Divas Days!

I know this may sound crazy but I really do not like combining topics on the blog if they are big events BUT it is a crazy busy week and if I don’t post these I will be really behind and the blog being behind drives me crazy…  SO, you get a combo post! 

This past Fri nt Elleigh had her Fall School Dance.  I would have gone to the dance and taken pics BUT I guess that would not be cool!  I did manage to get a few before she left and I love them!  Lizzie reminds me so much of Ell as a little girl so I look at Lizzie and then I look at Elleigh and it blows my mind!!!  I mean Elleigh was JUST Lizzie’s age and now THIS!  Everyone at school thinks she is a DIVA and well she kinda is! I rolled her hair and that was so much fun for me!  I felt like she needed me!  I have to remind myself of that often with the little girls-one day they won’t think they need me… I am so proud of her!  I do think she is beautiful and I am proud of that but it is her inside beauty I am most proud of. 9!!! After this year we will have two children in the double digits and well, I don’t like the double digits!  We celebrated Sallie’s 9th Birthday yesterday!  Elleigh and I made cupcakes for her class.  I thought we did a good job for beginners.  Of course we have made cupcakes before but I made homeade icing and used tips to decorate, etc.  I loved these colors!  They are so bright and happy-just like our Sallie!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!  I am normally a wreck on her b-day.  Hard to explain but I just go through a lot of emotions.  Yesterday was a little different for me but I for sure had my moments.  I re-live her birth every yr and everything she has been through but I also am completely overwhelmed by where she is now and the nine years we have had with her and how happy she is and how she bring so much happiness to our home and to many other lives as well.  I am overwhelmed with by the goodness of our Lord and how much He cares for us.  Her class enjoying the cupcakes Lizzie and Millie in Sallie’s classroom.  They love to go to her school.  Lizzie CAN NOT wait to go to school.  Millie on the other hand is just fine staying with me! I am not sure of this boy’s name but I caught him lovin’ on Sall Sall Her class and teacher, Mrs. Davis.  The kids wanted to hold up the 9 cupcake toppers in the pic Sallie with Mrs. Fox who is over the special ed program.  She is GREAT!!! Sallie and her best friend Hanna! Mondays are long days.  Sallie has therapy an hour away so it is 8 or so before we get home.  After all her fun yesterday she was really exhausted but not too much for opening presents!  Here she is discovering her boots from Nanna and Grandy She loved her throw from the little girls Tearing into her package from Nonnie and crew.  Lizzie is looking to see if there is anything for her!  Love this dress! She LOVES clothes and is such a DIVA!  She was up at 5:20 this morning trying on her new clothes and shoes!  She meant she was wearing this scarf to school today!    This is SO Sallie and I LOVE IT!!!

Sallie’s party is this weekend so more pics to come!

Where Our Eggs Come From

This morning we took the little girls on a little field trip!  Mr. Larry, one of our church members brings us fresh eggs every Sunday.  We are spoiled by them and grocery store eggs just aren’t the same!  Mr. Larry is in Africa right now so A is tending his chickens and garden.  So, I thought it would be fun to go with him this morning so the girls could see Where Our Eggs Come From.  It was a cold morning but we enjoyed it!

On our drive out we saw the sun coming up   At the farmER as Millie says   “Daddy, you are hard to keep up with”    This is the side view of their house from the farm.  They have a beautiful home.  His wife is an amazing hostess and cook.   Millie filling the water feeders Lizzie’s turn   Larry farms with horses so this is some of his equipment    Daddy going in the chicken coop  Feeding Watching  They got brave enough to go in!  BUT as soon as the roosters started crowing they wanted out! Finally EGGS! Proud of their eggs!  Got to give this group of chickens water too.  They need water so we can get more EGGS!      A checking the garden  Front view of their house on our drive out Home and EGGS in the skillet!  The girls love fried eggs.    That was hard work and we needed a good warm breakfast!   They love their eggs “runny” and their favorite thing it to break the yoke and watch the yellow come out.  Excuse the chocolate milk faces!

Fall Festivities

Last Wednesday during our Awana time we had a Fall Fest.  The kids were to dress up as a Bible Character.  I wondered how many of them would actually dress up and all but a few took part. I emphasized over and over that they had to be in Bible Costumes and I was anxious to see how many really listened and believe it or not, none of them tried us!  They were really cute!

Our original plan was for Sallie and Millie to be angels and Lizzie to be Queen Esther.  However, I was sick last week and in charge of the Fall Fest so our Esther costume did not get made.  Maybe next year!  So, we changed to Mary which was much more simple.  Sometimes you just got to do what you got to do!  She loved the idea since she got to take “Baby Jesus” along. 

“Baby Jesus” needs a little covering up Mary!  I love this picture because it says so much.  This is during the costume contest.  This is the look Lizzie gets when she is in front of a crowd and Millie bites her finger nails when she gets nervous.  I also LOVE the way Millie is looking at Lizzie.  Precious! Someone told me Sallie was the prettiest angel they had ever seen.  I think she does make a pretty good angel!  She won first in her group.  Lizzie won 3rd in her group.  To the left is Miss Emma Kate.  How cute is she as Pharoah’s Daughter.  She and Lizzie and Millie are tight!  She is 2 so they are all a year apart.  Lots of fun trunk or treating The bounce house was the hit and A got to spend his night “manning” it.  He was perfect for the job!  We only had 1 mishap when the generator ran out of gas and it went down-with kids in it!  Scared me to death!  A and some of the other men quickly got them out and plugged it in and it was back up and good to go.  Whew….. Our sweet Mrs. Melba or “Melbie” as the girls started calling her when she stayed with them.  They also called her Nanna but don’t worry our real Nanna, it didn’t stick!  How cute is her set up?  She puts 200% into everything she does.  She loves working with the kids.  We love her! Millie with Mrs. Shirley.  For my family, does she not look like she could be a Hudson sister?  I have thought that from the first time I saw her.  She is much more mellow though! Ha!  She is such a hard worker and serves tirelessly.  She cleans the church and does a great job but she goes above and beyond.  She is wonderful to help me with Awana.  She does a lot of things very quietly. 

It was a great night and it is wonderful to see so many kids at our church.  The older crowd just loves to see all the kids!

On Friday Sallie’s school had a Costume Parade through the school.  Somehow I completely missed that they were doing this.  After Sallie was dressed, A said, “oh I saw Mrs. Davis last night and she said they were to wear their costumes to school for a costume parade”  What!?  Her angel costume was ready from Wed nt so we dressed up really quick.  Mrs. Davis who is Sallie’s gen. ed teacher and her first yr here said everyone assumes everyone knows because it is a tradition and forget some of us are new.  It all worked out.  Mrs. Davis is in the multicolored dress (as an 80’s girl).  She is great! The lady in the front of this pic in the black shirt is one of Sallie’s special ed teachers.  Sallie loves her too.  She dresses really cute and wears a lot of bling so Sallie is all about that! The parade Love this picture for a couple of reasons.  Look at the look on Sallie’s face!!!  This pretty much sums up how she feels about school!  Well, Sallie pretty much feels that way all the time (except in a medical setting).  Also, notice the little girl behind her holding her hand.  That brings tears to my eyes and a big smile all at the same time.  I have shared before how much Sallie is loved at school.  This little girl is Hanna and she and Sallie are very close.  I got an email from Hanna’s mom the other day (whom I do not know) telling me that Hanna was having a great year because of Sallie.  She said she cried all the time last year and hated school but this yr she could not wait to get there to see Sallie.  Praise you Lord!!!  Sallie came home last week doing moves to a cheer.  Hanna taught her that.  Instead of what we have gotten in the past when kids will say, “I dont want to play with her, she cant talk”  Yes, we have heard that.  Many, many times.  I cant explain that pain…  Hanna and many of the other girls have embraced her and not only accept her but love her and play with her!  I cant begin to express how happy that makes me!   

All the Fall Festivities are over and now it is NOVEMBER!  I am busy planning Sallie’s Birthday (more on that later) but let me tell you I am having the time of my life!  Soon it will be Thanksgiving which we love!  Not sure I am ready for Christmas yet but it will be here soon, ready or not!

Because I haven’t in a while and because they are too good not to share!

These are a few recipes I have been intending to share and have not so here they are:

This is a recipe I got from Supper Club, which I miss dearly :(   So I have been cooking it a while but don’t think I have ever shared the recipe and my family loves it and every time others eat it with us or I give the recipe to someone they love it as well.  It really doesn’t get any easier than this:

Chicken Taco Meat: 

1 bag boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can rotel

2 packets taco seasoning mix

fresh cilantro (optional)

Throw it all in the crock pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours.  I buy the bag of frozen chicken and I put it in frozen.  If the meat is not frozen I am sure it will cook in less time.  Also, you can cook on low for a longer period of time.  We love cilantro so I always chop some and throw it in and it gives it a great taste but that is a matter of taste.  Once done, take the meat out and shred.  Serve on soft or hard shells with all the fixins’  

 

A couple months ago some friends of ours from Seminary, the May’s came to spend the weekend with us and to speak at our church.  We had a great time and stayed up REALLY late talking!  Elizabeth was telling me about this recipe and so Elleigh and I had to try it out and OH.MY.WORD!!!  SO, SO GOOD!!!  Cream cheese and oreos-that has got to be good!

Oreo Truffles:

1 package oreo cookies (divided… use cookie including the cream center)
1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)
chocolate bark (white or milk or semi-sweet-whatever you prefer)

1. Finely crush 7 cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. Reserve for later.

2. Crush remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.

3. Roll the mixture into 1″ balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.

4.  Place in freezer until chilled before rolling

5. Melt chocolate as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. You can sprinkle the tops with the 7 crushed cookies for decoration.

6. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!

Makes about 36 truffles.

 

I make potato soup a good bit in the fall and winter.  It is a favorite around here.  I always make it from scratch and could not begin to tell you how much of anything I put in it!  Several weeks ago I ran across this recipe for potato soup and thought I would give it a try.  A and the girls prefer my potato soup over any other (except my mama’s which is the same for the most part-she has no idea how much of anything she puts in anything!)  I thought this recipe sounded like a quick and easy one.  It was really quick, easy, and good.  We all liked it.  I assured them this would not be replacing MY potato soup but a good recipe to use when you were short on time. 

Easy Potato Soup

4 cans (or 2 box cartons) Chicken Broth

1 Packet Country Gravy Mix

1 2lb. Bag of Cubed Hash browns

1/2 med. Onion (optional)

2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1. Simply whisk the broth and gravy mix together and bring to a boil.

2. Finely dice onion and add to mixture.

3. Then add the hash browns. Season with S & P to taste.

4. Bring to a boil and cook on med-high for 20+ minutes, or until hash browns are soft.

5. Then incorporate all of the cheese, and stir often so it does not stick to bottom of pan.

This soup is much “soupier” than my soup.  We thought it needed more potatoes.  Probably a bag and a half.  I think 2 bags would be too much.  But, if you like it really soupy then it is fine with 1 bag.  We garnished with crumbled bacon and I did not have any green onions but that would be really good. 

I thought the County Gravy Mix sounded strange but it really gives the soup a great flavor.  The gravy mix reminds me of another thing I do for a quick meal.  I brown 1 lb of sausage and drain.  I make 2 packets of the gravy mix (Pioneer brand is really good and you can use the sausage flavor or black pepper or just the country) and then I add the sausage to it.  Bake some biscuits while you are doing this and you have a quick, hot, tasty meal!  We really like breakfast for dinner in the fall and winter. 

Hope you enjoy some of these!  My sweet husband dug sweet potatoes today with one of the farmers in our church.  He leaves for Africa on Monday and needed them up before he left.  So, I have 2 five gallon buckets of sweet potatoes.  I love them!  Soon I might be posting some new sweet potato recipes because I may have to be looking for some new ways to prepare them!

Refresher!

Last yr near our anniversary A and I got away for a night and Nanna and Grandy came to keep the girls.  We decided then that if at all possible we would make it a priority to “get away” for a night or 2 every year.  It was so good for us (individually and as a couple).  So as the time approached this yr we had the big debate of who would keep the girls.  It is not worth it to us to get away if we cant get them off our mind and are worried about them.  We had about given up because we just couldn’t seem to work out anything with them.  Our sweet friend Mrs. Melba and I were talking several weeks back about our weekends and plans, etc and I told her we had planned to go out of town but were not sure.  A few days later she came to me and told me she wanted to keep the girls at our house for us to go.  The girls love her and since she offered I did not feel like I was burdening anyone.  

We went to the same place as last yr-Southlake which is one of our favorite places.  They have a really neat town center with a hotel there and you can walk everywhere.  It was especially nice this year because we live in the country and a little “civilization” as I call it is always nice.  I do love coming “home” to the country though!

A enjoying Starbucks of course!  OK, I enjoyed it too!!! Quick pic before Dinner on Sat nt The weather was really nasty on Sat.  We were able to walk around some on Sat morning.  It was really muggy and cloudy.  We ate lunch and were headed back to the room and we got stuck in a really bad thunderstorm.  We camped out in Crate & Barrell.  We both love that store but never buy anything.  We just spent a lot of time looking during the thunderstorm.  After the bad stuff was over we made our way back to the hotel and the rain had not slacked off as much as we thought and was blowing like crazy so we got drenched. 

We watched some football!  We love watching football with the girls but it was nice to watch a full game with no interruptions!    Took this shot outside as we walked to get a late night cup of coffee.  It was a wonderful refresher that could not have come at a better time.  The girls had a great time and they all survived (including Mrs. Melba).  I am thankful for someone like her to love on our kids and make them feel extra special and to give up her time for them (and us!)  I am thankful for a husband who wants to spend time with me, knows the importance of that time, and insists that we have our time.  I am thankful that it doesn’t matter to us what we are doing as long as we are together.   I am thankful that after 14 years of marriage I LOVE my time alone with him more than ever!!! 

I am thankful that the stomach bug Sallie has waited until we got home.  I am thankful for an amazing refresher before coming back to reality!  I am thankful for my reality too!

A lot of This and That

It’s been over a week since I posted so my head feels full! So, what’s been going on here? A lot of this and that!

Awana is finally settling down some. We are really excited about what God is doing through this ministry. It is a lot of work but well worth it when you hear those little kids saying their memory verses and on Sunday morning when you walk in the sanctuary and those kids and their parents are there. We appreciate your prayers as this ministry and the growth we are experiencing has led us to a place of decision making in many areas. Please pray as a church we make the decisions God would have us to make and that we are united in our decisions. It has been and continues to be very challenging in that many of our kids who are coming have varying issues at home. The Lord has really shown us all a lot through this. We are being forced to minister to the “not so easy to minister to” and for that I am grateful. I needed that reality check for sure. It is a big responsibility to know that we are quite possibly the only way these kids are ever introduced to Jesus. A couple of weeks ago a little girl was at check-in and one of our secretaries asked if she had her Bible. Her response was, “what is a Bible?” I was standing there and for the secretary and myself it was as though time stood still for a little bit. All we could do was look at each other. Yes, in rural Texas a 1st grader asked “what is a Bible?” There is much to do and it is our job as Christians to do it. It has all made me think about how we live in our own little worlds and have no idea what life is like for so many right around us. I am as guilty as anyone about saying “oh, they would make a great addition to our church” based on the fact that they appear to be a good Christian family while there are people in very unfortunate circumstances (whether they put themselves in those situations or not) who are headed for an eternity in hell and taking their kids with them. Now we need those “good Christian families” to help us to reach out to the lost world BUT we have to be willing to reach out to those not as “desirable” as well. Praise you God for opening my eyes! May I never forget what you have shown me… and may I always have a passion for sharing you with EVERYONE. We also have some special needs children and I am determined that whatever it takes we will minister to these children. Obviously I have a passion for children with special needs and I think too often they are left out at church. So, we are working through those issues one child at a time.

I have a video of Lizzie and Millie saying their memory verses but I can’t get it to upload. It is amazing how much they are learning and retaining. Here they are in their class listening to their Bible story. A couple of weeks ago we had Crazy Hair Night. 4 Hall Girls has some crazy hair! Sallie in the right corner. She is loving it! Mrs. Melba (love her crazy hair) is her leader and she is great with her. I love these dresses! I saw them at Target a while back and they did not have both their sizes and I just couldn’t bring myself to get one of them and not the other. So I was in a different Target last week and they had both sizes and were on CLEARANCE! Even more in love with the $10 cute dresses!!! Also love that it is trendy to put long sleeves under sleevless or short sleeve clothing which helps me to stretch their summer clothes. This is one of my favorite pics of Sallie! She is looking so grown up though… She is still loving school. We have been beyond satisfied with her teachers at school. There is a real love and concern for her well-being. I know it is all part of God’s plan for us being here.

This is a portion of an email I received from one of her special ed teachers:

Sallie loves the other kids and loves being with them! They are all sweet to her and really don't think of her much differently than anyone else, and they are fascinated with trying to learn a few signs to communicate with her. She is so independent, but loves to be part of the group and she is quick to follow along w/ what they are doing. I love watching her say the Pledge each morning - she just moves her mouth as if she knows every word and puts her hand on her heart and smiles the whole time. She smiles all the time in gym too. She loves running and playing tag - no fear - she is right in the middle of it all! The kids are careful around her, but not so much that she feels any different than any of the rest. I can tell the young coach that teaches our P.E. just loves her. (Coach Price) Of course, what coach wouldn't love her? - she has such a great attitude!

This is a portion of an email I received from her general ed teacher (last week she got a FM system for her BAHA):

Today was neat, she responded well to hearing my voice:) It was amazing actually. Ya'll are so blessed. I want you both to know that I specifically pray for each of my students in the morning and Sallie is covered in prayer.

I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to us that she is with teachers who love her and also take their time to share with us. Yes, we are so blessed by her. I wish it had not taken me so long to realize just how blessed we are!

We went for an appt last week and based on her test results we have the green light from her audiologist to move forward with implanting the BAHA. Now we have to get the green light from her ENT which will involve more testing and then on to battle insurance and then hopefully on to the 2 surgeries. Prayers appreciated!

Elleigh is liking school better. For the most part most of the people are nice to her. The drama drives her crazy! Some how she always seems to be the one that girls want to talk to about their drama! There was some drama when I was a teenager but nothing like there is now. Once again, just amazed at how mean most girls are and unfortunately it is often girls who call themselves Christians. I wish they could realize WHO they represent and also that they are affecting lives forever by their actions. We were discussing tonight how she found it easier to be friends with boys. I understand! After all, I married one of those friends (14 years ago TODAY!!!)

My days with Lizzie and Millie had gotten so much more pleasant until recently. Do not misunderstand! I love them dearly and I love my time with them BUT that does not mean it is always easy. I was just sharing with A about a month or so back how much they had changed and how our days were so much easier. I spoke too soon! Apparently the past couple of weeks we have entered a new phase and it is not pretty! I can’t take my eyes off them because they are constantly plotting and into something. Of course they share a room and bedtime has become a nightmare! They want to play and talk and not go to sleep which makes for whiny girls the next day! They are really into pitching fits right now which drives me crazy! Doing school with them is a challenge. They are just on different levels and that really frustrates Millie. I have hope that this too shall pass! By the end of the day I am just beat! I feel like I am living for bedtime! Wouldn’t trade this time for anything, just being real!

They are learning a lot at dance and enjoying it. Lizzie and Millie’s classes are back to back and because we live 10 minutes from town each way we stay in town during that time. Sometimes we run errands and sometimes we just sit in the car and I work on different things and the girls play or whatever. This was Mill yesterday. She is such a free spirit and this picture shows her true personality! She is really different than the other girls. She is just in her own world and really funny. She is so much fun to be around (most of the time!). However, sometimes our personalities clash! I find myself saying “Millie, concentrate” a lot! Lizzie loves Tap best Little Bitty Mill Mill!