Party Bacon

I make this every year for the TNT Christmas party.

Party Bacon

1 lb bacon

3 eggs

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 1/2 tsp dry mustard

3 1/2 tsp vinegar

1/2 box crackers (crushed)

Beat dry mixture in with eggs and vinegar. Dip bacon and roll in cracker crumbs. Cook on cookie sheet for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Decorating for Christmas

We were home for Thanksgiving this year and so we were excited to begin decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. Jared enjoys hitting the Black Friday deals. This year one of his the deals was a new Christmas tree. Kati Ann loved helping him put it up and helping me put on the ornaments. We had so much fun decorating together!

7 Months

I'm so far behind that I've neglected the 7 month post. Kie turned 7 months on November 27. He is saying "mama" alot. He loves to eat sweet potatoes, applesauce, bananas and pears. He tolerates carrots & squash. He has finally come around with the cereal and tolerates it some too but he doesn't just love it!

Kie is such a sweetie. He loves to laugh and watch Kati Ann. It is hard to imagine what our life was like before he came along.

Early Christmas Present

Christmas came a little early this year at our house. Jared & I had decided we wanted to get the kids a playset for Christmas. We had decided how much we wanted to spend and that meant we were going to have to get a used one. We searched Craigslist and finally found one that wasn't sold before we ever got to it. So on Thanksgiving day, Jared & I went and looked at it. It was well-used but with a little elbow grease we felt like it would work. So, we bought it.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we spent the day painting and putting together our "new" playset. Jared & I worked super hard while the kids napped to finish it up so that there was a little time to play on it. Unfortunately only one child woke up in time to play on it!! The other had a REALLY long nap!

KA worked hard to make her playset look nice!

Check out those "work/painting" clothes!

Fallen Off the Planet

I know you must think that I've fallen off the planet. Where I have I been? Well, since we got home from Texas on November 15th, I've been trying my best to keep up. I'm not sure what happened but I can't seem to get a handle on IT! We've been very busy with company and a staff retreat and I have lots to blog about so be ready! Here it comes!

A Honorary Member of the Girls' Club

While we were in Texas last week, it worked out for me to go on the annual shopping trip that the ladies in my family enjoy going on. I was very faithful to go before we moved to Alabama so it was such a treat for me to get to go. However, since I'm still nursing Kie, he went as a honorary member. We all agreed that though he was an angel...this would be his last trip! It is girls only!!

My VERY favorite girls in the world!

Shopping will wear you out!!

He had to have a little siesta along the way!

This little man was such a trooper!

He just had fun looking around and loving on all the girls!

A Cute 6 Month Old

Middle School Fall Retreat 2010

Every year since we've been in Huntsville, Kati Ann & I have gone to Fall Retreat with Jared. Here is the post from 2007 and 2008 (apparently I didn't blog about 2009). However, this year, with two kids, I decided it was just too much for me to do "alone" and decided we would just go visit for part of the day on Saturday. Kati Ann had so much fun with the "big kids". She told me she wanted to do it again. She is so comfortable with the students. She just gets right in the middle of them and doesn't feel the need to hang on to me. It is very fun to share in Jared's ministry as a family. It is a rare happening for us with me usually working at the same time as Jared so it is a special treat. It was fun to introduce Kie to this fun annual tradition.

Having fun!

Eating lunch with the "big kids"

My two favorite boys!

A Cinderella Story

One VERY excited little girl!

About 6 months ago, Kati Ann began telling me that Cinderella was going to come to her house. I don't know where she got the idea but every once in awhile she would bring it up again. So, when we found out that one of our sweet students, Abbie Worley, was dressing as Cinderella for Halloween, I asked her if she would come to our house as Cinderella for Kati Ann. She was supposed to come the week before Halloween but due to a tornado our plans changed and she wasn't able to come until after Halloween.

Kati Ann saw "Cinderella" at the Fall Festival and I had her invite Cinderella over. It was very sweet having her ask Cinderella to come play. Cinderella came over and played with Kati Ann for about 45 minutes. She brought her a Cinderella Christmas ornament and a Gigi's Princess cupcake. It was so sweet. Kati Ann loved playing and showing Cinderella all of her toys!

We are so blessed to have such sweet people in our lives that would love our children the way they do.

I told Jared as Abbie sat and played with her that there can't be too many little girls that have Cinderella actually come to their house and play!

putting together a Cinderella puzzle

playing Potato Heads & putting together Princess Potato!

Trick or Treat!

Our church puts on a fantastic Fall Festival every year. Of course the older Kati Ann gets the more she enjoys it! It was fun to dress both kids up in coordinating costumes as the Princess and the Frog. There was lots to do but the highlight was seeing Belle and Cinderella. Kati Ann was enamored by Cinderella. When we got home from the Fall Festival and had supper, Kati Ann thanked God that Belle and Cinderella were there! It was precious!

the best picture we could get with Kati Ann & her princesses!

Kati Ann & Kie with their friend, Reagan aka Snow White

playing on one of the inflatables!

Oh, Where is My Hairbrush?

It doesn't always happen but sometimes Jared will win something at a golf tournament that we all get to enjoy and this was one of those times. Jared won tickets to Veggie Tales LIVE at a Pastor's Golf Tournament. We went thinking we had general admission tickets but got there to find out with had "Gold Circle" tickets which put us on the 2nd row and gave us an opportunity to meet Bob & Larry after the show. It was lots of fun even if Kati Ann likes to call them "Tom & Jerry" instead of "Bob & Larry"!!

Meeting Bob & Larry after the show!

Scarecrow Party

Thursday was Kati Ann's first school party. Jared, Kie and I all came and ate lunch with Kati Ann, did a craft and got to hear her class perform songs for the parents. It was so fun to see her in her "world". She so enjoyed sharing it with us as well.

October 27-6 Months and MaMa's 1st Birthday with Jesus

This past Wednesday marked Kie's 6 month birthday! I can't believe that my "new" baby is 6 months old. He is such a joy to our lives. He has been teething this week so he hasn't been his usual happy self but still is such a sweetie.

At 6 months:

-he is sitting up on his own

-smiling at everyone and laughing

-starting solids for the first time (so far cereal isn't a favorite)

-using the "mmmm" sound (He said "Muh, Muh" and Kati Ann said that he said "Momma" so we're counting it)

-very attached to his momma...he'll deal with someone else but Momma is his preference.

.....................................................................................................

Wednesday was also my grandmother's 84th birthday but her first birthday with Jesus. I know that I am grieving my loss. I find myself thinking of things she would enjoy or telling Kati Ann something about MaMa (like that she could wiggle her ears)! Though I grieve my loss, I rejoice in her gain!

Bible Study

Since being in Huntsville, I've attended a Thursday morning Bible Study with my friend, Kim. However, this year with having a brand new baby, I just decided it was too much for me to try to fit in one more thing in my schedule (with a new baby and a ministry). I was really sad because I loved Thursday morning Bible Study. We've done some really good studies. So, I decided to do one on my own. I've done this before and enjoyed it but I wanted to share with you this particular study. I'm taking it REALLY slowly but have gotten so much out of it. Every time I sit down with it I felt like I've been to a revival service. God has really used this study in my life and I just wanted to point it out to anyone that might be looking for a study! This one is fantastic!

The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the Book for Me

Today was picture day at KA's preschool and I was trying to get a picture of Kati Ann in her outfit before she went to school but this is what she did when I tried to get her to take a picture. I didn't mind too much because this is what I got instead! (Please excuse the messy room...I have two small children, enough said) Good luck to that photographer today!!

Just Some Things I've been Thinking About

This post really has no significant purpose other than to share some things that I've been thinking about or experienced that are totally random:

1. So, every morning on my way to take Kati Ann to preschool, we see this woman walking her dog in a stroller. I mean, what? Are the dog's legs broken? Its a dog...let the dog walk!

2. The other day I was walking past the playground at KA's preschool (its right next to the house where Jared offices) and a bunch of 4 year olds were singing, "We all live in a yellow submarine!" at the top of their lungs. I thought that was Fantastic! I mean, they're four. Where do they get this stuff? If its from their preschool teacher, that teacher ROCKS!

3. I'm driving down the road and see a campaign sign to elect some person as Coroner. I thought to myself, "Is that really a position that is chosen by popularity? Shouldn't that be something that someone is hired based on their credentials and chosen by someone that actually understands what those credentials mean? How many people in the general public actually know what kind of credentials a Coroner should have?" Please feel free to enlighten me on this one. If there is some reason that we elect a Coroner that I'm missing please let me know.

There you go...just some thoughts that were crossing my mind!

Future Heirloom?

Jared & I had the most fun date last night. We went to a "couples" painting class. The class is designed for the general public and on couples nights you paint canvases that are meant to hang together. We had a really good time. After the evening was over, I thought about what those paintings might represent one day. I hope there comes a day when our children will be able to see these paintings hanging on the wall and know how much their parents love each other. They will remember how their daddy was always intentional about "dating" their momma. I hope these paintings will hang in one of their homes one day as a reminder of the love their parents shared that translated into a love for them. Maybe its wishful thinking to think these paintings will mean that much to them but that's what they will represent for me. I will hang them on our wall and as I walk by them be reminded how blessed I am to be married to my best friend and how together we are unfolding the story God has written for our lives!

Our painting (Jared's on the left, Bobi Ann's on the right)

The two of us in our smocks!

Tate Farms

It has admittedly been a rough week. This week was Fall Break in Huntsville which meant no preschool for Kati Ann and a real change in routine for us. On top of no preschool, illness hit our house HARD. Jared came down with what we believe was the flu and after a visit to the doctor he continued to seriously struggle. Kati Ann and I both have fought a yucky cough all week and quite frankly, its been a LONG week.

Jared was finally feeling much better today so we decided to check out Tate Farms about 45 minutes from our house. We've talked about going years past but I wanted to make sure Kati Ann was really ready to enjoy it and without a doubt, she was!! It was more fun! We all needed the outing. It was good for our spirits!

Chicken & Asparagus Bundles

I might or might not have blogged about this except for the fact that Jared told me before we ate that I should take a picture of this meal because it looked so good. I was actually not sure whether it would be as good as he hoped but it was so I decided to share. This is once again one of our meals from E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families. I tweaked it a bit but it was absolutely delicious!

Ingredients:

Asparagus spears, trimmed & lightly steamed (I steamed the asparagus but think it might be good to try it without steaming them first)

(1/3 c mayonnaise, 1 t dried tarragon, 1 1/2 t Dijon mustard (I used honey mustard), 1/2 t garlic salt, toothpicks)

3/4 lbs split chicken breast – sliced off the bone,

pounded thin, need 3 pieces (I just used chicken breasts)

4 oz bag Knorr creamy garlic shells

sliced bacon

1/2 package of raspberries

Instructions:

Mix mayo, tarragon, mustard & garlic salt & divide

evenly onto the center of each breast and roll up. Place 3

asparagus spears on top of each breast, wrap in bacon and secure w/ toothpicks.

Bake 30 min @ 350.

Make pasta according to package directions.

Wash and serve raspberries on the side.

My Bald Boys

I sat Kie on top of Jared & he leaned over, laid down and stayed this way for quite a while. So sweet!

Genesis 1:1 minus the "Genesis" Part

5 Month Stats

After going to the doctor & getting measured & vaccinated the results are in:

Length: 27'=75-90%

Weight: 17lbs 8oz=50-75%

Head Circumference: 18"=above 95%

5 Months Old

Happy 5 Month Old Birthday to Kie-Man! We go tomorrow to get shots and stats so we'll keep you posted!

My Favorite Days

Today was one of my favorite kind of days. It was a wonderful Saturday where no one had to be anywhere all day and the four of us got to spend the whole day together.

Kati Ann was up at 4 a.m. (that was not the highlight of the day) and couldn't go back to sleep. So, we were up and moving early. I had some things to drop off for a consignment sale and we had tickets to a pancake breakfast so we were out of the house by 6:40!

We first tried to drop the stuff off at the consignment sale but the line was ridiculous so we just headed to breakfast. We had pancakes & sausage and then headed to Lowe's to pick out Fall flowers.

It was forecasted to rain so we got home and tried to get as much done as we could before the rain. We got about 1/2 of it done before the rain. While it rained we went inside and just chilled. Jared grilled for lunch and then we all 4 went down for a nap.

Once we got up, we planted the rest of the flowers. We then all cleaned up and went and had mexican food! Tell me that doesn't sound like a wonderful day!

As you can see we are quite the crew, Kie is his jumper and Billie in the stroller while Kati Ann "helps" plant flowers

This is around the tree before we put any plants in there...Kie is quite a trooper!

I know we must be a real sight for our neighbors with a baby bouncing on the front sidewalk!

Around the tree after we added the flowers