I have always been the "baby" of the group.  You know, the youngest one around.  My brother is 6 years older than me, my childhood best friend is a year older than me, my cousins were all older than me... We even got married young so we were the "young ones" at church when we started having kids. 

A realization hit me recently....I have left the "young" group.  I'm not feeling old -- but I do feel older {in a good way!}.  Is it the little non-brown hairs popping up on my head?  The fact that my babies are 6, 9 & 12?  Whatever it is, it's okay....I love being 30+5. 

With age comes a different kind of confidence.  A more relaxed (yet still consistent) way of parenting.  A renewed love of your spouse (15 years & counting!). And much more.  With age comes Responsibilty and {hopefully} increased Wisdom and Knowledge.

Several months ago, I was asked by a sweet "younger woman" if I would meet with her once a week and go through a book together.  This girl (mid 20's) is a treasure.  She loves the Lord and has wisdom beyond her years.  I, of course, said yes to her.  Before our first meeting, I broke out into a cold sweat {exaggeration} because I realized that in this relationship I AM THE OLDER WOMAN!  What?  I have no idea how that happened... Have you read Titus 2 lately? 

Titus 2:3-5  "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."

What a  privilege to live my life in a way that honors my Savior - and by doing this, I am being a Titus 2 woman.  The younger women in our lives are watching.  My 9 year old daughter is watching.  My sons are watching and learning what type of woman they should marry.  I am reminded to Love the Lord, Serve Him, Grow in Knowledge & Wisdom...and so much more.

While it is true that I'm getting these non-brown hairs colored tomorrow at 2:30 :)...That is the only part of my age that I am "hiding".  I am grateful that God saved me 29 years ago...and that I had so many older women in my life through the years who were godly examples to me.  I am also thankful that I attend a church where older women love the Lord - because I can still learn and grow and be discipled.

Easter 2011

Easter...seems like just yesterday -- but so much has happened since then.  After spending the morning worshipping our Risen Savior, we came home and hosted an Easter Lunch with sweet neighbors and friends from church.  Friends, Children, Easter Eggs, Good Food and, most importantly:  A DAY TO CELEBRATE OUR SAVIOR - He is Risen, Indeed!  We had a wonderful day. 

My Neighbor, Suzanne brought a Carrot Souffle that was beyond yummy!  {If you don't think you would like Carrot Souffle - you're wrong - just try it and you'll change your mind}!  Here's the recipe:

1 - 2 lb bag of carrots (cleaned/peeled)
1 cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
2  cups of milk
4  eggs
8 Tablespoons flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

pinch of cinnamon

Boil Carrots for 25 minutes until soft; drain.  Process/Mix carrots with butter until smooth.  Add all other ingredients and puree.  (Use a large processer or blender).  Spoon into baking dish or dishes - shallow dishes are better for cooking time.  Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. 

Delicious!

The kids loved the M&M's 

LOVE these Napkins ~ Vera Bradley
{I happen to have a matching bag!}



My Cupcake Maker
She also drew the Bunny Picture in the frame behind her.




Easter Egg Hunt Bags ~ Labeled, Of Course!



Veggie Tray ~ Love the Labels Karli made

Centerpiece

Some of the food

Happy Kids:

 

 

 

 







What happens when the kids take a break from Jumping?

Jon gets a turn...he can actually do a great flip -

this picture doesn't represent that!



For the love of Shoes

I'm an accessories kinda girl.  You know the type.  Simple clothes {blacks, browns, etc}...but fun accessories.  I made an observation last week - I love my shoes! Here are a few:



Got these last week and wondered if they were too crazy.  They are supposed to be a throw-back to the 80's - a bit retro. 



Every girl needs a pair of these!  Put on some country music & my boots and I'm good to go!

A Nordstrom treasure!  Not worn often...but fun to wear.

A gift from my MIL....must be worn with solid colors - an outfit can't compete with these beauties!  :)

New faves!  Not everyone is a fan of these (okay...I'm thinking of 1 person in particular), but they are fun shoes!

When I asked Jon if he thought my new shoes were too bright, he said, "Remember that I like loud tennis shoes."  Then he went to the closet and showed me his Adidas - the perfect match for mine.  After 15 years of marriage, we don't just look alike, we buy matching tennies, too.  xoxoxoxo

Thank Goodness It's Friday

No Really, I am thankful to God that it is Friday...because, "This is the day the LORD has made, I will rejoice & be glad in it."  Each day this week I've had to remind myself of that verse and say, "Okay Lord, Thank you for today...even though it's been a rough one!"  It wasn't a bad week...just a week filled with busyness, a lot of multi-tasking and a bit of emotion (or more than a "bit" if you ask my family) . 

Before the week began, Jon approached me with an idea.  To give up Television during weekdays.  Not because we are super awesome people who love to give up things and stare at a big black t.v. screen each night...but because we could possibly use our time more wisely.  Now, we do have a DVR and our most favorite shows were recorded and will be watched this weekend.  But you know what?  I realized that some shows that I've watched for years really didn't seem that important to me -- so I stopped DVR'ing them... So it's Friday now, and I have NOT missed television at all.  I've read books, started a new photobook on Shutterfly, talked to my hubby a bit more, etc.  I'm not trying to start an anti-TV revolution...just saying that it has been good for our family and for that we're thankful!  I hope no one ever asks me to give up Diet Coke!  :-{

This was a week of holidays!  Ben's 6th Birthday was Monday, Anni's 30th Birthday was Tuesday and our 15th Anniversary was Wednesday.  Mix in soccer, gymnastics, fencing, church and a Fun Run at school and that's a pretty fun week!  :)  Can I just stop here and share with you a thought I had just before falling asleep on Wednesday night?  I thought, "15 years is a LONG time to be married!"  It's like it just hit me at that moment and I was filled with gratefulness -- Thankful to God for blessing me with Jon. 

The Chubby, Snorey One...

In other news, my dog has issues.  Not bad ones...but ones that have kept me on my toes this week.  Daisy (the Boxer) has a scratched cornea.  {I feel the need to protect the guilty party...but she is short, chubby, snores & sleeps with her tongue out}.  Anyway, Daisy had to have her eye stitched shut and wear a big cone on her head.  After ripping the stitches out, I took her back to have the eye restitched and we have had her boarded at the vet since then while she is healing.  A call from the vet today informed me that Daisy has Hypothyroid and will be on medication everyday for it.  All that to say, you know we must love our pups because they are taking up lots of time this week.



Daisy...So Sad



In {MORE} other news, I had lunch with a sweet friend from church, had a great discussion with the ladies at Bible Study and have had fun planning the conference our church will be having on Saturday, April 30th.  Community Bible Church - Women's Conference 

SO, for those of y'all who had the best week...and y'all that had a crazy week...Listen up because each day we need to remind ourselves that "...the Joy of the LORD is our Strength."  Nehemiah 8:10

Ree, Shellac & Me

The week started off with Valentine's Day.  With a long commute for Jon, 3 kiddos with homework and Basketball practice for Karli dinner was served at home instead of at a fancy schmancy (is that a word?) restaurant.  I knew that this holiday called for a Pioneer Woman recipe.  So I once again opened my favorite cookbook and found just what I was looking for.  A COMFORT FOOD.  That's right, homemade meatballs - but not the Italian, serve with Spaghetti type.  These are more like meatloafs in the shape of a ball.  Just take my word for it and MAKE THEM!  The sauce was yummy, they were simple to make and of course the recipe made enough to feed the neighbors.  Here's the recipe:  Comfort Meatballs

SO, in other news,  Ree (aka: PW) and I got our nails Shellac'd.  My nails always break and normal manicures rarely last more than 3 days.  The process takes longer and it is a bit more expensive...but I thought I'd give it a shot.  10 days later and I'm loving it.  If you have brittle nails, give it a try sometime.  Oh, I should mention that Ree & I didn't get our nails done together...but that would've been fun!  :)

In more random news, I'm in a competition.  That's right, it's a competition that I want to WIN.  My little sis-in-law, her MIL and my MIL are in a Weightloss competition.  It's such a funny thing to me that, being the peacemaker type all my life, I love to win things like this.  The winner of this has to buy dinner for the others (I won't say "losers".)  In reality, we'll all be winners since we are all losing weight, exercising and getting healthier.  That's what I'm going to say in my victory speech to make the others (uh, Anni) feel better!  :)  I really am just kidding about most of that -- the competition was really what we all needed to jumpstart us and even if I don't lose the most, I am thankful to be healthier.  In case you are interested, we are all doing Weight Watchers and loving it.  It' more of a lifestyle than a diet -- which is perfect!  Did I mention that most of PW's recipes are not figure friendly?  Sad News... 

Hello Old Friend...

On todays Menu:  My Old Friend The Pot Roast.  Nothing fancy, but a recipe I've made for years when I'm looking for a make-ahead meal...especially on a chilly weather day.  Well, Hello New Pot Roast recipe -- thanks to my friend Ree Drummond (aka:  The Pioneer Woman).   First I must tell you that it is still early afternoon - hours from dinner time -- and my kitchen smells amazing!  I feel like it is unfair for me to merely tell you about this yummy dinner...I really should invite y'all to our Kitchen table to eat it yourself!

The recipe is simple.  Almost just like momma taught you (& me)!  I think it's the addition of fresh Rosemary &  Thyme sprigs that make the difference!
                                                          Snow Day

PW "Perfect Pot Roast"



Tomorrow's agenda...  Sign-up for Weight Watchers (yes, the South has gotten to my figure...) AND make

"Penne-Wise Pumpkin Pasta" for my family (I'll be eating something else more figure friendly).  If my taste testers love the pasta, I'll give y'all the recipe!



Made from Scratch...With Love

We've had an eventful Christmas in Tennessee!  We knew that having 18 people in town would be fun and many memories would be made.  Unfortunately, our main memory will be that 17/18 of us got the flu.  Some would say that our holiday was ruined...but it wasn't.  Once again {as so often in life} we had choose whether to laugh or cry.  There was some crying involved...but we chose to laugh more than cry and just continue counting the # of people who shared in this bonding time.  As a result of the illness, food was not a highlight of the last 2 weeks -- Saltine Crackers & Club Soda were the only items on the menu.  BUT, with tummies feeling good again, it was time to open up my favorite cookbook.

With 6 kids sleeping here again I needed something new for breakfast.  They've had it all - Pancakes, Cereal, Smoothies, Eggs, etc.   So I opened up my PW cookbook and knew exactly where to turn.  **Homemade Cinnamon Rolls**  I have never made them from scratch.  In fact, I've never done more than open up my wallet, pay for them, bring them home & heat them up.  Gone are those days of eating store bought Cinnamon Rolls.  The PW ones are easy to make and yield 40-50 rolls in one batch.  Perfect for freezing or giving away to friends.

I began my rolls last night.  I made the dough and stored it in the refrigerator while I got my beauty sleep --  OK, not beauty sleep, more like Survival Sleep to keep up with the kids and dogs!  :)  I woke up at 7:00 and began the filling, rolling, slicing and baking.  Easy Easy Easy!  While the rolls baked, I prepared the Icing and poured it on when they were just out of the oven.  As with any recipe, I follow it precisely the first time then plan to make adjustments the next time.  That is the case with this one.  The rolls were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G...and the Icing was yummy!  In the future, however, I would add a tad less coffee and a bit more Maple to the Icing.  Just a small change.

So there you have it --  6 Kids + 2 Adults + a Gazillion Cinnamon Rolls = A great start to the last day of Christmas Break.