Randomness

Lets see....

It snowed this week. Crazy stuff. I wonder if that means that we will have a super cold winter this year. Everyone says it is time for one. The more snow - the more sledding - Yeah!

I'm finally getting excited about the boys costumes this year - Athan will be Indiana Jones (thanks to someone lending us a hat and a canteen) and Aiden with be Super Aiden (made from a sweat suit and cut up felt). These are not very complicated costumes:) This year I just have to make sure they stay warm.

Aiden is so cute. He is that child that makes me laugh the hardest but also makes me the most angry. Athan is pretty even keel and a very sensitive child. I love them both so much but in such different ways. I hope and pray so much that they will grow to love the Lord - in a special way. To truly make it their own thing. Not just be 'religious' b/c they are pastor kids.

Im so glad that Alf is not sick anymore and I am exhausted from cleaning all the germs away. I did some DEEP cleaning today. So much so that even my back hurts.

We had fun carving pumpkins tonight with some friends. I had hopes of bringing the boys to a church near by that sells a slew of pumpkins and letting them pick their own. I would take pictures and we would come home for a nice cup of hot cocoa. Well, I ended up picking up pumpkins at our nearest grocery store.

It has been a busy month. My 'to do list' has not gotten smaller. I think fall break and a day to Knoxville for a game has made the month feel exceptionally full.

The GAME! I almost forgot to mention the GAME! Someone was very generous and thoughtful to give Alf and I tickets to the Tenn/Alabama game in Knoxville. It was my first experience. It was so cool.

walked an interesting path to get to the stadium - watched the band march in the stadium - entertained by how some people dress at such events - eating a hot dog at the game/yummy - enjoyed perfect game weather/cool, but not to cold - being a night game - watching an eagle soar down to the field while the national anthem was sung - having the game on TV/got to learn about the man in the red hat and was fascinated by the 'floating' camera - people watched/grateful my husband does not like snuff - loved the half time show - especially loved that BAMA won/29 to 9!!

Naughty and Nice

Caramel Popcorn (NAUGHTY - not so good for you:)

1 cup of butter
2 cups of brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
5 quarts of popped popcorn (2-3 bags is what I use)

1. First four ingredients - let boil for 4 min. with out stirring
2. Add baking soda and vanilla
3. Remove from heat and pour over popcorn on a flat baking pan (I use a large pampered chef stone with really short sides - forgot the name of the pan)
4. Place in 250 degree oven. Stir every 15 min for an hour.


Granola Bars (NICE - good for you)

2 1/2 cups rice cereal
2 cups oats
1/2 cup of raisins (or 1/4 cup of chocolate chips and 1/4 nuts) Get creative!
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup OR honey
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
4 T ground flax seed

1. mix cereal and oats together
2. heat sugar and honey just until boiling/take off the stove
3. add PB and vanilla to sugar and honey/mix well
4. add everything else (if your going to do the choc. chips - throw them in when your rolling out)
5. Roll it out and cut into bars

P.S. My kids new favorite cereal is the cheep toasted O's cereal with milk and a couple scoops of Ovaltine mixed in. Fun and better then buying chocolate sweet cereals, right?

Cez't La Vie...

.....thats just the way it goes - sometimes!

Thoughts about our trip to the Shanondoah Valley, VA (Massanutten Resort)

1. It sucks when your kids puke on vacation. (waking up in the middle of the night - twice)

2. It was really nice to get away - really.

3. I loved seeing Aiden's interest when I was doing a puppet show for him in a childrens museum. He was talking to the puppets like they were real.

4. Alf and I laughed when we heard Athan make the comment, 'whoa, be unto you.' It is crazy what 1st grade teachers say that stick with your kid.

5. It sucks when your kids puke on vacation. (after the 18th hole of putt-putt. And Alf having to leave his ninth hole of golf to come get us.)

6. Grateful for a day at the fabulous indoor waterpark where everyone felt well.

7. Still wondering how the magician performed some of his wicked tricks...and did he really grow up as a foster kid or was he just saying that? (same day as the waterpark - we were all feeling well!)

8. Grateful the condo had a washer/dryer. Washed away alot of germs:)

9. God is great! We got to enjoy his greatness at a Safari and at the Natural Bridge.

10. My kids watched the show Fairly Odd Parents waaaaaaaaaaaaay to much this past week!

11. Found out that bringing tape (you use for painting) and a few hot wheels is loads of entertainment for the boys.

12. Dwelt on a scripture this week that was very enriching for me personally -

Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is with in me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Tag - I'm IT!

10 years ago...

married for a couple of years
new to a big city
felt very vulnerable
loved garage sales
eating alot of Tex Mex food

Things on my 'to do' list today...

cook dinner
vacuume
watch Athan get off the bus
love on my family
go to a PTA meeting tonight
etc.

Snacks I enjoy...

dipping french fries in chocolate frosty
homemade caramel popcorn
smoked gouda cheese on wheat crackers
pretzels, peanut butter, choc. chip combo
tortilla chips and good avocado dip, or cheese dip, or salsa:)
LOVE food

If I were a millionaire...

travel
travel
travel
travel
and give to those who are in need

Places I have lived...

Lousiana
Texas
Alabama
Tennessee
Southern Girl all the way!

Jobs I have had...

working at a plant nursery
cashier at a grocery store
working at daycares
orthodontic technician
spoiled - did not have many jobs:)

Yo-Yo! Artist in the House

Athan wanted to take a special art class instead of soccer. Art is something he is passionate about and so I want to bring that out of him. He is doing a great job, having fun, and we are both learning. (this picture does not do justice) Am I a proud mom or what?!