A Special Thanksgiving Message from Dak...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Well, I had a wonderful video greeting planned for Dak and I to give you today, but instead, because of my crazy laryngitis voice, Dak is going solo.

So Happy Thanksgiving ~~ Hope you are having a Beautiful day ~~ Dawn

More Updates...

Well, Skylar has Pneumonia. They did send him home, but he is on a lot of medicine. We would so continue your prayers for him.

I am now not feeling well at all, so we have canceled Thanksgiving dinner here at our house. I am sad. We'll still be putting the turkey in the oven and cooking it, because it is thawed and ready to be cooked, so we'll do that and I have all the trimmings, so Dak and hubs may have to tag team it this year =)

Okay short post I know. I had so much more planned for this week as far as posting.

The verse that is going through my heart this morning is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God is so good and His love endures forever, and for this I am thankful.

I love you all so ~~ have a Blessed Thanksgiving Eve,

Skylar in urgent need of prayer...

Skylar has just been taken to the hospital by his mommy and daddy.

As you know, he was diagnosed with H1N1 on Monday. Tonight he has spiked a fever of 104 under the arm. The doc tells us it is actually 106 (add 2 degrees if taken under the arm). He is a very sick little guy right now. We would so appreciate your prayers for him.

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I wanted to upload a few pics from this past weekend.

This baby is such a joy and delight to our lives.

Here he is drinking hot cold chocolate. He LOVED it!!!

And he loved the spoon too.
What an absolute doll he is to us.
We know that God is watching over him right now.
We just hate to see him so very sick.

Thank you all so much for praying for our little g-babe.

I will be updating as I know anything.


Thank you again for your prayers,

Please pray for our sweet G-babe!!!

Our sweet g-babe Skylar (a.k.a. Sir Cuteness =) has H1N1. He was not feeling very well yesterday when he was here, and this morning woke up with a 103 temperature.

We are seeking God and praying for the healing of our sweet g-baby boy. We know how hard this flu is on the little ones. If you would please lift Him to our Father we would be forever thankful.

I love you all so ~~



PS I posted the cutest little video of Sir Cuteness and Uncle CoCo earlier today. You can scroll down it is the next post ~~ thank you so so much for praying!!!!!

Who knew a leave could cause such a laugh.....

Sir Cuteness was afoot this weekend, being foot loose and fancy free with Uncle Dak, whom he affectionately calls CoCo. How stinkin' cute is that?!! I mean seriously!!

So I wanted to give you just a little something-something from the g-babe and Dak. I have much more to post, but not a lot of time this morning. I am headed back to the dentist to have yet another adjustment on my mouth plateguardthingy. yeah. But if I get back in time and can squeeze it in, I'll try to get another post up.

But for now enjoy the boys, well being THE CUTEST BOYS EVER in my estimation!! =)

So Sir Cuteness, is that a tie your wearing with your sweatshirt?

Why yes, gma it is, thanks for noticing!!

So why do you think Sir Cuteness would have a tie on? It is the cutest story....

Love you all ~~ have a Blessed day,

Dawn

Thanksgiving Thursday ~~ Next Thursday, but who's counting!!!

Thanksgiving is ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!

And is this the way you feel about it?!!

Well, don't my friends, I've got you covered.

Well sort of...

We've talked turkey,

covered sides &

cranberry (extensively, it gets a bad rap)

anyway...

discussed stuffin' (for all you southern gals)

&

dressing (for all you northern gals)

&

decorating.....

& today we talk desserts ~~

oh yeah, AND.....

Cornucopias!!!

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I do love me a pretty cornucopia to grace my table or at least an end table.

But I am a little weird in the cornucopia department, because I only put it out like the week of Thanksgiving usually.

So I'll be getting that baby out....ummmm.....TODAY!!!

Have I mentioned THANKSGIVING IS NEXT WEEK!!!!!

anyway......

Now look at this pretty cornucopia (could I please type that word a little more?)

(That is one of those words that does not just fly off the fingers, go on give it a try....

see what I mean?)

Wow, seriously digressed there....

anyway..... back to the cornucopia department..... =)

I love this one....look how pretty ~~

And this one is just smashing with all of the colors ~~

and with my love for all things sunflowers ~~ it fits the bill!!

My own cornucopia (there I go again =) is one I made several years ago,

but I still love it. It made need a little shooshing up, but that's just fine with me.

They are really easy to make. Just get you a wicker cornucopia and fill it. done. easy. love.it.

Now onto .....


Now of course we will have the obligatory Pumpkin Pie.
Yep made just like the can says to.
And sometimes I go rogue (hahahahahahaha....) and make it from the already ready pumpkin pie can ~~ gasp!! I know!!! Hey some years have warranted that, but not this year.
This year I will be adding my own spices, thank you very much.
But if you decide to go rogue (oh man....heeheeheehee.......) pick up the can with all the spices already spiced and you too can have a lovely, nobodywillevenknowyoudidn'taddthecinnamonyourself
kind of pie ~~ delish!!!!!

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This year, I'm gonna make Turtle Pumpkin Pie as well.

Now don't you fret..........

It sounds diet-blowing, but this one can be made "figure friendly" to quote Rachael Ray.

I mean seriously, how good does that look?

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp caramel ice cream topping, divided

1 Graham Pie Crust

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp Pecan Pieces, divided

1 cup Cold Skim-Milk

2 pkg (3.4 oz each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Sugar-Free Pudding

1 Cup Canned Pumpkin

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg

1 tub (8 oz) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

Pour 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans.

Beat milk, pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk until blended (about 2 minutes). Stir in 1 1/2 cups COOL Whip. Spoon into crust.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Top with remaining COOL WHIP, caramel topping and pecans just before serving. Enjoy!!

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And then to Dak's fav ~~ the very bad for you ~~

Pecan Pie!!!

There are some things in Dak's estimation that you MUST have for Thanksgiving, or seriously just stay home....because it wouldn't be Thanksgiving to him without Sweet Potato Casserole and Pecan Pie!!!!! (of course, I'm kidding about the stay-at-home thing ~~ come and join us in our fun if you are in the SW MO area on Thanksgiving....I'll take care of Dak's need for PP and SPC ~~ anyway....boy did I digress again?!!)

Well I hope you all have enjoy these posts. I sure have!!

Probably about Monday I will post my two menus. Yes two.

One for everyone and then the one I will be eating.

Now that will be fun!!!

So today I'm off with coupons in hand, to do my Thanksgiving shopping ~~ YAY!!!

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Today I'll leave you with a song we are singing in church right now.

I am so thankful that Jesus came to this earth to save me........

and He came to save you to......

He loves you so.....

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He is stronger!!!!!

Sin is broken...

You have saved me....

It is written....

Christ is risen....

Jesus, You are Lord of all!!!!

Have a Super Blessed day,

And the Award goes to .....

CLEVER BLUE JAY ATHLETES!!!

Last night was our Fall Athletic Banquet and it was so nice. The kids were honored in such a wonderful way and we as parents, got to beam proudly as we saw our "youngin's" take their place in Clever High School Sports history. Too fun!!!

Well here is the CC team at Conference this year.

This group of young people are so nice and polite and well, kid-like.

They interacted so well together.

Dak has run CC since freshman year.

It has been a joy and delight to watch him grow in the sport.

The coach, while describing CC last night, called it a grueling sport.

That my friends is putting it mildly.......

just look at this face.....GO DAK GO!!!!!

In true Petrii fashion, my pic taking ability lacks.

It.seriously.lacks.

In fact Dak told me last night that I couldn't yell for him next year,

my only job is too take pictures. boo.hoo.hoo.

Something about him wanting pictures from his mother in his senior year,

so he can look back and say "my mom took that." Silly boy,

who cares who took the pic as long as it gets taken right?!!

(I'm secretly cheering next year ~~ shhhhh don't tell Dak =)

So on to my poor picture taking ability.

Here is one of the pics I took last night at the Banquet.

They all pretty much look the same, so you get just this one.

But nice huh?!!

Dak took home several awards.

He lettered (3 years straight now ~~ YAY!!)

He was All-Conference

Most miles ran (the boy ran 205 miles this SEASON alone)

And he took home the Most Improved Award, 2nd year in a row.

Last year he improved his time by over 2 minutes and this year he improved his time by over a minute. These are amazing accomplishments in the world of CC.

It is going to be so fun to see what he will do next year.

Right now he is getting ready to train for a 1/2 marathon in the Spring and Tennis.

Yep, he is a busy boy!!!

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Okay so these next ones were taken when we got home (by obviously not me =)

This is our Lady GaGa pose ~~ I don't know. I.don't.know.

=)

FIERCE.




Me and my boy!!

I love this kid so ~~ I mean seriously!!!

If there was one piece of advice I could give you mama's out there,
it would be to love your children well. Even when things are haywire.
Love them well.




Here is Dak, well being Dak.....

Wait for it....

Wait for it....


Ta....Da.....

Here he is after work one night.

Yep that is the way he feels sometimes coming in from work.

Tired. Hungry. Need sleep.

On the work front, Dak really likes it.

Monday night he came home and said that he'd received two cards from different residence, and he didn't know what they were for, so he took them to the Nurse's Station and the nurse told him at first he wasn't eligible and then look his name up and told him he was eligible, to which Dak said, "eligible for what?" =)

So she explained to him that the residence can give these cards out if they think you are doing a good job, and then you get either $1 or $2 extra dollars in your pay check for each card (Dak wasn't sure the amount.) How great is that?!?!! He really likes the people in the nursing home, they are so sweet.

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Tomorrow is our last pre-Thanksgiving installment for Thanksgiving Thursday for this year and I'm excited. I will be posting a little something-something on Thanksgiving as well, but it's a surprise, so keep tuning in............. :)

Have a Blessed and Beautiful day,

Reaching out...

Do you ever just feel like reaching out?!! Reaching out to others ~~ reaching out to yourself ~~ reaching out to God, most importantly...

That is where I am right now....reaching.

The Scripture that I am working on is II Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." And it makes me reach.

Our pastor preached a message on this very passage a couple of weeks and ago and it touched a deep cord in me, because you see, I understand being a clay pot; a broken down, cracked, ugly clay pot. And yet, God sees this clay pot as a treasure. I am not sure how He does it and all, knowing my weaknesses, but He does. He sees me as treasure.

We are treasures in jars of clay, but why? So God can show His all-surpassing power through us. Because it is not from us, ya know?!!

Lately I have struggled, hence the fact that the post never came yesterday. I am reluctant to even talk about it here, because it is just hard. But the post that never came yesterday was on healing. We all have opinions and thoughts on the matter it would seem and in times past I've been very hurt by well-meaning people saying things like "if you'd just have enough faith, you'd be healed." So I'd try that. I'd try mustering up the faith. I'd pray and pray and then feel very defeated that I couldn't even muster up one of those little grains of the mustered seed full of faith and their small.

But then................

God has been teaching me some beautiful truths lately about who He is and how messed-up my focus gets sometimes. Why am I even focusing on a mustard seed, when I need to have my eyes FIXED on the one who created the mustard see and me for that matter?

I have dealt with knee issues since the age of 7. Yes 7. Apparently I had a predisposition to arthritis at a very young age. Doc says they really don't see that much, and they certainly don't see knee surgery at that age. So it is something that I have learned to live with. The doc's have told me for years that as I got older this would be a definite problem, well apparently I am getting older =)

Lately, I have struggled more I guess because the pain has increased in both knees and I hit the one year mark after surgery where they tell you things like, "it will take a full year." Well, it has been a full year and still...well, it still hurts and is limiting and blah,blah,blahblahblah!!!

So Sunday night I lay on the couch with my legs in my dear husbands arms as he rubbed them and talked with me about believing. You see, because he does. He believes that God is going to touch these knees and heal them. I have struggled with this. I don't want to struggle with this, but I do.

Yesterday was a new day for me in this area. I prayed for healing yesterday for these knees, and I prayed in faith. God is doing a work in me. He is strengthening my faith and working a beautiful testimony through this pain. And I am thankful. Thankful for the trial, thankful for the pain, thankful that He brings me to a place of total dependence on Him. Thankful for my husband who is faith in action. Yes thankful. I am so thankful. And that works out well, since Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away!!

Love you all so ~~ have a beautiful day

Ummm.....

I have tried to write two blog posts today and neither one would come out. Does that ever happen to you?

So instead of writing a lot today, I want to post this song. The Holy Spirit is ministering to my heart through it right now. I first heard it on Beth's blog here. And it has stuck. I just want to worship my Savior. He is so good and His love endures forever!!!



I wanna sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against you and breathe
Feel your heart beat
This love is so deep
It's more than I can stand
I melt in your peace
It's overwhelming

Amen and Amen.

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Hopefully later today or tomorrow I won't have writer's block and will be able to share more of what is on my heart, but for today and everyday, enjoy His Presence. Take time to sit at His feet and drink in His Presence. He is good and His love endures!!!

Love,

Friday Reflections .....

GOD IS AMAZING!!!!! This week has been one of prayer and petition on behalf of sweet baby Stellan. I've cried tears, travailed in prayer, joined with my husband, fell on my face with so many of you, and have felt the collective prayers of so many, and GOD WORKED MIGHTILY!! Monday Stellan's heart had to be shocked back and then he went into surgery and God was the surgeon. The Great Physician healed baby Stellan!!!!! The outcome the doctor's told them not to even really hope for was the outcome they got. Stellan is healed of SVT with only a 1% chance that it would ever come back. And guess what?!! He was discharged yesterday and is on a plane home today. HALLELUJAH!!!!!

As I was typing this, this song came to my heart, so I'm gonna share it with you. It is one of my fav's from several years ago.

Hallelujah!! Jesus is Alive,
Death has lost it's victory,
and the grave has been denied.
Jesus lives forever,
He's alive, He's alive!!!!!



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On Wednesday morning Dak asked if I would pick up items that he needed for a project he and Brandon are doing in American Wars. I said sure. So he gave me the list and off I went to Hobby Lobby (I mean seriously I never need a reason, but I feel so much better about it when I have one =) ~~ Thanks baby boy) anyway.....

That evening Brandon came over and they got started.

So what happens when you give a 16 and a 17 year old army men?
They become 7 again. It was delightful. So in honor of this I made chili cheese burgers with chili cheese fries ~~ they were thrilled and so was I. It was a joy!!!!!

So here they are taking it to school the next day. They were sooooooooo excited!!!!! (And no they did not plan on dressing alike ~~ too funny!!) anyway,,,

As they were walking out the door Brandon says, "I'd do this project again just for fun." Dak replies, "Me too, man!!" Me: sigh...smile....seven for just another moment....I drank it in, and out the door they went. Beautiful!!!!!

So here they are with their finished project.....


And here is said finished project.


Winners.... (red stuff is blood ~~ yep great victories are hard fought and sometimes require blood shed ~~ can I get an Amen?!! ~~ that will preach ~~ anyway...)

And the losers.....not as much blood, but there are dismembered bodies on this side (gross I know, but we are dealing with teenage boys here... what can I say =) (oh the black lines are railroad tracks and the black splats are where the cannons fired....) I know the play-by-play not necessary, but you know me, I love the details =)

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So this morning in CYC (Clever Youth for Christ) we talked about hearing the voice of God and how you do that and what it sounds like and so forth. We have a girl in CYC that totally blesses my heart every.single.time. She is a freshman, and she LOVES the LORD!!!!!

This morning she talked about Naaman in 2 Kings and how she had been reading that chapter and when she got done she started talking to the LORD (love that, love it!!!) and was asking the LORD what He wanted to show her through this passage. It blessed my heart so, that this beautiful young teenager wants to be lead of God and KNOW GOD DEEPLY. It touched me in the deep place of my heart.

God has spoke mightily to my heart today and I am so thrilled!!!!! I LOVE Him so!!!!!

I hope you all have a Beautiful weekend. We had plans, but..............................................

Plans have been changed because...........................................................................................

DAK GOT A JOB AND HE STARTS TODAY!!!!!

Where you might ask?!!

A nursing home!!!!! How incredibly cool is that. He will be washing wheel chairs and talking with patients, when he picks the wheel chairs up from their rooms. He is so thrilled, and very suited for such a position. He just has the sweetest heart. So you might show him a little love. Ya know give him a little "shout out" in the comment section, and I'll pass the love along.....

Have a Blessed weekend,

Thanksgiving Thursday ~~ 2 Weeks & Counting!!!

Anyone feeling the pressure of two weeks and counting for Thanksgiving?!!

Well, don't my friends. Just sit back and relax. Enjoy the season!!

I used to be REALLY bad at that. I worried so much about how things looked and what people thought about the presentation and if I'd cleaned enough and so on and ononononon.

But now, I try to relax and enjoy the events leading up to it and the day itself with family and friends. There's always a lot to do, but I'm learning to find joy in the journey.

Most of all I want God glorified in EVERY PART of this celebration and every day of my life.

Now that is a good goal to strive for.

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So today I have recipes and fun for you starting with this little lady.

I mean seriously how cute is she?

She just made me happy ~~ so she had to attend our little Thursday party ~~

WOOT ~~ WOOT!!!

Okay so let's start with some Thanksgiving fun food, shall we?!!

These are little Pilgrim Hat's made out of fudge striped cookies and mini-Reece's peanut butter cups ~~ seriously have you ever?!!

How much is Sir Cuteness going to enjoy these?!!?!
Yep will probably have a test run this weekend =)

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

1 cup vanilla frosting

7 drops yellow food coloring

32 mini-peanut butter cups

1 pkg fudge-striped cookies

32 pieces orange mini Chicklet gum (which I cannot find ~~

it's annoying)

In a small bowl, mix frosting and food coloring. Remove paper liners from peanut butter cups.

Holding the bottom of the peanut butter cup, dip the top in the yellow food coloring.

Position over center hole on bottom of the cookie, forming the hat band and crown.

Add a buckle with the Chicklets gum (if you can find it ~~ I may use a tic-tac).

Repeat 32 times =) and ENJOY!!!

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Okay so this next recipe comes from where the above recipe did ~~ Taste of Home Thanksgiving Addition (thanks mom =) and it is delish!!

Yes I know, I like cranberries....moving on.....

This was sooooooo good. I made a vegetarian version of it the other night and loved it.

The version below is the original...your welcome!!

Thanksgiving Cabbage Salad

2 medium apples, chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup half-n-half

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

6 cups shredded green cabbage

2 cups shredded red cabbage

2/3 cup dried cranberries

In a small bowl, combine apples and lemon juice. In another bowl, combine the half-n-half, sugar, celery seeds, salt and pepper; gradually whisk in vinegar.

In a large bowl, combie the green and red cabbage (I used a blend in a bag, because I'm just cool like that ~~ okay it is just easier =) cranberries and apples. Add dressing and gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

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Okay so let's break from the recipes for a moment and look at a GREAT and SIMPLE decorating idea.

Mini pumpkins and gourds in a basket turned on it's side.

I do this kind of thing. I like to turn something on it's side and let the goodness spill out.

Like my life ~~ sometimes it gets spilled on its side, so I just look at it like a good time to let the goodness of my Jesus spill out ~~ it's a very good thing =)

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So if you have a basket, wire or not, or a vase, or a wooden box, anything really that you can turn on it's side. Go for it. You have permission. Turn that baby on it's side and start positioning your pumpkins and gourds or your pine cones and acorns or your baubles and ornaments, charms and tassels; anything really. This is just such a GREAT, easy, SIMPLE, and very INEXPENSIVE way to make a statement, so give it a go!!

And it's fun!!! I like to see all the many variations.

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Now let's talk turkey...

Okay since I've been being transparent lately, let me interject a little transparency into the TT post this week ~~

Making the turkey is my LEAST favorite part of Thanksgiving!!!!!

Yes I know I just said that out loud (well sort of =)

It is messy and salmonella-ee and all gross all up in here ~~ ya know?!!

I don't like getting my hands in its business and pulling some of the business out and all that stuff, BUT

its Thanksgiving for crying out loud, so one is obligated to make a turkey, and really what other bird comes in a size that will feed 15?!! Yep the turkey, so I make turkey.

Not to mention the fact that my whole family LOVES IT!!!

Especially my sweet hubby.

In fact, I always purchase a bigger one than needed, so that we have plenty of left overs to have Turkey Pot Pie and plenty of Turkey and Rolls etc. ~~ my hubby LOVES turkey leftovers.

One of the best ways I have found to get the most flavor and juice out of the bird is brining.

I posted the instructions here last year, so please check that out.

And don't let it intimidate you. It isn't hard, just a little time consuming, but the bird is so much better that way. YUMMEEE!!!!! It's well worth the time!!!!!!!!!

Note: I linked you to the entire Thanksgiving section of my recipe blog, so scroll down to the bottom of the page for the Brining Recipe. And check out the others while there. There are some cute ideas from last years TT posts.

So next week, we will tackle pies and desserts with a couple of surprises thrown in just for good measure I'm sure =)

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Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

Most of all this Thanksgiving season, remember that the LORD is good. Take refuge in Him and be Blessed.

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The video today is "Amazed" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with Jason Crabb.

The story of this church and this choir truly is amazing. If you have never read "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" you need to!!!

And that Jason Crabb ~~ boy can sing, I'm just sayin'.

So enjoy and be amazed by Jesus today!!

I love you so ~~ have a Blessed day,

Pressing on ........... and Gilligan!!!

One year ago today, I was in the hospital at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester awaiting surgery that would definitely change things for us.

I have not updated on my knee in a while, and so in an attempt to remember that day and the year that has followed, I will do my best to update and not complain be uplifting to you. God has given me so much hope and so built my faith since this day a year ago.

The surgery came after a failed surgery the February before. I had a lateral release, Feb 22, 2008 (my 5th knee surgery) in hopes that it would resolve the very painful locking and burning that was happening in my knee. Unfortunately, it did not. So out of options, the doc referred me to the Mayo Clinic.

Getting referred to Mayo is a process. They have a team of docs that are assigned to your case. They review it, look over any records and radiology reports and films sent and then decide as a team, if they will take your case on. In my case, they did. So after that is determined then appointments were sent and travel plans were made and last October we were on our way to Mayo with much hope of getting this knee back on the road to recovery.

After tests and analysis, the docs decided that I was a good candidate for PFA Patella Femoral Athroplasty. Which is where they replace half of the kneecap and all of the grove. It is not a surgery that is done a lot. I think I was number 45 for the Mayo Clinic and they only have statistics for the last seven years (how long they've preformed this surgery). So long term prognosis over many years is still yet to be determined.

So, one year ago today my sweet hubby wheeled me into the hospital, and so it began. I remember a lot from this day BEFORE the surgery, but not so much after. I do remember in recovery that I had NO temperature. That was weird. They put this insulated bag thing over my body and then piped warm air through it until my temp started coming back. And then I just remember my husband rubbing my head and telling me that the surgery went well. The knee was definitely in rough shape, but the surgery was complete and now it was time to heal.

The healing has proved to be a very long process, one of which I am still working on today, even as I type. It hurts every single day, and sometimes threatens to make me quite cranky, but I press on. It no longer locks or burns and for that I am so thankful. Yes there are new challenges, but they are challenges that we try to tackle head on each time a new one comes up. Currently my leg and ankle are swelling and hurting and just generally being a pain =) but again, we press on.

The biggest thing I want you to gain from this post is this: GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!! He has shown me so much in this last year, both on this front and on other fronts. We have had a year of trial, but GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!! If you are facing something today that seems overwhelming, let God overwhelm you. Let Him do what you cannot. That has been one of the biggest lessons of this year for me, letting God do what I cannot. He spoke those words to me earlier this year, and I have leaned in close.

So will I be running in Turkey Trot this year as I had hoped? Nope. Not this year. But I am okay with that. And I press on.... GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!!

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

God has so helped me in the area of prayer in this last year and also being watchful and thankful. I have learned that I can be thankful for all that God has blessed me with, even in pain, even in sorrow, even in hurt. God has been with me through it all. And I am thankful!!!!!

There are changes taking place in our hearts and lives, and our eyes are fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith and we are looking forward to where those changes take us in the year ahead and beyond. We press on...

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So we had Sir Cuteness ~~ I mean Gilligan this weekend =) ~~

ENJOY!!!!! We certainly did!!!!!

How cute is our little Gilligan Sir Cuteness?~~ Seriously, have you ever?!!?!!!! ~~

I love you so ~~ have a Blessed day,

So How Do You See Things?!! ..........

So here we are, practically the middle of November and quickly approaching the end of 2009. This year has been, in many ways, difficult for our family, but also in MANY WAYS simply lovely. We have seen God show up, and I do mean SHOW UP, and we are looking forward to see all the ways He will continue to work in the coming days, weeks, months and years, should He tarry. He is God and He is good ALL THE TIME!!!!!

With the year quickly coming to an end, it brings my mind to the question of how do I see things? I try to be a very positive person. When you live with chronic pain and physical issues it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, because if you don't then no one else can live with you, and that my friends would just stink.stink. So I try to be very positive. If I don't feel good or if I'm in more pain in a day I try to turn it into a positive by thinking things like, "yeah I may hurt, but I am walking." or "I may feel down, but GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! AND HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!!!!!" And so it goes with me.....

But it is not always easy. There are those moments when I am frustrated; those moments when I cry out to God that I don't understand!!!; those moments when I just am a stinker, and then....

This song starts going through my head, like this morning for instance. And I'm not in a bad mood or cranky or a hundred other things. I do have a cough this morning...what's up with that? anyway......I digress......

This song is on my heart today, listen to these words:

Give me Your eyes for just one second,
Give me Your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I've been missing,
Give me Your love for humanity,
Give me Your arms for the broken hearted,
Ones that are far beyond my reach,
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten,
Give me Your eyes so I can see.

This song is very convicting to me. I cannot not hear it without wanting this. God give me Your eyes.... Because seriously, most of the time, unless we ask and seek God in this, we are going to see things our own way, through our own eyes and they are clouded, shaded by this world. But we must remember that we are in this world but we ARE NOT OF IT!! We.are.not.of.it.period... PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

In I John 5:1-5 the Word says this:
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well.
2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands.
3 This is love for God; to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome,
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

You see dear one, if you are a believer, you have overcome the world, we are overcomers!!! Isn't that good news?!?!! Some days you and I may not feel like overcomers but we are in Him!! Hallelujah!!!!!

I was talking to Dak last night and I was telling him that he is NEVER out of God's sight. I think someone out there may need to hear that today. God sees you child. And He not only sees you, but He knows you. Read Psalm 139 today if you doubt this, or if you need encouragement. He sees you. He knows you. He knit you. HE KNOWS YOU.YOU!! He loves you so!!!!!

God has a plan and purpose and I want whatever that is for my life to be fulfilled. I want to live in such a way when it is time for me to go home, that I have lived a life of love and glorified my Father in heaven with the life that He gave to me and have done ALL that He asked and purposed me to do. I mess up ALL.THE.TIME. But I want my heart in the right place so that when I do mess up, it is recognized early and the damage is minimal, ya know?!! And I can keep moving on in God with new and profound lessons learned. (I hope that makes sense, because it so does in my head =)

So I'll leave you today with Brandon singing this amazing song. Please take special note of how the people are frozen as he walks around them, and take special note of what's happening in the beginning of this video and what is happening at the end. I wonder sometimes, how much do I miss in the busyness?!!




I John 4:7 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."

Father,
Help me to love the way that You love, without condition or pretense. Give me Your eyes Father to see the people who need You LORD; the ones running; the ones in pain; the ones who are desperate. Don't let me just pass by; let me stop and offer a drink of cold water in Your Name, Living Water, Father. Give me Your eyes that I can see everything that I keep missing, give me Your love for humanity. Praise You LORD!!! You are so AWESOME!!!!! May You get all the glory from my life, the life that You have Blessed me with.

Thank You for answered prayers. You are simply AMAZING!!! Praise You for the work you've done in Stellan's life and heart and continue to strengthen him through the recovery process. Thank You for showing Yourself mighty and increasing my faith. How I Praise You!!!!! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Day,

PLEASE PRAY FOR STELLAN!!!!!

GOOD IS GREAT AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!!! PLEASE READ ABOUT THE HOMERUN!! ~~ HERE....

STELLAN IS IN DIRE NEED OF PRAYER RIGHT NOW!!!

CHRISTIANS THIS IS A CALL TO PRAY AT THIS MOMENT ~~ NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE DOING, PLEASE STOP AND CRY OUT TO GOD ON BEHALF OF STELLAN.

I JUST SAW ON TWITTER THAT STELLAN'S HEART STOPPED AND THEY HAD TO BRING IN THE CRASH CART TO START HIS HEART AGAIN ~~ THEY ARE WAITING ON SOME DOCTORS TO GET THEIR SO THEY CAN DO THE ABLATION ~~ PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL TOUCH AND HEAL HIS HEART ~~ AND PRAY FOR HIS MAMA, JENNIFER (MCKMAMA) AND HER HUSBAND WHO IS TRYING TO GET TO BOSTON AS I TYPE.

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR THIS FAMILY!!!!!

Father,
You are everything!!!!! You are all we need!!!!! You are our hope, our peace, our help in time of need, our comfort, our deliverer, our everything!!!!! Please be with Stellan right now Father. Set his heart back into the proper rhythm and heal him completely of SVT. Touch him Lord!!! What a testimony of Your love and faithfulness that You are giving sweet Stellan even as we pray. You are AWESOME!!! I give You all the glory and pray it in Jesus Name, Amen.

Thanksgiving Thursday ~~ 3 Weeks & Counting...Sorry for the delay =)

Wow it is 9:19 pm here and I'm just now finishing up this post. Whew I'm tired!!

I got a very welcome wonderful surprise this evening ~~ Sir Cuteness came to GiGi, PaPa and Uncle KoKo's (that's what he calls Dak ~~ how cute is that) a day early. Can you say Bliss?!! So that is one GREAT reason to be so late in posting. Thank you for your patience =)

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Welcome!!!

Come on in at sit a spell ~~ as they say in our neck of the woods.

Kick your feet up and have some fun!!!

So glad you've stopped by for this installment of...

THANKSGIVING THURSDAY!!!!!

And just so you know that Dak loves to snap, snap, snap pictures,

I thought I'd throw this one in for free. Your welcome =)
And speaking of Dak....here is my wide-eyed, beautiful boy now.
Hello Dak....Glad you stopped by to say hello to the nice folks.


So here is our front porch.
I've been telling you for a couple weeks now that I'd be taking some pics to show you
my ideas in action.

Here is Mr. Pumpkin all decked out in his Welcome best.
Yes he is looking very handsome!!!

Okay, sorry I digress.
Here is Dak in the "corner".
He was pouting because I wouldn't let him hike his leg in the air for a pic to put on the blog.
I do have my limits =)
So he is pouting and I took said pic, because I am a sucker for dark-haired, green eyed
teenagers!!!

Oops he sneaked in there again....
(Aren't you lovin' the outfit? This is what happens when he gets home from school. He takes off jeans, puts on shorts and everything else remains the same. Is that slippers he's wearing? Why yes, yes it is, and yes he wore them to school. I know. I don't know what to tell you old schoolers. I feel the same way. Just roll with it =)

Okay back to the porch...
Here is our fall porch.
The ivy stand came from a garage sale and the white fence bench thingy came from a crafts sale a couple of years ago. It has a cinderella pumpkin sitting on it. That's what it looks like to me. It is actually a Japanese pumpkin that is suppose to be really sweet and good to cook with, either way... So cute!!!


Okay so let's talk food.
I have three recipes to share with you today for side dishes.
The first is Caramelized Onions and Carrots.
Do these look delish of what?



Caramelized onions and Carrots
1 TBSP Butter
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander seed (optional, could use about 1/2 tsp cumin)
3 lb carrots, cut into 1/4" rounds
1 1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 TBSP Cornstarch
1 TBSP finely chopped fresh chives (optional)

Melt butter in large, heavy-bottom pot with lid over medium-low heat. Add onions and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions brown, about 50 minutes.
Stir in coriander, if using. Add carrots, cover, and cook over medium heat until just tender, about 20 minutes.
Whisk milk and cornstarch until dissolved. Stir into carrot mixture. Heat until the liquid comes to a simmer. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve sprinkiled with chives, if using.
Nutritional info per serving: 111 cal / 3 g pro / 21 g carb / 5 g fiber / 2 g fat / 1 g sat fat / 359 mg sodium


MM MMM good and good for you!!!!!


Now let's talk stuffing. If there is one thing I like it is good ole homemade cornbread stuffing.
I know. I know. It is not very good for you, but it tastes oh so good.
So in my attempt to have a healthier holiday, I am going to offer a healthier stuffing....
your welcome =)

Cornbread Stuffing ~~ The Healthy Way ~~

Cornbread:
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons applesauce

In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Combine the egg, milk, canola oil and applesauce; stir into dry ingredients until moistened. Transfer to a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut cubes into 1/2 inch sized pieces and set aside. It is best to let it dry out over night. But you don't have to.

Dressing:
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat butter (such as Land 'O Lakes)
6 cups cubed day old bread (wheat or multi-grain is a nice choice) cut into 1/2" pieces
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2-1/4 to 2 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

Bake bread in a 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes, set aside. Turn oven down to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet, saute celery, onions and pecans until vegetables are tender. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the cornbread, cubed bread, eggs, seasonings and enough chicken broth to reach desired moistness (appx 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer to a 13x9" baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Uncover, bake 8-10 minutes longer until an instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees and the top is slightly browned. Makes 16 serves.

3/4 cup = 267 calories, 12 g fat (4 g saturated, boo), 67 mg cholesterol (dumb eggs), 616 mg sodium, 33 carbs, 2 g fiber, 8 g protein

Note: These directions are for cooking in a pan and NOT for cooking inside the turkey. I am not a fan of dressing in the bird. Actually, I've never had it that way. anyway...


Now onto one of my fav dishes of the season, or any season for that matter: Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Oh be still my heart!!! I didn't like sweet potatoes until just a few years ago. What in the world was wrong with me? I guess it was the fact that the only ones I'd ever had were the kind in the can with marshmallows on top. Still not a fan.
But regular sweet potatoes are absolutely delish!!!!!

Mashed Vanilla Sweet Potatoes

3 lbs Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into approximately 3" cubes

1 Cup reduced-sodium chicken or veggie broth

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2/3 cup fat-free milk

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

Put potatoes and broth in large pot with tight-fitting lid and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until potatoes are fork-tender, about 25 minutes.

Add cinnamon, milk, and butter

Mash in food process or handheld masher until smooth. Add vanilla extract and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 8.

125 cal, 3 g protein, 25 g carb, 3 g fiber, 2 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 126 mg sodium

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Today I'd like to close this installment of Thanksgiving Thursday with a song we sing at church. I am so thankful that Jesus saw fit to go to the cross to save me from my sin.

He did what I could not do. He walked a road I could not. All to bring this broken girl home to Him. I am so thankful.



Thank you for your patience and your kindness.

I love you so!!

Have a Blessed evening,