednesday March 24th, 2010 I have been married for 30 years! This to me doesn't seem possible. Where did all that time go? Why is it that everytime you blink your eye it seems that another year has passed by. Birthdays come quicker, Monday morning is here before Friday's gone- everything moves faster but us! Shouldn't it move slower because we move slower as we get older?

I tell Brooke that I can do alot of things but I don't have that one special thing I'm really good at. Does that make sense? I have been thinking about that and looking back.. way back- I guess if held by gunpoint and had to come up with something it would be that I have been with the same man through 30 years of "for better or for worse"... "for sickness and in health"... til death do us part. That we have raised 3 absolutely wonderful children that have made us so proud - I don't think my heart is big enough to hold all the love I feel for these 3 precious human beings. I ask God what I could have possibly done to get it so right 3 times. That eventhough I can do alot of things of which I am no where near being the best at I have loved this family with all I got- to the very best of my ability, with all my heart. Looking back they mean more to me than winning the Pillsbury bake-off or knitting the perfect scarf.. they have given me that one special thing I'm good at- being a wife and a mother and loving every minute of it.

Oatmeal cookies...home sweet home!

I love oatmeal cookies! AND have many recipes for them BUT today I tried a new one and it's a KEEPER! Now, why I tried yet another recipe was based on WHAT I had to bake with or without.... only 2 eggs in frig, only 2 sticks of butter and little sugar... that was the biggie! Was going to make chocolate NO bake cookies but 3 cups of sugar I NO had! (glad no one reads these!) I went to my fav cooking website for help (allrecipes.com) and CHA CHING we have a winner- this recipe only needed ONE cup of sugar- I had one cup & 1/8 tsp! They are soo good, chewy not hard and with just the right amount of cinnamon... perfect! Try them and enjoy you'll think of home sweet home!
Oatmeal Cookies:
In large bowl
1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
Blend together then add 2 eggs- one at a time
Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla - set aside
In medium bowl
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Blend, then add to above mixture
Stir in 3 cups oats
Bake 10- 12 minutes on 350 degrees
Makes about 36 cookies YUM!

Oops! It happened again!

Here we go again and by no means am I complaining YEP another snowday for me! A do whatever hits you day! The best of the best kind of day- in my opinion! Not a big snow just enough to knock you out of going to school but not enough to keep you from going! Although, I am very fond of the HOME bound type of snow my personal favorite- I get all my peeps here and I got 'em! But it's almost March and with each snow I'm thinking this could be it, so I'm happy with this not much but enough snow!

Today as with every "brr...chill" in the air day I BAKE! Today I decided to make chocolate fudge with walnuts- my Dad and my husbands favorite. Fudge always has the "if" factor but it was perfect! I'd like to say it's some type of secret family recipe but it's not... KRAFT! Try and enjoy!

I did my good deed for the day as well - I gave Sophie a bath.. you can thank me later Brooke!

Chocolate fudge with Walnuts

In medium saucepan melt:

1 and 1/2 sticks of butter

3 cups sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

Bring to a full boil and continue to boil for 4 min. or to 234 on candy therm.

Remove from heat add:

1 bag Hershey chocolate chips

1 jar marshmallow creme

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Pour into 9x13 buttered pan and let cool- cut into squares and enjoy!

A bittersweet Weekend

Ahh, this weekend... blue skies, warm temperatures and a spring like feeling in the air it ALL brings a smile to my face! The weather has been great! You look around on a day like this and can't imagine being anywhere else this beautiful.

But however blissful the weather- it has been a bittersweet weekend. Amid all the smiles and sunshine there has been much sorrow and sadness. My Uncle Dolly passed away this past Wednesday, after a long illness. His funeral was yesterday and the burial today.

Life is short. We have all heard that and for the most of us, especially the older ones, we know that's true. For me the thing I can't understand is when your heart is broken how the rest of the world goes on. My Aunt Delores's heart is broken. As I think of him tonight I can imagine being in a place more beautiful ... Heaven. My uncle was a good man, I loved him and he will be missed.

John 14:2

All good things must come to an end!

Thirteen days! All the days we went to school the entire month of January! Three days! The number of days we have went so far in February! Which can only lead to questions such as: will we go til' June? will spring break get axed? did I hear someone say SATURDAYS! Who's to say but one thing for sure we are in the hole! Has it been worth it... YES!

So, tomorrow it's back to school... ONE HOUR LATE- I'll take it! :)