Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Banners

My sister, Sarah and I have added three new banners to our etsy shop.

We are having a whole lot of FUN making these and quickly realizing sewing is addictive!

Even though it's cold and snowing here today, I know Spring is just around the corner.






We are taking custom orders at this time, so if you have a special celebration coming up that you would like to decorate with a banner, please let us know. There are all kinds of options... personalized banners, team names, seasonal greetings, "HOORAY", or "CELEBRATE". Prices vary depending on length, but are in the range of $28-$34.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Just What I Needed To Be Reminded Of

"Come to me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of my Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible for me.

Pry your mind away from your problems so that you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.

When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will." ~ Sarah Young "Jesus Calling"






Monday, February 15, 2010

Monday

I'm sitting here at my desk with my cup of hot coffee looking out the window as the snow is falling. We already have several inches on the ground from a winter storm last week and today we are expected to get another 6-9 inches. The boys are happy and content because they already had the day off from school and now plans are being made to play in the snow.

I'm thinking about last night and a couple of situations that were happening in the lives of two of our children. Being a parent is hard. Being a parent of teenagers is hard. I'm constantly trying to be two steps ahead and just when I am feeling settled and prepared, I realize that I really have to be five steps ahead.

My husband and I were trying to have the right answers and the right things to say. We wanted to say the things that were true, encouraging and filled with wisdom that only God can give. Our hearts were hurting because our child's heart was hurting, so we wanted to protect and stand up for our child knowing that it may have been misunderstood.

In the middle of all that, another situation came up with another child. One that needed to be handled honestly and right at that moment. We were caught up in one thing and needed to switch gears and be focused to handle a new situation. It's a situation that I knew would eventually come. I've had the conversation rehearsed in my mind of all the motherly things I would say. I was caught off guard and wasn't as ready as I thought I was. "Not this right now Lord. I can only handle one thing at a time",  I thought. It's too soon and yes, there is that part of my heart that just doesn't want my children to grow up.

I can look back this morning and know that both situations were handled with grace, understanding and honesty. There was even some laughter and I hope the reassurance and trust that we are always here for them- no matter what. Most of all, I know that every word that was spoken and hug that was given was filled with a whole lot of love.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

To My Valentine

You still have a way of making my heart skip a beat. 


I love you.

Friday, February 12, 2010

More Random Thoughts

In my last random thoughts post, I said that I was attempting to save a little money on our grocery bill. In my attempts to reach that goal, I have been clipping and printing coupons LIKE CRAZY! I had no idea this could be so fun. Thanks to my friend, Carrie, who has inspired me, answered all my coupon questions, and pointed me to some really great blogs. We headed out for the grocery store this morning and between coupons and Kroger plus card savings, we saved $102.80!!!

I reached for my youngest son's hand the other day and realized it was just about the same size as mine.

Steve and I are going to The Pub tonight for an early Valentine's Day date. So excited!!! He will order the fish and chips and I will order the portabella mushroom sandwich with goat cheese. And of course, we will get fried pickles for an appetizer that are out of this world!!!

God showed me an area of temptation/struggle for me this week that I have once and for all given to Him. I  realize that I can't allow my emotions or the way I feel to keep me strong and stand against it. To experience victory in this area, I know that I have to be intentional and determined about where I "set" my mind.

I wonder how many games of airsoft in the snow will be played this weekend. Which also makes me wonder how many times wet clothes will be thrown in the dryer, how many airsoft BB's I will find in the bottom of the dryer, and how many times I will clean up the puddles at the front door.



Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

1

Happy Birthday 1st Birthday, Anna Claire!!!


We love you bunches!!!

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Anna Claire's 1st Birthday

One word can sum up what we did this weekend....

CELEBRATE!!!

While my niece, Anna Claire's official birthday isn't until later this week, her parents threw a party fit for a very special 1 year old.

There were plenty of smiles...



Plenty of purple cupcakes...




Being with those that mean the most...


The girls of the family (My daughter, Jessica, my Mom, Anna Claire, and my sister, Sarah)




(Jessica, and our two boys, Ben and Sam)


And celebrating what a blessing this little girl is...

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Open For Business

Well, It's official! My sister, Sarah, and I now have a place on ETSY!



We are really excited about this new venture and look forward to getting busy with some other ideas we have. Right now, we have just one item up for sale, but as we see what the response will be, there will certainly be more to come!

We are taking custom orders (color schemes/ announcement, etc.) so if you have any questions, please contact us.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

A Lucky Dog

At the heart of every Westie, lies a hunter. Having three of them, we know this to be true. While I will refrain from giving you past stories of critters that have been hunted down in our backyard, I will share a story in which Anabelle just about met her match.

Every morning begins with my husband letting our dogs outside to do their business. Yesterday morning was a little different than most mornings because my husband had a much earlier start to his day and had already left the house. Before I go on with the story, you have to know how much I tread letting the dogs outside. We don't have a fenced in yard so that means whenever the dogs go out, someone has to go out with them, or stand watch at the window. What should take a brief amount of time in my mind, takes entirely too long. I know they are just dogs and there are things to smell, roll in, and in Henry's case, leave his mark upon. 

Our dogs have for the most part learned to stay within the confines of their own yard. Anabelle is the one that we trust the most because she is timid and easily frightened when put in unfamiliar surroundings. She doesn't like to veer far from home and when walking without her leash down the driveway, she will run like nobody's business back to where she knows she belongs. 

So back to the story... 

I opened the door to let the dogs out and before I know it, Anabelle is running full speed to the back of our property. Remember, Anabelle is very content and happy to stay in her own backyard but not this morning. I'm looking to see what she possibly could be going after because it's not uncommon for different critters and wildlife to make their way through the property. We have groundhogs that reside under the barn, foxes that often make an appearance through the back field and plenty of squirrels. Our other dog, Lily, even decided to go chasing after a deer one morning. Yes, deer that are like 100 times bigger than she will ever be. I suppose when you are a hunter, size doesn't matter. 

As I'm looking, I see a black and white critter make it's way across the back. At first, I really thought it was the cat we often see in the fields behind us. As I am running (with my pajamas and slippers on) and getting closer, I see that it is far from a cat, but instead, a skunk. In my mind, I'm already trying to determine how far am I going to run after this dog and what was it I heard about tomato sauce taking out the skunk's odor?

Westies are bred to chase and hunt varmint, or basically anything that has four legs. They are intelligent and hearty and don't lack confidence. The one thing they don't do well is listen to their people as they are  running (in my pj's and slippers remember) through the yard telling them to stop. 

Yes, at the heart of every Westie is a hunter and nothing can stop them. 

Anabelle made it all the way to the back of our property literally on the tail end of the skunk. The only reason she didn't get sprayed was because apparently skunks can't run and spray at the same time. Good to know. 

As my son, Sam, and I made our way back to the house with Anabelle, we couldn't stop talking about what a lucky dog she was. 

I think that maybe perhaps, she knows how lucky she is too.





Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Birthday Cake

What would a birthday be without a cake? Especially when it's full of a few of Jessica's favorite things... like chocolate, cherries, and chocolate chips?



Here is passing on some of the sweetness to you...

1 box devil's food cake mix
1 can cherry pie filling
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup chocolate chips
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 tub chocolate frosting

Stir all ingredients together and pour into a well greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Frost cake when cooled.

Monday, February 01, 2010

She's 19


Happy Birthday Jessica...


We love you!