10 years...

My first baby girl is ten years old today and I'm in Africa unable to celebrate with her.  So I wrote this post before I left so that she could read it on her birthday.

It seems too hard to believe that you have been in my life for 10 years and yet I can't remember life without you.   I was soo stinkin happy when I found out I was pregnant.

 I was so excited to know you.  When they said it's a girl.... I think my heart nearly burst.  My very own little girl to love.

As you grew into a toddler, you made us laugh when you would bite your toys when you were angry.. You only bit a person once though.  Your dad yelled so loud at the shock of it all, I think you never wanted to do that again.  

At age 2, you were a great talker and we have videos of you talking and talking and talking.  We used to call you sweetie pie and you would get so mad if someone called you a different nickname.  Gramma used to call you sugar plum and you would say "I not a sugar plum, I a sweetie pie" in a very frustrated voice.

At age 3, you were eager to learn.. you already knew all your letters, colours and shapes.  You were a wonderful big sister to "T". You had Daddy wrapped right around your finger too!

At age 4, we started dealing with your melt downs.  It was almost as though you had too many emotions inside you and didn't know how to let them out so you just melted down.  You were so sweet though most of the time.

When you were 5, you had two little brothers looking up to you... You were soo girly.  Loved purple and anything else girly.

At age 6, you were a social butterfly.  You had so many friends, loved your brothers, and just loved life.

When you were 7, you finally had that baby sister you always longed for.  And did you ever love that baby.  She was like your own living doll.

Age 8 and  you still acted like a second mama for Sweet Pea.  You were kind and loving to your brothers and sister.... well most of the time.

At 9 you have grown into such a beautiful young lady.  You have such a tenderness about you.  You are so caring.

 Now you are 10, I am so amazed at the girl you are becoming.  You are sweet, smart, kind and generous.  Your heart is truly good.  You fill our lives and everyone around you with laughter and joy.  

Laughter.... I love your laugh.  It fills the room and when you are really laughing hard, your giggle makes it really hard not to laugh along with you.

I love you so much.  I wish that I was there to celebrate this special birthday with you. I am thankful that you support me in going on this trip even though it meant I had to miss your birthday.   My wish for you on your birthday is that you continue to grow into that kind, generous wonderful young lady that you are. That you are happy and know that you are loved so much.

I love you beautiful girl and I miss you.

It's a long hard night.

Hey all. I can't believe how fast time has flown by but I leave for Africa TOMORROW!

As much as I tried to prepare the kids for my departure, I think it has become very real to them tonight. Well, I don't know if Sweet Pea truly understands but tonight when we were talking about it she said "but you will come in a week?"

Currently I'm writing this post on my phone in "I's" bed. He was pretty hysterical tonight and he wanted me to lay with him to help him go to sleep. He never asks me to do that and I was happy for the extra snuggles. "J" just came in though and said "what about my snuggles??"

He wasn't crying at this point though. The flash was bright for his eyes.

If you think about it, pray for my loves in the coming weeks and especially tomorrow. There hasn't been a day in their whole lives where they didn't see me and now I'm going to be gone of over 2 weeks.

Pray for my husband too. I am pretty sure he will do a better job at being"mom" than I do but I know it will be stressful especially dealing with sad kiddos.

Pray for all our safety, me while in Africa and in my travels and them as they continue their routine at home.

Lastly pray that God will use my time away to his glory.

Well I think Isaac is asleep so it's on to snuggle and probably comfort another kid. I love them.

And the winner is!!!!

Okay so I"m so super late.  When I set the deadline for my giveaway I didn't realize that the day I set was the busiest day of my entire year and then I forgot.  haha.. but since no one commented on the post anyway no biggie.

However 2 people did share my blog on facebook so that earned them entries.   I just wrote down the two names, crumpled them in to a ball and had "J" pick a winner... the winner is Holly Ryder!!!   Send me your address and I'll get the book sent to you!

Juliette's chocolate chip oatmeal cookies!

Today I made my friend Juliette's almost famous chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. This recipe has been circulating through a small group of friends. I never actually made this recipe but when someone posted again on Facebook I thought I had better try it. Today was a perfect day. One kid not feeling well. Dreary day. So we baked some cookies and sat down to make some Christmas wish lists from the sears catalogs.

Unfortunately I forgot that this recipe does not fit in my kitchen aid. Therefore I dirtied more bowls than I wanted. Oh well. The cookies more than make up for the effort!

Here is the recipe for these wonderful cookies

Juliette’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Cream together:
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

In a separate bowl sift together:
4 cups flour
5 cups oatmeal (blended in a food processor or blender, I use a food processor)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda

Sift together dry ingredients, then mix with creamed mixture.

Add:
24 ounces of chocolate chips
3 cups chopped nuts (if desired, or raisins.)

Bake at 375 for approximately 12 min until golden brown

Kiddo's working on their christmas wish lists and enjoying cookies

Be-tween You and God. Book review and Giveaway!!!!

Recently I had the opportunity to review an excellent book. Tyndale publishing has sent me another book for review.  They don't require that I give them a positive review in exchange for the book.  I enjoyed reviewing this book because I got to share it with "J".  

This book is a one year devotional devoted entirely to girls ages 9-14.  With "J"turning 10 in 2 weeks, she fits perfectly into this bracket.  Each devotion is only one page long which is great because it is not overwhelming for her.  At the top of the page there is a question which leads to the topic of the devotional.  For example today's question was "Dear God, My older teenage sister says mean things, including that she hates me.  She never wants to be with me. What should I do?"  It then has 3-5 paragraphs talking about that question.  It also has a bible verse and a question to make her think.

I really love this book.  When I first gave it to her, she sat down immediately and read that day's devotion.  It definitely made her think about the topic more closely and made her want to read her bible more.  The one thing that I don't like about this book is that some of the topics don't apply to her very well at this point in her life.  But I'm sure as she grows and experiences more, she will remember these devotions and maybe even look back on them.  She keeps the book up in her bed and I'm excited to have her reading these devotions every night.

I asked her what she thought of the book.  This is what she said "I really like the book.  I like the bible verses at the bottom of the page and how the author explains things."

Tyndale has offered me the chance to give away a copy of this book to one of my readers soooo if you have a daughter/granddaughter or know a little girl that you think would enjoy this book, leave me a comment!  I'll leave it open for a few days. I'll have "J" draw a name out of a hat of all the commenter's to pick the winner on Thursday  after she is done of her school work   So considering she is usually finished school around lunch time, you have until Thursday at 11:30 to comment.  Oh to make it interesting, lets answer a question.  What is your favorite book/devotional?  

Edited to add.  If you have difficulty commenting on this post, if you share this blog post on facebook and tag me in it  I'll consider that an entry!!

Fun news!

So I am sitting here watching my boy in his karate class. By the way I have noticed that he is super focused this year which is awesome!

Anyway I thought I would write and tell anyone that reads this blog that I just got word that I will be able to offer my very first giveaway! It will be sometime in october for one very lucky reader Very exciting times. Unfortunately I have no idea who reads this blog because I hardly have any comments. Soooo if you read could you please comment. I'm not sure how I will work this give away but I'll figure it out! I'm very excited about it.

Soo. Stay tuned in october!!! In the meantime, here's an awesome picture of my awesome son mid kick!

Fun filled day

Today my friend Holly and I did a kid swap. She watched my Monster boy and sweet pea while I took her two girlies with my two oldest to the Anne of Green Gables musical with another friend and her girl. It was a very good play and we had a lot of fun. Some of these antics happened....

This evening I had a great evening with some ladies in my church.

As I came home, "T" stopped me as I walked past his opened window and he says "I want to ask you a riddle. What falls every day but never breaks?" I gave him a couple of guesses and then I said "I give up what is the answer?". He says "I have no idea, I'm just trying to figure it out!". Haha. What a silly boy.

I'm feeling very blessed today. I have a wonderful family and wonderful friends.

I'm six weeks minus one day away from leaving for Africa. I shared tonight that every time I think about it, I get butterflies in my stomach. It's not that I'm nervous about going to Africa but that I'm nervous about leaving my family. Although I know and am reminded all the time that they will be well taken care of. I still worry. My very wise friend Darcia said that from what she has seen with the fundraisers the kids have done, they are not only okay with my leaving but they support me. I felt very encouraged by that so Darcia if you are reading this..... Thank you!!!