Back from Thanksgiving!

Our family enjoyed a delightful visit with my husband's family this past week in Illinois. With all the food we ate, I'm suprised you didn't have to roll us home! Bubs enjoyed visiting with his grandparents that he doesn't get to visit with that much.

And my husband definately enjoyed getting to visit with his family members and friends who don't live so close to us.

We were able to enjoy not only a delightful Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day, but we were also kindly invited to an after-Thanksgiving dinner at my husband's aunts house. There was so much food we couldn't handle it all!

We also enjoyed an eventful day taking in the city of Chicago. There is so much to do there! Though I would not enjoy living there myself, it sure is a fun place to visit.

Oh, and did I mention the food??

Hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday as well! We'll be back tomorrow with regular posts.



Baby Love

My sweet boy has just learned to blow raspberries on people. He now loves to capture your arm or belly, and blow away! It delights him to no end.

This morning, as I lay on the floor playing with him, he whipped up my shirt and blew hard. A loud brrrrrrp sound happened, and he was having the time of his life. He proceeded to do it over and over and over again. Laughing delightedly the whole time. Dimples in full view.

A thought occured to me.

He doesn't care if my belly isn't exactly tight.

It isn't.

He doesn't care if those few little stretch marks from carrying my big boy are showing.

They were.

He doesn't care if my hair was a mess.

It was.

Or if I had a shower or not yet that morning.

I hadn't.

All he cared about was him and his mommy. In that moment. Laughing our heads off at his baby antics.

Children are such a sweet blessing. Gifts. Only a gift would make you so happy. And it was in that moment, and others just like it, when I realize why we have given my womb over to God. He knows best anyway. And why wouldn't I accept many more sweet gifts just like this one? Who would turn away a gift?

I sure won't.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! We hope you are filled to the brim with all of the turkey and stuffing you can handle.

Psalm 100:4 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

In Celebration of Children

I love the Duggar family! They are an amazing family with 19 children. Their son Josh just announced he is expecting his second child with wife Anna.

What a blessing to have a family so willing to withstand terrible public scrutinty to stand up for children. To say that children are a blessing. Something that you never hear mentioned anymore.

Children are considered a liability. A nuisance. A problem. But never a blessing.

And blessings they should rightly be. That's how God referred to them.

You can watch the video of Josh and Anna announcing their new little blessing here.

Congratulations Josh and Anna!

Psalm 127:3-5

 ³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
 ⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
 ⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Lemon Bundt Cake- Great for Thanksgiving!

With Thanksgiving only a few short days away, I have been thinking about baking! Since we will be visiting out of town family for Thanksgiving this year, I won't get to be the chief chef this year. However, I will be baking my "famous" lemon cake for my family I am leaving behind. I call it famous as my Daddy is a huge fan. It's quite easy to make, and tastes just delicious to lemon lovers.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am going to share this special recipe with you all. ( It's not that special, I just like to think it is. )

Lemon Bundt Cake

Mix together:

Lemon Cake Mix
Lemon Instant Pudding
5 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cold milk
1/2 cup oil

Place in bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees.

For the icing, mix together powdered sugar and lemon juice. You will need quite a bit more powdered sugar than lemon juice. You want this to have an icing consistency. Drizzle over the top of cooled cake.

And that's it! A simple and delicious cake your family will love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Earning Money at Home - MyPoints

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You can redeem points for gift cards or donations.

Don't take my word for it, try it yourself! Go and join MyPoints now!

A Family Walk

This week, our family started something a little new. With the seasons changing, and the sun going down much sooner than before, we were missing our evening walks together.

I use our walks for not only excercise, but to enjoy my family and nature. I was going to miss both of those.

Then I had an idea. What if Hubby went into work late, and we got up just a bit earlier? Could it possibly work?

This week it certainly has. With a few kinds mind you. We are still getting used to getting up so early, of course. But we are loving it!

The mornings here are still cool enough to be refreshing, but a jacket is not really required yet. Bubs gets into his stroller, and we go!

Me and Hubby have our most intimate talks on our walks. Maybe it's because Bubs in pre-occupied during this time with the scenery. Or, maybe it's just the refreshing excercise works all the talkin' right out of us! Either way, it's been very helpful for our marriage as well.

If you don't already, I do encourage everyone to take a walk each and every day with their families. The excercise value is amazing, and seeing God's creation is priceless. Even if it's just in your own neighborhood.