Thankful!

I just wanted to list some of the things that I'm thankful for. Some of these are deep and relatively private, I don't think I've shared them publicly before... I certainly haven't put them on the web!

1. I'm thankful for a deeper relationship with God than I've ever had. My love for him has grown and intensified over the past few months. It's not the oooo I pray hours a day read my bible day and night, go and witness every evening, and pass out tracts to my neighbors kind of devotion. It's just a true friendship; it honestly was developed partly through pain, but totally worth it! I am so excited about the year to come and to see where we go together.

2. I'm thankful for my truly amazing husband. He is my dearest friend and the one that I'll love for the rest of my life. Those of you that know us, know that he has supported me this past year in a way that is completely like him. He's encouraged me to be gentle, loving, kind, forgiving, passionate, and excellent in everything. yep, just like Walt. He's pretty easy on the eyes too:)

3. I'm thankful for my 4 children. Our oldest is our 9 almost 10 year old son, Micah. We are getting to a really cool stage with him. He's so handsome, funny and smart. My biggest worry with Micah is that he is a schmoozer, but even in that he's charming. Next there is the child that every mother prays for, our 7 almost 8 year old Sarah. She is and always has been sweet, beautiful, kind hearted, so funny, obedient, and scarily smart. Nadiah is our gorgeous 3 year old. She is our "class clown" and so so sweet. She has hit that very fun stage where we can really play lately. She loves all things mommy and I love her. Sarah calls her the Evil Genius. Nadiah's super quick! Last but not least, there's Hannah. My baby forever! She's so cute, sensitive, rotten to the core and truly the BEST baby ever. I can't wait for more and more of her personality to come out. She is an absolute delight.

4. I'm thankful that my brother is home!!!! He has completed his 3 years of treatment and is back with the family. I missed him so much and worried about him even more. It's been a little tough reconnecting with a 17 year old, but I love trying.

5. I'm thankful that I get to stay home with my children. I'm not going to lie, taking away 30k a year from any family is tough, we have a budget again and I'm sticking to it.

6. I'm thankful that we've found at least a temporary fix to our church hunting situation. We're done hunting. We're going to continue at the Oaks (9 service and Wed. for the kids) and go to Relevant for their 11:00 service. It's a long day, but Walt and I can heal in peace and serve with great leaders in order to fill our longing for serving.

7. I'm thankful for great friends. New ones, old ones, ones I've found again on Facebook, and ones I'm related to. They have been like life support for me. Thank you to those that read this and are my friends. Your words of encouragement, love and unconditional belief in me has inspired me to be better.... more like each of you and more like Jesus. I am so blessed to have so many great friends. When I was feeling like my work, service, devotion, relationships didn't matter, you are what proved me wrong. Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

I am going to put my own spin on this fun Tuesday Carnival. I saw it on LL's blog and love her recipes. I do a lot of cooking (5 to 6 nights a week) ; I'm going to ask my family to vote on their favorite food from the week before and I'll post it. I'm sure most will be kid friendly (as the kids will be 3 of the 4 votes). No matter how simple or complex it is.... it's their choice. This week's choice is fun and absolutely kid friendly.

Zesty Tortellini
Ingredients:

• 2 packages of fresh tortellini or ravioli or 1 large package of frozen (just thaw)
  
• 1 jar of favorite spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 fresh Parmasian Cheese
• 1 and 1/2 cups of Mozerela Cheese
• 1/4 cup of Zesty Italian Dressing (light is fine)
• 1 Can of Beef Broth

Cooking Instructions:

• Preheat Oven to 375
• Combine Spaghetti Sauce (after emptying, fill 1/4 with water and shake; poor that in too), Italian Dressing, Beef Broth, 1/2 of the parm and 1/2 of the mozerela in a 13x9 baking dish. Toss in the pasta to coat. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
• Remove foil
• Top with left over cheese and bake for 15 minutes.

This makes at least 6 servings and is a sure hit. I think the dressing is the secret.... I always pair it with a salad and some Birds Eye Steamers Broccoli.

Happy Cooking

erica

Making a Happy Home Monday

I know that I'm a day or so late, but I got the worst stomach virus last night and was out of commission...

On Sunday night and Monday, I packed up all of my newborn through 9 months items. It was freeing and sad at the same time! I love not having all of that stuff here anymore. I love that my little niece Isabella and nephew Eddie will be able to use the items.... I just don't love the idea that I won't have anymore newborns....Ever Again! It's not really that I need anymore (4 is a lot), I just love everything about pregnancy, child birth, nursing, and motherhood. I think Walt will have to have a "Shack" moment to get him to agree to anymore... and I don't know what I would do with more children.... but I'd love every minute of it!

There are no pics, because I forgot to buy batteries for my camera. Next week, I'll post some shots.

tollesons4him: Giveaway!!!!

Check out my friend at tollesons4him for a chance to win a fun Giveaway. She's celebrating 10,000 hits on her site. CONGRATS!!!!

tollesons4him: Giveaway!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Ok, I know this is supposed to be wordless, but I like this. I'm going to start participating in the carnivals...I think. This is the easiest one to start with....

First Hair Bow Post

I love to make hair bows! I learned out of necessity ( I have 3 daughters and couldn't justify buying boutique priced bows for each of them).

I've worked hard over the past few months to improve my skills.

My girls have worn a wide variety of bows over the past few weeks:)

These are just a few that I made for my sister's baby shower. They are smaller and less flashy, because that's what she likes. I can make them as big or small and as flashy or not as you'd like.





All of my bows are shipped for free. Tell your friends.......

Fall Family Pics

A new friend of ours is trying to get into photography. He took some complimentary shots of our family on Saturday. He did such a great job. Any of you with more than one child know how hard it is to get good shots and with 4....Let's just say, I was dreading it. The whole experience was fantastic! Here are a few of the pics.

Creative Writing Winner....

Woohoo! My baby girl (Sarah) won 2nd place in the UIL Creative Writing Competition. She was one of 3 out of 120 second graders selected from Life School Red Oak. They competed against other schools and districts. As if that's not good enough... She also scored higher than any other Life School competitor in any category. We're so proud!!! Micah said that when they announced it over the loud speaker today, he jumped out of his chair; for once he's excited for her.

The funny thing about Sarah is that she is relatively untouched by her successes and intelligence. She was more excited to tell me that her tube fell out of her ear than anything else:).

I love my first born daughter, my baby for 5 years, and the one that will care for me when I'm old!!!!

SHOUT OUT TO Tollesons4him.... She was your's in Pre-K:)

Photography

I have had a blast lately practicing photography. Really, I'm just shooting tons of pics of my cutie pies and end up with a couple of great ones. Here are some of Sarah and her cheerleading friends. I'll be posting more over the next few days.

She's a good little cheerleader and has so much fun doing it. I love to watch her and to fix her hair and get her ready for it. This has been great bonding for us:)

Fall Festival

We had so much fun Friday night at the Fall Festival at Faith Bible Church. Our kids dressed up as a Skateboarder (Micah); an American Idol Contestant (Sarah); a Ballerina (surprise surprise Nadiah); and a Fairy (Hannah). They were so sweet. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

I love to watch them enjoy themselves. They are truly the greatest kids! I know that every mother thinks they have the cutest kids... I just happen to be right:)!

Our Civic Duty

For some of us, voting has become a chore. Not for my handsome hubby! Walt voted for the first time yesterday. He became a citizen last December and is completely enamored with the thought of what a privilege it is to vote. We took the kids (I know... we're idiots for taking 4 kids to vote) so that they could see how important it is to take part in giving us a voice in Washington. It was so exciting.

Walt standing in line looking so yummy!

Walt giving me the eye to stop taking pics!

Walt calling me to tell Micah to stop taking pics while hanging out the window!

I am somewhat anxious about the results of this election, but I am praying "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." Call me crazy, but I didn't vote. I won't go until Tuesday. There's something about voting on election day that I love..... even with the long lines:)!