Happy 8th Anniversary!

Today, I want to wish my husband...Happy Anniversary!
We have been married for 8 blessed years.
I am so happy and grateful to the Lord for leading our lives together. I can't imagine any other life but the life we are living together!
Thursday - Sunday, we will be going a short trip for our anniversary to the California redwoods. I am excited to share another adventure with my best friend in this thing we call life.
I love you, baby!

One of those days...

Ever have one of those days? LOL! To some of us...they happen more on a regular basis! I think of Mrs. Moffitt and she has many of those days!
So I thought I would tell you...my Saturday - "one of those days" - stories.

My agenda on Saturday...go clean the church and stop by Wal-Mart for a few groceries. Sounded simple enough. I thought...why don't I drop my car off at Wal-Mart, have the tire fixed (it had a screw in it and a slow leak), and run to clean the church with my husband's truck in the meantime. Killing two birds with one stone.

Dropped off the car. Realized I forgot to grab the keys to the church out of the car. Turn around back to Wal-Mart. Went inside Wal-Mart to get my car keys to unlock the car and grab the church keys. While waiting in line...heard the mechanic say..."The car with the screw in the tire is not repairable. It will need a new tire." Waiting my turn...Stinky-poo. I have to buy a new tire. Find out the cost for a new one. Call my husband. Tell them to put it on. Go out to my car and grab the church keys. Go inside to return the car keys and realize...I locked the car keys in the car! Drove all the way home...30 miles round trip...grab the electronic car opener. Went back to Wal-Mart and returned the keys. Cleaned the church. Went back to Wal-Mart...went to pay for my car repair. Swiped my credit card...they charged it for too much. Had three different managers come to fix it. Said it would take two days for it to refund to my card. Finally figured it out...gave me $23 refund for my payment for taking so long. Did my shopping at Wal-Mart. Make it home. Called the Hotline Nurse about Addie and her symptoms. Nurse says take her to the ER to be checked out within 24 hrs. Dropped the girls off at my father-in-law's. Went to ER. She has Pharyingitis. While sitting in the ER...realized that I had never taken in my groceries and they are still waiting patiently in my trunk waiting to be put in the fridge and freezer. Also realized that while at Wal-Mart...never picked up Daddy's gift from the girls for Sunday.

Yea.

It was one of those days!

My Dad...Father's Day 2009

Father's Day 2009

I wanted to write a few thoughts about my dad...

When I think about my dad, I think of the word "Simple".
Dad has always enjoyed the things in life that are simple.
Black coffee...
a hot dog roasted over a campfire in the backyard...
a cold can of Pepsi on a hot day...
a walk around the neighborhood with the family...
a rerun of The Andy Griffith Show...
a Sunday afternoon nap in the recliner...
ham sandwiches and deviled eggs at a picnic in the park...
a trip to the local zoo with the grandkids...
a date at Subway splitting a $5 footlong with Mom...
a simple handwritten thank you note...
a drive to the Double D Ice Cream stand for a twist ice cream cone.

I appreciate this quality in my dad. I have found that I am more thankful for the "simple" things in my life by observing this quality in my dad growing up as a kid.

In appreciating the "simple" things...life suddenly seems a whole lot sweeter.

We don't have to wait for that 25th wedding anniversary cruise to the Bahamas to be happy. We can be happy every week with our spouse at Subway enjoying a footlong sandwich together.

Thank you Dad for enjoying the "simple" things in life and thank you for being my Dad! I love you!

Ideas for Creating a Porch for your Home

Add a splash of color to a screened porch with painted wicker and colorful accents. The red wicker swing and rocking chair create a comfortable spot to relax. Fabric cushions and pillows, lanterns, and a green rug add punches of color and comfort underfoot.

The timeless combination of blue and white cools on even the hottest summer day. Accentuate the look with a planter of red-hot geraniums. With a selection of patterns, this basic color combination stays visually interesting and always inviting. For a new look, just rearrange the cushions.

Take advantage of the warm weather by moving your family room outside. A wooden bench becomes a comfy seating area with cushions covered in outdoor fabric and a pile of accent pillows. A vintage coffee table (coated in weather-resistant paint) and area rug complete the living room configuration. Cool blues, creams, and white keep the decor light and breezy.

Narrow porches require careful furniture choice and placement. The large wicker rocker sits in the corner, out of the path of foot traffic and with room to rock. A straight-back settee provides additional seating in a stationary form, and the small red rocker is both an accent and a place for a child to sit. The narrow bench anchors the grouping and provides a place to set down a glass of iced tea.

"Sun or Son?"

Last Saturday, we were able to spend the day with the Hyles-Anderson College tour group and the Scott Gray family. We had decided to go to Lake Tahoe. Frankly, it was a horrible day weather-wise! It was damp, cold, rainy, cloudy and just plain miserable! Well, miserable to be out in nature...but good to be curled up on the sofa in your pj's under a soft blanket with a cup of coffee with French Vanilla cream reading a good book! LOL!

From down in the valley in Reno, you were not able to see the Sierra mountains. That should have given us a big warning! As we started to make the climb up Mt. Rose highway, you could not see a thing. The clouds were so thick up in the mountains that all we could make out was the evergreens off to the side of the road. By the time we reached the top and should have been able to see Lake Tahoe...it was barely visible. At the summit, the rain changed to snow! Our chances of the weather clearing were slim to none at that point!

I sat in my seat pondering the weather.
In the bad weather, the beautiful scenery of the rugged mountainsides, the snow-covered peaks of the Sierras and the crystal clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe were not visible.
It seemed that the lack of "the sun" had changed one of the most beautiful places in America into "just another place".
The lack of "the sun" took away the beauty, the peace and the amazing wonder of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains and it just didn't seem as special on this day.
I know how special and amazing Lake Tahoe is because I have experienced it on a "sun-filled" day!
As I thought of this "sun-less" day and our experience, I then thought...perhaps this is what a non-Christian's life must be like. Without the "Son" in our personal lives, our life becomes "just another life" on this earth. Merely existing without eternal purpose.

That thought hit me...What a blessing it is to be a Christian and to live our lives for HIM!

My heart was then filled with "Son-shine" on that gloomy Saturday!
And that truly makes any gloomy day into a glad day!

Recipe: Taco Dip

Taco Dip

I made this dip for a Ladies Meeting at our church
and received many compliments on it.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 carton (8 ounces) French onion dip
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
• Tortilla chips

Directions:

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, onion dip and taco seasoning until blended. Spread onto a 12-in. round serving platter. Top with lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Recipe: Mini Chicken Salad Croissants

Mini Chicken Salad Croissants

Tonight we are having a surprise birthday party for our pastor's mom - Mrs. Stella Ralstin. I am making these sandwiches for the party. MMM!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 12 seedless red or green grapes, halved
• 1 medium apple, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Dash pepper
• 16 miniature croissants or rolls, split
• 4 to 6 lettuce leaves, torn
• 16 frilled toothpicks, optional

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Spoon about 1/4 cup onto the bottom of each croissant; top with lettuce. Replace croissant tops. Insert toothpicks into sandwiches if desired. Yield: 16 appetizers.

Sons of the Prophets and the Grays visit Nevada!

Let's just say Bro. Scott and Eric should not be together for this long...trouble!!!

Trying to make friends but I don't think Sierra is going for it!

Bro. Scott and Jenny and their middle son.

The Sons of the Prophets.

Saturday and Sunday, we had a college tour group visiting from Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, IN. My husband and I are graduates of this college and were thrilled to have the opportunity to host the tour group and the preacher and his family. Bro. Scott Gray, his wife, Jenny and their three sons were friends of ours when we lived in IN.

We went to Lake Tahoe on Saturday...which the weather didn't cooperate with our plans! It rained most of the time...cold...and yes, we even went through snow on the Mt. Rose Summit (over 8,00o ft.)!! On June 6th! LOL! Our plans to go hiking to Eagle Lake and Eagle Falls went up with all the clouds in the mountains! We still had a great time of fellowship.

We ended the evening with a delicious spaghetti dinner prepared and hosted for us by our pastor's mom...Mrs. Stella Ralstin...or just "Mom" to our family! We enjoyed hearing the college men sing on Sunday morning for our services and Bro. Scott to preach.

My Summer Day

Summer days...
Busy...busy...busy! This week has been filled with lots of outdoor work. We have been having strange summer weather. The morning will be beautiful and sunny and by noontime, the sky is filling with storm clouds. We had five consecutive days of rain - which is very unusual for this time of the year in Nevada in the desert!
Normally, I am thrilled for a summer thunderstorm but after five days of wild weather...I was a little tired of the storms.
Today, was the first day for a short break for myself from babysitting in the mornings. I was up early (I love mornings)...showered and dressed...and took Max, our dog, on a walk. I walked for 45 min. drinking in the mountain view all around! When I got back, I read my Bible with a cup of coffee. Then I made breakfast for the family and started my yard work. Today, my yard work consisted mainly of pulling weeds! The girls enjoyed playing outside.
I also did some mowing, picked up sticks and garbage, etc. I am proud for what I accomplished and look forward to doing more. And I am pleased to say that it didn't rain today! Hooray!
Now I am making Chicken Pot Pie for dinner...and blogging.
Hope you have a wonderful summer evening!

Addie's Kindergarten Graduation - 2009

Mom, Dad and the graduate!

Ready to leave for the ceremony!

Autumn has to take her picture with her big sister! :)

Her certificate from her teacher...Mommy!

The sign for the kindergarten graduates.

Theran and Addie practicing for the ceremony.

Here she comes! (In practice.)

The cake for the reception.

The graduates...Addie, Hannah, Jacob and Theran.

Papa Tastet, Addie and her five dollars from Papa!

Yesterday, our oldest daughter, Addie, graduated from kindergarten!
I homeschooled her in the Abeka program but she participated in our church's school graduation ceremony. We attend Lighthouse Baptist Church. The school is Lighthouse Baptist Academy.
There were four kindergarten children that graduated...Addie, Hannah Nuckolls, Theran Goodman and Jacob Juneau.
Of course, it was special to Eric and I. This was the same school that he graduated high school from in 1998. Now he has his daughter graduating from kindergarten. Papa Tastet was able to come and that was special for him.
Pastor Ralstin asked each kindergartener questions. When he asked Addie what she wanted to be when she grows up...she said a waitress! So cute!
After church, we went out to eat to celebrate her special day!
We are so proud of our daughter!
Congratulations Addie!

Video: Addie's Kindergarten Graduation