Merry Christmas from us to you

Merry Christmas to all and to anyone whom I forgot to mail a card I'm sorry but enjoy here it is.

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Christmas Ballet

Yesterday Ella and her ballet class had their short Christmas program and party. They first did a basic dance to the First Noel


Then they did this short piece from the Nutcracker, Ella really liked this dance but was a little off here so she's not perfect but she is having fun and that is what counts.

Thoughts for the Christmas Season

OK so I haven't posted in a long time and I make you no promises but I do think about it often, just making it happen doesn't always happen. So tonight I just give you a thought for the Season

"If the enemy can't make you sin he will just make you busy" - unknown

How true is that? In this season when we are celebrating the birth of our Savior how many of us take time to talk to Him? Spend time with Him? Love Him? Show His love to others?

So this Christmas Season check your list twice and make sure you haven't left Jesus out.

Thankful I live in the South!

I know sometimes I complain about living in the south, especially mid-July through August but this time of year you will hear no complaints from me! Yesterday was the perfect day I cleaned out my Iris bed and separated the plants and replanted my daffodils...I can't wait till Spring I doubled the size of the bed it is going to be sooo beautiful! The week of Thanksgiving and the temp is 74 degrees, give thanks for that!

I talked to my mother in law and she told me that our family in Montana have already gotten 12inches of snow and the temp there is....wait for it...8degrees brrrrrrrrr. I love Montana it is breath takingly beautiful and unless you've visited you don't really understand why it is called Big Sky. I really fell in love with the simplicity of Montana and sometimes romanticize about living there, but slap me back to reality with 8 degrees the week of Thanksgiving! I can't imagine surviving temps like that and surviving is all you do.

So today I am thankful I live in the South!

Couponing Week 2

So far since I've started couponing I have not used any coupons, weird I know but all the sites say you have to start by saving up coupons to match those to the sales. What I am seeing is if I make a menu, shop the best price for those items we don't spend nearly as much as if I don't have a plan. Last week I spent $129.45 for our weekly groceries and this included a splurge at Whole Foods for cheese. These numbers are strictly for groceries I don't include any cleaning supplies or dog food, I have just wanted to get a good idea on how much of our money we eat.
So far I have spent $4.00 on news papers and saved $0. Another major problem I have is I can't print coupons off the Internet, I think I have to change my security settings...when I say I have to change of course I mean Dano;)

EAT like the Loudon's

Wow so here it is the beginning of a new week, I can't believe we are already at the half-way point of this month. I can already tell this is going to be a busy week with school programs and such and then oh my goodness next week is Thanksgiving!
So here is this weeks menu

Monday: Black Bean Soup with Quesadilla
Tuesday: Chciken Jambalia
Wednesday: Leftover Meatloaf and mashed potatoes and broccoli
Thursday: Pasta..haven't decieded exactly what just yet I'll keep you posted ;)
Friday:Pizza
Saturday: Oven Smoked Boston Butt
Sunday: Beef Bourginon

Great Site

For those of you like me new to couponing this site is great and has tutorials on how to coupon along with printable coupons and match ups to local stores.

EAT like the Loudons

Monday: Pork Tenderloin stuffed with apples and cranberries, mashed sweet potatoes and corn pudding
Tuesday: Mini Thanksgiving for our friends from Belieze
Wednesday: Panini and Soup
Thursday: Mini Meatloaf with potatoes and green beans OR leftover thanksgiving
Friday: Pizza
Saturday:Baked Grits with ham, mushrooms and thyme and salad
Sunday:Mini Meatloaf if we did not have it on Thursday or Turkey Tetrazini

Savings update

Ok for those of you following this couponing experiment today I did save big with some coupons. This week at Walgreens...I know buying groceries from a drugstore seems wierd..has butter for $1.99 with in store coupon which is a great savings it runs about $2.75 everywhere else. The butter will be a stock up item for me as I use a lot of butter. You can get 4 at a time until the 17of Nov. Also got all my canned pumpkin for Thanksgiving for $0.99 which is great because it is at least $1.49 at Wal-Mart.
I also found the Rite-Aid in my neighborhood so I can get my cheap hair color :)

Couponing week 1 update

Spent $124.92 on groceries saved $0 with coupons
This included the menu http://liketheloudons.blogspot.com/2010/11/eat-like-loudons.html below plus I made freezer food for 1 family and fed 1extra person on Sunday so it works out $91.42

Last week I announced my couponing experiment and it began with little success. After buying the paper, cutting out the coupons, deciding which ones I might actually use I came up with very few. I was excited about being able to get my hair color for $3 instead of $8 until I realized it was only good at Rite Aid and there is not one anywhere in my neighborhood. Last week I said I had a few requirements for coupons 1) that we can use the same products we always do 2) that I am not going to buy products I normally would not just because I have a coupon unless I really want to try it. I forgot to add the other one 3) I'm not driving all over town to use a coupon especially for 1 product. I know I have put alot of regulations on my couponing but for this to work for me these are the rules.

Last week all the couponing blogs said it was a bad couponing week, so I'm hopeful for this week. I haven't gotten a paper but have asked some of the neighbors if I could have their coupon pages...am I turning into a couponing freak?
The following was last weeks "deals" from Publix according to Money Saving Mom...the problem I don't use any of these products. Yea I can get Shedd's Spread for $0.15 but ICKY we only use butter you rarely see a coupon for that

Shedd’s Spread Country Crock, Regular/ Churn Style, or Twin Pack (2 pk) – $0.95
Use $0.40/1 printable
$0.15 after coupon

Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks – $1.50
Use $1/1 printable
$0.50 after coupon

Welch’s Essentials Juice Cocktail Blend – $1.63
Use $1/1 coupon from the 10/31 SmartSource insert or printable
$0.63 after coupon

Nature’s Own Bread – $1.45
Use $0.75/1 printable
$0.70 after coupon

V8 Splash Beverage – $1.43
Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from the 10/3 SmartSource insert
$0.93 each after coupon

Pup-Peroni Dog Snacks (10 oz pkg) – $2.50
Use $1/1 printable
$1.50 after coupon


Publix: Deals for the week of November 4-10, 2010 is a post from: Money Saving Mom℠ :: Store Deals

Maybe this week will find better results...stay tuned

Robin Mark is on of my favorite christian musicians, he and his band are from Northern Ireland. I love the Irish sound in his music (some are more than others )but also if you listen to the words of his songs they are great. This song Will Your Anchor Hold I love the words and the truth it teaches, Christ is my anchor in the troubled waters of this life. I espically love the pictures with this version as they are of Nantucket.



I took a walk down to the harbour,
I even watched a ship come in,
With all the lights upon the water shimmering.

These empty streets once thronged
With people before the houses had all gone,
And fathers rose to queue for work before the dawn.

And every meal upon the table bore
Testimony to their days spent working
Hard upon a ship from far away.

Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love
And will your anchor hold you in the flood.

Upon the church steps stood a preacher,
He cried redemption to the docks,
And all his words fell just like honey on a rock.

And hearts made stony by those hard times,
And steelyed eyes and windswept face,
Were softened by his stories of amazing grace.

From two and three to many thousands,
Revival fell upon the land,
The tiger lay before the lion and the lamb.

Now I came looking for adventure,
And it's adventure I have found
Since first I placed my feet upon this holy ground.

And I will never be a sailor,
But maybe if I take my stand
Perhaps we'll see revival fall upon our land.

I took a walk down to the harbour,
I even watched a ship come in,
With all the lights upon the water shimmering,

But I have an anchor, that keeps my soul
Steadfast and sure while those billows roll.

Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's blood.


Copyright © 1998 Daybreak Music Ltd.


This post is dedicated to my friend late Sara as I am thinking of her today

EAT like the Loudons

Menu for week of November 1

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday: Maccaroni and Cheese, Sausages and apples
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Sauteed Trout with roasted potatoes and green beans
Friday: Pizza
Saturday ?? think we will be in Huntsville
Sunday:Sirloin Steak with twice baked potatoes and pear, bluecheese walnut salad

The experiment begins

OK so today starts a new day in my life...couponing! I keep hearing tales of how much you can save couponing and I wonder is it really true? I will admit I am not good at couponing never have been I forget to take them to the store, I forget to use them until it's way to late so forth and so on. After reading several couponing blogs I have decided to do this as a 3 month experiment. I want to see if we can really save any money couponing this savings includes cost of getting the paper something we've never done plus time spent clipping and finding the best price. My one requirement is that we can eat the way we always do and buy the products we normally do IE: I'm not going buy the nasty hot dogs just because I have a coupon no I want to buy the Nathan's or Hebrew National. I will post regular updates of the experiment and record my findings. If you have any couponing advice or favorite blogs please post.
Let the grocery games begin!

More on Parenting/Godly Families

This is article is copied from Grace to You by John McArthur, this is what God is teaching me and I feel I need to share.

Myths—they intrigue, entertain, and sometimes even humor us. From health and history to sports and science, myths and misconceptions seem to find their way into every realm of human thought and activity—including parenting.

As Christians, we probably dismiss most of the parenting myths we encounter without a second thought, right? After all, we’re Christians, those who look to and depend upon God’s Word to determine our reality, not worldly platitudes or cultural traditions. If you’re among those who think only naïve and untaught Christians fall for unbiblical substitutes when it comes to parenting, maybe you’d better take a look at our list.

Here are ten of the most common myths confronting Christian parents these days. Mom and dad, as you endeavor to raise your children to the glory of God, take note of them:


Myth # 1: “Children must be the first priority in our family.”

Heard that one? According to this myth, the child-centered family is the successful family, so the more attention you give your children, the better they’ll turn out. Basically, you’ve got to prioritize your children over your spouse. No matter how pious they make it sound, it’s not pious at all. The Bible says your spouse is your priority, second only to God. Husbands, you understand this…God commands you to love you wife as your own body (Eph. 5:28). Why? Because you’re in a “one flesh” relationship with that woman (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:31). There is no such relationship between parent and child; it’s a different level of intimacy. To elevate the relationship with your children above the more intimate relationship you have with your spouse isn’t positive in any sense. It’s a subtle but dangerous myth that always weakens and sometimes wrecks a home. Beware.



Myth # 2: “I should rely mainly upon the church—particularly the children’s ministry, to teach the Bible to my children.”

Most of us would probably deny believing this myth, but how we live tells all. Evaluate your habits at home, parents. Where does the majority of your children’s spiritual instruction take place—church or home? Who provides that instruction—an Awana leader or you? We’re not belittling the role of your local church’s teaching ministries. We are pointing out that Sunday school and youth group should supplement your teaching at home, not replace it. Both the Old and New Testaments assign parents, not pastors, the responsibility of teaching their children (See Deut. 6:4-9; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).



Myth # 3: “The behavior of my children is a sure measure of successful parenting.”

That statement would cease to be a myth with a slight adjustment: Your response to the behavior of your children is a sure measure of successful parenting. See the difference? Your child’s behavior is mostly out of your control; your response is not. None of us, especially after the early years, can control our child’s behavior. But you can and must control your response to their behavior. God’s simple instruction to parents is found in Ephesians 6:4, “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Your success as a parent relates to how faithfully you carry out that charge, not how well your children receive discipline and instruction.



Myth # 4: “Quality time with my children is more important than quantity time.”

Some parents use this myth to ease their guilt for spending too little time with their kids. That’s not the biblical model. When God instructed parents to impart His Law to their children, notice how much time is involved: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:6, 7). We’re mistaken to think we can somehow schedule those teachable moments into a few scattered, “quality” interactions between dinner and dessert. Faithfulness to the parenting task requires more time than that. As you make yourself available, you’ll begin to see how many unplanned opportunities arise out of those times of sitting, walking, lying down, and rising up.



Myth # 5: “My children belong to me.”
Behind this myth is the false notion that, “My children are my property, and it’s my right to raise them as seems best to me.” Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a gift from the Lord.” Even life itself is a gift, isn’t it? But it still belongs to God. Parenting is a stewardship, and we are stewards of all God’s gifts, including our children. We provide care, impart instruction, and teach them to fear God, and one day we’ll give an account to Him for how we carry out our charge. Children belong to God.



Myth # 6: “My wife should take responsibility for training our children since I work.”

Husbands, don’t turn God’s calling for your wife (Titus 2:4-5, to love you and your children, and keep the home) into a fatal parenting myth. God’s instruction to your wife doesn’t excuse you from parental responsibility. Scripture presents parenting as a joint-effort, and it also issues several commands directly to you fathers—it’s your responsibility to train your children (Eph 6:4, Col. 3:21). It’s true, your wife will spend more time at home with the kids while you work, but that doesn’t eliminate or diminish your responsibility to join her—in fact to lead her—in the parenting task.



Myth # 7: “My children won’t be able to understand spiritual truths until they are much older.”

Biblical history, human history, and common experience demonstrate how young children can comprehend spiritual truth. Remember the prophet Samuel, or the young king Josiah? Samuel’s close relationship to the Lord began at a very young age (1 Sam. 2:26), and king Josiah instigated spiritual revival in Judah when he was only a teenager (2 Kings 22:1; 2 Chronicles 34:33). In 1735, during the American Great Awakening, God saved Phebe Bartlet, a young girl in Jonathan Edward’s congregation, when she was only 4 years old. Parents and pastor alike thoroughly examined her comprehension of gospel truth and found clear evidence that she was born again. Time proved the genuineness of her profession. One of her favorite activities was attending church to hear the preaching of her pastor, Jonathan Edwards (not a theological lightweight). Don’t fool yourself parent—and certainly don’t try and fool your children. They are sharper than you think.



Myth # 8: “If I spank my children, it will exasperate and provoke them.”

Sadly, this myth is alive and well in many Christian homes. It intimidates parents and spoils children. Contrary to our anti-spanking culture, Proverbs 13:24 says, “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Truth is, if you want to provoke and spoil your children, just continue to shelter them from the painful consequences of disobedience (Prov. 29:15). No kid loves a spanking, and we don’t like discipline either, do we? But the writer of Hebrews tells us that discipline yields peaceful, productive fruit (Heb. 12:5-11). (Here are a few other Scriptures to counter this insidious myth—Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13; 29:17).



Myth # 9: “Spanking my children is the key to successful biblical parenting.”

For some of you, spanking your child seems quicker, easier, and more effective than the relentless dawn-to-dusk instruction called for in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (see Myth #4). Ephesians 6 also calls for “discipline,” but Paul clearly has more in mind than spanking. The positive command, “Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (v. 4), refers to the systematic training and instruction of children. Literally, the word “instruction” could be translated “putting in mind.” As a parent, you want to impart the knowledge of God regularly and lovingly to your child under the guidance of Scripture. That is the key to successful parenting. Spanking is just one part of that larger task.



Myth # 10: “If I teach my kids properly, God promises they’ll eventually turn out well.”

No doubt you’ve heard this myth. It’s a popular interpretation, and application, of Proverb 22:6—“Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” How many times have you seen a parent cling to that verse in desperation as they watch defiant children forsake all they were taught? Some children sit under loving, prayerful instruction from their parents, only to later shame them with a scandalous lifestyle. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it. But Solomon’s proverb is not meant to be a gilt-edged guarantee your child will eventually trust Christ and live righteously. Solomon is simply saying early training usually secures lifelong habits. It’s a charge to give great care and consistency to how and what you teach your children. God promises to bless us for parental faithfulness, but that doesn’t necessarily mean our children will be saved. They have their own relationship with God to work out.

Our Goal as Parents

What are the most important things we can teach our children? How to catch a ball, how to be successful, how to be a confident person? Are these thing the most important things in life? What is our ultimate goal as parents? Follow this link to listen as John McArthur explains what the bible tells us is most important and our goal as parents
Trophy Kids

My prayer for my children is that they will be GREAT in God's eyes.

On the table

Sometimes you just need something to spark your inspiration and you never quite know how that will come. Sometimes it's the change of season, sometimes it's a friend well for me this week it is a pig. Actually it's a pig chalkboard that I have just hung in my kitchen. How has this pig chalkboard sparked my inspiration you ask? It made me want to plan this weeks menu, silly I know but menu planning is a daunting task and sometimes you just need a little something to make it fun.


So here is our menu from the pig:
Monday: Chicken Basil Curry with Coconut Rice - since I'm posting on Tuesday this is yummy
Tuesday: Spinach Lasagna Rolls, Salad
Wednesday: Turkey Black Bean Chili
Thursday: Sauteed Pork Chops with Braised Red Cabbage
Friday-Sunday we will be out of town for my sisters wedding

On my heart and soul lately

Happy Birthday to me

When Caleb and Ella were babies people would often wonder where they got their chunkiness from but after looking at this picture it was clear that was from me (and obviously the cuteness too). Look at those cheeks, and chins, I was a healthy baby.

Now 38 years later I think I have reclaimed some the baby fat I lost along the way...still healthy :)

Food for thought

With school starting soon, I thought this appropriate to post. Many of you know the struggle we had last year and part of me is very anxious about this year, I don't know what this year holds for us but as I read more and more and listen to people like this I realize there are answers and maybe the problem is not so much my child but with how he is being educated. Food for thought

Doldrums...defeated

It happens every year so why does it seem surprised when it does, why am I taken aback for a few days? What is "it" you ask? I call it the summer doldrums, doldrums is a nautical terms that refers to an area of calm, but in colloquial usage, "being in the doldrums" refers to being in a state of listlessness, despondency, inactivity, stagnation, or a slump.

So every year when the temps reach 100 the doldrums set in, hence no menu this week. Honestly I haven't really wanted to eat this week and boy does my refrigerator show it!

I usually call this particular mood uninspired so this year I decided to fight back and inspire myself...the result this cute shirt for Ella

I really like embroidery and applique it's a great thing to do while watching TV and it's so rewarding to get done and say I made this. It was so fun making this that I already have a few more projects in the working. Lookout everyone you'll be seeing these for birthdays and Christmas!

Things changes

I love making menus and planning what we will eat for an upcoming week but sometimes I just have to be flexible and let things change as our week changes. This week our actual menu has turned out nothing like what I planned.

One of those changes was kids cooking night, they decided they wanted to make spaghetti and meatballs so we changed our plans.


Instead of making basic Spaghetti and Meatballs we made Spaghetti All' Amatriciana with Mozzarella Meatballs. get the recipe


The kids love cooking night, I break up the meal into parts and each one gets assigned a part. Last night Caleb was on making sauce and Ella on meatballs..they both got in on the meatball rolling.

These are not our regular meatballs each one has a piece of mozzarella tucked inside YUM!

Proud kids with the dinner they cooked!

This was a yummy dinner!
I am using kids cooking night as an educational time, it is great for Caleb to read and follow directions and work in a little math here and there. Cooking with kids is fun...try it.

EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week

Sunday-Slow smoked Beef Brisket, Roasted Rosemary New Potatoes, Corn on Cob, Slaw
Monday -Flounder with Lady Pea Succotash
Tuesday - KIDS Cooking night - Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice and Black Beans, Mango Salsa
Wednesday - Church
Thursday - Grilled Sausages, Fried Squash, Vadilla Onion Rings, Fresh Tomato Salad
Friday - Pizza

Kids tell it like it is

So Saturday night Dan decides we are going out to dinner then to Yogurt Mountain for dessert. If you don't know what yogurt mountain is let me fill you in, it is a self serve frozen yogurt (I use that word lightly) shop with I think like 15 different flavors to choose from and probably double that of toppings. You fill your cup pile on the toppings then the moment of truth...45cents an ounce...ouch!

So we pack up the kids in the wagon and head out 280, after dinner and some light shopping we walk on over to YM. Excitedly we fill our cups with flavor combinations that don't really work once they melt together in the bottom of the cup and head outside to enjoy. After eating his yogurt down to the last drop, scraping out the cup, and even tipping it up tapping out the last drop Caleb puts down his cup and says "I'm gonna exercise tomorrow." The lady sitting next to him chuckles thinking this is funny. I reply with "that's what I keep saying I'm gonna exercise tomorrow."
Caleb looks right at me and says "mom you never exercise" I thought the lady next to him was going to fall out of her chair laughing. "Your right Caleb. "

Super Mario Birthday Party

So the Mario Party has come and gone and my little boy is 8 now YIKES how did that happen? Sometimes when I am working on an epic party like this one I wonder am I crazy why do I take all this on? The answer to that question is simple because time flies way to fast and my children are growing up right in front of my eyes and epic parties like this one will be a great memory for him.
So how did the birthday go? To quote Caleb "That was the best birthday ever!"...success!

Here's the Birthday Boy now we know what he'd look like with a handlebar mustache...it works. The fabulous cake was made by my sister Paula and as you can see was incredible!

Our plan was throughout the party the kids would win coins for the various games then at the end of the party they would cash the coins in for prizes...this is our prize table.

Upon arrival each child picked a coin box inside the coin revealed if they were a Mario or a Luigi then they got their hat and mustache.
The week before his party Caleb drew, cut, and colored Mario decorations..he was very serious about this project Good Job Caleb!

Wii play station the kids took turns as they arrived

Yoshi eggs for a game called Yoshi egg smash I cracked a small hole in the eggs, shook out the insides, cleaned them, and filled them with confetti and a few with gold stars. The kids then smashed them against a wall to see if they got a star and won a coin. I can't believe I didn't get a pic of the smashing!

All our Marios and Luigis and of course Princess Peach


Dan was our official Bowzer in Bowzer Tag

Now on to some of that yummy Mario cake

And finally to destroy the pinata I spent all week gluing, but all those layers of news paper paid off because it took a lickin!


The stick broke before the pinata did!

It was a great birthday and I think everyone had a great time, but most of all Caleb had a GREAT 8th birthday!

EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week

Sunday- Penna with Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms and fresh basil pesto
Monday-Fresh Corn and Bacon Risitto with Seared Scallops
Tuesday-Kids Cooking Night- Crunchy coated Chicken Breasts with Broccoli
Wednesday-picnic in the park
Thursday-??TBA
Friday- Pizza night
Saturday-Slow Smoked Beef Brisket, corn on the cob, slaw

One of my dreams

I dream of a cottage with gingerbread trim, dressed in white furnished with things that are completly not practical. A place of romance and charm completly lacking in practically and functionality, I have found that place it is in the Catskills created by a woman who apparently shares my dreams. It's always inspiring to see those who make their dreams come true and are creative and handy enough to do it themselves. This cottage speaks to my soul...however I do dream of a place with a bathroom and kitchen.

On Location - Dream of a Home Takes the Shape of a Victorian Retreat - NYTimes.com

EAT like the Loudons

On the table this week - I know I posted this Thursday which is a little late for this week but work with me
Monday: Greek Grilled Chicken with Brown Rice and Sauteed Squash and Zucchini from the garden :)
Tuesday: KIDS NIGHT Bacon Egg and Tomato Tarts with Buttercrisp Salad
Wednesday: Church
Thursday: Chicken Fried Steak with Green Salad (saw a TV show on fried food across America and eversince then I have wanted this)
Friday: Pizza Night

Still Here

Yes the Loudons are still alive and well! With that said let's move on I could tell you I am going to be better about blogging so check back often but I don't want to make any promises I may not keep!
Summer is in full swing here at the Loudons the garden is going crazy, we all have bronzed bodies from days at the pool and with summer comes kids cooking night. Last year the kids had so much fun cooking dinner once a week I decided to do it again plus its a great fun way to work in some math and reading. They get to come up with the menu(with a little guidance) and then I help them make it.

This was our first week and Caleb knew what he wanted to make,Tomato tarts...yum!
Ella made a Buttercrisp Salad with a Red Wine Vinaigrette and dinner was complete. They are getting to be good little chefs.

Ella is 5

Here I am almost a week late but we all know the saying, so I will spare us. Last week was a busy one but of my own choosing because my sweet" baby" turned 5 I know I almost can't believe it my self that Ella is 5! She has been such a gift and such a joy. I am so gald God has given me this girlie girl. Weeks before her birthday we had discussed all the possible birthday ideas...sleepover, strawberry shortcake, makeup, you name it we talked about it and then about 2 weeks before her birthday she decided she wanted a cooking party. I know it sounds funny but I loved the idea.



As her friends showed up at the house I had chef hats for them to decorate

Once they were all arrived they put on their aprons and we got to cooking

I started them off with decorating cupcakes and tried to teach them to use the pastry bag, they did not master that :) and needed much assistance. Then they added sprinkles, as much as they wanted fun right?

Once they were happy with the cupcakes they made we moved on to making pizza, their challenge was to try new ingredients and make a funny face pizza.

With the pizzas in the oven we moved on to making fruit sticks, yes I tried to give them something healty. Now all that was left to do was eat!

It was a successful party and everything went well but having four 4 yr olds come over to cook is not for the faint of heart! Most of all Ella had a great time and will always remember her 5th cooking birthday party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET GIRL!

My first love

I am blogging again, I know I have said this before but I am trying to get better and make time for blogging in my life. One it is good for me to just get my thoughts out and to share what is going on for anyone who cares to know.

I started out this year talking about the things God has been teaching me this year, and let me tell you that has not stopped. Today as I sat down to do my bible study I started reading and answering questions then I realized I was doing the "wrong" one and I thought oh I should turn to this weeks lesson but something inside (God) said just do this one you need it.

The study was on Revelation 2 the letter to the church in Ephesus. I will give you the condensed version, the church in Ephesus was working hard for God serving and looked like they were a Godly church but God said they had lost their first love. Their service was out of duty not delight. WOW how this hit me what have I done with my first love? The lesson states "many believers don't view an absence of the firey, first love for Jesus a sin"...honestly never thought of it... till now. Remember the verse" Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength" That is what God commands us. Love Him first and love others. God's absolute priority for all followers of Christ is love-for Him first and others second- then the absence of such love is sin.

What things have you replaced your love for God with? Pray with me today to love Him more than you pray for blessing, health or anything else just love Him more and all these things will flow from that. "Seek you first the kingdom of God and His rightousness and all these things will be given unto you."

Ella's spring recital

Ella had her Spring recital this past Sunday, she still loves ballet and she takes it very seriously. She did have a few silly moments when she knew she did something wrong and got tickled. Excuse Dan sneezing at the beginning of the video, what can I say allergy season

John on George

This year God has really given me a desire to live for Him...really not partially but fully. Our pastor has encouraged us to read the biography of George Muller and since it is checked out of our library I hit the internet looking. I came across a great article written on the life of George Muller by none other than John Piper...you can always trust Piper to have something great!
Some huge things jumped out at me that I want to share:

• 
  the chief passion and unifying aim of Mueler's ministry was to live a life and lead a ministry in a way that proves God is real, God is trustworthy, God answers prayer.

• He had come to know and love the absolute sovereignty of God

• According to my judgement the most important point to be attended to is this: things see above all to it that your souls are happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the Lord's work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that above all things you should seek to have your souls truly happy in God Himself! Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life.

• Knowing God is the key to being happy in God.The more we know of God, the happier we are. . . . When we became a little acquainted with God . . . our true happiness . . . commenced; and the more we become acquainted with him, the more truly happy we become. What will make us so exceedingly happy in heaven? It will be the fuller knowledge of God.
  

That is my prayer for me and you and what God has been teaching me this year...Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life that you are truly happy in God himself

Read the whole article herehttp://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1531_George_Muellers_Strategy_for_Showing_God/

On the Table

Thanks to my friend Mel I have just found a great blog I'm an Organizing Junkie and she hosts Menu Plan Monday a great way to keep us all diligent and find new ideas..I love it!

So on that note here is what will be on our table this week

Sunday: Beef Brisket in Red Wine, mashed potatoes and Roasted Root Vegetables

Monday:Jambalia with Green Salad (i know this was on the menu last week, but things changed;)

Tuesday:Leftover Beef Brisket

Wednesday: Church or leftover Jmbalia

Thursday: Hearty Tomato Soup and Panani

Friday: Pizza night

Saturday: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches with Hearty Tomato Soup

SITS do it again

I know this is early but I've joined a Valentine exchange! I did this last year and it was so much fun getting to know another blogger and getting goodies in the mail what could be better? This time it is being hosted by Holly over at Domestic Dork. I came across this today after visiting SITS-secrets in the sauce- don't know about this check it out at the link on my sidebar.
Today is the last day to sign up for the Valentine exchange so scoot on over to Domestic Dork and sign up.

Thoughts for 2010

Here we are 7 days into not only a new year but a new decade. I have now been married for almost a decade and have had kids for almost as long we have been in our house for a decade too. What can I see for the past decade? Marriage, home, family a lot when you think about it.
But what does this new decade hold?
Will we just continue to work, live and grow older?

So far this year God has been revealing to me that it is time for my life to count for more. I don't want to spend this decade just living for me but I want to live this year living for eternity making my time here to count for eternity for this world is passing away. How am I going to do this? I don't know and that is the beauty of it, I don't really have to do it God is going to do it through me. I am praying and studying His word and He will give the opportunity.

This new year and decade has brought a renewal to me in raising my children up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Look for more to come on this subject.

On The Table this Week

It's a New Year and once again I start this year with great expectations and hopefully a good plan to make them a reality. Once again I am going to be better about more regular posting something I failed horribly in last year. Last year I discovered facebook and how easy it is to post quick things there but unlike blogging you don't have that journaling effect.


Another thing I am getting back to is planning a weekly menu and sharing that with the blog world so here's this weeks menu

Sunday Coq au Vin, polenta, butter lettuces with blue cheese, apples, walnuts
Monday Macaroni and Cheese with Ham, broccoli, and fried apples
Tuesday Leftover Coq au Vin
Wednesday Pork Tenderloin with shallots and pear, Sweet Potatoes
Thursday Jambalaya
Friday Pizza