My Thankful List

1. I am thankful for my family and how they make me smile everyday. I love being around them and they are the ones that probably drive me crazy the most also.

2. I am thankful for all the new friends and new things I've learned in 2008, I am praying that 2009 will be a growing year as well.

3. I'm thankful I was able to run twice this weekend outdoors, I love to be outdoors and as silly as it is... I loved seeing all the animals out making their little noises to entertain me on a run.

4. I'm thankful for safety on the black ice this weekend.

5. I'm thankful my husband got me motivated and helped me declutter our playroom and basement storage... we have lots to do but it's so cleansing to get rid of stuff.

6. I'm thankful for this Christmas season, even in the stress it was very nice and meaningful.

7. I'm thankful for my little girl and reminded how 6 years ago this new years' eve she was brought into this world. I love her more than she will ever know.

8. I'm so thankful that despite what I do or say that God loves me just the way I am, with all my faults and all my gazillion failures.That His grace and His redeeming love is good enough, I am so thankful that I don't have to earn his love.


What are you thankful for?

35 things to be grateful

35 Things to be grateful for all year long

I got this from Good Housekeeping... I thought I'd pass it along. I changed a few or added my own comments to some ( of course... because you love my thoughts).

1. Mistletoe ( and my husband under it)
2. The holiday dress that still fits- too bad I don't have one
3. Friends who are like family- I love you all
4. Men who still open doors
5. Online shopping
6. Finding the perfect gift for a picky relative
7. Waking up to snow
8. A bank of poinsettias- not sure what a bank is..
9. Logs crackling, gift wrap crinkling
10. A lighted tree in a darkened room
11. Baking cookies for Santa
12. A babysitter you can trust... Amen to that one
13. The family member who snaps photos at big event-and gives you prints.. thank you friends you do that.
14. Hand-knit anything
15. Nights so clear you can see tons of stars
16. Taking a nap, then wrapping presents until 2:00 a.m.
17. Gift givers who include batteries- grandparents are good at this one not me!
18. All our soldiers, at home and far away- we love you
19. Adding a leaf to the table for new family members
20. Clear directions from a stranger when you're lost- Got the GPS baby...
21. Express lanes
22. Having the row all toe yourself on an airplane, or for us mommies- having the bathroom all to ourselves without your children
23. A hubby who warms up the car for you
24. A haircut that's truly wash-and go
25. Cute shoes that don't hurt your feet- makes me miss my chacos
26. Babies when they're babbling
27. Teens when they feel like talking- I think my neighbor girl talks a mile a minute when she does this
28. Our 9pm candlelight ceremony on Christmas Eve, it's so wonderful
29. A sweet glance from your husband that no one else sees, my husband is wonderful at this and I love him so so so so much!!!!
30. The recipe for your mom's pecan pie- in my case my mom's chocolate thin cake
31. Knowing you watch It's a Wonderful Life any day this month
32. Having everyone home for the holidays
33. The luxury of few moments alone
34. A prayer, answered
35. Jesus of course, He's the reason for the Season

Hope you enjoyed this little list. If you have some things you are grateful for please post. Remember I love to hear some feedback.

Taste and see Thursday

Oh I'm so excited for this recipe today. This is such a fun little treat. Why is it my favorite you ask.... you did ask right? Okay it's because this is a gift you can give away! My family loves hot cocoa and it seems to be that we've tried every package on the market and like some.... some we dry heave over and some are just bland!

I found this Holiday Cocoa recipe from the experts at Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book. I tried this recipe on a whim.... (Imagine that) and I fell in love, and so did my husband with the hot cocoa he's already in love with me!!!

Last year I made this recipe 2 times, now some of you are probably laughing but I'm serious. I gave it to everyone as a gift and had so much fun doing it. If your a little crafty... which I attempt to be once in awhile, then you can put these in the cone plastic baggies they sell at a craft store like Micheal's and put your cocoa in there with marshmallows and present your gift in style, or you can use the Ziploc bags like nobodies business and put it in a little holiday bag or mug.

Here's the best Hot Cocoa recipe...... are you convinced yet?


Holiday Cocoa

6 c. cocoa
2 c. malted milk powder
7 c. sugar
2 T cinnamon
1 vanilla bean, split in half

Blend all ingredients and let sit for 3 days; remove vanilla bean. Spoon mixture into gift jars. Include these instructions with your gift: Mix 1/4 cup of mix into an 8-10 ounce mug of hot milk.


Enjoy,
Tara

The Real Polar Express

We went to the Polar express in Mt. Pleasant, Ia a few weeks ago. Here are some pictures from all the fun we had. In this picture Lindsey is getting a tattoo from the ice princess.


The Hopper crew enjoying the best hot cocoa and cookies from Santa.



The Campbell boys enjoying the magic of the Polar express train ride.

Drew was really happy to see Santa... not sure why this pictures looks the opposite but he got his bell from him and kept telling Santa he wanted a Thomas. It was cute to see him see on his lap. He of course had his big sister and cousins go first and then he joined right in. I think when Lindsey was his age she just cried, she was way too scared.

Drew telling Santa he likes trains

Lindsey told Santa she'd like ice skates, as we have taught her not to ask for lots of things. Mr. Santa then keep asking "So what else do you want?", So Lindsey thought well I better tell him, she then told him she'd like "a Wii". That was a funny moment. You asked Santa... thanks

Waiting to see Santa.

Gunner and Grandma Vian enjoying the North Pole festivities in the warm craft room. I think Vian is hiding from the camera... maybe too shy she might make my blog!

My good friend Alisha and her little one Gavin making crafts. Bless her heart she's 9 months pregnant here and says this is her last outing before the baby comes.

Lindsey's craft ornament she made.

Brrr it's cold in this train...

Me and my precious little Lindsey. We all had a great time and I look forward to it next year. Although I think Chad is pretty much Polar expressed out since we went two years in a row. So someone else will have to join me next year.

Taste and see Thursday

Taste and see that the Lord is Good Thursday.

Today's recipe is my favorite Soup. I'm thinking it's comfort food season so I decided to share a little family recipe we have all come to love over the past year or so. It's very healthy and very good. For all you who do not do soup because you only do it if you can open up a can and pour in a pan.... this is a soup for you. Plus you'll be so excited that it's easy, and super good for you and you kids will eat it... that is if you don't use the regular rotel, but use mild instead. I'm choosing one of my recipes in honor of my birthday today. Oh this is one of those soups you can eat on for days.... everyone that has tried it has really enjoyed it and has added it to their repertoire of recipes.

Spicy Chicken Soup

2 skinless chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove ( I used minced garlic in can)
6-8 cups of water, divided
1 (10 ounce) can tomatoes & green chilies (can or rotel)
2-3 carrots sliced
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta or (use frozen Remes egg noodles)

1. Combine chicken, basil, salt, garlic and 4 cups water in large saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat & simmer covered, 1 hr or until chicken is done. Remove chicken to cool.

2. Add all the tomatoes & green chilies ( rotel) along with carrots, celery, pasta and 2-4 more cups of water. Simmer until veggies are tender - 30 minutes.

3. Put chopped chicken in.

Serves lots.

One helpful tool i use for this soup is the Pampered Chef chopper. I slice carrots until I'm tired then I chop 'em up with chopper. I chop celery and chicken with in no time. Very fun and a stress reducer. Add pepper and salt if you wish. If you want the soup to be even richer add some chicken bouillon cubes.

Enjoy and if you make it have me over!!!!

Fun things I like...

Okay so I'm into smelly things. Things that smell good not bad. One of my ultimate favorites is Creamy Carmel wallflower plug ins from bath and body. I just stocked up on some as they were on sale over the Thanksgiving holiday. Normally they are 2 for 2o bucks. I got them for 5 dollars a piece. Yeah!

Some little snacks I love are 1. I love Ocean Spray Craisins, they are so sweet and really good. Not a bad snack for you as if you eat 1/3 cup of these it equals one serving of fruit. I like to put these in my yucky kashi oatmeal I bought. I am making myself eat it till its gone, then never again buying that healthy oatmeal.

I love Propel fit powder, you add this little packet to a bottle of water and it tastes so good. It has vitamin C, B6, B12, Niacin and something else that I do not know what it is. I buy this and make my own with bottled water to save money. You can also buy it already made. My kids love to mix and shake up the bottle. This is a special treat for the kids at our house.

Next on my list of snacks, etc. is Special K protein bars. The come in lots of different varieties and my fav is the chocolate peanut butter. Great thing to have on hand so you aren't snacking on unhealthy stuff., or skipping meals. I get these really for chad as he tends to leave so early in the morning, then at least he's not missing a meal.

While we are on a snacky kick I just found this trail mix I love... so does my hubby. It's Planters Trail Mix. It is called Energy Mix. These too are fun because they are packed in a box of 5. As a mom I need lots of energy so once and awhile I will choose this. I have lately been using this as a treat to myself.
Another Nut I love is Almonds, what I try to do is portion up 1 oz packets myself of almonds. I then put them all over like diaper bags, car, and house for snacking. I'm sorta on a nut kick right now and think I could live off them.

As for something I could not live without is the Steamfresh vegetables. Drew is a big vegetable eater and I love them, quick easy, cheap and great steamed veggies in like 5 minutes. We live off the sweet corn and peas.

So what do you like or can't live without?
Guess my list is all about smell good house and food this time.

My Thankful List

1. I am thankful for my family and how precious my two little ones are. I love them more than they will ever know.

2. I am thankful for my new Beth Moore bible study on the Psalms of accent and how neat that is.

3. I am thankful for quietness in the house time for me to think, reflect and get things done.

4. On the opposite side I am thankful for little feet that run through the house screeching with laughter and sometimes snorting. I am thankful for my little guy and how he asks first if he can "Make a mess?" meaning take down all the cushions to the couch and jump on them.

5. I am so thankful my house smells good again as I have some great plug ins and they smell the house up without always having to have a candle going. Creamy Carmel wallflowers are the way to go.

6. I am thankful that I had a loving father that set a great example to me of what a humble servant is and I now can pass that on to my kids. This week will mark many years since his passing and I am thankful that It never gets old.... I still miss him dearly, but can rejoice as I know whose he is and where he is.

7. I am thankful that my husband and I are going to spend Thursday together without the kids to Christmas shop and enjoy one another.

So what are you thankful for? Please post

Taste and see Thursday

Today I'm excited to post a recipe, finally. I have enjoyed doing this and I hope to make it done on Thursdays again! So much has been going on and as always their isn't enough hours in a day to get all that I would love to see done. I'm okay with it as the most important things get done, and well things not so important get done a little bit slower... like laundry, Tee hee hee hee.

Today's recipe is a fun one, well it's fun if you like lots of gooey chocolate. I had this real healthy treat for breakfast once and well let's just say I probably ate all my calories for breakfast and lunch for the day. I got the recipe from Dawn Farris. For some reason she calls the recipe x bars as she got the recipe from her teenage son's x as stated. I find that funny, I think I need to name one of my recipes after someone. Preferably not any X's my husband or I have had.

I appreciate Miss Dawn, as most call her for her deep passion for children and love for God.
One thing I am thankful for about dawn is that she is honest and tells you the truth and always points you towards God with her wisdom. Thank you for all that you do, especially all the stuff that people overlook or do not ever realize you do for children's ministry. Great is your reward someday that you may be able to lay that crown at Jesus' feet as you served your life to the fullest for Him. As, I'm almost tearing up writing this.. I love using verses to describe the people I write about on Thursdays. One of the first ones that comes to mine is " As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another"- Proverbs 27:17.
Thanks also for being a friend and allowing me to text you like a zillion times for really no reason at all, or just to show you what I'm making for supper!


X bars
by Dawn


MIX at low speed until crumbly:
1 yellow cake mix
1/3 cup softened margarine
1 egg

Press into bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan

Bake at 350 about 15 minutes

Put enough mini marshmallows on to cover the cake and then return to the oven for 2-3 minutes.

While the cake is baking:
Stir & Heat:
2/3 c corn syrup
1/4 c butter or marg.
2 t vanilla
12 oz choc chips

When the chips are melted, remove from heat and add"
2 cups Rice Krispies

Stir it up and top the marshmallowey cake with the chocolate goodness, spreading to cover.
Refrigerate about 1 hour to set.

Wrapping present time

Lindsey is so into wrapping presents, that is presents she has made for us. It is so cute to see, she first draws some sort of a picture then asks me to get out the wrapping paper, tape and then she makes a tag. It is so sweet as she knows her brother loves Thomas the train stuff so she decided to draw a Percy green train for her brother, she saw to every detail of her drawing and actually getting his Percy out so she could draw it and put his number on it too. It was such music to my ears so see her enthusiasm, because she knows the one who will receive will love it so much more. She continued to draw one for mom and dad. I then had to draw her one so she could have a drawing paper gift under the tree. What's more impressive is that she really didn't care if she got anything else for Christmas, now maybe that was just talk because she knows she has gifts already under grandma's tree.

What I kinda learned tonight and reflected on is the attitude in which my little one expressed. So excited and giving unselfishly. I too want to give more, give more with enthusiasm. Not just this time of the year, but other times as well. 2Corinthians 9:7 says " God loves a cheerful giver" , Luke 6:37 states" Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over , will be poured into your lap..."
I want to be a cheerful giver of my time, my resources, my energy and my attitude. Not because I'm expecting something in return but because I know whom I belong to and want to honor God with everything I am.

So thank you Lindsey for teaching mommy to give, not just this once instance but it's what you do most days and how you always want to give to others because you know they will like it or will enjoy the toy more than you do. Sometimes I want to hold you back and not let you give your stuff away and I'm sorry...thank you for teaching me not to hold on to earthly things too tightly.
I love you - Mommy

My Thankful List

1. What a nice great week! I am so thankful for great time with friends and family this past week. I love the fact that we got lots of down time as a family.
2. I am thankful for my family and my husband letting me sleep in over the holiday and taking care of the kids in the morning.

3. I am thankful for this upcoming Christmas season.

4. As always I'm thankful for friends and all those that encourage me daily... you are precious!

5. I am thankful for what God is doing all around me and for His presence in my life. Although I fail lots, He is faithful.

6. I am thankful for my children , even if they ask lots of questions. (I wonder where they get that from?)

7. I am thankful for Drew and his rendition of "Deep and Wide", and " Banners" ( His banner over me is love song) I love that he is hiding that in his heart and he wants to sing it everyday. May I never take that for granted.

Have a great week everyone!!

What are you thankful for?

My Thankful List

1. I am so grateful that God has chosen me and pursues me for His work and for His purpose.

2. I am thankful for my prayer journal and all those I interceed for daily. I may never know the outcome but am thankful I'll know in Heaven.

3. I am thankful for this the upcoming Holidays and how that brings all of us together.

4. I am thankful that I finished the 8k Turkey Trot, and even more exciting that I beat my goal time.

5. I'm thankful for new friends and how encouraging that is. I'm really enjoying this season of my life.

Thank you Father for your infinite love and that you came here to this earth and you died for me. Thank you for all the circumstances you arrange, all the divine appointments you put before your people and that you alone can be my hearts desire. I am so thankful you never let go. Open my eyes this week to see what You want me to see.

Okay so I'm behind

So it's Thursday.... anyone remember what I do on Thursday? Okay so there is like one person who does and has asked me about it. Sorry I've been so busy and I'm fixing to put it up after the weekend. For all ya'll who don't know it's Taste and See Thursday where I put up a recipe.

Well I'm off to visit a friend tomorrow without the kiddos. I'm doing the turkey trot up in the north pole in the cold state of Iowa on Saturday. I'm excited to do it with a friend and just to get away and relax (kinda). Guess I won't be relaxing while I'm running in like 30 degree weather and running for like an hour or however long it takes me to run 4.96 miles (8k).

So all ya'll who read this say a prayer for us. I guess what I'm excited about is that I'm feeling like I did a few years ago. Sounds cheesy but like an athlete again. Let me explain. I am not doing this exercise thing just for outward appearance thing (although shedding my drew weight is fine with me) I love feeling like yes I can set a goal, and yes I can achieve it. And while I'm at it I can have great spiritual time doing this journey and meet some great people along the way.

It's a mindset, not a quick little fix until the next thing comes up. I'm not sure I'm making sense, but in my head/heart I am. I'm looking forward to the progress and even some trials this training is going to bring. I know the preparations are always much more sweeter than the actual race day at any event.

I'm hoping this lifestyle of setting goals will be something my kids will do at an early age, and maybe just maybe they will become lifelong learners and love trying new things.
So what are your goals? With the new year approaching why not try something new.

One thing I wanna try is a half-marathon, the next thing is cake decorating classes. I am thinking they both go well together as I can eat lots of cake because I am running my hiney off :)

Gizmos and favorite things

Because I am a sucker.... I tend to love things that make life a little bit easier. You know like Pampered Chef.. I love their stuff. ( I recently had a friend tell me why would anyone need that stuff) Sorry I'm a fan.

Okay so I'm wondering about the little Pedi Egg you see on the infomercials.. anyone have one.? I have like the worst calloused feet all the time. Not only that I have some bunionettes and feet issues in which the podiatrist would like to operate on..not just one but both. I found this out 6 years ago but cannot be tied up for 6wks so I'm saying "No, Mr. Foot doctor". So because of my feet issues I cannot wear all those pretty little stilettos and stuff, not that I want to because really when it comes down to it I'm a jeans and tennis shoe girl.

That leads me to one of my favorite things..... Adidas Supernovas. If you like to be comfy wumfy and even remotely like to exercise these are the shoes for you. Now if you like colors you will go for some fun ones like I have..my latest ones are pink, last pair was orange... I have a thing with colors. I'm thinking my next pair will be some kelly green color.

Okay so as I think about my other favorite things it must be things that are simple like Aveeno baby lotion. I love the way it makes my children and my skin so soft. It doesn't smell so on the smell factor I give it a 1.5. So if you like to have smooth skin ,put it on first after you shower. You do shower right? Then you put on another lotion on top of that if you have more than 2.2 minutes to spare. So I then put on some great bath and body lotion on top of that.

My next favorite thing is my Mary Kay perfume Bella Bellara, just thinking about it made me go right now and put some on. It's one of those great perfumes that isn't too much and you won't make others cough or sneeze if they are around you.

My next favorite thing is back to exercising clothes everyone must have. Okay you if you fidget with your pants when you exercise like I do then I have a product for you. iQPEARLiZUMi running tights are the best thing since the modern invention of sliced bread.Great thing about it is it's made in the USA. These tights always stay in the places they are suppose to be. The have a nice soft elastic at the ankles and at the top. Their is a small pocket in the back by the tag for like a gel or something if you are real serious runner. I only have one pair and I have to wash them lots and I then hang to dry as I want them to stay nice forever. So I am asking for another pair for Christmas !!

Okay so I guess I'm going to have to do this little favorite things list a little bit more as I had fun doing it and I had like 40 other things I could of put on here but didn't want to make this a term paper for you all to read. If there is something you cannot live without or some fun snack/thing please post... love to see it hear it ya know!

I am thankful!

I am thankful....

1. I'm thankful for all the little people I watched this week and how they remind me that the best things in life are free.

2. For a great reminder at MOPS to be on guard, what we watch, and how much advertising affects us. Got me really thinking.

3. For a healthy family

4. For a simple and relaxing weekend with the fam, we just hung out and hunkered indoors and really enjoyed one another.

5. That I have my meals all planned for the week and chad said he'd go to the store! Yeah

6. An encouraging speaker at PEO this week and the great reminder of the history of thanksgiving.

7. That I have some great friends, I Cherish you and just know you are precious and I pray for you.

Philippians 1:3,
Tara

PBS Kids day

We attended a kid PBS day in Quincy Saturday. Jill and her kiddos went and we took Aubrie brumbaugh and my two little ones. It was so much fun. I got lots of good ideas for fun activities for our kids and for church vbs.

Lindsey playing with " messy milk stuff". I thought Lindsey would never leave this station.

Cool homemade chalkboards. Here's our crew!

Drew and Felicia playing with floam. Drew and I made a dinosaur.

Aubrey and Lindsey

Drew loved all the characters. I was a bit surprised that he liked them so well. I could get him away from anything if I said "Let's go see superwhy" He would then go running 100mph and say whichever character I told him at the top of his little 2 year old voice. Everyone around us just laughed and thought it was cute.

Drew is starting his attacking of Clifford the big red dog.

The girls and SuperWhy!

Cool sand, make shapes and rake it!

What I'm thankful for

1. I am so thankful this week that I have a Savior that loves me despite all my moods, ( good and bad) and that I He is always there 24/7.

2. For Lindsey's Thanksgiving music reminding me "What are you thankful for?" She then tells me and vice versa for the day.

3. That Chad's football season and college class is over now.. We can have family time now on the weekends.

4. For loyal friends that you can just be yourself with

5. For the beautiful sunrise with beautiful hues of purple and pink rippled in the clouds. I loved that surprise as I left the Y early in the morning.

6. Our Veterans, and our freedom.

7. That you stopped by and read my little list. May it be a small reflection of my heart this week.

So what are you thankful for... pleas post... I love comments!

Taste and see Thursday

Welcome back to Taste and see that the Lord is good Thursday!

Today's recipe is my favorite breakfast casserole. This is one that is always super delish and easy to do. It could be a meal for supper too if you decide to do breakfast for supper. I got this recipe from a lady in our Church named Candy. Candy is a super busy mom of 11. I have known her all my life and she makes every opportunity to love all her "children" me included.... just not one of the 11. Candy always makes things fun and loves to entertain, She is certainly a big encourager to all she comes in contact with. She loves God with all her heart, soul and strength. I would say she is a good example of the Proverbs 31 woman, especially lines like this

Her children (11 of them) arise and call her blessed; her husband also as he praised her.

She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She is worth far more than rubies!!


Thank you Candy for all the encouragement you have been to me and a great leader, and someone I look up to. Thanks for all the cinnamon rolls too... I should post that recipe... but first I have to learn how to make them.

Candy's Breakfast Casserole

2 1/2 C seasoned croutons
2 C shredded cheese
2 lbs Pork sausage
1 can crm mushroom soup
4 eggs 3/4 tsp dried mustard
2 1/2 C milk
1/2 C milk

Place croutons in greased 9x 13 pan. Place cheese on top of croutons. Fry and drain sausage. Place on top of cheese. Beat eggs, mustard and 2 1/2 Cup of milk together. Pour over meat mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In morning, pour 1/2 Cup milk mixed with soup on top. Bake in slow oven, 300 *, for 1 1/2 hrs.

Enjoy your company or family will want this recipe... guaranteed!

I think I've become a farmer

Drew and Felicia on the combine at a farm in Nauvoo, Ill.

I've decided that I'm a green tractor girl! Drew was so excited to see all the tractors.. he squealed so much!

Drew got a ear of corn that didn't make it to to the combine.

Brandon on his little drive

I even got to ride the combine while drew and farmer lady drove. Felicia sat on my lap and loved it too. Drew kept wanting to turn the wheel, our farmer lady was so patient with Drew and told him he did a great job and that he could come back.

I like it!

This is my drew in yellow, Brandon and Chris Ralph. I watch the Ralph kids on Wednesdays and Jill (the mom) had a great idea to take the kids to see the big tractors. It was such a great morning, nice weather, a bit windy.

This is Lindsey and her friends from church on our way to the horse around farm. Lindsey earned this trip from Kids Rock, our church's Wednesday night program.

I helped Lindsey lead the horse (well I attempted to lead the horse) Mrs. Kircher was trying to tell me what to do, I tried but beauty ( horse's name) had her own agenda, she accidentally stepped on my toe also... ouch!!! Next time I'm not wearing my sandals, I wore them because the are so comfortable and with the weather being so great I'm not about to give them up yet.

Lindsey's horse kept kicking it's back legs to swat off a fly, she got really nervous and needed me to then come in the horse pen and help her.

Lot of treats not much tricks

Lindsey and me at our church "Light the Night". The kids had so much fun.. of course every year for the past three years Lindsey wins a cake the very first time she plays the cake walk game. This year she picked mini cupcakes. It was fun, Mr. Drew even played by himself.



Mommy and Dragon Drew




My little sweet girl

My sweet little boy... he is in schock as we gave him the entire cotton candy.

Lindsey in the bounce house

Overall a great night, lots of fun, food and way to much candy at the bible trunk or treat. Wish Lindsey would of wore her princess cone hat.. only got one pic of it and it was so cute. It's on my neighbor's camera (of course). I found both their costumes at garage sales this year. I think they were pretty cute. At the end of the night Lindsey already started talking about what she wants to be next year...... a Keokuk cheerleader like Kaylee.

Drew went down the slide by himself!

Neighborhood kids
London the boxer, Drew the Dragon, Kaylee the Keokuk cheerleader and Lindsey the Princess

Okay so I love the shots from the back... they are so fun! This is Drew going "tick or tweet"

My princess and her lil sidekick dragon and Chad

Ah so sweet!

Overall we had a great night. Lots of fun had by all. I wish I could of got a picture of Lindsey with her princess cone hat on, my neighbor did so that's good. Lindsey and Drew were most excited for their new movies Grandma got them. Lindsey got her Barbie diamond castle and Drew got a Thomas movie, we loved the sugar cookies most that grandma gave us.. I could ditch all the Halloween candy and just live on sugar cookies.

Lindsey said the best thing of Halloween was her friends. I think I never saw her except to give me tickets she won. Lindsey won 10 tickets and bought a lollipop with it, she of course knew what everyone had for tickets and what they got. Isn't that funny how kids love to know what other kids get.

My Thankful LIst

Wow I've been missing my Bloggity Blog Blog. It's been a great week, fun filled activities and fun times with family and friends. Here is my thankful list for this week:

1. I'm thankful for a refreshing week filled with friends over, great talks and good memories!

2. For the extra hour due to the time change.. I am loving it!

3. That I can use my gifts/ talents for God's glory, and not need affirmation from others but from God.

4. I am thankful I only hurt my toe (skin all came off) but that it didn't break, due to a horse stepping on it at our Kids Church activity.

5. I am thankful that I can run and swim and have a great spiritual time with God.

6. I am thankful for my divine appointment person I met at the park this week, what an awesome God we have to put the right person in our paths at the right moment. I'm always amazed/ surprised.

Taste and See Thursday

Fiesta Chicken Enchiladas

This recipe is from Kraft Magazine

It's Taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8) Thursday. Wow, I can't believe it's been three whole weeks already... that means I've actually continued this taste and see recipe thing for that long. Okay I'm excited about it and I hope some of you are too.

This is one of those recipes that I tried on a whim to make for the family. It ended up being so much better than I thought and now it's our new favorite for enchiladas.

In fact as I'm writing this I wish this is what I was making today instead of my chicken pot pie, oh well .

Prep Time:15 min
Total Time:35 min

Marinate chicken with 1 cup of Kraft Sun dried Tomato Dressing (it really helps) Then grill chicken or cook it in oven in shallow baking pan at 400 F for 20 minutes.

PS.. I use 1 whole thing of cream cheese rather that 1/2 of it!

Makes:4 servings, two enchiladas each
What You Need
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cooked small chicken breasts (about 1 lb.), shredded
1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa, divided
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese, divided
8 TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Flour Tortillas
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Heat large skillet spayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 2 min. Add chicken, 1/4 cup of the salsa, cream cheese, cilantro and cumin; mix well. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese; mix well.
SPOON about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-side down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining 3/4 cup salsa and remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until heated through.

This is super yummy with shredded lettuce on it and salsa and sour cream !!!

Enjoy

Tara

My thankful list

It's Sunday.... time to put my list up..

I'm thankful for......


1. That I haven't had to cook all weekend as Chad is at class ... we miss him though.

2. For God always knowing my deepest desire, every moment need ( I have lots, tend to be sensitive) and is always there when I feel He is not.

3. A great 20 minute conversation with a stranger at Mc D's this week and how that has prompted me to give.

4. Lindsey and her enthusiasm for school and learning. She is such a little sweetheart and I'm glad God knew she would be the perfect fit for our family.

5. I'm thankful for fun fall comfort food, my creme brulee (Paula Dean) candle, Comfy cotton sweat sets ( I own like 5 sets at least). My smaller jeans fitting ( one pair).

6. I'm thankful for wanting to set a goal... not sure what to do or what cause to support but that it's a desire of my heart to do a race again. Any one interested?

Looking forward to what your thankful for, Please post . .. I know you have one.

Hugs,
Tara

I am reading this book called Looking for God by Nancy Ortberg. I am enjoying it and recommend it. Of course someone gave it to me to read and I am thankful. This lady is a great storyteller, her stories will touch you and challenge you.

Here's an excerpt from her book.

"We all have black holes in our souls that keep anything from filling us up for too long. They keep us in a constant state of neediness, always seeking reinforcement through pleasure and comfort and busyness. But if we allow ourselves to experience the longing, refusing easy answers for the aches and pains, we'll slowly build solid bedrock of God in our souls. Those alone places create a foundation that closes up the black hole for good. We all need to hear God's voice. Our longings, aches, and pains are thin threads to that voice. Stay long enough in the aloneness, and you'll find that the silence of God becomes a whisper, and then the whisper becomes the voice that you recognize."

The Psalmist shows God's voice break through in

(46:10)-" Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
In my own life I am trying to be still, that's hard but so much needed.

Thank you Lord for always encouraging me when I'm not feeling the best. I am reminded that that I need not rely on my feelings for my failures today. I am so glad there will be day where there will be no more tears or pain. I am thankful for how you provide so much comfort.