Growing Up

Sorry, this is a day late.

Yesterday was Christopher's 7th birthday (did I just say 7th...yikes). I cannot believe it was seven years ago that God blessed us with Christopher. He is such a joy. He is a great big brother.

His day started off with his favorite breakfast...eggs & sausage...and of course, a beautiful rendition of "Happy Birthday." He had a special lunch with Grana and was spoiled greatly. While they were gone I had Kaibryn make his dessert. She did the whole thing except for dipping some of the bon bons into the chocolate. I don't know what I would have done yesterday without her.

Last night we had a family birthday dinner on our new "kids" picnic table from PaPa and Grana. Again we ate his favorite foods - pizza, deviled eggs (yes, I said, deviled eggs. The boy would eat a ton if we would let him), and for dessert he wanted Oreo bon bons which by the way are so yummy!!!!!!!!!
We went around the table and said why we were so grateful for him...that lasted a quick second. But, we praised him for being so obedient and setting such a good example for his younger brother and sisters. He is so good to help with Kaibryn and Cooper. But if you could see him with Kaityn Mae it would make your eyes sweat a little. He has such a sweet heart. He is alot like his Daddy in so many ways. He is witty, always happy, kind, and EVERYONE is his friend. He is always making us laugh and has a GREAT imagination. He is just a great kid.

We are so proud of him and are praying that the Lord reveals Himself personally to him this year.

Dear Sweet Christopher,

I cannot believe that you are seven now. It just seems like yesterday that I went into labor with you on an early Sunday morning and you weren't born until Tuesday morning. You should have seen your Daddy when we were waiting for you. He wrote down every contraction I had. It took up two pieces of notebook paper.
To see your sweet face was AMAZING. From the time I started wanting kids when I was a little girl I always wanted a boy and name him "Christopher Michael." That is such a great name. You are to be a "bearer of Christ." When I found out your Daddy's full name my breath was taken away because I loved that name and wanted it for my child one day. You are so much like your Daddy which makes me love you even more. I pray you become more and more like him as you grow up. Your Daddy loves Jesus and other people. I see him the most happy when he is doing those two things. Just as I want you to be like your earthly Daddy, I want you to be more like your Heavenly Daddy. Oh son, he loves you more than I love you and more than your Daddy loves you...I know it is hard to believe & understand right now. My prayer for you this year is that you will find out for yourself how much your Heavenly Father loves you.
I am looking forward to seeing what God does with your sweet little heart this year. ALWAYS know that your Mommy loves you.

Not Supposed to Happen to Mommas

Well, this entry is about me and my boo boo. Last Saturday morning I was making some banana bread and as I was checking to see if it was done, the top of my hand hit the top of the oven and burned it. It was pretty red but did not think about it. It was only the third time I had done that in a couple of days but was always able to go about my daily business. Anyhoo...it blistered over and in the midst of playing the blister got torn off...OUCH!!!!! Long story short, Monday night my hand was throbbing and hurt to touch and Tuesday the same except worse and my hand was swollen. Went to a clinic and my burn was infected. I had visions of them having to scrape off the dead skin to clean it so I was a little nervous about going.

So, I have to keep it covered and am taking medicine for a week to get rid of the infection. The nurse asked me what my favorite color was. I thought that was a strange question but answered "red." So she pulled out a red bandage and showed me how to wrap my hand up with the med and bandage. After she wrapped it up and gave me everything I realized I should have said, "white" or "brown." Something other than red which stands out like a sore thumb :)!!!!

I know you are probably wondering "which hand?" Of course, it is my right hand the hand I use for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!! Today is a little better. I am able to use it without being in a great ammount of pain, but I can already tell I need to rest it and slow down a little bit. Anyone have suggestions on how to do that with four kiddos? I have four great helpers though who have helped me around the house and are always checking on me. What cuties!!!!

Loving This Weather

After SEVERAL days of triple digit temperatures I am LOVING this cooler weather. This morning we went outside and I let the older three ride their bikes in the street by themselves. Don't panic I was in the driveway watching their every move. They thought they were so big. Usually Chris and I are right there with them.

After a little while I was praising them for obeying the "laws" and watching out for cars and stopping, etc. Christopher rode up to me and with all the excitement he had he said, "Mom, I feel so old. I feel like I am 8." He must think I am ancient if 8 is old to him. It is kind of funny too because on Thursday he is going to be 7, so I guess 8 is old to him.

As I was watching them I kind a little teary eyed thinking about how they are growing up but then excited at the same time because they are becoming more fun the more things they can do. I don't even know if that makes sense.

Anyway, life was good for my 3 kiddos this morning.

Kaibryn's Sleep Over

Kaibryn has been so excited today. Last night she had her "bestest friend in the whole wide world" spend the night with her. This is the first time for her. Cooper earlier this summer had a friend spend the night while his mom was on a mission trip with our church. Christopher got to spend the night with a friend last Sunday night and Kaibryn felt a little left out. So Grace got to come over.

They have had a great time playing, laughing, drawing, playing with puzzles and everything else little girls like to do. It has been a day filled with little girl laughter and sweet chatter. Grace is such a sweet little girl and she and Kaibryn get along so well.

Last night Chris said that we were at a new stage in life now...sleep overs. They can come to our house; however, I'm not sure about sending ours out. They are still little babies and need their Momma, right :) !!!! I'm kidding (sord of).

Nine Years Ago

Nine years ago today Chris told me for the first time that he loved me. I wish I could say my response was the same and I so badly wanted to say it back but had heard it before and I was not about to give my heart away if he was not the one. I believe my exact response was "Thanks for telling me." Yeah, made him feel good, huh. When I told my Dad what I said he started laughing and said that I ripped his heart out and sure enough it did. I am happy to say though that that next Labor Day I was able to say it and mean it with my whole heart. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Chris was my answered prayer.

Nine years later he still loves me which I cannot fully understand but I am so grateful. I don't know what I would do without him. He makes life fun and he makes me laugh. There are days when I can't wait until it is just he and I again. He is the one I have prayed for and I love him more everyday!!!!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."

Summer Photo Contest

OK...I'm going to try this. I am not a photographer like my friend Crazy Daisy but I sure think my babies are cute and take great pictures :)!!!! I really think I gave birth to fish. Not one of my kids are afraid of water. They have had a great time swimming this summer.

Monday Munchies!!

Many of you have done blogs with recipes on them and so I thought I would give you some of my favorites and of course, they will mostly be sweet recipes. Well, because I LOVE sugar and anything with sugar and chocolate...oh, so yummy. In my 8 short years of marriage if Chris and I have the munchies, he goes for nachos, pizza or something like that (which is a meal to me); I on the other had go for the cookies, cakes, brownies, etc.

We have some friends moving this week and are having them over for dinner tonight and I made one of my favorite cookies for dessert and thought I would share it with you. If you LOVE chocolate and gooey cookies then these are for you. I would warn you to be careful because after tasting them you will want to eat the ENTIRE batch.

So here goes...

CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (you are going to LOVE these)

12 oz. Chocolate Chips (I always add a little more...as Chris says, "If a little is good, then alot is better.")
1 C. Butter
1C. Sugar
1 Egg
2 T. Milk
1 t. Vanilla
3 C. Flour
1 t. Baking Poder
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1/2 t. Salt
1/2 C. Sugar

**Lightly spray pan with non-stick spray.**

1. Melt 1 C. chocolate chips. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and sugar together. Add egg, milk, vanilla, and melted chocolate chips.

3. Combine dry ingredients and add to cream mixture.

4. Stir in remaining chips. This is when I add a little more chocolate chips.

5. Roll into balls and then roll in the 1/2 C. sugar.

6. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 - 8 minutes.
**I know this is not very long to bake and when you pull them out of the oven they
will not look done; however, when they cool they have a slight crunch at first
and then yummy gooiness (is that a word?).


**ENJOY!!!!!**