My Little Pinkalicious

Shiloh recently received this book for her 3rd birthday from her great grandparents. I think we have read it everyday for the past couple of weeks!

It truly is a lovely tale about a cute little girl who obviously loves all things pink! But she soon discovers that being herself is even better than being pink.

A few days ago Shiloh asked me if we could make pink cupcakes, and I thought it was a grand idea. We had some wonderful momma/daughter time together.


Here are a few photos of our recreation of Pinkalicious cupcakes.

Shiloh is just beaming and so excited about starting our pink project!

What a big helper stirring the pink batter. Maybe a few licks, too!

Momma takes a turn to beat the batter till it's nice and fluffy!

She tried her little heart out at frosting the pink cupcakes. I think she just resorted to what was easier--licking the knife.

Mmmm, yummy! They're pinkerific!

I wish I would have had a cupcake tower to display these candylicious looking treats. Oh well.

I actually had some pink frosting left over from her birthday cake, so I was able to make the swirly design. I had such a fun time making these with my Sweet Sue!

Oh, The Classics!

Shiloh played her first game of Candy Land with mommy today! That little stinker beat me twice!!

Is there any one who hasn't played this all time favorite board game? I remember playing it as a kid, and now I have played it with all of my kids. I am thinking about getting all sentimental and saving it so I can one day play it with my grand kids.

Board games are a family favorite around here, and right now the boys are in to playing CLUE with Daddy. Mark and I used to play the video version of CLUE when we were dating. That was a fun game--I wonder if they have it on DVD, now? It would be much too complicated for the boys, now, but maybe in a few years?


Board games really do bring families together, don't they? Let me pause while I wipe the tear from my eye.

In all seriousness, do you have great board game memories you would like to share? Let the nostalgia begin!!


*My grandpa and I used to play SORRY! when I was a little girl. Those were fun times!

*My friend, Sara, and I would play Master Mind for hours on end.

*I loved playing Parcheesi with my mom as a kid, and as an adult, I love to play Boggle with her. If she just weren't so darn good at it!!

*I absolutely loved the game, TABOO, and would play it with any group I could get my hands on.

*Life was always a family favorite. Boy, has that game had a makeover! We bought the game to play with our kids, and I must say it is a wee bit different.

Oodles of Apples

Making memories at Grandma's house. The kids look forward to this every June!!!

Apple picking...




Apple washing...

Apple juicing...

Apple drinking...

Apple peeling and coring...

Apple dehydrating...

Apple trail mix making...

Good times! Oh, and the taste of freshly juiced apples is delicious! Fresh dehydrated apples are a tasty treat as well. Mom, thanks for the many bags of apples and all of the apple fun!

The Perfect Nail Color!!!

I always have to have my toe nails painted. Rarely ever my nails since they'd chip in a heartbeat due to incessant washing and scrubbing. But my toes are a must!

While shopping at Fry's last week, a creamy brownish-pink bottle of Sally Hansen nail color caught my eye. My nail color selection at home was getting a bit thin, so I decided to splurge and spend the few dollars on myself. It was on sale, so it made me feel much better about my spontaneous purchase.

When I got home and looked at the name of the color, it was confirmed deep in my heart that I had made a good decision! The name of this mauve: So Much Fawn. Bless my soul, I have a nail polish named after me!!!

The Treasure Tree

I just finished reading this beautifully illustrated book, by John and Cindy Trent and Gary and Norma Smalley, to my 3 kids. Actually I have read it to my boys quite a few times, but Shiloh hadn't had the privilege of hearing it yet. She loved it!!! Thank you Honey for giving this gift to us almost 6 years ago!!

It's about 4 best friends who happen to be animals. A lion, an otter, a golden retriever, and a beaver set out on a delightful adventure in search of 4 golden keys that will lead them to the ultimate prize, the Treasure Tree!

Each animal represents a certain personality, and by the end of their journey they realize that the very best treasure of all was knowing how much they needed and loved each other.

Also, this book creates a fun way for parents and kids to discover their own personalities. It is especially kid-friendly because it focuses on the strengths of each personality type. :)

It was neat hearing the boys talk about which animals best described them. Lincoln has determined without a doubt that he is mostly otter with a hint of Lion. Mullin on the other hand is radically different, and he thinks he is part golden retriever and part beaver. I would agree with them, but they are still so young and things can change over time. ( I do think there's a bit more lion in Lincoln than he realizes, though.) When I was this age, I am sure no one would have ever guessed that there was a lion in the making! A shy little lamb maybe, but not a lion! Actually I would truly label myself at present as a beaver/lion. Sometimes I act more beaverish, and sometimes my lionistic nature takes over. Also, being Holy Spirit-controlled, I am definitely a tame lion, most of the time. In my opinion my hubby is without a doubt a golden retriever with a hint of beaver. He and Mullin are very similar in nature.

I highly recommend this book! Even though it has a very practical message, it is very entertaining. You will want to take your kids on all of these wild adventures. My favorite was the tastiest of the bunch, Blueberry Basin!!

Here is the personality checklist from the back of the book. Let me know what kind of animal/animals best describes you!!! Technically you are supposed to mark each trait that describes you or your child, and then total the marked answers for each specific animal. Of course the larger number represents the basic personality type.

Lion:

1. Is daring and unafraid in new situations. (This is the one thing about lion that is NOT me)
2. Likes to be a leader. Often tells others how to do things.
3. Ready to take on any kind of challenge.
4. Is firm and serious about what is expected.
5. Makes decisions quickly.


Otter:

1. Talks a lot and tells wild stories.
2. Likes to do all kinds of fun things.
3. Enjoys being in groups. Likes to perform.
4. Full of energy and always eager to play.
5. Always happy and sees the good part of everything.


Golden Retriever:

1. Always loyal and faithful to friends.
2. Listens carefully to others.
3. Likes to help others. Feels sad when others are hurt.
4. Is a peacemaker. Doesn't like it when others argue.
5. Patient and willing to wait for something.


Beaver:

1. Is neat and tidy and notices little details.
2. Sticks with something until it's done.
3. Asks a lot of questions.
4. Likes things done the same way.
5. Tells things just the way they are.


My final note: I know we are all created as very unique individuals, and none of us can fit into a tiny, little personality box. For example, as I stated before I am a beaver/lion, but that doesn't mean I am not kind or loyal. Also, someone else could be a beaver/lion and still be very different from me. So with that said have a little bit of fun and discover the animal in you!

**Don't forget to let me know what you are!

Yes, It Does Snow in Arizona!

Our family took Monday off from work and school and headed up North in search of snow!! We found some about 2 hours away and had a blast! For a while it was just us. It was so peaceful, and the view, breathtaking. We even had a picnic in the snow. My kind of picnic--NO BUGS!! It wasn't very cold either, which was nice. At one point I just had short sleeves on and felt great. The kids did get a little cold, though, since they completely soaked their clothes. I packed plenty of extra clothes, but the one thing I did forget was sunscreen. Poor Daddy, Lincoln and Shiloh suffered from some sunburns. All in all, it was a super day. A day our family needed very much!


SLEDDING: We bought some cheap, round sleds that made for a lot of hill-sliding fun. I was first to try out the steep hill, and goodness me, I had no idea how FAST I could fly. It had been a while since I had been on a sled. My backside is a bit sore today, to say the least. Didn't stop me from sledding a bunch more times, though! Mullin and Lincoln were so brave climbing way up the hill to sled half way down and then bust!! Shiloh loved flying down the hill in Daddy's lap.

PLAYING: There is just something about seeing a little, pink bundle in the snow. Shiloh liked eating it. Lincoln tried making a snow angel, but the snow was just packed too tightly, which, thankfully, kept our feet from sinking with every step.

SNOWMAN: It sure has been a very long time since we built one of these. Some of it had already been done by someone else. We just finished him.

BATTLE WOUNDS: I was trying to show off my owies, but they didn't really show up very well. When sledding down the hill one time, I forgot to push my longsleeves down, and I ended up busting. Basically, I got "Snowburn"--sort of like rugburn, ya know.
SNOWBALL FIGHT: The snow was packed pretty tightly, so it was somewhat difficult for the boys to form snowballs. One time, Daddy hit Shiloh right in the buns with a snowball. I am sure it felt like a love pat, but she didn't like it and let everyone know with her crying and whining.

What a fun day this was. I hope their will be lots more of these trips in the future!

Baking With Mom

Last Saturday my mom and I slaved in the kitchen from 7:30-4:30 to bring forth many, yummy, Christmas goodies! Here I am making our traditional Prize Sugar Cookies, and I am holding up 2 very sentimental cookie cutters--they used to be my grandma's. And the apron I am wearing was given to me by my mom after my grandma passed away over 2 years ago. This apron is also very special to me because my mom made it for her mother when she was about 14.
















Thanks, Mom for taking the time to bake with me. We really missed not having my sister or my sister-in-law there this year!
















While filling the kitchen with sweet smells, we listened to Christmas music and talked about everything, of course. It was a cloudy, rainy, yet very, refreshingly cool day!















Just a photo of some of the fruits of our labor. I actually sent this plate to work with my husband. The only treat not pictured was the amazing toffee my mom made--I wasn't about to share any of that!! In fact, I ate the last piece today! YUM, YUM!

Just a little reminder--vote for my Holiday Cheer picture tomorrow!!! (Only if you think it is the best one, of course.) I could really use the prize $!

Christmas Decorating

Don't panic! It isn't December yet--still just the middle of November, but we are a little excited about putting up our decorations this year since we weren't able to at all last year. My mom has wonderful decorations, but it just isn't the same when they are not your own!! I usually like to wait until after Thanksgiving, but really, putting up decor a little at a time is a lot less stressful, at least for me anyway.
We even turned on some Christmas tunes, and Shiloh wanted to dance with Daddy. Oh that face--it's adorable!
Lincoln was in charge of putting on the very top part of the tree.
Daddy and Mullin check to see if the colored lights still work. Most of our white lights didn't. The ones that did, Mark decided to put on a tree outside.

Silly Shiloh. Lincoln calls her "Samanthaclaus". I have no idea why? She is cute whatever her name is, though!
Lincoln holds the chair still while Daddy strings the lights around our tree out front. Mullin helps with light hanging. What a team. Momma's inside giving Shiloh her bath.
That's it for now. Will post more as we continue the decorating process...

Shhh. All is calm. Christ has come.

He hasn't come to wage war on retailers. He hasn't come to battle Santa Claus or debate whether or not the fir tree is a pagan symbol. He hasn't come to argue with local governments over creches and menorahs in the public square.

The government, after all, is on His shoulders. He is ruler. He is Lord, and He has come to set his people free.

*Excerpt from Key Life article, "Come to the Quiet" by Nancy Kennedy.

Every now and then I need a gentle invitation to just relax, be still and focus on Him, especially during the holiday season when I am surrounded by nothing but hustle and bustle.

I am definitely no Scrooge. Although my hubby may disagree since I refuse to put our trees up and listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving!! Personally, I absolutely LOVE the Christmas season: the decorating, baking, shopping, presents, music, lights, wrapping and anything and everything else that goes along with Christmas!! Sometimes, though, I can get so "wrapped up" in all of the external stuff, that the stress creeps in or as in my case crashes in like a huge tidal wave. It can be easy to lose sight of what all this celebrating is about. It is Christ and that is it. I have to remind myself that Christmas would still be Christmas without all of that other stuff, even though I really enjoy all of that other stuff.

Peace to you as we enter this Holy holiday season!

Tickled Tastebuds

While grocery shopping this past weekend, I was confronted with a huge bin full of beautiful, red pomegranates. I couldn't resist buying one--they were just too pretty! I had never eaten one before, so I picked up one of the handy dandy pomegranate pamphlets displayed next to the bin. I have only drunk pomegranate juice, so I wasn't really sure how to go about eating one.

I decided to try it today, and oh my stars, my taste buds were pleasantly surprised!! I just ate the fresh arils by the spoonful! Even the boys liked them. If you have never eaten one, then please let me encourage you to do so!!!

I can't wait to buy more on my next trip to the market! I was getting so bored of eating the same old fruits day after day, but now I have a new fruit to add to my favorites! I hope to be able to try some of the recipes featured here sometime.

To all of you who have already discovered these tasty, crimson treats, how do you eat them and what kinds of recipes have you made?

Football With Dad

My First Cyber Tag

Well, I have been tagged by Heather, so here are my answers...
Since I am not home schooling today (Fall Break) I thought I would spend some time in Cyberspace!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I had been newly married for 4 months, and I was living in Memphis working as a nanny. I don't think I had started working at Memphis Family Chiropractic yet.

2. What was I doing 5 years ago?
Taking care of my 3 year old and an almost 9mo. old. I was involved in the MOMS ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church. I believe I had recently quit as a Creative Memories Consultant. If I would just look back at my albums I would probably be able to answer these questions more accurately!

3. What was I doing 1 year ago?
Well, exactly one year ago our family had just moved out to Arizona.

4. What was I doing yesterday?
Spending time with my out of town friend!

5. 5 snacks I enjoy:
Trail Mix
Flat Earth Fruit Crisps
M&Ms
Pumpkin Bread
Twizzlers

6. 5 things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million:
SCREAM!!!
Don't want to sound cheesy, but yes, I would definitely give to my church etc...
Help out family
Build my dream home
Travel

7. 5 locations I would like to run away to:
My mom's house
Pawpaw and Grandma's for next Christmas
Green Gables
Middle Earth
Heaven

8. 5 bad habits I have:
Eating sweets
Being discontent (Wishful Thinking)
Worrying and Stressing
Being too task oriented
Mood Swinging (thank goodness I only had to list 5 b/c I could keep going)

9. 5 things I like doing:
Reading
Shopping
Home Improvement
Blogging
Spending time with my family

10. 5 T.V. shows I like:
Design Remix
World's Most Extreme Homes
Decorating Cents
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader
That's So Raven

11. 5 things I hate doing
Ironing
Grocery Shopping with kids
Driving at night or to unfamiliar places
Going to the doctor/dentist
Pinching Pennies

12. 5 biggest joys of the moment
Mullin
Lincoln
Shiloh
Watching Mark lead worship
Being able to spend time with my mom

Okay, now I guess I am supposed to tag some other bloggers. I totally won't be offended if the tagged don't have extra time to do this.
(Sister, you really need to get a blog!)

Carrie
not up to code
Tbone
Ragamuffinwriter

Desperate

I like sweets, and the other day I got desperate. Looking in my fridge and in my pantry (didn't take long) I found a few items that I thought might work together. Here's what I found: Caramel Apple Dip, finely chopped walnuts, bag of coconut, and a few chocolate chips.
I melted the Caramel Apple dip, then stirred in the nuts and coconut, and finally, I topped it off with a handful of the chocolate chips. Ahhh, my tongue and tummy were pleasantly satisfied!! Oh, and it would make a great Breyer's Vanilla Bean ice-cream topping, too!

Also, I found a great alternative to eating M&M's while I read! ( I like to eat candy when I read--bad habit, since I read a lot!) Flat Earth Fruit Crisps are incredibly tasty!!! The Peach Mango and Berry are the best. I think I went through 3 bags while reading The Deathly Hallows.
I don't know if I would go as far as to say they are extremely healthy because I think they do contain hydrogenated oils. It's got to be better than chocolate, Milk Duds, Twizzlers, etc....
Anyway, give them a try-- I found them at Wal-Mart in the chip isle. The website has a coupon offer, too.

Dedicated to my fellow astronomy lovers...

I love astronomy, and I think these pictures are so neat!


How about a few fun facts about these planets...

Mercury--Even though it is the closest planet to the sun, without much of an atmosphere, it gets colder than a freezer at night. And night here lasts about 30 earth days!!

Venus--Hot!!!! This planet is the hottest planet in the whole solar system!

EARTH--"The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men" Psalm 115:16 A perfect design by a perfect creator!!

Mars--Even if there is evidence that water has been found on Mars, it doesn't mean life exists there! It is way too cold--the average temp on Mars is 81 degrees BELOW zero.

Pluto--Poor Pluto, he's lost his status as a planet.












Wow, just look at how tiny we are now!!

Jupiter--She is such a sweet, protective mother. God made her very massive so that her gravitational pull would keep comets and asteroids from hitting the earth. She takes the hits for us!! Thank you Jupiter!

Saturn--Ever wondered just how many beautiful rings she wears? Thousands!! I would have guessed like 6 or something.

Uranus--I think everyone already knows this is the sleepy planet--always lying on his side.

Neptune--Astronomers really believe it actually rains diamonds on this planet. Neat!













In July, here in Arizona, I am sure it's not going to feel like the sun is 93 million miles away!
Billions and Billions of years ago is just flat out Bologna! The sun is actually getting brighter every year due to thermonuclear fusion, so billions of years ago the sun would have been too dim to provide enough warmth for life to exist.


"He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them." Psalm 147:4

Arcturus is the third brightest star in the sky. The name stems from the ancient Greek, Arktouros, meaning Bear Guard. Another really cool thing is that this star is even mentioned, I believe, twice in the Bible. Both verses are found in Job, and chapter 9 verse 9 reads (King James version) "Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south." (My version refers to it as Bear) But anyway I thought that was cool. The other verse is Job 38:32 if you want to look it up.

Oh, and we all know Sirius is really just The Prisoner From Azkaban.

Isn't Betelguese some weird 80's movie? Antares is the brightest star in the constellation, Scorpius. Amazing to think that there is bigger stuff out there!!




We are not as big as we think we are!

God's creation overwhelms me and leaves me speechless!

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20


Thank you Tonja for sending these pictures to me!

Blackberry Green Tea Frappuccino

I found a new "fun drink"!!! Starbucks has a lot to offer for the uncoffee lover! Their Blackberry Green Tea Frappuccino is absolutely delightful. It is more like ice-cream. I can't wait to try the Green Tea Latte....

Question #3

Q: What is your favorite drink??
This question was inspired by the conversation I had with Tamra regarding the meaning of the term, "fun drink".


A: I love food, and I love drinks, too, especially when they are "fun"!
*My favorite HOT drinks are hot cocoa, especially the homemade kind topped with real whipped cream. My Christmas hot cocoa is even more fun when I add red or green sugar crystals on top of the whipped cream and a cute little candy cane. The kids just love it!
I also love the 2 different kinds of wassil I make during the fall and winter.
Vanilla Cremes and Caramel Apple Ciders from Starbuck's make fun treats as well. I do not like coffee.


*My favorite COLD drinks are anything FRUITY!!! Fruit Smoothies, Pina Coladas, Strawberry Daiquiris, any kind of punch, etc. For me alcohol would ruin my fruit drinks. I want to taste nothing but the pure sweetness of the FRUIT!!! As far as my everyday favorite drink, well, it would just be plain old semi sweet decaf Lusianne tea! Also, a real treat for me is buying "fun" bottled drinks from Wild Oats. I really like the Raspberry Green Tea Soda! Those Bare Naked fruit drinks are super yummy, too.
So, that is what I mean by Fun Drink!! I am sure I have more but can't think of any at this moment.