Sleeping Beauty

More to come...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

This past weekend we went on our hunt for our Christmas tree. Each year we dig a Christmas tree. After the holiday is over, we plant the tree in our yard. Its a tradition that I did growing up and I'm glad to pass it down to my little girl.

It was snowing, so that made it a bit more of a challenge. But the snow did set a nice stage to get us in the Christmas spirit!

Enjoy the pictures!

More to come...

Exploring Grandma's Kitchen

At Thanksgiving, Maddie really wanted to help her Grandma Roberts get ready for our meal. As they got things ready, Maddie found a few new uses for some of the kitchen utensils. Enjoy the pictures!

More to come...

The Carpenter's Mistake

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "My gift to you."

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

And so it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, re-acting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best efforts.

Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. And your life is your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." This is so true, isn't it?

Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

So choose wisely.

More to come...

Go Colts....Sorta

Okay, okay, our boys in blue might not have won this last one, but everyone has their off days. Its still fun to watch them. Especially if the observing is done in person! My husband and dad went to the game this past Sunday. I know they were both excited to go to a Colts game. And while they were bummed that they didn't win, I know overall they had fun. Enjoy the pictures that Marc took!

More to come...

I'm Thankful For...

...My family - they truly are my foundation!
...My husband - without him, who would kill the spiders?
...My baby girl - she is the reason for my existence.
...My country - I am so blessed to live in a free nation.
...My education - Boiler Up!
...My job - I am so fortunate to be under the leadership of God fearing people!
...Our military - May God bless those who have fought, those who have fallen, and those who are still fighting. I'm thankful for the strength of their families.
...My pets - they are the best, most patient animals in the world! And I am thankful for their company.
...My home - It might not look like much, but I'm proud of it!
...Dr Pepper - A day without it isn't pretty.


Most of all.....

....I'm thankful for a God who provides for my needs and offers a promise of salvation.

Luke 18:27 - Jesus replied, “What is impossible with human beings is possible with God.”

What are you thankful for?



More to come...

Two Emmas!

While my parents were away from home last night, I brought Emma to my house. She's such a good dog! Maddie just loves her to pieces. In fact, about a month ago, my mom bought Maddie a stuffed dog that looks like Emma and she carries that dog around with her every where. Here are some pictures.

Emma was laying on the couch (a luxury she only gets at my house!) and Maddie climbed up to sit next to her while we watched Princess and the Frog. The whole time she held her tail!

Putting her Emma up to the real Emma

She kept saying "bark bark bark" when she brought it to Emma to show her! Ha ha!

My title is "Two Emmas!" My sister has a litter mate to Emma. When she was home one break, my niece (who was little at the time) saw Casie's dog for the first time and then looked at Emma and exclaimed "TWO EMMAS!" Ha ha. Kids are the best!

More to come...

Cowgirl Up

Miss Madelyn loves hats. She always puts things on her head and exclaims "hat hat hat". Well, this weekend she found a hat that was perfect for her! (I think Aunt Casie had something to do with it...) Too bad she was born to some cheap parents who said "aww lets take a picture and move on" - ha ha. She is so darn cute!

Enjoy!

More to come...

Helping Mommy in the Kitchen

Maddie likes to be with me when I'm in the kitchen working. I have a tub of cookie cutters I let her play with. Normally she'll get one or two out at a time....Well on this particular morning she went straight to the box, opened it herself and decided that she would play with them all! Too cute!





More to come...

Making Spirits Brighter House Party

I know its been a while since I've posted. Life has just gotten even busier lately. Last weekend I hosted a dessert recipe exchanged that was sponsored by Shutterfly. Now you may be wondering, what does "sponsored" mean? Well, I applied to host a party through HouseParty.com and was selected to be one of the hosts of the Making Spirits Brighter House Party. Shutterfly sponsored this party in efforts to get people aware of how to use the pictures they take to make photo gifts for there loved ones or as a way to store and share photos. If you've never been on Shutterfly you should really give it a try. If you sign up now, you'll receive 50 free prints just for signing up - and the best part is its free! Definitely worth it!

Anyway, the parties are to be tailored to each host. So I decided to do a recipe exchanged. In an earlier post you saw the outcome of that event was an awesome cookbook! Each guest took home a coupon code for a free 8x8 photo book and a free set of 10 photo cards, all nestled in a cute reusable tote. Werthers also donated some of their delicious chocolates and coupons for their candies!

Overall, I think the party was a success! I hope you enjoy the pics!

Group shot!

The dessert table

Stephanie and Jen - the girls in black!

Janet and Hillary (a great mom and daughter pic!)

Miss Rachel and Baby Stine!

Recipes!!! :)

More to come...

Making Spirits Brighter House Party

Click here to view this photo book larger

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween! We started they day at Beef and Boards to see the Little Mermaid. Following the play we had a good lunch at O' Charley's and a trip to Costco. Later that evening we did our trick or treating. The girls brought home more treats than ever! We had a lot of fun!

Enjoy the pictures!

More to come...

Spooky Cookie! Treats Made by my Favorite Ghouls!

Thursday evening my mom invited the girls over to make Halloween cookies. They had a blast! Though I think Maddie had more fun playing in the flour and sliding the cookie cutters on her arm, Abby seem to have the concept down pat! We all enjoyed eating them! YUM!

Since you can't try one of their delicious treats, I hope you enjoy the pictures!

More to come...