Yep - i made this cake...

Looks yummy, huh? I had a lot of fun making this for my good friend who is coming back to work tomorrow after six weeks maternity leave. I thought I better take a picture of it and post it hear just in case I have a 'mishap' in the morning and it doesn't make it...thatway I can prove that I did make it:)

Spent the rest of the evening cooking for the fam...ham, dressing, corn on the cob, broccoli casserole and rolls...it was a blast! The kids ate great...I love family mealtime. It was a good evening.

On this Sunday, I am thankful for...

...a Godly husband who listens, puts my needs before his own and truly lives out the role of leader of our home. Tonight, I was sharing some concerns with Michael concerning our future, our family, our plans...I had no doubt that he heard every word I said - he even repeated most of it back to me to make sure I knew he heard me. Then, after church, he reminded me that he hadn't forgotten my concerns and was thinking about them. It is so nice to be heard by the one that I want to hear me the most!

...my Bible. I am so thankful that I have access to the most important book in the world, God's Word. I have had this particular Bible since I was a senior in college. I happened to attend a MissionFest event in 1995 and bought this Disciples Study Bible, NIV, at the conference and it has gone to almost every church event since with me. I am a Bible notetaker - in other words - I mark it up. I benefit so much from reading old sermon/study notes from years past that are marked in smudged ink in the margins. I encourage every Christian to always have a pen on hand and write down particular things that God speaks to you. Typically, I have so much to gain from the messages at church that I just can't take it all in during one service. I must write things down and meditate on them, study them further and let them become part of who I am in Christ.

...the old Andy Griffith Show episodes. Yes...we are Andy and Barney nuts! I guess this is more than you wanted to know about us, and maybe it makes us kind of boring. But, we have several CDs with multiple episodes. Since we made a decision as a family a year and a half ago that we needed to discontinue receiving television service in our home (a story for another time/another place), we love to sit down and watch these old black and white stories. It doesn't get any better than this...we actually know the episodes so well that we start quoting them and seeing who can guess the next line first.

A great day for a parade...

Today was a beautiful day for a hometown parade. We had such a good family day today. The boys were excited, but Abby was even more excited to see her boys in the parade. She kept asking mommy, "Are they comin' mommy?"
We were so proud of Isaac and Jonah. We are so pleased that of all the activities that children can choose to be involved in, so far, they have alot of interest in wholesome activities. They followed their den leader's instructions and marched with pride.
Afterwards, they were exhausted...Daddy had bought two big cups of ice and they stayed good and hydrated the whole distance. But, the mile trek was a long-haul for these short, little legs! Boy, were they tired!
They looked so handsome in the Boy Scout uniforms. They were very proud to be in the parade...
I wish they could stay this way just a little longer...

New couch, feeling better, homemade pizza...

So many people have asked me to post pictures of the new couch and chair (see post below regarding the recent change). So, here are a few pictures of the brown microsuede set that we are so blessed to have. As you can see we, we are already making memories on the new furniture and maybe in about 10 years I can re-post all that we have experienced in this living room.

I must add that minute by minute my headache (see previous post) is improving and the kids and I are having a great evening. I feel refreshed and renewed thanks to God's mercies. He has answered my prayers!

The kids and I made homemade pizza for supper, have homework finished, and all baths are now complete! They are resting on the new couch watching a Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas movie (because Jonah said it is almost Christmas Eve, after all!) and I am about to commence sewing on the Boy Scout uniforms. We hope everyone has a great Thursday evening!

Headache - Be Gone!

Well, I am happy to say that after 2 nights and 3 days, I am finally in the recovery phase of a migraine headache. I have been very fortunate the last few months to have evaded them completely, however this one has truly knocked me off my feet for a few days. I have had moments that I thought the pain was improving and then it would slam me again. I actually stayed home from work today to give in and sleep - which I have done all day! My head now feels very tired - I sort of have a weird feeling - what the doctor calls an 'aura' that will hopefully leave in a few hours. If you have never suffered from migraine headaches, let me assure you that they stop life right in it's tracks for me. This, you can imagine, is very difficulty for a working wife and mother of three children. I am so very grateful that my family is so supportive - right down to the children whispering when they come in the door and Mike anticipating what I need before I am even able to think enough to ask for it. He serves me with such tenderness and truly understands the grip it has on me until it passes.

I remember the first migraine I had was with my first pregnancy 9 years ago. I was at my in-laws home and it was unbelievable. Mike called my mom and she came quickly - I was lying in the floor and she rubbed my head for hours. Ever since, I have several a year. I realize that there are migraine sufferers out there who have several a week - this is not my case at all. But, even as infrequent as they are, all of life stops whether I want it to or not.

I say all this to say that it is a grand reminder that I can plan all I want - cram as much into a day as I desire - but when it is time to stop - stop I must! It is a frustrating prospect for me in that I have a lot of 'irons in the fire' at any given time. Today's 'irons' were no less than any other day. So, now I feel like I am several days behind at work, behind at home, tired, guilty for not being able to do better, tired, guilty for missing so much at home the last few days, and - did I mention - tired?

So, here it is 3:40 p.m. Mike is on his way home with my precious cargo. He has a church meeting, so the kids and I will be home together this evening. We will do homework, I will wash the dishes from yesterday and throw in a load of laundry or two, count my blessings, give everyone a bath and try to keep it all calm - for the head's sake. Tomorrow, I am praying for a special measure of grace - to accomplish all that is in my heart for the glory of God! And, I decided that I will work a few hours on Saturday morning as well - maybe this will help get rid of some of the guilt for not working today??

I just love these kids!

What a fine looking bunch, huh?
We love these kids!

Abby and I are home by ourselves tonight while Mike and the boys are gone to Boy Scouts. Yes, we are now a full-fledged Boy Scouting family. My boys just love it. Actually, I have to start sewing their patches on their uniforms tonight because they are going to be in their first local hometown parade on Saturday with their scout troop - and are they ever excited!

I just told Abby that while the boys were gone, she needed to take a bath. Her spontaneous comment to me in response was, "No, mom...I not a stinky baby!" Where do they learn these manipulative tactics, anyway? I absolutely adore having in-depth conversations with her these days - just so innocent and thought provoking from a toddler's point of view. Last night, I was laying with her in her "big girl bed" trying to help her go to sleep. In her usual fashion, she wanted to converse. She sat straight up and said, "Mommy, you 'fraid?" I said, "No, Abby, I'm not afraid because Jesus is with us." She said, "Yep. He's in my heart. I not 'fraid too, mommy. He's at my chuch [church]... in da cross... on my bible. He lubs me mommy in my hot [heart]. I goin' a pray, ok, mommy?"
She then proceeded to clasp her hands, close her eyes and say,
"Heabenly Fader, Heabenly Fader, Heabenly Fader, mommy not 'fraid. Amen."

I just love these kids...

Update: After bathtime, Abby yelled repetitively "I want a snack, mommy." I told her, "Abby, you have to wait. You have to have patience!" Her reply was, "But mommy, I don't want a patience right now. I want a snack right now!"

I truly do love them so much!

On this Sunday, I am thankful for...

Today, I am thankful for laundry...rather strange, huh? Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to have an entire day devoted to the task of managing the laundry in our household. And, I must say that it is quite a task. Who would have thought that adding just 3 little people to this home would cause such a backlog of laundry that never seems to be caught up? However, it dawned on me that my family must be a very blessed family because there are so many clothes to be washed. The Lord has more than met our need for clothing - and I am so grateful!

Today, I am also thankful to be a member of a local church that loves and supports the missions causes around the world. From Haiti to Venezuela - to our local areas need - our church believes in the great Commission and puts their feet and money behind it.

Finally, I am thankful for spontaneous "I love you's" from my husband and children. These four people are absolutely the best at just telling me a random times "I love you" verbally. They will tell me at times that I least expect it and it is so beautiful to hear. I am so thankful that I loved for who I am - imperfections, goofiness, hopes and dreams and all...