The End of September

Well the end of September is near! Our trip is over! It was so quick! We got to see almost everyone and spent way too much time in the car! I'll be happy not to do that anytime again soon! It was in the 90's in Texas and today it's in the 70's. I much prefer the 70's! I'm going to a MOPS meeting tonight! I'm really excited about this group of women! More so that I don't have to plan or organize anything!! Yea! Sometimes it's nice just to join a group and not do anything but go!!

Jenny---I'm praying for Papa-I saw your Dad's blog this morning-I'm so disappointed I didn't get to see him-can you email me his address? And I'm going to a Mark Schultz concert on Friday! I'll think of you!

Fall is Here!

I love Fall! It's my favorite time of year! Hot apple cider. Pumpkin bread. Picking Apples (which we did on Saturday and the kids had a blast!) Football Games (High School and Sunday Afternoon!) Tomorrow we leave for a 7 day trip to Houston, Tyler, Van Alstyne, Tulsa, and a couple other places thrown in. We're going down for a wedding and seeing some relatives we haven't seen for a few years. Can't wait!

Recovering

Well I am officially recovering. I am on a new medication that seems to be working very well. The problem has not gone away so we are still doing tests, but it is manageable for the time being. So thank you for all of your prayers!! The weather has been so cool here! I love it!! Fall is my favorite time of year! To me there is nothing like it!! The pictures are when the Jackson's came up for vacation and we had a little bit of a sleepover!

A week's recap

Just a family picture we took at Richard's police graduation! Yes I know it's old, but I'm just getting the hang of this picture thing!!
Last week really started off with a bang! As you know Ashlyn went to Kindergarten! She was just precious and so excited! I'll upload a picture later! It was also our 7 year anniversary on that day, as well as I had been having severe migraines up until that point. That day marked day 6. So I dropped Ashlyn off saw the Dr(who immediately gave me an RX and scheduled tests) and then went to pick up Ashlyn! She had a great first day! When I asked her how it was---her reply, " Moommmm, they didn't teach me to read!!" So of course I told her that she had to wait until they knew her name! She's been very emotional about this since she reads small words so well, but thinks she needs to read everything! So we get home, Richard takes off early from work to celebrate our anniversary, and I proceed to get very very ill. Husband takes wife to the ER where wife spends next four days on and off Morphine (not a good thing by any means) and finally gets to come home. Prognosis, still undecided, so wife gets to go to the Dr every other day for blood draws and medication reviews. So, as of today this is day 16 with migraine but I am on medication and I did have two days on Monday and Tuesday with no pain!!!! So keep me in your thoughts as I deal with this. Not because I can't deal with the pain, it's annoying and obviously painful, but that I remain patient and loving with my family. Loud noises really hurt and since I have three small children, well I don't need to go any further with that!!

Braden/TEST

Braden

Braden

This is the Birthday Boy!!

Special Birthday Blessings

Our little guy turned one on Friday! I know I say it over and over, but I can't believe how quickly he's grown. He's got the most charming personality. He's a wonderful child. So content in whatever situation and he loves to snuggle. That's my kind of lovin'!! He loved his birthday cake, so much in fact he cried hysterically when we took his plate away!! Because of all the storms and chaos, we haven't had his birthday party yet, so that will probably take place next week sometime. Special Blessings to you sweet boy on your happy day!! May you continue to be blessed and may you rest in the love of your family, friends, and your Lord. We love you!!

The Post Storms Update

Well, we've officially recovered. Well almost. The church is still without power so there's no daycare so I've had to get home babysitting for a few days. Not a big deal since it's my brother's girlfriend, but just the same the kids are at home :) Our boil order has been lifted and most of the people I know in the north part of the county now have power. Our hotel has ended but now we are cooking meals for people who had to throw out all their food. So, what a summer!! My sister flew up for the weekend, but not a lot to do, since everything was pretty much closed. We had a great time hanging out and catching up! So tonight, my husband is taking me out to dinner. And the kids too of course. We are driving out of state to go eat some great Italian! (It's really only 25 minutes) Thanks to all of you who prayed for us and for thinking of us. It's really been a time of reflection for Richard and I and how selfishly we rely on things so materialistic. As well as this has been a great lesson for the kids. Love and miss all of you!

Can't Find Water

Well we're okay, but I'm having the hardest time finding water! Who would have though that it would be hard to buy water? We have power so we still have A/C, but two houses down is where the line is for no power. We've been very fortunate. Anyway, I have to run open the Wiginton Hotel! Love you all!

Back to Normalcy

Well after an amazing week we are back to normal. Or what our little family calls normal. Great friends came to see us for a whole week! We loved every minute of our time together. We got to go eat at great places, the zoo, the Magic House, a Cardinals Game, catch a movie, play with the kids at the playground, etc. Too many things to try and name them all. I so wish I could have pushed pause on so many occasions. I am definitely looking forward to the next visit! Is it too early to start planning one?

Random

This blog is going to be very random! Sorry if it confuses you, but I sometimes forget or don't have time to blog about everything I want to, so I'll just summarize and save myself!!

Braden has two teeth! Yea!! He's 10 months old and finally has teeth! They are so cute. Like little chicklets!

Church had a musical and we loved it. We saw it twice and can't wait to get our copy on DVD or as Carter says, "DBDBD"
During the musical which was "Fiddling on the Ark", Carter says, (outloud for those rows all around us to hear)"that is NOT Nowah! Ms. Wanda said he's up there (heaven) AND he's in a dwess."

Ashlyn is registered for Kindergarten. We are still a little up in the air on which school she is going to. Lines are being redrawn and she's at one school for KG and then will transfer to another for 1st grade, so we are going to appeal and see if we can get her to the one she'll be at for 1st through 6th. I really like both schools, I just want to save ourselves and mainly Ashlyn from starting over at 1st grade.

Our great friends are coming tomorrow! I am so excited! They will be here for a week! It's truly going to be one big slumber party! Can't wait to squeeze those kids! And my kiddos are really excited about all the fun stuff we are doing! Can't tell you Jacksons! Its a surprise! And shouldn't you be packing?

Ashlyn's dance recital is this upcoming weekend, she is adorable! Just a little diva!

Our young marrieds got together on Friday night and played the Not So Newlywed Game and had a great time. We got done early and since we all had babysitters we decided to do something else. So we turned off all the lights in the church building and played hide and go seek. We freaked each other and ourselves out and had a blast! Who knew there were so many good hiding spots in the building? Some were so scary (at least to me and a couple others!) we couldn't even go and try to hide there!

Hope you have a great week!

TA DA!!

Okay folks! Here it is! A very sinful cookie!


Frosted Double Chocolate Cookies

2 Cups ( 12 oz package) Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

Microwave 3/4 cup chips in small microwaveable bowl. Zap until melted. Cool to room temperature.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Set aside
Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla in large mixer until creamy. Beat in melted chocolate and egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto cookie sheets. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 7-9 minutes. Edges will be set, but centers will be slightly soft. Let stand 3 minutes and then remove to wire racks! I know it's tempting to eat them now, but I promise it's worh the wait if you use the icing!

Chocolate Frosting:
Microwave remaining 1/2 cup chips and 2 Tablespoons butter until melted. Stir. Add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and 2 Tablespoons milk. until smooth. To get frosting consistency, you may need to add more pd. sugar or milk!

Let me know how they turned out!!

Memorial Day

What a great day! We took the kids to a park out by my mom and dad's and had about 20 people join us! We BBQ'd and played all day. The weather was warm but a really nice breeze. Richard came for half the day and then had to work. The kids were so dirty!!! They had so much fun playing in the dirt!! They wanted to stop for icecream, but since you couldn't see but their eyes and teeth(for all the dirt) we just went straight home and into the bathtub! What a great way to kick off the summer! I hope all of your memorial day celebrations were just as nice!

Chocolate and Cowboys

Well catchy title huh? Anywho, last night was our Dessert Auction at church! What a fun time! They raised over 5K and yes I mean thousand! The teen group is going to Mississippi for the summer to help with Hurricane Katrina rebuilding! So I made a yummy chocolate cake and it sold for over $200! I was really excited about that. I did get an order and another on the way for making some for a couple folks. And on to the Cowboy! Well our cowboy turns three on Wednesday! What a fun little boy! He truly thinks he's a cowboy and has been heartbroken that he's outgrown his boots. So his ranchhand(me) has bought him a new pair to surprise him for his birthday! And yes, we are having a roundup on Saturday! Can't wait!

It all started...

about 4 days ago. I took a whirlwind trip to the Big D for a momentous occasion. My great friends celebrated a graduation! Not just any graduation, but the first time Shannon Jackson walked to receive his diploma. I am so very proud of you Shannon, and for Danna as well. I'm so blessed to have your family in my life! Thank you for all you are! Congratulations!!

I know, I know...

I know. It's been a while. It's just that sometimes I get so busy and life just flies by. But I do need to sit down and relax and update all you impatient people!! Our big news is.......Ashlyn is 5! Yes I know this is hard to believe. 5 years ago, God blessed us with the most joyful child. She is truly a wonder to watch grow and mature! I can't wait to see how God uses her in her new arena known as Kindergarten! Watch out school, she's a preacher! Her birthday party was great! Of course hectic, but what do you expect with 12 little four and five year old princesses running around! But the day is over and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of school. I'm dreading it while she's already planning what to wear and when she can invite friends over! It's going to be a very short summer :(

The Long Road Home-Our New Home~!

Well, what a quick little trip we had!! Our little family left Wednesday (a big thank you to my boss who gave me the day off) and drove to Tulsa OK! We attended the International Soul Winning Workshop! We had so much fun reconnecting with friends and lots of people that we only get to see there! And the shopping! Loved it! Lots of new books that I am really excited about getting to read! One is called "A Promise Kept" about a more committed marriage relationship! And another is called" I love You Unconditionally, on One Condition". So if you' ve read these and have any comments, let me know! A Huge thank you to my funnel cake and Farkel friends! I really needed those laughs as well as the great conversation! Love you to death, and hope to see you in May! The kids did great, but they were definitely tired! Between In-Laws, Two 6 hour trips, workshop hours, different beds, and lots of other things, they really held up well, at least until the trip home! We hit rock bottom. I was travelling with them by myself(hold all comments here please) and was probably two hours from home! Life was sweet. They were great! Then it happened. Road construction. Not just normal construction. Two miles an hour with 10 miles of one lane blocked construction. Yes. we missed church. Yes, I had to feed Braden on Interstate 44 with no way to pull over. Yes, Carter got out of his seat to potty(please don't ask how we completed this feat!) and Ashlyn helped me get extra clothes for Braden out of the suitcase since he pottied through his diaper. Believe me when I say there wasn't even a shoulder to pull over on and so the kids sang, drew pictures, I started a new book ( A Mother's Heart) and lots and lots of fruit snacks and water. We finally made it home and took the kids to see the newly painted house while we waited for pizza! It looks amazing! Richard and my dad did such an incredible job! And so tomorrow is our much anticipated move in day! I have lots to do today! Wish us luck!

We Have Keys!!

Well, so far so good!! We've started the painting process! We really wanted to get this done before we moved in three really boisterous kids! So, three rooms down! Only three more rooms and a whole basement to go!! The kids haven't seen it yet. We want to get their rooms done first and surprise them, so we'll see how it goes!

A Cute Conversation!!

Yes, I know that this didn't post, so I'm going to redo it!! Okay, Ashlyn had a really hard day on Sunday and of course had to get a spanking for her attitude. So, after her spanking we prayed about it and we tucked her in for bed. Yes this was an all-day-a-coming spanking! So as I lay with Ashlyn for a few moments she says:

Ashlyn: "Mom, I'm sorry I had a bad attitude"
Me: "Ashlyn, we just need to pray a lot and think about what we are going to say and
how we say it"
Ashlyn: "but, Mom, it's hard to do that when it just comes out of my mouth"
Me: "Ashlyn, that's why we pray for us to be able to control what comes out of our
mouth and how it comes out.
Ashlyn: "yeah, you know what else is hard?"
Me: "What's that?"
Ashlyn: "It's hard getting spankings"
Me: "It's hard giving them too"
Ashlyn: "Yeah, but not as hard as getting them"

Oh, reasoning with a four almost five year old!!

A very cute conversation!