Mom's group

Meeting Other Moms = our new M.O.M. group.

Last week, we started a group for mom's.  We have started with a group from our church, but, hopefully, we can add more..both in and out of our church.  The kids all did so well playing together.  The toys at my house are "new" so they enjoyed those, too! The mommy's did well playing together too!  We have decided that we will discuss the book  The Five Love Languages for children.

I'm so excited to spend time with these ladies and  their little ones!

Just the two of us

Tim and I recently took a much needed trip with just the two of us.  I flew down to meet him in VA where Commodore has a plant so I could see what's it like.  Then we traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC for the weekend.   It was so relaxing and enjoyable.  It refreshed us as a couple and as parents.   I really enjoyed our time together.



The view from Tim's hotel in Danville, VA



As you can see from my expression, I was anticipating some mighty cold water!

I got my feet wet and they didn't fall off from extreme coldness!

sitting in the outside hot tub with some beverage that was not in a glass bottle!

It was only 50 degrees, but to someone from Northern Indiana, it felt like 80!

soaking up the sun like a lizard

Tim said he would not put his feet in the water but would let me get a picture of him by the ocean

As much fun as we had, we decided that next year we are Miami bound.  Where we won't have to PRETEND it's amazingly warm!

Not "Resolution" but "life change"

I'm sitting here reflecting.  This time of year seems to inspire people to reflect.  After all, it is New Year's day.  I saw a poll recently.  According to USA.gov, the popular New Year's resolutions from year to year are:
Drink less alcohol
get a better education
get a better job
get fit
lose weight
manage debt
manage stress
quit smoking now
reduce, reuse, & recycle
save money
take a trip
volunteer to help others

These are all great things.  In fact, I've made resolutions similar to many of these in the past.  While I think it's a good thing to have goals and desires, I'm not keen on the word "Resolution".  I think, it has a negative connotation to it.   I think people expect to fail when they set a resolution.  I try to do "life change" instead of "resolutions".  This is something that I evaluate more often than once a year.  I try to align my life with what the Bible says I should do.  I'm blessed to have an awesome church that I'm able to learn from in many ways.  That is one way that I am continually evaluating myself. 

I believe it's important to read the bible.  I know that the answers and solutions to each and every one of the above "resolutions" are in the Bible and will lead to life change. 

So that's what I'll be doing this year.  Reading and learning and (hopefully) making positive, eternal life change!

Happy 2011!!!!! 

Two married chefs

Tim and I partnered on a dish for dinner tonight.  It was Tim's idea.  He wanted to recreate a dish we had at Antonio's.  IT WAS DELISH!!!!  After eating it, our daughter declared that we were "two married chefs".  I'll take that as a compiment!

This photo doesn't do the taste justice.  I wanted to share with everyone!  All 3 of my "followers"  :)))))

OH NO! They did it again!!

Upon entering the pottay room this morning, I glanced to my left and what did I see?   THIS!

And they even had a sign this time to assure them nothing would hurt them when they changed the roll.  YEESH!!!!!!

Who's birthday is it, anyway??

Last Sunday was an awesome day!  Our kids sang some rockin' Christmas songs at church!

I wasn't able to go to service, but my oldest daughter, Shelby, did.  I asked her who gave the lesson.  She said Pastor Mark.  She said he told some pretty funny stories at the beginning.  She thinks he's a pretty funny guy.  Then I asked her what the lesson was about.  Her answer made me so thankful that we go to Granger Community Church.  She said Pastor Mark said that we need to remember that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, not ours.  Such an amazing, true statement.

We have this tradition at our house.  On Christmas morning, when we first get up (often waaaaay too early), we read the Christmas story from one of the Gospels.  We pray and give thanks for all that Jesus has given to us.  Then we have a "birthday brownie" cake.  We put one candle for each of us on the cake then we sing happy birthday and blow the candles out.  We think it's very important to make sure we put Jesus first on Christmas morning.  Before we do ANYTHING else, we celebrate Him first.

We hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas and take the time to celebrate the gift that God gave us through His son, Jesus.

Thanksgiving

I thought I'd better write this post soon about Thanksgiving before it gets too close to Christmas and a post about Thanksgiving would seem...well, odd.

We were blessed to have our friends, Joel and Shari, over for Thanksgiving dinner.  Joel and Tim watched football and Shari and the girls played games.  Later, we watched Iron Man I and II.  It was a nice, relaxing day!

In preparation for the big feast, I had lotsa help.

For the weekend, Grandpa and Grandma came out for a visit

Rori is sooooo happy to get her picture taken.  Oh and "peek a boo" Grandpa!

Love Shelby's look here with Rori

Got everyone but Rori