Cute Kids

I found some cute picture of our kids and thought I would share them. I think back to the times when I was taking these pictures and can't believe how fast the time has gone. We are truely blessed to have two awesome kids.

Kelly's - Welcome home greeting.

Presents from Germany................

Kelly's was gone for 2 weeks to Germany. When he returned the kids and I met him with flowers and of course lots of hugs. William and Sarah found the beautiful flowers from the wildflower patch that we planted this spring. I can't tell you all how much I missed my wonderful husband.

Palouse Falls & Fish Lake

We went to Palouse Falls and Fish Lake today. It was so beautiful. I have lived in Washington my entire life. And did not know that this place was located just 2 1/2 hours from Spokane.

Kelly's Muscle Car

For those of you who don't know. My husband loves old cars. This is a picture of the car that he has completely restored and now races. It does a 12 second quarter mile. He generally races a few times a year and we usually drive it on special occasions. Although, I did say we drive it a couple of times a year..... I have never driven it. It has way to much power for me.

Water Dance

We love this weather! William celebrated yesterday with his "special" water dance. Both Sarah and William play in the water until they were blue.:-) Then they warmed up in a nice warm bubble bath.

A picture says a thousand words.

Yes, the bucket is filled with cold water.:-)

Back to work

Kelly went back to work after being off for 6 days. This is a picture of Sarah after he had left. She cried for about 15 minutes and then just wanted some "quiet time" so she could think. It was so hard not to bust up laughing.

Feeling a bit weak...

This last week has been a struggle for me. I can generally handle stressful situation and stay in the right frame of mind. But, I have been a wreck this last week. I think it is because I have been in so much pain physically. I have been reading a daily devotional written by Oswald Chambers called My Utmost For His Highest. It is an amazing devotional. Everyday the devotion seems to be written just for me. April 13th verse was "Cast your burden on the Lord..." (Psalm 55: 22). April 14 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me..." (Matthew 11:29) "My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). "....to those who have no might He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:29) ".....the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and food.:-) Our family is so thankful for all of it. Love ya all!!!!

Breakfast made by a 4 year old

So, you all know that I had my gallbladder removed last Thursday. This morning I was in the shower before anyone in the house was awake. Sarah came into the bathroom while I was showering and said, "How are you feeling Mommy?" I said, "I am feeling ok. I will be out in a few minutes then I will make you something to eat." She left and while I was getting dressed she came back in and said, "Mom I made breakfast for us. Because you aren't feeling very well. I can tell." So, below is everything that she had prepare for us. Carrots, raisins, cranberry juice, and bolona. She was so proud of herself and as always I am too.

A reflection of my 33rd year of LIFE!

OK, let me make it clear....... I am not "Debbie Domestic". As I was thinking back of all the things I have tried this past year. It may appear that I am crafty. But, I asure you that I am not. My goal this year has been to show my children that you can really do ANYTHING you set your mind too.

When I came home to be with my children fulltime. I wanted to make sure that I put as much planning and energy into them. As I did with my job that I left. This may sound kinda "weird" but, I knew that I always put all that I had into any "position" I held.

In the pictures below are some of the very firsts that my children and I shared together. From the bottom picture up: The very first dress that Sarah and I sewed. The peaches that Grandma, Sarah, William and I canned. The homemade Christmas presents that we made for our friends and family. We just started some seedlings for our garden that we are going to be planting this year. The top picture of me is just proof to everyone that I still have some sanity left:)

I celebrated my 34th birthday on March 13th.

The Discipline Of Dismay

Recently, I shared with a friend something that I was struggling with. The next time that we saw each other she brought this page out of her Daily Journal. It was just what I needed.

THE DISCIPLINE OF DISMAY

"As they followed they were afraid" (Mark 10:32).

At the beginning of our life with Jesus Christ, we were sure we knew all there was to know about following Him. It was a delight to forsake everything else and to throw ourselves before Him in a fearless statement of love. But now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is far ahead of us and is beginning to seem different and unfamililiar-"Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed" (10:32).
There is an aspect of Jesus that chills even a disciple's heart to its depth and makes his entire spiritual life gasp for air. This unusual Person with His face set "like a flint" (Isaiah 50:7) is walking with great determination ahead of me, and He strikes terror right through me. He no longer seems to be my Counselor and Friend and has a point of view about which I know nothing. All I can do is stand and stare at Him in amazement. At first I was confident that I understood Him, But now I am not so sure. I begin to realize that there is a distance between Jesus and me and I can no longer be intimate with Him. I have no idea where He is going, and the goal has become strangely distant.
Jesus Christ had to understand fully every sin and sorrow that human beings could experience, and that is what makes Him seem unfamiliar. When we see this aspect of him, we realize we really don't know Him. We don't recognize even one characteristic of His life, and we don't know how to begin to follow Him. He is far ahead of us, a Leader who seems totally unfamiliar, and we have no friendship with Him.
The discipline of dismay is an essential lesson which a disciple must learn. The danger is that we tend to look back on our times of obedience and on our past sacrifices to God in and effort to keep our enthusiasm for Him strong (see Isaiah 50:10-11). But when the darkenss of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come the ability to follow Jesus truly, which brings inexpressibly wonderful joy.

William and Sarah's Favorite Song/March

Fruit of the Spirit Candence

I don't know what you've been told....
Galatians' got the fruit of gold.
Patience, joy, love, peace and faith....
With gentleness He'll get the praise.

Self-control with kind and good.....
We'll be like Jesus said we should....
Ask me what would Jesus do?
Galatians 5 Verse 22

Sound off: Galatians 5
Bring it on down: Verse 22

Galatians 5 Verse 22

WE'VE GOT-THE FRUIT!

(optinal ending)
WE'VE GOT- (clap)-(stomp)-THE FRUIT!

I hope that you and your kids have as much fun with this as we have:)

William turned 6!!!!

When God gave us a little boy 6 years ago. I really wondered what it would be like to have a son. Not having any experience with little boys. It has been a journey to allow him to be a boy. When he was 2 he drank out of puddles made by the rain. When he was 3 he climbed in the horses watering trough to take a bath. Then at the age of 4 Dad showed him how to pee on trees while camping. He thought that was the most awesome thing in the world and would pull down his drawers on any plant/shrub that was unsupervised. Sometime, when he was 5, he turned into my big boy. He is so much like his Daddy (smart, athletic, handsome, mechanical, kind hearted and ambitious). We are so proud of him and are so grateful to God that he gave us this beautiful boy.

Spring Fever

Today after getting home from Bible Study. I set the kids to the task of shoveling the piles of snow in our lawn so, that they would melt faster. My kids where so happy to perform this task they worked for an hour and a half. They stomped, rolled, laughed and played. We are so excited to start our garden this year. I am thinking spring!!!!!

Reduced Fat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Here is a great receipt. I have made it three times now and every time they come out different. It helps if you read ALL the directions before you make them. Rather than putting everything into a bowl and hope that they come out :)

Traditional Oatmeal Raisin Cookies have:
Calories 370 * Fat 13g * Saturated Fat 2g

Cook's Country Reduced Fat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Calories 150 * Fat 3.5g * Saturated Fat 2g

Reduced Fat Oatmeal Raising Cookies (Makes 20 cookies)

The cooled cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

1 cup raisins; 1/2cup chopped fine, 1/2 cup left whole
3/4 cup water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. PLUMP RAISINS Adjust oven racks to upper-middle an lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine chopped raisins and water in saucepan and bring to boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until water has evaporated and raisins are plump, about 15 minutes: let cool.

2. TOAST OATS Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Cook oats, stirring constantly, until just golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds; let cool.

3. MIX Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl. In Large bowl, whisk sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in whole and plumped raisins, oat mixture, and flour mixture until just combined.

4. BAKE Roll 2 tablespoons dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently press balls with measuring cup until 1/2 inch thick. Bake cookies until edges are light golden and centers are just set, 13 to 16 minutes, switching and rotating baking sheets halfway through baking. Cool 10 minutes on sheets, then transfer to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

So, now you have the receipt and for those of you that had one of the cookies I have made your will be completely different than mine. As I had to read the WHOLE receipt to type this out. Well, I found 6 things that I still haven't done while I baked them. Good luck and no matter how you make then this receipt will turn out:)

Puttin' on my Armor of God

In church this last week our pastor spoke about Ephesians 6:10-18.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

This is really a wonderful story. And as I usually try and do, I looked online for a rhyme or song that would be a memory trigger for my children to memorize these verses. I thought I would share the one I found for this verse.

Puttin' on my Armor of God
To the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"

I'm puttin on my armor
I'm puttin on my armor
I'm gettin ready for the day
I'm puttin on my armor.

First comes my helmet (act like putting helmet on head)
First comes my helmet
The helmet of salvation
I'm puttin on my armor.

Second comes my breastplate (put hands on chest)
Second comes my breastplate
The breastplate of righteousness
I'm putting on my armor.

Third comes my belt (put hands on waist)
Third comes my belt
The belt of truth
I'm puttin on my armor.

"Grandma and Grampa are the greatest."

Grandma and Grandpa Sonnabend came for a visit last week. They do visit often and we all cherish the time we spend with them. After there most recent visit with us. Sarah, came to me and said; "you know Mom, my Grandma and Grandpa are the greatest". I do agree with you my darling Sarah. You do have wonderful grandparents!

Great Grandma "Granny" is "really cool" said, William. She will be 97 years old in May. Go Granny!!

Dog Daze.....

Ok, so I have a soft spot for dogs. We just got a new dog named Emma. She is a 2 1/2 year old Labradoodle. The great thing about her is she loves William. They play together all day long if you let them. I did 4-H my whole childhood and really loved it. William, is excited to try it this fall.

The week my baby turned 4 years old.

The week stared like any other......

Then came a horrible cold that she rested for almost 2 days with out getting off the couch.

On the 3rd day Saturday, I needed to go shopping for her Birthday. In this picture she looked up at me and said, "I feeling much better Mom, can I go with you?"

Finally Sarah started feeling better on Sunday just in time to lick the bowl clean after making her birthday cake.

The day she turned 4 years old. WOW!!!! Where did that go? She had such a good time and thankfully is feeling much better. She had her "best friend" over for lunch, cake, ice cream, and presents. It was so much fun.

Does it get any better than this? Family, Friends, Fun, Cake, Presents... Really can it really get any better?

Wise beyond her years.

Oregon Vacation Oct 2008

In October my family and I went to the Oregon Coast for a week. This was a very special occassion for us as I have never been able to leave my job for more than 3 days at a time. So, yes that means for the 7 years that my husband and I have been married we never left town for more than 3 days. You may be thinking that I had to have time off for the birth of our children...... No, I didn't...... I look back and I wish that I had made some different choices but, I know that God was working in my through that time to get me where I am today. I am so greatful to be home with my children. It is such an amazing blessing to me.