To do list....

So, here are my goals for the month of October:

1. Purchase train tickets for holiday visit to Moses with the kids.

2. Take family pictures with and of the siblings and I.

3. Become a Sunday school volunteer at my church.

4. Save more money per paycheck than I did in September (25 dollas more).

5. Find a great recipe for coconut cake for Sophie's baby shower.

6. Make Christmas gifts for the grandparents.

7. Go out to dinner twice with my sisters Sophie and Jessica.

8. Take the kids to the Science center.

I know these might seem like easy things for someone to accomplish, but my schedule lately has not allowed for a ton of extra things to do for fun. With the weather getting colder outside, I am finding it harder to come up with fun things for the kids and I to do together (well, other than baking - and that makes me bigger).

I will let you know how this goes!

HELLLO :))

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - Christopher Meloni (9/28/10) - Video - NBC.com

Aww, good old Christopher Meloni :)

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - Water War with Christopher Meloni, Part 1 (9/28/10) - Video - NBC.com

I am a Twilight: Eclipse nerd. Period.

Cancer Sucks.

Have you ever seen the cancer sucks t-shirts the Cancer society has made? They are a purple color and they even come in one-sies for the kids :) I saw one today on a little girl and it made me think of a friend of mine. He will go without naming, but I can't seem to get him out of my mind. Not only him, but his kids and wife.

Once upon a time I knew them all very well and even thought that one day I would call them family. Well, life changes and today I can say that even though we don't talk anymore I care deeply for all of them. Lung Cancer. That's the Cancer here, and it is attacking his system quickly. With the diagnosis of a year and half to two years, it has to be pretty progressed. He is older, and has smoked since he was young. As long as I knew him, you could find him in his recliner with a woven blue and white blanket, the newspaper open in front of him and a cigarette in hand. He was there the day my kids were born and has loved both of them without haste.

Learning of the diagnosis I immediately thought of my own dad, Todd. Thankfully my dad didn't die of Cancer, but he fought a battle with ALS for 4 years and in 2000 he passed away. I was 13 or 14 when he died and I will never forget the long journey God took our entire family through during those very tough 4 years. The thing about lung Cancer and ALS is that both are very visually devastating diseases. They aren't silent killers, the diagnosed person requires round the clock care when nearing the end and in the end both diseases take an emotional tole on anyone involved in the dieing process. I cannot imagine going through those 4 years without the protection, courage and love that my God provides.

My prayers for this family have moved from emotional stability to down right salvation. Without God guiding them through this, they will have the worst time caring for their dad and remembering to take care of themselves. There is no greater love to be found in this life than that of the Jesus Christ. I am walking proof that He is SLOW TO ANGER, ABOUNDING IN LOVE. Psalm 119:67 says, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray. But now I will obey your word."Psalm 119:67 was my dads life verse. Websters dictionary defines the word afflicted as, "to distress with mental or bodily pain; Obsolete; to overthrow, to defeat." So, you could re-read the verse like this, " Before I was in distress, I went astray. But now I will obey your word." It is the account of every Christian out there. Whether we recognize the distress or not, we have all gone astray. At some point we have been afflicted by mental or bodily distress, and it is God who can and does save us from the defeat. This man that I care for is in a time of most hurried distress and I cannot think of a better outcome than for him to find protection and healing in Jesus Christ. Will you join with me in praying for them? He has three children, three grandchildren and a wonderful wife.

I just can't begin to tell you how sad I am about this. I am no longer in direct contact with them, but my family and I will continue to pray for them. Watching and helping someone die is so very difficult, it takes a very special person to be able to face death with hope. This man and his family need to find hope in Christ during this next year or two.

Kind of a long blog, but I had to get it out. Thanks for listening :)

So long sweet summer.....

We had a blast this summer and here are a few pics from our family vacation to Moses Lake! The kids had a blast!

~ ~ ~ Tis the Season ~ ~ ~

Ok, so the weather outside is becoming frightful and it is time to transition into my fall/winter make up.... For those who have asked, here is my list of my "must haves" in my make up bag for the coming months. Enjoy! Or disregard, whichever you prefer ;)

**Item #1 - Rimmel Fix & Perfect foundation primer. There are plenty of foundation primers on the market, but this is the least expensive that I found with the best results. The purpose of the primer is to create an even and smooth surface on your face for your foundation to settle on. I typically only use this in the fall and winter months because I don't typically use foundation in the summer months. This primer works on all skin tones and textures, it doesn't effect the color of your foundation and is easily applied to the skin with your hand. It is applied before you apply your foundation, or you can use it in the place of your foundation and follow up with powder. I paid $6.99 at Target. Bam!

**Item #2 - Revlon Photo Ready Make Up. This has a wonderful matte finish and doesn't seem to crease or bubble on the skin. With all the rain and humidity in the mornings around the great northwest, I have to have a foundation that can withstand moisture. On a side-note, please remember that application of a loose, translucent powder over the top of your applied foundation will always give the best results! This foundation comes in a pump bottle and comes in 6 different shades. I paid 7.49 at Target.

** Item #3 - N*7 High Lights Illuminating Lotion. Ya know how you love to have a nice sun-kissed glow during the summer, but cant achieve the same glow in the fall and winter because the sun is only found in tanning salons?? Well, here is a product that can achieve the same type glow for your skin during the winter months! This is a highlighting cream that can be applied underneath your foundation, in specific areas on top of foundation or all by itself. I prefer to use it under the foundation if I know that pictures will be taken where I am going (Holiday parties). Otherwise, I tend to use it has the highlighter for my cheek bone and brow bone areas after foundation has been applied. I love this one because it smells great and doesn't leave you with a heavy "cakey" feeling as the day goes on. I paid 12.99 at Target.

I am soooo excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas! I don't know if this will help you or not, but its worth a shot!

Hi Grandma Millie!! We love you!

Our Jennings Park MIS-Adventure

I was so looking forward to spending time this weekend with the kids doing whatever they wanted, until I had my purse stolen while we were at the park this afternoon! After the usual afternoon nap, we had a snack and then loaded up the car to go to Jennings Park. I hesitated whether or not to go somewhere else because there were a ton of people there for a birthday party and strangely enough, there were mostly dads there with their kids. Anywho, I got the kids out, locked all the doors and then placed my purse into the trunk. I shut the trunk and away we went! The kids and I were only there for maybe 45 minutes when Isabel asked if we could go to the Coke machine to spend her quarter. We then went back to the car, loaded them into their seats and went to the trunk to retrieve my purse.... It was not there :(

What makes this so strange is that there isn't any damage done to the lock on the trunk and the rest of the car seemed unscathed. They didn't take my Ipod adapter for the radio and the the car looked like I had left it. I kid you not, I had my entire traveling world in that purse! Cell phone, Ipod, wallet (with all credit cards and ID in it), Bible, huge can of Big Sexy Hair, books, kids toys and snacks, info packet on Sharon and my new bottle of J-Lo. There was other stuff in it too but those were my big ticket items. So I went to my Aunt's house and called the police, cancelled ALL credit/Debit cards and turned off the cell phone. I had to wait for an officer to call me back and when they did they had the best news!

A lady living across the street to the park found my purse out by the garbage can of her apartment complex and took it over to the police station, they called me and I hurried over to get it! How thankful I am that it has been returned and that my kids and I are doing fine! I felt very violated and sick that someone helped themselves into my car and took my purse. Whats worse, is that they had to have been watching me throw it into my trunk in order to know where it was for them to steal it! I just felt sick about that. I had to remind myself that the kids and I were fine, and that this is just VERY inconvenient for me! I will have to wait for replacement cards and get a new ID asap, but life goes on; even if I hadn't had the purse returned to me! In moments of stress, I can turn into a very nervous person. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7. Its easy to forget how God strengthens us in times of trouble and never leaves us, even when we feel the most vulnerable to future problems. Will my identity be stolen? Who knows, but I can share with you today that God is faithful. Even if that happens because of my wallet being stolen, my God will be there to see me through the storm.

So here I sit at home with the kids (who desperately need baths) with my returned purse and a renewed sense of God's glory. He used a perfectly rotten situation and helped me see His majesty and power in His love for me. This isn't just about getting my purse back, it's all about God's unrelenting ability to bring glory to Himself. What a mighty God I serve :)

Besides, what would I have done without my can of Big Sexy Hair?!?!? :)

A & B :))

Me and my best non-family friend Alyssa!

Starfeild and Sharon :)

OK! So, my sister Sophie and I (and her unborn child) decided to get tickets for one of our very favorite bands, Starfeild. I think we have seen them every year for 3 consecutive years! I had first discovered them while listening to music on Pandora, then I went to good ole Itunes and downloaded their second album "Beauty in the Broken," and my family and I have been hooked ever since! Anywho, since that album they have released 2 more - I Will Go and The Saving One. We own both and have been greatly pleased. You might think this odd, but I get text messages from them telling me when they will be in the area. That's how I found about their show lastnight in Sammamish! Here are some pics!

Also, I was able to begin sponsoring a child in Africa last night. It's 35 dollars a month and the donation is given to a group called World Vision. If you have never heard of them before and are thinking of sponsoring a child in a third world country, please give them a looksey! They are a well established, non faith affiliated sponsorship program that helps children in ANY third world country that will allow it. They do not affiliate themselves with a church, but are widely known to be connected to many churches around the world. Maybe they figure the people attending Christian concerts are more inclined to give, but the bible tells us in Phillipians," Whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And for this I will rejoice."

The wonderful news is that as a family we have been sponsoring a child named Kadenge through World Vision for over a year now and what a blessing it has been to our family. Not only do we get to help a child eat and exist, but I have been able to teach Isabel and Todd how to pray for people we cannot see or even talk to. Our new child is a 9 year old girl named Sharon. She lives in Uganda and has lost both of her parents to the AIDS epidemic. She has 2 brothers and is living with her aunt. I am so excited to get to help her out! It will mean some tightening of the belts in my little family, but we do not mind. Dr. Charles Stanley once said,"Man looks at the dollar amount, but God looks at the sacrifice given." This means no more morning Hazelnut White Mochas for this momma.... I will ask that you join with the kids and I in praying for Sharon and Kadenge. They need God's protection and ever loving hand to guide them through their days. My prayer is that they will recognize that throughout all the violence and death in their country, that they are beautifully and wonderfully made by God; that He has never left them and has their future already mapped out! Thanks in advance!!

Fried Apples!!

Ok, so the kids and I have become addicted to Fried Apples! Its very simple to make and is so yummy with coffee in the morning :)

Ingredients:

Pancake Batter (any brand)

1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tblsp white sugar

1 tblsp vanilla extract

Powdered sugar (for sprinkling at the end)

Favorite kind of apples (ours is Fuji)

Vegetable Oil

Core, peel, half and slice apples to preferred thickness.

In a pan, place a 1/2" of the Veg oil and turn burner onto medium high.

Mix pancake batter to preferred consistency, should be thick enough to coat apple slices, but not too watery. Add in Cinnamon, white sugar and vanilla extract into pancake batter; once combined, add in apple slices.

Drop a small amount of batter into the oil to make sure the oil is hot enough; The batter should bubble and then float to the top of the pan to indicate correct temperature. If ready, drop in coated apple slices. When apple slices are a golden brown, remove from pan and place on paper towel lined plate. When all apples have been cooked, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top and serve! YUMMMMMM!

Holy is the Lord

Blog Post Numero Uno.....

So here I am beginning my journey as a blogger. After reading a few blogs this afternoon and giving up on the social networking sites, I have decided that this is the best way to communicate with the people that actually care what happens in our lives :). Today is September 21st, the first day of fall, and here I sit eating a BLT and listening to Hillsong on Youtube. Now that I have less of a need to get on the comuter (deleting the FB account) I find myself with exciting news to tell people and no where to post it! Is that ridiculous?! Anywho, here we go....

Isabel and Todd are both doing wonderful :)) Todd has started attending a new daycare and has actually started using the big boy potty!! What a surprise! He is turning into quite the talker and absolutely loves to watch Spongebob Squarepants (he says, "Spuh Buh!") and can actually sing the theme song. What a keeper! Isabel has made a great transition into her fairly new daycare and continues to surprise me with what she says on the day-to-day. Not only is she surprisingly funny, but she loves to help me with her brother and LOVES to sing! Both kids are progressing in their Sunday school classes and can't wait to attend every weekend. I continue to pray for their growth in the Lord and that He would grow their hearts to rely on Him with whatever this world throws at them. I love my kids! Isabel's birthday is coming up soon and she is VERY excited! I think we are on theme idea #3, which is Princess and the Frog. Before this, we dabbled in Hello Kitty and even Twilight..... I think she has settled on the Princess and the Frog theme... but I will keep you posted!

In other exciting news, my older sister Sophie is pregnant!! She is due in the spring and we couldn't be happier for her and Grant!! My younger sister Jessica (yessica) has just completed her first year of Beauty School and is thriving in it! I always look forward to what her hair will look like the next time I see her. My parents continue working for the city and are the most diligent prayer warriors I know. God has blessed me with an awesome family to be surrounded by and I absolutely L-O-V-E them. Thanks again Lord.

As for me, I am working and trying my best to remain steady while continuing to be busy every day. I love where I work, it has its challenges and some days are really long, but I enjoy helping the people I work with. I think God creates people specifically for caring for the elderly. We as a team care for people who are at the end and need unwavering support, attention and love before they take the 101 home to heaven. Other than that, my life consists of working and raising kids and sleeping. I thank God for His mercy anew every morning, its the only way I will make it through some days. His love just never fails me!

Ok, so blah blah blah....... Little rocky, but overall good first post, right??