“God is not a belief to which you give your assent. God becomes a reality whom you know intimately, meet everyday, one whose strength becomes your strength, whose love, your love. Live this life of the presence of God long enough and when someone asks you, “Do you believe there is a God?” you may find yourself answering, “No, I do not believe there is a God. I know there is a God.”~Ernest Boyer, Jr.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your might.~Deuteronomy 6:5

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Hubby


This weekend was Dan's birthday and this year I knew just what to do. What he needed most was a get away, so I surprised him with a trip to Atlanta. And this surprise actually worked he had no idea until we told him while on the way I must say I think he was shocked! I planned out our events and where we were going to stay it was fun. We spent Saturday at the World of Coke learning about the history of Coke and paying for 90 min of advertising :) my kids will always be "coke" people because of this. It was cool in the tasting room we tasted Coke beverages from all over the world stuff we've never heard of some of it good some not so. Then it was on to the Aquarium, which was fun and amazing all Caleb cared about seeing was a "Shark Whale" also known as a Whale Shark. The kids had a blast and it was fun to just get away. We all love Dan sooo much and can't say Thank-You enough for how well he takes care of and provides for us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetie

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Family Night...Bowling



I am not to thrilled about this...and what's up with these shoes they don't go with my leggins don't you know I wear pink?


I know how to do it, oh I need a ball?


Yea I'm cool looking good at the bowling alley
OK here is my ball
Getting readyAnd it's off


Ok Dad show me how
And here we go

We had a great time bowling, Caleb has been wanting to do this for a long time and he was good he won the first game. I never was really into bowling, always thought I was too cool for it and it showed in my bowling ability, but I had a great time just having fun with the kids and watching them have such a GREAT time...Ella really loved it and kept saying "me turn?"


Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Menu

This week's menu is short because this weekend is Dan's birthday and so I left the end of the week open for festivities

Monday-Pork tenderloin medallions with balsamic glaze, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Blackeye Peas with okra
Tuesday- Meat loaf, Parmesan Crusted Garlic mashed potatoes, Broccoli
Wednesday-Panned Chicken Breast with Sauteed spinach and polenta

Monday, January 21, 2008

Our First experience with snow

So Saturday we had snow and this was a morning of real fun for the kids. When Ella woke up she came running in our room and said "mommy it snowed a lot" but of course it was a light dusting but to a child that has never seen snow it was a lot! At about 8am it really started coming down (well in AL terms) and they had a great time, by about 1pm it was pretty much all gone except here or there. It was fun to see their wonder and excitement, but to me it was just cold and wet!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Year of the BABY

Ok so I'm not into the whole Chinese New Year but I do happen to know a few facts, like this is the year of the RAT whatever that means.

In my world I would have to say that 2008 is the year of the...BABY oh no not me but it seems like everyone else I know is having, just had, or trying to have a baby. My long time friend Jennifer was due this month, but E came before Christmas, Sara my girlie from CIA called before Christmas to tell me #2 was on the way. After Christmas found out Kim and Jeremy are also expecting #2, Wendy my other girlie is officially trying and last night came the SHOCKER of 2008 MELANIE and DONNIE are expecting(shocker to them too) so with that it is officially the year of the BABY!

Monday, January 14, 2008

First time for everything

So when I started this blog it was to tell about life Like the Loudon's and of course it has become life about the Loudon children. But this year trying to stay true to my description and keep myself on track I am going to post our weekly menus.

It is a daunting task to sit down and make up a menu, but it makes my life so much easier. I don't have to think about dinner during the week it's already planned. My time spent shopping is more efficient as I don't spend time thinking while I shop. Saves money as I buy just what I need for that week and don't end up going to the grocery mutltiple times spending $20 here and there...I don't know about you but I can't walk into the grocery store with spending $20.

So this is what the Loudon's will be eating this week:

Monday- Veal Scalloppini with galicky spinach and fettuccini alfredo
Tuesday-Rain Water Chili
Wednesday- Chicken Stuffed with Artichokes, Sundried Tomatoes & Fontina,with Orzo pilaf with pinenuts
Thursday-Sirloin Steaks with Boursin and Merlot Sauce, baked potatoes and Green Beans
Friday - Turkey Nachos
Saturday - Left Over Chili

Favorite picutres of 2007

Wow here it is the middle of January 2008, where does time go? So I've been meaning to post my favorite pictures of 2007 and have just now gotten around to it, I am being a bad blogger. There of course are many more this is just the ones I quickly put together so I could say I had done that task :) not that it's a task but just one more thing to accomplish.

Favorite Pictures of2007

Thursday, January 10, 2008

What's wrong with this picture?

How may things can you find wrong with this Picture?
Posted by Picasa
1) Pop doesn't hold dolls
2) Mazie is not allowed on the couch
3) "Goldie Locks" sat in baby bears chair and it was way to small!
The funniest thing about this picture is it was taken after we had opened all our gifts on Christmas Eve -Dad could not take any more. We were all in the kitchen talking when I looked inot the family room and Ella had set up these chairs, given Dad her new Dora doll and was reading a story to them and at some point Mazie thought it would be a good time to snuggle up to dad and take a nap.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

2008 Day 1

I read this today after finishing off the last of the Christmas Cookies and then the guilt drove me to the gym

After Christmas================'

Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number
!When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls,
the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished"
Till all the additional ounces have vanished
.I won't have a cookie - not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.I
won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.I
'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!