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.