Winter Wonderland

This is our own little "winter wonderland". Now this is nothing compared to what mom and dad have over in northern Idaho, but it is a lot for the Seattle area. When we get a bit of snow everything closes down.

But the kids have a blast. We found some black ice under the snow and it was like we were ice skating. The kids enjoyed slipping. Unfortunately, we did not have a sled.

We had snowball fights.

And we made a snowman. Hannah was quite upset though, because she said snowmen are supposed to have black top hats. But I finally got her to agree to put her hat on it. Then she said "that's ok, we will have a snow girl" :)

Cute Kids

*****BEWARE*****

This is a mommy bragging post.

I just have to tell you all how beautiful my kids are. Is that not the cutest face you've ever seen :)
I am so blessed. Don't they look cute together. I was surprised that I got them to sit still, well kind of. But they definitely love each other. Hopefully as they grow older their love for each other will continue to grow. My hope is that they have as close of a relationship as me and my brother have. Love you Bro.

Out of the blue Jacob will go up and touch Hannah's arm and she will say "ahh, I love you too Jacob". Is that not the cutest?

Oh and by the way, we have had snow now since Saturday night. I hope it lasts until Christmas :)

Love you all. Merry Christmas.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Okay, so I made a really yummy soup the other day. Thought I would share the recipe. A friend of mine gave it to me a year or so ago and I just finally made it. She got it from a cafe that went out of business. So the recipe is for a serving size of 24, but I had company over and then froze some or you could cut the recipe in half.

1/2 Cups Vegetable oil
1/4 Cup Chicken Bouillon
3 Cups Onion (diced)
2 teaspoons Chili Powder
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne
2 Cups Masa Corn Flour (I used 1 Cup Corn Meal and 1 Cup Reg Flour)
4 Quarts Water (divided)
2 14oz Cans Tomatoes (drained)
1 Pound American Cheese (diced)
3 Pounds Chicken breast (cooked,chopped)

In a large dutch oven (or large pot), saute oil, chicken base, onion, and spices until onions are soft. In a large bowl, combine masa and 1 quart of water. Stir until smooth, then add to the dutch oven. Add remaining 3 quarts water and bring to a boil.

Continue cooking 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add cheese, stirring constantly until melted. Add chicken and tomatoes. Simmer for 20 minutes until contents are well blended.


You should try it. Tastes really good, especially on a nice cold or rainy day :) Enjoy

The Christmas Tree

So I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving with Jeff's family, whom I love. My sister in law and her boyfriend had a huge spread at their house, with 3 turkeys. Needless to say, we had more than enough food. We had such a great time, and the kids love going over their. Lots to do :)

But it was a very nice and relaxing day and we spent the weekend with mom and dad. On Sunday we went to church together and then all piled in mom and dad's van and went eagle watching. On Lake Coeur d Alene, the fish spawn this time of year and after they do they die, so the Bald Eagles migrate there to eat. It was pretty amazing to see those huge beautiful birds. We probably spotted about 5 or 6 of them. It was way cool.

So now onto decorating the Christmas tree. The kids were so excited and could not wait to get the tree up. So we had the Christmas music going and the hot chocolate and all of the ornament at the bottom of the tree :)

So those of you who have had children remember when they are little your tree looks so off balance because all of the ornaments are on the top of the tree to keep the kids out of them. I think that was my tree a couple of years ago. Nothing on the bottom.

Well........times have changed, because this is what the bottom of my tree looks like this year.

Each branch has about 5 or 6 ornament on it. They thought that it looked better when they were all together like a "family" :)

So now that the tree is up, Isn't it supposed to be time for Christmas?????

We are having a hard time now waiting for Christmas to get here.

I hope everybody has a blessed day.

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to share some of the things I am thankful for this year. :)

This has been a very challenging year for us but God has never left our side. He has shown His presence in so many ways and has given me a peace beyond all understanding. I am so grateful for the sacrifice the Jesus made for us, so I can have everlasting life. Now that is Love. Some days I am just so in awe of His power and glory. Thank you the the God of Gods and the Lord of Lords for being such a power in my life and being my rock.

I am so thankful for my husband and kids, they make my smile and laugh everyday. They are a light in my life. I am thankful for my wonderful family and my friends. I am so lucky to have the friends that I do. They make me feel so special and loved. They have great hearts and mean the world to me.

I am also thankful for my new house, I know that doesn't surprise anyone :) but I am. It has been such a blessing.

What are you thankful for this year?

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Girls Day

I had so much fun. We went out and had a girls day earlier this week. Hannah and I went and picked up Abby and we went out to lunch and to a movie. We saw Madagascar 2 and this is the girls after the movie being "Alex the Lion".

This is the first time I have ever taken Hannah to a movie theater (Not even when she was a little baby). I waited to tell her that we were going until we were in the car, because she tends to rub it in Jacob's face when she gets to do something. I could just see her saying "guess what Jacob? I get to go to the movies with Abby." That would not go over well with him :) . So I waited. And her response was so disappointing. She says "cool". That was it. No excitement at all just "cool". But then in her defense, she did not know what a movie theater was. LOL.

Anyway, after the movie Abby came over for a sleepover. That is always fun. We baked cupcakes and made our own pizza's for dinner and watched movies, rode bikes, played red light/green light, and Simon says and when I finally got all the kids to sleep it was about 11pm and I was tired :) I slept really well that night, until Jacob was up and 6am. Ugh.

But I absolutely love doing it and can't wait for the next time when Abby can come and have a sleepover.

VOTE!!!

Make sure everybody takes the opportunity to Vote today. Remember there are countries that don't have that right. Your vote counts.

Harvest Festival

We did not go trick or treating but we took the kids to the harvest festival at our church. They had so much fun. It was really hard to get a good picture of them, but I did my best. I think I need a new camera.

Hannah was my cute little bumble bee and Jacob a baseball player. They got lots of candy and played really hard. Our church rents those big bouncing things (I think that is the official name for them :) ), and they have a room just for smaller kids, and they bounced and ran for two hours. Needless to say they went to bed easy that night.

My new House

So I wanted to share some pics of my new house that I love soooooooo Much. The Lord blessed us with the tings that we wanted in a house. I am posting pics of the most important rooms to me. The kitchen in #1. And it is nice and big with lots of storage.

My living room. With no TV. It is absolutly wonderful. It has amazing light and is very cozy. We put the TV downstairs and so it make upstair like a little retreat :)

My laundry room. I just painted it. What do you think of the color? I even have an area for folding clothes.

Then YEAH, I finally got a big bedroom. My first time ever :D

A Man of Many Words

Have I ever shared with you that my husband is a wonderful Poet? He puts things so elegantly.
I thought I would share a poem he wrote for me many years ago.

I'd chase a thousand sunsets, it's really not that far

Just as long as I know at the end is where you are

I'd bring the moon and the stars to you and put them in your hand

I just don't think that'd be enough to make you understand

What you do to me girl, I've never felt this before

The days before you came I don't remember anymore

No matter where you run to, no matter where you go

Wherever this world takes you I just want you to know

I'd swim a thousand oceans just to give you my heart

No matter where you are baby, its really not that far

Your blue eyes could drag me through the desert on my knees

As long as I had one last look before I had to leave

If your face was the last thing that these eyes ever saw

You'd see me smiling down from heaven brighter than the sun

You take my breath away girl every time your near

I want to hold you close and whisper in your ear

No matter where you run, no matter where you go

You'll never be without me, I just want you to know

I'd climb a thousand mountains just to give you my heart

No matter where you go baby, It's really not that far

Just wanted to share what a wonderful poet he is. If you want to check out more of his poetry, go to Glory to God.

Random Thoughts

I had the opportunity to visit Tarrah at the beginning of September after she had baby Ethan. I was able to go and take care of her and her family. This is one of the precious pics I got of her and her new love :)
I just thought this one was cute. Grandpa, Daddy, and little boy all throwing rocks into the Sound.
All trying to see how far they could throw. Although you had to get out of the way of Jacob, because you never knew where his rocks were going :)

So the kids are loving our new house. They have a great yard to play in and lots of space inside. They have gotten very dirty outside lately. We have these huge rhododendrons in the back and the kids love climbing on them. Hannah is a little monkey and Jacob just wants to follow her. Although I still think he is a bit young yet.
We went for a walk yesterday and explored our new neighborhood. It is nice to go for a walk in a neighborhood. We used to live on a main street. Anyway, we found an elementary school just down the hill. So we got to play on the playground and I think they liked the swings the most. Although there were some guys playing baseball and Jacob was pretty fascinated by them.

On the way home we realized that to get to the school was all down hill, so the whole way home was up hill :) And the kids wanted us to carry them. We did not. But it was really fun. When we got home the kids got out their bikes and road them on the cul d sac. That is a new one for us also.

One more random thought. Okay, I was sitting in the living room yesterday, Jeff opened the back door and the cat came in the house, not thinking anything of it. But I looked at her and she was caring a bird in her mouth. It was so disgusting. That is the first time anything like that has happened to me. I started yelling at Jeff to get the cat out. Anyway, that was my trauma for yesterday. We have a ton of birds in our yard, so I hope it doesn't happen again.

On the Move

Okay, sorry it has been so long since I have posted a blog. We have moved. I have been really busy. I had forgot how much I dislike packing and moving and unpacking. Ugh. But we have been in our new house now for 3 weeks and we are unpacked and getting seetled.

We are really enjoying our new house. The kids love it. The Lord has blessed us. When we made a list of the things we wanted, the Lord blessed us with all of it. We have a big back yard that is fully fenced, we have a great kitchen, more that one bathroom, and a garage. And the number one thing we wanted was to be close to our church. When I left church the other night, I left at 8:45pm and got home at 8:48pm. Now that is close :) I will post pics of the house later.

Some of the other things we have been up to lately are:
We are getting more involved at church, Jeff is taking a couple of classes. Hannah is in Awana's and I am a leader in her awanas class, which has been great for both of us.

We have started a home based business. The company is called Market America. I have been very excited about it. We have several products to sell, but I am focusing on Makeup. The makeup line is called Motives and I have been using it and really like it.
Our website is www.marketamerica.com/sjsharon If you want you sould go check it out. Lots of cool stuff. But I have been learning a lot and having a good time.

Anyway, I will post more soon. I promise.

Jumping for Joy

So I just got some amazing news today. My best friend has been fighting ovarian cancer now for 4 years. She has been on chemo off and on the whole time and this last year has had to start radiation as well. So the good news.............

Her blood work has finally come back with a positive result. Her cancer cell numbers are finally at a normal level. YEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH :)

God is sooooooo good. She still has a road ahead of her, because now that she has normal numbers she will still have to have a total hysterectomy, but hopefully once she has that she will no longer have to fight this stupid cancer.

I just have to tell you all how amazing she is. Jenn has tried to keep a positive attitude through all of this. She has 2 small children and never wanted her cancer to affect their quality of life. What an awesome mom. She is so strong and has such a huge heart. She is going through all of this and still is always concerned about others and how they are doing. She was always concerned about me and never wanted to put me out. I say, what are friends/sisters for. I am very blessed to have a friend like her and am so relieved to know that she is winning this battle. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Footprints in the Sand

I have always loved the "Footprints in the Sand" poem, but there was just something special about seeing your kids footprints in the sand. It was so sweet to watch them play together and enjoy each other. This is them chasing each other. But all I got was the footprints.

One of the coolest things about going down to the ocean, was that was my mom's favorite place to be. We had been waiting for a nice weekend (because if you are from Washington, you know that you have to have really nice weather for it to be nice at the ocean), and it finally happened. It was supposed to be sunny and 75 at the ocean. So we got the kids all excited and the car packed up. Off we went. 2 1/5 hours later we finally get there. It was sunny, but with the wind it was probably about 65 degrees. A little to cold for swimsuits.

We tried to make the best of it. Although everytime we tried to make a sand castle, Jacob thought it would be really funny to destroy it. So that didn't last long.

If anything it was a good picture moment. I got some great pics of the kids. They played for about an hour and then it was home. It seemed like such a long day, but I guess it is the start of building memories like I have from when I was a kid.

Hopefully we can have another nice day to try and get out there. We will keep trying :)

Thankfull

Today, I am feeling thankfull. I am not always good at expressing myself, but I am going to start trying by blogging. So I guess I am going to just start by listing what I am thankfull for.

I am first of all thankfull for all that the Lord is doing in my life. It has been a very difficult year for us but the Lord has been so faithfull. He has given me such a peace in life and has just shown His presence. I am so excited to see what He has in store for the next season of my life. When we have a willing heart He will open doors. I am trying to get get past myself and my own fears so that I have a willing heart so He can use me. I am just filled with joy today because of that.

I am also extreamly thankful for my family. Jeff has been working so hard trying to provide for our family. He has had the Lord doing so much in his life and he has been willing to let the Lord do his thing. It has been amazing.

All of my family and friends have been such a huge support system during this difficult time and I am so greatful for all of their encouraging words and prayers. I am filled to overflowing with love for all of them. Thank you all for your encouragement and support. I love you all.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

The Horse Wisperer

Hannah has such a gental touch with the horses. She has just fallen in love with them. When they are a little upset, she just reaches out to them and tells them in a very soft voice that everything will be ok, calm down it's just me, and to relax and they do. It is the coolest thing.
When Twinkie was pregnant with the baby, Hannah wanted to see that baby so bad, she asked grandma if we could just go and take the baby out? Grandma said no. Then Hannah says, Well maybe Jesus can. She she wanted to go outside and pray for Twinkie to have the baby. It still took a few more days for the baby to be born. But is'nt the boldness and spirit of children just amazing?
It is hard to beleive that she is growing up so fast. She loves the farm, but has to be in her dress. I can't get her to wear anything eles. But it doesn't stop her from being a tom boy and princess all the the same time.

I just loved this picture, so I needed to share it. That is an ornery face.

Remember when you were a kid?

Ok, I have to tell you that I had a flashback today from when I was a kid. I remember fighting all the time with my brother, he always started it ;), and our mom had an amazing talent for blocking us out. Like, she would not hear anything that was happening.

Well I have learned that I have that talent also. I am trying to think of how you get to that point. I think that it is because my kids, who are 20 months apart (just like my brother and I am), fight ALL THE TIME. I swear if one says the sky is blue the other will say that it is green. Hannah tells Jacob to say something, he says it over and over and over, then she gets mad and yells because he is saying to many times. It goes on all day long, I am not going to even get into the fights over toys, Oh my goodness.

So I think out of servival mode you have to learn to start blocking things out. Sometimes I have people looking at me like "are you going to do anything?" and I don't even notice that it is going on.

I really did not even know or expect it to start this soon. I can tell that they truly love each other and they have their moments where they are sweet to each other, but I think they really love to fight. They do it on purpose.

I just pray that when they are older they are as close as me and my brother. We may have fought alot as kids, but as adults, he is my best friend and I would not know what to do without him.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

New Ranch Help

We can't pass one of these up without blowing it :)
Jacob absolutly loves all the farm equipment at grandma and grandpa's house. Especially the tractor.

Jacob is grandma and grandpa's new ranch help. He loves it there. He is taking hay to feed Joy. He pushed this thing all by himself for quit a ways. I think his favorite part of being at grandma and grandpa's house is mommy lets him go in the barn and get really dirty. lol.

I have to tell a funny story. This is one of those kids say the darndest things stories. The kids were out with grandma and grandpa in the yard and they were shoveling dog poop so nobody stepped in it. When they were all done, Hannah yells "GOLDIE, (which is the dogs name) WE NEED MORE POOP". She did not want to be done picking up poop. She cracks me up.

So we just got back from having a wonderful visit with my in laws. Thanks for everything. The kids had a great time and I will post more pics later of Hannah with the horses.

"Howdy Partner"

Is that not the cutest face you have ever seen?

So this is the look that she thinks cowboys have. She is my daughter, but she does not get her interest in horses from me. Grandma is sooooo excited because, finally grandchild number 5 has her interest in horses. Hannah keeps telling me that she needs a cowboy hat and boots so she can ride grandma's horses. When she wears this cowbay hat, she gets this look on her face and says "howdy partner". I think she needs some straw to stick out of her mouth :)

Hello Blogging World

Ok, this is my first try at blogging. My best friend, who has really been more like a sister to me, has had me reading her blog for a while now, and she has finally talked me into starting one. I love being able to watch her kids grow up and hear of their daily life. Now she will finally get to see my kids grow. Love you Tarrah, this is for you :)