Pancake Girl

Sunday night dinners are always interesting at our house! We usually have big bowl of popcorn (Whirley-Pop, of course!) and some Coke after naps and before going to the evening service at church. By the time we get home it's almost 8 o'clock. So we'll usually have a sandwich, or a bowl of cereal, or left-overs or occasionally we'll grab a $5 pizza at Little Caesar's on the way home. Well - yesterday was unique. After I tucked a tired little Valerie into her crib, I came out to find Marc and Ally in the kitchen....MAKING PANCAKES!!! They really hit the spot and I wouldn't be surprised if they become a Sunday night tradition in our family. Only thing is, I hate sending kids to bed smelling like syrup. Ick.

Tired Valerie. Sundays really wear this poor kid out!

Marc and Ally (poser!) in the kitchen.

I love the look of concentration as she flips them off the griddle.

(By the way, this girl can put down a pancake or two....or five or six!)

A Blessing on Your Head

Reading this passage meant a lot to me this morning:

Matthew 5 (The Message)

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

* "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

* "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

* "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

* "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

* "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

* "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

* "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

* "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

* "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

A Recipe for Happy Chaos

2 Grandparents

3 Sets of Aunts & Uncles

5 Small Children

1 Cabin in the Snowy Woods

Goin' to Town with Grandpa

A Photo Montage by Sierra Elise - Age 5

One of the best, new cabin traditions is the "big kid" trip to town with Grandpa. My brave Dad loads the girls in his trusty, half-ton Chevy pick-up (a.k.a. THE BEAST) and takes them to the booming town of Crouch for some candy. On the way they usually stop to visit the animals at the Rick's house. I let Sierra take my camera along for this last trip since parents are not invited. I have always been very curious about what goes on. Here are a few of the many, many, many pictures that she took:

Well, okay - I took this one before they took off. And they are in the 4Runner this time because the roads were a bit slick.

A view of the driver from the back seat.

A neighbor's snowman through steamy, blurry windows.

A stop on the bridge to see the ice forming on the river.

Rick's miniature horse and mule.

What you don't hear in these pictures is the John Denver CD blaring in the background. And, I guess that Sierra's hands were too busy to take any pictures of the girls eating their candy, but they each came back with chocolate around their lips and absolutely NO appetite for dinner.

Red Knees

You know what that means, right?! YUP! Valerie Joy is crawling all around and has been for almost 2 weeks now. Time to put all the Polly Pocket paraphernalia away!!! This girl puts everything in her mouth. She loves being able to get around on her own and has even pulled herself to a standing position a couple of times. She's growing up way too fast!

Tub time with her favorite ducky.

"Helping" Mommy with the laundry.

The fireplace was a novelty that she had to explore over and over and over.

Ai! Ai! Ai!

A Weekend with Annie

We had the great privilege of spending Thanksgiving weekend with Miss Annie-Cakes while her Mommy and Daddy were in the hospital with Riley. What a hoot! She had so much fun with her big cousins that she didn't have time to miss her own family too much. The girls played very well together. It is such a blessing to have cousins to grow up with.

Three silly girls on the Papa-Bear chair.

Just woke up and it's time to play!!!

Story time with Grandpa.
(By the way, if you're looking for a good Bible story book THIS is a great one. Highly recommended!)

Grandma made a very cool snowman that the girls affectionately called "Spikey."

"Val, Val....I hold you!"

Savannah is a very smart little cookie and she kept us laughing all weekend with her vocabulary. Most of her words are very clear, but our favorites were "Pee-Tot" (teapot) and "Hai-Moon" (ice-cream).

Kindergarten Feast

It was great fun to be able to join Sierra's class for their Thanksgiving feast last week. Several other moms and I helped to load the plates with goodies and then cleaned up the mess after the feeding frenzy. Sierra and her classmates were the "Native Americans" while the other K class were the Pilgrims. You'll notice the tie-dye shirts...that was another class project. They made for quite a colorful Thanksgiving!

Turkey lunch-meat, corn bread, fruit salad, and pumpkin pie!

Lining up to head out to the hallway.

Waiting for the food.

Sweet Sierra.