My jumping bean can't sit still for two minutes to watch anything on TV usually, but she adores Rapunzel. So this is how I found her this afternoon... Absolutely precious!

Vanilla is Ready!

The vanilla is ready!! I waited patiently and now it's time to give my gifts away! I was super excited to bottle it up and will share it with my Bible Study gals this week. I don't know if any of you have done this, but it was pretty cool! I deviated a bit from the bottling instructions. After spending all the $$ on the vanilla beans, I just couldn't throw them in the trash without scraping the seeds from inside and adding back to the extract. I cook with vanilla paste and love seeing the seeds in my baked goods. So I added it to my formula. I was happy with how it turned out and have even used it in a recipe or two.

If your a friend of mine on FB, check out the sweet comment made by my sister in law regarding her vanilla that arrived in the mail earlier this week!!

More photos...

These are some of my other favorites from our "Christmas Card Photo Shoot"...

This one looks like he is kissing her, but he's not... sweet anyway!

Her "rockin" shoes!!
My little mommy!! She loves this baby so much!!

This is a true representation of Finn's personality... he gets really excited about things sometimes and makes this super silly face!
And he always has a question!!

She's such a cheeser too!!

My handsome dude!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is fast approaching. I am happy to say that I have successfully sent out the Christmas cards, shopped and wrapped all of the gifts before the 10th of the month!! I even mailed all of the gifts for our out of town family before the last day! I am right on schedule... at least for the moment. Now, I just need to host a luncheon for my Bible Study gals, visit Finnegan's school program and pack for our trip to Grandma's house!

Anywho- I wanted to share a couple of photos with you! The first is our make shift card for this year. I had sticker shock this year with Christmas cards and decided to not order so many this year, but rather print a nice picture and "picnik" it to say "Merry Christmas"! (If you haven't ever used picnik.com, you really should.) But these are a few photos from our photo session with a new friend in town. He hasn't taken a ton of photos like this, but it was worth a shot, and I think they came out beautifully... but hey, they are my kids, so of course I'm gonna think that!! :)

Hope you enjoy them!! I'll post a few more tomorrow for you to view!!

Christmas is Upon Us!

Christmas is getting so close. I can hardly believe that the month seems like it's flying by! It is already the 7th and this weekend is FULL of parties and activities, and next week we make the trek up to Michigan for our Christmas celebration. I am quickly starting and finishing projects that I thought I had weeks to finish. But, really, no time at all.

So, as we get close to christmas, let me just say that it is the 7th, and I am DONE Christmas shopping. And almost done wrapping. My kids gifts were bought before the month had even started. For the past couple of years, my husband has been on me to "tone it down" with the gifts. Each year I have the best of intentions, and instead of sticking to a gift limit, I keep to a budget, which with lower prices each year, I find a way to get them TONS of stuff within our budget. So, this year, we decided to stick to a gift limit for our kids. We decided initially that we would give 3 gifts from Santa, and 1 from us. Then it was lowered to 2 gifts from Santa and one from us, and now it has turned into 3 gifts from us (plus a stocking with candies and a couple small trinket toys). Nothing "officially" from Santa except a stocking of small things.

Our kids have so much and get SO much from other people (you'd think our family was gigantic with the amount of things they come home with), and it really isn't neccessary for them to have stuff just to have stuff. And to be perfectly honest, I really wasn't impressed with the toy offering and sales out there this year. There wasn't a list of toys our kids wanted and I just didn't feel like I needed to spend tons of money to get them everything I thought they might like. I am so excited for Christmas this year... for our kids to open the 2 gifts we are taking with us (1 large gift will be left home due to space in the car) and give them time to open them and play with them. It will be so nice.

I recently have seen several people post on FB the 4 gift guideline... 1 gift they want, 1 gift they need, 1 gift they wear and 1 gift they read. I think that is a great rule of thumb. And I think ours follow that guideline... sort of like "name that tune"... I can follow that guideline in 3 gifts! :) HAHA!

Have you noticed a significant difference in the way you give gifts in the last year or two?

I heart Pinterest

I love Pinterest. If you are crafty, a foodie, love decorating, parties, gift giving, photography, or simply love to see other peoples ideas, than Pinterest is for you! In the past months, I have tried more new recipes, with many successes, and new crafting ideas, gift ideas and found some great encouragement. Today, I even made a new wreath for Christmas out of plastic ornaments... Really something I've been wanting to do for a long time, and just haven't.

So if your crafty, or want to be, check it out. I'm sure you'll find something that will inspire you!

Marinade...

Let the marinating begin!

I received my vanilla beans, bought 1 gallon of vodka and a clear glass jar at my local Walmart (where I was panhandled INSIDE the store -- but that's a different story for anothere time) and went to work! And now my lovely concoction is marinating in a dark kitchen cabinet until it is turned into baking goodness! Yum!

Have you ordered your supplies yet??

Have you ordered your supplies to make homemade vanilla for your Christmas gifts yet?? I have! I just ordered my vanilla beans and my decorative jars. Next will be a stop at my local liquor store to purchase the vodka and to get a couple of glass jars for the marinating. Then, we will have liquid gold to give to our friends and family for Christmas. I think I will even adorn it with a ribbon and home printed label like the ones above... I can hardly wait. I will post my results when I'm done!!

Let the holiday planning being!! :)

Happy Birthday, Kiddies!!

Last month, we celebrated "birthday month". With Daddy's birthday, Finn's birthday and Penny's Birthday all in one week, we ended the week with a small gathering with just a few little friends to enjoy ice cream and cake. It was a wonderful little party for my little tots. It's theme, as you can see, was Mickey Mouse!! I was glad to find something that the kids could agree on for a theme, and was fairly easy to pull off!!

We were hoping the messiness of the birthday cake would get better after the first year, but since "Messy" is Penny's middle name, I think we'll be dealing with it for a while!
Here is Penny with her most exciting gift... Her Princesses from Aunt Andrea and Isabella
And Finn LOVED his Lego's from Grandma and Grandpa.
Finnegan also got Mrs Dursts Birthday Bag to bring home when he returned back to school on Tuesday. It came with a book, a birthday bear and a small prize.

Happy Birthday, babies...

My Beauty!

Seriously, is anything more beautiful that this sweet little darling?? I think not... Ok, I'm a little biased.

What a sweet little girl she is. And oh, so spunky!! But you would never know from this picture!!

Sweet Savings...

I went to Target this past week and made a killing on some great deals!!

• Covergirl Lip Balm: $6.49
• Covergirl Mascara: $4.24
• Suave Kids Shampoo: $2.94
• Suave Kids Shampoo: $1.89
• Suave Shampoo: $1.84
• Suave Conditioner: $1.84
• Bio True Contact Solution: $8.79
• Dove Men's Deodarant (2 @$3.99); 7.98
• Extra Gum (2@$.99): $1.98

Coupons Used:

• Covergirl MFC $8/2
• Covergirl TC $1/1
• Suave Kids MFC BOGO
• Suave Shampoo MFC BOGO
• Suave Shampoo TC $.50/1
• Bio Tru MFC $1.50/1
• Bio Tru TC $2/1
• Dove Men's Deodarent MFC $2/2
• Dove Men's Deodarent TC $.75/1
• Extra Gum MFC: $1/2
• Extra Gum TC: $1/2

Total Spent: $14.80

• Covergirl Lip Balm: FREE
• Covergirl Mascara: FREE
• Suave Kids Shampoo(2): $2.94 (One Free)
• Suave Shampoo/Conditioner (2): $1.34 (One Free)
• BioTru Contact Solution: $5.29
• Dove Deodarent (2): $5.23
• Extra Gum (2): FREE

Our Baby Girl...

Yes, It's her birthday too!! On Friday, our baby girl, turned 2. And I can hardly believe it... well, some days I can believe it. She is such a different little girl from our sweet first born. She has spunk, and a mean streak. She's rough and tumble, and doesn't put up with anything from anyone... and yet isn't a weenie. She falls and doesn't cry. She hits her head or is stuck and doesn't whine. But she's also stubborn, and has a definite mind of her own, and she's not afraid to use it. She doesn't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time and isn't entertained by television or anything that requires concentration. However, she has been excited and entertained by coloring books and crayons... that is if she isn't eating the crayons in the mean time. And she is still the messiest eater I know.

I'd always dreamed of having a daughter... a daughter who was prime and proper and lady-like. Well, that is probably the farthest thing that she is. But she's a delight. She laughs even more than Finnegan ever did at this age, and makes the silliest faces. She loves to pray and gives lots of hugs and kisses (but only on her terms).

So, needless to say, we have our hands full. (And any suggestions in bringing up a stubborn child with love and with Christian values is always welcome). But in any light, we are blessed by our baby Sweet Pea, Penelope.

Our Baby Boy...

Our Baby Boy turned 4 this week. And I can hardly believe it. And it has been a big couple of weeks for him. He started preschool this year, and graduated to a twin bed, rather than the old toddler bed/crib. He is learning more and more each day because of his school environment and has had much more responsibility. He is a great negotiator, and is developing a kinder heart towards his friends, and we even see it demonstrated towards his sister. He is becoming quite the little man and independent boy. He still loves to play on his own, and loves to make "machines" with his Legos. He has memorized at least 6 different Bible verses, but is very shy in reciting them. He is still loves with cars, trains and airplanes. Literally anything with wheels.

For his birthday he enjoyed lots of Legos, Cars and a new tag reader Map. He had a wonderful day including birthday donuts, balloons, a Christmas Movie, and Mickey Cupcakes, homemade pizza with "tires" (olives) and he even enjoyed Daddy coming home early from work, which was a real treat.

Happy Birthday little buddy! We love you so much, Dib, and look forward to your many years ahead!

God's Work In Me

I don't necessarily consider myself someone who boasts about the things happening in her life. However, this is something that has been happening to me recently and I wanted to share it with my faithful readers. These things have been churning in my heart for some time... the initial story began to play out in my life in mid-May. And now, as we knock on the door of the second week in September, God is still moving in me and I want to share these things with you...

Below are excerpts from an email that I sent my a few of my dear friends and prayer partners back in mid-May about somethings that were happening in my life... it was subject: Gods Work in Me!

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to be in the thick of the action of God's Plan! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing God's plan played out for others, but to be right where he wants you, and to KNOW it without a shadow of a doubt, is literally the best of both worlds!!

I've been involved in my women's bible study since September. Starting in Feb or March, I began to sub for our groups leader, Susie, who traveled a couple of times etc. At the time, she asked the group if anyone wanted to sub for her and no one spoke up. I thought about it and thought it would be fun, but didn't give it much thought. Until she called me out, and asked if I would take it on and try it. So I did. I taught the group 2 or 3 times during our Mary and Martha study, and overall, I enjoyed it but just didn't really feel a HUGE calling to do it. I knew it would be a lot of work for my busy schedule and just didn't feel a 'hand" on it, blessing it.

Until about 2 weeks ago... I've never been great with my devotions. Just can't find the time, and can't stick with a book or study long enough to see it through. I'm not consistent at all. But something has changed since I returned from CT and WA. I'm not super great at it, but have done devotions more in the last 6 weeks than I have in a long time. Reading a book, reading the Bible, putting real time to study and enjoying it. Not feeling like it's taking me all day but really enjoying my quiet moments, regardless if they are 30 or 10 minutes.

About 2 weeks ago, I sat down with a book I've picked up many times. Each time, I leave the book only after a few pages because it's a "hard" read. Something that really hits my core. But this book was talking about me as a woman, and my place in Christ's family. I also had another book that I was thumbing through, by Joyce Meyer. Going through both books, and trying to find a footing in what I wanted to read. I was reading a passage in the JM book and I heard God's voice... A literal, clear as day words. The words I'd heard only ONE other time in my life. The words that said to me "you can do this". I knew what He was saying to me. He was giving me all the confidence that I needed to step out on the ledge to lead a Bible Study... WHAT?? Are you sure?? As soon as I heard the voice, I got down on my knees, literally, and prayed earnestly for a clear "second call". "Are you sure? Are you sure you want me to do this? If so, make it so clear to me!"

Whoa, what had just happened? I told my husband and he was pretty proud of me. But what do I do now? Do I run and tell Susie that I'm ready? I would wait, for 2 weeks, and continue to pray for confirmation and confidence. If God wanted me to do this, he wouldn't let me step out of it. He would make it clear.

I'd studied that week and researched for some new material for our Bible Study in the fall. I came across several things that I thought were interesting. But one title and theme kept coming back, "Hearing God's Voice" and disciphering God's Voice in your life. But those were not really the themes that the group wanted to do. They wanted to do something ends times related, and they wanted to do a super in depth study. When we went to Bible Study that week, I offered a few suggestions of what I'd found, but didn't feel that any of them were right for the group and what we "wanted" to do. Soon then, my pal, Jen spoke up regarding a book that she had recently read and loved, call the Sacred Echo by Feinberg. This book is about hearing God's voice, and hearing God's Echo, the echo that we hear when he tells us something not just once, but over and over in our lives. I was blown away. Could this be a coincidence? Weird!!

The week went by, and I still hadn't told Susie of my hearing encounter. I knew a time would come that would be appropriate. This past Tuesday, I arrived at Bible Study, late with a red blotchy face, and tear stained makeup. Jen knew something was up, and I knew Susie did too. But it wasn't the time to spill my guts about what was happening privately in my life at the moment. We studied our last chapter before our "summer break". We prayed and I felt the push. Almost a literal push to pull Susie to the side and reveal to her my heart. As we stepped to the side of room, my heart and eyes welled up with tears, as I realized what I was about to say... I was about to surrender what I knew God was saying to me. So I told her. I was ready to lead... at least I was ready to try. I had a couple of ideas of how I thought it might work. But I was ready.

Susie's eyes lit up. And her fountain began to overflow and share that within the past 48 hours she'd also "been given" insight of how to lead the group. That perhaps there was a way to split our large 15 member "small group" into two group successfully without breaking friendships and tearing the group apart. A church facility had been suggested to us (as we occasionally have location troubles due to a need for child care and separate rooms for that, allergies and home disasters) that we could use on a weekly bases for free that has accomidating nursery facilities for our kiddos and child care workers. This location would allow the large group to meet together and then allow the group to break into other rooms for a "small group" study of the same lesson. I had originally not invisioned myself leading a study on my own. I just didn't think that I could do it right out of the gate while being successful. I really wanted to "apprentice" under Susie. But being together in the same facility would give us the ability to tag team some of the studies and to continue to learn from each other. She had even bigger dreams for our group of 15... bigger than I could have imagined.

God is Moving... and I am proud to say, I'm involved and ready. I'm not sitting on the side lines this time, and not cheering from the stands. I am hearing clearly, obeying and excited about the craziness that he's asking us to trust him with!!"

Since writing this email back in May, things continue to plug along. We are still on track to study Margaret Feinberg's "The Sacred Echo", which I adore. It puts meaning and explanation to many of the "echos" I've heard in my life, and really makes me examine how I respond to God's call and quiet whispers to me. Our study begins in 2 weeks, and I'll be leading the first two sessions as Susie is out of town.

Psalm 23 Revisited...

Having grown up in the church (and Christian school -- and Christian College for that matter), I had always heard the 23rd Psalm read at funerals, or when someone needed guidance. I read it again recently for the first time in a long time. And although the words flowed freely from my memory, something else popped out at me that I wanted to share with you.

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside still waters,
³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

This time, rather than hearing the words with a down-troddened voice, all that kept popping out at me where the PROMISES that God gives us. And here they are...

• Lead me beside quiet waters -- contentment
• Restores my soul
• Guides me in paths of righteousness
• Comfort me
• Prepare a Table before me
• Protect me in the presence of my enemies
• Anoint me with oil - my cup overflows

And a final resolve from the passage, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever".

I was encouraged by this passage as I approached it differently and received much more from it.

God promises us many things and he provides guidance, restoration, and confidence through his presences and his Word. I hope you take hold of them each day.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!

Our Father's Day was celebrated as our sweet little family!! After church, we hopped in the car and headed to the local beach. And when I say local, I mean local... less than 6 miles away from our house! We stopped and picked up KFC on the way and had a lovely picnic together, before heading to the beach for a couple of hours of playing and swimming and lounging. It was a perfect day for the beach... not too sunny, not too hot... just perfect. And a perfect day to honor our sweet daddy and his love for our family!!

This was her favorite part of the day. Penny LOVES to have daddy throw her in the air. When he was doing it Finn, she'd just sit on the beach and cry while waiting for her turn.
My love -- although he looks annoyed -- enjoyed his day off.
My precious babies in the surf...
A boy and his dog... their first walk together.

Big Girl Bed

For weeks, I saw this day coming and just was unsure of when it would actually happen. Ocassionally when she doesn't want to go to sleep or to nap, Penny will put her legs up on top of the rails of her bed. I've always scolded her for it, but knew she'd get brazen enough to actually climb over. Recently, Finnegan has been entertaining his sister in the morning before we are up. On Friday, Finnegan went in and visited Penny before coming to see us. After he left her room, I was standing in our bathroom in a heard a thud, and then little pitter patter of her feet down the hallway. I knew exactly what the sound was. She ran into our room and bathroom with a huge smile on her face! She was so proud of herself. So knew that that would be the last day in her crib.

And since it was a Friday, it was a perfect opportunity for her daddy to work with her on each nap and bedtime routine to keep her in her bed. The first night, she only got out once, although she woke up once during the night crying and really inconsolable, well, accept until Daddy visited one last time. :) She also was sleeping on the floor when we checked on her right before our bedtime. I remember those days with Finn :) And at nap today, I went up to get her, and she was just sitting in her bed, waiting for us to come get her. :)

Here is a picture of her big girl bed, and our sweet princess, enjoying her new space. :)

I'm here

Readers - I do really apologize for the delay in recent posts. Things have been going well, and moving right along here.

I have much to share about what God is doing in my personal life. I hope to write more later this week.

Hope all is well with you, my dear faithful readers!

xo

Doomsday??

So, according to this so called christian group, May 21, 2011 is Doomsday, the day that Jesus is suppose to return back to Earth and take all of those who believe back to Heaven.

I am a Christian. And I believe that Jesus will return to Earth and claim those which are His. However, I don't believe it will be tomorrow. But, it did get me thinking... All this doomsday talk and "business" ventures that have turned up has gotten me about my children. Ok, so the Bible NEVER says what will happen to children in the rapture, or in eternity. We as humans have come up with all these ideas of how it will work and all (and No, I haven't read Love Wins yet). But since we don't know, I got slightly concerned about my sweet babies, who have yet to make a personal decision about Jesus yet. These are questions I'd never been faced with (since I've just had kids -- well within the last 4 years). So, here is the question I was plagued with... If (and when) the rapture happens, and my children aren't taken, because (of age) they haven't made a decision about Jesus, who will take care of them? Will they become victim to the evil left on Earth? UGH.

So I did what any woman does when these questions plague my brain, I posed it to my husband. And you know what he told me? The perfect answer that I needed at the moment and still rely on... the reminder that is always needed... "Don't you think that God is big enough to take care of it? Let him worry about them."

Oh, ok, I will! I will love and obey God, and follow him and let him take care of the details that I can't control.

Bed Time

When we went to Seattle, I was awake for nearly 24 hours without any sleep. Then began the week recovery of sleep and then we were back in the east coast time zone. We've been back on this side of the country for almost 2 weeks now, and I CAN NOT seem to get back on this time schedule. I still can't go to bed much before midnight (or 12:30am) and therefore, can't get up much before 9am. Seriously!! It's crazy!

My kids had a difficult adjustment, and are still on later schedules than they used to be. Finn doesn't get up much before 8 or 8::30am and Penny doesn't get out of bed until I'm out of the shower. There have been several days that she doesn't get out of bed until 9:30 or 10am. Seriously, this is so crazy! But yet still takes a pretty good nap and goes to bed on time (8:30pm-ish).

So, here I sit at 11:40pm, not even sleepy... wondering what I'll do for the next hour :)

To Seattle and Back

It has been almost a year since we moved from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Coast. So we saw it fit to take a trip back to visit our house and friends. We also decided to travel during the weekend of our friend Kelly's 50th Birthday and Mother's Day. And Oh, how wonderful it was to visit.

After our early morning flight from Reagan International, we arrived in Seattle with only a few moments of sleep. Finn didn't sleep on the airplane at all, and Penny only slept for about an hour. Our sweet eldest child can sit and watch movies and do activities for hours. Our sweet baby girl is every bit different than he is. She can't sit still for any part of time, unless she is strapped down. And the woman in front of us was clearly unhappy that we brought our baby girl on the plane, and I'm sure she thought we gave our kids the pep-talk to be as loud and un-controlling as possible. UGH! Then she tried to give us advice of when we travel next time of "things she used to do with her kids on airplanes". WHAT?? You have kids and aren't compassionate of us! UGH!

We arrived in Seattle and were warmly greeted by cold and brisk weather, after leaving 80 degrees and our friends waiting for us at our house. As we drove from the airport to our house, Ken and I looked at each other and noted how much it felt like we hadn't even left. What a great feeling... to feel that even though we'd been gone for almost a full year, we felt like we hadn't left for a day!

That first night, I went to the city with one of my besties, Shawnta. She got a hotel room for us in downtown, and we walked through the streets, visited the Cheesecake Factory and had cheesecake and martinis. The next day, she'd booked a Glycopeel for us at a local salon and spa. And oh my! If you've never had one done, you should. It was so great! I loved how it made my skin feel. I never understood the idea behind a facial. But this was very nice and I enjoyed it. I felt very pampered. (This was my gift from Shawnta for Mother's Day!)

Shawnta is such a "tourist". We took all kinds of silly pictures. :)

The day when we returned, I went on a shopping trip with my other bestie, Sara. We went also and had dinner together.

On Saturday, we spent all day celebrating Kelly and his 50 years! We played RockBand, the men worked on Kelly's boats for this boating season, and the women chatted and cooked :) We spent "family" time together. Oh, how sweet it was. On Friday, we took the kids to a bounce house for some fun. They had a blast!! Here are some photos from our visit...

The men in the garage doing their thing... :)

The kids were SOO tired by the end of our trip (both our kids and the others) :)

I've had several people ask, and I've come to realize that with our move to MD, I really pushed my feelings down about leaving Seattle. When we arrived in MD I really put my nose to the grindstone and got involved and meet new people. And I just came with the idea and feeling that I needed to "pull my big girl pants up and move on". I wasn't going to be able to go back and there was no reason to sulk over not being able to go back. So I didn't. But going back (combined with the WONDERFUL trip we had in CT with our family) reminded me how much I love being with my family and my friends and how blessed we been for these people who mean so much to us. So, we look forward to going back. :)