Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day

With this being a special day, I am so happy to be able to share a special post!
Stoney, my brother-in-law, has been serving in Afghanistan for the past year.  He and his wife, Ali, have been married almost 4 years, but have lived together less than half of that time.  This is his second deployment since they were married.  He graduated from West Point in 2004 and is a Captain.  He has been asked to return to West Point and be an English Professor.  Stoney can write better than anyone I know, so this puny post is nothing compared to some of his works, but I just had to share the wonderful news!
We are so thrilled........
Stoney is home!!!!!!!
I hope to post some pictures of his arrival soon.
Thanks to so many of you, I know you have been praying with us during this difficult deployment.
Please remember those who have not returned home and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and never return home.
Also, think about this.  Only two people ever gave their lives for us.  The American soldier gives his for our freedom, and Christ gave his life for our salvation!

Monday, May 24, 2010

First water for the Summer

A few days ago, it was nice enough to try an outing to the spray park.  Here are a few pics of the fun!
By the way, Rinnah loved her first experience with playing in water.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Already

I can't believe it's already been one year that Granny died.  Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and other times I feel like she's been gone forever.  Lately, it seems like there has been so much to make me think of her.  She was one of my best friends, she knew more about me than most people, and I miss calling her when things happen. 
The other day I was working on some sewing projects.  Not only do I have her sewing machine, but I couldn't figure out how to make something work.  My first thought was to call Granny, but she's not there to call anymore. 
I scroll over her name in my phone all the time and think I should delete it, but can't bring myself to do it. 
My girls are both growing and learning so much. Selah is almost writing her name, and Rinnah is now walking.  It would have brought Granny so much joy to see this all.  She never met Rinnah.
I am saddened by all this, then I stop myself and Praise God.
Thank you Lord that you gave me a grandmother that I could be so close with.  That you allowed me the time I had to learn so much from Granny... as a wife, as a mother, a woman, and a Christian.  She taught me to sew when I was so young, and we were always cooking or baking something.  Many of the recipes I use are ones that she cooked so often. 
I am so proud of her legacy and  plan to carry on and pass it down.
My Granny and Pawpaw were two amazing people who always cared more about others than themselves.  They seldom did anything that wasn't to benefit others, or make someone else's day better.  Many times they opened their home and lives to family members needing  a place to live.  Very often you would find Granny in the kitchen fixing a meal to take to a family in need, or Pawpaw at someone's house working on a broken something-or-other.  I can't remember a time they were not able to attend a function of their grandchildren's because they had something better to do.  And they always arrived with snacks and treats for the whole crowd.
No doubt they are some of the most selfless people I know.  Nothing was ever about them, always about others.
I am sorry today that Granny never heard me say this, but thankful for her life and lessons she passed along.

Monday, May 17, 2010

My latest craft....

I have had so much fun with my latest project!  I was making gifts for the teachers at Mother's Day Out.  I found a website with this great idea and went with it.  I got pretty creative, I think.  Selah and I went to get the material that would make the project perfect for each teacher.  I took some pictures of everything as I went.

My little helper... she just had to get her hands in there somehow.  I told her to measure the fabric.

Once all the yoyo's were made, I could really make all the styles different and decide how to put them together.

The finished product... I punched holes in some card stock and wrote a little note to each teacher.
We handed them out today and I think they all liked them.
Love making gifts for people... love it even more when they enjoy them.

Praising God....

Selah: Mommy, you know what I was doing?
Me: What were you doing, baby?
Selah: Praising God.

Thank you Lord.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Mother's Day 2010

My wonderful little family, this past weekend, for Mother's Day.
I am so blessed to have an amazing hubby and two beautiful little girls!  God is so good to me!

A few things I got for my Mother's Day:
-Clean dishes from my oldest.
- And more messes to clean up from my new walker.

Love both my little angels!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

First Skate

Selah found the skates she got for her birthday, last year, and wanted to try them out.  I thought about it and decided she was ready.
I was very impressed with her skills.
It wasn't long before she wanted me to let go so she could do it "my-by-self"!
So fun to watch them learn something new.

Monday, May 10, 2010

A family favorite... and simple meal!

This is one of our family faves for dinner.  It's a Hamburger Roll-up, made with refrigerated pizza crust.  It's so simple and you can add anything to the meat.... cheese, bacon, ranch mix, anything you eat on  your burgers!
This night I made some fries to go along with it.
Yummmm!!!!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Petting Zoo

No, that isn't a picture of Rinnah (who was terrified of the animals), but of our good friend's little girl.  And, no,she isn't crying... she was so excited to see the animals.  She was screaming with laughter!  Too precious!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Dinner out.... In

One of my new favorite meny items when going to eat out is the Grilled Avocado... YUMMY!!!!
Well, since our family is on the Dave Ramsey budget, we don't get the opportunity to eat out too often, so I thought I could duplicate one of my faves.
Success!!!
It was so good, and I'm pretty sure we will have this often..... at home.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Future Super Model

We received a few boxes with adorable clothes for the girls.  Selah loves to get boxes and immediately wanted to try all the clothes on.... Rinnah had fun with the boxes.