Thankful Thursday

So it is offically Thursday.... even if it is 12:01 AM. I need to be in bed, but I am up monogramming. Here is this weeks installment of THANKFUL THURSDAY!

1) Diet Dr. Pepper.

This is more of an obession, but this week I have been super thankful for this beverage. Last week it was not on sale so I bought Diet Coke instead. It is just not as good. I miss old Faithful. Well my mom being the good mom she is bought me some Diet Dr. P to drink while we were up at the hospital with my dad. What treat. I cannot wait until we drink all that Diet Coke... until then!!!

2) The Bible

No I have a degree in Christian Education and I know how dumb this sounds... but truly I am so thankful for this book. It's relevance in our world today (5 more days till election day) can continue to keep us closer to our Maker... I love that he knows it all...even when I don't! Praise Him

3) Selah

I have mentioned this earlier this week but I am in love with this CD. IF you dont know this about me you know I am a sucker for hymns. You start talking hymns and I will walk write with you to the throne of Jesus. Well there are a lot of hymns on this CD that really speak to my life right now. (I am afraid that come Nov.1 this CD will take the back burner to my Christmas Music....Hello Mariah)

4) Starbucks..

not just the place but in particular their Carmel Apple Cider... enough said! It is just amazing!

5) Apple Butter...

So i have canned so many jars of apple butter this week it is just too unbelievable. Not only did I do it, but Eric got into it to... the way it makes your house smell will just warm your heart. I suggest that EVERYONE give it it a try... and you also feel like a good homemaker:) OR at least I did! Here is the recipe if you want to give it a try:)

Crock Pot Apple Butter {yields 5 pints}

16 peeled, cored & chopped apples {I used several varieties}
1 1/2 C white sugar
1 C light brown sugar
2 T cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t kosher salt
Place all ingredients in crock pot and stir so all apples are coated. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Reduce to LOW for 8 to 10 hours; stir occasionally.

Once the apples are a rich brown color and mash easily you can do one of two things. If you like your apple butter thick you can scoop the apple mixture into a mesh colander to drain off excess liquid before blending. If you like it thinner leave liquid in the mixture. If I had a hand-held blender I would have used it in the crock pot to blend the apples to a lovely "apple butter consistency". However, I don't have a hand-held blender.... so, I scooped several cups at a time into my blender and "pulsed" it a few times until I reached my desired consistency.

Now, if you'd like to can it {which I recommend} it's easy, you'll see:
1) wash and dry jars and lids
2) while you're filling your jars with your warm apple butter you should have your water bath heating up {I used this, purchased at any fine Walmart}
3) once the jars are filled, wipe the rims with a damp cloth and screw on the lid {but don't over tighten}
4) place jars in the water canning rack, lower into the canner, make sure they are covered with water by at least 1" & turn up heat
5) once you reach a boil, boil for 15 minutes
6) carefully remove jars from the canner and sit on a dry towel
7) sit and listen carefully.. "tink, tink, tink, tink...!" the jars will seal as they cool on the towel!
8) once the jars are completely cooled you can wipe the jars of any residue and store away

School Halloween Party!

So today John Hunter had his school Halloween party. We have fun gatherings the rest of the week, but today was so fun to watch him interact with his friends. Here are some funny stories from the day:

1) Luke had on his dino costume and I asked Luke, "what does a dino say?" He and JH both responed "ROARRRRR". So Luke's Mom asked John Hunter what a football player says. I have no idea what she was looking for, but she looked shocked when he responded, "Blue 42... Hut Hut Hike".

2) We went to visit Hallie in her room and he looked at her and said, "OH Hallie, you look cute."

3) he doesnt even know that dressing up equals candy... I have kept his treat bag still hidden!

Here are some fun pics from the day!!

I love your blog....

I am so excited because Sarah gave me the "I Love Your Blog" Award! :) Now I am supposed to answer these questions using only one word responses and then I get to tag a few others that I give pass the award onto! YAY~ Thank you, Sarah!

1. Where is your phone?: pocket

2. Where is your significant other?: work

3 .Your hair color?: blonde

4. Your Mother?: precious

5. Your Father?: hospital

6. Your favorite thing?: family

7. Your dream last night?: none

8. Your dream/goal?: adopt

9. The room your in?: office

10. Your hobby?: creating

11. Your fear?: spiders

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?: mommy

13. Where were you last night?: hospital

14. What you're not?: worker-bee

15. One of your wish-list items?: shoes

16. Where you grew up?: Kentucky

17. The last thing you ate?: Chicken Minis

18. What are you wearing?: hoodie

19. Your TV?: off

20. Your pet?: Tye/Deacon

21. Your computer?: Laptop

22. Your mood?: Overwhelmed

23. Missing someone?: friend

24. Your car?: Avatior

25. Something you're not wearing?: necklace

26. Favorite store?: Target

27. Your Summer?: fun

28. Love someone?: Hubby

29. Your favorite color?: Red

30. When was the last time you laughed?: today

31. Last time you cried?: Today

Thanks for tagging me.... heres who is tagged next: Whitney, Jen, and Emily!!!!

A mailbox treat

So today has kinda been a rough day.... so many reasons as to why, but one was my dad has knee surgery. Everything went well... but there is something about your parent going under that is unsettling.... or signing off on his DNR and such:)

all that to say we have been in and out of the hospital all day. So when I got home tonight I was looking at my email and I saw this....



Could you imgaine anything more cute hangin on my wall!!! Allison has truly outdone herself. I mean is she not amazing!!!!

Thanks girl! This brightened my day more than you will ever know!! So now i am sitting at home in front of the fire, watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, sipping cider and waiting on my husband to get home from work. Wow what a good evening:)

Parted Waters

Life has been so crazy lately. It seems when life is crazy the WORD is the place you are "supposed" to go. And I am not discounting that at all... actually I have camped a lot in Exodus, but really I find a lot of peace is music.

I recently pulled out some old faithful cd's and find some quite rest in the music. I just want you to read these words and let them rest up on your heart!

Part The Waters/I Need Thee Every Hour
Part the Waters

When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord
When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea
When I cry for help, oh, hear me, Lord and hold out Your hand
Touch my life
Still the raging storm in me

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

Some times in life I need the waters to part. But as I was reading in Exodus today so did Moses. When Pharaoh's army was coming upon them, the Israelites were still fearful. Moses called on God, and at just the right time he parted the waters. God's timing never seems to be my timing.

Yesterday I had a pity party... I would have loved to invite all of you... but no one would have wanted to come. To the point that I did not get out of my bed until 4:30 PM. I recall at one point eating the bag of chocolate donuts in bed straight out of the bag.

Sometimes I validate the reasons I feel sorry for myself. But in all the self pity I never once looked for parted waters. So today I woke up (not until 9... thank you husband) and pulled myself up by the boot straps and started looking for parted waters. There were tears, pain, and hope. It seems that when we look for the parted waters... hope comes. So as I sit in bed this sunday I encourage each of you to find parted waters... where ever your flood my be!

A week in Review

We had a great week with Nana and Big Daddy Here. We did lots of fun things and most importantly they got to spend some fun time with John Hunter. It was so good to see them and we look forward to their return visit in just a few weeks for Thanksgiving:P Oh and Aunt Sarah is coming then too:)

Here are some snapshots of our fun time together:)

We made snacks for John Hunter's class. Colby Jack Cheese shaped liked 2's and marshmellow sticks covered in sprinkles.



We opened gifts on his actual birthday. He got an awesome Vikings Chair from Pa and Ta, and a Vikings uniform from Nana and Big Daddy. He is becoming a true Vikings fan.



Saturday morning we got up EARLY and went to Breakfast with the Works at Keeneland. It was super fun, but still super Early. He loved the horses.

here we all are, but Gigi is taking the picture, so you can't see her:)

here are daddy and John Hunter looking at the horses

so early the sun is not even up.

Yesterday after everyone left we had a PJ day... we stayed in our jammies all day long. Here is JOhn Hunter coloring on his new pro doodle that Aunt Sarah, Aunt Anna, and Uncle Ben got him... he loves this thing:)


We have Open House at school tonight and not too much going on this week. We are looking forward to spending time in the fall weather and just hanging out together...

Thankful Thursday

So on this rainy Thursday I have several things to be thankful for!

The first is my bed...

lack of sleep does not even come close to describing my current state. I have not been sleeping well at all. On Tuesday night I went to bed at 4 AM and the alarm went off at 5:30 to take Eric to the airport. So my bed is where I reside at this moment.PS... i feel the need to tell you that this is not my bed or bedding, but during my sleepless nights I fell in love with this from Pottery Barn

My mom's embroidery machine...

as many of you know this has become a business for me. I worked yesterday from 9:00 AM until 11:45 PM with only a stop for lunch and dinner. The saddest thing is I am still NOT caught up. Although I am so much closer than before. I am so thankful for my parents willingness to let me come "work". All that working didn't help my lack of sleep but I will get caught up. (SIDE NOTE... I am also thankful for my inlaws who took care of John Hunter ALL day.... I mean i saw him for a total of 30 min.)

Saul Good...

Tonight I am going here with the girls from my Bible Study. I kinda feel like it is a first date because I don't go out with just the girls and no kiddos often. What a treat. John Hunter is staying here with Nana and Big Daddy and then I will go pick up Eric from the airport. I am thankful for these girls and good food!

Miss Patty Cake Christmas....

No one lie here. You know you are thrilled Miss Patty Cake has a Christmas movie. I mean who cares that you will have to listen to it 1 MILLION times between now and the birth of our LORD.... hey whatever makes them happy. And it our case Miss Pat Pat does the trick!

John Hunter's Second Birthday

Today we celebrated John Hunter's second birthday. We had a football party and we cheered on the Vikings to a victory! Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us. John Hunter had such a fun time.







Last night we decorated the house so when he woke up this morning he was so excited to see all the footballs. Granddad and I did the cake and it was a huge hit(not to mention that there is a lot left over).




The kiddos had a great time playing in the bounce house, balling ball, and just being kids. It is really hard to believe that my baby is 2. He is such a big boy and a great addition to our family! We love him so much and Eric and I were saying today how we could not imagine our lives without him.


Happy Birthday John Hunter... we love you!

Here are some pictures from the party!

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin patch with Jen, Carson, and Baby Brady along with Jen's friend Shannon and her little on Conner. The pumpkin patch was a huge hit. I made Ivy and John Hunter coordinating outfits... of course. And then I acessorized with glasses, a belt, and hairbow.... how fun are little girls. I love that Ivy girl.


We had a great time and got some wonderful pictures. Carson and John Hunter had a great time running and playing "socks" or cornhole as adults call it. And Ivy looked so cute no matter where she went. Brady was perfect and even let me put him in the wagon to get some good photos. Conner was a sweetheart and so cute.



We ate lunch, played with the pumpkins, and I really wanted to go down the slide but the school fieldtrips made that a little difficult. We are going to have to go another time.

Thanks for a fun day...

Thankful Thursday....

I am stealing this idea from Sarah;s blog.... So every, or hopefully every Thursday I will list the things I am THANKFUL for today!

1) The pumpkin patch.


I will post more on this later, but here is some fun from the pumpkin patch today.

2) My husband

He works really hard for us and Thursday's are his late day. He has been working a lot lately and I know he does it to provide for JH and I, and I really appreciate all that he does.(Also cause he just left for the store to get some ice cream for me!!!)

3) Rowenta Iron

So along with a new puppy comes some things getting destroyed. Our iron was one of those. In the wake of the broken iron I gave up ironing... which was not that hard. However yesterday the forementioned wonderful man "GENTLY" reminded me that he had to have a shirt to wear everyday. So last night i went and borrowed my parents iron. It is WONDERFUL. I did iron until 2 am this morning but i still thought the iron was amazing, or maybe i was just sleep deprived.


4) Jumper Cables

My parents came home from the trip tonight and took little man and I to dinner while Eric worked late. On the way home we stopped at the store and when we went to leave... my car would not start. So sweet man which jumper cables helped this sister out I could not have been more appreciative.