So soon?

Isn't this a great picture? Chelsea and two of her sweet little friends who will be flower girls in the wedding, Miss Maggie and Miss Anna Kate:) Hard to believe it is just a little over two weeks until Chelsea and Bo's wedding. I laughed last night as John and I were talking about "BW" and "AW"...before wedding and after wedding. Most things are on hold as we strive to accomplish all we need to do in the last two weeks.

Last night I was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner. We had homemade lasagna (not something I do often...just cost is way too much) for John's birthday. I sent my currently not helping with chores girls on to their rooms and asked Sarah to help out. She acted like I was joking and then she complained of her stomach and then she went to bed. I sighed and told Scott (and still visiting with dad John) that when people said, "I sure bet you are going to miss Chelsea!" they were terribly right. I am. I'm going to miss one of my only children who works totally independently and is always helping. I am going to miss my sweet daughter who will cook, serve and clean-up without complaint. I am going to miss that friendship, because we are at the point in life where I love the person she is so very much. Chelsea is a joy, no doubt about it!

But, she is so deserving of her own life. So deserving of love and a family of her own. I have no doubt that she and Bo will be so very happy together. They love one another so much and they have such great respect for each other. HUGE. Just HUGE in my opinion.

I am going to selfishly miss her...and I am going to unselfishly be so happy for my precious daughter as she begins her life with Bo:)

Happy 17th Birthday John!!

Today in John's 17th birthday! Good grief time flies by:) Good times. John is one of my neatest kids. I remind myself of Dr Lipe who says whatever book in the Bible he is currently studying.... it's his favorite. I do that with my kids, I have great kids, and today is about John:) I could not be prouder of this great young man!!! Yikes, that might be an exaggeration...IF he cleaned his room occasionally I might be a smidgen prouder..lol:) Happy Birthday:)

What's your tune?

Henry David Thoreau said:

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured and far away."

In my house the drummer sure does have a time keeping pace for this group. Each to his own rhythm. I really hope each child is keeping to his/her own beat. I think otherwise a person is not living "their" life, they're simply following another. God made each of my children unique and each special, no two alike.

I love when Thoreau also says:

"Friends do not live in harmony, merely, as some say, but in melody."

I tell myself fairly often, as I listen to the melody in my home, to always accept and respect the blending of different notes.

It made me think of the memorial service I watched for Derek Loux. I have been a reader of Derek and Renee's blog for a very long time. Such incredible hearts for the Lord and adoption...faith in action! At the memorial service (about an hour into it) Renee spoke of their time together as a family every morning. She said Derek would pass out instruments to each of their 10 children and they would play. She smiled as she said that Derek's guitar was the only instrument in tune, but that God loved the music of each child. That's beautiful! More importantly, it's true. My children are not usually playing instruments, but he melody of their lives is joyful to my Lord.

This morning I took the above picture. My Tasha, tomboy extraordinaire, instigator of all mischievousness, the picture of hardheadedness, left the house with a bow in her hair. She is so funny (certianly to me).

She walked into the kitchen this morning and stated, "I'm wearing a bow in my hair today."

I looked up and said "A bow?" That is a sure fire clue that Tasha NEVER wears bows (she used to cry when she was little and I "made" her wear them).

She said, "Yep, a purple one."

I smiled, " A little girls bow?"

Again she replied, "Yep"

She smiled and nearly skipped off. I stood there nearly laughing. You have to wonder what tune she is hearing today?

Then I heard the tune....

Bella said, "You CANNOT wear that bow to school!!"

And all was made clear....

Tasha simply smiled at Bella's fussing. When I asked her for a picture she stopped and was smiled perfectly, no whining...

In the background, "That is silly. I can't believe you would do that....." The comments went on and on from Miss Bella.

The tune? It sounded remarkably like one that went I can do whatever I want to do. Now that tune is very near and dear to my Tasha:) Again as I looked at Tasha's smiling face with her sweet "bow" and listened to Bella's voice I wanted to laugh. I have to smile at that goofy hardheaded child for tomorrow I will not likely find her next "incentive" nearly as funny.

I love uniqueness, I love silly, I love the confidence....and Tasha certainly is full of all three! It will be interesting to see if that purple bow is still there this afternoon...lol...my bet would say yes.

lol...reality:)

What's a W2?

Those are the words Caleb replied to me when I told him dad needed a copy of his W2 to take to the accountant. You know, there is so much in life we never really plan on...and Caleb? He really did not plan on taxes. But we can find comfort in know that the government doesn't care...they will find him! Already have. Now if he can just find that W2. lol:)

Hatfields and McCoys

Paden and my little kids have an on going war...snow seems to be the instigator. Although they really don't have to have a reason to be teasing and carrying on! Today Paden and Sarah drove back from Henderson. The back of Paden's truck was full of snow (they had so much more than we did) and he stopped down the road to make snowballs. When they arrived at the house they called and asked the little kids to come help carry in "groceries". My skeptical but game kids all ran outside and war commenced. They loved it! So, my kids got to have a snow ball fight with imported snow, thanks to Paden:)

Chowder

My kids call it all kinds of names...crowder, chowder, soup, good stuff...no matter the name this is some of the best "stuff" you'll ever eat. Number one on my "comfort food" list. I decided to share it:)

The only picture I have is of the humble beginnings. Scott and Bo,, having seen the end result, both questioned these "humble beginnings". Many people (Scott and Bo included) do not "like" some of the pictured beginnings..but love the end result. Kinda like secret ingredients:)

Chowder

4 cups chicken (about 4 chicken breasts)
*I use canned chicken sometimes, it really does well with this recipe.

saute:
1 cup melted butter
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped onion (red or white or a combination of both)
1 cup chopped carrot

In a seperate bowl mix together the following:
4 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of plain flour
*when blended well, put in a Big pot(this is a large recipe...so lots of extra to share ......or eat) then you can add the above and begin adding the ingredients below.

Begin adding:
4 cups milk
2 cups half and half
2 cups whipping cream
3 cans whole kernel corn (drained well)
3 cans cream of mushroom soup
3 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans rotel
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 T chopped garlic

Just cook over medium heat until warm/hot. Stir often:)

Garnish with cheddar cheese, bacon bit, and/or green onion

Enjoy:)

Loving Lazy Days...

I think everyone needs lazy days to find themselves:) Looking back I loved the days when my children we all babies and I was stuck at home. There is a peace that comes on days like that. We are all home due to the ice and I stopped this morning to just take a deep breath and enjoy my people.


Some are having issues...much like my sweet faced Tori. Her daddy took her to Wal-Mart last night (you know..otherwise known as the land of milk and honey). She came home with a "beautiful" necklace and earing set. Of course she immeidately put it on and wore it ALL night. This morning she said, "Mom, my neck is itching". hummm...apparently daddy allowed a small investment in the land of milk and honey...no big investment...lol. So we removed the necklace and talked about the effects of some jewelery and and our skin. Moderation will likely improve the rash.


These beautiful flowers were also from the land of milk and honey...I am so very glad I do not have allergies...it would be so sad! I love flowers, love having them in the house. These were delivered by a very special delivery boy(Ryan) who helped Dad get them home safely:)


Of course I have people who are doing the things they love the most today.....Michael is eagerly awaiting Jacob to go to "the woods" with:) I am always thankful for persoanlities and unique spirits. I am also thankful for big brothers who have like spirits so mom does not have to sit in the woods (in the wet and cold) watching for little animals.


I am also thankful for brothers who introduded fun "inside" games like the one Seth loves to play on "inside days". I really do not have any little boys who would rather be playing a game inside than be outside. But when outside is not an option...on lazy days...this is lots of fun!

Some people are just funny. My Tasha is one of those people. Who else makes eating cereal silly??

And my favorite? Scott and Ryan....Last night the little boys had a slumber party in Seth's room. Scott was laying in the sun on the matterss (the boys pulled into the room last night) talking and playing with the boys ...Ryan joined him. These moments I LOVE to capture. I sure do love my family!!