A Full Day

We woke up today to a world of white.  I opened the door from our bedroom to the patio and the above is an image of the little wall of snow that was left standing there for me:).  The below is a shot through the rails to our back yard.

Because we homeschool, we have the blessing of having a snow day and a school day all in one!  I know I haven't blogged much about our homeschooling adventures ... I will eventually ... there are reasons why it's sort of been out of the picture here, but that's for another post.

So our day started a little later than normal, as I was up all too late again last night and Richard is still hoping to shake his "serious illness" of sinuses:).  Therefore the girls were not shaken out of their beds at the usual 0-dark hour, and were allowed to trickle downstairs at their leisure this morning.  After breakfast and the "line up" for teeth and hair brushing, everyone did a bit of school.  We then undressed again and redressed with the proper layers for outside recess in the snow ... note this took quite a bit of time and probably tested Richard's patience more than anything in life could and by the end of "the process" half of our light fire team didn't even want to head out anymore!! ... ahhhh the joys:):):).

We all went out and enjoyed the wonderful deep snow!

Kate ventured ...

then her feet sank ...

then she pulled out her famous Charlie Brown straight across pout:)!

But then she met a cute little dog named Molly, all dressed to cheer on the Ducks tonight

(ROLLLLLL TIDE!) ...

and ran into a little friend, and her sweet smile returned:).

Parker loved the sledding the most!!  She is our adventurous girl ... definitely got a little of her Momma's tomboy in her:).  

We all headed back in groups, warmed our gloves by the fire 

(a sweet new "idea" my girls brought home from our day here) and our stomach with hot chocolate and coffee:), put Olivia down for a nap, then finished our day of school.  

Later when I walked up stairs to check on things, I found this sight ...

I guess Richard recruited a few troops to help with his "honey do" tasking for today!

(sorry if it's sideways ... if anyone knows how to fix that, please let me know.)

On the schedule for tonight .. a little football, a little reminiscing of last year, grilled lime chicken topped with pepper jack cheese, baked potatoes, bread and olive oil, steamed broccoli and roasted marshmallows for dessert.  YUM!!

Hope you all had a full day, too!

To God be the Glory

mk

Snow, Fellowship and Cookies

Well the predictions from the National Weather center were true.  Snow is here in Georgia! (again)

As I tucked two little giggly girls (4 & 2) dressed in cute pink jammies and surrounded by stuffed animals and blankets of all kinds, into their sweet little beds in their cozy room of white and pink with books and dolls scattered about, I looked at them and smiled thinking of how happy they would be to wake up to a world of white.  I really don't remember it snowing so much when I was younger.  I have a vague memory of Momma putting ziploc bags over my shoes and securing them with a rubber band so I could play in the snow ... but I don't remember multiple snow days.  Now, I can't remember the last year in our girls didn't have snow to play in.  I love to see it fall and I love how beautiful it is.  But the girls, the girls ... it is so magical to them.  Everything about it is magical to them.  Everything.
Seeing them tonight so giddy with anticipation just made me want to stop and take it all in.  Every giggle.  The way their hair smelled after being cleaned.  The way their clean jammies smelled and how cute they looked with all of their "things" for bed. The big smiles on their faces ...

so many days I wish I could give them so much more ... so much more opportunities ... so much more time with me and their Daddy ... more "beautiful" clothes, as Kate calls them ... perfect little rooms ... etc. ... but tonight I look at them and I am reminded that God has provided all that they need and I am reminded by the excitement in the anticipation of a gift that only He can give.  I am reminded and I am comforted and filled with thankfulness.


We had a great time of fellowship yesterday in the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia with the wonderful Pilcher family.  I think Katie and I must go waaaaaaaaaaaaay back, but we've never met until yesterday.  We are all thankful for that sweet time of fellowship and praying God provides more opportunities for our paths to cross in the future!  (and of course I remembered my camera, but forgot my battery.  what???!!) Katie owns a wonderful children's shop in Dothan, AL.  If you're ever in the area, be sure and stop by!  There's much to fall in love with.  If you're not in the area, check out her blog for great updates on new things in her shop, as well as weekly coupons that you can use even if you are not in town.

For now it is late and I am tired.  Tomorrow Richard will stay home as a result of the snow and ice (there'll be no going up and down the hills in our neighborhood ... unless it is on a sled:)!).  We'll have school, and we'll play in the snow, but we'll also spend some time doing this

and eating these

(Hanson Ellis made these tonight.  So yummy and the cinnamon is an interesting addition that I'd never thought of!)

In case you're interested, here's the recipe.

Chunky Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulate sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups (12 ounce) semi sweet chocolate chips

*1/2 cup coarsely chopped peanuts ** we did not use these, as the girls do not care for peanuts in cookies:)

Preheat oven to 375

Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl.

Beat butter, sugar and peanut butter in large mixer bowl until creamy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  

Gradually add dry ingredients to peanut butter mixture.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.  Press down slightly to flatten into 2 inch circles (we did not do this and they were just fine).

Bake for 7-10 minutes or until edges are set but centers are still soft.  Cool on baking sheets for 4 minutes;  remove to wire racks to cool completely. 

**recipe from Nestle Holiday Recipe book**

Goodnight, sleep tight and a happy Monday to you all!!

Acronyms Are Fun

(Edie, you once told me you liked this image.  Since I don't have a photo of you, I thought I'd include this one:).)

Yes, acronyms are fun, so here's one for you.

Everyone
Deserves (an)
Introduction (to)
Edie

Okay, so I cheated a little, but it's the best I could do.

Sorry I'm late to the party, Edie, but I had childcare issues:).  Ha!
Yes, there's a party in blogland today.  It's Edie's birthday!!!  Today we celebrate life with our eyes opened just a little wider than usual.  Today is the day so many of us are giving thanks to God for sparing Edie's life during a terrible fire several weeks ago.  Edie was not created for us.  No, Edie was created for God's glory and her work on this earth is not yet finished.  And like so many out there, I am selfishly thankful for that.
Click on over to Life in Grace to wish Edie a Happy Birthday.  If you're not familiar with her, there are some wonderful posts from fellow bloggers who can introduce you perfectly.

Dear Edie, Happy Birthday.  So much has been said, and said so well.  What more can I add?  This world is a more beautiful and full place because of you.  Thank you for your honesty and for your transparency.  May God pour out countless blessings upon you today and in the days following.

The verse my 7 year old has been working on lately is from Proverbs.  When I looked up at the chalkboard today and reread it again, I thought of you.  So I send it along with birthday wishes to you.
"He who gives attention to the word shall find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."  Proverbs 16.20


Still remembering you and your family in my prayers.
Happy, Happy Birthday to you!

In Case You're Wondering

Sometimes it feels like I am the only person out there who is not married to a handyman.  Don't get me wrong, I adore my husband ... maybe a little too much at times ... but sometimes I do find myself secretly wishing I'd find him painting this or that, hear him sawing away at a project or see him working in the yard.  But that just wouldn't be my husband.  So in case you're wondering why I don't have more posts on home improvement projects ... please note the above image.  Yes, that's a book in his pocket and not a hammer.

I hope all of you who have handymen in your life appreciate their handiness.  And I hope you realize what a gift it is.  For me, yes definitely, I would love to get the thousands of things done around the house that need to be done or tackle all of the many amazing ideas I have in my head, but I just have to be a little more patient than I'd like.  And while some things may never get done, and while ideas may find permanent homes in my head, I can honestly say that I love this man just the way he is ... book in pocket on vacation and all.

2011

It is January 1st.

The weather is a bit on the gloomy side this morning ... rain is off and on outside.  Richard is on day two of being down for the count, the girls are all playing throughout the house and I'm enjoying coffee and a bit of blog-surfing on my last day of "vacation" from homeschooling and the organized chaos that normally fills my days.

When I saw these images, it was like a little sunshine came through the clouds.

They are from this blogpost and you might want to check out this post prior for some other amazing images of a beautiful wedding.

Life truly is so beautiful.
And I am more than thankful for a new year.
I hope you all are remembering the beauty of years past and are ready to seek out the beauty in 2011.

On My Heart

I took this photo yesterday.  

This is 57.  

Our home of almost 2 years and our home for the next 2 years until Uncle Sam's moving truck arrives again.  

Our home.  

Our temporary home.  

Temporary not just because we are military, but I've been reminded the past week of how it is temporary also in the sense that our true home is not on this earth.  

I know an amazing blogger who is my sister in Christ and also my friend.  I don't know her on a day to day basis, and I've only known her a little over a year.  I've never met her in person, but from the emails she sends me one would never guess that.  I can call her my friend because I know she'd call me hers.  She is just like that.  Her name is Edie and if you are not familiar with her blog, Life in Grace, you should be.  Edie has a heart for the Lord and His light shines through everything that she does.  

If you don't know Edie, or follow her blog, you might be wondering about the connection.  Well, above is my home.  If you click this link here, you can see what is left of hers.  Edie lost her home and everything inside to a fire last week.  The story is best told through her own words.  Click the link, go to her blog, read and pray for this family.  They have been so much on my heart all week.  I am so thankful that they are all safe ... even the dogs:).  But my heart aches for them.  I know they will be "okay," but I know that the same heart that makes Edie strong is the same heart that makes her ache for the life she's lost.  Yes, the "things" of this world are so temporary, and they are not living and breathing, but it's not the things in and of themselves that make them so special, but the investment of our life that makes them a record of who we are and have been.  Edie will rebuild and her family will make a home again.  And when that day comes we will all rejoice with them!  But for now, please join me in lifting them up in prayer.  May the God of all strength bless them and keep them.  May this time of trial draw them nearer to the cross and may they see blessings and hope like they never have before.  And may their testimony continue to show God's unfailing love in their life and draw others nearer to Him. 

Blessings to you Edie!  

I am so thankful you are all safe.

God's ways are not our ways, but His word tells us that His plans are perfect.  I look forward to seeing the blessings He has planned for you and your family.  And I continue to pray for you all daily.

"The Lord is good to those whose hope in in Him..."

Lamentations 3:25

Strength, Grace, Endurance and Hope be yours in Him.

Much love, 
mk

"Firsts"

(Drew and Rebecca Christmas Eve ... Drew was preparing chicken and salmon for the grill ... YUMMMMM!!!)

I'm not really sure "firsts" is a word.  I thought it was, but once I typed it and read it, it just doesn't look quite right.  All the same, this Christmas was a Christmas of "firsts."  We went to Birmingham Christmas Eve to spend Christmas with my Brother and his wife (above) and their two super cute boys.  It was the first time we have celebrated the Hanson side of Christmas at a place other than in Tuscaloosa or at Momma and Daddy's.  It just seemed like a good time to have it at my brother's and it was so much fun!  I love my brother and my SIL has over the years become one of my closest friends.  She is HILARIOUS and always brings a smile to everyone's faces.  My girls absolutely adore her and I could just sneak her boys home in my luggage, so our visits are always very special.  

Christmas was really low key, but with 7 little people under one roof and snow steadily falling for two days, it was about as magical as it could have gotten.  

(and a side note ... My 3 year old nephew said the snow tasted like peppermint.  I thought that was very interesting ... Kate said the exact same thing to me several weeks ago when we got a little snow here in GA.  Interesting they both thought this ...)

Olivia kept herself busy shutting the numerous doors in Drew's house ... why she has this fascination, I'm not sure, but it kept her busy!

 

my aunt Peggy and Olivia

My sweet nephew and Kate!

I could absolutely take this little man home with me!! 

Hanson Ellis and my Daddy:).

It's gonna be a while until I get the Indiana Jones theme song out of my mind.  The boys got these hats and whips for Christmas ... the whips have a button you press that plays the song ... if only I had a dollar for how many times those buttons were pressed!!

Hanson Ellis got her skates!

snow falling outside:)

Parker and her new AG Inner Star U doll:)

Patterson could have used an Indiana Jones set, too!

Momma and Kate!

 

All the cousins!! 

Merry Christmas 2010!