Recent Events

My oldest brother turned 40! I had a GOOD time with family hanging out at his house.

We celebrated the used-to-be-annual 2012 Hope Awards, which was really fun. Hubby and I had never been before. Hubby was one of the host/presenters, and he did a GREAT job. Our small group won the Keepin' Up award because we are "spirty." I won the Servant Award. Too kind. It was a cold evening outside, but a fun night at church. Too bad more people didn't come to enjoy the evening in.

SUCCESS! I fixed the kitchen sink sprayer thing with a pin. My dad would be so proud. I love these handy-woman moments I have.

In fact, I was so excited about fixing the sprayer thing, that I decided to tackle changing my car headlight. If the windshield washer fluid container hadn't of been in the way, I totally would've done it too, but instead I had to give up and have the usually unreliable Wal-Mart people finish the job.

Happy Saturday!

29

My 20s are coming to an end.
Happy birthday to me!
Only 365 days (it's a leap year) left!

My birthday dinner tonight at 
Louie's Grill and Bar. 
Two thumbs up!
We ordered chili cheese fries and fried pickles for an appetizer. 
I ate took home the grilled chicken sandwich I ordered.

What have I accomplished so far over the last decade?

Graduating from HCC and ESU.
Meeting and marrying my husband.
Traveling to new places and sites.
Starting (what will probably be) my most-of-life career.

Will I have anything else to add over the next year?

What can I say except, I've got it good.

I have a family who loves me and supports me and prays for me.

I have a husband who stands by my side and shares experiences with me.

I have so many blessings: house, food, warmth, shelter, transportation, job, etc.

I have a church & small group community to help me grow, learn, and stay on track.

I think I've finally found my niche (for now) in teaching and I'm enjoying it.
Don't these pictures just say it all?

Quiet Garden Oasis

I was blessed to spend a few hours with family this weekend. We celebrated another birthday together, this time at Panda Kitchen in Hesston (a yummy Chinese restaurant). Then we went back to my grandmother's house to enjoy some more conversation and peach cobbler.

Isn't my mom a great gardener?












Talk about a green thumb!













I mean, who else could keep a garden looking so beautiful in triple digit heat?

92

Happy 92nd birthday, Grandma!

Glad to spend time with you again this Sunday!

I'm so thankful we enjoyed good company and good food
(yummy homemade lasagna and cake) on such a cold, dreary day.
It sure seems like it has been a while since our last meal together.

What a blessing family time is!

A Randomly Productive Saturday

Today was random, but it was good!

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This morning was a meeting for the upcoming mission trip. Intimidating not knowing anyone there except the trip leader and his family. I guess that means I'll have a lot of opportunities to make new friends... or acquaintances... or "Facebook friends." [ha ha] I think it'll be a good trip though. Maybe it'll be nice being away from everyone and everything. Maybe it will give me a chance to renew and recharge my spirit. I do wish my hubby were coming with me, though.

The trip leader pointed us to some excellent things to think about as we prepare for the missions experience.

ONE... over and over again, the Lord tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous..." Then in Joshua 1:9 He continues with, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Yes! Thank you, Lord! I need to remember this as I will be intimidated and hold back because of all the people I do not know. I had the thought today that it's obvious I've been away too long. I'm like a stranger again to this experience.

TWO... staying unified will be an important part of the trip, despite feeling tired or grumpy or hungry. Paul reminds us in Romans 15:5-7, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

THREE... we are blessed to be a part of the United in Christ ministry as we serve along side the missionaries. Our purpose there is to serve God. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

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We have had such beautiful weather the last couple of days. What a blessing! Luckily, I've been able to enjoy a little vitamin D!

Yesterday I came home from work a little early [well, actually a lot early] because an afternoon meeting didn't go nearly as long as planned. I sat myself in a lawn chair on the porch. I propped my feet up on the porch railing. I read me several chapters in the mystery book I'm currently reading, Brink of Death by Brandilyn Collins.

Today I started to repeat yesterday's moment of relaxation on the front porch when it hit me that it was time to trim the mum bushes.

Looky, looky at what I found!

Beautiful babies popping out of the ground already!
Spring is on its way!

As I was clearing away the dead leftovers from last Fall, I noticed this little beauty too (on the other side of our house).

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This afternoon I baked a cake for Grandma's 92nd birthday. Yes. Take a moment to process that information. 92 years. I can't even imagine being alive that long. Having 92 years worth of experiences and knowledge. Wow!

I'm glad to get to spend another birthday with Grandma tomorrow. I am so thankful for the role she has played in my life and for the many blessings she's been given in these 92 years. I'm proud to be her granddaughter. I'm so thankful for the constant reminder from her that "Jesus loves me" at the end of every note and letter she gives me.

[I would insert a picture of the cake right here, but I think I will wait until tomorrow. I'm pretty proud of my hard work, and I hope everyone enjoys the effort I put in to this special birthday cake.]

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I'm so glad today was so productive! It's way too easy to not get anything done sometimes.

80 Years!

We celebrated my grandmother's 80th birthday today. Can turning 80 really be like just another year? Think of all the memories accumulated in 80 years. All the people met. All the places visited. All the interesting experiences. I can't even imagine! My almost 28 years seems like nothing in comparison.

We had fun talking about some of the technologies and ways of life that are different from when my grandmothers were children. Outhouses. Bathtubs in the kitchen. Multi-grade classrooms. I wonder what gadgets and everyday processes my husband and I will only tell our grandchildren about.

Records were on their way out as I was growing up. Cassettes were the big thing, and CD's were soon to follow. VHS tapes were the way to watch movies at home. All our telephones had cords when I was a kid. I even remember a time without the Internet. By the time we have kids and they are old enough to remember the memories, what else will have made its way out of popularity? The possibilities are unimaginable!

Cake, Anyone?

I haven't posted many of my latest cooking ventures, so... Here they are!

I baked a yummy carrot cake for my husband's 31st birthday. When it comes to cakes, cupcakes, breads, or cookies, I always use a mix from the store. Maybe I'll start baking from scratch at some point, but I'm not at that point yet. My husband requested chocolate frosting, but I thought it might not look as orange. So, I used chocolate frosting in between the two layers of cake. (Thanks, Trish, for showing me how to make a double layer cake last New Year's!) Mmm-mm!

carrot cake, David's favorite

mini 'bran'ana nut muffins

Chicken and rice is one of my husband's favorite meals.
Of course, his plate wouldn't quite look like mine.
He hasn't learned to like veggies yet!

chicken & rice and Mom's green beans

My featured recipe will be the pasta dish I took to our small group dinner last week,
Mom's quick and easy...

Goulash



You will need:

1 lb. hamburger
2 c. macaroni
1 qt. tomato juice
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. dried onion (or you can trade this out for fresh onion)

You need to:

1. Brown hamburger and drain.
2. Cook macaroni until tender and drain.
3. Mix macaroni and hamburger in one pot.
4. Add tomato juice, salt, and onion.
5. Cook several minutes until thoroughly heated.