beth sessoms

What is Adele sewing?

2011-06-27T14:45:00.004-04:00

A pillow for her new baby brother or sister, of course. He or she should be here in February!

*This is not a test.

The End/Once Upon a Time

2011-06-15T21:21:00.006-04:00

I am borrowing this title from something that my sister wrote several months ago. She was at a place in her life where something was ending, but she was hopeful about the future...hence the Once Upon a Time phrase.

Today my nephew, Dylan left to start his new life in California with his dad.

*deep breath*

So, we are saying good-bye and "The End" to life as we once knew it. We have never known anything except Christmas, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Black Friday sales, and much more with Tonya and Dylan by our sides. I have said many times that Tonya was my partner and Dylan was Adele's. We have so many memories with them that I just can't imagine life moving forward without them, but it will. Really, there is no choice in that.

However, as I begin to sink deep into the pool of good-byes I am reminded that there is also a "Once Upon a Time" to all our stories. Dylan is starting a new life with his dad. A life that I hope and pray brings him joy, fulfillment, and peace. Oh, how I hope that for him. And we are starting our Once Upon a Time too. Even today the Lord is blessing us and showing us his enormous grace. We will be making new traditions, not because we want to mind you, but because we have to.

My sister has also started her "Once Upon a Time"... she is now in eternity and this time her story will have no end. So, thank you Tonya for reminding me that seasons and circumstances sometimes produce "ends" but that in all endings there are also beginnings.

So, today we really begin our, "Once Upon a Time....."

Chicken Lo Mein

2011-05-23T08:16:00.012-04:00

Ingredients

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup teriyaki sauce

2 teaspoons sesame oil (you can leave this out if you don't have it on hand)

2 teaspoons freshly grated garlic

2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger

1 package linguine

2 chicken breasts

2 tablespoons oil

3 cups broccoli florets

4 oz. sugar snap peas

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

Sauce: Whisk together the cornstarch, chicken broth, teriyaki, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.

Cook noodles as directed on the package. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and chicken saute until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and saute broccoli, sugar snap peas, and red pepper. Add chicken back to pan with vegetables. Pour sauce over and cook for about 30 seconds or until sauce has thickened. Add to noodles.

This really is a delicious and easy meal. We all love it!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2011-05-13T13:21:00.000-04:00

Our dog, Sandy, really dislikes rainy days... not sure why?

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T22:11:00.086-04:00

Today was a different sort of Mother's Day for my family. Every other Mother's Day in my life has been completely full of joy. Not that today wasn't full of joy. It was, but it had some other emotions mixed in that I haven't associated with Mother's Day before. It has been two weeks and one day since Tonya died. Wow... even to type that seems so wrong, unreal, unbelievable, and the list could go on describing how my mind just can't seem to wrap around this tragedy. Yet, no matter how unreal it seems to me, it is indeed real. And still Mother's Day happened...

My Mother's Day started out with a very excited Adele presenting my gifts to me. She gave me the wii game Just Dance. Sorry, no pictures of that... to protect the innocent.

I must admit that Jason beat us all with his dancing... I am not sure whether to be proud or worried? I also received a roll of paper towels (no laughing), a Sham Wow, and one of those wash clothes that is in a heart shape and when you add water it expands. Explanation - Adele has this tradition of going to the Dollar Tree and picking out gifts for us. It is quite interesting. Oh, I also got 24 cans of diet mountain dew...

This Mother's Day my mom went to church with us. Dan, my pastor included Tonya in his sermon today. His topic was Biblical Womanhood and what the Bible has to say about that. The Bible teaches us in 1 Timothy that women should be modestly dressed, pursue godliness, and do good works. Dan taught us about these qualities and then shared with our congregation the way that Tonya possessed them. Was Tonya a saint... well technically yes but, not in the slang sense that she was "perfect". Believe me I grew up with her, she wasn't perfect:) Tonya was a godly woman that pursued holiness, did good works and is now receiving her reward. Praise the Lord! It was truly a blessing to hear how her life reflected our creator today on Mother's Day.

Then Jason, Adele, my mom, and I all came to our house to eat lunch, cooked by none other than yours truly. Normally we eat at my mom's house for EVERY occasion but, we felt that this year we might need to do something a little different. I also made a carrot cake as one of her gifts, with extra icing. Then she opened her presents, which all centered around a garden area that she is creating to remember Tonya. They both shared a love for flowers and butterflies.

Our day ended with a trip to my sister's grave. I know that sounds sad and it was but, there were happy moments too. We released balloons and watched them float to heaven. We brought her flowers. Dylan and Adele took such care that the flowers were arranged just perfectly on her grave. The kids ran around, raced each other (and Jason), and played. Just what a 9 year old and 8 year old should do. I am thankful for God's grace and mercy on them.

That about sums it up. Honestly, I am not sure how to end this post... I have thought and thought but nothing seems quite right. So I'm ending with this.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:1

Remembering Tonya

2011-05-04T08:35:00.006-04:00

My sister's church has created a blog called Remembering Tonya. It is a place to leave stories, memories, photos, and positive comments to Dylan about his mother. Their hope is one day to create from this blog a book for Dylan so that he can see his mother through the eyes of others.

If you have a story, memory, or encouraging words would you please consider sharing them with Dylan?

conversation in my car today...

2011-05-02T17:39:00.002-04:00

Here is a conversation I overheard in my car today on the way home from dance between Adele and Carly.

Me: Look guys (Adele and Carly) at that man digging a huge hole on the side of the street.

Carly: What are they doing?

Adele: They must be digging to find the well. It must be broken.

Carly: How do you know Adele?

Adele: Because I watch Curious George...Oh, and my dad is a plumber.

Saturday... April 23, 2011

2011-04-29T20:44:00.008-04:00

Well.. it has been a while hasn't it. I have been wanting to post again for a while but just never seem to get around to it or seemed to have anything that really inspired me enough to share. However, recently we have had a tragedy in our family. Over Easter Weekend my beautiful and dear sister went to her eternal home.

I am not posting so that you can say, "Oh dear, poor Beth and her family." I am posting to encourage you. You see, I have always known how special my sister was. I would often say of her that she was the best mother I knew. I would often comment that she was one of the sweetest people I knew. And it was all true... you know it must be if a sister says it... for we know the deepest and darkest parts of our sibling! But over the course of the last few days I have heard countless stories of how my sister touched peoples lives. I would like to say that she was just naturally that way but I can't. She was changed.... given a new heart. A heart that loved the Lord more than anything therefore causing that love to spill out to all those around her.

I have heard stories of her giving people a home for a few nights, buying a college student clothes, giving her personal journal to a wife that was going through a struggle that Tonya knew much about, taking meals to a family, cleaning the house of a woman who wasn't able to at the time, taking food to the homeless shelter, letting someone borrow her car, and the list goes on and on. I have been in awe over the last few days of all the lives that my sister has touched. One might say... well Beth if you really knew your sister wouldn't you already know these things about her? I think it is because Tonya truly knew our Lord and Savior that I didn't.

So today I just want to encourage you to live your life for the Lord each day. I have been reminded over the last week that our lives are so fleeting. My sister has inspired me to really live my life for Christ each day, loving and serving others and boasting only of Christ.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:2-4

Can I get a witness...

2009-09-22T11:57:00.044-04:00

For those of you savvy shoppers out there you probably already know about the great deals at Harris Teeter using coupons but I am just finding out the benefits. My mom has been using coupons for about 3 months now and is always telling me about her savings. And so I decided to give it a try... I mean free food, what could it hurt. (And those of you who know me well know that I love, I mean LOVE, a good deal).

So this endeavor started off with buying a Sunday paper, printing off some coupons from the internet and "borrowing" a few coupons from my mom. Then I visited a site online called Southern Savers and the Harris Teeter site. This lady at Southern Savers will tell you what coupons to use with specific deals at Harris Teeter to get items free (that's right I said "F-R-E-E) or extremely cheap... I am talking cents. However, I did find that the prices at her store (wherever she may be) didn't always match our prices here. So what might have been a good deal for her wasn't a great deal for me. I did find though that there were deals at our store that she didn't mention on her site. So, I organized my coupons in my little 3 ring binder (don't laugh) and went into the store and walked the isles looking for deals. This week happened to be triple coupon week. Harris Teeter will triple any coupon up to 99 cents. That means if you have a 75 cent coupon then you can get $2.25 off of that item! I did find that because the prices at Harris Teeter are usually more than say Walmart that most of the items needed to be on sale already at Harris Teeter plus my coupons.

Example: I bought an item that is usually $4.68 but this week was on sale 4 for $10. So, individually each one cost $2.50 (you don't have to get 4 to get the sale price). With my 75 cent coupon (tripled to $2.25) I paid 25 cents! I mean really, WOW!!!

Another great thing about getting these savings is that my family has decided to start a "food box" where we will put some of our free or low cost deals to use for ministry opportunities. I am super excited about being able to do that! Adele and I have already set aside a few of our items for this purpose.

Here is the breakdown of my 2 visits to Harris Teeter:

FREE ITEMS

2 bags of mahatma rice - 10 oz. each

3 bags of Wacky Mac pasta (the tri colored spiral pasta) 10 oz. each

Starkist Tuna pouch

Example:

Starkist Tuna reg. $1.99

coupon for .75 cents off (tripled) - $2.25

FREE

Great Deal Items:

Ortega Taco Season Pack - 2 for .13 cents

French's Mustard - .05 cent

Franks Hot sauce - .09 cents

3 Betty Crocker Warm delights -2 pack (mini cakes you cook in the microwave) - .16 cents each

Zatarain's long grain and wild rice - 2 boxes for .75 cents

Breyer's yo-crunch - 4 pack for .75 cents

Marie Callender's Fettuccini Chicken Balsamico (reg. $4.39) - .25 cents

Here is a picture for those of you who are visual learners!

So overall my bill would have been $34.68 and I paid $2.76. (So even though the prices at Harris Teeter are higher than other places it can still be a HUGE benefit to shop there for deals)

I was and still am really excited about the deals I got. I am just getting started and I know that there are people out there whose grocery bill is cut by 80% just from using coupons. I hope to get there.... but until then I will just go into the kitchen and fix myself an .08 cent snack!

10 year anniversary

2009-08-21T13:17:00.050-04:00

August 14th was mine and Jason's 10 year anniversary. We took a weekend trip to Charleston, SC (post about that soon to follow... or if you have been to my blog lately you know it may not be soon to follow). We left around lunch time on Friday and around 2:35 pm Jason quickly pulled into a rest area (if you have ever been to South Carolina you know that there is a rest area about every 15 minutes!). Once we stopped he turned to me and said, "Ten years ago today about this time we were married." So, we walk over to a shady spot under some large trees and sat down at a picnic table and at 2:41 pm (the exact moment Mr. Porter pronounced us husband and wife) we kissed. Isn't that romantic! Also we exchanged rings that Jason had purchased and had engraved on the inside. He had written me a poem as well and he read that to me. That evening we went on a dinner cruise in Charleston which was so much fun and then later in the hotel we looked through a box of wedding memorabilia that I had brought from home. It contained items like our wedding planner, napkins, wedding invitation, pictures and etc. It was sweet to look through it all and remember our wedding day.

The inscription on the inside of the rings is:

Sg. 8:6-7. That verse reads... "Set as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."

This is the poem:

Flashes of Fire

The lines on these rings are jagged and strong

much like the lines of a fire.

We made our vows and sang our song

once awakened, our love so desired.

Taken us through seasons where easy to stand

other times so out of breath.

Now setting this seal on our hearts and hands

for love is strong as death.

Its flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord

jealousy fierce as the grave.

I've been given this flower to protect with the sword

and that I will all my days.

Many waters cannot quench love

though at times I've made it easy to doubt.

No amount of rain, no amount of floods

will overcome or drown it out.

I am thankful for my marriage and my husband. I am glad love so desires...

Plug for a friend...

2009-07-21T15:51:00.006-04:00

My friend Kay is embarking on 2 new adventures...getting ready for a new addition to her family (baby boy #2 on the way) and starting up a new online business called Sew So Sweet (click the link to see her cool creations for kids). I have seen first hand the so cute baby gifts she has made for her many nieces and nephews over the last few years so I can give her creations a FULL endorsement! Also if you would like to visit her personal blog you can find that here! If you know Kay and have seen or received any of her great homemade baby gifts then leave a comment as to how great they are! I hope that you will visit her store (you will not be sorry) and Kay... I wish you all the best!

Garden

2009-05-29T13:47:00.037-04:00

Well... it has been awhile since I posted last and boy has our garden been growing. I am sure for all of you out there who are garden savvy that you aren't surprised or even really impressed by this news. However for those of us garden newbies this is sheer excitement!

We have watched the sunflowers grow larger and larger almost everyday. It seems like each time we look out the kitchen window they have grown even taller. All the other veggies have grown quite nicely as well. We have had a few casualties (it took Jason a few days to learn to use the hoe) but for the most part our garden has been a great success.

For mother's day I received a potted herb garden and it has been fabulous. The herbs included basil, thyme, oregano, chives, cilantro, parsley and sage. Since mother's day we have added rosemary and a citronella plant (it really is suppose to rid off mosquitos). I have already used several of the herbs for cooking (recipe to follow shortly... OK well maybe not shortly).

Jason also started a compost pile. I don't really have a lot to say about that except... I save all the leftover scraps for it. I know you might be thinking WOW those Sessoms sure have gone green or healthy or something. Let me be the first to inform you that ALL of this growing and decomposing is because we are cheap not because we are trying to save the planet (although that is a nice plus).

It has been really interesting and quite honestly fascinating to watch our garden grow. It is not a lie when I tell you that we go outside every day to look and see what is new in the garden and it is also not a lie when I tell you that certain grown people in this house (who shall remain unnamed) have actually jumped up and down in excitement when the "veggies" started appearing.

So, it goes without saying that I think if you don't have a garden you should start one. It has honestly been a learning and bonding experience for our family. Isn't that precious...

Enjoy the pics!

And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth."

And it was so. Genesis 1:11

#2

2009-04-30T21:20:00.003-04:00

For those of you who read my "25 random things about me" post, this was #2 (you thought this post was going to be about poop didn't you?). Anyway, yes we finally got our garden started and it has been so much fun. We started this winter talking about and planning our garden and then as spring was approaching I honestly was having second thoughts. I wasn't sure we could pull it all off... the tilling, planting, weeding, watering and so forth. But we decided to give it a go. Along the way we have gotten some very helpful advice from many people and a really great book my g-ma let us borrow (although we have had it so long she probably thinks she is never getting it back... sorry g-ma).

We planted corn, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers (several kinds), watermelon, sunflowers, zucchini and carrots (Jason did I leave anything out?). And speaking of Jason, during this planting adventure I have seen a side of my husband that I didn't even know existed. I wasn't really planning on him helping me with the garden, I just didn't think it would be something he would be interested in. BUT... it all started with him printing some graph-paper off of the computer (you read right) and making a map of the garden... to scale! In the process we had to change some of the locations of the plants and silly me I said, "Lets just plant them wherever." Apparently that phrase is some sort of garden blasphemy. No he said, we have to redo the "map". Did we switch places or what? (usually I am the one who is so anal) Any who...

Adele has really enjoyed the garden too and I hope that she learns a lot about life and the meaning of life and.... just kidding, I just hope that we get some good free veggies! Seriously I would recommend starting a garden, it really has been a fun family project (check back with me after about a month of pulling weeds in the 90+ weather and then see if I still recommend it).

Here are a few pics.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Rain, rain don't go away, Adele and her friends want to play...

2009-03-28T19:28:00.034-04:00

Today ended very rainy.... but not dreary for us. We met our neighbors outside for some guitar playing (the boys), chatting (the ladies) and playing in the rain (the girls of course). Us adults sat under Jason's shop out of the rain while Adele, Molly and Rachel ran around in the rain and played. They had such a good time playing in the mud puddles, jumping on a very slick trampoline (I know, not really that safe), running from tornadoes (even less safe) and spraying each other with the water hose (why I am not sure considering it was raining). Needless to say they had a great time! I have very fond memories of my sister and I playing in the mud puddles in our driveway after a big rain... I hope that the girls will remember this day too.

What do you and your family like to do when it rains? Crafts, games, movies or etc. We have had a lot of rain lately so we might all need some rainy day ideas... after all you can't play outside in the rain every time.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:1-4

In the kitchen...

2009-03-15T20:28:00.013-04:00

Today at Servant's Heart Fellowship we had a fellowship meal after church. I made a recipe that I got from my friend Tara called Broccoli Salad Supreme. Well.... it got so many compliments that I decided to share it with you all. It really is delicious!

Ingredients

10 cups broccoli florets (about 3 1/2 heads)

6 cups seedless red grapes (cut in half)

2 cups miracle whip

2/3 cups sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 cup crumbled bacon

1 cup sliced almonds (toasted)

Combine broccoli and grapes in a large bowl. In a small bowl combine miracle whip, sugar and vinegar and pour over the broccoli mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Add bacon and almonds just before serving.

Serves 20

The Whole Armor of God

2009-02-17T16:30:00.000-05:00

We started this week teaching Adele about the armor of God. I have been trying to decide how to go about this for a couple of weeks now. So, Jason printed off some clip art and I taped it to a piece of poster paper, taped on the labels and voila... the armor of God man was born! We are very excited about teaching this to her and to our family as well (I feel certain we will ALL benefit).

My plan is to go over each piece of armor week by week. My mom helped too by purchasing the Armor of God outfit from Lifeway. I am sure Adele is going to love putting all that on as we talk about each piece (she already has great plans to fight the dog!). Another cool thing is that I was looking online at different ways to go about this and I saw a "Armor of God" board game for kids. I thought, "how cute is that"! Then I thought, "Oh, I have that game"! DUH!!!

Please pray for us as we learn and teach this to Adele. Pray that God will use this time to grow our family spiritually, prepare us for His plans for our lives and honor Him. I hope that during these weeks God will help me to see opportunities and/or situations in our everyday lives that can be used to explain the purposes of the armor of God to her and why it is so important.

I am including some pics of the armor of God man and our "armor of God girl" too!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:10-18

25 Random things...

2009-02-14T08:30:00.001-05:00

I have read lots of other people's blogs lately where they have listed 25 random things about themselves and so I decided to try to think of 25 random things about myself that most people wouldn't know...

1. Daisies are my favorite flower.

2. I plan to start a garden this spring.

3. My dad's middle name is Earl and my mom's middle name is Lula (boy did I luck out not to get a family name).

4. Jason and I were pronounced husband and wife at exactly 2:41 pm.

5. My daughter was born at exactly 2:41 pm (not on the same day!).

6. When I find a movie I really like I will watch it over and over and over and over and... well you get the picture.

7. I love photography and some day I hope to take a class on how to actually do it the right way!

8. My parents have been divorced since I was 3 years old.

9. Jason and I were high school sweethearts.

10. I worry a lot. Don't worry (haha) my husband has informed me that this is a form of sin in my life (not totally trusting God's sovereignty) and I am praying about that.

11. I have a step sister that is 4 months older than me and a half brother that is 10 years older than me.

12. I love to play board games!

13. At one of my birthday sleepovers my granddad made all my friends smell his pot of chitlins cooking on the stove. Yeah... they still came back next year.

14. Jason wrote a song for me and sang it at our wedding... mushy, I know.

15. My favorite book of the Bible is James.

16. I am scared of the dark... really.

17. I LOVE to read the Farmer's Almanac... it has a lot of great information in there... really!

18. In college I took a class on Evolution and even though I didn't believe a word the teacher said it was one of my favorite classes.

19. I really like to watch reality shows and my favorite right now is the "Biggest Loser".

20. I am totally scared of sharks but very much fascinated by them at the same time.

21. It makes me very nervous to be on a boat of any size... probably related to the shark fear.

22. My granddad taught me how to swim at our hotel while we were on vacation in the Smokey Mountains.

23. I drink a diet mountain dew every morning to start my day.

24. I can't stand the way a newspaper feels in my hands... it makes me cringe.

25. One of my favorite snacks to eat while watching TV is potato chips dipped in ketchup.

So, many of these things aren't very fascinating but I hadn't posted in a while and nothing super interesting has happened at my house lately... so there you go.

Super Bowl?

2009-01-31T15:01:00.006-05:00

This afternoon Adele was questioning Jason and I about our weekend plans. "What are we going to do this weekend, where can we go?", she wanted to know. She started naming people we could visit and places we could go... "Well" she said, "We can't go to grandma's because they are having a salad bowl party this weekend." Kids, you gotta love them.

It's already snowing at our house!

2009-01-19T11:08:00.020-05:00

Ok, so I tricked you to get you here it is not really snowing at our house... Adele and I have been working on making different kinds of snowflakes for the last few days and who knew we would be done just in time for the real snow's arrival! We made snowflakes from popsicle sticks, paper and my favorite Q-tips (thanks Amber). After they all dried we hung them up over the windows in our kitchen so we can look at them while we are viewing the real snow (when it gets here).

Adele and I are also very excited about the chance of snow today. I hope it snows so much that Adele gets to stay home from school tomorrow (sorry Mrs. Creech!). I guess we will see how much we get. We are going out later to buy all the ingredients to make snow cream (sugar, condensed milk, vanilla flavoring and SNOW... just in case you didn't know).

I hope you all enjoy the pics and the SNOW!!!

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:7

6:30 am Christmas at our house

2008-12-25T09:33:00.021-05:00

We told Adele that she could get up at 6:30 am on Christmas morning. She woke up at 6:29 am... not kidding! The first thing she said to me was, "I just prayed that Jesus would have a good birthday today." So sweet. Then we got up and started the coffee and made some cheese and ham biscuits. Then we all sat down at the kitchen table to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It was a beautiful celebration. We have been doing Advent and so this morning was the lighting of our last candle and because it was still dark outside it was beautiful (don't worry I have pictures!).

Then we all settled into the living room to open our gifts. This year Adele asked for a metal detector (seriously). We also bought her several other gifts that were a hit (you know some years you bomb). She LOVED her new hot pink MP3 Player and pink watch. It was cool to watch her open each gift and get so excited!

I hope that you enjoy this day and the celebration of the real reason for Christmas and God's "gift" to us... salvation.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

A different kind of recipe

2008-12-11T16:14:00.021-05:00

I was trying to think of what Adele might like to give the kids in her class as a Christmas present and I came across this recipe for Play Dough. I know, you are thinking why make your own play dough? We are just like that... we like to be "crafty". Anyway, it was really easy and fun to watch how the play dough changed in the microwave. Give it a try! I bet you have almost all the ingredients in your house already.

Play Dough

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. salt

2 T. cream of tartar

2 packages of Kool-Aid

2 c. water

2 T. baby oil (you can use cooking oil)

Mix together the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix the water, baby oil and kool-aid. Then mix the 2 together in a microwave safe dish. Stir until well blended. Microwave on high for a total of 4 to 5 minutes stopping every 30 to 45 seconds to stir. Continue to microwave until a ball forms. After the play is cool enough to touch, you are ready to create!!!

*I just wanted to add to make sure you stir really well on the sides and bottom of your microwave dish because the play dough starts to form in those areas first and if you don't stir well it will get to hard. Also we halved the recipe and that made plenty.

Pictures of us making ours... doesn't it look like fun!!!

I do hope that you will try this with your kids. Like I said we are going to give the dry ingredients to Adele's friends in her class for Christmas (shh ... don't tell them) and hope that their parents aren't too upset with me! Ha Ha!

Thanksgiving Party

2008-11-26T16:20:00.038-05:00

A few days ago (OK many days ago) Adele had her Thanksgiving party at school. Another mom and I had this party. So we had a little feast which consisted of turkey (real) sandwiches, soup and a turkey cookie cake (which I made myself and I think turned out pretty good for a first try - see above picture). The kids made pilgrim hats and looked so cute singing their little Thanksgiving songs. Here are a few pictures and video so you can share in the festivities.

Here is a video of them singing about a pet turkey named "Albuquerque" and how they have chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving! So cute!

Well...I guess all there is to say now is MERRY CHRISTMAS (it has been a while since my last post)!

Corn Chowder

2008-11-10T20:53:00.009-05:00

This is a recipe that many of my friends love. I got the recipe from my aunt Vicki and G-ma (grandma). They love to cook and always share their recipes with me. I am not sure where they got this one from. Anyway, this is the time of year to make chowder. On days when it is cold outside (and if it is cloudy that makes it even better, you know the kind of cloudy I am talking about... like it is getting ready to snow) I love to get into my kitchen and make something like this. It makes you feel all warm and cozy inside. Then you get to settle in with your family to a nice bowl of corn chowder.....

Ingredients

3 ounces bacon, chopping into small pieces

1 large onion, chopped

1 rib of celery, chopped

3 cups of potatoes, cubed

2 cans of chicken broth

2 cans of cream style corn

16 ounce niblet corn

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

Fry the bacon until done, then add the onion. I usually just do this in whatever pot I am going to use to cook the chowder (the less to clean the better). Cook the onion for about 5 minutes. Next add the celery, potatoes and chicken broth. The chicken broth should just cover the potatoes (if it doesn't just add more broth or water). Cook the potatoes until done then add the cream corn and niblet corn. In a separate bowl heat the milk and butter until warm and then add to chowder. Salt and pepper to taste.

Note: A few times I have had the chowder to turn out more like soup than chowder. If this happens just remove a little of the liquid from the chowder. In the removed liquid add a little corn starch and add back to chowder and it should thicken up for you. This will not affect the taste of the corn chowder.

Enjoy!!!

Daddy's Birthday (Love, Adele)

2008-11-04T00:00:00.002-05:00

I love you Daddy. Happy Birthday. We like to play checkers together. And he plays other games with me. And he lets me ride with him and Sandy. He plays basketball with me. He plays the guitar and helps me play the guitar. I think that is it....

Well... he plays outside with me. He is in between 60 years old because he is 33 years old. And sings good with his microphone. He is a good daddy. I love you, Daddy. Thank you for my watch.

The End. Adele

Vollmer Farm

2008-10-25T14:40:00.025-04:00

On Thursday I went with Adele and her class to Vollmer Farm. We had a great time. The weather was cool and crisp just as a day at the pumpkin farm should be. We made butter, learned all about cows, played in a corn sandbox, jumped on a HUGE "pumpkin pillow", figured out a corn maze and much, much more.

I hope you enjoy our pictures. If you haven't ever been to Vollmer Farm you should check it out!

Interesting

2008-10-18T20:59:00.032-04:00

Today I was looking through the pictures on my camera to see if there was anything I wanted to blog about. I was looking at pictures of the pumpkin farm, my parents new puppy and etc. when I came across some pictures that Adele had obviously taken. Hmm, I thought. I wonder when she took these? Then I saw the pictures of Jason and my question was answered.

Before I show you the pics let me give a little background. There have been several times that I have come home after being gone all day and asked Jason what Adele had for lunch. "Oops" he would say, "I knew I forgot something." (No people I am not joking!) Then on other days I would leave and remind him to feed her lunch and Adele would say, "Oh no, not oodles of noodles again." However, I did think that during these times he was at least watching her, now I have to wonder...

I guess at this point I must say that this is all said in fun (yet honesty) and that Jason really is a great dad. Maybe not the most attentive (haha) but great. Adele adores him and he her. But still...

There is one more thing you need to know.. YES he is available for baby sitting!

Adele Doll

2008-10-06T13:59:00.004-04:00

Adele had to make this doll for a school project because they were learning about "God made me". Her teacher traced out Adele's body onto the brown paper and then sent it home for us to "creatively" decorate it to fit Adele's personality. There were a few stipulations though... on the right arm she had to write her first name, on the left her her last name, on the right leg she had to put pictures of activities she enjoys, on the left leg she had to write the names of her friends (sorry if you don't see your name up there... there was only so much room but she does love you), on the chest she had to put pictures of the people she loves (again only so much room) and finally (and I do mean FINALLY!!!) on the stomach she had to put pictures of the food she likes to eat.

We did have a great time working on this. She insisted on a few things for her "Adele doll". She wanted her to have on tap shoes, a ring and a necklace. And my favorite is that she insisted on "drawing" the nose herself (take a good look).

The teachers put them up outside the classroom for all to see and I REALLY wish I had taken pictures of all of them... they were all so cute. What a fun project! And let me also take this opportunity to say that I am grateful for a school and a teacher that surround my child each day with the love and example of Christ.

(if you click on the picture you can see them larger)

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in you book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

Gingersnaps and Pumpkin Dip

2008-09-30T15:33:00.009-04:00

This is a dessert that I fix EVERY fall. The gingersnaps are chewy and delicious and the pumpkin dip tastes like a very sweet pumpkin pie! YUM YUM..

Gingersnaps

1 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup unsulphured molasses

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoon ginger

Sugar (optional)

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves and ginger together in a bowl. Add molasses mixture and blend well. Chill cookie dough for at least 1 hour. Then using your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 7 minutes. Cool on wire racks. If desired, (I always do this. It forms a nice crust on the tops) roll dough balls in sugar before baking. Bake at 350.

Yields about 4 dozen.

Pumpkin Dip

2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened

15 oz. can of pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 lb. powdered sugar

Blend cream cheese with mixer until smooth. Add pumpkin and spices to cream cheese mixture, fold in powdered sugar. Chill before serving.

NOTE: I always 1/2 the pumpkin dip recipe because it makes so much.

HAPPY FALL!

fungi

2008-09-11T20:03:00.132-04:00

There is some fungi in my yard, more commonly known as mushrooms. Even though they are fungi they are still very beautiful. Adele noticed them first and wanted to tear them to pieces and inspect them but before she did I got a few pictures.

I thought this one looked like a chinese mushroom. I am not exactly sure what that means but that is what I think.

We saw this mushroom a few days ago and thought it was really cool that it had grown in our driveway among the rocks. What will to survive! I took a few pictures of it thinking of how we sometimes have to thrive in hard circumstances (like the rocks) and as I was marveling over this thought Adele knocked it over with a stick. Well... that's life I guess.

Adele and Jason thought this one looked like a loaf of bread. Probably because it was getting late and we hadn't eaten supper yet!

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Just like my mom...

2008-08-29T09:57:00.014-04:00

I picked Adele up from my mom's a few nights ago and they said come into the living room and see this big frog we caught! And he is smart too, is what I was told! I think he was finishing up his arithmetic when I got there. They wanted to know if I wanted to hold him (well, of course wouldn't everyone). I declined.

I have shared in past posts that Adele loves all kinds of creepy crawly things and so does my mom. Whenever Adele goes over there they have all these plans about what they are going to try to catch that day. It is hilarious and charming all at the same time. I love that they share that. They love to sew together, bake cookies, work in the garden, chat while Adele potties (did I just write that), do lots of crafts and much more. They really love and enjoy each other.

I am glad that Adele and my mom have each other. They really are "two peas in a pod" (or two frogs on a lilly pad). I think this post started out about a frog...

Carrot Cake

2008-08-21T10:54:00.011-04:00

This is a recipe that I make ALL the time. I found it in a Farm Bureau magazine about 5 years ago (I always read the last page because that's where the recipes and jokes are). This carrot cake is actually called "True's Famous Carrot Cake". I don't have any idea who "True" is or even if "True" is a true person (ha ha). But, never the less this is the best carrot cake I have ever had. I love to make this in the fall, it fills the house with that cinnamon scent. Delicious!

Ingredients

3 C. flour (all purpose)

2 1/2 C. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3 C. fresh grated carrots (YES fresh grated - it is worth it)

1 1/2 C veg. oil

4 eggs

Icing

1 stick butter (1/2 cup)

1 box 10x powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into three greased 9" round baking pans. Bake for 30 -35 minutes at 350 degrees. Yields 10 - 12 servings.

Optional : 1 cup crushed pecans or walnuts in icing and/or 3/4 cup raisins in batter.

NOTE - These are some changes I make when baking this!

I always mix the dry ingredients first, next add the wet ingredients and then add the grated carrots. I don't make it as a three layer cake, I ALWAYS make it as a sheet cake (9 x 13). I think this keeps the cake more moist. I bake it at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes (until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean). I also put a piece of tin foil or something over the cake as it cools to help keep the moisture in. I do use walnuts but I sprinkle them on top of the icing instead of mixing them in. I have never added the raisins but I am sure that would be good.

If you like carrot cake you should really try this recipe. It is very easy and very delicious.

1st day of 1st grade!

2008-08-19T09:20:00.025-04:00

The 1st day of 1st grade has finally arrived! Yesterday we went for a "drop in" day. A drop in day is where you stay for a few minutes to get to know your classmates and teacher. We stayed for 1 hour and 30 minutes because Adele didn't want to leave. After the last kid had come and gone I told her that we had to go. It was cute.

The Lord has truly blessed us this school year. Back in February we signed Adele up at FCS (Faith Christian School) and shortly after that we started praying for her "new" teacher. Well, about 3 weeks ago I found out that her kindergarten teacher from Englewood Baptist had moved to FCS and was going to be one of the 1st grade teachers. On Friday we found out that Adele is in her class. Praise God. I was concerned about how well Adele would transition to a new school. She sometimes struggles with anxiety. But, the Lord had already made provisions for her at her new school by giving her Mrs. Creech. He is so good to us!

This morning while we were getting ready Adele asked could we go ahead and leave so we could get to school early. We did and like a BIG girl she walked in by herself (and like a scared mama I parked my car and then went in to make sure she had found her class). She had and was already in her seat doing her work. I must say that I was very, very proud of her today. But, mostly I am thankful to the Lord who gave Adele comfort and joy (that is the fruit of the spirit that we are talking about this week... how appropriate) on her first day at a new school. PRAISE THE LORD OH MY SOUL!

Here are some pictures of her I took today. She picked out this shirt to wear on the first day of school because it had a butterfly on it. Also, she insisted on taking some "silly pose" pictures so I included those too. Enjoy the pictures and did I say yet how proud I am of her?

Vacationing with the Powells

2008-08-13T15:42:00.002-04:00

For 3 years now we have taken a vacation with our friends the Powells. That would be Brandon, Tess, Aidan and Carly for those of you that don't know. We really treasure this time together. This year and last we stayed at Sea Spray near Fort Macon. We got there on Thursday morning and stayed until Sunday. We had lots of FUN! Of course, we practically lived on the beach (sorry Jason) but we did some other things too like visited Fort Macon, stayed up late playing games and talking (the adults), played twister, did family (and friends) worship each night and lots more. God has truly blessed us in our friendship with each other. We had a blast. I look forward to next year already! Enjoy the pictures and the video.

Carly and Adele learned how to do "flips" into the pool this year. Carly was a quick learner and got it right from the start but it took Adele a few (OK several) tries but she finally got it!

A few pictures from our trip!

Monday night for supper...

2008-08-08T12:33:00.000-04:00

Monday night for supper we had my all time favorite dish. It is called "Stir-Fry Sunday Supper" and I got it out of the Ladies Home Journal. They held a Heart-to-Heart Recipe Contest and this recipe won. It was submitted by Barbara C. Bernard of Holyoke, Mass. She said she got the recipe from her mother but as she and her husband became more health conscious she changed it around a bit. So thanks Barbara because I love it! I cook this almost every week.

Stir-Fry Sunday Supper

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 tbls. reduced-sodium soy sauce (I don't use reduced)

4 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 cup fresh orange juice

4 tsp. peanut oil

1 lb. shiitake or portabello mushrooms, stems discarded, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups coarsely grated carrot

2 celery stalks, sliced (I omit the celery)

4 cups cooked brown rice

sliced scallion, for garnish (I omit the scallion)

Pound the chicken slightly to thin and cut crosswise into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick). Whisk together garlic, soy sauce, 2 teaspoons cornstarch and the ginger in a large bowl, for marinade. Add chicken, turning to coat, cover and chill for 45 minute, stirring occasionally.

Whisk together juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl until dissolved.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a skillet over high heat, until hot but not smoking. Remove chicken from marinade and add to skillet, saute' turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil, the mushrooms, carrot and celery to the skillet, saute' over moderately high hear until tender, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet, add juice-cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil. Stir until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.

Serve over rice and garnish with scallion (or not).

It says this serves 8... but not in my house!

The magazine also included the nutritional info. So if you are interested... Per serving: 300 calories, 4.5 g. total fat, 1 g. sat. fat, 245 mg. sodium, 33 g. carbs, 37 mg calcium, 66 mg chol, 31 g protein, 3 g fiber.

Swimming lessons

2008-08-05T22:09:00.001-04:00

This was Adele's 3rd year of swimming lessons. NO, the picture on the right is not from this year. That is from 3 years ago when she took swim lessons for the 1st time. That summer during swim lessons she spent most of her time crying (as displayed in the picture). It was quite the experience. I just thought I would share the picture to show just how far she has come.

Thankfully, the past 2 years she has done great and I have been extremely proud of her. My goal (for a 6 year old) was for her to be able to get to the side of the pool by herself should she accidentally fall in. Hopefully, she is comfortable enough in the water now to do that.

This year she learned more about arm movements and how to come up for breaths while swimming (impressive right). Quite a long way from the picture above! Aidan and Carly were in her swim class this year, which was very exciting to her. She enjoyed sharing it with them. On some days after class they would get to go down the slide as a reward and on the last day they "jumped" off of the diving board. Yeah! That was Adele's favorite part. Here are some pictures of the lessons and also a video that I took with my digital camera (that's right a video, I've gone high tech now!).

This video is really cute of Adele, Aidan and Carly jumping off of the diving board on the last day of swim lessons. They were so proud of themselves and so were we!

Desert Rose

2008-07-29T14:52:00.011-04:00

A few years after Jason and I got married his mother, Jackie gave me her china which was a pattern called "Desert Rose". Soon after that my grandmother started to give me more pieces in the set. So now it has become a tradition with me and my grandmother that every Christmas and birthday she gives me more pieces.

When Adele was in the 4 year old class at St. Andrew's Preschool (also where I work) her teacher, Kay Thompson did this art project with the kids to sell at our silent auction. What she did was use the kids' fingerprints to make a picture of a flower. So, here I am copying her idea. Thanks Kay!

I decided to make mine to match my china, Desert Rose and hang it in my kitchen beside the hutch. What I did was buy a canvas board from Big Lots for $5 and then acrylic paint to match the flowers, leaves and stems of my china. It wasn't hard, Adele loves crafts so she was a willing participant. Also Jason and I made a few leaves and flowers with our fingers just so all of our family members could have a part in it, but it is mostly Adele's fingerprints. Our plan is for Jason to make a frame for it..... hopefully sometime soon! I really enjoyed doing this with Adele and now the china means even more to me. Enjoy the pictures!

(If you click on the picture you can go straight to bubbleshare and view them bigger)

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Bless the Lord

2008-07-24T22:52:00.003-04:00

About a week ago Jason posted on an artist named Laura Story. Then a few days ago he gave me her CD and said "listen to this, I think you will really like it" and he was right! There is a song called "My God is Mighty to Save" and it is so great. Adele and I have been listening to this song over and over (and over and over and.... you get the point) in the car, which I think is somewhat annoying to Jason (usually he prefers to only listen to half a song before moving on to the next one!). The song is #3 on the CD and whenever it is over and another song begins Adele will either say "#3" or hold up 3 fingers (implying for us to replay the song). However, my new favorite song on this CD is #1 "Bless the Lord". This song has really spoken to my heart and ministered to me because of some recent circumstances in my life.

My favorite part of "Bless the Lord" is when she says that He gives and takes away to refine us in areas that we don't even realize exist in ourselves so that we can glorify Him more. I know that this has been true for me recently. I love that she reminds us that who are we to say what we need. WHO ARE WE to say what we need? Every time I hear this song I feel so convicted but at the same time so hopeful and free. I pray that this song speaks to you the way it has spoken to me.

Bless the Lord

Laura Story

You give and take away for my good.

For who am I to say what I need?

For You alone see the hidden parts of me

that need to be stripped away.  

And as You begin to refine,

I’m learning to let go and rely

on One who walks with me, as hard as it may be.

You’re teaching me all the while to say:

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

All that’s in me bless Your name,

Forget not Your power un- told,

not Your glory or Your fame.

For You came to heal the broken,

to redeem and make me whole.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

( Warning: a few of the lyrics on the u tube video are typed incorrectly. It was either this video or one that had pictures that very closely resembled those "assorted" cards you get in the box for birthdays, get well and such. It wasn't pretty.)

Pizza Dip

2008-07-21T23:37:00.012-04:00

This recipe came from my step - sister in law (I think that is right?), Dawn. I was over at her house for her daughter's birthday party about 2 years ago and she had this for the moms to snack on. I told her I had to have the recipe. I have made this so many times for my friends as well and when I do we literally eat it until we feel sick, it is so good.

Pizza Dip

1 jar of pizza sauce

8 oz. cream cheese

2 tbsp. italian seasoning

parmesan cheese

mozzarella cheese

pepperoni

1 loaf of french baguette

Soften the cream cheese and mix with the italian seasoning. Spread the mixture in the bottom of an 8 x 8 pyrex. Sprinkle with parmesan (she just wrote "sprinkle"). Then spread on the pizza sauce and top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Bake at 375 degrees until bubbly (about 45 minutes).

Slice the french baguette into individual pieces. Lay the pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees, until just brown around the edges.

Let the pizza dip cool for about 10 minutes and then spread it onto the individual pieces of the french baguette and serve.

YUM YUM!! Please try this it really is so good!!

Snakes Alive!!!

2008-07-19T11:07:00.011-04:00

We went to the library to see the "Snakes Alive" show with Ron Cromer. It really was alot of fun and the kids LOVED it. Adele loves frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles and pretty much anything that will freak a mama out! She gets this from my mom who also loves those types of creature (she and Adele are two peas in a pod). The pictures tell it all but I would like to let everyone know that Ron Cromer does go to schools and other organizations, if you are interested.

Here is his: website: http://www.snakesalive.org/

In the kitchen...

2008-07-10T18:51:00.013-04:00

For those of you that know me well, you know that I LOVE to cook, bake, blend and etc. If it has anything to do with making food I love to do it. So, at the encouragement of my husband and mother-in-law I am going to every so often post a recipe or something relating to food. Of course, all the recipes will be from magazines, cookbooks or otherwise. I said I like to cook, not come up with my own recipes. Rachel Ray I am not! I am not sure how this is really going to work or even if anyone will really be interested. However, I must say that I was disappointed in the lack response (thanks Jamie and Angela) to my post about "kids say the funniest things." I was really hoping that you guys would have commented back with all the funny things your kids have said. I was looking forward to laughing. SO, I would really love some comments that contain your recipes or anything that has to do with food or cooking........I KNOW YOU PEOPLE EAT!!!

With that said.....here is the first recipe.

This is my favorite recipe. If you know me you know I cook this dessert at least 1 time a month! I found it in a magazine, not sure which one.

EASY STRAWBERRY PIE

Pie shell:

1/3 cup cooking oil

3 tablespoons water

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pie filling:

2 pints strawberries

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup cold water

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup heavy cream

Crust directions: Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the oil and water in a bowl and stir well. In another bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the oil and water mixture and combine to the flour and combine until it has a consistency similar to soft clay. Cut 2 pieces of waxed paper to about 14 inches. Place the dough between the sheets and roll it out to approximately 12 inches. Set in a 9-inch pie plate and press carefully. Trim and flute the edges. Prick little holes with a fork all over the crust. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes and let the shell cool completely.

NOTE: If you do not want to make your own crust you can use one of the frozen ready to bake pie crusts.

Pie filling directions: In a sauce pan, mash together 1 cup of strawberries, 3/4 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of the water. Cook over medium heat until warm. Dilute the cornstarch with the remaining water and stir it into the mashed strawberry mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Then boil 1 minute or until the glaze turns thick and clear. Cool to room temperature. Use an electric mixer to whip the heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of sugar until peaks form. Spread one third of the whipped cream into the pie shell. Slice the remaining uncooked strawberries and put on top of the whipped cream. Then over that spoon the glaze mixture and top with the rest of the whipped cream. Refrigerate until serving. Serves 8. This is my favorite part....BEST EATEN WITHIN 1 DAY!.

This recipe may seem lengthy but I assure you that it is very simple to make and is one of the best pies I have ever eaten.

I really hope that you will try it.

Slipping and a sliding.....

2008-07-07T23:13:00.001-04:00

One of Adele's favorite things to do during the summer is to get out the slip-n-slide. She begs to use it almost everyday. So, here are a few pictures of her, Rachel and Molly doing just that. They really had a lot of fun and YES even I did a little sliding of my own (try not to laugh). I hope that you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as they enjoyed making them.....

Happy 4th of July (and a sweet treat)

2008-07-03T22:20:00.001-04:00

Adele and I were watching a friend's little girl, Abigail and we made a cute little 4th of July treat. We had some 4th of July marshmallows and I was trying to think of a snack to make with them, to be festive and this came to mind. I originally had this treat at my friend Emily's house a few months ago and thought it was so good! I took some pictures of Adele and Abigail to show how much fun we had. I am going to put the recipe (it is very simple) below if any one is interested. The red (actually pink), white and blue star marshmallows came from Walmart. Please share any "festive" or quick and easy treat recipes that you have!

Marshmallow Crackers

You will need: saltine crackers, peanut butter and marshmallows

Spread the peanut butter on the saltine crackers and top with your choice of marshmallows. Place on a baking pan and bake at 350 until the marshmallows start to turn brown. Enjoy!

The things kids say...

2008-07-02T22:36:00.003-04:00

Tonight as we were riding home in the car Adele asked if she could turn on the light above her head so she could eat her slushy from Sonic with a spoon? Jason said yes that would be fine. After a few seconds of obviously "trying" to get the light on without success, finally she turned it on. Then she looked at us and said, "Whew! I was starting to think the electricity was out." We laughed so hard.

Feel free to leave a comment about something funny your kids have done or said.

Adele and her "aquamarine friend"

2008-07-01T18:04:00.004-04:00

I thought this was a cute picture of Adele and Carly at the pool. Just wanted to share the fun!

Our family vacation

2008-06-30T12:42:00.007-04:00

This year for our family vacation we went to Summer Winds. By our "family" I mean me, Jason, Adele, my mom, my step-dad, my sister, and her son Dylan (who is 6 weeks older than Adele). We had so much fun! We stayed out on the beach almost all day, everyday. I must say that Jason was out there with us EVERY morning (under his umbrella of course). One day we went to play putt-putt and ride the go carts and that was lots of fun. Then another day we went to Fort Macon and the beach there to look for shells. All in all it was a great vacation. The best yet I would say. So, I hope you enjoy the pics because we certainly enjoyed the vacation!

(if you click on the picture you can go to "bubble share" and view them larger.

SHARK!!!!!

2008-06-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

How Cool! We found this dead shark washed up on the beach on our vacation. We think it was a sand shark. The kids thought it was the best thing ever. They put the shark in a bucket with water and kept insisting that they saw it move or that bubbles were coming out of it's mouth (yes, my sister and I checked to make sure it wasn't still alive). They were so funny. The shark's eyes were so blue, you can even see that in the picture. It really was a great "science lesson" and we thought school was out for the summer!

Like father, like daughter

2008-06-26T22:04:00.004-04:00

If you have ever seen my husband, Jason play music and sing anywhere then you have probably noticed that he likes to make what I like to lovingly call "funny faces" while he is singing. Of course, not for the purpose of making funny faces but that just seems to be what naturally happens when he sings and plays. I guess it must be from listening to so much James Taylor as a teenager! Anyway, on to the point of this post...... I guess Adele got the music gene from her dad. Take a look!

Stay Tuned.....

2008-06-22T23:09:00.002-04:00

Well... if you have visited my blog in the last week you may have noticed that it has been lying dormant. We were at the beach all last week on our family vacation. We had so much fun! So, I apologize that there hasn't been much, well any, action lately. But, stay tuned because as soon as our house gets back to normal (and by normal I mean the HUGE mounds of clothing, beach towels, beach toys and etc. being gone) I will start posting. Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures of our vacation.

Lollipop, lollipop, Oh lolli, lollipop....

2008-06-12T15:21:00.000-04:00

Adele's grandparents recently bought her and her cousin, Dylan a new pony. Her name is Lollipop! She is a large miniature pony. Just to clarify, for those of you that don't know (Jason) a pony is not a baby horse. A pony is actually a small breed of horse. Adele has been very excited about the new addition at "New Life Quarter Horses" but I think you can tell from the pictures that she is not the only one having a lot of fun (papa). Hope you enjoy the pictures!

(if you click on the picture you can go to "bubbleshare" and view them larger)

Train up a child........

2008-06-08T21:49:00.009-04:00

Today Adele was in one of her I am almost grown moods and she was talking "smart" to Jason and I. So, we were "explaining" to her that she could either stop or be punished. She informed us that she really doesn't like us telling her what to do anymore and that she was tired of us "bossing" her around. So, calmly (ok, not calmly) I explained to her that the bible says to "train up a child". I asked her what she thought that meant. Adele said,, "It means for you to tell me what to do, but I just want to be free!" (as she dramatically threw her arms open wide) I explained to her that no one was really "free", not in the way she was talking about. Just when I thought I had said something really good, she said, "Birds are free". So (this is the funniest part) Jason said "Ok, when you start flying around the house, then we will stop telling you what to do." I guess that is where she gets it from? Let me add just for those of you who are wondering, the whole ordeal did end with....well let me just say she did end up getting "punished".

Any Good Ideas? (or any ideas at all)

2008-06-05T13:42:00.011-04:00

It seems like before the summer actually starts when spring is in the air I have all these dreams of the things Adele and I will do this summer. I make plans and then it gets HOT!!! So, this summer I really want our time to be fun and fun-filled........ of course not everyday! I really want to make the best of our time together over the next few months.... since she goes to "real" school next year (for those of you that don't already know, what I mean by "real" school is all day school. She just finished a 1/2 day kindergarten program).

So, here is my question. I was wondering if anyone has any good ideas (or any ideas at all) about any activities or crafts that would be fun? By activities I don't really mean anything that costs a lot of money. I mean activities like going to the children's museum (local) or going to City Lake with our friends for a picnic and to feed the ducks. Things that will really make some memories.

My second question is, who would like to join us? It is always more fun with friends.

"For the next person..."

2008-06-02T23:14:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago I went into the bathroom at our house and this is what I saw. I called Adele in there and asked why there was toilet paper on the seat of the "potty"? She replied seriously, "Oh, that is for the next person." At least she is thoughtful and practices good hygiene!

Great Gift Idea

2008-06-01T22:00:00.001-04:00

OK, you know that my daughter and my best friend share a birthday. On Adele's birthday after we got home from the Marbles Museum we were playing outside with Tess and her kids (for those of you that don't know they live in our neighborhood). She said I have something for you at my house that I need to go get. When she came back she handed me a journal that had "Adele" written across the front. Tess said that for the last year she had been journaling about all the funny things Adele has said or done. It was so funny to read it all. We went to eat supper and cake at my mom's for Adele's birthday that night and we read it to everyone there. We laughed and laughed at all the things she has said over the past year. It was really a great way to end the celebration of her birth.

So, I just wanted to say "thanks" to my friend for the journal. It means so much to me and I will treasure it always. I also wanted to post about it because I thought it was such a great idea that someone else might want to do it for their friend or even a grandparent (they love stuff like that).

May 30, 2008 at 2:41 pm

2008-05-31T22:55:00.007-04:00

Here is a picture of Adele on her birthday (may 30th) taken at her exact "birth-minute" (2:41 pm).

Marbles Museum

2008-05-31T22:38:00.024-04:00

For Adele's birthday we took her to the Marbles Museum in Raleigh. It really has nothing to do with marbles, except for the big marble wall. It is an interactive and creative museum for kids. It was so much fun. We got there around 9:30 am and stayed for 5 hours. When you walk in there are several "games" that are life size, like chess or connect four that you can play. Then there is a area called "around town" that has different areas of play that represent different places in Raleigh like Wake Med., the post office, grocery stores and etc. In these areas you can pretend to drive an ambulance, work in the post office, shop for groceries, fish on a boat, dress up in costumes and put on a "play" on the stage and lots more. Then there is a "water area", craft table and a very large ship to play on. Upstairs there are several interactive play areas such as legos, a work shop with tools and wood that you can really saw, hammer, nail and etc. There is another area for creative movement. In this area there is karaoke, instruments, dancing, crafts and so much more. The area that was my favorite was the "japanese school". It was set up so that you could visit these 5 japanese children's school and homes. You could go in their "rooms" at home and see what their hobbies were and what they liked to eat. It also showed there school room, their desks and what subjects they learn. It was amazing.

I know I am going on and on but I really thought this place was great and it was only $5 per person (we had to pay for public parking as well and we won't talk about how much that was). I recommend this museum to everyone. We plan to go back again soon. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

( if you double click in the middle of the pictures it will take you to "bubble share" and you can view them much larger

Adele the Theologian

2008-05-29T22:42:00.007-04:00

Ok, so there is this "tween" show on Disney called "Wizards of Waverly Place" that Adele has been asking to watch. For a while we have just been telling her no because we felt like the show of course wasn't something we wanted her to see. Well, she has gone on and on about it so last night I suggested to her that she and her dad should watch it and decide whether or not it honored God. So, today she comes to me and says, "I just cast a spell on you." Great..... so I say to her THAT is why you can't watch that show because it influences you to behave ungodly. So she says, (now this is the reason I am blogging) "If God doesn't like us casting spells and wizards cast spells, then WHY did God create wizards?" I know that she didn't come right out and ask "why is there sin" but I must say that I was impressed with her reasoning and "thinking it out". Obviously, I told her that was a good question and that she should ask her dad as soon as he gets home from work!

Sunscreen - What kind to buy?

2008-05-29T11:07:00.000-04:00

I was up late last night (too excited about starting my blog to sleep) and I was watching a late night show and they had a panel talking about consumer reports findings on which sunscreens work the best. I thought it was very interesting, especially since I live in a house with 2 very "sun sensitive" individuals. It said also that cost was no indicator of how well the sunscreen works. It actually rated Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry - Touch SPF 55 the best but also said that No - Ad Sunblock Lotion Maximum SPF45 sunscreen came in very close to the top and that brand is pretty inexpensive (which we all love!). So..... happy sunning!!!!

The story of Adele...

2008-05-29T08:16:00.001-04:00

Adele turns 6 tomorrow and I thought it would be appropriate since I just started this blog to share the story of how she came to be..... the story begins far before September 13th, 2001 which is the day we found out I was pregnant. We started trying to get pregnant about 16 months before that. We had been trying for about 6 months when my doctor put me on clomid, a fertility drug. So for the next year I made several visits a month to the dr. for blood tests, a pregnancy test and check up. Each time with a negative pregnancy test and an even more negative attitude (it is hard to be so honest about yourself and your actions). During this time my best friend, Tess had gotten pregnant. Honestly, this was also very hard for me and it put a strain on our relationship because I wasn't at a place that I could enjoy it with her. After about 12 months of trying my dr. told me that he wanted to do surgery to find out why I wasn't getting pregnant. And so he did and it was concluded that I have endometriosis. So during the surgery they "got rid" of the endometriosis that was growing to improve my chances of getting pregnant. During this time I wasn't really trusting God for his will and his timing in my life. I was focused on WHY God, all these other people are pregnant, even people who don't want to be pregnant. I just didn't understand.

My dr. had said that we would try for 3 months to get pregnant after the surgery and if I still wasn't pregnant after that he would want to do "artificial insemination". So, the first month after surgery I still wasn't pregnant and I was sitting in the exam room waiting for him to come back in and I just let go and completely surrendered to God. My prayer to God that day was that I wanted his will and his timing. A few minutes later the dr. came in and asked if I wanted to go ahead with the insemination even though it was only the first month of trying after the surgery not the third. Of course I said yes. So, on August 31st, 2001, I had the artificial insemination (for those of you who do quick math you have already figured out I got pregnant that month). But let me back up a little. I had been reading in James where it talks about having the elders of your church pray for you and I told Jason that was something I wanted to do. Up until this point we had shared that we were trying to get pregnant with only a few people. So, we went to our deacons and they prayed over us. I will never forget sitting in that room while those men laid hands on me and prayed for God's will and also asked God to "breathe life into me". Even now as I am typing tears have come into my eyes. That was the first day of my pregnancy. I think that is so amazing. But that isn't all. I mentioned earlier that my best friend, Tess had gotten pregnant early on in the story and how it was a strain on our friendship because I was having a hard time . Well, during this time she was so patient with me and constantly prayed for me. A true testimony of what the bible says a friend should be. Well....isn't this just like God, Adele was born on Tess's birthday! Yup, they share the birthday of May 3oth (not the same year of course). I felt like that was God saying to me that he was going to restore my friendship with her and that this "season" in our friendship had been for his purpose and glory. Ok, I have one more thing that God did to show me that this was HIS timing, literally. My best friend Tess is also a labor and delivery nurse and so she has a watch that she uses to know the "exact" time babies are born ( it is set with some clock somewhere or something like that) and on our wedding day she gave us a napkin where she had written "pronounced husband and wife at 2:41 pm". Well, a couple of months after Adele's birth I found that napkin and I was floored because Adele had also been born also at 2:41 pm. I know, WOW!

So, Adele Dawes Sessoms was born on Thursday, May 30th at 2:41 pm at Heritage Hospital in Tarboro. She weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz., was 22 inches long and had a head full of dark brown hair. Every inch of her was perfect!!! We were absolutely beside ourselves with joy and thankfulness.

I feel like God used all those things to say to me "I have a plan for you" just like in Jeremiah 29:11. I guess I could have just trusted in that from the beginning (but what fun would there have been in that?). I am so grateful to God for Adele and what he has shown me through her life already. I still don't know "why" God had me wait to conceive and go through that process. I do know that I wished I had behaved differently, I wished I had given God more glory during that time with my actions and totally trusted in him. I am grateful for that lesson and for my precious daughter. Did I mention that Adele turns 6 tomorrow and that my dearest friend Tess turns....29 (you're welcome Tess).

Are they real, Mommy?

2008-05-29T00:27:00.000-04:00

There are moments as a parent that you never want to forget...... Adele had her dance recital about a week ago and we were told by the other parents that the dads give the daughters flowers after their performances. So we went to Walmart and bought roses for her. I wrapped them in pink and white tissue paper and ribbon. After her last dance Jason went to the dressing room to get her and bring her back out to sit with us so she could watch the rest of the show. That is when he presented her with her roses. When he brought her back out she had the sweetest look on her face. She just kept starring at the roses like she couldn't believe they were really hers. Then, (now this is the moment I never want to forget) she carefully took one finger and gently stroked the petal of one of the roses, leaned over so slowly to smell them and then looked at me and said softly, "Are they real mommy?" Trying to choke back the tears I replied, "Yes, they are real". It really got away with me how those roses made her feel so special. I mean, I know that it wasn't really the "roses" that made her feel loved, it was what the roses represented to her. How much we love her. But I started thinking, do I make her feel that loved everyday? Do I do little things each day to make her feel that way? And do I let others around me know how much I love them? I am sure I don't, but I want to.............

Newt News

2008-05-28T23:23:00.000-04:00

So, a few days ago Adele and I collected some tadpoles out of our neighbor's ditch and as we were watching them I thought I saw a fish in the tank. A few days later as I was changing the water I tried to catch the "fish" so I could show it to Adele. Well... the "fish" had legs and a tail! It was actually a baby newt, a semi-aquatic lizard. It still had it's external gills. We kept it for a few days and Adele took it to school to show her friends. It really was cool and amazing to see how small it was. Another thing that was cool but gross was that we learned that tadpoles actually don't eat just algae or decaying matter in the water, which is what I thought, but they actually eat worms and sometimes other tadpoles. So, this was brought to my attention when I saw several of the tadpoles actually biting and pulling on this worm that was in the water. Honestly, they looked like piranha. So be warned! Do they even have teeth?